ARC Review: In the Lyrics by Nacole Stayton

In the Lyrics is the first book that I have read by Nacole Stayton, but it won't be my last. I wasn't prepared for all the emotions this book had me feeling, but I am so glad that I read it. This book really had me on an emotional roller coaster that had me smiling and laughing one minute and then wanting to rage and cry the next. This book was so good, and yet there were times that I was ready to pull my hair out in frustration. Colby and Hensley really got my attention though, and I had to keep reading to see how everything would turn out.

Hensley has always wanted to be a singer. Because of her circumstances and growing up with a mother who sacrificed a singing career to have her, Hensley has always kept herself from letting anyone in. The only exception is her gay best friend Dusty, who also wants a music career. When Dusty gets a new roommate, Hensley instantly feels an attraction and connection to him. Colby moved to Nashville in order to pursue his dream of singing, and love was the last thing on his mind. Hensley goes out of her way to be rude to Colby and try to make it appear as though she has no interest in him, but Colby can tell that it's an act. Dusty refuses to let her use that as an excuse to push Colby away though when he knows that Hensley likes him. Hensley apologizes and her and Colby end up spending time together. They grow close really quickly and fit together like they have never experienced with anyone else. Hensley begins to let her walls down, and soon Colby and Hensley are together. For the first time in her life, Hensley begins to dream of more than just a career in music. But what happens when the opportunity to have their dreams gets in the way of their relationship? Will either of them be willing to sacrifice their dream for a chance at a future together, or is there a way to have their careers and each other?

I loved Colby. Talk about a perfect book boyfriend, everyone needs to read about Colby. He is sweet and kind, patient and loving. He is an all around gentleman and treats those around him with respect. I loved everything about him, but especially how he was with Hensley. He was so understanding with her, and allowed things to move forward at her pace. I liked that he was always there for her and supported her unconditionally. I really can't say enough about how much I loved his character, and a few sentences would never do him justice. Trust me, you need to read this story if for nothing else Colby alone. Hensley on the other hand really frustrated me. I liked her and thought that she was determined and strong. She had been through a lot and was pretty single minded. A lot of her issues though came from her parents and things that were beyond her control. She really made some moves though that were selfish and awful. I couldn't believe how she treated Colby and Dusty for awhile in the story, and it absolutely broke my heart. I really wanted to hate her, and for awhile I did. But she ended up winning me over again in the end. Colby and Hensley's love for each other was clear, and I thought that they were really great together. They had amazing chemistry, but also they connected in a way that they couldn't with anyone else.

Overall, I loved this story. The reason I got so irritated with Hensley is because it was so obvious how much she cared about Colby and he cared about her. It's understandable that she made some bad decisions though considering her age as well as the fact that she had grown up with only one goal in mind. Its not an excuse for her actions, but it does explain how she made the choices that she did. I really loved Colby and I also really liked Dusty. I thought that they were both really great characters, and I love how they became such good friends also. This book had me experiencing many ups and downs, but in the end I was really happy with how things worked out. I think that this is a great story about two people who have an undeniable connection who found each other at a really young age and were not prepared for the feelings they were having. I loved reading their story and seeing how they were both thinking and feeling as they figured things out though. I love that this story was in dual POV, and I think it really helped the reader connect with both characters. This story had me so emotionally invested, and that doesn't happen very often. I really cared about what would happen with Colby and Hensley, and I knew that these two had to end up together. I highly recommend this story if you are looking for an emotional read about true love overcoming any obstacle. Colby and Hensley are worth the read, and I am really glad that I took a chance on an author that I hadn't read before. I look forward to reading more from Nacole Stayton in the future.

**ARC provided by Inkslinger PR**