Tag: #michellemankin

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

WOW! I am once again blown away by the emotions and realism of this series. Ms. Mankin consistently makes me feel all the highs and lows of a second chance romance. I am completely invested in all of the H/h’s HEA journeys. I recommend you read this series in order for the maximum investment in all of the characters.

OCEANSIDE (Rock Stars, Surf and Second Chances #3) by Michelle Mankin is a contemporary romance that deals with an emotional second chance love story and true-to-life sexual and health issues that are written with empathy and truth.

Ashland “Ash” Keys, the drummer for the Dirt Dogs is done. He is done with the rock star lifestyle, the touring, the drugs and the groupie sex. He and his cousin start their own recording label in OB. His life is solitary and full of regrets. He has to be in control and he holds his secrets close. Only his closest friends are let in and then not all the way.

Fanny Bay has always been a fan of the Dirt Dogs, but especially the beautiful, blonde haired drummer. They meet briefly, are captivated by each other, but are on two different life paths.

They come together two years later, by chance after Fanny is viciously attacked. Both have so many secrets and trust issues. Fanny’s light and hope to Ash’s darkness and regrets. Can these two learn to trust each other enough to become whole as one, or are some things too hard to overcome and not meant to be?

Rockers, surfers, sex, drugs, abuse, regrets, healing and love are all covered in these books, but this one has an additional health issue that is handled with empathy and facts by this author. Sexual orientation is also covered with an openness I have not found often in other romances. I was emotionally involved throughout this story and it is worth every angst ridden moment right up to the surprise in the epilogue.

This is a great series that I highly recommend. I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book!

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

RIPTIDE (Rock Stars, Surf and Second Chances #2) by Michelle Mankin is a second chance contemporary romance that just blew me away! It is an emotional rollercoaster of a read. I loved the first book in this series and this book made me even more deeply invested in all of the characters. These books can be read as standalones, but I recommend they be read in order because there is a lot of character crossover in the scenes from the past.

Karen Grayson is a California golden girl who lives to surf and be by the Pacific Ocean, but she has been existing in an emotional limbo. She moves back home to OB to help her mom with her father and to try to find a way to move on with her life.

Ramon Martinez has returned to OB after the break-up of the Dirt Dogs to finally claim the one girl who has always held his heart. Karen and Ramon have been friends since high school, but he backed off when his friend and bandmate Dominic “Patch” claimed Karen. Ramon stayed Karen’s friend and over the years was the only person who truly understood who she really was and what she needed. He hopes to help her find her future with him.

Ms. Mankin has written a beautiful story told from the two main characters alternating points of view with flashbacks that are intertwined seamlessly with present day. This story covers everything from lust for the “bad boy”, fidelity, loyalty, friendship and love. Karen and Ramon had me in tears as well as fanning myself during the hot sex scenes. Ms. Mankin writes tragedy with empathy and leads her characters to forgiveness of others as well as themselves. I was not sure I would like a series that is based on rockers and surfers, but this author’s way with words has made me love them and want to come back for many more.

I cannot recommend this series enough!

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

I really enjoy a well written second chance contemporary romance. The good ones run you through all of the emotional highs and lows of a love story, usually twice, past and present, then after you have been run through an emotional tornado, leave you completely satisfied with the HEA of your hero and heroine at the end. Add the serious surfing scene on the California coast and the temptations of rock-and-roll stardom, you have OUTSIDE (Rock Stars, Surf and Second Chances, #1) by Michelle Mankin.

Summer love brings together a surfer boy and a shy beauty who loves the ocean and watching the surfers. Lincoln Savage wants to be a pro-tour surfer and Simone Bianchi has plans for college in the fall, but nothing, not even a domineering father cannot keep these two apart.

When Linc has a tragic accident, he joins his cousin and friends in their band, Dirt Dogs. When the band goes on their first tour, Simone has broken away from her family and goes with them. The beginning of fame, insecurities and misunderstandings break up their young love.

Fifteen years later, Simone is still living in O.B. and owns a small surf shop. Linc is back in town for good and wants his one true love back. Can they move past the hurt they inflicted on each other all those years ago and learn to trust and love each other again?

I really liked Lincoln and Simone. They had chemistry that ignited off the page and behaved realistically in both emotions and actions. Ms. Mankin’s use of a rock band combined with the California surf scene added uniqueness to the story. The sex scenes were hot and appropriate to each time period in the H/h lives, young love and mature.

I am really looking forward to reading the next book in this series!