Reviews

Rock Chick Reckoning by Kristen Ashley

witandsin's review against another edition

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5.0

My review cross-posted from Wit and Sin: http://witandsin.blogspot.com/2016/05/review-rock-chick-reckoning-by-kristen.html

I. Loved. This. Book. I loved it so much, I’m pretty sure miniature hearts and flowers were popping up around my head as I listened to it. Rock Chick Reckoning is not only my favorite Rock Chick book to date (not an easy feat considering my love for Rock Chick and Rock Chick Redemption), it’s my favorite out of all the Kristen Ashley books I’ve read so far. Rock Chick Reckoning has absolutely everything I’ve come to love about the Rock Chick series – a sassy heroine, a hot, protective hero, a compelling romance, danger, humor, and a boatload of fun moments with the Rock Chicks – and it’s all wrapped up in a fast-paced, vibrant, emotional, highly addictive story.

Stella is the premier Rock Chick. She’s the lead singer and guitarist for the Blue Moon Gypsies and she has the pure talent and stage presence to make it big. However, she mostly spends her time trying to keep her band members out of trouble, something that could be a full-time occupation in and of itself. Keeping busy prevents Stella from thinking too much the broken heart she has courtesy of Kai “Mace” Mason. Mace made her world shine, but when he walked away from her, it crushed her. She’s moved on in the year since the breakup, but when she gets a panicked call from one of her band members in the middle of the night, Stella winds up running into Mace…right before she’s shot. Mace, the police, and the entire Nightingale Investigations team are out to bring down a drug dealer, and the bad guy isn’t about to go quietly into the night. He has targeted the Rock Chicks, and even though she and Mace are no longer together, Stella is in the line of fire. Stella doesn’t want to let Mace back in her life, but if she wants to keep breathing, she has no choice. Close quarters and an undeniable attraction mean it’s not long before Stella and Mace hook up. But if they want to make things work, they’re both going to have to open up, listen, and face the past in order to have a future.

I absolutely loved Mace and Stella together. The two of them have excellent chemistry in bed and out, and it’s easy to see they’re made for one another. But loving each other isn’t their problem. Stella has been hurt badly in the past and Mace… Mace has suffered a loss so devastating that it changed his life forever. Both of them guard their hearts and don’t like to let their shields down. It takes a lot of strength for them to open up, and Stella really has to fight for Mace. I loved that she stepped up to the plate and did so with a vengeance. Their love story isn’t an easy one. Both Mace and Stella accidentally hurt one another in an effort to protect themselves, but they own up to their mistakes, learn from them, and grow stronger because of it. Ms. Ashley puts them through the emotional wringer, but every demon they fight, every battle they face is worth it, because their relationship isn’t just sexy, sassy, and sweet. It’s strong. I absolutely loved watching them heal each other and find the rockin’ happily ever after they so deserved.

While Rock Chick Reckoning has darker elements than a lot of the Rock Chick books, that doesn’t mean the story itself is dark. The Rock Chicks, Hot Bunch, and their friends are all strong supporting players in this book. The fact that all the Rock Chicks are in danger in this story makes the book all the more compelling and really brings everyone together in an organic way. This is one of the rare Rock Chick books with multiple points of view, and readers get updates on all the previous heroes and heroines. I won’t spoil the story by revealing what happens, but trust me, fans of the series are in for one heck of a treat. Ms. Ashley lets each of her characters shine in Rock Chick Reckoning, but Mace and Stella are still the heart and soul of the book.

Rock Chick Reckoning is truly an exciting story with heart, depth, steam, and sass. I listened to the story on audiobook and Susannah Jones does an absolutely fantastic job. Usually I find that narrators detract a bit from a story, but Ms. Jones is the rare exception of a narrator who makes a great book come even more fully life. I loved every minute of Rock Chick Reckoning and I cannot wait to listen to Mace and Stella’s story again!


FTC Disclosure: This book was purchased by me. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

lovehollyxx's review against another edition

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5.0

Really really loved this one. A lot of drama and heartache made the romance even more special. Also loved the epilogue being 5 years later and reading about all the Rock Chick/Hot Bunch babies!

alliegreggs001's review against another edition

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4.0

4 stars instead of 5 for the weird epilogue ending when there are still two more books to be read!?!

kjanie's review against another edition

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4.0

4.25-4.5/5 stars

Why this book (plus the whole Rock Chick series) is perfect for me:
1. I fricken LOVE music, especially rock music
2. I really LOVE reading, although that's pretty obvious
3. I adore romance books!
So basically, from those reasons alone, I knew that this series was perfect for me. As well as the fact that Kristen Ashley is a romance writing genius!

Although, the books are titled Rock Chick, they do not have a lot to do with music. Music is referenced in the series but it's more to do about the 'Rock' way of life and attitude. This is why I was so excited to find that Stella was a musician! And not only that, she was a total rock goddess.

Stella is the main character in this book and she is the lead singer of The Blue Moon Gypsies, a totally cool rock band. Mace, another one of Lee Nightingale's men, used to be with Stella but he broke it off. This is until Stella is shot and Mace realises that he doesn't like that, and I mean he REALLY doesn't like that.

In true Rock Chick fashion, this book is full of bad guys, guns, the occasional explosion and of course an amazing romance story.

I'm embarrassed to say that I was very nervous starting this book. Just a couple of days before starting the book I read an really awful review about it. I know this shouldn't affect my opinions, but when I read something bad about this book I got worried. I was worried that I wouldn't like the book and that'd bring down my opinion of the whole series, and that was the last thing I wanted to happen. I'm embarrassed to admit this because it turns out that I freaking loved this book and have a completely different opinion to this reviewer.

As I mentioned before, I love rock music and so I immediately took a liking to Stella. She was totally cool, down to earth and definitely had great music taste. No joke, I made a playlist purely of the songs mentioned in this book, that's how much I loved them. I love how she was like the mother hen to her band and was so caring towards everyone, especially Mace.

From the first time I read about him earlier in the series, I knew Mace had some sort of sad story. He always gave off these tortured hero vibes and it turns out to be totally true. I just didn't know his story would be this upsetting. I mean, I was close to tears and that's saying a lot because I've never cried while reading a book before; no matter how sad.

I'm not even going to hint about what happened to him because I think it's something you have to experience whilst reading the book.

Now, back to something I mention every time I review a Rock a Chick book; the whole Rock Chick family. I mean these characters just make the whole series. There are just so many of constant characters who never falter in bringing me entertainment and laughter. I've never read a book series with so many characters, and that is not an exaggeration.

More and more people are introduced in every book and instead of feeling overwhelmed with so many characters, I anticipate who else could join this crazy bunch of people.

Once again Kristen Ashley has left me loving her book and wanting more. I am officially in a state in which I call 'the Rock Chick haze', in which I can't stop thinking about the characters. No joke, these characters have taken permanent residence in my head!

lnatl's review against another edition

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2.0

2.5 estrelas

kaziteega's review against another edition

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4.0

I like Stella, but not as much as the others. It was a good story showing how the power of love can heal almost anything!

mayris88's review against another edition

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4.0

I can't have enough of my Rock Chicks and the Hot Bunch, I can't help it, I want more.
I love how each book gets more dangerous than the last, but this one was definitely darker and so sad.
I cried a lot! But I loved it all the same and wouldn't change anything.
Now onto the next one!!!

raving_reads's review against another edition

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5.0

Mace and Stella are my favs

moniqueeditrix's review against another edition

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5.0

Loving it

leep_frog's review against another edition

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4.0

First Rock Chick book I had some tears. I was kinda disappointed with Mace's story. He was my favorite and couldn't wait to read his story, but I think that's just because I don't think Ava and Luke's story can be beat. LOVED #5 the best. Still a good book.