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Synopsis
Drummer Ryder Chord has been living half a life since he was sixteen and his twin sister was murdered. He throws himself into his music. When Lexi Evanovich joins the band, life becomes almost tolerable. Until one day when the rest of the band isn’t there and Ryder and Lexi have to share a hotel room: with only one bed.
Rule number one of band-dom: You never sleep with anyone in the band.
Rule number one of bro code: You never sleep with anyone’s sister. You definitely never sleep with your best friend’s little sister.
Rule number it’s so obvious it’s a count even a drummer can keep: You Never. Ever. Sleep with your best friend’s little sister when she’s in the band…and he is too.
Review
“It’s absolutely impossible to take a risk where you put everything you have in jeopardy. Until. You grab hold of yourself, commit and breathe. You know why? … You find the person who’s worth it.”
3.5 stars
This was a really intriguing read. My first by this author, it wasn’t the typical rockstar romance that I was expecting, but is actually a dramatic and emotional read that is multilayered and complex. It’s an in-depth look at life on the road with an up-and-coming rock band told through the eyes of its passionate and emotionally damaged drummer, and an intense romance that permeates through all of the different elements of that.
Ryder is the drummer and songwriter for rock band, Hard Chord. He is a wildly passionate artist, living and breathing all things music, and with a soundtrack to his life constantly running through his head. But lately Ryder’s passion has a second target – his bandmate and the little sister of his best friend, Lexi. He has suddenly stopped seeing her as just Jace’s little sister, and recognises her as a woman – a woman he wants, even though everything in him tells him it’s wrong.
Rule number one of band-dom: You never sleep with anyone in the band.
Rule number one of bro code: You never sleep with anyone’s little sister.
Rule number two of bro code: You definitely never sleep with your best friend’s little sister
Rule number it’s so obvious it’s a one-two-three count even a deadbeat drummer can keep: You never. Ever. Sleep with your best friend’s little sister when she’s in the band…and he is too.
Lexi grew up being in love with Ryder. It’s taken her years to build up the courage to make her move, and when she does, Ryder is helpless to resist her. And while on a short break from their tour, the two of them spend a blissful week alone exploring each other in every way they can before work calls them back to the band and real life – a life where their feelings for each other complicate everything.
It sounds like a pretty simple set-up, but it’s anything but straight-forward. A tragedy in his teen years has left Ryder deeply wounded and somewhat closed off, its soul shattering impact leaving a mark on every aspect of his life. And Lexi is struggling with her own issues, and with sharing the news of her and Ryder with her brother, which creates even more tension. But this book is so much more than just the love story. This is very much Ryder’s story, his journey to deal with his demons and find happiness. It’s also a story of band life – living on the road, the concerts, the music, the passion and love for their art, and the strong dynamics that bond not only the band, but their fellow musicians. Everything is explored in detail and you feel like you’re experiencing it all right alongside them – the dizzying highs and the devastating lows, the teasing banter and arguments, and the incredible connection that ties the four of them together.
The supporting characters are such an important part of this book and bring a lot to the story. In particular fellow band members Jace and Hit Man (yes, that is apparently his name) – though total man-sluts, they are highly entertaining and have hearts of gold and the book follows their journey as well. The dynamics between them all is what makes the book what it is, and I loved watching the interplay and bond between them.
“We are always a team. Always. We carry our burdens, our fears, and our successes together. That’s what we do. Even when it feels like we can’t.”
This book is written pretty much entirely from Ryder’s POV, with a few glimpses from Lexi sprinkled throughout. It allows us to get up close and personal with this highly complex character, and at times it’s a really heartwrenching read (his history is just tragic). He’s going through so much, and he feels everything incredibly deeply, but he’s also smart, sarcastic, funny and so damn sweet. I found the constant references to his internal jukebox to be a little bit much at times, as were the musical metaphors – it shows us how Ryder’s life is so intertwined with his music, but it got a bit tiresome.
I found Roberts’ writing style to be really unique, and it’s actually difficult to explain why. It fits with the uniqueness of the story, but it was different from what I was used to and I admit I did have a bit of difficulty connecting with the story because of it. It’s also a really long book, and though the detail sets the scene well, I feel like we didn’t need quite so much of it.
The book ends well, and though there are threads left undone, they will most likely be answered in future books of the series. Next up is the wonderful Jace, and I’m excited for him to find his HEA.
I enjoyed this one. 3.5 stars.
An Advanced Reader Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Giveaway
To celebrate the release of Rock Hard, M.J. Roberts is giving away a $75 iTunes Gift Card!
ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE
The Escapist Book Blog is not responsible for this giveaway
About M.J. Roberts
M.J. Roberts is a writer, editor, and teacher – with more than two million copies of her stories in circulation worldwide, Roberts is well loved for creating characters who feel as real as your most cherished friends. Roberts works to diligently to create believable, lovable characters, witty dialogue, prose ripe with metaphor, exciting plot twists, action that keeps you on the edge of your seat, and romance scenes that sizzle.
Roberts is a multiple award-winning author including first place in the prestigious Summer Lovin’ Romance Literary Contest 2015 for the novel Risk Your Heart.
Roberts also writes under the pen name Natasha Action. Roberts is originally from New York but lives in the southern United States for the purpose of endless comic material.
She’s married to a professional musician (A.K.A. The Rock and Roll God) because she is too busy tormenting imaginary characters and counting her blessing to pursue her longtime dream of Rock n’ Roll stardom herself.
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Email: mjrobertswriter@gmail.com