ROCK AND ROLL NEVER FORGETS by BARBARA S STEWART

Jenny:  Well, how unprepared were we for what this book would bring!  I’m sitting here staring into space, looking at this page and wondering how I can put into words just how beautiful, moving, heartbreaking, heart-lifting and …….well, words really do fail me in expressing the depth of emotions I experienced reading Rock and Roll Never Forgets and the way I’m feeling after finishing it.  I closed this book and felt bereft that it was over. There is no other word for it. The synopsis doesn’t even begin to cover what you will take away from Rock and Roll Never Forgets.

“He had a hold of my heart and I prayed he’d never let go….”

I sobbed through it and tears are streaming down my face now thinking back on it.  My heart literally hurts and I will remember this book for a long time to come.

“How could something as simple as his touch wreck me so?”

The story of Andy and Beth (Bethy) is one of the most powerfully moving love stories I’ve read in a long time.

“They were soul mates. They finished each other’s sentences, laughed, cried joked and shared. It was truly one of the most beautiful experiences of my career”

These two awe-inspiring soul mates who were destined to be together, who lived very different lives and shared a once in a lifetime love, will steal a piece of your heart. I was with them from their first glance, their first kiss, the first time they made love, the first time they hurt, the first laugh, the first heartbreak and everything in between. 

“You crawled into my soul and became a part of me.”

The story is so intricately woven taking you through the lives of Andy, Beth and their family and friends, each having their input through varying viewpoints.  The words were a caress, and so beautifully written in interview/journal form tracking the lives of these lovers throughout the years that you felt as if you had a front-row seat for every moment.

Theirs isn’t an easy road.  They made mistakes and they paid. Every heartbreak , every tear, every moment of pain and every bit of tenderness, love and happiness will move you. Every second of it.

“She knew this relationship would change all their lives forever.”

I know I don’t really need to ask this Gitte because we really did sob our hearts out on the phone over this book but how did you feel about Rock and Roll Never Forgets?

Gitte: Well, you know how I feel Jenny, I cried so much I couldn’t speak down the phone to you for two hours and now days later, I still can’t stop crying when I think of Andy and Beth’s story. I don’t even know how to review it. My words are not adequate to fully do this story justice. I can throw loads of words at you like: Beautiful, Epic Journey, Heart-wrenching emotion, Intense pain and love,  what soul mates truly look like and it wouldn’t be enough. I want to give this Author a standing ovation. And if you’re going to pick up one book this month, please make it this one! End of!!!

Jenny: Their meeting backstage that night in 1978 was to change both their lives and the lives of those around them.  Andy had never really had a serious relationship before Beth, living the rockstar lifestyle.  He was the lead singer and songwriter for the band Traveler and Beth’s idol. Beth, the naïve, quiet, girl who shone like a beacon and quite literally stole Andy’s heart that night. They both felt something upon meeting.

“She was young, cute, protected, and very elusive. Who was she? What was it about her that made a ‘Rock God’ choose her as his partner”

Theirs was a connection so strong they had no chance but to test it and see where it would take them.

“I’m just a girl,” Beth laughed, “nothing special.”
“Oh, but you are.”

This was no insta love. Their love flourished through time and because of this you witness and feel every aching, intense piece of their love, loss, trials and tribulations. There were a couple of instances where I became a little frustrated with the pair of them over their inability to communicate, however, that this was very minor and in NO way took anything away from what I felt for them and their story.

“Her laugh lit up everything and everyone around her.”

Life is full of “coulda, should, woulda” as Beth would say.  The message in this book is one to take with you. It’s about grabbing life with both hands, taking that leap, never questioning anything and ultimately, doing what makes you happy.  It’s about finding that one person, that true soul mate, that love of your life and doing anything in your power to make that work.  Taking the good with the bad, working through the love and the pain and living each minute so you never have regrets.

Such an astoundingly touching and moving story where EVERY character plays such a pivotal role in the lives of Andy and Bethy. This one moved me to my core.  This is part of a trilogy but for us, this can also be a standalone though we are both desperately wanting to read more in this series.

This book throws the adage that “sex sells” right out the window.  Details were not necessary and not missed in this book because the emotion elicited from the connection between this couple was all that was required for you to feel, really ‘feel‘ those scenes between Andy and Bethy .  Andy and Bethy’s story is one you won’t want to miss. We took so much away from this book didn’t we Gitte?

Gitte: I think everything that can be said you’ve said Jenny. You and I totally felt every word this Author wrote, and the journey was so incredibly overwhelming and emotionally draining, I can’t stress enough how much I want everyone to read it and just experience the raw naked emotion of Andy and Beth’s story.  And yes, the messages are truly poignant….truly beautiful…..beyond words!