Review: Running with Scissors by L.A. Witt

****4 Stars****

 

 

I'm a bit on the fence about this one as there was just something lacking, I really didn't like some of the side characters who just annoyed me to the point of wanting to slap them especially Conner and the story was a bit off leaving me asking so many questions. That said I did like the two main characters. I am a big fan of L.A. Witt and love her books usually but this one not as much as others.

Jude is living a miserable existence in a job he hates after walking away from his childhood dream of making it big with his friends in the band they formed while at school until he gets a call asking him to come and help the band out. And you know I was just annoyed from the off at Jude, his situation, the attitude of the band manager and bandmates towards him. It just didn't sit well that Jude we were to believe was a musical prodigy but slipped into a life as a cubicle dweller just because things didn't work out with his first band. And the attitude of his so called friends towards him really just annoyed the hell out of me, I was seriously just wishing he would walk away again. As both of the fallouts for the band centred on a relationship between band mates falling apart the rule is no more relationships between them.

However Jude is determined to put past mistakes behind him and make amends with his friends by doing his best for the band though the tensions lead to a few arguments along the way and this is the part of the book that made for difficult reading as it wasn't the usual angst but an uncomfortable tension, though kudos to the writer in conveying that so well. His friends are still not ready to forgive him for walking away especially Conner with whom he had a relationship that led to him leaving. He becomes friends with AJ the drummer that replaced him who is glad of a new face in the band and pretty soon it becomes apparent that there is an attraction between them both.

As the current tour concludes and they start on making a new album Jude and AJ eventually give in to the attraction and it was the highlight of the book to see them just enjoy being with each other as they made a great couple. Before long though they are back on tour and try to keep their relationship under wraps but as the stresses of the band once again kick in their relationship is discovered. And Jude is once again the one that is supposed to make sacrifices of his own happiness to appease his selfish friends, I was just angry.

Eventually, they all come to realise that compromises and sacrifices have to be made and friendships and relationships may just be more important than chasing the dream of making it big. And once they start to communicate they realise they can work through the tensions and move forward together to achieve their dreams.

 

Reviewed by Vikki Ryan

 

Synopsis

 

Eighteen months ago, drummer Jude Colburn made the biggest mistake of his life when he walked away from his band just as they were on the brink of success. Now, he’s got a second chance. The band’s bassist just quit, and Jude plays bass almost as well as he plays drums. The other band members aren’t thrilled, but they are desperate.

Running with Scissors needs him, but there’s one condition: no hooking up with bandmates. That’s what ruined things eighteen months ago, after all. Jude’s on board, but no one warned him about the drummer who replaced him. A.J. Palmer is shy and unassuming . . . until he hits the stage. He gets Jude’s attention from the first beat, and suddenly that “no hookups” rule isn’t so easy to follow.

Keeping secrets on a tour bus isn’t easy either, and it’s only a matter of time before the band catches on. When everything hits the fan, Jude has to choose: a second chance at the career he’s always regretted leaving, or a shot at the man of his dreams?

 

Buy Links:

Amazon UK

Amazon US

 

Connect with the Author:

Facebook

Goodreads