Worth the Risk

In Tune

by Jessica Ruddick

I started my music career as a member of the biggest boy band in the world. Fast forward a decade later, and I’m doing just as well as a solo artist. I have no desire to take a step backward, but I get sucked into doing a reunion tour. Things are less than peachy because some of my former bandmates are still pissed I broke up the group.

Things look a little brighter when I reconnect with Hailey, a band mate’s younger sister. She’s on the rebound from a broken engagement and looking to have a little fun. I’m the perfect guy for that because I don’t do serious.

Except the more time I spend with her, the more I question everything I thought I wanted. I just need to convince her I’m worth the risk.

Genres: Music, Contemporary

226 pages, ebook

Published April 14, 2022

About the author

Jessica Ruddick is a 2014 Golden Heart finalist for her new adult novel, Letting Go, which was inspired by her own college experiences. She lives in Virginia and is married to her college sweetheart—their first date was a fraternity toga party (and nothing inspires love like a toga, right?). When she doesn’t have her nose in a book or her hands on a keyboard, she can be found wrangling her two rambunctious sons, taming two rowdy but lovable rescue dogs, and battling the herd of dust bunnies that has taken up residence in her home. To learn more about Jessica, please visit her website at jessicaruddick.com. To sign up for her newsletter, visit jessicaruddick.com/NL.

Reviews

[Heather Adores Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐
Genre ~ contemporary romance
Series ~ In Tune #2
Others in the series ~ Back to You
Setting ~ on the road
Publication date ~ April 12, 2022
Est page Count ~ 226
POV ~ dual 1st
Featuring ~ music, best friend's sister, brother's best friend, second chance, slow burn, some steamage

Ahh, Hailey & Liam's story was super cute!!

Liam used to be part of the boy band, Misdirection. They had a big falling out when Liam decided he wanted to go out on his own as a solo artist. Now, 7 years later the 5 members agree to go on tour together. He was expecting his former friends to still be a little mad at him, but he wasn’t expecting to see Hailey again and all grown up at that.

Hailey recently broke up with her cheating fiance, Michael, and instead of moving in with her parents at 24, she agrees to go on tour with her brother, Jack. Hailey is no stranger around this group of guys since she went on tour with them from age 14-16. She was even a little excited about seeing her teenage crush, Liam, again after all these years.

I love that it alternated between their perspectives because it shows how they secretly feel about each other. Since Jack has deemed his sister off limits,they have no choice but to sneak around behind everyone's back for a summer fling.

This is sorta a second chance, sorta a best friends sister, sorta a brothers best friend slow burn romance that was very well written. There is just enough steam to not overpower the story of these two going from casual to forever. It was a quick read and I wish it was a little longer because I love these two so much!

This is my second book by Jessica and it certainly will not be my last. I really love her writing style.

Also, I am so happy that Gabe and Leah from Back to You made an appearance in this one!

Series notes:
Yes a standalone, but book 1 couple make an appearance.

*Thanks to Booksprout and Jessica Ruddick for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*

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[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

WOW.if I could have had a famous brother that toured with a boy band.

I felt I didn't really understand Liam's wanderlust. It obviously didn't affect his brother who had a wife and three kids. There wasn't enough background to his feelings, other than it really suited him. I can't see how it worked for him....it was hard to believe you'd be happy with no address.

Well written story nonetheless.

[Doris · Rating 5 out of 5]

It Sure Was Worth It!

Liam used to be in a boy band but the band broke up when he left for a solo career. Now years later he has reluctantly agreed to get back together with the guys for a reunion tour. Now with the guys back together Hailey, his bandmate Jack’s sister is there as well just coming off from a broken engagement. Hailey is looking to have some fun but things start to take on a life of its own. Its time for Liam to make some choices again.

The connection between Liam and Hailey was hot which made this a book that was hard to put down.

[Julie Booklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hailey is not having a good time, dealing with a broken engagement that leaves her homeless and unemployed. Rather than move in with her folks, her brother saves the day. He suggests he go on the reunion tour with his former band just like she had in the past.

Liam has done well with his solo career, but his former boy band is reuniting for a short tour and he said yes. Can the other members work through the hurt caused by his leaving?

One good from the planned reunion is Liam and Hailey rekindling their friendship. I love the two of them together, but both have reservations about relationships. I love the low angst, slow burn, as the two realize what they have is special.

Thank you to the Booksprout and the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.

[Angie Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessica Ruddick has written a 5-star book. This is the story of Hailey and Liam. Hailey is moving back home with her parents since she broke off her engagement with Michael when she found out he was cheating on her. She was going to move to Chicago with Michael. She gave notice to her apartment, quit her job and now she has to move. Her brother Jack calls her and invites her to come on the reunion tour for Misdirection. He tells her that his fiance, Molly will be going and she would have someone to talk to. Hailey decides to go when she talks to her mother and finds out she wants to sign her up for a few dating sites. Liam is one of the members of the band and Hailey had a crush on him when her parents were with the band. They left when Jack turned 18 and took Hailey back to North Carolina. She has not seen him in 7 years. She sees him again when she goes to Evans for a get-together for the band before the tour starts. Liam left the band and Jack, Evan, Trenton, and Ben were upset with him for doing so. Jack still holds a grudge against him for it. At first, on the tour, Hailey and Liam just act like friends. Things happen and Liam kissed her again and brings back feelings they had for one another. Liam tells Hailey that he doesn't do long-term relationships and she said she was fine with that. They start sleeping together but keep it a secret because of Jack. They both know what he would do to Liam if he found out. Molly is mad when she finds out that the details about her wedding to Jack have leaked out and now are in the tabloids. She decides to get married while on the tour at one of the concerts. Things are going fine for Hailey and Liam until the night of the wedding. He said something that upsets her and makes her realize that she wants more than what he is willing to give. She has been working on her application for a job that will allow her to teach aboard. Liam comes to her room and he tells her that he is sorry and Hailey decides to forgive him since it is the last night she will have with him. The next morning at breakfast, her mother is talking about her going to teach in Costa Rica. Liam gets upset over this and asked her about it. She tells him that they both knew they were just together until the tour was over but she was leaving that day. It has been a few weeks since Hailey left and Liam is not in the best of moods. He puts on a good act but everyone can tell something is wrong. Molly gets him one night and tells him he is a fool. Jack gets in on the conversation and tells him that Hailey is at their parent's house and he should go and see her. Liam tells them that they are on tour. Jack tells him to get a private plane. Hailey has been teaching summer school since she got back home for another teacher who had an emergency. She has bus duty and is trying to get all the kids on the bus when she looks up to see what is stopping them. Across the street, Liam is standing against the car. She goes up to him and asked "What are you doing here?" He tells her that he loved her and missed her. they talk for a few minutes and he asked her to come back on tour and be with him. No more hiding.
Will Hailey go back on tour with Liam?
Will things work out for them?
This was a wonderful book and I would recommend it to anyone.

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

[Vee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the layers of the characters in this book, and their connections to one another. This is the second book in this series, and it follows Liam and Hailey. These characters are a little removed from the main characters in the first book in this series, but I love how they connect and the world in which they live in expands.
Liam is rejoining the boy band he was part of in his teen years, but he's nervous, especially after the way he left the band abruptly and subsequently ghosted everyone involved. His former best friend Jack is still harboring some hurt feelings and anger towards him. Hailey is coming along for the tour to give herself some breathing room after her life falls apart and her wedding is canceled. Hailey grew up as a tagalong with the boy band members and she's always had a special connection with Liam.

I love how Liam and Hailey reconnect and resume their close friendship as if no time has passed. Only now as adults, there's a hefty amount of chemistry and tension between the two. Weeks and weeks of forced proximity lead to these two giving in to their undeniable chemistry.

I love how both characters, as well as some of the side characters, grow so much throughout this story. These two put in a lot of work to figure out how to maintain their HEA and mesh their seemingly opposite lives together.

Overall this was an excellent read that kept me turning pages to see what happens next, and I'm looking forward to the next in series.

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

[Mary Shearer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liam Oliver is a heartthrob musician and former member of the boy band, Misdirection. Hailey Corbin, a 7th grade English teacher who recently broke off her engagement to her cheating ex, is the sister of Jack who is also a former member of Misdirection. Jack asks Hailey to go on a reunion tour with him and the rest of the band. After some consideration, Hailey decides to go.

Liam and Hailey had a close friendship before the band broke up 7 years earlier. Unbeknownst to the other, they each had a crush on the other. And now, 7 years later, that crush has turned into something more, only neither one of them are ready to admit it to the other. Liam does not do long term relationships and he makes this clear to Hailey. Hailey is not a fling kind of girl but she is willing to give it a try if it means she gets to be with Liam. They both come to realize that a fling is not what they want but are too afraid to be the first to tell the other.

I loved the characters in this book and the way that some of the characters from "Back To You" were included in this story. The chemistry between not only Liam and Hailey, but all of the characters is phenomenal. Reading the love story of how Liam and Hailey grew from a young teenage crush to a forever kind of love was such a beautiful and sometimes heartbreaking journey. This is a stand alone with no cheating, no cliffhanger and a wonderful HEA. I highly recommend this book and look forward to the next one in the series. .
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Misdirection, a famous, but defunct, Boy Band is planning a reunion tour if they can get everybody back together. Jack, Evan, Trenton, Liam and Ben have each had success in their solo endeavors, but this is their chance to see if they still have their spark.  Liam Oliver is the member who walked away without saying a word to anybody. There are still some hurt feelings and distrust among the band members and Liam knows what he has to do. He also knows that Hailey, Jack's sister, will be on tour with them, just as she had been when she was young. He's always liked her, thought she was special, but she's hands-off due to her brother Jack. When Liam and Hailey reconnect, their attraction sizzles and they are combustible together, but they have to hide it. I really like the characters and think they're true to their descriptions, until the blow-up between Hailey and Liam. For people so in love with each other, their walking away just doesn't fit. Taking for granted what the other one thinks means nothing when you can't talk it out. Liam appears to have lost his power of reasoning which doesn't ring true to who he is. Hailey becomes weak and is not anything close to the badass she was in the beginning of the story. She walks away without giving Liam a chance to so much as open his mouth. I'm disappointed with how they reacted to each other when they split, but Liam does finally see the light. The ending was way too rushed and, after the grand gesture, it was simply over. Instead of a HEA, they get a HFN. I hope there's more to their story! 

[Katja · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute rockstar romance.
Liam Oliver is a former boy band member, currently living a nomadic life. The boy band is getting back together for a reunion tour, but Jack, another member is holding a huge grudge for the way Liam had decided to quit the band. Jack's sister Hailey used to ride in the tour bus with the band and her parents, and she always had a crush on Liam. Now she's back with the band for old times sake, and it's becoming clear that Liam also has some feelings for her. But it can only be a fling, can it? He says he's never done forever, and doesn't believe in the longevity of celebrity marriages.

I liked the characters, the writing flows well, and there is some lovely dialogue. I enjoyed it enough to have finished this in one sitting. Steam level: Some sexual content.

Something I wanted more clarification about were the reasons why Jack was so much angrier than the rest of the boy band boys and the vague references Liam made to his reasons of leaving the band. Jack and Liam made up, sort of by default, without talking about the grudges, but after all that fierce anger I was expecting the past feud to be cleared out more explicitly but that was not to be.

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

[Marni Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessica Ruddick has once again delivered another fantastic addition to what I can already tell is going to become one of my very favorite series .Worth The Risk is the second installment in her ( In Tune Series ) and just so happens to be a Rockstar/ second chance romance two of my very favorite tropes . I guarantee that once you meet both Liam and Haley you are going to fall completely in love . Two characters that are so likable and relatable . Liam and Haley have known each other since they were kids ( there was always a unspoken pull - attraction between but their dreams took them in two different directions. Now many years later - certain circumstances have once again brought them back together. The feelings are very clearly still there but the question is have they changed to much or is there still a chance at a future for them . Angst , emotion, heartbreak, intrigue, humor , steam , witty banter , off the charts chemistry and many unexpected surprises. Worth the risk has it all and more . I seriously could not devour it fast enough .

[Harriet · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written reunited friends to fling to forever with elements of best friends little sister / brother's best friend thrown in.

Liam and Hailey's romance is great, a forbidden secret fling that turns into forever.

Liam was part of a successful boy and that split up when he left for an equally successful solo career. 7 years later he agrees to a short reunion tour and is a little apprehensive about the boys reception to him, as he thinks they may still be mad at him.

On the plus side, he reconnects with Hailey, his best friend in the band's little sister, she toured with the band when she was a young teenager and is currently going through a rough patch ( broken engagement, homeless and I employed) she takes up her brothers offer to tour with the band and she accepts, excited to see her friend and secret crush Liam.

Starts off as a forbidden friendship/ fling that turns to true love, a great, enjoyable and quick read.

[S Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liam and Hailey grew up together, he was a former member of a successful boy band and she was the little sister of one of his band mates.
Hailey decides that she is going to go on tour with the group for the reunion tour, and the timing is perfect as she is getting over the break up with her boyfriend. In the past these two secretly had feelings for one another and didn't act on it as her older brother Jack was dead against it, but they were friends before the band broke up. These two decide to give a "fling" a try although they both later realize they both want more but don't let on to the other person.
This was a Great read and I loved the chemistry as well as the dynamics between the other characters as well. Pick up this slow burn 2nd chance book, you won't be disappointed.

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

[Bernie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Misdirection, a teenager boy band, now after several years, reunited for a tour.
Liam walked away from them without notice, effectively breaking up the band. All now have their own careers.
Hailey, sister to Jack and travelled with the boys throughout their earlier success, just ended her engagement and now has been persuaded to travel again as she is in between jobs and homes.
Attraction between this couple has always been there and friendship is rekindled, but it is not without problems and having a fling has been agreed between them; this brings more than expected and there are emotions and feelings that need to be acknowledged in order to get a HEA.

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

[casvec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hailey has returned home after finding out that her ex-fiancée had cheated on her. In between things, her brother Jack, suggested she go on the reunion tour with him and the band. Seven years ago, Liam had walked away from the band, and knows this tour could be tricky, throw in a grown-up Hailey and things are getting heated up.

Hailey and Liam have great chemistry and an amazing connection. Hiding the relationship from her brother, plus the strain of not sure where they stand has Hailey heading home sooner than expected. Liam decides what he want and goes for it.

This is a beautiful story that take your heart on a wonderful ride.

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

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liam and Hailey haven’t seen each other since they were big kids. They always felt something for each other, but it was pushed down. Being back in each other’s orbits and on tour in close quarters makes all of that come back. Their friends with benefits situation is a terribly kept secret. They communicate well and often, just not about the right things. I am glad Jack and Liam started connecting pretty quickly. I wish it had more of the guys’ antics. Part of a series, but can be read as standalone.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sherri Babb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Liam and Hailey. There was so much chemistry going on between these two. Liam is doing well in his career, and he is very leery about doing the tour with his former band. He feels like they blame him for the band breaking up. He agrees and the bright part of the whole tour is Hailey. Hailey is trying to put her life back together after a broken engagement and Liam is just the person to help her with this …. Or is he? Their story is full of so much heat, so much need, some friendship and so much more. You don’t want to miss this book. I voluntarily reviewed this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Caroline Doig · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 2 of the In Tune series and this is my absolute favourite genre rockstars, bands etc and this is Liam’s and Hailey’s story. Liam is doing a charity tour with his old boy band the one that started his whole career but he has no intentions of staying with the band because he’s a solo artist. Hailey dumped her cheating fiancé her brother is a rockstar he’s going on the charity tour as well he asks Hailey to go on tour with him but she’s unsure because Liam her long time crush will be there. I loved this story and the characters and I highly recommend this book it’s definitely well worth the read.

[Whit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of crazy conflicts in this one.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with following your passion. But Liam's former band mate, Jack, doesn't think so and is burning with the hatred of a 1000 suns! He feels Liam walked away from the band without any warning.
So when the band regroups to begin a reunion tour, Jack's head is about to explode, especially when he discovers his sister, Hailey, has a crush, from the past tour, on Liam. Let the fireworks begin!!!
This is a great story WITHOUT all the repetitious and redundant sex scenes as well as the over the top profanity. Who knew rock star stories could be awesome WITHOUT all of that???? Lol!!!!

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liam use to be part of a teen band that was huge. Then he spun off into a solo career. This left a bad taste with the other band members. Now years later, they are doing a reunion tour.

Hailey is dealing with a broken engagement, no job, and moving back in with her parents. Her brother asks her to come on the reunion tour with him and the band.

These two have sparks that fly when they are in the same room together. The story follows them and the trial to each other.

Great story!

[Haz · Rating 5 out of 5]

After performing on your own for seven years Liam decides to bring back his old band and go on tour again but was worried that they would refuse as Liam was the one who broke the band up in first place but they all accepted it and to see a girl all grown up now from his past it just stir up old feeling he thought he left behind, a forbidden love the story Where's there alot seeking about behind brothers back and met ups this was a good and entertaining read.

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

[P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth the Risk 💗


I want to Thank Ms Jessica Ruddick for another enjoyable read! It had heart, humour and some heartache.

I loved Hailey and Liam’s story. I would definitely love to hear them (the band) sing 🎶 🎤 I definitely reminisced on the boy bands I went to see 😂
I also enjoyed the side characters too. It was a well thought out story.

I recommend this book you definitely should read it, if you haven’t already what are you waiting for 😊
You don’t want to miss this series it is a must read.

I received an ARC of this book and I am leaving my honest and voluntary review.

[Marilyn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liam had been a member of a famous boy band and Hailey has been the little sister of another member. But after Liam left and became a solo act they didn’t see each other. But now the other members want to do a reunion tour and he’s reluctantly goes along. He meets Hailey again and she’s getting over a broken engagement. They talk and find out that they are attracted but neither wants anything but a fling. But as time goes along he wants it to become more! But what does Hailey want? I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[TELA666 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked how this was related to the previous book in the series and believe it also links to the Virginia U books on my TBR, but it wasn't a direct follow on. It touches on a number of tropes but it is the chemistry & slow burn that drives the story, not a obvious formula. It feels like a HFN and I wonder if we see them, Jack & Molly pop up in other books.

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

[Sarah Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feel good love story.

This book was so lovely and easy to read. The boy band reunion tour was fun and the reconnecting of Liam and Hailey was sweet and sexy. I appreciated that the level of angst was mild and not drawn out. A real feel good read with a sweet HEA.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Evy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a sweet and engaging story. You’re drawn into it and you want to know when and where it will happen. I loved the chemistry between Liam and Hailey and the whole secret thing gives it an extra vibe. The banter with each other and the other guys is funny.
I can’t wait to read the other stories! .
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[DC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack and Hailey grew up together while on the road touring with a boy band. He as a member, she as the tagalong to her big brother. Fast forward to the inevitable reunion tour, and Hailey joins to get over a broken heart. Friendships renew, sparks fly, and love grows in this friends-to-lovers, best-friends-little-sister HEA.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth the Risk is an engaging romance about a rock star and his former band mate's sister who rekindle an attraction they had as teenagers when they reconnect as adults on a reunion tour for the band. Liam and Hailey are likeable characters with great chemistry and I really cared about them.
They have some obstacles to overcome but I enjoyed their story a lot.

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

[KL Cassanello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part best friend's sister, part second chance, a totally sexy story. This is wonderul book, a real page-turner, a slow burn romance. I love the connection to Virginia Valley University (a great series - you should read all 4 books!). I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Maja · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the story. The first person point of view was perfect and Liam was just an amazing hero. If I could I would give this book more than five stars.

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

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hailey and Liam spent a lot of their teen years together while on the road with the band. A reunion tour brings the two back of together. Them getting together is not the easiest to do with her brother watching their every move. The book had some funny parts and was steady paced.