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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