Dear diary,Once upon a time… thing she could rely on.
No one saw through her looking glass.
No one cared.
No one tried.
Until the villain presented himself as the hero in her life.
He took and took and took some more.
With no regret.
With no shame.
With no apology.
The page never turned.
Their story didn’t end.
Tomorrow never came.
His life of debauchery was their journey to nowhere.
She’d give anything to go back in time.
To walk where she had walked.
To see what she had seen.
One step.
One breath.
One day at a time.
Though in the end, “I love you” were just words.
That destroyed us inside.
more
I’m a masochist that I come back to the Queen of Angst’s alter to get my heart broken over and over again. I know it will happen, but I still come back for more.
I loved Cash and Harley’s connection in the Love Hurts Duet. He was her wingman, her compadre against Jackson, and provided brotherly love to keep her protected and grounded. But I knew he had a tragic story to tell and his and Harley’s ending broke my heart.
And then M gave us Cash MoFoMcgraw himself. His story reads like a song and flowed like a movie. I was captivated from page one and kept on reading and falling for him all over again.
And also there was baby Journey. Her dancing little tush just made my heart happy.
I’m dying to find out how her story will play out and how Cash can redeem himself to not just her but to his special girl as well. And how the cluster fuck (Daddy Jackson) that’s waiting to happen will play out, how much more Monica will bleed my heart and how (and when) there will be happily ever after!
From the First Verse took me on an intense, beautiful yet heartbreaking journey alongside Cash McGraw that constantly kept my heart in my mouth. My emotions were all over as I quickly became torn between devouring every word as quickly as I could or doing my best to prolonging the ending I wasn’t prepared for.
I must admit as much as I loved Cash in previous books after this book I’ve fallen even harder for my favorite broken bad boy. Self-destructive and with so much to prove to those he loved Cash did everything possible to fulfill his dreams. He was so flawed yet his doubts and determination endeared him to me so much more.
Journey was a truly beautiful old soul and I enjoyed watching her as she grew into a captivating young woman. I loved her sweet yet fierce way of loving with everything she has that was so similar to Cash’s. Her sassiness in pushing everyone of Cash’s buttons kept me hanging on every word eagerly waiting to see what would unfold next.
From the First Verse was the heartclenching and emotional start to Cash and Journey’s story that kept me hooked. After all the angst and emotions these two generated so far I’m not sure my heart is ready for what promises to come next but I’ll still be rather anxiously awaiting the next book in his duet.
I freaking devoured this story in practically a few short hours. An amazing 10 star story. I was blown away by the emotions and depth of this masterpiece.
Cash is a tortured soul. He lives for music, it’s in his blood. He feels like his family doesn’t understand him. He needs to prove them wrong. Yes he will make it big but he will hurt a lot of people along the way. Especially the ones who had his back.
I LOVED everything about this amazing story. The storyline that sucked me in so deep that I haven’t gotten out off. I was emotional and distraught. The characters made me so much. They were perfectly created and developed. Bottomline this is a must read.
Part 1 of a duet. Told in a dual POV. I strongly recommend this story.
The Mother-Fucking Queen of Angst!!!!
M Robinson has raised her own bar when it came to her writing when it came to From the First Verse. I swear with each of her books she gets more angsty and closer to making me cry (sad to say I’m a cold hearted bitch). And this is just the first part of this couples story.
Cash “Mother-Fucking” McGraw had some big pants to fill since his dad has been my top male character of all M’s books. And well this little fucker came out the park swinging. I can say that when I went into this book I had an idea that I was going to hate Cash for his past actions in the Love Hurts duet. But dammit to hell if this fucker didn’t melt my cold heart just enough for me to fall for his ass.
Sex
Drugs
and Rock & Roll
That was the life that Cash chose when he walked away from everyone and everything that he knew. And the journey that he took was one that you can see isn’t all that you see on the surface. The depth of this pain and soul are found in the words that he says in his head through out his story. You can just feel the pain and torture that Cash feels can be felt with each and every chapter that I flew through. Fuck when you finally get to see the Nashville scene (if you have read the Love Hurts Duet then you know what I am talking about) through his eyes, my heart just completely ripped in two. You always know that there are two sides to every story and that scene alone shows you that.
I wanted to hate Cash so much, I wanted there to be a reason for me to have this anger towards him. Yet as I read page after page, I just couldn’t hate him. I just fell more and more in love with the broken soul that is Cash “Mother-Fucking” McGraw. Then you add in the one character that actually truly knew Cash, Journey into the entire mix. Journey is that one person that I know is going to break him. But, I think he needs to be broken completely so that he can be fixed.
There was times that I wanted to throw my kindle across the room, which is a common thing when it comes to reading one of M Robinson’s books. Then there was times that I was saying if I really had a heart I should be crying right now. And Fuck Me sideways I had to take a couple day to even write this review because how emotionally drained I was at the end of it all. I cannot wait for the next part to this story, fuck the cliffhanger was throw my kindle worthy.
This is a difficult review to write. I’m not quite certain how much I’ve been distracted by world events this week and how much is due to the book contents but I have to admit that it did take me some time to connect with the story and coincidently that happened once there was a change in its direction in the latter half. I haven’t read The Pierced Hearts duet that this story is a spin off from, although The Good Ol’ Boys series is a favourite of mine so I recognised characters from there. I struggled to understand the first part of the book and I can only assume that’s because I hadn’t read the duet, which is such a shame.
I have enjoyed meeting and getting to know Cash McGraw. Some parts of his life growing up were extremely difficult but his passion has always been music and I loved his determination to be successful, even without the support of those close to him. I witnessed the connection that Cash and Journey had whilst growing up and the distance between them over the years didn’t diminish this, in fact I think that absence definitely made their hearts grow fonder and the turnaround in the book for me was when an adult Journey and Cash were re-united.
I am looking forward to continuing this story when Till the Last Lyric releases next month. I hope that everything that I have enjoyed in the second part of this book continues in the next. I’m intrigued to see if Journey can change Cash’s ways and what the response will be from all those who are close to them due to their history and age gap.
Wow!!! This was a phenomenal book! M Robinson outdid herself once again with From The First Verse. Her writing captures you and grips you by the heart. Emotional, raw and full of angst to the very last words. I wanted to hate Cash from the beginning with the way he was in the Love Hurts Duet, but seeing his point of view throughout this book is heartbreaking. This book definitely will give you all the feels just like all her other books!
This one is now one of my favorites wrItten by M Robinson! I highly recommend this book and can’t wait for Til The Last Lyric!
Monica Robinson has mesmerized me once again with From the First Verse. The book I have been craving ever since the last pages of the Love Hurts Duet, featuring Harley and Jackson Pierce. Holy moly. What she does with Cash McGraw, Harley’s childhood best friend practically gutted me. She flays him open in the most painful way, yet I couldn’t seem to stop from absorbing every bit of agony this talented man experienced. Finding out how things truly went down for him as he was determined to make it as a rock star was incredibly moving for me. I was almost in shock that this was the same Cash, who could charm anyone with his soulful voice and God given talent as a youngster, and was now drowning in sorrow for all that he had left behind. Watching his downfall personally as his star continued to rise was beyond sad and yet I knew that somehow, he’d find a way to figure it all out.
Told in both the past and present, we get the whole story of Cash and little miss thang, one Journey Pierce, as their inescapable bond only gets stronger even as their age gap seemingly might keep them apart. There is a true tether between them even as they find themselves suddenly cut off from one another as Cash needs to find his own way in the world. All the buildup to their inevitable reunion kept me going and devouring the pages, wanting to see if their chemistry was just as strong now that Cash was 30 and his June was now a beautiful 18.
In addition, Robinson does not hold back as the spoils of stardom are frequent and at times, pretty damn naughty. I really do love Cash and his bandmates, even when they are off the rails, enjoying groupies and discarding them right after. There is this crazy kind of bond that shows its face all too rarely that adds a kind of kinship each definitely need even when they can’t admit it.
I am in love with this story as Robinson’s writing just keeps getting better and better with each new book. Keeping some of her original good old boys present as their offspring attempt to make it with or without their help. The angst is here for the taking and depth of emotion shown from every single character is exquisite and compelling. My heart was in tatters with the way the story unfolded and to say I am dying for book two in this Life of Debauchery duet is putting it mildly, if the amount of passages I highlighted is any indication.
Another winner for me from this talented writer, From the First Verse is worthy of 5 huge stars!
I am a huge fan of all of the good ole boys and their families. There were times in previous books where I loved Cash McGraw, after all, Dylan F’n McGraw is one of my all time favorite book boyfriends – how could his son not be. But, Cash screwed that up when he stomped all over his best friend’s heart.
Now though, we see some things from Cash’s perspective and damn my heart hurts for him. I never expected the shocking end here and I cant wait for the second book in this duet to put my heart back together.
M Robinson is truly the Queen of Angst. She brings characters with real, serious flaws to life. I suspect there are many more “Cash” surprises for us in the next book and I can’t wait to see how this story ends. I am hopeful for a happily ever after that puts Cash (and the readers) back together. After all, we are all flawed. I think we all hope for our own redemption as we watch her characters overcome their past. If they can do it, surely we can too, right?
***4,5 “Please don’t cry for me!!!” stars***
“Everything I was afraid of growing up, I’ve become.” -Mairilyn Manson
I could never imagine that Cash Motherfuckin’ McGraw could take more stars than my favorite Jackson Pierce, but you never know with Monica Robinson.
The truth is that i was having a beef toward Cash for multiple reasons and I was a little bit prejudiced of his book, but after everything that i witnissed in this book, his book, I might forgive him after all!!!
If you are new to the author, I’m sure that you’re wondering what the hell I’m talking about, and even though i can assure you that this duet can be read as a “standalone”, her characters from almost all of her books are interwined between them… They are in a way a big family that you are taking some pieces of them on the previous book and then you’re craving for more…
“I’ll always be here for you, Cash. We’re family. Always. No matter what.” -Harley
Well, this was Cash’s story!!! And i mean it!!! This IS Cash’s story!!!
We saw from the very beginning how music was running through him and was begging to get out in the world… We witnessed his struggles to find an outlet for what was his life!!!!
Music!!! Everything started and ended with music with Cash…
And he wanted to be somebody, someday….
And he succeed it to be at the top of the world…
But with what cost??? What had he lost in the way????
“I was Cash Motherfuckin’ Mc Graw for my God given talent, and I never let anyone fuckin’ forget it.
I was music.
Music was me.
We were one and the same.
I needed it like I needed air, like I needed water, like I needed a reason to live.
It was my home when I didn’t have one.”
Well, i don’t really want to say much about this story…
Only that Cash proved his point and succeeded to be someone in the music industry, but he made so damn many mistakes throughout the way…
So many mistakes with his father, his family, Harley…. with the people that mattered to him and now, he is all alone, living a life of debauchery and because of certain guilts, he is destroying his life…
“Blown away with the man staring back at me. I didn’t recognize him anymore and the truth was…
I hadn’t in years.”
And now, you will ask me!!! Where is the girl, ugh???
The truth is that Journey, Cash’s Junie, didn’t play a big part in here, but it was the right amount for what she had to do in the end…
She and Cash had a strange bond since the beginning, even though they were apart in age for twelve years!
Junie was always infatuated by Cash, by his music….
And i think that she came back into his life in the most pivotal moment…
“One day I’m gonna be grown just like you, and you’re gonna be all mine.”
“I love you. I love you a lot.”
“Journey, you don’t know what that means.”
“Yes, I do. I know what it means. Just because I’m not grown, it doesn’t mean I don’t know how it feels.”
“I’m twelve years older than you, and I don’t even know what it means.”
“Then that makes me even more sad for you…
I’m going to show you what love is, Cash McGraw! You’ll see! I’m going to show you!”
Well, i didn’t saw much from Junie, but I loved that girl!!!
I loved her from the moment that she was wearing diapers two duets before and i couldn’t see her all grown up…
I don’t believe that I’m saying it, but I loved Cash too!!!
The last chapters destroyed me!!!! In a way, i needed to take some answers of why he acted upon a certain way with Harley and honestly, he wrecked me….
I know that he took what he wished for…. Doing what he loved… Fame… Sex, drugs and rock and roll, baby!!!!
“Cash McGraw was my first crush. My first hero. The first guy to ever truly break my heart.”
“The whole in my heart got bigger, the loneliness larger, the addiction stronger, and there was nothing I could do to stop it. I may have been worth millions, but in my eyes, in my mind, in every crevice of my body, I was nothing. An empty shell, a hollow person, a man dead from the inside out.”
But still… This boy needs more of that!!!!
He needs redemption… He needs to make amends with the people that meant something great in his life… And he needs Junie in his life….
Honestly, i can not wait to see how this story will play out after all!!!
I just wish i didn’t have to wait a month!!! I need this book NOW!!!!
“He doesn’t live in the moment, Journey. He’s too stuck in the past. But you, love. You’re his pause.”
“What does that mean?”
“You’re his muse.”
“How do you know?”
“How do you not? He’s not sharing you… Yet he can’t stay away from you. You, my love, are the inspiration.”
…You were always cute as shit. But Christ, Junie. You’re the inspiration behind every love song…
******************************************
“I don’t know how to help him, how to save him, how to fix what was damaged inside of him…
My boy turned into a man, lost in a world I didn’t understand. I needed to try. I had to help him before it was too late. I couldn’t lose him again.”
***I received an advanced reading copy in the exchange of an honest review***
Book one of the duet, if you’ve read the Love Hurts duet, there were a lot of familiar parts in the beginning, but from Cash’s POV. As the story goes on, we see more and more of how broken Cash really is, and how he tries to hide it. His story is emotional, in the beginning my heart hurt for him, by the middle I wanted to punch him, and at the end, he shattered me.
Now we wait for April and ‘Til the Last Lyric.
What a beautiful heart breaking story! M. Robinson’s latest novel has everything that makes a great romance novel. She has a way with words that only allows the reader to submerge themselves in the story and focus on chasing that happy ending!
Cash is a broken man who is trying to make a name for himself but in doing so he has distanced himself from his loved ones. The only true light is Journey and her constant belief that he is worth fighting for.
From the First Verse is a journey about finding oneself in the mist of self doubt and realizing that you have what it takes to forge ahead and make your own path even if you have to march to the beat of your own drum. Awesome job Monica! Waiting to see what comes next!
From The First Verse takes us readers on one hell of devastatingly raw and heartbreaking journey, walking us step by step alongside Cash McGraw as he goes through a passage of self destruction and I’d even goes as far as saying self-loathing, there’s love, loss and heartache, beauty and ugliness, then just as there’s a glimmer of hope we’re thrown back into uncertainty as to what’s to come when it true style our Queen of angst leaves us desperately wanting more.
Cash is the most self-destructive character to date, he’s on par with Good O’l Boys favourite Austin taking the broken, bad boy persona to a whole new level. The book just flowed along effortlessly, filled with non-stop action and pinkie promises, Cash McGraw will worm his way under your skin and into your heart in this fantastically written first book from M. Robinson’s Life of Debauchery duet.
This book gutted me. Totally raw and highly emotional M. Robinson once again tears the reader’s heart out, stomps all over it and then leaves them breathless. From the opening page to the period on the very last page this book was heart wrenching. Cash McGraw only wanted one thing – to live within the music, but his journey is filled with twists and turns, highs and lows and ups and downs. Family dynamics, underlying truths and a connection hat only M. Robinson can put on paper is what makes this book another masterpiece. Each book that she writes gets better and better and this one deserves more than 5 stars – I do not even think 500 stars would be enough. Cannot wait for the conclusion of Cash and Journey’s story.
Once again, M. Robinson proves why she is the Queen of Angst! From The First Verse (Life of Debauchery #1) has turned my world upside down. This book is SO good and emotionally addictive. Cash M********ing McGraw’s character development is brilliant and unexpected (I wasn’t a big fan of his in the Love Hurts Duet). And he found a way to not only soften my heart, but his struggles, pain, hurt, turmoil and inner demons broke it at the same time. Ms. Robinson did an amazing job with giving Cash so much depth and life. And Little Miss Thang aka Journey is definitely all grown up and not only do I truly adore her and her huge heart, but I love her sass and attitude.
From The First Verse can be read as a stand-alone and it is so much more than I anticipated. I always appreciate it when an author gets right to the point and there’s no lingering in the storyline. Ms. Robinson definitely succeeded when it comes to that aspect and From The First Verse is well written with a consistent and engaging plot that will have you begging for more. I’m impatiently waiting for Till The Last Lyric.
Monica you evil woman you!!! I LOVE how your wicked mind works because it helps you create these beautiful amazing stories that leaves your readers like me emotionally distraught and WANTING MORE!!!!
My heart is literally hurting right now from Cash. Oh how Monica can make you feel every emotion of her characters. I just want to put my arms around Cash and hold him for life and take away his pain. I was so mad at Cash for what he did to Harley but I’m seeing a side of him I never expected to see.
Let me not forget about “Little Miss Thang” Journey. I always love her fiery spirit and am so happy to see she still has that. I can’t wait to see wants to come of her and Cash….keeping my fingers crossed for a happy ending!
Life of Debauchery is a duet, by our favorite angst author and From the First Verse we are hooked on Cash “f*^k;’in” McGraw in this first book and she leaves us yearning for the final book in this duet, Till the Last Lyric like now. Boo! these tears and hurt truly do Pierce your heart. Be still and have faith that good ole’ M will redeem our angst hearts in the end like she always does. It wouldn’t be an M story if she did not bring us to our knees and then have our heart beating softly in the end. One of things that you will love about her writing is that if you just stumbled upon her books, you can pick it up from any book or series as she gives us the insight on the secondary characters to make you feel connected to the story and all characters. If you read the Love Hurts duet, you may or may not have loved Cashed. He is a true McGraw!Cash gives us his story and though we knew that he struggled with how he wanted his life to be (all about music) and his family wanted something else. Never did you expect these close knit families to be so torn like it was! Your heart truly breaks many times. Journey is a spit-fire and from her baby years to now her and Cash have always had a connection and love of music. There were a gap in years that they did not speak, but you will laugh at Alpha Cash when he realizes it is her. Love how the band is when it comes to this as well! Hilarious! All it take is one ring of the phone to bring him to his knees again! Oh boy, be still your heart is all I can say! We got left at the door in the end of the Love Hurts duet and now our heart is Pierced again when you realize what you did and begin to spiral out of control worse than before. Will Journey live up to her name and connection with Cash to help him overcome his demons? Till the Last Lyric is going to crush us before it leaves us with a smile (I hope at least!). So while we wait for the final book in this duet to release listen to a little Johnny Cash to hold you over!
Wow this book was the best it made me fall in love so much with Cash he is amazing. Of course the M Robinson also gets me to cry I hate it! I’m so excited for the next one cant wait for it! I loved Dylan so much but now I think I love Cash 10 times more so hard to say!
When I first heard about cash having a book I was I’m not going to like him at all because of what he did to Harley but to be honest I still don’t like him that much but I hope that in the next book he redeem himself because I would really love to love him.
Although From the First Verse is the first book in a duet, it is a spin-off that takes you back to Oak Island, NC where M. Robinson has built a world of characters and stories that always leave you wanting more. The Life of Debauchery duet could be read as a stand alone series, but with the intertwined story lines and characters, it’s so much MORE if you’ve read the other books in this world that she has created.
This duet will be Cash and Journey’s story. Cash McGraw is Journey’s first crush, her hero. From the time that she can walk and talk, he’s her first love. While Cash leaves to become a rock star, Journey grows up and by the time that they next cross paths, everything will have changed.
I will admit that the last time that we saw Cash (in the Love Hurts duet), I did not like him. I was so disappointed in his actions and really couldn’t see how this author could make me like this character. I should have known better. M. Robinson just has this way with building her characters. She can make you hate them one minute, love them the next. She’ll have you laughing at their antics before breaking your heart into pieces with their actions. She’s done this again with Cash McGraw, and I can’t wait to see where the rest of the story will take this character that I now love.