Review: Lies & Lullabies by Sarina Bowen #NewRelease #BookReview

 


It's not like my love for all things Sarina Bowen is any big secret. I gush about every new release, every backlist title, every character. So you won't be surprised now as I fangirl and flail about her latest release, Lies & Lullabies. This is the first book in a three book series that was written in collaboration with Devney Perry and Rebecca Yarros. (Rifts & Refrains by Perry and Muses & Melodies by Yarros are both releasing in the next few weeks.) 

I inhaled Rifts & Refrains in just a couple sittings. It was just that good and I couldn't get enough of Jonas and Kira. Now pardon me while I sing the praises of yet another delicious offering from Sarina Bowen. :)


LIES & LULLABIES
HUSH NOTE SERIES #1

Release date: September 22, 2020


Summer nights and star-crossed lovers! From USA Today bestselling author Sarina Bowen.

Once upon a time, he gave me a summer of friendship, followed by one perfect night. We shared a lot during our short time together. But he skipped a few crucial details.

I didn’t know he was a rock star.

I didn’t know his real name.

Neither of us knew I’d get pregnant.

And I sure never expected to see him again.

Five years later, his tour bus pulls up in Nest Lake, Maine. My little world is about to be shattered by loud music and the pounding of my own foolish heart.


M Y   T H O U G H T S

If you love second-chance romance, sit back and prepare to fall in love with Kira and Jonas. Five years ago they spent a magical summer together which culminated with one amazing night that neither of them ever forgot. When Kira's attempt to contact Jonas, where she revealed the depth of her feelings for him, went unanswered, she figured his silence spoke volumes. It was a one-time thing for him and now he was gone for good. By the time she learned she was pregnant there seemed little point in trying again. His silence still rang loud and clear in her heart. Along the way she also learned his real identity - front man of the uber-popular band Hush Note - and that seemed even more reason to relegate Jonas to her past. Fast forward five years and Jonas is back in Nest Lake, Maine when he comes face to face with the woman that captured his heart years ago. And by her side is a little girl who looks just like him.

I fell into Jonas and Kira's story from the very start. I was immediately hooked and loved both the flashbacks of their time together five years ago and their unexpected reunion. What made it so easy to be invested in their story was the fact that Bowen created two characters that were so genuine and so likable. Kira had been treated so unfairly by those around her and still had such a good heart. She worked hard, adored her little girl, Vivi, and she had an incredible, tight-knit relationship with her brother, Adam. And Jonas... well, this guy just stole my heart. He was a man who had long since seen through the trappings of fame and wanted something real. His desire to be a part Kira and Vivi's lives was immediate and strong, and I loved the way he was so upfront about his feelings and what he wanted. And I've gotta say, his interactions with Vivi melted my heart every single time.

I think I was every bit as in love with the secondary characters. Hush Note's tour manager Ethan was a total stand-out, and Kira's brother Adam almost stole the show. This guy deserves his own book! (Hint-hint, Sarina!) If you love second-chance romance, rock star romance, lovable characters, swoony romance, scorching sexytimes, emotional scenes, laugh out loud dialogue, and a story that will have you wishing it wouldn't end... grab Lies & Lullabies now. You can thank me later. 

Note: I received a a complimentary copy of this book for review. This does not impact my opinion of the book or the content of this review. I received no compensation and my review is voluntary.




ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sarina Bowen is the award-winning author of more than thirty contemporary novels. She has hit the USA Today bestseller's list thirteen times and counting. Formerly a derivatives trader on Wall Street, Sarina holds a BA in economics from Yale University.

Sarina is a New Englander whose Vermont ancestors cut timber and farmed the north country since the 1760s. Sarina is grateful for the invention of indoor plumbing and wi-fi during the intervening 250 years. On a few wooded acres, she lives with her husband, two boys, and an ungodly amount of ski and hockey gear.

Sarina's books are published in a dozen languages on four continents.

Find Sarina at:

GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7737308.Sarina_Bowen

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarina.bowen/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorsarinabowen

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SarinaBowen



14 comments

  1. I've actually never read this author, but now I feel like I need to change that!

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    1. Sarina Bowen is one of my long-time favorites so I was already pretty sure I was going to love this one. :)

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  2. I love second chance romances but secret babies can be tough for me. Your review, however, has convinced me to give this a try. The characters and the different relationships sound wonderful.

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    1. I felt like this one was handled and explained really well. And the fact that I loved the characters so much didn't hurt. :)

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  3. You know I love a second chance romance, and if it's coming from Bowen, I am pretty sure I will love it! Glad to hear Jonas and Kira was worth rooting for.

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    1. I hope you'll love it, too, Sam! Bowen never disappoints. :)

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  4. What a great review! I was a fan of this book as well. I also really want Bowen to write a Adam book as well. I feel like maybe we will get one because of the way his story went? I could be wrong.

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  5. This sounds fantastic! I do love a good 2nd chance romance and Bowen's writing, too. Didn't know she was collaborating with Perry and Yarros. I'm off to check this one out. Hope there's an audio copy. Fab review, Tanya! :)

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    1. There is an audio version, so hopefully you've tracked it down by now, Rachel. I've heard a snippet and it sounded great!

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  6. I'm so scared about everything opening up without restrictions. Things are open here WITH restrictions and we are on our way back to the numbers from March. I do hope USA sees Europe as an example, because things were opening up, but shutting down again as the weather gets colder.

    ICU's are getting fuller and fuller and it's kinda scary. I understand that businesses can't stay closed forever, but I'm glad that things are open with restrictions, because I would not go there if that wasn't the case!

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    1. I wish the U.S. would take a page from Europe's handling of the virus but leadership has really failed us on that front.

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  7. I enjoy second chance romances and this looks swoon-worthy!

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    1. Second chance romance is one of my favorite tropes. :)

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