Rachel Hardy dreams of being a successful country music singer in Nashville’s Music City, four thousand miles away from her lonely life in Dorset.
When Jackson Phillips, an independent record label owner, encourages her band to audition for a nationwide ‘Open Mic’ competition, she decides they have nothing to lose.
But when she starts to fall in love with Jackson, the stakes suddenly get higher and she finds herself with a great big dilemma on her hands. Should she abandon her dream and take the easy way out or should she leave the life she has always known behind and take a gamble on a man who has personal demons of his own?
Follow Rachel and Jackson as they learn to trust in love again and to see whether music really can bring them together.
What readers are saying about From Here to Nashville
'This book gives what we want from a contemporary romance, escapism with... a story that is interesting and which maybe isn’t quite as predictable as you might expect.' TheTBRPile.com
‘It kept me entertained from beginning to end. All in all, a great début and I look forward to the next book!’ Annie’s Book Corner
‘An entertaining contemporary romance with a country-music feel to it and characters easy to connect with right from the first page.’ Reviewed the Book
‘From Here to Nashville by Julie Stock is one of the best books I have read in 2015!! She had me smiling from ear to ear throughout the book. I knew I was going to like the book because of my love of country music and romance novels. However, I had no idea how much this book would actually touch my heart. There was even a part in the story that I shed a tear - a happy tear.’ Heidi Simon Book Reviews
Julie Stock writes contemporary feel-good romance from around the world: novels, novellas and short stories. She published her debut novel, From Here to Nashville, in 2015, after starting to write as an escape from the demands of her day job as a teacher. A Leap of Faith at the Vineyard in Alsace is her latest book, and the third in the Domaine des Montagnes series set on a vineyard.
Julie is now a full-time author, and loves every minute of her writing life. When not writing, she can be found reading, her favourite past-time, running, a new hobby, or cooking up a storm in the kitchen, glass of wine in hand.
If you'd like to sign up to her newsletter list, you can do so via her website - www.julie-stock.co.uk. You can also connect with Julie on Twitter - @wood_beez48. Julie is a member of The Society of Authors.
She is married and lives with her family in Cambridgeshire in the UK.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this whirlwind romance.
If you love instant chemistry and a story that builds on a first meeting at rather quick speed, both in terms of romance but also in terms of dreams possibly coming true then this is definitely the book for you.
I loved everything about Rachel and Jackson's story, the way Rachel could suddenly have her dream of going to Nashville fulfilled and a whole lot more besides.
Of course it isn't plain sailing at all, and there were times where I was frustrated by both of our leads.
I love Julie Stock's writing style and the way she tells a story. to the chemistry between her characters.
Its just a lovely upbeat escapist read that I was hooked on, and found myself turning the pages far too fast!
Thank you to the author for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Reviewed by me as part of Rosie Amber's Book Review Team
The debut novel by Julie Stock is a sweetly old-fashioned romance, in which English country singer Rachel meets her handsome prince, Jackson Phillips - who just happens to be a rich and successful independent record mogul from Nashville. It's strong attraction at first sight, but the path of true love is not a straightforward one.
I think this novel will appeal very much to readers who love traditional romance stories; I describe it as 'old-fashioned' in a good way; there's little reference to popular culture or general 21st century attitudes and it's very much of its genre. It's not what I gather is called a 'sweet romance' as there is a bit of earthy passion there too, but of the 'mounting desire' type, nothing at all graphic, and there's no bad language in it, a factor that will appeal to many. Obviously it will have an added attraction to country music fans, too!
This is a difficult book for me to review as Julie Stock has written a weekly blog about her path to publication, many episodes of which I have read, so I know a little about the quandaries that presented themselves during the process. As far as the continuity, structure and pace go I think she has made an excellent job of it, and she made a good decision to tell the story in two alternating first person points of view, which always adds interest. The book is well presented with minimal errors. I read that she was worried about lack of description of her settings, but I thought that the beginning, in particular, was illustrated very nicely. The sense of an idyllic British seaside town in August is all there; there's a slightly dreamy quality about it which really worked.
The majority of debut novels have room for improvement and, for me, the weak points in this book were the dialogue and the feasibility of some of the characters and their reactions. I thought Rachel's co-musician Sam was very realistic and by far the most well written character; his reluctant sulkiness about Rachel and Jackson's attraction was spot on. However, sadly, though I found Jackson delightful he didn't come over to me as a successful, multi-millionaire record producer. Why not? It's a hard one. This is what I think: to have achieved all he had at such a young age would probably mean his being confident, very worldly-wise, street sharp, artful in dealing with people and no doubt experienced in romantic matters too, especially as he's a handsome chap, whereas Jackson comes across as just your average nice guy-next-door with insecurity issues. The 'big row' that explodes in the middle of the book didn't quite work for me; I couldn't see a man of Jackson's age/standing/charisma/experience reacting in as extreme a fashion as he did to a few bitchy remarks (I won't say any more: spoilers), especially when he was so happy, and Rachel didn't behave like someone who loved him, either. I do get that the story about their relationship is much to do with overcoming their own misgivings and hang-ups due to past events, though.
The problem I had with the dialogue in the first half of the book is that it's a tad stilted; characters talk to each other in perfectly structured sentences, giving just the right amount of information required, whereas in real life people use colloquialisms, half sentences, private jokes, make grammatical errors, go 'um' and 'er' and 'y'know', have personal conversational quirks, etc (admittedly, Jackson says 'sweetheart' a lot, an endearing trait of his!). I'd have liked to see a better understanding of how young single women talk to each other, how men discuss women between themselves (particularly men in that industry), a bit more character illustration within the dialogue. The research of practical details throughout the book cannot be faulted but as a reader I cared less about how soon Rachel might be able to get a visa, and more about realistic conversation, an area in which I felt insight was lacking. I'm pleased to say, however, that the dialogue does loosen up about halfway through; the lovely happy bit when Rachel and Jackson are first in Nashville together, and meeting his family, is very sweet and should put a smile on the faces of all romance lovers, as will further sections later in the book.
To sum up - plenty of positives, some areas for thought, lots of happy gooey stuff for romance addicts, and this suggestion for Julie: try writing a big emotional scene over a couple of glasses of wine, it helps you to let go and feel what people really would say under certain circumstances. I wrote a difficult chapter of one of my earlier books via Blossom Hill red, and it's one that people say actually makes them cry. It works!
From Here to Nashville is a book I have been eyeing up ever since I saw the beautiful cover reveal earlier in the year. I love reading books which have a music theme to them and I was interested to read the book anyway having been following Julie’s writing process a little through her blog. At the beginning of From Here to Nashville, we meet Rachel, part of the band Three’s Company, performing in front of a small pub audience. The first song they were covering was Need You Now by Lady Antebellum which is one of my favourite songs so I was quite easily won over! At the gig, Rachel meets a gorgeous American guy in Jackson Phillips, owner of an independent record label in Nashville. The scene is set really for the entire book in chapter one. We see Rachel’s passion for her music, how quickly she is drawn to Jackson and the obvious little drama building with Three’s Company’s guitarist. As far as introductory chapters go, Julie managed to grab my attention straight away and it was kept throughout the whole book.
The story in this book transports us from Dorset to Nashville. We get to read a good deal of both settings and I felt the author paid attention to detail and helped me in my mind develop a really good picture of both places. Her description of each setting brought the story to life and I found myself as much into the touristy side to both places as Rachel and Jackson were as I was really drawn into all the sights and locations, especially catching on to the feel of the seaside early on.
Occasionally I found myself wanting to read more about the music rather than the romance between Rachel and Jackson. I really love a story about someone chasing their dream and early on, we see how much Rachel wants to be a country music singer for real, not just the odd gig here and there. In contrast to her bandmates Sam and Matt, Rachel so obviously loved and wanted to be a successful artist and though I liked seeing her slip into an easy relationship with Jackson, the romance took over the story just a tiny bit too much for me. I would have liked to have seen just a couple more gigs or more of the Nashville music scene because I felt Julie wrote them so well. It was great how simple I found it to connect with the lyrics of a singer who is purely fictional and when the crowd get behind her, Rachel comes out of her shell and it livens up the book. Rachel was such a likeable character that I couldn’t help but want her to be happy and seeing her choose to follow Jackson to Nashville to go after her dream was empowering and feel-good.
It’s clear early on that Rachel and Jackson are going to fall in love and there was no messing around, which was kind of a refreshing change from a lot of contemporary romance novels where the book is about whether the two characters will get together instead of the ups and downs of an actual relationship. The thing with Rachel and Jackson was that, although they both had tendencies to run from their problems, when things went wrong you had that hope that they would try and work things out and they both knew that sometimes they needed to be brutally honest with each other. Their relationship felt plausible, like a real relationship where careers and friends and things from the past may try and even succeed at getting in the way but you know the two of them won’t give up without a fight.
The story is told effectively in three parts – first from Rachel’s perspective, then from Jackson’s perspective and then alternating between the two. I liked being able to hear from both of the characters but it wasn’t until their parts were alternating that I struggled a bit to tell the difference between them. Their tone and language felt too similar at times, even the pet names and certain turns of phrase. I thought Jackson, as much as I liked him, could have done with a bit more of an edge to his character. Also, both of them seemed to talk, again at times, in a long-winded way which to me didn’t feel much like natural dialogue. But it is true that I did like Jackson and his connection with Rachel – I really wanted them to stick at a relationship and be happy together, without obstacles getting in their way. I also really liked some of the supporting characters such as Alice and Sam, who felt well developed and realistic too. Overall I found From Here to Nashville to be an entertaining escapist read with a well-researched feel to it and an interesting, sweet romance. It was an impressive debut novel and I’m looking forward to reading more from the author in the future.
This was a lovely story about two people falling in love and the subsequent struggles they both have with demons from their past.
I thought it was an interesting twist to have a country music singer, Rachel, come from the UK and make a splash on the Nashville music scene. That was my favorite part, along with the lyrics of Rachel's songs. Not knowing much about country music, I'm assuming the lyrics were original to the novel, which was a really nice touch!
I also enjoyed the POV shifts between Rachel and Jackson. I found myself wanting to hear from each of them after a while, like something would have been missing if there had only been the one perspective throughout.
One other thing I thought was very well done was the feeling evoked by the settings of both Dorset and Nashville. It wasn't just that we were travelling from one continent to another; we were travelling between moods and feelings of past, present and future.
About the only thing I had a hard time with was some of Jackson's language, along with that of some of the other American characters. At times, they were a little too British for people living in Nashville for any length of time.
That being said, I couldn't help but find each and every character completely charming.
(In the interest of full disclosure, I am honored to call the author a friend and I don't typically read anything from the romance genre.)
First, I would like to thank Julie Stock and Rosie Amber for providing me with this book so I may provide you with this review.
From Here to Nashville by Julie Stock is one of the best books I have read in 2015!! She had me smiling from ear to ear throughout the book. I knew I was going to like the book because of my love of country music and romance novels. However, I had no idea how much this book would actually touch my heart. There was even a part in the story that I shed a tear-a happy tear.
Dreams can come true if you just follow your heart. Never give up on your dream. Julie installed that theme into the whole novel. It was a joy to read Rachel’s journey and see her dream blossom into reality.
I totally fell in love with Jackson’s character. He was a true gentleman, handsome, successful, treated Rachel like a queen. Sure, he had one flaw that I didn’t care for. However, nobody is perfect. I can officially say he is my new book boyfriend.
Rachel wrote her own song lyrics and many of them pulled on my heart strings. One of them I would like to share:
“This is who I am, what you see is what you get, I wear my heart on my sleeve and hope you’ll do the same, Accept me with all my faults and don’t try to make me change, just love me, love me, take me as I am, love me….”
I really enjoyed reading Julie’s acknowledgments in her book. I love how she was thankful for all her reader fans on social media.
This is a very well-written contemporary romance - some parts as you'd expect from a contemporary romance and some not so much. This makes it a more interesting read with a better storyline than a lot of the genre. That is, A LOT of the genre. The characters are much more believable than a lot of the genre as well and, get this, they even have some flaws! Real people! It has an interesting back-drop of the music industry and is set in picturesque Dorset, and slightly less picturesque but none the less interesting Nashville. The scene-setting is good, the dialogue is good, and the story is good. There is too much of the love stuff for this to be anything other than a romance, but I think that as well as appealing to people who like the traditional girl-meets-boy storyline, it will also appeal to those who just like a darn good tale. Great stuff, Julie Stock, and I think your next one will be even better.
Singer song writer Rachel is looking for her big break.
From Here to Nashville is a lovely music infused romantic story that I really enjoyed, particularly because of the authenticity brought by the references to music I’m familiar with. Julie Stock knows exactly how to write romantic fiction and does so with aplomb. All the elements I expect from this kind of fiction are here in an engaging story that is entertaining and uplifting, but what I most appreciated was the exploration of conflict. There’s conflict of emotion, action, interest, friendship and love so that From here to Nashville has just that added extra in the narrative.
Rachel’s story is one of ups and downs that are completely believable. The path of true love and that towards fame and fortune never run smoothly and I found myself championing her from the very first moment. One of the great strengths of From Here to Nashville is that Rachel finds herself wavering in her beliefs and struggling to define her feelings and desires in a way so many can relate to. However, it was Sam who engendered the strongest reaction in me. He so frustrated me that I wanted to shake him but was also desperate for him to be happy too. You’ll have to read From Here to Nashville to see if I got my wish! I really didn’t like Jackson at all to begin with. He seemed far too good to be true and the book’s structure, switching from Rachel’s first person account to Jackson’s half way through took me by surprise, but afforded a development of character I found so rewarding.
I love the sense of place Julie Stock creates. Both Dorset and America felt very real in the book because of the little details included. With the themes woven through this romance such as addiction, wealth and power too, I think From Here to Nashville would make an excellent film.
From Here to Nashville is a lovely example of romantic fiction and I very much enjoyed it.
While I’m not a huge country music fan, Rachel’s story still resonated with me, and I had an enjoyable time while reading about her trials and efforts in attempting to make it big in Nashville. There’s something almost whimsical about her as a character. She injects a never ending drive to go for your dreams, and I felt like I’d been elevated by that spirit. The scenes where Rachel and her band are playing shows, I felt like I was right there with them, part of the action- as a band member, or someone there to watch the show. It was nice to have both perspectives in order to get a better understanding of the band dynamics and how it all works into Rachel’s future goals.
When Jackson enters the picture, there was no doubt in this reader’s mind the kind of attraction and draw Rachel has to him. He seems almost too perfect for paper, so I can understand her hesitancy in believing in him and what he represents. I could also see how scary it was for Rachel to consider completely leaving everything she knows in order to move thousands of miles away and take a chance on something that is unknown. Having been in those shoes before, it’s always a crap shoot. I felt those emotions were really explained well and there was no confusion on how she felt.
Told from both Rachel and Jackson’s perspectives, it was nice to see what each primary character is feeling and thinking, as well as what their motivations are as the story progresses. This becomes even more helpful when Rachel finds herself in a bit of a love triangle situation, one that the reader isn’t at first privy to, unfolding gradually. It lends into her indecision on whether she should move or not, not entirely sure on what the right decision should be.
This is the first book in the From Here to You series, and with two more books in the mix, I’m interested in seeing what’s next for this group of characters!
Julie has really written a very good story when it comes to From Here to Nashville, it is witty and the story is filled with great characters that the reader can really invest in. Not only do Rachel and Jackson really grip your attention with their chemistry but the other characters like Jenna and Sam are so in depth that the reader wants to know more. This story is well written and really grips the readers attention to the point that I found this book really hard to put down. It really keeps your attention and keeps you turning the pages until you finish the book. Even finishing the book gives you a bittersweet feeling, happy to know that you have read the ending but at the same time sad to know that the book is over. Overall I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be picking up the next two in this series. I can't wait to discover both Jenna's and Sam's stories.
Really loved the characters of Rachel and Jackson and their perspectives throughout their blossoming relationship and her new musical career... Ups and downs with jealous ex partners... A delightful insinto Nashville and a thoroughly enjoyable read. Didn't want to put it down!! Will definitely be reading more of this author 😁
In her debut novel, From Here To Nashville, Julie Stock checks off all the romance novel tropes. Her heroine, Rachel Hardy, dreams of success in Nashville as a country music star. She just has a couple of little problems. First of all, there’s the accent. For some reason, the country music world just hasn’t attracted that many stars from coastal cities in England. Then there are her abandonment issues. But, with backup from her childhood friends, Rachel writes and performs her own songs at neighborhood pubs and gigs. As we meet her, she is singing and looks up to meet the eyes of hot American, Jackson Phillips. When he tells her he’s from Nashville, Rachel takes it as a good sign that her dreams will come true. But Rachel is still reeling from the loss of her parents and disappearing fiancé, while Jackson is hiding secrets of his own. There are more half-steps forward and back than a Texas two-step as the couple try to advance her career and their relationship.
Reading From Here to Nashville was like eating comfort food—it’s easy to digest, feels familiar, and fills you up. You know going into it what you’re looking for, and Julie Stock competently delivers just that. The steady pace and predictable plot didn’t get in the way of the resolution. Rachel and Jackson’s alternating points of view were telegraphed in bold font, which was helpful, especially because I thought both could have used a more individual voice, not to mention richer use of colloquial expressions and speech patterns. Jackson, especially, would have benefited from an edit with a more authentic drawl and fewer Brit-speak slips (his living room is a “lounge”, he cleans by “having a tidy up”, sleeps late with a “lie in”, refers to a degree program as “on my course”, late night partying leaves him “shattered”, etc.). But overall, the writing was well-edited and clear.
The settings in the beginning of the novel were lovely and believable. I could picture the small British seaside town, Rachel’s cottage, and her life there. But when the action moved to Nashville, it lost me. I haven’t spent much time there, but I didn’t recognize the almost sterile portrait of a place I found full of eccentric characters and colorful locations.
I do have some small complaints that didn’t really get in the way of enjoying the story. For example, I wish there had been more explanation of how a Dorset girl came to be a country singer, even if it’s only the Taylor Swift/country princess variety and not LeAnn Rimes/Coyote Ugly. We never got a convincing picture of the Nashville music scene, which would have been fun.
My biggest complaint, though, is that I found myself wanting to tell both Rachel and Jackson get over yourself. He’s apparently the insanely wealthy young head of his own music label, but he takes almost no CEO-type actions, and defers to his secretary as his “office mom”. She’s supposed to be incredibly talented, but we have no idea where her training and background comes from. He’s rich and handsome, she’s beautiful and gifted. I know those people have problems too, but it’s hard to make myself care deeply when each one is just keeping secrets and expecting the other to hurt their feelings.
Overall, I’d call From Here to Nashville a solid three-star debut effort. Julie Stock has a firm hand on her characters and plot arc, and a nice way of turning a phrase. I think if she takes a few chances, stretches some of those tropes to their limits, and pushes her characters harder, her next book will be irresistible. I, for one, would like to find out.
*I received this book for free from the publisher or author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I really enjoyed this novel and think it’s an excellent debut. You can totally understand why Rachel falls in love with Jackson, who wouldn’t? He’s handsome, kind, supportive, believes in Rachel and has a sexy accent. I really liked how much of a presence music has in the books, as this is something that interests me, and as someone who is very much into celebrity culture, I enjoyed seeing how the other half lived.
I loved the description of the locations, especially Dorset. It felt as though the writer had been there and really studied the area. I was in no doubt that the character’s were experts on their home towns. The writing flowed well, not overly describing or relying too much on an internal monologue, but some of the dialogue seemed a bit over explanatory at times; though once I got into the story this didn’t bother me too much.
One issue I did have was the switching of the voices. Though I enjoyed hearing Jackson’s voice I wished it hadn’t switched to him at the point it did. When Rachel has been invited to go to Nashville we don’t really know how geniune Jackson is, having only seen him from Rachel’s point of view. Going into Jackson’s voice at this stage meant that this possible obstacle is overcome instantly and so there’s a lul in the action whilst we’re waiting for Rachel to get there.
I really believed the romance between Jackson and Rachel, and liked that they didn’t just get together and everything was perfect. They were both very human and made mistakes, neither was more guilty than the other.
Rachel didn’t like Jackson spending money on her and because of this I felt there should have been a moment when she mentioned when she received the advance, especially as this is probably the most money she’s ever had. When she was booking private planes and hotels, I was confused as to whether she was spending Jackson’s money without asking him or using this advance.
One thing the writer does really well is characterisation. She managed to create distinct characters who were well rounded and very different from one another. The characters were brilliantly flawed, which was frustrating at times, particularly when they acted in ways you didn’t want them to, but you could understand why they reacted that way and it was consistant. I felt one of the best relationships in the novel was beween Jenna and Rachel. So often female relationships in fiction, especially in romance, are more like rivalries, but Jenna and Rachel just worked. They respected each other, helped each other out and loved each other. There was also a lot of humour in the scenes they had to together, and I would have loved to have seen more of their relationship.
I enjoyed the love triangle aspect of the story, but I think the ending would have been less predictable if Sam had been more of an equal love interest, as it was fairly obvious that Rachel was in love with Jackson and not him, even if she didn’t know yet. Though the ending was predictable, it was perfect for the story and very fulfilling.
In conclusion, I loved the characters and think this is a really strong debut novel. I would definitely read other works from Julie Stock and if there was a sequel, I’d want to read it.
The book is a contemporary romance and some of your preconceived notions of the genre will be fulfilled and some won’t. In some respects this is classic check-list romance, but in others it is not, thank God. The first part of the story is written in first-person from the point of view of Rachel; the middle part is in the first-person point of view of Jackson; and the third part alternates between the two. This works really well, particularly as Rachel’s point of view is in the setting of her home in Dorset, UK, and Jackson’s point of view is in the setting of his home in Nashville, Tennessee; where it alternates is when they are both living in the same place. I’m not sure the individuals’ thoughts were quite distinct enough, and it was slightly harder to “read” Jackson as a unique voice. The point of views remained true, though, with neither character getting in the way of the other's narrative – very well written. The classic romance elements are there – beautiful, talented woman; gorgeous, talented, rich man – and there is conflict in their lives (as there has to be in any story about relationships); there is an element of will-they-won’t-they, a best friend, an “other woman” and an “other man”. So far, so the same. What there isn’t – for which I thank you, Julie – is a myriad of misunderstandings and crossed wires. The conflict comes from other areas, and they are entirely believable. I love that Rachel is torn between two lives, two men and two continents. Should she stay with the familiar-but-not-quite-enough, or should she take a risk and follow her dream, even though it may not work out? That sort of question is usually rhetorical in contemporary romances – we know what the heroine is going to do and we know that it is going to work out for her. In this book, we aren’t quite so sure, and that is a Good Thing. I love that the other man is a good guy and not a slimy git. I love that Rachel considers a career with the same importance as she considers a lover. I love that (almost) nothing is too over the top. Jackson is a good man and he has his weaknesses. Not so much so that the reader falls out of lust for him, but enough to make him a real person rather than a cardboard cut-out. Mind you, he does rather overuse the endearments “sweetheart” and “baby”. The backdrop of the music industry is interesting – it’s not new, but it is from a fresh angle. Julie Stock clearly knows her music, and this gives the impression of having been written from knowledge and love and not from Wikipedia. It would have been interesting to hear more about other artists represented by the company – there must have been some big ones, else how could the owner have accumulated such wealth at such a young age. (I found his wealth to be a little too much, though, and I didn’t really understand why he had a driver.) This book gives what we want from a contemporary romance – escapism with a predictable plot – but it also gives a story that is interesting and which maybe isn’t quite as predictable as you might expect.
Now how did I miss this one first time round?! One of the main things I loved about this book was it that, at heart, it’s rather a lovely old-fashioned romance, that hoped-for happy ending never really in doubt. But you can’t have a happy ending without a bit of conflict, and the barriers Rachel and Jackson encounter along the way made this a tremendously engaging story and a read I thoroughly enjoyed.
I’m not sure what the chances really are of a talented country singer in a Dorset seaside town stumbling across a Nashville record label mogul who – as well as proving to be the man of her dreams – wants to make her a star, but it certainly makes for a great story. Goodness, they don’t make it easy for themselves though! At first there’s a lot of “will she/won’t she” with a few extra complications – and then, when everything seems to be going well, you really want to shake them both at times and tell them to just talk to each other. But those are the conflicts that make a good story, and the author handles it all so very well.
I loved the music – choosing the sets, those gigs and open mic nights, the performances, all so well done that you really feel you’re present, just waiting to be enchanted by one of Rachel’s own compositions amid all the covers. And I really did like the way the whole story was told – first Rachel in the first person, then Jackson, then gently alternating so that you get both perspectives.
You’ll know how much I enjoy a strong sense of place – and never having been to Nashville, it’s now on my bucket list, and this book could really be my guidebook. But the seaside town setting is well done too, the community and the waterfront pubs, and the whole book whisks you away quite wonderfully and transplants you into the locations.
The supporting characters are strong too, and I have no doubt both Jenna and Sam can more than sustain stories of their own. Maybe Sam in particular – his relationship with Rachel and his reaction as she leaves him behind is realistic and believable, adding another interesting dimension to the story, and I’d really like to get to know him better.
This is such a lovely story about overcoming problems, following your dreams and finding what makes you happy, that grabs you from the very beginning and leads you through all those twists and turns – and the writing is really excellent. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
When you have the opportunity of a lifetime, what would you do?
Rachel lives in Dorset, but her big dream is becoming a famous country music singer. So together with Matt and Sam she form the band ‘Three’s Company’ and go to one gig after the other. Encouraged after a meeting with Jackson Phillips, she decides to participate to a nationwide ‘Open Mic’ competition. Rachel and Jackson see each other more often, and they soon realize there are feelings surfacing that are hard to resist. When then Rachel finds out that Jackson is not just a simple American man in Dorset for a wedding, but a record label owner living in Nashville, she’s not sure of what to do: follow Jackson to Nashville, trying to realize her dream of becoming famous, and give their love a chance? Or just be happy with her current life and just singing at gigs with Matt and Sam?
I didn’t know what really to expect from this book, but I was pleasantly surprised! What would you do if you have the opportunity of a lifetime? But going for it, would mean to leave everything you know behind… Rachel is having this chance, but it’s logical that she is doubting every decision… is it the right thing to do? What if she’s not that good and her career never lifts off? And is being in a relationship with Jackson also the correct thing to do? Because Jackson is not the only one in love with her, so is Sam, who has always been there for her… Once Rachel takes this leap of faith and goes to Nashville, she finds everything is harder than expected. Jackson has his own demons and Rachel feels he is not being totally honest. How can their relationship succeed?
The emotions and doubts are so real and recognizable. Putting your complete trust in someone you do not know that long, can be terrifying. Having a relationship is already not the easiest thing, but when you are not at the place you once called your home, it’s even more difficult.
Both Rachel and Jackson are struggling with trust issues, and together they have to find a way to find the so much required unconditional trust…
This is the story of Rachel and Jackson, but while I was reading this beautiful story, somehow I kept feeling sorry for Sam… the love of his life is moving to another continent with another man… But I hope that he also will find his better half!
It’s a beautiful story about taking a leap of faith, chasing dreams, daring to trust and love!
Ever since the hit TV drama Nashville graced our screens back in 2012 I instantly became a fan of the show. The melodrama surrounding the characters entertained you but the music was what kept me tuning in. It's been nearly two years since the end of the TV show so when I was introduced to this contemporary romance series written by Julie Stock I knew I would love it and I have! It's filled a hole in my heart and satisfied my country blues! From Here to Nashville is book one in the From Here to You 3 book series. It is also my first introduction to the work of Julie Stock. After reading book one I am now keen to read the other books in the series. Rachel Hardy lives and works in Dorset as a singing tutor in the day and she performs with her band in the evening. Rachel loves to sing especially her own lyrics and dreams of one day performing in Nashville the heart of country music. Jackson Phillips lives and works in Nashville he is visiting Dorset for a family wedding and by chance he gets to see and hear Rachel's band. Instantly he recognises talent and he approaches Rachel and encourages her to sign up for an 'Open Mic' competition. Not only is it Rachel's voice Jackson has fallen for he also starts to feel a chemistry building between the pair. As Rachel and Jackson spend more and more time together their attraction for each other grows but can love bloom so fast when history from both of their pasts keeps causing upset? A gorgeous fast flowing romance that takes you on a journey of love overcoming hurdles with the sweet sounds of country music as the perfect theme tune! I would wholeheartedly recommend reading the books in the series in order to fully appreciate and enjoy the reading experience. The books in the series are: From Here to Nashville (Rachel's story) Over You (Sam's story) Finding You (Jenna's story)
https://comfychairbooks.blogspot.com/ A lovely romance that definitely tugged at the heartstrings! I do think this is more than just your typical romance, which is nice, and it is so well written that you are just carried along by the storyline and genuine interest in the characters. I love Rachel’s character, although at times a little frustrating for me – she is so quick to abandon things and ‘run.’ Jackson is a wonderful leading man, clearly both characters have history and things they both need to work through – but the path of true love never runs smooth does it?! There is the smallest love triangle with Sam, but I never gave any significant thought that she may end up with him. The connection didn’t seem to be anything more than best friends, from her side at least. If I’m honest switching from Rachels’ point of view to Jacksons halfway through threw me off a little. I didn’t expect it and took me a while to get used to it, maybe if we’d had it all along like every other chapter. I enjoy a book with more than one perspective, but this was confusing to start with. I soon fell back into the story and enjoyed it. The characters are well fleshed out, they seem realistic and the settings are wonderfully described. I loved hearing about Nashville and would love to see it for myself – if only I could find a Jackson! A great read for romance fans, music fans and those looking for something feel good. I would definitely recommend.
Although shelved under romance this novel isn't just about the complications that arise when love is discovered unexpectedly, it’s also about the risks involved in following your dreams, being honest with yourself and daring to go where that dream might take you. I finished reading it with a great big sigh – not just because the final paragraph made me happy but also because it was the end of a great story.
There's plenty of conflict - some expected, some not. The characters are fleshed out and believable with actual flaws that they have to overcome and, in some cases, accept about one another and the setting is beautifully described too which adds another layer to the entire novel. The structure allowed me an insight into the male perspective of romance, which was surprising and well done; not something I've come across before but that creates a balanced view of the situation the main characters get themselves into and gives you a glimpse into difficulties both characters face internally as well as externally.
Overall it's a lovely debut that sets a high standard for future works by this author and proves that self-published works can be of an equal quality as the works marketed by the great big publishing houses. Julie Stock's novel, From Here to Nashville, is honest, heart-warming and satisfying. If you like romance, you'll love this book.
Please join me in wishing Julie Stock a happy fifth year birthday to her debut novel, the charming From Here to Nashville! It's book one in Julie Stock's From Here to You series and my second book by this author. When a talented singer is discovered in Dorset, England, by a charming American record label owner, their pasts come between the growing love they feel for each other.
Rachel's dream has come true. She's leaving her home in Dorset, England, to follow her budding singing/songwriting career in Nashville, Tennessee. And, she's going there with the attractive and charismatic Jackson Phillips, multi-millionaire record label owner, who has swiftly swept her off her feet. Is it happening too fast? Does she really know him?
Julie Stock creates interesting and realistic characters. Rachel and Jackson's relationship develops quickly and it is understandable there are issues of trust and certainty when the past comes calling. In addition, the solid supporting characters also give depth to the story.
Overall, this is a credible and compelling debut novel with a lovely romance that crosses continents. I look forward to reading the rest in the series.
Thank you to Ms. Stock for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
Well done Julie! I've been waiting for what seems like forever to read this and it kept me entertained from beginning to end. It's the story of country singer/songwriter Rachel and her relationship with Nashville record mogul, Jackson.
I enjoyed the different locations - Dorset, Nashville and New York and Rachel's wonder as Jackson introduced her to his lifestyle. I loved the various live performances and the crowd responses to Rachel's own songs.
The secondary characters were all well written and I was pleased for Jenna and her new love. No spoilers, so I'll say no more! Jackson's ex, Stephanie, was particularly obnoxious and certainly put a spoke in the wheels of love for Rachel and Jackson!
I was really irritated by the fact they kept running away from each other whenever problems came up - but after thinking about it, I think that was more to do with me than the story! I always face up to problems and have scant patience for those who don't!
All in all, a great debut And I look forward to the next book :)
I heard about this book on facebook, and being a fan of the series Nashville, I was keen to give this book a go.
It was a pleasant book to read, but I wish the story had gone that step further in providing a better background of the music industry, rather than just focusing on the romance side.
I felt there was so much more that the author could have written into the story to make it a bit more interesting. Some of the other characters such as Sam and Stephanie really didn't get much focus, and they could have provided some twists and turns in the story, given the chance. I really did get tired of the word "sweetheart" which was over-used by Jackson.
However, these are only minor criticisms, and as this is a debut novel, I did enjoy the book, it was an easy read. I admire anyone who can sit down and write a novel, and I'm sure the author will take on board all comments and go from strength to strength.
This is the first in what turned out to be a series of stories around the characters who you meet in From Here to Nashville. I thoroughly enjoyed the read as the action alternated between Poole in Dorset and Nashville. You are also given the story through two perspectives: Rachel and Jackson's which adds to the interest. There is such a contrast between Jackson and Rachel's way of life.
There are plenty of ups and downs in the character's fortunes as misunderstandings and half-truths cloud the picture. Rachel is so wary of commitment and seems to avoid talking things through. You have to have a certain amount of sympathy for Sam and like all the secondary characters, he is well drawn. This was Julie's debut novel and is full of feelgood moments and a real celebration of friendship and family.
If you're looking for a novel to escape into for an afternoon of sheer delight then this book is the solution. Sometimes a reader just needs a good old fashioned love story to get lost in and Julie Stock completely delivers.
The characters of Rachel and Jackson are so genuine but vulnerable. After a whirlwind romance Rachel has a huge life changing decision to make - mainly based on her feelings for Jackson. Both are vulnerable and battling their own demons which never bodes well for a smooth, romantic journey but it adds depth and realism to the characters. Julie is great at creating a deep chemistry between characters that can be felt easily by the reader.
My husband has been to Nashville but I haven't (so jealous) but this book really brought it to life through the music and the description. I love a book with a soundtrack. It's so hard to bring music to life in a novel but Julie Stock does it so well.
From Here To Nashville, is an charming, sweet, love story. Set initially in Dorset, the best part about this book is that we get a taste of two worlds when Rachel moves to Nashville to pursue her music career. Having never spent time in either city, I felt Ms. Stock's attention to the surroundings helped bring the story together. I could feel the wind whipping through my hair as Rachel and Jackson walked along the water in Dorset and pictured the buildings in Nashville clearly. A passionate story (without any spicy details), it's focuses not only Rachel and Jackson's quest to find love, but each individual as they overcome obstacles in their past that make them fearful of trusting again. An excellent debut novel.
Rachel is in a local band and dreams of singing success. Although the band does cover versions Rachel also writes her own songs and it is these which draw the crowds in. One night at a gig she meets Jackson who encourages her to try out for a national competition. Although she is keen, her bandmates are not as they have family responsibilities and Rachel has to decide what to do. Jackson is there every step of the way but is he all he seems?
I liked this debut by Julie Stock from a storyline point of view but the dialogue was a little uncertain in places which kept it out of the 4* bracket for me but I thought this one was worthy of a mention for the story itself which was entertaining and enjoyable.
Rachel is a very stiff character and the dialogue of the characters interactions all seems a bit too formal for their relationships. The book is good in parts but seems to go from spanning no time with everything happening to spanning weeks within a blink with no consistent pace. That and Rachel's lack of trust, she treats Jackson as if it's a teenage romance always making assumptions and being hypocritical about their relationship. Sadly this was a bit of a struggle to finish and isn't a book I'll be revisiting. It left loose ends for some characters as well as what seemed like a hasty end for others.
As a huge fan of live music and the TV programme, Nashville, I loved this book from the very start. Rachel is a wonderful heroine who dreams of being a successful singer/songwriter. When she meets Jackson, sparks fly but he's also got the ability to make her dreams come true. I loved the way the book moved between Rachel's home in Dorset and Nashville and I was fascinated to find out that The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville is a real place and not just something made up for the TV programme. There are some ups and downs along the way for Rachel and Jackson but what else would you expect from a country music romance?
This was a nice love story between a singer named Rachel and a music executive named Jackson. She has come across the pond to find success in country music. since Jackson is in the music industry, I think it gives them more of a connection since he understands what it takes to make it. They do have to overcome some hurdles in their relationship, but who doesn't. Overall, this was a good debut novel by the author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.