As the lead songwriter for Jacob’s Ladder, the last thing Gabe Renard needs is a debilitating case of writer’s block. After years of meaningless one night stands, he's finding it hard to pen the love-filled ballads the label is requesting. In an effort to clear his mind, Gabe takes his jeep off-roading in the North Georgia Mountains. When a wrong-turn leads to him getting stuck more than just creatively, he’s forced to call for help. To his surprise, the “Ray” who has been sent by Hart Wreckers to his aid is actually “Rae”—a sexy-as-hell spitfire in a pair of tight-as-hell jeans. The combination of Rae’s sassy mouth and rocking body might be the inspiration Gabe needs. But for the first time since becoming a rock star, his advances have been shot down. 

Reagan Hart has never been a fan of musicians. In fact, just the mention of one might cause her to throw a tire tool. Her disgust for them started when she was just eight and her mother ran off with a traveling country singer, and it only worsened when at seventeen, her rocker boyfriend knocked her up before blowing out of town. As a single mother taking care of her family's collision business, Rae doesn't have time for hook ups, much less a relationship. And if she did make time, a musician would be last on her list, even one as good-looking as Gabe Renard. 

Can Gabe find the words to prove not only to Rae, but himself, that she’s the only one for him?

Gabe Renard is suffering serious writer's block and as the deadline for the new Jacob's Ladder draws nearer, he is beginning to panic. He tried hanging out in the country home of his sister, Abby and her husband, Jake, but it did not help bring the words.

He tried a solitary adventure that took a wrong turn and put him in the path of small town spitfire, Rae Hart. She is sassy, responsible, and works for her family's wrecker company.  Jake's cocky attitude and proposition did not impress her, in fact he might have inspired some stronger feelings like disgust or hate.

But she got him unstuck in more ways than one. And now he is going to have to find a way to spend more time with his unexpected and antagonistic muse. She is a busy, working single mom and has no faith in musicians or men passing through. But he can't seem to find the words without her. Too bad she does not want anything to do with him.

The first time Gabe is rejected by a woman is the time he needs her most. But all he thinks he needs is the inspiration. He never expected to find a woman, especially one that is a single parent. And he certainly is not looking to settle down...he just needs his muse.

As their lives collide and attraction grows, things take on a mind of their own. Rae is intuitive and really sees and understands Gabe. He has longed to be chosen first for something over his twin. She has trust issues, especially with musicians. But he tries to make her understand that she is special and that he respects her.  They have amazing chemistry, and are connecting and feeling more than they ever thought they would. But their lives are inherently different. He's always going to be a music man, and she is the independent-minded, single mom from a small town who works in a male dominated business. Trust is hard earned and hard to maintain. They have obstacles in their way that have no easy solution.

I have been waiting for Gabe and Eli's book since first meeting them in Music of the Heart. Talented, gorgeous, sexy twins--what is not to like?! I loved Gabe. He was both cocky and charming, but also thoughtful and caring. There was a vulnerability in him due to his own insecurities. And Rae was a fun and fiery with a nurturing side, but also had her own fears. And she was used to being independent and making her own choices. They could both be strong willed, stubborn, and opinionated.

This is a funny, sweet, sexy love story of a small town girl and a country star. It is told in dual points of view allowing us to to understand their feelings even when they hide them.  It brings back old friends from the Runaway Train series and introduces us to her spirited sisters, Ellie and Kennedy, her son, Linc, and their family. I loved seeing Gabe interact with her son and those scenes just melted my heart. I am looking forward to Eli's book and seeing the second twin fall.

I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Gabe Renard has a serious case of writer’s block. As the head songwriter for his family’s band, Jacob’s Ladder, his stress level is through the roof with pressure to write. While on a drive to clear his head and try to find words, he is rescued (literally and figuratively) by a smoking hot woman in a wrecker. His middle of nowhere rescue may be just what he needed to get unstuck.

Rae Hart has a learned mistrust of musicians. Every musician she has ever encountered has left her, and even though Gabe is good looking, his musician status is an immediate no-go for her. She doesn’t have time for a hook-up, but when Gabe persists she can’t help but give a little.

From Gabe’s foot-in-mouth moments to Rae’s confidence, I loved everything about their first encounters. These two each have so much going on in their lives that the sparks that fly between them through them both off. It was so nice to see their friendship build as Gabe finds his words and works to keep them flowing.

Rae’s family added a fun element, especially when all three sisters are together and their aunt joins in the fun. Linc’s hand in Gabe and Rae’s first few meetings also had me grinning.

This was a fun overall read. I had a few challenges remembering who was who and personalities of the Jacob’s Ladder members, simply because I was trying to make the connections and was having a hard time remembering. 

I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Jacob's Ladder: Eli

Katie Ashley is a New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon Best-Selling author. She lives outside of Atlanta, Georgia with her daughter, Olivia, and her two very spoiled dogs. She has a slight obsession with Pinterest, The Golden Girls, Harry Potter, Shakespeare, Supernatural, Designing Women, and Scooby-Doo.

With a BA in English, a BS in Secondary English Education, and a Masters in Adolescent English Education, she spent 11 1/2 years educating the Youth of America aka teaching MS and HS English until she left to write full time in December 2012.