Ethan, the hero, has baggage and carries a huge, unforgiving grudge against the media. As the only child of deceased country music legend parents, he is also unrelenting and adamant he won’t be with anyone who attracts their attention. For him, that is a non-negotiable rule of life he’ll never change. For me, he could come across unreasonable, selfish, hard-headed, illogical, and one-sided to the point I didn’t necessarily always see what Chelsea, the heroine, saw in him. Sure, he was extremely handsome and could sing when reluctantly talked into it, but his current claim to fame seemed to be his “love ‘em and leave ‘em” womanizing reputation, which he now started to regret due to publicity reasons, not because of broken hearts. At least it is only referenced often, and we don’t have to endure flashbacks or specific details regarding other women.

It is implied through Ethan’s small circle of friends he is a good guy but other than being co-owner/bartender of a successful bar/musical venue and owning/operating a ranch where he trained/boarded horses for rich people, he didn’t stand out as overly hero material to me. Yes, full disclosure is given regarding his background, but I still felt he often lived and viewed the world mostly through his eyes alone. He was quick to become angry/point the finger and blame without considering all the factors involved.

Chelsea is the whole package, folks. She’s a beautiful, talented singer, who feels she owes it to her fans not to shy away from them or the press, which helped make her famous. No, to this girl mingling with them has become as easy as breathing and is part of her dues. She feels a connection and loyalty to her fans that is beyond Ethan’s comprehension. Her only weakness to me was letting concern over her fans’ possible reactions to everything factor too much in her personal life/decisions.

Despite being full aware of Ethan’s distaste of the limelight, she still woman-ups and approaches him to help with a project to raise money for a great charity. I liked how she didn’t cower after his rudeness/gruff response.


Well, Ethan can’t let things go, folks. Though their attraction is immediate, their interactions/relationship is back and forth, on and off. At nearly 400 pages, I can’t help but feel half of that amount would have told this tale adequately. I skimmed through parts of it, especially the very graphic smexy scenes when they became rather numerous and at the drop of a cowboy hat. At least they did spend quite a bit of time together and got to know each other first.

Though their romantic journey didn’t strike a major chord with me, I was glad to see them get a HEA. I certainly hope others thoroughly enjoy this book. I wish this author all the best in the next sequel “Can’t Fight the Feeling”. Having not read book 1, I didn’t feel I missed out on any important aspects to this one. Ms. James introduced the sub-characters well enough they simply blended into this story line seamlessly. I actually would like to backtrack and read it, as well. What can I say? I’m a sucker for a strong, single mom who breaks through the walls of a hard-headed, reluctant to love hero.

Title: Can’t Let Her Go, Series: Nashville Dreams (Book 2), Author: Sandy James, Pages: 384, stand-alone but part of a series, famous country music star heroine, had famous parents hero, eventually very graphic/steamy scenes, comes to his senses, relationship angst, no cheating, no love triangle, no OM/OW, non-virgin MC, former player/womanizing reputation.

Book 1 - Can’t Walk Away (Brad & Savannah), 10/10/17
Book 2 - Can’t Let Her Go (Ethan & Chelsea), 1/16/18
Book 3 - Can’t Fight the Feeling, 5/8/18 (details not available)

(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review, nor is there any affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/PR firm.)

Love this quirky, fun and brilliantly written group of highly talented friends that are more like family.

This is the first Nashville Dreams book I read and now have the overwhelming urge to read book one even if it is just to see if it is just as good as this one. Ethan Walker is the son of Nashville Royalty and is surly enough to hate all things fame related. Chelsea Harris is a huge country music star that worked hard to get where she is. Six mouths ago she lost her dad to Cancer and is organizing a charity album in his honer to raise awareness and money for research. She is looking to do a duet with Ethan but his is not eager to record anything or be thrust back into the public eye. Loved how engaging and realistic this couple and their friends are in this romantic journey I loved reading.

Can't Let Her Go is Book Two of Sandy James' Nashville Dreams series. I didn't even realize that it was part of a series at first so it reads perfectly fine as a stand-alone. I do look forward to going back and catching up on Book One.

I really had no idea going in what to expect other than the premise sounded intriguing. Ethan and Chelsea were very likeable and despite their money and fame, very down to earth characters. There was certainly a lot of emotion in the story and even a few laugh out loud moments. Very enjoyable and I look forward to seeing what else this author has to offer.

“What did I do to deserve you?”
A chuckle slipped out. “Since that was supposed to be a compliment, I won’t tell you that you must’ve fucked up something royal to get stuck with me.”

I’ve been reading Sandy James since I first started blogging, nearly four years ago. The first book in her Ladies Who Lunch series sort of fell into my lap, and I’m so glad it did. Because I came to love those ladies, and because, if it hadn’t, Ethan Walker may never have come into my life.

And, oh, that’d be a cryin’ shame. The son of country music royalty and a cowboy (that’s my heart gone, right there), Ethan is grumpy and a bit of a jerk—but also something of a softie. It’s basically book crack, or maybe kryptonite. Whatever you want to call it, it meant that Can’t Let Her Go was a win for me.

Admittedly, there were a couple of moments I wanted to cuss at the stubborn cowboy, but luckily, Chelsea was there to echo my frustrations. I felt an odd kind of kinship with her—though my singing skills are more in line with Chuck’s—and I couldn’t help but appreciate her strength and her sass.

And though a little slow through the middle, this one moved a good pace—filled as it was with likable characters, including the return of Savannah and Brad from Can’t Walk Away, a fresh, fun story and sweet, sexy, and sweet n’ sexy moments.

Oh, and feels. Yeah, this one made my poor ache. And not just because, upon turning the last page, I wished for two or three or four more chapters.

I’m truly excited to see what comes next in this series. My dream is a short wait for book three—hopefully (and most likely) Russ’ book—because I’m very much enjoying my time in Nashville. Just like I enjoyed lunching with those ladies all those years ago . . .

Her breath rushed out as he suddenly tugged her hard against him and hugged her as though she were the only thing keeping him from drowning. This wasn’t passion; this was love.

~ 4.5 Hamlet STARS ~

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

Wow, there was just so much emotion in this book! You could see that Chelsea and Ethan were meant for each other and complimented each other but they had so much "stuff" to overcome. When you read each other's point of view when they disagreed, you could understand their feelings but yet each could not give a little to make a compromise.

You could just feel that they were headed for a break up and when it happened, you just wanted to shake them and make them work it out. When they did the duet after the break up, I was about in tears, it was so sad.

But, glad that they had their HEA and loved the way that Ethan used to show Chelsea that he wanted her back and would give a little!

I’m not normally into music romance books but this one called to me and I had to give this book ago. I was not disappointed at all. It was such a pleasure to read and a really enjoyable one too. Has a great storyline, awesome characters that you really like and want them to get there HEA and the romance that grows between them as they go on there journey on the book. Overall a really fabulous book that I truly enjoyed reading every minute of. I would recommend giving this book and author ago as I did and I don’t regret it one bit. Will be trying more books by this author in the future.

the nashville dreams series continues with can't let her go, where ethan walker finds that as much as chelsea harris is everything he says he doesn't want in a woman she's his dream come true. she's a true star in a town full of them. and ethan has some serious issues coming in second to celebrity.

from the get-go their relationship is fraught. because too many people in ethan's life have approached him to catch a shard of his parent's star power. while chelsea plans to use it for good, at first she just another in a long line of takers. but chelsea proves that she's more than a bubble-headed celebtriy. she's grounded in real in ways he's never seen. not even his parents were ever that real. so he doesn't trust it and doesn't know how to handle it. and chelsea struggles with keeping ethan away from the trappings of her fame.

she knows all to well that he doesn't want it. but performing and singing is her calling. and while he doesn't feel the need to share his incredible talent with the world, for her it's been a dream. and it's part of who she is. he can't just reject it entirely without rejecting her on some basic level.

when it comes down to it, ethan will need to find a way to make it work for him. celebrity and the press are not the evil he's built up in his head—with good reason because his parents and their death really created some visitble scars that will never truly fade. and here chelsea can give a little too. she can give more to ethan than she gives to her fans. she can put him first in a way that no one else in his life ever has, and that's probably enough to make him love her forever.

i love the setting here and i love that we get some updates on savannah and brad, and i can't wait to see what book three in this series has in store for russ.

**can't let her go will publish on january 16, 2018. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/grand central publishing (forever) in exchange for my honest review.

Received in exchange for a honest review.

Sandy James followed the Brad and Savannah’s story up with a bang. Ethan Walker is one tough nut to crack.

What made this a bang? Ethan and how he fights himself over his attraction to Chelsea at first but also doesn’t see Chelsea as the Chelsea Harris. How he Ethan has been hurt and why he is so wary of fame and the press. How Chelsea showed Ethan she is more than a singer but a person. She can sling drinks as well as manure just as easily as sing.

What is the story? Ethan, who has had his life invaded and childhood taken away by fame and the press, wants to lead a quiet life. Chelsea, country’s darling, is trying to get a charity album in tribute to her dad done and wants Ethan to participate. She tries to ask but Ethan is really closed off (can’t blame him). He even asks as a jerk because of his past. He knows this though but is trying to protect himself and his privacy. Chelsea wants him and finds a way to get to know him. Slowly one thing leads to another and they no longer fight their feelings but celebrity gets in their way. Both must learn to compromise and see the other’s view for this to work. And both are stubborn.

How are the characters?

Ethan-love. He is very guarded but such a sweetheart when he knows you. He is willing to help people but he wants his life to be kept private. Wonderful guy. He admits his mistakes at times but does come off rather gruff at first as he fights his attraction to Chelsea. His view in this story was very relatable.

Chelsea-not what you would think. She is grounded and nice. Your heart tugs at you with why this charity album is so important. I didn’t like her way of trying to get Ethan to help at first but glad she admitted it. She is just as stubborn as ethan. Neither wanting to give an inch but both needed to learn to compromise. I loved seeing her thoughts after everything went down.

Russ-fun and sweet.

Joe-adorable old man who was a second father to Ethan really.

Savannah and Brad-just as cute and wonderful as in the first book.

How is the plot? seduction and entertaining. Ethan and his past tear at your heart. Chelsea and her dogged determination entertains. But really it is the slow burn of their feelings and getting to know one another that is seductive. you anticipate what is to happen and want to see what is next as they explore their feelings for one another and the press. Also it is very intriguing and alluring how they explore love, careers and how to compromise and see the other’s views.

Overall this is a very seductive and entertaining story. A romance that has some sassy banter, two stubborn people falling in love and learning how to let the other’s life and feelings be taken into consideration when making choices and finding a way to be comfortable with those decisions and still be who they are.

RATING 4.5 STARS

Can’t Let Her Go is book two in the fantastic series, Nashville Dreams, by Sandy James. I fell in love with this series with the first book and my love continues with this one. Three men, Brad, Ethan and Russ, own the bar, Words and Music, together, all three confirmed bachelors. In the first book, Can’t Walk Away, we saw Brad fall first for the up and coming star, Savannah. Now it’s Ethan’s turn.

Ethan Walker was the only child of two famous parents who loved living their lives in the public eye. They forced their son into the spotlight in a way he hated. But then he tragically lost his parents. He never wanted that life for himself and instead chose to own a horse ranch. Between helping to run the bar and working his ranch, it was all he wanted or needed. He never felt inclined to get involved with a woman. He just wasn’t interested. But then, one night, Chelsea Harris waltzed into his bar and he couldn’t take his eyes off of her. Until she asked him to sing a duet with her on a charity album she was doing. Then it was easy. He told her no and walked away.

Chelsea Harris was Nashville’s hottest star. She worked hard to get where she was. Part of the price for that fame was dealing with the paparazzi and fans. She accepted that. Chelsea lost her father six months ago to cancer. Now she wants to do an album of duets with children of famous singers, singing their parents hits. To get Ethan on the album would make the album a sure success. But Ethan’s feelings about being in the public eye were well known. He stayed as far away from it as he could. And he never sang, even though he had a beautiful voice. He would surely agree to do this for her, though, as soon as he knew what a good cause it was for, right? But he wouldn’t even give her a chance to explain. He just flat out refused.

So Chelsea goes to plan B. To get to know Ethan, become friends, so that he might consider her offer. This project was so important to her. But it’s she that was a victim of her own plan because the more time she spent with Ethan, the more she fell for him. She was so drawn to this sexy cowboy but also she felt drawn to his ranch, to the peace she felt there, away from the public eye.

“Kissing this woman was playing with fire, and he was ready to get burned.”

I loved these two together. Chelsea really was a down home girl when Ethan got to know her. But both of these two were stubborn as heck. Ethan wanted nothing at all to do with the public way Chelsea lived her life. But for Chelsea, it was just the way it was. If their relationship was to have any kind of chance, Ethan would have to accept that, wouldn’t he? What I also loved is that even though there was instant attraction between these two, they took things slow. Chelsea refused to rush the physical side of their relationship. She wanted to be sure they had a chance before they went there. But when they finally did, it was worth the wait. But their little bubble they put themselves in doesn’t last long as rumors begin to swirl and photographers are hiding around every corner.

Of course, we get to see plenty of Brad and Savannah in this book along with sweet little Caroline. Actually, the moment in the book that made my eyes water wasn’t Chelsea and Ethan, it was a beautiful moment between Brad and Savannah. I love those two. And I loved the ending of this book. It was epic and perfect and gave me goosebumps. I love this series and can’t wait for the next book, Russ’s story in Can’t Fight the Feeling. We haven’t really gotten to know him much so I’m looking forward to his story. It’s just my opinion but he seems to be the goofiest of three guys. I can’t wait to find out more.

4 1/2 Country Stars! A great romance about fame and all it's pitfalls.

Ethan is the son of Nashville music royalty. His parents were the King and Queen of country music even after their accidental death. Ethan's parents always chose their music before him therefore he never wanted any part of the fame, even though he had the talent of his parents combined. Chelsea Harris has worked hard her whole life to become the country music star she is today. After her father dies from cancer, she decides to make an album for charity with all the children of famous country music stars, including Ethan. When Chelsea and Ethan meet the sparks fly and they can't stop freight train that is headed their way.

This is just one of those really feel good stories. The characters just come to life on the pages and you just want them to get their acts together so they can just love one another. There were times I just wanted to give Ethan a kick in the a$$ so he could get over the past and make a future with Chelsea and then in the next chapter I would just feel sorry for him for all the torment he's been through. A great story that will make you laugh, cry and everything in between.

I received an ARC copy courtesy of Forever (Grand Central Publishing) through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

This is the way you write a grand gesture.

Contemporary romance featuring a social media savvy singer and a paparazzi phobic cowboy.

Ethan Walker has avoided the spotlight ever since his parents, the King and Queen of Nashville music, died trying to avoid the paparazzi. Since that time he has retreated to his horses and the bar he owns with his friends. Chelsea Harris is a star of Nashville who wants to record a charity album to raise money for colon cancer research. She wants to sing a duet with Ethan for the album. Ethan hasn’t sang professionally since his parents tried to turn him into a pop star when he was 19. They meet, banter back and forth. Chelsea buys a horse to stable at his barn. There is smexy times in between trying to avoid the cameras. There is a break up and an EPIC grand gesture.

3 stars.

I loved this story. Can't Let Her Go is the second book in the series but it is easily read standalone. After reading this book I will definitely be going back and reading the first as well. The writing is excellent and the characters are memorable. With pure southern charm oozing from the pages it was a very pleasant read.

Ethan walked away from the Nashville music scene years ago. After growing up with parents that were Nashville royalty he saw all the ugly that can come with that life. After losing his parents in an accident caused by paparazzi, he wants nothing more to do with it. When Chelsea shows up trying to convince him to record a song on her new album she's recording for charity he dismisses her immediately. Chelsea's not someone who takes no for an answer though and she's willing to do whatever it takes to change his mind.

I highly recommend this one.

3.5☆
What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Part of a series: Nashville Dreams
Standalone
HEA

I look forward to reading more from Sandy James.

I liked the idea of the hero being the son of two country music legends who also had his own music career at one point that felt a bit out of his hands but now wants to stay out of the limelight and the heroine being a current country music star with all the social media that involves these days. The execution just didn't work that well for me because Ethan and Chelsea should have been more aware and proactive about the media. They talked about it in vague broad terms when both of them should have been talking about a concrete plan of action from the beginning, and I felt like they both knew better than they were acting.

I have never heard about this authors work until I stumbled across this book. That saddens me because I really enjoyed this one and would have loved to have read her previous novel in the series with this one! It's filled with the southern charm that I love and a swoon worthy male that would make any female fall in love. I will now have to go back and start the series from the beginning.

Maybe I'm being harsh but two and a half stars.

I love the premise, current country star recording a charity album meets the son of two country legends who most definitely DOESN'T want to visit the past.

Unfortunately this book (for me) flagged badly in the middle and I had the overwhelming feeling that this book was all about the telling not the showing. After their sassy meeting the book just seemed as though it was treading water, like the sex scenes it was ultimately disappointing with very little action.

When you have a famous country singer falling in love with a guy who wants nothing of the limelight, you know there's bound to be some drama and compromise.
This is Chelsea and Ethan's story and I loved reading this book because: one, the pace is steady and two, it's got that southern charm written all over it. I'd recommend this to anyone who lives for a sweet romance. I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review and reading it on Christmas Eve in a sunny afternoon was delightful.

A sweet Southern romance filled with country charm and likable characters. Where the story may lack depth, it more than makes up for it with the type of characters who are easy to become attached to.

Though this the second installment in the Nashville Dreams Series, it can be read as a standalone without very much backstory needed.

This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

Chelsea Harris is a famous country singer who wants to do a charity album in honor of her late father. Her dream is to do some duets with children of their famous parents.

Ethan Walker is the only child of world famous country singers who were considered country royalty. Ethan has no desire to be part of that world.

So when Chelsea approaches him with her plan he flat out tells her no.

Chelsea tries a different angle by getting to know Ethan. That friendship grows into much more. But Chelsea's famous career and the press will put a strain on their relationship. Is their love strong enough to make this relationship last?

I received a complimentary arc from netgallery for review purposes.

This is book 2 in the series and it is just as good as the 1st book if not better. It easily stands alone as well. It stars Ethan, the cowboy owner of the Nashville bar and the child of former musicians. In this story he meets Chelsea Harris, a country western star whose father has died. Chels is putting together an album with former rock star children and co singing with them and she wants Ethan to do a song.

But Ethan HATES the rocker life style and he HATES the press. So he refuses but Chels is no quitter and so this story is about them getting to know each other and falling in love. But its also about how Ethan and Chels can make it works when he hates the press and the press is so important to her career.

It was a really great story and I loved it. I loved all the characters and I especially loved Ethan and Chels together.