It has been difficult for me to finish this book, I have almost not finished it. It has been a bit confusing to read, all the characters have seemed childish to me, from the main protagonists of young age to adults, with some exceptions, once finished I consider it more of a young adult themed book.

The main protagonist, Conner, is an actress-singer-model, who has been in show business since she was a child. Very complete professionally, very incomplete psychologically, although she is old enough not to behave the way she does, no matter how many childhood traumas she has had.

Really the way it is written has not helped me to enter and be interested in the story. Too many characters, some poorly defined, a lot of confusing information in general.

In short, a story with the intention of showing the difficulties of being rich and famous, dragging everything in her path, the rich also cry and all that jazz, which has not been much of my interest.

This is a gripping and emotionally charged portrait of fame, family, and the fragility that’s sometimes built to survive. At the height of her career, Conner is dazzling, powerful, and untouchable—at least on the surface. Jenny Lane crafts a raw and intimate character study of a woman who’s built her life on control and distance, only to find that success without connection is a hollow victory. As Conner’s carefully curated world begins to crack, the novel deftly explores the emotional toll of celebrity and the lasting wounds of a complicated childhood.

This is a story that’s compelling in its refusal to sugarcoat Conner’s flaws—she’s messy, guarded, and often self-sabotaging—but always deeply human. Lane balances the glitz of stardom with an undercurrent of vulnerability, especially as Conner’s estranged sister reenters her life and real relationships begin to threaten her emotional detachment. The Rise and Fall of Conner Cody is a powerful tale of redemption and the hard, often painful work of learning to let others in. It’s a sharp, heartfelt read that lingers long after the spotlight fades.

Connor Cody was in films before she could walk. She is now a successful actress and has a band with a hot album. Her career did get a boost by having famous parents that got doors opened for her. This lands more on the women's fiction side because it is really her journey. Going from endless hook ups and exhibiting poor behaviors, until finally making mistakes that cost her people she holds dear. Along the way we meet her band mates, a sister she wasn’t close to and two nieces that win her heart. She also makes friends with Melina (Meli) who is a curvy actress that gets cast in Connor’s music video. Meli is part of the story but in the friend zone till the last quarter of the book. It is only then that Meli realizes that she may not be entirely straight.

The story fits the title and I was gripped by the story. Yes, things at times can seem implausible but celebrity romances are often part fantasy. I liked Meli and especially enjoyed when the two came together. This is a longer novel and I enjoyed the extra time I got learning about Conner and her world.

I really enjoyed this.
It's quite a long book looking at Connor Cody but it's worth reading.
As you get to know Connor you can see past the brash womaniser who is just trying to find who she actually is for herself rather than who she has been told she is. With famous parents, the attention has always been on her. Apart from her parents - they don't seem to have noticed her at all. Women fall at her feet.
Only she is not really interested in those women anymore.
Watch the slow burn scorch its way across the pages, and how she finds her feet in the world and within her newly extended family.

There is of course an epilogue - to show us that all good things come to those who wait.

Well! I love it when an author takes the time they need to tell a story, when they tell it well. This is well told and worth your time.
This is long and not always a happy read. It is not all tied up in neat little bows. There is very much a happy ending and it is all tied up, but other stuff is, not left hanging but not a neat happy end. To that point this is relatable. The lives of the mains I have no experience of but this was well painted by the author so I felt an insider and not a bystander.

This was a novel full of all of the larger than life drama one might expect in a celebrity/rockstar romance novel. There is a great case of supporting characters from more celebrities to down to earth, grounding characters who most readers could probably connect with. Though I could not relate to many of the situations Conner found herself in, I enjoyed her character arc and was rooting for her by the end. There is a great balance of sweet, chaos, emotion, and pretty much any emotion you can think of, without too much of any one in particular.

This is a great read for someone looking for a celebrity romance and the drama that comes with that trope.

5⭐️
The Rise and Fall of Conner Cody is an emotional journey of a young woman who was literally born into the glamorous world of the Hollywood film industry and the rock ‘n’ roll scene. She had her first appearance in front of a camera as a toddler. On the one hand, she grew up with a silver spoon in her mouth, but on the other hand, she was neglected by her parents and was expected to follow in the footsteps of her successful parents and grandparents (on both sides) in the film and music industry. And she exceeded all expectations, but she has absolutely no idea about life, intimacy, love, compassion, and she doesn't give a damn about the consequences of her sometimes reckless behavior. She seems like a soul who was sold to the world of glamour, success, sex, and drugs.

I admit I had to get used to this arrogant and self-obsessed person at first. It took me a while before I could see behind Conner's façade, but after that, it was easy to like her, and I cheered her on to finally wake up from this unhealthy lifestyle and get her feet firmly on the ground, take responsibility, and learn to appreciate the little things. I can't imagine how a child should grow up to be an understanding and considerate person under such circumstances.

Conner lives her life in the fast lane, overexploiting her body and soul. When Melinda, an aspiring actress, and Conner's half-sister Sady and her family enter her life, she begins to realize that there could be more to life than fame and success, that love and family can be much more valuable than all the money in the world. But it is only when she hits rock bottom and faces the potential loss of the only friends she has that she finally comes back down to earth and has to decide whether she wants to continue as before. Or should she dare to open her heart, make herself vulnerable, and perhaps find true happiness in a chosen family and no longer be lonely?

A rocky and sometimes painful journey begins for Conner. Melinda, the first woman who has managed to sneak her way into Conner's heart and who doesn't tolerate any bullshit from her, shows her what is equally important in life as a successful job: family, friends, and love.

A story that touched me, even though it takes place in a world I know nothing about. Chelsey Lynford does an excellent job with her narrative style, the dialogue, the development of the characters, and also addressing uncomfortable topics. And the strong crew of supporting actors is also very convincing.

Highly recommended story. Thank you, Cherie, for recommending this one.

Thanks to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for providing an ARC for an honest review.

The rise and Fall of Conner Cody is not what I expected. I enjoyed this book and it was a very emotional read, which gave me the insight as to why Conner freaking Cody was a wild and out of control rock star. I loved her and Melinda's relationship and how open and honest Conner was with her. Even though Meli does call her out on evrything. I look forward to more from this author and I recommend.


Thank you Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

its a journey of discovery about the life and times of conner freaking cody and her debauchery lifestyle of a rockstar/famous person who has been out of control most of her life

her parties are legendary and her sex life is displayed for all to see... she can have anyone she wants but the one thing denied her.... the love of her parents

but there are secrets as to why she is like she is and when her band release the album and conner does an interview she blows up some of the myth behind her life....

but along the way she meets people that will have an affect on her life if she will only let them in... can she let her walls down enough and in time...

have to say its a long storyline but i was compelled to read this as i was hooked on the destructive path conner was on and i had my fingers crossed she would change... and though we all want some level of fame it comes at a cost.... this book is an eye opener for that

will be keeping an eye out for more from this author

Conner was such a big mess for most of the book, sleeping with every woman around and partied way too much. Her childhood was not great and she has been famous since she was a toddler, but her actions made me not really care that much what happened with her, same thoughts Conner has really, she acts like she does not deserve love.

Fortunately she has this crash in her career and private life and that made her rethink things. She reconnected with her half sister and her nieces and most importantly started focusing on Meli that was not as straight as she thought.

Overall a nice read but I think it would have been even better if not only romance last 25% of the book and some additional steam would not have hurt.

This was a very emotional read, and the author did a very good job on developing Connor's personality and explaining it. It didn't really make sense until we learned of her parent's neglect. It revolved mostly around Connor who grew up as a child of famous people. She did what she wanted and didn't care who it affected or who she hurt or what she did to herself. It's just like the title says, its the rise of Connor and then inevitable fall back to Earth.

The book was very emotional as Connor goes through all these different events. She meets Melinda who is also an actress and Connor likes her and who she is as a person even likes that Meli calls her out on everything and lets her get away with nothing.

Fantastic job with this one. I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

Connor grew up in the entertainment business. She is talented in her own right but because of how she grew up she kept people at arms length even though she was ignored by her parents she got affection from her grandmothers. As she tries to keep those walls up some people break through although it’s was heartbreaking to see the loss friendships of band mates and sister seeing their pov but then she meets Melina who is actress with a supportive family who is patience and doesn’t let Connor off the hook she helps her see doesn’t have to do it alone and that love can heal.

I enjoyed this book. The author had well developed characters. Connor was a very complex character, and I had trouble sympathizing with her until the actions, or rather, inactions of her parents was revealed. I felt badly for what she endured from such a young age. It was a relief when she finally got it together.
The relationship between Connor and Melina was very sweet, and the steamy scenes were well done.
Overall, an enjoyable read.

This was a long and very detailed book into the mind and heart of Connor Cody. Connor is a Nepo Baby who has grown up into the world of Hollywood and Rock and Roll. Both sets of grandparents and parents were famous in the entertainment business. Connor was ignored as a child by her parents and was lucky to have a bit of affection from her grandmothers. Connor though is very talented in her own right as a successful actress and has started a rock band that becomes very popular. So Connor does whatever the hell she wants, sleeps with whatever random woman who catches her fancy. She was a few friends with benefits. She a recovering drug addict and she hates herself.

This book watches Connor’s rise to the height of a superstar and then the inevitable crash. The most heartbreaking to me was the loss of friendship with her band mates and her newfound half sister and her two kids. The book was very intense and emotional as Connor goes through these events. She has met a woman, Melinda who is a grade B actress and she very much enjoys their times together. Meli is a down to earth person with a big supportive family. Meli is always upbeat and honest with Connor on all of her outrageous behavior.

Lynford does a fantastic job of bringing Connor and Meli to life. Great job with the dialog and supporting cast of characters.

I have a huge book hangover after reading this one. Chelsey Lynford pours her heart out in writing this story. I read her debut book and it was excellent. I look forward to her next book.

Thanks to BSB and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review this. ARC.

Conner is complicated. but boy do we fall for Conner. i wanted to shake her. i was in awe of her and i also wanted to scoop her up take her far away and keep her wrapped in a hug forever until she breathed it in and felt her heart settle. until she believed she did deserve it. until she believed she didn't need to self combust, push away, push others away, or not love or be loved because shed always get hurt.
because this lady was sass, and strong and sexy. but beneath all that there was an ill heart. one that reacted. and misbehaved and you are never quite sure what is her or what is the "why" part of why she was doing what she was rather than who she was deep down. you see, you see this gal got under my skin! maybe i look too much into people. but as soon as i learnt about her parents i thought, ah this it is. and as soon as i learn some of her inner thoughts and her friends reflections on her i though ah yes there it is.
and i loved a book that gets under my skin and makes me care.
and i love the banters.
i love the sexiness.
and i love the fierceness of the characters.
this books was brill and i am already looking for more from this author.
because Conner is brilliant. and her story is fab.