REVIEW: Rock Steady by Dawn Ryder

In Rock Steady by Dawn Ryder, Toxsin guitarist Ramsey has a problem; a bitter woman took him to get a tattoo while he was drunk. The result? Cherry blossoms. Worried about the band’s image, his bandmates drag him to a twenty-four hour tattoo parlor. There they met Jewel, who finds a way to cover the tattoo up with another one of a dragon. Convinced he needs her to add more to the tattoo, Ramsey has his band manager present her with a contract to tour with the band and do their tattoos, as well as those for members of their crew.

Jewel is able to see past Ramsey’s rock star persona to the real man, the one only those closest to him get to know. I liked that she insisted on visiting his parents with him, hoping to find a way to mend the strained relationship between him and his disapproving parents. I also liked that she never backed down, even when Ramsey’s jealous ex-lover tried to scare her away.

It’s clear Ramsey’s bandmates only want what’s good for him. When they felt he wasn’t treating Jewel right, they were the first ones to point it out to him.

One thing I would have liked to have some closure on was which deal Jewel ended up deciding to take when it came to her art. She received a deal from Toxsin’s rival record producer, which she had been seriously considering. Then she received another one from Toxsin’s producer, Sammy. It was never clarified which deal she ended up accepting.

While this is the second book in the series, it can be read as a standalone. You don’t get much background about how the band formed in this one though. Not having read the previous book, I’m not sure if that’s covered in that one. It seems like Ramsey and lead singer Syon have a closer relationship than the other band members, but it’s not covered in this book how that came to be.

If you enjoy books about rock stars, this may be one you want to try.

Book Info:

Publication: June 7, 2016 | Sourcebooks Casablanca | Rock Band #2

He kept it casual

Superstar guitarist Ramsey’s reputation as a bad-boy rocker is exceeded only by his dedication to his music. He’s worked hard for the success of his hit metal band Toxsin, and he intends to enjoy it-completely. When a jilted groupie gets back at him for a one-night stand with an intimate-and completely inappropriate-tattoo, he needs it fixed, and fast. Sparks fly between Ramsey and his new tattoo artist, and Ramsey finds himself hoping for more than new ink.

Until she made him want more

When a high-profile tattoo job lands Jewel an invite on Toxsin’s latest tour, she can’t say no. It’ll be great exposure, after all. What she’s really worried about is ruining the gig by hooking up with the first guy to completely rock her world. She knows she should resist-Ramsey’s not the kind to stick around for a morning after. But the way he makes her feel-as an artist and a woman-could be worth any risk.