
Format: eGalley
Release Date: January 12, 2016
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Genre: Contemporary Romance | Rock Star Romance
Chloe Carmichael’s life feels pretty sweet—she’s both maid of honor and florist for her best friend’s A-list wedding, things are getting serious with her boyfriend, and her flower shop is about to get a spread in a national magazine. But it all quickly turns sour whenever the best man, Bad Habit drummer A.J. Edwards, shows his face...his handsome, unforgettable face. A.J. is everything Chloe doesn’t want: tattooed, selfish, and all-around bad news. So why can’t she stop thinking about him?
Goody two-shoes Chloe isn’t exactly A.J.’s type, either, but the chemistry between them is undeniable. A.J. will be the first to say he isn’t a saint, but there’s something he’s not saying—something that would devastate Chloe. The only way he can protect her is to push her away, but the drummer finds he needs her now more than ever. When a wedding-day confrontation reveals secrets they’re both hiding, will Chloe and A.J. ever find their rhythm again?

First half:
Oh and it is INTENSE! Chloe and A.J. have been at odds for some time now and I've been anticipating how it's going to work out between these two. There's obviously an attraction as both are good looking in their own right and acknowledges it. But for some reason, AJ seems to absolutely hate Chloe's guts. Why? Nobody knows. Chloe hasn't done anything to provoke such a response from AJ and there's no hint of any misdeed in the past that Chloe is aware of.
I love the back and forth bickering. AJ is pretty intimidating when you take in his size, he's also broody, and doesn't mince words. And despite AJ's imposing presence Chloe isn't cowed and stood her ground against his attacks. The verbal volley between these two was entertaining, cute, even funny at times.
Midpoint:
And this is where things get interesting. Chloe broke up with her boyfriend because he is a major asshole and assaulted her because he can't process their separation. It was also around his time that AJ started to let Chloe in and things started heating up, getting emotionally intimate, and a semblance of romance is brewing.
Latter half:
Then all sorts of stereotypical drama started. AJ gets all emo which led to him telling us his oh so tragic backstory; Chloe started getting too attached despite AJ's warnings that he's not really the relationship type. The poor girl didn't heed his warnings and hoped that she's the one who can tame the beast. Well it did eventually but Chloe got hysterical, yelly, and very insecure in the process. Then the ex from hell came back, made a big scene in Kat and Nico's wedding, someone got shot, someone was dying, things got cheesy, lots and lots of drama! Oh my!
Cue the eye rolls from this lady.
I'm being very subjective here. MAKE ME SIN is an intense, emotionally heavy, angst-ridden rockstar romance. I know a lot of you love that so you won't be disappointed with this.
Unfortunately MAKE ME SIN is just not for me. I don't like over the top drama filled with cliches and character stereotypes like a commitment phobic rockstar who acts all jerky after making the girl fall for him because he doesn't deserve love. Bullshit on that! If anything, AJ deserves the best in life after what he's been through so the stunt he pulled on Chloe is beyond upsetting.
So I'm using the term "like" here loosely. I love the first half, I thought I have another 5-star read then it just got too much for my cold, cold heart to endure, AJ and Chloe failed to melt it completely. It also looks like the next one is going to be just as difficult for readers like myself. Not sure if I'll read that.
Anyway, ignore my bitter bites. Like I said, I can be so cold-hearted the Ice Queen of Narnia is jealous. So don't take my word for it, MAKE ME SIN is a sweeping and affecting installment guaranteed to melt everyone's heart... but mine. Read it and fall in love


OOh a Rock Star romance I happen to love Kylie Scotts Stage Dive series and I've been looking for another one so maybe I'll give this a try. Thanks
ReplyDeleteHappy Weekend and Happy Valentine's Day!!
I hope this one fits the bill!
DeleteI am actually reading this one now - so I skimmed your review - but I am sad you only liked it! I remember the first book was FULL of drama and troupes I hated but her writing makes it entertaining. In any case - I will be sure to read your full thoughts when I finished.
ReplyDeleteI'm okay with tropes, I just feel she overdid it here. It was too much!
DeleteI liked her PNR series but after a few books I wasn't that interested to finish it. THis one sounds nice but I think I'll wait for you to read more if you do to see if it gets a bit more
ReplyDeleteI might just continue reading her PNR, that might work for me better
DeleteI'm going to trust your judgment on this one since we seem to think the same on quite a few books :)
ReplyDeleteNo! That's like copying from your seatmate!! Lol
DeleteEek - not for me lol
ReplyDeleteKaren @For What It's Worth
Don't take my word for it. Although it is super angsty
DeleteIiiiiintense!
ReplyDeleteVerrryyyy
DeleteSorry this didn't work for you. I remember reading Sweet as Sin and it not being for me so I skipped out on reviewing this one as well. I loved her shifter series but there just something about her contemporary romance that I don't like.
ReplyDeleteShe used a lot of stereotypes. Although the romance itself is antagonistic and prevailed, the journey was overly dramatic
DeleteIt was all sounding good to me, Braine, until you said Chloe became insecure. You don't let a guy make you insecure - especially when you've been holding your own against him. :/
ReplyDeleteThis is spoilery, but to defend my opinion, he led her on. She was vulnerable and volunteered to take care of her and made her fall for him but there's an expiration date. That's messed up
DeleteI haven't read this author. Sorry this one didn't work for you but I don't like all that drama either.
ReplyDeleteIt's a personal choice for me. I don't mind difficulties, that's normal, but I want the overall story to be lighter and happier
DeleteI like rockstar romance, but I don't think this is for me. I'm very picky, and I can't deal with over the top drama.
ReplyDeleteYou win some you lose some
DeleteI like the rockstar romance, but the heavy angst puts me off. So not in the mood for angst and drama right now. Happy weekend.
ReplyDeleteMe too. I abhor any over the top drama on any trope
DeleteAngst and drama, definitely not my thing. :(
ReplyDeleteGenerally I dislike it too, but I like her other works so I was hoping this would've worked out for me
DeleteI might like it... if the beginning pulls me through b/c of the ending. However, I'm an ending girl and usually I can deal better if the angst was at the beginning rather than the end. :(
ReplyDeleteThis is an HEA book so this might work out for you
DeleteGah the drama! Sorry that sort of ruined it for you. Wonderful honest review!
ReplyDeleteThank you, I can only hope I kept my opinions about the book. I like the author, this just didn't work for me
DeleteOh I don't know about this one. I'm exhausted just thinking about it. Lol.
ReplyDeleteIt's nothing like JStone at all
DeleteI'm not a big fan of over the top drama just for the sake of... drama. I get frustrated when things are dragged out a lot, too, so I don't really think Make Me sin is a story I'd enjoy all that much. I'm a very difficult reader to please ;) Things go too fast, and I cry 'instalove', things go very slow and I cry 'come on, get on with it!'
ReplyDeleteGreat review, Braine.
Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews
I am too when it comes to contemporary romance especially because there's no myth to fall back on to justify the issues. With CR, it can be cut and dry so I tend to be picky or harsher lol
DeleteSomehow, the disappointment feels even greater when the story starts with so much promise, right? Too bad. Nothing can ruin potential faster than a bunch of oh-so-dramtic clichés. Anyway... Happy Valentine's Day, lovely - wishing you chocolate and good books <3
ReplyDeleteYou nailed it! The beginning was fun light and flirty then the drama happened...
DeleteHappy Vday gorgeous!
I am sorry to hear the later half wasn't as good. It sounds like it started of great with this couple and their verbal banter. I am not a fan of the drama and definitely not the cliché type of drama we've seen over and over again. It just get's old and I prefer something new that I haven't read about too often yet. The disapointment is even worse when it starts off that well. I am sorry this one didn't fully work out for you. Great review!
ReplyDeleteAmen! The mishap just kept piling up in the end to the point where I feel like laughing because of how outrageous it seemed
DeleteWell damn. Hate when it pulls the rug out from under you like that. :/
ReplyDeleteYeah, like one moment it was super fun then next it's was like a dark cloud
DeleteI'm not that big on the terrible angst either, or the stereotyping. But sounds like a great read if it's what you enjoy. :)
ReplyDeleteThe stereotypical drama does sound pretty bad. Too much of that out there.
ReplyDelete