Lovin' los libros

Blessed Fate (Blessed Tragedy #2)
  by: H.B. Heinzer

Publication Date: June 18, 2013
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Source: e-ARC provided by InkSlinger PR and the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 220 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 3.5/5 stars




My Review:

Before I begin a serious review- can we just take a minute and OGLE that cover? Hello, lickable abs! Whew! It's hot in here.

This is the second book in the Blessed Tragedy series, but this one is from Colton's point of view. I love books in a series, where we get the male POV- provided it's done correctly. And I felt HB did a great job with this novel, because we got to see so much more of Colton!

The novel starts out with the band meeting Rain for the first time. She's nervous, but one of the things Colton notices right off the bat is that she's feisty and not going to take crap from anyone. Colton is attracted to her right away and senses that something deeper lies beneath the tough rocker chick exterior.

"When I was younger, my mom called me a fixer. I always found the broken kids, befriended them and then tried to fix their problems. In some ways, I think I saw something in her that first day that  made me acutely aware that she was very, very broken on the inside." (pg. 7, ARC copy)

For five years, Colton has been in the 'friend zone' with Rain. She slowly opens herself up to him, talking about her drug addiction, as well as her family life. To the band, she is Rain, a force to be reckoned with, a badass rocker. To her family, she is Maddie, the girl raised with older brothers and expected to act like a girl and not certainly not chase after some crazy dream of being a rock star.

Colton has been able to push aside his feelings for Rain and be a true friend to her. He watches out for her and wants to protect her from the bad things in the world. However, she refuses to date a fellow band member because she understands the repercussions if it ends badly.

This in turn leads Colton to Tanya, who is merely a means to an end. He hates himself for turning to her and feels like he's cheating on Rain every time, even though he knows she won't give him a chance. I do feel bad for him, and I hate that he used Tanya (because she is, as he quotes, a "pretentious bitch".) Rain certainly knew what he was doing, as he comes in smelling of women's perfume, and I think her anger stems more from just being upset that he was late. Rain is all business when it comes to the band, but I think deep down it bothers her on a personal level too.

There were so many points in this book where I wanted to throttle Rain for being so stupid when it came to Colton. He is crazy about her and willing to do anything for her and yet she still holds him at arm's length. I understand that she's had to deal with quite a bit in the past, but girl. Come onnnn! She is stubborn and guarded and a lot more fragile than any see.

The turning point really hits when tragedy strikes Rain's family. Colton proves himself so many times over that he is worth taking a risk for and that he is willing to move heaven and earth for her. I will say this: he has the willpower of a God. He sleeps in the same bed as her, they cuddle, they do everything other couples do, save for the sex. How. Does. That. Happen?! Props, Colton Bradford. Mad props for not trying to ravish the girl time and time again.

"Don't you get it? I do want to be here. I want to be here for you. I hate that you're hurting. I want to be the person you turn to when you're sad. I want to be the person you scream at when you're upset. That is why I want to be here." (pg. 69, ARC copy)

When she finally lets her walls down and lets him in... Hallelujah!

However, things are not so simple, as Rain and Colton realize. Their relationship and trust in one another will be put to the test and some things can not so easily be fixed with apologies. Rain's trust has to be earned and that is one of her biggest things. She doesn't want to be lied to or manipulated by anyone. I won't lie- sometimes I thought her to be a bit extreme in her antics, but I guess that's just the way she is. Still, I found myself angry and irritated with her more than actually liking her in this book.

As for our side characters, we've got some great ones. As I said, Tanya, the band's manager, is horrible. Besides the fact that Colton used her to get over Rain- she's controlling, manipulative, and just a wicked witch who will stop at nothing to get what she wants. Jon and Travis, who make up the other part of Blessed Tragedy, are hilarious. I loved reading scenes with them, and watch them pick on and torment Colton endlessly. They rag on him time and time again about his willingness to wait for Rain and take things slow with her. And there's one scene, involving all of them that had me howling in laughter.

Overall, as someone who loves music, I don't read nearly enough books about bands! I loved reading this one and getting into Colton's head and seeing just how far he'd go for the girl he loves and has loved for years.

 

 

4. Those men and women who think they have a chance in Hell…imagine having to watch your boyfriend or girlfriend being ogled and fondled day after day and having to bite your tongue unless it goes too far.

 

5. It’s nice to have someone to help keep your life balanced. Dating a band mate, it’s easy for work to seep into home time. Every decision is made based on not only what’s best for us but what’s best for the band. When you’re involved with someone who isn’t part of the band, it’s easier to have them help you decide if it’s really the best decision…

 

HB Heinzer Bio:

 

With the exception of three years in Nebraska, H.B. Is a Wisconsin girl through and through. She lives with her husband, two kids and roommate (also known as the “bonus parent”) in the middle of nowhere but close enough to civilization to maintain a shred of sanity.

She credits her father introducing her to an APAzine in the mid-90s for her love of writing. Bent, her debut novel, was a NaNoWriMo challenge to write 50,000 words in one month. After years of attempting and failing, she finally got through it and this is the result!

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