Category: Kelly’s Review

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Kelly’s review of Blade Song by JC Daniels

 Blade Song
AUTHOR: JC Daniels
PUBLICATION DATE:   08/01/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Kit Colbana—half breed, assassin, thief, jack of all trades—has a new job: track down the missing ward of one of the local alpha shapeshifters. It should be a piece of cake.

So why is she so nervous? It probably has something to do with the insanity that happens when you deal with shifters—especially sexy ones who come bearing promises of easy jobs and easier money.

Or maybe it’s all the other missing kids that Kit discovers while working the case, or the way her gut keeps screaming she’s gotten in over her head. Or maybe it’s because if she fails—she’s dead.

If she can stay just one step ahead, she should be okay. Maybe she’ll even live long to collect her fee

Kelly’s Review:
I have to start by saying that I have not read many books in the Urban Fantasy genre.  Yes, yes I know there are lots of great ones out there.  I promise I will get to them.  So when JC asked me to read her new book I was excited and nervous all at the same time.  Then came the disclosure that this was not going to be a HEA romantic-ish ending.  So I was a little worried I may not like.  But I went into it with my eyes open and really did end up liking this book a lot.

Kit Colbana is a very tough girl. She has been through so much in her life that it is amazing how well rounded she is.  But she has a soft spot for kids and is willing to stand up for them no matter what the cost is to her.  And that is how she finds herself in the situation that she is currently in.
A situation that involves one crazy female Alpha, a lost boy, a pain in the butt vampire, and an amazingly good looking, totally out of this world protective, royal pain in the ass new bodyguard.  Who is also the Alpha’s head enforcer.

I will say that it did take me a little bit to get into this book.  I liked Kit right off and loved Damon.  But it took me a little while to figure out the world and decide if I like the book.  I love that Kit was brave, strong and determined.  But the same time she is young, naive and gets herself in over her head.   Damon is an Alpha all the way even if he doesn’t know it yet 😉 .  I really did in enjoy this book and look forward to the next installment in the series.  I look forward to seeing how Kit grows and what other surprises she has up her sleeves.

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Kelly’s review of Natural Evil by Thea Harrison

 Natural Evil
AUTHOR: Thea Harrison
PUBLICATION DATE:   03/20/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Claudia Hunter is on a road trip through the Nevada desert when she sees the body of a dog on the side of the highway. Pulling over to investigate, she quickly determines that the enormous animal is clinging to life. While working to save him with the help of the local vet, Claudia realizes there’s something about the creature that seems more. Other. Wyr. Which makes this case of animal cruelty attempted murder.

Too injured to shape shift, Luis Alvaraz is reluctant to tell Claudia what he knows about his attack, afraid it will only make her a target. But the sheriff is corrupt, and his attackers know Luis is alive and vulnerable. To make matters worse, a sandstorm is sweeping into town, and if they’re going to survive the night, Luis will have to place all his trust in Claudia.

Warning: Take a gorgeous man temporarily stuck in the dog house, add a strong, take-no-prisoners woman, mix in encroaching enemies and a raging sandstorm and stir to combine. Enjoy with a freshly opened can of whoop-ass.

Kelly’s REVIEW:
Natural Evil is Thea Harrison’s 2nd e-novella in the Elder’s Race series.  While I really liked Luis & Claudia, this novella didn’t suck me to The Elder Races like Thea’s other books. Coming off reading Oracle’s Moon, which I totally loved, Natural Evil just didn’t do it for me.

I look forward to the next installment in the Elder Races series.

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Kelly’s review of Wishful Thinking by Gabi Stevens

Wishful Thinking
AUTHOR: Gabi Stevens
PUBLICATION DATE:  04/24/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Free-spirited artist Stormy Jones-Smythe was raised by two talented Wizard fathers but never showed the slightest hint of magical abilities. Which is why she’s totally surprised when three famous fairy godmothers show up at her door to tell her she’s one of them.

Surprised, and none too happy.  The godmothers are fugitives, framed for treason, and the last thing the magical Council wants is another fairy godmother going rogue. Hence Stormy’s new full-time Guard, Hunter Merrick.

Stormy quickly realizes she’s not going to escape Hunter’s watch…and before long, she’s not sure she wants to. But her freedom depends on her ability to expose the plot against the godmothers, and that means getting control of her magic. Despite the growing chemistry between them, Hunter is fiercely loyal to the Council—and duty-bound to keep Stormy from doing either of those things.

But he didn’t count on Stormy’s irrepressible exuberance and passion for life. Before long, even Hunter isn’t sure which side he’s on, and he can’t contain Stormy either way.

Kelly’s REVIEW:
I am not sure where I stand on this book.  I liked the story.  But did not  love.  I have to admit that I ended up skimming a lot of parts in the book.  I like the hero of this book Hunter is a straight up kind of guy.  The heroine Stormy I never really connected with her.  I am not really sure what I can say…
If you love the first two books in Gabi’s series I think you will be happy with Wishful Thinking.  And this is maybe where I went wrong.  I started with book 3.

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Kelly’s ARC review of Lethal Rider by the FABULOUS Larissa Ione

Lords of Deliverance #3
AUTHOR: Larissa Ione
PUBLICATION DATE:   05/22/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
They’re here. They ride. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

Born of a match between good and evil, four siblings stand between hell’s minions and everything they want to destroy. They are the Lords of Deliverance, and they have the power to ward off Doomsday…or let it ride…

LETHAL RIDER

Thanatos, the most deadly Horseman of the Apocalypse, has endured thousands of years of celibacy to prevent the end of days. But just one night with the wickedly sexy Aegis Guardian, Regan Cooper, shatters centuries of resolve. Yet their passion comes with a price. And Thanatos must face a truth more terrifying than an apocalypse-he’s about to become a father.

Demon-slayer Regan Cooper never imagined herself the maternal type, but with the fate of the world hanging in the balance she had no choice but to seduce Thanatos and bear his child. Now, as the final battle draws closer and his rage at being betrayed is overshadowed by an undeniable passion for the mother of his child, Thanatos has a life-shattering realization: To save the world, he must sacrifice the only thing he’s ever wanted-a family.

REVIEWED BY: Kelly             
NUMBER OF STARS: 5+ Stars

REVIEW:  
Thanantos, aka Death, is not a very happy camper.  He has been a prisoner for the last 8 months, thanks to the his loving big brother and sister. So it is no wonder when feeling starts to return to his body the first thing on Than’s mind is revenge.   Revenge for the woman that betrayed him. Revenged towards his brother and sister, for imprisoning him.  Revenge for Pestilence, for not being Reseph anymore.  So Than comes up with a plan: step one get to the woman that betrayed him and make her pay.  Step two….. Well Than is not ready for step two because this involves something he never planned on.  Becoming a father.

Regan knows that she must protect the baby by any means necessary, but she keeps having nightmares of Thanantos killing her, taking the baby and not being able to stop the Apocalypse.  All because she betrayed him.  Betrayed him in such a horrible way, that no amount of sorry can explain away the hurt.   But there is one thing that Regan never counted on.  Than’s protectiveness over her and the baby.

What can you say about an author and a book that just totally blows you out of the water.  I am totally convinced that Larissa can’t write a bad book.   Lethal Rider gives us everything: love and lust, laughter and tears, betrayal, revenge, sacrifice, trust, redemption and forgiveness.   We get to see many characters for Larissa’s other wickedly good Demonica series.  And it is so nice to see the Horseman and the Demon kind working so well together.  🙂    I am SO in love with this series and am on pins and needle for Rogue Rider, Reseph’s book and the last of the Lords of Deliverance series.  But never fear!!!!!!!!!!!!   Reaver’s will be getting a book…..  SO can’t wait to see what Larissa has in store for the angel.  How she is going to redeem Reseph and where she is going to take us next…

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Kelly’s review of Kiss of the Goblin Prince by Shona Husk

Kiss of the Goblin Prince
Book 2 in the Shadowland
AUTHOR: Shona Husk
PUBLICATION DATE:   05/01/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Trapped for centuries in the bleak Shadowlands, Dai clings to his humanity with a thirst for knowledge. But now he’s free of the goblin curse, and some would say he knows too much—he can make nature bend to his will, influence the minds of others, and command magic. Yet love eludes him. Then he meets Amanda, a single mother with a sick daughter whom he feels compelled to protect. But could she possibly place her trust in the kiss of a goblin prince?

REVIEWED BY: Kelly            
NUMBER OF STARS: 3 1/2 Stars

REVIEW:
I do have to start by saying that I should have read Kiss of the Goblin King first, just so that I had a better understanding of the Shadowland world that Dai & Roan have lived in for so long.  

That being said. I really enjoyed this book. Dai is a man that may be freed of a long held curse, but he is not free.  Dai has to learn to function in the Fixed Realm and deal with the magic that is calling to him.  On top of all of that Dai finds that he is drawn to Amanda in a way he doesn’t totally understand.

Amanda feels an instant connection to Dai when she sees him at the wedding of one of her dear friend. But Amanda is confused by her feelings.  I has been a long 8 years since her husband passed away and Dai is the first man to stir those feelings in her again.   

I enjoyed reading the struggle that Dai & Amanda have to come to the realization that they can’t fight the attraction to each other.  But first they have to learn to trust blindly.

I liked the world that Shona created with the Shadowlands and the Fixed Realms.  There are so many threads weaved together to make up these worlds. I never really thought of Goblins as appealing but Dai & Roan make the idea very appealing.  I look forward to the next book in the Shadowland series For the Love a Goblin Warrior.

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Kelly’s ARC review of Shades of Desire by Virna DePaul

Shades of Desire
AUTHOR: Virna DePaul
PUBLICATION DATE:   05/22/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N


BOOK SYNOPSIS:
WHAT SHE CAN’T SEE COULD KILL HER. Natalie Jones is the lucky survivor of an elusive killer who preys on young women and then disappears from view. And since her harrowing ordeal, the once gutsy photojournalist has remained isolated in her home, paralyzed by fear and her failing vision. Special Agent Liam “Mac” McKenzie has scars of his own. But despite his efforts to ignore the attraction that simmers between him and Natalie, he needs her help to catch a predator. Soon, they will forge a tentative alliance-charged with desire. Through a soft-focus lens, Natalie dares to envision a future with Mac beyond the investigation…never guessing that the clues hidden within her photographs are drawing them into an explosive confrontation with a madman

REVIEWED BY: Kelly            
NUMBER OF STARS 4 ½ Stars

REVIEW:

Natalie has been racing the hands of time and her time has finally run out.  Her vision is now gone.  Natalie is trying to learn how to best cope with her new life, which is not easy.  But Natalie is a fighter.  She may lock herself away from the world, but she will not give up.  She will not be like her mom.   Natalie needs that fighting spirit when she is attacked in her own home and almost killed by a mad man.  

Liam “Mac” McKenzie, has seen many thing in his long career as a cop.  So this murder case was nothing new to him until he see a picture of the mad man’s latest victim.  A victim that survived.   A victim that could have seen something that will help them.  Only problem is that Natalie is blind.  

Natalie and Mac are a great team.  Both are stubborn, independent and very protective.   This was a good romantic suspense books with so many layers of who done.    If you like romantic suspenses you need to pick up a copy of Shades of Desire.

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Kelly’s (arc) review of The Taming of a Scottish Princess by Karen Hawkins

The Taming of a Scottish Princess
AUTHOR: Karen Hawkins
PUBLICATION DATE:   05/22/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:

A DETERMINED EXPLORER

When famed Egyptologist Michael Hurst discovers that the infamous Hurst Amulet is hidden in Scotland, he insists his trusted assistant, Miss Jane Smythe-Haughton, accompany him north. Strangely, the usually unflappable Jane seems perturbed by their destination—the mysterious Isle of Barra. A fascinated Michael watches as his staid assistant transforms, revealing intriguing layers of mystery and vulnerability. Could he be about to uncover not one, but two, precious treasures?

A DAUNTLESS PRINCESS

Once her clan’s princess, Jane fled Barra years ago to avoid a forced marriage. Since then, she has made her living as efficient Miss Smythe-Haughton—the perfect (and highly paid) assistant. Now she must confront her secrets . . . including her feelings for her irascible employer, too-handsome-for-his-own-good Michael Hurst.

A PERILOUS PLEASURE

Others are also searching for the missing amulet, however. Can Jane and Michael learn to trust each other in time to solve two riddles: the location of the Hurst Amulet, and the meaning of the vivid passion flaring between them?



REVIEWED BY: Kelly            
NUMBER OF STARS: 4 Stars

REVIEW:
This was my first Karen Hawkins book.  I have to say I really enjoyed this book.  The Taming of a Scottish Princess started out a little slow and Michael came off as a pompous ass, but as the story goes on I grew to love Michael’s character.  Michael may still be single minded but by the end of the book what he has his mind set on has changed.  He finally learns what is truly important to him.  
Jane. 


While you might think she a mouse type of character you would be very wrong.  Jane is a very strong, determined and can put her boss in his place any time kind of girl.  But when their latest adventure takes them back to Jane’s birth place, her future will forever be changed.

Michael & Jane were a fun, witty and determined couple to read about.  I loved their batter.  The sassy mouths that both have. The name calling, oh the name calling.  But their adventure to a small island in Scotland will make them realize that the ultimate treasure has been in front of them the whole time.

If you are a fan of Karen Hawkins’ books you will enjoy The Taming of a Scottish Princess.  If you are new to Karen, I believe you will enjoy the adventure and trouble the Michael and Jane get them self into.

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Kelly’s review of Black Magic by JD Tyler

Black Magic
#1.5 Alpha Pack series
AUTHOR: JD Tyler
PUBLICATION DATE:   03/06/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N


BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A terrible storm is coming, and Alpha Pack’s newest man will face not only a battle within himself, but a war on the horizon that could end them all…

Sorcerer/Necromancer/black panther shifter Kalen Black and Dr. Mackenzie Grant battle a lethal enemy and come together in an explosion of passion. One night will set in motion dire consequences not only for the couple, but for the entire Pack…

This novella is the beginning of Kalen and Mackenzie’s story, to be concluded in December 2012 with their full-length book, BLACK MOON.


REVIEWED BY: Kelly         NUMBER OF STARS: 5 Stars

REVIEW:
I was so excited for this novella.  It seems so long ago that I opened Primal Law and fell in love with JD Tyler and the Alpha Pack.  In Primal Law we got to met the very dark and disturbing Kalen Black.  From the moment we meet Kalen I was totally interest in his story.  Where did he come from, was he good or evil, how did he have the power to shift into a black panther (which is my favorite type of shifter)  What role is he going to play within the Alpha Pack.

Black Magic gives us a little sample of who Kalen really might be.  I say “might be” because the guys has been through so much in his life and it seems he has a heck of a battle coming his way.  But we do get to see a much softer side of Kalen, when he is with Mackenzie.  With Mackenzie he opens up and shares thing he would never share with anyone else.

JD Tyler, I love and hate you right now. Love Kalen & Mackenzie together. But darn you for writing this novella and leave me hanging at the end…… I am not a very patient person and now I have to wait for the follow up story  Black Moon to see what happens to Kalen & Mackenzie.  

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Kelly’s review of Alexander Outland: Space Pirate by GJ Koch

Alexander Outland: Space Pirate
AUTHOR: GJ Koch
PUBLICATION DATE:   6/5/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:

Captain Alexander Outland of the Sixty-Nine (short for Space Vessel 3369, of course) is the best pilot in the galaxy. He’s also a pirate, a smuggler, and loved and loathed by women in umpteen solar systems. His crew of strays and misfits includes an engineer of dubious sanity, a deposed planetary governor, an annoyingly unflappable Sexbot copilot, and a slinky weapons chief who stubbornly refuses to give the captain a tumble.

Outland just wants to make a decent living skirting the law, but when an invisible space armada starts cutting into his business, he soon finds himself in hot water with the military, the mob, mad bombers, and an extended family of would-be conquerors. And that’s not counting an occasionally telepathic spy . . . .

Like any sensible scoundrel, he hates heroics. They’re risky and they don’t pay well. But to keep his ship and crew in one piece, and make time with a certain hard-to-get weapons chief, he might just have to make an exception–and save the galaxy in spite of himself!

REVIEWED BY: Kelly            
4 1/2 Stars

REVIEW:

OMG!!! I loved this story!!!  I am so in love with Alexander Napoleon Outland aka Nap, or as he likes to call himself ‘The Outland’.  Nap is to die for funny, witty, sexy and an all around good guy.  There is no other captain I would want driving my pirate ship.

Alexander Outland: Space Pirate takes us on a wild journey.  Nap is the leader of a pirate ship, well pirate spaceship that is, that finds themself in the middle of a plot to take over the universe.
And for some reason everyone is aiming for them.  Just when they think they know what and who their enemy is after they learn that they are wrong.  It will take every trick in Nap’s book and a little luck for Nap to keep his crew safe, save the universe and hope to win the hand of his lady love.  
Along the way Nap finds himself new crew members, new allies, a few new enemies and in more then one very stinky situation .

Huge thank you to GJ Koch, for letting me read Nap’s book.  I am totally in love with him.  I am really excited to see what is next for Nap and the Sixty-Nine team.

If you are a fan of sci-fi you really need to order a copy of Alexander Outland: Space Pirate.  If you are new to sci-fi you should check out Nap’s book.  It is a fun, witty, twisty and turny read.  

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Kelly’s review of A Blood Seduction by Pamela Palmer

A Blood Seduction 
Vamp City #1AUTHOR: Pamela Palmer
PUBLICATION DATE:   05/29/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N


BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Vampires live only for lust and pleasure in the eternal twilight of Vamp City. But the city’s magic is dying. The only person who can restore it? A beautiful woman from the mortal world…one who knows nothing of the power she wields.

Quinn Lennox is searching for a missing friend when she stumbles into a dark otherworld that only she can see—and finds herself at the mercy of Arturo Mazza, a dangerously handsome vampire whose wicked kiss will save her, enslave her, bewitch her, and betray her.

What Arturo can’t do is forget about her—any more than Quinn can control her own feelings for him. Neither one can let desire get in the way of their mission—his to save his people, hers to save herself.

But there is no escape from desire in a city built for seduction, where passion flows hot and blood-red. Welcome to Vamp City…



REVIEWED BY: Kelly             
3 Stars

REVIEW:
hhhmmm, where to start with this review.  I have very mixed feelings about this book.   I didn’t love this book, I didn’t hate this book, I am not sure if I like or not.  I really really really wanted to like this book.  I like the idea behind this book.  But didn’t really connect with the characters.

I really wanted to like Arturo (our hero? I am not sure I would call him that), but is he is a rat, a snake, a really dirt bag, I could go ON and ON about his dirt bagness, but I won’t.  I kept hoping through the whole book he would change, but no he was a dirt bag right up to the end.  

Quinn, oh what can I say about Quinn our heroine in this book.  Her loyalty to her brother is great.  She can take a punch like no one’s business, but damn that girl for trusting such a self serving vampire.   

There were moments in this book that made me like these two, but for the most part I struggled with them.

I am hoping that as this series goes on the books get better.  A Blood Seduction was a little rough for me.  And let me tell you there truly is no such thing as a good vampire in Vamp City.  
So if you are looking for a happily ever after story this is not for you.  If you are looking for a vampire story were ALL the vamp’s are bad then you need to get a copy of A Blood Seduction.

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Kelly’s (arc) review of Rough Ride by Keri Ford

Rough Ride
Roughnecks #1
AUTHOR: Keri Ford
PUBLICATION DATE:   05/06/12

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
You do for family, no matter what. Lane Iverson knows that better than anyone. Harboring a secret about his mother’s death, Lane is counting the days until he finishes helping his brothers with some work and can head back to his hiding hole hours away. As long as he doesn’t have to face his three brothers every day, the guilt is easier to carry.

There is only one thing that can risk his plan. All of five foot tall, with these deep eyes and a voice that shudders through him. The completely addicting, Gretchen Jones. She’s been watching him the entire time he’s been in town. With courage from her friends behind her, she confronts what she wants. To her surprise, that’s the easy part. Keeping her heart protected when she knows he’ll be leaving? Not so easy, but her only choice.

REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Kelly             
4 ½  Stars

REVIEW:
Rough Ride is book 1 in Keri Ford’s new series The Roughnecks and takes us back to the quiet little town of Apple Trail.   The Roughneck series is a spin off of Keri’s Apple Trail series which I LOVED!!!  If you haven’t read the Apple Trail series find more about it here http://keriford.com/books/uninhibited-in-apple-trail-arkansas/.  Okay back to Lane…

Lane is one tough cookie.  He loves his brothers more than anything, but being so close to them is tough.  Lane has been keep a secret from his brothers.  A secret that may just tear his family apart once and for all.  Lane wants to help his family, but the minute they are done he is going to cut and run.   The one thing he didn’t factor in was Gretchen.  Gretchen, may be the very best thing he will never deserve.

Gretchen knows that Lane is only here temporarily.  And she is not a temporary type of girl.  She is a forever girl.  But her forever was taken from her.  With the encouragement of her best friends, Gretchen takes a leap of faith that maybe, just maybe she can have just a fling with Lane.  But what will she do when it is time for him to leave?

I loved this book.  Lane is tough, complicated, full of guilt, and a stubborn pain in the ass.  But in the end he has to learn that sometimes you have to fall before you can get up and live.  Gretchen is very strong, even when the chips are down she is a trooper.  But she never will let a man walk all over her.   Lane & Gretchen are a great couple to read about.  I look forward to seeing them in

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Kelly’s review of The Fake Boyfriend Experiment by Stephanie Rowe

The Fake Boyfriend Experiment
AUTHOR: Stephanie Rowe
PUBLICATION DATE:   
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Rafe Turner has a tattoo running from his wrist to his shoulder. His hair is a little too long. He doesn’t need to rebel, because owning his life is already in his blood. He’s way out of her league, for sure, but when Lily Gardner accidentally face plants through the window of his band’s practice room, a connection is formed between Rafe and Lily that can’t be shaken. When Rafe invites her to jam with his band, Lily knows the mega-talented drummer is exactly what she needs to fix her life. The fact that Rafe already has a girlfriend? No problem. It’ll be enough if people simply think she’s dating him…won’t it? Lily is about to discover that finding her passion is a whole lot more complicated than a fake boyfriend…or two.


REVIEWED BY: Kelly             
4 Stars

REVIEW:
I really enjoyed this young adult book.  I love how this book pulled me back to my high school years (which was a VERY long time ago). It was fun for me to read how one young girl deals with the stress her parents put on her to be the best.  The pressure she feels from her instructors to be the best.  The pressure of not fitting in with her life long friends, boys and will just about everyone around her.  

Lily is a great character. She is a typical teenage girl. Just wanting to fit in, but fitting in is has not been easy for Lily.  Her friends think of her as a geek.   Boy’s think she is weird.  Her parents just don’t understand.  But Lily is a very strong, capable, determined girl.  When Lily finds herself in a web of lies she has spun herself she finds out who her real friends are.  But only after getting her heart broke.

Rafe has been dealt a bad hand, his parents are divorcing, he is living with his aunt and he is having issues with his girlfriend. The only bright spot in his life is that his aunt is allowing him to have band practice at her house.  Without music Rafe would have nothing.   

Reading about Lily and Rafe really took me back.. I loved to watch young love bloom on the pages of The Fake Boyfriend Experiment.