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kcsunshine25's review
4.0
3.5 for me but rounded up.
I was never a fan of Bryan Adams but the summer of 69 could almost have been written about me. I was just 4 days after summer.
There as a lot to like about this book but some of it seemed a bit like unnecessary filling that could have been canned.
Tessa’s snarky barmaid persona was great. She’s quirky and fun. Presley West is delicious in his leather jacket and attitude. They sizzle when they connect.
Some issues in the book felt unfinished or not dealt with properly which is why some of the extra fluff annoyed me. Cut the waffle and focus on the demons that need to be faced.
Did make me want to find a sexy, blonde drummer boy though and find out if drummers really are the best.
I was never a fan of Bryan Adams but the summer of 69 could almost have been written about me. I was just 4 days after summer.
There as a lot to like about this book but some of it seemed a bit like unnecessary filling that could have been canned.
Tessa’s snarky barmaid persona was great. She’s quirky and fun. Presley West is delicious in his leather jacket and attitude. They sizzle when they connect.
Some issues in the book felt unfinished or not dealt with properly which is why some of the extra fluff annoyed me. Cut the waffle and focus on the demons that need to be faced.
Did make me want to find a sexy, blonde drummer boy though and find out if drummers really are the best.
kindlefreak's review
5.0
The story flowed like an epic love song and I was swept along in the passion and emotion. This book hit me deep, Tess and Presley’s story slamming into my soul - their story vibrating through me, even when real life interrupted my reading time.
Ms James is the queen of writing characters that feel like they are already your best friends and this story is no different. Sassy Tess was so loveable, her trademark red locks and cherry DM’s being her own personal armour against the world. She’s a character who you’d love to have in your life and spend an evening with down the pub with, talking all things, especially fan-girling over rock stars and discussing the meaning of song lyrics. Her delicate vulnerability was endearing. Her story is an inspiration for all those who are scared to be selfish and go after what they really want. Her growth in the book was captivating and heart-warming.
And I can’t not mention my feelings for Presley. Any one got an ice bucket to throw over me? My ovaries combusted every time he showed up on the page. Whilst the story is mostly in Tess’ POV, I still had a deep connection with Presley. He’s not just the character that our heroine is in love with, a sexy rock god who gets girls knickers in a flutter. He had real depth about him, a complicated puzzle and presence with an air of mystery. And boy did he ooze sex appeal.
This has got to be one of my top reads of the year and one that I will certainly revisit. The charisma, the charm, the chemistry - this is one story I’ll never forget.
Ms James is the queen of writing characters that feel like they are already your best friends and this story is no different. Sassy Tess was so loveable, her trademark red locks and cherry DM’s being her own personal armour against the world. She’s a character who you’d love to have in your life and spend an evening with down the pub with, talking all things, especially fan-girling over rock stars and discussing the meaning of song lyrics. Her delicate vulnerability was endearing. Her story is an inspiration for all those who are scared to be selfish and go after what they really want. Her growth in the book was captivating and heart-warming.
And I can’t not mention my feelings for Presley. Any one got an ice bucket to throw over me? My ovaries combusted every time he showed up on the page. Whilst the story is mostly in Tess’ POV, I still had a deep connection with Presley. He’s not just the character that our heroine is in love with, a sexy rock god who gets girls knickers in a flutter. He had real depth about him, a complicated puzzle and presence with an air of mystery. And boy did he ooze sex appeal.
This has got to be one of my top reads of the year and one that I will certainly revisit. The charisma, the charm, the chemistry - this is one story I’ll never forget.
tianabooks's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
by far my favorite rockstar romance! would absolutely recommend. 🤍 I have already so many quotes saved from this book and I KNOW FOR SURE I’ll be rereading this soon!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Drug use
staceyinthesticks's review
5.0
I feel like I've been waiting for this FOR-EVER but my god was it worth the wait! I think Presley West is my new favourite rock star. Even over (Jon) Bon fucking Jovi.
Everything about this story sucked me in. Main characters Tessa (aka Cherry), Presley, and even the unlikeable secondary characters - they all had a story and it was intriguing to find out what it was.
As usual from this author (or her pseudonym) the writing was seamless, flowed beautifully, and there were so many quotes I highlighted as she just knows how to write a wonderful story that makes you want to keep reading.
There was a great balance of angst, music, fallout, love and keeping you on your toes.
I'm hoping there might be stories from some of the secondary characters, hello Bourbon & Molly (!) and of course Rhett!
5 rockin' stars!
Everything about this story sucked me in. Main characters Tessa (aka Cherry), Presley, and even the unlikeable secondary characters - they all had a story and it was intriguing to find out what it was.
As usual from this author (or her pseudonym) the writing was seamless, flowed beautifully, and there were so many quotes I highlighted as she just knows how to write a wonderful story that makes you want to keep reading.
There was a great balance of angst, music, fallout, love and keeping you on your toes.
I'm hoping there might be stories from some of the secondary characters, hello Bourbon & Molly (!) and of course Rhett!
5 rockin' stars!
krisandburn's review
3.0
When I was looking for an adult romance centred around a musical theme for my Musical May project, I came across this one. The reviews were great and I was expecting to love it as well.
Unfortunately, it did not quite win me over. Although it was pretty decent for the most part and certainly not as much as a cringefest as I have had the pleasure to experience with some adult romance in recent times (DNF…), it fell slightly short of doing what I wanted from it.
The author clearly is able to right strong characters and the main characters did have a ton of chemistry. That especially was something I really appreciated, as this is too often a problem for me in these type of books. However, did feel a little too much like fan fiction at times and it was just a bit too cliche for my tastes. What annoyed me what was told to be love was very much described as lust, which to me are two very different things. Not once did Tessa (Cherry) describe feelings that I recognised as actual love. It was all about the feelings down below, which would have been fine as this is an adult romance, but this was clearly meant to be a love story. That kind of confused me.
Also, this book struck me as very American and when I realised it was set in England with British characters it really surprised me. None of the characters were written as if they were English. I am not sure whether the author is American, but it was something I noticed.
That makes it sound like I did not like the book, but I liked it well enough. Honestly! This was a fun read that maybe was a bit longer than it needed to be. I would read more from this author in the future.
Unfortunately, it did not quite win me over. Although it was pretty decent for the most part and certainly not as much as a cringefest as I have had the pleasure to experience with some adult romance in recent times (DNF…), it fell slightly short of doing what I wanted from it.
The author clearly is able to right strong characters and the main characters did have a ton of chemistry. That especially was something I really appreciated, as this is too often a problem for me in these type of books. However, did feel a little too much like fan fiction at times and it was just a bit too cliche for my tastes. What annoyed me what was told to be love was very much described as lust, which to me are two very different things. Not once did Tessa (Cherry) describe feelings that I recognised as actual love. It was all about the feelings down below, which would have been fine as this is an adult romance, but this was clearly meant to be a love story. That kind of confused me.
Also, this book struck me as very American and when I realised it was set in England with British characters it really surprised me. None of the characters were written as if they were English. I am not sure whether the author is American, but it was something I noticed.
That makes it sound like I did not like the book, but I liked it well enough. Honestly! This was a fun read that maybe was a bit longer than it needed to be. I would read more from this author in the future.
bobsvoid's review
5.0
Sweet, sweet tasting Cherry and her body beats.
Thump. Thump. Thump. That’s all I hear when I go to sleep.
You may be my Bon Jovi.
The fact that so little people I know haven’t read this yet too is shocking. The fact that it took me so long to read this also has me surprised. I read A Girl Like Lilac which is by this author as well, just a different penname and that was amazing too. But if I’m lucky, once or twice a month I’ll find a book that is out of this world good. Sometimes it’s the plot, but most of the times, it’s the chemistry. When two main characters have chemistry that’s palpable, you can’t help but feel consumed.
Tess has been in love with one person since she was eleven years old. She’s spent years silently wishing he’d see her, but felt that the enigma of a man was always beyond her reach. When she finally gets one night to show him, it sets the course to change their lives forever. She knows the game she’s playing is a dangerous one for her heart, but it’s an opportunity she can’t give up.
To the world, Presley is the mysterious drummer of a band with the potential to become a legend. But to Tess, he’s beyond his talents. She sees more than the mask he gives the world. For him, Tess is the woman who makes his world calm. Yet, she’s also an addiction that makes everything feel more. The thing is, he’s living in the world of excess. Can what they feel be enough?
“You look scared again,” he whispered.
“The only thing I’m scared of is all of this being some kind of dream.”
He smirked coyly. “Being alive is the dream. You’ve just got to want it badly enough to cling to it when the ride gets bumpy.”
It’s also rare for me to find characters I truly connect with. Tess is me, she’s you, she’s like everyone, but unique as well. She’s constantly on guard in protection of herself, but constantly yearning to be free and to have more. Her passion for music and her love for Presley was simply everything. And god, if you want passion, look no future than Presley West. If you want a man that will consume you, yet not drain you dry, our drummer is for you.
This is more than your run of the mill rockstar romance novel. This is story about a connection that spans years. It’s about selfishness and the masks we hide behind. It’s also about facing your fears and accepting things that you can’t change, but giving everything you’ve got if you can. It was simply beautiful. Also quite excited to read Rhett’s book when it’s released soon!
Spoiler
Like I said, I completely loved this book. However, I still wasn’t a fan of our heroes past being brought up in regards to his “conquests”. When authors do that, it kind of taints the image of the hero. I still loved Presley, but it was still a bummer.Perhaps the Devil is someone different to each of us.
If that’s true, you’re mine.
storiesandcoffee's review
5.0
There's a difference between a love story and an epic love story. For me, an epic love story spans over time, allowing the reader to really feel the ups and downs---the push and pull of time, money, and other outside forces that challenge real life couples. Love stories capture a quick moment in time; epic love stories take their time establishing a connection between two characters and showing the reader what life was like before, during, and sometimes after the relationship. It's engaging, it's heartfelt, it's gripping.
Cherry Beats is an epic romance.
Coming in at over 400 pages, Vicki James leaves it all on the pages of this rock star romance, a story that begins with a young girl with a simple crush on a boy in her class, a boy who grows up to become the sexy drummer for the world's most famous rock band---a rock star who can't seem to forget her.
What I loved about Cherry Beats is the way Presley (the rocker) is the one who is certain for his feelings for Tess, always putting his heart on the line and begging her not to run from what they have. Often times, the woman plays the vulnerable character trying to convince the man to trust his feelings and stay, but here we have a sort of role reversal. Don't get me wrong, Presley is a damaged musician battling his own demons---cocky, arrogant, sexy and smug. But Tess is the one who second guesses herself, the one who can't fully embrace the role of celebrity girlfriend, the one who always seems to walk away.
While some rock star romances tend to feel a bit over the top, Cherry Beats was the perfect combination of excessive glamour and authentic love. Vicki James' writes a vivid story about excepting our painful pasts without allowing our tragedies to dictate our future. A story about accepting true love instead of questioning it. A story that reminds us it's okay to rock out to Bon Jovi or Bryan Adams when you need the right beat to save your soul.
Cherry Beats is an epic romance.
Coming in at over 400 pages, Vicki James leaves it all on the pages of this rock star romance, a story that begins with a young girl with a simple crush on a boy in her class, a boy who grows up to become the sexy drummer for the world's most famous rock band---a rock star who can't seem to forget her.
What I loved about Cherry Beats is the way Presley (the rocker) is the one who is certain for his feelings for Tess, always putting his heart on the line and begging her not to run from what they have. Often times, the woman plays the vulnerable character trying to convince the man to trust his feelings and stay, but here we have a sort of role reversal. Don't get me wrong, Presley is a damaged musician battling his own demons---cocky, arrogant, sexy and smug. But Tess is the one who second guesses herself, the one who can't fully embrace the role of celebrity girlfriend, the one who always seems to walk away.
While some rock star romances tend to feel a bit over the top, Cherry Beats was the perfect combination of excessive glamour and authentic love. Vicki James' writes a vivid story about excepting our painful pasts without allowing our tragedies to dictate our future. A story about accepting true love instead of questioning it. A story that reminds us it's okay to rock out to Bon Jovi or Bryan Adams when you need the right beat to save your soul.