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Another Stupid Love Song
The stage is set for success… and heartbreak.
Maxine Gardner is a rock and roll legend who hasn’t had a hit in years. She’s on a mission to get her old band back together for a once in a lifetime reunion tour that could save her floundering career. The problem? One band member is dead and the other hates her guts. To get this tour off the ground, Max must put her fate in the hands of a younger woman who could easily steal the spotlight from her for good.
Jade Weathers is a gifted musician whose mother and aunt were founding members of one of the hottest girl bands of all time. Following her mother’s untimely death, Jade’s overprotective aunt is determined she choose a stable career with the local symphony. But Jade was born to be a rock star. She’s willing to do whatever it takes to live her dream… even partner with the one person she shouldn’t trust. The woman who ruined her mom’s career.
Their agreement is supposed to be nothing but a means to an end. Yet the more time Max and Jade spend making music together, the harder it becomes to ignore the attraction crackling beneath every note. Is it possible everything they’ve believed about the other is completely wrong? This tour could lead to true love, or it could tear the band apart... along with their hearts.
How much will they be willing to sacrifice for success?
Don’t miss this scorching enemies to lovers, age gap, rock star romance by best selling lesbian romance authors Miranda MacLeod and Em Stevens.
Maxine Gardner is a rock and roll legend who hasn’t had a hit in years. She’s on a mission to get her old band back together for a once in a lifetime reunion tour that could save her floundering career. The problem? One band member is dead and the other hates her guts. To get this tour off the ground, Max must put her fate in the hands of a younger woman who could easily steal the spotlight from her for good.
Jade Weathers is a gifted musician whose mother and aunt were founding members of one of the hottest girl bands of all time. Following her mother’s untimely death, Jade’s overprotective aunt is determined she choose a stable career with the local symphony. But Jade was born to be a rock star. She’s willing to do whatever it takes to live her dream… even partner with the one person she shouldn’t trust. The woman who ruined her mom’s career.
Their agreement is supposed to be nothing but a means to an end. Yet the more time Max and Jade spend making music together, the harder it becomes to ignore the attraction crackling beneath every note. Is it possible everything they’ve believed about the other is completely wrong? This tour could lead to true love, or it could tear the band apart... along with their hearts.
How much will they be willing to sacrifice for success?
Don’t miss this scorching enemies to lovers, age gap, rock star romance by best selling lesbian romance authors Miranda MacLeod and Em Stevens.
323 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 29, 2022
112 people are currently reading
312 people want to read
About the author
Miranda MacLeod
43 books465 followersOriginally from southern California, Miranda now lives in New England and writes heartfelt romances and romantic comedies featuring witty and charmingly flawed women that you'll want to marry. Or just grab a coffee with, if that's more your thing. Before becoming a writer, she spent way too many years in graduate school, worked in professional theater and film, and held temp jobs in just about every office building in downtown Boston. To find out about her upcoming releases, be sure to sign up for her mailing list or follow her on Goodreads!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
July 24, 2022
'ARC generously given by The Authors (MacLeod & Em Stevens) in exchange for my honest review'
**'Don't be just a writer, be writing because if one reader didn't like or appreciate your storytelling others most definitely will..'
Pleasurable read!
A very nice story from beginning to end. My only downside is the age-gap -- the minute they met i got really uneasy with the authors having them get involved because she's (Jade) 15 years her (Max) junior --- 20 something to her 40 something, nuh uh. Please don't get me wrong, they had chemistry and i did like how they bonded but.. Still it's a good story and also is enticingly readable so much that i'm sure some readers will enjoy it because it's a lot about making music, having lots of sex on the road, working out past misunderstandings while coming together for a vast number of concerts in many different U.S. cities then finally having their last one in NYC in memory of Jade's mother (herself a bandmate with both Max & her sister)
A recommended book!
**'Don't be just a writer, be writing because if one reader didn't like or appreciate your storytelling others most definitely will..'
Pleasurable read!
A very nice story from beginning to end. My only downside is the age-gap -- the minute they met i got really uneasy with the authors having them get involved because she's (Jade) 15 years her (Max) junior --- 20 something to her 40 something, nuh uh. Please don't get me wrong, they had chemistry and i did like how they bonded but.. Still it's a good story and also is enticingly readable so much that i'm sure some readers will enjoy it because it's a lot about making music, having lots of sex on the road, working out past misunderstandings while coming together for a vast number of concerts in many different U.S. cities then finally having their last one in NYC in memory of Jade's mother (herself a bandmate with both Max & her sister)
A recommended book!
September 14, 2022
Rock chicks.
This book has received really good ratings all around and I can understand why. Lots of people enjoy a good celebrity romance, which this one is, and more than that, this story also explores wholesome themes like mending broken friendships.
But my first thought was how my love for celebrity romances doesn't extend to rock chicks. I was really distracted by the cover imagining both the main characters looking like that and well, no, I am not turned on. Lol. There were also little things that grated me more than they should. Like how I found a character, Cindy, to be unnecessarily irritating and how one main character, Max, replies people with annoying phrases like "hell, yeah" or "fuck, yeah".
But that being said, I thought the storyline was interesting and it reminded me of the year Backstreet Boys had their comeback concert and we went and had fun. Max is a rock singer who went solo years ago after her all-female rock band disbanded due to a misunderstanding. Once a music icon, Max is, years later, on the verge of becoming a has-been singer and needs a hit to revive her career so she jumps on the idea to hold a tribute tour for a late ex bandmate, Grace. Max initially faces some difficulty getting the other ex bandmate, Cindy; and Grace's daughter, Jade, on board with the idea but Cindy and Jade are eventually persuaded to tour with Max and ultimately patch things up with her after that.
Max and Jade develop an attraction for each other almost at once but there is also a lot of apprehension on both their parts resulting in some pent-up sexual tension. But what made it develop into more than lust is their mutual love and connection to music. I like that their age gap is explored too, as depicted by differences in their approach to being out as queer celebrities, influenced by their different experiences.
I think Miranda MacLeod has found another good co-writer in Em Stevens. This is definitely worth reading.
This book has received really good ratings all around and I can understand why. Lots of people enjoy a good celebrity romance, which this one is, and more than that, this story also explores wholesome themes like mending broken friendships.
But my first thought was how my love for celebrity romances doesn't extend to rock chicks. I was really distracted by the cover imagining both the main characters looking like that and well, no, I am not turned on. Lol. There were also little things that grated me more than they should. Like how I found a character, Cindy, to be unnecessarily irritating and how one main character, Max, replies people with annoying phrases like "hell, yeah" or "fuck, yeah".
But that being said, I thought the storyline was interesting and it reminded me of the year Backstreet Boys had their comeback concert and we went and had fun. Max is a rock singer who went solo years ago after her all-female rock band disbanded due to a misunderstanding. Once a music icon, Max is, years later, on the verge of becoming a has-been singer and needs a hit to revive her career so she jumps on the idea to hold a tribute tour for a late ex bandmate, Grace. Max initially faces some difficulty getting the other ex bandmate, Cindy; and Grace's daughter, Jade, on board with the idea but Cindy and Jade are eventually persuaded to tour with Max and ultimately patch things up with her after that.
Max and Jade develop an attraction for each other almost at once but there is also a lot of apprehension on both their parts resulting in some pent-up sexual tension. But what made it develop into more than lust is their mutual love and connection to music. I like that their age gap is explored too, as depicted by differences in their approach to being out as queer celebrities, influenced by their different experiences.
I think Miranda MacLeod has found another good co-writer in Em Stevens. This is definitely worth reading.
July 28, 2022
4.5 ⭐️
We always need Another Stupid Love Song. Miranda MacLeod and Em Stevens did a wonderful job in writing this beautiful romance, set in the music business.
scribd
Just a few weeks ago I read another book (The Duet by Harper Bliss) that was also set in the music industry. Although there are a lot of similarities, age gap, comeback tour, rock music, and loss of a band member, they are totally different and both very entertaining.
Maxine Gardner started her music career at 17 with the slightly older sisters Grace and Cindy Weathers as the Matchstick Girls. As one of the first all-female bands, they had to put up with a lot of misogyny that escalated to threats and milk-pack throwing. Coming out as a lesbian in this environment was an impossibility. So Maxi was very vague about her sexuality until the present, 25 years later. Too much fear of hostility and rejection of her otherness was drilled into her very early by her father. Such a pattern of behavior is not easy to change after these long years. Now she is at a turning point in her solo career, which she launched after the breakup of the Matchstick Girls. A tour with the old band could save her career but she knows that Cindy hates her, and blames her for the breakup, only she doesn’t know what she did.
Jade Weathers (28) is Grace’s daughter, she is a very talented musician who learned everything from her mother and she still mourns her death. She has a very close relationship with her aunt Cindy, who watches over Jade like a mother hen and wants to make sure that Jade doesn’t follow in Grace and Cindy’s footsteps, as they both had to promise Grace on her deathbed. But when Maxi takes the mat with an offer from her longtime manager for a one-of-a-lifetime reunion tour of the Matchstick Girls, everything could change. If only there weren’t these resentments against Maxi, who according to Cindy and Grace was to blame for the band’s breakup. Will they be able to work together?
The story is very well and fluently written, the two authors did a good job. The characters are well developed, with rough edges, a sense of responsibility, and humor. Maxi and Jade have a strong connection through music, they understand each other almost blindly from the beginning and they can help each other along in a way that no one else can or ever could. They are not only musically connected, but they also have a strong attraction and cannot escape it, although both believe they have no future together, whether because of the age difference or because they are at totally different places in life. But as we all know, never say never. Their chemistry is amazing, and the sex is hot as hell – especially when they are in New York. You will see or feel.
This story is not just about making music and the reunion tour. It’s about finally clearing up old misunderstandings and repairing friendships, about family, about how our experiences growing up, good and bad, shaped us. It’s about overcoming our own shadows and taking a risk, whether it’s in love or a commitment we made that doesn’t fit at all with our own idea of the future. It’s about standing up and determining your own life and not being told by everyone what you should and shouldn’t do. And above all, it’s about trust, trust in one’s own feelings, and trust in the supposed enemy, who perhaps does not act out of pure self-interest.
A very entertaining romance with a surprising ending that I did not expect at first but makes sense, at least as far as the music business is concerned.
We always need Another Stupid Love Song. Miranda MacLeod and Em Stevens did a wonderful job in writing this beautiful romance, set in the music business.
scribd
Just a few weeks ago I read another book (The Duet by Harper Bliss) that was also set in the music industry. Although there are a lot of similarities, age gap, comeback tour, rock music, and loss of a band member, they are totally different and both very entertaining.
Maxine Gardner started her music career at 17 with the slightly older sisters Grace and Cindy Weathers as the Matchstick Girls. As one of the first all-female bands, they had to put up with a lot of misogyny that escalated to threats and milk-pack throwing. Coming out as a lesbian in this environment was an impossibility. So Maxi was very vague about her sexuality until the present, 25 years later. Too much fear of hostility and rejection of her otherness was drilled into her very early by her father. Such a pattern of behavior is not easy to change after these long years. Now she is at a turning point in her solo career, which she launched after the breakup of the Matchstick Girls. A tour with the old band could save her career but she knows that Cindy hates her, and blames her for the breakup, only she doesn’t know what she did.
Jade Weathers (28) is Grace’s daughter, she is a very talented musician who learned everything from her mother and she still mourns her death. She has a very close relationship with her aunt Cindy, who watches over Jade like a mother hen and wants to make sure that Jade doesn’t follow in Grace and Cindy’s footsteps, as they both had to promise Grace on her deathbed. But when Maxi takes the mat with an offer from her longtime manager for a one-of-a-lifetime reunion tour of the Matchstick Girls, everything could change. If only there weren’t these resentments against Maxi, who according to Cindy and Grace was to blame for the band’s breakup. Will they be able to work together?
The story is very well and fluently written, the two authors did a good job. The characters are well developed, with rough edges, a sense of responsibility, and humor. Maxi and Jade have a strong connection through music, they understand each other almost blindly from the beginning and they can help each other along in a way that no one else can or ever could. They are not only musically connected, but they also have a strong attraction and cannot escape it, although both believe they have no future together, whether because of the age difference or because they are at totally different places in life. But as we all know, never say never. Their chemistry is amazing, and the sex is hot as hell – especially when they are in New York. You will see or feel.
This story is not just about making music and the reunion tour. It’s about finally clearing up old misunderstandings and repairing friendships, about family, about how our experiences growing up, good and bad, shaped us. It’s about overcoming our own shadows and taking a risk, whether it’s in love or a commitment we made that doesn’t fit at all with our own idea of the future. It’s about standing up and determining your own life and not being told by everyone what you should and shouldn’t do. And above all, it’s about trust, trust in one’s own feelings, and trust in the supposed enemy, who perhaps does not act out of pure self-interest.
A very entertaining romance with a surprising ending that I did not expect at first but makes sense, at least as far as the music business is concerned.
November 22, 2023
I love celebrity romances and their inherent wish-fulfillment. This hits all the right spots and I particularly liked the angle where the main characters are at different ends of their shared career. Max is a rock veteran with her career in a slump. Jade has been living according to her mother’s dictates and keeping away from that scene despite having all the skills, and the heart, of a rock goddess. And I worried about the twist where Jade is Max’s former bandmate’s daughter. So Jade has had an earful of the wicked betrayer who left to go solo, tearing their band apart.
So yeah, it’s a big age gap, too. If you know the squick formula*, we’re right on the border with Max at forty-two and Jade at twenty-seven. And just on the wrong side of that border, I might add. So I’m glad that the authors supported it so well. Max has had a tough time growing up without guidance and making her mistakes along the way. Jade is steady and mature and ready to shake things up the way she wants after following the dictates of her family for so long. Which the authors also used to make them a great match, Max gaining acceptance and stability and Jade the courage to take risks and trust she can handle the fallout.
It looked for a bit like there were going to be some strongly tropey elements of the story and I’m glad the authors dodged so well. Okay, well-enough for me. Barely. There’s some bitterness about the past and it becomes obvious relatively early that there’s a substantial disconnect between versions of events. And it frustrated me a bit that nobody bothered to drill down on that—particularly as so much bitterness had its roots in those events. Worse, an obvious villain took shape and I braced for the stupid that might have played out with that obvious choice. And while I’m glad for the surprise it was more than a little weak, once revealed. Like, it doesn’t work kind-of-weak. I mean, .
Worrying about the obvious villain and having things not make sense for a bit broke me enough out of the story in the mid-to-late stage that I’m going with four stars. I loved Jade and Max, though, and the other characters were charming as well. So I’m glad I took the chance.
* The Squick Formula: In case you haven’t heard of it, the formula is the older age divided by two and adding seven gives you the squick limit for the younger. In this case, Max’s age of 42 leads us to 42 / 2 = 21 + 7 = 28. So Jade’s twenty-seven is a year too young for Max not to get some hairy eyeball.
A note about Steamy: There are three explicit sex scenes putting this in the middle of my steam tolerance. I skimmed the last two, frankly, because there wasn’t any new emotional resonance involved. Indeed, I felt a little impatient because there were words that needed saying and both were using the sex to be avoidy.
So yeah, it’s a big age gap, too. If you know the squick formula*, we’re right on the border with Max at forty-two and Jade at twenty-seven. And just on the wrong side of that border, I might add. So I’m glad that the authors supported it so well. Max has had a tough time growing up without guidance and making her mistakes along the way. Jade is steady and mature and ready to shake things up the way she wants after following the dictates of her family for so long. Which the authors also used to make them a great match, Max gaining acceptance and stability and Jade the courage to take risks and trust she can handle the fallout.
It looked for a bit like there were going to be some strongly tropey elements of the story and I’m glad the authors dodged so well. Okay, well-enough for me. Barely. There’s some bitterness about the past and it becomes obvious relatively early that there’s a substantial disconnect between versions of events. And it frustrated me a bit that nobody bothered to drill down on that—particularly as so much bitterness had its roots in those events. Worse, an obvious villain took shape and I braced for the stupid that might have played out with that obvious choice. And while I’m glad for the surprise it was more than a little weak, once revealed. Like, it doesn’t work kind-of-weak. I mean, .
Worrying about the obvious villain and having things not make sense for a bit broke me enough out of the story in the mid-to-late stage that I’m going with four stars. I loved Jade and Max, though, and the other characters were charming as well. So I’m glad I took the chance.
* The Squick Formula: In case you haven’t heard of it, the formula is the older age divided by two and adding seven gives you the squick limit for the younger. In this case, Max’s age of 42 leads us to 42 / 2 = 21 + 7 = 28. So Jade’s twenty-seven is a year too young for Max not to get some hairy eyeball.
A note about Steamy: There are three explicit sex scenes putting this in the middle of my steam tolerance. I skimmed the last two, frankly, because there wasn’t any new emotional resonance involved. Indeed, I felt a little impatient because there were words that needed saying and both were using the sex to be avoidy.
August 2, 2022
I think the story was getting better the longer it lasts. The two MCs with their personal issus were rounded out well especially around the 60% mark of the book. I enjoyed it.
July 30, 2022
You won't be disappointed taking the chance to read this book - a smoothly written romance set in the world of rock music.
Back in the 1990's the rock band Matchstick Girls (with Grace, Max and Cindy) was one of the hottest around. Time has passed and now Maxine/Max a founding member needs a hit to reignite her solo career. Grace has recently passed on and Cindy is settled in a career teaching music. A tour is suggested to honor Grace (and obliquely uplift Max's career) but can she manage to get Cindy to agree. Cut to the chase, it's happening with Grace's daughter Jade, a talented drummer, rounding out the trio. When the tour begins there is a guarded attraction between Max and Jade that erupts into much more, a whirlwind of emotions on either side. The truth must come out and music and songs set free before a future is possible. What about trust, is there hope for a HEA?
The supporting cast of characters (Lottie is a stand-out) chemistry between the leads and overall storyline outweighed the age-gap aspect and blended well with the back stories, angst, touch of humor and torrid sex.
Authors MacLeod and Stevens have excelled with this one and I look forward to more hits from that writing duo. On my re-read shelf.
Back in the 1990's the rock band Matchstick Girls (with Grace, Max and Cindy) was one of the hottest around. Time has passed and now Maxine/Max a founding member needs a hit to reignite her solo career. Grace has recently passed on and Cindy is settled in a career teaching music. A tour is suggested to honor Grace (and obliquely uplift Max's career) but can she manage to get Cindy to agree. Cut to the chase, it's happening with Grace's daughter Jade, a talented drummer, rounding out the trio. When the tour begins there is a guarded attraction between Max and Jade that erupts into much more, a whirlwind of emotions on either side. The truth must come out and music and songs set free before a future is possible. What about trust, is there hope for a HEA?
The supporting cast of characters (Lottie is a stand-out) chemistry between the leads and overall storyline outweighed the age-gap aspect and blended well with the back stories, angst, touch of humor and torrid sex.
Authors MacLeod and Stevens have excelled with this one and I look forward to more hits from that writing duo. On my re-read shelf.
July 25, 2022
I really enjoyed this collaboration from Miranda MacLeod and Em Stevens. Maxine Gardner is trying to get the old band back together for a tour to help revive her slumping solo career. She faces an uphill battle though as she and her band have a trying history. When she meets the daughter of her band mate the new tour becomes even more difficult. I'm a sucker for both celeb romances and age gaps and this fit the bill. The drama with the band kept the emotions rolling and the two MCs had great chemistry. Miranda MacLeod's characters are always well rounded and I loved them all. Aunt Cindy was especially fun and I really liked Max in her responsible rock legend role. It was a great book and I look forward to more collaborations between these two in the future.
August 23, 2022
This one, for me, was fine. Good, even! But there were a couple of things that never pushed it into loving it territory. Most of them are totally personal preferences and squicks, so take this with a grain of salt. Others def seem to have really enjoyed it!
I’ve read a couple of books by Miranda MacLeaod at this point, mostly iirc, written together with T.B Markinson, but I’ve never encountered Em Stevens before. Imo, they’re solidly good writers, and I’ve really loved pretty much everything else, which is why this one was a (slight) bummer for me. The writing and story are solid. The characters are well fleshed out. The conflict feels genuine and nuanced. Objectively, it’s all there, it’s just personal preference stuff that got in my way, here.
I’m good with age gaps. Particularly in sapphic fiction (much less so with het or m/f couples, bc there is nearly always gross misogynistic tropes that get tacked on that piss me off) but often with wlw, you, (usually) tend to avoid a lot of that. This one would have been totally fine with me! 28/42 is absolutely acceptable! Everyone is a full adult and gets agency etc. but I just could not get over the fact that Jade is Max’s old friends kid. It was CONSTANTLY in the back of my mind. Max was a teenager when Jade was born, but she was also IN THE BAND WITH HER MOM. She knew her as a baby!! She knew her until she was five!!! It’s TOO WEIRD FOR ME!!!! we don’t get a lot of information on how often Jade was around the band as a toddler, but it IS implied not much, if she was constantly wanting her mom to come home etc. So, sure, it seems like Max probably spent hardly any time with baby Jade BUT STILL!!! she is your dead friends kid who you knew as a baby. It just was always there for me personally and I think largely bc of that, I never quite got as invested in their romantic relationship. Like, it’s not made weird by anyone in the narrative, and I gUesS it shouldn’t be but it was for me. Just one of those things.
I think equally with that, Max was a character that in a lot of ways I SHOULD have rlly liked. But there was smth abt her that never quite clicked with me. I can’t totally put my finger on what exactly it was? I didn’t love the voice Lori Prince gave her (tho her narration was as fantastic as always, and it did fit with the character) but maybe I’m an outlier in sapphic circles, husky/deeper voices don’t rlly do it for me 9/10.
I will say, I loved Jade and her whole arc with grieving her mom (who is dead on page one, not a spoiler) coming into her own as a musician, getting the courage to stand up for herself to ppl in the business and her aunt, etc. she was great. The stuff with Cindy and her I rlly liked, but the romance never quite clicked all the way into place for me. It was still entertaining, a good listen overall, and I think others will (and have!) enjoyed this one more than me.
(Also just, my personal second hand embarrassment abt singing in front of small groups of ppl, public declarations of affection etc, had me squealing a few times during this listen and not in the fun way, but that is not a dig, it’s just my own squick).
All in all this was a solid 3 stars decent time, but it’s not gonna be ranked among my favs. I think others will enjoy it more than me tho!
I’ve read a couple of books by Miranda MacLeaod at this point, mostly iirc, written together with T.B Markinson, but I’ve never encountered Em Stevens before. Imo, they’re solidly good writers, and I’ve really loved pretty much everything else, which is why this one was a (slight) bummer for me. The writing and story are solid. The characters are well fleshed out. The conflict feels genuine and nuanced. Objectively, it’s all there, it’s just personal preference stuff that got in my way, here.
I’m good with age gaps. Particularly in sapphic fiction (much less so with het or m/f couples, bc there is nearly always gross misogynistic tropes that get tacked on that piss me off) but often with wlw, you, (usually) tend to avoid a lot of that. This one would have been totally fine with me! 28/42 is absolutely acceptable! Everyone is a full adult and gets agency etc. but I just could not get over the fact that Jade is Max’s old friends kid. It was CONSTANTLY in the back of my mind. Max was a teenager when Jade was born, but she was also IN THE BAND WITH HER MOM. She knew her as a baby!! She knew her until she was five!!! It’s TOO WEIRD FOR ME!!!! we don’t get a lot of information on how often Jade was around the band as a toddler, but it IS implied not much, if she was constantly wanting her mom to come home etc. So, sure, it seems like Max probably spent hardly any time with baby Jade BUT STILL!!! she is your dead friends kid who you knew as a baby. It just was always there for me personally and I think largely bc of that, I never quite got as invested in their romantic relationship. Like, it’s not made weird by anyone in the narrative, and I gUesS it shouldn’t be but it was for me. Just one of those things.
I think equally with that, Max was a character that in a lot of ways I SHOULD have rlly liked. But there was smth abt her that never quite clicked with me. I can’t totally put my finger on what exactly it was? I didn’t love the voice Lori Prince gave her (tho her narration was as fantastic as always, and it did fit with the character) but maybe I’m an outlier in sapphic circles, husky/deeper voices don’t rlly do it for me 9/10.
I will say, I loved Jade and her whole arc with grieving her mom (who is dead on page one, not a spoiler) coming into her own as a musician, getting the courage to stand up for herself to ppl in the business and her aunt, etc. she was great. The stuff with Cindy and her I rlly liked, but the romance never quite clicked all the way into place for me. It was still entertaining, a good listen overall, and I think others will (and have!) enjoyed this one more than me.
(Also just, my personal second hand embarrassment abt singing in front of small groups of ppl, public declarations of affection etc, had me squealing a few times during this listen and not in the fun way, but that is not a dig, it’s just my own squick).
All in all this was a solid 3 stars decent time, but it’s not gonna be ranked among my favs. I think others will enjoy it more than me tho!
August 16, 2022
This was fun enough. The further along you are in the book, the better it gets.
The characters get more layers, more emotions. I especially liked Jade’s temperament, sticking up for herself and Max, it was awesome.
The characters get more layers, more emotions. I especially liked Jade’s temperament, sticking up for herself and Max, it was awesome.
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June 20, 2024Max(ine), Grace and Chris started playing music together when Max was a teenager. They were Matchstick Girls, and they were on the cusp of major stardom when the band split up.
Now, it is 22 years later. Max is 42 years old with a successful career as a solo rock star. Chris left music behind for a teaching career. And Grace has died. Max contacts Chris, proposing they get the band back together for a tribute/reunion tour.
Jade is 27 years old. Her mother recently passed away, and when her Aunt Chris agrees to join her former bandmate in a tribute to Jade's mother, they recruit Jade to play drums in her mum's place.
Max is gay but has never come out in either her public or private life. Jade is an out-and-proud lesbian.
This is the story of their tour preparation and of the tour itself. Along the way, we learn about the group's early days and the events that led to their split. It is also the story of Jade and Max and the attraction between them, which they first try to deny, then ignore and finally hide.
The best rock'n'roll stories leave me wishing the characters were real so I could hear their music. This is a good one - it satisfied my fascination with life on the road and gave me characters I could care about and lots of deliciously steamy sex. And if that sounds like your bag, you should check it out!
Now, it is 22 years later. Max is 42 years old with a successful career as a solo rock star. Chris left music behind for a teaching career. And Grace has died. Max contacts Chris, proposing they get the band back together for a tribute/reunion tour.
Jade is 27 years old. Her mother recently passed away, and when her Aunt Chris agrees to join her former bandmate in a tribute to Jade's mother, they recruit Jade to play drums in her mum's place.
Max is gay but has never come out in either her public or private life. Jade is an out-and-proud lesbian.
This is the story of their tour preparation and of the tour itself. Along the way, we learn about the group's early days and the events that led to their split. It is also the story of Jade and Max and the attraction between them, which they first try to deny, then ignore and finally hide.
The best rock'n'roll stories leave me wishing the characters were real so I could hear their music. This is a good one - it satisfied my fascination with life on the road and gave me characters I could care about and lots of deliciously steamy sex. And if that sounds like your bag, you should check it out!
September 28, 2022
It’s a hit! No. 1!
Max finds herself back on tour with her old band, only Jade, the daughter of Grace who was a member of the band before she died is joining them. There is a lot of past trauma threatening the success of the tour, and sworn to behave and not entice Jade into a rock and roll lifestyle by fellow band member and Jade’s aunt Cindy, Max finds it difficult when she discovers how talented Jade is and that they have amazing chemistry.
What an amazing story! I was taken by the fun theme and plot of going out on tour with a rock star band with a difficult history, especially when it was revealed Jade would be joining them. There was so much conflict for Max and a lot of past misunderstandings that added tension and excitement. The second Max and Jade were alone and began exploring music together, I just knew they were perfect for one another but I completely understood the initial hesitancy Max had.
Jade was fresh, fun, full of life and spirit. She was just what Max needed to be honest with herself, accept she deserved happiness, and face what had happened in the past with the band and Cindy. Max was just what Jade needed to be confident in making the right choices for herself and not following a path to avoid disappointing her mother. It was fantastic how Miranda and Em explored all the emotions this situation brought to the surface. The hurt from the past of the band splitting up and Cindy and Max having very different memories of why. Jade remembering promises to her mum but desperate to explore her real talents, passions, and desires. And for Max a lot of soul searching, not only when it came to Jade and their relationship, but with herself.
Max and Jade had amazing chemistry, they just clicked and I just hoped nothing would stand in their way and devastate the chance at happiness and success that could await them. It was intense and an unsettled ride and times but such a thrill to read, and I hope there will be future stories with Jade, Max, and Cindy in future because it was so much fun!
Max finds herself back on tour with her old band, only Jade, the daughter of Grace who was a member of the band before she died is joining them. There is a lot of past trauma threatening the success of the tour, and sworn to behave and not entice Jade into a rock and roll lifestyle by fellow band member and Jade’s aunt Cindy, Max finds it difficult when she discovers how talented Jade is and that they have amazing chemistry.
What an amazing story! I was taken by the fun theme and plot of going out on tour with a rock star band with a difficult history, especially when it was revealed Jade would be joining them. There was so much conflict for Max and a lot of past misunderstandings that added tension and excitement. The second Max and Jade were alone and began exploring music together, I just knew they were perfect for one another but I completely understood the initial hesitancy Max had.
Jade was fresh, fun, full of life and spirit. She was just what Max needed to be honest with herself, accept she deserved happiness, and face what had happened in the past with the band and Cindy. Max was just what Jade needed to be confident in making the right choices for herself and not following a path to avoid disappointing her mother. It was fantastic how Miranda and Em explored all the emotions this situation brought to the surface. The hurt from the past of the band splitting up and Cindy and Max having very different memories of why. Jade remembering promises to her mum but desperate to explore her real talents, passions, and desires. And for Max a lot of soul searching, not only when it came to Jade and their relationship, but with herself.
Max and Jade had amazing chemistry, they just clicked and I just hoped nothing would stand in their way and devastate the chance at happiness and success that could await them. It was intense and an unsettled ride and times but such a thrill to read, and I hope there will be future stories with Jade, Max, and Cindy in future because it was so much fun!
March 19, 2023
Almost if they were trying to tick too many boxes - angst, misunderstandings, age difference, show business - some where around half way though I thought Really? More of a movie than a book I can live. But 4*s
August 1, 2022
Max, Cindy & Grace were a girl group called the Matchstick Girls. After the band breaks up Cindy & Grace blame Max and Max thinks the others deserted her. As time goes by the bitterness grows and even Grace's daughter Jade is cautious of Max. As Max, Cindy and Jade begin a Summer Tour together this heat up between Max & Jade. They need to work together so moving on from the past is important. First they need to face some hurts from their past. The story is very moving and shows all the character's vulnerabilities.
The heat between Max and Jade is so good. I wish they really did have an album out cause I would by it.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
The heat between Max and Jade is so good. I wish they really did have an album out cause I would by it.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
July 29, 2022
4.5 stars
Wow, I'm a sucker for celebrity stories & this one is superbly done. This one involves rockstars. The matchstick girls were a ground breaking girl band in the 90s (a la the Go-Gos or the bangles, with a bit of Sleator Kinney). Like bands do, they break apart & sometimes the lead singer goes solo. Maxine with her blond hair is the quintessential breakout solo artist. Although she's been managing to hide & repress her sexuality all in search of fame.
A revival of sorts brings the band back into the limelight, enter Jade the daughter of the original drummer who's passed away. She's got more talent than any of them, lives proud & is a walking temptation for Max.
A reunion tour with Jade banging out the hits in her moms stead is sure to be an easy feat if only they could follow the rules of no sex. Can Maxine take the step & be authentic? Can Jade learn to trust her talent? Will love find away to break the ice? Will the music show the way?
This book was a fast read, because I just couldn't put it down.
Wow, I'm a sucker for celebrity stories & this one is superbly done. This one involves rockstars. The matchstick girls were a ground breaking girl band in the 90s (a la the Go-Gos or the bangles, with a bit of Sleator Kinney). Like bands do, they break apart & sometimes the lead singer goes solo. Maxine with her blond hair is the quintessential breakout solo artist. Although she's been managing to hide & repress her sexuality all in search of fame.
A revival of sorts brings the band back into the limelight, enter Jade the daughter of the original drummer who's passed away. She's got more talent than any of them, lives proud & is a walking temptation for Max.
A reunion tour with Jade banging out the hits in her moms stead is sure to be an easy feat if only they could follow the rules of no sex. Can Maxine take the step & be authentic? Can Jade learn to trust her talent? Will love find away to break the ice? Will the music show the way?
This book was a fast read, because I just couldn't put it down.
July 25, 2022
There wasn’t a single moment that I didn’t enjoy this book! MacLeod and Stevens set it up perfectly and I was all-in right from the get-go! The characters, the plot, the story world—all of it—it’s just fabulous!
When I reflected on why I liked it so much, it came down to this: masterful storytelling. Both MacLeod and Stevens are wonderful writers in their own right, so it shouldn’t be surprising that together they are fabulous. However, I didn’t expect this collaboration to be as fantastic as her well-established collaboration with TB Markinson. Markinson and MacLeod have written 7 books together, one even earning them a Golden Crown Literary Award. They are an incredible writing team and produce top-notch books. It is hard to imagine anything coming close to the creative genius of these two, yet MacLeod and Stevens accomplish just that. Their writing chemistry is extraordinary and Another Stupid Love Song knocks it out of the park.
The pair gets so many things right with this book, I’m not sure where to begin. The characters are wonderful. They’re all so thoughtfully developed; each one has purpose and moves the plot forward in enterprising ways. The plot is perfectly paced, originally developed and holds one’s interest from the start. The story world is immersive and assembled quite fantastically. It exhibits all the sights and sounds of a rock star’s world. When readers can be transported into a lovely fictional world using descriptions and characters that engage the senses, it’s not only good writing, it’s good storytelling!
Final remarks…
Another Stupid Love Song is a captivating romance, one that wlw romance fans won’t want to miss. Macleod and Stevens have page-turning collaborative chemistry and they absolutely must write more together.
Strengths…
*Impressive collaboration
*A well-developed, engaging cast of characters
*Good chemistry between the leads
*Romance has the perfect amount of sizzle
*Story arc is well-plotted and well-paced
*Immersive story world
*Entertaining read
When I reflected on why I liked it so much, it came down to this: masterful storytelling. Both MacLeod and Stevens are wonderful writers in their own right, so it shouldn’t be surprising that together they are fabulous. However, I didn’t expect this collaboration to be as fantastic as her well-established collaboration with TB Markinson. Markinson and MacLeod have written 7 books together, one even earning them a Golden Crown Literary Award. They are an incredible writing team and produce top-notch books. It is hard to imagine anything coming close to the creative genius of these two, yet MacLeod and Stevens accomplish just that. Their writing chemistry is extraordinary and Another Stupid Love Song knocks it out of the park.
The pair gets so many things right with this book, I’m not sure where to begin. The characters are wonderful. They’re all so thoughtfully developed; each one has purpose and moves the plot forward in enterprising ways. The plot is perfectly paced, originally developed and holds one’s interest from the start. The story world is immersive and assembled quite fantastically. It exhibits all the sights and sounds of a rock star’s world. When readers can be transported into a lovely fictional world using descriptions and characters that engage the senses, it’s not only good writing, it’s good storytelling!
Final remarks…
Another Stupid Love Song is a captivating romance, one that wlw romance fans won’t want to miss. Macleod and Stevens have page-turning collaborative chemistry and they absolutely must write more together.
Strengths…
*Impressive collaboration
*A well-developed, engaging cast of characters
*Good chemistry between the leads
*Romance has the perfect amount of sizzle
*Story arc is well-plotted and well-paced
*Immersive story world
*Entertaining read
January 13, 2023
How much did I love this book? Lemme put it this way, it was the first book I added to 'My favourites' list of 2023.
I love rock star stories so much that it doesn't generally matter who identifies as what (butch, femme, nonbinary, trans, bi, etc). Max was delicious. Rock Goddess with a hard body you find yourself admiring and lusting over simultaneously. A cool chick who went with the flow while expertly hiding everything the world, or what she thought the world, would ridicule her for. Jade was younger, but came off more mature than Max. Their relationship was flawed but worked seamlessly, if that makes any sense. I was never once bored and I even welled up a couple times. A couple characters got on my nerves but redeemed themselves in the end, but I guess that's the magic of great writing for ya--rile the reader up. And I must say, these two authors sure know how to set my drawers on fire because gawddamn! the sex was smoldering hot!
I totally recommend!
I love rock star stories so much that it doesn't generally matter who identifies as what (butch, femme, nonbinary, trans, bi, etc). Max was delicious. Rock Goddess with a hard body you find yourself admiring and lusting over simultaneously. A cool chick who went with the flow while expertly hiding everything the world, or what she thought the world, would ridicule her for. Jade was younger, but came off more mature than Max. Their relationship was flawed but worked seamlessly, if that makes any sense. I was never once bored and I even welled up a couple times. A couple characters got on my nerves but redeemed themselves in the end, but I guess that's the magic of great writing for ya--rile the reader up. And I must say, these two authors sure know how to set my drawers on fire because gawddamn! the sex was smoldering hot!
I totally recommend!
July 29, 2022
I’ve read many a book by Miranda MacLeod and have enjoyed all of hers including the ones she’s coauthored with TB Markinson. To write this one, she teamed up with author Em Stevens and I have to say, they did a masterful job together. A narrator tells the story from both Maxine and Jade’s points of view which I found to be beneficial because we got to know both our main characters, hear their thoughts, and feel their emotions. The story flowed so seamlessly that I found I was just flying through the pages. Their use of descriptive detail and dialogue really made the story entertaining.
When a book’s blurb says,“celebrity, age-gap”, I immediately swoon. Throw in enemies to lovers and I’m a goner. I really liked the chemistry between Max and Jade from the start. Jade was trying to hate Max but the more she got to know her, the more she realized that things aren’t always what they seem. I wish I could hear them play together because it’s what made them so intertwined. The authors did a great job developing their relationship. They quickly went from enemies to friends, then more. This book is steamy and there were times I needed to fan myself.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable read, not just because it has my favorite tropes but because Miranda MacLeod and Em Stevens have written multidimensional characters that are likable, vulnerable, and open to change. The writing flows naturally and the reader can almost hear the music coming off the page.
I received a review copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
When a book’s blurb says,“celebrity, age-gap”, I immediately swoon. Throw in enemies to lovers and I’m a goner. I really liked the chemistry between Max and Jade from the start. Jade was trying to hate Max but the more she got to know her, the more she realized that things aren’t always what they seem. I wish I could hear them play together because it’s what made them so intertwined. The authors did a great job developing their relationship. They quickly went from enemies to friends, then more. This book is steamy and there were times I needed to fan myself.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable read, not just because it has my favorite tropes but because Miranda MacLeod and Em Stevens have written multidimensional characters that are likable, vulnerable, and open to change. The writing flows naturally and the reader can almost hear the music coming off the page.
I received a review copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
September 30, 2022
I read this story this week on KindleUnlimted. I follow the authors newsletter and the category challenge for the week is to read a story about a musician. I don’t usually do the challenges but it was too easy to click and start reading.
Maxine Gardner is 42 and started her career right out of high school in the 90’s. The Matchstick Girls included her and two sisters Grace and Cindy. Just as the band was hitting it big they broke up and Max continues with a solo career. Her music popularity is waining but after the recent passing of Grace there is renewed interest in the band. If Cindy will join her there is the possibility of a reunion concert tour. Cindy reluctantly agrees. Max is surprised that Grace’s daughter Jade (27) is a gifted musician (drummer, guitar etc.). Jade is joins the tour as well.
There is a lot of depth to the story and details. But that didn’t always translate to more interest from me. The attraction be tween Max and Jade is instant. I don’t mind the age gap (which is a year shy of the normally accepted age range) but it being her friends daughter makes it more questionable. They haven’t seen each other since Jade was a toddler so that helps. It also helps that Jade is 27 and not in her young 20s. There is also a very obvious miscommunication about why the original band breaks up and it would seem after two months of touring somehow that would get resolved sooner than it does.
Besides instant attraction between Max and Jade they have their passion for music to bring them together. For a fantasy, celebrity romance this is all very typical. I’m not a huge music person so maybe was part of my lack of interest in the storyline. The writing is good. A couple of nice steamy bits and some humor in sneaking around and not getting caught by aunt Cindy.
Part of my reason for reading is the author put it on a big discount this week and I wanted to know if it is a book I would enjoy reading again. I’m glad I read it and liked the story but it wasn’t a book I needed to own and read again. I think this comes down to storyline preferences.
Maxine Gardner is 42 and started her career right out of high school in the 90’s. The Matchstick Girls included her and two sisters Grace and Cindy. Just as the band was hitting it big they broke up and Max continues with a solo career. Her music popularity is waining but after the recent passing of Grace there is renewed interest in the band. If Cindy will join her there is the possibility of a reunion concert tour. Cindy reluctantly agrees. Max is surprised that Grace’s daughter Jade (27) is a gifted musician (drummer, guitar etc.). Jade is joins the tour as well.
There is a lot of depth to the story and details. But that didn’t always translate to more interest from me. The attraction be tween Max and Jade is instant. I don’t mind the age gap (which is a year shy of the normally accepted age range) but it being her friends daughter makes it more questionable. They haven’t seen each other since Jade was a toddler so that helps. It also helps that Jade is 27 and not in her young 20s. There is also a very obvious miscommunication about why the original band breaks up and it would seem after two months of touring somehow that would get resolved sooner than it does.
Besides instant attraction between Max and Jade they have their passion for music to bring them together. For a fantasy, celebrity romance this is all very typical. I’m not a huge music person so maybe was part of my lack of interest in the storyline. The writing is good. A couple of nice steamy bits and some humor in sneaking around and not getting caught by aunt Cindy.
Part of my reason for reading is the author put it on a big discount this week and I wanted to know if it is a book I would enjoy reading again. I’m glad I read it and liked the story but it wasn’t a book I needed to own and read again. I think this comes down to storyline preferences.
July 29, 2022
I enjoyed the story and its unexpected twists. The musical scenes where the music and emotions really pop are the best. I really looked forward to each song.
August 6, 2022
Worth it
This is a classic romance, an age gap, enemy to lovers that was an enjoyable read on an afternoon by the pool.
This is a classic romance, an age gap, enemy to lovers that was an enjoyable read on an afternoon by the pool.
July 28, 2022
Really great book about an ageing rock star and the daughter of her old band member. Maxine is trying to resurrect her career, but she is reliant on Jade to help. Jade who is the daughter of her dead band member. Good storyline, with interesting characters and good development. Well worth the read.
March 28, 2024
I always love Miranda MacLeod's books, and this book is by far one of her best ones. Middle aged rock star Max tried to revive her career by going back to her roots, having the reunion tour of her original rock band "The Matchstick girls", the drummer Grace recently passed away and replaced by her daughter, the multi talented Jade. The chemistry between Max and Jade is red hot, even though Max is decade older than Jade, I feel like they are true soulmates, evenly matched in talent and maturity. I also love the side characters, the meddling aunt, the pushy agent and Jade's best friend. I wish the book is much longer and I would love to read more of the couple's future adventure.
Read
February 12, 2024that's how you write a forbidden enemies to lovere age gap btw
August 27, 2022
I am a sucker for celebrity romances and medical romances. Another Stupid Love Song was worth the read. It was interesting, had some good drama and the pacing was really good. 4.25 stars.
June 21, 2023
Rock girlies hit different.
but be fr this isn't this borderline grooming? Max was in Grace's band untill Jade was a fucking 5 year old. idk man. seems fishy
romance part hit though. I just really hate to say it
but be fr this isn't this borderline grooming? Max was in Grace's band untill Jade was a fucking 5 year old. idk man. seems fishy
romance part hit though. I just really hate to say it
August 13, 2022
Another stupid love song by Miranda MacLeod and Em Stevens, narrated by Lori Prince
An entertaining celebrity romance
While I’ve read quite a few books by Miranda MacLeod, writing either solo or with TB Markinson, I’ve never read anything by Em Stevens. I was curious about how they teamed up together and the narration by Lori Prince is a plus.
Maxine Gardner is a rock and roll legend whose career is on the decline. Her agent convinces her that her best move is to get her old band reunited for a US tour. The only issue is that one of the former band members is dead and the other hates her. Jade Weathers is a gifted musician whose mother and aunt formed the band with Maxine. Following her mother’s death, Jade’s aunt is determined that she chooses a stable career with the local symphony but Jade wants to be a rock star. As Max and Jade share time and make music together they realise that they have uncharted chemistry on and off stage.
Another stupid love song is an enemies to lovers, celebrity, age-gap romance. Celebrity romances are one of my favourite romance tropes, especially when it’s between a famous and an unknown person. Even though Jade is used to fame as her mum and aunt were very well-known musicians, Max is a legend and there is a bit of hero worship from Jade’s side. Add to the mix a considerable age gap, and this story opens up for a lot of character vulnerabilities.
Music plays a central role in this story and it acts as an unspoken language, an enabler and an equalizer between the main characters. The music scenes on and off stage are very powerful and help build the chemistry between the main leads. Both women are very different in age and life experience but the music they make together creates a strong bond that breaks all the walls between them.
Apart from the romance, this book is about friendship, family, and redemption. Both main characters have a journey to do as individuals, Max to make peace with her past, Jade to think of her future. They both have relationships to mend with the secondary characters who are very well fleshed out.
Lori Prince narrated the audio version and did a fantastic job. Her voices for the different characters were spot on, as well as her performance of the different range of emotions. If you enjoy celebrity romances, then this one is for you. 4 stars.
Length: 9 hours, 38 minutes
An entertaining celebrity romance
While I’ve read quite a few books by Miranda MacLeod, writing either solo or with TB Markinson, I’ve never read anything by Em Stevens. I was curious about how they teamed up together and the narration by Lori Prince is a plus.
Maxine Gardner is a rock and roll legend whose career is on the decline. Her agent convinces her that her best move is to get her old band reunited for a US tour. The only issue is that one of the former band members is dead and the other hates her. Jade Weathers is a gifted musician whose mother and aunt formed the band with Maxine. Following her mother’s death, Jade’s aunt is determined that she chooses a stable career with the local symphony but Jade wants to be a rock star. As Max and Jade share time and make music together they realise that they have uncharted chemistry on and off stage.
Another stupid love song is an enemies to lovers, celebrity, age-gap romance. Celebrity romances are one of my favourite romance tropes, especially when it’s between a famous and an unknown person. Even though Jade is used to fame as her mum and aunt were very well-known musicians, Max is a legend and there is a bit of hero worship from Jade’s side. Add to the mix a considerable age gap, and this story opens up for a lot of character vulnerabilities.
Music plays a central role in this story and it acts as an unspoken language, an enabler and an equalizer between the main characters. The music scenes on and off stage are very powerful and help build the chemistry between the main leads. Both women are very different in age and life experience but the music they make together creates a strong bond that breaks all the walls between them.
Apart from the romance, this book is about friendship, family, and redemption. Both main characters have a journey to do as individuals, Max to make peace with her past, Jade to think of her future. They both have relationships to mend with the secondary characters who are very well fleshed out.
Lori Prince narrated the audio version and did a fantastic job. Her voices for the different characters were spot on, as well as her performance of the different range of emotions. If you enjoy celebrity romances, then this one is for you. 4 stars.
Length: 9 hours, 38 minutes
February 24, 2024
So it turns out I really like these rock star kind of stories, so long as the rock star is down to earth. And Max was. Also, I’m a complete sucker for those scenes where one character writes and sings a song to the other… which, spoiler, is in there. So yeah, this was right up my alley.
Here’s the thing — there was depth, too. There was the whole drama of how the band broke up, and it was telegraphed early that there were multiple views on that, but it wasn’t explored until much later. There was Grace’s dying wish for Jade, and Cindy’ enforcement. Jade’s wish to please the people around her, while at the same time knowing it’s not really what she wants and she’ll be wasting her life away if she goes through with it. Jade’s true talent, Roxie’s issue, and Jade’s musical chemistry with Max. The different outlooks and life experiences of Jade’s generation vs. Max’s. There was just so much to explore, the story never got old, was never carried along by the same tired romance tropes. Even those were mixed up a bit — while there was sorta one bed, it was played for a completely different angle than usual, not a physical thing but Jade trying to unearth some of Max’s secrets. Then Skip’s character turned out to be… not what I expected. It just always stayed fresh.
And then there was that last performance: the unique way to buy a little time, one of them unexpectedly backstage, the conversation in the after-party… I mean, wow. That whole sequence sealed the deal. The wrap-up with the industry and the epilogue were both cute, but I’m not sure I really processed much after that last performance. It was that good. What more can I say? :)
Here’s the thing — there was depth, too. There was the whole drama of how the band broke up, and it was telegraphed early that there were multiple views on that, but it wasn’t explored until much later. There was Grace’s dying wish for Jade, and Cindy’ enforcement. Jade’s wish to please the people around her, while at the same time knowing it’s not really what she wants and she’ll be wasting her life away if she goes through with it. Jade’s true talent, Roxie’s issue, and Jade’s musical chemistry with Max. The different outlooks and life experiences of Jade’s generation vs. Max’s. There was just so much to explore, the story never got old, was never carried along by the same tired romance tropes. Even those were mixed up a bit — while there was sorta one bed, it was played for a completely different angle than usual, not a physical thing but Jade trying to unearth some of Max’s secrets. Then Skip’s character turned out to be… not what I expected. It just always stayed fresh.
And then there was that last performance: the unique way to buy a little time, one of them unexpectedly backstage, the conversation in the after-party… I mean, wow. That whole sequence sealed the deal. The wrap-up with the industry and the epilogue were both cute, but I’m not sure I really processed much after that last performance. It was that good. What more can I say? :)
September 13, 2022
Rockstar age gap romance
Max is a successful solo artist, However once upon a time she was part of a successful trio called the Matchstick Girls, which for mysterious reasons brokeup. Now on the passing of one of her band mates she’s trying to bring the band together again hoping a successful tour will also translate into reviving her slumping career. Getting the band together and performing might be a huge effort but she’s also battling to tamp down feelings for Jade the daughter of her closest friend and former band mate.
Okay so this started out really well, I really liked the escalating tension bought about from Jade disliking Max but also being attracted to her and the touch of taboo given that Max is attracted to the daughter of her former friend and band mate. I haven’t read many rockstar trope romances but I did like how the writing captured the energy of the performances and the feeling of being on tour. The 🔥 jam session scenes where pretty cool.
So it’s not all smoldering looks and pining for the two MCs, there a few emotional issues that the characters have to work through, which always makes things interesting. But I also feel that was where the book didn’t quite work for me because while I fully embraced their vulnerabilities, the resolution of those issues seemed a little too quick for my taste. I guess I want my characters to really work for / through it 😂.
Overall a nice read for the most part, that hits the right spots for fans of enemies to lovers, age gap and rockstar celebrity romances.
Max is a successful solo artist, However once upon a time she was part of a successful trio called the Matchstick Girls, which for mysterious reasons brokeup. Now on the passing of one of her band mates she’s trying to bring the band together again hoping a successful tour will also translate into reviving her slumping career. Getting the band together and performing might be a huge effort but she’s also battling to tamp down feelings for Jade the daughter of her closest friend and former band mate.
Okay so this started out really well, I really liked the escalating tension bought about from Jade disliking Max but also being attracted to her and the touch of taboo given that Max is attracted to the daughter of her former friend and band mate. I haven’t read many rockstar trope romances but I did like how the writing captured the energy of the performances and the feeling of being on tour. The 🔥 jam session scenes where pretty cool.
So it’s not all smoldering looks and pining for the two MCs, there a few emotional issues that the characters have to work through, which always makes things interesting. But I also feel that was where the book didn’t quite work for me because while I fully embraced their vulnerabilities, the resolution of those issues seemed a little too quick for my taste. I guess I want my characters to really work for / through it 😂.
Overall a nice read for the most part, that hits the right spots for fans of enemies to lovers, age gap and rockstar celebrity romances.
August 11, 2022
Great harmony
Miranda MacLeod and Em Stevens have written a winning score starring sexy 42-year-old frontwoman/rocker Max, and captivating 27-year-old Jade, a multitalented musician and the daughter of Max’s former band mate, Grace.
When another band backs out of their scheduled tour, Max’s manager insists she persuade her other former band mate — Grace’s sister and Jade’s aunt — to reconstitute the group and go on the road for the summer.
Max wants to revive her waning solo career and come to terms with her sexuality.
Jade is grieving her mother’s early death and hoping to sort out her own future. She must weigh honoring the vow she made to her mom not to follow in her rowdy, rock-and-roll lifestyle, instead choosing a stable, long-term career with an orchestra.
Or can she develop the confidence to chart her own path? She confronts Door #2 when joining Max and her aunt on the tour.
The book reveals unresolved pain and grievances, provides experiences that enable the characters to consider what they want from life, and presents opportunities available to them if they have the courage to pursue them.
Miranda MacLeod and Em Stevens have written a winning score starring sexy 42-year-old frontwoman/rocker Max, and captivating 27-year-old Jade, a multitalented musician and the daughter of Max’s former band mate, Grace.
When another band backs out of their scheduled tour, Max’s manager insists she persuade her other former band mate — Grace’s sister and Jade’s aunt — to reconstitute the group and go on the road for the summer.
Max wants to revive her waning solo career and come to terms with her sexuality.
Jade is grieving her mother’s early death and hoping to sort out her own future. She must weigh honoring the vow she made to her mom not to follow in her rowdy, rock-and-roll lifestyle, instead choosing a stable, long-term career with an orchestra.
Or can she develop the confidence to chart her own path? She confronts Door #2 when joining Max and her aunt on the tour.
The book reveals unresolved pain and grievances, provides experiences that enable the characters to consider what they want from life, and presents opportunities available to them if they have the courage to pursue them.
October 9, 2022
Enjoyable and compelling romance, from the title to the end
Kudos for the eye-catching title – it immediately evokes the romance and music themes and perfectly captures the playful and witty narration. This is definitely one that will join my favourites and to-be-read-again list.
This lesbian romance exploits the tropes of age-gap, enemies-to-lovers, hidden/forbidden-love, coming-out, and slow-burn lesbian romance. Artfully interwoven, these tropes contribute to character development and a credible storyline and climax. With deft and subtle brushes, the authors painted the scene and exposed the characters’ background, history and motivation from the start, making for multi-dimensional, complex, credible and compelling characters. There are a few surprises along the way, which makes this story feel unpredictable and engaging even though the reader hopes it would end the way it should for all the main characters: HEA.
Entertaining and engaging, well worth the read. I look forward to more works by these two authors, combined and singly.
Kudos for the eye-catching title – it immediately evokes the romance and music themes and perfectly captures the playful and witty narration. This is definitely one that will join my favourites and to-be-read-again list.
This lesbian romance exploits the tropes of age-gap, enemies-to-lovers, hidden/forbidden-love, coming-out, and slow-burn lesbian romance. Artfully interwoven, these tropes contribute to character development and a credible storyline and climax. With deft and subtle brushes, the authors painted the scene and exposed the characters’ background, history and motivation from the start, making for multi-dimensional, complex, credible and compelling characters. There are a few surprises along the way, which makes this story feel unpredictable and engaging even though the reader hopes it would end the way it should for all the main characters: HEA.
Entertaining and engaging, well worth the read. I look forward to more works by these two authors, combined and singly.
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