From best-selling author Elle Greco comes a prequel novella — filled with a charming rock star, heart-pounding insta-love, and Vegas-style holiday cheer — from her LA Rock Star universe.
It’s Vegas, baby!
Vivienne Darling is totally stoked. She just landed a dream gig assisting LA’s hottest stylist, getting dancers and VIPs ready for the opening party of The Stardust Hotel on the Vegas strip. Well, okay, her boss is dressing the VIPs.
But still…it’s the gig of the freaking century! It was big enough for her to quit her survival job and spend the days leading up to Christmas at the hottest hotel opening Vegas has seen in years. What she didn’t realize was her #1 crush Jack Casey — now the most sought-after DJ in the electronic dance scene was headlining this gig.
But it would be Vivienne's luck that Jack would hand-pick her to be his stylist, bypassing her boss completely. With Vivienne stealing her boss's starry client, her career might be over before it even begins.
But Vegas has a way of working holiday magic. Will Vivienne find her happily ever after with Hollywood’s reigning prince? Or will she return to LA with her reputation shattered?
Vegas Wonderland is a holiday LA Rock Star Romance prequel novella, set before book one (Heartbreak Beat) in the series, featuring the origin story of reader favorite Vivienne Darling. It can be read as a stand-alone and is a fun introduction to the LA Rock Star universe.
I write fiction about badass women (and the people they love).
Urban Fantasy lovers will know me as Karen Greco, author of the best-selling Hell’s Belle series. My Contemporary Romance books are written under Elle Greco.
While the genres are worlds apart, strong female characters are the chain that links all my worlds.
These women are magical. They wield wicked weapons. They play a mean drum solo. They fall in love. They rule the boardroom and the bedroom.
Whatever they do, they do it with swagger.
My storytelling career began when I forced everyone play “make-believe” with me when I was a kid. That eventually morphed into banging out short stories on my mom’s old manual typewriter. As I got older, I graduated to penning bad poetry, then not terrible plays as a teenager. I studied playwright in college but my career took a detour and I ended up working in journalism and then entertainment publicity, which kept me busy for 20-odd years.
My “day job” has taken me from gritty rock clubs in The Bowery to glam red carpets during movie premieres and awards shows. My background working with talent (and the suits) in the industry has served me well with the LA Rock Star Romance series.
A few years ago, I decided to pursue my original passion, and a few full-length novels later, here we are.
I love anything spooky and impossible to explain. If you love hanging out in cemeteries, the older the better, I’d totally go on a road trip with you.
I have two rescue dogs, a patient husband, and an awesome kid.
This was a quick fun book that was sweet and left me with that “feel good” feeling. Jack and Vivienne were a perfect match that was meant to be. This is a great addition to the LA Rock Star series.
Vivienne gets a job working for Muriel to do a job in Vegas right before Christmas. She has got to impress this clothes stylist so she can pursue her dream. She sees Jack Casey who is a famous DJ who she met a year ago when he wasn’t as well known. There is an instant attraction and the chemistry is intense, but Vivienne tries to fight it. Jack won’t take no for an answer. Great characters and storyline. Highly recommended Amazing book. I love Jack and Vivienne and the supporting cast. This is a short, sweet and spicy book.
Vegas Wonderland begins with our heroine Vivienne Darling, a part time hotel maid, who longs to be a stylist to the stars. Her best friend Regina, a dancer in Los Angeles, mentions Vivienne to a famous celebrity stylist, Muriel who hires her as her assistant for the upcoming grand opening of a new hotel in Las Vegas.
Arriving at the hotel, she spots her crush, DJ Jack Casey surrounded by a circle of beautiful women, as usual. Having briefly met a year prior at a party Regina dragged her to, she wonders if Jack will remember their meeting. He wasn’t as famous as he is today, but he was up and coming.
As she steps into the elevator to head to her room, she is suddenly accompanied by Jack. Looking at her, he sticks out his hand and calls her by a wrong name. But, it’s apparent he does in fact remember their meeting.
The next day, Vivienne begins her day dressing the various dancers, when she meets one gal who is truly fun to be around, Greta. The two begin to chat when Jack comes to the room to grab Greta for breakfast.
When Greta returns to finish her fitting, she mentions to Vivienne that Jack likes her. It takes Vivienne by surprise as she presumed Greta and Jack were a couple. Learning they are just best friends allows her to drop her guard and the two women form a quick friendship.
The next morning, Muriel huffs into the suite and informs Vivienne that she will be the one dressing Jack, not Muriel. While this should be a great things for Vivienne, she’s aware that this has placed a target on her back; Muriel will not stand being upstaged by an ‘assistant’.
Vivienne does what she’s told and meets with Jack, taking Muriel’s words with her. She had a plan for dressing Jack and while it may work for Jack’s father, it definitely is not right for Jack. She takes Jack to the designer she knows is right for him, Muriel be damned.
They attend Jack’s event and sparks fly when they share a kiss on stage. They then take off for Fremont Street. Things on the agenda - swimming with sharks, tequila and salsa dancing – oh, and getting married by Elvis. And that’s when the fun begins
If you love Elle Greco and her books, you’re going to love this holiday novella. A must for her fans and a must if you want a quick and fun filled read with some steamy, sexy, scenes.
I honestly have never read a book that transported me back in time to a point in my life that I was reliving through the pages I was reading until now. Sure, the place, the people, the exact details are different but the theme and the vibe are all there. I was IN IT! Y'all, I could not put this book down! I was crying happy tears because those memories are some of the best of my damn life and they were sort of playing out in the pages of a book!
Let's take a breath and go through the book a bit, shall we? Vivienne is a budding stylist. She wants to dress the stars, but first she must prove herself. She finally has a chance to do that with this trip to Vegas with Muriel, stylist to the stars, for a hotel grand opening. There will be dancers, B-list performers and A-list performers, including Jack Casey - EDM DJ and the guy that stole her breath at a party a year ago.
Jack's no slouch. Apparently he had some tricks up his sleeve. He knew that night at the party that he couldn't make his move, so he put their eventuality in the hands of fate. Jack believed from that moment that they were meant to be.
Hilarity is the name of the game in this novella. Viv's internal monologue had me absolutely cracking up at times. She talks to herself just like I talk to myself. Her insecurities about life and love are so real, because she's lived a real life. She's had to work for everything she has. Her mom, even though she is a make-up artist for actors, has had to scrimp and save to give Viv anything in her life. Viv's mom's outlook on love has affected Viv's opinion on love, sort of.
This book is WILD, y'all! It is so fast paced that you really don't have time to catch a breath. It needs to be though. If you think about the theme of the book, if it was any slower, it just wouldn't work. Viv and Jack's love is like a rave with a masterful DJ at the helm (no pun intended). That DJ will take you high, so high, your heart is racing and you're spinning around, dancing frantically. Then that DJ starts to sneakily ramp the music into a slower beat, letting you mellow a bit, swaying into it. Before you know it, you've fallen over that cliff. You're flying so high but you're so mellow at the same time.
In conclusion of this gushing review: follow your gut. Do what Jack did. I did. I met that guy at a rave. I fell in love with the bartender the night I met him. Let yourself fall.
Always check the TW/CW: 💥some mention of drugs/drug use
Anywho! Time to wrap this up with the goodies: Read: 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Spice: 4 🌶🌶🌶🌶 HEA
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
"It was just as easy to marry the wrong person after fifteen years or fifteen hours."
Vegas Wonderland is fun and entertaining story of Jack and Vivienne. Jack is a up and coming DJ, Vivienne is a housekeeper at a hotel and a designer looking to make it in the business. When a job brings Jack and Vivienne back together, he is not about to let her get away this time, but she has her doubt.
This is a great story that I really enjoyed and it made me smile. Jack is fun, Vivienne is serous, together the balance each other out and has your heart souring.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Enjoyed this superstar regular girl romance. Vivienne Darling and Jack Casey had run into each other previously and met again while she was helping to style other lesser-known artists. Jack insisted she style him and the rest was a low angst ride to an HEA.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A fun holiday love story! I loved how Vivienne broke out of her shell and did something she thought she would never do with Jack. I enjoyed seeing her take control to her fears and reservations and end up happy and in love. The only thing I would change is making this story longer!! Wonderful job!
✨ARC Review ✨ *** Thank you to @grecolinawrites and Nishasbooksandcoffeepr for the ARC to review. *** Vegas Wonderland was a sweet read. It was fast paced and a bit of a whirlwind. The writing was good and the characters were fun to. Vee was sweet and easy to like. Jack was charming and very loving. Their relationship was fast and hot. They definitely had chemistry. This was a good, fast paced novella. *** ⭐⭐⭐.5 ***
Vivienne has been one of my favorite side characters in the LA Rock Star series. I’m so excited to start getting snippets of her story, this being the start of the mysterious relationship that somehow netted her the very large, very empty house she lives in. And what a sweet, sexy, and impulsive story these two have! First a meet-cute at a party, where she’s sure she made a fool of herself, but Jack was completely enamored. Then nothing for almost a year, when he pops back into her life, and turns it completely upside down. With the backdrop of Las Vegas and Christmas, Jack and Vivienne are swept up in each other in every way possible. I absolutely loved this prequel to their full story, and I can’t wait for their second chance!
📢 It’s the origin/prequel story we’ve all been waiting for… VIVIENNE & JACK!!! *screams* 📢
*lowers megaphone*
Oops, sorry… I really should have lowered that before screaming. *blushes*
(Apologies in advance for the impromptu Agnes/Despicable Me impersonation.) I’m just so excited! I LOVE Viv. She is quirky, sassy, and fun with a Big Heart. Not to mention she has style for days. She is the BFF we all aspire to be and want to have at our sides through thick and thin. Plus, her relationship with her mom, Ruthie, is *chef’s kiss*.
Since she first appeared in Love Song (Jett and Rafe’s book) I have wanted to know everything and all the breadcrumbs sprinkled since have only made me hungry for more.
I was ready to throw down during THAT scene in Free Falling… #IYKYK ergo (I’m feeling salty, shut it!) I wouldn’t say I was Anti-Jack going into this book, buuuttt… I just can’t fathom Viv experiencing hurt of any kind. And now I’m in a quandary because I flipping loved Jack. He’s like a little lost puppy wearing his heart on his sleeve. So. What. Freaking. Happened??!!
*exhales calming breath*
In the interest of controlling my blood pressure I have decided to remain in my Vegas Wonderland bubble for the foreseeable. Although *taps chin*, that spice ain’t gonna help the old BP levels that’s for sure *snorts*.
Vivienne Darling has landed her dream job. While in Las Vegas, she'll assist LA's hottest stylist getting dancers and VIPs ready to perform during the opening celebration of The Stardust Hotel on the strip. Her dream is to be a stylist for the Hollywood elite and this is her first step. Jack Casey, an EDM DJ is headlining the event. They had met a year ago and neither forgot the other. He’s her number one crush. When he requests that she be his personal stylist instead of her boss, her career may be over before it's even properly begun. Follow along as the magic of Vegas during the holidays wraps around Vivienne and Jack. Jack believes in following his gut and in trusting fate. Though doubts plague her, the chemistry between them in undeniable and she easily gets caught up in the sparks setting them ablaze. Will they find their HEA, cementing their future with her Hollywood prince or will she be forced to return to LA with her reputation destroyed?
I've wanted to read this author's LA Rock Star series for some time now and I was not disappointed. I've read a lot of rockstar romance but this was my first DJ. I found myself wishing I could actually hear Jack spin. He was a sweetheart and I deeply respected Vivienne's work ethic. My only complaint was the abrupt ending. In the end, it was time well spent and left warmth in my chest. I highly recommend this read. This is my honest opinion, freely given.
In this story, Vivienne goes to Las Vegas for a stylist gig and meets Jack Casey, a famous DJ. He is instantly attracted to Vivienne (some say smitten) and as one thing leads to another Jack and Vivienne end up married by Elvis. No, they did not black out and forget, but Vivienne has some doubts the next morning given that so many marriages fail and because he is rich, she is broke.
There are several mentions of Jack's famous father and I assumed this was foreshadowing and he would become a more significant plot point. Someone makes threats involving him but the story wraps up without any on-page interaction with Daddy Dearest. The
I enjoyed this story in a general way but I was not quite sure what they loved about each other.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Short, sweet and steamy, this is the proof a short story can still have an interesting plot and fully developed characters who form a real relationship filled with great chemistry. It’s not really instalove as it’s more love at first sight.
I absolutely adored Jack! I really wish we’d had a few scenes from his pov as I’m sure they would have been amazing. Vivienne was so funny! Her inner-monologues were one of the best parts of the story. I do wish we got a little more time with them, especially in their future. I also was surprised after making such a big deal about Jack’s dad, that we never even saw a single scene with him. No complaints, though. I loved it too much.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
We know loveable Vivienne Darling as an established stylist in the LA Rock Star series but in this sweet, romantic prequel novella, she is just beginning her career. Celebrity DJ Jack Casey, however, is an endearing and charming surprise in this tale of their whirlwind romance in Las Vegas. Truthfully, I don't remember him from the other books so I am not sure what happened to this couple but I feel like I need to go back and reread the other books now. I am wondering if there is more to the story but this book ends on happy note and I enjoyed it a lot.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This holiday insta love novella was super sweet!!! Jack and Vivienne’s love story was both super swoony and well written. I loved that Vivienne had real, valid fears and concerns, and that Jack was able to reassure her that everything was going to be okay. I’m really picky about my insta love romances because sometimes it feels almost too rushed with no substance, but that wasn’t the case with “Vegas Wonderland.” Jack and Vivienne’s relationship had depth, and I thought they were great together. All in all, this was a fantastic read!!!
Vivienne has landed her dream job as a stylist, and Jack who is the most sought-after DJ in the electronic dance scene, request her to become his stylist. These two have crossed paths before, and the sparks fly between them. This is an enjoyable story which has chemistry, emotions, intrigue, and is a steamy quick read. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
An instalove with a heroine, Vivienne, who second guesses her choices based on her parents’ relationship and her financial standing. But Jack is committed and knows this is the real thing. Sweet, heartfelt and steamy with a beautiful HEA.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I liked that this wasn't a Rockstar book, the EDM DJ was a new twist on a classic for me and I liked it. As per Elle Greco the seedier side of LA was highlighted, with arranged relationships and nepotism the focus this time. This was a short but steamy holiday read that was a joy to read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Simple, tender and pleasant to read It's a tender romance between Vivienne, an apprentice stylist and Jack, a famous DJ. Their story is simple, romantic, warm, certainly, predictable but pleasant to read; a good “feel good” story. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
Jack & Vivienne had an entertaining story. Vivienne Darling is totally stoked. She just landed a dream gig. But it would be Vivienne's luck that Jack would hand-pick her to be his stylist, bypassing her boss completely. And am voluntarily leaving my review.