A spicy brother’s-best-friend romance featuring a cinnamon roll rockstar hero haunted by his past, a plucky heroine with a childhood crush, slow seduction, hometown shows, and rapidly crumbling resolve.SEAN: When I first laid eyes on Brooke Halsey, she was just a sweet, freckle-faced kid with enormous glasses and an even bigger crush on me.
But there's no denying she's all grown up now.
She's running the merch table while my rock band's home on tour, and even though we've never been more than good friends, I know she's game. I'd totally go for it too, if I didn't already know I'd break her heart, destroy my band, and lose Jonah—our drummer, my best friend, and her brother.
He’s made it clear he does not want me messing around with his little sister. He knows Brooke’s serious about finding love and playing for keeps. So a rock musician with no fallback plan and no permanent address is the last thing she needs.
Which is why I'm in deep trouble right now…
Because last night…I kissed her.
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The Soulmates Series: Two bands. Three shows. Four happily ever afters.
My dad calls just as I’m leaving the hotel. He says my mom’s working late and that he’s got an early gig tonight, but we manage to meet up for a quick coffee on my way to the venue.
By the time I reach the club, the crew is in full swing. I glance around, but I don’t see Brooke anywhere.
Lexie and Jonah are onstage, so I throw them a wave and hop up to join them.
“Your sister’s not here yet?” I ask Jonah.
“No, but she texted to say she’s on her way over. Should be here any minute.”
I nod, crouching next to my amp to make sure everything is in order. The gain on my rig was acting up last night, so I pop the knob off to clean the potentiometer, but I keep glancing toward the door every time someone comes inside, hoping it might be Brooke.
I hear the door squeak open once more, and I turn.
And there she is. Standing in the entryway.
“Look who’s here!” Jonah’s voice booms across the club as he climbs off the stage to head straight for her.
God. She looks incredible.
She’s wearing a cherry-red top that’s cut low in the front, and her dark hair is longer than it was last time. Sometimes I forget how much she’s changed. It’s like a part of me is still expecting this cute little kid, but she’s a full-grown woman now. No denying that. And even though I’m not supposed to be paying attention—given she’s Jonah’s little sister and all—I’ll be damned if her breasts aren’t even bigger than they were last time.
“Brooke!” Lexie squeals, running over to greet her as Jonah wraps his sister up in a giant hug, lifting her off the ground.
“Hey, everybody. I made it.” Brooke laughs as Jonah finally sets her down.
She glances in my direction, and those big brown eyes lock right on mine. Suddenly I’m warm all over. Her smile spreads a mile wide, making my heart squeeze, and I shoot her a grin in return.
Jonah helps her out of her coat, and I get in line behind Lexie for a hug, but something on Brooke’s chest catches my eye. It’s a tattoo—a little black vine of ivy winding up between her breasts.
Jesus.
I should not be looking at that.
“Sean.” Brooke’s staring right at me. For a second I’m horrified, thinking she noticed where my gaze was fixated, but she gives me the biggest smile and throws her arms around me.
God, she feels good, all nestled up against me like this. Her sweet vanilla scent surrounds me, generous curves pressing against my body. Without thinking, I let my hand trail down the small of her back.
“Oh…” she says softly, stepping away.
I realize I’m getting hard, and my stomach drops out. Did she feel the bulge in my jeans?
But Brooke just smiles. “Mmm…good hug.”
I shove my hands into my pockets, attempting to conceal any visible evidence of my current physical state. My heart thumps in my chest, my cheeks heating up.
Jesus.
What the hell just happened? I’ve hugged Brooke a hundred times before, and it’s never been—hot—like that.
I take a deep breath, attempting to shake off the giddy sensation in my chest, and shoot her what I hope looks like a normal smile.
She steps away, and I’m careful to keep my gaze up on those beautiful brown eyes.
“Wow, Bee.” I’m shaking my head. “You look so good.” I’m trying to make that sound chill, but it comes out sounding like a come-on.
She takes a step back, giving me a little eyebrow raise. “Seriously?”
“Err—I mean—it’s great to see you.” I run a palm over the back of my neck. Get it together, man. This is Brooke. Generous, hilarious, sharp-as-a-tack Brooke. Not some random girl I’ve got the hots for.
“It’s great to see you too.” She laughs
“Come with me!” Lexie says with a grin, taking Brooke by the hand and leading her toward the back. “I’ll help you set up the merch tables.”
I’m still staring after Brooke, mesmerized by the hypnotic motion of her hips as she walks, when she spins around, her eyes flashing as she catches me staring straight at her ass.
Oh, fuck.
My lungs freeze.
She tips her head to one side, like she’s on to me, and my whole body goes hot.
I can’t breathe.
But her expression softens, and she winks. “I’ll see you later.”
“Mmm. That’s right you will,” I tease before I have time to think better of it.
“What was that?” Jonah’s tone is sharp. I forgot he was standing right behind me.
“Oh, just…uh…joking around.”
He squints at me, frowning a little.
I hold my breath, blinking back at him.
“All right. Do you want a beer before things get rolling?” He turns and walks toward the bar.
“Yeah, thanks, man.” I say, reaching down to adjust myself.
I could use a fucking six-pack.
A second-chances friends-to-lovers redemption story featuring a rockstar hero in need of forgiveness, a jilted drummer heroine craving belonging, and a secret crush revealed.He broke my heart. Now he wants me back.
KACIE: Micah Andrews was my everything—bandmate, best friend, and secret crush—until he replaced me as the drummer in his band.
I was devastated. I moved back home and vowed never to let myself be vulnerable again.
Now he’s begging me to come back to help him record an album on a super tight timeline. Rebecca—his new drummer—left him high and dry, and the label’s given him an ultimatum: Finish the album or they’re canceling his upcoming tour.
I tried to say no. I told him to find another drummer. But Micah doesn’t want another drummer.
He wants me.
I hear the emotion in his voice. I know how much he’s counting on me right now, and I also know how utterly lost I’ve been without him. I can’t walk away from this chance to repair our friendship, but I’d better figure out how to protect my heart—and fast—or Micah might just break it into a thousand pieces all over again, and then I’d lose my best friend. Forever.
Kitt Henley writes short, spicy contemporary romance with relatable characters, a touch of humor, and tons of heart. Never one to make it through a good romance (or cookie commercial) with dry eyes, Kitt's heartstrings are easy to pull on. When she played in rock bands and crunched numbers in the Seattle tech world, those waterworks weren't an asset, but after a friend suggested she try writing romance, everything clicked into place. From the moment she sat down to write her first novel, she knew she'd found her calling.
This sounds like a fun read. Nice cover.
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