Sparks fly when Calixto meets his rock god idol, Sir Prince. But will it lead to true love? To say I have a crush on Sir Prince is an understatement. The legendary rock star was responsible for my sexual awakening, and my heart has been devoted to him ever since. But I’m not just smitten with him during his heyday over twenty years ago. The older man has aged like a fine wine that I’m dying to swallow. I take my obsession to the next level by playing Sir in a Four Princes tribute band. Imagine my shock when Sir shows up in my dressing room after my latest performance! Maybe it’s my imagination running away with me, but it kind of feels like we’re flirting? Or is that just his intense sexual pheromones overwhelming my fanboy heart? I thought that would be the end of things, but then he invites me to dinner to “get to know me better.” Fingers crossed that’s code for taking me to his bedroom to indulge his sexual curiosity. It’s foolish to get my hopes up, but what if Sir falls in love with me? Skip a Beat is the fifth book in the Harmony of Hearts series and part of the Sunnyside universe. This novel features an age gap, rock star, gay romance. If you love cute sweetness, sexy fun, and no angst stories that will make you laugh and swoon, you’ll enjoy this satisfying HEA without cliffhangers. Each book can be read as a standalone or as part of the series in order.
Calixto and Sir are so great together and for each other. Even being 20 years younger, Calixto was able to teach Sir so much about life and himself, while Sir helped Calixto realize his dreams. There are a lot of cameos in this book. Where it isn't necessary to read Ariella's previous books to thoroughly enjoy this one, you definitely want to read them as they're all amazing.
This book was exactly what I've come to expect from an Ariella Zoelle novel - quick-paced, feel-good, fun, and has me wanting more!
I really enjoyed getting to delve back into the Harmony of Hearts series with Sir and Calixto. If you're in the mood for an age-gap romance between a rock-star and an up-and-coming artist set in a small town with such a well-done found family trope that it makes me want to move to Sunnyside myself, then you should definitely delve into this series.
I was lucky enough to be approved for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I’ve been wanting Calixto’s story. He is adorable. I love the way the author wrote this. Sir and Calixto are perfect together. I didn’t think Sir would impress me as much as he did. But with the way the author had us getting deeper into him with each scene I was hooked by the time we got to the kittens. I can’t wait for Mister’s story though his and Sir’s name drive me crazy lol.
This is a good age gap story. It was a bit slow in the beginning to me but it picked up very quick and kept me hooked throughout. I appreciated how Lix & Sir's relationship developed even despite the age gap and other issues.
Skip a Beat is the fifth book Harmony of Hearts series by Ariella Zoelle. This book is about Calixto and Sir. I loved their story. It was sweet, sexy, full of feels and very well written.
When it comes to no angst, swooney romance, Ariella Zoella is always a favourite pick for me as I can guarantee that I am going to love the story and characters. After getting to know Calixto in the previous book (Music To His Ears), it's so much fun reading him meet his idol and fantasy man, Sir, from the band Four Princes. It doesn't take long to dive into the love fest as Sir's brother, Mister, introduces him to a cover band (Faux Princes) of their band (Four Princes). Normally not a thing to look forward to, Mister's excitement drags him along and what a stunning thing he gets to see as Calixto lights up the stage. It's adorable to read Sir's insecurities and doubts, being the older man, but they are all valid with how his past five marriages have gone! There is no denying the draw to Calixto though. He may be twenty years younger but he has a lot of maturity, working, studying and in the band, and is able to see through to Sir in a way that everyone else in his life apart from his brothers and Melody have. Sparks ignite between them and there is only so long that true love can be denied. The cast of characters is also a huge plus when it comes to Sunnydale. Everyone seems to know everyone and only wants the best for them. Calixto has built himself a wonderful found family in his band mates in Faux Princes as well as his current roommates, Sal and Haverford, all of whom look out for and dote on Calixto like a little brother. Sir has his brother, Mister, and his ex-wife/best friend, Melody. Both clearly mean a lot to him and have outlasted all of ex-wives after Melody. What makes it better is that everyone can see just how good Calixto and Sir are for each other, regardless of their age difference, circumstances etc. Another fantastic addition to Harmony of Hearts and the Sunnydale universe. It's always fun getting to catch up with previous characters, Noctis always comes to mind :-) I can't wait to find out if Mister will be getting his HEA with a certain attorney. I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
Why read a book you started the other day when you can read a book that came out today? Here's Ariella Zoelle's "Skip A Beat" (its the sixth book in her Harmony of Hearts series). ["Sparks fly when Calixto meets his rock god idol, Sir Prince. But will it lead to true love?
To say I have a crush on Sir Prince is an understatement. The legendary rock star was responsible for my sexual awakening, and my heart has been devoted to him ever since. But I’m not just smitten with him during his heyday over twenty years ago. The older man has aged like a fine wine that I’m dying to swallow.
I take my obsession to the next level by playing Sir in a Four Princes tribute band. Imagine my shock when Sir shows up in my dressing room after my latest performance! Maybe it’s my imagination running away with me, but it kind of feels like we’re flirting? Or is that just his intense sexual pheromones overwhelming my fanboy heart?
I thought that would be the end of things, but then he invites me to dinner to “get to know me better.” Fingers crossed that’s code for taking me to his bedroom to indulge his sexual curiosity.
It’s foolish to get my hopes up, but what if Sir falls in love with me?"]
This book was SO cute and fluffy! There was cake and cats. There was music and magic. There was steamy and sweetness. There was a whole hell of a lot of people telling Sir to just let himself love. There was a whole hell of a lot of people ready to fight a rock star legend for Calixto's sake. There was also a lot of callbacks from other book in the Sunnyside universe (and now I want more).
Firstly, let me say I got this book from gay romance reviews, and this is me leaving my honest review. I have got to say I thoroughly enjoyed the story. I think the moment that sir heard Lix’d voice, he was I gonna. But he was quick to work out that he wanted to learn more about Calixto. He was only 20 years old, but he has the most amazing voice singing in a tribute act of sSit’s band four princes. The other three members of the tribute act Faux princes have all got steady jobs and only do this to remember the times that they could lark around in college. It was just Lix that wanted a career in music. Sir had to really come to grips with the fact of his age, because his son Chance was two years older. But what surprised Sir was after talking to his best friend/first ex-wife. She didn’t think it would be a bad idea. She wants for him to have a successful relationship that that person had to have some kind of footing in the music industry. And to be honest he has married six times and divorced six times he had to admit he was doing something wrong.
I could not put this book down there was just something really beautiful about it. There is something very magical about when these two are together the perfect couple. It really did make my heart sing. You find yourself smiling before you even get finished with the first chapter. Do you know what ? we could all learn something from calixto, he has got the right drive in life. The right Morals everything about this young man is just showing what a star he really is and one Sir gets his head around the age gap. It’s just fantastic. This book really is a brilliant read I think the whole series is just happiness in a book.roll on the next book!!!
This is another wonderful addition to Ariella's Sunnyside universe where dreams can come true and love always finds a way. Calixto was such a phenomenal character. He idolizes Sir Prince so much that he portrays him in a tribute band. The persona he takes on stage is eerily similar to Sir, himself. Calixto oozes sensuality and pours his heart into the lyrics he sings. Offstage, Calixto is a shy and inexperienced kid that just wants to make music his profession. Sir is blown away when he witnesses Calixto perform and can't deny his interest in learning more about this incredibly talented young man. A 20 year age-gap between these two causes Sir to question his more than professional feelings for Calixto but doesn't stop him from seeing where things could lead. These two were so perfect for each other! The way their music mirrors their emotions connects them in a way that is very rare. Their mutual adoration is extremely sexy and the way they are able to just be themselves around each other made me swoon a little. It's always a pleasure to read anything by this author!
Welcome back to Sunnyside, a place I appear to love since I keep coming back for more, but very sporadically and not in any right reading order. And still the whole thing works. Obviously I was sucked in by the concept of the aging rock star enamored with the lead singer of said aging rock star’s tribute band, Skip a Beat takes us on an easy ride. Fairly low angst basically with one of the characters only having to get past himself (I’m looking at your Sir), it’s a very cute age-gap, bisexual but definitely only have eyes for you story that goes down quite easy like lemonade on a summer’s day. Unless you don’t like lemonade, then easy like something you do like. Once I got past the names (Mister, Sir, Calixto, just a few examples) and realized it wasn’t even a little bit BDSM related (despite those names), I slipped right into the story. I can just picture Lix singing to Sir and Calixto hugging on some kittens. If you are into age gap rock star romances, Skip a Beat will be your jam.
Sir Prince is someone that Calixto idolizes and since imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, he is in a cover band that does the music that Sir and his brother released. There is an age gap but there is also mad attraction when these two meet. This was such a cute and upbeat read that kept me smiling. Sir has not found love at 40 but not for lack of looking and trying, he has been married a few times. His brother Mister insists that he needs to hear this fabulous singer who does their music and when he goes and meets the person whose voice he is attracted to but at first cautious. But they are meant to be together. They spend time together, get to know one another, bond over music and then move forward into a relationship. I like that they took their time and got to know one another and that they gave the possibility of a relationship a chance. Love can come early or after a lot of trial and error but when it comes it can be sweet and flow like music. Like this story did! I received an ARC from GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.
'My soul mate would be a musician whose music moved me deeply... my perfect partner would be someone whose voice and music moved my soul.'
I really enjoyed this book. I loved both Calixto and Sir. The chemistry between them is immediate and I loved the dynamic between them. I also liked that Calixto took Sir by surprise. Lix himself was adorable and I loved him from the start and he often made me smile.
'I congratulated myself on my text sounding normal when I was fanboying so hard in real life... If I only had one shot at making Sir mine, I would make it count. I intended to make myself so sexy that it would change Sir’s mind if he meant the invitation in a completely platonic way.'
They were so sweet together that I was fangirling myself. I also have a huge crush on men in corset vests, so Lix painted such a visual at their dinner together through Sir's eyes. This book overall just made me really happy to read. I've read about a dozen books by this author and this one skyrocketed to the top of my favorites. 5 stars.
This is a typical Ariella Zoelle book but it is one of her best.
Sir (I really want to know where the author gets all these names from) meets Calixto at a point where he is not really knowing how to get on with his life, 6 ex-wives do say something about him.
Calixtro - performing as Sir in a tribute band - is the one showing Sir that he understands that there is more to him than the celebrity persona and makes Sir wish for things he long pushed aside.
Yes, it's the Insta-Love story for which the author is known. But I really like how she manages to write characters who come over as over the top on one hand but also with a lot of depth. There is the significant age gap but she writes Calixto as an old soul who is far more mature than your average college student.
They are just great together.
I love that we have several old friends from previous books popping in and I hope we also see more of Sir's brothers.
I fell in love with Calixto when he was first introduced. He is one of the most adorable characters Ariella has written since Elias. And I have to admit I was a bit concerned about having him in an age gap book with Sir. I just couldn’t see him in an age-gap relationship. Was I ever wrong! He and Sir are PERFECT together.
Sir is a bit lost when he comes to see Lix perform as him in his tribute band. And the sparks immediately fly. I loved this story. It really took me by surprise how much. The side characters are phenomenal. Sir’s best friend Melody is a kick. She has a significant role in his life and I love the fact they’ve stayed so close.
As I said, this book really took me by surprise. I always love Ariella’s books. But I’m not an age gap fan and this one… I absolutely loved it!! You don’t sense an age gap at all between them. They complement each other well. And I’m looking forward to seeing a little more of them in the next book.
I have said it before, but I’ll keep saying it. Ariella Zoelle hit it out of the park again. Skip a Beat features an age gap, rockstar falling for the guy who sings his songs better than him, slow burn(as close as you’ll get to it with Zoelle) romance that is beautiful to see. We have a rock god that gets to show his true self, not something we see often. It was nice to see a rockstar as a normal person. We have the sweetheart who idolizes the rock god but fell in love with the human underneath. We also have cute cats and hysterical ex wives and brothers! This one might not have steamy scenes as early as one might expect, but they were not missed at all. This is an incredibly sweet romance that lets the romance and story take center stage, and it was a breath of fresh air.
I love going back to Sunnydale and this time we get to see a Faux Prince who's crushed hard on the lead singer of the Four Princes realize his chance to not only meet the man he impersonates, but also to step past his tribute persona and teach an older rocker some new tricks...
This book is classic Zoelle - instant connection, a tiny dash of angst as Sir tries to reconcile dating a man younger than his own son, and swoony scenes while interacting in the Sunnydale universe (and adopting a pair of adorable kittens). Whether this is your first trip to Sunnydale or you've been following the various series, you'll enjoy reading Skip A Beat if you are looking for a light and quick age gap, rock star HEA!
I can never get enough of this series, Harmony of Hearts! I have been looking forward to Calixto (Lix) story and it delivered everything I wanted and more!
Such a fabulous MC, who in many ways was extremely mature for his age. He was insightful. Just amazing! I loved seeing him achieving all his dreams personally and professionally. Definitely a Feel good read!
Sir Prince, was quite a character. His back story was quite something. It was interesting to see him start to fall for Lix, after seeing him perform one night.
I look forward to catching glimpses of these MC’s in future books, a few years in the future, especially because Lix is just now coming into his own, the 20 years age difference, and Sir’s divorce history. Absolutely fantastic read!
SKIP A BEAT by Ariella Zoelle is the fifth book in the Harmony of Hearts series and is Sir and Calixto’s story.
Calixto has been in love with Sir since he learned who the Four Princes’ were but never thought he would ever meet him until Sir show up to one of Calixto’s shows.
Calixto and Sir are made for each other. Both of them sing to each others souls and make a harmonious couple. I love the banter from the side characters and can not wait for more from this series.
SKIP A BEAT contains… mm, celebrity, age gap, rockstar, slow burn, and dual first-person point of view.
I absolutely loved Calixto and Sir Prince’s story! It was a long time coming!
It was amazing how good they fit together like a puzzle piece just clicking into place no matter the age gap!
It was awe inspiring to see how an ego loving narcissist like Sir fell for a sweet, gorgeous, loving soul like Calixto who saw the real Sir and not the stage persona!
I loved how Sir went out of his way to make Lix happy whether it is adopting two cats or his dream corset vest by his favourite designer…
I loved the support they received from new found family and family, it gave a very positive outlook for their future!
I look forward to Mister and Kinsey next!
I voluntarily received an ARC from GRR for an honest review.
I wish I could give this book more stars. It deserves more. This was a slow burn book but honestly it didn't feel like it. There were so many romantic feelings before the steam that I hadn't even noticed it was slow burning. It was good to see Sir stop and question his feelings. I loved that he has Melody and Mister in his corner and explaining why the age difference didn't matter. This book was seriously everything. I loved it so much. It was so sweet. I also, have to say I love the way Ariella is able to weave music or magic into the love making. It adds a whole other level to the scenes and this one didn't disappoint.
If you love music and you love love, then Skip a Beat is for you. Calixto is such a sweetheart and watching him meet his idol that turns into a lovely relationship was a charming read. If you have read any of Zoelle's previous books, you know that you are going to get swoony storytelling with witty banter and, of course, heat.
If you’re looking for a sexy age-gap trope that involves a legendary rock star pairing up with a darling singer/songwriter that just so happens to imitate this exact rock god…look no more. Skip A Beat is all of that and more. I particularly enjoyed the non-stereotypical versatile roles they played. I can not wait for Mister’s story now!
This book rocks! Calixto’s fantasies will come true when he gets to meet his idol, Sir, one night after a concert. The chemistry between the two is immediate and off the charts, but Sir has a rocky past and tries to deny the things he feels for Calixto. I love how their relationship develops and changes as the story progresses. Sir’s brother, Mister, and his ex wife Melody, add some wonderful sass with their constant pestering. Add in two adorable kittens and more great friends and you get a story that is well worth reading!
I read an ARC copy of this book and am volunteering my honest review.
I'm a huge, huge fan of this author's work, the instalove and steam and sweetness are usually absolute wins for me, but this pairing felt...off. The ick I felt about the attractiveness of the younger guy being physically similar to the son and the attraction seemingly stemming from that...I just couldn't get around it. I know they made it kind of clear that that wasn't really the case, but it was a case of the icks that I just couldn't shake. Not even the sweetness, the individual strengths they had as characters could fully wash it off.
But, I will say, if you can get around that like I couldn't, then you're likely in for a treat. The tenderness, passion, and banter were there.
3*-4* I cannot decide... but closer to 3.5* really.
So the story is quite straightforward, and sweet with a young mature character and a smitten forty-year-old. Once you get used to the names you will be immersed in this ordinary world of musicians and their loved ones.
But the dialogue and conflicts were so repetitive. The first half has one conflict and is constantly repeated in the character's thoughts and the conversations with side characters. That continues even after the first half - and it is about the age gap which is 20 years but was I really bothered as a reader? No. So why was it repeated so much?
I am also unsure as to why was it so important that Lix is so similar to young Sir and why that made Sir himself horny? lol.
What I also wished for was to have more of Calixto's struggles to take care of himself and for Sir to take that role for him. And once they did the deed... I just was not feeling it much. Do not know why. The guys were so horny and always thinking of being bent over (or bending the other over something) and then... it was not the explosion I wished for. The cum play though? Heck yeah!
I will try other books by the author because she knows how to write realistic dialogue and I am all for low-angst romances.
Another fantastic match made in the Sunnyside universe! Calixto and Sir were so great together! I absolutely loved how mature Calixto was and so insightful! He was just the sweetest thing! It was so fun watching how Sir was so taken with him! Everything he did for Calixto was so cute and sweet! Absolutely loved Melody and it made me so happy how things were with them all! Such beautiful family/friends relationships all around! This author had built a wonderful world in this series! Definitely recommend the whole series! The his is my honest opinion of this complimentary copy of this book
Calixto & Sir: Music ties their souls together beautifully. Calixto is the sweet hardworking college student with a job, double major, volunteering and a band. Sir is the famous musician Calixto idolizes. Calixto is so sure of his feelings for Sir, Sir has some things to come to terms with about what he wants. With the help of his ex and brother, he is helpless against falling for Calixto. Swoony is a perfect for word for these two. Loved this book and I highly recommend the Sunnyside universe.
This one, like the last book, just wasn’t it for me.
The mechanics were okay; the errors were minor and there weren’t a ton of them. I know this story will resonate with many and it will be well-loved by those that vibe. It really just was not my cup of tea.
4/5, because my personal feelings aside, it will make a ton of folx happy, I’m sure, and there isn’t a thing wrong with it. Just know it’s extremely OTT and instalove and all of those vibes. Go in with managed expectations and ready to suspend belief.
Another sweet story about two people finding their dream person. It's short and fast paced, but it's a good little read if that's what you're looking for. The story doesn't drag on anywhere, and the characters are funny. I love how you get to see characters from other books in each book from the series. Also, the mention that wearing a corset isn't uncomfortable tells me good research went into this book. If opera singers can sing with one on, there's no reason for anyone else being uncomfortable in them other than bad planning or design, or both.
As soon as I read a book from Ariella Zoelle, it feels like I am coming home and can settle into a relaxing, comfortable, safe place. Her words, at times steamy, calm me and I can just sink in and enjoy. Set in Sunnyside, Calixto/Lix the lead singer from the tribute group Faux Princes, meets his idol, Sir, from the Four Princes band. Absolutely entertaining watching them swoon and fall in love. Loosely quoting, "If music be the food of love, play on." I look forward to the next in the series. I received a copy and this is my honest and voluntary review.
This was a perfect breather from some of the angsty reads I’ve read recently. I always love the characters in Ariella Zoelle books and Calixto and Sir are so good together. I’m a fan of age gap stories and this is an excellent one. It has charming leads, and it’s both sweetly romantic and super hot. Plus, I absolutely love this author’s sense of fun and humor. It’s not all fluff, it also has a lovely emotional undercurrent with Sir and his struggle over their twenty year age gap and his six failed marriages. But thankfully, Calixto is the a pretty mature twenty year old and very irresistible, so there is a lovely happy ending.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.