Under the Spotlight (Jamieson Brothers, 3)

2.5 stars — Well…I guess this is one series I should NOT have finished. I should have listened to my gut that had me avoiding reading Garrett’s book, b/c this one definitely disappointed. Or maybe it’s that it lived down to my low expectations. Basically, if you’re hoping that Garrett has a huge transformation, or there is some explanation for his douchebaggery, then you might be disappointed…I was.I honestly did NOT like Garrett in the previous two books, and I was hoping that we’d get some elaboration on why he is the way he is…but for most of the book, he was just the same old jerk I’ve grown to dislike. He was arrogant, pushy, a bully, a know-it-all…just not a lot of redeeming. He never listened to Riley, never tried to get to know why she felt the way she did. He never tried to understand his brothers’ positions. Basically he didn’t show any empathy at all. And I’d like to say I saw softer moments, but other than feeling less than his brothers, and wanting his father’s approval, that was about all I got. He wasn’t all bad, but the little bits that softened me to him were not even remotely enough to redeem him.Riley was somewhat intriguing, I appreciated her odd childhood story. It’s amazing that all the heroine’s in this series have these HORRIBLE childhoods…I wish there’d been some resolution to all of that. Her Mom was a monster, and we didn’t get to see her cut that tie…and I couldn’t help but wonder about her siblings. I enjoyed seeing what she went through on the earlier talent show, and how that affected her…and then seeing how she worked through those fears to come back to something she loves.But then we get to the “romance”. That was flat as a pancake. I have NO IDEA what Riley saw in Garrett other than being starstruck. She claims that she got to see a softer side, but we didn’t really as a reader, so that didn’t help me connect and want to root for them. And their romance didn’t even start until after 60%.I was disappointed in how the author used a certain emotional event as a catalyst for Garrett’s change…it was convenient and didn’t feel long-lasting. And the whole wrap up afterwards was super fast.*sigh* I’m just going to stop. Needless to say I was bummed. I kept waiting for more, and I didn’t get it. I’m giving Riley an extra half star, but really I just wish I’d passed on this one…

When you open a book and look up after what seems like five minutes and you're on page 120, there's no doubt it's a great read. I finished it a couple hours later and really enjoyed every page. Sure, the plot and characters aren't unique, but good ice cream in a second bowl isn't either, but you enjoy the heck out of it. Riley and Garrett are highly likable folks and the chemistry, as well as the fear each has of romance, success and letting go, are portrayed very nicely.

I am a reader who discovered the first two books in the series and have been waiting for Garrett to get his turn. This book is Garrett' s story and I'm so glad that he met his match in Riley. He needed someone to rock his world and I enjoyed reading about their journey. It was good to get an update on Peter and Adam as well. I hope that the lack of an epilogue will position things for a fourth Jamieson book.

#3 in the series. Great book. Clean enough for teens. No bad language. A few kisses and the innuendo that someone had a one night stand. Great book. Loved the continuation of characters and incorporating brothers as well as rockstar from previous book. Would love to see this story continue to see how they work together to finish album and go on tour and how their relationship grows. Great writer.

This book was good, but seemed like it didn't finish. There were a lot of questions that were not answered thru out the story but overall it was a good read.

Really I am over the moon this book finally released. Devoured it in one sitting. Garrett my guy since the beginning of the series. To watch him fall was something special. Riley was one tough chick.

it was for my grand daugher, she read it and liked it

Short and SweetI fell head over heels for this beautiful and emotional story, and I can’t recommend enough for contemporary readers!To Elaborate…. Riley enjoys her entry level sound studio job. It pays bills, gives her a chance to work her way up, and best of all, it does nothing to remind her of her humiliating days on a singing reality show at 13. Garrett enjoys playing in a band with his brothers…until they all quit on him. Now messing around with stupid activities and alcohol, he doesn’t feel on track to anything until his father mentions looking into the production side of music. When Riley and Garrett meet, will they each be able to put their anger and past aside to make music?Under the Spotlight is one of those amazing reads where I go in just hoping for a nice story, and I come out of the story with a new favorite author. The characters and their journeys absolutely took my heart and ran away with it. The plot moves beautifully, keeping a steady pace, and the storyline will keep you turning the pages as quickly as possible.Riley and Garrett are two of the most emotional and complex characters I’ve read. Each time her mom did something terrible, it felt like a punch to the gut. My stomanch was in knots so often because of their bad relationship. Garrett’s development may be my favorite because it feels so realistic and gradual. At the radual. The heart of this story is about two people trying to sort their lives out and find a good place again, and they happen to fall in love after A LOT of work in the process. It’s real and messy and just completely lovely. On a more minor side, I especially love the realistic insight to singers, musicians, and studio workers.I would highly recommend this story to people who enjoy new adult and want something in that area with a less erotic story line (everything stays PG-13, maybe even PG in parts). The characters will capture all your emotions and take them for a breathless spin.

This book is okay, but not a true representation of how amazing this author is! I read Rock and a Hard Place and some parts literally made me cry my eyes out!I knew I wasn't going to like this book that much to begin with but I wanted to find out more about the two main characters from Rock and a Hard Place (book 1 in the series). Garrett hasn't been the nicest character in the other two books but you see a (slightly) softer side to him in this book.Truth be told, I found it hard to really understand or like either of the main characters, Garrett often acts like an entitled bully which I really cannot stand and Riley doesn't have enough of a backbone.That being said, fan's of the first two books in the series would probably enjoy the small glimpses into Peter and Libby and Adam and Marti's lives. Plus, the book isn't very expensive so no harm, no foul.