Lyrik West, Lead guitarist of Sunder and Tamar King, the feisty bartender at Charlie's have shared a tempting yet toxic game of cat and mouse. He chases her, she runs. He pushes, she either pulls back or sometimes pushes back harder. They both have armor on designed to keep real feelings out and to keep them from getting too close to anyone to get hurt. But their chemistry pops and sizzles around them. Tamar's battle cry is resist, resist, resist. Lyrik's is to want to work her out of his system. He is seductive, tempting, and darkly charismatic. They have a love-hate thing going on tempered with extreme want. They both have past pain and a strong fear of feeling anything or being hurt and vulnerable. And both have only been living half a life.

But they make each other lose control and crack their shields making resistance futile. But that also brings the risk of the past coming back and old wounds splitting open. 

Tamar is lonely and has a tendency to run, but eventually he pushes her boundaries until he can see what she has been trying to hide. The breaking down of her walls and opening up is heartbreaking and so emotional. Lyrik's protective instincts and understanding further encouraged her to find that more vulnerable, sweet, brave girl she was hiding. I was anxiously awaiting his barriers to come down and his secrets to be exposed and that took much longer since he is truly a broken boy turned man. Their crashing together, breaking apart, and coming back together more whole is beautiful and passionate with so many feels. The emergence of hope, freedom, and light at the end of a dark tunnel spurs them on as they need that hope to overshadow their fears. But secrets and demons still hold Lyrik captive and cause him to keep that wall over his most innermost regrets and lash out if she gets close to touching them. And a big problem with being just pieced back together is that it can all easily shatter again.

Lyrik's been living the shallow rock star life with multiple women and not allowing himself to be vulnerable. He comes off as flirty, cocky, and is almost an overwhelming presence. But he is so tied down by guilt, remorse, self loathing, and past mistakes that he feels he has nothing to give. And even though he begins to help Tamar start finding her way back, his confusion and resistance is hurtful to the them both. The build up of his secrets and pain and trying to figure out his back story killed me. He is so mixed up, stubborn and so careful about keeping his innermost demons hidden. And the culmination of it all...OMG...my heart just about exploded. 

This was an amazing, heartbreaking, angsty, passionate, and poignant journey of two broken people gradually trying to knit themselves back together to begin truly living. They had secrets, fears, insecurities, anger, remorse, and plenty of setbacks and mistakes. But they were drawn to each other in a magnetic way neither of them could truly fight no matter how they tried. But they both needed to be able to face their pasts, let their true selves show, forgive themselves, and be brave. It is always a risk whether love will heal or cause more hurt. And at times with these two did both. But it was mesmerizing and intense watching the storm of Lyrik and Tamar play out. 

I was not sure this could stand up to Sebastian and Shea's story, but it honestly did and might have managed it to exceed it in one in depth novel. It was intricately woven, full of mysteries and layers, and just so emotional and powerful. The dual points of view were imperative even though their secrets were not revealed until they were ready to fully share. Lyrik was a troubled, complex hero, but had many positive attributes and a good heart. I totally fell for him, even as my heart broke for him or when I sometimes wanted to smack sense into him. And Tamar could be vulnerable and sweet, but also strong and sassy. The tension and connection between them was a tangible thing that seemed to bleed off the pages and surround me while I was reading keeping me entranced throughout.

I enjoyed spending more time with Sebastian, Shea, Kallie, Ash, Zee, and Charlie. I love their group dynamics, banter, and their shared history. They provided support and some much comic relief. This is not only about romantic love, but also the importance of love between friends and family. I can't wait for Austin's story next, as well as Ash and Zee's.

ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. 

Lyrik West, guitarist for Sunder, is a notorious partier and womanizer, but he has his reasons for keeping relationships impersonal. His entire focus has been on the band’s success and the sacrifices he’s made over the years have shaped his entire outlook on life.

Tamar King slings drinks and attitude at Charlie’s bar, but she has crafted an illusion. She lives under the radar, projecting the image she wants those around her to see. Though she is lonely at times, she is finally safe.

When Lyrik walks into Charlie’s, he is immediately attracted to the red headed bartender. He wants one night with her, but she rebuffs him.

The spark between them is immense. Though they both feel it, Tamar fights her attraction, preferring to maintain the status quo and avoid the attention Sunder brings with them. This is the kind of couple that keeps me reading a book simply to discover what makes them tick as individuals and what draws them together.

There was so much running, but it is so well planned that it complimented the drama rather than fueled it. Every time Lyrik purposefully holds himself back, or Tamar turns from her past these characters ask why rather than react or do something rash. I was glued to this book from start to finish with the level of angst and drama that flowed between these two.

The pain was matched only by the loneliness of the other. Lyrik and Tamar are each holding on to or trying to forget a past that is eating away at the present. Tamar’s carefully crafted safety is eroding, while Lyrik has to face his past if he wants to have a future with Tamar. But when the story reaches that point where each must face the things holding Lyrik and Tamar back as individuals, that is where things book sings. I loved the treatment of those particular plot points and what the resolution says about Tamar and Lyrik as individuals and as a couple.

I thought I knew what was coming -- the secrets Lyrik was keeping, the past Tamar was running from. But thinking and knowing are two different things and what I though was surpassed by the reality. I had been anticipating this book and once again I am floored by A.L. Jackson’s storytelling. Her broken characters pull me into the story and I can’t put it down until they have put themselves back together again. This sent me on an emotional roller coaster of fear, desire, sadness, and hope.

ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review.

A Stone in the Sea (Bleeding Stars #1) 
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Our 5 star reviews

He wanted nothing at all…

Until he found she had everything to give…

Sunder lead singer and guitarist Sebastian Stone has everything—fans, fame, and fortune. He also has a heart full of bitterness and a reputation for a short-fused temper. But an outward reputation rarely reveals the true man inside. Facing assault charges after trying to protect his younger brother, Sebastian is sent to Savannah, Georgia to lie low until the dust settles in L.A.

Shea Bentley is beautiful, kind, and hiding from the very lifestyle Sebastian has always embraced.

When the mysterious, tattooed stranger begins hanging out at the bar where she works, Shea is quick to recognize he is nothing but trouble, but she's helpless to the way her body lights up every time his intense gray eyes tangle with hers.

They both soon find themselves drowning in a sea of desire and passion that won’t let them up for air.

Sebastian knows firsthand secrets never die, and he’s not the only one who’s hiding them.

Loving someone always comes with a price. But will it be Shea’s past that costs them everything?