Review: excellent rock star romance with something extra
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 09 4, 2013
Come Undone. Rock Hard: Book One. Madelynne Ellis.ARC supplied by Netgalley.I love all sorts of romance and have read a few Rock-star ones - and have enjoyed Madelynne's books so this was an easy request. Stupidly though I missed the "book one2 addition...so was surprised to get to end and find it wasn't :) but thankfully there's no awful cliffhanger, a big event but no wondering will they/won't they...though there is that little matter of a past romantic attachment now being available :)Anyway, Dani goes with her friend to a rock concert. Seems like a straightforward rock story opening you'd think? But the band she's loved for ages and the man from it who's unknowingly helped her through a troubled past split - live on stage! Dani's friend has sneaked backstage to their dressing room, but Dani isn't quite ready for that so tries to find her way back to the concert (pre split), hears the arguments and meets her hero Xane on his way out. He needs a lift, and she offers to take him. And from there they go headlong into - what ? Not a romance, not yet, just a quick bit of steam, that turns from one night to a weekend, where things come out from both sides that have been hidden.Xane falls in love with Dani, but he has his secrets, and she's not sure she can accept them. I hadn't connected the link with Anything but Vanilla until we met the characters - I loved that book, and it was great to meet the characters once again. Seeing them was an eye opener for Dani too, and made her begin to thing about what she's always been taught was right and wrong, and wonder if it was time to be more broad-minded.I loved Dani, she's had such a rough and troubled, cruel upbringing. I just wanted her to be happy. Meeting with Xane was a dream come true for her, and she was just what he needed at that time. I loved the way he quickly appreciated all her qualities and was protective of her, but I felt so much for him when his big secret was revealed. Part of it even came as a shock to him - we are good at hiding from ourselves sometimes. There's lots of hot, steamy, sensual sex that fits perfectly within the story, not sex scenes for the sake of titillation, but proper ones where it falls naturally into the action.Its a rock romance - but not a typical teen love story - more one with people who have some big issues to overcome, and like I said, when I got to the end I was surprised there was more to come. But I'm happy too, as I think there's real promise for Dani and Xane if they can overcome a few problems. I'm wondering too where the band goes from here, and where Dani can fit in. So when book two is out I'll be clamouring for it.Priced at 1.99 for 200 pages/540kb it's excellent value and one I'd happily re read.Stars: four and a half.