What's not to love. Great story, the main characters are always well developed and the reader is drawn in to enjoy every page of the journey. Can highly recommend.

Having read . Any of Ali Vali's books I was surprised at the different direction. Being a huge fan of her Casey Clan books this really was a jump. A combination of romance and country music who could ask for more. This is a fantastic story so worthy of far more stars

Ali Vali wrote a great story with Face the Music. I could see the romance and chemistry just unfolding as the story progressed.

This was an okay read for me. I enjoyed the first third, with Sophie Roddy effectively self-destructing her career and health, being forced into rehab, and Victoria trying to cope with that. I also really enjoyed the chemistry between the two leads and how they tiptoed around one another in the beginning, wondering if the attraction was mutual. The story started to lag a little for me after they got together, and I struggled to stay engaged. Some sort of additional hurdle (Victoria's insecurities for example) might have helped move the romantic storyline along a little bit more. The bits about coping with an addicted mother were well written.

It took me quite a while to get around to reading this book, which is a little unfair to the author. But I'm a big fan of Ali Vali, so I buckled down and got to it. This plot and setting is a departure for the author, usually her characters are set in or around New Orleans. So Nashville was a bit of an adjustment. As with all her other books, family is a strong theme here. The solidarity of a family that loves and stands by each other, and a broken one that is cracked, flawed and in need of healing. And as with all her other works, we are shown that love can triumph over all pain and heal all wounds. Fictional ones anyway.

The main characters were interesting. I felt Victoria was more fully drawn than Mason, but that didn't take anything away from Mason, it only made Vic a little more relatable. But then, how do I relate to a woman who has acres and acres of land, horses, vehicles, a mansion and a guest house? By relating to her desire to keep her loved ones safe and happy. She and I connected over that element of her personality. Sophie on the other hand...not so much.

This novel did not flow as well as most of Vali's other works, but I can't really put my finger on why that is. My enjoyment of the story didn't suffer too much, just enough that it felt...different. But my favourite works belonging to this author will always be her "Devil" series, so I'm admittedly biased. The cover is stunning, and a great visual clue for the setting of most of the novel. The editing and writing are solid as always. There is a lot of sex in this one, so fans of Vali's intense love scenes will enjoy that.
Overall, a departure from her usual fare, but an enjoyable one that's a treat to read!

I enjoyed this book. The MC were well developed and very likeable. I enjoyed the whole Nashville music scenes. I thought the story moved along well. The MC’s are both strong independent women which I love. The love story between Mason and Victoria was very sweet.
Music producer, Mason Liner, has one passion: the acts she can bring to the top of the charts. When the biggest record label in Nashville hands her a new client, country music royalty, Sophie Roddy, Mason’s reluctant to take on a problem diva whose excessive lifestyle almost ruined her career, but can't turn down the challenge. Victoria Roddy has lived in Sophie Roddy’s shadow for as long as she can remember. Being her mother's assistant is more than a job description...it’s her life. Now arrogant and aggravating Mason thinks she can turn Sophie’s career around, but Victoria doesn’t believe Mason’s ridiculous demands and exhaustive schedule are what her mother needs right now.

being a music lover I had to read this and I loved it. There were some hard moments and life lessons in this but it hits home to so many musicians. The romance was perfect and sweet. Another great read from ali vali.

This was not your typical Ali Val, first she chose a new location Nashville, and she is writing about music, which is a big part of all of her books she must love music, but has not been the focus of any of her books. This was a sweet, simple, and predictable romance in all the best ways. When I requested this book I did so because the plot seemed heartwarming, but also a little silly. I wanted a book that was going to pull me in and really get me engrossed in the book. This book did just that from the mother falling off the stage, to the daughters insane behavior in the E.R. To Victoria and Mason being forced into a situation that neither wanted to begin, but they made the most of it.

The story is simple, a washed up country star treats everyone terrible including her won child, embarrasses herself and then much go on the long road to redemption. The main story centers around Victoria and Mason becoming, friends, lovers, and collègues all within like a sex week period of time. It is really fast paced for insta love. One thing I did not like about this book at all was the usage of sex slave. I mean i get that that is what some people are in to, but slavery wasn’t something fun or interesting to joke about.

The writing was typical Vali, and she writes some of the best love scenes out there. This is a light read, not a lot of substance, but it will make you smile and it’ll have you thinking about the music they make and wishing that you could hear it. I liked this book like I enjoy all of Vali’s books. I just wish her books had more of a plot that made sense and did not seem implausible.

Another great book by a great author, Ali Vali.
Victoria and Mason are both great characters who don’t hit it off at the start but then warm to each other

Mason is the stud who rescues the put upon Victoria.
As you followed their story you will start to fall a little in love with both of them.

Would I recommend...yes, another winner by this fantastic author

Thank you netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read and review this novel.
This is a welcome excursion into the world and background of country music. The characters have been well-crafted and are multi-dimensional, and this has at its immediacy tmanaged by her daughter. What could possiblt go wrong? The answer comes soon enough. nal each with their own complicated self-identites. Drink and drugs, family ties, and a famous singer now

Its essentially a love/hate or just a hate/hate relationship that turns to friends and lovers over the progression of the novel. Each character brings different aspect that influence the overall picture and what the autthor does so well is to draw out the different characters including Mason and Victoria and the varying aspects of their personality by how they interact with each other and with the other characters. This enables lots of drama, mainly around Sophie,which is always bubbling away under the surface, and the interplay of the drama with strong opiniated exceptional women sustains the readers interest and keeps the pages turning.
A good 4* read for me, and if you are a country music lover, this could be just up your street.

Romance and music—what an excellent combination! Again Ms. Vali is providing us with a romance to help pleasantly pass the time. She knows how to spin a good story.

In Face the Music we learn of a music producer, Mason Liner, whose family for decades has run one of the biggest record labels in Nashville. Mason loves her work and has been highly successful. Her father has assigned her the responsibility of handling Sophie Roddy, a top country singer.
Unfortunately, Sophie’s career is going downhill as a result of her excessive drug and alcohol abuse. Sophie’s daughter, Victoria, is her manager. Over the years Victoria has had progressively more trouble dealing with Sophie’s substance abuse and the effects on her mother’s singing career.

Victoria and Mason reluctantly work together to encourage Sophie to get treatment for her abuse. After a short period of time they realize that they are attracted to each other. However, Victoria is distrustful of many people because she has been lied to and manipulated by her mother. It is only with securing Victoria’s trust that Mason is able to discover what a talented and lovely person she is.

This is a sweet novel which will leave the reader in a feel-good mood. Although I could see where the plot was leading, I enjoyed the trip. The characters were believable, and the story was interesting. The pace of the book was great, and readers will find the end of Face the Music comes too soon.

Readers will enjoy Ms. Vali’s romance. I give this 5 out of 5 stars.

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

3.5 Stars for this standalone novel, Face the Music by Ali Vali.

This is the story of a music producer, Mason Liner who works for her father’s Nashville record company. She had been in California working with non-country artists but is called back to Nashville by her father to handle Sophie Roddy. Sophie was “THE QUEEN of Country” for many years, but lately her star has been slipping, with alcohol and drug related incidences both on and off stage. Just when Mason arrives in Nashville, Sophie nearly overdoses on stage. Mason has almost no choice but to put Sophie up at her Nashville ranch to detox.

Sophie’s daughter, Victoria has been her mother’s berated and disrespected assistant for many years. Nevertheless, she is uncomfortable with Mason’s decision to lock Sophie in at Mason’s ranch for one-on-one drug detox and rehab with Mason’s friend Belle, a retired drug and addiction therapist. No surprise, Sophie doesn’t appreciate it either. But Victoria agrees with a bit of convincing by Mason “Which would you prefer? A dead Sophie or an angry Sophie?”

With Sophie in the main house, Victoria stays in the small original ranch house that Mason restored. Mason’s artists would go the river house to work on new songs and arrangements. It is here, away from her demanding mother and with the help of Mason, that Victoria blooms.

This is an enemy to lover love story. I get a “Xena/Gabrielle trope” vibe. Which is often a theme in Vali’s stories. There is Mason. The too perfect Mason, IMO. So perfect, it became annoying. She is a beautiful six foot tall, dark haired, wealthy executive. Victoria describes Mason as a butch who with her “sweet and caring personality, she was irresistible” At one point, Victoria sprained her ankle and Mason carried her everywhere. I mean everywhere. Around the ranch, up and down hills, etc. All Mason needed was a red cape. Then there is the strawberry blond, Victoria. I liked that we were able to watch her struggle and fight to step away from her Mother’s shadow and find her own niche.

An advanced reading copy has been sent to me by the publisher, Bold Strokes Books through Netgalley for my honest review

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review of the story.

Ali Vali always delivers riveting romances. This one is no exception.

A high powered music row executive is saddled with an alcoholic country music icon. After the singwr overdoses twice in as many days, Mason orchestrates an intervention. However, the intervention and rehab process is complicated by the singer's distrusting daughter, Victoria..

Mason and Victoria work through the emotional process of getting an abusive, alcoholic person through rehab, building trust, finding new careers and falling in love.

The book is a great read.

music, romance, and family drama - what more could you ask for in a good story?

It was quirky, funny, sweet, and even a little steamy...this hit all the right notes for a quiet afternoon read.

A low angst love story that you can sit back and enjoy!

I am semi-new to Ali Vali, and the more I read, the more I can’t believe I was so late to the party because I really enjoy her stories. I really like the low angst element of this book because it left me to concentrate more on the love story between Mason and Victoria.

Mason, in the beginning, I wasn’t one hundred per cent keen on but by the end, she was my favourite character. She was really something else, and when she was vulnerable with Victoria, you could see the real Mason. Victoria, I just wanted to cuddle from the get-go, and I was so happy that Mason steps up to this job more than once.

Mason and Victoria have a great dynamic and their friendship shone through numerous times to show that this wasn’t just about love, but about something deeper and more aligned to soul mates.

I feel there is a story with secondary character Belle… I just wanted more of her. I also felt there could be something between Victoria’s best friend, Josette and Mason’s assistant, Scarlet. I know Josette was portrayed as straight, but she is a toaster-oven romance waiting to happen.
I would have liked more flashbacks. We get one flashback from Mason about a previous relationship but still, I felt if anyone deserved a flashback and a window into the past it would be Victoria and her childhood/ young adult life with her mother.

The chemistry between Victoria and Mason is off the charts, and their sex life was sizzling hot! The also had a beautiful and loving relationship on top of it. Like I said before this is a love that soul mate stories are made of.
This is a delightful book that has jumped into my re-read pile. It’s definitely the perfect story to curl up in bed on a lazy Sunday and read all day.

Victoria works for her difficult mother Sophia, a famous country singer, and puts her own life behind her. The self-destructive nature of her mother forces her to make Sophia change her life. She gets help from Mason, the daughter of Sophia's producer.

For me it was Ali Vali's first book and unfortunately it could not convince me.
The story did not manage to fascinate me and I had some problems to continue reading.
In my eyes the speed was generally too slow for me. But that is a matter of taste.

I received a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This has been a story in the line with which this author has usually written, where the main couple are a butch and a femme, with quite marked roles in that regard. But it has not been one of her best in my point of view. Because although the theme I was setting was quite interesting for me, then the development of things has been a little confusing and inconsistent in some points.

The world of music, country in this case, with aspects related to production, the fame gained over many years of a career, also the beginnings of an artist and all the problems that such fame, insecurities and abuses, was enough to have certainly a good story.

But I do not know if it was the insta-love, after a rough first meet, the rather unpleasant role of Victoria's mother, maybe the initial impression that the author made me have about Mason, as quite a sexual predator or Victoria's lack of self esteem, but I have not believed much in the story between these two women.

As I have said, it is quite in line with previous works of this author, women with powerful families, and strong themselves, capable of facing any problem of any kind, unconditional love and happy ending. It is not a bad formula at all, but if development is not consistent, it may not be enough, as I think is what happened here.

Love at the Opry
Sophie is a Country Western singer whose career has spanned decades. Lately however she is in a tail spin of drugs and alcohol thanks to her worm of a boyfriend, whom she is totally devoted to. Her daughter and manager, Victoria is doing her best to help her but it’s a losing battle. Victoria and Sophie have always had a strained relationship but it is steadily getting worse. When Sophie’s label sends in Mason, a brilliant music producer and daughter of the owner of Sophie’s label, to do damage control, things do not go well at all!!! When Sophie nearly dies of an overdose, Victoria realizes she needs Mason’s help and learns maybe the woman isn’t out to destroy her and her mother after all….

This book is so full of romance and mushiness it will make a diabetic need a shot! (But it’s not over done or vapid, it’s sweet and beautiful) There is a lot of drama surrounding Sophie but the main focus of the book is Victoria and Mason. Victoria needs to figure out what she wants to do with her life but having the self-esteem of a mouse and the confidence of a crumpled leaf, it’s hard for her to know what to do and who to trust. Mason is totally there for Victoria, supporting her, encouraging her and loving her. It was wonderful to watch Victoria spread her wings and learn to fly. She finds her voice and follows her heart leading her to become strong and capable of doing just about anything. I loved watching the women get closer and fall in love and then watching that love grow and bloom into something really special. This is another great romance by Ms Vali and Im still swooning over it!

Ms. Vali's take on the Nashville music scene (actually more behind the scenes) was a masterful written story about and industry leader (Mason), a very troubled music icon (Sophie), and her daughter, a prodigy not yet discovered (Victoria). There were 3 story lines really, the clash/romance of Mason and Victoria, the struggle for Victoria to be her own woman outside of her mothers shadow, and her mother herself and the struggles of drugs/alcohol in a career that is on the downside of her iconic life.

I loved how the story starts right out as Victoria stands up to Mason in the hospital where her mother is, and continues for a bit, to give her that strong character appeal that doesn't fall into the standard romance of love at first sight. Both characters (Mason and Victoria) follow much like other characters Ms. Vali's writes about, in that both are strong, independent women, with a bit of that femme/butch quality I so dearly love (i.e. Cain and Emma from the Devil series). BUT this is no Devil series, this is a story about the music industry and artists and how each character struggles/thrives within.

The fact that Ms. Vali wrote much about the struggling side of the mother and how the daughter, Victoria, struggles for her own identity, gives this book so much more than just country music romance. There is so much depth in the writing of both of their struggles, and Mason there to try and help them both, gives this story so much more.

Thank you again Ms. Vali for a great book (especially during these times of isolation), I will always keep an eye out for your stories as you continue to bless us with your story telling.

I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, but would have written the same opinion if I had come across this author on my own.

To see my Amazon review, it is under CC

An Ali Vali book without the mob. It feels a bit weird, but I really like her books and the characters the gives us. It's still her typical butch with money being a softie at heart and saving the lady in distress, but instead of the mob background this is situated in the music business where Mason Liner comes to the aid of Victoria, manager of her former superstar mom who is struggling with addiction. After a rocky start they find eachother and we follow their road to HEA. It was a very nice read but don't expect a lot of angst, not even the break-up at 80% happened, which was a nice surprise cause it would have felt forced. You can't really go wrong with picking up this book if you like lesbian romance.