Book Review: My Rock Star Neighbor by Kathy Strobos

I’m so pleased to be welcoming Kathy Strobos back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, My Rock Star Neighbor.

When a wary rock star and a cynical reporter fake date to bury a scandalous rumor, will true love be exposed as the real story?

Nick: I do my best songwriting while playing my guitar on the fire escape. Unfortunately, my in-bed-at-ten next-door neighbor, Maddie, is not a fan of my music. She clambers out on the fire escape to yell at me about making “noise.”  In bunny slippers, no less. But then she trips and falls into my arms.

That photo of Maddie plastered all over me hits the papers, just as my dream recording company wants to sign my band. Which is a problem, because an obsessed fan is claiming that I’m her boyfriend and now the media is blowing up that I’m two-timing them both. Good-bye recording contract, unless….

Maddie: I’m supposed to cover the story. Not be the story! But when Nick begs me to fake date, I can’t resist the chance to be Nick’s girlfriend—even if fake—the opposite of my life as a city desk reporter. But my ex said I’m a terrible kisser, and there’s no way I want Mr. Hot Rock Star saying the same thing. Hence, clause 11 in our contract: There will be absolutely no physical contact.

Nick: When Maddie receives a threatening photo of the two of us with an X over her face, my desire to protect her suddenly feels all too real. It’s either a troll or her undercover investigation has been compromised. With both our careers at stake, is breaking up the only way to keep Maddie safe?

*****

Maddie and Nick are neighbours and have been friends for a while. Each are unaware that the other has feelings. Maddie is on the verge of breaking a big story that would be good for her career as a reporter. Nick is about to make it big with his band.

When circumstances are such that Maddie and Nick end up fake dating, things only get more complicated. Can they keep their feelings at bay or will it reveal more than they bargained for?

Although I’ve had the pleasure of previously hosting Kathy Strobes on the blog, this is the first time I’ve had a chance to read one of her novels and I couldn’t wait to get started. I love the cover. So pretty. Also, as a big cat lady, I want to adopt Sherlock and I loved the little cat illustration peppered throughout the book.

My Rock Star Neighbor is book four in the New York Sparks series but it can be read as a standlone. I will be adding the first three books in the series to my TBR list.

Told from the point of view of both Maddie and Nick, the plot moves well. I do like dual narratives as it gives the reader a more rounded view of what each character is thinking and how they internally react to situations. The author has a great, effortless writing style that made it very easy to fall into the story. It’s light but has substance too.

Although there is a romantic element to this story, there is a great mystery and I loved that thread. The novel also features New York – one of my favourite cities in the world.

Maddie is a wonderful, female lead. She’s not disillusioned with her job. She loves her career and works hard for it. I wanted to reach in and tell her that she’s OK, especially when you learn about her childhood and why she has insecurities.

Nick is the type of musician that goes against the myth of the bad rockstar. He’s kind, loyal and knows the value of the people around him. He compliments Maddie well and I wanted the best for them. My lack of ability to sing aside, I am not sure I could survive in the music industry or any public facing role in the entertainment world especially in the age of social media. What Maddie and Nick have to face in terms of public opinion within the novel is awful.

They are an example of people who get in their own way. Whether they manage to pull it together is something I am going to leave for you to find out. I hope you do.

My Rock Star Neighbor is a wonderful read full of great characters and a compelling story that will have you feeling all the feels at the end. It would make a great companion for the cold evenings or last minute autumn breaks. I really enjoyed it and am now a fan of this series. I hope we get to catch up with these characters again soon.

About Kathy Strobos –

Kathy Strobos is an award-winning author living in New York City with her husband and two children, amid a growing collection of books, toys, and dollhouses. She took a break from working as a lawyer to write romantic comedies full-time and get in shape. She is still working on getting in shape.

Born and raised in Manhattan, she loves writing about New York City and her smart heroines who live and fall in love there, amidst its vibrant energy and the aroma of homemade chocolate chip cookies. She is the award-winning author of: A Scavenger Hunt for Hearts, Partner Pursuit, Is This for Real?, Caper Crush, My Book Boyfriend, Love Is an Art and My Secret Snowflake.

Say hello to Kathy on Instagram, Facebook, Bookbub, YouTube, Goodreads, Amazon and Audible.  

My Rock Star Neighbor is book four in the New York Sparks series and was released in October 2025. Click to buy on Amazon UK, Amazon US and Apple Books. 

by

Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.