Sadly this book didn't do it for me. There was something missing and I can't place what it was. By the end I was sadly reading just to finish it. Had potential but that spark wasn't there for me.

This was a decent story and I somewhat enjoyed both the hero and the heroine. However, nothing really stood out making it a great book.

Not really for me. 30% was all I could do. No sure if it was me just not being in the mood or what.

This was a good story and I really enjoyed the character backstory and development of Brad in particular. The push and pull between Brad and Savannah helped drive the story along and Sand James does a great job of getting behind the characters motivations. I recommend this to anyone who loves stories about the music business and artistic types in particular.

Reviewed by JoAnne


Review: Can’t Walk Away immersed me in the sounds of Nashville and left me wanting more. Savannah goes from waitress to successful country singer and some of the fame and problems that go along with it attach to her. Brad, a former songwriter called The Hitman, doesn’t recognize her when she plays at an Indie night where he’s the manager and owner of the restaurant/bar with two of his friends and where Savannah waitresses. When they “meet” sparks fly but lack of communicating doesn’t have them on the same page at all. There is definite chemistry but will Savannah who’s a single mom be able to tame playboy Brad and does he want to be?

Brad seems to measure all women against his deceased ex-wife and it’s not all good. He has a reputation as a womanizer that dogs him and hasn’t written a song in several years but is hoping that things turn around when he finds himself attracted to Savannah. Watching their one step forward and two step back approach was both heartwarming and heartbreaking. Her daughter Caroline was a whirlwind and had me getting tired just reading about her abundance of energy. It was interesting that she played such a large part in the story. Brad’s friends help ground him and I can’t wait to read more about both Ethan and Russ. There are family and friends, exes, secrets, hurt, anger, tears, fear, happiness, laughter, amazement, parties, agents, lawyers, lots of loving, romance and love. Savannah’s parents are a great support to her and she and her best friend, Jos, have a nice relationship. Savannah’s ex leaves a lot to be desired.

The characters are multifaceted and I had to dig a little to really know them. The story is fast paced and flows nicely but sometimes jumped ahead that I needed to look back to make sure my Nook hadn’t skipped a page. There is good closure and the epilogue was a nice touch. I look forward to reading the next two books in the trilogy and hope I don’t have to wait too long.

It’s been a while since I’ve read a book by James. She’s an author whose books I’ve always enjoyed reading.

Both Brad and Savannah have super trust issues, which you can imagine what that means. Yep, just a few bumps that end up being a bigger deal than maybe they should have been. Part of their problem is that they have a pretty hard time ignoring their attraction to each other so they are moving pretty fast. Leading to lots of assumptions and jumping to conclusions that is only exacerbated by their trouble with trusting each other.

Granted both of them have their reasons. Brad’s marriage wasn’t what he thought it was and when he finds out it changes a lot about how he sees the world. It also damaged his confidence and he tried to get it back with women … lots of women. And since Savannah’s last relationship was with a scoundrel who took off with all of her money and left her alone, she’s not exactly feeling all that sure of herself either.

The nice thing though is that James does a great job of having Savannah stand up for herself. She knows what she wants and she’s not willing to back down. She just has to make sure that Brad actually hears her, which isn’t always the easiest of things. He’s not completely clueless though and does figure things out eventually :)

Make sure that you are ready for a lot of ups and downs, because things are not easy for these two. But I found the ride differently worth the bumps.

Brad Morgan used to be called “Hitman” for the hit songs he wrote. Now he owns a club with two of his friends. One night during open mic he is blown away by the voice of Savannah Wolf, who used to dream of being a big country music star, but now just wants to sing. Brad does not even recognize her as one of the waitress that work for them and goes to the office and begins to write. He is writing for the first time since his wife died and after her death he found out some things about her he did not like. When Savannah sings his song the next day she realizes that it is a beautiful song but tells him she does not want to record it, or wants a manager, agent tec. He does not listen and continues to push her and push the limit. He continues to write and she singe, but really that is all she wants to do because she has a child and she does not want a big career like she used to dream about. That is explained in the story. The more you go along the more you see she is pulling away because he continues to push too much. Will he push her away or can she get the man she loves to listen and slow down. A wonderful story.

A disillusioned man meets his salvation! Strong characters with an interesting plot take us on the ride of taking second chances even though you still might carry the bruised heart from your last attempt at love! I enjoyed it and look forward to more in the series.

Once the biggest songwriter in Nashville, Brad "Hitman" Maxwell lost his creative energy amid loss and betrayal in his personal life. Now he enjoys himself at the honky tonk he runs and owns with a couple of friends. Words & Music is a great place to catch a glimpse of young talent on their way up in the music scene, and when she takes the stage and blows him away he starts to feel that old spark again!

Savannah Wolf had her chance to be a star and blew it by trusting the wrong people. Now she'd be happy just getting to do what she loves enough to make ends meet and have a happy life with her young daughter. When a friend convinces her to take a turn at open mike, she never expects it to lead to a job offer to be the opening act at Words & Music! She's on top of the world excited ... but she can't take the chance of acting on the attraction flaring between her and the boss ... can she?

4 Stars
Can't Walk Away by Sandy James was a good read, the writing is well done, the characters are likable, entertaining and my interest was held all throughout the book.
I enjoyed watching Brad and Savannah's relationship unfold, they entertained me and I loved their connection/attraction to each other.
These two were perfect for each other and I loved them together.

Can't Walk Away is a great start to the Nashville Dreams Series, looking forward to the next book Can't Let Her Go which is due to be released January 16th 2018.

*Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for the advance copy.*

Can't Walk Away is a really good read. At first, the story is slow and I was unsure of how I would like it. By chapter 2 or 3, the story picks up. The settings are written well and characters are easy to enjoy.

Savannah Wolf is an independent and loving mother. She's very practical in her goals. She wants to provide for her daughter and pay back her parents. Savannah once had the dreams of being a rising star in country music. That went away after a massive betrayal from her manager. I admire Savannah for her bravery on taking a chance to sing again.

Brad Maxwell was a well known song writer in country music. Many of the songs he wrote were hits. After finding out a massive secret that his late wife kept from him, Brad gave up writing music. After hearing Savannah sing at Words & Music, the music starts flowing through his mind again.

There is an instant spark between the two main characters. Brad is willing and wanting to see where the connection with Savannah goes. Savannah is more cautious with taking any chances. She has her daughter to think about. Not only does their relationship start moving fast, so does Savannah's rising fame. It's a lot to take in at once. Communication can help Brad and Savannah make it through the craziness.

My favorite parts of the story were where Brad and Savannah's daughter are interacting with each other. It is adorable to see their connection.

Overall, the story is written well and I truly hope Ethan and Russ (Brad's friends) get their own stories.

Both Brad and Savannah irritated me. She was very whiny and he was uncommunicative. The gist of the plot was a good one, but the characters were poorly developed.

3.5 Stars. Can’t Walk Away is the first book by Sandy James that I have read. I enjoyed this sweet, steamy love story between Brad and Savannah. Add in Brad also falling for Savannah’s feisty daughter, Caroline and a new family is formed. There is a little angst from Caroline’s absent father just to make it interesting.

This is the first book by this author that I've read. This is the first book in this series by this author. This is a melt your heart romance story, perfect for these winter nights. This story will make you laugh, cry and smile as you read. The characters were amazing, I just fell in love with them from the start. The secondary characters were really good too and worked well in the story and helped it to move along at a nice pace. I can't wait to read more from this author in the future.
Highly recommended
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book

I did enjoy this book. I enjoyed the story but it isn't one I will read again and again.

when songwriter brad "hitman" maxwell first notices savannah wolf in can't walk away he's so impressed by her talent that he feels compelled to write his first song in years. from the get-go he knows savannah will be a star, even though she's already had one run at stardom and wants nothing to do with the celebrity lifestyle.

working with brad is a dream come true, but she struggles to manage the impact her increased profile has on her, on her family, and on her life. and the more closely she works with brad the harder it is to deny that she is incredibly attracted to him. and knowing that she inspires him to write music is just as heady.

brad and savannah fall into a relationship pretty quickly, even if they take pains not to define it. both of them have been burned by relationships past and have to work hard not to let the lessons they've learned close them off to something real and true.

these two fall hard and fast for each other, but at the same time their relationship really has time to deepen and grow on the page. the timeline isn't super compressed so you really have a chance to know them as a couple before things get complicated. and even then, these two work through their conflicts beautifully and you never doubt their love for one another. which is just the kind of romance i love.

He's a world famous songwriter who lost his desire for that life after a loss and a discovery of betrayal. But the night that he sees this performer on stage changes his life forever.

She's a young single mother who had dreams of a singing career that were dashed by hurt and betrayal.

Both Brad and Savannah have trust issues after being betrayed by someone they trusted. But together they find a new life with each other.

I am happy to be participating in the release day blitz for Sandy James’ new book, Can’t Walk Away. This is the story of on the rise country singer Savannah Wolf and Brad Maxwell, the man who may be able to get her career back on track.

When Brad hears Savannah sing at his restaurant, he is struck dumb. Her voice captures him instantly and he knows he has to have her back on the stage at Words & Music. She is so inspiring that she even gets his musical brain to start creating again. Brad (the one time “Hitman” of Nashville because of all the well-known hits he created for artists) wants to help Savannah grow her talent. He also finds himself strongly attracted to her. Unfortunately, Savannah knows his reputation as a love ’em and leave ’em guy and she knows she needs to stay far away from any romantic entanglements with him. That is easier said than done when there is a strong attraction between the two of them and they are working closely together.

Savannah doesn’t want to risk this second chance at finally having her dream. She has a young daughter to provide for and she wants Caroline to have a comfortable and safe life. Brad was emotionally burned after the death of his wife. He swore he’d never fall in love again but Savannah may just be the woman to change all that.

This is my first book by Sandy James. I was intrigued by the synopsis and I am glad I had the chance to read this book. I will say, it didn’t blow me out of the water so to speak, but it is definitely a sweet second chance at love and life romance. There is a lot of optimism in Savannah which I really enjoyed. She hasn’t had the easiest time in life in the last few years after she was swindled out of her first music start. She feels wiser now though and is not going to risk anyone taking her money or her chance to provide her daughter with a good life. Savannah is just a real person, a good friend, not necessarily a risk-taker until she realizes she has to be.

I wasn’t quite as enamored with Brad. I know he cleaned up his act when it came to women and drinking but his past sleeping with woman after woman just felt like overkill and kind of tawdry. But he is definitely on a redemptive streak and I can’t fault him for trying to put the past behind him.

Can’t Walk Away proved to be a sweet romance. It has a lot of feel good appeal to it in its main characters. I liked this book and I think readers who enjoy music reality television competitions may find this book a good match for their reading tastes. (Though I will clarify and say there is NOT a singing competition in this book, the very nature of succeeding in Nashville is a competition in and of itself.)

Can’t Walk Away is available today!

Can’t Walk Away by Sandy James is the first book in her Nashville Dreams series and it’s about two lost and hurt people trying to find their way. It was at times sad, but also sweet and heartwarming.

Brad “Hitman” Maxwell was once Nashville’s biggest celebrity. He wrote some of the biggest hits. Then he is left heartbroken when his wife walks away and leaves him devastated. Now the bar he opened with his friends is his escape from the past. He has not written anything in a long time. Until her.

Savannah Wolf had big dreams to become the hottest thing in Nashville. But sometimes plans change. Now all she wants is to have the means to take care of her daughter. Performing at Brad’s place provides her the opportunity to perform and take care of her daughter. Now she just needs to stay away from one of her bosses.

Savannah has been working at Words & Music as a waitress for some time. Then one night she performs and is given the opportunity to continue to do so. Now she just needs to make sure she can balance performing with being there for her daughter. At the same time, something about her pulls at Brad and he begins writing again. For her.

Savannah and Brad have both been hurt in the past and moving forward for them is difficult. Their journey is both happy and sad. Learning to let go and find love again was hard for them, but the pull to each other was stronger. I loved Brad’s possessiveness and Savannah’s vulnerability. Can’t Walk Away was a good read with very likeable characters and a story that draws you in. I am excited to read more on this series.

Brad 'Hitman' Maxwell was once a brilliant songwriter, but he gave it all up when he discovered his late wife's betrayal. Now he owns a successful bar and loves how pouring beers helps distract him from what happened in the past. However, the moment Savannah Wolf steps onto the stage and sings, Brad finds himself pulled back into the world he left behind, especially since Savannah inspires him to write songs again. Yet, when the past begins to rear its ugly head and Savannah finds herself a target, will Brad be able to help her fight fire with fire or will they lose everything they've worked so hard for?

What a fascinating and delightful read Ms. James has penned for this first book of her Nashville Dreams series where the main characters had me enthralled from the very beginning, because Savannah is an absolute mystery to Brad, even though he should know who she is. However, it was from the moment where the hero and heroine came face-to-face for the first time that had me enjoying the way this couple's relationship started, because it's palpable Savannah makes an excellent muse for Brad when it comes to creating music again; something he never thought he'd do again.

As for the dialogue, it was intense due to the main characters back stories, what happens to the heroine that has her making erroneous decisions, which could put her and her daughter's future in jeopardy. Will Brad be able to help her make the right decisions and fight for their future together? However, the dialogue isn't all intense. There are some light-hearted moments that had me enjoying this couple's growing relationship and the tight friendship Brad shares with secondary characters, Russ and Ethan. Furthermore, the heroine is strong, brave and I liked how determined she was to succeed when it came to her dreams for her future. I also liked how good of a mom Savannah is and that she would do anything for her daughter, even if it means making decisions that could get her in trouble. Yet, what I liked most of all about the heroine is how she gave Brad a chance, even knowing his reputation with women.

While the hero, he's confident, hard-working and I liked how determined he was to win the heroine over because she's special and unlike any woman he's ever known. I also liked how protective he was of the heroine when it came to everything she goes through from handling the media to dealing with her ex. Not that it's easy for the hero to handle the media when they make him out to be the bad guy. Is his association with the heroine doing more damage to Savannah's reputation or his? Yet, what I liked most of all about the hero was his growing bond with the heroine's daughter.

Overall, Ms. James has delivered a really good read in this book where the chemistry between this couple was intense; the romance hot; and the ending had me totally captivated because of what the heroine does to make certain her future is secure. No longer is she going to let what her ex did in the past rule her and it's about time she fights back. Her demands were fantastic. I would recommend Can't Walk Away from Sandy James, if you enjoy the opposites attract trope or books by authors Erin Nicholas, Serenity Woods, Kelly Jamieson and Ann B. Harrison.

3.5 stars-- CAN’T WALK AWAY is the first installment in Sandy James’ contemporary, adult NASHVILLE DREAMS romance series focusing on three friends who own and operate Words and Music-a bar in Nashville, Tennessee: Brad Maxwell, Ethan Walker and Russell Green. This is songwriter Brad ‘Hitman’ Maxwell, and waitress/singer Savannah Wolf’s story line.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Brad and Savannah) CAN’T WALK AWAY focuses on the building relationship between Brad Maxwell and Savannah Wolf. Savannah is a twenty-six year old single mother; a singer whose earlier musical career was jettisoned by her former manager, boyfriend, the father of her five year old daughter Caroline, and the man who has destroyed our heroine’s trust with other men Michael Hart. Brad Maxwell, is a struggling song writer, a once popular and chart topping writer who lost his muse when the woman he once loved and lost betrayed his trust and the bonds of their marriage. Hearing Savannah Wolf sing was like a beacon to Brad Maxwell- the call of a long, lost urge to pick up a pen and begin writing anew. What ensues is the quick building love between Brad and Savannah, and the potential fall out when issues of trust make for too many hurdles between our story line couple.

Brad Maxwell’s attraction to Savannah is one of insta-lust/love. He is determined to make Savannah a star but our heroine wants only to earn enough money to buy a house and pay the bills. As Savannah’s star begins to rise, her mounting fame and the paparazzi begin to build walls between our leading couple.


The relationship between Savannah and Brad begins as a business arrangement. Brad makes Savannah the headliner at Words and Music but our heroine struggles with the notoriety as her popularity begins to soar. Brad and Savannah both have issues of trust, and in this, the little secrets and bumps in the road are blown out of proportion throughout the story; they both continue to compare one another to their previous relationship disasters. I struggled with their exaggerated reactions to the ‘small things’, as well as a perceived lack of chemistry between our story line couple. The $ex scenes are intimate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.


We are introduced to Brad’s friends and business partners- musician Ethan Walker, and Russell Green; Savannah’s over-protective parents Paul and Mary Wolf, and Savannah’s daughter Caroline, as well as Words and Music stage manager Randy. The requisite evil comes in the guise of Savannah’s ex-manager and boyfriend Michael Hart. I am looking forward to Ethan and Russell’s story line.

CAN’T WALK AWAY is a story of second chances, of sorts, for two people who loved and lost, and suffered the humiliation of betrayal in return. The premise is engaging and enjoyable; the romance is seductive; the characters struggled with issues of trust. CAN’T WALK AWAY is a charming and pleasant story line.

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