BOOK REVIEW: Don’t You Want Me by Joanna Illingworth

Don't You Want Me by JoAnna Illingworth
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

One tour. Two artists. A secret that could unravel it all.

The only thing Penny Lovejoy wants more than a shot at a music career is to escape her pop star sister’s larger-than-life persona. When she learns Nashville hitmakers Sparrow are searching for a tour opener, she auditions using a stage name - Mari Gold. She’s determined to get onto the tour with her talent, not her famous last name.

But Mari didn’t count on Kick Raines, the insanely hot guy she spent a recent party locked lip-to-lip with. When he shows up to the audition it throws Mari’s whole plan for a loop. Even worse? Sparrow decides to take them both on tour. As a duo.

On tour, Mari and Kick’s on-stage chemistry is undeniable, sparking online fan theories and hours long meet-and-greets after every show. Offstage, their will-they-won’t-they is as charged as it is complicated. Until Mari discovers a shocking backdoor deal that threatens to jeopardize it all - the tour, her budding career, and her chance at a future with Kick.

This laugh out loud, banter-fueled, make out-to-friends-to-lovers backstage peek at life on tour is the happily ever after every romance lover craves.

Review:

Don’t You Want Me was a forced proximity, found family that will keep you smiling from that first page to the last.  You know the type of book where after a couple of chapters you refuse to put it down?  And even when life forces you to, you can’t stop thinking about it?  That was this book!  Romance lovers will passionately fall in love with this story!  It was unputdownable, fun, and filled with so much heart! 

“Can’t get over me, can you?” I say.
“Wrong again.” His eyes burn into me. “Over you is exactly where I want to be.”
We’re ten feet apart but it’s enough. His voice, thick with want, touches me everywhere.

As the younger sister of a popstar icon, Penny Lovejoy wanted to pave her own path.  With a stage name of Mari Gold and her sultry music, she landed an opportunity of a lifetime.  To try out and be the opener for Sparrow, during their fifty-city tour.  But Kick Raines was also there.  And their meet cute was one of my favorites!  They ran into one another at a party, and there was instant chemistry.  After a steamy kiss in an alcove, Mari was shocked to see Kick at the tryouts too.  And from there, sparks just kept flying!  

When I look over at Kick, his eyes are on me.
“You and me,” I mouth to him, even as my heart is about to vibrate right out of my chest.
Kick nods, a tiny movement of his head, letting me know he’s with me.

I couldn’t stop myself from laughing throughout this story.  And smiling too!  Their tryout was a scene I will remember forever!  And their karaoke moment had me screaming!  But watching them on stage together?  Oh my heart!  Their banter leapt from the pages and had you begging for more.  I loved every single moment they were together!  And the electricity and energy between Mari and Kick was swoon worthy!  

I lean into the mic, still watching Kick, and drop a bomb big enough to rattle the internet. “I can’t believe you wrote that song about me.”
The screams are so loud I can’t hear my own laughter. Kick’s face goes from surprise to something downright dirty.

I absolutely adored Mari, but she was keeping a huge secret of who she truly was.  She was so easy to like, and I loved listening to her thoughts.  And Kick was book boyfriend worthy!  He was charismatic, intoxicating, protective, and had a tortured soul.  Both of their pasts made me want to put them in a bubble and protect them.  So, watching them work together as a team, while it wasn’t an easy process, I loved how real it felt.

I watch him walk away and Cass shakes her head. “There is no way the two of you haven’t ripped each other’s clothes off.”
“We haven’t and we won’t. We’re professionals.”
She looks down the hall at Kick who’s still walking backwards, smiling at us. “It’s only  a matter of time.

Life on tour definitely had its bumps.  And they both found themselves in a fishbowl.  Where everything they did was up for public consumption.  Even moments they didn’t think were public, could be.  Yet the found family in this book was so heartwarming and helped lift them up.  I adored so many of their moments together!  With a couple of twists, and some scenes that made me shed tears, I can’t recommend this book enough.

All I see is sincerity. Kindness.  Something more I don’t dare name.

With a fun and flirty vibe, this book was so entertaining!  With friendship, irresistible banter, jealousy, and intoxicating tension, I adored this story!  This was one of those books where you can’t stop smiling and will leave you feeling so happy!

PS Completely random but I wondered how others saw Mari Gold’s music?  I saw her as a mix between Fiona Apple and Mazzy Star but who knows, I could be so far off!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Related Posts