They’re both back in Red River for good, and the chemistry is stronger than ever. But will her secret tear them apart all over again?Dylan McCoy is restless to take over Red River’s favorite watering hole—Cotton Eyed Joe’s—when his Uncle Joe retires. First, he’s got to prove he has what it takes to carry on Joe’s legacy. Finally able to put the painful scars from his days working in L.A.’s trendy … working in L.A.’s trendy music scene behind him, he sets out to host a weekend workshop for songwriters. He calls in a favor and lines up some of the biggest musicians in the biz to attend. Life is good. Until the business owners who occupy the commercial space next door threaten to ruin his establishment right before the rock star lineup of attendees are scheduled to blow into town.
Hailey Hicks left Red River six years ago with a secret. Now—as a seasoned hairstylist who’s made her own way in the world—she’s back in town to help her cousin expand her salon. Unfortunately, the renovations aren’t going as planned and draw fire from the saloon next door. When she comes face to face with her ex, Dylan McCoy, sparks fly. Can they mend the damage done because of how they parted ways? Or will her secret cause them both to get burned again?
Be sure to check out the rest of the series by bestselling author Shelly Alexander:
IT’S IN HIS HEART – Coop & Ella’s Story
IT’S IN HIS TOUCH – Blake & Angelique’s Story
IT’S IN HIS SMILE – Talmadge & Miranda’s Story
IT’S IN HIS ARMS – Mitchell & Lorenda’s Story
IT’S IN HIS FOREVER – Langston & Sandra’s Story
If you loved Shelly’s IT’S IN HIS… series, you’ll love her DARE ME… series even more!
DARE ME ONCE – Trace & Lily’s Story
DARE ME AGAIN – Elliott & Rebel’s Story
More To Come In 2020!
If you like a lot of steam and chemistry, try her sizzling series of romantic comedy STANDALONES in the Checkmate Inc. Series:
FOREPLAY – Leo & Chloe’s Story
ROOKIE MOVES – Dex & Ava’s Story
GET WILDE – Ethan & Adeline’s Story
SINFUL GAMES – Oz & Kendall’s Story (A 2019 RITA Finalist in the Erotic Romance category!)
More to come soon!
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It’s In His Song is a mix of second chance romance and secret/surprise baby. Hailey and Dylan have history and plenty of unfinished business, which works well for this novella. True to form, the author gives us a good blend of romance, wit, and just a bit of angst, making for an entertaining, quick read. It is part of the Red River Valley series, but works well as a standalone. There are characters from previous books to pique the curiosity if the series is new to you, but you won’t be lost about storylines. As for this story, I loved the chemistry between Hailey and Dylan, and the ending was just perfect for them.
I enjoyed reading this book! It’s a touching, sexy, & fun second chance romance.
Dylan, left Red River six years ago.
He left Hailey, without even a goodbye. Fast forward six years, Hailey, has moved back home, to start a new life. What she didn’t expect on her first day of work, was to see Dylan. When Dylan, see’s Hailey,
he is surprised to see her, back in Red River. But there is no mistake in that
their chemistry still sizzles.
Hailey, knows she needs to be careful.
To keep her secret from Dylan, & protect her heart. But how long can they deny their feelings?
I loved everything about this Must Read Story!!
they are both back for good but for different reasons. He is back to build something new while she is back to help her cousin. life is not going to go smoothly for either of them. They have dated in the past and she has a secret. Will they be able to put the last behind them? Can they overcome their problems? See what will happen
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book was my first introduction to Red River. It’s definitely a stand alone and it will make you want to read all the other books to get more of the characters of this small town. And I mean characters! In some ways, some of the quirky supporting characters were more memorable than the main characters but in a totally laugh out loud way that brought the book to life. Dylan has taken over his uncle’s bar after returning to Red River from the LA music scene. He’s not given up on his dream of making music, but he’s had a bad experience in the industry. Hailey has returned home to help her cousin expand her beauty salon. The one person she doesn’t want to see is Dylan after he ghosted her to leave for LA. Unfortunately, fate has different plans as the beauty salon shares a wall and plumbing with the bar. After several disasters, they are finding that they are spending more time than they want together and that their chemistry is still there.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a voluntary and honest review.
It’s in His Song is a wonderful if short second chance romance story bringing Dylan and Hailey back together again in Red River Valley. These two have always had sizzling chemistry between them but life got in the way and tore them apart. Now they are both back in Red River Valley and the spark flares back to life. Will the secrets from the past tear them apart again? You’ll want to read and find out. I highly recommend it.
It’s fun and heartwarming quick read. I enjoyed the storyline and the characters you will fall in love with. The characters had great chemistry and connection. A great second chance at romance story.
This series always has a fantastic story and this one is no exception.
We get Dylan a young guy who chose to follow his dreams and Hailey who chose to live hers as well after Dylan up and left her one day. Only her dreams involved not only herself.
She is back where it all began after taking another leap in life and what do you know?
Yes, Dylan is also back and now Hailey has to make the biggest decision of her… Does she or doesn’t she?
Sexy, and romantic with a bit of humor just what you want in a really good romance story…
This was a very sweet, quick story. I haven’t read all of the others in this series but didn’t feel that it impacted the story in any way. It was good but would have enjoyed it more if it was longer and fleshed out the characters more. All in all, a very good read.
I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
This was the first time I have read this author. This was a sweet second chance book about Hailey and Dylan. Hailey moves back to town after 6 years to be partners in a hair salon. Dylan is back in town because of his uncle. They meet again and Dylan wants her back after all this time however she doesn’t at first because of how he left. She also has a big secret that she needs to figure out how to tell him. It was a quick read but I wish there was a little more. I felt like their story wasn’t completely finished.
I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book was a sweet, fun and flirty story. I was very quickly lost in Dylan and Hailey’s story. Hailey has moved back to her hometown and she’s trying to do it quietly so both the residents aren’t aware immediately and not to draw attention to herself from Dylan. Neither works out very well for her. She’s now an owner of a hair salon with her cousin. They share a wall with Cotton Eyed Joe’s, which Dylan is in charge of and soon to own. When there’s trouble, they can’t help but see each other. Hailey is not expecting the emotions and feelings Dylan draws out from her. She doesn’t want to be attracted to him, but chemistry is something they had in spades! I enjoyed the relationship these two have and the fact that they are practically starting over in getting to know one another. Hailey has always held a place for him in her heart and he did for her as well. This second chance story was one I didn’t want to put down and I couldn’t read fast enough. Do yourself a favor and grab yourself a copy!
Dylan McCoy stood Hailey Hicks up on a date during a time period they were young lovers and left town. He had plans to become famous in the music industry. She in turn also left town and moved on with her life.
Hailey returns to town to go into business with her cousin in her hair salon. During the frustrations of the renovations she meets her next door neighbor, non other than Dylan McCoy. He become disillusioned with the LA music scene and came back home. He’s now running his Uncle Joe’s place, Cotton Eyed Joe’s.
The chemistry is definitely still there between them. Hailey is afraid Dylan hasn’t changed his feelings about family and there’s a big secret that could destroy them before they can even see if they have a chance to begin again.
This is a wonderful second chance at love romance.
Hailey left her hometown six years ago after Dylan, her boyfriend, decided he wanted to pursue his music career and left her with no warning or further contact. She has now returned home to become a partner in her cousin’s beauty salon, Shear Elegance, for a new start around those she loves.
Dylan has returned to their hometown as well when he realized that the business side of music was not for him. He will be taking over his uncle’s pub, Cotton Eyed Joe, once he proves that he is worthy. He has regretted ending his relationship with Hailey and wants a second chance.
The feelings between them are stronger than ever but with her hurt over the past and the secret that he doesn’t know about will they ever find their way back to each other?
This is a sweet and sexy small town romance about love, family and second chances.
4.5 Hearts
It’s in His Song is the sixth book in the Red River Valley series by the talented, Shelly Alexander. I have read most of the series and have loved each couple. You can read as standalone. This one is a novella so I will make it quick.
Six years. Dylan McCoy left Red River six years ago to follow his musical dreams. After only one album with his band he was back in his hometown, not long after leaving it and everyone behind. Hailey Hicks left town only five weeks after Dylan walked away without saying goodbye. She had her own dreams to fulfill. And now they are back in the same town and she is so not ready to see him again.
Hailey had a secret. One she had been holding onto for a very long time. Not even her family knows what happened all those years ago. When Dylan comes walking into the salon to find her standing there, they are both lost. In each other. In the past. But will Hailey’s secret be too much for Dylan to handle? He wants a second chance but will it be too much?
I enjoyed this story but I wanted more towards the end. Maybe I will get more when the series continues .
Quotes:
“I doubt he would’ve been so agreeable if the question came from you, since you’re new in town.”
She stopped and faced him, and he did the same. “I’m not new.”
“To them you are.” He nodded toward the lodge.
“You’re even more beautiful now than you were six years ago.”
“Let’s make a pact. You don’t ever try to fix anything in my shop again, and in exchange, I won’t taser you.”
IT’S IN HIS SONG is a nice continuation of the RED RIVER VALLEY series. It’s the sixth book, and there’s still more story to tell. I loved being back with the characters we’ve met before and the small town flair! It’s a nice second-chance romance with a little twist.
The story moves quickly, and we’re easily brought up to speed with past events. So even if this is the first book you’ve read in the series, you’ll find it easy to follow. Hailey returns after a six year absence to go into business with her cousin, along with her young daughter in tow. She’s a hairdresser, and her love that got away is Dylan, who went to LA to become a music sensation. Not only did he never look back, he never even said goodbye!
Their paths definitely cross since he’s back in their small town and working at his uncle’s bar, which happens to be right next door to her salon. The salon also happens to be undergoing renovations and is causing havoc at the bar.
The old chemistry is still there, and Hailey and Dylan often forget where they are as the years seem to drift away. Hailey’s daughter is a cute addition to the story, although Dylan doesn’t think so when their paths cross. The end felt a little rushed for me though I still enjoyed the story.
Ms. Alexander is an author I’ve enjoyed. I’ve read the first, third and fifth book in this series. IT’S IN HIS HEART, IT’S IN HIS SMILE and IT’S IN HIS FOREVER. I need to read the missing books, IT’S IN HIS TOUCH and IT’S IN HIS ARMS.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy and am voluntarily reviewing it. This is the first book I have read from this author and it is deliriously cute. It is a quick read that wraps up surprisingly well. This book has it all. Young romance, a secret and some serious steam. Hailey moved back to her hometown of Red River with her daughter, Melody to become part owner in a hair salon. She moved away 6 years ago to pursue a career as a professional hair stylist.
In walks Dylan, Hailey’s long lost love who left her without a goodbye to chase after his dreams. The attraction is hard to get away from. The steam leaps off the page when these two are in the room together. Both have some past demons to contend with. Readers sit on the edge of their seats wondering if either will be able to overcome the demons that attempts to keep them apart.
This author does a great job of developing these characters. I will definitely be reading more.
A funny and sweet second chances story
While I haven’t read all the Red River Valley books, I’ve loved pretty much everything I’ve read by this author, and I’ve enjoyed a couple of the earlier books in the series, so I was happy to get my hands on this new story. I’d say this works very well as a standalone, but there are some relatively brief appearances by characters from previous books; having read their stories will enrich your experience here but isn’t necessary.
I enjoyed the setup and small town feel, and Dylan was definitely swoon worthy but still vulnerable. A second chance story, I appreciated that Dylan recognized and regretted his mistakes and the author made me like him in spite of them. Meanwhile Hailey has her own set of second thoughts; I liked how strong and competent she was, but I was a little leery when I realized a secret was going to a large part of the plot (I picked this up based on author and series, without reading the blurb). I’m not a fan of that particular device but I understood her reasons and, in this case with only a novella length story, the secret keeping didn’t drag on too long (I get antsy and just want the blowup when the secret comes out over with, lol).
The only real issue I had was mostly personal taste. I generally prefer full length stories and there were places I wanted more here, which was probably not practical with a novella. For instance, I would have liked a little detail on what happened to Dylan in LA, and I felt like the story wrapped up a little too quickly and neatly. I liked that nobody held a needless grudge but…maybe a little more depth on how everyone was adjusting to the new normal, or maybe just a little more conflict before everyone accepted the new normal, would have made it feel more believable for me.
A fast, entertaining read with plenty of humor, and a sweet take on making the most of your second chances. 4 stars
B2B Kelly
It’s In His Song was a cute, second chance romance in the Red River Valley series. Hailey Hicks has returned home to partner with her cousin on running a beauty salon. She left town over 6 years ago and is now back to stay and raise her young daughter Melody. Dylan McCoy was the young man who broke her heart and caused her to leave town. Dylan had big dreams of making it in the music industry and one night he didn’t show up for their date and took off to follow those dreams. He made it to the big time but it wasn’t what he expected and has since returned to Red River to help his Uncle Joe run the bar and restaurant. He always wondered what happened to the girl that he left behind and now he’s going to find out but will he be happy about it? This is a cute, quick, low steam romance and I easily read it in one sitting. It’s told from dual POV and I enjoyed it.
Another great read in the Red River Valley series. We finally get Dylan’s story and why he wouldn’t get involved with anything music related. Good story, the lovin’ was pretty steamy, but not nonstop. The whole series is great for those of us that like a good romantic book with steam.
“I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from the publisher and am voluntarily reviewing it.”
This was a really sweet second chance romance. This is Hailey and Dylan’s story these two were together and in love, until he left to follow his dream, shortly after he left town so did she now she is back to work with her cousin but imagine her surprise when she finds out he owns the business next door. this was a super read.
I couldn’t put this book down. It’s a great addition to the Red River Valley series but is a great stand alone book. It’s a second chance romance. The two main characters leave Red River Valley to reach their dreams. After some complications, both return home to make their dream come true.
This would be a great beach read- delightful and quick.