Readers will find themselves drawn to this tale of a rockstar trying to overcome his painful past who gets an unexpected chance at HEA with a woman who has her own demons to fight. Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Trey by A.M. Madden, along with my impressions of it, then add this emotionally intense romance to your bookshelf. In honor of this spinoff from The Back-Up series make sure to visit the link below for the chance to win seven signed print books of the winner’s choice along with some swag too!
They say time heals all wounds. And maybe they’re right. But what about wounds no one sees? The kind that open again and again? The kind that have you feeling like you swallowed glass?
Those are the wounds I carry. Years of heartbreak have created layer after layer of scar tissue over my whimpering heart.
Everywhere I go, I play the part of rock star, shameless with my cocky attitude and salacious smirks. I deserve an award for how well I can fake being happy.
But then everything changes in my life—again.
Turns out they were right.
After all I’ve been through, I discover my heart can mend itself after all.
Even in the wake of tragedy, the tiny fragments of my heart are fusing back together.
What’s the magic elixir? In my case it turns out to be a stunning beauty with bouncy, caramel waves, a smile that has me forgetting my name, and crystal-blue eyes just like mine.
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MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
Not having read the previous installments in The Back-Up series shouldn’t hold anyone back when it comes to picking up this book as it stands strongly on its own as a tale of second chances set in the music world. From its delicious hero, Trey Taylor, to the strong-willed heroine who finds an unexpected family of her own after coming face to face with her own past. Together they make a formidable pair whose journey to HEA brought a tear to my eye while warming my heart.
Trey’s life started out under a shadow of abuse from his religious zealot father that left scars both inside and out. After leaving that life behind the memories never faded away even as his talent, and fate, had him landing a place as bassist for Devil’s Lair. It was a weight that kept his heart guarded until meeting Tara, that one woman capable of lightening his burdens...at least there was until fate once again reared its ugly head to take him down a dark and destructive path. A year post-rehab is where readers find him at the beginning of this story, with his bandmates supportive yet watchful of him. Seeing everyone around him paired off, with children by their sides, brings a wave of melancholy over him but fears too of opening his heart yet again. When Camilla shows up out of the blue though his heart definitely reawakens as she gives him one last chance at happiness in a journey that pulls at the heartstrings. Trey’s been through so much darkness in his life and I couldn’t help but want to repeatedly hug him. From the early betrayal of his parents to the loss of Tara, it’s no wonder he’s leery of opening his heart. It’s clear that he’s just going through the motions though, flashing a grin and telling corny jokes, just trying to get through each day without losing himself. Things between him and Camilla may have started out rocky but I enjoyed their deepening connection, a connection based on their mutually painful pasts. Their connection grew realistically through a slow burn and interactions that had them truly sharing their feelings. I loved both Trey’s sexy and confident rockstar persona, as well as his sweet and vulnerable side, and it all made for an immensely satisfying journey to unconditional love and an unexpected family.
Camilla Deron came from a family full of expectations for their children and unfortunately she failed more often than not in her parent’s eyes. From breaking up with the abusive man who her family loved to becoming a single parent she’s been left adrift by them now. After a recent accident her solitary existence makes her even more uncertain about the future and has her putting her affairs in order...and her one-night stand with Trey is the most pressing affair. The memory of being with Trey all those years ago has sustained her through the years, but it also leaves her completely conflicted. She can’t picture him as a father, but that’s exactly what he wants the moment she shows him a picture of Alivia. Though she at first wants to run from him, the more time he spends getting to know his daughter has them growing closer in a journey full of healing. I admired Camilla for raising her daughter on her own all those years, liked seeing her in Mama Bear mode, but was equally frustrated by the years she stole from Trey. Her assumptions about him robbed him of seven years and she’s lucky that his response to the truth wasn’t uglier. Despite my early disappointment in her decision though I still liked her and what she brought to Trey’s life in their slow climb to HEA.
This was a quick read that packed quite an emotional wallop. Lots has happened to Trey throughout the years and everything ultimately culminates in this richly rewarding romance full of intense emotions. Trey and Camilla are a good pairing, both a bit battered and bruised, who come to count on one another in a supportive connection full of heart and soul. I’m not normally a fan of children in romance books, but Alivia was charming and I enjoyed seeing Trey’s awe in her being his. Even though Trey felt alone all these years he in fact had a family...the men and women of Devil’s Lair. They’re an eclectic bunch who are more of a family than those bound by blood. They’ve always been there for Trey, watched out for him, and cared for him despite his detours into destructive behavior. They’re just as supportive throughout this story and quickly made Camilla and Alivia one of the “family” which led to the pitch perfect epilogue that wrapped up their stories beautifully. Readers looking for a rockstar-fueled series full of rollercoaster moments, steamy encounters, and rousing conclusions will want to start The Back-Up series from the very start after seeing how perfectly things end here.
Trey’s life started out under a shadow of abuse from his religious zealot father that left scars both inside and out. After leaving that life behind the memories never faded away even as his talent, and fate, had him landing a place as bassist for Devil’s Lair. It was a weight that kept his heart guarded until meeting Tara, that one woman capable of lightening his burdens...at least there was until fate once again reared its ugly head to take him down a dark and destructive path. A year post-rehab is where readers find him at the beginning of this story, with his bandmates supportive yet watchful of him. Seeing everyone around him paired off, with children by their sides, brings a wave of melancholy over him but fears too of opening his heart yet again. When Camilla shows up out of the blue though his heart definitely reawakens as she gives him one last chance at happiness in a journey that pulls at the heartstrings. Trey’s been through so much darkness in his life and I couldn’t help but want to repeatedly hug him. From the early betrayal of his parents to the loss of Tara, it’s no wonder he’s leery of opening his heart. It’s clear that he’s just going through the motions though, flashing a grin and telling corny jokes, just trying to get through each day without losing himself. Things between him and Camilla may have started out rocky but I enjoyed their deepening connection, a connection based on their mutually painful pasts. Their connection grew realistically through a slow burn and interactions that had them truly sharing their feelings. I loved both Trey’s sexy and confident rockstar persona, as well as his sweet and vulnerable side, and it all made for an immensely satisfying journey to unconditional love and an unexpected family.
Camilla Deron came from a family full of expectations for their children and unfortunately she failed more often than not in her parent’s eyes. From breaking up with the abusive man who her family loved to becoming a single parent she’s been left adrift by them now. After a recent accident her solitary existence makes her even more uncertain about the future and has her putting her affairs in order...and her one-night stand with Trey is the most pressing affair. The memory of being with Trey all those years ago has sustained her through the years, but it also leaves her completely conflicted. She can’t picture him as a father, but that’s exactly what he wants the moment she shows him a picture of Alivia. Though she at first wants to run from him, the more time he spends getting to know his daughter has them growing closer in a journey full of healing. I admired Camilla for raising her daughter on her own all those years, liked seeing her in Mama Bear mode, but was equally frustrated by the years she stole from Trey. Her assumptions about him robbed him of seven years and she’s lucky that his response to the truth wasn’t uglier. Despite my early disappointment in her decision though I still liked her and what she brought to Trey’s life in their slow climb to HEA.
This was a quick read that packed quite an emotional wallop. Lots has happened to Trey throughout the years and everything ultimately culminates in this richly rewarding romance full of intense emotions. Trey and Camilla are a good pairing, both a bit battered and bruised, who come to count on one another in a supportive connection full of heart and soul. I’m not normally a fan of children in romance books, but Alivia was charming and I enjoyed seeing Trey’s awe in her being his. Even though Trey felt alone all these years he in fact had a family...the men and women of Devil’s Lair. They’re an eclectic bunch who are more of a family than those bound by blood. They’ve always been there for Trey, watched out for him, and cared for him despite his detours into destructive behavior. They’re just as supportive throughout this story and quickly made Camilla and Alivia one of the “family” which led to the pitch perfect epilogue that wrapped up their stories beautifully. Readers looking for a rockstar-fueled series full of rollercoaster moments, steamy encounters, and rousing conclusions will want to start The Back-Up series from the very start after seeing how perfectly things end here.
My rating for this is an A-
*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
AUTHOR INFO:
A USA Today bestselling, award-winning author, A. M. Madden is also a Jersey girl whose addiction to romance started at twelve after reading Judy Blume’s Forever.
As a self-proclaimed hopeless romantic, she truly believes that true love knows no bounds.
In her books, she aspires to write fun, sexy, realistic love stories that will stay with you long after you turn the last page. She creates realistic characters and believes there’s no better compliment than when readers feel they know the characters personally.
When not writing, she’s busy being a wife to her soul mate, and a mother to two boys who she believes are the most handsome men on earth. She loves to cook, hates to bake, and dreams about living at the beach someday.
AWARDS:
2016 eLit Gold Medalist - Best Romance Ebook - The Shortstop
2016 IPPY Silver Medalist - Best Romance Ebook - The Shortstop
2018 Book Excellence Finalist - Finding Mr. Wrong (co-written with Joanne Schwehm)
2019 Book Excellence Finalist - Scoring Mr. Romeo (co-written with Joanne Schwehm)
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