Bon Jovi.Bryan Adams.Presley West.My favourite men of music.Only one of them within reach.The night before Presley West was due to leave our small town of Hollings Hill, all of my high school fantasies came to life. He finally wanted me. Eight years I’d spent pining, and now I, bar-tending Tessa Lisbon, was going to make damn sure I made that night count before the music industry stole him. Never … music industry stole him.
Never screw your idols. That’s what they say, right? Well, I did, and I did it well. So well, I somehow managed to screw my own heart in the process.
He gave me one night to convince him to stay. In the end, I begged him to go.
Forever.
But that’s the thing about rock stars: they do what they want, when they want, and forever didn’t end up being as long as I expected.
Presley was back, and with his face, voice, and music now everywhere I turned, I officially had nowhere left to run.
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I Absolutely LOVE this book Presley and Tessa / Cherry are just HOT!!!! From the start to finish I couldn’t put it down. the story line was just fantastic and I can’t wait to read more books from Vicki James
Where do I even start?! I sat down to read this book and couldn’t put it down until I was finished, who needs sleep. This is not your typical rockstar romance, no Vicki James puts you through on the feels with this one. Angst, passion and hotness in this epic love story. Presley is a rockstar god and one of my new top book boyfriends of all time. Tess aka Cherry is strong and sassy and together they are amazing as they work through all their past issues to become this epic rock team/couple you will be cheering for from beginning to end!
Man oh man, I think I’ve just read my Top Red of 2019 & I’m still all kinds of upside down over it.
It’s funny, because Rock Stars aren’t usually my go to kind of hero, I think I’m kinda picky when it comes to my troubled rock gods, but Presley West has left my heart all kinds of full, literally brimming over with such a strong sense of love & longing.
Vicki James has given me a hero that was so raw & real. A boy that had dreams, that turned into a man that had flaws. Perfectly Imperfect is what sums up this troubled rockstar & his struggle was written with such skill, that even though I wanted to smack him upside his head at times, the need to hug him & love him, always remained at the fore of my emotions. He shone from the very start, with his cocky, roguish banter & devilish sense of humour, but for me the quality that stood out the most, was the way he saw people, saw what that were hiding, saw who they were, saw what they could be if they were brave enough to grow, trust, believe. He is by far one of my all time favourite leading men.
Even though Presley in my opinion stole the show, our feisty, ballsy heroine truly did come a close second. Tess was so likeable in every way possible. Quick witted, fierce, determined but also super strong & ultimately super brave. Brave enough to accept her mistakes, but even more brave to act on them. Brave enough to step out of the safe world she had created in order to protect herself & finally brave enough to love freely & fiercely, without regret.
If these two weren’t enough, blimey we are also gifted with such a wonderful set of secondary characters that Vicki forces you to love. From the rest of the band & their rock nd roll lifestyle, to friends that support Tess through all of life’s troubles. They are all strong, witty, loveable & moreish, each adding yet another sprinkle of magic to this already addictive read.
From cover to cover I became lost to the magic & the music of this cracker of a read. Vicki’s clear love of music was a constant throughout & so quickly became as important to the plot as the main characters themselves. Devouring each & every scene, i could feel the music pull me into their world, as if I had front row tickets the the concert of their life.
I truly wasn’t ready to say goodbye. I wanted more & then some. I hope this isn’t the end of these guys, I want the band, I want the music, I want their entire dream in words.
6 Stunning Stars from me
This review won’t do this book justice at all but I’ll give it a go!!
‘Sometimes it’s easier to run away from what you want because you don’t know how you’re going to hold onto it forever once you have had it in your arms’
This book has everything you want and need in a Rock star romance and then Vicki throws her little bit of extra in!
An amazing book that is constantly making you switch sides….Team Tessa or Team Presley? Even though you are rooting for them both.
The main characters are amazing however Molly and Bourbon come into their own and really help to enhance and develop Tessa as a character.
Totally a 5 star then plus some book!
I loved the music references and I’m now off to dye my hair red, listen to Bryan Adams and find a Red hot rocker!!
OMG this book is one of the best rock star romances that I have EVER read.
Very rarely do I read a book and almost immediately know that I’m going to love it, exactly that happened with this one.
From the very first chapter I was hooked. I couldn’t put it down. I devoured every chapter, every page, every word. It was, simply put…brilliance!
It has EVERYTHING that I love in a book. It was the perfect combination of fun, sexy, with a full and enthralling plot, a dash of heart pounding angst and a host of extremely likeable characters. I sincerely hope Ms. James writes more from the Cherry Beats gang, namely the others in Youth Gone Wild.
Presley West is definitely, without a doubt, a brand new, skips to the top of the list, bonafide Book Boyfriend, I adored everything about him.
This book is for sure my favourite read of 2019!!! I would give it more than five stars if I could!
This book is like a rhythm, one slow beat after another until the rising tempo or was that my heart?.
Amazing! CHERRY BEATS is the first debut book by Author Vicki James, also known as Victoria L James, author of A GIRL LIKE LILAC and NATEXUS among others and just like those books this author rocked it out of the arena, name change but same great memorable stories.
A journey, a story about the rise to fame and stardom of a rock-star and all the glory, the temptations and the nasty that comes along with it, and a love story that would survive it all.
A school crush that became so much more, A rock star crush that was always so much more. A one night stand that was never meant to be just one night.
Tessa Lisbon has been in love with 15-year-old Presley since she first saw him take the school stage with his drum sticks in the air. “I saw how music could be a part of someone’s soul. The quiet boy who’d stared at the floor like he didn’t care had gone with the first hit of his stick on the snare drum. He’d been transformed into a rock god before my eyes”
Eight years later and Tess worked at a bar, every night she watched Presley from afar, different night, different girl hanging off him, until just before he was due to go on his first tour, a tour that would change his life forever, Tess finally got her piece of the man of her dreams, the boy she had longed for, for so long from a distance.
Presley didn’t just become a rock-star when he left, he became magazines hottest man of the year and Tess was left with the memories of their one night together, a night no other could compare to, Presley ruined her for any other man.
“He was everywhere on my skin, in my mind, in my veins, in every song, I’d ever sung”
“No Regrets”
There’s a steady paced tempo to Cherry Beats and from the first chord of this addictive romance, I was mesmerized. I clung to every word and action by these characters. From the moment Presley West stood on his high school stage and claimed the heart of Tessa Lisbon and through the years that followed.
“We were only ever meant to be a one-night thing” I whispered.
“Isn’t that how all best love stories start”
A story that is raw and real, with hotness and humor. At times I held on with bated breath waiting for that crashing symbol to fall but it never came, Presley became my idol in those moments. There’s no cheating thank god, I think this what I was dreading more than anything especially with his lifestyle as a rock-star, this was the crashing symbol I was waiting for, Tessa had truly captured my heart she was quirky, sassy and I wanted it all for her, I wanted her to get her dream too, which was only ever about the boy behind the drums.
I can honestly look back after finishing and say, this is an epic love story, recommended for any music fan, romance fan, those who gush over first loves, second chances and stories of hopes and dreams, Cherry Beats has it all.
Cherry Beats is a top of the charts hit. Told in first person pov. Leads to hea. I want more, more from the band, I am definitely looking forward to whatever Vicki James brings next.
I was hooked from the very first page, the while book was devoured in one sitting! This is a love story of epic proportions, with a fantastic couple in Tessa and Presley, and brilliant supporting characters too.
I couldn’t help but root for Presley as the story went on. I even felt a little soft spot forming for Presley’s cocky band-mate Rhett (who soo needs his own book too! *hint hint ;)*)
This is nothing like other rockstar romances – it’s on it’s own level. I absolutely adore this book, and I think it’s Vicki’s best work yet. I can’t wait to see where she goes next, but boy, I am STOKED!
No regrets
Not a single one
<3
Watch out all you Rocker Book Boyfriends – Presley West is here
There’s a reason we all love a rockstar book , but Cherry Beats is more than just a book about a Rockstar, it is so much more than that.
Not only has Vicki James given us a book about Presley’s life as the hottest new thing in music, Tess ( major girl crush going on there) the girl who has crushed on Presley for so long, and her hangover from his last night in town. Whilst Tess has never got over Presley, it soon become clear that unknown to Tess it was the same for Presley. While Tess finds solace in the words of Bryan Adams & Bon f@*&king Jovi, she assumes for Presley it’s very different
All the way through you are rooting for them to find their way to succeed. Along the way , there is a fab support network in Bourbon, Molly & Uncle Dex.
The whole book is filled with an amazing soundtrack that you can’t help,but let take you back to those times in your life , when song lyrics are the only words that can really sum up how you feel.
While reading this – one Bryan Adams lyric sprang to mind , one I think sums up Presley & Tess
Sometimes Words are Hard to find
I’m looking for that perfect line
To let you know
You’re always on my mind
Romangst. Nobody does it like Vic.
Cherry Beats is a perfect blend of swoon, steam, and heart hurty feeling all wrapped up with a giant HEA bow and a shot of Jack.
Dirty, bad boy rocker sets his sights on the “plain” girl from back home- the one who’d been secretly in love with him for years. That’s all I needed to know before I was sold, and the rest of the story lived up to and then surpassed all my expectations.
I hope we get more from this world because the rest of the band members are just as intriguing as our drummer hero, and the heroine’s bestie and boss each won pieces of my heart.
Now, go read this book and just try to tell me Presley West doesn’t make your nips tingle. I dare you.
Vicki James what can I say but holy hell!!!
Move over Book Boyfriends there’s a new dude in town in the form of the Rock God that is Presley West, those golden locks, the well worn leather jacket and a body made for sin…
It’s no wonder she prefers the drummer.
Trying to put into words the turmoil, angst, passion and love that’s between these pages is a monumental task. I want to tell you everything and nothing about it. But when your up reading at 1.30am under the duvet desperate to finish you know you have to try!
I feel at a loss having finished and want to experience the ride all over with fresh eyes. This book is NOT your average Rockstar Romance, it’s an EPIC Rockstar Romance. It’s fresh, it’s different to the many many rockers I’ve read about.
The supporting characters in this book are some of the best and well developed, if there ain’t another story in there somewhere I’ll start a petition.
Presley and Cherry own my heart and for once it’s not just the Rockstar I’m in love with, I absolutely have a girl crush on the smart mouthed flame haired beauty that is Cherry.
Thank you for sharing your words with the world Vicki James!
Vicky James has written a titillating page turner.
I wanted to shake some awareness into Tessa. I wanted to slap some sense into Presley (he’d totally enjoy it too). I found myself annoyed by their misses. Enamored by their hits. All the while needing them together as though heart depended on it.
This isn’t a sweet love affair. It’s gritty and raw and sometimes painful (looking at you Paw), but you can’t help but root for that happily ever after that’s so desperately desired and deserved. Highly recommend!!!
I feel like Cherry Beats was written just for me. Like it’s some kind of fan fic I’d never got around to writing about Bon Jovi – even though it’s not about Bon Jovi – that Vicki had plucked out of my head. *happy sigh* And sorry, I mean, Bon “Fucking” Jovi as they’re so rightly called in the novel. My, my, they will forevermore be known as that, now. This book just speaks to my soul!
“His voice lasers straight through our panties and plants itself over the g-spot we try to keep hidden, and then Rhett Ryan just keeps touching and touching and touching us until we explode.” – When you realise this is the perfect analogy of how Jon Bon Jovi’s singing makes you feel!
This book made my heart sing! It also broke it, too, and then made it soar again! It was beautiful! It was brilliant! It was everything my rock chick self could have asked for in a rockstar romance! Tessa, aka Cherry, had sass and wit! She was the coolest protagonist! Presley, her love interest, made me weak at the knees! Devilishly hot, unwaveringly confident and dripping with charm, with a pure heart that just wanted to be loved! Ahhh he was so dreamy! I couldn’t help but imagine him as Jon Bon Jovi, ya know, if he’d been the drummer.
I loved all references throughout the novel to bands and singers such as: Bon Jovi (obviously), Bryan Adams, Mötley Crüe and AC/DC – to name a few. Oh, and the king himself, Elvis Presley! There is also a killer playlist on Spotify to go along with this book that I listened to throughout and it made it even more special!
If you love a steamy rockstar romance then this one’s for you! This is one of the best books I’ve read this year! And Vicki James, aka Victoria L James, is right up there at the top with my fave authors!
I can only start this review by saying one thing… Presley West is a GOD!
I would love to wax lyrical about this book all day long, go into the intricacies and sing the usual praises for the wonderful writing, but it’s so much more than just a story. From the first couple of pages, you feel this whole world in your veins. You live it, you breathe it, then you run out of pages and you mourn the loss of it.
Vicki James has this innate gift of not just writing a Golden God of a Drummer boy and the girl that loves him, but also a whole cast of characters that you end up falling just as much in love with as they pass by in the background. You find yourself invested in them all.
There is so much I want to talk about, to just wordgasm out there and show you all my favorite bits, but I honestly believe this should be free of anything that will give even a hint of the story away. If I could read it again for the first time, I would, but, instead, I’m just gonna read it over again and devour every second of Presley West… There’s a new book boyfriend in town y’all…
I just loved this book. It has been a long time since I’ve read a book that I didnt want to put down to the extent that I didnt want to go to work and I ignored my kids for a while!
Presley is amazing, you have to stop and listen to his poetic words and get swept up in his rockstar life. Cherry and Presley’s story was steamy, deep and amazingly written.
I cant reccomend this book enough.
Read it!!
Ok where can i find my own Presly West?!
I can just say that this book was absolutely amazing!!! Vicki James pulls you in from the first page and you don’t want to stop reading! Presley and Cherry are just perfect and the other characters are just as amazing! I loved everything about this beautiful story!
“Here’s to those who matter, those we’d lie for, those we cry for, those we’d fly across the world for. Those we’d drag up the earth to discover gold dust for, and those we’d, without a question, without remorse, fucking die for. Here’s to the girls who make everything better”
So thank you Vicki James for giving us the Rock God that is Presley “F**KING” West <3
And i recommend everyone to go and read it! You don’t want to miss it!
News Flash: Presley West has just stolen my heart and I don’t think I’ll be getting it back…ever!
Warning: The word incredible may be used a few times in this review!
Cherry Beats is incredible, and is one of those books that I just want to shout out about and tell everyone to read without delay. I’m certain many of you will listen to me and download this book straight away, but for those who don’t… you are missing out on a real treat.
Let me talk about Tessa first because this young lady is incredible. She’s fun, friendly and loyal, has an incredible way with words, and is comfortable in her own skin and with her own style. She’s actually someone I would love to be. I love how she wanted to better her own life and achieve her own goals, which were never about being rich or in the spotlight, just making a life for herself that she could be proud of. Her personality is fantastic (I could have used the word incredible here too) and she is someone who I would most certainly love to have in my close circle of friends.
Presley is most certainly King of the drums and he is everything that you would want in a man. He’s got the looks, the charm, the body, a great personality, lots of talent playing his drums and he is quite good in the bedroom too it seems. He has for a long time loved and needed to play his music and if there was ever anyone I would wish for all their dreams to come true, it would be Presley West because everything about him is, yes you guessed it…… incredible!!
Alongside Tessa and Presley are some of the most fabulous people you could ever wish to meet. Many of them will have you smiling and laughing at the interactions between each other. All the supporting characters in this story played a perfect role and enhanced my enjoyment, and I really hope that this isn’t the last we will see of them.
This book is packed full of emotion. You will feel every single word. My stomach is still trying to unknot itself having spent the last few hours hoping that everything was going to work out for Presley and Tessa, but fearing the worst as I turned each page. The passion and love that you can feel between the pair will have you addicted to their story. You’ll be rooting for them and you will want them to find the HEA together, because they both deserve it.
I have never listened to a playlist associated with a book until now and I will admit that the choice of songs that Tessa loves is right up my street which enticed me to download them. One of the things she has taught me is to listen more carefully to the words, rather than just singing (if you can call it that) along to the songs myself and I loved that! I know that I’ll be doing this more often in the future.
You will love this unique and epic story, of that I’m certain. This story is going to stay with me for quite some time and yet I’m sitting here already excited to see what Vicki James gives us next…… and I cannot wait.
Legendary
Exciting
Breathtaking
Heart-stopping
Epic
Guys Cherry Beats is all that and so much more.
Picking this novel up, I’m going to own it and admit that my first thought was that we have another rock star romance. Now don’t get me wrong I’m a huge lover of all things rock star, but boy was I wrong.
This was a rock star romance that I have never and I mean NEVER come across. I honestly thought this novel would play out about the rock star and the girl, but NOOOOO, I was so far off even I couldn’t believe it.
What I did get was an undiluted look at what life is like as a rock star, but from a completely different angle. Rather than being transfixed on the glamour that the life brings, Cherry Beats was the complete reverse. It delved into a life of all the behind the scenes stuff. The commitment, the long hours, the alcohol, the drugs, the women, the schedules, the heartbreak and the losing of one’s self amongst the hysteria that being a rock star brings. It looked at the life in depth of Presley (who I must say is an absolute GOD in my eyes) and the daily grind of life as a drummer in a band making it in the world. It was an elaborate story which at times was quite hard to read, but I loved every minute of it.
Also let’s talk Tessa. This woman is my new girl crush. I was drawn to her instantly. Her strength, wit, sass and determination captured my heart. The girl was seriously captivating to say the least and I couldn’t get enough of her.
So you could only imagine Presley and Tessa together.
The rock star god and the bar girl.
Guys they were explosive.
Cherry Beats, get on it guys because you won’t be disappointed. An exquisite read perfect in every way.
5 stars
5 Stars is not enough for this. Vicky James knocked it out of the park with this one! Just wow! I already want to go back and read it again! Presley West is an amazing character and goes so well with Cherry. They make an amazing pair with an incredible story that contains lots of longing, angst, ups and downs. This will absolutely give you a book hangover. Once I started this book, I could not put it down. Now I am sad that it is over because I didn’t want it to end and it is going to take me a bit to recover from it.