Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

The Rocker's Muse: Special Edition

Rate this book
From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward comes a new, STANDALONE novel…

No one but me knew why I was actually in the California desert that day.
Nestled deep within the desolate, rocky area was a recording studio.
When a door suddenly opened, a man mistook me for someone he was supposed to be interviewing for a job.
The next thing I knew, I was whisked inside.
The position? An assistant on the upcoming tour for one of America’s most famous rock bands.
Pretty exciting opportunity for a twenty-two-year-old, just out of college.
Not surprisingly, I bombed the interview.
When I ended up mistakenly walking into the men’s room on my way out, I struck up a conversation with a stranger—not realizing it was the lead singer, Tristan Daltrey.
He seemed to like the fact that I had no idea who he was, that I saw him as a normal person.
That night, I got a call offering me the job.
So began my complicated story with Tristan.
Millions of women loved him.
Yet for some reason, after the shows, he only wanted to hang out with me.
Late-night talks. Casual dinners in his hotel room.
I wasn’t supposed to be fraternizing with the band’s frontman.
Despite our fifteen-year age difference, Tristan and I had a connection.
But I had a secret.
One that would eventually lead to my leaving the tour.
And one that would lead Tristan and the band straight to the small town where I came from.

328 pages, Paperback

First published August 26, 2024

970 people are currently reading
15.5k people want to read

About the author

Penelope Ward

101 books25.4k followers
Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance.

She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.

With millions of books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over forty novels.

In 2014, Penelope’s fourth book, Stepbrother Dearest, became the #1 bestselling independently published Kindle ebook of the year on Amazon.com and was credited with igniting an entirely new subgenre of romance. Her 2016 smash hit RoomHate debuted at #2 on The New York Times Bestseller list. Penelope is an Audie Award Winner and three-time Goodreads Choice Romance of the Year Nominee. Her books have been featured in Entertainment Weekly and Publisher’s Weekly (Starred Review).

Penelope’s novels have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.

She can often be found chatting live with her readers in her private Facebook group, Penelope’s Peeps.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
1,726 (47%)
4 stars
1,099 (30%)
3 stars
552 (15%)
2 stars
181 (5%)
1 star
61 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 509 reviews
Profile Image for Penelope Ward.
Author 101 books25.4k followers
Read
August 25, 2024
THE ROCKER'S MUSE is LIVE on EARLY on Amazon! Get it while it's $3.99 (U.S. Pricing) for a very limited time. (Moving to $4.99 permanently after release.) It is also NOT in Kindle Unlimited, so grab it at the lowest price NOW!
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DF65ZC18
Pre-orders:
Apple: bit.ly/4dEzNR2
Kobo: bit.ly/4fMvZ1P
Nook: bit.ly/3YO7zic
Google Play: bit.ly/3X7a4uK
Special-Edition Paperback Preorder: bit.ly/46NOOxv
What You Can Expect:
• ROCKSTAR
• 15-YEAR AGE GAP
• SMALL TOWN
• FOUND FAMILY
• SLOW BURN
• FORBIDDEN
Profile Image for Em (semi-hiatus).
641 reviews227 followers
August 27, 2024
Lame and laughable at first, but it became downright unbearable once the hero called the heroine a "horny, gap-toothed little minx."
Profile Image for warhawke.
1,488 reviews2,208 followers
August 21, 2024

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Type: Interconnected Standalone from Rockstar series
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:




An unexpected job interview and a chance encounter with lead singer Tristan Daltrey took Emily Applewood on tour with his famous rock band, Delirious Jones. Despite their differences, they became each other’s refuge amidst the chaos of life on tour. But a life-altering secret threatened to change both of their futures.



Tristan was such a nice guy with his calm and respectful demeanor, with moments of mischievousness. Emily got herself in a situation but managed to adapt easily. I like the bond they had and enjoyed the presence of the band members as well.

Tristan wanted me to go anywhere I wanted and have adventures. But having the freedom to do that made me realize my heart only wanted to be with him.


The story was engaging with funny moments interlaced with emotional situations. I loved how the author managed to seamlessly change the direction of the story.

The Rocker’s Muse is a story of forgiveness and acceptance. It would appeal to readers who enjoy slow-burn, age-gap romance.





🎵🔹️🎵. . . (F)BR with Loyda . . . 🎵🔹️🎵



For more reviews/interviews/book talk/promo visit:



For graphics, trailers & author services visit Warhawke Design Studio.

Profile Image for Jan.
1,223 reviews951 followers
November 27, 2024

I went into this book with low expectations, having struggled to get into the author's recent releases, but I was craving a rock star romance and decided to give it a shot. I'm so glad I did! This one was a pleasant surprise. I immediately felt a strong connection with both main characters, and I loved that they communicated openly with each other. The age-gap dynamic really worked for me, as I’m a sucker for that trope. The character development was solid, and the storyline was engaging from start to finish. It was a refreshing read that exceeded my expectations, and I’m so happy I took a chance on it!

Profile Image for MELISSA *Mel Reader*.
1,434 reviews1,494 followers
August 27, 2024
4.5 Stars!
(ARC provided by author)

Emily Applewood is a communications major who recently graduated from college. She’s in between jobs and was still trying to find her place in the world when she finds herself in the middle of the California desert. Her life is complicated right now, and she longed for an escape from her problems. Then the perfect opportunity practically falls in her lap in the form of a job offer. Four months on the road as the assistant for the upcoming music tour of a popular rock band. The past few years have been rough for her, and she could use a change of scenery. It could be a fun experience, and give her some time to think about her future. The added bonus is the gorgeous stranger she recently encountered turns out to be in the band. While taking a break from reality, she enjoys talking with him. As a crush develops she realizes she cares about him. Soon she’s in over her head with feelings that can’t go anywhere since they will part ways when the tour ends.

Tristan Daltrey is the lead singer and star of the rock band Delirious Jones. When he suddenly feels an undeniable connection to the band’s newest employee he knows he can’t cross that line. At twenty two, she’s way too young for him, but she’s real, genuine, and he can’t help being fascinated with her. He enjoys spending time with her, and she quickly means a lot to him. Will something unexpected turn into more, or will secrets threaten their growing bond?

The Rocker’s Muse by Penelope Ward is a standalone, small town, age gap, found family, slow burn, opposites attract, forbidden, friends to lovers, rockstar romance about friendship, self discovery and healing. This was a unique, captivating story full of emotion, humor and sizzling chemistry, and was packed with secrets and many twists and turns throughout. I loved this world and now need books for both Atticus and Ronan! <333

708800B6-901E-4A2B-8B1A-C8DCD774F259_zpsqkbfrd0n

***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DF65ZC18?...
Profile Image for Ana | SheSaidYestoBooks.
1,855 reviews143 followers
September 4, 2024
This book felt more like I was in a therapy session than reading a romance novel. Boring!

TROPES: rockstar, age gap (22 & 38), workplace, insta-love
Profile Image for Auntee.
1,347 reviews1,446 followers
August 27, 2024
I’ve read a lot of this author’s books, and loved most of them. But sadly, this one was just ok for me. It may be because I’m not really a fan of rock star romances, or it may be that there was way too much dialogue in this book between the H/h where they went round and round about why they shouldn’t be together (he was 15 years older than her; she worked for him as an assistant on his tour; and then the biggest roadblock about why they couldn’t be together came out later in the story *sigh*)…it just got a bit repetitive. But I did finish it..I wouldn’t call it bad at all (there were some good parts and I didn’t guess the big reveal), it just wasn’t a favorite trope I guess. Will I read the next book in the series about the drummer in the band (Atticus)? I have to admit I’m a bit intrigued…
3 1/2 stars
Profile Image for Lo Bookfrantic.
823 reviews597 followers
September 6, 2024
4.5★★★★Stars

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Type: Interconnected Standalone from Rockstar series
POV: First Person - Dual

“You brought me back full circle. You brought me home.”


Emily Applewood did not anticipated the opportunity of a lifetime, a job she didn’t know she needed completely changed her life. When the lead singer of a famous rock band takes her on the tour of a lifetime, she could not resist. Tristan Daltre, found Emily refreshing, used to fame and no privacy and all sudden having someone who truly see him for who he was, left him feeling refreshing.

During tour they cling to each other more than they intended and when a life-altering secret threatened to change both of their futures, Emily had no choice but to walk away.

I really loved Tristan, he was charming and respectful. I love that he was mature and truly cared for Emily. Emily was a strong heroine that even young had a strong head on her shoulders. The story had so many funny moments as well as emotional ones. It was a perfect combination of romance and angst.

The rocker’s muse is slow-burn, age gap story of forgiveness and acceptance. Romance readers will find this book appealing.

This was a F(BR) with War.

3E290021-2062-4540-8487-7523D81BECD0
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:

description
description
Profile Image for Irene.
971 reviews114 followers
February 11, 2025

SubG: Contemporary Romance
Tropes: Age-Gap, Secret Baby, Forbidden love
Story: 3 stars
Audio: 4 stars
Narrators: Andi Arndt - Connor Crais

I really like PW's writing style and everything I've read so far by her, especially in collaboration with Vi Keeland, I loved. They never fail to entertain me with the MC's witty banter, their chemistry, some level of angst and no OTT plot. But this book was too much. Too depressing, too much going on with both the MC's personal lives, too many secrets and the worst of all; their chemistry or the sexual connection between them felt out of place in this story.
Tristan and Emily connected in a fundamental level, two souls that circumstances (or fate?) brought together to anchor each other in this life. They formed a connection first as friends and confidants that defied social forms or expectations. Of course love was inevitable but I loved how they established a relationship first that was based on honesty and mutual respect with no expectations.
Their sex-scenes felt unfitting to me. Not all love scenes must be hot, with dirty talk and innuendos. I felt that especially with Emily being so young their coming together should be more tender, more like making love than f...ing.
140 reviews8 followers
February 1, 2025
So it was good, the writing was good but why 3 stars?

Let’s start with the plot. 22 year old h meets 38 year old rock star and does not recognize him. She had been in an interview for his upcoming tour prior to meeting. He likes that she did not know him and treated him normally. He gets her hired. So here is where it started to be a bit of a let down. They were both attracted and drawn to each other. The H does some stupid things and it’s not clear if he actually fucked any groupies on the tour or not. Anyway, he is fighting his feelings because he thinks he is too old not good enough etc. She is falling for him but still has a secret. They hook up but no sex.

She ends up quitting the tour and he goes to find her after the US leg is over. Here is what I did not like so her dead boyfriend from HS and her best friend is the H’s son he knew nothing about. Anyway, she tells him the whole story. He is not an ass to her but he sees this as another reason for them to not be together. He leaves and goes to the UK for the rest of the tour and jumps into dating a woman that is working with them. The h sees this and is hurt so she starts dating someone. He comes back to her town the GF shows up she is not evil but not really nice. They end up on a double date, it was just gross that they were both with others when they were in love with each other.

They both breakup with their others and get together but it was so long winded. I hated that the h was with his son and that there was a son at all. A secret brother who she was besties with would have been better. The fact that he moved right into a relationship with OW was gross even if he said it was not serious. The h deciding to date for similar reasons. It was just way too drawn out. There was not much sex in it. I don’t think I’ll read the next one about the drummer who was a huge manwhore after divorce to a woman he still loves.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kindle Crack Book Reviews Cheri .
1,302 reviews1,083 followers
August 26, 2024
Hop on the tour bus and get ready to ride into the feels with the boys from the Delirious Jones band in The Rocker’s Muse by Penelope Ward. This one-of-a-kind rockstar romance is one of my top reads of the year!   Tristian and Emily’s combustible connection made me fall for both characters hard.  I was captivated from the first to the last page.  When I hit the end, I hugged my Kindle. It was that good—Chef’s kiss Penelope. 
description
Profile Image for Hayley Gallant .
610 reviews75 followers
February 16, 2025
5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

This was such an amazing read!


I usually find a bit of a struggle with Rockstar romance, because I find them a bit unrealistic. But, I actually got the complete opposite with this one.

Even with the huge twist in this one, the characters were so relatable that I found myself devouring this one from start until the end.

The tension between the main characters was off the charts and the slow burn was burning all the way through.

You get:
• Contemporary Romance
• Rockstar
• Spicy
• Forbidden Love
• Forced Proximity
• Twists & Turns
• Age Gap


I highly recommend this one! Available on KU, ebook, hardcover, paperback, and audiobook.
Profile Image for Iris Bicho.
199 reviews471 followers
March 20, 2025
Tou com a maior relação de amor ódio de sempre
Não sei ainda como me sinto em relação a este livro
September 1, 2024
4 ⭐'s

The best part of the book for me was the connection between Tristan and Emily. I loved when they would "just talk". Okay, the not talking parts were pretty good too. 😉

And I loved that I didn't see the twist coming!

Can't wait for Atticus' book...I'm very intrigued about what could've happened!
Profile Image for Richelle Robinson.
1,269 reviews35 followers
August 23, 2024
Thank you Give Me Books for my review copy.

I feel like a broken record at this point but Penelope Ward can do no wrong in my eyes. This book had me ALL in my feels. Like eyes tearing, heart in my throat, did I just read that? Let me read this part again because this can’t be happening. Ward has a very unique way of writing characters that I can’t help but fall in love with and all I want for them is to be happy. This book gave me everything I need in a romance novel and I’m so looking forward to reading Atticus and Nicole’s story next.

Notable Quotes:

We have to make life about more than the uncontrollable sh*t that gets thrown at us.
Profile Image for MissPetiteBrunetteBookBlog.
1,237 reviews247 followers
August 25, 2024
When Emily Applewood accidentally gets an interview as an assistant to a rockstar she wasn’t going to not try. Wouldn’t you? Anyway, it didn’t go well but after a run in with a man on her way out of the building she somehow got the job!! That mystery man…none other than lead singer of Delirious Jones, Tristan Daltrey! Will this blossoming friendship they start grow into something more? Omg, I was giggling from the very first encounter but this isn’t all laughs. There is a touching and emotional story within too. I loved seeing Tristian and Emily bond over their life experiences. What a beautiful slow burn romance about two people from different worlds discovering no matter where you come from we all deal with similar issues. My heart is full!! I need the whole band to get a book too! Top read of 2024. Are you ready to go on tour? Told in first person and dual POV.

Teaser
📸 Teaser Collage by Miss Petite Brunette Book Blog
Profile Image for Stephanie Hubenak.
503 reviews98 followers
February 26, 2025
What. A. Ride. I basically buddy listened to this book with my friend Jules and we couldn't stop listening. This was such a unique storyline and the way it was executed was so good! I also loved that while he was a rockstar, it was HIM that chased her.

What you'll get:
- Rockstar romance
- She works for the tour but didn't actually apply for the job
- Emotional
- Traumatic past
- It's always been you
- Pining

This was so amazing and if you're a rockstar romance lover, you need to immediately pick this up! I cannot wait to start book 2!
Profile Image for Jen Altman.
384 reviews54 followers
August 25, 2024
Penelope Ward has done it again with a novel worthy of ALL THE STARS! From the moment you start reading, you’ll be completely consumed in this breathtaking and unforgettable story. Even days after finishing it and starting other books, I’m still thinking back to parts of it. The emotion is so REAL!

I’m definitely digging the age gap trope lately. It’s no surprise that Penelope crafted a sometimes controversial trope into something that just feels right. She truly has a way of developing characters that you can’t help but fall in love with. The chemistry between Tristan and Emily was so intensely powerful and went far beyond mere physicality with a deeper, more meaningful bond.

Tristan was no stranger to women throwing themselves at him trying to get their own 15 minutes of fame, but Emily was different from the very beginning. She was the piece of his life puzzle that he didn’t even know was missing. It was so incredibly beautiful! While these characters grappled with past hurts and the moral struggles of wanting something they knew they shouldn’t, the angsty drama only made their love story an even more heartfelt journey. Whenever it seemed like Tristan and Emily were ready to advance their relationship, something always seemed to come up and derail their progress creating that slow burn tension us romance lovers crave.

What makes this book so unique is while the few spicy scenes are undeniably HOT, the story has so much substance. It keeps you hooked from start to finish! If you think you’re in for just another standard rockstar romance, think again! The unforeseeable plot twists and emotional roller coaster of this touching storyline is unlike anything else out there!
Profile Image for Lynsey A.
1,930 reviews
October 7, 2024
This had an interesting premise that intrigued me so I bought this one. I'm always a bit leery of PW books since lots of times there is stupid drama but as I said, I was intrigued. There was drama but not like tear them apart, I hate you stuff, but they were apart and did have another significant other but in all seriousness, his was to forget her and hers was basically the same thing.

Anyway, it's a good story with quite the scene of dirty talk and my goodness, Tristan certainly loved to have Emily for dinner!

Anyway, I didn't figure out the big secret until it was about to be revealed and it was not too big a shocker.

But I enjoyed the book enough to give it 3 stars. I'm hoping some day I'll read another of her books that speaks to me the way Neighbor Dearest did. I love that book so much. Well, maybe someday.
Profile Image for Annica ⚡️ annica_reads_books ⚡️ Smith.
541 reviews108 followers
February 21, 2025
I was in a massive book slump, and this audiobook pulled me out of it. 5 stars for keeping my attention from start to finish, the plot twists, and the surprisingly emotional moments. I'm thrilled that I listed to this!

P.S. This is a very slow burn. You'll get detailed spice scenes, but this is a book "with" spice, not a "spicy" book. The story focuses heavily on plot, tension and character development over smut just for the sake of it.

P.P.S. The narrators were perfect—Connor Crais and Andi Arndt were expertly cast for the two love interests.

*I was gifted a copy of this audiobook from Must Love Audio and Penelope Ward, but all thoughts and opinions here are my own. Thank you Penelope and MLA!
Profile Image for Christina.
235 reviews12 followers
August 26, 2024
An emotional rockstar romance with several twists and turns I didn’t see coming! What made this story unique compared to other books in the same trope is that this time, it’s not really the rockstar who is damaged. It’s the muse! Emily has a tortured past and carries a lot of guilt and grief. Her relationship with Tristan is based on lies but evolves into something real and beautiful. About halfway through the story took a turn I was not expecting, and the book levels up in a way I didn’t expect. Fans of Penelope Ward will enjoy this one for sure!
Profile Image for AJ.
3,160 reviews1,050 followers
January 25, 2025
4.5 stars

A gorgeous age-gap, forbidden(ish), rockstar romance, and the beginning of a new series of standalones from Penelope Ward. This is beautifully written love story with twists and turns and heartwrenching emotion, and I loved it.

Emily is a 22 year old who is struggling to find her place in life when she wanders into a recording studio and ends up scoring a job as a runner on tour for rock band, Delirious Jones. It was her accidental run-in with lead singer, Tristan, that got her the job. She had no idea who he was, but their short interaction was sweet and easy, and intrigued the rocker, so once she starts working on their tour, he creates every opportunity he can to spend time with her.

It’s fun and flirty, and I loved the playful dynamic between these two. Emily is not taken in by the celebrity of it all, she’s there to do a job and happily escapes the reality of ‘real life’ for a while and embraces all of her new experiences, and Tristan loves that. They hang out together, they talk, they become friends, and they find a sense of peace and ease together. They can open up to each other in ways that can’t with other people, and they grow close. They’re both feeling an attraction, but Emily is hesitant to actually get involved with a 38 year-old rockstar who is used to having a string of different women in his bed. That doesn’t stop them from crossing the line a few times in scenes that are hot, steamy, and sweetly emotional, showing the growing depth of their feelings for each other. But Emily has been keeping her distance for a reason, and when her truth is revealed, it will turn their worlds upside down.

As always, Ward has thrown a twist in this book which shifts the direction of the whole story and I, in no way, expected this one. I loved the shock factor, and the change that it brought to the story and though it was clever, and so well done. It’s dramatic and emotional and the feels are intense, and I couldn’t put the book down.

I was so invested in these two as a couple. I love that the age gap isn’t a problem between them, they own what they’re feeling, and they embrace it, despite their differences. They have challenges to face and hurdles to overcome, and they’re open about those too. They definitely have a complex situation to navigate, but they do it honestly and they’re there for each other, and I loved watching their story unfold.

“You brought me back full circle. You brought me home.”

Tristan’s bandmates, Atticus and Ronan, are lots of fun, and I really enjoyed the teasing, brotherly dynamic between the boys. And Penelope Ward is not done with the boys of Delirious Jones just yet! Atticus’ second-chance-romance is hinted at in this book, and I’m so excited that we will be back with more books for these boys before too long.

This is a really beautiful story. I loved the romance, and I loved the heartfelt journey of these two characters.

I loved it – 4.5 stars.

The audio is narrated by Andi Arndt and Connor Crais, and they do a great job, as always. I really enjoyed listening to this one!

Profile Image for Justadele.
913 reviews1 follower
August 26, 2024
I don’t know what exactly it was but I just wasn’t feeling this story at all..something was missing…not sure if it was the depth of the characters or the writing…just felt very disconnected to it and was a struggle to finish
Profile Image for TheSassyNerdBlog.
1,091 reviews422 followers
August 26, 2024
You’ll enjoy this book if you like these tropes… ♡


♡ Workplace Romance
✿ Age Gap
♡ Rockstar Romance
✿ Friends-to-Lovers
♡ His PA
✿ Emotionally Charged
♡ Angsty
✿ Undeniable Attraction
♡ Meet Cute
✿ Lead Singer Hero
♡ Slow Burn
✿ Instant Attraction
♡ Forbidden Love
✿ Accidental Encounter
♡ Secret Pasts
✿ Forced Proximity

I first read Penelope Ward a couple of years ago when I read Dirty Letters, which is a book she co-wrote with Vi Keeland and I fell in love with both authors together and as individual writers. When I saw the blurb to this book by Penelope, I knew I needed to read it and I was over the moon when I got picked for an ARC! Penelope honestly really cannot write a bad book. It’s so easy to fall in love with her words and her ability to fictional world that’ll take you away from reality and have you falling deeply in love with the characters within the pages of this incredible love story. The author raised the bar when it comes to this one.


Emily and Tristan were everything and more than I could ever ask for.

Tristan is used to girls throwing themselves at him, so running into Emily and her not knowing who he was, really baffled him. He wasn’t used to it. Most women would drop to their knees for the man. Most women want him for his fame and looks…He hadn’t realised that Emily was something he never knew he needed in his life, he was a breath of fresh air, so he knew he couldn’t let her slip between his fingers and he needed to get her to agree to join him on the rest of the tour.


Emily has gone to a recording studio and while roaming around she is approached and asked if she is there for the interview and thinking ‘fuck it’, not even knowing what the job is, she plays along anyway. She ends up landing the job as the band's assistant and now she wants to figure out if there is more to Tristan's personality than the public and media paint him out to be. It doesn’t take long for her to start to fantasise about what it would be like to be Tristan’s girlfriend. She knows she shouldn’t be entertaining the idea of being with him in any way whatsoever. It’s not like he’d ever see her in that way anyway, considering she’s just the band's PA and the age gap…

Emily is keeping a big secret that could potentially ruin Tristan’s life and blow up everything he’s worked so hard to achieve. Not able to take the pressure, Emily suddenly leaves the tour but sends Tristan a letter asking him to come visit after the tour has happened and promises him that she will tell him everything.

The tour comes to an end and Tristan makes his way to Emily in Shady Hills and what Emily was about to tell him.. was completely unexpected and completely threw him. He decides to stay in Shady Hills with the band and he and Emily continue to become closer the more time they spend together it’s clear that these two are falling in love with each other and it seems as though they can get through past traumas and all the ghosts from their pasts have finally settled.


Tristan was always very intrigued and drawn to Emily from the moment they bumped into each other in the bathrooms and then after she his hired to work for him, the more time they spent together. The more the lines begin to blur, the chemistry becomes intense and undeniable and it becomes impossible not to fall for each other.


Overall, this was an incredible read. The author has an amazing ability to create a love story that will give you all the feels, it will make you swoon and it will tug at your heartstrings. It was an emotionally charged, heartwarming and beautiful story that will stay with me for a long time!

5 STARS!

Profile Image for Sienasummerrreads.
481 reviews331 followers
February 15, 2025
This story follows Emily, who is searching for a new job and lands one on tour with a very popular band. Little did she know she would catch the eye of the lead singer just by being herself. But what secrets is she hiding?

Once again, Penelope delivers a brilliant book! The narration team on this is fantastic—Connor and Andi brought these characters to life so well. Don’t sleep on the audiobook!

I loved Emily. She’s quite mature for her age and has been through a lot in her past. I especially admired how she handled the big plot twist—I didn’t see it coming at all. Tristan is absolutely swoon-worthy—he’s emotional, poetic, and, as the band’s lead singer, incredibly lyrical. Some of the lines he came up with had me melting. I also loved how Emily and Tristan found comfort in each other despite all the chaos around them and how open they were with one another.

The only issue I had was with the plot twist—I had to re-listen to it because I struggled to wrap my head around a certain character and their piece in the picture, which made me lose the shock factor. But that’s totally a me problem. I think I zoned out at a critical moment, probably due to exhaustion from starting a new very taxing job and being pregnant which is causing baby brain.

That said, I absolutely loved this book. It’s easily in my top three Penelope books of all time!

Genre/Type: Adult Romance 18+
APK: Kindle and Audiobook
Pages: 324
Audiobook Length: 7hrs 57mins
Narrators: Andi Arndt and Connor Crais - Dual
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5
Spice: 🌶️ 🌶️
Series or Standalone: Standalone
Tropes or Themes: Rockstar, Age Gap (16yrs), Workplace, Small Town, Forbidden, Forced Proximity, He Falls First, Jealousy, Trauma, Secrets, Grief, Letters, Sexual Content, Praise and Dirty Talk.
Check Triggers ⚠️ 💫

All Round Romance Reader 
Sienasummerrreads 💕📚
TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Fable | Everand | Amazon | Audible Reviews 💫


Profile Image for Stacey(TotalBookAddicts).
635 reviews55 followers
August 17, 2024
“But I realize now, it wasn’t the past I needed. I just needed the happiness and peace I had back then. And you gave that to me. You brought me back full circle. You brought me home.”

Penelope has gone and done it again with this emotional and beautiful story. I now have fallen in love with another one of her male characters, and he's my absolute favourite one yet.

I can't even put into words how much I loved this while story. In true Penelope fashion, she gave us that plot twist in the book, and I had no idea it would be that twist. I thought two things that might’ve happened but definitely never expected that. I was like, WOW!!! You all need to read it so you can find out what it is, lol.

Tristan and Emily damn I loved those two so much. Tristan is nearly 38 years old, and Emily is 22 years old. Naturally, I love that it's an age gap and also love that Tristan is a rockstar.

I loved how Emily and Tristan became friends. Haha, the things he had her buy for him were hilarious. I giggled and laughed a few times. I loved that Emily felt comfortable in telling him things she doesn't like to share with people she doesn't know and same for Tristan with keeping something from his bandmates which they dont know what's going on with him.

I had all the swooning because Tristan is just so damn beautiful and makes me wish I could jump into this book and hug him, I giggled and laughed alot, I loved Ronan and Atticus too, I had sad tears a few times and then happy tears. I had a lot of hand on the heart moments as well.

Also, the end was perfect, and then something exciting was at the end, and I was so happy about.
Profile Image for A.BookNerd.Bookseller&Bibliophile.Blog.
2,785 reviews105 followers
August 29, 2024
Ward gives us an unexpected story about Emily and Tristan. Emily has seen so much tragedy in her young life that she needs the grounding that Tristan gave her. Ward gave us so many plot twists I was going what next. Emily and Tristan‘s relationship was built on respect for the other and wanting to be the better person the other sees. I will need Atticus and Ronan's stories in the future.
~Alex💜

📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
Emily is at a transition in her life, and a wrong place-right time drops in her lap. She ends up on tour with a rock band for 4 months. Lead singer, Tristan, is 15 years her senior and is going through his own sort of transition when they find themselves together on this tour.

I like how resilient Emily seems as she’s already over come several hard things, and I love that these two are able to connect so easily. This book is packed with emotions, and there were plot twists I never predicted. 4 Stars!
~Lauren💜
Profile Image for Marrissa Horton.
384 reviews15 followers
February 13, 2025
I am officially in my rockstar romance era, and I am never leaving! I’ve always enjoyed them but lately I’ve been lucky enough to get my hands on some really amazing ones.

The Rocker’s Muse kept me up way past my bedtime, I couldn’t put it down. And I did not except to feel so many feels!! I’m still over here crying about it. I fell hard for Tristan and Emily, and their connection, chemistry, tension, the plot twists… all incredible.

Penelope Ward’s writing is so damn good, I highlighted practically my whole ebook copy while listening along.

The audiobook is narrated by two of the best - Connor Crais and Andi Arndt. As always, they were absolutely perfect. I highly recommend!

Read/Listen if you like ⇣
•Age gap
•Workplace romance
•Rockstar romance
•Friends to lovers
•Emotional
•Angst
•Forbidden
•Forced proximity
•Dual POV
•Spice

Thank you so much Must Love Audio, Lyric Audiobooks, and Penelope Ward for the awesome audiobook!
Profile Image for Lisa Stinson.
1,290 reviews17 followers
August 28, 2024
I'm convinced Penelope can do no wrong when she sits down to write a book. This book is at the top of my favorite Penelope list. I couldn't love this book more. I wanted to immediately read it again as soon as I finished it.

I loved how Emily didn't really know Tristan when she ran into him in the bathroom, which was definitely a change for Tristan. He was so used to women throwing themselves at him and just wanting him for his fame. Emily was the breath of fresh air that Tristan didn't know he needed in his life, so he knew he needed to have her accompany them on their US leg of the tour.

Emily wasn't prepared for a job interview when she arrived at the recording studio in the desert. She actually had another plan for the day. But when she is offered the position, she accepts it in the hopes that it will give her the clarity she needs. She wasn't expecting to see a different side of Tristan. She knows she shouldn't entertain the idea of being with him in any fashion considering their age difference and the fact that she is working for the band. But there is this pull they have towards each other that is undeniable.

I love the way Penelope writes the push and pull for these characters. They know they shouldn't even think about doing anything, but they truly just can't stay away from each other. Then Penelope threw in some twists that I was not expecting, and this story just went to a whole other level. There were so many circumstances keeping them apart. I loved seeing them navigate the life they thought they knew mixed with the life they would love to have.

I'm planning on listening to this audiobook the moment it releases. I need to experience this story again.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 509 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.