Review: Rock Chick By Kristen Ashley

Title: Rock Chick

Author: Kristen Ashley

Published Date: December 8th 2008

Indy Savage, cop's daughter, rock chick and used bookstore owner, has been in love with Lee Nightingale, once bad boy, now the man behind Nightingale Investigations, since she was five years old. No matter what ingenious schemes Indy used to capture his attention, Lee never showed an interest and Indy finally gave up. Now Indy's employee, Rosie, has lost a bag of diamonds and bad guys are shooting at him. When Indy gets involved, Lee is forced to help. Complicating matters, Lee has decided he's interested, Indy's decided she's not. But she can't seem to keep Lee out of her life when she's repeatedly stun gunned, kidnapped and there are car bombs exploding (not to mention she's finding dead bodies).

Indy's best bet is to solve the mystery of the diamonds before Lee. Lee's challenge is to keep Indy alive and, at the same time, win back her heart.
(Synopsis Provided By Goodreads)

The story begins as we enter the life of India (Indy) Savage. All rock'n'roll with no plans to slow it down! Owner of her very own indie bookstore cafe, Indy comes and goes as she pleases. She grew up without her mother but she's found family love with her father and the Nightingales'. Kitty Sue and Malcolm Nightingale are parents to Hank, Ally and Liam, the five of them make up what Indy considers the family she's always had. However, Liam (Lee) Nightingale has always meant more to Indy. Ever since he held her hand through her mothers funeral, Indy's been a goner. She tried all through her childhood and most of her life really, to capture the attention of Lee but he didn't show any interest. Now, as mature adults, it only seemed right Indy finally let the infatuation go - move on from pining for someone who clearly wasn't interested. Except, Indy never cared to act her age and follow the norm. When one of Indy's workers suddenly gets involve in a robbery, she's got no choice but to rely on the one person she wanted to avoid, Lee. Their worlds finally meet again but this time, Lee's had a change of heart. Thrown into the heist of it, Indy's watching her life she thought she knew flip upside down. So full of action, cocky bastards, and lots of laugh out loud moments, Rock Chick is a book I think anyone can enjoy!

I can't believe I've put off reading this book! It was sitting there for me to pick up but I never did till my good friend told me I had to start it! (Thank you Jess!) I'm so glad I did! The characters were definitely unique and well written! There was a variety of personalities that were merged together with Rock Chick that made the story that much more dynamic! The author does not shy away from including lots of action and drama. There isn't a chapter that goes by that doesn't risk lives - so fun to read!

Something can definitely be said about men who aren't afraid to say what they're thinking and make it known what they want. I know, I know, there's a fine line between domineering and hot but the male protagonist in Rock Chick walks the line for both! At the mere entrance of his character he dominated the story! Liam (aka Lee) Nightingale was cocky as hell - the man knew how to command the story just by the way he walked! Indy and him always had chemistry but he shied away from showing his feelings when they were younger because he knew he needed to get his life together first before anything with Indy could begin. To Lee, he had to be his best for her. And say what you will about how corny or cliche that is but in the right type of story setting and with the right characters, it can be so sweet! With that being said, Lee and Indy's love story in Rock Chick although follows somewhat of a trope, they made it unique by adding their personalities to it. Lee's overly confident attitude was equal to Indy's fiery attitude - together such passion! I also loved the way Lee never wavered on his feelings toward Indy. I never doubted where this couple stood at any point in the story. 

Indy Savage was such a sharp character! At times a disarray of emotions but other times, a stubborn mess. Indy's stubbornness does come across a bit childish especially when there were shootings and con-men running loose. She just didn't seem to grasp what 'serious' was which was annoying. Lee's character was a stark contrast to Indy and it may be for this reason why I love the two of them together! Indy knew how to think for herself or well she more so thought independently (not including anyone else in her thoughts) - whether or not that led to good choices or bad choices is a different thing. Indy's character definitely is forced to grow up through all the choices she has to make in the book. 

The story had no shortage of action! Rosie is one of Indy's bookstore employees and he's a bit sketchy of a character. There's a mystery to him that we never figure out through the book but seeing as though he wasn't a main character, I didn't think it was necessary. Rosie get's tangled up in losing some very expensive diamonds that belong to some really bad people and this event launches the entire book into this very fast crime investigation frenzy. Indy got to handle some badass weapons. It was great to see a female character take on a weapon with confidence! Lee and his team of brute men that work for him, get into some pretty badass fights. Who doesn't love some hot boys getting down and dirty? It was mostly thriller & drama with an awesome sprinkling of sexy fun! At times a bit choppy in the plot line but the characters were there to pull the story together. Some parts of the missing diamonds investigation I think got hurried along a little too quickly. You had to really pay attention to what you were reading so you didn't miss any details.

I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Rock Chick was a action romance story that really captured my attention from the very first pages! I recommend it to anyone looking for a contemporary romance that is hella' engaging with lots of laughs!

AS ALWAYS,

HAPPY READING!

-SHERRY