reading_with_2_book_lovers's review against another edition
3.0
This is Darren story and boy of boy have I waited for this one. This was a great story, j devoured this in a few hours I couldn't put it down.
babblingchatterreads's review against another edition
3.0
*A ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.5 STARS REVIEW*
We get another book in the Illusion Series and this time we get Jordan Weston's story. He has a past that haunts him and will never forget. A tragedy that will have you feeling broken for him.
Enter Allie Baker who came to start a new life away from her family that has future plans set for her. She was at her boiling point and left to seek something on her own and becoming more independent. Thanks to her best friend, Sasha she has a place to live and a job opportunity as a waitress.
The first encounter between Jordan and Allie was intense and filled with surprise until they realized that they are boss and employee respectively. With both of them dealing with personal issues the more they work and hang out together the harder it is becoming to decide on what they want. Not one to be just another person; a time line of a decision is discuss. However, another tragedy strikes and reality opens their eyes to a new perspective.
My favorite take away from the story is to be honest no matter what the details and outcomes entails. It made the story more intriguing when the need for answers comes into play. This was a good addition to the series and looking forward to reading more of the characters.
We get another book in the Illusion Series and this time we get Jordan Weston's story. He has a past that haunts him and will never forget. A tragedy that will have you feeling broken for him.
Enter Allie Baker who came to start a new life away from her family that has future plans set for her. She was at her boiling point and left to seek something on her own and becoming more independent. Thanks to her best friend, Sasha she has a place to live and a job opportunity as a waitress.
The first encounter between Jordan and Allie was intense and filled with surprise until they realized that they are boss and employee respectively. With both of them dealing with personal issues the more they work and hang out together the harder it is becoming to decide on what they want. Not one to be just another person; a time line of a decision is discuss. However, another tragedy strikes and reality opens their eyes to a new perspective.
My favorite take away from the story is to be honest no matter what the details and outcomes entails. It made the story more intriguing when the need for answers comes into play. This was a good addition to the series and looking forward to reading more of the characters.
t_white51's review against another edition
5.0
Love Hattie and Darren
What a sweet tender love story! Darren finally gets his HEA and Haddie is perfect for him and Cadence! These characters have all become family and I celebrate their HEA's and lives. A must read book and a must read series!
What a sweet tender love story! Darren finally gets his HEA and Haddie is perfect for him and Cadence! These characters have all become family and I celebrate their HEA's and lives. A must read book and a must read series!
t_white51's review against another edition
5.0
Jordan!
There are no words to describe how Jordan finding happiness effects me. If ever there was someone who deserved happiness its Jordan. His and Allies story is perfect!! Finally the Weston family are all finding peace and much deserved happiness. A must read book a part of a must read series.
There are no words to describe how Jordan finding happiness effects me. If ever there was someone who deserved happiness its Jordan. His and Allies story is perfect!! Finally the Weston family are all finding peace and much deserved happiness. A must read book a part of a must read series.
ohthesheenanigans's review against another edition
3.0
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5 Stars)
Title: Interlude
Author(s): D. Kelly
Character(s):
― Allie Baker: 26 years old, Blue Eyed
― Jordan Weston: 28 years old, Black, Gray Eyed
Setting: N/A
Tag(s): Romance, Contemporary
Content Rating: R
POV: Alternates between Heroine/Hero
Smexy Level: Hot
Favorite Quote(s):
― “Whoever you want to be, Allie. That’s the beauty of it all. Be someone you never thought you could be. Write a book like Noah’s girlfriend did. Or become a lawyer like you wanted to when we were kids. Hell, be a sexually adventurous twenty-six-year-old woman and fuck all the men you’ve been missing out on the last six years. Whatever you decide, be authentic to you for a change. If that means fucking Jordan, go for it. Nothing should hold you back.”
― “There are plenty of dicks in the sea, and I’ve yet to take one for a drive that couldn’t be replaced with a new, sexier, longer-lasting model.”
― “Don’t plan to fall in love more than once, so those words have to be reserved for that special person.”
― “Your orgasm cup probably runs so far over that I could slip and fall just standing next to you.”
― “Because my brother deserves someone who makes him feel wanted. Someone who will run after him when he decides he’s not worthy of love. He needs someone who, instead of giving him space when he withdraws, will remind him it’s better for him to be here with them, in the moment. Tyler’s not that person. He appears for a few months and then disappears for a few months. Nothing has changed between them in ten years.”
Overall Opinion:
Jordan is a haunted, flawed, and the sole survivor of a homicide, at the age seven years old, that wiped out his immediate family. The day his birth father killed his family before taking his own life changed his life forever. Allie on the other hand has been surrounded by men that were always in control. After discovering her fiance cheating ways, she packs her bags and moves in with her best friend's Sasha for a fresh start. She lands a job at Jordan's bar, sparks fly and a romance ensues. Would their love be enough to heal their damaged hearts?
For the first time in long time, I've finally came across some refreshing characters. Jordan is a open bisexual lead and Allie was very accepting and understanding in regards to that. The attraction and connection between was immediate. The interest was there from the get-go even though it gradually took a few months for an physical relationship to developed, it was instant love. A big no-no for me.
I found it odd how quick Jordan was able opened up to Allie about his life, like he had to Tyler, despite knowing her for a short period of time. It just didn't fit with what I had Invision Jordan to be. Now with the lead female, Allie wasn't the best heroine. If anything Sasha should've taken her place. Her spit fire, witty attitude was thus far my favorite. The lead lacked personality and was more of an annoyance than anything. The sex scenes left much to desire and what was the biggest turn off for me was how Jordan was easily able to move on pass his relationship with Tyler. He has always mentioned Tyler was the only person he ever love but he was quick to jump on the Allie bandwagon and drop Tyler like a hot potato. May as well mention that once Jordan and Allie start having a casual fling, not exclusive by any means, Allie quick jealousy and referring her as the other woman when Tyler was around was lackluster and disrespectful to Tyler. She very much knew of their history.
The only good qualities I will mention is how the overall flow of the story made it easy to read and the backstories allowed you to get a better of understanding of the characters and reason behind their actions.
Moreover, I just want to touch on that even though this is a stand-alone novel, I really didn't feel like it was. It was more of a spin-off from the “Illusion” series from the same author. A few things would have made more sense if you read the series first before starting this.
Side note, is it wrong that I was more interested in Jordan and Tyler's relationship? There was a whole lot more sparks in their relationship and their past history bonded them like no other.
Anyway, with the series being a huge letdown, I had dropped this series by chapter 15 at 63%. I was expecting so much more but I was left more than disappointed with the outcome of this story.
bookaddict_fanatic's review against another edition
5.0
"When I love someone and fall madly, deeply, over-the-top in love with THE ONE, I think I'll know. When I do, those words will leave my lips for ONLY them. I don't plan to fall in love more than once, so those words have to be reserved for that special person."
OH MY GAWD....Interlude was addictive and heart-wrenching, all-consuming and seductive with all the feels and emotions that I have come to LOVE when reading any book in the Illusion series! I've been intrigued with Jordan from the beginning and knew his story would be one that would without adoubt be a tear-jerker, an emotional roller-coaster but worth every moment of heartache and tears. Jordan and Allie were the perfect fit to each others messy puzzle called life yet together were nothing short of perfection. Thank you Dee for such a beautiful story about finding one's self and the one person that makes them whole!
"You're real, our love is real. I promise you will never spend a day wondering if you are loved. I'll prove it to you with every breath I take. "
OH MY GAWD....Interlude was addictive and heart-wrenching, all-consuming and seductive with all the feels and emotions that I have come to LOVE when reading any book in the Illusion series! I've been intrigued with Jordan from the beginning and knew his story would be one that would without adoubt be a tear-jerker, an emotional roller-coaster but worth every moment of heartache and tears. Jordan and Allie were the perfect fit to each others messy puzzle called life yet together were nothing short of perfection. Thank you Dee for such a beautiful story about finding one's self and the one person that makes them whole!
"You're real, our love is real. I promise you will never spend a day wondering if you are loved. I'll prove it to you with every breath I take. "
bookaddict_fanatic's review against another edition
5.0
This is one story I've been anticipating since Just an Illusion EP and yet was afraid to read because I knew it would gut me and bring me to my knees. From the first page I was drawn in to the story and chapter after chapter I was consumed and held captive by one helluva emotional ride that I couldn't put it down. Darren is the gorgeous drummer from Bastards and Dangerous, single father to Cadence and a man trying to survive the heartache of losing the love of his life until he meets the one woman who changes everything. Haddie is a beautiful curvacious woman who lost her fiancé in a tragic accident that almost took her life as well, now she's ready to move on. These two fractured souls were brought together by tragedy, yet bound by an undeniable desire to be happy and to find love again. If you're afraid this book will break your heart.... I'm here to tell you it will. This book had me in tears which I've come to expect when reading any book from the Just an Illusion series. I cried, I laughed, I smiled and then cried some more but I wouldn't have it any other way. This was one emotional, beautiful read about finding your second chance at love and a story that will stay with you long after you're done. This was the perfect ending to Darren's story and one that left me wanting more only because I didn't want it to end!
prettymessreading's review against another edition
5.0
*****5 STARS*****
Just An Illusion by D. Kelly has changed the world of rock star romance for every reader and writer who loves to to fall in love.
I needed this book. I needed to know how Darren’s story ended. I know that sounds selfish but it’s a fact. Let’s just say that D. Kelly did not let me or her many other fans down.
I shed a few tears, I laughed out loud, and I yelled for my husband to ‘come here’ so I could tell him what I just read. He even pretended to care! Most of all, I reveled in every aspect of Darren and Haddie’s story.
Read more
HERE
Remember to follow all things messy. . .
Just An Illusion by D. Kelly has changed the world of rock star romance for every reader and writer who loves to to fall in love.
Words fail me!
I'm not ready to let go!
I needed this book. I needed to know how Darren’s story ended. I know that sounds selfish but it’s a fact. Let’s just say that D. Kelly did not let me or her many other fans down.
I shed a few tears, I laughed out loud, and I yelled for my husband to ‘come here’ so I could tell him what I just read. He even pretended to care! Most of all, I reveled in every aspect of Darren and Haddie’s story.
HERE
Remember to follow all things messy. . .
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lifeinthebooklane's review against another edition
3.0
Whilst this can be read as a standalone, I would recommend reading at least the first 3 books of the Illusion series first. This contains some pretty big spoilers for that trio of books.
I'm in a bit of a reading funk, I've not even finished several of the last few books I've read. So just the fact that I got to the end of this is testament to the quality of writing. I enjoyed the book a lot, I liked Jordan and Allie, the story flowed well, the plot wasn't too predictable and I loved getting to know Sasha some more. It was effortless to read and strangely I felt the impact on Sawyer, of Jordan's tragic childhood, much more keenly in this book than I did in his own. It was good to see different perspectives and experience events from a new viewpoint.
However it didn't leave me with that 'WOW' factor that I need to rate a book 5 stars. Allie sometimes felt a little too 'nice'. I also wanted more angst with the whole Tyler/Jordan/Allie plot. Jordan didn't know how he felt or what he wanted until suddenly he maybe, kind of, did. Whilst this was linked to a very pivotal event for the Weston family I didn't quite believe his choice, mainly because it lacked emotional intensity for me. I think this was more 'me' than the book though.
The story is first person, from both main characters point of view, so you get to know them both really well. I liked that the story never felt forced, ridiculous or cliched, instead it felt fresh and unique. The heat level is high in this, though never sleazy or cheap. The sex scenes compliment their relationship and story really well, feeling a natural part of the plot.
I do recommend this to all lovers of contemporary romance with a blue-collar hero. It does have spoilers for the rest of the series and I really do recommend reading those books too.
I'm in a bit of a reading funk, I've not even finished several of the last few books I've read. So just the fact that I got to the end of this is testament to the quality of writing. I enjoyed the book a lot, I liked Jordan and Allie, the story flowed well, the plot wasn't too predictable and I loved getting to know Sasha some more. It was effortless to read and strangely I felt the impact on Sawyer, of Jordan's tragic childhood, much more keenly in this book than I did in his own. It was good to see different perspectives and experience events from a new viewpoint.
However it didn't leave me with that 'WOW' factor that I need to rate a book 5 stars. Allie sometimes felt a little too 'nice'. I also wanted more angst with the whole Tyler/Jordan/Allie plot. Jordan didn't know how he felt or what he wanted until suddenly he maybe, kind of, did. Whilst this was linked to a very pivotal event for the Weston family I didn't quite believe his choice, mainly because it lacked emotional intensity for me. I think this was more 'me' than the book though.
The story is first person, from both main characters point of view, so you get to know them both really well. I liked that the story never felt forced, ridiculous or cliched, instead it felt fresh and unique. The heat level is high in this, though never sleazy or cheap. The sex scenes compliment their relationship and story really well, feeling a natural part of the plot.
"You've got men and women practically falling at your feet....Your orgasm cup probably runs so far over that I could slip and fall just standing next to you."
I do recommend this to all lovers of contemporary romance with a blue-collar hero. It does have spoilers for the rest of the series and I really do recommend reading those books too.
reading_with_2_book_lovers's review against another edition
5.0
This is a fantastic addition to this series. Jordan's book made me swoon and omg all the time.