Books & Spoons Review for UNWRITTEN by Rachel Lacey

The first book in Rachel Lacey's sizzling new Rock Star Duet, where the only thing brighter than the glare of the spotlight is the power of love.

Pop sensation and Hollywood star Katherine Hayes has worked hard to maintain her squeaky-clean image. But with nude photos going viral on the internet, the ensuing smear campaign threatens to ruin everything.

A chance meeting with a handsome college professor—who’s adorably clueless about her identity—is a rare break from the stress. But when shocked recognition dawns in his eyes, her survival mechanism kicks in. She can’t simply let him walk away to add grist to the rumor mill.

Josh Randall has already loved and lost his soulmate. Yet when he witnesses Kate in a vulnerable moment, he can’t deny the pull between them. Even though he believes down to his bones that true love doesn’t come twice in a lifetime.

A no-strings fling sounds like the perfect solution. But Kate never expected Josh to see the woman hiding behind the celebrity—or that the paparazzi would catch on to their sizzling passion so quickly. Making it hard to keep their tangled emotions from tearing their hearts apart when it’s time to say goodbye…

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A beautiful, emotional, and realistic story about the life in limelights, troubled childhood, loss of a loved one, and mostly, about opening your heart and falling in love despite the challenges it will create. 
Rachel Lacey's beautiful writing pulled me into this tale that was real, emotionally raw, and vastly entertaining. 
Obviously, I know nothing about the pop star lifestyle in reality, but the world the author created was authentic and realistic to me. It was stressful yet rewarding, challenging and demanding at times, luxury and splendor in few fleeting moments.
Josh Randall was easy to like and relate to. He is a kind, sweet, caring man, a college professor who has traveled the world and worked overseas. His family is important to him, dating and romance not so much. After losing his soul mate, the one he planned to build a life with from a young age, he didn't believe there would be love in the cards for him again. Compared to Kate's life, Josh might be the 'regular guy', but there is nothing boring or regular about him. He is fun, smart, cultured and educated. He can take charge when needed, he is protective, romantic, just all around a solid and attractive, the kind of man it is nearly impossible not to like him, or fall head over heels for him.
Katherine Hayes, aka Kate, has worked hard and relentlessly to create the world of fame and success she lives in. Coming from nothing to be the pop sensation has been everything she has focused on since her early twenties. But beneath the surface, it is all about survival, secrets, and enduring the pain of rejection and betrayal by those who are supposed to love you the most. 
The connection between Kate and Josh is true, sweet, and passionate. I loved how the relationship is built over time, how they are first friends before lovers even comes a possibility. It is a challenging relationship filled with drama and turbulence, because of who Kate is and what Josh has had to overcome. Neither of them is perfect but they are so perfect for each other, it took my breath away. 
An entertaining story that made me smile, sigh, and even laugh out loud. It was easy to get lost in the world created with the intriguing characters, the charming romance, the adorable fans, and the fascinating world of fame and glamour, and even the ugliness that comes with jealousy and greed from people surrounding you. There were also heartwrenching moments from the pain and betrayal, from the angst and torment of the nightmarish wounds from the past.  
With five parts to the book, it felt like a saga of the legacy that is Katherine Hayes, a fascinating, poignant, and engrossing tale. An exciting start for the new series, that I am looking forward to!
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side

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Rachel Lacey is a contemporary romance author and semi-reformed travel junkie. She's been climbed by a monkey on a mountain in Japan, gone scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef, and camped out overnight in New York City for a chance to be an extra in a movie. These days, the majority of her adventures take place on the pages of the books she writes. She lives in warm and sunny North Carolina with her husband, son, and a variety of rescue pets.

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