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toomanyfingees's review against another edition
5.0
I received a free ARC of this book. This is another win for me in the Vixen's Rock series. Probably my favorite of the three.
Another stunning example of the way that Marie Lipscomb lovingly crafts her plus sized heroes and heroines. Wonderful grumpy/sunshine dynamic. It even contains my favorite kink, men going to therapy.
Another stunning example of the way that Marie Lipscomb lovingly crafts her plus sized heroes and heroines. Wonderful grumpy/sunshine dynamic. It even contains my favorite kink, men going to therapy.
emmelnie's review against another edition
5.0
Amped slides down like a glass of good bourbon: it’s smooth, subtle, and yet so satisfying. I loved this story of Liz, who’s considering quitting as the keyboardist for a band on the verge of a breakthrough, and Jones, a roadie whose damaged back is forcing him to consider quitting the job he knows best.
Both Liz and Jones know what they need to change about themselves, but they’re scared to rock the boats they’re familiar with. So Amped is the story of the strength they give one another to accept what is best for themselves and in so doing, recognize that one of those things is the love they find in one another.
This third book in Lipscomb’s Vixens Rock series doesn’t focus on the band Vixen’s Wail, and that’s a refreshing take for a heroine who’s looking to put the band in her past. I loved that the members of the band appear, but mainly on the periphery. Jones’ friend Imran is a more prevalent character in Amped, and I wished we’d seen a bit more of how his business partnership and friendship with Jones worked.
Amped is amazingly sensuous—Jones and Liz are strongly drawn together physically, and I loved their evolving path to physicality. I wish a bit more time was spent addressing Jones’ therapy; he resolved decades-old issues a bit too quickly to me. But it was great to see Liz confront her hesitations and for her and Jones to move forward into a future that made sense for them.
Lipscomb has a stunning way with words, and Amped just flowed past my eyes. I couldn’t stop reading this book—it just mesmerized me from start to finish. It’s my favorite entry to date in a series that’s been exceptionally good.
Both Liz and Jones know what they need to change about themselves, but they’re scared to rock the boats they’re familiar with. So Amped is the story of the strength they give one another to accept what is best for themselves and in so doing, recognize that one of those things is the love they find in one another.
This third book in Lipscomb’s Vixens Rock series doesn’t focus on the band Vixen’s Wail, and that’s a refreshing take for a heroine who’s looking to put the band in her past. I loved that the members of the band appear, but mainly on the periphery. Jones’ friend Imran is a more prevalent character in Amped, and I wished we’d seen a bit more of how his business partnership and friendship with Jones worked.
Amped is amazingly sensuous—Jones and Liz are strongly drawn together physically, and I loved their evolving path to physicality. I wish a bit more time was spent addressing Jones’ therapy; he resolved decades-old issues a bit too quickly to me. But it was great to see Liz confront her hesitations and for her and Jones to move forward into a future that made sense for them.
Lipscomb has a stunning way with words, and Amped just flowed past my eyes. I couldn’t stop reading this book—it just mesmerized me from start to finish. It’s my favorite entry to date in a series that’s been exceptionally good.
cowmingo's review against another edition
4.0
GRUMPY SUNSHINE!!! And oh Jones is the grumpiest of grumps. When he and Liz meet, it's immediate chemistry which, of course, he's cranky about. As we get to know Jones through Liz's eyes, the cracks start to widen and we get to see the giant teddy bear that he really is and has been hiding due to years of built up issues. Content warning for parental abandonment, parental death, emotional abuse (in flashbacks) and self-loathing. Liz is trying to figure out her place in the world without letting anyone she loves down and when she meets Jones, she starts to see that you can still have what you want, stand up for yourself and be loved all at the same time.
For me, this was a really quick read and a perfect pick me up escape into some place else. Marie Lipscomb has won my heart with these characters and this series and I cannot wait for the next one.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
For me, this was a really quick read and a perfect pick me up escape into some place else. Marie Lipscomb has won my heart with these characters and this series and I cannot wait for the next one.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
kthudson15's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bookedinsideout's review
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
I was saving this for a rainy day and not only did it not let me down, but I think it’s probably my favourite yet. It was a little bit insta-love but I didn’t even care because I loved the focus on mental health and choosing yourself and that the conflict wasn’t between people but something they could support each other through. Loved it and the child-free happily ever after without marriage.
"I don't think you need to change and I know I'm never going to fix what's hurting you. Only you can do that."
kindlelovingmom's review
4.0
This is book 3 in the series, and I love how the story of each band member reveals more about the group as a whole, and their tight friendships.
Liz Larkin is the keyboardist for Vixen's Wail, and after 10 years, she's ready to move on. She loves all her bandmates like family, but she never had any real designs on making music her life. She longs to go to school to be a massage therapist, but she's terrified to tell the band what she wants. They're about to play the biggest gig of their career, and after that, she's determined to finally tell them she wants out.
Jones had a terrible childhood, and still suffers the affects of his father's abuse. He works several heavy labor jobs, including as a concert roadie, but he's been struggling with debilitating back pain for the last 2 years. But, due to how he was raised, he refuses to seek help. When he meets Liz backstage at a music festival, they are drawn to each other immediately, but he knows he's not good enough for her, and can't imagine why she would want him.
Jones and Liz had sparkling chemistry from the first, even while he was being a grumpy bear to her constantly. They really grew to understand each other and care for each other very quickly, and I liked that they went for it, even though they were both a bit scared. They really took the other person as they were, and wanted only the best for them, and I loved that. They just fit together so well.
Both Jones and Liz had turmoil to deal with before they could move on in their lives, but especially Jones. He had so much childhood trauma that he had never properly dealt with, and it affected pretty much every aspect of his life. I was SO GLAD to see the steps that he takes in the story to work on those issues, including therapy, and how he includes Liz in that process. Liz had to learn to speak her truth to her friends, and not just hold the status quo to avoid conflict or hurt feelings. She and Jones really grew together, and gave each other the strength to confront their issues head on. I loved them as a couple.
While there were many friends of both Liz and Jones as side characters here, the story really focused in on our main couple, and that totally worked for me. They had a lot to work on and overcome, and I liked that the focus really remained on that. This was such a sweet, heartwarming story, while still having plenty of steamy moments, and I really enjoy this author's voice. Her characters feel very real, and they are always relatable. I definitely recommend this series!
CONTENT WARNING: Hero suffered emotional abuse as a child, and it still affects his life. He also has chronic back pain/Sciatica.
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher. This review is my personal opinion, voluntarily given.
Reviewed by Megan from Romanced by the Book
Liz Larkin is the keyboardist for Vixen's Wail, and after 10 years, she's ready to move on. She loves all her bandmates like family, but she never had any real designs on making music her life. She longs to go to school to be a massage therapist, but she's terrified to tell the band what she wants. They're about to play the biggest gig of their career, and after that, she's determined to finally tell them she wants out.
Jones had a terrible childhood, and still suffers the affects of his father's abuse. He works several heavy labor jobs, including as a concert roadie, but he's been struggling with debilitating back pain for the last 2 years. But, due to how he was raised, he refuses to seek help. When he meets Liz backstage at a music festival, they are drawn to each other immediately, but he knows he's not good enough for her, and can't imagine why she would want him.
Jones and Liz had sparkling chemistry from the first, even while he was being a grumpy bear to her constantly. They really grew to understand each other and care for each other very quickly, and I liked that they went for it, even though they were both a bit scared. They really took the other person as they were, and wanted only the best for them, and I loved that. They just fit together so well.
Both Jones and Liz had turmoil to deal with before they could move on in their lives, but especially Jones. He had so much childhood trauma that he had never properly dealt with, and it affected pretty much every aspect of his life. I was SO GLAD to see the steps that he takes in the story to work on those issues, including therapy, and how he includes Liz in that process. Liz had to learn to speak her truth to her friends, and not just hold the status quo to avoid conflict or hurt feelings. She and Jones really grew together, and gave each other the strength to confront their issues head on. I loved them as a couple.
While there were many friends of both Liz and Jones as side characters here, the story really focused in on our main couple, and that totally worked for me. They had a lot to work on and overcome, and I liked that the focus really remained on that. This was such a sweet, heartwarming story, while still having plenty of steamy moments, and I really enjoy this author's voice. Her characters feel very real, and they are always relatable. I definitely recommend this series!
CONTENT WARNING: Hero suffered emotional abuse as a child, and it still affects his life. He also has chronic back pain/Sciatica.
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher. This review is my personal opinion, voluntarily given.
Reviewed by Megan from Romanced by the Book
allyonlyreadsheas's review
5.0
I am absolutely in love with this book. Amped really tore my heart out and gave it back to me in better shape than when it left. It's magnificent.
I've loved each of the Vixens Rock stories so far, but Amped is on a whole 'nother level.
Liz is the keyboardist for Vixens Wail, but it was never her dream to be a rockstar. Instead, she wants go to college and help people as a massage therapist. Jones is a big grumpy roadie whose body has betrayed him. The pain in his back is making work practically impossible, but asking for help would mean admitting weakness — besides, what else could someone as worthless as him do anyway? (His sentiments. NOT mine.) They don't mean to find each other, but the universe has other ideas. And some things are just meant to be.
Jones. Jones, Jones, Jones. This man owns my heart. He is a sweet, precious and devastatingly broken bear of a man. His wounds run deep, both physical and emotional, but he loves with all his heart and just wants someone to love him in return. And when he finds Liz, finds the woman he can smile and laugh with, he fights like hell with his demons to keep her. I LOVE him.
In Liz, Marie does such a wonderful job depicting the anxieties of starting over as an adult and the fear of disappointing your friends even at the detriment of your own happiness. She also includes wonderful therapy representation for Jones and strong, supportive friendships.
Oh, and it's really freaking hot too.
At the heart of it, Amped is a story about bravery and love. I unreservedly adored it. I hope you do too.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I've loved each of the Vixens Rock stories so far, but Amped is on a whole 'nother level.
Liz is the keyboardist for Vixens Wail, but it was never her dream to be a rockstar. Instead, she wants go to college and help people as a massage therapist. Jones is a big grumpy roadie whose body has betrayed him. The pain in his back is making work practically impossible, but asking for help would mean admitting weakness — besides, what else could someone as worthless as him do anyway? (His sentiments. NOT mine.) They don't mean to find each other, but the universe has other ideas. And some things are just meant to be.
Jones. Jones, Jones, Jones. This man owns my heart. He is a sweet, precious and devastatingly broken bear of a man. His wounds run deep, both physical and emotional, but he loves with all his heart and just wants someone to love him in return. And when he finds Liz, finds the woman he can smile and laugh with, he fights like hell with his demons to keep her. I LOVE him.
In Liz, Marie does such a wonderful job depicting the anxieties of starting over as an adult and the fear of disappointing your friends even at the detriment of your own happiness. She also includes wonderful therapy representation for Jones and strong, supportive friendships.
Oh, and it's really freaking hot too.
At the heart of it, Amped is a story about bravery and love. I unreservedly adored it. I hope you do too.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
gemin1reader's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse
anniekslibrary's review
4.0
I'm a wreck over this big, tall, grumpy man being soft with animals and his love interest only, and being in therapy and just being one of the best romance heroes I have ever read