365 books in 365 days Challenge ... book #96

Sex, Gossip and Rock & Roll - Nicola Marsh
Mills and Boon RIVA
Harlequin Mills and Boon, 2011
ISBN: 9780263883787





My rating





From the back cover:

"Backstage Pass
In all her time as premier tour manager to Australia’s stars, Charli Chambers has never had someone as infuriating – or delectable! – as successful businessman Luca Petrelli along for the ride. He might always be in the gossip columns, but there’s no way she’s letting him claim VIP status! But Luca’s wicked eyes are just too tempting...
In spite of herself Charli’s soon attending after-parties – just for two. She wants to believe this is one duet that’s about to go platinum, but in spite of Luca being unprintably good in bed can she ever get close enough to the real Luca for their fling to be more than just a one-hit wonder?"


I read this book whilst sitting on the coach to take me to Glastonbury Festival, I was saving it especially for this and it certainly got me in the mood for a weekend full of music!

This is the story of Charli and Luca. Charli is a tour manager about to embark on a come-back tour for ageing rock star Storm Varth (love that name!). She has also been asked by her boss, whom she considers a father figure, to show his grandson Luca the ropes, something she is not happy about in the slightest. Luca has agreed to help out with the tour finances as a favour to his grandfather, despite not having an easy relationship with him. Both Luca and Charli have demons from growing up, which has left them with trust issues. These are challenged when they meet and are instantly attracted to one another and they soon begin and affair.

This is such a fun book, but it certainly doesn't lack for emotional moments either. The characters are well developed and written flawlessly. Charli's back story is heartbreaking and Luca is complex in all the right ways. The third party characters are great and actually help, rather than hinder, the story (Storm Varth is a hoot, and what a great Rock & Roll name!). Reading this book, I could really feel that Nicola Marsh enjoyed writing it. The locations are beautifully described, the dialogue sparkles, the passion is hot, and the emotional moments are gripping. Oh, and fantastic ending!

Nicola Marsh really shows she has a great range of writing skills, whereas the last book of hers I reviewed (Deserted Island, Dreamy Ex) was aimed at the Romance side of the RIVA line, this one is aimed more for Presents/Modern side and therefore more steamy. Nicola switches flawlessly between to the two styles.

Definitely recommend this book.

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