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Access All Areas #2
Rock Star Returns: Carlie's Story
As soon as the song starts, I recognize his voice. How could I ever forget it? That voice still echoes through my dreams, causing me to wake in cold sweat. If I could, I’d knock that radio to the ground and smashed it beneath my feet, shattering it into silence, every little piece destroyed so that Holden King would stop haunting me.
If the song wasn't bad enough, Holden King swaggers back into my life, determined to rekindle the love he killed inside me. I'll never be able to trust that man again but my body responds to him in ways I can't control.
Holden King wants a second chance, but can I ever forgive him?
If you like second chance romances, country boy rockers and feisty heroines, you’ll love Rock Star Returns.
If the song wasn't bad enough, Holden King swaggers back into my life, determined to rekindle the love he killed inside me. I'll never be able to trust that man again but my body responds to him in ways I can't control.
Holden King wants a second chance, but can I ever forgive him?
If you like second chance romances, country boy rockers and feisty heroines, you’ll love Rock Star Returns.
161 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 5, 2019
30 people are currently reading
111 people want to read
About the author
Candy J. Starr
34 books323 followersCandy J. Starr used to be a band manager until she realised that the band she managed was so lacking in charisma that they actually sucked the charisma out of any room they played. “Screw you,” she said, leaving them to wallow in obscurity – totally forgetting that they owed her big bucks for video equipment hire.
Candy has filmed and interviewed some big names in the rock business, and a lot of small ones. She’s seen the dirty little secrets that go on in the back rooms of band venues. She’s seen the ugly side of rock and the very pretty one.
But, of course, everything she writes is fiction.
Candy has filmed and interviewed some big names in the rock business, and a lot of small ones. She’s seen the dirty little secrets that go on in the back rooms of band venues. She’s seen the ugly side of rock and the very pretty one.
But, of course, everything she writes is fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
September 8, 2019
Uh...so let me get this straight. He becomes famous. Starts ignoring his best friend and soulmate. Gives her reason after reason to mistrust him. THEN she catches him bare-arsed with his pants around his ankles. After this he takes off like a coward and she doesn't see him for years - and all of it is HER fault?
Because that's what I took away from this. But then she goes round punching people in the gob and spreads those knees pretty quickly for Holden the Knob (🤣 I accidentally cracked myself up there) so she's a stupid cow and it probably IS all her fault.
CBA with cocky heroes and Holden was awfully cocky for someone who thought he deserved another chance without offering an apology for FUCKING SOMEONE ELSE and then fucking off for years.
Besides, he was one-dimensional as all Hell and the chemistry between he and Carlie was a total flatline. No, it was worse. It was a negative. Less than zero. MINUS level chemistry is more apt.
And there were too many characters and they were all arseholes. The feel of the book was grim and joyless as well, and I need something to wash out the bitter aftertaste.
When I began this review this book had a 0/0 rating and my 1 star is loads more than it deserved.
Because that's what I took away from this. But then she goes round punching people in the gob and spreads those knees pretty quickly for Holden the Knob (🤣 I accidentally cracked myself up there) so she's a stupid cow and it probably IS all her fault.
CBA with cocky heroes and Holden was awfully cocky for someone who thought he deserved another chance without offering an apology for FUCKING SOMEONE ELSE and then fucking off for years.
Besides, he was one-dimensional as all Hell and the chemistry between he and Carlie was a total flatline. No, it was worse. It was a negative. Less than zero. MINUS level chemistry is more apt.
And there were too many characters and they were all arseholes. The feel of the book was grim and joyless as well, and I need something to wash out the bitter aftertaste.
When I began this review this book had a 0/0 rating and my 1 star is loads more than it deserved.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 7, 2019
This is the typical book you end up really wanting to forget about what you read. For the second time today I read a book hoping to be wrong but not. He really cheated but has a gold d*ck so the heroine never managed to forget and still ends up apologizing for him being a cheater bastard. Just great! And is that a wonderful book ?! What a joke.
September 12, 2019
i love musician books they are so much fun to read. i didnt like how upset carlie was through a lot of the story but i understood it. their chemistry though.. i swear my kindle sizzled.. lol it was so much fun to read and amazing. i am so glad i got to review it
September 4, 2019
Loved Carlie. She really had it in for Holden, she was furious. And Holden didn’t look like he was going to apologize. A lot of angst and drama going on between them...”everyone duck, Carlie and Holden are here”. Phew!
I couldn’t blame her attitude to Holden, he’d hurt her, had to realize he couldn’t just step back into her life. A great story.
I couldn’t blame her attitude to Holden, he’d hurt her, had to realize he couldn’t just step back into her life. A great story.
September 1, 2019
After reading Too Many Rock Stars, I wanted to know more about Carlie. Why is she snarky, why does she seem so angry all the time? It doesn't take long into Rock Star Returns to realize that Holden King is the explanation for these things.
I like Carlie but there was just something that kept me from connecting fully to her. I don't know if that's she too harsh but also kind of a pushover at the same time but I just wanted something more from her. Second chances are my favorite trope because even when something happens that seems insurmountable, there's always redemption. The redemption and apology in Carlie and Holden's story wasn't good enough for me. That could be because this story is told completely from Carlie's POV and I really wanted Holden's or because it felt short and rushed.
I have loved other series by this author and I am looking forward to reading Jackson's story.
I like Carlie but there was just something that kept me from connecting fully to her. I don't know if that's she too harsh but also kind of a pushover at the same time but I just wanted something more from her. Second chances are my favorite trope because even when something happens that seems insurmountable, there's always redemption. The redemption and apology in Carlie and Holden's story wasn't good enough for me. That could be because this story is told completely from Carlie's POV and I really wanted Holden's or because it felt short and rushed.
I have loved other series by this author and I am looking forward to reading Jackson's story.
September 9, 2019
He Done Her Wrong
Carlie isn’t a push over in any parts of her life and with good reason. Holden was just starting out so Carlie left with him only to have him leaving her high and dry as his rock star status took off. Now he’s back but that in no way means Carlie is willing to take him back. Holden never apologized for leaving her and she’s no one’s push over. Did Holden ever have a chance again with Carlie?
Carlie isn’t a push over in any parts of her life and with good reason. Holden was just starting out so Carlie left with him only to have him leaving her high and dry as his rock star status took off. Now he’s back but that in no way means Carlie is willing to take him back. Holden never apologized for leaving her and she’s no one’s push over. Did Holden ever have a chance again with Carlie?
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September 20, 2019I don't know how ethical this is. Have the same book with two different covers? Ok, that's natural, but publicizing them as it was done that way I think is very wrong. The feeling I have is cheating. So for those who are interested here it is two review links that are in the "other" book:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
March 21, 2018
I’m sorry s
I didn’t think Holden was ever gonna apologize. Thank the lord he finally did. Carlie too. Although I have to say I would have been just like her. Great story. Loved it.
I didn’t think Holden was ever gonna apologize. Thank the lord he finally did. Carlie too. Although I have to say I would have been just like her. Great story. Loved it.
September 17, 2019
1.5 stars
November 16, 2020
wasnt for me, it was rushed, vital sections i the relationship and turning points were rushed and vague, it wasnt for me
January 17, 2022
No for me
This had a very abrupt ending. I'm not even sure if it was a HFN ending and the h was just as unlikable as the H
This had a very abrupt ending. I'm not even sure if it was a HFN ending and the h was just as unlikable as the H
January 15, 2016
This is book 2 in the Access All Areas series. Even as a part of a series, this book can be read as a stand alone. You may have a few spoilers about characters from book one so if you are planning on reading the first book, you should do that before reading this one.
In Rock Star Return, we learn more about Carlie’s past and why she doesn’t trust easily. Carlie is the a barmaid at Trouble. She doesn’t have many friends outside of the bar, but that is just the way she likes it. With changes taking place at the club the last person she expected to see is Holden King. He walked out on her 3 years ago, destroying her, and now he is back. As if things are not difficult enough having to listen to his song Rock Princess on the radio all the time knowing it was her song, now he is invading her sanctuary, the place she works.
Holden had a difficult upbringing. His family was labeled as the scum of the town and he was always told that he would amount to nothing just like them. Carlie never believed that about Holden. As soon as high school was over she split town with him. As his rock career started taking off, things between them were falling apart. Now Holden is back to get what has always been his, Carlie. Will Carlie ever learn to forgive and trust Holden again? What will happen to Holden's career when people learn about his upbringing?
I enjoyed this book better than I did book one in the series. There are a few confusing parts but the overall flow was better. Carlie seemed easier to relate to. This story is told strictly in Carlie's POV and I feel like it really needs Holden's POV to truly appreciate the story. There were a couple surprises that kept me wanting to see what was going to happen. I felt like the author rushed the scene when Carlie finally looks at herself and what happened between her and Holden. This was an important turning point and I felt it was missing something.
I do want to read the next book in the series as the ending has us leaning towards it being Jackson’s story, which is one I am interested in learning.
In Rock Star Return, we learn more about Carlie’s past and why she doesn’t trust easily. Carlie is the a barmaid at Trouble. She doesn’t have many friends outside of the bar, but that is just the way she likes it. With changes taking place at the club the last person she expected to see is Holden King. He walked out on her 3 years ago, destroying her, and now he is back. As if things are not difficult enough having to listen to his song Rock Princess on the radio all the time knowing it was her song, now he is invading her sanctuary, the place she works.
Holden had a difficult upbringing. His family was labeled as the scum of the town and he was always told that he would amount to nothing just like them. Carlie never believed that about Holden. As soon as high school was over she split town with him. As his rock career started taking off, things between them were falling apart. Now Holden is back to get what has always been his, Carlie. Will Carlie ever learn to forgive and trust Holden again? What will happen to Holden's career when people learn about his upbringing?
I enjoyed this book better than I did book one in the series. There are a few confusing parts but the overall flow was better. Carlie seemed easier to relate to. This story is told strictly in Carlie's POV and I feel like it really needs Holden's POV to truly appreciate the story. There were a couple surprises that kept me wanting to see what was going to happen. I felt like the author rushed the scene when Carlie finally looks at herself and what happened between her and Holden. This was an important turning point and I felt it was missing something.
I do want to read the next book in the series as the ending has us leaning towards it being Jackson’s story, which is one I am interested in learning.
September 11, 2019
All I can say is I can't believe I finish this!!!!
I didn't like Carlie at all . She was mean to her so called friends, the people she worked with and even the customers that came in to the bar. She was just a straight up bitch to everyone. Refusing to serve people because she didn't like them or how they were acting towards Holdan. It was ridiculous. Yes Holdan had cheated, but can you really blame the guy! She went around punching people for talking to him because she didn't like it. I would have left her ass along time ago. I can't believe he even wanted to get back with her! This story had so much potential but just fell flat from shortly after the first couple chapters, with her such a selfish person and always blaming everyone else for her issues. I know this is fictional, but seriously even in real life people wouldn't tolerate her behavior at a business that catered to customers of the general public. She'd be fired! Thank God for that, the place would never make any money. So I don't recommend any one reads this , in less you are a mean person yourself, and enjoy this kind of behavior then by all means have it!
I didn't like Carlie at all . She was mean to her so called friends, the people she worked with and even the customers that came in to the bar. She was just a straight up bitch to everyone. Refusing to serve people because she didn't like them or how they were acting towards Holdan. It was ridiculous. Yes Holdan had cheated, but can you really blame the guy! She went around punching people for talking to him because she didn't like it. I would have left her ass along time ago. I can't believe he even wanted to get back with her! This story had so much potential but just fell flat from shortly after the first couple chapters, with her such a selfish person and always blaming everyone else for her issues. I know this is fictional, but seriously even in real life people wouldn't tolerate her behavior at a business that catered to customers of the general public. She'd be fired! Thank God for that, the place would never make any money. So I don't recommend any one reads this , in less you are a mean person yourself, and enjoy this kind of behavior then by all means have it!
May 15, 2016
I was given this amazing book for my honest review. If you remember Carlie, the bar tender for the club Trouble, from the first book in this series "Too Many Rock Stars" she was kind of a smart mouth. Carlie has a lot of anger built up inside her & when Holden King walks in to Trouble bringing back all the memories from the past, she nearly explodes. Holden has followed his dreams & is a famous Rock Star, when walks in to Trouble with one thing on his mind, he needs to get Carlie back & he's not leaving until he has her. Carlie finds out that Alex, her new boss, has hired Holden & his band to play at his Grand Opening for the upstairs dance area that he just remodeled. When she finds out what he used as payment, then she really gets angry & fights her attraction to Holden even harder. Holden has followed his dreams & has everything he ever wanted in life except he's missing the most important thing, Carlie. Can Carlie let go of the pain & anger she has for the past? Can Holden finally get her to give him the second chance he knows they both want?
September 23, 2019
I enjoyed Holden and Carlie’s story. They knew each other once and then something happened that tore them apart. Now a few years later, Holden wants her back. Their journey was not easy and they both had so much to learn about each other and themselves. I felt every emotion. I’m a fan of this series and this one is not exception.
February 27, 2016
Rock Star Rwview
Loved this book. All I've story about 2nd chances. Carli and Holden both have a messed up history. If you like Violet and Razer's story, then you will love this one.
Loved this book. All I've story about 2nd chances. Carli and Holden both have a messed up history. If you like Violet and Razer's story, then you will love this one.
May 27, 2016
i love musician books they are so much fun to read. i didnt like how upset carlie was through a lot of the story but i understood it. their chemistry though.. i swear my kindle sizzled.. lol it was so much fun to read and amazing. i am so glad i got to review it
January 6, 2016
Rock Princess is quick and enjoyable read.
February 26, 2016
meh...
July 28, 2016
Mejor que el anterior, pero hay algo en esta saga que no me termina de enganchar
June 11, 2016
Love it!!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews