Battlescars Review

Book Review April 28th

Battlescars 

by: Sophie Monroe

★★★★  4 Stars

 Blurb: Aubrey Thompson is a twenty-three year old flight attendant for her dad’s small commercial fleet. She’s a sarcastic smartass that has no problem telling you where to go. She also despises rock stars…but that’s all part of the story. Her Granny Jean is spy and will have you laughing out loud.

In comes Jake Parker, the twenty-five year old lead singer of Battlescars. His reputation is the untamable bad-boy. He’s completely “balls to the wall” in everything that he does. Two days after returning home from a month long tour across Europe he gets a visit from Bruce, an executive from the record label. He informs Jake that Battlescars is going back on tour for three months. What everyone doesn’t know is that Jake is worn down and sick of the same old shit. Both of them have some pretty heavy scars from their pasts holding them back. Can Jake get Aubrey to let him in?

*ARC Received from author for an honest review*

Was Battlescars absolutely-fan-freakin-tab-U-lous???

Battlescars was a perfect NA novel with enough bad boys, rock n roll and sarcasm to leave you panting for more.

Aubrey works as a flight attendant for her families’ small private airline. Hoping for some time off-she instead gets a call from her father about a last minute change of plans. Those plans revolve around Battlescars lead singer Jake.  Aubrey is none too happy giving up her vacation in order to fly around the country with a spoiled, self-absorbed rock star. She practically ignores him when they first meet but soon realizes Jake does not fit the rock star stigma like she thought. 

Aubrey was one of those joyous characters you love to read about that can easily make you laugh then secretly wish they were your best friend. Aubrey knows no bounds and speaks her mind to everyone about everything making her much more than just another sarcastic and witty girl. ”Salads are for skinny bitches and people with health problems. I’m neither.”-AubreyEven her appearance is deceiving. She is no blonde eyed cheerleader that’s for sure, but more rock star, with tattoos, piercings and a take-no-shit attitude. 

“I like you Aubrey. I can tell by your sarcastic undertones, rude comments and sheer lack of common decency that we’re going to be friends in no time.”-Jake 

Aubrey recognizes early on all the hotness that is Jake. But issues from her past have kept her from forming close bonds with anyone outside of her family, particularly guys. Thus the V-card status, but with her brazen and outspoken nature, it’s almost impossible to believe. However, she does not let people close and touching her is a big no-no. Yet with Jake, her problems seem to matter less and less. Jake is able to break through some of the cracks in Aubrey’s wall and together they heal each other. 

Jake is sick of being stereotyped just because he is in a band. And has tattoos and is famous. He just wants to be seen as a person. Normal. Aubrey gives him that, without even trying. She never once sees him for anyone else than he is even when he is serenading her in front of thousands of people.

I did have a bit of an issue with how fast everything happened. It becomes a case of minor insta-love, since Aubrey gets over her Jake rock-star aversion rather quickly. The day after meeting Jake is begging her not to make him chase her anymore. Considering they just met this whole ‘anymore’ thing really annoyed me, as if he’d been asking her out since middle school. After two days I was wondering why everything was being so rushed considering she was going to be on tour with them for months.  Within a few days he’s almost begging her to be his girlfriend. Alas, it all works out and the insta-love thing becomes a minor plot point that is easy to overlook unless you’re a die-hard hater of insta-love. 

Jake onstage is something to behold. Sophie Monroe does a phenomenal job of bringing the concert to life. Jake really has a great rocking personality that he utilizes to pump up the crowd. And whenever he would speak to Aubrey during a performance, I swear I swooned. 

”She could be my rock n’ roll princess no problem.  I wanted that more than anything.”-Jake

I do wish there was more flesh to the story. Particularly, the beginning, giving us more time to get to know the characters before the insta-love connection.  

All I’m going to say about Jake and his piercings is WOW and some YOWZA. This whole Jacob’s ladder thing makes your eyes roll all on its own. And the sex between Aubrey and Jake=beyond hot….

I do wish the story was longer. At times it feels a bit rushed and added with the insta-love it was like speeding on the expressway. In a few short weeks they are dating and becoming overly serious. Jake is adorable but I was a bit thrown by his sudden prenatal vitamin kick he wanted her on. I’m a sucker for a sweet guy, throw in a baby and I’m a puddle but it was all so rushed. They just get together, a month passes and then he wants to have a baby. Hello, speed bumps please. It worked, just seemed so fast especially with Aubrey and her aversion to men and being touched. The baby part was so fast, but I thoroughly enjoyed Jake’s immense childlike joy at building his own house. When he mentioned incorporating a moat, he worked his way into my heart even more. 

I don’t want to say too much more about Battlescars because I really loved it. Aside from wishing the book was longer, everything was wonderfully written and enjoyable to read. The characters were extremely likable if a bit impulsive and Afflicted, the second book in the series should be released in June featuring Blake (band mate and friend of Jake) and Piper (Aubrey’s friend and tattoo artist). Even more exciting is, Afflicted promises to be a bit more risqué and I can’t wait to read all about Piper’s love for BDSM and all that is kinky.

Overall Battlescars is everything a rock and roll romance should be. Aside from insta-love haters I would suggest everyone read it, you won’t be disappointed.

HAPPY READING!!!