This was just okay. The characters started off strong. I liked having the rocker and the dancer. The storyline had potential but it felt like so much was cut out that it just fell flat.

This is the first read from this series for me, and to say I was mindblown is an understatement. This audiobook production gave me everything I needed: the banter, the spice, the tension! I didn’t think this was going to sweep me off my feet. I absolutely have to pick up the rest of the series after listening to this one.

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Tantor Media, and Eva Simmons for this Advanced Listener Copy in exchange for my honest review

overall rating: 2 ⭐️
audio rating: 3.5 ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley, Tantor Audio, and the author for the Advanced Listener Copy of Worth the Trouble.


let me start by saying that you should check TWs before reading.

This was…not my favorite. i really dislike insta-love, especially when we never really see any real reason as to why they are immediately obsessed with each other?

Rome was very “I f**k anything that moves” with stripper poles installed in his living room, and then one day he meets Lili and he’s suddenly a changed man? I’m not buying it.

Lili was a “good girl” dancer who is under her parents’ thumbs. Her mom is a POS who is straight up abusive - constantly reinforcing disordered eating habits onto Lili. By the end of the book, there was what was supposed to be a “redemption arc” for her mom, since she helped to allow Lili and Rome to be together. However, it just completely glossed over all of the ways that her mom was abusive. Just because she got out of the way and let you make your own decisions about who you want to be with romantically does not automatically absolve her from all of the terrible things she has done to you your whole life.

With that being said, the spice was still enjoyable to listen to. While I didn’t feel like Lili and Rome had any true or believable emotional connection, they clearly had sexual chemistry.

Maybe I would have enjoyed this book a lot more if I had read the previous ones in the series. I didn’t realize that this was a series of interconnected standalones prior to requesting this ALC. It is definitely a true standalone, but I wonder if I would have been more emotionally invested in these characters if I had read the other books first.

Audio specific review: I enjoyed the dual narrators for the most part, but it is always SO difficult to listen to a male narrator’s voice during spicy scenes when he is imitating the woman’s voice. I don’t get the same cringe factor with a woman imitating the man’s voice, for some reason. Overall, though, I did enjoy the narration itself and thought both narrators added to the story. I found both of their voices were easy to listen to and fit their characters well.

I think the book was okay-ish until the 3rd act breakup.
It came out of nowhere. I felt like Lily was evolving and becoming a stronger version of herself but as soon as the incident happened she reverted fully to a weaker version of herself that we do not see even at the beginning of the book. The strip club scene was a bit unnecessary and honestly I wonder if the author has ever been to a strip club or she got her inspiration from movies. The scene with Rome on drugs nearly sleeping with someone else was hard to digest too. The chemistry between the main characters was not there.
The spicy scenes were okay, nothing special…
If you are in the market for a quick read that has most of the popular tropes, then this is an okay book.

This is my second read from this series and I can’t say it disappointed the audio was chefs kiss Connor brown if fast becoming a fav of mine and this is maybe the 3rd time I’ve heard him narrate. Desiree Ketchum as also does a lovely job she’s not one of my favs but she did a great job in this story.! I felt her voice really suited lily. I found myself constantly wanting to just delve into this audiobook and life was constantly interrupting which tends to put me off a book because I forget what happened. Surprisingly that didn’t happen with this book it was easy to just dip in and out of and pick up where I left off. It’s performed in dual narration but honestly it flowed so well and both narrators did such a good job it felt I was listening to duet!……Side note ….Are all the book in the series this hot. Il have to go read the other members books!

Solid read/listen enjoyed it a lot 4 stars

3.25⭐️ – Worth the Trouble had some great moments, but didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

I did loved the tropes, delicate, graceful dancer and a wild, playboy rockstar- opposites attract… Yes Please!! The contrast between the two main characters was compelling, and the chemistry? Was almost there BUT the spicy scenes were a major highlight. 🔥

I did struggle a bit with the pacing—it felt uneven at times, and I never fully connected with the narrators. They weren’t necessarily bad, just not the right fit for the tone of the story, in my opinion.

I know some readers aren’t into insta-love, but it doesn’t usually bother me, and I think it worked well enough for this story. While this book didn’t become an all-time fave, I’d still recommend it to a few of my romance-loving friends who enjoy steamy, opposites-attract stories with a bit of drama.

Lily is a dancer who is forced to live the life her mom wants for her. Rome is the bad boy rockstar she shouldn’t get involved with. Bet you can’t guess what happens ;) The spice, the tension, the banter, the way they both knew what the other needed ugh chefs kiss! Truly thought this book was a perfect little pick me up to get you out of a romance slump. The narrators both did a fantastic job on these characters. Devoured this audio, and my only regret is how soon it was over.

This was not for me.. unfortunately I could not connect with these characters and did not enjoy the storyline like I thought I would.

The narration was great and was the only reason I finished the book!

I got the audiobook and it was AMAZING!
Both narrators give the characters a voice I can't forget. I'm not sure if I've felt half of the emotions they've given me here.
I have not read all the books in this series, but when I get my hands on them, I will have two voices in my head.
I hope both narrators and the author can work together again. They make a great team.

ARC Review (Audio)

-Multiple POV
-Oposites Attract
-Found Family
-Rockstar x Ballerina

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spicy: 🌶️

This book can be read as a standalone.

Lili and Rome complete each other! They are literally opposites that need one another.
Both of them found each other when they were in a dark place.
I really enjoyed their story!

This book fell a little flat for me!
There was so much sex and no character development and I really missed that!

Thank you to netgalley for the ARC.
If you like sexy romances that involves rock band gods and steamy sex scenes then this one is for you.
It was a nice read overall if you like the genre but I would have preferred more character development to make me like the protagonists. All the story felt a bit flat to me because of it, cause it seemed to me like the only way they connected was through sex and that’s not what I look for in a book.

4.5 stars!!! OMFG one of the best ARCs I’ve ever gotten!!!
The spice was INCREDIBLE!!!!!
This book was so well written and it showed the struggles many people don’t see with famous people.
Ronan and lily *chefs kiss*
I cannot find a single fault.
Ronan is your typical manwhore but then he meets lily and instantly sense shes different…..
Yes it’s insta-love but like guysssss it was sosososos good. I literally don’t know what else to say lmao

He’s possessive AND has a dick piercing…🤭🤭 say NO MORE

And that epilogue🤭✨🩷🔥 had me BLUSHING

Thankyou soso much netgalley and RBmedia for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!!!!

Going into the book, I didn’t know this was the 4th in a series and while it’s fine as a standalone, I wish I would have read the other books first. I think it would have just added to the book. Definitely a book of opposites attract and there is no hiding from your person no matter how bad you know you come from different worlds. I really appreciated how the FMC and MMC were really able to see on another’s flaws and weaknesses and realize there was no need to hide because love would cover the gap and it’s ok not to perfect.

Thank you @NetGalley and @RBmedia for the ALA. I did not realize this was a series while listening, but I know I need to go back and start at book one. I loved Rome, he is hot and ruthless. Lili is a dancer a point in her life that she wants her life choices to be hers not her moms or her manager. Lili sees past Rome scars and bad boy life to the real him. Could not stop listening, the narrators are great.

🎧Audio Book Review🎧

Worth The Trouble
Eva Simmons

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Oh my goodness!
This was such a good read!

So, for some reason, when I spotted this book, I was convinced that I recognised the author name (having read them before?) and just had to read this book!
It happens that this is actually the first book I've ever read by this author!? Who knew.

This is also book 4 of the series - Enemy Muse - and of course I've not read the rest.
But this read so well as a standalone read and focuses on Rome - a rock king - and Lili - a professional dancer.

I absolutely loved this whole vibe throughout.
A little forbidden romance, limited time period, opposites attract and evil ex topped off with a passion that nobody could deny.
I think that having the contrast of Rome's grumpy, bad boy image against Lili's perfect, cosetted good girl vibe worked to perfection.
It was pretty damn clear where this was heading - but seeing Lili overlook each one of Rome's red flags and him fall so hard was amazing.

I loved both of our characters and their complicated backstories.
There were some tough topics explored between them - creating an authentic narrative around each of their motivations and behaviours - and these played out beautifully.
Each of them opening up just a little for each other until all walls were broken down and their broken remains, accepted.

There was a great cast of other characters and it was clear from some of the scenes that each had had their own stories - no doubt explored within the rest of the series - and I just have to read them all!

There was no shortage of spice in this read and I was totally there for it all!
Loved the writing style and will definitely now be looking to read more from this author!

I listened to this on audio and the narrators were fantastic - such a great portrayal of the characters and had me totally hooked from start to finish - I devoured this in just over a day!

Worth Every Page!
Worth the Trouble completely hooked me! I’m a sucker for a good rockstar/pro dancer romance, and this one delivered everything. The chemistry between the main characters was electric — he’s a reformed man-whore who instantly senses she’s different, and their connection is just chef’s kiss. Add in a toxic ex to stir the pot, some seriously spicy smut (🔥🔥🔥), and unforgettable side characters who added so much charm and heart. The ending wrapped everything up perfectly — satisfying, emotional, and swoon-worthy. Eva Simmons absolutely nailed it with this one!

4.25⭐️

This is a review of the audiobook.

So I did not know this was part of a series before I read it. However, I don't think I missed anything important so I believe this series can be read as standalones.

Both narrators were great and I would listen to these 2 narrate a book together anytime.

I loved the almost instant bond between Lili and Rome. They were a great balance for each other and their chemistry was fantastic.

I’m doing this series backward. When I saw this, I just had to listen to it. I love Miss Simmons and the narrators did an amazing job. Rome is a man that doesn’t love. Lili is a girl that can’t love. Together, they show each other they can. I am really excited to go back and dive into the previous books.

I didn’t connect with the characters at all I didn’t care about them. The story was fine just not for me.