Ever wonder if being famous was worth all the hype?
by Becky Wicks
(Starstruck #3 – can be read as a stand-alone)
Publication date: Feb 24 2015
Genres: New Adult, Romance
Another standalone Starstruck romance from the HarperCollins author who brought you Amazon #1 bestseller Before He Was Famous and Before He Was Gone
“What if we can’t choose
Every battle we win and lose
What if we decided years before, to live this life, to fight these wars
And all the dreams we ever thought were ours
Were written in the stars”
Waiting tables isn’t exactly what singer/songwriter Stephanie has in mind for her move to Nashville, but memories of the past and a case of writer’s block mean inspiration isn’t coming easy. When brooding pianist Conor Judge opens his mouth in a smoky bar he proves music can heal, and even help you re-write your story, but a history of his own means the one thing he starts to want most is always just out of reach. Stephanie.
Enter Travis Flynn – an upcoming star who won’t take no for an answer, and a record label intent on helping Stephanie shine, without Conor. As fame comes knocking as hard as the ghosts of their pasts, it soon becomes clear that no matter how hard you might fall in love, having the perfect songs doesn’t always mean perfect harmony.
Review:
This was my first book by Becky Wicks, and it won’t be my last. I enjoyed her writing style and loved the characters of Stephanie and Conor and the glimpse she gave us into the Nashville music scene. (All those song lyrics are just a tease, though–I want to hear the actual songs!)
Both Stephanie and Conor are trying to make it in Nashville and struggling–Stephanie has moved there to make music, but her long hours as a waitress don’t give her much time for songwriting and the events of her past are stifling her creativity. Conor is working for his family business, though his family is is tatters–and the weight of his father’s and his religious community’s expectations are making him hide truths from everyone.
When Stephanie and Conor get together, the songs just seem to pour out of them. Will it last? Can they get anywhere with their music, or will their pasts catch up to them and crush their dreams? Do they have a future together?
Before He Was a Secret is about family, friendship, and facing your fears. It’s about making your own way in the world even when it’s a struggle and it feels like everything’s against you. It’s about how being a success might mean something different than you thought it would be.
It’s about love in all its forms–love both in this life and after.
Before He Was a Secret is the third book in the series, but it truly worked fine as a standalone. Though the characters from books 1– Before He Was Famous –and 2– Before He Was Gone: Starstruck Book 2 –have small parts here, you don’t need to have read their books to enjoy Stephanie and Conor’s story. (A warning, however–getting a glimpse of them here will probably make you want to go back and read their books too–the Survivor-style reality show in #2 is especially intriguing.)
Rating: 4 stars / B+
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
Great review, Becky! This sounds like a wonderful read and I love that it involves friendship and family, too!