I’d give it 4.5 stars but was very fast paced. But I love the story none the less. I can’t wait to finish the series!

ARC AUDIOBOOK REVIEW– Worth the Trouble by Eva Simmons

I think Worth the Trouble is a solid book, but I probably would’ve connected with it more if I’d read the physical copy. The story itself kept my attention, and I did enjoy it overall—but the audiobook experience didn’t quite hit it for me.

The main issue was the narration setup. The male and female narrators had noticeably different pacing. I found myself constantly adjusting the speed depending on who was speaking, and that pulled me out of the story every time the POV changed.

Another thing that didn’t work for me: during their own chapters, each narrator voiced the other character, which isn’t uncommon, but here, it just didn’t flow. It felt off—like I was listening to two versions of the same person trying to do impressions of each other, rather than a natural back-and-forth. It killed some of the chemistry and emotional buildup that the book itself was trying to deliver.

So while I liked the plot and can see myself enjoying it more in print, the audiobook narration made it harder to immerse myself fully.

Loved the character development ,
Not big on angst but the spice made up for it . They did trauma bond but the development of their relationship had me locked into the book. Definitely my favorite out of the

I love rockstar romances and then there's also a dancer!! Sounds like my perfect book! I devoured this audiobook in 24 hours and fell in love with Rome and Lili and their character development. The narrators were fabulous and really brought the characters to life. I haven't read the rest of the series but am immediately going back to read them now.

I loved this book <3 It was so beautifully crafted and I adored Rome and Lili's relationship.

Rome, the “Riff King,” is a complex character battling his demons behind a wild, hard-partying image, while Lili’s disciplined ballerina life hides her own struggles with control and vulnerability. Watching these two imperfect souls collide and slowly peel back their walls to find trust and healing is what makes this story stand out 💗

The spicy scenes in this book were soooooo good. The desire they had for each other made my heart MELT.

“He takes my air, my life, my heart. His ink might as well crawl from his skin and seep into my own. Because I’ll never escape him.” (like COME ON 🥰)

Reading about both characters growth was truly incredible—Rome’s journey from self-destruction to confronting his past felt authentic and moving, and Lili’s strength in embracing vulnerability added real emotional weight. Their relationship is raw, passionate, and layered with tension and tenderness, which keeped me completely hooked!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Another 5 star read. I mean at this point why wouldn't it be? I really loved Rome and Lili. Desiree Ketchum and Connor Brown did an amazing job narrating their story. I love rockstar romances and Eva did an amazing job as always. I will definitely be going back to read the first three in this series! Thank you to Netgalley, Tantor Audio and Eva Simmons for allowing me to listen to an ALC of, Worth the Trouble!!

3.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 4 ⭐️
This is book four in the series but can be read as a stand-alone. This is the first one that I have read, and there are spoilers, so I would recommend reading the others first. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Desiree Ketchum and Connor Brown, who did a fantastic job bringing the characters to life.
This is the story of Lili Chen, who is a professional dancer who lives a very strict and regimented life, controlled by her mother and the dance studio. She has no freedom and no sense of self. Then she meets the famous rockstar (who she does not recognize), Rome Moreno. What ensues is a tale of dealing with your demons, self-acceptance, and love.
Overall, I liked the story and how she wrote the characters. There were several inconsistencies with the story that really stuck out to me, but I tend to notice these things. Otherwise, it was an enjoyable read.

Loved this one so much!! This is my first book by this author and it will not be my last. I am also slowly loving rockstar romances more. Plus the narration was perfect. Loved both narrators especially Desiree. She can narrate the dictionary and I would listen. Will highly recommend

I did not care for this book because I could not connect with the main characters. Rome's character seemed one dimensional - he spent so much of the book thinking about how much sex he has had in the past and how abnormal it is that he has gone a few weeks without it. Lilly acted like a teenager (though not a teenager in actuality) who wanted to rebel by dating the bad boy because her parents were overbearing. She was used to being controlled and turned to bulimia to exert a sense of control in her life.

The best part of the book were the narrators.

I am so grateful that I got the opportunity to listen to this book.
Rome and Lili are such deep characters whose life experiences have changed the way they view the world and has left them feeling broken. Despite coming from such different worlds the way in which the author has written the characters molds the characters into being magnets, that orbit one another and when together feel whole.
The emotions are do raw that you are really routing for them both.amd just want to give them a big hug.
The narrators just add a whole other depth to the book and further being them to life.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and will be looking to read other work by the author.

I received this as an audio book from NetGalley
This hit me in all the feels i love rome both him and lili where both so broken this whole book felt like poetry in the best way not sure I'll ever recover from this masterpiece this shows no matter your lifestyle that it's easy to feel alone and isolated from the world I never read the rest of the series but I'll definitely be going back to read them now

thank you NetGalley for the audio ARC of this book! it was soooo good it took me less than a day to finish it! Rome is a dirty scandalous and fun man and Lilly really comes into herself! they started out trying to avoid each other but then jumping into it together full bore and it was so good! I would absolutely recommend it!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️.5

I have never read any of the other book in this series. I did not know there were others prior to receiving an ALC, however I enjoyed it.

There was enough background information for me to follow along. I was not confused. Since I enjoyed Rome’s story so much I do plan to go back and read the others.

I love that we get an opposites attract romance. I love when a good girl can tame a jaded bad boy. Both MCs had their own trauma that they started to heal from once they met each other.
The spice was very good! That ice cube part tho! Ekkkk! It will live in my head rent free.

I really enjoyed the narrators for this book. I would definitely listen to more book from both narrators.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Quick, fun read! Loved listening to this audio, the story was engaging, and the spice be spicing!

Is this something crazy different from other rockstar romances? No. Do you need it to be in order to enjoy the hell out of the book? Definitely not.

Rome is a tatted, motorcycle riding, rockstar who does not have a shortage of groupies and remains unattached from everything and everyone. Then there's Lili, a professional dancer who knows nothing outside of the life that her mother directs for her. Put the two of them together, and you've got some serious deflection, dry humour, and sparks you can see from the other side of town. They both resist for their own reasons (he's a committment-phobe, and she doesn't want to get involved with a man-ho), but of course we all know that that doesn't last long and they eventually give in to the chemistry.

I thought this was a really fun, light read and I would recommend it if you're looking for a familiar, but great rockstar romance!

On the audio specifically:
Desiree Ketchum and Connor Brown are PERFECT for the two voices. The audio is recorded dual, not duet, and I did not mind that at all! I think I might need to look up other books these two have recorded because I'm simply going to need MORE. I thought the female parts were just a smidge slower than the male parts though so I found myself speeding up the Lili chapters a bit more to keep the listening experience at the same pace. I do highly recommend the audio, I think it made the story just that much more enjoyable!

This is book #4 in this rockstar romance series. The book is more than a romance! It goes deep into difficult topics including challenging dynamics between parent and child, eating issues, and low self esteem. The chemistry between the main characters is off the charts! I enjoyed this book!

Wow, this audiobook was amazing! Watching Lilly the dancing princess in a glass box and Rome the rock star playboy break through their walls, trauma, and toxic bindings was a journey. This had a Romeo and Juliet feel because they felt that they were from different worlds, but both had demons to overcome that were best fought together. Through everything, this shows that true love is stronger together and with the right person's support, you can become whole even when you feel broken beyond repair. I hated having to press pause on this audiobook! Thank you, NetGalley and Tantor audio for letting my ears experience this wonderful book!

Love the narration, like I could HEAR the smirks and shy looks. Two people broken in very different ways come together and actually SEE each other but fight some change. I liked the push and pull, and the slow way they opened up to each other.

Eva Simmons knows who to write a bad guy who fall hard! Their story is so beautifully written with some tough topics. I knew Rome was going to be a great time, but I loved being in his POV. He was so broken, but Lili was there to stitch him back together.

I am going to miss them so much.

Narrators did this series justice. I had the best time listening

Overall I’d rate it in between 3.5 and 4 stars. I didn’t realize this was the 4th book in the series when I requested it and will definitely be listening to the first 3 as well.
I don’t think the narrators were my favorite, which always makes it harder to enjoy the book. Or maybe I don’t feel like their voices connected with the characters. I appreciated the real life struggles for Lili as a ballet dancer. I loved how well Rome loved Lili and took care of her. And the ending was a perfect one for them 🫶🏻Thank you for allowing me to listen!

Looking for a sexy broody Rockstar with a troubled past, and a FMC that is strong, but struggles with perfection this is the book for you. Not to mention the narrators nailed the characters. You could feel what the characters were feeling with their voices.