Review: Doesn't Compare to Lick!  Mal is Hot; Anne is BORING
Rating: 2 out of 5
Date: 03 27, 2014
I pre-ordered this book because I liked Lick so much. Unfortunately, it was awful and I am disappointed in the way it "played" out.While I really like these romantic rocker stories, I kept doubting this one since the main character, Anne didn't seem like she had anything going for her and was like what one of the groupies so rudely said to her, "out of Malcolm's league".  While it might have been rude, it did seem accurate for most of the book.  Anne not only has a really plain name, she is also a self-proclaimed doormat.  If that isn't enough, the author describes her with stringing hair, people use her and she has had only one boyfriend (when she was 16!) who dumped her.  If the reader doesn't find her alluring, how is Mal, the drummer of a rock band going to?  When Malcolm meets her, it is not instant love, but he's just another guy who wants to use her and knows she won't mind.  Yeah, it was hard to see this "romance".Malcolm was HOT< HOT> HOT!  There is no reason for him to want Anne and he even says himself after knowing her a couple of days that he had no intention of wanting her.  In fact, his whole attitude towards her seems one of convenience and availability (he was trying to please his mom).  Whenever the going got tough for Mal, he didn't turn to Anne, but stalked off by himself to play his drums or be alone.  Of course, Anne runs after him and continually looks pathetic.  I also didn't like his nick name for her - pumpkin.  Not Princess, Baby, Beauty or Snuggles.  Pumpkin.  Yuk!  Anne always lost her mind and control during sex, but Malcolm was never carried away.  It just wasn't romantic or believable that it would last.  Anne was boring.So I only kept reading because I thought Anne would turn around and become somebody who was strong and beautiful in her own way - and she was - in a boring, dependable and ho-hum way.  Mal was outrageous and fun, silly and sweet, sexy and naughty and Anne wasn't.  Sure it may be a case of opposites, buy as far as a romance story, it fell flat.  You want Mal with someone strong, secure, together and knowing that she deserves him - all of him.  I got the feeling that Anne would be able to handle Mal cheating on her and taking him back over and over - That's basically the relationship she had with her best friend, Reece - the douche bad that kept her around knowing she liked him and having every other girl in Portland.  "Doormat".I just never bought Mal "falling in love" with Anne.  There was nothing but words to show that.  Maybe if we had chapters from Mal's point of view, it would have helped know what he was thinking, but no, his actions never made the reader see what he said he saw in Anne.  Their relationship didn't make sense outside of him being with her to please his mother.I hate that I didn't like this one.  I really thought it was going to get better, but it didn't.  I am still holding out hope for the next one and have pre-ordered it. This series is similar to Foolish Games by Leah Spiegel and the Rock the Band series by Michelle Valentine.There is very descriptive sex and some profanity (f-word, GD, JC,)Would I/Did I buy it? Yes (3.79)Would I read it again? NoWould I recommend it to friends? Not Really