Eva and Rafe’s story continues in this emotional, angsty, rockstar romance from the bestselling author of The Rixon Raiders series. Eighteen-year-old Eva Walker knew going on tour with Black Hearts Still Beat would be complicated.She didn’t expect to find herself torn between two brothers.One wants her but he walked away before.The other needs her but she doesn’t understand why.It’s only time … other needs her but she doesn’t understand why.
It’s only time before the truth comes out, and when it does, nothing will be the same for Country’s newest sweetheart and the black-hearted boys of Rock.
Rise: The Interlude is the second installment in Eva and Rafe’s story. The concluding book Rule: The Finale is available now!
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I legit DEVOURED this book!! After reading Rush, book 1 and after the ending that L.A. Cotton left me in I needed to know what was going to happen. I love Eva’s character. That girl has spunk and does not conform to what is expected of her. Rafe left her brokenhearted but she knew what she had to do to succeed and go far with her music and what she was willing to sacrifice to help her family. I just love this character. Rafe and Levi, I literally want to wrap them in a hug. I love that we learn more about their past. This story gave me so many emotions and feels that I couldn’t put it down. I was laughing, crying and swooning along with Eva. Towards the end though my heart was crushed, but then L.A. Cotton always gets you until the very end of the book. Just amazing!! Now if March can please hurry up and get here so I can get the next book that would be great! The Black Hearts Still Beat is a great series and a must read!!
Rafe and Eva’s story continues in Rise. LA Cotton delivers a highly charged read. Throughout the book I was rooting for Eva and Rafe. This book will have you lost in the pages and Eva and Rafe wade the waters to get to their hea. I’m looking forward to the final book in the series to see how they stay a float with all that happened in book 2.
5 I Choose You Stars
Rise is the second book in the BHSB series, and it picks up right where Rush left off. You definitely need to read Rush before diving into Rise. Eva is offered the opportunity of a lifetime to be the opening act for Black Hearts Still Beat. Despite her concern over facing Rafe again after he ghosted her after their weekend fling, her mounting medical bills and the opportunity to give back to her parents make the decision to join the tour an easy one.
Eva, also known as Starshine and Angel stole the show in Rise, both literally and figuratively. She owned the stage and had the Black Hearts fans eating out of the palm of her hand. And it wasn’t just the fans that were enamored with her. It was the band, too. Eva was a pillar of strength as she was thrust into the limelight, dealing with all the highs and lows that come with fame. Levi, Race’s brother, latched onto Eva’s brightness and strength, her ability to calm him like no one else could, and that’s where the problems began….
Talk about a wild ride of angst, turmoil, and heartbreak. There was never a doubt in my mind of who Eva’s heart belonged to. Their chemistry and soul deep connection was palpable in every interaction they had. Watching Rafe struggle with what his heart wants versus his innate desire to protect his brother was heartbreaking.
Rise is a second chance love story with ALL THE FEELS. I am enchanted not only with Rafe and Eva, but the entire band and the complex relationships they share with each other. Cotton left us on another doozy of a cliffhanger and I can’t wait to see what’s next!
”The second our lips touched, I felt it. The cosmic shift. This wasn’t wrong; it’s wasn’t some selfish mistake. It was two souls reuniting.”
A book that is jam packed with all the feels. Eve being torn between two brothers is a rollercoaster ride of emotions. All she wants is the one she chose to want her back and love her. This is the 2nd book in the series a continuation of Rafe & Eva’s story. The writing is AMAZING and will have you hooked from the start.
This story continues where Rush ended. Black Heart Still Beats a rock band ask Eva a country contest winner to join there tour to help with there image. Eva is trying to rediscovers herself while learning the business and hiding from her past. The band is trying to keep there heads afloat while dealing with past demons. Rafe is a character you can’t help but feel for. He is stuck between loyalty to his brother Levi and his feelings for Eva. The characters in this book are fun and deep and you can’t help but enjoy there banter and interactions. Does Rock and Roll and Country mix? Does love prevail? These are some of the questions that I continued asking myself during this book. I completely enjoyed the angst and unanswered questions as I fell more in love with Rafe and Eva story.
The story continues, and it was such the perfect book to follow up Rush. The right amount of drama, angst, and mystery still surround these characters, and you are truly rooting for everyone in their own way.
Eva is now on tour and opening up more and more to the band each day. She understands some of their secrets, but she’s still keeping secrets on her own.
Rafe is trying to do what’s best for his family without thinking of it being unfair to himself and Eva. He is such a protector, and has been since he was a child.
Levi is the perfect addition to this book. His personality changes depending on his mood, and each scene will have you failing in love with him a little more. He is such an important person to Rafe and Eva, and when secrets unfold your heart will break for him.
This is the second book in this series, so make sure you read Rush before reading this one! It ends on a cliffhanger, and I’m so excited to get the conclusion soon.
– An Arc was generously provided in exchange for an honest review.-
The second of the Black Hearts Still Beat series, and not going to lie, I fumbled for a bit trying to remember what had happened in book one; rereading would have helped. Eva and Rafe have parted ways and she has agreed to going on tour with the band. She is however still not prepared for what happens when the tour starts, from the guys, fans, and just the tour itself. She is still pining a bit for Rafe, but he isn’t giving her the time of day. What’s weird is that Levi has taken to Eva and tries his hand at reassuring her and giving her his version of help. A stolen moment and Eva finds out what Rafe’s deal is, but it doesn’t stop her (or him) from wanting more stolen moments. Even knowing they shouldn’t even be crossing the line again, the temptation is too much to resist. Will the two end up getting burned, or come out on the other side unscathed?
Like I have already said, I should have reread as I stumbled a bit in the beginning, but that didn’t last long and I was sucked right back into the story. I am more than ready for the next story and how it all ends; I give this 4 stars.
Gah.. Rafe and Eva are just divine. This book is just incredible. The tension, the angst the chemistry.
I love how this book plays out and I can’t wait for book 3. I adore Rafe and even Lev had my heart this time around. Eva is strong, lovable and gah she just handles those boys well.
Rafe is troubled, charming and just so hot.
This couple had me sunk from book 1 and I so can’t wait to see how the rest of their story unfolds.
I was super excited to get into the books especially after reading the first novella that really set the tone for this and i was not disappointed.
Yes the book ends of a cliffhanger and by golly do i want to find out what happens in the book but i am also loving what happened at the end.
I love how innocent Eva is she is naive but she is really innocent and she gets swallowed up by those Black heart guys without realising it and she becomes one of them which i love and also hate as this is her downfall as well but i love her.
Rafe was exactly what i expected him to be he is just torn between Eva and his brother, i really feel for Levi and i hope he gets his own book (hint hint) he needs one. I loved Rafe he is special and as much as he is rocker he has all the feelings and i loved him.
Loved loved this book and i can’t wait for the next book in this serious. I know i haven’t said much but i don’t want to spoil it.
I can NOT stop thinking about Rafe & Ava! Cotton’s writing makes me want a lifetime of these two! Rise is the 2nd book in the Black Hearts Still Beat series, if you haven’t read Rush (book 1) go grab it….because Rise releases February 18th.
If you love Rock star romances, you’ll love this one! Except Cotton has added a little twist to this tale. The heroine isn’t just some girl in the crowd somewhere that the rockstar fell for…nope, she is a small town girl who competed in a talent contest and quickly became country’s newest sweetheart. While participating in the contest, she crosses path with one of the BHSB band members, and all too quickly becomes addicted to everything about him. After she’s brought on tour with Black Hearts Still Beat, she quickly becomes an important person to the entire band. While following her dreams she forms relationships with each band member that’s sweet, sometimes funny and so heartwarming to read about. It’s the relationship between Rafe, Ava and Levi that is the hardest yet also the most magical. To affect someone else’s life in a way that changes them is such a joy; but to do that to two people….and for them brothers!!! SERIOUSLY! The angst between these characters is off the charts! You will find yourself rooting for them even more; but what if them ending up together breaks another.
At some points this book touches on some hard life lessons in addition to some sweet moments that are guaranteed to give you ALL THE FEELS! I love reading rock star romances, this one by LA Cotton is definitely going down in my favorites!
LA Cotton never fails to amaze me. She brings it every single time no matter what trope she writes and I am here for it!
Rise is book two in the Black Hearts Still Beat series and I love the world that she has created. The characters are relatable because they aren’t perfect. They make mistakes, they have their demons and they are real.
LA Cotton brings all of the emotions, sexual tension and the angst with Rise and now I’m sat here counting down the days until I can read book 3!
If you haven’t started this epic rockstar series yet then what are you waiting for?
I read Rush, book one in the Black Hearts Still Beat series, in one sitting and did exactly the same with Rise. Oh my, this is one epic story and I’m anticipating more of the same when Rule releases too. I am desperate to see what happens next!
I was hooked from the very first chapter. I couldn’t have put my kindle down even if I needed to. Everyone in my household had to fend for themselves and I selfishly didn’t care.
Eva is just an incredible person. I adore her. This young woman has this fabulous personality that everyone warms to and I loved seeing her relationship with each of the band members develop. How she coped with being thrusted into the spotlight as she goes on tour with BHSB just proved how strong she is. She does have a weakness through…… Rafe. I honestly don’t blame her either!
Rafe and Eva struggle to fight their feelings for each other, their connection is undeniable. Eva was deliberately brought in to tour with the band to help calm Levi, Rafe’s older brother, and the complications that this brought were more than I could ever have imagined and as we learned the secrets surrounding Rafe and Levi’s childhoods. It is understandable why Rafe has always but his brother first. Rafe is a wonderful person and he’s found himself another admirer in me – that’s for certain.
I urge you to read this series. You will thank me that you did. This is a story filled with love, drama, heartache, friendship and jealousy too. I am so invested in Rafe and Eva that I have physically felt all the emotions throughout both books. LA Cotton is doing an incredible job writing this series, I would love to see each band member have their story penned, and I cannot wait to read the conclusion of Eva and Rafe’s story when Rule releases in April.
Oh my God… if this is just the Interlude, I cannot wait for the Finale !!
L.A. Cotton was best known to me for her college/sports romance which she does so well… but then Black Hearts Still Beat was born and damn you L.A. Cotton you do rock stars with a side of brilliance !! Honestly this read is so authentic you will feel like you are right there on tour with Eva and the boys !
Levi is on another level, harbouring an anger from his past that he cant control – he is the bad boy you want to tame.. yet Eva his ‘Angel’ has something that seems to reach deep into his soul and calm him. Unfortunately Levi’s brother Rafe and Eva, have unfinished business… Rafe is doing his utmost to avoid her, but how long can he avoid the pull that is obvious to everyone around them.
I’m dying to know more about the other members of the band Hudson and Damon, there’s definitely more to their story, I just love these boys.
I’m pretty sure there’s going to be a twist coming in Rule – who is feeding information to the press? Who is trying to ruin everything? There’s an obvious suspect.. but is it too obvious.. I guess we’ll have to wait and see! Whatever’s coming next I just know its going to be amazing !!
Wow! Amazing! Incredible! After being hooked with Rush, I didn’t think the story could be any more intriguing. However, Ms. Cotton has raised her limits and surpassed them. Rafe and Eva’s electric combo could not be extinguished, but then you toss in Levi and you have an explosion of epic proportions. This is a raw, indulgent, fast-paced read! This story sucks you into its combustible, abraded emotions and leaves the characters exposed. A book that you will pull an all-nighter for. So, cancel your plans and be ready for a monumental book hangover!
I received a free copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
This is the 2nd part of this phenomenal series and Eva had joined the bands tour. This is a beautifully written story which is an emotional roller coaster, as well as being filled with angst, and love which leads to an intense and powerful story where choices need to be made. This is an epic tale which ends with a cliffy and I cannot wait to read the 3rd and concluding part of this series. I was totally captivated throughout this addictive page turner, and this author has outdone herself with this series. I highly recommend this gifted authors’ work for all.
LA Cotton has outdone herself with Rise. Once I started I was hooked from the very beginning and completely captivated until the very end. Lianne has honestly written an amazing story filled with angst and emotion. I started this book at bedtime last night and honestly I didn’t really need sleep as I couldn’t put it down until I had finished. I was gripped wondering what was going to happen.
After that epic cliffhanger I am left in love and hate with Lianne. Love because I loved this book but hate because I want the next book NOW!
When Eva’s best friend signed her up for a talent competition she never thought it would lead to her becoming the opening act for the rock band Black Hearts Still Beat. When their agent offered her the opportunity she was reluctant to accept the offer knowing it would be a tough transition for her, especially being around Rafe again. But her family’s swimming in debt from her medical bills, and the money they are offering her could be the answer to all their problems. So she signs on the dotted line and hopes for the best…
Once again we are reunited with our favorite musical couple, and have a front row seat to their drama filled reunion. These two have had a rough go at life and both carry a lot of emotional baggage with them, which often finds it’s way into the middle of their relationship, and reeks havoc on it. Watching Eva try to navigate this new part of her life is tough at times, she is so innocent and her current company is anything but, so she often finds herself in questionable situations. Now not only is she dealing with her feelings for Rafe, but Levi is also demanding her attention too… which puts her in an impossible situation. I cannot wait to see how this one turns out, these characters have easily found their way into my heart, and I am hoping there is some much needed happiness ahead for all of them. Highly recommend you get your hands on this one, it’s perfectly penned words are certain to put a squeeze on your heart!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.
It’s hard to imagine how you will ever love characters as much as those that you have just finished reading about. However with every new story from LA Cotton I love the characters just a little more than the last ones!
Rafe and Eva had me hooked from book 1. I loved the tension and angst and how the story has unfolded so far. That last page now has me very impatient for the final installment in their story!
***4 “I choose you!!!” stars***
“I felt it too. The shift in the air, the hint of things to come.
Only I wasn’t sure if this tour would be the making of Black Hearts.
Or its downfall.
And I wasn’t sure I wanted to find out.”
What the hell in happening in your head, Levi???
Honestly, i can not figure you out!!! You can’t be so oblivious, man!!!
Yeah, i understand that you are fucked up in the head and that you’re used for others to clean up your messes, but still…
Arrr… You are making me furious!!!! You are selfish and I think that in a way you are taking emotionally advantage of Rafe and Hunter and Damon… But mostly… Rafe and it’s not right!!!
Pfff… I just couldn’t help myself!!!
Now I’m ready to speak about Eva and Rafe, since you know… it’s their story!!!
“Things were changing.
Eva was changing us.
And if we stayed on this road who only knew where we would end up.”
Months after Rafe ghosted Eva, they are about to work together on stage on a tour…
None of them are very happy about this fact, but Eva needs to take this step for her parents… and maybe for herself too…
But it will be so hard to be around Rafe and his intense brother, Levi!!! To be around famous rock stars and to sing her soul out in front of thousands people…
But Eva had proved already that she is strong and a fighter and she will manage it really good…
Rafe from the other hand, I’m not so sure that he can handle to be around her so much!!!!
“This is your moment to shine, Eva. Do you know how many people would kill to be in your position right now? Don’t go out there thinking you don’t deserve it; go out there with something to prove.”
“I wasn’t sure I could do it – keep her at a distance, suppress my feelings for her. Especially not when she was standing there, looking at me like I was everything she wanted.
Everything she needed.”
Well, in here, we saw a new star rising…. The sweetheart of Country had come to stay and she had charmed everybody… Even Levi… And that is not really a good thing!!!
This fact just mess out things even more…
Eva wants Rafe… Rafe wants Eva, even though that he is keeping her at arm’s length for his own reasons…
So Levi, what is he doing??? What is that he wants??? He wants Eva??? But in what way???
God, really he can not be so oblivious!!!
Everyone can see that there is something between Rafe and Eva… even though they are not acting upon it!!! Pfff….
I really need the next book!!!
“I couldn’t be who she needed and she sure as shit couldn’t be who I needed. So here we are; two strangers who knew one another in ways no two strangers should.”
“Eva was here to fix what Levi had broken. But as I watched them weave together a note-perfect rendition of one of Levi’s most favorite songs ever, I couldn’t help but think she might end up fixing more than just his reputation.”
For once again, i loved Eva and Rafe…
In here, there were both POVs and i couldn’t be more happy cause i could understand Rafe a little better than before…
Rafe had lot of shits on his plate and all of them had to do with Levi… I think that he was feeling guilty for his brother and he wanted so desperately to be there for him and his crazy act, that he was putting himself behind… He was sacrificing himself for Levi and I didn’t like it!!!
“Levi was a cocky motherfucker. The perpetual thorn in my side. But he was also my blood and despite our differences, I loved him something fierce.”
“What Eva and I had shared that weekend in Camdena was unlike anything I’d ever experienced. We’d connected. Not only over music but with the pain that lived inside us both…
But it was all a fantasy.
A dream I could spend my life chasing and never quiet grasp. Let alone make a reality.”
Eva from the other hand, she was shining in here and her big heart could do literally miracles…
The only thorn in her side was Rafe… Rafe whom she wanted as much as before…
But no… In here, she was just a rose, with two thorns in here side… Levi and Rafe…
What will happen after all???
“The second our lips touched, I felt it. The comic shift. This wasn’t wrong; it wasn’t some selfish mistake. It was two souls reuniting.”
“I’d felt something with Rafe, not just inside me, but soming from him. A deep-sated need that transcended attraction and lust. I filled something inside him just as he filled a missing piece of me.
But I wouldn’t push. Not until I had answers.”
Well, i really loved many secondary characters in here and mostly the other members of the “Black Hearts Still Beat”… Only for Levi, I’m not so sure… He’s confusing me very much and i’m feeling that I have a hate-love relation with him…
Also i loved Damon very much with his calm energy and Hunter with his reckless side…
I’d love to get stories about all three of them at some point…
Also, i still love crazy and impulsive Molly and in here, Letty had grown on me…
Can’t wait for the third book… I need to see what will happen after all, especially after this ending!!!
“Levi thrived on chaos. On anything to distract him from the memories… the pain… the self-loathing.”
***And advanced reading copy was provided to me in the exchange of an honest review***
4.5 Black Heart Stars
Ugh! I love this author. I don’t know if it’s her writing style or what. I don’t care to analyze it! All I know is that I’ll officially read anything she writes. The way she makes the characters come off the page with their personalities and emotions, just great! Never OTT, always REAL.
I reaaaaally liked this one! The only thing that kept it from being a full blown 5 star read for me was the “filler episode” feel of the first half of the book. You know, necessary to set up everything to come but a little slow moving. Not as many BIG moments. I was craving more interactions between Rafe & Eva and even Levi & Eva. But something tells me book three (Rule) is going to be one hell of a ride! Oh! And when we finally find out exactly WHY Rafe ghosted Eva at the end of the first book…well, the grovel wasn’t there. And I NEED THE GROVEL. She should’ve kicked him in the balls like Molly suggested.
I’m not going touch on the BIG moments that we finally got in the last half of the book, but I will say that the ending left me torn. That last bit is both a heart stopper and stomach dropper (did that make sense?). It left me so worried for Levi and the future of the band. I’ve grown to love each band member so much!
I can’t wait for Rule: the Finale .