Book Review: Home

Home (Songbird #4)

By: Melissa Pearl

Published By: Melissa Pearl

Publication Date: August 4, 2015

Page Count: 255

Buy it at Amazon or Smashwords

Source: Kindly Provided by Author

Audience: New Adult - Contemporary

Review of Book #1: Fever

Review of Book #2: Bulletproof

Review of Book #3: Everything

Home is the 4th and most recent novel in the Songbird series. This novel stars Rachel and Josh, two characters who have not yet been introduced in the series. They live in Payton, which I gather is somewhere in the southeastern part of the country. 

 Rachel has lived a difficult life and Josh finds her one morning on the back doorstep of his bar, Clark's. She is drenched, bone thin, very ill, and clutching her only possession - a guitar her mother gave her. Josh brings her in and basically saves her life. While nursing her back to health, they fall in love. Rachel works for him at the bar, sometimes singing and sometimes waiting tables. Her voice is amazing and her dream is to make it big! 

When a Hollywood hot shot shows up at the bar one night and offers Rachel a deal she can't refuse, Josh worries that his biggest fear will come true and he'll lose Rachel to fame and fortune. Rachel takes the deal and moves to Los Angeles, but finds out the hard way that some things really are too good to be true. 

 This book was different from the other books in the Songbird series. We didn't see the connection to any of the other characters from the series until much later in the book. I enjoyed this book, but it wasn't my favorite of the series. I honestly tried not to let my dislike of country music influence my rating. 

 I think my biggest issue with the book was not the genre of music, but the manner in which the characters spoke. I realize Josh & Rachel come from difficult backgrounds, but when the characters use "ain't" & that type of slang in common speech, it bothers me. It may just be a pet peeve of mine, but there it is. 

 My favorite part of the book was when Rachel finally stood up to her agent. She paid for it dearly, but I loved seeing that strong side of her. Up until that point, I had disagreed with all her decisions so it was wonderful to being able to root for her! 

 If you've enjoyed the Songbird series, you should definitely pick this one up! 

 Content: Language, sex, mild violence

Summary:

Rachel Myers never meant to stay in Payton. Her eyes were set on bigger things than waitressing at Clark’s Bar. She wants to perform on a stage of her own with bright lights, fame, and fortune. But something got in the way—Joshua Clark. He’s a good man who loves her, a solid rock she can depend on. She wants that to be enough, but it hasn’t quelled her yearning for the big city.

Josh knows Rachel wants more out of life and might leave one day. Yet so far, she hasn’t gone anywhere. Deep down, he believes his love is enough to keep her…or at least he hopes so. Until one night, a city boy from Hollywood promises Rachel a record deal and destroys everything.

Jumping at a chance she never thought she’d have, Rachel leaves Payton. And Josh. But the sparkle of Los Angeles is not all it’s cracked up to be, and Rachel quickly figures out that some sacrifices are not worth the risk. Is she too late? Will Josh forgive her, or has her desire for fame ruined the best thing she’s ever had?

Sometimes you have to say goodbye before you can say forever.

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, ranging in genres from Fantasy to Contemporary Romance. She loves the variety and is excited about the books she has coming up in 2015. 

Melissa Pearl was born in Auckland, New Zealand, but h

as 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 w

riting 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 p

roduce 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 excite

d to be trying out new things this

year while continuing to publish under her own name as wel

l. She has six books planned for

2014 and is excited about writing each and every one of them

.