{"id":3488,"date":"2014-07-28T20:57:36","date_gmt":"2014-07-29T00:57:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/?p=3488"},"modified":"2016-12-26T06:15:30","modified_gmt":"2016-12-26T11:15:30","slug":"review-lead-stage-dive-3-by-kylie-scott","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/?p=3488","title":{"rendered":"ARC Review: Lead (Stage Dive, #3) by Kylie Scott"},"content":{"rendered":"

Buy: Kindle Ebook<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0\u00a0Paperback<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n
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\r\n <\/div><\/div>\n
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Review<\/strong><\/h4>\n

4.5 \u2018God, I love rock stars\u2019 stars<\/strong><\/p>\n

Stage Dive is back, baby! Hell yeah! I love this series. It\u2019s funny, it\u2019s romantic and it\u2019s sexy, and this time around there is a lot of heart as we explore the dark side with lead singer, Jimmy.<\/p>\n

Jimmy has a long history of drug and alcohol use. Having been thrust into the spotlight with Stage Dive\u2019s success, it only exacerbated until he became a nightmare to work with. He is now out of rehab, and has gone through a series of \u2018companions\u2019(essentially babysitters) to keep him clean and out of trouble. But he\u2019s such a moody ass, nobody has stuck around \u2013 until Lena.<\/p>\n

Lena has been Jimmy\u2019s live-in sobriety companion and assistant for two months, having been hired on the spot when the rest of the band witnessed her throwing sass and knew she\u2019d be the perfect one to put up with Jimmy\u2019s moods. She is absolutely fantastic! Smart, sassy, and not willing to take crap from anybody \u2013 least of all, Jimmy \u2013 she fits beautifully into the Stage Dive family and has quickly made herself indispensable. A horrible break up left her determined to remain \u201csexless and single<\/em>\u201d, however when Jimmy unexpectedly reveals his softer side and they share some beautifully special moments, her appreciation for the sex God turns into a full blown attraction.<\/p>\n

He smiled at me, he actually double dimple smiled at me. Crap. Not only did my knees weaken but my toes curled it was so stunning, star shine and moonbeams couldn\u2019t compare. Unicorns could take a flying fuck.<\/em><\/p>\n

What happened between my legs was best ignored. I\u2019m certain something in the employment contract outlawed any and all wetness on my part, especially if it pertained to one James Dylan Ferris.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The dynamic between these two is absolutely sensational! Jimmy is an asshole, and a \u201cgod damn arrogant tyrannical shithead<\/em>\u201d, but Lena comes right back at him, and the banter is gold!<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know why the fuck I put up with you.\u201d
\nI shrugged. \u201cNo, me neither. But you keep paying me so I keep hanging around.\u201d
\n\u201cAwesome. Go away.\u201d
\n\u201cYou got it, boss.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

And when you add Lena\u2019s all-consuming, slack-jawed attraction, it just gets better.<\/p>\n

\u201cLena!\u201d
\n\u201cWhat?\u201d
\n\u201cStop it.\u201d
\nMy mouth slammed shut.
\n\u201cYou\u2019re watching me all the time and it\u2019s fucking creepy. I can\u2019t take it anymore.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Lena knows that Jimmy is bad news. She fights her feelings for him with no intention of acting on them, but as personal moments start happening in between their constant arguing and teasing, they develop an actual friendship, and the more they hang out together, the harder she falls for him until it gets to the point where she can\u2019t take it anymore. In full-on Lena style, she puts her feelings right out there and tells him that she has to leave, and this is Jimmy’s wake up call as he finally realises that he doesn’t want her going anywhere and he comes up with a series of plans to get her past her crush so that she can continue working for him.<\/p>\n

The antics that follow are absolutely freaking hilarious! I laughed so many times reading this book. Jimmy and Lena are absolute dynamite together, and what everybody else around them can see that they can\u2019t, is that the harder they fight it, the harder they fall, and it\u2019s a fantastic ride! And through it all their friendship becomes even deeper, and the UST builds higher and higher, always with the arguing and banter, and I loved every minute of it!<\/p>\n

\u201cI’m so tempted to just punch you in the junk right now and be done with it. I mean, it has to happen sooner or later, right?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, Lena, darling, tell me, for curiosity\u2019s sake. When\u00a0do\u00a0you put out?\u201d
\n\u2026 \u201cJimmy, my love \u2026 I don\u2019t fuck a guy until he has the balls to actually man up and talk to him about his feelings.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Of course, things develop, and holy hell, it\u2019s HOT!!! Jimmy has some amazing moves and a filthy mouth, and with all of the chemistry between them, the sex is scorching!<\/p>\n

He ate me like a man deprived, starved.
\nHe ate me like I was his favorite meal.
\nVaguely related, apparently singers had excellent tongue control and strength. Bless them for that, many, many times over.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

And all of that hotness forms an important part of the story as it\u2019s tied in closely to the storyline and what is happening between them. The evolution of Jimmy and Lena\u2019s relationship is not a fast thing \u2013 it\u2019s slow and realistic, and the pacing of it is absolutely perfect \u2013 even if it is frustrating as hell for us poor hapless readers at times!<\/p>\n

The book is told entirely from Lena\u2019s POV, and even though at so many points during this book I was desperate to know what Jimmy was thinking, we were just as clueless as Lena, and I like how that added to the overall angst of the situation.<\/p>\n

I think I have a girl-crush on Lena. Her sarcastic wit and snappy comebacks are brilliant, but the way she cares for Jimmy is something very special. She believes in him, and is so protective of him. She\u2019s determined to be there for him in any way that she can, and her unrequited love is heartachingly beautiful.<\/p>\n

Fuck he was beautiful, inside and out, and he would never be mine. That information sat sure and safe inside of me, turning me to stone because it was utterly undeniable. But I was still expected to stay here, be with him, and support him, the job I both did and didn\u2019t want with all of my heart.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

And then there is the man himself *swoooon*. Jimmy is everything we love about a narcissistic rock star \u2013 arrogant, entitled, funny and sexy as all hell. The fact that his past has left him beautifully broken on the inside only adds to his appeal, especially when we get to see that vulnerability.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t hate me, Lena,\u201d he whispered. \u201cYou want to be mad at me when I do dumb things, that\u2019s fine. But don\u2019t ever hate me. I couldn\u2019t take that, not from you.”<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

He goes through a lot in this book, and some of it is heartbreaking. But through it all we get to see the way he loves and cares for the people he considers his family, and his absolute oblivion about his feelings for Lena was both funny and touching and watching his slow fall for her was brilliant.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe truth is, I\u2019m all about you, Lena. You\u2019re my best friend. You\u2019re my girl.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

There is a lot of interaction with the rest of the band, and I loved seeing Jimmy together with his brother, Dave. Mal also bought a lot of funny moments and I found him a lot more tolerable in smaller doses. Everybody is paying close attention to the unfolding drama with Jimmy and Lena, all of them knowing exactly what\u2019s going on, and their reactions to it all are absolutely hilarious!<\/p>\n

\u201cImagine if they were actually playing hide the sausage. We\u2019d be spending every holiday listening to them bicker and carry on at the table, making a scene. It\u2019s just not on. \u2026 Whatever happens, you two must not bump uglies. I want your word on this \u2026 It would make life impossible for us all.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I love this book! It\u2019s a great story that would stand very strongly on its own, but tied into such a fantastic series, it\u2019s just better. Jimmy and Lena\u2019s story was heartfelt, sexy and great fun from start to finish, I absolutely loved it!<\/p>\n

4.5 stars.<\/p>\n

An Advanced Reader Copy of this book was generously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Stage Dive\u00a0series<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\"Lick\"<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\"Play\"<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\"Lead\"<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\"Deep\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"\u00a0 \"\" \u00a0\"\" \u00a0\"\" \u00a0\"\"<\/p>\n

Lick (#1)<\/strong> (David & Evelyn)
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Amazon \u00a0<\/a>|\u00a0 Paperback<\/a><\/p>\n

Play (#2)<\/strong> (Mal & Anne)
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Amazon \u00a0<\/a>|\u00a0 Paperback<\/a><\/p>\n

Lead (#3)<\/strong> (Jimmy & Lena)
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Amazon \u00a0<\/a>|\u00a0 Paperback<\/a><\/p>\n

Deep (#4)<\/strong> (Ben & Lizzy)
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy: \u00a0Amazon \u00a0<\/a>| \u00a0Paperback<\/a><\/p>\n

Strong (#4.5)<\/strong> (Sam & Martha) – spin off
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n

Closer (#4.6)<\/strong> (Ziggy & Mae) – spin off
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Amazon \u00a0<\/a>|\u00a0 Paperback<\/a><\/p>\n

Love Song (#4.7) <\/strong>(Adam & Jil) – spin off
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Amazon\u00a0<\/a> |\u00a0 Paperback<\/a><\/p>\n

The Rhythm Method (#4.8)<\/strong> (David & Evelyn)
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Amazon<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Paperback<\/a><\/p>\n

Just What I Needed (#4.9)<\/strong> (Dean & Jude)
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Amazon<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Paperback<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"Stage Dive: Short Stories & Novellas
\n<\/strong>A compilation of previously released short stories and novellas<\/em>
\nContains short stories \u201cCocky\u201d<\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0\u201cMal and Anne + 1\u201d\u00a0<\/span>and the 5 novellas listed above<\/em>
\n<\/strong>Buy:\u00a0 Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

See our Contemporary Romance Recommendations<\/a> page for more great reads.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Buy: Kindle Ebook\u00a0 |\u00a0\u00a0Paperback Review 4.5 \u2018God, I love rock stars\u2019 stars Stage Dive is back, baby! Hell yeah! I love this series. It\u2019s funny, it\u2019s romantic and it\u2019s sexy, and this time around there […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3472,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","yasr_overall_rating":4.5,"yasr_post_is_review":"","yasr_auto_insert_disabled":"","yasr_review_type":"Product","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[454,65,94,9,29],"tags":[59,212,48,213],"class_list":["post-3488","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-audio-recommendation","category-lol-funny","category-rockers","category-romance","category-steamy","tag-arc","tag-kylie-scott","tag-review","tag-stage-dive"],"yasr_visitor_votes":{"stars_attributes":{"read_only":false,"span_bottom":false},"number_of_votes":0,"sum_votes":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/Lead.jpg?fit=150%2C234&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7gaNL-Ug","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3488","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3488"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3488\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3472"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3488"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3488"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3488"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}