Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
I read this before the series, so didn't see much character development from Sam, but rather much of the book is about Martha. She's a bossy one. Short read, which is great, and perhaps why character development for me was lacking.
Strong surprisingly redeems Martha (horrible sister of Ben and ex-girlfriend of David). It also helped that I didn't really remember that Martha was the horrible ex-girlfriend of David.
I really enjoyed getting a glimpse into each of the band members' families, though.
I loved Sam–he was so sweet. He, honestly, made Strong a good read for me.
I really enjoyed getting a glimpse into each of the band members' families, though.
I loved Sam–he was so sweet. He, honestly, made Strong a good read for me.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review
Strong: A Stage Dive Novella is book 4.5 in Kylie Scott’s Stage Dive series and has been published as part of the 1001 Dark Nights Collection.
As head of Security to Stage Dive, one of the biggest rock bands in the world, Sam Knowles has plenty of experience dealing with trouble. But spoilt brat Martha Nicholson just might be the worst thing he’s encountered.
While Martha claims to have turned over a new leaf, she’s had her sights set on Sam for years. Quiet and conservative, Sam isn’t the type of man she’s normally interested in, so why can’t she get him out of her mind?
I read Kylie Scott’s Stage Dive series earlier this year and really enjoyed them, so when I heard she was releasing a novella I was really looking forward to getting my hands on it.
While it was an enjoyable read, I did find a lot of the dialogue was weak and didn’t seem to flow, and at times it seemed almost like the author wanted to use a particular line but couldn’t find a way to include it that seemed natural.
While I really enjoyed getting to know Sam and Martha more, and really enjoyed their banter,
I did find that the character development seemed rushed, which is probably due to the fact that the novella was only 120 pages.
I really enjoyed Martha’s dry and sarcastic sense of humour, particular in relation to her obvious denial about her feelings,
One of the things that bothered me during the book was that Martha was able to do almost anything she attempted really well, and although most of this made sense and fitted her character due to her past experience and employment, I think the often abrupt and rushed writing style combined with the times the story would jump a few days ahead with little reference to what occurred then, made it come off as being slightly ‘Mary Sue’.
While I was left slightly disappointed with this Novella, I did enjoy getting to see more of Martha and Sam as well as see check in with the rest of the band and characters from the Stage Dive series.
Strong is an enjoyable and humorous contemporary romance novella that can be read as a stand-alone.
“He provided exactly the sort of shelter I’d fled New York in search of, if I was being totally honest. The comfort of loved ones, family, and maybe even friends. Things I hadn’t had for a long time. Things I hadn’t quite been able to provide for myself, irritatingly enough. But to maybe need someone, to actually make myself vulnerable…”
Strong: A Stage Dive Novella is book 4.5 in Kylie Scott’s Stage Dive series and has been published as part of the 1001 Dark Nights Collection.
As head of Security to Stage Dive, one of the biggest rock bands in the world, Sam Knowles has plenty of experience dealing with trouble. But spoilt brat Martha Nicholson just might be the worst thing he’s encountered.
While Martha claims to have turned over a new leaf, she’s had her sights set on Sam for years. Quiet and conservative, Sam isn’t the type of man she’s normally interested in, so why can’t she get him out of her mind?
I read Kylie Scott’s Stage Dive series earlier this year and really enjoyed them, so when I heard she was releasing a novella I was really looking forward to getting my hands on it.
While it was an enjoyable read, I did find a lot of the dialogue was weak and didn’t seem to flow, and at times it seemed almost like the author wanted to use a particular line but couldn’t find a way to include it that seemed natural.
While I really enjoyed getting to know Sam and Martha more, and really enjoyed their banter,
“I’m not the only one who’s been paying attention, Sam,” I said. “Get you started and you’re like a robot with a stick up its ass with all of the organizing and planning everything. But I’m neither your job nor a combat mission, buddy.”
“Can you put a stick up a robot’s ass? I guess it depends on the type of robot really, doesn’t it?”
I did find that the character development seemed rushed, which is probably due to the fact that the novella was only 120 pages.
I really enjoyed Martha’s dry and sarcastic sense of humour, particular in relation to her obvious denial about her feelings,
“And I did not lie awake for hours frowning at the ceiling thinking about him. That would just be stupid. For some reason, however, sleep didn’t come. But surely it had nothing to do with him. Because whatever Sam’s original plans might have been, we were just using each for sex. Therefore, there could be no possible reason for me to be freaking out about all of his relationship talk.”
One of the things that bothered me during the book was that Martha was able to do almost anything she attempted really well, and although most of this made sense and fitted her character due to her past experience and employment, I think the often abrupt and rushed writing style combined with the times the story would jump a few days ahead with little reference to what occurred then, made it come off as being slightly ‘Mary Sue’.
While I was left slightly disappointed with this Novella, I did enjoy getting to see more of Martha and Sam as well as see check in with the rest of the band and characters from the Stage Dive series.
Strong is an enjoyable and humorous contemporary romance novella that can be read as a stand-alone.
loved reading about Martha and Sam!
It was also really cute to read about all the kids and how they were being treated.
It was also really cute to read about all the kids and how they were being treated.
"For a woman with so much pride, Martha, you have a very thin grasp of your worth."
Let me start out by saying that this book can be read as a standalone. While it features characters from Kylie's Stage Dive series, you can fully enjoy this without reading those. BUT, and I emphasize that, you really should read them. They're super fun and have enough emotion weaved throughout them to make me very happy.
This story is ten years in the making. While Sam has always been in the background watching and waiting, Martha has been out front causing mayhem and grief. They are the epitome of opposites attract. I wanted to reach in numerous times and wring her neck. Martha has been watching the Stage Dive guys fall one by one but all the while she's been watching their super hot bodyguard from the sidelines. She knows she's all wrong for him, but she can't stop the wanting.
Sam has been wanting Martha for 10 years. Hard to believe this spoiled, high maintenance girl would ever want him. But he's not willing to wait any longer and sets his sight on her and slowly reels her in. Of course there are fireworks when this happens, and not just the beautiful, awe inspiring kind. The kind that blow things up and make you take cover.
Sam has the patience of a saint. Martha definitely didn't make it easy but it was fun to watch. I'm glad that things worked out, and not just between her and Sam. She isn't the most liked character and it's been a long time coming and growing up, on her part. It was also fun to see the past characters join in the party and come together. love when series end like this.
Let me start out by saying that this book can be read as a standalone. While it features characters from Kylie's Stage Dive series, you can fully enjoy this without reading those. BUT, and I emphasize that, you really should read them. They're super fun and have enough emotion weaved throughout them to make me very happy.
This story is ten years in the making. While Sam has always been in the background watching and waiting, Martha has been out front causing mayhem and grief. They are the epitome of opposites attract. I wanted to reach in numerous times and wring her neck. Martha has been watching the Stage Dive guys fall one by one but all the while she's been watching their super hot bodyguard from the sidelines. She knows she's all wrong for him, but she can't stop the wanting.
Sam has been wanting Martha for 10 years. Hard to believe this spoiled, high maintenance girl would ever want him. But he's not willing to wait any longer and sets his sight on her and slowly reels her in. Of course there are fireworks when this happens, and not just the beautiful, awe inspiring kind. The kind that blow things up and make you take cover.
Sam has the patience of a saint. Martha definitely didn't make it easy but it was fun to watch. I'm glad that things worked out, and not just between her and Sam. She isn't the most liked character and it's been a long time coming and growing up, on her part. It was also fun to see the past characters join in the party and come together. love when series end like this.
It may be only be a novella but STRONG by Kylie Scott is detailed enough to provide a complete story for Sam and Martha.
For readers who are familiar with previous books in the Stage dive series, we all know Martha is the woman we love to hate. Here we see the ever bitchy and snarky Martha with a couple of years of much needed maturity and perspective under her belt. I was curious how her story with Sam, the Stage Dive security guard, would play out because I would never have pegged these two as couple - ever. But they work. They work very well.
Along with the blossoming relationship between Sam and Martha, we get appearances from all the Stage Dive couples. As always, Mal’s appearances are more than welcome. I don’t know what it is about his character, but it’s like he overtakes Kylie’s body when she is writing about him. He is overwhelming and shines so bright!
This is definitely one for Stage Dive fans. For readers not familiar with the series, this book can be read as a stand alone but I do recommend you treat yourself to the full Stage Dive experience.
For readers who are familiar with previous books in the Stage dive series, we all know Martha is the woman we love to hate. Here we see the ever bitchy and snarky Martha with a couple of years of much needed maturity and perspective under her belt. I was curious how her story with Sam, the Stage Dive security guard, would play out because I would never have pegged these two as couple - ever. But they work. They work very well.
Along with the blossoming relationship between Sam and Martha, we get appearances from all the Stage Dive couples. As always, Mal’s appearances are more than welcome. I don’t know what it is about his character, but it’s like he overtakes Kylie’s body when she is writing about him. He is overwhelming and shines so bright!
This is definitely one for Stage Dive fans. For readers not familiar with the series, this book can be read as a stand alone but I do recommend you treat yourself to the full Stage Dive experience.
*SBTB Numbers Quarterly Challenge- Lucky Number Seven: Read a book by your favorite author.*
A good epilogue to the series. All the favourites make an appearance. A must for fans, but don't read it if you haven't read the rest of the series first (in order).
It ties up the romance between secondary characters that's been percolating the whole series. The romance itself is pretty undercooked - basically "Hey I've liked you for years. "Me too." "Let's fuck." But there are a few funny and sweet moments.
A good epilogue to the series. All the favourites make an appearance. A must for fans, but don't read it if you haven't read the rest of the series first (in order).
It ties up the romance between secondary characters that's been percolating the whole series. The romance itself is pretty undercooked - basically "Hey I've liked you for years. "Me too." "Let's fuck." But there are a few funny and sweet moments.
Well. If you’re interested in a quick check in of the Stage Dive crew, it might be worth it, but this is a lackluster romance. Martha and Sam only talk once or twice in the first half of the book, then they have sex, and bam there you go. I suppose if you like books without conflict, you’ll enjoy it. There’s nothing offensive or wrong, it’s just boring.
I guess absence does make the heart fonder because I actually enjoyed Martha in this. I really liked Sam and he definitely softened her up a bit but I wish it had taken a bit more time or struggle to do so. Not so immediate