The Cover Contessa: Blog Tour: You're Still the One (Country Blues #1) by Rachel Harris @RachelHarrisBks @InkSlingerPR

About YOU’RE STILL THE ONE: Love is one dare neither of them can take… Arabella Stone, Nashville’s darling, is eager to shuck her prim-and-proper rep, and a few wild months spent checking items off her ” summer bucket list” is the way to do it. First up: kiss the man she’s crushed on since she wore a training bra, the bad boy of country himself, Blue bassist Charlie Tucker. For Charlie, a beautiful woman flirting with him isn’t out of the norm–but a beautiful woman bolting after the hottest kiss of his life sure is. And when he finds out his kiss-and-run Cinderella is none other than Arabella Stone, daughter of his label’s CEO, he knows he’s in trouble. Because not only is she a Stone, she’s also his employee for the next few months at the recording studio he just bought. Over the course of one thrilling summer, Arabella and Charlie chip away at her bucket list and fight the simmering attraction between them…knowing that once it’s all over, so is their time together.

Excerpt:

“So you’re impartial?”

He sat back and stared into her eyes. “No. But I won’t tell if you won’t.”

The line between fantasy and reality disappeared. Arabella no longer knew which way was up, which way was down, and which way led back to the bathroom, so they could get on with checking that last activity from her list. The only thing she was sure of was her best friend’s panicked face suddenly appearing beyond Charlie’s shoulder, silently communicating with wild eyes and unsubtle gestures.

The mythical clock marking Ella’s fairy tale had struck midnight. Her father had arrived.

Ella whimpered, feeling everything she’d ever wanted or dreamed about float away. She wanted to stay, wanted to see where the night could lead, but reality wouldn’t wait any longer. Placing a hand on Charlie’s chest, she exhaled her frustration and reluctantly pushed to her feet.

His hand shot out to snare her wrist.

“Charlie…” She shook her head. The next time she saw him things would be different. He’d know who she was and would be angry with her for keeping her it a secret. Either that or he’d pity her, which would be infinitely worse.

On second thought…

If this was her only chance, maybe there was time to steal one last memory.

Curving her free hand against his cheek, Ella slowly pressed forward, her heartbeat flitting like a hummingbird. She hesitated only a second, telling herself to savor the moment, then tentatively brushed her lips across his firm mouth.

Once, twice, three times, she hovered there, lingering and breathing in the intoxicating scent of soap, aftershave, and Charlie Tucker. It didn’t quite curl her toes, but holy moly did it leave her weak in the knees. He came alive under her mouth, tugging on her bottom lip and licking the seam of her lips, asking for entrance, and when he tightened his grip around her wrist to yank her closer, by God, she was tempted.

For the briefest second, Ella imagined what it would be like to let go. To throw caution to the wind, let him pull her into his lap, and feel what it was like to be wanted. But then, that was the thing…Charlie didn’t want her. He wanted the nameless woman who followed strange men into bathrooms. How could he want her when he didn’t even know who she was?

Brooke's Review:

I want to thank Entangled for providing me with a copy of this book to read and give an honest review. Receiving this book for free has in no way altered my opinion or review.

I've only ever read Rachel Harris' YA writing. And I loved every bit of it. So I was super excited to get to read this book, which she has been talking and teasing about in her Flirt Squad group for forever! I wasn't sure I would love it because adult romance isn't really my thing, but I ended up truly enjoying it.

Arabella is such a great character. She is soft around the edges, or at least to the first glance, but she has a strangeness within that is hard to beat. She takes the reigns of her life and pushes through things. I love her lists that she makes. They remind me so much of myself. And I especially like that she takes the time to complete things and make them accomplishments. And as she crosses each thing off her list, she only becomes stronger and more aware of herself and what a truly terrific person she is. Plus, she's super talented, and that becomes more and more obvious as you read through her story.

Charlie, what can I say. Is he swoon worthy, sure. But we are introduced to him as a true ladies man. Not one to ever settle down, he is perfectly clear on where he stands with relationships. That's until he is reacquainted with his boss' daughter. Never one to lead ladies on, he vows to keep things between him and Ella friendly. But his past mistakes threaten to jeopardize even their friendship. And his current secrets will through them both over the edge. While he's made out to be this womanizer at the beginning of the book, you certainly see it's not really what Charlie is about. He's actually a complete softy who will do anything for the people he loves.

The romance in this book is off the charts. My favorite thing about it is it is built on a solid friendship. Sure, Ella has had her crush on Charlie for a long time but this was more a teen dream. Once she really gets to know him, and see him for who he truly is, she can't help but fall for him more than her crush ever would have allowed. The tension is slow building and fun. There are laughs between them as well as a bit of steam that has you wanting to throw them at each other and find out what comes back at you on the other side.

And a romance novel wouldn't that if it didn't include a bit of drama. Each character certainly has their insecurities that help pile it on. But each character also owns up to this in the end, allowing the full force of what they feel for each other to shine through.

I really like the secondary characters in this book. Ella's best friend, Lana, is snarky and spunky and truly cares for her friend. And all of Charlie's band mates, especially Tucker, really show they are definitely brothers in all but the blood sense of the word.

And Charlie's cause that he's fighting for is so prevalent in the world today: teen depression. I love how Harris worked this seriousness into the book. The idea of Life and Lyrics is an incredible one that has such merit and I think could actually accomplish what it sets out to do.

Overall, I really fell for the characters in this story. I loved their progression and development. And I especially loved that they didn't give up, on themselves or each other. I'm not much of a country fan, but it didn't matter because the meat of the story went so far above and beyond anything country music than you could fathom. Fans of Harris will tuck this one right into their pocket of love for the author. If you like the writings of Melissa West or Julie Cross, then Harris' story will set your toes tapping and your heart melting.

About Rachel Harris: New York Times bestselling author Rachel Harris writes humorous love stories about sassy girls-next-door and the hot guys that make them swoon. Vibrant settings, witty banter, and strong relationships are a staple in each of her books…and kissing. Lots of kissing. An admitted Diet Mountain Dew addict and homeschool mom, she gets through each day by laughing at herself, hugging her kids, and watching way too much Food Network with her husband. She writes young adult, new adult, and adult romances, and LOVES talking with readers!