Quin is a college student on the brink of finishing her thesis. She's a smart girl, except when it comes to guys. She's been cheated on more than once and is just looking for a good time now, or so she says.

Hawkin is the quintessential rocker bad boy, with more than his share of ladies lined up to sample the lead singer of the band Bent. After taking the rap for his twin brother's mis-deeds, he has to teach a seminar on sex, drugs, and rock and roll at the local college. Quin is assigned to be his TA for the course. Hawk makes a bad first impression, they fight a bit over their first few encounters, and then it's on.

I am all for a strong female character. I am all for a female character that takes what she wants with no apologies. But I was turned off by Quin in the beginning with her inner dialogue of speaking like a man just out to get laid and scratch the itch. I felt Quin could have expressed the same intent without being quite so crass about it. Her friend Layla was just there in the beginning. By the time Q&Hawk start their fling Layla is no where in the picture.

Hawk needs a strong female presence because he's used to the simpering grooves looking to brag they've bagged a rocker. After making promises to his dad that no 9 yr old can keep, Hawk has denied himself love from an early age. I liked that the author had their relationship gradually break down walls and open new dialogue without rushing to the finish line.

Jealous twins, protective brothers, band mates closer than family, Hawk and Quin navigate their fledgling relationship with numerous outside forces butting in. There was a lot to like about this story. The author, K. Bromberg, is great at angst and invoking emotional reactions from the reader.

I’d like to be played.

“Yeah. You know your hostility is obviously masking your true feelings.”

This is the journey you will weave through. Two people really needing deep seeded love but keeping themselves at arm’s length. As always, K. Bromberg writes to characters I can get invested in and root for their HEA. Both characters have issues that keep others at bay to defend against letting anyone too close. But the character I definitely attached to was Hawkin Play. If you’ve read any of the other previous novels in the series, you have met Quinlan. She was ‘mean girlish’ to me so I had harbored feelings for her that took me awhile to warm up to. Hawkin Play? Oh he had all my feels from the get go.

There are no big surprises or plot twists to leave you gasping. You learn about Hawkin’s demons in a well paced read. Of course what’s not to like about this novel, ultimate alpha racer Colton makes several appearances.

If you love the Driven series, this is definitely a must read. I actually like this better (4.5 stars) than Slow Burn, and I liked that one. If you haven’t read Driven series, this book could stand alone. Especially if you like musicians who know their way around a guitar pick.

Sweet Ache (Driven #6)by K. Bromberg

Hawkin Play, the bad boy rock star with a good guy heart, has lived a lifetime of cleaning up after his twin brother’s mistakes. Hunter’s most recent screw-up could land Hawke in jail and risk the band’s future. Hawke agrees to guest lecture at a local college to stay in the judge’s good graces—and a bet with his bandmate to seduce his sexy teaching assistant is icing on the cake.
Quinlan Westin is harder to bed than Hawke imagined. She knows his type and is determined to avoid the rocker at all costs—even if their attraction runs deeper than simple lust.
Just as Hawke might finally be winning over the girl, his brother has other plans. When Hunter realizes his twin finally has a weakness, he’ll stop at nothing to take advantage

My Review:
Can we pause to admire the cover for a minute? I mean really. I don't know if its the couple on the cover or the blue but I am loving it. Bromberg's covers for Slow Burn, Sweet Ache, and Hard Beat really stand out. I love the way they pop. Okay on to the book... Sibling drama... You ever have that brother or sister that somehow became your arch nemesis and no matter what you did to make up for that siblings rivalry somehow that siblings reputation clouded you? That's this book. Luckily that trouble brings about a new set of complications that come in the form of a smart mouth with enough sass and brass to keep things interesting. Above all Sweet Ache is about family. The good the bad and the ugly. But there is also honest and beautiful.
I really enjoyed Sweet Ache for the frustration and the joy, and the trials readers can relate to.


My Rating:
4 Stars


Reviewed By:
Krissy's Bookshelf Reviews
http://kkmalott.booklikes.com/

Note: I received a print copy in exchange for an honest review from the Berkley.

~~ Sweet Ache, by K. Bromberg

(Driven Book # 6)