One of the many ‘go-to’ authors that I have for ‘feel good, everyone works it out in the end’ stories that simply leave me with a smile, Baggot has hit on a story laden with issues, press, trust, fear and plenty of heart. Honor was the “It” girl of country music some ten years ago, when she was left scarred and scared after an attack on stage. She retreated to her large house in the suburbs of Nashville, and essentially pushed “country” music out of her life. With looks to die for and a voice with a range to rival Minnie Ripperton, her ‘advisor” Larry, who had been with her for years, had been hoping to convince her to try again, planning with her label a “greatest hits’ album, and asking her to write something new for it. Despite her repeatedly saying she wasn’t going back, Honor had been writing more songs than ever, and hiding them away in a locked drawer.

Jared is the new “rockabilly” bad boy king on the strip, with sold out shows, a temper that gets him into trouble more often than not, and a new opportunity to headline a nation-wide tour in a few months. IF ONLY he keeps his nose clean. It’s not that he ‘looks’ for trouble, but he does have a way of ‘enforcing’ his beliefs and protective nature on those around him… usually with his fists. But by chance he heard an old recording of Honor – and decided that he wanted to meet her in person and get her on his tour.

There’s nothing particularly ‘unusual’ here for a romance story – both have issues, serious issues in their pasts that affect everything they do now – from Honor’s discomfort with her scar and her life spent in foster care, not knowing her parents: to Jared’s history with crime and time spent in jail – all in an effort to protect his family. The secrets that they don’t share but want to, then the climax to the reveals. Their ‘rightness’ for one another and the friends who speak up, out, for and to them with advice, good and bad, and always help to try and pick up the pieces. Of course, if there weren’t huge gestures and acts to bring about the HEA it wouldn’t be so engaging, so despite all of the secrets, the things unsaid and the fear of losing each other that is the common thread underneath the bad and good choices, the story wraps as it should. With love, laughter, a HUGE gesture and plenty of friends and family to celebrate.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-aCq /” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

Thank you to Aria and Netgalley for this ARC!

One summer in Nashville is the story about Honor Blackwood and Jared Marshall, both country singers. Honor used to be the next big thing, until she was attacked on stage and was scarred for life. Jared is the reigning “bad boy” of country and about to go on his first big tour, and he wants Honor to join him…

This one started out so good, I really loved the setting, the characters were interesting and I really loved the chemistry between the two main leads. I love stories about musicians working together, writing music together and there were some scenes that gave me butterflies. Really, throughout the book I really loved all of the scenes involving music - they were so well done!

I did however feel like the relationship got serious a bit too quickly, which left a big chunk of the book without much of a plot. There were some drama, but I would have preferred more of a slowburn of the romance, and for the drama to have been something different. This might just be my preferences, but I’m not the biggest fan of “something dark in a characters past that ruins the relationship” (can that be considered a trope?)
There was another thing that I feel like I have to mention because it bothered me a bit, and that is the overly aggressive hero. You know, the kind of a hero who thinks it’s ok to assault someone, because that person does something that isn’t ok. If this had been adressed in the book as not ok, then I would feel differently, but the heroine kinda just thought - “he is who he is, and I’m not going to try to change him”.

If you enjoy romance about musicians (and have slightly different tastes than me), you might really enjoy this! For me it was 3 stars!

A fun and entertaining read, although quite emotional at times.

Honor left the music industry years ago after an incident left her scarred in more ways than one. Jed is determined she should start singing again and go on tour with him. He is hiding something from his past and when it is revealed how will Honor react?

Its rare that I don't finish a book but I found One Summer in Nashville so cringeworthy that I only read about a quarter.
The character of Jed is a ridiculous, over the top, alpha male. I was caught between laughter and rage and I just found the book unbearable.

Really good book. Loved the story of Honor and Jared. The story was full of twists and turns, kept me hooked. It followed Honor ‘s past and her life now and how she copes with her situation. As well as Jared’s past and his life now. Each turning point is followed with emotion and then learning about each other’s past. Loved it. Recommend it.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. Not sure what I can say about this book to be honest, started off okay and then died. I could not even begin to tell you what it was about. Sorry

If you love Country Music - this is a book you shouldn't miss. It should also make fans of the show Nashville very happy too! This book is like dropping the curtain and getting a behind the scenes look at a country music love story. Both Jared and Honor have stories that would fill several albums worth of songs on their own - but together have one hell of a story to tell.

Jared is an outlaw country singer - think Jason Aldean or Brantley Gilbert. He has one heck of a backstory - that leads to a lot of drama in the end. Overall, he is a good person - and I think someone who is a serious artist. For him it is all about the music. When he hears an old song of Honor's on the radio he immediately wants her to be an opening act for him during his upcoming tour. He tracks her down - and gets to work immediately on convincing her.

Honor was the victim of a terrible on-stage attack that has left her physically and mentally scarred. She hasn't performed or recorded in years - but has been writing music. Jared really helps her move forward again - and supports her pretty unconditionally from the first moment he meets her.

They definitely have a strong and immediate connection. But, with both of them being artists, and having the fiery temperament that often goes along with that passion - you can imagine how things go.

A lot of other readers had a problem with Honor's reaction to some revelations that occur in the last 20% of the book. I didn't feel as strongly as they did. I think that her reaction wasn't that surprising given her history and the context of it all. I do think, she was wrong to not give Jared more of a chance to explain - but I am not sure he would have.

In the end - this is country music drama to the max!

Note - this is a re-release of a book that came out a few years ago under a slightly different title.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are my own.

I am giving this feedback as a native Nashvillian. The characters have chemistry, and I love an underdog story. However, Baggot’s persistent referencing to Confederate flags and rednecks is outdated and represents an tone deaf caricature of country music and the city of Nashville. With a bit more city research and some updated references, this book has potential.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review.

* spoiler alert ** SPOILER ALERT
So, I started reading this and wasn't sure about it, but then was captivated by the characters. My favorite was Jared (Of Course) and Mia was great. Honor was a damaged artist with a lot of baggage that needed to learn to grow again, and open herself up for new relationships. Jared sure helped with that. He was a sexy, talented bad boy who's passion shined through! I saw reviews that people didn't like the last 20% of the book. I found the end to be slightly rushed (Hence 4 star) but not enraging like others did. I was mad at Honor for not listening to Jared, but that is part of the story. It is good to be mad at a character once in a while, otherwise it is boring! There was a lot packed into the end, but their story was wrapped up in a great big bow. I enjoyed my first Mandy Baggot book that I received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This novel drew me right in from the very beginning as I kept on reading to learn more about Honor and Jared, two people who had suffered so much more in their pasts and were now trying to bring love out of the morass that was their past lives. Honor is paralyzed with fear about singing and performing after having been a sensation 10 years ago before a crazed fan attacked her and left her with only fear. But Jared, the hottest new country star hears her singing and wants her to come sing with him while he goes on tour. First he has to overcome her fears and then deal with his own. And I certainly enjoyed being along for the ride.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

What a super quick read this was. I thoroughly enjoyed this story, it flowed really well with a good plot and great characters. I’ve read a few books by this author before and have enjoyed them all.

One Summer in Nashville, Mandy Baggot

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: Romance, Women's Fiction

Moan: women's fiction – why alienate potential readers? Men write books enjoyed by women and men alike, and they read the same.

Anyway, the book. I love Mandy's writing, its only been a couple of her books that haven't worked for me. This one, romance with the music star trope which I so love made it so I was pretty sure the book would be a hit for me.
It was, I really enjoyed it, loved the way things unfolded, the way Honor struggled with her past, and the way Jared was so determined to pull her out of hiding and back in the spotlight, which is where he felt she deserved to be.

There were some nasties too, her ex, horrible man who's now became a music rival, and is keen to pick up again musically. I so hoped she didn't give in, his words and actions after her accident were unforgivable IMO. Jared's agent surprised me too at one point, but at least he acknowledged he was wrong. Honor's agent, long time friend not just an agent and yet....just as she was, that action shocked me. I guess for some folk business is all, personal stuff doesn't come into it, but I'm with Honor, it Does factor in, and I'd have been just as shocked as she was. Of course people who say “its just business” have usually never been in the position where they've been affected by something on a personal level, and maybe they just don't really understand why people like Honor and I feel this way.

There were some great folk too, Jared's family, his friend Buzz and Honor's friend Mia, they were all important to the story and made it so real.
I loved the romance, at first its just her music he wants, Jared tells himself. He's not wanted a relationship for a very long time, since he trusted someone and it went drastically wrong, but Honor is special and its not long before he realises its her he wants, not just her music but all of her. As usual the path of true love never runs smooth, and the couple have a huge number of obstacles to get through, culminating in one enormous one that could just be the breaking point. I so felt for both of them, and when the truth came out it was heart breaking.

Stars: five, a cracking read, great romance but with a solid story backing it up that had me wanting to know more all the while. I need reads that are more than A meets B and they live HEA.

Arc via Netgalley and publishers