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Let the Beat Drop
There is nothing Sadie DuChamp loves more than rocking out on stage behind her drum set. Her music career is a dream come true. But when her band breaks up and she gets evicted from her New York City apartment all in the same week, her life suddenly feels more like a nightmare. She finds herself with no choice but to retreat to her mother’s home in the suburbs of Chicago. The return also forces Sadie to face the guilt she has choked down since the last time she left.
Jess Moran is fine with her love ’em and leave ’em reputation. She’s too busy with grad school to let herself be distracted by matters of the heart. Her plans for the summer break include lazy days in the sun and nights helping with her family’s craft vodka business. If she happens to stumble upon a few one-night stands along the way, all the better. But when she arrives home from school to find neighbor-turned-rock goddess Sadie swimming in her backyard pool, her plans for a quiet summer disappear like free samples of vodka at happy hour.
The more the two neighbors butt heads, the more they are drawn to one another. Will they find harmony? Or risk missing the beat and losing the rhythm of love…
Genre: Romance
Editor: Ann Roberts
Cover Designer: Pol Robinson
Jess Moran is fine with her love ’em and leave ’em reputation. She’s too busy with grad school to let herself be distracted by matters of the heart. Her plans for the summer break include lazy days in the sun and nights helping with her family’s craft vodka business. If she happens to stumble upon a few one-night stands along the way, all the better. But when she arrives home from school to find neighbor-turned-rock goddess Sadie swimming in her backyard pool, her plans for a quiet summer disappear like free samples of vodka at happy hour.
The more the two neighbors butt heads, the more they are drawn to one another. Will they find harmony? Or risk missing the beat and losing the rhythm of love…
Genre: Romance
Editor: Ann Roberts
Cover Designer: Pol Robinson
- GenresLGBT
204 pages, Paperback
First published September 17, 2020
3 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Cheri Ritz
8 books13 followersCheri Ritz loves a good romance novel so much that she decided to write one of her own! She enjoys attending her sons’ many activities, volunteering with a local LGBT film festival, and spending cozy weekends marathoning TV shows. She lives in a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with her wife, three sons, and the sweetest cat in the world.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 9, 2020
3.50 Stars. This was a cute New Adult romance. This is my second read by Ritz. While I didn’t love this one, I’m happy to say it was better than her debut book Vacation People. It’s nice to see an author improving with each book that they write and it gives me hope that I will really connect with one of her future books.
I am not the biggest NA fan, but I keep hoping that will change. I don’t know what it is but I feel like New Adult books play really young. I don’t get that feeling with YA, go figure, but NA characters normally feel very immature to me. With this book the main Sadie is 21 and the other main Jess is around 23. They did feel immature to me at times but I was glad that the book as whole did not feel too young. I think that was partially because of the group of secondary characters Ritz wrote.
One of my biggest complaints about Ritz’s debut was her secondary characters. They added nothing to the story and were not even needed. I’m happy to say that Ritz completely flipped things around for the better in this book. The secondary cast of characters was great and they honestly made the book better for me. The main character Sadie, is a drummer and wants to help her mom with her depression and grief. She decides that making a band with her mom and a bunch of other middle-aged moms, might just be the ticket. The whole thing was just super cute and ended up being some of my favorite parts of the book. Plus, it was really nice to see Ritz take something she didn’t do as well on in her debut, secondary characters, and make them into the strength of this book.
When it came to the romance for me I thought it was solid. I wasn’t wowed but it was good. I thought the chemistry was pretty well done between the characters. A slightly start and stop pace helped the chemistry slowly build up to a nice level. The angst parts of the romance felt a bit immature and also a little repetitive. The characters kept fighting over the same thing. The actual reason for most of the drama I liked, but the final angsty part was pretty lame. What was funny is that a co-worker calls out one of the main characters on how lame she really is acting. I had to chuckle at an author making fun of how dopey her written angst was. Ritz got points for me on that one.
Part of the angst that I liked had to do with a tiny, baby mystery. People are keeping secrets and as a reader we don’t know why. I liked that part. I had all these wild ideas and I kept guessing what the secret could be. I was wrong every guess, which I actually like that I could not correctly guess it. Plus, I just had fun trying to figure it out the whole time.
I keep reading New Adult books hoping I’ll enjoy them as much as YA, but I’m not there yet. However, I’m happy to say that I did enjoy this more than I expected. I had some issues with this book yes, but it was nice to see Ritz grow as an author plus this wasn’t bad entertainment for a few hours. If you are an NA fan looking for a cute story with medium angst, this might just be for you. I’m hoping three times is a charm and Ritz’s next book will really be a book for me.
An ARC was given to me for a honest review.
I am not the biggest NA fan, but I keep hoping that will change. I don’t know what it is but I feel like New Adult books play really young. I don’t get that feeling with YA, go figure, but NA characters normally feel very immature to me. With this book the main Sadie is 21 and the other main Jess is around 23. They did feel immature to me at times but I was glad that the book as whole did not feel too young. I think that was partially because of the group of secondary characters Ritz wrote.
One of my biggest complaints about Ritz’s debut was her secondary characters. They added nothing to the story and were not even needed. I’m happy to say that Ritz completely flipped things around for the better in this book. The secondary cast of characters was great and they honestly made the book better for me. The main character Sadie, is a drummer and wants to help her mom with her depression and grief. She decides that making a band with her mom and a bunch of other middle-aged moms, might just be the ticket. The whole thing was just super cute and ended up being some of my favorite parts of the book. Plus, it was really nice to see Ritz take something she didn’t do as well on in her debut, secondary characters, and make them into the strength of this book.
When it came to the romance for me I thought it was solid. I wasn’t wowed but it was good. I thought the chemistry was pretty well done between the characters. A slightly start and stop pace helped the chemistry slowly build up to a nice level. The angst parts of the romance felt a bit immature and also a little repetitive. The characters kept fighting over the same thing. The actual reason for most of the drama I liked, but the final angsty part was pretty lame. What was funny is that a co-worker calls out one of the main characters on how lame she really is acting. I had to chuckle at an author making fun of how dopey her written angst was. Ritz got points for me on that one.
Part of the angst that I liked had to do with a tiny, baby mystery. People are keeping secrets and as a reader we don’t know why. I liked that part. I had all these wild ideas and I kept guessing what the secret could be. I was wrong every guess, which I actually like that I could not correctly guess it. Plus, I just had fun trying to figure it out the whole time.
I keep reading New Adult books hoping I’ll enjoy them as much as YA, but I’m not there yet. However, I’m happy to say that I did enjoy this more than I expected. I had some issues with this book yes, but it was nice to see Ritz grow as an author plus this wasn’t bad entertainment for a few hours. If you are an NA fan looking for a cute story with medium angst, this might just be for you. I’m hoping three times is a charm and Ritz’s next book will really be a book for me.
An ARC was given to me for a honest review.
September 19, 2020
Let the Beat Drop is a quite forgettable new adult contemporary romance set in the small-town America.
The plot, as well as the conflict, was focused on the "keeping a big secret" trope and resulting miscommunication between potential lovers, Sadie and Jess. Jess acting bitchy and blowing hot and cold throughout the story was quite unlikable and annoying. Sadie seemed younger and more naive than her age. Their development as main characters lacked depth. They were just lacking in everything and their romance left me dissatisfied. No real chemistry there.
The story line around performing and writing songs (and not very good lyrics of those songs) was quite boring and made the reading frustrating and repetitive. At the end I was glad that the book was finally over. Ritz's debut book, Vacation People, was a better read than this one. This one is not a keeper for me, and I cannot recommend it.
2.25 stars
September 19, 2020
*A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.*
The plot, as well as the conflict, was focused on the "keeping a big secret" trope and resulting miscommunication between potential lovers, Sadie and Jess. Jess acting bitchy and blowing hot and cold throughout the story was quite unlikable and annoying. Sadie seemed younger and more naive than her age. Their development as main characters lacked depth. They were just lacking in everything and their romance left me dissatisfied. No real chemistry there.
The story line around performing and writing songs (and not very good lyrics of those songs) was quite boring and made the reading frustrating and repetitive. At the end I was glad that the book was finally over. Ritz's debut book, Vacation People, was a better read than this one. This one is not a keeper for me, and I cannot recommend it.
2.25 stars
September 19, 2020
*A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.*
September 15, 2020
When her band breaks up, Sadie, still reeling from her last relationship to loser Corey, decides to go back home and spend time with her mother, Jennifer, who’s struggling really hard with her grief over Sadie’s father’s death. As a way to help her mother get back out into the world, Sadie suggests she and her best friends play some music together. The idea turns out to be a success until the new band decides to play at the neighbourhood party Marley, Jennifer’s BFF, is planning. For some fathomless reason, Marley’s daughter, the uber-sexy Jess, is dead set against them playing in public.
I tried, I really tried to get into this story but hot-and-cold Jess is too much for me. I thought, at first, that she was really sweet based on her relationship with her mother. And she is, part of the time. But when she gets angry, even for legit reasons, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere near her.
There’s nothing wrong with the writing but I’m too character-driven to be able to really enjoy a book when I can’t connect with one of the MCs. I regret that all the more so as the plot is quite interesting, Marley’s secret and all.
Finally, when it comes to songs, I find authors writing lyrics really unnecessary. If you’re writing about a painter and tell me she’s talented, I don’t need to see her work to believe you. It’s the same with musicians. Me, the reader, trust you, the writer. I don’t need lyrics to a song I can’t listen to. It’s not the artist’s art I’m interested in, it’s their relationship to their art, what it means to them, what it makes them feel, and what it makes the love interest feel. Here, the lyrics weren’t bad (I have read much worse, including in really good books), but I don’t think they added much. Sadie’s relationship to her music is probably what I liked best in this book and Ritz described it really well.
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
I tried, I really tried to get into this story but hot-and-cold Jess is too much for me. I thought, at first, that she was really sweet based on her relationship with her mother. And she is, part of the time. But when she gets angry, even for legit reasons, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere near her.
There’s nothing wrong with the writing but I’m too character-driven to be able to really enjoy a book when I can’t connect with one of the MCs. I regret that all the more so as the plot is quite interesting, Marley’s secret and all.
Finally, when it comes to songs, I find authors writing lyrics really unnecessary. If you’re writing about a painter and tell me she’s talented, I don’t need to see her work to believe you. It’s the same with musicians. Me, the reader, trust you, the writer. I don’t need lyrics to a song I can’t listen to. It’s not the artist’s art I’m interested in, it’s their relationship to their art, what it means to them, what it makes them feel, and what it makes the love interest feel. Here, the lyrics weren’t bad (I have read much worse, including in really good books), but I don’t think they added much. Sadie’s relationship to her music is probably what I liked best in this book and Ritz described it really well.
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 14, 2020
This was my first novel by Ritz and I found it to be an easy, enjoyable read that passed the time quickly. As soon as I read the blurb I knew I would want to read this, as I often find musician based romances enjoyable, however whilst it had its moments it didn’t quite meet my expectations.
At its heart the book is a romance between Sadie and Jess after both return to their home town for the summer, but it takes a long time for the couple to actually get together, giving the book plenty of time to focus on the secondary storyline of a band of middle-aged women and the third storyline - a mystery that seemingly threads the narrative together and keeps you turning the page, both with anticipation and trepidation as to the eventual reveal.
All three storylines are done well, and I didn’t feel that the book was dragging on. Both Sadie and Jess frustrated me at times and whilst they both face turmoil for different reasons, something that normally bonds me with a character, I didn’t feel particularly connected to either MC, which stopped this being more than a high three star book for me and kept it in that easy read category.
I would recommend this to anyone looking for a quick easy relatively sweet romance to read. My feelings could easily be different to someone else’s - and it did leave me smiling at the end.
I received an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
At its heart the book is a romance between Sadie and Jess after both return to their home town for the summer, but it takes a long time for the couple to actually get together, giving the book plenty of time to focus on the secondary storyline of a band of middle-aged women and the third storyline - a mystery that seemingly threads the narrative together and keeps you turning the page, both with anticipation and trepidation as to the eventual reveal.
All three storylines are done well, and I didn’t feel that the book was dragging on. Both Sadie and Jess frustrated me at times and whilst they both face turmoil for different reasons, something that normally bonds me with a character, I didn’t feel particularly connected to either MC, which stopped this being more than a high three star book for me and kept it in that easy read category.
I would recommend this to anyone looking for a quick easy relatively sweet romance to read. My feelings could easily be different to someone else’s - and it did leave me smiling at the end.
I received an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 20, 2020
I really enjoyed Let the Beat Drop by Cheri Ritz. This is a New Adult romance about two young women who meet up again after circumstances force both to their childhood homes at the same time. Sadie’s rock band breaks up and she loses her apartment while Jess is home from grad school for the summer. The two haven’t seen each other since high school. They weren’t close then, but there is an almost instant attraction when they meet again. Unfortunately there is a secret that may keep them apart.
This is Ms. Ritz’s second novel, and I’m really pleased to say that I can see a definite improvement in her writing. Her characters are well-developed, especially her secondary characters, which I mentioned as a weakness in her first book. In fact, I really connected with her secondary characters. They made the story for me. This is probably because I’m closer in age to those characters than I am to the mains, but I believe it’s also due to how well she created these folks. She did a clever job with the secret that runs through the plot and causes most of the angst between Sadie and Jess. Ms. Ritz gave little hints all the way through the story, but never enough for me to figure it out until near the end. In fact, I never actually figured it out. One of the minor characters had to tell me in the tale. Some detective I am!
The romance is adorable, and perfect for the target age group this book is written for. I wish there had been more books like this when I was young, but I’m glad to see them now.
This is a really nice New Adult romance that would be ideal for adults in their twenties. Even though I am definitely not in that age group, I had fun reading this story, and I recommend it to all who are young at heart.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bella Books for an honest review.
This is Ms. Ritz’s second novel, and I’m really pleased to say that I can see a definite improvement in her writing. Her characters are well-developed, especially her secondary characters, which I mentioned as a weakness in her first book. In fact, I really connected with her secondary characters. They made the story for me. This is probably because I’m closer in age to those characters than I am to the mains, but I believe it’s also due to how well she created these folks. She did a clever job with the secret that runs through the plot and causes most of the angst between Sadie and Jess. Ms. Ritz gave little hints all the way through the story, but never enough for me to figure it out until near the end. In fact, I never actually figured it out. One of the minor characters had to tell me in the tale. Some detective I am!
The romance is adorable, and perfect for the target age group this book is written for. I wish there had been more books like this when I was young, but I’m glad to see them now.
This is a really nice New Adult romance that would be ideal for adults in their twenties. Even though I am definitely not in that age group, I had fun reading this story, and I recommend it to all who are young at heart.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bella Books for an honest review.
September 12, 2020
This book fell into that category of the less popular bridge between YA and adult, NA. (New Adult) I'm not the biggest fan of this genre, and this book was a prime example of one reason why.
I never came around to liking Jess. I get that we all have secrets, and why it was so difficult for her to share with Sadie. The secret itself was fine, and it kept me guessing. But her personality was driven by angst. Even before the past becomes a factor in her decisions, I could not stand her repetition of why she and Sadie could never, ever, ever be a thing. I can forgive Jess for being angsty about the secret, although I did think that she should have acknowledged it sooner, even if Sadie didn't get the full details. Then the truth comes out, and the next conflict is utterly pointless. They manage to straighten things out, and one make-up scene later, everything falls to pieces over something astonishingly insignificant. I'm going to assume that this was intentional on the author's part, because Jess does get called out on her idiocy. I suppose readers don't always have to agree with a character's decisions. It's more than possible that I've seen an abundance of Jess-trope characters recently and my frustration just boiled over here, but I'm not going to deny my own opinions.
The family theme was sweet, and the supporting cast was nicely done. They are what stopped me from disliking the story.
Three stars.
I never came around to liking Jess. I get that we all have secrets, and why it was so difficult for her to share with Sadie. The secret itself was fine, and it kept me guessing. But her personality was driven by angst. Even before the past becomes a factor in her decisions, I could not stand her repetition of why she and Sadie could never, ever, ever be a thing. I can forgive Jess for being angsty about the secret, although I did think that she should have acknowledged it sooner, even if Sadie didn't get the full details. Then the truth comes out, and the next conflict is utterly pointless. They manage to straighten things out, and one make-up scene later, everything falls to pieces over something astonishingly insignificant. I'm going to assume that this was intentional on the author's part, because Jess does get called out on her idiocy. I suppose readers don't always have to agree with a character's decisions. It's more than possible that I've seen an abundance of Jess-trope characters recently and my frustration just boiled over here, but I'm not going to deny my own opinions.
The family theme was sweet, and the supporting cast was nicely done. They are what stopped me from disliking the story.
Three stars.
September 21, 2020
A Sweet New Adult Story…
Sadie had her life turned upside down when her band fell apart in New York. Now she is back home and that’s a good thing because her mom isn’t doing well after the death of her father. Jess is home for the summer from grad school. She plans to work in the family business and chill out. When she arrives home to find the sexy rock star Sadie swimming in her pool, she wants to get to know her much better… Things get complicated when family secrets are threatened with exposure and emotions run high. Can these two find a way to keep harmonizing or will they crash and burn?
This is a light and sweet story. The girls both are very supportive and close to their mothers and want them to be safe, healthy and happy above all else. I liked how they interacted with their mothers and each other. They were so cute. I loved the awkwardness as they circled around each other at first and the closeness they share as they get to know each other better. Jess is really intense about keeping her secret (and justifiably so) while Sadie is more about living and loving in the moment. I am not really into this genre, I am far too old to be the target audience but I think most younger romance readers would find this fun and flirty summer read just the thing for a relaxing afternoon in the shade.
Sadie had her life turned upside down when her band fell apart in New York. Now she is back home and that’s a good thing because her mom isn’t doing well after the death of her father. Jess is home for the summer from grad school. She plans to work in the family business and chill out. When she arrives home to find the sexy rock star Sadie swimming in her pool, she wants to get to know her much better… Things get complicated when family secrets are threatened with exposure and emotions run high. Can these two find a way to keep harmonizing or will they crash and burn?
This is a light and sweet story. The girls both are very supportive and close to their mothers and want them to be safe, healthy and happy above all else. I liked how they interacted with their mothers and each other. They were so cute. I loved the awkwardness as they circled around each other at first and the closeness they share as they get to know each other better. Jess is really intense about keeping her secret (and justifiably so) while Sadie is more about living and loving in the moment. I am not really into this genre, I am far too old to be the target audience but I think most younger romance readers would find this fun and flirty summer read just the thing for a relaxing afternoon in the shade.
September 9, 2020
Sadie loves nothing more then playing on her drums making music with her band on stage. When her band breaks up and she loses her place to live she decide to go back home. She decides stay a while because one to figure out what she wants to do with her life and two because she wants to help her mom Jennifer who stills grief her father death.
Jess is coming home for the summer to help her mother Marley promotes her company Queens of Hearts which specializes in different vodka for a event. She a love them leave them type she doesn’t really let anyone in not even her best friend Cassie who she known over five years they been to school together.
Sadie thinks music can help her mother with her grief and forms a band with her mothers friends and to her surprise they are actually good. Sadie and Jess butt head over Jess mother playing in the band but Sadie doesn’t get why Jess doesn’t want her mother playing. The chemistry between them is on point Jess who never let anyone in is surprise when she want to let Sadie in. This was a great read. I like how Sadie and Jess loves their mothers.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.
Jess is coming home for the summer to help her mother Marley promotes her company Queens of Hearts which specializes in different vodka for a event. She a love them leave them type she doesn’t really let anyone in not even her best friend Cassie who she known over five years they been to school together.
Sadie thinks music can help her mother with her grief and forms a band with her mothers friends and to her surprise they are actually good. Sadie and Jess butt head over Jess mother playing in the band but Sadie doesn’t get why Jess doesn’t want her mother playing. The chemistry between them is on point Jess who never let anyone in is surprise when she want to let Sadie in. This was a great read. I like how Sadie and Jess loves their mothers.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.
May 2, 2021
Let the Beat Drop focuses on Sadie DuChamp who has been living and working as a musician in New York City when her band, Sugar Stix, breaks up. She is eventually evicted since she can no longer pay her rent. Sadie decides to return home for one year while she regroups to live with her mother, who was recently widowed, in a Chicago suburb.
Jess Moran is in grad school and returns home for the summer to work for her mother's craft vodka business, Queen of Hearts. Jess and Sadie's childhood homes are on the same street. They were also a few years apart in school. Jess spots Sadie in her family pool when she arrives back home and they are reintroduced.
When I read the description for this book I was eager to read it. However, as I progressed through the book I really didn't feel much of a connection to either Sadie or Jess or really even the basic storyline. The other main storyline that became evident was related to Jess' mom, Marley, and her mysterious background. I wasn't very intrigued by what was created for her background either. On a positive note, it was an easy read about the lives of a couple of young women around twenty-one to twenty-four years old. Maybe this book would better connect with someone in that age range.
I received an ARC from BellaBooks and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Jess Moran is in grad school and returns home for the summer to work for her mother's craft vodka business, Queen of Hearts. Jess and Sadie's childhood homes are on the same street. They were also a few years apart in school. Jess spots Sadie in her family pool when she arrives back home and they are reintroduced.
When I read the description for this book I was eager to read it. However, as I progressed through the book I really didn't feel much of a connection to either Sadie or Jess or really even the basic storyline. The other main storyline that became evident was related to Jess' mom, Marley, and her mysterious background. I wasn't very intrigued by what was created for her background either. On a positive note, it was an easy read about the lives of a couple of young women around twenty-one to twenty-four years old. Maybe this book would better connect with someone in that age range.
I received an ARC from BellaBooks and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 17, 2020
Sadie's in New York, she's a drummer in her band and they have just broken up and she has also broken up with her alcoholic boyfriend. Her father died several months ago and her mother is not coping and Sadie's feeling guilty for neglecting her so she decides to pack up and look after her mother. Jess is a grad student and heading home for the summer to help in her mother's business. Jess and Sadie's mother's are neighbours and good friends and Jess's mother has asked Jess to look after Sadie while she's in town. The physical attraction is immediate but it seems they're not destined to be together.
I quite enjoyed this book, there's the requisite angst however it would work better if amped up. Both Sadie and Jess were a bit annoying in terms of their maturity levels but then again they were just out of their teens and in their world everything is very dramatic. I'm looking forward to Ritz's next book, I think with a little improvement she'll be writing some great books.
I quite enjoyed this book, there's the requisite angst however it would work better if amped up. Both Sadie and Jess were a bit annoying in terms of their maturity levels but then again they were just out of their teens and in their world everything is very dramatic. I'm looking forward to Ritz's next book, I think with a little improvement she'll be writing some great books.
September 19, 2020
A quick an easy read but the style didn't really vibe with me.
The dialog felt quite clunky and unnatural a lot of the time and the intimate scenes even more so.
Examples include the using the pet names 'babe' and 'baby' almost immediately after admitting they were into each other and that band name. It made me smile when they first came up with it for sure. Pop culture references work well as band names but considering how odd a name it actually is; it made it pretty jarring to read 'Regina Phalange' literally every time the band was being discussed/thought about. A lot of those places could easily have been substituted with 'the band', 'our band' but they never were. I wish I could Ctrl+F to count just how many times it was used. Really odd.
The 'relationship drama' moments and general plot were very simplistic and again, clunky. It felt like a half-baked fanfiction at times.
It wasn't terrible but there is a lot of room for improvement.
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Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of the book in exchange for my honest review
The dialog felt quite clunky and unnatural a lot of the time and the intimate scenes even more so.
Examples include the using the pet names 'babe' and 'baby' almost immediately after admitting they were into each other and that band name. It made me smile when they first came up with it for sure. Pop culture references work well as band names but considering how odd a name it actually is; it made it pretty jarring to read 'Regina Phalange' literally every time the band was being discussed/thought about. A lot of those places could easily have been substituted with 'the band', 'our band' but they never were. I wish I could Ctrl+F to count just how many times it was used. Really odd.
The 'relationship drama' moments and general plot were very simplistic and again, clunky. It felt like a half-baked fanfiction at times.
It wasn't terrible but there is a lot of room for improvement.
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Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of the book in exchange for my honest review
September 26, 2020
One is home for the summer, Jessica Moran. Jess is a graduate student looking forward to finishing school and joining her mother in business. Jess is not looking for a relationship. The other, Sadie DuChamp, drummer, in a rock band that fell apart when the lead singer got a solo contract. Sadie is also heart broken and recovering from a nightmare of a relationship break up. When the two meet, there is chemistry and much back and forth with various issues impending their progress. The issues have to do with Jess, her mother and the need to protect.
What was most entertaining to me was the neighborhood moms organizing a band to help Sadie's mother get out her sadness after her husband passes away. Also, interesting and entertaining is the business Jess's mother started, Queen of Hearts. There was also a mystery that had me guessing throughout. In general, a fun read that had me frowning, smiling, and cheering.
ARC provided by Bella Books via Netgalley with thanks
What was most entertaining to me was the neighborhood moms organizing a band to help Sadie's mother get out her sadness after her husband passes away. Also, interesting and entertaining is the business Jess's mother started, Queen of Hearts. There was also a mystery that had me guessing throughout. In general, a fun read that had me frowning, smiling, and cheering.
ARC provided by Bella Books via Netgalley with thanks
September 12, 2020
“I guess I better go find my mom. But it was nice to see you again, rock star.”
She tried not to wince at the nickname. “Yeah. You too. I’ll get out of your pool and head home.”
A chance encounter sparked the flirtatious banter between Sadie and Jess who were both home for the summer albeit for different reasons.
Forced to return home after her band broke up, Sadie was picking up the pieces not only for the demise of her band but also the family she left behind. Music was her go to escape from life but without a band, can she hope to resurrect her career and life?
Jess never settled for anyone. Home only for the summer to spend time with her mother and assist with the latter’s vodka business, Sadie was not expected. When her mother tasked her to befriend Sadie, could she cast her attractions aside or is the attraction more than a summer fling?
3.5 stars for me. The book is low on angst and has its sweet moments. Overall an easy read but wish that the relationship was further developed as the characters, with their respective pasts, have much more to add to the book.
I just reviewed Let the Beat Drop by Cheri Ritz. #LettheBeatDrop #NetGalley
She tried not to wince at the nickname. “Yeah. You too. I’ll get out of your pool and head home.”
A chance encounter sparked the flirtatious banter between Sadie and Jess who were both home for the summer albeit for different reasons.
Forced to return home after her band broke up, Sadie was picking up the pieces not only for the demise of her band but also the family she left behind. Music was her go to escape from life but without a band, can she hope to resurrect her career and life?
Jess never settled for anyone. Home only for the summer to spend time with her mother and assist with the latter’s vodka business, Sadie was not expected. When her mother tasked her to befriend Sadie, could she cast her attractions aside or is the attraction more than a summer fling?
3.5 stars for me. The book is low on angst and has its sweet moments. Overall an easy read but wish that the relationship was further developed as the characters, with their respective pasts, have much more to add to the book.
I just reviewed Let the Beat Drop by Cheri Ritz. #LettheBeatDrop #NetGalley
February 22, 2023
*3.5 ⭐
I quite enjoyed this read 😊
The writing was a bit repetitive for my taste (specially concerning character descriptions), but overall it was flowy and light.
Regarding the story in itself, I loved that the band was made up by middle-aged mothers! I feel like we don't get enough exciting fiction about people in their 40s/50s, but this is definetly proof that there's still room to LIVE and explore new things at that age.
The romance was fine, if not a bit overdone. Like there were sooo many unnecessary arguments and fights that didn't really add anything new to the plot (felt like I was reading about the same issue over and over again). Still, I found it pleasant 😌
Definetly not an outstanding read, but a good choice for a quick book with a quirky plot!
I quite enjoyed this read 😊
The writing was a bit repetitive for my taste (specially concerning character descriptions), but overall it was flowy and light.
Regarding the story in itself, I loved that the band was made up by middle-aged mothers! I feel like we don't get enough exciting fiction about people in their 40s/50s, but this is definetly proof that there's still room to LIVE and explore new things at that age.
The romance was fine, if not a bit overdone. Like there were sooo many unnecessary arguments and fights that didn't really add anything new to the plot (felt like I was reading about the same issue over and over again). Still, I found it pleasant 😌
Definetly not an outstanding read, but a good choice for a quick book with a quirky plot!
March 15, 2021
I was enjoying this until... I wasn't anymore.
I was interested in these two women however the intimate connecting moments were interrupted way too many times. Once or twice..ok.. but it became silly.
The relationship seemed to become quite juvenile as the story progressed. I think at one point I even read "Will you be my girlfriend?"
That pretty much sealed it for me but then this dark secret from Jess's mothers past, which had been quietly building, had be gobsmacked.
At the half way point it was pretty much - just get to the end - for me.
A lovely start but ultimately, a disappointment.
I was interested in these two women however the intimate connecting moments were interrupted way too many times. Once or twice..ok.. but it became silly.
The relationship seemed to become quite juvenile as the story progressed. I think at one point I even read "Will you be my girlfriend?"
That pretty much sealed it for me but then this dark secret from Jess's mothers past, which had been quietly building, had be gobsmacked.
At the half way point it was pretty much - just get to the end - for me.
A lovely start but ultimately, a disappointment.
October 9, 2020
This wasn't what i expected from this and i felt underwhelmed like this needed to be edited again as there was something lacking from this. I thought the two women were interesting but i just didn't care too much about their relationship overall and there was a real sense of drama in the story for me.
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 28, 2021
Sadie DuChamp's fledgling rock career comes to. Grinding halt when the bank breaks up in a flurry of bad blood. In the aftermath of an awful relationship and the band going bust, Sadie returns home. She is assailed with guilt that she's not been home more or taken care of her mom after her father passed away a few months back. Sadie's mother is in the grip of depression and Sadie decides to spend a year with her before embarking on anything new.
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