The dream job? Check. The best friends? Check. The only problem? Her first love is in town, and he doesn’t seem to remember her.
Maya got the role of a lifetime. She's the lead in the next Lucas Warner movie, her two best friends have found love, everything is going better than they ever imagined.
Yet, she isn’t as happy as she knows she should be.
It might have something to do with the intolerable rock star on set who seems to be making it his personal mission to irritate her. He's the cliché bad boy, and normally, she'd be all over that, but not when it's Xander Lewis. Not when it's the boy she went to summer camp with for years, who doesn't seem to remember her.
He was her first crush, her first kiss. He will not be the next one.
YA/NA multi-genre author Cait Marie has enjoyed reading and creating stories her entire life. Her 2020 fantasy debut, The Lost Legends, encompasses her love of fairy tales and adventure while her following book, The Last Summer, shows her appreciation for fluffy-but-moving contemporary romance.
In the time since, she has continued publishing in both genres and has plans to expand into science fiction, steampunk, and dystopian worlds.
Cait is the creator and manager of the book blog Functionally Fictional, works for YA Books Central, and offers a variety of author services, including editing, proofreading, and formatting. She has a BA in forensic psychology and an MFA in creative writing, both from Southern New Hampshire University.
Basically, her life revolves around books, but she also enjoys music, bullet journaling, graphic design, and Disney movies.
Maya has landed her dream job as the female lead in the new Lucas Warner movie. Her friends Eliza and Kaley have found love, and even if Maya is cynical when it comes to love, she's happy for them. Life would be great if it weren't for the person who broke her heart and destroyed her faith in love now is back in town - and doesn't even seem to remember her. Xander's become a rock star with a real bad boy reputation and Maya will not let him break her heart again.
This book almost broke MY heart! It's emotional and a little bit darker than the two previous books in the series. Thankfully I know that we'll get a happy ending, otherwise it would have taken some time to recover! Cait Marie is very good at creating characters that feels like real people, and it's easy to get emotionally involved in their lifes. We've met Maya in the previous books and I've been looking forward to reading more about her. At first glance Xander looks like the cliché rock star with a big ego and bad boy attitude, but it doesn't take long before he reveals other sides of himself. Considering his background and upbringing it's easy to understand that he puts up a kind of guise as protection.
It feels sad to leave all these wonderful characters behind, since it's the last book, but at the same time I feel quite satisfied at where we leave them. The only "complaint" I have with Missing the Beat is that Maya is described as having dark blonde hair, but the girl on the cover is very dark-haired. A small detail that obviously doesn't affect my grade, but still a bit annoying...!
* I received an ARC from the author and I'm giving my honest review. *
Maya has her dream job, the greatest friends, and the life she’s always dreamed of is right in her grasp. But when she comes face to face with Xander Lewis, her first love, and he doesn’t remember her… she’s floored. While Maya tries to avoid the snarky rock star as much as she can, she can’t seem to bring herself to stay away. As Xander and Maya grow closer, she still finds herself struggling with the fact that he doesn’t seem to remember her at all. And worse still, she finds herself falling for him all over again. But nothing can ever happen between them… right?
Yes, yes, yes!!! I am absolutely obsessed with Xander and Maya. This story was both beautifully written and utterly heart wrenching. Xander might seem like a playboy at first, but oh my gosh, there is so much more to this man than you think. And Maya, well, she’s absolutely brilliant. She’s beautiful, kindhearted, and sassy, and it’s no wonder Xander couldn’t make himself stay away from her. Their chemistry is fiery and obvious to everyone except the two of them, and I loved loved loved it. This book was perfect, just perfect, and I can’t wait to see what Marie writes next!
Missing The Beat tells the story of Maya and Alexander Lewis, Childhood friends who have drifted apart over the past 4 years. Their paths cross one summer at Bennu, and their lives are forever changed. I I devoured this book. I couldn't put it down. I always feel like I'm getting to go on an adventure with friends whenever I read one of Cait Marie's books. She has a way of not forgetting her side characters so you get updates on your favorites even if they aren't the main focus.
The pacing was beautiful and the scenes were graphic enough to get the emotions across without being too intense. I thought I would be unsatisfied because this is the shortest book of the series, but I was actually satisfied with the length.
The book does deal with some dark themes , but they were handled tastefully. If you love tropes where the characters hate each other you need to buy this book immediately.
I received this book as an ARC for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A riveting story of frenemys to lovers that has you turning pages faster than Xander disappeared from Maya's life 4 years ago. This book really hits the nostalgia button for me. We all have that one person we loved with every fiber of our being because they knew your deepest darkest secrets and loved you in spite of it. Those young relationships never last, as is the case with Maya and Xander, but you never stop loving them. You find ways to move on but something is always missing and you may one day find them again and the hurt, the anger, the pain come flooding back but with them so can the memories, the love, the connection.
Bottom line: I love this book and will be getting the rest of the series.
This was a wonderful conclusion to the series! I loved seeing all the characters come together to support each other, and even see some characters from another series by the same author. This book dealt with harder topics than past books, but I think it was done well. The book wasn't so heavy it was hard to read, but it was real enough to shed some light on some hard topics. Overall, I enjoyed Xander and Maya's story and recommend it!
Cait Marie hooks me every time I pick up one of her books, especially her contemporary novels! My eyes were glued to the pages of this one!
I really loved the relationship and history between Maya and Xander. The romance and drama had me turning page after page. I really couldn't get enough! Every book in this series was so good! And I absolutely LOVE that Gavin and Lila were in every single one!!! They will forever be my favorite characters!!!
I had received an ARC of this book for an honest review.
I loved this book so much! I also really appreciated the fact that the author had a trigger warning listed at the beginning of the book, it’s something I think that should be implemented by all authors and it’s helpful.
Maya and Xander’s story was definitely one of my favorites, and I loved seeing how they progressed throughout the book.
I highly recommend this series, and I hope there’s more to come!
I loved the complexity of Maya and Xander's history. Cait brought characters who had damage done to them back into each other's lives without allowing that damage to be ignored. She was able to explore those darker elements while keeping a similar style and feel as the first two Bennu books.
I felt like the balance between Maya and Xander chapters worked really well and it kept the story moving at a good pace. The chemistry was definitely there between the protagonists and even as their journeys unfolded, they connect was always spot on.
I suggest reading the series in order, but each book works well as a stand-alone title.
Definitely recommended!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Cait Marie has finished the Bennu Firebirds Series with her third installment which is titled "Missing the Beat". I absolutely loved everything about this book. I was a little worried because it was the shortest book in the series but Cait did not let me down with the length. It was perfect.
In this book we get to follow along with Maya and Alexander Lewis's story to finally figure out what happened in their past and how they try to work things out for their present. I enjoyed how Cait brought in all of her past characters into this book. Yes, it can be considered a stand-alone book, but if you read the first two books you will know exactly who all the characters are. I also recommend reading "The Last Summer" and "The Final Chance" to get the full effect.
This book was definitely one that I could not put down. The pacing of the story was great and all the characters just melded together. I really loved how there was a love-hate relationship between two of the characters. It made me want to keep reading to find out if they ever make up or not. This is why I love reading Cait's romance novels, they really have life to them outside of all the romance. There is a plot that makes it much more interesting.
Maya was such an amazing character to get to know. She had so much life in her and had a lot of fun with her friends. It was interesting to peak into her mind and see how she thought since she was staring in her first movie as the main character. I truly enjoyed how Cait wrote about her and created her own light.
The scenes in the book were very well written. The scenes had enough details to get the point across as to what was going on and those scenes were done very tastefully. They faded out too at a certain point so they would not get too graphic with details. This is definitely a college romance novel.
There were some darker themes to the book that Cait informed us about before reading the book. She handled those scenes very well. The details were not overly specific, there were just mentions of childhood abuse and family abuse.
Overall I rate this book a 5/5 stars. It had all the excitement and joy that I expect to see out of a romance novel and more. I really love Cait's writing and cannot wait for my next read by her. I received an ARC for an honest review.
‘Missing the Beat’ by Cait Marie tells the story of Maya and Xander, two people who once knew each other and only recently reconnected. Their relationship is filled with plenty of ups, downs, and misunderstandings. Shared trauma and issues that torment them each individually are what keeps them apart, but the chemistry and care that the two show each other when they’re together dispels enough of their past to give them hope for a brighter future—hopefully one that they can spend together.
It’s not easy when Maya sees Xander again, especially when he seems to not remember her from summer camp all those years ago. The fact that he’s her co-star Lucas’ best friend doesn’t make matters easier. She can’t escape him—and even worse, she’s not sure she wants to. She doesn’t want to fall for him again, because the last time she fell hard, and when he acts like he doesn’t remember her, it stings far more than she cares to admit. With her best friend Eliza by her side, who happens to have just started to date Lucas, she tries to come to terms with the demons that haunt her from her own past, as well as the one she had with Xander, or as she remembers him, Alex.
Xander’s pop star personality often gets in the way of what could be real between them, but Maya sees past the flash, even though it frustrates and puzzles her since she remembers a sweet, kind boy so unlike the Xander she’s seeing so many years after their last meeting.
Cait Marie has done it again, sorting together the pieces of a puzzle made up of two people who think they’re so wrong for each other, but find that they just need to find the right fit and then everything will hopefully turn out okay. While this particular novel in the Bennu series has topics that can serve as triggers for some readers, including a past assault, terrifying weather, and family abuse, there is also a hearty dose of kindness, truth, love, and goodness that prevails despite the odds. Maya and Xander will keep readers invested in their stories, waiting to see just how they will intertwine.
Beth Rodgers, Author of ‘Welcome to Chanu-Con!,’ a Children's Picture Book, and ‘Freshman Fourteen’ and ‘Sweet Fifteen,’ Young Adult Novels
Maya's life seems like it's all coming together. She has the perfect job, the perfect friends, and her dreams are coming true. But when Xander enters the picture and doesn't even remember her, she becomes angry. Maya wants to avoid him, but that proves to be impossible since his best friend is her coworker. Not to mention Maya has a dark past that stains her to this day.
Xander is a rock star who wants to leave the past in the past. All that matters to him is moving forward. He also doesn't do relationships so is perfectly fine sleeping with Maya because that's all it'll ever be. With the hate brewing between them, how could it ever be anything more? But it's hard to avoid her since she's Eliza's best friend and they're both always with Lucas.
After finishing Lucas and Eliza's story, I was so looking forward to Maya's and Cait Marie doesn't disappoint. Once this book was in my hands, I couldn't put it down and finished it in one sitting. The tension between Maya and Xander is palpable on every page yet they can't stay away from each other. The twist about their past is an added bonus. I love all of the characters in this series and enjoy seeing the cameos and how everything comes together as it's meant to. MISSING THE BEAT does touch on some sensitive issues, but Cait Marie does it in the perfect way.
Final Verdict: I would recommend this to fans of contemporary romance who want all the feels. I look forward to more from Cait Marie who hasn't disappointed me yet.
I loved Missing the Beat! I was intrigued about Maya and her story since the first book. She has had her heart broken before so she is super hesitant when it comes to love and falling in love. She sees Xander again in the second book so this book begins with her leaving his bed. Maya doesn’t want to get hurt again but they have some undeniable chemistry. I really liked Maya and her feistiness. She’s an awesome friend and a good person. Plus she’s relatable when it comes to being terrified of storms/tornadoes. Xander was an interesting character and immediately likable. He had a terrible upbringing and really looked forward to summer camp when he could spend time with Maya. Unfortunately things didn’t go the way they should have and they didn’t see each other for almost 4 years. I felt like it was a small world that Maya and Eliza are best friends and Eliza ends up with Lucas who is now good friends with Xander. I’m so glad this story had a happy ending for Xander and Maya and his mother. I loved that everyone became friends so the characters from the first book continue to be included.
This book is SO GOOD. It's got enemies to lovers and a glimpse into the characters' past. The dual POV lets you have a more complete perspective of the story and what happens on it, without saturating you with information. It got me hooked from the first page, since the characters are really well developed, and the storyline traps you in, making you want more of it from the very beggining.
The story also touches important subjects, like domestic abuse and distancing yourself from your family. The author does a good gob depicting this in one of the main characters' story.
I can't wait what else Cait Marie holds in store and if maybe we get more of Xander and Maya's story in the future.
I love how easy the books in this series are to read. This was a one-sitting read and a good one at that.
Maya has loved and hated the same boy for years. The one who ghosted her after one night together. Now, he’s back in her life, but he’s different. For one thing, he’s a world famous rockstar. For another, he claims not to remember her.
Maya is such a great character. Easy to root for. Believable. Emotional. I wanted her to get her happy ending and that kept me reading late into the night.
Overall, another good one by this author. Enjoyable and well-written. Fun and emotional.
This was my first Cait Marie book, I read it as a stand-alone. I appreciate trigger warnings in books as it’s very hard to relive trauma in a book.
While this is the third book it definitely can be read as a stand alone. I do prefer reading books in order so this is out of my norm. I wish I had more context to Lucas and Eliza’s relationship but it wasn’t enough to make me stop.
I loved reading about Xander and Maya’s relationship and how it developed. It was sweet reading about how they connected as teens and lost and then found each other. It’s a good storyline and I always love a HEA.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I loved Maya and Xander. I guess the way they fault through their own fears by denial of what was actually true did it for me. How when it came down to it they knew each other better than what others thought. Predicting the needs from conversations and events 4 years ago was sweet.
The only down thing from me was the mess up in Xander life from book 2 to his book.
Amazing conclusion to the series. I loved each story - the way the series approaches each woman from the trio in a different novel is excellent. While I enjoyed all three tales, Maya's in Missing the Beat is the best one yet. Eliza's story was my previous favorite, but Missing the Beat dives deeper emotionally into the character's history and background. I also love the love story in this one.
If you are looking for novel with love, success, intrigue and emotional depth, this is for you!
I really loved the premise of this story, but I do feel the plot line fell flat. The characters were fun and the passion between them was palpable, but the story didn’t really go anywhere in my opinion. However, I have enjoyed other books by this author in the past, so I will definitely keep an eye out for her future work.
Cait never fails to impress! I’m more of a haunted house reader, but sometimes when I need a break, I know I’m always in for a treat with any of Cait’s work. Missing the beat is no exception. For those of you who are still waiting for the final installment of How To Build A girl, this is the perfect book to pick up while you wait.
This book was a fun quick read that sucks you right in. It follows old friends to lovers Maya and Xander who in turn end up enemies to lovers. So well written that you experience the emotions with the characters. I would definitely recommend reading.
I’m not huge on love stories, but the tension here is delicious. The forced proximity on set, the unresolved history, the push-and-pull between attraction and irritation, it’s addictive. Even the moments of awkward silence say something
This book is The third in this series by Cait and can totally be read as a stand alone.
The story is about Maya, an up and coming actress and Xander, a rock star. They had met each other four years ago at summer camp and fallen in love however things happened and they lost touch. Now it is four years later and they meet up again and Xander acts as if he has no memory of Maya and what they meant to each other.
This was a great story and I did enjoy seeing how they reconnect. It was a fast read and can definitely be read without reading the others.
Even though I still enjoyed this story, it might be my least favourite of the three. The characters are wonderful, but imo the focus was a bit too heavy on the romantic relationship causing the other aspects of the story to disappear to the background. I would have liked a more prominent role for the individual stories of the main characters, and what they were up to during the rest of the time. 4 stars nonetheless 😊
I have enjoyed how each new book shows you a new aspect if this world from two different views points. It's amazing how much thought and love Cait Marie put in this series. If you love love stories that hit your heart quick and fast. Read this whole series.
I enjoyed them finding thier path, themselves and true love. I enjoy Cait Marie's writing.