Into the Light by Kathryn Ascher

Into the Light is the third book in the author’s Rocky Creek series, but it doesn’t take place in Rocky Creek and you don’t need to have read the previous two books in order to follow this one. In fact, it wasn’t until about two-thirds of the way through that I realized that the hero of this book was the younger brother of the Nathan, the hero of “On the Line.” The story involves two close friends from Rocky Creek, Jackson and Kerri. From flashbacks, we can see what a lovely relationship they had had while growing up with Jackson there to comfort Kerri as she dealt with the sudden death of both her parents. I really liked that Jackson. Unfortunately, Jackson underwent a change once he went to college as he got involved in a band and enjoyed that lifestyle. When he realizes that he loves Kerri, he tells her older brother who had had to raise her after their parents’ death. The brother, Charlie, tells Jackson that he needs to change his behavior and should wait two years to contact Kerri again. So we have this artificial break with no contact between the two even though they had been very close up to that moment. Kerri is, naturally, hurt and mystified by Jackson’s behavior. So when Jackson finally shows up two years later to see her in Paris, she refuses to see him. There is a hint that she’s undergone some trauma that influenced her in refusing to talk to him. He doesn’t persist in trying to talk to her and just leaves in a funk. I didn’t buy it, but the author needs this separation between the two to set up the rest of the book. Now, four years later, Kerri has been hired to be the manager for a rock ‘n roll band. And, by coincidence, it turns out that the band is Jackson’s band. He’s changed his name a bit so she hadn’t realized it until she meets the band. You have to suspend a bit of disbelief that Kerri, who has been working in Europe in finance is now taking a job to travel with a band through small Southern cities and it just happens to be a band founded by Jack/Jackson. Kerri has a tough job because the lead singer, Sebastian, is so immature and has been bleeding the band’s expenses by wasting money and trashing hotel rooms. Kerri has to take a strong stand with him while trying to withstand her attraction to Jack. And Jackson, who has apparently spent the intervening four years from Paris, living the life of a rocker: alcohol and many women. I found it hard to warm up to Jackson. He seems so passive and immature. We read several times that he’s the most talented member of the band and he just allows Sebastian, who is not as talented, peacock around as if he’s the best person of the band ruining the music, causing acrimony among band members, and basically bankrupting the band. So we’re supposed to believe that this lovely guy we saw in the beginning of the book, totally sank into the slough of despond after he couldn’t see Kerri. Now she’s back and he immediately realizes he still loves her and wants her back and switches back to the sweet, loving guy he used to be. The book now is a second-chance romance with plot complications as Kerri tries to help the band make enough money to fulfill their contract while Sebastian keeps trying to sabotage her efforts. And there is a bit of a mystery at the end to figure out who, besides Sebastian wants the band to fail. My biggest disappointment is that no beat up Sebastian at any time in the book since he was so obnoxious and really deserved a beat-down. I would have enjoyed spending a little more time gloating at his downfall. I liked the set-up of the problems the band faces as it tries to make it. I liked that this wasn’t some big-time successful band, but one on the rise trying to find its way. I got a bit frustrated with Jackson for not shutting Sebastian down and asserting himself in the band. He spends too much time yearning for Kerri while she yearns for him so that the mid-part of the book dragged a bit. Once they decided they loved each other and then had to work together to help the band overcome all its challenges. I also liked the secondary characters - the other band members, one member’s girlfriend and then Jackson’s brothers who show up to help out at the end. So I ended up feeling very positive about the book. I’ve enjoyed reading all three books in this series and I appreciate the opportunity to read a review copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest interview.