Unfortunately, I didn't connect well with the novel or the characters. The storyline just didn't work for me. This, however, won't stop me reading any of her future novels by this author.

I don't review publicly any novels under 3 stars as per my submission guidelines: https://lesreveur.com/contact-me/how-to-submit-a-novel-for-review/

I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. I kind of knew what I was getting into when I requested to read this book. I like the characters Nikki and Drew they do struggle a little with their emotions and wants and needs and how to go about getting them. They just have to decide what are they willing to pay to find the one they can love. I enjoyed the story and Drew's music store. It is a very interest take on the music world.

A solid romance between a rock star and a struggling music store employee. This is a standalone but takes place in the same "universe" as Stratimore's other books so there are characters popping up from them. I haven't read the other books but even so, it didn't pull me out of the book (other than going to Goodreads to find their blurbs). I liked both the characters but sometimes got a bit weary of the push and pull as Drew ran hot and cold over the idea of having a relationship with someone on the cusp of fame (oh, romance novel baggage ... how I love and hate you at the same time).

Thank you Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a decent romance. Both Drew and Nikki were incredible characters that had incredible chemistry and friendship. I liked the musical background they both had and the complexity of their relationship. Nothing easy is worth having.
I just missed the intensity of their connection. I didn't feel there was much depth to their interactions. Other than that a good read.

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

This is a very sweet romance with the "celebrity/commoner" trope. I enjoyed all the backstories and family history as well as the setting in New England. It felt a little long to me and could've benefitted from some tighter editing. That said, I like the way Holly Stratimore writes and look forward to her next book. I feel like the stock photo of "Nikki" on the cover has been used on another book in the past couple of years?

I liked the band backstory as well as the chemistry between the two main characters. I struggled with the "mother who was famous" back story. It really didn't deter the characters much. It needed a bit more conflict. All and all, "okay".

Strings Attached is the third in the series, but can be read as a stand alone novel. A great romantic novel with a great plot and characters. I hope to read more from this author.

Two elements that I love in a novel are romance and a medical or musical setting. This book meets both of these essentials.

Singing sensation Nikki Razer and her group are riding the wave of success. They have completed a multiple month tour of the country and are returning home to have a well-deserved 3-month rest. Fans perceive Nikki as a hot playgirl, but as the book unfolds, we see many more sides of her.

The other main character is Drew McNally. She and her father own a music store in Nikki’s small hometown. Drew is an extremely talented music teacher, as well as a master of many musical instruments. She works long hours to help keep the store afloat. Although there is immediate attraction between Drew and Nikki, Drew instantly erects her emotional walls after having been hurt in the past.

I found the story to be interesting and enjoyable. At times the push and pull during the building of their relationship did slow down the pace of the book, but not so much that it hurt the story. Ms. Stratimore did a good job with character development.

Although it is not indicated on the cover, this is a sequel to Songs Unfinished. Jaymi and Shaun are members of Nikki’s band. I like a series because a reader has an opportunity to develop an on-going relationship with the characters.

I recommend this book and rate it 4 out of 5 stars.

I was given this ARC in return for a fair and honest review.

Nikki Razer, lead singer of a successful rock band and a player, can and does have any woman that throws themself at her but she's ready to find her true love. Drew McNally is a music teacher who also runs her father's music store. Drew prefers the quiet life and despite the fact she's falling for Nikki, she's determined not to follow her heart.
I found the will they/won't they get together dragged on a bit too long or maybe I should credit Nikki for being so persistent! Overall I really enjoyed this book and would definitely read more from Strathmore.

This book is both a stand-alone novel, and a sequel of sorts to the author's previous books framed around the characters of the band Passion Play. I love the previous books, and I love this one too. Well-written, great characters, lovely romance, a bonus for letting the reader catch up with old friends. Of course there are doubts, questions about self-worth, and tough moments, but it's all good. Five stars and recommended.

This is a very sweet romance with the "celebrity/commoner" trope. I enjoyed all the backstories and family history as well as the setting in New England. It felt a little long to me and could've benefitted from some tighter editing. That said, I like the way Holly Stratimore writes and look forward to her next book. I feel like the stock photo of "Nikki" on the cover has been used on another book in the past couple of years?

The question...what is success if you do not have anyone to share it with? Another question...what is happiness if you do not maximize your talents? While reading about Nikki Razer, the lead singer of a popular band and Drew McNally, who works and teaches in her father’s music store those are the questions that came to mind. Drew does not trust famous people because her mother is a Hollywood star who basically abandoned her. Nikki is lonely although she is surrounded by many fans. Strong connection between Drew and Nikki as they worked together and apart to sort out whether or not they will or should have a relationship.

This new book by Ms Stratimore is the third book in her series, even though it isn’t promoted as such. I think it’s because each book is a stand alone book but if you get a chance to read the first two books, ‘Songs Unfinished’ and ‘Arrested Hearts’ it will make the reading of this book all the more enjoyable. Having said that of the three books this one was the best yet. Not that the other two books weren’t good, they were but I have to admit this one is in my opinion is the best. Rock star Nikki Razer has been in love with her band mate for years but always felt that to act on her feelings would interfere with the bands rise to the top. Problem is she waits too long, giving Jaymi Del Harmon a chance to fall in love with another member of the band. So she continues being a player but she really likes the idea of have a true love of her own. Drew McNally loves music but has no desire to perform, she would much rather teach others while helping her father manage their music store. The store isn’t doing so well and is close to going under. The idea of having a relationship with a top performer isn’t something she has any interest in. Ms Strathimore has done it again. She has given her fans a very enjoyable read. Now I can’t help if we’ll see another book in this series. Nice Read.
ARC via NetGalley

When an accident happens just outside of town and the bus that was carrying all the instruments for a famous rock group get destroyed the members of the rock group stop in the only local music store and our story begins . Drew is small-town girl who teaches music in her father's music store. She loves her life and loves being around music and teaching others the joy of playing an instrument. She works hard at the store mostly because her father does not want to take risks and start more innovative activities in the music store. When the members of the rock band go to the store to buy replacement instruments Drew hopes that this infusion of money will be a great boost to the store. What she doesn't expect is that the lead singer of the group Nikki would be a visual knock out.

Nikki is very attracted to Drew and would love to have a relationship with her however Drew has an aversion to anyone that is a celebrity. Drews mother ignored her while she was growing up because her mothers only interest was being a famous TV and movie star. This broke up their family and left Drew being dead set against even being friendly with anyone who was a celebrity. As the story moves on Drew sees another side of Nikki however she will never let her self become involved with a celebrity. Nikki would like nothing better than to get to know Drew and hopefully have a relationship with her.
This book has terrific secondary characters, they are devoted, supportive, and loving toward each other. There a beautifully written scenes that describe the relationship among the people in this book and adding a bit of interest there are several hot sex scenes.

There's an interesting push and pull between the two main characters of Drew and Nikki that keeps you reading until the very end of the book because there's no telling how these two are ever going to get themselves together. This is a well written book with the story that never lets down and keeps building until the last page.

A really cute lesbian romance with most of the side characters being LGBTQIA themselves! Even though the book is technically part of a series, it can be read as a standalone. Many of the side characters are part of the other two books, but you do not have to read them unless you want to understand the history of Nikki and the other characters.

It was a bit of a long read and the story got a little repetitive with Drew believing that Nikki was going to cheat on her or that she was going to leave her. She was really hung up on her mother abandoning her to pursue her career. However, the buildup to them dating was a very enjoyable read and it was easy to tell that the two were very good for each other and helped each other grow and become better people. I loved Nikki and was rooting for her to get her happy ending, though the one sided love for Jaymi was a little much.

The side characters were definitely one of the main aspects I loved about this story. Previous people from the other books were living happily with their significant others, new characters were happily queer, and there was little drama besides that of the main characters’. I also loved the music aspect, more so when Drew started to play the cello but that could have been due to my history playing in an orchestra when I was in school.

A scene that I particularly did not like also happened pretty early on and did affect my rating. A character gropes Nikki and kisses her without permission but they end up having sex anyway and then she takes a picture of Nikki naked before using it for blackmail. Really, this book could have been so much better without the harassment.

Sweet without being syrupy. A very clever exploration of motives and fears about love and commitment. This book is an enjoyable read because it’s easy to identify with both women and first cheer for one side and then for the other as the story develops. Made me wish I’d kept going with music lessons, a gay teacher would have been so good, but honestly the world has never needed the sounds I managed to make.

Honestly, I couldn't go past few chapters. Too unrealistic. at least for me. Huge something was OFF. I'm sure the author is very capable and got so much more I'll for sure check their other work because it's unfair to just judge them from this one only.

I'm grateful for the opportunity of giving free copy in exchange of honest opinion,

It is already the third book of this author that I read and I think it is becoming habitual that my feeling at the end is not entirely satisfactory. I do not remember the other two previous ones very well, but the common problem is that this author lengthens too much the decision making that the protagonists must do. In this case, Nikki is a singer of a group that is becoming very famous and Drew, who is the daughter of a famous actress, is reluctant to get involved in a relationship with someone famous. The reasons for this refusal are debatable though understandable. But as I say, the tug-of-war of denial and acceptance has been very tiresome. And neither Drew's attitude seemed right to me nor Nikki's. So, although the story has its interest, if only to continue to see the protagonists of the previous books that also appear in this, is not entirely likeable for me. Although I do not value it negatively, I hope that some other review can provide better opinion.

This book is part of a series, although I would recommend reading the others as they are just as good but you honestly don't need too.

This is Nikki's story, she's such a great character you can't help but like her form page 1
Drew is also a great character, I found that that instantly started to route for them.
The only thing that I was too fussed was Drew's reaction towards the end, I felt she was being a bit unreasonable

Overall a good well written story, that once started I found difficult to put down