The story of Olivia and Berkeley. She works in fashion and he is a famous musician.

Don't always believe what you see on social media.

2.75 stars

Olivia and Berkeley seem like an unlikely couple. She works in fashion and he is an international rock star, but sparks fly as they get to know each other.

The concept was really cute and I liked Olivia's friends. They added a lot of humor to the story. Overall, though, this book fell flat for me. I felt like the reader really doesn't get to know Berkeley very well, and it made it hard to understand why he and Olivia seemed to get so deeply involved so fast. I just didn't feel their connection.

The book also felt a little longer and drawn out than necessary, but I did like most of how the final conflict was resolved.

Thank you to the author for providing an ARC for an honest review.

"In Bloom (The Brightside Series)" by Katie Delahanty.

My first time reading that author.  

4 stars.
Really loved it!
We've all had a thing for a rock star!  But when you get to meet one in person... things, feelings, emotions... get real.
Good characters, amazing chemistry, good details...

A well written story!

Thank you NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for letting me read this book for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

4 Insiders' Rules and Breaking Them All Stars
* * * * Spoiler Free
It is always special to read a book which references places you know of... Like .... when a book is set Austin, Texas or New York City or my home, now... Los Angeles, CA. It brings an extra layer to the read if... the author does it not to just make the location a place everyone can remember... but when it becomes an essential part of the story. Katie Delahanty did that and more...she also mixed true insiders' information to create a sweet, fun and true story of fame, entertainment industry complexity and letting go to dream.

I can testify to much of the rules... the way things were done and explained. I have seen first hand all of the manipulations. Her use of specific places and events worked so well. At one point she had the characters eating in a little place right around the corner from where I lived not long ago. She used out of the way places equally with famous ones causing the reader to feel like this was a regular occurrence... real.

Her gal was not weak... she behaved with the grace of spirit even when things were slightly overwhelming. She rang true to me as I have meet many like her... starting and branching out to do what she really wanted in life. She was fortunate to meet two caring industry insiders... they took her on and showed her the ropes. It is this friendship and others which gave the gal the strength and support needed to handle all that LA LA Land handed to her.

Our fella is a dream... the rock god... but a down to Earth one. He is dreamy, the one you look at and lose your ability to speak and form sentences. These two seem to be destined to cross paths and their tale is sweet. Both are feeling things and wanting to be together... without the other knowing what is happening at first. Very nice...

I happened to plow through this read so fast... I had to re-read some of the moments because they were so good. This has chemistry and love... there are hot moments but not the kind which would make it "detailed".
It was the wanting and his love for her which made the heat rise off the page.

There are, of course, moments of confusion... but they made perfect sense with the storyline. I felt everything actually worked and I sense we could have another book coming by this writer... Our guy was part of a very successful band... and our gal's friend... seems to be an interest with one of the band members, Mark... Hint Hint- so get to it, Ms. Delahanty...I would click click for that book next.