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Rockin' Fairy Tales #1

Pink Guitars and Falling Stars

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Zeli’s signature pop diva sound and image are nothing short of magical—literally. Her fame comes with hidden costs, a curse that could ruin her voice forever.

Aspiring indie musician, Justin MacKenzie, is determined to kick it to the top of the Rampion Records’ Summer Number One professional vs. amateur singing competition. The favorite to beat in the annual televised contest is none other than the label’s smoking hot superstar, Zeli, whose crazy extensions flow the length of a football field. Those ridiculous extensions, coupled with her bubblegum brand of pop are an affront to everything Justin loves about music, until a stolen kiss blazes into a romantic encounter.

Once inside Zeli’s world, Justin discovers things are not as they seem. In their quest to allow the real Zeli to step into the spotlight, the pair must confront the mysterious force behind the dazzle of Rampion’s success. If these star-crossed lovers can’t rally their own magic to defeat the darkness, they will lose everything—including each other.

317 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 6, 2022

27 people are currently reading
1930 people want to read

About the author

Leslie O'Sullivan

13 books163 followers
Leslie O’Sullivan is the award winning author of "Rockin' Fairy Tales," an adult fantasy romance series that shines a new spotlight on favorite fairy tales set against the backdrop of a fictional Hollywood music scene. Her "Fae Destiny" romantasy series explores the collision of the real world with the Faerie realm. The completed "Behind the Scenes" contemporary romcom series peeks into the off-camera sizzle of a wildly popular Irish television drama. She’s a UCLA Bruin with a BA and MFA from their Department of Theater where she also taught for years on the design faculty. Her tenure in the world of television was as the assistant art director on “It’s Garry Shandling’s Show.” Leslie loves to indulge her fangirl side each year at cons.

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5 stars
26 (53%)
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9 (18%)
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10 (20%)
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3 (6%)
Displaying 1 - 29 of 32 reviews
Profile Image for Sarah.
Author 8 books253 followers
December 14, 2021
With wickedly clever wordplay, fresh and lovable characters, and an utterly unique take on a classic fairytale, this is one of the swooniest romances I've ever read. You'll be cheering for B.A.S.E. jumper Justin to help Zeli escape her tower in the heart of Hollywood's twisted music industry, and fall equally hard for their chosen family on the Boulevard. A romantic, heart-in-your-throat read!

Profile Image for Flo Lee.
14 reviews2 followers
February 23, 2022
A musical mash up of fairy tale proportions. The hero, Justin Time, is a rock star-to-be. And his Juliet is Zeli, the current reigning pop diva. Justin’s quest to hit the top of the charts becomes tangled with a new desire to help Zeli. Can he rescue her from her tower — literally? I loved the intensity of the writing — the witty wordplay (so many great musical double entendres) and breakneck pacing. It was fun being in that hip, trending, pop culture world. And in love.
Profile Image for ⚡eli⚡.
398 reviews26 followers
January 8, 2022
Thanks to NetGalley and City Owl Press for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
*****
Pink Guitars and Falling Stars is a Romeo & Juliet/Rapunzel mashup romance by Leslie O'Sullivan.

Justin is our Romeo, who is aspiring indie musician and B.A.S.E. jumper, and his Juliet is Zeli - the biggest pop star at the moment, with crazy hair extensions and hidden secrets under her harnesses. A stolen kiss between the two changes everything, and Justin finds an artist worth saving from the tower.

For me personally it was a weird story. There were scenes I had hard time to understand. You get to experience secrets of twisted music industry and found family troupe. Writing was a clever mix of poetry and modern words. Although you know how this book would end, it's twisted modernization is something different. It's an entertaining and easy read. It just happened that I was not the right reader for this story. Or my mood was somehow off.

But if you enjoy musical retellings with modern twist and sweet romance - this book is for you.
Profile Image for Julie Musil.
Author 4 books16 followers
January 6, 2022
With clever dialogue, crisp pacing, and gorgeous scene details, the author spins a fun can’t-put-down love story with plot twists that left me wanting more! Highly recommend!!!
Profile Image for Jamedi.
860 reviews149 followers
October 2, 2022
Score: ⭐⭐⭐✨(3,5 out of 5 stars)

Disclaimer: I got a copy for the Book Tour with Escapists. This hasn't affected either the score or the review.

Pink Guitars and Falling Stars is the first book in the Rockin' Fairy Tales series by Leslie O'Sullivan. Let's start by saying that I'm not a big fan of romance (in general, I try to avoid it as much as possible, I'm too cynic for the genre), but seeing it is a retelling of Rapunzel and Romeo and Juliet, I said, let's try because usually, I'm a big fan of using a classic as the base to write a new story.

We are going to mostly be following Justin, an old BASE jumper who wants to get into the pop world by winning the Rampion Records' Summer Number One professional vs. amateur singing competition. The maximum favourite for winning is Zeli, who will be the way we are introduced to how in reality the pop world works, and it's our particular Rapunzel. Despite becoming a pop star as Zeli is, in reality, just a golden cage, as all of her life is controlled by father Gothel, working as a mockup on how in reality the teen pop industry is far from being a dream to the stars, usually being controlled by unscrupulous people, usually having to overwork to keep that "marvelous" status.

Despite initially disliking Zeli, Justin ends in love with her, starting our particular Romeo and Juliet plot, and introducing the romance element to the story. I want to point out that this book worked better for me than others, as it starts slower than it tends to do in most romance books, it also felt more real as instead of being a rose path it has its highs and downs, being closer to what you could feel as a real relationship (taking in account that we are in a fairy tale).

I enjoyed my read through the book, as it is really well written, not feeling too dragging at any point, despite I would say some scenes could have been avoidable in my opinion. The pace during the book is really good, it works super well, despite the final part might feel too fast, especially reaching the end.

In summary, despite not being a fan of the romance genre, it's an enjoyable read for me. I appreciated the criticism of the music industry, which focused on the young stars, which usually end up being burnt after having a super hit (you can just think of Bieber for example). It's a solid book, something that probably a romance fan will like more than me, but despite this, I enjoyed reading it, so if you love retellings, this is a book for you.
Profile Image for Sandra Young.
Author 3 books117 followers
January 22, 2022
This clever Rapunzel reimagining is captivating and vibrant, immersing us in the competitive musical world of Zeli and her reluctant hero, Justin. Colors and images burst off the page in Leslie O’Sullivan’s magical debut, led by Zeli’s signature pink hue. But there’s darkness lurking behind the bubble gum façade, as her evil manager, Gothel, literally keeps her chained to him through her long, metallic hair extensions.

Though the romance blooms very quickly – going from wary, competitive strangers to enthralled - we’re swept up with the young lovers and cheer on their perilous attempts to escape Gothel’s clutches. Seeing the growth and vulnerabilities in their characters allows us to empathize with and care about them, especially as we learn their backstories.

The musical aspects are also well-drawn, and I loved the moments when the characters were carried away by the beauty of a song – especially when they first harmonized together. Pink Guitars and Falling Stars is a fun, funky, high-energy tale for readers who groove on a twisty fairy-retelling.
Profile Image for Kat Turner.
Author 15 books337 followers
January 6, 2022
Pure charm! Pink Guitars and Falling Stars mixes whimsical writing, lovable characters, and fairy tale magic into a delectable treat. Justin and Zeli are unforgettable, their romance and passion jumping (pun intended! :))right off the page. I loved how Leslie O'Sullivan rendered the settings in such vivid color through rich description and detail. If you're looking for a unique, enchanting romance to spirit you away into a fantastical yet modern world, this is the book for you.
Profile Image for Christie Clayton.
Author 5 books11 followers
February 10, 2022
This masterfully written and original take on Rapunzel is unlike anything I have read before. The author has sculpted the fairy tale into a unique retelling in a high stakes love story between self-deprecating Justin and guileless pop princess Zeli. Narrated entirely from Justin’s POV, it’s refreshing to see a hero who is both vulnerable and brave in his pursuit of love. The dramatic HEA will not disappoint romance fans.
Profile Image for Wren Michaels.
Author 22 books445 followers
December 27, 2021
A creative twist on a fairytale! Leslie O'Sullivan wields wicked turns of phrase to keep you enraptured in this enchanting world of glitz, glamour, and excitement and keeps you there with the heart-tugging love story between Justin and Zeli, sealing your fate with amazing side characters she wraps you up in with her Boulevard family. A very clever use of word play, characters you will be rooting for and a magical story will keep you turning pages as you ride this wild adventure.
Profile Image for Kristen Lewendon.
8,429 reviews63 followers
January 5, 2022
Once upon a time, long, long ago, in a land far, far away, when I was just a young child, I watched an animated movie on television called “The Devil and Daniel Mouse”. There was something about the blurb for this book made me connect to all my memories of that movie. And while there isn't very much about this book that reminds me of that movie now that I've read it, it does have all kinds of fun similarities to another animated movie of more recent memory. This book honors the Grimm’s fairy tale, while also tipping it very soundly on its head. Though I have to admit, it took me a little while to really get into this book. It has a cadence and language all its own. (And there are a few prize gems that I will cherish and be slipping into my own daily conversations from here on out.) It didn't take me very long before I was completely hooked. Once the story got rolling, I was desperate to find out what was going to happen next. The closer I got to the end, the faster I needed to be able to read. Now that I've started to get to know the Boulevard family, I badly want to know even more about them.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book through Booksprout.
Profile Image for Marcia - itsabookthing2021 .
789 reviews19 followers
July 14, 2022
Pink Guitars and Falling Stars is a retelling of Rapunzel of some sorts.
It follows Justin a base jumper who is pretending to be an 18 year old and really wants to be a singer but an Uncle forces him to be pretend and Zeli who is a singer who just really wants to have her own life but is stuck with Gothel in his evil clutches.
The romance between Zeli and Justin develops quite quickly, though at first I wasn't sure if it was just a play on Zeli’s behalf. However it becomes clear it's a mutual effection as they attempt to escape Gothel’s clutches.
The way the characters develop allowed me as a reader to connect to them, their back stories created an empathy towards them.
I loved the music aspect of the story too. The world created was fantastical and the description really created the magical world that felt like I could touch. I loved the ending and felt it was such a typical HEA ending which fit this novel so well.
This was a great Rapunzel reimagining that i found captivating.
Profile Image for Anais (atrailofpages).
965 reviews27 followers
August 1, 2022
I really enjoyed this book!

This is a fun Rapunzel retelling! This follows Justin who is a B.A.S.E Jumper with dreams of becoming a famous singer. He messes up a performance while jumping during one of pop sensation Zeli's performance that he gets kicked out of his crew. He's determined to make Zeli pay blaming her for his mishap, until he hears her sing and wonders who the real Zeli is. He decides to try to break her out of her tower and get her away from Grant Gothel and save her from him by stealing her song in order to win the Summer Number One competition which would allow him access to the Rampion Towers where he can bust her out. But do his plans go the way he thinks they will?

This was such a fun read! I am not usually drawn to "rock-star" stories, but I love retellings, and I was excited to read this book, plus that title just draws you in! The way this book is written makes me think of Shakespeare mixed with modern day language, and it was just so much fun to read, and there were some serious laugh out loud moments for me, especially with Justin and his inner monologues.

Justin I thought was hilarious! He's a very spunky and energetic guy. He has dreams and goals and boy does he make sure he reaches those dreams and goals. He totally gives me Flynn Rider rock-star vibes, and then Zeli is the picture of Rapunzel naivety and innocence. And then of course there is Grant Gothel and his magic fingers and his power and influence over Zeli and those who work for him.

There is a bit of magic realism mixed into this along with some sweet romance with a hint of spice and actually followed the Grimm brothers' story pretty well. If you enjoy rock-star romances, and retellings, then you'll love this one! Thank you to the author for the free digital copy to read. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
12 reviews6 followers
January 24, 2022
Such a clever, modern retelling of Rapunzel!

Pink Guitars and Falling Stars delivers with a down-on-his-luck hero you can easily root for, a twisted villain you want to see fall, and an incredible supporting cast that's as fun and vibrant as the music scene this retelling is set against.

I adore fairytales, and so I was really excited to read this one. That said, contemporary retellings and rock stars aren't usually my thing, so I was a little nervous how this would land for me. It did take me a little bit to get used to the slang, but the voice REALLY pulled me in once I did. It just fits the characters and their environment so well.

I loved how elements of the original tale were woven into the story while also being fresh and unexpected. Leslie O'Sullivan also gives us a very stark look at the realities of Hollywood and celebrity life, which was refreshing to see and played in so well with the modern fairytale vibe.

The more I read this book, the more it pulled me in, and I was so sad to see it end. Tears were shed, especially at the climax, but the final chapter completely patched me up again and then some. Excited to see where this series goes next!
81 reviews10 followers
January 3, 2024
A cast of creative, colorful characters. If you love the world of music -this one is for you. It is definitely an adult, edgy, modern twist on Rapunzel in a wild and outrageous world of music industry. There are some cute and funny moments, but it is a roller coaster of up and down emotions and frustration that can give you whiplash of from thinking every time things start to turn out good, you get slapped back down, which for me personally was a little too often. It is fun and creative twist on Rapunzel and the characters are, well, truly characters, but it also has a bit of dark and tragic to it. It is not your standard prince charming saves the princess, in fact, he can barely save himself without lots of help, but it does get the fairytale love story and HEA in a way, if you can recover from the emotional whiplash of ups and downs and never really getting anywhere - I think everyone is permanently stuck between Rampion Towers and Singen Towers.
Profile Image for Yunjue Casilda.
119 reviews1 follower
February 9, 2022
I'm all for fairy tales these days. So, a modern twist with romance is definitely my jam. Our hero, Justin MacKenzie, a rockstar wannabe is not a fan of Zeli, everyone's favourite diva. But his opinion will not last long because the one night they met by accident, Zeli is not at all who he thought she is. And now, let's talk about the writing shall we. The writing is so lyrical, the words are so beautiful almost like it was a historical novel but it's not! I learned many new words I never knew of. Reading Pink Guitars & Falling Stars by Leslie O'Sullivan is like singing a never-ending lyrics. I like everything about this book. So, a five-star review is in order. And oh, look at that cover!
Thanks for the free copy I received.
#PinkGuitarsFallingStars #NetGalley
1,489 reviews19 followers
December 3, 2023
Zeli is a pop diva but her fame comes at a cost with a curse that can ruin her life in this retelling of a Rapunzel story. Justin Mackenzie is a base jumper who is pretending to be an aspiring indie musician who enters an amateur singing competition. Justin and Zeli are musical competitors who become trapped in the Rampion Records Tower in Hollywood and start to fall in love. I really enjoyed this fantastic fantasy romance novel. I received this free book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Profile Image for Barbara.
19.2k reviews8 followers
January 6, 2022
The first book in the Rockin' Fairy Tales series, this is a Rapunzel retelling. Justin MacKenzie and Zeli’s story. There is suspense, drama, danger, evil, a villain, twists, turns, and love. I want to read more of this series. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Heather McCorkle.
Author 46 books316 followers
January 12, 2022
This uniquely imagined mashup of Romeo and Juliet meet Rapunzel had me captivated from page one. With writing that is almost lyrical in its beauty, this imaginative romance sprinkled through with just the right amount of action and drama sucked me in quite unexpectedly. I loved it and will now auto buy anything this author writes!
1 review
January 5, 2022
Who doesn't love a good fairy tale? But make no mistake, Zeli is unlike other damsels in distress. Refreshing to see that, like real life, Zeli and her love Justin Time take turns saving each other.
Profile Image for Jemi Fraser.
Author 36 books77 followers
January 14, 2022
This is such a unique story!
The author pulls you right into a musical world filled with melodies, madness, and mayhem. The dialogue is fresh and fun. The plot takes you in unexpected directions. By the last third, you won't want to put down the book for anything! A terrific read!
Profile Image for Morgan Trampert.
62 reviews1 follower
May 12, 2023
This is an adorable book that is loosely inspired by Rapunzel and Romeo/Juliet. It has a cute love story, you'll fall in love with the characters. There is risk taking and romance. This is a overall a wonderful short read because you won't want to put it down!
Profile Image for Alexis LaPlante.
23 reviews1 follower
March 10, 2022
I loved this fresh Rupunzel retelling! The storytelling is so beautifull executed and the characters are perfection. I loved every page and can't wait for book 2!!!
Profile Image for E.E..
Author 6 books153 followers
May 30, 2023
What a fun and creative modern fairy tale!

O'Sullivan has woven together the classic fairy tale of Rapunzel along with Romeo & Juliet flawlessly. She pulls us into the music business of Hollywood filled with all of the drama, glitz, glam, and fame, but throws in the smallest hint of magic that makes the reader feel like they truly are in a fairy tale. I loved the mentions to both the classic Rapunzel tale along with the nods to the Disney movie Tangled (one of my faves!). Then on top of it, you get the sense of Romeo & Juliet and belive that love at first sight (or song!) truly does exist.

I cant wait to dive into book 2!
Profile Image for Misty Herr.
48 reviews3 followers
June 29, 2022
Fun mashup

Pink guitars and falling stars Is a rock and rolling mashup of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and the Brothers Grimm. It's fun to recognize the elements of both stories. The witch becomes the evil producer Grant Gothal Rapunzel's golden locks Become shiny extensions That is so long That they have to be carried around. Zeli and Justin save each other in this exciting adventure with HEA.
16.7k reviews156 followers
January 21, 2024
This is a great twist on rapuzel the fairy tale as she has so much to deal with in the pop world. Even dark forces are trying to ruin her opo career so can a man help her get out of it all? See just where it will lead you
Displaying 1 - 29 of 32 reviews

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