Groupie (Rock-Hard Beautiful #1)

Oh. MY. GOD. I’m one of those readers that goes “ehhh” any time a billion people recommend a book, over and over again. This is one of those books constantly recommended to me. I hesitated for a while to pick it up, because with all the hype I am always disappointed.

This time, I’m thrilled to say they were right, and I was wrong. I’m not sure what else I can say that hasn’t already been said. The guys were HOT, the sex was steamy and made me question everything about I ever thought about was acceptable in the bedroom and there was so much relatable pain and angst I was brought to tears numerous times. Each guy had his own separate identity and personality, though I admit the two that stuck out to me the most were Pax and Michael. But all of them were well developed.

I admit though, I almost didn’t make it through the beginning. Lilith, the main character’s realization and self loathing after her loss, I found to be a bit much; but I understood why it was there. I skimmed it and began again at the concert. I needed to get past that point to meet the guys, because I wasn’t sure I liked her at first. Hell, I don’t even think she liked herself. After that point, though, I was involved, and even though I”m sitting here like “WHY DO I LIKE THIS!?!” I just couldn’t pull away. There is hardly anything logical about five guys sharing one girl. But, here it seemed feasible even if many of my own personal rules were broken. But, I mowed down all three books in two days in KU–and even went on to purchase them officially to have in my Kindle forever. AND, I’ve already started re-reading them, and I NEVER re-read books. EVER.

What I didn’t care for was in various spots (I’m speaking of the series as a hole), Lilith was just a tad too forgiving, and I would have liked to of seen her give some certain people the boot; because they deserved. However, I understand the point the author was trying to make, and respect it. It doesn’t make me like the series any less.

I also hated Pax with a passion at first; he’s a man with some grudges. But towards the end, he actually became my favorite. I am a proclaimed hater of the a$$hole man trope in books but this jerk face won me over.

ALL of them have tumultuous pasts, and issues with healing and trusting. Somehow they find each other and go on a healing journey of self discovery. Yeah, sometimes–a lot of times–that included sex. Big whoop. It was a LOT of sex. A. LOT. But, I didn’t really mind it; the emotions involved during were poignant and raw.

I really don’t know what else to say. As someone who has had a really tough life herself, I admit I found myself in these pages, relating a little too well. This author takes us on a personal journey, and it’s clear she probably knows pain as well; there is no way you can write that way without having experienced deep loss, self-loathing, inferiority…any number of things.

SO to recap. If you are a person that hasn’t suffered any trials in your life; I don’t think you’ll relate to this. If you hate graphic sex, and find it vulgar… you won’t like this book. If you are an apathetic jerk, I don’t think you’ll enjoy this. If you don’t like M/M action… pass on this (I found it flipping hot…I won’t mention who it was but their connection was fiery!!) If you have heart, aren’t judgy, and like the fantasy of being adored by five dudes…give it a go. 😉

Now the last question is this; where the hell can I sign up to find me five guys like this!?! Surely, there must a group somewhere, right!?!? PLEASE SOMEONE TELL ME!!!!

This series is my favorite series from 2017, maybe one of my favorite series of all time. I found out about Reverse Harem after reading Trickery earlier in the year. I found my way to a RH group and this book had just been released. I finally gave in after seeing all the high praises and read it in one sitting. I don’t think I have connected with a book like I did with this one in a very long time. I felt for Lilith, felt her pain and utter destruction because of everything that was going on in her life. But despite all that, she never gave up. You call it fate, chance, whatever you want, she found others who had been to the brink of collapse like she had, but continued to carry on with their lives (or at least keep it together and not let it consume them). She found others like herself.

I recommend people give this book a chance, to allow themselves to be swept up in the emotions of it. Yes, there are some intense scenes and lots of steam (which I also loved btw!!) but for me, it was all about the different personalities with the guys and how Lilith could connect with each of them. I was falling in love with them as she started to trust them more and they started opening up to her more. The ending of this book pulled at my heart strings, but luckily Moxie wasn’t too far behind!

Man, I just love a complicated musician. Groupie is just filled with irresistible men with a talent for music and big burdens on their shoulders. Not only do I love musicians, but I am fascinated, captivated by characters who are just a bit broken. Arent they truly the most beautiful?

Lilith, our MC, has her own heavy burdens to bear, and theres just this lovely vulnerability thats immediately established between her and the guys. The broken pieces of her call out to the broken pieces of them, and they create this wonderful symbiotic relationship where they start to soothe each other. Not only that, but she becomes this missing puzzle piece that begins to put the boys back together as a family despite the heavy in house issues.

Groupie is a rush, but it doesnt feel like one. The novel does not take place over a long span of time, but Stunich still develops such strength in the characters relationships (individual and group dynamics) that you dont FEEL rushed. Youre being taken on a quality journey, thats also believable in its development.

I also cannot possibly talk about this book without talking about how much J loved the characters. Muse/Derek is just so sweet and perceptive, god I want one of him! Ransom is a little insecure and a little bruised, a man with a lot of weight on his shoulders, but hes just got this need to share his love and be loved in return. Cope, like Ransom, carries some heavy weight, and he needs to learn how to look at his new opportunities with fresh eyes. Michael is trapped in a relationship that desperately needs to be resuscitated or unplugged Last but not least, Pax is our sarcastic, leading man who can honestly be a bit of a d*ck until you give him a reason not to be.

The heat is here; this is not a slow burn, but theres also intimacy and romance and you keep digging into the story. So readers who love quick action will be satisfied, but readers who want the relationships will also be smiling.

Personally, I think its a perfect balance. Everyone gets a taste of what they want, and the story is all the more fantastic for its wide appeal. I highly recommend you fuel up in a quiet place and get started on Groupie right now 🙂

This was a random book I stumbled across after Amazon recommended it to me as something I might like based on my last few books. I have recently signed up to Amazons Kindle Unlimited on a free trial, so I am working through a few of the top rated books I can get for free.
I hadnt read anything by the author before and, although the reviews looked good, I had no real expectations before I started, so its fair to say that this book caught me by surprise and I smashed all 3 in the series over a weekend.

Our central character is Lilith. She is 21 years old and has just split up from her boyfriend after he cheated on her and we meet her as she has just found out that her Father has died. Lilith is now alone in the world with no money, no job, no apartment and now no family. She even has to rely on the kindness of a gorgeous stranger who gives her some money to put gas in her car. She has nothing when she finds a pair of concert tickets in her purse from when she was with her ex and they are for a show in nearby Phoenix that night. Deciding to sell the tickets at the venue to get some money, she starts down a path that changes her life and we follow her and her experiences with the 5 boys from the band Beauty in Lies. The boys are all messed up in their own ways and they all have some pain and hurt in their history that unites them all.

I think that one of the things that surprised me with this book is how well it deals with grief. Its very clear that grief is different for everyone but it describes the way it ebbs and flows, how one minute you are laughing and next sobbing like youll never smile again. This author really handles well the different ways in which people deal with big emotions and how those big emotions can impact how you deal with life after you are hit by tragedy. This book is a real mix of being heartbreaking and filthy at the same time. There are plenty of sex scenes and they are pretty explicit but it also feels realistic and there is a lot of emotion.

The writing is easy to follow and the story flows well. The characters are well defined and I had no trouble remembering who was who and what their backstory was. The story is based around pain and tragedy but there is a lot of great bickering between the characters that lightens the read. The book is told from multiple characters POV and this keeps the story flowing. Some of it was repetitive and not very believable but its a good read if you just go with the flow and dont question too much.

I dont know why the band is called Beauty in Lies, it really should be Beauty in Pain. This band is filled with men who have suffered great pain in different ways. Its what binds them together and helps them create beautiful and tragic music. It makes sense that the only woman who could bond them together would be someone who had suffered equal amount of pain.

We are introduced to Lilith at a rest stop as she reads the text message sent from her step mother to inform her that the father she is on the way to live with is dead. She has no money, no job, no apartment and now no family. She even has to rely on the kindness of a gorgeous stranger who gives her some money to put gas in her car. She is left with nothing when she finds a pair of concert tickets in her purse from when she was with her ex and they are for a show in nearby Phoenix that night. Deciding to sell the tickets at the venue she starts down a path she never would have believed possible.

Lilith ends up backstage at the concert and when she finally leaves after the party she finds her car destroyed and her things ruined after someone broke into it and stole her valuables. She ends up invited onto the tour bus.

Lilith has had a tragic life. Shes experienced so much pain and been betrayed by the man she lived with. Her heart has been ripped open by the death of her father and the guys from the band look at her pain and beauty and want her. They can see their pain in her face, mirrored in her tears.

This book deals with grief really well. It describes the way it ebbs and flows, how one minute you are laughing and next sobbing like youll never smile again. This author really handles well the different ways in which people deal with big emotions and how those big emotions can impact how you deal with life after you are hit by tragedy.

This book is heartbreakingly beautiful on one hand and filthy on the other. The sex scenes are explicit and inventive, but at the same time feels based in reality, despite there being several more bodies involved than in most conventional sexual encounters.

This is the first book in a series and it ends with a Happy For Now. You dont need to read any further books, but its definitely worth reading more about these characters.

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