3 Star Review: Rock Rebel by Tara Leigh

Monday 10 December 2018




Rock Rebel by Tara Leigh
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This story had so many layers to it which stemmed from the h’s abuse at the hands of so-called industry professionals. Covering the current and deeply emotive subject, namely the #metoo movement, the author managed to address this highly evocative area with grace and sensitivity. 

Rock Rebel introduces readers to an actress/pop-princess who is trying to re-invent herself via the music industry. Having been abused during her previous endeavours, Verity is trying to find her own way in life, and away from her parasitic, co-conspirator mother. 

When Travis Taggert, NBT’s manager, also becomes Verity’s manager, their paths were destined to overlap, especially when Verity becomes friends with Piper and Delaney. Having seen Dax at a party, Verity is stunned when she finds herself in an elevator with him especially when she realises he doesn’t recognise her, although the chemistry between the duo is immediately tangible. 

Despite not recognising Verity, Dax is stunned when he finds out who she is and immediately starts to distance himself from his feelings towards her. With a joint tour on the cards, Dax is keen to avoid a repeat of what happened with his ex. That said, Verity and Dax soon find more than music in common as their friendship grows. 

As the book progresses, Dax and Verity become close but Dax tries to resist his feelings towards Verity. Verity, with her own issues stemming from her past, also finds it hard to open herself up to potentially more heartbreak but despite her misgivings, Dax manages to reawaken something in her. 

The connection between Dax and Verity was very slow to develop, mainly due to their past and relationship misgivings, and I found my interest in their story waning slightly as a result. Despite my best efforts, I just couldn’t connect with the characters or the storyline on this occasion. I applaud the author for tackling such a sensitive subject as the #metoo movement but I felt that the subject matter made the story a little too reflective. For me, the story really kicked in around 70% at which point Dax and Verity suddenly find their pasts inexplicably overlapping and the story suddenly became captivating.

As always with Tara Leigh’s books, this was well written with some memorable quotes but on this occasion was less about the music and more about portraying a poignant message. 

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Blurb

He's a rock star with a secret, she's a pop princess with a painful past - can their forbidden romance survive, or will their lies destroy them both?

I've earned my bad reputation.

A few years ago, I was New York City's hottest classical music prodigy. But I wanted something else, something more. So I chased my real dream, and now... I'm rock royalty. Dax Hughes, lead guitarist of Nothing but Trouble. But to my family and former Juilliard classmates, I'm an outcast. A misfit. A rebel.

They're not entirely wrong. I don't give a damn what other people think, and I'm all for breaking the rules... except when it comes to our new opening act, Verity Moore.

Rock gods don't tour with pop princesses. 

It's not personal. Actually, under that fallen diva reputation, Verity's incredibly talented. And her fiery redheaded personality is... intriguing. But I'm convinced the skeletons in Verity's closet are as scandalous as my own, and when we're not sparring, she has a way of drawing out all those secrets I'm determined to keep hidden.

Yeah. Verity Moore is definitely off-limits . . .
But since when do I give a damn about the rules?




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