Nobody's Hero

by Melanie Harvey

When Rick Ranière, an underground white rapper with misogynistic tendencies—and the songs to prove it—runs into Carolyn Coffman, the best-selling biracial author of Fighting the Pheromone Factor, he knows she’s like no woman he’s ever met. Carolyn knows she really needs to stay upwind. But the canyons of Manhattan keep shifting the breeze—and Rick’s policy of never trusting a woman. In the end, Rick’s only female fan who refuses to sleep with him might just have the answer to his writer’s block, and the man who sounds all wrong might just be everything Carolyn ever wanted. When an unexpected burst of publicity lands Rick on the iTunes’ charts and brands Carolyn a hypocrite to her readers, she can either save her career or this relationship. When you got a choice, Rick had told her, you really ought to make the right goddamn one. Or you could lose everything you ever wanted.

Genres: Romance, Music, Interracial Romance

340 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 5, 2010

Reviews

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever been hungry for something but didn’t quite know what you were hungry for? Chocolate ? Maybe .. but no. Chips? Not quite. That was how I was feeling with my romance reading. I wanted something. Different. But what? Then I opened Melanie Harvey’s, "Nobody’s Hero."

It’s the story about a white rapper, Ricky Rain, who derailed himself on the way to making it big. He’s obligated to one more record on his three deal record contract and the well to his stock and trade, words, has run dry. He appears on a record by his phenomenally successful friend, Guillotine. Guillotine has been booked to appear on the David Letterman show doing the rap song that he and Ricky Rain wrote. Also booked to appear is bi-racial, bestselling author, Carolyn Coffman. She has been making appearances across the country, hawking her book, “Fighting the Pheromone Factor.” A book about biology’s trick, attracting you to a mate based on scent that in this modern day and age is not the “right” man for you. Carolyn has been a Ricky Rain fan and knows all the lyrics to his songs, and after getting off on the wrong foot in the “Green Room,” they end up starting what amounts to a weeklong relationship. This, of course, is the antithesis to what Carolyn has been preaching about in her book!

Critics and those that liked the book (and there seem to be too few in the latter category) say the major problem is that some parts are difficult to read. True. I was going “Huh?” several times. Take the epilogue, which I had to read twice before I got it. (Thank goodness, it was short.) Once I did get it, I agreed with the writer’s choice – it was actually perfect. The writer’s voice is different, which could be a distraction, but the characters, and the story are so good, that I had to talk my husband into the necessity of eating pizza the one night, because I couldn’t put the book down. Watching Carolyn fighting her attraction to the proverbial bad boy, and discovering the vulnerability in the tough as nails, Rick, was addicting. I didn’t want the story to end.

I gave the book 4 stars for the reading difficulties, even though I believe that the author made the right choices. My opinion is that this is an undiscovered gem. But then again, I’m the woman who yawned through “Dragon Bound,” and no matter how hard I try, I can’t figure out the appeal of Kristen Ashley. So let’s just say, my view is suspect, even to me. The bottom line - I really liked this book, and it's one I will definitely be reading again and again.

[⚜️XAR the Bookwyrm · Rating 1 out of 5]

A lot of the reviews on Amazon.com about this book were conflicting, making it really unclear if this would be an enjoyable book for me, so let me just speak plainly about it: I thought it was a waste of the time it took me to grind through 24% of this book. The rapper was extremely difficult to understand speech wise, probably because I didn't have an ebonics dictionary right next to me. The woman seemed to waffle back and forth about seeing this guy, and there seemed to be little or no history built into these characters in that short time frame of the book. Perhaps further along in the book, there is some insight as to why these two people act the way they do, but not being able to understand the speech patterns or methodology of these people made it too difficult for me to be able to care enough to get to that point. Thank goodness I picked it up for free, as I would have hated to waste money on this book.

[Stephanie E · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had such a hard time following this book. I am going to try reading it again and write a review.

[Debra Crosby · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took a while for me to get into but once I did I wanted to know what would happen next. There were times I did not know who was speaking.

[Deloris · Rating 3 out of 5]

What do you say when you have read the last page of a book and are relived its over? This book is some work. You have to concentrate to know which character is talking and pay attention so you will know what's going on. I liked the characters is this book Ricky Raine and Cynthia two opposites attract ,but its more a meeting of the minds than bodies. I liked the fact that the author wrote Rick's rap lyrics into the story it made the story interesting, I liked the fact that they were not supposed to be together, I liked the fact that he went after Carolyn until he got her ,what I did not like was having to work to keep up with who was talking. Maybe I'm a lazy reader because I like to read a book and know which character is talking and in this book I was not always sure.

[Veronica-Lynn Pit Bull · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nobody's Hero is a sweet, hearwarming love story. Bi-racial author Carolyn Coffman is on the David Letterman show promoting her book "Fighting The Pheromone Factor"; a book that warns women to avoid falling for the "wrong" guy by being swayed by chemistry. White underground rapper Rick Raniere - or Ricky Rain - is also making a special guest appearance. Not that he warrants a Letterman spot, but Guillotine his old friend and successful rapper is appearing and is having Ricky on with him for a duet. Rick and Carolyn meet in the Green room. Carolyn is a big fan but realizes that Rick is exactly the type of guy she's been making a living telling women to avoid. Rick for his part is smitten with Carolyn. What happens next is a very realistic and believable connection is forged over the next week while they are both still in New York on business.

You can feel the connection between Carolyn and Rick. The dialogue is witty; and you can believe that you are watching them fall in love. Both characters, especially that of Rick; are well developed. They are both really likeable people. Unfortunately, It was sometimes hard to figure out exactly what was going on; and some passages required re-reading several times, and sometimes I still wasn't sure but gave up. When it was confusing, it felt like getting on an elevator and eavesdropping on an interesting conversation. The problem being, the 2 people talking are referencing all sorts of backstory and inside baseball trivia that you aren't privy to - and you can't exactly interrupt and ask them to explain. It may also not have helped that I know next to nothing about the rap industry.

The inevitable conflict comes about when Carolyn and Rick get outed by the media and of course nothing can end a feminist author's career quicker than a romantic entanglement with a misogynistic rapper. (Of course, Rick really isn't a misogynist - there's just that one song - when he poured out his hurt and anger - and of course that's the song that gets the most attention). Then it's time for damage control, sex lies and videotape and misunderstandings all the way around; lots of "let me do what's best for you without actually talking to you and agreeing on what's best" and then we can both misconstrue each other's motives some more.

There's a HEA and a short epilogue.

[♡Meme♡Reads love♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Melanie Harvey writes a wonderful story about a WM rapper and a BW author who fall in love. I have to say this was a wonderful surprise and a interesting way to write about an interracial couple in a different way. One you don't hear about that often if not at all.

I have to admit at first I was kinda wondering how all this was going to play out. But as I read, and kept on reading. I got that happy and fuzzy feeling inside. The way Ricky's mind works was amazing to me and Carolyn was a interesting person herself she was so sweet. There was so much tension between the two you could really feel it. The love is strong between the two you really root for them to work it all out.

This is a short read but you don't even notice because its almost like your standing in the room watching everything thats going on. The dialogue got to me a little bit, because I sometimes couldn't tell who was talking, but then again it reminded me of watching Iron man 2. The dialogue was fast pace you had to pay attention and keep up..lol

Any-hoo, This was a lovely read I'm glad I found it. I love how they take a chance on each other and respect one another. Ricky's lyrics had me tuning in to Eminem even though author used her own stuff, I couldn't help but pull out some of Eminem's song to get the feel of Ricky as a white rapper. It's so awesome.

I recommend this to all my goodreads friends who love a different take on an interracial couple and a good reading challenge with lots of tension. Warning Ricky is a rapper so you know the language can get a bit rough. but you can get passed it cause it was well written and fit with the character.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is so fresh, and true to life! The characters are so real they just jump right out of the book and into your spirit. When they feel sad, YOU feel sad, when they're happy, YOU feel happy, and for an Author to be able to do that, in my opinion is the mark of a truly gifted author.

The author has created these amazing characters that you will find yourself so caught up in what they're going to do next, you won't want to put the book down. I know I didn't.

I can't recommend this book highly enough, it is entertaining, heartwarming, and pulls you right in so you're sitting right there with the characters. I really hope there is a sequel because this definitely left me wanting more!

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story. I think the author did not realize how many words the characters spoke. Therefore it was challenging to recall by the end of the book the conversations from the beginning. But the characterization was very good. I felt Rick's pain.

[EJ MACK · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did like this. I can read it again.

[Sue]

dnf

[Lakisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great build-up. It can get confusing in places, but I loved the storyline.