4 ½ Stars for this rockstar romance!

This is the third book in the Tin Gods Rock Stars series and although it's not necessary to read the first two books, I highly recommend it. Not only do you get a little more background on the band members, they are great books! I loved Harper's sass ... she didn't take anything from anyone. And Xander was this big teddy bear that cared more about the people he loved than he did himself. I don't get what he saw in his ex ... at all!
The steam between Harper and Xander is off the charts! I can't wait for Noah's book ... who's going to tame that toddler?

Xander and Harper decide to have a fake relationship to keep Xander's ex away from him and help Harper's crush see that she's in the room. But the more time they spend together, the more they are falling for each other.

I received a copy courtesy of the author through NetGalley.

This is one of the fake dating troupes done really well. I very much enjoyed this book from start to finish. Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy.

This is such a great of fake dating turned into a HEA. Both characters have their issues but they fight hard to over come them. Had me caught from the first chapter.

I would recommend reading the first two just to get background on the other characters but can be read solo and you would get the story.

Looking forward to the next book.

Everything I adore about books is in this one. It's nicely written, you add. Harper and Xander may begin their European tour as a fake couple, but as they go along, everything changes. This book is the third in a series about addiction and how to deal with it, particularly as a loved one. Harper and Xander are an amazing match, resulting in a beautiful ballad. I'm wondering how the final band member will find happiness.

"It didn't feel fake anymore. It felt like the furthest thing from fake."

I'll be honest, Xander never really impressed me much in the first two books. Not that there was anything wrong with him but compared to the other Tin Gods he seemed kind of serious and not as interesting. And pairing him with Harper? I seriously wondered what Gillian was thinking.

Turns out I was so wrong about everything! There was a lot I never guessed about Xander, so many suprises, and Harper was actually the absolute perfect match for him. I loved that instead of falling instantly, they got to know each other, becoming real friends before they moved on to a physical relationship. It seemed natural. Xander was so supportive of Harper and admired her for the smart capable woman that she is. I really liked that. And once they connected in the bedroom, they set the pages on fire!!

We have one band member left, drummer Noah. After reading Ballad I have zero idea where Gillian is going to take his story but I'm sure it will be great.

Balled
By: Gillian Archer

📚💕⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💕📚

Passion filled love story!

In book 3 in the Tin Gods Rock Stars series we get Harper and Xander’s story and it was amazing. Boy does the author take us on an emotional journey. The author writes with so much intensity and emotion pulled from each book it’s felt page after page. Some are quick witted story lines are so perfect and lets you believe you have a front row seat. So being able to read this love story didn’t disappoint. The authors ability to have two separate individuals struggling in their everyday life and try to navigate someone else’s thoughts, needs and desires was intense and gives all the fills.

Authors Blurb: Harper Grey

As assistant tour manager for the Tin Gods, I love my job. Especially the delicious eye candy that is their manager, Tyler Worthington. He’s everything I’ve ever wanted in a partner attractive, polished, and above all, the definition of stable. Too bad he doesn’t see me as anything other than a worker bee.

Always helpful, the Tin Gods drummer has a brilliant plan: I should fake date guitarist, Xander Lang, to make Tyler finally see me. WHAT?!

Xander Lang

Tyler sold his soul to the devil. It’s the only explanation I have for why he approved my ex-girlfriend as our opening act. Our relationship was the definition of toxic. Cue our drummer’s harebrained scheme.

And honestly, I’m all in. It’ll keep my ex off my junk and help Harper with drama in her life too. Simple. Only problem is once we start “dating” lines get blurred. Her kisses don’t feel like someone who’s pretending. And when did Harper get so sexy?

Now I’m tangled in a clusterf*ck of emotions and confusion. So much for simple.

This book has everything I love in a book. Then you add that it's beautifully written and believable. It is easily a five star read. Written in single POV this story flows so incredibly well that the next thing you know your 80% into the book and loving every second of it. The believable way the characters interact is perfect. Run, Hop, Jump or use your (1 click) finger to do whatever you have to do and get this amazing book. It'll break your heart, you'll want to scream with frustration and it'll let you discover that love just might conquer all. The chemistry is steamy and sweet and oh so romantic.

Thanks Netgally for letting me read and review.📚💕

Harper and Xander might start their European tour as a fake couple, but everything changes along the way. They both see something more in each other that they hide from everyone else. However, when Harper encounters a problem she wants to fix, it complicates everything. This is the third book in a series that focuses on addiction and dealing with it, especially as a loved one. Both Xander and Harper complement each other beautifully, creating a lovely ballad. I volunteered to review an ARC of this book for NetGalley.

Ballad is the third book in the Tin Gods Rock Stars book and focuses on lead guitarist Xander. I loved the first two books in this series, so I was looking forward to seeing what this one would bring. Noah, the drummer of the band convinces Xander and Harper, the band's assistant tour manager, to pretend to be in a relationship. Xander wants to have some kind of barrier between himself and his ex-girlfriend who will be supporting them on the tour and Harper wants to try and attract the attention of and make jealous the band's manager Tyler. As usually happens with these kind of stunts in romance books, it's not long before the fake romance is feeling very real.
I really liked Xander and Harper as a couple. They worked well together, complementing one another and seeming like a real partnership. There also wasn't a great deal of angst or 'do they really like me too' when they started to move into a real relationship, which I liked.
There were plenty of issues for the pair to deal with. This book features addiction in more than one way and I thought it was all handled very well. Particularly the way that it affects those around the addict who are left picking up the pieces.
This is another great read in the Tin Gods series and one that I couldn't help but devour quickly. Next up is Noah's story and I can't wait to see what might happen for him.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

Angsty and drama-filled! The next book in Gillian Archer's Tin Gods rockstar romance series is Ballad and centers on Xander Lang and all that surrounds him. He's newly single and trying to pick up the pieces of the cluster his life has become when all of a sudden he's being told that his ex is their new opening act for their European tour. The characters are easy to like and the plot had my attention quickly. I wanted a little more to the abrupt ending. Follow up on what happened with one character, more completion on where the relationship was going, etc.

Harper is their assistant tour director and crushing on band manager Tyler when her friend and band drummer Noah comes up with the bright idea that she pretending to be dating X will solve both of their problems. Tyler will see how cool she is and Xander's ex will see him with someone else instead of pining after her. Now if only the drama didn't keep pouring in.

I recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone that enjoys a steamy rocker romance with lots of angst along the road to forever.

Oh. My. Gosh. This series just keeps delivering! Xander and Harper may begin as fake, but they’re so very real so quickly that it’s easy to forget what started this thing. And when someone gets a little too angry over being confronted about a very real concern, things teeter dangerously close to the edge of falling apart in a huge way. But the way we react in the heat of the moment can be balanced out by the way we ACT once the immediate danger or fear is done. Right? I mean, we have to believe that if there’s a chance at forgiveness for so many, a shot at redemption for things spat in anger or terror, and a way to make things realign to the path they were on all along. RIGHT?

Trust me when I say you’re not expecting Xander. At all. He’s the epitome of rockstar, but also a truly loving and caring guy. He’s shouldered more than his fair share of guilt for a long time, and Harper just might be the reward he didn’t think he ever deserved. He’s definitely falling for her, but he’s got to remember that not everything can be easily solved with sweet words and some heat.

As for Harper, I adore her. I adore all of the women of this series, I won’t lie. But she’s in a truly tough spot in a few ways. She can’t appease one guilt without risking another, and all she can do is continue to beg until she’s out of breath for things to be different.

So when it all comes out into the light, she’s got to figure out wha matters most. But so does Xander. And I can honestly say that he reacts with emotion and not logic at first, but that I also can’t hate Tyler as much as I’ve wanted to. And Xander also finds that, while his family by choice loves him, they also love Harper, and there is no way they’ll let her hurt for long. Or let him be miserable for long either. Enter the Grovel. Xander gives a good one. He learns from mistakes. And he really does prove that he loves with his whole heart.

I’m wondering how the final band mate will find his happiness. And I really hope to find out soon!

Both Xander and Harper have a lot of baggage. I love how they work through them together. Might take them a minute to get on the same page but eventually they get there. Harper is kind bad ass and won't take guff from anyone. Good thing with this group of guys. More than one time she had to put someone in their place. It was fun to read about.

The Tin Gods are at it again! As the international leg of the rock group´s tour starts off Xander is in the depths of despair thinking of all the weeks he’s going to have to spend with his ex acting as the opening act for their show, especially given their epic break up, until his bandmate comes up with a solution. Show the dreaded ex, and the world by extension, that Xander has moved on since he’s now in a relationship (a fake one at least) with the beautiful but shy Harper, their assistant tour manager. Harper has her own relationship issues that will benefit from this fake relationship since her crush, who is the band’s manager, has no idea that she even exists. But what happens when the fakeness falls away and starts becoming real? If you think you’re ready for the sex, drugs, and rock and roll you have no idea what you’re in for. The heat between Xander and Harper is intense and their bedroom play is 4/5 in intensity, but the spiciness is counterbalanced by the sweet and tender moments that make the book more than just bedroom scenes. There are some tough topics covered as well that may be triggering for some so I suggest reading the content warnings just in case, but it makes the story more relatable. Yes, those who’ve read the series before will be happy to note that all your favorite Tin Gods are back in action but you can enjoy this book on it’s own without having read the others ( although I recommend them too). If you’re in the mood for fake relationships, rock stars, and strong leads with a bit of sweetness mixed in with your heat you will not be disappointed with this book. Now I just hope that book four comes to soon because I’m dying to know what happens next for these guys . I received an arc copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest review. All thoughts are my own.

I was SO EXCITED when I received this e-ARC (downloaded and finished in less than 24 hours 😅) and Gillian Archer didn’t disappoint! I loved being back in the Tin God’s world and getting to see all of my favorite characters. This book dealt with some really difficult topics (Check triggers) but I felt like that were handled really well. Here’s hoping for a Book #4!!!!

Read if you love:
💕 Fake Dating
🎸 Rockstar Romance

Harper is my kind of heroine. She is a confident, in-charge, get it done kind of woman and never took grief from anyone. When it came to her personal life she wasn't as confident.
It was so fun to 'watch' Xander observing Harper in her element and be attracted to that side of her personality. I loved how he drew Harper out until she was just as confident in the bedroom as she was at making sure the tour went on without a hitch.

Favorite quote: "This tiny woman could calmly order around men who were almost twice her size. And why the he!! did I find that so hot?"

A great read if you like forced proximity, slow-burn romance.

So excited to have another installment to this series. This book is a little heavier than the earlier titles but it does not skimp on the fun and heat of a rock star fantasy. It was nice to see Harper get her own story and find a man willing to appreciate the tough, business woman that she is. It may have started as a mutually beneficial fake relationship but Xander knows a keeper when he sees one and Harper is nobody’s fool. Loved being along for the European leg of the tour and cannot wait to join the band again.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My favorite book in the series so far!

I loved that Harper got a story and she is perfect for Xander. I also love a fake relationship with forced proximity and this book had it all. The spice was amazing and got me right out of a book slump I've been in lately. Heavy topics throughout were handled with grace and empathy and over the story was one I could not put down!

I have been waiting for book 3 to be released and it did not disappoint. This can be read as a stand-alone but is a part of a series.

This was one of those books I woke up so I could read. So freaking good! The spice was spicing and the pace was great. There are certainly some triggers in this one around drug addiction, gambling addiction and overdosing.

Highly recommend the whole series. The fourth book “Encore” is scheduled to be released in July 2025 and fingers crossed it comes out earlier.

Ballad, written by Gillian Archer, is the third title in the Tin Gods Rock Stars series.

Xander is a playboy lead guitarist in the rock band Tin Gods, Harper is their assistant tour manager. Together a plan is hatched between the two, Xander is trying to keep his ex-girlfriend off his radar since she recently got engaged and became the bands opening act. Harper is trying to get noticed by Tyler, the bands manager.

Pretending to be a happily-in-love couple while on tour throughout Europe leads to late nights in one bed, stolen glances, and passionate “fake” feelings.

This is the third title in this series and each book features a different main couple. While it’s not completely necessary to read the books in order, I highly recommend it. The characters carry over into each book and it was a little confusing trying to figure who was who at the beginning of the book.

Overall the book was written very well and I always enjoy book series that include the musician trope! In true rock band fashion, this book is full of sex, drugs, and rock and roll. No cheating, but there is a little bit of OW drama.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this little!

Format: NetGalley ebook
Genre: Contemporary fiction, romance
Characters: Harper (FMC) & Xander (MMC)
Overall score:⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level:🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes: fake dating, rock band

Another amazing rockstar romance in the Tin Gods series! This one is Xander & Harper’s story. It’s so dang good right from the very start.
Part of a series but can be read as a standalone. I seriously cannot wait for Noah’s story (Encore)! Make sure this whole series is on your tbr!!