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Brothers of Rock #19
The Hardest Set
Van took the first drink from her, but then she offered a second one . . . and she offered him a place to stay - just for one night.
Van has had his fair share of love 'em and leave 'em romances. He's the ultimate rockstar, living a wild life as the bassist for Willow Son. But when an old flame finally decides to move on for good, Van can't believe how much it bothers him. He has a cure in mind - some drinks and a new woman.
Natalie has been playing a dangerous game with her heart for years. It's finally caught up to her though and she's in trouble. Not to mention the school she teaches at lost its funding and shuts down. Her only choice now is to take any jobs she can get from her best friend who owns a catering business.
When she meets the sexy rockstar at a party for his record company, she offers him a drink. Then another... and another... and soon she's dragging the drunk and obnoxious bassist to her car, trying to help him from embarrassing himself or the rest of the band.
Their one night together reveals they both need to let go of lost loves.
What they don't expect is for a new romance to begin right before their eyes.
Van has had his fair share of love 'em and leave 'em romances. He's the ultimate rockstar, living a wild life as the bassist for Willow Son. But when an old flame finally decides to move on for good, Van can't believe how much it bothers him. He has a cure in mind - some drinks and a new woman.
Natalie has been playing a dangerous game with her heart for years. It's finally caught up to her though and she's in trouble. Not to mention the school she teaches at lost its funding and shuts down. Her only choice now is to take any jobs she can get from her best friend who owns a catering business.
When she meets the sexy rockstar at a party for his record company, she offers him a drink. Then another... and another... and soon she's dragging the drunk and obnoxious bassist to her car, trying to help him from embarrassing himself or the rest of the band.
Their one night together reveals they both need to let go of lost loves.
What they don't expect is for a new romance to begin right before their eyes.
- GenresRomanceContemporary
163 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 6, 2016
17 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
About the author
Karolyn James
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
February 6, 2016
Sated, I am.
Van, the bassist for Willow Son, should be on top of the world with his wildly successful band's come back. He's not. She was supposed to wait for him. She didn't and now she is getting married. The kicker is that she still has his ring. Van's ring.
Natalie's world is crumbling around her. The school where she taught art is closing and there's an eviction notice on her table. Reality. What's worse is how she feels about herself. The man she loved, as she discovered, is married. The kicker is she kept on seeing him even after learning the truth.
They meet at his promoter's party where she's waitressing and he's dutifully socializing and getting plastered. That's what rock stars do right? He's downright nasty to her, but his ride's left and no way he's safe to leave on his own. So what does a nice girl do? She takes his drunk arse home. Yea, I know where your mind is going. Hot rockstar sex right?
1-click this one and find out for yourself!
I've probably read more of Karolyn James books than
any other author. I keep coming back when I need another rocker romance fix or she has a new release. She has never, ever disappointed me. Why? Because no one I've read thus far in this genre can come close to making me feel like I'm part of the band or at the very least behind a 1-way mirror peering into the actual scene as it takes place, with such vivid detail. She's been there and it shows. That's the music part, the band part, but she puts the rest of the story down beautifully as well. She can write about their broken lives, their ups and downs, their fears, the business, the stage and yes . . . the hot, steamy, rockstar sex (in a tour bus shower, up against a wall, in a limo, in a public bathroom, in a cabin, up against a glass wall, and even an occasional bed). Sated, I am.
Van, the bassist for Willow Son, should be on top of the world with his wildly successful band's come back. He's not. She was supposed to wait for him. She didn't and now she is getting married. The kicker is that she still has his ring. Van's ring.
Natalie's world is crumbling around her. The school where she taught art is closing and there's an eviction notice on her table. Reality. What's worse is how she feels about herself. The man she loved, as she discovered, is married. The kicker is she kept on seeing him even after learning the truth.
They meet at his promoter's party where she's waitressing and he's dutifully socializing and getting plastered. That's what rock stars do right? He's downright nasty to her, but his ride's left and no way he's safe to leave on his own. So what does a nice girl do? She takes his drunk arse home. Yea, I know where your mind is going. Hot rockstar sex right?
1-click this one and find out for yourself!
I've probably read more of Karolyn James books than
any other author. I keep coming back when I need another rocker romance fix or she has a new release. She has never, ever disappointed me. Why? Because no one I've read thus far in this genre can come close to making me feel like I'm part of the band or at the very least behind a 1-way mirror peering into the actual scene as it takes place, with such vivid detail. She's been there and it shows. That's the music part, the band part, but she puts the rest of the story down beautifully as well. She can write about their broken lives, their ups and downs, their fears, the business, the stage and yes . . . the hot, steamy, rockstar sex (in a tour bus shower, up against a wall, in a limo, in a public bathroom, in a cabin, up against a glass wall, and even an occasional bed). Sated, I am.
January 8, 2016
Natalie and Van meet when they are both at their lowest, their most broken. "So we could be broken together?". There is something that Van sees in Natalie and that Natalie sees in Van thT just works. They have a lot to overcome and it seems like an insurmountable task, will it work? How could things possibly work? "I feel pretty good right now....that's because you just got laid.". Natalie gets her chance to face her evils and feels much better for it so she encourages Van to do the same thing and it almost ends them. "The woman that fixed, tamed and teased his heart.". Steamy hawt sex, a continuing saga of the band members of Willow Son, a peek into the rockstar lifestyle, lots of great things going on with the story, enjoy! I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 1, 2016
There is a reason why Karolyn James will always be one of my favorite authors. She writes amazing stories with endearing characters you can't help but love. She allows her readers to experience the journey of her characters right along with them. The Hardest Set is a story of two broken people searching for the impossible... a love strong enough to put the pieces of their broken hearts back together. Brilliantly written, steamy, sexy, and thought-provoking.
I received a courtesy copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received a courtesy copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 18, 2017
Book 4
Whada get when you have a ahole rockstar and a broke waitress/artist both with broken hearts, one very good read!
Whada get when you have a ahole rockstar and a broke waitress/artist both with broken hearts, one very good read!
February 22, 2018
Not a huge Van fan. I suspect alcoholic.
January 22, 2016
Ms. James has done it again! Another great installment of the Willow Son series this time centering on Van the bassist for the band. I have to admit it took me a little bit to warm up to Van. The guy was a huge ass who seemed more concerned about his pity party than he did for the beautiful girl who saved his butt one night after a party when the rest of the band left him there because they thought he had already left with someone else. Natalie was afraid that Van was so drunk he never would have made it home alive. It seemed that Natalie also had some strikes against her because she was had just gotten out of a relationship with a married man. Of course the married man said he was leaving his wife, which he never did, so Natalie kicked him to the curb and tried to move on with her life and put all the pieces back together. She was now out of work because the school that she had worked for teaching art to students was closing; she had an eviction notice served and was only moments away from being homeless. Just what the poor girl needed; setting herself up to be a punching bag (not literally) for a drunkass rock star. Van had baggage too which was not being able to get past the idea that what he thought to be the love of his life is now engaged to some rich doctor. Then to make matters worse she still has not returned the engagement ring that Van had given to her just as Willow Son was making it to the big times.
This story was a lot of push and pull between Van and Natalie trying to figure out their sorted past romances and find a way to possibly fill that void with each other. How long did it take Van to figure his stuff out and realize he had a good thing right in front of his eyes or was he going to keep being an ass to Natalie and insistently push her away? Would the two of them fall back into their old ways with the ex’s because it was just easier than dealing with something new?
This is an excellent read for any rock romance fan out there. And when you finish this book you have to check out this seasoned rock romance writer for more hot rockers and the people around them. You won’t be disappointed by all of her books.
This book was provided as an ARC from the author for an honest review.
This story was a lot of push and pull between Van and Natalie trying to figure out their sorted past romances and find a way to possibly fill that void with each other. How long did it take Van to figure his stuff out and realize he had a good thing right in front of his eyes or was he going to keep being an ass to Natalie and insistently push her away? Would the two of them fall back into their old ways with the ex’s because it was just easier than dealing with something new?
This is an excellent read for any rock romance fan out there. And when you finish this book you have to check out this seasoned rock romance writer for more hot rockers and the people around them. You won’t be disappointed by all of her books.
This book was provided as an ARC from the author for an honest review.
January 10, 2016
The Hardest Set by Karolyn James is the fourth book in the story of Willow Son and I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. I've read & thoroughly enjoyed the earlier books, but this story about Van, the bass guitarist, the one we've heard very little about, was initially, hard to get into. Why? Well, Van really comes over as not a nice guy - in fact, he seems to be a bit of a pr**k! He's discovered that a former girlfriend, one he'd left behind with a ring, was about to marry someone else! So he had a reason for why he was acting out, by getting drunk. His band heads out without him, thinking he's already left & Natalie, (who's working as a waitress for her best friend because the private school where she was an art teacher has closed) finds Van out the back of the venue, drunk & obnoxious. She decides she can't just abandon him, so she drags him to her car & takes him home. Natalie has just as much baggage as Van - not only is she out of a job, she's been having an affair with a married man "whose going to leave his wife for her" but doesn't. Natalie has told him that they're finished but he's not accepting her decision. What a pair Van & Natalie make: there is so much angst with these two characters; neither of them are happy or satisfied with their lives & have to reconcile past love. But they do seem to realise what they have to offer each other & as they sort themselves out, they start to acknowledge that they both need the other.
The other band members play a very small part in this story which was a little disappointing for me - I like to keep track of all important characters in a series but I can't hold that against the author because by the end, Van & Natalie had made giant strides in their relationship and all was well in the world of Willow Son. Karolyn James creates real characters who draw you into their lives, their wise decisions & their foolishness. I hope that there is more of Willow Son still to come. If you've read the other books, don't miss The Hardest Set & if you aren't familiar with this rock band, you'd be wise to grab this story & the other 3 as well. They are good reads.
The other band members play a very small part in this story which was a little disappointing for me - I like to keep track of all important characters in a series but I can't hold that against the author because by the end, Van & Natalie had made giant strides in their relationship and all was well in the world of Willow Son. Karolyn James creates real characters who draw you into their lives, their wise decisions & their foolishness. I hope that there is more of Willow Son still to come. If you've read the other books, don't miss The Hardest Set & if you aren't familiar with this rock band, you'd be wise to grab this story & the other 3 as well. They are good reads.
January 9, 2016
Book four of the Willow Son Brothers of Rock series brings us the story of bassist Van and artist/art teacher Natalie. Van is having a rough time because he just found out that the girl he left behind, with an engagement ring, is getting married, but not to Van. Van’s way of handling this is to lose himself in the music or booze. Let’s just say he is not much fun to be around right now. Natalie is also having a rough time because the school she teaches at closed, she is out of a job, and about to be evicted. Natalie has just ended a relationship with Mark, a married man. She has lots of guilt and angst about the fact that she kept dating Mark even after she found out he was married.
Natalie goes to work for her best friend Andrea who owns a catering company. Her first job is a big record company event primarily for Willow Son. They meet at the party when Andrea offers Van a drink and he goes back for many more. She finds him drunk and alone outside the back door at the end of the party, so she takes him home to sleep it off so he doesn’t hurt himself or get in trouble. Van is not the nicest guy and is really blunt and with her. But she gives as good as she gets and a spark is lit.
Both Van and Natalie learn to like themselves and each other once they figure out how to really let go of their exes. They help each other get through that and a true love develops. I liked the ending of this book a lot. Van really redeems himself and turns into a nice guy, a complete 180 degree turn from his obnoxious self at the start of the book.
We see a few glimpses of the other band members, but nothing about the couples from the previous books in the series. I would have liked to see some of how their stories are progressing.
Before the book was published, the author lent me an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 8, 2016
Natalie had the perfect job, one she was loved then the school was closed for lack of funds. And the lack of funds was exactly the place where Natalie sat with the last glass of the last bottle of wine, staring at the eviction notice. Her best friend gives her a job with her catering company to try to stave off the wolf at the door and that first job is where her fate intersects with Van, one of the hottest Rock gods in the world.
Van can’t move past the woman he gave a diamond ring and his trust; she is now engaged to another man but still calling Van. At an industry party he has had more drink than needed to be impaired but still stops Natalie for another drink. One look at her and he knows she feels the same pain of loss that he does and like Van, Natalie doesn’t want to acknowledge or speak about that pain. He is surprised she doesn’t know who he is until Willow Son plays at the party. Natalie takes a break and Van crashes her solitude; he is so inebriated that Natalie takes him home out of a twisted sense of reasoning to keep him safe.
Two people both hurt beyond reason by someone they loved and were betrayed. Neither wants the world to know the depth of their pain. Each wants to fix the other, but both know they have to fix themselves.
Van can’t move past the woman he gave a diamond ring and his trust; she is now engaged to another man but still calling Van. At an industry party he has had more drink than needed to be impaired but still stops Natalie for another drink. One look at her and he knows she feels the same pain of loss that he does and like Van, Natalie doesn’t want to acknowledge or speak about that pain. He is surprised she doesn’t know who he is until Willow Son plays at the party. Natalie takes a break and Van crashes her solitude; he is so inebriated that Natalie takes him home out of a twisted sense of reasoning to keep him safe.
Two people both hurt beyond reason by someone they loved and were betrayed. Neither wants the world to know the depth of their pain. Each wants to fix the other, but both know they have to fix themselves.
January 8, 2016
we're back with willow son and this time it's Van who has to face the music, or rather face his past!
he's conflicted as they get and booze seems to be the only thing lessening the emotional pain it still causes. when the band has a mandatory appearance Van does his best to stay away from everyone. his first encounter is knocking over one of the waitresses, when he makes eye contact something inside him stirs. not sure if it's good or bad, he can't put her out of his mind.
natalie, the waitress, is thankful for her friend giving her this job, specially now she's on the verge of being evicted after loosing her art teaching job and being on an emotional downer herself after breaking up with a cheater. she being the one who he cheated his wife with and once she found out, kept seeing him.
some unseen power keeps pulling them together and giving them situations where both of them have to confront their past, willingly or not.
if you want the nitty gritty about Van and Natalie you just have to get the book and dive in head first.
loved this from start to end, another part of willow son that faced the music, now i'm curious for the next one!
free copy given in exchange for an honest review.
he's conflicted as they get and booze seems to be the only thing lessening the emotional pain it still causes. when the band has a mandatory appearance Van does his best to stay away from everyone. his first encounter is knocking over one of the waitresses, when he makes eye contact something inside him stirs. not sure if it's good or bad, he can't put her out of his mind.
natalie, the waitress, is thankful for her friend giving her this job, specially now she's on the verge of being evicted after loosing her art teaching job and being on an emotional downer herself after breaking up with a cheater. she being the one who he cheated his wife with and once she found out, kept seeing him.
some unseen power keeps pulling them together and giving them situations where both of them have to confront their past, willingly or not.
if you want the nitty gritty about Van and Natalie you just have to get the book and dive in head first.
loved this from start to end, another part of willow son that faced the music, now i'm curious for the next one!
free copy given in exchange for an honest review.
January 8, 2016
This book is FABFREAKINGTACULAR!! I absolutely love Karolyn James’ “Brothers of Rock” series, they are exceptional stories of rock stars falling in love. The latest story in this series is “The Hardest Set – Book 4 of Willow Son” has sold out the stadium! Ms. James has another winner!! If you are a lover of rock star romance, this one is for you, actually the whole series, each and every book is for you!
I am not going to give a synopsis of the story, you have read the blurb, and have liked what you read. Otherwise you would not be reading the reviews. Right?
I will say, this couple did not start out well. Each of them had a love interest that went well south, and both were still stuck about the feeling they had for their ex’s. But, Natalie is right in her description of Van, “You're an asshole” for the way he started out treating her. However, the operative word is “was”, but as it turned out he was a very sweet one.
Ms. James has captured her reading audience yet again in my opinion with this book. Keep up the great work!
Thank you for reading my review. YES, you really do need to “One-Click” and buy this book!
I am not going to give a synopsis of the story, you have read the blurb, and have liked what you read. Otherwise you would not be reading the reviews. Right?
I will say, this couple did not start out well. Each of them had a love interest that went well south, and both were still stuck about the feeling they had for their ex’s. But, Natalie is right in her description of Van, “You're an asshole” for the way he started out treating her. However, the operative word is “was”, but as it turned out he was a very sweet one.
Ms. James has captured her reading audience yet again in my opinion with this book. Keep up the great work!
Thank you for reading my review. YES, you really do need to “One-Click” and buy this book!
January 9, 2016
A wonderful addition to the series! Arrogant and abnoxous is the only way to describe Van. Typical rock star right? Nope. This bad boy bassist is hiding a painful past. His Heart was broken twice by the same woman. He doesn't trust woman now. In comes Natalie a poor artist now waitressing for her friend who owns a catering business. He meets her at a part she is working and is fascinated immediately. She takes his drunk sexy behind home with her when his friends and band mates left the party without him. What follows is a test of wills that will have you on the edge of your seat. They keep getting drawn together even though at first they at odds with each other. Taming the bad boy rock star is not something she first set out to do. She has had a bad experience in love herself and isn't quiet recover yet herself. Can they help each other get over their pasts? Will love won on the end? Awesome!! A must read!
I was given this e-book by the publisher for the purpose of an honest review. My conclusions are my own. I wad not compensated in any way.
I was given this e-book by the publisher for the purpose of an honest review. My conclusions are my own. I wad not compensated in any way.
February 19, 2016
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Hardest Set is the 4th installment in the Willow Son books and I feel like this series keeps getting better. Van is the bassist and he's trying to get over the one who hurt him. He still dwells on how she left him which leaves him with difficulty trusting women and getting close to them. Natalie is down on her luck---she lost her job and cannot pay her rent, not to mention that she was involved with a married man who left her. Natalie takes a job as a waitress with her friend's catering company and meets Van while at work. Sparks ignite but because he's a drunken mess, it isn't what either expects. Both are continually drawn to each other and can't stay away. Natalie encourages Van to deal with his demons once and for all before they can have a future together. There is an HEA ending with a bright future for these 2 lovebirds.
The Hardest Set is the 4th installment in the Willow Son books and I feel like this series keeps getting better. Van is the bassist and he's trying to get over the one who hurt him. He still dwells on how she left him which leaves him with difficulty trusting women and getting close to them. Natalie is down on her luck---she lost her job and cannot pay her rent, not to mention that she was involved with a married man who left her. Natalie takes a job as a waitress with her friend's catering company and meets Van while at work. Sparks ignite but because he's a drunken mess, it isn't what either expects. Both are continually drawn to each other and can't stay away. Natalie encourages Van to deal with his demons once and for all before they can have a future together. There is an HEA ending with a bright future for these 2 lovebirds.
January 13, 2016
I was given an ARC of "The Hardest Set" book 4 in the "Willow Son" series, for an honest review. I am so in love with this series, it just gets better with each band member, can't wait for Brantley's book. Poor Van & Natalie are still struggling with their pasts, with ex's that did them wrong. At their first meeting Van, being a jerk, judged Natalie based on what his ex did to him thinking all women are the same. Natalie not wanting Van to get hurt or thrown in jail, because he was drunk, takes him home to sleep on her floor to sleep it off. They're so drawn to each other they can't stay away, even though they know they're both broken. I love how they help each other get closure from their pasts & ultimately heal each other, being in love & better together.
Love all of Karolyn James "Brothers of Rock" series. Gets better & better with each book!!
Love all of Karolyn James "Brothers of Rock" series. Gets better & better with each book!!
January 10, 2016
I absolutely LOVED the story of Van!! I love the brooding rock star thing that he has going on. He is cocky and has this attitude that rolls off of him, but digging in to his story there is another side to him. A reason he is the way he is. Natalie is a bit spunky, she made some bad decisions and she is trying her best to move on from that. I love the strength she has to keep her chin up. The sparks fly between Van and Natalie and just continued to heat up. Such a great connection!! It's a great ride for these two, the ups and downs, the past emotions rolling in to try to cause problems... it comes together so well. This is a MUST for anyone that loves a hot rocker!!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 10, 2016
I got this in exchange for an honest review, I love Karolyn work and this book was amazing I liked the characters a lot Nathalie and Van are great characters to meet and learn about how they came across one another and the events that starts between them I liked the emotions the pain the suffering that each one had and connected to each other with I like how real it felt to know these characters and how the fact that at one stage or another we were at that stage and the way things move on a great I liked the end the flow of events and plots were well written and recommend this to everyone
January 8, 2016
I received an ARC of this book for an honest review
WOW WOW WOW
I absoeffinlutely love this book! this whole series is just amaaazing
Karloyn James ROCKS!!!!
I have loved this series from the beginning and each book just seemed to get better!!!
there is no doubt in my mind that you will enjoy this series!
I don't want to give anything away ~ if you love them rock stars, you will most definitely love this book
definitely a keeper!!!
WOW WOW WOW
I absoeffinlutely love this book! this whole series is just amaaazing
Karloyn James ROCKS!!!!
I have loved this series from the beginning and each book just seemed to get better!!!
there is no doubt in my mind that you will enjoy this series!
I don't want to give anything away ~ if you love them rock stars, you will most definitely love this book
definitely a keeper!!!
January 8, 2016
I cannot get enough of this band! This is Van's story. I thought it was so good! Hurt in the past by a woman he thought was forever, Van is enjoying the rock star life but missing not having a love of his life. When Van meets Natalie, it is not love at first site. Enjoy this story as we watch two people try and figure how to get past their past and try for a happily ever after. Is it possible or is the pain too much? You will enjoy this one!
January 8, 2016
Outstanding read! The best Willow Son yet! I was surpirsed by the depth of emotion Van showed which caused me to fall fast and hard for him. Natailie was so strong and fiesty yet has a sweet and tender heart. I don't want to give anything away so I'll end with the fact that this was a beautiful story of self-discovery and love. Don't miss out on this or any of the other fantastic Brothers of Rock books.
January 8, 2016
I am going to be nice and not reveal anything but I will say this... will keep you on the edge. You like rock bands, their everyday struggles, finding love in unlikely places then you will enjoy this.
~~~~~~~ARC was given for a honest review~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~ARC was given for a honest review~~~~~~~
January 8, 2016
I love this series. It keeps getting better. The chemistry between characters is well written. The story it self is awesome. If you love bad boy rock stars this story is for you. I received this book as an ARC copy.
January 14, 2016
Amazing!
This was one hell of a book. I loved it from beginning to end. I could really love getting with a man like Van. Hard on the outside but warm underneath. I would defiantly recommend this book.
This was one hell of a book. I loved it from beginning to end. I could really love getting with a man like Van. Hard on the outside but warm underneath. I would defiantly recommend this book.
April 26, 2016
Awesome story of finally letting go of lost love and opening your eyes and hearts to the love right in front of you. Van and Natalie's story was badass and sweet. A must read for your reading list.
January 23, 2016
Great book
Great quick read! Van and Natalie have a great love story. Can wait for the next book. I recommend this book.
Great quick read! Van and Natalie have a great love story. Can wait for the next book. I recommend this book.
April 1, 2016
Short!!
This book was Free one for me.. it surprised me in the fact that I really enjoyed it.. I could have kept reading about Van... it was a really sweet, sort, HE A, book...
This book was Free one for me.. it surprised me in the fact that I really enjoyed it.. I could have kept reading about Van... it was a really sweet, sort, HE A, book...
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews