The first book in this series left me wanting more and now #2 has done the same! I can't wait to see where book #3 takes us now! I say this everytime but L.A Cotton has slayed again with this book! The connection that Eva has with all of the band, but especially Race and Levi, is brilliant and very well written. I have really loved this Black Hearts Still Beat journey so far and I really hope that they all get their own book eventually, as their is so much more to delve into! Especially Levi

A perfect beginning that starts pretty close to where the first ends and keeps going non stop until the end. The progression of the friendships and more with the band and “country” grows slowly and yet their bond is so tight towards the end. I’m glad we have a semi happy ending with this book but I really need the next to know what happens. The narration is done really well.

***I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.***
Rise by L.A. Cotton is the second book in the Black Hearts Still Beats series and picks up right where the last book left off. We see Eva returning to the stage with the rock band Black Hearts Still Beats and former lover Rafe. If you’ve read the previous book you will know how their relationship ended and partially know why. Eva has signed a contract to tour with the band and the book takes us on a journey of what it is like to be thrust into the limelight as well as balancing her relationship not only with Rafe, but also his older brother, Levi (and the issues he has) as well as being in the public eye.

Eva is such a sweet, lovely character and you are certainly rooting for her throughout the whole book and at times want to smack both Rafe and Levi across the head (those boys need to get themselves sorted). Eva knows what she wants and she’s certainly fighting for it in this book and it was really good to see her make a decision which was good for her, regardless of how difficult it was to make.

If you like your rock stars hot, in full-blown angst with some sweetness thrown into the mix, then this is a series for you. This was a great second book and I recommend you go grab your copy now!

Rise: The Interlude
Black Hearts Still Beat, Book 2
By: L. A. Cotton
Narrated by: Sarah Puckett, Michael Norman Johnson

If you want a series to pull you in and keep you completely captivated, this is the series. This second installment of the Black Hearts Still Beat is not only entertaining, but begins to cultivate real life issues in a way that is truly evident in our society today. Eva is the warm up performer for the Black Heart Still Beats and as the new and upcoming country sensation that she is, there is a lot of buzz. She is still taken with Rafe, but she is hands off to the band members. The chemistry between them sizzles. Levi finds her intriguing too. And there are secrets, and we all know how that will end. This is a fantastic book. I love Eva! She is a force to be reckoned with. Not only is she a survivor, but she holds a love and patience that most do not have. Rafe is hard to get a read on because of the secrets he holds and the progression of Levi for me is what truly fires this installment. I am loving the dynamics and the plot, and can't wait for the next book!

The narration of this story is wonderful! I love Sarah Puckett and she portrays Eva perfectly. All the emotions that go through Eva are felt and we even get a song! Michael Norman Johnson is amazing as Rafe. He holds himself close to the heart and we are able to sense this in his narration. A couple of songs are a treat for us too! Looking forward to more!

Take a bow

Eva is rocking it, country style. She is on tour with the one who got away. Actually, she's on tour with the one who ghosted her. Tension is thick. Lust levels high. Drama is right around the corner.

Life on a rock tour is nothing you can prepare for. Rise is a bucket of longing, need, and hope. It's sides are opaque so you miss the things clinging to the sides...Die Hearts, clingers, and jealousy are a sludge dirtying up the water. Secrets and and untold stories are the baking soda lurking at the bottom and when the vinegar gets added...

The bubbling up and then resulting overflow leaves the reading clutching for someway to hang on. The tempest isn't over. The torment is just beginning but Black Hearts Still Beat.

"Eva was my own personal version of hell, taunting me with everything I wanted and could never have."

"But we weren't just Rafe and Eva. We were Eva and Black Hearts Still Beat. We were Eva and Rafe... and Levi. And nothing about that was simple."

Rise, is the second book in this rockstar, small town romance series and continued where it ends on book one. Eva has decided to go on tour with the band in order to help her parents. But will the tour be more than she signed up for? Will Eva be able to moved on from Rafe or it will get them more closer than before?

What I loved about Eva is that after a life changing event in her life, she still stayed as sweet but with enough steel in her spine to pursue her dreams. I liked that she has a good relationship going on with the rest of the band and the guys protect her. I loved the love triangle vibe of the story and I really fell for Levi. As I went through the book, I got to know the story behind the Hunter brothers personalities. I was so hooked into the story and a bit concerned when the other shoe will fall, and my heart broke. The way it ends, I can't wait to read the final book.

The continuation of Rafe and Eva’s story was awesome. There was so many questions left unsaid with the first book and in this story we learn so much more but are still left wondering what will happen next. I did enjoy how Eva became a part of the band and had them at her back. I was a little unsure about her friendship with Levi because he became intensely obsessed with her and needed her when his mind would spiral out of control, but it was nice to see she had friends and could help Levi. Rafe, even he he tried hard to fight his attraction to Eva and was insanely jealous of her friendship with Levi, he accepted a lot but he couldn’t fight the love he had for Eva and it’s clear to see they are made for each other. Secrets and guilt cause some issues between the band and Eva, but I was happy with where it left off and I’m dying to know what will happen from here and how will they all handle it.

Eva and Rafe's story continues with Rise. The first book did a great job giving us the background of Eva, and how she meets Rafe. Rise take's things up a notch.

L.A. takes us behind the scenes of the BHSB tour where Eva and Rafe have to learn to live around each other. Eva is still hurting from the last time she saw Rafe. Rafe is dealing with the fallout from choosing his family over the girl he has fallen for. Levi, Rafe's brother, has the chance to continue his fascination of Eva that we experienced towards the end of Rule.

The heart and soul of this book is Eva. She brings such a goodness to a group that banded together out of their traumatic pasts. She has a pull that is hard to ignore for the group that has never experienced such light. Will Rafe and Eva fall together or fall apart? You have to read it to find out. TRUST ME you NEED to read it to find out. :)