A new adult STANDALONE romance from USA Today bestselling author Siobhan Davis.A troubled popstar forced into hiding… A sweet small-town girl overcoming tragedy… And the kind of love that only happens once in a lifetime.Dakota’s dreams of attending Juilliard were shattered the night tragedy struck her family. It’s one year later, and she’s now enrolled at a local university trying to piece her … local university trying to piece her life back together.
Shawn is one of the world’s most famous faces, having lived under a spotlight since his star exploded when he was fourteen. Now jaded by an industry forcing him to perform music he no longer enjoys, he craves normalcy and the opportunity to rediscover his muse. When a crazy stalker gets too close, and death threats start mounting, Shawn’s management team comes up with a plan—one which will allow him to work on his latest album while staying incognito on a college campus.
Romance is the last thing on Dakota’s mind, but after she crosses paths with a hot, prickly cutie with rock-hard abs and smoldering good looks, she can’t shake him from her thoughts.
Shawn can’t afford to bring any girl into his fucked-up life, but the gorgeous blonde with the sad blue eyes captivates him in a way no girl ever has, and he finds himself falling hard and fast.
But outside forces are conspiring against them.
When danger draws closer, and secrets are revealed, will their love survive?
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Davis is one of my FAVORITE authors, so it’s no surprise that I adored this book. It’s very entertaining, the whole rock star in hiding and hijinks that follow…but to make it even more interesting to me, it takes place in Iowa! (Where I was born and raised and live still today!)
Shawn and Dakota are very lovable characters, even when Shawn isn’t acting his best, you can tell that underneath there is a good man trying to rediscover himself. Dakota has seen such tragedy and is still pursuing what she feels she needs to do and trying to hold on to what she WANTS to do. It’s admirable how well she holds up through everything that she’s going through. Talk about a strong female character!
I love the suspense and anticipation in this book as well. It’s amazing when a book can keep you guessing, while still keeping you invested in the story and rooting for the main characters all the while. There was also some steamy scenes between our main characters that readers will love!
*I was given an advanced copy of this book, which I voluntarily reviewed.*
WOW!!! I am cried out!!!
I was drowning in Sorrow and pain as I read the pages of this book. Dakota’s depression ran so deep that I so feel it bleeding off the pages.
Shawn/Levi is running from his past and a killer, but sometimes the biggest demon lives inside of us. Secrets are like a disease left untreated it grow until it kills you, in this case it destroys a relationship.
The question is can two broken people be what each other need? Or will they die trying? This was one emotional tear jerking book!!! Siobhan Davis is able to bring you the most complex and intense characters that you can imagine.
I am voluntarily reviewing an advance complimentary copy of this book.
Awe inspiring love and earth shattering secrets all twist together in an unputdownable read with Incognito! I swear I probably would have died if I tried to put this book down at any point while I was reading it. From epic feels to nail biting tension I was glued to every page. This is one of those books that just takes over your life while it puts you on a roller coaster of emotion.
Everything you can think of I felt while reading this. Siobhan Davis’s incredible writing brought these characters to life in a way that not only makes them incredibly captivating but also gives you no choice but to really feel everything they do. From devastating tragedy to the complete and utter joy of falling in love I was right there with Dakota and Shawn every step of the way.
Shawn and Dakota both are not simple cardboard characters. Each of them have a complex depth to them. Neither of them being the people you thought they were from the amount of growth that happens as these two fall in love. Both facing very different heartbreaking pasts, both lost souls as their paths collide, and both wonderfully beautiful people together. Their story is one I don’t want to give details to. I want you to read and feel to get the full effect of everything that is Shawn and Dakota.
I loved this story with its angsty young adult characters and a wonderful plot. The tragedy that Dakota has faced in her young life is heart-wrenching and opening her heart to any guy is going to be difficult. Shawn is in hiding while trying to discover who is threatening him and attempting to blend in to college life while staying sober. The sparks fly between these two from their first meeting, but nothing is ever simple. It was awesome to have characters from Inseparable within this book; it felt like coming home. Tabitha is one of my favorite characters and I could read an entire book about her! The danger, intrigue, romance, and friendship make this story amazing!
four and a half stars (rounded up)
Okay, so I am totally clueless and didn’t realize Devin and Ange were the same characters from Inseparable until I got to the very end of Incognito :/ Knowing that and kind of comparing the two books, I think I’d rate Inseparable slightly higher; hence the “four and a half stars” notation here. Now, it’s entirely possible that I would feel differently at a different time in my life, but at this point, the emotions and storyline of Inseparable really hit me a lot more significantly than Dakota and Shawn’s story. I mean, the emotional and dramatic elements are definitely there (it IS Siobhan Davis, after all), just not as intensely for me as with Ange and Devin. I mean, it wouldn’t be a ‘Siobhan novel’ if I didn’t end up in tears at some point – which I did few times throughout Incognito, as some of the more heart-wrenching and touching scenes played out (whereas I spent long portions of Inseparable trying to read through tear-blurred eyes).
I did like the personalities of both Shawn and Dakota in that they were so down-to-earth despite their immense talent; both managed to show strength and perseverance when life threw major challenges at them; and they were both so loyal and kind to those who were close to them.
All told, I love Ms Davis’s work, I love how she is diversifying her style, and I have not read one story by her that I haven’t ended up loving. Her books are always page-turners for me and once I start one, I can NOT wait to see what happens, to the extent that I usually end up sleep-deprived because I don’t want to put them down at a reasonable time of night! I always get hooked into her characters emotionally and have no problems feeling like I’m in their world. I also always enjoy and appreciate her ability to pace her plots nicely, so that I get bits and glimpses that develop and manifest throughout the story; always managing to tie up loose ends and wrap everything up without fail, in the end.
I love books with really complex characters and very emotional storylines. In fact, I am extremely character driven when I read. That being said, this was the book for me. In fact, this is Siobhan’s second standalone and they’ve both been my kind of books!! The first one being one of my very favorite books, Inseparable. In fact, as a quick side note, some of the characters from Inseparable make a showing in this book. That was very exciting for me!
As for these two MCs, Shawn and Dakota, they are both very complex characters. Dakota growing up in a normal, happy family life until tragedy strikes and changes her life forever. Shawn entering the entertainment business as a young teenager and living on the edge as one of LA’s biggest Rock Stars. They both had baggage.
When Shawn gets his life threatened he goes into hiding at Tippie College of Business, where he meets Dakota. Of course he has changed his look and his name, so no one knows who he is. He goes there with the intention of staying away from girls. And Dakota wants nothing to do with dating, because of a bad breakup. So I wouldn’t call this any kind of Insta love, I feel it really was more of a slow buildup. They were so sweet together, so romantic, and very sexy! They were so good for each other, they were like puzzle pieces that fit together. Even though they were different in many ways, those differences are what made them good for each other.
At the same time, Shawn had hired a detective agency to find the people who were threatening his life. So it was a suspense and little bit of a mystery too. That really added to the story. The main part was the romance, but it all tied together. It got very suspenseful too!!
I have to mention too that I loved some of the side characters!! Especially Dakota’s friends, they were so great and the best of friends!! Tabs (Or Tabitha) cracked me up!! Daisy was so sweet and kind of looked out for Dakota. She just had really great friends.
As a whole this was definitely a brilliant read. Siobhan Davis is on a roll, she just keeps writing these wonderful 5 Star books! She continues to be a one-click author for me. I highly recommend you check her out!!
Loved the ending of Dakota and Shawn’s story! The plot is incredible with unexpected twists and turns. Add the intrigue, suspense, emotions and steamy moments and you have an awesome book. Great escape from reality.
This is a cute story! Shawn is a pop star that let the fame get to him. He did the typical musician thing with the girls and the partying. He’s in a place now where he realizes that kind of life isn’t what he wants, but he does still have a problem with not sounding like an entitled douche. I thought of Justin Bieber when I was reading about Shawn, which I don’t care too much for Justin Bieber, so Shawn had a long way to go for me. Don’t let that deter you from reading Incognito because luckily Shawn learns a lot faster than Justin Bieber! Shawn is receiving threats, and his safety is at risk, so he decides to hide out. He disguises himself, and attends a college. Dakota has had a traumatic experience happen to her family, and the family is taking it really hard, but she’s learning to cope with the grief. Dakota and Shawn don’t have the best first meeting because Shawn is still having problems with that mouth of his, but these 2 feel an attraction that won’t be denied. I loved the suspense and mystery with the dangerous situation surrounding Shawn. I also was anticipating when the reveal of who Shawn truly was would happen, so that kept me reading. The romance is really sweet, and Dakota and Shawn have quite the spark! They have great chemistry and are just adorable! These 2 create drama where there didn’t need to be any, but it was great to see both of these characters grow. I started this pretty late, but couldn’t put it down till I finished it. I was entertained from the beginning! Really enjoyed it!
I am voluntarily reviewing an advance complimentary copy of this book.
Siobhan has quickly become one of my favorite authors. Her books are an automatic one-click (even before reading a synopsis). I’ve been dying to get my hands on this book and thrilled to receive an advanced readers copy.
This book is about a rock-star (Shawn/Levi – total book boyfriend material here) and a college girl (Dakota). Each of them have some serious things they are working through – that’s all I will say so as not to spoil the story. If you read Inseparable, you will run in to a couple characters from that story (great to see them – cause I LOVED that book). Oh, and Tabitha (Dakota’s friend) is absolutely hysterical. Loved her.
This is a story about strength, love, trust, and healing; and it’s beautiful. I absolutely loved it!!!
If you are a fan of L.J. Shen’s Midnight Blue, you will go crazy for Siobhan’s Incognito.
Like Midnight Blue’s Alex, Shawn is a troubled rockstar, ….not from drugs, alcohol, and sex…but from someone trying to kill him. He has been shot out, home broken into while he was sleeping, and death threats. What does he do? He goes to University of IOWA to live incognito (after all who would expect someone famous to go to IOWA ) On his first day as a University of Iowa student, he is knocked over, literally, by beautiful Dakota. From that moment on, he is lost.
Dakota is also hiding out at the University of Iowa…not from drugs, alcohol, and sex…but from a family tragedy. Her only escape is dancing at midnight on the roof of an abandon warehouse. From there, she can heal and escape her past. From the moment she collided with Shawn, she is lost.
Like Midnight Blue’s Alex gets inspiration and healing from Indie’s midnight conversations, Shawn gets inspiration and healing from Dakota’s midnight dancing. I loved how it felted so right and real. You can feel the magic between them and I have no doubt that they will last forever.
I have been a huge Siobhan Davis fan since her very first book but this is her best book ever. The writing is mature and the story very well thought out. Incognito is romantic and heartwarming. This is a stand alone but you get to revisit old friends, Dev and Ange from Inseparable – I screamed with joy when I saw them. When I closed the last page, I sighed with complete happiness. This is by far my favorite rock star romance ever.
I reviewed an ARC of the book. This does not impact my review at all. When the book is for sale I will buy it to add to my permanent collection.
I loved this story so much! First things first, this is a stand-alone HEA with a blend of college and rockstar romance. Please don’t pass up the opportunity to know these perfectly written characters!
*Sigh* Shawn is such a stud. I immediately fell in love with his character. Who doesn’t love a troubled rockstar? He’s hot, he’s cold, and I just can’t get enough. Dear Siobhan, please give me more more more! Haha.
Dakota was also a character I fell for immediately. Another tortured soul whom you can easily empathize with. She’s gorgeous and so talented, and I became lost in her story.
This romance was one of my favorites because it is slow-building. It is clear that these two are perfect for each other! I also read a few scenes over and over because the images were just so beautiful!
There are also entertaining villains and supporting characters. Tabitha is by far one of my favorites. I wouldn’t be opposed to a book all about Tabitha!
What I enjoyed most about this story was the ongoing suspense of the who, what, when, where, and why. I was glued to my kindle and couldn’t get enough!!
I received a beta copy and volunteered to review it.
I love this book. There’s a lot to say about this story, but that’s the bottom line and the most important takeaway from this review. The MCs are great, the plot is complex but clear and the story is just crazy enough to be exciting without being ridiculous. I immediately liked both Dakota and Shawn. They both have heavy baggage and are struggling to find themselves when they find one another, so falling for each other is not ideal. Dakota lived a carefree life as a fun-loving dancer on her way to Julliard until tragedy struck, changing her entire life in an instant. Now she’s the dutiful daughter studying accounting at the state university so she can take over the family business and her social life is nearly nonexistent since she goes home every weekend to care for her family. She’s struggling to decide who she really is anymore: daughter, dancer, martyr, sister. Dakota’s no longer sure.
Shawn Lucas is a the world-famous bad boy pop star who left his friends behind to gain fame and lost himself along the way. He hates what he’s become: estranged from his family, surrounded by phonies who just want to use him, and desperate to make real music again but he’s forced to churn out garbage pop. He expected fame and fortune to make him happy but he’s lonely and unfulfilled. He finds relief in an unlikely place, when a stalker threatens his life and his handlers decide to send him to Iowa where he’ll go incognito as an average college student. Shawn relishes the anonymity and quickly finds some peace. He’s relaxed and writing music again, enjoying every minute of his off-the-radar identity as accounting major Levi, until he meets Dakota.
He’s instantly drawn to her in a way he’s never been drawn to anyone before and he’s desperate to get close to her but drawing her into his world means putting her in harms’ way. Shawn knows she’s not safe until his stalker is caught but he can’t help himself when he sees the pain in her eyes because all he wants is to take it away. Dakota is guarded, with good reason, but fate keeps their paths crossing and she can’t resist him. They become friends not because of their attraction but rather in spite of their determination not to fall for one another because they both desperately need someone to lean on.
“My heart beats only for you, and I know you said you only wanted to be friends, but I can’t just be your friend.” He pulls me closer. “Not when I want so much more.”
They’re both frustrating at times, with some immature reactions and lots of second-guessing themselves and one another but it’s realistic. Considering all they’ve been through and the adaptations they’ve both had to make growing up, the self-doubt and insecurities aren’t shocking. Even the subplots are compelling in this story, with Dakota’s ex and her crazy family situation plus Shawn’s stalker. Siobhan Davis keeps the twists coming as always, so even when you think you know what’s coming or who’s behind something, you’ll be wrong.
One of the best things about this book is that it brings back characters from another favorite Davis book and presents them in a new capacity, which is so much fun. I enjoyed everything about this book and will definitely read it again.
5/5
When I need to escape reality for a bit this book comes out, I’ve read it so many tines and it always brings me back on track and helps me cope with everything
This will alway be my go to book whenever I feel down or need to breathe.
@siobhandavisauthor, you will forever be one of my all time fav authors.
Shawn needed to escape his life as a big time rock star. He met Dakota when he enrolled at uni. Their love story is one of the best! Read it!
Incognito is Siobhan Davis’s next unique, sexy, and angst-filled standalone. I just know that when I open one of her books that it will be a rollercoaster ride of emotions and suspense. I love it!
Shawn needs to get away. Away from L.A and the fake-ness that comes along with it. He may only be twenty but he was a bad boy popstar by the time he was only fifteen. The last year has been difficult and now with a stalker threatening him, it’s time to get out of there. It will give him time to focus on himself and his music. To find himself again. U of I might be a party school but he wasn’t there for that. He was determined to write songs, study accounting, and blend into the crowd of college students. What he didn’t expect was Dakota Gray.
Dakota’s life was forever changed last year with the a tragic loss. She as supposed to be dancing at Julliard. Instead she was studying accounting at U of I. It wasn’t her dream but she was doing what she felt was right. Even when she knew in her heart it was all wrong. She still danced at midnight so she kept that part of herself. She was in college to focus. To one day work with her father. Then, one morning, something changed. She ran into him. Literally. An asshole named Levi who was too good looking for his own good. She tried to stay away but he was always there. In class. In the corner. In her mind.
Shawn/Levi and Dakota’s is a complicated one. They both are not in a place for a relationship. She is still hurting. He has a crazy person after him. Plus, he has never had a girlfriend. But, there is just a connection between them that they try to fight but in the end it’s too strong. They get each other. They have fun. They relax each other. What will happen when Dakota finds out the truth about who he is? Will their bond be strong enough then? And will they find the stalker before it’s too late?
I loved this story! It has the fun college experiences along with the drama of it. It also has suspense, sexiness, and heart. Both characters are strong, like-able, and mature. They are only nineteen and twenty but have been through so much for their young age. They have been through things that most people their ages haven’t. He might be a wealthy popstar but he has had his troubles. I love the way he feels for Kota. It’s beautiful, really.
Overall…I was hooked from the very start to the very end. I had to know who was going to make the first move. Who the stalker was. What would happen when she finds out the truth. I loved it! The characters. The suspense. The emotions. The drama. Everything.
Quotes:
“I feel like I’m really breathing for the first time in years.”
“Quit stalling, stud.” She rubs her hands in glee. “Dish the dirt.”
“You’re quite the romantic for a bad boy,” I tease.
“Well, I do write love songs for a living.”
I voluntarily reviewed an advance complimentary copy of this book.
This is a story about a young famous popstar Shawn, forced into hiding when threats to his life are made and Dakota, a struggling young woman dealing with the death of her sister and trying to live up to her sisters dreams
This has both a thriller element and a love story, but one with so many twists and misunderstandings you just want to shout out to them both. The trauma Dakota is hiding and trying to live with is heartbreaking, you so hope these two can make it!
Another great read from Siobhan Davis
once again Siobhan has written a wonderful story. This is a little different from the last one I’ve read by her but I loved it just the same. In this one we have a kid that grew up around money and became a rockstar Shawn and then we have Dakota who grew up quiet and laid back. Both opposites from each other everything goes well for Dakota until tragedy strikes and she swears men in relationships off but goes to college and continues on with her life. As for Shawn the end up needing to take a step back from the wild world of rock and roll and decides to go to college disguised as somebody else and that’s where he meets Dakota. They both don’t want anything to do with each other and just want to get through the days but so late they are forced together because of school and slowly things start changing between the two of them it’s a crazy ride full of all different emotions and some awesome moments. I don’t want to get into too much about the story because I feel you should read it for yourself so you can enjoy it totally but I do suggest reading it because you won’t be disappointed Siobhan has a way with writing that seems to always fascinate me and keep me turning Pages until the very end no matter what type of book she writes.
He’s hiding in the light, amongst the masses on campus. Avoiding those who seek to hurt him.
She’s trying to follow in the footsteps of the love she lost. Losing more of herself by the minute.
Can they find what they need to return to themselves, before it’s too late…
I didnt read the blurb, I went in completely blind, and why.. because I trust in Siobhan Davis and her writing. It’s as simple as that.
This is a deconstructed college drama rockstar read. The best of both worlds brought together to give you more of what we all love.
This is a story of sadness, despair, grief and hope, with danger and mystery laced through it.
My eyes misted over several times whilst reading this. The imagery was so vivid in my minds eye that I could see more than just type on a page.
I could feel the raw pain that came through in the fluidity of her movements upon the rooftop, and I felt his heartache and yearning. So much pain in their beauty, mesmerising!
He’s a fantastic character and I loved how we got to see his “real and true” heart.
She’s so vulnerable and broken, yet strong and sassy my favourite kind of character.
I found this impossible to walk away from, and when I eventually had to, the characters swam around in my mind until I was able to return.
This is the kind of read that provokes your heart into action, and your mind into questioning every character you come across.
Five stars from me!
Well written and great plot with twist and turns. Someone is trying to kill him. He hides at a college and meets her. She has had a tragic life.
He falls in love with her and despite misunderstandings he continues to pursue her. Angsty with an HEA!
I always get a little nervous when I start a standalone novel, no matter who the author is! While I’ve always always been impressed with everything I’ve read by Siobhan Davis, I still can’t shake that little bit of nerves that creep up when I open a standalone on my kindle.
THANKFULLY, in true Siobhan Davis fashion, I was left with a wonderful book hangover! I was guessing multiple times throughout the story, thinking “yep..I figured it out!” only to find that “NOPE. WROONNNGGGGG” once I got to the conclusion!
I mean, who doesn’t love a story that surprises you!? I can’t believe I still get a little cocky thinking I’ve figured something out because, literally every time, this author surprises me and proves me wrong! lol in the best way!
I loved the dynamic between our main characters; the banter, the flirting, the everything! I felt like I wasn’t just reading about the dancing, but I was also witnessing the dancing; the pain and passion she was feeling was really palpable and when he was singing? Ugh. I’m so sad I couldn’t actually HEAR him! I hope this book goes to Audible because maybe then I’ll get a chance to hear it. Right? Maybe? Pretty please? 😀
Soo..I feel like I say this every time I read something by this author but I mean it so sincerely, I LOVE Siobhan Davis. I love the way she spins the worlds and characters and makes them real to me. I love the way she makes me FEEL; the way I am instantly transported into the story. If an author makes me forget I’m even reading, they’ll have me as their #1 fan for life.
Have to say rock stars are pretty hard to like but Levi Quinn sure is easy to love. We have a man who just like Justin Beiber became popular very young and slowly went down a bad path. It takes a beautiful woman and someone out to get him to see what his life has become. Now Dakota is a woman who has tried so hard to be strong yet we are not superhumans. The attraction they have is beautiful and the friendship is unlike anything have gone through before. All in all Siobhan Davis brought this rock star to life in a way he didn’t see coming and Dakota to live again.
“I received an eBook copy from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own.”