And I've finally reached the end of this series. How freaking sad. I was actually depressed for a couple of hours when I read the last page. But as we all know - all good things must come to an end. At least I can console myself with the fact that although it's the end of this series, it's by no means the end of Kristen Ashley's books. I've got the Dream Man series to read, as well as the Colorado Mountain series. I haven't as yet got the Chaos series - a spin-off from the Dream Man series, but I'll get it soon enough. Plus, there's the fact that this amazing author, as far as I gather, doesn't eat or sleep. As soon as I finish one book, another from one of her series is released. I can't keep up! A warning regarding this book and this review, I might be a long one. It was epic, and the best last book in a series I've ever had the pleasure of reading. Before anything else, I wanted to share this snippet from the author's 'Acknowledgements & Author's Note':
"And last, I have to share with my readers that this book was the most difficult book I've ever written. This is the first series where I let my Rock Chick Flag fly and decided to write what I wanted, to hell with the 'rules'. I started this series because I was living in England and very homesick for Denver, pouring out these words as a love letter to that city, my country, and the people I left in them. I shared with my readers many characters who are loosely (and not-so-loosely) based on people I love, including Tex, Tod, Stevie, Ally, Annette, Nick, Reba, and Herb and Trish. I also shared many good times (and bad) from my own life."
This goes on, and I must tell you that I cried throughout all Kristen Ashley wrote here. One thing that stands out for me about this author is the fact that what she writes - as herself - prior to the book starting, is what I get in her stories. Love, depth, laughter, sadness, and honest to goodness down to earth reality. Most situations are relatable, and real.
Where to start. This whole series has been action packed. This last book? Crazy! In a good way of course. This is finally Ally's story. Ally who was the only one who practically swore that what happened to all the other Rock Chicks, would not happen to her. Pffft. Who was she kidding? Certainly not me. You know, I've always liked Ally. I've liked every single one of them, but we really get to know Ally in this book. She's Hank's and Lee's sister, and besides working at Brothers - where she eventually got 'fired' from and not for anything illegal either - she helps out at Fortnum's, the bookstore Indy owns. A lot of this series takes place there. I've got amazing mental pictures of what this place looks like, and they are wonderful. What she's always wanted to be, what's in her blood - she is a Nightingale - is to do exactly what Lee does. She wants to be a PI. Hank, however is a cop, as was their dad. She's good at what she does, it's her life, it's what she loves and she's finally found her calling. This doesn't bode well with the siblings, or her parents. She's a girl. She should be doing girly things. This pisses her off! She has Darius in her corner, and for those who haven't read this series, Darius is Shirleen's nephew - a hot black dude who along with Shirleen a couple of books back, dealt in drugs. They've left that life behind and Darius works for Lee now, as does Shirleen who absolutely hates filing, except the kind one does with one's nails. She's a hoot. Darius' background is darker than I've mentioned here. However, Lee, Eddie and Darius are 'brothers', as is Darius to Ally. They'd do anything for each other.
Trekking back, something-something has been going on between Ally and Ren who we met a couple of books back. Now, Ren is Sicilian. Sicilian's are known to be mafia orientated. Vito, his uncle, who we also met in previous books, is on the truly illegal side. You gotta love him, though. Ren, however, is on the clean side as he wanted no part of his uncle's business, although he's done some things he's not proud of. There's a further story here where Ren is prepared to be excommunicated due to his uncle's stubbornness. Now, without giving it away... Ally presumed something here, which Ren was shocked about. These two have been in a 'friends with benefits' relationship for the best part of year - exactly the way Ally liked it. She's tough as nails, and gets things done. Ren sees right past all that, and tells her she's deep and feels deep. She all in denial over this, but eventually relents. It gets to a point where they both agree there's more to their relationship than sexual get-togethers, but at one point Ren has the audacity to tell Ally that what he wants is a wife who will bear his children and become a stay-at-home mom. Wowza. He walked right into that one! Suffice it to say, by the end of the book, it's fabulosity. He gets her, she gets him and it's pure bliss. I've highlighted too many things I'd love to quote, but if I do, this will most definitely be the longest post and review in the history of posts and reviews! So, I'll pick (sadly) only a few.
"You've got your way, the way you are and the way you are with the ones you care about. And that tells me, a man gets in there, you give that to him, the children you give him, that man will be all kinds of lucky. And I've decided we're gonna see if that man is me."
This after Ren realises that Ally won't be Ally if she gives up who she is, and what she wants to do.
"You want this. And what you want to do means so much to you that you would let me be who I am, look into accepting my faith, love me that much, but walk away. Then you take that hurt so deep, you're on autopilot, lettin' out the woman inside you hold close and only dole out occasionally, but give to me. And you do s*** like kiss Smithie to say hello when you never would do that s***. It means that much, then you can have it. And me. I'll worry, but I'll learn to trust you."
Love this. Ren to Ally.
"So, I want a stay-at-home mom and you give me a badass PI. You accepted a wiseguy and got whatever I am. We're a ***** pair."
This made me cry, but I can't explain why without giving it away. I believe this, though.
"Because, no matter how old we get, we always need to believe in fairytales." -Jane
Okay, now I'm hoping I truly give nothing away with this one, but again, I freaking bawled my eyes out!! Kristen Ashley is a genius to have thought of this particular angle. I laughed my head off at the beginning, then tried to guess who it could possibly be, and got it right! Loved it so much, I have no words.
"I scanned the cover and saw on the bottom, stuck to the side, was a sticky note. On it was an arrow pointing to the name, "Kristen Ashley" that said under it, New York Times Bestselling Author. And next to that was written: See? Told you. Fairytales come true."
I could go on...
Within the world surrounding Ren and Ally, there's so much going on I couldn't possibly tell you all of it. There's Darius' story being played out; Rosie is back after Ally's apartment blew up; the Hot Bunch slowly but surely see what a kick-arse Ally is; Ally working cases between everything else; marriages going on all around them; so many kids - I lost track, but thought it was totally cool. A kidnapping takes place, but then it wouldn't be a Rock Chick book without something like this happening. I loved that we're taken six years forward towards the end of the book, and Roam and Sniff are now in their early twenties. Love these kids! Love Shirleen for taking them in.
Smithie's role in this book is bigger. Ally's stripping - yes, a PI's gotta do what she's gotta do - was so well described, I saw her show in my head. It rocked. Ally and Lottie's duo? I have to say it - it rocked!! Ren's take on Ally's stripping? Not what I expected, but I sure as hell could freaking hug the crap out of him for it, though. Lee and Hank's eventual support of their sister? Aces. The parents, the family, the friends (I'm all emotional thinking about the fabulousness that this series is), was beyond superb. The bonds all these people have... precious. HEA's? For everyone! Just the way it should be. As far as Ren is concerned, and as far as this book is concerned... Ren is all that, right along with Vance and Hector, but this book right here? My absolute favourite (and you all know I loved every single one) of the whole series. It's full of heart. I swear, Rock Chick Revolution is riddled with magic. I going to use Ally's favourite word. People... it was RIGHTEOUS! I believe it, because I was hypnotised by it, it gripped me from the get-go and never let me go until I was done with it. Kristen Ashley, as I quoted above, mentioned that this was the hardest book she's written, but I can guarantee - not only to you - but to the author herself, it was epic! I do believe I'm fan-girling here. I love this author for holding open her door, and taking me along for the ride, because I came out on the other side richer for reading this series. I also feel somewhat privileged. I swear, if genies truly existed and I was granted three wishes, meeting Kristen Ashley would be one of them. To pour so much (as some authors do) of her life, friends and situations (again, good and bad) into her characters and make me a believer, has been the best roller-coaster ride I've been on. I've finally got no more words.
Thank you, Kristen Ashley, for putting your heart and soul into this series. I count myself one of the lucky ones to have read it. I look forward to all your others. And, sickeningly I cannot but repeat myself one last time. I still want to move to Denver!
I'm so going to miss this gang! Rock Chick Revolution was one of my favourite books this year. I nearly forgot to add this. The author has previously said that, and I do agree: Bad people do good things, and good people do bad things. In my book, ALMOST everyone deserves a second chance where bad choices are made, bar some things, of course.
PS: Asterisks replace profanity as per Amazon's rules.
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