LICK (Stage Dive #1) by KYLIE SCOTT

enny:  First thing I have to say is…I bloody loved this book Gitte!  I didn’t come up for air until I finished and I really can’t stop gushing about Lick! It encapsulated everything I love about reading… Escaping. Immersing. Enjoying. Relishing. Loving.

Evelyn and David’s story was told with humour, emotion, passion, heat (holy hell, was there heat – still fanning self here!), lots of fun and a whole lot of feeling. It really did have it all. Add hot rock star David Ferris into the mix, not to mention a heroine who is so real and wonderful, who never once grated on my nerves, and well…is it any wonder Lick was an absolute winner for me.  What about you Gitte?

Gitte: Oh did I ever Jenny….I LOVED this book!!! I read it in one sitting and was loathed to put it down for the interruption of real life.  It was fan-bloody-tastic. It was different, completely real and believable as well as passionate and emotional. It was intense and intriguing too. Hmmm I don’t think I have enough words….I’ve run out.  So I’ll just say it’s a must buy and read NOW kind of book! You will NOT regret adding this one to your tbr…..

Jenny: You’re spot on there Gitte!  There really aren’t enough words to describe how much we both loved this one! So, you’re in Vegas with your bestie, only to wake up the next morning with a rock the size of Texas on your finger,  and discover you’re now married to one of rocks hottest properties.

“Ev?”
“Did you somehow happen to get married while we were away?”

What do you do when you’re suddenly thrust into the limelight and every part of your life is up for public scrutiny and to make matters worse, you have no recollection of how you got there or what exactly went on the night before? Even more confusing is the realisation that your husband may remember everything. Well, that’s the premise of this story but to put it as simply as that would be doing Lick an injustice because this book was so much more!

What would you do?  Well, to Evelyn the first thought is annulment and together Ev and David set out to do just that.  However, somewhere along the way they feel a connection and surmise that maybe, just maybe, they could make something of this marriage and both decide to give it a shot. But being together isn’t going to be easy.  Can two virtual strangers learn about each other’s needs, wants and insecurities, test each others resolve and make a marriage work?

“You don’t want me to lie and say everything’s always fucking unicorns and rainbows, do you?”

It certainly does make for some entertaining, interesting, engaging and emotional reading.  Not to mention the freaking heat factor was off the charts. Ev and David certainly hit it up a notch in the sexual chemistry stakes and they had passion by the truckload! These two may just be my new favourite rock star couple! I adored them both!  What about you Gitte? Did you just adore these two?

Gitte: I seriously loved how this story started and how it played out. It was so unique, the whole concept, the setting and how it was written. It was brilliant, the characters were so well written too and Evelyn is one of those rare heroines that I loved and connected with so much. At no point did she annoy me, frustrate me or ‘pee’ me off. I thought she was funny, sweet and her emotions and reactions were so real.

The lifestyle she’s thrown into is so far removed from anything she knows so to see her character develop and grow after that one drunken crazy night in Vegas made for addictive reading. Oh and how many of us would love this dilemma…do you stay married to a gorgous talented and famous rock star or not despite him being a virtual stranger? Well Ev’s best mate Lauren has a very strong opinion as one of the bands biggest fans:

“Whatever happens, do not break up the band!!!”

I was confused and right there with Evelyn, thinking ‘what the….. ?‘ I think I would’ve stayed though…I mean wow David, hmmm yeah maybe I’d have been a bit sceptical too if I had no memory whatsoever of my wedding day and night. But no doubt, new book boyfriend alert indeed!! YES, Ev and David are on top of that rock star pedestal right now as #1 no question. Loved them.

“Let me get this straight, you don’t remember anything?” – David

“No….What did we do last night?” – Evelyn

“We got fucking married.” David

David married Ev fully aware of what was happening. I loved the emotion of the commitment and his feelings from that one night in Vegas. This guy is a Rock God and all the stereotypical things that go hand in hand with this status. Yet underneath, there’s that appealing vulnerability and uncertainty that just pulls at your heart. Our Ev saw that and the fact that she is a rational down to earth, no nonsense girl, she sees and understands him and calls a spade a spade. So refreshingly addictive I just loved their relationship and how they had that one night and worked to make it real and mean something….something they would both remember!

“No he said….It’s not fair that I remember and you don’t Evelyn.” – David

“I’d hate you for forgetting all this when it’s meant everything to me.” – Ev

Evelyn is drawn to David…the man not the rock star. She’s not overly interested or impressed with the fame and the crazy world that leaves her feeling slightly insecure and helpless.

“I hated him and I loved him. There didn’t seem to be any difference.” – Ev

It’s the insanely strong connection and attraction to David that this ‘normal’ girl can’t get over.

“You asked me this morning in the car if I thought you were scary. The answer is yes. You scare me shitless. I don’t know what I’m doing here. But I hate the thought of leaving you.” – Ev

This story had everything. It made me laugh, sigh with the sweet and passionate romance and oh so many tender moments. My emotions were all over the place throughout this crazy addictive journey! Love this book….Love this Author!!

“We’ll both screw up, Ev. That’s a given. We just gotta be patient with each other.” – David

“What I am is the luckiest fucking girl in the world.” – Ev

Jenny:  Practically every character in this book endeared themselves to me in some way and I can’t wait to hear more about the secondary characters in future books, but let me tell you about David Ferris.  David Ferris…..sigh……he’s most definitely been added to the book boyfriend shelf….front and centre at that!

“There wasn’t enough room in me for all the feelings he inspired.”

This guy was the whole package. Yeah sure, he’s the famous, hot as hell, tattooed guitarist/songwriter for Stage Dive but there was so much more to him.  David, the man was warm, passionate, sensitive, admitted his faults and well, I just loved him! David wasn’t just hot, this man had substance. He may have had issues, trust being a big one, but he owned them and he dealt with them.

“Do you trust me?”
“I’m getting there Ev. Just…..give me time.”

To David, Ev is a like balm to his soul. She is never afraid to speak her mind, says it like it is, wears her heart on her sleeve and lets David know exactly where she’s at and to David ,this woman is a revelation.

“Yes”. He said simply. “I like you the way you are, blurting out whatever shit crosses your mind. Not trying to play me, or use me. You’re just…..being with me…….”

Evelyn has issues she has carried from her past and to me David felt like her missing piece.  As if they were two pieces that, together, made a whole. I loved their barbs, I loved how Evelyn was never intimidated by David or his status and I loved how, despite their differences and the situation they found themselves in, they were able to give each other strength.

Ev was tenacious and I loved her spirit, heart and wit. Everything about her was so normal, so real and I absolutely adored her.

“My eyes, my mouth, breasts: he couldn’t seem to decide what fascinated him the most.”

This book stole my heart.  The actions and reactions of the characters felt natural, they never felt forced, and the way the author delivered this story was so refreshing. Yes, I completely devoured every word.

“Can you feel what we’re doing here? We’re building something.”

Kylie Scott didn’t just tell me a story.  She put me IN the story and that’s just about the best experience any passionate reader can have!   Lick was everything I could have hoped for and more. It had it all. Romance, drama, angst, humour, emotion and….in case I didn’t mention….HEAT 😉  Cancel all plans and order takeaway, because I’ll tell you now, once you start Lick, you won’t be able to put it down!  I know I couldn’t! I loved it. I need more!!!