The Words by Ashley Jade

26085501

He was the talented bad boy everyone wanted.
I was the irrelevant geek everyone hated.

He was the sun…drawing all of us in.
I was a black hole…taking up space.

He was destined to be a star.
I was destined to remain an insignificant no one.

Until he made me believe I was special…

And then he destroyed me.

I never thought I’d see Phoenix Walker again after he broke my heart, but fate had other plans.

One tour. Eight weeks. Forty shows.

Countless opportunities to make him pay.

The world thought he was a God…
But I knew the truth.

Book: The Words by Ashley Jade
Published: January 18, 2022
Pages: 676
Genres: Romance, Musician, Curvy Heroine, New Adult, Tattoos-piercings
Format: Kindle
Date Read: March 11-12, 2023
Rating: 5 Potatoes šŸ„”šŸ„”šŸ„”šŸ„”šŸ„”

I’ll be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book because the summary threw me off a bit and I was trying to figure out just how our heroine would end up on tour with our hero. But, I knew that either way this book was going to be worth the read.

ā€œMistakes don’t define who someone is, Phoenix. It’s what you do after that does.ā€

And oh boy did our Phoenix make a lot of mistakes! He is very flawed, he’s not perfect by any means, but he truly loves Lennon inside and out.

ā€œDon’t let your insecurities overpower that which makes your soul come alive. Otherwise, you’ll walk this earth never feeling whole…and that’s no way to live.ā€

Lennon and Phoenix both had a lot of baggage throughout the book but I love how much they loved each other, despite the others imperfections, and were willing to give the other up so they didn’t hold them back. They truly loved the other more than anything.

Phoenix was hurt in the past and didn’t deal with it in a positive way at all until he decided that Lennon was worth more than anything else and that he wanted a real relationship with her. And I was so for it! He didn’t change overnight, he changed a little bit at a time and then he was all in – he didn’t care about anything except making things right with Lennon and just being with her. I can definitely get behind that!

Lennon was hurt very badly by Phoenix and it took a long time for him to earn her trust back and I absolutely loved that about her. She didn’t give in and let him walk all over her, she was strong and held her head high. she is also a very independent character, which always makes my heart happy. I cannot stand a heroine who has no back bone and relies on the hero for everything and Ashley Jade’s heroines are nothing like that!

I absolutely love Ashley Jade’s writing and will continue to buy more of her books in the future. If you are on the fence about buying an Ashley Jade book, ANY Ashley Jade book, just do it!

Dirty Like Me (Dirty 1) by Jaine Diamond

26085501

A gorgeous rock star.
An indecent proposal.
How can a girl resist?

Struggling barista Katie Bloom doesn’t even know who Jesse Mayes is until she inadvertently wins the coveted role of sex kitten in his hot new music video. But by the time she’s in bed with him, she knows his reputation.

Love maker. Heartbreaker.

Making out with a stranger in front of a camera crew isn’t how Katie imagined herself getting over a broken heart, but when Jesse touches her, sparks fly. The sex is fake but the chemistry is real, and soon the steamy video is blazing up the charts.

Then Jesse makes Katie an irresistible offer: act as his girlfriend for six weeks while he promotes his new album. The only catch? Their sizzling make-out sessions will be for the cameras only.

Which is fine with Katie, since she’s not about to trust her heart to rock’s most legendary lover. Her body? Maybe…

Book: Dirty Like Me (Dirty 1) byĀ Jaine Diamond
Published: November 2, 2016
Pages: 404
Genres: Romance, Musician, Famous Hero, Tattoos/Piercings, Erotica
Format: Kindle
Date Read: January 17-19, 2021
Rating: 4 Potatoes šŸ„”šŸ„”šŸ„”šŸ„”

I really enjoyed this book and the characters in it. One thing I wished for, and its the main reason this is not rated 5 Potatoes, is because the characters weren’t as fleshed out as I would have liked. We barely got to know Jesse and Katie and we know next to nothing about the secondary characters. I wanted to know more about everyone!

The character of Jesse was very hot. I love that, as famous as he was, he wasn’t a jerk about it and didn’t make Katie feel inferior for not being famous. He was strong when he had to be but also sensitive and kind too.

Katie’s characters was also fun for me to read. I like that she was always aware of how she really felt and what she was doing. She wasn’t in denial or pretending to be something she wasn’t. She was true to herself and I loved her for it. I also loved that, in the end, she fought for Jesse and I enjoyed reading the way she went about trying to prove her love.

I did not care for how the book ended. The epilogue did not wrap up the story, it was the beginning of the next book about Jessa to get you interested in it. While I did enjoy reading a bit about the her in the eplilogue since she wasn’t in the book much, I would have preferred the eplilogue to be about Jesse and Katie. I needed more, I wanted more and I felt like the ending wasn’t as wrapped up as I would have liked without it being about Jesse and Katie.

This book was still a great read! I might check out some of the other books in the series.

Give Me Love (Give Me #1) by Kate McCarthy

26085501

Evie Jamieson, a former wild child, is not only a headstrong, smart-mouthed trouble magnet, she is also a lead singer with a plan. That plan involves relocating her band, including her two best friends guitarist Henry and band manager Mac, to Sydney to kick off their dreams of hitting the big time.

Jared Valentine is the older brother of Evie’s best friend Mac and also the man determined to make Evie his. They strike up a long distance friendship which suits Evie because she’s determined to avoid the distraction of love, not only because it doesn’t fit in with her plan but because twice in the past it has left her for dead. Moving to Sydney however, has put her directly in Jared’s path and he has decided it’s the perfect opportunity to make his play.

Unfortunately Jared, co-owner in a business that ‘consults’ in dangerous hostage and kidnapping situations, makes an enemy who’s determined to enact revenge. When this enemy puts Evie in his sights, Jared not only has a fight on his hands to make her his own, but also to keep her alive.

Is accepting the love he’s so desperate to give worth the risk to both her heart…and her life?

Book: Give Me Love (Give Me #1) by Kate McCarthy
Published: March 15, 2013
Pages: 328
Genres: Romance, Musician, New Adult, Freebie On Amazon
Format: Kindle
Date Read: September 13-15, 2017
Rating: 3.5 Potatoes šŸ„”šŸ„”šŸ„”

I’m not really sure where to start with this review. Did I like this book? Yes. Did I love it? No. Did I enjoy a lot of the characters? For the most part.

Evie and Jared were a great couple, when they were together. I understand they both had their hangups due to previous relationships and that they were each having trouble overcoming them. I get it. But it was like the movie groundhog day – the same thing kept happening over and over. Something would happen and Jared would freak out and disappear while Evie would deal with the pain in her own, unproductive way. It got old, quick. However, I am happy that they were finally able to get their crap together and work everything out!

I’m not really sure where I stand on Mac’s character. I have a very love/hate relationship with her since one minute I was happy with her and the next I wished she would disappear. Maybe, if she gets her own book, I’ll understand more of her feelings and get some clarity as to what was going on with her in this book.

I enjoyed Evie’s bandmates and would have liked to have seen a bit more of them – I’m sure they have a bigger role in the other books. And I loved Jared and Mac’s brothers – I definitely would love to read more about them.

I enjoyed this book but I’m not sure if I’m going to read the rest of the series. Then again, you never know!

Music of the Heart (Runaway Train 1) by Katie Ashley

26085501

For Abby Renard, the plan was supposed to be simple—join her brothers’ band on the last leg of their summer tour and decide if she’s finally ready for the limelight by becoming its fourth member. Of course, she never imagined stumbling onto the wrong tour bus at Rock Nation would accidentally land her in the bed of Jake Slater, the notorious womanizing lead singer of Runaway Train. When he mistakes her for one of his groupie’s, Abby quickly lets him know she sure as hell isn’t in his bed on purpose.

Jake Slater never imagined the angel who fell into his bed would resist his charms by promptly kneeing him in the balls. Of course, the fact she seems like a prissy choir girl makes her anything but his type. So he is more than surprised when after betting Abby she wouldn’t last a week on their tour bus, she is more than willing to prove him wrong. But as Jake’s personal life begins to implode around him, he finds an unlikely ally in Abby. He’s never met a woman he can talk to, joke with, or most importantly make music with.

As the week starts comes to a close, neither Abby nor Jake is ready to let go. Can a sweetheart Country songstress and a bad boy of Rock N Roll actually have a future together?

Book: Music of the Heart (Runaway Train 1) by Katie Ashley
Published: March 24th, 2013
Pages: 369
Genres: Romance, Musician, Erotica, Famous Hero or Heroine
Format: Kindle
Date Read: April 17 to 18, 2013
Rating: 5 Potatoes šŸ„”šŸ„”šŸ„”šŸ„”šŸ„”

LOVED IT! This book had it all – comedy, romance, sexy times, it even made me cry (and scream at the book)! I will definitely be reading this again! And Jake? Yum-my! As usual, Katie Ashley knocks it out of the park! ā€ƒ

Unwritten Rules by M.A. Stacie

26085501

Energetic, independent Elle has found her weakness in the shy, reclusive, young man next door. Jonah Quinn is withdrawn for good reason; he harbors a dark secret. Can one night of passion between the two of them lead to more than casual glances exchanged at their mailboxes? Will Elle be strong enough to help Jonah with his personal demons. And will Jonah break his silence regarding a past that haunts him?

The Rules for this relationship are Unwritten. A story of longing, love, and forgiveness.

Book: Unwritten Rules by M.A. Stacie
Published: January 27th, 2011
Pages: 256
Genres: Romantic Comedy, Erotica, Musician
Format: Kindle
Date Read: March 1-3, 2011
Rating: 5 Potatoes šŸ„”šŸ„”šŸ„”šŸ„”šŸ„”

I started reading this book 2 days ago and I could not put it down! It was so easy to fall in love with Jonah and Elle. They were so perfect for each other and just great! The characters were so believable I felt like I was there, taking the journey right along side them!

Jonah… he’s perfectly flawed. I loved him! And the pinky thing? So damn cute!!

Great read that’s worth every penny! It has everything you could ever want in a book – angst, romance, comedy, sexin’, memorable characters, you get the idea! I have a feeling I’ll be rereading this book frequently!

Play Dirty (The Devils Share 2) by L.P. Maxa

26085501

As bassist of the Devil’s Share, Smith James revels in being the ultimate bad boy, until he meets a good girl…who likes it dirty.

PILLS. PAIN. LOSS. LOVE.

Smith James doesn’t need drugs. He just likes them a whole lot. And as bassist for the Devil’s Share, they are easy to come by. So are the women. With a steady supply of both he doesn’t have to think too hard about his past. But when a beautiful physician’s assistant joins the tour, Smith can’t help but want…more.

After watching her high school boyfriend OD, there is no way Dylan Lawson is going to fall for a rock star with a tenuous hold on sobriety, no matter how sexy his New Orleans drawl. She’s been hired to do one job: monitor the health of the lead singer’s girlfriend and her unborn baby. But once Smith flashes that sweet, vulnerable smile, Dylan can’t help but want…more.

And more is what they’ll get. Love on tour is never simple, and with a music festival in Smith’s hometown, a place he’s avoided for years, near his illiterate, abusive, meth-addled father, Smith is one bad night away from a relapse. But with her heart already lost, Dylan is willing to do whatever is necessary to save him—even play a little dirty.

Book: Play Dirty (The Devils Share 2) by L.P. Maxa
Published: November 11th, 2015
Pages: 118
Genres: Romance, Erotica, Famous, Musician
Format: Kindle
Date Read: October 14-19, 2016
Rating: 4 Potatoes šŸ„”šŸ„”šŸ„”šŸ„”

I’m loving the books in this series so much! Thank you so much to my friend for recommending them!

I don’t really have much to say about this one – it was just as short as the first and equally as great! I loved the dynamic between Dylan and Smith. They balanced each other perfectly! Seriously. And I love that we get to know what is going on with the rest of the band. A lot of authors focus a book on those characters and only reference the other ones but this author included the other characters. I love it!

Check this series out, you won’t regret it!

Play Nice (The Devils Share 1) by L.P. Maxa

26085501

Rock a stadium. Bang a chick. Repeat. As lead singer of The Devil’s Share, Dash Conner could get anything or anyone he wanted—until he met Lexi Grant.

MONEY. FAME. WHISKEY. SEX.

For Dash Conner, lead singer of The Devil’s Share, everything he wanted was his for the asking. Whiskey. Drugs. Money. Sex. But not Lexi Grant. For the first time since he picked up a guitar, a girl was actually demanding he woo her. For a chance with her, Dash would do that and more.

Lexi Grant was no groupie. Just because the biggest rock star in the world smiled at her didn’t mean she had to fall into bed with him—but it was going to be awfully hard to resist that impish smile and those tatted abs. Surely one night of fun wouldn’t hurt anyone.

Unless that night ends with a broken condom.

For Lexi and Dash, that’s just the beginning. Add an overly affectionate pit bull, a missing guitarist, a house full of sorority girls, a junkie ex-bandmate and an extreme aversion to JƤger, and it’s either a recipe for disaster or true love.

Book: Play Nice (The Devils Share 1) by L.P. Maxa
Published: July 1st, 2015
Pages: 134
Genres: Romance, Erotica, Famous, Musician
Format: Kindle
Date Read: October 13-14, 2016
Rating: 4.5 Potatoes šŸ„”šŸ„”šŸ„”šŸ„”

First of all – the ONLY reason this book is getting 4.5 stars instead of 5 is because of how short it is. I WANT MORE!

I fell in love with Dash and Lexi within the first few pages of this book. I know this type of storyline has been done so many times before but I never grow tired of it. And the band? I absolutely love them all! I love each of their little quirks and issues, they all just fit together so nicely.

Naturally, I would have liked to have seen more of a build up in Dash and Lexi’s relationship before they became a couple and went the “I Love You” route but when a book is this short things are sped up a little bit. It still worked for the characters! I really can’t think of any part of this book I didn’t like (other than the fact that its so short)! It easily could have been another 150-200 pages so the storyline and characters were more fleshed out. But, it is what it is – I still loved it!

I absolutely love Dagger, Lexi’s dog. I feel like he definitely steals the spotlight in a lot of the book – he’s such an important character.

So, yeah, I loved the book… GO CHECK IT OUT!

And, now I’m off to buy the next book!