Today I'm introducing you to another music-themed story, Good Girls Don't Date Rock Stars by Codi Gary, featuring one of my favorite tropes, that of reunited lovers. Keep reading to get a glimpse of this book along with my impressions of it and learn even more by visiting the other blogs hosting this tour. Make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win a great prize too!
She also didn’t count on running into her old flame—and her son’s father-turned-country-rock star—Travis Bowers, followed by a night of drunken dares. Apparently one of those involved a ring on her finger and a vow…neither of which she intends to keep. Now with a hangover from hell, this good-girl-gone-bad knows there’s just one thing to do: run.
Travis has been all over the world, but Gemma has never been far from his thoughts. So when he had the chance to catch up over a few drinks, he didn’t hesitate. Of course he didn’t expect it would lead to marriage, or a runaway bride! Travis finally has a second chance and doesn’t plan on losing Gemma again—or the son he didn’t know he had. He proposes—albeit belatedly—a date. Or rather, a few. If they can make this marriage work by starting over, he stays. If not…
Gemma’s not interested; she’s got a son to protect and a heart to heal. But having Travis around could make both a little easier. Still, good girls don’t date rock stars…right?
EXCERPT:
How many glasses of champagne did I have last night?
Gemma Carlson groaned, gritting her teeth against the stabbing pain that seemed to be spreading through her brain. She didn’t want to open her eyes, afraid of what she would find. Right now she was only sure of two things. One, her head hurt like a son of a bitch and two, she was very, very naked.
Prying open her right eye, she tried to focus on her surroundings, but instead of seeing intricate, golden wallpaper, she found the walls were now light colored. A couch sat in the corner of the room, though her room had had a tiny office chair and desk. The landscape on the wall was new, too.
She opened both eyes, blinking rapidly at the dryness, and realized she had no idea where she was.
Which meant she obviously wasn’t in her hotel room.
A light snore behind her caught her attention and she stiffened, turning her head slowly to look at her bedmate. She sucked in a breath at the sight of dark curls and a broad back, the only things visible above the heavy comforter.
Travis.
What have I done?
Sitting up, she swallowed down the rolling nausea and fought the splitting headache, catching her face in her hands. And then she felt it. Something cool and metal on her finger.Something that definitely shouldn’t be there.
Pulling her hands back, she stared at the large three-stone diamond ring on her left index finger and froze.
Prying open her right eye, she tried to focus on her surroundings, but instead of seeing intricate, golden wallpaper, she found the walls were now light colored. A couch sat in the corner of the room, though her room had had a tiny office chair and desk. The landscape on the wall was new, too.
She opened both eyes, blinking rapidly at the dryness, and realized she had no idea where she was.
Which meant she obviously wasn’t in her hotel room.
A light snore behind her caught her attention and she stiffened, turning her head slowly to look at her bedmate. She sucked in a breath at the sight of dark curls and a broad back, the only things visible above the heavy comforter.
Travis.
What have I done?
Sitting up, she swallowed down the rolling nausea and fought the splitting headache, catching her face in her hands. And then she felt it. Something cool and metal on her finger.Something that definitely shouldn’t be there.
Pulling her hands back, she stared at the large three-stone diamond ring on her left index finger and froze.
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MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
When I first picked up this story it had some great elements going for it. I adore stories with musicians and reunited lovers is a favorite theme of mine, combined I was immediately immersed in the verbal sparring between Travis and Gemma that oozed sexual tension. If the story had involved just them I would've been giddy as a school girl as I loved the sexy and charismatic Travis and the outspokenness of Gemma and their steamy reintroduction to one another. Unfortunately Gemma's BIG lie got in the way of their, and this reader's, happiness and left me with a bad impression of her. Luckily Travis was there to continue winning me over and pushing through to the final page and the gaining of his much-deserved family.
Gemma had daddy issues in that he was disappointed in her. As his cruelty was tempered with kindness at times, it left her confused about defining the truth. It left her questioning Travis' feelings and commitment to her, when she needed him most, as her father easily walked away whenever he was frustrated by her. This loss haunts her today and has her still doubting Travis though he goes out of his way to prove himself. She kept a very big secret from him, denying him happiness in the process. She involved their friends and a whole town in her deception which left me greatly disappointed in her. I appreciate her for her protective nature but her deception left me saddened for what could've been.
Travis never really had a family growing up until he laid eyes on Gemma. She was overweight and studious but he loved her all the same and became her champion. On the cusp of his fame a big misunderstanding pulls them apart and for nine years he thinks of her constantly. I loved the surety of his affections and the grand gestures he enacted to win her over again. His anger towards her omission was understandable and I applaud how he still tried to do right despite his anger. He was charming and supportive from the first page to the last and a worthy hero in my eyes.
The gossipiness of small town living is vividly on display here, both good and bad, as there's matchmaking going on between Travis and Gemma courtesy of a few of the town's denizens. Gemma's friends are also larger than life and believable in their support and anger towards Gemma over her deception. Ultimately I enjoyed the early scenes of their romantic reunion before Gemma ruined things. Travis was an immensely likable hero who longed for a family and as he always protected Gemma she should've never doubted him. I'm happy he finally got his HEA but wish Gemma had suffered a bit more for her deception. This was my first book by Ms. Gary but won't be the last as I enjoyed this story's flow and especially its hero.
My rating for this is a C+
*I received this book from Edelweiss for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
AUTHOR INFO:
An obsessive bookworm, Codi Gary likes to write sexy small-town contemporary romances with humor, grand gestures, and blush-worthy moments. When she's not writing, she can be found reading her favorite authors, squealing over her must-watch shows, and playing with her children. She lives in Idaho with her family.
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