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The Break-Up Album
A sexy standalone novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Lauren Blakely Read the book RT Book Reviews gave 4.5 "It's impossible not to fall utterly in love with the humor and passion between her tempting, talented hero and remarkably resilient heroine. New readers and longtime Don't miss this newest success." They say all's fair in love and music... I say life would be a lot fairer if I wasn't so wildly attracted to the man I'm spending all my days with, who's decidedly off-limits. But then again, I can't technically complain—I have a Grammy, a hit album, and a job most people would be envious of—I'm a rock star. What I haven't had in years is a hot date. The dating drought isn't because I'm a single mom. It's because I have a little itty-bitty issue with trust because of how my marriage imploded. Matthew is determined to break down my walls, and it sure doesn't hurt that he's British, witty, and far too tempting. He's also the toughest music journalist out there, and he's interviewing me for an in-depth article. The trouble is, I want to get in-depth with him, and the more time we spend together, the more tempted we both are to cross lines that shouldn't be crossed. Previously released as Far Too Tempting (October 2013), now updated for a new readership!
290 pages, Paperback
First published December 2, 2018
153 people are currently reading
4521 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Blakely
245 books24.5k followersYou can find Lauren on TikTok at @laurenblakelybooks! A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s sexy, feel-good and witty. Lauren likes dogs, cake and show tunes and she is the vegetarian at your dinner party.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 316 reviews
July 19, 2014
5 Holy Shit Stars!
Let’s start off with some visuals. Now, I know that David Gandy is not the only man out there with a British accent, but come on… blue eyes & eminently lickable… that is pure muse making right there. Because seriously if I ever met David Gandy the only words out of my mouth after being quickly arrested would be “Look at him – who wouldn’t lick him?”
Okay, let’s get back to the book.
Jane Black finally seems to have hit it big, after three albums it only took having her heart ripped out for her fourth album to be a hit. But this album is pure heart break. This is the album you blast for days on repeat as you relive every moment with your ex. The album you cry to – the one you finally get angry to – the one you find the strength to move on to, because if Jane Black survived, you will too.
But with the momentums of a successful album demanding more from Jane, she’s hit a brick wall. The pain of the divorce is fleeting and she has mere months to find inspiration to create another hit record.
Matthew Harrigan is the music critic that every artist wants to rave about their album. And for Jane, she gets what everyone wants. Matthew’s review of her album has become her talisman and when the man himself approaches her for an in-depth story, part of her is scared that he should be trusted and the other part of her wants to devour him. So of course, she says yes.
But this isn’t just a typical interview, he will be with her as she writes the new album, records it and releases it; that is if she can write it.
Jane’s hit the worst case of writers block. Her first hit is all about heartache, but as her heartache is replaced with pure joy she can’t seem to find the inspiration.
But with her fame riding on the fact that her success was based on the pure pain in her songs can she find the words to write another hit album now that her heart is healing?
Let’s just get this out of the way and move on from the awkwardness…
Ms. Lauren Blakely -
I loved every second of this book. I am completely torn between just what it was that I loved more. Not only do we get some toe-curling moments, but the friggin’ back and forth between Matthew and Jane was so flirty and fun. I wanted every single conversation they were having to go on forever, I could not get enough of these two when they were being playful.
And let’s get to Matthew, WOW.
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Although he doesn’t fit my typical alpha-male needs, he had this hot sophistication about him. A little artsy and scholar like, but not pretentious. Jane was a strong female character, although her world was shattered she dealt with it the best she could, her process was what all of us would do if in her shoes. And although she had some major trust issues to overcome because of the bomb her ex-husband drops on her, she still is willing to put her heart on the line.
Jane’s journey in discovering that just because the songs the displayed her agony were a hit, that the world could embrace the songs that exposed just how much she was falling in love.
This was a beautifully written love story that just hit all the marks. I can’t believe it has taken me this long to read one of her books! But what a one to start with. I fell madly in love with both Jane & Matthew. And loved every single song reference. Beyond reading my only other addiction is music, not the shitty music that is just noise, but those great songs that take you back in time, that change your life. So many of those where in this book and when someone references a song like ‘Something I Can Never Have’ as one of the top ten break up songs, I just have to pop for something like that. Who pulls a 1989 track buried on a debut album out of their ass for a book reference? (Okay I also have a slight obsession with a certain industrial band and a particular debut album that got me through every teenage broken heart).
Let’s start off with some visuals. Now, I know that David Gandy is not the only man out there with a British accent, but come on… blue eyes & eminently lickable… that is pure muse making right there. Because seriously if I ever met David Gandy the only words out of my mouth after being quickly arrested would be “Look at him – who wouldn’t lick him?”
Okay, let’s get back to the book.
Jane Black finally seems to have hit it big, after three albums it only took having her heart ripped out for her fourth album to be a hit. But this album is pure heart break. This is the album you blast for days on repeat as you relive every moment with your ex. The album you cry to – the one you finally get angry to – the one you find the strength to move on to, because if Jane Black survived, you will too.
But with the momentums of a successful album demanding more from Jane, she’s hit a brick wall. The pain of the divorce is fleeting and she has mere months to find inspiration to create another hit record.
Matthew Harrigan is the music critic that every artist wants to rave about their album. And for Jane, she gets what everyone wants. Matthew’s review of her album has become her talisman and when the man himself approaches her for an in-depth story, part of her is scared that he should be trusted and the other part of her wants to devour him. So of course, she says yes.
But this isn’t just a typical interview, he will be with her as she writes the new album, records it and releases it; that is if she can write it.
Jane’s hit the worst case of writers block. Her first hit is all about heartache, but as her heartache is replaced with pure joy she can’t seem to find the inspiration.
”Maybe when you’re deliciously, deliriously happy, nobody wants to hear about it.”
“Her man did her wrong, so she went to the studio for closure.”
But with her fame riding on the fact that her success was based on the pure pain in her songs can she find the words to write another hit album now that her heart is healing?
Let’s just get this out of the way and move on from the awkwardness…
Ms. Lauren Blakely -
I loved every second of this book. I am completely torn between just what it was that I loved more. Not only do we get some toe-curling moments, but the friggin’ back and forth between Matthew and Jane was so flirty and fun. I wanted every single conversation they were having to go on forever, I could not get enough of these two when they were being playful.
And let’s get to Matthew, WOW.
”Because you just can’t look away from that kind of face – that jawline, those dimples, that devilish fucking smile.”
“I want you to do something for me Jane,” he says.
“What do you want me to do?”
“I want you to close your eyes, lean back against the wall, and tell me what it feels like.”
Although he doesn’t fit my typical alpha-male needs, he had this hot sophistication about him. A little artsy and scholar like, but not pretentious. Jane was a strong female character, although her world was shattered she dealt with it the best she could, her process was what all of us would do if in her shoes. And although she had some major trust issues to overcome because of the bomb her ex-husband drops on her, she still is willing to put her heart on the line.
Jane’s journey in discovering that just because the songs the displayed her agony were a hit, that the world could embrace the songs that exposed just how much she was falling in love.
This was a beautifully written love story that just hit all the marks. I can’t believe it has taken me this long to read one of her books! But what a one to start with. I fell madly in love with both Jane & Matthew. And loved every single song reference. Beyond reading my only other addiction is music, not the shitty music that is just noise, but those great songs that take you back in time, that change your life. So many of those where in this book and when someone references a song like ‘Something I Can Never Have’ as one of the top ten break up songs, I just have to pop for something like that. Who pulls a 1989 track buried on a debut album out of their ass for a book reference? (Okay I also have a slight obsession with a certain industrial band and a particular debut album that got me through every teenage broken heart).
May 20, 2013
Loved it! (Of course!)
October 21, 2013
4.5--Tempting--Stars!!!
Well my Lauren Blakely cherry has officially been....
And I really, really liked Far Too Tempting!! Guess I'll have to go back and check out some of her other books!
FTT was definitely on the sweeter side. It didn't have a lot of angst and un-neccesary drama. That conflict that was there was resolved in a mature way and qucikly at that. The storyline was also a bit different which was refreshing.
Jane Black has just won a Grammy for writing this generation's break-up album. She's 28, has a 6 year old son and is separated from her now gay husband.
She struggles with feeling wanted and adored after the shocking break-up of her marriage.
Matthew Harrigan is a columnist for Beat magazine and he wants to do a feature article on Jane....following the creative process of her next album. Jane and Matthew have always been attracted to each other but it was always bad timing in the past. Now they are both single and the more time they spend together the more the attaction grows.
Matthew and Jane had super hot sexual chemistry, I mean smokin' HOT!
Jane is a bit gun-shy about dating someone that could publically ruin her. She's private and not too trusting of men after the break-up of her marriage. But she agrees to give things a shot with Matthew.
Again, I love how there wasn't a bunch of stupid and annoying drama. I really afraid Jane was going to fuck things up at one point but then she came through....thank goodness.
And Matthew kind of fucks up a little but he knows what he wants and goes after it. Jane has been struggling to write her follow-up album...now that she has love in her life....will she find inspiration in the face of love and finish her album? Or is she destined to write break-up albums??
I loved that the heroine was the rock star. I loved the banter between Matthew and Jane. I loved how sweet Matthew was with Jane. Giving her just what she needed to find herself and believe in herself.
This was a quck read with a little of all of my favorite things....it was a standalone with a HEA.
Well my Lauren Blakely cherry has officially been....
And I really, really liked Far Too Tempting!! Guess I'll have to go back and check out some of her other books!
FTT was definitely on the sweeter side. It didn't have a lot of angst and un-neccesary drama. That conflict that was there was resolved in a mature way and qucikly at that. The storyline was also a bit different which was refreshing.
Jane Black has just won a Grammy for writing this generation's break-up album. She's 28, has a 6 year old son and is separated from her now gay husband.
She struggles with feeling wanted and adored after the shocking break-up of her marriage.
Matthew Harrigan is a columnist for Beat magazine and he wants to do a feature article on Jane....following the creative process of her next album. Jane and Matthew have always been attracted to each other but it was always bad timing in the past. Now they are both single and the more time they spend together the more the attaction grows.
Matthew and Jane had super hot sexual chemistry, I mean smokin' HOT!
Jane is a bit gun-shy about dating someone that could publically ruin her. She's private and not too trusting of men after the break-up of her marriage. But she agrees to give things a shot with Matthew.
Again, I love how there wasn't a bunch of stupid and annoying drama. I really afraid Jane was going to fuck things up at one point but then she came through....thank goodness.
And Matthew kind of fucks up a little but he knows what he wants and goes after it. Jane has been struggling to write her follow-up album...now that she has love in her life....will she find inspiration in the face of love and finish her album? Or is she destined to write break-up albums??
I loved that the heroine was the rock star. I loved the banter between Matthew and Jane. I loved how sweet Matthew was with Jane. Giving her just what she needed to find herself and believe in herself.
This was a quck read with a little of all of my favorite things....it was a standalone with a HEA.
February 16, 2019
The Break-Up Album is about Jane Black, a rock star who was left by her husband when he realized that he was gay, now they have a child together but Jane finds it hard to trust another man again, until Matthew Harrigan, a sexy, British journalist wants to spend time with her and write a story about how an album is written. Only problem is Jane has writers block and is looking for inspiration. This was a really lovely romance, the characters were so sweet and likable and the story line was an interesting look at how you come back and build up your confidence as a woman and deal with the emotional roller coaster when your husband leaves the marriage when he realizes that he is gay. The building relationship between the characters was wonderful and the sex was hot.
January 26, 2019
Audiobook Review
Overall 4 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 3.5 stars
This isn't your typical rock star romance. It's a great twist on the trope with a healthy serving of forbidden/taboo romance as well. Andi Arndt and Shane East are fantastic as Jane and Matthew! The majority of the book is narrated superbly by Arndt, but this doesn't detract from East's sexy performance as the loveable Brisith music critic Matthew. In fact it makes Matthew's chapters and additions shine even more.
This book was a lot more emotional than I anticipated. Jane's past was especially poignant and my heart broke for her as things crumbled around her. Her confusion, anger, and heartbreak were so honest and raw. I loved seeing her regain her confidence and reclaim herself. The push and pull between her and Matthew was great, but once things move forward between them, I felt like the story seemed to stall. Things do pick up at the end and I felt Jane's reaction to Matthew's omission was justified given her history, but it still felt immature for her to run away and refuse to talk things through with him as adults. I enjoyed all the song references and how much of a role music plays in the events of our lives, but I just wasn't as captivated by The Break-Up Album as I have been with other Blakely books. It was still an entertaining listen, however, with fantastic narration!
Overall 4 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 3.5 stars
This isn't your typical rock star romance. It's a great twist on the trope with a healthy serving of forbidden/taboo romance as well. Andi Arndt and Shane East are fantastic as Jane and Matthew! The majority of the book is narrated superbly by Arndt, but this doesn't detract from East's sexy performance as the loveable Brisith music critic Matthew. In fact it makes Matthew's chapters and additions shine even more.
This book was a lot more emotional than I anticipated. Jane's past was especially poignant and my heart broke for her as things crumbled around her. Her confusion, anger, and heartbreak were so honest and raw. I loved seeing her regain her confidence and reclaim herself. The push and pull between her and Matthew was great, but once things move forward between them, I felt like the story seemed to stall. Things do pick up at the end and I felt Jane's reaction to Matthew's omission was justified given her history, but it still felt immature for her to run away and refuse to talk things through with him as adults. I enjoyed all the song references and how much of a role music plays in the events of our lives, but I just wasn't as captivated by The Break-Up Album as I have been with other Blakely books. It was still an entertaining listen, however, with fantastic narration!
November 7, 2019
ugh, so disappointed with this one!
The Breakup Album was such a boring audiobook. Oh lord, I tried to get into it and possibly invested into characters - but nope, couldn't. In this, you will meet Jane and Matthew. She is a singer who is going through a little writing slump. It also doesn't help that life for her sucks ass. With a failed marriage, secrets coming out, and nothing to really write about - she's stuck and hates it.
Then there's Matthew who writes reviews and he has his eye on Jane (in more than one way). The romance was kind of cute but nothing really happened until the end. Which of course, she found her muse and will to write music again.
Overall, the drama and love were predictable. Slightly sad that this book was such a letdown for me.
The Breakup Album was such a boring audiobook. Oh lord, I tried to get into it and possibly invested into characters - but nope, couldn't. In this, you will meet Jane and Matthew. She is a singer who is going through a little writing slump. It also doesn't help that life for her sucks ass. With a failed marriage, secrets coming out, and nothing to really write about - she's stuck and hates it.
Then there's Matthew who writes reviews and he has his eye on Jane (in more than one way). The romance was kind of cute but nothing really happened until the end. Which of course, she found her muse and will to write music again.
Overall, the drama and love were predictable. Slightly sad that this book was such a letdown for me.
June 2, 2013
I read an early draft and it is imprinted on my brain. I LOVED it. I can not wait to read again when it is released from Entangled Publishing. Yeah, yeah, I know I'm a Lauren Blakely junkie and yeah, yeah, I get early copies...but omg, omg, omg..I can't wait to read this one again and I NEVER read a book twice. I'm just too busy. But for this one I will make an exception.
October 5, 2013
But if your heart's been stomped on, your emotions shattered, your feelings maddeningly unrequited, then you stand a much better chance of writing an opus.~Matthew Harrigan, Beat Magazine
Jane Black has been totally broken. But her music, her pain and her son gave her the inner strength to rise above it and make something positive out of it. She created the ultimate break up album called Crushed. But even though she and her music have gained respect and popularity, she still has fears, insecurities, and is still amazed how her life has changed. She is real. She is caring, sweet, still a bit awe struck, and does not act like a celebrity. Jane is somewhat messed up, but still really likable. But she is having trouble figuring out where to go with her next album. She is beginning to hit panic mode. She needs inspiration.
Yep, that's me. Patron Saint for the Unhappy. Guardian of Broken Hearts. Defender of the loveless.
Enter Matthew Harrigan...a renowned reporter for the famous Beat Magazine. He wrote a review of Crushed that Jane holds near and dear to her heart. Now he wants to do a behind the scenes interview as she records her new album...yeah, the one she has not written yet.
"I feel like I should think you're stalking me..."
"And yet you don't really feel that way because you know what I'm actually doing is pursuing you..."
I loved Matthew! He is not an over the top domineering alpha, but he is still totally hot and sexy. He is handsome, charming, and a sought after bachelor. Not only does that British accent give him the edge, but he is also confidant, flirty, funny, and genuine. He really just sneaks up on you in the best kind of way. His innuendo is witty and seductive. He is utterly swoon worthy and magnetic.
As they begin to spend time together, they develop a humorous, sexy foreplay that is slow and intense. Matthew just pulls you in right along as he does Jane and completely ensnares you. They try to be professional, but it is torturous for them both. Their chemistry literally smolders under the surface waiting to be unleashed.
"But then, when we're done with the story, I would really like to take you out and date you and do all sorts of other things to you that hopefully result in your calling out my name at the top of your lungs with your hair in that wild crazy mess, like it is right now."
And together they are HOT! But their situation is complicated. Their two worlds mesh perfectly together in some ways, but can also lead to disaster professionally if it goes wrong. It is hard to fully trust and believe when so many people in the business have ulterior motives. And Jane's history with men definitely does not help. And when Jane cannot find her muse for her music, she wonders if maybe she has to choose: love or music.
I want to move on musically, and I want to be happy personally. But those good, floaty, buzzy feelings for Matthew don't come with any notes; they aren't paired with music; they don't elicit melodies. Maybe it's only the broken part of my heart that can produce a song, not the part that might be finally healing.
She can write heartbreak songs when in pain, but when she is happy her inspiration seems to elude her. Is she destined to the the girl who is left heartbroken or can she find her own happy ending?
Lauren Blakely delivered a fast paced, engaging read with a creative plot, one majorly sexy, funny Brit and a strong independent heroine. There was also a loveable group of friends, family and sidekicks that added more fun to the mix. This book was humorous, steamy, flirty, emotional and romantic. It dealt with acceptance, forgiveness, trust, and moving on. There were some things that totally surprised me. There were plot twists and turns that caused angst and drama. I was highly invested in Matthew and Jane's relationship and I think I was just as tense about her song writing as she was. And I was certainly rooting for her and Matthew all along. This is a sweet standalone read with an emotional edge that you will quickly devour.
Thanks to Lauren Blakely for providing me with and arc in exchange for an honest review. Will be posted at Reviews by Tammy and Kim.
Jane Black has been totally broken. But her music, her pain and her son gave her the inner strength to rise above it and make something positive out of it. She created the ultimate break up album called Crushed. But even though she and her music have gained respect and popularity, she still has fears, insecurities, and is still amazed how her life has changed. She is real. She is caring, sweet, still a bit awe struck, and does not act like a celebrity. Jane is somewhat messed up, but still really likable. But she is having trouble figuring out where to go with her next album. She is beginning to hit panic mode. She needs inspiration.
Yep, that's me. Patron Saint for the Unhappy. Guardian of Broken Hearts. Defender of the loveless.
Enter Matthew Harrigan...a renowned reporter for the famous Beat Magazine. He wrote a review of Crushed that Jane holds near and dear to her heart. Now he wants to do a behind the scenes interview as she records her new album...yeah, the one she has not written yet.
"I feel like I should think you're stalking me..."
"And yet you don't really feel that way because you know what I'm actually doing is pursuing you..."
I loved Matthew! He is not an over the top domineering alpha, but he is still totally hot and sexy. He is handsome, charming, and a sought after bachelor. Not only does that British accent give him the edge, but he is also confidant, flirty, funny, and genuine. He really just sneaks up on you in the best kind of way. His innuendo is witty and seductive. He is utterly swoon worthy and magnetic.
As they begin to spend time together, they develop a humorous, sexy foreplay that is slow and intense. Matthew just pulls you in right along as he does Jane and completely ensnares you. They try to be professional, but it is torturous for them both. Their chemistry literally smolders under the surface waiting to be unleashed.
"But then, when we're done with the story, I would really like to take you out and date you and do all sorts of other things to you that hopefully result in your calling out my name at the top of your lungs with your hair in that wild crazy mess, like it is right now."
And together they are HOT! But their situation is complicated. Their two worlds mesh perfectly together in some ways, but can also lead to disaster professionally if it goes wrong. It is hard to fully trust and believe when so many people in the business have ulterior motives. And Jane's history with men definitely does not help. And when Jane cannot find her muse for her music, she wonders if maybe she has to choose: love or music.
I want to move on musically, and I want to be happy personally. But those good, floaty, buzzy feelings for Matthew don't come with any notes; they aren't paired with music; they don't elicit melodies. Maybe it's only the broken part of my heart that can produce a song, not the part that might be finally healing.
She can write heartbreak songs when in pain, but when she is happy her inspiration seems to elude her. Is she destined to the the girl who is left heartbroken or can she find her own happy ending?
Lauren Blakely delivered a fast paced, engaging read with a creative plot, one majorly sexy, funny Brit and a strong independent heroine. There was also a loveable group of friends, family and sidekicks that added more fun to the mix. This book was humorous, steamy, flirty, emotional and romantic. It dealt with acceptance, forgiveness, trust, and moving on. There were some things that totally surprised me. There were plot twists and turns that caused angst and drama. I was highly invested in Matthew and Jane's relationship and I think I was just as tense about her song writing as she was. And I was certainly rooting for her and Matthew all along. This is a sweet standalone read with an emotional edge that you will quickly devour.
Thanks to Lauren Blakely for providing me with and arc in exchange for an honest review. Will be posted at Reviews by Tammy and Kim.
October 27, 2013
This was kinda like Adele's story but with a twist :)
I liked it very much!
Jane & Matthew
The story starts with Jane receiving a Grammy for her album "Crushed". It's a break-up album that she created after her divorce.
“I’m not at all ashamed he’s gay…I’m ashamed for being so goddamn blind for so many years. I’m embarrassed that I was so stupid I missed all the signs…I’m annoyed that I’ve been unwanted for so long. Untouched, unkissed, undesired for years.”
After a huge sucess, it's hard to follow up, but she has a deadline...the time to rock the music world is when you're still burning brigt.
Except there is this little thing called writers block.
Matthew Harrigan is a music reporter and critic. He asks Jane to follow her and write about her creative process for an article.
He is also "eminently lickable". And a goofbal..sexy as hell... reads a lot...apparently a baron back in England..and trying to be the complete professional he usually is..
He wants Jane in every way she needs a man to want her.
“You really don’t know how much I want you? Because there aren’t enough adverbs to describe how much. Insanely, immensely, ridiculously. I could go on.”
It was very nice to read how Jane found her inspiration angain, healed as a person, and discovered real passion. That she was really desired, admired and adored like she deserves.
I am powerful. I am sexy. I am beautiful. To a man. To the man I want.
Their banter was awesome.
Matthew's T-shirts with silly lines and images.
His epic facts about straight men.
""When you're into a woman, and she wants to give you a blowjob, there's never any answer but yes. And now. And let me go hail a fucking cab immediately.""
and silly rants that just sealed the deal for me.
"Breasts are literally one of the best inventions ever. Seriously. I can't even imagine a world without them. I would die," he says in mock sadness, and I laugh more, as he lays his head between my breasts. "Soft, like pillows. They're such divine creations. God bless breats."
Told you. Goofball :D
All in all, a beautiful story that made me feel so many things...had so many great quotes...
"We al wear rose colored glasses at times, maybe most of the time, never really letting others see what we don't see, or want to see ourselves."
..and really just made me very happy
I liked it very much!
Jane & Matthew
The story starts with Jane receiving a Grammy for her album "Crushed". It's a break-up album that she created after her divorce.
“I’m not at all ashamed he’s gay…I’m ashamed for being so goddamn blind for so many years. I’m embarrassed that I was so stupid I missed all the signs…I’m annoyed that I’ve been unwanted for so long. Untouched, unkissed, undesired for years.”
After a huge sucess, it's hard to follow up, but she has a deadline...the time to rock the music world is when you're still burning brigt.
Except there is this little thing called writers block.
Matthew Harrigan is a music reporter and critic. He asks Jane to follow her and write about her creative process for an article.
He is also "eminently lickable". And a goofbal..sexy as hell... reads a lot...apparently a baron back in England..and trying to be the complete professional he usually is..
He wants Jane in every way she needs a man to want her.
“You really don’t know how much I want you? Because there aren’t enough adverbs to describe how much. Insanely, immensely, ridiculously. I could go on.”
It was very nice to read how Jane found her inspiration angain, healed as a person, and discovered real passion. That she was really desired, admired and adored like she deserves.
I am powerful. I am sexy. I am beautiful. To a man. To the man I want.
Their banter was awesome.
Matthew's T-shirts with silly lines and images.
His epic facts about straight men.
""When you're into a woman, and she wants to give you a blowjob, there's never any answer but yes. And now. And let me go hail a fucking cab immediately.""
and silly rants that just sealed the deal for me.
"Breasts are literally one of the best inventions ever. Seriously. I can't even imagine a world without them. I would die," he says in mock sadness, and I laugh more, as he lays his head between my breasts. "Soft, like pillows. They're such divine creations. God bless breats."
Told you. Goofball :D
All in all, a beautiful story that made me feel so many things...had so many great quotes...
"We al wear rose colored glasses at times, maybe most of the time, never really letting others see what we don't see, or want to see ourselves."
..and really just made me very happy
September 30, 2020
I am a sucker for an English accent.
I seem to always say this about Andi’s narration lately that I listened to her so much all her characters are sounding the same but for this book she didn’t. I was so glad. I felt like she was Jane to me. I like that when she was speaking Matthew’s parts she used an accent. That really helped keep me in the story.
Jane is having a hard time with her marriage ending. So she writes a hit album and it goes so well she wins a Grammy for it. But the label wants more and now that she isn’t sad or as heartbroken it seems her muse as up and left the building.
She is hopeful again and is starting to see about dating again but she is gun shy. The man she feels something for is a journalist and can she really trust him?
Matthew can’t help himself he is falling for Jane even though she is supposed to be a job.
The chemistry these two have it fly’s from the pages right into our ears. I loved it. I loved how they talk things out. Sometimes life isn’t easy but they navigate it just right for them.
Great book I am so very glad I listened.
I seem to always say this about Andi’s narration lately that I listened to her so much all her characters are sounding the same but for this book she didn’t. I was so glad. I felt like she was Jane to me. I like that when she was speaking Matthew’s parts she used an accent. That really helped keep me in the story.
Jane is having a hard time with her marriage ending. So she writes a hit album and it goes so well she wins a Grammy for it. But the label wants more and now that she isn’t sad or as heartbroken it seems her muse as up and left the building.
She is hopeful again and is starting to see about dating again but she is gun shy. The man she feels something for is a journalist and can she really trust him?
Matthew can’t help himself he is falling for Jane even though she is supposed to be a job.
The chemistry these two have it fly’s from the pages right into our ears. I loved it. I loved how they talk things out. Sometimes life isn’t easy but they navigate it just right for them.
Great book I am so very glad I listened.
November 2, 2019
I was a little disappointed in this book since I usually love books written by Lauren Blakely. This one just seemed to be missing something for me. There was a lack of chemistry between the two MC's for me. You could tell there was some love for each other but not that desire found in most other books.
Jane is a singer who has finally found success. Matthew is someone who writes reviews. You could easily see where this could possibly go, however, it doesnt play out as you may think. Jane has walls built up from her failed marriage and Matthew is very prim and proper with morals. Not always a bad thing lol
One thing that I did like about this book was the musical aspect of it. Writing a song doesnt just come from sitting down and being told to write something. The good songs come from experiences and hurt, pain, anger, and love.
Jane is a singer who has finally found success. Matthew is someone who writes reviews. You could easily see where this could possibly go, however, it doesnt play out as you may think. Jane has walls built up from her failed marriage and Matthew is very prim and proper with morals. Not always a bad thing lol
One thing that I did like about this book was the musical aspect of it. Writing a song doesnt just come from sitting down and being told to write something. The good songs come from experiences and hurt, pain, anger, and love.
November 18, 2019
Rounded up from 3.5 stars
Lauren Blakely writes great books and although this wasn't my favorite, it was a good read. I love the duet narration style of the audiobook, Matthew has a hot British accent! The story was okay, it just felt like not a lot happened. I did like seeing Jane get over Aidan completely and be able to move on. Her relationship with her siblings was super cute too. Matthew is a good guy and nice match for Jane.
The characters were fun and the premise of the story was good, I just would have liked more going on.
Lauren Blakely writes great books and although this wasn't my favorite, it was a good read. I love the duet narration style of the audiobook, Matthew has a hot British accent! The story was okay, it just felt like not a lot happened. I did like seeing Jane get over Aidan completely and be able to move on. Her relationship with her siblings was super cute too. Matthew is a good guy and nice match for Jane.
The characters were fun and the premise of the story was good, I just would have liked more going on.
May 20, 2015
I loved this book so much. Matthew is beyond swoon worthy- him being British was a definite bonus . Jane is a great lady who struggles to find herself and her voice throughout the book. The secondary characters, especially Ethan, Owen and Jeremy are all great! Loved The Doctor too ;)
October 21, 2013
Jointly reviewed on: http://totallybookedblog.com/2013/10/...
J&G: 4.5 Stars
Jenny: Sometimes a story can capture you so completely that it allows the world around you to dissolves while you escape into its pages simply provides you with the perfect balance of everything you love. That was Far Too Tempting for me. It wasn’t overly angsty, overly dramatic, overly erotic or overly frustrating. Nope, this book had a bit of everything and the balance was just right. It was the perfect escape and I loved it.
‘There comes a time when healing is simply a choice, when moving forward is a choice. You choose to love, you choose to commit, and you choose to be faithful.’
Lauren Blakely enveloped me in the journey of Jane and Matthew and in doing so she gave me the opportunity to spend time enjoying some wonderfully sexy, witty, beautiful emotional and flirty moments that I treasured. Yep, I really did enjoy this one G, what about you?
Gitte: I loved Far Too Tempting. It was a fresh, romantic and musical easy to read story that hit all the right buttons. It was beautifully written and the characters were sexy and lovable. The emotions I felt reading were intense at times and I thought this Author got the heartbreak, cynicism and romance just right…it flowed beautifully!
‘I’d come so close to giving in, giving up, moving on, because I just wasn’t making it at all. Then I was kicked to the curb….’ – Jane
Jenny: Jane has had her confidence rocked to its foundation following the breakdown of her marriage with the father of her little boy. Her marriage ended under circumstances that would bring any woman to her knees and Jane, quite understandably feels the need to protect her heart and finds it difficult to even comprehend opening up and trusting again.
‘Secrets can be alluring. But secrets can be devastating too.’
She feels betrayed and slighted and wonders just how she will cope and move on. Well, one way is to put your feelings down in song and in doing so Jane inadvertently creates a kick arse album that goes on to become the break up anthem for so many and a runaway success..
‘Pain has a funny way of subsiding, eventually, so you can survive. It has this way of not suffocating you every single day. Sure, some days you’re still blindsided by a memory, a feeling, a song.’
Jane was down to earth and forthright and I really did like her because there was no diva behaviour from this girl. Jane had to put up with having her unhappiness and her rather humiliating marriage split become the thing of tabloid ridicule and that couldn’t have been easy. She was who she was and was understandably a bit guarded. What about you G. How did you find Jane?
Gitte: How unique to get a complete snapshot of a female rock star who’s a Mum to boot. It felt so different and I really connected with her character.
“Her man did her wrong, so she went to the studio for closure….”
We all love those heart breaking songs that make us feel and cry. For me Adele gets to me every single time and no matter how many times I hear her songs I cry! Well, Jane wrote an album full of those after a devastating life event. My heart broke for her. To find your life was a ruse for five years, where your heart belonged to a man who was living a lie. How do you even try and work through something for which you have no control over and that makes you feel like a farce? Makes you feel like your identity is in question? I can’t imagine but the whole situation broke my heart. I completely understood her insecurities, her self-doubts and her struggles. Then when the fact that your heart is broken and your life changes, to be celebrated and recognised for this fact how do you go from there?
‘That is the secret of my success, the bittersweet reminder that you can write a break-up album and it can be great…but you’re only here because you are the biggest idiot in the world. Because you loved a man wildly, crazily, passionately. …’ – Jane
The journey Jane had to go through both musically and healing her heart…trusting to love without breaking all over again was emotional for sure. But it was funny and sexy too!
Jenny: Matthew is the gorgeous English music journo who works for Beat Magazine and who wants to do an exclusive on Jane. He wants access to a behind the scenes look at the process Janes goes through in writing and recording her next album. Jane has always had a thing for Matthew and is eager to do the expose but there’s one hitch. Jane has a creative block and thinks she can only produce her best work when she suffering and heartbroken, when she starts experiencing happiness her creative juices dry up causing Jane to question everything in her life. What if she can only produce quality work if she’s unhappy? Where does that leave her?
‘Success is temporal. Fame is mercurial. Tomorrow, I could be nobody again.’
Jane and Matthew have an instant attraction and the chemistry between them is tangible. I loved the flirty banter between them and the sexual tension and innuendos that hung in the air were delicious fun. These two were sizzling! Matthew was a guy who wore his heart on his sleeve and I absolutely LOVED this man! He was hot and his background knowledge of the music industry gave him extra swoonie stars. But….I have to admit to having this nervous feeling throughout that there was something sinister behind Matthew and that he had an ulterior motive for what he was doing. My heart and stomach were on constant alert as their relationship began to take off. How about you G, did you feel the same?
“Please don’t fuck with my heart,” I say in a voice that threatens to break.
“I won’t,” he says.
Gitte: LOVED Matthew. Again, an intelligent, cheeky and sexy male character, who in a way, was a ‘fan-boy’…so refreshing!! The chemistry and passion was intense and I did have to go douse myself with cold water a few times. At first I was as hesitant as Jane was about the motives of the enigmatic Matthew. When she opened her heart I was shouting ‘don’t do it Jane!!’ But….I can see why she fell, because I sure did too. He was quite simply bloody lush!
‘He could make or break a musician, but he could probably make or break a heart too, given the way he smiles with the most inviting grin and the way he’s a very eligible bachelor in New York City.’ – Jane
So yeah, I absolutely loved this story. It wasn’t your ordinary rock star book, it didn’t have ordinary characters, and I suppose you could say we had a bit of role reversal going on here. But what it did have was originality and I thought it was a breath of fresh air. I fell in love and I look forward to more from this Author!
‘I want someone to want me. I want to be desired, I want to be admired, I want to be adored.’ – Jane
Jenny: We did G and I think it was that role reversal that I found so refreshing. I was completely sucked into this beautifully engaging story of moving on, trusting, opening your heart and believing in yourself. The characters felt real and relatable and the story kept me turning the pages with gusto! No one was absolutely perfect, they all had their flaws and each and every one of them stole my heart.
‘Screw falling. I’m there. I’ve fallen in love with you, Jane.” – Matthew
This was exactly what I needed at the time and I’ll definitely be checking out more from this author that’s for sure because she kept me enthralled and entertained from start to finish.
‘These are the tentative dances of a new relationship, the tender moves of new hearts coming together, awkwardly at times……’
Is it easier to express yourself when your heart is breaking or when your heart is overflowing with love? You’ll enjoy finding out that’s for sure!
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review
J&G: 4.5 Stars
Jenny: Sometimes a story can capture you so completely that it allows the world around you to dissolves while you escape into its pages simply provides you with the perfect balance of everything you love. That was Far Too Tempting for me. It wasn’t overly angsty, overly dramatic, overly erotic or overly frustrating. Nope, this book had a bit of everything and the balance was just right. It was the perfect escape and I loved it.
‘There comes a time when healing is simply a choice, when moving forward is a choice. You choose to love, you choose to commit, and you choose to be faithful.’
Lauren Blakely enveloped me in the journey of Jane and Matthew and in doing so she gave me the opportunity to spend time enjoying some wonderfully sexy, witty, beautiful emotional and flirty moments that I treasured. Yep, I really did enjoy this one G, what about you?
Gitte: I loved Far Too Tempting. It was a fresh, romantic and musical easy to read story that hit all the right buttons. It was beautifully written and the characters were sexy and lovable. The emotions I felt reading were intense at times and I thought this Author got the heartbreak, cynicism and romance just right…it flowed beautifully!
‘I’d come so close to giving in, giving up, moving on, because I just wasn’t making it at all. Then I was kicked to the curb….’ – Jane
Jenny: Jane has had her confidence rocked to its foundation following the breakdown of her marriage with the father of her little boy. Her marriage ended under circumstances that would bring any woman to her knees and Jane, quite understandably feels the need to protect her heart and finds it difficult to even comprehend opening up and trusting again.
‘Secrets can be alluring. But secrets can be devastating too.’
She feels betrayed and slighted and wonders just how she will cope and move on. Well, one way is to put your feelings down in song and in doing so Jane inadvertently creates a kick arse album that goes on to become the break up anthem for so many and a runaway success..
‘Pain has a funny way of subsiding, eventually, so you can survive. It has this way of not suffocating you every single day. Sure, some days you’re still blindsided by a memory, a feeling, a song.’
Jane was down to earth and forthright and I really did like her because there was no diva behaviour from this girl. Jane had to put up with having her unhappiness and her rather humiliating marriage split become the thing of tabloid ridicule and that couldn’t have been easy. She was who she was and was understandably a bit guarded. What about you G. How did you find Jane?
Gitte: How unique to get a complete snapshot of a female rock star who’s a Mum to boot. It felt so different and I really connected with her character.
“Her man did her wrong, so she went to the studio for closure….”
We all love those heart breaking songs that make us feel and cry. For me Adele gets to me every single time and no matter how many times I hear her songs I cry! Well, Jane wrote an album full of those after a devastating life event. My heart broke for her. To find your life was a ruse for five years, where your heart belonged to a man who was living a lie. How do you even try and work through something for which you have no control over and that makes you feel like a farce? Makes you feel like your identity is in question? I can’t imagine but the whole situation broke my heart. I completely understood her insecurities, her self-doubts and her struggles. Then when the fact that your heart is broken and your life changes, to be celebrated and recognised for this fact how do you go from there?
‘That is the secret of my success, the bittersweet reminder that you can write a break-up album and it can be great…but you’re only here because you are the biggest idiot in the world. Because you loved a man wildly, crazily, passionately. …’ – Jane
The journey Jane had to go through both musically and healing her heart…trusting to love without breaking all over again was emotional for sure. But it was funny and sexy too!
Jenny: Matthew is the gorgeous English music journo who works for Beat Magazine and who wants to do an exclusive on Jane. He wants access to a behind the scenes look at the process Janes goes through in writing and recording her next album. Jane has always had a thing for Matthew and is eager to do the expose but there’s one hitch. Jane has a creative block and thinks she can only produce her best work when she suffering and heartbroken, when she starts experiencing happiness her creative juices dry up causing Jane to question everything in her life. What if she can only produce quality work if she’s unhappy? Where does that leave her?
‘Success is temporal. Fame is mercurial. Tomorrow, I could be nobody again.’
Jane and Matthew have an instant attraction and the chemistry between them is tangible. I loved the flirty banter between them and the sexual tension and innuendos that hung in the air were delicious fun. These two were sizzling! Matthew was a guy who wore his heart on his sleeve and I absolutely LOVED this man! He was hot and his background knowledge of the music industry gave him extra swoonie stars. But….I have to admit to having this nervous feeling throughout that there was something sinister behind Matthew and that he had an ulterior motive for what he was doing. My heart and stomach were on constant alert as their relationship began to take off. How about you G, did you feel the same?
“Please don’t fuck with my heart,” I say in a voice that threatens to break.
“I won’t,” he says.
Gitte: LOVED Matthew. Again, an intelligent, cheeky and sexy male character, who in a way, was a ‘fan-boy’…so refreshing!! The chemistry and passion was intense and I did have to go douse myself with cold water a few times. At first I was as hesitant as Jane was about the motives of the enigmatic Matthew. When she opened her heart I was shouting ‘don’t do it Jane!!’ But….I can see why she fell, because I sure did too. He was quite simply bloody lush!
‘He could make or break a musician, but he could probably make or break a heart too, given the way he smiles with the most inviting grin and the way he’s a very eligible bachelor in New York City.’ – Jane
So yeah, I absolutely loved this story. It wasn’t your ordinary rock star book, it didn’t have ordinary characters, and I suppose you could say we had a bit of role reversal going on here. But what it did have was originality and I thought it was a breath of fresh air. I fell in love and I look forward to more from this Author!
‘I want someone to want me. I want to be desired, I want to be admired, I want to be adored.’ – Jane
Jenny: We did G and I think it was that role reversal that I found so refreshing. I was completely sucked into this beautifully engaging story of moving on, trusting, opening your heart and believing in yourself. The characters felt real and relatable and the story kept me turning the pages with gusto! No one was absolutely perfect, they all had their flaws and each and every one of them stole my heart.
‘Screw falling. I’m there. I’ve fallen in love with you, Jane.” – Matthew
This was exactly what I needed at the time and I’ll definitely be checking out more from this author that’s for sure because she kept me enthralled and entertained from start to finish.
‘These are the tentative dances of a new relationship, the tender moves of new hearts coming together, awkwardly at times……’
Is it easier to express yourself when your heart is breaking or when your heart is overflowing with love? You’ll enjoy finding out that’s for sure!
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review
October 19, 2013
Where is the pre-order option for Jane Black’s album?
5 Stars ***I am 100% guilty of being Tempted!!! You lined, hooked, and sunk me Lauren Blakely
I do not generally pre-order artists albums unless I can get a preview of the material. Shrew my old tactics, I want both Jane Black’s album. If you are a fan of Girl With A Guitar series like I am, you will fall head over heels for this book. Lauren Blakely centers her story around an Indie rock singer-songwriter, Jane Black, whose shattering marriage a year ago, influences a kickass album titled Crushed; rewarding her with a Grammy for album of the year.With her new found stardom, comes the haggle of reporters with their vicious claws trying to dissect and expose Jane’s private life and secrets.
All expect, an “eminently lickable” reporter, Matthew Harrigan, rock critic for Beat magazine.
Matthew isn’t your typical gossip hungry, backstabbing reporter, while is job is to report what people want to read about, he truly is a fan of Jane’s music and is rooting for her success.
“Sometimes my questions might irritate you. As a journalist, I am completely fine with irritating someone I interview every now and then…But taking off my reporter hat, and speaking only as a man now, I am sorry if I upset you.”
Did that turn you into mush like it did me?
He is also fan of Jane for more than her music wink wink. The sparks between these two characters are so explosive you better have three fire extinguishers on hand. Holy fan your panties, this man can turn anything into an innuendo and make you blush. Who would think describing summer fruit (peaches and cherries) could turn one on, not this girl, but as Jane discovers this man holds the power to flick the “on” button on your libido with the slightest ease.
Even though the chemistry is as noticeable as the Hollywood Sign
lights, both characters are held back for their own personal reasons. Matthew attempts to keep their relationship solely professional while writing his article on Jane’s follow up to Crushed; yet he realizes it is impossible to separate business from pleasure when his desire is so strong Jane it consumes him. On the other hand, Jane’s heart is still broken from her divorce from Aidan, a man she loved for five years and produced an adorable kid, Ethan, with.
Jane Black’s world is flip upside down leaving her in a state of devastation, when her husband reveals he is leaving because he is gay.
“I’m not at all ashamed he’s gay…I’m ashamed for being so goddamn blind for so many years. I’m embarrassed that I was so stupid I missed all the signs…I’m annoyed that I’ve been unwanted for so long. Untouched, unkissed, undesired for years.”
What makes it even harder for Jane to cope with, is how sincere and kind Aidan is. He didn’t cheat, he doesn’t act like a douche, and he is an amazing father to their son Ethan.
“…there’s this other side that wishes he’d be angry or bitter or catty. That he’d try to take advantage of me, and wheedle money out of me or something. Or try to cli a portion of my Crushed royalties. But nope, he has to be polite Aidan, gracious Aidan.”
Jane’s insecurities play a dominate factor in accepting a relationship with Matthew. “Please don’t fuck with my heart”
It is completely understandable why she would be hesitant to open herself to love. Her heart is as safe with Matthew as it would be locked up in Fort Knox.
“You are so much more than the way your marriage ended. You are an engaging, captivating, and insanely fucking talented rock star."
True to her roots, Lauren Blakely, creates a heroine and hero that emits charm and likability; while also offering a phenomenal supporting cast. Where Jane and Matthew are the mod podge, Oliver, Natalie, and Jeremy are the newspaper strips that jump into the mix to help them create final pieces.
This isn’t just a romance or a comedy, it’s also a story of moving forward, redefining oneself and the compromises it takes for a successful relationship.
“I need to let go. But not of Aidan. I need to say good-bye to the woman I used to be. Because there’s a better me now. A stronger me, a happier me. I’m the person I want to be. I don’t need a man to be happy, and I don’t need a man to be unhappy. I just need me, and I like who I am—mom, sister, daughter, friend.”
In addition, your heart will flutter as you watch Jane and Matthew’s relationship progress; the jitters of anticipating that first kiss or that first intimate encounter. Warning: you will need to wipe off your kindle from the steam these scenes produce mmhmm!
I loved the family dynamic Ms. Blakely intertwines into the storyline. Ethan is one adorable and funny kid. Although, Jane has become a rock star and is struggling to balance a new relationship while getting over her marriage, her number one priority remains her son. Her relationship with both her brother, Oliver, and her older sister, Natalie, are beyond enjoyable. (Hope Oliver gets his own book, fingers crossed)
P.S. Want to know something about straight men? Haha, Matthew’s humor knows no bounds. He is a goof-ball yet professional, deliciously sexy yet romantic, and he is a swooning gentleman with a dirty mouth #PerfectCombination
"I received an ARC copy for an honest review"
5 Stars ***I am 100% guilty of being Tempted!!! You lined, hooked, and sunk me Lauren Blakely
I do not generally pre-order artists albums unless I can get a preview of the material. Shrew my old tactics, I want both Jane Black’s album. If you are a fan of Girl With A Guitar series like I am, you will fall head over heels for this book. Lauren Blakely centers her story around an Indie rock singer-songwriter, Jane Black, whose shattering marriage a year ago, influences a kickass album titled Crushed; rewarding her with a Grammy for album of the year.With her new found stardom, comes the haggle of reporters with their vicious claws trying to dissect and expose Jane’s private life and secrets.
All expect, an “eminently lickable” reporter, Matthew Harrigan, rock critic for Beat magazine.
Matthew isn’t your typical gossip hungry, backstabbing reporter, while is job is to report what people want to read about, he truly is a fan of Jane’s music and is rooting for her success.
“Sometimes my questions might irritate you. As a journalist, I am completely fine with irritating someone I interview every now and then…But taking off my reporter hat, and speaking only as a man now, I am sorry if I upset you.”
Did that turn you into mush like it did me?
He is also fan of Jane for more than her music wink wink. The sparks between these two characters are so explosive you better have three fire extinguishers on hand. Holy fan your panties, this man can turn anything into an innuendo and make you blush. Who would think describing summer fruit (peaches and cherries) could turn one on, not this girl, but as Jane discovers this man holds the power to flick the “on” button on your libido with the slightest ease.
Even though the chemistry is as noticeable as the Hollywood Sign
lights, both characters are held back for their own personal reasons. Matthew attempts to keep their relationship solely professional while writing his article on Jane’s follow up to Crushed; yet he realizes it is impossible to separate business from pleasure when his desire is so strong Jane it consumes him. On the other hand, Jane’s heart is still broken from her divorce from Aidan, a man she loved for five years and produced an adorable kid, Ethan, with.
Jane Black’s world is flip upside down leaving her in a state of devastation, when her husband reveals he is leaving because he is gay.
“I’m not at all ashamed he’s gay…I’m ashamed for being so goddamn blind for so many years. I’m embarrassed that I was so stupid I missed all the signs…I’m annoyed that I’ve been unwanted for so long. Untouched, unkissed, undesired for years.”
What makes it even harder for Jane to cope with, is how sincere and kind Aidan is. He didn’t cheat, he doesn’t act like a douche, and he is an amazing father to their son Ethan.
“…there’s this other side that wishes he’d be angry or bitter or catty. That he’d try to take advantage of me, and wheedle money out of me or something. Or try to cli a portion of my Crushed royalties. But nope, he has to be polite Aidan, gracious Aidan.”
Jane’s insecurities play a dominate factor in accepting a relationship with Matthew. “Please don’t fuck with my heart”
It is completely understandable why she would be hesitant to open herself to love. Her heart is as safe with Matthew as it would be locked up in Fort Knox.
“You are so much more than the way your marriage ended. You are an engaging, captivating, and insanely fucking talented rock star."
True to her roots, Lauren Blakely, creates a heroine and hero that emits charm and likability; while also offering a phenomenal supporting cast. Where Jane and Matthew are the mod podge, Oliver, Natalie, and Jeremy are the newspaper strips that jump into the mix to help them create final pieces.
This isn’t just a romance or a comedy, it’s also a story of moving forward, redefining oneself and the compromises it takes for a successful relationship.
“I need to let go. But not of Aidan. I need to say good-bye to the woman I used to be. Because there’s a better me now. A stronger me, a happier me. I’m the person I want to be. I don’t need a man to be happy, and I don’t need a man to be unhappy. I just need me, and I like who I am—mom, sister, daughter, friend.”
In addition, your heart will flutter as you watch Jane and Matthew’s relationship progress; the jitters of anticipating that first kiss or that first intimate encounter. Warning: you will need to wipe off your kindle from the steam these scenes produce mmhmm!
I loved the family dynamic Ms. Blakely intertwines into the storyline. Ethan is one adorable and funny kid. Although, Jane has become a rock star and is struggling to balance a new relationship while getting over her marriage, her number one priority remains her son. Her relationship with both her brother, Oliver, and her older sister, Natalie, are beyond enjoyable. (Hope Oliver gets his own book, fingers crossed)
P.S. Want to know something about straight men? Haha, Matthew’s humor knows no bounds. He is a goof-ball yet professional, deliciously sexy yet romantic, and he is a swooning gentleman with a dirty mouth #PerfectCombination
"I received an ARC copy for an honest review"
January 25, 2019
This book has all the feels... LB spelled out a story that took me from lows to highs and allowed me to perfectly feel Jane's every feeling. I can't tell you specifics because they'd be spoilers but there are scenes that we get to experience with Jane. Man, in the beginning, my throat hitched with an excited sob when a certain awesome something happened. Other times, too, my feelings were in tune with Jane's. My point is, LB did something special in this book. She was able to link moments in life with music and what feelings those tunes can evoke. It was deep and I'm sure other would connect differently because music means different things to all of us. This story was fun and had the awesome wit I love so much, and the characters felt like people I know. Oh, and if you love leading men with English accents who fall in love with sexy rock star moms, then this if for you!! Thanks, LB!!
October 12, 2013
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of Far Too Tempting for an honest review
I have read all of Lauren Blakely's novels and they keep getting better and better. This is my new favorite. I fell in love with the characters from the beginning, Jane is an awesome Rock Star and Matthew is a tough Rock Critic but from the start they were flirty and fun together. I have to have humor and banter to stay interested in a book. This one has the perfect mixture of emotions involved, can go from tears to smiling on the same page. And the chemistry between the Jane and Matthew is beautiful and hot. I would highly recommend reading this one. I can't wait to read the next one.
I have read all of Lauren Blakely's novels and they keep getting better and better. This is my new favorite. I fell in love with the characters from the beginning, Jane is an awesome Rock Star and Matthew is a tough Rock Critic but from the start they were flirty and fun together. I have to have humor and banter to stay interested in a book. This one has the perfect mixture of emotions involved, can go from tears to smiling on the same page. And the chemistry between the Jane and Matthew is beautiful and hot. I would highly recommend reading this one. I can't wait to read the next one.
October 11, 2013
I received an advance copy of this book to write a review. I have to admit, it's my first book by Lauren Blakley and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's about Jane a struggling musician going through divorce and feeling bad about herself. Suddenly, her album is a huge success and she is a star. This is about how she deals with success and new love. Matthew Harrington, a hot music critic wants an interview and Jane.
October 21, 2013
4.5 Stars. Loved it!
Jointly reviewed for Totallybooked blog
Jenny: Sometimes a story can capture you so completely that it allows the world around you to dissolves while you escape into its pages simply provides you with the perfect balance of everything you love. That was Far Too Tempting for me. It wasn’t overly angsty, overly dramatic, overly erotic or overly frustrating. Nope, this book had a bit of everything and the balance was just right. It was the perfect escape and I loved it.
‘There comes a time when healing is simply a choice, when moving forward is a choice. You choose to love, you choose to commit, and you choose to be faithful.’
Lauren Blakely enveloped me in the journey of Jane and Matthew and in doing so she gave me the opportunity to spend time enjoying some wonderfully sexy, witty, beautiful emotional and flirty moments that I treasured. Yep, I really did enjoy this one G, what about you?
Gitte: I loved Far Too Tempting. It was a fresh, romantic and musical easy to read story that hit all the right buttons. It was beautifully written and the characters were sexy and lovable. The emotions I felt reading were intense at times and I thought this Author got the heartbreak, cynicism and romance just right…it flowed beautifully!
‘I’d come so close to giving in, giving up, moving on, because I just wasn’t making it at all. Then I was kicked to the curb….’ – Jane
Jenny: Jane has had her confidence rocked to its foundation following the breakdown of her marriage with the father of her little boy. Her marriage ended under circumstances that would bring any woman to her knees and Jane, quite understandably feels the need to protect her heart and finds it difficult to even comprehend opening up and trusting again.
‘Secrets can be alluring. But secrets can be devastating too.’
She feels betrayed and slighted and wonders just how she will cope and move on. Well, one way is to put your feelings down in song and in doing so Jane inadvertently creates a kick arse album that goes on to become the break up anthem for so many and a runaway success..
‘Pain has a funny way of subsiding, eventually, so you can survive. It has this way of not suffocating you every single day. Sure, some days you’re still blindsided by a memory, a feeling, a song.’
Jane was down to earth and forthright and I really did like her because there was no diva behaviour from this girl. Jane had to put up with having her unhappiness and her rather humiliating marriage split become the thing of tabloid ridicule and that couldn’t have been easy. She was who she was and was understandably a bit guarded. What about you G. How did you find Jane?
Gitte: How unique to get a complete snapshot of a female rock star who’s a Mum to boot. It felt so different and I really connected with her character.
“Her man did her wrong, so she went to the studio for closure….”
We all love those heart breaking songs that make us feel and cry. For me Adele gets to me every single time and no matter how many times I hear her songs I cry! Well, Jane wrote an album full of those after a devastating life event. My heart broke for her. To find your life was a ruse for five years, where your heart belonged to a man who was living a lie. How do you even try and work through something for which you have no control over and that makes you feel like a farce? Makes you feel like your identity is in question? I can’t imagine but the whole situation broke my heart. I completely understood her insecurities, her self-doubts and her struggles. Then when the fact that your heart is broken and your life changes, to be celebrated and recognised for this fact how do you go from there?
‘That is the secret of my success, the bittersweet reminder that you can write a break-up album and it can be great…but you’re only here because you are the biggest idiot in the world. Because you loved a man wildly, crazily, passionately. …’ – Jane
The journey Jane had to go through both musically and healing her heart…trusting to love without breaking all over again was emotional for sure. But it was funny and sexy too!
Jenny: Matthew is the gorgeous English music journo who works for Beat Magazine and who wants to do an exclusive on Jane. He wants access to a behind the scenes look at the process Janes goes through in writing and recording her next album. Jane has always had a thing for Matthew and is eager to do the expose but there’s one hitch. Jane has a creative block and thinks she can only produce her best work when she suffering and heartbroken, when she starts experiencing happiness her creative juices dry up causing Jane to question everything in her life. What if she can only produce quality work if she’s unhappy? Where does that leave her?
‘Success is temporal. Fame is mercurial. Tomorrow, I could be nobody again.’
Jane and Matthew have an instant attraction and the chemistry between them is tangible. I loved the flirty banter between them and the sexual tension and innuendos that hung in the air were delicious fun. These two were sizzling! Matthew was a guy who wore his heart on his sleeve and I absolutely LOVED this man! He was hot and his background knowledge of the music industry gave him extra swoonie stars. But….I have to admit to having this nervous feeling throughout that there was something sinister behind Matthew and that he had an ulterior motive for what he was doing. My heart and stomach were on constant alert as their relationship began to take off. How about you G, did you feel the same?
“Please don’t fuck with my heart,” I say in a voice that threatens to break.
“I won’t,” he says.
Gitte: LOVED Matthew. Again, an intelligent, cheeky and sexy male character, who in a way, was a ‘fan-boy’…so refreshing!! The chemistry and passion was intense and I did have to go douse myself with cold water a few times. At first I was as hesitant as Jane was about the motives of the enigmatic Matthew. When she opened her heart I was shouting ‘don’t do it Jane!!’ But….I can see why she fell, because I sure did too. He was quite simply bloody lush!
‘He could make or break a musician, but he could probably make or break a heart too, given the way he smiles with the most inviting grin and the way he’s a very eligible bachelor in New York City.’ – Jane
So yeah, I absolutely loved this story. It wasn’t your ordinary rock star book, it didn’t have ordinary characters, and I suppose you could say we had a bit of role reversal going on here. But what it did have was originality and I thought it was a breath of fresh air. I fell in love and I look forward to more from this Author!
‘I want someone to want me. I want to be desired, I want to be admired, I want to be adored.’ – Jane
Jenny: We did G and I think it was that role reversal that I found so refreshing. I was completely sucked into this beautifully engaging story of moving on, trusting, opening your heart and believing in yourself. The characters felt real and relatable and the story kept me turning the pages with gusto! No one was absolutely perfect, they all had their flaws and each and every one of them stole my heart.
‘Screw falling. I’m there. I’ve fallen in love with you, Jane.” – Matthew
This was exactly what I needed at the time and I’ll definitely be checking out more from this author that’s for sure because she kept me enthralled and entertained from start to finish.
‘These are the tentative dances of a new relationship, the tender moves of new hearts coming together, awkwardly at times……’
Is it easier to express yourself when your heart is breaking or when your heart is overflowing with love? You’ll enjoy finding out that’s for sure!
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review.
Jointly reviewed for Totallybooked blog
Jenny: Sometimes a story can capture you so completely that it allows the world around you to dissolves while you escape into its pages simply provides you with the perfect balance of everything you love. That was Far Too Tempting for me. It wasn’t overly angsty, overly dramatic, overly erotic or overly frustrating. Nope, this book had a bit of everything and the balance was just right. It was the perfect escape and I loved it.
‘There comes a time when healing is simply a choice, when moving forward is a choice. You choose to love, you choose to commit, and you choose to be faithful.’
Lauren Blakely enveloped me in the journey of Jane and Matthew and in doing so she gave me the opportunity to spend time enjoying some wonderfully sexy, witty, beautiful emotional and flirty moments that I treasured. Yep, I really did enjoy this one G, what about you?
Gitte: I loved Far Too Tempting. It was a fresh, romantic and musical easy to read story that hit all the right buttons. It was beautifully written and the characters were sexy and lovable. The emotions I felt reading were intense at times and I thought this Author got the heartbreak, cynicism and romance just right…it flowed beautifully!
‘I’d come so close to giving in, giving up, moving on, because I just wasn’t making it at all. Then I was kicked to the curb….’ – Jane
Jenny: Jane has had her confidence rocked to its foundation following the breakdown of her marriage with the father of her little boy. Her marriage ended under circumstances that would bring any woman to her knees and Jane, quite understandably feels the need to protect her heart and finds it difficult to even comprehend opening up and trusting again.
‘Secrets can be alluring. But secrets can be devastating too.’
She feels betrayed and slighted and wonders just how she will cope and move on. Well, one way is to put your feelings down in song and in doing so Jane inadvertently creates a kick arse album that goes on to become the break up anthem for so many and a runaway success..
‘Pain has a funny way of subsiding, eventually, so you can survive. It has this way of not suffocating you every single day. Sure, some days you’re still blindsided by a memory, a feeling, a song.’
Jane was down to earth and forthright and I really did like her because there was no diva behaviour from this girl. Jane had to put up with having her unhappiness and her rather humiliating marriage split become the thing of tabloid ridicule and that couldn’t have been easy. She was who she was and was understandably a bit guarded. What about you G. How did you find Jane?
Gitte: How unique to get a complete snapshot of a female rock star who’s a Mum to boot. It felt so different and I really connected with her character.
“Her man did her wrong, so she went to the studio for closure….”
We all love those heart breaking songs that make us feel and cry. For me Adele gets to me every single time and no matter how many times I hear her songs I cry! Well, Jane wrote an album full of those after a devastating life event. My heart broke for her. To find your life was a ruse for five years, where your heart belonged to a man who was living a lie. How do you even try and work through something for which you have no control over and that makes you feel like a farce? Makes you feel like your identity is in question? I can’t imagine but the whole situation broke my heart. I completely understood her insecurities, her self-doubts and her struggles. Then when the fact that your heart is broken and your life changes, to be celebrated and recognised for this fact how do you go from there?
‘That is the secret of my success, the bittersweet reminder that you can write a break-up album and it can be great…but you’re only here because you are the biggest idiot in the world. Because you loved a man wildly, crazily, passionately. …’ – Jane
The journey Jane had to go through both musically and healing her heart…trusting to love without breaking all over again was emotional for sure. But it was funny and sexy too!
Jenny: Matthew is the gorgeous English music journo who works for Beat Magazine and who wants to do an exclusive on Jane. He wants access to a behind the scenes look at the process Janes goes through in writing and recording her next album. Jane has always had a thing for Matthew and is eager to do the expose but there’s one hitch. Jane has a creative block and thinks she can only produce her best work when she suffering and heartbroken, when she starts experiencing happiness her creative juices dry up causing Jane to question everything in her life. What if she can only produce quality work if she’s unhappy? Where does that leave her?
‘Success is temporal. Fame is mercurial. Tomorrow, I could be nobody again.’
Jane and Matthew have an instant attraction and the chemistry between them is tangible. I loved the flirty banter between them and the sexual tension and innuendos that hung in the air were delicious fun. These two were sizzling! Matthew was a guy who wore his heart on his sleeve and I absolutely LOVED this man! He was hot and his background knowledge of the music industry gave him extra swoonie stars. But….I have to admit to having this nervous feeling throughout that there was something sinister behind Matthew and that he had an ulterior motive for what he was doing. My heart and stomach were on constant alert as their relationship began to take off. How about you G, did you feel the same?
“Please don’t fuck with my heart,” I say in a voice that threatens to break.
“I won’t,” he says.
Gitte: LOVED Matthew. Again, an intelligent, cheeky and sexy male character, who in a way, was a ‘fan-boy’…so refreshing!! The chemistry and passion was intense and I did have to go douse myself with cold water a few times. At first I was as hesitant as Jane was about the motives of the enigmatic Matthew. When she opened her heart I was shouting ‘don’t do it Jane!!’ But….I can see why she fell, because I sure did too. He was quite simply bloody lush!
‘He could make or break a musician, but he could probably make or break a heart too, given the way he smiles with the most inviting grin and the way he’s a very eligible bachelor in New York City.’ – Jane
So yeah, I absolutely loved this story. It wasn’t your ordinary rock star book, it didn’t have ordinary characters, and I suppose you could say we had a bit of role reversal going on here. But what it did have was originality and I thought it was a breath of fresh air. I fell in love and I look forward to more from this Author!
‘I want someone to want me. I want to be desired, I want to be admired, I want to be adored.’ – Jane
Jenny: We did G and I think it was that role reversal that I found so refreshing. I was completely sucked into this beautifully engaging story of moving on, trusting, opening your heart and believing in yourself. The characters felt real and relatable and the story kept me turning the pages with gusto! No one was absolutely perfect, they all had their flaws and each and every one of them stole my heart.
‘Screw falling. I’m there. I’ve fallen in love with you, Jane.” – Matthew
This was exactly what I needed at the time and I’ll definitely be checking out more from this author that’s for sure because she kept me enthralled and entertained from start to finish.
‘These are the tentative dances of a new relationship, the tender moves of new hearts coming together, awkwardly at times……’
Is it easier to express yourself when your heart is breaking or when your heart is overflowing with love? You’ll enjoy finding out that’s for sure!
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review.
January 3, 2015
*ARC Given to Blog for Honest Review*
3.5 “Lucky Deck” Kisses
Music and a hot Brit – yeah…I’m so on board with this book! :-) I have a slight fixation with Lauren Blakely books. I can always count on her to write emotional love stories with awesome heroines, deliciously dreamy BBF’s that are super sexy with just enough angst but always leaves me with a smile on my face at the end, and Far Too Tempting completely lived up to my expectations.
Jane Black…or Jane Stanchcomb, when she’s not using her stage name, is a lot of things. She’s a mother…she’s a daughter…she’s a sister…she’s a soon to be ex-wife…and she’s a recent Grammy award winning rock star. The soon to be ex-wife part has everything to do with her success and over the past year her life has changed drastically in a lot of ways. Not only does she have the fame and success to deal with but the pressure to have a repeat performance of greatness weighs on her shoulders. And if only that were the tip of the iceberg. Her problems are surmounting and she has a lot to deal with…mentally. Plus she still has to be a mom too – and for the record, Jane is a kick ass mom. But she’s also a woman. A woman figuring out who she is after a life changing event that leaves her questioning…herself.
Matthew Harrigan Oh boy… Matthew so deserves one of my lists…what do I love about Matthew:
1.) He’s British – so he’s got manners and class and all sorts of other sexy things just ingrained in him
2.) He loves music
3.) He loves to read
4.) He’s got an accent…that’s worth like a million hotness points right there
5.) He tall…yumm….
6.) To quote Jane…he’s ’eminently lickable’
7.) He has beautiful blue eyes
8.) He’s a divine kisser and deliciously sexy and kinky – there is spanking involved… ;-)
9.) He has a kick ass job
10.) He’s royal…umm…score!
Matt is really easy to warm up to…he’s got a very laid back personality and while he’s cool and almost has that untouchable vibe, he’s really not. He’s very down to earth, honest and up front. He’s smart, funny, witty, plus…I want to steal his job! Don’t get me started on the British factor…the accent, his pedigree, his innate sense of just being such a complete gentleman (that can then turn around and fuck you silly ;-) ) – he’ just drips hotness.
So Matt and Jane have had a good working relationship up to this point – he’s a critic, she’s a musician…they keep it nice and professional. So…with Jane being ‘back on the market’ if you will, there have been flirtatious undertones…which are awesome. I’m sorry, but rock on Janie girl – flirt with the Brit! ;-) But they have still had to toe that line...between professional and personal…until all bets were off and then it was just smooth sailing into sexy-ville. I loved Jane’s personality and the way she was with him. Her history with her ex has completely changed the way she reacts and handles men…when you’ve grown accustomed to being treated a certain way, seeing what it’s like on the other side…it can be liberating and exhilarating. That’s what Matthew gave her…those emotions back…the ability to feel wanted and desired…to be able to crave a man and go after him…to feel and act passionately without restraint. It was hot and awesome.
This story really was more about Jane for me (rather than Jane and Matthew)…she had a lot to work thru…her career and how being a Grammy award winner changed her life….her relationship with her ex-husband and dealing with the emotional mess that left her…how that revelation changed her...navigating a new relationship...and still being a mother. She has her plate full! I loved her development though - watching her growth and figure things out while still staying true to herself. I mean, of course I loved her relationship with Matt, but seeing Jane progress…seeing her become a happier person, happier with her life…that was just as rewarding. She had a lot of insecurities to work thru especially where Matt was concerned - but that was completely rational given her past. I did appreciate the way that Matt responded to her. He knew what he was getting into and he was perfect...just like I knew he would be. He was receptive and honest and up front. He wore his heart on his sleeve when it came to Jane and it was exactly what she needed.
This was another great Lauren Blakley book for me. Strong heroine…sexy BBF…engaged plot…tons of emotions…it was fabulous from beginning to end. Usually I am left at the end wanting more or not wanting to come to terms with the fact that the story is over…I’m such a series whore, I’m always begging for a next part or a continuation…but I am 100% satisfied with Jane and Matthew’s story…it’s perfect, just the way it is.
3.5 “Lucky Deck” Kisses
Music and a hot Brit – yeah…I’m so on board with this book! :-) I have a slight fixation with Lauren Blakely books. I can always count on her to write emotional love stories with awesome heroines, deliciously dreamy BBF’s that are super sexy with just enough angst but always leaves me with a smile on my face at the end, and Far Too Tempting completely lived up to my expectations.
Jane Black…or Jane Stanchcomb, when she’s not using her stage name, is a lot of things. She’s a mother…she’s a daughter…she’s a sister…she’s a soon to be ex-wife…and she’s a recent Grammy award winning rock star. The soon to be ex-wife part has everything to do with her success and over the past year her life has changed drastically in a lot of ways. Not only does she have the fame and success to deal with but the pressure to have a repeat performance of greatness weighs on her shoulders. And if only that were the tip of the iceberg. Her problems are surmounting and she has a lot to deal with…mentally. Plus she still has to be a mom too – and for the record, Jane is a kick ass mom. But she’s also a woman. A woman figuring out who she is after a life changing event that leaves her questioning…herself.
‘This is my zone; this is where I belong. Singing my heart out, because I love music like it’s my life force. A microphone in hand, I sing the song I know so well, the song I lived, the chorus so harshly me…
But you said you’d love me
You said you’d stay with me
And now I’m that girl
Saying those words
But you said, but you said, but you said...’
Matthew Harrigan Oh boy… Matthew so deserves one of my lists…what do I love about Matthew:
1.) He’s British – so he’s got manners and class and all sorts of other sexy things just ingrained in him
2.) He loves music
3.) He loves to read
4.) He’s got an accent…that’s worth like a million hotness points right there
5.) He tall…yumm….
6.) To quote Jane…he’s ’eminently lickable’
7.) He has beautiful blue eyes
8.) He’s a divine kisser and deliciously sexy and kinky – there is spanking involved… ;-)
9.) He has a kick ass job
10.) He’s royal…umm…score!
Matt is really easy to warm up to…he’s got a very laid back personality and while he’s cool and almost has that untouchable vibe, he’s really not. He’s very down to earth, honest and up front. He’s smart, funny, witty, plus…I want to steal his job! Don’t get me started on the British factor…the accent, his pedigree, his innate sense of just being such a complete gentleman (that can then turn around and fuck you silly ;-) ) – he’ just drips hotness.
‘He wraps a hand around my waist, tugging me closer as he kisses me, and I’ve lost allawareness of my surroundings, of the city, of the last several days of my life because the second Matthew’s lips touch mine, I know it is one of those kisses.
The kind you could write a song about.’
So Matt and Jane have had a good working relationship up to this point – he’s a critic, she’s a musician…they keep it nice and professional. So…with Jane being ‘back on the market’ if you will, there have been flirtatious undertones…which are awesome. I’m sorry, but rock on Janie girl – flirt with the Brit! ;-) But they have still had to toe that line...between professional and personal…until all bets were off and then it was just smooth sailing into sexy-ville. I loved Jane’s personality and the way she was with him. Her history with her ex has completely changed the way she reacts and handles men…when you’ve grown accustomed to being treated a certain way, seeing what it’s like on the other side…it can be liberating and exhilarating. That’s what Matthew gave her…those emotions back…the ability to feel wanted and desired…to be able to crave a man and go after him…to feel and act passionately without restraint. It was hot and awesome.
“There are so many parts of you I haven’t tasted yet. But I want to.”
That’s it. Put a fork in me. I’m done. I am officially turned on beyond any and all reason. “It’s working,” I say in a low, ragged whisper.
“My plan to get you thoroughly aroused before you take the stage?”
“yes.”
“I’ve barely even started.”
This story really was more about Jane for me (rather than Jane and Matthew)…she had a lot to work thru…her career and how being a Grammy award winner changed her life….her relationship with her ex-husband and dealing with the emotional mess that left her…how that revelation changed her...navigating a new relationship...and still being a mother. She has her plate full! I loved her development though - watching her growth and figure things out while still staying true to herself. I mean, of course I loved her relationship with Matt, but seeing Jane progress…seeing her become a happier person, happier with her life…that was just as rewarding. She had a lot of insecurities to work thru especially where Matt was concerned - but that was completely rational given her past. I did appreciate the way that Matt responded to her. He knew what he was getting into and he was perfect...just like I knew he would be. He was receptive and honest and up front. He wore his heart on his sleeve when it came to Jane and it was exactly what she needed.
‘He runs his hands along my arms, then scoops my hair off my shoulders and holds it up in a big pile on the back of my head. He looks at me, his hands still mimicking a ponytail holder. “You are gorgeous Jane. And you don’t even know it. You don’t know how sexy, how beautiful, how absolutely divine you are. And that’s why you are so sexy, because you don’t realize it. You just are.”’
This was another great Lauren Blakley book for me. Strong heroine…sexy BBF…engaged plot…tons of emotions…it was fabulous from beginning to end. Usually I am left at the end wanting more or not wanting to come to terms with the fact that the story is over…I’m such a series whore, I’m always begging for a next part or a continuation…but I am 100% satisfied with Jane and Matthew’s story…it’s perfect, just the way it is.
May 3, 2015
Ringrazio Entangled Edge per avermi concesso l’opportunità di leggere questo libro in cambio della mia onesta opinione, ne sono molto grata.
Recensione anche sul mio blog:
http://pleaseanotherbook.tumblr.com/p...
“Far too tempting” è entrato nelle mie cose da leggere perché ho molto apprezzato i libri di Lauren Blakely e di certo non potevo lasciarmi scappare l’occasione di leggerlo in anteprima. Purtroppo sono incapace di rispettare i miei impegni e ne è passato di tempo, sto cercando di recuperare tutte le letture in arretrato che avevo accettato di recensire e dopo più di un anno sono riuscita a dedicarmi a questo standalone davvero molto interessante.
Jane Black ha scritto l’album di esordio del secolo, guadagnandosi un Grammy, un grosso gruppo di nuovi fan e la pressione di ripetere il successo. Certo, il cuore spezzato dall’abbandono del marito potrebbe essere stato la sua ispirazione, ma non le ha fatto alcun favore in materia di appuntamenti. Così quando Matthew Harrigan, il più duro giornalista musicale che ci sia in giro le chiede un intervista, Jane accetta – finché la sua vita personale resti off-limits. Inglese, bellissimo, e troppo tentatore, Matthew è il primo ragazzo da cui Jane si sente attratta dopo suo marito. E mentre passa sempre più tempo con lui e la loro relazione diventa più intensa, cresce anche il suo blocco creativo. Come può la regina delle canzoni sulle rotture scrivere il perfetto seguito quando si è seriamente innamorata?
Unite musica, passione e sentimenti e il mix che ne viene fuori è quasi sempre vincente. Certo a volte i risultati non sono così buoni, ma la Blakely ha quel tocco in più capace di superare qualsiasi reticenza. La contemporary romance è un mondo così sovraffollato che è difficile emergerne, con una storia originale, anche quando è piena di elementi già conosciuti, l’importante è saperli mixarli in un modo unico, che sfugge alle logiche dei cliché e devo dire che la Blakely ci riesce, in un modo che non mi sarei mai immaginata.
È Jane che racconta la sua storia con una fresca ironia e senza mai prendersi troppo sul serio. Una mamma, appena divorziata, il cui sogno più grande si è appena realizzato. All’apice del suo successo musicale, con un Grammy in tasca, e un’approvazione dalla critica che non si sarebbe mai aspettata di ricevere. Jane è una donna che ha sofferto, delusa dall’amore e dall’uomo con cui credeva di passare il resto della sua vita. È questo dolore profondo e quasi inarrestabile, che la consuma e l’ha spinta a scrivere il miglior album di rotture amorose dell’era moderna. Una stella nascente, che dopo tentativi fallimentari è riuscita ad emergere. Ma ora è una cosa per continuare ad andare avanti sull’onda del successo e Jane non ha idee, non sa cosa fare, naviga in acque sconosciute. L’ispirazione è una amica dimenticata, il dolore un’eco lontana e dove trovare nuovi argomenti su cui scrivere? Mentre Jane tentenna in varie direzioni compare l’affascinante Matthew che vorrebbe da lei più di quello che lei è disposta ad offrire. Matthew è un affascinante critico musicale, dedito al suo lavoro, serio, disinvolto, inglese, very british, con il pallino della cucina e un’insana passione per la narrativa contemporanea. Storie che lo portino lontano dalla quotidianità del suo lavoro. A caccia di talenti musicali, con il suo inseparabile taccuino, è pronto a scovare la storia del secolo, salvo poi ritrovarsi a viverne una che non si sarebbe mai immaginato. Matthew è un animo gentile, disposto ad aiutare Jane, di cui è profondamente attratto. Niente è come sembra. Quando il segreto di Jane viene alla luce, la donna è disposta a tutto per proteggere la sua privacy, ma Matthew le dimostrerà che da lui non si deve proteggere, che vuole solo aiutarla. Ed è questo che rende il romanzo molto interessante questa ricerca continua di un equilibrio, in un ambiente che di solito ne è sprovvisto. Jane sta vivendo il suo sogno, quello del successo in un ambiente che le era rimasto lontano e allo stesso tempo è consumata dalle aspettative che deve soddisfare. La sua vita sembra andare in direzioni opposte, mentre Matthew riempie le sue giornate, con la sua calma serafica, il suo cane e i suoi modi gentili. La storia è perfettamente equilibrata e riproduce gli spasmi di un amore che sta nascendo e l’insoddisfazione della protagonista che deriva dalla mancanza di equilibrio. Accettare la fine di un rapporto è sempre difficile, ma superare il dolore e soprattutto il rancore per scelte incomprensibili è sempre molto difficile.
Non ci sono molti personaggi secondari, che comunque assumono un ruolo marginale nella vicenda. Al centro della scena brillano Jane e Edward. Una cosa che non mi ha convinto molto però è il figlio della donna, che entra in scena in maniera molto marginale e non viene mai presentato ufficialmente a Matthew, insomma io mi preoccuperei del fatto che il mio bambino possa non trovarsi bene con l’uomo che sta avendo un ruolo sempre più importante nella mia vita no?
L’ambientazione è quella della mia splendida New York, una città magica, la città che non dorme mai, che fa da contorno ad una romance che sboccia frenetica tra due persone che apparentemente non hanno nulla in comune.
Il particolare da non dimenticare? Una mela verde…
Una storia tra una cantante e un critico, con apparenti conflitti di interessi ma che si riduce ad una passione che si nutre dell’accettazione, del superamento delle difficoltà e quell’incertezza che deriva sempre dall’iniziare un nuovo amore. Una vicenda interessante, che si perde nei meandri dell’industria musicale e della scintillante Grande Mela. Una storia forse non perfetta, ma di intrattenimento.
Buona lettura guys!
Recensione anche sul mio blog:
http://pleaseanotherbook.tumblr.com/p...
“Far too tempting” è entrato nelle mie cose da leggere perché ho molto apprezzato i libri di Lauren Blakely e di certo non potevo lasciarmi scappare l’occasione di leggerlo in anteprima. Purtroppo sono incapace di rispettare i miei impegni e ne è passato di tempo, sto cercando di recuperare tutte le letture in arretrato che avevo accettato di recensire e dopo più di un anno sono riuscita a dedicarmi a questo standalone davvero molto interessante.
Jane Black ha scritto l’album di esordio del secolo, guadagnandosi un Grammy, un grosso gruppo di nuovi fan e la pressione di ripetere il successo. Certo, il cuore spezzato dall’abbandono del marito potrebbe essere stato la sua ispirazione, ma non le ha fatto alcun favore in materia di appuntamenti. Così quando Matthew Harrigan, il più duro giornalista musicale che ci sia in giro le chiede un intervista, Jane accetta – finché la sua vita personale resti off-limits. Inglese, bellissimo, e troppo tentatore, Matthew è il primo ragazzo da cui Jane si sente attratta dopo suo marito. E mentre passa sempre più tempo con lui e la loro relazione diventa più intensa, cresce anche il suo blocco creativo. Come può la regina delle canzoni sulle rotture scrivere il perfetto seguito quando si è seriamente innamorata?
Unite musica, passione e sentimenti e il mix che ne viene fuori è quasi sempre vincente. Certo a volte i risultati non sono così buoni, ma la Blakely ha quel tocco in più capace di superare qualsiasi reticenza. La contemporary romance è un mondo così sovraffollato che è difficile emergerne, con una storia originale, anche quando è piena di elementi già conosciuti, l’importante è saperli mixarli in un modo unico, che sfugge alle logiche dei cliché e devo dire che la Blakely ci riesce, in un modo che non mi sarei mai immaginata.
È Jane che racconta la sua storia con una fresca ironia e senza mai prendersi troppo sul serio. Una mamma, appena divorziata, il cui sogno più grande si è appena realizzato. All’apice del suo successo musicale, con un Grammy in tasca, e un’approvazione dalla critica che non si sarebbe mai aspettata di ricevere. Jane è una donna che ha sofferto, delusa dall’amore e dall’uomo con cui credeva di passare il resto della sua vita. È questo dolore profondo e quasi inarrestabile, che la consuma e l’ha spinta a scrivere il miglior album di rotture amorose dell’era moderna. Una stella nascente, che dopo tentativi fallimentari è riuscita ad emergere. Ma ora è una cosa per continuare ad andare avanti sull’onda del successo e Jane non ha idee, non sa cosa fare, naviga in acque sconosciute. L’ispirazione è una amica dimenticata, il dolore un’eco lontana e dove trovare nuovi argomenti su cui scrivere? Mentre Jane tentenna in varie direzioni compare l’affascinante Matthew che vorrebbe da lei più di quello che lei è disposta ad offrire. Matthew è un affascinante critico musicale, dedito al suo lavoro, serio, disinvolto, inglese, very british, con il pallino della cucina e un’insana passione per la narrativa contemporanea. Storie che lo portino lontano dalla quotidianità del suo lavoro. A caccia di talenti musicali, con il suo inseparabile taccuino, è pronto a scovare la storia del secolo, salvo poi ritrovarsi a viverne una che non si sarebbe mai immaginato. Matthew è un animo gentile, disposto ad aiutare Jane, di cui è profondamente attratto. Niente è come sembra. Quando il segreto di Jane viene alla luce, la donna è disposta a tutto per proteggere la sua privacy, ma Matthew le dimostrerà che da lui non si deve proteggere, che vuole solo aiutarla. Ed è questo che rende il romanzo molto interessante questa ricerca continua di un equilibrio, in un ambiente che di solito ne è sprovvisto. Jane sta vivendo il suo sogno, quello del successo in un ambiente che le era rimasto lontano e allo stesso tempo è consumata dalle aspettative che deve soddisfare. La sua vita sembra andare in direzioni opposte, mentre Matthew riempie le sue giornate, con la sua calma serafica, il suo cane e i suoi modi gentili. La storia è perfettamente equilibrata e riproduce gli spasmi di un amore che sta nascendo e l’insoddisfazione della protagonista che deriva dalla mancanza di equilibrio. Accettare la fine di un rapporto è sempre difficile, ma superare il dolore e soprattutto il rancore per scelte incomprensibili è sempre molto difficile.
Non ci sono molti personaggi secondari, che comunque assumono un ruolo marginale nella vicenda. Al centro della scena brillano Jane e Edward. Una cosa che non mi ha convinto molto però è il figlio della donna, che entra in scena in maniera molto marginale e non viene mai presentato ufficialmente a Matthew, insomma io mi preoccuperei del fatto che il mio bambino possa non trovarsi bene con l’uomo che sta avendo un ruolo sempre più importante nella mia vita no?
L’ambientazione è quella della mia splendida New York, una città magica, la città che non dorme mai, che fa da contorno ad una romance che sboccia frenetica tra due persone che apparentemente non hanno nulla in comune.
Il particolare da non dimenticare? Una mela verde…
Una storia tra una cantante e un critico, con apparenti conflitti di interessi ma che si riduce ad una passione che si nutre dell’accettazione, del superamento delle difficoltà e quell’incertezza che deriva sempre dall’iniziare un nuovo amore. Una vicenda interessante, che si perde nei meandri dell’industria musicale e della scintillante Grande Mela. Una storia forse non perfetta, ma di intrattenimento.
Buona lettura guys!
October 6, 2013
Lauren Blakely is one of my favorite authors. I’ve read many of her books, so when I was offered an ARC of "Far Too Tempting" in exchange for an honest review, I jumped at it. I didn’t expect to be disappointed, but I kinda didn’t expect to fall madly in love either. Well, I wasn’t, and I did.
"Far Too Tempting" introduces us to Indie rock singer-songwriter, Jane Black, whose album (based on the devastating breakup of her marriage a year ago) has won a Grammy for album of the year. We also meet Matthew Harrigan, music critic, and one of Jane’s biggest fans.
Coming off a high for winning Album of the Year, Jane returns home to New York and the predicable reality that after a year of separation, she’s facing an impending divorce she never saw coming from a man she still loves, while enduring the pressure from her manager and her producer to write a follow-up album, all while attempting to maintain a sense of normalcy for herself and her six-year-old son. What Jane did not, could not predict, was how Matthew would play into all of this.
Matthew Harrigan is smart, he’s funny, and he’s damn sexy. Oh, and Matthew plays the ultimate trump card; he’s also British, (or, “English,” as he puts it). Matthew has his own job expectations. He’s a music critic, after all, so what better assignment than to follow Jane Black as she attempts to outdo her chart-topping break-up album Crushed. However, Matthew soon recognizes that separating business from pleasure when it comes to Jane is an impossible expectation.
Lauren Blakely has given us characters in Jane and Matthew who are engaging and lovable. Their playful dialogue is endearing and fun. I was not only pulling for them, laughing with them, and even crying with them, but I was also working overtime in my own head to try to help them remedy the challenges that becoming a couple presents.
I have to anecdotally mention that, in true Lauren Blakely fashion, we don't just get awesome main characters who are charming and irresistible, but we also get a handful of supporting characters who not only add to the story in a wonderful way, but who also beg (hopefully) for their own stories (Owen and Taryn) in the future.
At its heart, "Far Too Tempting" is more than a romance novel. It’s a story of the journey of self-discovery, and of moving forward, moving on, and redefining who we are. It’s about having the courage to let go. "Far Too Tempting" reaches into the soul of anyone who has ever had a broken heart and been afraid to love again, and challenges you to look at life in a different way and consider new possibilities.
“There comes a time when healing is simply a choice, when moving forward is a choice. You choose to love, you choose to commit, you choose to be faithful. I choose to heal."
“I’ve been figuring out how to be this new me.”
“It’s a good feeling to trust someone, to let yourself trust someone.”
Five TEMPTING stars!
"Far Too Tempting" introduces us to Indie rock singer-songwriter, Jane Black, whose album (based on the devastating breakup of her marriage a year ago) has won a Grammy for album of the year. We also meet Matthew Harrigan, music critic, and one of Jane’s biggest fans.
Coming off a high for winning Album of the Year, Jane returns home to New York and the predicable reality that after a year of separation, she’s facing an impending divorce she never saw coming from a man she still loves, while enduring the pressure from her manager and her producer to write a follow-up album, all while attempting to maintain a sense of normalcy for herself and her six-year-old son. What Jane did not, could not predict, was how Matthew would play into all of this.
Matthew Harrigan is smart, he’s funny, and he’s damn sexy. Oh, and Matthew plays the ultimate trump card; he’s also British, (or, “English,” as he puts it). Matthew has his own job expectations. He’s a music critic, after all, so what better assignment than to follow Jane Black as she attempts to outdo her chart-topping break-up album Crushed. However, Matthew soon recognizes that separating business from pleasure when it comes to Jane is an impossible expectation.
Lauren Blakely has given us characters in Jane and Matthew who are engaging and lovable. Their playful dialogue is endearing and fun. I was not only pulling for them, laughing with them, and even crying with them, but I was also working overtime in my own head to try to help them remedy the challenges that becoming a couple presents.
I have to anecdotally mention that, in true Lauren Blakely fashion, we don't just get awesome main characters who are charming and irresistible, but we also get a handful of supporting characters who not only add to the story in a wonderful way, but who also beg (hopefully) for their own stories (Owen and Taryn) in the future.
At its heart, "Far Too Tempting" is more than a romance novel. It’s a story of the journey of self-discovery, and of moving forward, moving on, and redefining who we are. It’s about having the courage to let go. "Far Too Tempting" reaches into the soul of anyone who has ever had a broken heart and been afraid to love again, and challenges you to look at life in a different way and consider new possibilities.
“There comes a time when healing is simply a choice, when moving forward is a choice. You choose to love, you choose to commit, you choose to be faithful. I choose to heal."
“I’ve been figuring out how to be this new me.”
“It’s a good feeling to trust someone, to let yourself trust someone.”
Five TEMPTING stars!
February 10, 2019
Source: Brilliance Audio
The Break-Up Album is about Jane Black, a rockstar who was left by her husband because he finally comes to grip with being gay. This devastates Jane because she is totally in love with him and they have a kid together. With hindsight, she realizes she missed clues over the few years they were together including their one-night stand that had that left her pregnant.
Jane hasn’t been with a guy since her husband left her about a year ago. She hasn’t even been attracted to anyone, well that’s not true. She’s been attracted to Matthew from the first time she saw him, but at that first meeting she was still married and he had a girlfriend. Neither are true now and that attraction hasn’t faded. When Jane finds out Matthews also likes her and wants to interview her the two try to find their chemistry. Of course like other romances, the fight doesn’t last long.
Matthew is exactly what Jane needs. He gets her to open up and fall in love again. There are a few rocky steps to their HEA because of Jane’s past making it hard for her to trust again.
The Break-Up Album is narrated by Andi Arndt (Jane’s POV) and Shane East (Matthew’s POV) with Andi doing the majority of the narration because the story is told mostly through Jane’s POV. There are a few times within the same chapter both narrators voice the back and forth worth dialogue. Their voices work well together and they do a good job of bringing Jane and Matthew’s story to life.
While The Break-Up Album is not on the top of my favorite novels by Lauren Blakely it was still an enjoyable listen.
My Ratings:
Story: C+
Narration:
Shane East: A-
Andi Arndt: A-
The Break-Up Album is about Jane Black, a rockstar who was left by her husband because he finally comes to grip with being gay. This devastates Jane because she is totally in love with him and they have a kid together. With hindsight, she realizes she missed clues over the few years they were together including their one-night stand that had that left her pregnant.
Jane hasn’t been with a guy since her husband left her about a year ago. She hasn’t even been attracted to anyone, well that’s not true. She’s been attracted to Matthew from the first time she saw him, but at that first meeting she was still married and he had a girlfriend. Neither are true now and that attraction hasn’t faded. When Jane finds out Matthews also likes her and wants to interview her the two try to find their chemistry. Of course like other romances, the fight doesn’t last long.
Matthew is exactly what Jane needs. He gets her to open up and fall in love again. There are a few rocky steps to their HEA because of Jane’s past making it hard for her to trust again.
The Break-Up Album is narrated by Andi Arndt (Jane’s POV) and Shane East (Matthew’s POV) with Andi doing the majority of the narration because the story is told mostly through Jane’s POV. There are a few times within the same chapter both narrators voice the back and forth worth dialogue. Their voices work well together and they do a good job of bringing Jane and Matthew’s story to life.
While The Break-Up Album is not on the top of my favorite novels by Lauren Blakely it was still an enjoyable listen.
My Ratings:
Story: C+
Narration:
Shane East: A-
Andi Arndt: A-
October 8, 2013
I absolutely LOVE Lauren Blakely, and was so excited to be able to read an ARC of 'Far Too Tempting'. In typical Lauren fashion, this book did not disappoint.
Although Jane Black is finally finding success as a musician, she is still mourning her failed marriage. Enter Matthew Harrigan, a critic for Beat, a music magazine (added bonus: he's British!). They've known (and secretly admired) each other through the industry, but her success opens the door for them to spend time together and get to know each other even better.
As with all of her other books, Lauren has written more than just a love story in 'Far Too Tempting.' It tells the tale of people discovering who they truly are, finding that part of themselves that allows them to be the people that they want to be. Is Matthew really interested in Jane as a woman, or does he just want the winning interview? Does Jane have another album somewhere inside, or is she a one-hit wonder? As the story unfolds, we get to see the reality of who Jane and Matthew are, and how they really lift each other up and give the other the support to be their best, while coming together as a couple.
I have truly enjoyed each of Lauren's books, but, to be honest, wasn't sure what to expect after having fallen so thoroughly in love with Jill and Milo in 'Playing With Her Heart.' I am happy to say that Jane and Matthew have a place there, too, and I will happily recommend this book to others.
Although Jane Black is finally finding success as a musician, she is still mourning her failed marriage. Enter Matthew Harrigan, a critic for Beat, a music magazine (added bonus: he's British!). They've known (and secretly admired) each other through the industry, but her success opens the door for them to spend time together and get to know each other even better.
As with all of her other books, Lauren has written more than just a love story in 'Far Too Tempting.' It tells the tale of people discovering who they truly are, finding that part of themselves that allows them to be the people that they want to be. Is Matthew really interested in Jane as a woman, or does he just want the winning interview? Does Jane have another album somewhere inside, or is she a one-hit wonder? As the story unfolds, we get to see the reality of who Jane and Matthew are, and how they really lift each other up and give the other the support to be their best, while coming together as a couple.
I have truly enjoyed each of Lauren's books, but, to be honest, wasn't sure what to expect after having fallen so thoroughly in love with Jill and Milo in 'Playing With Her Heart.' I am happy to say that Jane and Matthew have a place there, too, and I will happily recommend this book to others.
October 23, 2013
I absolutely love reading books about musicians, the business, and the impact it has on their personal lives. I think it all stems back to my obsessive boyband phase in high school. I seriously loved reading about the music, touring, and how they would find that balance between their personal and public lives. I also wanted to be a singer for the longest time, so I suppose that also has to do with it. Anyways. One of my favorite things about this book is that I thought Lauren did such a great job of making this realistic for us. Our main character Jane, is a musician who has just hit the big time with her notorious breakup album. The book opens up with her winning a Grammy! Yet, while Jane is on a music high, she quickly comes down after realizing that she needs to stay on top of her game- which means writing more songs and laying down tracks for her next album.
Sounds pretty reasonable for an indie-artist, don't you think? In order for Jane to keep the spotlight, she needs to keep the music coming, not let there be a lapse between albums. Because as soon as you wait- the new next big thing is already on their way up and your just a shadow of yesterday.
I really liked Jane. She definitely needed this music burst to help her and not just professionally, but personally too. After having two mediocre albums and then having her husband break things off with her, Jane really needs a pick me up. Her husband leaving really left with her some confidence issues and this positive reinforcement is a great start for her. Jane is now a single mom and I loved her scenes with her son, Ethan. I haven't read too many books where the MC has a child and I really enjoyed that addition. On the night of the Grammies, Jane runs into Matthew Harrigan, a music journalist for Beat magazine. After exchanging some flirtatious banter, he tells her he wants the first interview with her after she wins. Matthew is one of NYC's most eligible bachelors- he's sexy, talented, and BRITISH. Yes, that's right. I do love me a man from across the pond! Matthew gets a hold of Jane and convinces her to meet with him for an exclusive interview. Jane is definitely wary of journalists- especially since her and her ex's story has been leaked to the media. However, Matthew is persistent and determined, and Jane is completely attracted to him.
Their relationship is definitely riddled with sexual tension and want, but Matthew knows it would be wrong to pursue Jane while he is supposed to be writing an exclusive on her. Yet, after a taste of the forbidden fruit, he can't help but go back for more. For the first time in a long time, Jane finally feels desired again. After the rejection of her husband, she craves someone to show her how beautiful and sexy she is- someone who wants all of her and wants her desperately. She finds that in Matthew. Jane is finally letting the chains of her past heartbreak fall away and is letting her heart slowly be healed by Matthew. However, Jane has been dubbed the Queen of the Broken Hearts. She poured every emotion, every hurt feeling into her last album and now that she is no longer that broken, hurt woman- she finds she's having trouble finding inspiration for new music.
She desperately wants Matthew to be her muse, to bring out new emotions about falling in love and letting her heart be mended. She is not having very much luck. She starts to question herself and lets self-doubt creep in- what if she's only destined to be the Queen of Broken Hearts?
As for side characters, I enjoyed Owen, Jane's brother. You can tell the two are very close- he positively encourages her, not just as her brother, but as another professional in a tough business (he's a writer). Aiden, Jane's ex, is just not one you can hate. Blakely created an ex who is not vindictive and horrible. On the contrary, Aiden is a good guy and a good father to his son. He hurt Jane deeply and for so long, she felt it was because she was inadequate and wasn't enough for him. The truth is, Jane had nothing to do with it. Aiden was not honest with himself for a long time and tried to make something work that simply couldn't. While he may have handled it slightly insensitively, Jane realizes in the end she cannot hold a grudge against him for being his true self.
"I would have told them that I didn't stop wanting you the second you left me. That even though you might have still loved me as a friend, as a person, I was still in love with you, and I thought it was all my fault that you didn't feel the same way. I thought I wasn't good enough. I thought I wasn't pretty enough or sexy enough or interesting enough. But it's not my fault." (e-ARC 204)
Jane's self reflection and commitment to move forward is what makes her such an awesome protagonist for me. I felt for her as she really struggled to write music again. She simply needed to take a step back and let herself open up to all the possibilities of music. Music is in her heart and it soothes her soul- there's no way it was going to give up on her.
I enjoyed this story- I didn't connect as much with Matthew as I have some of Lauren's other love interests from previous books, but I did still enjoy them as a couple and liked seeing their relationship progress and overcome the odds stacked against them.
*Received a copy from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.*
Sounds pretty reasonable for an indie-artist, don't you think? In order for Jane to keep the spotlight, she needs to keep the music coming, not let there be a lapse between albums. Because as soon as you wait- the new next big thing is already on their way up and your just a shadow of yesterday.
I really liked Jane. She definitely needed this music burst to help her and not just professionally, but personally too. After having two mediocre albums and then having her husband break things off with her, Jane really needs a pick me up. Her husband leaving really left with her some confidence issues and this positive reinforcement is a great start for her. Jane is now a single mom and I loved her scenes with her son, Ethan. I haven't read too many books where the MC has a child and I really enjoyed that addition. On the night of the Grammies, Jane runs into Matthew Harrigan, a music journalist for Beat magazine. After exchanging some flirtatious banter, he tells her he wants the first interview with her after she wins. Matthew is one of NYC's most eligible bachelors- he's sexy, talented, and BRITISH. Yes, that's right. I do love me a man from across the pond! Matthew gets a hold of Jane and convinces her to meet with him for an exclusive interview. Jane is definitely wary of journalists- especially since her and her ex's story has been leaked to the media. However, Matthew is persistent and determined, and Jane is completely attracted to him.
Their relationship is definitely riddled with sexual tension and want, but Matthew knows it would be wrong to pursue Jane while he is supposed to be writing an exclusive on her. Yet, after a taste of the forbidden fruit, he can't help but go back for more. For the first time in a long time, Jane finally feels desired again. After the rejection of her husband, she craves someone to show her how beautiful and sexy she is- someone who wants all of her and wants her desperately. She finds that in Matthew. Jane is finally letting the chains of her past heartbreak fall away and is letting her heart slowly be healed by Matthew. However, Jane has been dubbed the Queen of the Broken Hearts. She poured every emotion, every hurt feeling into her last album and now that she is no longer that broken, hurt woman- she finds she's having trouble finding inspiration for new music.
She desperately wants Matthew to be her muse, to bring out new emotions about falling in love and letting her heart be mended. She is not having very much luck. She starts to question herself and lets self-doubt creep in- what if she's only destined to be the Queen of Broken Hearts?
As for side characters, I enjoyed Owen, Jane's brother. You can tell the two are very close- he positively encourages her, not just as her brother, but as another professional in a tough business (he's a writer). Aiden, Jane's ex, is just not one you can hate. Blakely created an ex who is not vindictive and horrible. On the contrary, Aiden is a good guy and a good father to his son. He hurt Jane deeply and for so long, she felt it was because she was inadequate and wasn't enough for him. The truth is, Jane had nothing to do with it. Aiden was not honest with himself for a long time and tried to make something work that simply couldn't. While he may have handled it slightly insensitively, Jane realizes in the end she cannot hold a grudge against him for being his true self.
"I would have told them that I didn't stop wanting you the second you left me. That even though you might have still loved me as a friend, as a person, I was still in love with you, and I thought it was all my fault that you didn't feel the same way. I thought I wasn't good enough. I thought I wasn't pretty enough or sexy enough or interesting enough. But it's not my fault." (e-ARC 204)
Jane's self reflection and commitment to move forward is what makes her such an awesome protagonist for me. I felt for her as she really struggled to write music again. She simply needed to take a step back and let herself open up to all the possibilities of music. Music is in her heart and it soothes her soul- there's no way it was going to give up on her.
I enjoyed this story- I didn't connect as much with Matthew as I have some of Lauren's other love interests from previous books, but I did still enjoy them as a couple and liked seeing their relationship progress and overcome the odds stacked against them.
*Received a copy from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.*
October 22, 2013
ARC received by the author in exchange for an honest review.
I must confess that this is my first Lauren Blakely book, but it is most definitely not my last!
This is pure, smiling-like-an-idiot, feel-good romance. It is the type of book that you will pick up on a cold evening, curl up on the sofa with a glass of wine with, and be lost to the world in for hours.
I feel that the blurb really says a lot about what the story is about so I will not go into more details as such as I am afraid of revealing too many spoilers.
I very much enjoyed getting to know Jane, our heroine, and I feel that she was very realistic. Right from the beginning, I felt a connection with her, I liked her "voice" - and I was completely thrown when I learned the reason to her failed marriage. No wonder she has a hard time trusting men and believing in her own sensuality.
"That is the secret of my success, the bittersweet reminder that you can write a breakup album and it can be great and you can win an award and be thrilled beyond your wildest dreams, but you're only here because you are the biggest idiot in the world. Because you loved a man wildly, crazily, passionately. But oops! He was never really into you at all."
I like that the book is about a female rock star for once, and the fact that Jane is also a mother and is determined - and succeed - to bring up her son, Ethan, in a "normal" environment is a character trait of hers that I really like. You are sucked into Jane's world of music instantly, and you almost start biting your fingernails when you find out about her deadline. Now, I have no connections with the American music industry (or any other music industry, for that matter), but I do know that musicians/singers get lost in the crowd if they take too long with writing an album. So that part of the story felt very believable to me. I could feel her anxiety, her lack of self-esteem, her frustration...yes, the author is extremely good at conveying Jane's emotions throughout the story.
Now, about Matthew - our VERY sexy, British (or English, as he refers to himself), playful hero...Well, another book boyfriend has seen the light of day! ;-) As a music critic, he can be somewhat harsh and, in theory, Jane's enemy. Luckily, he loved her last album, Crushed, so much that he wants to see her succeed but the fact that he also admits to finding her very attractive complicates matters a bit. They try, however, to refrain from becoming romantically involved - but when you read this part of the book, you kind of already know that this couple will not be able to resist each other. ;-)
“You really don’t know how much I want you? Because there aren’t enough adverbs to describe how much. Insanely, immensely, ridiculously. I could go on.” (Matthew)
Some people say that in order to heal a broken heart, you need to fall in love again. Which is exactly what happens when Jane lets herself trust Matthew more and more. I find their romance to be so sweet, yet scorching hot, and you cannot stop smiling while reading! One of the things I absolutely love is their email exchanges - they are witty, flirty and believable. When I think about it, much of the entire book is written that way, and I really like that in a romance novel.Let us not forget the sex scenes...wow! Very hot, but tastefully written - definitely not over the top. And some of these scenes were even very funny:
"Breasts are literally one of the best inventions ever. Seriously. I can't even imagine a world without them. I would die," he says in mock sadness, and I laugh more, as he lays his head between my breasts. "Soft, like pillows. They're such divine creations. God bless breats."
Now, imagine a scorching hot guy saying that with the British accent...Well, need I say more? And that is exactly what I love the most about Matthew: his humour and the way he can make Jane laugh but feel sexy and comfortable at the same time. You can really feel this couple's chemistry, and that, in my opinion, shows how talented this author is.
As I started out by saying in my review: this book makes you smile A LOT, it makes you sigh happily, and it is a perfect book to read on a cold night. I had a VERY hard time putting the book down. The story is engaging, the writing is flawless, and all romance lovers will, in my opinion, be fools if they do not read it. Miss Blakely, looking forward to reading your other books! :-)
I must confess that this is my first Lauren Blakely book, but it is most definitely not my last!
This is pure, smiling-like-an-idiot, feel-good romance. It is the type of book that you will pick up on a cold evening, curl up on the sofa with a glass of wine with, and be lost to the world in for hours.
I feel that the blurb really says a lot about what the story is about so I will not go into more details as such as I am afraid of revealing too many spoilers.
I very much enjoyed getting to know Jane, our heroine, and I feel that she was very realistic. Right from the beginning, I felt a connection with her, I liked her "voice" - and I was completely thrown when I learned the reason to her failed marriage. No wonder she has a hard time trusting men and believing in her own sensuality.
"That is the secret of my success, the bittersweet reminder that you can write a breakup album and it can be great and you can win an award and be thrilled beyond your wildest dreams, but you're only here because you are the biggest idiot in the world. Because you loved a man wildly, crazily, passionately. But oops! He was never really into you at all."
I like that the book is about a female rock star for once, and the fact that Jane is also a mother and is determined - and succeed - to bring up her son, Ethan, in a "normal" environment is a character trait of hers that I really like. You are sucked into Jane's world of music instantly, and you almost start biting your fingernails when you find out about her deadline. Now, I have no connections with the American music industry (or any other music industry, for that matter), but I do know that musicians/singers get lost in the crowd if they take too long with writing an album. So that part of the story felt very believable to me. I could feel her anxiety, her lack of self-esteem, her frustration...yes, the author is extremely good at conveying Jane's emotions throughout the story.
Now, about Matthew - our VERY sexy, British (or English, as he refers to himself), playful hero...Well, another book boyfriend has seen the light of day! ;-) As a music critic, he can be somewhat harsh and, in theory, Jane's enemy. Luckily, he loved her last album, Crushed, so much that he wants to see her succeed but the fact that he also admits to finding her very attractive complicates matters a bit. They try, however, to refrain from becoming romantically involved - but when you read this part of the book, you kind of already know that this couple will not be able to resist each other. ;-)
“You really don’t know how much I want you? Because there aren’t enough adverbs to describe how much. Insanely, immensely, ridiculously. I could go on.” (Matthew)
Some people say that in order to heal a broken heart, you need to fall in love again. Which is exactly what happens when Jane lets herself trust Matthew more and more. I find their romance to be so sweet, yet scorching hot, and you cannot stop smiling while reading! One of the things I absolutely love is their email exchanges - they are witty, flirty and believable. When I think about it, much of the entire book is written that way, and I really like that in a romance novel.Let us not forget the sex scenes...wow! Very hot, but tastefully written - definitely not over the top. And some of these scenes were even very funny:
"Breasts are literally one of the best inventions ever. Seriously. I can't even imagine a world without them. I would die," he says in mock sadness, and I laugh more, as he lays his head between my breasts. "Soft, like pillows. They're such divine creations. God bless breats."
Now, imagine a scorching hot guy saying that with the British accent...Well, need I say more? And that is exactly what I love the most about Matthew: his humour and the way he can make Jane laugh but feel sexy and comfortable at the same time. You can really feel this couple's chemistry, and that, in my opinion, shows how talented this author is.
As I started out by saying in my review: this book makes you smile A LOT, it makes you sigh happily, and it is a perfect book to read on a cold night. I had a VERY hard time putting the book down. The story is engaging, the writing is flawless, and all romance lovers will, in my opinion, be fools if they do not read it. Miss Blakely, looking forward to reading your other books! :-)
October 22, 2013
Review Originally Posted at: Book Freak
Rating: 4.5 Stars
It took one failed marriage, a broken heart and a heart-breaking album for indie singer Jane Black to make it and earn the Grammy. After her post win-euphoria, gaining a large number of fans and story-hungry press, she can already feel the pressure for her to make a next big-hit album. It may took only a few days to finish the last hit album inspired by her ex-husband’s abandonment, what will it take for her to make the next one? Her love life has been on hold, she hasn’t dated – no thanks to the self-esteem blow given by Aidan after he left. But when the British (I can totally hear his accent!) music journalist, Matthew Harrigan asks her for an interview, she agreed, provided her private life would be off limits.
Who doesn’t want to hear the sexy accent coming from an English man? I totally understand Jane why she felt attracted to him. He’s sexy, handsome, smart – but one problem lies: he’s a journalist. What makes her so sure that he wasn’t using her to get a story?
She wasn’t prepared for heartbreak, so no matter how tempting Matthew might be, she must tread carefully. But as they spend more time together, the chemistry is about to blow out of proportion and the attraction could no longer be denied. Did I mention she’s suffering from a writer’s block??? Just as when her love life is about to soar high, her career is about to plummet if she can’t make a song before the deadline hits.
Heartbreak is one of the most painful emotions people experience in life. One way to survive it (besides eating tons of ice cream) would be music. Jane Black had put all her emotions, frustrations, and anger in one album that instantly made wonders in the music industry. But what others don’t know, it is not just her heart that was broken – it was her self-esteem as well. For someone who is intelligent, she didn’t see that one coming. She felt embarrassed for being stupid, for not realizing things about Aidan earlier in their relationship. I understand her frustrations and her being careful in dealing with Matthew – he may be hot, but he’s a journalist, and it’s their work to dig up anything interesting about their subjects. Subject like her ex-husband is definitely interesting, but it was something she wouldn’t want to discuss with anyone. Trust is hard to give, most especially when the person you have trusted the most has already broken it. It took Matthew a lot of effort before she opened up, there were a lot of bumps and dramas in their relationship, a lot of misunderstanding because of the trust issues, but in the end, they both got what they wanted. I so love the changes that Matthew had done to her self-esteem - it wasn't an easy feat. But he had done it with flying colors. Indeed, love, whether it made or broke you, can make things possible.
I am powerful. I am sexy. I am beautiful. To a man. To the man I want.
Let me start with the cover - the red bra says it all!!! Sexy and captivating. The plot was great, the chemistry was overwhelming I think my Kindle would have combusted anytime, the steamy scenes were HOT and of course, the characters were likable, but wished I had Matthew’s POV too! (It would have been grand!!).
I enjoyed reading the journey of a striving artist reaching the pinnacle of her career, and once again striving to maintain her momentum while balancing motherhood, a new-found love life and an ex-husband who’s trying to be a friend. It was an amazing story about trust, love, forgiveness and moving on.
★★★ARC Copy was given in exchange for an honest review.★★★
October 21, 2013
Review of Far Too Tempting by Lauren Blakely
4.5 stars
I connected with this book. I lived it and breathed it like it was happening in real time, in real life. I rooted for Jane, wanted to reach in and help her. I lusted after Mathew, wanted to reach in and touch that sexy Brit. Alas, I couldn’t touch Mathew and I couldn’t help Jane but wouldn’t you know that Lauren Blakely wrapped it all up in a nice big bow and made it all right.
Jane Black is a rock-star. She was finally made it with her latest album after three that didn’t hit that spot for listeners. She is living the dream and has a brand new Grammy to show for it. The only problem is that her success and her fabulous music have come from a place of real pain. The life-changing and soul-crushing kind of pain that leaves a person inherently changed. And Jane is, changed.
Matthew is a sexy British music critic with an eye for Jane. He loved her latest album which only served to make him more interested in her. When he sees an opportunity to combine business with pleasure, he takes it. Ever the professional he tries to keep his feelings at bay as he completes his assignment. He can’t fight his feelings for her forever and as he tries to break down her walls he lets her in and falls for her at the same time.
“How can he kiss me senseless in the elevator and then hold my hand as if he’s my guy and he’s worried that I won’t make my deadline? But he manages both sides- the sexy one and the considerate one- and if he keeps this up, my mind just might turn to mush because I am dangerously close to this being more than just a crazy kind of chemistry, more than a fun bit of flirting. I could see him as the man in my life.”
Jane has been lied to, betrayed and had her heart broken. She is now navigating life a survivor of said events. It’s extremely hard for Jane to allow her newly patched-back-together heart to risk love again. Will Matthew be the balm she needs to heal her heart for good? Or will his career take center stage subjecting Jane to betrayal once again?
“I am shaking right now, deep, searing tears pierce my throat, big splashes of salty water threaten to spill from my eyes because right now, this is all my fears, all my doubts, crashing around me again. This is me believing in something so deeply and then finding out I was tricked.”
I loved this story. Jane was a refreshing character. She was real, normal and relatable. Besides being a rock star, she was a proud mom, a friend and family member. I loved how she talked about her son. I loved how she interacted with her family and friends. I just plain liked her.
I also loved her process as a songwriter. I know little about music and musicians but I felt this was such a great glimpse into music. I am not a songwriter by any stretch of the imagination but Jane’s story had me wanting to scribble song lyrics on scraps of paper and mail them to her. I found myself seeing the music in her life when she couldn’t. Then I read a little further. And damn you Lauren Blakely for making me feel musically smart for a minute because it was your fabulous writing all along. You expertly placed these musically inspired scenes and then had her relive them as she wrote her album. It was EPIC! I loved seeing it all come together. I love music and this book will defiantly be getting a playlist. I may even read it again as I listen to my playlist. I would read it again, it was that good.
An ARC was kindly provided by the author for an honest review.
Review can also be read at readlovelust.com
4.5 stars
I connected with this book. I lived it and breathed it like it was happening in real time, in real life. I rooted for Jane, wanted to reach in and help her. I lusted after Mathew, wanted to reach in and touch that sexy Brit. Alas, I couldn’t touch Mathew and I couldn’t help Jane but wouldn’t you know that Lauren Blakely wrapped it all up in a nice big bow and made it all right.
Jane Black is a rock-star. She was finally made it with her latest album after three that didn’t hit that spot for listeners. She is living the dream and has a brand new Grammy to show for it. The only problem is that her success and her fabulous music have come from a place of real pain. The life-changing and soul-crushing kind of pain that leaves a person inherently changed. And Jane is, changed.
Matthew is a sexy British music critic with an eye for Jane. He loved her latest album which only served to make him more interested in her. When he sees an opportunity to combine business with pleasure, he takes it. Ever the professional he tries to keep his feelings at bay as he completes his assignment. He can’t fight his feelings for her forever and as he tries to break down her walls he lets her in and falls for her at the same time.
“How can he kiss me senseless in the elevator and then hold my hand as if he’s my guy and he’s worried that I won’t make my deadline? But he manages both sides- the sexy one and the considerate one- and if he keeps this up, my mind just might turn to mush because I am dangerously close to this being more than just a crazy kind of chemistry, more than a fun bit of flirting. I could see him as the man in my life.”
Jane has been lied to, betrayed and had her heart broken. She is now navigating life a survivor of said events. It’s extremely hard for Jane to allow her newly patched-back-together heart to risk love again. Will Matthew be the balm she needs to heal her heart for good? Or will his career take center stage subjecting Jane to betrayal once again?
“I am shaking right now, deep, searing tears pierce my throat, big splashes of salty water threaten to spill from my eyes because right now, this is all my fears, all my doubts, crashing around me again. This is me believing in something so deeply and then finding out I was tricked.”
I loved this story. Jane was a refreshing character. She was real, normal and relatable. Besides being a rock star, she was a proud mom, a friend and family member. I loved how she talked about her son. I loved how she interacted with her family and friends. I just plain liked her.
I also loved her process as a songwriter. I know little about music and musicians but I felt this was such a great glimpse into music. I am not a songwriter by any stretch of the imagination but Jane’s story had me wanting to scribble song lyrics on scraps of paper and mail them to her. I found myself seeing the music in her life when she couldn’t. Then I read a little further. And damn you Lauren Blakely for making me feel musically smart for a minute because it was your fabulous writing all along. You expertly placed these musically inspired scenes and then had her relive them as she wrote her album. It was EPIC! I loved seeing it all come together. I love music and this book will defiantly be getting a playlist. I may even read it again as I listen to my playlist. I would read it again, it was that good.
An ARC was kindly provided by the author for an honest review.
Review can also be read at readlovelust.com
October 23, 2013
There’s something magical when you start a book that you’ve been dying to read. I’ve become a huge fan of Lauren Blakely and am making my way through all of her books as quick as I can. So of course the logical thing to do when you receive an email from the fabulous KP Simmon at Ink Slinger asking you to sign up for a Lauren Blakely tour, you sign up and pray you get in! Totally got it! Totally LOVED this book. It might be my favorite from Lauren Blakely, seriously hands down. Why you ask? I’ll tell you why with the most vague answers because I don’t want to give too much away.
So we all have gone through breaks ups right? We all have those certain songs that are made for breakups, for when we are angry, happy, and in love. Not to mention the party songs, but we can lump those in with the happy songs. Jane Black was a singer/song writer that hasn’t caught a break, until now. Writing an epic breakup album that lands her in the spot she always dreamed of, but what happens after this epic album? Is she destined to only write break up ballads or can she find inspiration in something else? A reporter, Matthew Harrigan, wants to run a story on her. A behind the scenes story of Jane’s musical process. He wants in her life in every way, but is it just because of his job?
This is why I love this book so much. I’m a huge fan of music, absolutely love music, and I totally fell in love with all of these characters. They each have their own quirkiness, but come together to forge something amazing. Jane’s sister and brother are amazing. The fact that Owen, Jane’s brother, is also her producer is amazeballs! I mean how cool would it be to sit in a studio and make magic happen with your brother? Totally would love that. Then there’s Jane’s sister Natalie, love her. She always has the best interest at heart. Then there’s Ethan, love this kid, he reminds me of my munchkins.
But of course everything can’t be perfect, how else would Jane be able to make a break up album? She was married to Aidan for quite a while and well obviously things didn’t work out. Her album Crushed brought her to front and center. Now the big question… what do you write about next? Cue Matthew Harrigan. Maybe Jane just needed to feel something more than heartbreak to make her muse come alive… but does it? Matthew and Jane get close by working together on his interview, their attraction is off the charts.
“This feels so unreal, but yet here he is- wanting to kiss me. I would go into shock if I weren’t completely tingling all over.”
After so many years of not feeling wanted it's amazing to feel it. The way someone looks at you and desires you. The way you can't stop thinking about someone without getting flushed. The attraction and need are ever present with these two, there's no denying that. But what I really love about the way Lauren Blakely presented this story, is the way Jane falls in love again. How she struggles with the idea of it and when the realization hits, its too far gone for anything to change it. But it's not just on Jane's side. It's the way it all unfolds to come together. How trust is placed and tested. How every little moment leads up to a bigger one. Obviously I love this book, there's no denying that and if I gave star ratings I would totally give this book 10 stars. You have to pick this up and read it if you haven't.
So we all have gone through breaks ups right? We all have those certain songs that are made for breakups, for when we are angry, happy, and in love. Not to mention the party songs, but we can lump those in with the happy songs. Jane Black was a singer/song writer that hasn’t caught a break, until now. Writing an epic breakup album that lands her in the spot she always dreamed of, but what happens after this epic album? Is she destined to only write break up ballads or can she find inspiration in something else? A reporter, Matthew Harrigan, wants to run a story on her. A behind the scenes story of Jane’s musical process. He wants in her life in every way, but is it just because of his job?
This is why I love this book so much. I’m a huge fan of music, absolutely love music, and I totally fell in love with all of these characters. They each have their own quirkiness, but come together to forge something amazing. Jane’s sister and brother are amazing. The fact that Owen, Jane’s brother, is also her producer is amazeballs! I mean how cool would it be to sit in a studio and make magic happen with your brother? Totally would love that. Then there’s Jane’s sister Natalie, love her. She always has the best interest at heart. Then there’s Ethan, love this kid, he reminds me of my munchkins.
But of course everything can’t be perfect, how else would Jane be able to make a break up album? She was married to Aidan for quite a while and well obviously things didn’t work out. Her album Crushed brought her to front and center. Now the big question… what do you write about next? Cue Matthew Harrigan. Maybe Jane just needed to feel something more than heartbreak to make her muse come alive… but does it? Matthew and Jane get close by working together on his interview, their attraction is off the charts.
“This feels so unreal, but yet here he is- wanting to kiss me. I would go into shock if I weren’t completely tingling all over.”
After so many years of not feeling wanted it's amazing to feel it. The way someone looks at you and desires you. The way you can't stop thinking about someone without getting flushed. The attraction and need are ever present with these two, there's no denying that. But what I really love about the way Lauren Blakely presented this story, is the way Jane falls in love again. How she struggles with the idea of it and when the realization hits, its too far gone for anything to change it. But it's not just on Jane's side. It's the way it all unfolds to come together. How trust is placed and tested. How every little moment leads up to a bigger one. Obviously I love this book, there's no denying that and if I gave star ratings I would totally give this book 10 stars. You have to pick this up and read it if you haven't.
October 22, 2013
Another outstanding romance from the extremely talented Lauren Blakely. The mixture of music and passion was electric!
Far Too Tempting by Lauren Blakely put a fresh spin on rock star romance and I loved it! I gobble up delicious tales of famous musicians but I appreciated the different side with the heroine as the star. Rather than following the band on tour, I got a closer look behind the scenes that felt personal and real. It was great to experience my favorite aspects with new twists.
Jane Black rose to the top of the charts with the breakup album of the year, Crushed. After winning a Grammy and returning to New York City, she quickly realizes the enormous expectations surrounding her. Jane’s extremely popular album was inspired by the pain and anger she felt after separating from her husband. Once the dust settles and time begins to heal, she finds herself with a severe case of writer’s block. Jane doesn’t want to be known as the break-up queen but what if good songs only come from heartbreak?
Writing is my heart’s desire, and I can’t get my arms around it anymore. And this ache-it’s a constant reminder that I’ve misplaced something important.
Jane is the type of woman we all want as a best friend. She is bold, beautiful, and takes charge of life. She was handed a bad hand in the marriage department but Jane is trying to move forward. Matthew Harrigan is one of the toughest music critics in the business. Not only is he very successful but extremely handsome… and English. The sparks fly instantly between Jane and Matthew but they must remain professional while working together. He is determined to get an exclusive interview and she doesn’t want to give too much away. Their flirty banter was fun and easy. The sexual tension between them is insane and I could feel the electricity flowing between them.
Matthew and Jane are a glorious case of delayed satisfaction. After practically bubbling over with lust, their resolve crumbles and caution is thrown to the wind. Jane feels pure happiness but still can’t write. Matthew tries to help with her frustration but will that be enough? She embarks on a personal journey that requires letting go of the past. Jane battles with insecurities and confidence which makes her real. I feel the development of Jane’s character was perfect. The discoveries she finds might be what she needs to truly move on.
I am powerful. I am sexy. I am beautiful. To a man. To the man I want.
I was deeply engaged in this story from start to finish. I loved the musical concepts, references, and themes. I learned A LOT of new topics involved in the music world and was happy to receive new song recommendations. As always, the writing was flawless and the words flow effortlessly page after page. This one will keep you up all night so start it early!
5 Diamonds
Far Too Tempting by Lauren Blakely put a fresh spin on rock star romance and I loved it! I gobble up delicious tales of famous musicians but I appreciated the different side with the heroine as the star. Rather than following the band on tour, I got a closer look behind the scenes that felt personal and real. It was great to experience my favorite aspects with new twists.
Jane Black rose to the top of the charts with the breakup album of the year, Crushed. After winning a Grammy and returning to New York City, she quickly realizes the enormous expectations surrounding her. Jane’s extremely popular album was inspired by the pain and anger she felt after separating from her husband. Once the dust settles and time begins to heal, she finds herself with a severe case of writer’s block. Jane doesn’t want to be known as the break-up queen but what if good songs only come from heartbreak?
Writing is my heart’s desire, and I can’t get my arms around it anymore. And this ache-it’s a constant reminder that I’ve misplaced something important.
Jane is the type of woman we all want as a best friend. She is bold, beautiful, and takes charge of life. She was handed a bad hand in the marriage department but Jane is trying to move forward. Matthew Harrigan is one of the toughest music critics in the business. Not only is he very successful but extremely handsome… and English. The sparks fly instantly between Jane and Matthew but they must remain professional while working together. He is determined to get an exclusive interview and she doesn’t want to give too much away. Their flirty banter was fun and easy. The sexual tension between them is insane and I could feel the electricity flowing between them.
Matthew and Jane are a glorious case of delayed satisfaction. After practically bubbling over with lust, their resolve crumbles and caution is thrown to the wind. Jane feels pure happiness but still can’t write. Matthew tries to help with her frustration but will that be enough? She embarks on a personal journey that requires letting go of the past. Jane battles with insecurities and confidence which makes her real. I feel the development of Jane’s character was perfect. The discoveries she finds might be what she needs to truly move on.
I am powerful. I am sexy. I am beautiful. To a man. To the man I want.
I was deeply engaged in this story from start to finish. I loved the musical concepts, references, and themes. I learned A LOT of new topics involved in the music world and was happy to receive new song recommendations. As always, the writing was flawless and the words flow effortlessly page after page. This one will keep you up all night so start it early!
5 Diamonds
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