5 Rocking Stars!

Crys is a college student who gets the opportunity of a lifetime ... pose as a rock star’s girlfriend for a year to help with his image. But Crys didn’t know that Blade was a heroin addict and that she would be responsible to keep him off the stuff. There is an instant chemistry between them, but Crys knows that Blade is not the relationship type. She will be tested to all the limits!

I could not put this book down! This isn’t your rock star turned instantly good book ... no it’s a much darker look into the lifestyle of a rock star. There were times I just wanted to shake Crys and tell her “the money and the fame aren’t worth it ... just let him stay in his hell”. But then Blade would let you see the broken side of him and I just wanted to help him. The story is told from Crys POV and sometimes I wish that I could have known what was going through Blade’s head. This is a gut-wrenching steamy romance that will have you wondering what will happen next. There are lots of backup characters that I sure hope get a book in this series and I can’t wait to read them!

I received a copy courtesy of Tied Star Books through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

Crys was at the arena with a couple of her best friends for a Smidge concert. Than Three guys who had tickets next to their seats came up. One was adam and he offered to buy them a beer and then they switched seats until the girls each had a guy next to them. Crys was dealing with some vertigo as she looked how far down the stage was. The guy next to her was Rhys who was an actor. Rhys and the girls got separated when leaving their seats to exit the arena. Rhys had asked Crys for her number and had promised to call. The Smidge guys looked like the rock gods they were. Crys knew rock gods weren’t for falling in love; they were for daydreams and fantasy, for wishful thinking in between boyfriends. But Crys was still drawn to the Smidge boys especially Blade. Crys wondered if she’d ever find a regular guy to date who attracted her in that way. As one of her friends needed to use the bathroom Crys noticed a man with a very nice suit and clipboard was in the crowd than he came up to Crys and her friends and asked the three girls some questions and then he asked if they would like to meet the Smidge boys? It was included in promotional activities that the band met individual fans backstage and took out three laminated tags. After signing waivers the girls had stars put on their backstage passes her two friends had an orange star each and Crys got a green star. The girls each got to meet an individual band members and Crys chose Blade. Blade asked her if someone had told her to be nice to him as no one ever picked him and she said no, he was her favorite.The photographer had her sit on Blade’s lap for some of their pictures together. Before leaving Blade gave her one of his silver studded black leather wristbands and put it on her arm. Crys got a phone call from marigold, who was part of Smidge’s crew and said they had several nice pictures and she could come to the hotel and chose the one she wanted. Also they had a potential marketing application for the photographs and while the original waiver covered…. it would require some cooperation in her part. Mr. Kinny would like to discuss it in person. Crys agreed to be at the hotel by five. Nr. Kinny was the public relations manager for Smidge. Than mr. Kinny said that they weren’t completely honest at the concert. The post concert survey and photoshoot with the band were really a job interview and she had impressed them. He said they were simply searching for a wholesome looking and photogenic lady who would be able to form a good rapport with Blade. Also other things they had been impressed with :she was calm, her adaptability and equanimity, her intelligence , and she was well spoken, and her courtesy to the crew and band. So Mr. Kinny offered her a job. They had to put a better spin on Blade’s image. She would be a professional girlfriend. Mr. Kinny added not in a sexual way when Crys rose to leave.
I loved this book. I read it basically one setting, just took a couple hours to sleep. I loved Blade and Crys together and how they interacted. I loved how some of the crew had been with Smidge a long time and really cared about the young men. I loved how close Angel and Blade were even if Angel lead Blade astray with drugs. I loved the ending. I loved the pace and plot. I found nothing to criticize in this book-Happily. New favorite book!! I loved the characters and the ins and outs of this book and I highly recommend it.

The life of a musician is not an easy life, whether you are a signed band, local band, or indie artist. I immediately connected with this story on a personal level because I have friends who are musicians and I’m a singer as well. There is a certain mask you have to put on for the crowd and the person behind the scenes may be completely the opposite.

Crys Matthews gets, in her case, an opportunity of a lifetime by being hired to be her rockstar crush, Blade’s, fake girlfriend/keeper. She automatically beings to realize that it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. Drug addiction, anger management issues, and a dark past covers Blade like a dark blanket. It’s not unheard of and while reading this, I know several musician friends who were very similar once upon a time.

Crys tries to help as much as she can and pushes her standards aside in order to please everyone, including Blade. Some may see this as her being weak, but when you are put in that sort of a situation and you are not used to that world – that’s what you do. She develops into a strong woman and eventually controls the situation (get it, Girl!).

The chemistry between Blade and Crys is certainly there, like level 11 there (enter in Spinal Tap humor).
She’s definitely the support he needs. I adored both of them together and the chemistry they have. Aside from Blade’s issues, I have to say goals, Ladies and Gentlemen, Goals!

This is a quick, enticing read that’ll make you wish you had a rock star of your own.

3.5 Stars

Crys Murphy lucks into a job playing fake girlfriend and full time wrangler for rock star bad boy, Blade. They are certainly extreme opposites as she is a college girl who has led a very sheltered, protected life. Blade has every cliché issue to be expected from a famous rocker including drugs, sex, and shocking public behavior. Crys is thrown head first into the whirlwind of touring, publicity, and being around all sorts of behaviors she never expected to experience.

Blade and his fellow bandmates have achieved all of the goals of fame; however, life on the road and under the thumb of management has turned hollow. Crys brings not only a fresh perspective, but her feelings for Blade help pull him back from the brink of destruction. His gritty past and wobbly future balanced on a very narrow knife edge may instead, pull Crys down into the abyss with him.

Cyrs’s naiveté makes this a very New Adult story. She is a bit of a scared little rabbit much of the time as she gets to know the lifestyle involved with touring, fans, and the press who are always out to catch celebrities at their worst. Considering this huge sea change, Crys begins to adapt fairly well and actually enjoy the ride. Readers who are fans of the rock and roll romance genre will most likely find it a fairly satisfying read.

An absolute beautiful story about a tortured soul trying to find his way out of the darkness that is heroin addiction.

The book didn't disappoint. I really liked that the dialogue between Blade and Crys was open and honest.

Looking forward to the next book.

I received a copy of this for a fair and honest review. I have read my share of rock star romance and this is a good one. It has a real deep feeling to it and it has it honest moments as well. Crys is hired to a public or fake girlfriend for Blade. He need help with his image since he is bringing the band down with his extra bad boy ways. Then things start to develop between the two and it is like fireworks. But I am not going to ruin the story for you. You are going to have to grab a copy for yourself.

No Spoilers!!I truly love rock star romance books and this one didn't disappoint ! I have never read this author before and was unsure about her writing , however it was a page turner. The story unfolded perfectly and had me mad at times because of some the characters actions. I loved how the author was not afraid to go to the dark side of what we know as a rock star's life at times. I was thoroughly entertained throughout the story. I will be reading more by Kella Campbell in future. An over very good read!

This is our first book from author Kella Campbell and as we have said before we love a good rock star story!

However, the story itself started off a bit slow and the plot was a bit cliche. We felt like it picked about half way through and it got a bit better. But it still wasn't our favorite rock star book.

We will continue to try books from this author though!

My first book by this author and I was really impressed!! It seemed to have an orginal plot premise or at least fresher. It wasn't a total fluff. One of the rock stars is in a bad way. The PR firm hires Cyrstal to watch over him. It's half way committed to a gritty topic but skirts truly ugly. I applaud the attempt to remind us to never tread in those seductive highs. It's a hopefully HEA with a rockstar like Blade, he'll always be a handful! Lol

This book is awesome! The story line was original and at times heartbreaking but wonderful to read. These characters, who the writer evokes such raw emotions from and gave inner strength to the ones who needed it the most. I wanted more at the end, I wanted an epilogue with more about Chris and Crys, I need to know more about their story and if she was prego or if they got married. I loved this book and I didn't know I needed to clear my schedule to read this book all in one sitting because I was so anxious for Crys while she was going through all of the drama with Blade. I love how real this story felt and how the characters seemed to come to life right on the pages of this book. A truly gifted author who can create magic with her words and storytelling! Can't wait to read more, but in the mean time can we please please get an update/epilogue of Chris and Crys?

I enjoyed the story, it started out as your standard rockstar romance but is still just serious enough to keep the reader from considering it as all fluff.  We get a flawed hero and the woman who wants to support him.  The subjects are serious but the characters don't pretend to be perfect.  I can't wait to read the next one.

I liked the dedication and loyalty of the characters. It also reminds me that fame and fortune is not what its cracked up to be. The author gave a realistic feel to the book.

I was recently given an advanced copy of Rock Star’s Heart by Kella Campbell. I love a good Cinderella romance & this one was definitely interesting. I appreciated the realistic details the author included. It had a feel of authenticity that allowed a person like myself, that isn’t involved in the rock music scene at all, to feel like I was along for the ride - the good, the bad & the ugly. The story is centered around Crys, an endearing, wholesome, college student that gets an opportunity to be up close & personal with one of the most famous bands in the world. She finds herself falling fast & hard for one of the guys in the band & Rock Star’s Heart details the rollercoaster that ensues. It is no secret that the rock star life can have a very dark side & Crys oozes naïveté. It may be the fact that I’m a mom now, my young & reckless days long over, but I have to admit, I struggled with this one a bit. It was definitely interesting & the kind of book that you breeze through in a single day but it was tough seeing sweet Crys fall so hard & give so much when she was getting so little in return. I believe in looking beyond a person’s struggles to see their heart but as I read on, I couldn’t help but hope for the big turning point. Technically, there is a happy ending but even that was contingent upon this sweet hearted, innocent girl continuing to play savior & put up with the inevitable bad behavior to come. Again though, I’m coming from a perspective that is far removed not only from the characters in this book but from my own “college years” as well. Overall, I did enjoy the book & would love to see a sequel of some sort to see how things are working out!

I DNF finish this book at 11%

My general rule of thumb is to get to 25% before I give up on a book, but I just couldn't with this one. There are just so many things that bothered me in the first 11% that I can't get around.

The homophobia Crys' two friends clearly have made me seethe. It's almost as if the author wrote them that way so we can see how "cool" and "accepting" Crys is. As if that makes her more likeable or better suited to be with a rock star. Homophobia is a very serious thing and that's not to be taken lightly or to be used just to make someone look better. I'm still having a hard time getting around that...

Crys' innocence is beyond ridiculous. 11% in and she's already mentioned her mother not approving of things twice. Her internal dialogue screamed 13 year old girl with a crush more than a 20 something year old college student. I'm okay with innocence in books, but this one went overboard and went beyond what I'd consider believable innocence from a 20+ year old.

Blade saying that no one ever picks him to take a picture with. Let's be honest, he's a damn rock star, that is so unbelievable it's not even funny. Every single band member of any famous group is going to get attention; it makes absolutely no difference what he looks like. And in this case he was even described as attractive so, again, it's unbelievable.

Just given how unbelievable and frustrating everything in the first 11% is, I know, without a doubt, that me and this book aren't going to jive. I'm really sorry, but no, I do not recommend this book.

This was such a great rock star romance read. It's the first book I've read from this author and I'm definitely looking forward to reading more of her work. I absolutely loved Blade and Crys. This is a rock star story that's gritty and dark and definitely worth reading. I do wish there was an epilogue to wrap everything up nicely but I felt as if this story leaves readers with a happy for now ending. Would I recommend it? Yes!

This is the story of a naive girl and a larger than life rockstar Something all of us want at one time or another
This was a rough start but one you get passed if it was a good read !

"Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review."

Loved this book very much. It had just enough sweet romance and the storyline was great! I highly recommend!

Rock Star’s Heart,  Kella Campbell

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: Romance, New Adult

I wasn't sure about this, I'm way past New Adult age, closer to Old Adult, and find many of these books are just too unbelievable, and for me the story has to feel a bit real. But I have a weakness for rock star reads so decided to try this.
I was a bit worried when it started with some of the weird, slightly cliché, sentences, and when I read a little later the lead singer is shouting out /2we are deee-lighted to be able....” all I could think of was “One hundred and eeeeiiigghty!” And you need to be Old Adult to understand that I guess ;-) Got past those first hiccups though and found a story that actually I really enjoyed. Great characters, loved the fact that there was touring and all that entails included, for me that really helps with band books. I did feel Blade's addiction issues were treated a little lightly, we did see some real problems when he slipped and that felt very true but overall I can't help feeling that for a new(ish) control over his addiction he got off pretty lightly.
I did get irritated too over a certain incident- when dealing with an addict or anyone likely to have been in unsafe sex practices condoms are essential even for oral sex, and as a new adult book I think that should have been made clear, been more responsible. Its not a subject to treat lightly, life altering for some and books should (IMO) take the chance of educating those who may not be aware of such things.
That's a small crit though and overall I really enjoyed this read, felt very band orientated when so few actually do, and I look forward to reading more from Kella.

Stars: Four, a story that surprised me after a shaky start and had some very decent plots.

ARC supplied by Netgalley and Publishers