Thoughtless #4
By:
S.C. Stephens
Published:
Nov. 3, 2015
Publisher:
Forever Romance
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Goodreads
Source:
Finished Copy from publisher in exchange for a honest review
Book Summary:
The spotlight doesn’t only shine. Sometimes, it burns.
Being the bad-boy bassist for the world’s hottest band has earned Griffin Hancock some perks: a big house, a fast car, and most importantly his incredible wife Anna. The one thing it hasn’t brought him is the spotlight. Anna tells him to be patient, that his talent will win out. But Griffin is through waiting for permission to shine.
Without warning, Griffin makes a shocking decision and takes the gamble of a lifetime. Suddenly he’s caught up in a new level of lights, cameras, and chaos—one that pushes his relationship with Anna to its limits. Anna has always found his unpredictable behavior sexy, but lately he’s seen an ache in her eyes, and it has his soul in knots. Just as the recognition Griffin seeks is finally within reach, the thing he loves most in life could be slipping through his fingers…
My Thoughts:
The Thoughtless Series has been full of angst, romance, sex-appeal, close friendships, and the musician lifestyle. The first four books in the series focused on lead singer and heartthrob Kellan Kyle and the love of his life, Kiera. The rest of the band, Griffin, Evan, and Matt, along with their love interests, Anna, Jenny, and Rachel were secondary characters. Griffin has been my second favorite member of the band, after Kellan. He adds entertainment, comic relief, and an extra dose of fun to the series. Therefore, I was ecstatic to learn that he would be getting the lead in his own story!
In Untamed, we get the biggest "D-Bag," bassist Griffin Hancock and his wife, Anna's story. Griffin is cocky, overly confident in what he believes his contributions to the band are, and loves being in the spotlight. He is jealous of the fact that Kellan is the most popular, appreciated, and well known member of the band. Griffin repeatedly asks the other band members to give him the opportunity to take center stage, and they continue to string him along and turn him down. Griffin becomes deeply frustrated and puts everything on the line for what he wants by leaving the band for a risky venture. This initial decision turns in to a slippery slope of bad decisions, and dishonesty concerning his wife Anna. Will Griffin figure out what's most important to him, before he loses everything and everybody that matters to him?
There was a lot more angst in Untamed than I predicted. Reading the story through Griffin's perspective was very illuminating. Griffin's voice shone through authentically and realistically. I was able to gain insight in to his character, and his motivations. I laughed at many of his antics. He is such an entertaining character. There were times when I could barely breathe I was laughing so hard!
Throughout the story, as Griffin's story progressed; he made a tremendous amount of character growth. Initially, he came across as arrogant, lazy, selfish, narcissistic, and a bit clueless. Yet, we are also shown how sweet, tender, and devoted he can be with Anna and his children. As Griffin's own actions lead him to hit rock bottom, my heart broke for him. There were many life lessons in his story. Life humbled Griffin, and by the end of the story, I loved his character even more.
Getting reunited with the D-Bags and their ladies was a real treat. I hope Ms. Stephens continues with this series, by giving the other members of the band their own story as well. What a phenomenal cast of characters!
My Rating:
I give, Untamed, by S.C. Stephens, 4.5 Life Lessons, Passionate Love, Growing Up, Making Music Filled Stars! Thoughtless fans, you heart will simultaneously break and heal as you read Griffin's story. Untamed is an addictive story that will hook you, and keep you turning pages, until your eyes can't stay open a minute longer!
Book Teasers:
Book Excerpt:
When Anna came back into the room, I was my usual self—just a half chub was trying to poke through my jeans. But even that faded when I saw the little miracle in my wife’s arms. “Daddy!” Gibson tossed her hands my way and leaned so hard in my direction that Anna had to struggle to hold on to her. Gibson’s little face scrunched with annoyed concentration while she fought against her mom. Then, with a pout that only a little kid could make adorable, she turned and scowled at Anna. “Want Daddy.” She said it as a command, not a request. Gibson was only around a year and a half, but she already knew what she wanted, and she fully expected to get her way. She was so much like me, it was scary. Anna rolled her eyes but stepped closer so Gibson could reach me. When her little hands touched my skin, they suddenly became razor-like talons. Like an eagle securing a fish from the sea, Gibson clamped onto my forearm with a surprising amount of freakish strength. “Ow, shit! Relax, Gibs. I’m right here.”
Grunting, I pulled her into my side and examined what was left of my arm. I half expected to see a mutilated flap of skin hanging off the bone. Instead, all I saw were bright red streaks where she’d raked me. Anna winced. “Guess I need to cut her nails. Sorry.”
I shrugged. “The day isn’t truly awesome until a gorgeous girl has scratched me up. I wear my war wounds with pride.” Looking at the design she’d left behind, I added, “I might actually get this one tattooed on me. How cool would permanent shred marks be?”
Anna smiled, then shook her head. “No, if you want claw marks to tattoo, I’ll give you some good ones. Then every time you look at them, you can remember how you got them.”
“Damn…yeah, that’s a much better plan. Fuck, you have the best ideas.”
Gibson grabbed my nose and pulled my attention her way, where she liked it. Girl had a jealous streak a mile wide. Looking at her was like looking at a miniature version of me, if I were a girl. She had the same light blue eyes, same blond hair, although hers was a pristine platinum color while mine was a little dirtier. As it should be. She gave me a smile full of shiny white teeth, then spouted, “Fuck.”
Anna crossed her arms over her chest, but her expression was more amused than annoyed. “I think we’re at the point where we need to start watching our language.”
I looked past Gibson to Anna. “Watch my language? You might as well ask me to hop on one foot while reciting the alphabet backwards. I can’t police myself like that twenty-four-seven. I’m exhausted just thinking about it.”
Anna swished her hands at Gibson. “Well, she’s starting to copy you, and if we don’t put a stop to it now, she’s going to start calling people cocksuckers soon.”
I started laughing. “That…would be so awesome.”
Anna put her hands on her hips; true irritation was starting to edge out her amusement now. “No, it wouldn’t be.” She smiled. “Well, yeah, it kind of would be, but as parents, we have to put a stop to that kind of stuff.” She sighed. “Well, we should try anyway.”
Looking back at Gibson, I frowned. “I suppose I could try.” Even though I was sure she didn’t have a clue what we were talking about, Gibson laid her head on my shoulder, wrapped her arms around my neck, and patted my back like she was encouraging me. Yeah, if it would help Gibson, I would try to control my mouth. There wasn’t much I wouldn’t do for that little girl.
About S.C. Stephens:
S.C. Stephens is a #1 bestselling author who spends her every free moment creating stories that are packed with emotion and heavy on romance. In addition to writing, she enjoys spending lazy afternoons in the sun reading, listening to music, watching movies, and spending time with her friends and family. She and her two children reside in the Pacific Northwest.
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