Punk-In

Wayward Lane #1

by Ava Olsen

My rock band has reached the pinnacle of success, but fame has its price. Sooner or later, people let you down or sell you out.
Except Ivan Cross. My manager, my muse, my obsession.
There’s nothing in this world that I want more than Van.
And I always get what I want.

Four years ago , I was selected to manage a hot new band called Wayward Lane. I knew I was in for an exciting ride - and a world of trouble - and all because of their lead singer, the provocative Brodie James.
We’ve butted heads but lately, that tension is higher and hotter. Unexpected feelings make me question everything I knew of my life.
When Brodie insists on an impromptu concert in New Orleans at Halloween, I make it happen. The city, the food, the music, it’s intoxicating. So is Brodie, and I’m not sure I can resist his pull any longer.
Even though Brodie could have anyone he wants, all he seems to want is me.

Punk-In is a bi-awakening, age gap, boss-employee, MM romance filled with sizzling chemistry, a matchmaking ghost, an unforgettable Halloween concert, and a HEA fit for rockstar royalty.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Music, LGBT, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary, Musicians

308 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 12, 2023

About the author

Ava Olsen writes steamy & dreamy contemporary romance.

Reviews

[Rain · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprisingly good rockstar, gay romance!

I’m an attention whore and a possessive motherfucker.

Rockstar/manager
Bi-awakening
Former manwhore
Age gap
Slight pnr feel (ghost)
Pining
Graphic intimacy
No cheating

Brodie (29) has had years to enjoy his fame. A slight addiction with sleeping pills and sedatives, and a different male groupie at every stop.

I used to scoff at people who claimed sex with someone you love was different. More intense. I will admit—and only this time—that I was wrong. So fucking wrong.

Van (44) has dated a few women throughout the years, but he is mostly single, preferring to direct his energy in managing the band, Wayward Lane. He has had to clean up after Brodie, dealing with the clingy groupies etc.

The explosive energy between him and me had always been there, right from the start. I’d just been too preoccupied with doing the job to notice what it really meant.

The ending was too rushed, but it certainly ends with a HEA.

*The addition of the Quebecois French just felt silly. Tabarnak!

[Jamie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm kind of uncertain and went back and forth on 2-3 stars.

This book started so good with flash backs showing Van & Brodie getting to know each other- those flashback chapters were so good, with their jobs- their relationship is forbidden and those chapters had so much pining and longing between them and it was so well done.
But then it switches to present day where they both have been secretly (or I guess not really so secretly) in love with each other for years and all the longing and pining is done and the book really fizzled out and got boring. And over half the book takes place over the course of three days with not a lot of plot at all going on- it was pretty dull to read and I mostly skimmed.
I guess the end was alright, I don't know I just felt kind of let down by the book after I really loved the first 30% flashback chapters.

[Saimi Vasquez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Romántico, entretenido

Van tiene años de experiencia como manager de grupos de rock, pero el manejar a Wayward Lane es lo más complicado que ha tenido que hacer hasta ahora, sobre todo por la atracción que siente por su vocalista. El asunto es que si parece que el sentimiento es mutuo, podrán realmente tener una relación entre ellos? Van siempre se ha creído hetero, pero lo que siente por Brodie será real?

Es un libro sencillo, romántico, con un toque de diversión, pero muy muy lento desarrollo. La trama comienza 4 años antes, y el autor nos cuenta con demasiados detalles todo lo que pasa entre ellos, hasta el punto que la lectura se hace repetitiva por momentos.
Sin embargo, si se lee con calma puedes disfrutar la introducción al universo y sentirte atraído a saber más de los otros personajes, y así querer continuar con la serie.
En fin, no creo que sea uno de los mejores libros del autor, pero cumple su cometido de entretener un rato. Es posible que siga con la serie más adelante.

[Ellie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Perfectly nice age gap romance between a band manager and the frontman.

I enjoyed the timeline and the dynamic between them. I've come to realise that one thing I really enjoy with many age gap romances is that it's often the younger person who's sure and confident in their desires and the older one questioning things and doubting themselves.

I was certainly not let down here, Brodie is 29 and after having spent several years enjoying his fame and the groupies that go along with it, he's come to terms with the fact that his band manager Van, 44, is the one for him and now all he has to do is get Van to admit it too.

Van is worried about damaging their professional relationship, but has also never been in a real romantic relationship and thinks he's just another conquest for Brodie. He purposefully stopped paying attention to Brodie's sex life a few years prior and so hasn't noticed that he doesn't mess around with anyone anymore.

As nice as this premise was, and as much as I enjoy upfront communication (which we get a lot of here), I think this would've merited from more tension between the MCs. Or even a more significant external conflict, because while there was one, it was pretty clear to me how it would play out.

It just wanted more.

Also, the French is iffy at best, completely incorrect at worst. Please just don't. It wasn't even relevant to the plot.

[Dani · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF @ 33%

😫😫😫

I just don't understand how you can repeat the same three sentiments so many fucking times within a hundred pages!!!

Nothing is happening!!!!

Brodie only talks/thinks about how badly he wants Van.

Van only talks/thinks about how he wants Brodie but he's confused about his sexuality; and every time there's the slightest hint something might occur between them he insists that nothing can ever happen and runs away.

There's not even any tension because the situation has been over explained to death at this point and I just don't care anymore!!

[Kaitlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much like the melody in my head, I had the urge to touch and taste and savor, to take my time undoing him. To show him what was happening between us wasn't just a quick fuck but a long, slow dance.

🌟 Star Rating - 4/5
🔥 Spice Rating - 3/5

What To Expect:
🖤 MM
❤️ Rockstar
🖤 Age Gap
❤️ Halloween Concert
🖤 Pining
❤️ HEA

The way Van looked at me as he sang, I swear our souls connected on a level I'd never felt with anyone. Like he was right there inside of me, and I was living his song.

𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘

Another awesome read from Ava Olsen, and I love that she took on a rockstar romance! I loved all of this book completely and stayed up late to finish it because I was hooked! The characters were so loveable, except Greg, and the storyline was heartwarming. Brodie and Van were absolutely destined for one another, and how they showed sides of one another that no one else saw was so sweet. A slow burn, the chemistry was there from the very beginning but the author edged us so good and when they got together, it was so intense and worth the wait! I loved the cameo from the ghost and I really want to know the backstory! I can't wait for the next book, it's going to be awesome!

[cosette · Rating 2 out of 5]

why do i keep doing this to myself??

not for me :((

[book_reader_addict · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow burning rockstar romance ❤️ Bi-awaking and age gap. Sweet love story between Van and Brodie ❤️
🌶️🌶️

[Book Binge: Reviews by Melissa DaSilva · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read many rockstar books lately and I really enjoy this trope. I love reading about that crazy lifestyle and how love can be found in places you never thought.

Brodie started off as your typical punk rocker with an attitude and I loved seeing the banter back and forth between him and Van. Brodie ended up being softer and sweeter than I expected him to be. Van’s self discovery journey was great to read.

I was incredibly happy with their HEA. Where they ended up, what happened with the label just all of that was perfect for them! The band was incredibly supportive of everything.

If you enjoy rockstars and/or this author I definitely recommend reading this. I believe there may be more in this series in the future and I’ll definitely be interested in reading them!

[Gaby · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is a minimal plot in this book, and the little it had was predictable as fuck

[Natalia Forciniti · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️: 8/10
🌶️: 3/5
🤣: 2/5

Tropes:
🎃 Rockstar / Manager
🎃 Age gap
🎃 Off limits
🎃 Bi awakening

(SP) Un libro que además de mucho rock tiene una historia de amor bellísima.
Brodie es el cantante líder de una banda ultra consentido que siempre se sale con la suya y Van es el manager del grupo con una paciencia que supera expectativas.
Me encantó que en los primeros capítulos, la autora nos cuenta algunos hitos en la vida de ambos que definirán su relación. De este modo cuando toda la historia se desarrolla en un periodo corto de tiempo no nos resulta apresurada en lo más mínimo.
Ambos personajes encuentran en su vínculo el espacio para ser ellos mismos y cómo cuidan uno del otro es algo divino de leer.
La mayor parte de la trama ocurre en Halloween estando la banda en New Orleans por lo cual podemos disfrutar de lo bello de ese lugar sumado a la intervención de un fantasma que hará de las suyas!
Es la primera vez que leo a esta autora, a quien agradezco haberme enviado el libro para hacer esta reseña. Disfruté muchísimo de la lectura y quedo pendiente de lo que ocurrirá en el siguiente. Estoy súper intrigada acerca de quien será la pareja aunque tenemos algunas pistas como para ir adivinando!

(EN) This book, besides a lot of rock, has a beautiful love story.
Brodie is the ultra spoiled lead singer of a band who always gets his way and Van is the group’s manager with a patience that exceeds expectations.
I loved that in the first few chapters, the author tells us some milestones in their lives that will define their relationship. In this way, when the whole story unfolds in a short period of time, it doesn't feel rushed in the least.
Both characters find in their bond the space to be themselves and how they take care of each other is beautiful to read.
Most of the plot takes place on Halloween while the band is in New Orleans, so we can enjoy the beauty of that place added to the appearance of a ghost who will make his thing!
This is the first time I read this author, whom I thank for sending me the book for this review. I really enjoyed reading it and I keep an eye on what will happen in the next one. I'm super intrigued about who the couple will be, although we have some clues to keep us guessing!!

[Andria Potter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A slow burn rockstar romance that's really well done. I liked all the characters and definitely intend on reading more of the series. 5 ⭐.

[DLB2572 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Good Story

This is absolutely another good story from Ava Olsen. I really enjoyed reading Brodie and Van's story, and I can't wait to see if we get stories about any of the other guys soon.
Update:
Zachary Zaba's great narration just breathed even more life into this story. It had me enjoying it even more.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well I needed this book right about now in my life. The last few books haven't been great, so I was nervous about this one. I've never read this author before. I'm so glad I did because I couldn't put it down.

I really loved Van and Brodie. These two were on fire from the minute the book started. I liked that it started 4 years prior and just moved quickly until current. You're able to get a good view on how their relationship was from the start. I bought into these two.

I also liked that while it felt slow burnish, it really wasn't that bad. These two just sucked me into the pages and I didn't want it to end. I'm excited to read the next book because I'm very intrigued by Dawson and Iain's story.

[lauren heywood · Rating 1 out of 5]

**DNF** (@ 46%)
life is too short to finish a book that you don’t like. i gave this book so many chances, & it missed every single one of them. i’m totally fine w the mm trope, but the slow burn was burning wayyyyyyy too slow imo 🤷🏼‍♀️ i barely got to half way & only like 2 days passed. talk about boring 🙄 also, these men were supposed to be like mid thirties & mid forties and they literally acted like they were 12. idk, i liked the idea, but it was way too slow & boring for me to try & finish

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

3/4

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

(2.75)

[Frankie · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at 44% 🤷🏻‍♀️ Too many issues and it wasn’t worth drudging through the rest.

Every character has a stupidly pretentious and vaguely gay porn sounding name. People aren’t called these things! Not often enough that they would all know each other or cross paths 😂

The only one with a normal boring name is Greg.
Can you tell he’s not one of the gay sexy people?

Some names:
Colm McCade
Faisel Reed (+ his brother Rae 💀)
Ronin Stadler
Van Cross
What is this, a Helix Studios casting sheet?

Numerous punctuation/grammar issues.
To name a few:

• Nothing. Not fuck all. (p. 38)
You don’t need to say not when you say “fuck all”. Fuck all already means “none/nothing at all”.

• The guys loves this city […] (p. 53)
Love*

• I almost reached for his hand a time—or three—but caught myself. (p. 100)
When you put the em dashes there, it makes or three “additional information”, and the sentence needs to work even if you take this part out. “I almost reached for his hand a time, but caught myself” doesn’t work. It would be “one time”. Either say “one” or remove the em dashes.

• […] songwriting feels natural to me and probably where my real talent lies. (p. 109)
And is probably*

• Unfortunately, not. (p. 112)
WHY WOULD YOU POSSIBLY PUT A COMMA THERE!?

• The door clanged with a resounding thud. (p. 123)
Im sorry, did it clang or thud? Clanging with a thud doesn’t make sense to me. Wouldn’t it clang with … a clang?

• Anyone would notice Colm, makeup, costume, or not. (p. 130)
This one is such an eyesore. Please fire your editor 😭 I believe the author is trying to say that anyone would notice Colm, whether he was wearing his Halloween makeup and costume or not.
There’s no possible reason to punctuate or structure the sentence this way.

Dialogue was full of… monologues?
Initially I kept thinking I had missed an end quote somewhere, but nope. Kept happening. Just zero actions or inner monologue or anything dividing the speech parts. Straight up monologuing while, I guess, the other person just waits patiently.

It’s so friggin repetitive.
This book would only be 2/3 as long if the characters didn’t keep repeating the exact same things over and over with slightly different wording; how they feel about each other, their connection, what kind of person the other guy is or isn’t etc. I don’t need to hear everything four times!!

At 44%, the book still doesn’t have any plot to speak of.
The whole premise is just “there’s this manager guy who has the hots for a rockstar guy and vice versa” 🤷🏻‍♀️ This paired with the repetition just made me lose interest.

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars for Van and Brodie. This definitely deserved more than 4 stars but it’s not quite 5 because I did feel like there was something missing but I can’t figure out what it is.

I really loved both of these characters. They were both great. I liked the contrast between them, how they were very different but when they came together they meshed so well!!

I’m glad all the debauchery was in the past and wasn’t there in the present time of the book. I was happy that while Brodie was a former manwhore he was celibate for almost a year before him and Van started things. I could have done without hearing about Brodies past so much though. Like we get it he screwed everyone and I hate that Van was there to watch all of it. Even though he wasn’t aware of how strong his feelings were until later on, I still hate that it was in his face all the time.

These two were super mushy!! Once they got together their words and love were so sweet. I liked that they only had eyes for each other and Brodie was always reassuring Van that he didn’t want anyone else (probably because he already had everyone else lol). I liked that they stood up for each other and had each others back.

I was mad that the band mates and Brodie’s mom immediately found the negative things in their relationship. Like they couldn’t be happy for them. They know Brodie better than anyone so doesn’t it speak volumes that he’s saying he actually wants to be in a relationship with one guy?!

Anyway this was a good read. The writing was really good!! I am definitely going to continue the series.

NO CHEATING
OM DRAMA (Brodie has to take a date to an event even though he only wants Van. Also his ex f buddy shows up at the end which I didn’t think was necessary for the story)
NO VIRGINS
15 YEAR AGE GAP
TALK OF PAST SUBSTANCE ABUSE

[Angela I. · Rating 5 out of 5]

🖤 Age Gap
🧡 Manager/lead singer
🖤 Bi Awakening
🧡 Through the roof chemistry
🖤 Pining

Punk-In is book one of the new Ava Olsen's series Wayward Lane.
We meet Brodie (29), lead singer of Wayward lane, and Ivan (Van) (44) the band manager.

After years of working together, and Brodie secretly pining for Van (who he is presumably straight), everything changes when they are in New Orleans for a last minute charity Halloween concert.

With the help of the ghost that haunts the venue (lol don't get me wrong, it's not a paranormal book) Brodie begins to understand that his feelings might not be one sided after all...

What I loved about this book is the chemistry and the deep feelings between the 2 characters that I could feel through the pages. I felt it all with them 🖤
There was no unnecessary third act breakup, thank god for that. Only honesty and taking care of each other. It's was so refreshing and left me with a smile on my face and good feelings (again, don't get me wrong, this is NOT a rom com!).

Next up in the series, it's Holloway's story, the guitarist of Wayward Lane in B-Mine. We get a glimpse in Punk-In of the dynamics of the next duo... It's going to be hot, I'm sure of it!

If you want a visual of the characters (as I imagine them) you'll find it here :
✧˖°Instagram°˖✧

I received a free copy of this book via Indie Author Creative and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Claudia · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you do a time lapse of their time together for the first 4 years, why would you repeat the same information later?

[misz lei · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so good! The timeline was spread out across several years, but most was set during present time. Ivan (Van) was the manager for Wayward Lane, of which Brodie was the lead singer. Van lost both his parents and had no siblings; outside of the band members (especially Brodie) it didn’t seem like he had friends either. Brodie was the youngest of 4 siblings, but we didn’t see too much of his actual family. But we saw quite a bit with his chosen music family i.e. the band.

It was bi-awakening, work/business relationship, and an age gap of 15 years (Van 44, Brodie 29). All the guys in the band were gay according to one comment over halfway through the book. I knew the other books would be about band members given the series name and I was sure I knew the next couple. I checked the summary and I was right. Be prepared for a slow burn. Nothing happened until after halfway through the book and then things heated up considerably. It was a slow dance of acknowledging attraction and developing feelings set over multiple years.

Brodie was more ready for it to happen just because he didn’t have as much to lose. He was already into men and a band member being with the manager is less scandalous than the manager being with a band member. I thought these two were a great fit and I loved all the moments of them being together; I had heart eyes many times with some of their sweet lines and I even loved their possessiveness and jealousy. They were so into each other, but also had some insecurities that the other rushed to reassure them over. I thought the ending was a little fast-paced, but in a way it made sense since they waited so long to get together and were fully committed to one another. I hope we see many cameos of these two in future books. I’ll eagerly be awaiting more! I’m giving this 4.5-5 out of 5 stars.

[⭐Toonasa⭐ •Romance Book Lovers' Haven• · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Boss/Employee MM rockstar romance with a 15yr age gap, friends to lovers themes, a love in the making for years, halloween & spooks, great friends, Showbiz ✨drama✨! I'm so happy to have gotten this #ARC, my 2nd book by Ava & it's fun! Loved Brodie & Van 😍.

Brodie (29) is vocalist of famous band Wayward Lane & is very gay. Snarky, possessive, magnetic with a soft, caring heart. Ivan (44) is their manager & bi-curious. Awesome, hardworking, protective. Their feelings evolve being together for years. I'm glad we see their milestones!

The story centers majorly around the charity concert the band is doing at halloween, where FINALLY Brodie & Van confront their feelings! It's fast-paced but detailed & quite the ride. The chemistry build hotly. Relationship is sweet, especially when they're in! Being famous put some issues but they're handled well. The ending is so fun lol.

I liked Brodie's bandmates & Family, their reactions sweet & realistic. Tho I think this is a standalone rn, I won't say no to a series! RTC.

Story Ratings:

POV: 1st person, Dual POV
1) Overall Enjoyment—> 5/5
2) The Characters: 5/5
3) Top feels: 🥰😍😏🧐🤫🤤🤭😲🤬😶😜😆😃🥺😕🥵
4) Steamy scenes: 2.5/5
5) Levels: Cute+Swoon: 4.5/5
Angst: 2.5/5 (external too)
Dark: 1.25/5
6) Creativity + world: 4.7/5
7) Plot arc: (Forbidden love & Showbiz) 4.5/5
8) Writing style + pace: 4.7/5

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

5⭐️ narration
3.5⭐️ story

Rockstar romance isn’t my normal go-to genre but this was a fun book to get into it a bit more. I really enjoyed the dynamic between our two MCs, as well as the tidbits we got for the next books in the series which I will definitely be reading.

But though I really enjoyed the first 50-60% or so of this story, the pacing of the second half really dragged. I loved the flashback/build up chapters we got of their history as manager/rockstar and transitioning to romance, but then it really felt like the story stagnated and the MCs kept having DTR conversations with characters that weren’t each other. And also there was a weird illusion to their concert venue in NOLA being haunted, to the point where I kept waiting for the book to turn into a Poirot style murder mystery 😂

*KINDA SPOILERS BELOW*

And then don’t even get me started in the final 10%. I cannot stand when authors write characters getting married at the end of a book and just gloss over it with phrases like “and then after MC1 and I said our vows” WHAT VOWS?!?! as romance readers I think that after a book where we barely get any on page love declarations a quickie wedding should be depicted fully on page. But I digress 😂

*I received an ALC of this audiobook, all opinions are my own*

[Bkwrm24 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brodie and Van ❤️

4.5 Stars ⭐️

Stories like this are exactly why I absolutely love every single thing that Ava Olsen writes. I knew from the first page that I was going to fall in love with these two characters and that their feisty banter, their insane chemistry and what could only be described as two stars colliding would be one hell of a ride and I wasn't wrong. The friendship, work and intense emotional evolution throughout the 4 year build between Brodie and Van was everything, when they took the leap together into a more sexual relationship...sparks flew and it was gloriously hot 🔥🔥🔥. I adored that these two took on an "us against the world" outlook with healthy communication and a love that will melt you, these two men carried that feeling all the way to their HEA. Would I recommend this book? That's an absolute Hell Yes!

I can not wait for the next book!!

* I received an ARC from GRR, this is my open and honest review *

[Duffette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good story

Falling in love with your straight manager is hard.

I love how the first bit of the books shows main points in Van & Brodie's professional & personal relationships from their first encounter to the present.

Brodie felt for Van pretty much from the start. It was probably lust at first sight for him, but after 4 years, they developed a deep meaningful connection through their friendship & songwriting.

I'm excited to more from the band members finding their HEA as well as their new friends they made in NOLA.

Plus, I super want a Dawson story. Gimme that big bodyguard book 🤣

[Mx. T *Chaotic Reader* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read

3.5 rounded up.
Sweet and low on angst. There was a but too much telling and not enough showing, but forgivable. There's a few time jumps at the beginning to explain the relationship between the MCs, it was a bit clunky but the moments were sweet. There's bi-awakening without any inner turmoil, which is ok for me, not everyone struggles coming out. 15 years of age gap is reasonable and I loved that Van was in his 40s. The ghost part was a weird addition imo. Good and fast read

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Indie Author Creative and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I absolutely adored this book! I loved the teasing between Brodie and Van and the love that they had for each, just seeping through the words in each chapter. Ugh 😩 I thought the plot was amazing and the speed/pacing was just perfect. I'm quite intrigued to see if this gets a second book cause I would love to see if Dawson and Holloway have anything going on 👀
Overall, 4 stars from me ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Sheena · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 stars