Sophie Reads YA: You'd Be Mine

2018 Contemporary Romance Challenge

ARC Review: You'd Be Mine by Erin Hahn

10:00

You'd Be Mine
Series: None
Author: Erin Hahn
Published April 2nd 2019 by Wednesday Books

Goodreads Synopsis
Annie Mathers is America’s sweetheart and heir to a country music legacy full of all the things her Gran warned her about. Superstar Clay Coolidge is most definitely going to end up one of those things.

But unfortunately for Clay, if he can’t convince Annie to join his summer tour, his music label is going to drop him. That’s what happens when your bad boy image turns into bad boy reality. Annie has been avoiding the spotlight after her parents’ tragic death, except on her skyrocketing YouTube channel. Clay’s label wants to land Annie, and Clay has to make it happen.

Swayed by Clay’s undeniable charm and good looks, Annie and her band agree to join the tour. From the start fans want them to be more than just tour mates, and Annie and Clay can’t help but wonder if the fans are right. But if there’s one part of fame Annie wants nothing to do with, it’s a high-profile relationship. She had a front row seat to her parents’ volatile marriage and isn’t interested in repeating history. If only she could convince her heart that Clay, with his painful past and head over heels inducing tenor, isn’t worth the risk.
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.

This was a book that I hadn't initially heard much about, but will admit that the gorgeous cover is one of the main reasons I sent in the NetGalley request, and I'm really glad I did, as You'd Be Mine was such a quick and enjoyable read, especially considering I read this in November, when the weather wasn't the best, and was looking for a book somewhat similar to A Star is Born.

In You'd Be Mine, Annie, who's parents had both been country music stars, is America's Sweetheart, but just because she comes from such a musical family, doesn't mean everything is handed to her on a platter. She has to work for her career, and it's a good thing she loves singing and performing. However, she knows exactly what that lifestyle can do to a person, and she needs to do anything to avoid making the same mistakes her parents did. Clay, on the other hand, is not a sweetheart, but rather a bad boy, who's fallen to the vices that can plague stars, and he seriously needs to clean up his act. When the record label decides that their two biggest acts - Annie and Clay - should perform and tour together, it's as if its a train wreck waiting to happen, but instead, magic and chemistry could save the day.

I really liked both characters, Annie more than Clay, and enjoyed how they were complex people, with difficult backstories that we began to see as they grow closer to each other. From the off, there is chemistry between the two, and they both try to fight it, for different reasons, but it's just too much and, honestly, they're better people together. Facing their difficult pasts, and knowing that the other person understands the pressure they're under, allows each character to grow, and they are really realistic in the way they face each issue.

Now, country music has never really been a big genre for me - I don't know if it's just because it doesn't exactly have a huge following here in the UK - but I did like the way the music was fully integrated into the plot, and it felt natural to be reading the lyrics on the page. I'm definitely glad I requested this book, and am looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.

Dates Read:
November 24-25, 2018

Rating
4 Stars