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When six musicians come together to form an all-girl country band, The Sweethearts of Country Music are born. But can they balance their musical worlds with their personal lives?

Rissa Walker dreams of making it big in country music, but after seven years in Music City—and with very little success to show for it—she’s beginning to lose hope. When she’s offered the chance to join an all-girl country band, Rissa finds herself surrounded by five of the most talented musicians in Nashville, a tough-talking manager with a heart of gold, and her manager's son. A son who happens to be a handsome single father whose kiss leaves her weak in the knees.

Jake McCann grew up in the business, so he knows a thing or two about country music. When he hears Rissa perform at a wedding reception, he thinks she’d be the perfect addition to the all-girl country band his mom hopes to bring to Nashville. What he doesn’t know is just how hard he’ll fall for the beautiful songwriter. And he really doesn’t know how he’s going to live without her when she and the band go on tour.

With a hectic tour schedule, and hundreds of miles of highway between them, can Rissa and Jake’s relationship stay in tune? Or, will Rissa have to choose between her music and her heart?

The Sweethearts of Country Music series includes six books by six different authors. Each novel features a member of the band as she struggles to balance music and love.

276 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2019

103 people are currently reading
125 people want to read

About the author

Sydney Logan

33 books627 followers
USA Today Bestselling Author Sydney Logan writes heartfelt romances that feature strong women and the men who love them. In addition to her novels, she has penned several short stories and is a contributor to Chicken Soup for the Soul. She is a Netflix junkie, music lover, and a Vol for Life. Sydney and her husband make their home in beautiful East Tennessee.

To learn more about Sydney and her books, visit her online at www.sydneylogan.com.

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5 stars
81 (64%)
4 stars
30 (24%)
3 stars
12 (9%)
2 stars
1 (<1%)
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1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
Profile Image for Chele.
637 reviews
August 29, 2019
Wonderful Story! Great characters that have you cheering them on .
This is the first in a new series Called The Sweethearts Of Country Music.
I recommend this book to all .
5 #LipstickOutlaw stars
Profile Image for Kristina Anderson.
4,077 reviews83 followers
September 10, 2019
Rissa’s Rebel Heart by Sydney Logan is the delightful beginning of The Sweethearts of Country Music series. Rissa Walker loves music and creating new songs using the guitar given to her by her grandmother. She is estranged from her parents who do not understand her musical desires. Jake McGann co-owns The Turquoise Horse, a Nashville bar. He knows that Rissa’s music comes first, but he cannot help falling in love with the lovely songstress. There are great characters in Rissa’s Rebel Heart, and I look forward getting to know the other band members. I just loved Jake’s mother, Val. Such a strong woman with a big heart and an even bigger dream. Jake’s daughter, Emmylou is such a cutie with a beautiful voice (Jake will have his hands full when she is a teenager). I found Rissa’s Rebel Heart to be well-written and it moved along at a steady beat. I thought it was just the right length for the story. I liked how the band members stayed loyal to Val and how they prayed before each concert. Rissa’s Rebel Heart is a heartwarming, romantic and inspiring story.
Profile Image for Reading to Escape.
1,107 reviews
August 31, 2019
**4.5 Stars**

Rissa's Rebel Heart is an all around feel good story about fighting for what you want and going after your dreams and not stopping until you make them come true.

Rissa loves music and and songwriting and plays the guitar. She leaves home and heads to Nashville with high hopes of making it big one day. Sadly, there are lots of obstacles in her way, but she keeps working towards her goal and plays small gigs until she has a chance meeting with Jake, which ultimately alters the course of her life, in more ways than one.

I loved Rissa and Jake and of course Val. Val is my hero!!! Loved her. I enjoyed the whole premise of the book and the message behind the story line. This book even brought about some major feels in relation to Rissa and her parents and the powerful message of forgiveness. I read this book in one sitting and found it highly engaging, and I can't wait to read more about the other characters. A definite must read!!!
Profile Image for Up All Night Book Addict.
1,240 reviews279 followers
June 21, 2020
I'm thrilled I ended up picking up this book. I was even more pleased to find it's a clean read. Yes, I tend to be a prude. I'm not ashamed. If I'm being honest, not only was the clean read a welcome change but it was necessary. Nowhere in this story would a dirty scene have even fit.

This book is a lot of fun. I loved the characters and the bond they were all able to establish in such a short book. I've read books that were hundreds of pages and never felt a connection with or between the characters. Kudos to the author for the great chemistry in this book.

Will say, I could have a used a little more story. I kind of feel a little off kilter with how this book ended. I wanted the author to go a little further into this couple's future. It's not often I am begging for more in a happy ending.

If you're looking for an easy, fast, sometimes emotional, fun book, this one might just be for you.
Profile Image for Tracey Vuolo.
735 reviews18 followers
September 1, 2019
Sydney Logan has done it again with this book. Rissa and Jake will steal your heart in more ways than one. Not to mention his daughter is adorable too! Everyone should have a loving mom like Val to have their back and encourage them to chase their dreams! Rissa’s dad frustrated the hell out of me and at times, I didn’t feel he deserved his amazing daughter. Small towns and old fashioned ways can do that to a person though. I loved Rissa for standing her ground and holding her own! I appreciate her honesty so much! I adore Jake and his devotion to her even though their relationship is hard given her career. Ms. Logan the name of the band is perfect and I love them so much for staying loyal to Val and themselves. I want their cd! Country music is my favorite genre and this group of girls are amazing. Sometimes you live your best life even with the bumps in the road when you have a rebel heart! Sydney this book is heartwarming, infectious, inspiring and full of love.

Tracey, Life Reads With Friends
Profile Image for Lcr.
908 reviews7 followers
October 16, 2019
All Rissa has ever wanted is to be a successful Country music star and Nashville is the only place in which to fulfil that dream. After long years of struggling one gig will change her life in so many ways thanks to bartender Jake. Suddenly Rissa's is one of six members of an all girl Country group but can success and romance go together. This is the incredible first book in The Sweethearts of Country Music series and it has everything you could possibly want. Rissa's Rebel Heart is one of those rare books that grabs you from the very start and keeps you reading. It has wonderful characters, an original storyline, romance, friendship, uncertainty and of course .. country music. I want to hear their music, I want to follow the band, I want to find out about the the different characters and learn their stories. I knew from the start that this is a series that I will buy, keep and re-read. It is absolutely wonderful and Sydney Logan is a fabulous author .. this book deserves so much more than five stars. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
1,487 reviews6 followers
September 4, 2019
Rissa wants to be country star, instead of going to college, together with her boyfriend she goes to Nashville. Her life is not that great, she sings in the bars and at weddings. At one of the weddings she meets Jake, he is bartender there, he offers her to sing at his bar. What he doesn't tell her, that his mother used to work in music industry and now is looking to create country music girl band. After Rissa's gig at the bar, Val tells her that she would be perfect guitar player for the band and they start to looking for other girls to be in the band. After a while Rissa's dreams come true, the band she is in is very succesfful.
Loved this sweet story.
Profile Image for Susan Shearer.
403 reviews2 followers
September 17, 2019
In Rissa’s Rebel Heart by Sydney Logan we find determination and the ability to follow your dream. Rissa always wanted to be a country singer. She left home to move to Nashville when she turned 18 leaving her parents disapproval. A chance meeting at a wedding with a handsome bar owner changed her life. Jake owned a bar with his mom Val who, in her younger days, was a manager for singers who had a dream of starting an all-girl country western band. Putting it all together we see determination, ambition, loyalty, friendship and love develop. I enjoyed reading this book that kept me interested until the end.
4,561 reviews38 followers
October 24, 2020
Rissa's Rebel Heart is an uplifting, inspirational book about staying true to yourself, speaking honestly, loyalty and following your dreams. I just finished this and would immediately devour book two if it were available. I have been a huge country music fan for 70 years so I really enjoyed that Rissa was a country artist. Ms. Logan told such a authentic story that I know I would attend Lipstick Outlaws' concerts, buy and play their CD. Val, Jake, Emmylou and the outlaws have a permanent place in my heart!
Profile Image for Regina.
1,099 reviews
October 4, 2019
A lovely story and a great start to the series!

I really love the characters - the Lipstick Outlaws are strong ladies, each and every one of them, but they really shine when they come together in the band, as a team.
I couldn't help but root for Rissa and Jake (and the band, of course, but those two especially ;) ), and
Val is definitely another favorite!
I truly love the overall theme of family - not only the one you are born into, but the one you find along the way.

4.5 / 5 happy-sigh stars
1,382 reviews10 followers
August 30, 2019
Rissa's Rebel Heart, is a great start
to this new series. I enjoyed reading
it from beginning to end.
It's a feel good & moving romance.
For as long as Rissa can remember,
she has loved singing. Once she turned
18, it was time to follow her dreams.
Years later, she meets Jake at a wedding
where she is singing at. What Rissa didn't know was how much her life was going to change because of Jake.
Great characters & story make it the
perfect Must Read Story!!
Profile Image for Ginelle Blanch.
934 reviews26 followers
September 6, 2019
This was a pretty uplifting story about going after your dreams and the family we make for ourselves. Self discovery and determination. Friendship and love. I love the family that was formed when the band was created. I love how all their decisions are made together. They are loyal to one another even when faced with hard choices.

The road for this band started out rough but, they persevered and good things started to happen.

Looking forward to reading the next book!
Profile Image for Gladys.
14k reviews163 followers
September 6, 2019
I thought that this was a wonderful read and a excellent start to this new series. Rissa and Jake's romance delivers plenty of feels as the story unfolds. I loved this couple. Heartwarming and swoony, these characters quickly and easily pull you into their world and will have you fully invested in the outcome of their relationship. I am posting an independent, impartial review.
Profile Image for Marie Savage.
Author 11 books331 followers
September 7, 2019
Great start to an Awesome Series! As a fan of country music and sweet romance, I was intrigued by this storyline. Well written characters and the chemistry between Rissa and Jake made my heart swoon. I can't wait to read more about the other band members of Lipstick Outlaws.
Profile Image for Nicole Posey.
390 reviews5 followers
September 6, 2019
Exceptional book!! Heartwarming and inspiring. Joy to read. Definitely a must read. I absolutely loved it!
12.7k reviews189 followers
September 7, 2019
What a wonderful story. My two favourites together. Country music and romance. Can’t get better than that. A beautiful beginning to a new series. Don’t miss out.
1,932 reviews5 followers
May 2, 2020
Russia's Rebel Heart

Such a great book on how music can become you life if that is what you want. This story is of a young girl who left home to pursue her music in Nashville and after seven years she finally has someone who believes she can make something of her life and music. This was a free book and another one in this series of which I have read them all. This is my review and mine alone. Norma Gorrill
17 reviews3 followers
May 7, 2020
Good

This story was very well told. I enjoyed reading it. In fact I liked it so much that I immediately went and bought the entire series.
Profile Image for Mary E.
434 reviews3 followers
July 7, 2020
Good story

Would have given it a 5 but is not a complete book. The characters were believable and well developed and the story was engaging.
39 reviews
July 13, 2020
Following Rissa's dream of country music brings to life dreams that many have but they never take the step to fulfill . It was like reading my fantasy.
Profile Image for Patti.
403 reviews1 follower
November 7, 2020
A great start to the series The Sweethearts of Country Music. I loved the characters in this story the story was well written and it was awesome. Highly recommend this series.
Profile Image for Sharon.
1,049 reviews2 followers
September 8, 2019
Rissia Walker is a preacher's daughter who loves music. Her dream is to go to Nashville write songs, play her guitar and become a singer. So on her 18th birthday she runs away with her boyfriend, from the wrong side of the tracks and they go to Nashville. Jake McCann was raised by a single mother, who was a manager to country music singers. He owns a bar with his mother. He meets Rissa at a wedding where he is running the bar, and she is singing and playing her guitar. When she takes a break she gets a bottled water at the bar, and she strikes up a conversation with Jake. He convinces her to come play at his bar. When she arrives at Jake's bar, she plays a set. When it's over she realizes it was an audition foot Jake's mother who is wanting to start up an all girl band. She's hired on the spot. After auditions they find 5 other ladies for the other spots. They start singing at local bars and clubs. When they get a contract with a small, local label, they refuse the contract because they cannot keep their manager. Will this small all girls band see their dreams come true? Will Jake be able to convince Rissa to give him a chance? Can Rissa mend things with her parents, who were extremely hurt when she moved to Nashville and refuses to give up her dream? I enjoyed this book and the characters. I read it in one setting.
Profile Image for Sandi Layne.
Author 20 books154 followers
September 6, 2019
As an introduction to some of the ins and outs of starting a new country music band, an intro to the band members and other great characters, as well as into the story of a sweet romance, Rissa's Rebel Heart brings it all. Sydney Logan's heroes are reader faves, for sure, and Jake will totally number among them for his compassion, balance, and even impetuosity! His love for Rissa shines through, always.

Rissa, the heroine of this first book of the Sweethearts of Country Music series, is a fantastic pair of eyes through which to view the industry. Her struggles—personal and professional—will resonate with readers. Her passion for her music keeps her strong and focused while her heart learns to yearn for a man that wants to share life with her. The romance has its ups and downs and feels very authentic and I hope to see more of them as the series progresses.

I look forward to meeting ALL the members of the band and see how they, too, manage their musical lives and romance!
Profile Image for Juliana Ignácio.
1,132 reviews4 followers
September 13, 2019
I love Sydney Logan's stories, and having the opportunity to read the first book in this series was awesome.
Rissa Walker has always dreamed of being a successful singer, and when she turns 18, she leaves her small town for Nashville in pursuit of her dream. But seven years later, she is starting to lose hope.
When she gets a chance to form a girl-only band, she quickly accepts, and from there, the adventures will really begin.
Jake McCann grew up in the music business, and when he hears Rissa singing at a wedding, he thinks she would be perfect for the project his mother is putting together.
The connection between Rissa and Jake is immediate, but each has their priorities in life, for her, her career comes first, while for Jake the priority is his daughter.
As they struggle to try and make the relationship work, the band goes on tour and it's very interesting to know a little more about each member of the band.
I loved the story and the characters. I'm anxious to read more about the other girls in the band. I highly recommend the reading.
165 reviews2 followers
September 21, 2019
Rissa grows up a preachers daughter in a small town. She always had a love of music. When she turns 18 she runs away to Nashville with her boyfriend to pursue her dreams. While the boyfriend is long gone, Rissa continues to pursue her musical dreams. Enter Jake who hears Rissa sing at a wedding that he’s bartendering at. He offers her to sing a set at a bar he owns. Unbeknownst to Rissa is that she is auditioning to become part of an all ladies country music band. Loved the relationship that Jake has with his mom Val, and everything he does to support her dream to form this all girl band. The story was great about how the group ends up getting formed and the close bond all the girls develop with each other. Instant attraction between Jake and Rissa. You couldn’t help but hope that things would work out for them. Can’t wait to see how the story continues with each of the band members. Highly recommend.
Profile Image for Sheila Lee.
1,014 reviews14 followers
October 8, 2019
Rissa's Rebel Heart is the first book in the Sweethearts of Country Music series. The author Sydney Logan has written a wonderful opening story about the formation of an all-girl country band named Lipstick Outlaws. This book follows Rissa, a singer/songwriter trying to break into the Nashville music industry. A serendipitous meeting with Jake changes her fortune when he introduces Rissa to his mother, a past band manager looking for the right girls to form an all-girl band. As the talented women are chosen, the novel unfolds. It shows the hard work, talent and luck needed to be successful in the music industry. It also shines a light on the difficulties of maintaining a relationship when touring.
Jake and Rissa are well-established characters and, although this is a stand-alone story, I suspect that we will see more of them in the following books. A feel good, clean romance worth 5 stars.
2,695 reviews20 followers
September 6, 2019
This is the first book in this new series, The Sweethearts of Country Music and I really enjoyed it and cannot wait to read the rest of the six book series. I liked the country music, learning about a band coming together and going on the road, the cute guy, the romance, and Rissa.

Rissa Walker's Christian background and beliefs were a big part of this story. She is a strong, dedicated singer/songwriter who is not going to let anything come between her love of music. I liked that she was very open about this with Jake.

I also liked the themes of family and forgiveness being important. I think the book also showed how important it is to practice what you preach. I cannot wait to see the rest of the series. Each book focuses on another one of the band members. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
398 reviews7 followers
September 9, 2019
Preacher’s daughter, Rissa Walker, has always loved music, particularly country music. Her parents were not happy with her choice, so when she turns 18, she goes out on her own to Nashville to try to become a success in country music.

This is a delightful first book of a new series titled, The Sweethearts of Country Music. There are six books in the series written by different authors.

You don’t want to miss this book as you learn how life begins to develop for Rissa in Nashville as she becomes part of an all-girl band destined for huge success.

I look forward to the other books in the series and to see how the Sweethearts introduced in this first book find their places in the life of Nashville country music through adventure, success and love. How will these all ultimately affect their lives?

I highly recommend this book.
3,666 reviews17 followers
January 9, 2020
Rissa was a gutsy girl running away from home to Nashville to pursue a music career and not giving up despite spending years playing in bars and weddings and working as a waitress to make ends meet. It was fate that she met Jake and he introduced her to his mom, who was determined to put together an all female country music band. She just clicked with her bandmates from the start, but it wasn't all smooth sailing as they traveled the road to stardom. Jake is impulsive in his relationships and he shows that with Rissa even though he has his young daughter to think of. She was burned by her last boyfriend and is focusing on her career. Plus she has to deal with rejection from her parents. This was a clean romance with several funny, sweet, and some scary moments. I'm looking forward to the rest of the girls' stories.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews

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