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3 friends. 1 band. Fate starts here.

A garage band drummer who can’t keep her boyfriend satisfied.

A bassist who’s performing on darker stages than the musical kind, and can’t tell his BFF.

A lead singer who can’t seem to hold the headliner spot in his own friendships.

It’s just one more dive bar gig, but tonight, all the band’s secrets are coming out.

This prequel is a short-story-length introduction to the band The Red Letters. It takes place before the books about each of the band members. Click now to join them backstage!

85 pages, ebook

Published January 4, 2018

15 people are currently reading
69 people want to read

About the author

Michelle Hazen

25 books457 followers
Michelle Hazen is a nomad with a writing problem.

Years ago, she and her husband ducked out of the 9 to 5 world and moved into a life as digital nomads. She found her voice with the support of the online fanfiction community, and once she started typing, she never looked back.

As a result, she's written most of her books in odd places, including a bus in Thailand, an off-the-grid cabin in the Sawtooth Mountains, a golf cart in a sandstorm, a rental car during a heat wave in the Mohave Desert, a century-old Creole cottage in New Orleans, and a beach in Honduras. These days, she's writing all the romance and friendship scenes her heart can hold, while working as a freelance editor and writing coach with Sanctuary Editorial.

She's currently addicted to Shadow & Bone, rock climbing, and Tillamook cheese.

Michelle is the award-winning author of Breathe the Sky, Unbreak Me, So You Think You're a Match, and the Sex, Love, and Rock and Roll series. Find her at http://michellehazenbooks.com/ on Facebook or Instagram at @MichelleHazenAuthor, or follow her on Twitter @michellehazen.

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5 stars
24 (45%)
4 stars
19 (35%)
3 stars
7 (13%)
2 stars
1 (1%)
1 star
2 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
Profile Image for Maria11.
2,007 reviews46 followers
February 10, 2018
Ok prequel

Interesting prequel. I am up for reading the series to see what will happen. Everyone has lots of issues. I wonder how they are going to play out
Profile Image for Marie Vasquez.
1,598 reviews78 followers
March 6, 2018
This was a sweet little treat. A quick read that helped me understand the characters a bit more. I already loved them after reading A Cruel Kind of Beautiful, so this prequel was a tasty morsel to snack on before getting started on the next book in the series, Playing the Pauses.

There were a few bits of info about Jax, Jera and especially Danny that I couldn’t have imagined and now that Danny’s story is next, I’m even more excited to get started.
Profile Image for Jody.
2,091 reviews61 followers
January 10, 2018
Fans of rockstar romances will enjoy this slice of life glimpse into an indie band on the cusp of fame. It’s a quick read but one that gives an entertaining introduction to the members of The Red Letters that will charm as well as entice. Once the final page is turned readers will be left clamoring for more and waiting in breathless anticipation for each of them to take center stage.

Having just finished the first book in the Sex, Love, and Rock & Roll series I found myself utterly charmed by the romance between female drummer Jera and the wise beyond his years Jacob. It was a delightful read that depicted a young woman confident in her music, but who was dealing with issues of self-esteem, who luckily found a quintessential book boyfriend who I’m still drooling over today. During their emotional journey to HEA readers also got to see enticing interactions between Jera and her bandmates, Danny and Jax. For me, those scenes weren’t near enough though as they’re a compelling duo with personalities that hide very complex natures. Reading this prequel gives even greater insight into Jax, and especially Danny, as well as laying the groundwork for how Jera met Jacob in a tale that was a decadent little morsel.

Danny’s been Jera’s friend for years and they have a deep connection that will never be more than friends as they know each other far too well. This prequel shows their funny interactions as well as their unwavering support for each other that has a familial feel to it. In Jera’s book Danny always seemed to be the quiet one, the one who cares for others and who knows exactly what they need. Those traits take an erotic turn here though as readers discover his naughty side as a Dom in a club scene that left me parched yet feeling sympathetic towards him and his feelings of loneliness, his longing to find someone for his own. Jax also isn’t who he seems. Onstage he’s coolly confident and self-assured. Off the stage though he’s full of insecurities. From a mother who only cared when she could show him off to the deep friendship between Danny and Jera that makes him feel left out, I found myself aching for Jax and longing for him to find someone to love him just for himself. These two men are both sexy, yet clearly struggling behind that pretty boy facade, with rockstar vibes just starting to shine through. Their dichotomies called to me and the glimpses we got of them here are merely an appetizer that has me counting down the days until the next installment in a series that I wholeheartedly recommend.
Profile Image for Reads & Reviews.
688 reviews15 followers
January 4, 2018
Before Jera met Jacob and The Red Letters had a peek at what it means to be rock stars, Jera, Danny, and Jax were just another garage band playing the club circuit. Fill Me is a sweet, little present to readers from author Michelle Hazen that offers a snapshot of our favorite band before and after a club appearance.

One of my favorite things about this series is how real Hazen keeps it. From hauling their own equipment to sneaking drinks because they're underage, Fill Me is a window to a "day in the life" of soon to be rock stars. More importantly we get to see the insecurities that help shape who these characters are.

Hazen says a lot in a few words and packs a pretty powerful punch. We get a few chapters from each character's POV where we're introduced to the issue that defines them, which at the end of the day is something we can all relate to: the feeling of not being enough and wanting to find the one thing that will make us feel complete.

*I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for honest feedback*
Profile Image for Katie Golding.
Author 10 books88 followers
January 4, 2018
I loved Cruel Kind of Beautiful so getting to read the prequel was super cool!!! A fun look into the backstory of the characters, some surprise twists, and much hotter than I knew could be accomplished in a novella! Definitely recommend!
Profile Image for Prajnashree.
62 reviews42 followers
December 7, 2017
I absolutely loved Jax and Danny. Also Jera. I can't wait for Jax and Danny's individual books. I absolutely love the writing style like all her other books.

Thanks so much for the early copy.
Profile Image for Heather Dochylo.
250 reviews8 followers
February 2, 2021
This is another rockstar romance series that I have found myself rereading constantly when I'm bored or frustrated with romantic heroes in other books. Technically this is book 1.5 but in actuality it is a prequel. The wildly talented story teller that is Ms Hazen did not recommend reading it before the first book in the series, but I love doing that with each reread. It so wonderfully sets up the relationships between the 3 members in The Red Letters, a Portland area bar band as they struggle to find creative and performance balance between their shifting relationships as they also struggle to make it in the world of music. Jera ( a hippy acronym created from the names of rock legends- the musically gifted girl drummer and band's song writer) and Danny ( a base playing tatoo artist and secret sexual dom performing at a sexclub) have been friends since junior high, and experimented musically together for a number of years before they find Jax, their lead singer and guitarist (and a sweety of a sex addict). As improbable as these condensed back stories sound for the characters of this series, that is simply the magic of Michelle's writing skill. As you read, the characters unfurl themselves to you in a way that makes you believe her every word.

Really this is a 5 🌟 review for the entire series, and that's why I'm leaving it connected to this book. Read it in sequence or out of sequence, as I love to do; but read it! The series if a ride of love between three band members and the people who become important to them; but at the heart is the bond of love between these creative souls.
360 reviews10 followers
January 7, 2018
Fill Me by Michelle Hazen

I am voluntarily reviewing this arc.

This is a tasty little tid bit NOT to be missed. I’m legitimately fanning myself recalling some of the scenes in this book. Fill me starts out so completely..um hot is to tame a word, you get my meaning, that I didn’t expect the depth. We get to know Jera’s story in the first book, this is a .5, so now we get to know in depth her band mates, Jax and Danny. I didn’t think that I could love them more, I was wrong. It’s just a glimpse...but this glimpse made me hungry for more of Jax and Danny. I think they each need their own book...pretty please with whipped cream on top;)
Profile Image for Sierra.
289 reviews11 followers
March 15, 2018
I succumbed to my own peer pressure and bought this one (I’m supposed to be on a book buying ban LOL) and I’m not mad about it. I love the characters in this series so much and being able to catch this little glimpse into both Danny and Jax’s lives were awesome! I feel like we didn’t spend nearly enough time with either though. If maybe this book rounded out to 100 pages I’d feel more satisfied? I’m not sure. But I do know I’m about to buy book 2 in this series because I have no self control
Profile Image for Eliza.
Author 22 books149 followers
September 2, 2018
I had originally started with Cruel Kind of Beautiful but a reader on Twitter told me about this prequel...and I’m so glad they did! This short story about Danny, Jax, & Jera gave me some good insight going forward into the series. You hit around the 30% mark and the story goes into ‘O RLY?!?’ territory that I was not expecting. Looking forward to getting (back) into Cruel Kind if Beautiful. Love the author’s voice and the twists/turns her narrative takes!
Profile Image for Rhonda.
451 reviews
April 9, 2018
Really surprised!! In a good way

I tried to read The Vampire Dairies but couldn't get through it.
But.... Not This one!!! I tired again and I must say it it rocks! 👏 !!!!

I am definitely going to read this series!! Her writing was spot on. Characters well developed, sex well..steamy and actualized!! Michelle keep writing!!
Profile Image for Arielle.
54 reviews37 followers
February 28, 2018
The prequel to A Cruel Kind of Beautiful is a quick read, but a must read - ESPECIALLY if you plan on reading book 2, Playing The Pauses. It sets the story for all of the band members in a way that you would not have seen them otherwise.
118 reviews
March 18, 2018
Love this series.

A look into who these 3 rockers are and letting us into there thoughts. Danny, really? I had no idea. Jax is deeper than his pretty face let's on, and of course Jera is confused and sad. Read on.
Profile Image for Natalie Casey.
454 reviews23 followers
June 12, 2018
I read this after read the first book, and I'm so happy Michelle Hazen wrote this! It's a great insight into how Danny, Jera, and Jax started out their band. I loved getting to know more about them!
sorry it took so long to post my review, I totally thought I already did it!😬😂😂
74 reviews2 followers
February 23, 2018
Reading the PREQUEL after the book makes it hard to critique. This quick read provides the reader with character profiles of the members of an indie band. We learn the background of their "issues".
Profile Image for Jules Lennon.
67 reviews1 follower
January 7, 2019
Love it

Loved the insight to the beginning of this rockstar journey. It has always been a favorite genre of mine, I'll be continuing in the series!
Profile Image for Kelly.
157 reviews6 followers
January 10, 2022
Loved this fun intro to all the band members. Seeing their individual issues and getting a full scope of their dynamics with one another is a perfect segue into the whole series.
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews135 followers
Want to read
May 22, 2022
🎁 FREE on Amazon today (5/22/2022)! 🎁
1,136 reviews10 followers
August 2, 2025
I thought the book was good. It shined a light on all 3 band mates briefly.
Profile Image for Tara Lynn.
74 reviews
February 24, 2018
I thought that this book was interesting. Told from 3 different POVs. Though it is a little short it left me wanting to know more about the characters in the next book.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews

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