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Sleepless Nights

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Alex Knight is a rock star at the top of her game. Her life might be a little secretive and a lot lonely, but she’s selling out stadiums around the world on her most successful tour yet. Who wouldn’t want a piece of her success?

Tyra MacLean has been there, done that, ripped the sleeves off the T-shirt. Still scarred by her own experience of fame, she hates celebrity and everything that comes with it. All she wants is a quiet life. But when Alex decides she wants Tyra and her band to join her tour, Ty has to put her bandmates first and return to the world that nearly destroyed her.

As Alex and Tyra tour America together can they put aside their fears and their differences to find love?

Iona Kane’s debut novel is a cool, fun romance set in the world of rock music.

242 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 25, 2021

43 people are currently reading
112 people want to read

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Iona Kane

6 books28 followers

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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
Profile Image for Carol Hutchinson.
1,130 reviews72 followers
December 29, 2021
Exciting!

Alex is looking for a band to join her on her tour. Tyra a member of the band that are lucky enough to get the gig with Alex is wary of fame but has to what’s best for the band. Both Alex and Tyra are facing fears as they embark on their adventure but it isn’t all rock and success.

For a debut novel, this was very exciting and packed with lots of drama, angst, and a lovely slow burn romance. I really enjoyed how it embodied celebrity romance but that both characters were so different. Although both vulnerable and wary of the scene, Alex and Tyra both had a lot to overcome to be on this tour. There was much at stake. Alex was taking a chance on a band that weren’t as well-known as she was and with Tyra throwing a spanner in the works every now and then it was unpredictable. Tyra had to try and overcome past experiences and fears they had instilled in her about being back in the spotlight.

There were a whole cast of characters supporting this story, each of them with a vital part to play in helping Tyra and Alex find their way and to support them both in their individual challenges. It was nice they had something so different to deal with and yet they similarities that gave Alex and Tyra a ground to build a relationship on. It was slow to start because both of them were unsure of the whole situation but as they got to know one another and trusted each other, that relationship went from strength to strength and with it came what both of them had been dreaming of.

A very lovely story that I really enjoyed! I am excited to know what Iona Kane will write about next and hopefully some future stories might include an appearance from Alex and Tyra too.
Profile Image for Laura.
200 reviews55 followers
September 20, 2021
Sleepless Nights is an impressive debut from writer Iona Kane. It's a charming story of a closeted singer and an out and proud drummer navigating through their fears and feelings to find love.

Tyra MacLean had her first hit at fifteen but her career quickly nosedived after she came out. She spiraled out of control and only got herself straightened out when she was called upon to help raise her twin cousins Jamie and Mhairi. When the twins started a band Ty stepped in to be their drummer knowing she would soon retreat back to producing as she is wary of the limelight performing brings.

Alex Knight is preparing for her US tour and sees a clip on Dandylions performing. She decides immediately that she wants them to open for her. The meeting the members on Dandylions doesn't go as planned when Tyra shows up drunk. The next day Ty shows up to apologize. She tells Alex that she only wants to do the tour for the twins. All the attention that will come with it is a huge turn off for her. She also reveals that she has issues with celebrities who stay in the closet to avoid damage to their careers. She came out before it was accepted and her career never recovered. Alex appreciates the honesty, although, not the commentary of her closet status, and Dandylions are signed as her opening act.

Tyra is invited by Alex to stay at her house for the week she comes to New York without the twins. The two have sizzling chemistry and during the week they have dinner together and get to know each other. Alex talks to Ty about her teenage daughter Dora, who she has a strained relationship and Ty tells Alex about her past struggles after her mom passed away and her career tanked. The week is blissful but after they decide that it can't go any farther as they have a tour to work on together and Alex isn't ready to come out. While on tour can Alex and Tyra keep their distance or will they give in to their desires and try to make a relationship work?

Alex and Tyra are charming characters. I became invested in their happiness. I wanted Alex to work things out with her daughter and realize that it was time for her to own her sexuality. I wanted Ty to have career vindication and find true love. The conflict was well conceived as the events that transpired understandably caused Alex to retreat into herself and take a step back from a relationship.

Iona Kane has given us a very well written celebrity romance. I look forward to what comes next from her.
ARC received from the author for an honest review.
Profile Image for JAYNE.
212 reviews12 followers
October 13, 2022
A fantastic debut novel. A rock band, age gap, HEA novel set in both the USA and Scotland.

There are some witty one liners that had me laughing and the pace was spot on for me. I found Sleepless Nights an easy read and was drawn in from the start by the well-rounded characters who I could sit down and have a jamming session with. I look forward to Iona’s future work.
Profile Image for Jo Ben-What.
75 reviews2 followers
January 1, 2022
DNF 55% The first part was fine and then i found that the story was not moving along. It felt slow and uneventful, I lost interest in the story. The book was not for me.
Profile Image for Katia M. Davis.
Author 3 books18 followers
January 8, 2022
Great read

This was a great read. I read it in a single sitting, only taking a break to make a late lunch. I actually skipped dinner so I could keep reading without interruption. Yes, this read beat the rib eye steak I have waiting in the fridge.

I enjoy rock band stories, and this delivered without being too over the top or full of jargon. The two mains had great chemistry, and towards the end I was fully invested and on the edge of my seat to see how things would work out.

If you are after a feel good read with some ups, downs, and pulling on the heart strings, this a a good choice.
233 reviews5 followers
September 15, 2021
Fab.

Great book,Great flow no down bits I enjoyed a lol behind the rock star world. No thanks,I will stay in Scotland. Great to see Scotland written about nice touch for me. Really enjoyable book. Highly recommend.
Profile Image for Vita L. Licari.
924 reviews45 followers
July 11, 2024
This is a wonderful book. Another gem from my TBR shelves! Alex is a rock star getting ready to go on tour, she's looking for an opening act. She's in the closet. Tyra was a star years ago, out and proud, now she's a record producer in Scotland. But she's also the drummer for her 2 cousins band Dandy Lions. When Alex sees a video of Dandy Lions playing a concert, she wants them for her opening act!
This is a beautiful story of love, trust, a homophoic moment, and fear and enduring love. 5 stars![
1,186 reviews
January 5, 2023
A Great Read!

This book had a little bit of everything in it. The out and sometimes down ex rocker who is now in a band with her two younger cousins. The hot and beautiful in the closet young solo singer sensation. Two young up and coming UK band mates. Personal assistants and demanding managers. Tyra MacLean couldn’t wait to their UK tour came to an end. At forty seven, she couldn’t move like she did and her body and mind needed rest. She is being summoned to a meeting. Turns out Alexandra Knight, an American superstar wants the DandyLions to join her US tour. Ty is not happy about it even though her cousins and band mate were ecstatic. Alex wants to meet the group before signing off on it. When Ty shows up at meeting things go downhill fast. Alex goes against her manager picking DandyLions to open for her tour. There is just something about the groups vibe and the heat that Tyra MacLean brings. But things are going South fast. Iona Kane weaves a story of a defeated aging rock star with a closeted gay superstar. Their are so many ups and downs until a tragic incident brings everything to a head. Life for no one will be the same. Great book!
Profile Image for Fran Sappharc.
831 reviews46 followers
January 14, 2022
I found this book immersive and compelling. The characters were believable and believably flawed. The bump was unpleasant but not gratuitous, again believable. Normally reading a romance I am aware there will be a bump on the road but it will all work out. Sometimes I’m thinking this is going slowly - I don’t mean slow burn but the pace is off, or I’m really enjoying it, but I’m always aware I’m reading a book. It’s like when I’m eating dinner - sometimes the taste is so good, that is all I’m aware of, sometimes what I’m seeing on my plate reminds me what I’m eating. This book was the tastiest food ever! I was so immersed that I was unaware of what was going on in the room around me. Great job!
Profile Image for Suzi Vilkman (Hautaniemi).
288 reviews8 followers
May 25, 2024
My tears keep falling

A wonderful, heartbreaking story of two very different people from different continents. Just when everything seemed so right, it all fell apart.
I couldn’t wait to see what happened next even when the story turned very dark. I would kindly ask for more stories like this.
Profile Image for Clair Sanders.
6 reviews
September 29, 2021
Page turner

Whilst I'm going to be a little biased since I'm Scottish, it was great reading a story set in two of my favourite places in the entire world.

I read that this is Iona's debut and I'm looking forward to see what else she puts out there.

I'm not going to say anything about the story to prevent spoiler alerts but will say that I was entertained from start to finish, which is rare for me. Great story and very loveable characters.
Profile Image for Brodie Smart.
8 reviews
April 27, 2024
I really enjoyed this book!! . The characters were so vivid and I really enjoyed the 'realness' of Ty and Alex's relationship (and troubles!) Also as a lesbian this might be the first book I've ever read (aside from online/ fanfics) where it follows two women in a romantic relationship. It was nice to really understand and feel understood when reading. 
745 reviews3 followers
September 29, 2021
Good Story

This is a riveting book about how people can be so different and still want so many of the very same things. The author sets a perfect pace with well done dialogue. Very enjoyable book!
Profile Image for Michelle.
509 reviews7 followers
January 20, 2023
Greatly Enjoyed

Sleepless Night is an opposite attract story about two musicians working together and finding love. It is a really nice read. I look forward to reading more of Ms Kanye’s work.
3 reviews4 followers
September 15, 2021
Enjoyed.

I hesitate to ever review anything, but thought this book was good. Enjoyed the storylines, the characters, and hope to read mire like this.
Profile Image for Simon McMurdo.
Author 2 books6 followers
June 4, 2022
Great debut! I love that this brings in points such as reconnecting with a child and is a wonderfully inclusive story.
16 reviews1 follower
January 27, 2023
a great book about the music idustry

I loved this book. Alex and Tyra stole my heart. Great angst. I love when books make me cry, good tears
Profile Image for Lisa Williams.
Author 1 book22 followers
January 17, 2022
A fab first novel! Clever writing makes us care even if the romance genre isn’t your thing. Throughout the book the characters are all very believable. Sleepless Nights isn't just a floaty romantic read, without giving too much away it also touches on the hatred experienced by the LGBT+ community.
I put it down thinking that although this book had come to its conclusion maybe the story hadn’t finished, there may be more adventures ahead for Tyra and the crew. I’m looking forward to reading whatever Iona writes next...
Profile Image for Lori Alexander.
101 reviews2 followers
September 23, 2023
great read

The characters were well developed and felt genuine. As the plot picked up, I did not want to put the book down. Love the mixture of ages of the characters and issues that they face.
Profile Image for MissAlice.
460 reviews19 followers
February 11, 2025
So many books have been set in Scotland recently and I’m absolutely needing to see the shores for myself. Rocker chicks finding some time to reinvent and find themselves in a more embracing climate fall into one another for a sweet sapphic romp. Steamy scenes, an outing, a hate crime, angsty daughter dynamics, 3rd act breakup, and the cherry on top of an HEA. It’s a quick read but a cute one.
1,280 reviews
July 14, 2025
Wonderful debut novel of two gifted musicians - Alex, struggling with coming out and Tyra, older who no longer desires the spotlight. One from the USA and the other from Scotland. Excellent inclusion of family members and band mates. I loved the writing and happily look forward to more from this gifted author!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews

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