Behind the Strings

Nashville Starlet #1

by Courtney Giardina

Celia Westbrooke is no stranger to what goes on behind the scenes of the music industry. She’s one of the hottest music bloggers in Nashville and her own father chose rock stardom over family. That's why her number one rule is never to fall for a musician, but when a night of passion ends with one of them in her bed -- everything changes.

Jesse Rockford moved to Nashville with a guitar and dream. He was looking for a record deal and what he found was a girl who turned his life upside down. As much as Jesse wants Celia in his life, he knows that their relationship comes with a price and it may not be one that either of them is willing to pay.

In the heart of Music City, secrets are revealed, loyalties are tested and two lovers will be forced to make a choice. Is what they really want worth what they will lose in the process.

212 pages, Paperback

Published May 17, 2016

About the author

Courtney is the author of Tear Stained Beaches, Holding on to Georgia and the Behind the Strings series. When Courtney isn't busy writing her next novel, she also loves songwriting, listening to country music and traveling.

Reviews

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (6/2/2020)! 🎁

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute love triangle, set in the country music scene in Nashville. Ended on a cliff hanger, looking forward to reading the sequel.

[Tristan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Celia and Logan spent their entire childhood together, after their mother's shared a birthing room. But when the pair are adults, their paths start to go different ways. Logan wants to be a country music star, and Celia doesn't want to hold him back. She encourages to follow his dreams and the two part ways. Five years later, Celia is a well known music blogger. She gets an assignment to cover none other than the Logan she grew up with.

Their meeting ignites old feelings, but do the two feel the same way? When a new man is thrown into their lives, things take a turn that no one expected. One night will change everything...

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Courtney Giardina was kind enough to send me copies of Behind the Strings and Slow Dancing on Main Street in exchange for reviews. These thoughts are my own, honest opinions.

Behind the Strings ends in the most crazy cliffhanger!!! I was so glad I had book two ready!

I enjoyed this book. It is an interesting, quick read. I am a huge country music fan, so the Nashville setting with country boy love interests kept me engaged. I enjoyed the way the story showed the not so glamorous sides of being a musician, and the difficult sides to loving a musician. I also love the sweet relationship between Celia and her mother.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book pleasantly surprised me! I was contacted by the author to read the second book in this series, so I wanted to read Behind the Strings beforehand. Not normally my kind of book, I was completely taken in by Celia and her complicated life. Having a musician in the family, I know what that kind of life is like, as well as everything behind the scenes. To read about her Daddy issues, the best friend issues, and the new love issues were nothing short of intriguing. And let me tell ya, Giardina knows how to end on a cliff hanger. I was ready to continue on the next page and was left yelling WHAT?!? So, I'm pretty glad I have the second right next to me to start immediately.

I received a copy of this book, all opinions are my own.

[Whit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I enjoyed all of the trials and tribulations Celia had to go through, trying to choose between Logan and Jesse, two hot and sexy rock-stars, I hated the fact that the book ended in a cliffhanger. Where's the rest of the story? So disappointed! I received this book, free, in a Goodread's First Read's Giveaway. Thank you.

[Jessica Prov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

I absolute loved it! It was such a good story that caught my interest from the beginning. I immediately bought the next book and already started it. I needed to know what was going to happen! I would recommend this book to anyone who wants an easy read that will have you hooked Into a cute love story.

[Evy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this book was sweet and a very light, easy-breezy read. It was a little predictable at times but I enjoyed it and the story it told all the same. If you’re looking for a romance novel with love triangles that is also more than just a romance novel, look no further than this one.

SPOILER-FREE SUMMARY
As one of Nashville’s hottest music bloggers, Celia Westbrooke spends her days chasing stories and her nights mingling with country music’s rising stars. Her life is a whirlwind, but it keeps her mind from remembering a past she left behind. That is, until a new assignment forces her to face the one person she thought was gone forever. Logan Kent is on the fast track to country music stardom. It was the dream he had worked his entire life for. A dream that cost him the one person he ever truly loved. The same dream, that five years later, will be the reason she returns. In the heart of Music City, Celia and Logan will be forced to relive the remnants of a relationship they thought would never be. And just when they think they have what it takes to put all the pieces back together, one night could tear it all apart. Secrets will be revealed, loyalties will be tested and both will be left to decide if what they really want, is worth what they’ll lose in the process.

While it IS a romance novel, this book also discusses other things like the topic of family dysfunction, loss, friendship, self-care, abandonment issues, music, celebrity life, and more. I enjoyed reading about Celia’s life and boy troubles. All of the characters in this novel were pretty well developed, distinct and realistic as well. There were also a lot of LOL moments! This book was very well-rounded.

If you’re a fan of romance novels, chick-lit, or fiction in general, you should definitely check this one out!

[Ashlee Wahl · Rating 4 out of 5]

What? This story ends on a cliffhanger! It is sort of abrupt and I wasn't expecting it when I turned to the last page and was like "That's it?" I know there's a second book out, and I'll read it to see what happens.

My heart broke for Logan. He's in love with Celia, but Celia's feelings aren't reciprocated and falls for Logan's friend, Jesse. The story was good, but I was really hoping for more dialogue between the characters. I like both male characters, but I feel like we would have loved them even more if there was more dialogue between them so that you could really connect with them on another level. Can't wait to read book 2 though!

[Lori (on hiatus, life is crazy busy)) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story! Engaging and interesting character's. The writer was good at pulling you in and making you feel all the strong emotions that this story had to offer. I was however sad that it literally left you hanging at the very end of the book. I hope the writer will finish this great story because I feel like the main character's need closer in their lives no matter the outcome.

[Chasity Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Celia is a music blogger. Jesse is living in Nashville with dreams of making it big. They meet when Celia does a interview with Jesse, things heat up and a night of passion happens. But Jesse was told to stay away by Logan, Logan is Celia past that's back and bring up all the old memories. What will Celia do? Who does she want the past or the now? What will happen in the next book?

[Lynn Stifle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet and enjoyable read. Celia gets the chance to work things out with her male best friend or starting a relationship with a country music artist. This story was engaging, the characters were likable and relatable, even though I secretly love Logan, and the storyline was compelling. I can’t wait to read the next book to see what happens next. A great read and one I recommend.

[Devon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a quick and easy read that is perfect for a beach day. The love triangle that developed kept me reading to find out what would happen. Overall, I enjoyed this book.

[Elvira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I loved this first book the characters are well developed and engaging and the chemistry is undeniable with plenty of twists and turns to keep me turning the pages. The flow of the storyline was great.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rebel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was engaging, the characters were likable and relatable. The storyline was compelling but a little predictable at times. On the whole it was an enjoyable read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Abigael Weller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rounding up from a 3.2 because I hate not having half star options!

Cute romance novel based in Nashville TN. Not the genre I typically go for, but it was on my bookshelf and I was looking for a quick read.

It warmed my heart. Read like a Hallmark movie (which I LOVE). Glad I could read the second book quickly after!

[Taylor Cohen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A love triangle that ends on a cliffhanger!

[Gia O’Riordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A super fun and easy romance read set in Nashville. The love-triangle in this book makes you want to continue reading to see where Celia’s heart takes her!

[Chrissy Shaffer-McNeal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Such a good read, first time reading this author! I really like her writing! This story was great, but ending in a cliffhanger!

[Kendra Ayers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this third novel from Courtney Giardina! I noticed immediately how much stronger she had become as a writer and this book really proves her gift of storytelling. I loved the setting and could envision the scenery of Nashville and country music life. Celia, the main character, had a rare chance to work things out with her male best friend or start a new relationship with an up and coming country musician. I voted for the best friend Logan and look forward to seeing what happens in her sequel. I worried that Jesse might end up being a carbon copy of Celia's absent father and I just couldn't shake that feeling. Logan was always there for her and it seemed he would be no matter what. Great job, Courtney! Looking forward to your next book.

[AJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is usually not my type of genre to read but I was pleasantly surprised with how engaging the book was. What I liked most about the book was how it felt real and relatable. I thought it had just the right amount of twist and turns to keep you guessing. I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to anyone!

[ׂ╰┈➤ Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, where should I even start? This book is beautifully written. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time.

I will say that there are many surprises in this book, and things do not go as planned at all.

Holy that ending ruined my life and I can't wait to see where book two takes us.

[lizp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Couple of things that turn me off from this one:
- Cliffy
- Love triangle
- wishy washy heroine

The writing is good, and I've liked CG's other stories, I just couldn't get 100% on board with this one.