The Cellist

by Elaine White

After six years, cellist Roman returns home with boyfriend Ben, in search of more than just international fame. There's one complication he didn't count on. His high school crush, the straight, untouchable, Jaxton is there when he arrives.
One performance at local club Crimson 8, stirs emotions that were better left forgotten.
With prior warning that the club is a gay man's fantasy come true, where anything and everything can happen, Jaxton is dragged along with a group of his friends, to see Roman play.
What happens next, will change the course of all their lives forever.

Genres: Menage, M M Romance, M M M, Gay For You, Romance, Contemporary, Music

234 pages, Paperback

First published April 9, 2015

About the author

Elaine White is the author of multi-genre MM romance, celebrating 'love is love' and offering diversity in both genre and character within her stories.
Growing up in a small town and fighting cancer in her early teens taught her that life is short and dreams should be pursued. She lives vicariously through her independent, and often hellion characters, exploring all possibilities within the romantic universe.
The Winner of two Watty Awards – Collector's Dream (An Unpredictable Life) and Hidden Gem (Faithfully) – and an Honourable Mention in 2016's Rainbow Awards (A Royal Craving) Elaine is a self-professed geek, reading addict, and a romantic at heart.

You can find Elaine on the following sites:
Wattpad - http://smarturl.it/ElleLainey
Pinterest - http://smarturl.it/ElainesPinterest
YouTube - http://smarturl.it/ElainesYouTube
Tumblr - http://smarturl.it/ElainesTumblr
Linkedin - http://smarturl.it/ElainesLinkedIn
Google - http://smarturl.it/ElainesGoogle

Reviews

[Tracy~Bayou Book Junkie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of beta reading this book. I just hope you love these characters as much as I did!

After mysteriously disappearing 6 years ago, Jaxton comes face to face with the geek he used to bully in high school, Roman. He never knew what happened to Roman, and has always wondered if his unkind words were the reason for his disappearance.

Roman has just returned home with his boyfriend Ben from a concert tour throughout Europe. He is shocked to not only see Jaxton again, but to realize even though he loves Ben, he still has feelings for Jaxton.

What happens when Jaxton shows interest in him? How will he choose between these two men?

This was a really good book, and to be honest I didn't need to ask Elaine for a bunch of changes. It was a well written story that flowed well and was intriguing. The conclusion took me to a place I wasn't expecting. The main characters had a really good chemistry. The secondary characters played a huge role, and I am happy to say they will be getting an anthology to tie up all their loose ends!

[Nikki Drost · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was absolutely amazing!!! Truthfully, I tend to shy away from polyamorous themed books, but I have to tell you that I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I loved the characters interaction with one another, even the side characters were interesting and entertaining. The love scenes were so hot I was afraid my kindle would catch on fire. I'm still fanning myself off from a particular erotic scene involving Roman and three male performers. I'd like to thank the author for writing such a sweet and sexy love story. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys a happily ever after.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a fantastic read this was. The relationship between Ben, Roman and Jaxson was so sweet. How they all got together was wonderful put. I highly recommend it. It's a must read!!!! Go get it.

* I received ARC from the author for an honest review*

[Fay MMBookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

 4.5 stars ..💖 Great start to the book as a straight Jaxton encounters a past school mate. This has a blurred lines at the start that make you question whether or not Jaxton is completely straight or not. Poor Ben as he's a little aghast about Jaxton coming between them. I loved their past time jump getting that frame clued in to the present.

Includes voyeurism, hot menage sexy scenes and more.

Stanton is definitely clued in with Roman regarding Jaxton but what will become of a one sided feelings. Note this book has two characters names similar so don't get confused with Bennett and Benjamin (aka Ben) like i did at first.

Jaxton couldn't believe his eyes when he spotted someone he knew at school 6 yrs ago. Now at college he and his friends go to Crimson 8 a gay fetish club to see Roman play.
Roman 23yrs a cello player was with Ben his boyfriend for long years. (KU)

[Caroline Brand · Rating 3 out of 5]

REVIEWED FOR PRISM BOOK ALLIANCE

2.5 Stars

From the blurb this book offers a story that should fit perfectly on my book shelves. An established couple having to deal with an old crush from the past, maybe some hurt and a little angst thrown in. I was looking forward to the goings on at Crimson 8 and how a visit there would impact on the story.

Initially you are thrown into the story in the present day with Ben and Roman, partners for six years, returning home. Later in the story there are a couple of flashbacks explaining the reasons they originally left, what they have been doing and how they came to be in a relationship. It was not always clear whose POV you were getting and I found myself going over a few pages more than once to understand who I was listening to.

Although Jaxton wasn’t the reason for Roman leaving he was part of the problem. Roman had a huge crush that wasn’t returned by the handsome but very straight Jock and spent most of his school days feeling bullied and ridiculed.

Roman is in love with Ben, the man who effectively saved his life and this is where the story lost me. It made no sense to me that Roman would fall apart so quickly and start panicking about his relationship with Ben after running into Jaxton a couple of times. They had never had a relationship back in their school days, they didn’t really know each other all that well yet there was suddenly this huge dilemma.

Ben is in exactly the same position as Roman. He is worried about Roman seeing Jaxton and what affect that will have on their relationship. He is worried about Roman making new friends outside their relationship and what affect this will have on them. Again, there was never anything between Roman and Jaxton and I was left wondering just how secure Ben and Roman’s relationship was when they were both so insecure with each other. The sexual side of their relationship may have been good but there didn’t seem to be anything emotionally holding them together.

Jaxton for his part has been hiding who he really is and how he feels from his friends and family for years and sexually he is very inexperienced. In one night he admits to being bisexual, makes a pass at a friend almost begging him to love him all the while being madly in love with the boy he bullied at school. Rejected by his friend he ends up in the arms of Roman and I almost felt like I had whiplash as everything was sorted and resolved within one night.

From moving in together, to giving up college to study at home, to having sex for the first time with not one but two men – it all just happened too fast, overnight, too easily and wasn’t believable or realistic.

[Arch Bala · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably my favorite if not the strongest story I’ve read involving a polyamorous relationship in this genre. For male to male ménage stories, it’s always difficult to separate the sex from the “actual story” – that’s just dumb I know since they should go hand in hand but you get the drill right?

The chemistry between Roman, Ben and Jaxton was just off the charts I feel like combusting and that was just the effect of the sexual tension between these guys. At the beginning, I thought it would be better if Roman will just end up with Ben because the latter was just perfect and it hurts that he’s hurting. Initially, I thought Roman was being stupid for even thinking about Jaxton when he’s got the most perfect guy waiting for him at home. But then, this was supposed to be a ménage right?

Along with Roman’s backstory as a sixteen year old cello player unloved by his parents, we also got to know Jaxton as his first love. In Roman’s case, first love never dies and luckily for him, he was also Jaxton’s first love. Their bittersweet history was all we need to know why they can’t seem to let go of each other.

And we have the handsome and ever-helpful Ben. This guy was just perfect in every sense! I loved that he accepted Jaxton wholeheartedly into their relationship. That is true love he’s got there for Roman. Although I find their first get together and the decision making a bit too fast, I thought it was just too sweet at the same time.

The conclusion was just as perfect as the trio and I’d definitely love to read more from them because it feels like there’s more to their story that they need to share.

Miss White, this was a truly masterful piece! Congratulations!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an intense and lovely read. I devoured this book and still can't get enough of it.
The story about soulful and sensitive Roman, the kind of lost and misunderstood Jaxton and protective Ben is touching and heartwarming. All characters are well developed and have rough edges what makes each one of them even more lovable and you can't stop them marching straight to your heart. Full of feelings their story catches you from the beginning and you can't stop until you know the end. Will there be a happy ever after? Well, read it yourself, you won't regret it!!

[Sara Bauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, so remember that high school crush you totally moved past and never think about again? No? That's right. It's because we never forget our first crush, do we? Roman, an accomplished musician in a very happy relationship with Ben, runs into Jaxton (the infamous crush) his first day of college ... and emotions spin out of control from there. What is Roman willing to give up to be with his first love? Is Jaxton even worth his time? And how does Ben feel about all this drama? Find out in this sexy, sweet story of three men caught with their feet on the land mine of "what could have been."

[Danyca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the way the authors has wrote the emotions in this book. She has done an incredible job with the description of all the characters and what they are thinking and feeling. I love the pace of this story and how easy it flows from one page to the next. The music and entertainment is easy to picture and artfully written. The whole book is enjoyable. The romance is sweet and the drama is brilliant. Overall I am so glad I read the book and recommend it to all.

[Antisocial Recluse · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was just kind of weird for me. It seemed to drag on too long. It felt very disconnected with tangents about other characters that didn't seem to really go anywhere. And it was all too quick and rushed. All these things happened in just a couple of days? Also needed some editing. I don't think I've read an ebook yet that doesn't use discrete instead of the correct word, discreet.

[Elizabetta]

Very immature. This feels as if it were written by a teenager. All the telling drove me nuts. The first sex scene is a fade to black. And it’s all in very serious need of editing. I gave up. Disappointment reigned supreme. No rating since I couldn't didn't finish it.

[Dottie Mae · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cellist by Elaine White

Awesome book, fill with romance and lots of very hot scenes that will keep you from putting this story on pause. It is a keeper that you will want to revisit over and over again.

[Dee Jonas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story. Three men truly meant for each other. If you don't believe that love can be in any form, then read this and you will. Can't wait for more.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful, odd, sensual, odd. Adding to my favorites, but still an odd one.

[Claire · Rating 1 out of 5]

Never judge a book by its cover...right?

This was such a promising idea but it just didn't get it right for me. When dealing with past loves or crushes, it would have been good to have had more of a back story to lead you into the relationship between Jax and Roman. I just didn't feel any chemistry or connection between either of them. There was zero angst even though its alluded to.

Also, I found it really difficult to follow whose 'voice' I was reading. It jumps from one to another and I had to re-read lots of it so I could work out who was who.

I sort of gave up after about 30% and fast forwarded to the end only to see how it ended was exactly how I thought it would.

It could have been a really good story with a bit more thought and editing. I don't like writing disappointing reviews so I'm sorry,

C

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so good and I really enjoyed this book until there was sudden end when author should keep going and that really ruined my enjoyment of this book.
When there is poly book, I love the scenes when they are falling in love with one more people they did not count on and here was it so good and I wanted to know more and suddenly it was the end of the book, I know I am repeating myself, but I got really angry, it could be 5-star book if there were couple of more pages...

[XI · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars just because it felt unfinished to me!! Kinda rushed iono! Maybe I'm being greedy but I wanted more of them together!!! From not just Jax's perspective!!

The whole he's air to me!! Iono how I felt bout the early dependency vibes I was getting!!

Also the writing could have been more fluid!! I honestly had some lack of clarity issues

[Janeylou · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

3.25 stars

There were a few good things as this book started out, but for the most part this story had so much potential that was just not realized. We start with Jaxton’s point of view as he is shocked to see Roman at his college campus. The story then quickly shifts to Roman and Ben’s points of view and we mostly get their story of how they met, how Ben helped Roman gain emancipation, and then how they fell in love. They are fairly co-dependent on each other, spend all of their time together, yet they are emotionally insecure in their relationship. Roman taking one glance at Jaxton has their entire relationship beginning to unravel at the edges. And that was where the story first lost me. We are told many times how Roman has always been in love with Jaxton. Yet, Jaxton, for the most part was not nice to Roman in school and there was no foundation shown for the intense feelings we are told they have for each other. When past events are discussed and we see some of Jaxton’s side, he explains past situations to Ben, never has a conversation with Roman, and there was a whole lot missing for me between Roman and Jaxton.

Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.

[Marinieves · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Cellist is my first book by author Elaine White. I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
The story is about Roman, Benjamin and Jaxton , even though the beginning of the same is more background into Roman and Benjamin’s relationship , you get to know what Jaxton meant to Roman.
I can’t denied that the story has great potential but I would have like to read more character development and background into the three of them. I feel like the relationship between Roman and Ben, didn’t needed some of the things that were added into it, because honestly in my opinion there was no need for them. Calling Benjamin possessive when he let things happened doesn’t make any sense.
I can completely understand both of them falling for Jaxton, better said Roman rekindling his feelings for him and Benjamin developing feelings for him and they making it work, but I will have love to see more of those aspects of the story.
Ms. White has a great way to write and that cannot be deny but I feel the story needed more and the relationship needed more.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm uncertain about this book.

I'm uncertain about this book. It was a little confusing at first, moved really fast into a poly relationship and though it flashed back into past histories it didn't feel as cohesive as it could have been.
Ben's character came through with more sincerity than either Roman or Jaxton's characters. I felt as though I was being told what they were feeling instead of feeling it through the author's words. At times the thoughts and actions of the main characters as well as the secondary characters were not explained or gone into in a way that was cohesive or germaine to the flow of the story.
The best part of this book was the heartfelt poem at the end. It was beautiful.

[Claire Potterton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Roman and Ben have been together for six years, are engaged to be married, and hopelessly in love. Jaxton, Romans unrequited, straight crush from high school comes onto the scene. Having met him twice, Ben decides in order to keep Roman he will tell him to invite Jax into their relationship. One night together and they are all madly in love with each other and live happily ever after. The story here could have been great had it not all happened so fast. The best part of the book, for me, was Jaxton's blog at the end, where most of the thoughts, feelings and emotions that should have been voiced throughout the book, were all crammed into the one short chapter.

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

impossible choices!

This was an easy read, I was grateful that it wasn't boring. It was your typical ménage story where everyone needs where met. This is not a musical or really anything to do with a cellist except for that was the job that one of them had. This was a story of first love circling back to you after years go being apart and trying to fit into your new reality.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book

This was a great story. It was different, the characters were great and the writing was well done. I would recommend this book.

[Asmaa · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5