I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.
Opening Strains by Arell Rivers Series: Passionate Beats Trilogy #1
on April 24, 2025
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Rehab and Restraints: A Bad Boy’s Reckoning
One stupid jump onstage at Untamed Coaster’s rockumentary premiere, and I'm out of commission. Pulled groin? More like a damn disaster. And the only person who can fix me is Jenna Westfield. Jenna. The ex of our late keyboardist, who added her to the Do Not F*^% list that survives even though he’s no longer here. And the only woman who made me question my no-strings rule from the moment I met her.
Two weeks in the Hamptons at her clinic, and I'm a goner. Falling not only for her, but also her warm, welcoming mom, a whole damn life I never knew I wanted. But she's holding back, those haunted eyes telling a story I can't quite read. Professional ethics, ghosts of the past, and my own mother's constant nagging keep us apart. Then, one stolen kiss changes everything.
Suddenly, I believe we could have an actual relationship. Almost buy into her ideal that UC is my “found family.” However, the paparazzi are vultures, branding her a “Black Widow”—and she splits.
Now, I'm alone on tour, wondering if I blew my only chance at something real.
OPENING STRAINS is the first book in the Passionate Beats trilogy. This story ends on a cliffhanger, but the trilogy has an HEA. It is told exclusively from Untamed Coaster’s lead singer Bennett Hardy’s point of view. If you crave a slow burn, found family rockstar romance filled with the delightful angst of a playboy’s heart being reformed, then buckle up for UC!
Endearing characters and heartfelt emotions! Arell Rivers shines when it comes to creating a rockstar hero we can really sink our teeth into! Bennett Hardy is the front man for The Untamed Coasters who we’ve met in previous books from Rivers and this book kicks off a trilogy between Bennett and Jenna. There is an abrupt ending and a cliffhanger, but we’re set up for much more drama and angst to come on that way towards happily ever after! The set up of the book quickly held my attention and had me turning page after page to figure out how this was all going to play out. The angst from the past is a heavy burden for the characters to carry, but the connection they have together goes a long way in giving the reader something else to grasp onto and rally around. I really loved their story and I’m on pins and needles waiting for book two.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a rocker romance with lots of heart. Must be okay with a cliffhanger, but it should all play out well in the end.
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