Everything

Songbird #3

by Melissa Pearl

Jody Pritchett had a dream...but life had other plans. Instead of singing and dancing on Broadway, Jody's a twenty-year-old single mom, living at home with her disapproving father and overbearing sister. The choice to keep her little Angelia came with a high price and although she adores her baby girl, it doesn't take away the sting of kissing goodbye her chance at a career on the stage.

Leo Sinclair had his own dream...but got lost along the way. After a failed marriage that left him hollow and downtrodden, the Australian songwriter wonders what joy his future could possibly hold. Encouraged by the one family member who doesn't think he's a failure, Leo decides to stop living the life everyone expects him to and start chasing his dreams again.
When the perfect opportunity comes knocking, Leo leaves Australia behind and hops a flight to LA. With his sights set on selling a musical to a Broadway producer, Leo is determined to finally realize his life-long dream. But life gets in the way again, when he spots a young mother outside his apartment in tears. He never realized how one person, one voice, and one Angel could have him contemplating abandoning his dreams once again.

As these two burned hearts wrestle to overcome their past struggles, Leo and Jody must decide what dreams are worth clinging to...because, sometimes, everything you want is not everything you need.

Genres: Romance, New Adult, Contemporary, Music, Friends To Lovers

224 pages, Nook

First published April 17, 2015

About the author

Melissa Pearl was born in Auckland, New Zealand, but has spent much of her life abroad, living in countries such as Jordan, Cyprus and Pakistan... not to mention a nine month road trip around North America with her husband. "Best. Year. Ever!!" She is a trained elementary teacher, but writing is her passion. Since becoming a full time mother she has had the opportunity to pursue this dream and her debut novel hit the internet in November 2011. Since then she has continued to produce a steady stream of books, ranging in genres from Fantasy to Romantic Suspense to Contemporary Romance. She loves the variety.

"I am passionate about writing. It stirs a fire in my soul that I never knew I had. I want to be the best writer I can possibly be and transport my readers into another world where they can laugh, cry and fall in love."

Melissa Pearl is a Forever Love Publishing author. If you'd like to download their Starter Library (3 books for FREE), then you can copy and paste this link into your Internet browser: http://bit.ly/FLP_Library

Reviews

[Paula M · Rating 4 out of 5]

 

I swear, Melissa Pearl does things inside of me that I can't explain. Is it butterflies? Jumping unicorns? I don't know. But what I do know is that she's the only one who can do it. I started reading this book knowing that I won't be disappointed. And boy, was I right. Melissa did it again! With a hot melting romance, real and raw characters and music that soothes your heart and soul, Everything is what Melissa Pearl is all about.

Jody and Leo is Melissa's new masterpiece and they couldn't be more perfect for each other. Jody is admirable. I felt and hurt for her. She's too young to experience all the hurts that was thrown at her way but it was amazing how she dealt with everything head on. True, she was stupid. She got played. But some lessons need to be experienced in the best hurtful way and Jody know all about that now. But she got her little Angel out of it... and that makes it all worth it.

Leo has his own obstacles to push through. He has his own dreams that he wants to happen. And its great that when Jody came into his life, he wasn't distracted (okay he was, but in a good way) but most importantly, he was inspired more than ever. Ahhh, Leo. How do I describe Leo? He's this British guy that when you get a sight of him you can't help but ask him if he wants to be the father of your first child. Then you'll be embarrassed for yourself so you'll blame his eyes. His smile. His accent too.

The romance was perfect as usual. Hot and sweet. Full of sexiness and chemistry that only two in love characters can make. You can feel it roll off through the pages. Everything made me feel lots of emotions. But the most was love. Love for the characters. Love for music. Love for the author. This book is a love story. But it also deals with family, being a parent, your dreams.. a book that only Melissa Pearl can write.

[Pick a Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

****ARC provided by Natgalley in exchange for an honest review: Thank you.

4 "OMG that's sooo cute" stars

This book is part of the "Songbird" series. It's the third one, but you can read it without the others. The characters from book one and two are here but this is a story about a new couple.

Jody dreams to sing on Broadway. She wants the lights, the applause, she wants to sing. But when she is at college she falls for the wrong guy, gets pregnant and has to go back home, changing her future for good. Although living again with her family she feels helpless and wants to try to live by her own and take care of her child. She meets Leo Sinclair, a songwriter who also wants to be on Broadway and wants to help this single mother.

I enjoyed that it wasn't a love at first sight. They meet, became friends and that leads to wanting to be together. They were so sweet together, even when they were just friends. I loved the way Leo made Jody happy and also loved the way he was with her baby angel. He's the perfect guy, ya know. The one who knows exactly what to do to make your sad feelings turns into a smile in your face. And this was what I did when he was just being himself. A satisfied smile was stuck in my face almost the entire book.

I loved Melissa Pearl's writing. Even in the emotional scenes she didn't let it get too dramatic. The story flows through the pages and I could not let go until I reach the end of it.

EVERYTHING is a sweet and beautiful romance. But not about just that. it's about pursue the things you want the most. Don't be afraid to try to make your dreams come true. In a world where it not always possible to get everything the way you wanted, you can still make it, and be happy with your choices.


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ARC fornecido pelo Netgalley em troca de uma resenha honesta: Obrigada!

4 estrelas

Este livro faz parte da série "Songbird". É o terceiro livro, mas você pode lê-lo sem os outros. Os personagens do livro um e dois aparecem aqui, mas esta é uma história sobre um novo casal.

Jody sonha em cantar na Broadway. Ela quer estar no palco, quer os aplausos, ela quer cantar. Mas quando está na faculdade, se apaixona pelo cara errado, engravida e tem de voltar para casa, mudando o seu futuro para sempre. Embora esteja vivendo novamente com sua família, ela se sente impotente e quer tentar viver por conta própria e cuidar de sua filha. Ela conhece Leo Sinclair, um compositor que também querem estar na Broadway e que está disposto a ajudar esta mãe solteira.

Eu gostei que ele não foi amor à primeira vista. Eles se conheceram, viraram amigos e o que leva a querer estar juntos. Eles eram tão fofos juntos, mesmo quando eram apenas amigos. Adorei a forma como Leo fazia Jody feliz e também adorei a forma como ele era com a filha da Jody.. Ele é o cara perfeito, sabe. A pessoa que sabe exatamente o que fazer para pegar seus sentimentos de tristeza e transformá-los em um sorriso no rosto. E foi isso o que eu fiz quando ele estava apenas sendo ele mesmo. Um sorriso satisfeito ficou preso em meu rosto quase todo o livro.

Eu amei a escrita da autora. Mesmo nas cenas emotivas ela não deixou que ficasse muito dramático. A história flui através das páginas e eu não pude largar até chegar ao final.

EVERYTHING é um romance fofinho e bonitinho. Mas não se trata apenas disso. É sobre ir atrás as coisas que você mais deseja. Não ter medo de tentar fazer com que seus sonhos se tornem realidade. Em um mundo onde nem sempre é possível ter tudo do jeito que você quer, você ainda pode tentar, e ser feliz no caminho.

[Kami Dodson-Perry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leo & Jody

Jody is a single 20 year old Mom living back at home with her dad and sister Morgan. Jody overhears that Morgan is basically putting her life on hold because of her situation of single mother with no job. Jody decides to look for a place of her own and a job to support herself and her daughter Angel.

Leo is from Australia and needs to get a new start after his divorce is final. He wants Broadway and sets his sights on writing a play to get him there. Leo is offered a job and place to live from his Uncle in California and takes the opportunity to get closer to his dream.

Jody is looking for a place to live and a job, Leo has both available. And a friendship starts between the two.

Leo and Jody are perfect for each other. They complement each other perfectly and have so much in common. Leo treats Jody with respect and you can feel the love he has for her through the authors words.

Rating: 3 STARS

[Lenore Kosinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://celebrityreaders.com/2017/06/...

4 stars -- Ah, another sweet sweet love story!!  I loved how this one turned out, and the hea we got!!

I wasn't sure how I was going to like Jody's story, b/c Jody herself gave me some reservations, particularly in Bulletproof.  And while she was still a bit of a drama queen for me, we did get to see her grow up a bit over the course of the book.  I wouldn't have minded a bit more growth with her, but I think she just might not be my favourite heroine, and that's OK you know?  While it was hard to see her act so naively even at the beginning of the book, it really made her growth as a mother so much more impactful.  I found myself rooting for her and the strides she was making in her independence.  I think the nature of her personality will always have her feeling a bit young, but it worked for her, especially as a match to Leo.

Leo was extra adorable, he was so my kind of hero!  I loved how sweet and kind he was, and he really reminded me of my Dad.  We always used to joke that my Dad always had a song for everything, and he would break out into songs all the time...it was one of my favourite qualities about him, so of course I loved that aspect of Leo as well.  I will admit that I didn't really feel like his background made much of an impact on who he was, and I kind of wanted some of that to come into play, or to learn more about it.  I feel like he had a really unique past in Australia, but it was kind of just glossed over, so I wondered what the point was.  Not that it was a big deal, but I guess I kept waiting for his parents to have an impact, or to just dive in a wee bit more to why he got married so young.

Leo and Jody brought out the best in each other.  I loved the way Leo brought the sunshine back to Jody...how they connected so perfectly over music.  They brought happy smiles to each other, and thus brought happy smiles to me.  There were so many cute scenes that I fell in love with, especially the Dance With Me Tonight scene.  That was just gold.  And I loved how he called her foxy pants!  I didn't feel their sexual chemistry quite as much as say Morgan and Sean, or even Cole and Ella, but their romantic chemistry and friendship chemistry was fantastic.

And I ADORED the way Leo was with Angel.  While I'm not huge on kids, I really felt like Jody's struggles raising Angel, and how that impacted her romantic relationships was well portrayed.  And you could really tell that Leo was falling in love with *both* his girls.

I will say, the highlight for me in this book was the musical.  I really loved that we got to learn what it was about, and see bits of the lyrics of some of the songs.  I kind of want to see this musical!!  Ms. Pearl needs to write it!  :P  You know, in her spare time.  *rolls eyes*

The climax and resolution of this book was spot on...I was crying and crying and then smiling so big!  And the epilogue was gold.  Time to continue my read-a-thon!!  I can't wait to reread Rather Be now that I've truly met Leo and Angel!

[Dusti Hanrahan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 "you are my everything dream" Stars

***ARC kindly given by Netgalley in exchange for honest review"***

song: "OUR SONG" by Ron Pope.

To begin, this is book 3 in The Songbird series but can be read as a stand alone. I have not read books 1 and 2 and had no problems at all reading this one and do plan to read the others.

This book was a refreshingly sweet story about chasing ones dreams. Jo and Leo have both given up their dream of Broadway for personal reasons and when fate threw them together they had to decide what exactly they wanted more....did their dream remain the same?

I really enjoyed this book, not too much drama or angst but enough to keep you on the edge and fighting for Jo and Leo to find their way.
Melissa Pearl has a way with words, she made me feel their sadness and joy. I look forward to reading more of her books.

[Kassiah · Rating 2 out of 5]

1-1/2 stars.

This review also appears on Pretty Sassy Cool (or it will on pub day).

I didn't read the other books in the Songbird Series, and after reading this, I definitely won't be. Pretty much every single thing about this book rubbed me the wrong way, and I am sure that I would have flounced it if I hadn't committed to writing a review. I just kept expecting it to get better. Unfortunately, it got worse. And worse.

Jody is a twenty year old single mom who gave up her dream of singing on stage when she got pregnant. Devastated by the fact that the father of her baby (who was also her teacher) didn't want her to have the baby, she dropped out of school and has been living with her dad and sister ever since. Fast forward to when the baby is eight months old. Jody is depressed; her father is barely speaking to her, and her sister wants to move in with her movie star boyfriend but feels like she can't because she has to help Jody with the baby.

Wanting some time to herself to think about how much she screwed up everyone's lives by keeping her baby, Jody takes Angel to the park, where she cries and runs into Leo. Leo is fresh from a divorce, just coming to the United States from Australia to pursue his dream of writing and producing on Broadway. He has an uncle with great connections who gave him a job managing a building. Leo decides to put an empty apartment in the building up for rent so he can make a little extra cash and hire a building manager so he can focus on his production. It seems like fate when Jody answers his ad and Leo makes her an unlikely offer: she can live in the apartment in exchange for managing the building. Leo will also buy her food and give her a small salary. I should point out here that Jody has no experience with anything but Leo feels he has to take a chance with this girl.

They start out with the new arrangement and when Leo hears Jody sing, he gets the inspiration to write his musical.

She was my nightingale, my muse, and that one image of her singing about starting over and taking a leap sparked an idea so potent I hadn't been able to escape it.

Of course, along the way, Jody and Leo develop feelings for each other. How can it all work out when Jody is saddled with being a single mother and Leo's dream is to move to NYC for Broadway?

There is so much ridiculousness in this book, I barely know where to start. First of all, I acknowledge that being a single mother is a hard job. I was one. And at the same age Jody was. I was 19 when I had a kid by myself, and though it wasn't an ideal situation, I had my family's support--just like Jody. She continues to mention the fact that she "chose to have" the baby. *shrugs* I don't know--I feel like by the time your baby is a year old, that ship has sailed. You did it, so stop whining and be a mother for fuck's sake.

To that end, there are a lot of things that shock the hell out of me where her baby, Angel, is concerned. Like the fact that her sister (or her friend, I can't remember) suggests that Leo babysit when Jody is going to a party. Dude is pretty much a stranger and has never indicated that he loves babysitting. Jody's reactions to so many things about Angel are so dumb, I want to call social services on her. And the big climax of the story? Trust me, this girl is downright stupid, and I was not cheering for her to get everything she's ever wanted.

There was no chemistry between these two characters, and there are several instances that Leo sounds like a girl. He talks about his undies and his "core temperature" rising, and he refers to his dick as "the little general" too many times for it to be cute.

Though I don't know every law from every state, I don't think this author researched CPS very well or the protocol for injuries. I'll just say if every time one of my kids had a cut or a bruise, the doctors had to turn me in for investigation, we'd be on a first name basis now. It could just be that my state doesn't care, but I doubt that. Regardless, I feel like it's unrealistic for a social worker to say to a twenty year old:

"I can see you're young and she probably wasn't planned, but you've chosen to keep her, and you need to take that seriously."

Really? *smh*

Also, this seems petty after everything else I've pointed out, but her dad didn't know the song "You Can't Always Get What You Want" or who it was by. He referred to the lyrics from Glee. And didn't know the song. I mean...

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There were a few things I did like; the idea for this story was good, which is why I'm rounding up to two stars. Jody did have authentic feelings at some points.

I was a single mother, who would ever want me now?

But the rest was awful. I was genuinely shocked when I got to the end of this book and found that there was not only an "editor", but four proofreaders. I have talked about this before, but authors, you're not doing yourself (or your readers) any favors if you get your friends to pre-read for you. Get someone who will point out the stuff that doesn't work so you can fix it before publishing, not someone who will kiss your ass and tell you how great you are. Because this? Wasn't great.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars "Everything" was a story about chasing dreams, having them dashed by one impulsive decision, and finding out that your dreams can evolve over time and morph into something much much more than you could have ever hoped for.

This is the first book I have read by this author and I will definitely be going back and reading the first two books in this series. I really liked the authors style of writing, the dual point of views, the honest dialogue, the way that I could relate to every emotion, and the ability to put myself in the characters shoes. Even though this is book 3 in the Songbird series, it can easily be read as a stand alone but I promise you, you will want to read book 1 and 2 to catch up on the back story of the supporting characters in "Everything".

Jody was working her way towards her dream of singing on Broadway when everything changed and she was forced to give up that dream to become a single mother. Her babies father, her drama teacher, left her high and dry to cope on her own. The way the author realistically portrayed the struggle of a young 20 year old, thrust into motherhood before she was ready, made it so much easier to connect with Jody and I felt the conflicts within her while coming to terms with a life she had not chosen. Don't get me wrong, Jody was a caring and loving mother to her daughter Angel, that was evident, but you could also understand why she often felt down about having to give up her dream while her ex lover rode off into the sunset to pursue his without a backward glance. When a chance meeting with Leo leads her to an apartment and a job that would suit her situation perfectly, she is determined to make it on her own, to provide a happy and stable home for Angel, not wanting to be a burden on her father or sister, and I admired her for that. There was only one instance where her inner dialogue seemed out of place for the intimate moment it was, and this made me pause and wonder why she would be thinking that at that time. Apart from that, I liked Jody, her love of her daughter, her loyalty to her family and friends, her strength of character and her 'ray of sunshine' personality.

Leo Sinclair was chasing his own dream. Music was in his blood, always finding comfort and solace in having a song for every occasion, emotion and person, able to lift the mood of those around him with his infectious love of music and his innate ability to read a person or situation perfectly. He wanted to make it big on Broadway as a writer and producer, and he knew all too well the feeling of putting your dreams on hold for someone else. I loved Leo's character, I was drawn to his creative nature, his caring and thoughtful personality and the way he expressed himself through music. Throughout my life I have always relied on music as a backstop for my emotions, able to lift my mood in a second, so I easily identified with Leo and the significance of music in his life.

This sweet romance grew from friendship, from understanding and from a shared love of music. Their connection was very well portrayed, their dialogue was realistic, the emotions heartfelt and skillfully transferred to the reader. I was happy with the direction this story took, the situations were well presented, serving as learning experiences for the characters and vehicles for character growth. I was engaged in Jody and Leo's story from beginning to end and am looking forward to reading the first two books to learn more about Elle and Morgan. Melissa Pearl is a new author to me and I will eagerly read her subsequent books.

copy kindly provided by the publisher and Netgalley

[Michelle Schroer · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 'We-O' stars!!

Sweet, heartwarming, and a perfect addition to author Melissa Pearl's Songbird series!  There was no insta-love. No whiny heroine. No bad-boy to lust after. Just 2 well thought out characters who had dreams. Characters whom I fell in love with almost immediately. They drew me in by their tenacity and determination. Each, given their own voice in the book, amazingly talented and searching for their ultimate path in every aspect of their lives.  It was about finding the strength to go after what you really need in life!

I really appreciated the fact that the usual NA M.O. was almost completely ignored!  Jody, or Jo, and Leo do have an instant connection but it's not the 'steamy first meeting' or 'piercing gazes'.  It's simply music. It's simply a concerned stranger offering music on a bad day and an apartment for rent.

Jody's dreams become smashed when she finds herself in a situation that most 19-20 year olds would balk at. But she takes it has on and it becomes her 'Angel'.  (There are no spoilers here as it mentions in the blurb that Jody had a baby.) When she takes an apartment and a job from Leo, well that's when she finally shines as a character. It was almost as if she were just existing. As if the dirt and dust that settled on her, she didn't bother to disturb it. But changing her direction by living on her own and her new-found friendship with Leo, all that grunge turns to shine. 

Leo. Sexy Aussie accented Leo. I loved him. He's got a tight-knit family but when he finds himself realizing that he can live for no one but himself, he enlists the help of his Uncle and moves to the states. Leo wants to be on Broadway. Wants to compose the music and words spoken on the biggest stage. After his first few encounters with Jody, she unknowingly becomes his muse. Lyrics coming to him after hearing her laughter. And he's not afraid of her being a single mother!  I loved that he wasn't judgemental and even comes to her defense at times. And holy hotness batman - he was the sweetest EVER to Angelia!

The author made a superb decision in giving them both a voice. I just love a book written with dual POV's!!  Giving me the opportunity to see  Leo having random, intimate thoughts Jody and she having the same for him. The internal struggles they each had and the witty banter kept me reeled in for sure!!  I love this author's writing style. It's simple, yet complex all at the same time.  Weaving a web of perfection!

I think I read this book in about 4. 5 hours!  And one of my favorite parts is the playlist!!  To me reading, writing and music go hand in hand and being able to associate a song with a scene or chapter is like a fine wine I want to savor off and over!  The music almost becomes another main character. It pushes and pulls, ebbs and flows with the storyline giving readers an experience they won't soon forget!

[Brandee (un)Conventional Bookworms · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Songbird series continues to be a delight to read. It hits all my NA buttons and I was excited to be getting Jody's story in Everything.

I met Jody in the earlier novels, as she's Ella's best friend and Morgan's little sister, from Fever and Bulletproof respectively. Jody is an incredibly talented singer and was in school bound for Broadway until she got pregnant. My heart broke for her having to give up her education, her dreams to raise her baby. But I also really admired her decision to keep her baby and figure out a way to make a new life for herself. That took so much courage and for the most part, Jody remained positive about her situation -- a ray of sunshine.

Leo Sinclair has come to the States from Australia for a clean start and a chance to pursue his dreams. He's a composer and has his sights set on Broadway. Things seem to be falling into place but he happens upon a sad, single mom. Things change -- for the better -- at that point as Jody sparks his creative light and maybe something else.

I enjoyed Jody and Leo's story. The dynamics between them and Jody's little girl, Angel, made for an engaging read. Having Ella and Cole, and Morgan and Sean, Mr. Pritchett, and Grandma Deb also added to the realistic feel. I have to admit to not liking Mr. Pritchett, Jody's dad, all that much for awhile, as he wasn't as supportive for Jody as I felt he should be. I also felt like things moved a little too quickly for Jody and Leo, even though chronologically it didn't. I can't put my finger on why I felt that way -- it just did.

Even though this is a romance, I feel like it was more a story of Jody's finding a way to balance her wants, needs, and those of Angel. She made me very proud as she took charge of her life -- all on her own. She's a good mama and handled motherhood at her young age with maturity.

Once again, Ms. Pearl drew me into a comfortable story, with great characters. Her use of music -- a song for every moment, really ties everything (ha!) together. Music has played an important part throughout this series, but especially in Everything. And I adored the songs and their placement, as well as the original lyrics for Leo's musical. I also liked that Ms. Pearl took two characters, who were afraid their past choices meant the future they'd dreamed of was unreachable, and proved that there is always a chance to get everything you need.

**I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.**

[Melissa Pearl]

The music is what makes this book for me. I love singing. I have spent hours and hours of my life sitting at a piano and singing my heart out. Broadway music has always been a favorite of mine, so being able to incorporate some of my best-loved Broadway hits was a real treat. I also really enjoyed composing Leo's songs for this novel as well.

I love the relationship between Leo and Jody. Leo makes me laugh. I love the way he talks and I adore that he has a song for every moment. Music makes everything better, in my opinion, and I try to surround myself with it whenever I can. I grew up in a very musical home and have married a musical man so the legacy continues.

I really hope you enjoy this story. I found it an absolute delight to work on. It was heart-warming and sweet and impossible not to fall in love with these two.

Thank you so much to everyone who has given this book a chance.
Your support means so much to me.

[Book Chatter-Cath · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is the best book in the Songbird series so far... absolutely loved it!!

[Nicole Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars!!

Such a sweet book! Love this series by Melissa Pearl! Review to come tomorrow ;)

--

*UPDATED: Finally posting the review from my blog :)*

This review previously appeared on my blog, PopCrunchBoom Books


My Review:


Everything by Melissa Pearl is a New Adult (17+) novel that follows the story of Jody and Leo. Jody is a young 20-year-old mother struggling to find her way again after her unplanned pregnancy and dropping out of college. She had her eyes set on Broadway and becoming a star on stage, but along the way fell in love with her teacher who dropped her once she told him she was pregnant. Now Jody is living at home raising her young daughter Angel while struggling to deal with her heartbreak as well as the cold, judging vibes she now gets from her father. On the other hand, Leo is a 27-year-old Aussie who just ended his marriage. He had always been the golden child and willing to please his family. Now he is lost and searching for more on his own terms. When his older brother mentions starting over in American and reaching for his Broadway dreams, Leo boards a plane to LA to make it happen. Using his family connection, Leo lands a job as a building manager while writing his musical for Broadway. Then life throws another curve-ball–Leo meets Jody and soon finds himself battling over what his real “everything dream” is…”because, sometimes, everything you want is not everything you need” (book synopsis).

I’ve really enjoyed Pearl’s Songbird series so far. Music is another passion of mine that I could not live without and I love seeing how much music plays a role in these stories. I took Pearl’s advice and listened to the playlist as I read the novel this time and it really added something to my experience reading Everything. The novel mentions A LOT of songs — some I was familiar with and others that I wasn’t. Having the Spotify playlist alongside the novel was super helpful! It allowed me to get a better handle on the characters and also to not push me out of the story because I did not get the reference. Additionally, it allowed me to experience two of my favorite things at the same time: music and books/reading! I appreciate that Pearl took the time to put this together for her readers.

Moving onto the characters, I felt that something was missing from them both throughout the novel. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed both Jody and Leo as well as their journey together, but something in the end just seemed like it was missing. I think for Jody, I wanted to see more of her determination. She is a young mother, so I understand that she would be more immature than most characters, but she also has an older sister and a great best friend that would amplify her maturity and strength. Both Ella and Morgan are strong influences on Jody and strong characters in themselves. I just wanted to see more of that strength in Jody. With that being said, I did admire Jody’s decision to break out on her own and try to make it on her own. That decision does take strength, I just wanted to see more.

With Leo, I felt like he came off a little too perfect. There was a minor struggle within him between chasing Broadway and chasing Jody, but I felt as if we didn’t see more into him emotionally. He wasn’t very cautious in falling for Jody at all like I thought he might be after his last relationship. Otherwise I really enjoyed Leo. He was driven, but also extremely caring and always seemed to be in a positive mood. I also loved the way he stepped up for Jody and supported her and protected her when the situation called for it. He was such a great example of a good guy. I wish I could hear his voice in real life — I think the accent would having me swooning even more so!

Overall, this novel was such a cute read. Seeing both the characters come together over their shared love of music and Broadway was such a nice world to escape into. I only wished that the story didn’t seem to “perfect” at times. I feel like everything kind of fell into place with no real struggle on either’s part. In the end, though sometimes that just the kind of story you need–sweet and with a happy ending. Plus, the chemistry between the characters was great. It wasn’t an overdone-I want to rip your cloths off–style, which I found really fit this couple. It was more of a subtle chemistry that was sweet and seemed to come off as a “first love” vibe. However, there were sexy times in the book too–so no worries on that front ;) If you’re looking for a quick read to fall in love with, then definitely pick up this novel!

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Achingly beautiful and exquisitely touching Everything by Melissa Pearl is a breathtaking work of art that has us exploring and an inspiring and yet raw love story that reaches deep into the heart and doesn’t fear asking the tough questions. This is one journey that will have you feeling every emotion, wrestling with your own heart, and daring to believe that a love like this really does exist. No punches are pulled and you will feel vulnerable and raw afterwards, but in a way that you feel like you have braved the same storm as the amazing characters that grace each page. If you want a story that will make you think, feel, and grow, then look no farther. You will not be disappointed.

When Jo looked at her life, all she saw were endless rainbows and sunshine. She was on her way to making her dreams come true. She was flying high on her enthusiasm and passion for singing and the stage. All it took was one wrong decision that had her plummeting head first to the ground. One small mistake altered the entire course for her life, and yet she was able to find a measure of peace and happiness amidst the despair and disappointment. Leo allowed others to choose the path for his life in order to flourish from their good judgement. He felt like a runaway train on a track leading to nowhere. This way of living turned his life into a nightmare, and that’s when he finally decided to follow his life-long dream. While he was busy working to bring his dream to life, Jo walked into his life. He never intended to stray from his mapped out plan, but the heart seeks out what it wants despite our goals. Can a guy who never believed he would ever find real love heal a girl whose heart has been shattered and broken, or will the girl push him away in fear of being hurt beyond repair?

I simply loved Jo. She asked for nothing more then to be able to pursue her dreams and possibly find love along the way. She went from a simple, naïve girl to a beaten down, hurting woman who couldn’t see the sunshine in the world any longer. Her dreams no longer seen as possible have faded and in its place she finds resentment, disappointment, and rain. Her hopes are kept alive by the smallest ray of sunshine, and she clings to it as if her very next breath depends on it. She just couldn’t see that she was still amazing, beautiful, and that her life was still filled with endless potential. Her path may have been altered, but because of the change, it allowed her to merge with Leo who brought her more light, hope, and love then ever thought she deserved. Leo was so perfect for her, and he never stopped showing her that she was more then she even knew. He breathed life into her, and in turn she gave him the love that he had been searching for.

Melissa Pearl has stolen my heart with this incredible masterpiece that helps us to open our eyes to what we need verses what we want. Her writing is simply beautiful and flows so easily that anyone can see it is the conduit from this author’s heart to ours. There is no insta-love, but a gradual friends to more approach which I adore. I love this approach because it lets you see how they get to know each other, encourage each other, and then find themselves lost and hollow when they circumstances pull them apart. This shows the power of love more profoundly and sweetly in my humble opinion. This is a story that will shake the foundation of your world and recreate your heart. Life doesn’t end whenever we makes mistakes. Sometimes, it allows our path to converge with another who is also hurting and looking for something they can’t name or fully understand. If we can look past our own life, just imagine how we can impact someone else.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Everything" was a story about chasing dreams, having them momentarily dashed by one impulsive decision, and finding out that your dreams can evolve over time and morph into something much much more than you could have ever hoped for.

This is the first book I have read by this author and I will definitely be going back and reading the first two books in this series. I really liked the authors style of writing, the dual point of views, the honest dialogue, the way that I could relate to every emotion, and the ability to put myself in the characters shoes. Even though this is book 3 in the Songbird series, it can easily be read as a stand alone but I promise you, you will want to read book 1 and 2 to catch up on the back story of the supporting characters in "Everything".

Jody was working her way towards her dream of singing on Broadway when everything changed and she was forced to give up that dream to become a single mother. Her babies father, her drama teacher, left her high and dry to cope on her own. The way the author realistically portrayed the struggle of a young 20 year old, thrust into motherhood before she was ready, made it so much easier to connect with Jody and I felt the conflicts within her while coming to terms with a life she had not chosen. Don't get me wrong, Jody was a caring and loving mother to her daughter Angel, that was evident, but you could also understand why she often felt down about having to give up her dream while her ex lover rode off into the sunset to pursue his without a backward glance. When a chance meeting with Leo leads her to an apartment and a job that would suit her situation perfectly, she is determined to make it on her own, to provide a happy and stable home for Angel, not wanting to be a burden on her father or sister, and I admired her for that. There was only one instance where her inner dialogue seemed out of place for the intimate moment it was, and this made me pause and wonder why she would be thinking that at that time. Apart from that, I liked Jody, her love of her daughter, her loyalty to her family and friends, her strength of character and her 'ray of sunshine' personality.

Leo Sinclair was chasing his own dream. Music was in his blood, always finding comfort and solace in having a song for every occasion, emotion and person, able to lift the mood of those around him with his infectious love of music and his innate ability to read a person or situation perfectly. He wanted to make it big on Broadway as a writer and producer, and he knew all too well the feeling of putting your dreams on hold for someone else. I loved Leo's character, I was drawn to his creative nature, his caring and thoughtful personality and the way he expressed himself through music. Throughout my life I have always relied on music as a backstop for my emotions, able to lift my mood in a second, so I easily identified with Leo and the significance of music in his life.

This sweet romance grew from friendship, from understanding and from a shared love of music. Their connection was very well portrayed, their dialogue was realistic, the emotions heartfelt and skillfully transferred to the reader. I was happy with the direction this story took, the situations were well presented, serving as learning experiences for the characters and vehicles for character growth. I was engaged in Jody and Leo's story from beginning to end and am looking forward to reading the first two books to learn more about Elle and Morgan. Melissa Pearl is a new author to me and I will eagerly read her subsequent books.

copy kindly provided by the publisher and Netgalley

[Maf (Bookworm Wanders) · Rating 3 out of 5]

For more reviews check my blog Maf's Crazy Book Life

My list of favourite things is books is long and vast because I really love books so "being a book" is half of the battle, some other things I adore in books is books having playlists (bonus points if that playlist includes Broadway songs) and books with Australian characters (double bonus points if said Australian character can sing, compose, play the piano AND is good with children)

Everything begins with the main character, Jodie, crying while she sings I Dreamed A Dream, which looking back now was EXTREMELY fitting to her situation because after sleeping with her (asshole) teacher, she got pregnant at twenty as was forced to drop out of college, she's having a hard time adjusting to life as a single mom, living with her dad who makes her feel terrible and feeling like a burden to her sister, even though she loves her daughter, she still feels sad over not being able to chase her dream.

At the same time we have Leo, an Australian guy who spent his life trying to please other people and trying to do what they wanted him to do, which lead to an unsuccessful marriage and being sad and lost at 27, his brother encourages him to go to the States to follow his dream of making it on Broadway and that's what he does.

"Sometimes it's hard not to give in to the pressure around you. It takes courage to stand up and fight for what you really want."

When Leo and Jodie meet, they are at points in their life where they are both looking to make a major change for the better and I was happy to see how once they let each other into their lives completely it felt totally organic and normal, they fitted in together nicely, and with Jodie's daughter they made a very happy family.

"All I could focus on was the fact that maybe, just maybe, things were looking up."

This was a very different kind of New Adult for me to read because I've never read one where the girl is a a single mom, and it brought to attention how much people make single young single mothers feel bad about their decision to keep the baby, there were so many times when I wanted to reach out and hug Jodie and punch a character for making her feel bad and useless, I liked that even though she started off sounding as a bit of an annoying spoiled character, during the book you can really see how hard she's trying and how much she wants to be a good mom, at the end of the day she is only 20 and has the right to mourn the dreams she didn't get to chase, she was an incredibly rateable character who you wanted to support all the way.

"Do us all a favour and stop living the life everyone else wants you to. Chase your dreams. Even if they never come true, at least you tried, and that's got to count for something. Dreams are fuel for the soul. Don't be scared. Dream a little crazy. (...) It might come true."

I'm really happy I read this book because despite some the really sad topic and some point that really made me want to cry, the overall message is a really wonderful one of following your dreams and realising that sometimes, it's more important to get what you need than what you thought you wanted.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first read by this author and it took a few chapters to really get the feel of her the style and the way it was told. It is not my favorite way to tell a story but everything can't always be perfect.... Once, the real story started to take shape and the many flashbacks cooled down I started to see a lovely set of characters.



Jody. Poor Jody. My heavens, she seriously tugged at my heart. She is doing her best to take care of her daughter and herself, being a young mother, having no clue what in the heck to do with either of those two things anymore. At the point where she has to do something it really comes across as very real. Her family had done everything to help her out, including not living their lives to the fullest because of just what her father overly calls a mistake. Jody's father was a real sore spot for me. Come the end of the novel, you are well aware his reasoning's behind the things he said, but how he behaved as her father and how he delivered those words made him not a happy character for me.

"I just hate that you're in this position. One mistake and it's affecting all of us."



Leo and Jody were just in the perfect place at the perfect time for them to cross paths. At the time, maybe more in Jody's favor than his....but he'll thank his stars for that meeting in his own time.

The first thing to twitch were my lips; they curved into a slow smile as my body dropped down to a shimmer that felt warm and lush. I picked up Jody's song where I'd left off, because she was all those things, and if I got to be her man, I'd sing this to her every day if she wanted me to.



"I don't want the stage, Jo. I want to see you on a stage, singing my songs."



Instantly, I was a fan of Leo. His backstory is nothing new (divorcee) but he being a Aussie is a turn on for me and the way he was so normal around Jody's little girl. I could picture every scene with he and Angelia every time they were together. I loved his attitude towards everything. I especially loved his drive for them.

"We can make it happen for us. I'll write, you sing. We're the perfect pair, foxy."



As stated, the beginning was a rough start that leveled out. The middle was a nice change but I was wanted more attraction between Jo and Leo. More chemistry. Where was the thrill. I think it's needed because in no time I love you's were shared and I feel like I missed the fall. When...what....huh....???? Yeah, I saw the want and interest, but when did they go from working together, being neighborly to I love you?



Now, AFTER these special words were shared I saw a different side to this couple. A side that I really enjoyed. The family life. The support. I like that there was no question in Leo's mind when things began to move and shake for him that he was not about the do a thing with his Jo and Angel.



"This is everything you want.

Not everything."





3 Stars

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

This book was pretty darn cute. It wasn't just a love story, or one of redemption, but about building a family, and chasing your dreams.

I really loved the direction this book went in regards to Jody's daughter Angel. Unlike most New Adult books that involve children, this story did not revolve around the pregnancy, or taking care of a toddler. It was the first New Adult book that I've read that involved raising an infant, which was pretty cool. I really liked seeing how this young mother cared for her baby, while trying to make a better life.

I have some mixed feelings for our main character Jody... first off, I felt like her name didn't fit her. It was too straight-laced for a girl who is such a free spirit. It simply didn't work for me. I wish they called her Jo throughout the whole book, because that nickname shows some of her spunk and unique personality.

While she was rather interesting and quirky, at times she was a little whiny for my taste. Jody had every right to complain about her life (I would probably be worse if I was in her shoes) it was simply too much at times. I wanted to see her take that negativity and harness into something constructive. Her attitude did improve with the help of Leo, but I wanted her to see that she could do it on her own.

Jody really was a great mother, and I loved seeing her care for her baby. Their relationship was a great mixture of daily frustrations, and small rewards, which made it so realistic. I was really impressed by her devotion to her child. Although she sometimes came off as immature, her actions were that of a levelheaded mother.

Leo was a great character as well. He helped Jody so much, she wouldn't be anywhere without his assistance. His kind soul helped her make life as a single mother possible. I really enjoyed watching him fall in love with Jody and Angel. I almost forgot that half the book was in his view, because his problems were brushed over. I wish they delved more into his failed marriage, along with his past, and brought those pieces into their new relationship. There was so much more to his life than composing and taking care of Jody, but hardly anything else was addressed.

While I liked Jody and Leo, I wasn't a huge fan of the secondary characters. I felt like they were all a little over the top, and overbearing, borderline unrealistic. They were rather annoying, creating unnecessary conflict in their wake. The book would've flowed more smoothly without their additional drama.

Overall it was a really cute, sweet novel. Jody and Leo had great chemistry, and worked really well together. Not only that, but their care for Angel was precious. I'm happy I had the chance to pick this one up.

[Pyper at Reading Lark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Melissa Pearl does it again in her 3rd Songbird novel, Everything!

Poor Jody made some bad choices during her Freshman year of college and wound up pregnant by her professor. He wasn't willing to take responsibility for the child, but she decided to keep the baby anyway. Jody gave up her dream of Broadway to become a young single mother to her beautiful daughter, Angel.

Jody moved home to have support from her sister and father. Unfortunately, Jody's father had a hard time forgiving Jody for her bad choices. He cod barely look at her, let alone speak to her. He loved Angel, but Jody felt like she was constantly walking on eggshells.

Leo had just gone through a divorce which seemed like an afterthought to his disastrous marriage. He needed to get out of his own head and figure out what to do with his life. What better way than moving from Australia to...Los Angeles. He contacted his godfather, Bobby, and asked him to use his connections to see what he could do for Leo.

Of course, Leo and Jody happen to meet up on the street while Jody is lamenting her situation living at home and Leo is looking for renters in the apartment building he's managing. The stars align and Jody is able to get a job becoming the assistant manager in Leo's building, while also living in the spare apartment.

Both are grieving their losses, and Jody even comes face to face with Angel's father, which ends in disaster. But slowly they learn to trust one another. Their relationship is not smooth sailing and they encounter many roadblocks. However, if you've read the other Songbird novels, you can probably guess how this one ends.

I really loved reading this book! Leo was an amazing character and I loved that he had a song for every situation. It reminded me of my sister who randomly breaks into song whenever the situation calls for it.

My favorite addition to this Kindle version Songbird book was the clickable Spotify playlist! What a brilliant idea! I happily listened along while reading the book.

It was refreshing to see that Jody's experiences as a mom felt real. As a mom of 5 children, I know how it feels to be completely overwhelmed at times. I was glad that Jody's frustrations at being a single parent felt genuine.

Jody is not my favorite of the Songbird heroines (Team Morgan!), but I think Leo is probably my favorite of the men. OK- it might just be the Aussie accent, but I love the pictures of him on the cover. Something about the scruff and the beanie, coupled with his love for Angel makes him absolutely endearing. Of course, when you add in his amazing musical talent, what more could a woman ask for? Everything!

Content: Language, mild sexual content

[Brandee (un)Conventional Bookworms · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Songbird series continues to be a delight to read. It hits all my NA buttons and I was excited to be getting Jody's story in Everything.

I met Jody in the earlier novels, as she's Ella's best friend and Morgan's little sister, from Fever and Bulletproof respectively. Jody is an incredibly talented singer and was in school bound for Broadway until she got pregnant. My heart broke for her having to give up her education, her dreams to raise her baby. But I also really admired her decision to keep her baby and figure out a way to make a new life for herself. That took so much courage and for the most part, Jody remained positive about her situation -- a ray of sunshine.

Leo Sinclair has come to the States from Australia for a clean start and a chance to pursue his dreams. He's a composer and has his sights set on Broadway. Things seem to be falling into place but he happens upon a sad, single mom. Things change -- for the better -- at that point as Jody sparks his creative light and maybe something else.

I enjoyed Jody and Leo's story. The dynamics between them and Jody's little girl, Angel, made for an engaging read. Having Ella and Cole, and Morgan and Sean, Mr. Pritchett, and Grandma Deb also added to the realistic feel. I have to admit to not liking Mr. Pritchett, Jody's dad, all that much for awhile, as he wasn't as supportive for Jody as I felt he should be. I also felt like things moved a little too quickly for Jody and Leo, even though chronologically it didn't. I can't put my finger on why I felt that way -- it just did.

Even though this is a romance, I feel like it was more a story of Jody's finding a way to balance her wants, needs, and those of Angel. She made me very proud as she took charge of her life -- all on her own. She's a good mama and handled motherhood at her young age with maturity.

Once again, Ms. Pearl drew me into a comfortable story, with great characters. Her use of music -- a song for every moment, really ties everything (ha!) together. Music has played an important part throughout this series, but especially in Everything. And I adored the songs and their placement, as well as the original lyrics for Leo's musical. I also liked that Ms. Pearl took two characters, who were afraid their past choices meant the future they'd dreamed of was unreachable, and proved that there is always a chance to get everything you need.

**I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.**

[Rae Sontheyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can You Really Get Everything You Want In Life?

Another smashing hit for Melissa Pearl. Her Songbird novels just keep getting better and better with the stories being a beautiful mix of music, romance, and great character development, she's found the perfect formula for amazing books. This one definitely had me charmed from beginning to end. It's playlist is Broadway based and is definitely a showstopper!

Book three is about Jody Pritchett, now if you aren't familiar with the series I suggest starting with the first book, but it's not absolutely necessary thought highly recommend. After leaving college and the theater program because of her pregnancy, Jody now has her beautiful daughter, Angel, and is striving to adjust to motherhood but is floundering a bit. Her life hasn't turned out as she had planned and for a 20 year old that's a lot to swallow. Then there's Leo Sinclair, an Australian who after finalizing his divorce, realizes it's time to fulfill his dreams of writing and producing Broadway theater in the U.S. The problem for Leo is he gets writers block that is until he meets Jody. She becomes his muse and from there on, their love of music ties them together and a connection beyond music is made. But the big issue is can Jody have everything by having a shot at love again? Can Leo fulfill his dream of success in U.S. and date Jody? Will all of it work out for them or will one need to give up a dream, because can you really have everything in life?

Overall, loved it and totally cried when Angel said "We-O!" Books with music always seem like the perfect combo to me, and Melissa definitely knows how to pick the right tunes. Leo was just the sweetest guy with a song for every occasion, so totally a worthy catch, and Jody was just like any 20 yr old, well minus having the baby. Jody really represents most people who don't know what to do when life changes on their, oh so solid plans. But that's life, and this book gives that kind of up beat hope of life is life, and you may not get everything you want, but you'll get what you need. And what everyone needs is family, friends and love. So yep, totally loved this story and can't wait for the next book.

**I received a free copy in return for an honest review**

------Read more of my reviews at: http://heyitwasfree.blogspot.com/------

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review

This is the third book in the Songbird series but can be read as a standalone. I haven't read the other books but I plan to. This is my first book from Melissa Pearl and I really enjoyed it.

Blurb
Jody Pritchett had a dream...but life had other plans. Instead of singing and dancing on Broadway, Jody's a twenty-year-old single mom, living at home with her disapproving father and overbearing sister. The choice to keep her little Angelia came with a high price and although she adores her baby girl, it doesn't take away the sting of kissing goodbye her chance at a career on the stage.

Leo Sinclair had his own dream...but got lost along the way. After a failed marriage that left him hollow and downtrodden, the Australian songwriter wonders what joy his future could possibly hold. Encouraged by the one family member who doesn't think he's a failure, Leo decides to stop living the life everyone expects him to and start chasing his dreams again.
When the perfect opportunity comes knocking, Leo leaves Australia behind and hops a flight to LA. With his sights set on selling a musical to a Broadway producer, Leo is determined to finally realize his life-long dream. But life gets in the way again, when he spots a young mother outside his apartment in tears. He never realized how one person, one voice, and one Angel could have him contemplating abandoning his dreams once again.

As these two burned hearts wrestle to overcome their past struggles, Leo and Jody must decide what dreams are worth clinging to...because, sometimes, everything you want is not everything you need.

I love the relationship between Jody & Leo. I love the complexity of their characters.

Leo & Jody both dream of being on broadway but life has other plans.
Everything is such a sweet romance. I was a fan of Leo of the being and poor Jody.. I just wanted to hug her! She can't cook, she's not the best at keeping the house clean but shes a darn good mom!

I really liked the way they met.. each of them was at that point in their lives that they wanted to change.. and I think they helped each other. Everything felt realistic to me.. not too much drama but enough to keep me entertained.

Wonderful book! Can't wait to pick the others up!

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything is a beautiful story of two people who wanted to reach their goals of sharing their love for theatrics and music with the world. Even though they both had an idea of exactly what they wanted in life, sometimes everything doesn't work out the way we planned. Sometimes it may get messy and it may seem hard but in the end, it might just be better than anything we ever planned. I love how they connected over music and how much that added to the story. I have always loved books that involved music.

This book taught me that there are millions of roads to take in order to reach your dreams. Some may take longer, but all that matters is that one day you'll get there. All you have to do is work for it, dont give up o it and it'll happen. People may not always like what you do in order to reach your goals. They may try to discourage you and hold you back- but you have to stand your ground and stick to what makes you happy because in the end, it's your life and it's your happiness on the line.

I have always believed that music is the best form of communication. There is a song for every mood. There is a band or some lyrics that get you like nothing and nobody else can. Leo showed this in the story, e knew just what song to play when Jody needed it most and it was always perfect for the situation at hand. I feel like music is just something that gets you and draws you into it. Music can heal you when everything else fails to do so. It brightens moments and changes lives. I think that's the best part about it. I think music is so important in our lives. This book shows just how important music is.

This story was just beautiful and as you can see, there is a lot to learn from it. I liked the characters and I liked how smoothly everything went on. I liked how the each encouraged the other to pursue their dreams and they truly wanted the best for each other. There was a real connection between characters and I loved them together. Their relationship was effortless, they just clicked since the first time they met and the understood each other so well. I really liked this book.

More reviews over at Reads By Rose Book Blog

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given a ARC by NetGallery in exchange for an honest review.

Forgive me for starting this series with the last book, but I got the gist of it so far.

So, Everything revolves around a young, broken-hearted, single mother who's dreams of pursuing Broadway were all shattered to pieces after falling in love with the wrong guy. A guy who was forbidden to her, who she thought she loved, who promised to help her make it big. Well. He made her big alright...

Now, living back at home with her disappointed father and her overly doting sister, Jody Pritchett wants to make things right for herself and her infant daughter, Angelia "Angel".

On the flip side of the world, we are introduced to Leo Sinclair, signing his John Hancock to bid adieu to his failed marriage.

Leo has always wanted to produce a musical, one day on Broadway, and he had the talent to do so. With the pushing of his older brother, and the support of his godfather in New York, Leo packs up and heads to America to start making moves towards his future.

Leo and Jody's meeting was perfect and the way their friendship developed was tastefully done. There was no pushing on either sides to cross the line. Instead, it happened and I loved that neither character were afraid of taking it on. Leo was amazing with Jody and her daughter.

Jody was a bit wishy-washy at times, which is what made me click my tongue and shake my head when she would start comparing everything to her deadbeat baby daddy. Even in the throes of passion - she was comparing her experience with Leo at the moment to the man who took her virginity and left her knocked up and abandoned.

Her naivety in the world of motherhood was realistically portrayed. I can only imagine what goes through the mind of a twenty year old mother who finds herself battling her decisions.

Overall, this was a sweet read. The H was drama free and you practically got to watch the h mature with confidence, as a mother and as lover in the span of the story.

[Zili · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 - 4 Stars in my Sky!

Everything is the third instalment in Melissa Pearl's Songbird series but it works as a standalone. The book is sweet and sentimental in places, but most importantly, it's realistic. I never felt as though any of Jody or Leo's choices were forced and they frequently managed to make me smile.

Jody has given up on her dream of Broadway stardom to look after her baby daughter Angel (who gets the award for cutest book baby ever). She's a young but caring Mum, who struggles to know what the best for her and her baby. Leo has left his life in Australia with the goal of creating the next big Broadway hit. I really liked Leo, who goes above and beyond to help Jody and Angel.

My favourite parts of the book were the scenes where Jody and Leo interacted with Angel. I'm not usually sentimental but I found their slow burning relationship sweet and charming. Jody made me laugh with some of her mishaps and I kept waiting for her to realise what she wanted and what was really important. The playlist made me smile and I like the idea of books and music being tied together.

The secondary characters were an interesting mix. I wasn't the biggest fan of Jody's Dad because I felt he was disapproving and a bit grumpy at times - he grew on me as the plot developed. Her sister was a surprise because I was expecting her to be more overbearing than she was, but in reality she was more caring and cautious than anything.

I seem to comment about this a lot in my reviews, but I would have liked a longer and more developed ending to help answer a few questions (yes, baby Daddy I mean you).

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review!

More at Zili in the Sky

[Kandy Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC received by Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
EVERYTHING (Songbird #3 that can be read as a standalone)
By Melissa Pearl
This is the first book I've read written by this author and it won't be my last. I immediatley bought books 1 and 2 after finishing EVERYTHIG.
Young naive Jody Pritchett was her dads Sunshine when he sent her off to college to follow her dreams to dance and sing on Broadway. Then she meets and falls for what should be a forbidden older man and becomes pregnant at 20 yrs old. Finding out this man is not who she thought he was she has to quit school and move back home with her .now unapproving father and mother like older sister. After realizing what her decisions have done to her relationship with her father and older sister Jody makes an adult decision for her and her daughter.
Enter Leo Sinclair: (where can I find a Leo for my daughters) A talented, kind and loving HOT Aussie that loves to please his family and friends. . Leo has also made a poor decsion while feeling pressure from his mom and friends he marries someone he knows he shouldn't be. After a family emergency gives him an excuse to move out and seperate from his wife they end up divorced. After a heart to heart with his older brother Leo is persuaded to follow his dream of writing and producing on Broadway in the U.S.
Moving to the U.S. brings Leo and Jody together through a love of music. Throughtheir heartache, growing pains and their love of music they both must make decisions in order to find a way to be a couple and build a future.

This was a sweet, refreshing and surprising read for me that I definitley recommend.

[Danita B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by Melissa Pearl, and I was an instant fan. I absolutely loved everything about this book. There were so many great things about it that I'm actually finding it hard to review, so I'll just start with the characters.

Jody was one of the most realistic characters I've ever read. She had goals and dreams, but had to put them on hold when she finds herself a single mother, living back at home with her disapproving father and overbearing sister. For Jody, her daughter became her #1 priority, and she now finds herself looking towards a new future. When she feels that her choices have negatively impacted her family, she decides that it's time for her to move on and make her own way. Enter Leo, who makes Jody an offer she can't refuse.

Leo has goals and dreams of his own, and those goals have him moving from Australia to LA to get closer to where he wants to be - Broadway. Leo meets Jody, and is instantly drawn in by the sadness that he sees in her, and despite his reservations, reaches out to help her. Leo is exactly what Jody needs in her life, but Jody and her daughter, Angel, will only serve as a distraction for his goals, so Leo tries to keep things on a professional level. He soon finds that she may be exactly what he needs as well, but is he willing to sacrifice everything he's worked towards and moved half way around the world for?

One of my favorite things about this book is that it shows that sometimes new dreams can turn out so much better than what you wanted for yourself if you're willing to open your eyes and heart to what's in front of you. Highly recommend.

[Kristine Ruiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jody is lost in her own world going to college and lusting over her teacher. One night lust over comes and they end up together. Which makes you think she's easy but in all actuality this is her first time. With romance and love blooming or so she thought, she comes to find out she's pregnant and he doesn't want anything to do with it. She makes a tough choice of giving up her dreams to become a mother. Staying home and living with her father and sister to help support her and her baby. But as time goes on she's relizing her sister is giving up her future for her so when she sees a posting for an apartment she calls knowing she can't afford it.

Leo has lost so much in his life and feeling like a failure after his divorce. His mother makes him feel like her did something wrong. Being pushed in to a marriage because everyone thought it was right to then give it all up and feel like it was his fault it didn't work, so when he has a chance to make his dreams come true he,picks up and moves to the states. This is where he meets Jody and her baby girl .

As they spend more time together and start to see their futures, neither one seems to want to let the other go but their in two different worlds, with so much standing in their way of happiness. Can Jody have everything she's always dreamed of with her music and baby girl and the man she's come to love? Can Leo give up the dream he thought he wanted and have the dream he now knows he's ment for? Can they learn to live, love and be happy?

[Karen Voitik · Rating 5 out of 5]

>Book Review - Everything -

>I am an independent reviewer. This is the third novel in the Songbird Series and ends with an HEA.

>Jody is an aspiring singer who sleeps with her professor and then drops out of college to raise her baby at the tender age of 20. She lives back at home, allowing her sister and father to care for her and little Angel. Wanting to grow up a bit, she moves out and begins to work for Leo. Leo is an Aussie, working at his dream of writing a Broadway musical.

>The love story is very sweet. Leo is the nicest guy ever written. Jody, however has some serious flaws. She is a poor housekeeper, poor cook, but a wonderful mother. She also has a hard time dealing with the total 180 her life has taken. Her father's disapproval of her choices forces her to keep remembering her mistakes.

>The end surprised me a bit, but fit the story. I loved the story's playlist. Each scene had a corresponding song. This idea would make for an interesting audio book. As each scene is read, the proper song would be playing underneath. Kinda fun!

>Previous characters from prior Songbird novels are present to give the reader a quick peek into their lives now. I recommend this story to anyone who loves cute babies, hot Aussies and music that can steer your life story.

>This book is appropriate to be read by an adult (18+) audience.

[Kassidy Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an Arc through Netgalley for an honest review
This is the first book I have read from Melissa Pearl. It is book 3 in the Songbird Series but it can be read as a standalone. I did not read the other two books before I started this one, and I was able to follow along just fine with the story.
The story was cute and refreshing. There were a few times I wanted to jump into the book and yell at Jody. She was a great character and you could relate to her. She had a dream to sing but ended up getting pregnant. In the beginning of the book she was very independent it seemed like she was leaning on her family a lot. You get to watch her grow as a person though as the story moves on.
I loved Leo from the start. The beginning of the book starts off hard for him but he doesn’t let that get him down. He does what he wants to do and moves the Californian and tried to make something for himself. He wants to write for Broadway and he fights to make it happen. I loved that he was so good with Jody’s little girl it just made you swoon over him more.
I loved that the relationship took time to build. It wasn’t love at first sight. You could see the characters actually want to work for it. The writing was good and made it easy to read. Over all I really enjoyed this book and will be going back to read the others in the series. I would recommend this book to other people.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leo has big dreams of being a play write and music composer. He has immense talent at both. Music is and has always been his life. He always has an uncanny way of finding just the right song to help him through whatever life is throwing his way. Leo seems lost here in Australia, his home so with a little coaxing from his brother and support from his family he finds some direction and takes the leap to follow his dreams. He makes his way to the U.S where he is determined to make his dreams come to fruition by any means and nothing will stand in his way.

Jody had some big dreams herself. Such a beautiful talent and passion for music. Alas Jody has had to put it all on the back burner after a few rocky missteps. Tough decisions had to be made and now she must learn to accept what is and keep moving forward.

Both are looking for more in life. Jody yearns for a fresh start and Leo finds himself having to work his tail off by any means necessary to just maybe catch his big break. Fate just so happens to step in and give these two sweet and fun characters the nudge they were in need of.

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*PSSST... Sexy Accent ALERT and Steaminess ensues you don't want to Miss out!!