Review: Solid story and well developed characters make this rock drama a step above...
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 25, 2014
4.5 StarsVery well written rock band story that not only follows the pairing (through alternating 1st person POV of Mel and Joss) of the lead singer and the unofficial manager’s younger sister, but also the woes of the band after years of touring, fame, and problems of substance abuse have taken their toll.  Joss Jamison is the real gem of the book as the lead singer with a tortured soul, tired of notoriety and full of self-loathing after a one night hook up with his best friend and band mate’s (Walsh) fiancé (Tammy) while Walsh was in rehab. Joss is struggling to come to terms with his betrayal a year after when Tammy’s younger sister joins them on tour as a photographer documenting the band. Joss soon discovers that Mel is a new light to his darkened world of guilt and loneliness, but the secret of his and Tammy’s indiscretion looms over their heads. Meanwhile, Mel has her own embarrassing baggage from her attempt to finish her graduate degree.I agree with the reviewers that Joss absorbed way more of the blame than Tammy and yet it took two to tango.  I also felt there had to be more flaws in Tammy and Walsh’s relationship (that Joss viewed as so perfect) that first lead Walsh to drink and then Tammy to stray. I imagine it is explored more in the second book in which they are featured. As supporting characters they are still very well developed and create an interesting backstory. As their own book, I’m not sure I liked Tammy enough to want to read her story. I’m not sure I liked Tammy at all. I would definitely like to read a second book for Joss and Mel to see them negotiate all the plans they outline at the end and the new adventures they undertake.All in all, it has a well developed and well paced plot, solid characterization, no cliffhanger, and a HEA. The love scenes are not numerous and they could be a little steamier although it was cute and sexy when Joss told her “Welcome to rock and roll, baby.”