Rock Bottom

by L. Eveland

When you hit the top, there’s only way left to go…
Down on your bodyguard.Dante
Life as a rockstar’s not easy. I’ve got my vices like anyone else, but I can quit anytime I want. Unfortunately, my band mates have issued me an get sober in thirty days or I’m out. A month in the middle of nowhere should be just the distraction I need to get my head on straight.
Especially since my manager hired a big, British beefcake to guard me.
Now I can’t focus on anything except that gorgeous scowl, those thighs that could crush my skull to powder, and did I mention his sexy accent?
Unfortunately, all he cares about is my creepy stalker fan, but that’s no big deal. Right?

Church
Babysitting Dante is the worst job I’ve ever had. He’s an undisciplined, spoiled rockstar that never bloody shuts up. I can’t trust a word he says, especially when he’s trying to seduce me to get what he wants.
But Dante has a way of getting under my skin like no one else. He knows just which buttons to push to make me want him, even though we both know I shouldn’t.
I can’t afford any distractions, not with an unhinged stalker lurking in the woods nearby. My reputation—and Dante’s life—are on the line. Falling for him is the worst thing I can do, but it might already be too late.

Rock Bottom is a grumpy + sunshine, forced proximity bodyguard + rockstar MM romance, and the first book in the Junkyard Dogs Securities series, part of the Wayward Sons universe.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Dark, Forced Proximity, Contemporary

307 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 21, 2024

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

After Atom frontman Dante needs a safe place to detox and ends up in a cabin in the middle of nowhere guarded by Church. And who can resist a hot, protective Brit who cooks and makes a perfect cup of tea? Tropes in Rock Bottom include bodyguard/rockstar, grumpy/sunshine, sex toys (honestly, petition for more sex toys!!) and forced proximity.

I like the way L Eveland builds characters who don't really seem to make sense together initially, but who find their way together as a couple. After being tortured as a prisoner of war, Church can't stand listening to music. So naturally he's paired up with a musician 😂. I loved the way Dante and Church were kind and patient with each other, and didn't rush the physical side of their relationship. The trust they had in each other by the end of the book was much stronger for it, and the hardships they navigated through together.

I wished Church had been a bit more competent overall as a bodyguard and that his dildo got some on-page action, but the book was quite enjoyable and sweet overall.

Rating: 4
Angst: 3/5
Steam: 3/5

I received an advance copy of this book and this is my honest review.

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

A MM romance with a big size difference, bodyguard/rockstar, grumpy/sunshine, & slight d/s dynamics! Their back & forth banter is SO MUCH FUN, omg I love the sass. The stalker was annoying & crazy!
I devoured my #ARC within 8hrs over the weekend. Loved Church & Dante!

Dante is the Bi vocalist of their famous band, who suffers from addiction & feels that he'd disappointed everyone 🥺. He's flirty, cocky, stubborn but so caring!
Christian "Church" is D's appointed bodyguard by Junkyard Dogs. He's British, posh, protective but also shy, (kinda) inexperienced, & easy to blush! He's a POW who can't stand music 🥺. Check TWs!

I loved seeing Dante & Church's dynamics grow! D is such a sexy dom/top 🥵. His patience for C is so heartwarming! With only a month secluded, none meant to fall - but they did! The vulnerability tugged at my heartstrings. The 1 feet height difference 😭 is crazy (in a good way!).

The stalker was such a nuisance lol. I saw who it'll be miles away, C+D should've trusted their guts 😤. I didn't expect the guy to evade them with his "smarts", the climax is good tho! The TWs had made me worry for the mental health of MCs but nothing too bad happens with em *phew*.

I loved to see the cameos from JD 😍. Hated the bi-phobic manager. Excited for future books!

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: 4.25/5
Angst: 2.5/5
Dark: 2.5/5
6) Creativity + world: 4.5/5
7) Plot arc: (Bodyguard/Rockstar love & Stalker) 4.5/5
8) Writing style + pace: 4.5/5

[Sofiko Sas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Останню книгу, написану пані Евеланд, я прочитала влітку 2024, і вона мені сподобалась настільки, що я одразу додала її в список найкращих прочитаних 2024го. От є у неї така здібність писати так, що неможливо відірватися. Після прочитання її книг одразу тягнешся за іншою, як якийсь наркоман. Хоч мені і не подобаються концепти інших її циклів, я обіцяю хоча б спробувати.
Rock bottom стала для мене ковтком свіжого повітря. Господи, як мені не вистачало цієї легкості та гумору. Зʼявилась надія, що як би все втрачено не було - можна відновити, і зробити краще.

[Lauri MissDysfunktion]

I’m having a cause of deja poo, I’ve read this shit before. It feels very much like another musician with a drug habit needs a bodyguard babysitter book I read.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love love love Church and Dante

[Maxine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a 4.5 for me. I really enjoyed this book! This book is connected to the author's other series Wayward Sons, but I would say this one is a little lighter, at least with this first book. While this book does deal with dark elements it is not about a serial unliver family full of psychopaths. Both have their merits but maybe for some this would be a good way to start out reading darker elements and stepping their toes into dark romance. This book has great sass and banter mostly due to Dante's attitude and quips though Church did have him moments of wit with his classic British humor.

I really enjoyed the switch up as it came to couple dynamics. Usually, the bigger guy is the more dominant one in the relationship while the smaller one is the gentler one. With this one it was so cute to see a big guy like Church have those bashful moments and while he is a badass for everything he has been through and being in the security bodyguard profession he can handle his business but then to see those really sweet moments of his just made me all giggly and giddy. Dante definitely has sassy big dog energy but even with all that he was so caring and respectful of Church's needs and boundaries that it just really made me like and respect him. The sock moment with the guitar had me tearing up.

I loved the side characters, and each set the wayward sons, junkyard dogs and maybe someday After Atom make me so excited for what else the author may come up with as I want to read everyone's stories as they all seem so exciting and add to every story.

The bad guy portion of the storyline was a little predictable, but I still enjoyed it and the end when everything comes to a bang was really exciting especially when everyone is reunited.

There is spice in this book a couple different kinds and it was really well done and enjoyable.

This book is about Dante's the frontman of After Atom one of the top bands in the world. But Dante's rockstar problems of drinking and illicit substances has made him a liability that his record label may not want to take on. So, he is put into a rapid detox and sent to the middle of nowhere for 30 days to prove to his label that he can stay sober in order to stay in the band and go on tour. Unfortunately, however due to pasted incidents of fans and paparazzi causing mayhem wherever he goes his label saw fit to hire a bodyguard to help secure and keep him safe in the middle of nowhere. A big, beefy and BRITISH bodyguard to protect him in case his location is found by one of his crazed stalker fans. His bodyguard Church is just the distraction he needs to help keep him straight figuratively speaking that is.
Unfortunately, however, Church just seems his as a spoiled strung out rockstar who always has to be making some kind of noise either by talking or making music. But Dante being Dante it is only a matter of time that he starts to get under Church's skin and starts to push his buttons. But Church can't afford any distractions, not when there is the potential of an unhinged stalker lurking in the woods. So, falling for Dante is the last thing Church can afford to do but in the end the heart wants, what the heart wants.

I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Autumn L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dante went from being almost homeless to live the dreams, as the lead singer of After Atum. Being poor most of his life, he didn’t know how to live with the fame, and many changes until he hit rock-bottom multiple times. The band and the management didn’t either. After going to many field rehabs and detoxes. They realize the only solution was the center in the middle of nowhere. Couldn’t cause problems or be seen by anyone but Chruch his bodyguard. Throughout the book, you’ll see him struggle with his addiction and detox. But you also see him change for the better. All because of Chruch who believes he could do it. Chruch has had a life not close to parents, and also for what happened to him in SAS. He struggles with PTSE and can’t listen to music. He is a big man, but underneath all of that is a lonely man wanting to find somebody to make him happy. You’ll also see him work through his trauma with Dante. That to me is amazing because it shows how much he trusts him. His personality is amazing because he had his own sense of humor, and the fact that he is a very caring person. I like the fact that he gets embarrassed really fast. I also like the fact that he was able to open up to somebody that was not in his friend group. Also like that he trust Dante with everything and didn’t make him feel unwanted or ugly. What I like about Dante is he knows what he wants and he will go after it and he also has a very confident person. I also like that he realizes he shows that he wants to get sober for himself and not everybody else. Also, he is opens up to somebody that he can trust and tells everything to without being judged. Now both together bring out the good each other. What I like the most about them is how they trust one another, to how possessive they are of each other in the short amount of time. I also like that tease each other and try new things with each other. They do have their option downs, and there is a little bit of chaos that happens, but everything works out in the end. I also like the fact that everybody in their groups supports their relationship except one person, but that one person doesn’t matter. Cannot wait to see what else L Eveland writes next.

[Tee Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Church is a British ex SAS with PTSD. After everything he has been through his life was as good as it was going to get. He had his found family and a job he loved, working with men he respected. A job is assigned to him is nothing new but protecting a rockstar going through addiction recovery….this was going to be a massive headache. Church’s assumption about who Dante is and what he would be like didn’t match the man in front of him. Although struggling to recover from a soul destroying addiction Dante is strong, smart, funny… Church finds himself smiling, relaxing, allowing all the tension he carries around ebb away. At 6”7 no one dared make demands of Church except Dante isn’t just anyone and intimidated he is not. Finding love while fighting to protect Dante against an unhinged stalker is not a situation that Church thought he would ever find himself in but he is not about to let anyone harm or take away his love, not when he’s just found Dante.

Dante is a rock star on a downward spiral. Coming from being dirt poor to rich beyond his wildest dreams was an adjustment that he could never make sense of, downing in alcohol, dr*gs and esc*rts is all he knew, if you he’s going to be a rock star he will live up to the cliché….. but Dante’s life was no longer fulfilling his coping mechanisms were killing him slowly. A ultimatum is given get clean or get fired, this leads to a cabin in the woods and very gorgeous, but very stoic bodyguard. Dante wants to unravel this conundrum of a man, so strong, so controlled, so lonely so….. submissive, so perfect for Dante. But how could they build stable relationship when they lead very different lives, all Dante knows is he is not about to let his man go.

God I loved this book so much… the dynamics were unexpected and switch in power is delicious. Taking you outside of the norm of what size dictates. It was everything I needed for Church’s story yet everything I didn’t expect! I love when a book can suck you in and not let go until you’ve read it completely.

[Linsey shubert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited when I found out Church was going to be getting a book in this spinoff series from Wayward Sons and it definitely did not disappoint! I will say this one was way sweeter than I was expecting and not quite as kinky as the Wayward Sons books but it was still action packed and amazing as always.
I really loved the dynamic between Dante and Church. They balance each other out in so many ways and I loved getting to see them break down each other’s walls and teach each other how to love. PTSD and addiction are no joke and I felt the author did a good job portraying them seriously without the book feeling too serious. It helps that Dante is very rarely serious!
It was also fun getting cameos of beloved characters from the Wayward Sons books. I can’t wait for the rest of the Junkyard Dogs to meet their matches and of course I can’t wait for the rest of the Wayward Sons series!
I am also excited about the prospect of the rest of After Atom getting their own books! I would especially love to see Jake get a man of his own!!
Overall Rating: 💖💖💖💖💗 (4.5)
Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️ (2)
Fluff Rating: 🧸🧸🧸 (3)
⚠️Possible spoilers below———⚠️
Content/Trigger Warnings:
PTSD, Drug and alcohol addiction, References to past torture and imprisonment, Corporate biphobia and bi erasure, Kidnapping, non-consensual drugging, Attempted sexual assault, Torture,
On page suicide (not graphic), Stalking, Harassment, Violence, Poisoning, Fire, Near drowning
Kinks:
Praise kink, Edging, slight D/s, Marking
Tropes:
grumpy + sunshine, forced proximity bodyguard + rockstar, roommates, possessive boyfriends, forbidden love, hurt/comfort, found family
Other tags:
Bigger bottom, rimming, big muscly men who blush, toys, scars, kitten nickname, bottom’s POV during penetration, rescue, a man worth living for, 2 POVs, 1st person POV

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun like the others. I’m glad Church got his story and it wasn’t what I was expecting which was nice. Still fast paced and 0-60 love but the crazy fan and backstory made it enjoyable.

There were a few points that made it a little fantastical though. I’m probably just looking at it too seriously and I still enjoyed the book but I mention them as I found myself eye rolling a lot.

Firstly, you’re telling me that a man has been hired to be a body guard to a celebrity and when said body guard gets poisoned, even if accidentally, they don’t send out a replacement? They just let him work out the arsenic out of his body while the celebrity gets cosy with the one person he’s been asked to stay away from. Sounds a bit unlikely.

Secondly, If they say it’s temporary one more time I might scream lol it’s mightily obvious that you’re going to fall for each other then this will go one of two ways. He will give up his career because it’s making him ill anyway or you’ll be his new body guard so that you can both keep your work and be together.

Thirdly, surely if the cabin is in the middle of the woods, there’s no WiFi, dodgy signal, a psycho on the loose too, they’d use more than just mobiles to keep in touch? Aren’t they all military where are the backup satellite phones lol. I don’t know why but it just all seems a bit too lackadaisical for a group of men who should have a habit of covering all basis. There’s a lot of things that just make it amusingly amateurish. (They get the phone at 84% 😜)

Lastly, these boys fall in love very fast, first the Laskin lot now the Junkyard boys. Clearly all sweethearts under their dark exterior.

Anyway despite these few things I’ve enjoyed all the books and I’m glad she’s still working on more I believe Bowie is next which should be fun.

[Snailboat64 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Opposites attract as tension rises

Rock Bottom takes up the story of Church (a side character in  the Wayward Sons series, especially book3 Vicious Cycle), a former SAS soldier who now works for Junkyard Dogs, a security company staffed by an off-beat queer band of brothers, and Dante, his latest client. Dante has substance abuse problems after his band's meteoric rise to fame, and has been forced to lay low for a month to kick start his rehab.

They are from totally different worlds, but while the forced proximity helps things along, Dante has his sights set on Church from the start. Church has a lot of baggage, from his previous relationship and having been a POW. Keeping Dante safe and hidden from the press is his priority, and the stakes rise throughout the story, lending an air of menace to the plot.

Rock Bottom is a bit angsty, but nowhere near as dark as The Wayward Sons series. It hits on some difficult issues, but the theme is more protection no matter what it takes, than vengeance however bloody.

The protector/protectee trope is a fairly popular one, and one I've read before, but I particularly enjoyed the depth Eveland has given to the characters. They both have vulnerabilities that lift them out of flat stereotypes of the grumpy/sunshine dynamic, making them characters I felt emotionally invested in.

There's plenty of scope for this series to expand, and I'd definitely read more.

[S.S. Genesee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun book with lots of action, I quite enjoyed it!! This is the start of the Junkyard Dogs series, which has a shared world with Eveland's other series Wayward Sons. However, I read this completely as a standalone, not reading any of the other series yet, and I understood it perfectly! I actually got a bit excited after completing, realizing, "oo! I didn't realize Boone and Xion have their own book already." 🤣💕

But onto our MCs here, Church and Dante, they were adorable 🥹💖 Love the push and pull!! Forced proximity is one of my favorite tropes and with the added suspense of a vicious stalker on their trail, I was eating this book up 🤌🤌 The spice was SPICIN' and I loved the happy ending.

This book featured a rockstar MC, but this wasn't really a book about the "rockstar lifestyle", making songs with a band, concerts, going on tour, etc., and it was mainly centered on our lead singer Dante needing time off, dealing with addiction and retreating to a cabin in the woods with a hunky bodyguard. Which was still ABSOLUTELY a story I enjoyed!! The dynamic he had with Church was delicious, and I kept reading, eager to see what would happen and how their relationship would blossom, and how they'd deal with the stalker... OH man, it was intense!!

Looking forward to reading more of Eveland's work! 💕💖

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

L Eveland was a new author for me and I really enjoyed the start of the Junkyard Dogs series. Despite characters cropping up from Vicious Cycle, which I haven't read, I don't feel like I missed anything. If anything, it's actually made me want to read the other books more.

Dante, despite being a bit of a hot mess, was really likable as a character. I thought he was fun and sassy, and I really felt for him when you could see how much he struggled with his self worth. He saw himself as the rockstar on a pedestal, but not in a good way. He clearly wanted someone to see him as Dante, rather than the frontman for After Atom. Enter Church, the burly British bodyguard who manages to truly see Dante for who he is, a bright light that just needs a little help and support.

There was a lot of danger and twists and turns, and despite my early suspicions for one character proving correct, it didn't detract from how quickly I stormed through the pages. I loved the subversive roles in the bedroom, giving Dante the chance for some control that he doesn't really have in his life, the opposite of submissive Church who ususally has to control everything because of his profession.

I really hope we get to see more of the bandmates, because while I'm looking forward to reading Bowie's story next in this series, I'd love to read a series that highlights Remi and Orlando, and even Jake and the others.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having being introduced to Church in Vicious Cycle, I was glad that he got his story in the first of this series. Ex SAS in the British Army, he was loyal to a fault, took his job serious and was the brooding type. Dante the rock star had just come back from rehab and to stay in the band, he has got to say sober. Whilst he was not happy being forced to do this he found the silver lining Church.
I love bodyguard stories and forced proximity is one of my favourites with these stories. Church and Dante were good for each other. Church was a calming influence over Dante and the closer they got the more Dante started caring for some else that was not himself. Dante slowly chipped away at the walls Church had put up to protect himself and with all his Diva moments it was a pleasant surprise how he interacted with Church in the bedroom.
The story had a even balance of romance and action and there were times that I had to force myself to slow down my reading as the tension was building up. I was so engrossed in the book that I found it a quick read. It was good to see some of other characters from the Junkyard Dogs and I am looking forward to reading the others stories.
One thing I did laugh at, was the fascination with Tea and Digestive biscuits as as a Brit those are 2 things that I despise.

[Book Fairie · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you've read Vicious Cycle, one of the Wayward Sons books from L.Eveland this book is a natural one to read, as the series feeds from characters we met in Vicious Cycle: the Junkyard Dogs security group of battle-scarred hard-asses we all secretly know have got soft spots hidden inside because they're all crying out for their own books. Rock Bottom is a lot lighter, with much less grit and blood, than I've come to expect from this author, and while some may find that a pleasant change it left me a teensy bit wanting. There's a good story in here, but I didn't connect with the characters too much, although I did appreciate that some stereotypes you might expect to see played out in a pretty-richboy-manwh*re X gruff-big-tough-guy pairing get mixed around nicely. It's not one I'd recommend for newbies coming to this author (so many other great ones to pick from) but it won't put me off reading more from them either.

[jaz! · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
(ARC)

This book was fun. Dante and Church were a very cute couple and I think they definitely fit together perfectly. I loved their banter together and their little back-and-forths, as well as their dynamics with each other in and out of the bedroom. The only "qualms" that I had in this book were that the conflict was pretty predictable and I picked out the "bad guy" literally instantly but still, that didn't take away from my enjoyment while reading the book I still had a good time with it. The second thing is that for lack of a better word the "problems" that the two had were a bit surface-level for me. With Dante's addiction/problem with his fame and Church's PTSD, I felt as though they could have been delved into a bit deeper. Overall I did really like this book and would def recommend it to others. Also, I NEED THE OTHER AFTER ATOM BOYS STORY PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE

[J.L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adore when authors set their various series, differentiated by subgenre, in the same expansive world. In this case, we've met Church in the dark romance Wayward Sons series, but he steps into the main character spot in this spin-off of bodyguard romances. One storytelling element guaranteed to suck me in is trope reversal, so while Church and rock star Dante externally embody everything you'd expect from this sort of romance, their deeper characters reveal layers of fun twists. Eveland simultaneously follows the bodyguard romance formula to perfection while also adding plenty of surprises for both the characters and the external plot. I look forward to reading more stories set in this world, regardless of which series the familiar characters appear in.

Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rock star romance + sexy bodyguard, with a side of our favorite feral family? Sign. Me. Up.

Dante is a hard partying rock star, whose bad habits are taking a toll on him and his band. Out of desperation, the band put Dante through a rapid detox and then decides to hide him away for 30 days, under supervision, to allow him to get healthy and stay out of the spotlight. Church draws the short stick and is assigned to keep Dante out of trouble- if he can keep his PTSD in check and his hands to himself.

Fast paced and well written, this book pulled me in and didn't let go! I enjoyed Dante's brattiness, paired with vulnerability, and Church's take-charge attitude that didn't bend to anyone but Dante. Cannot wait to continue on with this series!

[tobifun.pp · Rating 5 out of 5]

rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
darkness: 🖤🖤🖤
feelings: 😭🥰🥵👿😱☠️😍

Wow. Rock Bottom is a brilliant start to the new Junkyard Dogs Securities series by L. Eveland. The story of Dante and Church is so exciting. Dante goes through such a profound transformation and as the story progressed I fell more and more in love with him as more of his character was revealed. Church is the exact opposite of the vibrant Dante. Because of his traumatic past, the passionate bodyguard is very concerned with control and safety. I love it when the dynamic between a couple in a book doesn't live up to expectations.

I'm really looking forward to Bowie's story, and I'm also curious to learn more about Dante's bandmates!

[MLF · Rating 5 out of 5]

Church is part of the Junkyard Dogs, (Bodyguard/Security) he is ex Navy Seal with PTSD. Church is assigned to babysit Dante through his rehab. Dante is out of control and has failed rehab several times and doesn't really want to be sober. He came from a poor upbringing and can't handle the overnight success. His band gave him an ultimatum, get sober or your out of the band. The book was fantastic. Besides for Dante trying to stay sober, there is also a stalker. I liked the twists and turns in this book. Both MC struggle with different issues.
The book kept me interested and finished in a day. I have read all of her other books, so even though you can read this as a stand alone, I loved that it followed some of the other MC from the previous books. Great start to a new series.
HEA

[Petra]

I will not rate the book as I did not finish it. It was an ARC, I should mention that, and the tropes were interesting. I loved the play with stereotypes and breaking them (on paper). But it was not believable at all.

I did not connect with the characters and the romance. It just felt so so forced, there was lack of characterization for them to make it believable so it fell flat. And even from the beginning, I thought - is this bodyguard even competent enough? He sees someone, is suspicious but listens to a civilian (he protects!) that it is fine? And just lets it go?

I wanted to love the book, the reversal of tropes and such because MM fiction needs it! But it needs to be believable. And with more attention regarding characterization.

[Traci S · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Church and Dante’s romance, it had excellent action, great world building, and an entertaining plot. This was a clever way to expand the Wayward Sons universe. I liked how the author connected it to that world while giving the spin off series a somewhat lighter tone. I especially enjoyed the bit of healing Dante and Church find together in the secluded Ohio cabin, that was my favorite part of the book. The stalker plot was well executed, maybe a little obvious - but a fun read overall. I liked the end a lot, where we get a glimpse at the other After Atom band members- I look forward to getting to know them more.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dante, a rock star, has a substance abuse problem. Sent into seclusion in the boonies by his band, he has Church to watch him, a former POW with PTSD. Dante is a big flirt and tease, totally enjoying Church's reactions. Church tries to stay professional but likes Dante's Dom vibe. Church has to do his thing when Dante's life is threatened and the Junkyard Dogs join in. It's a lot of action with some teasing romance thrown in between two wounded guys that need a chance together. This spin off is not as violent as the Wayward Sons series but has serious threats and kidnapping. I received a copy of this book and this is my voluntary opinion.

[J of the Roses · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book was fine, but it was not engrossing. I never really connected with the characters, and I had a particularly tepid reaction to Dante. He came across as bratty and entitled, two traits that I dislike, so I never found myself rooting for him. Church was better, but honestly, he was not all that compelling either. Their dynamic was also not my favorite, but their departure from stereotype may be heartily embraced by other readers. This is the second book I have read by this author, and although this one was disappointing, I look forward to future offerings.

[Kaylee Pratt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helped alot getting me to take a break from wedding planning😂. As usual, the author did an amazing job! I love the development between the relationship between the 2. I absolutely love the nickname that Dante gave Church, it makes me chuckle everytime 😂. I love that Dante can practically pull Church out from being a grump sometimes 😂😂.

Dante struggle with addiction and the battle he has to get through to help it, you can really tell the struggle to fight through it.

With Church PTSD with everything, you can really tell that they are trying to help each other get through there demons.

[Saskia Veldhuis · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book in a spin-off series, I haven't read the previous set, but that wasn't a problem at all. I really enjoyed the MCs who were so very opposite to each other in many ways - the best example being that Dante is a rock star, while Church has music of any sort as a big PTSD trigger. I have read a number of other books by this author (monsters and unalivers), and they are very versatile in writing very well in a number of these very different topics. The other characters promise to make this another successful series.

[K-Me · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice starter romance for this new series in the Wayward Sons world. We still have a darker stalker and addiction theme but definitely a lighter tone. I liked Church a lot. Loved that he could big and shy when around Dante yet tough and protective. Dante definitely had some sass despite everything he is going through. Being together in the cabin gave them the privacy and long time together to explore how they could physically and emotionally balance each other. Unique dynamic that really offered Dante the outlet he needed to get through everything.

[Alastair H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly I don't usually go for rock star romances. No idea why they've just never really done it for me. BUT I really (like really) love this author's books and already liked Church (one of the MCs) so I was hoping I'd love this one, and I did!! I expected Church to be like the big stern hardass type but he turned out to be a giant sensitive teddy bear and truly I loved it. He deserved to be doted on. He's perfect for Dante. It was an understated sweetness I really enjoyed.

This one follows Church, the brash brit and Junkyard Dog we meet in Xion's book Vicious Cycle, and Dante, a rock star who's trying to get his life back on a healthy path. Dante goes after Church with determined avengeance and Church ofc can't resist lol. They deal with stalker fans, fighting internal demons, and breaking down walls to be together. I loved how sweet and shy Church got in the bedroom, it gave the entire romance this really gentle vibe and made me like Dante so much more than I would have otherwise.

There were a few moments where drama or bad things would happen and you could see where it was going from many pages out - just a little obvious. I think it comes down to the book is stronger in the romance than the extraneous plot. It's a great romance though. I'm so glad I decided to read it. And I'm super excited for Bowie's book, he is the cowboy we all want to read about.

*Thanks so much to the author for an ARC! These are my honest and voluntary opinions 💕

[Juniper · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me, the relationship between Church and Dante really shines here: they’re careful with each other, ride the “shouldn’t work on paper but totally find a way to gel in practice” wave really well, and their physical dynamic subverts some (much overused) expectations. There are familiar tropes galore, (rockstar/bodyguard, forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine vibes, etc. etc) and they’re nicely integrated into a narrative that balances compelling characters with a dynamic plot.

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[FHR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having issues with his sobriety, Dante is sent away by his band to work on being sober in isolation.
With him is his broody bodyguard, Church.
As they cohabitate, the tension and chemistry between them build but the danger surrounding Dante also increases and Church will have to do his professional job whilst building a personal relationship as well.

This was an interesting read as it touches on an everyday topic addiction but the storyline is done well and the characters are entertaining.
I’m looking forward to more of this series.