Strings

Vixens Rock #2

by Marie Lipscomb

She wants no strings, he wants to be bound.

When Jordan finds she has a crush on her bandmate she knows she needs a distraction. Fortunately, the moment she lays eyes on a handsome stranger, she can’t look anywhere else. Étienne is gorgeous, thickset, confident, and magnetic and has the kind of face she wants to spend half her life kissing, the other half sitting on. But Jordan swore she would never fall for another musician, and Étienne is set to join Vixen’s Wail as a guest vocalist.

Étienne has no intention of being a consolation prize. After rejecting her no-strings proposition, Étienne finds he and Jordan keep being drawn together, trying to navigate rehearsals and recordings while fighting their growing desire for each other.

But when their relationship is put to the test, they must learn to trust each other, or watch their new found love unravel.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Adult, Music, Fiction

290 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 7, 2021

About the author

Marie is a romance and fantasy author with a penchant for unlikely heroes, fantastical creatures, and finding romance in the midst of chaos. She has a particular fondness for big, squishy, cinnamon-roll heroes, especially if they're beardy.

She was born in Bolton, in the North West of England. After getting a bit taller, she attended The University of Cumbria, confusingly located in Lancaster, UK.

She studied Drama as her major, but needed to take a minor. In a spectacularly on-brand move, she left it to the last minute to look into things, and creative writing seemed the easiest choice (hahaha!)

Eventually, she realized drama was not for her, but loved creative writing. She went on to study creative writing at a postgraduate level and just never stopped setting herself homework.

Marie now lives in Virginia, USA, with her husband, Jacob, her dog, Alfie, Jacob's dog, Belle, and Merlin the bearded dragon. When she's not writing, she can usually be found playing the same three video games on a loop (*cough* Dragon Age)

Reviews

[Anniek · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm quite literally inhaling this series, these books are so good!

[jamadoria reads Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

This ARC is so deliciously binge-worthy!! It's sexy AF, sweet as your favorite donut, and makes you laugh aloud. The characters are so well developed that they feel like real people who you wish you knew in real life. Having experienced stage fright as an actor, I found Étienne's anxiety attacks completely relatable. To start the book, Jordan had a bad experience with an ex-boyfriend, so she is understandably keeping men at a distance to avoid being hurt again. She spots the cute guy on his own at her friend Finn's wedding reception and looks to make a move to get her mind of the thought that she should have seen how great a guy Finn was until he was getting married to someone else. When their encounter goes pear-shaped, imagine her surprise the next day when she meets the guy auditioning for a guest singer spot in their band to find out it is Étienne!

Watching this couple fight their attraction to each other while maintaining a professional relationship is what makes this such a binge-worthy book. I highly, highly recommend it! I can't wait to read the rest of the series, because the first two are such fantastic reads.

#spoilers

[Brenda Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the series brings Jordan and Etienne's story. The author does a great job developing the story and pulled me in with all the emotions coming through the pages. She gives them a strong connection and I loved watching them come together. It's well written with perfectly painted scenes and moves fluidly. It's a beautiful love story and I enjoyed reading.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Rachel Bowdler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love escaping to this series when I just need a bit of romance in my life. Étienne and Jordan had a beautiful, heartwarming, steamy love story and I loved getting another plus-size, soft cinnamon roll love interest to fawn over. The books are just a delight to read and I’m looking forward to jumping into Amped next.

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I devoured this book in one sitting this afternoon. I'm so in love with all the members of Vixen's Wail and hope that we get to see them hit it big. I appreciated the author's content warning at the beginning of the story. Jordan and Etienne's path to love was rocky but so worth it in the end. Super steamy, well written and fun. I cannot wait for the third book in this series! Sounds like it might be grumpy sunshine and that's one of my very favorite tropes.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have thoroughly enjoyed all the books in the Vixen series but this one might be my favorite.
I will say the first chapter had me a little worried, but I’m glad I pushed through. I love how the author writes about her characters larger bodies. Lush and unapologetic. Can’t wait for the next one to come out.

[Jessi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to my dear friend, Kiki, for bringing this book/ series to my attention!
This is the 2nd in the series, but works as a standalone and I read it first. I read it all in one day because I couldn't put it down.
This book starts with MC Jordan at a wedding, and she starts feeling a bit adrift. She decides she wants to hook up with a sexy party guest she sees across the room. While they have an instant spark of attraction, she won't tell him her name and he isn't down for a one-night stand. So, they both leave feeling unsatisfied.
When her failed hookup shows up to audition for her band shortly thereafter , Jordan does her best to resist. She still feels a spark with Etienne, who now knows her name, but she has been burned by dating a band-mate before and is resistant to giving him a chance now.
This book gave me all the feelings. I love that both MCs are plus size and their curves are not just appreciated, but celebrated. It is STEAMY. I can't wait for book 3 to come out later this month!

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in a series of standalones, about members of a band who are thisclose to making it big!

Jordan is the cellist in a symphonic metal band called Vixen's Wail. She has sworn off ever dating anyone in the band again, after a disastrous relationship with a controlling, jealous guitarist years before. But when some new songs, written by their drummer Finn (the hero of book 1), require another singer for duets, they find a guy to audition. Too bad it's the guy she rudely, drunkenly, hit on the night before at Finn's wedding. Yikes.

Etienne is a vocalist and front man, but he's currently without a band. His last band performed at weddings and events, and he was able to make a living at it (barely), but it didn't exactly light him up. When he gets stood-up at a wedding, where he doesn't know anyone, he's mortified. Then, he meets the groom, who offers him an audition, and he thinks things are looking up. But, the woman he turned down the night before, even though it killed him to do it, is in the band, and both of them are embarrassed. This, unfortunately, leads him to a case of stage fright, that he's never experienced before in his life. He's not sure if he can be in a band with her, even if it is short-term.

Etienne and Jordan had blazing chemistry, and what they each needed between the sheets was like a lock-and-key fit for each other. I loved watching them figure out what worked for them, and how soft and sweet Etienne was in respecting Jordan's initial boundaries, which were due to prior bad experiences. They were really perfect together, and watching them fall in love was a delight. Etienne is only 5'5", so he and Jordan are the same height, and that was a very unique set up between the main characters, I thought! Also, this hero was gone for the heroine from the start, and that's my favorite thing!

The other Vixens are all great side characters here, but especially the lead singer, Mia. She is an awesome friend to Jordan in so many ways, and I really appreciated their bond. Finn of course was a DELIGHT to see again, and he is also a great friend to Jordan, and then to Etienne as well. The villain here was a real bad dude, and I dreaded the blowup with all that, which ended up happening as I was afraid it might.

I love that this author's characters are mostly larger people, and it makes things between them seem so real and relatable. I'm really enjoying this series, and I'm very much looking forward to book 3, which will be a grumpy/sunshine trope!!

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher. This review is my personal opinion, voluntarily given.
Reviewed by Megan from Romanced by the Book

[Ru · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5-4*

There was a lot to like in this story, especially in Étienne, whose sexual charisma and confidence both on and off stage, combined to great effect with his sometime stage fright and his quotidien money anxiety.

The tension between him and Jordan was fantastic too, right from the off and with a satisfying amount of frisson as the story went on. The femdomme aspects were also excellent, and something that attracted me to the story in the first place.

I also loved the sound of the band, and would adore to see them perform live!

What I struggled a lot with though was the big misunderstanding and lack of communication that made up the Bleak Moment. While Jordan's initial actions were still very sympathetic, the depth everything went to, the involvement of her friends and the quick resolution seemed almost....nonsensical to me? I quite like a good angst ridden misunderstanding but this was frustrating and confusing! Big spoilers in tag:

Jordan's abusive ex and Étienne's unpleasant ex band member are, unknown to them but easily guessed by the reader, one and the same. When fairly deep into their relationship Jordan sees her Bad Ex leaving Étienne's house, her only conclusion was that Étienne was deliberately trying to hurt and abuse her. Despite knowing that she has never told Étienne who her ex was, and there being so, so, many possible reasons for two people to know each other, Jordan is stuck assuming the worst of Étienne and just completely ghosts him. I did actually find her actions pretty sympathetic esp as a reading of someone who was still struggling with trauma from the Bad Ex. But it was bizarre to me why her friends just immediately agreed and rejected Étienne without a word to him, and without any attempt to talk about it with Jordan and work through her reactions. Then the resolution was just to laugh it off immediately and have sex? I felt like Jordan's reactions were logical as a response to her trauma from her ex, but then the resolution felt too quick and underdone, and comparatively if it was supposed to be a misunderstanding that could be laughed off then it was massively overdone at the start. Either way sadly it remained something that I found spoilt my enjoyment of the final 20%

Additionally the Bleak Moment also highlighted to ne how alone Étienne was in terns of friends, and even at the end I felt the Vixens were primarily Jordan's friends and if they had any fall outs in the future then I didn't see Finn and the rest giving him much support.

Despite my reservations about the Big Bad Moment, I did enjoy all the buildup and development of their relationship and especially the delight taken in the sensuality of the characters' bodies, and I'll be looking for the next in the series too.

*I received a free ARC from Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review*

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful

Jordan is a member of Vixen’s Wail and while attending Finn’s marriage to Beth she suddenly sees him in a new light and develops feelings. In an effort to ignore those inappropriate feelings she drinks a little too much and when she meets Étienne at the bar, she flirts. But he isn’t interested in a one-night-stand, and also isn’t going to have a tryst with someone while they’re drunk. Imagine his surprise when the band he got an offer to sing with is the same band Jordan plays cello for!

I really adored this book, and especially the way Étienne respected Jordan’s boundaries and they navigated consent. Jordan had dated a former bandmate and so swore off dating anyone in the Vixen’s again because of how explosive and violent Danny got afterwards, but with a limited timeline until a particular gig, she thinks she’ll be safe to have a secret relationship with Étienne.

I adore the way Marie describes her fat characters because they’re fatness is allowed to just exist, but they’re also described in a way that it’s obvious their partner sees them as desirable. It’s so lovely to see fat bodies described in a way that feels accurate and sexy, but not fetishistic.

My biggest qualm was the way the big conflict was handled. The actions made sense in the context of the story, but I wish the choices made had been different because it felt similar to Rhythm in the way it was running off with hurt feelings with only half the information. This was especially frustrating in the sense prior Jordan and Étienne had such good communication going, and then lack of communication became the big conflict.

That ending, though, made me melt into a puddle of happiness! It’s so sweet and adorable and precious, and I love the relationship that Jordan and Étienne have been able to build. I’m very excited for Amped and continue to love Marie’s books. If you’re in the mood for something tooth-achingly sweet with moderate angst and fantastic friendships, you should absolutely check this book out!

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strings is the second in the Vixens Rock series by Marie Lipscomb. It can be read as a stand-alone, but I do recommend reading book one, as it’s also a fun read with unique, lovable characters with larger bodies that (largely) don’t deal with shame for it.

I really liked both Etienne and Jordan. Both had complexities and vulnerabilities to them, as well as a surprising six-degrees-of-separation-type of connection twist that was really well executed to test them. I could empathize with Jordan’s heartbreak that made her jaded, and also liked that the complex, messy feelings of liking someone you can’t have, from her insistence on not getting involved with Etienne due to him having become Vixen’s Wail’s vocalist, to the questions around her maybe-crush on the recently-married Finn (the hero of the last book).

I really loved how Etienne was interested in Jordan almost immediately, in spite of her not making the best first impression with her drunken flirting. I did waffle a bit on the conflict, as some of it did feel recycled from the first book with it being based primarily on issues of communication.

I love continuing to spend time with the members of Vixen’s Wail, and hope we get stories for each of them. It’s wonderful to see how they all support each other as friends, while also making their way in the music industry.

This is a delightful second book, and I’m glad the third isn’t far behind. If you love rock star romance or romances featuring fat characters in a positive light, I recommend picking this up.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ally · Rating 4 out of 5]

So first of all, I love Love LOVE Marie Lipscomb's storytelling and diverse MCs, and Strings was no exception. I adored Jordon and Étienne. A curvy, plus size cello goddess and thick, short king front man making music and finding love together? Yes please!

And the PINING. They want each other, but Jordon doesn't mix business with pleasure and Étienne would never do anything to make her uncomfortable. He is just SO SOFT and the way he knows his heart belongs to her SO fast. Urgh.

Étienne lets Jordon set the tempo for their relationship from the start, both emotionally and sexually, which she needs and he craves. They just fit perfectly into each other's lives and it's lovely.

I also loved that we get to see a lot more of Finn in Book 2 and get to know more of the band. And that Finn was like "don't be an idiot, talk to each other" when The Big Misunderstanding occurs, though he could have said it a bit sooner and saved everyone a lot of heartache.

(I didn't love that it felt like Étienne apologized profusely but Jordon never did, when she was the one who assumed the worst and ghosted him first. And like, I get that it would have been a shock to see him with her terrible ex—who happened to be his ex-bandmate—but also...I would have liked to see her apologize because Étienne deserved one. Especially because it wasn't just her who thought the worst of him after that—the whole band did.)

All in all, this was another fantastic installment in the Vixens Rock series, and I seriously can't wait for the next!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mary Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the nicest thing about Strings is the commitment Jordan and Etienne have to one another. They’re gobsmacked from the moment they meet, and that helps them address the external and internal challenges they face. It’s hard to justify a relationship when you’re both in the same band, considering the way the emotions can mess with band dynamics. And Etienne’s a new singer with Jordan’s band, a temporary hire for a gig. But they don’t realize a mutual connection from their pasts has the possibility of jeopardizing their future.

I really liked both Etienne and Jordan—she’s a confident musician who’s been scarred by bad relationships. Etienne is her balance: he’s confident in his personal interactions, but insecure in his abilities as a musician since he hasn’t found a steady gig the way Jordan has. And I really liked that Etienne challenges the romance-hero stereotype: he’s about five-and-a-half-feet tall and stocky. That Jordan responds positively to his size and shape is a reminder that we should have romance heroes of all shapes and sizes in the same way we see that for romance heroines.

The conflict in Strings is telegraphed early, but it’s one that slowly grows over the course of the book. The fact is that the strings of their past intertwine Etienne and Jordan in unexpected ways. Seeing them work that out to their HEA makes this a rewarding second entry in Lipscomb’s series about the band members of Vixen’s Wail.

[Rmz24601 · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Spoilers*

Meet Etienne. A short, chubby vocalist, stood-up by his date to a wedding, rubbing the last of his pennies together, staring down the barrel of a soul-sucking desk job to make ends meet. Wobbling between confidence and insecurity, he scans the crowd and sees...

Jordan, a cello-playing goddess, unlucky in love and singed by a crap ex-boyfriend turned stalker. She swears never to date a bandmate again, but when Etienne joins the band and sets her loins to aching, we pretty much all know how this story is going to end.

And oh boy, is it fun to read the slow burn of lust and attraction between these two relatable characters. Well-paced with enough of a pay-out to make the yearning worth the wait, Lipscomb's novel hits all the right notes for someone looking for a fun HEA with the tiniest sprinkles of angst offset by hot sex and fluffy action. While no one would mistake this for a great literary work--the characters are as predictable as the plot--it reads like comfort food for the mind, a reliable, if pedestrian treat.

[Kailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Spoilers*
This is the second novella from Marie Lipscomb about the band members of Vixen's Wail and I enjoyed learning about Etienne and Jordan (also Etienne is a one great name for a romance hero). They had chemistry after Jordan met him at Finn and Beth's wedding, only to learn that they were going to be bandmates for an upcoming festival. While I enjoyed the story, I did struggle with the conflict. As much as I like Lipscomb's writing style, this is the second book where the conflict has been almost identical and could have been resolved with a mature conversation. I understand that tensions are high in romance and people don't always make mature decisions but it was very similar to the first book. Other than that, I always love the diverse body types in her books and look forward to seeing her work in the future.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[L H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jordan and Etienne are attracted to one another. Each sees something they want in one another but each wants the other on their terms. Jordan wants no strings and lots of fun and she wants to be in charge. Etienne wants connection and to let someone else take the reigns. As they dance around their attraction to one another on their way to finding their beat with one another, each has to work through the issues that they deal with independently to make a go as a couple. She has had bad relationship drama that makes her hesitant. He is confident personally but needs to get confident in his performance. They are good for one another as they both have room to grow and heal but can blend their strengths and be a stronger we than the sum of their individual selves. I like this body positive series. It is inspiring.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Melissa Fengári · Rating 4 out of 5]

*spoilers* (maybe)

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review

This book was so sweet! I'm bad at naming some specific tropes so I don't know if it's a slow burn or not, but there was plenty of "I don't know if I should but I want to" prior to them getting together. He was so respectful of her past trauma, and thr trust they built up between eachother was just so perfect. Consent everywhere!

I loved the members of the band, I loved how their relationship was so casual and comfortable right away-- from her "casual goth" status to his "casual submission" people don't have to be into extremes to enjoy what they enjoy, and it was just so real. But don't think that means it was boring! There was drama and hot sex all over! I powered through this in about half a day without even trying, definitely a compelling read.

[Caroline Doig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this second book of this series it can be read as a standalone but I believe that you would get more enjoyment out of this one if you read book 1 Finn I loved that story too and this story is about Jordan and Etienne. Jordan is in the band Vixen’s Wail she’s lonely and all she wants is a one night stand but she’s cautious about giving herself away too easily. Etienne is at Finn’s wedding alone he was stood up but he meets Finn and gets a chance to go for an audition as a vocalist, Etienne meets Jordan but things don’t go over too well. When Etienne goes for the audition he meets Jordan again and things are tense between them. There is so much more going on in this fantastic story I loved it and the characters and I highly recommend this book it’s definitely well worth the read.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve always crushed on Jack Black, so I was primed to love Strings’s Étienne, who was loosely based on him. What I loved more was Marie Lipscomb’s excellent representation of Jordan’s ongoing recovery from a toxic relationship, enthusiastic consent, realistic body portrayals, and one of the sweetest male leads who swaggers on the outside while dealing with his incapacitating insecurity on the inside.

If you’re looking for a feel-good HEA with healthy relationship and friendship goals and a delightful toe-dip into kink, this is the one for you.

CW: The antagonist does some online creeping/stalking on Vixen’s Wail’s message boards.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Connecting . . .

Jordan doesn’t want any relationship with a bandmate due to a bad experience in her past. So when she finds a stranger she would be interested in, she approaches and is rejected. Now Étienne, her stranger, is set to join Vixen’s Wail as a guest vocalist to help with a duet.

I enjoyed how Etienne was actually interested in Jordan almost immediately, even though her being drunk was not a good first encounter. Would they pursue a relationship after all, once they got to know each other and still felt that connection?

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 4th book I've read written by Marie Lipscomb; I can’t wait to read more of her books.

This is the 2nd book in the Vixens Rock Series; it is a stand-alone book. She has written a good book. Jordan is determined to never get involved with another musician but then she meets Etienne; she wants a no-strings relationship but he rejects her offer; they keep getting thrown together and while trying to fight the attraction to each other.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shannon Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just the last few paragraphs alone will make you go awww. But that aside, the rest of the story is great. I enjoyed the character growth they both go through. It was also fantastic to see a male MC who is sexy, charismatic, and bold yet is a romantic and sexual submissive as well. It’s not often that male subs are portrayed as strong men.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Geraldine · Rating 4 out of 5]

*ARC REVIEW*
I loved reading about Etienne and Jordan's relationship. They have a refreshing relationship you dont see in many romance novels. Etienne was amazing and definently book boyfriend material. I liked that he wasnt afraid to let Jordan take the lead which was also exactly what she needed.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the feels

Wow, I loved this. Something about the intensity of the emotions where are at just the right level for me to tear up during the tough bit. The miscommunication came across as realistic given the situation and the aftermath hit me in the feels. And besides that, love that they’re both fat and love their dynamics.

[JLH · Rating 5 out of 5]

intense and intriguing encounters that Jordan and Etienne have come off the page. From her offering one time to him end up being the new singer in the band she is in. Resistance and overwhelming they are together and seen desolate apart. no cliif

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kathy Mccalmon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 2 in the vixens rock series. It will take you on an emotional roller coaster ride. Some scenes are intense and may cause triggers.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kat Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read. Lots of chemistry and steam between these characters. I could not put it down. I will read more by this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Courtney Michaels · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The author has a distinctive voice which is maintained all the way through the text. Jordan is a relateable female MC, and her hesitancy in romance after her previous relationship makes perfect sense, but this is really Etienne's story. It is a pleasure to see a novel that emphasises vulnerability in a male MC - Etienne is such a teddy bear of a character from a reader's perspective, its so important to see his inner narrative and the way his self-esteem affects his journey. The two characters together balance each other beautifully. And the little teaser for the next book in the series hidden in there only makes me more eager to read it!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The writing draws you in and keeps you involved throughout the whole story, I found myself in love with not only the characters but also the world that was created. The descriptions of the characters and their feelings are so involved, you can truly picture it in your mind.

[Renée Dahlia · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's funny how a great story matters more than style. Normally I can't focus with present tense - it tends to stop my brain relaxing into a story.

But this story is fast and fun and energetic and thoughtful and I loved it.