Raif Montgomery, lead singer of Renegades, the area’s most popular band, isn’t like other guys. When he gets left at the altar by a woman most men would kill to have, he finds himself more relieved than heartbroken. Things take another twisted little turn when he gets drunk the night of his non-wedding and makes a pass at his best friend, Chloe. She doesn’t shut him down.
Overall, he has plenty to occupy his troubled mind.
His mom is concerned he’s heading for a self-destruct of epic proportions. But all he can think about is tasting Chloe’s lips again, and getting her to agree to give them a shot as a couple. When a Nashville music producer starts hanging around Renegades’ shows, it seems that things are falling into place for the band.
But does he want success for the band if it means leaving Chloe behind? Can he walk away from the woman he loves? Or will he sacrifice the Renegades’ dreams to keep his heart intact?
Lissa was first inspired to consider a career in writing when she was in high school. Her English teacher recognized Lissa's gift for storytelling and encouraged her love of writing. She has 8 nieces and nephews whom she adores and a beloved cat who is her baby. Lissa loves the color purple and chai tea, and watches way too much TV.
Lissa writes flawed individuals living in stories that mix humor with the darker side of life and love.
Raif Montgomery is standing at the altar watching his bride to be walk down the aisle towards him so they can say their I dos but when she gets there she says I can’t do this instead of I do and walks away leaving poor Raif standing there all alone but not to worry his best friend Chole Jane Morris is standing on that altar with him and she will certainly pick up the pieces.
The wedding party leaves the church and head out to the Saloon, Chole’s bar that her granddaddy left her when he past away. There Raif drowns all of his sorrows in a glass. When the night ends Raif makes a pass for Chole. Chole doesn’t shut him down as she has been in love with him almost all of her life.
Chole and Raif have been best friends for as long as they can remember. Raif has always been there for Chole whenever she needed him. Chole and her mother have never been close and she was always hard on her. So whenever Chole needed a shoulder to cry on Raif was there.
After he is jilted Raif and Chole decide to give their relationship a try but when Raif’s band the Renegades is giving a contract and they take off for Nashville Chole is left at home all alone running the Saloon. Between Chole’s trust issues that were brought on because of the relationship between Chole and her mother and Raif being gone for so long their relationship is strained.
With Raif being gone for so long Chole is having a lot of self-doubt and her trust issues are flaring up and it doesn’t help any when an old friend shows up stabbing her in the heart and twisting the knife deeper and deeper causing Chole’s trust issues to flame up even more.
Is Chole’s love for Raif strong enough to help her overcome her trust issues? Is Raif’s love for Chole strong enough to help her overcome her trust issues? Will Raif’s dream get in the way of his and Chole’s relationship? Will they let the past walk in and take it all away?
Renegade Heart is a sweet little romance with wonderfully amazing characters. The author knows how to bring the words right off the page and make you feel what the characters feel. By the end of the book she had me in tears. There were happy tears and sad tears all rolled into one. I just love a story that can make you really feel what the characters feel or feel for them. Authors that can make you feel for the character in just one book now that is one amazing and brilliant author.
If you are looking for a brilliantly written love story that has all the feel goods then look no further because Renegade Hearts is that book. I highly recommend Renegade Hearts to anyone who loves a good love story.
This was my first read from this author and holy heck what a sweet story that filled my heart. I absolutely adored this read which caught my attention from the beginning of this small town crushing on your best friend unrequited love. I found the flow of the story to be perfect (although I read it incredibly quickly) and I adored the characters and the small town charm. Not to say it was all cupcakes and fairy dust as there were definitely the skeletons lurking around
I truly adored this read and can't wait to read more from this author
This is a terrific book that I could not put down. I stayed up til the wee hours of morning to finish, I don’t regret it for a minute. The author quickly drew me in to this story from the first page and had me wanting to know what was going to happen next. The characters are complex, interesting and people I wouldn’t mind having as friends - well, except one person. My heartstrings were tugged on, I held my breath in anticipation and suspense,. This is the first book by this author I have read and it won’t be my last.
4.5Stars I love when I find a new author to read, it is so exciting to see what they have in store and with this author I have to say that I am already looking forward to reading what she has next because this was a super read. Raif Montgomery is the lead singer of the band Renegade Hearts but fame means nothing when he is left standing at the altar, dumped in spectacular fashion by Pippa…ouch! I wasn’t sure how he was going to get over that little episode and the author didn’t make it easy for him, because this country rock star did what guys in his position normally do ,he drowned his sorrows with both booze and women. Chloe is Raif’s best friend, she has been since they were children, so it was inevitable that she would be the woman to help him get through the pain of what had happened, but I have to say that it was far from easy for her because she has loved her best friend for longer than she is prepared to admit to even herself and since Pippa was what could have be termed a “friend” of hers she was feeling ever so slightly conflicted. The pair of them had a lot to deal with but I wanted them to see what was staring them in the face and to actually realise that they had both had a narrow escape and that Pippa had done them a favour – they could find a happy ever after with each other if they just looked hard enough. Chloe’s life was complicated, she had a mother that was a junkie and a bar to run, so when Raif was all set to hit the big time, she wasn’t sure that she would be a help or a hinderance to his career and from what I could see, she was almost both but as with all good stories they had a long way to get to a happy ending and there was pain along the way for the two of them. I felt the love and loss element of the story was cleverly pitched, he had the world at his feet potentially when in reality all he wanted was her by his side and when tragedy struck that is exactly what he knew he had to have…Chloe was his grounding, the woman that he belonged too and he just had to find a way to make sure she knew that. For a man that made his living with words, Raif was mute at being able to express how he felt to Chloe, she on the other hand was a little too “good” for my liking, I wanted her to stand up for herself a little more and stop putting everyone else before herself …man up woman! All that being said, I can’t moan because I thought the book, the story and the characters were fantastic and I look forward to reading the next instalment of the series, hopefully it is Luke!
My heart is a doing a little swooning right now! Raif you made this rock chick fall in love with a country music hottie. That hasn’t happened since I laid eyes on Sam Hunt. It’s not so much about his music it’s about the fact that he is easy on the eyes. But this isn’t a love letter to Sam Hunt it’s about Chloe and Raif and how they are meant to be.
Chloe Jane has always loved Raif. They have always been best friends and part of every aspect of each other’s lives. When he is set to marry her “friend” and I use that term loosely she stands by while holding the bride’s flowers. When Pippa cuts and runs like Julia Roberts in Runaway Bride, she steps up to be a shoulder to lean on. They start to really take notice of each other and decide to take a chance on their feelings. Sadly, Raif is a rising country star and Chloe has abandonment issues. She isn’t sure this will ever work out. While his star is rising, she back home running her family bar and trying to dodge her shady drug addicted mother.
Raif dodged a bullet when Pippa ran away at the altar. He loves Chloe Jane and isn’t sure how to tell her. You would think he would be able to tell her in a song. He follows his heart and lands the girl of his dreams. Sadly, at the same time his dreams of country music stardom are on the rise and he doesn’t want to make her choose. He tries to juggle fame and love and sadly one of them gets dropped. When a tragedy strikes, he knows he must head home to the girl who has his heart.
I haven’t read many country music star books. I’m a sucker for a dirty foul mouth rock star but I don’t know Raif might have changed my mind. He is good in every sense of the word minus those few weeks he went off the rails. He just sucked at communication. I liked Chloe, but I think she lived too much of her life for others and never herself. She was good at hiding and pretending things were ok when it wasn’t. I hate Pippa. She’s a witch with a capital B. My heart broke for Luke. I want to hug him, and I can’t wait for his story. This is one series I will certainly be continuing.
After he is jilted at the alter by his 'on again - off again' girlfriend, Raif takes comfort in boozes, women and his best friend Chloe. He knew his ex wasn't the one for him, but faced with the possibility of risking his heart and telling Chloe how he feels about her, Raif believes that he is just not good enough for her... equally Chloe Jane feels unworthy, Raif has been her friend and saviour since they were children, he has always looked out for her...the daughter of the town junkie... Chloe feels that people are waiting for her to fail... and undeserving of the love that she so deserves. Only time will tell if these two will risk their hearts to the others safekeeping.
This is a beautifully crafted slow burn of a friends to lovers. Filled with heart ache and longing and old hurts that haunt them both. A concept that has been written and re written many times over but never gets old for us die hart romance fans...the author stamps her own original telling with the wonderful characters that she has created.
Chloe Jane is sweet and soul filled and a caregiver through and through. Raif is a well meaning 'sometime' idiot with his inability to verbalise how he feels and what's going on in his brain. Together they are a sweet and soulful combination of great romance.... I just wish that they had been brave and actually spoken to each other... that they had expressed how they were feeling...there was a moment when Raif tells Chloe...along the lines of ( and I'm badly paraphrasing ) that 'her feelings and inability to trust aren't his problem'... wooo !!! ... I wanted to hoof him in the nuts so bad! BUT... this is why we read... to feel and be rocked with words... let's face it.. a little drama is always needed to make for an interesting read.
Back to characters...I'm going to briefly mention Luke.. Luke is the epitome of a best friend watching from the sidelines... I hope his bruised heart finds a sassy and sultry happy ever after in his book. This is Book one in the series and with four guys in the same titled band... there is plenty of characters and scope to bring new and interesting reads in this series.
As the authors debut book it's a great introduction to her writing style. Im excited to see how this story progresses and what's in store for the other band members. My eyes will be peeled for future releases from this author.
I set out to tell you the things the other reviews seem to have fallen short on. I'm not a reader by any means but before I could turn the page I was fully hooked. I mean it when I say you do not need to be a full on bookworm to love this book- that sentiment is pulling me into more of the series as it is released!
Renegade Heart literally made me feel a vast array of emotions, from falling in love with the love birds (Chole and Raif) -to wanting to punch Raif for typical man behavior- to laughing out loud at some hilarious dialogue- to feeling urged to wipe Chloe's tears- all the way to identifying with each character's facets of humanity in my own self. I'm obviously the introspective sort, perhaps this is why the writing style appealed to me.
The dual first person story telling was executed brilliantly by the author. I am greatful for this soulful romance novel, having evoked so much emotion. It took me to another dimension at times. A much needed escape from my daily pains and a relatable reminder to us all that love mustn't be taken for granted. Sometimes, taking a chance will bring the change you so eagerly want. Glad I took the chance on Renegade Heart and I highly recommend it.👍👍
The book blurb gives enough away as to the concept,set in a small town,with the leads being best friend's forever-Chloe having been in love with Raif-yet never crossing the line of friendship,and is all set to see him marry someone else (Pippa) so long as he's happy. The wedding doesn't happen,they share a moment but nothing more comes from it. As the story moves on, eventually the lines do get blurred,and both admit to the feelings for each other. Raif's band also get's some attention from a record producer so life on the road is on the cards so it's a test to Chloe and Raif's relationship as there is time apart,with some drama and angst moments as a result of the re-appearance of Pippa (I didn't like her character one bit!) I did enjoy reading this story,told in DUAL POV's there was some funny moments alongside the rest of what happens,and it will be interesting to read about the other guy's in the band,and hopefully not the last we see of Chloe and Raif.
REVIEWING FOR ROCK HARD ROMANCE by Vicki RHR RATING 4*/5
I am always looking to discover new authors that will spark my interest. Lisa Lynn Thomas is a new author to me, I picked up the book and finished it with in a couple of days. The writing flows nicely along. You are introduced to these amazing characters that will hold a place in your heart long after you finish the last page. Raif may just earn a spot on your favorite book boyfriend list.
Chloe was a strong female character, she never wanted anyone to pity or help her. She had a tough life growing up and didn’t have any family left. As she tries to keep her grandfathers legacy alive she realizes just how alone she is and how much Raif actually means to her.
Being left at the alter may just be the best thing that has ever happened to Raif. As he dwells in his sorrows he realizes that his feelings for Chloe are so much more than he ever had for Pippa. He doesn’t feel like he is good enough for her which led him back to repeatedly making the same mistakes over and over again. Will he finally go after what he really wants?
This is a small town romance you do not want to miss!
What a great debut from Lissa Lynn Thomas! I really loved Raif and Chloe. It's the perfect friends to lovers story that will grab you from page one!
We are introduced to the Renegades - which I'm assuming each of the guys in the band will get their own stories. Raif is the lead singer and best friend to Chloe, their unofficial manager and girl next door.
The book flowed seamlessly and you really feel a part of the characters. The only thing that threw me off was the location in which the characters were from. Their cadence of speech and their all-around mannerisms reminded me of people from the south, not upstate New York. But other than that I loved every bit of the story and can't wait for Luke's story next in the Renegades Series!
This is a new author for me and I was so happy that I found her. I thoroughly enjoyed this read. I loved Raif and Chloe, he’s been her rock and best friend for years and when he’s stood up at the altar he turns to Chloe for comfort, but the one thing is she feels more for him than just friendship, she’s loved him for so long, little does she know he feels the same way and that him being dumped was a blessing. Only if these two could just be open and honest with each other, they might have a chance to be together. No spoilers, this was a really great read, glad to have found this author. I received a copy of this book.
Raif and Cloe Jane have been best friends since they were kids. Pippa has been his off and on girl for years. When Pippa leaves him at the altar all kinds of hell breaks loose. This friends to lovers story had me from page one. Raif never thinking he deserved Cloe, and Cloe thinking she would always be left behind. These two had a lot to overcome but in the end all is right. Some tragedy strikes and Raif finally gets his girl. Luke though..... ugh he stole my heart. He needs an amazing woman to overshadow Chloe . Canr wait for Renegade Soul
Chloe and Raif are best friends, grew up together, being each other's shoulder through though times. Now as adults Chloe runs her grandpa bar and Raif is in a band. Chloe has always a crush on Raif but keeps it quiet and him the same. But fate has a way of changing things. Like Raif's fiancee leaving him at the altar and Raif is ready to admit he sees Chloe differently. Will Chloe and Raif finally tell each other they secret live one another? What will happen when the music opportunity Raif and his band have been waiting on happens? Will they get a HEA?
Renegade Heart is a good read. Raif is a lead singer of Renegades. He is best friends with Chloe. On his weeding day he get left at the alter. Chloe has always has a crush of Raif. I kind of felt bad for these two for a while. They are both great characters but at times they just seem lost. Raif is spirally out of control with drinking and women. They both have a lot to deal with. I was rooting for them to get a happy ever after. This one was a quick read that had me hooked.
In this small town romance, Chloe and Raif are best friends since forever. He is the lead singer of the up and coming country group. After Raif gets left at the alter, Chloe more then consoles him. Have they finally act on their feelings for each other or do they continue to dance around each other. Renegade Hearts is a good story, sweet and some angsts thrown in.
This was a very sweet and emotional story between some very amazing and emotional characters. I enjoyed everything about Renegade Heart. It was a great read that will keep you highly entertained and fully captivated in the story. The characters, Chloe and Raif, have such great chemistry and their shift from friends to lovers is intense and wonderful.
I enjoyed this book. Raif and Chloe's fiends to lovers romance delivers a major case of "The Feels" as the story unfolds. This read will capture and keep your attention with an engaging blend of intense emotions, drama, angst, poignancy and heart melting romance. I really liked and sympathized with Chloe and I liked Raif (even if I did think he deserved a swift kick once or twice). I thought this was a great read and a excellent start to this new series. I am posting an independent, impartial review.
This is a wonderful story which is about the lead singer of Renegade Raif, who is jilted at the altar, and his best friend Chloe, who will stand beside him no matter what. This is a beautifully written story which is sweet, emotional, with complex characters, and a brilliant story which pulls at the heartstrings. I cannot wait to read more from this gifted author, and highly recommend for all.
This is a fun, sweet romance with some steam ;) Once I got the chance to sit down and read it (I have a 6 month old), I couldn’t put it down! The main characters are nuanced (and sexy!) and the supporting cast is full of interesting people! I can’t wait to read more in the series!
this was a touching story of friendship and love. he was about to get married only to have his soon to be wife walk away. now hes drowning his sorrows. only he makes a pass at his best friend. she has always wanted something she could never have or could she? read to find out.
Let me start by saying this was the first book I have read by this author, but can promise it won't be the last! The chemistry between these two was great. The story grabbed my attention and drew me in. This also was a quick read!
Chloe and Raif pull you in and take you on an emotional, heartbreaking, sweet, and beautiful of friends to lover with a few twist to keep you reading till the end. Had my heart in pieces thur out the while book hoping things would work out. Amazing read and can't wait to read the next.
What a great read. It's funny, with many emotions going through this reader. Yes, happy tears. I really enjoys all the characters in this book. Looking forward to the next book.
A sweet heartfelt romance. I really enjoyed the characters and their push and pull as they transitioned from friends to lovers. It brought a smile to my face.
Loved every single word!!! These are awesome characters and a great storyline...my heart breaks for Luke...first read by this author and now I want more!