Patrycja's Review: Rock My Heart by Jean Haus

Title: Rock My Heart

Series: Luminescent Juliet #4 Can be read as a standalone

Author: Jean Haus

Release Date: 6 June, 2015

Rating: 4 stars

Cliffhanger:. No

This story can be read as a standalone.

Raised in poverty and violence, Gabe Reed wears a could-care-less attitude like a shield. He expects life to suck. It always has, and he is usually the one to screw it up even more. Drumming for the college band Luminescent Juliet started as a way to release the built up rage inside of him. But when the band signs with a label, Gabe begins to envision a different life. He just needs to stay out of trouble and follow the court orders of his probation.

April Tanner knows most people view her as perfect. From her icy looks to her college four point, she cultivates the persona since it helps keep people at a distance. Because behind her perfection, April constantly struggles with a past that she is trying to atone for but can’t face.

Though Gabe and April seem worlds apart, fate throws them together and forces them to see beyond the fronts they each present. But even an emerging friendship mixed with a growing lust might not be able to overcome the walls built of guilt and insecurity and abuse that stand between them.

*New Adult for language and sexual situations.

From the time I’ve read first book in Luminescent Juliet series, I was smitten with the whole band – Jean Haus clearly knows how to catch readers’ attention and create swoon worthy, panty melting rock star heroes, so I’ve been highly anticipating every new addition to this series. I just love musicians! And even though I’ve have read my share of rock star romances, and it’s really hard to surprise me, I always find time to read Jean Haus’s books. She’s really a good writer.

Rock My Heart grabbed me for the beginning. First chapter was enough to tell me that I’m going to enjoy reading this story and I was not mistaken. Jean Haus created ‘perfect’ story about ‘imperfect people’, which not only was heartbreaking at a few points but also sweet and adorable.

Gabe is the last band member to get his own book. He’s the drummer for Luminescent Juliet and the most closed of the guys. He’s broody, a tad bit aggressive, which is connected to his miserable childhood and a bit untrustworthy. So it’s really hard for him to open up to people and let go of his insecurities. Due to his ‘bad temper’ he feels that his spot in the band is endangered. He really wants to get past his anger, so he goes to group therapy meetings. Unfortunately for him, he is in the same group as April, a friend of the band. In his eyes she’s nothing more than a preppy, rich ice queen.

April is anything but. She has her own demons and has no idea how to get past them. Rich family or not, she really isn’t the perfect girl that everyone see when they look at her. She’s full of shame and guilt… my heart broke for her.

"I have issues. Tons of them. Most people do. I'm just far, far better than most at hiding them. The root of my issues, the real reason, the burden I live with every day, will never come out...Not in the future. Just not ever."

I really liked Gabe and April as a couple, even though their relationship was not easy as both of them had to deal with some serious issues. Despite them, however the book was still very arousing and sexy. The banter between main characters made me laugh, as both of them were witty, stubborn and funny.

"I stand on my tiptoes and let him drink me in like he did the whiskey, only this isn't a quick shot, it's a slow, slow sip, that leaves a burn for more." 

You can read this book as a standalone, but as this whole series is worth recommending, I would say it’s worth to invest and meet properly all band and their girlfriends. The group dynamics has important role in this series, and it’s really nice to get to know all the characters.

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