Xio Axelrod

Girls With Bad Decisions by Xio Axelrod
The Lilly’s series #2. Girl rock band contemporary romance. Can be read as a stand-alone but better as part of the series. This book takes place directly after the first book and the couple from the first book are secondary characters / part of the band, in this book.
Kayla Whitman started to learn to play the drums from her older brother. After he died, she has put her focus and dreams on being a drummer in a rock band. She’s also living a secretive life with the band by using a different name. Her band mates don’t know her real name or that she grew up with restrictions of being proper, quiet, and behaved.
Ty Baldwin is the new driver on the band’s tour of county and State Fairs. He’s constantly reading which makes him a kindred spirit for Kayla and the two soon grow close. He’s had some legal trouble in the past but he just wants to move forward now with a good job to help take care of his grandfather.
But the past isn’t easily forgotten or hidden.

I was so excited to start this second book. I really loved Toni and Seb’s story. This starts shortly after the first from Kayla’s POV. Kayla is impressed with the other women in the group and their talents. She doesn’t realize the key role she plays and often refers to herself as “just the drummer”. Her past is a bit sad and you want her to succeed.
Kayla and Ty together are adorable with their love of books, and carving out their own style. Both have family issues they don’t want to address but they can’t get away with ignoring.
It’s has both sweet and rock and roll vibes and with the band on the route to success, I’m looking forward to the next book of the Lilly’s.
4.5

I received a copy of this from NetGalley.… (plus d'informations)

This wasn’t super romantic, and certainly not swoon-worthy, but having a girl rock band and a black rocker as the lead was fun. Black ladies with guitars are one of my favorite things. I also liked that the characters had some nuance, but Candi was utterly exhausting.

Seb’s whole life was supposed to be this sad sack existence, but I didn’t really feel it. He was too passive and spineless. Maybe a few more flashbacks, or at least longer ones, of younger Toni and Seb would have made me root for them more. I felt like I was being told why they had a connection but never seeing it. it’s a little awkward that he’s basically the manager. Those manager + artist relationships (usually) never work out, and the dynamics can feel imbalanced.

I don’t know. Did I want Seb to grovel more? They went from distance to not knowing how the other felt to banging … a fast trajectory.

And every time they had sex was after a super emotional moment. the sex scenes also read like Wattpad/fanfiction; largely unsexy. Emotions run high and some people like to use sex to get their minds off of things. But I wish they could’ve had a heart-to-heart during a casual moment.

Instead, I enjoyed Toni’s family drama more, which is something I hadn’t thought I would say. Her mom’s consumed with getting her big break and just phones her parenting in, and her dad is a former deadbeat who doesn’t make it a secret he doesn’t need Toni around. Because of this, Toni’s had to take care of herself, so her falling out with Seb is even more hurtful.

SN: I liked the cover! And I think the marketing is stellar. The Lillys have a whole website and the song Hurt (U) is majorly catchy.… (plus d'informations)

The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes by Xio Axelrod
The Lillys series #1. Contemporary romance. Dual time line via memories. Chick lit.
Toni Bennette grew up in dive bars. She learned to play guitar and used it to form her whole life. She’s made a name for herself in the Philadelphia indie scene and decides to audition as a temporary replacement for one of the Lillys’. Strong, feminist, and fierce as fire, Toni and the Lillys are the perfect match. Which doesn’t sit well with wild woman Candy who being replaced. Toni also has to reconcile working with Sebastian Quick again after he left her cold when he turned eighteen. They had been best friends and support for each other since grade school, promising each other they would leave their small, poor, existence behind when they left together. They both still have feelings for each other. Now they have to figure out what they want their future to look like.

I loved this story. Well written and emotional from a heartbreaking child put on a bus by herself to a confident woman holding her own as she’s making her music. Sure, like all of us, she has insecurities that she must deal with while trying to impress and befriend a group of already impressive musicians and singers.
Engaging and ultimately heart warming. I’m cheering on the band and the women behind it.… (plus d'informations)

When Frankie Meets Johnny: Let the Music Play
Frankie and Johnny, Book 2

I Picked Up This Book Because: Continue the series.

Media Type: Audiobook
Source: Scribd
Dates Read: 8/11/23 - 8/12/23
Stars: 4 Stars
Narrator(s): Alexander Cendese

The Characters:

Frankie Llewellyn: Certified music aficionado and DJ
John Burton: Contractor with a complicated past

The Story:

You know you are enjoying a story when you grab part two right after part one. This one was exponentially dirtier. Still moments of sweetness and some definite drama.

The Random Thoughts:… (plus d'informations)