Rock Redemption
Author: Nalini Singh
Reviewer: Jen Twimom
Rating: A-
What I’m Talking About:
Bad boy rocker Noah St. John is one-quarter of the wildly successful band, Schoolboy Choir. Haunted by events that happened when he was just six years old, Noah deals with his pain and fears by drinking and having sex. Lots and lots of mindless, faceless sex.
Kathleen “Kit” Devigny is a former soap star, now Oscar nominated actress, on the verge of making it big. She’s known the boys from Schoolboy Choir since before they were big stars. But it wasn’t until more recently that her friendship with Noah deepened and had the energy to become something more. That is until the night she found him in bed with another woman.
Right from the start of Rock Redemption, I was captivated by Kit and Noah’s story. Their pain was palatable, causing my heart to physically ache at times. I loved both characters so much, I was emotionally tied to their journey every step of the way.
In the beginning of the book, I was confused on the timing of events such as how long ago Kit caught Noah in bed with another woman, how long ago she bought her home, and other milestones mentioned by the characters. While I don’t think it was clear, ultimately, it really didn’t matter as the story progressed, because this book is about characters getting over their past and making their actions count moving forward.
Ms. Singh does an amazing job creating two beautiful characters who are clearly in love but hurt and possibly broken. She drew me in and tied me to their fate, making me care so much. I appreciate that both characters have hit an emotional bottom, and while they may be saying one thing out loud, in his or her heart each understands the truth to be so much more. They both have dreams and are scared to change anything between them for fear of letting those dreams die. And while I appreciate the need for their relationship to progress slowly, I do wish that the pair opened up sooner in the book, especially when it comes to the deep, dark secrets keeping them apart. Noah has some serious baggage, and while Ms. Singh doesn’t trivialize it in the least, I wanted more time spent on Noah’s progress after he shares with Kit.
Honestly, I loved almost every aspect of the story, with one minor exception. Kit has a stalker. While it worked within the context of the story, this is the third time some sort of stalker-type conflict has been used to some degree in this series (and there are only three full-length books). See my point? I was disappointed to see a stalker used as an external conflict, even though it was handled really well.
Overall, Rock Redemption is an emotionally fulfilling, extremely engrossing love story. I appreciate that Ms. Singh doesn’t sensationalize nor sugar coat Noah’s issues and allows time for Kit and Noah’s relationship to develop in a manor that works for them. I loved them as a pair, seeing their friendship deepen and watching their love grow into something solid and strong. I am left with hope that their relationship will work because their love is strong. I adore this pair so much and their story so gripping that I am able to forgive some if not all of my little issues.
My Rating: A- Enjoyed A Lot
About the Book:
Kit Devigny could have loved rock guitarist Noah St. John. Their friendship burned with the promise of intense passion and searing tenderness…until the night Noah deliberately shattered her heart.
Noah knows he destroyed something precious the night he chose to betray Kit, but he’d rather she hate him than learn his darkest secret. All he has left is his music. It’s his saving grace, but it doesn’t silence the voices that keep him up at night. Chasing oblivion through endless one-night-stands, he earns a few hours’ sleep and his bad boy reputation.
When a media error sees Noah and Kit dubbed the new “it” couple, Kit discovers her chance at the role of a lifetime hinges on riding the media wave. Wanting—needing—to give Kit this, even if he can’t give her everything, Noah agrees to play the adoring boyfriend. Only the illusion is suddenly too real, too painful, too beautiful…and it may be too late for the redemption of Noah St. John.
Release Date: October 6, 2015
Publisher: self-published
Series: Rock Kiss #3
ISBN: #978-1942356356
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format(s): paperback (422 pages), e-book, audiobook
Book Source: NetGalley
Purchase Info:
Rock Redemption (Rock Kiss #3)
Reviews in the Series:
Rock Addiction by Nalini Singh (Rock Kiss #1)
Rock Courtship by Nalini Singh (Rock Kiss #1.5)
Rock Hard by Nalini Singh (Rock Kiss #2)
I forgot that she had written these too
So good!
[…] Read Jen’s review of the written book. […]