Broken Records

Sparrow Hill Stories #1

by Bree Bennett

Lucy ran away from home to restart her life and find some peace and quiet at last. Instead, she finds a washed-up rockstar who splits his time between the bottom of a whiskey glass and the front page of the tabloids.

But when he offers her the one thing she craves most - a safe place to live - in exchange for a marriage of convenience, Lucy must decide if dealing with his rockstar shenanigans is worth the risk of losing her heart.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Marriage Of Convenience, Contemporary, Celebrity, Slow Burn, Music

ebook

First published July 6, 2021

About the author

Bree Bennett lives in the Midwest with three dogs, two kids, and one husband. She spends her time writing, reading mushy books, obsessing over Broadway musicals, playing the piano loudly, and leaving unfinished knitting projects around the house.

Reviews

[Emily Fellows · Rating 3 out of 5]

This really could have been a four or five star read, but the reason they didn’t is because I feel like they didn’t delve deep enough into the alcoholism aspect of the story. It’s not a spoiler, but my guy is a full blow alcoholic. I wish they explored it more than just mentioning it a couple times and then saying ‘he drank less.’ Alcoholism is a lot more complex than that.

[Lorna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

I was not expecting to love this book as much as I do! Wasn't expecting all the feels and yes the bit of angst that happened. I loved this book from the first chapter and it just might be one that I reread-something I rarely do unless it's by a favorite author. I will definitely be looking for other books by this author, that's a given.

If you enjoy a wonderful, if unexpected, romance between a woman who I feel sure
is on the autism spectrum and an aging, almost alcoholic rock star with a song writing block and a deadline than this is one to read!I highly recommend it to adult contemporary romance readers or rock star readers. It's one of the best romances I've read in awhile.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (11/15/2021)! 🎁

[Ilaria 🌸 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book definitely not your usual rockstar romance

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 - 4 stars (somewhere around there!)

A little while back the author of this book reached out and asked if I’d read it to provide an honest review… and I lost the message - I’m a hot mess on social media 😬 The good news: I found the message and the author kindly let me read a copy! Thank you! I really enjoyed this sweet story - and I think many of you will too! It’s on Kindle Unlimited (even in the AU store).

Lucy moves to New York and is struggling a bit - she has sensory issues, and some trauma in her past, so the city is overwhelming. Jack is a 40 year old fading rockstar, shunned for his antics and albums of diminishing quality. Lucy and Jack meet in a record store and end up in a marriage of convenience - she gets a place to live and he cleans up his image to deal with his career.

Things I liked:
- The concept - two completely opposite people having an adorable dynamic, and I really loved the washed up rockstar idea!
- Lucy and Jack were charming characters. I loved Lucy’s photographic-esque memory. I loved how dramatic but sweet Jack was. I think I would have liked more info on Lucy’s neurodiversity to further enhance my experience with her
- The side characters in the book were fun - I foresee many getting their own books!
- The story was just so darn sweet
- A pet pig!!!

Things I didn’t like:
- I like to see mentions of therapy and mental health care for people who experience trauma and abandonment - this is a personal preference of mine in books that tackle heavy issues. Both characters needed some mental health care!
- It took me a little while to catch on to the situation with Lucy’s character. When it clicked I loved her, but some more hints of her backstory might have been helpful in the early 30% of the book
- There was one particular scene that hung a bit awkwardly for me - it felt a little strange (but I may have missed something! I do read fast)

In short: A very easy read, a rollicking romp, lots of fun, cute characters. A bit quirky at times, and maybe needs a fraction more to support the heavy issues encountered in this book, but I had a great time. I read it in one go - couldn’t put it down.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Love Lucy

And Jack too.
I adore finding a book in one of my favorite genres and discovering a very unique story. Lucy is not your average heroine, she's a pure joy without being surgery sweet or a door mat. Jack is priceless as a bad boy ,almost has been , rocker that is given one more chance to get it right. This couple is a breath of fresh air, especially for me who has read hundreds in this genre. I was down right giddy with the amount of research Ms. Bennett put into this story, very impressive.
One bone to pick with Lucy's family, under no circumstances does a true Italian use cottage cheese on their spaghetti, as one born and bred, that had me cringing, so it brought my rating down from ten stars to five 😉

[Stella Cassidy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t want this book to be over because the relationships and environments Bree creates are just so comfortable and lovely - from the NYC dive bars to the farmhouse fireplace. Jack and Lucy are so charmingly, neurotically themselves that their love is so natural and believable. Ending this book felt like the end of a weekend with friends - slightly sad for it to be over but with a heart ready to burst with love.

[Amanda Ventimiglia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Bree Bennett’s debut novel and it was absolute gold! Imagine the best parts of the movies A Star is Born and Almost Famous turned into an even better romcom. Which is probably the biggest reason why I am absolutely in love with this story and its characters. Between the lame dad jokes and fantastic banter I laughed out loud too many times to count. This wholesome story is very near and dear to my heart, simply put- it felt like home. I experienced pure heart warming nostalgia and ended up listening to most of the songs mentioned in the story while I was reading (see playlist I made below).

Jack and Lucy are so supportive of each other. Think Jerry Maguire “You complete me”, the classic two halves that make a whole. It was an absolute pleasure reading their story.

I predict this will eventually become a movie or even a Netflix series as more Sparrow Hill Stories continue to come out. Bree Bennett has her #1 fan for life right here.

For full review: https://thewellreadwoman.org/blog/f/b...

PLAYLIST:

Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting- Elton John
Love in an Elevator -Aerosmith
Peter Cottontail- Gene Autry
Space Oddity- David Bowie
Juke Box Hero- Foreigner
Forever in Blue Jeans- Neil Diamond
Blow The Man Down- The Jolly Rogers
Love Me Tender- Elvis Presley
Purple Rain- Prince

[c🍉 · Rating 4 out of 5]

My reading of this book got interrupted by college (boooo!) but it was always in the back of my mind to finish so I did!

Ugh this was so cute!!

The main couple are so adorable. They have such a sweet connection and I adored the way they genuinely had such a close bond. There was no unnecessary arguments or prolonged miscommunications, they just got each other. Emotionally they were also so conscious of one another’s feelings - it was just so refreshing to see both characters care for each other so authentically 🥺. Jack and Lucy are both really good characters outside of the relationship too so I wanted the best for both of them regardless of their romantic situation.

Overall, just the sweetest romance I’ve read in a while! Loved it <3

[Linda (un)Conventional Bookworms · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about Broken Records! I loved how Lucy knew everything there was to know about music. I loved how Jack was a little lost, but he had no idea how to find himself again. I loved that Lucy was different, because she shared that different is definitely not 'bad' in any way!

There were so many feels to be had during this story, and I could share many, many quotes that I truly loved! I think my favorite thing that happened was when Jack was idly playing 'you're so vain' during an interview, though ;)

[cece ౨ৎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Completely underrated! I don't know why people aren't talking about this!! This was honestly such a good read that I couldn't put it down. Sure, the cover isn't as attracting but I believe these are the ones that you don't judge by its cover. It took me a while to find a good romance again, and I'm glad it have encountered this hidden gem.

I do have to say the tiny mention of spice didn't feel critical to the plot and it would've been just as good without it. There were also points in Jack's character that wasn't fully touched on such as him doing drugs and is an alcoholic. I think these were just some points that were missed most especially it was part of his character. This also extends to June being a victim of abuse and how these issues were more mentioned as a small part of their character.

Overall, a good read and I would 100% recommend.

[jordan εїз · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars 🌟 i loved this brooding rock star & music genius’ story 🎸🎙️👨‍🎤 jacklucy were the epitome of adorable and i love love loved how jack understood lucy and made sure she always felt comfortable 😇 their banter was wonderful and i just wish we got more of them in the early stages of their shared infatuation!!

[Vera Foote · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful romance

I’ve been reading a lot of romance books lately and this is one of the best. Loved all the characters. The author made me feel that the Hand h really cared for each other. Minor characters were also well done. I’m going to check out more books by this author.

[Alina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so sweet and cute.
No unnecessary angst and pretty good communication skills.
The FMCs family were adorable and I’m looking forward to reading more about them.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75 stars

[Monika · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one a great find! I'm new to Bree Bennett, and I loved this unique story. 4.5 stars.

[Kim Lowery · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was almost in two parts. I wish, wish, wish it were NOT the start of a series. Because I feel like that train kept this locomotive from really taking the story of Jack and Lucy somewhere extraordinary.

He’s a struggling rock star with one more album on his contract. She’s a runaway domestic abuse victim (of a, and I’m not kidding, 14 year relationship) who has come to New York City to hide. She’s thirty and he’s forty.

“They were both living alone in the dark. Maybe they could look for a little bit of light together?”

They meet in a record store and it’s not exactly cute. For several chapters I was wondering at what degree on the spectrum Lucy sat. Because that’s how she comes across. And you don’t know up front her history, so all you have as the reader is your own observation and her internal panic.

And if it only were that, I would have been okay with the manipulation. Because it’s INTERESTING. But toward the end the author tosses in that Lucy doesn’t like crowds AS WELL. And how *convenient* a characteristic to slot these two into the rest of the books coming up the tracks. With all their we-are-just-as-interesting (no, you’re not), read our books too (I won’t) cast of secondary characters. I really didn’t appreciate the lecture on the pilgrims from Lucy’s mother. I’m reading a romance here and suddenly I’m in a politics class. No, thank you.

But hey they aren’t my characters. I’ll split my review into what would have been a five star book. And what is only in the end an annoying three star book. Hey, I learned a new word: orbicular.

Here’s a random list:

Mad Jack
Pirate
“Maybe I’m in Wonderland.”
Sweeney Todd
Monkey skeleton
“…asking him to repeat after him like a pet parrot.”
Harry Potter (he’s a Slytherin)
Sparrow Hill

Someone has a thing for Johnny Depp. There may be more references but these were obvious. If you read this book treat this like a drinking game and let me know if you find more!

Like I said, up to a point I loved this book. When it was just them. Before it started advertising the series. “I’m an asshole, and you’re a weirdo, and we get along just fine.” I loved the ring with the guitar string. They were sweet and special and a sanctuary for each other. If she had no family it would have FIT so much better. She had brothers for crying out loud. And sisters. And NOBODY knew she was being hit? Maybe this is why I hated those characters.

But…ugh. It went from quirky to carnival. Jack said it best: “what even was this family?” And I want the pages where she sat at her brother’s hospital bedside only to have him wake up and order her back to the hero - no fucking kidding.

Lastly, pet pigs grow quite big. There’s no way Larry would still be “prancing around their feet” nearly two years after we first meet him.

[W · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was ok. I liked both MCs. I do wish that the author had explicitly stated that the FMC was autistic. I did like how Jack was totally supportive of her being herself and not masking. I wish that there had been a prologue or flashbacks or something to give us a little more info on her life before she left. Also I need an explanation as to why her family, who seems really close to each other and loving and yet they didn’t try to see if something was up when she wasn’t visiting? Or maybe they did but were rebuffed but tell/show us that or else the characterization seems off. Also Jake didn’t seem like a 40 year old man to me a lot of the time. So overall the story was good but the execution was lacking

[Mo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so freaking cute! Lucy and Jack were such well-fleshed characters that complimented each other beautifully. Their love story was unconventional and it made me squeal like a little fan girl every time their tension rose. Jack loved her so tenderly and Lucy was just the icing on the cake. She was so lovely and the way she loved Jack made me tear up. I may have cried for 3 hours after I finished this book because I didn’t know if I’d ever find a love that came out of nowhere and shook my world up until it made sense again. But that’s my business.

[Carrie D. Krause · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore Jack and Lucy together! Not only is their love story heartwarming, but their full acceptance of each other's quirks is exactly what we all need to hear. I feel like I have a new appreciation for my own "weirdness"! The inside jokes had me laughing constantly. There's a lot going on in this book, making it so fun to dig in!

[stuti · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was cute and fun (and predictable, but I don’t care). unfortunately it skipped past the perfect ending point and added a few unnecessary and unnecessarily melodramatic chapters

[Beth Y · Rating 3 out of 5]

lovely little book. think it glossed over recovering from abuse and addiction, but very sweet

[Jocelynereadsromance · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel was stunningly beautiful and charmingly perfect. I was swept immediately into the story, I laughed, I teared up, my heart felt full and overall this book felt like a comforting hug. Bree Bennett has lovingly crafted this story, her characters are beautifully three dimensional, the situations feel rooted in reality, and I was charmed and fell in love with everyone on the page. Bennett's writing is well paced, extremely engaging and absolutely accessible. Bennett writes with care and her tone was extremely comforting to me as I was swept away into this character driven romance that was so delightful and believable.

The heroine-Lucy, is neuro-diverse, independent and charmingly herself during her interactions with the hero-Jack. Lucy has a special talent for music knowledge, understanding and dissection. This brings her into contact with Jack who is a rock-star, currently down on his luck with a reputation that needs improvement. Lucy and Jack are in a way instantly drawn to each other, and because of this Jack pursues the idea of marrying Lucy to help improve his reputation, but this is really just a small plot point that helps these two build upon their growing relationship.

This novel, to me, was a story of two kindred souls finding each other, slowly building a friendship, learning to trust someone else, learning to find comfort in someone else, and learning to rely on someone else. Lucy and Jack's relationship is just so sweetly beautiful and something that grows from a strong foundation. I loved how Bree Bennett crafted their meet cute. I love how willing in their earlier relationship that they both want to help the other out (there is a sick bed scene). I love they each are trying to understand their growing feels while respecting the others. I love how open and honest they choose to be with each other, and I love how they find strength and calmness in the other.

This book filled my heart with joy and hope. The relationship was so believable that I don't feel like I have the proper words to describe it. Bennett has crafted a host of side characters (that are Lucy's family) who I hope get their own novels. And I am definitely looking forward for more stories in this series and from Bree Bennett. I can not recommend this enough, you should definitely pick this book up. I definitely think this is going to be a favorite of mine for the year and I highly expect I will be rereading this one in my future. 6 Stars!

Content Notes: Heroine was in an abusive relationship with an ex-fiance for 14 years and has trauma around that, the Hero has had negligible parents growing up and his relationship with his mother is still very contentious.

[Ash Juillet · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

I absolutely loved this! I have so many favorite things about this book, so here they are, completely out of order:
1. The punch
2. Jack getting sick
3. Larry the pet pig
4. Larry wearing a bikini to Jack's bachelor party
5. Larry wearing a beret
6. Dante most likely knowing how to dispose of a body 20 different ways
7. Matteo, Nico, Dante
8. Matteo, Nico, Dante, and Jack's bonding
9. The Disney rat from the country or the sewer
10. Some random woman yelling at Jack at the bar when he said hes taking his wife home, "Show her your wand!"
11. “Don’t be silly. I have all sorts of anxiety issues.”
“And I’m double-jointed in my right elbow.” He lifted his
shoulders.
She blinked. “What?”
“Oh, sorry. I thought we were just saying random facts
about ourselves.”
12. Matteo haughtily reading "it's been reported that jack hunter's favorite color is yellow" on his phone and Nico smacking him and saying, "The post under that, dummy!"
13. Jack chopping wood with the wrong stance, and Matteo saying, "Wiggle your ass a bit, stretch it out," and Nico saying, "You cant just tell someone to wiggle their ass, let alone a famous rockstar."
14. The brothers and Jack going to beat the abusive ex up and Jack being in awe of how high Dante can kick.
15. Lucy asking them if they killed her ex, and Dante cocking his eyebrow evilly until Matteo told him to stop being creepy.
16. Lucy's grandfather indirectly telling Jack to drink Lucy's urine because that's what giraffes do to see if the females are fertile or not.
17. the HOGWARTS scene!
18. Some random guy using a "Wingardium Leviosa" on his whiskey glass and throwing it up in the air and then feeling disappointed that it crashed to the ground and didn't levitate.
19. The sea shanty Jack wrote
20. Jack telling the rat they're not friends.

I would honestly read a whole book just about Dante, Matteo, Nico and Jack getting up to mischief. Please, Bree Bennett, if you're reading this, hear my plea and grant us our wish!

[The Thirst Amendment · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you like High Fidelity? What about a 40 year old Hugh Grant type with the pedigree of Oasis? I like these things, so I liked this new book by @authorbreebennett. I had the pleasure of reading this early as an ARC, and it really hit my elder millennial nostalgia for record stores and the magic inside. The meet cute is in the record store and it hits with a bang to start this story.

Lucy, our protagonist, is new to NYC from farm town Indiana. She kind of hates it, because it’s too loud and too big and too intense. She struggles with what seems to be perhaps a sensory disorder, perhaps she’s on the spectrum, but it was not made clear. She has panic attacks and no filter.

Jack Hunter is a former teen heartthrob singer, and a certified mess. He’s a 40 year old probably alcoholic, with the rap sheet of a Gallagher brother and the reputation of a hair metal guitarist. He’s still charismatic and endearing, though, and as the book progresses, he’s also caring and charming in his own quirky way.

This is a marriage of convenience to help Jack’s reputation while he finishes out the last album of a contract and tours with a new band, and because Lucy needs a place to stay and a job. The job is Jack, and Jack’s record store (the one where they met). It’s a slow burn, but it gives the book a soft romantic quality.

Trigger warning for those who need it: Lucy is a trauma survivor and it’s a former domestic abuse situation. Jack is patient and kind and sweet, the opposite of an alpha, so this storyline works to explain some of Lucy’s skittishness, and it works to contrast Jack’s less than spotless past and the assumptions about him to the hidden secrets of the real villain, Lucy’s ex.

Lucy’s large extended family is quirky and endearing and the fodder for sequels and stand-alones, and I enjoyed meeting them.

It’s low on the smut, and high on the emotional connection, and also lends itself to a pretty great soundtrack. It’s on KU now, so I suggest giving it a read.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bree messaged me on Instagram last week and asked if I would be willing to read and review Broken Records and I accepted. I had no expectations going in to the book and was blown away, especially considering this is her first full length novel. Broken Records tells the story of Lucy, a rock music aficionado, and Jack, a semi-washed up rockstar, who agree to a marriage of convenience and of course, because this is a romance, fall in love along the way.

I really liked both Lucy and Jack. Lucy is neurodivergent so it was very interesting to be in her head (as a neurotypical reader I can’t speak to the accuracy of Lucy’s portrayal, but I’m going to assume that Bree did her research). It is never explicitly stated what her diagnosis is or if she has one, but she has sensory issues and a encyclopedia-like memory which allows her to recall rock and roll trivia perfectly. Jack is the typical rock star hero who hasn’t written a good song in years, which is a trope I am a huge sucker for.

I loved all of the pair’s interactions from their meet-cute when Lucy insults Jack by spouting out facts about his dwindling music career. I loved their transformation from acquaintances to friends to being each other’s person. I loved the sweet moments like Lucy pretending to fall ill to save Jack from some obsessed fans and Lucy’s family fully embracing Jack. On top of the sweetness the book has genuinely funny moments like brief descriptions of Jack’s rockstar antics or the random facts that Lucy knows.

Content warnings: alcohol use/abuse, domestic abuse (off page but referenced), PTSD from the domestic abuse, references to drug use/abuse.

Thank you to Bree Bennett for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[gelare · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG, I did NOT expect to be OBSESSED with this book!! I ADORED how they cared for each other. They just got each other so well and never let any miscommunication get in the way.

He was super sweet to Lucy, always asking how he could help her out. 🥹
The book was full of my favourite micro tropes.
The "found family" was EVERYTHING, especially when Lucy brought Jack to meet her wild family. The connection between Jack and her brothers? And also baby Gianna!! PLSSS

I loved how she could totally change the energy in the room! She seriously transformed Jack’s life for the better.

(But fr, when I found out he was 40, I was SHOOK! I thought he was like, at most in his 30s.)



“He made you laugh,” Lettie said. “At dinner.”
“Yes?”
“I don’t think any of us have heard you laugh in years. You know, if a guy looked at me the way Jack looks at you, I’d marry him too,”
“What do you mean?”
“Like you hung the moon. I mean it. Every time I looked over, he was watching you, and his eyes had sparkles. I swear to God, fucking sparkles, and you had some sparkles of your own, Lucy.”

“If you think Lucy is all sunshine, you clearly don’t know her well.” Although, she was her own brand of sunshine, wasn’t she? Sometimes soft and beautiful, sometimes hiding behind her own cloud cover. Sometimes too bright just when you think you need to hide in the darkness, but once she draws you out, you realize it might be for the better.

“I can’t tell you how all this will play out. I can’t make it easy and organized and predictable, the way you like it. But I can promise you that if I have to go through one more day and you’re not actually mine, not actually real, I’ll lose my damn mind.”

[LWM · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm an instant fan! What an inspiring, irresistible, heartwarming story.

Well written, with some absolutely marvelous, little-used, much less known, vocabulary! Here's an example:
"Jack moseyed closer to the microphone, speaking the following lines in a libidinous purr that demonstrated just why so many fans launched their bras on stage at his concerts."
I can emphatically state that there aren't many writers capable of using a word like "libidinous," in the type of stories they generate - - I have never seen such an occurrence, anyway, though I do know a few who are able to, and have, used superior vocabulary. What makes Bree Bennett stand out is the fact she used them so naturally, from the very beginning, through its middle, and to the end. It's an inherent talent, I believe.
Jack and Luciana pulled off the best fake marriage (which I don't get, because that would infer the couple didn't really get married, which they in fact did), so it totally was for real. This writer gave us an incredible story of pain, betrayal, messing up, getting lives back on track, and making it through life, one day at a time, no matter how excruciating it may be. Jack met Lucy at a perfect, pivotal point in his professional life, while Lucy, a bit more guarded, shows us just how much she needed a trustworthy, good man in her life like Jack (she does have to convince him of that fact, however).
This is a great book, and for a great price, too! I'll be on the lookout for moee of this writer! Five stars.

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book!! I’m wondering if it’s the author’s debut book and if so I’m very impressed. The writing was really good and it flowed nicely. The characters were great. I really thought Jack and Lucy were so cute together from the very beginning. Jack was an asshole but you still couldn’t help but like him. Lucy definitely brought out the best side of him. The secondary characters were awesome and I can’t wait for their books.

There’s just a few things that kept me from giving this book 5 stars:

Some things just didn’t add up like when Jack was getting hit on by those girls and Lucy faked and injury to help him get away from them, I just don’t get why he didn’t tell them she was his girlfriend. That was the whole point of them being together right was to have people think she’s his girl?

Also there was supposed to be some big proposal for social media but there was never anything mentioned about that, it was kind of just forgotten. They even said “Martin will lose his perfect engagement photo” but it wasn’t brought up again.

I didn’t like how long the separation was at the end when he went on tour. I was thinking like 6 months at the most but for it to be more than a year that was probably what solidified the 4 stars instead of 5.

Other than that I’m excited for the rest of the series!

[Jenn the Readaholic · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story I had no clue I needed in my life. Lucy is a tad off kilter, a lot dented from something she should never have had to live through, and thoroughly wonderful. I mean, how many people would give the hard truth about a lackluster album to the guy who’s name is ON it? Granted, she didn’t realize just who she was talking to at the time, but boy did she make an impression on Jack with her candor. I even loved Jack. For all of his Noel Gallagher meets Keith Richards meets Captain Jack Sparrow quirkiness, he’s a man falling fast for the woman who could be his salvation. And he’s terrified of that because he’s so sure Lucy doesn’t feel the same way. But what if she does? Can these two make it work and find their forever together?

I cannot express enough just how fantastic this book was. It doesn’t shy away from the awkwardness or the “different” way Lucy is wired. It doesn’t let Jack ramble along with zero depth. Instead, it introduces readers to the heart of so many things and builds a world I definitely want more time in. So I can’t wait for Nico’s story and hopefully more after his, including some more time with Lucy and Jack, because I see great tales ahead for this family.