Book Review: Softer Than Steel (Love & Steel #2) by Jessica Topper

Softer Than Steel (Love & Steel #2)
Author: Jessica Topper
Publication Date: September 15, 2015
Publisher: Intermix/Berkley
Source: Publisher
Format: e-ARC
Age Group: Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance

       

From the author of Deeper than Dreams and the Much "I Do" About Nothing novels, a story that proves that you have to find yourself before you can find love...

As rock star "Riff Rotten", Rick Rottenberg has enjoyed all the perks that fame can offer, especially now that he's reunited with his former band mate, Adrian "Digger" Graves. But despite his success, Rick is a mess. Still reeling from the death of his wife years ago and terrified his demons will end his career, he agrees to seek help for his anxiety.

Burned by a musician in the past, Sidra Sullivan has closed her heart to love. So when Rick walks into her yoga studio, she wants nothing to do with him--until the bad boy shows an unexpected soft side.

As Sidra and Rick work through their painful pasts, they realize just how strongly opposites can attract. But when a crisis threatens the delicate balance they've forged, they'll discover if their love is strong enough to weather another storm or just too broken to survive.

I was  drawn into this read by the story behind Rick Rottenberg's loss of his wife to cancer.  "Riff Rotten" can best be described as an older British heavy metal rocker who is an emotional mess. He is desperately trying to hold on for dear life between his comeback in the group Corroded Corpse and his anxiety that is slowly making it difficult for him to compose music. But these are just a few of the demons he is dealing with. Until he meets Sidra Sullivan, a yoga instructor that he believes will help him deal with all of his emotional issues.

Sidra at first, is really not feeling Rick because he is the complete opposite of what she feels she needs and deserves. However, Slowly but surely a relationship progresses, yet Sidra and Rick are still stuck on their painful pasts which makes it extremely difficult to trust one another. They are both very guarded and cautious with their hearts, which is to be expected. In addition to their pasts, I was captivated by their tremendous differences. Rick is an older mature rocker with a sexy British accent, and Sidra is half Irish and half Indian! I enjoyed the fact that the read is told in both Rick and Sindra's POV's because it allows the reader to get both sides of the story. The pace and storyline of the events in this read are also very well written. The fact that we get you get the inside scoop to both main characters is also a plus in my book. 

This is the first book I've read by Jessica Topper, but this is the second book in the Love and Steel series and each book can be read as a stand alone.  Although, the characters in the book are not interconnected. Overall this is an emotional read that will keep you glued page by page. I personally liked the fact that even though there is a huge age difference between the main characters, it never feels strange or out of place. So if you are looking a beautiful love story that is not boring or overly done; take the time to read this book.  Trust me, you will not regret it!