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Ross Records #2
Phone Calls from a Rock Star
Isabella Ames isn’t really looking forward to her last year of school, thinking it will be just as boring as the others. She attends a concert before the school year begins, hoping for a little excitement to end her summer, and gets more than she bargained for. After the show, while waiting in line at a fast food restaurant, a stranger jumps into her car, urging her to leave. Startled, she hesitates until he reveals himself as Jake Johnson, lead singer of the group she’d just seen.
That night begins a friendship that takes her through her school year. Jake becomes the rock she needs to help manage the horrors that high school has to offer.
When friendship turns into something more, Isabella can’t believe her luck. She’s happier than she’s ever been – until all hell breaks loose.
Will she find a way to keep her prince charming or will his famous lifestyle prove to be too much for her?
That night begins a friendship that takes her through her school year. Jake becomes the rock she needs to help manage the horrors that high school has to offer.
When friendship turns into something more, Isabella can’t believe her luck. She’s happier than she’s ever been – until all hell breaks loose.
Will she find a way to keep her prince charming or will his famous lifestyle prove to be too much for her?
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First published June 26, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
January 22, 2015
Oh my god !!! I just have no word why ? WHY does she have to cry all the time seriously B***h arrgh !!
Ok i know it's not really constructive but seriously she spends her life sobbing and it's pathetic.
And the other characters aren't better than her when you try to scratch the surface ! I mean seriously bad boy rock star jake refuses sex it could be okay if we had a real explanation but nope 'he respects her too much' WTF wear a purity ring dude ! I don't know it just doesn't add up and I hated the way alcohol was treated like it was very wrong and bad what is this book trying to tell me ? That drinking makes you an asshole or a stupid bitch . Come on give your characters credit they choose to drink free will much besides I'm not saying that drinking is all right all the time but at a party with friends you have the right to enjoy yourself without having to be ashamed of it !
And what is it with the daddy's girl really grow up !
It's just really disappointing because I really liked it at the beginning it was funny and characters seemed interesting and funny (it even for a few moments reminded me of Falling For the Ghost of You , which I adore !)but then it just became a mess and I lost myself in her sel-pity and her tears I truly wanted to slap her just to give a freaking good reason to cry !
Ok i know it's not really constructive but seriously she spends her life sobbing and it's pathetic.
And the other characters aren't better than her when you try to scratch the surface ! I mean seriously bad boy rock star jake refuses sex it could be okay if we had a real explanation but nope 'he respects her too much' WTF wear a purity ring dude ! I don't know it just doesn't add up and I hated the way alcohol was treated like it was very wrong and bad what is this book trying to tell me ? That drinking makes you an asshole or a stupid bitch . Come on give your characters credit they choose to drink free will much besides I'm not saying that drinking is all right all the time but at a party with friends you have the right to enjoy yourself without having to be ashamed of it !
And what is it with the daddy's girl really grow up !
It's just really disappointing because I really liked it at the beginning it was funny and characters seemed interesting and funny (it even for a few moments reminded me of Falling For the Ghost of You , which I adore !)but then it just became a mess and I lost myself in her sel-pity and her tears I truly wanted to slap her just to give a freaking good reason to cry !
June 29, 2013
I liked this addition to the Ross Records series more than the first. The book does lean toward a YA demographic more than NA, but I felt the characters and relationships were more fleshed out. However, if Iz would have cried even one more time, I would've screamed.
March 14, 2017
Jake and Iz...unlikely coupling but it works. Jake's the rock star who "hijacks" Isabella's car to help him out of a potential fan attack. After talking with one another for a night neither is ready to let go. Thank God for cell phones. Over the course of time a relationship develops through phone calls, texts, and sometimes a visit. This story kept me entertained for a few hours. I liked the characters, the romance without the sex, and the story line. After reading a few books lately that left me emotionally drained, I didn't want anything that was going to be too heavy. This book was perfect for that.
I loved the friends of Isabella. The girls were supportive and forgiving when they needed to be. Jake's friends were his band mates. The friendly banter and loyalty is the type of camaraderie that I like to see.
3/13/17
I wasn't wanting to start a new book so I went to books that I have already read and chose this one. I wanted to revisit Jake and Isabella. I'm glad I did. I loved the story 4 years ago and I love it still.
I loved the friends of Isabella. The girls were supportive and forgiving when they needed to be. Jake's friends were his band mates. The friendly banter and loyalty is the type of camaraderie that I like to see.
3/13/17
I wasn't wanting to start a new book so I went to books that I have already read and chose this one. I wanted to revisit Jake and Isabella. I'm glad I did. I loved the story 4 years ago and I love it still.
April 7, 2019
Super cute book, although I didn’t enjoy some of the drama because it was annoying and I felt either it should have been a little more dramatic or she should have taken longer to forgiven him. Also pretty PG which I also found a little unrealistic but it was pretty cute so I’ll allow it. I would recommend it.
July 29, 2014
I read this story when it was first posted years ago online. Then, I bought the self-published version. I recently found that paperback and reread it. While there are some parts that needed editing (which I'm sure have been done since then several years ago), this story has always been one of my favorites. I've always loved the characters and the author's portrayal of them and their struggles. They're not perfect, but it just makes you wish something unlikely like this could happen to make your own life more exciting.
Iz and Jake are great, but the supporting characters are so interesting too. I'm too old to be reading stories about high school students too often these days, but this one will always be one of my favorite stories. Looks like I'll have to go buy the newest ebook version of it to stay caught up.
I'll be checking out some of the other stories that she's published as well. I know I read a lot of her stories back years ago, but hopefully the writing has matured over the years and gotten even better. If the rest of her stories are as entertaining and fun as this one, I'll be spending plenty of time reading all of them.
Some of my love for this story may be based on nostalgia because I've read it several times throughout different stages of my life, but even so, I'll be checking out some of this author's other writings and giving them a shot. Highly recommended!
Iz and Jake are great, but the supporting characters are so interesting too. I'm too old to be reading stories about high school students too often these days, but this one will always be one of my favorite stories. Looks like I'll have to go buy the newest ebook version of it to stay caught up.
I'll be checking out some of the other stories that she's published as well. I know I read a lot of her stories back years ago, but hopefully the writing has matured over the years and gotten even better. If the rest of her stories are as entertaining and fun as this one, I'll be spending plenty of time reading all of them.
Some of my love for this story may be based on nostalgia because I've read it several times throughout different stages of my life, but even so, I'll be checking out some of this author's other writings and giving them a shot. Highly recommended!
March 22, 2017
I actually didn't finish because I got to the line in the first couple of pages about the "I left three kids at home with hubby to come to concert" line where she shames someone who is a grownup for liking music and I was immediately turned off the book. The author again made fun of the older woman a few pages later and I decided that this author did not interest me so I will not be finishing this book. I would leave zero stars if I could.
July 22, 2013
I love this book!!! It got romance, adventure and so much more!
May 29, 2020
Originally, I had a much longer review at the 33% mark, stating mostly what I did not like about this book. Let's just say that this book was not for me. It is a teen romance and based on the description, I knew it wasn't going to be the best book, but I still wanted to enjoy it.
This book had many of the annoying tropes that I do not enjoy in any type of romance: teen , New Adult, Adult. It just seemed the author added several of these tropes to add length to the book and not substance. There was very little to no character development in all of characters.
In my original post, I said that one strong point was Jake, but then he did something stupid and not necessary based on his character profile, so it threw me. I still liked him though as well as her friends.
Maybe a potential spoiler below?
I do appreciate all the hard work that the author put into their writing, but it just wasn't for me, however it might be for you.
This book had many of the annoying tropes that I do not enjoy in any type of romance: teen , New Adult, Adult. It just seemed the author added several of these tropes to add length to the book and not substance. There was very little to no character development in all of characters.
In my original post, I said that one strong point was Jake, but then he did something stupid and not necessary based on his character profile, so it threw me. I still liked him though as well as her friends.
Maybe a potential spoiler below?
I do appreciate all the hard work that the author put into their writing, but it just wasn't for me, however it might be for you.
June 24, 2017
I think the romance is a bit unrealistic and frankly the lack of communication between the two spells doom for the relationship.
Lots of swearing, lots of unrealistic teenage angst and reactions and.....basically the book is unrealistic.
Lots of swearing, lots of unrealistic teenage angst and reactions and.....basically the book is unrealistic.
January 22, 2019
A good read.
A little too young-adult for my taste but entertaining nonetheless. I loved the characters and kept me going until i finished it in one sitting.
A little too young-adult for my taste but entertaining nonetheless. I loved the characters and kept me going until i finished it in one sitting.
August 19, 2020
Awful n way too immature... I wasted my time with this....
June 17, 2021
I hate Isabella she’s sooo whiny and dumb but maybe I’m just officially too old for these kinds of books. Who knows
September 19, 2016
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Really down-to-earth story that was hard to put down. If you like the YA romance with a celebrity niche you will probably enjoy this as well.
August 25, 2021
This was fun for the most part. The main character is super naive and makes some really bad choices when she is dating some jerk named Lance. That whole Lance interlude almost made me DNF this book. It lasted too long for me. But after that, this book is pretty enjoyable. Jake is so sweet and I loved his bandmates. This book also has some really great messages regarding love and relationships. I would recommend this book for teenagers since they are on the same maturity level as Isabella. Most of my frustration came with the fact that Isabella's mistakes regarding Lance were so obvious to me. But maybe that's just because I'm a jaded adult with more experience lol. I knew Lance was a bad egg from the very first interaction Bella had with him. Her optimistic viewpoint and desire to believe the best of him even though he is constantly encouraging her to make bad life choices just grated on my nerves.
April 21, 2015
From one of my favorites authors :
This is a books I found one day when I was looking for something different and I fell in love with JL Pauls' writing. She is really good and if you've read Abbi Glines I would recommend anything by JL Paul. Her books are the kind where you might need to keep the tissues handy but otherwise it's the cliche of you will laugh you, you will cry and then sigh. This is the 2nd in the Ross Records series but Phone Calls From a Rock Star but within the series it is really almost a separate from the 1st which is pretty much a stand alone but the 2nd and 3rd are Jake and Izzy's story with Rob Ross from book 1 only in a couple of scenes.
This review was originally posted on Books In Brogan
This is a books I found one day when I was looking for something different and I fell in love with JL Pauls' writing. She is really good and if you've read Abbi Glines I would recommend anything by JL Paul. Her books are the kind where you might need to keep the tissues handy but otherwise it's the cliche of you will laugh you, you will cry and then sigh. This is the 2nd in the Ross Records series but Phone Calls From a Rock Star but within the series it is really almost a separate from the 1st which is pretty much a stand alone but the 2nd and 3rd are Jake and Izzy's story with Rob Ross from book 1 only in a couple of scenes.
This review was originally posted on Books In Brogan
August 7, 2013
What would you do if you were sitting in a drive-thru late one night and a rock star jumps in your car? Would you scream? Call the police?
You could do what Isabella Ames did – become his friend.
After meeting Jake Johnson, lead singer for the band, Controlled Environment, hops in her car, Isabella is instantly plunged into a friendship that takes her through some rocky times. But when that friendship turns into something more, things couldn’t look better.
Enter the tabloids and the rumors and the crazy fans. Isabella’s blissful life is suddenly turned upside-down.
Being the girlfriend of a popular rock star isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be.
★★★☆ - 3 1/2 stars for lovely Iz and her awesome boyfriend bad Jake... ;)
You could do what Isabella Ames did – become his friend.
After meeting Jake Johnson, lead singer for the band, Controlled Environment, hops in her car, Isabella is instantly plunged into a friendship that takes her through some rocky times. But when that friendship turns into something more, things couldn’t look better.
Enter the tabloids and the rumors and the crazy fans. Isabella’s blissful life is suddenly turned upside-down.
Being the girlfriend of a popular rock star isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be.
★★★☆ - 3 1/2 stars for lovely Iz and her awesome boyfriend bad Jake... ;)
November 25, 2013
I liked this book, it's got a decent story line, with lovely characters, What are the odds of the love of your life/the one you've been looking for jumping in your car to get away from a pack of wild fans? that one meeting into a friendship which then becomes a relationship; one can only wish!!! It's got some ups and downs typical,drama, but I liked it, I felt the situations and emotions of the characters, only part I wasn't keen on was the ending, simply because if you pal to take a book storyline on to another book, you should say so at the end of the books story line, it prevents a lot of confusion, only recently (nov 2013) did I come across by accident book 2 (follow on story from this book) overall I like j l Paul's books .
March 27, 2014
Here's my video review of this book and the next one - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODUTH...
While it's been edited since I last read it, I feel like it could be made better from being submitted to a professional editor. That being said, I'm still in love with the characters and this was an awesome cheese-read. Yes, it's a little over the top, but it was more than difficult to put down.
The writer made it so that you were almost immediately sucked into the life of the main character Isabella and the rocky romance with the leading man Jake.
All in all, I don't regret spending a few dollars on amazon to buy and read this novel. Sure, it needs some work done to it, but even in this slightly rough state it's irresistible.
While it's been edited since I last read it, I feel like it could be made better from being submitted to a professional editor. That being said, I'm still in love with the characters and this was an awesome cheese-read. Yes, it's a little over the top, but it was more than difficult to put down.
The writer made it so that you were almost immediately sucked into the life of the main character Isabella and the rocky romance with the leading man Jake.
All in all, I don't regret spending a few dollars on amazon to buy and read this novel. Sure, it needs some work done to it, but even in this slightly rough state it's irresistible.
May 15, 2016
I liked this book quite a lot. Clean rock star romance. A bit of lust but no sex and very little bad language. They discuss waiting to have sex. Definitely aimed at younger readers. There were several
eye-roll occasions and a bit of drama (a little bullying, underage drinking, long distance relationship issues, and dealing with fame). Iz (Bella) is in a private high school when she accidentally meets rock star Jake. They hit it off immediately and keep in touch via phone calls. Their relationship grows as the story progresses. There are definitely some bumps in the road. I know Iz is only a high schooler but it doesn't seem like her character grows & develops much (Spring Break for example). But overall enjoyable. But it was a quick, fun read! Definitely worth reading!
eye-roll occasions and a bit of drama (a little bullying, underage drinking, long distance relationship issues, and dealing with fame). Iz (Bella) is in a private high school when she accidentally meets rock star Jake. They hit it off immediately and keep in touch via phone calls. Their relationship grows as the story progresses. There are definitely some bumps in the road. I know Iz is only a high schooler but it doesn't seem like her character grows & develops much (Spring Break for example). But overall enjoyable. But it was a quick, fun read! Definitely worth reading!
June 27, 2016
Flipping through the final pages I declare this book finished.Oomph!. Sorry, but the plot centres around a well-to-do schoolgirl falling in love with a rock star- the whole book (including the style of writing) looks like a teenager wrote it in her diary, quite sweet, but rathre immature. Probably more suitable for underage readers - it could serve as edificational literature for the romantically inclined teenaager, because they are told how bad it is to consume alcohol and to have sex before marriage....and all of this from "bad boy" rockstar Jake Johnson. Terribly convincing….
There is no development in the characters, the plot is rather thin- let´s just say I bought it , so I felt compelled to read it. I hope No. 3 is better.
There is no development in the characters, the plot is rather thin- let´s just say I bought it , so I felt compelled to read it. I hope No. 3 is better.
July 30, 2014
This book is rough around the edges, but I first read Phone Calls in 2008, I think, when it was still up on fictionpress.com. I fell in love with Iz and Jake then, and that love has endured throughout the years. I can't express how hard I fangirled when I was finally able to hold the actual book in my hands. Guys, it was moment.
And it was another moment when I was able to hold Back To The Top. Now, excuse me while I start reading that amazing sequel for the first time since fictionpress.
And it was another moment when I was able to hold Back To The Top. Now, excuse me while I start reading that amazing sequel for the first time since fictionpress.
September 23, 2013
Started out very promising, and i liked the idea of dating a rock-star. But after about Midway, i feel like the Author just creates unneccesary drama...
I also couldn't really sympathize with the characters. I liked Isabella for the most part, if she didn't cry at every moment...
Jake was alright too, only he was very different from what I thought he would be. More goody-goody than I liked (bad boys just rock ;))
But all in all, it was an ok-read. And if you're still in your teens, I think some of you might enjoy this kinda story.
I also couldn't really sympathize with the characters. I liked Isabella for the most part, if she didn't cry at every moment...
Jake was alright too, only he was very different from what I thought he would be. More goody-goody than I liked (bad boys just rock ;))
But all in all, it was an ok-read. And if you're still in your teens, I think some of you might enjoy this kinda story.
August 17, 2016
Though the concept of the story was good. The story was not. I cannot stress how bad this story was. I tried and tried and TRIED to finish it just because I didnt want to have wasted my money but I just couldnt do it.
It was as if this was written by a 14yr old girl... very immature trying to tackle "mature" topics and just totally missing the mark in every way possible as well as desperately needing editing if only from a grammar perspective. Complete Waste of money and time in my life that I will never get back.
It was as if this was written by a 14yr old girl... very immature trying to tackle "mature" topics and just totally missing the mark in every way possible as well as desperately needing editing if only from a grammar perspective. Complete Waste of money and time in my life that I will never get back.
January 8, 2026
Love this book! one of my favorites! ❤️
I'm absolutely obsessed with this book. I've read it multiple times and it has been a permanent spot on my Kindle shelf since the day I read them! You're one of the authors who inspired me to finally finish the book l've been working on for the past who knows how many years. I love how your writing sparks creativity in me, and I appreciate the bursts of inspiration that help me make progress on my own writing journey. If you have any tips in tricks on getting my book out there please let me know. My Instagram is: more_chapters_
I'm absolutely obsessed with this book. I've read it multiple times and it has been a permanent spot on my Kindle shelf since the day I read them! You're one of the authors who inspired me to finally finish the book l've been working on for the past who knows how many years. I love how your writing sparks creativity in me, and I appreciate the bursts of inspiration that help me make progress on my own writing journey. If you have any tips in tricks on getting my book out there please let me know. My Instagram is: more_chapters_
August 21, 2013
I don't know how to rate this book,,, there is nothing wrong with the book, I just got to read it too late in my life :-)
If I'd read this book as a teen I would have given it 5 starts, no doubts... 15 years later and the book was too sweet, the H and h too nice and perfect, even the "bad" girls become nice!!! sweet everywhere with a sweet HEA... book ok,,, my age wrong for it...
If I'd read this book as a teen I would have given it 5 starts, no doubts... 15 years later and the book was too sweet, the H and h too nice and perfect, even the "bad" girls become nice!!! sweet everywhere with a sweet HEA... book ok,,, my age wrong for it...
Read
July 17, 2013Super cute read
August 15, 2013
Fabulous young romance. Not my usual genre but a great read. Took me back to the days of young love.
August 17, 2013
Absolutely enjoyed this. Easy read but was a real treat.
Merged review:
A delightful story. Its nice to read a story about rockstar without so much sex scenes. Truly refreshing and a joy to read.
Merged review:
A delightful story. Its nice to read a story about rockstar without so much sex scenes. Truly refreshing and a joy to read.
Read
August 29, 2013its awesome book I read this online few years ago I love it than I love it now
September 5, 2013
Sweet story but didn't realize this was a young adult book. Still finished it though and wasn't completely disappointed. Would have liked to see more of the rockstar aspect.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews