Rock Chick Reborn by Kristen Ashley
Series: Rock Chick #9
Also in this series: Rock Chick Series, Rock Chick Rescue, Rock Chick Redemption, Rock Chick Renegade, Rock Chick Revenge, Rock Chick Reckoning, Rock Chick Regret, Rock Chick Revolution, Rock Chick, Rock Chick Reawakening, Loose Ends
Published by Self-published on April 2, 2018
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 180
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As a Rock Chick, Shirleen Jackson lived through all the kidnappings and explosions. Along the way, she also watched the dramatic love stories that came with those rides unfold.
But long ago, Shirleen made her choice. It affected who she was and would always be. She decided to settle for what she had and not want more. She had good friends. She was raising two fine young men who weren’t hers, but she loved them anyway.
She was good.
And then Moses Richardson crashed into her life, literally…and deliberately.
Moses has different ideas about Shirleen. He’s more interested in the Shirleen of now, mostly because she’s interesting. And funny. And loyal. Smart. Beautiful.
But Moses has a big challenge on his hands.
He has to convince Shirleen of all that.
And then convince her she deserves to have more.
This book may be unsuitable for people under 17 years of age due to its use of sexual content, drug and alcohol use, and/or violence.
If there is one author guaranteed to get the three of us to drop everything and read a new release, it’s Kristen Ashley. This is exactly what happened when KA herself gave us all a surprise present for her birthday, Rock Chick Reborn…Shirleen’s story!
Since this published during the work week, reading it together posed some challenges beyond our normal one of time zones. Mainly that Sparkles’ and Lily had to actually work. Me, being the totally understanding person I am, waited on them…just kidding. I sent them this and went on reading.
Fitting right?
Lily was planning on consoling herself at work by channeling her inner Shirleen and reaching for the post-it notes and highlighters, although she was a bit chagrined there would be zero chance of a Hot Bunch guy to show up at her office. I was urging Sparkles’ to use her ninja skills to get in some sneaky reading, but I don’t think she was able to pull that off. Probably because everyone she works with has similar skills as hers.
One of the things that can have us laughing in our buddy reads is that being from three different countries, sometimes we have to clarify what something is. I think it’s absolutely hilarious that the first in-depth conversation Rock Chick Reborn started was about tampons, in particular, what OBS’ are, what kinds of tampons are available in our locales, and whether our guys would buy them for us. Yep, hilarious and oddly informative all at the same time.
We were all were shocked at how the strong, wise Shirleen who gave out such great wisdom and more than a few laughs to her Rock Chicks was so conflicted inside. Her past weighed heavy on her, especially the guilt. A particular conversation with Darius broke all of our hearts but it also highlighted the tight bond between them, which soothed the pain just a bit.
Lily especially loved how even though they were both in their fifties, neither Shirleen nor Moses were depicted as old even though it was conveyed they weren’t exactly spring chickens anymore. Lily declared it “Smooth Cool!”
We all adored Moses. In fact, I don’t think any of us could imagine a more perfect man for our beloved Shirleen. He completely got her, understood her issues, and most importantly saw the woman who she was now and wanted some of that in a big way. We agreed that only a badass who could stand up to the Hot Bunch would be worthy of Shirleen and he definitely delivered.
This wasn’t just a love story about Shirleen and Moses though. Rock Chick Reborn showcased the love and respect the Hot Bunch had for Shirleen. They wanted her to have the HEA she deserved and worked hard to make sure it happened. But, my absolute favorite part of the story (as well as Sparkles’) was the love between Shirleen, Roam, and Sniff. It quickly became apparent that Roam and Sniff loved her and that she, in turn, would do anything for them. I think all of us may have gotten a little teary eyed at all the goodness to be found in that particular part of the story.
Rock Chick Reborn was exactly the Happily Ever After Story we wanted for Shirleen. It was heartwarming, sexy, gave us glimpses of some of our favorites from the series and was chock full of the KA old school goodness that we all adore. We have our fingers crossed and hearts full of hope that there is more to come especially since we are jonesing for a story about Roam. Pretty Please…with sugar on top!
Rating: 4.5 Best Birthday Present Ever! Stars
Spice’s Review: View Spoiler »A surprise Rock Chick story! Kristen Ashley celebrates her birthday in all the best ways! I had a full day planned when I got up this morning. But then Lily saw that KA had given us the best gift ever for her birthday—Shirleen’s story! So all my plans for the day went out the window and I settled in and started reading. Best decision I made all day. Rock Chick Reborn was exactly the story Shirleen deserved. It was full of emotions, had a badass hero fully capable of taking Shirleen on in all the best ways, and had all my favorite RC characters.
I have always loved Shirleen. Yes, at one time she was on the wrong side of the law but she redeemed herself and then some after she walked away from all that. She was the badass den mother to the Rock Chicks, dispensing her brand of street wise wisdom along with lots of laughter and some tough love. She was such a strong support during the other girls stories, it was easy to forget she was more than a little broken. It hurt my heart to think that such a strong character, one who had helped so many, harbored such pain inside.
I can’t think of a more perfect hero for Shirleen than Moses. Shirleen deserved an alpha badass with a heart just as big as her was and boy did Ms. Ashley deliver. He saw past her history and straight through to her heart and instantly knew he’d found a treasure. He was also man enough to not be intimidated by the Hot Bunch. Best of all, he was his own brand of hot and sexy, and had the skills to keep Shirleen very happy in the future.
As much as I loved seeing the Hot Bunch and how they came through for Shirleen, my favorite was the time spent with Roam and Sniff. They have thrived under Shirleen’s care, growing into the loving, caring, alpha males we all knew they had the potential to be. I hope we get their stories someday, especially Roam’s.
I loved this little birthday surprise. No, it didn’t have the kidnappings and explosions I usually require, but it didn’t need them. The love and emotion that came through as the people who loved Shirleen made sure she got the happily ever after she deserved were all that was needed.
Rating: 5 Exactly What I Hoped For Stars « Hide Spoiler
Lily’s Review: View Spoiler »OMG, I dropped what I was reading for the opportunity to read a new Rock Chick book. Another busy week meant my reading time was sparse, so this was the only book I have read in the last week. I’m thanking my lucky stars Rock Chick Reborn is a book you can read at leisure. It was never left on edge, rather I easily slipped back into the story each time a free moment to read appeared.
The Rock Chick being reborn is Shirleen, a lady who has experienced and lived two starkly different lives. Firstly Shirleen endured a hard life including being part of Denver’s criminal underworld, and secondly that of a foster mother changing two wayward boys world. The latter made my heart melt. No matter what side of the law Shirleen was working around, romance wasn’t in abounds.
That was until a shopping trolley incident brings Shirleen in contact with a mighty fine looking man by the name of Moses. After a bit of metaphorical dancing about, Moses gets to take Shirleen out on a date. They take it slow because that’s what Shirleen needs. Their journey from strangers to lovers ends up being a beautiful and mature approach to hooking up! There were a few stumbles and slip ups providing some funny awkward moments.
What I adored most of all was the well balanced telling of a mature age romance between 50+ year olds. The scenarios involving family were precious and showed love is present in various ways. A second opportunity to find love was cautiously embraced as they moved past the heartbreak they had both endured earlier on in life.
My only struggle was the abrupt ending. The epilogue was wonderful as usual but I was initially confused at the revelation implied. I am hoping it is a teaser for a new book because I am laying it out there that you can’t leave me with an inference to a new relationship and not intend on giving me the back story I believe could have added a fantastic dimension to this story.
Rock Chick fans will love Shirleen’s summary of the past, her reference to the author of the series and seeing an out there confident character being humbly vulnerable. I adored each and every moment I spent being back with the Rock Chicks and keeping my fingers crossed for a Rock Chick spin off story soon!
Rating: 4 Rock On Stars « Hide Spoiler
Sparkles’ Review: View Spoiler »
Finally, we get to witness Shirleen getting her hot guy!!! I loved everything about Rock Chick Reborn even if I was left wanting more. It also left me wanting to get Roam and Sniff’s stories (*nudge-nudge* Ms. Ashley).
I was taken aback when the story first starts and we get to see into Shirleen’s mind. I never expected fun, ballsy and caring Shirleen to carry that weight and insecurity inside herself. The way she perceived herself and felt about her past choices was understandable but heartbreaking.
Fortunately for everyone involved, Moses turned out to be just the right guy to accept the challenge and succeed. It was lovely to see how he, brick by brick, tore down the walls that kept Shirleen’s heart prisoner. He was dedicated, loving and a sexy hunk to boot. He was also wise from having learnt from his past mistakes and I freaking loved him for Shirleen.
“I sometimes talk about myself in the third person.” Moses was silent. “It’s my thing,” I went on.
“And?” he asked after I shut up.
“Some people find it weird.”
“So?” I grinned.
“Shirleen’s happy you don’t find that weird.”
The Hot Bunch presence, as well as the Rock Chicks shenanigans was a cherry on top of this wonderful and heartwarming story. Shirleen’s relationship with her two boys was out of this world perfect and completely endearing.
And while I absolutely adored every word written in this short novella (that finished at the 82% mark of the book…which by the way is something author’s need to fix because it’s totally frustrating and disappointing) I felt the author didn’t completely commit to giving us Shirleen’s story. Why do I say this? Because I felt everything was going SO well for everyone, and though I didn’t need any kidnappings or explosions or drive-bys with people getting shot at I did need for Shirleen to tear into Moses ex – because she totally had it coming. I needed to get to see when Moses introduced his daughters to all the goodness that is Shirleen and shit hit the fan with the ex. And I really needed to see them get established as a couple and not just the very beginning of something wonderful.
I guess I can let all of this go if all of the above will be featured in the story of Roam, and Rock Chick Reborn is book #9 in the Rock Chick Series but #0.5 in the Hot Bunch: The Sequel series.
Rating: 4 “This is all that I wanted…until I hit 82%” Stars « Hide Spoiler
About Spice
Sugar and Spice and everything nice, but make her mad and she'll pull out her bad...- Echoes of Fire by Suzanne Wright - December 11, 2018
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