Duet

I love romance for many reasons. Getting to that HEA is such a pleasure, a stress reliever, an escape from harsh reality, a triumph where I celebrate the female voice. But there are some tropes that I have tried, but just can't enjoy. I don't care for ex-cons, motorcycle club, or rock star romances. I have a hard time liking any hero with a criminal element. And rock stars do not marry the full-figured librarian who lives next door. They date super models, okay? But what do they say about the exception that proves the rule? Because when it is Julie Kriss, I love rock star romances. (And ex-con/MC also in her previous books.) I admit, I got a little nervous when I saw she was writing about a rock star, but my faith in Julie was rewarded. Julie's characters are so real, not a cliché amongst them. She writes characters that are so believable and relatable in their strengths and weaknesses. The dialogue is perfect. You are never pulled out of the story. There is angst, but never that manufactured drama for the sake of pushing the story along. Yeah, I know I am getting a HEA by the end of her books, but I still ache for the characters before we get there. So, this book, Duet. Great main characters and secondary ones I hope will be getting their own books. I love when the hero and heroine have other important relationships besides the love interest. Just the right amount of sexy, steamy times. I knew this was the book for me early on when the heroine and her sister discussed how rock musicians were cheaters, just a bad bet in the boyfriend game. Right?! But Denver, this book's rock star? He was so deserving of a chance. I know a lot of reviews say the same positive things about the books and authors. But just like Julie Kriss does not write cliches and always gives an original spin on romance tropes, I am being sincere when encouraging you to grab this book and read it. It is romantic and original and well-written and fun and worth your time and money. I can't wait for the rest of this series.

The story is a love story that starts out as a one night stand. The thing I loved about the story is that the lead characters are in their 30s. They aren’t some 20 something.The two adults perfectly content with the lives that they’re leading. Until they meet each other. But there romance isn’t fraught with confusion and lack of communication. Do they have some moments where they question each others’ feelings and their own feelings? Yes they do but this romance is a lot different from others because they actually communicate with each other like adults. This is not a book I will forget.

This book is absolutely everything I love about live music. It’s a deliciously sweet and sultry experience - the kind of seduction that’s bone deep and playful and everything in between.Denver and Callie are unapologetically real from their first interaction to the very last page. They’re intense is consuming and insanely hot.‘His gaze was pure fire, taking in every inch of me. I couldn’t hide, and I didn’t want to.’I seriously cannot express how much I loved this book. Julie Kriss has given us an unforgettable experience with the irresistible bad boys of rock. I cannot wait to see what’s in store for the Road Kings!

Absolutely loved this book and the accompanied audiobook! I had never read Julie Kriss books in the past, but I preordered the next book, Riff and will check out any other books she has written! I have a new book boyfriend in Denver! This book is a “ I-can’t -put -it -down -until -I -read -every -word” !

This was a great read, and the audio is even better. Two complex, imperfect people finding each other when they both need it most. My only complaint is the ending felt a bit abrupt. I needed an epilogue or something to feel closure of their story. I know there’s another book coming in this series, and maybe some of Callie and Denver’s story will be involved.

Wish it had been more as I feel left in the dark as to what was gonna happen with his career. The story had a good pase for the relationship to develop and I was glad when she got her head together. I hope she sees she can be more than what she is doing. I don't like it when the band is broke up so it was great to see them pull back together.

Julie Kriss is one of my favorite authors. One-click, don’t miss authors. The only thing wrong with Duet is that it’s too short. I hope we hear more of their story in Riff.

I don't usually read stories about rock stars ~ but this story and its characters drew me in. Enjoyed it from beginning to the end!

Audio review 🎧A rock star book which stands out, not just because of the plot line, but because it is also well written with interesting, rounded, relatable characters. They are all mature, not jaded, but on different trajectories than in the past. This story has just me engaged and intrigued. Callie, with her well organised, risk averse life, and a serendipitous meeting with another deep, solitary soul. Andi Arnt and Jason Clarke are simply outstanding. Their ability to capture and deliver the nuances, emotions and communication between the main and other characters, has a thoughtfulness and warmth which creates a link with the listener, inviting them in to share in the narrative. Absolutely brilliant 👏 💖💖💖💖💖

So intriguing reading a rock star romance with older protagonists! Here they are 35 and 37, and it's refreshing to read kore about emotional fall-out and maturity than groupies and a wild lifestyle.I will definitely be checking out more in the series.

This was so, soooo good.......and in so many unexpected ways. Rockstar romance is my reading crack. Julie had me wrapped around her authorly little finger from the start with this one. I've also been a long time fan of everything she's written....again, hooked by this author even before the first word. BUT, this book was a surprise. At the start we have Calli, a 35 year old piano teacher, who plays jazz in small live venues around Portland in the evenings. Calli only performs in small venues because crowds scare her, AND her "crack" is the music and the "conversation" performance for tiny intimate groups gives her. Into all the gin joints in Portland he walks into hers. Denver is a 37 year old retired lead singer of a band that has huge cultlike following because of their real/raw music reputation. On the same day that Denver becomes mesmerized by Calli's talent, to the point he cannot watch her perform ( he has to turn his back to her), his former bandmate (he's had no contact with for 5 years) calls and starts the ball rolling for a reunion tour. Denver is a deeply emotionally scarred man who uses writing lyrics as therapy for years of neglect and abandonment by his family, and performance as way to excise overwhelming emotion. Watching these two battlescarred performers begin to open to one another was breathtaking. Even Julie's prose here reflects an emotional maturity I wouldn't say was lacking from previous works, but it has changed ; it too is breathtaking. It's fascinating to watch a talented story-teller up her game. There's obviously going to be more in this storyline because we have a very satisfying Happy-For-Now ending. You leave satisfied but really glad you can see more coming. Beautifully done!

Woo! This was such a great book. I am blown away by the complex characters and fantastic dialogue. This is my top read of 2022 and I doubt that will change as we move through the year.A retired Rock God and piano teacher who loves her life as a single woman is exactly the fresh story we need. I loved the maturity of these characters & strong sense of self. Denver definitely has a lot of baggage he carries around but he’s mature & smart enough to know it. Will Callie help him carry his load? Will he and his baggage fit into her beloved quiet life, especially if he decides to ditch the “retired” status? Although the end seemed abrupt, and I am definitely wanting more of Callie and Denver, I still adored this book. Excellent writing. So refreshing in indie publishing right now.

I’m a big fan of Julie Kriss, and all her books are fun, enjoyable, and some more or less than others. But this one… whew. It was perfect in every way. Perfectly imperfect characters drawn with genuine depth and feeling, with flaws but not so great they can’t overcome them. I am completely in love with, not just the H, but the whole band. I am two seconds from finishing this book and already dying for the next one. For the next three! I cannot wait for more and I think I might just go back to start this one all over again.