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I am Lover of romance, who indulges in the romantic adventures of literature

My name is Renee, and I am the host of this site. I am a 34 year old woman, on the prowl for her mate, searching out the best of books, exploring the wilds of the imagination and delving into the heart of a beautiful love story.

 

Book Review-I Want You To Want Me

by | Jul 16, 2015 | Book Reviews | 9 comments

Book Review-I Want You To Want MeI Want You to Want Me by Erika Kelly
Also in this series: You Really Got Me, Take Me Home Tonight
Series: Rock Star Romance #2
Published by Berkley on July 7th 2015
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Rock Stars
Pages: 352
Format: eBook
Source: Self Purchased
ISBN: 0425277291
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five-stars

From the award-winning author of You Really Got Me comes the next romance in her red-hot Rock Star Romance series, about a rocker who lives for his music—and loves with all his heart. Derek Valencia finally has the success he’s worked so hard for. His band is touring its debut album and great reviews are rolling in. But when pictures of him tossing naked groupies off a balcony go viral, it’s damage-control time. He’s assigned a “babysitter” whose sole job is to keep him out of trouble. Violet Davis swore she’d never work in the music industry again, but being a minder for a rock star will earn her enough to pay off the mortgage on her wildflower farm. And for a girl brought up in the foster care system, owning her own home means more to her than anything. Though at first the two bang heads, the rocker and the farm girl soon grow close and realize that they make sweet music together. But can a girl who craves the stability of life on a farm really make it work with a man whose life is spent on the road with his band?

My Review

 

Summary 

Derek Valencia has worked hard to get away from his past and make a success for himself. Derek and his band are on their tour, and things are looking great for him. But lately the boys on the band have been getting more rowdy and when the press gets a hold of a crazy party, Derek knows that things are going to need to change, but he has no idea on the how, until Violet Davis comes onto the scene. Violet works as a minder for the music business, so that she can get enough money earned to pay for the mortgage on her wildflower farm, a farm that she would do anything to keep. When her friend Emmie calls her up and asks her to help the members of the band get away from partying too much, Violet can’t resist the money that is offered for it. But the man she will have to win her over will have to be the leader “Derek” who at first is outraged, but he realizes that Violet can be of some use, when he sees how bad off his boys are. Violet has never opened herself up to love or a relationship until Derek, her past keeps her closed off, but Derek is bold and determined to win her over no matter her resistance.

The Hero 

Derek Valencia was mocked and ridiculed by his father all of his growing up years, only his sister loved him unconditionally. But despite his father’s disapproval Derek was determined to learn as much as he could about music and formed a band in middle school and has loved it ever since. But Derek has never fully believed in himself until now, he wants it all, to show that he can be a success despite his father’s negative influence. Derek is a hero I fell for from the first book. You see how much he loves the band and his music, and will do anything to be successful. I loved his energy and how colorful his personality came through. He isn’t afraid to go after what he wants, or to make it happen. What I enjoyed most about his character was the way that he faces life. You see how he deals with the problems with his father, but doesn’t let him get him down.

The Heroine

 Violet has never had a real family or a real home until now. Violet grew up in foster care, and had to learn how to grow up quickly, and became self-reliant at a young age. But then she became close to an old man who was like a grandfather to her and left her his farm of flowers. Violet has created her own business and works as a minder, aiding rock stars in focusing themselves away from the drugs and live a healthier lifestyle that leaves them focused on their careers. She is hesitant to work with Derek and his band, because she will have to deal with the whole band and not just one on one which is what she is used to. But she needs the money for her farm, which the only home she has ever known and she will fight for it. Violet is a heroine that is strong and has faced some really tough choices and come out on top. She is successful and knows people, and boy is she smart as a whip. You see how within just a few hours she gets a handle on the situation and knows exactly what needs to be done.

Plot and Storyline 

I Want You To Want Me is a fantastic story that won my heart and boy has Erika Kelly done it again. She has caught me up in a romance that I couldn’t put down. I picked this one right up after reading the first book, because I had to read Derek’s story. I fell for him in the first book, because you see that he is the heart of the band, and I wanted to know what drives him and more about his past especially concerning his father, which we get a bit of a teaser about in the first book. But in this one we learn how horrid his father really is, I mean his father is just awful at times, and tends to try to bring Derek down and sabotage him quite too much, but you see how Derek is strong enough to battle the tide and not let it affect him too much, and in this story we see how much he NEEDS to actually prove himself, not just to his father or those in charge of their album or press, but also to prove that he is talented and can be a success. Now Violet is so good for Derek in many ways. She lets him see who he truly is, but keeps him humble at the same time. And she is one tough lady, I loved her from the beginning. Because she gets how bad the situation is and doesn’t let anything faze her from getting the job done. You have to admire that. Their relationship is rocky many times, even after they admit that they love each other, that is not the end. Both Derek and Violet have personal issues they need to face before they can be with each other fully. Many moments it was heart breaking how these two hurt each other without meaning to, and how they struggle to form a balance in the bond they have together, but we also see how much they are meant to be together, and despite everything they still fight for one another. I adored everything about this book, but it definitely brought a tear to my eye and a lump in my throat, because I got so caught up in the story I couldn’t help that my heart just ached for these two to find a common ground and be happy together and just love one another…it does happen but it takes time for each of them to realize what they have and go after it.

The Cover 

Can I say sexy and hot and there isn’t even a shirt off or anything!! I like the theme of the covers sexy and relaxed, and I love the arms and those tats. Normally I get picky about tattoos on covers, but whoever did this cover knew what they were doing.

Overall View 

I Want You To Want Me is a stunning story that left me breathless from beginning to end. I just couldn’t get enough. This story has is all passion, strong characters, humor, engaging writing and a story to die for. This is the perfect romance, with rocky terrain but so satisfying you want to read it again. MAGNIFICENT!!

Quotes To Savor

 

You’re everything. Strong, beautiful, smart, kind. You’re fucking perfect. 

Series Order

 

You Really Got Me (1) Slater and Emmie 

I Want You To Want Me (2) Derek and Violet 

Take Me Home Tonight (3) 

About Erika Kelly

Award-winning author Erika Kelly has been spinning romantic tales all her life—she just didn’t know it. Raised on the classics, she didn’t discover romantic fiction until later in life. From that moment on, she’s been devouring the genre and has found her true voice as an author. Over three decades she’s written poems, screenplays, plays, short stories, and all kinds of women’s fiction novels. Married to the love of her life and raising four children, she’s lived in two countries and seven states, but give her pen and paper, a stack of good books, and a steaming mug of vanilla chai latte and she can make her home anywhere.

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9 Comments

  1. Lexxie

    I absolutely love the cover, Renee, those tattooed and strong forearms plus the guitar *sighs*

    And I think Derek is the kind of hero I would love – and whom I would wish only good things for, too. Of course, I’m adding I Want You to Want Me to my TBR 😉

    Have a terrific Thursday!

    Reply
    • Lover Of Romance

      I know…I just love strong forearms, so sexy. And isn’t that guitar just beautiful. Hope you enjoy it, I loved it.

      Reply
  2. Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf

    This series has great covers! Love that the shirt is on yet we still get to see the sexy tattoo!

    Reply
    • Lover Of Romance

      oh I know it does right? I just love the shirt, sometimes guys are just as sexy with their shirts on than with them off.

      Reply
  3. Quinn's Book Nook

    Okay, you’ve sold me, Renee. I am adding this to my TBR right now! I am a sucker for musician romances.

    Reply
    • Lover Of Romance

      whoot!! Awesome. Hope you enjoy it. Its so good, you will enjoy it.

      Reply
  4. kimbacaffeinate

    Oh lord…I want to read this, and that cover is delicious!

    Reply
  5. Sophia Rose

    I am right with you swooning over this series and being emotional by the end. I wanted to reach into my book and put a beat down on his dad. Ugh, that man!

    Reply
  6. About Happy Books

    This is the first time I heard about the series and now I want to read the books right away!

    Reply

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