Smoke & Lyrics Review/ Blog Tour

Title: Smoke and Lyrics

Author: Holly Hall

Genre: NA/Contemporary Romance

Release Date: December 1, 2017

Review:

Arc generously provided in exchange for an honest review

Smoke & Lyrics was a new read for me, not only because it is my first book by Holly Hall, but the style of the writing as well.

“You are my greatest adventure, Jenson King”

Smoke & Lyrics is a story about romance, mistakes, and conquering. Jenson King is a famous musician who can’t catch a break. He’s lost his unborn child, his home, and is now recently divorced. He is throwing away his music career for the whiskey because he doesn’t feel the drive anymore. Jenson is such a multi-dimensional character. I was worried when reading that his drinking was going to make the story rough but it actually played a whole different role. He’s light-hearted and caring but his caring goes to far, in that when something bad happens he can’t help but feel self-doubt. And I mean A TON OF IT. But this doesn’t make him an annoying at all. It actually sucks you in because you’re like “he’s so great why can’t he just see it for himself?!”

“I’m supposed to be writing music right now, but what am I doing? Pouring gasoline on all the bridges I’m about to burn.”

He’s boozing it up at a friends bar one night when he has a chance encounter with our female lead, Lindsey. Lindsey is an aspiring music photographer that is having a hard time getting her name out there. Between a small house with a ton of roommates, and shifts at Rhythm a coffee shop. She still hasn’t attained her dreams. She’s hiding out in the bar when she meets Jenson and they just connect. She can recognize who he is but she doesn’t really care. She treats him like everyone else. He tried to help her, but Lindsey has too much pride. She wants to make a name for herself, without Jenson’s famous influence.

” His unselfish heart reached out for mine and when he found it wrapped in thorns, he simply bled. And I stood by and let it happen.”

Jenson and Lindsey’s relationship is a slow burn. Not in sex department but definitely in the emotional sense. She challenges Jenson more than anyone ever has, and digs for the roots he has buried inside himself. While Lindsey tries to keep a facade and build up walls to keep Jenson out. He’s fascinated with her, and she is scared a romantic relationship will put her dreams on the back burner. But what they don’t know is each of them has something the other needs…

Holly’s style is unique. She gives detail and insight into the minds of these character’s so realistically, you could confuse them for your own thoughts. It is not a normal romance in the sense that there is always either some heavy drama, or deep dark secret our book boyfriend may be hiding. This book is light and real. I also enjoyed the fact that the author didn’t have to dive into the sex scenes in order to feel the connection between these two character. You can just feel the chemistry. Definitely recommend!

Rating:

4.0 starfish

Country star Jenson King is accustomed to fighting battles and losing–in his career, in his love life, and with alcohol. Following his divorce, thousands, if not millions, of fans are counting on his comeback. But how does one find the spark of passion when it’s long since burned out?

Lindsey Farrar wants nothing more than to prove herself as a music photographer. Fiery and independent, she’d work countless side jobs to fuel her dream rather than ride the coattails of someone else’s name to success. After a chance encounter, Lindsey shakes up everything Jenson believes about life and that other four-letter word.<

After all he’s been through, Jenson isn’t willing to let anything meaningful slip out of his grasp. But Lindsey’s determined to shine all on her own, and Jenson casts an enormous shadow.

Holly Hall was raised in North Texas. She drinks coffee on the daily, would love to get paid to travel for a living, thinks animals are often better than humans, can count on one hand the number of things she loves more than reading and Texas A&M football (okay, that might be an exaggeration), and couldn’t handpick a better family than her enormous one. She is currently the reluctant resident of Houston, Texas with her husband and German shepherd. She is the author of three other standalone contemporary romances, Forever Grace, All the Pieces That You Left, and Love in Smoke.