A Rhythm You Feel: The Rock Gods East Coast Label Book 1, Ann Lister

Nico's earnest desire for a good life is shaken for good by a rocker who explodes into his store with pleading eyes and a sexy everything else.  Blade is a bit bowled over by the honest man that gives him refuge and pursues Nico in a way that's completely new for him.  Both of them are stunned by what they find in one another and I really liked that there were complications, demons, and adjustments that were necessary before they found their HEA together.  While a little Hemingway at times, there was enough flow to the story that I could overlook that in favor of watching everything unfold.

Blade had a lot going for him but I never really felt that he lived up to his potential.  He was a spoiled and rich rockstar that could have found ways to enrich his life after finding someone that made him think far beyond himself.  Instead, the only change he found in his life was the relationship and his heart toward Nico.  The bratty attitude wasn't endearing.  What was fabulous though, was his determination at the end to keep Nico from pushing him away when circumstances made him lash out at Blade.  That level of maturity was kind of unexpected, but truly appreciated.

It was Nico that stole the story for me.  I liked his complications.  Sometimes it was a bit much, but it all worked together.  Like, they fit the man in addition to how each complication fit with the others.  Family loss, drugs, ex-con, sobriety, attachments...all of it worked for me.  Even though I didn't like the lashing out near the end, it was a long time coming and I was glad that Blade was there to help him work through it.  I will say though, that it was resolved relatively simplistically.  Far too simply to be satisfying.  For it all to work out the way it did was kind of implausible.

There were a few other things that didn't get resolved, such as Tigo's situation, but I'll be honest and say that while I could have pointed them all out as soon as I finished the story, a couple days removed and most of them I can't remember at all.  My overall feel for the book is very positive and I liked both men, but loved Nico.  The way his issues, especially his sobriety, were handled was what stuck with me the most.  As for the romance, I believed it, liked it, but didn't really feel completely moved by it either.  Definitely steamy, that's for sure, and it was also quite raw at times with the feels, so that was another big plus for the book.  I was drawn in to the music, the bands, and all the stories that are yet to be written for these intriguing men.

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Blade: As the lead singer of Hard Core, I’ve been taught several key life lessons. Unfortunately, I've also ignored many of them in the last twenty minutes alone, which is why I'm now being chased by a horde of crazed fans.

But my worst misjudgment today? Going outside in public without security or a backup plan. Screaming fans come with the job and the fame is as much of a blessing as it is a curse, but I still couldn't imagine doing any other line of work.

Music owns me and I am happy to be her bitch.

Nico: I knew who he was as soon as he burst through the front door of my store and I was absolutely starstruck and speechless. Yes, me with my own hardened attitude and jaded outlook on life had lost the ability to talk in the presence of Blade.

I'm an ex-con. I paid my debt to society, and I have my own brand of scars to show from the time I spent behind bars. My life's regrets stain my soul as much as the ink of my tattoos color my skin. Solace for me came with ownership of a bookstore. It was a peaceful place to work until a certain rockstar blew in from the street like a Category 5 hurricane.

Hurricane Blade was about to make landfall and I wasn't sure I'd survive the storm.