He’s a rock star with a secret, she’s a pop princess with a painful past – can their forbidden romance survive, or will their lies destroy them both? I’ve earned my bad reputation. A few years ago, I was New York City’s hottest classical music prodigy. But I wanted something else, something more. So I chased my real dream, and now… I’m rock royalty. Dax Hughes, lead guitarist of Nothing but … lead guitarist of Nothing but Trouble. But to my family and former Juilliard classmates, I’m an outcast. A misfit. A rebel.
They’re not entirely wrong. I don’t give a damn what other people think, and I’m all for breaking the rules… except when it comes to our new opening act, Verity Moore.
Rock gods don’t tour with pop princesses.
It’s not personal. Actually, under that fallen diva reputation, Verity’s incredibly talented. And her fiery redheaded personality is… intriguing. But I’m convinced the skeletons in Verity’s closet are as scandalous as my own, and when we’re not sparring, she has a way of drawing out all those secrets I’m determined to keep hidden.
Yeah. Verity Moore is definitely off-limits . . . But since when do I give a damn about the rules?
“Tara Leigh delivers a gripping rock-star romance that hits all the right notes and is sure to steal your heart.” — USA Today Happy Ever After on Rock Legend
“Entertaining, sexy, and heartwarming…. Fans of Kristen Callihan, Kylie Scott, and Erika Kelly will love Rock Rebel.” — Harlequin Junkie
out all those secrets I’m determined to keep hidden.
Yeah. Verity Moore is definitely off-limits . . . But since when do I give a damn about the rules?
“Tara Leigh delivers a gripping rock-star romance that hits all the right notes and is sure to steal your heart.” — USA Today Happy Ever After on Rock Legend
“Entertaining, sexy, and heartwarming…. Fans of Kristen Callihan, Kylie Scott, and Erika Kelly will love Rock Rebel.” — Harlequin Junkie out all those secrets I’m determined to keep hidden.
Yeah. Verity Moore is definitely off-limits . . . But since when do I give a damn about the rules?
“Tara Leigh delivers a gripping rock-star romance that hits all the right notes and is sure to steal your heart.” — USA Today Happy Ever After on Rock Legend
“Entertaining, sexy, and heartwarming…. Fans of Kristen Callihan, Kylie Scott, and Erika Kelly will love Rock Rebel.” — Harlequin Junkie out all those secrets I’m determined to keep hidden.
Yeah. Verity Moore is definitely off-limits . . . But since when do I give a damn about the rules?
“Tara Leigh delivers a gripping rock-star romance that hits all the right notes and is sure to steal your heart.” — USA Today Happy Ever After on Rock Legend
“Entertaining, sexy, and heartwarming…. Fans of Kristen Callihan, Kylie Scott, and Erika Kelly will love Rock Rebel.” — Harlequin Junkiemore
I love Tara Leigh’s writing in general! It’s the right balance of straight-forward and descriptive, steamy and dramatic, with well-built characters., and Rock Rebel is no different. Verity and Dax are both complex characters with relatable voices. Sure, they’re rich and famous, but they’re real people, too. Their friendship is believable and their chemistry jumps off the pages. Verity and Dax are easy to ‘ship, and their story is made richer by the wealth of secondary characters (whether or not you’ve met them in other books in this series!)
My one (kinda ridiculous) complaint is that there were a few somewhat off-putting metaphors that threw me for the next few pages. They were always perfectly apt and very original, but I just get horribly sidetracked if you compare anything to an abused puppy.
Regardless, I recommend this book as well as the Nothing but Trouble series in general. It IS a standalone, but there are some minor “duh” type spoilers based on characters’ relationships.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Tara Leigh freaking rocked the newest release in the Nothing But Trouble rocker series! Rock Rebel is book three but can absolutely be read as standalone.
Get ready for a disgraced pop princess, a controlling momager, a sleazy producer and a prince in tarnished armor. This book had more twists and turns than a roller coaster and I loved every minute of it!
Verity Moore is a disgraced pop princess who’s fall from grace as a beloved TV star had her spiraling out of control. Taking back her control, Verity turns to Travis Tagert, manager of none other than the popular rock band Nothing But Trouble, in hopes of becoming the singer she always dreamed of being. She’s had a troubled past and is ready to put it behind her and start living her life on her own terms.
From New York City’s hottest classical music prodigy to rock royalty. Dax Hughes left his family and Julliard behind to chase a girl that was his everything, or so he thought.
Opportunity knocks and Dax heeded the call. Now he is the lead guitarist for the popular rock band Nothing But Trouble. He’s the quiet one in the group often being called Monk because of he is forever turning woman away. Until he meets Verity Moore.
I loved Dax and Verity’s story! These two were like magnets when they were in the same room. Always gravitating towards one another. They both had secrets that could destroy them. There were parts I just wanted to shake some sense into both of them. And other parts that had me reaching for the box of Kleenex.
The twists in this book had me gasping out for more. More love, more passion and more truth.
Destiny brought these two broken souls together. Both are hiding truths that need to be spoken. Can their love for one another be what makes them whole again? Or will trusts be so broken that they’re irreparable?
I was waiting for Dax and Verity’s story for a while, while reading Rock Legend you could tell there was something going on between the two of them and if there wasn’t there should have been. Well, there was because this story takes place along side part of that book. Each book in this series can be read as a standalone but I feel you will enjoy each of the stories more if you read them in order, that being said I do not feel that you will be lost if you do not read the first two books in the series.
If you don’t know the meaning behind the word Verity, here it is: TRUTH!
ver·i·ty /ˈverədē/
noun
a true principle or belief, especially one of fundamental importance. “the eternal verities”
truth. “irrefutable, objective verity”
Verity’s truth is a hard one so please be aware if you have triggers, her truth follows along the lines of the #METOO movement and it might be hard for some to read about.
Dax and Verity are perfect for one another but please don’t think it was an easy road for them because it really wasn’t there was a lot going on but this is a spoiler free review so you’ll just have to read the book to find out what happens. Just know that there is an HEA at the end of it all. While I have enjoyed and even loved the other two books in the Nothing But Trouble Series, Rock Rebel is my favorite. I love a good book boyfriend which Dax is but Verity is one strong, kicka$$ woman that really made the book for me. If you have been abused, or know someone who has, I know it’s not an easy choice whether you choose to stay silent or come out the choice is always a difficult one – just know there is help out there. Your local place or worship, a police station, the hospital, the community center, there are even places online that can help even if you don’t want to turn the person in, just to have someone to talk to about it can help a lot. Be Safe, Be Well, Be Loved.
Happy Reading!!!
**I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book**
Loved Rock Rebel!! 5 star studded
From the early chapters of Rebel when Verity and Dax first meet, there’s this instant pull of chemistry between them. These two have shared painful pasts and secrets In their lives and slowly it all unravels as the story progresses. Also love how it’s more than just your average story of a disgraced pop star and sexy Rock star, there’s so much depth and raw emotions to this and the element of surprise. Most importantly the #metoo movement in which her character Verity gives a voice and an awareness to this, being a heroine, a survivor and finding her strength to fight back. Dax is amazing and loved what he did for Verity and also being her pillar of support.
Highly recommend this to anyone!!
With „Rock Rebel” Tara Leigh wrote her bet Nothing But Trouble book. It’s another beautiful, emotional, rock star romance between two characters who are broken and misunderstood who find something truly amazing together. Believe me when I say. You will be instantly sucked in and you will fell in love in the rollercoaster ride that is Dax and Verity story.
Verity Moore is a former childhood TV star. She lived with her mum who was also her manager who controlled everything that concerned Verity, including who all of the money that she earned. Verity was expected to do everything to be a success. But as it often happens in show business after three seasons her show got canceled. And at this point she was of age so she was finally able to take off, cause she was finally free and she was finally able to figure out who she truly was. So as it often happens she made few mistakes and sometimes things got a little wild. Now she is in LA and is ready to start new. She finally has a chance to do what she wanted to do all her life and that would be singing. She has big chance to be managed by the same manager, Travis Taggert, who is also a manager of the famous band Nothing But Trouble.
Dax Hughes is the lead guitarist of said band who grew up as a child prodigy that could play any musical instrument that was put in his hands. He was raised to play classical music and studied at Juliard. But when person who he thought to be his one true love left him he decided to chase her to LA where he met the band and found totally new way to express his music. But Dax never recovered and he doesn’t trust anyone and definitely doesn’t get involved with female musicians. But it all changes when he meets Verity for the first time and the electricity and chemistry between them was crazy. Part of him wanted to run but the other part of him wanted to stay and figure out who this woman was.
For Verity is her chance to make it big to go on the tour with Nothing But Trouble as their opening act. At the same time she can’t get Dax off her mind. But if she gives in to this attraction, the world will think she was given this chance because she slept her way in. She can’t take that chance, no matter how badly she wants him. On the other hand Dax does everything he is able to stay away but he just can’t. He is just tired of fighting whatever it is between them yet still he doesn’t feel worthy of her. He sees everything good in her, both with her talent and what is on the inside. Whatever it is between them, he needs it to survive. Verity is so ashamed of her past. She has been used by every single person that has been in her life. But on a deep level, she knows that Dax is different. That he sees her as a woman, not a commodity. And that’s the moment when I stop. If you want to know if they will be together or not you need to read this book and believe me when I say it’s totally worth it and you definitely won’t regret it.
Tara Leigh has written her best Nothing But Trouble Book with Rock Rebel. Variety and Dax are perfection. The strength Variety musters up to endure and fight for her own HEA is inspiring, and Dax as her supporter and man is brilliant. These two are kind of couple goals for totally everyone.
Rock Rebel just might be the best book in the Nothing But Trouble series. Dax and Verity are amazing characters with electrifying chemistry. Verity is a strong woman with a past that could have destroyed her. But Dax is just the person Verity needs in her life to support her in the next step moving forward. But will Dax’s secret destroy the trust between them?
Tara’s writing is wonderful and heartbreaking, that you will get sucked into this world and never want to leave it. All of her characters are really like a big family you want to be a part of. I am looking forward to Jett’s story next.
4.5 Stars
Rock Rebel was not your traditional rock star romance and I really loved the story that Tara Leigh delivers to bring Dax and Verity together.
Verity Moore was everything I love in a heroine. She is strong and determined; she knows the value of family, but she also knows that sometimes tough love is the only kind that can work; she has been knocked down but she isn’t afraid to get up and try again; and she us determined to make the best choices for herself, not the ones to please others.
Dax Hughes is so much more than a rock star. He’s been burned bad in love and he’s determined not to make the same mistakes again – mistakes that he still hasn’t cleaned up, but until he meets Verity he’s never had the motivation to set his life straight. He’s strong yet sensitive and even though he fights his feelings for Verity once he finds out who she is, once he’s in he’s committed.
Dax and Verity were a great couple. Their chemistry was instantaneous, but I loved the way their relationship took more time to develop into anything real. There was such a great push and pull between these two, which sometimes doesn’t work for me, but knowing what Verity needed to do and realizing that Dax needed to come to terms with his own issues, having these two orbit around each other before finally giving in to each other made sense.
There is some real sensitive content addressed, and I appreciated how the author was able to tell Verity’s story in a way to make her even stronger and not be a victim. And I was right there with Dax , standing with Verity as she faced her past…even knowing that Dax was also staring at a part of his.
This is my first book from this author and I enjoyed her writing style and dialogue. And even though this is book 3 in the series, it can easily be read as a stand-alone. The extended band/friend group helped tell Dax and Verity’s story, and I need to go back and read the first two books to see what I missed.
This is definitely a book that should appeal to anyone, rock star lover or not. The only caution would be the potential trigger found in Verity’s past, but again, the author does a wonderful job telling her story to portray strength and not victimization – well done Tara Leigh!
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book I received from the publisher from NetGalley.
This story had so many layers to it which stemmed from the h’s abuse at the hands of so-called industry professionals. Covering the current and deeply emotive subject, namely the #metoo movement, the author managed to address this highly evocative area with grace and sensitivity.
Rock Rebel introduces readers to an actress/pop-princess who is trying to re-invent herself via the music industry. Having been abused during her previous endeavours, Verity is trying to find her own way in life, and away from her parasitic, co-conspirator mother.
When Travis Taggert, NBT’s manager, also becomes Verity’s manager, their paths were destined to overlap, especially when Verity becomes friends with Piper and Delaney. Having seen Dax at a party, Verity is stunned when she finds herself in an elevator with him especially when she realises he doesn’t recognise her, although the chemistry between the duo is immediately tangible.
Despite not recognising Verity, Dax is stunned when he finds out who she is and immediately starts to distance himself from his feelings towards her. With a joint tour on the cards, Dax is keen to avoid a repeat of what happened with his ex. That said, Verity and Dax soon find more than music in common as their friendship grows.
As the book progresses, Dax and Verity become close but Dax tries to resist his feelings towards Verity. Verity, with her own issues stemming from her past, also finds it hard to open herself up to potentially more heartbreak but despite her misgivings, Dax manages to reawaken something in her.
The connection between Dax and Verity was very slow to develop, mainly due to their past and relationship misgivings, and I found my interest in their story waning slightly as a result. Despite my best efforts, I just couldn’t connect with the characters or the storyline on this occasion. I applaud the author for tackling such a sensitive subject as the #metoo movement but I felt that the subject matter made the story a little too reflective. For me, the story really kicked in around 70% at which point Dax and Verity suddenly find their pasts inexplicably overlapping and the story suddenly became captivating.
As always with Tara Leigh’s books, this was well written with some memorable quotes but on this occasion was less about the music and more about portraying a poignant message.
THIS. BOOK!!!! I loved Rock Legend so I was quite excited to get my hands on Rock Rebel… Didn’t disappoint! Dax and Verity are E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G!!! Each of them had a great back story that just slayed me! And it made me love them individually so much, that watching them get together and fall in love was the greatest feeling!!! Bombs that dropped had me feeling like someone punched me in the stomach. The first time they actually get together left me breathless! The way it was written just totally made time slow down as I was reading. I felt worshipped just reading it! I was outraged a time or 2, and even shed a few tears… Happy or sad? You’ll have to read it yourself to find out! Tara Leigh killed it with this book! It was a very great way to spend 2 days.
This book was raw, intense, and so good. I’m giving this 4.5 out of 5 stars. This review is for an ARC, and reflects my honest opinion.
I’ve enjoyed this series immensely, and each book was a little intense/dark sometimes, but this one felt more intense for me; I think it was because of its social relevance in today’s society. This might trigger some people, so I’m giving you a warning that there was quite a big focus on the #metoo movement, and leave it at that.
We saw both of these characters in previous books, but only for small amounts from what I remember. Even though Dax is part of Nothing But Trouble, he kept to himself, so we didn’t know a lot about him before getting inside his head. I loved the dual POV in this one, and I think Dax might be my favorite guy from the band, but I’m not sure.
Verity…all I can say is wow about her. I adored her character, and I really loved these two together. Yes to #Daxity! I enjoyed getting to see the NBT family we’ve come to know and love in the previous book. This book was too intense for me to binge read, but regardless of that, it was great. The last member of the band is Jett, but I don’t think he will be getting a book of his own. I would love to read about him though! Can we make it happen Tara?!?
Ok, this is not first book in the series, but it is for me and now I feel that I have to read the previous ones and of course patiently (I hope) wait the next instalments. I’m hooked. I had to read it in almost one sitting! I loved the story and also I liked how the characters had their chemistry, I had a nice laugh, here and there I was irritated but I had to turn pages and read more through those twists. Great book, it clicked perfectly for my winter mood.
This was my first read by Tara Leigh and I’m so happy that I got to experience this awesome and timely story. I absolutely loved Verity and her ultimate strength and bravery. Dax was such a support to her. The twists in this story kept me so intrigued I couldn’t put my kindle down! I highly recommend this book! Tara Leigh, I’m so captivated by your writing and I will definitely be reading all of your books!!
What a great addition to this series. The connection with real life events currently happening help put a different view point of the media stories. I truly enjoyed the book and recommend it to others.
There is beauty in anonymity and heartache in recognition. In other words just because someone knows you by name, doesn’t mean they understand your private struggles. Rock Rebel reminds me of an old movie entitled, “The Heart is a Lonely Hunter.” It told the tale of a deaf man who had a heart full of love. He showered his love on the people around him, but lost himself along the way. The best of intentions ended in tragedy. Dax and Verity use music to tamp down the pain, they hide inside. Neither is aware of the gift they share with the world. That is until they experience it through the eyes of each other. Can their spiritual awakening save them from the darkness that haunts their hearts? Tara Leigh takes readers on a journey into the looking glass to see how the other half lives. Rock Rebel begins as a heartbreaking solo, but ends as an inspiring duet.
Rock Rebel Book 3 Nothing but Trouble series by Tara Leigh
5++++ Stars
I absolutely LOVED this story! This story is as great as the other two stories in the series!! It is very captivating!!
Dax and Verity~
Dax in a famous band, Nothing But Trouble, playing the lead guitar.
Verity was a pop princess who lost her popularity due to cancelling her show.
“Whoever said “The truth shall set you free” was a godd*** genius.”
“Loving Dax. Being loved by Dax. It was magic.”
Highly Recommend!!
As a blogger, I have been blessed with the ability to discover new authors regularly. Yet, when I discover authors that I love, I am limited by a tight blogging schedule therefore it’s not always easy to read books in an author’s backstock. Tara Leigh is without a doubt, one of my favorite new authors this year! As a matter of fact, she’s one of the few that I have carved time out of my incredibly tight schedule to read those backstock books that might otherwise just sit on my TBR. Tara Leigh’s stories literally leave me enthralled—start to finish—I devour her words in one sitting, reading through the night and forgoing sleep altogether when I can pick up a book she’s written. Luckily, I discovered her before Rock Rebel was offered to bloggers, so I had it in my schedule and sat—not so patiently—waiting for the advanced copy to hit my kindle. Words can’t tell you how much I loved it. Rock Rebel was an exceptional Rockstar Romance!!!! I consumed this book in one sitting–her words were so compelling I stayed up all night to finish the book. And damn was I tired the next day, but it was worth EVERY single yawn and all the calories I consumed in coffee. If I could have, I would have instantly reread Dax and Verity’s love story!!
The Characters:
Verity Moore:
“the Disgraced Pop Princess”
“…a star. The kind of musician that burned so brightly she would become the sun in her own universe.”
“…A redhead with the face of an angel, the eyes of a leprechaun, and a laugh that sounded like wind chimes…”
“She was sickness and cure. Risk and safety net. The face of an innocent, the body of a sinner. A past filled with darkness, a future shining bright. My broken bombshell. My reckless, resilient rebel.”
Dax Hughes:
“Rock Royalty”
“…a former classical musician who was now one of the baddest boys on the rock scene, a rebel through and through.”
“…the guitarist for Nothing but Trouble was exactly the kind of trouble I didn’t need.”
“…flaunting bedroom eyes, shredded jeans, and an aloof expression, Hughes was every inch the cocky celebrity I made every effort to avoid.”
“A kick-ass musician with a sexy smolder… who wasn’t a selfish, arrogant bastard. The man was a damn unicorn.”
“…a song I didn’t know the chorus to. A chord chart with missing notes.”
The characters are genuine. Believable. You will be able to relate to them and it will make the story all the deeper because you’ll have connected deeply with Dax and Verity. Tara Leigh went to great pains to write a very authentic romance—this was not a wham-bam, thank you ma’am romance. It could have been, but the depth of character she establishes demanded far more. Verity’s past, established through flashbacks, will leave you heartbroken and angry. Equally true for Dax, although for far different reason. Some authors are artists—and that is certainly true of Tara Leigh. The composition of the story and the characters forced me to live their story! I hurt along with them, I cried. Or I felt their joy just as they experienced it. The characters will own your heart and you’ll be hopelessly addicted to the chemistry long before they finally get around to setting the house on fire… Oh yah, did I mention that you should have B.O.B. charged, your spouse on standby and/or be prepared for a very cold shower because you’re panties are going to be on fire with Dax and Verity! Tara Leigh delivers some of the most delicious romances I’ve read… and I certainly have needed to jump my husband after reading a scene she’s written more than once!
Rock Rebel is the complete package. A romance that offers depth, heart and is insanely sexy. The story is SUPERB! With a power message, Rock Rebel isn’t your ordinary, run-of-the-mill rockstar romance. Tara Leigh will unequivocally grab your attention and hold onto it cover to cover. Her words resonated with me long after I have finished the story and if I could, I would have reread it again and again. There are just some authors who are artists, and she is one. The way she composes her stories, her use of syntax and diction, are second to none. Like me, you too will be forced to live these stories because of the connection you’ll feel to the characters. As I mentioned before, Tara Leigh is one of my favorite new authors in 2018 and Rock Rebel is high in the list of my favorite reads this year as well. Tara Leigh’s cemented herself in my permanent one-click list and I am sure you’ll feel the same way after you’ve read Rock Rebel, so quit reading reviews, one-click your next five star read immediately! Happy Reading
I have loved all the guys from the Nothing But Trouble series but i think Dax is by far my fav. Seeing how he has to overcome the path that he was “suppose” to take and become his own person is awesome. Seeing Verity get over her past helps to see her as a strong woman. I loved the push and pull these two characters had. It’s definitely a must read. 5 star rating all the way. I absolutely loved seeing past loved characters in this book. It’s like a where are they now catch up with those characters.
Verity Moore, America’s pop princess, has a painful past she has kept a secret. What happened to her years ago made her trust the wrong people. The reality show hit star took a disgraceful tumble in Tinseltown, and she is struggling to get her life back on track with the help of Travis, her new agent. She has sworn off men and doesn’t need any distractions, including the sexy, brooding rock star guitarist Dax Hughes.
Dax had his heart shattered long ago, and vows to never get romantically involved with anyone in the industry. So when his agent Travis drops the bomb that Verity is the opening act for his band’s upcoming tour, he has to find a way to resist her. But as he gets to know Verity he realizes that she’s the real thing, and slowly his walls start coming down and he decides to take a chance with her. Everything is going great until a blast from his past storms back into his life, and unknowingly back into Verity’s life as well. What will happen when Verity realizes that her painful past is tied to Dax’s painful past as well?
A great rock star story that doesn’t disappoint! Looking forward to the next one!
Dax is the lead guitarist for Nothing But Trouble and he has a secret. Verity is a pop singer and hugely successful in her own right. She has a painful past. Can the couple possibly work out in a relationship? These two had chemistry from the beginning of their meeting. I have really enjoyed every book in this series.
I received a copy of this book via Netgalley and am leaving a review.
WOW!! I loved, loved, loved Dax and Verity’s story in Rock Rebel by Tara Leigh, book three in her Nothing But Trouble series. Ms. Leigh created a wonderful and emotional story between two people forced by their parents and their amazing talents to grow up quickly. Dax was a classical music prodigy before leaving his family and Julliard to become the lead guitarist for Nothing but Trouble; becoming a rebel. Verity has the voice of an angel and forced to pursue the life her mother wanted in Hollywood. Unfortunately for Verity, and possibly with her manager/mother’s knowledge, she became a victim to the demands and sexual overtones of the men that controlled which female was cast for roles. #MeToo. Verity returned to Hollywood hoping to get a second chance with her singing career. She signed with Mick, the same manager/agent for Nothing but Trouble, severing ties with the career her mother planned for her and stopping her mother from controlling her and her money. Verity was to be the opening act for Nothing but Trouble, travelling with them on tour.
Dax believed he was an outcast, a misfit, a rebel, not caring what others thought. He was determined to keep secrets from his past secret and hidden from others; including Verity. Dax suspected she too had a scandalous past. Beginning with the moment Dax met Verity he sensed her past, her fears, her dreams, who she really was. He actually wrote a song describing all of that rebellion and need that Verity ended up singing it as a duet with Dax. These two had off the chart chemistry; that only grew as they spent time together. Before Dax and Verity can nurture a healthy and strong relationship they both must confront their skeletons and secrets; even if a connection or common person exists that has to be dealt with. Both Dax and Verity quickly learn they were mistaken about some of the truths they had believed. I loved how strong Verity became in dealing with and outing the demons in her past and how Dax was there to support her. I also admired how Dax understood that Verity had to come to terms with her hurts, her past on her own terms and not on his schedule. #MeToo
Ms. Leigh wrote an emotional and moving story filled with sexual chemistry, fun dialogue, and endearing characters that is not to be missed. I highly recommend this book to other readers. I highly recommend Rock Rebel to other readers and really looking forward to the next book in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.