Leaving AmarilloAuthor: Caisey Quinn
Series: Neon Dreams #1
Published by: William Morrow
Publication Date: March 17, 2015
Format: eARC
Pages: 352
Source: Publisher
Dixie Lark hasn’t had it easy. She lost her parents in an accident when she was young and grew up in a ramshackle house on a dirt road in Amarillo with her ailing grandparents and overprotective older brother. Thanks to her grandfather, Dixie learned to play a mean fiddle, inspired by the sounds of the greats—Johnny and June, Waylon, and Hank. Her grandfather’s fiddle changed Dixie’s life forever, giving her an outlet for the turmoil of her broken heart and inspiring a daring dream.
Ten years later, Dixie and her brother, Dallas, are creating the music they love and chasing fame with their hot band, Leaving Amarillo. But Dixie isn’t enjoying the ride. All she can think about is Gavin, the band’s tattooed, tortured drummer who she’s loved since they were kids. She knows he feels the connection between them, but he refuses see her as more than his best friend’s little sister.
Convinced that one night with Gavin will get him out of her system, Dixie devises a plan. She doesn’t know that her brother has forbidden Gavin from making a move on her-a promise he swore he’d always keep . . . a promise that once broken will unexpectedly change the future for Dixie, Gavin and the band.
Yee-haw! Leaving Amarillo is the first book I’ve read by Caisey Quinn, and now I’m looking forward to more.
This book brings out all the feels. Dixie is 19, and plays the fiddle in a band with her older brother and Gavin. Gavin had a pretty crappy home life growing up, but he always had Dallas and Dixie. The three of them have been close since they were young, but Dixie held her feelings for Gavin back because Dallas put her off limits. Gavin doesn’t want to risk losing them, so he keeps her at arm’s length. Well, Dixie is tired of it and is ready to lay it all on the line.
Dixie is a feisty, yet sweet girl. She felt younger and naïve at times, but I think that had to do with the way Dallas treated her. I mean, he’s a great older brother, but dude is a bit overprotective. Ah, but Dixie could be really funny and a smartass, especially when it comes to Gavin.
The chemistry between them is so, so good in every way. Gavin can be frustrating at times, but it’s that kind of frustration that makes you want to smack him and make him kiss Dixie senseless. Oh, but when he lets the guard down even a little … whew! What really helped feel the depth of their connection were the small flashbacks of them when they were kids, because it showed how there was even something there when it was just sweet and innocent.
I love the setting and atmosphere of the music festival and the surrounding area, and the road trip and a small town feel are a total bonus. Also, it actually incorporates music into the story, the feel of it and what it means to Dixie. I love that.
The parts that got me the most emotional involved her Papa. I could so connect with Dixie and his relationship, and it made me call my own a couple times while reading this.
I have mixed feelings about the ending because it’s open with a lot of unfinished business that will continue in a future book. At the same time, the ending is lovely. I don’t know, it’s really not bad, I’m just not used to that in this genre.
Overall, I enjoyed Leaving Amarillo a lot and can’t wait to see how everything turns out.
You have me adding yet another book to my waiting list.
Myabe by the time I get to it the next one it’s out.
Thanks Christy 🙂
I definitely will like Dixie, I can’t resist a feisty heroine! And Gavin sounds yummy and frustrating in all the right ways. 🙂
What a pretty name, Dixie! Tsk, men/boys are so frustratingly dense sometimes. But that’s what makes romance novels addictive. LOL
I haven’t read a Caisey Quinn book either, but I’m intrigued! This sounds absolutely fantastic. I especially love the sound of Dixie! I think I would love Gavin too in the same way as you did, wanting to hit him and wanting to kiss him. Haha!
Great review, Christy!
Haha, I understand that kind of frustration. It’s like OMG CAN YOU JUST MAKE UP YOUR MIND ALREADY AND JUST GRAB A ROOM haha. Love that you loved this one, Christy!
Oh I sooo have to get back into band romances. I know I say this A LOT but the feels… Papa as in her grandpa? I loves mine so much <3
Yup, her grandpa. I’m such a grandpa’s girl, so it hit me right in the heart.
I like the whole thing with the music and such, but the open ending, those drive me crazy. You are right you are a lucky find 🙂
Oh I do like something creative (like music) in my contemporary books. That sold me there. Hm… I do think I may have to try this one after making sure I can get the next. Open endings aren’t my favorite thing. 🙂
Oh that sounds so good Christy. Meh on the open-ish ending though. But still sounds worth it 😀
Awww! I love the ones that show the close connection with the parent.
Wow this sounds so good…a feisty heroine and great chemistry!
Dixie sounds like someone I would like. The romance sounds fun too, I love when there the chemistry is good. If the ending is on a high note I can handle open-ended.
I’ve enjoyed previous Caisey Quinn books (Kylie Ryans series) and they also focused on music which I loved. I think this one is a me-book too now that I’ve read your review. And aw, love that it made you want to talk to your own dad 🙂
Oh good! I just got a copy of this one and thought it sounded fantastic, so I’m glad you agree:) The unfinished business at the end makes me a touch nervous because I like things to be wrapped up, but clearly that’s a minor flaw and the story overall is a winner!
It’s kind of weird how they seem to be setup. The second book looks like it’ll focus on her brother, and then Dixie and Gavin’s will continue in the 3rd book. I would’ve waited had I known.
Liking the sounds of Dixie. Happy you liked it.
I love music stories! Will check this out!