An emotional, angsty, rockstar romance from the bestselling author of The Trouble With You and Wicked Beginnings.The sweetheart of Country is about to show the bad boys of Rock, it only takes a single beat for everything to change.Evangeline Walker knows how quickly everything can change. But nothing can prepare her for the moment she meets Rafe Hunter.Intense gray eyes.Wicked smile.Tattoos inked … nothing can prepare her for the moment she meets Rafe Hunter.
Intense gray eyes.
Wicked smile.
Tattoos inked on his skin just begging to be touched.
Those aren’t the reasons Eva should stay away from him though.
The fact he’s the bassist for America’s hottest rock band is the reason she should run and never look back.
Everyone knows the greatest love stories all start somewhere.
… this is their beginning.
Rush is a 50,000 word Black Hearts Still Beats prelude novel. Rise (BHSB: pt. one) and Rule (BHSB: pt. two) are coming soon!
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Holy angst! This Rockstar romance packed in the angst and emotions and will leave you craving more! I am completely HOOKED on this series.
Rush is the prequel novel to the rest of the series and does a fantastic job of providing the background to the characters and to the story. It will draw you in, have you falling in love with these characters and leave you wanting to know about them all.
I felt for Eva. She has experienced so much in a short amount of time, but as the story progressed she started to come out of her shell and take some more risks. Rafe also hasn’t had it easy and the love he has for his brother could be his ultimate downfall. I loved the two of them together and their chemistry. There was an instant attraction between them, but it was so much more than just lust, there is a much deeper connection between.
If you’re into angsty, emotional Rockstar romances this is a MUST READ and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!
Rush is the first book in the Black Hearts Still Beat Series by L. A. Cotton and boy is it a page turner. The story looks at Evangeline Turner, a girl who knows how quickly life can change. Having gotten a place in a song contest, Eva comes across some stiff competition but no one is as intriguing as the man she bumps into and he only happens to be the bassist for the band the Black Hearts. Rafe Hunter is a mega star, women, drugs and rock and roll are his calling, but he is intrigued by Eva and here starts their really sweet relationship which explodes into passion.
Rafe and Eva have a difficult road, not only is Eva in a contest but Rafe also has to look after his lead singer brother which is easier said than done. This book is full of sweet and steamy moments as you watch their relationship grow, but nothing is as it seems and you are left with a cliff-hanger at the end wondering what is going to happen to these two wonderful characters. There is a lot of emotion in this book both from Eva and what she has been through as well as with Rafe and the struggles he has had too. The emotion, steamy scenes and interactions between characters keep you turning the page and I am excited to see what happens in the next installment of this story.
ARC received for a fair and honest review.
More of my reviews can be found on my blog: https://thehotmesslibrary.blogspot.com
Darling, my heart will keep on beating for the books L.A. Cotton supplies us with.
I discovered her books this year and I can’t get enough of her words. And I wouldn’t miss her new book Rush: The Beginning for the world.
Rockstar romances, they get me every single time. There’s something so hypnotizing about artists and the baggage they carry on their shoulders. But L.A. Cotton gave the female lead a story that needs be told just as much as the members of the band.
Rush: The Beginning is the start of a series I already love. And this beginning made me so hyped for the next book.
It’s a solid four stars and a read so worthy of your time.
This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster. One with absolute ups and downs. And it all started with a singing contest. A show that would push the sweet, talented Evangeline Walker out of her temporary comfort zone and into the spotlight. A spotlight she so desperately needed even when she didn’t know it yet.
Eva’s life has thrown all kinds of obstacles in her way. Obstacles that grab you by the throat and squeeze the air from your body. It’s terrifying and it steals you away from life itself. Every word L.A. Cotton wrote about Eva’s struggles hit me straight in the chest. It’s something so familiar, but still, the impact is great when such a thing happens to you or someone you love. Experiencing the feelings Eva goes through are easy to feel, but that doesn’t make it less heartbreaking.
And after everything that happened, Eva is in need of some good old fun. And the young talented girl will find that at a contest. A contest that is judged by one of the band members from Black Heart Still Beat and that is how Eva met the wonderful, kind and extremely talented Rafe. Sparks fly and their chemistry could charge an entire town.
I WAS IN LOVE!
Now, it took some time for Rafe to enter the book. Around halfway, we finally meet him which is a long time, but it did make me extremely curious about him. I think that’s why I didn’t connect to the first part of the story. I missed something and was the love interest of Eva. But Rafe’s presence in the other half made me fall in love over and over again. He too carries pain, secrets and heartbreak. He’s a true mystery. One we haven’t fully discovered yet. But the pain they both share is what matches them so clearly.
L.A. Cotton did a wonderful job with her writing, her storytelling and her characters. She prepared me for the next part of Eva and Rafe’s story. And right now, I’m dying to read it. I fell the love, the pain and the joy in this book. I experienced, breathed these characters and I just need more.
If you can’t get enough of rockstars, in depth-characters and amazing writing then Rush: The beginning is the story for you! Dive into the mind of Eva and fall along with her in love with music (again), Rafe and dreams. L.A. Cotton stole my heart and I can’t wait for it to happen again.
This is an amazing back story to a new series, and I just know from this that this is going to be an epic series. Eva is convinced by her best friend to enter a county music competition, and it is there that she meets Rafe who is the bassist of one of the hottest rock bands, and he makes her feel things that she has not felt for a long time. This is a well written story which has angst and secrets, which all had me enthralled throughout, and I cannot wait to read more from this gifted author.
This is my first book of L.A. Cotton and I enjoyed her writing and story telling very much.
This book is full of music and great lyrics that warm your heart and let you feel what all the characters feel very deeply. In the first 50% of the book we learn alot about the main character Evangeline “Eva” Star Walker and her struggles with her past, present and her future. Sadly we don’t get to meet the male main character Rafe Hunter until about 45% of the books. For me the book was a little slow in the beginning but after it assed the 50% mark it really picked up it’s pace and I couldn’t put the book down.
We honestly all need a friend like Molly. I’m getting more and more excited about the next part of their story especially after this ending and to hopefully see more of Molly and Hudson.
In my opinion this book should’ve stayed a prequel but it’s still a very good beginning for Eva and Rafe’s Story.
Nonetheless i enjoyed this story very much that’s why I’m giving it 4 out of 5 Stars.
I am so thankful that my hubby has a new Netflix series that he can’t tear himself away from because that allowed me the time to read this book in one sitting, without guilt. Not that I could have put my kindle down at any time; not until I had devoured every single word.
I was honestly hooked from the very first page. Eva is just the most incredible person you could ever hope to meet. She is talented, caring, loving and thoughtful, and my heart broke for her when she struggled to move on from the battle that she had won. She has the most wonderful personality and I loved how the author showed the relationship she has with her parents and especially her special friendship with Molly.
Let me steady my pulse as I talk about Rafe. Oh My Goodness, he has totally stolen my heart. Rafe is one of the guitarists of the hottest rock bands – Black Hearts Still Beat, and is everything that you’d expect a young rock star to be. When Eva and Rafe first met, I could instantly feel the attraction between them. I now want to know all his secrets and I have a feeling I’m going to get quite emotional when he finally reveals them. I love that both he and Eva have something that they aren’t quite ready to share with each other and I loved that they knew this and was understanding of this too.
L.A. Cotton has an incredible way with words. I absolutely loved how she highlighted just how meaningful and lifechanging music can be. The power that playing an instrument or singing can have on a person was explained and shown many times throughout the book, and I envy all those who have the ability to get so lost in music. I was not only able to feel the connections between the characters in the book, but I felt a connection with them myself, which led me to become invested in every one of them – wanting those who I liked to be successful and happy. I experienced all the emotions throughout the story. I thought all the characters in the book added to the story perfectly, which definitely enhanced my enjoyment.
This prelude novel has set the series up perfectly. It is a must read! I’m begging for the next book in the series to be released early because I am desperate to see what happens next!
This is the start of the Black Hearts Still Beating series, and I’m not sure if this is just going to be a series about Eva and Rafe, or if the other members get their own story as well. Eva has had a rough go of it, and life is just getting back to normal when her bestie signs her up for a talent show. Even with all the doubts that she has, Eva decides to pull up her big girl panties and try her best. The journey that starts with this talent show, takes Eva out of her comfort zone and introduces her to a bigger world, one that includes Rafe, a member of a band that Eva didn’t even know existed. But in a world that Eva didn’t really belong in, will she get her heart broken?
So, this was a good read, really flowed nicely kept my interest and had me flipping through the pages eating them up. And then the ending happened… the ending that we all knew was gonna happen, it says Beginning in the title, so we knew that this was not going to be all wrapped up in a nice little bow in this one story, but, huge BUT, I was hopeful LOL. Now, I am impatiently waiting for the next few books (two that I know of) in this series. I give this 4 stars.
Rate: 5/ 5 stars
Rush is much more than a novella, it’s a beginning. It’s the perfect introduction to these characters and this new L A Cotton world. Evangeline and Rafe take you on a sweet and angsty trip of rendezvous, an instant connection and beautiful yet heartbreaking music.
I adored these two and this book. Evangeline’s story and her struggle with her survival is heartbreaking and gave me all the angst I crave. Rafe is a sweet guy but he is hidding so much and I am dying to find it all out. I can’t wait to see how these two will react when they see each other again and how they will deal with what’s in their future. It’s gonna be a crazy epic ride and L A Cotton might have given us a few hints to what might happen… it’s not going to be an easy journey for these two but I’m praying they are endgame.
Rush had everything my heart desires in a rockstar romance: heartbreaking backstory, beautiful gutwrenching lyrics, a taste of the exciting and drama-filled rockstar life, a instant connection, attraction that becomes so much more, sexy and hot moments that leave me craving more and angst between our star crossed lovers. So you see this might be a novella, but it was not JUST that, it was so much more! I am already in love with this world and with that ending I know book 2 is going to be amazing and I simply cannot wait. I hate that the wait will probably take a while because I so easily would have binged the whole series in one go. If only…
We got to meet each member of Black Hearts Still Beat in this book and with only just a little sliver of them, I’m already praying each one of them gets his own book.
5 STARS
Excuse my pun…but what a RUSH!!! I couldn’t put this book down! An utterly gripping story, Eva and Rafe will keep you wanting more!!! I can tell that this is the beginning of an amazing series you won’t want to miss!
“Cut me open and I bleed, Eva. Just like everyone else.”
Rush – Black Hearts Still Beat: The Beginning by L.A. Cotton is an EPIC read and will join the ranks of the BIBLIO-ARISTOCRACY!!!
I loved it! The characters in this story drew me in!
We have Eva who has faced some hard times in her young age. She lost the light in the process and with it her aspirations. She’s talented though and after her family enters her into a talent show, she decides to go. Enter mysterious bad boy here.
When we meet Rafe you instantly feel the spark between them. Things move fast in a short period, but it doesn’t feel forced so I dig that. Everything felt genuine. I even enjoyed the dynamic between Eva and her bff Molly.
Typically rockstar tropes aren’t my thing, but because L.A. Cotton wrote it I knew I had to read it. And I’m feeling this story. I’m here for the angst, the secrets that have yet to be uncovered about our brooding lead guy and the journey that Eva is about to embark on! I can’t wait for more!
I received an ARC for an honest review
Holy mother of rockstar Gods.. This book just lit a fire in me. I am usually not a fan of rockstar romance stories, but I went into this with an open mind because I love Lianne to pieces. She completely blew me away with this story.
Rush is a shorter story that lays down the foundation for the rest of the series. It is crucial background information that will be needed for the next book.
“Rafe Hunter was breathing life back into me, and I was quickly becoming addicted.”
The chemistry between Eva and Rafe was off the charts hot! At just 19 years old, Rafe is a rock God. The bassist of the well-known Black Hearts Beat rock band. Rafe is dark and broken, but there is a story behind those dull eyes and I can’t wait to read more about him.
Eva is the upcoming country star. She is going to be a force, I can already tell. She is so strong and the fight in her can’t be diminished.
I am so intrigued to see where Lianne takes this story. Now that I’ve finished, I am left wanting more. It was such an incredible story and so much more than I ever thought it would be.
***ARC generously provided Author/Publisher for an honest review.***
Storyline: 4.5 stars
Characters: 4.5 stars
Heat Factor: 4.5 stars
Overall Rating: 4.5 stars
“We all have our Demons to bear.”
Great start to an epic new series!! L A Cotton has again set the scene for a story that’ll rivet her readers and leave them savoring for more.
Having endured a very difficult and emotional year, Evangeline “Eva” Walker is determined to rise from the ashes and regain control of her life.
Rafe Hunter has it all… fame, fortune and wicked good looks. Tattooed and pierced he personifies the bad boy rocker.
When Eva’s best friend Molly enters her into a popular talent showcase, Eva is both excited but scared. Determined not to let her or her family down Eva finds herself gaining momentum and exposure within the community.
What she doesn’t expect is to meet a mysterious guy backstage that captures her attention and her heart.
This is the first book in an all new rockstar romance.
I’m loving Rafe and Eva and cannot wait to see more of their story.
What a great start to a new series! I absolutely love Eva and Rafe! The only thing that truly stopped me from giving this book 5 stars was the fact that it took so long for us to finally meet Rafe. Getting Eva’s story was good, and I totally got the time line as this is an intro. I just wanted to dive right in to these two and their chemistry. I look forward to these two meeting again. I think it will be an interesting and bumpy ride! *I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book for my honest and unbiased review.*
I wasn’t sure what to expect from l.a. Cotton new series. Then I was blown away by this perfect start to the series. Who doesn’t love a story about a Rockstar and Country girl with secrets and a passion for music. This is an emotional angsty story was complex characters you instantly enjoy and want to learn more about. I can’t wait to see where these characters story lead us.
With her friend’s urging Evangeline Walker found the courage to compete in a local singing competition, not realizing that one music filled weekend would change the course of her young life. She has faced many things in her life, and found the strength to conquer it all… but this next adventure could prove to be the most challenging one yet!
She never planned on meeting a man quite like rocker Rafe Hunter, he is her complete opposite, and they come from completely different worlds… but it’s music that bonds them. After their chance meeting they can’t seem to stop thinking about one another, but with his high profile life and her needing to return home to finish high school, it’s pretty much impossible for them to be together… or is it?
Rush is a story of chasing dreams, finding love, healing, and rediscovery… the moment you meet this young couple you’ll instantly find yourself enraptured in their lives. From page one these two had my full attention, and had my heart preparing itself for some serious torture, I just knew things weren’t going to be easy for them. As with all of Ms. Cotton’s previous works that I have read, Rush comes with the same angsty emotion that draws me in and always keeps me coming back, her words are incomparable and mesmerizing! I loved what I found between the pages here, and I cannot wait to continue the journey with these two in the next installment, and see where they lead me! I highly recommend you get your hands on this one, it’s angsty, emotional, and good for the heart!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.
The start of a new series from one of my favourite authors and I can’t wait until we get the full length story. This whole book is a tease designed to peak the readers anticipation and it worked. I need more Rafe and Eva, I fell for them so hard so quickly.With interesting supporting characters and enough angst to keep anyone happy I can’t wait to see whats next for these guys.
This series is going to be off the hook!!!
Wow, what an amazing beginning for the Black Heart Still Beats series. Lianne is going to have us on the edge of our seats. I can’t wait to learn more about the guys and Eva.
Rafe and Eva hit it off strong but there might trouble brewing. Levi is the Devil and he has his eyes set on an Angel.
Rush: The Beginning (Black Hearts Still Beat # 1) is the intro into this new series that is a rockstar romance with a bit of country thrown in. I love how this begins, we get the history and get to know who the key characters are. I love the music lyrics in a couple chapters giving it a realism effect. Intrigue encircles the pages as we just get a glimpse of the disheartened characters but only pieces of crumbs are given to you of why this is. A bit of angst swirling through the pages with off the charts chemistry between main mc’s. Sweetness galore with fun & flirty banter. This novel is like a monsoon that is take by storm. I love the originality, writing style and the world building. This ends with a gripping cliffhanger. Looking forward to reading the next novel in this new rockstar romance series.
Rush is a riveting story about Eva who has conquered death and is trying to solve the mystery of why she was able to cheat death. Her best friend Molly is a true friend. She encourages Eva through thick and thin. Eva slowly rediscovers herself through her music and along the way meets Rafe. Rafe and Eva are so sweet that they’ll give you a toothache. L.A. Cotton is a wonderful storyteller whose books play an enrapturing movie in your head. Eva’s love for music and her undying fan club of family and friends will have you flipping through the pages faster than you can take your next breath. This book left me with a “Rush” of emotions and craving for another all encapsulating story.
What can I say about this book? The title says it all, it was a Rush, I was in a Rush to read every word, I’m in a Rush for the next book. It covers all the feels. It has a little bit of everything.
Broken Hero & Heroine
Angst
Sweet Southern Girl
Bad Boy Rock Band
Suspense
Music
This is the first book in the Black Hearts Still Beats series. This was such a great introduction. It leaves you wanting so much more. This was such a fast read I finished it one sitting! You really feel for Eva and Rafe. They have such a strong connection. I’m dying for the next book to see where this goes and to get some much needed answers! Don’t miss out!!