Stevie‘s review of Strings Attached by Holly Stratimore
Contemporary Lesbian Romance published by Bold Strokes Books 15 Jan 19
I’ve been tempted by Holly Stratimore’s books before, but never at quite the right time to grab one and start reading it. When I spotted her latest release was available to review, however, I made a point of requesting it, especially given that I haven’t read many rock star romances recently and was also intrigued by the idea of a romance between two very differently focussed musicians. Some of the characters in this story have, apparently, appeared in the author’s previous books, although it’s pretty much a stand-alone story. Our heroines this time are the lead singer of a nationally successful band and the music teacher she meets while back home between tours, who avoids the limelight at all costs, in spite of having the talent to make it big in her own right.
Nikki Razer works hard and plays hard, but now that her band mates, not to mention her long-standing friends outside the music business, are pairing up and settling down, she’s starting to wonder whether she wants more than one-night stands and casual hook-ups. Her dissatisfaction is exacerbated by her unrequited crush having settled down with a fellow musician, their onstage relationship becoming a bigger draw for the fans than Nikki herself. Nikki worries that many of the women she meets while on tour are more interested in her stage persona than in who she is away from her music, but she resolves to work through her issues while the band is resting up in preparation for recording their next album.
After a freak accident destroys the band’s equipment, the various members show support for local business by shopping for replacements at DJ’s Music Store. From her first visit, Nikki is taken with store manager and co-owner, Drew McNally. Drew is suspicious of Nikki, however, due to her estrangement from her actress mother, who abandoned Drew and her musician father in favour of the Hollywood lifestyle, seemingly only getting back in touch when the situation suits her career and publicity plans. While Drew has both musical and managerial talents, her real love is teaching, and her ambitions centre around expanding that side of the business without abandoning her father’s dreams for the store, eventually finding ways to help talented but less privileged youngsters reach their full potential.
In spite of Drew’s antipathy, Nikki sets out to court her. While things seem to be going well for a time, the trappings of fame and attention-seeking former lovers threaten to destroy what little trust she has managed to build up with her new love. Eventually, it appears that Nikki will have to choose between her career and her relationship, but fortunately there turn out to be other options available, thanks to the interventions of her friends and Drew’s family and friends.
While I empathised with Nikki in her conflicting aspirations, I found it very hard to warm to Drew. It felt as if she had created a very childish picture of her mother in her mind and then attempted to prove to herself that anyone else who made a career in the public eye also fitted that exact template. On the other hand, I liked a lot of the background characters and fully intend to give their stories a chance rather than completely writing off the author’s other works.
Grade: C
Summary:
Success. Riches. Music. Passion. It’s a life most can only dream of, but stardom comes at a cost.
Rock star Nikki Razer has worked hard to achieve her dreams and she finally has everything she ever wanted—except true love. She’s ready to find someone who can love the woman she really is, not just her rock star persona. When the band comes home for a break, she sets her sights on beautiful music teacher Drew McNally. But Drew is happy running her father’s music store and she definitely doesn’t want to date a celebrity—no matter how attractive she is. Her mother’s obsession with fame destroyed her family and Drew’s not going to let it happen again.
Nikki thought she would do whatever it took to win Drew over, but she can’t abandon her band and give up on her dreams. When it’s time to face the music, will the price be too much to pay?
Read an excerpt.
