Book Review – Groupie by Ginger Voight

Groupie
<—– FANTASTIC frenzy inducer!!!!! LOVED LOVE LOVED this book because it was everything I could imagine falling in love with a rock star (and receiving his attentions back) could be. It epitomizes everything we fantasize about being loved by a rock star. And at the same time, puts that very popular “never fall in love with a rock star” warning in perfect perspective.

Shannon and Sherry (and Julie) recommended this one, and I could just hug them so hard! I’ve had them on my Ultimate Rock Star List, but how to choose which to read next? But when you start getting these kinds of recommendations, the choice becomes much easier!

Shannon: Okay, I just finished a marathon read of Groupie and Rock Star by Ginger Voight and had to comment. Groupie was a good lead up to Rock Star, but Rock Star had me TIED IN KNOTS!! My stomach hurt with all the emotion that I was feeling. I felt nauseous and didn’t want my family near me so that I could just finish it all ready. My tummy still hurts and I just can’t stop thinking about it – there HAS to be a third book with the way that it ended. Soul mates, addiction, really bad people trying to cause trouble, rock star, groupies…..everywhere that you turned was another “situation”. No smooth sailing for this couple!! Sorry if I am scattered, but that tells you how much this series is affecting me. Okay, now I have to go and research when the next book is out….there has to be a next book – she wouldn’t leave us hanging like this would she?

Sherry: MUST.GO.TO.BED !!!!!! I’m sick from this roller coaster ride !!!! Loving and HATING him right now :/

Sherry: DONE !! Wow…just wow!! I messaged Ginger to find out when the 3rd one comes out… 🙁 What an emotional ride this was!!

Shannon: I know!!!! So glad that I am not the only one who was an emotional wreck……and there is more to come!

Julie: I’m reading a 2 book bundle series someone posted it the other day, Groupie/Rockstar bundle by Ginger Voight . It’s good!! At first I though eh but it gets better and better I think you all would like it a lot!!

This is no fairytale. Sex, drugs and rock and roll. Tours and the glittery lifestyle. The parties, the limelight, the expectations, even stalkers. All of this, but without being overly seedy. Groupies, “public” appearances, rise to fame and then full-on fame. Rumors. Perceptions of things (right or wrong?) My lips are sealed. You’ll feel it every step of the way no matter what is happening. Chapters of unforgettable TRUE passion. And moments of agony. I hurt.

Reality slaps you in the face, and so many times I found myself saying, NO WAY. NO MORE! I was steadfast in my adamancy that the heroine  remain strong. Keep her integrity intact. Hold her head up high. Not succumb.

All I wanted in that moment was to forget. To go back in time and erase an unbalanced relationship that had been doomed from the start. For his sake, and for mine.

(Don’t worry, that quote came form the first 1% of the book. Still lots to go, from here).

And then… oh help me. This one was soooooooo delightfully hard on me, I couldn’t get over the drama, and I didn’t want it to stop. Simply a euphoric and often maddening rush, that could also be super sweet and touching (and not necessarily in that order).

Mind you, some moments did remind me a bit of an 80’s rock star world. The way the concerts were described, the singer’s name, and how the singer reacted to the girls on stage, had that 80’s feel sometimes. But the band and singer’s description is such that it didn’t take much effort on my behalf to envision a more modern version of them. So this ends up working well enough for 80’s fans and fans of today’s rockers, too. And like Julie commented, while the start had me connecting well enough, I was just “fine” with it. I felt them, was enjoying the story and curious as to where it would lead me, but it was no big deal. And then… it totally was.

Sexy? YES! No over-the-top drama (okay wait. Maybe some over the top stuff, 😉 but totally believable in a “fictional” way) and yet the angst is in full realistic force. Plenty steamy, too, but not so much as to bog down the story. Lots for us to connect to but so much more in terms of the character’s personal reflection, lying to each other and lying to themselves. And you’ll find yourself doing the same thing. Thinking one thing (and knowing you won’t deviate from that perception), and then immediately thinking another. Deviating. Flip flopping, There’s a lot of that here.

Who was looking for a boyfriend? Sleeping with Vanni, especially on the verge of his successful career, would simply be an interesting story someday.

This book is so intensely focused on the potential love story  and elation. And frequent heartache. Moments of hope… just to be slapped down by the glaring realities of being in love with a highly coveted rock star. Up and down, up and down, this roller-coaster forced me to hold on tight, screaming and yelling with abandon.

Poor Sherry. She insisted I read this, and she received the full brunt of my panic attacks. Here’s a very “light version” of some of my freak-outs.

Sherry: … if/when you read Groupie then Rockstar I want to tell you a few things about the book…

Maryse: Ok I’m on book 1… (and then later….) —> Wait. What? Who the *bleep* is *spoiler*? OMG *spoiler*?! I’m furious. He’s such a !!!!!! Oh god im so mad I can’t see straight. And what makes me so mad is (*spoiler*) … As much as logical me on the outside knows *spoiler* another side of me understands … Ugh. I’m sooooo mad… Ugh! Help me.

Sherry: OMG !! I love this!!! You finally need ME for support from a book instead of the other way around!!!!!!!!!!! Whoohoooooo 😉
I don’t know where you’re at now, But it gets worse! I was livid!! Oh I wish I could be there to lend you my shoulder 😉 I needed one so bad, and I wanted to throw my Kindle so many times ….. tore a little more of my <3 to pieces… ROLLER COASTER ride through out the whole damn book /s !!!!!!!!!!

Maryse: I almost want to stop reading…

Sherry: hahahahaha~KEEP READING!!!! You have to finish both of them today!!!!  If I could do it, you HAVE to do it.  Just keep Reading !!  Do not stop !! I need you to finish and love them as much as I do!!

Maryse: Ok I’m reading. ;). Grrrrr.

Maryse: I’m at work now and I just cant stop obsessing over it. … UGH!!! NEVER love a rock star. NEVER! I am so sad right now. Lump in my throat ache and here I am WORKING!! Not even reading!

That is why I love these books. They are lessons in life! Even if I’ve already made all of my decisions, these books help affirm them. *sigh*  I have never been happier being so furious! This is wayyyyyy too fun!

Just wait until she gets home from work and sees the ongoing barrage of reactions I sent her way SINCE then (tee hee!! Makes me giggle). She’s got some reading to do (and some comforting of my poor exhausted heart, too!!).

But I can take solace in the fact that I have some reading to do, too. And I’ve never been happier. I have THE SEQUEL waiting for me as we speak and I am so anxious to get to it, that I swear I’m gonna take a flying leap of glee into my big bed, grab my charging iPad, and cuddle the heck out of it, within the next 5 minutes.

Rock Star, here I COME!!! OMG I just realized Shannon says Rock Star had her tied in knots more than Groupie? Oh boy. I. AM. SO. In for it!!!!! *squeee*

Oh. I just realized Shannon also said “… leave us hanging like this…”. Oh well. Marathon read was right, and I can’t stop now.

4.5 stars!!! (I’d say 5 stars, but since it looks like Rock Star might even be better, maybe I should save my 5 stars for it?) hehe. I dunno… I’m too excited I can’t think straight.

Oh. BTW – I bought this as a “Groupie/Rock Star Bundle” (both books for an awesome price)!!!