Lies & Lullabies

Hush Note #1

by Sarina Bowen

Summer nights and star-crossed lovers! From USA Today bestselling author Sarina Bowen.

Once upon a time, he gave me a summer of friendship, followed by one perfect night. We shared a lot during our short time together. But he skipped a few crucial details.

I didn’t know he was a rock star.

I didn’t know his real name.

Neither of us knew I’d get pregnant.

And I sure never expected to see him again.

Five years later, his tour bus pulls up in Nest Lake, Maine. My little world is about to be shattered by loud music and the pounding of my own foolish heart.

Genres: Romance, Second Chance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Music, Second Chance Romance, Friends To Lovers

278 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 22, 2020

About the author

Sarina Bowen is the 24-time USA Today bestselling and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary fiction, including: The Five Year Lie, the True North series, and the Brooklyn Hockey series. She's the co-author of Him/Us and the WAGs series with Elle Kennedy. And more!

You can find a complete reading order list of Sarina's books on her website. Or see what's coming next from Sarina, and sign up for her newsletter so you don't miss a new book or a deal.

Reviews

[Giorgia Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wouldn't give this 2 stars were it not for my generous spirit lol

This book was a waste of time and I'll tell you why:

- It was boring AF!

- The characters were beyond bland and on occasion stereotypical and plain stupid.

- There was no plot to speak of. Nothing really happened, even the secret child trope was somehow underwhelming, and that's one of the angstiest tropes around.

- The side characters were annoying and one dimensional and I'm not curious to read their books. They sound like children throwing tantrums or doing stuff just because they got "issues". (the only exception to that is Adam, the heroine's brother, he honestly added another star to the rating)

- The reason for which the heroine kept her child a secret was beyond the realm of rational thought. I absolutely disliked her character and her judgements. She was selfish and I'm not only gonna mention the injustice of not letting Jonas know about his kid, but the injustice she committed towards her daughter, for not letting her have a father. Nope, nope and NOPE! I wouldn't forgive her.

- The hero, Jonas, was no better. He didn't hide any kids, but he f***ed around for 5 years while "never forgetting about her" but he was just so unsure that he was lovable so he just looked at her letter and got drunk when the sadness of his privileged rockstar life got too much. Oh, please stop with that crap. That's the biggest pile of horse manure that I've read in awhile. And then, after 5 long years, he's like: "I miss you so much and never stopped loving you". Huh? Say what again?!

- And to end this in a high note, I wish I could say this was mediocre but that would be a compliment. This story had absolutely nothing, and I mean nothing good about it.

This is what I call a dime a dozen. Lazy storytelling and unimaginative, non-existent plot.

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3-3.5 stars



I love Sarina Bowen's writing and was so excited to read a rockstar romance from her. While I liked this one a lot, there were some things I didn't love. Most of it is my own fault because I like to go into books by my favorites blind and I didn't read the synopsis, but here we are. This is one of those troupes that just almost never work for me so this is very much a ‘me’ thing and not necessarily the book. This one was good for me, but not a favorite.

Kira and Jonas spend one incredible summer together in May. They become close friends and by the end of the summer, they become more. Jonas has to go back to the west coast for his band and Kira goes back to her life as well, only to discover that her life will never be the same again.

It’s a funny thing about babies in books. I actually have zero issues with the surprise baby troupe, but that dang secret baby… unless there is a legit reason to keep a baby from their other parent it makes me want to scream. I’ll be honest here, I didn’t feel Kira’s reasoning had any merit at all and it took a bit of the enjoyment out of the read for me personally.

The kid in this book was so cute, and I’ll be honest here, I loved Kira’s brother Adam and if this was his book, I would have been so here for it. I kind of hope he gets his own story (or at least a novella) down the line because I adored him!

Sarina Bowen always writes engaging character driven stories and there was a lot about this book I liked! I especially loved the hero and I’m looking forward to reading about the other band members. If you’re looking for a sweet and steamy second chance romance, give this one a try.

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lies and Lullabies is book one in the Hush Note series. This book is by Sarina Bowen but the two following books in the series are by different authors. This is a rock star, secret baby, second chance romance.

Jonas Smith was twenty five years old the summer he met Kira, who was twenty, in the tiny town of Nest Lake, Maine. It was the best summer of Jonas’s life. No one knew who he was. He spent his time writing songs and spending time with Kira. They became close friends, until his last night there, when they became more.



Kira had been taking some time off of college in Boston and was spending the summer at her father’s house in Lake Nest when Jonas came into her life. Only, she knew him then by John. She had no idea he was a famous rock star. She knew him as the sweet man who sat with her every night as they talked under the stars. And who she had a huge crush on. On his last night there, their relationship changed, and her life would never again be the same.



Five years passed. Mistakes were made, many mistakes. But Kira and Jonas have never reconnected during all that time. Until once again, Jonas pulls into town and they are once again face to face. Only this time, Kira will have to admit to Jonas that she has been keeping something from him, something big.

I struggled a bit at first with this. It wasn’t until about twenty five percent that I really got invested. I loved Jonas. He has a huge heart and he truly loved Kira. I have to admit I didn’t like Kira much. I can’t justify that she didn’t let Jonas know about their daughter. I do understand her fears once she figured out who he really was. But still, those were years she could never give back to him.



I think my favorite character was Kira’s brother, Adam. This man was amazing. He cared for Kira and little Vivi without hesitation. I also loved Jonas’s tour manager, Ethan. I would most definitely be interested if Adam and Ethan got a book!! hint hint

This had a cute ending that left me satisfied. And I have to mention the fantastic cover. It’s what drew me to this book! As I said, it just took me awhile to really get going. I even considered stopping but I am glad I kept going.

For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...

[Rachael*Caribbean*girl*bibliophile · Rating 1 out of 5]

Spoilers ahead


Omfg!!! 😂😂😂😂

Ok ok, adult review now

I'm sorry I can't

😂😂😂😂😂😂

WTF!??!?


Ok so the H convinced his band mates to come wuuth him to Maine(I think it was Maine I can't remember). He's lost his writing mojo and just wants to recapture the peace and happiness he'd found there 5 years before. He once again runs into the girl he couldn't forget, not even so many years later

The h is in town to visit her father with her brother and daughter, she's stunned to see the only man she's ever loved and though the connection is as strong as ever, she's kept a big secret from him for years


*********
First of all I'm a sucker for unexpected baby romances but absolutely NOT in this format. What the h did was wrong, keeping a child from her father based on what SHE THINKS she knows is a selfish decision, unfair both to the father and the child.

Now the bones
These 2 met and became friends 5 years previously, the H's super model girlfriend had just broken up with him, the press was hounding him so he gave her a wrong name. They built a friendship over the summer and then she confessed she'd been attacked. In an effort to help her recover she asks him to have sex with her. Him, a famous manwhoring rockstar took her at her word when she said she had birth control covered(this was so stupid) . They hook up and he eventually leaves.
Now THIS is where things get dramatic just for the sake of drama
The h writes him a letter confessing her love shortly after he left, he RECEIVES the letter but though he feels strongly for her he doesn't RESPOND! Instead he goes back to manwhoring for 2 years, frequently rereading her letter, then he calls and her father says something that makes him think she had a man....then back to the manwhoring for some more years until he lost his muse. He saw her and they were kissing immediately. After 5 years where his trash mouth was all fucking over she's melting for him. Gahhhhh
Anywho the secret baby comes out, he's hurt and angry but forgives her because ya know he's loved her all along. We get a cringey portion where he's suddenly all in with this woman HE HASN'T SEEN in 5 years!!!!! She's cautious and timid but he knows what he wants this time around sometimes
I saw the drama coming a mile away but they eventually, after much Fucking back and forth, lack of communication and pulling away, have their HEA

Now for the h
When she met the h she was broken up with her on again and off again boyfriend. She'd been attacked the year before and just wanted some of her power back. When the H left and she eventually confessed her love she was devasted that he didn't respond. Then she found out she was pregnant, her ex and dad said some harsh words so she moved in with her brother. Now 2 years after giving birth she found out the H's true identity. Yet she didn't think to get her lawyer brother to help her track him down, nope she just went on with her life.
It takes her running into him to get the truth out so apparently she'd never planned to tell the child much less the H the truth. Obvi I didn't like her ass

Anyways the real MVPS of this book were her brother Adam, a genuinely lovely man who went ALL out for his stupid weak sister. We actually get a mini romance(at least I thought it'd be)between Adam and Ethan who works with the band. I had really hoped to get a HEA for them.
Second MVP was the adorable Vivi

The mcs can both suck it with their weak, cowardly asses


Second chance -ish
H was a manwhore during separation and of course before,
h was a born again virgin(FFS)
Tiny OW drama
Small OM drama



***that birth control shit was as cringey as the plot😂

[Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾]

3 STARS

He’d been a charming diversion with enormous consequences.

I am a sucker for a second chance romance. I live for it. The angst. The emotion. All of the feels. Now it's been a hot minute since I've read a Sarina Bowen book and I was so excited to get my hands on this one. This trope is my book crack so I was so here for it.

Kira and Jonas spent one unforgettable summer together. They were both in a place where they were looking for a connection and were a little lost. They gave each other something that changed them both irrevocably. Kira had no idea at the time they met that Jonas was a famous rockstar. Jonas fell hard for Kira but knew he couldn't give her what she needed, so he left.

Five years later, their paths cross again. This time Jonas knows exactly what he wants, and he needs a second chance with the woman he never got over. What he doesn't expect, is the secret that Kira has kept from him all these years in the form of an adorably rambunctious daughter.

Now I do love me some surprise baby trope as well. But it also has to have one thing for me to connect; a good reason for the baby to be a secret. And sadly, I didn't feel that Kira had one. This ultimately began to grate on me, because I couldn't help but judge her for it.

Jonas was everything. The man was swoon personified. I loved the way he manned up and was there for his girls. I loved the way he handled the reveal. And really, I just loved him.

The pacing was a bit off, and I did find myself growing bored. The flashbacks to their summer five years ago also felt lacking. I wanted a little more meat here. I really wish it was fleshed out further. Don't get me wrong. While I didn't love this story, I still enjoyed it. It may have been a little slow for my tastes, but it still hit the spot. The other band members really hooked me, but my favorite part of the book was Kira's brother. The man was just GAH. I hope he gets a book of his own because I loved being in his head for the few short pages.


ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review

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[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Rockstar Prince Charming…

I am absolutely loving the way audiobooks have evolved.

HE SANG TO ME!

It’s hard to explain but it feels like there is more of a personal touch/emotional connection when the narrators do more than just read the story to me. In Lies & Lullabies, Tim Paige and Erin Mallon are Jonas and Kiri. I felt the emotional connection between the characters, and I ‘saw’ them as they were meant to be seen, vulnerabilities and all.

My heart broke for Kiri as she dealt with the aftermath of betrayal and the devastation of feeling abandoned. It wasn’t just Jonas who broke her heart, Kiri’s father and the people in her town are horrible when they find out she’s pregnant and the father is nowhere to be seen. It’s only Adam, her brother who she can count on in the tough times. It’s easier to move away from the negativity and start afresh, hoping that her heart will mend with her busy new life.

Jonas has fame but it comes at a cost. Everyone around Jonas wants something from him but not a lot are willing to give. When he meets and falls for Kiri, he has convinced himself that there are better men out there for her. Jonas walks away and stays away thinking he’s doing the best thing for her. Yes, he probably should have been a little more transparent, but Jonas didn’t want her to treat him differently. It’s only five years later he realises that keeping his secrets cost him everything he never knew he wanted.

I think the trick with falling in love with a Rockstar is to catch them when they have already got the ‘hooking up’ and ‘partying hard’ out of their system. Jonas turns into Prince Charming and is determined to right the wrongs he had previously made. In this story, both Kira and Jonas do a lot of growing in between their initial meeting and when they catch up again. Kira has to learn to trust Jonas and he needs to prove that he’s more than a Rockstar. I absolutely LOVED the more mature Jonas. ‘Seeing’ inside his head was a treat and getting to witness his love and devotion to his new family was so sweet.

If I could find any fault with this story it was probably that I wanted a little more depth and understanding. When Kiri admits to Jonas that she'd been previously hurt, I wanted to 'see' how she recovered, and who helped her the most. It was maybe implied that Jonas starts her healing but not what happened after he left. I also would have liked to understand why Kiri didn't reach out to Jonas once she knew who he really was. This seemed to be skimmed over a wee bit.

I enjoyed getting to know the additional characters, but my favourite was Adam… especially when he was on painkillers. Cracked me up! Then again, Ethan was pretty awesome too. I would LOVE a story for Ethan, and after reading Lies & Lullabies you will know exactly who I want for him. Vivi, Kiri and Jonas’s daughter, is a cutie patootie and I loved her negotiation abilities. At this stage, Quinn and Nixon have a wee bit to prove but I’m sure (hoping) Devney Perry and Rebecca Yarros will bring them good.

This was my very first ALC (Advanced Listening Copy) and I really enjoyed the experience. I went in knowing that I couldn’t be distracted or have outside influences distract me. With Sarina Bowen’s excellent storytelling ability, and the fantastic narration, it made it an easy task.

This first instalment of the Hush Note series was an absolute pleasure to listen to, but I’m honestly not surprised. Sarina Bowen is one of my favourite authors and I know I can count on her to leave me satisfied. The narrators do an excellent job portraying the characters, and I loved Tim Paige's, Sweetness. If you’re looking for a great romance where the Rockstar wants nothing but a happy ever after with his family by his side, I highly recommend giving Lies & Lullabies a try.

Stacey is Sassy, received an advanced audio copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.

[bruna · Rating 1 out of 5]

"You’re it for me, Kira. No matter where I go, I’ll always come back to you".

I don’t have much to say about this book because I barely paid any attention to it. The plot had a lot of potential, but the execution was just... bad. The story was all over the place, especially the beginning when Jonas (H) and Kira (h) were remembering the summer they spent together. The transitions between past/present were confusing and not smooth at all, which just annoyed me.

Besides that, it was impossible for me to like a single character in this book. The lack of significant plot and development only made everyone seem incredibly boring and unbearable. I also hated how the author ignored some side characters after they served their “purpose”. I felt like their daughter Vivi only existed as an excuse for Kira and Jonas to be together again. There were no cute and powerful scenes of them as a family because Jonas was either on tour or having sex with Kira.

Adam, Kira’s older brother who helped her raise Vivi for four years, had surgery towards the middle of the book and after that Kira only talked with him through the phone because I guess he’s not that important after all. Other than that, I know Quinn is going to have her own book, but the fact that she spent the whole time wanting to make Jonas and Kira break up was so cliché (not in a good way) and stupid.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, Kira and Jonas’ romance wasn’t interesting in the slightest. Everything between them felt superficial, rushed, and forced. I don’t understand how they loved each other so much considering they never put any effort into having a meaningful conversation. Overall, I think this book has no redeeming qualities, so it’s a wonder I didn’t dnf it.

[✰ Bianca ✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kira and Jonas.

Five years ago - for one amazing summer - they were best friends and so much more.

He was the undercover rock star in town to find a little peace and to write some music.

She was the 20 year old college girl with dreams of opening her own restaurant.

His last night in town produced little Vivi.

A baby he never found out about.

And now he's back!

LET THE FUN TIMES BEGIN!!

══════════════════




ADORABLE!

What can I say? I'm a Sarina Bowen Junkie. I just adore everything she writes.

And I loved this small-town-rock-star-baby-daddy story just as much as I have loved all of her books. The very beginning was a tiny bit hard for me. I think it was just my mood that day, but I didn't really love the back-in-time sexy scenes and the scenes when we found out what happened the year before. No idea why. But it all felt a bit weird.

BUT - after that I really loved the story. The people! Amazing cast and location.

Little Vivi is just adorable. Brother Adam is such a great guy. Tour manager/momager Ethan was amazing - and the other two band members... can't wait to read their stories.

Lies & Lullabies was such a beautiful second chance love story. The title already lets us know what it's all about. Both our darlings did not really tell each other the whole truth ... but it's not as simple as that of course. And the reader has a great time watching that little family fight for their happily ever after. Can they forgive each other??

READ THE BOOK TO FIND OUT!☺

I don't want to say much more ... I don't want to spoil anything.

I wanted it to be longer - I wanted MORE!

But it was a really great romance! Funny moments. Rock-Stary moments. Sexy moments. Adorable daddy moments. Heartbreaking and sad and scary moments. I loved it

Also ... why the grrr hasn't Netflix knocked on Sarina's door yet??

LIES & LULLABIES was a beautiful second-chance-Rock-Star-Small-Town-Baby-Daddy-Love-Story!!! Run to your nearest amazon for your own Jonas - this one is MINE!


💜 💜

[Alba and Her Secrets..♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 'My only Sweetness' Stars!
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.


A sugary sweet start to the Hush Note series! I’ve been waiting for these books ever since I saw the authors announced it in social media. Yes, I said authors because this series is multi-authored and the writers participating are surely top notch. Sarina Bowen starts introducing the characters, their backgrounds, their friendship, their love for music and, in this case, the emotional love story between a rock star and his hot baby mama.

So, Lies and Lullabies is the first installment in the Hush Note series and, as I said, it is written by Sarina Bowen. This focuses on the lead singer Jonas Smith and the girl he left behind five years ago, Kira Cassidy. Jonas needed some time off and then he met Kira in quiet Nest Lake. They start a friendship (while being highly attracted to each other) but Jonas never mentions his real name and who he is. Summer ends and Jonas leaves, not knowing that Kira is pregnant with his baby. Five years pass and they reunite. What will happen?

Once you’d looked into the passionate eyes of someone who loved you just for you, nothing else would do.

I do believe the best word to describe Lies and Lullabies is definitely sweet. Sarina did a pretty good job with this rock star / second chance romance and introducing the Hush Notes group to the readers. The connection between Kira and Jonas (and their adorable daughter) is beautiful. Jonas is so protective of his girls and it was impossible for Kira not to fall in love with him all over again. I do have to say though it took me a while to get into the story and connect with the couple. I liked a lot of aspects about this book, it just isn’t my favorite from Sarina Bowen. Still, I loved meeting and starting to know these characters and I loved seeing Jonas fighting to be with his sweetness. I am so happy this couple and their cute Vivi got their HEA.

“I was always looking for something and never finding it. And then when I found it, I didn’t recognize it, and I walked away. I’m never doing that again.”

Therefore, I am rating Lies and Lullabies with 3.5 STARS because I found it to be a lovely way to start the Hush Note series. I am a sucker for families and second chances in romance and I enjoyed how Sarina developed this story and these themes! As I said, not loved it but still really enjoyed it overall. Jonas, Kira and Vivi were so sweet together and I also really loved the rest of the characters (especially Adam and Ethan!). I cannot wait to read Quinn’s and Nixon’s stories too and I am sure Devney Perry and Rebecca Yarros will do a very good job with these characters!

CHECK OUT MY BLOG HERE:

[Antonella · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just...
I mean...
This book...

WTF!!!

There is NOTHING I liked about this book...
oh, I'm lying cover isn't too bad...

This book is second chance romance, with accidental pregnancy and secret baby trope ALL THOSE THINGS mean one thing- ANGST & charged with emotions book...
There is nothing of that here... except a lot of flatness...

so so disappointed!!!

I already own book two but considering that book is about the character that was horrible in this book I am questioning that decision...

[Cami · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 "Sweetness" Stars!!!

I really loved this book!! Lies and Lullabies grabbed me good in the first two chapters and didn’t let go.

Kira Cassidy and John Smith built a great friendship one summer but at the very end of that summer Kira was left with a parting gift. Skip to 5 years later when by accident they are both back in the same small town the only thing is Kira appears to have a small family in tow.

I LOVED the journey these characters took, including Adam. This story was sweet, sad, sexy and at times funny!!

[Lacey (laceybooklovers) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rock star romance from Sarina Bowen!!! And there’s a surprise baby. The audio was AMAZING - I loved that it included the hero’s song! The second chance romance was adorable. All the hero wants is another chance with the heroine and to be a good dad. It was sweet and heartwarming! I can’t wait to continue with the series.

[Astrid - The Bookish Sweet Tooth · Rating 3 out of 5]

TITLE: LIES & LULLABIES
AUTHOR: Sarina Bowen
SERIES: Hush Note #1
RELEASE DATE: September 22, 2020
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
THEMES & TROPES: Second Chance, Secret Baby, Surprise Pregnancy
RATING: 3.5 STARS
CLIFFHANGER: No

READ MY REVIEW ON THE BLOG






The Hush Note series is a collab by Sarina Bowen, Devney Perry and Rebecca Yarros, three authors who each in their own right are highly esteemed and write wonderful stories. Each book in this series is about a member of the rockband Hush Note and it starts off with Sarina's LIES AND LULLABIES.

Jonas and Kira meet in the little town of Nest Lake, Maine when Jonas needs to retreat from his public life to get control of his life again. Anonymously. While there is a strong attraction between the two Jonas doesn't want to take their friendship that comes so natural any further. When he learns about Kira's difficult past all he wants to do is help. I loved his way of how he approached her so much, it was so full of care and adoration for the beautiful, broken woman.
He definitely didn't expect that helping her would include one night of bliss. Five years later he learns about the consequences their night had: a little girl with the woman who'd captured his heart and who got away.

“Five years was a long time ago, Jonas.”
Slowly, he shook his head. “When I look at you, it feels like five minutes.”

From the start it's obvious that Jonas is a caretaker. He is impossibly sweet with pretty much everyone in his close vicinity. He is a good person despite his fame and my heart broke a little for him when I learned that Kira was the first to love him for himself. He was a little broken, too, though for different reasons than Kira.

Amid the glitter and booze, the problem had become clear: once you’d looked into the passionate eyes of someone who loved you just for you, nothing else would do.

Kira is an amazing mother and her child always comes first. I was devastated for her when I learned how she was mistreated after she found out she was pregnant, but she is a fighter - she left town and lived with her brother who helped her being a mom, going to school and holding down a job. I wish the author would have explored Kira's past a little more, when she was mugged, how she healed, how she became a pariah, how her dad ended up being so awful to her and Adam. I wanted to see her dad redeem himself. I thought it was glossed over and lacked a little depth. I also didn't understand her reasons for keeping her child a secret.

I adored Adam, Kira's brother (who is hilarious and the best brother a person could wish for) and Ethan, Hush Note's tour manager. I would LOVE to get their stories and Sarina Bowen would be perfect to tell them. I'm equally excited to learn the background of the other two band members, Nixon and Quinn. Quinn wasn't very loveable in LIES AND LULLABIES but I think she was just being a good a friend looking out for Jonas.

This story has several tropes running parallel - the secret baby, surprise pregnancy, smalltown romance, rockstar romance. It isn't a unique plot and it definitely could have been told with a little more detail but it's still a beautiful story that I enjoyed a lot. Sarina Bowen proves once more why I love her books.

I would never be able to play it cool when she was around. She was the one. And suddenly I felt desperate to let her know that.

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

NOW LIVE!
Amazon US * Amazon UK



I love Sarina Bowen's writing and I always fall in love with her characters very easily so I was excited to start this book. Lies & Lullabies is the first in the Hush Note series, a multi-author project that will continue with books by Devney Perry and Rebecca Yarros. It did a great job of getting me invested in the characters and I'm looking forward to reading more from this band. I also really hope we'll be seeing more of Kira's brother in the future.

Jonas and Kira had a lot to work out in their story and I loved seeing how they handled it. I can't say it was super easy for them but their connection was so strong it definitely made it easy for them to fall back in love. I really liked them together and I wouldn't change anything about their relationship but I do have to say that there were parts in the beginning that I just wasn't feeling the chemistry as much. Maybe because there were parts that didn't fully go back to the past when they first met but we did see scenes from that time and I actually became a little confusing at times since there wasn't any italics or any indication that we were now in the past. It was mostly Kira reminiscing over that summer she met Jonas and those scenes would just pop in at random times.

Overall, a great start to any series but especially a multi-author series. I think Sarina Bowen did a wonderful job bringing all the characters together and making them interesting enough that readers will want to continue on to the next authors work.

ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.

[Carmen Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a confession. I hate rock star romances. I avoid them more often than not. So when I saw this book and jumped to read it I had no idea it was about a band. All I knew was it was a collaboration between two of my favourite authors and I had to have it. Then I read the blurb and got nervous.

I should have known better. If anyone could make me love something it's Sarina Bowen. Luckily for me she isn't running a cult or I'd be there with my head shaved ready to go. As it stands I am so glad I committed to these before I knew the genre because I couldn't put it down.

Surprise baby had me so excited but the rock star thing had me worried. But Jonas was awesome. I fell in love with him on every page. He loved Kira so completely and he showed it at every opportunity. He had me picturing John Legend and the adoring way he loves his wife. Which made me smile through the whole book.

Kira was a surprise for me. I didn't expect to like her, I expected her to be completely different. Instead she was just a sweet young girl who fell in love and lost him. But she didn't hold a grudge or be a doormat or let her guilt in the way things played out make her make stupid decisions. She just was understanding and mature and perfect.

I really can't wait to get my hands on the next two books because I'm over my rock star aversion and dying to see where these ladies are going to take these characters.

[Wendy'sThoughts · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Finding The Real You Stars
* * * 1/2 Spoiler Free
Writing about tricky subjects can be challenging. There is so much that can go into how to approach them, how your audience receives the storyline, and whether the readers will embrace the path you took for the characters.

Also, a huge factor is the subjective nature of reading itself. What may work for one group, may not for the other due to their own past experiences, etc.

Sarina Bowen has never shied away from anything she has attempted. Her ability to bring her characters to life and give them real challenges everyday people experience in this world has been her calling card. She has addressed so many topics that others have run from and with much success in hitting exactly the right tone.

In Lies & Lullabies, she has approached once again misrepresentation, surprise pregnancy, the discovery of parenting and so much more.

The story goes with two people sharing a summer of friendship and then just before this time ends, a dip into more. He goes back to the life he was hiding from...A Musician/Rock Guy who just wanted to feel normal for a little while. She was having the same fun and wanted their last night, only when she discovers her situation has changed, she is in for more than a shock.

The man she had spent all summer with, the one she connected to...He doesn't exist because he gave her a bogus name. She looked to see if she could find him a bit and then made the executive decision she would have this baby on her own.

The good news was on her own meant with her loving brother by her side all the way. As time passes, she now has the cutest five-year-old kid ever and the man of her summer is back.

The winning moments were how this man took everything, all the surprise and feelings about it, and decided to be there for them. This was a man who understood the importance of being there for those you care about. He also was just yummy, too.

This is the first in a series and all the necessary elements were there. We met the members of the band, our amazing brother who deserves his story, and learned of the following the band had.

The story has a second chance focus and I look forward to seeing what else comes next.

~~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~~
Days and Counting!
April 9, 2020
Fairy Tales Usually Start With...
Once Upon a Time...
And My Fairy Tale...
Seemed to Follow Just Like That...

A Summer Full of Friendship...
Turned Into Something Special...
A Night So Perfect...

But Like Many Fairy Tales...
There Were Hidden Secrets...

A Name That Wasn't Real...
A Rock Star Hidden In Plain Sight...
A Special Night Responsible...
For More Than Heartbreak...

Yes, My Fairy Tale Was Not The Usual...
But That was More Than OK With Me...

Now, Five Years Later...
My World Will Be Turned Upside Down...
The Man Who Changed It, Is Back...
Little Does He Know About All The...

Lies and Lullabies (Hush Note, #1)- September 22, 2020

Lies and Lullabies (Hush Note #1)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Rifts and Refrains (Hush Note, #2)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Muses and Melodies (Hush Note, #3)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways

[Saimi Vasquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una divertida historia de amor

Jonas solo se arrepiente de una sola cosa en su vida, de no haber regresado a ese pequeño pueblo de Maine y de no intentar contactar de nuevo con Kira. Pero cuando años después regresa al pueblo con su banda, no solo monta reencontrarse con ella, sino que se da cuenta que sus sentimientos son los mismos. Serán ambos capaces de perdonarse y comenzar una verdadera relación?

Ahora, este es un libro dulce, romántico, sin mucho drama, que cumple su propósito de entretener. La historia es sencilla, llena de clichés, y solo la narración y los personajes secundarios la hicieron divertida y entretenida, es seguro que leere otros libros de este autor más adelante.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't care what any one says i will go to my grave defending the secret baby trope.

“There isn’t anyone else I want, sweetness. You disarm me, the way nobody else can. I don’t know any way to prove it to you. But it’s true.”

Following a summer of becoming close friends and one night become a little more than friends Jonas and Kira go their separate ways, Kira unaware that Jonas is actually a world famous rock star and Jonas unaware that, that one night with Kira left her pregnant with his child. Until five years later when they run into each other and realise maybe those feelings between them never left but they have other issues to deal with first namely an almost four year old girl who looks strikingly like her father.

I have waited months for this book, secret baby books are my ultimate comfort read and considering Sarina Bowen wrote one of my favourite secret baby books 'Bountiful' I was hyped.

That being said my number one thing I use in defending this trope is that it is built on the basis of not lying and purposely keeping the child from its father but simply having had circumstances which led to them not being able to contact them. But.... that wasn't the case here. Whilst Kira didn't know at the beginning who Jonas was a few years later she finds out and still doesn't reach out to him. Look I get it its called 'lies and lullabies' BUT STILL. It made me a bit uncomfy. She had reasoning behind it being that she'd reached out before and he hadn't responded but still don't think thats justification for not telling him about the child.

Anyway with that little rant done I did genuinely enjoy the book. I loved Kira and Jonas and Vivi was adorable. I'm not normally one for rock star romances (though lately have fond more luck with them) but this one I personally feel pulls it off. I was invested in the plot and the characters and read it within a few hours.

The romance was really sweet and pure, Jonas knowing not to push on some things due to Kira's past trauma and being super supportive of her in all ways. Also the fact he calls her 'Sweetness' is adorable and when he called Vivi 'little sweetness' I just about died.

I loved Kira's brother and the way he had his own little storyline, he was such a sweet and loving older brother prepared to do anything for his sister and was also hilarious.

Another little point I didn't like was the complication it was super weak and fixed super quickly and then a solid other 20% of the book left. That being said though these two were adorable I probably would of read an entire book with no defining plot just them living their domestic life.

I am really interested to delve further into the band and am looking forward to the next books. Like Devney Perry?? Yes please I have read every single one of her books I'm mad excited.

Overall I will read every single iteration of the secret baby book and this one was a pretty good take on it having strengths in its characters and plot existing outside of the trope.

[Angela (Reading Frenzy Book Blog) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Audiobook Review

By all accounts, this ought to have been a home run. I have a huge soft spot in my heart for single parent romances, and it is very rare for me to not love a Sarina Bowen book. I’m bummed because while Lies and Lullabies is nice, the book lacks the luster I expected.

The story has an air of innocence about it, which is unexpected in a rock star romance and kind of wonderful. However, it veers towards cheesiness at times. Perhaps I just needed to take an anti-curmudgeon pill, but even Jonas’s nickname for Kira grated on me.

When reading about rock stars, I’m always intrigued by the dynamics among band members. That connection seems to be missing here between the members of Hush Note, and I wonder if establishing more of their history would have helped. I really loved the bond between Kira and her supportive brother, Adam, though. He is a real highlight. Jonas's relationship with his tour manager is also nice.

Jonas and Kira’s bright little girl, Vivi, melted my heart. Her enthusiasm is infectious and she injects an extra dose of joy into the story whenever she appears. It was great to see the way Jonas adapts to fatherhood and how his relationship with Kira matures.

The story is rather slow, but there isn’t anything glaringly wrong with Lies and Lullabies. I think my expectations were simply too high.

About the audiobook.

The audiobook is very well done. Erin Mallon turns in a flawless vocal performance. I love the vulnerability she injects into her portrayal of Kira. I’m always amazed that she can pull off a masculine voice without it being a distraction. Tim Paige is also well cast. His Jonas is full of emotion. One really creative element is the inclusion of an actual recording of the band’s new single. When Kira listens to the song, you hear it as well. Tim Paige doesn’t have a rock star’s voice, but I appreciated the unique concept nonetheless.

Recommended for fans of:
Rock star romance
Surprise pregnancies
Single parent romances
Summer love

** I received an early copy of the audiobook to review. **

[Elizabeth]

Another "she is a mom" so she couldnt possibly have sex or date while the rock star gets to have all his fun 🙄

[Jacob Proffitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wish-fulfillment fantasy with rock-star flavors with two distinct timeframes. I really liked how Bowen showed us the past in memory sequences right up front and that normally drives me nuts. I liked it because it was relevant and well-contextualized so that it didn't kill the pace or feel like a bait-and-switch.

Anyway, while I liked the main couple, it was the side characters that really shined for me. Kira's brother, Adam, and the band manager whose name I can't pull down because my memory sucks, are particular stand-outs. Both were such strong illustrations of respect and support that I loved every scene they were in. I particularly liked how those relationships weren't one-sided and that they came with complex overtones that enhanced engagement with every scene.

The relationship itself, however, felt a bit under-developed. Jonas, in particular, goes from zero to infinity just way, way too fast. Like, the author expects us to give him credit for a bigger starting point than he actually earns. I kept going "yeah, but, he knew where to find her but he never bothered" and I never quite squared that to my satisfaction. I mean, his devotion was lovely and I definitely loved how he worked so hard to reassure and support Kira. But it didn't feel like enough even so.

So I'm going to end this with a solid four stars that's down to the surrounding characters more than the actual main couple. Who, just to reiterate, were good. Just not great.

A note about series: This is the first of a series about the three band members that's one of those abominations where different authors write each book. You may have picked up there that I hate this as a thing. And not just because it's mostly a marketing trick to try to leverage a big name (or two) on behalf of some, er, lesser talents. No, I dislike it chiefly because different authors have different tones and the reason I like a good romance series is because I come to count on the tone being similar across books. So just. Ugh. I kind of looked forward to reading about Quinn's story. Only I've read a couple of books by the author, so no thanks. Which turns this into a giant tease with no hope of release.

A note about audiobook: Lucas is a songwriter, so we get some lyrics and stuff. And they tried a thing where a singer actually performs the songs with actual singing and stuff. I love this as an experiment. But it doesn't work. The problem is that Lucas is a rock-star and you can't get the production to sufficient quality to represent that in an audiobook. But the production we get has a very folk feel to it and that's just all-around fail and ended up undermining the point, rather than supporting it.

A note about Steamy: There are some explicit sex scenes putting this in the middle of my steam tolerance. We get the most important one in those flashback sequences so we get a version from both and that is part of what worked out so well for those flashbacks. It was a pivotal scene because Kira was working out recovering from a rape and it took a ton of sensitivity and care from both of them to work through. And I think Bowen handled that very well.

[Carole (Carole's Random Life) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.

I really enjoyed this book! I didn't really know a lot about this book before I decided to read besides the fact that Sarina Bowen wrote it. Really, that was all I needed to know but I am glad that I went into the book blindly. I will say that this book reminded me of Bountiful in a lot of ways but I did have a great time with the story and these characters. I found this book to be the perfect escape from the world for just a bit.

Jonas and Kira spent one summer years ago getting to know each other and that culminated in one night together. Then Jonas went back to his life as the lead singer of Hush Note and Kira went on to learn that she was pregnant with his child. Kira worked to balance the demands of her responsibilities leaning on her brother for help. Everything changes when they cross paths once again.

I liked Jonas and Kira a lot. They were both really good people that seemed to be able to focus on what was really important. They both seemed to be just what the other one needed. I liked getting the chance to see them learn to trust each other and make their relationship work. They had fantastic chemistry together and all of their emotions just felt really authentic.

Erin Mallon and Tim Paige did a wonderful job with the narration of this book. I thought that both of the narrators were able to bring their characters to life and brought a lot of emotion into the story. I really liked the fact that the audio production took things to the next level and brought some music into the story. This was an audiobook that I had no problem listening to for hours at a time.

I would recommend this book to fans of romance. The secret baby trope isn't my favorite but I think that Sarina Bowen pulled it off. If you like a good romance filled with great characters, including a rock star, you will not want to miss this one. I plan to read the rest of the series just as soon as I can!

I received a digital review copy of this audiobook from the author/publicist.

Initial Thoughts
I really enjoyed this book. I will say that it reminded me of Bountiful in a lot of ways. Jonas is a rock star who spent one summer with the perfect girl that he let get away. Kira has spent the last few years trying to make ends meet while caring for their daughter, Vivi. When they meet again, the sparks are still there and Jonas is determined to make things work this time. I thought that the narration was very well done and I liked the fact that there was a bit of music worked into the production.

[Izzie d · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked this book.
Secret baby has to have a good enough reason to be a secret.
The Hero and heroine meet, he's famous so he uses a family name rather than his known name.
She gets pregnant, doesn't know who he is.
After the baby is born she works out who is as his band's success picks up.
She had written to him earlier, not about the pregnancy, doesn't get a reply so gives up.
Should she have tried harder? Yes but the author makes this work.
The Hero didn't reply, he is worried the dream he's built up about her will come crashing down with real life and then his career takes off so he gets wrapped up in other things.

During the separation heroine doesn't have time for relationships with anyone else.
The Hero has previously lived a man-whore lifestyle but has given up on that as he had something real with the heroine and can't find it with meaningless hook-ups.
It's vague but I got the impression he wasn't celibate but I found it confusing to work it out.
5 year separation.

Dual POV.

No intimate scenes other than the Hero and heroine.
Small other woman drama.
No cheating, flirting or interest in anyone else.
HEA.
Breadcrumbs dropped for future books in series with teaser chapter at the end of another band member.
Epilogue.

[Claudia Fosca Stahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lies & Lullabies by Sarina Bowen is the first book in the Hush Note series. One Band. Three love stories. Three authors. Rifts & Refrains and Muses & Melodies, by Devney Perry and Rebecca Yarros, are the second and third books in the series.

Lies & Lullabies is everything you’d expect from Sarina Bowen. A colorful small town in New England, a wonderful storyline, and an amazing cast of characters that will make you swoon, laugh and curse (at least a bit).

Lies & Lullabies is a second chance romance about a small-town-girl and an undercover rock star that spent a special summer together and then went their separate ways. He was left with the sweetest memories, while she was left with their child. Five years later, a fluke encounter brings them together again, but things are way more complicated than either of them ever realized.

I loved Lies & Lullabies. I loved everything about it. Sarina Bowen is a skilled storyteller, there’s no doubt about that. She has a way with words that leaves you in awe of her talent every single time. The story flows, the characters are well-rounded and lovable, and the settings come alive to give this book her magic touch. It’s a delightful story about regrets and second chances, true love, the importance of family, and forgiveness.

Jonas and Kira both have regrets. When they first met five years ago, they were going through a hard time in their lives, and the connection they found in each other helped them heal. But sometimes feelings can get scary and overwhelming, and people don’t necessarily make the right choices. Right and wrong are never black and white, and the beauty of this story, if you take the time to understand where both Jonas and Kira were coming from, is that it’s never too late to be brave enough to put the past behind you and look forward to what the future might hold.

I loved Jonas and Kira together. Their chemistry is off the charts. You can feel the intensity between them, the emotional energy that goes beyond attraction and lust they forged five years ago, when they first became friends and then more. I really loved the slow burn of their reunion, how they dealt with the secrets and lies and old wounds, in order to move forward and forgive themselves and each other. Lies & Lullabies is definitely an emotional roller coaster. And definitely the best kind.

Vivi, Jonas and Kira’s four-year-old, is a delight. You can’t help but fall in love with her, just as Jonas did. It will take less than five minutes. She’s such a fun kid! So smart and witty. I also loved her relationship with her uncle Adam, and whenever she and Jonas were together. And Adam simply steals the show. He’s such a great guy. He’s the best brother ever, and he even got some action with Ethan, Jonas’s friend and tour manager. Let’s just say that everyone will end up begging for these two to get their own story. I can guarantee it. We also get glimpses of Quinn and Nixon that will make everyone yearn for the next books in the series.

I would give Lies & Lullabies enough stars to fill up the sky, but I guess Five will have to do. I can’t recommend it enough, it’s truly a wonderful story that will make your heart smile and fill you with joy. And if you’re into audiobooks give this one a try. It’s outstanding. Seriously. Tim Paige and Erin Mallon rocked it, and quite literally.

[Jessica Alcazar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meet Jonas and the Hush Notes
Summer nights and star-crossed lovers!
AVAILABLE NOW
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I read all three of the Hush Note books back to back to back and in my case, it was the saving grace of this series. What I mean is, Lies & Lullabies was a bit underwhelming for me had I not already had the ARCs for the next books already on my kindle, I might not have read them. I’m a series snob guys. I know this. I can’t just willy-nilly pick up a book here and there out of a series and not read the rest. It takes a lot for me to do that and I don’t like it. It makes me twitchy LOL but, in this case, I would have stopped here and that makes me a bit sad. I’ve been a fan of Sarina’s work for a loooong time. I’ve pretty much devoured every book she’s ever written (some more than once) so I already know her style and this was missing the Sarina I know and love.

There is a major plot point in this story that doesn’t pass muster with me so it lessened the credibility of the character and the story. That’s major. If I can’t believe in the story then what am I doing reading it? You feel me? So I struggled a bit. On the flip side, there are some plot points that made me swoon like a loon << see what I did there? Lol and it was glorious. SO when you put all that together you have a *shrug* kinda story :(

I waited a week after release to post this review because I do feel like the thing that made me major twitchy is a me thing. We all have our lines. Things we believe to be true. Things we believe to credible or not. That’s not a scientific fact. That’s a personality thing and our own views on life, liberty and all that jazz do affect how we perceive situations so … bottom line, this story might not be twitchy for you so go forth and do as you will.

[M. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Based solely on the tropes in the blurb this should have been like my favorite book of the month but it didn't meet my expectations 🤷🏻‍♀️.

In the span of a summer and hidden in the anonymity of a small town Kira and Jonas unexpectedly became friends, but the night before returning to reality, Kira asked him for a favor that he couldn't refuse and that left some living-breath consequences. Five years later they're destined to return to that place to meet once more.

First of all, this wasn't as angsty as I expected. The combination of tropes could have resulted in something much better and more sentimental, I mean, the way their friendship started? the lies? the traumas? the unanswered calls and letters? the secret baby?? it was RIGHT there, but there was just pointless drama that didn't move a hair. The other problem was the writing. This is my first book by this author, but I didn't like her writing style. It all felt too clinical and proper and emotionless, so even when the main and side characters had a lot of emotional baggage I couldn't care less about their stories.

I think I'll read the next few books anyway, but just because they are written by different authors, this one wasn't worth it.

[Jenny - TotallybookedBlog · Rating 4 out of 5]

See an EXCERPT on the Blog


‘If Maine had lost its magic, it wasn’t the Pine Tree State’s fault. It was my fault. I’d been too stupid to see what was right in front of me.’

Lies and Lullabies by Sarina Bowen is the first instalment in the Hush Notes series which is a rock star romance, each written by a different Author, about a different band member of -you guessed it- the über popular band, Hush Notes. Lies and Lullabies is Jonas’ story, the lead singer, who found himself in the small town of Nest Lake in Maine for some much needed -time out- to write songs and get away from the rock and roll lifestyle. At age 25 he already feels burnt out and needs peace and quiet, what he wasn’t looking for was love, though at the time he didn’t realise that that was exactly what he found.

“Be with me, Kira. In my heart, I really just want you.”

Going by the name of John, Jonas meets and falls for the sweet and timid Kira, who has experienced a horrific event which has had a great impact on how she lives her life. At the young age of twenty, she has already experienced great heartbreak and terror, so in some respects, she lives in the shadow of herself, which is where Jonas finds her. The friendship connection between Kira and Jonas was wonderful and a decision to take it to another level, for one night only, leaves quite the impression on two consequently breaking hearts.

“You’ve only been gone a few days, but it feels like months. Maybe you don’t want to hear this, but I miss you terribly. I hope we’re still friends? Did I wreck that?”

Kira had so much to contend with, it broke our hearts, it seems she’s either constantly abandoned or betrayed for her vulnerability. The way in which she found her strength came from her wonderful brother and the gorgeous little Vivi. We’re definitely not fans of ‘hiding the baby from the parent’ trope, it irks us, however, Sarina Bowen wrote it well and showed that it was not borne out of spite or hatred.

“Kira, my heart is breaking.”

Five years pass and Jonas and the rest of Hush Notes return to the idyllic Nest Lake where his fondest memories were made. But this time it’s not only Kira who awaits him after five years of radio silence! Missed opportunities and loneliness leave scars that are hard to heal, however, Sarina Bowen wrote this beautifully without unnecessary dramatics.

‘I’d been waiting five years. I could wait five more if I had to.’

We really enjoyed Lies and Lullabies and read it in one sitting. Small town meets rock star romance, it’s like catnip for us! We fell in love with Jonas and Kira from the get-go as well as Kira’s brother, Adam, who’s story we are begging Sarina Bowen to write! The relationship between Kira and Adam was just beautiful and pulled at our heartstrings. Rifts and Refrains, which is book two and Quinn’s story is next and is written by Devney Perry, we can’t wait because she’ll be a hard nut to crack!

‘Real love wasn’t set to a four-four drum beat in a recording studio. Real love was accomplished this way – by caring for the people who needed you. I would try not to forget that.’

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[Syndi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Now I understand why there are many mix reviews over Lies & Lullabies. I think Miss Bowen done her writing to focus on the small town romance feeling. The concept is cute, sweet and so New Adult attraction. However there are a lot of it missing or in a loop holes.

I did not like Kira. That is my lasting impression over the story. She is just... drama queen with so much focus on herself. Her push and pull toward Jonah is just annoying and frustrating. This book is also about second chance romance. However what is missing is the chemistry between Kira and Jonah. Their first encounter is only written in brief and hurried. Not much moments to anchor me or rooting for them both.
When they met again, 5 years later, Miss Bowen is also fails to bring that tender moment between them. The love story feels like being forced to continue for the sake of finishing the book.

Jonah is beta male type of hero. He is in the background playing a doting and loyal lover. Waiting and helping everyone else except himself.

Overall I do not hate nor like this book.

3 stars

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

****AUDIOBOOK REVIEW****

4 SWEETNESS CROWNS

Low angst and sweet, Lies and Lullabies by Sarina Bowen is a great start to this standalone series with Devney Perry and Rebecca Yarros.

Kira and Jonas are quite possibly the cutest couple. Their initial meeting is sweet and their ending poignant. I felt the care they had for each other. Fast forward and the connection is a bit more primal. I enjoy old Jonas as a hero, and I liked Kira as well. They had good chemistry, and I felt their connection was believable. The only drawback was that it all seemed to fall in place for them really well, and even the tiniest blips were easily fixed, which lead to minimal conflict.

That being said, it is filled with a cast of characters I absolutely loved. I love the small town, the band, and the budding relationship between some secondary characters.

The writing, as always, in terms of style and diction was wonderful. I truly enjoy Sarina’s prose and her story telling. I felt like I was living the story with them. If you are an audiobook lover, I would also recommend listening. The narrators were great and complimented each other well. I also love the touches of music. It always adds a bit of something extra to the book.

Lies and Lullabies is a definite must read for lovers of rockstar romances, relatively low angst, and sweet and steamy romances. I’m very excited for the next two books.

ARC received in exchange for an honest review

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a sweet, no angst story. I read it in one day...

I loved all the characters and can't wait for the next 2 books.