“I would destroy her. But maybe, just maybe…she could save me.”

Rock King is book one in the Nothing But Trouble series by Tara Leigh. Tara is a new to me author so what better chance to introduce myself to a new author than with her brand new series.

Shane Hawthorne is a rock king, the lead singer of Nothing but Trouble, one of the most popular rock bands of the decade. Named sexiest man alive more than once, it would appear that Shane had it all. But it was all a sham. Shane was a sham. He had secrets, big ones. He tried using alcohol, drugs and endless women to keep himself from feeling, but it didn’t work. Then, he and his manager came up with a new way, a way that was working. Then he met “her,” and everything changed.

“I was a jagged knife, the tip of my blade edged with poison. Brutal. Messy. Lethal.”

Delaney Fraser ran away from her ghosts as well. She hadn’t intended to end up in Los Angeles, it’s just where she ran out of money. Now a waitress, she is beyond shocked when Piper walks in to the restaurant she is working at. She knew Piper from her home town. Piper’s boss, Travis, insists she bring Delaney to a party that night at his house. He knew right away that Delaney was exactly what he was looking for, that she would be perfect for Shane.

“What was it about Delaney that made me think she could fill the cracks in my soul, that maybe I could fill the ones in hers?”

For Shane and Delaney, the attraction was immediate. But Delaney was different than anyone else Shane had ever known. His cheesy lines didn’t work on her. She didn’t just melt by being in his presence as most women did. He knew, though, as much as he knew he needed to breathe, that he needed Delaney in his life. But he also knew he was toxic, and she was everything good. Was he selfish enough to keep her with him, even though he knew he could ruin her?

“Tonight, right now, there was only one thing I knew for sure. Delaney and I, we were linked by something I didn’t quite understand yet, but I already cherished.”

Delaney finds herself falling for Shane, but not the Shane that he lets everyone else see, but the real man she finds underneath. The man who is broken and hurting, the man that needs her as much as she needs him. This is a world, though, that she knows nothing of. The world of paparazzi, tabloids, and endless fans. Could she survive in Shane’s world?

“Living with Shane was like standing in the path of an incoming storm, gathering force and speed. I was already swept up in his chaotic energy, and there was no escape in sight. Either I could bend and sway, let myself be pulled into Shane’s whirlwind. Or I could stand my ground, dig in my heels, and hope I wouldn’t snap in two.”

I do love a good rock star romance, and this one didn’t disappoint. Shane and Delaney were so broken. They had so many secrets. But they both deserved love, forgiveness, redemption. The steam level of this book is off the charts. These two together were scorching. It is a heavy book, though. Both of these characters are so broken. It was right on the border of being too much for me. I usually like my books to be a little lighter. I did enjoy it, though, and won’t soon be forgetting these two. The next book in this series is Rock Legend, Piper and Landon (the drummer)’s story.

“Shane Hawthorne, I’m yours.”

I loved, loved, loved Rock King by Tara Leigh, book one in her Nothing but Trouble series. Ms. Leigh created a wonderful and emotional story between two people living lives based on lies and secrets. Shane Hawthorne is a rock star, at least according to his fans and the public. He overcome his addictive past, lives under a new name, and honors the memory of his best friend, killed in a car accident with Shane as the driver. Shane channeled all of his memories, fears, and pain into his music. Nothing seemed to keep him on the straight and narrow until he met Delaney Fraser. Delaney was the perfect “girlfriend”, a woman to accompany Shane and keep the groupies away and him away from the booze and drugs. Delaney also has secrets and a life of lies, but she is able to see the real Shane through all of the glitz and glamour. She not only loves Shane but understands him, encouraging him to resolve his past, putting his demons to rest. Once Delaney admits to her secret, will it destroy the love Shane has for her or will it cement their relationship?

I really, really loved reading this book and had trouble putting this book down. Ms. Leigh is a wonderful story teller, drawing me in and not letting go until I read the last page. I highly recommend this book to other readers and can’t wait to read the next book in this series.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

Shane Hawthorne is this singer for a rock band named Nothing but Trouble. He hires Delaney to be his "girlfriend" to clean up his image. They have an attraction to each other but are fighting it. Both Shane and Delaney have secrets and troubles from the past. I enjoyed this second chance, angsty romance.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Rock King by Tara Leigh is the first book in the Nothing but Trouble series. Like every new author I read, I went in with an open mind, but after the first few chapter, I was hooked than my mind was blown!! I have read quite a few Rocker Romances; some storylines were a little cliché and repetitive. But I liked that Rock King was different.

Shane Hawthorne needs a girlfriend to go on tours with him, to keep himself in control and not be a typical rockstar (drugs, alcohol, and women). Delaney Fraser is a waitress who to keep to herself. Her world is being turned upside down now, she’s being asked to be a contract girlfriend to the lead singer of Nothing but Trouble. Shane and Delaney are from opposite side of the tracks but they have something in common – tragic pasts. Can she just be the tour girlfriend for six months? Or will they give into sexual chemistry?

Shane and Delaney’s relationship had emotional twists and sexiness with a side of banter. They almost never gave up on each other and they both learned from one another to be stronger.

I read at night mostly and for two days I didn’t get much sleep. Tara’s writing kept me glued to my kindle wanting more and not wanting this book to end. Amazing start to this series can’t wait for Landon and Piper’s story in Rock Legend.

If you love Rocker Romances, this is a series you need to read!!!

Keeping secrets will eat you alive.

Shane Hawthorne is a rock star who is living with a big lie.
Delaney Fraser is a college student working as a waitress and living with an even bigger lie.

These two meet and there is instant chemistry. They made a great couple. I really wished these two could learn to talk to each other. They spent what felt like 50% of the book agonizing over their secrets. Once their secrets were revealed they were able to move on with their lives. There was an HFN (happy for now) while Delaney completes college. I loved the interaction between Delaney and Piper. They knew each other in high school, but weren’t really friends. I am really hoping for good things in the female friendship in the next book, which is Piper’s story.

A solid 3 stars

The book was provided by NetGalley for an honest review.

I always like to read a good R&R story! Especially one with a Rock Star trying to stay on the straight and narrow. A star running from the past. Rock King did not disappoint!

Shane and Delaney had Soo much in common! I felt they were fated to meet at some point. What I didn't expect were my feelings about Shane's life. I guess it would be hard to be "real" with someone when everybody wants something from you. Fame, fortune, and a few minutes in the limelight. What began as contract between Shane and Delaney became more. Delaney was different, more than what he expected. They both needed each other to overcome their pasts. I felt that they were soulmates.
But, lies from the past may end any future together.

The book was filled with emotional ups and downs. It held my attention to the very end!

***ARC Provided by the Author and Buoni Amici Press***

This book is a rock star romance, and there are certain elements that always exist in this trope. the rock star is going to be sexy, and at least a bit of a bad boy. The woman he gets involved with is either going to be hired to be around him, or from a completely different world. This was all in here...and yet it was done in a way that felt a little different, I think because even though he is tough on the outside, you get Shane's POV and you know that he is pretty much in love with Delaney from about their second meeting.

I liked this. I liked the story of the bad boy who really relies on the girl. And, I liked how vulnerable he allowed himself to be. There are a couple of really heartbreaking moments in the book, both around her possibly leaving or him thinking that she will choose to leave, that really drew me to the character and to the emotion of the story.

I also thought her "secret", the thing she is keeping from Shane and the world was realistic and that Shane's reaction was authentic. So often, the horrible end of the relationship break up that happens in a romance feels like it is there because the plot requires it (and let's face it, it really often does) but in this title, it felt real.

This is the second title by this author that I have read. I enjoyed, but didn't love the first one. This one, however, was very well done and enjoyable from beginning to end.

I recommend this title, and I am looking forward to the next in the series.

***This and other reviews featured on our blog Booked All Night http://bookedallnightblog.com/***

I was given an ARC in exchange of my honest review. Shane Hawthorne , the resident king of rock and roll has it all, fame, fortune and girls. However he is a liar. Shane’s agent of all trade has to hire a fake girlfriend for Shane to take on tour in order to keep all the fans at bay.
Delaney Fraser is a waitress when Travis, Shane’s agent, offers her a job. To be the fake girlfriend. She takes the job to help her father who is in jail. But Delaney has secrets of her own.
Will the secrets bring them together or tear them apart. Have to read to find out!

Rock King was a introduction to me to Tara Leigh’s writing as I’ve never read a book by her before and I absolutely loved it.

It sucked me in from the beginning and I felt my heart beating fast through many moments in this book.

Normally when I’ve read a rock star romance it’s the rock star that is severely flawed or has a deep dark secret. In this story both characters have secrets, both seem to be seemingly running from their past and both seem to be going through life on auto pilot.
That in itself was a storyline that had me gripped.

And I do like that in this book we know the reasonings why even if we aren’t sure about the full story behind those pasts until later on in the book.

These two enter into an unconventional relationship and sparks fly but it’s more then just sparks and their chemistry and connection is something that I could feel as I was reading.

I connected to these two immediately and I could feel their story. The storyline was intriguing it was sad it was heart breaking and boy did I crave an ending that would make me sigh and have those romance swoony feels. You know the ones I’m talking about the ones where boy meets girl, boy saves girl etc.. in this case I think it was just that but both saved each other in a sense.

I’m a fan of this book and I definitely can’t wait for the next book which Tara does such a great job I will say leaving crumbs and juicy morsels for what we can expect next.

Love finding new to me authors and so glad that I stumbled across this book.

Like everyone else who has read Rock King, I was attracted to this book thanks to the cover and the fantastic blurb. It's my first Tara Leigh book and one of the rare occurrences where I have reached for a book about a rockstar, because I usually have too high of expectations for them. In this case, I thought the rockstar persona, the secrets, the partying, all of it, was very accurate. Shane Hawthorne is the rockstar, the hearthrob, the guy everyone loves, everyone except himself. He has secrets, he has pain, and though he has a desire of being better, he doesn't actually seem to be doing much to fix it beyond his image. Delaney is a sweet, struggling young woman who doesn't have desires to make it big in the glittering of world, she'd rather just be able to make it through life in general. She too carries a heavy weight on her shoulders, something Shane could help make better, first she'd have to be willing to sign an agreement she doesn't quite agree with. I really liked Shane and Delaney as individuals, they're really fantastic, complex characters that have more depth than your usual cliche rockstar romance. Despite the initial lack of connection between them, they grew on me as a pair as well and I really appreciated that the storyline was really about them and their pasts, rather than the fame.

"I wanted Delany to be real. Not a publicity stunt. Not a placeholder. And I wanted her to be mine."

Unfortunately, I really struggled with the lack of chemistry between Shane and Delaney. The contract between them felt more secure than their relationship, something I felt was based on lust more than anything else. They seem to spend more time getting it on than anything else, though I suppose I would too if I had Shane in front of me. I felt this way for most of the book, at least until the end, when everything gets revealed and trust finally blooms between them. I felt like I had to work to get through the first part of the book, it had a lot of detail to it, but later on that worked out for the story and the context was appreciated. There were also a few plot discrepancies that threw me off a bit, things that'll probably be fixed before release, so I won't comment further on them.

"Liars recognized each other, in the same way a magician is rarely fooled by another's tricks. And we were liars."

Rock King was a solid first read from Tara Leigh and I'm interestested in seeing what she does with the Nothing but Trouble band. I wish we had seen more of the people Shane and Delaney interacted with, I felt like the secondary character list was limited to just four people, with a handful of others that I've already forgotten, so maybe the future novels will give us more.

I have so many different feelings about this story, and I'm having problems figuring out how I want to express them. They're not necessarily bad feelings, but I don't want to give you readers the wrong opinion either.

Shane is a rock God. He's hot, he's talented, he's won multiple awards including Grammy's and even an Emmy. But he's also broken. He's also a fake, just like everything else in tinsel town. It's been a good formula for years, but now that a certain someone has stepped in to his life, being fake doesn't sound so good anymore. So let the real Shane emerge.

Delaney is an innocent. She's from a small town, running away from her personal demons, trying to "just get by". That is until an old friend notices her at work and she ends up at an A list Beverly Hills party. But being the typical LA girl isn't who she is and she soon finds out that what she's thought was real, isn't quite what it seems.

I've lived in LA for years. Running across fake people is a daily thing. So while reading this story, I wasn't AT ALL surprised by some of the content. What I was surprised with, was the fact that although these two were clearly drawn to each other early on, one person was trying to be real while the other continued being fake. Then when the truths were being told, running away was the easiest thing to do instead of facing said truths. (These are the feelings I was referring to in the beginning. I'm not MAD about it, it is what it is and part of the story).

Now that all of that has been said, this was a good book. Following a rock God through his trials and tribulations while trying to figure out how to hold on to the one person he's felt real with is a great story. And now I'm looking forward to reading the next one.

reviewed by Christina

There was a lot going on in this book. Shane is a rock star who needs a "girlfriend" to keep him grounded. Delaney is reluctant to be that "girlfriend". They share almost the same past, and both tried to run away from it.
Their chemistry was visible on the pages of this book. It did get it a little emotional towards the in. This was a spectacular first in a series.

Rock King by a new to me author Tara Leigh. A great start to the Nothing but Trouble series. A book that grabbed me with it's rock star start with it's secrets, lies and spicy times. This is for sure one of my top reads for the year. I look forward to reading more in the Nothing but Trouble series and more by books by Tara Leigh.

I don't typically read books with the rock star/ band thing going on, but the blurb caught my eye and I thought ok, I'll bite. It was a good read. Solid story, Shane and Delaney both had their own backstories that they tried to keep well hidden and the band played on.

It's decided Shane needs a new arm charm and when his agent spots Delaney waiting tables he's found the girl he thinks Shane needs. Needs is really relative here. Poor Del doesn't know what she's in for, what an eye opener for this girl. Not knowing what to expect but surprisingly Shane is comfortable with her, feels like he can be himself and she's a strong female lead and I like that.
For me, there were pluses in the book, not the typical rock band garbage with the hoe bag groupies and sleazy band members who will pop anything that moves. This was about the two of them and I actually liked Shane despite his dick move that made me want to throat punch him toward the end of the story. I wanted Delaney to grab ahold and give him an almighty twist after that one.

This book was a refreshing change from the usual and based book, I really like the two main characters and the overall plot was great. I think it's a great start to a new series and I look forward to the next book.

**advanced review copy from NetGalley and publisher in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions contained in my review are mine alone.**

This is my first book by Tara Leigh and I have to say, even though I don’t really like rockstar romances, this is pretty good. The reason why I gave it four stars was because I wasn’t too crazy about the beginning. It’s rather cliche having a rockstar on a downwards spiral come back up with a paid girlfriend. But what Tara did with it later was what made it better! I liked that more story came on and Shane’s backstory was quite interesting. I happened to like him more than Delaney. I’ll definitely be interested in reading Piper’s story this summer!

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The way I see it there are two elements of a romance novel: the plot and the emotional development of the characters. The plot takes you through scenes in which the characters engage. The emotional development is the thinking that either one or more does and it depends on the Point of View chosen. Each book I read is a combination of those two things, a balance if you will.

This book has scenes but you read it for the emotional development of the characters. Shane and Delaney have an unstoppable reaction to each other. Both of them have things to hide, both of them have the same type of dark past, and those secrets are the reason that they try to resist each other. They fail, but not without trying. This book is a tease like this, we expect them to fail, hope that we will get that moment of heat, and we do, and then we wait again.

This book is outstanding. Shane and Delaney are incredible people. We feel them deeply… their shame, guilt, longing for each other. The weird that is the world of rock music. All of that and a journey in which they are both required to confront their secrets, make a peace with the past so that they can move on. We read them fall hopelessly in love, have sex of a lifetime (when we get there, we get all the heat that we require), and find their way through their pasts and to each other.

If I had one request of the author it would be that the book was slightly longer. I felt that Delaney’s story was a bit light, and I wanted to read what happened next after the ending. But perhaps that’s better… I am sure we’ll see them again in the next story in the series… which I eagerly await now.

Shane is the lead singer in the rock band Nothing but Trouble, and that's exactly what he is ... trouble! After years of indulging himself in booze, drugs and women he is clean from booze and drugs, but the women are harder to resist. So he has been "hiring" a girlfriend to be at his side to help him through when the band goes on tour. When he meets his "next girlfriend" Delaney, he knows she is different from all the others and he falls head over heels for her. But they both have secrets that could not only rip them apart, but rip their lives apart as well.

This book will draw you in to Shane and Delaney's story and not let you escape their emotional journey. There were times I cried and times I just wanted to shake them but isn't that the sign of a great book when you get emotionally involved. Also there were a few twists that I didn't see coming which was a nice surprise ... I love it when that happens ... there's nothing worse that a very predictable book. I can't wait for the next book ... I knew it would be about Piper and Landon and I'm pretty sure that they have a past. Thanks for the great read Tara!

I received an ARC courtesy of Forever - Grand Central Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

Really good book with a great storyline. Wished parts of it would delve deeper into the story- less on narration and more on dialogue. Overall a good book.

4.9 Stars

Shane is Nothing But Trouble's lead singer. The most famous band worldwide.

But he's a troubled guy. He manages to stay away from drugs and alcohol by focusing on music and his girlfriend of the moment. His hired girlfriend. His agent hires girls for him. To be with him, watch out for him, take care of him, be seen with him. It's the only way Shane survives.

Delaney ran away from New York after her dad went to jail for killing her mother. But that's not the whole story. Not by a long shot.

She's jobbing as a waitress and Shane's agent sees her and wants her as the next girlfriend.

Shane and Delaney have this extreme instant attraction, but both have too much pain and too many secrets and too much guilt in their pasts ... this can never be something real, or can it??

And what happens when they and the world find out what they're both hiding?

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#ROCKSTARROMANCE!!!!

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Eeep! I'm the biggest rockstar romance fan ever! I just had to read this book.

And I reall enjoyed it!

Tara writes really beautifully .... it might even be a bit too much for me. She goes on and on and poetically describes everything and every thought. It could've been a few words less here and there - BUT! I really loved the story. Shane is amazing. Your typical tortured artist with a past. And Delaney is just the same. She was a bit too insecure for my liking. Every time something happened she told herself it was all planned by Shane and his team - ugh - got on my nerves a bit.

But I really loved reading this book!

Even if it's sounds as if I disliked! NOT TRUE. Also - another little thing that made me almost stop reading - it happens pretty late into the story, so I won't say what it is, but it was just ridiculous. Lawyers could've stopped the whole thing before it started!

BUT AGAIN- I really liked the book - even if it doesn't sound like I did.☺☺☺ I know, I'm weird!

It was ROCKSTAR-ish, sexy, adorable, moving, sad, frustrating, beautiful.
And I can't wait to see what Landon and Piper's story will be like!☺

ROCK KING was such a beautiful & sexy & moving #RockStarRomance! Hurry to your nearest amazon - Shane will be sold out in no time!!!

A brand new series from Tara Leigh and if this book is anything to go by she has another successful series on her hands.
Shane Hawthorne has it all, a successful rock star about to go on tour but he needs a girlfriend to be seen with him and protect him from himself as well as his fans so he gets his agent to find him the perfect girl to sign a contract and act as his girlfriend just for the length of the tour, enter Delaney Fraser a girl who is trying to move forward with her life so the perfect candidate for the job but both Shane and Delaney have secrets, both have a past that they want no one to find out about and both are consumed with guilt. The attraction between Shane and Delaney is instant, the chemistry is sizzling but will they be able to just pretend to be a couple or will their feelings get the better of them when they start spending nights together......both Shane and Delaney are broken from their pasts and both are confused by the feelings they have for each other all they know is they need each other to move forward but moving forward is not as easy as it seems......
This book is a beautiful emotional love story dealing with two people consumed with guilt, at times it will make you cry and at times you will want to bang their heads together, it’s story about two people finding strength from the love they feel for each other and realising that love is not about individuals it’s about partnerships. I loved Shane and Delaney and I can’t wait for book 2 in the Nothing but Trouble Series, great job Tara Leigh.