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Wild Heat #1
Crescendo
Firebrand chose me. Me .
I’d be flattered if I didn’t know the all-alpha band has chewed through at least six other band managers in as many years.
But I won’t be their next ex -manager. I’ve been waiting for my shot, a chance to prove myself, and this is it. I will not mess it up. Jax, Dylan, Asher, and Holden will be whipped into shape if it’s the last thing I do on this earth. I will not break. I will not give in to their charm.
Not even when my body betrays me, its beta chemistry shifting in a way that I don’t understand. That I can’t control.
I’m so close to the future I always dreamed of. There’s no way I’m going to let four bad boy alphas and one wild heat ruin everything…am I?
CRESCENDO is a standalone omegaverse romance told in multiple points of view. It is a WhyChoose romance where all the ** focus** is on the female main character and a happily ever after is guaranteed.
I’d be flattered if I didn’t know the all-alpha band has chewed through at least six other band managers in as many years.
But I won’t be their next ex -manager. I’ve been waiting for my shot, a chance to prove myself, and this is it. I will not mess it up. Jax, Dylan, Asher, and Holden will be whipped into shape if it’s the last thing I do on this earth. I will not break. I will not give in to their charm.
Not even when my body betrays me, its beta chemistry shifting in a way that I don’t understand. That I can’t control.
I’m so close to the future I always dreamed of. There’s no way I’m going to let four bad boy alphas and one wild heat ruin everything…am I?
CRESCENDO is a standalone omegaverse romance told in multiple points of view. It is a WhyChoose romance where all the ** focus** is on the female main character and a happily ever after is guaranteed.
321 pages, ebook
First published October 24, 2023
593 people are currently reading
898 people want to read
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November 3, 2023DNF @ 47% p154/321 Chapter 19(Holden)
This was honestly just putting me in a bad mood.
Almost halfway through and she’s not gone into heat yet, half the guys are still fucking other people, even though they’d already done something with the main character, and most of the time they’re still acting like she’s a stuck up bitch for just doing her job and getting upset when they do stupid, destructive shit.
I don’t like most of the characters and It’s just not for me.
This is kind of why I tend to be wary of rockstar romances. The guys tend to be players and I hate it.
This was honestly just putting me in a bad mood.
Almost halfway through and she’s not gone into heat yet, half the guys are still fucking other people, even though they’d already done something with the main character, and most of the time they’re still acting like she’s a stuck up bitch for just doing her job and getting upset when they do stupid, destructive shit.
I don’t like most of the characters and It’s just not for me.
This is kind of why I tend to be wary of rockstar romances. The guys tend to be players and I hate it.
March 25, 2024
My Rating: 3.5 stars
This was a fun read! I liked some of the guys more than others. The heroine was fantastic! She was hard-working and competent at her job. The overall story kept me interested. The omegaverse world the author has slowly been building within her last few books has proven to be really interesting. With every book I read, I want to know more and more. I love the character cameos from past books! I wonder what the next story set in this world will be!
This was a fun read! I liked some of the guys more than others. The heroine was fantastic! She was hard-working and competent at her job. The overall story kept me interested. The omegaverse world the author has slowly been building within her last few books has proven to be really interesting. With every book I read, I want to know more and more. I love the character cameos from past books! I wonder what the next story set in this world will be!
November 4, 2023
E J Lawson is a talented author that I love..
Unfortunately there were a few things that I really didn't like about this one though. But mostly just one word. one person. Jax.
Don't get me wrong, I appreciated the redemption arc when he finally opens up Josie but it wasn't enough. He really did act like a child, a lot of his change of character was told and not shown over weeks, and there was almost no real groveling. I think what the author was trying to show was that the guys changed once they had Josie in their life, she was what they needed and were missing. But because of the constant time jumps and off page happenings it didn't feel natural? I guess. And the other guys were hardly any better. They enabled their friend and put Josie through hell by acting like children and then didn't really make up for it on page.
I was also disappointed with the ending. It just seemed kind of abrupt.
Unfortunately there were a few things that I really didn't like about this one though. But mostly just one word. one person. Jax.
Don't get me wrong, I appreciated the redemption arc when he finally opens up Josie but it wasn't enough. He really did act like a child, a lot of his change of character was told and not shown over weeks, and there was almost no real groveling. I think what the author was trying to show was that the guys changed once they had Josie in their life, she was what they needed and were missing. But because of the constant time jumps and off page happenings it didn't feel natural? I guess. And the other guys were hardly any better. They enabled their friend and put Josie through hell by acting like children and then didn't really make up for it on page.
I was also disappointed with the ending. It just seemed kind of abrupt.
November 20, 2023
Patience is a virtue and the wait was worth it. This was emotional and lovely and sometimes frustrating. This story is about rockstars that act like rockstars - partying, antics, alcohol, some drugs, and sex. If that's not for you, then turn away. These characters were flawed and very human. I loved that those flaws are still there at the end, but they are tempered. Josie is smart, capable, and great at her job. She doesn't let anyone walk all over her. Jax's redemption arc was heartwarming to see. He makes a total 180, and is probably the most aware of his feelings the whole time, but didn't want to face them. These characters were drawn to each other from their first moment. Reading all the little sweet things the guys did was wonderful. I can't say I had a favorite MMC because they were all well-rounded and had equal page time. It didn't feel like Josie had a favorite either - which is how it should be. I liked, but didn't love some of Lawson's other books because I felt the MM elements were put in to be titillating rather than for true love. This book has no MM elements.
October 23, 2023
I liked reading all three books in the Knot Their Omega series by E.J Lawson. This book was a great OV read, I liked the characters and the different vibes they all have off.
November 22, 2023
TBH I felt like the pacing of this was SO ODD. The beginning was so slow and then the last 50% was jammed back with relationship building. I felt like it took too long for the main girl to realize she was turning into an omega. And it took too long for her to get with the guys. I HATEDDD that her nest was her office??? Like you can’t have your nest in your place of work wtf. It could’ve at least been like at the band’s recording studio…
I felt like we didn’t know enough about the characters. It all just felt so surface level. There was none of the usual courting/spoiling of a sweetverse book too. Like the guys were still getting with other girls for like half the book. Hated that tbh. Ofc the main girl didn’t even LOOK at other guys the whole novel even though she was an omega nearing her literal heat…
I felt like we didn’t know enough about the characters. It all just felt so surface level. There was none of the usual courting/spoiling of a sweetverse book too. Like the guys were still getting with other girls for like half the book. Hated that tbh. Ofc the main girl didn’t even LOOK at other guys the whole novel even though she was an omega nearing her literal heat…
November 8, 2023
Huge DNF. FMC has no backbone. Her answer to everything seems to be having sex with the band members instead of doing her actual job of managing them. I would say the MMCs are acting like children, but I've seen children way more behaved then these idiots. and this is her pack? Absolutely not.
December 6, 2023
The only characters I absolutely did not hate were the cops that arrested them for property damage and the owners that sued them for the same. Everyone was so immature and horrifying. I’d like to punch them all in the face. Good storyline premise tho lol
March 29, 2024
I couldn’t finish it. The men were all irresponsible and dangerous drugged up assholes. They treated her badly, and I am not a fan of body betrayal. For me this was not a good omegaverse nor a good rock star romance. It started with potential but it drifted long before I abandoned it.
October 24, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️½
I want to make her mine. Make her ours in a way that can’t be so easily undone.
Crescendo is a one-sitting, super sweet Omegaverse read! I immediately fell in love with Josie and the Alphas of Firebrand (yes, even Jax when he had his head up his ass).
This is a sweet romance, with mild angst as Josie navigates her late emergence as an Omega - one that affects her career and her relationship with the band. There is a prevailing feeling of loneliness and longing, as the band has made it clear they neither need nor want an Omega, but plans change when it comes to their feelings towards Josie. (Watching each one give in to those feelings gave me happy butterflies).
The romance starts out fast-burn with a chapter one, super-hot, one-night stand, but the general pacing of the story is medium burn with moderate spice. All scenes are MF or MFM+ with no sword crossing.
Another great omegaverse by EJ Lawson!
Genre: Contemporary Omegaverse Romance
Tropes/Features: Rockstar MMCs, Beta FMC, late presenting Omega, mild angst, group scenes
Narrator: Multiple 1st Person POV
Relationship Type: Why Choose – MFMMM, medium burn, moderate spice
Book Type/Ending: Standalone with HEA
TW/CW: None listed
🌶️🌶️🌶️½
I want to make her mine. Make her ours in a way that can’t be so easily undone.
Crescendo is a one-sitting, super sweet Omegaverse read! I immediately fell in love with Josie and the Alphas of Firebrand (yes, even Jax when he had his head up his ass).
This is a sweet romance, with mild angst as Josie navigates her late emergence as an Omega - one that affects her career and her relationship with the band. There is a prevailing feeling of loneliness and longing, as the band has made it clear they neither need nor want an Omega, but plans change when it comes to their feelings towards Josie. (Watching each one give in to those feelings gave me happy butterflies).
The romance starts out fast-burn with a chapter one, super-hot, one-night stand, but the general pacing of the story is medium burn with moderate spice. All scenes are MF or MFM+ with no sword crossing.
Another great omegaverse by EJ Lawson!
Genre: Contemporary Omegaverse Romance
Tropes/Features: Rockstar MMCs, Beta FMC, late presenting Omega, mild angst, group scenes
Narrator: Multiple 1st Person POV
Relationship Type: Why Choose – MFMMM, medium burn, moderate spice
Book Type/Ending: Standalone with HEA
TW/CW: None listed
August 14, 2024
Bands Blasting Sass
I enjoyed reading the drama in this book. Our girl ends up having a one night stand with some mysterious hunks before realizing they are part of the band her clients hire her to manage. The men are a range of chaos and our girl is on the grind of getting their act straight with her no bs attitude and had me cheering her on. The steam and angst, her orientation changing from beta to Omega making things even more complicated. It makes this all tie up perfectly
I enjoyed reading the drama in this book. Our girl ends up having a one night stand with some mysterious hunks before realizing they are part of the band her clients hire her to manage. The men are a range of chaos and our girl is on the grind of getting their act straight with her no bs attitude and had me cheering her on. The steam and angst, her orientation changing from beta to Omega making things even more complicated. It makes this all tie up perfectly
February 24, 2024
I liked the concept, I've read a fair few omegaverse, and some can be a wild ride. This one seemed reasonably calm and more "sweet" than "dark."
I wish we'd got a little more time getting to know the characters, I felt like Jax was the only one I completely understood at the end. I would have preferred if at least one of the guys had been solidly interested in Josie from the beginning. It's always a danger in omegaverse that the bond only seems biological, Jax and Dylan thinking a little about Josie after the one night stand helped a little, but it was even said (inner monologue style) by Jax that if she hadn't been around them, she would have been forgotten)
I didn't really love the book ending in Josies first heat. It seemed a little back heavy, like everything was happening towards the last half of the book
I HATE when guys randomly sleep with people after the obsession period starts. It's grim. Everyone except Dylan is still out there getting it on after Josie.
If you're going to have male characters still spreading their legs for randoms, then let the fmc get in on that too, she's the one going into heat after all, they only became affected when they scented her. Surely, if anyone should have been out there getting some, it should have been josie
I wish we'd got a little more time getting to know the characters, I felt like Jax was the only one I completely understood at the end. I would have preferred if at least one of the guys had been solidly interested in Josie from the beginning. It's always a danger in omegaverse that the bond only seems biological, Jax and Dylan thinking a little about Josie after the one night stand helped a little, but it was even said (inner monologue style) by Jax that if she hadn't been around them, she would have been forgotten)
I didn't really love the book ending in Josies first heat. It seemed a little back heavy, like everything was happening towards the last half of the book
I HATE when guys randomly sleep with people after the obsession period starts. It's grim. Everyone except Dylan is still out there getting it on after Josie.
If you're going to have male characters still spreading their legs for randoms, then let the fmc get in on that too, she's the one going into heat after all, they only became affected when they scented her. Surely, if anyone should have been out there getting some, it should have been josie
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2023
I had a hard time getting into this. It talks about how this is Josie’s dream job, but doesn’t really ever develop her enough that we know why she wants to be a music manager so badly.
Then, she turns out to be a latent Omega. Which is never my favorite concept, because it makes it seem like the love story only exists because of a biological impulse, as if these people wouldn’t love each other if not for her change.
Josie is independent and driven, and then we’re told that her Omega emergence has changed her entire personality, and some of those changes seem very negative (like giggling in court, or submissively obeying a ridiculous order to tie a man’s shoe).
This story is basically just the erosion of a strong, independent female, to the point where these men have to rescue her career and rescue her from her biology.
Then, she turns out to be a latent Omega. Which is never my favorite concept, because it makes it seem like the love story only exists because of a biological impulse, as if these people wouldn’t love each other if not for her change.
Josie is independent and driven, and then we’re told that her Omega emergence has changed her entire personality, and some of those changes seem very negative (like giggling in court, or submissively obeying a ridiculous order to tie a man’s shoe).
This story is basically just the erosion of a strong, independent female, to the point where these men have to rescue her career and rescue her from her biology.
October 23, 2023
I really enjoyed all three books in author E. J. Lawson’s Knot Their Omega series: Captivate, Hypnotize, and Selection. This book, Crescendo, the first in E. J.’s new Wild Heat series, is loosely interconnected with the Knot Their Omega series (as in they take place in the same universe and some characters from that series will appear in the new series). For example: In this book, Josie (our FMC) has an appointment with Thane from Captivate, the first book in the KTO series. Now, in the KNO series there is some mm content, but there is no mm content in Crescendo even though it is a why choose romance.
You can get the gist of the plot from the blurb online and it actually won’t mislead you for once. This is a rockstar romance with four bad boy alphas and an omega awakening. It’s pretty well-trodden ground but it’s well-trodden because it works. Josie has worked hard to get where she has and she’s done it for one of my favorite reasons: spite. I love that. I love when characters make their way in life because a ton of people who were supposed to believe in them told them they couldn’t do it or shouldn’t do it but maybe there was one person who supported them enough to say, “Ah, screw them, “ and do it anyway. That’s Josie. She put her nose to the grindstone and worked hard to become a band manager. She’s still only a junior assistant when all of a sudden she’s offered the position to manage Firebrand, one of the biggest and most troublesome acts in the business.
The four alphas of Firebrand all have their issues. Of course they have issues. There wouldn’t be a plot without issues. Thankfully it’s not to the point where they’re alphaholes, but they do have damage. Josie’s tossed into the deep end from the start but she’s determined to be the manager they need. She’s good at what she does. Even as she can sense herself changing she stays focused. Even as the band can sense the changes she stays focused. Even as she deals with disaster after disaster, she stays focused. She stays focused until she’s confronted with the truth of how her body is changing and what that possibly means for her job and her future.
This book feels a little rushed, to be honest. It’s not crammed with spice, which is nice, and the spicy scenes are well-written and of the medium-hot kind (rough but not kinky). I think what made it feel so rushed was there was one character that took up a lot of page time and he was a huge part of the plot too. So between his character development and how his development affected the plot there wasn’t a whole lot of room for everyone else to develop organically or for the relationships to coalesce organically. So in the end it seemed less like a crescendo and more like a cacophony.
The fact remains: Lawson continues to churn out excellent omegaverse novels that are well-written with great FMCs. So I will continue to devour them like yummy chocolates.
I was provided a copy of this title by the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
File Under: Book Series/Contemporary Romance/Kindle Unlimited/Omegaverse/Romance Series/Spice Level 2/Standalone Romance/Why Choose Romance/Workplace Romance
You can get the gist of the plot from the blurb online and it actually won’t mislead you for once. This is a rockstar romance with four bad boy alphas and an omega awakening. It’s pretty well-trodden ground but it’s well-trodden because it works. Josie has worked hard to get where she has and she’s done it for one of my favorite reasons: spite. I love that. I love when characters make their way in life because a ton of people who were supposed to believe in them told them they couldn’t do it or shouldn’t do it but maybe there was one person who supported them enough to say, “Ah, screw them, “ and do it anyway. That’s Josie. She put her nose to the grindstone and worked hard to become a band manager. She’s still only a junior assistant when all of a sudden she’s offered the position to manage Firebrand, one of the biggest and most troublesome acts in the business.
The four alphas of Firebrand all have their issues. Of course they have issues. There wouldn’t be a plot without issues. Thankfully it’s not to the point where they’re alphaholes, but they do have damage. Josie’s tossed into the deep end from the start but she’s determined to be the manager they need. She’s good at what she does. Even as she can sense herself changing she stays focused. Even as the band can sense the changes she stays focused. Even as she deals with disaster after disaster, she stays focused. She stays focused until she’s confronted with the truth of how her body is changing and what that possibly means for her job and her future.
This book feels a little rushed, to be honest. It’s not crammed with spice, which is nice, and the spicy scenes are well-written and of the medium-hot kind (rough but not kinky). I think what made it feel so rushed was there was one character that took up a lot of page time and he was a huge part of the plot too. So between his character development and how his development affected the plot there wasn’t a whole lot of room for everyone else to develop organically or for the relationships to coalesce organically. So in the end it seemed less like a crescendo and more like a cacophony.
The fact remains: Lawson continues to churn out excellent omegaverse novels that are well-written with great FMCs. So I will continue to devour them like yummy chocolates.
I was provided a copy of this title by the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
File Under: Book Series/Contemporary Romance/Kindle Unlimited/Omegaverse/Romance Series/Spice Level 2/Standalone Romance/Why Choose Romance/Workplace Romance
October 24, 2023
There’s something about this author and her books that just pull me in from the get go and this one was no exception.
I don’t usually lean towards rockstar romances but this one worked well because it mostly focused on them before their tour started.
I loved what Josie brought to the band as their manager. It was a rocky start initially and I felt awful about a couple of scenarios the band left her to clean up but you could tell she really cared about the band and it’s members. She was especially good for Jax and Hunter and seemed to be exactly what they needed to grow up.
Dylan and Asher seemed to fall first and I loved that for them.
There’s not many OV books about betas transitioning into omegas but I find it to be such a fascinating premise and this one was done so subtly that it made for really good reading! I can’t even imagine how terrified Josie would’ve been but the guys were really there for her.
I also loved that there was no third act breakup. There was definite third act angst and drama for sure but what the guys did was absolutely swoonworthy and made the eventual HEA ten times cuter.
I liked that although we got several spicy scenes, it wasn’t overwhelming and in your face. There was still plenty of story to be enjoyed between all the delicious dirty talk and that’s always appreciated.
Overall this was another easy, fun and sexy omegaverse from EJ Lawson and I thoroughly enjoyed every second of it. I can’t wait to see what’s next in this new series!
I don’t usually lean towards rockstar romances but this one worked well because it mostly focused on them before their tour started.
I loved what Josie brought to the band as their manager. It was a rocky start initially and I felt awful about a couple of scenarios the band left her to clean up but you could tell she really cared about the band and it’s members. She was especially good for Jax and Hunter and seemed to be exactly what they needed to grow up.
Dylan and Asher seemed to fall first and I loved that for them.
There’s not many OV books about betas transitioning into omegas but I find it to be such a fascinating premise and this one was done so subtly that it made for really good reading! I can’t even imagine how terrified Josie would’ve been but the guys were really there for her.
I also loved that there was no third act breakup. There was definite third act angst and drama for sure but what the guys did was absolutely swoonworthy and made the eventual HEA ten times cuter.
I liked that although we got several spicy scenes, it wasn’t overwhelming and in your face. There was still plenty of story to be enjoyed between all the delicious dirty talk and that’s always appreciated.
Overall this was another easy, fun and sexy omegaverse from EJ Lawson and I thoroughly enjoyed every second of it. I can’t wait to see what’s next in this new series!
October 20, 2023
A rockstar omegaverse in Josie, a female beta, becomes the manager for a popular all male alpha band. I'm sure you can imagine how that goes 👀
I absolutely loved this. I didn't think I could like it more than the other series by this author but it surprised me and was even better.
I think what was best for me was the way the plot went. It was different from all the other OV books that I've read and that always makes a book highly rated. I love reading a new story that I haven't read dozens of times over.
Also it wasn't an insta love. The relationship developed naturally over the course of the book. Not just with the guys and Josie but with the guys themselves. Everyone grew and matured as everything unfolded so the relationships among themselves changed as well.
Josie herself is also a huge draw. She's independent, do it herself, and strong. She can get stuff done all on her own. She's just a nice person without being a pushover or too whiney.
If I had any complaint at all I would just want it to be longer because I'm greedy and want more 😂
I absolutely loved this. I didn't think I could like it more than the other series by this author but it surprised me and was even better.
I think what was best for me was the way the plot went. It was different from all the other OV books that I've read and that always makes a book highly rated. I love reading a new story that I haven't read dozens of times over.
Also it wasn't an insta love. The relationship developed naturally over the course of the book. Not just with the guys and Josie but with the guys themselves. Everyone grew and matured as everything unfolded so the relationships among themselves changed as well.
Josie herself is also a huge draw. She's independent, do it herself, and strong. She can get stuff done all on her own. She's just a nice person without being a pushover or too whiney.
If I had any complaint at all I would just want it to be longer because I'm greedy and want more 😂
September 10, 2024
4.5 out of 5 Stars. I loved this novel, especially because I've been really into rockstar romance stories lately. It has amazing characters and an engaging plot, and I was so engrossed in it that I finished this 300+ page novel in just one day. I highly recommend this book if you are a fan of Ms. Lawson, enjoy rockstar romances and/or omegaverse romances, or appreciate unique interpretations of contemporary omegaverse themes. Watch my full book review here: https://youtu.be/duevZOEGOWk
- Standalone Contemporary Polyamorous Omegaverse Rockstar Romance -
🛍️ Jess' 2023 Reading Book List: https://amzn.to/3Ug7iSZ
- Standalone Contemporary Polyamorous Omegaverse Rockstar Romance -
🛍️ Jess' 2023 Reading Book List: https://amzn.to/3Ug7iSZ
November 6, 2023
I absolutely enjoyed reading Crescendo! I thought E. J. Lawson did great with the twist she did with this book. Josie is awesome, and I give her major kudos for keeping a level head and avoided being pushed around by the guys in the beginning lol, especially that lawyer. I loved meeting Firebrand, and I loved how diverse all the guys' personalities are, and how close they all are. I thought the story was well written and it flowed great, I love how it came together and how all the guys came around for Josie 🖤 I most definitely recommend reading this book.
December 4, 2024
3.5 stars. This omegaverse RH romance surprised me, with a stronger than usual (for this genre) FMC, who proved to be clever and good at her job, even when managing some pretty wild scenarios. The plot also veered a bit from standard OV, with spice but a slow build up to the first heat - this was not all about the usual obsession with fated mates, scent matches etc (though it is part of the story), which was refreshing.
What wasn’t so good was that it felt like we got to know two of the MMCs reasonably well, but the other two barely, and then the ending was just so abrupt. A ‘bonus epilogue’ can be obtained from the author’s site, and I highly recommend doing so as it’s necessary to get ‘closure’ on the story - no idea why it wasn’t included in the actual book. All in, a light, fun and interesting OV read and I’ll be looking for the next in the series.
What wasn’t so good was that it felt like we got to know two of the MMCs reasonably well, but the other two barely, and then the ending was just so abrupt. A ‘bonus epilogue’ can be obtained from the author’s site, and I highly recommend doing so as it’s necessary to get ‘closure’ on the story - no idea why it wasn’t included in the actual book. All in, a light, fun and interesting OV read and I’ll be looking for the next in the series.
April 20, 2024
Probably a 3.5/4 star
Cute, fun, enjoyable. Good plot, ok spice, fun characters, predictable but still good 👍🏻 a cute addition to the series
Cute, fun, enjoyable. Good plot, ok spice, fun characters, predictable but still good 👍🏻 a cute addition to the series
November 20, 2023
I liked the premise for this story and while the writing was good the story just seemed to lack something for me. I liked how the FMC was independent, fast thinking and seemed to know her business. Unfortunately when it came to the chemistry between some of the characters it was lacking for me. I also expected a bit more spice considering it's an omegaverse novel involving a rock band. With some tweaks and additions this could be an great story but it just didn't hit the mark for me.
October 23, 2023
This book was absolutely freaking amazing! It has everything you could ever want in a Rockstar Omegaverse romance. I literally couldn’t put it down and I’m soo feeling the book hangover now that it’s done! Standing ovation for EJ Lawson for delivering such an epic Omegaverse I can’t wait to get more!
November 6, 2023
It was just a solid work. All of it. Language, characters, plot, dialogue, motivations, angst, ambition, hope--all there, all wins.
I will admit that some of it felt pretty feral and disjointed--but um, people 100% are, so whatever it worked in the story's favor.
Worth it!
Merry reading!
I will admit that some of it felt pretty feral and disjointed--but um, people 100% are, so whatever it worked in the story's favor.
Worth it!
Merry reading!
October 26, 2023
This in no way was a bad book. I did enjoy it and I think the author is very talented. I didn’t however enjoy this book as much as I did the previous ones.
Josie, the FMC, was a badass beta until she turned Omega. She handled PR like a mother f-ing pro and I was in awe of some of her speeches. Once she became an Omega though, she lost some of her edge.
I didn’t feel the love connection between the characters. I definitely think that they appreciated everything she did for them, but it felt like they mistook that for love when they realized she actually cared for them. When did they ever care for her the way she did for them? They constantly put her through the wringer and never apologized to her. When did they ever try to get to know her beyond her dream of being a manager?
I wish there was less internal monologue about their past and more conversations about it. I felt like everything was more surface level. I enjoyed that there was no third act breakup, however, once again, they realized they “love” her by reminiscing about all the times she fixed their problems and how she actually cares about them.
We finally get a heat at the very end of the book, which thank goodness because that’s the best part of an Omegaverse. We do get some nesting descriptions, but I kinda wish more than one guy noticed what she was doing and the way she was acting which pointed to her being an Omega. It sort of showed how they lacked awareness of her. The same goes for how they still sleep with women after meeting the FMC. I wish they would have at least stopped when they met her. I understand that not every book has to be love at first sight, but I definitely don’t wanna read about the MMCs treating her like shit… even if they are rockstars.
Trigger warnings: rape mentioned (not FMC), drug use, MMC getting arrested, extreme partying
Josie, the FMC, was a badass beta until she turned Omega. She handled PR like a mother f-ing pro and I was in awe of some of her speeches. Once she became an Omega though, she lost some of her edge.
I didn’t feel the love connection between the characters. I definitely think that they appreciated everything she did for them, but it felt like they mistook that for love when they realized she actually cared for them. When did they ever care for her the way she did for them? They constantly put her through the wringer and never apologized to her. When did they ever try to get to know her beyond her dream of being a manager?
I wish there was less internal monologue about their past and more conversations about it. I felt like everything was more surface level. I enjoyed that there was no third act breakup, however, once again, they realized they “love” her by reminiscing about all the times she fixed their problems and how she actually cares about them.
We finally get a heat at the very end of the book, which thank goodness because that’s the best part of an Omegaverse. We do get some nesting descriptions, but I kinda wish more than one guy noticed what she was doing and the way she was acting which pointed to her being an Omega. It sort of showed how they lacked awareness of her. The same goes for how they still sleep with women after meeting the FMC. I wish they would have at least stopped when they met her. I understand that not every book has to be love at first sight, but I definitely don’t wanna read about the MMCs treating her like shit… even if they are rockstars.
Trigger warnings: rape mentioned (not FMC), drug use, MMC getting arrested, extreme partying
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2024
I am all for a slow burn, but waiting until the last 10% of the book to actually get to any action seems cruel. It’s over almost as soon as you get to the good stuff. Most of the book is a kickass FMC keeping four man babies in line. I was very intensely invested because it seemed like the good stuff would happen at any moment, but then never really does. It was a quick read because of that but I was ultimately disappointed since the culmination of all of the drama happens way too late in the book for the reader to get any kind of resolution. I don’t regret reading, but definitely not a favorite of mine.
November 28, 2023
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
A case of mistaken identity for a one-night stand with two attractive Alphas, or rather no recognition at all, makes for an awkward introduction for the brand-new manager of the rock band Firebrand.
Josie is a rising star in her own right as a band manager and has been brought in to do the impossible - pull in the reigns of four rock stars whose bad-boy personas have gotten out of control. Under extreme pressure with little help from the guys themselves to be on their best behavior, Josie starts to experience symptoms she shouldn't considering she is only a Beta. Organized, responsible, and completely able to pull off confidence even if she may not be, I could use this woman to help get my life in order as well.
Usually, I adore the Alphas in an Omegaverse, but unfortunately, most of these men were spoiled selfish assholes who really couldn't care less about anyone but themselves. Sure a couple of them slowly started to warm up to Josie, but they never had her back until the VERY END of the book, and even then it was more so that they couldn't help it due to pheromones, not actual fondness.
"We're cogs in the rock-and-roll machine and they've made millions off our antics. They say they want us to change. To be more responsible, but do they really? I can't say I care." - Asher
The hands-down worst character was Jax, a man-child who refused to deal with childhood trauma and instead acted out. I don't care what happened, hurting others and making them clean up your mess is never okay. Raise your hand if you feel bad for the rockstar with a bad background who sows chaos and wreckage instead of growing up and acknowledging his emotions.
No one? Yeah, me either Jax sucked. I had a hard time respecting Josie, who always forgave him after a smirk or wink was directed her way, and the other Alphas, who proactively enabled him.
"He's Jax. People follow him like he's the Pied Piper of Partying." - Dylan
For the life of me, I couldn’t get into this book. Even the spice was off. Josie would go from tirelessly cleaning up one purposeful disaster of theirs to getting it on when they clearly did not respect her at all. You can't claim to have feelings for someone but then make their job harder for them all in the same breath. What was supposed to be a one-night stand at a club in the first few chapters of the book has more chemistry between the characters than when we get to know them.
I wanted to love this book and give it a five star review, but I couldn’t see savvy boss lady Josie playfully rolling her eyes at these childish rock and roll wannabes and thinking 'yeah they're the ones for me.' Crescendo ends rather abruptly, with so many unresolved issues still at play both in their relationship and professional careers. Overall, this wasn't a cookie-cutter Omegaverse story I’ve read time and time again, but it fell short even in its originality.
More reviews at www.ratherbookish.com
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
A case of mistaken identity for a one-night stand with two attractive Alphas, or rather no recognition at all, makes for an awkward introduction for the brand-new manager of the rock band Firebrand.
Josie is a rising star in her own right as a band manager and has been brought in to do the impossible - pull in the reigns of four rock stars whose bad-boy personas have gotten out of control. Under extreme pressure with little help from the guys themselves to be on their best behavior, Josie starts to experience symptoms she shouldn't considering she is only a Beta. Organized, responsible, and completely able to pull off confidence even if she may not be, I could use this woman to help get my life in order as well.
Usually, I adore the Alphas in an Omegaverse, but unfortunately, most of these men were spoiled selfish assholes who really couldn't care less about anyone but themselves. Sure a couple of them slowly started to warm up to Josie, but they never had her back until the VERY END of the book, and even then it was more so that they couldn't help it due to pheromones, not actual fondness.
"We're cogs in the rock-and-roll machine and they've made millions off our antics. They say they want us to change. To be more responsible, but do they really? I can't say I care." - Asher
The hands-down worst character was Jax, a man-child who refused to deal with childhood trauma and instead acted out. I don't care what happened, hurting others and making them clean up your mess is never okay. Raise your hand if you feel bad for the rockstar with a bad background who sows chaos and wreckage instead of growing up and acknowledging his emotions.
No one? Yeah, me either Jax sucked. I had a hard time respecting Josie, who always forgave him after a smirk or wink was directed her way, and the other Alphas, who proactively enabled him.
"He's Jax. People follow him like he's the Pied Piper of Partying." - Dylan
For the life of me, I couldn’t get into this book. Even the spice was off. Josie would go from tirelessly cleaning up one purposeful disaster of theirs to getting it on when they clearly did not respect her at all. You can't claim to have feelings for someone but then make their job harder for them all in the same breath. What was supposed to be a one-night stand at a club in the first few chapters of the book has more chemistry between the characters than when we get to know them.
I wanted to love this book and give it a five star review, but I couldn’t see savvy boss lady Josie playfully rolling her eyes at these childish rock and roll wannabes and thinking 'yeah they're the ones for me.' Crescendo ends rather abruptly, with so many unresolved issues still at play both in their relationship and professional careers. Overall, this wasn't a cookie-cutter Omegaverse story I’ve read time and time again, but it fell short even in its originality.
More reviews at www.ratherbookish.com
October 20, 2023
Let me first say that I don't do rockstar romances, they never really seemed like my thing. Then EJ had to come out with Crescendo, the first book in her Wild Heat series. I don't know if she converted me or if it's just because I love EJ's omegaverses some much but either way this book was freaking awesome.
Josie is absolutely fabulous, I adored her. Josie loves the music industry and unlike most people, she doesn't want to be famous she wants to work on the opposite side of that. Josie had a dream and busted her butt to make it happen all on her own, she's currently a talent manager. Josie is a hard worker and knows what she's doing. Josephine Collins is boss material. She's really good at her job, she cares about her people, she has compassion understanding, and a ton of patience but she isn't going to let anyone walk all over her.
Good thing the group Firebrand has just gotten her as their new talent manager because they need someone to whip them into shape. This pack is a mess of entitled brats who don't think about the consequences of their actions. Jax is a troublemaker with a capital "T" and the pack enables his bad behavior. Dylan is a puppy dog, nice but plays follow the leader. Holden is the stoic one and Asher is the biggest player. They all have deep-seated issues (mostly stemming from family) that cause them to act the way they do. Honestly, I didn't like them at first, and they didn't do a whole lot of growth over the timeframe of this book, but by the end, I liked them a little bit better.
I enjoy music but for some reason, I didn't think it would translate on the page in a way that I would enjoy and I couldn't have been more wrong. EJ has written this in a way that held my interest. The plot was more behind-the-scenes drama. First, the fact that it's an Omegaverse and all that it entails is a major plus but I also like that the MFC wasn't a singer, she's more relatable even with a cool but hectic job. I enjoyed the other aspects like the band outside of performing, the people (and drama) of the Record Label, the gigs, the PR such as photo shoots, and more. There was more plot. EJ was smooth, Josie's and the guys' relationship developed so seamlessly that it was hard saying how they got from point A to point B but that's not to say there weren't problems and drama that made it that more interesting.
After writing this review and feeling the love I think I am a convert. Crescendo surprised me in the best of ways, I actually enjoyed a rockstar romance. Who knew? I also love EJ's other omegaverse series, Knot Their Omega, and this book is set in the same world, there was a little crossover that I highly enjoyed. I can't wait to read the other books EJ has planned for this series.
Josie is absolutely fabulous, I adored her. Josie loves the music industry and unlike most people, she doesn't want to be famous she wants to work on the opposite side of that. Josie had a dream and busted her butt to make it happen all on her own, she's currently a talent manager. Josie is a hard worker and knows what she's doing. Josephine Collins is boss material. She's really good at her job, she cares about her people, she has compassion understanding, and a ton of patience but she isn't going to let anyone walk all over her.
Good thing the group Firebrand has just gotten her as their new talent manager because they need someone to whip them into shape. This pack is a mess of entitled brats who don't think about the consequences of their actions. Jax is a troublemaker with a capital "T" and the pack enables his bad behavior. Dylan is a puppy dog, nice but plays follow the leader. Holden is the stoic one and Asher is the biggest player. They all have deep-seated issues (mostly stemming from family) that cause them to act the way they do. Honestly, I didn't like them at first, and they didn't do a whole lot of growth over the timeframe of this book, but by the end, I liked them a little bit better.
I enjoy music but for some reason, I didn't think it would translate on the page in a way that I would enjoy and I couldn't have been more wrong. EJ has written this in a way that held my interest. The plot was more behind-the-scenes drama. First, the fact that it's an Omegaverse and all that it entails is a major plus but I also like that the MFC wasn't a singer, she's more relatable even with a cool but hectic job. I enjoyed the other aspects like the band outside of performing, the people (and drama) of the Record Label, the gigs, the PR such as photo shoots, and more. There was more plot. EJ was smooth, Josie's and the guys' relationship developed so seamlessly that it was hard saying how they got from point A to point B but that's not to say there weren't problems and drama that made it that more interesting.
After writing this review and feeling the love I think I am a convert. Crescendo surprised me in the best of ways, I actually enjoyed a rockstar romance. Who knew? I also love EJ's other omegaverse series, Knot Their Omega, and this book is set in the same world, there was a little crossover that I highly enjoyed. I can't wait to read the other books EJ has planned for this series.
December 3, 2023
🎸Crescendo – Wild Heart #1 - Review🎸
Author: E.J. Lawson
Couple: Josie with Jax, Dylan, Asher & Holden
Tropes: why choose, RH, rockstar romance, omegaverse, found family, interconnected series, one-night stand romance
Review: Get ready to meet your new favorite rockstars in this all new omegaverse romance! EJ Lawson introduces a new cast of characters in this interconnected spin off from her Knot Their Omega series!
Josie is a Beta when we meet her and I think she was my favorite character in this book! I loved how she took no bull from anyone and stood her ground to achieve her goals. Lawson did a terrific job with creating her story and resilience throughout all the shocks that came her way. This is the first omegaverse book I have read where the FMC starts as a beat and becomes an omega after meeting the alphas and I cannot say I was disappointed with the natural progression of events. Josie is a strong willed FMC who was much different than omegas we normally get in books like these and I appreciated how Lawson added the dilemma she faced in regards to her freedoms and rights as she began the transition.
The men in this book. Oh. My. GAWD! Jax and Dylan are the dynamic duo I fell in lust with right off the bat and I loved the meet cure they had with Josie. The dynamic all four alphas had with her was also unique and I liked how Lawson took the time to build the bond between Josie and each of them. Jax was probably the MMC that had the most growth and the way we learn about his past was tragic since he almost loses Josie in the process. Other than that, I was drawn towards Ash and Holden the most. I liked how both of them were not what I expected for a MMC in a rockstar romance. Ash was a more sedate playboy and I found his POV to be the most enlightening. Holden was just the MMC who was the quiet and broody one but once he began to open up I was lost to him since he was one of Josie’s fiercest protectors.
This is a very spicy book. It has more spice than the prior omegaverse series Lawson wrote and there was a LOT of buildup, angst and sparks between all of them. I enjoyed how this book was a twist on a one-night stand and why choose. I liked the frenemies to lover’s vibe Josie had with Dylan and Jax after meeting them again as her bosses. I also enjoyed how each of the males were very different with their steam. Ash was the most hesitant in my opinion and I felt like he kept his head the best however, Holden is the one who shocked me at the end! The HEA they got was well deserved and the way the band fought for Josie to stay was the best part of the book!
Rating: 9/10, a terrific spin-off E.J.’s original omegaverse series!
Author: E.J. Lawson
Couple: Josie with Jax, Dylan, Asher & Holden
Tropes: why choose, RH, rockstar romance, omegaverse, found family, interconnected series, one-night stand romance
Review: Get ready to meet your new favorite rockstars in this all new omegaverse romance! EJ Lawson introduces a new cast of characters in this interconnected spin off from her Knot Their Omega series!
Josie is a Beta when we meet her and I think she was my favorite character in this book! I loved how she took no bull from anyone and stood her ground to achieve her goals. Lawson did a terrific job with creating her story and resilience throughout all the shocks that came her way. This is the first omegaverse book I have read where the FMC starts as a beat and becomes an omega after meeting the alphas and I cannot say I was disappointed with the natural progression of events. Josie is a strong willed FMC who was much different than omegas we normally get in books like these and I appreciated how Lawson added the dilemma she faced in regards to her freedoms and rights as she began the transition.
The men in this book. Oh. My. GAWD! Jax and Dylan are the dynamic duo I fell in lust with right off the bat and I loved the meet cure they had with Josie. The dynamic all four alphas had with her was also unique and I liked how Lawson took the time to build the bond between Josie and each of them. Jax was probably the MMC that had the most growth and the way we learn about his past was tragic since he almost loses Josie in the process. Other than that, I was drawn towards Ash and Holden the most. I liked how both of them were not what I expected for a MMC in a rockstar romance. Ash was a more sedate playboy and I found his POV to be the most enlightening. Holden was just the MMC who was the quiet and broody one but once he began to open up I was lost to him since he was one of Josie’s fiercest protectors.
This is a very spicy book. It has more spice than the prior omegaverse series Lawson wrote and there was a LOT of buildup, angst and sparks between all of them. I enjoyed how this book was a twist on a one-night stand and why choose. I liked the frenemies to lover’s vibe Josie had with Dylan and Jax after meeting them again as her bosses. I also enjoyed how each of the males were very different with their steam. Ash was the most hesitant in my opinion and I felt like he kept his head the best however, Holden is the one who shocked me at the end! The HEA they got was well deserved and the way the band fought for Josie to stay was the best part of the book!
Rating: 9/10, a terrific spin-off E.J.’s original omegaverse series!
November 10, 2023
I did love to read this, even though it's completely not perfect. But as it seems, I like imperfections then and there. And this took me by surprise, since it is totally the typical rock star story with the shenanigans you expect from them. All the while with a woman in the mix, who has to navigate between all that while fearing for her job and see it threaten, when her beta status is turned omega. And with that comes the usual I already have read in several variations.
Still, it is well done. I liked the characters and their different personalities and the story was smooth and good, even with the fact behind, that it isn't really 'new'. But the way it comes all together is a great feat.
What wasn't so perfect for me was that it was fast-paced, which results that some aspects aren't revealed or not portrayed in detail. For example, there is a talk about Cervus, an omega-only illness, that isn't explained much. I did read Captivated by this author before, though I didn't remember the book until I looked it up in my notes and reading my former review. Only then I did remember the story. BTW I did like that book too.
But back to the topic, even though, it was a fact explained in other books it should have been explained here again. So that readers, who haven't read other books before and this is their first book of the author, get an explanation of what it is. In general the world-building was surficial at best. I remember, that it was explained better in Captivate. But here it wasn't really mentioned how the life of Omegas look like. I remember there were much more rules out there, but okay.
Furthermore, the background of the guys and that of Josie could have been more detailed and written more lengthy. Sure, we get the general picture, but a detailed background gives more depth too.
I know some people will not like the fact, that the guys had encounters with other women while already knowing the Josie. But let's be real: As long as they are not in a relationship, I don't see an issue with that. They just started to know each other. Funny thing is, I have read enough books too, where there was insta-love and total celibacy, and people complain about that as well.
Of course, it's a preference thing. But I don't mind either scenario, as long as it makes sense and doesn't end in cheating.
So, it's not perfect, but still I did read it in a few hours. Unfortunately, I didn't get my epilogue yet. So, that will have to wait. But otherwise, it was a great read.
Still, it is well done. I liked the characters and their different personalities and the story was smooth and good, even with the fact behind, that it isn't really 'new'. But the way it comes all together is a great feat.
What wasn't so perfect for me was that it was fast-paced, which results that some aspects aren't revealed or not portrayed in detail. For example, there is a talk about Cervus, an omega-only illness, that isn't explained much. I did read Captivated by this author before, though I didn't remember the book until I looked it up in my notes and reading my former review. Only then I did remember the story. BTW I did like that book too.
But back to the topic, even though, it was a fact explained in other books it should have been explained here again. So that readers, who haven't read other books before and this is their first book of the author, get an explanation of what it is. In general the world-building was surficial at best. I remember, that it was explained better in Captivate. But here it wasn't really mentioned how the life of Omegas look like. I remember there were much more rules out there, but okay.
Furthermore, the background of the guys and that of Josie could have been more detailed and written more lengthy. Sure, we get the general picture, but a detailed background gives more depth too.
I know some people will not like the fact, that the guys had encounters with other women while already knowing the Josie. But let's be real: As long as they are not in a relationship, I don't see an issue with that. They just started to know each other. Funny thing is, I have read enough books too, where there was insta-love and total celibacy, and people complain about that as well.
Of course, it's a preference thing. But I don't mind either scenario, as long as it makes sense and doesn't end in cheating.
So, it's not perfect, but still I did read it in a few hours. Unfortunately, I didn't get my epilogue yet. So, that will have to wait. But otherwise, it was a great read.
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