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dkgreads's review
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This one was a bit heavier than the last two. I absolutely LOVED Mimi! The whole cooking competition thing was fun. I really felt for Calix and what his family went through but, truth be told, he got on my nerves with all of his hot and cold bullsh*t. Still loving how tight knit the band is and can’t wait to see how this series wraps up!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Sexual content
Moderate: Child death and Suicide attempt
nday's review against another edition
3.0
The third book in the Rock Star romance series, and another really good read. While at times I really struggled with Calix as a character, because he kept on chopping and changing, hot then cold, I did like this book – although perhaps not as much as the previous book.
I liked the way the conflicts evolved through the book from the external to the internal, and how that brought about each of the characters journey to their true selves and their love.
I liked the way the conflicts evolved through the book from the external to the internal, and how that brought about each of the characters journey to their true selves and their love.
bookbae96's review against another edition
5.0
With the mouth of a sailor and a wide open heart, Mimi Romano lives life to the fullest. In a holding pattern while waiting for her father to come to his senses and hire her already, Mimi is content to be part of the Blue Fire family, taking care of her friends and helping her best friend plan her wedding. Calix Bourbon is a phenomenal musician, but, being closed off after suffering a tremendous loss, he's happy to live life on the periphery, protecting his heart from more pain. The two of them couldn't be more different, but it's their differences that will make them stronger.
I have fallen in love with the Rock Star Romance series by author Erika Kelly, which just keeps getting better and better. Erika has won me over with her stories of the men of Blue Fire and the women that they love. TAKE ME HOME TONIGHT, the third book in the series, is full of emotion, rich with both the pain and the joy of life. Both Mimi and Calix are filled with passion, and, while Mimi is striving to fulfill hers, Calix is intent on tamping his down. It is both heartbreaking and frustrating to see him blame himself for things beyond his control, to opt out of living his own life because he feels that he doesn't deserve it.
"You're stuck in that moment." God, she needed to get through. "And, to get unstuck, you have to forgive yourself."
"I can't...I..." A shock of alertness had him straightening. "I can't get past it. I can't."
"You can. Every time you go to that moment-the one you can't change-replace it with a good memory. Bask in the good...Let it go. That moment in time you can't take back. Let it go. There is no do-over. You can't fix it. But you're alive, and you're an amazing musician and the most loyal and devoted son and brother I've ever seen. So let it go. And live, dammit."
Mimi knows that Calix is emotionally unavailable, but the attraction between these two is potent, and the heat fairly jumps off the page. Try as she might, she can't stay away from him, and the feeling is completely mutual.
She struggled to get out of his hold. "Stop. Calix, God. We have to stop doing this."
Stop? Yeah, he'd tried that. But he couldn't. He just couldn't get enough of her. "Date me."
"What?"
"Date me."
"You don't date."
"I want to date you." He pressed another hot kiss on her mouth. "I need more."
She gazed up at him with a wary expression, but his resolve never wavered. Her hands slid into his hair, cupping the sides of his head. "Yes."
One of the things that I love most about these books is the depth and complexity that Erika brings to her characters. There is always a past that makes them who they are, that motivates their actions and interactions, and makes for a completely compelling story. As well, the sense of family, the importance of belonging that is a recurrent theme brings a sweetness and realness to each of these books, and keeps me coming back each time.
If you haven't gotten started with this series, you must. TAKE ME HOME TONIGHT is an easy 4.5-star read for me, joining my list of 2016 favorites. I loved it and look forward to the next book in the series, which can't come soon enough.
***ARC generously provided for an honest review.***
kiwicoral's review
4.0
Definitely the best book of the series. I did like both the leads and the supporting characters in this one. And the author managed to keep a good pace throughout the book. If anything I felt like it could have been a bit longer at the end to wrap everything up a little more.
But "Calix Bourbon" has to be the most batshit name for a hero ever, and in this genre that's saying something. How the hell do you end up with *Flower-part Alcohol* as a name? Did it come out of a hipster random name generator?
But "Calix Bourbon" has to be the most batshit name for a hero ever, and in this genre that's saying something. How the hell do you end up with *Flower-part Alcohol* as a name? Did it come out of a hipster random name generator?
thepassionatereader's review
4.0
Really enjoyed the hell out of this book. If not for an unnecessarily fraught conflict that made me roll my eyes, I'd have given this five stars. The sex scenes are wonderfully done and, if you're looking for rock star vibe, seriously dude vibe, this book has it in the best way possible.
abailey410's review
4.0
This book was intense with a great story line,tons of emotion, and incredible passion. The characters were so real and raw and incredible I was hooked right away. If you think this is going to be one of the quick and dirty rocker romances, think again. This was such a beautiful story of living your life to the fullest and loving what you do that I could not put it down.
My Thoughts
This book focuses on the newest member of the band, Calix Bourbon, who is just filling in while they record the album and Mimi, Violet's bestie from the last book. These two have been keeping their distance, but crushing on the other from afar, until they come crashing together.
I really enjoyed their push and pull and getting to be a part of the connection these two had. Each had their own issues and demons and it was quite the ride to see them try to overcome it all to be together. I could not get used to Calix's hot and cold though and it really bothered me through out the book. I understood the reasoning for it all, but it did not make it any easier for the reader to go through with Mimi. I really loved Mimi through out the entire book. She was so full of life and fun and had a huge heart. And Calix was so hot in a broody, tortured bad boy way, although we quickly find that he is not a bad boy at all and that makes him even more interesting.
This book was high on the angst and a true slow build of a relationship. This is generally not my thing, but with this book, it felt like that was the only way it could be. The feelings, emotions, and even the angst were so real and raw and beautiful that it was hard to not fall head over heels for this group. I loved getting to see the previous couples growing in their relationships and flourishing.
I highly recommend this book if you like a hard fought romance, with a dash of sexy musician, a dollop of cooking, a pinch of family, and a touch of steam. I could not put it down, but the ups and downs and whiplash feelings are the only things that kept this from the top of my 2016 list.
A review copy was provided by Inkslinger PR, via Netgalley for an honest review.
My Thoughts
This book focuses on the newest member of the band, Calix Bourbon, who is just filling in while they record the album and Mimi, Violet's bestie from the last book. These two have been keeping their distance, but crushing on the other from afar, until they come crashing together.
I really enjoyed their push and pull and getting to be a part of the connection these two had. Each had their own issues and demons and it was quite the ride to see them try to overcome it all to be together. I could not get used to Calix's hot and cold though and it really bothered me through out the book. I understood the reasoning for it all, but it did not make it any easier for the reader to go through with Mimi. I really loved Mimi through out the entire book. She was so full of life and fun and had a huge heart. And Calix was so hot in a broody, tortured bad boy way, although we quickly find that he is not a bad boy at all and that makes him even more interesting.
This book was high on the angst and a true slow build of a relationship. This is generally not my thing, but with this book, it felt like that was the only way it could be. The feelings, emotions, and even the angst were so real and raw and beautiful that it was hard to not fall head over heels for this group. I loved getting to see the previous couples growing in their relationships and flourishing.
I highly recommend this book if you like a hard fought romance, with a dash of sexy musician, a dollop of cooking, a pinch of family, and a touch of steam. I could not put it down, but the ups and downs and whiplash feelings are the only things that kept this from the top of my 2016 list.
A review copy was provided by Inkslinger PR, via Netgalley for an honest review.
krystolla's review
2.0
I'm a bit disappointed, for me this didn't live up to the first two. There was a lot of confusing sex for communication, and a significant chunk of questionable miscommunication. 20 odd years and they never mentioned why we don't visit the grandparents?
A suicide attempt that didn't involve psychiatrist evaluation afterwards? A sleep drug that has a side effect of depression for a depressed patient?
Not to mention the basic 'if your partner says no it doesn't matter how much need you have, the answer is no' rather than keep pushing until she likes it. Ick.
A suicide attempt that didn't involve psychiatrist evaluation afterwards? A sleep drug that has a side effect of depression for a depressed patient?
Not to mention the basic 'if your partner says no it doesn't matter how much need you have, the answer is no' rather than keep pushing until she likes it. Ick.
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