Lowdown And Lush by Selena Laurence

Mike Owens is the devil. Sexy, snarky, and as lowdown as they come, he's one of the world's greatest guitarists and one of Portland's most notorious bad boys.

Jenny Turner is an angel. A preacher's daughter, she's a good girl with a great voice and a dream to hit it big in country music.

When these two opposites meet, the attraction is undeniable, but something's stopping the bad boy from pursuing what he desires most. Can this angel handle the truth behind her devil? Or will his secrets be too Lowdown and Lush?


I have been forever intrigued as to how Mike's story would go about. Although it was pretty clear from the many obvious teasers in the previous book of this series that Mike was going to be with Jenny, I was pretty excited at how their story would progress.

As soon as I finished reading this book, I realized that the previous book is still my most favorite book in the series...yet. (Because hello! Walsh.) The story here wasn't as gripping as the first two books in the series but nevertheless told in classic SL awesomeness. It was beautiful in its simplicity.

My take-aways from this book? The complexity of the family unit. SL was able to weave a romance that incorporated beautifully the family stories of both protagonists in a trope that remained romantic. I just melted at the way Mike took care of his father. And I loved reading at how Jenny slowly mended her relationship with her own father who disapproved of her becoming a musician. And there was the family that was the Lush band. Even if they had already disbanded, broken up, they still managed to get together and remained friends. This despite a difficult history that they had learned to live with and continue to improve from. Weaker characters would have crumbled but this lot aced it...and we are not even done with the series yet!

I am so, so, soooooo ready for the next book! I'm gonna be an ugly mess waiting for it. Ugh.


Final verdict: 9/10. Great read.


Lush series reviews:
A Lush Betrayal
For The Love Of A Lush

For The Love Of A Lush by Selena Laurence

Six months ago, Walsh Clark was the drummer of America’s hottest rock sensation, Lush. Now he’s living at the Double A Ranch in north Texas, home to cows, cowboys, and lushes—like him. He’s survived alcoholism, rehab, and the breakup of his band. But the one thing Walsh might not survive is the return of his ex fiancée Tammy DiLorenzo. 

Tammy and Walsh met at fourteen, and she was with him on every step to fame and fortune—until one fateful night when she betrayed him. Now she’s back, begging for forgiveness and ready to fight for her man. But some betrayals are too painful to forget, some mistakes can’t be repaired, and Walsh is certain that he and Tammy can’t ever be together again. 

But DiLorenzo women don’t back down, and Tammy always gets what she wants. In the wake of the lies and losses, she’s prepared to do whatever it takes for a second chance. She’ll give it all—for the love of a lush.


When I fell in love with this series, I knew it included getting down with the dirtier side of all that was shiny and pretty in this series. When I finished reading the first book, I did not expect how I would react to this second one because my shallow self had started to form my own biases.

I am thankful though for the dual POV because I thought it was more than important that we know the two sides of this story equally. Tammy and her conscious decision to do what she did to betray her fiance; Walsh and his coming to terms with the bigger picture, of his indirect role in Tammy's betrayal.  But most importantly, how does one take responsibility of her actions? Or better himself after years and years of self-destruction?

Infidelity isn't my favourite book conflict but sadly, that was what got thrown into the mix in this series. More like its pivotal moment, really. For me, it will be very hard to fix a relationship after it happens, if at all. And yet somehow, it became slightly easier to read as I realized how Tammy dealt with it--the initial guilt and then eventually owning up to the deed and being responsible for her actions. She had to give her all to show how much her actions in the past had changed her, how much she wanted to keep Walsh in her life. This was a painful but necessary part to the story.

And there was Walsh, the wronged party. Who wouldn't understand his pain? But after all the fingers had been pointed to two other people, it was still easy to arrive at the conclusion that yes, he did a play a part in the turn of events, no matter how indirectly. And he was the bigger man for not just wanting to fix the immediate concern but by trying to heal himself to the core from an addiction that was his downfall. It was a lengthy, painful process but the end result? It was well worth the effort.

If infidelity leaves a bad taste on your mouth, period, then this isn't the book for you. But if people trying to better themselves after the lowest of lows and to triumph over a painful past, if forgiveness of one's self, and deciding that keeping the people you love is more important than keeping the hurt they have caused you, This. Is. Your. Book. Trust me.

Get this, read this. You will not regret it. Also, the next book is just around the corner. Ohhh, be still my heart.


Final verdict: 12/10. Great, what-are-you-still-doing-reading-this-review, must-read.


Lush series reviews:
A Lush Betrayal

A Lush Betrayal by Selena Laurence

Joss Jamison has it all. He's the lead singer for the world's hottest rock band, Lush. He's wealthy, sexy, talented...and miserable. Twelve months ago, Joss lost his finely honed control and made a mistake he can't undo. A mistake that could end up costing him his best friend, his band, and maybe his heart.

Mel DiLorenzo has it all. She's been hired to document the world tour of her sister's fiance's rock band. She's gorgeous, talented, loved...and sick of being the little sister. When she agrees to the summer job, Mel has no idea she's walking into a minefield of friendships lost and hearts destroyed. She also has no idea what it means to be the object of Joss Jamison's affections.

One hot rock star plus one life-altering mistake, add a dash of sexy younger sister and a handful of broken hearts, and you've got a recipe for fire. Life on the road can be hot, but for the boys of Lush, it's about to get a whole hell of a lot hotter.


I wasn't really planning on starting with a new rockstar series because I still have one that needed to be finished. But what the heck, I couldn't say no to this book anymore. Rockstars are my weakness, what can I say?

Reading the blurb, I knew what to expect already and if I hadn't, I would have stopped reading as soon as I learned what the heck was going on. I am and I will never be a fan of cheating but my curiousity got the better of me. I was glad that I gave in and read this though.

(Disclaimer: There is a prequel novella to this book but as it tells the story of when Joss and Tammy did their 'big mistake,' I have opted not to read it. I just want to put the incident in the past. It's difficult enough reading about it in reference.)

Joss may have fancied himself in love with Tammy but I still found it hard to understand why they did what they did to betray to Walsh. But there wasn't time time to judge them as it was clear that what happened was an accident, that circumstances pushed them to do it. That fact that both of them were genuinely guilty made it easier for me to take in Joss and Mel's eventual relationship.

It was a relief to read about Joss moving on with Mel. Although at the back of my head, I hated it that he was getting a HEA while Tammy was still struggling with her guilt. And when the truth finally came out into the open...boom! The characters were a mess. I was a mess. A rockstar romance was making me cry, damn it! But the best thing about the blowout was that in the aftermath, Tammy and Mel remained to be great sisters. And Joss was able to reconnect with his father. The blowout was really a catalyst of many things.

This was a surprising great read about family, love, loyalty, forgiveness, and redemption while in the backlash of betrayal. This book is not for those looking for a light romance read. Expect yourself to start asking yourself what you really value most.


Final verdict: 9/10. Great, must read.

Love Of A Rockstar by Nicole Simone

Marlene Parker thought she met her soul mate at eighteen but when he left her pregnant and alone to pursue a life of rock n roll, she vowed to never love again. Now four years later, she is being offered the dream of a lifetime. Moving to France with her daughter to start anew. There is only one problem. Marlene’s formative ex is back in town, and his pull is strong as ever.

Luke Anderson has everything a man could want. Fame, fortune and enough beautiful women to last him a lifetime. That is until a young runaway shows him what is truly important. Family. A word in which plagues Luke with regret. As a scared twenty two year old he ran away from the love of his life and their unborn child. Now ready to reverse his biggest regret with only three days to do it, Luke’s fate hangs in the balance. The question is, will he be able to convince Marlene their love story deserves a second chance?


This was another one of those "let me give this author I haven't read yet a try" and then surprise myself with some good reading. Needless to say, this is my first Nicole Simone book and I thought it was a really good one.

Also, this was another of those second-chance books with a rockstar for our main man. Sure win? Well, I had to read it to really appreciate this book since I had no expectations when I started reading it. But I found the characters were well-written and the dynamics of two characters that have really grown over the years. But despite the changed persons that they had become and having to have led seemingly different lives, they still managed to find each other again. 

And the actual twists and surprises! OMG, the tears. Hahaha! Let's not go there. I don't want to give any spoilers though so if you're in the lookout for a good standalone, this is your read.


Final verdict: 8/10. Great read.

Series Recommendation #11: Rock Her/Rock Him by Rachel Cross

I was going through my previous series recommendations and realized I never did put these things on. But trust me when I say that these were good books. These books were completely unassuming and I went into them without any clear expectations at all. And then boom! 

I didn't expect to enjoy these books so much. If you're looking for a fresher voice in romance, you should trying to check out RC. This duet had solid storylines and very well written characters you can't help but fall in love with. These books do come with the highest recommendations. (Click on titles for reviews.)

Rock Her

Rock Him

Wicked Beat by Olivia Cunning

From the moment he lays eyes on Sinners’ new front of house soundboard operator, drummer Eric Sticks knows he has to make Rebekah his. Unfortunately, she’s too busy trying to seduce guitarist Trey Mills to pay him much attention. Rebekah never planned to fall for the tall, goofy drummer with the weird sense of humor and a heart the size of the galaxy. But Eric makes her laugh and his constant attention makes her feel sexy and irresistible–exactly what she needs after the things her last lover said to her. A woman who gives as much as she takes, Rebekah makes Eric feel like a total stud–exactly what he needs after surviving a decade of watching the incredibly talented members of Sinners from the wings.


I have to admit that Olivia Cunning has become my guilty pleasure read. I mean, I probably would not last the entire book if I read some things I read on her stuff on other books not written by her. She makes the nasty into good reading and I just love her characters.

And this book is no different. It has been some time since I have left off this series but it felt great to read about the rockstars of Sinners again. This bunch is one heck of a dirty-playing smutty hot guys! Sorry, that's the best I can come up with. 

But if you haven't read the first few books in this series, you would not understand when I say that these smutty reads are actually more about family than anything else. Sure there's romance and the hot, steamy sex and the concerts and the wild fans. But the bottomline is that, the stories in this series are full of familial connections bad, good and better. And the best family is? The Sinners members themselves. This book continues to tell that story. And OC never fails to make me fall in love with her characters all over again. And the new ones, too.


Final verdict: 8/10. Great read.


Sinners series reviews:
Backstage Pass
Rock Hard
Hot Ticket

Rock Her by Rachel Cross

She’s a small town nurse who had to grow up fast. He’s rock music’s most infamous guitarist. When a day at the beach turns life or death, their worlds collide, and no one will ever be the same.

Kate Gibson’s life has been all about family. She spent her high school years taking care of her dying mother, and her college years raising her younger sister. 

Alec Sawyer’s past was an excess of everything: drugs, parties, rock, sex, and money. His downfall had been long, spectacular, and public.

Thrown together by fate and the media, Kate and Alec find themselves falling in love. But dating in the spotlight has its downside, and some secrets are better left in the dark.


I never thought of this before but after reading this book, I have concluded that former heroes in books are equally hot as the rockstar ones are. But I also probably just needed an Alec Sawyer to help me come to my senses. Yes, I want an Alec please!

This book really surprised me. I just sort of just 'wanted to read it' because I came across it's other half, Rock Him, before and really liked it. But I didn't expect to like Alec, Kate, and that amazing chemistry they had together. I mean a rockstar turned lawyer was all my heart could take. Any better and I would have keeled over. (I'm trying not to gush here.) And oh, he had a dog, too. Come and take me already, Counselor Sawyer. And Kate was this all-around good girl with a good heart. With his past the way it was, Alec definitely deserved his HEA with her.

I read this book in one go because RC did a great job with the fluid storytelling. Just the right mix of romance, family drama, creepy stalkers, and friendships. Cons: Aside from wanting to smack some sense into Emma, Kate's younger sister, I could've really used an epilogue. I hate it when I love a book so much and I don't get to have one. I feel robbed.

Speaking of friendships, I adore it when our heroes and their ladies have a good set of these. And this book was a win if we talk friends. I actually wished I didn't read Rock Him before this (for my review of it, click here) because Asher, Alec's bestfriend, was totally charming my socks off in these pages. Love, love, love him.


Final verdict: 8/10. Great read.

How (Not) To Be Seduced By Rockstars by Marian Tee

When Fangirls Lie

Sapphire “Saffi” March used to be known as an eccentric genius, the girl who had made a laughingstock of her illustrious family. But she’s reinvented herself since then. Now a post-graduate honor student, Saffi is determined to be a dutiful daughter, with no one in her world ever supposed to know she’s also the most diehard fangirl of Sweden’s #1 Sex God.

It’s her greatest secret, and the times she watches the sex god

sing and dance are the only times she could just breathe…and be herself.

Handsome like a classical statue but earthy and sexy like a pagan god, Staffan Aehrenthal is the most wildly successful rockstar that ever came on stage. He should be celebrating being on top of his world, but a woman’s betrayal had Staffan forging a path to self-destruction instead.

Life no longer meant anything--until serendipity introduced him to a beautiful and funny girl with an adorably unique fascination with fishes.

When their worlds collide on one fateful weekend, Saffi is disguised as a gum-chewing hardcore groupie while Staffan pretends he hasn’t been trailing after her all over the Internet. It’s a recipe for the most hilarious and heartbreaking of disasters because when fangirls lie, the craziest things can happen--like a rockstar falling in love.


I read this serial as a bundle so I'm posting this review as one.

Let me just say that personally, I am a fangirl. Saying I'm a huge fangirl of just about anyone--music people (boybands!), moviestars, athletes--is an understatement. That was probably the reason why I gravitated towards these books.

I just couldn't help but feel envious about Saffi catching StafFan's eye. Honestly, that is every fangirl's dream. I may have at least one foot on the ground and never went as overboard as fantising to this extent. But to be given a chance to speak with one of my favorite rockstars at length is a dream! Lucky Saffi, really. I loved how she was a bit nerdy on one side but also had a naughty side to his personality--and was not afraid to show it either. 

This was an easy read. Still not the best I've gotten my eyes on but it was just ridiculously easy to go through with all the giggles along the way. This may not be something that I would recommended to everyone, espcially the pickier readers. Simply put, MT's writing style is an acquired taste.



When Fangirls Cry

Wonderful white marlin!
Fish-loving Saffi March is no longer a boring post-grad student by day, hopeless fangirl at night. Now that Sweden’s #1 Sex God Staffan Aehrenthal is in love with her, it’s only a matter of time before she has her happily-ever-after...right?

Devastating daggertooth pike conger!
Staffan Aehrenthal is determined never to fall in love again. Saffi hasn’t told Staffan she’s pregnant--and he ends up learning about it from the tabloids. She had made him believe in happily-ever after endings but now he knows it’s an illusion...just like the Saffi he thought he knew and loved.

Optimistic Oriental loach!
With Staffan and the whole world mistakenly thinking she’s carrying the baby of a desert prince, a happily-ever-after for her and Staffan doesn’t seem possible any longer. But Saffi is determined not to lose hope, not even if the man she’s only ever loved is the man who’s hurting her the most.


As much as I enjoyed some parts in this book, I hated the lying part the most--white lies, lying by omission, outright lying. They're all more or less the same. So when Saffi withheld important information from Staffan and continued lying about it even if she had chances to be honest about it, it just didn't sit well for me. When Staffan found out about it through the papers and all hell broke lose, there was noone I could blame but Saffi.

This was pretty much a light reading. I'd say there was a serious undertone in some parts...I won't say much to avoid spoilers, but all in all, it was a fun read. The incorporation of social media was a good touch and even if I felt that the ending was a bit rushed, the story still left me with some good vibes.



Final verdict: 6/10. Okay read.

Hot Ticket by Olivia Cunning

There are things in bassist Jace Seymour’s past that he is unwilling to share with anyone. To cover his guilt and anguish, he seeks dominatrix Mistress V (Aggie) to temporarily placate his inner turmoil.

Aggie doesn’t have much use for men–besides the power rush she gets when they’re begging for mercy at her feet–but Jace isn’t like her usual clients. His cool defiance and unexpected dominance in the bedroom drives her to distraction and quickly steals her heart.

When circumstances threaten Jace’s position in Sinners, Aggie must help him regain his rightful place in the band while showing him that time and love can heal all wounds.


My jaw may have hit the ground a bit too hard when I read my first Olivia Cunning, Backstage Pass. This is my third read by her...and I have since then seized to be surprised anymore by just how sinful the characters in her books can get. I woudn't have been surprised if the book incinerated by itself while I was reading it. It was that steamy. Phew!

But what kept surprising me with OC's work was that despite the many steamy scenes in them, when you take them all out, whatever's left was still a very good story to get lost in. The characters remained interesting and the stories remained intact. 

Going into this book, I didn't know what to expect of it really. Just like how he (thought) was wanting himself to be in the band, Jace kept a low profile. Unlike the other members of the band. Because he was the newest member of the group, he had the misconception that the band thought him as inferior to the rest of them. Never mind what he thought what the others would think about his unusual sexual lifestyle. Which couldn't have been farther from the truth. 

I have come to really like the guys in this series so much. Yes, they could be a bit (a bit?!?!?!) debauched in their sexual exploits but OC was able to create very great characters. They were good friends and the most unusual family of rockstars that I have had the good sense to read about. I had these ridiculous urge to giggle whenever they manage to put themselves in some funny and/or embarrassing situations. And then cry when they start dragging their skeletons out of the closet.

All in all, I was glad Jace got to find Aggie. I had a book funk whilst trying to finish this book but wanting to find out what eventually happened to the love story of these two pulled me out of that. Jace had his peculiarities but with Aggie with him, he eventually became more normal. Still a hot rockstar but sort of normal. That's hard to achieve when one was a member of the Sinners band.


Final verdict: 8/10. Great read.


Sinners On Tour series reviews:
Backstage Pass
Rock Hard

Rock Him by Rachel Cross

Asher Lowe, rock god, notorious womanizer and rebellious son of ruthless billionaire Sterling Lowe, has spent two decades building Spade into the most successful rock band of the era and living down to his father's expectations. His antics on and off stage are the stuff of fantasy and legend. 

Fiercely independent Maddy Anderson doesn't back down from a challenge, even when it hurts. She's spent ten years dealing with chronic illness and is succeeding on her own terms, just a semester away from finishing her degree and starting her lifelong dream of a career in education. 

When tragedy strikes, Asher's life is torn apart. He hires Maddy to care for his dead sister's child, and discovers he has a lot to learn about love and commitment. She makes him want to be the kind of man who can care for them both. But can this rock star make the leap from sexy front man to family man or will their bright future be sacrificed to the past?


This actually turned out to be a great surprising read for me. When one has gotten used to the slew of same-premise, skipping-the-sex-parts-and-left-with-barely-nothing reads, coming across something like this was quite refreshing.

It was a breath of fresh air to read of a rockstar that is actually normal sounding and realistic. Although I'm sure rockstars are really how we read them in most books--oversexed, drunken assholes. Don't get me wrong, I've read and enjoyed a fair share. But this was a great way to break away from those for a spell and still enjoy it.

Great storytelling, character development, plot...and lo! There was still good sex without the BDSM--these things still exist. Yay! There was heart in this book and great portrayal of relationships, both romantic and familial. Definitely worth my time.


Final verdict: 7/10. Good read.