Rock Rebel

An engaging story with heartache, heat, humor and just the right amount of sweet

Book 3 in the Nothing But Trouble series, though this takes place partly in parallel with the previous book (and characters carry over from both the earlier books), it works well read as a standalone. That said, there are some spoilers in this story for the previous books, plus reading the series in order does give you additional background on several of the secondary characters which, IMO, adds to the enjoyment here.

Dax and Verity both carry scars from their pasts. Dax’s past relationship left him wary about dating people in the industry, and Verity…well, Verity’s story is very topical and sometimes hard to read, and I really hurt for her. So I loved watching her character come into her own and I *might* have yelled “You go, girl!”, at my kindle a time or two.

There were lots of wonderful secondary characters here as well, and I was happy to catch up with the familiar characters from the earlier books. And can I just say that there were a few secondary characters that I really wanted to see get an old fashioned a$$ whupping? As I’m not normally a violent person, you could say I was heavily invested in the story, lol.

With great characters and a story that kept me deeply engaged through heartache, heat, humor and just the right amount of sweet, this is another great addition to the series. 5 stars.

B2B Kelly

Rock Rebel is my first foray into the work of Tara Leigh, and I was pleasantly surprised. I always read new to me authors with a healthy dose of skepticism, I’ve been burned too many times not to. Tara Leigh showed a lot of promise with this book, and I quite enjoyed the ride she took me on in Dax and Verity’s story. I especially appreciated the depth and timeliness of the #metoo storyline, and how the social climate we’re living in today played such an instrumental part of Verity’s growth.

Verity’s story was heartbreaking but all too real. From her mother’s exploitative treatment of her to the things she was forced into while she was far too young to be making those kinds of decisions, her life had never been her own. Seeing her take the reins and fight for the life and opportunities she wanted made me happy. When she stood up to the people who’d done her wrong my heart burst for her. Verity was a marvelous character, and I loved seeing her learn to love and trust herself, as well as take the steps she needed to protect herself and find justice for the things she’d endured in her past.

Dax had an idyllic life when juxtaposed with Verity’s, but in reality, he hadn’t had an easy road either, his struggles just looked a lot different. He’d spent so much time ignoring the hurts he’d been dealt; I’m not sure he even realized how much they’d affected him. When he finally pulled his head out of the sand and faced the problems he’d buried, it was almost as if a new Dax had arisen, one who wasn’t so cynical and aloof.

Dax and Verity were great partners. From their electric physical connection to the way they each saw beneath the façade they’d constructed to show the world, it was easy to see why they needed to be together. I especially loved the consideration they showed one another and the understanding they each displayed, the kind of understanding that can only come through having lived through similar pain.

I have a few wishes for this book. First, I needed more clarity on the timeline between Dax and Verity. By all indications in their interactions a few weeks would pass, but then we would check in on a secondary timeline that is very much established and set in stone and months would have passed. It was jarring and took away from the experience for me. Secondly, there were these random chunks of text that felt incongruous with the rest of the writing in the book. It was as if someone else had written specific passages and they had been copy and pasted into the novel. Lastly, the climax resolution between Dax and Verity felt lacking to me. I would have loved to have seen them work through their problems on page rather than just jumping to everything being okay.

Rock Rebel is the third book in Tara Leigh’s Nothing but Trouble series. These books are interconnected standalones and can be read independently. I have not read the first two books in this series but had no trouble understanding what was going on in Rock Rebel. There were enough innuendos into the relationships in the previous books to make me want to read the books, without giving away too much of their stories. Rock Rebel is written in dual first-person perspective, narrated by Verity and Dax.

The third book of the Nothing But Trouble series is without a doubt my favorite. Not only did the characters charm me but the plot moved fluidly, without a lot of the filler I found in the other books prior. And the story arced at just the right time with an unexpected conflict that was both surprising and fresh. Rock Rebel seemed to give me just a little bit more of what I missing in the prior two books of this series. I found myself ensconced in Dax and Verity. They had interesting back stories and the connection between them leapt from the pages. This author glued them together unassumingly and fortified their connection through their shared love of music in a beautifully endearing way. I think readers, because I know I was, will be just as surprised as the two main characters at how easy these two fit within each others realms.

It’s an honest look at the grind rock star and Hollywood life can be on the soul all the while maintaining truth between these two vibrant characters. Tara Leigh makes certain you realize the strain this glamorous life takes on those who break through in it. She also relates her flawed heroine to the current happenings in Hollywood in an astonishingly dark way that makes you feel deeply for her and for the current climate of our culture and the women in it. I think that was the most influential part to me. How Verity is most definitely flawed but she was also wronged. The strength she garners and the change she makes because of it are inspiring. And the way Dax responds to that gives us hope that there are men out their willing to fight for women to stand on their own independence with pride. Tara Leigh made this about more than the characters, her writing cultivated a deeper issue in which I feel deeply for and that made this book all the better.

Additionally, all the people you’ve grown to love in the Nothing But Trouble world recur here in the best of ways making Dax and Verity’s story more full. Even if this is your first book of the series it easily reads as a standalone but you’ll be spoiled on the events of the prior two books. I recommend to readers who enjoy rock star romance.

What a beautiful love story! Verity and Dax’s pasts are unbearably sad and they’ve both overcome so much. Verity lived such a solitary life always looking for love and approval while Dax has been hurt badly by a past relationship. Their beginning was full of angst, anger, and mistrust. It was heart wrenching at times while their love story unfolded but so so worth it. Ms. Leigh left me an emotional wreck in the best way! Loved this book!!!! Such a great read!

Oh Tara Leigh you slayed it with Rock Rebel!!! This is book 3 in the Nothing But Trouble series and Dax’s story. He is the bassist for the rock band Nothing But Trouble. He’s not your typical rock star though, he’s classically trained and he isn’t a man whore. He’s actually rather vulnerable, which is a nice change from the usual. He’s the quiet member of the band, who stays to himself. That is until disgraced pop star Verity Moore comes into the picture. God I loved her!! She is a former child star, with a momanger. She had no childhood and went through some really horrible things but she wasn’t broken. She is stronger for what she went through.

This book!!! It’s just everything. It has all the feels, it’s poignant and emotional, steamy and at times humorous. It’s one of those books that you can’t stop thinking about when you’re finished. It is definitely one of my top favorite reads of 2018.

I fell in love with Verity from the very beginning. She’s a lot tougher than she seems at the same time is the kind of girl you just want to protect. She made a lot of mistakes when she was younger, but everyone deserves a second chance. And when life tosses her that second chance, she’d be a fool not to take it. You see, Verity always wanted to be a singer and her big dream is about to come true. Being the opening act for Nothing But Trouble doesn’t seem real. She wants nothing more than to be a success and to prove to her fans that she’s more than just a has been. But when Dax enters the picture, he manages to turn her entire world upside down. Verity can’t stop thinking about him and worries that getting involved with a man like him would bring her nothing but trouble…There is a lot more to Dax than what meets the eye. Yes, he’s a sexy and talented musician, but would you have guessed that he was a child prodigy and has studied with some of the best? He could play just about anything you put in front of him and was a star when it came to classical music. That is until a woman broke his heart. He followed her to LA, but that just ended up being a dead end. Only his heart never recovered and he soon found a new outlet for his music. He’s great at what he does, but his walls are sky high. And when Verity enters the picture, all bets are off. There’s just something about her that gets under Dax’s skin and he can’t get her out of his mind. Their chemistry is intense and just begs to be taken a chance on. Staying away from each other seems impossible no matter how much they try…..

Overall, I really enjoyed Dax and Verity’s story. I was pulled in instantly and easily devoured this book in just a single sitting. I loved this author’s writing style and I loved the steady pace of the story. I will say that Rock Rebel does deal with some pretty tough issues and I appreciated the way that the author handled them.

I loved the pull between Dax & Verity and I really enjoyed seeing them trying to figure out things. They both had secrets in their past and guarded their hearts. But, the feelings these two had, were way too hard to deny. All they could do was sit back, enjoy the ride and hope that everything would work out in the end.

Rock Rebel is a fun and sexy read. While it is the third book in this series, it definitely can be read as a stand-lone. Rock Rebel will have you feeling a ton of emotions, but in the end, it’s totally worth the ride. This is the first book that I’ve read in this series and I’m super excited to get my hands on the other two books.

5 STAR Review by Jodi for Ruby Red Romance Review

I loved Tara Leigh. She’s one of my new favorite authors of the year. I loved getting to know her rock gods. Rock Rebel is no exception to that love. I think this might be my favorite book so far in this series. I loved how relatable these characters are. I love how I fell so incredibly hard for Dax and Verity.

My heart broke for these two at times. They have both been through so much. Fame isn’t all we think it might be. Especially when things don’t go the way we hope. Verity is trying to get back on track. And with the help of Travis, that might be possible. I loved the vulnerability between these two. I loved watching them fall. I loved seeing them become what they want.

Please check out this amazing story. I promise you will not be disappointed.

Rock Rebel is book three in the Nothing But Trouble series by Tara Leigh. Everyone knows how I fall in love with the heroes of the books I read time and time again. But in this book, it’s not the hero I fell in love with. Yes, I loved him too, but it’s the heroine that dug into my heart. That I was thinking about when I wasn’t reading. I hope you’ll read on and let me tell you about Verity and Dax.

Verity
/ˈverədē/
a true principle or belief, especially one of fundamental importance.
“the eternal verities”
• truth.
“irrefutable, objective verity”

Verity Moore was a childhood TV star. She lived with her Mom/manager who controlled everything concerning Verity, including all of the money she earned. Verity was expected to do whatever it took to be a success. But after three seasons, the show was cancelled. At that point, Verity was of age so she took off, finally free, trying to figure out who she was. Things might have gotten a little wild, she made a few mistakes. But now she is in Los Angeles and is ready to start fresh. She has a chance to do what she’s always wanted to do, sing. And she has the chance to be managed by the same manager, Travis Taggert, who manages the famous band, Nothing But Trouble.

Dax Hughes is the lead guitarist for Nothing But Trouble. Dax grew up a child prodigy. He could play any musical instrument you put in his hands. He was raised to play classical music, studied at Julliard. But when who he thought was the love of his life left, he chased her to Los Angeles where he met the band and found a whole new way to express his music. The rest is history. Dax’s heart never recovered. He doesn’t trust. He definitely doesn’t get involved with female musicians. But when he came face to face with Verity for the first time, the electricity was crazy. The chemistry off the charts. Run, part of him screamed. But the other part of him wanted to stay and figure out who this woman was.

“You make me want to know what it’s like to want, just as much as I’m wanted. To take, just as much as I’m giving.”

This is Verity’s chance to make it big. And now she is being offered to tour with Nothing But Trouble as their opening act. 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.

“I wanted to watch Verity blaze a path across the sky like the shooting star she was destined to be. But I knew exactly what would happen if I got too close. I’d be incinerated.”

Dax does everything he can to stay away. But he just can’t. He’s tired of fighting whatever it is between them. 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.

“What if Dax was just another devil in disguise?”

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.

Okay, I’ll stop here. I loved watching these two fall for each other and break down each other’s walls. They both had so many secrets, so much darkness. Verity had been so badly used and hurt. I also want to sing all the praises to Travis Taggert, the manager. This man is a saint.

The time line of this book runs parallel with book two, Piper and Landon’s story. But you can also read this as a stand alone. Enough information is given that you wouldn’t be lost. You just would miss out on the amazing stories of Shane and Landon. I loved getting updates on the other two couples in this book, especially Shane and Delaney. This was such a beautiful book and I loved it like crazy. Verity (and Dax) will long live in my heart. This author has become one of my favorite authors and I can’t wait to see what she does next.

“Two souls with just enough wrongs to make everything right.”

I really enjoyed Dax and Verity’s story! In Rock Rebel, Tara Leigh has written a story with great emotional range as well as relevancy to current events and I didn’t want to put it down once I dove into this book.

Dax’s start in the music world was about as far away from the rock scene as you can get but a series of twists in his life led him to the bar where he initially met Shane. Now his bandmates are his family while his blood relatives are more distant, and the path his life has taken has made him swear off ever having a relationship with another woman in the industry. So when he encounters “disgraced pop princess” Verity Moore, he is far from pleased to find himself wanting to get to know her in spite of his convictions.

Verity is sick and tired of that disgraced title, and she has made the decision to finally take charge of her career while planning a careful escape from her “momager”. Verity has secrets she has taken care to hide and it unnerves her that Dax has the ability to see the real her so easily – even if he doesn’t want to. Her character was a great mix of vulnerability and strength as she fought to move past the traumatic events she has lived through and find a way to stand on her own two feet while finding success in her future.

There is definitely some push and pull between these two characters with a lot of “should I or shouldn’t I” moments and mixed signals. But once Dax finally decides to put on his big boy shorts, the chemistry between them is undeniable- and hot and sexy times ensue! No secret stays buried forever though, and Verity is stunned to find out that one of Dax’s skeletons in the closet is tied to her own worst nightmares although I am not sure which one of them is more shocked by the realization.

I loved this book from start to finish and it is an excellent addition to the Nothing but Trouble series! It can definitely be read as a standalone so don’t hesitate to dive in.

I loved the first two books in the Nothing But Trouble series but this one is my favorite by far. Dax and Verity’s story is filled with emotion, passion, and a wonderful slow build romance. They each have flaws and pasts they can’t outrun. The one thing they have in common is the love of music. Dax got his restart after dropping out of Juilliard. Now Verity’s looking for hers. Will Dax help her along the way? This story will pull you in right from the beginning and keep you spellbound all the way through. Definitely a book and series I recommend.