Played by the Rockstar

A Laugh Out Loud Rom Com Escape! (Mile High Rocked, Book 1)

By: Christina Hovland

Narrated by: Stella Hunter, Zachary Webber

Length: 6 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's Summary

A rock star walks into a bar....

Certified behavioral counselor (and former band groupie) Becca Forrester needs a break. Taking a leave of absence from her job, she moves into the apartment over her parents’ garage and clinches a gig waitressing at a dive bar known for bringing in big name musicians.

Cedric “Linx” Lincoln is a certified rock star. Bassist for the hugely popular rock band Dimefront, he’s in Denver while the band is on hiatus a-freaking-gain. He's looking for something - anything - to keep him occupied until they can all get back to making music. When he saunters into his friend’s bar, he finds the perfect diversion.

Becca’s presence is a breath of fresh air. The sizzle she ignites in him is precisely what he needs. Bonus: no-stress, no-strings hookups are his specialty. But when things between them tip toward serious, his band implodes, and Becca's leave of absence ends, they’re forced to decide what their “real” lives should look like. Maybe there’s room for an encore....

©2021 Christina Hovland (P)2021 Christina Hovland

Funny and Sweet

Played By the rock star was such a cute read! It was funny and sweet, and I just genuinely liked it.
I was lucky enough to listen to the audio version of this, and let me tell you, it’s wonderful! I certainly have a thing for Zaracry Webber’s voice, so I knew I would like it, but the way both he and Stella Hunter performed was amazing. Their performance made an already great story even better!
Normally characters like Becca annoy me a little. I am pretty type A, so reading about someone who is on a break from life seems crazy. However, I have to say Becca’s character was written in a way that, for the most part, didn’t annoy me. She had a decent head on her shoulders, and other than a few parts at the end, I enjoyed her. Linx was the perfect rockstar god. He was terribly cute. I loved his interactions between him and his cat, as well as his family.
The story was pretty predictable other than a few twists that seemed more a setup for the next book in the series than adding to this book's plot. I did enjoy seeing Becca and Linx grow into their relationship. Though I would have liked a little more buildup to their relationship. I felt like they were more into each other for artificial reasons.
This was an enjoyable read that made me laugh out loud in a few places. I will certainly read the next book in this series!

Such a Great Story!

This was exactly what I needed to get out of a book slump! The story was laugh out loud funny with lovable characters and a sweet ending. Stella Hunter and Zachary Webber do an amazing job bringing this book to life. You will not be disappointed diving in with Linx and Becca!

Interesting but slow start

It was an interesting and fun story but there was a bit of a lull at times. Zach Webber and Stella Hunter did a good job with the narration with Zach pulling off the most humorous part involving Babushka.

Fun & Sexy with a bit of Gibson...

Biker Bar. Rock Star. Reformed Groupie. What more could you want.

Listening to this book brought me lots of smiles and laughs! I enjoyed the banter between Linx & Becca... And just hearing about Gibson was entertaining!

Linx is trying to figure out what to do with himself while his bandmates figure out what they are planning for themselves. This leaves him searching for more and looking at his future.

Becca is taking a break. From work. From stress. From what she has been for so long. But at the same time, she is staying away from the happy groupie vibes that she once found. But can she find a new world with the man who has been off-limits???

Linx & Becca are learning to be themselves and find a new understanding of themselves.

I love the new beginning... Friends first... Discovery... This was my first book by this author and it caused me to add more to my TBR!

While the story was great, it was even better listening to Zachary Webber tell it to me! His voice draws you in and was truly SEXY!

So much fun. Great rom-com with more Babushka!

Christina Hovland has delivered another laugh-out-loud romcom with heart, heat and everyon'es favorite grandma, Babushka!

Played by the Rockstar is a romance between two people that are both at crossroads in their life, and are trying to figure out their path forward. Cedric "Linx" Lincoln is a rock star whose band is on hiatus, and it has him questioning what he wants, where he goes next, and how to have the life he wants. Becca Forrester is a behavioral therapist that is questioning her drive and ability to provide therapy to her patients without losing a piece of herself. They meet up in Denver through a mutual friend, and their connection just can't be denied.

Linx is such a soft and loving soul, which takes Becca by surprise. From their first meeting, they just can't seem to deny how attracted they are to each other, and how happy they make each other. And just like other Christina Hovland romances, the sparks fly, the dialogue is sharp, witty and entertaining, and humor abounds. Plus, Babushka, the meddlesome grandma from the Mile High Matched series, makes a hysterical appearance.

The audio, narrated by Stella Hunter and Zachary Webber, is amazing. It's a great listen with tons of heart, humor and heat, and Christina's words are delivered with spot-on narration in the hands of these two first-rate narrators.

Fun listen

I love rockstar romances; I just think they're so much fun. This story was no different. I loved getting to know Linx and Becca through this story. There were so many laugh out loud moments in this, but there were also sweet moments. It was a really good balance to me.

The narration was absolutely stellar. Zachary Webber and Stella Hunter really brought these characters to life for me. I honestly could listen to these two all day.

This was a fun listen that I will definitely come back to!

Entertaining

This is a good story. You want to know what happens next. Not a cliffhanger but you just want to know what else is happening with these characters. It almost ended too soon.
The narrators knocked it out of the park. We know we LOVE Zachary Webber!!! This was my first time for Stella Hunter. I loved her, too!! Well done!!
I'm going to listen to it again soon. Just because.

Wonderful rock star love story!

This is my first book from this author and I really enjoyed the story. Even though it wasn't the first in the series, I didn't feel like I needed to read the previous books to understand what was going on.

Becca has moved back to Denver to take a vacation from her life. While there she starts waitressing at a bar that's frequented by rock bands... and especially her favorite band.

While working, Linx who is the bassist for her favorite band Dimefront starts coming to the bar and it becomes nearly instantattraction to each other.

The whole story is wonderful and I honestly can't say is my favorite part was the discussion Becca and her friends had to sit thru with her mother (omg that would be so embarrassing!!) Or the "party" at the retirement home!!

The story has a bit of everything in it... and I enjoyed listening to the audio book. Both narrators did a fabulous job. Only thing I really caught is a couple of times very British words were used that threw me off.

I recieved an ALC for my honest review.

Love Linx and Becca

Linx is a bassist for a rock band on hiatus, and Becca is a therapist on a life vacation. They meet at a bar that is owned by his former band manager. Becca works there as a waitress while she takes her life vacation and figure out her next step from there.

What can I say…their chemistry is explosive and hot, their families are hilarious, they get into crazy situations and Linx is the heart of the band. I definitely appreciate how he fights for who and what he loves.

Zachary Webber and Stella Hunter narrated the audio version, which I had the pleasure of getting an alc of. Each of them is a favorite of mine on their own, but I did like listening to them together for this book as well. They both have believable qualities when they narrate.

This was the first book that I read from Christina Hovland and I look forward to going back and reading through her catalog.

Enjoyed

I always enjoy listening to a story by Christina. Bonus to also include Stella and Zachary. Was a nice way to sit back and enjoy my day off of work. Her stories come alive from the first page. I like to go into a story blind and not give too many details. I hope you also enjoy this story.

Great listen

I have enjoyed this very much. Becca taking a break from her demanding job, Cedric/Linx taking an unwelcome break from his job as a rockstar....walked into a bar. I lived Becca's kind, down to earth attitude and Cedric's kind heart. Oh and the terror that is Gibson! This is a lovely, slow burn romance which is also funny and sweet.
Both Stella Hunter and Zachary Webber are excellent narrators and bring both the story and the characters to life. Fabulous 💖💖💖💖💖

Smooth talkin' rockstar

What an absolute delight Played by the Rockstar was. Christina Hovland really brought the humor to the forefront here. I could barely stand the situation with Gibson throughout the story. I don’t think I’d ever been so shocked into laughter before. Cedric, I feel the name Cedric fits this cat-loving man with a large heart and a fierce determination for his passion more than Linx. I think Linx was his pre-Becca name. I love his determination though. Cedric has come to a brick wall in his life and he needs to figure out his next move. Here comes Becca putting his life into perspective for us. We should all have that person that quiets our minds. Becca might help Cedric but feels like her life is spiraling out of control around her. She’s no longer happy with her previous goals.

The narration by Zachary Webber and Stella Hunt was great. Of course, if you’re an audio lover than you know Mr. Webber can channel his male counterparts flawlessly. He has this strong and gruff kind of voice that you could see singing in a rock band. He’s also playful and serious. He covers a range of emotions with just his voice… that is surely a talent. Then we have Stella Hunt playing Becca’s part. Becca is slightly quirky and fun. To come from such a serious and stressful position, she plays a lot. Her and Cedric’s have an enjoyable banter that really transfers to their voices. I enjoyed the narration a lot. The duo isn’t just fun, oh no, these two are scorching hot when put together.

5 ROCKING STARS⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

PLAYED BY THE ROCKSTAR
BY CHRISTINA HOVLAND
NARRATED BY ZACHARY WEBBER & STELLA HUNTER

I really enjoyed this book as there was no broken Rockstar just a Cedric a frustrated guy whose band mates just can’t get their shit together which forces the band into a break.Cedric enters a bar where Becca Forrester works after taking a break herself from a career as a Therapist. It’s instant attraction and off the scale hotness they just can’t deny and so it’s a very hot book but alongside this you will have some laugh out loud moments from the older characters in the book. This book is fabulous and made even better buy the amazing narration from Zachary Webber and stella Hunter. This was my first book from Christina, I’m already lining up the next one.

Fantastic and funny!

Every time I listen to Christina Hovland, I am treated to a wonderful romance and a hysterical story. I can't even say how many times I laughed out loud! This is the first in a spin off series of the Mile High Club and Hovland has a winning tune! It features Linx(Cedric) and Becca. These two meet at a bar, and immediately we have combustible chemistry. A fan of his band, Becca knows who he is, but isn't your typical fan girl. She is not looking for long term and for the time being Linx is good with that. And from there we laugh and fall in love with this couple. But I have to say, the scenes with their families are the ones that stick in my mind. I was cracking up with Becca's mom and her pop rocks and the surprise visit by Linx's family. And we can't forget Babushka. Always filled with sage advice, she brings levity to the story. I loved Becca's no nonsense look at life and her psychological evaluations and techniques. And Linx is just a sweet, man that is impossible not to love despite any flaws. This is a #1 hit in my book!

Stella Hunter and Zachary Webber are fantastic together. I love this team and their voice compliment each other. Their comedic timing is spot on and the emotions there when needed. I loved this performance and cant's wait to see what happens in book 2!

Adequate

The story and writing are sound. The characters are spoiled by the gauche archness that doesn't otherwise fit with the persona.
There is clean sexy and dirty sexy; the author seems confused in her chosen direction.
As a reader, Stella Hunter is good. Zachary Webber has a lovely voice to listen too, but his reading lacks vitality. I actually found him comforting that he sounded like being read to by a friend. He has unpracticed breath control.