REVIEW: Listen to Me by Kristen Proby

In Listen to Me (Fusion #1) by Kristen Proby, Addison ‘Addie’ Wade is happy to call herself a successful businesswoman after opening restaurant Seduction with her four best friends. Too bad her love-life is limping along after one too many bad boys have used her as a doormat. So when she comes across Jake Knox, former rock star, in her pursuit of a musician for the restaurant, Addie tells herself to ignore the sparks of attraction. But Jake is even hotter, and a lot nicer, than the tabloids made him out to be. She’s sure it will probably be a mistake to let him into her life, but how can she deny how right they are together?

‘What is up with me being so damn attracted to the bad-boy musician type? It never fails. If there’s a bad-boy musician within a thirty-mile radius, my girl parts are on high alert. Every. Single. Time.’

Jake Keller, formerly Jake Knox, frontman of the band Hard Knox, is completely thrown when he feels his instant connection with Addie as he’s sitting on the small stage on open-mic night. Just getting to perform again was like a dream. But finding her made it that much sweeter. Jake knows his reputation with the ladies precedes him and after finding out how badly Addie has been treated in the past, he’s got a lot to prove to her. But if it takes him the rest of his life, he’s going to show this woman just how much she means to him. Even if he doesn’t deserve someone as fantastic as Addie.

“I’m not here because you’re a successful musician, Jake, I’m here despite of it. I’m here because I feel the chemistry between us.”
“And because you like me.”
“I didn’t say that.” She smiles now, relief in her eyes. “I’m still deciding on that.”

Listen to Me was an incredibly fun and sexy start to the new Fusion series by Kristen Proby. I mean, what’s not to enjoy about a story that focuses on true friendship, five savvy and hilarious businesswomen, and one sarcastic but kindhearted rock star? Not to mention that gorgeous book cover!

“I know our love isn’t perfect, Addie. But I do know that I will fight for us, I will protect you.”
“Even though I’m a wreck sometimes?” I whisper.
“In spite of it. I love your chaos, sweetheart.”

I fell in love with all, yes, ALL of the characters and their quirky but lovable ways. (Well, except for Addie’s ex-boyfriend Jeremy. You’ll see why…) Kristen Proby always does a fantastic job creating stories full of people who are relatable and who you would want as a friend in real life. The five best friends, and co-owners of Seduction, were exactly that. I had a great time reading about how their friendship began and loved the way they all supported each other. There was a sense of family between them and with Jake becoming a part of Addie’s life it meant he became part of that family.

Addie was a seriously cool chick. She was feisty, smart, fashionable and absolutely loyal to anyone she gave her heart to. Unfortunately she had been treated poorly by bad boy types before, so when Jake entered the picture she resisted him for as long as she possibly could. And I think that made perfect sense. Plus it was actually pretty entertaining. I even understood when Addie overreacted at times to something Jake said or did, given her past. It felt like they were a good match, though, and I so enjoyed their scenes together. I think Addie and Jake had some of the best teasing/flirty dialogue I’ve read in some time.

And Jake. Former rock god. Loyal friend. Music lover. He was such a good guy underneath all the arrogant swagger. I didn’t know what to expect from him at first but it became pretty clear that he was the right guy for Addie right off. And I’m so glad that this was written from both Jake’s and Addie’s POVs because getting to see his inner thoughts, how intensely he felt for her was sheer magic. I was so wowed with his ability to put her on a pedestal without it being an act. He truly knew how special his woman was. But I think what cinched it for me with Jake was his dry sense of humor and the way he could tease Addie and put her at ease.

Jake and Addie set things off on the perfect note in Listen to Me. If the romances that follow in this new series are even a fraction as good, I think readers will be more than pleased.

Book Info:

Publication: Published April 12th 2016 | William Morrow Paperbacks | Fusion #1

In New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kristen Proby’s brand new series, five best friends open a hot new restaurant, but one of them gets much more than she bargained for when a sexy former rock star walks through the doors—and into her heart.

Seduction is quickly becoming the hottest new restaurant in Portland, and Addison Wade is proud to claim 1/5 of the credit. She’s determined to make it a success and can’t think of a better way to bring in new customers than live music. But when former rock star Jake Keller swaggers through the doors to apply for the weekend gig, she knows she’s in trouble. Addie instantly recognizes him—his posters were plastered all over her bedroom walls in high school—he’s all bad boy…exactly her type and exactly what she doesn’t need.

Jake Keller walked away from the limelight five years ago and yearns to return to what’s always driven him: the music. If he gets to work for a smart-mouthed, funny-as-hell bombshell, all the better. But talking Addie into giving him the job is far easier than persuading her that he wants more than a romp in her bed. Just when she begins to drop her walls, Jake’s past finally catches up with him.

Will Addie be torn apart once again or will Jake be able to convince her to drown out her doubts and listen to her heart?