Gone Country

Gone Country 
by Hunter Snow
⭐⭐⭐⭐

If you love Blake Shelton and Gwen Stafani, you'll love this book. It 100% gave me the TV Series, Nashville, vibes.

Jamie Keaton is a rockstar who comes across as a diva with her penchant for top-shelf vodka, glamorous on-and-off relationship with hollywood heartthrob, and ambition to succeed. Layton Langley is the complete opposite, leaving behind his party days and drama when his ex abandons him to raise their twin daughters alone.

When Jamie and Clayton write a song together, their worlds are forced to sync up because the song catapults them into the spotlight. Soon, their label forces them on tour together, the accidental co-writing righting a wrong when Clayton didn't let Jamie open for him in the past. They pull pranks, argue, and continue to deny what's growing between them, even when his daughters join them and melt Jamie's barriers until the rocker is living a country song herself.

This was a refreshing read. Beyond the romance--and there is plenty!--the MC's help show each other that their side of the industry isn't all bad. That maybe even when there are clear lines between their chosen genres of music, their songs are better when melded together. And people love it!

Slow burn, found family, self-discovery, rockstar romance, enemies to lovers... There are so many tropes that I have a guilty pleasure enjoying, I simply couldn't put this down. The refreshing 4-Star read is fast-paced and heartfelt, and shows us that relationships are meant to bring out your very best.

Thank you @netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Rules for Fake Girlfriends by Raegan Revord

 Rules for Fake Girlfriends

by

Raegan Revord

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

This had a very strong start and fantastic premise: Rom-com about rom-com-obsessed college-bound girl who makes the drastic choice to forego Columbia to attend her mother's alma mater in order to follow the first clue to a scavenger hunt her mother sent her just before she died. The distance between our Avery and her father, and the separation as she parts ways with her best friends to go to a different college, solidify the connections to the main character right away. Right away, we pivot to the introduction of Charlie, Avery's new friend/fake girlfriend, which was so ridiculous it was fun! I very much enjoyed the reading Avery's journey from knowing it wouldn't end well--to swearing it has to end--to where she winds up.

The story was a fresh take on an old idea, and had moments of real charm; however, the execution and character development needs some more work for consistency and pacing. There were some descriptions that did not add up, many repetitive words and emotions that slowed the overall story, and the pacing for the scavenger hunt was sporadic. That said, it does come to a conclusion I think readers will enjoy.

I would rate this 3.5 Stars but rounded up to 4 on Goodreads. The author had a great idea, fantastic chapter titles that suck you in, and a great idea. I hope they continue writing and would read another book they pen.

Book Review - Bait by Kasi Blake

Bait by K.C. Blake

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This was an incredible read - I literally downloaded Kindle just to finish. I can't wait to start the second in this series!

Bay-Lee and Nick (sometimes Tyler) have such great chemistry, and the plot is so well written, it keeps you up well past your bedtime. Reapers (who knew they were ghosts?), monsters, fighting, and oh, the romance. I don't want to say anything to give it away . . . simply read it.

K.C. Blake is the perfect choice if you are looking for the next great series that makes you want to do a toe dance of anticipation waiting for the next installment.

Sasha Leigh



View all my reviews

5 Ways to Get Book Reviews

Let's assume that you have the next great novel that has the potential to become an overnight success for the purposes of this post. Negative reviews can and will reflect upon other novels under your name, so when asking for reviews, make sure that the content you are providing is the best you are capable of producing - your reputation will thank you for it. Use editors, beta readers, proof-readers, and cover designers when necessary. Just because we "can" self-publish doesn't mean we can't be as good as authors who are traditionally published - or better.

Book reviews are a HUGE part of a self-publishing/indie author's marketability and internet presence. Reviews posted to sites such as Amazon, Goodreads, Shelfari, Smashwords, etc., are essential to building a rapport with readers you are propositioning, which is what happens whenever you publish - a reader clicks on it (thumbnail picture, link, etc.), studies the cover, reads the blurb, and if you're lucky, checks out excerpts, if available. Is it important that your book looks good? Edited thoroughly? YES.

But good content aside, how is a reader going to know they should buy a book when they don't know the author enough to compare previously read books against?