Survival Records Series by Leah Steele

The music industry held nothing but sparkling promise when I was sixteen. But now I’m twenty-one and know better. In its darkest corners hides an evil I couldn’t imagine. When my pain becomes too much, I take control the only way I know how—a handful of pills. That plan backfires, and now my reputation is in tatters. My band quit, and my label is forcing me to make up the shows I missed—with interest... moreThe music industry held nothing but sparkling promise when I was sixteen. But now I’m twenty-one and know better. In its darkest corners hides an evil I couldn’t imagine. When my pain becomes too much, I take control the only way I know how—a handful of pills. That plan backfires, and now my reputation is in tatters. My band quit, and my label is forcing me to make up the shows I missed—with interest. Now, the only band willing to work with me includes my ex-best friend, who's hell-bent on making my life miserable. He twists the lyrics that leave my lips until they burn. Then there’s his three bandmates. They somehow see my inner turmoil when nobody else does, and are determined to ease it in their own unique ways. The pills didn't end me, but I think this industry might. Can I take control of my life, or will everything finally consume me? less

My ex-best friend—my tormentor, the man who twisted my lyrics into weapons—is gone. Vanished without a trace. I should be relieved, but I’m not. There’s a gaping void where he used to be. We’ve searched everywhere, but he’s truly disappeared. The label doesn’t care. They want the show to go on—at any cost. Enter Mr. Lexington, ready with a new replacement for Tristan. But I know better. There’s nothing he won’t do to keep me under his thumb, including planting a spy to sabotage me... moreMy ex-best friend—my tormentor, the man who twisted my lyrics into weapons—is gone. Vanished without a trace. I should be relieved, but I’m not. There’s a gaping void where he used to be. We’ve searched everywhere, but he’s truly disappeared. The label doesn’t care. They want the show to go on—at any cost. Enter Mr. Lexington, ready with a new replacement for Tristan. But I know better. There’s nothing he won’t do to keep me under his thumb, including planting a spy to sabotage me. Now the world thinks I’m in a relationship with the guy—Lexington’s perfect little puppet—and unless I want my reputation ruined even further, I have to play along. The only thing holding me together is my bandmates, but how long before they tire of watching another man take their place in the public eye? I’m determined to come out of this stronger than ever. But these riffs might just be my downfall. less

They tried to take my voice. But I’m not done singing. I’ve spent my life onstage, my every move controlled by people who see me as nothing more than a brand—a voice, a face, a product to sell. But when I wake up in a hospital bed, my throat raw, my tour canceled, and my career hanging by a thread, I realize the truth: they never cared about me. Worse, the man responsible for my attack is still out there, spinning lies, trying to pin it all on someone I trust. The media is eating it up... moreThey tried to take my voice. But I’m not done singing. I’ve spent my life onstage, my every move controlled by people who see me as nothing more than a brand—a voice, a face, a product to sell. But when I wake up in a hospital bed, my throat raw, my tour canceled, and my career hanging by a thread, I realize the truth: they never cared about me. Worse, the man responsible for my attack is still out there, spinning lies, trying to pin it all on someone I trust. The media is eating it up. The label wants me silent. But I’m done playing their game. They tried to break me. Now, I’m taking my voice back. less