"You rock my world" is the perfect book for the insta-love/once-in-a-lifetime romance lovers, unfortunately.. I'm not one of them.

Dorian and Josie fall in love one night while they're trapped in a malfunctioning elevator for 10 hours. He's a famous rockstar trapped in a toxic marriage, while she works for the same PR agency that manages him but in the tech division. Nothing romantic happens that night but the secrets they shared and even their moments of silence tell them that they may have found their soulmate. They were rescued and said goodbye but they couldn't stop thinking about the other one for a whole year. When they meet next, Dorian is divorced and he wants Josie to be his new PR agent.

The writing is witty, funny and easy to read. There are no dull moments and I loved reading both the passionate and cute scenes. I loved that they're truly in love with each other and they want to wait to get to know each other better because they're adults who fell in love unexpectedly.

However!! Their meeting and their love story is as romantic as it is unlikely to happen in real life. This is probably the main reason why I didn't like this book as much as the last one I read by Camilla Isley "The Roommate Experiment".
"You rock my world" is heavily focused on the romance side and not so much on the characters' dreams, family/friends relationships and life struggles. I'd love to know more about Dorian's creative process, his family and his friends both from the music industry and his everyday life. As for Josie, I'd love to read more about her work duties, her dreams and her personality. I know everything about them when it comes to romance, but way less when I want to understand them as human beings. And I get that this is expected 'cause it's a <b>romance</b> book but nevertheless I wanted to get a more profound understanding of these characters.

To sum it up, "You rock my world" is the perfect book for those who love a once in a lifetime, dreamy, unreachable romance, filled with tension and funny moments, perfect to read during these summer days.


Thank you Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the arc!

Book Review: Camilla Isley’s You Rock My World
Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for my gifted ARC.

You Rock My World is the kind of romance that sneaks up on you. It starts with a classic setup—a woman and a rockstar trapped in an elevator—and you think, “Okay, I’ve seen this before.” But then Camilla Isley does what she does best: she digs deeper. What could’ve been a cute meet-cute turns into ten hours of real connection, real tension, and real longing. I was completely invested by the time those elevator doors opened… and completely wrecked when Josie walked away.

This is not a hookup story. This is a slow burn—agonizingly slow at times—and it works because the chemistry between Josie and Rian (stage name Dorian Phoenix) is so undeniable, so charged, it actually hurts. That ache of wanting, the impossibility of timing, the weight of responsibilities and past wounds—it’s all there, layered into every glance, every misstep, every almost-kiss. It’s the kind of book that keeps your stomach in knots and your heart in your throat.

Josie is a strong, smart heroine. She’s sharp with her humor, good at her job, and constantly trying to stay in control of her emotions while the world spins faster around her. She’s not perfect—sometimes she avoids hard conversations or buries her feelings—but that just makes her more relatable. And Rian? He’s not the stereotypical bad-boy rockstar. He’s thoughtful, wounded, and trying his best to protect both his heart and his reputation. I loved that he wasn’t just hot and charming—though he’s definitely that too. He’s also kind. Steady. Even a little lonely. You feel his yearning for something more.

The structure of the book flips between dual POV and dual timelines, and I’ll admit I was skeptical at first. But it absolutely works. Seeing the story unfold from both Josie’s and Rian’s perspectives, both in the past (elevator) and present (PR nightmare), adds so much emotional depth. It’s like watching two versions of the same heartbreak unfold, knowing the stakes and screaming at them to just be honest with each other already. It also keeps the pacing tight—even with a slow-burn romance, there’s always forward momentum.

Isley’s writing is clean, witty, and packed with emotional nuance. She knows how to land a joke and how to twist the knife—often in the same paragraph. And while this story is heavy on emotional tension, it’s still fun. The banter sparkles. Josie’s inner monologue is hilarious. And their physical tension? Off the charts. The best part? None of it feels rushed or forced. It builds, slowly, painfully, beautifully, until the payoff finally comes—and when it does, it’s earned.

“I didn’t forget you.”
That line just destroyed me. So simple, but it says everything. All that yearning, all that waiting, all that hope—it’s in those four words. And that’s what You Rock My World does best: it captures the ache of falling for someone when it’s the wrong time, the wrong place, the wrong everything… except the feelings.

If I could nitpick, I would say I wanted a bit more from the ending. After everything Josie and Rian go through, I would’ve loved an extended resolution or epilogue—just something to savor their happy ending a bit more. But even without that, their final scenes still land.

I also appreciated how the book didn’t shy away from the messier parts of fame, like public perception, invasive media, and how PR plays a role in personal relationships. It added realism and stakes without bogging down the romance. Plus, the side characters—especially Lily and Penny—were well-drawn and memorable. I’m genuinely excited to read Lily’s story next (and yes, I’m hoping it’s Nick).

Bottom line? This book gave me exactly what I was craving: angst, tension, emotional payoff, and characters I didn’t want to let go of. It reminded me why I love romance. Not just for the swoon or the steam (though there’s plenty of both), but for the deep, slow unfolding of love between two people who truly see each other. You Rock My World is about timing, trust, and taking the leap—even when it might cost you everything.

If you love slow-burn, forbidden workplace romances with a rockstar twist and a ton of emotional payoff, don’t miss this one.

A light summer read for lovers of celebrity romances. The leads had chemistry and were generally likeable, but there were some behaviours on both sides that I actually struggled with in the latter half of the book. The writing was engaging but one of the key scenes - the elevator scene - could have used more prominence. The storyline could have used more action, and the slow burn was a little too slow in my view. The music in the book was well depicted with some well written lyrics.

Beautiful writing, characters who will make you feel things, and a romance sweet enough to make you swoon. How absolutely adorable.

I have been following this author practically from the beginning, and each of her books seems better than the last. This one then with Dorian the rock star with a heart of gold and Josie the queen of sarcasm really entertained me.

Seguo questa autrice praticamente dall'inizio e ogni suo libro mi sembra migliore del precedente. Questo poi con Dorian la rockstar dal cuore d'oro e Josie regina del sarcasmo mi ha proprio divertito.

I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

5 stars!

I got invited to read the ARC and I read it right away. I couldn't put it down!

This was such a good book! Rock star Dorian and PR person Josie get stuck in an elevator together. And during the ten hours they spend in the elevator, they get to know each other and they like each other... But the timing is not right. When they meet again the situation has changed...

WHAT I LIKED: They communicated so well! I loved that there was no stupid break up when there could've been. The tension was great! I liked both main characters.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Pov: dual, 1st person
Heat: open doors (but only in the end as this was super slow burn)
Pacing: slowburn
Communication: healthy communication
Third act: external crisis / hiccups
Ending: HEA

Main characters:
* She's a PR person and he's a rock star
* Alpha Hero
* Cinnamon roll hero
* Millionaire

What?
* Forbidden love
* Forced proximity
* Grand gesture
* Mutual pining
* Second chance

Where?
* Workplace romance

Drama?
* Difficult past
* His ex causes problems

Other vibes:
* The one that got away

Wow. I was hooked from the very beginning. I adored the characters, plot, everything. This book has short chapters and is fast paced so that before you know it you have finished the whole book. If you are looking for a quick read then this book is for you. I would recommend this book to lighthearted romance lovers who like a little bit of spice.

I loved the romance in the story and the pacing of it. Their chemistry, the witty banter, and the quick comebacks make Dorian and Josie’s moments so funny and it keeps you hooked. I laugh all the way throughout the story. I adore the characters individually and together. They both had their flaws and when either of them messed up, they were able to walk together out of it.
Since they can’t do anything yet, they get very creative with their interactions making them very charming. The anticipation becomes unbearable and exquisite. It makes clear that their relationship it's not only physical considering so far it hasn’t but shows the emotional connection between them.

I think it’s interesting how Dorian had to handle his ex wife and the toll it had on him. I was worried that this could take a dark turn for our couple and that Billie could turn into real danger for him and Josie. I could see a couple of different options to this resolution but I didn’t think of the one that actually happened. I was pleased with how it was handled and it definitely shows how convoluted the situation was and how much the fans didn’t know about their lives.

I did notice that for most of the part of the book I hadn’t seen Josie do any work. I loved that they get to spend so much time together but she was supposed to be his PR manager and I haven’t seen her do anything. Now, I loved that this came back and had consequences for her. But mostly that it triggered her to notice what was in front of her at the career change that was hinted at and that it made sense.
I love Dorian’s artistic side and I wanted to see more of his music and his creative process.

As a side note, I loved Penny and Lilly and I can’t wait to read Lilly’s story.

Finally, I don’t know in how many other ways to put that I loved this couple and their romance. I have been having really bad luck lately with romance books where I don’t give two cents about the romance and this book gave me hope so thank you!

3.75 🌟

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this arc!

As usual, this was a quick and fun read. A first rockstar romance from this author and it did not disappoint! I was so excited to get the invite to read this that I devoured this within hours. Josie is absolutely sassy and funny. Reading the parts where she was just roasting Dorian was absolutely delightful lol

This book drove me crazy—in the best way. I knew I was in trouble the moment Josie and Rian (okay, Dorian) got stuck in that elevator. The setup is simple, almost classic, but the execution? Chef’s kiss. The chemistry between them was so intense that I wanted to scream into a pillow. And the worst part? They couldn’t be together. Not really. Not yet. And I loved that.
I’m a sucker for stories where the characters aren’t allowed to be together—even though every single interaction is crackling with energy. That tension? That slow burn? That delicious pain of “we can’t, but god, we want to”? This book delivered all of that. Repeatedly. Brutally. Beautifully.
Josie is such a relatable lead—sharp, funny, and constantly trying to keep her professional life from imploding while her heart does exactly that. And Rian surprised me. I was expecting a stereotypical rockstar, but he had real depth and restraint (even when I desperately didn’t want him to). I also appreciated how the whole music/PR backdrop felt grounded and authentic—it gave the story an extra layer of realism that made everything hit harder.
And yes, I wanted to rip my hair out every time they pulled away from each other. But that’s exactly what made their connection so powerful. That ache, that longing, that just barely touching vibe—it was torture, and I adored every minute of it.
If I had one tiny wish, it’s the same as others have mentioned: a little more time with them as a couple at the end. After all that build-up, I needed just a bit more payoff. Maybe an epilogue would’ve helped my poor heart recover.
Still, this was a win from start to finish. Smart, swoony, and full of tension that never lets up
Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! I’ll absolutely be keeping an eye out for Lily’s story next—especially if it involves a certain someone named Nick… 👀

A cute music oriented cozy romance. I felt that the business parts were well written and everything felt like the author has encountered some of this issue before. That is what makes the story feel real. I really enjoyed the banter. I am not typically a dual timeline person, but it really works here. 4.25 Stars

There's so much adorable banter and tension between Josie and Dorian. You could almost say it's a slow burn, but it still burns hot with these two!

The connection that these two characters share is something everyone wants to experience in real life. They connect on such a deep level and throughout the story they just build ontop a solid af foundation.

I dont think I've actually read a book in this exact format before. Time jumps, yes. Truthfully, I normally find them quite annoying. This one jumps between timeliness every single chapter for the first part of the book as well as character POV, but it worked so well!

Overall, I absolutely loved it! Didn't expect to, but I did. Would absolutely recommend.


Low level spice
Sexual tension through the roof
Rockstar romance

Josie and Dorian get stuck in an elevator during a blackout. They are stuck for about 10 hours and get to know each other quite well. Dorian is a rock star and Josie works for his PR firm. She flat out tells him that she wouldn't date him because he's married. He can't tell her that his marriage is over because it's not public and official yet. They leave that elevator totally smitten with each other. Fast forward a year later and they meet again. This time Dorian is single, but Josie is working for him. Josie is explicitly told that her job is on the line if anything happens between them. Dorian is willing to wait until she is no longer working for him and get to know each other in the interim. This is not an easy task since these two are head over heels for each other. Dorian also has a crazy ex who throws obstacles in their way. i enjoyed this story even though it's the slowest of burns. I would have loved a little more of them being together at the end. an epilogue would have hit nicely. I'm very much looking forward to Lily's story. Could it be Nick? I wouldn't mind reading that.

Cuando Josie queda atrapada durante la noche en un ascensor con Rian Phoenix, leyenda mundial del rock, piensa que será una historia divertida de contar, no un giro de la trama con angustia escrita por todas partes. Solo que el verdadero Rian no es el chico malo que describen los titulares. Es ingenioso, amable e inesperadamente digno de desmayo. Por la mañana, han compartido bocadillos, secretos y han provocado una conexión peligrosamente real. Luego se abren las puertas del ascensor. La realidad se derrumba y Josie se convierte en una extraña que no se supone que recuerde. Se va con el corazón magullado y el voto de mantenerse alejada de las estrellas de rock para siempre.

Un año después, Josie vuelve a ser estable, hasta que es reasignada como gerente de relaciones públicas de Rian. De vuelta en su órbita, ella debe mantener las cosas profesionales para proteger su trabajo y evitar enamorarse de él de nuevo. Pero Rian no la ha olvidado. Lástima que retomar donde lo dejaron podría costarle todo. Con el mundo mirando, Josie tiene que decidir si proteger su corazón y su carrera... o presionar play en una historia de amor que finalmente toca todas las notas correctas.



—


Disfruté mucho del libro, la historia es un amor a primera vista con algunos inconvenientes que veía muy difícil superarlos, pero Camilla logró hacerlo.



Gracias NetGalley por el ARC

When Josie and Dorian get stuck in an elevator together, there’s an instant connection that builds over the ten hours they’re stuck together. But, it doesn’t work out immediately for them. This book really feels like a second chance romance, despite them not being in a relationship the first time around or anything. The author really executed that perfectly. The characters’ chemistry was absolutely off the charts, even though there’s very little of the typical intimacy (spiciness) of romance books. And honestly, the tension between them really made up for that, and more.

While this is mostly a lighthearted book about a rockstar and a PR agent, it does deal with some heavier themes because of Dorian’s ex. Overall, I quite liked how the author balanced these themes, while still keeping the book lighthearted.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Josie met rock legend Rian while trapped in an elevator overnight. He changed as soon as he got out. She met him a yr later working as his PR manager....

Love Rian and Josie together. Hot, steamy, and sexy. Love the characters.... Terrific chemistry.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

**Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC**

Sadly, I could not get into this story. I gave it 5 chapters, and it was just a drag for me.

I love how this author takes tried tropes and always puts a fresh spin on them, delivering stories that are amazing, unexpected, filled with witty banter and so much tension.

I loved everything about You Rock My World, I was hooked from chapter one. I became almost feral in my reading for how fast I was driven to turn the pages and see what would happen.

Dual POV perfection.

Dorian, oh my gosh, I have such a crush. Hot, tall, tattooed, heart of gold hidden under a bad-boy reputation. He was impossible not to fall for, and I did, head over heels.

Josie is my new goofy bookish best friend. It was so fun to be inside her head.

Tropes:
DUAL POV
Rockstar Romance
Forced Proximity
Workplace Romance
Forbidden Romance
Right people, wrong timing (felt like it was a sort of second chance also even if nothing happens the first time they meet)

Josie y Rian se conocieron en circunstancias poco comunes: atrapados en un elevador durante horas. Lo que pudo ser solo una anécdota se convirtió en un momento inolvidable, uno que dejó una huella profunda en ambos. Desde entonces, Josie no ha podido sacárselo de la cabeza… aunque se convenció de que no tenía sentido buscarlo, creyendo que estaba felizmente casado (no lo estaba).

Lo que nunca supo es que Rian y su esposa llevaban tiempo distanciados, con un matrimonio roto que solo esperaba el momento de terminar. Un año después, con el divorcio finalmente resuelto, Rian está decidido a encontrar a la mujer que lo marcó en esa noche inesperada. Y ahora que la tiene de nuevo cerca, hará todo lo posible por demostrarle que está listo para empezar de nuevo con ella.

Pero Josie ha construido muros altos y teme arriesgar su corazón por alguien como él. Rian, sin embargo, no piensa rendirse. Porque cuando el amor es real, ni el tiempo, ni la fama, ni los miedos bastan para apagarlo.



---


No voy a mentir, al principio me causó rechazo la intimidad emocional que tuvieron en el elevador porque él estaba casado. Pero conforme se revelaban más detalles sobre su matrimonio, dejé atrás esa sensación, ya que llevaban años en una mala etapa y, cuando conoció a Josie, habían pasado dos años desde que había terminado su relación. Él no se divorciaba porque su esposa era adicta e intentaba ayudarla; aunque ya no la amaba, seguía preocupándose por ella.

Entonces, al conocer a Josie, se sorprendió por la conexión que sintió con ella, y supo que no podía seguir casado porque no sería justo para nadie. Quería estar libre cuando intentara algo con Josie, para no lastimar a nadie. Además, algo importante: su esposa le fue infiel, y cuando él se enteró, eso marcó el fin de su matrimonio, aunque legalmente seguían casados (por eso mencioné que su relación terminó hacía mas de dos años).


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest

if you like rocker romance this story is great. there were severe issues that i couldn't get past. it was okay