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lmrivas54's review
5.0
I loved the previous duet, Love to Hate Her and Hate to Love Him. Twins Gus and Jasper both love Viola but Gus got her first. Then when Gus and Jasper hit rockstar stardom, Gus didn’t handle fame well and cheated on Naomi. Years later, Naomi comes back to care for Jasper’s precious baby girl, Adalyn, who is autistic. Their love story took two books and it was epic. But I always thought that Gus was a good guy who made a mistake and deserved a chance at love too. And this is his love story! He couldn’t find a better love than Naomi.
This was a fantastic love story with several layers of angst that made it so good! Poor Gus had to fight hard for his lady love but she was worth all the pain and persistence!
Naomi was burned by drugs, first her father, then her boyfriend. Her father, whom she adored, overdosed and when she saw her boyfriend doing drugs, she couldn’t handle it. She left and afterward he betrayed her in the worst possible way, by publicly embarrassing her. She fled from the media, and has been a recluse since then, only doing chorus for friends, teaching music, etc.
“I’m an empty shell wrapped in titanium. A fortified abandoned city. It’s how I’ve survived. And I will not let anyone tear that all down.”
Gus wrote a song that depicts the love he had for Viola and how he gave up his love so his brother could have her. He wrote the song so he could send all his feelings to the universe and allow him to move on. But the song needed a second voice and Jasper refused to sing with Gus because he felt it should be all Gus. When their producer recommends Naomi and Gus listens to her for the first time, he’s floored by her talent, by her charisma and the faint aura of sadness she carries. They are both hit by a strong chemistry but she’s running away from love and betrayal and he’s moving on from a love lost.
“Gus’ eyes devour me, turning from a light gray to a smoldering charcoal. He’s feeling this too. This unfathomable high. This incredible rush. His fingers reach out, brushing mine, toying with them, and I shift once more, letting him.”
With both characters having such heavy baggage, you’d expect a difficult love story and it certainly was. Naomi was reluctant to trust again, and felt so much jealousy when she saw Gus and Jasper with Viola. She felt Viola was light and sweetness compared by her tumultuous darkness. Gus was sure of his feelings because Naomi turned him upside-down and sideways, the way Viola never did, and as Viola herself predicted.
“The woman who will truly own your heart will tie you up in knots.” She rolls her eyes. “Knowing you, probably both literally and figuratively.” I smirk, despite the serious mood and tone she’s pushing on me. “This woman will consume you. She’ll be the one you fight everything and everyone for. That’s not me, babe. It never was.”
This story was as epic as the previous two! I loved the ever presence of music in their lives, and how all their feelings are expressed through music. I loved the deepness in Naomi’s soul, her incredible talent that poured out of her pores, loved Gus decency and hard-won maturity. Their path was turbulent, there were dark forces against them from shadows of the past who felt envy of their new fame. For a while I was biting my nails, it was so suspenseful at some point, but so joyous at the end. Epic!
This was a fantastic love story with several layers of angst that made it so good! Poor Gus had to fight hard for his lady love but she was worth all the pain and persistence!
Naomi was burned by drugs, first her father, then her boyfriend. Her father, whom she adored, overdosed and when she saw her boyfriend doing drugs, she couldn’t handle it. She left and afterward he betrayed her in the worst possible way, by publicly embarrassing her. She fled from the media, and has been a recluse since then, only doing chorus for friends, teaching music, etc.
“I’m an empty shell wrapped in titanium. A fortified abandoned city. It’s how I’ve survived. And I will not let anyone tear that all down.”
Gus wrote a song that depicts the love he had for Viola and how he gave up his love so his brother could have her. He wrote the song so he could send all his feelings to the universe and allow him to move on. But the song needed a second voice and Jasper refused to sing with Gus because he felt it should be all Gus. When their producer recommends Naomi and Gus listens to her for the first time, he’s floored by her talent, by her charisma and the faint aura of sadness she carries. They are both hit by a strong chemistry but she’s running away from love and betrayal and he’s moving on from a love lost.
“Gus’ eyes devour me, turning from a light gray to a smoldering charcoal. He’s feeling this too. This unfathomable high. This incredible rush. His fingers reach out, brushing mine, toying with them, and I shift once more, letting him.”
With both characters having such heavy baggage, you’d expect a difficult love story and it certainly was. Naomi was reluctant to trust again, and felt so much jealousy when she saw Gus and Jasper with Viola. She felt Viola was light and sweetness compared by her tumultuous darkness. Gus was sure of his feelings because Naomi turned him upside-down and sideways, the way Viola never did, and as Viola herself predicted.
“The woman who will truly own your heart will tie you up in knots.” She rolls her eyes. “Knowing you, probably both literally and figuratively.” I smirk, despite the serious mood and tone she’s pushing on me. “This woman will consume you. She’ll be the one you fight everything and everyone for. That’s not me, babe. It never was.”
This story was as epic as the previous two! I loved the ever presence of music in their lives, and how all their feelings are expressed through music. I loved the deepness in Naomi’s soul, her incredible talent that poured out of her pores, loved Gus decency and hard-won maturity. Their path was turbulent, there were dark forces against them from shadows of the past who felt envy of their new fame. For a while I was biting my nails, it was so suspenseful at some point, but so joyous at the end. Epic!
rihoward's review against another edition
4.0
4.4 stars
This author is so gifted at creating stories that tug on the heartstrings. I wasn't sure if she was going to be able to redeem Gus after Viola and Jasper. She sure did though, and in a way that made sense and made me appreciate the love that he had for Naomi.
Love these characters. I was a little our off by Cas and Florian. The resolution seemed anticlimactic. Looking forward to the next story.
This author is so gifted at creating stories that tug on the heartstrings. I wasn't sure if she was going to be able to redeem Gus after Viola and Jasper. She sure did though, and in a way that made sense and made me appreciate the love that he had for Naomi.
Love these characters. I was a little our off by Cas and Florian. The resolution seemed anticlimactic. Looking forward to the next story.
michelle_loves_books_x's review against another edition
5.0
After reading Love to Hate Her, I wasn't sure how I'd feel about Gus's story... he made a few mistakes and needed the chance to redeem himself, and that is certainly what he does in this book!!
The chemistry and tension between Gus and Naomi is 🔥🔥🔥🔥
When they eventually give in to their attraction, it is 🥵🔥
We get to see a whole new side of Gus in this book and I actually really love him!! ❤️
The chemistry and tension between Gus and Naomi is 🔥🔥🔥🔥
When they eventually give in to their attraction, it is 🥵🔥
We get to see a whole new side of Gus in this book and I actually really love him!! ❤️
aporter0522's review
5.0
Just wow!! I absolutely loved Naomi and Gus’s book! She was lost so to speak and he helped bring her back to life. There is so much raw emotion and this book brought out all the feels!! Their connection is beautiful and this is a wonderful read! I highly recommend this series!
read_on_reader's review
5.0
Dear Gus, I am so sorry that I misjudged you and underestimated the way you would be able to work your way into my heart and make me see you are so much more. With a heart of gold and an honesty that can never be hidden I fell hard, fast, and deeply in love with you. You prove how amazing you are every time you are with Ady and with all the love/adoration you give her. That love and adoration shows you have plenty to give for the love of your life. For all that I owe you a sincere apology because not only did you prove your worth to me and redeem yourself, but you made me fall madly in love with you. Gus you are worthy! Love, One Happy and In Love Reader.
I knew from Jasper and Viola’s stories that Gus was so much more than what he portrayed, yet I knew he would have to do some things to redeem the bad he had done, but who couldn’t help and fall for him when he showed so much love and adoration towards his niece? I did underestimate how much he would have me falling for him and how much he would show me he was so much more than what I originally thought. He is out for redemption of himself and determined to find the one person he is meant to be with. Gus knows he has a lot he needs to make up for and he still feels like Viola’s forgiveness is not enough that he should do more, what he doesn’t realize is everyone loves him and would do anything for him. Hurting and wanting to find happiness he doesn’t see that sometimes it is right in front of us and we don’t see it until it smacks us in the face. Struggling to find forgiveness and move forward he meets Naomi who is struggling to live the life she deserves. Naomi has grown up in the spotlight with famous parents and a career of her own that she thrived in, but she is now only remembered as the girl that was dumped nationally and publicly by her ex at the Grammys. She has a lot of hurt, regret, and resentment that she bottles up and puts on her ‘public happy face” for yet no one sees the betrayal she hides, except Gus sees it all. The chemistry and attraction between these two are off the charts but they both have their reasons for treading lightly and trying not to cross any lines. After trying and unsuccessfully fighting their attraction it becomes too much and impossible to let each other go. Yet can they find their happiness together or will their pasts become too much and come back to haunt them? This series is beyond amazing that takes the readers on an emotional journey with characters that are impossible not to fall in love with. I have enjoyed ever book so far and looking forward to more of the band members stories.
I knew from Jasper and Viola’s stories that Gus was so much more than what he portrayed, yet I knew he would have to do some things to redeem the bad he had done, but who couldn’t help and fall for him when he showed so much love and adoration towards his niece? I did underestimate how much he would have me falling for him and how much he would show me he was so much more than what I originally thought. He is out for redemption of himself and determined to find the one person he is meant to be with. Gus knows he has a lot he needs to make up for and he still feels like Viola’s forgiveness is not enough that he should do more, what he doesn’t realize is everyone loves him and would do anything for him. Hurting and wanting to find happiness he doesn’t see that sometimes it is right in front of us and we don’t see it until it smacks us in the face. Struggling to find forgiveness and move forward he meets Naomi who is struggling to live the life she deserves. Naomi has grown up in the spotlight with famous parents and a career of her own that she thrived in, but she is now only remembered as the girl that was dumped nationally and publicly by her ex at the Grammys. She has a lot of hurt, regret, and resentment that she bottles up and puts on her ‘public happy face” for yet no one sees the betrayal she hides, except Gus sees it all. The chemistry and attraction between these two are off the charts but they both have their reasons for treading lightly and trying not to cross any lines. After trying and unsuccessfully fighting their attraction it becomes too much and impossible to let each other go. Yet can they find their happiness together or will their pasts become too much and come back to haunt them? This series is beyond amazing that takes the readers on an emotional journey with characters that are impossible not to fall in love with. I have enjoyed ever book so far and looking forward to more of the band members stories.
rozreallyreads's review
5.0
Lol, I read this in like a couple days months ago and forgot to review it. Not as wonderful as Jasper's story, but it was great nonetheless. I'm absolutely loving this series!!
sware65's review
5.0
I absolutely loved reading Gus's story.
When he first meets Naomi to get her to work on a duet with him he can't stop thinking about her. He knows if they work together then he can't sleep with her but he wants more than that with her.
Naomi had her heart broken on live tv and swore off musicians but she is so attracted to Gus.
They are perfect together but when her ex comes back on the scene it all gets more complicated.
Can they make it together when her ex is pulling them apart.
A must read. So looking forward to reading Keith's book.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
When he first meets Naomi to get her to work on a duet with him he can't stop thinking about her. He knows if they work together then he can't sleep with her but he wants more than that with her.
Naomi had her heart broken on live tv and swore off musicians but she is so attracted to Gus.
They are perfect together but when her ex comes back on the scene it all gets more complicated.
Can they make it together when her ex is pulling them apart.
A must read. So looking forward to reading Keith's book.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
ssrosepetal's review
5.0
I have been dying to read Gus's story since meeting him in Love to Hate Her/Hate to Love Him. I loved him and hated him for everything he put Viola and Jasper through. His story did not disappoint. It was everything I hoped for and more!! It all starts out with a song. A song he finally writes to get over Viola. A song that needed to be written. Honestly I wish I could hear the final version of that song because from the sound of it it would be heartbreakingly amazing!
Naomi comes into the picture as the person everyone thinks Gus should write this song with. She has so much heart break in her life that I felt so strongly for her. I loved her character, especially how she was when she meets Adalyn. However she really pissed me off closer to the end with how she just so easily believed her **@$ of an ex. And forgive me for saying this but I really would have loved to smack her parents for them being okay with their young teenage daughter dating (and seemingly being dictated) by a man 9 years older than her!! I wish I could have jumped into this book, become great friends with Naomi, and made her see how easily Florian was trying to manipulate her.
I loved Gus and Naomi together. I loved how good he was for her, how much strength he gave her. I loved how deeply Gus loved Naomi and how he was willing to fight for her. I also love the relationship/bond between Jasper, Gus, and Viola. It was wonderful seeing how much love they have for each other, especially through Naomi's eyes. Oh and Jasper's chapter!! His words for Naomi. Sigh... Ms. Saman has once again blown me away with the men from Wind Minds and the women who take them to their knees. I'm so glad I took a chance on Gus!! Now I'm intrigued with Keith's story!! *I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book for my honest and unbiased review.*
Naomi comes into the picture as the person everyone thinks Gus should write this song with. She has so much heart break in her life that I felt so strongly for her. I loved her character, especially how she was when she meets Adalyn. However she really pissed me off closer to the end with how she just so easily believed her **@$ of an ex. And forgive me for saying this but I really would have loved to smack her parents for them being okay with their young teenage daughter dating (and seemingly being dictated) by a man 9 years older than her!! I wish I could have jumped into this book, become great friends with Naomi, and made her see how easily Florian was trying to manipulate her.
I loved Gus and Naomi together. I loved how good he was for her, how much strength he gave her. I loved how deeply Gus loved Naomi and how he was willing to fight for her. I also love the relationship/bond between Jasper, Gus, and Viola. It was wonderful seeing how much love they have for each other, especially through Naomi's eyes. Oh and Jasper's chapter!! His words for Naomi. Sigh... Ms. Saman has once again blown me away with the men from Wind Minds and the women who take them to their knees. I'm so glad I took a chance on Gus!! Now I'm intrigued with Keith's story!! *I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book for my honest and unbiased review.*
maelled's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75