Rock Star Romance! That’s it, that’s the title!

Off Beat by J.C. Hannigan

Dear Reader,

Rock star romance is my jam. End of sentence. Pun intended. When Off Beat showed up on my radar I just about screamed like that fan in the front row whose BFF has smelling salts in hand.

It’s taken me a very long time to write this letter because I was being selfish, and I apologize for that. If tea is a hug in a mug (it is), then Off Beat is a hug in a book (it is). This warm fuzzy second chance Romance puts the spotlight on rock star Callum and bookworm Harper. They recognize that, despite the heartbreak of their teenage romance, they still love each other and give their relationship another shot. Adults who talk to each other AND listen to each other. Lovers who support each other, who find ways to maintain their hard-won independent career joys while united in love. Partners who stand up together against external conflict. By the way, having most of the book’s conflict come from sources outside the relationship felt so good! I had been reading a lot of high angst Romance in the lead up to this book, and Off Beat was a gentle place to nestle with my night time reading. It felt so good to read this book that every time I sat down to write about it, I kind of just wanted to curl up with it again rather than write about it. Can a book itself be the cinnamon bun hero? If so, get your tea ready for this treat!

Callum is back in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia for the first time since The Forgotten Flounders signed to a major record label nine years ago. Back then he chose to walk away from the father who wouldn’t love him for all that he was, and from the girl who did without reservation. *wince* The death of his grandfather brings Callum home: the letter his grandfather left behind *sobs* ignites the courage Callum needs in order to apologize to Harper for walking out on her. So, he heads on over to Harper’s bookstore, only to find that Harper hasn’t spent her time pining for the one that got away quite like he has. *claps hands in joy*

Because she couldn’t, not that she didn’t want to. But now? Now Harper’s got a bit of room in her life for some good old fashioned longing. She wouldn’t mind a lover, even a life partner. But she sure doesn’t need one, and Callum’s going to have to prove to both of them that his fame and fortune aren’t going to mess this up for them once again. *swoon*

This book is so rich with nuanced emotion and love that I read it slowly and cherished every chapter. In a reading world where I feel like every book I’ve put on my TBR list is enemies-to-lovers (one of my least favourite tropes because I’m so utterly non-confrontational that my empathy cringe is overwhelming), Callum and Harper’s journey to true love was bliss. They recognize they still have feelings for each other, talk about their hesitations, their fears and resentments, and behave like (the way I want) rational adults (to communicate when they’re in love). Despite the late-twenties age of our heroes here, their Romance is reminiscent of the later-in-life real-life love of one of my dearest octogenarian friends who, for thirty years, lived an actual HEA Romance story with her beloved. I’m begging her to write their love story memoir, and trust me, Dear Reader, if she does I will promote the heck out of that. Multiple swoony blog posts.

Oh, one more thing: just because this book was bliss and gentle and sweet, don’t mistaken it for low heat. It is hot, Dear Reader. It. Is. Hot. *fans self*

And I think I’m going to leave things here, so that I stop trying to keep this hug in a book discovery to myself and let you get on with it yourself!

Love From,
The True North

P.S. Baby’s first ARC! Many thanks to J.C. Hannigan for reaching out, and for understanding that I am completely incapable of reading and writing anything blog-related on a deadline in these pandemic times. I love this book and I am eager to read Off Limit!

P.P.S. It took me an embarrassingly long time to discover that this trope of my heart existed, and in bulk at that. As a result of wasted years (okay fine, DECADES) with no idea rock star Romance was a Thing, I am by no means an authority on the trope, but am working towards this achievement (in other words, please send me rock star Romance recs ALWAYS).

P.P.P.S. Dear Readers, can you believe it’s been a year of Love From The True North? Me neither! But my website hosting and URL bills reminded me, ha! If you have a few dollars to spare to help me with those costs, I’d love a Ko-Fi coffee. Follow me on Instagram or Twitter for timely fun and CanLit Romance celebration (including books on sale!).