I’m a huge sucker for rock star romances, and this book absolutely delivered. Nate, a famous musician grappling with panic attacks, is ordered to return to his small hometown for court-mandated community service. To make things even more complicated, his new manager is Bev—a former classmate with whom he shares a tangled, unfinished history.

Their dynamic at the animal shelter had me laughing out loud, especially during the unforgettable rescue of a certain very feisty rabbit. The chemistry between Nate and Bev is undeniable, and their banter kept the story feeling fresh and fun throughout.

If you’re into tropes like small town settings, forced proximity, one bed, second chance romance, or workplace dynamics, this is definitely a must-read. I also really appreciated the thoughtful portrayal of Nate’s mental health journey. His struggles with panic attacks and the weight of fame are explored with care and realism. As someone who’s passionate about psychology, I always enjoy seeing mental health represented in fiction, and this book handled it with empathy and authenticity.

Highly recommend!

I struggled a bit to connect to the characters. I think I would enjoy this one more as an audiobook, or with a bit more character development!

An absolutely enchanting book. The story keeps you hooked from beginning to end and you feel connected to the universe in a unique way. Thank you for letting me read this work of art!!!!!!

I enjoyed this one even though I'm not a huge fan of rock star rom coms. But throw in cute puppies and other animals I'm hooked.

How odd. The premise was good, the language and descriptions were off on a lot of the book. Broke the 4th wall a couple of times or tried to and didn’t love that

This author is new to me, but I will be keeping an eye out for anything else they publish. I loved the story and the characters. The pacing of the story was great and the characters were relatable.

This was so good! Kept me interested (I’m a past kennel manager and love animals) and gave me all the feels. I did get a little frustrated with the FMC and MMC but in the end, it was a happy one.
There was an open end left towards the end of the book though so I’m hoping for a sequel to see what happens next.
This was such a sweet read

Thanks to NetGalley for this book!!

This needed heavy editing from beta readers and a lot more polishing. There was potential here, but I felt like it wasn't nurtured in the way it needed to be.

This was a fiery, opposites-attract romance that delves into the chaos, glamour, and emotional turbulence of life in the music industry. The novel follows a protagonist who is determined to stay far away from the drama of rock stars but finds herself irresistibly drawn to one despite her best intentions. What ensues is a tension-filled, witty, and often humorous exploration of love, fame, and the price of letting your guard down.

McCoy excels at creating strong, flawed characters, especially the heroine, who is fiercely independent, smart, and carries a backstory that adds depth to her reluctance toward romance. The rock star love interest, while embodying the rebellious, charismatic energy you’d expect, also surprises with layers of vulnerability beneath his larger-than-life persona. Their chemistry is electric, with banter that keeps the pages turning and emotional moments that give the romance real weight.

The novel explores themes of trust, the pitfalls of fame, and the fear of getting hurt, making the story not just a fun ride through the highs and lows of rock-and-roll life, but a deeper look at the sacrifices and risks involved in relationships—especially in the public eye. McCoy doesn’t shy away from showing the messy, complicated nature of love, making the characters’ journey feel authentic and earned.

“I Hate Rock Stars” is a perfect pick for readers who love sizzling chemistry, strong heroines, and stories that take you backstage into the wild world of fame without losing the emotional core. It’s a bold, energetic romance that’s as much about finding yourself as it is about falling in love.

Many thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with an ARC and allowing me to provide my honest review

"I Hate Rock Stars" by Mia McCoy is a fun, fast-paced romance that takes readers behind the scenes of the music industry with a unique blend of humor, sass, and heart. The novel follows a protagonist who, despite her disdain for the chaotic world of rock stars, finds herself unexpectedly drawn into a romance with one. McCoy's writing captures the glitz, glamor, and drama of the music world, while also focusing on the emotional complexity of her characters. Filled with witty banter, sizzling chemistry, and a look at the ups and downs of fame, "I Hate Rock Stars" is a lighthearted yet captivating read. It's perfect for readers who love a good opposites-attract romance with plenty of spark and charm.

I picked this up because I love rockstar and second chance romances, and I think this book had potential. However, the execution left a little bit to be desired. I do think it's a good. light summer beach read, with likable characters and a fun storyline.

I do wish we had gotten more of the first chance backstory in the beginning. I think in a second chance romance, having the reader get invested in the first chance storyline is a necessity. I feel like a lot happens in the back 10-15% without having the buildup to it during the course of the book, so it makes the pacing feel a little off. I think this book could have been improved if it was a bit longer and more drawn out, and feeling less rushed.

Overall, I still think it's a good story and book, I was just expecting more.

Unfortunately this one just wasn’t for me and I had to DNF and needed a better content edit. The grammar and logistics were fine but the actual content and flow was lack luster at best.

Rock stars in hiding? check, grumpy/sunshine? check just a few of my favourite tropes all in one book. I enjoyed the theme of the book, but it wasn't one I read in one sitting.

I really enjoyed this book, it was a great read. I would recommend this enemies to lovers book. You really get to enjoy all the banter and watch them fall for each other.

Such a fun read! Highly recommend.

Many thanks to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I Hate Rock Stars - 2.5 Stars (DNF at 60%)

I really wanted to like this book.
There were several things about it that I really liked. I feel like the characters had potential and so did the story itself. I could definitely see the vision for this story.

It might just be that the writing style isn't for me but I found that the plot felt so rushed. Like the events of the plot were just brushed over. Personally, it made it hard to build an emotional connection to the characters and to feel the spark and desire between the them. There were only a few moment where I felt something.

I think it just came down to the writing style not being for me. I really wanted to love it!

This review has been posted on GoodReads. Here is the link for this review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6828369146

If you’re a fan of light, breezy romances with a touch of steam, I Hate Rock Stars by Mia McCoy might catch your attention. It follows a familiar yet fun formula—grumpy/sunshine vibes, second-chance romance, and, of course, a bad boy rocker turned community service intern. But does it hit all the right notes? Eh, not quite.

The story kicks off at an animal shelter where we meet the rule-following protagonist, whose life gets turned upside down when her high school crush and rock god, Nate Hart, walks back into town. Cue sparks flying, old memories resurfacing, and the will-they-won’t-they tension bubbling up, especially when they’re forced into situations like sharing a motel room with—you guessed it—only one bed.

Now, I love a good “only one bed” trope as much as the next romance reader, but something about this one didn’t fully land for me. The chemistry between the characters was decent, and the banter had its moments, but it never really built to the point where I was completely rooting for them. The romance felt predictable, and while the story had all the ingredients for a fun ride, it didn’t leave a lasting impression.

One thing that did stand out was the unique setting. I enjoyed the fact that a lot of the plot revolved around an animal shelter and its sweet furry residents. That was a refreshing change from the typical office or small-town coffee shop romance settings. It added a little more heart to the story, though I wish the characters had been fleshed out more deeply.

Speaking of which, Nate, our brooding rock star, wasn’t quite the “bad boy with a heart of gold” I expected. His backstory—why he ended up in community service—was teased but never fully explored, which left me wanting more depth and complexity from his character. And while our heroine was likable enough, her desire for a promotion and her interactions with Nate didn’t feel compelling enough to drive the story forward in a meaningful way.

Overall, I Hate Rock Stars is a quick, easy read. It hits some romance beats well, but it might not stick with you long after you’ve finished. If you're in the mood for something light that doesn’t require much emotional investment, it's a decent option. But if you're looking for a romance that packs a punch and leaves a lasting impression, you might want to look elsewhere.

This was a really sweet and fun story combined with many things I love; animals and rock stars. I really enjoyed the dynamics between Nate and Bev - they had a history and they worked through many unspoken conversations that they had carried in the span of 15 years. I loved the characters and the animals, especially Moose! My only complaint was this book just wasn't long enough, I would've loved Nate and Bev's story to have been longer!

This book follows Bev, an employee at the Melody Bay Animal Shelter that loves her job dearly, and wants nothing more than to be promoted. How does her boss plan on having her prove herself? By working alongside rockstar Nate Hart, who's at the shelter to complete his community service. The two go from enemies to lovers as they're sent on a trip to rescue a neglected dog.

I read this book in one sitting. It was a silly, goofy, fun time - but it wasn't anything groundbreaking. I felt it was a little rushed, especially considering the book's length. We didn't really get a lot of time on the "enemies" side, skipping very quickly to friends and then lovers. Bev's reasoning for not liking him was a little weak, but that's just my opinion. I also found there was some inconsistencies with the book, and there could've been a little more development as far as the characters' personalities go. Bev's strongest personality trait is "bratty," and Nate's is simply "horny." I personally would've swapped out a little of the spice for more romantic development. All in all, it was fine, but it wasn't my favorite.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

I just couldn't get into this book and ended up giving up about a quarter of the way in and skim reading through.

There wasn't anything that stood out as "bad", this just wasn't for me