ARC Review: Falling Star by Terri Osburn

Falling Star
Author: Terri Osburn
Series: A Shooting Stars Novel (Book 2)
Publication: Montlake Romance (March 27, 2018)

Description: A country star looking for a comeback has one last shot at fame—and he might just have one last shot at love.

Naomi Mallard is a fixer by nature. And as PR manager for Nashville’s Shooting Stars record label, she’s facing her biggest fix: redeeming country music bad boy Chance Colburn. But in Naomi’s eyes, a police record and a stint in rehab are the least of Chance’s sins. He has spent his life running from demons and making tabloid headlines that have sent his career into a tailspin. Now he’s struggling to find his muse and maintain his newfound sobriety, all while counting on the woman he once betrayed to repair his tattered reputation.

Naomi is determined to keep their relationship strictly professional, but that’s not easy when an unexpected injury forces the former couple into disturbingly close proximity. Will mending their once-broken relationship be Naomi’s best save yet? Or will Chance’s past wreck any hope for a future together?

My Thoughts: Chance Colburn had it all, a high-flying music career in country music, money, fame - until he self-destructed gaining a police record and a stint in rehab. Now Chance has been clean and sober for a year and is trying to make a comeback at a Shooting Star after losing contracts with two other labels. Naomi Mallard is the PR director who is trying to redeem Chance's reputation. But Naomi and Chance have a history.

Naomi and Chance dated seven years previously when she caught him sleeping with her boss and he broke her heart. She wants to think that she is long over him but the hurt and the anger have never gone away. Nor has she been able to form a relationship with another man.

Chance and Naomi meet again when the record label throws him a birthday party. Chance uses the opportunity to apologize which is part of his recovery process. Naomi accepts the apology but makes it clear that, while she needs to work with them, they will never be friends.

Things change when they meet at a club where her jealous boyfriend Michael picks a fight with Chance and is then abusive to Naomi when she decides to leave. The boyfriend and Chance have a history of their own wherein Michael blames Chance for cutting him out of an opportunity to advance his career.

Chance and Naomi begin to rekindle their romance but both have demons to overcome. Naomi is dealing with a mother who wants to micromanage her life to the point of picking a man for her to marry. She didn't like Neal when they were in high school together and can't imagine that medical school has made him any more acceptable. When her mother arranges to have Neal at their usual Sunday dinner, Naomi finds out and Chance offers to go along as a boyfriend. Naomi's mother's behavior when Chance shows up causes Naomi to walk out and makes her realize that Chance is still important to her.

This was a great romance. I loved Chance who had overcome so much and was trying so hard. I also loved the way the Naomi wasn't willing to give up on him and called him on his behavior and wouldn't be chased away no matter how bad things got.

I recommend this book for anyone who wants a feel-good romance.

Favorite Quote:

"What do you want me to say?"

"Well," he offered, "we've gotten the 'screw you' out of the way, so maybe a 'go to hell'?'

Naomi couldn't help herself. The bastard always could make her laugh. Almost as much as he'd made her cry.

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.