What do you think?
Rate this book
What the Librarian Did
When the librarian met the rock star...
Is Rachel Robinson the only one on campus who doesn't know who Devin Freedman is? No big deal except that the bad-boy rock star gets a kick out of Rachel's refusal to worship at his feet. And that seems to have provoked his undivided attention. Devin, the guy who gave new meaning to the phrase "sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll." Devin, the guy who somehow becomes wedged between her and the past she's kept hidden for years.
It's up to this librarian to find out firsthand just how "bad" he really is. Because her secret -- and her growing feelings for a man who claims he's bent on redemption -- depend on his turning out to be as good as he seems. Which is really, really good.
Is Rachel Robinson the only one on campus who doesn't know who Devin Freedman is? No big deal except that the bad-boy rock star gets a kick out of Rachel's refusal to worship at his feet. And that seems to have provoked his undivided attention. Devin, the guy who gave new meaning to the phrase "sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll." Devin, the guy who somehow becomes wedged between her and the past she's kept hidden for years.
It's up to this librarian to find out firsthand just how "bad" he really is. Because her secret -- and her growing feelings for a man who claims he's bent on redemption -- depend on his turning out to be as good as he seems. Which is really, really good.
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 1, 2010
69 people are currently reading
931 people want to read
About the author
Karina Bliss
49 books238 followersNew Zealander Karina Bliss has written a biography for a rock star, swapped identities with her twin, raised three orphaned children with her ex husband, worn a cow costume to a Bachelor and Spinster ball, considered marriage for the sake of a baby, and been mayor of a small town.
Oh wait, that’s her characters.
Outside her imagination, she’s always been a professional writer, first as a travel journalist and then as a romance author. Her deeply held convictions include: love conquers all; yoga pants are daywear; and what a woman really wants is a man who cleans. Unfortunately, she does not live with one, (nor indeed has raised one). Please buy her books so she can pay for one.
She has also swum with sharks. They were very small. Babies, really. But still count.
Career highlights have included being the first Australasian to win a Golden Heart from the Romance Writers of America. Her debut, Mr Imperfect, won a Romantic Book of the Year Award in Australia, and her first self-published title, RISE, a rock star romance also finaled.
Other books in the Rock Solid series are FALL, PLAY and (coming soon), RESURRECTION.
Find out more and sign up to her newsletter at www.karinabliss.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KarinaBlissA...
Twitter @BlissKarina
Email: karina@karinabliss.com
Oh wait, that’s her characters.
Outside her imagination, she’s always been a professional writer, first as a travel journalist and then as a romance author. Her deeply held convictions include: love conquers all; yoga pants are daywear; and what a woman really wants is a man who cleans. Unfortunately, she does not live with one, (nor indeed has raised one). Please buy her books so she can pay for one.
She has also swum with sharks. They were very small. Babies, really. But still count.
Career highlights have included being the first Australasian to win a Golden Heart from the Romance Writers of America. Her debut, Mr Imperfect, won a Romantic Book of the Year Award in Australia, and her first self-published title, RISE, a rock star romance also finaled.
Other books in the Rock Solid series are FALL, PLAY and (coming soon), RESURRECTION.
Find out more and sign up to her newsletter at www.karinabliss.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KarinaBlissA...
Twitter @BlissKarina
Email: karina@karinabliss.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 187 reviews
December 13, 2012
This review can also be found on Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell-blog.
I may or may not have found my new favourite author.
There’s a reason Harlequin Superromances sell so well in Finland, better than Blaze or any other kinky ultra hot sex series or imprint. The impact of naked skin kind of evens out when you get used to seeing it regularly in the sauna. And we have those long winter nights and comfy blankets in our beds… anyway, it’s all about the story.
Here, two adults in their thirties meet at a point in their lives that isn’t particularly auspicious for romantic entanglements. One desperately wants a family but isn’t ready to commit to a man to have it, and another is trying to build a new start for his life. It’s a good thing then that they don’t know anything about each other and can discover together what the future holds for them. But as I said, the timing isn't the best possible and their past mistakes are about to catch up with them.
I made a list of all the things I loved about this book and it’s as disorganised as are my thoughts, still. I loved the wit and humour Bliss infuses her text with. Jokes are a delicate thing to write especially when the audience doesn’t necessarily share the cultural context with the author, but here:
Look at that and tell me it’s not funny even without the context. I dare you.
I loved the fact that Rachel and Devin didn’t succumb to the insta-lust/love/attraction that’s a plague in modern romances. They were actually slightly antagonistic before building a tentative friendship with the option for more. Their romance was the slow burn kind with push and pull to keep them balanced. One gave the other took, and then they switched places. Truths were shared and actual smarts were displayed. I loved that both Rachel and Devin acted like adults. They weren’t perfect but they owned up to their mistakes and were determined to face the consequences.
One thing I absolutely hate in romance novels is the plot twist involving an artificial, prolonged misunderstanding. It was delightfully absent from this book and it all comes back to characters acting like real adults. Even in their most idiotic moments, they remained true to their characterisations instead of changing to fit the whims of the plot.
As for the reason why I now have a “can-I-has-a-Devin” shelf, let’s just say—without spoiling the book for everyone else—that the man knows the right things to say. (Yes, I’m aware that a woman wrote him.) He has brilliant scenes with Rachel and another character where he expresses his unwavering love, devotion, and trust in her. Once he’s in, he’s in. He’s made up his mind and he won’t let her insecurities drive him away, and he trusts her to figure it out eventually.
I’ll need to read that other book by Bliss I bought on the Harlequin Christmas sale. Then I’ll know if I’ll be adding another author on my list of favourites.
I may or may not have found my new favourite author.
There’s a reason Harlequin Superromances sell so well in Finland, better than Blaze or any other kinky ultra hot sex series or imprint. The impact of naked skin kind of evens out when you get used to seeing it regularly in the sauna. And we have those long winter nights and comfy blankets in our beds… anyway, it’s all about the story.
Here, two adults in their thirties meet at a point in their lives that isn’t particularly auspicious for romantic entanglements. One desperately wants a family but isn’t ready to commit to a man to have it, and another is trying to build a new start for his life. It’s a good thing then that they don’t know anything about each other and can discover together what the future holds for them. But as I said, the timing isn't the best possible and their past mistakes are about to catch up with them.
I made a list of all the things I loved about this book and it’s as disorganised as are my thoughts, still. I loved the wit and humour Bliss infuses her text with. Jokes are a delicate thing to write especially when the audience doesn’t necessarily share the cultural context with the author, but here:
”It wasn't that he had a five o'clock shadow at nine-thirty in the morning that screamed 'bad boy.' To Rachel's eyes, that simply made him scruffy.”
"Anyone could see she had a conscience. That must be painful for her."
”’I’m not offended. You're not my type, either.'
Perversely, he was piqued. 'Not a nerd, you mean?'
Her eyes narrowed. 'Not housebroken.’”
Look at that and tell me it’s not funny even without the context. I dare you.
I loved the fact that Rachel and Devin didn’t succumb to the insta-lust/love/attraction that’s a plague in modern romances. They were actually slightly antagonistic before building a tentative friendship with the option for more. Their romance was the slow burn kind with push and pull to keep them balanced. One gave the other took, and then they switched places. Truths were shared and actual smarts were displayed. I loved that both Rachel and Devin acted like adults. They weren’t perfect but they owned up to their mistakes and were determined to face the consequences.
One thing I absolutely hate in romance novels is the plot twist involving an artificial, prolonged misunderstanding. It was delightfully absent from this book and it all comes back to characters acting like real adults. Even in their most idiotic moments, they remained true to their characterisations instead of changing to fit the whims of the plot.
As for the reason why I now have a “can-I-has-a-Devin” shelf, let’s just say—without spoiling the book for everyone else—that the man knows the right things to say. (Yes, I’m aware that a woman wrote him.) He has brilliant scenes with Rachel and another character where he expresses his unwavering love, devotion, and trust in her. Once he’s in, he’s in. He’s made up his mind and he won’t let her insecurities drive him away, and he trusts her to figure it out eventually.
I’ll need to read that other book by Bliss I bought on the Harlequin Christmas sale. Then I’ll know if I’ll be adding another author on my list of favourites.
May 18, 2011
3.5 stars. I can sort of see why this got so much positive buzz; the characters are complex and interesting and there’s a richness to the story I’m not used to seeing in category romance. (Though possibly that’s just because I usually choose them looking for bat-shit crazy rather than thoughtful realism.)
This is a story about three characters, Rachel, Devin, and Mark, all of whom are paying the price for decisions made 17 years ago. As Rachel the seemingly starchy librarian and Devin the formerly wild rock star find themselves unexpectedly attracted, their relationship is complicated by the needs of the lonely and lost teenager Mark
I enjoyed reading about these characters, even when they’re not entirely sympathetic. But though I liked everything to do with Mark, and wouldn’t have wanted to lose any of his scenes, I felt there wasn’t enough attention paid to the romance. And the relationship between Rachel and Devin is kind of all over the place; they both seem to turn on a dime from I dislike you to I want you to This is a bad idea to I love you. I still could have forgiven that if the story had ended with more oomph, but it sorts of trickles out in a disappointing way. Still worth a read.
This is a story about three characters, Rachel, Devin, and Mark, all of whom are paying the price for decisions made 17 years ago. As Rachel the seemingly starchy librarian and Devin the formerly wild rock star find themselves unexpectedly attracted, their relationship is complicated by the needs of the lonely and lost teenager Mark
I enjoyed reading about these characters, even when they’re not entirely sympathetic. But though I liked everything to do with Mark, and wouldn’t have wanted to lose any of his scenes, I felt there wasn’t enough attention paid to the romance. And the relationship between Rachel and Devin is kind of all over the place; they both seem to turn on a dime from I dislike you to I want you to This is a bad idea to I love you. I still could have forgiven that if the story had ended with more oomph, but it sorts of trickles out in a disappointing way. Still worth a read.
July 4, 2018
Me: "I don't have much to say. No review, like two sentences here from my phone. I'll just mention it's funny, but kind of oddly...
Oh okay."
*Sits up, opens laptop, writes semi-coherent review*
This book was pretty funny. The characters were multi-dimensional. We were introduced to hero of the next book, Zander, and I'm not sure why anyone wanted his book. But I like this author, I think she's talented. A book of a recovering alcoholic ex-rock star (Devin), and a librarian (Rachel) who's never known love and hasn't been able to commit or accept it in her life. It was a sweet story when it focused on these two.
When it didn't....ehhh...it stumbled. I think maybe it fell flat on its face. A hefty plot line featuring a closed adoption from the teenage years, featuring teenage offspring was distracting and overly angst-making. I thought that could have used a bit lighter touch. The final 20% was really bogged down in that drama, and it was too much for me. In fact quite a bit of that felt oddly judgmental, and really kept me from sinking into the characters and rooting for them.
there was some seriously funny stuff. And an answering machine. Who uses those anymore?? Say it with me: Voicemails. (I know this is from 2010, but I think still?)
Oh okay."
*Sits up, opens laptop, writes semi-coherent review*
This book was pretty funny. The characters were multi-dimensional. We were introduced to hero of the next book, Zander, and I'm not sure why anyone wanted his book. But I like this author, I think she's talented. A book of a recovering alcoholic ex-rock star (Devin), and a librarian (Rachel) who's never known love and hasn't been able to commit or accept it in her life. It was a sweet story when it focused on these two.
When it didn't....ehhh...it stumbled. I think maybe it fell flat on its face. A hefty plot line featuring a closed adoption from the teenage years, featuring teenage offspring was distracting and overly angst-making. I thought that could have used a bit lighter touch. The final 20% was really bogged down in that drama, and it was too much for me. In fact quite a bit of that felt oddly judgmental, and really kept me from sinking into the characters and rooting for them.
there was some seriously funny stuff. And an answering machine. Who uses those anymore?? Say it with me: Voicemails. (I know this is from 2010, but I think still?)
February 3, 2015
I just finished a reread of this book as preparation for reading karina Bliss' newest book Rise. Rise is Zander's story and i really want to how Ms. Bliss redeems him as he's quite the jerk in this book. Im downgrading it to 4 1/2 stars, not because i enjoyed it any less, i still really enjoyed it, but more because im trying to tighten up grades a bit more and saving the 5 star ratings forbthe upper of the upper books. But the review below i wrote in 2012 still stands.
First off, it takes place in New Zealand. How cool is that? At first Rachel comes across as rather uptight. But boy can she hand out the zingers. And her main focus of her zinger flings is Devin. As mentioned in the blurb, Devin was a member of a famous rock band formed by his older brother. But having suffered a breakdown brought on by too much wild living, he heads back to the country of his birth and without much else to do, and a desire to see if his older brother has been screwing him out of royalties from the band, Devin decides to take a course on business and finance at the local university where Rachel just happens to be the head librarian.
Because of her rather rigid upbringing and something that happened to her when she was younger, Rachel isn’t much into rock music and is less than impressed with Devin. But there is a lot of chemistry there, no matter that Rachel tries to deny it. Their relationship is further complicated when Devin befriends a young student, a young man that holds a key to Rachel’s past.
Devin is a dream hero!! While success came to him early and he did live a wild life style, he really is trying to turn his life around and has also come home to care for his mother who recently went through her own health scare. He’s alternately attracted to and annoyed by how cool Rachel is towards him. And the more she keeps him at arms length, the more he wants to get closer.
Rachel is a great heroine – I really liked her and I’m curious as to what Wendy will think – her being a Super Librarian and all. While no question she’s kind of old-fashioned, that doesn’t mean she’s not a treat of a heroine, and when Devin can manage to get her to let down her hair so to speak, she’s really quite funny. There are a number of places I got quite a chuckle out of their bickering.
And yet at other times there is a real poignancy in this story. Mark, the young man Devin befriends and then mentors plays a pivotal role in the story and a motivating reason as to why Rachel is the way she is.
I was really delighted with this book and this author is now on my radar!
First off, it takes place in New Zealand. How cool is that? At first Rachel comes across as rather uptight. But boy can she hand out the zingers. And her main focus of her zinger flings is Devin. As mentioned in the blurb, Devin was a member of a famous rock band formed by his older brother. But having suffered a breakdown brought on by too much wild living, he heads back to the country of his birth and without much else to do, and a desire to see if his older brother has been screwing him out of royalties from the band, Devin decides to take a course on business and finance at the local university where Rachel just happens to be the head librarian.
Because of her rather rigid upbringing and something that happened to her when she was younger, Rachel isn’t much into rock music and is less than impressed with Devin. But there is a lot of chemistry there, no matter that Rachel tries to deny it. Their relationship is further complicated when Devin befriends a young student, a young man that holds a key to Rachel’s past.
Devin is a dream hero!! While success came to him early and he did live a wild life style, he really is trying to turn his life around and has also come home to care for his mother who recently went through her own health scare. He’s alternately attracted to and annoyed by how cool Rachel is towards him. And the more she keeps him at arms length, the more he wants to get closer.
Rachel is a great heroine – I really liked her and I’m curious as to what Wendy will think – her being a Super Librarian and all. While no question she’s kind of old-fashioned, that doesn’t mean she’s not a treat of a heroine, and when Devin can manage to get her to let down her hair so to speak, she’s really quite funny. There are a number of places I got quite a chuckle out of their bickering.
And yet at other times there is a real poignancy in this story. Mark, the young man Devin befriends and then mentors plays a pivotal role in the story and a motivating reason as to why Rachel is the way she is.
I was really delighted with this book and this author is now on my radar!
September 22, 2017
A new-to-me author I enjoyed reading. A somewhat angsty story told with gentle humor and freshness.
An ex rocker, whose life of excesses and drugs/alcohol abuse forces him to slow down or lose his health, takes a break to go back to college and entangles with the repressed librarian there.
She has secrets and demons of her own to contend with.
Others characters blend in the story to give it a heartwarming depth.
But really Devin was quite a fraud as the bad boy. Now his older brother Zander seems more like the real thing. Would love to read his book
An ex rocker, whose life of excesses and drugs/alcohol abuse forces him to slow down or lose his health, takes a break to go back to college and entangles with the repressed librarian there.
She has secrets and demons of her own to contend with.
Others characters blend in the story to give it a heartwarming depth.
But really Devin was quite a fraud as the bad boy. Now his older brother Zander seems more like the real thing. Would love to read his book
October 6, 2014
Very good story with surprising depth. The characters feel realistic with enduring qualities and flows. Devin is a former world-famous rock band player whose carrier ended in collapse on stage and doctor’s giving him not much chance to live if he continued with his hard partying ways. He decided to leave the world stage behind. He flew to New Zealand, home of his mother, and enrolled in college at the age of 34. Mark, 16 years old student, is enrolled in the same college for reasons of his own. He is looking for his biological mother to confront her on why she gave him up in closed adaption. Rachel, the librarian in the college, is warm, insecure, commitment phobic librarian with a big secret. The path of the three characters crossed, entwined creating surprisingly poignant and enduring story.
February 19, 2010
What a wonderful, sexy, fun, tender story. I chose it because of the librarian heroine (I'm an academic librarian like her) but ended up enjoying the book for more than just its rocker/librarian match up. The chemistry between the hero and heroine is palpable and their verbal sparring had me laughing out loud. Rachel's backstory, which could have seemed cliched, is realistically woven together with Devin's struggle to create a new life for himself, and their conflict makes for a poignant, but believable happily-ever-after. I was sorry to leave this fictional world. Recommended for anyone who likes opposites attract or reformed rake stories.
December 24, 2011
This book frustrated me. I felt like the premise involving the heroine's long-lost son, whom she had put up for adoption when she was a teenager, was an intrusion on the romance. It dominated the story, turning the relationship between Rachel and Devin into a sub-plot. The addition of an angsty 17-year-old boy cannot be considered an improvement to any romance novel, especially one about two adults who are already acting like teenagers.
Rachel and Devin both lack emotional maturity. Each of them are self-absorbed, albeit in different ways. Rachel shows selfishness in her relationship with her son, Mark. She makes decisions based on what she wants from Mark, without regard for how her decisions might hurt him. Devin's self-absorption is somewhat understandable due to his ex-rocker status, but that doesn't make it easier to forgive. Even when he falls in love with Rachel, his love is selfish. He spends a lot more time thinking about how she makes him feel than about how she is feeling, or how he can meet her needs.
I didn't hate What the Librarian Did , but I didn't particularly enjoy it either. I was glad when I finished it, because it meant that I didn't have to spend any more time with its cast of shallow, immature characters. But the writing wasn't bad, and some of the character interactions made me think about the nature of relationships and the difference between selfish and unselfish love.
Rachel and Devin both lack emotional maturity. Each of them are self-absorbed, albeit in different ways. Rachel shows selfishness in her relationship with her son, Mark. She makes decisions based on what she wants from Mark, without regard for how her decisions might hurt him. Devin's self-absorption is somewhat understandable due to his ex-rocker status, but that doesn't make it easier to forgive. Even when he falls in love with Rachel, his love is selfish. He spends a lot more time thinking about how she makes him feel than about how she is feeling, or how he can meet her needs.
I didn't hate What the Librarian Did , but I didn't particularly enjoy it either. I was glad when I finished it, because it meant that I didn't have to spend any more time with its cast of shallow, immature characters. But the writing wasn't bad, and some of the character interactions made me think about the nature of relationships and the difference between selfish and unselfish love.
October 1, 2012
Devin Freedman is at a crossroads in his life, the former rock star has lived life to his fullest partying and enjoying all that life had to offer on the way. His cavalier lifestyle though has finally caught up to him, forcing him to explore another path. Enrolling in a University in New Zealand seems like the best shot at something new.
Worried he is going to be lonely and bored, Devin is pleasantly surprised when he meets feisty librarian Rachel Robinson, something about the temperamental woman peeks his curiosity with her horrible taste in clothes and rigid exterior, Rachel looks like she is a perfect candidate for letting loose and Devin has enough experience to show her how.
I wanted to like this so much, but it just fell flat for me. I liked Devin, he exudes bad boy but had a real problem with Rachel and there is a main twist to the story that happens right away. The story mainly focuses on the twist, but also the yo-yo relationship with Devin who is trying to understand Rachel and her mixed messages.
Worried he is going to be lonely and bored, Devin is pleasantly surprised when he meets feisty librarian Rachel Robinson, something about the temperamental woman peeks his curiosity with her horrible taste in clothes and rigid exterior, Rachel looks like she is a perfect candidate for letting loose and Devin has enough experience to show her how.
I wanted to like this so much, but it just fell flat for me. I liked Devin, he exudes bad boy but had a real problem with Rachel and there is a main twist to the story that happens right away. The story mainly focuses on the twist, but also the yo-yo relationship with Devin who is trying to understand Rachel and her mixed messages.
April 3, 2010
I had high expectations after reading Dear Author's review, and that sadly set me up for disappointment. I liked the story but didn't think it was that outstanding. I really enjoyed the beginning & all the banter between Rachel & Devin, loved how Rachel held her own and showed she was a smart, independent woman, but then it started to go off-track and there were a lot of misunderstandings & overracting.
Part of the problem is you have too much going on. If it would have focused on Rachel & Devin together and dealing with Rachel's secret, it would have been enough. But then you have Devin's brother & their issues, his mother, Rachel's parents...the list went on & on.
That being said, it was emotionally satisfying but not a story that blew me away. And really not that romantic either. Just so-so. But other readers might appreciate a more intellectual romance.
Part of the problem is you have too much going on. If it would have focused on Rachel & Devin together and dealing with Rachel's secret, it would have been enough. But then you have Devin's brother & their issues, his mother, Rachel's parents...the list went on & on.
That being said, it was emotionally satisfying but not a story that blew me away. And really not that romantic either. Just so-so. But other readers might appreciate a more intellectual romance.
January 14, 2023
3 1/2***
January 5, 2018
I read this because the romantic pairing between a straight-laced librarian and a rock star seemed like a fun opposites-attract type story. And also because I need a rock star romance for my 2018 challenge. Honestly, I liked this better than I expected, although it puts the category of light reads into a whole new level of floating cotton candy. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. My job frequently zaps my brain power to almost nothing, and books like this are a blessing when that happens.
I'm giving this three stars because it was an easy, engaging read, and I was never tempted to put it aside. The characters were sympathetic. I can't rate it any higher, though, because I soon got tired of the constant misunderstandings to move the plot forward. Over and over again--characters misinterpret each others motives, get angry, cool off and apologize and decide to try again. And repeat. And repeat. I don't know, if they're that bad at communicating, maybe they shouldn't be together? Otherwise, not a bad choice if you're in the mood for an extremely fluffy contemporary romance.
Read for Unapologetic Romance Readers 2018 challenge: rock star category
I'm giving this three stars because it was an easy, engaging read, and I was never tempted to put it aside. The characters were sympathetic. I can't rate it any higher, though, because I soon got tired of the constant misunderstandings to move the plot forward. Over and over again--characters misinterpret each others motives, get angry, cool off and apologize and decide to try again. And repeat. And repeat. I don't know, if they're that bad at communicating, maybe they shouldn't be together? Otherwise, not a bad choice if you're in the mood for an extremely fluffy contemporary romance.
Read for Unapologetic Romance Readers 2018 challenge: rock star category
March 7, 2021
Solid 3.5 stars. This was more dramatic and heart-wrenching than your typical Harlequin book (I have very low standards). I did cry in parts.
Bad boy rocker meets librarian. At least Rachel isn't the stereotypical "librarian" despite what the front cover depicts.
Actually I really enjoyed reading this one. Nothing outstanding but just a good, solid story. Sexual tension is there but not lingering. One small sex scene. But damn, I want to visit New Zealand again!
Bad boy rocker meets librarian. At least Rachel isn't the stereotypical "librarian" despite what the front cover depicts.
Actually I really enjoyed reading this one. Nothing outstanding but just a good, solid story. Sexual tension is there but not lingering. One small sex scene. But damn, I want to visit New Zealand again!
January 27, 2017
You can find this review in English below.
Me ha entretenido y gustado aunque no me ha encantado.
Esta historia es mucho más que un romance. Es una historia de cómo encontrar una vida “normal” cuando lo único que has conocido toda tu vida es un exceso de fama y libertad y la palabra responsabilidad no aparece en tu diccionario. Es de superar, si es que eso es posible, un pasado de abusos y falta de cariño y una decisión que jamás deberías haber tomado sola y abandonada por las personas que se supone deberían haberte querido. Es la historia de cómo aceptas el hecho de que tu vida es una mentira tal y como la conoces…
Al principio no conseguí engancharme a la historia. Debe de ser mi poco aprecio por estrellas del rock, o por los secretos que nunca encuentran el momento oportuno para ser desvelados. En mi opinión tardó demasiado, aunque siempre me pareció un escenario realista y posible. Pero el principio y la mitad de la historia se me hicieron un poco lentos.
No así el final…ha sido una montaña rusa de emociones. La autora ha dejado todas las emociones fuertes para lo último, buena estrategia por cierto, que te dejan casi exhausta. El epilogo es casi perfecto. Vuelta a la normalidad. Cero drama y tiempo para hacer algunas respiraciones y bajarte de la montaña rusa con normalidad.
Está claro que el punto fuerte de esta autora son las relaciones personales. Los caracteres están muy trabajados y tienen consistencia, tanto los principales como los secundarios, todo es dolorosamente realista.
Ahora sólo me queda esperar un año, o dos, o tres para que se me olvide lo absolutamente twtdmbshtjrk que ha sido Zander y poder leer su historia, porque de verdad, Lyuda, como pueden Zander y Dimiti tener madera de protagonistas escapa a mi comprensión… ;))
***
I have enjoyed and liked it but not really loved it.
This story is much more than a romance. It is a story of how to find a "normal" life when the only thing you have known your whole life is an excess of fame and freedom and the word responsibility does not appear in your dictionary. It is to overcome, if that is possible, a past of abuse and lack of affection and a decision that you should never have made alone and abandoned by the people who are supposed to love you. It's the story of how to accept the fact that your life is a lie as you know it ...
At first I did not get hooked on the story. It must be my little appreciation for rock stars, or for the secrets that never find the right moment to be unveiled. In my opinion it took too long, although it always seemed a realistic and possible scenario. But the beginning and the middle of the story dragged a bit.
Not so the end ...It has been a roller coaster of emotions. The author has left the turmoil of feelings for the end, a good strategy by the way, that leaves you almost exhausted. The epilogue is almost perfect. Back to normal. Zero drama and time to make some breaths and get off the roller coaster with your normalcy back.
It is clear that this author strength is personal relationships. The characters are well described and have consistency, both the main and the secondary, everything is painfully realistic.
Now I only have to wait a year… or two… or three ;) to forget about the absolutely twtdmbshtjrk that has been Zander and be able to read his story, because really, Lyuda, how can Zander and Dimiti be MC´s material is beyond my comprehension ... ;))
Read
January 7, 2017Light , funny , sexy and beautifully written .
Loved the characters , the plot ( could've been better to be honest ) and the events !
This books has put a smile on my face all along and still does !
If you want something romantic ( not the usual romance though ) to start the year with , this book is for you :)
Loved the characters , the plot ( could've been better to be honest ) and the events !
This books has put a smile on my face all along and still does !
If you want something romantic ( not the usual romance though ) to start the year with , this book is for you :)
October 19, 2016
3 1/2 Stars ~ Rachel loves her job as a college librarian and today she has a challenge with the college's rather famous new student. Devin chose to move back to New Zealand to be closer to his mom and to find a way to make a life for himself with his feet firmly on the ground. Since 16, he'd been on the road with his brother and their band, Rage. Their success was every kids dream, but the lifestyle made him an alcoholic and at 34 he'd nearly died. It's a quiet life for Devin now, even if he can't quite shake his notoriety. Some how he's made a friend of 17 yr. old Mark, and he has to admit the kid has talent. And that librarian may dress like she's prim and uptight, but Devin easily makes her eyes spark.
This is a story of three people looking for their identities. Rachel at 16 gave up a child for adoption, a decision she's never regretted but has always mourned. Heartbroken and rejected as a teen, she's found it hard to find love. But then Devin walks into her life weakening all her barriers. When Mark comes into the library to set up an account, she's stunned at his birthday and a slow appraisal quickly tells her that this young man is her young man. Making an excuse to get near, she spies the tell all birthmark behind his ear, and suddenly Rachel's whole life has changed. Mark has no idea that Rachel is the biological mother he's been looking for. Since learning he was adopted, he's been feeling like he has no place to belong.
This love story has heart wrenching soul searching moments that made me eager for these three to find their truths. Ms Bliss cleverly brought her characters to life, giving them turbulent pasts and human vulnerabilities. This is the first book I've read by this author and I am looking forward to reading others. An emotional love story balanced with humour and joy.
This is a story of three people looking for their identities. Rachel at 16 gave up a child for adoption, a decision she's never regretted but has always mourned. Heartbroken and rejected as a teen, she's found it hard to find love. But then Devin walks into her life weakening all her barriers. When Mark comes into the library to set up an account, she's stunned at his birthday and a slow appraisal quickly tells her that this young man is her young man. Making an excuse to get near, she spies the tell all birthmark behind his ear, and suddenly Rachel's whole life has changed. Mark has no idea that Rachel is the biological mother he's been looking for. Since learning he was adopted, he's been feeling like he has no place to belong.
This love story has heart wrenching soul searching moments that made me eager for these three to find their truths. Ms Bliss cleverly brought her characters to life, giving them turbulent pasts and human vulnerabilities. This is the first book I've read by this author and I am looking forward to reading others. An emotional love story balanced with humour and joy.
November 25, 2014
What a boring book. There were so many plots going on that none of them had a real shot. As a librarian, I don't see how Rachel wad defying librarian stereotypes as some reviews state. Because she owns a mountain bike? Wears vintage clothes? Got knocked up as a teen? I guess that's true if people assume librarians just live in the library like hermits but really Rachel did have enough personality to confirm to or buck any stereotypes.
Devin's love for her was very sudden and not totally believable. He went from not that interested to in love post coitus thanks to her magic lady parts.
The son storyline was okay but he didn't need to be a narrator of the book.
Also, having the author explain that there's chemistry between the characters when you can't feel it is a bit like laughing at your own joke
Devin's love for her was very sudden and not totally believable. He went from not that interested to in love post coitus thanks to her magic lady parts.
The son storyline was okay but he didn't need to be a narrator of the book.
Also, having the author explain that there's chemistry between the characters when you can't feel it is a bit like laughing at your own joke
February 20, 2010
I didn't love this book as much as Jane from Dear Author did (got it on her recommendation). I thought the writing was well done, there was witty dialogue and banter, but I just could not warm up to the heroine. A big portion of this book is about the heroine and the son she put up for adoption when she was 17. Not my favorite trope. I thought the heroine came off as fairly self-absorbed--throughout the book the focus seems to be on her emotions, what she's feeling and how emotionally damaged she is. There seems to be no room for the hero to be of concern to her.
Anyway, though I didn't like the heroine, as I said the writing was good and she writes excellent dialogue. It's not that I don't recommend this book, because it would work for the right person, but it just wasn't for me.
Anyway, though I didn't like the heroine, as I said the writing was good and she writes excellent dialogue. It's not that I don't recommend this book, because it would work for the right person, but it just wasn't for me.
January 20, 2011
Book 1 of the TBR Challenge 2011
http://wendythesuperlibrarian.blogspo...
The story had some very good moments, and the overall plot wasn't bad, but the writing and pacing was uneven and the attempts at humor fell flat. Additionally, it would have been helpful to have an intimate moment between the leads once their feelings had finally been sorted out. It didn't have to be descriptive, fade-to-black would have been fine, but some sort of encounter would've been more satisfying. As it was, the book included a few hot kisses, one embarrassing almost sex scene and one quick and somewhat awkward scene.
http://wendythesuperlibrarian.blogspo...
The story had some very good moments, and the overall plot wasn't bad, but the writing and pacing was uneven and the attempts at humor fell flat. Additionally, it would have been helpful to have an intimate moment between the leads once their feelings had finally been sorted out. It didn't have to be descriptive, fade-to-black would have been fine, but some sort of encounter would've been more satisfying. As it was, the book included a few hot kisses, one embarrassing almost sex scene and one quick and somewhat awkward scene.
November 17, 2018
This book featured a former alcoholic rock star who goes back to college. There he meets the repressed but beautiful librarian who he can't seem to stay away from.
These two have some great, funny banter. Devin and Rachael both have demons they have to overcome and sometimes that bogs down the story. Their reactions to each other and their problems felt realistic but their relationship had a lot of ups and downs. I would say this book is more emotional than angsty. The secondary plot line about an adoption got a little heavy here and there but made me tear up.
While not perfect, I liked this book much more than I expected to.
Safety
These two have some great, funny banter. Devin and Rachael both have demons they have to overcome and sometimes that bogs down the story. Their reactions to each other and their problems felt realistic but their relationship had a lot of ups and downs. I would say this book is more emotional than angsty. The secondary plot line about an adoption got a little heavy here and there but made me tear up.
While not perfect, I liked this book much more than I expected to.
Safety
November 12, 2021
LIKES:
✔ Heroine is a librarian (my dream job)
✔ Hero goes to college (even if he's 40 or something). it's never too late to upgrade ourselves. :)
✔ Banter was great.
"I'll just get my cardigan."
CARDIGAN? He might not be a hell-raiser anymore but Devin valued his reputation. "Haven't you got anything sexy?"
"Yes", said Rachel. "My mind."
DISLIKES:
✘ It seemed to me that characters run around in circles a lot. I think it was not possible for them to longer delay making any decision.
✘ Needed more depth to character building in general.
✘ Didn't feel the spark.
While the romance part didn't blow my mind, I loved the banter between the main characters. Not a bad romance novel, especially since it was a free read.
✔ Heroine is a librarian (my dream job)
✔ Hero goes to college (even if he's 40 or something). it's never too late to upgrade ourselves. :)
✔ Banter was great.
"I'll just get my cardigan."
CARDIGAN? He might not be a hell-raiser anymore but Devin valued his reputation. "Haven't you got anything sexy?"
"Yes", said Rachel. "My mind."
DISLIKES:
✘ It seemed to me that characters run around in circles a lot. I think it was not possible for them to longer delay making any decision.
✘ Needed more depth to character building in general.
✘ Didn't feel the spark.
While the romance part didn't blow my mind, I loved the banter between the main characters. Not a bad romance novel, especially since it was a free read.
November 25, 2015
This is a sneaky emotionial read that deals with heavy topics. You think you are getting a Rocker and the Librarian fluff and instead you get POW the need for self forgiveness in order to find love.
Set in New Zealand, we have wonderful carefully drawn characters who are more likely lovers than they first appear. We have the problems with fame for a private person. Each lead is so much themselves that we understand why each is attracted to the love and why it so hard to come together.
A wonderful read! It will take the bad taste of all the poorly done Rock Star Romances right your mouth.
Set in New Zealand, we have wonderful carefully drawn characters who are more likely lovers than they first appear. We have the problems with fame for a private person. Each lead is so much themselves that we understand why each is attracted to the love and why it so hard to come together.
A wonderful read! It will take the bad taste of all the poorly done Rock Star Romances right your mouth.
February 6, 2017
Clearly the earlier book, also clearly the lesser editor.
January 26, 2018
A romance starring a librarian and a rock star?? You’d think this was made for me. Well... it was okay. The subplot was only so-so in my mind. The librarian was a little annoying, though it was an honest portrayal of a librarian. The rock star was a bit tiresome for me, a little too Mary Sue in a way. But the thing was set in New Zealand and that was a nice twist. Mostly I kept thinking of how I would have written it differently.
March 3, 2018
This turned out to be a better story than I expected from the title. I thought I'd get fun, light, fluffy. But the book dealt with several rather serious issues including adoption (from all sides), alcoholism, drug use, spousal abuse, and rejection. But it was a great love story and had a terrific HEA. I'm glad I finally got around to reading it.
June 20, 2017
What is going on in my life that I'm this offended by patron privacy violations in a Harlequin romance??
Read
September 23, 2021DNF
December 27, 2017
Pushed some boundaries of what I think of as traditional romance. Included a non-romantic, secondary love story that was quite sweet. We find out early on what the librarian did in her past, and followed her journey in the present as she dealt with the repercussions. She and other main characters had a lot of growing up to do as they tried to navigate situations new to them. Like real people: in their worst moments, they were too self-focused to get past their own pain to see things from the other's POV; in their best, they pushed those around them to grow. As the genre requires, it has a happy ending, but that doesn't mean all relationships are fixed/perfect. Some are broken irreparably. But learning which relationships to put energy into is part of a healthy adulthood.
March 9, 2010
It looks like I'll be hunting down another author's back list. If What the Librarian Did is any indication, then Karina Bliss is an author who can give the reader a well developed plot and characters in the shorter format. I've come to treasure that ability since I started reading Harlequins with any frequency about a year ago.
The librarian and the rock star, a case of opposites attract. Our librarian, Rachel, is a single, 34 year old college librarian with a couple of ex-boyfriends but not much luck in the love department. Our rock star, Devin, comes to college by way of a recent stint in rehab. His life hasn't been his own for years but he's trying to change that. They meet in the library, of course. :) Rachel, to Devin's amazement, doesn't know who he is. This is a new experience for him and so is Rachel. She like no one he's ever known before.
Rachel takes her duties as the librarian very seriously. She enjoys helping students and is always willing to help the new students learn their way around the library. The new student that walks into the library the day before classes begins is not her usual first-time-away-from-home teen. He's projecting bad-boy vibes all over the place. With his stubble and purple boots, throw in a bit of arrogance and he's got Rachel's hackles up. But she is a professional so she dons her librarian cape and offers to help him.
I wasn't sure what to expect from Bliss since this is the first book of hers I've read. I thought she did well with building and making the attraction between Rachel and Devin believable. They both had ghosts from their pasts come back to haunt them which added tension to their developing relationship. It's possible to think of Rachel as having a couple of TSTL moments but the more I thought about it the more I had to concede that Rachel didn't have the perspective of the other characters like I had. So she didn't have the full story. I do understand why she chose to keep her secrets, she was doing what she thought would be the best option available at the time. And she was scared. Scared of rejection and scared of screwing things up.
Devin exuded this air of sensuality, had women chasing him but wanted to be as inconspicuous as possible. He wanted to blend in, or try to at least. He was so well known, especially with the college crowd, that he had a hard time remaining anonymous. The novelty of someone not only not knowing him but not bowing down to him, is not lost on Devin. He finds himself enjoying teasing the proper librarian. Bliss writes smart and funny dialogue with her characters trading spirited comments while getting to know each other. Devin has a wicked sense of humor and relishes matching wits with Rachel. For me, the best scenes were of Rachel and Devin teasing each other and relaxing with each other.
Devin is basically told that if he has another drink it will kill him. That's one heck of a wake up call! He leaves America and heads to New Zealand, the place of his birth. It's also where his mom still lives. I found his mom amusing with her straight forward way of talking and her obvious love for her sons. The relationship between Devin and his mom is one of love, affection and concern. Devin is worried about his mom, she's had some health scares, and she's worried about him. About his career and his future.
I did like the conflicts thrown at Rachel and Devin. How they deal with their past, mistakes and regrets, rounded out the romance of this unlikely pair. The ending might have been a little too neatly wrapped up and it might have bothered me if I hadn't already come to like this couple so much. But the overall story was a winner for me. Looking forward to reading more from Karina Bliss.
The librarian and the rock star, a case of opposites attract. Our librarian, Rachel, is a single, 34 year old college librarian with a couple of ex-boyfriends but not much luck in the love department. Our rock star, Devin, comes to college by way of a recent stint in rehab. His life hasn't been his own for years but he's trying to change that. They meet in the library, of course. :) Rachel, to Devin's amazement, doesn't know who he is. This is a new experience for him and so is Rachel. She like no one he's ever known before.
Rachel takes her duties as the librarian very seriously. She enjoys helping students and is always willing to help the new students learn their way around the library. The new student that walks into the library the day before classes begins is not her usual first-time-away-from-home teen. He's projecting bad-boy vibes all over the place. With his stubble and purple boots, throw in a bit of arrogance and he's got Rachel's hackles up. But she is a professional so she dons her librarian cape and offers to help him.
I wasn't sure what to expect from Bliss since this is the first book of hers I've read. I thought she did well with building and making the attraction between Rachel and Devin believable. They both had ghosts from their pasts come back to haunt them which added tension to their developing relationship. It's possible to think of Rachel as having a couple of TSTL moments but the more I thought about it the more I had to concede that Rachel didn't have the perspective of the other characters like I had. So she didn't have the full story. I do understand why she chose to keep her secrets, she was doing what she thought would be the best option available at the time. And she was scared. Scared of rejection and scared of screwing things up.
Devin exuded this air of sensuality, had women chasing him but wanted to be as inconspicuous as possible. He wanted to blend in, or try to at least. He was so well known, especially with the college crowd, that he had a hard time remaining anonymous. The novelty of someone not only not knowing him but not bowing down to him, is not lost on Devin. He finds himself enjoying teasing the proper librarian. Bliss writes smart and funny dialogue with her characters trading spirited comments while getting to know each other. Devin has a wicked sense of humor and relishes matching wits with Rachel. For me, the best scenes were of Rachel and Devin teasing each other and relaxing with each other.
Devin is basically told that if he has another drink it will kill him. That's one heck of a wake up call! He leaves America and heads to New Zealand, the place of his birth. It's also where his mom still lives. I found his mom amusing with her straight forward way of talking and her obvious love for her sons. The relationship between Devin and his mom is one of love, affection and concern. Devin is worried about his mom, she's had some health scares, and she's worried about him. About his career and his future.
I did like the conflicts thrown at Rachel and Devin. How they deal with their past, mistakes and regrets, rounded out the romance of this unlikely pair. The ending might have been a little too neatly wrapped up and it might have bothered me if I hadn't already come to like this couple so much. But the overall story was a winner for me. Looking forward to reading more from Karina Bliss.
January 11, 2012
I saw this one recommended on Dear Author some time last year. The fact is was written by a New Zealander and set it New Zealand attracted me, as did the librarian/ex-rock star pairing. All the same, I never got around to reading it.
I don't remember what made me decide to request it just before Christmas, but I did and it turned up at the library for me. Again, I didn't get around to reading it. I was going to take it back, but something made me renew it instead.
So on Sunday, I finally got around to starting it. And I sat there, ignoring my poor, home-on-holidays, child and read through to the end.
This is a very fun read. I enjoyed the local setting and both main characters. I found Rachel and her backstory to be strong and her responses both to her past and Devin to be pretty realistic. I'm not so sure about Devin, but he was such a fun character that I didn't care how realistic the idea of an ex-rock star at Auckland University was.
The sub-plot with Mark, and both Rachel's reaction to her and later, his to her revelation, held true. However, I did feel that he started to take over the story towards the end and while he was the catalyst that brought Rachel and Devin back together, it felt a little bit like he was getting in the way.
There were some lovely little sub-plots that didn't have the opportunity to be fleshed out as much as I might have liked because of the length of the work. That's actually high praise rather than a criticism as Karina Bliss manages to make such points an enjoyable part of the story, despite the restricted word count. I'm especially thinking of Devin's mother's shoes under the bed and the introduction of Matthew; at single title length they could have been given full secondary status, but here's there's not room. I was delighted by them and their presence in the story all the same.
I'm not sure how many luxury private planes with the capability to fly of New Zealand to LA are ever on the ground at Auckland airport (but I don't live in those kinds of circles, so what am I to say what the reality is) but I was perfectly happy to let that slide as part of the story.
I would have liked a slightly more solid ending; somehow it felt a bit wishy-washy, even though it fitted the characters very well. I think that's very much a case of "it's me, not you" as I don't even know how I'd have liked it done differently, as as a bit more time passes since I finished the book, the happier I am with the ending.
I would like to know how things turned out with Zander in the long run, but that's a minor plot point and doesn't really need further clarification. It's just that the completist in me wants to know.
I'd be perfectly willing to read Karina Bliss again. And to recommend this to anyone wanting a pleasant romance with some mild angst. A very good read.
I don't remember what made me decide to request it just before Christmas, but I did and it turned up at the library for me. Again, I didn't get around to reading it. I was going to take it back, but something made me renew it instead.
So on Sunday, I finally got around to starting it. And I sat there, ignoring my poor, home-on-holidays, child and read through to the end.
This is a very fun read. I enjoyed the local setting and both main characters. I found Rachel and her backstory to be strong and her responses both to her past and Devin to be pretty realistic. I'm not so sure about Devin, but he was such a fun character that I didn't care how realistic the idea of an ex-rock star at Auckland University was.
The sub-plot with Mark, and both Rachel's reaction to her and later, his to her revelation, held true. However, I did feel that he started to take over the story towards the end and while he was the catalyst that brought Rachel and Devin back together, it felt a little bit like he was getting in the way.
There were some lovely little sub-plots that didn't have the opportunity to be fleshed out as much as I might have liked because of the length of the work. That's actually high praise rather than a criticism as Karina Bliss manages to make such points an enjoyable part of the story, despite the restricted word count. I'm especially thinking of Devin's mother's shoes under the bed and the introduction of Matthew; at single title length they could have been given full secondary status, but here's there's not room. I was delighted by them and their presence in the story all the same.
I'm not sure how many luxury private planes with the capability to fly of New Zealand to LA are ever on the ground at Auckland airport (but I don't live in those kinds of circles, so what am I to say what the reality is) but I was perfectly happy to let that slide as part of the story.
I would have liked a slightly more solid ending; somehow it felt a bit wishy-washy, even though it fitted the characters very well. I think that's very much a case of "it's me, not you" as I don't even know how I'd have liked it done differently, as as a bit more time passes since I finished the book, the happier I am with the ending.
I would like to know how things turned out with Zander in the long run, but that's a minor plot point and doesn't really need further clarification. It's just that the completist in me wants to know.
I'd be perfectly willing to read Karina Bliss again. And to recommend this to anyone wanting a pleasant romance with some mild angst. A very good read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 187 reviews