Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
He’s the brooding frontman of a band on the rise.
I’m the drummer with the skills to shake his world.
The one thing we have in common?
We’re both pretending not to want each other..

PAIGE

My family is music royalty—which is exactly why I need to prove myself without them.
But Maddox Knox? He’s a walking warning label wrapped up in grudges I never earned.
I can handle the pressure of being his band's new drummer. What I can’t handle is wanting the frontman who wishes I would walk away.
I can survive his ego, but surviving him? That might be my toughest gig yet.


MADDOX
We’re on the verge of something huge. The last thing we want is someone walking in and changing the dynamic.
But Paige Erikson? She’s everything we need—even if I don’t know why she gets under my skin.
My bandmates remind me this is strictly business. Though when she plays, it’s like Paige can hear the part of me no one else gets…the part no one’s supposed to know about..


Cadence is a spicy hate to love rockstar romance between bandmates with a guaranteed HEA and is the first book in the Fractured Frequencies series.
Refer to front matter for trigger warnings.

413 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 6, 2025

38 people are currently reading
280 people want to read

About the author

Vari Scott

10 books146 followers
Vari Scott is a British author of indecently decent romance. When she's not writing spicy stories with dirty talking men and sassy ladies, while her two pugs snooze under her table, she is reading them instead.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
92 (44%)
4 stars
81 (39%)
3 stars
28 (13%)
2 stars
5 (2%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
Profile Image for Cydney.
508 reviews41 followers
November 7, 2025
Cadence is a rockstar romance where the MMC is the star, but the FMC is a talented and sought-after songwriter in her own right, hiding the fact that she comes from a very famous and influential musical family. When Maddox's band loses their drummer right before they're set to do a series of performances, Paige auditions, blowing the band away—except Maddox. He maintains an aversion to her joining the band for quite a while, but after they get to know each other after and realize they're attracted to one another, things rapidly change. That is until Maddox realizes why exactly he needs to stay away from Paige, and Paige realizes Maddox knew way more about her than he'd let on.

Overall, this landed somewhere down the middle for me. The writing style was mostly fine although I didn't really care for the plot, and didn't really fall into groove with the love story. Maddox, Paige, and the band all seemed very immature, from the way Maddox and Paige goad each other (it didn't give banter to me, it gave negging) and the at-times cringe dialogue between them and other members of the band. I was most intrigued by the storyline with Penny, but something about its execution was confusing to me. The book was fast-paced and I think did a great job detailing the process of going on tour and how a band manages new success and opportunities!

What I really loved about this book was the audiobook—the narrators were perfectly suited to their characters and did a great job overall, especially in the scenes during performances. They really made those scenes exciting to listen to! I definitely recommend immersive reading this like I did, I read it in one sitting.

Thank you to Luna Literary Management and the author for the ARC and ALC!

3 ⭐️
2 🌶️
Profile Image for Tia.
211 reviews560 followers
January 1, 2026
I haven’t been able to stop thinking about these characters! What a great book to kick off my Rockstar era!! ❤️
Profile Image for Hailey Goshert.
341 reviews56 followers
December 8, 2025
4.5⭐️ 2.5🌶️ my first read by Vari Scott and i'm not only impressed but soo ready for more!

i looove a rockstar romance and this one hit the sweet spot between angst and emotional depth. i loved all of the characters and the overall plot. and while the twist was definitely something i saw coming, it surprisingly didn't take away from the impact it had on the story when we finally got to the 'why' of it all.

this has tension galore, a great cast of characters that i'm dying to dive deeper into, and a very satisfying ending- making me not want to put this down for a single second. the audio narrators did a fantastic job and you can bet that i'll be picking up the next installment whenever it releases!
Profile Image for Shaunna.
78 reviews3 followers
October 29, 2025
My newest rockstar romance obsession. Cadence is a fast-paced, angsty read with the right amount of humor to balance the emotional rollercoaster. I really appreciated the way the Vari knows exactly when to hit you with those gut-punch moments. It’s emotional, but not overdone.

There was heart to the story with characters who have depth to them. Cadence hits hard with characters who are perfectly flawed. Vari wrote a story that gives you both the fictional aspect but also characters who are relatable. Then add in the slow-burn tension, a love story with feisty, forced proximity vibes, the right amount of steam and spice that help drive the plot and character development. You get the on the road life of touring with a couple of plot twists that truly made me giddy and wanting more. Paige and Maddox are electric. Every glance, every quip crackles with tension and flirtation. It's a sizzling chemistry that keeps you teetering on the edge of your seat. I was utterly captivated by them throughout the whole story.

Sip Station is a band on the rise. About to go on tour as the opener for a legendary rock star. This tour isn't like other tours, this is the tour that can open doors for the band and their own legacy. Currently, auditioning for a new drummer, the band doesn't want just anyone. They are seeking a drummer who bleeds with the drumset, like a single entity where the beat, the sound, the drumsticks, the person behind the set is one.

The heartbeat of the story lies in the music and the words woven through its lyrics. Paige is soul-deep, craving to be recognized for her talent, her light, her warmth. Maddox, rugged and guarded, feels more deeply than he lets on. Eli and Beau round out the band, with their wit, humor, and honesty adding a spark of truth and individuality to it all.

Cadence is the book for those who don't just want to read a story but to feel it as well. Vari crafted the perfect playlist for setting the mood and the right vibes, brining the story to life in more than just words.

Audiobook Review 🎧
Angelina Rocca and Corvin King performance for the audiobook was 10/10 incredible! I give them the loudest round of applause and standing ovation. They didn’t just read the story they became Maddox & Paige. Every line carried that raw, rough edge, that gravelly tone that feels like your voice after a night of screaming your heart out to your favorite song. They gave the characters soul that felt alive. Angelina and Corvin you truly embodied Paige and Maddox. You captured these characters so perfectly through your narration. It made my read beyond enjoyable like I was on the tour bus with them, hidden in the shadows as Paige and Maddox's story came to life, and in the pages of the lyrics they wrote together.

Book & Audio: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶
Edit Review
Profile Image for Ashley Down | pagesinparadise.
282 reviews14 followers
November 6, 2025
4.5
🥁Cadence🥁

My first book by Vari & OMG I LOVED IT! Rockstar romance is not usually my go to but I could read this fast enough. And the audio… yall it’s SO FREAKING GOOD! I loved these characters & their stories- plus the twist… I was SCREAMING! I ended up being late to work because I had to sit and listen to it all play out. I can’t wait for book 2!

🥁Rockstar
🥁Bandmates to lovers
🥁TENSION 🔥
🥁Found family
Profile Image for Alicia (aliciakayreads).
718 reviews39 followers
November 6, 2025
Ratings:
4 Stars
3 Spice

Format: ALC
Narrators: Corvin King & Angelina Rocca

Expect:
Rockstar, Bandmates, Forced Proximity, Secrets, Drummer FMC x Lead Guitarist MMC, Found Family, Tension, Grumpy x Fiesty

Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this!! So glad I decided to pick this up since is a new to me author and I would definitely read more from Vari Scott. The audio was fantastic - two amazing narrators in Corvin King & Angelina Rocca, so good!

This reminded me why I love a good rockstar romance. Especially between bandmates cause the tensionnnnn!! I loved how Paige and Maddox tried to deny their feelings and chemistry but then when they gave it! Hot. I really loved them together. They both definitely had their secrets and I really enjoyed uncovering them. I will say that the direction with the MMC's secrets and guilt isn't my favorite plotline, but I still loved Maddox so much.

I adored how they wrote songs together and how Maddox let Paige in to help him. And him calling her his muse!! So cute. And I am so invested in this whole band!! Not only with their career but Eli and Beau and Olive...a throuple!?? Or is that going to cause chaos?! haha And I see we get Reign next! Can't wait.

For all my rockstar fans, especially audio girlies, definitely recommend you give this one a shot!

"If the two of them could meet, it would be like two souls colliding."

Thank you so much to the author, Must Love Audio, Luna Literary Management, and Lyric Audiobooks for the advanced copies!
Profile Image for Rombookfanlove.
340 reviews16 followers
November 9, 2025
This. Was. SO. GOOD. Ahhhh!!!

Initially I wasn’t sure where all the intensity of Maddox’s (negative) emotion was coming from related to Paige when they first met and it confused me a bit. It sucked me in because it definitely felt like there was “something more” going on but I didn’t know what. That was intentional and was a great way to get really into the book! The confused feeling lingered a bit for me but I stuck with it, knowing there must be an explanation at some point, and I’m SO glad I did - wow! I’ll just leave it at that.

I was listening my way through this just thinking ‘alright this is a great rockstar romance’. The FMC Paige is a drummer which I absolutely love and she has a history that she’s trying to keep on the down low so she can stand on her own. The chemistry between her and Maddox is wild and they’re magnetic. I was enjoying it and going ‘yeah cool ok, band mates dating drama, hopes and dreams, all the good stuff’ but then the book really hits you in the last bit and !!! ALLLL the feels. I listened to a lot of this while commuting and I think my jaw literally dropped open at points!

The narration was great, both narrators really put the feeling into it and you felt the characters through them. And I mean, Corvin King’s voice… hnnnng 🥵 but I also really loved Paige’s narration, just really fit for my picture of a female drummer.

If you want a rockstar romance that will give you intensity, heartache/angst, heat/spice, and ultimately a great love - definitely check this one out!!

I also need to point out Vari’s writing, she has a way with words I so appreciate. I’ve read one of her prior series and loved it so I’m really pleased at how much I loved this book too! Definitely an author I’ll be reading in my regular rotation!

Definitely recommend this one!

5/5 ⭐️

I received an advance copy of the book and have left my honest, influence-free review
Profile Image for Emily Johnston (Booked.Up.With.Emily).
1,617 reviews118 followers
November 6, 2025
You know what I love? A rockstar romance! And Vari Scott delivered one jam packed, emotional read with this one!

💜Rockstar romance
💜Grumpy x sunshine
💜Hate to love
💜Bandmates

Maddox is the front runner star in his band, and while looking for a new drummer, Paige decides to throw her hat in the ring for the position. Maddox immediately feels “bad vibes” from her and makes it known to her and his bandmates. But there is no denying that Paige is the missing piece to the bands puzzle.

Maddox truly wants to hate Paige, but their chemistry and attraction makes it so hard for him to do so.

I loved the twists and turns in this book that were absolutely and 100% unexpected for me!! I NEVER saw that twist coming!!

I loved the bandmates and cannot wait to see their books in the future!!

Angelina Rocca and Corvin King did a phenomenal job with this narration. Angelina’s voice was exactly who I would envision for Paige’s character – where she is shy, but bold at the same time. Corvin was great as Maddox and reading the heartbreaking moments with his narration had me tearing up.
Profile Image for livblovesbooks.
260 reviews16 followers
November 16, 2025
This book was so well written. Maddox and Paige's story was complicated from the start and it only gets more complicated as time goes on. They had a much deeper connection to one another than I could have ever imagined.

“If the two of them could meet, it would be like two souls colliding.”

That whole part of the book broke me. It was heartbreaking and beautiful all at once. Its hard to put into words the way it truly made me feel, but I felt a lot.

I am not going to go into full detail of the book so I don't spoil anything, but you can expect an amazing book. It is full of angst, longing and love. There is a feisty fmc and a grumpy mmc. He's the lead guitarist and she's the drummer.

This book is narrated by Angelina Rocca and Corvin King. They did an absolutely phenomenal job bringing this book to life. I felt every emotion in their words.

Thank you so much to Vari Scott, Luna Literary and Must Love Audio for the ARC and ALC.
Profile Image for Confessions of a Bookaholic.
843 reviews39 followers
November 10, 2025
I had to decompress all that I was feeling from Paige and Maddox!!!! I enjoyed this audiobook so much! It has been days since I finished and these characters are still in my head.

Vari writes her MMC all kinds of ways from super sweet and swoony to an absolute jacka$$! Maddox falls in the middle of that scale...lol! At first I was not a huge fan of him at all. He definitely had to grow on me and as the story went on I understood him more. He really, truly loves Paige and has a fear of losing her.

Paige, my heart freaking loves that girl. She works hard for her achievements. She goes to great lengths to keep herself separated from who her father is. a record label owner! She has mad talent on the drums and rightfully earns her spot in Sip Station! Music is in her bones so it only makes sense that it becomes the common ground between her and Maddox.

Vari does such a fantastic job of building the relationship between these two. Enemies to lovers I feel is too tame of a trope for them at the beginning...lol! The way that Paige ends up becoming Maddox's muse had me cheering them on. Maddox and the way that he is determined to make her his even though he knows it is wrong. They are perfect for each other..."like two souls colliding".

********AUDIO REVIEW********
Narrated in duet style by Angelina Rocca and Corvin King I was hooked. Angelina is always a favorite to listen to and Paige is just the type of character her voice is perfect for. This was actually my first time listening to Corvin King in anything other than clips and I enjoyed him as Maddox. Both had additional characters they had to take on and did an excellent job at distinguishing their voices amongst them all!
Profile Image for Michelle Graham | meshellreads .
723 reviews26 followers
November 6, 2025
Sipstation is the band, and Paige is the new drummer — a total bada$$ rocker girl who not only knows her way around the drums but can write songs that HIT DEEP. Maddox, the front man, is not thrilled about her joining the group. But trust me, you’ll want to read this book and uncover the jaw-dropping twist for yourself.

From the moment they meet, the chemistry between Maddox and Paige is undeniable. Every glance, lyric, and argument is charged with emotional and creative tension. Their connection isn’t just about attraction, it’s about two people challenging and inspiring each other in all the best (and most frustrating) ways.

I’m an absolute sucker for a rockstar romance, and this one did NOT disappoint. The passion, the music, the push and pull — it was everything!

Thank you, Vari, for the opportunity to beta read and experience this ARC immersive read! Angelina Rocca and Corvin King brought these characters to life in the most vivid and emotional way. 10/10 recommend!!!!!
Profile Image for lindseysbooklore.
358 reviews34 followers
November 2, 2025
4.5 ⭐️

Audiobook
Dual narration by Angelina Rocca and Corvin King… Produced by Lyric Audiobooks.

This was so good!! Do I wish it was duet Narrated, yes. But aside from that I couldn’t put this down once I started.

Dual pov, rockstar romance, band mates, ‘I want to hate you..’, tension AND a shocking plot twist that had me gasping.

The narration was top tier, as always Angelina and Corvin nailed it. I binged this audio in 1 sitting. The writing was very well done and it itched that rockstar romance scratch

Thank you must love audio for this ALC
Audio releases Nov 6
Profile Image for Tancy | tancysreads.
496 reviews8 followers
November 23, 2025
rockstar romance is my all time favorite trope; i think this year ive really leaned into that & it’s been solidified with again another banger rockstar romance.

in this one, she’s the drummer auditioning for a spot in his band. she’s good & he hates it but he also needs her. there’s so much burning tension, & all of the hate to love moments. there’s a friends with benefits moment, secrets, drama, & all of the rock band on tour moments i seriously love!!

i loveddd the journal moments while they worked to write music together & how that added another layer of depth to their relationship.

🎧 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀
angelina rocca is truly the queen rockstar romance audiobook narrator-you won’t convince me otherwise! she’s so perfect as paige in this one! also really enjoyed corvin as maddox! he did the grump and brooding really well.
𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5🎙️

𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕚𝕗 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕝𝕠𝕧𝕖
• rockstar but their band mates!
•forced proximity
•she’s the drummer
•found family
•tensionnnnn

𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔
🔥 open door
🗣️ moderate language

thank you to must love audio, lyric audiobooks, & the author for the gifted audiobook!
Profile Image for Marianne Syme.
203 reviews
January 3, 2026
I'm a sucker for a rockstar romance and this one hit perfect.

There was forced proximity and so much tension filling my earbubs. The audio was so good.

Absolutely loved Paige and Maddox

Can't wait for the rest of this series!
Profile Image for Tasha_loves_to_read .
737 reviews17 followers
October 30, 2025
and that's how you start a new series
my heart hurt for Maddox and Paige.
but their chemistry was simply amazing!
what a story of growth and acceptance. and truths. such a great read!
Profile Image for Midge McArdle.
28 reviews2 followers
October 30, 2025
Nothing speaks to me more than an immersive experience. I had the pleasure of receiving this book as an Audiobook ARC and I have to tell you that it was the amazing.
Maddox and Paige are the type of characters you just want to be friends with. The angst and love and excitement and pain that they feel, you will feel.
I cannot wait to read more about this band and see where their journey goes!
Profile Image for Libraryat44.
157 reviews42 followers
November 10, 2025
When I saw this was a rockstar romance I thought sign me the hell up! I did the audio for this and it was SO good Corvin King and Angelina Rocca do rockstar vibes so well. Corvin narrating Madden as broody rockstar was just perfection.

I'm a sucker for a rockstar romance and when you get bandmates and forbidden what's not to love. Also I was not expecting that little twist at the end. I've only read one other book by Vari and I really enjoy her writing so will defo be circling back to her other series.

If you love a rockstar romance add it to your tbr and I highly recommend doing it on audio.
Profile Image for Bri.
67 reviews
November 13, 2025
I really enjoyed this one. Love a good rockstar romance. The tension was delicious. An easy read plot with some added complexities to keep it interesting.

Thank you to Luna Literary and the Author for the opportunity to read this ARC for my honest review.
Profile Image for Ari Lozada.
421 reviews8 followers
October 25, 2025
Maddox is an A-Hole. Grade A A-hole. I LOVE HIM. 😍

Ok, hear me out. Yes, I love red flags in my fictional men. But so does the FMC which I appreciate.

Maddox is a moody, egotistical musician. He’s talented. He’s hot. He’s broody. He’s been through a lot. He’s got a lot on his shoulders. He was not prepared for Paige to walk into his life.

Paige is confident. Talented. Sweet. And the girl can hold her own. She’s also been through her own trauma. She knows she deserves to be there and never backs down from Maddox.

Their back and forth was so yummy. Their chemistry was there from the start and I love the progression.

Eli and Beau were great band mates and were loyal friends. I wish I could hear them all play and I could truly listen to their music because the chemistry between them all came off page.

Another great read by Vari Scott.
Profile Image for Samantha.
489 reviews16 followers
November 8, 2025
Vari Scott writing the Grant brothers - incredible. Vari Scott writing Sip Station Rockstars - fucking phenomenal. Girl said ‘hold my drink’ and delivered.

Maddox Knox (even his name is dripping in sin) is our lead singer & guitarist and behind him is Paige Erikson on drums. And on top. And underneath. And against the controls.. that scene is living rent free!!

I say it all the time but gimme a broken boy and im putty in your hands. Give me a broken rockstar with a side of bad attitude and I am ready, tongue out on my knees.

The push/pull made for some intense foreplay. The notes written in the margins had my heart galloping. The stolen glances and moments. I fell hard and Fast for Maddox.
The twist?! F. M. L. The gasp that left my mouth. This was written beautifully. Im obsessed.

Encore! Encore! Encore!
157 reviews154 followers
December 13, 2025
Rating: 3.75
Spice: 2.5
Tropes: rockstar romance / forbidden / bandmates (drummer x frontman) / fighting is their foreplay / broody x sassy / forced proximity / sneaking around

I'm such a hoe for a rockstar romance, and the tropes here were literally written for me. Even though it was a little forgettable, it was a solid introduction to the series!

In short, it follows Cadence (band) led by Maddox Knox. In the midst of losing their drummer, they find the right fit in Paige, but Maddox doesn't necessarily agree. Despite trying to challenge her to get her to quit, she stands her ground at every turn. Unfortunately, Paige is harboring a few secrets of her own and the closer she gets to Maddox, the harder they are to keep.

Objectively speaking, it's a good story. It flows nicely and it's easy to read. The characters are good. The concept is good. It's all objectively "good". There's absolutely nothing bad here. HOWEVER, it's also not memorable. It lacks soul and depth and focuses entirely too much on the wrong elements (i.e. side characters, microtropes etc).

It wanted to be plot-driven, however, what was driving the story was the characters. So it was a mix of a plot and character driven story. However, to have a character driven story, you really need to flesh out your characters. We, the reader, need to understand why it is that they're making their decisions. It doesn't matter if you don't agree with the characters choices, but it needs to make sense to them. Unfortunately, they weren't quite fleshed out enough to drive the story. For me, this ended up affecting the story two-fold.

Firstly, when I was reading it, I was interested enough, but when I put it down, there was nothing about it that grabbed me to pick it back up. As a result, I ultimately wasn't quite interested in finding out what happens in their romance, because I wasn't invested in them as characters. They felt very surface level to me.

Secondly, because they weren't fleshed out enough, it resulted in a number of inconsistencies and one major plot-hole that I hoped would be addressed (but wasn't). While I could overlook the majority of them, the main one that bothered me to no end was how mean Maddox was to her initially. There was absolutely no reason for it. It also felt entirely inconsistent given the fact that he's both a nice guy AND he needed her for the success of the band. They needed a drummer and she was the best choice. Why try to chase her away? It felt very juvenile. Also, despite being in their mid-20s, because of the lack of development to their characters, their dialogue felt much younger. Also, that plot hole at the end pissed me off to no end.

Finally, pacing was entirely off. It was too slow at times, particularly in the middle, and felt too long for the story we got (even though it's not a long story). By 50%, nothing really happened to drive the story forward. As a result, I found myself a little bored on occasion and I feel like she could have removed at least 50 pages from the middle section.

However, I still enjoyed my overall experience. As noted above, I liked the writing style and I really liked the comradery and bantering between the band.

Overall, the concept was good but it lacked direction and a solid hook. I understand it's meant to be better on audio, so that may be the way to go for you. I do recommend it, but I'd go in with adjusted expectations.
Profile Image for MaeBae.
112 reviews2 followers
November 7, 2025
Thanks so much Vari Scott and Luna Literary Management for the book. I was given this book as an advance review copy (ARC) for free, and I am leaving this review completely voluntarily.

Cadence kicks off with Paige, a woman trying to find her footing again, stepping into a world she never expected, and one filled with music. Enter a certain infuriatingly charming rockstar named Maddox. Their lives collide when circumstances push them into close quarters, and the chemistry sparks almost immediately… even if neither of them wants to admit it. As they navigate tour life, old wounds, and new opportunities, the tension between them only gets harder to ignore.

I’m so glad I decided to pick this up, especially since Vari Scott is a new-to-me author. I definitely need more from her. This is the first book in a series and holy bologna, what an incredible opener it is. I don’t give out 5 stars a lot, but damn… I knew early on this was going to rock (pun absolutely intended). This is probably the third or fourth rockstar/band romance I’ve devoured in the last few weeks, and this was the one I was most anticipating. It did not disappoint.

Cadence is fast-paced and deliciously angsty, with just the right amount of humor to balance the emotional whiplash it puts you through. The slow burn? Torture in the best way. I was absolutely yelling at these two to “just give in already.” And Maddox’s loopholes? I was living for it. Going on tour, the forced proximity, the teeny tiny shared bus—it was all building toward the inevitable explosion between them, and I ate up every second of it. And yes… the spice. I’d give it 3 chili peppers. I honestly expected a bit more heat, but what’s there fits the story perfectly and delivers exactly what the emotional build-up calls for.

I have to mention the audiobook. Another full 5 stars from me. Angelina Rocca captures Paige perfectly, and Corvin King? I’m convinced the man can do no wrong. I own dozens of audiobooks across genres, and he nails every role he touches. Together they brought every scene, every argument, every emotional beat to life.

Knowing this is book one has me feral for more. The book just released and I already know I’ll be stalking the author for hints about book two. My guess (and my hope) is that we’ll be getting a story centered on one (or maybe two) of the band members.

If you’ve read it, please feel free to DM me so we can gush and make predictions.

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.
Profile Image for whatmarissareads .
260 reviews38 followers
November 7, 2025
🎸"Let me hear those breathy little gasps you made when you thought I couldn't break you."
OMMMMFFFGGG WHAAAA!!!!! *cue feral feelings*

⭐4.5 🌶️3.5

OMG from chapter 40 on I about watched my soul leave my body 🤣🤣🤣
SERIOUSLY I WAS ON THE EDGE OF MY DAMN SEAT
THE YEARNING IN THIS BOOKKKKK holy shit WOW this was a FEAST

if you want a book with mutual pining LIKE OMG JUST BANG ALREADY but you also secretly love the thrill of the slow burn... THIS is my #1 rec for you right now!!!!!
like how do you write feelings and emotions and YEARNING so good Vari Scott?
I literally felt like I was the one in this relationship and it had me feeling ALL the feels
I'm still not over the absolute whiplash of what happened in these chapters

I was hooked from chatper 1 though... truly.. Vari Scott's writing is seriously so talented and I absolutely eat up a rockstar romance every time so I was SO TURNT to get into this

Paige is this insanely talented drummer who wants to be in a band SO BAD so... she applies to be in Sip Station and meets Maddox Knox. Broody, asshole, HOT, stubborn Maddox. She's hired right away because she's literally incredible but these two butt heads instantly and yes it feels like hate.. but we ALLLLL know where the hate can lead to.... BROODING TENSION TAHT WILL BURN YOU SO BAD AND SOO SO SO SO GOOD

I wish I could just post all of my highlights to this but I'll summarize with some scenes that truly just had me sweating, gasping, and squirming in my reading chair
+ he records them hooking up for the first time 👀 KEEPS THE RECORDING 👀👀 AND USES IT FOR HIS NIGHTLY ROUTINE IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEANNNNN
+ the song writing in this... the vulnerability... the heartache 😭😭😭
+ "she's somehow fucking rewiring me from the inside out." MEE FUCKING TOO MADDOX MY GOD
+ "I shouldn't want this. I shouldnt' want her. But I do." GO GET HER NOW NOW NOW
+ the band mates are so sweet.. and LOL funny and Paige is seriously just a badass
+ the spice is SPICIN in this one
+ "your moans sound better than any song I've ever written" here's my heart Varit Scott.. just lying at the floor of your feet with this power line like omfg I love them so much together
+ he's absolutely feral over her. LIke seriously so obsessed. but he can't touch her for... reasons... I can't spoil it all guys!! but just know... he is a man POSESSED

running to read Vari Scott's entire backlist now BBYYYEEEEE
Profile Image for Desi.
260 reviews10 followers
November 11, 2025
After losing their drummer before heading on tour, SipStation holds auditions for someone who can integrate into their trio without too much trouble. After a day of failures, enter Paige Erikson, an unknown in LA that kills the audition, even after front man Maddox throws her curveballs to see if she can really handle changing on a dime. While she crushes it and the other two bandmates are sold, Maddox is hell bent on choosing anyone else. But why? There's something about her that just feels so familiar (and she's hot) that he can't shake.

Once Maddox is out voted, Paige joins the band but he makes it very clear that he doesn't want her there for whatever reason and comes to terms with the fact that the next three months will be hell touring together. Add that to his stress about not being able to write new music and it all just bubbles over. But Paige sees through him and wants to help, since her secret past life is as a songwriters in the industry. The get closer as time goes on but they have to keep their budding romance a secret because you don't hook up with your bandmate and certainly not on tour.

I really enjoyed Cadence. The story was complex and had a lot of layers to it that once you get into the story really unfolded rather naturally. The hate to love story of Maddox and Paige was hot and I couldn't wait to read the next chapters. The last 25% was so emotionally raw and it felt like I was going through their emotions myself. Also, to note, there isn't a heavy focu on illicit substances consumed in this book, which is rare for a rocker romance, but there was enough drama and trauma for the characters without. I respected that a lot about the writing.

All in all, this book stressed me out at parts, but in a good way?? It kept me on the edge of my seat and wanting to keep going. I absolutely will be looking for the next one in the series that follows Reign.

As far as the audiobook goes (I was gifted an ALC), WOW. This was my first Corvin King audiobook and after following him on tiktok, I truly don't think anyone could've been more perfect for Maddox and very complementary to Angelina Rocca. I definitely will recommend it to my friends that prefer audio formats.

Thank you to Vari Scott and Luna Literary Management for the advanced copy of both the eBook and audiobook for my enjoyment. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Sarah Beth.
572 reviews21 followers
November 6, 2025
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW

Cadence wasn’t an audiobook. It was a possession. I pressed play and suddenly I was backstage at a concert I didn’t buy tickets for, emotionally entangled with a band I don’t even belong to. Paige is over there beating the drums like they personally offended her. Maddox is brooding so hard I swear his voice could curdle milk. And I’m just some innocent bystander getting emotionally mugged by two narrators who clearly woke up and said: let’s ruin people today.

Angelina Rocca as Paige? Her voice has that razor-sharp, drummer-girl attitude that basically screamed, “I don’t need you, Maddox Knox,” while absolutely sounding like she absolutely, completely, devastatingly needs him. She didn’t just voice the character. She became a drummer with trauma, talent, and enough sexual tension to power a stadium tour.

And Corvin King as Maddox — dear god. He sounds like he gargles gravel and broken hearts for breakfast. He manifested Maddox into physical reality. When he’s angry, you hear his teeth clenched. When he’s soft, you melt. When he’s turned on? CALL 911. I don’t know why they let this be legal. Every line from him had big “I hate how much I want her” energy and I was in the passenger seat yelling GO AHEAD AND WANT HER, YOU BEAUTIFUL IDIOT.

Angelina and Corvin didn’t just tell a story — they performed a concert in my brain. A whole emotional setlist. Angst power ballad. Smolder duet. Slow-burn encore. And by the time it was over, I needed merch, a tour schedule, and a therapist.

When it ended, I just sat there with my headphones on like some abandoned groupie after the tour bus pulled away, mentally unstable, spiritually altered, questioning if I should start a band or fall in love or throw myself against the nearest drum kit.

The romance isn’t gentle. It’s messy. It’s chaotic. It’s “we should not do this but my body says yes and my heart already betrayed me.” It’s musical, it’s toxic-adjacent, it’s passionate in a way that makes you want to stand on a speaker and scream lyrics you don’t know.
Profile Image for Katelynn | booksareadoorway.
368 reviews18 followers
November 4, 2025
“God, i hate you.” “I love it when you talk dirty to me.”

Rockstar romances can be hit or miss for me, but Cadence hit me hard. If Sip station was a real band, I’d be there biggest fan. This book had me feeling all the things and wouldn’t let me walk away. The characters, the music, the secrets; I was enthralled from page one.

“She’s in my bloodstream, in every f**k up, in the damn set list I decided to change because she was right. In the cues I miss because I’m too busy watching her. She’s the muse I wasn’t looking for, in every line I haven’t written yet. Paige is my chaos, but also my cadence.”

Paige & Maddox are everything. Paige had me rooting for her from the beginning. she’s an amazing musician who just wants to make it based on her own merit and not because of her last name. She’s fierce, talented, & determined. Maddox is the cocky front man that you can’t help but love. He’s frustrating, broody, and has the softest heart underneath it all. their banter & chemistry is electric. You can feel it in Every interaction: every prickly word, every look, every stolen touch. They still cause goosebumps to spread across my body.

they aren’t the only characters that will have you on the edge of your seat. While Eli & Beau may not have been our main characters (this time), they completely stole my heart. I am begging Vari Scott to let them be our next love interests.

“One taste, and he’s feral. One taste, and I’m ruined.”

Vari Scott wrote a story full of banter, tension, and heart. It will have you smiling, laughing, crying, & swooning. the characters are dynamic. The setting will have you buzzing like you’re on the tour with Sip Station.

“She’s the spark, the ignition for every lyric, every note, every song. She’s my muse.”

I cannot recommend the audiobook enough. Angelina Rocca & Corvin King bring Paige & Maddox to life. They gave them so much dimension. Gravelly & emotional, angry & frustrated, smitten, happy, all of the emotions were perfectly executed. It really made my reading experience immersive. It felt like I was sitting with Paige & Maddox and they were telling me their story.

“Your experiences make you who you are, Maddox, and they’re there, in that notebook, in every chord you play. And yeah, they’re beaten and bruised, but they mean something. They mean something to me. You speak to my shattered pieces in a way I didn’t think was possible.”
Profile Image for Harshetha Girish.
56 reviews1 follower
November 5, 2025
Thank you, Vari Scott and Luna Literary Management, for the ARC of Cadence! 💌📚✨

What to Expect:

🤘 Rockstar romance
🥁 Bandmates to lovers
🚐 Forced proximity
🎧 Drummer FMC x Lead Guitarist MMC
😤 Grumpy x Feisty
💔 “I want to hate you…”
🫶 Found family (but messy!)
🔥 Burning tension

This was my first immersive read, and I absolutely loved it!! Cadence is a perfect blend of rhythm, rivalry, and raw emotion, a story packed with electric band dynamics and a romance that feels both powerful and vulnerable.

Paige and Maddox’s chemistry is pure fire, the kind that simmers under every glare, every lyric, every beat of the drums. What I loved most was how this wasn’t just a love story, but also a journey of identity, ambition, and learning to trust when it feels impossible.

Sip Station is a band on the rise, about to go on tour as the opener for a legendary rock star. This tour isn’t like the others; it’s the one that could change everything. When the band needs a new drummer, Paige steps in. Determined to step out of her family’s musical shadow, she’s instantly relatable. Maddox wants to hate her…but even he can’t deny that she’s the perfect fit.

Maddox, the talented and broody frontman, brings a chemistry that feels like it could combust onstage. The band dynamics are messy in the best way, and while Eli & Beau might be side characters, they absolutely shine and add to that found-family magic. And Olive, her fierce best-friend energy was everything! I’m crossing my fingers that they each get their own books soon.

🎧 Audiobook: Angelina Rocca and Corvin King absolutely nailed it! Their performances brought Paige and Maddox to life. I felt like I was right there on the tour bus with them.
Profile Image for ReadMeRough.
97 reviews7 followers
October 24, 2025
Cadence by Vari Scott is an emotional, gritty, and scorching rockstar romance that hits all the right notes — passion, heartbreak, and the chaos of falling for someone you’re not supposed to. 🎸🔥🎶

Paige, a talented drummer determined to make her own name apart from her famous family, joins a rising band as their new member. Maddox, the tattooed frontman with a haunting past, is instantly drawn to her — and just as quickly conflicted. Band rules are clear: no sleeping with bandmates. But rules mean nothing when the rhythm between them feels inevitable.

Their chemistry is explosive. From stolen moments on the tour bus to a steamy studio scene that accidentally gets recorded (and replayed 👀), the tension simmers with every page. Maddox’s push-and-pull — torn between desire and loyalty — makes the angst delicious, while Paige’s strength and determination to stand on her own give the story heart. The way he buys her period products, the raw lyrics woven throughout, and their quiet, emotional moments show a depth beyond the rockstar glamour.

The side characters add so much life — Eli and Beau’s chaotic friendship (please let them hook up next 😭), Olive’s fierce best-friend energy, and the small fan encounter that melted me. The plot twist near the end hit hard and tied everything together perfectly.

If you love:
✨ Rockstar + bandmate romance
✨ Forbidden tension + tour bus proximity
✨ Tortured, tattooed MMCs
✨ Fierce, talented heroines
✨ Emotional spice with heart

…this debut to the Fractured Frequencies series will stay with you long after the last page. Cadence is raw, rhythmic, and utterly unforgettable. 💫
Profile Image for Tori Thompson.
179 reviews
November 6, 2025
Thank you to the author, Luna Literary Management and Must Love Audio for the eARC and ALC for this immersive reading experience!

Up-and-coming band Sip Station is about to head out on its first major tour as an opening act but they are in desperate need of a new drummer. Enter Paige Erickson. It’s clear from the start that Paige is exactly who the band needs, but lead guitarist and vocalist Maddox Knox puts up a fight to keep her from joining for reasons he can’t even justify. Even as she embarks on the tour, Maddox finds ways to test Paige’s limits. It’s clear there is chemistry between the two and its only a matter of time before they combust into something that is absolute 🔥

Everything I love about rockstar romances was wrapped so beautifully in this story! The passion and pain between the two just spilled off the pages and straight through me. The devastation I felt when things came to light had me screaming and crying, because WHAT?!?!

I highly recommend audio for this one because my girl Angelina Rocca can do no wrong! I love her narration so much, but when she gets behind the mic as a musician it's always something magical! Her voice is raspy yet melodic and soothes my soul with every listen!

Corvin King! I have been listening to audiobooks for 2 years now yet, this was my first ever listen from this man and honestly, I don’t know why it took me so damn long! His performance was one of devastation and desperation with a slight breathiness to his tone that leant to Maddox’s inner turmoil, as if he was constantly running from something. I enjoyed every minute of it!

Readers who enjoy the following should 🏃🏻‍♂️ to read Cadence:
🥁Enemies to Lovers
🎸Rockstar Romance
🥁Forced Proximity
🎸Found Family
🥁Angst and Spice
🎸Secrets
🥁Tortured MMC
🎸Grief and Loss
🥁Dual Narration

I can’t wait for what Vari has up her sleeve for our headliner Reign Cooper, but I will definitely be continuing this series as it progresses!
Profile Image for Payton R.
180 reviews
November 6, 2025
Omg wow this started off great but ended even greater! I seriously was just excited for a well written rockstar romance, singer x drummer, hate to love, you know the whole works but I’m glad I wasn’t told everything because the little plot twist had me in literal tears! TEARS!

It was a solid 4 stars until the plot twist and ending which brought it to a 5 stars until imo! I can whole heartedly see this story being picked up my HBO Max or Netflix because honestly this would be an amazing tv series or movie! (Secretly I hope this does)

📚E Book: The way this was written was absolute magic, you can really understand the characters, there was great detail without being overly complicated. I think honestly the length of the book was perfect, not too long but it was still able to convey their message and feelings. Stella is a very talented author and I can’t wait to read more of her work!

🎧 Audio: The narrators in this were fantastic! Corvin King, my second favorite male narrator now, and Angelina Rocca, both told the story exactly how I think it should have been told! Corvin had me hooked literally from the first sentence I swear to god this man’s voice was how I picture gravely rough male voices to be! But his story telling with Angelia was magic, they brought the story to life! The were fantastic together, my only negative was that it was a duet but even without that it still was great! Angelina was the firecracker that brought her character to life! Honestly I could listen to them talk about the nature channel, they are my favorites!

This was amazing to read but even better to listen too! I was gifted the audio and ebook by Luna Lit and Vari Scott! Thank you
Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.