Tell Me Goodnight

4.9 Stars

This is a standalone romance, BUT – I would suggest you read the other books in the series first. Start with Daisies & Devin and then The Life We Wanted! Those guys are in here – not a lot, but still. You don’t want to miss those stories!!!!

Jon has always been struggling in his life as a piano player and song writer. He plays in his brother’s bar every night to at least make a bit of money. He wanted to make it big in the music business, but it hasn’t happened. Yet. His wife always believed in him though. She wanted him to keep on chasing his dream.

And now he’s even more lost. His beloved wife died two years ago and he has to raise his three little daughters all by himself. His mom and his brother help, but it’s still really hard. He’s so lost in his grief that he doesn’t know how he survives each day. But he has to – his girls need him.

Enter Tess.

She’s a writer – who has kind of never written a book. But she really wants to. Has to. And now her grandmother has given her the chance to pursue that dream. She moved in with the old lady – to take care of her. Having to pay no rent and with a lot of time to write, Tessa should be over the moon happy. But she’s not. She just can’t find her muse.

But then she finds a little side job … babysitting for Jon’s girls.

Tess is fascinated by that beautiful but so very sad man!
He’s the inspiration she needed to write her book. But he’s so much more too.

And with every day Jon feels more for Tess too, but he just can’t! At least he thinks he can’t fall for her – it would be cheating. Right?

Plus Tess is afraid that once he finds out he’s the muse behind her book – he will hate her!

What will happen to Tess & Jon & the girls?
Will we get our happily ever after?
READ THE BOOK TO FIND OUT!

I just adore #RockstarRomances!

This was not really a rock star romance though. It’s more of a … hm…. A second-chance-at-life-and-love novel. How to start living again after you’ve lost half of your soul.

But of course it’s not all über-sad and heartbreaking. We have beautiful music moments. Adorable little girl moments. And romantic and sweet Tess and Jon moments.

But the whole book is still this really emotional getting-over-your-grief book. And I loved it so much.
Which sounds stupid really. But it was so sweet and heartbreaking and ugh. I loved Jon and his girls and Tess!

And we got to see Devin & Sebastian again too!

I felt so like Tess in some scenes – the 90’s fangirl. Only I’m not a fangirl – I’m old – I really witnessed that decade – and I loved it. The music. Jordan Catalano. All of it!

I just adored this book.

It’s so beautifully written – so full of love and hope and family and … yes, I’m saying it:

ALL THE FEELS!

And the cover is so pretty!!!

TELL ME GOODNIGHT was such an adorable & heartbreaking love story. Just Beautiful. Run to your nearest amazon for your own Jon – he’ll be sold out in no time!

Tiny little thing I hated – which slightly connects to my mega hate of religion, because it’s also so typical American. Home-schooling. No idea why I hate it so much, but it’s so cult-ish and religious and weird to me. I just hate it. Even if it’s not true, I kind of feel like all kids that have been homeschooled are either going to end up in a church/cult or in an episode of Criminal Minds! I would be ok with it for rock star purposes – when the star wants to take his family with him on tour – if they’re gone all year – ok. But that’s the only excuse.

Oh – while I was writing this another thing came to mind. One Direction.
How can a guy in his thirties even for one second think that One Direction is the best boyband ever??? That’s just ridiculous. No guy in his thirties has ever heard of that band. Jon might know them because he has to play some songs by request at the bar, but still. There’s so much more quality to choose from. Like 98° for example – those guys really have a voice.

Jeez – while writing THIS, I thought of another thing. Jon is a little too old for my liking. He was married for over 10 years and I just can’t imagine what his life with his wife was like before kids. I just can’t see it. He should’ve been a few years younger – that would’ve made more sense.

BUT – I still really loved the book – even if it doesn’t sound like it! LOL

I first read Tell Me Goodnight as a beta read. I knew then that Ms. Kingsley had another 5-star read.

I thrive on emotional stories….they are really the ones I gravitate towards. TMG was all that and more. My emotions played out right beside Tess and Jon’s. Jon’s story gave me the heartbreak I craved…..plus his three little girls gave me the heartwarming feels that I also needed.

Tell Me Goodnight is another representation of how Ms. Kingsley can build a story of love, sadness, and rebirth.

First of all, read the note from the author at the beginning of this book, because, WOW. And yes, Ms. Kingsley, this is definitely one of those books for me. I flew through the pages, all the while trying desperately to draw out the reading, to dwell in the emotion, to savor living in these words, and hoping upon hope that it would never end. Kingsley isn’t simply an author. She’s a poet and a master composer, and her words plucked the chords of my heart in a beautiful, haunting, unforgettable symphony. If you don’t like long reviews, I’ll tell you now: get this unique, stunning, life-changing book today!

This is not your carefree, light hearted romance. It’s so much better, greater and more than that. It’s raw and authentic with pain that bleeds off the page and happiness that makes the reader’s heart soar to the greatest heights. It’s a realistic depiction of loss that leaves a gaping hole and the guilt of healing and moving on. It’s grief so devastating that every day is like slogging through mud, but a healing so precious that it inspires rebirth. It’s the story of one broken soul and one lost soul and the three precious girls that unite these two soul mates.

Jon lost his wife two years ago and every day he struggles just to do the bare minimum. He has to take care of his three young daughters, and he has to continue working for his meager income playing the piano at his brother’s bar. Everything else falls by the wayside – his appearance and health at the very bottom of the list. Before he lost his wife, he had dreams of making it big with his music, but that dream doesn’t even make the list these days.

Tessa has moved in with her grandmother, a famous romantic thriller author, to ensure Grandma doesn’t burn down the house in her forgetfulness. The deal is that Tessa lives rent free while working on writing her novel. Its been six month’s and she has zero words written, so she decides to find a job. She has bills to pay, and it will get her out of the house. Maybe interactions with more than Grandma and her regular date, Richard Dawson of Family Feud, will inspire Tessa’s writing. And it might feel good to feel needed and wanted, because Grandma’s combative personality certainly doesn’t leave Tessa feeling warm and fuzzy.

Tessa spots a help wanted sign for a bartender and decides to apply. While she’s filling out the application and trying to fabricate a work history, she’s befriended by the most adorable four-year-old princess. Fast forward a few weeks, and Tessa is babysitting Jon’s girls and falling way too far for this broken man, who’s still in love with his dead wife, and his three little princesses. But over time, and through a ritual of a shared cup of tea with Jon when he comes home from work, things slowly change. Tessa begins to write, inspired by Jon and his girls. Jon inches closer to moving forward with his life and his long dormant dream finds new life.

There is so much wisdom and insight in these ingenious words that they sucked me in, swirling around me in a vortex of thoughts and feelings and carrying me along the dips and swells of the characters experiences and emotions so that I lived everything with them along this voyage. With snippets of Tessa’s writing and Jon’s lyrics that are so beautiful I could hear the melody along with the words, this book consumed me, mesmerized me, filled me and owned me completely. Mere words can never explain and express the impact of this poignant, profound, evocative work.

And if that isn’t enough, we’re gifted with appearances of Devin and his band mates. I adore all of these guys! Devin, the giant teddy bear, Sebastian with his crass humor and irreverence, and Chad and Ty who I can’t wait to learn more about. Jon, Tessa and the girls fit right in with this band family.

More, Ms. Kingsley. I need more! My heart can’t exist without more of these amazing characters! This book is the most unique, exquisite gem in contemporary romance. Rarely does a book come along that touches my heart, stirs my soul and has such a lasting impact. These characters will live in my heart forever, and this book easily takes the #1 spot, at the very top of the list of books I’ve read this year. Get it now. Start reading now. Your heart will soar, your soul will sing, and you absolutely will not be sorry.

*I reviewed an advance copy of this book freely and voluntarily, having made no commitment to provide a review and receiving no compensation of any kind from any source for this review.

Tell me I love you, tell me good night

You know when you read a book and it leave big fat imprints of inspiration and emotion on you. This is one of those books me for .
I knew going into this book it was probably going to be emotional , and I was right . Jon and tessas story had me captivated and hooked from the beginning to the end . I loved them .
This is a second chance / slow burn / rock star romance . Jon is a washed up pianist who had tried to make it in the music business but really lost his way when his wife suddenly died leaving him alone with his three children.
And Tess is an aspiring writer living with and caring for her grandmother who , when searching for a part time job falls into a baby sitting job for job only to learn that they could. Both find meaning purpose and healing in eachother .
It’s a beautiful story of learning to move on but not let go . And I loved the whole journey !!

Additionally I love that this story is a part of the Devin O’Leary series . I love that job finds his big break with the O’Leary band and we get a glimpse of the other characters I have previously read and loved !! These characters are such a great fit for this crew. I’m so happy that there is more members of this bunch to read about because they are just so great !!

5/5

“This is the story of how I fell in love with a broken man and his three little princesses. It is tragic, but true. And with truth, there almost always tragedy.”

This is the story of Jon and Tessa. The messy, one step forward two steps back, emotional feel good love story. Jon our broken hearted widower raising the most adorable little girls. Tessa our want to be horror novelist, like her hero, her grandmother. Tessa needs a break from being the caregiver for her grandma, who is becoming a shell of her old self day by day. She decided she needed a part time job. Jon the doting father of three, needs a new babysitter for his children, because he needs a break from his mother, and her worrying ways. They agree to try it out. When lines start blurring and feelings start to get involve, how can Tess not fall in love with all of them, and will Jon ever be able to let go of his past.

This story ahhh. I’m speechless really. It got me very emotional because you fall in love with these characters very quickly. Tess, you have the pleasure of going through the journey of losing a love one, when their mind slipping away little by little from you. It’s a very realistic point of view, and one that I’ve been experiencing, through the past few years. Jon, the poor broken man, finally having to face his past, learn to let go, but still feeling guilty. The three little princesses gah, how can you not love them. They are so adorable, and makes me love this book more. I have read a lot from Author Kelsey Kingsley, and I love her writing. I will always check out more of her books. This is one of my favorite books, I have read so far. This story is a must, so please, pretty please download it today.

The best book I have read in a long time! I love this author and all of her books but this one is by far her best..a beautiful story about love..hope..second chances..family…Jon and Tess are such a wonderful couple…please read this

This was one of those books that I couldn’t put down, but I didn’t want it to end. It’s definitely a slow burn but well worth the wait! The story is sad but soon turns hopeful.The three little girls in this book are everything! I LOVED this book!

This is a shitshow.
There’s truly no other word for it. The blurb paints a picture of a grieving, single father to three little girls, who gets a second chance at love when he meets the aspiring author Tess. The father – Jon – is a talented pianist but struggles to make ends meet and Tess who sorely needs inspiration agrees to babysit Jon’s daughters in an attempt to get out of her literary rut. It sounds quite lovely with the potential of some really angsty moments. A tortured artist’s soul and all that.

It starts with Jon’s recollection of a typical night with his wife. And then it all goes downhill from there.

First of all, the narrative is all fragmented. And not in a good, thought-out, intended way. But more in the ”I-don’t-know-how-to-write-longer-sequences” kind of way. But still. That’s just my personal opinion and that particular writing style doesn’t make or break a book.

However, then there’s the typical beginner’s mistake of making two characters fall too fast. Tess and Jon have barely met before they’re more or less obsessed with each other. Not in a romantic way at first, but it’s more like an inexplicable fascination. You truly don’t understand why the main characters are obsessing over each other. I had to go back to see if I happened to skip a chapter and missed something essential. It’s like the author has an idea of a love story but is unable to put it in print.

Then it’s the descriptions of the daughters and parenthood. This is quite central to the story. So, this book would have needed to be proof-read by someone with children of their own. Or even just somebody who had met a child at some point.

Beacuse even though the three little girls lost their mother and their father is grieving. Even though their circumstances may have made them precocious and mature beyond their years. The descriptions of many of the interactions with the children are … wrong. Just wrong. Especially the 2 and a half year-old. Any parent knows that’s a really tough age where you basically can’t take your eyes off the kidlet for a second unless you want fires, flooding, locust infestations or fatal accidents. You most definitely won’t leave a 4 year-old in charge and sneak away to play the piano.
I suspect Kingsley haven’t met a child in her life. Or has even the most rudimentary understanding of what parenthood is like.

In Tell me goodnight, Jon’s only job is to play the piano at a bar, and he earns crap. He’s feeling really bad about it – as he should – since on that salary he can only afford a run-down, crappy apartment in a dangerous neighborhood. He also seems to feed his daughters only mac’n cheese, ice cream and oreo’s. He doesn’t enjoy playing the piano ever since his wife died, but still, he won’t accept help from obviously loving relatives. And he won’t consider trying for a job that actually pays more than tips. It’s just too much.
To be that selfish and irresponsible as the sole provider for three small children and pass it off as acceptable behavior because: Hello! Tortured artist.
But. Parents. Do. Not. Work. That. Way.
At least not if they’re capable and loving which Jon allegedly is.

And then there’s the first time Tess babysits. I get all worked up thinking about it. So, Tess and Jon don’t really know each other at this point, but Jon has decided to let a non family-member watch his girls for the first time. When he comes back home after his gig, Tess and all three girls are watching a slasher movie. A. Slasher. Movie. The youngest girl is 2 and a half years old. The older ones 4 and 6. Tess’ excuse is that they were having such a good time and she didn’t want to be the bad guy. Really??!! For fucks sake! She was supposed to be the adult and take care of the children! But then comes the really messed up part; Jon’s naturally upset and fires Tess. But then he feels bad about it and lets her keep the job. WTF?!? No sane parent would ever leave their kids with someone who proved to have such poor judgement as Tess obviously has.

After that, the story continues with Jon and Tess forming a friendship of sorts. This is also inexplicable because, again, Kingsley fails to convey why this is. Tess and Jon don’t seem to have anything in common. Tess is quite immature and Jon only ever thinks of his wife, daughters and his inability to make it big as a musician. But either way, Tess comes over one time when Jon’s feeling particularly down. And, with one sentence, she turns his life around. A twenty-something wannabe author shares her wisdom with this grieving, single father and, lo and behold, that’s all Jon needs to get his head out of his ass. All of a sudden, Jon decides to shave and gets all inspired. He writes his first song since his wife passed and of course it’s amazing!
And naturally, that’s when the members of a famous band seek him out to offer him the chance of a lifetime.

It’s just too silly for words.

So. I couldn’t finish the book. I read approximately half before I called it quits. What surprised me though, was that this isn’t Kingsley’s first book. It could be understandable to make the mistake of writing about things you don’t know or understand when you’re a beginner. But she’s actually published a few novels prior to Tell me goodnight. In conclusion. The time I spent reading half of this book is time I could have spent reading something good. Don’t make the same mistake I did.
https://reflectionsofaswedishgirl.blog.se/

I dont even know how to start this review. I’m not good with words. I’m a reader for a reason. This book make me feel everything. Anyone that has mourned can relate to this book.

Jon has went through something terrible. He is broken and empty. The only thing keeping him together is his 3 little girls and playing piano at his brothers club. He is a dad that wants better for his children.

Tessa is a writer taking care of her feisty grandma. She needs some time away and some inspiration. She needs to find her muse.

This book will pull you in and not let you out. This books will keep you up way passed your bedtime. That’s what I did for me. You will love this book!

Love least expected!

Tell Me Goodnight is a story of following your dreams, learning and compromise. Tessa has decided to follow her dream of writing but inspiration doesn’t strike her until she meets Jon and his three little girls.

While I found this story heartbreaking, it was uplifting as well! This is a wonderful story that pulls you in from the beginning and holds your heart through to the end.

I received an ARC copy of this book and am voluntarily reviewing it. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely.