Dahlia had been with her husband Doug for what had seemed liked forever, committed to the vows she made to the musician as a teenager, even if he didn't take them as seriously. He had betrayed her trust, hurt her, destroyed her in ways she didn't think possible, and that was before his diagnosis; things had only gotten worse after. His death had opened more wounds. Despite everything, she had loved him once. When her path crosses with Asher's, an old crush and famous rock star, she begins to feel things she thought were long lost in her. But she never thought her feelings had been, and still were, reciprocated. The problem is, neither of them are in a place where they feel they can pursue a relationship. After Doug, Dahlia swore never to love, especially not a musician. She knew all too well the price she paid, and she couldn't do it again. Will she pass up her chance of happiness because of the fears and betrayal of her husband, or will she take the risk, will she give love one final chance?

Sweet Solace (Seattle Sound Series Book 1) is a slow burn romance by Alexa Padgett who is certainly an expert in the craft of writing. I hung on every word, loving the steady pace and involved plot of the lives of Asher and Dahlia as they are brought together, both with their own complications. I loved the slow change in Dahlia's character as she began to reclaim who she had once been before things had turned sour with Doug. There is plenty to enjoy, and the erotic scenes were well scripted and perfectly attuned to the book without being over the top. They were no more or less than what was needed. I can honestly say it has been a long time since I have enjoyed a book in the romance genre as much as I enjoyed Sweet Solace. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it, and I can certainly see myself picking up some of the other books from the talented Alexa Padgett. It has everything you could ask for: passion, doubts, insecurity, longing, and the fears that come with someone already deeply hurt, and more.

Sweet Solace is the first book in the Seattle Sound Series by Alexa Padgett and it is an engaging contemporary romance, featuring characters that are hard to ignore. When they first met, there was no chance for them, because Dahlia had just moved in with her would-be husband. But when they meet again for the second time, each has heartaches and brokenness that result from their current situations. Asher is going through a painful divorce while Dahlia, widowed, is struggling as a romance writer. The attraction between them is strong and, in spite of their personal struggles, they know they can’t resist each other. So, how do they handle it?

This is a beautiful romance with characters that are rock-solid, each written with a convincing backstory and realism. I enjoyed the fact that the characters are neither very successful nor perfect and their flaws add to the beauty of the narrative, making them characters that readers can connect to easily. Asher is navigating a very difficult phase in his life with his ex-wife using their child to manipulate him. It’s easy for readers to feel the pain of the characters. But besides the compelling characters, Alexa Padgett does an impeccable job with the plot and conflict. The story has a great plot structure with subplots that create suspense as readers shift from one story line to another. The points of view come out beautifully, allowing readers to delve deeper into the different layers of the lives of the characters. Sweet Solace is written in beautiful prose and there is a powerful, sensual current that sweeps the reader along with the story. It is an enjoyable read.

Sweet Solace is a work of contemporary romantic fiction by author Alexa Padgett, and the first in a new series entitled Seattle Sound. A fully explicit hot romance novel, the story follows protagonists Asher and Dahlia. Dahlia was married young to someone else, but she never got over Asher leaving town without any explanation as to why. Asher, for his part, has been rising to fame with his perfect voice, though he’s never forgotten the girl he had to leave behind. Years later, with both their lives in comparative tatters, Asher and Dahlia are reunited and still feel the old sparks burning. It’s not a good idea to get together, but they don’t seem to be able to resist one another.

Alexa Padgett is a very successful crafter of romance, whose books I’ve encountered before, and fans of hers will not be disappointed by this new series focused on singers in Seattle. Asher is a typically gorgeous hero who readers will surely drool over, and I was impressed with his depth of emotion and the reality of having a life he thought he wanted versus the one he could have had with Dahlia. Dahlia is an endearing and intelligent heroine who doesn’t fall apart and compromise herself because of her passions, but that’s not to say she isn’t an authentically passionate woman who seeks real love as well. Overall, Sweet Solace is an emotionally intelligent romance that balances heat and sex with real feelings and accurate problems of contemporary life. Highly recommended.