Real Dirty – Book Review

 

 

By Meghan March
Audio Book Narrated by Elena Wolfe & Sebastian York

 

I have everything a guy could want—a new single burning up the charts, more money than a man could spend, and a woman I’m planning to marry.

Until she doesn’t show up for my proposal.

The life I thought was so perfect, isn’t.

The guy who thought he had everything, doesn’t.

I’ve got my heart on lockdown, but life sends me straight into the path of a mouthy bartender who puts me in my place.

Now the only place I want to put her is under me.

I thought I was done with love, but maybe I’m just getting started.

 

Synopsis:
Boone Thrasher has a reputation as the bad boy of country music. But, even bad boys aren’t immune to heartbreak. So on the night he plans to propose, he instead finds out his girlfriend has married some big time producer, the only thing this bad boy wants to do is crawl into a bottle of booze and forget.

Ripley Fischer has not had an easy lot in life. Her mother was murdered in the bathroom of the bar their family owned. What’s even worse, is she was the one to find the body. After that Ripley had to grow up fast. Now, she’s running the bar and supporting her ailing father and her failing cousin.

When the paparazzi start to swarm Boone’s friend and opening act Zane Frisco takes him to the perfect hiding place, the Fish Bowl. It’s a run down bar in the heart of downtown Nashville. It’s perfect because it’s quite and run by Ripley the sassy bar keep. Needless to say Boone and Ripley don’t hit it off well. When Boone tried to help the struggling bar the plan backfires and may set them down the road to closing faster than expected, and only serves to drive a wedge between Boone and Ripley.

 

April’s Review:
This is a story about Boone, a man that knows what he wants and goes after it. When things don’t go the way he plans, he is still hopeful and is ready for love when he finds Ripley. This isn’t a coming of age tale. It is about Ripley coming into her own. Sometime it takes us a little longer to find where our place is. Put it all together and you’ve got a warning not to hold on to the past, and to be open to love when it comes for you.

When you read as much as I do, it get difficult to find stories that you haven’t heard before. What enjoyed about Real Dirty, is March’s ability to combine known thropes, (the wounded hero, Cinderella, the rock star falling for the beautiful but common girl) to create a new story that I haven’t found yet.

How do you not fall in love with Boone?. He’s is a famous singer that’s been scored by his lady. He’s sweet and chivalrous to a fault. He doesn’t let those around him operate without respecting others. Deep down he’s just a country boy, who loves his family and just wants one of his own. He treats his staff like friends more than employees.

Although I really enjoyed Ripley as a character, I didn’t really relate to her decisions, and can only chalk it up to the grieving process. Her family show her little more than utter disdain. Ripley’s father was abusive physically, mentally and psychologically.Yet, she takes on the Cinderella like role and works herself to the bone to help support them. Ripley tries to hold on to her mother’s memory, which tethers get to the bar, and the toxic family relationship she endures.

A true testament to March’s talent is my emotional response to Ripley’s father and cousin. They were well written villains that let me no choice but to hate them.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It has an interesting story line, hot and steamy sex, a sweet love story, and…just a touch of murder mystery. What’s not to love?

 

April’s Audio Book Review:
Sebastian York and Elena Wolfe are the dream team of dual point of view romance narration. They work so well together. Their tempo and cadence is flawless.

This is the first audiobook I’ve listened to that York has narrated where he had to put on a bit of a southern drawl. I must say it fit him perfectly. I can almost her Boone Thrasher singing in a smoky bar, just him and his guitar.

I totally loved the way Wolfe did Esteban the paratos quips. It brought a level of brevity that you wouldn’t have if she had read those parts as normal. I don’t think I would have interpreted it as well if I were reading the book.

 

Kristen’s Review:
I loved this duet. I had previously read a book by Meghan and it disappointed me. But Real Dirty and Real Sexy TOTALLY made me a believer of her’s again.

These two books are so action packed! You get, crime, injury, mystery, family drama and death; all in a way that doesn’t bring you down or make you feel dark. Which was one of my favorite aspects. I was able to enjoy ALL the events without getting down or needing breaks.
Ripley is was strong girl with a baseball bat behind her bar to prove it. Boone Thrasher is a very normal average joe, who just happens to be a famous country star. And the bird well… the bird will tell you how he really feels.
Boone and Ripley, first solidify a strong friendship, even with all the bullshit that entwines them both. Then, you see their romantic relationship grow organically.

Book One does end in a cliffhanger, so just go ahead and buy Book Two at the same time. 😉

Can’t wait for you to experience these two!

 

Why did we choose this book:
I choose this book as an audiobook. Audiobooks are great when you’re stuck in the car for a long time. The combination of Meghan March and Sebastian York was a no brainer.

When Kristen was between books I knew she would love Boone and Riley’s adventure.

Who should read this book:
If you’re looking for a swoon worthy audiobook, Real Dirty will deliver.

 

 

Guest review contributed by Reading After Dark. Reading After Dark is a book blog featuring stories about the messy interactions of the human condition, books that are best read after dark.

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