Treble Maker by Annabeth Albert

Lyrical Press Presents http://annabethalbert.com/coming-soon/

treblemakerBlurb

On Perfect Harmony, the ambitious competitors heat things up on stage and off…

Cody Rivers is determined to be a rock star, but couch-surfing between bar shows gets old fast. Joining an a cappella group for a new singing competition show could be his last chance at real fame—unless the college boy from the heart of the country messes it up for him. Lucas Norwood is everything gothy, glittery Cody is not—conservative, clean-cut, and virginal. But when a twist in the show forces them together, even the sweetest songs get steamy as the attraction between them lights up the stage. Lucas wants to take it slow, but Cody’s singing a different tune—and this time it maybe a love song…

Review

Cody is the goth-hot-snarky-toppy, openly out singer and dancer that hopes to take his group to the finals in this singing competition. When he meets Lucas, the “I’m gay but celibate and a virgin” farm boy from Iowa, he’s openly rude to him. But…
He can’t help but be attracted to all that goodness and at first he views him as a challenge but later it turns into something more.

**

This is a long book, maybe a bit too long, with a lot of time spent on the actual show.

Though I wanted to love this book – the cover rocks, the premise is awesome, and plus – music!- yay!- I didn’t. I never felt the “love” between Cody and Lucas. Lucas was conflicted and conflicting. He claims he’s confident in his gayness, but Cody really called it when he tells Lucas he’s ashamed to be gay and hiding it behind the celibacy thing.

Cody is mostly a harsh jerk throughout most of the book and even when the couple is “tender” with one another there is an underlying meanness to it.

I guess I just never quite bonded with the characters, so I didn’t fall for their relationship and to me, that’s what I look for in a good book.

The writing was excellent and the characters were well formed, just not my cup of tea, so to speak. I may be in the minority here, so … give it a go, especially if you’re a fan of the author and music shows and gay virgins and snark.

3 of 5 hearts

3

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Breakthrough by JH Knight

Dreamspinner Presents

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6702

BreakthroughBlurb

The road to recovery is never easy, even when you’re just an innocent bystander to someone else’s addiction.

For Jack, it’s especially hard because he blames himself for his son Rick’s drug problems. It took Jack over half his life to admit to himself (and his wife) that he was gay, but years later, he still carries guilt over what his realization did to his son.

He never thought Rick’s treatment would help him rehabilitate too, but when Jack meets Seth, the man trying to help his son get back on his feet, it’s the breakthrough he never knew he needed.

Review

Jack is a divorced man who split up because he realized he’s gay. He’s been holding on to that guilt – the perceived guilt of breaking up his family – for the last decade. When his adult son enters rehab, Jack feels responsible, so he’s willing to do anything to help – even group therapy.

While in therapy, Jack meets the amazing Seth, younger than Jack but older than his son, and manages to have a significant breakthrough on dealing with his own guilt issues.

Over the course of the next few months, Jack and Seth become email friends, supporting each other and just being friendly. But both men harbor secret desires for the other – the question is – will it ever happen?

**

This is a short story that feels like a full-length novel. JH Knight is a gifted writer and is able to condense the timeline in a way that doesn’t feel rushed or awkward or altered to meet page expectations. It felt organic and whole.

I loved Jack and his crying jags! Seth was a bit more of an unknown in this story and if we ever get a sequel I’d love more from his POV. Even the ex-wife is a wonderful person, and not a shrieking harpy!

All in all this was a sweet, loving and even a little bit hot and sexy, short-story!

5 of 5 hearts!

5

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