Rush: The Beginning

By: L. A. Cotton

Narrated by: Sarah Puckett

Length: 5 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's Summary

An emotional, angsty, rockstar romance from the best-selling author of The Trouble with You and Wicked Beginnings.

The sweetheart of country is about to show the bad boys of rock, it only takes a single beat for everything to change.

Evangeline Walker knows how quickly everything can change.

But nothing can prepare her for the moment she meets Rafe Hunter.

Intense gray eyes.

Wicked smile.

Tattoos inked on his skin just begging to be touched. 

Those aren’t the reasons Eva should stay away from him though.

The fact he’s the bassist for America’s hottest rock band is the reason she should run and never look back.

Everyone knows the greatest love stories all start somewhere...this is their beginning.

Rush is a Black Hearts Still Beats prelude novel. Rise (BHSB: Pt. one) and Rule (BHSB: pt. two) are coming soon! 

©2019 L A Cotton (P)2019 L A Cotton

just the beginning

Wow - what a read / listen. This is the first time I've read or listened to L.A. Cotton and I hope it won't be the last! For me this was a coming of age story full of emotions. I loved how realistic this whole read / listen came thru. The characters and their dynamic is completely believable which is unusually in most famous rock star stories so that alone impressed me. The emotional rollercoaster that Eva takes us on is another compelling part of this read. I fell in love only to get my heartbroken. So vested in Eva who in some ways is so mature for her age and in other ways not...I really am hooked and I can't wait to see what's next!

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

1 person found this helpful

Oh My Heart!

This is my first book by Ms. Cotton and oh what a book! I didn’t even realize it is a prequel until after I’d finished and went looking for the next one, but I’m so glad it is. I cannot wait to read more! Ms. Cotton adds a few new spins on the rock star romance genre and keeps you wanting more.

I was introduced to Ms. Puckett’s southern drawl in this book and as usual was not disappointed. She provided a convincing southern, teenage accent for the characters and made me think of sipping sweet tea in wicker chairs on a front porch. Ms. Puckett also sings – legit sings – in this novel. I’ve read other books that had lyrics in them before, but never had a narrator take the time to put them to music and provide both the vocals and the instrumentation. It was certainly a treat and added more authenticity to the novel.

I certainly recommend this series and I hope the remaining books (and many more to come) are released soon!

I was provided with a free copy of this audio book for my honest review. The views expressed here are entirely my own.

1 person found this helpful

A Quick Listen

Evangeline Walker know how to quickly everything can change. But nothing can prepare her for the moment she meets Rafe Hunter. Intense gray eyes. Wicked smile. Tattoos inked on his skin just begging to be touched. Those aren't the reasons Eva should stay away from him though. The face he's the bassist for America's hottest rock band is the reason she should run and never look back. Everyone knows the greatest love stories start somewhere....this is their beginning.

This is novella and an introduction in the Black Hearts Still Beat Series from L.A. Cotton. Rise and Rule should be coming soon. I loved this little novella. It didn't take long to listen too and you can probably do so in one siting. It was entertaining and will have you wanting the next two books right this second. So dive in. Have a listen and I hope you like it as much as I did

I received a copy of this book from Audio Book Obsession to review.

Great Romance

All the feels and singing to boot. A promising start to this new series and the narration was superb as always with S Puckett😊

Amazing story!

I received this audiobook from Sarah Puckett in exchange for an honest review.

It took me about two chapters to get used to Sarah's voice. After I got used to her, I really enjoyed it. I look forward to book two! There are two or three songs during this audiobook and I had never read a book before that had actual songs in it, so I found that refreshing and interesting. It definitely sets this book apart from the rest. I don't usually enjoy books that have cliffhangers, but it's book one of three, so I'll allow it. ;)

Great Book

Rush: The Beginning: Black Hearts Still Beat, Book One was a great read by L.A. Cotton. Evangeline knows that everything change change very quickly. She doesn't realize how much everything will change when she meets Rafe. She knows that she shouldn't trust him as he is the bassist of the hottest rock band in America. I absolutely loved reading Evangeline and Rafe's story and can't wait to read more in this series. I loved how Sarah Puckett narrated the characters so you fall deeply for them.

Oh, my heart

This was a very emotional start to a book, it pulled on all my heartstrings, if this is the prequel, I can't wait for the next part of the book to start, I'm a huge fan of L.A Cotton and this book hasn't disappointed me.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS NEW SERIES!!!

“Music was a part of my soul, something I would never give up, but I needed to believe I was here for something more.”

What an amazing start to a new series!!! I really tried hard to savor this, but I devoured it!! I’m in love with all things Eva and Rafe!!! The emotions in this...I’m not even sure where to start.

 “Maybe there’s a reason you’re both here, at this exact same time. Maybe he’s supposed to help you heal.”

Eva has already been through so much. Her best friend, Molly, is her biggest cheerleader and partner in crime. We ALL need a friend like her. Someone who loves us unconditionally and can kick us in butt when we need it.

“Rafe Hunter had swept into my life and obliterated all my walls.”

Rafe is the bassist for the rock band, Black Hearts, and OMG I think I’m in love 😍. Since this just the prelude of what’s to come, we don’t have alllll the things Rafe yet. But I’m dying to know more about him and the band. They have secrets, but who doesn’t?


“This isn’t the end, Eva,” “It can’t be the end.”

My heart wants these two together. It won’t take NO for an answer. They are a match made in heaven. I can’t wait to see what the author has in store for us with this series!

Sarah Puckett was fantastic!!! She is the perfect Eva!!!

🎧AudiobookObsession🎧

Actual SINGING in an audiobook?! WOW!

So Sarah Puckett is a goddess. She actually sings in this audio. Like full on, there is a guitar playing and she SINGS. I knew it was coming, others had told me how amazing this was, but I didn't actually believe it until I heard it. It was just amazing. Simply the best. She tore my heart out and then stuffed it back in my chest and sewed it back together again. Sarah can ring so many emotions out of you and take the material she is presented and just make it even better than it already was.
This was a fantastic book. I typically don't listen or read a whole lot of YA/NA books, this was more on the NA side as there was some adult content, but the characters were 18-19 years old and it can be hard to relate to that age when you older than that. But because it is Sarah, I listened. And boy do I want to hear more from this series! I loved the touches that were added. Not only does Sarah sing, but there is also a male that sings a song that is done from the male POV. It was just amazing. I can't say anything more than that. Another A+++++++ performance for Sarah Puckett.
#AudiobookObsessionReviewer

A flippin' fantastic read!

Everyone knows the greatest love stories all start somewhere...this is their beginning...

This is one of the best rockstar romance reads that I have read so far...it may even be my favourite! I'm waiting so eagerly to read book one.

Excellent narration. This narrator really sucks me in from the very beginning.

Not your typical rockstar book

This book has an innocence that I love. It’s not the usual rockstar book, it is sweeter than that. I feel like this is just the beginning of something very special. Fantastic performance from Sarah. The songs are brilliant!!
#audiobookobsessionreviewer

Great narration, enjoyable story.

Sarah Puckett does a great job with these characters and their story. It was so easy to tell who is who and I love that.

Oh, oh, oh, ohhhhh. I have so many questions I need answers to now! I enjoyed the characters and the setting and I can't wait to see where the next book takes this. So enjoyable.

Loved it

I have loved everything I have read/listened to by L.A. Cotton! And Rush does not disappoint!

Evangeline is signed up for a music competition by her best friend. She needs to find her love for music again after going through an illness. There she meets Rafe and sparks fly. These two together are so cute. I loved every word!

Sarah Puckett did an amazing job narrating which isn’t surprising! Love her!

🎧AudioBookObsessionReviewer

This Made My Heart Beat Hard & Break A Little!!💔

This Made My Heart Beat Hard & Break A Little!!🎤🎸🎶💘🔥💔😭💥
Audible Audiobook 🎧
Rush: The Beginning
Black Hearts Still Beat, Book 1
By: L. A. Cotton
Narrated by: Sarah Puckett
Length: 5 hrs and 55 mins

Evangeline, Eva, has survived Cancer when so many didn't. She's suffering with a severe case of survivors guilt & struggling to reconnect with life & her religion as she doesn't understand why she lived when so many other worthy friends didn't!!💔😭 Her bestfriend Molly has been by her side through it all, along with her parents.🙏😍

Molly, with Eva's parents, have entered her into a Country Music Talent Show.🎶🎸👢 The finals, if she gets that far, are televised!😱 She hasn't touched her guitar or sang for over a year, since 'before'. 😳🙈 She wants to do it for them though, they're obviously excited about it. Molly losses her mind when it's announced that the Drummer from Rock Band 'Black Hearts Still Beat' will be a guest judge. They've recently blown up big on the music scene & are idolized by many - Eva, having been out of the loop, hasn't a clue who they are!🙈 Molly thinks it's hilarious.😂

Hudson is judging the Country competition, Rafe the Bassist is with him but staying out of sight. He sees a beautiful young woman having a bit of a melt down in a hidden area.They exchange a few poignant words. It's not the last time they'll meet & their connection will deepen to something neither of them can ignore!!😍🔥💕 They're determined it's the start of something, can it be real??

This is a fabulous opening book to this series. I really liked Eva, Rafe & Molly, in fact all of the secondary characters were intriguing!😎 The angst in this story isn't of the usual type, for this genre, it's darker, more layered & profound. I think it's likely that will hold true for the BHSB boys too!💔😥 It was a really interesting storyline with so much heart & lots depth. I'm excited to read 'Rise' in February, I hope it releases earlier though!🙏💖

I liked the narration but I did hope that it would include more than two songs!!😞 I have to be honest, that really disappointed me!😒😢

Debbie, 1970, UK

Great narration, good story

First of all, the narration was amazing, Sarah Pucket was so good, the singing was a great plus.

The storyline was good and engaging. I wasn't expecting that "ending" at all, I was like OMG, but can I have the next book now! I really really really need to know how everything is going to play. I need answers just as I am sure Evangeline needs them.
🎧 AUDIOBOOK OBSESSION 🎧

Rafe and Eva!

After all that Eva has endured, she is forever changed and no longer the carefree person she used to be. Her best friend is determined to help her regain the spirit that she has lost along the way and that means helping her rediscover her love of music.

Rafe is a successful rock musician who has a way with words whether he sings them or not. He is intriguing not only because of what we know but also because of what we don’t know. There is no denying the chemistry and connection between them and I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for them.

I received a complimentary copy of the audiobook and was impressed not only by the narration but by the musical component as well. 🎧AudiobookObsession

Rush

Heartbreaking and freeing at the same time. The strength it takes to overcome such tragic and hard situations is overwhelming in this book and the songs rip your heart out and put you back together. I absolutely loved this book and am excited to hear the next when it comes out.

#AudiobookObsessionReviewer

Too Much But I Need More!!!

Eva is shocked to find out that her best friend, Molly, signed her up for a famous country music competition. She doesn't expect to win the competition, but she decides to compete anyway. She wants to try to win the competition so she can use the winnings to help her parents pay off the debt they got in due to her battle with cancer. She finds more than she bargained for at the competition. I really adored this book. It was just so adorable. It was also humble and beautifully sad. I would give it a hundred stars if I could. There were parts I felt got a bit rushed over, but I think that's just my personal preferences. It didn't really hurt the book. I am excited to read the rest of the series. I also want to say how much I LOVE the cover! it's just so catchy! I really adored Eva. She's a well rounded and mature teenager. Her best friend, Molly, is a sweetheart too. Yes, she loves fun and loves partying, but she's so loyal to Eva. It's refreshing. I was on the fence about the two rock stars. There was one character I didn't like, but I would like to have seen more of him in the story. There was conflict there, but it seemed to fall a little flat. At least it did to me. Sarah Puckett narrated this book. I can't gush over this narrator enough. I plan to become a narrator myself one day. If I'm half the narrator she is, I will be blessed. She's just so talented. She has a way to bring the story more to life than it already is. She can suck any reader into the emotions of the story and make them feel like the story is surrounding them and enveloping them like a thick blanket. She's absolutely amazing! This story is a prequel to a upcoming Black Hearts series. I really loved it. I think it's a great start to a series. I can't wait to get into the rest of the series to see if they are as amazing as I feel they are. I've read a few other books by this author. I'm pretty sure they will be and that much more!

Emotionally charged!

What a story! I love it! There is something about rock bands that make me sing(pun intended) and this one is a lot of fun. Evangeline is a high school student, recently in remission and is struggling to get her life back to normal. When her best friend enters her in a singing competition, she takes it on hoping to win, but what she gets is so much more. Rafe is part of the Black Hearts Still Beat, and his band mate is a judge for talent show. Rafe is unexpected, yet when he begins showing interest and friendship is formed, Eva can't help but give into the attraction the two have. What is so good about this book is it gives a good background of these two. There is a lot that has happened in there lives, and it definitely reflects in who they are. We also get a glimpse of the other members the band. Cotton has a great style of adding a little angst to her romance and it makes the story tug at your heart strings, and will leave it singing in the end.

Sarah Puckett gives a wonderful performance narrating this gem. She even performs a couple of songs showing her talent and versatility! She is the master of the angsty listen, and I love how she can pull me in from the beginning and just make me feel everything. I love her interpretation of this story and can't wait for the rest of the series.

Rafe... he’s kind of a jerk!!!

Evangeline, only 17 (almost 18), has had a very hard year! She beat cancer, but it left scars. Both physical and mental. Her best friend enters her into a singing competition, hoping it will bring her back some of her happiness. Evangeline goes into it hoping to win the money so she can pay her parents back the money she feels she owe them for her medical costs.

While at the competition, she meets Rafe, a member of the Rock Band, Black Hearts Still Beat. They spend time together and she falls for him.... and the story goes from there!

What happens when the Sweetheart of Country, Evangeline, and one of the bad boys of rock are attracted to each other??? What happens to Evangeline, does she win the competition and help her parents??

I promise you that if you take the time to listen to this book, (I’d say read it... but... hello... Sarah Puckett.. nuff said!!), you won’t regret one minute of the time you spend with it! The story is good!!! Very good. Not surprising to be because it’s LA Cottons writing. Sarah Puckett does this book justice in the very best way!!

What are you waiting for!?!?