Thanks so much Katey Hawthorne and Gay Romance Reviews for the book. I was given this book as an advance review copy (ARC) for free, and I am leaving this review completely voluntarily.
This is the first book in the new The Rade series, and honestly, I wasn’t sure what I was getting into when I picked it up. This was my first book by this author. I’ll be honest, I went into it totally blind. I just needed something new to read, went scrolling through upcoming ARCs, saw this cover, and said, “Okay, let’s do this.”
I was a little confused when I started because it throws you right into the story. But after two or three chapters, I found my footing and started to really enjoy it. I think I mentioned in a recent review that I’ve been reading a lot of really great rock-star and band romances this year, and this one definitely earned a spot on that list.
Things kick off with our two MMCs, Harper and Beck, stuck in this hilarious online feud that totally gave me “kids picking on their crushes” energy. 😂 The enemies-to-lovers setup worked so well here. The whole rivalry-between-bands angle felt believable, there’s always that competitive vibe in the music scene, and it made their chemistry even better. The push and pull, the secret moments, the slow unraveling of their connection … all of it added to the overall deliciousness of the story.
And then there’s the paranormal twist! The Rade being made up entirely of fae members was such a fun and unique element. It added this unexpected layer that really hooked me. That said, I do wish the fae world had been developed a bit more. I used to read a ton of paranormal romance, so I could fill in the blanks myself, but I definitely wanted more detail from the author.
Oh, and the spice? Steamy. 🔥🔥🔥
Overall, this was a really fun surprise. I wasn’t expecting to get sucked in, but I totally did. I’m excited to see what happens next in The Rade series and I’ll definitely be checking out more from Katey Hawthorne.
Happy reading friends,
~ Maebae 💚
I’m a fellow book lover reviewing the good, the bad, and everything bookish in-between. All thoughts, opinions, and reactions are completely my own. I wasn’t paid, sponsored, or influenced in any way.