Steph

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Steph is Currently Reading

Steph is currently reading

The Riven Altar

by D.M. Randall (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: arc, ebooks, physical-book, currently-reading, audio

Reading for the 2nd time

read in April 2026

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Steph said: " I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book and was not paid for my review.

***
Kasia is a fiercely disciplined Seattle doctor who has no time for the chaos of a rock star. Rafe is the enigmatic frontman of a legendary alt-rock band, exhausted b I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book and was not paid for my review.

***
Kasia is a fiercely disciplined Seattle doctor who has no time for the chaos of a rock star. Rafe is the enigmatic frontman of a legendary alt-rock band, exhausted by fame and craving something real. When a chance encounter sparks a deep, late-night connection, they must navigate grueling tour schedules, intense public scrutiny, and their own grief to figure out if their love can survive the spotlight.
- Rock Star x Doctor
- Opposites Attract
- Accidental Connection
- Emotional & Angsty
***
I’m not sure I know where to start with this review. It’s safe to say that this book broke my heart, made me cry ugly tears, and stare at a wall for far too long recovering. So yeah, you have to read it.

This is a rockstar romance, but it’s not what you would expect. It is slow, introspective, emotional, poetic, and painfully human. If you are looking for the fast paced, hit after hit spicy romance then this is not the book for you. But if you want to get swept up in real, painful emotion and an impossible romance through a poetic lens, then you absolutely have to read this book.

Kasia is our FMC, she is the responsible, high achieving, focussed and driven daughter of a loud, enigmatic family that loves hard. She has weekly family dinners, connections that are long, messy and impossible to ignore and so so much responsibility that she never quite figured out how to live her life now she has achieved her goal of becoming a doctor. With the exception of one thing, her favourite band, The Riven Altar has been an obsession since her brother took her to their first gig when she was 16. I loved Kasia, I felt her pain and pressure so well, she is desperate to do the right thing and usually that means choosing between what she wants and others’ needs. Watching her go through this book, breaking into little pieces and healing them back together in totally different ways, is powerful.

Rafe is the semi-anonymous front band for the dark and twisty mega rock band. They play behind veils whilst giving their souls and hearts to their music. But Rafe is drowning in that life, not sure who is anymore, and trying not to be the guy who hurts everyone around him. A chance encounter brings him face to face with a doctor with smudged eyeliner and glitter on her cheeks, his entire world shifts and centres on something new. My man, he did me proud, he is not perfect – by any stretch – but he is learning from his mistakes and when he stakes a claim, he stands by it.

Be warned, this story covers some genuinely heart wrenching topics and doesn’t shy away from the realities of grief, pain and loss. But it does it so so well. It feels real and is written so beautifully I have no doubt I will be coming back for more when book 2 comes out.

Ready to be emotionally wrecked repeatedly? Want something poetic, lyrical, slow paced and beautiful? Go get it!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Slow, torturous, gorgeous. A must read. ...more "

May 28, 2026 07:59AM · see review

Steph is currently reading

Bitten Bullet (The Endling Files Book 1)

by Alina Kramer

bookshelves: currently-reading, arc, ebooks

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Oct 10, 2026 02:22PM

Steph is currently reading

Dirty Little Midlife Crisis (Heart’s Cove Hotties, #1)

by Lilian Monroe (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading, audio

Reading for the 2nd time

read in May 2023

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Oct 08, 2026 03:00PM

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Steph’s Notes & Highlights

Book cover for Duke It Out (Loch Morven, #1)

Duke It Out (Loch Morven, #1) by Bella James

75 highlights

“Which does rather beg the question – what are you doing here?” His eyes rake over my body for a moment and the lines at the corners of his eyes fan as he smiles.