5 Smooches
Synopsis
Stay up all night with the sexy rockers in Stage Dive, the epic New Adult series from New York Times bestselling author Kylie Scott, author of Lick and Play.
As the lead singer of Stage Dive, Jimmy is used to getting whatever he wants, whenever he wants it, whether it’s booze, drugs, or women. However, when a PR disaster serves as a wake-up call about his life and lands him in rehab, he finds himself with Lena, a new assistant to keep him out of trouble.
Lena’s not willing to take any crap from the sexy rocker and is determined to keep their relationship completely professional, despite their sizzling chemistry. But when Jimmy pushes her too far and Lena leaves, he realizes that he may just have lost the best thing that ever happened to him
Review
“You don’t seem very impressed by me, Lena. Am I not impressive to you?” “Sure you are. I guess I’m just a bit busy getting fired right now to fully appreciate the magnitude of: the moment.” Hands on his, I looked him in the eye. He was cute and I bet that smile worked on lots and lots of women. But it wouldn’t be working on me. “Rest assured, later I’m going to freak right out.” He leaned against the doorframe. “I’ve got your word on that?” “Absolutely.”
Oh Jimmy, Jimmy Jimmy, I did not know I would love you so much. I can honestly say I am head over heels in love with Mal and going into this book I was worried that I would not love cold and bruiting Jimmy with the same force. Boy was I wrong. While my love for Jimmy is different than my love for Mal it is still there and strong as can be. Kylie Scott does such a fabulous job of writing men that are fun and dark and I can never get enough of them.
Jimmy has addiction issues and for this he needs a bit of supervising. This is where quick witted and not easily impressed Lena comes into play. After Mal recognizes a spark in her he is convinced she will be the perfect “companion” to keep lead singer, Jimmy, in line. And OH BOY is she ever. Lena is the perfect balance to rash and somewhat irrational, ill-tempered Jimmy. She is not afraid to say what is necessary to help him stay on track and since she doesn’t walk around idolizing his every step Jimmy finds a way to tolerate her presence.
“Verbally sparring with Jimmy was fast becoming more fun than I’d had with other men naked. Which was sad. Real sad.”
It doesn’t take long for Jimmy and Lena to fall into a routine that almost resembles friendship. But Jimmy is determined to keep it as just that, friendship (maybe with a few extras on the side but still friendship.) It is not easy for quick tempered Jimmy to get along with well anyone and he is not ready to let something as silly as a relationship mess up this camaraderie that he has somehow found with Lena.
“I could almost feel his walls slamming back into place. Mine were slower, weaker, damn them, Someone, somewhere along the line, had swapped my titanium for tinfoil leaving me wide open and exposed. It was all his fault.”
Now lets put this out there, Jimmy is an asshole and there is not going to be any sudden revelation that makes him not an asshole. But for me personally that is part of his charm. That being said he can still be sweet and kind but those moments are not going to last long so don’t get to used to them. But do you know what else Jimmy is . . . sexy as all! I mean DAMN! This book was steaming. It might not be straight out of the box sexy and Kylie does make you work for it a bit but damn when it happens does it ever happen!
The true star of Lead for me, as well as the whole Stage Dive series in general is the quick wit and humor. Kylie does such am amazing job of writing humor even in the middle of serious situations. Lena and Jimmy’s constant fighting would have gotten old if it weren’t for the tons of hilarious one-liners that came with it. Between their bickering and any scene where Mal was involved I was laughing my ass off the whole time.
“Fuck’s sake. Can we not argue when we’re having sex? Please?” “Fine.”
It has been about a week since I finished Lead and already I am itching for a re-read! To me that is the definition of a great book. One you finish and loved so much that you cannot wait to have the chance to read it again! Well done, Kylie! Now hurry up and write me Deep, I need to know Ben’s story!
“Mal was right, you do no aftercare.” Worst post-coital ever.
~miranda
Also if make sure you check out Kylie’s books on Audio! I am a HUGE audiobook fan!
Here is a link to a clip from the first book in the Stage Dive series LICK!
https://soundcloud.com/macaudio-2/lick-audiobook-chapter-1
