The Words: An Enemies-to-Lovers Standalone Romance Paperback – January 18, 2022

This was the BEST book I have read in a very long time. This is the book you place in your freezer for safekeeping and preservation. ♥️ Wow. 💥🧨🏆This story was an absolutely incredible journey of love, loss, heartache, battle of wills, laughter, unexpected surprises, sadness and had such layers of complexities as it went on. I found myself not even realizing how much I had read so quickly in a matter of days, and I’m usually a much slower reader and have the attention span of a butterfly in a hurricane, but this book stayed my hand, mind, and heart, and allowed me to truly soak it in and appreciate every single moment, feeling, and word without it even occurring to me that I had just completely devoured 700+ pages! I didn’t want it to end 😭 These characters took me for a ride that I never expected, and I haven’t quite been on in a very long time.I don’t even know what to say about it, it is an experience and had all the things I loved. Drama, angst, heartache, first love, a vulnerable heroine who isn’t perfect, a broken/flawed Hero, whom the heroine sees so much value and worth in, despite him hating himself and his situation. Sigh. I just couldn’t get enough of these characters. And usually I’m not as intrigued by side characters but this story had me interested in every single one. Chandler, Memphis, Josh, Skyler, Storm, Quinn…heck, even George! Lol. I found all the characters to be diverting and wanting to know more about the ones that weren’t on page, when the Hero and heroine were. I was just very involved and lived in this story, usually that doesn’t happen a lot unless the romance/story moves me, and this one did.I can’t wait to read Skyler and Memphis’ story, and can’t wait to see a bit more Chandler too. 🙂 I actually liked him too (Chandler) even though at times he seemed uptight/jerky, he cared about the band’s success more than anything and I truly believe he did what he always thought was best for them and their future opportunities ♥️As far as my most liked side characters, I’d love it if Storm and Quinn got their own book. I felt a very strong connection between those two and I believe that is one age-gap romance that would blow the rest out of the water in this trope, should it ever come to fruition and be written. I absolutely appreciated their banter and moments together where she was getting on his nerves and acting bratty, yet we saw very subtle moments of care and vulnerability from Storm that we usually don’t see when he’s with anyone else, save for maybe the h, Lennon.Also I loved how despite her juvenile characteristics, she held a fiery and loyal disposition toward the band and her family (her brother, Phoenix) I loved when she threw her drink at Memphis baby mama for the vile things she was saying about her own brother! Whatever happens, lookout world because Quinn will definitely be an amazing heroine if she is ever written. I loved S/Q and truly hope they will get a story one day ♥️ That would be amazing if they did, especially because she’s becoming an actress and he’s a rock star who is also in the entertainment industry! Gah! 💥💥💥If you love a romance with a journey that spans years, rock star romance, second chance, alpha holes/enemies to lovers, or just want to read something that will move you and keep you up reading, I highly recommend The Words! ♥️ 🎼🎵🎤🎙Breakdown:First loveRockstar romance 🎤 🎸 🥁Emotional/complex storytellingDual POV (Hero/heroine)Enemies to loversPlus size h/sexy Hh is named after John Lennon (her dad’s favorite 🎶)Opposites attracth is his tutor in high school/helps him graduateh is a VirginH didn’t know h was a Virgin when it happens (whoops! 💥🙃) she lied and said she had experienceh actually has a beautiful singing voice but keeps it to herselfHero calls h “Groupie”H/h play Truth or dare/Never Have I Ever togetherH/h push, challenge, console and motivate each otherSecond chance romanceH/h are on tour for several weeks togetherh is H’s sober companion lol 😂 and she’s hired to keep him in line throughout the tourH/h share a suite with a conjoining roomH is not a Virgin (but he’s never been with one)Pierced Hero (lip)Tattooed Hero (music stanza/notes on his chest)H messes up when they’re in high school/ H grovels laterH/h are on the road a lot together the majority of the bookH is dyslexic/cannot read well at allh supports H through his ups and downsH lives in a broken home/trailer/is abused by his fatherH breaks his whole “no kissing rule” lol 😂 like so much with the h 🙃H has abandonment issues/H had an abusive father/his mom left himh has a very loving/supportive dad (her mom died while giving birth)h’s father works in the music industry (but not at any point does the H take advantage of h’s dad to get a foot in, that’s not how this story works. However…there is something he does….that’s all I’ll say…don’t want to spoil it!) ♥️H is a rockstarh works as a bartender at an upscale gentlemen’s club after collegeH is a filthy talkerH is very jealous/possessive with hH gets so claimy in one scene, he 🍆 h on the dance floor at the clubH is claimy, bossy, controlling and manipulativeH loves h’s 👄🍑🍉 💦 (pretty much loves all of her lol)h writes hateful words on her body under her clothingh is bullied at school by the popular girls but can stand up for herself when necessaryIn high school, h is well off/H is poorAs adults, H is rich, and h needs moneyHEAStandaloneTriggers/Notes/Possible spoilies:Abusive parents, high school bullying, angst/toxic relationships, drug use, betrayal by H (with groveling later), death (not the h/H), Hero has dyslexia, Hero has issues with drugs/alcohol use, excessive at times (h helps him get better), H is abused by his dad, FF (noncon) orchestrated by Hero (I saw some reviews for this scene in particular, I’ll shed some light, even though he handcuffed her and it was noncon by another female while h was asleep, the h ended up liking it as the scene played out, yes she was mad at first, but she wasn’t going to let the H get under her skin after that, readers need to know that these two have a messy history and at this point in the story they are constantly looking for ways to mess with the other, I wasn’t even surprised by H doing this 😂, some OM/OW drama, a#s 🍽 👅 The mains do some things to try to get under the other’s skin. h writes hateful words on her body in permanent marker, hides them under her clothes as a constant reminder. A parent has early onset dementia. There are two funerals in this book. (Not the H/h) A side character is abused (not on page) but is brought in afterwards almost unconscious, bleeding and broken due to physical abuse suffered at home. Side characters are being cheated on.*Couple journey from the last weeks of high school in the first part of the book, to a few years post-graduation when h is in college and H is now a rockstar, after that first tiny part in the beginning, they are in their early 20’s for the rest of the story. There are a few time jumps by years (like after high school), then 3 months later in the epilogue.Band--Phoenix (singer)-Storm (drums)-Josh (bassist)-Memphis (guitar) (I hope I remembered these correctly!)

This book gives you all the feels! This is exactly what you want from a book. It has a great plot, relatable characters, spice, and so much more. Highly recommend! Definitely worth the hype!!

The page count is daunting, but I downed this book in two days and I can say I enjoyed every page.📔 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼: The Words by Ashley Jade📚𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲: Rockstar romance, second chance romance, enemies-to-lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers, opposites attract.📖 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: Lennon and Phoenix were oil and water in high school, until she changed his life and he ruined hers. Now four years later, Phoenix is spiraling and his band’s management calls on Lennon to help set him straight.🌟 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: This is one of those rare books where I’m going to rate it a four but it will stick with me like a five-star read. In fact, even as I wrote this I added a half point to my rating.Lennon and Phoenix’s story was long and complicated and full of every emotion you could ask for as a reader - sadness, anger, longing, swooning, deep, soul crushing love. You feel every single one of them. And the 700 pages makes it so Ashley Jade doesn’t glaze over a moment, she takes you into them and forces you to sit in every detail.I do think you should prepare for some darkness… for some bully accents. There’s a few trigger warnings you’ll want to look up. And yes, there’s a few things that elongated the book that I feel like could have been cut.But in the end, Phoenix’s character arc was so very well done. Lennox’s growth was great as well. And the epilogue made me smile big. Their happily-ever-after was everything I needed it to be. And I love the meaning behind the title so much - that much thoughtfulness from an author is rare.This is definitely one of the controversial reads you should take the leap on.𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 4.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 3.5/5 🌶🌶🌶𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀: If you like this type of angst, check out the Bittersweet Symphony duet by Kate Stewart or Sweet Regret by K. Bromberg.🆓️ on KU

Loved all the musical aspects in this book. The characters are well thought out and well written. Phoenix and Lennon are amazing. Love all the other characters as well. A lot of heart in this book.

First, I want to start this review by saying that Ashley is by far one of my favorite authors. Not only does she truly cares for her readers, but also, she provides us with such great books you see how much she bares her soul open writing them.So, it's needless to say that “The Words” was no different.Secondly, I was feeling low these days, like rock bottom of self-pity, anxiety, which well, I think you guys got it that I was in a nasty place.Indeed, this book kind of saved me from drowning in my thoughts because it spoke to me, especially this quote.“𝑫𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒉 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒍 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆. 𝑶𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒆, 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒍𝒍 𝒘𝒂𝒍𝒌 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒉 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒆…𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕’𝒔 𝒏𝒐 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆.” The more I read, the more I felt hugged.For starters, we have Lennon, the nerdy, sweet, and very good-hearted girl. She is the outcast of the school. I love how strong-willed Ashley build her heroines.And then, there is Phoenix, a bad boy, a rock star with a broken black heart and handsome as hell, just like everyone loves. Especially the one Ashley writes. (Cough* Cough* Covington and Holden Brothers)The first chapters of the book are set in a high school environment. Furthermore, the scenario changed to the band tour, which worked perfectly well for me since I was craving both tropes. Something messy happened, making Lennon and Phoenix split up just to unite them after a fatallyThis couple set me on fire in the most delicious way. The steamy chapters are out of this world. They have such a strong connexion that makes your heart ten times warmer.I love when the book is the whole package for me, screaming, getting angry, sobbing, warming up, falling in love. Their love is about growing up from your mistakes and learning how to better. It's about being there for the person in best and worse. Their love is beautifulIn short, we can see many plots in this book that is difficult to define. So, just go with the ride, and you’ll not regret it.

A two parts love story with time gap, well written.It’s so often that you find good ideas but written poorly in this kind of genre. Not a his one.The style researched, the prose is keeping you up at night. No, it’s gonna go in my top 10. The story line up, there isnt anything that is not crucial importance, nothing’s left to hazard.I came for smut (I got it :) but stayed for written love.

Ich hab es verschlungen und konnte es nicht weglegen. Es ist richtig gut geschrieben, spannend erzählt und hat eine super Entwicklung der Charaktere. Ich kann es nur empfehlen und bin gespannt, wie es weitergeht.

I loved everything about this book, especially the depth of FMC & MMC, Lennon and Phoenix, but also the input of all the side. characters♥️I laughed, got angry, was moved and ultimately fell in love with this book and the story as a whole🥹The spice was a pleasant surprise🥵, and the brotherhood between Phoenix and his mates was just G O L D 😂•This is my first time reading a rock star-enemies-to-lovers-revenge plot and it did not disappoint😌A.Jade has become one of my favorite authors and I will definitely be getting my hands on Skylar’s & Memphis book🥹