Book Review: Wicked Love by Michelle A. Valentine

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Wicked Love
Wicked White #3
Author: Michelle A. Valentine
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Released: May 31st 2016
Review Source: Montlake Romance | NetGalley

All Tyler Mercer wanted was to make music—until he met Avery Jenson. The beautiful new girl in town turned his head and struck a chord in his heart. But when their one night of passion results in devastating tragedy, Tyler hits the road, leaving behind his dead-end hometown and the girl he knows he’ll never forget.

After her father was caught embezzling, Avery’s comfortable life in the city was blown to bits. But meeting Tyler helped to pick up the pieces and eased her into country living. She just never expected the handsome musician would add to her heartbreak by walking away without a backward glance.

Now, three years later, rock star Tyler’s come back, hat in hand. He’s found fame and fortune as a member of Wicked White, but it’s all worth nothing without Avery’s love. Can she forgive him for leaving when she needed him most? Or will the ghost of their past keep them apart?

This is the first book I have read in the Wicked White series.  This book can be read as a stand-alone.  I have read Michelle A. Valentine’s books before and have LOVED them, however, I didn’t love this book.

The book starts out strong with Avery finding out her boyfriend has been cheating and her plans to destroy his car, Carrie Underwood “Before he Cheats” style.  She ends up having a change of heart and is stranded by her “friends/sorority sisters” because they didn’t get a dramatic show.  In comes a sexy mysterious stranger, Tyler, to give her a ride home.  When we meet Avery we find out that her whole world is crumbling.  On top of the cheating boyfriend, her dad loses his well-paid job due to getting mixed up in some white collar crimes.  Then, to add salt to the injury, her mother leaves them because she doesn’t want to give up her VERY comfortable, lavish lifestyle.  The final straw for Avery is when she goes to a frat party and is kicked out of her sorority for not “fitting in” with their financial status anymore.  Tyler sees the confrontation because he is a drummer in the band playing at the party.  Due to all of these circumstances Avery and her Dad pack up and move to a “whole in the wall” town to live with her grandma.  Low and behold, Tyler is also from said tiny town.

Tyler makes a promise to his dying dad to basically take a vow of celibacy and to get out of the small town to try and make his dreams as a famous musician become a reality.  Even though Tyler initially seems very adamant that he won’t sleep with Avery, they end up breaking that vow very soon after he explains it to her.  Additional tragedy strikes and takes the couple down different paths for a while.

The good:  I like that it was in dual POVs, mostly speaking from Avery’s POV.  I like the strong start to the story.  I like some of the romantic scenes.

My problems with the story:  It felt very predictable yet unrealistic at the same time.  I did not like the insta love between the main characters, it felt rushed and I didn’t feel fully connected to either of them as a couple.  The spark just wasn’t there for me.  I didn’t feel the writing flowed like Michelle’s other stories.  I realllllllllllly didn’t like how quickly they made amends after so much angst and heart ache.  As a reader, I have to feel the character that messes up, pays for their mistakes adequately.  Tyler got off WAYYYYYY too easy.  I didn’t feel justice was served, so to speak.

In the end, I really wanted to love this story but it fell a little short for me.