Title: Fever (A songbird Novel)
Author: Melissa Pearl
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Synopsis
Singing in the shower takes on a whole new meaning in Melissa Pearl's first Contemporary Romance.
Ella Simmons does not want to move across the country. But she is, because her boyfriend has persuaded her to join him at UChicago to finish out her college education. Never able to tell him no, she hops on a plane and makes the trek from LA expecting to adjust to life like she's often forced to, but things are not that simple when she hears a luscious voice singing over her shower wall. His deep, sexy tenor makes her weak in the knees, spreading fire through her limbs and making her question everything about her life and relationship.
Can one voice really have that much of an impact?
Cole Reynolds is on his way out. In his final year at UChicao, the only this he wants to do is finish school and get on with this life. But the sweet voice that interrupts his morning shower turns his world upside down. Compelled to find his shower songbird, he begins a search across campus. The only thing to distract him from this goal is his roommate's gorgeous girlfriend who's just arrived from LA - Ella Simmons.
Relationships are put to the ultimate test as future dreams are questioned and friendships are thrown on the line for love.
My Review
First, I have to say that I
absolutely love when an author shares the music that inspired them while
writing. I think it makes reading the book so much more intimate. I feel I've been included in on a more personal level. When the songs come up in the book I
love stopping and going to listen to them if I haven’t heard them before. So when
I read the author note from Melissa Pearl, I was excited to immerse myself in
some jazz, a genre that I can honestly say I don’t have a lot of experience
with.
Fever is Mr. Pearl’s first
contemporary romance novel, and let me tell you it’s a really good debut into the
genre.
Our story opens with a
totally stressing out Ella, who is moving across the country as a transfer
student to the University of Chicago. She is moving to be closer to her
boyfriend David and best friend Morgan.
Ella has a sad past, her
parents died in a car accident when she was 10, thus leaving her to move in with
her not so nice aunt in Pasadena. Thank goodness she met Morgan and her sister
Jody. The girls and their parents quickly accept Ella as part of the family and the girls have been know as the “terrible trio” since.
Ella is dating David, the
boring pre-law student who has his and Ella’s life plan all mapped out. Which
pretty much involves him studying all the time, maybe going out for dinner (never
dancing or clubbing) and of course no sleepovers before test days! But he believes this will all
eventually lead to the bigger picture of successful career, marriage and 2.5
kids with Ella.
Ella feels indebted
to David as he was her first love and has been so supportive of her over the
past 3 years and he’s really helped her thought some tough times. Hence her moving to Chicago despite not really wanting too. So basically,
she’s willing to not have any real fun or any of her own dreams or goals, but rather chooses to
simply follow and accept David’s plan.
That is until the morning of the first day of school when she's singing in the co-ed showers. Ella begins singing a beautiful jazz song
which quickly turns into a duet. As a man with the sexiest male voice she has
ever heard joins her in the song.
And...
Also, on on that same day she meets David’s hot specimen of a room-mate, Cole. Ella and Cole have an instant attraction and connection to each other.
Also, on on that same day she meets David’s hot specimen of a room-mate, Cole. Ella and Cole have an instant attraction and connection to each other.
Slowly things start to change
for Ella, she’s finding herself thinking about Cole and “shower guy” more and more and less
and less about David.
As the book progresses we see
Ella and Cole getting closer and closer, they have amazing chemistry and I was
so engaged in reading whenever they were together. They have so much in common.
They can relate so well to each other as both lost their parents at young ages.
I just think Cole is uber sweet and I can’t help but be the president of team
Cole. Don’t get me wrong I don’t want them to cheat on David, I don’t condone
that at all, but I just want her to break up with David and get it on with
Cole already. He’s just so amazing and cares about her and what her dreams are…swooning
here!
And for “Shower guy” as she
refers to him, he remains a mystery for most of the book and they have a few more encounters before it’s
revealed who the mystery man is. And of course it's Cole!
Ella is quickly realizing that she
has feelings for Cole and as a result she tries to avoid him and wants to spend
more time with David, the boy she keeps having to tell herself she loves and is
safe with. But of course David is too busy to fit Ella in as much as he should.
As Cole and Ella spend more time talking and being friends their chemistry is oozing off the pages
and the sexual tension is building and building. Ella is FINALLY realizing that
maybe she should break it off with David, but she's just not sure how. Not only to be
with Cole, but because she’s realizing more and more that she does have dreams, dreams that she wants to
pursue. David’s plan isn't right for her after-all.
Luck would have it, David
makes it easy for her to end things with him at his 21st birthday
party. After that mess she quickly heads back to her dorm.
And guess who’s knocking at her
door almost immediately...COLE!
What follows is a passion
filled night with some of the hottest panty droppin’ sex! These two have
resisted temptation for way to long. Finally
giving into what was soon to be inevitable.
But of course the next day
Ella’s brain kicks in and she realizes what they've done and she decides she
can't be with Cole, as it will be hurting David. Once Cole leaves, she packs
some stuff and takes off.
Fast forward four months and
we meet up with a more independent Ella. She's been on a journey of
self-discovery, she’s made huge life changes but realizes she's still so very much
in love with Cole. Once she gets closure from a phone call with David she
realizes that she is ready to be with Cole but is nervous that too much time
has passed and that he's moved on.
Then after another month
passes we get what we want. Cole and Ella together at last! Thank goodness for David stepping up and telling Cole where Ella is. Best thing the guy has done the whole book!
Cole shows up to get
his girl.
★★☆ 3.75 Stars ☆★★
Reviewed by Gillian Grybas
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About the Author
Follow the author at these links
Melissa Pearl was born in Auckland, New Zealand, but has spent much of her life abroad, living in countries such as Jordan, Cyprus and Pakistan... not to mention a nine month road trip around North America with her husband. "Best. Year. Ever!!" She now lives in China with her husband and two sons. She is a trained elementary teacher, but writing is her passion. Since becoming a full time mother she has had the opportunity to pursue this dream and her debut novel hit the internet in November 2011. Since then she has continued to produce a steady stream of books. Recently she signed with Evatopia Press and her first Evatopia book is coming out in February 2014 - True Colors, The Masks Series #1. She is very excited to be trying out new things this year while continuing to publish under her own name as well. She has six books planned for 2014 and is excited about writing each and every one of them.
"I am passionate about writing. It stirs a fire in my soul that I never knew I had. I want to be the best writer I can possibly be and transport my readers into another world where they can laugh, cry and fall in love."
Follow the author at these links
Thanks so much for a great review :) I'm so glad you enjoyed the book :D
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