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blumerlamotte's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Story was enjoyable yet predictable. Started out strong but kinda fizzled. It’s got a TON of spice, which I enjoy, but lacked any type of depth or feeling due to a weak and highly predictable plot. I’ll give another book in the series a whirl but if it again lacks all semblance of a plot or character depth, I will quit the series.
Normally I prefer dual narrators so I was slightly thrown off by the single narrator. She had a good voice from the female MC but was awkward during the concert scenes and downright cringy during the spicy scenes. It appears the entire series has the same narrator and that may end up being reason enough for a DNF for me at a later time
Normally I prefer dual narrators so I was slightly thrown off by the single narrator. She had a good voice from the female MC but was awkward during the concert scenes and downright cringy during the spicy scenes. It appears the entire series has the same narrator and that may end up being reason enough for a DNF for me at a later time
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Stalking, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
caitlinemccann's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This could have been a three-star read because it's FINE but not fantastic, but what pushes it down are the dated elements sprinkled about throughout the book. ex: an early overuse of some offensive language, its questionable leveraging of a bisexual side character, and misuse of BDSM. All of which is stuck in the mid-2010s when the book was published.
Backstage Pass also struggles with a bunch of premises that are fun and original but only half-baked--a professor of human sexuality meets a rockstar at a hotel bar; she gets a grant to study the psychology of groupies; he hears new riffs when they have sex; there's a stalker ex. These plot points had flashes of brilliance but then would get dropped fairly quickly.
I also wasn't a fan of the relationship. The heat was there and fun to read (barring some of the questionable elements I mentioned above), but there is no way their relationship is healthy and lasting. It was a struggle to believe in the happily ever after, which is always disappointing when that happens. There was still something compelling about Backstage Pass and I could see myself trying another book in the series out of curiosity, but I wouldn't hold out much hope for it.
Backstage Pass also struggles with a bunch of premises that are fun and original but only half-baked--a professor of human sexuality meets a rockstar at a hotel bar; she gets a grant to study the psychology of groupies; he hears new riffs when they have sex; there's a stalker ex. These plot points had flashes of brilliance but then would get dropped fairly quickly.
I also wasn't a fan of the relationship. The heat was there and fun to read (barring some of the questionable elements I mentioned above), but there is no way their relationship is healthy and lasting. It was a struggle to believe in the happily ever after, which is always disappointing when that happens. There was still something compelling about Backstage Pass and I could see myself trying another book in the series out of curiosity, but I wouldn't hold out much hope for it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Infidelity and Vomit
nikreads19's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
jackiepreston's review
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
catem's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content