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megwoman25's review against another edition
4.0
MM Romance
Hurt/Comfort Rockstars
3.75 Stars ⭐️
Audiobook Narrators: 4.5 Stars ⭐️ Chris Chambers & Iggy Toma (I liked Chambers’ deep melodic voice, it was perfect for Caleb and Toma’s take on Theo was spot on. My only issue is Chambers’ had some heavy breathing noises between the scenes that were a tad distracting but other than that it was perfect)
This review is going to sound unhinged because it makes no sense what I’m about to say. I really enjoyed listening to this but had I read it, I most likely would have DNF’d. But how can that be you ask? Rockstar romances are super hit or miss for me but this one worked because both characters were musicians and from the organic way they met to the conversations they had, I felt their connection. Theo is the lead singer of the band Riven but he hates being famous and he feels extremely guilty about that because it makes him feel ungrateful. He’s the face of everything even though he’s only one part of the band and wishes he could just blend into the background and still do what he loves. Caleb is older than Theo and was a studio musician back in the day but a drug problem derailed his career. He’s been sober for a year and has chosen to leave the music scene because he doesn’t believe he can have both sobriety and music. These two find a kinship in each other because they are both going through hardship and are incredibly lonely. I totally adored them and though they had some stumbles along the way, I liked them so much that their relationship kept me coming back despite everything else.
BUT…
This took me almost a week to listen to and I found I could only listen to an hour or so at a time or I’d get restless. This author’s writing style is kind of flowery anyway but added in with the songwriting and discussions these two were having both in their inner monologues and out loud just gave the book this lyrical long winded feeling. I’d find myself sick of them but once I’d put this down, a day would go by and I’d be yearning to experience their love story again due to the rawness of the voices. Had I not listened to this and heard the raw emotion, I’m not sure I would have continued to pick it back up but I’m so thankful I did keep going back to it because I just loved Theo & Caleb and their journey to be together. This had such a good hurt/comfort vibe and the sex scenes were damn hot between them.
Hurt/Comfort Rockstars
3.75 Stars ⭐️
Audiobook Narrators: 4.5 Stars ⭐️ Chris Chambers & Iggy Toma (I liked Chambers’ deep melodic voice, it was perfect for Caleb and Toma’s take on Theo was spot on. My only issue is Chambers’ had some heavy breathing noises between the scenes that were a tad distracting but other than that it was perfect)
This review is going to sound unhinged because it makes no sense what I’m about to say. I really enjoyed listening to this but had I read it, I most likely would have DNF’d. But how can that be you ask? Rockstar romances are super hit or miss for me but this one worked because both characters were musicians and from the organic way they met to the conversations they had, I felt their connection. Theo is the lead singer of the band Riven but he hates being famous and he feels extremely guilty about that because it makes him feel ungrateful. He’s the face of everything even though he’s only one part of the band and wishes he could just blend into the background and still do what he loves. Caleb is older than Theo and was a studio musician back in the day but a drug problem derailed his career. He’s been sober for a year and has chosen to leave the music scene because he doesn’t believe he can have both sobriety and music. These two find a kinship in each other because they are both going through hardship and are incredibly lonely. I totally adored them and though they had some stumbles along the way, I liked them so much that their relationship kept me coming back despite everything else.
BUT…
This took me almost a week to listen to and I found I could only listen to an hour or so at a time or I’d get restless. This author’s writing style is kind of flowery anyway but added in with the songwriting and discussions these two were having both in their inner monologues and out loud just gave the book this lyrical long winded feeling. I’d find myself sick of them but once I’d put this down, a day would go by and I’d be yearning to experience their love story again due to the rawness of the voices. Had I not listened to this and heard the raw emotion, I’m not sure I would have continued to pick it back up but I’m so thankful I did keep going back to it because I just loved Theo & Caleb and their journey to be together. This had such a good hurt/comfort vibe and the sex scenes were damn hot between them.
minnerain's review
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
___tamara___'s review
4.0
I loved Caleb and admired his strength, but I was unsure about Theo. Most of the time I was under the impression he needed a therapist more than anything else and that he was forming an unhealthy attachment to Caleb because of his issues. It all worked out in the end, but I've spent the whole book wondering which way Theo will go as a character and feeling uncomfortable about it.
sara11_reads's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars - Angsty, conflicted yet still likable characters. I'm always a sucker for rock star/band romances and this one was great. Interesting that this was sort of the opposite of the found family trope that's usually common in books about music/bands.
moodreadqueen's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kmkasiner's review against another edition
4.0
First book of 2019! I don't usually read rock star romances (or contemporary at all), but I kept seeing this and I was pleasantly surprised after reading it! I love a romance where, by the end, you feel like these characters HAVE to be together. Theo and Caleb complemented each other perfectly. Some of the reviews mention that there are too many internal monologues, but I enjoy introspective characters, so I actually liked that. The character development was great imo, and even the minor side characters were vivid to me. The way music and composing was described in the book was really cool too. I wish I could go listen to their songs now.
triplebriiii's review against another edition
3.25
This was solid! I enjoyed the music aspect of it a lot. Not so keen on the two fucking break ups that happened . Spice was good.
Despite this being labled as the first book in the series, uh, it comes chronologically after book "2". Probably no real spoilers since, they're both romances, OF COURSE the two MCs are gonna have an HEA but should flag for others in case they wanted to read the second book first.
Despite this being labled as the first book in the series, uh, it comes chronologically after book "2". Probably no real spoilers since, they're both romances, OF COURSE the two MCs are gonna have an HEA but should flag for others in case they wanted to read the second book first.
sinamile's review against another edition
5.0
Audiobook Review
1. Iggy Toma, for me, perfected the way I imagined Caleb would sound: gruff and rugged, smokey and throaty and jesus, I wish he voiced Caleb the entire time coz he got the gravel I wanted to a T. I'm not saying Chris Chambers was bad, but I wished he gave a little more gravel, a little more grit, to his performance to really give me what I needed.
2. With the way Caleb was described, learning he's only 35 I was a shocked. Lowkey thought my guy was 45 instead. Shows what I know. So obviously I was expecting grittier Caleb, but being 35 I think Chambers did an amazing job voicing him!
3. Bother Chambers and Toma captured Theo perfectly. Their voices were both perfect as Theo, I could actually see him, feel his presence.
4. And well Roan Parrish has yet to disappoint me, so like obviously this is five (5) stars. Like it's not even a shock. And lord, the way she captured the tortured soul.... Fuuuuuurk. Her writing is incredible, thanks.
5. Okay, but the audience would like a prequel novella of Rhys and Caleb's very messy relationship. Oh man, I'd donate a kidney for that, s2g. They are so soft and adorable and cute and F######CK! I love them so damn much and so damn hard, jesus!
CW/TW: addiction/recovery, sex on page, graphic sex, rehab/relapses (mention), drug use/drug addiction, emotional neglect, anxiety, mention of vomiting, mention of bullying, ableist slurs, mention of alcaholism/alcahol abuse, mention of parental neglect, mention of teen pregnancy, mention of divorce
1. Iggy Toma, for me, perfected the way I imagined Caleb would sound: gruff and rugged, smokey and throaty and jesus, I wish he voiced Caleb the entire time coz he got the gravel I wanted to a T. I'm not saying Chris Chambers was bad, but I wished he gave a little more gravel, a little more grit, to his performance to really give me what I needed.
2. With the way Caleb was described, learning he's only 35 I was a shocked. Lowkey thought my guy was 45 instead. Shows what I know. So obviously I was expecting grittier Caleb, but being 35 I think Chambers did an amazing job voicing him!
3. Bother Chambers and Toma captured Theo perfectly. Their voices were both perfect as Theo, I could actually see him, feel his presence.
4. And well Roan Parrish has yet to disappoint me, so like obviously this is five (5) stars. Like it's not even a shock. And lord, the way she captured the tortured soul.... Fuuuuuurk. Her writing is incredible, thanks.
5. Okay, but the audience would like a prequel novella of Rhys and Caleb's very messy relationship. Oh man, I'd donate a kidney for that, s2g. They are so soft and adorable and cute and F######CK! I love them so damn much and so damn hard, jesus!
CW/TW: addiction/recovery, sex on page, graphic sex, rehab/relapses (mention), drug use/drug addiction, emotional neglect, anxiety, mention of vomiting, mention of bullying, ableist slurs, mention of alcaholism/alcahol abuse, mention of parental neglect, mention of teen pregnancy, mention of divorce
a_robin_reads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
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Information:
- Storytel audiobook
- Reading Series
- Reading Authors
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Review:
Great!
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Review previously placed on my blog:
Review previously placed on my blog:
I'm currently reading Riven by Roan Parrish. This is the first book in the Riven trilogy. I'm listening to the audiobook. Reading this one for my Authors TBR. This is an adult romance book with LGBTQ+ characters.
Did not want to pick this one up at first, because of the sexual content. But these days I don't mind that as much, so decided to pick it up. Really enjoying it. Don't think as much as the Garnet run series, but still a really fun time.
This was great! A really fun romance as always from this author. Very well developed characters. Just a lot of fun. Excited to read the rest in the trilogy.
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