Play For Me (Balefire, #1)

by Tam Derudder Jackson

[Nadz@Totally Addicted to Reading]

Everything about this book called to me. The cover, it features a musician, and it’s a second chance romance. The author may have new to me, but it didn’t matter. I am always on the lookout for new authors.

Play For Me by Tam Derudder Jackson is the first book in the Balefire series. It introduces Jack Whitehorse and Clio Barnes. Jack and Clio were high school sweethearts. Clio was Jack’s world, and the only thing that came close was his love of music. Clio’s parents didn’t approve of their relationship. Therefore, to remove him from her life, Clio’s father offered Jack what he thought was the opportunity of a lifetime. Naively Jack accepted and in doing so unwitting pushed Clio from his life.Fast forward five years later Jack is the drummer for Balefire, one of the hottest bands in the country. Despite achieving his dream, he felt incomplete, as the girl who owned his heart was not by his side. Can he convince her to give him a second chance?Despite its predictably, I enjoyed the story and spending time with some characters. I say some, because they were a few I found contemptible, for instance, Clio’s parents. Anyway, let me not digress.

Jack and Clio made a great couple. However, their biggest issue lay in their failure to communicate. I could emphatise with them as teenagers, but as adults I wanted to shake them a time or two. Jack had every opportunity to come clean about his reason for walking away five years ago, and he never did. Don’t get me started with Clio aargh! I am happy to report they eventually got it right after much pulling of teeth.Now, although they both exasperated me with their failure to communicate, I loved how much they grew throughout the story. Clio learned to stand on her own and accomplish so much without her parents’ financial backing. It helped that she had the support of her friends.Jack’s willingness to step up and take responsibility for his past  actions proved how much he grew throughout the story.The story moved quickly and was an easy read. I finished in less than a day. It ended on a heart-warming note which had me smiling, and I have to admit, brought a teeny bit of tears to my eyes.

Conclusion/Recommendation

Play for Me shows how important a role communication plays in the success of any relationship. It’s a story of betrayal, lies, secrets, discrimination and, most of all, love. Overall, an ok read and perfect for readers looking for a light read.