The Drummer

West Coast Soulmates #3

by Carla Krae

Lincoln and Michaela were introduced in A Rockstar Christmas Wedding.

Lincoln Adams is only supposed to be a drunken mistake, the consequence of a little too much Christmas wedding eggnog. Once he’s asleep, I sneak out of his apartment expecting to never see the drummer again.

Except I left my guitar at his friend’s house. And my earring on his floor.

An earring he uses to leverage me into a lunch date where he starts chipping away at the armor erected around my heart while heating up my body with a need I’ve never felt before. One last indulgence before making it clear I won’t do a relationship ever again.

Until a surprise mutual connection brings us together for a week of sharing and sensual delights.

What happens in Virginia can stay in Virginia—right?

This story is intended for readers 18 and over due to adult language, sexual content, and adult situations.

609 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 21, 2021

About the author

Carla Krae heard "write what you know" early. For her, that means Southern California and music with a bonus side of nerddom.

Lead singer with an accent? Check!

Bass player who loves books? Check!

Even a pianist who wears glasses.

Fall in love with Carla's heroes as they make romance work with their normal-life lady loves and reach some very hot HEAs.

Debuting in 2011, Carla Krae lives in California with five crazy cats and a tech guy.

Carla has been a bestselling author on Amazon.

Reviews

[Laura Nelson (Tangents and Tissues) · Rating 4 out of 5]

****4.5 stars!****

[Teresa Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Drummer by Carla Krae is a rockstar romance between two talented musicians set in California. Lincoln is a studio musician who plays drums for the Jake Lindsey band. Michaela is a singer that was hired to sing at the wedding being held on Christmas for bandmate, Dylan and his girl Jen. It was during her audition that Lincoln became enthralled with not only Michaela’s singing talent but her beauty. Michaela is carrying around so much baggage from the past, she can’t see herself having anything but a one-night stand with anyone. She didn’t see herself in a relationship due to the jagged edges of her broken past that left such deep wounds she doesn’t even see a future. Lincoln is a Cinnabon hero who has a heart of gold that when he is “in”, he is “all in”. Lincoln and Michaela meet quite by accident in Lincoln’s hometown in Virginia when he visits his mom at her job as a house manager/cook for a southern wealthy gentleman. Michaela has learned that her elderly uncle Harry had passed away, and she needed to travel to Virginia for the funeral and the reading of the will. As fate decreed, Harry turned out to be the wealthy gentleman that Lincoln’s mom worked for. Lincoln and Michaela spent nearly every minute of the Virginia trip together. Once back in California, Lincoln wanted to continue spending time together, but Michaela was already pulling away. So many hurts and wounds have to become healed before Michaela is ready to have a real relationship. After many mistakes and hurts aside, Lincoln attempts to pursue her. Lincoln’s impatience for a relationship causes everything to implode. How the couple finally finds their way back to each other takes a bandmate’s intervention, roommate meddling, and finding ways to trust each other. It takes time and sharing of their secrets to realize their HEA finally. The drummer has depth and many-layered characters that come to life in the telling of the story by Carla Krae. This is a standalone, interlocking romance that can be read alone.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book may be book three in this series, but it can be read as a standalone book. This is a spicy, humorous read. I had an enjoyable time reading this book. Although, it was not really Lincoln and Michaela that brought the comedic relief but Lincoln's mother. She had me laughing whenever she would say something to Lincoln. Especially when she was ribbing Lincoln about his relationship with Michaela. She was Lincoln's wingwoman.

It was refreshing that Michaela was not looking for a study relationship. It was Lincoln that felt the need to pursue more with Michaela. Lincoln may be a drummer in a band, but he is down to earth. He shows it when he takes Michaela on a tour of the town. When they went to the amusement park was sweet. Yet, it was anything but sweet when these two hooked up. It was steamy hot.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first time reading a book by Carla Krae and boy does she know how to write characters. Michaela is such a great woman and I loved her instantly even though she drove me crazy sometimes. To see her gain her confidence, heal, grow and love again was wonderful. Lincoln was equally as great with his patience with her, being by her side, supporting her emotionally, respecting her and loving her. When she finally let Lincoln completely in and admitted she loved him, it was worth the bumpy ride. The night they shared at Busch Gardens was my favorite part of the book. I would have loved more scenes with the 3 of them together being a little family but I also get that she was protecting Matty. All in all it was a great spicy read with a HEA.

"No one could sling the truth at you like your best friend." #facts 😂
"Love is giving your heart without expectation, so what I’m trying to say is mine is yours to do with what you wish.” 🥰

I am leaving my honest review for a complimentary copy of this book via the author.

[Ally Doby (Schleicher) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. This is book three in the series, but it can be read as a standalone. It is easy to follow and will have you hooked from page one. It will take you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions from joy, lust, happiness, sadness, grief, repair and everything in between. The chemistry of these two characters are off the charts.

I loved that the man did the chasing this time and wasn’t creepy about it. I loved the way he worshipped her and tried to show her that she was worthy of love and having everything she wanted. My heart strings pulled for her and I shed a good deal of tears for her. I loved the woman she became after being with him and really finding herself again.

I could read this series for a very long time. I hope to see more of all of these characters from this book, the previous books, some supporting characters and future characters in the future.

[Aleksandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the 3rd book in this series, but it can be read as a standalone. It’s a spicy and humorous enjoyable read, a rockstar romance between two talented musicians set in California and Virginia. He’s the drummer, she’s a singer. He’s enamored with her from the start, she’s reluctant with all the baggage from the past she carries around. It takes quite a bit of time and sharing of their secrets to get to their HEA. The book has depth, elaborate and layered characters, it’s written very well. Go read and enjoy!

[Brenda Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book three in the series brings Lincoln and Michaela's story. The author brings strong characters and weaves an emotional story that had me glued to the pages reading. She takes you on a roller coaster ride with all the feels along with the hot chemistry and paints her scenes perfectly. The story moves fluidly and is a great read.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lincoln and Michaela meet in A Rockstar Christmas Wedding. Lincoln Adams was only supposed to be a drunken mistake, the consequence of a little too much Christmas wedding eggnog and loneliness. This was an intriguing, fun read. And a new author, for me. Am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Pam Bush · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!

All three books were fantastic! I loved the stories in all of them. Will probably read them all again. The love these people share is forever.

[Rita Leathers · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic book. I really loved the storyline with the steamy parts and unexcepted twist. It can be read as a stand alone, but you will be wanting to read the rest of the series to know more about all the different characters in the book.
I have voluntarily gave this honest review for the ARC I received.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lincoln Jefferson Adams (his dad is a history teacher) is a session musician who has landed a gig as the drummer for the world famous Jake Lindsey band. His bandmate, Dylan, and fiancee, Jen, are having a Christmas wedding and ask Linc to help find a singer for their special day. Michaela Simon is a beautiful songstress and a troubled young lady with baggage that no one should have. When Linc casts his eyes on her and hears her sing, he knows in a second that she's the singer for the wedding and that she's his. Michaela's life is filled with love and loss and she never jumps into anything, particularly a relationship. She's broken and doesn't think she'll ever love again. Linc is so invested that he's not going to give up and he has to learn patience with her or he'll lose her forever. There were times when I was disappointed in Michaela and was grateful for the wise words of her roommate, Moira. The more Mic tried to push Linc away, Moira warned her to be truthful with herself about her feelings for Linc or she could lose her happiness. Moira was right and she almost did. The writing is exceptional and there are many complex layers to this story that wove together perfectly. The characters are so carefully fleshed out that they come to life. It was good to be back with the band, their girlfriends and wives.

[Carla Krae]

The Drummer (West Coast Soulmates #3) is available for pre-order and releasing 11/21/2022!