Louder Than Love
Love & Steel, Book #1
By Jessica Topper
ISBN13: 9781101634790
Author’s Website: http://www.jessicatopper.com
Review brought to you by OBS staff member Andra
Synopsis:
In this powerful debut novel, a young librarian grieves the loss of her husband…and discovers a love that defies classification.
It’s been over three years since a train accident made a widow of Katrina Lewis, sending her and her young daughter Abbey back to the suburban town of her youth…the only place that still makes sense. Lauder Lake is the perfect place to hide and heal.
Recluse rocker Adrian “Digger” Graves survived the implosion of his music career, but his muse has long lain dormant. Until Kat hires him to play at her library—not on the basis of his hard rock credentials but rather, because of the obscure kids’ TV jingle he wrote years ago. In a case of mistaken identity, Adrian stumbles into the lives of Kat and her comically lovable daughter.
Using tattoos as a timeline, Adrian unfurls his life for Kat. But as the courtship intensifies, it’s unclear whose past looms larger: the widow’s or the rocker’s. Will their demons ever rest, or will they break these soul mates apart?
Review:
Louder Than Love is the first book of a new series. Jessica Topper is a relatively new author for me (I have only read Courtship of the Cake). From my prior exposure, I knew that I liked this author’s writing style. I can say unequivocally that I also like her storytelling. This book had everything I want to see in a romantic novel…well developed characters, romance (naturally), some sexy…steamy…HOT scenes, and some angst, as well as a good pace so as to not to be boring. On all accounts this book delivered…and then some!
The journey that Kat (aka ‘Tree’) must make to be able to move past the death of her husband Pete has been long and arduous the past three years, especially since he died when their daughter Abbey (with an ‘e’) was barely a year old. The story begins with the help of her friends Marissa and Liz and discussions surrounding getting rid of the marital bed…because it is just time!
Kat meets Adrian when he comes to perform at the local library as a performer for the children’s program. Kat is essentially oblivious to Adrian’s rocker history…as she is only familiar with him as a performer of Abbey’s all-time favorite PBS cartoon, Maxwell MacGillikitty, Feline Private Eye. What Kat knows about him…sexy voice and all (he has a gravelly undertone, different from the bulk of the syrupy-sweet kids’ music available).
Throughout the story we get snippets of what life was like for Kat and Pete while Kat is navigating the journey of a widow with a young child. As her relationship with Adrian progresses, Kat needs to tell the whole story of Pete, but this is difficult for her. As a reader, I just knew that until she was able to discuss Pete with Adrian, things would not progress easily, not that Adrian does not have baggage as well! It just seemed he was more readily able to move past his baggage. While everything is not smooth sailing there are certainly wonderfully engaging moments…and steamy.
The character development of each person was great…beginning with Adrian, Kat and Abbey…down to the irritating ex-boyfriend from high school (Grant)…but by far….Abbey stole the show. J
There were details woven into each section that added such depth to the story. So well written and truly an engaging read. As a breakthrough debut…this is an excellent read. By far the best book I have read by this author.
