“Dear Rock Star”
by Emme Rollins
Date Published: July 1, 2013
Review by Wendy Dawn
“In Summation”:
Sara a 19 year-old student at Iselin Academy is totally obsessed with rock star Tyler Vincent.
Tucked away in New Jersey, Iselin Academy is a place for “non-traditional students”. Students either attending day or night classes to obtain their high school equivalency while working full-time or taking care of their kids.
The year is approximately 1987, girls dressed like Madonna and guys looked like they walked off the set of an MTV video. You remember back when we wanted our MTV…when they played actual music videos, not just another network of reality and programmed shows.
Into Sara’s world walks Dale Diamond, a Tyler Vincent look alike. He happens to be from Maine, like Tyler and a musician. But the similarities don’t end there. He causes Sara’s loyalty to worshiping her rock star to waiver. Dale causes the butterflies in her stomach to turn into fire breathing dragons!
Sara has secrets and so does Dale. As each layer is peeled back they encourage each others dreams. He wants to be a rock star, she wants to leave New Jersey in the dust and become an artist. Two talented people fate put together to heal each other and share all their secrets.
When Dale’s band makes it to the finals in MTV’s battle of the bands Sara has to choose the future she dreamed about of one with Dale. Can the fantasy be better than the reality, or is the reality the thing fantasies are made of?
“The Reviews are in”:
I felt like I stepped back in time! I was right back in High School again. I totally got the references. This was one book I could not put down and actually asked to be able to review. Call me crazy but I knew I would like it. Not just because of the ‘80s setting but the fact that I was into Art when I was in High School and followed several local bands. Identifying with the characters was awesome.
The cast of characters were all flawed people. They were normal, not perfect automatons. They had issues and problems. Everyone could find one they can say, “Hey, I knew someone like that.” or “That was me!” Ms. Rollins did an excellent job of making the characters relatable. Even the horrible step beast (father) of Sara’s, I saw characteristics in him I see in others…not wanting to take responsibility for his actions. I may not have liked him or his actions, but I could see why he acted a certain way. All the characters had this beautiful undercurrent to their depth; it added such dimension to them.
“Why did you even come back?”
“Because…You’re mine. I knew it the first time I saw you. I will always come for you, Sara. Always.”
Dale never wavers in his desire or need for Sara. It takes my breath away to read it. He has his hopes and dreams of his music, but he sees Sara fitting into those dreams. He is willing to fight for her, no matter what the obstacle.
“Sara, listen to me.” He pressed his forehead to mine, eyes closed. “Once I choose a direction, I don’t stop. I can’t.” I nodded, loving him for it.
“I’m like a damned freight train. Or the fucking Titanic.” He snorted, opening his eyes and meeting my gaze. “There’s no turning me away, not now. I can’t turn back.”
I hope Ms. Rollins does a follow-up to this book. I would love to see a “where are they now”. Perhaps set in the 2000s, maybe their kids will be having the issues the next time around. I will definitely read it. I fell in love with these characters, I feel like they are some one I went to school with…should we ask to sign their year book?
The Ratings*:Hero: 4
Heroine: 4
Story/Plot/HEA: 5
*The rating system is based on 1-5, 5 being the best and 1 the worst.
Hero - The main male character of the story. Heroine - The main female character of the story. Story/Plot/HEA (Happy Ever After) - The over all story line and culmination of the main plot or theme.
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