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The Heartbreak Brothers #1
Take Me Home
A grammy-winning rock star falls for a small-town girl in this all-new standalone romance from author Carrie Elks.
Gray Hartson is coming home. After years of playing to sold-out stadiums around the world, the tattooed singer is determined to build bridges with his sick father and reconnect with the family he left behind.
But then he meets her . . . the beautiful waitress with the smart mouth who makes him laugh more than he has in years.
One small problem. She’s his ex-girlfriend’s sister. The only woman he can’t have.
Maddie Clark was an awkward teenager when Gray left. Now she slings hash in a backwater diner, her dreams of being a famous concert pianist left in tatters.
Don’t ask her why. She’ll never tell. Strong women do what it takes to keep a roof over their heads.
Until he walks through the door and complicates everything.
Their attraction is wrong.
But foolish hearts never listen to reason.
Maybe he should write a song about that.
Take Me Home is the first book in the Heartbreak Brothers series of emotional standalone romances, set in the small town of Hartson’s Creek.
Gray Hartson is coming home. After years of playing to sold-out stadiums around the world, the tattooed singer is determined to build bridges with his sick father and reconnect with the family he left behind.
But then he meets her . . . the beautiful waitress with the smart mouth who makes him laugh more than he has in years.
One small problem. She’s his ex-girlfriend’s sister. The only woman he can’t have.
Maddie Clark was an awkward teenager when Gray left. Now she slings hash in a backwater diner, her dreams of being a famous concert pianist left in tatters.
Don’t ask her why. She’ll never tell. Strong women do what it takes to keep a roof over their heads.
Until he walks through the door and complicates everything.
Their attraction is wrong.
But foolish hearts never listen to reason.
Maybe he should write a song about that.
Take Me Home is the first book in the Heartbreak Brothers series of emotional standalone romances, set in the small town of Hartson’s Creek.
308 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2020
2100 people are currently reading
5584 people want to read
About the author
Carrie Elks
73 books2,258 followersCarrie Elks is an international bestselling author of traditionally-published and self-published novels. Her books are sweet yet sexy contemporary small town romance stories. You can find her in all these places:
Website:https://www.carrieelks.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 380 reviews
October 29, 2020
Favorite Quotes:
“I’m sending the dogs out,” Della Thorsen shouted. “Sic 'em, Dodger.” “Dodger’s seventeen years old and incontinent,” Cora muttered to him. “Ignore her.”
Every day feels like one of those days sometimes, you know? Like you’re swimming against the tide when everybody else is on a motorboat, and right when you think you’re making progress, they circle around you and make sure their wake sends you under the surface.
“I only had a couple drinks.” “Four.” She held her fingers up. “A couple of couples.”
According to Mrs. Chilton, he looks like a ‘Beatnik’… I asked her what that meant, and it turns out he wears jeans that hang below his underwear, which is some kind of a crime around here.
I do kind of like her. The same way I kind of like Hannibal Lecter.
My Review:
This was a yummy, fun, and eventful read featuring a successful yet tired rocker returning to his small town after a ten years absence to check on his frail yet heinous father. The storylines were engaging, entertaining, and generously sprinkled with amusing wit, family drama, and a steamy romance. I enjoyed every word and am eager to continue on to the second and third installments, which are thankfully already locked and loaded on my beloved Kindle.
“I’m sending the dogs out,” Della Thorsen shouted. “Sic 'em, Dodger.” “Dodger’s seventeen years old and incontinent,” Cora muttered to him. “Ignore her.”
Every day feels like one of those days sometimes, you know? Like you’re swimming against the tide when everybody else is on a motorboat, and right when you think you’re making progress, they circle around you and make sure their wake sends you under the surface.
“I only had a couple drinks.” “Four.” She held her fingers up. “A couple of couples.”
According to Mrs. Chilton, he looks like a ‘Beatnik’… I asked her what that meant, and it turns out he wears jeans that hang below his underwear, which is some kind of a crime around here.
I do kind of like her. The same way I kind of like Hannibal Lecter.
My Review:
This was a yummy, fun, and eventful read featuring a successful yet tired rocker returning to his small town after a ten years absence to check on his frail yet heinous father. The storylines were engaging, entertaining, and generously sprinkled with amusing wit, family drama, and a steamy romance. I enjoyed every word and am eager to continue on to the second and third installments, which are thankfully already locked and loaded on my beloved Kindle.
April 14, 2020
Rock star returns to his hometown a decade later and finds himself enamored with the pretty little waitress at the local diner. He can't place her -- but she's got his number down pat. There's some fun to be had on the pages of this light-hearted rom-com. And a few surprises to go along with it. Love me charming small town romances -- and always enjoy the nosey neighbors and the not-so-nice old bittys, too. Nothing tragic, nothing dark and gritty, no blood and guts and no detailed sexual innuendoes either. Just throw in some family-related upheaval and you've got yourself an enjoyable and easy afternoon read. You'll share it with a lively group of characters along with a couple who make some sparks that end in a happily-ever-after burning love.
Another Kindle Unlimited choice checked off the list.
Another Kindle Unlimited choice checked off the list.
October 1, 2022
A lovely, comforting read and I don’t normally read romance books! Set in a small town in America this has all the feelings of a Goldie Hawn romcom. Gray returns to his hometown fresh from touring as a successful musician and bumps into the girl who got left behind.
January 31, 2021
4,5 🌟
Der Name ist hier Programm 😊 Es ist ein wenig wie nach Hause kommen, wenn man Kleinstadtgeschichten mag.
Vor allem solche, in denen die Bewohner ein bißchen verschroben, ein wenig konservativ, nicht alle unbedingt weltoffen, aber dafür eine eingeschworene Gemeinschaft sind.
Was hier wirklich gut gelungen ist, sind besonders die Charaktere, die am Klischee kratzen, es aber nicht gänzlich erfüllen. Und ich finde, davon gibt es hier doch einige.
Gray ist der verlorene Sohn, der mit seinem Vater nicht im Guten auseinander ging, und auch zehn Jahre später nicht so richtig warm mit ihm wird. Er ist aber weder der klassische Bad Boy-Rockstar, noch ist sein Vater nach all den Jahren versöhnlich gestimmt, wie man es vielleicht erwarten würde.
Maddie ist im Grunde das nette Mädchen von nebenan, aber sie ist es ganz bewusst, denn ihr liegt etwas an ihrer Heimatstadt, an ihrer Familie und auch an dem beschaulichen Leben fernab vom Trubel.
Zusammen sind die beiden wirklich herzerwärmend und einfach füreinander bestimmt. Ich denke, ich habe selten einen so schönen ersten Kuss gelesen ❤️
Auch die Nebencharaktere haben mir richtig gut gefallen. Ich mochte sowohl Grays Familie sehr, als auch Maddies Mom und ihre Schwester Ashleigh. Besonders in Ash steckt mehr, als man auf den ersten Blick vermuten würde. Ihr äußerlicher Perfektionismus hat mich so oft zum Schmunzeln gebracht, und sie war einfach immer für eine Überraschung gut.
Ich konnte mich so richtig in die Geschichte fallen lassen und ihre Wohlfühlatmosphäre genießen.
Einzig zu Maddies Vergangenheits-Problem hätte ich mir noch eine offizielle oder detailliertere Auflösung gewünscht. Das verlief nämlich sehr plötzlich im Sande.
Ich freue mich schon auf die Fortsetzung 😊
Der Name ist hier Programm 😊 Es ist ein wenig wie nach Hause kommen, wenn man Kleinstadtgeschichten mag.
Vor allem solche, in denen die Bewohner ein bißchen verschroben, ein wenig konservativ, nicht alle unbedingt weltoffen, aber dafür eine eingeschworene Gemeinschaft sind.
Was hier wirklich gut gelungen ist, sind besonders die Charaktere, die am Klischee kratzen, es aber nicht gänzlich erfüllen. Und ich finde, davon gibt es hier doch einige.
Gray ist der verlorene Sohn, der mit seinem Vater nicht im Guten auseinander ging, und auch zehn Jahre später nicht so richtig warm mit ihm wird. Er ist aber weder der klassische Bad Boy-Rockstar, noch ist sein Vater nach all den Jahren versöhnlich gestimmt, wie man es vielleicht erwarten würde.
Maddie ist im Grunde das nette Mädchen von nebenan, aber sie ist es ganz bewusst, denn ihr liegt etwas an ihrer Heimatstadt, an ihrer Familie und auch an dem beschaulichen Leben fernab vom Trubel.
Zusammen sind die beiden wirklich herzerwärmend und einfach füreinander bestimmt. Ich denke, ich habe selten einen so schönen ersten Kuss gelesen ❤️
Auch die Nebencharaktere haben mir richtig gut gefallen. Ich mochte sowohl Grays Familie sehr, als auch Maddies Mom und ihre Schwester Ashleigh. Besonders in Ash steckt mehr, als man auf den ersten Blick vermuten würde. Ihr äußerlicher Perfektionismus hat mich so oft zum Schmunzeln gebracht, und sie war einfach immer für eine Überraschung gut.
Ich konnte mich so richtig in die Geschichte fallen lassen und ihre Wohlfühlatmosphäre genießen.
Einzig zu Maddies Vergangenheits-Problem hätte ich mir noch eine offizielle oder detailliertere Auflösung gewünscht. Das verlief nämlich sehr plötzlich im Sande.
Ich freue mich schon auf die Fortsetzung 😊
November 29, 2021
Good read. Sweet rocker romance. The hero was 31 and the heroine was 25 but for some reason the hero seemed younger.
Gray returns to his hometown to help out his sister and their aunt, who are taking care of his ill father. He goes to the local diner and meets Maddie who he doesn't recognize as his high-school girlfriend's little sister. Maddie, who has always had a crush on him keeps her identity a secret.
I always enjoy a rocker romance. This one was pretty good. Gray was sweet to Maddie and was immensely drawn to her. He of course, falls for her and it didn't take Maddie much to fall for him. They have their issues, of course. Maddie's sister for one, who honestly, I thought was a major bitch at times but redeemed herself in the end with how she stood up for her sister. There is also a thing in Maddie's past that makes her wary of being with Gray. She was deeply hurt and humiliated in college.
Happy ending for all. The asshole ex got his just desserts and Maddie and Gray lived happily ever after.
Gray returns to his hometown to help out his sister and their aunt, who are taking care of his ill father. He goes to the local diner and meets Maddie who he doesn't recognize as his high-school girlfriend's little sister. Maddie, who has always had a crush on him keeps her identity a secret.
I always enjoy a rocker romance. This one was pretty good. Gray was sweet to Maddie and was immensely drawn to her. He of course, falls for her and it didn't take Maddie much to fall for him. They have their issues, of course. Maddie's sister for one, who honestly, I thought was a major bitch at times but redeemed herself in the end with how she stood up for her sister. There is also a thing in Maddie's past that makes her wary of being with Gray. She was deeply hurt and humiliated in college.
Happy ending for all. The asshole ex got his just desserts and Maddie and Gray lived happily ever after.
April 6, 2020
Inspired by the Lady Gaga/Bradley Coopers’ film "A Star is Born", I’d say Carrie hit the mark with Take Me Home. She left me absolutely GAGA over Gray Hartson and Maddie Clark. This story left me feeling so utterly happy. I inhaled this book and finished it over the course of an evening. I simply could not put it down and I didn’t even pretend I wouldn’t be staying up into the night to finish. If you've ever read a book where you found a certain activity ( such as a first date, etc) that stuck out to you as a favorite in your reading history, it really propels you to stay with the story until the final word. When I recognized this moment, "A goldilocks kiss that sent her soaring", I felt sheer joy.
We are first introduced to Gray as he's finishing show before heading to his small home town, Hartson’s Creek in Virginia, for the first time in ten years. He's immediately likable. He’s thoughtful, a little more mature, and taking this visit seriously. One of his first non-family run-ins is with a girl he doesn't immediately recognize, but one he feels a pull toward that can't be helped. The connection between Gray and Maddie left me beaming and Carrie Elks's dialogue writing shines strong. The slow-burn, banter between them made me giggle, left me anticipating whatever would come next, and led them to their first kiss qualifying one of my literary favorite first kisses:
“Is your mouth always this smart?” he asked her.
“Pretty much.” She batted her eyelashes at him. “But I think you know what to do about it.”
I'm GAGA for them, I tell you! The way they make each other feel, how they see each other, is magical and fosters hope for a long term relationship, but there are a few obstacles that they must navigate in order to get to the other side.
The nature of Gray's career and his visit would indicate there's an expiration on their relationship. One of the other key blocks is the fact her sister Ashleigh is his ex-girlfriend and he broke her heart. While Maddie is loyal, she's done so much to reconcile what she’s received with what she has given back, but she seems to feel she owes her family at the expense of her happiness. She’s made herself believe that she is content, but being content does not equal being happy. Fortunately Gray is oh so romantic and very persuasive!
Maddie also has a good friend that calls it as she sees it, helping to enlighten Maddie’s view. I had conflicted feelings with Ashleigh but she eventually made things right, helping Maddie deal with past trauma and leads her to see just how much she trusts Gray with her heart. Both characters grew so much throughout the story, and while their first kiss is a favorite of mine, these two have so many other great firsts. They share a sensibility, a passion and a newfound friendship in each other. I just love how they made each laugh and see that as reason enough to fight for each other and their HEA. I can't get these two out of my head or heart, and for that, I am happy 5++ Stars and Recommendation
We are first introduced to Gray as he's finishing show before heading to his small home town, Hartson’s Creek in Virginia, for the first time in ten years. He's immediately likable. He’s thoughtful, a little more mature, and taking this visit seriously. One of his first non-family run-ins is with a girl he doesn't immediately recognize, but one he feels a pull toward that can't be helped. The connection between Gray and Maddie left me beaming and Carrie Elks's dialogue writing shines strong. The slow-burn, banter between them made me giggle, left me anticipating whatever would come next, and led them to their first kiss qualifying one of my literary favorite first kisses:
“Is your mouth always this smart?” he asked her.
“Pretty much.” She batted her eyelashes at him. “But I think you know what to do about it.”
I'm GAGA for them, I tell you! The way they make each other feel, how they see each other, is magical and fosters hope for a long term relationship, but there are a few obstacles that they must navigate in order to get to the other side.
The nature of Gray's career and his visit would indicate there's an expiration on their relationship. One of the other key blocks is the fact her sister Ashleigh is his ex-girlfriend and he broke her heart. While Maddie is loyal, she's done so much to reconcile what she’s received with what she has given back, but she seems to feel she owes her family at the expense of her happiness. She’s made herself believe that she is content, but being content does not equal being happy. Fortunately Gray is oh so romantic and very persuasive!
Maddie also has a good friend that calls it as she sees it, helping to enlighten Maddie’s view. I had conflicted feelings with Ashleigh but she eventually made things right, helping Maddie deal with past trauma and leads her to see just how much she trusts Gray with her heart. Both characters grew so much throughout the story, and while their first kiss is a favorite of mine, these two have so many other great firsts. They share a sensibility, a passion and a newfound friendship in each other. I just love how they made each laugh and see that as reason enough to fight for each other and their HEA. I can't get these two out of my head or heart, and for that, I am happy 5++ Stars and Recommendation
January 30, 2026
Gray Hartson is coming home. After years of playing to sold-out stadiums around the world, the tattooed singer is determined to build bridges with his sick father and reconnect with the family he left behind.
But then he meets her . . . the beautiful waitress with the smart mouth who makes him laugh more than he has in years.
One small problem. She’s his ex-girlfriend’s sister. The only woman he can’t have.
Wonderful start for this series, which no doubt, I'll binge read.
I loved the characters in this one, especially sassy Maddie and felt for her when we find out what she went through.
Gray, well what can I say? Carrie does know how to make you fall for her mmc.
But then he meets her . . . the beautiful waitress with the smart mouth who makes him laugh more than he has in years.
One small problem. She’s his ex-girlfriend’s sister. The only woman he can’t have.
Wonderful start for this series, which no doubt, I'll binge read.
I loved the characters in this one, especially sassy Maddie and felt for her when we find out what she went through.
Gray, well what can I say? Carrie does know how to make you fall for her mmc.
August 16, 2021
Pretty nifty rock star story
Well there isn't much rockstar style because he comes home and mets a waitress in a diner. It's been 10 years since he's seen little Maddie. The whole story is pretty sweet and paces a long with all sorts of road blocks.
It's time to be home these days and reading a nice book....here it is.
Well there isn't much rockstar style because he comes home and mets a waitress in a diner. It's been 10 years since he's seen little Maddie. The whole story is pretty sweet and paces a long with all sorts of road blocks.
It's time to be home these days and reading a nice book....here it is.
June 24, 2021
Famous musician Gray Hartson never wanted to return to his hometown but after a decade of being away, he returns to take care of his sickly father. And that’s where he meets Maddie Clark, the sassy, gorgeous waitress at the local greasy spoon. But this isn’t the first time Gray has met Maddie, although it’s been many years. Maddie just so happens to be Gray’s high school sweetheart’s little sister.
Maddie had big plans to pursue a music career and even went as far as attending a music university, but something took that dream away from her. And now she’s back home waitressing, teaching piano lessons on the side and taking care of her mama. She thought she was going places once, but now Maddie thinks she isn’t destined for greatness.
Until she meets Gray. He makes Maddie feel alive again. And Maddie makes Gray want to stay in the one place he vowed never to return to. The only problem—what would happen if Maddie’s sister found out about their secret relationship?
Take Me Home by Carrie Elks is book 1 in the Heartbreak Brothers series. This was a great rockstar meets small town romance. I liked the forbidden element thrown in with Maddie being Gray’s ex’s little sister, which gave them a reason to sneak around and try to resist their feelings at first. I wish this was written in first person POV—third person POV took me away from the story at times. Otherwise, this was a really light, cute read! 3.5/5 stars.
Maddie had big plans to pursue a music career and even went as far as attending a music university, but something took that dream away from her. And now she’s back home waitressing, teaching piano lessons on the side and taking care of her mama. She thought she was going places once, but now Maddie thinks she isn’t destined for greatness.
Until she meets Gray. He makes Maddie feel alive again. And Maddie makes Gray want to stay in the one place he vowed never to return to. The only problem—what would happen if Maddie’s sister found out about their secret relationship?
Take Me Home by Carrie Elks is book 1 in the Heartbreak Brothers series. This was a great rockstar meets small town romance. I liked the forbidden element thrown in with Maddie being Gray’s ex’s little sister, which gave them a reason to sneak around and try to resist their feelings at first. I wish this was written in first person POV—third person POV took me away from the story at times. Otherwise, this was a really light, cute read! 3.5/5 stars.
October 28, 2024
SPONSORERET ANMELDELSE
Jeg har tidligere læst de tre første bøger i forfatterens Angel Sands-serie, så jeg havde visse forventninger til bogen, og de blev heldigvis indfriet.
Det er en sød, velskrevet og medrivende small town romance, tilsat en tilpas portion drama og en smule spice. Bogens setting er den lille by Hartson’s Creek i Virginia, hvor sladderen løber hurtigere end en væddeløbshest. I bøger som denne, der foregår i en lille amerikansk by, kerer indbyggerne sig ofte meget om hinanden. Det har jeg ikke rigtigt indtryk af, er tilfældet i denne bog, hvilket er lidt underligt men egentligt også ret forfriskende. Det får bogen til at fremstå mindre poleret og mere realistisk.
Udover at handle om kærlighed er der også stor fokus på familierelationer fx Grays meget problematiske forhold til sin strenge far og Maddies forhold til sin uopnåelige (i Maddies øjne) søster, der får Maddie og Gray til at holde deres forhold hemmeligt. Bogen handler også om at være berømt, og hvordan manglen på privatliv kan påvirke et forhold.
Jeg har virkelig en svaghed for Maddie, som er vokset op i skyggen af sin ”perfekte” søster og derfor lider af mindreværdskomplekser. Hun gennemgår noget af en udvikling i bogen, hvor hun lærer at stå op for sig selv og være ligeglad med, hvad andre tænker.
I epilogen lægges der op til den næste selvstændige bog i serien, som er Tanners historie. Den vil jeg rigtig gerne læse, så jeg krydser fingre for, at forlaget oversætter den.
Jeg har tidligere læst de tre første bøger i forfatterens Angel Sands-serie, så jeg havde visse forventninger til bogen, og de blev heldigvis indfriet.
Det er en sød, velskrevet og medrivende small town romance, tilsat en tilpas portion drama og en smule spice. Bogens setting er den lille by Hartson’s Creek i Virginia, hvor sladderen løber hurtigere end en væddeløbshest. I bøger som denne, der foregår i en lille amerikansk by, kerer indbyggerne sig ofte meget om hinanden. Det har jeg ikke rigtigt indtryk af, er tilfældet i denne bog, hvilket er lidt underligt men egentligt også ret forfriskende. Det får bogen til at fremstå mindre poleret og mere realistisk.
Udover at handle om kærlighed er der også stor fokus på familierelationer fx Grays meget problematiske forhold til sin strenge far og Maddies forhold til sin uopnåelige (i Maddies øjne) søster, der får Maddie og Gray til at holde deres forhold hemmeligt. Bogen handler også om at være berømt, og hvordan manglen på privatliv kan påvirke et forhold.
Jeg har virkelig en svaghed for Maddie, som er vokset op i skyggen af sin ”perfekte” søster og derfor lider af mindreværdskomplekser. Hun gennemgår noget af en udvikling i bogen, hvor hun lærer at stå op for sig selv og være ligeglad med, hvad andre tænker.
I epilogen lægges der op til den næste selvstændige bog i serien, som er Tanners historie. Den vil jeg rigtig gerne læse, så jeg krydser fingre for, at forlaget oversætter den.
July 29, 2020
I received an ARC of this book and this is my voluntarily, honest review of it.
OMG!! ‘Take me home’ just became my favourite book of the writer Carrie Elks!
From the moment that I heard that this writer would write a story about a rockstar, I have been impatiently waiting for this story. I have read quite a few rockstar stories so it’s not a new genre to me but it’s the first time that this writer wrote about one so I was very excited about that.
The main character Gray may be a rockstar but this story is about much more than that. It’s about growing up and living in a small town where everyone knows everyone and where it’s hard to keep secrets, it’s about a family that never got over the loss of a loved one, the hurt they can cause and the bond between siblings. It’s about two lonely people looking for love, for a place or a special person to call home. About not being afraid to fight for what you want and having each other back no matter what.
The main characters Gray and Maddie were such lovely characters! I loved their honesty with each other, they never played games. The connection between them was wonderful, emotional, loveable and filled with intense chemistry.
And then you had Gray’s younger brothers, Cameron, Logan and Tanner. I can totally understand that the people of their hometown called them the Heartbreak brothers when they were young! They were certainly very interesting secondary characters.
The fact that Gray once dated Maddie’s older sister Ashleigh in high school gave this story an extra something. A little bit of a taboo, because how do you tell your sister that you are falling for her ex, the boy that broke her heart so many years ago.
So, if you’re looking for a dark rockstar story than don’t read this story! But if you’re looking for a light read filled with fun, emotions, hope, love and hot guys than you have to give this one definitely a try.
‘Take me home’ is the first book in the ‘Heartbreak brothers’ series and it’s a wonderful start to a new series. I’m very delighted that the next stories in this series will be about Gray’s younger brothers. I can’t wait to read them!
OMG!! ‘Take me home’ just became my favourite book of the writer Carrie Elks!
From the moment that I heard that this writer would write a story about a rockstar, I have been impatiently waiting for this story. I have read quite a few rockstar stories so it’s not a new genre to me but it’s the first time that this writer wrote about one so I was very excited about that.
The main character Gray may be a rockstar but this story is about much more than that. It’s about growing up and living in a small town where everyone knows everyone and where it’s hard to keep secrets, it’s about a family that never got over the loss of a loved one, the hurt they can cause and the bond between siblings. It’s about two lonely people looking for love, for a place or a special person to call home. About not being afraid to fight for what you want and having each other back no matter what.
The main characters Gray and Maddie were such lovely characters! I loved their honesty with each other, they never played games. The connection between them was wonderful, emotional, loveable and filled with intense chemistry.
And then you had Gray’s younger brothers, Cameron, Logan and Tanner. I can totally understand that the people of their hometown called them the Heartbreak brothers when they were young! They were certainly very interesting secondary characters.
The fact that Gray once dated Maddie’s older sister Ashleigh in high school gave this story an extra something. A little bit of a taboo, because how do you tell your sister that you are falling for her ex, the boy that broke her heart so many years ago.
So, if you’re looking for a dark rockstar story than don’t read this story! But if you’re looking for a light read filled with fun, emotions, hope, love and hot guys than you have to give this one definitely a try.
‘Take me home’ is the first book in the ‘Heartbreak brothers’ series and it’s a wonderful start to a new series. I’m very delighted that the next stories in this series will be about Gray’s younger brothers. I can’t wait to read them!
November 4, 2024
Why is Maddie supposedly off limits to Gray? He and her sister broke up at least ten years ago and the sister is now married with two kids. The so-called guilt is completely contrived. How old are these people? Still in high school? Man up and grow some balls. The write-up almost seems like a bait and switch to make this sound like a scintillating read.
Maybe my expectations were too high but I found this a rather lackluster read. Maddie’s “shameful” past wasn’t her fault and I think the reason it was earth shattering was because she was so young and unworldly when it happened. She bounced back pretty damn fast when it was revealed years later. This raised the question of how could Gray spot her when surrounded by screaming fans? Not only that but the two of them managed a conversation in the midst of all the furor.
Both Gray and Maddie’s issues seemed to stem from when they were much younger. I guess their psyches had been impacted enough that it carried over to adulthood.
I couldn’t understand her insistence upon returning to a small town to live. Everybody knew her business and were neither shy, forgiving nor willing to forget any indiscretions. FFS, the women got together once a week to rake everyone over the coals.
Maybe my expectations were too high but I found this a rather lackluster read. Maddie’s “shameful” past wasn’t her fault and I think the reason it was earth shattering was because she was so young and unworldly when it happened. She bounced back pretty damn fast when it was revealed years later. This raised the question of how could Gray spot her when surrounded by screaming fans? Not only that but the two of them managed a conversation in the midst of all the furor.
Both Gray and Maddie’s issues seemed to stem from when they were much younger. I guess their psyches had been impacted enough that it carried over to adulthood.
I couldn’t understand her insistence upon returning to a small town to live. Everybody knew her business and were neither shy, forgiving nor willing to forget any indiscretions. FFS, the women got together once a week to rake everyone over the coals.
February 14, 2021
Ein Buch, dass sich anfühlt wie Nachhause kommen!
Eine Kleinstadt, verrückte und verschrobene Bewohner, ein Mädchen, dass seit Jahren in einen ganz bestimmten Jungen verliebt ist und ein Junge, der auszog um Rockstar zu werden und nun zurückkehrt, um sich eine Pause von all dem zu nehmen...eine perfekte Story für einen kuscheligen Abend! Ich hab mich ab der ersten Seite unglaublich wohl gefühlt!
Was mir neben der Kleinstadtatmosphäre und der schönen Slow Burn Love-Story besonders gefallen hat? 1. Die völlig unterschiedlichen, witzigen und tollen Charaktere. 2. Die Geschichte kratzt zwar leicht an bestimmten Klischees, erfüllt sie aber dann doch nicht. (Bestes Beispiel: Gray, der zwar ein gefeierter Rockstar, aber weit entfernt von irgendwelchen Abstürzen, Drogenproblemen oder ähnlichem ist)
3. Die Autorin hat es geschafft, ganz wunderbar ohne künstliches Drama auszukommen.
Gray und Maddie haben mir wirklich ein paar super schöne Lesestunden beschert. Die beiden sich so toll zusammen und ihre Dialoge sind teilweise zum Brüllen. Aber nicht nur die beiden machen richtig Spaß...auch die Nebencharaktere wie z.B. Grays Brüder und ein paar andere Bewohner haben mir beim Lesen das ein oder andere Schmunzeln ins Gesicht gezaubert.
Fazit: Absolute Wohlfühlleseempfehlung und ich freue mich jetzt schon auf Band 2!
Eine Kleinstadt, verrückte und verschrobene Bewohner, ein Mädchen, dass seit Jahren in einen ganz bestimmten Jungen verliebt ist und ein Junge, der auszog um Rockstar zu werden und nun zurückkehrt, um sich eine Pause von all dem zu nehmen...eine perfekte Story für einen kuscheligen Abend! Ich hab mich ab der ersten Seite unglaublich wohl gefühlt!
Was mir neben der Kleinstadtatmosphäre und der schönen Slow Burn Love-Story besonders gefallen hat? 1. Die völlig unterschiedlichen, witzigen und tollen Charaktere. 2. Die Geschichte kratzt zwar leicht an bestimmten Klischees, erfüllt sie aber dann doch nicht. (Bestes Beispiel: Gray, der zwar ein gefeierter Rockstar, aber weit entfernt von irgendwelchen Abstürzen, Drogenproblemen oder ähnlichem ist)
3. Die Autorin hat es geschafft, ganz wunderbar ohne künstliches Drama auszukommen.
Gray und Maddie haben mir wirklich ein paar super schöne Lesestunden beschert. Die beiden sich so toll zusammen und ihre Dialoge sind teilweise zum Brüllen. Aber nicht nur die beiden machen richtig Spaß...auch die Nebencharaktere wie z.B. Grays Brüder und ein paar andere Bewohner haben mir beim Lesen das ein oder andere Schmunzeln ins Gesicht gezaubert.
Fazit: Absolute Wohlfühlleseempfehlung und ich freue mich jetzt schon auf Band 2!
April 6, 2020
I give this book 4,5 stars!
I really loved this romance between a rockstar and a waitress in the small town of Hartson’s Creek. Carrie Elks has made a really great backdrop for her new series set in Hartson’s Creek. A small town full of side characters who are really funny and a little weird. Every Friday evening they hold “Chairs” an event were most of the town meet up by the creek and sit on chairs and gossip over drinks and food. When Gray Hartson (a famous rockstar) returns to the town after 10 years you can bet the gossip runs wild. And when he starts to spend a little to much time with his high school ex-girlfriend’s little sister Maddie who returned to town with a big secret that could destroy both of their reputations everything starts to snowball.
This story is about making amends with family members, of fighting your fears in terms of love, life, gossip, friends, ex-friends, ex-lovers and family and figuring out and fighting for what you want out of life.
I fell in love with this town and the people in it and following Gray and Maddie’s fight to get their happily ever after both with each other but also with their families was beautiful and very emotional.
And when Maddie got revenge I actually raised my fist and said “You go, Girl”. I can’t pull that off in public but I just had to because what an idiot her ex was!
I had a little trouble with the length of the book and at times it went to slow for me but otherwise it was amazing.
I can definitely recommend this book. And I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I really loved this romance between a rockstar and a waitress in the small town of Hartson’s Creek. Carrie Elks has made a really great backdrop for her new series set in Hartson’s Creek. A small town full of side characters who are really funny and a little weird. Every Friday evening they hold “Chairs” an event were most of the town meet up by the creek and sit on chairs and gossip over drinks and food. When Gray Hartson (a famous rockstar) returns to the town after 10 years you can bet the gossip runs wild. And when he starts to spend a little to much time with his high school ex-girlfriend’s little sister Maddie who returned to town with a big secret that could destroy both of their reputations everything starts to snowball.
This story is about making amends with family members, of fighting your fears in terms of love, life, gossip, friends, ex-friends, ex-lovers and family and figuring out and fighting for what you want out of life.
I fell in love with this town and the people in it and following Gray and Maddie’s fight to get their happily ever after both with each other but also with their families was beautiful and very emotional.
And when Maddie got revenge I actually raised my fist and said “You go, Girl”. I can’t pull that off in public but I just had to because what an idiot her ex was!
I had a little trouble with the length of the book and at times it went to slow for me but otherwise it was amazing.
I can definitely recommend this book. And I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 21, 2020
There’s so much to this book…. young love, mature love, heartbreak and betrayal… and a family that sticks together through thick and thin. Oh, and we certainly can’t forget Aunt Karma. It’s so nice when she visits. She always makes the bad guys pay.
This is an emotional read, but, oh so heartwarming at the same time. It’s easy to judge a person on the outside…. but looking in, deep inside their inner being, usually shows a very different person. Without giving spoilers here’s my impressions:
Gray … a lost soul who never felt a father’s love. He relied on his music, the crowds, the concerts, to keep him moving forward. But Gray knows the price of fame and fortune and refuses to settle. He’s the eldest ‘Heartbreaker’ and had to fill big shoes to care for his brothers when their mother died.
Maddie … it was easy to relate to Maddie .She always felt like a shadow of her sister. She did her best to escape small town life and make her own way. She had the talent but needed the confidence. She gets her big break but unfortunate events strip that away. Now she’s back in that small, country hometown where gossipers reign, but so does family.
Ash … the glamorous sister that always gets what she wants. Oh does she put on a good act, but part of that cold exterior is hiding a soft heart that knows how to rebound and fight for right.
Aunt Gina … oh how I hope she gets her HEA. She deserves it.
Becca … fiesty and sweet friend to Maddie … and she’s Gray’s sister.
Heartbreaker Brothers: they may play a small role here but it’s an important role. The Heartbreaker brothers are special and I’m looking forward to reading their adventures and misadventures in future books. We get a good tease in this book as to who they are and their personalities.
OBSERVATIONS:
✓ Loved how Aunt Karma pays a visit to the ‘bad guy’. However, I would like to know what dinky dive he was relegated to when performing his swan song. He more than deserved it. When you make your bed, you gotta learn how to sleep in it.
✓ Gray was wonderful, protective and strong. He overcome a lot growing up and used that to move him forward. Hard to imagine any woman not wanting a Gray in their life.
✓ Of course nothing is perfect. My biggest complaint was using G_d’s name in vane, several times. It wasn’t necessary. The storyline’s flow would not have been hurt by changing that particular verbiage.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is an emotional read, but, oh so heartwarming at the same time. It’s easy to judge a person on the outside…. but looking in, deep inside their inner being, usually shows a very different person. Without giving spoilers here’s my impressions:
Gray … a lost soul who never felt a father’s love. He relied on his music, the crowds, the concerts, to keep him moving forward. But Gray knows the price of fame and fortune and refuses to settle. He’s the eldest ‘Heartbreaker’ and had to fill big shoes to care for his brothers when their mother died.
Maddie … it was easy to relate to Maddie .She always felt like a shadow of her sister. She did her best to escape small town life and make her own way. She had the talent but needed the confidence. She gets her big break but unfortunate events strip that away. Now she’s back in that small, country hometown where gossipers reign, but so does family.
Ash … the glamorous sister that always gets what she wants. Oh does she put on a good act, but part of that cold exterior is hiding a soft heart that knows how to rebound and fight for right.
Aunt Gina … oh how I hope she gets her HEA. She deserves it.
Becca … fiesty and sweet friend to Maddie … and she’s Gray’s sister.
Heartbreaker Brothers: they may play a small role here but it’s an important role. The Heartbreaker brothers are special and I’m looking forward to reading their adventures and misadventures in future books. We get a good tease in this book as to who they are and their personalities.
OBSERVATIONS:
✓ Loved how Aunt Karma pays a visit to the ‘bad guy’. However, I would like to know what dinky dive he was relegated to when performing his swan song. He more than deserved it. When you make your bed, you gotta learn how to sleep in it.
✓ Gray was wonderful, protective and strong. He overcome a lot growing up and used that to move him forward. Hard to imagine any woman not wanting a Gray in their life.
✓ Of course nothing is perfect. My biggest complaint was using G_d’s name in vane, several times. It wasn’t necessary. The storyline’s flow would not have been hurt by changing that particular verbiage.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 7, 2020
I absolutely love a rock star romance and when I heard that Carrie was writing a new series featuring one as the main character, I just had to sign up to get to be one of the first to read it. Well I can tell you now that Gray and Maddie's story is up there amongst some of the best ones that I have ever read. It's the kind of story that automatically draws you in, it has drama in abundance to keep you as the reader interested in its characters and a dreamy romance that every girl can only ever dream about.
This was such an easy read for me as the story flowed so well and as always with this authors writing, I never felt disappointed in which way the storyline played out. It took its characters through a lot of emotional turmoil and made them go through life changes they didn't know they were looking for.
This book was addictive reading and as the start of this brilliant new series, i'm really looking forward to reading many more books to come.
This was such an easy read for me as the story flowed so well and as always with this authors writing, I never felt disappointed in which way the storyline played out. It took its characters through a lot of emotional turmoil and made them go through life changes they didn't know they were looking for.
This book was addictive reading and as the start of this brilliant new series, i'm really looking forward to reading many more books to come.
November 21, 2024
2.5 stars…
The narrators were good, and there were parts of this story I liked. But the big thing that knocked off a full star (and maybe more) is one of my personal reading peeves: hinting at a big terrible secret through a whole book, and then it not being a big deal. This time it really was a terrible ordeal for the heroine, but instead of it being a reason why she couldn’t get involved with someone who is famous (a totally legitimate reason), she used it as “poor me, I’m no good for you” baloney. I like my heroines more mature and less pitiful.
This was my first book by this author, but I’m definitely interested in listening to at least one more.
The narrators were good, and there were parts of this story I liked. But the big thing that knocked off a full star (and maybe more) is one of my personal reading peeves: hinting at a big terrible secret through a whole book, and then it not being a big deal. This time it really was a terrible ordeal for the heroine, but instead of it being a reason why she couldn’t get involved with someone who is famous (a totally legitimate reason), she used it as “poor me, I’m no good for you” baloney. I like my heroines more mature and less pitiful.
This was my first book by this author, but I’m definitely interested in listening to at least one more.
May 30, 2021
#GrayHartsonRockStar
#ExGirlfriendSister
#ClarkSisters
#SmallTownGossips
#Chairs
#Piano&Guitar
#Play4MeGray
#Father&Son
#ComeBackHome
#TakeMeHome
#WorstEggInTown
#ExGirlfriendSister
#ClarkSisters
#SmallTownGossips
#Chairs
#Piano&Guitar
#Play4MeGray
#Father&Son
#ComeBackHome
#TakeMeHome
#WorstEggInTown
September 18, 2025
3 stars
This is otherwise a 3.5-4 star read, but I really really hate revenge porn stories. Ending up skipping forward through a few scenes.
This is otherwise a 3.5-4 star read, but I really really hate revenge porn stories. Ending up skipping forward through a few scenes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2020
Gray and Maddie grabbed my heart intense emotional broken heart stopping love story
Ready for more
Ready for more
December 7, 2024
Min første bog af forfatteren, helt sikkert ikke den sidste.
Jeg blev forelsket i den lille sladre by og deres til trods for det, meget store sammenhold. Elsker den stærke kemi som er imellem hovedpersonerne, humoren er god. Så har begge parter nogle traumer, som de skal forholde sig til. Men den gnist som der er, er virkelig vidunderlig, jeg kunne slet ikke slippe den da jeg først åbnede den. En rigtig pageturner. Den er med lidt spicy scener og så er der bare noget over sådan en rock stjerne, som kommer hjem til rødderne og får lov at være sig selv.
Er vild med Maddie og hele hendes væsen, hendes sårbarhed og samtidig hendes styrke. Ydermere så er Gray da bare til at spise, han har fået rendt hornene sig af sig og er nu nået til kernen i hvem han er og hvad han vil, målrettet, lækker og skøn.
Behøver jeg at nævne han har 3 brødre og en søster, så der er da lagt op til en steamy small town serie, som helt sikkert skal læses.
5/6 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Jeg blev forelsket i den lille sladre by og deres til trods for det, meget store sammenhold. Elsker den stærke kemi som er imellem hovedpersonerne, humoren er god. Så har begge parter nogle traumer, som de skal forholde sig til. Men den gnist som der er, er virkelig vidunderlig, jeg kunne slet ikke slippe den da jeg først åbnede den. En rigtig pageturner. Den er med lidt spicy scener og så er der bare noget over sådan en rock stjerne, som kommer hjem til rødderne og får lov at være sig selv.
Er vild med Maddie og hele hendes væsen, hendes sårbarhed og samtidig hendes styrke. Ydermere så er Gray da bare til at spise, han har fået rendt hornene sig af sig og er nu nået til kernen i hvem han er og hvad han vil, målrettet, lækker og skøn.
Behøver jeg at nævne han har 3 brødre og en søster, så der er da lagt op til en steamy small town serie, som helt sikkert skal læses.
5/6 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 4, 2020
Oh I do love it when one of my favourite contemporary romance authors brings out a new book series. Carrie Elks has just released book one in a brand new series called The Heartbreak Brothers and book one: Take Me Home introduces us to the four brothers Gray, Logan, Cam and Tanner. Take Me Home focuses on big brother Gray's story. Ever since Gray's mother died when he was a young boy he's tried to be the big man and protect his siblings from any further hurt, although he had a strong exterior deep down he was broken. Since that sad day when he lost his mum his dad has never been the same and has found faults with all the boys, he has also found it difficult to show any affection towards them. Gray has a younger sister but as the youngest and only female in the family Becca doesn't seem to get as much grief from her father as the boys. So as soon as Gray could leave home he did, he found solace in his music and has built a successful career as a rock musician.
It's been 10 years since Gray has been back home to the sleepy town but his father is quite ill and his sister needs Gray home. Arriving back home is bringing all sorts of emotions and anxieties back to the forefront of his mind but Gray also feels a sort of calm as he escapes the crazy of LA and the rock scene with the groupies and constant media hounding. Gray is feeling a little frazzled with his rock star life so a few weeks with his family is a welcome relief.
Maddie has lived in the sleepy town all her life and knew Gray when he dated her sister at high school. She's secretly harboured a crush on Gray and when she finds out he's returned home her hearts flips a beat and she feels like a lovestruck teenager again. There's one problem though, Gray is her sister's ex-boyfriend and she knows he's a no go area.
Gray and Maddie can't help but bump into each other in the small town and a friendship forms whilst helping him settle back into small town life but when the friendship develops into a sizzling chemistry can Gray and Maddie breakaway from the past and start afresh?
Once again Carrie Elks has written an addictive, sexy, unputdownable story that is romantic and heated leaving you wanting more and we do have 3 more brothers to look forward to!
It's been 10 years since Gray has been back home to the sleepy town but his father is quite ill and his sister needs Gray home. Arriving back home is bringing all sorts of emotions and anxieties back to the forefront of his mind but Gray also feels a sort of calm as he escapes the crazy of LA and the rock scene with the groupies and constant media hounding. Gray is feeling a little frazzled with his rock star life so a few weeks with his family is a welcome relief.
Maddie has lived in the sleepy town all her life and knew Gray when he dated her sister at high school. She's secretly harboured a crush on Gray and when she finds out he's returned home her hearts flips a beat and she feels like a lovestruck teenager again. There's one problem though, Gray is her sister's ex-boyfriend and she knows he's a no go area.
Gray and Maddie can't help but bump into each other in the small town and a friendship forms whilst helping him settle back into small town life but when the friendship develops into a sizzling chemistry can Gray and Maddie breakaway from the past and start afresh?
Once again Carrie Elks has written an addictive, sexy, unputdownable story that is romantic and heated leaving you wanting more and we do have 3 more brothers to look forward to!
April 7, 2020
‘Take Me Home’ is the story of Gray Hartson. Gray is a famous rock star who left his small home town of Hartson’s Creek a decade ago without looking back. Gray won Grammy’s, has been on many tours and has a beautiful home in L.A. But now it’s time to go back home and be with his family. But being a famous singer in a small town takes some getting used too. So when Gray meets this beautiful girl Maddie Clark in a diner, who treats him like he is just a normal guy, he is immediately attracted to her. But she also seems slightly familiar.
If you’ve been on Maureen’s Books before, you know that I really like romance novels and small towns. And this book simple was perfect in that aspect. From the moment I started reading ‘Take Me Home’, I was hooked. I started reading in the evening, and finished reading it the next morning before work (and my job start at 7.30 a.m., so I had to get up early). It was just that good.
The setting of Hartson’s Creek really was the way I like it. A small town, a lot of gossip, a little diner, a unique tradition, fun characters.. I loved it! I was picturing me walking through Hartson’s Creek right from the start. And before I knew it, I felt like I knew this town and its population for real.
The two main characters Gray and Maddie where really fun to read about. And their chemistry was flying of these pages from the start. Although Gray is a Rockstar, and definitely has lived as one, he is also just a normal guy who loves music. I loved how kind he was and how hard he seemed to work for his music. And his stubbornness also was very fun. I could easily picture him sitting with his father arguing because they were both so stubborn.
Maddie’s character has this ‘girl-next-door’ vibe, and she was very easy to like. She was funny, caring and definitely a girl I’d like to hang around with. Maddie really tries to take care of everyone, and sometimes even at her own cost. Match these two together, and let me tell you sparks are flying.
The romance between Gray and Maddie was really good. Right from the start it gave me all the butterflies. The way they meet, the way they get to know each other better.. It was really good and I couldn’t get enough of them.
‘Take Me Home’ is the first book in the Heartbreak brothers series and I can’t wait to read more. Especially after reading about the Hartson’s brothers in this book. Really, the anticipation is killing me! LOL!!
If you’ve been on Maureen’s Books before, you know that I really like romance novels and small towns. And this book simple was perfect in that aspect. From the moment I started reading ‘Take Me Home’, I was hooked. I started reading in the evening, and finished reading it the next morning before work (and my job start at 7.30 a.m., so I had to get up early). It was just that good.
The setting of Hartson’s Creek really was the way I like it. A small town, a lot of gossip, a little diner, a unique tradition, fun characters.. I loved it! I was picturing me walking through Hartson’s Creek right from the start. And before I knew it, I felt like I knew this town and its population for real.
The two main characters Gray and Maddie where really fun to read about. And their chemistry was flying of these pages from the start. Although Gray is a Rockstar, and definitely has lived as one, he is also just a normal guy who loves music. I loved how kind he was and how hard he seemed to work for his music. And his stubbornness also was very fun. I could easily picture him sitting with his father arguing because they were both so stubborn.
Maddie’s character has this ‘girl-next-door’ vibe, and she was very easy to like. She was funny, caring and definitely a girl I’d like to hang around with. Maddie really tries to take care of everyone, and sometimes even at her own cost. Match these two together, and let me tell you sparks are flying.
The romance between Gray and Maddie was really good. Right from the start it gave me all the butterflies. The way they meet, the way they get to know each other better.. It was really good and I couldn’t get enough of them.
‘Take Me Home’ is the first book in the Heartbreak brothers series and I can’t wait to read more. Especially after reading about the Hartson’s brothers in this book. Really, the anticipation is killing me! LOL!!
April 5, 2020
As with every Carrie Elks book I've read this absolutely draws you in right from the start, with characters you'll love and a story that has you gripped.
From the start we know Maddie pursued her music talent by going away to college but what we dont know is why she came back to her small town home after only a year until much later in the story. She is feisty, witty and endearing, but seems to be beholden to her sister for something.
Enter Gray, her sister's ex-boyfriend who left town years before to further his career as a rockstar and made it big time.
Maddie and Gray hit it off before Gray knows who Maddie is - she was after all only Ash's 14yo younger sister when he last saw her - but even when he finds out..well the heart wants what the heart wants !!
Maddie tries to keep her ever growing feelings for Gray hidden, after all he'll be heading back out of town soon.
Of course in a small town hiding something isnt as easy as that and the gossips soon find out causing a rift between Maddie and her sister.
I really disliked Ashleigh but eventually she came good and whilst she was definitely selfish to start with I think her underlying intention was good.
I love Maddie's friends Becca (Gray's sister) and Laura and as always with Carrie these friendships and the lives that her stories entwine around leave you wanting more.
Gray's three brothers make a couple brief appearances in the story ..they're fun and the banter between the four 'heartbreak brother' and also sister Becca is heartwarming as the connection is strong. I cant wait to find out more about them as this series continues.
From the start we know Maddie pursued her music talent by going away to college but what we dont know is why she came back to her small town home after only a year until much later in the story. She is feisty, witty and endearing, but seems to be beholden to her sister for something.
Enter Gray, her sister's ex-boyfriend who left town years before to further his career as a rockstar and made it big time.
Maddie and Gray hit it off before Gray knows who Maddie is - she was after all only Ash's 14yo younger sister when he last saw her - but even when he finds out..well the heart wants what the heart wants !!
Maddie tries to keep her ever growing feelings for Gray hidden, after all he'll be heading back out of town soon.
Of course in a small town hiding something isnt as easy as that and the gossips soon find out causing a rift between Maddie and her sister.
I really disliked Ashleigh but eventually she came good and whilst she was definitely selfish to start with I think her underlying intention was good.
I love Maddie's friends Becca (Gray's sister) and Laura and as always with Carrie these friendships and the lives that her stories entwine around leave you wanting more.
Gray's three brothers make a couple brief appearances in the story ..they're fun and the banter between the four 'heartbreak brother' and also sister Becca is heartwarming as the connection is strong. I cant wait to find out more about them as this series continues.
April 7, 2020
So excited Carrie Elks has a new series & I was happy to read an advanced copy of Take Me Home. It’s an engaging, funny, & sometimes heart-wrenching story about two people finding love where they least expect it.
Gray Hartson couldn’t wait to put his small Virginia hometown in the rear-view mirror when he left home as a young man. In the years since, a successful music career has made him wealthy & famous. Emotionally tired after a long tour, he decides it’s finally time to return home & deal with family obligations. While there, he strikes up a flirty friendship with a local waitress. Turns out the pretty, funny lady he finds so attractive is Maddie Clark, the younger sister of his high school girlfriend. She’s certainly no longer the little 14 year old w/braces that he remembers.
After high school, Maddie left to study music @ a prestigious college in NYC. When something forced her return home shorty after, she hated being the subject of gossip. She’s been living a quiet life teaching piano, waiting tables, & caring for her mom ever since. Not very confident in herself, it’s hard for Maddie to believe the handsome rock star could be serious about romancing her. Especially when he used to date her beautiful sister. She can’t date her sister’s ex. Can she?
As they say, the heart wants what the heart wants, even if it seems impossible to combine such different lives.
I like that this book is more than just a love story. It explores family dynamics, trust & recovery, forgiveness, small town roots, & taking a chance on what it takes to find real happiness.
Can’t wait to meet the other Heartbreak brothers!
Gray Hartson couldn’t wait to put his small Virginia hometown in the rear-view mirror when he left home as a young man. In the years since, a successful music career has made him wealthy & famous. Emotionally tired after a long tour, he decides it’s finally time to return home & deal with family obligations. While there, he strikes up a flirty friendship with a local waitress. Turns out the pretty, funny lady he finds so attractive is Maddie Clark, the younger sister of his high school girlfriend. She’s certainly no longer the little 14 year old w/braces that he remembers.
After high school, Maddie left to study music @ a prestigious college in NYC. When something forced her return home shorty after, she hated being the subject of gossip. She’s been living a quiet life teaching piano, waiting tables, & caring for her mom ever since. Not very confident in herself, it’s hard for Maddie to believe the handsome rock star could be serious about romancing her. Especially when he used to date her beautiful sister. She can’t date her sister’s ex. Can she?
As they say, the heart wants what the heart wants, even if it seems impossible to combine such different lives.
I like that this book is more than just a love story. It explores family dynamics, trust & recovery, forgiveness, small town roots, & taking a chance on what it takes to find real happiness.
Can’t wait to meet the other Heartbreak brothers!
February 15, 2025
Han er succesrig rockstjerne, hun er servitrice på den lokale diner i hans hjemby….
Amen den her bog altså, den tog mig med storm…Jeg læste den i ét stræk, jeg kunne slet ikke lægge den fra mig. Dem der følger med herinde ved, at jeg er en sucker for sportsromancer, men efter denne historie kommer jeg nok til at læse flere bøger med rockstar tropen.
Gray er færdig med at feste og fejre sin succes. Han er klar til at slå sig ned og blive forsonet med sin far, koste hvad det vil. Da følelserne for Maddie opstår, går han målrettet efter det, han vil ha’. Findes der noget mere tiltrækkende?
Maddie er splittet; hun er forelsket i Gray, men ønsker ikke at blive draget ind i hans kendisliv. Hun er bekymret for hvad et forhold til Gray vil få af konsekvenser for hendes hemmelighed men også i fht. den uopnåelige søster som Maddie hele livet har set op til.
Endelig hjemme er en skøn smalltown romance, jeg elsker byens sladder og fredags fænomenet “chairs”. Historien er velkomponeret med et drys af humor, og indeholder mange gode emner som gossip, bagsiden af berømmelse, at vende tilbage til sine rødder, de svære familierelationer osv.
Det er både interessant og sødmefuldt pinefuldt at følge de 2 hovedpersoner nærme sig hinanden. Kemien i mellem dem slår gnister og sætter efterhånden nærmest siderne i brand.
Der er drama, hemmeligheder, skrøbelige øjeblikke og store følelser på spil -og jeg sluger det hele råt.
En skøn romance ladet med følelser, både de lette og de lidt sværere. Jeg glæder mig til at læse videre i denne serie.
Amen den her bog altså, den tog mig med storm…Jeg læste den i ét stræk, jeg kunne slet ikke lægge den fra mig. Dem der følger med herinde ved, at jeg er en sucker for sportsromancer, men efter denne historie kommer jeg nok til at læse flere bøger med rockstar tropen.
Gray er færdig med at feste og fejre sin succes. Han er klar til at slå sig ned og blive forsonet med sin far, koste hvad det vil. Da følelserne for Maddie opstår, går han målrettet efter det, han vil ha’. Findes der noget mere tiltrækkende?
Maddie er splittet; hun er forelsket i Gray, men ønsker ikke at blive draget ind i hans kendisliv. Hun er bekymret for hvad et forhold til Gray vil få af konsekvenser for hendes hemmelighed men også i fht. den uopnåelige søster som Maddie hele livet har set op til.
Endelig hjemme er en skøn smalltown romance, jeg elsker byens sladder og fredags fænomenet “chairs”. Historien er velkomponeret med et drys af humor, og indeholder mange gode emner som gossip, bagsiden af berømmelse, at vende tilbage til sine rødder, de svære familierelationer osv.
Det er både interessant og sødmefuldt pinefuldt at følge de 2 hovedpersoner nærme sig hinanden. Kemien i mellem dem slår gnister og sætter efterhånden nærmest siderne i brand.
Der er drama, hemmeligheder, skrøbelige øjeblikke og store følelser på spil -og jeg sluger det hele råt.
En skøn romance ladet med følelser, både de lette og de lidt sværere. Jeg glæder mig til at læse videre i denne serie.
April 7, 2020
Gray left his sleepy town 10 years ago and never looked back. That is until his father became ill and family called him home. 10 years has changed a lot and yet some things have not changed at all. One thing that has definitely changed is Maddie Clark. Now 25 Maddie is certainly not the same girl Gray last saw 10 years ago. Maddie has been through a lot in 10 years and those past hurts still haunt her present.Maddie has always stood in the shadow of her big sister but Gray is seeing her front and center now. One problem with these growing feelings Gray is Maddies sisters ex boyfriend. That is not the only thing standing in their way however Gray lives in LA and Maddie has no interest in leaving their small town ever again. Soon their attraction refuses to be ignored and the passion they have for one another ignites into so much more. These two were made for each other and reading their story was so amazing. Not all is easy with their fledgling relationship but they always fight to stay together. This book had loads of emotion but not a lot of angst which was nice. It made for a perfect east afternoon read. I have loved all of Carrie Elks books and this book is no different. I can not wait to read Tanners story next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 5, 2020
A man returning to family and a woman fleeing her past: heartfelt💕
😍 Another fabulous romance from Carrie Elks! Great backstory for leads waitress Maddie and Gray, the oldest of the four Hartson/Heartbreak brothers. Gray's troubled relationship with his father and Maddie's reasons for her abrupt break with college added drama, as did the complications of Gray's fame as a Grammy-winning singer/musician/songwriter and his romantic history with Maddie's older sister.
🏡🏠This small town setting has the requisite supply of gossips and frustrated mean girls, but it's also got friendly natives, fireflies, soft quiet nights and a pile of childhood memories. With medium heat, dabs of situational humor, a good crew of secondary characters, some snappy dialogue and a very sympathetic couple, this was a lovely story to escape the grim developments in real life.
One thing I really like about the author's writing: she gets to the point and does not wallow in extensive introspection or irrelevant rambles that don't further the plot. And Maddie grows in her confidence and gets pretty good at facing conflict and fighting her own battles. Hurrah!👍👍😌
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
😍 Another fabulous romance from Carrie Elks! Great backstory for leads waitress Maddie and Gray, the oldest of the four Hartson/Heartbreak brothers. Gray's troubled relationship with his father and Maddie's reasons for her abrupt break with college added drama, as did the complications of Gray's fame as a Grammy-winning singer/musician/songwriter and his romantic history with Maddie's older sister.
🏡🏠This small town setting has the requisite supply of gossips and frustrated mean girls, but it's also got friendly natives, fireflies, soft quiet nights and a pile of childhood memories. With medium heat, dabs of situational humor, a good crew of secondary characters, some snappy dialogue and a very sympathetic couple, this was a lovely story to escape the grim developments in real life.
One thing I really like about the author's writing: she gets to the point and does not wallow in extensive introspection or irrelevant rambles that don't further the plot. And Maddie grows in her confidence and gets pretty good at facing conflict and fighting her own battles. Hurrah!👍👍😌
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
April 6, 2020
What a wonderful start to this series - it has a small town setting, romance, a rock star, family dynamics, humor, tears of joy, and friendship.
Gray is a rock star who on the surface seems to have it all - fame, fortune, a successful tour. At the end of his tour, he finds himself burned out. So he returns to his hometown for his youngest brother's birthday, to relax, and to see how his father is doing after his hospitalization. Although Gray and his father don't have the best relationship, in talking with other Gray finds that there is more to his father than he knew.
Maddie is the younger sister of a girl Gray dated while in high school. Loved the scene in the diner when he saw her for the first time since his return home and how she helped to "rescue" him from the young girls that had gathered at the church. As we learn, Maddie has something that happened in her past that she's tried to keep buried. However, the secret comes out when it becomes know that Maddie and Gray are dating.
There were so many heartwarming moments in this story and I did shed a few tears. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
Gray is a rock star who on the surface seems to have it all - fame, fortune, a successful tour. At the end of his tour, he finds himself burned out. So he returns to his hometown for his youngest brother's birthday, to relax, and to see how his father is doing after his hospitalization. Although Gray and his father don't have the best relationship, in talking with other Gray finds that there is more to his father than he knew.
Maddie is the younger sister of a girl Gray dated while in high school. Loved the scene in the diner when he saw her for the first time since his return home and how she helped to "rescue" him from the young girls that had gathered at the church. As we learn, Maddie has something that happened in her past that she's tried to keep buried. However, the secret comes out when it becomes know that Maddie and Gray are dating.
There were so many heartwarming moments in this story and I did shed a few tears. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
April 7, 2020
5 Sweet, Breath-taking Stars!!!
I was given this book in turn for an honest review.
When Grey Hartson decides to return home for a few weeks, his life takes more than one crazy turn. He can’t get the beautiful waitress off his mind, only things are complicated. Will they give into their attraction, or will their pasts tear them apart?
Carrie Elks has written a truly beautiful contemporary romance, that had me hooked from start to finish. I devoured this book in one evening, forgoing sleep, because this story held me captivated, and I couldn’t put it down. I was immersed into their story and wanted to see where it would go, how it would end, and needless to say, Carrie Elks did not disappoint.
Grey was an intriguing character, I loved him, and his siblings. Together they were crazy, full of life and full of fun. It was clear they hadn’t had the easiest of upbringings, and there is some contempt between them and their father. However, they always took care of each other. This said, as you read the story you discover there is more behind the way their father treated them than they realised too.
Maddie, I absolutely loved Maddie. She was down to earth and had an amazing sense of humour. She cared not only for her family but for those who lived in her hometown, her love for everyone showed in her words and her actions. I also wanted to hug her tight, for what she had been through and for the responsibilities on her shoulders.
Take Me Home is the perfect romance story to escape into. It has the sweetest, heartfelt storyline with intriguing, loveable characters. If you enjoy Contemporary Romance or have enjoyed other books by Carrie Elks, Take Me Home is for you!
I was given this book in turn for an honest review.
When Grey Hartson decides to return home for a few weeks, his life takes more than one crazy turn. He can’t get the beautiful waitress off his mind, only things are complicated. Will they give into their attraction, or will their pasts tear them apart?
Carrie Elks has written a truly beautiful contemporary romance, that had me hooked from start to finish. I devoured this book in one evening, forgoing sleep, because this story held me captivated, and I couldn’t put it down. I was immersed into their story and wanted to see where it would go, how it would end, and needless to say, Carrie Elks did not disappoint.
Grey was an intriguing character, I loved him, and his siblings. Together they were crazy, full of life and full of fun. It was clear they hadn’t had the easiest of upbringings, and there is some contempt between them and their father. However, they always took care of each other. This said, as you read the story you discover there is more behind the way their father treated them than they realised too.
Maddie, I absolutely loved Maddie. She was down to earth and had an amazing sense of humour. She cared not only for her family but for those who lived in her hometown, her love for everyone showed in her words and her actions. I also wanted to hug her tight, for what she had been through and for the responsibilities on her shoulders.
Take Me Home is the perfect romance story to escape into. It has the sweetest, heartfelt storyline with intriguing, loveable characters. If you enjoy Contemporary Romance or have enjoyed other books by Carrie Elks, Take Me Home is for you!
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