Book Review: Leaving Amarillo by Caisey Quinn

Leaving Amarillo
Neon Dreams #1
Author: Caisey Quinn
Reading Level: New Adult
Genre: Romance
Released: March 17th 2015
Review Source: William Morrow Paperbacks

Nashville meets New Adult in Neon Dreams, a dramatic, sexy series from bestselling author Caisey Quinn, about a country band’s rocky road to fame—and the ambition, dreams, and love of the people who make the music.

Dixie Lark hasn’t 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 greats—Johnny and June, Waylon, and Hank. Her grandfather’s fiddle changed Dixie’s 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 isn’t enjoying the ride. All she can think about is Gavin, the band’s tattooed, tortured drummer who she’s loved since they were kids. She knows he feels the connection between them, but he refuses see her as more than his best friend’s little sister.

Convinced that one night with Gavin will get him out of her system, Dixie devises a plan. She doesn’t know that her brother has forbidden Gavin from making a move on her-a promise he swore he’d always keep . . . a promise that once broken will unexpectedly change the future for Dixie, Gavin and the band.

What a heck of life, Dixie Lark. Not only did she loose her parents at a young age, but she and her brother have a passion in an industry that is hard to be successful. With this said, Dixie does not let this intimated her. She is strong headed. She knows what she is capable. With the help of her brother, whom is very focus to their music career, they are on the road to success.

So I loved this about Dixie, yet there were times that I felt she was very immature for her age. Sure her life haven’t been easy. Sometimes, this makes a person mature really quick. Which for the most part it did. However, when it came to her crush Gavin, boy was she very insecure about herself. For this, I was half annoyed while reading.

Don’t get me wrong, the story is interesting enough that I read this in one sitting. Yet, I did had to take breaks in between because her emotions were somewhat overwhelming. I totally felt like Bella, “You know, your mood swings are kinda giving me whiplash". When she finally decided to say, what the heck, I was cheering her… only to be put back into the mood swings. HA!

I liked how the book ended. Dixie took charged of her life and I want to know where she is headed. I want to see if she and Gavin will make it through.

Overall, Leaving Amarillo is a good read with a touch of sass. And if you love music, then this book would be perfect for you!