Published by Small Publisher
Released on March 5, 2014
Pages: 215
Format: eARC
Source: Author
I read the blurb on this one and still couldn’t figure out what to expect other than a gal had a huge choice between the guy who was her best friend from childhood and the bad boy rocker that swept her off her feet. But it is part of the Red Hot Lovers box set I am slowly making my way through and I’m determined to read each story by new to me authors. I dove right in and enjoyed that feeling of not knowing what to expect until I was already reading. And…I couldn’t stop reading. I ended up finishing it in one afternoon.
The story is set in the New York of the late 70’s to early 80’s. Interesting times.
The author’s writing style took a bit for me to get used to, but I liked it. There is a bittersweet flavor from start to finish, sorrow, moments of happiness, passion, and hope. It is the story of people who live on the edge, but want the same things everyone else wants. Glad to get it and I’m eager to pick up more by the author.
Lyv is just eighteen and her life by all appearances is miserable. She lives with a mother who hates her and abuses her just short of what will bring the authorities out. Lyv goes to school and works the family diner while counting down the days until she can leave. Her only bright spot is Ten, her best friend, and one of the wealthy Clarks. Ten has an awful mother,too, so he understands Lyv completely.
One night, Lyv’s world is rocked when she encounters up and coming rock sensation, Xander. She is taken by him immediately just as he is by her. Ten helps her so that she can spend time with Xander. Xander has to leave on his first tour soon, but promises to come back to her. Unfortunately, the unexpected happens and things don’t go as planned. Lyv’s life is forever changed and goes in a new direction. Later, Lyv is forced to make a decision and it is one that isn’t easy, but it will hopefully be for her own happiness, finally.
The story is told entirely from Lyv’s perspective. She is a young girl who has no knowledge of the physical side of things between a man and woman even though she is worldly-wise when it comes to looking after herself and knowing she’s on her own. There is that ‘see a stranger across the room and falling instantly’ bit. Not my thing, but because I was vested in the story I set it aside and kept reading. Lyv learns the hard way about things and I do mean the hard way.
She is surrounded by an eclectic band of characters. It is rather avant-garde with Ten being bi-sexual, his cousin is in a ménage, her boss and co-workers are the flaming gay sorts, and then Ten likes to dominate in the bedroom. Lyv has three roommates when she lives in NYC and they are male. She makes a family of her own out of this band including her bad boy rocker who is out on tour becoming famous.
It’s not a deep story or romance so much as it’s a journey of a young girl becoming a woman and growing up to choose what she really needs and not just wants. It had a different feel to it that blended grit with fairy tale or maybe it’s just a darker fairy tale. Regardless, it’s one I would recommend for those who want something a little different in a coming of age story and romance.
My thanks to the author for the opportunity to read this story in exchange for an honest review.
Romance Roundabout #354 NA
New to Me #174 author
Cliché Klatch #214 ‘bounce ideas off someone’
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in the 70s or 80s? thats pretty cool, I did not know that where this book was set, I guess that makes it quite different huh
Yes, I grew up on the West Coast during that time period and it was nostalgic for me to read a story set then. It didn’t feel different to me, but might to someone born later or after. 🙂
Did it feel like a throwback? I’m interested on the dialogue and expression though, when I watch old movies, I find their expressions and idioms so funny
Haha! Not to me, but I grew up in that period. I grew up in California so the Long Island-NYC scene was a bit different, but the rest felt right for the time.
Haha! Not to me, but I grew up in that period. I grew up in California so the Long Island-NYC scene was a bit different, but the rest felt right for the time.
oh this one sounds very interesting!!! I love seeing character growth.
It had a unique feel and I loved the coming of age aspect set against all the stuff going on.
Those box sets are a fun way to get to know new authors. This story sounds like a good one with how once you started it, you finished it within the same afternoon. That’s interesting it’s set in the 70’s and 80’s, I don’t think I’ve seen many books set during the time. I kinda like the bittersweet feeling when an author manages to pull it off well. I don’t like those see each other and fall in love instantly scenes, but if the rest of the story is good I can definitely overlook it. I like the sound of… Read more »
Yes, this box set was sent to us for review and Shari and I were both scared to death of something with 18 books in it. The authors only wanted us to review one or two back near the release day. But then I thought it would be a fun mini-challenge to review the whole set since I had read none of the authors. So once a month I read one. Its a huge variety that only share romance as the theme. I haven’t read a dud yet and I’m almost half-way through the box. And yes, this particular story… Read more »
I like that it is a journey for her and we see growth. Lovely review Sophia
That was the beauty in the ugliness for her. Her life wasn’t pretty and then she made it through and her final happiness was because of a good choice. This box set has some real gems tucked in with the usual pleasant reads.
in the 70s or 80s? thats pretty cool, I did not know that where this book was set, I guess that makes it quite different huh
oh this one sounds very interesting!!! I love seeing character growth.