Of Heartbreak and Harmony

The Hometown Heartless

De: Brit Benson

Narrado por: Stella Hunter, Stephen Dexter

He burned me once.

This time, I won’t be the one consumed by the flames.

Torren King is rock-and-roll’s broodiest bachelor.
Mysterious, moody, and coveted by nearly everyone.
But to me, he’s just the sad boy who set fire to my heart,
then reduced me to ashes in the desert.

For four sweltering nights, I burned for him,
and he conquered my heart one whispered lyric at a time.
But on the fifth night, he shattered me in the way only a flawless rock god can:
irreparably, and with devastating finesse.

Four years later, the last place I expect to be is sitting before him,
reading through a contract with a pen poised in my fingertips.
A favor for a favor, he says.
A US tour and a fake relationship in exchange for the answer to all my problems.

I hate him. I hate that I need him.
And what I hate the most?
He doesn’t remember me. At all.

But despite the burning chemistry between us,
the rapidly blurring lines and the suffocating attraction,
He’s still the rock star who ruined me.
I refuse to let myself forget.

***

Of Heartbreak and Harmony is the second standalone in The Hometown Heartless series.

It has a guaranteed HEA.

It is not necessary to read Between Never and Forever before listening to Of Heartbreak and Harmony.

However, this book DOES contain spoilers for Between Never and Forever, and understanding of relationship dynamics and character backstories is enhanced by listening to Between Never and Forever first.

A full list of content warnings can be found on the author's website.

©2024 Brit Benson (P)2024 Brit Benson

Excellent

Another Hometown Heartless win! Callie and Torren were an excellent match and their storyline was interesting and engaging. I struggled a little bit more than the first in the series with the past-present switches. I kept asking myself “is this in the now or then?” (Yes, I realize chapter openings set the scene, but with long chapters I’d lose track). But overall, very much enjoyed.

🖤🖤🖤🖤

Of Heartbreak and Harmony is a delightful treat all on its own, but if you want a VIP pass to the character backstories and all those juicy relationship twists, dive into Between Never and Forever first—this story picks up a few months after its epilogue!

When Callie and Torren’s paths unexpectedly crash together, sparks fly, and he can’t help but be enchanted by her charm. So, when he needs a fake girlfriend, she’s the obvious choice! Even with a few unresolved feelings about him and his rockstar life, Callie can’t resist the siren call of joining them on tour for this PR stunt.

Oh, the tension and angst are off the charts! I loved the characters and how their romance simmered and bubbled over time. Plus, seeing all the members of The Hometown Heartless made my heart sing! I’m on the edge of my seat for Jonah’s story, which I bet will be a rollercoaster of emotions!

And let’s talk about the audiobook—oh boy! The duet-style narration is like a front-row seat to their emotional concert. I felt every exhilarating high and gut-wrenching low, thanks to the incredible performances by Stella Hunter and Stephen Dexter. Bravo!

Duet, and have tissues ready!

Audible took it to a whole different level, I don't know how Brit does it, but she chooses the best narrators for her stories! Every chapter was amazing, you could feel Torren confused initially not being able to pinpoint Callie, then when he could, the jealousy he felt, you could feel Callie and her pain, her lust her heart. Listen my heart was shattered then put right back together, Brit writes or puts out in audible and it's an automatic click for me, even without knowing what it is about. Do yourself and listen to this duet audio, you seriously won't be disappointed even for one second. The spice was spicing once it got there, this is a well worth slow burn

Astounding!

"Let me play your bass notes..." 
 never thought that these words by Torren Effing King would touch me so deeply. We met Torren before and I confess I wasn't impressed. He was in a very toxic relationship with his bandmate, Savannah Loveless, of The Hometown Heartless, but we get to see a whole new side of the handsome and charismatic rockstar. 
This story goes back and forth in time in a span of four years. There's a stalker situation going on involving the band and Torren needs to make it publicly clear that he's moved on and is in a relationship with someone other than Savannah. 
Enter Callie, whom he met in the funniest of meet cutes involving a dog, also named Torren King. Well, he thinks it's the first time they met, but she's oddly familiar. When the paps mistake her for his new love interest, an idea pops into his mind - she'll pose as his girlfriend and keep the stalker away. But he'll remember that he did indeed meet Callie before... and he will never want her to leave.
I was floored by Between Never and Forever and I thought nothing could beat that story. I was wrong. I devoured this audiobook in one sitting and I loved every single minute of it. 
Narrated duet style by Stella Hunter and Stephen Dexter, this one is a joy to listen to. Stella shines as Callie (as a young, starry-eyed fan and as the jaded fake girlfriend) and Stephen Dexter will melt your ears with his incredible performance. And there is music! Kudos to Juno Cooper and Zachary Webber for the perfect words and music for Firebird. AMAZING. 
You don't have to listen to book 1 but if you do, you have a better understanding of Torren and the expletive used between his first and last names change meaning from ”*insert bad word here* to "swoon worthy". Trust me. You'll love to be caught in the mess that is The Hometown Heartless. I can't wait for Jonas's story!
Oh, and "sharing is caring"...If you know you know... ;) 

Let me play your bass notes, Firebird.

Thank you, Brit Benson, for this book. Thank you, Stephen Dexter and Stella Hunter. You helped me live Torren and Callie’s love. Not many duets are perfect. This one really felt like it.

The Hometown Heartless attracts all sorts of crazies. Due to one of those, Torren needs a fake girlfriend who can draw their attention elsewhere.
It should be fine with Callie, especially since she can’t stand him and needs the money, but with their past… It's complicated.

The first time they met was four years ago at a music festival. There was something different between them even then. But he broke her heart, and if she lets him close, he’ll do it again. Especially since he doesn’t remember her.
So it has to be fake. Except it doesn’t feel like it, especially when they finally explore the connection that’s always been there.

Stephen Dexter is Torren in every way. In the way Torren falls for Callie and how he’s wanted her for so long, in his protective streak, his support, his reassurance even—especially—when things go sour. His fear broke me.
Stella brings Callie to light. The heartbroken girl who lost everything but still rolled with the punches to help her family. Her insecurities, her jealousy, her unawareness of what they are and where they stand.

Callie’s initial hate of Torren and his longing for her are much more obvious in audio. I fell in love with them all over again. With their story and its twists and turns, with how much they want and how hot they burn for each other, with the steamy scenes that incinerated my earbuds. With their pain, desperation, and finally happiness.

These two narrators brought tears to my eyes when they showed me Torren and Callie won’t allow themselves to be kept apart again. Whatever comes, they can lean on each other and come back stronger every time. “Let me play your bass notes,” had me crying. IYKYK.

Nothing about their love story is common. They have the kind of love that brings light into the darkness. The kind people write songs about.
And the song they wrote... it's perfect.