From #1 New York Times bestselling author Rachel Van Dyken comes the next standalone rockstar romance in her Seaside Pictures series…I had his posters on my wall when I was sixteen and when I accidentally got pregnant in high school–his was the face I dreamt of when I closed my eyes at night.Now, over twenty years later, that dream’s turned into a reality.Not only is Drew … reality.
Not only is Drew Amhurst in my tiny town of Seaside, live and in the flesh…
But he’s mentoring my rockstar son.
Drew says he’s mine for a week.
And he made me three promises.
“No strings attached.”
“No falling in love.”
“It’s only seven days.”
He’s confident that he can help me rediscover myself both in and out of the bedroom, and I’m confident that he’s too arrogant for his own good.
And at the end of seven days, he swears he’ll walk out of my life the way he came into it.
The only problem is, the more I get to know him, the more I want to surrender the last pieces of my heart and beg him to stay.
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Surrender is part of a series but can be read as a standalone, Drew and Bronte’s story is a rockstar romance, one you will be hooked up from the start and keep on reading, you will laugh and have your heart squeezed in more ways than one. You will enjoy every page of this book, it has it all you need to have a great time. You will fall in love with Drew, their banter and chemistry will get to you, an incredible story that will teach you how life gives you the unexpected and yet you can change the course of your life. A fantastic 5 star read, I would love to hear this one on audiobook someday to experience it all over again.
Thank you Valentine PR and the author for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Surrender
By: Rachel Van Dyken
REVIEW
Surrender takes the reader back to Seaside for a rock star romance. This is not the typical kind, however, because the characters, Drew and Bronte, are actually adults instead of young twenty somethings. I found this aspect very refreshing. Drew and Bronte have life experience and baggage and brokenness. Bronte has older children, and she is authentic, realistic and relatable. Drew is a swoon worthy guy but not perfect, just someone trying to heal. The chemistry between these two is electric and obvious from the first. Surrender has it all-romance, angst, humor, heat and heart- but I would expect no less from Rachel Van Dyken. Another great read!
1. I did not cry while reading this book. 2. I bawled after I finished. 3. I am giddy that Drew and Bronte got their happily ever after.
While this is a complete stand-alone (and it is), I have watched Drew’s character grow throughout this series. I’ve wanted him to find his person, his HEA, and grow from the past. I needed his story, his why, his struggles. We, as readers, needed this book. Drew needed this book. And I’m going on record to say this is my favorite book of the Seaside Pictures Series. Period.
Is it because the characters are older now? Maybe. Is it because I could relate to them more than a 30-something versus 20-something? Maybe. I can tell you that Rachel Van Dyken’s words sucked me in and kept me glued to the pages. I was right there with these characters throughout their story.
Bronte is such a relatable character and the connection between Drew and Bronte’s youngest daughter is the comic relief needed throughout the story. She knew how to push his buttons and took a piece of his heart every time they bantered.
If you need a swoon-worthy, redeemable hero–Drew is your man. He is smart, loveable, talented, flawed, and cocky. But, once he loves, he loves with everything he has.
SURRENDER is a beautiful read filled with romance, laughs, and so much sexiness. Whether you’ve read the rest of the series, I believe that you will fall in love with Drew and Bronte.
SURRENDER was a standalone Contemporary Romance novel By the best-selling author Rachel van Dyken. It is set in the same world as the Seaside pictures series.
The one thing I am absolutely addicted to is how Rachel also manages to break my heart through her books!! The way she manipulates the story line, I mean I have lost count the number of times I wanted to throw away my kindle because I had too many emotions churning inside me. But then I couldn’t throw it away as the stories are so amazing. You just can’t stop once you have started reading it!!!
This novel is of Drew , who we have met in the earlier Seaside Pictures Series. I have been a huge fan of this series, and can’t even tell you how elated I am to have this book of Drew!!! He has been so amazing right from the start of the series.
Here we meet Bronte, who is young and passionate mother. Gotten pregnant at 16, she never really had fun in her life and grew up way too fast. That is until she meets Drew through her son. Drew was the one who sort of made her son a rock star. Her son is now a popular rock star himself and is soon to get married to his love. Bronte also had 2 more children, one daughter away at college and one at home who is suffering from cancer. Her treatment procedure is going on and they are checking whether she still has the cancer or not.
Bronte has had a pretty tough life, as her husband never really loved her and just married her out of duty. He never really had any interest in her and pretty much cheated on her throughout their whole marriage and they later got divorced. She never really had anyone love her and take care of her. She was always the one taking care of people. That is until Drew sets his eyes on her. I loved the fact that they both had this small history together. Bronte had huge on him in High school but never really got to tell him.
Now years later , Drew is a recovering Drug addict who is trying to get through his life. He has had a crush on Bronte from the moment he met her. After so much time, he finally makes a move on her and asks her out. Even though Drew is in town for a week, Bronte agrees to go out with him. They both let their tensions go , and let fate decide where their relationship finally goes. They both spend a Huge week full of picnics , horse rides and lots of love and passion.
Another fact that I really loved was how much Drew was involved with Bronte’s children. It was clear how much he loved them all , specially his interactions with Amelia were so funny and had me laughing so hard all the time.
I would recommend this too all the contemporary romance lovers out there who are addicted to themes like single-mother and Rock star romance.
Welcome back to Seaside, Oregon. The town where all of your favorite Rockstars live and love. In this installment we follow the bad boy Andrew Amhurst *sigh* the rockstar with all the baggage of his former mistakes. The rockstar with a crush on his protégé, Braden’s *swoon* mom. After coming to a don’t ask don’t tell agreement with Braden, Drew decides to shoot his shot. And poor Bronte never even saw him coming. She never even stood a chance!
Drew Amhurst has all the things us girls dream about..
Confidence
Musical talent
Tattoos
Haunted past
Heart of gold
Sexy AF
Bronte is a mom. Shes diminished her entire identity to that one word. Mom. After having her heart broken by her husband and high school sweetheart, when he left her with their 3 kids *asshole*, she through herself into being a mom. Now her #1 celebrity crush is in her life and her home, offering himself up for 7 days of no strings attached fun. *sign me up* what ever is a girl to do? Say yes and prey to all things holy somehow her heart doesn’t get shredded even further!
Bronte is such a real character and I absolutely love this about her. She struggles with confidence and knowing who she is as a woman, beyond being a mother. And damn if that isn’t true for a lot of single moms out there.
Again I will say DREW IS EVERYTHING!!!!! He takes her from this scared shell of a woman and restores not only her self esteem but her heart in the process. He doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff like her kids and her fragility. He dives in headfirst and pulls her back together, holding her hand through it all.
First Rachel gave us AD2 with Alec and Demetri, then she gave us sexy English actor Jamie Jamison, she threw in Zane Saint Andrews and Adrenaline, with Will, Ty and Trevor, and destroyed our hearts and souls with Braden. It only feels fitting to give us the black sheep of Adrenaline, because she definitely saved the best for last with Drew.
Ok enough… I’ve convinced myself I’m moving to Seaside! Who’s coming with me?!
4.5 STARS
Surrender is the 4th full length novel in the Seaside Pictures Series and it was my absolute favourite of them all! It can be read as standalone but personally I am so glad I binged this series over the last 2 weeks because knowing the other characters and their stories made it a better reading experience. I have been eagerly awaiting Drew’s story since he was introduced in Steal (Will and Angelica’s story) and Rachel did not disappoint. This is a fast read that I devoured in one sitting. I cannot imagine a better match than Bronte was for Drew! She got him from the beginning. She sees through his humor and the sexy rocker bad boy image he gives off. She sees a real human-being that is covering up a painful past.
This cover is PERFECTION. I can’t imagine a better depiction of Drew! Look at all those sexy tattoos. But Drew is so much more than his his bad boy image and tattoos. Deep down he is the sweetheart I knew he would be but snarky, sexy and irresistible too.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re broken, because none of us are whole. Wholeness is a lie people believe when they can’t handle the truth. And every single part of you, even the ones you try to hide or are ashamed of—I want those too. So that when I choose you, every single time you choose me, you’re choosing the pretty along with the poison. Wherever love exists, pain must also be present.” -Bronte
I absolutely loved all the banter from the band members. Their hilarious text messages back and forth had me dying of laughter!
Rachel Van Dyken blows me away with everything she writes. Her diversity as an author is out of this world. Her writing is the absolute best! If you are looking for a second chance, funny, make you swoon rockstar romance this is for you!
*ARC received in exchange of an honest review.
Drew, how you cracked me up, made me fan my face, not just from being hot but from the tears!!!! Bronte made me laugh too, she had been missing out on so much of life. More than she realized until Drew started showing her what she had been missing.
Will Drew make her believe in happily ever after and deliver or is she so stuck in the past and afraid for the future that she won’t allow Drew to do it?
The band of course cracked up and Amelia did too. I was highlighting the crap out of this book and if you knew me, you’d know I don’t do that too often (unless it’s a misspelled word and that’s not the case in this book.) So many sayings that I loved in this one!!!
5 STARS
I love… love… LOVED Bronte and Drew’s story! It was fun and their banter was entertaining. Loved the mission of ‘Operation Bronte Connors Gets her Groove Back’ and the ‘Not-Your-Dad’ relationship he had with Bronte’s daughter, Amelia. The whole story was endearingly sweet and steamy, and not your typical rock star romance. Surrender by Rachel Van Dyken is an EPIC read that will join the ranks of the BIBLIO-ARISTOCRACY!!!
I received a free copy of this book from the author.
This book is part of a series but it is possible to read it as a standalone without spoilers to the earlier books. I thought this book was quite funny. These two characters – Drew and Bronte are very entertaining.
Drew is determined to get Bronte on his side. She makes the room brighter much more clearer. She even sees the real Andrew. Or so it seems.
There is a tiny bit of conflict in this book but other than that it’s a smooth sailing happy read with a HEA. I enjoyed reading their love story. I think you will too.
Surrender by Rachel Van Dyken is book 4 in the Seaside Pictures Series. This is the story of Drew Amhurst and Bronte Connors. I have read the previous book, but felt this could be a standalone book if you wish to do so. Bronte was a teenage mother who married the boy that got her pregnant because their parents pretty much made them. Of course it was a good marriage and they are no longer together but the marriage did bring her two children Braden and Amelia. Braden is the protege for Drew who of course was in a successful rock band when Bronte was a teenager. While Bronte was a young mother dedicating her life to her children, Drew was the ultimate rock star. So they are so totally opposites but when Drew see Bronte she makes him feel something inside that he has felt in a while…if ever. Drew and Bronte are brought together in a week that they both just give into their feelings and dreams. But will this be enough for them to have more…life is ever changing but will they? Enjoyed this book and of course this author’s writing.
Surrender combines lots of interesting elements. First, you have your rockstar romance. Then you have a bit of lusting after a friends mom. You have a single mother. Top it off with a “fling” set up of only 1 week together and seriously, there is a lot going on!
Andrew (Drew) is a 36 year old rockstar who is beginning to feel like he is missing out on life. His band mates are all happily married and Drew is nowhere close to that. He has beat his drug addiction, but his life feels unfulfilled. I don’t really like rockstar romances, but this twist on the trope worked for me. He has had the fame for years, gone through the crazy parties, drugs, women, and booze and come out the other side (only slightly damaged).
Bronte became a mom young, married a man who didn’t love her, then found herself raising 3 kids alone. Now her oldest son is a rockstar (thanks to the help of Drew), her middle daughter started college, and it’s just her and her youngest daughter. Bronte has been nothing but a mom for all these years and now that her kids are grown and living their own lives, she realizes how lonely she is. Oh, and its about to be her 40th birthday.
Drew proposes a 1 week deal for he and Bronte. This kind of rubbed me wrong because I felt like Drew was thinking this was a fling. He is helping out his friend’s mom by giving her a week of fun with a hot rockstar. Bronte thinks that’s how he feels. It didn’t make me love him. But, of course, that isn’t Drew’s plan and he is battling he own demons (as well as a bat crap crazy ex). The chemistry these two have in Surrender is GREAT. Drew manages to add touches of humor to everything that keeps it light. Not-Dad was amazing and his interactions with Amelia were simply adorable.
If you want your romance to have mature characters who have been though rough life experiences, quirky humor, and just enough angst to make it interesting, then Surrender is a solid pick for a quick weekend binge!
My heart is not big enough to hold all the overwhelming emotions in Surrender by Rachel Van Dyken. It was perfect love story of two imperfect souls. I laughed , I cried, I swooned and I fall in love irrevocably with this irresistible love story!
Drew Amherst is the prototype of misunderstood, broken, destroyed bad boy rockstar. He is drowning under the guilt and shame of his reckless and dark past. And his protégé’s mom is like a light his soul is magnetically attracted. Bronte didn’t have an easy life either. Her life has been dedicated to her kids and now she feels empty and lonely. Drew takes up the challenge to make her live a little on her birthday and anniversary week. One week. Will it be enough? Specially when both have walls and secrets…
I don’t know how RVD writes these broken bad boys in every single story. Drew’s pain ripped my heart out, shredded it into tiny pieces and I still haven’t put them together. This sexy cocky ahole with nose ring, endless tattoos and bruised heart distract everyone from his true feelings by his joking, smirking and cool attitude. His issues are endless and complicated. Just like Bronte. She is scared of opening up her heart. She is afraid to let go and live selfishly a bit for herself. And her over cautious reactions almost destroyed them. I loved Drew’s sweet and caring side as much as I liked his scorching hot and dirty side. They fought a lot inside but finally they found happily ever after in unexpected ways. Their chemistry was sinful and filthy and achingly beautiful! It was equally angsty and steamy. It was temptation and torture wrapped nicely. Every single dirty, witty, sweet agonising, heartaching, swoonworthy and glorious emotion hit me hard.
And the BROMANCE! This is just epic. The bandmates of Drew are the best friends one can want. And their group texts were the best things ever. I couldn’t control the laughs and smiles. This story has glimpses of other related stories those will be enjoyed by old fans!
Surrender by Rachel Van Dyken was an emotional rollercoaster of epic proportions. One moment my heart was happy and swooning. And the next moment she sent me to heartbreaking and angsty hell. It was worthy of all my tears and smiles!
Received ARC for honest review
**received an ARC for an honest review** I’ve been waiting to for Drew’s book since reading Will’s. I was expecting a little more of an angst driven book given Drew’s history and Bronte’s background with her children, but this was a slow sweet burn of a romance. I enjoyed it, and then there was always the comedy with seaside crew cameo’s and their group texts. This was a great summer read.
Been waiting for so long … for Drew!!
This is a book so many of us probably can relate to more than we would ever publicly admit. Cause who can honestly say they didn’t have a crush on the most popular band there was when we were teens and dreamed about our favorite band member showing up at our door step one day. Well, I certainly did … guilty as charged.
And that is exactly what happened to Bronte when her son had the chance to be mentored by the great Drew Amhurst a few years ago (btw, go and check out the son’s, Braden, story on Provoke )
Now, he’s back and determined to show her how to live and enjoy life right, even if it’s just for a week.
Drew has been chased and plagued by his own demons almost since he could remember. Bad choices and bad luck gave him in the end the feeling to not really belong, even while being crowded by loving friends and band mates.
So, even as he thinks he’s doing her a favor, albeit a selifish one cause let’s face it, now he is the one crushing on his number one fan, in the end he needed all this as much as she did, if not more.
Drew and Bronte are seriously a match made in heaven. They are fun and sexy and it kind of made me happy to see them happy … that’s what Rachel van Dyken does to you. She makes her characters so real, you truly think they are your best friends and you wish them the world and more.
After so many books on the Seaside / Seaside Pictures Series I am so relieved to finally see Drew getting what he deserves.
Oh, and before I forget: The are group texts!!!! Don’t miss them!!!! 😀
Drew Amhurst was the sexy rocker that captured her attention when she was a teen, back then she would have died at the chance to date him. Now he is standing before her offering her one week of his time and full attention, and Bronte is certain she has died and gone to heaven. She knows a week with him is a once and a lifetime kind of thing, but as much as she wants to say yes, the more her head is telling her to say no, to guard her heart from a guy like him. But with a little encouragement she gives in, her fortieth birthday is in a couple of days, and she wants to do it right… with some fun with her teenage crush! But what happens when the week is over?
Surrender is a perfectly penned tale that will steal your heart and attention from the very first chapter! Reading this story is like having the chance to live out your teenage dreams through Bronte’s eyes, it gives you a fictional taste of what it would be like to spend a week with your favorite rockstar. I loved every minute of this one, it was so, so good!!! I loved watching these two try to keep to their agreement and not fall for one another, and I am quite happy that they both failed at it miserably… cause what happened instead was so good for my heart. Drew of course was a scene and heart thief, his words were pure magic, he made it so easy to fall under his spell. From beginning to end these characters made me feel welcome in their world, and kept me thoroughly entertained. I highly recommend you pick this one up, it’s words are certain to leave your heart happy!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.
I received an ARC of this from Valentine PR and I volunteered to leave an unbiased review.
Not counting re-reads but this is the third RVD book that I have rated 5 stars THIS YEAR ALONE. how does she do it? She gives me broken, imperfect people and makes me love them and want to protect them. First Asher, then Junior and Serena and now Andrew and Bronte.
Drew Amhurst. What can I say?? He wants to help Bronte find her groove. Bronte isn’t so sure. Even though she’s literally wanted Drew for more than half her life.
THE SPARKS OH HOW THEY FLY.
I really wish I had read the other Seaside Pictures series first, but honestly this can be read as a standalone.
I don’t think there’s a genre or a trope in romance that this author can’t do well. This is incredible and I urge you nae, DEMAND that you read it.
I really liked the idea of a mother rediscovering herself and finally getting to the point in her life where it should be all about her. And Bronte is very lucky to have an arrogant but good hearted rock star pushing to be the one exploring all of her, sorry exploring all of IT with her LOL. Everyone thinks the worst of Drew due to his wild past but he is actually very responsible and mature. He just needs somebody to believe in him. He has too much accumulated guilt but he wants a chance at having a family and at feeling worthy.
With heated moments constantly being interrupted, his patience runs thin but it makes it better for us readers. His mental monologues are awesome. And really, all you need is to read his internal thoughts, to have fun with this book.
Drew has lived a life and come out the other side with a clearer perspective but he doesn’t believe he deserves or is worthy of love. Bronte has been a single mother for years and always puts her children first. Drew has always found Bronte sexy but she is the mom to his protégé, Braden, so he’s always stayed away. When an opportunity presents itself for him to show Bronte just how amazing she truly is, well, he jumps at the chance. Drew and Bronte are wonderful together but Drew has put an end date on their time together. Will he open his heart to more? So much fun experiencing this journey with Drew and Bronte. Amelia, Bronte’s daughter, is the perfect balance to keep Drew on his toes and gave so many laugh-out-loud moments. I have to admit this is my first Seaside story and I now need to devour the rest of the series. I voluntarily read an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.
How do I begin to tell you how much I loved this book and the characters. Firstly thank you Rachel for writing characters that have lived a little who aren’t perfect and because of this are so relatable.
The story follows Drew Amhurst lead singer of Adrenaline and Bronte Connors his protege’s mum. Bronte is a single mum in her late 30’s who has always put her kids first so when Drew finds out that her birthday is soon he decides to give her a week to remember. You are going to fall in love with Drew from his relentless pursuit of Bronte, his banter with his bandmates and her son Braden to his not my daddy one liners with Amelia. The chemsitry between Bronte and Drew is to die for. The story easily moved from fun to emotional especially when we see Drew at his most vulnerable. Although this is book 4 in the series it can be read as a standalone.
j’étais curieuse de lire ce roman d’autant que c’est assez rare, les personnages ont mon (vieil) âge (tout est relatif) et je dois dire que ça fait énormément de bien au moral ! Ils sont tous les deux très attachants, on ne peut que dévorer les pages et avoir le sourire tout le long de l’aventure. Drew a certaines choses à faire pour pouvoir avancer et j’ai aimé la façon dont Bronte va lui permettre de se poser et inversement, il va lui permettre de sortir de sa zone de confort. Une très chouette romance entre deux personnes que la vie n’a pas forcément épargnées mais qui s’en sortent la tête haute !