The Ballad of Stevie Pearl by SW Hammond begins in Los Angeles, where everything that glitters is not gold. Even the life of pop star Stevie Pearl is not without complications. Since she cannot really go anywhere without chaos quickly following, her life has become similar to living as a caged bird.

Her best friend, Celeste, introduces her to Alex Nopah, a Native American illustrator. His star is on the rise in the comic book world. His graphic novel is being made into a movie. Alex is definitely not ready for a spotlight on his life that is quite so bright and terrible.

A video of Alex dancing at Stevie’s party goes viral which turns his world upside down. People commented all kinds of crazy and racist things about Alex.

However, he really likes Stevie for all of the right reasons. So they take a chance on getting to know each other under the almost constant supervision of her bodyguard, Franklin. Stevie and her bodyguards also dress up in cosplay to attend a comic book convention. It was a really sweet and funny moment.

Stevie’s team of entertainment lawyers and other associates go too far to protect their client after the viral video. The team doesn’t think Alex is right for Stevie’s image – meaning that they don’t approve of his ethnicity.

They try to intimidate Alex into not seeing Stevie by sabotaging his movie deal for the comic book. They also attempt to blackmail Stevie so she will do what they want. Stevie doesn’t sit around waiting for them to ruin the career of Alex or her own career. In the end, she puts a stop to the mistreatment in the most magnificent way.

At the beginning of the book, the reader knows that Stevie has been on hiatus and is now preparing for a televised interview. I wouldn’t say that the ending was satisfying because it was unbelievably heartbreaking. I was not prepared for all of the emotions.

If you like stories about love, music, and comic books, then you might enjoy The Ballad of Stevie Pearl. Racists will not like this book but we don’t care about them, do we? So go get a copy and enjoy it in spite of those other people.

Book Reviews

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*I received this ebook from NetGalley. This is my honest review. All opinions are my own. Obviously.

Writing this review with tears still in my eyes, wow. Thanks netgallery and SW Hammond for the ARC of T he Ballad of Stevie Pearl. I could not put this book down. Page after page I turned all the way to an ending that had me speechless. This book was very well written switching between the 2 main characters perspectives. 2 completely different worlds colliding and it was wonderful. This book will stay with me for a long time.

I am a sucker for celebrity main characters/storylines and getting a glimpse into their Hollywood lifestyles, even if it is fictionalized. When I read the description for this book it looked like another powerful celebrity story that I could get lost in. I found all the characters likable and I enjoyed the banter between everyone and their relationships with each other. They were all well-written. However, I felt like the timing in the book skipped around a bit especially nearing the end. It skipped right through Stevie and Alex's relationship as soon as it fully started to form and I would have wanted to see much more between the two of them. I knew going in from the description and the prologue that some tragedy was going to take place but it just felt so out of place with the rest of the story. I didn't like how graphic the ending was, which I normally don't have an issue with but I didn't even have time to feel sad like I think you should feel for an ending like this. I was just too disturbed I almost couldn't get past it. This would have been a solid 5-star read for me if it didn't skip forward so much towards the end and if the ending hadn't been so graphic and out of nowhere. I love a good plot twist but this felt so forced and wrong for these characters and what they had been fighting for the whole book. Definitely check trigger warnings before reading this one. Thank you to Net Galley and Surf Star Media for this ARC.

Alex Nopah is still getting accustomed to his new level of 'stardom': as the illustrator for a graphic novel that gets picked up by Hollywood and turned into a movie, Alex goes from being recognized by a few friends and family on the Rez, to seeing fans line up to meet him at Comicon. When his co-worker and friend introduces him to her best friend, superstar Stevie Pearl, and sparks fly- Alex is suddenly in a whole new world. As the internet trolls come out and start attacking Alex for his Native American heritage, Stevie takes matters into her own hands.

There are aspects of this story I really enjoyed- first and foremost, the heartbreaking insights into the lifestyle of the rich and famous. Stevie Pearl has all the money in the world, but can't even enjoy take-out tacos without an approved plan through security and her legal team. The amount of control and the intimidation tactics used are a side of the industry fans rarely see. I loved seeing Stevie's growth and the way she refused to be manipulated. I was rooting for her the whole time.

I just couldn't get behind the love story aspect. I think this really took a backseat to the other issues presented in the novel, and that's fine- but for me, I wanted more of a relationship between the two characters. The flow of the novel was great- it takes off, the writing was excellent and I enjoyed reading it, but then suddenly I was 75% through and there were was no romance. It seems like the author forgot to build up their relationship and suddenly threw them together and added some "I love you's" and the reader just has to accept the fact that this relationship happened unbeknownst to us.

The final 15% of the book is insane- it truly comes out of nowhere, and I was completely caught off guard. It was heartbreaking, and triggering, and there is no warning. I think readers should be aware, because it truly does not fit with the flow of the novel.

I did enjoy reading this one, but I was left wishing it was more flushed-out. It seemed too quick, and not enough build up. I really felt like I was missing a solid chunk of the story. Despite that, I'd recommend it to anyone with an interest in celebrity lives or the music industry.

Although this was a little slow it get into but when it picked up the pace during the middle, I was hooked. It was a very unforgettable story. Loved it

3.50 ⭐️

As I delve deeper into the captivating world of The Ballad of Stevie Pearl, I'm intrigued by the enigmatic allure of its cover and the tantalizing promise of the title. Being an ardent Taylor Swift fan, the notion of a narrative steeped in pop culture and glamour instantly draws me in.

The contrasting journeys of Stevie Pearl and Alex Nopah add layers of complexity to the story. Stevie Pearl, the cherished pop sensation, embodies a mesmerizing fusion of Texan authenticity and California dreams, making her a global sensation. Despite her overwhelming fame, her longing for true freedom within the chaos of stardom creates an intriguing and relatable conflict.

On the other hand, Alex Nopah's rise from an illustrator to a Hollywood insider, with his roots on a reservation, promises a compelling exploration of identity and the clash between two vastly different worlds—the opulence of LA and the grounded upbringing that shaped him.

Beyond the glitzy facade of fame and celebrity lies a profound narrative that delves into Stevie Pearl's true essence. I'm eager to witness her evolution from a pop sensation to a powerful and savvy businesswoman, navigating through the murky waters of corruption and greed within her organization, while also tackling the pressing issues of racism, sexism, and classism in society.

In my opinion, this book is an expertly woven tale that combines the allure of fame with thought-provoking themes, providing readers with an immersive experience that resonates on a deeper level. I can't wait to immerse myself in this world of glittering fame, complex characters, and societal reflections, making it a must-read for all those seeking an enthralling and meaningful story.

Interesting premise but it just didn't end up being my kind of book and I was unable to get into it and finish.

I adored this book. The characters while flawed were loveable, I connected to them so deeply. Warxing, you'll need tissues, for both happy and sad reasons. i'm a visually impaired reviewer, and the link won't copy to my review. But you can find me on gdreads at Danielle: Braillerose

The Ballad of Stevie Pearl by SW Hammond has left me conflicted. Stevie and Alex are star-crossed lovers from very different backgrounds who are determined to stay together regardless of the craziness of their lives. Stevie Pearl is one of the world's biggest pop stars yet she's essentially a prisoner to the industry. Alex Nopah is struggling to balance his own life as a successful illustrator with his Native American heritage and family expectations.

There are so many fantastic qualities about this book which I absolutely loved!
• Characterization: Several characters took on real-life personalities in my mind because of the style of writing and the descriptions of each… Stevie = Taylor Swift. Franklin = Michael Clarke Duncan (think of him in Green Mile but as a bodyguard in this book). Celeste = Zendaya.
• Phonetic dialog: The majority of the dialog between characters are always written phonetically, which truly makes the reader feel as though they are either part of the conversation (or eavesdropping!)
• Story break icons: Scene changes within chapters are separated by cute icons referencing the previous scene (I'm a sucker for thoughtful nuggets like this tucked in the pages!).
• Insight into the music industry: the detailed nuances described throughout the story of a person who is run as a business is simply fascinating and really gave the storyline substance.
• Soundtrack: The chapter titles correspond to a specific soundtrack (which can be found on YouTube) and complement each chapter perfectly!
• The story: I love the rich-girl-dates-poor-guy trope, along with a bit of a well-done girl-power thrown in and we have a really interesting read!
• Feminism/racism, etc: I am so appreciative of the way this book intertwines the dual storylines of Stevie's career and her choice to take control with the racism against Alex.

As I mentioned, I'm conflicted and here's why. All of the qualities I mentioned are why I LOVED this book. Unfortunately the main reasons I did NOT (yes it deserves all caps) love this book is a big one. I did not receive the love story I wanted. Sure, there is a "romantic storyline" but it is not a romance novel. In fact, we only skim the surface of the relationship between Stevie and Alex. I want depth and passion in order to invest in these two, and I never did. It's a zero on the spicy scale where even a one would have been ok! I am still not satisfied.

All that said, READ THIS BOOK! It's so good and I'm predicting it will be hugely successful when it's published next year! Thank you to NetGalley and Surf Start Media for the opportunity to preview this book and share my review.

The Ballad of Stevie Pearl takes a look at the lives and whirlwind romance between superstar Stevie Pearl and artist Alex Nopah. It takes a look at the hardships and corruption that can come with fame, with Stevie being at a high in her career but feeling overwhelmingly lonely and imprisoned. When she meets Alex, she begins to start loving life again, but it comes with even more obstacles. Between her management thinking he’s bad for her brand and people who were once her fans turning their backs on her because of racism, Stevie has some tough choices to make in both her career and private life. Their new relationship isn’t easy for Alex either, who keeps getting threatening calls warning him to stop seeing Stevie and others going after him because of his race. However, Stevie and Alex are determined to live the life that makes them happy.

I liked a lot about this book. I love a good Hollywood romance and this definitely scratched that itch. It’s always fun to put yourself into the glamour of Hollywood and peek behind the curtain of what’s actually going on inside. I also enjoyed the relationship behind Alex, Stevie, and their group of friends. There interactions were definitely the most fun part of the book. I also think it’s important to shine a light on the negative aspects of Hollywood, and this book definitely did that as well.

However, I definitely found myself getting bored in the middle of the book. Also, I loved the friendship dynamics but never really connected with Stevie and Alex’s romantic relationship. When there’s so much at stake, I needed to believe in their relationship a little more. I also found the end to be a little abrupt.

However, if you’re a fan of Hollywood romances, I think this book is worth a read.

Thank you NetGalley and Surf Star Media for sending this book for review.

A love story about a Taylor Swift type pop star and a native American graphic artist, underpinned by corruption and racism. Well written and great characters throughout. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC

Stevie and Alex…ugh! This story, this romance, this STORY! Totally captivating, lovely, all consuming - I loved it! I totally recommend this one.

What is behind the curtain of fame and wealth? Do the trappings of being an international super star actually become a prison? Is any of it worth being insulated from the joys and dangers of life in the “normal” world?

Stevie Pearl is the international super star falling in love with a renowned artist who happens to be from the wrong background and ethnicity for her “image”. Behind her glamorous facade there is the heart and mind of a warrior who, with help from her most trusted associates, is able to break the chains of corporate Hollywood. However, there is an unforeseen cost.

I really wanted to love the novel. It definately has the Daisy Jones vibes, we feel for Stevie she is a good bit Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus. A large part of a business machine that creates her and controls everything.

However Stevie is intelligent, and Alex attractive and famous in his own right so what could go wrong?

Well I came away feeling I never saw that coming. And then the beginning made sense. The Oprah/Ellen moment.

This novel may not be for everyone, I dont think it was all for me, but I definately came away wondering about Stevie and how she was getting along.

This is my very first ARC review and I could not be more happy! The chapter names are all song titles and the singer and it is awesome. I found myself looking forward to what the next chapter name would be. We start with a Taylor Swift song and range anywhere between The Ramones, No Doubt, Bob Seger and more. This was a really fun part of the book!

Even though the characters are in Hollywood I could easily relate to them and was rooting for them the whole time and I really like the writing style being conversation based. The story shows the sacrifices to achieve fame and it was interesting to see the different facets of making art through music and film.

I did notice the tone was different when painting the picture for Stevie's life versus Alex's life. Stevie's life felt almost made up and a fairy tale and she was treated like a doll by all the people around her. Alex's life came off as tougher and he was responsible for so much more than just being pretty and seen.

I also very much love the attention and information given on Native Americans in the US. My good friend grew up close to a reservation in Arizona and the poverty, drug use and fatalities were unbearable. They didn't have proper resources for food, education, safety, etc and lost so many young adults before they even had a chance to fight for a better life.

* Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review the ARC!!

This story follows the biggest pop star and her struggle for normal. I enjoyed how the relationship between Stevie and Alex unfolded. It was sweet and genuine. Without spoilers the ending was a heartbreak twist.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Author for this read.

3.5 Stars (rounded up to 4)

Well this started incredibly well when the prologue was called “Wildest Dreams, Taylor Swift” and I would just like to say I am here for authors naming their chapters - let’s bring that back.

This novel follows Stevie Pearl, the IT girl of the music industry, she’s everywhere, on everything and doesn’t have a spare moment to think. Enter stage right, Alex Nopah - a native american trying to make a name for himself transitioning from graphic novel creation to film. And then we find ourselves going through the Stevie and Alex story. The corruption, collusion in the music industry, the continued societal and class differences and how it’s still such an issue. There was a bit of Daisy Jones to this and I did enjoy it up until a point. The last few chapters? Nope, no no no no no no. This story did not need to go there and it did and I’m sad about it. I’ll leave it to you though.

I did appreciate the track names as chapters though and it made me listen to these songs whilst reading so that was fun. Thanks to Netgalley for this copy!

I really wanted to like this book more than I did. A pop star with a Native American guy was an interesting concept, but I just couldn’t get into it. The dialogue was a bit off for me, and the book went a direction at the end that was a bit triggering for me.

Thanks as always to NetGalley for the ARC.

I’ll start off by saying that I have very mixed feelings about this book. I found it extremely difficult to get into, but persevered, and at the end, this book broke me!

I think the main problem for me was that it was written mainly as conversation throughout. I struggled with the writing style and was rather lost by much of the chat...maybe being British the American style was a little lost in translation.

The story itself was interesting and quite thought provoking, very much highlighting the sacrifices that have to be made in the pursuit of fame, something that the younger YouTube / TikTok generation could bear in mind. All that glisters is not gold!

On the whole the characters were quite likeable, and again, provided real food for thought when exposing the appalling treatment of the Native Americans.

Without any spoilers, as I said, the ending broke me, leaving me devastated and watery eyed.

Did I enjoy the book? Honestly, no not really. Am I glad I read it? Maybe, there were sections that I liked, and I did take something away from the story. Would I recommend it? I’m really not sure, I think that it will appeal to some and not others.

A big thank you to SW Hammond, the publishers and NetGalley for my advance copy.

I would like to thank Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book as an ARC. This book is the story of female pop singer Stevie Pearl- think Taylor Swift type, who falls for a graphic artist, Alex Nopah, who is American Indian.The story is fast paced, as they meet and fall for each other. There are a number of engaging characters-Celeste,who is both Stevie Pearl's best friend and a friend to Alex Nopah, Franklin, Stevie's body guard and Alex's family- his mom, grandmother and brother Charlie. On the one hand, the story is a frothy tale of 2 people who are from vary different worlds meeting and falling in love. On the other hand, it is a story of racism, fear and corruption in the music industry.I do not want to give any spoilers, but I did not like the ending. I really liked the first 2/3 of the book, but not the end. However, it is a good book and one that I will not be able to get out of my head for a long time.Thank you SW Hammond for writing it.