Harrison's Wedding

Cruise Control Heroes #2

by Sian Ceinwen

How do you survive when your perfect life falls to pieces?

I've been in love with Heather York for thirteen years. The day she agreed to marry me was the best day of my life. Most people say they've had their ups and downs, but Heather and I have only ever had ups. Whatever came our way, we faced it together, as a team.

But my bandmate Gabriel just got back together with his ex-girlfriend, who ditched us all without a word two years ago. Heather refuses to let her back into our lives, and I'm stuck in the middle of a war within our band.

When the unthinkable happens, I'm faced with a life without Heather.

What do they say? You don't know what you've got till it's gone?

"Harrison's Wedding" is the second book in the series, Cruise Control Heroes. It's the companion novel to "The Wedding".
Follow Harrison's story as he struggles with life in the harshest of spotlights.

Genres: Second Chance, Romance, Contemporary Romance

466 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 6, 2021

About the author

I'm an indie author that writes steamy romance novels about rock stars.

I live in Western Australia with my husband and two sons. Physically. Mentally, I live in a world of rock stars and romance where everyone is crazy hot and rich as heck.

My dad used to tell me that I lived in a fantasy world...now I get to share that world with other people. I hope that you enjoy entering the worlds I create and love my characters even half as much as I do.

Come join me on my Facebook page

Reviews

[Paula (on hiatus)]

Can we please stop already with the tiresome excuse that the cheating only happened because he was drunk or on drugs? Pfft....! 🤢🤮

As another reviewer so eloquently put it - "The portrayal of the characters on GHB is so far off from reality that it’s insulting, as I’m sure real-life victims of GHB would agree that it did not turn them into nymphomaniacs like Harrison and Maddy. If anything, it makes them incapacitated. I guess it was the only thing this writer could come up with to try to explain the cheating. The whole plot itself was ridiculous from the start, and this new installment solidifies it."

Well said and totally agree with this honest statement!!!

[Sian Ceinwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, so here we go...let me do my usual review. What can I say about this book?

I hate it.

I don't know why, but I do. So much. So, so much. I said multiple times that I dreaded writing this book, and I was right to dread it. The experience was awful...worse than I thought it would be. Even when I was writing the happy times, I hated it.

Writing that chapter was so hard. I ground my teeth so badly for the hours that I was writing it that I had a raging headache that night, which was a new experience for me as an author. Just, all in all, it was a fucking terrible experience for me.

Even now that it's written, I could literally happily never publish it. A huge part of me wants to just skip this book in the series (I won't, though. I know people want to read it). But, emotionally, it's awful for me and I hate it. Hate it. Hate it. Hate it.

Don't get me wrong, the book is beautiful and tragic and emotional and heartwarming and I still love Harrison and Heather's love story. I just really struggle with this book. Oof. It was like The Wedding on steroids, and I just remembered kicking Harrison with the brand deals when he was down. Yeesh.

The most quotable line in the book is one I can never really use for teasers:

"Of all the things in the world that I hate, I hate myself the most."

Harrison is truly traumatised, and it takes him a long time to stop blaming himself for what he did. But when he finally realises that he's a victim, it's so much worse. Because now he feels all of that.

I hope that I did it justice. I know there was discussion of possible alcoholism in reviews of The Wedding, but I think I explained why he was turning to alcohol at the time. He hadn't yet learned a better coping mechanism, but he does stop abusing it once he's finally able to open up to his therapist and begins working on how to improve/use healthier copier mechanisms.

There are things that I love about the book. If Gabriel waking Sebastian up in the middle of the night to write a song doesn't put a smile on your face, I don't know what will. Speaking of Sebastian (and I frequently do 🤤), it is fascinating to see the interplay between Harrison and Sebastian after that night.

Anyway...if this review hasn't put you off reading the book, go forth and enjoy it. 😘

I usually end my messages with "happy reading", but it doesn't seem appropriate for this one...so, miserable reading, grab some tissues, and wallow in Harrison's pain, I guess!

Love,

Sian

[wrkatreading · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing

I was looking forward to this book. I wanted Harrison POV so that I could believe his victim status. His POV during the cheating incident just made it worse.
I needed more dialog from doctors stating that what Harrison was doing was all due to drugs. He was aware he was with someone who was not his fiancé, no Drs, medical or psychological said what happened to him was a consequence.
He had remorse and regrets but I couldn’t figure out for what action. The author failed to make a believer out of me.

[AmyKatherine1974 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book! So much this book. I devoured it in under 24 hours time so that should tell you something because I usually take at least a few days to read a book- even one that I love.

So a little background- this book is the second book in the Cruise Control Heroes series - which are basically the Cruise Control books from the male hero’s point of view.

I will be the first to say that I’ve never been a big fan of Heather. But you know what? That’s good writing. Because I feel something even if it is dislike. If I didn’t like Heather then why am I giving it five stars. Well as I mentioned I dislike Heather but that’s good writing- caring enough to dislike. But also Because of Harrison.

His emotions are so raw. I already knew what happened during the book because I’d read The Wedding by the same author- but this story blows the original out of the water. Seriously.

And if that is the case- I’m totally going to be wrecked by Sebastian’s Baby.

[Teal Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harrison's Wedding by Sian Ceinwen is the second book in the Cruise Control Heroes series. Reading the events that occurred in Harrison and Heather's story through Harrison's point of view really pulled at my heart and soul.  His emotion, devotion, guilt, pain, hope.... I felt it all as I read.  Amazing!

[Maddy Matos · Rating 5 out of 5]

So this is the fourth book in the rockstar series of Cruise Control. The Wedding was in Heathers POV and this book is in Harrison’s POV. The events of what happened to them doesn’t change but reading of all he went through was heartbreaking. Harrison was so in love with his fiancé Heather that I found it hard to read about his pain. I guess because in the other books his character is always quiet, we don’t really know him very well.
This story also has a lot about how Ariana was treated by Heather and Sebastian. How she had to prove to them that she was sorry for leaving and that she was here to stay. In this book Ariana is the strongest character and I loved it.
We also get to read a little more about Hayden in this story, he’s also a very quiet guy and I enjoyed his interaction with Ally.
This story was really good and I expected it would be a lot more like the Wedding but it wasn’t and I liked that. I really loved this story and recommend it highly. Can’t wait for the next book in the series.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an ardent follower of the Criuse Control rock band saga, Harrison's POV, elicited support for this couple which was further punctuated by the absorbing recollection of Heather's pain and Harrison's regret after cheating with Maddy. Sian's depiction of Harrison's inner turmoil seared our hearts, his one moment of weakness in a drugged state destroyed years of trust that Heather fought to overcome that we throw our support and share their sorrow just as the band members of Cruise Control did for them. What redeemed Harrison, in my eyes, his real attention to fixing his relationship by counseling and taking positive steps to curb his addiction. Heather was strong, dignified and was only able to deal with her struggles with Maddy directly. Although I read Harrison's Wedding, I could not wait for them to reconcile and get updates about the other couples throughout the book. Cannot wait to read The Stalker and the continuing, totally captivating love stories of the other Cruise Control band members!

I received an ARC copy for which I have voluntarily posted a review.

[Teresa Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was emotional, tug at your heartstring’s kind of book. The band’s brotherhood survives the test of time even when one bandmate and another’s bandmate girlfriend could not stand the 2nd chance another bandmate gave a former girlfriend. I loved that that bandmate stood up for his girlfriend's choice. Overall, the book was a good one with believable circumstances and interactions between the characters. Heat in the book flames high in several scenes.
The only drawback is that there was cheating in the book. The book does come with a trigger warning of cheating, even though external circumstances played a part. Normally, that is a hard “no” and I would not have read this book. The bottom line is that not just 1 person felt hurt, but 3 people were impacted. Overall, I am glad I read the book and that the couple was able to move on and have a HEA. (This was an ARC book given to for posting an honest review)

[Elyn Sulger · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW. This is the second book I've read by Sian Ceinwen and I am hooked for sure. One measure I base my love of a book/author is if I am drawn into the story and the character's passion and emotions become mine. Harrison's Wedding, check check. Heather and Harrison's relationship journey is an emotional roller coaster ride needing tissues aplenty while reading. I can not wait for more.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book and the companion, The Wedding (Heather's POV). I felt the pain and anguish that Harrison goes through from one awful night that was out of his control to when they make peace. It was an emotional ride that was hard to deal with all in one shot. He doesn't know how or what to do to get back the love of his life. I feel really bad for Harrison and Heather because they are so good together. You will need a stiff drink and some tissues on hand while reading this intense book.

[Kenna Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first of Sian's books I've read, and won't be the last. I say first, because even though Harrison's Wedding is #2 in a companion series, you don't need to read the other books to catch up.
Loved Harrison and Heather's storyline. But it was Seb who stole my heart. I need to track down and binge on his books.
Sian tackled a difficult subject with sensitivity and gave me the closure I needed for Maddy. You'll understand when you read Harrison's Wedding.

[Julia Shah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my the emotional ups and downs in this book.

Harrisons perspective of the event in The Wedding and it brings a completely different side of the story.

Its an amazing read but needs to come with a box of tissues and possibly a health warning as I for one got very emotionally invested in the characters and how the whole situation played out

Another amazing story from the Cruise Control world

[nyx frk · Rating 1 out of 5]

mediocre characters the guy was so pathetic and a liar literally all he did was be nauseous and lie about not remembering the night he cheated (which he did vividly considering the amount of times that shit was repeated) i was definitely not convinced that he wouldn’t cheat again

[Kelly DeMarco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Indestructible

Emotionally driven, drama fueled anticipation the reader feels in every word, Harrison’s Wedding: A Steamy Rock Star Romance (Cruise Control Heroes Book 2) by Sian Ceinwen is Harrison’s perspective of events leading up to the long awaited wedding of Harrison and his angel, Heather. These two are so blissfully happy together, but the stress and strain of Ariana returning to the band’s fold as well as the launch of her fashion design, creates antagonistic drama that Sebastian and Heather feed off of one another with. Heather knows how to hold a grudge and Sebastian (for his own reasons) is happy to join in the perpetuation of the grudge. If there is any one thing that I maybe dislike about this book, it revolves around Heather’s character, her unwillingness to forgive. Although antagonism is expected to wreak havoc within, it carries a feeling of a heavy cloud of threat, just hanging over the band, while lulling the reader into a false sense of what the other shoe dropping might be.
However, it’s not just a plain old shoe, it’s a monster-sized steel toed boot in the form of a surprising and tragic event that pivots this couple’s journey toward wedded bliss. To say I felt utter devastation would be putting it mildly. This has been, without a doubt, a heart racing, pulse pounding, gut wrenching and heart shattering read I just could not put down.
Harrison’s spiral is vividly painful to read, the remorse is extremely palpable and his negative self-talk and shame is powerful, leading him down a very dark, twisted road of mangled destructive thoughts.
The heartache left me breathless, with my chest feeling physically heavy as though weighted down and hard to draw in more air. Much like how I would imagine both Harrison and Heather felt. I could go on and on about this book, these characters, the ups, the downs, the highs, the lows, the joy, the despair, the fun, the sorrow. But before I give up all the goods, read this rock star drama for yourself! A compelling story and very well written, Harrison’s Wedding is not to be missed.
Overall, in addition to all the feels and tragic drama, there are some light hearted, fun, entertaining and especially steamy and loving moments for Harrison and Heather. I imagine the author was not joking when she shared this was a very difficult book to write (for more reasons we’ll probably every know)! I fell for these characters as a reader from the first book and was devastated. I can’t imagine the level of heartbreak an author would experience. Despite all that, this book is a job well done and definitely a worthy five star read. I love how these band mates love and support each other, look out for one another while also unafraid to tell the other what they need to know or hear, not just what is wanted. And finally, best of all, an amazing, heartfelt and hard won Harrison and Heather HEA.
I read an ARC of this book and voluntarily share my review.

[Bernie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I understand that this book 2 in the series - I have not read the other. The book is well written and detailed in both events and characters. The main couple is Harrison and Heather and this is their story which goes from unshakeable and solid to being destroyed following an incident. Harrison having been at a charity event alone without Heather, who is giving an interview on a chat show in another city, is drugged, along with other band members and guests, and he ends up having sex with a guest who was present on his table.
Much anxiety felt by each, lies and blame, emotional and the relationship flounders. Strained because Harrison despite being drugged knew he was not with Heather & could remember everything, but would not say as not wanting to hurt Heather. Took him time to come to accept with his actions/decisions being compromised by drug. Eventually they manage to find a middle ground and begin to reconnect.
There were things in the book that are not fully explained and this may be something that has rolled over from book 1 and you need more context, which may possibly have come from book 1.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[D · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG Harrison's Wedding book is the companion to The Wedding (book 2 in the Cruise Control Series)
This is from Harrison's point of view and I now understand why this was so difficult for Siân to write.
I was emotionally drained and had to take so many breaks in order to decompress, but it was so worth the emotional toll.
If I could give the whole series 10 stars I would.
I highly recommend this series and it's not finished yet.

[MrsL · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been fortunate enough to read all the books, so far, in this series, and have enjoyed them all
in varying degrees. This book was no different.

To say that this POV was an emotional rollercoaster is putting it mildly. There were pages of, what I felt,
was self pity from Harrison, which made a lot of the book quite depressing, but that, I guess, was the
point.

It was good to catch up with the other characters and see them from Harrisons' POV, particularly Seb, who I originally really disliked but am now coming round to him, despite his (im)moral attitude towards women!

Thank you, Sian, for yet another good read.

The book I would like to see written is the one that involves Hayden. Of all of them, he seems the deepest and most complex character.

I voluntarily reviewed this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Tessa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this hoping with Harrisons POV I could finally see him as a victim instead of a willing participant like in the Wedding.....ya that didn't happen if anything this book made me believe he was 100% in control of his actions and knew what he was doing. The cheating scene where he kept thinking of the h actually made it way WORSE IMO. I get the author was trying to protray he was not in his right mind but all it did for me at least was reinforce he knew what was going on and what he was doing.

Personally if the story had Harrison only remembering bits and pieces of the night, enough to know somthing happened but not quite what, then I could of seen him as a victim. But the fact that he remembers every detail and was coherent enough to have sex with the OW not once but twice says he was all to willing and in control of his actions.

[Cathy Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I started reading this book I knew it probably was going to be told from Harrison's point of view. I like this story of Harrison and Heather's relationship and their fight to finally get married and have that happily ever after. In this one we get the point of view of Harrison. Harrison felt like he had one the unthinkable thing when he ended up being set up by people that attended the Charity Ball they were invited to. The band as well as everyone at their table was given a drug, which caused them to do things that they normally wouldn't do, but the worst of all was Harrison of course because everyone knew of his relationship with Heather Lillian York. His girlfriend then love of his life since High School. Harrison met Heather when they moved from Pittsburgh to Chicago his junior year in High School. He met Gabriel, Sebastian and Hayden at Music Camp between their Junior and Senior Year, which was when they formed Cruise Control. We all know that Cruise Control has been really successful and they have been through trouble with Gabriel and Ariana when they were touring and had literally a successful Album because of Gabriel's heart break he put into his music but this is different because no one would have thought that anything could break Heather and Harrison up. They did and you need to read what happened to our Bass Guitarist from Cruise Control and his fiancee who has a line called Serenity, which was just getting started in the fashion world. Its different and I really enjoyed it. Can't wait to read Sebastian's story. This is a story I would recommend because it is a "good read". Love is always in because love believes all things, hopes all things and endures all things...Love never Fails (1Cor. 13:7,8). Just get this book you will love it.

[Stacy De Jesus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rocky rollercoaster romance

Harrison and Heather’s story is packed full of drama and intrigue. Too bad that intrigue didn’t play out a little better. Maddy jumps in to play such a vital role for one night and then seems to drop out of the picture. Who is Maddy really? I may have missed her importance along the way that Heather feels responsible for her. Harrison and Heather are the perfect couple. They have an incredible relationship, are so loving to one another, their sex life is off the chart hot and amazing, and they are childhood sweethearts. What could possibly tear this couple apart? Is it jealousy, fear, guilt, shame, or anger? Well this story has such an interesting plot to it and I love the band, their friendships, the camaraderie between them, the music, the passion, but especially how much true love Heather and Harrison have for one another. One thing that held this rating back for me was the unrealistic Cancer Event. The fact that no one would have stopped them or caught on to the situation. The way things played out after. Maddy’s answers immediately after seemed a bit sketchy. The way everything goes down after just didn’t work for me as it closes up to clean and makes no sense. Good idea-bad execution. The number of times we to have to revisit the same “I’m sorry, I can’t let it go” speech, was getting old, and careful on how often we cry wolf especially on such a serious topic. It felt very reminiscent of Gabriel trying to get over Ariana day after day after day. I felt like saying, move on already. He’s a mess and she’s angry and hurt but neither one tells each other the real truth. Still a good story but a shame, because this had some serious potential.

[MeCalle Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like the story

Not crazy about Heather and the way she acts towards Harrison after the drugs. I really love how you tie in the whole story in all the books. The best way is to read each book with both points of view. The thing with Heather is she under minded Ariana in the first book. Telling her she should go home if she can't handle that life, not understanding her fears. Then Cooper's big mouth just seals the deal for Ariana in the first book. Yet when those guys return from tour they never go see Ariana yet Heather is so angry at her. No compassion for her or Harris. Her biggest flaw. I was so happy to see Gabe with her and a happy ending. I actually read each book to find out what is going on in Gabe and Ariana's life. Lol Heather is a harder character to like.

[Comfy Couch Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Sian for another wonderful look into the world of the Cruise Control boys and their significant others. This time we get the story of The Wedding written from Harrison's point of view. I am not sure if this was more of a heartbreaker than Gabriel's story but again it gave me all the feels and a few tears.

For those of us who have always been in front of the stage not on it, we might have imagined what the guys in front of us were really like. Do they really have feelings other than that of their own "greatness"? Even if you lucky enough to meet your idol backstage do they show their true selves or are they continuing their act? Sian has created a world where despite their success the guys in the band worship their women. Harrisons story is truly gut wrenching when he loses the love of his life following an incident which would probably never have happened if he had not been famous.

Heather has never been one of my favourite characters, I always thought that she was self centred and had few feelings for anyone else except Harrison and maybe Sebastian. Her treatment of Ariana was heartless and caused a rift in the band. Harrison's Wedding changed my mind about her as I felt her pain when she had to break up with Harrison. It was a tough decision but to retain her own sanity she had to do it. I also had great respect for her as she tried to put the pieces of her life and career back together without the man who had been in her life since she was a teenager.

Don't get me wrong this story is not a total downer, it has some hilarious scenes especially when everyone is playing pool one of the band's favourite pastimes. The camaraderie between the band members and their pain watching Harrison and Heather's suffering is plain to see. They don't take sides but are there to help and support as much as they can.

It is always great to read a love story from the guys point of view and Sian has done a great job of doing that in Harrison's wedding.

[Maureen Metcalfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was totally amazing and totally unputdownable (just like the previous books in the series).
I am an incredibly slow reader, with limited reading time, but it’s amazing how quickly I finish them.
It was fantastic to hear Harrison’s side of the story. When you pick it up, you think “well, how different can it be to ‘The Wedding?’”, but it is so different. The idea of getting Harrison’s POV is absolutely fantastic.
ROLL ON THE NEXT BOOK!

[Nini · Rating 1 out of 5]

During the interview with Harrison, Heather and Maddy, Harrison says that if he were to cheat in the 'traditional' sense, it still would not be Maddy's fault and only his....that is total fucking bullshit. Seducing someone in a relationship also puts you at fault(if you know they are in a relationship), obviously the one cheating is more at fault but they are still both to blame. I digress though. Since this was not the actual case, it doesn't matter. That tidbit just got on my nerves.

[Barbara Holler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adversity overcome with love

A love story that makes you a believer. Heather and Harrison have had 10 years of a love affair when a tragic act causes a horrible rift between the two during their engagement. The road back to their HEA is so satisfying and makes everyone Wang to find that kind of love. Love this series!!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Harrison's POV for his and Heather's story. I knew I would enjoy this one and was pleasantly surprised that even though I knew the highlights, there didn't seem to be as much redundancy in this one as Gabriel's.

Definitely reread the Cruise Control Books first and then all of the Cruise Control Heroes books!!

[Jay Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

so hard but so worth it

This book is hard to read. I went into generally understanding what I was going to get into but Harrison’s perspective of everything that happens was many times endearing, heartbreaking and so emotional.

I love how much we get from the guys sides and it makes it well worth the read.

[Sandra · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a fan

Not a fan of this book. I know Harrison was drugged along with Maddy but honestly I personally don’t think I could forgive him for cheating. I sometimes wish these romance novels didn’t all have HEA.

[Claudia]

GBH makes you both so horny and not only that but while you are having sex with another woman, you are constantly talking about how sexy and how great your fiancé is. Like WTF? So u realistic. And you both remember the night so well…

[Eliana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Same story from the wedding but from the hero point of view