This is the start of a the new Fusion series that revolves around five women friends who own and operate their own restaurant called Seduction. This is Addie's story but also introduces the large cast of characters. Her best friends Mia, Cami, Kat and Riley all have their own unique personalities and a strong bond between them.

Addie is a magnet for bad boys or losers who like to use her and cheat on her. She's got trust and abandonment issues. She's smart, sassy, strong and guarded. She doesn't want to count on any men or be disappointed again. 

Jake Knox was a rock star, but due to some events, he gave it all up, became a virtual recluse and changed to a behind the scenes career. But he misses the music. From his first meeting with Addie, he felt that spark. Ad being able to sing at the restaurant gives him time to try to break her down. He's funny, sexy, charming and irresistible, but he is also vulnerable and has guilt from the past and feels undeserving. 

Once they started to try to build something, it seemed promising and was easy for a while. But they both have fears, insecurities, and demons that make appearances and complicate things.

Although I liked the characters, I also got so frustrated with them. I enjoyed the dual points of view so I could try to understand their thinking and emotions.  Talk about stubborn personalities, avoidance, and serious communication issues! I wanted to toss my kindle or smack them with it, especially Addie. There was quite a bit of overdrawn angst and overreactions.

ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. 

Addison is looking for a music act to perform weekend nights at the restaurant she runs with her 4 best friends. The prospects she finds at a nearby open mic night are less than exciting, except for Jake Knox, of Hard Knox fame, and there’s no way they could afford him. While she liked Hard Knox’s music, she never had Jake’s poster on her walls, unlike her best friends. Though she finds him attractive, she has sworn off musicians after being hurt one too many times.

Jake Keller was famous when he was Jake Knox, but he hasn’t performed in 5 years, hasn’t stepped into the spotlight. What he has done is open a production company so he can stay close to the music that he loves. But 5 years away from performing and he misses it. One song at an open mic night only proves that. When he sees a window ad for a weekend musician at a new restaurant he decides that is a small enough stage to feel like he is performing without having to face the mistakes of his past. He doesn’t expect for the front of house manager/co-owner of the place to pique his interest quite like she does and he finds himself wanting more for the first time in a long time.

The draw between these two was instant. From the first moment Jake looked at her at the open mic night, there was a spark between them. Though Addison fought her desires, Jake was willing to see where things went from the very beginning.

I loved the side characters. Addison’s friends each have their own part of the restaurant that fits with their personalities perfectly. Their support, encouragement, and sometimes meddling made for fun moments throughout the story. Jake’s best friend, Christina, brought interesting insight to him as a person and to the story as a whole. His guilt directly ties to her, and what she knows about the night that haunts Jake is eye opening.

As the first book in a new series, there are a lot of characters to introduce and get to know. Kristen Proby is good at keeping character’s interesting through a long series and I look forward to seeing more from these women. Cami’s story is set up solidly throughout the background of Jake and Addison’s, and the final piece that drops in the epilogue makes me anticipate her story even more.

ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review.