This Is Our Song
Grade : B-

In this fourth installment of Samantha Chase’s Shaughnessy Brothers series, rock star Riley Shaughnessy finally gets his story, which I’ve been waiting for ever since I read the first book, Love Walks In. It was obvious he was troubled, and here, we find out what’s wrong. If you love hot rocker romances with lots of hot sex this probably isn’t the book for you. Riley’s definitely hot, and he is a rocker, but he’s a nice, compassionate one. And while Riley and his heroine have a lot of sex, it occurs pretty much off page.  While this isn’t a perfect book, I enjoyed it and would recommend it to those looking for a lighter, less angst-ridden rock-star romance.

After Riley’s band finished their last tour they all went their separate ways to work on independent projects. Riley fought with his record company and got them to agree to produce a solo album on which he would write every song. But after writing a few of them, he’s stuck and seriously off schedule. The record company is unhappy and have suggested Riley add some songs by other songwriters to fill in the gaps, but Riley refused. Recently, he was rejected for a spot on a major documentary featuring “rock legends,” and he views the album as a chance for vindication, to prove he also deserves that label.

The delay in the production of his album means Riley is out of the media spotlight, causing damage to his career, so against his wishes, his manager and record company arrangefor a top music magazine to do a feature on him. Given his recent struggles, Riley doesn’t want to be interviewed about his career – particularly as the reporter is going to be shadowing him for thirty days. It turns out the reporter is just as unhappy. Savannah Daly had her heart set on writing a feature on Coldplay, and doesn’t much care for Riley’s music.

Riley and Savannah have a highly improbable chance encounter at a restaurant prior to officially meeting. Savannah recognizes Riley immediately despite his attempts to be incognito, which makes Riley’s attempts to flirt with her uncomfortable. Sure, she’s attracted, but she knows she’ll soon be spending a month interviewing him. I found the whole scene unnecessary, and it pulled me out of the story.

Riley quickly tries to take control. He’s attracted to Savannah and wants to spend time getting to know her better. He holds the first day of interviewing at his home and insists they just relax and get to know each other. But a day of relaxing has Riley’s sexual frustration out of control and he kisses Savannah. It’s definitely not the long hot kiss he’d like to have and leaves him even more frustrated and uncertain how he’ll last a month alone with her. So he decides they should spend a lot of the month at his father’s home in North Carolina. Riley figures with family around they’ll have more limited alone time. Savannah is skeptical but he convinces her it will give her easy access to interview his whole family. Of course Riley’s plan doesn’t work, and the sexual tension continues to build until they’re having sex at every opportunity. They each tell us the sex is hot, some of the best they’ve ever had, but it occurs off-page.

I found their relationship completely believable. From the earliest pages it’s clear they have many shared interests and are a good fit. But the conflict between them – when it appears late in the book – comes a little out of left field, and their reactions seem slightly out of character.

It took longer for me to get to know Savannah than Riley. A former hairdresser turned reporter, there are interesting aspects of her past that aren’t fully developed, but then this is Riley’s story and not Savannah’s. As with past series entries, this one begins with a flashback, this time to an interaction Riley had with his mother before her untimely death. Riley was connected to his mother through his music, and from his first time singing at a school event to singing at her funeral, I found some of his memories particularly touching.

The rest of the Shaughnessy family plays a big role once Riley and Savannah go to North Carolina. I’m afraid the large family – with its well-developed relationships and personalities – might be overwhelming for someone starting the series with this book. As for me, I liked most of the interactions and think readers who have enjoyed previous series entries will enjoy this romance.

 

Reviewed by LinnieGayl Kimmel
Grade : B-

Sensuality: Subtle

Review Date : December 7, 2016

Publication Date: 12/2016

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LinnieGayl Kimmel

My first memory is sitting with my mother on a blanket in our backyard surrounded by books and she is reading one of them to me. My love of reading was encouraged by my parents and it continues to today. I’ve gone through a lot of different genres over the years, but I currently primarily read mysteries (historical mysteries are my favorites) and romances (focusing on contemporaries, categories, and steampunk). When I’m not reading or working, I love to travel, knit, and work on various community projects.
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