Reviewer: Rowena
Chaos by Jamie Shaw
Series: Mayhem #3
Also in this series: Mayhem, Riot, Mayhem, Riot, Havoc
Publisher: Avon, Harper Collins
Publication Date: July 21st 2015
Genres: New Adult
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Series Rating:

The third novel in Jamie's fantastic Mayhem series reunites lead guitarist, Shawn, with a girl from his past who is determined to show him what he's been missing.

From the moment she saw Shawn Scarlett perform at a school talent show, Kit Larson has loved two things: the guitar, and the gorgeous, green-eyed boy who inspired her to play. But one careless night in high school shatters her hope of ever being more than a notch in his bedpost.

Six years, two bands, and one mostly mended heart later, Kit s about to make her rock star dreams a reality as the new guitarist for Shawn's band, The Last Ones to Know. He may not remember their reckless night together, but Kit has never forgotten ... and she's determined to make him eat his heart out.

The release of their new album means a month cooped up on a tour bus, sleeping inches away from the ridiculously sexy musician she's never quite gotten over. And as Kit gets to know the real Shawn not Shawn Scarlett, the rock god, the player their attraction becomes too hot to resist. But the past is paved with secrets, and when they finally surface, Kit could lose everything: the band, the music, her dreams ... and Shawn.

I’m so happy to finally be able to dig right into Shawn and Kit’s book. I have adored Shawn from the very first time Adam licked him on the face with “Peach” by his side and I thought he was perfect. After reading his book, I found out that he’s not perfect and I loved him even more because of it.

The first time Kit fell in love with the guitar was at a middle school talent show and Shawn Scarlett was the one playing it. Her love for the guitar grew each day at the same time that her crush on Shawn caught fire. When he graduates her freshman year, they spend an unforgettable night together. At least it was unforgettable to Kit. Shawn never called like he promised and Kit was torn to bits over it.

Six years later, she’s a beast on the guitar and she wants to go places as a musician so she tries out for Shawn’s band…and makes it. Everyone is thrilled to have her on board, everyone but Shawn and the little part of her 15 year old self is hurt by that but she’s not that obsessed little girl anymore. She wants to be a rock star too much to let him take this from her. Determined to be professional, Kit decides that being nice is the only way to go. But when a friendship sparks between them, it’s hard for Kit to keep to the rules she set out for herself, to protect herself from getting hurt again by Shawn Scarlett.

Throughout the book, you could tell that there was a lot resentment on Kit’s part. You could also tell that she grew up with a bunch of brothers because she fit right in with the band from the get go and I love how she won everyone over. As a whole, I liked Kit. She reacted the way that I thought people her age would react to anything that came her way and when she finally gets her head out of her ass (with Leti’s help of course), I really came to like her. I thought she was good with Shawn and I’m not going to lie, I felt like Rowan and Dee felt about her in the first book. I knew Shawn first so my loyalties were to him first but she won me over the way that she won the others over and I’m glad that she didn’t drive me absolutely bonkers the way that Dee did in Riot.

I loved Shawn. I was really glad to see that he was a man with flaws but I was also really glad that he wasn’t the same guy he was six years ago. I’m also really glad to have seen him fall in love with Kit. He was a good guy and even when I was annoyed with him for bonehead shit, I never forgot that at his core, he was a good guy. I was a bit disappointed when Kit forgot that.

The romance between Shawn and Kit was dramatic at the same time that it was passionate. I loved that they didn’t rush into a relationship, that their relationship was based in the friendship that they started off with (in the present, not in the past) and grew from there. They were good together and I knew what Shawn meant when he wanted to hold off on telling people.

There was much to like about this book. The romance, the main couple and seeing the recurring characters from the other books. And Leti. OMG, Leti. I loved him. I loved that he finally got his own man. I loved the wisdom he imparts on his third best friend and I loved the way that he fit himself into Kit’s family and personal life. He is such a good friend to all three of those girls that it was so easy for me to fall in love with him so quickly.

And even though they got on my hot damn nerves, I liked Kit’s brothers. I loved their quick acceptance of Kale’s bombshell and I love how they were pissed off about the right things. The first thing Mason tells Kale after Kale’s announcement was the absolute perfect thing to say and made me love him even after he was so freaking overbearing and annoying where Kit was concerned.

There were times when I wanted to smack Kit in her mouth but in the end, it didn’t matter how mad she made me. She was Shawn’s person and they belonged together. I saw it. I believed it. Good job, Jamie Shaw.

This was another great addition to a series that I couldn’t help but read in one shot. I read each book back to back to back and I’m not sorry that I did. I enjoyed Shawn and Kit’s story and I’m looking forward to reading Mike’s book. I’ve got my fingers crossed that he doesn’t get back with Danica but instead, hooks up with her cousin. This was an enjoyable ride and Jamie Shaw did a great job of pulling me into each story and making me fall in love with each character, even when they drove me absolutely insane. I think the stories match the personalities of the characters the stories are about and I’m glad to have been a part of the ride.

Good stuff.

Grade: 4 out of 5

This book is available from Avon Impulse. You can purchase it here or here in e-format. This book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.