Review: Pretty good contemporary romance :)
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 24, 2014
3.5-4 starsThis was a pretty good story. I liked Emma and Marc and their story was enjoyable.Emma grew up a good girl who did everything her parents expected of her, right down to her boring job and the boring men she dates. Emma would love to write romance novels but since that’s something that wouldn't be considered a “proper” profession, she’s stuck with her current job of editing text books. She’s been dating Andrew for a couple years but she’s recently realized that she doesn't love him and he’s actually really boring. The few times she’s tried to suggest thing new that interests her (like sexual positions other than missionary), Andrew looks at her like she’s nuts.Marc is a bass player for the band, Lightning. He grew up in a normal family and still spends time with his parents and brothers who all support him in his efforts to make it in the music business. The band has been working hard though and they are finally making some headway and it looks like they might get a break that’ll give them the chance to make it big. Marc isn't one for the groupies and doesn't bother with them...what he really wants is someone real that he can build a future with.The story literally starts with the sentence “I can’t do this any more.” Emma was sitting at home with her boyfriend Andrew, watching Full Metal Jacket (which she hates but watches anyways because of Andrew) for the third time when realizes she finally can’t stand her life and needs to change it. She recently had lunch with an old college roommate and saw her old friend with a husband she loved and a job she loved and Emma realized her world is boring and grey. It took her a while of ingesting this but as the story starts she runs out of Andrew’s house and away from him and her dreary life seeking some color for her life. She drives aimlessly until she winds up at a bar that has a band playing. She goes in, gets herself a drink and manages to make her way to the front of the crowd. Emma hasn't had much exposure to rock (she’s mostly listened to pop and such) but finds that she loves the music of Lightning, the band that’s playing. During the concert, Emma makes eye contact with the bassist and they make a connection that continues through the rest of the show. At the end, Emma leaves reluctantly but is surprised when someone stops her in the parking lot. It ends up being the bassist, Marc. He kisses her and asks her to come home with him. Emma surprises both of them by saying yes. They go back to his place and spend hours having good, hot sex and Emma’s surprised by just how good sex can actually be. It’s not just sex though as they both feel the connection to each other and it’s pretty much a love at first sight thing. Marc realized just how special Emma is right off and knows he wants something serious (realizing she’s much different from the groupies and barflies he usually sees at the concerts). Emma is frightened by her feelings and the crazy step she’s taken in her life and isn't completely comfortable with the changes. She attempts to leave before Marc wakes up but he catches her and wants to see her again. She won’t give him her name (which Marc is unhappy about but he’s willing to call her M.L. or his “music lady” for now) but she agrees to go to another of his shows so they can see each other again.Technically, Emma cheated because when she ran out of Andrew’s house, she knew it was over for good but she didn't break up with him on the way out. She's forced in to a confrontation with him the next day and Andrew doesn't do well at accepting that she’s not interested in continuing with him and proceeds to call her parents to complain like she’s a kid skipping school. Emma’s parents aren't very helpful and act like she’s lost her mind because she’s having a “little spat” with Andrew. When Emma tries to convince them that she and Andrew are through, they act like it’s an affront to them because they just liked Andrew so much and expected them to marry. They even try to push her in to marrying Andrew like it’ll fix what’s wrong between them. Emma’s only real support in her move to have a more interesting life is her friend Annie (her BFF for the last 10 years). Annie is much more open and experienced than Emma and helps her explore things. She also encourages Emma to give Marc a chance because it sounds like he’s really interested in her. Emma isn't so sure though and her past boringness has her convinced that Marc couldn't actually want her for long term and when he discovers who she really is, he will drop her quickly. Because of this, Emma refuses to tell Marc her name (or give him a way to contact her), thinking it’ll be easier for her when he drops her if she hasn't let him know the true her. But there’s also the possibility that he’ll drop her because she’s unwilling to give him even the smallest amount of trust... Fortunately for Emma, Marc is very patient. He realizes that she’s very new to the music scene and seems very unsure of herself. He’s frustrated by her unwillingness to trust him but feels deeply enough for her that he’s willing to be patient and try to gain that trust. This isn't easy for Marc and Emma did keep the “mystery” up a bit too long for my liking. Of course there’s some drama at the end that messes things up just when they're looking good but, thankfully, Emma puts on her big girl panties and goes to fix things with Marc. They work things out, admit their feelings for each other (and Emma admits her name) and they start planning out their HEA.This was a good story. I liked the MCs and their story was good. I got a little frustrated with Emma's fear ruling her but it wasn't so bad that I didn't like her outside of that. Marc was great and I have no complaints about him, he was the perfect hero. To be honest, I had a hard time deciding between 3 and 4 stars. I ended up deciding on 4 but I do wish we'd have gotten more of their story after they finally get together and start to "meet the families" and all that. I'd have loved to see the meeting between Marc and Emma's parents. LMAO. Regardless, this was a pretty good story.