Dixie loves playing her fiddle in the band, Leaving Amarillo, with her brother and their best friend, Gavin. As their band gets more attention, Dixie is excited but distracted by the growing feelings she has for Gavin. They've known each other for years, and Gavin has kept his distance thanks to her brother's warning. As things heat between them, Dixie and Gavin will have to decide how far they can take what's between them.
LEAVING AMARILLO is a sexy, musical new adult read with intense romantic tension. Dixie is a strong protagonist, demanding what she wants but still somehow cautious. The development between her and Gavin is, in one word, sizzling. Their slow burn romance keeps the story flying by, and the added details of their band and progression towards hopefully signing with a manager rounds the story beautifully.
As much as I love the main couple, the plot doesn't work as strongly. The primary conflicts in the story keep building and building, but the ending fades away rather than giving answers. Though some of that is most likely due to the future sequel, the big questions of this novel's plot still felt unanswered. There is a partial climax with a little falling action but very, very little resolution. This ultimately left me a little disappointed with the story concluded, but I still want to continue the series to see how everything works out.
Another issue is the frequency of minor characters being used as potential competition for either romantic lead. It feels like every minor waitress, fan, separate band member, business person, etc. is only presented as a rival for the love interest. This creates a bit of an exhaustion with the leads repeatedly becoming jealous.
Though the story has its flaws, I did enjoy LEAVING AMARILLO. The repetitive language, plot holes, and other issues kept it from being a favorite, but the wonderful sexual tension, tight bonds between the band members, and musical flair make Caisey Quinn's story a good addition to the New Adult genre.
Nashville meets New Adult in Neon Dreams, a dramatic, sexy series from bestselling author Caisey Quinn, about a country bandβs rocky road to fameβand the ambition, dreams, and love of the people who make the music.
Dixie Lark hasnβt had it easy. She lost her parents in an accident when she was young and grew up in a ramshackle house on a dirt road in Amarillo with her ailing grandparents and overprotective older brother. Thanks to her grandfather, Dixie learned to play a mean fiddle, inspired by the sounds of the greatsβJohnny and June, Waylon, and Hank. Her grandfatherβs fiddle changed Dixieβs life forever, giving her an outlet for the turmoil of her broken heart and inspiring a daring dream.
Ten years later, Dixie and her brother Dallas are creating the music they love and chasing fame with their hot band, Leaving Amarillo. But Dixie isnβt enjoying the ride. All she can think about is Gavin, the bandβs tattooed, tortured drummer who sheβs loved since they were kids. She knows he feels the connection between them, but he refuses see her as more than his best friendβs little sister.
Convinced that one night with Gavin will get him out of her system, Dixie devises a plan. She doesnβt know that her brother has forbidden Gavin from making a move on her-a promise he swore heβd always keep . . . a promise that once broken will unexpectedly change the future for Dixie, Gavin and the band.
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