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Gods of Rock #1
Cherry Beats
Bon Jovi.
Bryan Adams.
Presley West.
My favourite men of music.
Only one of them within reach.
The night before Presley West was due to leave our small town of Hollings Hill, all of my high school fantasies came to life. He finally wanted me. Eight years I’d spent pining, and now I, bar-tending Tessa Lisbon, was going to make damn sure I made that night count before the music industry stole him.
Never screw your idols. That’s what they say, right? Well, I did, and I did it well. So well, I somehow managed to screw my own heart in the process.
He gave me one night to convince him to stay. In the end, I begged him to go.
Forever.
But that’s the thing about rock stars: they do what they want, when they want, and forever didn’t end up being as long as I expected.
Presley was back, and with his face, voice, and music now everywhere I turned, I officially had nowhere left to run.
Bryan Adams.
Presley West.
My favourite men of music.
Only one of them within reach.
The night before Presley West was due to leave our small town of Hollings Hill, all of my high school fantasies came to life. He finally wanted me. Eight years I’d spent pining, and now I, bar-tending Tessa Lisbon, was going to make damn sure I made that night count before the music industry stole him.
Never screw your idols. That’s what they say, right? Well, I did, and I did it well. So well, I somehow managed to screw my own heart in the process.
He gave me one night to convince him to stay. In the end, I begged him to go.
Forever.
But that’s the thing about rock stars: they do what they want, when they want, and forever didn’t end up being as long as I expected.
Presley was back, and with his face, voice, and music now everywhere I turned, I officially had nowhere left to run.
427 pages, ebook
First published September 16, 2019
1289 people are currently reading
4495 people want to read
About the author
Vicki James
17 books813 followersVicki currently lives in Yorkshire, England, with her husband, two sons, and her dog Rex. Having had a strong passion for stories from a young age, she credits her love of literature to her Grandma Bess who taught her that you don't need a lot of money to travel to different worlds, experience new places and live a thousand lives. When she’s not listening to music or writing, she’s usually at the gym pretending to workout.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 476 reviews
September 16, 2019
“Nothing tells you what a girl really wants to say like the song she’s begging you to listen to.”
“Don’t forget what this journey is about: the music, Presley. Always the music.”
Cherry Beats is the rock star romance we have been searching for to satisfy our need for the real world of rock music, the raw emotions, the feeling of being in a packed stadium audience reverently banging our heads and belting out much-loved rock songs…out of tune of course. Cherry Beats is everything and Vicki James nailed it. The rock scene isn’t pretty, it isn’t all fun and fluffy. Its highs can be equally matched with its low’s. It can be as dark as it can be bathed in a spotlight of adoration. It’s filled with as much angst and self-doubt as it is filled with overwhelming joy and self-satisfaction.
“You asked me if I’m mad, and I said no. That was a lie. I’m fucking furious, but not at you alone. I’m mad at this world we live in – the one where everyone is suddenly so damn right about every little thing, their views and opinions rigid and unmoving. I’m mad that it’s easier to throw stones than to pick them up and put them somewhere safe where they won’t hurt anyone. I’m mad at the way the world loves to build people up only to enjoy every second of tearing them back down again. I’m mad how people you love the most are more often than not the ones who end up hurting you more than any stranger ever could. I’m mad that it’s easier for people to believe the bad than the good.”
In our opinion, the balance to get a rock star romance spot on is like walking a tightrope, this Author danced all over that tightrope and made it her bitch. She gave us everything and more. In Cherry Beats, Vicki James wrote one of our favourite rock star romances, one which will go on the list of never forget. The writing was outstanding and we must have highlighted half the book, as our hearts were pulled back and forth by truths, analogies, heartbreak, love, self-searching and the utter despair and exhilaration of achieving childhood dreams. And of course -the music- always the music.
‘There’s a reason he started drumming. There’s a reason he needed to hit things to survive. There’s a reason music was the thing to save his life.’
‘Goddamn drummer boy with his poetic words, hands of destruction, and the honest heart I somehow held the key to.’
In a flawlessly written gritty and epic love story of music, angst, drugs and lonely beating hearts, Presley West’s soul shines a light of pure brightness in a world that can be otherwise wickedly dark and addictive. He stole our hearts little by little through the beat of his drum, the weight of his impactful words and the vividness of his dreams and desires. By the last word he completely owned our hearts, leaving a deep everlasting impression.
‘He was far too beautiful to be sitting in the middle of my mediocre world. He wasn’t meant to be here. This wasn’t the way things were meant to go.’
Tessa Lisbon was written with such heart and honesty. She was so real we could be her, she could be someone we know. She lived for music, the real music and we loved her for it. The words and the truth behind them, the ultimate therapy that music gives us.
“You’re the only one who’s ever felt real.”
Tessa fell in love with a drummer boy at school. A unique boy, a soulful boy and she never forgot him. She never could and she never would. Tessa is a realist who loves with her entire being. She has her insecurities, her fears and her hang-ups just like Presley does. The deep marks or scars, be they on the outside or inside, from childhood and the people in it, preventing that true happiness and serenity which only a soul mate can help to uncover and heal.
“Dreams are scary to chase, Cherry. That’s what makes it so much more satisfying when you finally catch them.”
When words make you fall in love all over again with music giants from your youth, you know your heart is completely committed and immersed into a world you can only ever experience when an Author lets you into theirs. We lived and breathed everything -Tessa and Presley-; as Bon ‘fucking’ Jovi and the Bryan ‘fucking’ Adams played along in the background to the written words on paper. It was magical, it was exhilarating, it was devastating, and it was powerful. It was love. The playlist used in Cherry Beats is like the Holy Grail and it made this story a truly magnificent experience!
“I didn’t just listen to the music. I listened to the words. The actual words. He tells stories with his songs, and even the fast ones just break me wide open sometimes. It was then that I realised music could give me everything I’d ever needed. Every time I felt something I didn’t understand, I’d go through track after track of his and search for what I was feeling. On the rare occasion, I couldn’t find it, I’d move on to Bon fucking Jovi…And if that didn’t cut it, I’d go through every song from the eighties, nineties, and noughties, I could find.”
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November 25, 2022
"So, please, remember this moment right here when you're at the top of the mountain about to jump. Remember this feeling of being about to embark on the most exciting journey of your life. Don't forget why you started. Don't lose yourself to all the other stuff going on around you. Don't forget what this journey is about: the music, Presley. Always the music."
🥺 I loved this book. I loved this book something fierce. It's the type of read that holds an epic love story, a sweeping saga of two souls who keep connecting at the most unlikely of times, and somehow slip through each other's fingers despite the reader begging for the easy out.
I'm not typically a big reader of rockstar romances, but this one defies the genre and held something more substantial that you don't typically find in these stories. The journey that these two go on is incredibly painful, yet ultimately uplifting, and the angsty vibes almost killed my pregnant emotions, but it is one of the best, hurts-so-good rides I've ever been on.
I debated even writing a review for this one, because it's the type of read you want to hold close without allowing others to come in and possibly hate what you held so dearly while reading, but I also know that it needs to be screamed from the mountain tops how amazing this story is. If you choose to read it, make sure you have ample time available, because you won't be able to put Cherry Beats down.
*Also, the paperback spine is cherry red. You're welcome.
🥺 I loved this book. I loved this book something fierce. It's the type of read that holds an epic love story, a sweeping saga of two souls who keep connecting at the most unlikely of times, and somehow slip through each other's fingers despite the reader begging for the easy out.
I'm not typically a big reader of rockstar romances, but this one defies the genre and held something more substantial that you don't typically find in these stories. The journey that these two go on is incredibly painful, yet ultimately uplifting, and the angsty vibes almost killed my pregnant emotions, but it is one of the best, hurts-so-good rides I've ever been on.
I debated even writing a review for this one, because it's the type of read you want to hold close without allowing others to come in and possibly hate what you held so dearly while reading, but I also know that it needs to be screamed from the mountain tops how amazing this story is. If you choose to read it, make sure you have ample time available, because you won't be able to put Cherry Beats down.
*Also, the paperback spine is cherry red. You're welcome.
August 30, 2020
My 2 cents on friend recommendations: It’s no secret that I really enjoy Goodreads. I enjoy the community aspect and the fact that I can establish friendships with otherwise would be strangers over our mutual love for reading. I love the idea of getting recommendations from these friends and being able to discover new books that I might not have discovered otherwise. I also love the fact that Goodreads and the reviews that are on here are proof of the magic of reading. There is no book that is experienced the same way by two different readers! Our unique life experiences and perspectives alter how we feel about what we are reading. I think that’s awesome! I also, like a few others have recently, want to put out there that I wish that everyone would respect that magic and take each review as it truly is — someone’s own experience with the book. When I ask for recommendations, I take them in with that grain of salt in knowing that while this other reader might’ve loved the book, that there is still a chance that I might not love it. I don’t think many think this way though! I don’t like recommending books to others most of the time because of the pressures that go along with it. The pressure that the reader will like the book as much as I did. The pressure of the other reader possibly getting upset with me about it if they don’t love it or if it has one of their triggers that I didn’t realize. I think that’s sad. I think we all should be able to share of love of reading without those pressures. Why do people get so mad about these things?! I’m not mad or upset in any way that a dear GR friend recommended this book and it was a flop for me! I’m happy she loved it and had a different experience! Please! Let’s all just soak in the magic of reading together 🙏🏻💕
That being said...
2.5 Stars
Overall Opinion: I struggled with this one. I don’t think I ever really connected with the characters. I was really digging the h until she stopped being sassy and started being so insecure. I also never really felt connected to the H and I think a big part of that was the fact that we never get his POV (except in the epilogue). I didn’t like that the was addressed but then shoved under the rug repeatedly. That’s a serious thing! I think it was important to give it its due! I also thought that the pacing felt off and I even skimmed some. I was looking for something to tap into my feelings, and unfortunately this didn’t make me feel...anything really. It could be a me thing 🙈
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Tessa and Prestley’s story. Tessa has crushed hard on Prestley all through high school and so when her opportunity for one night with him before he leaves to become a rock star comes up, she decides to take it. Prestley never expected to actually connect with Tessa, and now he has and with the worst timing. Years later, Prestley shows up worn out from show business and ready to pursue Tessa. There are some secrets revealed, some OW drama, and some sexy times...and they get a HFN ending.
Point Of View (POV): This was told in Tessa’s POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Not the best. There were some parts that felt slow and I skimmed some.
Instalove: No, they’ve known each other a long time.
H (Hero) rating: 3 stars. Prestley. I think he was alright. I really do think that not getting his POV caused me to not connect with his character.
h (heroine) rating: 3 stars. Tessa. I liked her but then I didn’t. I didn’t like how she was feisty and then not. I get insecurities, but I didn’t like the “vulnerable” Tessa that much tbh.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: Not technically
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This ended with finally getting the H’s POV. I felt like it was too little, too late. I wanted more closure and more of an HEA, but at this point I was happy to be done. I would call this a HFN ending
Safety: This one should be either Safe with exception or Not Safe for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences.
That being said...
2.5 Stars
Overall Opinion: I struggled with this one. I don’t think I ever really connected with the characters. I was really digging the h until she stopped being sassy and started being so insecure. I also never really felt connected to the H and I think a big part of that was the fact that we never get his POV (except in the epilogue). I didn’t like that the was addressed but then shoved under the rug repeatedly. That’s a serious thing! I think it was important to give it its due! I also thought that the pacing felt off and I even skimmed some. I was looking for something to tap into my feelings, and unfortunately this didn’t make me feel...anything really. It could be a me thing 🙈
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Tessa and Prestley’s story. Tessa has crushed hard on Prestley all through high school and so when her opportunity for one night with him before he leaves to become a rock star comes up, she decides to take it. Prestley never expected to actually connect with Tessa, and now he has and with the worst timing. Years later, Prestley shows up worn out from show business and ready to pursue Tessa. There are some secrets revealed, some OW drama, and some sexy times...and they get a HFN ending.
Point Of View (POV): This was told in Tessa’s POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Not the best. There were some parts that felt slow and I skimmed some.
Instalove: No, they’ve known each other a long time.
H (Hero) rating: 3 stars. Prestley. I think he was alright. I really do think that not getting his POV caused me to not connect with his character.
h (heroine) rating: 3 stars. Tessa. I liked her but then I didn’t. I didn’t like how she was feisty and then not. I get insecurities, but I didn’t like the “vulnerable” Tessa that much tbh.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: Not technically
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This ended with finally getting the H’s POV. I felt like it was too little, too late. I wanted more closure and more of an HEA, but at this point I was happy to be done. I would call this a HFN ending
Safety: This one should be either Safe with exception or Not Safe for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences.
September 15, 2019
“Nothing tells you what a girl really wants to say like the song she’s begging you to listen to.”
“Don’t forget what this journey is about: the music, Presley. Always the music.”
Cherry Beats is the rock star romance we have been searching for to satisfy our need for the real world of rock music, the raw emotions, the feeling of being in a packed stadium audience reverently banging our heads and belting out much-loved rock songs…out of tune of course. Cherry Beats is everything and Vicki James nailed it. The rock scene isn’t pretty, it isn’t all fun and fluffy. Its highs can be equally matched with its low’s. It can be as dark as it can be bathed in a spotlight of adoration. It’s filled with as much angst and self-doubt as it is filled with overwhelming joy and self-satisfaction.
“You asked me if I’m mad, and I said no. That was a lie. I’m fucking furious, but not at you alone. I’m mad at this world we live in – the one where everyone is suddenly so damn right about every little thing, their views and opinions rigid and unmoving. I’m mad that it’s easier to throw stones than to pick them up and put them somewhere safe where they won’t hurt anyone. I’m mad at the way the world loves to build people up only to enjoy every second of tearing them back down again. I’m mad how people you love the most are more often than not the ones who end up hurting you more than any stranger ever could. I’m mad that it’s easier for people to believe the bad than the good.”
In our opinion, the balance to get a rock star romance spot on is like walking a tightrope, this Author danced all over that tightrope and made it her bitch. She gave us everything and more. In Cherry Beats, Vicki James wrote one of our favourite rock star romances, one which will go on the list of never forget. The writing was outstanding and we must have highlighted half the book, as our hearts were pulled back and forth by truths, analogies, heartbreak, love, self-searching and the utter despair and exhilaration of achieving childhood dreams. And of course -the music- always the music.
‘There’s a reason he started drumming. There’s a reason he needed to hit things to survive. There’s a reason music was the thing to save his life.’
‘Goddamn drummer boy with his poetic words, hands of destruction, and the honest heart I somehow held the key to.’
In a flawlessly written gritty and epic love story of music, angst, drugs and lonely beating hearts, Presley West’s soul shines a light of pure brightness in a world that can be otherwise wickedly dark and addictive. He stole our hearts little by little through the beat of his drum, the weight of his impactful words and the vividness of his dreams and desires. By the last word he completely owned our hearts, leaving a deep everlasting impression.
‘He was far too beautiful to be sitting in the middle of my mediocre world. He wasn’t meant to be here. This wasn’t the way things were meant to go.’
Tessa Lisbon was written with such heart and honesty. She was so real we could be her, she could be someone we know. She lived for music, the real music and we loved her for it. The words and the truth behind them, the ultimate therapy that music gives us.
“You’re the only one who’s ever felt real.”
Tessa fell in love with a drummer boy at school. A unique boy, a soulful boy and she never forgot him. She never could and she never would. Tessa is a realist who loves with her entire being. She has her insecurities, her fears and her hang-ups just like Presley does. The deep marks or scars, be they on the outside or inside, from childhood and the people in it, preventing that true happiness and serenity which only a soul mate can help to uncover and heal.
“Dreams are scary to chase, Cherry. That’s what makes it so much more satisfying when you finally catch them.”
When words make you fall in love all over again with music giants from your youth, you know your heart is completely committed and immersed into a world you can only ever experience when an Author lets you into theirs. We lived and breathed everything -Tessa and Presley-; as Bon ‘fucking’ Jovi and the Bryan ‘fucking’ Adams played along in the background to the written words on paper. It was magical, it was exhilarating, it was devastating, and it was powerful. It was love. The playlist used in Cherry Beats is like the Holy Grail and it made this story a truly magnificent experience!
“I didn’t just listen to the music. I listened to the words. The actual words. He tells stories with his songs, and even the fast ones just break me wide open sometimes. It was then that I realised music could give me everything I’d ever needed. Every time I felt something I didn’t understand, I’d go through track after track of his and search for what I was feeling. On the rare occasion, I couldn’t find it, I’d move on to Bon fucking Jovi…And if that didn’t cut it, I’d go through every song from the eighties, nineties, and noughties, I could find.”
Available to purchase below
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Come and say hi, at:
✲ TotallyBookedBlog
✲ TBB on Facebook
✲ TBB on Instagram
✲ TBB on Twitter
✲ TBB on Pinterest
September 2, 2019
There are some books which tell a love story and there are others which tell an epic love story, and Cherry Beats is most definitely the latter. This is a Carlsberg love story of a partnership which will go down into the annals of time in the book world as one of the best and they deserve a ship name, so will forever be known to me as Tessley. Theirs is a relationship which was always based on love, even though neither of them really knew it, and it has captured my heart. Vic James' writing in this book is so heartfelt and sublime I became so burrowed into it, it actually felt real, a true testament to the honest and raw writing that Vic has crafted. I made lots of notes about this story as I read it, notes on what I wanted to say within my review but there aren't enough to express my love for it and particularly for Presley Aron West. He was so lost and lonely while surrounded by masses of people that you can't help but fall in love with him and want to hug him. As for Tess, she was one of the most likeable and sassiest heroines I've read in a long time and the way she dealt with her family and her feelings for Presley may have been flawed on occasion but ultimately showed her strength. She and Presley worked as a couple in every aspect, the way they bounced off each other and cared about each other, but mainly because both of them were broken by the flaws of their parents' relationships which were almost identikits of each other and of theirs in many ways, the only difference being this girl did love the boy just as much as he loved her. The problem was, secrets and hidden feelings created barriers which could only sabotage Tessley's amazing love story - Presley wanted too much and Tess didn't feel she was worthy. The chemistry between them was pure perfection and every scene between just the two of them made my heart beat in time with Presley's fastest drum solo, and it wasn't just the sex scenes, it was Presley who got my pulse racing. He was truly a star on the pages just as much as he was portrayed to be on the stage and even though I loved Tess, Presley was most definitely the frontman who earned his adoration in this book. Aside from the romance being spot on, while it's obvious that Vic has done intensive research into how a rock band and specifically a drummer would work, what's more evident is her love of music, it rears up and bites you on the bum in the best of ways and you can't help but be engulfed with her enthusiasm of it and I dare anyone not to Google John Bonham performing Moby Dick. A well deserved 5 stars from me, and if Vic James doesn't write a series about the band it will be a tragedy, yet it might also be a tragedy if she does because Tessley should keep the limelight that their epic love story deserves.
September 20, 2019
5 Stars !!
”I wanted him. The whole world wanted him, but I wanted him more.”
🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘
”I wanted him. The whole world wanted him, but I wanted him more.”
🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘
September 8, 2019
Here I sit, once again... Struggling to put into words how amazing this book was. I have actually been sitting on this review for a few days trying to put together a review that will do this justice... But no words can. Seriously NO WORDS.
Ms. James goes above and beyond and gives us a storyline so captivating, enticing and addictive that I couldn't put the book down and managed to read it in one sitting.
In Cherry Beats we have Presley and Tess and oh boy, what a pair these two are. Presley was... different. He wasn't your typical hero in this book. He was lonely, he was stuck and lost yet he has people surrounding him day in and day out... But what looks like a life of fun, pleasure, and dreams is a life of loneliness and sadness for this man. My heart hurt for this man and I couldn't help but fall smitten for him from the moment I began this book. He was unique and amazing in every sense of the word.
Tess was perfection, especially for Presley. She was full of sass, a little spitfire and even though some of the things she did and said were questionable and not exactly /Perfect/, she was still just a lovable, witty, fun characters and I think what others may see as flaws, I see as quirks, and things that make her a perfect heroine. I adored her and I honestly cannot fault the author on how she played this main female lead out.
Presley and Tess were something else... They were perfect for each other and both personalities together balanced each other out, yet they bounced off each other. It was known early that these two were perfect for each other and that they both loved and wanted each other, and needed each other... But secrets and lies constantly pushed them apart. Hiding feelings and denying each other what they truly wanted, craved and needed. Tess didn't feel worthy, she didn't feel like she was enough, and Presley wanted her, he needed her.. but the insecurities Tess has do make it hard for him and it ultimately creates more and more issues with these two...
Will Tess be able to see she is worthy? Will Presley be able to show her that she is? Is Tess the answer to his loneliness? Will these two finally open their eyes and see they are meant to be...
You need to read the book to find out...
I honestly cannot fault this story. There were a few aspects to it that hit home for me a little but I think that is why I loved it so much. It was full of angst, and chemistry that flowed throughout the book.
Truly amazing, captivating, addictive and an enticing read that I highly recommend!
5 Stars
Ms. James goes above and beyond and gives us a storyline so captivating, enticing and addictive that I couldn't put the book down and managed to read it in one sitting.
In Cherry Beats we have Presley and Tess and oh boy, what a pair these two are. Presley was... different. He wasn't your typical hero in this book. He was lonely, he was stuck and lost yet he has people surrounding him day in and day out... But what looks like a life of fun, pleasure, and dreams is a life of loneliness and sadness for this man. My heart hurt for this man and I couldn't help but fall smitten for him from the moment I began this book. He was unique and amazing in every sense of the word.
Tess was perfection, especially for Presley. She was full of sass, a little spitfire and even though some of the things she did and said were questionable and not exactly /Perfect/, she was still just a lovable, witty, fun characters and I think what others may see as flaws, I see as quirks, and things that make her a perfect heroine. I adored her and I honestly cannot fault the author on how she played this main female lead out.
Presley and Tess were something else... They were perfect for each other and both personalities together balanced each other out, yet they bounced off each other. It was known early that these two were perfect for each other and that they both loved and wanted each other, and needed each other... But secrets and lies constantly pushed them apart. Hiding feelings and denying each other what they truly wanted, craved and needed. Tess didn't feel worthy, she didn't feel like she was enough, and Presley wanted her, he needed her.. but the insecurities Tess has do make it hard for him and it ultimately creates more and more issues with these two...
Will Tess be able to see she is worthy? Will Presley be able to show her that she is? Is Tess the answer to his loneliness? Will these two finally open their eyes and see they are meant to be...
You need to read the book to find out...
I honestly cannot fault this story. There were a few aspects to it that hit home for me a little but I think that is why I loved it so much. It was full of angst, and chemistry that flowed throughout the book.
Truly amazing, captivating, addictive and an enticing read that I highly recommend!
5 Stars
February 11, 2022
4.25 stars
This was my first book by Vicki James and I enjoyed it so much! Such a fun book, with just enough emotion and angst. I adored Presley and Cherry. It was such an epic romance and you could tell these two truly loved one another. I do wish that some of the issues Presley had would have been… I don’t know the right word… resolved? I felt like they were addressed and then brushed away. However, the ending was fantastic and overall I loved this one!
“We were only ever meant to be a one-night thing,” I whispered.
“Isn’t that how all the best love stories start?”
This was my first book by Vicki James and I enjoyed it so much! Such a fun book, with just enough emotion and angst. I adored Presley and Cherry. It was such an epic romance and you could tell these two truly loved one another. I do wish that some of the issues Presley had would have been… I don’t know the right word… resolved? I felt like they were addressed and then brushed away. However, the ending was fantastic and overall I loved this one!
September 18, 2019
4,5 ❤️❤️💔❤️ ⚡️⚡️🥁 ⚡️⚡️ 🍒 ⚡️⚡️ ✨✨✨✨s❣️❣️❣️❣️
🎶 Do I have to say the words????🎶
I can not...
This inspiring journey of beautiful and outstanding love is for you to value...
“Presley held that witchcraft in the palm of his hands, ready to unleash it and blind us all with his charm any second he deemed fit.” Tess
🎶 Do I have to say the words????🎶
I can not...
This inspiring journey of beautiful and outstanding love is for you to value...
“Presley held that witchcraft in the palm of his hands, ready to unleash it and blind us all with his charm any second he deemed fit.” Tess
August 30, 2019
OMG.... This is a story everyone should read. And Presley West...there's not enough words to descibe him.
I was invested in this story from the start. The prolgue pulled me in straight away. It's been a few weeks, maybe even months since I sat down and read a book in one sitting.
The writing was flawless and the story captivating and Presley West he had it all going on. Tess fell for the drummer boy and hard. I loved everything about their unique story.
I was invested in this story from the start. The prolgue pulled me in straight away. It's been a few weeks, maybe even months since I sat down and read a book in one sitting.
The writing was flawless and the story captivating and Presley West he had it all going on. Tess fell for the drummer boy and hard. I loved everything about their unique story.
November 10, 2021
“I always told you I was selfish.”
“You’re a rotten bastard, Presley West,”
“Is it so bad of me to want you?”
I seriously dont know what to say.... I dont even think I have the words to explain how much I loved this book...
I got the arc late from Vic because I didnt even see the arc sign up form *sad face*. But she so kindly said "I'll send you the arc now" I was like thank you thank you thank you.
I saw ages ago that she was writing a new book which would be a rock star romance which I'm such a sucker for lol. I just knew it was going to be good.
Tessa first lays her eyes on Presley in high school she's 11 and he's 15. She thinks he's beautiful and he's in a band too(a Drummer) *thinks (Oh I bet he knows how to work those sticks too haha)*... Tessa loves her music. She loves Bryan Adams & Bon Fucking Jovi(Same as me girl... same as me).
Fast forward 8 years and Tessa is a barmaid and Presley is about to head to London and embark on an new adventure with his band. She's always liked him from afar but has never done anything about it as he brings in a new woman into the bar once a week just to get a rise out of her. Presley loves to get under her skin. He calls her Cherry because of the colour of her hair and the colour of her Doc Martens.
“No regrets”
He comes into the pub with a new woman for the last time before he leaves for London the following day. Cherry and him do their usual back and forth banter like they always do lol. He eventually leaves and Cherry enjoys listening to her music whilst she starts to tidy the pub. But when she thinks she's on her own.. she really isnt. Presley is watching her which then leads to them both having one amazing night together. Then they dont see eachother for 3 years.... As Tess would say “This is why you should never fuck your idols.”
“I’m in so much trouble with you, aren’t I?”
“Screwed with a capital S.”
Presley & Cherry.... Gahhhh I bloody love them both so damn much. The banter between them in the beginning was brilliant. I laughed oh so much, swooned so damn much and god did I cry sad and happy tears.
That certain part when it's the TriFest.... if you've read it then you'll know what I'm talking about. My hand went to my heart and I swooned then I cried lol. Because of what Presley did. I'm such a soppy bitch but it made my heart so damn happy.
“Will it be epic?”
“Yeah. It’ll be epic, baby.”
These two characters and their story owns a piece of my heart and I'm not even sorry that they've taken it. The story was beautiful and swoon worthy.
I'm so happy and my heart is so damn full. Well done Vic xx
June 27, 2020
*****4.5 STARS*****
September 4, 2019
5⭐️ is not enough for this book.
*sigh* I don’t even know where to begin with how amazing this book is. I honestly love reading anything from Vic purely because she manages to make me feel so many emotions in. She stirs feelings I didn’t think could exist from reading a book.
We first meet tessa when she is 11, and that’s when she first gets her glimpse of Presley. Fast forward 8 years she is working in a bar, which just so happens to be the same bar Presley brings ALL his women to. Tessa finds herself in love with him but unable to tell him, so instead she has quick witted comebacks to anything he says to her. They eventually get one night before Presley leaves to get his band signed, this fast forwards another 3 years.
The bar is busier than ever thanks to the fame of Presley and the band, tessa still pining for him, desperately tries to move on, but it’s not easy when his face and his music is everywhere.
But Presley has different ideas, he doesn’t want to let her walk away again, he seeks her out. Only to have to walk away from her this time. Not for long though.
One night is never enough for him. But tessa? She doesn’t know what she truly wants.
*sigh* Presley Presley Presley. Why can’t you be real? I want one. He is so straight up that you can’t help but stop and listen to what he has to say.
Tessa. Dear sweet Tessa. You deserve the world and most definitely deserve Presley! They both have dysfunctional families, that you can’t help but want to hold them both until their pain is no more.
I love how it’s not the man holding back in this story, it’s the woman. I love how he speaks his mind, but that’s down to the tragedy that comes from his family. He never wants to make the same mistakes. Whereas Tessa tries so hard to be someone who stands on her own two feet without her family by her side.
God. I could write so much about the amazingness that is Cherry beats, but I won’t. I will let you decide when you go and get it!
*sigh* I don’t even know where to begin with how amazing this book is. I honestly love reading anything from Vic purely because she manages to make me feel so many emotions in. She stirs feelings I didn’t think could exist from reading a book.
We first meet tessa when she is 11, and that’s when she first gets her glimpse of Presley. Fast forward 8 years she is working in a bar, which just so happens to be the same bar Presley brings ALL his women to. Tessa finds herself in love with him but unable to tell him, so instead she has quick witted comebacks to anything he says to her. They eventually get one night before Presley leaves to get his band signed, this fast forwards another 3 years.
The bar is busier than ever thanks to the fame of Presley and the band, tessa still pining for him, desperately tries to move on, but it’s not easy when his face and his music is everywhere.
But Presley has different ideas, he doesn’t want to let her walk away again, he seeks her out. Only to have to walk away from her this time. Not for long though.
One night is never enough for him. But tessa? She doesn’t know what she truly wants.
*sigh* Presley Presley Presley. Why can’t you be real? I want one. He is so straight up that you can’t help but stop and listen to what he has to say.
Tessa. Dear sweet Tessa. You deserve the world and most definitely deserve Presley! They both have dysfunctional families, that you can’t help but want to hold them both until their pain is no more.
I love how it’s not the man holding back in this story, it’s the woman. I love how he speaks his mind, but that’s down to the tragedy that comes from his family. He never wants to make the same mistakes. Whereas Tessa tries so hard to be someone who stands on her own two feet without her family by her side.
God. I could write so much about the amazingness that is Cherry beats, but I won’t. I will let you decide when you go and get it!
September 1, 2019
Captivating, Exciting and Unexpected.
Cherry Beats will take you on a thrill ride. As I stated in my title line, it captivated me from the first page. The way the book is structured in the beginning really sets the tone and takes you in. After that I was a gone for the book and struggled to part with the story when real life needed me.
I found I was excited by Cherry and Presley. They both kept me not only entertained but invested in them. I wanted them to win, to overcome their issues. I’m going to keep tight lipped about the plot, so I won’t delve into the book too much. What I will say is that it was unexpected, not because I thought James would deliver anything less than an outstanding story, but because it wasn’t your typical rock star book. It touched upon deeper issues and the push and pull between Presley and Cherry was also more intricate than I anticipated.
I’m easily giving Cherry Beats 5 stars and would highly recommend it.
Cherry Beats will take you on a thrill ride. As I stated in my title line, it captivated me from the first page. The way the book is structured in the beginning really sets the tone and takes you in. After that I was a gone for the book and struggled to part with the story when real life needed me.
I found I was excited by Cherry and Presley. They both kept me not only entertained but invested in them. I wanted them to win, to overcome their issues. I’m going to keep tight lipped about the plot, so I won’t delve into the book too much. What I will say is that it was unexpected, not because I thought James would deliver anything less than an outstanding story, but because it wasn’t your typical rock star book. It touched upon deeper issues and the push and pull between Presley and Cherry was also more intricate than I anticipated.
I’m easily giving Cherry Beats 5 stars and would highly recommend it.
September 17, 2019
There are characters in a story that are willing to let you into their lives and to share their love with you , and there are other characters that don’t just let you in…nope they drag you in by the scruff on the neck and refuse point blank to let you leave until they are done showing you what love really looks like …this is one of those stories.
Tess and Presley have a love that is almost unfathomable, neither of them seemed 100% certain of what they had going between the two of them but it was a love was listening to no-one else because it had an agenda of its own and they needed to strap in and hold on because their journey was going to be wild.
Presley was the perfect rocker, a drummer that was more than willing to live his life to the beat of his own drum but that doesn’t mean that he has a life that is full to the brim with happiness, far from it. He came across as a lonely guy drowning in a sea of faces. And the more people around him only seemed to intensify the fact that everyone wanted a piece of him when all he really wanted was peace.
Tess, wasn’t always playing with a full deck at times and I have to admit that I was ready to reach through the screen and throttle her at times but that didn’t deter from the fact that she didn’t half pack a pocketful of sass and when she had to pick up the baton and show the world what she was made of…boy did she!
Together they were just what each other needed; they were able to keep themselves sane, able to negotiate the peculiarities that they each had with their parents. I mean neither set of oldies was what you would have wished for in the parental lottery but Presley and Tess they were able to make sure that could keep the negativity from coming between them.
This was a love conquers all story, and they had a lot to conquer…there was angst and attitude aplenty, there were secrets to be uncovered and troubles waiting in the wings to do their utmost to pull the plug on their happiness.
But could they keep it together and show the world that when it came to being who they wanted to be…this pair had it licked?
With a super slick writing style and a level of detail that must have had the author knee deep in Wikipedia this was quite simply beautiful.
I hope that I get to read more about the rest of the band, because I am sure there is more magnificence just waiting to flex their Rockstar magnificence!
Tess and Presley have a love that is almost unfathomable, neither of them seemed 100% certain of what they had going between the two of them but it was a love was listening to no-one else because it had an agenda of its own and they needed to strap in and hold on because their journey was going to be wild.
Presley was the perfect rocker, a drummer that was more than willing to live his life to the beat of his own drum but that doesn’t mean that he has a life that is full to the brim with happiness, far from it. He came across as a lonely guy drowning in a sea of faces. And the more people around him only seemed to intensify the fact that everyone wanted a piece of him when all he really wanted was peace.
Tess, wasn’t always playing with a full deck at times and I have to admit that I was ready to reach through the screen and throttle her at times but that didn’t deter from the fact that she didn’t half pack a pocketful of sass and when she had to pick up the baton and show the world what she was made of…boy did she!
Together they were just what each other needed; they were able to keep themselves sane, able to negotiate the peculiarities that they each had with their parents. I mean neither set of oldies was what you would have wished for in the parental lottery but Presley and Tess they were able to make sure that could keep the negativity from coming between them.
This was a love conquers all story, and they had a lot to conquer…there was angst and attitude aplenty, there were secrets to be uncovered and troubles waiting in the wings to do their utmost to pull the plug on their happiness.
But could they keep it together and show the world that when it came to being who they wanted to be…this pair had it licked?
With a super slick writing style and a level of detail that must have had the author knee deep in Wikipedia this was quite simply beautiful.
I hope that I get to read more about the rest of the band, because I am sure there is more magnificence just waiting to flex their Rockstar magnificence!
August 30, 2019
I can only start this review by saying one thing... Presley West is a GOD!
I would love to wax lyrical about this book all day long, go into the intricacies and sing the usual praises for the wonderful writing, but it's so much more than just a story. From the first couple of pages, you feel this whole world in your veins. You live it, you breathe it, then you run out of pages and you mourn the loss of it.
Vicki James has this innate gift of not just writing a Golden God of a Drummer boy and the girl that loves him, but also a whole cast of characters that you end up falling just as much in love with as they pass by in the background. You find yourself invested in them all.
There is so much I want to talk about, to just wordgasm out there and show you all my favorite bits, but I honestly believe this should be free of anything that will give even a hint of the story away. If I could read it again for the first time, I would, but, instead, I'm just gonna read it over again and devour every second of Presley West... There's a new book boyfriend in town y'all...
I would love to wax lyrical about this book all day long, go into the intricacies and sing the usual praises for the wonderful writing, but it's so much more than just a story. From the first couple of pages, you feel this whole world in your veins. You live it, you breathe it, then you run out of pages and you mourn the loss of it.
Vicki James has this innate gift of not just writing a Golden God of a Drummer boy and the girl that loves him, but also a whole cast of characters that you end up falling just as much in love with as they pass by in the background. You find yourself invested in them all.
There is so much I want to talk about, to just wordgasm out there and show you all my favorite bits, but I honestly believe this should be free of anything that will give even a hint of the story away. If I could read it again for the first time, I would, but, instead, I'm just gonna read it over again and devour every second of Presley West... There's a new book boyfriend in town y'all...
September 5, 2019
Holy, hell!
I've never read a rockstar romance. Never.
I'd almost go so far as saying that they've never really intrigued me. Ever.
Until Cherry Beats.
Until Presley. F**KING. West.
Goddamn that man.
Not only did Vicki James have the ability to capture me from the get-go, she also drew me into this story so much, I mentally and emotionally felt like I went on tour with Youth Gone Wild. I felt it all and lived in the moment with each and every character.
Cherry Beats is the ultimate page-turner that will keep you wanting more and more and more. From the moment I started reading, I never wanted to stop and was so engrossed in this story that everything around me didn't matter. I even found--and surprised myself--listening to the playlist because I needed to know everything about Presley and Tessa and what made them the unique couple they are. Vicki James has certainly popped my Rockstar romance cherry *winks* and has left me with this need for more. You guys are going to love it!!
I highly recommend this 5 star drummer of a book!
I've never read a rockstar romance. Never.
I'd almost go so far as saying that they've never really intrigued me. Ever.
Until Cherry Beats.
Until Presley. F**KING. West.
Goddamn that man.
Not only did Vicki James have the ability to capture me from the get-go, she also drew me into this story so much, I mentally and emotionally felt like I went on tour with Youth Gone Wild. I felt it all and lived in the moment with each and every character.
Cherry Beats is the ultimate page-turner that will keep you wanting more and more and more. From the moment I started reading, I never wanted to stop and was so engrossed in this story that everything around me didn't matter. I even found--and surprised myself--listening to the playlist because I needed to know everything about Presley and Tessa and what made them the unique couple they are. Vicki James has certainly popped my Rockstar romance cherry *winks* and has left me with this need for more. You guys are going to love it!!
I highly recommend this 5 star drummer of a book!
September 15, 2019
The best Rock Star read i have ever read... what more can i say!
December 31, 2023
December 2023
My reread of Cherry Beats has reminded me just how incredible this storyline and Presley West are! The scene at TriFest is one of my favourites EVER! I’m so pleased I chose this special time of year to spend with Tessa, Presley and the rest of Youth Gone Wild.
5 EPIC stars!!
First read, August 2019
News Flash: Presley West has just stolen my heart and I don’t think I’ll be getting it back…ever!
Warning: The word incredible may be used a few times in this review!
Cherry Beats is incredible, and is one of those books that I just want to shout out about and tell everyone to read without delay. I’m certain many of you will listen to me and download this book straight away, but for those who don’t… you are missing out on a real treat.
Let me talk about Tessa first because this young lady is incredible. She’s fun, friendly and loyal, has an incredible way with words, and is comfortable in her own skin and with her own style. She’s actually someone I would love to be. I love how she wanted to better her own life and achieve her own goals, which were never about being rich or in the spotlight, just making a life for herself that she could be proud of. Her personality is fantastic (I could have used the word incredible here too) and she is someone who I would most certainly love to have in my close circle of friends.
Presley is most certainly King of the drums and he is everything that you would want in a man. He’s got the looks, the charm, the body, a great personality, lots of talent playing his drums and he is quite good in the bedroom too it seems. He has for a long time loved and needed to play his music and if there was ever anyone I would wish for all their dreams to come true, it would be Presley West because everything about him is, yes you guessed it…… incredible!!
Alongside Tessa and Presley are some of the most fabulous people you could ever wish to meet. Many of them will have you smiling and laughing at the interactions between each other. All the supporting characters in this story played a perfect role and enhanced my enjoyment, and I really hope that this isn’t the last we will see of them.
This book is packed full of emotion. You will feel every single word. My stomach is still trying to unknot itself having spent the last few hours hoping that everything was going to work out for Presley and Tessa, but fearing the worst as I turned each page. The passion and love that you can feel between the pair will have you addicted to their story. You’ll be rooting for them and you will want them to find the HEA together, because they both deserve it.
I have never listened to a playlist associated with a book until now and I will admit that the choice of songs that Tessa loves is right up my street which enticed me to download them. One of the things she has taught me is to listen more carefully to the words, rather than just singing (if you can call it that) along to the songs myself and I loved that! I know that I’ll be doing this more often in the future.
You will love this unique and epic story, of that I’m certain. This story is going to stay with me for quite some time and yet I’m sitting here already excited to see what Vicki James gives us next…… and I cannot wait.
My reread of Cherry Beats has reminded me just how incredible this storyline and Presley West are! The scene at TriFest is one of my favourites EVER! I’m so pleased I chose this special time of year to spend with Tessa, Presley and the rest of Youth Gone Wild.
5 EPIC stars!!
First read, August 2019
News Flash: Presley West has just stolen my heart and I don’t think I’ll be getting it back…ever!
Warning: The word incredible may be used a few times in this review!
Cherry Beats is incredible, and is one of those books that I just want to shout out about and tell everyone to read without delay. I’m certain many of you will listen to me and download this book straight away, but for those who don’t… you are missing out on a real treat.
Let me talk about Tessa first because this young lady is incredible. She’s fun, friendly and loyal, has an incredible way with words, and is comfortable in her own skin and with her own style. She’s actually someone I would love to be. I love how she wanted to better her own life and achieve her own goals, which were never about being rich or in the spotlight, just making a life for herself that she could be proud of. Her personality is fantastic (I could have used the word incredible here too) and she is someone who I would most certainly love to have in my close circle of friends.
Presley is most certainly King of the drums and he is everything that you would want in a man. He’s got the looks, the charm, the body, a great personality, lots of talent playing his drums and he is quite good in the bedroom too it seems. He has for a long time loved and needed to play his music and if there was ever anyone I would wish for all their dreams to come true, it would be Presley West because everything about him is, yes you guessed it…… incredible!!
Alongside Tessa and Presley are some of the most fabulous people you could ever wish to meet. Many of them will have you smiling and laughing at the interactions between each other. All the supporting characters in this story played a perfect role and enhanced my enjoyment, and I really hope that this isn’t the last we will see of them.
This book is packed full of emotion. You will feel every single word. My stomach is still trying to unknot itself having spent the last few hours hoping that everything was going to work out for Presley and Tessa, but fearing the worst as I turned each page. The passion and love that you can feel between the pair will have you addicted to their story. You’ll be rooting for them and you will want them to find the HEA together, because they both deserve it.
I have never listened to a playlist associated with a book until now and I will admit that the choice of songs that Tessa loves is right up my street which enticed me to download them. One of the things she has taught me is to listen more carefully to the words, rather than just singing (if you can call it that) along to the songs myself and I loved that! I know that I’ll be doing this more often in the future.
You will love this unique and epic story, of that I’m certain. This story is going to stay with me for quite some time and yet I’m sitting here already excited to see what Vicki James gives us next…… and I cannot wait.
September 8, 2019
I feel like Cherry Beats was written just for me. Like it’s some kind of fan fic I’d never got around to writing about Bon Jovi - even though it’s not about Bon Jovi - that Vicki had plucked out of my head. *happy sigh* And sorry, I mean, Bon “Fucking” Jovi as they’re so rightly called in the novel. My, my, they will forevermore be known as that, now. This book just speaks to my soul!
“His voice lasers straight through our panties and plants itself over the g-spot we try to keep hidden, and then Rhett Ryan just keeps touching and touching and touching us until we explode.” - When you realise this is the perfect analogy of how Jon Bon Jovi’s singing makes you feel!
This book made my heart sing! It also broke it, too, and then made it soar again! It was beautiful! It was brilliant! It was everything my rock chick self could have asked for in a rockstar romance! Tessa, aka Cherry, had sass and wit! She was the coolest protagonist! Presley, her love interest, made me weak at the knees! Devilishly hot, unwaveringly confident and dripping with charm, with a pure heart that just wanted to be loved! Ahhh he was so dreamy! I couldn’t help but imagine him as Jon Bon Jovi, ya know, if he’d been the drummer.
I loved all references throughout the novel to bands and singers such as: Bon Jovi (obviously), Bryan Adams, Mötley Crüe and AC/DC - to name a few. Oh, and the king himself, Elvis Presley! There is also a killer playlist on Spotify to go along with this book that I listened to throughout and it made it even more special!
If you love a steamy rockstar romance then this one’s for you! This is one of the best books I’ve read this year! And Vicki James, aka Victoria L James, is right up there at the top with my fave authors!
“His voice lasers straight through our panties and plants itself over the g-spot we try to keep hidden, and then Rhett Ryan just keeps touching and touching and touching us until we explode.” - When you realise this is the perfect analogy of how Jon Bon Jovi’s singing makes you feel!
This book made my heart sing! It also broke it, too, and then made it soar again! It was beautiful! It was brilliant! It was everything my rock chick self could have asked for in a rockstar romance! Tessa, aka Cherry, had sass and wit! She was the coolest protagonist! Presley, her love interest, made me weak at the knees! Devilishly hot, unwaveringly confident and dripping with charm, with a pure heart that just wanted to be loved! Ahhh he was so dreamy! I couldn’t help but imagine him as Jon Bon Jovi, ya know, if he’d been the drummer.
I loved all references throughout the novel to bands and singers such as: Bon Jovi (obviously), Bryan Adams, Mötley Crüe and AC/DC - to name a few. Oh, and the king himself, Elvis Presley! There is also a killer playlist on Spotify to go along with this book that I listened to throughout and it made it even more special!
If you love a steamy rockstar romance then this one’s for you! This is one of the best books I’ve read this year! And Vicki James, aka Victoria L James, is right up there at the top with my fave authors!
September 4, 2019
Romangst. Nobody does it like Vic.
Cherry Beats is a perfect blend of swoon, steam, and heart hurty feeling all wrapped up with a giant HEA bow and a shot of Jack.
Dirty, bad boy rocker sets his sights on the "plain" girl from back home- the one who'd been secretly in love with him for years. That's all I needed to know before I was sold, and the rest of the story lived up to and then surpassed all my expectations.
I hope we get more from this world because the rest of the band members are just as intriguing as our drummer hero, and the heroine's bestie and boss each won pieces of my heart.
Now, go read this book and just try to tell me Presley West doesn't make your nips tingle. I dare you.
Cherry Beats is a perfect blend of swoon, steam, and heart hurty feeling all wrapped up with a giant HEA bow and a shot of Jack.
Dirty, bad boy rocker sets his sights on the "plain" girl from back home- the one who'd been secretly in love with him for years. That's all I needed to know before I was sold, and the rest of the story lived up to and then surpassed all my expectations.
I hope we get more from this world because the rest of the band members are just as intriguing as our drummer hero, and the heroine's bestie and boss each won pieces of my heart.
Now, go read this book and just try to tell me Presley West doesn't make your nips tingle. I dare you.
September 15, 2019
Epic doesn’t even cover how I feel about Cherry Beats.
It is a beautiful yet ugly story of love, life, and rock n roll.
Vicki James has written a story that will stay with me as one of the greats. Great writing, great characters, great setting.
Now, is it too much to ask for an extended epilogue?
It is a beautiful yet ugly story of love, life, and rock n roll.
Vicki James has written a story that will stay with me as one of the greats. Great writing, great characters, great setting.
Now, is it too much to ask for an extended epilogue?
August 29, 2019
✰Cherry Beats✰
Rock star romance
★🍒★🍒★
The waft of alcohol mixed with tobacco topped off with his aftershave sent me dizzy.
Presley leaned forward, correcting his footing quickly before he looked up at me through devilish eyes.
“Presley?”
“Hey, Cherry.” He smiled lazily, his body swaying.
“H-hey.”
My eyes fell to the now infamous leather jacket hanging from his shoulders, and I shuffled nervously on my feet, tugging on my loose T-shirt. Presley’s eyes fell to my midriff, slowly creeping down my exposed legs before they trailed all the way back up my body, fixing firmly on my chest.
I wasn’t even wearing a bra and I had one of the hottest, most wanted men on the planet in front of me, looking like he wanted to eat me alive.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I quickly crossed my legs and my arms.
He swayed again and reached up to grip the doorframe, leaning closer. “Hoping I can come in. Can I?”
There was power in those eyes of his—in that self-assured smile, too.
I wanted to ask him why he’d possibly want to be in my apartment, or at least pretend to show some restraint or have some self-respect, but he knew me better than that.
“Yeah, okay.” I swallowed and stepped to one side, holding the door open for him.
I suddenly felt like I lived in a mouse hole and I was trying to house a giant. Everything I’d worked hard for now seemed small and insignificant with Presley West inside it.
Which, of course, was ridiculous considering the places he’d already been inside of...
Me.
#RockStarRomance #September16th2019
#VickiJames©️
Join my reader group for updates → https://www.facebook.com/groups/16128...
Rock star romance
★🍒★🍒★
The waft of alcohol mixed with tobacco topped off with his aftershave sent me dizzy.
Presley leaned forward, correcting his footing quickly before he looked up at me through devilish eyes.
“Presley?”
“Hey, Cherry.” He smiled lazily, his body swaying.
“H-hey.”
My eyes fell to the now infamous leather jacket hanging from his shoulders, and I shuffled nervously on my feet, tugging on my loose T-shirt. Presley’s eyes fell to my midriff, slowly creeping down my exposed legs before they trailed all the way back up my body, fixing firmly on my chest.
I wasn’t even wearing a bra and I had one of the hottest, most wanted men on the planet in front of me, looking like he wanted to eat me alive.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I quickly crossed my legs and my arms.
He swayed again and reached up to grip the doorframe, leaning closer. “Hoping I can come in. Can I?”
There was power in those eyes of his—in that self-assured smile, too.
I wanted to ask him why he’d possibly want to be in my apartment, or at least pretend to show some restraint or have some self-respect, but he knew me better than that.
“Yeah, okay.” I swallowed and stepped to one side, holding the door open for him.
I suddenly felt like I lived in a mouse hole and I was trying to house a giant. Everything I’d worked hard for now seemed small and insignificant with Presley West inside it.
Which, of course, was ridiculous considering the places he’d already been inside of...
Me.
#RockStarRomance #September16th2019
#VickiJames©️
Join my reader group for updates → https://www.facebook.com/groups/16128...
September 18, 2019
Move over Kellen Kyle, theres a new rock star in town and he's called Presley West!!! Hold on to your underwear ladies because this guy is smouldering hot, dreamy and just a little bit cocky - he's everything you need in a true Rock God!!!
This book pulls you on from the first word and before you know it you are screaming at your Kindle because you just read the two words that every reader dreads - THE END (or maybe thats just me). Tessa, or Cherry as Presley cheekily calls her, is fiery like her red hair, sassy and completely lovable too. She's just perfect for Presley and their chemistry in this book is off the scale! I also loved the guys from the band Youth Gone Wild, only now I really need to know more about then, these guys need their own books!!
I've really struggled to come up with the words that best describe this book, but only one comes to mind - EPIC!! Just totally epic, one of my top reads of this year. My advice to a new reader - download the equally epic sountrack, put your headphones on, block out the world and get lost in Cherry Beats!!! You won't regret it for a second!!
This book pulls you on from the first word and before you know it you are screaming at your Kindle because you just read the two words that every reader dreads - THE END (or maybe thats just me). Tessa, or Cherry as Presley cheekily calls her, is fiery like her red hair, sassy and completely lovable too. She's just perfect for Presley and their chemistry in this book is off the scale! I also loved the guys from the band Youth Gone Wild, only now I really need to know more about then, these guys need their own books!!
I've really struggled to come up with the words that best describe this book, but only one comes to mind - EPIC!! Just totally epic, one of my top reads of this year. My advice to a new reader - download the equally epic sountrack, put your headphones on, block out the world and get lost in Cherry Beats!!! You won't regret it for a second!!
September 1, 2019
Cherry Beats is an awesome novel that is full of love and excitement.
The authors writing style was flawless and draws you in.
The authors writing style was flawless and draws you in.
September 17, 2019
**Spoilers in the review**
I’ve never been good at reviewing books, because it’s hard to put down on paper what I feel after reading, but a book this fantastic deserves everything I can give.
I started reading Cherry Beats late at night, 3 hours later, it was 2am and I had devoured every.single.word. I fell hook, line and sinker into Tessa and Presley’s story, and I couldn’t put it down.
When people say ‘this isn’t your typical Rockstar romance’ they’re absolutely right – it’s on its own level. It pulls you in from the first time that Tessa lays eyes on Presley, and runs away with you. It’s an epic love story from start to finish, through the trials and tribulations that is the modern rock world. You can’t help but root for ‘Tessley’ as the pair have been dubbed by Vicki’s fans (including myself, I adore these two!)
I have to admit, reading the introduction of Tessa, I found myself backing her more and more. Sarcastic, snarky, quick witted, and full of love for those who mean the most to her, someone relatable. The chemistry was there between her and Presley from the beginning, from the times that he took his dates to the pub where Tessa worked, to the night he shows up out of the blue to her flat 3 years later
What follows is a story that sticks with you, it stays in your mind every minute of every day. Presley is a slightly flawed young man, but as the story goes on, you can’t help but feel sorry for him, with everything he’s been through. As Tessa joins him on the tour, I found myself loving his band mates too (I have no idea if it’s in the plans, but I’d love to see Rhett knocked off his ass by a woman with a similar calibre to Tessa – hint hint 😉).
There are bumps and roadblocks in every relationship, but the way Presley quietly fought for Tessa had me rooting for him all the way. From sending her his jacket, and the letters he wrote, I fell HARD for the blonde haired drummer *insert heart eyes here*. It was also refreshing to have Tessa’s closest friends, Bourbon and Molly, rooting for him too.
And then, Trifest. I had a feeling that something big was going to happen – and it did. Presley called out to Tessa in the form of her favourite artist – only Bryan Adams! (I think I may have squealed a little when I read that bit xD)
The story of Tessa and Presley is so captivating, that you can forget about doing anything from the moment you start reading. It pulls you in and locks you tight to each and every word. It’s an epic story, one I adored from start to finish. I cannot WAIT to see what Vicki has next for us.
One thing for sure? It’s going to be just as sublime as Cherry Beats <3
No regrets
Not a single one
I’ve never been good at reviewing books, because it’s hard to put down on paper what I feel after reading, but a book this fantastic deserves everything I can give.
I started reading Cherry Beats late at night, 3 hours later, it was 2am and I had devoured every.single.word. I fell hook, line and sinker into Tessa and Presley’s story, and I couldn’t put it down.
When people say ‘this isn’t your typical Rockstar romance’ they’re absolutely right – it’s on its own level. It pulls you in from the first time that Tessa lays eyes on Presley, and runs away with you. It’s an epic love story from start to finish, through the trials and tribulations that is the modern rock world. You can’t help but root for ‘Tessley’ as the pair have been dubbed by Vicki’s fans (including myself, I adore these two!)
I have to admit, reading the introduction of Tessa, I found myself backing her more and more. Sarcastic, snarky, quick witted, and full of love for those who mean the most to her, someone relatable. The chemistry was there between her and Presley from the beginning, from the times that he took his dates to the pub where Tessa worked, to the night he shows up out of the blue to her flat 3 years later
What follows is a story that sticks with you, it stays in your mind every minute of every day. Presley is a slightly flawed young man, but as the story goes on, you can’t help but feel sorry for him, with everything he’s been through. As Tessa joins him on the tour, I found myself loving his band mates too (I have no idea if it’s in the plans, but I’d love to see Rhett knocked off his ass by a woman with a similar calibre to Tessa – hint hint 😉).
There are bumps and roadblocks in every relationship, but the way Presley quietly fought for Tessa had me rooting for him all the way. From sending her his jacket, and the letters he wrote, I fell HARD for the blonde haired drummer *insert heart eyes here*. It was also refreshing to have Tessa’s closest friends, Bourbon and Molly, rooting for him too.
And then, Trifest. I had a feeling that something big was going to happen – and it did. Presley called out to Tessa in the form of her favourite artist – only Bryan Adams! (I think I may have squealed a little when I read that bit xD)
The story of Tessa and Presley is so captivating, that you can forget about doing anything from the moment you start reading. It pulls you in and locks you tight to each and every word. It’s an epic story, one I adored from start to finish. I cannot WAIT to see what Vicki has next for us.
One thing for sure? It’s going to be just as sublime as Cherry Beats <3
No regrets
Not a single one
September 16, 2019
"Cherry Beats is the rock star romance we have been searching for to satisfy our need for the real world of rock music." 𝟱🌟 - TotallyBooked Blog.
🍒🥁 PRESLEY & TESSA ARE LIVE! 🍒🥁
#FREE within #KindleUnlimited too.
“Why?” I croaked, almost inaudibly, scrunching my face. “Why me?”
He rested his elbows on his knees, his body relaxed but tense at the same time. “I hate it when chicks ask that question. ‘Why me?’” he mimicked. “You’re gorgeous. You’re individual. You’re brave and different. You’re your own voice in a world drowning in clones. You’re funny as shit. Why the fuck not you?”
“That’s not what I meant. I wasn’t looking for validation.”
“Yes, you were.”
“None of this…” makes sense, I wanted to finish. But it did make sense. There was some unspoken spark that lingered between us. I blew out a breath and tilted my head to one side. “Fine. What do you want from me?”
“Just you. Nothing else.”
“Another night together, is that it?”
“I’d take more if I could.”
“But you can’t. World tour coming up. No girlfriends allowed.”
“That, and the woman I adore is scared shitless of more, and I hate the way she looks at me like she’s desperate to run when all I ever really want is for her to stay.”
This is a rock star romance with a difference, and Presley West is waiting to ruin you. 🍒🥁
BLURB:
Bon Jovi.
Bryan Adams.
Presley West.
My favourite men of music.
Only one of them within reach.
The night before Presley West was due to leave our small town of Hollings Hill, all of my high school fantasies came to life. He finally wanted me. Eight years I’d spent pining, and now I, bar-tending Tessa Lisbon, was going to make damn sure I made that night count before the music industry stole him.
Never screw your idols. That’s what they say, right? Well, I did, and I did it well. So well, I somehow managed to screw my own heart in the process.
He gave me one night to convince him to stay. In the end, I begged him to go.
Forever.
But that’s the thing about rock stars: they do what they want, when they want, and forever didn’t end up being as long as I expected.
Presley was back, and with his face, voice, and music now everywhere I turned, I officially had nowhere left to run.
🍒🥁 PRESLEY & TESSA ARE LIVE! 🍒🥁
#FREE within #KindleUnlimited too.
“Why?” I croaked, almost inaudibly, scrunching my face. “Why me?”
He rested his elbows on his knees, his body relaxed but tense at the same time. “I hate it when chicks ask that question. ‘Why me?’” he mimicked. “You’re gorgeous. You’re individual. You’re brave and different. You’re your own voice in a world drowning in clones. You’re funny as shit. Why the fuck not you?”
“That’s not what I meant. I wasn’t looking for validation.”
“Yes, you were.”
“None of this…” makes sense, I wanted to finish. But it did make sense. There was some unspoken spark that lingered between us. I blew out a breath and tilted my head to one side. “Fine. What do you want from me?”
“Just you. Nothing else.”
“Another night together, is that it?”
“I’d take more if I could.”
“But you can’t. World tour coming up. No girlfriends allowed.”
“That, and the woman I adore is scared shitless of more, and I hate the way she looks at me like she’s desperate to run when all I ever really want is for her to stay.”
This is a rock star romance with a difference, and Presley West is waiting to ruin you. 🍒🥁
BLURB:
Bon Jovi.
Bryan Adams.
Presley West.
My favourite men of music.
Only one of them within reach.
The night before Presley West was due to leave our small town of Hollings Hill, all of my high school fantasies came to life. He finally wanted me. Eight years I’d spent pining, and now I, bar-tending Tessa Lisbon, was going to make damn sure I made that night count before the music industry stole him.
Never screw your idols. That’s what they say, right? Well, I did, and I did it well. So well, I somehow managed to screw my own heart in the process.
He gave me one night to convince him to stay. In the end, I begged him to go.
Forever.
But that’s the thing about rock stars: they do what they want, when they want, and forever didn’t end up being as long as I expected.
Presley was back, and with his face, voice, and music now everywhere I turned, I officially had nowhere left to run.
August 30, 2019
I was lucky enough to receive this amazing book as an arc.
Now I have to live the rest of my life as a puddle on the floor , because this book melted me .
I know this book took a couple of years in the making , but God did those couple of years mold this story into perfection.
Presley & Tessa's ( his Cherry ) story will warm even the coldest of hearts .
Presley & Tessa's timing was never right . Their want & need for each other never voiced . Then comes their one night .
Three years later & Presley has well & truly hit the big time , but he needs solice, he needs Tessa. Tessa has to battle with the life he has lead for the last 3 years, & the life he leads now . Truth & honesty is the only way to a hea .
This is a must read
Now I have to live the rest of my life as a puddle on the floor , because this book melted me .
I know this book took a couple of years in the making , but God did those couple of years mold this story into perfection.
Presley & Tessa's ( his Cherry ) story will warm even the coldest of hearts .
Presley & Tessa's timing was never right . Their want & need for each other never voiced . Then comes their one night .
Three years later & Presley has well & truly hit the big time , but he needs solice, he needs Tessa. Tessa has to battle with the life he has lead for the last 3 years, & the life he leads now . Truth & honesty is the only way to a hea .
This is a must read
September 3, 2019
Every time I start a book and think I can’t wait to fall into this world, discover these characters find out there story! Cherry beats had me desperate for every page, every word and every chapter till that very last letter.
This a story that reached in and poured my soul out into its pages. A creative masterpiece that Vicki James some how weaves in a way much like drugs your addicted and completely under a spell before you even realise what’s happening.
I cried hard! I felt desperation down to my bones! But boy did I love Presley and Cherry story!
Now to convince Vicki James how much we need the rest of those Youth Gone Wild Boys books!
This a story that reached in and poured my soul out into its pages. A creative masterpiece that Vicki James some how weaves in a way much like drugs your addicted and completely under a spell before you even realise what’s happening.
I cried hard! I felt desperation down to my bones! But boy did I love Presley and Cherry story!
Now to convince Vicki James how much we need the rest of those Youth Gone Wild Boys books!
September 10, 2019
This book is like a rhythm, one slow beat after another until the rising tempo or was that my heart?.
Amazing! CHERRY BEATS is the first debut book by Author Vicki James, also known as Victoria L James, author of A GIRL LIKE LILAC and NATEXUS among others and just like those books this author rocked it out of the arena, name change but same great memorable stories.
A journey, a story about the rise to fame and stardom of a rock-star and all the glory, the temptations and the nasty that comes along with it, and a love story that would survive it all.
A school crush that became so much more, A rock star crush that was always so much more. A one night stand that was never meant to be just one night.
Tessa Lisbon has been in love with 15 year old Presley since she first saw him take the school stage with his drum sticks in the air. "I saw how music could be a part of someones soul. The quiet boy who'd stared at the floor like he didn't care had gone with the first hit of his stick on the snare drum. He'd been transformed into a rock god before my eyes"
Eight years later and Tess worked at a bar, every night she watched Presley from afar, different night, different girl hanging off him, until just before he was due to go on his first tour, a tour that would change his life forever, Tess finally got her piece of the man of her dreams, the boy she had longed for, for so long from a distance.
Presley didn't just become a rock-star when he left, he became magazines hottest man of the year and Tess was left with the memories of their one night together, a night no other could compare to, Presley ruined her for any other man.
"He was everywhere on my skin, in my mind, in my veins, in every song, I'd ever sung"
"No Regrets"
There's a steady paced tempo to Cherry Beats and from the first chord of this addictive romance I was mesmerised. I clung to every word and action by these characters. From the moment Presley West stood on his high school stage and claimed the heart of Tessa Lisbon and through the years that followed.
"We were only ever meant to be a one night thing" I whispered.
"Isn't that how all best love stories start"
A story that is raw and real, with hotness and humor. At times I held on with bated breath waiting for that crashing symbol to fall but it never came, Presley became my idol in those moments. There's no cheating thank god, I think this what I was dreading more than anything especially with his lifestyle as a rock-star, this was the crashing symbol I was waiting for, Tessa had truly captured my heart she was quirky, sassy and I wanted it all for her, I wanted her to get her dream too, which was only ever about the boy behind the drums.
I can honestly look back after finishing and say, this is an epic love story, recommended for any music fan, romance fan, those who gush over first loves, second chances and stories of hopes and dreams, Cherry Beats has it all.
Cherry Beats is a top of the charts hit. Told in first person pov. Leads to hea. I want more, more from the band, I am definitely looking forward to whatever Vicki James brings next.
http://mybook.to/cherrybeats
Amazing! CHERRY BEATS is the first debut book by Author Vicki James, also known as Victoria L James, author of A GIRL LIKE LILAC and NATEXUS among others and just like those books this author rocked it out of the arena, name change but same great memorable stories.
A journey, a story about the rise to fame and stardom of a rock-star and all the glory, the temptations and the nasty that comes along with it, and a love story that would survive it all.
A school crush that became so much more, A rock star crush that was always so much more. A one night stand that was never meant to be just one night.
Tessa Lisbon has been in love with 15 year old Presley since she first saw him take the school stage with his drum sticks in the air. "I saw how music could be a part of someones soul. The quiet boy who'd stared at the floor like he didn't care had gone with the first hit of his stick on the snare drum. He'd been transformed into a rock god before my eyes"
Eight years later and Tess worked at a bar, every night she watched Presley from afar, different night, different girl hanging off him, until just before he was due to go on his first tour, a tour that would change his life forever, Tess finally got her piece of the man of her dreams, the boy she had longed for, for so long from a distance.
Presley didn't just become a rock-star when he left, he became magazines hottest man of the year and Tess was left with the memories of their one night together, a night no other could compare to, Presley ruined her for any other man.
"He was everywhere on my skin, in my mind, in my veins, in every song, I'd ever sung"
"No Regrets"
There's a steady paced tempo to Cherry Beats and from the first chord of this addictive romance I was mesmerised. I clung to every word and action by these characters. From the moment Presley West stood on his high school stage and claimed the heart of Tessa Lisbon and through the years that followed.
"We were only ever meant to be a one night thing" I whispered.
"Isn't that how all best love stories start"
A story that is raw and real, with hotness and humor. At times I held on with bated breath waiting for that crashing symbol to fall but it never came, Presley became my idol in those moments. There's no cheating thank god, I think this what I was dreading more than anything especially with his lifestyle as a rock-star, this was the crashing symbol I was waiting for, Tessa had truly captured my heart she was quirky, sassy and I wanted it all for her, I wanted her to get her dream too, which was only ever about the boy behind the drums.
I can honestly look back after finishing and say, this is an epic love story, recommended for any music fan, romance fan, those who gush over first loves, second chances and stories of hopes and dreams, Cherry Beats has it all.
Cherry Beats is a top of the charts hit. Told in first person pov. Leads to hea. I want more, more from the band, I am definitely looking forward to whatever Vicki James brings next.
http://mybook.to/cherrybeats
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