Resonance

by Lily James

Two addicts meet in rehab, finding friendship, connection, and something dangerously close to hope, only to part ways in the end.

Fate had other ideas.

Bodhi Hart has everything he once dreamed sold-out arenas, worldwide fame, and a voice that moves millions. Somewhere along the way, though, the music stopped feeling like his. When bad decisions catch up with him, rehab becomes less of a choice and more of an ultimatum.

Iggy Preston’s first love was ballet, until an injury ended his career overnight. Grief and reckless choices followed, nearly costing him everything. Rehab didn’t give him his life back, but it stopped him from losing it completely.

Thrown back together on a European tour, friendship turns into something deeper. Iggy joins the band as a makeup artist while Bodhi returns to centre stage with everything to lose. Sobriety is fragile, and loving each other may be the one risk they can’t afford.

Sometimes, love isn’t enough to save you.
But it’s enough to make you try.

Resonance is an MM rockstar romance with slow-burn sparks, friends-to-lovers, and two addicts learning to fight back when life keeps pushing them down. A contemporary standalone, expect opposites-attract, raw confessions, and a rollercoaster journey proving that recovery—and love—are never simple.

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

480 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 28, 2026

About the author

Lily James is a UK-based author with a soft spot for beautiful, heart-stealing queer romance. A lover of swoony stories, she’s especially fond of tales where complicated men fall hopelessly for each other. She lives in the West Midlands with her partner and their chubby dog, Winston—who definitely has main character energy.

Reviews

[Wicked River Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read! I really enjoyed Iggy and Bodhi’s journey. I liked seeing them reconnect and get to know ow each other outside of the rehab facility and it was interesting to see how being unsupervised effected them differently. bodhi walked into a support system that had an idea of his struggles and wanted to do their best to help him in moving forward where Iggy felt as if he only had himself and Bodhi.

It was heartbreaking to see Iggy struggle but it was heartwarming to see everyone come together to show him he had more support than he initially thought and that family doesn’t always share DNA!

I appreciated that this wasn’t a love cures all kind of read because in reality that’s it how things work. Sometimes you fall down more than once and have to get back up even when you are truly loved.


🩷ARC REVIEW🖤

☑️ Trigger Warnings

[Alisia alis_reads_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4/4.5 stars!

Slow burns are my favorite for a reason! And this one was wonderful!
Rockstar x Ex ballerina/backup makeup artist
Friends to lovers
Hurt comfort
Found family
Addiction rep (I felt this was done so well,
as someone who live a sober life)
Forces proximity (when they were in rehab and on tour)



Ahh I loved these characters so much. They felt perfect for each other. I can’t wait to read the rest in this series! Def a new author I will be reading from now on!

[369Pages · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
Bodhi is a famous rockstar who has landed in rehab after a difficult time in his life. There he meets a beautiful pink-haired firecracker called Iggy, who breaks down his walls. The two form a connection through art and healing in rehab, and when they leave, they assume it is the last time they’ll see each other. But when Iggy gets a job as a makeup artist for a rock band, he is in for a big surprise.

This book focused heavily on themes of addiction and recovery, while also following Bodhi and Iggy’s romance. Check the TWs before reading, as this book might be hard for those who struggle with themes of addiction or substance abuse.

This book has tropes & content like:
-opposites attract
-rockstar romance
-dark lead singer x ex-dancer and makeup artist
-gender non-conforming MC (Iggy is so fabulous!)
-supportive characters (both MCs and side characters)

The characters in this book were my favourite part. 😌 the band members were all full of personality, and I love that the author did a good job of describing both the appearance and personalities of the characters without it feeling like info dumping. There were also a couple scenes in the book that were very cute or sweet, which I did enjoy.

This isn’t necessarily a bad thing at all, but when reading this book, I could tell that the author was young. Just in terms of style and the way some of the story went. I don’t know how else to describe the feel of it! But I hope it makes sense.

Overall, I found the story a little repetitive sometimes, but enjoyed it overall. Though it dealt with some hard themes, I wasn’t super upset or emotionally distressed when reading. I loved the ending (I won’t spoil!), and I was happy for the characters at the end of their journey.

This author does an exceptional job in her marketing and promotions online, and I want to commend her for this! I think a lot of people will enjoy her books, and I can’t wait for her next one~

[Sindu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story of hope and healing!

“You’re it for me,” he whispered into my ear. “The beat of my heart resonates with yours. I can’t imagine being with anyone else.”

There are times when I know a book is going to have me bawling my eyes out before I even read it. Resonance was one of those books. Just from the synopsis, I knew this book was going to have me feeling all sorts of emotions and it didn't disappoint me in the slightest.

"It was a promise. Not the kind that demanded perfection or sobriety or strength. But the kind that made room for failure. For support. For help."

For a book set during a rock tour, there was something so serene about this story and I think that's mainly because of the rockstar himself, Bodhi. There's a certain steadiness to post-rehab Bodhi that really sets the tone for the book. Even in moments where he struggles, he's got this strength to him that just makes you believe in and trust him completely.

"I knew Iggy then, and I knew him now. And somewhere in the space between who we were and who we were learning to become, love took root. Slow. Careful. Still growing. We weren’t fixed. We were healing. Together."

In complete contrast to that, there's the pink-haired chaos demon, Iggy. Iggy's so full of this passion for adventure and is always searching for the light in life. But he's also been let down and left behind constantly that makes him second guess his own worth and makes him vulnerable in many ways.

"“Just because it isn’t perfect,” I said, “doesn’t mean it isn’t beautiful.” He turned to me then and smiled. Bright. Unguarded. Still a little broken, but standing nonetheless."

Though this book is lined with a feeling of hope, it doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of addiction and recovery. Bodhi and Iggy are freshly sober and constantly surrounded by their vices. Their battle is everlasting and it's handled with so much care. One of my favorite things was the emphasis that was placed on things being beautiful even if they're not perfect. Bodhi and Iggy are works in progress, but they're constantly trying and that's what make them so admirable.

"After Iggy had crashed into my life like a comet, all colour and noise, the idea of returning to a world of grey felt . . . unbearable."

I can't finish this without talking about the romance of it all. Bodhi and Iggy are so hot together but it's their friendship that made this book truly beautiful. There's a foundation of trust and vulnerability that makes their relationship so special. They aren't afraid to make the hard choices and are always there to support each other. Same goes for Bodhi's band mates, who welcome Iggy with open arms and give him a space to belong for the first time in his life.

"We weren’t broken. We were transformed into something beautiful."

Iggy Pop and Just Bodhi had me bawling my eyes out but there was also something so heartwarming about them. I truly appreciate the writing of this story because for a book with such heavy content, this was really refreshing to read. This friends to lovers romance is emotional and intense but also hopeful and filled with love. This book has made me a Lily James fan and I can't wait to see what she writes next! I would definitely be interested in another Noctis romance!

[Evelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arc ✨


This story follows Bodhi and Iggy on their healing journey outside of rehab trying to maintain sobriety and I loved how well it portrayed that healing isn’t linear. You’re not magically fixed overnight, and love doesn’t fix all. That it’s okay to put yourself first even when you love someone.

This is a dual pov with past and present. Showing how two broken strangers, become friends turned lovers.

Watching Bohdi and Iggy heal together but also separately was an amazing journey. They still have scars but to quote one of my favorite lines “just because it isn’t perfect doesn’t mean it isn’t beautiful” 🖤🩷


Things thing I will never get over
* Sunrises 🌅
* Face painting 🎨
* Daisy chain 🌼
* Drawings ✍🏻


I absolutely loved this story and the representation it brings. It’s painful the ache sat with me but it’s real and it shows you can let the ugly win or you can pick yourself back up and choose yourself. 🤍


My favorite quote
“In the end, we were like kintsugi. Broken pieces mended with gold, not to hide the fractures, but to honour them. Proof of where we'd been, and evidence of what we'd endured. We weren't broken. We were transformed into something beautiful.”




Tropes
Rockstar / makeup artist (ex ballet dancer)
Friends to lovers
Grumpy x sunshine
Hurt / comfort
Forced Proximity
Slow burn
Addiction rep
Found family

[Madam Ra · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s always a good thing when you fall in love with the characters. When you want to wrap them up in protective gear so no evil touches them. I felt like that for Iggy and Bhodi from the start. And the start is rough, being both of them in rehab. It was kinda safe on there, for a while watching from afar. Then life kicked in.. and all miraculously was good for them. Sweet even, then swoony, then hot. I so loved the found family trope, Noctis the band taking Iggy under their wing. But sweet summer child that I am, wasn’t prepared for what hit next. I was screaming in my kitchen “please don’t”, “oh honey” and whatnot, the last 20% of this book choked me. This book reminded me of the Tragedy of Felix and Jake in some ways, regarding addiction, but it hits harder, cuz it was all laid bare. There is no “happy reading” here, but it’s worth it so much.

[Assia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book starts very boring, and some details are not really important, but the ending is powerful, and I enjoyed it a lot.
I wished we had a peek into their past. I think looking at Iggy's past, and his ballet past, would've been really appreciated.

[audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

fucking destroyed me this was so beautiful

[Shrike · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew I'd love these two, but I wasn't expecting THIS much emotional investment. Iggy and Bodhi had me tearing up throughout the book, from their heartwrenching struggle through recovery and their hard-won happiness. While this is a romance, I really appreciate how much this book delves into Iggy and Bodhi as individuals. I feel like I got to know them very well on their own, which made it all the more rewarding to know them together.

Resonance hits hard with an unflinching portrayal of substance abuse and its psychological toll. Please heed the CWs and look after yourself, this story is heavy but worth the journey.

Thanks so so much to Lily James for sending an advance copy my way. I'm leaving this review of my own accord.

[C.L. Blossom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story absolutely captivated me. It is real, raw, and beautiful. James handles difficult topics of addiction and mental health with incredible care. I absolutely loved Iggy and Bodhi! 🩷

[Kerri Nagel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, 5 stars isn’t enough
100 stars wouldn’t be enough
IGGY and Bodhi have my entire heart 💕

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was harder for me to get into because I struggled with connecting to drug addict characters, but once it hooked me, I could not put this down. I love Bodhi and Iggy and all their broken pieces. Iggy was my favorite and damn he had a journey to take. I absolutely feel for his pain and him having to take those boundaries with him relatives. Honestly this ended up being absolutely beautiful. Watching these two broken men heal and grow together. I'm so glad I kept with it.

[Mikaela (risqué.romance) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Resonance - Lily James
4.5/5✨🌟

* SPOILERS *

I really loved this book so much and this was my first book by Lily. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book because I honestly went into blind and I’m so glad I did because I love being surprised by so many parts of this book.

When Iggy’s friend gets pregnant and suggests him to take the job as a makeup artist in her spot because she is pregnant, I knew this was going to be a wild and fun ride.

I loved how we get to learn their history when we get the flashbacks when they were in rehab. I love how they met, though.

Iggy definitely goes through it but when he gets the support from Bodhi and the rest of the band when he least expect it because his own family is just so horrible. All he’s ever wanted to feel loved and appreciated like the special gem that he is.

And the ending had me in my feels. I will say that you might want to read the triggers because there are a lot of things that happen.

I love me a good friends to lovers and when they because more than friends, I was jumping for joy because the attraction has always been there for these two.

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

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not really sure how to rate this book. For now I’m giving it 4⭐️ but I am not sure if it actually was that for me (3.5?)

For the most part, I liked it—the characters, the plot, and the themes (addiction rep, strangers-to-friends-to-lovers) and I really liked how they first formed a strong friendship.

But at the same time, I found myself zoning out the whole time, already thinking about what I would read next and this book didn’t really pull me in. There were some really good scenes and great banter, but at times I also wanted to roll my eyes at some corny lines. At some point, I also started skimming a bit, which is never a good sign. I’m not entirely sure if the dual timeline narrative worked here.

So something in this book wasn’t quite there for me, but I can’t really pinpoint why it didn’t grab my attention more😅

[Sash ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute cute and cute

[Darcy (at the cottage) · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! This was amazing. All the stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️! New author for me and I loved this story!

[iz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, this book has everything I love. Still, it did not develop to be my new favorite book.

[patrícia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this. Favourite, without a doubt. 🖤🩷✨

This was my first book by Lily James and now I already know I need to read everything she writes.
Honestly, the author’s publicity for this book on Instagram was decisive for me. It just made me need this book. And yeah… this cover alone had already consumed me before I even started reading it.

The story is beautiful but also wiith heavy themes. Addiction, recovery, trying to rebuild a life after everything falls apart. But even with those heavy themes, the book has such a positive message and is full of light and hope. I thought the way she handled everything was perfect for these characters. Nothing felt easy or romanticised — sobriety is fragile here and you really feel that the whole time — but there’s always this sense that healing, connection, and trying again actually matter. 🖤✨

And something I really appreciated: this isn’t written like some fairytale where love magically fixes addiction. It doesn’t. The book makes that very clear. Recovery takes work, relapse is a real fear, and both of them have to actively fight for their lives and their future. What they give each other is support, honesty, and someone who truly sees them, not a miracle cure. That made the story feel incredibly real. 🥹

One thing I loved was how the “before” was told throughout the book. At first I was a bit scared we would just know they were friends in rehab without actually seeing those moments. But the story slowly gives them to us, piece by piece, and it makes their connection feel so much deeper.

The writing itself is quite simple, nothing groundbreaking, but all the feelings are there. And honestly that’s what matters. I felt so connected to both MCs that it’s not even funny. 😭

Another thing I loved was the found family, especially for Iggy. Watching him slowly become part of the band’s world was amazing. It almost feels like he gets adopted by all the band members, and those relationships add so much warmth to the story. I genuinely loved the whole supporting cast and honestly wouldn’t mind seeing more of them in the future. 🩷✨

I also really loved how naturally the characters are written. There’s no big focus on labels or explanations — they just exist as they are, and the story lets them be that. Iggy especially felt so authentic to me. He’s vibrant, confident, a little chaotic in the best way, and completely comfortable in who he is. He’s not written as fragile or turned into a trope, he’s just… Iggy. And I adored him for that. 🩷✨

Bodhi and Iggy just completely got to me. And Bodhi… my god, Bodhi always says the most perfect things. 🖤

“Just because it isn’t perfect,” I said, “doesn’t mean it isn’t beautiful.”
He turned to me then and smiled. Bright. Unguarded. Still a little broken, but standing nonetheless.
“Sounds a bit like you.”
I shook my head.
“No,” I said. “Like us.”

This book is full of moments that will stay with me:
• Last light on stage 🖤
• Panic attack 😭
• Swan Lake 🩷
• Sunrise at Willow 🌅
• Face painting 🩷🎨
• First kiss (and everything after) 💫
• Drawings ✏️
• Daisy chain 🩷🌼
• Wildflower Season


And this quote just destroyed me. I’ve always been a little obsessed with that concept — the idea that when something breaks, you don’t hide the cracks, you mend them with gold and honour them. The history, the damage, the survival… it all becomes part of the beauty.

So seeing that idea applied to Bodhi and Iggy just felt perfect to me. It fits their journey so well. They’re not magically healed, their past doesn’t disappear, and the scars are still there. But those fractures are exactly what shaped who they became.

And somehow, together, they turn all those broken pieces into something beautiful. 🖤🩷✨

“In the end, we were like kintsugi. Broken pieces mended with gold, not to hide the fractures, but to honour them. Proof of where we’d been, and evidence of what we’d endured.
We weren’t broken.
We were transformed into something beautiful.”
That idea fits them perfectly. They aren’t fixed. They aren’t perfect. But they’re trying, and they’re still standing. 🖤🩷✨

Trigger Warnings
Explicit sexual content
Substance abuse including illegal drugs, prescription medications, and alcohol (on page)
Panic attacks
Rehabilitation setting (flashbacks)
Drug-related death (off page, not a main or side character)
Addiction relapse (on page)
Ballet-related injury and hospital trauma (takes place off page, described on page)
Toxic family relationships (affects main character)
Therapy sessions (on page)
Enabling of substance abuse (on page)
Non-lethal overdose (off page, discussed by main characters)
Using sex as an escape during relapse
Manipulative behaviour due to relapse
Minor physical altercation due to triggers during an argument



I received a copy of this book from author, and this is my honest review.

[Jessie J melka · Rating 5 out of 5]

{Resonance}
Arc review by Jessie Melka
___________•___________

Resonance is a new fantastic written book by Lily James
Resonance follows Iggy and Bodhi through recovery relapses and the sober life beyond

Iggy is a colourful and outgoing person who care for no one’s opinion when it comes to how he lives his life (except Bodhi ofc) he’s an ex ballet dancer but his career was destroyed by a terrible accident and an injury that pushed him over the edge and started his addiction, other than that he is an exceptional makeup artist who takes small jobs provided by Sasha, when Sasha gets pregnant and needs someone to take over as makeup artist for a popular pop/rock band she sends Iggy in her sted unbeknown that this would push to people so right for each other right back into each other’s orbit

Bodhi is the lead singer of his band the silent, aggressive guy that he portrays himself to be is the absolute opposite of what he really is out of his addiction Bodhi is the absolute sweetest little puppy, an artist whose drives to fall back in love with his passions and find a way to deal with the struggles of coming back into the real world after rehab

Iggy and Bodhi met at rehab where they helped each other through the rough days and nights fighting the cravings but also building a beautiful friendship telling each other everything because somehow they thought that when they left rehab they would never reconcile again but faith had other thoughts

Woow was this book hard to read without triggers and tears being in the way I think the way their recovery and relapses was described was one of the most accurate descriptions I have read in a long while in my personal opinion I found me seeing a lot of Iggy and Bodhi in myself and therefore I think I got a deeper understanding and compassion for their situation.
If im honest I panicked a bit when they decided on the sober packet, from a personal experience two addicts trying to hold each other sober never ends well especially if one falls it can be incredibly hard for the other not to fall as well

There is so much beauty in this book. I can’t even describe how much I loved it. The spice was so good and so incredibly hot I mean seriously Iggy is a “living” wet dream and Bodhi GRRRH so hot can’t even have this conversation

I would love to talk about this book for many hours, but I fear my review has gotten a bit too long so I might rounded off now

I rated this book a 5 out of 5 stars I was really impressed and I would love to recommend this to someone out there who is looking for a hurt/comfort, force proximity, recovery rep and found family book I would seriously recommend you taking this into consideration if you are looking for another book to read
but remember to form your own opinions and not just listen to me
Until next time, my loves…

Rating: 5/5
Spice: 3/5
Angst: 4/5
Would I read again: on a good day YES!

(I received an advance copy for free and I’m leaving this review voluntarily)


🎤Rock Star X Ex Ballet dancer
🩷Friends To Lovers
🎤Grumpy X Sunshine
🩷Slow Burn
🎤Addiction Recovery
🩷Forced Proximity
🎤Hurt/Comfort
_______________•_______________

[VersaiVex_Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

~* ARC Review*~

--Rockstar X Ex ballerina turned MUA-- Rehab friendship-- Accountability pact-- Second change meeting-- Friends to lovers-- Touring Europe via band tour-- Close proximity-- Addiction recovery-- Found family--

Let me start off by saying this book has a very deep theme, addiction. Which an make books very difficult to read imo. While there is a lot of struggling Iggy & Bodhi go through together and separately, the ultimately find love, acceptance, happiness and a future together.

The book starts off With Bohdi entering Rehab. As we slowly start to get to know him, we are introduced to Iggy. These two love birds are polar opposites. Bodhi is all dark clothes, rock music, tattoos and overall grumpy. While Iggy is bright pink hair, slender build, grumpy in a lot of aspects but still a ray or sunshine in Bodhi's world.

Their relationship really builds off the need to be seen. Not the façade they show the world, but the deep truths of who they are as people AND their struggles. We go through rehab with them in multiple flashback moments throughout the book that really helps us understand their codependence on each other.

Their romance doesn't even begin until later on in the book. After their second chance meeting, when they have no proper time to really discuss what is going to happen now that they are together again.

Between nosy bandmates, constantly being surrounded by their addictions and their attraction finally coming to light, you really feel dragged down with the characters are they navigate the world trying to stay sober. That is actually something hard to really hard to write about and influence your readers to feel along the way imo.

It's a whirlwind romance that begins in the dead of silence on the bus and eventually becomes present and loud when they can't keep it secret anymore. thankfully, everyone agrees they are great together and aren't given any crap for forming a relationship on tour.

But as all things in life, we hit a major speed bump and it all goes to hell pretty fast.

To high highs and rock bottom lows, we are drug along with both Bodhi and Iggy as they navigate the hardest part of any relationship.
Truth. Honestly.

It breaks both of their hearts in the process. I wont say anything more as YOU should read it yourself.

This book has all the longing, heat, secrets, bright pink essence, pain, sacrifice, truth, hurt, emotional distress and a happy ending.
Any relationship that has struggles with either make or break a relationship, and these two have that in spades.
It's a deeply emotional book imo. If you are looking for something to really grab at your heart, maybe break it a little bit, but ultimately put it back together... give this a go. Just make sure you give yourself a bit of time to cry with the boys.

[Katriana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books I would classify as "Heartbreakingly Beautiful", this is right up there with Never Ever After by Rae Stone.

When Lily released the blurb for Resonance I knew I had to read it. A book about two men struggling with addiction trying to figure out a way to survive their struggle while also finding a way to make a future that they are happy with? Sign me up.

The moment I read the very first page I was hooked, I knew right then and there this book was going to be a hit. And it was. I loved everything about Iggy and Bodhi, from the pink hair and sassy nature, to the quiet, artistic, singer who comes alive on stage, and all the messy moments in between.

I honestly don't know how to articulate how much I enjoyed reading this book other than saying I loved it! Lily did a beautiful job writing about such a real, raw, realistic and sensitive topic that so many people struggle with on a day to day basis. They wrote about it in a respectful way, they didn't glorify their characters behaviors or choices, they wrote about people struggling, failing, and the importance of getting back up again. And that for me was one of the highlights of this story.

I was devastated for Iggy when he started slipping, and I was sad for Bodhi as well because he felt guilty for not being able to help. But I'm so happy and proud that Bodhi held on to his own sobriety even when every part of him was screaming at him to do the opposite. That was growth, that was the moment when we saw just how much Bodhi had grown and how much of himself he fully committed to staying clean/sober. I thought Iggy asking for help was such a beautiful moment, it made me tear up a bit, so make sure to have tissues nearby!

The side characters were really lovely as well, I loved how Bodhi's band members didn't just rally around him, but they were also there for Iggy too. They weren't just band mates, they're family, and I really hope we get to see more of them in the future. All of the soft, heartfelt moments Bodhi and Iggy had together will stick with me for a while... The talks in the garden trying to suss each other out, the sunrise meetups with hot cocoa, the exploring of new cities and locations together... The ballet.. All of those beautiful moments helped make Iggy and Bodhi what they ended up being and I loved every moment of their journey. They didn't have an easy road, but it was worth it in the end.

"We weren’t broken.
We were transformed into something beautiful."

[Katriana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books I would classify as "Heartbreakingly Beautiful", this is right up there with Never Ever After by Rae Stone.

When Lily released the blurb for Resonance I knew I had to read it. A book about two men struggling with addiction trying to figure out a way to survive their struggle while also finding a way to make a future that they are happy with? Sign me up.

The moment I read the very first page I was hooked, I knew right then and there this book was going to be a hit. And it was. I loved everything about Iggy and Bodhi, from the pink hair and sassy nature, to the quiet, artistic, singer who comes alive on stage, and all the messy moments in between.

I honestly don't know how to articulate how much I enjoyed reading this book other than saying I loved it! Lily did a beautiful job writing about such a real, raw, realistic and sensitive topic that so many people struggle with on a day to day basis. They wrote about it in a respectful way, they didn't glorify their characters behaviors or choices, they wrote about people struggling, failing, and the importance of getting back up again. And that for me was one of the highlights of this story.

I was devastated for Iggy when he started slipping, and I was sad for Bodhi as well because he felt guilty for not being able to help. But I'm so happy and proud that Bodhi held on to his own sobriety even when every part of him was screaming at him to do the opposite. That was growth, that was the moment when we saw just how much Bodhi had grown and how much of himself he fully committed to staying clean/sober. I thought Iggy asking for help was such a beautiful moment, it made me tear up a bit, so make sure to have tissues nearby!

The side characters were really lovely as well, I loved how Bodhi's band members didn't just rally around him, but they were also there for Iggy too. They weren't just band mates, they're family, and I really hope we get to see more of them in the future. All of the soft, heartfelt moments Bodhi and Iggy had together will stick with me for a while... The talks in the garden trying to suss each other out, the sunrise meetups with hot cocoa, the exploring of new cities and locations together... The ballet.. All of those beautiful moments helped make Iggy and Bodhi what they ended up being and I loved every moment of their journey. They didn't have an easy road, but it was worth it in the end.

"We weren’t broken.
We were transformed into something beautiful."

[That One Romance Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

*ARC Review* Thank you for the copy!

Intro:
This book is an MM romance between Bodhi, a recovering addict and rockstar going on tour and Iggy, a recovering addict and the new makeup artist for Bodhi's band


Tropes/Highlights:
-MM
-Open Door
-Recovering Addicts
-Forced Proximity
-Found Family
-Strangers to Friends to Lovers
-Slow Burn
-Opposites Attract
-Hurt/Comfort
-HEA


Likes:
-Iggy's vibrant personality
-Bodhi's care, especially for himself/knowing his own limits
-Well developed characters
-World Building
-Flashbacks of the Willow
-Art Therapy scenes
-Emotional turmoil, push/pull of fighting addiction
-Integration of bandmates, Riff's concern
-Detailed descriptions
-Opera House date
-Cute, sweet moments alone


Quotes
-"Usually, I was tolerated at best–too loud, too dramatic, too much. But there was none of that in his eyes"
-"Right. So, more gothic shadow daddy, less tired emo boy"
-"But we'd seen each other stripped down to the worst versions of ourselves. We knew each other's drug of choice. Our triggers. The ugly truths most people never get close enough to learn"
-"It didn't matter whether I was an addict or a rock star. Iggy never changed the way he looked at me"
-"Muted colors didn't suit Iggy. He was meant to stand out. To shine"
-"That wasn't weakness, That was pain, and you were just trying to live with it"
-"I love you, I will always love you. One slip doesn't change that"


This is the first book I have read from this author and I loved it. I fell in love with Iggy & Bodhi and their struggles. Their journey wasn't perfect, but they were there for each other in the end. Resonance is packed with a ton of emotion, from the highest highs to the lowest lows, but everyone gets to where they should be in the end. Iggy is such a bright, vibrant light of a character, but he always felt alone with his struggles/burdens. Bodhi is quiet, sweet and charming with a fierce love for those he cares about, but his rockstar life style tempts his sobriety everyday. Their story is filled with heavy topics, each grappling with their fragile hold on sobriety as they try not to fall over the edge while exploring their feelings for each other. Resonance is an emotional story of love, a daily fight against addiction, hope for a better future/a better self and rising above failures to create a better tomorrow, one day a time. I recommend this book if you love sweet, broken characters trying to navigate a new life while traveling on tour and slowly falling in love.

[Corey · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Resonance" by Lily James is an MM romance that follows two men, Iggy and Bodhi, who experience rehab together and build a life-changing friendship. Unfortunately, leaving rehab meant parting ways.

Until Iggy becomes the makeup artist for Bodhi's rock band.

Ratings:
Overall: 5/5 hearts - There's very little not to like about this book. It's emotional, beautiful and so incredibly real. It manages to highlight the growth that comes from dark moments in our lives.

Peppers: 2/5 - It's not super spicy. There aren't many open door scenes, but the sexual Tension makes it feel a bit spicier. With that said, this book is really focused on a slow build relationship, not a hot and heavy one. So you wouldn't expect a lot of spice and I really think it's better for it.

Spice: 4/5 - The spice that's there, is great. It's not the craziest, most amazing spice in the whole world. But it's sweet and emotional and flows with the story perfectly.

Plot: 5/5 -
- Storyline: The story line is well thought out, with flashbacks occurring throughout to give context to scenes. It's well paced and that slow pacing builds and builds and builds to make emotional moments hit right in your heart.

- Characters: Both Iggy and Bodhi were complicated, multi-faceted characters. They felt so real and each of their decisions felt organic instead of plot focused.

- Writing: Perfect. Honestly, this book read beautifully and easily. No formatting and spelling issues that pulled me out of the "zone" (which is pretty awesome for an advanced copy, where a few issues are totally expected).

Overall: This book isn't just great, it's important. It tells a story about love and the realities of it and how to find it/hold it in a healthy way.

And as someone with their own history with substances, seeing the characters deal with their addictions was just... gorgeously wonderful.

Read this book and thank me later.

*I did receive an ARC of his book, but this review is 100% voluntary and honest*

Page Count: 458
Time to Read (Estimate): 8ish hours

For more MM Book Reviews, visit my Instagram: @Rainbow.Reviews.MM

[Adeselna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Lily James for the ARC

There are not a lot of adjectives that I can find to describe “Resonance”, but some come to mind. Beautiful, amazing, or an absolute masterpiece of human emotion. While “Hyperspeed” the author’s debut, was a solid book and incredibly amazing for a debut, “Resonance” it’s much more mature. Lily James is no longer someone “new”, someone who we might “take a chance”. She came, she wrote, she took our hearts with her stories and “Resonance” it’s the evidence. I say I give 5* to books when I cannot find a single thing to “criticize”, I don’t write critics in most of my reviews because most things are deeply personal and honestly, even to other readers they might not be a big of a deal, so giving “Resonance” a 5* was a no brainer. It’s that feeling of everything being exactly where it needs to be, everything has the right pace, and the characters are all doing the correct things. Everything is just perfect.

“Resonance” tells the story of two recovering addicts, Bodhi and Iggy. Bodhi drinks heavily to block a lot of the noise he experiences while on tour, and Iggy, since he had a ballet accident, he uses painkillers to overcome his physical pain. Both characters experience rehab and their addiction, plus recovery in different ways. Iggy is irreverent, he is an amazing person, and his suffering throughout the book is extremely disheartening. He has lost so much in his life that he struggles with fighting not just the pain in his body but also in his heart. His family is disgusting, and he never deserved the way he was treated. Bodhi is kind, he’s very closed off, but he is always fascinated by how Iggy is larger than life. How someone can be so free, so sure of himself, and yet so vulnerable.

“Resonance” is very human in how it handles complex emotions and themes. It almost feels wrong to call it spicy, it’s really much more than that. Bodhi and Iggy feel everything in such an extreme way, their relationship is just as intense as their addiction. Bodhi has a lot of strong feelings from the start, and how he protects Iggy while on tour it’s really cute. We know they have a bond. Also Iggy sees in Bodhi a new person he can trust and be himself with no regrets.

I always say some books need to be read, and writing reviews is really hard because no words can capture the feelings and the experience, and “Resonance” falls into that category. It’s a book that is best described only when reading it, because no amount of words can do it justice. It’s a really beautiful book that will be stuck in my memory for a long time.

I’ve been reading and writing reviews for over a decade, and it’s really amazing that even coming close to my 40s, I can still find new authors that I know will love, adore and follow for a long time. I hope Lily James has all the success in this industry, because I cannot think of a better debut in a long time.

[Megan McGrath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bodie & Iggy

"I just want to pretend we're normal."

'"You're it for me," he whispered into my ear. "The beat of my heart resonates with yours. I can't imagine being with anyone else."'

They say you never should judge a book by it's cover and that is so true for this book because while I had read the blurb and I knew what the book was generally about, the cover almost gives it a much darker look or an edge, but the book is incredibly sweet and introspective and quite inspirational when you consider how much they have to fight for themselves. To fight for one another. To help each other and to ultimately find their happiness together. The book did take a bit of a darker turn, but not to the extent of making it any kind of dark storyline in general, at least in my perspective.

It's been a while since I read a rockstar story and definitely the first one I've ever read coming straight out of rehab and it was quite an experience. The most real moments of this story are when Bodie and Iggy are personally fighting their inner demons when being triggered and given temptation. It's stressful and sad and scary all at once, even if you're not familiar with those feelings personally. It shows us the real challenges that addicts in recovery feel and the turmoil that they face and the immense struggle to stay in control. And the stress they face trying, or avoiding, to share that pain with someone else who can help them. And how to identify when and where they might cross the line and if that line ruins their forward progress or not. I have to say that showing us the realistic possibility that an individual can 'fail' their task in this kind of situation was hard to read, but necessary, showing us both sides of that very difficult coin.

Resonance was both a heartbreaking and inspirational read. I didn't truly understand how powerful their story would be, but I was rooting for Bodie & Iggy throughout. I was happy to see how they each overcame their specific hurdles and how they worked together to find a solution so they could stay with one another and continue to explore their relationship and love. It was a fantastic read, but could definitely be a hard read for anyone with a trigger regarding rehab or addiction of any kind.

"In the end he hadn't saved me. He'd taught me how to save myself. And that was so much better."

I received an authorized copy of this book and am volunteering my honest review.

[✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ ARC review ✨

🩷 Resonance by Lily James 🖤

“The beat of my heart resonates with yours.”

*sigh* i would do anything in this world for Iggy and Bodhi. seriously. their journey of maintaining sobriety outside of rehab brought tears to my eyes more than I’d like to admit.

this book was raw and real but also super fun. we get to see the characters struggles with sobriety and how healing isn’t linear. we also get lots of laughs from Iggy (and Thump… that dude I sweaaaar 🤣)

Bodhi Hart is a rockstar, the lead singer of Noctis. Iggy Preston is an ex-ballet dancer who is just trying to find his way. when we meet the two, we find them at Willowbrook House, making their way through rehab. at first, Bodhi is hesitant about opening up to anyone, but slowly he begins to talk to Iggy (thanks to his continuous efforts) and they become best friends. once they finish the program, they don’t expect to see each other ever again…
…until Iggy becomes Noctis’ new makeup artist (GASP 😱)

let me just say, I want to be besties with Iggy SO BAD. I love him. he’s so sassy, loud, and expresses himself unapologetically. he’s a bit chaotic and of course has his flaws but that’s what makes him… him. 💋🩷

and BODHI. I know he tries to hide behind his ‘grumpy asshole’ persona but I SEE RIGHT THROUGH IT. he’s such a sweetie pie on the inside. I mean, he’s so patient with Iggy and… well.. just wait till you read what he does at the end. ohhhh my heart 🎶🖤

SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO RIFF. what a great f*cking friend. everyone needs a Riff in their life.

also, I went to a Bad Omens concert within the time I was reading this and I may have imagined Bodhi a time or five. seriously. who doesn’t love a tattooed rockstar? 😏

ANOTHER FIVE STAR READ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

some tidbits:
🖤 rockstar x ex-ballet dancer 🎤🩰
🩷 forced proximity
🖤 ‘Just Bodhi’ and ‘Iggy Pop’ 🥹
🩷 sober pact
🖤 grumpy x sunshine
🩷 makeup DOES count as art therapy 💄
🖤 hurt x comfort
🩷 friends to lovers
🖤 hot first kiss in an unexpected place 😏
🩷 found family

[Dani-Lynn Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 𝓻𝓪𝓽𝓮
🌶️🌶️ - 𝓼𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮
🔥🔥🔥 - 𝓹𝓵𝓸𝓽
N/A - 𝓰𝓸𝓻𝓮

🖤 𝓶𝓪𝓲𝓷 𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓼🖤
Bodhi & Iggy

🖤 𝓽𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼🖤
📕rehabilitation setting
📕therapy sessions
📕substance abuse
📕explicit sexual content
📕manipulation

🖤 𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀🖤
A spicy little MM romance with passion! Resonance brings us a passionate romance through the cracks of a broken window built on soberness. The tension and the hardships the characters go through not only build up a stronger bond between the two, but also one that is meant to last. Iggy and Bodhi will steal your hearts like they stole each others’. If you’re in the mood for a rockstar romance with a dash of sobriety and a pinch of smut, Resonance should be next on your TBR list.

*spoilers*

Bodhi and Iggy share a past. One that partook when they attended rehab together. Not together. But they are both there and happen to meet one another while getting themselves clean from drugs. While there, neither of them anticipated building feelings at the same time as making sure they’re taking care of their own self. But it happened. Until the day Bodhi was able to leave. Go back to the world he knew.

See, Bodhi is the lead singer of the band Noctis. A worldwide name in the rock genre. And they’re about to do a tour around Europe. But right before things kicked off, their original makeup artist had to pull out because her man simply did not. She’s pregnant and in her spot, she resorted to her friend and understudy, Iggy.

When Bodhi sees him for the first time, standing in front of the hotel counter, trying to get his room, all memories of what they have come back full force. But they’ll both have to fight through waves of temptation in order to ensure the relationship they were meant to have.

It’s a heart breaking and cruel reality of addiction manifested through a gentle love story. The overwhelming temptation of addiction carries through but it’s not the downfall that separates them. It’s what actually makes them become stronger by the end. A cutesy romcom with a happy ending that makes you want more from Iggy and Bodhi.

[Tay · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ "Just because it isn't beautiful, doesn't mean it isn't perfect." ✨
Tropes: GrumpyxSunshine, Addiction Recovery, Hurt/Comfort, Slow Burn, Forced Proximity, Friends to Lovers

Rating: 500/5

Wow. Wow wow wow. I'm actually speechless and it has taken me a full day to be able to write this.

I DEVOURED this book. I knew the moment I'd first seen art of Bodhi and Iggy they were going to take over my whole brain and WOW. I gasped. I squealed. I sobbed. I never wanted it to end. I would read a whole series just about these two living life.

Bodhi is our sweet tortured artist, a man of few words with a whole lotta feelings. I had an idea of what Bodhi would be like in my head and now I've finished the book, I was so delighted to be wrong because everyone needs a Bodhi. Someone to sit with quietly and who will care enough to speak up when he needs to. I loved him, and how much he loved himself. He knew he had to prioritise himself even when it hurt (just imagine me cheering "Go little rockstar" while also ugly sobbing ok).

But Iggy. Oh, sweet darling. There's so many things in Iggy's journey that I've experienced personally and chronic pain is such a big part of my life, so it felt like I went on this journey right alongside him. Iggy's desperate need to escape his pain was written in such a beautifully raw way, and it tore my heart to pieces and stitched it back together (in Iggy's words, just like kintsugi). I don't actually think there's ever been a character I've connected with so deeply before in a book and it was such a joy.

This one is going to linger with me probably for a really long time. I loved that there were no expectations for any of the characters to be perfect, but LEAST of all our MMCs. For me, this book was about pain, and struggle, and not giving up no matter how hard it is when you fall. And most profoundly, about loving yourself first, and gently.

I received an ARC of this book from the author. All opinions are my own and voluntarily given.

[Jordy - Hard Earned and Slow Burn HEAs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bodhi is a rockstar. Iggy was a ballerina and is now a make up artist. You wouldn’t think the two would have much in common, and yet they do. The biggest being they were both in rehab. Not exactly the meet cute of their dreams, but they make it work.

This story is told from both Bodhi and Iggy’s perspective. It covers their time in rehab (past) as well as what they’re up to in the present. Bodhi and Iggy might both have addiction challenges, but what that looks like for each of them is very different and highlights how addiction is a complex beast for each individual person.

Bodhi and Iggys romance is a slow burn. When they first meet, neither of them is in a good place, physically or mentally. They become friends, of a sort, during their time in rehab, but there is never any indication that either of them thinks they will see one another again once their time is up. Bodhi leaves rehab first and indeed, no promises are made, no lines are crossed, they are both focused on their individual recovery. Imagine their shock and surprise when Iggy turns up as the new make up artist for Bodhi’s band a short time later….

This book is going to suck you in. You will become very invested in both characters and their determination to stay sober. This book explores some of the struggles that people who are on that journey might face once they come back to the ‘real world’ - especially so when you don’t have a support network of family or friends and people don’t know you’re in recovery, as was Iggy’s case. It was hard to read at times, but only because you feel so much for the characters, you want them to just magically be alright, but that is seldom the way the real world actually works.

Added to their own individual recovery journeys is their growing chemistry and feelings for one another. Is it a good idea falling for another addict? Especially when they’re both so freshly out of rehab? Can they still support one another if they do cross that line and become something more? All of these questions are explored and unpacked as the story progresses and again - there are no easy answers here.

If you’re looking for a cute, quick, easy read. This is not the one. If you’re looking for something a bit deeper, a bit angsty, a bit sad, but still full of so much love, complexity and a really strong found family, then this is the book for you.

Check triggers before proceeding. As mentioned, this book contains some heavy themes that not everyone will be comfortable with reading, but trust me when I say, it was well worth it in the end.

*ARC copy received from author for full and honest review. This is my full and honest review *