Rating: 4 stars out of 5    ★★★★

When Jude Colburn receives a call from his former band’s manager, asking him to come back to the band, this time as their bassist, he doesn’t hesitate to agree. He’d left the band, Running With Scissors, after a breakup with his lover and longtime friend, Connor, a year and a half-ago. He was their drummer, but Jude is one of those gifted musicians who can play anything, so he’s okay with switching.

But, as he finds out when he gets there, most of the band members are not okay with him coming back. The turmoil they’d lived with as Jude and Connor fought was unnerving, but the fact that he’d walked out on them just as they were going to sign a recording contract, makes him #1 on their shitlist. Since his actions nearly broke them up, he’s persona non grata for quite a while when he gets back. One of the only people who is open and friendly with him is AJ, the man who replaced him as the band’s drummer. It doesn’t help that AJ is sweet, quiet, friendly and hot. Jude knows he can’t screw around with any bandmates ever again. After all, the reason he was invited back is due to the fact that Wyatt, another band member and friend, also stormed out after he and Connor broke up. Two disastrous flings with band members is two too many, and no one will tolerate another.

All is well during rehearsals, but when the band takes the stage for a live show, Jude is blown away by AJ’s outstanding performance. He’s not only dynamite on the drums, he’s become a completely different, absolutely hot and sexy wild man, and Jude virtually melts when, after the show, he stumbles upon AJ, and AJ, still hot and high on adrenaline from the show, grabs him and tongue-fucks him as if his life depended on it. Needless to say, Jude is hooked after that, and though they manage to refrain from acting on their attraction, they are attracted and are also fast becoming friends.

So what happens when one irresistible force meets another once the tour is over, and they are living at home while working on the album? And then what happens when their bandmates and manager find out? Heartache, angst, and an unexpected catalyst to start the process of healing unresolved issues.

This is more than just the usual rock band story. It’s really an introspective look at how one man makes the journey from selfish, immature bad boy to loving, supportive partner and friend. And it both explores and resolves underlying issues and problems which can escalate when a group of people who know each other so well for so many years suddenly find themselves faced with coworkers and friends who have grown up when they weren’t looking.

I really enjoyed this story for all the reasons stated above. It was deliciously hot and it was angsty, but I enjoyed Jude’s journey as he finally changed the way he reacted to emotional issues and became a mature man worthy of lasting love and friendship. I highly recommend this one to lovers of contemporary romance, musicians, hot tattooed men, and to those who want to explore more than just the surface of the romance when two men fall in love.

Cover art by L.C. Chase depicts the faces and upper torsos of two handsome young men, a blond in profile and a brunette, with upper arms covered in tattoos, facing forward. Below the title banner is a concert crowd scene. The cover a beautiful depiction of two rock star MCs.

Sales Links:  Riptide Publishing | All Romance (ARe) |  Amazon | Buy It Here

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