4.5 stars!

Playing The Pauses by Michelle Hazen blew me away...completely!

Playing The Pauses by Michelle Hazen is a story about a musician, a quiet swoony bass player named Danny to be exact, and a tour manager named Kate.

Danny is lost sexually and looking for a way to find himself again. He's a dominant who knows how to use a riding crop. Along the lines of his life, he hasn't always had the best experiences sexually so overtime he's withdrawn and hid that side of him. But the moment he sets his sights on his new tour manager, the feral beast that lives deep inside is desperate for a new awakening.

Playing The Pauses is told in Kate's point of view, which I though was very interesting. Usually when it comes to a rockstar romance novel the POV is either from both love interest sides or it's usually told from the musicians point of view. I however, really liked this approach!

Kate is a tour manager. She's been through it all and has seen it all. Until she meets Danny. She sees something in him that no one else sees and after a one night fling with the man himself, she's correct with her conclusion. This man is hiding his dominance and she'll do whatever it takes to help him find himself again. Even if it means giving up her heart in the process.

I was really intrigued by this novel, it's not everyday you come across a gem in a heavily populated romance world. This novel is just that! Danny's vibe is different from your normal domineering hero in novels. This man is quiet and introverted. He's a go with the flow type man. Except when it comes to protecting his loved ones, then this man is as fierce as they come.

I loved Danny and Kate's story. Their chemistry was overwhelming in only the best of ways. I have to admit, I was fanning my face with my notebook a couple of times. Danny with some rope and a riding crop. What could be sexier than that! Christian Grey, eat your heart out!

Not only are the sexy scenes on point, but the emotional level is also right up there. I felt the emotions bone deep. Honestly, starting this novel, I wasn't sure I was going to like it all that much.until a few chapters in and that is why I rated it a 4.5 star rating. It took me a little while to get into this novel and get a true feel for the characters, but when everything fell into place it was all over and I was addicted!

Overall, Playing The Pauses by Michelle Hazen was a great read and I look forward to seeing what this author has up her sleeve next! Definitely check this book out!

Michelle Hazen is a new author to me so I was a bit hesitant about reading this book as it’s book 2 in her Sex, Love, and Rock & Roll Series, I shouldn’t have worried I really enjoyed this book and this authors style of writing, in fact I will be one clicking book 1 in this series as well as looking at her other books. If you love Rockers I urge you to one click Playing the Pauses.
Kate is a globe trotting tour manager never staying too long in one place, she loves her job and has never found a reason to settle in one place until she meets Danny O’Neil a Dominant rock star and tattoo artist. Kate is hired at the last minute to go on tour with the Red Letter Band and right from the start sparks fly between her and Danny. Kate’s job is the world to her and crossing that line and sleeping with a band member has always been a big no until Danny but what will happen at the end of the tour, will hearts be broken ..........
I loved how this author gave us a real look into behind the scenes of a rock band on tour, I loved the characters and I loved seeing how the relationships grew between the band as things started happening between Danny and Kate. This book is more than a story it’s a journey about two people learning about themselves as well as learning to love, it’s written beautifully and I’m looking forward to more in this series as well as going back to read the previous book. Great read.

They say opposites attract. Danny and Kate put that theory to the test. Playing the Pauses speaks to the idiosyncrasies that makes us human, while pushing the boundaries of what love really is. Nobody writes taboo quite like Michelle Hazen. Kate and Danny challenge each other, but they expose insecurities and heal deep seated scars with a lovers touch and a heart's kind words. It pays to be naughty when your playing for keeps. Out of ugly moments come precious gifts wrapped in everlasting love.

So this is the second book of a series (I guess third if you count the prequel short story)- the prequel and first book I have not read. Well, I plan to remedy that and read Jera's story as well as the band's beginnings.

First off, I really enjoy rock-n-roll band stories. It's not just the bad boys of rock that draw me but it's the group dynamics, the pandemonium they deal with on the road and with fans, and then that gentle side they have with their band mates and love interest.

Kate is a very young but highly efficient tour manager who is stepping in last minute to oversee a tour with the sexy Danny as her boss and musician. These two have amazing chemistry and their secrets ignite!

I was literally a nervous wreck at the end and so worried of the ending. After playing a pause- it was a great way to end!

DNF finish this book.
I tried but the writing was not working for me.

This was my first book by this author. I wanted to read it because it was about a bass player. I didn’t realize at first that it was the second book in a series. My husband plays bass and has for over 25 years so I like to tell him I’m reading a book about him. He rolls his eyes but whatever, it’s him! I liked the storyline and all the band stuff. I did think there were a couple of parts that dragged on, but the one thing that I really didn’t get was Danny and the Dom stuff. It did not seem to fit him at all. He’s trying to figure himself out in that department and it just didn’t make a lot of sense to me. He and Kate have quite a bit of smokin’ hot sexy times, but he comes across so aloof and shy. How is that Dom personality? The book is in Kate’s POV so you don’t get into Danny’s head and I would’ve love to hear what he has say. Anyway, since I didn’t read the first book about Jera, I didn’t have a hard time following along. I’d probably go back and read her story, she’s a fun character. Jax is the other band member and he’s spiraling out of control. His book I’m sure will be very interesting. Other than that, it was a pretty good book.

WOW! I was very pleasantly surprised by this book! I had not read the previous book in the series, but it did not take away from my understanding the players. I absolutely loved both leading characters -- Kate and Danny!

The story is well-written and well-developed (overall). I was never bored. I would have enjoyed a little more backstory for Danny's tattoos and his personal art.

Looking forward to the next installment -- Kate & Danny's epilogue, but also for Jax's story!

4 Star Review of Playing The Pauses (Sex, Love & Rock and Roll #2) by Michelle Hazen
This was a new author to me and as you can see this is book 2 in the series. I had no trouble following this story so this can easily be read as a stand alone without any issues; although I will go and check out book 1 as well.
This book follows the members of the Red Letter Band and this is Danny O’Neil’s story. When Kate joins as the tour manager, sparks fly and Danny is intrigued by her particularly because so many people want a piece of him and yet Kate wants to give not take from him.
The big question is can Kate afford to be caught in her boss’s bed? After all she has worked hard to get her big break; will she risk it all for what could be a fling?
Kate cannot resist Danny and his proposition as their chemistry sizzles, but what will happen when the tour ends?
I enjoyed Danny and Kate’s story and was interested to see the behind the scenes issues that go hand in hand with a band on tour.
It was also interesting to see the relationship development between all the band members,
This is a story of love, of finding oneself and doing what is right not only for others but for yourself. Well written and with quite a few roller coaster moments this book will hold your interest.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher through Netgalley.

Hum..kind of on the fence with this one. I wanted to give it three stars but then gave it four. The story was good, but just seemed to drag at times and then sometimes it felt like the good stuff was getting skipped.

I liked that they were going to try and find out what Danny liked, but it didn’t really seemed like it happened he seemed to be doing everything she liked. The story never really got into the meat of all the kinda superficial. I liked hearing about bands on tours interesting how it all comes together and all the coordination. Kate’s job is interesting, but I didn’t feel like Danny should take a back seat. Jera and Jacob interaction was interesting. I know Jax is going to get his story, but all his crap was glossed over too, i wanted to yell that I am with you Jax when everyone leaves you out.

Ok read want to read more for sure.

Received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley.

Actual rating 3.75

Playing the Pauses by Michelle Hazen is my first read by her. This is book two in the Sex, Love, and Rock & Roll series. This follows the band the Red Letters. Love that name! However, I am not sure how I felt about the book. It didn't fall flat, but I was missing something in some scenes.
While I enjoyed the story for the most part, I felt that right away something shifted and I was reading an entirely different book. The characters have some amazing chemistry and I wasn’t sucked in to their dynamic until about half way through the book. It just felt weird at first and I can’t quite explain it. I felt that some of the scenes or dialogue felt a little forced. But then we also get some amazing heartfelt scenes.

Kate is a very independent woman and I like that she was driven in her career. I liked the different role reversal of a female tour manager. She wanted to prove herself that she could handle the job and not because she was sleeping with her employer. Kate couldn’t stay away from Danny, but she wasn’t going to fall in love with him. She was going to keep her heart locked up in a box, but Danny was slowly breaking it down.

Danny comes across as a jerk right at first or someone who could careless about people and his surroundings. But he won me over. He was sweet, loyal and once you were in his circle he gave you his all. He has always given people what they want and he just wants to be seen for himself, not what he can do for others. His parents, his brother, his sister, his fans, his groupies...all want something from him, but Kate wants to give to Danny, not take. Will Danny let Kate in?

I liked the group as a whole and this may be a standalone, but I felt like I needed to read Jera’s story to full grasp her as a character and maybe get some more insight to the band.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. Its sexy that is for sure. I will check out more from Michelle and I need to read Jera’s book because I did like her bubbly personality. 3.75 Stars!

Playing the Pauses is the 2nd book in the Sex, Love, and Rock & Roll series and since we really enjoyed the first book- we were of course excited for this one!

This book follows Kate & Danny, who are one HOT couple and they really balance each other out. Kate is independent and strong and Danny is loving and cares about those that are close to him- but he also has a brooding side to him as well.

We can't wait for more from this series and this author!

4.5 stars.

Michelle's writing is like dark chocolate mousse-rich, intense, flavorful, with just enough air to keep things light. She doesn't just put you in the scene, you're SLAMMED into the scene. It's a visceral experience: vivid and messy and real. The entire book is told from Kate's point of view, and if you like competence porn, you'll love Kate. She's organized and on top of things, with enough creativity and experience to roll with the inevitable unexpected twists of life on the road. If you like your rock stars broody and intense, well. Danny will be your catnip.

I loved book one of this series, but I just couldn't get into this one. It took me forever to finish it, because I kept putting it down. It wasn't that it was bad, but I disliked Kate right off the bat so I wasn't rooting for them. I liked the parts about the tour, and the band, and Jera. But I just couldn't get over my dislike of Kate.