Book Shelf: Tone Deaf by Olivia Rivers

His world is music. Her world is silent.

Ali Collins was a child prodigy destined to become one of the greatest musicians of the twenty-first century—until she was diagnosed with a life-changing brain tumor. Now, at seventeen, Ali lives in a soundless world where she gets by with American Sign Language and lip-reading. She’s a constant disappointment to her father, a retired cop fighting his own demons, and the bruises are getting harder to hide.

When Ali accidentally wins a backstage tour with the chart-topping band Tone Deaf, she’s swept back into the world of music. Jace Beckett, the nineteen-year-old lead singer of the band, has a reputation. He’s a jerk and a player, and Ali wants nothing to do with him. But there’s more to Jace than the tabloids let on. When Jace notices Ali’s bruises and offers to help her escape to New York, Ali can’t turn down the chance at freedom and a fresh start. Soon she’s traveling cross-country, hidden away in Jace’s RV as the band finishes their nationwide tour. With the help of Jace, Ali sets out to reboot her life and rediscover the music she once loved.

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Review:

Tone Deaf by Olivia Rivers is a wonderfully told contemporary romance that explores strong topics in a fun, rich tale that weaves different elements together including romance, friendship and the power of learning to survive. 

Allison Collins was a musical prodigy with a bright future until a brain tumour left her completely deaf and her mother passed away not long after; leaving her in the hands of her abusive father who has no qualms taking out his anger and frustration out on Ali. Aware she can escape when she turns eighteen in four months, Ali’s chance comes a few months earlier after she wins a backstage tour of a famous band. Jace Beckett is the lead guitarist in Tone Deaf, a popular rock band and someone known for his bad attitude and playboy ways. Jilted and guarded, the last thing Jace wants to do is be forced to play tour guide to the winner of the band’s latest contest, yet when Jace meets Ali, he automatically recognises the bruises that litter her body for the signs they are. Determined to protect the girl he sees as an unexpected kindred spirit, Jace offers Ali the chance to join him and the band on the rest of their tour, but is Ali willing to take a chance with a moody musician she barely knows……

Having wanted to read it since I first read its description, Tone Deaf thoroughly satisfied me. Unfolding through both Ali and Jace’s POV’s, I really enjoyed the story Olivia Rivers has woven. Following a main character who was deaf highlighted just how strong people with disabilities can be, and how having an ailment or impairment doesn’t mean you are any less of a person.

As our female lead, Ali was someone I really liked. As a victim of physical violence, Ali was justifiably fragile and fearful, but she was also very strong. Strong for taking a chance, and strong for speaking out even when time and time again no one believed her. Ali was a survivor, and I think it was lovely how Olivia Rivers was able to write a character who was the vision of a real abuse victim, but also someone who overcame and who pushed on. Sure Ali was afraid, but she was strong in a way she needed to be and I liked that—my heart really felt for her.

And Jace too. Jace Beckett is far from your typical celebrity and I have to commend Rivers for giving Jace and Ali a true connection. Horrible as it may be, they connected due to their similar histories and the experiences that had both been though. Jace comes across as a jerk in the very beginning of the novel, but you quickly realize it's a survival mechanism and that Ali has the power to bring him to life like never before. It was lovely to witness and I think Olivia Rivers writes a great budding romance with Jace and Ali.

Perfect for fans of the Backstage Pass series published by Entangled Crush, Tone Deaf was a really sweet and sincere novel that managed to explore some serious issues while also managing to tell a romantic and entertaining story filled with great friends, sweet scenes and a great ending!

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by the author (Thank you Olivia!)
Publisher: Sky Pony Press
Format: Kindle ebook
Release Date: May 3rd 2016
Purchase: Bookworld | Booktopia | The Book Depository | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Final Thoughts: A really enjoyable read--I look forward to reading more by Olivia Rivers in the future.