The widow of a rock star tries to make a living with a reality tv gig, but instead finds an unexpected connection to another rock star looking to create waves in a combustible tale that touches on issues of drug abuse and finding HEA behind the facade of fame. Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Fade Into You by Elle Greco, along with getting my impressions of it, then get ready to add this fourth installment in the LA Rock Star Romance series to your bookshelf too!
It's all fun and games until someone falls in love.
Six years after the cops found Ear Assassins’ lead singer dead of a drug overdose, his widow Lydon Johnson has only just begun to pick up the pieces. Now she finds she’s fast running out of money to support herself and her son. A reality TV show is an unappealing means to an end, but in the interest of keeping a roof over their heads, she signs on. But the producers soon find out, Lydon’s kind of boring for a rock and roll widow.
Vince Davis, lead singer of Anthem, is a rock and roll legend two decades in the making. But when the head of his longtime record label is exposed as the cause of his son’s drug overdose, his attempt to split his band from the label comes with a personal cost that he’s not sure he’s ready to make.
Enter Lydon. Vince has an idea to spice up Lydon’s flailing reality show: pretend to be lovers. Thrust back into a glowing spotlight, can Vince’s amped star power get Anthem out of their contract on his own terms?
The reality TV producers think it’s a match made in rock and roll heaven. What could possibly go wrong?
When you hate the person you are supposed to fall in love with, LOADS.
BUY here.
MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
As an older reader I'm always hoping to discover characters more reminiscent of me, more seasoned, and thankfully this book presents just such a main couple! Both Lydon and Vince have been in the music world for decades, been put through the wringer due to the demands of the media and the personal demons of others. Though they hoped life could finally be lived more on their terms, fate decided to intervene and turn their fake romance into something much more real in this sensual (and at times heartbreaking) story as it touches on drugs, death, and the effects on all those left behind.
Lydon Johnson is the widow of the former lead singer of Ear Assassins, a complicated man weighed down by mental health issues and drug use who took his own life six years ago. The years since have been fraught with difficulties courtesy of lawsuits over music royalties, the media's unrelenting attention, and her laser-focused desire to keep her son safe and away from the harsh light of the media. With her on the verge of bankruptcy though she has no choice but to agree to a lucrative reality tv deal, a deal that brings her into close contact with rock god Vince to help spice up her rather mundane image. Before long their fake relationship takes a more sensual turn with each heartfelt talk and chaste kiss turning combustible. With the media watching from the outside, it's what's happening behind the scenes that matters most as friends ultimately become lovers. Lydon's an admirable heroine, one who's comfortable with who she is, but scared to open up her heart again. She's a caring woman who will do all she can to protect those she loves, but is a bit skeptical of others' motivations. As a single mother she's a definite mama bear, someone who does all she can to keep her son away from the media's scrutiny as she doesn't want him to follow in his father's footsteps. While she harbors anger towards the media for their role in her husband's death, she's not foolish enough to not use them just as they use her in trying to keep from going bankrupt. Her time with Vince doesn't go smoothly though as her insecurities, the media's intrusion, and his own issues lead to moments of uncertainty that had me cheering them on to discover the truth about themselves and their feelings.
Vince Davis has been a commanding presence in the rock world for over 20 years. He's wise to the ways of the rock world he lives in and now knows what's most important. To the outside world Vince is a brash and arrogant rocker, but in reality he's a sweet and supportive man with his own heartbreaking past. He's learned a lot over the years, come to some very important realizations that readers discover as the story progressed and that had me wanting to hug him. On a whole he's a drool-worthy, older hero who stood by Lydon when she needed help most, helping her son too in scenes that endeared him to me and that have him still in my thoughts.
From the first page to the last this was a compelling read that dealt with some heavy issues. From drug use, to mental health, to the harsh scrutiny and manipulations of the media, this book didn't pull any punches. Through the words of Ms Greco the rockstar world definitely loses some of its luster, readers sees the cutthroat nature and the superficiality of it all. It's a realistic depiction that made me appreciate the romance between Lydon and Vince all the more as the two of them opened up to each other, shared their hearts and souls. Their romance built slowly and steadily, building from a foundation of friends before becoming oh so much more! Along with this compelling main couple were glimpses of past couples, couples who rallied around Lydon when she needed support the most. Though I've not read the previous books in the LA Rock Star Romance series I had no trouble immersing myself in this story. Though I had a bit of trouble keeping track of all the secondary characters I was still drawn to them and look forward to reading their stories next. Fans of rockstar romances will find much to like about this book with its older couple and their slow burn romance of friends to lovers. Its realistic depiction of mental health, drug abuse, and the high cost of fame also make this a timely story that will keep readers engrossed from the first page to the last and excited for what this author has planned next!
My rating for this is an A-
*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
AUTHOR INFO:
Urban Fantasy lovers will know me as Karen Greco, author of the best-selling Hell’s Belle series. My Contemporary Romance books are written under Elle Greco. (That’s me, to the right, in a Covid 19 self-portrait!)
While the genres are worlds apart, strong female characters are the chain that links all my worlds.
These women are magical. They wield wicked weapons. They play a mean drum solo. They fall in love. They rule the boardroom and the bedroom.
Whatever they do, they do it with swagger.
I love escaping into their badass worlds. I hope you do, too.
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