#ARC Review of Love’s Undertow (For a Song #1) by Lorraine Britt w/a rafflecopter giveaway! @LBrittAuthor

After surviving her darkest hour, it was time for Noelle Thibodeaux to shake off the cobwebs of her previous life. She’d spent the last year as a glorified travel agent for the band her cousin managed, Eton Mess. Now Nile Thomas, the band’s frontman, is in dire need of a personal assistant. He can think of no one better than Noelle for the job. When her cousin calls and offers her the job, she jumps at the chance to pack her bags and make a fresh start. Nile is impressed with how easily Noelle slips into her role, managing everything for him. But his tortured artist persona wears on her fragile and frayed emotions and their working relationship is less than ideal. Only once the rest of Eton Mess arrives on location, and Noelle instantly bonds with band member Nate Bridges, do things begin to look up for Noelle. Nile, however, is far from approving of their new found friendship and his displeasure hasn’t gone unnoticed. Noelle will do anything to prevent a rift in the band or damage to Nate’s friendship with Nile. The only thing she knows to do is put up walls and pull away. Will Nate stand up and fight for Noelle? Can Noelle fight the darkness that threatens to swallow her whole? Or will their love be forever drowned by the undertow?

I nodded and focused my attention past Michael and Zach. When my eyes reached their target I felt everything around me disappear, except for the beautiful creature in front of me. He was tall and sinewy, broad shouldered with the chiseled body of a swimmer. His light brown hair hung in soft, shaggy waves just past his ears. I took in the kindness and gentleness of his face. He had the most stunningly beautiful eyes that were the blue of the ocean with a thin layer of brown circling the pupil. I could dive in and get lost in them. I felt drawn to him. I stepped away from Ross’s side and moved toward him, not missing that he began to move towards me as well. He reached a hand out to me and as I took his I felt an electric current shoot up my arm and through my body. I looked up at him in shock and knew from the look on his face that he had felt the same connection.

I have a few things to admit about this book.  First, I don’t read books with rock stars.  Yes, I’ve been a couple of friends that were in bands.  It’s not pretty.  Second, this book is extremely long and by 48% into I almost gave up.  Yes, gave up.  It seemed to drag on and on.  I hung in there and I’m glad that I did.  Third,  at times I felt like the book repeated things and I almost gave up.  Again, I’m glad that I didn’t.

Overall, I really liked the book.  I’m so invested in these characters that I can’t wait to read the next installment.  Speaking of which, they are A LOT of characters.  For me though, the story is about Noelle, Nate and Nile.  This is their journey through friendship, love, disappointment and redemption.  I wish I was the reviewer that gave out spoilers but I’m not.

I really felt like that even with all the secondary characters in the book enhance the relationships that occur between Nile, Nate and Noelle.  Fear not, this is not a love triangle at all.  Nate and Nile are best friends.  Noelle is Nile’s PA and falls in love with Nate.  This book is their journey.  Some parts are hard to read but realistically done.  The last 1/4 of the book, I just held my breath.  I cried.  Like, ugly cried over what Ms. Britt wrote.  (I don’t ugly cry in books.)  It left me breathless, grieving but also hopeful.

You really need to give this book a chance.  Just remember that there are a lot of characters, some parts (the middle) dragged a bit but the last 1/4 of the book is so worth it in the end.  I can’t wait to visit them again…and soon!

Lorraine Britt is a fourth-generation Native Texan who is also immensely proud of her Louisiana heritage and solid Southern roots. As an enthusiastic lover of the written word, inspiration struck Lorraine and she began to bubble over with her own ideas. Grasping hold of her lifelong dreams, it wasn’t long before she was putting pen to paper and letting her fingers fly over a keyboard to bring her own characters to life. When she isn’t busy scribbling notes for her next idea you might find her whipping up delicious creations in the kitchen, putting miles on her car on road trip adventures, or snapping photos of her favorite rugby team on the pitch. Lorraine is equally passionate about music, movies and sports. You’ll no doubt find these familiar themes woven throughout her books. Lorraine and her family currently make their home in west Texas.