From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kristen Ashley comes a new story in her Rock Chick series… A flashback in Kristen’s Rock Chick series, Rock Chick Reawakening shares the tale of the devastating event that nearly broke Daisy, an event that set Marcus Sloan—one of Denver’s most respected businessmen and one of the Denver underground’s most feared crime bosses—into finally making … finally making his move to win the heart of the woman who stole his.
Book 9 of the Rock Chick Series is a story that travels back in time to share the story of beloved character, Daisy and her honey bunches of love, Marcus…
Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do.
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Just finished this book and loved it!!! If you are a “Rock Chick” fan then this is a must read to that series. It tells Daisy and Marcus’s Story, which is great because we get to see behind these 2 characters we have known throughout the other books in the series. I will say I was surprised to hear Marcus’s story and have a deeper respect for him. So if you want a good romantic read then I highly suggest you read this new book!!!
Love, Love LOVED this story!! It is absolutely every single thing I want in a romance. Seriously, my eyes were wet throughout the entire book! First from what Daisy went through, then from the tender ways Macus and Daisy grew and finally, the ending (Kristen Ashley does endings like no one else can – just sayin’.)
Actually, this book, for me, is the epitome of everything that makes Ms. Ashley fabulous overall. The story overflows with so much heart, richness, love, caring and an absolute understanding and acceptance of humanity with all its challenges, frailities and struggles. It allows us to see the worst and very best of what makes us who we are.
Of course anyone who knows my reading tastes will be surprised I am gushing so effusively over a story revolving around a stripper and a mafia boss BUT… both situations – in this instance – are written so that the reader truly understands the people and motivations behind their choices.
I especially loved the fact that the author didn’t belittle Daisy’s struggle by adding tons of sex right off. NOT having it actually honored the reality of the situation SO much better and added to the story’s believability. It also deepened the emotional attachment that so often gets overlooked in today’s romances.
Yep, this one is going on my all-time favorite contemporary romance short list for sure! Now, I want to go back and re-read the rest of the Rock Chicks just for that added love of these two characters!
A welcome addition to the rock chicks
Kristen Ashley never lets you down. Her stories are believable & witty & romantic. Loved it.
Daisy is a headlining act at a Denver strip club who seems to fit the stereotype based on how she looks, dresses and talks. She’s unapologetic about herself and events from her childhood have shaped her self perception and drive. Marcus Sloan is a wealthy businessman who is well known and operates above and below the law. His obsession with Daisy seems inexplicable but he’s determined that she’s the one. When Daisy experiences a trauma that threatens to change the essence of who she is, Marcus shows a side of himself no one has ever seen as he patiently helps her restore her sense of self.
This prequel was crafted at the end of the series and it’s my understanding that it is needed background for these two characters who figure prominently throughout. I’ve only read the first book (years ago) and have no recollection of them so I felt unencumbered by any preconceived notions. I also didn’t think I was missing anything until the epilogue but by that time it didn’t matter. I enjoyed the story and loved the narrator’s interpretation of Daisy. She brought her to life in a way that served the character well.
There are some heartwarming moments along with KA’s typical alpha male behavior but it all worked well. Marcus and Daisy work as a romantic couple despite the incongruity of their individual personas. I’m looking forward to continuing the series, including the first book again but this time on audio. It’s a wonderful setup for what I anticipate coming.
I have read almost all of this authors books, I’ve had all the Rock Chick books but for some reason I had not picked them up to read.
This is a prequel to Rock Chick series, the story of the devastating event that nearly broke Daisy, and set up the story of how Daisy became Marcus Sloane’s. This is somewhat of a tear jerker but so very good!! On to the last one!!
Funny thing… I saw the title and the series title and thought I was getting a rock star romance when I picked this up. But, no… joke is on me. However, it is by an author who has written some of my favorite books so who cares if there are rockers. This turned out to be one of the most moving and emotional reads as a woman is left broken on the ground and, with the help of a man who saw her beauty outside and in long before, she finds that she may not be broken after all. Two people dreaming of castles and fairytales when people like them rarely even bother to dream gave a powerful story that I’m glad I didn’t miss.
Rock Chick Reawakening is technically the prequel story to the Rock Chick series. I say technically because the events might place it before the others chronologically, but I think it would have been even better if I had read it after the rest of the series when I would have been one of the adoring fans yearning for this story after being vested in all the other people mentioned in it. Those of us who have read other series based in Ashley’s contemporary Denver world won’t be completely lost and can definitely pick it up and read it as the first book in a series, but, like I said, the emotional impact would have been better reading it in release order rather than chronological order.
The story begins with Daisy’s early years and what formed her to being who she was. Then Marcus is briefly introduced when his early feelings for her make him start to formulate plans for making her his. Then she is attacked and raped outside the strip club where she dances- the club part-owned by Marcus. Daisy has fought the darkness of being seen as nothing, but trash all her life. This incident threatens to smash her belief that she is someone worthy of a good life and her castles in the sky dreams for the future. Marcus moves up his timeline of courting Daisy and in the process his strength and drive force her back to life even at first when its just to push him away and then to take a chance on getting her dream come true if she’s not too afraid to accept what she wants. Of course, there are complications, but Marcus and Daisy don’t have to face the trouble alone. She has her Rock Chicks.
Now, at the risk of sounding odd, I have to say that I have to read this author’s books very differently than I do most others. I have read several of her books over the years and that would probably make me a fan- which I consider myself to be. But, I struggle reading her books each and every time.
See, I love her plots, her romances, and generally the characters. What I can’t do are a few things. I need the girl posse in moderation. I’m all for friendships, but when the friends take a bit of drama and whip that into a F-5 twister just because they are female and must have their drama? No thanks. I’m not a fan of lavish descriptions of shopping, spa time, clothes, make-up, and hair so I have to breeze over those sections. I also don’t last long when the heroine gets caught on the hamster wheel in her mind and overthinks just about everything- more skimming.
Some might wonder why I bother when I have obvious struggles, well because I am totally on board with everything else in the story- so much so that I devour them and come out satisfied and with a huge smile on my face. I am good for little as the haze of being smitten once again keeps me distracted for a time I after I finish one of her books. So see, these are not deal-breaker things and I can easily get past this for the rest which blows my mind in a good way.
I love her characters who frequently get a tough start or bad stuff that makes them face it and grow strong from it. Her people are flawed, but they are doing the best they can. Marcus and Daisy were amazing together. I didn’t get the build of need for their story since I haven’t read the other books, but I didn’t need it to fall in love with them just from the story I got here in this novella. The attraction and heat were there, but it was so much more. Two lost souls who recognized a kindred spirit and had to be willing to fight for what they wanted. Marcus was all in before Daisy, but she was feeling it and I loved seeing the way he went about it with knightly gestures while still every inch the powerful alpha he was.
So, this was fabulous and I will be back for me. Fans of the series have a huge gift with this one and newcomers can see how it all got started with the characters of the series. There are crossovers from a few other series so the cast is large. Those who enjoy flawed people getting a slow-burn happily ever after that they had to work to have, give this one a try.
As soon as I started this book I just wanted to keep reading to find out what happens next. I love Kristen Ashley books and this did not disappoint. I loved that Daisy was able to move on from the horrible things in her past and be a beautiful confidant woman who didn’t care what people thought. I hated what happened to her. I am glad that Marcus tried so hard to help her through everything and was such an awesome alpha gentleman with her. They both deserved the happy ending they finally got.
I love all her characters and have read and bought most of her books, a real fan!
I devour anything by KA. Daisy and Marcus story was heart breaking and also inspiring.
So damn good. Audible version is spectacular!
What took me so long to get to this one! I binged the Rock Chick series over a couple months a couple years ago and I had this on my kindle since then but picked it up on Audible today and listened to it this afternoon while crafting. Oh my goodness! I have loved Daisy and now I know why. She is one tough chick and strong to the core. She has survived more in her short life than most do and still is the graceful Southern woman. She doesn’t think she deserves better but once Marcus gets a look at her, knowing she worked the night before and is back in the bar early the next day helping another dancer all with a smile on her face, he knows she is it for him. He provides for her monetarily but when she is assaulted, he goes then makes sure she is protected. First he bombards her with daily deliveries of daisies but when he finally makes his intentions known she has to finally give in. What a great Prequel to the Rock Chicks!
Anything by KA is worth the read. Daisy is near and dear to my heart. Prepare for tears, hankies are a must for this read, but it is truly a happily ever after ending. Kristen has this amazing gift of getting to the heart of every person that picks up her books, and this one is no less true.
I knew nothing about Daisy and Marcus going into their story since I’d only read book one of the Rock Chick series and oh my goodness! This was such a heartbreaking story, with so many ups and downs! Ack! I was so invested in these two making it, I can’t even… I loved these two so freaking much!
This was amazing! The prologue pretty much wrecked me and then I was lost to the story, absorbing every detail. It just got better and better, so many awesome details and connections. I am thrilled with how it all played out.
Audiobook edit: Perfect narrator for this novella. I just LOVE reexperiencing my favorite books in audio. Great listening experience and an awesome story! Never thought I would like Daisy and Marcus’s romance as much as I did. I loved Daisy as a side character, but as the main character? Freaking awesome.
Awesome! Amazing! Fabulous! Truly a beautiful fairy tale romance. I absolutely adored this novella addition to the Rock Chick series. Marcus was hot, Daisy was super, and the ending had me in tears. Happy tears, of course!
I loved the backstory of Marcus and Daisy. This is a novella, so it is short. But, it packs a punch. Rock Chicks has been one of my favorite series for years, so I was happy to add this to my collection. Dual point of view. Loved the last part of the book. Wouldn’t it be sweet to have some Rock Chick kids’ books???? No cliffhanger.
So many feelings came flooding into me during the time it took me to read this novel. This was another new author treat for me. I had heard all about the Rock Chick Series from other fans of Kristen’s and when I saw that there was a prequel, I figured this was the way to be introduced.
Marcus’ tough persona on the outside while treating his love interest, Daisy, with the love and respect of a queen, made me wish I had my very own version of the handsome and ever so powerful businessman for myself.
Daisy was so super sweet that she was a heroine that I fell in love with from the instant the story began. She has so many alluring qualities in a heroine that I found myself shouting out loud for her to keep her faith, to be strong, and never let go of her one of a kind attitude. Her Southern charm was so infectious that it instantly brought a smile to my face while reading this story.
The chemistry and off the charts magnetic connection both Marcus and Daisy shared was palpable. Some of the scenes in the book were simply breathtakingly romantic. I look forward to continuing this series in the future and am so very glad that I started out with a series that takes place in my home state of Colorado to boot.
“5/5 Beaming Brains” – Laura, http://www.litupmymind.com
I loved Marcus the man just wanted to do everything for his woman, “just sayin’, darlin’, this takin’ it slow is not real easy.” His eyes heated but his face went soft. “Let me take care of you,” he whispered. ” I loved this book, I was so glad to get Marcus and Daisy’s story.
Love the entire series