Lead: A Stage Dive Novel

Written by Kylie Scott

Narrated by Andi Arndt

Stay up all night with the sexy rockers in Stage Dive, the epic New Adult series from New York Times bestselling author Kylie Scott, author of Lick and Play.

Can rock n' roll's most notorious bad boy be tamed by love?

As the lead singer of Stage Dive, Jimmy is used to getting whatever he wants, whenever he wants it—now he's caught up in a life of hard partying and fast women. When a PR disaster serves as a wake-up call and lands him in rehab, he finds himself with Lena, a new assistant hired to keep him out of trouble.

Lena's not willing to take any crap from her sexy boss and is determined to keep their relationship completely professional, despite their sizzling chemistry. But when Jimmy pushes her too far, he just might lose the best thing that's ever happened to him. Can he convince his stubborn assistant to risk it all and let her heart take the lead?

This audiobook includes an excerpt from the first book in Kylie Scott's new Dive Bar series, Dirty.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Audio
• Release date: Jul 29, 2014
• ISBN: 9781427251930

Kylie Scott

Kylie is a long-time fan of erotic love stories and B-grade horror films. Based in Queensland, Australia with her two children and one husband, she reads, writes and never dithers around on the internet. Her New York Times bestselling novels include Lick, Play, Lead and Deep, which make up the Stage Dive series.

Reviews for Lead

[deleine-4 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love this author's sense of humor in her writing skills

[purpledog-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I would definitely call this a beach read; however, the story had a bit more substance. I enjoyed that about this book. The plot was a bit on the gritty side and felt real. I could easily see this happening in real life. The characters were really good and fit the plot. Even though this is the third book in the series, it is the first book I read. It worked well as a standalone and I liked it so much that I want to read the other books.

[denden81 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The scenes, emotions and characters were so vivid and real.

[Melinda Soltys · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The angst and drama doesn't usually appeal to me, but Kylie Scott is a master and I love it. I love this heroine and how she handles the shit the dude throws around.

[Karen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Read this series in order…it’s so much better if you do! Scott had me crying within the first chapters of Lead. In this series, I went from crying one moment to laughing the next…she’s a fabulous storyteller! Andi Arndt’s narration was ideal!!!

Jimmy, the H in Lead, suffers deeply and his angsty state-of-being is pervasive in Lead. His change is slow and the love story between the H and h is a slow burn. Lena (the h) is imbued with grit, honesty, and a wounded, but truly caring, heart. I want to channel Lena’s vibe!

[Rachel, Reading Shamelessly · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book is super hard to review. I’m so torn with my feelings! I kinda really hate how Jimmy is so dismissive of Lena’s feelings. He is flat out telling her to just stop feeling… obviously that can’t be done. I also love all the tension and denial that Lena goes through for most of the book too. There is some comical relief throughout the book which breaks up all the feelings, and since there is so much build up there are not a lot of steamy scenes.

The book was still good, I love the revisiting of old characters, and I still need to know what happens with the last member of the band and how he might fall to a lady….? One more to go!

[Majo · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book is phenomenal and I will always love JImmy and Lena's love story.

[Rita boyles · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Love love loved it. Just the right amount of steamy

[sdbookhound · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Super narrator. She draws you into the story and makes both characters voices believable.

[kbranfield-837433 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Kylie Scott’s Stage Dive series, is, hands down, my favorite rocker series EVER! It just improves with each novel and the third installment, Lead, completely blew me away. It is an absolutely hilarious and achingly heart wrenching romance and I LOVED every single word of it.

Jimmy Ferris is the resident bad boy of Stage Dive and he has the addictions and out of control behavior to prove it. Having successfully completed another stint in rehab, Jimmy is on his last chance with his fellow band members so when he is in desperate need of yet another sober companion/personal assistant, they decide Lena Morrissey is just the woman for the job. Having recently sworn off men since her luck in the love department is abysmal, Lena pretty much gives up her personal life to keep Jimmy out of trouble, but her unexpected attraction to the sexy rocker puts their professional relationship in jeopardy.

Lena is my absolute favorite female character in the Stage Dive series. She is funny, saucy, sassy and she won’t take any crap off anyone. Not even Jimmy. No matter what he throws her way, she sets him straight and tells him like it is, or more importantly, she tells him how it is going to be. Lena’s inner dialogue is full of self-deprecating humor that is laugh out loud funny but it is also very poignant as she realizes that her feelings for Jimmy go beyond attraction. She tries to protect herself from getting hurt, but resisting Jimmy is virtually impossible.

Jimmy is closed off, brooding and so unbelievably vulnerable that it takes your breath away. He is arrogant and demanding, but with Lena pushing him, Jimmy’s rougher edges begin to smooth over. Jimmy reveals little about his demons, but with an incredible amount of patience and understanding, Lena gets him to open up about his dysfunctional past. Jimmy is slow to recognize what he feels for Lena and relationships are so far out of his comfort zone, he is at a loss at what comes next for him and Lena.

The relationship between Lena and Jimmy is slow growing and they form a somewhat uneasy friendship that Jimmy counts on to keep him on an even keel. He does not do well with change, so when Lena admits her growing attraction to him, Jimmy does everything in his power to help her get over him. Hilarity ensues but so does jealousy when Jimmy encourages Lena to get a personal life.

At this point in the story, there is an amazing amount of sexual tension between them, but Jimmy and Lena stubbornly refuse to give in to their desire. When they finally do act on their passion, their sex scenes are explosive, incendiary and scorching hot. Jimmy is no slouch when it comes to sexually satisfying Lena, but there is still room for improvement in his emotional education and just when their relationship should be turning a corner, they find themselves at another impasse.

Lead is incredibly emotional, laugh out loud funny and almost unbearably poignant at times. The characters are vibrantly developed, easy to relate to, and even when behaving badly (cough, Jimmy, cough), it is impossible not to like them. The plot is refreshing unique and watching Jimmy’s transformation from an emotionally distant and troubled rock star into a loving man willing to risk his heart is wildly entertaining and immensely gratifying. Kylie Scott continues to amaze me with this phenomenal series and I can hardly wait to read the next Stage Dive romance where it is finally Ben’s turn to find his happily ever after.

[msralways · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I liked it, but it definitely could've been better in my opinion. Though I understand the problems Jimmy had to work through, the always being an asshole and then trying to get things to go your way is not the way to go. Lena was a kickass character who knew how to hold her ground and to get what she wanted, even if that meant her being hurt in the process. I very much liked the character development and I'm anxiously waiting for Ben's book.

[sunshine22222 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really liked Jimmy and Leah and how their love story developed. Of course I got to see some of Mal.

extra bonus...

[sasham-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Enjoyable rockstar romance

[uanbookaddict · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

4.5 stars...
I am not going to pretend like I read the other books in this series. Good thing that these can be read as stand alone books! I am now a huge fan of Kylie's! This book was awesome!

Lena and Jimmy's story isn't typical of a rock star story. This book isn't on the road with groupies. It set in Jimmy's home. Lena is hired to be Jimmy's companion/assistant. What does that mean? Well Jimmy needs help keeping his life on track. He doesn't have the confidence to do it alone. No one in the past has worked out. Enter Lena.

Lena is running from her past. She doesn't know where she is going, but she is trying to run there as fast as she can. She runs straight into the lead singer for Stage Dive. Not a job she would be searching for, but the pay is good. How hard can it be to just spend time with someone and keep them on the straight path.

The slow relationship that builds between these two characters is perfect. It's not instant. It takes weeks for them to be comfortable with becoming friends. They know they are attracted to one another, but that isn't what is important.

Kylie does a really great job and building their friendship slowly and then into a relationship, eventually. The chemistry between the characters is well portrayed and believable. I found myself chuckling many times. I even admit I almost cried a couple of times. Almost. Honestly, that is what might have made this a 5 star read for me. Those couple parts where I wanted to cry, I wish I would have. I needed a little more in those scenes to get me to where I desired to be.

[cc123-3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Lena and Jimmy

I really enjoyed this story of two sharp-tongued people, damaged both by family and relationships. The dialog between the two is some of the best I've read in a long while!

Starting out you'd never think Lena was Jimmy's type. Actually, someone that can call him on all his inappropriate actions like Lena does is exactly Jimmy's type.

I just wish we could have spent more time with these two!!!

Note to Ms. Scott:
It would be wonderful to read this story from Jimmy's point of view. I spent so much time imagining what's going through his head to say or react as he does.

[alwaysmidnight-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love the series. just as good as the others.

[bookaholiccat · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this one. Lena was a great, she had all the characteristics I like in a heroine.
I can't wait to read next books in this series.

[obsessed7by7books · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

****An advance reading copy of Lead by Kylie Scott was generously provided to me in exchange for an honest review.

OMFG sexy rocker alert

Oh this was a fantastic read, a well & truly get clicking and buy this book read.

The plot was excellent, the writing flowed and it just brilliant

You must know by now that I don't do spoilers so you really really have to get this series because it is so hot.

Get this series you will not regret it.

[jrcook1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Another epic Kylie Scott book! What can I say about it? Whew I think there are tons of things to say. Like I’ve said before. I found this series by happy accident. A book named Lick crossed my path and I took a chance on it. 3 books later, we’ve been on a journey with David & Mal <---- my favorite! And now we have Jimmy that I have to say runs a very close second to being my favorite! He definitely didn’t disappoint in Lead one little bit! His sober craziness runs wild through this book. And I LOVED every second of it. But to be honest I think the real star of this book has to be Lena, she’s tough, fierce, smart and so sassy. And unfortunately almost to forgiving. She’s been put in place to help keep Jimmy not only sober but company as well, and one thing leads to the next of course and she falls for him. I mean who wouldn’t fall for the rock-star? Lena tries so hard no to, after spending so much time swearing off men. She’s been burnt and then burnt again by man after man. She begins to follow a plan to rid herself of all feelings for Jimmy. I guess the question in the end is can they Lead each other thought the battlefield that is love for a person who has never truly loved before? If you liked the other 2 book I promise Lead won’t disappoint you. If you haven’t read any of them then you need to check them out! Stage Dive is a series not to be missed.★Jammie