My ARC review of Wicked White by Michelle Valentine

*ARC received by NetGalley for an honest review**

Synopsis-
After his mother dies, rock star Ace White—lead singer of the red-hot band Wicked White—is done with the celebrity game. The phony people, the meaningless one-night stands: he doesn’t want any of it anymore. Quitting in the middle of a sold-out tour, Ace sets out to find some place—any place—where he can be alone.

Aspiring singer Iris Easton’s life has never been easy. First, her mother walked out on her when she was a kid. Now she’s buried in debt, weeks after losing her beloved grandmother. When a mysterious and sexy new guy moves in next door, Iris can’t help but be drawn to his soulful gaze. She can tell there’s something from his past haunting him—something he’s not telling her.

Just as Ace starts falling for Iris, the media go on a worldwide hunt to find the missing rocker. Will true love conquer all, or will the truth be the very thing that tears the couple apart?

My Review -

I love this author - however - this book left me wanting more.  so 3.5 stars for me. 

I liked the premise of the book, but it fell short for me.  If you enjoy a sweet romance with not a lot of angst.  This is for you.   It was a sweet read with not the normal rockstar BS like wild parties, drugs, booze, sex, etc.  

I didn't connect with the characters like I wished I had.  It was a tad predictable and just not enough drama or angst for me.  I appreciated how she brought the two characters together and how their pasts were somewhat similar.  How they are both "broken" in a way and how it wasn't an insta love kind of read.  Their relationship grew slowly.   Then took a complete 180 turn........ They had chemistry when it came to sex but then their actual relationship just fell flat to me.  He wanted to keep her safe from his life and the paparazzi etc and yet when the secret is revealed - her world didn't blow up.  It was too calm for me.  Even the little scenes of "Drama" were lacking for me.  

The ending just ENDED.... like I turned the page and was like HUH?    So yeah... that disappointed me.  I am assuming it's a series and it will pick back up where we left off.   And if it is, I won't give up on it yet.  I'll give it another chance with book 2. 

Dual POV.   Just because I can't five star it doesn't mean I hated it.  I just needed more.