Format: Digital
Release Date: June 20, 2013
Publisher: Turquoise Morning Press
Tour Organizer: Author's Angels
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Music critic Claire Abby is a single mom dreading her daughter’s departure for college and worried that turning forty will leave her career running on fumes. She’s floored when she lands a Rolling Stone cover story on 80s British rock legend Christopher Penman. She spent her teenage years fantasizing he was her boyfriend.
In person, Christopher is everything Claire feared he’d be—charming, witty and unwilling to address the rumors he’s dodged for a decade. Still, she contains her adolescent fantasies and manages to earn his trust, unearthing the truth and the devastating secret behind it. His blockbuster story is her first priority when she returns home, a nearly impossible task when Christopher starts calling and flirting. She knows she should maintain a professional distance. She knows she should focus on the story. She knows it would be best to simply walk away. But how can she say “no” to the man she could never forget?
Oh. My. Fudging. God.
I am so in love with BRING ME BACK by Karen Booth! I mean from the blurb I know it's going to be one of those feel-good stories but I never expected that I would feel THIS frickin' good over Claire and Chris' story! I mean the synopsis says it all, it's a very straightforward plot, very simple and maybe a tad predictable but goodness! KBooth jacked it up with all these swirling emotions going on between Chris and Claire from their intense flirting, slow burning courtship until it led to their very passionate and all-consuming relationship. I can't look away! All throughout the story I have a warm fuzz going on in my belly because of how cute Chris is!
I'd tried and failed at love so many times that I'd often wondered if I was too picky, but my boyfriend wish-list was only designed to weed out the really bad ones -- Maybe I would never find a man who could send flowers and be monogamous, but I had to keep trying.
Christopher Penman is very adorable. Very British. Very rockstar. Very sexy. Everything about the guy is just oozing with the good stuff. He had my knickers in a bunch and I can't help but envy Claire, I want to hijack the story and have Chris all to myself! But he's not as perfect as I portray him to be. He's a philanderer, did drugs and just recently went through a nasty divorce. Being a rockstar and good looking to boot didn't make things easier for him, in fact it magnified everything from the good to the bad. Containing the rumor mill alone is stressful enough, add the paparazzi and other negative publicity that came his way makes one question if the perks of dating with a celebrity is worth it all.
Despite the downside, BRING ME BACK is totally Chris' redemption story. This is where he turned his life around, focused on the essentials and Claire was very lucky to be in the right place at the right time. He was so sweet to Claire and to her daughter, Sam, very generous, caring and unassuming. It's so hard NOT to like him and see how perfectly he fits Claire and Sam's little family. What I like even better is he let Claire set the pace and really took great care of her. He was never a douchebag and even during the emotional conflict in the story, he was still there taking care of Claire. He's my new book boyfriend! (DIBS!)
Please don't put me on a pedestal. Someday I'll show you hot deeply flawed I am as a human being. - Chris
Claire Abby is the perfect mate for Chris. I mean hers is the ultimate fangirl's dream, hooking up and falling in love with your teenage crush/idol/fantasy and him returning your feelings. Yeah she wasn't immune to Chris' charm but she still managed to keep her head together, set her priorities straight and made their relationship as pedestrian as she can.
Aside from Claire and Chris' love story I find Claire's relationship with her daughter, Sam, very intriguing. I mean I like how she's a cool mom and how Sam is very comfortable in opening up to her. But their little sex talks had my head spinning. As a mom I had these debates going on in my head about the delicate parent-friend balance. Though I like how close Claire and Sam are, I wish at times she was more of a mom to Sam than a friend. Nonetheless Sam is a great kid and was very instrumental in Claire and Chris' relationship. Maybe Sam's story could be a New Adult sequel or something.
Claire's relationship with her Dad also added some tension in the story. I didn't really like the guy, though he's coming from a good place, his good intentions got lost in translation. He's gruff and tough on Claire and even after their little heart-to-heart I still haven't totally softened up to him. This dude is like a matronly housewife, snooping around Claire's house, meddling with her love life.
You know, you don't realize that you're just as capable of breaking my heart as I am of breaking yours. - Chris
To summarize, all I can do is gush over BRING ME BACK. The character development was wonderfully written, very emotional and will get any reader invested in the story. The way KBooth wrote how Claire and Chris' love story bloomed, progressed, and unravel felt really sincere and organic. The story didn't put emphasis on the traps of dating a celebrity rather she humanized Chris through Claire and IMO, that's what made BRING ME BACK a very, very good read. Treat yourself to a copy!
I'm republishing my review because I love this so much and I want to reintroduce BRING ME BACK to everyone who haven't had the pleasure of being acquainted w/it.
This sounds really good! Thanks for letting us know about this book :)
ReplyDeleteMy favorite band is probably Imagine Dragons right now, but I also LOVE The Script, OneRepublic, and The Fray.
Ah, the character development sounds amazing. Glad that you loved it, and gush away :)
ReplyDeleteBrandi @ Blkosiner’s Book Blog
So glad you enjoyed Bring Me Back. You might have to arm wrestle a few women for Christopher, but I can make arrangements. :)
ReplyDeleteLOL Please!
DeleteI want to be a fly on the wall when Claire went out to LA to take him back. You really wrote some great emotional scenes here, Karen. Totally loved it!
Great review. Sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteI'm a sucker for strong characters & world developments. Rocking review Braine :)
ReplyDeleteI just skimmed your review because I was completely sold by the summary and want to read it for myself. I love that the protagonist is 40 with a kid and of course the rocker dude!
ReplyDeleteOh and favorite band.....too many to say but since I just saw Imagine Dragons a few weeks ago I'll say them. I also love Mumford and Sons....The National...see? Too many :-)
ReplyDeleteHrmm, this is hard. I'm a bit old school. Any group (or solo) with Eric Clapton in it, Heart (70s over 80s). More modern, I can listen to Kings of Leon almost any day of the week.
ReplyDeleteKassandra
sionedkla@gmail.com
Not so much a band, but I am obsessed with Ed Sheeran right now
ReplyDeletegreat review can't wait to read it! Hmmm favorite band, Fleetwood Mac!
ReplyDeleteYour review made me go 'I need that book'. That guy sounds awesome. Yes, he has his flaws, but damn he sounds HOT!
ReplyDeleteWhere can I find myself a hot rockstar like that? Seriously! :)
My favourite band is Maroon 5& the Script. :)
Thanks for the great post! THis book sounds very interesting! I love Linkin Park :)
ReplyDeleteI think it's brilliant as well! :) I'm gonna have to challenge you for dibs on Chris as a book boyfriend, though...I think I called him first! ;)
ReplyDeleteHmmmm. Blue October, Muse, Neon Trees. I don't really have a favorite right now.
ReplyDeletecc_clubbs [at] yahoo [dot] com
My favorite band is Shinedown...Just love them!
ReplyDeleteGreat review Braine! I've been wanting to read this one for awhile now, since we have similar taste I know I'll love it <333
ReplyDeleteI'm a big fan of the Lumineers now! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteAt the moment Snow Patrol. (I forgot the Band Andy Samberg is in, but the song "Threw it on the ground" is one of my favorites!)
ReplyDeleteAlthough they are kind of retired, I love Third Eye Blind. One that's still going is The Killres and fun..
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Leanne
A rocket to the moon.
ReplyDeleteThey are very well known but I love there lyrics!
Is it bad not to have a favorite band? I just like music. Find me music and I'll enjoy it! (most of it anyway ;) )
ReplyDeleteI love The Script, Neon Trees, Maroon 5. <3
ReplyDeleteI don't have a favorite band!!
ReplyDeleteYou're gushiness is contagious ~ I really want this book now!! My fave band?? Queens of the Stoneage maybe but I am really liking Band of Skulls right now too.
ReplyDeleteNot entering the giveaway but will be picking this one up. Your review really has me positive that I will love this read and the fact that the characters were well developed and the story sounds freaking good how could anyone resist! Great review <3
ReplyDeleteMaroon 5, One Republic, Snow Patrol - love these bands. Thanks for giveaway. Damaris dsr002(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI'm in love with the sound of Hinder. Something about the lead singers voice is just sexy!
ReplyDeleteThe Beatles :)
ReplyDeleteThe Beatles are my Favorite but I love me some Nickelback!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this chance to win....
angelalove@uwmail.com
Fave band ATM is maroon 5 Adam Levine is just swoony
ReplyDeletelol I got confused on why this was showing up on my feed then saw you republished it. I STILL need to read this, it looks great and we have similar taste so I'm sure I'll love it when I get to it.
ReplyDeleteSorry babe! I just love this mini-series so hard I have to PIMP it!
DeleteI love books that are just well effing awesome :D
ReplyDeleteWho doesn't?!
DeleteI can't believe I missed this the first go around I love the sound of this one. But then again, maybe its fate b/c now I can read it and the sequel together. Haha!
ReplyDeleteYou will love this love story Sophia, i promise!
DeleteI haven't read this one yet! and it's about rock stars? yeah totally missed it cause this story sounds absolutely sweet, wonderful and emotional. I love the slow burning contemporary romances done right
ReplyDeleteThis is different, it's meeting and falling in love with the rockstar after they've got their shit together. So it's that kind of intense which i truly enjoyed!
DeleteBraine! Your enthusiasm for this book has me super excited. I've gotten out of reading rocker books, but Charlie and Chris sound better than most.
ReplyDeleteI know the types of books you read, I promise this one is a winner!
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