The master of the tease.
The god of rock.
Frontman of the world’s most desired band, Youth Gone Wild.
I’m Rhett Ryan, and I get what I want.
Women? They were lining up.
Money? I had enough.
Accolades? My shelves were full
Love? I didn’t have time for that.
Not until I had no choice but to pay attention to the last woman I expected to fall for.
My beautiful, sassy publicist, Julia goddamn Speed. publicist, Julia goddamn Speed.
She was a vital part of the band’s success, and she was as off-limits as they came. I’d never wanted anything more in my life. But Julia wasn’t like the rest, and my advances only pushed her further away. She was the first woman to make me work for it, and Christ, did I suddenly want to work for it!
Even if I knew it would end in disaster.
Even if I knew there would be tears.
I was willing to play dirty to make it happen.
I just had no idea how much I’d change in the process, or how something that had once been my everything would soon become nothing because I’d jumped into the forbidden with her.
Stupid, Reckless Rhett.
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I adored Cherry Beats so much I was a little apprehensive before starting Dirty Rock. I needn’t have been. Filling the shoes of Presley is an impossible task, just as well that Rhett strides confidentally next to him then. Vicki James writes her rocker male characters with the real life problems we all have they just so happen to be rockstars too. Rhett is a mess and comes off quite unlikeable in the beginning. I soon fell for him and the interaction between him and Jules is a riot. I laughed so much during this book. I also cried too as Jules’ story was unveiled. They make quite an unlikely pair but that’s usually what makes the greatest of couples.
A multitude of emotions were pulled out of me reading Dirty Rock and I can’t recommend this series enough. Vicki James is a master writer and once you read her work you will be hooked.
I didn’t think it was possible for my heart to fit another rockstar in it, but Vic managed it! Presley was amazing, but Rhett was the perfect lost rockstar we all need to join in the journey of his self discovery.
If you’ve read any of Victoria’s (Victoria L. James) books then you know you’re getting angst, emotion, a real story with incredible writing; but you also finish a book with a sense of fulfilment. It’s a real talent to make a reader feel like they’re part of the story and she knocks it out of the park every single time.
Julia was a badass who I want as a best friend. She’s fiercely loyal and so independently strong considering the heartache she’s been through. She fought back from the ashes and made something of herself that she’s damn good at. And then there’s swoon-worthy, asshole Rhett. Lost in the void of chasing a dream he’d already achieved because the happiness he thought he’d gain was non-existent. But he is happy with the dirty rock lifestyle he’d always craved, isn’t he? Both Julia and Rhett are quite literally the best parts of themselves when they’re together, helping each other realise that giving up control of where they think their lives should take them could lead to something they’d been looking for all along.
If you’ve not read Vicki James or her alter ego Victoria L. James, I strongly urge you to do so to experience worlds you’ll wish you were a part of.
Oh my days! What can I say about this book? I absolutely adored it. From reading Cherry Beats I knew that Rhett Ryan was going to be a challenge to like, but I was wrong. Never doubt Vicki’s writing – I never learn that. Rhett was such a deep and complex character. I felt every bit of sadness he went through in my own heart. Him and Julia were amazing together. That peace she offered him – I was just so happy for him. As always, an epic love story that I will be recommending to everyone I know.
I first read Cherry Beats by this author and it is on my list of favorites of all time. I adored Tessley/Pressa. LOL. It was already going to be quite a challenge for the author to top that book. While it was a very good book, it didn’t beat Cherry Beats and that is OK. Dirty Rock stands on it’s own.
I went into Dirty Rock not liking either of the main characters. I never warmed up to them in the previous book. I didn’t like Rhett at all. He was arrogant, self centered, rude, and just hateful. He had to work darn hard to redeem himself in my eyes. He did, of course. He will never be my favorite but at least now he’s human. Julia was just kind of cold and unfriendly but once she was off the clock, it was easy to see she was so much different underneath her all business persona. It may have taken a while to warm up to the main characters and get used to the idea of them as a couple but once I got through that it was smooth sailing.
The book was very well written. The author has a genuine way with words. The characters are all real people. The epilogue is great. And the best part is getting to hang out with the band again especially Presley and Tessa. I look forward to reading more from this author. I’m sure I won’t be disappointed.
One thing all my favorite rock star Authors have in common is character development. They take the time to let their characters personalities shine through, none more so than Rhett Ryan. Lead singer of Youth Gone Wild and a royal PITA in Cherry Beats, what a pleasure it was to watch his metamorphosis take place from annoying, hard drinking, drug using, manwhore, to this annoying 😉 lovable, vulnerable heartthrob. Jules is my latest girl crush. Smart, takes no BS, but underneath is a woman with secrets, that never gets in the way, but leads her to her destiny, which was right under her nose all along.
I loved the epilogue, OMG so sigh-worthy, I could have read about Rhett and Jules forever!
The Bonus for me was the Tessa & Rhett show continuing in this book that brought a tear to my eye.
Hopefully this isn’t the end of YGW, but thrilled with the new book on the horizon.
Vicki James is becoming a sure thing 1-click rock star Author for me!
Dirty Rock is my very first 5 star read of 2020
Rhett Ryan is everything I could have asked for and more. A rock God with the attitude to match, he had me from the first page. Dare I say…..I loved him more than Presley??? Oh yeah, I went there!
Julia Speed is just what Rhett needs. Tough as nails and ready to handle anything this group can get in to, she is used to being everyone’s rock. Their clean up girl. So when Rhett looked at her, keeping him at arms length wasn’t going to be a problem….or was it?
What really got me in to the story was Rhett himself. He was unapologetic with who he was. Did he take every advantage of what being the lead singer of the world’s most wanted rock band? Of course he did. Did he love every second of it? For the most part….until he didn’t. There comes a point where you have to ask yourself, is this enough? For Rhett, he thought that it was. He was content. He hated that everyone gushed over Presley and Tess. He was over the romantic bs. Give him the crowds, the women, the fame and glory. That’s what life is all about.
Julia was probably the only woman that could give Rhett exactly what he needed. She knew all his secrets. She cleaned up his messes and made the nasty ones go away. She understood what a rocker’s life was and was damn good at her job. The problem was, every now and then she needed a breather. Some time away just to be. to get away from being the problem solver, the organizer, the mess fixer, and enjoy her cottage by the sea and be there for herself.
Vicki James has written a story about two people who by all measures, should NOT have fallen in love. A story that showed growth in characters you thought were almost too set in their ways to even want to change. She beautifully tells how the power of love can bring out the very best in people when they least expect it, and make you realize that there is so much more to life when the right person is there with you. She peeled back the layers of this dirty rocker and sassy publicist and made them real multidimensional characters that you will laugh with, cry over, and fall in love with. These characters don’t change for the ones they love, they grow.
Rhett has now dethroned Presley for me in the Youth Gone Wild kingdom of hotties. I love this arrogant, cocky, bad boy of rock. I can’t wait to see if Vicki is up to the challenge with the next one 😉
Due to massive anxiety related to the uncertainty surrounding the current pandemic, I have been struggling to settle into a good book. It is safe to say that Dirty Rock has resurrected my love of reading. This book is off the charts hot and I couldn’t help but fall in love with Rhett and Julia. This author has woven together a brilliant story that has an interesting plot, engaging characters, and gives the reader a unique look at the affect touring and fame can have on musicians.
Rhett’s charisma, molten voice, and sensuality helped catapult the rock band, Youth Gone Wild into superstardom. The music and the band are his everything and nothing will distract him from that. I wasn’t sure about Rhett in the beginning as he seemed so egotistical, yet this bad boy with a filthy mouth has a vulnerability about him that drew me in and made me adore him. I loved Julia and found her to be relatable. She thrives on keeping all aspects of her life in control and it was interesting to watch her come to grips with loosening the reigns on her heart. She is a slightly broken heroine who is strong in character and sees Rhett for who he really is. While their relationship seems to be an unlikely one, Rhett and Julia are positively perfect together. The sparks that fly between these two nearly melted my kindle and there are several swoon worthy moments that kept me captivated.
Dirty Rock can be read as a standalone and it does take place after Cherry Beats. It was a treat to read about the other band members as well as see a few cameos from Tessa aka Cherry.
Overall, I am impressed with this author’s style of writing and her impeccable character development. I read a lot of rockstar romances and I just love it when an author takes me by surprise. If you are looking for unique and phenomenal rockstar romance with strong, likable characters then be sure to check out this book!
I think I have waited for this book since I read the last page of Cherry Beats, Rhetts was a story that just had to be told and boy did she!!! He’s the ultimate hot bad boy rock star and lead singer of Youth Gone Wild, but for all his outrageous behaviour you just can’t help but fall for this guy!!! He is smokin hot!!
There theres Jules, the bands super tough no nonsense publicist, who it seems is forever covering up his indescressions and dealing with all the fallout that comes with an out of control rocker.
When these two come together the chemistry is off the scale and the back story and struggles both characters have faced has you hanging off every word like you need it to survive. No words I can think of actually do their story justice, they just aren’t enough to describe how captivating and addictive this book is. If you read Cherry Beats and loved it, you are not going to be sorry with Dirty Rock. Sorry Presley, but Rhett stole my heart away!!! This book has everything – hot chemistry, romance, angst and some truely heatbreaking moments too. And I adored every word!!!
This is the easiest and hardest five stars (because I want to add about a hundred more) I ever rated a book. This one will stay with me forever.
After reading Vicki James rockstar romance, Cherry Beats a while back, I was permanently hooked and couldn’t wait to see what else she might have written. I promised myself to make sure if and when her next book came out, I would read it immeadiately. Could she possibly recreate the magic that was present in Presley and Tessa’s amazing book? Yes, she could and did! Both were wonderfully written, impossible to put down, each having their own unique feel and set in the same bands world. I must say- impressive!
Well, promise kept! I couldn’t wait to get my greedy little hands on Dirty Rock the moment it was released! This lady can write a rockstar romance that will leave her eagerly waiting readers happily tied to their chairs, beds…whatever and wherever their favorite reading spot is until they have inhaled this story completely!
Rhett was the perfect love to dislike a-hole, self centered and super swoony frontman of Youth Gone Wild. Hot and so very sexy, born to be in front of an adoring crowd while wowing them with his beautiful voice. He was always looking for that missing something but not quite knowing what that elusive thing was. I just love this type of character who shows the world one side of himself but there is a flip side that only few will see, if he lets them, that is! Could there be more to Rhett than you might expect?
There is one person who has seen way, way tooooo much of Rhett, in many of the situations you might expect a rocker to find himself embroiled in, but the way Vicki James brings you these bits and pieces of those characters is anything but ordinary. From the road, to center stage, behind the scenes and in the creative silence where the inspired lyrics flow from, it’s all here for your enjoyment and yes, I certainly did enjoy it all.
I fell in love with her larger than life characters, wanted to know every little thing about them. Rhett’s story brought out all of those emotions a great romance should shake you up with, then leave you loving that perfect epilogue with an ending that allows a peek into the future along with a tempting tease of what’s in store for her next book.
Of course I’ll be sitting right in the front row, waiting for Vicki James next rock and roll show to start! I wouldn’t miss her next book for anything! With Cherry Beats and Dirty Rock, she has placed herself on my list of favorite, go to authors and I doubt anything could ever change my mind! Recommend!
Bravo! This was something I have enjoyed from Dirty Rock. RockBand romance can be one way dull story but not with this one. I love the idea of bad boy persona from Rhett. The whole concept of fiery relationship worked really well.
This love story was enchanting and I fell for the spell.. Rhett and Julia were so good for each other. It was not a famous man Rhett.. but the regular Rhett who had found his love and happiness
4.5 Always Stars!
Last year when I read Cherry Beats it became one of my favorite reads! So the second that I heard that Ms.James was releasing another rock star book I could not contain my excitement! I was so happy to finally pick up more of her work especially Rhett’s book Dirty Rock! I loved this story!
Rhett’s journey was one that was every bit unique from beginning to end! I loved getting to jump into his mind and dig deeper with him. The more I kept on reading the harder I fell for him. The same with Julia! I felt everything with these characters and their emotions wrapped around my heart in the best of ways.
I’m already missing this world and it’s characters!
With Dirty Rock, Ms.James has created another amazing and packed with ALL the feels read! Just like my favorite songs her words are addictive and leave their mark. I can’t wait to read what she comes up with next!
*I volunteered to read and review a copy of this book from Bare Naked Words Promotions / the author*
Rhett is a rock star with access to everything he could want and a reckless attitude. Julia is the publicist for the band. The two are opposites but end up together. Will Rhett’s recklessness lead to their destruction or will they be able to come together?
Who doesn’t live a Rockstar with a heart?
Dirty Rock is a fantastic book from author Vicki James, it has a great storyline and complex characters. I found the pages flipping over rather to quickly for this read. It was engaging from the get go and filled with passion and an amazing love story, one that left this reader feeling all warm an fuzzy.
Rhett is the Rockstar that you know will break your heart, but you just can’t help yourself. He is the ultimate Rockstar! Sex, Drugs and Women, that is what Rhett’s life is all about until it isn’t!!
Julia was the calm to Rhett’s storm. She was the perfect partner for Rhett and together their relationship was beautiful to see develop. Once they opened up their hearts to each other you knew that they would create amazing music. It made my heart sing a little.
Truthfully, as a reader I generally don’t go out go my way to read Rockstar romances but there is something about Vicki James that makes this genre so much more engaging and after reading Cherry Beats and Dirty Rock I am genuinely looking forward to reading more from this rock world that the author has created.
Everything about this bad boy, rocker romance story is terrific. I simply couldn’t put it down. You are taken on an emotional rollercoaster with Julia and Rhett. Of course love strikes when least expected but with these two who knows what will happen. Between the drama, sparks and great storytelling this is one story that should be on your reading list.
5 rock ‘n’ roll love STARS
It had always been about the music for Rhett. Since he was a young boy he’d lived it, breathed it, wanted to create and perform it. Nothing else mattered, except losing himself in his creativity. As he got older, whether consciously or not, he began to shape himself into the quintessential bad boy of British rock. Life with the band meant partying and drinking, not to mention the drugs and of course the ever willing women ready to drop their unmentionables for their chance with the charismatic front man of Youth Gone Wild.
Despite his seemingly perfect life, he was living the dream after all, I got the feeling that there was something missing for Rhett, a certain discontent. It was subtle but there was something he wouldn’t, or couldn’t, acknowledge. He instead pushed it to the farthest recesses of his mind, blanked it out with the use of extra curricular activities or poured it into his music when it couldn’t be contained.
Julia is the publicist for the band, a real stalwart, a strong, intelligent woman, quick witted and dedicated to keeping the wheels on the proverbial wagon. She makes sure that what goes on behind the scenes doesn’t become part of the public arena. I love a strong heroine, and Julia certainly is that but she’s also hiding a part of herself away, something which gives her an air of vulnerability. Unlike Rhett, she acknowledges this side of herself and I really admired her. A real woman, with real feelings and desires, living a somewhat unreal life day to day, there is more to her than meets the eye and I found her hugely likeable. Used to being the one in control, once her secrets were revealed I wondered if she would be able to take that leap of faith.
Rhett was a bit of an enigma and, regardless of their obvious chemistry, I’ll admit this author had her work cut out persuading me that he was sincere when it came to Julia, that she wasn’t just a conquest to satisfy his own ego. I’m not going to say much more about the plot, as that would spoil the story, but I will say that Ms James’s beautiful descriptive writing made every action and reaction, every emotion seem real and relatable, how I imagine I would feel in the same situation. I loved the way these characters grew, how their dynamics changed as the story progressed. All but the Epilogue is told from Rhett’s point of view, which is unusual but which I enjoyed very much. He in particular did a lot of soul searching, it was quite profound and it was fascinating getting an insight into his thought processes. This author did a brilliant job of creating characters who were more than just one dimensional and for me Rhett’s journey was especially satisfying. In the end I found him hugely endearing. Not something in the beginning I anticipated happening I must say.
Put simply, Dirty Rock is a gorgeous love story. Fun and hugely entertaining, it’s witty and laugh out loud in some parts, angsty and poignant in others. Fantastic characters, together with great musical references too, made this a wonderful story I enjoyed so much I didn’t want it to end.
Dirty Rock by Vicki James. Rhett is the lead singer of a famous band. He is also the resident bad boy. Rhett also has deep seeded issues that he masked behind his bad behavior. His I don’t give a fig attitude is just a facade and he is on a collision course that will have him crash and burn if he doesn’t get it together. He might have if it wasn’t for the band’s publicist Julia. When something happens in her life, a drunken night with Rhett sets them on a course that neither one saw coming. A cute story of two people who find love and a little something extra. The band he fronts is also the same band from Cherry Beats. This was a book I really enjoyed and advise you to read it as well. Not a series and each book can be read as a standalone. A happily ever after for two people who weren’t expecting love. 4 stars for me.
Dirty Rock: A Rock Star Romance this is Rhett Ryan and Julia Speed story. Just in case you don’t know Cherry Beats is book 1 of this interconnected series yet you can totally read this book as a standalone. And is Presley West and Tessa Lisbon’s story. You will read more about them in Dirty Rock.
Rhett Ryan is the frontman for Youth Gone Wild & a bad boy into sex, drugs and rock n roll! Julia Speed is the bands publicist responsible for cleaning up disasters created by the bandmates and promoting the band. It’s just said that this is a forbidden romance in that Rhett and Julia are working together.
I love how tough & sassy Julia can be. She is the type that takes no sh*t from bad boy Rhett.
I am looking forward to the next book that Vicki James writes.
Rhett literally knocked me off my feet and I still can’t get up. Let’s be real, he was jerk in Cherry Beats and I was very protective of Tessa and Presley. I was worried I would not warm to him in Dirty Rock. Not sure why I thought that way because I am such a fan of Vicki James’ writing and she has written my book husband. How did I even question that I would fall in love with him when she wrote him? Silly me. Rhett and Julia’s love story is one I did not see coming but made perfect sense in the end. It took me exactly 1 chapter to root for them. I am in awe of and love Julia. Such a kick butt chic. I loved this book so hard! Highly recommend.
She was my Pretty girl
“Everyone has that one person, Jules it turns out you’re gonna be mine”
The words, raises palms, I love the words of this author and her writing, Vicki James’s Cherry Beats blew me a way but Dirty Rock and Rhett Ryan, damn, all I can say is be ready to swoon your pants off!
Rhett Ryan isn’t just another cocky Rock star, well he is, he’s a guy who drinks too much, sleeps around and uses drugs, he’s living the life of a rock and roll star, it’s like he’s on a mission to fill a void that he just isn’t finding until he’s see’s what he has truly been missing and it’s been right under his nose all along in the form of his publicist Julia Speed.
Three years Julia has been Rhett’s publicist she has dug him out of more holes and covered up his mistakes more than all the other band members put together. Julia is bossy, professional and straight talking, I loved her.
But one night, and an unexpected moment of weakness and Julia’s hard shell cracks in her resistance to Rhett Ryan, lead singer of Youth Gone Wild.
“I’ve got you” I breathed down on her “Bet on me, Bet on Rhett”
Moving, captivating, mesmerising, I absolutely loved Rhett and Julia together, how their relationship developed and how this man whore of rock turns into a love sick puppy when his eyes finally open to what has been right before him all these years.
“She was warm to my ice cold life, and I tasted every drop”
Another book By Vicki James I could not put down, I love being taken on a journey and this author always does that, I cannot wait for more, my mind is going wild with the possibilities of what is to come next in this series.
Told In first person pov and leads to hea. Available in KU
Holy. Sexy. Rock Star. Batman!!!! I absolutely LOVE me some Rhett Ryan. This story was absolutely AH-MAZING! It will drag your heart and emotions through the wringer and is most definitely a story that will stick with you long after you finish reading it. Julia and Rhett aren’t supposed to want each other. In their story you will find out what happens when something that starts out as fun quickly becomes something that neither can live without. One huge problem is that neither can come to terms with everything that is happening and let go of their pride to tell each other how they truly feel. Do they take the easy way out and walk away? Or accept that sometimes you have to follow your heart?
Julia is a very independent, strong-willed, fierce heroine. Rhett is a dirty mouthed, swoony, alpha rock star that I could not get enough of. Once he makes up his mind to want something, he does whatever it takes to make it is. Their story is emotional, sexy, swoony, enemies-to-forever goodness! I highly recommend reading this book!!!