Heartthrob: A Rockstar Romance
Zoey Vale
Reader Reviews
5.0
1 rating
Carla B.
Feb 8, 2026
Heartthrob by Zoey Vale is one of those stories that makes you believe in timing, even the wildly improbable kind. Natalie is not chasing fame or fortune. Her life is quiet, predictable. Work, plants, the usual crafting rabbit holes. And okay, yes, she’s had a bit of a thing for Chris Canseco, frontman of Seeing Stars. So when fate drops him right in front of her, all charm and smirk? She’s not sure whether to laugh, run, or hope he asks her name.
What makes this book work is that it doesn’t go full fantasy. Natalie’s not some starstruck groupie. She’s grounded and not sure how to handle the fact that the guy she used to swoon over is suddenly in front of her. Chris isn’t just a walking cliché either. He’s sweet and a little worn down by the chaos of his world. Their connection builds slowly. There’s tension, there’s banter, and yes, there are some very steamy scenes, and I am here for it! Let’s just say Vale does not fade to black.
The emotional side surprised me. Natalie’s past, while not front and center, adds weight to her choices. Chris isn’t trying to fix her. He likes her just as she is. She’s not trying to “save” him either. It’s about figuring out whether two very different lives can overlap in a way that’s sustainable.
For a debut, this is seriously impressive. The writing is smooth without being too polished, the characters feel lived-in, and the romance has enough depth to stick with you after the last page. I’d recommend Heartthrob to anyone who loves rockstar romances but wants something a little softer around the edges… more heart, less drama-for-drama’s-sake. Definitely for fans of stories where the fantasy brushes up against real emotional stakes. Fans of Elle Kennedy or Talia Hibbert will feel right at home here.
What makes this book work is that it doesn’t go full fantasy. Natalie’s not some starstruck groupie. She’s grounded and not sure how to handle the fact that the guy she used to swoon over is suddenly in front of her. Chris isn’t just a walking cliché either. He’s sweet and a little worn down by the chaos of his world. Their connection builds slowly. There’s tension, there’s banter, and yes, there are some very steamy scenes, and I am here for it! Let’s just say Vale does not fade to black.
The emotional side surprised me. Natalie’s past, while not front and center, adds weight to her choices. Chris isn’t trying to fix her. He likes her just as she is. She’s not trying to “save” him either. It’s about figuring out whether two very different lives can overlap in a way that’s sustainable.
For a debut, this is seriously impressive. The writing is smooth without being too polished, the characters feel lived-in, and the romance has enough depth to stick with you after the last page. I’d recommend Heartthrob to anyone who loves rockstar romances but wants something a little softer around the edges… more heart, less drama-for-drama’s-sake. Definitely for fans of stories where the fantasy brushes up against real emotional stakes. Fans of Elle Kennedy or Talia Hibbert will feel right at home here.