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Mile High Rocked #5

Reckless with the Rockstar

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From USA Today bestselling author Christina Hovland comes a rockstar, opposites-attract, fish-out-of-water romantic comedy. Mach Powers lives the dream. What more could he want? He’s Dimefront’s guitarist. He lives by his own rules and gets pretty much everything he wants. But there is one issue. When he swipes right for a pretend publicity date with a fan he falls straight into dinner with Darla Davis. His world is suddenly out of whack and everything he thought he wanted goes out the window. Coming off a failed engagement with one of the doctors at her hospital, the only thing Darla wants is privacy and a chance to find her footing again. Daring her to get back out there, her friends set her up on an online date. Only the “date” is a publicity stunt with a rockstar. Her not-so-fake date now has her on the cover of tabloids as America’s “new” sweetheart. There goes her privacy and her sanity. Mach and his team swear they’d fix it and get her back to her quiet life. However, when things start to heat up for real this time, is Mach willing to give up his preferred single lifestyle? More importantly will Darla give up her peace and quiet for the love of a rockstar?

240 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 25, 2023

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About the author

Christina Hovland

24 books1,253 followers
Christina Hovland lives her own version of a fairy tale: an artisan chocolatier by day and romance writer by night. Born in Colorado, Christina received a degree in journalism from Colorado State University. Before opening her chocolate company, Christina’s career spanned from the television newsroom to managing an award-winning public relations firm. She’s a recovering overachiever and perfectionist with a love of cupcakes and dinner she doesn’t have to cook herself. A 2017 Golden Heart® finalist, she lives in Colorado with her first-boyfriend-turned-husband, four children, the sweetest dog around, and now Chloe, the wonder pup.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
Profile Image for Tracey.
552 reviews37 followers
May 29, 2023
This is a well-written, fast paced, entertaining, steamy, contemporary romance novel. It has likable, engaging characters, many laugh out loud moments, a bit of adventure, wonderfully supportive friends and family, a heart-warming romance, and a happily ever after ending. This is the fifth entry in Ms. Hovland's outstanding Mile High Rocked series, and it can be read and enjoyed as a stand alone, but it is even better when read in order. Ms. Hovland kindly provided me with an ARC of this amazing novel, and this is my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Wendy'sThoughts.
2,667 reviews3,275 followers
June 3, 2023
5 Mach Is The One Stars
* * * * * Spoiler Free-A Quick Review
I am going to keep this review short and to the point. I loved reading about Mach and had been hoping for his book since he first came to this series.
His personal story is powerful in so many ways. It touches on how deeply our life experiences from childhood impact Everything going forward. He represents so many in this world and luckily for him, he was taken in by someone who understood him and gave him the encouragement to develop his musical talents and also to lay a foundation of love.

This entry picks up right after the last one and I have to say wholeheartedly- This series is really a delight. Our love match for Mach, Darla is PERFECTION...seriously. She is strong, so capable, and it turns out in the perfect place to experience the total MACH experience.

You should too...Read the book, hell, read the entire series.

Played by the Rockstar by Christina Hovland Played by the Rockstar Mile High Rocked Book 1)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Knocked Up by the Rockstar (Mile High Rocked, #2) by Christina Hovland Knocked Up by the Rockstar (Mile High Rocked #2)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Married to the Rockstar (Mile High Rocked, #3) by Christina Hovland Married to the Rockstar (Mile High Rocked #3)
(Tapped by the Rockstar (Mile High Rocked #4) by Christina Hovland Tapped by the Rockstar (Mile High Rocked #4)
Reckless with the Rockstar (Mile High Rocked #5) by Christina Hovland Reckless with the Rockstar (Mile High Rocked #5)

Do you want to see where Mile High Started, here is the Mile High Matched series that can be read in any order and each as a Stand-Alone:

Going Down on One Knee (Mile High Matched, #1) by Christina Hovland Going Down on One Knee (Mile High Matched #1)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Rock Hard Cowboy (Mile High Matched, #1.5) by Christina Hovland Rock Hard Cowboy (A Mile High Matched, #1.5)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Blow Me Away (Mile High Matched, #2) by Christina Hovland Blow Me Away (Mile High Matched, #2)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Take It Off the Menu (Mile High Matched, #3) by Christina Hovland Take It Off the Menu (Mile High Matched, #3)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Do Me a Favor (Mile High Matched, #4) by Christina Hovland Do Me a Favor (Mile High Matched, #4)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Ball Sacked (Mile High Matched, #4.5) by Christina Hovland Balled Sacked (Mile High Matched, #4.5)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


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Profile Image for B. C. Booklover.
724 reviews48 followers
May 26, 2023
If you've been reading Christina Hovland's Mile High Rocked series, get ready for Mach Powers story in book 5, Reckless With the Rockstar!! He's that mysterious, easy going guitar shredding hottie who attracts all the girls, but doesn't want to keep them. His friends and bandmates in Dimefront have all paired up and found their soulmates, leaving Mach to float alone on his pizza slice, with no one to join him.

Mach's past, present and future are about to collide when Darla Davis shows up for their 'one night only' date at Brek's Bar. His off the cuff dating app contest, designed to take the heat of his brother and new girlfriend, is about to turn his world upside down. Was this a PR dream or a nightmare? Only time will tell when things start heating up.

Darla is an ER nurse, set in her ways and likes things predictable- everything Mach and his band are not. Even the worst night in the ER is piece of cake compared to this publicity stunt gone viral with a handsome rockstar. Will Mach, with his sweet, sexy, dirty talking ways, convince Darla that there's more to life than boring and ordinary??

How I loved how Mach and Darla fit together so organically. She was the perfect half to make him feel whole- sassy, snarky and funny, fitting right in with the other ladies of Dimefront, all TENS to me. Something Mach never expected was happening between them, and I loved seeing him begin to imagine the possibilities his solitary life could take as their uncharted adventure unfolded. Darla charmed her way in and thoroughly rocked his world, showing him what he'd been missing all along.

It's so easy to to devour this much anticipated book in one sitting like the tasty treat it is, but make sure to have some tissues handy near the end. Sigh....tears might make an appearance.

".....People always thought he was broken, but he wasn’t. The kid doesn’t need fixing. He needs to be loved."

Christina Hovland blends her character's distinct personalities together with plenty of her signature humor and wit, a steamy dose of smexy, along with just enough emotional tension to give her readers ALL the feels and so much more. This band, these rockstars, their families and friends, reeled me from the very beginning of this series, each book uniquely different and memorable. I was waiting a long time for Mach Powers to find his happily ever after and if anyone deserved one, this man surely did. Reckless With the Rockstar was definitely was worth the wait.

I received an early version of this book to read and review. My thoughts and opinions of it are freely given.
Profile Image for BookAddict.
1,748 reviews146 followers
May 22, 2023
The might Mach Powers of the wildly popular band, Dimefront, has fallen. Or he will, if he can just let himself. If he can show that unloved, unwanted little boy inside that he's deserving of a love that stays.

It all starts with a gimmick to take the heat off of his fellow band member – Mach will have a very public date with his 1000th match on a dating app. Darla Davis, the lucky winner, thinks she's going on a normal date with a guy she matched with. She quickly catches on to the publicity stunt, and the best part is there's no pressure to impress her date, so she's free to be herself.

Except being linked to a Dimefront member puts Darla in the spotlight, making it impossible to do her job as an ER nurse. The PR team promises to fix things, but it requires Darla to spend time in LA with Mach. The more time they spend together, the more they want to spend time together, but real life awaits back in Denver.

I’ve been eager for Mach's story since the first book in this series, but I had no idea how he'd break my heart. There's still so much of that kid who grew up in foster care in him who held Mach back from so much good he could have in his life if he would let himself. I love how his Dimefront brothers stand by him and help him get his head on straight.

Sweet, funny, steamy, and heartfelt, this story is the cherry on top of the Dimefront sundae. I couldn’t wait to see what would happen so I flew through this in one evening, and then I was sad to see it end. Mach and Darla made a permanent place for themselves in my heart, and I have no doubt you'll love every second you spend d with them. You definitely won’t want to miss this charming, poignant, phenomenal story!
Profile Image for Doris.
2,793 reviews113 followers
May 25, 2023
Another Great Rock Romance By This Author

I’ve been following the Dimefront guys and Mach’s story is another five-star read for me. Ms. Hovland has such a great talent at writing her books that always drew me in and gave me sexy, steamy rockers all with great storylines and a touch of humor added in.

Mach is the lone wolf standing but things are about to change in his life. As a publicity stunt, unbeknownst to ER Nurse Darla, Mach agrees to go on a blind date with the 1000th person. Darla’s life is turned upside down and now everyone is trying to make it right by her. We also get so much more of Mach’s story which made this story even better.

This was a book that I couldn’t put down because it was that darn good. I not only highly recommend this book the the other books the Mile High Rocked series as well.
Profile Image for Melena.
2,842 reviews70 followers
June 1, 2023
Every time I read a Christina Hovland book I think there's no way she can write characters or a story that's better. Then she puts out her next one and it becomes my new favorite. Reckless with the Rockstar is no exception. The story is well paced with plenty of sweetness, steam, and humor to keep you turning the pages.

Mach and Darla were perfect for one another and had great chemistry. It was fun watching the two opposite personalities fall for one another.

This can be read as a standalone, but if you've read any of Christina's other books you'll recognize some of the secondary characters. I loved seeing them pop up here.

Thank you to the author for providing an ARC for an honest review.
Profile Image for Addie Yoder.
809 reviews73 followers
June 8, 2023
This is the most fun group of friends. I found Christy through the first book of this series and I have loved watching this motley crew of friends and bandmates find love. They all have such heart and such great friendships with each other. I love how funny they are and how easy to read each and every story is. I am so excited for what comes next in this world. Bring it on, Christina!
Profile Image for Maddy Matos.
849 reviews9 followers
May 25, 2023
Mach was going to take one for the team by letting dating app and his friends pick a fake date for publicity. When he saw the face of the pretty nurse who was the winner he smiled. Darla was recently out of a relationship and wanted to try dating again. The minute she met Mach and realized this was a date for publicity she wanted to leave. This was not what she had been expecting, and a rockstar too. As if this wasn’t bad enough, going on that date caused problems at work. These two had mad chemistry and I think Mach is hilarious. They have their ups and downs, I totally enjoyed the ride. I’m giving this book five stars and highly recommend it.
Profile Image for Mick C.
1,413 reviews
May 29, 2023
Loved this story of fate stepping in and finding "the one", even when you really weren't looking. Throw in some fun and sexy banter as well as great friends and you've got a book that's hard to put down, until you've finished it.
Profile Image for Jennifer Leigh (jenjenbookfan).
755 reviews22 followers
May 25, 2023
Reckless with the Rockstar is Book 5 in the Mile High Rocked series by Christina Hovland, featuring Mach and Darla’s story. Mach had agreed to date contest in order to divert attention away from his bandmate. The 1000th match on the app happened to be Darla, an ER nurse sticking her toe back into the dating pool after a broken engagement. When it turns out that Darla is oblivious to his identity or the contest, Mach is intrigue and interested in pulling Darla out of her shell, but she declines despite their connection. An unexpected wave of media attention upends Darla’s life, sending her to Mach for help. They form a plan to indulge the media monster one last time, so that all the reporters will move on to something else. But as they spend more time together, can they keep things casual, or will they overcome walls and past hurts to find something much deeper?

I have loved every book in this series, and this one is no exception! The beginning hooked me right away, and had me laughing. The things we do for our friends sometimes.😂 Throughout the book, the witty banter and engaging dialogue is top notch, making the story flow so well I couldn’t put it down. I loved watching the relationship between Mach and Darla evolve, and the way he slowly opened up with her. Each time emotional issues were addressed, it was very well done. The little adventures they went on were fun to follow, especially the scenes with a particular street performer, who I wouldn’t mind seeing again.😉 Darla seemed to feel like she didn’t belong, like an opposites attract situation, but when they were together the sparks that flew were hot enough to start a fire! One of my favorite aspects of this series is the emphasis on the found family concept and how strong the bond is between the members of the band and the women who love them. Let’s not forget how hilarious Babushka and her crew are, too! I can’t wait to see what might she be cooking up for Zach in the final book!

I received a free ARC, and am leaving this review voluntarily. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#RecklessWithTheRockstar #ChristinaHovland #RockstarRomance #NewRelease #FoundFamily #wordsmithpublicity #bookrecs #ARCreview #bookreview
686 reviews
May 26, 2023
Fantastic and highly engaging read! I was up until 4 am reading it because I couldn't put it down!

Mach and Darla have very different lives as a rock star and an ER nurse. When Mach's "win a date with a rock star" plan brings them together it seems implausible even to both of them. But - they actually have more in common, and more chemistry than either of them expected.

I liked that the story wasn't just about their relationship, but we also learn more about Mach and what makes him tick and the pain from his childhood that still haunts him. In addition to finding love with Darla, he also gets a lesson (and a couple of lectures) about what family actually is.

I love how Babushka threatened to "help" him if he didn't figure it out, and that was enough to get him motivated! She's apparently too busy with the next book, er grandson, (can't wait for the last book in this series!!) so Mach did get off easier than some of his friends as far as seniors meddling goes. But of course, they use his pool for exercise! It would have been sad if that crowd didn't get some mention in the book.

Darla's need for predictability seemed a little at odds with her being an ER nurse, where everything is chaos all the time. But ER nurses definitely are experts at controlling chaos, which seems to be how she functioned. It's great to see an "ordinary person" - who had no intention of meeting a rock star - just stumble into a relationship with a famous guy. Her view on his band/music at the beginning was hilarious! I also loved that she was more interested in meeting the famous women the guys were dating than the guys in the band themselves. Great twist on what might be expected.

Despite their differences, their relationship and their connection was authentic, even though it happened quickly. I loved their story!

Profile Image for Maycee.
623 reviews7 followers
May 26, 2023
Reckless With The Rockstar is the 5th (and hopefully not last) book in Christina Hovland’s Mile High Rocked series. This book is told in dual POV and is Mach and Darla’s story. I have loved every single book in this series, and that definitely includes this one! Mach is so much more than meets the eye. He seems like the goofy, go with the flow guitarist without a care in the world. We got a bit of his backstory in Tanner’s book, but I wasn’t expecting my heart to break for Mach. All my protective instincts came out with him, it’s always the ones that seem to be carefree that usually hide the most pain. I loved seeing the different sides to him, he’s a complex character and so much more than a pretty face. Darla is freaking fantastic! I mean Christina doesn’t write bad characters, but I instantly fell in love with Darla. She is unapologetically herself and has zero filter which makes for some really funny scenes in the book. Her meet cute with Mach is probably one of my favorites ever, watching her put her foot in her mouth and then leaving Mach speechless and rethinking his whole life is romance gold. So much chemistry and great banter with this couple! I loved watching Darla learn to go with the flow, and watching Mach realize his worth. They were just so much fun to watch come together and their steamy scenes?.. So. HOT! Reckless is laugh out loud funny and so swoony, I couldn’t read fast enough. It wouldn’t be a Dimefront book if we didn’t have the various band members and their women sticking their noses in and helping fix everything. We even get a small Babushka sighting. This is romantic comedy done right. Christina is the queen of laugh out loud. If your looking for a fantastic read with all the feels, a splash of bad boy rockstar, and a female lead that is super sassy then Reckless With The Rockstar is the book for you! Definitely recommend reading this one!
Profile Image for Jenn  M..
552 reviews11 followers
May 26, 2023
Mach is here!

Reckless with the Rockstar is the 5th book in Christina Hovland's Mile High Rocked series- and this time Mach Powers- the last standing bachelor in Dimefront finds his HEA in the sweet yet sassy nurse, Darla Davis.

4.5 ⭐

This book is such a fun read. It is packed with humor, some heat and vulnerable moments that gave me all the feels. Mach and Darla might have met through Mach's win-a-date stunt, even if Darla didn't realize it at first, but there is an attraction and spark between them. But Darla is a planner and lives in a predictable world of her making- and well, Mach, he just doesn't fit into the predictable mold. I loved all the little moments between these two as Mach helps Darla break out of her shell and adapt a more "take things as they come" kind of mentality.

Mach grabbed my heart- his life story tugged at my emotions and made his actions more understandable. Darla is a sweetheart and I loved how she balanced Mach out- he helped her be more spontaneous while she helped him figure out how to be less scared or uncomfortable with having feelings.

This book is a quick read- I sat down and read it all in one sitting- but the timeline in the story is pretty quick too. From meeting to ILY it's only a few weeks, so quick but done in a way that was enjoyable. While it is a bit out of character for a guy that was so uncomfortable with emotion and all- I think that these two are just so lovable together that I wasn't mad at it.

I can't help but enjoy all the moments with the other guys from Dimefront and their ladies throughout the story and especially the cameo of my favorite geriatric Russian meddler- Babushka! I love how she dropped the news that she is working on the lovelife of her last single grandson so I'm excited for when Christina gives us that!!
Profile Image for Ali's  In Literature .
687 reviews22 followers
May 28, 2023
REVIEW 
When commitment-averse Mach Powers distracts attention away from his bandmate by offering a publicity date via a dating app, his world is turned upside down. Nurse Darla Davis thinks she's going on a legitimate date. When she discovers the truth, she not so subtly turns down Mach's advances. Social media and the press become obsessed with her. As does Mach. But can he ever commit to a future with someone, given his troubled past?
What an adorable end to the series! The opening chapters were hilarious, and I loved the confusion. Darla was another fun addition to the series and exactly what Mach needed. I love that we finally got to see what makes him tick. Just like Tanner, who he grew up with, Mach's childhood was heartbreaking. I thought his struggle with commitment was sensitively handled, and I loved how both he and Darla supported each other at different times in the story. 
Their chemistry was palpable. Who knew tire repairs could be so hot? But I most appreciated how much they each encouraged the other to step outside their comfort zones. There's a teensy bit of miscommunication, but it works in the story, given Mach's history. I adored the continuing found family theme that runs through the entire series. 
There are, of course, also plenty of cameos from the rest of Dimefront and their significant others, plus Babushka. I LOVED the interaction between Mach and Sawyer/Strummer. 
A gorgeous and fitting end to the series!

Overall Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Heat Rating: 🔥🔥
Emotional Rating: 💓🙈😂🤦🏻‍♀️😬💓🥰😂💓😍💓🤦🏻‍♀️💓😂👏🏻💔💓🙄😬🤦🏻‍💔😥👏🏻💓😂🥰⭐️

*Thanks to Christina Hovland for the opportunity to leave an honest review. Reckless With The Rockstar is published on 25th May in the UK*

#Alisadventuresinliterature #Bookstagram #MileHighRocked #ChristinaHovland #RecklessWithTheRockstar #SwoonyReads
#MayReads #May2023Reads

Favourite Quote: 
' "...People always thought he was broken, but he wasn’t. The kid doesn’t need fixing. He needs to be loved." '
Profile Image for Katy.
947 reviews87 followers
May 26, 2023
(I received an ARC for this book)

Being the good friend that he is, Mach does what he can to get the spotlight off his best friend and his new love. Win a date with the rock star, simple enough. Mach doesn’t want, or need, a real match. Just some publicity. But then he gets more than he bargained for. When he sets eyes on Darla’s dating profile, he is instantly intrigued. And that interest only grows once she’s sitting across from him. I enjoyed Darla and Mach from the start. Because ‘serious’ wasn’t on the table, it allowed them a comfort without worry or expectations. Mach was living the dream, but he felt like he was just going through the motions. And without her even realizing it, Darla was doing the same. She liked things to be planned and predictable. She needed it to be that way. However, their meeting threw a wrench in that predictability when she gets way more publicity than they expected. Their time thrown back together gives them both time to leave the safety of their comfortable lives and live outside the box. It was easy to enjoy! Feeling comfortable and safe with Mach allowed her to be spontaneous and it’s a side of Darla I thoroughly enjoyed, and so did Mach! Heading into the third act, it was a toss up between Darla bailing because of the publicity and spontaneity, or Mach because of feeling his feelings. However, what actually occurred broke my heart. And it only made me adore Mach even more! I also need to make note that this book has one of the best lines I have ever read: “Stop feeding yourself shit when you know you deserve lasagna”.

7/10 Dirty Birdy
6/10 Forced Proximity
6/10 Friends to Lovers
Profile Image for Jules.
1,441 reviews89 followers
May 26, 2023
Author Christina Hovland continues her Mile High Rocked series with Mach’s story. Mach is one of the newer members of the superstar, Denver-based rock band, Dimefront. Mach has been somewhat of an enigma up to this point, and his public persona of being a player doesn’t make him totally likable going into this installment in the series.

As Reckless with the Rockstar unfolds, the details of Mach’s difficult backstory unfold. I couldn’t help being affected by it, and clearly neither could the female lead character, Darla. Darla has her own baggage she’s hanging on to, but she is trying to move on as well as make a difference in the world through her nursing career. Go-with-the-flow Rockstar and precise, predictable ER nurse…what odds would you give them?

The conflict or angst in the story comes mainly from the main characters’ very different personalities and perspectives. He’s Mr. Right Now and she is Ms. Looking for a HEA. It was easy to empathize with both characters and root for their HEA together. The banter felt a bit like bickering, but just a little so that it stayed funny and entertaining.

Ms. Hovland, chocolatier and novelist, has become one of my go-to authors for romantic comedy. Her latest book, Reckless with the Rockstar, is easy to recommend to anyone who enjoys Rom-Com or Rock Romances.

I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. For more reading recommendations, visit Book Junkie Reviews at
www.abookjunkiereviews.wordpress.com
361 reviews4 followers
May 28, 2023
Reckless With the Rockstar is book 5 in Christina Hovland’s Mile High Rocked book series. Mach is a guitarist for the famous band Dimefront. When his friend Tanner needed the press to focus on someone else, Mach created a contest where the 1000’s person to swipe right on a dating app would get to be his date. This plan had disaster written all over it from the beginning. Mach needed to have someone help him find the 1000th one to accept his date, so the band’s bodyguard chose the contest winner for him. Darla, an ER nurse, swiped right on the app looking for a regular guy date; she was clueless that it was with a famous musician. Darla agreed to meet Mach and carry on their fake date, but she refused to spend the night with Mach for fear of just being another notch on his bedpost. In their short time together, Mach challenges Darla to let loose and have fun. Finding herself jobless and with no strings to tie her down, she calls Mach back and agrees to join him for some random fun times. Once the fun times begin, their attraction for one another sparks into flames, worthy enough to incinerate them both. But is this romance the “real” deal? Darla and Mach each want a real relationship, but is that possible.? Feelings of unworthiness bog Mach, while Darla is afraid to reveal her heart to him due to past hurts. There is much baggage to unpack to find their HEA, but Christina Hovland never disappoints. Christine Hovland’s rockstar books are delightful books that her readers can’t help but devour.
Profile Image for Kristen Lewendon.
7,678 reviews47 followers
May 23, 2023
There is so much more going on behind the jerk Player mask Mach typically wears. Because he and Tanner shared some of the same upbringing, we got some hints about Mach’s mental and emotional state in the previous book, but this one really dug in to show us the good, the bad, and the ugly. (On that note, keep the tissues handy – you just might need them.) Darla is unlike anyone in Mach’s experience. First off, she doesn’t have a clue who he is or why that should matter to her. She’s fierce but also cautious. However, the real kicker is that she’s looking for more than just Mr. Right Now; she wants the whole Happily Ever After. Can these two wounded hearts teach each other how to be brave in their ways and take a chance at Forever? Or will this contest date be their one-hit wonder? Throughout this whole book I just wanted to take this pair and hug the stuffing out of them. Part of it was because this may be my last opportunity to do it, but a bigger part is that both Mach and Darla just desperately needed to be loved. It kills me a little to know that this is the end of the series, but I’m hoping that we’ll get to see cameo appearances by the whole cast in other of the author’s future books. Besides, this was the perfect way to close out the Mile High Rocked story line, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book from the author through WordSmith Publicity.
304 reviews6 followers
May 31, 2023
OVERALL RATING – 5

RECOMMENDED for those that like: rock star H – everyday h / fake dating / found family / he admits first

First my usual points:
- I do not do spoilers unless warned.
- Read the summary above; it will tell you what the book is about. I will not reiterate.
- This is a standalone but the final in a series – best enjoyed in order
- No errors that I caught as far as editing.
- The author was not new to me

BOOK:
- Cover adequately reflects the story
- Genre/troupe: contemporary romance
- 3rd person alternate deep POV
- Characters from prior books make appearances

Star Ratings - 1 (poor) – 5 (READ THIS BOOK)
• Writing Quality: 5
• Story ingredient: 5
• Ease of reading/Pace: 5
• Plot strength: 5
• Steam Level: 4
Notes/Opinion (personal thoughts):

And now we have the remaining member of Dimefront…Mach – our ‘go with it and enjoy’ guy…or is he? Mach and Darla are great! One a ‘go with it’ and the other a planner. They are a great balance for each other…even if it’s temporary…isn’t it?

I’ve loved all of the Mile High books. Fun characters, situations that aren’t overly ridiculous and Babushka popping up to impart her wisdom, little drama and inevitable marshmallow heroes that look anything but. I’m going to miss these guys…unless I can convince the author that one other character needs his match (I’m talking about Hans here) but maybe everyone is content.

Profile Image for Mel Southworth (Mels.bookreads).
182 reviews10 followers
June 3, 2023
Darla was minding her business, swipping for a date and she was excited for her date at Brek’s Bar.
Mach Powers, hot guitarist with Dimefront has joined the dating app and now he’s setting up his date with a rockstar app contest and he’s on his way to meet her at Brek’s Bar before their set.
So Darla didn’t realise this was all a contest, was disappointed it wasn’t a ‘real’ date. But she couldn’t deny he was hot, and hadn’t realised at the beginning who he really was.
She gets called up on stage half way through their set and she turns him down for a night with him. And this is hot news to all the paparazzi and newsreels.
Life’s just got complicated for Darla, the nurse who likes things to be non-complicated.
Put on paid leave until it all calms down, she’s invited to California with Mach and the boys to have some fun and she’s not into doing stuff that isn’t predictable.
But what else is she going to be doing while she’s off work?

I loved watching her fight with herself and letting everything go and just thinking ‘to hell with it all’ and just go with the flow.

Their push and pull of their feelings towards each other was so sweet and I loved watching it all evolve.

I’ve read the other books in this series and they’re addictive. Loving how these boys find their way in life and old Babushka showed up at the beginning too just to make sure Mach wasn’t making a mess of it all.

Looking forward to the next story in the series
Profile Image for Tammy Moldovan.
1,464 reviews18 followers
May 23, 2023
Heartwarming and swoony romance

I loved Mach and Darla’s opposites attract, fish out of water with a side of reevaluating your life romance. Their story will give you all the swoony swoons while also pulling at your heartstrings with all the emotions. Mach plays guitar for the rock band Dimefront. He is a go with the flow kind of guy. In a knee jerk decision, attempting to deflect attention from his band mate, he made up a publicity contest to win a date with him through an app. He is not interested in a relationship. Darla is an ER nurse who is just starting to date again after a broken engagement. She is a color only in the lines kind of girl. Darla thinks it’s just a regular date when she’s matched with Mach. There’s chemistry but it is not going anywhere until the publicity from the date completely disrupts Darla’s every day life and she agrees to spend time with Mach in order to get her life back. Once feelings get involved things get more interesting and intense but there is a lot of baggage to unpack to find their way to an HEA. I loved taking the journey with them. The story was well written with witty dialogue, three dimensional characters who grow, and an engaging storyline as shown through sweet moments, painful pasts, steamy scenes, supportive family and friends, character growth and missteps, fun, healing, and love.
Profile Image for Booklover Judy Lynn.
1,330 reviews19 followers
May 24, 2023
Book five in the series can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA. It is written in third person from an alternating dual POV.
Mach has been such a playboy in earlier books of the series, and I wasn’t sure how this was going to go. The author knocked it out of the park though. Readers gradually learn why Mach has avoided attachment. When he met Darla, it was quickly apparent to me that she was going to help him over his hurdles. Darla is an emergency room nurse who wins the contest for a date with a rock star. There are misunderstandings on that date that had me giggling.
I loved Darla for Mach. I loved that she didn’t pressure him. The friendship they form on their adventure is fun and relatable. They share passion and an emotional attachment that takes them both by surprise. He must make a journey within himself to get his HEA. He has to recognize his value and that he deserves the love Darla offers him.
I loved this whole series so much! This book was the perfect end to it and the transition to future reads. The author regularly impresses me with her wit and with the way she turns of phrase and makes me smile, laugh, and swoon. (The flat tire is a great example.) I highly recommend this book and this whole series.
I am voluntarily leaving this honest review after receiving an advance reader copy of the book.
Profile Image for Darla Taylor.
1,616 reviews
May 25, 2023
Mach Powers is the guitarist for Dimefront and is happy with his life. When he does a publicity stunt and goes on a date with a fan, Mach winds up having dinner with Darla Davis and everything changes. Suddenly, all the things Mach thought he wanted no longer matter. Darla is just getting out of an engagement that ended badly and decides to get back out there. She's unaware that her date with Mach isn't real and isn't prepared for the publicity. What will happen when Mach and Darla decide to ride the wave?

I've really enjoyed this series and this book is a prime example of why. The book was well-written and the characters are well-rounded. I was pulled into this fast-moving, captivating story from the beginning and really didn't want to put it down. The various relationships, from friends to family, are done well and you will get more of that connection when you read the other books in the series although each book can be read on its own. Christina Hovland is an exemplary storyteller and this book has it all ~ humor, romance, intrigue, and drama along with lots of emotions and tears (both happy and sad). Yes, you can count on Christina giving us that happily ever after, but the road getting there isn't always easy. I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend both book and series.
Profile Image for ~lil maso~.
1,695 reviews41 followers
May 26, 2023
Reviewed by Donna for Saucy Reviews on Kinky Korner

4.5 stars

I've been reading this series following the members of Dimefront, and I can honestly say I think I've met my favorite with every book, but this time, I'm sure with Mach. His and Darla's story is a great and beautiful love story.

What starts off as a publicity stunt ends up changing lives. The chaos that it causes for Darla is no joke and as things change and develop. These opposites finally become something special. This story is so much more than you expect, and I loved every emotional, fun, and touching moment of it.

Yep, that's all you're getting. Read it. It's brilliant. Don't just take my word for it. In saying that, I want you to know that I recommend it so much. I don't say this often, but as an all-rounder, this series is becoming a solid favorite, and this book just made it more so.

*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*

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959 reviews
May 22, 2023
This book had everything I expected from a novel by Christina Hovland, great characters, an engaging love story, secondary characters that are fully fleshed out and add so much to the story and a HEA.
I enjoyed getting to know Mach much better in this book. His relationships with Tanner and Dan, his foster father, are the ones he seems most secure in. But he doesn’t truly believe that they won’t leave him behind at some point. He keeps his relationships shallow as he doesn’t expect them to last. He loves his found family with Dimefront.
Darla likes a predictable life with no surprises, but she is as drawn to Mach as he is to her. Mach used a few simple either-or choices for Darla that decided what they would do or eat to ease her into going with the flow. I was surprised how quickly she embraced Mach’s way of pulling her into spontaneity.
I enjoyed how they got to know each other when they talked so that they knew each other before they got physical.
Linx, Brax, Knox and Tanner pushed Mach to let Darla know how he felt about her as well as reassured Mach that they would always be family. I loved Babushka’s cameo where she decided that Mach didn’t need her help.
I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Comfy Couch Book Reviews.
634 reviews44 followers
May 29, 2023
Reckless with the Rockstar features Mach, Dimefront's moody, broody guitarist. He is catnip to women, has his fun but has not intentions of settling down. Thats until he meets Darla who turns up at Breks bar for an arranged blind date to find herself in the middle of a publicity stunt as her blind date turns out to be Mach.

Darla is not one for the limelight, she loves her job and her steady predictible life and she has no intention of changing things even if Mach sorely tempts her to sneak out of her comfort zone for the night, but no she goes home alone after turning him down. You would think that would be the end of this romance but no Darla is now front page news in the internet world being followed by influences and reporters and creepy guys. Mach offers her a way out of her predicament by taking a chance on him. and Darla suddenly finds totally outside of her comfort zone and it is not as bad as she thought it might be.

Christina's writing style is very clever and hilarious and as with all the other Dimefront books it is throughly entertaining from beginning to end. Along with the humour comes some seriousness as both Mach and Darla see how their lives could change if they would somehow take a chance on them. Mach could find in Darla the love that he has always craved and Darla could emerge from the shadows of her life and actually have fun in the sun by his side.

Enjoy this fun rom-com as two opposites attract and more, and make sure to read the other books in the Dimefront Series, they are not to be missed.
Profile Image for Donna.
1,006 reviews10 followers
May 28, 2023
Mile High Rocked #5

Darla Davis is an emergency room nurse who's ready to get back into the dating game and give love another chance. Her friends set her up on an online date, meeting the guy for a Dimefront concert.

Mach Powers is a guitarist with Dimefront band. He came up with a Nocturnal Cupid date to take some heat off of his best friend/brother. This was a publicity-generating contest that's a date with him, strictly publicity not a real date. The thousandth woman to swipe right on his profile would win and that winner was Darla.

Darla wasn't really into Dimefront and the paparazzi, she liked not being in the public eye. But she figured she would give this date a chance. Little did she know it was with Mach. He tells her she's the lucky winner. She thinks he's a bit much and thinks a lot of himself still not realizing who he is.

"Dimefront music isn't quite up to the standards I grew up with." "I'm totally open to giving bands like Dimefront another shot."

Then she finds out this is a publicity stunt date with him. It's now impossible to do her job with her being in the spotlight. His PR team promises to fix it but doing so she has to spend time with Mach.
The more time they spend together the less this is a publicity stunt.

4 stars
1,721 reviews3 followers
May 25, 2023
I just love Christina Hovland’s stories.
They’re full of laughs, swoons, sweetness, steam, romance, gorgeous characters, captivating antics and have wonderful HEAs.
Reckless with the Rockstar is no exception.
To take attention off his band mate, Mach, tries to help out by putting himself up for a PR date.
When Darla shows up and learns the truth, she’s just not interested, which she makes known in no uncertain terms. Hilarious confusion.
But the press and social media become obsessed with the pairing and Mach can’t help his intrigue.
Mach’s childhood is an emotional reveal and quite heartbreaking. Darla is sensitive and caring and they compliment each other perfectly.
As always, there’s plenty of chemistry and steam and a perfect HEA.
It wouldn’t be complete without Babushka’s ‘romantic assistance’ and we get to check in with many of the characters from previous books in the series.
I loved whole Mile High world (Matched and Rocked) and am sad to see the end of this series but so ready to read whatever Ms Hovland brings out next.

I received an ARC from Wordsmith Publicity and this is my honest review.
1,044 reviews7 followers
May 26, 2023
This book basically continues shortly after Tanner’s book ends, with Mach’s wild idea to take the heat off of Sam. It’s now time for Mach to meet his “date for publicity” but things definitely don’t go as Mach expects.
Darla thought she matched up with someone on the dating app and was going on a date. What she didn’t realize was that it was all a publicity stunt and that her “date” was a famous rockstar!
I absolutely loved the impromptu chat session that Bax held on stage with Darla and Mach that very first night! Darla was witty and sassy, and completely threw Mach a curveball!
Mach completely melted my heart and then stole it! How he saw himself was heartbreaking. He never let go of the broken young boy he was and it’s impacted important parts of his life.
This book had instant attraction and a little bit of slow burn desire. But the absolute best thing about this book was that both Mach and Darla were able to see who the other truly were down to the core. It was heartfelt and really stirred some strong emotions.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest opinion.
Profile Image for Dawn.
821 reviews
May 28, 2023
As a publicity stunt for his band, Dimefront, Mach offers a date to the 1000th person who he swipes right on in a dating app. The winner, Darla, has no clue this is for publicity and goes to the date trying to revive her dating life. When they meet, there are sparks but their lives are so different. She is grounded in Denver as an ER nurse. He is a rockstar who goes on tour and lives the big life. Both hope the other can give a little so they can stay together.
Opinion
This is the fifth book in the series. It could be read as a stand alone but is so much better in order.
This book was a thrill to read. With Darla being an everyday person and Mach being a superstar, I found it more relatable. (Not that I've ever met a superstar let alone dated one.) I loved that she took time to slow down and address and feed the paparazzi, it is definitely something I would have done. Mach's painful history made him relatable as well. This book, and series, is awesome and good enough to get a reread at some point (perhaps when the series is completed and I can read them all one after the other.)
Many thanks to Christina Hovland for providing me with an ARC of this book.
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