Duet (Road Kings Book 1)

Audio review 🎧A rock star book which stands out, not just because of the plot line, but because it is also well written with interesting, rounded, relatable characters. They are all mature, not jaded, but on different trajectories than in the past. This story has just me engaged and intrigued. Callie, with her well organised, risk averse life, and a serendipitous meeting with another deep, solitary soul. Andi Arnt and Jason Clarke are simply outstanding. Their ability to capture and deliver the nuances, emotions and communication between the main and other characters, has a thoughtfulness and warmth which creates a link with the listener, inviting them in to share in the narrative. Absolutely brilliant 👏 💖💖💖💖💖

And I can't quite put my finger on it. It feels like 25-40% of the story is missing. And the ending doesn't feel like an ending, the story just stops - you're expecting a further chapter or 10 that isn't there.Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed what was there, but I wanted more detail on how the characters were dealing with their backgrounds (in Callie's case it would have been nice to have seen a bit more backbone in her responses to her mother). I didn't believe Callie's hesitancy either, so I got a bit annoyed at that point in the book. There wasn't a lot written with regards to verbal interaction between the two main characters. I may be being a bit dense but I don't understand how the Road Kings had the popularity they did if they never played big venues, never had a big hit etc etc. I'm just about sure it's possible, but this made it less believable IMO.Just a little disappointed, which is a shame.

So intriguing reading a rock star romance with older protagonists! Here they are 35 and 37, and it's refreshing to read kore about emotional fall-out and maturity than groupies and a wild lifestyle.I will definitely be checking out more in the series.

This was so, soooo good.......and in so many unexpected ways. Rockstar romance is my reading crack. Julie had me wrapped around her authorly little finger from the start with this one. I've also been a long time fan of everything she's written....again, hooked by this author even before the first word. BUT, this book was a surprise. At the start we have Calli, a 35 year old piano teacher, who plays jazz in small live venues around Portland in the evenings. Calli only performs in small venues because crowds scare her, AND her "crack" is the music and the "conversation" performance for tiny intimate groups gives her. Into all the gin joints in Portland he walks into hers. Denver is a 37 year old retired lead singer of a band that has huge cultlike following because of their real/raw music reputation. On the same day that Denver becomes mesmerized by Calli's talent, to the point he cannot watch her perform ( he has to turn his back to her), his former bandmate (he's had no contact with for 5 years) calls and starts the ball rolling for a reunion tour. Denver is a deeply emotionally scarred man who uses writing lyrics as therapy for years of neglect and abandonment by his family, and performance as way to excise overwhelming emotion. Watching these two battlescarred performers begin to open to one another was breathtaking. Even Julie's prose here reflects an emotional maturity I wouldn't say was lacking from previous works, but it has changed ; it too is breathtaking. It's fascinating to watch a talented story-teller up her game. There's obviously going to be more in this storyline because we have a very satisfying Happy-For-Now ending. You leave satisfied but really glad you can see more coming. Beautifully done!

I love romance for many reasons. Getting to that HEA is such a pleasure, a stress reliever, an escape from harsh reality, a triumph where I celebrate the female voice. But there are some tropes that I have tried, but just can't enjoy. I don't care for ex-cons, motorcycle club, or rock star romances. I have a hard time liking any hero with a criminal element. And rock stars do not marry the full-figured librarian who lives next door. They date super models, okay? But what do they say about the exception that proves the rule? Because when it is Julie Kriss, I love rock star romances. (And ex-con/MC also in her previous books.) I admit, I got a little nervous when I saw she was writing about a rock star, but my faith in Julie was rewarded. Julie's characters are so real, not a cliché amongst them. She writes characters that are so believable and relatable in their strengths and weaknesses. The dialogue is perfect. You are never pulled out of the story. There is angst, but never that manufactured drama for the sake of pushing the story along. Yeah, I know I am getting a HEA by the end of her books, but I still ache for the characters before we get there. So, this book, Duet. Great main characters and secondary ones I hope will be getting their own books. I love when the hero and heroine have other important relationships besides the love interest. Just the right amount of sexy, steamy times. I knew this was the book for me early on when the heroine and her sister discussed how rock musicians were cheaters, just a bad bet in the boyfriend game. Right?! But Denver, this book's rock star? He was so deserving of a chance. I know a lot of reviews say the same positive things about the books and authors. But just like Julie Kriss does not write cliches and always gives an original spin on romance tropes, I am being sincere when encouraging you to grab this book and read it. It is romantic and original and well-written and fun and worth your time and money. I can't wait for the rest of this series.

To be honest im not one to fall into the rockstar romance genre. But I grabbed this on stuff your kindle day and well I was very shocked with how much I like it:)I like the chemistry between Callie and Denver. And I love how it started with retirement and not a the peek of his career.Very well done.

I am so confused by the end of this book. It literally feels unfinished. there is no ending, the book just ends. And then the next books are of the other characters??! Denver and Callie have reached no conclusion, there are still unanswered and unresolved issues!?!?

Woo! This was such a great book. I am blown away by the complex characters and fantastic dialogue. This is my top read of 2022 and I doubt that will change as we move through the year.A retired Rock God and piano teacher who loves her life as a single woman is exactly the fresh story we need. I loved the maturity of these characters & strong sense of self. Denver definitely has a lot of baggage he carries around but he’s mature & smart enough to know it. Will Callie help him carry his load? Will he and his baggage fit into her beloved quiet life, especially if he decides to ditch the “retired” status? Although the end seemed abrupt, and I am definitely wanting more of Callie and Denver, I still adored this book. Excellent writing. So refreshing in indie publishing right now.