GOOD GIRLS DON'T DATE ROCK STARS is the story of Travis
Bowers, the small-town boy who became a major country music
star, and Gemma Carlson, the overweight girl with glasses.
In high school, she and Travis became fast friends, then
lovers. She got pregnant at 17, went to Phoenix to tell
Travis who was on tour, found him with another woman, and
without saying anything about the baby, went back home. Now
28, she's lost the weight, ditched the glasses, and has
made a decent life for herself and her 9 year-old son,
Charlie.
Gemma treats herself with a trip to Las Vegas to attend a
romance writers convention, where she comes face to face
with Travis, with whom she's had no contact during those 10
years. He's being friendly and asks her out. Gemma is
hesitant at first, but she accepts, thinking no one needs
to know. They are still attracted to each other, and Travis
is intent on trying to rekindle their past relationship.
Gemma fears it could hurt Charlie if things don't work
out, so she remains silent about their son.
One night, Travis and Gemma both get very drunk and end up
married. The morning after, Gemma notices the ring on her
finger, panics, and flees. Travis goes back to Rock Canyon
to set things right, and that's when he learns he has a son;
now it's his turn to be upset. If they are to make it work
the second time around, both Gemma and Travis have to deal
with their trust issues. He went from foster home to foster
home. She had body issues, was bullied, and when she became
pregnant, her father threw her out. They need to figure out
how to be a family in spite of their seemingly opposite
lifestyles: Gemma shuns attention and Travis lives in the
spotlight.
GOOD GIRLS DON'T DATE ROCK STARS is a book about second
chances at love. It's a simple story, but this is where the
better writer shines. Codi Gary revisits a popular trope and
makes it fresh and new. Everything is well-balanced. There
are no loose ends. The story flows smoothly. The author's
style is uncluttered but very effective, and the sex scenes
are beautifully written and in context. Gemma and Travis
behave according to their temperament and Codi Gary's
portrayal of Charlie is exceptional. The secondary
characters are fully developed but never overshadow the
principals. New characters are introduced, but instead of
simply expecting them in upcoming books, we want to hear
more about them. I had the privilege of spending some time
among friends with GOOD GIRLS DON'T DATE ROCK STARS in the
little town of Rock Canyon, and I hope to see them again
soon.
Gemma Carlson didn't plan on waking up married.
She also didn't count on running into her old flame—and her
son's father-turned-country rock star—Travis Bowers,
followed by a night of drunken dares. Apparently one of
those involved a ring on her finger and a vow … neither of
which she intends to keep. Now with a hangover from hell,
this good-girl-gone-bad knows there's just one thing to do:
run.
Travis has been all over the world, but Gemma has never been
far from his thoughts. So when they had the chance to catch
up over a few drinks, he didn't hesitate. Of course, he
didn't expect it would lead to marriage, or a runaway bride!
Travis finally has a second chance and doesn't plan on
losing Gemma again—or the son he didn't know he had. He
proposes, albeit belatedly, a date. Or rather, a few. If
they can make this marriage work by starting over, he stays.
If not …
Gemma's not interested; she's got a son to protect and a
heart to heal. But having Travis around could make both a
little easier. Still, good girls don't date rock stars . . .
right?