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Hot Has-Beens #1

The Has-Been and the Hot Mess

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Her job is to resurrect his image. Falling for him is not part of the plan...

Kendall Quinn is a PR goddess. Meanwhile, her love life is a complete mess. So, when her latest romantic disaster leaves her jobless and homeless, it's time to take drastic measures. And that means dragging a grumpy, has-been rock star kicking and screaming back into the limelight. The job will be easy. Keeping her hands off her smokin' hot client, however, will not.

Jackson Hale has zero desire to be famous again. But if he wants to win his dream job, he needs Kendall's expertise. And it's not long before he starts wanting way more than that from his quirky new PR manager. Kendall is everything he never knew he needed in his life. Now all he'll have to do is convince her to move him out of the client zone once and for all.

Can a hot mess and a has-been make beautiful music together? Or is their love song doomed to end on a sour note?

246 pages, ebook

Published November 20, 2020

210 people are currently reading
138 people want to read

About the author

Isabel Jordan

33 books494 followers
The normal:

Isabel Jordan writes because it’s the only profession that allows her to express her natural sarcasm and not be fired. She is a paranormal and contemporary romance author. Isabel lives in the US with her husband, her son son, a neurotic Shepherd mix and a ginormous Great Dane mix named Jerkface. (Don't feel bad for Jerkface. He really is a jerk.)

The weird:

Now that the normal stuff is out of the way, here’s some weird-but-true facts that would never come up in polite conversation. Isabel Jordan:

1. Is terrified of butterflies (don’t judge…it’s a real phobia called lepidopterophobia)
2. Is a lover of all things ironic (hence the butterfly on the first edition cover of Semi-Charmed)
3. Is obsessed with Supernatural, Game of Thrones, and Dog Whisperer.
4. Hates coffee. Drinks a Diet Mountain Dew every morning.
5. Will argue to the death that Pretty in Pink ended all wrong. (Seriously, she ends up with the guy who was embarrassed to be seen with her and not the nice guy who loved her all along? That would never fly in the world of romance novels.)
6. Would eat Mexican food every day, if given the choice.
7. Reads two books a week in varied genres.
8. Refers to her Kindle as “the precious”.
9. Thinks puppy breath is one of the best smells in the world.
10. Is a social media idgit. (Her husband had to explain to her last week what the point of Twitter was. She’s still a little fuzzy on what Instagram and Pinterest do.)
11. Kicks ass at Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon.
12. Stole her tagline idea from her son. Her tagline idea was, “Never wrong, not quite right.” She liked her son’s idea better.
13. Breaks one vacuum cleaner a year because she ignores standard maintenance procedures (Really, you’re supposed to empty the canister every time you vacuum? Does that seem excessive to anyone else?)
14. Is still mad at the WB network for cancelling Angel in 2004.
15. Can’t find her way from her bed to her bathroom without her glasses, but refused eye surgery, even when someone else offered to pay. (They lost her at “eye flap”. Seriously, look it up. Scary stuff.)

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5 stars
259 (55%)
4 stars
149 (31%)
3 stars
50 (10%)
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10 (2%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
Profile Image for Romance Rehab.
351 reviews81 followers
November 23, 2020
The Great Book Slump of 2020 is over!!!

Plot Overview: A down-on-her-luck PR expert attempts to save her career by helping a hot, has-been rock star get back into the limelight so that he can win a job creating an original score for an upcoming movie. And the has-been rocker just happens to be her teenage crush. Hilarity, hijinks, and light-hearted feels ensue.

Trope bingo: Rock star romance without an alphahole jerkwad hero, slow burn, snarky heroine, grumpy reclusive hero.

There's so much to love here. Let me just break it down in list form:

1. A rock star hero who is (at the start of the book) not famous. He's been out of the biz for fifteen years. You don't see that too often in rock star romance.

2. The hero, Jackson, is grumpy, reclusive, and he rescues dogs. It's like he was created JUST to fulfill my personal catnip reading needs. And while he did have a drug and alcohol problem fifteen years ago, he's completely clean by the time the story starts, AND there is not one mention of him ever being a manwhore. I really appreciate that. I can't tell you just how many times I've read about rock stars who have banged every groupie within a hundred mile radius.

3. Kendall, the heroine, is smart, funny, snarky, and properly versed in nerd topics. I adored everything about her.

4. Kendall's best friend (and Jackson's brother), Ray, is ALL kinds of hilarious. I hope he gets his own story one day. And Kendall's grandpa Frank? I kind of want to fix him up with Ruthie from You Complicate Me. The hijinks those two could get into...

5. This one is kind of a slow burn, which I really appreciate. But when the sexy times do happen, they're scorching hot.

6. The dialogue is SUPER witty and fun. Lots of delightful banter, which, as you know, I ADORE.

7. Did I mention the hero rescues dogs? And I don't mean he occasionally comes across a stray that he takes to the vet and finds a good home for. No, I mean he runs a LEGIT dog rescue where the dogs live like kings and probably don't ever really want to leave.

So, long-story-short, this one is fun, light-hearted, hilarious reading that makes for perfect distraction material. Can't recommend it highly enough.
Profile Image for Karen.
5,385 reviews74 followers
January 31, 2021
I loved the characters, especially Ray and Howard Hughs. Very good 😊 comedy.
There were things I had issue with like how Kyle found them in Indianapolis.....seemed hard to believe. I reminded myself that I mostly enjoyed the magic of meeting, working with, and falling for a sexy former rock star. I could forgive.
Profile Image for Sara.
2,359 reviews14 followers
September 22, 2021
This was a wonderful read, completely engaging and just plain good fun. Kendall has had horrible luck with men, she seems to find nothing but duds. Her best friend Ray takes her to Montana to meet his brother who needs her help with PR. The interactions with Ray are an absolute riot!

Ray’s brother is Jackson Hale, former rock god who has been out of the public eye for fifteen years. He also happens to be Kendall’s mega crush from when she was in high school.

Their meetings and intersections are pure RomCom gold. I loved the dual POVs so you have a good understanding what each of the two main characters are thinking and feeling. When Kendall learns Jackson run a huge dog rescue her ovaries almost explode out of his sheer overwhelming hotness factor.

This is a really fun book, entertaining and a delight to read. I received an ARC from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Maddy Matos.
949 reviews10 followers
January 12, 2023
Jackson is the has been but he’s been clean and sober for fifteen years and wants to restart his career. Kendall just lost her job because she was doing her boss and moved on to her assistant, so she clearly had to go. So Kendall’s best friend took her to Montana to meet his brother so she could get her first client as a free agent, she had no idea it was Jackson lead singer for Maelstrom. The prospect of getting his career back on the map had her so excited she decided that if her friend Ray was with her at this moment, she’d kiss him with tongue. Even thought he’d probably throw up because he was gay. As the days passed Kendall found her teenage heartthrob more handsome, his body hot as sin and he ran a dog rescue. Their chemistry is epic, and when they got together it was explosive. This story is sweet and romantic and the ending doesn’t disappoint. I’m giving this story five stars and recommend it.
2,176 reviews5 followers
October 11, 2022
Adorkable.

This was adorable. Funny. Actually, very funny.
Has been former druggie rock star. The has been. Runs a dog rescue and has been clean and sober, 15 years.
She’s the hot mess. Always falling for losers who hurt her. Her latest mess? Her boss, ex-boss fires her after she catches him in a compromising position with the intern she is training. Her ex-boss. Ex boy friend because he owns the firm where she works. Ex roommate because he kicks her out of their townhouse that he owns.
Lovely. All of it.
But they are fire together. She resurrects his career. He falls in love with her. The ex blackmails her. It’s a hoot.
And then there is Howard Hughes, the saddest rescue dog.
I can’t help myself — one really annoying thing? “Then” is *NOT* “Than”. And it’s misused multiple times in the book.
39 reviews
November 26, 2020
Isabel Jordan is amazing at her job!

I've read every book she has written and have yet to be dissatisfied. In this tale she tells the story of a woman whose entire life has imploded because of a man. In order to get back on track she leaves LA and heads to the rural splendor of Montana and a sexy former rock star Jackson Hale. There she does everything in her power to get Jackson's dreams ignited and falls in love accidentally. The writing draws you into the story and the building of the characters makes you stay to witness the outcome. Isabel Jordan is a reader's delight. She tells stories that make you forget the real world. Pick this book up as well as all of her others. She is a breath of fresh air and tells tales that go down like smooth whiskey.
Profile Image for Books4Tammy.
227 reviews13 followers
June 6, 2022
This was the best feel-good book I’ve read in a long time. I love Kendall. She is such a hot mess. I laughed with her, cried with her, swooned with her. And Jackson, well his character is the end-all of book boyfriends. Hot af, former rockstar, swoon worthy, loves and rescues dogs …..really he’s it! The spicy level 🌶 but the slow burn was soooo good!
And my favorite was the supernatural tv show fandom written in. The heroine says that her “hall pass” is Jensen Ackles and makes a bet with her best friend for SPN convention tickets and a Dean cardboard cutout. My two favorite things, romance books and Dean Winchester 🤗
Profile Image for Jeriann Fisher.
776 reviews
March 30, 2021
Deserves 10 Stars

In The Has Been & The Hot Mess Isabel Jordan gives us a truly charming, sexy, and terrific romantic comedy. Jackson Hale was a rockstar who turned his back on fame many years ago. Kendall Quinn is a terrible PR specialist in need of a fresh start. His brother, Ray, who is also Kendall as bestie, sets them up when Jackson decides he wants to throw his hat in the rain as composer to a new film. No forced rom com here. This is simply honestly charming and funny story. Just read it. Please.
Profile Image for Doris.
3,618 reviews138 followers
September 23, 2021
On The Lighter Side

This book was a feel good rom com rock romance that was a delight to read. Kendall is a PR manager whose career is on the rocks but it’s her best friend, Ray that gives her another chance…with his brother Jackson.

Jackson is the has-been rocker and now fifteen years later he wants to make an original score for an upcoming movie. That’s where Kendall comes in. Jackson just happens to be her crush that Kendall had back in high school.

This book was light hearted and had some great laugh out loud moments. What a fun read.
2,034 reviews3 followers
October 17, 2021
I've read one other book from this author and loved it and was interested to see if that was just a one-off. I'm happy to say that it looks like I'll be adding this author to my go-to reading list since I loved this story. It's everything that I wanted. It's a quick, easy read with interesting characters that all very definitely have their own identity. There's laughter and payback and the characters are hilarious. If you're after a serious read, this isn't it. But it was a simply enjoyable read that made my day a bit better.
284 reviews1 follower
October 19, 2021
Jackson is a musician whose life imploded due to drugs and alcohol. After a stint in rehab he goes into hiding in Montana. Kendal was in PR but has lot everything, her home, her job and her boyfriend/boss. When she is offered a chance to help Jackson relaunch his career, she jumps on it as she always had a crush on him and the feelings never went away so she struggles to keep things professional. Can these two overcome tier obstacles to fins their HEA?

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Tinnean.
Author 96 books439 followers
November 14, 2021
A great start to a really good series

I read these books out of order, but I'm happy to announce that Kendall is as feisty as her sister, Annabeth. And Jackson is as awesome as his former bandmate, Cane. This was a pleasure to read. I only wish Ray, Jackson's brother and Kendall's best friend, would get his own story. However, since he's gay, I doubt it. Oh well. I can dream.

Second wish: It would be great if I could reveal what happened to Kyle, but I don't want to spoil it. I will say he's a miserable so and so.

Go get the books, find out for yourself, and enjoy!!
5 reviews
February 19, 2021
Once again Isabel Jordan knocked it out of the park.
Her books just suck you right in and leave you feeling immensely happy.
Her characters are just so genuinely likable.
I loved Kendall and Jackson's story.
I want to be Kendall and Jackson is so multifaceted, a rockstar and a teddy bear.
Their banter is both humorous and sweet.
At this point, I'm not sure if there's anything Isabel can't do. And do well.
12 reviews
March 14, 2021
Definitely recommend. Humor and good writing and nice use of the trope with excellent twists and turns without resorting to kidnapping or such mayhem. Absolutely nothing to complain about, other than I really would like to see these two characters as they move forward with their lives. Could have made better use of the dog(s), but that's minor. Isabel Jordan has several books I have enjoyed. Her timing and sense of humor are among the best.
Profile Image for Kelly Graham.
354 reviews3 followers
September 15, 2021
This book was just what I needed.
It has everything, a hot couple, gay best friend/brother, hilarious family members, rescue dogs and an ex you want to hate.
The whole story is told with such great humour that even the not so good times Kendall and Jackson may encounter don’t make you feel bad.
A funny, heartwarming read.
I really needed a book that would put a smile on my face and this book totally succeeded in doing that.
Profile Image for Emily Utsch.
591 reviews5 followers
September 16, 2021
Reclusive rock star, girl down on her luck, gay best friend, humor, and the perfect bit of spice. I love the whole combination of this book. I loved how we got to know the characters before they got together. I also loved that in the end neither of them had to give up their dream.

This book is a complete stand alone with a HEA. However it did make me want to go read all the rest of this authors books!
Profile Image for DesN2004.
650 reviews7 followers
September 24, 2021
I loved Kendall, Jackson, and Ray! This book was full of laughs and a very enjoyable read. You could definitely feel the chemistry between Jackson and Kendall, I could not wait until they gave in. There was a little drama thrown in, but loved the ending and how it ended. Side note, Grandpa Frank was a hoot! I would recommend this and I will be looking at this authors other books as I really enjoyed this!
Profile Image for Sissy's Romance Book Review .
8,992 reviews16 followers
October 18, 2021
The Has-Been and The Hot Mess by Isabel Jordan is the story of Jackson Hale and Kendall Quinn.
Jackson in Kendall's best friends brother who is a former rock star and her younger girl crush. Kendall is at a loss in her life and Jackson needs PR help so they come together and end up helping each other. This was a funny hot read. Really enjoyed it and would recommend this book along with this author's writing.

Profile Image for Isabelle Grace.
Author 11 books38 followers
March 16, 2022
For everyone who had a crush on their favorite rock star growing up, this book is definitely for you. I was hooked from the start. Thoigh the heroine is a hot mess, she is endearing and relatable with a heart of gold. The rock start has been, well, let me just say wow. You won't be disappointed as he melts your heartstrings as well as your panties!! I can't wait to read Isabel's next book in this series. In fact, I have already started!!
415 reviews7 followers
October 14, 2022
LOVED IT!

This is my first time reading Isabel Jordan and I loved it!
Both Kendall and Jackson are adorable characters. I love a smart mouthed woman and I love a man who loves a smart mouthed woman, so this was a perfect book for me!! Ray is also an awesome character. Oh, I also love cussing…and there’s plenty of that in this book too.
And it made me cry, when I wasn’t laughing!!
Definite 5 stars from me.
Profile Image for Jessica.
199 reviews1 follower
November 30, 2020
Another winner!!

I didn’t know if I could love anyone as much as I loved Micha and Hunter, but bam! New love! I love that Isabel Jordan writes women as actually good at their jobs, smart and accomplished. They may be a little crazy, but come in, who isn’t a hot mess in some aspect!
Profile Image for Cindy Hughes.
1,636 reviews11 followers
September 28, 2021
This book was a fantastic, fun and very entertaining! Jackson and Kendall perfect together! With her help he would be able to land his dream job. That is if they can stop her past from interfering . I loved the storyline and all the amazing characters! Especially the animals! I loved The Hot-Mess and The Has Been! I can’t wait to read more of Isabel’s books!
Profile Image for Downward dog.
1,944 reviews12 followers
September 29, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this slow burn rock star romance. Although, in this story, the rock star has been out of the scene for years. Jackson and Kendall are easy to connect with and I really liked Jackson, a grumpy recluse trying to revitalize his career. I thought he and Kendall were perfect for each other and I was rooting for them to get their HEA.
438 reviews1 follower
September 30, 2021
Fun, quick read. Jackson's character was easy to fall in love with. Kendall was literally a hot mess, and a little harder to like. Overall the characters were likeable and well written. The story was cute and low angst with lots of humor and steam. If you're looking for a fun read, I'd recommend this.
Profile Image for Brandy Rice.
1,802 reviews19 followers
September 30, 2021
What a wonderful, well written rom-com. This book was so entertaining I was hooked from the start. Jackson and Kendall were two fantastic characters that you couldn't help but root for. This was a charming, heartwarming read with a great story line and some pretty interesting characters. I really enjoyed this book.
Profile Image for Letitia Bennion.
688 reviews2 followers
February 3, 2022
Super cute

This book had me cracking up! Kendall is a bad@#& boss woman who is a hot mess. Jackson is a hot ex Rockstar who hasn't been in the spotlight for years. The connection between them is so cute, and the added characters are amazing and will make you laugh, especially grandpa!!
107 reviews3 followers
January 13, 2023
Loved it!

Loved the book! I like the way Isabel Jordan developed the story and how it went in several different directions. I have never seen a HEA story take so many twists and turns that all came to the center of the story as this one did. A mystery story will do this, but you are expecting it to do that. Isabel did a great job and I loved the book.
14 reviews
November 22, 2020
Great Read

From the beginning of the book until the end it was a page turner. The characters were relatable and funny. Was sorry for the story to end.....Jordan keeps writing gold!!!!! This review is from Kathy not Ken but it’s his account😏
15 reviews
January 8, 2021
She did it again!

ANOTHER one that I couldn't put down until I read the last page! Fast paced, funny, sexy, great storyline, it has everything you want in a book. I'm off to find the next one!
Profile Image for Cathy P.
1,788 reviews9 followers
January 16, 2021
Kendall and Jackson

Fun storyline, great characters, lots of creative cursing and steam. The summary does a good job, not gonna rehash. Fun, quick story. Told in dual POV and the characters get their HEA without to much drama.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews

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