Charlie Rourke is an ultra fabulous human whirlwind on a mission to launch the next biggest band in the world. However, he might have taken on more than he could handle when he signed on to manage Zero. Promoting a rock band and finding gigs shouldn’t be hard. They’re a talented group with a ton of star power. If Charlie can find the right record label, he’s sure he can help them get to the next … next level. The only problem is the skater boy slash bassist with a quirky sense of humor. He’s annoying and silly, and he’s exactly Charlie’s type. Except he’s straight.
Ky Baldwin isn’t afraid to switch things up. He loves a challenge as much as anyone, but Charlie doesn’t make things easy. Zero’s manager is a force of nature with a razor sharp tongue, a quick wit, and a no-nonsense attitude. Ky can’t stop thinking about him. Winning over Charlie becomes Ky’s pet project. But when the ice between them thaws, neither is prepared for the intensity of going from enemies to lovers. They’ll have to decide if they’re willing to start from scratch and take a chance on the unexpected.
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Starting From Scratch by author Lane Hayes is the second book in the Starting From series. This is the first time I have read this series and I was not lost at all. This story is told in dual POV.
Charlie is Zero’s manager and promotional director. Doesn’t trust people much is always looking for the motive behind things. He thinks it keeps things in perspective. He is attracted to Ky but knows he is the band’s weakest link. He doesn’t like to talk a lot.
Ky he loves Pokemon references. He is quiet. Flirty though as well. He is laid back in a California beacher way.
I liked these two together. They each have something the other needs to be a balanced person. I also loved that they are able to be friends too. This is a great story and I want more from this series in the future I must know what happens next.
Five Shooting Stars
4.75 stars
Heat Level: 4
Narration: 5
There’s more than meets the eye with these two!!
A sort of enemies to friends to lovers to in love story with more depth than I first realized. I love Lane’s characters and I’m so glad Charlie got his own story! I love him!
I love Charlie’s “authentically me” personality and how he knows who he is, flaws and all! Charlie is just Charlie, out and proud, fashion-forward, and adorably sassy. He’s chalk to Ky’s cheese but they just work.
I loved that there was SO much more to Ky then first meets the eye and I liked that Lane took her time revealing all the complexities of Ky and his big heart. I loved that he was able to accept and go with the flow with his feelings for Charlie and I loved that they didn’t run from each other. Of course, there’s a nice bump/break in the road but thankfully everyone came to their senses really quickly and their happily ever after was back on track. I loved the push and pull with these two and the sexual tension was off the charts. I loved the tease and release These two have become two of my favorites! I can’t wait for more Zero stories and look forward to the next one. I’m loving Zero!
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I loved Charlie in Starting from Zero and fell head over heels in love with him in Starting from Scratch. And Ky is perfect for him!
Charlie and Ky fell into each other beautifully. Charlie was over the top, Ky was chill and yet they brought a calm into each others lives when they needed it most
I think opposites attract is one of my favorite tropes now. I loved how Charlie and Ky brought balance to each others lives. It’s not about how different they looked, but how their different pieces compliment each other. They bring out the best in each other and their honest declarations of mutual respect and love warmed my heart. Great series!
I loved Charlie, have since we met him in [book:Starting from Zero|44179170]! He’s fun and flamboyant, and has a heart of gold. Ky is about as opposite as you can get from Charlie- the epitome of the laid back skater boy, but with a caring heart of his own.
*A little lightbulb moment here- I think I just realized opposites attract is one of my favorite tropes!*
I really enjoyed the banter between these 2, and the way they were just so perfect for each other, even if they couldn’t see it at first. I love when a couple balances each other, without putting limits on one another, if that makes sense!
I liked that there wasn’t a whole lot of conflict with these two, although they did have their moments. But what’s a good romance without a little conflict- it just makes the happily ever after that much sweeter!
***Borrowed through KU.
So romantic!
I loved the first book and I loved this one too! This series has been especially romantic and feel good. There is a range in characters and lots of complex, interesting dynamics between them. I loved how natural the chemistry and relationship is in this book and both Charlie and Ky remain true to their characters. One is a messy whirlwind of ambition and anxiety, the other the complete opposite. So it’s truly opposites attract.
I don’t typically enjoy books centered around musicians, but this series is much more focused on the people and their everyday lives rather than who they are as part of the band. Also, Lane just never disappoints. Her books are always so very good!
I can’t wait for book 3! And I really hope Charlie’s dad gets his own story. I want to know so much more about him.
I highly recommend this series. It’s a lovely and fantastic mix of humor, love and emotions (and so much more). No high angst here. Just prepare to feel all the feels.
Once again, I fell in love the characters Lane Hayes has created. They are complicated and engaging people. I enjoy getting to know them and watching them fall in love.
11/17/19 Edited to add my comments about the audiobook.
Such a touching story with wonderful narration.
If you follow my reviews at all (thanks if you do) then I’m going to sound like a broken record. I reviewed Starting from Scratch as an eBook when it first released in mid-October. It was a great read but now Michael Pauley’s audio performance makes it super special.
Michael’s voice for Charlie is super fantastic and made my heart melt. There were some fairly sad scenes in this story and he had all of the emotions of the characters coming through loud and clear; I just can’t say enough good things about his performance of this story.
Books that get my emotions involved are usually my favorites but it’s somewhat rare for them to get as deeply engaged when listening to the audio of a book I’ve already read. The audio of Starting from Scratch was one of the rare ones. More than once the tears started flowing while I was listening. Some were sad and some were happy tears.
Whether you listen to or read Starting from Scratch I think you will love it.
Below is my original review of the ebook.
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I love Charlie and Ky isn’t bad either.
Starting from Scratch is the second book in the Starting From series and it’s a fantastic story. You don’t really have to have read book one, Starting from Zero, first but I think you’ll enjoy this new one more if you do.
The story is told in first person, alternating between Charlie and Ky and I loved everything about it. Charlie is out and proud and he is fabulous. He dresses sharp and puts together outfits that no one else could manage to look good in but they look great on him. Lane Hayes descriptive writing style sucks me in every time and keeps me glued to my e-reader.
Ky is his own person; he doesn’t like labels. He likes who he likes, dates who he wants to date – male or female – and Charlie has captured his attention. In the beginning they have a bit of a love-hate relationship going on. That soon changes as the heat between them becomes explosive.
They keep their relationship quiet for a while but the way they look at each other starts to clue others in on their relationship. I love Charlie’s younger brother, Ollie and Ky is so good with him. Ollie is having a bit of a crisis about needing to wear glasses; he’s afraid that everyone will make fun of him because he’s not one of the cool kids. Ky used to be a professional skateboarder and he starts giving Ollie lessons and that really helps boost Ollie’s self-confidence.
I really can’t say enough good things about this book. It’s witty – the repartee between Charlie and Ky is great – and sexy (HOT!) and brought me to tears more than once; it’s absolutely my favorite kind of book to read.
I’m not sure who Lane Hayes will write about next but I can’t wait for more stories set in this world.
A copy of this book was provided to me but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.
***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com***
Porcupines and Raccoons
Oliver is so cute. I absolutely love him. Charlie, or Char, well, I think Ky said it best in that “he’s madness but the sweetest kind.” He won me over with his snark and his loyalty to the people he cares about. I enjoyed the enemies vibe he and Ky had but think that sometimes Char is his own worst enemy. Ky can definitely hold his own though. Their verbal sparring was both entertaining and hot. I really, really enjoyed the prank wars, so funny and it gave me lots of ideas.
What really got me with this story though was how Char and Ky became each other’s safe havens. I didn’t envy Ky the choice he had to make or his past, but I loved how Char was right by his side. It made me happy how Ky was able to calm Char when he was worried and obsessing. They are amazingly hot together (socks and autocorrect). I also loved all of the silly jokes. Ky and Char are complete opposites but they soften each other’s edges. Flour is my favorite flower. “You’re my rhythm.” They have something real and beautiful together. A truly wonderful love story by Lane Hayes.
Opposites attract?
As Zero’s, an LA-based Indie(?) band, Manager/Promo Director, Charlie is determined to launch them in a big way. He knows that the band has the talent to make it big.
As Zero’s Bassist, Ky is talented, smart and driven. Although when you look at him, you wouldn’t think so, but looks can be totally deceiving! But just like everybody else, he has baggage from his past. And he is trying to deal with it in his own way.
I love that these two characters are going into things with their eyes wide open and they are not shy about their feelings toward it. It is refreshing to read characters who are not shy about how they feel, whether they are confused or doubting or as to what they want, or don’t want.
This latest installment in the series follows Charlie and Ky, two people who are as opposite as they can be from each other, or are they more the same underneath it all? I love the characters, just like in the previous book, they bring wit, quirkiness and snarkiness with loads of laughter and feels. Ollie is awesome. Even the supporting characters have a lot to contribute to the whole tale, I truly love it. I cannot wait for the next one! Congratulations Ms. Lane!
4.5 stars-
Starting from Scratch is relatively low angst with a great opposites attract love story that offers a surprising amount of heat along with smooth writing and good dialogue. The second book in the Starting From series, this book can standalone but the interrelationships and band dynamics are better understood when the series is read in order.
I loved Charlie’s bright personality in the first book and was so looking forward to his story. Although I expected the fun, vibrant elements of Starting from Scratch, I wasn’t quite expecting the depth or the heat. All these components worked in tandem to create a balanced book I’d easily recommend.
Ky and Charlie are that great couple that shouldn’t fit on paper, but mesh incredibly well. I loved getting to know more about both characters and seeing the love between these two take hold. I also liked that there was ample amount of time with other characters from the series, as it provided me the opportunity to get a better feel for them while also showing the interrelationships between the main and secondary characters of Starting from Scratch. This author always creates such a great community within her series which endears me to the collection of characters that much more; and after this book I’m definitely falling for all those in the Starting From series and eagerly waiting for more.
*Reviewed for Alpha Book Club*
What’s hotter than watching two people fight the chemistry that is between them. I mean really it’s like total foreplay for when they finally come together and that is exactly what we have with Charlie and Ky. These two men are so different from one another, yet they are a lot alike when it comes to relationships and their fears and this has to do with the way they were both raised.
Charlie is out and loud and proud and a whirlwind of energy always on the go, always needing to do something. Where Ky is more laid back which is true to his surfer dude looks and charm. They are sort of a yin and yang when it comes to fitting together. You wouldn’t look at them and think they make sense but once you see them together and feel their energy and pull you’ll get it.
There is quite a bit of angst in this story but not so much that it took away from the budding relationship of Ky and Charlie although they did have their moments. This was a fun, sexy read that occasionally got a bit emotional, nothing over the top though, so I’d keep tissues around but you may not need them.
I am really enjoying getting to know all of the men in the band ZERO and I look forward to reading all of their books.
This is an easy book to recommend to lovers of MM Romance that enjoy the Rockstar trope as well, and even if you don’t like Rockstars I would still suggest you give it a read because these guys are more than just their careers.
Happy Reading!!!
This book is fabulous!!! I loved this one even more than the first and I didn’t think that was possible. While this is a standalone, I do recommend that you read the first book to enjoy this one to the fullest.
Charlie is an enigma. He’s fabulous, confident, sarcastic and million other things that I could never describe. To say he’s my favourite character would be an understatement. Charlie and Ky have an amazing chemistry. I love their banter, pranks and how happy they made each other.And the sex is smoking hot!!
I like being with you. You make me laugh, you make me crazy, you make me lose my place and remember what’s important.
Ky is a character with a lot of layers. Skateboard enthusiast/bassist and with a carefree attitude towards life, he’s a complete opposite to Charlie.
You’re my rhythm, my beat, my rock…my everything.
This book is a must read! Words can’t explain how much I recommend it!! I wonder if Seb will have a book. I felt really sad for him. For the love he let go.
*ARC provided by the author via Indigo Marketing and Design in exchange for an honest and unbiased review
4.5 Stars
This is the second book in the Starting from series by Lane Hayes. It can be read as a standalone but I advise you to read the first book too to better understand the dynamics between the characters and to avoid spoilers about other characters.
I loved this second book much more than the first one. I got invested in the story pretty quickly. Both main characters are lovable, sweet, interesting.
I adored Ky/Kyle! He was amazing with his surfer appearance and his love to skateboard. Behind his carefree attitude, he has a lot of fears and pain coming from his horrible relationship with his father.
The main characters have such a wonderful chemistry! This book has a lot of HOT scenes and I loved them all. The angst isn’t over the top. The ending was extremely sweet and I finished this book with a huge smile on my face!
I highly recommend!
DBO~Review by Dia~
The second in the “Starting From” series continues Lane Hayes’ streak of entertaining reads with interesting and complex characters. I love that Charlie is extra and that Ky loves his extra-ness. I love that Ky appreciates balance and that Charlie helps him when he’s not so balanced. Ky’s a musician, but he could have done just about anything and this book still would have worked because the characters drive the story, which is my favorite kind of book.
Now I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Charlie’s dad gets a HEA!
*I received an arc of this book.*
Starting From Zero,first book in the series,might explain better some dynamics in the Starting From Scratch , so I advise to read it first.
Ky and Charlie’s story was fun to read. Although, admittedly, I had moments I wished they had just made up their minds. They had this dance of dislike/like,hate/want ,annoyance/fascination and I was so hoping for the moment they realized just how amazing they could be together.
Starting From Scratch is laughter and emotions, tension and lightness,and I really liked it.
Recommended.