Falling North

<img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1587676564i/29345573.jpg" width="400" height="500" alt="description" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br><b> <i>“Do you know how hard it is to watch someone take a punch for you? To go hungry so you can eat? To shiver so you can have the one blanket? I’ve spent my entire life watching him suffer to protect me, and I …I can’t do it now. Not again. Not for her.”</i> </b><br><br>Falling North by Alyson Santos was an emotional and raw story of two brothers who have grown up under horrific circumstances only to find their escape in music. Starting a band and trying to break through is their sole purpose in life and only path. Music is both therapy and the escape they need. Alyson Santos writes with such conviction and an effortless hand when it comes to the tortured rock star. Her rock stars are compelling as they truly come alive in the pages.<br><br><b>‘…it’s not just an urge to hug him I’m fighting. No, I want to completely break him open and consume him until his mind, body, and soul are mine. I want every single breath that forms him, so when his gaze suddenly lifts and finds me hovering, my pounding heart detonates in my chest.’</b><br><br>Xander is our leading man but he comes as a package with his brother Matty, who is the one person that Xander fiercely loves and protects. As it has been their entire lives; first whilst growing up in Brazil then when moving to the US. Whilst Matty is the lead singer, Xander is the true leader of their band; the drummer and songwriter. Expelling his inner demons through song lyrics. He’s an artist, a poet, a master wordsmith and a musical genius. He’s also broken from the heavy burden of their shared past, the mental health of his brother and being the sole provider. The only love he knows is what he feels for Matty and whilst he’s loved in return, more than he truly realises, he craves the love of a good woman. Especially the woman who leaves a deep impression in a fleeting moment yet becomes a huge part of his life. Xander stole our hearts and our tears. His story was intense and so incredibly emotional we felt his pain and frustration. We fell in love with him and his words.<br><br><b>‘I’ve spent my entire life holding up a fractured universe. Protecting those who deserved it and those who didn’t. Playing the martyr with no hope of ever finding peace, ever having the freedom to take a clean breath…I’ve been falling north for twenty-seven years. I don’t even know which way is up.’</b><br><br>Lydia is out to prove herself, her tenacity, her skills and her knowledge as a musical marketing guru. Despite her family connections Lydia works to achieve her goal in life through her own hard work, relying on no one. She’s a formidable character, a strong woman who works hard and is comfortable in her own skin with the knowledge that you have to work for what you want and go for what makes you happy. Whilst not one to rake risks she doesn’t let the chance of happiness, love and success slip between her fingers. Especially not when she’s hired to promote the profile of the newly signed Falling Back North.<br><br><b> <i>“The music exists in another place. You can go there any time, under any circumstances. Your eyes can be swollen shut, your stomach empty. It doesn’t matter. You can drown out even the loudest screams, external and internal. And when you get to go to that place with the only other person who matters to you…you create a bond strong enough for others to feel it too.”</i> </b><br><br>This is the second book in this series of standalones and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Alyson Santos writes a great tortured rock star romance which fills you with every emotion she successfully conveys through her words. We do wish it had delved a tad deeper into the past so we could have experienced it first hand in order to truly feel that hopeless desperation of Xander and Matty, Also we wish we’d had more interaction with the other band mates in order to form that full connection. However, the music element was spot on and we felt that incredible rush of anticipation and hunger when the band took to the stage. It’s a rush and so spine-tingling good!<br><br><b> <i>“Accept your story and recognise the beauty that came out of the pain. Fucking embrace it. Be proud of the shithole that made you so no one can hurt you with it again.”</i> </b><br><br><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1587676564i/29345574._SX540_.jpg" width="500" height="300" alt="description" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br><b>Available to purchase below<br><a href="https://amzn.to/2Y1czkc" rel="nofollow noopener">Amazon US</a><br><a href="https://amzn.to/2x6x5oE" rel="nofollow noopener">Amazon UK</a></b><br><br><b>Come and say hi, at:</b><br><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1552004656i/27170373._SX540_.png" height="150" alt="description" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><b>✲ <a href="http://totallybookedblog.com/" rel="nofollow noopener">TotallyBookedBlog</a><br>✲ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/totallybookedblog/%20" rel="nofollow noopener">TBB on Facebook</a><br>✲ <a href="https://www.instagram.com/the_real_totallybookedblog/" rel="nofollow noopener">TBB on Instagram</a><br>✲ <a href="https://twitter.com/TotallyBooked1%20&lt;/b&gt;" rel="nofollow noopener">TBB on Twitter</a><br>✲ <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/totallybookedb/" rel="nofollow noopener">TBB on Pinterest</a><br></b><br>

I am always completely in awe of Alyson's enormous talent. It's obvious that she has extensive musical knowledge as she conveys that in her enriching, intelligent and unique writing. Her characters are humble, genuine, selfless and bring such emotional depth to her stories. To say that I'm a fan of her work would be an understatement. I absolutely love it! She is one of my go-to authors and when one of her books drops on my kindle, I immediately clear my schedule to curl up and get lost in her words.<br><br>In Falling North we are introduced to two brothers with a troubled past trying to create a name for themselves in the music industry. Not having full creative rights to their songs has taken away from their unique sound, which hasn't helped their success. So Turner Music sends in Lydia Carmichael, a respected marketing specialist, to help save the band. After some rebranding, things are finally looking up until ghosts from the past reemerge and threaten their success.<br><br>Xander and Matty's story was heartbreaking, but together they were able to get through anything. Their bond, love and devotion to one another was absolutely awe-inspiring. And Xander and Lydia had an immediate connection and chemistry that was off the charts. This slow-burn story is packed with so much emotion and sexual tension that I was furiously flipping the pages while squirming with anticipation. This is one journey that you simply do not want to miss. Five stars and more for Xander, Matty, Lydia and Falling North!<br><br><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1533847614i/26103131._SX540_.jpg" alt="SIGNATURE_JPEG" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy">

I'm just going to go ahead and say it, Xander is mine. We all know that I have been in love with Jesse from Limelight for years, but he might have been surpassed with this one. From the first chapter, the first look between these two, I was hooked on them. You could actually feel the connection jump off the pages into your heart. I can't count the amount of times my heart soared and my stomach had butterflies while reading this book. <br />Xander and Matty are brothers with a troubled past trying to make it in the music industry. Turner Music is charged with getting them on the map. Enter Lydia, the girl Matty is seriously crushing on. She is going to help their band, Falling North, become a household name. Unfortunately, the bigger they get, more ghosts from their past reemerge and threaten their success. <br />This book has heart, it has soul and it has depth. The connection between Xander and Lydia is instant but fighting demons is hard, especially the ones in your own mind. You definitely don't want to miss their journey.

I fell in love with Alyson Santos's writing when I read my first book by her: <i>Rising West</i>. It was a no-brainer that I'd be back for more where that came from. And once again - the writing completely swept me off my feet. I don't know what it is about her writing style - but it sucks me in immediately and keeps me compulsively turning pages - heart, soul, and brain all fully engaged. <br /><br />I loved this story! <br /><br />I love the concept of this series - they're interconnected but solidly stand alone. Each story seems fresh and unique. <br /><br />The chemistry between Xander and Lydia sparked immediately - I loved their banter and their sassy, sexy meet-cute. I didn't always connect with Xander's choices (honestly, he left me feeling exasperated sometimes) but I adored his loyalty and the enormity of his love for his brother Matty and how that left him tortured, bearing the weight of the world on his shoulders and how that impacted his choices and the consequences of those choices. I think I might have liked to have seen a little more of that ferocity of emotion extended toward Lydia. There were times I didn't connect as much with their situations. But then their storyline would swoop and twist and suddenly there I was, breathless and starry eyed over their sweet, desperate connection. <br /><br /><i>Falling North</i> is a rockstar romance that reads more like a family drama. That is - it's not necessarily a typical rockstar romance. The family dynamic seemed to take the spotlight - which isn't a complaint. I loved that there are no cliches here. There is a fair amount of angst, and some tear-filled moments. But in the end I could not be more happy with the way the story played out. Well worth the ride! ~ Shelly, 4 Stars

Alyson Santos continues to wow in the second book of her Turner Artist Rocker series with Xander and Lydia’s story. Even though each story stands alone, the very best songs come with a full chorus.<br /><br /><i>Falling North</i> is a perfect title for this book, and the author eloquently sets out all the reasons why within its pages. <br /><br />Xander writes the music and is the drummer for Falling Back North, a rock band sitting on the cusp of stardom. Along with Matty, his younger brother who’s the lead singer, and their two cousins, they make up the band members. The brothers have been through hell on earth since early childhood and are just now beginning to find a better life although still confronted with struggles. But when they meet Lydia, the beautiful, determined and talented young woman hired as the band's promoter -- the best is yet to come.<br /><br />There’s plenty of angst and drama that ignites when the brothers unknowingly first lay eyes on the same girl. Now don’t go getting all-fired up thinking this smells like a triangle – because it’s not. These guys are admirably aware of each other and what’s real and what’s not. The bro code is everything between them and they each prove it over and over. Hold on to your heart because there’s no doubt you’re going to fall head-over-heels in love with the Silva boys!<br /><br />The instantaneous connection between Xander and Lydia is palpable and unbreakable, even as hard as Xander might otherwise try. Their emotional feelings took a direct hit to the heart from the get-go. No turning back even though the road might get a little bumpy along the way.<br /><br />And you can forget about feeling sorry for Matty because this guy has his own irresistible and magnetic pull. He’s wickedly handsome, funny and is quite capable of tooting his own horn loudly and proudly. Nobody’s keeping that boy from living life to the fullest. And I hope that he’ll get his own book and soon! <br /> <br />Poetic, poignant and sensual, this story overflows in a soul-searing angst-fest from start to finish. Santos bountifully delivers another edgy, sexy and captivating novel. <br /><br />My only disappointment is that the author didn’t quite take the closure far enough, particularly in regards to one disgusting and irredeemable character. There’s insinuation – but not fully set out and that bugs me.<br /><br />Otherwise, you’ll find that this band and all its members show up to: <br /> <br /><b>STRIVE – THRIVE – SURVIVE – ARRIVE</b><br /><br />If you’re a fan of rock star romances, this one gets a loud and noisy standing ovation. <br />

**<i>Falling North</i> generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.**<br /><br /><b>5 <i>"...told you from the beginning..."</i> Stars</b><br /><br />I absolutely cannot get enough of the slow burn, rock star romance books from Alyson Santos. For each new character brings emotional depth, great charm, and undeniable vulnerabilities to her beautiful stories. Her beautiful gift of writing cultivates a true kinship between character and reader establishing a connection you feel from beginning to end. <br /><br />In <i>Falling North</i> Santos offers a new kind of scenario for her rockers: two brothers trying to create a name for themselves in the music industry while simultaneously outrunning their many demons. Our main, male protagonist, Xander Silva, will leave you in awe. He's a brilliant blend of complex, tortured, and beyond loyal while full of love and little hope. His presence in this story stays with you long after the end - he's what true "book boyfriends" are made of. His counterpart in the female lead character works wonders for the chemistry and structuring of this story. Her confidence, attitude, and understanding will have you loving her. <br /><br />The familial and friend connections in this book also really make it shine off from the pages. Santos has made a family story out of this book too which works so well for what these characters need in their lives. It's angsty and tough but full of overwhelming light and engaging romance creating a solid connection to these characters. The Turner Artist Rocker series and <i>Falling North</i> having quickly landed on my favorite rocker romance list. I highly recommend to all romance lovers.

<img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1518286298i/25037394.png" width="300" height="200" alt="description" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1587676564i/29345573.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="description" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br><b> <i>“Do you know how hard it is to watch someone take a punch for you? To go hungry so you can eat? To shiver so you can have the one blanket? I’ve spent my entire life watching him suffer to protect me, and I …I can’t do it now. Not again. Not for her.”</i> </b><br><br>Falling North by Alyson Santos was an emotional and raw story of two brothers who have grown up under horrific circumstances only to find their escape in music. Starting a band and trying to break through is their sole purpose in life and only path. Music is both therapy and the escape they need. Alyson Santos writes with such conviction and an effortless hand when it comes to the tortured rock star. Her rock stars are compelling as they truly come alive in the pages.<br><br><b>‘…it’s not just an urge to hug him I’m fighting. No, I want to completely break him open and consume him until his mind, body, and soul are mine. I want every single breath that forms him, so when his gaze suddenly lifts and finds me hovering, my pounding heart detonates in my chest.’</b><br><br>Xander is our leading man but he comes as a package with his brother Matty, who is the one person that Xander fiercely loves and protects. As it has been their entire lives; first whilst growing up in Brazil then when moving to the US. Whilst Matty is the lead singer, Xander is the true leader of their band; the drummer and songwriter. Expelling his inner demons through song lyrics. He’s an artist, a poet, a master wordsmith and a musical genius. He’s also broken from the heavy burden of their shared past, the mental health of his brother and being the sole provider. The only love he knows is what he feels for Matty and whilst he’s loved in return, more than he truly realises, he craves the love of a good woman. Especially the woman who leaves a deep impression in a fleeting moment yet becomes a huge part of his life. Xander stole our hearts and our tears. His story was intense and so incredibly emotional we felt his pain and frustration. We fell in love with him and his words.<br><br><b>‘I’ve spent my entire life holding up a fractured universe. Protecting those who deserved it and those who didn’t. Playing the martyr with no hope of ever finding peace, ever having the freedom to take a clean breath…I’ve been falling north for twenty-seven years. I don’t even know which way is up.’</b><br><br>Lydia is out to prove herself, her tenacity, her skills and her knowledge as a musical marketing guru. Despite her family connections Lydia works to achieve her goal in life through her own hard work, relying on no one. She’s a formidable character, a strong woman who works hard and is comfortable in her own skin with the knowledge that you have to work for what you want and go for what makes you happy. Whilst not one to rake risks she doesn’t let the chance of happiness, love and success slip between her fingers. Especially not when she’s hired to promote the profile of the newly signed Falling Back North.<br><br><b> <i>“The music exists in another place. You can go there any time, under any circumstances. Your eyes can be swollen shut, your stomach empty. It doesn’t matter. You can drown out even the loudest screams, external and internal. And when you get to go to that place with the only other person who matters to you…you create a bond strong enough for others to feel it too.”</i> </b><br><br>This is the second book in this series of standalones and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Alyson Santos writes a great tortured rock star romance which fills you with every emotion she successfully conveys through her words. We do wish it had delved a tad deeper into the past so we could have experienced it first hand in order to truly feel that hopeless desperation of Xander and Matty, Also we wish we’d had more interaction with the other band mates in order to form that full connection. However, the music element was spot on and we felt that incredible rush of anticipation and hunger when the band took to the stage. It’s a rush and so spine-tingling good!<br><br><b> <i>“Accept your story and recognise the beauty that came out of the pain. Fucking embrace it. Be proud of the shithole that made you so no one can hurt you with it again.”</i> </b><br><br><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1587676564i/29345574._SX540_.jpg" width="500" height="300" alt="description" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br><b>Available to purchase below<br><a href="https://amzn.to/2Y1czkc" rel="nofollow noopener">Amazon US</a><br><a href="https://amzn.to/2x6x5oE" rel="nofollow noopener">Amazon UK</a></b><br><br><b>Come and say hi, at:</b><br><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1552004656i/27170373._SX540_.png" height="150" alt="description" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><b>✲ <a href="http://totallybookedblog.com/" rel="nofollow noopener">TotallyBookedBlog</a><br>✲ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/totallybookedblog/%20" rel="nofollow noopener">TBB on Facebook</a><br>✲ <a href="https://www.instagram.com/the_real_totallybookedblog/" rel="nofollow noopener">TBB on Instagram</a><br>✲ <a href="https://twitter.com/TotallyBooked1%20&lt;/b&gt;" rel="nofollow noopener">TBB on Twitter</a><br>✲ <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/totallybookedb/" rel="nofollow noopener">TBB on Pinterest</a><br></b>

*** ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review. ***<br />Alyson Santos is definitely one of my favorite storytellers ever, writing about tortured souls that always conveys emotion to another level, straight to the guts, sincere and real, melting with music so perfectly.<br />Even if I finally landed after this emotional rollercoaster ride, about two brothers who finally had made it, a second chance after everything they’ve been through.<br />I felt this heaviness in my chest, Xander’s story utterly moved me from the beginning until the end. Each chapter was an honest, gut wrenching thought when the main characters bared their souls. Throughout the story, the pieces started to be assembled, showing the good and the bad, their aspirations and fears.<br />Xander and Lydia were such amazing characters. A selfless man who almost raised his brother alone and endured so much. It’s always been he and his brother against the word, with a chance to shine and not falling this time. A second chance of a better life and future. <br />There was so much at stake and when their past would ruin everything they’ve been working for, that was how the darkness would take over. An authentic personality with a strong stage presence, charismatic like an exhilarating experience, sharing their music with full heart and soul.<br />Lydia came into his life like a ray of light, warming and tempting but so forbidden. I appreciated that woman’s strong personality, finding the right angles and respecting the artists they worked with. I liked that she was going for what she wanted without shame and meaning and value.<br />Let’s just say that it’s going to be a slow burn, sexual tension between these two adding another layer to this incredible connection they shared. <br />The back and forth was smoking hot and making every moment turning into longing, passionate times but nonetheless more than physical, connecting their two souls. When the music came, it emphasized a thousand times more the characters' feelings, revealing the things they couldn’t express sometimes.<br />Alyson Santos’ writing went straight to my heart, lyrical, moving and exploring deep down in every character a tough battle, sometimes very stormy, completely and transparently.<br />Also it was a beautiful and powerful story about survivors and people who never give up in achieving their dreams. <br />As you might guess, I loved every single moment. I can’t wait to read more about this series!

Omggggg!!!! Rising West was so amazing and now Falling North is PERFECTION! So sexy, so emotional... I am SO in love with Santos’s words ????

5 Star Review of Falling North (A Turner Artist Rocker #2) by Alyson Santos<br /><br />From the first chapter to the last I was enthralled with the story that Alyson Santos told. Her writing is strong and her characters have a depth about them that I appreciate. This is Xander Silva and Lydia Carmichael’s story and oh what an amazing story it is. <br />Xander and his brother Matty have issues and personal demons that need to be faced. It is these actions that form the basis of a story that will draw you in and have you totally invested. <br />Their troubled relationship is also complicated by the fact that they have both fallen for Lydia. Ms.Santos is not afraid to take the readers on a deeper journey and to tackle hard issues.<br />The connection between Xander and Lydia is intense and you can almost feel the air sizzling with the attraction that lies between them. <br />Can Xander and Matty overcome the ghosts of the past, come to terms with their history and in turn make a success of their blossoming music career? Or will the past that has haunted them put an end to Xander and Lydia’s relationship?<br />Falling North is an emotional roller coaster of a read that will get to you on many levels. The writing is strong and I loved that the characters are flawed, they are human, they have issues and I appreciate that as it adds an additional layer to the story.