Thank you NetGalley for the eARC. This is a great follow-up to an already great story! i loved it! I love these people

One Last Verse
By: N.N. Britt
Rating: 3 Stars ⭐️

Blurb: One Last Verse is the conclusion of Frankie and Cassy’s story. It should be read after Final Serenade.

Cassy Evans knows a thing or two about secrets. By juggling work and a hidden relationship with the world’s biggest rock star for months, she’s become an expert.
However, being with Frank comes at a price. Seven years after the accident that almost ended everything, his trauma still haunts him. Determined to get back on stage, the man known to the world as Frankie Blade would do anything to ensure the success of his band’s reunion. But when one rash decision puts his entire career on the line, it’s not clear if he can recover from it.
As Frank spirals out of control, pushing Cassy away, she has to face the reality of what they’ve become. He’s harder to love than she imagined. Her common sense tells her severing all ties with him is the right choice.
Problem is, she can’t leave without her heart. And Frank doesn’t want to give it back.

This book is part of a duet and is not a standalone. The story went in a direction that I wasn’t expecting. I don’t particularly enjoy book about alcoholism and addiction. Frank is a mess and why Cassy stayed with him is a mystery to me and I was not vested in their HEA. I love a rock star romance but this one didn’t quiet work for me.

Thank you to the publisher for providing an ARC.

Okay, so I'm really happy I stuck with this duet. The writing and story in book 2 just flowed so effortlessly!

Can't say too much without spoilers, but let me say Cassy was a strong woman who stood her ground and distanced herself from the negativity and defeat of Frankie. And I will say, the direction Frankie's storyline took was perfect.

Cassy continues to work on her documentary without the involvement of Frankie and it is obvious she is drowning herself in work in an effort not to think about Frankie and where he is and what he's doing. Boy, does he have a surprise for her!

Loved, loved, loved the ending! It was perfection!

What a Great Duet!!!

Frankie and Cassy’s story was full of emotion, heartache, heartbreak and plenty of steam. I absolutely loved their connection and I’m now a big fan of N.N. Britt. Of course I loved my rock and rollers but this book was full of so much more that it was a page turner I couldn’t put down.

Be ready for one crazy ride with Frankie and Cassy and this is one author I can’t wait to read again. Make sure you grab Final Serenade in the Encore Duet series.

This book is the second in a two part series and you need to read the first book as it continues the story.
I felt this book was a good follow up, though I did think it kind of lost its way about a third of the way through. Thankfully the last third saved it!
I did get slightly annoyed with Cassy in this book but I’m glad she finally saw sense, for her own well-being.
I did enjoy reading a bit more about Ashton and I think a little spin off featuring Ashton and the potential relationship between him and Isabella would be good .... like did he pass his SATs in the end?!
I enjoyed the book (but not as much as the first book) but it tied the story up nicely. I will keep an eye out for more books from this author!
Thank you for the opportunity to read this book.

I read this book as soon as I finished up the first book. I want more!! This series is so powerful and heart wrenching. One can't help but fall in love with the characters. I would love to read more about them. Can Cassy move on from the rock god? Can Frank get his act straight? What is going to happen to Dante. Maybe he needs his own book. I can't say enough good things about this series.

Not sure how to feel about this couple other than to say talk about obsessed and co-dependent. That’s just on each other I’m not talking about if you bring in all the alcohol Frank starts to drink in order to cover-up the disappointment, hurt, and pain of not being able to perform the way he did before the accident he took on his motorcycle seven years ago.

He fights back to life having to relearn everything we all take for granted only to find out he still can’t perform and do what he loves. Then, when his health issues begin to cause problems during rehearsals everyone keeps quiet. All so Frank can keep face and basically no meltdown.

When he meets Cassy during his interview time where he’s getting ready to perform for the first time, they have strong chemistry during the interview. She is a co-owner of a rock magazine online. On the night of the interview and concert, she sees him two more times and Frank takes that as fate.

On the third time, they really get to talking unguardedly. But, when Dante, a band member who invited her enters the room she leaves. She figures why add flames to the fire since the two men already have an age-old feud going. Even at her younger age, she could feel the tension in the room.

She cut out of the party all together before Frank thought they finished talking so he sought her out the next night, like at midnight. Rocker’s hours. Frank has no rules. This book gets into his alcoholism and the fights it causes and how Cassy's idle threats mean nothing since she says them so often then does nil. He just stopped listening, in fact, I stopped listening for him. She’s gone, she’s back. Like a ball.

When Frank comes to Dante’s launch party drunk and embarrasses her while she’s working and a GIF is created of the two of them you think that is the end of them. That is her line in the sand. Finally, how long will it last though? But I have to say by the end of this book I felt like Dante had always been in love with her but once again his friend wanted something or someone so of course, he would have it.

Two, when Dante was drunk or high, he was never mean or hurtful to Cassy like Frank. Third, Dante always did or put Cassy first. Ask what she needed, how he could help her, he would just help and never said once poor me. And the one time with Frank’s manager when he was mean it turns out it was on the behalf of Frank.

Now, once again no real ending not as bad as the other. Still not great but there is a free extra book so… I guess I was waiting to see Cassy find her own strength and for once lay down the law and make him follow them. To become a woman with a real backbone who tells him when you get over your ex-wife fully and can come to me without anger that Dante had sex without condition or tricks of the hand then we can talk. Until then, we can date.

Update: The Encore was mixed for me it was confusing leaving more questions. So, this book picks up three months after the last time they met at the premiere of the documentary. I’m not sure if they will make it. Still, Frank dangles the carrot in front of Cassy but doesn’t deliver. All talk, pretty much his M.O.

Because he has just gotten out of rehab and they are staying Arizona at his parent's place. He is grateful for her, his family, and recovery but still mad at Dante for F-ing his ex-wife.

The author did her job all three books stir up emotions and I’m sure on many viewpoints. Because my hubby’s viewpoint saw Frank as grateful but he needs to get over his anger with Dante but manly his anger at his ex-wife because he’s still in love with her. This I thought was an interesting point. Hmmm?

I give this: 4 stars. Provided by netgalley.com. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com.

One Last Verse By N. N. Britt (2020/05/26)
Rating 3.5/5 Stars
Disclaimer: Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher (Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op) for providing me with an ARC to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
TW: Addiction to Alcohol, Drugs

One Last Verse is the second installment in “The Encore” series. This story follows Cassy as she’s been in a secret relationship with Frankie blade, a famous rockstar for the band Hall Affinity. This book follows the aftermath of the events in the first book so If you haven't read that then I. suggest not reading this review.

In this story, Cassy has learned whether she can handle dealing with Frank as he spirals out of control. I loved how this story was told, it was so easy to slip right back into the story. I was so invested in the plot and the characters that I flew through this book in one sitting. I liked how there was a good balance of funny moments as well as emotional. There were some intense scenes in this story, and I think the author handled them really well. The story was realistic and was written in a way that we really got to understand the characters motives as to why they were acting the way they were.

Cassy was a completely honest character and she didn't sugar coat things to make others feel better. I liked that she was an independent woman and knew what she wanted. I love how real this story was, this wasn't a fluffy rockstar romance (although there's nothing wrong with that). The characters had to go through so many real-life challenges which made the story really relatable. The chemistry between Cassy and Frank was so genuine and authentic that I was rooting for them even when they were at their lowest points.

I loved seeing Ashton’s character development throughout this story especially because I feel like Cassy was being a bit too harsh with him at times. I was really looking forward to seeing a redemption arc for Dante. I feel like towards the end of the story it was rushed a bit, I would have liked to see Frank grovel. I didn't like how easily Cassy just forgave him especially because there were points throughout the novel where I had no idea how everything was going to be solved or where the story would end.

Overall, I think this was a strong conclusion to this duet and I can't wait to read more of N.N. Britt’s work. Once again thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and Netgalley for providing me a copy to review. My Review will be posted on my goodreads account today.

5+ Stars for this heartbreaking story!

This is the conclusion to Frank and Cassy's story ... and I really just don't know what to say. This story just gutted me. This is such a realistic view of love and heartache. How when you love someone so deeply it's devastating to let them go. How well intended promises can be broken so easily. How difficult it is to hold on to your dreams.

Ms. Britt really knows how to grab a person right from the start and hold your heart hostage till the very end. This is one of those series that will stay with me for a long time. I highly recommend you read this series ... believe me, you definitely won't regret it.

I received a copy courtesy of the author through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

Even though this duet checked a lot of boxes, it felt like just that, checking off boxes of what should go into a romance between a rock star and a reporter. The details about the world of rock stars and music reporters are there, so if it's that's the main draw for you, you will probably enjoy both books. However, if you like your books to be more character-driven, this detailed world seems built at the expense of the characters that inhabit it. The characters fell flat, the "filled the boxes" for the world the book is set in. Also, if you're looking for something other than a sequential narration of events, this may not fit the bill for you. I never felt immersed in a novel. I didn't feel the chemistry between the characters, I knew there was heat between them, but it was told, not conveyed. Three stars, because I can visualize that other people may like it, but I wanted more.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

One Last Verse, The Encore: Book 2, N.N. Britt

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: Romance, Women's Fiction.

Gah, women's fiction again...men write romance, men read romance, lets get with the 21st century.

So, book two. I loved the first book, but if anything, this was even better. The issues facing Frank and Cassy aren't just the publicity, the media and her job, but the way Frank is coping with his injuries.
When they finally go public, the timing is bad, because within a short time Frank's problems have them at odds once more. Poor Cassy, it feels like she's always struggling, trying so hard to help Frank, and when he's not drinking he's wonderful. Caring, thoughtful, generous and the perfect man, but then – as anyone who's had dealings with an alcoholic knows – the reverse side of this person is bitter, angry, cruel, and when the hangover is worn off, they're sorry, won't do it again. Its a continuous cycle.
Cassy saw all that with her dad, how her poor mum was ground under by it, and always vowed she wouldn't be like that. She loves Frank though, she feels for him, understands some of why he's so angry, upset, and in this book the bad parts get really heaped on Frank driving him t the edge. It was superbly written, having lived with an alcoholic I can vouch that part was spot on. The ups and downs, the highs when everything is wonderful, and then the sudden crash, often over the most trivial things.
I did feel for Frank, but as Cassy tried to tell him, he still has so much, but all he could see was what he had lost. His career was his life, and he's lost if he can't perform so he's pushing himself, using drugs and alcohol to numb the pain so he can continue. He can't see any other future, won't admit he simply can't do it. Its turning him into someone Cassy can't continue with though, she loves him but can't accept the person he is in the bad times.

I loved the drama in this, so intense, so perfect for me. Drama in a book is what I adore, proper drama, not the angsty, pseudo drama that many romances feature, but real, gritty, relatable stuff. I loved that Frank struggled, let people down, pushed Cassy away. His anger was palpable, I could feel his despair, even while I was so angry with him for letting others down, for his awful behaviour to Cassy. I loved that the drama lasted, wasn't over in a few pages, but took a good chunk of the book to resolve. That made it feel real, I couldn't get behind someone who claimed to be past the problems if they hadn't used time to actually change their life. I so felt for Cassy, she was such a hard worker, looked after her family, tried to help Frank, and even Dante at times. She's one of those folk that are good at heart, won't hesitate to step up when its needed.
I loved her brother too, he was a typical teen, and really grew through this book. And of course Levi, her work partner for the past seven years.
Its not a rock star on the road type read, thankfully its not an alpha male, grunting, monosyllabic read, those ones that run “ you feel me?” “ I feel you” and that's about the extent of a conversation. Its not a Kylie Scott or Kristen Callihan humour filled rock star read, they're both Queens of Rock for me, but it is a superb book about fame, drama, human frailties, and lets N.N. Britt join that precious group, Queen of Rock Reads, for me. Its one that I know, along with the first book, will become one of my re-read staples. Right now, along with N.N. Brits other two books, they are on KU so a great time to read them.

Stars: Five, terrific read, a rock star romance, with so much extra in the story, full or drama and reality.

Arc via netgalley and publishers