Cover Image: Heart Throb

Heart Throb

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

HEART THROB is the seventh book in Brooklyn Ann's Hearts of Metal series. This book works as a standalone story, but because a particular event is frequently referenced, reading FORBIDDEN SONG before this book might be best. Lexi Adams is an experienced director and executive producer who will be putting together a documentary about the heavy metal band Vicious. Vicious bassist Brand Kife is skeptical about the documentary, but it ends up bringing love into his life. Although these two characters have very different professions, they eventually find that they have more in common than they thought.

Lexi and Brand have both experienced abusive childhoods but managed to survive, cultivate successful careers, and develop tight friendships. Brooklyn Ann skillfully, and with sensitivity, relates the events in Lexi's and Brand's pasts without going into excruciating detail. When they first meet, Brand and Lexi are immediately attracted to each other, but both have their reasons for wanting to avoid a romantic entanglement. Lexi wants to be taken seriously for the professional she is, and if people heard of her having a fling with one of the subjects she was filming, it would look bad for her. Brand has some secrets and baggage from his childhood that make emotional and full physical intimacy complicated at best. Even though this is a contemporary romance, Brand is like a hero out of a historical gothic romance. Abrupt and slightly isolated before Lexi walked into his life, this romance brings positive changes for both Brand.

HEART THROB is a fiery romance between an independent heroine and a gothic rock star hero. Rather than be a tale about rock star decadence, Brooklyn Ann once again focuses on the very real problems some people face and the way they are able to overcome them. Friendships take a place of prominence in HEART THROB and they make the story better. I look forward to Brooklyn Ann's next book.

Was this review helpful?

This the first book I've read in the "Hearts of Metal" series and let me tell you Brooklyn Ann doesn't disappoint. I couldn't put this book down. Brand and Lexi light it up! I cannot wait to read all of the books in this series! This is my honest opinions after I voluntarily read a copy of this book that was provided to me with no requirements for a review.

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed this engaging story and the realistic and colorful characters. This is the seventh book in The Hearts of Metal series and each book is a standalone, although all the characters are interconnected. I not only connected with the two main characters, there also were many entertaining secondary characters as well.

This story is about Brand who plays with the heavy metal band Vicious. Brand is not happy when he learns Lexi, an established filmmaker is going to be touring with the band to make a documentary about them. Brand is sullen, hard to get to know and is known as the man who never smiles. He has demons from his past but he isn’t willing to share them with anyone. His only love is playing his guitar; it soothes his tortured soul. Brand is a good guy and he stole my heart as he slowly falls for Lexi. Brand can’t stop himself from watching Lexi as he tries to ignore his strong feelings for her. He is afraid to trust Lexi with his feeling or his secrets.

Lexi is excited to have the opportunity to film her favorite band while they are on tour. She doesn’t understand Brand’s bad attitude toward her and she has a hard time getting him to warm up to her for an interview. Lexi has learned to fight for what she wants as she tries to make it in the film industry. She is tough, kind, understanding and always professional. She won’t let anyone and anything get in the way of her dreams.

As Brand and Lexi get to know each other they realize how much they have in common. They both have successful careers that they love and are highly regarded. I loved getting the behind the scenes look at the band while they are touring. This is an entertaining story about rock stars and the ups and downs of romance and falling in love. If you like rock star stories, I recommend HEART THROB.

Was this review helpful?

A great ending to this series. Gotta love when a woman and man fight their attraction and give in. It's fun being immersed into the world of heavy metal. Rock on. I received a complimentary copy and I am voluntarily reviewing.

Was this review helpful?

Another wonderful, gritty story in the world of Vicious. This time it was Brand's backstory. His past was full of pain which he kept locked inside, and I felt for him as he revealed it to Lexi. I loved Lexi's spunk to be what she wanted, to move beyond her own unhappy past, and to accept without pity Brand's past. As the story moved along, I became invested in the outcome and cried when it ended. With this story, Brooklyn Ann touched me deep once again with the emotions in the story. I recommend this story and the series.

I received an ARC of this story through Netgalley, and this is my unsolicited review.

Was this review helpful?

Lexi, a young award winning director, and her crew joins her favorite heavy metal band, Vicious, on tour to film a documentary on them. The story is basically from two points of view--Lexi and the bass guitarist, Brand--with each obsessing over each other. I had seen the promotion of this book on my facebook feed and thought that it would be a fast, fun read that was primarily targeted to teenagers, but, frankly, I feel that the sex scenes are too descriptive for that young of an audience. Also, not being a male, I cannot say for sure, but I believe most men would not have the innermost thoughts that are portrayed in this story, but this is fiction.

Since I requested an opportunity to read a complimentary unproofed advanced reading copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, I felt obligated to finish it., and I did. The author is a talented writer, so don't let my opinion discourage you from reading this; it just isn't my preferred genre.

Was this review helpful?

You know how you can tell a good author? When they write about a subject that you know nothing about (heavy metal) and have no real interest and you love the book! I am an ol fart,no interest in heavy metal and yet after I finished reading this I started looking things up:) Along with some of the horror movies referenced. I really enjoyed the story, 2 people, each coming from different back grounds, each having come from a background that was in some form or other various degrees of horrific. All laid out in the music background. I will admit that when Brand really laid it all out, I teared up. I really enjoyed that there was no real game playing between the two, it was how things happen. Thank you Net Galley thank you Book Buzz Net for the arcs and thank you Brooklyn for a great read! All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not solicited.

Was this review helpful?

This was the first one I have every read in this series, was able to figure it all out without starting with the first one.
Loved everything about this, will be going back and reading the other ones now.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance read.

Was this review helpful?

Loved every page. He was broken and lonely she was like a bright star that caught his attention no matter where she was. They faugh their attraction but love always wins. Loved this series

Was this review helpful?

I am not a fan of books in third person, that being said Heart Throb was a good read full of emotion and steam. Thanks for the ARC!

Was this review helpful?

4 1/2 Heart-wrenching Stars!

Lexi became a filmmaker even though as a child her mother made her into the perfect princess at all the beauty pageants. Lexi was getting ready to do a documentary on her favourite heavy metal band Vicious. She couldn’t take her eyes off the bass player Brand ... could he feel the electricity between them like she could? Brand was the band member that never smiled ... you wouldn’t either if you had his childhood. His band mates didn’t even know the full horror of it, but as he got to know Lexi he felt safe with her and told her all his secrets. Would Lexi and Brand be able to heal each other? Or are they just too broken?

WOW ... what an emotional journey with these two broken souls. This book covered all the emotions ... I laughed a little, swooned more, but my heart broke for the little girl Lexi and the little boy Brand. They were perfect for each other. This is the first book I have read by this author ... and it won’t be my last. I’m gonna have to read this series from the beginning. I’m from western Canada and I love that the author did her research and got the right names to the venues ... and she’s right that bus breakdown would have been in the middle of nowhere.

I received an ARC courtesy of Boroughs Publishing Group through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Brand is the dark brooding bassist for Vicious and has many secrets that he is hiding from his past. Only making music with Vicious gives him any kind of true happiness which has also made him known as the guy who never smiles or better known as Oscar the Grouch…but then again if you had his childhood you wouldn’t be smiling much either. So when indie film maker Lexi enters his world as the person who will be filming a documentary on the band when they are on the next road tour you can imagine that he’d be the last person to cooperate with the strong, talented and beautiful film maker. He needs all of his secrets to stay just that…secrets.

Lexi didn’t have much of a childhood either but that didn’t stop her working her way to the top of her art. The thing that first started breaking down Brand’s walls was their shared love of horror movies and the electric sparks that flew between them anytime they touched.

I loved this rock romance giving me a glimpse into life on the road, overcoming your pasts and a whole lot of steam. This was my first book by this author and I will definitely be checking out more from her.

Was this review helpful?

Oh my word, this book was so so good. I don't know what it was but the vibe had me from the beginning. We watch as 2 people share a similar past but not quite. They have to prove to themselves that have so much time love can change you for the better and to always promise yourself to never give up on what you want to do with your life. To me this is a perfect story to sit back and read for the upcoming holiday season. I hope that we will get a story about each of the band members. I thought that this was truly remarkable and I give it 5 stars. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book as an Advanced Reader's Copy.

Was this review helpful?

This story was all right. Nothing to get excited about. I did like the concept that both Brand and Lexi had a rough go at childhood, and it bonded them together. That they didn't play cat and mouse with their chemistry.

Was this review helpful?

Bassist for heavy metal band,Viciöus, Brand Kife is known for his scowl and inability to form meaningful attachments. When he meets Lexi Adams, the director of the documentary being filmed about Viciöus.When I started reading I couldn't put it down. Brooklyn Ann is magnifysent and amazing writer.I cannot wait to read more of there books.Keep up the great work.You should definitely read this book.Can't wait for the next book.

Was this review helpful?

I read that book in one day, very short read, and also, adorable story. I was not expecting to be reading any prize winning novel, but it was entertaining and very cute.

Was this review helpful?

Omg! I loved this book! I'm really upset about one thing! I haven't read this series yet, and now that I know it's really good it's going to cost me! There's a lot of books but geez this was really good so now I have to go back and read them all!! Lol anyway this was Brand and Lexi book , Brand is the bass player for a hot band called vicious and Lexi is a producer that's doing a reality show on the band! I didn't feel lost so I'm sure all the books are stand alone you don't have to read one without the other I'm sure it helps with the characters but not necessary! This book was funny, definitely hot, definitely some heartbreak and heartache! I felt for Brand he had a terrible childhood! I highly recommend this book and series! I'm going back and reading them all! Loved it! Thank you Netgalley and Boroughs publishing group for sharing this book with me!

Was this review helpful?