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Hush Note #2
Rifts & Refrains
From the moment Quinn Montgomery sat behind her first snare and cymbal set, she was destined for fame and glory. As Hush Note’s infamous female drummer, she sets the rhythm for the band’s chart-toppings hits. When people tap their feet to their music, it’s to her pulse.
Quinn is content to live in a world away from her family and the cage of her youth. Her only regret is leaving Graham Hayes behind without a goodbye. No matter how many sold-out stadiums she plays, no matter how many crowds sing her songs, his voice haunts her when the music stops.
When a family tragedy forces her to return home to Montana, she plans to leave the second she’s paid her respects. But seeing Graham again turns her life upside down. As a boy, he wasn’t able to make her stay. As a man, he might be her future.
If they can mend their rifts and find solace in the refrains.
Quinn is content to live in a world away from her family and the cage of her youth. Her only regret is leaving Graham Hayes behind without a goodbye. No matter how many sold-out stadiums she plays, no matter how many crowds sing her songs, his voice haunts her when the music stops.
When a family tragedy forces her to return home to Montana, she plans to leave the second she’s paid her respects. But seeing Graham again turns her life upside down. As a boy, he wasn’t able to make her stay. As a man, he might be her future.
If they can mend their rifts and find solace in the refrains.
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 29, 2020
About the author
Devney Perry
67 books15.7k followersDevney is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Washington with her husband and two sons. Born and raised in Montana, she loves writing books set in her treasured home state. After working in the technology industry for nearly a decade, she abandoned conference calls and project schedules to enjoy a slower pace at home with her family. Writing one book, let alone many, was not something she ever expected to do. But now that she’s discovered her true passion for writing romance, she has no plans to ever stop.
Visit Devney's website to sign up for her newsletters and learn more about upcoming books.
www.devneyperry.com
Visit Devney's website to sign up for her newsletters and learn more about upcoming books.
www.devneyperry.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 743 reviews
September 23, 2020
Heart strumming plot, Melodic narration, adventurous spirit, These are the base on which Devney so beautifully plays the entire musical story.
Who is Quinn Montgomery?
Drummer? Writer? Token female? Bitch?
She's just a girl who ran from the small box she was being forced to stuff her large artistic personality into. This beautiful Canary wanted to fly high and sing to her hearts content, but circumstances were caging her creativity and clipping her feathers.
So she ran..and ran..and ran, till she found a sky of her own. But she misses the stars in the sky back home. As she left behind all that had made her..HER...The Rock Star. The person who was her biggest cheerleader, the love of her life, Graham Hayes, who's still standing at the place she left him. Clutching his bleeding heart
"You were supposed to let go when your first love ended. You were supposed to look at the past and smile at the memory. You weren’t supposed to hold it so close that it wound into your very existence, making every moment impossible to forget."
This is a journey of a girl in an escapade of her soul full of Rifts And Refrains and in her quest she leaves behind her heart & voice in the back of the pick-up truck.
A moving tale of second chances times two. All the characters are in search of Atonement of their own. All abandoned her, and she abandoned all. When the Prodigal Daughter returns home, who will be the bigger person to forgive her and themselves first..this is the base of the story.
"He was the towering oak tree, planted firmly in the earth. I was the bird, flying in the sky above, and the wind had carried me too far to turn back now."
It gives a small town story a larger than life feel. Devney is a master of this trope and Montana is close to her heart, it's a known fact. So the comfort shows. its an effortless story, with large sentiments and tear inducing emotions. Can't wait for the next one!
4 stars for The Golden Sticks
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Who is Quinn Montgomery?
Drummer? Writer? Token female? Bitch?
She's just a girl who ran from the small box she was being forced to stuff her large artistic personality into. This beautiful Canary wanted to fly high and sing to her hearts content, but circumstances were caging her creativity and clipping her feathers.
So she ran..and ran..and ran, till she found a sky of her own. But she misses the stars in the sky back home. As she left behind all that had made her..HER...The Rock Star. The person who was her biggest cheerleader, the love of her life, Graham Hayes, who's still standing at the place she left him. Clutching his bleeding heart
"You were supposed to let go when your first love ended. You were supposed to look at the past and smile at the memory. You weren’t supposed to hold it so close that it wound into your very existence, making every moment impossible to forget."
This is a journey of a girl in an escapade of her soul full of Rifts And Refrains and in her quest she leaves behind her heart & voice in the back of the pick-up truck.
A moving tale of second chances times two. All the characters are in search of Atonement of their own. All abandoned her, and she abandoned all. When the Prodigal Daughter returns home, who will be the bigger person to forgive her and themselves first..this is the base of the story.
"He was the towering oak tree, planted firmly in the earth. I was the bird, flying in the sky above, and the wind had carried me too far to turn back now."
It gives a small town story a larger than life feel. Devney is a master of this trope and Montana is close to her heart, it's a known fact. So the comfort shows. its an effortless story, with large sentiments and tear inducing emotions. Can't wait for the next one!
4 stars for The Golden Sticks
Follow me on:
Email🌻 Bookbub 🌻 Twitter🌻 Instagram🌻 Blog🌻 Facebook🌻 Amazon 🌻
September 21, 2020
'RIFTS AND REFRAINS' by Devney Perry is the second full length book in the Hush Notes series which is a rock star romance, each written by a different Author, each centered on a band member in Hush Notes. But can easily be read as complete stand-alones.
This wrung so many emotions out of me, a family severed down the middle, their family values and dynamics coming into play admittedly had me more than tearing up in a few places, a much loved one passing, an ex, and a rock star finding her place in the world. This was such a beautiful unique story.
Normally I tend to shy away from small town second chance romances, only because they seem to follow the same plot, but this had such a heartfelt slow burn feel about it, and if Devney Perry is the author I’ll read it! Words cannot convey how much I loved this story.
'Rifts and Refrains' kicks starts off with Quinn 'Hush Notes' golden drummer girl getting a phone call which neither one of us ever wants to receive, she's been asked to come home because her Nan passed away in her sleep. Quinn hasn't been home or spoken to anyone from Montana her hometown other than her Nan's weekly Monday phone calls for nine years.
Not even her childhood sweetheart she left behind all those years ago have spoken. Not everyone will welcome Quinn with open arms. Past hurts and the reason why she took off all those years ago had left a family divided. Things have changed so much since she's been away, and now even more than in the past she feels like she doesn't belong.
I highly recommend this book!! Rifts and Refrains is a perfectly safe rock star romance to read.
November 23, 2020
4.5 stars
I loved this book so much! What a fantastic second chance romance that had the single dad troupe and mixed that small town feel with a rock star romance. The audiobook was fantastic and I can see myself re-reading this in the future. I didn’t love Quinn in the first book in this series, so I honestly wasn’t expecting to love this one so much, but I’m glad I made time for it. I only wish Nixon’s book was available in audio. I’m so bummed it’s not.
I loved this book so much! What a fantastic second chance romance that had the single dad troupe and mixed that small town feel with a rock star romance. The audiobook was fantastic and I can see myself re-reading this in the future. I didn’t love Quinn in the first book in this series, so I honestly wasn’t expecting to love this one so much, but I’m glad I made time for it. I only wish Nixon’s book was available in audio. I’m so bummed it’s not.
Audio book source: Audible (purchased)
Story Rating: 4.5 stars
Narrators: Joe Arden and Maxine Mitchell
Narration Rating: 5 stars
Genre: Romance
Length: 7 hours and 52 minutes
September 28, 2020
<3 4,5-5 stars <3
I loved it!Devney Perry delivers an emotional, heartwarming and sweet!Such a great story, it touch me so much, I find it intense!I absolutely adored Quinn and Graham, I couldn't get enough of them .
This has everything I wanted and even more.It has a second chance romance,a single dad , a rock star and first love!Did I need to say more??
This book was fantastic, I read it in one sitting.If you are looking for a heartwarming story this is perfect!
I loved it!Devney Perry delivers an emotional, heartwarming and sweet!Such a great story, it touch me so much, I find it intense!I absolutely adored Quinn and Graham, I couldn't get enough of them .
This has everything I wanted and even more.It has a second chance romance,a single dad , a rock star and first love!Did I need to say more??
This book was fantastic, I read it in one sitting.If you are looking for a heartwarming story this is perfect!
September 27, 2020
4.5 STARS
I'm a sucker for a second chance romance, and no one delivers on those feels quite like Devney Perry.
A refreshingly different take on the rockstar second chance, Quinn and Graham's story stole my heart. Unlike the typical rockstar books, we get a female rockstar that walked away from her love this time around. But Quinn didn't walk away. Her path was riddled with plenty of pain. Growing up a preacher's daughter was never easy for Quinn. Not when her dreams were bigger than the small town she lived in and not when her parent's stifling expectations boxed her in. She ran to pursue her dreams but it cost her her family and the boy she loved. Now a famous rockstar, she's forced back home for the funeral of her beloved Nan and the only family that kept in touch with her while she was away. Her only connection and person who always believed in her now gone, she's forced to deal with the resentment and anger left behind. Facing her family may be hard, but facing her childhood sweetheart and his anger is almost impossible.
Graham never forgave Quinn for leaving and he never moved past not being enough for her to stay. But the longer they're forced together by the wishes of her nan in her will, the more they're forced to realize things. Graham begins to see beyond his own anger. The connection between them is just as potent, even after all of these years. Neither Quinn nor Graham ever got over the other. But there's plenty that was left unsaid.
This book was a one two punch straight to the feels. I spent the entire time reading going from tearing up, to goofy smile, to tearing up again. There was so much depth and emotion that's packed into this story, I never wanted it to end. I loved the small town setting but I loved Quinn and Graham even more. Quinn and Nix's connection was so incredible too. I love these two friends. The way Nix is so messed up but is always there for her just melted my heart. I can't wait for his book next.
As for this one, if you love an emotional and steamy second chance romance, you need this book in your life!
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
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You were supposed to let go when your first love ended. You were supposed to look at the past and smile at the memory. You weren’t supposed to hold it so close that it wound into your very existence, making every moment impossible to forget.
I'm a sucker for a second chance romance, and no one delivers on those feels quite like Devney Perry.
A refreshingly different take on the rockstar second chance, Quinn and Graham's story stole my heart. Unlike the typical rockstar books, we get a female rockstar that walked away from her love this time around. But Quinn didn't walk away. Her path was riddled with plenty of pain. Growing up a preacher's daughter was never easy for Quinn. Not when her dreams were bigger than the small town she lived in and not when her parent's stifling expectations boxed her in. She ran to pursue her dreams but it cost her her family and the boy she loved. Now a famous rockstar, she's forced back home for the funeral of her beloved Nan and the only family that kept in touch with her while she was away. Her only connection and person who always believed in her now gone, she's forced to deal with the resentment and anger left behind. Facing her family may be hard, but facing her childhood sweetheart and his anger is almost impossible.
Graham never forgave Quinn for leaving and he never moved past not being enough for her to stay. But the longer they're forced together by the wishes of her nan in her will, the more they're forced to realize things. Graham begins to see beyond his own anger. The connection between them is just as potent, even after all of these years. Neither Quinn nor Graham ever got over the other. But there's plenty that was left unsaid.
This book was a one two punch straight to the feels. I spent the entire time reading going from tearing up, to goofy smile, to tearing up again. There was so much depth and emotion that's packed into this story, I never wanted it to end. I loved the small town setting but I loved Quinn and Graham even more. Quinn and Nix's connection was so incredible too. I love these two friends. The way Nix is so messed up but is always there for her just melted my heart. I can't wait for his book next.
As for this one, if you love an emotional and steamy second chance romance, you need this book in your life!
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
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September 13, 2020
This book totally rocked my every emotion!
I’m not a huge fan of rock stars in romance so I was uncertain how I’d respond to Quinn. I shouldn’t have worried because once more Ms. Perry showed me she knows how to make me love elements, and in this case, characters, that I would normally avoid. As the story unfolded, so did my understanding of Quinn and I just wanted to wrap her in love and give her what she had been missing for so long.
Initially, I was a bit ticked off with the hero, Graham. However, it didn’t take long for me to see what it was that motivated his actions. The fact that his true feelings couldn’t be contained for long made me soften to him and soon thereafter I was absolutely in love with him.
I loved that this couple had such a rich history, not just between themselves but one that included their families. That added to the angst and drama but also held the promise of so much beauty once I reached the end. I just had to survive to get there!
From the first page I felt the emotional pull of this story and as it ebbed and flowed, so did my tears. The relationships that were bruised and damaged by past pain, and aggravated by years of neglect, made my heart physically hurt. I ached for Quinn and all that she was missing. I had to remind myself that this author is a master at creating such characters and then gently leading them into complete healing. But holy heck, the journey she takes us on to get there is fraught with every emotion known to womankind.
Highly recommending this beautifully written story with characters that are both somewhat flawed, a little broken, and a lot in love.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
I’m not a huge fan of rock stars in romance so I was uncertain how I’d respond to Quinn. I shouldn’t have worried because once more Ms. Perry showed me she knows how to make me love elements, and in this case, characters, that I would normally avoid. As the story unfolded, so did my understanding of Quinn and I just wanted to wrap her in love and give her what she had been missing for so long.
Initially, I was a bit ticked off with the hero, Graham. However, it didn’t take long for me to see what it was that motivated his actions. The fact that his true feelings couldn’t be contained for long made me soften to him and soon thereafter I was absolutely in love with him.
I loved that this couple had such a rich history, not just between themselves but one that included their families. That added to the angst and drama but also held the promise of so much beauty once I reached the end. I just had to survive to get there!
From the first page I felt the emotional pull of this story and as it ebbed and flowed, so did my tears. The relationships that were bruised and damaged by past pain, and aggravated by years of neglect, made my heart physically hurt. I ached for Quinn and all that she was missing. I had to remind myself that this author is a master at creating such characters and then gently leading them into complete healing. But holy heck, the journey she takes us on to get there is fraught with every emotion known to womankind.
Highly recommending this beautifully written story with characters that are both somewhat flawed, a little broken, and a lot in love.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
September 25, 2020
A new favorite from a favorite author!
Rifts and Refrains is a stunning novel about loss, forgiveness, and finding your way back home. I was completely blown away by Quinn and Graham's story! Their rich history, family dynamic, and past hurts were so gut wrenching. The emotional aspect of the story had me on the edge of my seat throughout the novel. My pulse raced and heart pounded! It's such an amazing emotional read. I straight up read through tears during some parts of the story. My poor heart was tortured and I loved every single second of it!
Coming into this story after reading the first book in the series, I wanted to understand who Quinn was and why she behaved the way she did. Devney Perry has an amazing knack of writing real life scenarios with so much depth that the reader can't help but become completely invested in the story unfolding before their eyes. You'll want to root for the characters and see them achieve their happily ever after. That is totally the case with these two!
The additional layers of the interpersonal relationships between the band members as well as the family situation that plays a huge part in this story were beyond engaging! Everything worked so well together.
Quinn and Graham's story truly touched me. The emotional depth of the story and the character development in this story are truly phenomenal. I was enthralled from start to finish and struggled to put this book down until the last page was turned. In a word, it was PERFECTION!
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Rifts and Refrains is a stunning novel about loss, forgiveness, and finding your way back home. I was completely blown away by Quinn and Graham's story! Their rich history, family dynamic, and past hurts were so gut wrenching. The emotional aspect of the story had me on the edge of my seat throughout the novel. My pulse raced and heart pounded! It's such an amazing emotional read. I straight up read through tears during some parts of the story. My poor heart was tortured and I loved every single second of it!
Coming into this story after reading the first book in the series, I wanted to understand who Quinn was and why she behaved the way she did. Devney Perry has an amazing knack of writing real life scenarios with so much depth that the reader can't help but become completely invested in the story unfolding before their eyes. You'll want to root for the characters and see them achieve their happily ever after. That is totally the case with these two!
The additional layers of the interpersonal relationships between the band members as well as the family situation that plays a huge part in this story were beyond engaging! Everything worked so well together.
Quinn and Graham's story truly touched me. The emotional depth of the story and the character development in this story are truly phenomenal. I was enthralled from start to finish and struggled to put this book down until the last page was turned. In a word, it was PERFECTION!
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Shelved as 'nope-nope-nope'
September 30, 2020Heroine has lousy sex one time in nine years. Over it! Also can I just laugh that of course a female rock star is celibate and untouched while male ones are manwhores. The double standards are ridiculous.
What is the aversion female authors have with allowing their heroines to have at minimum satisfactory sex with someone who is not the hero? Its so annoying at this point, and I am just getting turned off to the romance genre as a whole. I dont even remember the last time I read a great romance book. Its like a lot of us have evolved and the romance genre is not evolving with us. The arc ppl will five star anything so I doubt they even like it.
What is the aversion female authors have with allowing their heroines to have at minimum satisfactory sex with someone who is not the hero? Its so annoying at this point, and I am just getting turned off to the romance genre as a whole. I dont even remember the last time I read a great romance book. Its like a lot of us have evolved and the romance genre is not evolving with us. The arc ppl will five star anything so I doubt they even like it.
September 29, 2020
4.5 'Love Always' Stars!
ARC provided via Valentine PR in exchange for an honest review.
An angsty second-chance romance from the amazing Devney Perry becomes the perfect continuation of Hush Note’s adventures! Just a few days ago I fell in love with this band through Lies & Lullabies so I was more than ready to read Quinn’s story, especially after seeing her rude-ish behavior in the first book (I was more than curious to know how Devney would develop the perfect love story for the infamous female drummer!). I will just say, I was not disappointed.
So, Rifts & Refrains is the second installment in the Hush Note series, written by Devney Perry. This one focuses on the story between Quinn Montgomery, the known-as-bitchy drummer from the famous band, and the man she left behind to pursue her dreams 9 years ago, Graham Hayes. Quinn is tired and she needs a break. That unfortunately happens when she gets the news her beloved grandma has died. She has to back to her small town in Montana and face the family and the man she left so many years ago. It will not be an easy and happy reunion but will it be worth it? Is it time for a second chance with the people she loves?
My Quinn was gone. This was the Quinn I saw on TV.
A stranger.
And I’d been forced to watch her transformation from afar.
First of all, I love Devney. I was all over this series as soon as I saw her name involved so I was especially excited for Rifts & Refrains. Second, I was even more thrilled when I saw the words second chance and single parent (two of my favorite romance tropes!). And how did Devney do? Of course, she did a wonderful job. I loved these characters! Quinn is so much more than what she makes the world see, she is so vulnerable after a heartbreak provoked by her family and her high school sweetheart. Her only connection is Nan and she has just lost her. She has to face those who hurt her (and who she hurt back) and it’s not easy for her to do it.
“Why are you always running away from me?”
I couldn’t answer him. He’d push and push until I did, but it was the one thing I wouldn’t admit. Because if I admitted that I’d been in love with him since I was fourteen, it would destroy us both.
But it is so clear Quinn and Graham never stopped loving each other. Graham is hard with her at the start but it’s understandable. As the story progresses, so does the truth and their feelings and that love is impossible to be stopped. And when that also involves an adorable kid like Colin and seeing Graham love him so much? Yeah, I MELTED (as did Quinn). The chemistry between these two was there from the very first page and it was angsty, emotional and filled with sexual tension. I loved how this relationship evolved and I am so happy Graham and Quinn finally got their HEA.
“You set me free once, Graham. You let me fly. Now I’m coming home.”
Therefore, I am rating Rifts & Refrains with 4.5 STARS because Devney Perry killed it with this second chance romance. I am such a sucker for those and Quinn and Graham’s love story was to die for! I fell in love with all these characters and all over again with the Hush Note’s members. I literally cannot wait to read Nixon’s story. I already have the ARC ready so I will be going for that one ASAP! Devney’s addition to this series amazed me and I definitely recommend it to any music / second chance / single parent romance lovers out there!
CHECK OUT MY BLOG HERE:
ARC provided via Valentine PR in exchange for an honest review.
An angsty second-chance romance from the amazing Devney Perry becomes the perfect continuation of Hush Note’s adventures! Just a few days ago I fell in love with this band through Lies & Lullabies so I was more than ready to read Quinn’s story, especially after seeing her rude-ish behavior in the first book (I was more than curious to know how Devney would develop the perfect love story for the infamous female drummer!). I will just say, I was not disappointed.
So, Rifts & Refrains is the second installment in the Hush Note series, written by Devney Perry. This one focuses on the story between Quinn Montgomery, the known-as-bitchy drummer from the famous band, and the man she left behind to pursue her dreams 9 years ago, Graham Hayes. Quinn is tired and she needs a break. That unfortunately happens when she gets the news her beloved grandma has died. She has to back to her small town in Montana and face the family and the man she left so many years ago. It will not be an easy and happy reunion but will it be worth it? Is it time for a second chance with the people she loves?
My Quinn was gone. This was the Quinn I saw on TV.
A stranger.
And I’d been forced to watch her transformation from afar.
First of all, I love Devney. I was all over this series as soon as I saw her name involved so I was especially excited for Rifts & Refrains. Second, I was even more thrilled when I saw the words second chance and single parent (two of my favorite romance tropes!). And how did Devney do? Of course, she did a wonderful job. I loved these characters! Quinn is so much more than what she makes the world see, she is so vulnerable after a heartbreak provoked by her family and her high school sweetheart. Her only connection is Nan and she has just lost her. She has to face those who hurt her (and who she hurt back) and it’s not easy for her to do it.
“Why are you always running away from me?”
I couldn’t answer him. He’d push and push until I did, but it was the one thing I wouldn’t admit. Because if I admitted that I’d been in love with him since I was fourteen, it would destroy us both.
But it is so clear Quinn and Graham never stopped loving each other. Graham is hard with her at the start but it’s understandable. As the story progresses, so does the truth and their feelings and that love is impossible to be stopped. And when that also involves an adorable kid like Colin and seeing Graham love him so much? Yeah, I MELTED (as did Quinn). The chemistry between these two was there from the very first page and it was angsty, emotional and filled with sexual tension. I loved how this relationship evolved and I am so happy Graham and Quinn finally got their HEA.
“You set me free once, Graham. You let me fly. Now I’m coming home.”
Therefore, I am rating Rifts & Refrains with 4.5 STARS because Devney Perry killed it with this second chance romance. I am such a sucker for those and Quinn and Graham’s love story was to die for! I fell in love with all these characters and all over again with the Hush Note’s members. I literally cannot wait to read Nixon’s story. I already have the ARC ready so I will be going for that one ASAP! Devney’s addition to this series amazed me and I definitely recommend it to any music / second chance / single parent romance lovers out there!
CHECK OUT MY BLOG HERE:
September 29, 2020
Meet Quinn and the Hush Notes!
AVAILABLE NOW
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Back in May of this year I read my very first Devney Perry book and I haven’t looked back since. This woman has talent. She has a way of reaching into your soul and squeezing tight while at the same time showering you in hope. #WordWizardry. I haven’t yet read every book she has ever published, but I am confident in my assessment. She is magic.
Once again, I have to tell you that I cried a lot. There’s a depth of emotion that surrounds this story that left me breathless in many places. It wasn’t just the slow-burn, second chance to get things right journey between Quinn and Graham, it was everything. I’m crying right now remembering and feeling everything. This is a special story. It’s a story of coming home, of family, of forgiveness, of peace, of overcoming, of acceptance, of … everything; and it was all so beautifully unfolded that my heart literary hurt. I don’t have any other way to put it. I ached for the girl that was and the girl that is. I ached for the family that was and the family that is. I ached for the boy that was and the boy that is. I ached so badly for the loss and I ached for the gain. I just ached. And it was gloriously beautiful.
October 10, 2020
Not Miss Perry best work. I used to like her work very much. I always been waiting for her new book. Waiting for her to give me that sweet, swoon, romance story. But lately her books become mediocre for me.
Rifts and Refrians is a second change romance. The idea is promising but the execution is dry. I feel she recyle some of second chance romance out there and presenting this book. Nothing new. The conclusion is rush.
I try to find something that I like in this book. Finding none.
2 stars
Rifts and Refrians is a second change romance. The idea is promising but the execution is dry. I feel she recyle some of second chance romance out there and presenting this book. Nothing new. The conclusion is rush.
I try to find something that I like in this book. Finding none.
2 stars
September 29, 2020
If I wasn't sure I was in love with Hush Note before? Color me smitten, now.
Oh, how I loved this emotional second-chance love story.
Quinn was a tough sell for me at first. If you've read Lies & Lullabies (and really, you should), you'll know that her character required a bit of redeeming. She was prickly and closed-off and difficult to like. In Rifts & Refrains we get the rest of the story - and the more vulnerable side of Quinn. And y'all? I am here for this story.
Guh! It was so good! It was a slow ramp up between Quinn and Graham. There's a lot of push and not a lot of pull until it slowly flips - the chemistry igniting, the emotions exploding, and the sweetness of it all hit me right in all my sweet spots. I loved them so much!
But, honestly? For me, the romance was almost a secondary delight in this story. There is a fair amount of family drama going on, and I was so emotionally invested in Quinn's family -- my heart didn't even know what to do with itself. I hurt, I ached, and I sobbed a few ugly tears watching this broken family slowly heal each other. Add Quinn's bandmates - a different kind of family - on top of that?
Perfection.
I felt like I got a deeper look into the dynamic of Hush Note in this story. Their relationships to each other were more on display, and the way they loved each other lit me up inside. These characters are so special, and my heart is all in for them.
This book was the whole package - a compelling, addictive read, jam packed with emotions, and an ending that left me beaming with happiness. This series was one of my most anticipated series in 2020, and these authors are knocking them out of the park. I could not be happier with these amazing characters and their heart-stealing stories! ~ Shelly, 4.5 stars
***
Good golly, I don’t even know where to start with this review for Rifts and Refrains. With the second-chance romance between Quinn and Graham, plus all the family dynamics, there is so much awesomeness to gush about.
Quinn is the proverbial black sheep in her family. The one who seemingly rejected her upbringing to follow her dreams. She left her hometown, her family, and the love of her life nine years ago and has never gone back.
Until now. There was no excuse to find to not go back. And, whoa, was her return a doozy! Especially when her ride from the airport turns out to be none other than that love she left behind. Graham.
Graham has had nine years to get over his love for Quinn. Get over his anger and sadness of her departure. Get over her in general. Even has the adorable almost eight year old son to prove that he tried. But there’s just something undeniable that connects them. Something that keeps igniting the spark and driving the lust and the love for Quinn. No matter how much he tries to deny it!
I loved the relationship between Quinn and Graham. That they both needed to move beyond what happened when she left nine years ago. Get to a point to where they could talk out their feelings of hurt and anger and sadness from that time. And once they did, wowza. It was as if they picked up right where they left off, just a little bit older and a whole lot wiser.
But I’d be remiss if I didn’t also add in my love for Quinn’s family dynamics. The scenes with her family on her first time home in nine years were some of the most awkward, sad, heartbreaking words I’ve read in a long time. And really set up the whole “outside looking in” scenario. I loved how the family conversations unfolded and how they worked through everything. Some of my favorite scenes were between Quinn and her dad—though initially I wasn’t quite sure how things would end up between them.
At any rate, I was truly hesitant that Quinn could redeem herself from her antics and attitude in Lies and Lullabies, but boy did I get over that concern and quick once I dove in! And I’m dying to read Nixon’s story in Muses and Melodies next! ~ Missy, 5 stars
Oh, how I loved this emotional second-chance love story.
Quinn was a tough sell for me at first. If you've read Lies & Lullabies (and really, you should), you'll know that her character required a bit of redeeming. She was prickly and closed-off and difficult to like. In Rifts & Refrains we get the rest of the story - and the more vulnerable side of Quinn. And y'all? I am here for this story.
Guh! It was so good! It was a slow ramp up between Quinn and Graham. There's a lot of push and not a lot of pull until it slowly flips - the chemistry igniting, the emotions exploding, and the sweetness of it all hit me right in all my sweet spots. I loved them so much!
But, honestly? For me, the romance was almost a secondary delight in this story. There is a fair amount of family drama going on, and I was so emotionally invested in Quinn's family -- my heart didn't even know what to do with itself. I hurt, I ached, and I sobbed a few ugly tears watching this broken family slowly heal each other. Add Quinn's bandmates - a different kind of family - on top of that?
Perfection.
I felt like I got a deeper look into the dynamic of Hush Note in this story. Their relationships to each other were more on display, and the way they loved each other lit me up inside. These characters are so special, and my heart is all in for them.
This book was the whole package - a compelling, addictive read, jam packed with emotions, and an ending that left me beaming with happiness. This series was one of my most anticipated series in 2020, and these authors are knocking them out of the park. I could not be happier with these amazing characters and their heart-stealing stories! ~ Shelly, 4.5 stars
***
Good golly, I don’t even know where to start with this review for Rifts and Refrains. With the second-chance romance between Quinn and Graham, plus all the family dynamics, there is so much awesomeness to gush about.
Quinn is the proverbial black sheep in her family. The one who seemingly rejected her upbringing to follow her dreams. She left her hometown, her family, and the love of her life nine years ago and has never gone back.
Until now. There was no excuse to find to not go back. And, whoa, was her return a doozy! Especially when her ride from the airport turns out to be none other than that love she left behind. Graham.
Graham has had nine years to get over his love for Quinn. Get over his anger and sadness of her departure. Get over her in general. Even has the adorable almost eight year old son to prove that he tried. But there’s just something undeniable that connects them. Something that keeps igniting the spark and driving the lust and the love for Quinn. No matter how much he tries to deny it!
I loved the relationship between Quinn and Graham. That they both needed to move beyond what happened when she left nine years ago. Get to a point to where they could talk out their feelings of hurt and anger and sadness from that time. And once they did, wowza. It was as if they picked up right where they left off, just a little bit older and a whole lot wiser.
But I’d be remiss if I didn’t also add in my love for Quinn’s family dynamics. The scenes with her family on her first time home in nine years were some of the most awkward, sad, heartbreaking words I’ve read in a long time. And really set up the whole “outside looking in” scenario. I loved how the family conversations unfolded and how they worked through everything. Some of my favorite scenes were between Quinn and her dad—though initially I wasn’t quite sure how things would end up between them.
At any rate, I was truly hesitant that Quinn could redeem herself from her antics and attitude in Lies and Lullabies, but boy did I get over that concern and quick once I dove in! And I’m dying to read Nixon’s story in Muses and Melodies next! ~ Missy, 5 stars
October 4, 2020
4.5 stars
“Maybe our melody hadn’t come easily. There’d been times when out rhythm had been out of sync, none of it mattered. Because our beauty was in the refrain.”
Dare I say I have a new favourite Devney Perry book?? I have read every single one of her books and I have to say this one takes the cake.
Drummer for the hit rock band Hush Note, Quinn returns home to Montana for the first time in 9 years following the death of her Nan and is left to face her family who struggled to understand her and her first love she left behind, Graham.
I read this in one sitting and not once were my eyes ever dry from tears.
This is an emotional ride
Its so much deeper than just the romance showcasing complex family dynamics and not being able to understand people sometimes but still caring deeply for them. Quinn’s relationship with her family broke my heart so many times and the way that these relationships grew and healed were so endearing to read.
I also loved seeing a new perspective to the bands dynamic. I adore the way Jonas, Nixon and Quinn all care about each other and can’t wait to see even more of that in the final book.
The romance itself my goodness. A second chance romance, from each other’s first loves and first everythings to reconnecting over the loss of Quinn’s Nan made for a painful ride. Chuck in the fact that not long after breaking up as teenagers Graham gets another girl pregnant and becomes a single father. His son Colin by the way is adorable. Second chance romance?? Single father?? Rock star?? This book truly has it all.
Seeing Quinn, Graham and Colin all interact as a little family was truly precious.
The only thing I didn’t love was that I felt the reasoning behind all of the animosity of why Quinn left I felt like it wasn't really strong enough to create all the drama it did and was a little glossed over sometimes. But nonetheless I still felt every emotion and feeling this book had to offer.
2/2 with this series so far I am loving it and cannot wait for the conclusion to the series.
“Maybe our melody hadn’t come easily. There’d been times when out rhythm had been out of sync, none of it mattered. Because our beauty was in the refrain.”
Dare I say I have a new favourite Devney Perry book?? I have read every single one of her books and I have to say this one takes the cake.
Drummer for the hit rock band Hush Note, Quinn returns home to Montana for the first time in 9 years following the death of her Nan and is left to face her family who struggled to understand her and her first love she left behind, Graham.
I read this in one sitting and not once were my eyes ever dry from tears.
This is an emotional ride
Its so much deeper than just the romance showcasing complex family dynamics and not being able to understand people sometimes but still caring deeply for them. Quinn’s relationship with her family broke my heart so many times and the way that these relationships grew and healed were so endearing to read.
I also loved seeing a new perspective to the bands dynamic. I adore the way Jonas, Nixon and Quinn all care about each other and can’t wait to see even more of that in the final book.
The romance itself my goodness. A second chance romance, from each other’s first loves and first everythings to reconnecting over the loss of Quinn’s Nan made for a painful ride. Chuck in the fact that not long after breaking up as teenagers Graham gets another girl pregnant and becomes a single father. His son Colin by the way is adorable. Second chance romance?? Single father?? Rock star?? This book truly has it all.
Seeing Quinn, Graham and Colin all interact as a little family was truly precious.
The only thing I didn’t love was that I felt the reasoning behind all of the animosity of why Quinn left I felt like it wasn't really strong enough to create all the drama it did and was a little glossed over sometimes. But nonetheless I still felt every emotion and feeling this book had to offer.
2/2 with this series so far I am loving it and cannot wait for the conclusion to the series.
October 3, 2020
4.5 Stars
Infectious characters, consuming chemistry, raw emotions, Rifts and Refrains enticed us until the very end. As shocking news draws her home, Quinn ends up confronting past heartache. Vowing to fulfill a final request and leave, things prove to be more complicated than she had initially anticipated. As she surrenders her heart to her first love, regrets are bared, love reignited, but fear still looms. A beautifully written story about remorse, family, and making amends.
www.marvelusreads.com
Infectious characters, consuming chemistry, raw emotions, Rifts and Refrains enticed us until the very end. As shocking news draws her home, Quinn ends up confronting past heartache. Vowing to fulfill a final request and leave, things prove to be more complicated than she had initially anticipated. As she surrenders her heart to her first love, regrets are bared, love reignited, but fear still looms. A beautifully written story about remorse, family, and making amends.
www.marvelusreads.com
March 6, 2023
2.5* on a reread
Why did I reread this? I forgot I'd read it initially🤷🏽♀️🙄 and as predicted my rating will be lowered. Seriously what is it with this author and the family drama? So many of her books have this in them but it seriously irks me. The h did nothing wrong in wanting more for her life yet she's made to continuously put up with bs from her family because of her choices! Had it been me you can bet I'd take my rock star money book myself into a hotel with my middle finger held high! Let's normalize doing the best we can for ourselves and fuck the naysayers.... Be they friend, family or foe! I'm really tired of this tbh
Spoilers ahead, 3.5*
Book 2 in an interconnected series I guess
Quinn is the female drummer for rock band Hush Note, when her beloved grandmother dies her mom asks her to come home for the first time in 9 years. Unfortunately waiting for her at the airport is the boy who's heart she broke and who broke hers
Graham has tried his best not to think about Quinn since she left town and broke up with him. He's content in his hometown with his business, his family and his son. Seeing Quinn however, makes him realize he's still angry. And under that anger also lies a lot of unresolved feelings. As they navigate through their shared grief at the loss of Nan, the two bond over their love of music and his precocious son....but Quinn's life is once again on a completely different track to Graham. Can they bridge the rift this time around?l
********
Now, this book surprised me. At initially meeting Graham I hated him and his high handed manner, basically demanding he give her a ride and manipulating her to stay with her family when she hadn't planned too. But as time went on the mcs and the entire plot just felt relatable to me. I won't say he made it to my BBF shelf but the story was so well written that I couldn't help but love it
I admit to being confused at the timeline. At 18 Quinn and her pastor father got into a really bad argument causing her to eventually leave to pursue her dreams. A while after she calls Graham and they break up over the phone. A while after that when he saw she really wasn't coming home he got drunk and hooked up with someone which resulted in a pregnancy. Now I'm honestly not sure how much time passed between all of that
Anyways Quinn made it big but the separation with her family never healed and she hasn't been home in all those years. Now I could understand the initial argument, given the fact he was a pastor and his unenlightened way of thinking but I didn't like her sister's attitude at all. She didn't deserve that and I wanted her to just stand up to them all
Quinn wasn't the badass I was expecting, the female drummer of a world famous rock band? I expected a fierce and strong woman but she let her family get away with too much shit for too long and didn't call them on it at all
On a reread I can guarantee that I'd lower the rating of this book, but on this initial read I really enjoyed the overall story. The mcs were ok, the secondary characters meh and the kid absolutely brilliant but the overall writing and flow is what made me enjoy this one.
I'm not a fan of second chance romances, and some things irked me(it's the lack of apologies for ME) and I definitely can't see myself rereading this but at this present moment I'll consider this one a win
ETA
Colin was the evidence that Graham hadn’t waited long to find my replacement in his truck bed. I, on the other hand, had waited three years before dating, if you could call two dinners and lousy sex with an executive at my label dating.
I hadn’t bothered much with men since then. They were a distraction and required energy I just didn’t have, not when I was pouring myself into the music
Second chance
H had a child with a woman he'd hooked up with, she wasn't in the picture
h didn't really date. She had a few dates with a guy and mediocre sex with him once and that was it(FFS)
H had hookups over the years, he'd however been celibate for 2 years I believe
Why did I reread this? I forgot I'd read it initially🤷🏽♀️🙄 and as predicted my rating will be lowered. Seriously what is it with this author and the family drama? So many of her books have this in them but it seriously irks me. The h did nothing wrong in wanting more for her life yet she's made to continuously put up with bs from her family because of her choices! Had it been me you can bet I'd take my rock star money book myself into a hotel with my middle finger held high! Let's normalize doing the best we can for ourselves and fuck the naysayers.... Be they friend, family or foe! I'm really tired of this tbh
Spoilers ahead, 3.5*
Book 2 in an interconnected series I guess
Quinn is the female drummer for rock band Hush Note, when her beloved grandmother dies her mom asks her to come home for the first time in 9 years. Unfortunately waiting for her at the airport is the boy who's heart she broke and who broke hers
Graham has tried his best not to think about Quinn since she left town and broke up with him. He's content in his hometown with his business, his family and his son. Seeing Quinn however, makes him realize he's still angry. And under that anger also lies a lot of unresolved feelings. As they navigate through their shared grief at the loss of Nan, the two bond over their love of music and his precocious son....but Quinn's life is once again on a completely different track to Graham. Can they bridge the rift this time around?l
********
Now, this book surprised me. At initially meeting Graham I hated him and his high handed manner, basically demanding he give her a ride and manipulating her to stay with her family when she hadn't planned too. But as time went on the mcs and the entire plot just felt relatable to me. I won't say he made it to my BBF shelf but the story was so well written that I couldn't help but love it
I admit to being confused at the timeline. At 18 Quinn and her pastor father got into a really bad argument causing her to eventually leave to pursue her dreams. A while after she calls Graham and they break up over the phone. A while after that when he saw she really wasn't coming home he got drunk and hooked up with someone which resulted in a pregnancy. Now I'm honestly not sure how much time passed between all of that
Anyways Quinn made it big but the separation with her family never healed and she hasn't been home in all those years. Now I could understand the initial argument, given the fact he was a pastor and his unenlightened way of thinking but I didn't like her sister's attitude at all. She didn't deserve that and I wanted her to just stand up to them all
Quinn wasn't the badass I was expecting, the female drummer of a world famous rock band? I expected a fierce and strong woman but she let her family get away with too much shit for too long and didn't call them on it at all
On a reread I can guarantee that I'd lower the rating of this book, but on this initial read I really enjoyed the overall story. The mcs were ok, the secondary characters meh and the kid absolutely brilliant but the overall writing and flow is what made me enjoy this one.
I'm not a fan of second chance romances, and some things irked me(it's the lack of apologies for ME) and I definitely can't see myself rereading this but at this present moment I'll consider this one a win
ETA
Colin was the evidence that Graham hadn’t waited long to find my replacement in his truck bed. I, on the other hand, had waited three years before dating, if you could call two dinners and lousy sex with an executive at my label dating.
I hadn’t bothered much with men since then. They were a distraction and required energy I just didn’t have, not when I was pouring myself into the music
Second chance
H had a child with a woman he'd hooked up with, she wasn't in the picture
h didn't really date. She had a few dates with a guy and mediocre sex with him once and that was it(FFS)
H had hookups over the years, he'd however been celibate for 2 years I believe
September 30, 2020
Second chance romance.
Single dad Hero.
Heroine left to pursue her career.
Hero is very bitter about her going, the details are revealed slowly through the story.
I felt the story is quite sad to start. As a reader you are told the heroine left but not why or why everyone treats her so badly.
They obviously feel abandoned esp the Hero but the heroine is really hurting.
During separation both with others.
'Colin was the evidence that Graham hadn’t waited long to find my replacement in his truck bed. I, on the other hand, had waited three years before dating, if you could call two dinners and lousy sex with an executive at my label dating.
I hadn’t bothered much with men since then. They were a distraction and required energy I just didn’t have, not when I was pouring myself into the music.'
'I haven’t been in an actual relationship with anyone in a . . . a long time.”
“How long? Specifically.”
Her shoulders fell. “Nine years.”
The same was true for me. There’d been a few casual hookups but nothing with a commitment.'
Cute kid, not a prop.
Dual POV.
I felt a bit that the Hero didn't apologize enough for not supporting her and moving on so fast. They were young but she is treated like the black sheep and I would have liked to see more regret expressed to her from him.
Esp with how fast he moved on, yes they'd broken up but he excuses it as a drunken fling.
The kids mother has given up parental rights so she's not on the scene.
Also the heroine had a lack of support from her family and the Hero is close to them, it just felt to me that they didn't make it up to her enough.
She and her dad make up, as they had a huge fight when she left but she had to seek him out otherwise it wouldn't have happened.
HEA.
Epilogue.
Preview of next book.
Single dad Hero.
Heroine left to pursue her career.
Hero is very bitter about her going, the details are revealed slowly through the story.
I felt the story is quite sad to start. As a reader you are told the heroine left but not why or why everyone treats her so badly.
They obviously feel abandoned esp the Hero but the heroine is really hurting.
During separation both with others.
'Colin was the evidence that Graham hadn’t waited long to find my replacement in his truck bed. I, on the other hand, had waited three years before dating, if you could call two dinners and lousy sex with an executive at my label dating.
I hadn’t bothered much with men since then. They were a distraction and required energy I just didn’t have, not when I was pouring myself into the music.'
'I haven’t been in an actual relationship with anyone in a . . . a long time.”
“How long? Specifically.”
Her shoulders fell. “Nine years.”
The same was true for me. There’d been a few casual hookups but nothing with a commitment.'
Cute kid, not a prop.
Dual POV.
I felt a bit that the Hero didn't apologize enough for not supporting her and moving on so fast. They were young but she is treated like the black sheep and I would have liked to see more regret expressed to her from him.
Esp with how fast he moved on, yes they'd broken up but he excuses it as a drunken fling.
The kids mother has given up parental rights so she's not on the scene.
Also the heroine had a lack of support from her family and the Hero is close to them, it just felt to me that they didn't make it up to her enough.
She and her dad make up, as they had a huge fight when she left but she had to seek him out otherwise it wouldn't have happened.
HEA.
Epilogue.
Preview of next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2020
2 stars
dnf @ 84%
I’ve read Devney Perry’s debut, The Coppersmiths Farm House, and dnf that one as well. since then I knew immediately that her romance and writing weren’t going to do it for me. However, there’s a huge part of me that refuses to put her in the ‘Nope-Authors’ section bc have you seen her books?! Not only do her books have high ratings. They’re GORGEOUS too 🤤
The ✨aesthetic✨? immaculate.
ugh i’m just so sad that i’m not loving her books so far and don’t have an excuse to splurge on the pretty physical copies. (sO tragic)
*****
Ok so it should be obvious by now that i absolutely adore second chance romance and the bestfriends-to-lovers trope, but this one wasn’t doing them justice. I was so excited bc some of my mutuals really loved this and a part of me hoped that this would be the one that’ll change my perspective on Devney Perry’s books but sadly, it remains the same for now✌🏻😪
The dialogues in here were a bit cringe-y, the characters felt 2-Dimensional and flat. The writing was rushed and the romance was just meh.
idk if i still wanna try this author but let’s see
dnf @ 84%
I’ve read Devney Perry’s debut, The Coppersmiths Farm House, and dnf that one as well. since then I knew immediately that her romance and writing weren’t going to do it for me. However, there’s a huge part of me that refuses to put her in the ‘Nope-Authors’ section bc have you seen her books?! Not only do her books have high ratings. They’re GORGEOUS too 🤤
The ✨aesthetic✨? immaculate.
ugh i’m just so sad that i’m not loving her books so far and don’t have an excuse to splurge on the pretty physical copies. (sO tragic)
*****
Ok so it should be obvious by now that i absolutely adore second chance romance and the bestfriends-to-lovers trope, but this one wasn’t doing them justice. I was so excited bc some of my mutuals really loved this and a part of me hoped that this would be the one that’ll change my perspective on Devney Perry’s books but sadly, it remains the same for now✌🏻😪
The dialogues in here were a bit cringe-y, the characters felt 2-Dimensional and flat. The writing was rushed and the romance was just meh.
idk if i still wanna try this author but let’s see
October 4, 2020
Well done ⭐️
August 11, 2022
“I didn’t want to miss it when you stretched your wings. And, Quinn . . . you soared. I’m so damn proud of you.”
<><> Story Overview <><>
Quinn is wrapping up a tour when she’s notified her beloved grandmother has passed away. She hasn’t been home to Montana in about a decade, but she can’t avoid this trip. Quinn did not leave on good terms and except for Grandma Nan, Quinn has not been part of her family’s lives since she’s been gone (mostly because her family has not reached out to her - but I guess you could say the road goes both ways).
Also - let’s not forget about the boy she left behind. To say Graham is not happy to see his high school sweetheart would be an understatement. From Graham’s perspective, Quinn left Montana (and him) in her rear view mirror and never looked back. He’s never gotten over the girl who shattered his heart.
So, while Quinn is in town for the funeral, she has to navigate (or confront) all the hurt feelings with her mom, dad, sister, brother and grieve the most important person in her life. Additionally, once she’s back in Graham’s presence, there’s no denying their love still burns hot. But there’s a lot of hurt there too and only a week to try to repair a decade of pain.
This is a journey of healing and I definitely felt the emotional tug within the layers of this story.
<><> Characters <><>
<>Hero: Graham Hayes, Age: 27, Occupation: owner of a construction company
~ Graham’s family has lived next door to Quinn’s family since childhood. The families are very close and Walker (Quinn’s brother) was his best friend growing up and now Graham’s business partner.
Graham is a single dad to his seven year old son Collin. The mother gave up her rights immediately after Collin was born, so Graham has been doing this single dad thing for a while. He’s a fantastic father and his son is the light of his life.
<>Heroine: Quinn Montgomery, Age: 27, Occupation: Drummer for Grammy award winning rock band, Hush Note
~ Quinn was hoping to go back to Seattle and spend some time at the piano creating music, but that plan shifted when Grandma Nan died. There is a significant rift between her and her family that’s been festering for a decade.
Quinn’s father is a preacher and when she started to deviate from what was deemed “acceptable” she had a falling out with her father. When she was eighteen, she had bigger dreams than Bozeman Montana could offer, so she left to attend college in Seattle.
~ “At eighteen, I’d known without a shred of doubt that if I didn’t get out of Bozeman, I’d stay forever. I’d stay to be smothered and miserable. A part of my soul would have died here, in this very room, with Graham at my side and my family smiling on.”
Quinn quickly realized college life was not for her and she wound up forming a band with a couple other guys. Nine years later, Hush Note has rocketed to stardom.
~ “I lived for the music. It was as much a part of me as my heart and lungs and blood. I needed the pulse of the drums racing through my veins. I needed to be swept up in a crescendo and set free in the climax. The music made me feel alive.”
<><> A Few Thoughts <><>
~ I loved both Quinn and Graham. They broke my heart at times.
~ A bit of a spin on the typical rockstar as we have a female drummer here. Not an all girl band or a lead vocalist as the female - but a chick on drums with a male vocalist and male guitarist. I liked that.
~ Quinn’s family ticked me off. I thought their distance toward Quinn was unfounded and I thought the sister was just immature and jealous. I didn’t get why they were so angry with her. They blamed her for not reaching out when in reality they didn’t either. They could have at least picked up the phone and congratulated her on winning a Grammy - geez. I honestly was baffled why they were upset. She didn’t do anything awful or betray anyone. She didn’t do anything unforgivable except leave Montana to attend college in Seattle. By the end of the story, I did begin to warm to her father, but still didn’t understand how the parents let it get this far to begin with. They were a loving family, so I just didn’t get them.
~ “Maybe I should have stayed and forced my way into my family. But I just . . . didn’t belong. My fault or their fault, I was struggling to place the blame. It was reality. We’d grown apart.”
~ “I wasn’t a rebel, Dad. I was a good kid who got good grades and liked tank tops. I wanted to play in a rock band and have a boyfriend. These aren’t sins.”
~ Single dad is my jam and I loved Graham. He was so in tune with his son’s needs and such a great dad!
<> “I know I’ve told you this before, but every family is different. Some have a mom and dad. Some just a mom. Some just a dad. Some have two moms or two dads. All that matters is there is love in a family. We have love. Lots of it.”
~ the reason for everyone being so mad at Quinn came in small pieces of information along the way. I kept wondering what she did that was so bad, and it distracted a little bit from the story. Probably just a me thing, but I would have benefited from a little more explanation earlier in the story.
~ Quinn’s father is a preacher, but there weren’t any outright mentions of God of any type of preachy feel about this.
~ my heart hurt for Quinn. The rift between the family seemed unnecessary and it hurt to see how she wasn’t included in their lives…
<>“Do you want to go now? Or later?”
She glanced around the room, finding her family.
They were sitting three tables over. Walker and Mindy were helping their kids eat lunch. Brooklyn was feeding the baby a bottle while Pete chatted with Walker. Bradley and Ruby chose that moment to carry over plates of their own and sit in the seats their children had saved for them.
Quinn’s family.
Sitting without her.
Did they even glance over as they’d reserved seats? Had they even thought about including her and her friends?
I doubted it was intentional. The Montgomerys weren’t like that, but in a way, after nine years, they’d forgotten her. They’d formed new habits.”
<><> The Basics <><>
- Content Warning: loss of loved one
- Setting: Bozeman Montana
- Do you need to read previous books in series?: This is book two in the Hush Notes series (total of three books) where each book is written by a different author about a different couple. I skipped book one, but had absolutely no problem understanding this one. Maybe in book one there was some more background on how the band started, or maybe more of the band dynamic, but if there was I didn’t miss that backstory when it came to this book.
- POV: Dual POV
- Tropes: second chance, rockstar
- Hero likeable? yes. I loved Graham
- heroine likeable? Yes. I loved Quinn and felt really sad for the way her family gave her the cold shoulder
- h virgin? No
- First time they kiss: 35%
- First time they sleep together: 45%
- Safe sex? The first time condoms were used. Later after the all important “talk”, nothing was used
- First time they say I Love You: 90%
- steamy? Yes. Descriptive bedroom scenes
- Chemistry? yes. They had good chemistry
- OW/OM drama? No
- H/h cheat? No
- Time apart? Technically 9 years. Both had other partners during that time apart
- Did I skip pages? No
- Big secrets? No
- Did I cry? Yes. I got a bit teary eyed. Clearly Grandma Nan was deeply loved
- Did I laugh? I smiled a few times. Collin was cute
- Did I swoon🥰? Yes. So many swoony things about Graham
- Cliffhanger? No
- HEA? Yes
- Epilogue? One year later
- Recommend? Yes
“You set me free once, Graham. You let me fly. Now I’m coming home.”
<><> Quotes <><>
“There was a fine line between protecting your kids and stifling them.”
“There wasn’t a moment in my life when I’d hated Quinn Montgomery, no matter how hard I’d tried. Even when she’d been eight and had broken the Lego pirate ship I’d spent two weeks building.
“Until you acknowledge something is in the past, you can’t look to the future.”
“Maybe our melody hadn’t come easily. There’d been times when our rhythm had been out of sync. None of it mattered.
Because our beauty was in the refrain.”
<><> Story Overview <><>
Quinn is wrapping up a tour when she’s notified her beloved grandmother has passed away. She hasn’t been home to Montana in about a decade, but she can’t avoid this trip. Quinn did not leave on good terms and except for Grandma Nan, Quinn has not been part of her family’s lives since she’s been gone (mostly because her family has not reached out to her - but I guess you could say the road goes both ways).
Also - let’s not forget about the boy she left behind. To say Graham is not happy to see his high school sweetheart would be an understatement. From Graham’s perspective, Quinn left Montana (and him) in her rear view mirror and never looked back. He’s never gotten over the girl who shattered his heart.
So, while Quinn is in town for the funeral, she has to navigate (or confront) all the hurt feelings with her mom, dad, sister, brother and grieve the most important person in her life. Additionally, once she’s back in Graham’s presence, there’s no denying their love still burns hot. But there’s a lot of hurt there too and only a week to try to repair a decade of pain.
This is a journey of healing and I definitely felt the emotional tug within the layers of this story.
<><> Characters <><>
<>Hero: Graham Hayes, Age: 27, Occupation: owner of a construction company
~ Graham’s family has lived next door to Quinn’s family since childhood. The families are very close and Walker (Quinn’s brother) was his best friend growing up and now Graham’s business partner.
Graham is a single dad to his seven year old son Collin. The mother gave up her rights immediately after Collin was born, so Graham has been doing this single dad thing for a while. He’s a fantastic father and his son is the light of his life.
<>Heroine: Quinn Montgomery, Age: 27, Occupation: Drummer for Grammy award winning rock band, Hush Note
~ Quinn was hoping to go back to Seattle and spend some time at the piano creating music, but that plan shifted when Grandma Nan died. There is a significant rift between her and her family that’s been festering for a decade.
Quinn’s father is a preacher and when she started to deviate from what was deemed “acceptable” she had a falling out with her father. When she was eighteen, she had bigger dreams than Bozeman Montana could offer, so she left to attend college in Seattle.
~ “At eighteen, I’d known without a shred of doubt that if I didn’t get out of Bozeman, I’d stay forever. I’d stay to be smothered and miserable. A part of my soul would have died here, in this very room, with Graham at my side and my family smiling on.”
Quinn quickly realized college life was not for her and she wound up forming a band with a couple other guys. Nine years later, Hush Note has rocketed to stardom.
~ “I lived for the music. It was as much a part of me as my heart and lungs and blood. I needed the pulse of the drums racing through my veins. I needed to be swept up in a crescendo and set free in the climax. The music made me feel alive.”
<><> A Few Thoughts <><>
~ I loved both Quinn and Graham. They broke my heart at times.
~ A bit of a spin on the typical rockstar as we have a female drummer here. Not an all girl band or a lead vocalist as the female - but a chick on drums with a male vocalist and male guitarist. I liked that.
~ Quinn’s family ticked me off. I thought their distance toward Quinn was unfounded and I thought the sister was just immature and jealous. I didn’t get why they were so angry with her. They blamed her for not reaching out when in reality they didn’t either. They could have at least picked up the phone and congratulated her on winning a Grammy - geez. I honestly was baffled why they were upset. She didn’t do anything awful or betray anyone. She didn’t do anything unforgivable except leave Montana to attend college in Seattle. By the end of the story, I did begin to warm to her father, but still didn’t understand how the parents let it get this far to begin with. They were a loving family, so I just didn’t get them.
~ “Maybe I should have stayed and forced my way into my family. But I just . . . didn’t belong. My fault or their fault, I was struggling to place the blame. It was reality. We’d grown apart.”
~ “I wasn’t a rebel, Dad. I was a good kid who got good grades and liked tank tops. I wanted to play in a rock band and have a boyfriend. These aren’t sins.”
~ Single dad is my jam and I loved Graham. He was so in tune with his son’s needs and such a great dad!
<> “I know I’ve told you this before, but every family is different. Some have a mom and dad. Some just a mom. Some just a dad. Some have two moms or two dads. All that matters is there is love in a family. We have love. Lots of it.”
~ the reason for everyone being so mad at Quinn came in small pieces of information along the way. I kept wondering what she did that was so bad, and it distracted a little bit from the story. Probably just a me thing, but I would have benefited from a little more explanation earlier in the story.
~ Quinn’s father is a preacher, but there weren’t any outright mentions of God of any type of preachy feel about this.
~ my heart hurt for Quinn. The rift between the family seemed unnecessary and it hurt to see how she wasn’t included in their lives…
<>“Do you want to go now? Or later?”
She glanced around the room, finding her family.
They were sitting three tables over. Walker and Mindy were helping their kids eat lunch. Brooklyn was feeding the baby a bottle while Pete chatted with Walker. Bradley and Ruby chose that moment to carry over plates of their own and sit in the seats their children had saved for them.
Quinn’s family.
Sitting without her.
Did they even glance over as they’d reserved seats? Had they even thought about including her and her friends?
I doubted it was intentional. The Montgomerys weren’t like that, but in a way, after nine years, they’d forgotten her. They’d formed new habits.”
<><> The Basics <><>
- Content Warning: loss of loved one
- Setting: Bozeman Montana
- Do you need to read previous books in series?: This is book two in the Hush Notes series (total of three books) where each book is written by a different author about a different couple. I skipped book one, but had absolutely no problem understanding this one. Maybe in book one there was some more background on how the band started, or maybe more of the band dynamic, but if there was I didn’t miss that backstory when it came to this book.
- POV: Dual POV
- Tropes: second chance, rockstar
- Hero likeable? yes. I loved Graham
- heroine likeable? Yes. I loved Quinn and felt really sad for the way her family gave her the cold shoulder
- h virgin? No
- First time they kiss: 35%
- First time they sleep together: 45%
- Safe sex? The first time condoms were used. Later after the all important “talk”, nothing was used
- First time they say I Love You: 90%
- steamy? Yes. Descriptive bedroom scenes
- Chemistry? yes. They had good chemistry
- OW/OM drama? No
- H/h cheat? No
- Time apart? Technically 9 years. Both had other partners during that time apart
- Did I skip pages? No
- Big secrets? No
- Did I cry? Yes. I got a bit teary eyed. Clearly Grandma Nan was deeply loved
- Did I laugh? I smiled a few times. Collin was cute
- Did I swoon🥰? Yes. So many swoony things about Graham
- Cliffhanger? No
- HEA? Yes
- Epilogue? One year later
- Recommend? Yes
“You set me free once, Graham. You let me fly. Now I’m coming home.”
<><> Quotes <><>
“There was a fine line between protecting your kids and stifling them.”
“There wasn’t a moment in my life when I’d hated Quinn Montgomery, no matter how hard I’d tried. Even when she’d been eight and had broken the Lego pirate ship I’d spent two weeks building.
“Until you acknowledge something is in the past, you can’t look to the future.”
“Maybe our melody hadn’t come easily. There’d been times when our rhythm had been out of sync. None of it mattered.
Because our beauty was in the refrain.”
September 27, 2020
5 stars for Rifts and Refrains!
I know I say this with each release, but this truly maybe my fave Devney book to date! Quinn and Graham’s story was angsty, passionate and full of history! I love second chance romances and this one had so much more than that. This dealt with painful past goodbyes and forgiveness in the present. Quinn not only broke her boyfriend, Graham’s heart when she left at 18 to pursue her music dreams, but her whole family.
This story was full of emotional depth, angst, and steamy scenes. I love a growly alpha male. I literally read this in a day. Devney just keeps getting better and better. I love her books!!
I know I say this with each release, but this truly maybe my fave Devney book to date! Quinn and Graham’s story was angsty, passionate and full of history! I love second chance romances and this one had so much more than that. This dealt with painful past goodbyes and forgiveness in the present. Quinn not only broke her boyfriend, Graham’s heart when she left at 18 to pursue her music dreams, but her whole family.
This story was full of emotional depth, angst, and steamy scenes. I love a growly alpha male. I literally read this in a day. Devney just keeps getting better and better. I love her books!!
October 1, 2020
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.I had no idea at the time of accepting Rifts and Refrain for review that it was part of a series written by different authors. The good thing though, I had no issues with following the story as it can stand on its own. Each book in the series focuses on a different band member, making me desirous of picking up the other books in the series.
Rifts and Refrain gives us Quinn and Graham’s story. Quinn, the female drummer for the Hush Notes, is fulfilling her dream of being a rock star. Basking in the fame and the glitter of being a star. On the surface she appears to enjoying it all, however beneath it all she lives with regrets, pain, anger and a broken heart. Never once during this time did, she return home, but all would change when she found out her grandmother died. So, for the first time in nine years, she returns home to face her past.
Wow! Perry delivered a tale which took the reader on an emotional journey of love, regrets, grief, family, fulfilling dreams, forgiveness and second chances. I suggest you have a box of tissues on hand if you plan to read this book. Nine years of pain, anger, unforgiveness and heartbreak leapt from the pages. Not everyone welcomed her with open arms. She had several hurdles to overcome to reach the point of healing and forgiveness. They could all have avoided the heartache, the pain and the estrangement through communication and understanding.
I loved how Quinn and Graham found their way back to each other. It wasn’t easy, but I am glad they managed to work it out. They both have grown in the past nine years, which was clear in the sacrifices they were willing to make for each other. Everything about their romance felt real.
Conclusion/Recommendation
Overall, I had a wonderful time with this book and would recommend it to fans of second chance romance.
This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
Rifts and Refrain gives us Quinn and Graham’s story. Quinn, the female drummer for the Hush Notes, is fulfilling her dream of being a rock star. Basking in the fame and the glitter of being a star. On the surface she appears to enjoying it all, however beneath it all she lives with regrets, pain, anger and a broken heart. Never once during this time did, she return home, but all would change when she found out her grandmother died. So, for the first time in nine years, she returns home to face her past.
Wow! Perry delivered a tale which took the reader on an emotional journey of love, regrets, grief, family, fulfilling dreams, forgiveness and second chances. I suggest you have a box of tissues on hand if you plan to read this book. Nine years of pain, anger, unforgiveness and heartbreak leapt from the pages. Not everyone welcomed her with open arms. She had several hurdles to overcome to reach the point of healing and forgiveness. They could all have avoided the heartache, the pain and the estrangement through communication and understanding.
I loved how Quinn and Graham found their way back to each other. It wasn’t easy, but I am glad they managed to work it out. They both have grown in the past nine years, which was clear in the sacrifices they were willing to make for each other. Everything about their romance felt real.
Conclusion/Recommendation
Overall, I had a wonderful time with this book and would recommend it to fans of second chance romance.
This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
October 3, 2020
This wasn't a bad book per say, I just felt like it could have been so much more. I feel like we barely skimmed the surface of these characters and what made them the way they were.. And the reunion between Quinn and Graham was just do lackluster. And frankly I'm sick of the heroines being painted as "evil" just because she dared to dream bigger than her small town.
So Quinn and Graham were high school sweethearts and so in love, and where he always wanted to stay in the town he's always known, Quinn wanted to break free from her pastor father and follow her true passion: music. She's a talented drummer, and she always knew music was for her. After a particularly nasty fight with her family, Graham drives her to the airport and she doesn't come back until the death of her Nana. And when she does come home, almost everyone despises her, which just irked me to no end. Why would she reach out the ones who never supported her, and called her awful names? She was only a teenager when she left, and even though she did invite her family out to see her, they never accepted her invitation. So what was she supposed to do? Give up her dream to keep everyone else around her happy? No.
And Graham just frustrated me. He didn't support Quinn in the way he should have, and felt abandoned by her even though he KNEW what her dream was. She even asked him to come with her, and he wouldn't. And THEN he sleeps with someone else shortly after she left and gets the ow pregnant. But of course Quinn has only had sex once since she left him, and OF COURSE it sucked so she's been celibate ever since. *Infinite eye roll.*
I wish Graham was a better boyfriend to her. He SHOULD have supported her whether or not be understood her dreams. He SHOULD have had more regrets than he did about leaving and the fact that he moved on so quickly. And her family definitely should have been better parents to her. And that conflict just seemed to be resolved too quickly for me.
I know it seems i disliked more things than not, but I truly did like Quinn. She had so much crap thrown her way, and she was just so strong. I just wish she had a better support system.
**I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions **
So Quinn and Graham were high school sweethearts and so in love, and where he always wanted to stay in the town he's always known, Quinn wanted to break free from her pastor father and follow her true passion: music. She's a talented drummer, and she always knew music was for her. After a particularly nasty fight with her family, Graham drives her to the airport and she doesn't come back until the death of her Nana. And when she does come home, almost everyone despises her, which just irked me to no end. Why would she reach out the ones who never supported her, and called her awful names? She was only a teenager when she left, and even though she did invite her family out to see her, they never accepted her invitation. So what was she supposed to do? Give up her dream to keep everyone else around her happy? No.
And Graham just frustrated me. He didn't support Quinn in the way he should have, and felt abandoned by her even though he KNEW what her dream was. She even asked him to come with her, and he wouldn't. And THEN he sleeps with someone else shortly after she left and gets the ow pregnant. But of course Quinn has only had sex once since she left him, and OF COURSE it sucked so she's been celibate ever since. *Infinite eye roll.*
I wish Graham was a better boyfriend to her. He SHOULD have supported her whether or not be understood her dreams. He SHOULD have had more regrets than he did about leaving and the fact that he moved on so quickly. And her family definitely should have been better parents to her. And that conflict just seemed to be resolved too quickly for me.
I know it seems i disliked more things than not, but I truly did like Quinn. She had so much crap thrown her way, and she was just so strong. I just wish she had a better support system.
**I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions **
September 22, 2020
5 stars!
Devney Perry delivers again with a beautifully emotional second-chance-romance, and a story of love, family, and coming home.
This is the second book in the Hush Note series. Each of these books stand alone, but tie together as members of rock band, Hush Note, have their stories told by three different authors. The first, Lies & Lullabies by Sarina Bowen, and the third, Muses & Melodies, by Rebeca Yarros.
This is the story of Hush Note drummer, Quinn, who is returning to her home town in Montana following a family tragedy. It’s been nine years since she left at 18 in heartbreaking circumstances, leaving behind her family, friends, and the boy she loved. She has barely spoken to any of them in all that time, and the hurt, grief and guilt weighs heavily on her, and she’s dreading what is to come. It doesn’t get better when she is picked up at the airport by a very angry Graham, her first love and now a single father whose life is heavily entrenched with her family, so he and his son are always around.
Graham’s heart was shattered when Quinn left, as were his plans for the future. He tried to move on, but made some stupid decisions which saw him dropping out of college to raise his newborn son. He is now a devoted father who has created a good life for himself and his boy, so he is less than pleased to see Quinn back in town disrupting his peaceful life.
Graham and Quinn have this electric chemistry which is obvious from the first moment we see them together. There is so much anger and pain between them and they are both still hurting from their separation, neither of them really moving on from the other. And as Quinn wrestles with the grief of her loss and the anger and sadness of everybody and everything she left behind, Graham sees her pain and he is there for her, just like he always was.
It’s a beautifully emotional story and I was feeling everything right along with these characters. The story of Quinn’s past unravels throughout the book, including the full story of why she ran all those years ago, so we fully understand both Quinn and Graham’s perspectives, and I was heartbroken at their situation. But their reconnection is absolutely gorgeous. It’s honest and natural, and full of feels, and I read with a sense of excitement and anticipation as their truths come out and they find their way back to each other.
Even though they acknowledge everything that is between them, they’re mature and real about it all, recognising that life has taken them in completely different directions – she’s an international rock star and he’s a single father partnering in a new business. A future between them seems impossible, but will they be able to let go again?
More than just a romance, this is also a story of family. Quinn’s relationships with her parents and siblings are a big part of her journey. Again, there is a lot of pain there and there is a lot for them to work through, and I loved that aspect of the book. Graham’s son, Colin, is also a big part of things, and he’s just adorable. His hero worship of Quinn the rock star is so cute, and I love the special relationship shared by father and son.
Quinn’s bandmates, Jonah and Nixon also appear, having Quinn’s back and showing that the family you choose is just as important as the family you were born into. There’s some nice follow on to Jonah and Kira’s story and a great introduction to Nixon's book coming up next, and I can’t wait to continue on.
I loved this book so much. It has all of the emotion and feels that I was hoping for, with a beautiful, functional relationship, and I finished it with a huge smile on my face.
5 stars!
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Devney Perry delivers again with a beautifully emotional second-chance-romance, and a story of love, family, and coming home.
This is the second book in the Hush Note series. Each of these books stand alone, but tie together as members of rock band, Hush Note, have their stories told by three different authors. The first, Lies & Lullabies by Sarina Bowen, and the third, Muses & Melodies, by Rebeca Yarros.
This is the story of Hush Note drummer, Quinn, who is returning to her home town in Montana following a family tragedy. It’s been nine years since she left at 18 in heartbreaking circumstances, leaving behind her family, friends, and the boy she loved. She has barely spoken to any of them in all that time, and the hurt, grief and guilt weighs heavily on her, and she’s dreading what is to come. It doesn’t get better when she is picked up at the airport by a very angry Graham, her first love and now a single father whose life is heavily entrenched with her family, so he and his son are always around.
Graham’s heart was shattered when Quinn left, as were his plans for the future. He tried to move on, but made some stupid decisions which saw him dropping out of college to raise his newborn son. He is now a devoted father who has created a good life for himself and his boy, so he is less than pleased to see Quinn back in town disrupting his peaceful life.
You were supposed to let go when your first love ended. You were supposed to look at the past and smile at the memory.
You weren’t supposed to hold it so close that it wound into your very existence, making every moment impossible to forget.
Graham and Quinn have this electric chemistry which is obvious from the first moment we see them together. There is so much anger and pain between them and they are both still hurting from their separation, neither of them really moving on from the other. And as Quinn wrestles with the grief of her loss and the anger and sadness of everybody and everything she left behind, Graham sees her pain and he is there for her, just like he always was.
“We were real … We are real.”
It’s a beautifully emotional story and I was feeling everything right along with these characters. The story of Quinn’s past unravels throughout the book, including the full story of why she ran all those years ago, so we fully understand both Quinn and Graham’s perspectives, and I was heartbroken at their situation. But their reconnection is absolutely gorgeous. It’s honest and natural, and full of feels, and I read with a sense of excitement and anticipation as their truths come out and they find their way back to each other.
“I never stopped loving you. I doubt I ever will.”
Even though they acknowledge everything that is between them, they’re mature and real about it all, recognising that life has taken them in completely different directions – she’s an international rock star and he’s a single father partnering in a new business. A future between them seems impossible, but will they be able to let go again?
More than just a romance, this is also a story of family. Quinn’s relationships with her parents and siblings are a big part of her journey. Again, there is a lot of pain there and there is a lot for them to work through, and I loved that aspect of the book. Graham’s son, Colin, is also a big part of things, and he’s just adorable. His hero worship of Quinn the rock star is so cute, and I love the special relationship shared by father and son.
Quinn’s bandmates, Jonah and Nixon also appear, having Quinn’s back and showing that the family you choose is just as important as the family you were born into. There’s some nice follow on to Jonah and Kira’s story and a great introduction to Nixon's book coming up next, and I can’t wait to continue on.
I loved this book so much. It has all of the emotion and feels that I was hoping for, with a beautiful, functional relationship, and I finished it with a huge smile on my face.
5 stars!
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Read
September 30, 2020I completely devoured this book! I'm talking, ignore the things I should be doing and stayed up too late because I could not get enough of Quinn and Graham. Devney Perry weaves a story that is both soulful and sexy. A second chance romance that goes beyond the scorching chemistry and heart-aching what-ifs. This story touches on family and faith and what home really means. One of my top reads of the year!
October 2, 2020
I loved Riffs and Refrains! Devney Perry's book is the second one of this series of interconnected standalone that narrate the story of the members of the band Hush Note. The first one Lies & Lullabies by Sarina Bowen was a little bit of a let down, but Riffs to me was definitely a better book. I love second chance romances, especially in a small town setting. Quinn and Graham's story is beautiful and full of feels and I was totally hooked from beginning to end. I totally loved that the heroine was the one that was the rock star, and that she was unapologetic for following her dreams and rocking at it. This was just so refreshing and great.
Like I said in my review for Book #1, I love these 3 authors and can't wait for Nixon's story, written by one of my favorite authors, Rebecca Yarros!
The audiobook narrated by Maxine Mitchell and Joe Arden is also all sorts of awesome. Totally recommend.
Like I said in my review for Book #1, I love these 3 authors and can't wait for Nixon's story, written by one of my favorite authors, Rebecca Yarros!
The audiobook narrated by Maxine Mitchell and Joe Arden is also all sorts of awesome. Totally recommend.
October 20, 2023
4⭑
Tropes;
- single Dad
- second Chance
- rockstar Romance
- brothers Best Friend
- small Town Romance
- dual POV
This is my first book by this author and I loved it!! I am a sucker for the single parent trope and screamed when I found out it had a single dad!!!
Quinn, who is a drummer in a famous band, has to return to her small hometown for her Nan’s funeral. She has not been home in over 9 years due to a family argument and break up with her boyfriend of the time, Graham.
One of her nan’s requests was for her and ex-boyfriend Graham to perform a song at her funeral and so they are forced to interact with each other again.
This was such a cute second chance romance and I loved all the interactions with Graham’s son Colin. He was such a little cutie and he loved Quinn so much.
I thought around the 80% mark it started to feel a bit slow paced but overall I really did love this book.
Tropes;
- single Dad
- second Chance
- rockstar Romance
- brothers Best Friend
- small Town Romance
- dual POV
This is my first book by this author and I loved it!! I am a sucker for the single parent trope and screamed when I found out it had a single dad!!!
Quinn, who is a drummer in a famous band, has to return to her small hometown for her Nan’s funeral. She has not been home in over 9 years due to a family argument and break up with her boyfriend of the time, Graham.
One of her nan’s requests was for her and ex-boyfriend Graham to perform a song at her funeral and so they are forced to interact with each other again.
This was such a cute second chance romance and I loved all the interactions with Graham’s son Colin. He was such a little cutie and he loved Quinn so much.
I thought around the 80% mark it started to feel a bit slow paced but overall I really did love this book.
September 30, 2020
5 STARS!
✨ NOW LIVE! ✨
"Maybe our melody hadn’t come easily. There’d been times when our rhythm had been out of sync. None of it mattered. Because our beauty was in the refrain."
Rifts & Refrains by Devney Perry was just all the FREAKING FEELS!! This book had the perfect balance of angst and swoon that I LOVE! Gah, did this story hurt, but just as many tears as it caused it also warmed my soul.
Quinn Montgomery receives some devastating news that changes her life over night. Now after nine years, she must return back to her hometown of Bozeman, Montana and bury her beloved grandmother, Nan. But Quinn quickly realizes upon returning that alot has changed in the nine years she was away.
Graham Hayes was the boy she left behind and Quinn is shocked to see him waiting for her at the airport. But Graham is no longer the boy she left behind, instead he's a devastatily gorgeous man.
This book continued to hurt my heart and frustrate me at the same time... IT WAS THAT GOOD! I love the sweet torture 🥴. Hello feels, my dear friend. But things seemed to be coming together and mending, except when it came to Quinn and Graham. These two needed a good rehashing, a real heart-to-heart.
Rifts & Refrains will put your heart through the ringer! At the end, you'll be left pondering life and the importance of family. Devney continues to blow me away with her writing, no one does small town romance quite like her. This book was special and I truly didn't want it to end! I wanted to be apart of Quinn and Graham's story forever! Next in the Hush Note series is Nixon's story written by Rebecca Yarros, and I must admit Devney sets it up perfectly. I cannt wait to see what Rebecca has in store!!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author through Valentine PR. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*
✨ NOW LIVE! ✨
"Maybe our melody hadn’t come easily. There’d been times when our rhythm had been out of sync. None of it mattered. Because our beauty was in the refrain."
Rifts & Refrains by Devney Perry was just all the FREAKING FEELS!! This book had the perfect balance of angst and swoon that I LOVE! Gah, did this story hurt, but just as many tears as it caused it also warmed my soul.
Quinn Montgomery receives some devastating news that changes her life over night. Now after nine years, she must return back to her hometown of Bozeman, Montana and bury her beloved grandmother, Nan. But Quinn quickly realizes upon returning that alot has changed in the nine years she was away.
Graham Hayes was the boy she left behind and Quinn is shocked to see him waiting for her at the airport. But Graham is no longer the boy she left behind, instead he's a devastatily gorgeous man.
This book continued to hurt my heart and frustrate me at the same time... IT WAS THAT GOOD! I love the sweet torture 🥴. Hello feels, my dear friend. But things seemed to be coming together and mending, except when it came to Quinn and Graham. These two needed a good rehashing, a real heart-to-heart.
Rifts & Refrains will put your heart through the ringer! At the end, you'll be left pondering life and the importance of family. Devney continues to blow me away with her writing, no one does small town romance quite like her. This book was special and I truly didn't want it to end! I wanted to be apart of Quinn and Graham's story forever! Next in the Hush Note series is Nixon's story written by Rebecca Yarros, and I must admit Devney sets it up perfectly. I cannt wait to see what Rebecca has in store!!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author through Valentine PR. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*
September 29, 2020
This was an absolutely beautiful, heartfelt story filled with so much healing and growth. I was caught up in all the emotion as everything was learned and Quinn and Graham reconnected. It consumed me and I loved it all.
I loved learning about Quinn and Graham and their history together. Quinn seemed a bit broken with walls up but I loved her determination to move forward. Graham was so sweet, I loved him with his son and working through his feelings for Quinn. Them reconnecting was angst-filled and tense, I could feel that pain, and I was instantly caught up in knowing the why behind it all. I loved the build to those details and the developing layers. I really liked that this was first person, dual POV. I felt like I was really able to get into their heads and understand where they were at then and now. I loved them opening up and sharing and watching their attraction reignite. I never wanted to stop reading!
There were so many wonderful characters. I loved meeting Quinn's bandmates and will definitely be reading their stories. I love the family they've formed and how they're there for one another. Graham’s son was amazing, anything with him involved made my heart happy. I really enjoyed the story with Quinn's family as well. There was so much pain and hurt between them and I loved the build to them opening up and beginning the process of healing.
Rifts and Refrains had my emotions riding high the majority of the time, I love everything it brought out in me. It was an incredible story about healing, love, and letting go. It was emotional for sure but I also felt it was really uplifting. A definite page-turner!
Complimentary paperback received from the author for review.
I loved learning about Quinn and Graham and their history together. Quinn seemed a bit broken with walls up but I loved her determination to move forward. Graham was so sweet, I loved him with his son and working through his feelings for Quinn. Them reconnecting was angst-filled and tense, I could feel that pain, and I was instantly caught up in knowing the why behind it all. I loved the build to those details and the developing layers. I really liked that this was first person, dual POV. I felt like I was really able to get into their heads and understand where they were at then and now. I loved them opening up and sharing and watching their attraction reignite. I never wanted to stop reading!
There were so many wonderful characters. I loved meeting Quinn's bandmates and will definitely be reading their stories. I love the family they've formed and how they're there for one another. Graham’s son was amazing, anything with him involved made my heart happy. I really enjoyed the story with Quinn's family as well. There was so much pain and hurt between them and I loved the build to them opening up and beginning the process of healing.
Rifts and Refrains had my emotions riding high the majority of the time, I love everything it brought out in me. It was an incredible story about healing, love, and letting go. It was emotional for sure but I also felt it was really uplifting. A definite page-turner!
Complimentary paperback received from the author for review.
September 29, 2020
See the full review & more at HarlequinJunkie -- An HJ Top Pick!!
Devney Perry never ceases to amaze me. And her dynamic contribution to the Hush Note trilogy, Rifts and Refrains, truly hit all my sweet spots, all in one story: a second chance, single dad, rock star romance, some family tension–and it even had a small town feel to it.
I am absolutely in love with Quinn and Graham–and how perfect they were for each other. So much so that I hated to put this book down and of course I was sad to see it end. It was a rather epic story as you can tell, being a second chance romance between former high school sweethearts, whose reunion was basically a decade in the making. It was sadly the loss of a beloved family member that took Quinn back to Montana. And it happened to be the person who kept her somewhat in the loop about the goings on in her hometown... Read More
Devney Perry never ceases to amaze me. And her dynamic contribution to the Hush Note trilogy, Rifts and Refrains, truly hit all my sweet spots, all in one story: a second chance, single dad, rock star romance, some family tension–and it even had a small town feel to it.
I am absolutely in love with Quinn and Graham–and how perfect they were for each other. So much so that I hated to put this book down and of course I was sad to see it end. It was a rather epic story as you can tell, being a second chance romance between former high school sweethearts, whose reunion was basically a decade in the making. It was sadly the loss of a beloved family member that took Quinn back to Montana. And it happened to be the person who kept her somewhat in the loop about the goings on in her hometown... Read More
September 20, 2020
This was so good! I loved Graham and Quinn, even though their story broke my heart. I definitely need to go back and read Jonas's story and I can not wait to read about Nixon. This was good!
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