My proper southern belle mama might disagree, but I say I was born to be a rebel. From the second I got my hands on a pair of drumsticks, my future was sealed. I never fit in anyway, not with my rocker soul and curves that never take a day off.But what’s a drummer without a band? Oh, that’s right. A cocktail waitress.That is, until the chance of a lifetime falls into my lap—Unrequited needs a … lifetime falls into my lap—Unrequited needs a drummer, and I happen to have an ‘in’ with the band.
The only trouble is, Santiago Garza, Unrequited’s broody, scowly bassist, doesn’t want me in his band, which is kind of funny, considering he was the one who took my heart and stomped all over it five years ago.
My career is far more important than hurt feelings though, so Santiago can suck it up and deal. That’s what I’m doing, no matter how many times I remember the feel of his lips on mine. I won’t fall for him this time. I’m done being anyone’s second choice.
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After the grit and anger of the Blue is the Color men and the angst of Tali’s story, I wasn’t sure where this author would head for her next series. As it turns out, she didn’t go far from some of the minor characters we’ve come to know and love from her other books. We’re finally getting closer to Mo, folks! This time, we meet his band and get to know Santiago and Maeve.
Maeve and Santiago have a bitter, painful past. They were a love that almost was, until Santi broke Maeve’s heart (and a large chunk of his own in the process) in an attempt to force her to spread her wings and fly into a life lived for herself. Of course, five years later they run into each other again. Only this time, Maeve isn’t that same naive-ish young woman. Oh, no. Maeve is a rocking contradiction of terms and refuses to change for some guy who did his best to break her. And Santiago has no choice but to work with her, since his bandmates are all-in with Maeve and her impressive drumming skills.
Maeve and Santi’s story was lighter and sweeter than Tali’s and the last rock band we got to know, but it was still a little gritty and angsty in its own way. They have to find their way past old hurts, new worries, and insecurities to find their HEA, and trust me, it’s a bumpy ride at times. And yet again, I feel as though we’ve gotten to know some fabulous people in this book. I can’t wait to see what comes next for the members of Unrequited!
Oh my gosh! It’s Mo’s band! Santi and Maeve are such amazing characters. I love that Maeve isn’t a size 2, and that Santi is loyal beyond belief. They are such a fun couple, even though they have to work through some ancient history that left deep scars. Can’t wait for the next book in this series!
Put your lighters up peeps! Such a great female empowerment body positive all around kicka$$ heroine we have in Maeve! LOVED HER! Unapologetic, pulled no punches, tell it like it is breath of fresh air hard rockin momma who brought the house down! I loved her fierceness but there was a vulnerability just under the surface that I couldnt help but relate to. Santiago was perfect for her, he just needed to get past that brick wall in his head (that HE put there) that wouldnt let him feel that way about her. His loyalty was admirable, his dirty talk was panty melting, and his sweetness totally swoon worthy. These two were perfect for each other, it just took them a while to figure it out for themselves. And Murray and Mo’s antics! Just the kind of laugh break I needed when the emotions ran high and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for them! I think love will surprise them both when they least expect it. This author is one to be sure you are following so you don’t miss a word!
i was gripped from the off. I love that Maeve is an curvy girl that a few of us can relate to, some insecurities that were squashed with the love from the right man!
Girls make the best drummers.
They hit harder. Meg White, no one has a better bass beat.
Maeve is a fearless drummer with the killer sticks and a chance to beat for Unrequited. She takes her best shot, despite Santiago.
Honestly? I had a hard time liking him. First, they ended badly because of him. He goes off to be successful and she’s a waitress. Then he doesn’t want her in the band (poor form, bro). And lastly, he never really shows true contrition for all his bad behavior. He needs to grovel a hell of a lot more.
But it’s a recommend, because girl drummers rock.
I was so fortunate to get an ARC of this book. I adored it but then I have loved each of Julia Wolf’s books; but this one certainly hit home with me. Maeve (That name love it) and Santi are an amazing couple. Both have been through so much. I identify with what Maeve has been through. It had me in tears, and angry, and in love and a hundred other emotions. Santi is the tall, dark, silent, smouldering bad boy type yet loyal to a fault and with a heart ofi gold. You can’t help but love him. The other boys in the band and the girlfriends just add so much to the value of the story. I really can’t help but admire the way the story is putt together and I’m so excited to learn more about the other guys in the band as the Unrequited series progresses. I really can’t rave highly enough, it certainly deserves many more that a measly 5 stars. Thanks Julia, for talking me on a journey.
This is my honest and voluntary review.
No one writes a rockstar romance quite like Julia Wolf and you will definitely not be disappointed with Unrequited! If you have previously read books by this author, then you may be familiar with the rock band Unrequited. If this is your first rocker romance by her, then you are in for a treat! Wonderfully written, Unrequited is crafted in such a way that you cannot help but be fully immersed in the characters’ journey and fall in love with Maeve and Santiago. One thing that I absolutely adore about this author’s writing is that all of her characters are undeniably unique with strong, likable personalities and they are perfectly flawed in such away that they are relatable. I can honestly say that this goes for both Maeve and Santiago as well as the supporting characters.
If I had to sum up my review in two words, it would be – female drummer – because how awesome is it to have the leading lady rock out on such a heart-pounding instrument often dominated by men in the hard rock world!? But, do not be mistaken here, Maeve is not a drummer girl. She is a drummer and an excellent one who finds herself on tour with Unrequited – with a man who shredded her heart 5 years prior. Maeve is a strong heroine who doesn’t fit into society’s standards of the perfect Southern Belle flitting about in size 0 clothing. She is a curvaceous woman who can ooze Souther charm all while rocking out. She is vibrant and talented, but she is also insecure in some areas of her life. She is a girl that I could really identify with and a girl that I would love to have in my corner.
Santiago is the older bass player for Unrequited and was hesitant to have Maeve join the band on the road due to various reasons. It took me a little longer to warm up to him, but Santi won me over with being a little rough around the edges all while possessing a big, protective heart. These two have a bitter past between them and it was entertaining to see how their relationship evolved. I did find the book to be a bit slow in the beginning, but once it picked up, it really picked up! I enjoyed the palpable heat between Santiago and Maeve and my kindle may have spontaneously combusted a few times due to the scorching scenes.
I also really liked how the author scattered brief flashbacks throughout the book to illustrate how the band originally formed and how things went down with Maeve and Santiago years prior. Unrequited is a well written read that is more along the lines of the Blue is the Color series and not quite as emotionally gut wrenching as the Never Blue Duet. As with this author’s other books, there is a delightful cast of secondary characters. I adored the other members of Unrequited as well as Maeve’s friends. Overall, I really enjoyed this rockstar romance complete with it’s likable characters and engaging storyline. I am counting down the days until this author’s next release. 4.5 / 5 stars
I really liked this rockstar second chance story. Maeve’s character is so multidimensional, a sweet southern charming girl and her alter ego is a kick butt rocker drummer. When Unrequited is down a drummer and fate brings old friends together, Maeve gets her chance to show the world what she can do. The only thing that can sideline her is Santiago (Santi) the bands bassist and her old feelings for the broody man. The connection of the members of the group leaps from the pages. I enjoyed watching Santi evolve as his feeling for Maeve bubbled to the surface. I loved that life showed Maeve what limits she was willing to accept. Haven and Yael are the besties everyone wants and needs to have in their life. I cannot wait for more in this series.
**** The review I posted on 2/22/2020, right after finishing this book is getting a little tweak! Here’s it is, with a few minor changes. Unrequited is heading your way on 3/12/20! Get ready to be wowed!
Rocked again!
If you love opening up a brand new book by the talented author Julia Wolf, then your lucky day is coming! This new rockstar romance series has roots in her Blue is the Color world and if you’ve had the pleasure of reading them, then you must remember the devilishly flirtatious, younger rising star, Mo, who stole our hearts while he tried to steal everyone else’s!!! He’s hard to forget and the band he’s assembled, Unrequited, has a cast of very interesting characters that will burrow right under your skin, teasing and leaving you wishing more from this crazy collection of friends and bandmates. I already have a few favorites and want ALL of their stories as soon as possible!
The Unrequited series begins in earlier times with Mo’s bass player- the older, intense and brooding Santiago and family friend of Mo and his sister-curvy, young and beautiful Maeve. Their circumstances were at opposite ends of the spectrum back then, but some things were always there- attraction and ultimately, their passion for music.
Mo’s band ends up back in town and partying in the same bar Maeve is now waitressing in…let’s just say, life is coming back to haunt her and she is not happy to see a certain bass player again. He crushed her spirit 5 years ago and to her former 18 year old heart, it was and still is unforgivable. Seeing him again, here in her space, brings back all those feelings of inadequacy that have lived in her head and shaped her decisions ever since.
This book has an almost second chance feel to it, believe me..lots of feelings were brewing and boiling over between Maeve and Santiago and not all of them are welcome ones.
But…Maeve has that hidden side that not everyone knows about…she may still be the sweet southern belle her parents raised her to be, but under all that glossy veneer lies a talented rock and roll warrior woman who can kick anyone’s ass on the drums any day of the week! Her past mistakes and life experiences have made her stronger, fearless and independent, far removed from the innocent girl that Santiago once knew. The real Maeve has stood up, so look out world and take notice…boy do they notice!
An opportunity presents itself to join Mo’s band, to take on her role as the hard core musician she is and Maeve wants it so badly, but will Santiago stand in her way? Can she look at his smirky, heart stomping face 5 years later and not be affected by him? I’ll admit that I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about Santiago at certain points along the way, but as their story progressed, I saw through his gruff exterior to the man within.
This slow burning, frenemies that ‘need a chance to make things right’ romance has a past/present style at times, gradually revealing the emotional clues that you’ll be dying to piece together!!! Maeve and Santiago show us their feelings in my favorite way to read a romance, in both the H and h’s points of view. Maeve is not a stick figure woman and has had to deal with body image prejudice all her life, often judged by her appearance rather than her talent. As the story digs deeper, we can see how this has affected her, but also made her stronger- to speak up when needed, to stand up for herself, even when insecurity raises doubts in her mind.
Santiago, the stoic man that he is, grapples with many of his own issues- needing to be a fierce protector, feeling like his sketchy past is waiting to ruin his future, hiding and denying his own buried feelings. How can Maeve and Santiago find closure or maybe a future with these obstacles to overcome?
There are some ‘hell yeah girl’ power moments, hilarity, tears, struggles and happiness as past and present meld into right now. When I found out this series would tell the story of a sassy plus sized southern woman with an alter ego as a wild, ball of fire female drummer in a male dominated profession, I had my own ‘hell yes, gimme now’ moment! Julia Wolf writes such a range of emotions into her books, giving her ladies strength, power and the wisdom to live as independent but loving people that are, beautiful and unique, inside and out!
Unrequited proved to be another tumultuous ride thru Julia Wolf’s rock and roll world, which I love to be in and I’ll be counting the days until the next book in this exciting series pops onto my kindle! Mo- I’m waiting patiently for you!
My thanks to the author for an early, complimentary version of this book to read in exchange for my unbiased and honest review.