Adult Book Review: Rock Addiction by Nalini Singh
Title: Rock Addiction
Series: Rock Kiss #1
Author: Nalini Singh
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Age Group: ADULT
Genre Type: Contemporary Romance
Publication Date: September 9th 2014
Source: Publisher - NetGalley
Publisher: TKA Distribution
SUMMARY:
A bad boy wrapped in a sexy, muscled, grown-up package might be worth a little risk…
Molly Webster has always followed the rules. After an ugly scandal tore apart her childhood and made her the focus of the media’s harsh spotlight, she vowed to live an ordinary life. No fame. No impropriety. No pain. Then she meets Zachary Fox, a tattooed bad boy rocker with a voice like whiskey and sin, and a touch that could become an addiction.
A one-night stand with the hottest rock star on the planet, that’s all it was meant to be…
Fox promises scorching heat and dangerous pleasure, coaxing Molly to extend their one-night stand into a one-month fling. After that, he’ll be gone forever, his life never again intersecting with her own. Sex and sin and sensual indulgence, all with an expiration date. No ties, no regrets. Too late, Molly realizes it isn’t only her body that’s become addicted to Fox, but her heart…
Nalini Singh's book, Rock Addiction, features a rock star romance that's filled with sizzling, hot sex, rock n' roll, and a touch of angst. Completely different from her Paranormal and Urban Fantasy novels, Rock Addiction reads like an contemporary romance and has a slightly New Adult feel to it, yet manages to keep the dramafest down. I love Nalini Singh's paranormal romances, and her ability to make you feel connected to her characters no mater the setting nor genre. What held true for me in this story was the fact that she created once again a couple that I wanted to root for. Plain and simple. I ended up liking both Fox and Molly, and enjoying Rock Addiction. Here's what worked and did not work for me.
What I liked:
Fox: I have to say that Fox is all that you would expect from a Rock Star. Sexy, a gifted musician, and completely irresistible. Yet, underneath all that is a vulnerable man. Despite being a tad arrogant, I ended up really liking Fox and his boyish, sexy charm won me over. Abandoned as a child, Fox was determined to make something positive out of himself. To be someone important. And, to never feel lost and abandoned again. This fear, of losing someone he loves, of course runs throughout the story, and a issues he continues to battle in it. But I loved how open and honest he was with Molly. His feelings were right out there for her both verbally and physically. Fox does not hold back. It was refreshing for a man, a Rock Star at that, to be open and vulnerable in the romance and relationship. Throughout the story Fox is put into very tempting situations, and yet his heart is always in the right place. He treats Molly and his fellow band members and crew like the family he never really had, and the loyalty and friendship they share just added to his likability.
Molly: At first I was worried that Molly's character would not move beyond the cliché, virgin heroine with trust issues, but I'm happy to say she did step-up and put on her big girl panties, and took her issues of trust and wrestled them down. NOT, without many mistakes, especially during the beginning of her relationship with Fox, but I soon found myself rooting for her as well as she changed, matured and began to open up to Fox.
Secondary Characters: Rock Addiction has a cast of secondary character that I began to care about. Members in the band as well as Molly's friend all added to the story. With their high profiles, the characters each suffered their own damages and vulnerabilities as well. No one was perfect that's for sure. Drugs, alcohol, sex and trust weren't issues pushed under the rug, but brought out into the open. Not glamorized, but written in a way you could easily see their damages.
Rock n' Roll Vibe: You can't have a Rock Star book without rock n' roll and fun times at concerts, making music and the overall craziness of being in a rock band. From concert set-ups to tear-downs and after-parties, It was fun escaping with Fox and Molly into the world of rock musicians.
Red Hot Romance: Yes, these two set off some major pheromones, and the level of oxytocin between the two of them I'm sure is illegal. (See below.) BUT, once we get past the initial lust/love factor, the romance was there. There was sweet moments and romantic moments between Fox and Molly that I really enjoyed.
Real issues: Once the plot got moving there was issues of notoriety, vulnerabilities, the price for fandom, and long distance relationships that all came into play in Rock Addiction and I began to see more of the Nalini's writing style that I've always been use to in her paranormal world. That of two characters trying to overcome their vulnerabilities, and hardship and working together as a team.
What I didn't like:
Insta-love feel and fast hook-up. In the beginning of the story the readers are hit extremely fast and hard with the feelings of insta-love/attraction/lust between Fox and Molly. Their physical attraction was immediate, spontaneous. I love a good chase, and for me, I missed that part in the romance.
In the end, I enjoyed Rock Addiction and Fox and Molly's story and thought it was a fun, entertaining, and a extremely hot read. It may not be for everyone, and definitely not for the faint of heart nor readers who dislike a touch of angst and drama in their story. I had some issues, and there were a few up and down moments but, in the end I was won over by the story and romance between Fox and Molly. I look forward to reading more of this series and the other band members.
My Rating: 3.5 Stars. I liked it!
PLEASE NOTE: A courtesy review copy of this book was provided by TKA Distribution in exchange for my fair and honest review. Thank you TKA Distribution for the review opportunity!
