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Music Street #1
Behind the Bars
When I first met Jasmine Greene, she came in as raindrops.
I was the awkward musician, and she was the high school queen.
The only things we had in common were our music and our loneliness.
Something in her eyes told me her smile wasn’t always the truth.
Something in her voice gave me a hope I always wished to find.
And in a flash, she was gone.
Years later, she was standing in front of me on a street in New Orleans.
She was different, but so was I. Life made us colder. Harder. Isolated.
Caged.
Even though we were different, the broken pieces of me recognized the sadness in her.
Now she was back, and I wouldn’t make the mistake of letting her go again.
When I first met Jasmine Greene, she came in as raindrops.
When we met again, I became her darkest storm.
I was the awkward musician, and she was the high school queen.
The only things we had in common were our music and our loneliness.
Something in her eyes told me her smile wasn’t always the truth.
Something in her voice gave me a hope I always wished to find.
And in a flash, she was gone.
Years later, she was standing in front of me on a street in New Orleans.
She was different, but so was I. Life made us colder. Harder. Isolated.
Caged.
Even though we were different, the broken pieces of me recognized the sadness in her.
Now she was back, and I wouldn’t make the mistake of letting her go again.
When I first met Jasmine Greene, she came in as raindrops.
When we met again, I became her darkest storm.
373 pages, ebook
First published December 7, 2017
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September 7, 2021
5 stars
Brittainy C. Cherry is a wordsmith. She is one of those people that is doing exactly what she was made for. Behind the Bars is another masterpiece. I can’t say enough good things about this book! It moved me and gave me the feels on an entirely different level! It was brilliant and a top favorite of mine this year!
Jasmine Greene is the daughter of a traveling musician and a mom-ager. Her dad, Ray, is fantastic, but her mom is always trying to get her to be someone she’s not. Jasmine loves music and soul is what speaks to her. According to her mother, Jasmine needs to sing pop to be successful. For the first time in a long time, Jasmine has a home. New Orleans becomes home for them, as Ray has a long-term gig. While in New Orleans, she meets Elliot.
Elliot is a sweet, shy, and quiet boy. He’s one of those too skinny and a bit nerdy high schoolers. But when Jasmine hears him play his saxophone, he becomes someone else. His music is everything. Jasmine and Elliot forge an unlikely friendship that becomes more with time. Elliot holds the key to Jasmine’s heart and nothing could ever break them apart. Until Jasmine’s mother decides to uproot her entire life. While Jasmine is gone, the unthinkable happens to Elliot and they go years without seeing each other or speaking.
Finally, Jasmine comes home. Home to New Orleans, to Ray, and maybe even to that shy boy she’s been in love with since she was a teen.
Elliot and Jasmine are both so different as adults. I won’t get into their second chance love story, but gah! It’s stunning. I felt their pain, their struggle, and their love completely. I adore these characters so much. Elliot is one of the best characters Brittainy has ever written. He’s so complex. And, as always, there are a few side characters that completely steal the show. TJ is incredible, and Ray. Oh Ray. I can’t even tell you how much I loved this man!!!
Elliot and Jasmine’s love was strong. Strong enough to withstand the strongest of storms. Strong enough to fight the hardest of battles. And strong enough to conquer all the hardships they face along the way. It’s not without a fight, but these two are made to be. Their connection is that strong. You can feel it- it’s palpable.
36 highlights. 36. I’m a reader who usually highlights a few of my favorite quotes while I’m reading, maybe 5-10, 15 if I really loved the book. But 36… that only happens with a Cherry book. There are so many quotes that spoke to my heart. So many moments filled with pain, hope, and love, that I needed to save on my kindle so I could go back and re-read them when I needed them. This story and these words are so special to me.
Behind the Bars is one of those books that will touch your heart and soul. It will make you feel, make you cry, and by the end, completely warm your heart. THIS is the reason Brittainy is my favorite author. She always makes me cry, but by the end, always always leaves my heart happy and healed. Read this book for the love, for the heart, and for the music. It’s a book that needs to be read and I give it all the stars!
“No woman can only fall in love with the music of jazz. She always quietly yearns for the musician behind the bars.”
Brittainy C. Cherry is a wordsmith. She is one of those people that is doing exactly what she was made for. Behind the Bars is another masterpiece. I can’t say enough good things about this book! It moved me and gave me the feels on an entirely different level! It was brilliant and a top favorite of mine this year!
Jasmine Greene is the daughter of a traveling musician and a mom-ager. Her dad, Ray, is fantastic, but her mom is always trying to get her to be someone she’s not. Jasmine loves music and soul is what speaks to her. According to her mother, Jasmine needs to sing pop to be successful. For the first time in a long time, Jasmine has a home. New Orleans becomes home for them, as Ray has a long-term gig. While in New Orleans, she meets Elliot.
Elliot is a sweet, shy, and quiet boy. He’s one of those too skinny and a bit nerdy high schoolers. But when Jasmine hears him play his saxophone, he becomes someone else. His music is everything. Jasmine and Elliot forge an unlikely friendship that becomes more with time. Elliot holds the key to Jasmine’s heart and nothing could ever break them apart. Until Jasmine’s mother decides to uproot her entire life. While Jasmine is gone, the unthinkable happens to Elliot and they go years without seeing each other or speaking.
Finally, Jasmine comes home. Home to New Orleans, to Ray, and maybe even to that shy boy she’s been in love with since she was a teen.
Whenever I thought of home, I didn’t think of a place, I thought of people. The ones who shaped us into the people we were meant to become. The ones who loved us with our scars, and told us those scars were beautiful. The ones who allowed us to make mistakes, and still loved us fully.
Elliot and Jasmine are both so different as adults. I won’t get into their second chance love story, but gah! It’s stunning. I felt their pain, their struggle, and their love completely. I adore these characters so much. Elliot is one of the best characters Brittainy has ever written. He’s so complex. And, as always, there are a few side characters that completely steal the show. TJ is incredible, and Ray. Oh Ray. I can’t even tell you how much I loved this man!!!
Elliot and Jasmine’s love was strong. Strong enough to withstand the strongest of storms. Strong enough to fight the hardest of battles. And strong enough to conquer all the hardships they face along the way. It’s not without a fight, but these two are made to be. Their connection is that strong. You can feel it- it’s palpable.
36 highlights. 36. I’m a reader who usually highlights a few of my favorite quotes while I’m reading, maybe 5-10, 15 if I really loved the book. But 36… that only happens with a Cherry book. There are so many quotes that spoke to my heart. So many moments filled with pain, hope, and love, that I needed to save on my kindle so I could go back and re-read them when I needed them. This story and these words are so special to me.
“One can’t truly heal if they pretend the cracks don’t exist.”
Behind the Bars is one of those books that will touch your heart and soul. It will make you feel, make you cry, and by the end, completely warm your heart. THIS is the reason Brittainy is my favorite author. She always makes me cry, but by the end, always always leaves my heart happy and healed. Read this book for the love, for the heart, and for the music. It’s a book that needs to be read and I give it all the stars!
January 6, 2019
”...You don’t see music, you feel it. Music doesn’t see color. Music transcends all stereotypes.”
I don’t know what ‘category’ of romance to file this under, but it honestly doesn’t matter. What matters is ... It was amazing! It was riveting! It was totally unique! It was a page turning, slow burn romance! It gave me ALL THE FEELS, ranging from the depths of sadness, to the heights of elation and everything in between!
It was also my first read by this author, and now I need more and more.
The words just flow and and take you right to the setting of New Orleans, where music defines who the characters are and who they are not. I couldn’t have felt a deeper connection with Elliot and Jasmine if I tried.
I am just so glad I finally took the time to read this one which constantly winked at me from my tbr pile. The cover and title enticed me, so I dove in blind and enjoyed every single minute.
If you are looking for a storyline with a lot of heart and soul, this is for you!!
We walked up to the door and before we entered, he turned to me. “Okay, so we’re planning a wedding for the first weekend in June. The theme is rustic. We’re super excited and can’t wait to tie the knot. I think that’s all you need to know. And, Jasmine?
”Yes?”
”Act like you love me.”
Oh my good gracious, this book pure slayed me!!
I don’t know what ‘category’ of romance to file this under, but it honestly doesn’t matter. What matters is ... It was amazing! It was riveting! It was totally unique! It was a page turning, slow burn romance! It gave me ALL THE FEELS, ranging from the depths of sadness, to the heights of elation and everything in between!
It was also my first read by this author, and now I need more and more.
The words just flow and and take you right to the setting of New Orleans, where music defines who the characters are and who they are not. I couldn’t have felt a deeper connection with Elliot and Jasmine if I tried.
I am just so glad I finally took the time to read this one which constantly winked at me from my tbr pile. The cover and title enticed me, so I dove in blind and enjoyed every single minute.
If you are looking for a storyline with a lot of heart and soul, this is for you!!
We walked up to the door and before we entered, he turned to me. “Okay, so we’re planning a wedding for the first weekend in June. The theme is rustic. We’re super excited and can’t wait to tie the knot. I think that’s all you need to know. And, Jasmine?
”Yes?”
”Act like you love me.”
Oh my good gracious, this book pure slayed me!!
October 14, 2019
HE AMADO ESTE LIBRO POR COMPLETO. Sin duda uno de mis favoritos de la autora.
Esta es la historia Jasmine y Elliot. Ambos adoran la música y es muy importante en su vida. Jasmine adora el soul, pero su madre cree que solo podrá triunfar cantando pop, y como su madre quiere que Jasmine sea famosa y que consiga lo que ella nunca pudo, no deja que su hija que haga lo que quiera. Es más, siempre la ha educado en casa para que pudiera dedicar el mayor tiempo posible a clases de danza y canto. Pero Jasmine ya tiene 16 años y ha conseguido convencer a su madre para asistir al instituto. Allí es donde coincidirá con Elliot, aunque ella le había visto tocando el saxo fuera de clase y esto la había maravillado. Elliot es un chico que sufre acoso escolar... ¿Su problema? Que es tartamudo y la gente de su instituto es idiota y deciden acosarle por eso. Y bueno, por más motivos que luego iréis viendo. El caso es que Jasmine empieza a intentar protegerle de ciertas maneras, y aunque Elliot piensa al principio que es por pena, cuando se van conociendo descubre que no es así y empiezan a entablar una relación de amistad preciosa. Este comienzo de libro y como surgen los sentimientos en esta edad es precioso, pero pasa algo que hace que se tengan que separar y hasta 6 años después sus vidas no vuelven a reencontrarse y ya ninguno de los dos será la misma persona...
Os aseguro que es una de las historias de amor más bonitas que he leído y también una de las más dolorosas. Muchas veces los personajes ya tienen traumas por su pasado antes del libro, aquí también, pero hay un hecho muy traumático durante la novela que me hizo llorar muchísimo por la situación y por lo que eso hace a los personajes. Pero sin este hecho, el libro no hubiera sido el mismo, sus personajes no hubieran tenido que enfrentarse a esto y sé que no me hubiera gustado igual. Así que preparad los pañuelos si vais a leer este libro.
Si algo amo de Brittainy es que escribe de maravilla. Consigue transmitir al lector los sentimientos que está plasmando en la novela y consigue hacerte empatizar con los personajes. Esto hace que sonrías, quieras, sufras y llores junto a ellos.
La historia de amor es superbonita, de estas que nacen de manera muy fuerte porque primero crean una amistad maravillosa y eso me encanta. Adoro como se complementan y como la música es algo tan especial para ambos y una pieza fundamental para la historia. Siempre os he dicho que a la autora le tiene que gustar la música porque siempre la mete en sus libros, en algunos más que otros pero siempre está muy presente para alguno de los personajes, pero en este caso ha sido para los dos y me he enamorado por completo.
Si buscáis un new adult adictivo, que os haga sentir mil cosas, con unos personajes increíbles con un gran desarrollo y donde se toquen de manera sutil temas muy importantes, os recomiendo muchísimo leer La música del corazón.
Esta es la historia Jasmine y Elliot. Ambos adoran la música y es muy importante en su vida. Jasmine adora el soul, pero su madre cree que solo podrá triunfar cantando pop, y como su madre quiere que Jasmine sea famosa y que consiga lo que ella nunca pudo, no deja que su hija que haga lo que quiera. Es más, siempre la ha educado en casa para que pudiera dedicar el mayor tiempo posible a clases de danza y canto. Pero Jasmine ya tiene 16 años y ha conseguido convencer a su madre para asistir al instituto. Allí es donde coincidirá con Elliot, aunque ella le había visto tocando el saxo fuera de clase y esto la había maravillado. Elliot es un chico que sufre acoso escolar... ¿Su problema? Que es tartamudo y la gente de su instituto es idiota y deciden acosarle por eso. Y bueno, por más motivos que luego iréis viendo. El caso es que Jasmine empieza a intentar protegerle de ciertas maneras, y aunque Elliot piensa al principio que es por pena, cuando se van conociendo descubre que no es así y empiezan a entablar una relación de amistad preciosa. Este comienzo de libro y como surgen los sentimientos en esta edad es precioso, pero pasa algo que hace que se tengan que separar y hasta 6 años después sus vidas no vuelven a reencontrarse y ya ninguno de los dos será la misma persona...
Os aseguro que es una de las historias de amor más bonitas que he leído y también una de las más dolorosas. Muchas veces los personajes ya tienen traumas por su pasado antes del libro, aquí también, pero hay un hecho muy traumático durante la novela que me hizo llorar muchísimo por la situación y por lo que eso hace a los personajes. Pero sin este hecho, el libro no hubiera sido el mismo, sus personajes no hubieran tenido que enfrentarse a esto y sé que no me hubiera gustado igual. Así que preparad los pañuelos si vais a leer este libro.
Si algo amo de Brittainy es que escribe de maravilla. Consigue transmitir al lector los sentimientos que está plasmando en la novela y consigue hacerte empatizar con los personajes. Esto hace que sonrías, quieras, sufras y llores junto a ellos.
La historia de amor es superbonita, de estas que nacen de manera muy fuerte porque primero crean una amistad maravillosa y eso me encanta. Adoro como se complementan y como la música es algo tan especial para ambos y una pieza fundamental para la historia. Siempre os he dicho que a la autora le tiene que gustar la música porque siempre la mete en sus libros, en algunos más que otros pero siempre está muy presente para alguno de los personajes, pero en este caso ha sido para los dos y me he enamorado por completo.
Si buscáis un new adult adictivo, que os haga sentir mil cosas, con unos personajes increíbles con un gran desarrollo y donde se toquen de manera sutil temas muy importantes, os recomiendo muchísimo leer La música del corazón.
December 5, 2017
BEHIND THE BARS: Is a new standalone second chance romance novel by Brittainy C. Cherry and is spoken in ‘Dual Perspectives’ In this we meet Elliot & Jasmine at the age of sixteen.
They say opposites attract and in this book that saying couldn’t ring any more truer.
Elliott was a sweet natured boy who kept his head down and tried to become as invisible as he could during high-school, he’d been dealt a raw deal in life, his slight build, his thick glasses and his slight stutter were a beacon for the popular kids to bully him relentlessly, both physically and verbally.
But when he played his saxophone, magic happened, he stopped becoming the bullied teenager and became a powerful awe inspiring musician, like the pied piper crowds would gather on the corner where he’d busk just to listen in wonder at the sound he produced. A boy who played the most soulful music that spoke to Jasmine when she first saw him playing.
Before I met Elliot, I thought loneliness was a thing I’d always feel. Then he found me with his music and everything changed.
Jasmine Greene was beautiful and one of the popular kids without even trying, stuck with an overbearing mother who strived for perfection for her daughter, who pushed and pulled to get her up on the music ladder, for years relentlessly choosing her path in life for her.
The broken boy and the damaged girl
When these two meet it was like their souls stuck a cord and ignited they saw what the other tried so hard to hide from the rest of the world. She became his strength when he needed it most and he became her light in the darkest days. Together they were imperfectly perfect.
We were complete opposites in so many ways. I was the popular new girl, and he, the bullied sh boy. Where I was outgoing, he was tame. When I was lost he was the road map home.
This dealt with some horrifying bulling, my heart broke, my eyes leaked, my mind wouldn’t stop spinning as a scene played out word by word when bullying went to far.
I felt their story.
I felt their anguish.
I felt their hurt.
I felt their struggles.
But most of all I felt their love.
He was all bones, and I was all meat. His skin was painted caramel, and mine was white as cream. We were polar opposites. we weren’t mean’t to fall for one another, but when we blended together, we were some kind of beautiful.
Then her career driven mother pulled up sticks and moved them four thousand, six hundred and twenty-four miles away from what Jasmine would term as home. She tried to stay in touch with Elliot over the years, the boy who stole her heart, the boy who had so much to give, but all of a sudden he just ceased returning her emails. It took Jasmine six gruelling long years to make her way back.
Would she find the boy she once loved? Would he be the same sweet boy she remembered?
This was so beautifully written, a heart wrenching tale that pulled at every emotion I could feel, once I started I couldn't stop. I connected with the story, the characters, definitely one of my one click recommendations..
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December 11, 2017LIVE at 99¢! | AMZ US | AMZ UK |
STOCKING UP ON TISSUE!
LIVE at 99¢! | AMZ US | AMZ UK |
Blurb:
Book Blurb:
When I first met Jasmine Greene, she came in as raindrops.
I was the awkward musician, and she was the high school queen.
The only things we had in common were our music and our loneliness.
Something in her eyes told me her smile wasn’t always the truth.
Something in her voice gave me a hope I always wished to find.
And in a flash, she was gone.
Years later, she was standing in front of me on a street in New Orleans.
She was different, but so was I. Life made us colder. Harder. Isolated.
Caged.
Even though we were different, the broken pieces of me recognized the sadness in her.
Now she was back, and I wouldn’t make the mistake of letting her go again.
When I first met Jasmine Greene, she came in as raindrops.
When we met again, I became her darkest storm.
STOCKING UP ON TISSUE!
LIVE at 99¢! | AMZ US | AMZ UK |
Blurb:
Book Blurb:
When I first met Jasmine Greene, she came in as raindrops.
I was the awkward musician, and she was the high school queen.
The only things we had in common were our music and our loneliness.
Something in her eyes told me her smile wasn’t always the truth.
Something in her voice gave me a hope I always wished to find.
And in a flash, she was gone.
Years later, she was standing in front of me on a street in New Orleans.
She was different, but so was I. Life made us colder. Harder. Isolated.
Caged.
Even though we were different, the broken pieces of me recognized the sadness in her.
Now she was back, and I wouldn’t make the mistake of letting her go again.
When I first met Jasmine Greene, she came in as raindrops.
When we met again, I became her darkest storm.
December 11, 2017
“Who knew things could be painfully beautiful?”
Wow! This book was everything I was hoping for and more… much more. I am a huge fan of Brittainy C. Cherry and have been ever since reading Loving Mr. Daniels a few years ago, and then I fell even harder for her after each one of the Elements stories. Behind the Bars is a phenomenal story of love, hope, friendship and two lonely souls coming together through their love of music. If there is one book you need to check out this year, or ever, it is this one. Brittainy C. Cherry’s writing is sensational and I felt this story on such a deep level, right down to my very core.
“I didn’t see him at first- I felt him, felt his music crawl along my skin. The chords and bars of his saxophone sent chills down my spine. It sounded magical, the way the notes danced through the air, so hauntingly beautiful.”
Elliott was a sweet boy who felt music; he was someone who had one of those connections with music that meant he lived and breathed it. Music was a part of him and he was a part of music, especially Jazz music and he could play the saxophone like nobody else.
Elliott’s high school years were rough to say the least. He was repeatedly bullied, harassed, name called and humiliated. Elliott wanted nothing more than to be invisible and just try to survive each day. Bullying is never ok and what Elliott suffered was utterly heartbreaking, but he learnt to accept it as a way of life, which is devastating and sad beyond all belief.
“He was so skinny and fragile, and I swore I weighed three times as much as him, but he loved me just as much as I loved him. He was all bones, and I was all meat. His skin was painted caramel, and mine was as white as cream. We were polar opposites. We weren’t meant to fall for one another, but when we blended together, we were some kind of beautiful.”
High school was Jasmine’s happy place; time away from her overbearing mom who worked Jasmine to the bone and was a place where she felt free. Jasmine was beautiful and popular and to the outside world had very few problems, but looks can be deceiving. Jasmine’s mom was living vicariously through her in the hopes that her daughter could make her dreams come true by becoming the next pop star. Was it really what Jasmine wanted though? She lived and breathed soul music, but according to her mom there was no money in soul.
“I knew I was young, and I knew it was stupid, but in that moment, I began to fall in love with the quiet boy who quietly cared for me. The boy who was scared and still strong. The boy who stood up for me when he was surrounded by reasons not to do such a thing.”
You can live your whole life surrounded by people, but still be the loneliest person in the world. This was life for Jasmine, maybe people just didn’t understand her.
When Jasmine and Elliott met there was such a profound connection between the two that it literally seemed like they had found the other part to their soul. They were both different in so many ways, but together they found strength and hope in a lonely and hopeless world.
Some aspects of this story I found hard to read as it dealt with the devastation of bullying and the horrific treatment of another human being. I felt deeply, I cried and my heart broke as the scenes unfolded before me about what happens when bullying is taken to the next level.
This was such a beautiful and heart wrenching story that completely consumed me, broke me and healed me all at once. This story means so much to me on such a deep level and I know without a doubt I won’t ever forget this story and I urge everyone to read this story as you will no doubt feel similarly to what I felt.
February 28, 2018
What a beautiful story! I loved this book so much! It was perfect!
Brittainy C. Cherry is one of my favorite authors of all time. She just has a way of writing the most beautiful and heartbreaking stories. This one is not an exception.
Elliot has such a beautiful soul. He goes through so much (the bullying was so hard and sad to read about) but he’s not tainted. He loves deeply and cares so much for his family and friends. I am so in love with him.
Jasmine was perfect for Elliot. She too has gone through a lot (her mother is so awful) but still finds in her heart to forgive and love.
Music was a big part in this book too and I wouldn’t have it any other way. It was so comforting and now I want to learn more about jazz.
Overall I highly recommend this book to everyone! It touched me deeply and I’ll be re-reading it in the future for sure!
Brittainy C. Cherry is one of my favorite authors of all time. She just has a way of writing the most beautiful and heartbreaking stories. This one is not an exception.
Elliot has such a beautiful soul. He goes through so much (the bullying was so hard and sad to read about) but he’s not tainted. He loves deeply and cares so much for his family and friends. I am so in love with him.
Jasmine was perfect for Elliot. She too has gone through a lot (her mother is so awful) but still finds in her heart to forgive and love.
Music was a big part in this book too and I wouldn’t have it any other way. It was so comforting and now I want to learn more about jazz.
Overall I highly recommend this book to everyone! It touched me deeply and I’ll be re-reading it in the future for sure!
December 12, 2017
4 Stars
Brittainy C. Cherry delivers yet again another heartfelt story. This couple shares a love of jazz and of one another and their connection is simply beautiful. There were so many lovely quotes as Jasmine and Elliott find their way back to one another. I enjoyed this story and will always read anything this author pens!
Brittainy C. Cherry delivers yet again another heartfelt story. This couple shares a love of jazz and of one another and their connection is simply beautiful. There were so many lovely quotes as Jasmine and Elliott find their way back to one another. I enjoyed this story and will always read anything this author pens!
December 8, 2017
Ugh Ms.Cherry, you're always making me cry... 😢😢😢
This book was so good. ❤❤❤
This book was so good. ❤❤❤
December 6, 2017
“You were, are, and will always be my Jazz. You are every beat, every note, every bar. You are the lyrics, the harmony, and the melody. You were, are, and always will be my favorite song.”
4,5 stars
All along two thoughts were twirling in my head:
“Oh Elliott, no…” when he was pushed and pushed
“No Jasmine, please don’t do it. They won’t love you for this.”
They both tore my heart in tiny pieces, quietly, one piece at a time.
Poor, bullied and lonely Eli.
Elliott is the bullied boy with an unassuming appearance. He was skinny had glasses.The boy with the soft hazel eyes with a soul that shone so bright he had to bleed his feelings with his saxophone. When Eli played Jazz the world stopped spinning and the hearts would weep.
Jasmine was part of the “in crowd” and was groomed by her mother to become a star. She projected a confident aura but Jasmine was still lonely. Wanting to be loved by her mom she forgot her true calling every day. Jasmine was slowly dying inside. I loved her for really seeing Eli. Whatever her popularity she was never afraid to be seen with the bullied boy and show to everyone that he was her friend.
“He was a quiet guy and he mostly kept to himself. He was a skinny boy with beautiful caramel skin and hazel eyes. He never in the history of ever bothered anyone. He had braces, glasses, and nervous habits, like the shaky hands I always noticed. He was the easiest target for Todd: timid, kind, and lonely. I noticed the loneliness most, because I knew the distinct look. I’d been lonely my whole life, and Elliott’s stare mirrored my own.”
Brittainy C Cherry did not make it easy for me in this story. I was shocked by some choices Jasmine made. When you realize that you are judgmental this is not pretty to admit. If she would have been a boy I would only have had an amused smile. How fair is that? I liked Jasmine but did not always understand her. I loved her brave side when she fought for Eli. I understood that the choices she made came from the heart. But it was still bothering me.
Then a wonder happened: she rebelled!
Yes! At last!
From that moment on I was 120% team Jasmine.
She was gorgeous, caring, gifted, selfless and she loved Eli so much.
All is well then?
Well not exactly. I fell in love with Jasmine when Eli had changed so much that it was hard to still love him. He was really putting distances between him and others. Standoffish. All cold outside.
Everyone copes in his own way with drama but Elliott was stuck in his pain. He could not move on and I did not either. What happened was just horrible. Another shock factor of the story. Brittainy C Cherry went all in with this one sparing her characters no pain at all.
He just wanted to stay numb.
He did not deserve to feel anything good.
He’s been weak.
He is guilty.
…
Then began the long way to loving Eli back. Step by step, punch after punch, note by note.
I adored the love story. It was cute, touching, sweet, real. They both were really meant to be together. My eyes were often brimming with tears when I read some moving parts witnessing their shy but stong love blossom.
A few tears rolled down my cheeks. “I’m a little messed up.” “I know.” He nodded. “That’s why I like you.” He went back to staring out the window, and I kept staring at him. And there it was. So small, so tiny, so real. Love. It wasn’t love, but it was the beginning of it.
A personal note here: being a good parent. Brittainy C Cherry portrayed different parents in this story. Some were really bad like Jasmine’s mom. I hated her with a passion you have no idea!
Some wonderful like Eli’s mom or Ray. Ray is Jasmine’s dad in everything that count but blood.
“I love her because she gave me you. You may not be my blood, Snow White, but don’t for a second think that you are not my family. I stay for you. I’ll always stay for you.”
And you have Todd’s parents…
Brittainy showed that you can neglect a kid in many ways. What’s most important is not to give them designer bags but to love and listen to them. Without love and understanding kids are lost. It hit close to home as I’m currently going through some hard times with my son. Eighteen is not easy. You are not a kid anymore but you are not an adult either. Brittainy reminded me that whatever the outbursts, the tongue lashing or the frustration I have to listen to him. Show him I’m supporting and loving him. That’s how it’s done and that’s how we’ll win.
I cried, I swooned, I raged at life’s unfairness. In four words: I lived the story!
Now confession time: I loved it but still felt bereft. I would have loved reading more about their lives when separated. What happened every day. And yet I suspect these years were so dark, desperate and ugly that it’s probably better if I don’t know.
I would have loved another ending. Call me greedy all that you want but what happens with their music? Nothing more than that?
I know that’s me splitting hair as Brittainy C Cherry once more delivered a moving, heartbreaking and gorgeous romance story. It’s one tale of resilience and forgiveness you won’t want to miss!
“No woman can only fall in love with the music of jazz. She always quietly yearns for the musician behind the bars.”
Recommend it? Hell yes!!!
December 6, 2017
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Type: Standalone book in a series
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:
Jasmine Greene was born to be a star. Coming from a family of musicians, she was poised to be a household name. But behind the talent, she was unhappy and lonely. That was until she met a kindred spirit.
Elliott Adams was shy and awkward. Music was his only way to escape real life. His friendship with Jasmine opened up his eyes to what a good life could be. But being together proved to be a lot harder than either of them could imagine.
Initially I had reservation about this book since I'm not into soul music or even music in general. I'm glad to say it didn't affect my enjoyment of the story.
Elliott didn't have an easy life. His closed off personality was understandable. But beyond that, deep down he cared about those in his inner circle.
Jasmine might seemed like a well adjusted woman. But she hid pains behind the facade. I like how she was understanding and put other people first. I was angry with how she handled certain situations, but she needed to learn thing the hard way.
I love the elements of family and friendship in this book. Some parts of the book hurt, and I like seeing how the characters coped from it. I have to say though I wish the epilogue is turned down a little.
Behind The Bars is a story of loyalty and forgiveness. It would appeal to readers looking for a heartbreaking yet heartwarming romance.
🎙 🎼 🎙 . . . (F)BR With Loyda . . . 🎙 🎼 🎙
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
Type: Standalone book in a series
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:
Jasmine Greene was born to be a star. Coming from a family of musicians, she was poised to be a household name. But behind the talent, she was unhappy and lonely. That was until she met a kindred spirit.
Elliott Adams was shy and awkward. Music was his only way to escape real life. His friendship with Jasmine opened up his eyes to what a good life could be. But being together proved to be a lot harder than either of them could imagine.
Initially I had reservation about this book since I'm not into soul music or even music in general. I'm glad to say it didn't affect my enjoyment of the story.
“You’re a reminder of the best time of my life, and I didn’t think I deserved you,”
Elliott didn't have an easy life. His closed off personality was understandable. But beyond that, deep down he cared about those in his inner circle.
“People don’t care about me, Elliott. People just take pieces of me and then throw the rest away.”
Jasmine might seemed like a well adjusted woman. But she hid pains behind the facade. I like how she was understanding and put other people first. I was angry with how she handled certain situations, but she needed to learn thing the hard way.
I love the elements of family and friendship in this book. Some parts of the book hurt, and I like seeing how the characters coped from it. I have to say though I wish the epilogue is turned down a little.
“One can’t truly heal if they pretend the cracks don’t exist.”
Behind The Bars is a story of loyalty and forgiveness. It would appeal to readers looking for a heartbreaking yet heartwarming romance.
🎙 🎼 🎙 . . . (F)BR With Loyda . . . 🎙 🎼 🎙
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
December 6, 2017
***4.5 stars***
Loved this book, I literally couldn’t put it down, I’ve been reading all day. I found humor in the right parts, sorrow, drama, vulnerability, understanding, lust, chemistry, friendships and love and yes, violence too!
Elliott, oh my dear sweet, Elliott... I really felt sorry for this guy, he had truly be handed a shit hand of cards to make his life. Jasmine knows what is expected of her, perfection. She has quite the messed up family life. I loved her character and how she would do quite literally anything to protect bullied Elliott. Ray, her step-father is a wonderful secondary character. He’s so proud of her, he’s a lovely man and with a heart of gold.
Elliott and Jasmine’s story of physical and verbal bullying broke my heart! Bullying knows no limits and is often times extremely dangerous for the well being of the bully and the bullied. This was one of those romances that has very heavy undertones, which could have taken over the story and been too much, but still manages to not be too angsty.
Will Jasmine open her eyes to her own feelings or will she settle? Will Elliott manage to break down his walls? I admit I found myself enjoying Elliott’s POV more than Jasmine’s. His emotions and thoughts were just so captivating and heart wrenching. This romance was an experience. It was all consuming, refreshing and a unique measure of beauty.
A good read I believe that shouldn’t be missed.
In short:
Hero 5/5 | Heroine 4/5 | Plot (Point, Originality) 5/5 | Writing Style 5/5 | Steam 1/5 | Romance 5/5 | Angst-Suspense 3/5 | Darkness 3/5 | Humor 2/5 | Secondary Characters 5/5 | Drama-Conflict 5/5 | Mystery 0/5 | Twists 4/5 | Pacing Fast | Action 3/5
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.
Loved this book, I literally couldn’t put it down, I’ve been reading all day. I found humor in the right parts, sorrow, drama, vulnerability, understanding, lust, chemistry, friendships and love and yes, violence too!
Elliott, oh my dear sweet, Elliott... I really felt sorry for this guy, he had truly be handed a shit hand of cards to make his life. Jasmine knows what is expected of her, perfection. She has quite the messed up family life. I loved her character and how she would do quite literally anything to protect bullied Elliott. Ray, her step-father is a wonderful secondary character. He’s so proud of her, he’s a lovely man and with a heart of gold.
Elliott and Jasmine’s story of physical and verbal bullying broke my heart! Bullying knows no limits and is often times extremely dangerous for the well being of the bully and the bullied. This was one of those romances that has very heavy undertones, which could have taken over the story and been too much, but still manages to not be too angsty.
Will Jasmine open her eyes to her own feelings or will she settle? Will Elliott manage to break down his walls? I admit I found myself enjoying Elliott’s POV more than Jasmine’s. His emotions and thoughts were just so captivating and heart wrenching. This romance was an experience. It was all consuming, refreshing and a unique measure of beauty.
A good read I believe that shouldn’t be missed.
In short:
Hero 5/5 | Heroine 4/5 | Plot (Point, Originality) 5/5 | Writing Style 5/5 | Steam 1/5 | Romance 5/5 | Angst-Suspense 3/5 | Darkness 3/5 | Humor 2/5 | Secondary Characters 5/5 | Drama-Conflict 5/5 | Mystery 0/5 | Twists 4/5 | Pacing Fast | Action 3/5
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.
December 7, 2017
4.5 Unique Stars
“You’re the music in a mute world, and my heart beats because you’re here.”
Such a beautiful story, it was emotional, heartwarming and sweet!I didn't expect anything less from Brittainy, for one more time she delivered a beautiful story!The writing is flawless and her characters original!
"We were polar opposites. We weren't meant to fall for one another, but when we blended together, we were some kind of beautiful."
Behind the Bars is a story that will make you think about your own life.I love when this is happening with books.Jasmine and Elliott's relationship was something else.They have an amazing connection as friends.Their love for each other is so strong , it was something magical.
I could read Brittainy"s books without reading the synopsis.I love her writing and I loved all her books so far!She is an author I highly recommend, so if you haven't read any of her books do it now!You will fall in love with her stories!
“You’re the music in a mute world, and my heart beats because you’re here.”
Such a beautiful story, it was emotional, heartwarming and sweet!I didn't expect anything less from Brittainy, for one more time she delivered a beautiful story!The writing is flawless and her characters original!
"We were polar opposites. We weren't meant to fall for one another, but when we blended together, we were some kind of beautiful."
Behind the Bars is a story that will make you think about your own life.I love when this is happening with books.Jasmine and Elliott's relationship was something else.They have an amazing connection as friends.Their love for each other is so strong , it was something magical.
I could read Brittainy"s books without reading the synopsis.I love her writing and I loved all her books so far!She is an author I highly recommend, so if you haven't read any of her books do it now!You will fall in love with her stories!
December 15, 2017
Brittainy C Cherry has always managed to bring out the emotional side with her readers. Every word that's been written into the pages feels like a warm protected blanket and you can’t help but bask in it’s safety and strength.
Never striking down for the emotional feel, Behind the Bars keeps you locked into a heartbreaking grasp about love, loss, hope and finding the perfect tune. From an early age , Jasmine has been groomed to be the next pop star thanks to her over bearing mother. Music and fame is the goal and everything else is just a waste of time and that includes being in a public school and making friends. But one encounter with someone who shares the same love and passion for music is about to change her entire life.
Elliot wasn’t your typical teenage boy. Being smaller than your peers and shy in high school makes you a target and unfortunately food him, he became a victim. His saving grace at the end of a bad day is playing his saxophone and getting lost in the music. When the most popular girl in school takes a liking to his work and becomes friendly, Elliot realizes that this girl is going to be the musical soundtrack of his life and ready or not, the notes have already been written.
I loved that this story touched on a lot of different subjects and the author made us look at EVERYTHING. It was pure and raw and heartbreaking at times but it had the right amount of emotion to it. Elliot and Jasmine weren’t able to be what they wanted to each other in the past, but they made up for it in the present and because of that, they had a beautiful future.
*Teaser used is from the author's fb page.
December 21, 2017
3 Stars
Overall Opinion: Well...I think this was one that I sadly went into with big expectations that it didn't quite live up to. I liked the characters, I felt bad for what all they went through, I was happy with the ending (feels like I should add "for once" with the books I've been reading lately)...but I just didn't love it. I guess I never really felt their connection past a really good friendship. I'm not sure why either. I felt sad when the tragic event went down, but I didn't get as emotionally attached as I would've liked (and also had expected myself to do). I think I might've self sabotaged here with my expectations again, because overall it felt just meh 🤦🏻♀️
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Jasmine and Elliott's story. Jasmine notices Elliott when he is playing on a street corner, and she can't help but talk to him at school the next day. Jasmine is the instantly popular new girl at school and Elliott is a kid that is constantly bullied. They form an instant friendship and bond over their love of music, but some things get in their way and they end up separated. About six years later, Jasmine returns to find Elliott a changed and damaged man. She works to bring back the old Elliott in spite of his resistance. There are some sad moments, some sweet moments, a few sexy times...and they get a HEA ending.
POV: This alternated between Jasmine and Elliott's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Alright. I did feel like it lagged some after they reunited, because I felt like I was just waiting for something to happen. I never skimmed though.
Instalove: No, they take a while to develop stronger feelings.
H rating: 4 stars. Elliott. I liked him. I felt horrible for all he endured, but I appreciated how sweet he was.
h rating: 4 stars. Jasmine. I liked her. I appreciated how she cared for Elliott and didn't ever give up on him.
Sadness level: Low/moderate. I might've shed a few tears, but I definitely didn't need tissues like I was expecting to.
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Low. They have mild tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not very many scenes and it was more focused on the emotions and not the physical act.
Descriptive sex: Yes (see above)
OW/OM drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This had good closure with a few different jump ahead glimpses into their future. I would call this a HEA ending.
Safety: This one should be either Safe or Safe with exception for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences.
Overall Opinion: Well...I think this was one that I sadly went into with big expectations that it didn't quite live up to. I liked the characters, I felt bad for what all they went through, I was happy with the ending (feels like I should add "for once" with the books I've been reading lately)...but I just didn't love it. I guess I never really felt their connection past a really good friendship. I'm not sure why either. I felt sad when the tragic event went down, but I didn't get as emotionally attached as I would've liked (and also had expected myself to do). I think I might've self sabotaged here with my expectations again, because overall it felt just meh 🤦🏻♀️
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Jasmine and Elliott's story. Jasmine notices Elliott when he is playing on a street corner, and she can't help but talk to him at school the next day. Jasmine is the instantly popular new girl at school and Elliott is a kid that is constantly bullied. They form an instant friendship and bond over their love of music, but some things get in their way and they end up separated. About six years later, Jasmine returns to find Elliott a changed and damaged man. She works to bring back the old Elliott in spite of his resistance. There are some sad moments, some sweet moments, a few sexy times...and they get a HEA ending.
POV: This alternated between Jasmine and Elliott's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Alright. I did feel like it lagged some after they reunited, because I felt like I was just waiting for something to happen. I never skimmed though.
Instalove: No, they take a while to develop stronger feelings.
H rating: 4 stars. Elliott. I liked him. I felt horrible for all he endured, but I appreciated how sweet he was.
h rating: 4 stars. Jasmine. I liked her. I appreciated how she cared for Elliott and didn't ever give up on him.
Sadness level: Low/moderate. I might've shed a few tears, but I definitely didn't need tissues like I was expecting to.
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Low. They have mild tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not very many scenes and it was more focused on the emotions and not the physical act.
Descriptive sex: Yes (see above)
OW/OM drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This had good closure with a few different jump ahead glimpses into their future. I would call this a HEA ending.
Safety: This one should be either Safe or Safe with exception for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences.
December 13, 2017
“You’re the music in a mute world, and my heart beats because you’re here.”
Brittany Cherry writes beautiful, amazing books, that’s a fact. She’s definitely on of my all time favorites and an instant one-click. Her stories are so real and amazing, and her writing is just beautiful and moving. This one is no exception. This book is about live, love, loss and ,music.
“I noticed the loneliness most, because I knew the distinct look. I’d been lonely my whole life, and Elliott’s stare mirrored my own.”
I’m not sure I can make this story justice with words, so I’m keeping it short and sweet. I mean it this time. You need to read this one, it’s simply beautiful. This story spans a few years and recounts a true friendship between kindred spirits that have been through so much in life. Music is what kept them going and how they connected.
“When Elliott had his music, his soul was free. Because of jazz, Elliott was able to breathe.”
I loved Jasmine and Elliott, their friendship was everything, and as adult, they chemistry was off the charts.
“I wondered if she knew I’d dreamed of someone like her, and I wondered if she’d dreamed of someone like me, too.”
“So that’s what it’s supposed to feel like. That’s how my heart is supposed to beat. This is love.”
This book is so much more than a love story. Actually, the love story is the least important part of it. It’s so much more, it’s about all these characters, and their stories. The seconhdary characters are as important. And I loved them all, Ray, Laura, Katie, Jason, and TJ. I would say TJ was as central to the story as Jazz and Elliott. Loved it!
“Because of her, I lived again. Because of her, I smiled. Because of her, I was freed from behind the bars of my darkest days. And I’d spend the rest of our lives showing her my love through every single song that lived within me.”
“My lover, my friend, my beginnings, my ends. He was everything I wanted to have and everything I had thought I’d never witness again.”
So, like I said, short and sweet. This was amazing. I don’t know how she does it, but Brittainy brings it every single time. All the emotions and feels. She’s a very special soul, just like her characters. I absolutely recommend this one!
I leave you with some more favorite quotes cause I’ve highlighted a ton…
“I like you a lot, Jazz…more than music.”
“Where have you been? What makes you cry? What makes you smile? What do you do for a living? Did you miss me? I missed you.”
“I don’t know how to exist around you,”
“So small, so tiny, so real. Love. I knew I was young, and I knew it was stupid, but in that moment, I began to fall in love with a quiet boy who quietly cared for me. The boy who was scared and still strong. The boy who not only sheltered me but cared for me when he didn’t have to at all. I hadn’t known much about love, I hadn’t known how it looked, felt, or tasted. I hadn’t known how it moved, how it flowed, but I knew my heart was tight and currently skipping a few beats. I understood the goosebumps covering my arms. I knew this stuttering boy who was sometimes so scared, was someone worth loving for the second time ever. I knew Elliott Adams was love, and I was falling into him so fast. Truth was, I had never fallen out of love with him. Only this time, unlike before, I refused to let him go.”
Closure was an odd concept. In my mind, I always believed closure came when both parties spoke from their hearts, and let go together. I thought there couldn’t be full closure if one party wasn’t willing to open up and express their truths, but that wasn’t what closure was—not really. Closure wasn’t a fairy-tale ending with equal goodbyes. Closure was simply one person finding their voice, their own strength, and learning to let go by themselves. Closure was one person writing the ending to a very toxic song, and never replaying it in their souls. The best kind of closure was being brave enough to start a new song with new lyrics and a beautiful melody.
“You were, are, and will always be my Jazz. You are every beat, every note, every bar. You are the lyrics, the harmony, and the melody. You were, are, and always will be my favorite song.”
**An ARC was generously provided in exchange for an honest review**
Brittany Cherry writes beautiful, amazing books, that’s a fact. She’s definitely on of my all time favorites and an instant one-click. Her stories are so real and amazing, and her writing is just beautiful and moving. This one is no exception. This book is about live, love, loss and ,music.
“I noticed the loneliness most, because I knew the distinct look. I’d been lonely my whole life, and Elliott’s stare mirrored my own.”
I’m not sure I can make this story justice with words, so I’m keeping it short and sweet. I mean it this time. You need to read this one, it’s simply beautiful. This story spans a few years and recounts a true friendship between kindred spirits that have been through so much in life. Music is what kept them going and how they connected.
“When Elliott had his music, his soul was free. Because of jazz, Elliott was able to breathe.”
I loved Jasmine and Elliott, their friendship was everything, and as adult, they chemistry was off the charts.
“I wondered if she knew I’d dreamed of someone like her, and I wondered if she’d dreamed of someone like me, too.”
“So that’s what it’s supposed to feel like. That’s how my heart is supposed to beat. This is love.”
This book is so much more than a love story. Actually, the love story is the least important part of it. It’s so much more, it’s about all these characters, and their stories. The seconhdary characters are as important. And I loved them all, Ray, Laura, Katie, Jason, and TJ. I would say TJ was as central to the story as Jazz and Elliott. Loved it!
“Because of her, I lived again. Because of her, I smiled. Because of her, I was freed from behind the bars of my darkest days. And I’d spend the rest of our lives showing her my love through every single song that lived within me.”
“My lover, my friend, my beginnings, my ends. He was everything I wanted to have and everything I had thought I’d never witness again.”
So, like I said, short and sweet. This was amazing. I don’t know how she does it, but Brittainy brings it every single time. All the emotions and feels. She’s a very special soul, just like her characters. I absolutely recommend this one!
I leave you with some more favorite quotes cause I’ve highlighted a ton…
“I like you a lot, Jazz…more than music.”
“Where have you been? What makes you cry? What makes you smile? What do you do for a living? Did you miss me? I missed you.”
“I don’t know how to exist around you,”
“So small, so tiny, so real. Love. I knew I was young, and I knew it was stupid, but in that moment, I began to fall in love with a quiet boy who quietly cared for me. The boy who was scared and still strong. The boy who not only sheltered me but cared for me when he didn’t have to at all. I hadn’t known much about love, I hadn’t known how it looked, felt, or tasted. I hadn’t known how it moved, how it flowed, but I knew my heart was tight and currently skipping a few beats. I understood the goosebumps covering my arms. I knew this stuttering boy who was sometimes so scared, was someone worth loving for the second time ever. I knew Elliott Adams was love, and I was falling into him so fast. Truth was, I had never fallen out of love with him. Only this time, unlike before, I refused to let him go.”
Closure was an odd concept. In my mind, I always believed closure came when both parties spoke from their hearts, and let go together. I thought there couldn’t be full closure if one party wasn’t willing to open up and express their truths, but that wasn’t what closure was—not really. Closure wasn’t a fairy-tale ending with equal goodbyes. Closure was simply one person finding their voice, their own strength, and learning to let go by themselves. Closure was one person writing the ending to a very toxic song, and never replaying it in their souls. The best kind of closure was being brave enough to start a new song with new lyrics and a beautiful melody.
“You were, are, and will always be my Jazz. You are every beat, every note, every bar. You are the lyrics, the harmony, and the melody. You were, are, and always will be my favorite song.”
**An ARC was generously provided in exchange for an honest review**
December 7, 2017
NOW LIVE!
Amazon US * Amazon UK
I'm starting to have suspicions that Brittainy C. Cherry might have stock in a Tissue company because she keeps writing these books that have me going through an entire box of tissues. Seriously, she pushes my tear ducts to the extreme.
Behind The Bars starts off with Jasmine and Elliott in High School where they first meet. For me, this was the most emotional part of the story and the whole first half of the story had my heart continuously shattering into pieces. Hit after hit kept coming at them and I was ready to scream at the universe for making these people go through so much pain...and then I had to remind myself they were fictional.
What kept me sane through all of that was seeing how Jasmine and Elliott helped each other. Even when the book skipped to them as adults and Elliott was trying to push Jasmine away she was there for him and it started to put my shattered heart back together. Sounds cliche, I know, but I swear that's what it felt like while I was reading.
Overall, this book is a hugely recommended one but it comes with the warning to not read in public unless you want to look a little crazy when you bust into tears. And also have some tissues handy.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon US * Amazon UK
I'm starting to have suspicions that Brittainy C. Cherry might have stock in a Tissue company because she keeps writing these books that have me going through an entire box of tissues. Seriously, she pushes my tear ducts to the extreme.
Behind The Bars starts off with Jasmine and Elliott in High School where they first meet. For me, this was the most emotional part of the story and the whole first half of the story had my heart continuously shattering into pieces. Hit after hit kept coming at them and I was ready to scream at the universe for making these people go through so much pain...and then I had to remind myself they were fictional.
What kept me sane through all of that was seeing how Jasmine and Elliott helped each other. Even when the book skipped to them as adults and Elliott was trying to push Jasmine away she was there for him and it started to put my shattered heart back together. Sounds cliche, I know, but I swear that's what it felt like while I was reading.
Overall, this book is a hugely recommended one but it comes with the warning to not read in public unless you want to look a little crazy when you bust into tears. And also have some tissues handy.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
December 7, 2017
I have never been so emotionally moved by a book in my life. I didn't just fall in love with these characters, I walked 300 pages in their shoes, I BECAME then, and I am forever changed. Behind the Bars is true Brittainy C. Cherry magic. 5 achingly beautiful stars!
November 22, 2019
Ay! Mi corazoncito llora. No quería terminarlo porque eso significaba separarme de Jazz y de Elliott y sobre todo de TJ. Ha sido una historia preciosa y llena de sentimientos. Os la recomiendo muchísimo.
December 5, 2017
Title: Behind The Bars
Author: Brittainy C. Cherry
Genre: Contemporary Romance, New Adult
Publication Date: December 7, 2017
It's good to be alive! Why you ask? Because you get to read books like this! Behind The Bars is such an amazing book. It's written beautifully.. I can't tell you how good this book was...I loved it!
ok...I've been sitting here for the past 15 minutes, trying to write this review but I know for a fact that my words just won't do it justice.This book is so beautifully poignant. It deals with so many struggles yet has an underlying beauty thats so strong that it lingers with you even after you are done. I still get the chills whenever I think about this book, as I write this review-I have goosebumps because this book is AMAZING!
Jasmine and Elliot are from two completely different world- she's the popular girl in high school where as he's been dubbed the 'loser' of the school. But somehow they recognized the loneliness in each other and creates a bond so potent and strong that defies 'logic'. The other thing they bonded over was Jazz. I swear, I have a new found respect for Jazz music after this book- In a world where there are so many misfortunes and tragedies, maybe God gave us music as his apology.
Behind The bars deals with so many issues- an overbearing 'mother', lose of people you love, the darkness of struggling with a disability and the horrifying trauma of bullying.
The bullying in this book was appalling! It was brutal and horrible-and I felt so hopeless reading it because I couldn't do anything to help him. After a particularly intense scene, I literally stopped reading and froze because that scene?I couldn't believe what I read- It was over so quickly yet it felt like a lifetime. I couldn't stop crying. I felt the pain, I felt the helplessness and the ultimate sense of denial.
Behind The Bars was so heartfelt and intense and I admit that I will never be the same again.
PS: I want to give a HUGE shout-out to Ray (Jasmine's 'step-dad' ). He is by far THE most kindest, most genuinely loving person ever! It takes a special kind of person to take on another man's kid and love them as your own and I applaud him for it.
Happy Reading!
For more reviews and giveaways follow my blog at www.jemimajamir.com
December 7, 2017
4.5 Stars!
-If you had one person who’d catch you when you were crashing through life, you were blessed beyond measure.
Jasmine Greene is a beautiful, popular 16 yr. old girl living in New Orleans. Her mother wants to make her famous. She’s grooming her to be a star. She takes singing, dancing, & acting lessons, and is constantly going on auditions. Her mother wants her to be a triple threat with her talents, but Jasmine just wants to make her mama proud. She’s always working hard to try to make her happy, but she also longs to live a normal life. That includes public school, so when her mother agrees to enroll her at Cannon High School, she’s thrilled. She’s felt so lonely she’s looking forward to being around kids her own age.
Jasmine witnesses a boy at school being bullied. She later locks eyes with him outside of school. She hears him before she see’s him. He plays the saxophone on the corner. His music is hauntingly sad, but beautiful. His notes send chills down her spine & make her feel so much. His music touched her heart & changed her.
Jasmine felt the need to be close to Elliott. They were two lonely souls who connected. When she listened to him play she didn’t feel so alone. They healed the part of each other that was broken. Then life & tragedy take them in different directions. They are apart for a time before they find their way back to one another.
This was a beautiful story that touches the heart. It’s sad at times, but full of so much love. I adored Jasmine & Elliott together. I also loved the people close to them. Family is those who love us most & what we make it.
-“No woman can only fall in love with the music of jazz. She always quietly yearns for the musician behind the bars.”
-We were polar opposites. We weren’t meant to fall for one another, but when we blended together, we were some kind of beautiful.
-I knew Elliott Adams was love, and I was falling into him so fast.
-Our love existed in every second, and every touch we shared.
-“You were, are, and always will be my favorite song.”
-If you had one person who’d catch you when you were crashing through life, you were blessed beyond measure.
Jasmine Greene is a beautiful, popular 16 yr. old girl living in New Orleans. Her mother wants to make her famous. She’s grooming her to be a star. She takes singing, dancing, & acting lessons, and is constantly going on auditions. Her mother wants her to be a triple threat with her talents, but Jasmine just wants to make her mama proud. She’s always working hard to try to make her happy, but she also longs to live a normal life. That includes public school, so when her mother agrees to enroll her at Cannon High School, she’s thrilled. She’s felt so lonely she’s looking forward to being around kids her own age.
Jasmine witnesses a boy at school being bullied. She later locks eyes with him outside of school. She hears him before she see’s him. He plays the saxophone on the corner. His music is hauntingly sad, but beautiful. His notes send chills down her spine & make her feel so much. His music touched her heart & changed her.
Jasmine felt the need to be close to Elliott. They were two lonely souls who connected. When she listened to him play she didn’t feel so alone. They healed the part of each other that was broken. Then life & tragedy take them in different directions. They are apart for a time before they find their way back to one another.
This was a beautiful story that touches the heart. It’s sad at times, but full of so much love. I adored Jasmine & Elliott together. I also loved the people close to them. Family is those who love us most & what we make it.
-“No woman can only fall in love with the music of jazz. She always quietly yearns for the musician behind the bars.”
-We were polar opposites. We weren’t meant to fall for one another, but when we blended together, we were some kind of beautiful.
-I knew Elliott Adams was love, and I was falling into him so fast.
-Our love existed in every second, and every touch we shared.
-“You were, are, and always will be my favorite song.”
November 3, 2018
We're in New Orleans with 16 year old Jasmine.
She LOVES music. She loves to sing. Soul.
But her mother is starting to make her hate it. She drags her to every single pop audition she can find. To every ballet and singing and acting class. She wants Jasmine to have the success she never had. She's a 'momanger'. And Jasmine only wants to make her mom proud.
Then Jasmine meets this amazing musician - he's playing his saxophone on the streets as if his life depended on it.
It's Elliott. The shy guy from school - the one who gets bullied for stuttering and being too shy and skinny.
But Jasmine sees the soul of this amazing boy. They become best friends. But it's not long before Jasmine's mom smells another career opportunity in another city ...
And once Jasmine's gone Elliott's life as he knew it ends with one horrible night Behind The Bars ...
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO JASMINE & ELLIOTT?
WILL THERE BE A HAPPY END?
READ THE BOOK TO FIND OUT ☺
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OY!
This book was amazing!
Just like with all of Brittainy's books, I cried a lot!
It's all so heartbreakingly beautiful and sad and sweet and ugh. It was such an amazing story.
It starts as this adorable young adult thing with both of them only 16. And both don't really fit in anywhere and they both love their music more than anything. And then they find each other ... they just belong together. But it wasn't supposed to be ... yet.
And then the second half of the book, they're 22 and they've been through so much in those few short years. It will take them a long while to find their place in life again. They have to fight very hard to get to that happily ever after we SO want for them. Elliott closed himself up completely after the first part of the book. He has a lot of healing and dealing to do until Jasmine will be able to get her happy end with him.
I just loved reading this story.
I wouldn't mind seeing this on TV one day.
I also loved how the title doesn't only have one meaning for the story. There are so many different aspects of the story Behind The Bars.
Perfect.
I just loved it.
Two tiny little points I would've changed. All characters say Ya' know a lot. Very weird. One person can say it as his thing....but not all of them.
And I wanted more of an epilogue. No. We get an epilogue - two even - and we know what will happen in their personal lives, but I wanted to see what their professional lives will look like in 2 years, 8 years. BUT, I still adored this book! ♥
BEHIND THE BARS was such a beautiful and adorable and heartbreaking YA & NA romance! Full of so much loss and grief and pain and love and friends and family and hope and music and ugh - run to your nearest amazon asap - you need to get your hands on Elliott and Jasmine!!!!!!!!
♡
♡
♡
♡
December 7, 2017
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Type: Standalone book in a series
POV: First Person – Dual
“One can’t truly heal if they pretend the cracks don’t exist.”
Jasmine Greene childhood was not any normal and typical one. Her mother was obsessed with making her a star. It was clearly that she was talented and she had the potential for success but her mother's constant push to be perfect made her feel lonely and sad. She meets a boy who changes her life and makes her feel whole.
"She was a business woman who ignored the shadows behind closed doors. Her focus was on my talents and increasing them each day."
Elliott Adams; found music as his only way to escape his cruel life in school. He was constantly bullied and he felt so weak but music made him stronger. When the new girl wants to be his friend he didn't understand it but yet he didn't stop her. Jasmine made him feel normal and he found a true friendship in her.
"You're a reminder of the best time of my life, and I didn't think I deserved you…You're the music in a mute world, and my heart beats because you're here."
I honestly had no idea what to except of this book; however the story was so different and unique and loaded with feels that had me in tears. The concept of all the wonderful music, musicians and music itself in the story made it so much real and raw.
Both this characters had their struggles. Elliott fought a battle with himself after a horrible event that made him shut down from the world and his music. Jasmine felt lost and alone as well and thought that no matter how much she gave it was never enough. When they both reunite it was so hard to see them struggling. I absolutely enjoyed the side characters and how the author put this book together to make a fascinating read.
"Because of her, I was feed from behind the bars of my darkest days."
Overall; I really loved this story. The emotions were overload and we get to see about how unfair life can sometimes be but in the midst of it all there is always hope. Readers who enjoy stories about love, true friendship and family and forgiveness will find this book appealing.
★★This was a F(BR) with War★★
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August 15, 2022
You guys. I’m so here for the swoony sweet hero. Give. Me. More.
First, let me start off by saying, if you haven’t read a book by Brittainy C Cherry, you freaking need to. Like… right now.
I’m determined to read everything this woman writes and I’m so glad I read this one.
I’m absolutely into the anti-alpha heroes lately, and this book has the best of both worlds.
Brittainy C Cherry has this ability to take you from a YA Romance world and ease you into an Adult Romance world without you even realizing it. I think she is a great transition author for those who are used to one or the other (YA or Adult) and you’re interested in reading in a different age range.
This story starts off with our characters in high school – and if I’m being honest, I would’ve been happy staying there – but there is something satisfying about watching these characters grow up and find each other again. Whenever YA romances end with an HEA, I’m always thinking about how young they are and how there is no way their romances will last. Brittainy takes care of that wonder. She takes you through their whole story.
I’m so deeply in love with Eli, his sister, and his mom and their heartbreaking story. Eli isn’t just uber sweet, caring, thoughtful, and respectful, he’s also full of passion for his music. I’ve met a handful of people in my life who have that extra something when it comes to talent. They don’t just play an instrument, they bring it to life. That’s Eli.
And Jasmine sees that in him. She has her own heartbreak to deal with, but I love how she truly sees Eli for who he truly is. I also adore the dynamic of her being this beautiful popular girl and him this bullied unpopular guy. The way he is constantly in awe of her makes my heart soar.
And then when they grow up and apart, watching them meet again for the first time and seeing glimpses of who they were was so gratifying.
First, let me start off by saying, if you haven’t read a book by Brittainy C Cherry, you freaking need to. Like… right now.
I’m determined to read everything this woman writes and I’m so glad I read this one.
I’m absolutely into the anti-alpha heroes lately, and this book has the best of both worlds.
Brittainy C Cherry has this ability to take you from a YA Romance world and ease you into an Adult Romance world without you even realizing it. I think she is a great transition author for those who are used to one or the other (YA or Adult) and you’re interested in reading in a different age range.
This story starts off with our characters in high school – and if I’m being honest, I would’ve been happy staying there – but there is something satisfying about watching these characters grow up and find each other again. Whenever YA romances end with an HEA, I’m always thinking about how young they are and how there is no way their romances will last. Brittainy takes care of that wonder. She takes you through their whole story.
I’m so deeply in love with Eli, his sister, and his mom and their heartbreaking story. Eli isn’t just uber sweet, caring, thoughtful, and respectful, he’s also full of passion for his music. I’ve met a handful of people in my life who have that extra something when it comes to talent. They don’t just play an instrument, they bring it to life. That’s Eli.
And Jasmine sees that in him. She has her own heartbreak to deal with, but I love how she truly sees Eli for who he truly is. I also adore the dynamic of her being this beautiful popular girl and him this bullied unpopular guy. The way he is constantly in awe of her makes my heart soar.
And then when they grow up and apart, watching them meet again for the first time and seeing glimpses of who they were was so gratifying.
December 22, 2017
4 ★'s
“You are the music.”
Elliott and Jasmine meet when Jasmine's mom finally allows her to go to a public school. She's been homeschooled all her life because her mom is bound and determined to make a star out of her. Jasmine has nonstop music, dance and acting lessons and auditions. Every part of her life is controlled...and it's nothing she wants.
Meeting Elliott frees something inside her and she feels her true calling. Unfortunately, she's only sixteen and can't make any decisions for herself...yet.
And unfortunately, that means moving to London to pursue her career and leaving Elliott behind.
Fast forward six years and Jasmine is back. She's been through a lot but so has Elliott and they're not the same people they once were. Elliott has really changed and it takes some time for Jasmine to break through.
This book was really depressing. I hated how Elliott was treated in the beginning and what happened. I hated what Jasmine thought she had to do to protect Elliott. And I hated what Elliott did to protect himself after the tragedy occurred.
What I did love was their families...mostly the family of their choice. Ray was simply amazing and there are no words for T.J. (I loved what Elliott and Jasmine set up for him...BIG tears!) Elliott's mom, Laura, was the sweetest thing and it was perfect where things were going for her and someone at the end. And there is no better best friend than Jason.
As I said, Elliott has spent six years getting himself to a certain place to protect himself. I loved how he was able to see hope and give himself and love another chance.
The wrap up was perfect as was the two mini epilogues but the second one was my favorite! The more, the merrier!
“You are the music.”
Elliott and Jasmine meet when Jasmine's mom finally allows her to go to a public school. She's been homeschooled all her life because her mom is bound and determined to make a star out of her. Jasmine has nonstop music, dance and acting lessons and auditions. Every part of her life is controlled...and it's nothing she wants.
Meeting Elliott frees something inside her and she feels her true calling. Unfortunately, she's only sixteen and can't make any decisions for herself...yet.
And unfortunately, that means moving to London to pursue her career and leaving Elliott behind.
Fast forward six years and Jasmine is back. She's been through a lot but so has Elliott and they're not the same people they once were. Elliott has really changed and it takes some time for Jasmine to break through.
This book was really depressing. I hated how Elliott was treated in the beginning and what happened. I hated what Jasmine thought she had to do to protect Elliott. And I hated what Elliott did to protect himself after the tragedy occurred.
What I did love was their families...mostly the family of their choice. Ray was simply amazing and there are no words for T.J. (I loved what Elliott and Jasmine set up for him...BIG tears!) Elliott's mom, Laura, was the sweetest thing and it was perfect where things were going for her and someone at the end. And there is no better best friend than Jason.
As I said, Elliott has spent six years getting himself to a certain place to protect himself. I loved how he was able to see hope and give himself and love another chance.
The wrap up was perfect as was the two mini epilogues but the second one was my favorite! The more, the merrier!
January 20, 2018
I was up until the wee hours of the morning to finish this little gem up. It does have angst, but my advice is to push through it.
It is a beautiful story about Elliot and Jasmine, two lost and lonely souls that find each other as teenagers. Elliot is constantly harassed and bullied at school for his stuttering, while Jasmine is gorgeous and popular, but that is only on the outside. She is struggling with trying to find herself plus she has a monster of a mother, which I seriously wanted to throat punch. Her mother’s dream is for Jasmine to be a pop singer, not matter what the costs. Jasmine has a different dream. When circumstances separate Elliot and Jasmine, their heartache only deepens.
Years later, Jasmine is back and searching for the boy she never forgotten. What she finds is heartbreaking. Elliot is no longer the sweet young boy. He is hard and cold. Life hasn’t been easy for Elliot, but he has never forgotten the girl that makes him feel alive. Is Jasmine strong enough to bring back her Elliot?
I adored both Jasmine and Elliot. Their friends and family, were all amazing as well, especially Ray, Jasmine “Dad”.
I can’t say enough how much I loved this story. The writing was beautiful and really made me feel, not only their pain, but their determination.
Highly recommend!!
It is a beautiful story about Elliot and Jasmine, two lost and lonely souls that find each other as teenagers. Elliot is constantly harassed and bullied at school for his stuttering, while Jasmine is gorgeous and popular, but that is only on the outside. She is struggling with trying to find herself plus she has a monster of a mother, which I seriously wanted to throat punch. Her mother’s dream is for Jasmine to be a pop singer, not matter what the costs. Jasmine has a different dream. When circumstances separate Elliot and Jasmine, their heartache only deepens.
Years later, Jasmine is back and searching for the boy she never forgotten. What she finds is heartbreaking. Elliot is no longer the sweet young boy. He is hard and cold. Life hasn’t been easy for Elliot, but he has never forgotten the girl that makes him feel alive. Is Jasmine strong enough to bring back her Elliot?
You’re the music in a mute world, and my heart beats because you’re here”~Elliot
I adored both Jasmine and Elliot. Their friends and family, were all amazing as well, especially Ray, Jasmine “Dad”.
”Whenever I thought of home, I didn’t think of a place; I thought of people, the ones who shaped us into the people we were meant to become, the ones who loved us with our scars and told us those scars were beautiful, the ones who allowed us to make mistakes and still loves us fully”~Jasmine
I can’t say enough how much I loved this story. The writing was beautiful and really made me feel, not only their pain, but their determination.
Highly recommend!!
September 3, 2022
Ich wünschte, ich könnte auch so sehr von dem Buch schwärmen, wie so viele andere hier. Nur leider konnte mich das Buch überhaupt nicht überzeugen. Teils lag es an dem Schreibstil, der leider absolut nicht meins war, teils an der Story, die einfach nur aus einem einzigen, riesigen Klischee besteht. Es hat sich für mich angefühlt, als hätte die Autorin krampfhaft versucht, kein Klischee daraus zu machen und die Handlung originell zu gestalten, aber der Plan war wohl dann doch mehr oder weniger spätestens ab der zweiten Hälfte des Buches zum scheitern verurteilt.
October 25, 2019
Hermosa y a la vez dolorosa historia que nos cuenta como estas almas solitarias llegan a conocerse y conectar a través de la música, Jazmine siempre amó la música Soul, pero su madre quiere que ella sea famosa y cante música pop, la lleva a cuanta audición se le ocurra, a pesar que no sea el tipo de música que a ella le gusta, trata de complacer en todo a su madre para que este orgullosa de ella, es así que asiste a cuanta clase la madre la inscribe, la cual tiene una relación con un cantante maravilloso, que llega a querer a Jazmine como si fuera su hija y por tal motivo siempre están viajando su vida cambia cuando deciden establecerse en New Orleans, ella está feliz de poder hacer lo que hacen las chicas de su edad, ir al instituto y tener amigos, es allí donde conoce a Elliot, un chico maravilloso pero muy solitario y que toca el el saxofón de una manera increíble y con mucho sentimiento, lamentablemente tiene un problema de tartamudeo y es físicamente muy flaco, motivo por el cual sufre de constante acoso (odio el bullying), debido a la ambición de la madre se van del país y ambos pasan por momentos muy difíciles, sobre todo Elliot, el cual sufre una enorme pérdida, de la cual se siente culpable y siente que no merece ser feliz.
La vida les dará otra oportunidad, pero Elliot ya no es el chico que solía ser, se ha endurecido con el dolor,ambos tienen que aprender a lidiar con todo lo que han tenido que pasar, todos los secundarios buenos han sido maravillosos, una historia con la cual sufres y lloras pero que vale la pena leer.
La vida les dará otra oportunidad, pero Elliot ya no es el chico que solía ser, se ha endurecido con el dolor,ambos tienen que aprender a lidiar con todo lo que han tenido que pasar, todos los secundarios buenos han sido maravillosos, una historia con la cual sufres y lloras pero que vale la pena leer.
May 2, 2019
DNF at 200 pages
Damn, I really wanted to love this book. I even included this book in my 5-star predictions video and I couldn't have been more wrong. Brittainy C. Cherry is one of my favorite authors and she's written some of my favorite books of all time: Loving Mr. Daniels, The Gravity of Us, and The Air He Breathes.
POSITIVES:
-Takes place in New Orleans
-POC characters
-The plot revolves around music
NEGATIVES:
-I didn't care about the characters
-There were SO many cliches about the characters and within the plot
-The characters were so incredibly insecure, I don't know how many times I read he phrase: "I didn't know girls like Jasmine hang out with boys like me" or some variation of that kind of insecure statement
-The romance was so insta-love
-The writing felt so rushed and dramatic to the point where it felt kind of ridiculous
-I didn't realize the first half of this book is YA and I didn't really care for that (most of her books are new adult not young adult so it felt really different and not in a good way)
I'm just so disappointed by this and I went into it expecting to love it, which made it even more upsetting for me. I'll always read Brittainy's books in the future, but I'm bummed I didn't like this one.
Damn, I really wanted to love this book. I even included this book in my 5-star predictions video and I couldn't have been more wrong. Brittainy C. Cherry is one of my favorite authors and she's written some of my favorite books of all time: Loving Mr. Daniels, The Gravity of Us, and The Air He Breathes.
POSITIVES:
-Takes place in New Orleans
-POC characters
-The plot revolves around music
NEGATIVES:
-I didn't care about the characters
-There were SO many cliches about the characters and within the plot
-The characters were so incredibly insecure, I don't know how many times I read he phrase: "I didn't know girls like Jasmine hang out with boys like me" or some variation of that kind of insecure statement
-The romance was so insta-love
-The writing felt so rushed and dramatic to the point where it felt kind of ridiculous
-I didn't realize the first half of this book is YA and I didn't really care for that (most of her books are new adult not young adult so it felt really different and not in a good way)
I'm just so disappointed by this and I went into it expecting to love it, which made it even more upsetting for me. I'll always read Brittainy's books in the future, but I'm bummed I didn't like this one.
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