This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Introduction
Lies and Lullabies is the first book in the "Hush Note" trilogy. I just love a good rock star romance and I have been meaning to get to this trilogy for quite some time. I really enjoyed the last trilogy that this trio author team did together. I had been told that this one is the best of the series, so I literally jumped into this one, with no warning and no research haha and boy did I regret that so much in this one. I want to say that I loved this one but I really didn't. And if it wasn't for the other aspects of the story and for the way Sarina Bowen can just pull me into a story, I am not sure I would have kept with this one. But I don't think this is an author I could ever DNF if I am being honest. I just enjoy how she writes her stories even if its a trope I despise deeply lol

Summary
The set up of the story is that Jonas and Kiri first met in Maine over the lake in the summer and they quickly became friends which ended with one night of passion. But Jonas hadn't left his contact information with Kiri. Now its been years later since they were together, four years exactly and Jonas has brought his band to this summer lake and runs into Kiri and is also faced with the fact that he has a daughter that he didn't know about. As he and his band are on tour, Jonas is determined to reconnect with Kiri and build a relationship with his little girl, but sometimes life can make it tougher than it should be...

My Outlook
Lies and Lullabies was an endearing read and despite the trope that I hate being in it, I still enjoyed the story. However, I really need to point out if a book has this trope written in this way, no matter how good the story is I will never five star it. I can't condone a heroine doing this and I do feel like she should have done more groveling than she actually did. But what I did like is how well fleshed out the hero was in his reaction and his anger. I do think he forgave her a bit quicker than she actually deserved because she literally had zero reasons why she wouldn't go to him for the truth. She could have contacted him and didn't. So even though I enjoyed the romance as a whole, the hero was awesome, adored seeing him build a relationship with his daughter, but I can't give this book a higher rating because of the toxicity of the heroine. I really wish that authors would stop writing heroines like this and condoning it and if they betray the hero in this way, then I do think they need to do a good long grovel!!! Now granted the hero wasn't all perfect either and he made his share of mistakes but that doesn't make what the heroine does okay. And I do expect more from heroines because they are capable of it.

Overall View
Overall while I enjoyed the story as a whole, it had some toxic elements that took the joy out of the story. But its a solid rock star read and eager to continue it.

Rating Evaluation:
Plot: 4
World Building: 4
Cover: 5
Hero: 5
Heroine: 2.5
Steam: 4
Heart & Feels: 4
Ending: 4
Overall View: 3.5 ( )

4.5 stars

What a great story that sets the stage for more of these bandmates to get their stories too. Second chance romance along with a bonus surprise. I liked watching the characters, that have different lives, come together to make this work.

I was expecting more drama but what i got was two kindred spirits making a family. It was worth it ( )

I first read Sarina Bowen many years ago and fell in love and she only continues to get better with each book she writes. I was thrilled to read a new series by her. Lies & Lullabies the first book in the Hush Note series did not disappoint.

Sarina Bowen is one of those authors whose books I know I will love before I even start them. This story drew me in from the first and I was instantly intrigued by and rooting for the characters. Jonas and Kira both equally endeared themselves to me and drove me crazy in a fun way. I am not usually a huge fan of children in my books but Vivi was a delight.

It was fun to read about a new world and I loved how there were small mentions of characters and places from other series. It was a delightful treasure hunt to pick out those little nods to other stories. ( )

I really liked this book.
Secret baby has to have a good enough reason to be a secret.
The Hero and heroine meet, he's famous so he uses a family name rather than his known name.
She gets pregnant, doesn't know who he is.
After the baby is born she works out who is as his band's success picks up.
She had written to him earlier, not about the pregnancy, doesn't get a reply so gives up.
Should she have tried harder? Yes but the author makes this work.
The Hero didn't reply, he is worried the dream he's built up about her will come crashing down with real life and then his career takes off so he gets wrapped up in other things.

During the separation heroine doesn't have time for relationships with anyone else.
The Hero has previously lived a man-whore lifestyle but has given up on that as he had something real with the heroine and can't find it with meaningless hook-ups.
It's vague but I got the impression he wasn't celibate but I found it confusing to work it out.
5 year separation.

Dual POV.

No intimate scenes other than the Hero and heroine.
Small other woman drama.
No cheating, flirting or interest in anyone else.
HEA.
Breadcrumbs dropped for future books in series with teaser chapter at the end of another band member.
Epilogue. ( )

Ok so I enjoyed reading this but not as much as other books of hers. Oddly it didn’t really feel like a Sarina Bowen book; I’m not sure if it’s because this little series has multiple authors, but there was just something different about it. Also it was a rock band book that seemed to not have a band even though there’s apparently an actual song written for it. ( )