ARC Review: Dirty Little Secret

Dirty Little Secret

Author:  Jenifer Echols
Series: Standalone
Pages:288
Publisher: MTV Books
Release Date:July 16th,2013
Source: Via Edelweiss 
Thank you so much for providing me with a copy to review!

Summary:

Bailey wasn’t always a wild child and the black sheep of her family. She used to play fiddle and tour the music circuit with her sister, Julie, who sang and played guitar. That ended when country music execs swooped in and signed Julie to a solo deal. Never mind that Julie and Bailey were a duet, or that Bailey was their songwriter. The music scouts wanted only Julie, and their parents were content to sit by and let her fulfill her dreams while Bailey’s were hushed away.

Bailey has tried to numb the pain and disappointment over what could have been. And as Julie’s debut album is set to hit the charts, her parents get fed up with Bailey’s antics and ship her off to granddad’s house in Nashville. Playing fiddle in washed-up tribute groups at the mall, Bailey meets Sam, a handsome and oh-so-persuasive guitarist with his own band. He knows Bailey’s fiddle playing is just the thing his band needs to break into the industry. But this life has broken Bailey’s heart once before. She isn’t sure she’s ready to let Sam take her there again…

Jennifer Echols has always been one of my favorite authors. This is because after reading her books I get such a feeling of just relief and happiness for all of the characters. When reading one of her books, I am always so immersed; I read it in one sitting. Also, her books are always short and fun stories to read in-between other novels. However, this one was a lot longer and just made it so much better, than the rest, but I still wish it would have been longer!

Bailey has always traveled the world with her sister to blue grass festivals since she was little and always was a duo. Until one day, a producer signs her sister and decides that he just wants her sister and not the duo. First of all this doesn’t sound bad at first right? Well, gets worse because than she is pretty much exiled from her family and her parents don’t even care that she’s just lost her dream. This is really bad parenting in my opinion. I mean come on who does that to their child. Anyway, she starts to rebel and her parents decided to create all these new rules. Rules that are so stupid and inconsiderate to Bailey – she is banned from playing music.

Bailey struggles at the beginning of this book because her family won’t even talk to her. Her grandfather might have been the one shining star in her life throughout this book because he gets her a job at the mall. This job at the mall starts it all because this is where she meets the hot, heart breaking, Sam. Sam *Sigh just saying his name makes my mind do flips. Sam and Bailey have a really good connection. Not too long after meeting, Bailey is faced with the hardest decision yet. Should join his band or continue to live under the rules of her, not so great, parents.

I have to say this book was all about country music and I love country music. This aspect of the book just made the book come to life. I can honestly say that as much as I love country music and know about country music, I learned a lot of things I didn’t know about it that really shocked me.

 Sam was your supper hot, heart breaking, lead singer and guitarist. While, Bailey is a teenager trying to find her way back home – the music industry. Sam, I just want to say his name over and over again. Sam is a person who hides his feelings. He is very confident until, you get to know him. In this book, Sam is a very Dynamic character because he has all these layers that you wouldn't expect from him. He’s faced with so many struggles throughout his life that your heart aches for him and you can’t help, but love him; even when you want to be mad at him. Sam’s intentions were always good, but because of the things that happen in this story, you might not always think so until the end.  Thinking of Sam makes me want to go re-read this because while he wasn’t the main character he defiantly caught my heart.

Bailey, shocked me throughout this whole book. I loved her transitions throughout the story because they were just amazing. She finally decided to live her life how she wanted and stopped being jealous and bitter towards her sister. 

I have to admit, I loved this book with all my heart and I had some favorite scenes that made me laugh and made my heart flutter. While, there were other scenes that had me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next.

In the end, this book captured my heart 100%. The country music and great dynamic characters in this book will capture everyone who reads it. Even if you’re not of fan of country, you better go put your cowboy\cowgirl boots on and go read this because I promise you, you will fall in love. You might even learn a few things about country music.