At This Moment (Of Love and Madness Book 1)
<— ROCK STAR ROMANCE ALERT!! MUCH-LOVED and highly recommended rock star trilogy (must be read in order however it’s complete!!!) that so many have been recommending lately and so I just had to jump in. And wow… it already had a couple of ebook-throwing moments.
I mean… this will INFURIATE many (while making us swoon, and stress).
My issue? My book-twin Amy (who loves romance-angst tear-your-heart-out-moments) is afraid to read this ’cause she read a spoiler that’s her hard limit. And I know NONE of Amy’s hard limits were in this book… (and I was already TICKED!!!) so…
Nay: OMG, Maryse–I just finished a read-fest with At This Moment and the following two books, which is an epic saga about a rock star and the love of his life spanning 25 years. Talk about being put through the wringer and having your guts ripped out, chewed up and stomped on.
That’s what this series did to me and I LOVED every minute of it! It was also VERY well written and edited. I’d be a happy, happy girl if I could read a series like this once a month!
Amy: At This Moment… *reaches for it then cringes away* I’m just not sure the promise of angst and turmoil is enough to overcome what I already know is going to happen. I know, I KNOW…I keep whining about it and should either shut up about it or just read it, but I’m torn. *sigh* Either I’ll dive in today or I won’t say another word about it.
Nay: So glad that you’re reading At This Moment, Maryse! I loved the first book, but I REALLY loved it after I read the 2nd and 3rd. It’s been a week and I still can’t stop thinking about it!
Paula: so glad you are loving At This Moment – it is amazeballs! All 3 of them are really good – and the Christmas novella!
Melinda: So fantastic. You read the first one and you just inhale the rest. One of the best books I’ve read. You just can’t put it down. Can you Nay!!
Nay: Melinda–you are so right about At This Moment. I read the first one and there was NO way I couldn’t continue. And then after the second one–OMG! Like you said, I could NOT put it down.
What am I in for, in the other two books? Eeeeeeeeep!!!!
Still, this one was an engaging… somewhat addictive read. I think the book-addiction comes a little later, as this trilogy follows this one couple from start to finish. From meet-cute to love-hate. 😉 I dunno… I’m just guessing but
I’m good and invested now.
So what’s it about?
This is book one, and essentially the intro (but FULLY LOADED intro). It’s 3rd person which is not normally my favorite since I love being all angsty and obsessed and distressed in the heroine’s head only, but this one worked for me. I felt the angst, and in fact, I know some things SHE doesn’t know… so… I’m feeling even more stress than she is at this moment. <— See what I did there? That wasn’t even intentional. LOL!!!
Anyway, all that to say, she’s in college and goes to a bar with her fake ID and her college roommate. There, she sees the most gorgeous lead-guitarist on stage and he sees her back.
…he bought her drinks and sat with her during every break, ignoring the crush of girls that mobbed him at the bar. She’d gone from being invisible, to feeling as if she was the most important person in the room.
EVERY girl wants him, and he’s EXACTLY THAT rock star (love ’em and leave ’em and super-moody… infuriatingly so), but for some reason, he just can’t seem to leave HER completely.
When she smiled at him, he felt the same weird, exposed feeling he’d had in the club when they first met. And when she reached up onto her toes and pressed her lips against his, he began to think it might just be game over.
She’s his. He’s hers (even if he wishes otherwise).
I’m kinda freaking out here. I’m just not sure I’m ready—that either of us is ready for this.
Despite resenting his need for her and knowing she just might screw up his rock-star dreams trajectory, he wants her with him on his journey. Both of them with their own ugly childhood pasts, all heaven (and hell) breaks loose.
Oh yes. Imagine being THAT young (she’s 18 and he’s in his early 20s), just starting out in life, and unintentionally bonding despite both not at all wanting to. It’s normal right? Except that everything that happens to these two is laden in drama, and trauma, and jealousy and inevitability. It’s actually quite realistic in its pacing and real-life drama (even though some moments are a bit over-the-top) I mostly… truly believe this story.
“You leave home to run off with this wannabe rock star. Leave your family, friends, and drop out of college so you can follow him all over the globe, or at least the Mid-Atlantic States. Yet here you sit in this godforsaken little city, all alone on a Saturday night, while Romeo is performing in front of adoring women a thousand miles away, supposedly alone.”
It’s a good thing I know that this book continues into a trilogy ’cause I would have been TICKED had it ended with no “next” in sight. But lucky me! While this one didn’t end n a cliffhanger, it did end a little abruptly considering… stuff. 😉
All that to say…
4 stars! VERY good read. I could put it down, but I was happy to pick it right back up, and yes. I will be continuing their journey with them.
“And I know NONE of Amy’s hard limits were in this book…”
Are you sure, Maryse? Are you SURE?!? ‘Cause holy moly woman…I read a spoiler and you KNOW what happens to me with THAT hard limit! I don’t want to go and get all good and invested in them and then have to hate someone.
Y’all are killin’ me, I swear… *snort*
Well… THIS BOOK??? I don’t think so… the follow-ups? I don’t know yet. Maybe you should email me and refresh me on your hard limits. 😉
Amy on GR there’s a message for you from the Author. I think in book 2 something happens but I wouldn’t classify as cheating. This has your name written all over it.
*blocks ears and eyes* while reading comments
*lalalalalalalallalalalalalaaaaaa*
Tee hee! I wonder what it will be…. ??
Yay! Glad you liked it and are reading the others, so worth it.
Amy – you know I think you should give it a try
Thank you, Maryse! I’m thrilled that you enjoyed At This Moment. I hope you’ll be as invested in We All Fall Down and All I Ever Wanted. Just keep your tissues handy. xxoo
GAH!!! Tissues!!!!
I knew those were coming… 😉
I just finished the whole trilogy. It was so good. I loved the last book. They both grow up so much. There was one part in book 2 that had me snot nose sobbing.
Amy – I have a lot of limits but this series was okay. None it was wishy washy drama. It felt like it could really happen (if you’re in a relationship with a ROCKER). LOL!
Agreed Kandace.
I truly believe all of this angst is real-life to some of these rock-star wives and girlfriends. All of these stresses, and the lonely times and the worries of who else has his attention etc etc… THIS ONE is real.
Also how he’s SO into his career but at times gets a real life-lesson on what’s most important… and I still have TWO to go!
The Love and Madness Series is so worth it. It made me cry, it made laugh and I fell in love. Loved the series so much i just had to buy the books.
So, glad you are reading. I loved it and like I said, It was epic for me. It really felt so real and could be true. I kept thinking it could be the author’s love story. Sigh. I just love a good messy love story.
Amy: I think I know what your hard limit is and I can tell you, I was TERRIFIED to keep reading after book one, not because of the content of the book but because I couldn’t imagine what would happen (my imagination was running wild and free and wild). I pestered Karen forever until both books were released. And let me tell you, they are FANTASTIC. Don’t be afraid to read them, they are beautiful, emotional, intense, happy, spiritual… you name it. And Karen, she was a doll with me , I know I was such a whining baby. Now I trust her with all my heart and will read anything she writes.
*one-clicks At This Moment*
There! Okay?? Now it’s in my library. If I lose my sh!t when I read it, all y’all are gonna hear about it.
*grumbles and gives stink-eye to everyone*
Love you guys.
Thanks Melinda, I’ll head over to GR now!
Just one clicked at this moment too. Heard so many good things about this series.
It just so happens I’ve been reading this series and am completely glued to the Kindle, even when I want to put it down and scream or cry. I feel for these characters..SO angsty and addictive. Karen Cimms has a new fangirl here.
I just read the book 2 but unfortunately i cant find the 3rd book. There is no kindle edition in my country for this book. Its so frustrating when you can’t finish trilogy.
Message Karen Cimms through Good Reads. She will organise it for you.
You have to read all the books. They are fantastic
I read this book abd OMG feel in love with it!!! It had me crying and laughing!! I really lovr JOEY!! He is like my gay best friend!!! Karen Cimms is just as good or better then EL James!!!