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Drummer Girl
Arizona Wakefield was a beat without a melody. Living a half-breathing life in a half-finished neighborhood with parents who always wore half-hearted smiles, the high school senior only had one thing that let her color outside her family’s perfectly drawn lines—her drums.
Jesse Barringer was a song without a chorus. The son of a washed-up rock star who’s also one hell of a deadbeat dad, he was given two things from his father—musical genius and a genetic link to the bipolar disorder that drives him mad.
One night in a garage at the end of a cul-de-sac in the middle of a bankrupt California neighborhood, Jesse’s melody found Arizona’s rhythm. An angry boy with storm-colored eyes found a blonde angel in Doc Martens with missing lines in her own story. Where her rhythm stopped, his words took over, and together, they wrote one hell of a story.
** Drummer Girl is a mature YA/New Adult romance that touches on mental health, drug abuse and includes mature sexual situations.
Jesse Barringer was a song without a chorus. The son of a washed-up rock star who’s also one hell of a deadbeat dad, he was given two things from his father—musical genius and a genetic link to the bipolar disorder that drives him mad.
One night in a garage at the end of a cul-de-sac in the middle of a bankrupt California neighborhood, Jesse’s melody found Arizona’s rhythm. An angry boy with storm-colored eyes found a blonde angel in Doc Martens with missing lines in her own story. Where her rhythm stopped, his words took over, and together, they wrote one hell of a story.
** Drummer Girl is a mature YA/New Adult romance that touches on mental health, drug abuse and includes mature sexual situations.
282 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 28, 2019
142 people are currently reading
819 people want to read
About the author
Ginger Scott
77 books3,579 followersGinger Scott is a USA Today, Wall Street Journal and Amazon-bestselling author from Peoria, Arizona. She was also nominated for both the Goodreads Choice and Rita Awards. She is the author of several young and new adult romances, including bestsellers The Moon and Back, The Varsity Series, The Hard Count, This Is Falling and Wild Reckless.
A sucker for a good romance, Ginger's other passion is sports, and she often blends the two in her stories. She has been writing and editing for newspapers, magazines and blogs for a hella long time. She has told the stories of Olympians, politicians, actors, scientists, cowboys, criminals and towns. For more on her and her work, visit her website at http://gingerscottbooks.com.
When she's not writing, the odds are high that she's somewhere near a baseball diamond, either watching her son field pop flies like Bryce Harper or cheering on her favorite baseball team, the Arizona Diamondbacks. Ginger lives in Arizona and is married to her college sweetheart whom she met at ASU (fork 'em, Devils).
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Amazon: amazon.com/author/gingerscott
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A sucker for a good romance, Ginger's other passion is sports, and she often blends the two in her stories. She has been writing and editing for newspapers, magazines and blogs for a hella long time. She has told the stories of Olympians, politicians, actors, scientists, cowboys, criminals and towns. For more on her and her work, visit her website at http://gingerscottbooks.com.
When she's not writing, the odds are high that she's somewhere near a baseball diamond, either watching her son field pop flies like Bryce Harper or cheering on her favorite baseball team, the Arizona Diamondbacks. Ginger lives in Arizona and is married to her college sweetheart whom she met at ASU (fork 'em, Devils).
Sign Up for Ginger's Newsletter!
http://www.littlemisswrite.com/newsle...
Find Ginger online here:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GingerScottA...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thegingerscott
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorginge...
Website: https://www.littlemisswrite.com
Amazon: amazon.com/author/gingerscott
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/ginge...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews
July 31, 2019
I went on vacation with a few books in mind, one's I know needed to be read. What I did not expect was hands down amazing reads. I flew through reads, why?? because they were so damn addictive that I couldn't put them down.
This one, I shouldn't be surprised, I love Ginger Scott, but damn I really loved this one, enjoyed it immensely. So yes, this read is another one I recommend you pick up!! It is one that leaves you wanting more!!
This one, I shouldn't be surprised, I love Ginger Scott, but damn I really loved this one, enjoyed it immensely. So yes, this read is another one I recommend you pick up!! It is one that leaves you wanting more!!
July 18, 2019
Nothing about anything in this life is normal, but maybe that’s everyone’s story. Maybe normal is the odd man out.
What keeps me returning to Ginger Scott again and again is the way she so meticulously weaves lush romance with heavy subject matter. Drummer Girl, a mature YA romance set against the backdrop of music, is a love story full of hope and heartfelt attraction, where the sweet levity of first love melds painfully with the profound weight of mental illness.
Ginger Scott is the most amazing writer and storyteller and with Drummer Girl comes some of her most important work yet. This story twists and turns, revealing the trauma and pain from both Arizona and Jesse's pasts while vividly illustrating the ways mental illness has effected both their lives. Rife with jaw dropping curveballs and blistering emotion, Drummer Girl sends such a loud and clear message about what it means to be "normal," the importance of seeking help and the beauty in finding someone to see you through it all. This is such a great read, a beautifully romantic story, but more, it's an eye opening account of the normalization of mental health.
What Scott does here feels so relatable and raw. The mother in me took one look at Jesse Barringer and wanted Arizona Wakefield to run the other way. His detachment, his seemingly erratic behavior, his impulsive attitude and his dysfunctional family made me want to shake this girl. He's the quintessential bad boy next door. He's in a band, smokes pot, skips school and steamrolls in just in time to ruin important moments in her life. This is not the boy you want for your daughter. But when the true Jesse starts to reveal himself, when his inner turmoil and his invisible fight come to the surface, I just wanted to hold him. I wanted Arizona to fall head first. The biggest thing I took away from this book was the truth that we're all battling something. We all have our 'lakes' and while they might not all look the same, we deserve understanding while we navigate it.
The stigma of mental illness is stripped away on these pages, opening the eyes and heart of the reader. The way I felt about that reckless bad boy and the good girl who appeared to have it all together morphed and changed as this story evolved. Drummer Girl invites you inside these characters and then turns everything upside down after you've made your assumptions about what normal looks like. It's so well done, so authentic in its teen angst and relatable drama, so sweet at times and so heavy at others. The romance and the intoxicating draw of first love is perfectly peppered with the weight of real world problems and I thoroughly enjoyed it... But more importantly, I appreciated it.
What keeps me returning to Ginger Scott again and again is the way she so meticulously weaves lush romance with heavy subject matter. Drummer Girl, a mature YA romance set against the backdrop of music, is a love story full of hope and heartfelt attraction, where the sweet levity of first love melds painfully with the profound weight of mental illness.
Ginger Scott is the most amazing writer and storyteller and with Drummer Girl comes some of her most important work yet. This story twists and turns, revealing the trauma and pain from both Arizona and Jesse's pasts while vividly illustrating the ways mental illness has effected both their lives. Rife with jaw dropping curveballs and blistering emotion, Drummer Girl sends such a loud and clear message about what it means to be "normal," the importance of seeking help and the beauty in finding someone to see you through it all. This is such a great read, a beautifully romantic story, but more, it's an eye opening account of the normalization of mental health.
What Scott does here feels so relatable and raw. The mother in me took one look at Jesse Barringer and wanted Arizona Wakefield to run the other way. His detachment, his seemingly erratic behavior, his impulsive attitude and his dysfunctional family made me want to shake this girl. He's the quintessential bad boy next door. He's in a band, smokes pot, skips school and steamrolls in just in time to ruin important moments in her life. This is not the boy you want for your daughter. But when the true Jesse starts to reveal himself, when his inner turmoil and his invisible fight come to the surface, I just wanted to hold him. I wanted Arizona to fall head first. The biggest thing I took away from this book was the truth that we're all battling something. We all have our 'lakes' and while they might not all look the same, we deserve understanding while we navigate it.
The stigma of mental illness is stripped away on these pages, opening the eyes and heart of the reader. The way I felt about that reckless bad boy and the good girl who appeared to have it all together morphed and changed as this story evolved. Drummer Girl invites you inside these characters and then turns everything upside down after you've made your assumptions about what normal looks like. It's so well done, so authentic in its teen angst and relatable drama, so sweet at times and so heavy at others. The romance and the intoxicating draw of first love is perfectly peppered with the weight of real world problems and I thoroughly enjoyed it... But more importantly, I appreciated it.
July 29, 2019
TITLE: DRUMMER GIRL
AUTHOR: Ginger Scott
RELEASE DATE: July 30 2019
GENRE: Young Adult with mature themes
THEMES & TROPES: Mental Illness, Drug Abuse
RATING: 4 Stars
CLIFFHANGER: No
READ MY REVIEW ON THE BLOG (live on July 30th)
I've read quite a few books by Ginger Scott and there is only one book by her that didn't work for me. But that's another story and I am happy to report that she has come back as expected with flying colors. Before I continue scroll up and read the beauty that is the blurb for this book.
DRUMMER GIRL is a departure from this author's usual sports romance. This time around music is the theme that is front and center in this mature YA story. If you think you've read it all, nothing can surprise you, think again. Because if there is something Ms Scott excels at it's giving us stories that haven't been told before. She doesn't just polish up an old trope, no, she creates them.
Arizona is a shy young girl, playing snare drum in the school's marching band. One day a boy moves in next door and at first it seems like they don't have a lot in common with Jesse being the epitome of a bad boy, smoking pot, being a musician, playing hooky from school. This is the kind of boy our parents told us to run from. The deeper you dive into the plot though and the closer Jesse and Ari become, you see that this isn't the dysfunctional relationship you'd expect. Jesse's growth from the troublemaker who is up to no good to the person Ari can rely on is subtle but you see it. Jesse will never be a choirboy but he is an example why girls want to tame those bad boys and be THE ONE for them.
This is a slow, careful gift from a boy I find dizzyingly perfect despite all of his crazy. He doesn’t pretend to be something he isn’t. He’s a genius, he’s a wreck—he’s my first.
As you go not only Jesse's fight with with his demons comes to light but also Arizona's and her family's - that was quite a twist and quite heart-wrenching
The message in this story is something we should remember in our every day life when we judge people harshly, especially people we don't know very well. We all have something we battle, something that we don't necessarily share with the world. Mental illnesses still have that flavor of crazy and often times people are ashamed. But we don't choose them. And there is no shame in seeking help.
Nothing about anything in this life is normal, but maybe that’s everyone’s story. Maybe normal is the odd man out.
Ginger Scott puts the spotlight on a sensitive matter with a very delicate and tactful hand and a surprising amount of steam. She makes music and depression the background for a first love that is set to become epic. Once again this author proves what a force in YA she is and why she is one of my favorites. She writes emotional stories, full of love, sweetness and beautiful words about extraordinary people and DRUMMER GIRL just fits the mold.
I love him. I love him so fucking much. He is my lake, and I dove in head fucking first.
Read
February 18, 2020REVIEW: DNF Review at 66%, skimmed to the end
"Calm covers storms."
This isn't an overly positive review, but it certainly isn't going to be a complaint filled one either. I feel like this one missed the emotional "mark" for me. I didn't have the connection I thought I could/should/would with this type of subject, but I fell in love with Jesse. With Jesse, I actually felt his depth and his pain. I felt his turmoil and heard his demons. Unfortunately, Ari felt a little blah to me, and I understand why - given what she went through, but she sort of hampered the experience of this whole book for me.
"Jesse has demons. I knew he did, but it still doesn't make it easy to watch someone battle them."
Dual POV - totally a missed opportunity in this book. Ooooobviously, that's myyyy opinion and it should never hold any weight, but I will say that I was seriously hoping for some insight into/from Jesse. Even though this wasn't his story to tell, I feel like it would have added another dimension to everything going on -given the fact that we had issues on both sides of the relationship. Clearly this was Ari's book, her story, her journey. But man! I would have loved to have heard from his mind....to jump into his psyche and heard from him first hand.
That doesn't mean this wasn't good, it just wasn't amazing for me. It didn't really hold my interest, and for the depth of the subject matter, it had the ability to hold me captive. While it did for some parts, it didn't in most other times because it felt as if it/they droned on. Just like with the cadence - it worked for me at some points, but others didn't quite jive, so it felt awkwardly paced, and very slowly at that. I just couldn't finish it and give it a glowing review. It wasn't for me. It was ok and it was leaning towards a 2-3 star review, but it started to bother me with regards to the pacing and what was seemingly filler in some spots, so I just didn't want to not like it. It was almost...dare I say, boring. I think I need to admit I was hoping above hope that this was the twist-me-up, amaze me kind of read that I was expecting. However, it felt very low-key even given the subject at hand, but maybe that's me putting too high of an expectation of "super emotional" on it. Sadly, her voice was too bland for this subject matter for me. Bred was my first read by Scott, and I knew how the original book "read", so I was just amazed and in love with that book, so I was hoping for more of an emotional connection with this one. But with this being a new story, it didn't have the same effect and it just kind of fell flat. Am I sad? No. Not exceptionally, because again, I did enjoy some of it. It was good - just not amazing, not really interesting enough to hold my interest.
But it's also not going to stay with me. Or is it? I am on the fence with this one. It felt very monotonous....there wasn't an inflection in the author's voice while I read, and I like the ups and downs of a journey when it's marred by personal struggles. So, overall, it felt like her voice didn't have the 'punch' I needed to actually dig deep within my emotional self to fall in love with this story. But Jesse and Ari had a relationship that made me smile. Their trust in each other was well noted and I love that Jesse knew he could lean on Ari as heavily as he did and vice versa. But when he was feeling the 'buzz', you could see it in every way and I loved watching his change/growth, but her patience for him was amazing to see.
"I give him my oxygen willingly."
I like the depth a manic character can give me because there is simply so much going on, so to be able to explore the inner workings of their mind, knowing it is an intense journey - I really like that side of it. Not really a spectacle, outside-looking-in kind of enjoy, but more of an admiration, or appreciation of how they can fall in love, but also feel the heaviness from one swing to another. One high to another low. It just adds a level of pause for me because I think it's beautiful to watch someone fall in love and when you're manic, that comes with a deeper, more considerable weight to it. Unfortunately, I didn't feel the heaviness I would have expected and that ruined the "mood" for me.
"His touch is like a dose of venom, and I'm mildly paralyzed."
~BEE
NO GIVEAWAY FOR DNF REVIEWS
"Calm covers storms."
This isn't an overly positive review, but it certainly isn't going to be a complaint filled one either. I feel like this one missed the emotional "mark" for me. I didn't have the connection I thought I could/should/would with this type of subject, but I fell in love with Jesse. With Jesse, I actually felt his depth and his pain. I felt his turmoil and heard his demons. Unfortunately, Ari felt a little blah to me, and I understand why - given what she went through, but she sort of hampered the experience of this whole book for me.
"Jesse has demons. I knew he did, but it still doesn't make it easy to watch someone battle them."
Dual POV - totally a missed opportunity in this book. Ooooobviously, that's myyyy opinion and it should never hold any weight, but I will say that I was seriously hoping for some insight into/from Jesse. Even though this wasn't his story to tell, I feel like it would have added another dimension to everything going on -given the fact that we had issues on both sides of the relationship. Clearly this was Ari's book, her story, her journey. But man! I would have loved to have heard from his mind....to jump into his psyche and heard from him first hand.
That doesn't mean this wasn't good, it just wasn't amazing for me. It didn't really hold my interest, and for the depth of the subject matter, it had the ability to hold me captive. While it did for some parts, it didn't in most other times because it felt as if it/they droned on. Just like with the cadence - it worked for me at some points, but others didn't quite jive, so it felt awkwardly paced, and very slowly at that. I just couldn't finish it and give it a glowing review. It wasn't for me. It was ok and it was leaning towards a 2-3 star review, but it started to bother me with regards to the pacing and what was seemingly filler in some spots, so I just didn't want to not like it. It was almost...dare I say, boring. I think I need to admit I was hoping above hope that this was the twist-me-up, amaze me kind of read that I was expecting. However, it felt very low-key even given the subject at hand, but maybe that's me putting too high of an expectation of "super emotional" on it. Sadly, her voice was too bland for this subject matter for me. Bred was my first read by Scott, and I knew how the original book "read", so I was just amazed and in love with that book, so I was hoping for more of an emotional connection with this one. But with this being a new story, it didn't have the same effect and it just kind of fell flat. Am I sad? No. Not exceptionally, because again, I did enjoy some of it. It was good - just not amazing, not really interesting enough to hold my interest.
But it's also not going to stay with me. Or is it? I am on the fence with this one. It felt very monotonous....there wasn't an inflection in the author's voice while I read, and I like the ups and downs of a journey when it's marred by personal struggles. So, overall, it felt like her voice didn't have the 'punch' I needed to actually dig deep within my emotional self to fall in love with this story. But Jesse and Ari had a relationship that made me smile. Their trust in each other was well noted and I love that Jesse knew he could lean on Ari as heavily as he did and vice versa. But when he was feeling the 'buzz', you could see it in every way and I loved watching his change/growth, but her patience for him was amazing to see.
"I give him my oxygen willingly."
I like the depth a manic character can give me because there is simply so much going on, so to be able to explore the inner workings of their mind, knowing it is an intense journey - I really like that side of it. Not really a spectacle, outside-looking-in kind of enjoy, but more of an admiration, or appreciation of how they can fall in love, but also feel the heaviness from one swing to another. One high to another low. It just adds a level of pause for me because I think it's beautiful to watch someone fall in love and when you're manic, that comes with a deeper, more considerable weight to it. Unfortunately, I didn't feel the heaviness I would have expected and that ruined the "mood" for me.
"His touch is like a dose of venom, and I'm mildly paralyzed."
~BEE
NO GIVEAWAY FOR DNF REVIEWS
August 3, 2019
3.5 stars
"He's literally making the sounds that live in my heart and head,..."
Drummer Girl was my second book by Ginger Scott and while thinking on how to write this review, I realized I had the same issues with this one like I had with Bred. I couldn't connect with the characters on a deeper level. I didn't feel the energy and while reading I had no idea where this journey would lead me.
"We all have lakes we dive into sometimes."
The creation of the characters was very thoughtful. The topics this book touches are very sensitive and Ginger Scott played them out nicely. I think she did a great job with Ari but I had a hard time picturing Jesse. Also the connection they shared wasn't palpable to me.
Maybe I'm the wrong audience for this book, but I'm pretty sure for younger readers it's perfect and they will learn a lot from it.
"He's my lake, and I dove in head fucking first."
Drummer Girl is a lovely YA novel with mature content that will lead you into the deep lakes of a young and troubled mind.
"He's literally making the sounds that live in my heart and head,..."
Drummer Girl was my second book by Ginger Scott and while thinking on how to write this review, I realized I had the same issues with this one like I had with Bred. I couldn't connect with the characters on a deeper level. I didn't feel the energy and while reading I had no idea where this journey would lead me.
"We all have lakes we dive into sometimes."
The creation of the characters was very thoughtful. The topics this book touches are very sensitive and Ginger Scott played them out nicely. I think she did a great job with Ari but I had a hard time picturing Jesse. Also the connection they shared wasn't palpable to me.
Maybe I'm the wrong audience for this book, but I'm pretty sure for younger readers it's perfect and they will learn a lot from it.
"He's my lake, and I dove in head fucking first."
Drummer Girl is a lovely YA novel with mature content that will lead you into the deep lakes of a young and troubled mind.
July 29, 2019
Wow! This book was something else. I'm not quite sure where to start. Drummer Girl is a mature YA romance set against the backdrop of music. The two leads really bring this book to life, causing you to feel every ounce of hurt, bitterness, hope and love that they experience. It was like being a teenager again and going through the wide spectrum of feelings and mixed up thoughts.
The plot of this story will put your heart through the ringer. It is emotional and raw as it gently touches on the serious matter of mental health combined with drug abuse and sex. This beautiful tale of healing and love will make your heart hurt, yet heal you at the same time. It is wonderfully written, eye-opening, thought-provoking, and should be a must read for every lover of romance.
The plot of this story will put your heart through the ringer. It is emotional and raw as it gently touches on the serious matter of mental health combined with drug abuse and sex. This beautiful tale of healing and love will make your heart hurt, yet heal you at the same time. It is wonderfully written, eye-opening, thought-provoking, and should be a must read for every lover of romance.
July 26, 2019
I'm a happy reader right now. A seriously happy reader. For me this one's a rare perfect story. I would not change one word. Not a single thing. It earns six stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ginger Scott is one of my Unicorns. You know the kind of author who could write any story & you'd willingly go in blind - yeah that's her for me.
This one is a book that had me smiling, crying and pausing to remember moments from my own youth - it's thought provoking and tells a complicated tale in a beautifully quiet way. No over the top angst for the sake of it. Just genuine teenage emotions and all the feelings that come with them.
She truly is the Queen of YA storytelling. The imagery, fierce friendships and first love feelings pour from the pages. Add to this characters of depth, a gentle handling of VERY real subject matter and a love story that had me giddy like a teenage girl...
I first read this story as a short in an anthology last year and I'm so glad she gave us their full story. It really deserved to be told.
I received an arc of this book.
Ginger Scott is one of my Unicorns. You know the kind of author who could write any story & you'd willingly go in blind - yeah that's her for me.
This one is a book that had me smiling, crying and pausing to remember moments from my own youth - it's thought provoking and tells a complicated tale in a beautifully quiet way. No over the top angst for the sake of it. Just genuine teenage emotions and all the feelings that come with them.
She truly is the Queen of YA storytelling. The imagery, fierce friendships and first love feelings pour from the pages. Add to this characters of depth, a gentle handling of VERY real subject matter and a love story that had me giddy like a teenage girl...
I first read this story as a short in an anthology last year and I'm so glad she gave us their full story. It really deserved to be told.
I received an arc of this book.
July 30, 2019
UPDATE! I just finished Drummer Girl and WOW! It was pure perfection, everything I look for in a book. I need a little time to come up with ALL THE WORDS! I loved this book so much and every time I think I have a new favorite Ginger Scott book, she blows me away AGAIN! I adored this story. Full review to come!! <3
Damn, Ginger Scott, you got me hooked! Drummer Girl, hurry up and come to me!!
When I think of the ultimate book boyfriend—broody, hot, rockstars always come to mind. Especially when Ginger Scott creates them. Jesse is new to the neighborhood and Arizona is instantly drawn to him. His voice, that body, and his words will bring you to your knees. Gah!! Love the chemistry and I LOVE Jesse!! I am DYING for more!!!
Damn, Ginger Scott, you got me hooked! Drummer Girl, hurry up and come to me!!
When I think of the ultimate book boyfriend—broody, hot, rockstars always come to mind. Especially when Ginger Scott creates them. Jesse is new to the neighborhood and Arizona is instantly drawn to him. His voice, that body, and his words will bring you to your knees. Gah!! Love the chemistry and I LOVE Jesse!! I am DYING for more!!!
December 31, 2021
Drumroll Please...
I wasn't going to "read" this book. I was just going to look at it and check it out, but it sickest me right in from the start. I've been trying to cut back on my reading (to interact with actual people more) so I've been hesitant to start anything I know I won't have time for, but this one kept me up and made me wake up early, just to knock it out. Ginger is a spectacular author and incredibly talented in story telling. She knows how to set a scene and deliver. She's never let me down, I'm a hard-core fan.
I wasn't going to "read" this book. I was just going to look at it and check it out, but it sickest me right in from the start. I've been trying to cut back on my reading (to interact with actual people more) so I've been hesitant to start anything I know I won't have time for, but this one kept me up and made me wake up early, just to knock it out. Ginger is a spectacular author and incredibly talented in story telling. She knows how to set a scene and deliver. She's never let me down, I'm a hard-core fan.
August 6, 2019
FULL REVIEW POSTED 8/5/19
Not my favorite from Ginger Scott, and I haven’t been able to really pinpoint exactly what it was that didn’t excite me about this story or these characters. It just didn’t pull me into the story like the usual GS book does. I never really connected with any of the characters – even though their situations broke my heart. You would have to be cold-hearted and uncaring if it didn't. Suffice to say, I'm looking at it as one of those "it's just me" situations.
Although there was certainly plenty of potential, I just didn’t feel the overwhelming punch of some of Scott’s other stand-outs. And still yet, a solid read that was good enough to keep me in my seat reading on.
I've read plenty of Ginger Scott's books and, more than not, they've been five-star reads and I look forward to her next release with great anticipation.
Not my favorite from Ginger Scott, and I haven’t been able to really pinpoint exactly what it was that didn’t excite me about this story or these characters. It just didn’t pull me into the story like the usual GS book does. I never really connected with any of the characters – even though their situations broke my heart. You would have to be cold-hearted and uncaring if it didn't. Suffice to say, I'm looking at it as one of those "it's just me" situations.
Although there was certainly plenty of potential, I just didn’t feel the overwhelming punch of some of Scott’s other stand-outs. And still yet, a solid read that was good enough to keep me in my seat reading on.
I've read plenty of Ginger Scott's books and, more than not, they've been five-star reads and I look forward to her next release with great anticipation.
July 29, 2019
“You should have loved me first.”
“What if I love you after?”
➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖
Sometimes you pick up a book, and before you even begin reading it, you know it’s going to be great. DRUMMER GIRL by Ginger Scott, one of my top authors, is SPECIAL. The intensity? GAH! This story shattered my soul and hijacked my heart. I felt every word. I felt everything. Drummer Girl everywhere.
Two chapters into Drummer Girl and I was HOOKED!!! I was so into Jesse and Arizona, a hero and heroine that owned me from the start, complex characters I felt deep inside of me. I was so into Ginger’s powerful writing that pulled me in from head to heart. I was ALL IN, and I loved every moment of this meaningful and memorable young adult tale.
Broken sees broken and Arizona and Jesse are two shattered souls who together are whole. I loved these characters so much! Oh did I break for this book. Became drunk on this book. Melted with this book. Loved every bit of this book. A book that made me breathless.
Drummer Girl is a seamless blend of young adult and rocker romance woven in broken beauty. A story that is as mesmerizing as it is meaningful. A story that was my soulmate in words, a beautifully broken beat that pounded into my heart where I felt every word, words that shot straight to my soul. Perfectly imperfect, heart-pounding perfection that is UNPUTDOWNABLE. I only left Drummer Girl wanting ... needing MORE.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 heart-pounding stars
“What if I love you after?”
➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖
Sometimes you pick up a book, and before you even begin reading it, you know it’s going to be great. DRUMMER GIRL by Ginger Scott, one of my top authors, is SPECIAL. The intensity? GAH! This story shattered my soul and hijacked my heart. I felt every word. I felt everything. Drummer Girl everywhere.
Two chapters into Drummer Girl and I was HOOKED!!! I was so into Jesse and Arizona, a hero and heroine that owned me from the start, complex characters I felt deep inside of me. I was so into Ginger’s powerful writing that pulled me in from head to heart. I was ALL IN, and I loved every moment of this meaningful and memorable young adult tale.
Broken sees broken and Arizona and Jesse are two shattered souls who together are whole. I loved these characters so much! Oh did I break for this book. Became drunk on this book. Melted with this book. Loved every bit of this book. A book that made me breathless.
Drummer Girl is a seamless blend of young adult and rocker romance woven in broken beauty. A story that is as mesmerizing as it is meaningful. A story that was my soulmate in words, a beautifully broken beat that pounded into my heart where I felt every word, words that shot straight to my soul. Perfectly imperfect, heart-pounding perfection that is UNPUTDOWNABLE. I only left Drummer Girl wanting ... needing MORE.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 heart-pounding stars
July 30, 2019
**Drummer Girl generously provided in exchange for an honest review.**
5 "You should have loved me first." Stars
I love Ginger Scott YA stories. They're edgy, twisty, mature and always entertaining. This author digs deep within the hearts of her characters endearing them immediately to readers. Drummer Girl is yet another shining example of her coming of age story telling prowess. It's a story about loss and coping. It's also a story of understanding, compassion, and learning. It's hopeful, vulnerable, and real.
Jesse and Ari's lives are about to be forever changed. They meet and right away form an unshakable bond where they just understand each other. As their lives start to unravel and hidden truths seek light and redemption, Jesse and Ari meet challenges and form even deeper understandings. Scott's writing and character development invoke awareness and compassion in her readers.
If you're a YA romance enthusiast Drummer Girl is not to be missed. Scott takes hard issues and reveals them in a way they leaves you inspired and hopeful. Full of love and friendship this book takes you on a great journey.
5 "You should have loved me first." Stars
I love Ginger Scott YA stories. They're edgy, twisty, mature and always entertaining. This author digs deep within the hearts of her characters endearing them immediately to readers. Drummer Girl is yet another shining example of her coming of age story telling prowess. It's a story about loss and coping. It's also a story of understanding, compassion, and learning. It's hopeful, vulnerable, and real.
Jesse and Ari's lives are about to be forever changed. They meet and right away form an unshakable bond where they just understand each other. As their lives start to unravel and hidden truths seek light and redemption, Jesse and Ari meet challenges and form even deeper understandings. Scott's writing and character development invoke awareness and compassion in her readers.
If you're a YA romance enthusiast Drummer Girl is not to be missed. Scott takes hard issues and reveals them in a way they leaves you inspired and hopeful. Full of love and friendship this book takes you on a great journey.
October 4, 2019
Rating: 4.25/5
Review to come!
Review to come!
July 18, 2019
Ginger Scott writes the real thing. I love how her heroines can be a bit quirky and her heroes aren’t always the hottest guy in town. Or that quirkiness is just a little bit darker or sadder, a more common reality than we’d like to admit, and on both sides so that her characters are relatable. Her stories of young love are spot on. The humor and banter is fun yet, at times, serious too. They are stories of life and love and she does them well. And Drummer Girl is definitely one of those stories.
Ari Wakefield stepped out of her comfort zone. I loved her excitement, the build-up of her connection with Jesse, watching her grow and become confident. She is a fantastic mix of girl verging on womanhood and is exactly who she needs to be.
Jesse Barringer is more than just the boy next door. He has mad skills and talent. I don’t want to say he’s complicated but he does have many layers.
Jesse and Ari are so good together and for each other. Their story wrapped around my heart. Being young and full of emotions can be so hard. Trying to navigate it all and come out on the other side intact is never easy. Because this is more than a romance, it’s a story of unconditional love and survival, acceptance and courage. I love that she gave me characters that I could enjoy and also want to hold tight. I love that this story made me feel the rush of excitement with new love and the agony of dealing with heartache.
And can I say swoon! That first kiss was everything!
Ari Wakefield stepped out of her comfort zone. I loved her excitement, the build-up of her connection with Jesse, watching her grow and become confident. She is a fantastic mix of girl verging on womanhood and is exactly who she needs to be.
Jesse Barringer is more than just the boy next door. He has mad skills and talent. I don’t want to say he’s complicated but he does have many layers.
Jesse and Ari are so good together and for each other. Their story wrapped around my heart. Being young and full of emotions can be so hard. Trying to navigate it all and come out on the other side intact is never easy. Because this is more than a romance, it’s a story of unconditional love and survival, acceptance and courage. I love that she gave me characters that I could enjoy and also want to hold tight. I love that this story made me feel the rush of excitement with new love and the agony of dealing with heartache.
And can I say swoon! That first kiss was everything!
November 24, 2018
* I recieved and ARC of the first 5 chapters from Ginger*
Oh my gosh!!! Guys?!?!? This 5 chapter sneak peek was EVERYTHING!!! Arizona and Jesse I know will be my new favorite couple!There story, the lead in, so much in just 5 chapters......mid 2019 is entirely too far away!! Can't wait to get my hands on the full Novel!!
Oh my gosh!!! Guys?!?!? This 5 chapter sneak peek was EVERYTHING!!! Arizona and Jesse I know will be my new favorite couple!There story, the lead in, so much in just 5 chapters......mid 2019 is entirely too far away!! Can't wait to get my hands on the full Novel!!
July 22, 2019
4.5 Stars
Hope, love, and camaraderie come together in a story about healing through music.
Life for Arizona Wakefield changes in more ways than one when she gains a new neighbor, Jesse Barringer.
Not sure what caught her interest more, his looks or his drums. But she is intrigued, immediately. With the help of her wing-woman and BFF, Sam, she steps out of her comfort space to spend time with him. And following a series of run-ins, Jesse seems the potential of his new neighbor, which changes everything.
Jesse is far for a poster boy. He skips school more than attends it, uses drugs, and has anger management issue. The latter is tied to his past and medical condition, which I won't get into. But despite all of the downsides, Arizona does not turn her back on him.
We all have lakes.
. . . He is my lake, and I dove in head fucking first.
Once Jesse accepts Arizona in his world, she doesn't back out without a fight. Although I sometimes questioned her sanity, and thought she might be better off distancing herself, I also admired her dedication to Jesse. And that dedication pays off.
Aside from Arizona's commitment to Jesse, I was generally surprised on how he treats her back. Given has popularity and bad boy persona, I was anticipating more angst, maybe drama with other girls. And while there is a hint of that, it was pretty minor, so I gave it a pass. So, when Jesse isn't fighting his inner demons, he makes sure to show Arizona how much she means to him.
"You should have loved me first."
What if I love you after.
While Jesse's father, Alton, is a complete douche and the primarily reason for Jesse's anger issues, I was surprised by the other parental figures in this book, particularly Arizona's. They are strict but also very understanding. Their support for Arizona during the toughest of times was so sweet, and I love that they were there for her.
I really loved this story from beginning to end. It is a great coming of age story, with music as an entertaining backdrop. If you are already a fan of this author, or enjoy the YA genre, this is worth checking out.
*An ARC was received for an honest review.
Hope, love, and camaraderie come together in a story about healing through music.
Life for Arizona Wakefield changes in more ways than one when she gains a new neighbor, Jesse Barringer.
Not sure what caught her interest more, his looks or his drums. But she is intrigued, immediately. With the help of her wing-woman and BFF, Sam, she steps out of her comfort space to spend time with him. And following a series of run-ins, Jesse seems the potential of his new neighbor, which changes everything.
Jesse is far for a poster boy. He skips school more than attends it, uses drugs, and has anger management issue. The latter is tied to his past and medical condition, which I won't get into. But despite all of the downsides, Arizona does not turn her back on him.
We all have lakes.
. . . He is my lake, and I dove in head fucking first.
Once Jesse accepts Arizona in his world, she doesn't back out without a fight. Although I sometimes questioned her sanity, and thought she might be better off distancing herself, I also admired her dedication to Jesse. And that dedication pays off.
Aside from Arizona's commitment to Jesse, I was generally surprised on how he treats her back. Given has popularity and bad boy persona, I was anticipating more angst, maybe drama with other girls. And while there is a hint of that, it was pretty minor, so I gave it a pass. So, when Jesse isn't fighting his inner demons, he makes sure to show Arizona how much she means to him.
"You should have loved me first."
What if I love you after.
While Jesse's father, Alton, is a complete douche and the primarily reason for Jesse's anger issues, I was surprised by the other parental figures in this book, particularly Arizona's. They are strict but also very understanding. Their support for Arizona during the toughest of times was so sweet, and I love that they were there for her.
I really loved this story from beginning to end. It is a great coming of age story, with music as an entertaining backdrop. If you are already a fan of this author, or enjoy the YA genre, this is worth checking out.
*An ARC was received for an honest review.
August 6, 2019
In Ginger Scott’s newest release, Drummer Girl, she crafts a story about first/young love, about finding a medium that helps individuals’ cope with the pain and heartache of growing up in dysfunction, mistreatment, and neglect, about choosing to live life for themselves in order to secure a future worth having.
From the beginning of the story, Jesse Barringer appears to be a troublemaker bad boy who doesn’t have anything to offer a shy girl like Ari, but as their story continues and it becomes clear that he is a product of his environment, what also becomes quite obvious is that with the right person pushing through his walls and helping him to see his worth and all that he has to offer, not only to her, but to the world as a whole, the Jesse who has always been there beneath his hardened exterior finds his way to the light, allowing readers to understand what Ari always saw in Jesse despite their rough beginning.
I absolutely adored Arizona Wakefield and how she chose to live her life despite the difficulties she faced. It’s clear what she’s had to endure so far in her young life and as much as it works to be her only defining qualities, she refuses to be pulled completely down and she does so with a musical outlet that allows her to be her true self, to express her true feelings, and it’s that medium that gives her hope and Jesse.
The music analogy strung and blended throughout the pages of Drummer Girl illustrate how essential music is to both Arizona and Jesse and the fact that they figure out how to meld together a melody and rhythm that not only expresses their individuality but also demonstrates how well they harmonize together allows them to continue to push forward even when the trauma and pain from their pasts threaten to tear them down.
Ginger Scott is quickly becoming one of my favorite mature YA/New Adult romance authors; her stories are easily relatable to her readers and the topics explored as well as the messages expressed in her books highlight contemporary society’s concerns in an open and honest way.
4.5 Poison Apples (The Fairest of All Book Reviews)
From the beginning of the story, Jesse Barringer appears to be a troublemaker bad boy who doesn’t have anything to offer a shy girl like Ari, but as their story continues and it becomes clear that he is a product of his environment, what also becomes quite obvious is that with the right person pushing through his walls and helping him to see his worth and all that he has to offer, not only to her, but to the world as a whole, the Jesse who has always been there beneath his hardened exterior finds his way to the light, allowing readers to understand what Ari always saw in Jesse despite their rough beginning.
I absolutely adored Arizona Wakefield and how she chose to live her life despite the difficulties she faced. It’s clear what she’s had to endure so far in her young life and as much as it works to be her only defining qualities, she refuses to be pulled completely down and she does so with a musical outlet that allows her to be her true self, to express her true feelings, and it’s that medium that gives her hope and Jesse.
The music analogy strung and blended throughout the pages of Drummer Girl illustrate how essential music is to both Arizona and Jesse and the fact that they figure out how to meld together a melody and rhythm that not only expresses their individuality but also demonstrates how well they harmonize together allows them to continue to push forward even when the trauma and pain from their pasts threaten to tear them down.
Ginger Scott is quickly becoming one of my favorite mature YA/New Adult romance authors; her stories are easily relatable to her readers and the topics explored as well as the messages expressed in her books highlight contemporary society’s concerns in an open and honest way.
4.5 Poison Apples (The Fairest of All Book Reviews)
August 16, 2019
"I feel like I've been kissed-the kind of kiss that leaves someone swallowing hard and confused. I do, and I am."
The first book I've read by this Author has blown me away!! I couldn't and didn't want to put this down at any point. I cried, I laughed, I SWOONED, and my heart just exploded for these two. Delving into deeper issues, crushing pasts, demons rearing their ugly heads and a swirl of events that had me gripping the kindle and pouring through these words well into the night, it's a story to experience!!! Jesse and Arizona's fall is mesmerizing and captivating, and at times soul crushing. Their intense relationship, snarky banter, and inner dialogue set the stage for a really vivid and exciting read! So much against them, yet their pure, yet magnetic romance was intoxicating as much as it was sweet. I'll be reading much more from this Author guaranteed!! A massively entertaining YA/NA Rocker Romance that I won't soon forget!!
~~~Erika, Book Haven Book Blog
The first book I've read by this Author has blown me away!! I couldn't and didn't want to put this down at any point. I cried, I laughed, I SWOONED, and my heart just exploded for these two. Delving into deeper issues, crushing pasts, demons rearing their ugly heads and a swirl of events that had me gripping the kindle and pouring through these words well into the night, it's a story to experience!!! Jesse and Arizona's fall is mesmerizing and captivating, and at times soul crushing. Their intense relationship, snarky banter, and inner dialogue set the stage for a really vivid and exciting read! So much against them, yet their pure, yet magnetic romance was intoxicating as much as it was sweet. I'll be reading much more from this Author guaranteed!! A massively entertaining YA/NA Rocker Romance that I won't soon forget!!
~~~Erika, Book Haven Book Blog
August 6, 2019
I'm a huge fan of Ginger Scott,I love her writing and her ability to write good and realistic young adult stories and characters.
I loved Ari,she is an amazing drummer and I was so glad she went out of her comfort zone in order to audition for her new neighbour's band.Jesse is the face and the tortured talent of his band,his character reminded me of one of my favourite artist and I was so invested reading about him and his life and my heart broke a few times when he felt pretty messed up.
They have this strange connection and a lot of chemistry that page after page becomes even deeper.
Copy kindly provided by the Publisher/Author.
September 17, 2019
Wow! What a captivating page turner! I felt so much compassion and sorrow for Arizona and Jesse. Their dark and destructive family secrets just about torpedoed their relationship. It was fascinating to discover that everything Arizona believed about her sister, Ella, was totally Arizona's sin to bear. So how on earth could she help Jesse carry his burdens when Arizona could barely carry her own?
July 16, 2019
OMG, wow. I received this as an arc copy and I will say it is one of my fav copies I've ever had the honor or reading. This was such a great story. It dealt with mental health, which is something I love because I suffer from it myself. Ginger Scott hit the nail on the head perfectly with this book.
August 1, 2019
Adored Jesse and Arizona! 5 star all the feels read!
August 5, 2019
I’m not usually a fan of a rock star trope, but I am a big fan of Ginger Scott, so I gave this one a chance. I can say that this book was quite a surprise. I was not prepared for the emotions this book brought out in me. The way Scott describes music was brilliant, and because these details were so incredible, you could almost hear the music throughout the book. It is a mature young adult book. The author also tackled a pretty sensitive issue of mental health and specifically, normalizing mental health. The messages behind this book are so important and Scott did these incredibly well. With all that said, I personally found the book to be a little slow going in the beginning, and I did struggle relating to the main characters. But, I am still super impressed with this book and especially the way she handled mental health and music.
* ARC provided by WordSmith Publicity and the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
* ARC provided by WordSmith Publicity and the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
August 28, 2023
Okay, just from reading these first five chapters, I know this book is going to be amazing. It is going to have every feeling imaginable that is going to stretch my heart in way too many ways. It is going to be angsty, and have highs and lows and I cannot freaking wait!!
Ginger completely pulled me in with just this little bit of the story. Everything from the backdrop of where Arizona lives to the status of her family, to the little hints dropped here and there of things that have occurred in her family's past that I feel will play a much bigger role when the whole book releases.
And then there's Jesse. Damn. I'm not going to say much about him because he is a force to be reckoned with and y 'all need to just experience him for yourselves. Yeah, I'm committed, hook line and sinker to getting the rest of these two young people's story. The wait is going to be torture!
Ginger completely pulled me in with just this little bit of the story. Everything from the backdrop of where Arizona lives to the status of her family, to the little hints dropped here and there of things that have occurred in her family's past that I feel will play a much bigger role when the whole book releases.
And then there's Jesse. Damn. I'm not going to say much about him because he is a force to be reckoned with and y 'all need to just experience him for yourselves. Yeah, I'm committed, hook line and sinker to getting the rest of these two young people's story. The wait is going to be torture!
July 26, 2019
I’m really sad this book fell a little flat for me. I was so intrigued after reading the blurb that I dived straight in and expected epic things. The book was good and the writing was good it was just a little slow to get going.
I enjoyed the musical side to the story, I loved that Ginger Scott wrote about mental health and highlights how important it is. I love that she isn’t afraid to tackle tough subjects. I felt that these may have over taken the romance slightly.
Jesse and Ari’s story was tragically beautiful, it just wasn’t for me.
I enjoyed the musical side to the story, I loved that Ginger Scott wrote about mental health and highlights how important it is. I love that she isn’t afraid to tackle tough subjects. I felt that these may have over taken the romance slightly.
Jesse and Ari’s story was tragically beautiful, it just wasn’t for me.
March 6, 2020
"You should have loved me first."
I really enjoyed this book from Ginger Scott, I love the way she always delivers a gorgeous romance submerged in a story full of plot and covering some tough subjects. Both the H and h have their issues, and yet they are brought together by their love of music. Music is their outlet, music gives them purpose and it was beautiful to see how they connected and how it made them whole again. Ginger Scott's words always draw me in, and this book was no different. Devoured in one sitting, absolutely loved it.
September 6, 2019
4.5 Stars
This was my first read by the author. I didn't know what to expect. It was not an 'easy' read with some heavy subject matter but I fell completely for Arizona, so warm and open despite the struggles in her family. And Jesse was actually really sweet for a bad boy rocker. The epilogue was so sweet I got soggy eyes! Beautiful.
This was my first read by the author. I didn't know what to expect. It was not an 'easy' read with some heavy subject matter but I fell completely for Arizona, so warm and open despite the struggles in her family. And Jesse was actually really sweet for a bad boy rocker. The epilogue was so sweet I got soggy eyes! Beautiful.
August 13, 2019
3 Stars
Not one of my favorites by this author. But don’t worry I’ve read most of her books and I’m still a fan!
Not one of my favorites by this author. But don’t worry I’ve read most of her books and I’m still a fan!
September 3, 2019
https://celebrityreaders.com/2019/09/...
I received a free copy through the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.
4.5 stars — Dudes, I kept avoiding reading this book and missed release day because I just knew I wasn’t in the right mode for it. Ms. Scott writes very real books, and I have to be in a certain frame of mind to really appreciate that. And honestly? I still wasn’t quite in the right frame of mind…but I was feeling tremendous guilt and I had wanted to get it in as an August read for my Diversity Challenge. The funny thing is, when I was reading I was fairly sucked in and remembering why I love the way Ms. Scott writes. But whenever I was forced to put it down, it would take so much effort to pick it up and keep reading. It’s like I had a mental block, and I was afraid for how the story was going to go. And mostly, those fears were unfounded. *rolls eyes at self*
Arizona was a pretty solid heroine. She’s not my fave of Ms. Scott’s, but I appreciated her rather even keelness given everything that she was experiencing. She was a little bit insecure, but not so much that it overwhelmed her personality. She was dealing with some crazy stuff in her past, but it never went over the top. She made me feel so much as she made discoveries about herself and her family, and I loved how real her experience with mental health was. Where it was there, but it wasn’t always in the forefront of her life. It was an interesting perspective. But the part that made her stand out to me was her complete confidence and passion for the drums. I may have played percussion in my youth, but it wasn’t like it was for her. I always admire talented people who just live music like that. And while my high school band experience was quite different, it still gave me great nostalgia reading about hers.
My feelings for Jesse are a little more scattered. It was not initial love for me. I find that Ms. Scott writes two very different kinds of heroes, and the cocky arrogant asses are not the ones I gravitate towards. They’re always damaged, but that’s never enough for me to gravitate towards them. And Jesse starts out that way, big time. I never understand what the heroines see in these heroes, and thus the books never end up being faves. The interesting thing about Jesse is that he ended up being a lot more nuanced than the jerk heroes I’m used to. I’m sure the others are as well, just not in ways that I connect with. But Jesse surprised me. I appreciated understanding his mental health struggles, and getting examples of what that might look like day to day, as well as in the past. As someone who knows someone with bipolar manic depression, I could actually recognize some of his behavior. Basically, I was impressed. And like Arizona, I was totally pulled in by his passion and talent for music. I loved *the* song. It made my heart hurt in the best ways.
The romance between Arizona and Jesse also took me by surprise. I wasn’t initially on board, but I got there eventually. I expected some cliches, but I got something entirely different. It was definitely steamier than I was expecting…but it fit with them. What got me was the sweetness. I didn’t expect the little moments they had together where they got each other. I loved that.
Some great secondary characters in this one too. Rag was 100% my favourite, and I loved the way he was there for his cousin (and for Ari). Sam was an interesting best friend, and I didn’t connect with her as much, but I appreciated how real her friendship with Ari was. The parents were also really intriguing, and added something to the story. Definitely not perfect by any means, but a lot of depth and dimension there.
The ending felt a wee bit corny to me at times, but at other times I LOVED it. And some parts surprised the crap out of me! But not in a bad way.
I initially rated this book at 4 stars, but writing this review made me realize all the parts that I enjoyed, so I’m gonna bump it up a wee bit. I always appreciate when an author can take a character type that I don’t gravitate towards and make me love them anyways.
I received a free copy through the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.
4.5 stars — Dudes, I kept avoiding reading this book and missed release day because I just knew I wasn’t in the right mode for it. Ms. Scott writes very real books, and I have to be in a certain frame of mind to really appreciate that. And honestly? I still wasn’t quite in the right frame of mind…but I was feeling tremendous guilt and I had wanted to get it in as an August read for my Diversity Challenge. The funny thing is, when I was reading I was fairly sucked in and remembering why I love the way Ms. Scott writes. But whenever I was forced to put it down, it would take so much effort to pick it up and keep reading. It’s like I had a mental block, and I was afraid for how the story was going to go. And mostly, those fears were unfounded. *rolls eyes at self*
Arizona was a pretty solid heroine. She’s not my fave of Ms. Scott’s, but I appreciated her rather even keelness given everything that she was experiencing. She was a little bit insecure, but not so much that it overwhelmed her personality. She was dealing with some crazy stuff in her past, but it never went over the top. She made me feel so much as she made discoveries about herself and her family, and I loved how real her experience with mental health was. Where it was there, but it wasn’t always in the forefront of her life. It was an interesting perspective. But the part that made her stand out to me was her complete confidence and passion for the drums. I may have played percussion in my youth, but it wasn’t like it was for her. I always admire talented people who just live music like that. And while my high school band experience was quite different, it still gave me great nostalgia reading about hers.
My feelings for Jesse are a little more scattered. It was not initial love for me. I find that Ms. Scott writes two very different kinds of heroes, and the cocky arrogant asses are not the ones I gravitate towards. They’re always damaged, but that’s never enough for me to gravitate towards them. And Jesse starts out that way, big time. I never understand what the heroines see in these heroes, and thus the books never end up being faves. The interesting thing about Jesse is that he ended up being a lot more nuanced than the jerk heroes I’m used to. I’m sure the others are as well, just not in ways that I connect with. But Jesse surprised me. I appreciated understanding his mental health struggles, and getting examples of what that might look like day to day, as well as in the past. As someone who knows someone with bipolar manic depression, I could actually recognize some of his behavior. Basically, I was impressed. And like Arizona, I was totally pulled in by his passion and talent for music. I loved *the* song. It made my heart hurt in the best ways.
The romance between Arizona and Jesse also took me by surprise. I wasn’t initially on board, but I got there eventually. I expected some cliches, but I got something entirely different. It was definitely steamier than I was expecting…but it fit with them. What got me was the sweetness. I didn’t expect the little moments they had together where they got each other. I loved that.
Some great secondary characters in this one too. Rag was 100% my favourite, and I loved the way he was there for his cousin (and for Ari). Sam was an interesting best friend, and I didn’t connect with her as much, but I appreciated how real her friendship with Ari was. The parents were also really intriguing, and added something to the story. Definitely not perfect by any means, but a lot of depth and dimension there.
The ending felt a wee bit corny to me at times, but at other times I LOVED it. And some parts surprised the crap out of me! But not in a bad way.
I initially rated this book at 4 stars, but writing this review made me realize all the parts that I enjoyed, so I’m gonna bump it up a wee bit. I always appreciate when an author can take a character type that I don’t gravitate towards and make me love them anyways.
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