Rock Hard by Olivia Cunning (Sinners on Tour #2)
Erotic Contemporary Romance
March 29, 2011
Paperback
Sourcebooks Casablanca
Reviewed by Mandi
An ultimatum can break your heart….
Every night lead singer, Sed Lionheart whips thousands of women into a frenzy with his voice alone. But the stage is the only place Sed feels any passion since he lost Jessica…
If you’re not willing to break all the rules…
It shattered her heart, but law student Jessica broke off her engagement to Sed, determined to be successful on her own terms. But no other man can ever hold a candle to Sed…
Then a chance meeting and tortuously close quarters lead to uncontrollable flares of passion and rediscovery of their unique penchant for public encounters. Now, in addition to the risk of mutual heartbreak every time they get together, they’re in danger of truly scandalous public exposure..
My first thought when I finished reading was – there is too much sex in this book. Now before you start hissing at me and you take away my smut card, let me explain! There was just as much sex in book one, Backstage Pass and I loved that darn book. But – I also loved the hero and heroine who had a much different relationship (and found that book to be much more humorous than this one). Where as Brian and Myrna first meet in Backstage Pass and start their love affair fresh and new, Sed and Jessica have a messy past. When Jessica breaks off her engagement because Sed won’t let her have her independence to pursue law school, they don’t speak for two years. During this time she takes to stripping to make money to pay for law school, and this is where Sed finds her – and literally drags her off the stage. They then start this fling – both refusing to admit to a relationship. Jessica repeatedly states she only wants a physical relationship, they are not dating. But if any fan even looks at Sed with lust in their eyes, she completely flips out. But then on the other hand, she lets Sed and other people walk all over her. Her character flip-flops throughout the whole book and I just didn’t like her.
Sed on the other hand is very temperamental. He has a very hard edge to him. I felt like he loves to protect his band mates (which I adore) but sometimes felt like he didn’t have the same type of feelings for Jessica. He is very abrasive and gruff. And going back to my original statement, they have so much sex, after awhile I wanted more focus on getting the two of them to a better place in their relationship rather than between the sheets. This wasn’t the fun, playful banter as in book one. These characters are more damaged and sex can’t solve their woes.
I still love this group of guys. I’m such a sucker for male camaraderie – especially males who are comfortable with their sexuality. I adore the time we spent with the band on the tour bus. Trey has a nice storyline in this one. He gets injured very seriously during the scuffle with Jessica at the strip club. His recovery, and the way the band subsequently acts is done very nicely. I want Trey’s book so bad I can’t stand it!
I didn’t enjoy this one as much as book one. But I still have my eyes on these Sinner boys and look forward to book three.
Rating: C
Recent Reviews
Book Lovers Inc – 4.5/5
Book Addict – 3.5/5
Goodreads
Author’s Website l Series Listing
Amazon l Kindle l Barnes & Noble l Book Depository
Too bad you didn't like it as much as the one before. But it still sounds good…even with too much sex, lol
*tears* I'm so looking forward to read this, but your reviews are always spot on… I'm totally still going to read it, and hope I'll think it's as fantastic as 'Backstage Pass' was! :)
Blodeuedd – I liked it, I just wanted to like it more.
Bookish – I wanted to love this book! I tried! LOL. I hope you like it more than me. Let me know!
This is too funny. I really didn't like book one, especially Myrna. That woman rubbed me sooooo the wrong way but I'm mid way through ROCK HARD and I'm having a much more pleasurable experience. Go figure.
I do have to agree that even at page 220 in the book, there does seem to be way more pages dedicated to smexy time than relationship time. It'll be interesting so see how I feel at the end. Great review!
"because Sed won’t let her have her independence to pursue law school"
Hmmm…. I don't know how I'm going to feel about Sed and this book. I was really looking forward to it, but reviews haven't been as great as 'Backstage Pass'.
Great, honest review :)
Great review Mandi.
I agree with your review Mandi. I had a hard time with the h/h but I really love this group of characters and really look forward to more. I love Jace more than ever now.
I still haven't read the first one but I want to! As long as this one kept you interested enough to continue with the series I"ll still give it a try!
VFG – LOL…we have opposite views! Looking forward to your review!
Danielle – Just didn't quite enjoy it like book one..but I still like these guys :)
Tori thanks!
FV – Jace <3..and Trey. :)
Pamela – Loved book one!
Hey Mandi-I haven't read this yet, but it's on the way to me. I loved Backstage Pass, but I have to admit that when I read the back blurb for Rock Hard I wasn't happy that Sed's HEA was someone from him past. That just isn't a storyline I like-but I'm glad that even though you gave this a "C" you're looking forward to the next books. Like Bookish commented above-your reviews have been "spot on" and I've come to really trust them! Jace and Trey-OMG I can't wait!
I don't mind hard edge or even gruff but with deoth and emotion though. I really am intrigued now and wonder what Sed and Jessica will do with me…
Lisa – Yeah – I didn't love Jessica and Sed – but I still love this group of guys/world :)
Leontine – Hmmm..I'm very interested to find out!
I agree – Sed and Jess were hard to love but I'm still loving the band and can't wait to read the next book!
I have to agree with your review. Jessica's very difficult for me to like or understand. I hope the third book is as good as the first one which I loved a whole lot!
I hope the third book brings back a little bit of a lighter tone :)
Too much sex? I can't believe you said that *grin*
I liked it, I just wanted to like it more.
*hugs* Books like that are so tough…