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Summer of Hush #2
Brains and Brawn
A rock star with a secret is injured in a freak accident. A single-dad Navy corpsman comes to his aide. Neither expected romance to bloom, but now that it has, will their secrets end it before it begins?
Billy “Brains” Brennan has achieved rock stardom in not just one, but two chart-topping bands, but events from his past have him convinced he’s living on borrowed time. Brains and his brothers-in-Hush are ready to take the last cross-country Warped Tour by storm...until the actions of two drunk dudes with bad attitudes set off a chain of events that leave him incapacitated...and face-to-face with a handsome stranger who inexplicably feels like home—and not the home Brains fled at sixteen.
Chief Petty Officer Paul McNally has spent his 25-year career as a Navy Corpsman responding to emergencies and caring for wounded soldiers. When fate has him in the right place to provide aid to a fallen rock star, it sends his life spiraling on a trajectory he never planned for. Instead of concentrating on his impending retirement and a second career, he’s now playing nursemaid to a fascinating younger man…and falling in love—a fact he can’t seem to figure out how to explain to his adult son.
A health scare, band drama, and pain from both their pasts threaten to end Brains and Paul’s fledgling relationship. Fate brought them together. It will take trust, honesty, and hope to keep them together.
Billy “Brains” Brennan has achieved rock stardom in not just one, but two chart-topping bands, but events from his past have him convinced he’s living on borrowed time. Brains and his brothers-in-Hush are ready to take the last cross-country Warped Tour by storm...until the actions of two drunk dudes with bad attitudes set off a chain of events that leave him incapacitated...and face-to-face with a handsome stranger who inexplicably feels like home—and not the home Brains fled at sixteen.
Chief Petty Officer Paul McNally has spent his 25-year career as a Navy Corpsman responding to emergencies and caring for wounded soldiers. When fate has him in the right place to provide aid to a fallen rock star, it sends his life spiraling on a trajectory he never planned for. Instead of concentrating on his impending retirement and a second career, he’s now playing nursemaid to a fascinating younger man…and falling in love—a fact he can’t seem to figure out how to explain to his adult son.
A health scare, band drama, and pain from both their pasts threaten to end Brains and Paul’s fledgling relationship. Fate brought them together. It will take trust, honesty, and hope to keep them together.
344 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 24, 2020
69 people are currently reading
827 people want to read
About the author
R.L. Merrill
79 books701 followersWhether she’s writing contemporary romance featuring quirky, queer, and relatable characters or diving deep into the supernatural to give readers a shiver, R.L. Merrill loves creating compelling stories that will stay with readers long after closing the book. Ro writes inclusive romance for the Happily Ever After collective, contributes paranormal hilarity to Robyn Peterman’s Magic and Mayhem Universe, and pens horror-inspired tales and music reviews for HorrorAddicts.net. A mom, wife, daughter, and former educator, you can find her rocking out in her Bronco with Great Dane pup Velma, being terrorized by feline twins Dracula and Frankenstein, or headbanging at a rock show near her home in the San Francisco Bay Area! Stay Tuned for more…
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
September 3, 2020
Lots to like in this second instalment
While some bits confused me, I was trying to remember timelines for the crossover with Summer of Hush, all in all this was a lovely romance.
I really loved Paul and Brains, both as individuals and as a pair. I liked their unique meet/cute which worked really well for me.
I loved Paul's sister and her kids, and there was less of the rock star/band tour in this book, which I also preferred.
I did get confused with some of the military usage as I was sure Marines absolutely do not like being called soldiers, but that terminology was used a few times throughout, even though Paul was a Navy Corpseman. 🤔
Minor quibbles only though, it didn't take away from the excellent build up of the friendship and romance as Billy convalesced at Paul's once fate threw them together.
I didn't see the point of the chapter where Paul's son Bowie's mum turned up though, she really didn't add anything.
But I did love Bowie, his anxieties and mental health problems weren't glossed over.
I'm interested to see if there will be more on this series as there's potential for a couple more pairings.
While some bits confused me, I was trying to remember timelines for the crossover with Summer of Hush, all in all this was a lovely romance.
I really loved Paul and Brains, both as individuals and as a pair. I liked their unique meet/cute which worked really well for me.
I loved Paul's sister and her kids, and there was less of the rock star/band tour in this book, which I also preferred.
I did get confused with some of the military usage as I was sure Marines absolutely do not like being called soldiers, but that terminology was used a few times throughout, even though Paul was a Navy Corpseman. 🤔
Minor quibbles only though, it didn't take away from the excellent build up of the friendship and romance as Billy convalesced at Paul's once fate threw them together.
I didn't see the point of the chapter where Paul's son Bowie's mum turned up though, she really didn't add anything.
But I did love Bowie, his anxieties and mental health problems weren't glossed over.
I'm interested to see if there will be more on this series as there's potential for a couple more pairings.
August 25, 2020
Since I have read the first book featuring slightly dysfunctional rock band Hush and its lead singer Silas finding love with blogger Krish, I was curious about Brains aka Billy and his story. This book slightly overlaps with events of the first book but only to give us the idea of what has happened. While the story was slower paced than I normally read, low steam and low angst for me, it had so much hurt/comfort that I genuinely enjoyed myself. It made me feel good reading about Paul Navy corpsman close to retirement, his relationship with his son Bowie and how good he was for Brains.
Paul is a caretaker, kind and generous to those who is his family, and he readily accepts Brains and his band of misfits into his fold. Despite slight feeling of insta love here, I enjoyed the feel good vibe of the story. The relationship between members of Hush was fun to explore. In the end both men found happiness in each others arms and found the direction their lives were going to go. I have to say that I am not a music aficionado, but I liked Paul and Brains discussions about music in general, different rock bands and the respective members. It felt the author knew what they were about and navigated the world of music well. In general I could see attention to detail in every aspect of this book be it music, physical/mental health issues or Navy. Overall, it was a nice gentle read. Copy received for my honest and unbiased review
Paul is a caretaker, kind and generous to those who is his family, and he readily accepts Brains and his band of misfits into his fold. Despite slight feeling of insta love here, I enjoyed the feel good vibe of the story. The relationship between members of Hush was fun to explore. In the end both men found happiness in each others arms and found the direction their lives were going to go. I have to say that I am not a music aficionado, but I liked Paul and Brains discussions about music in general, different rock bands and the respective members. It felt the author knew what they were about and navigated the world of music well. In general I could see attention to detail in every aspect of this book be it music, physical/mental health issues or Navy. Overall, it was a nice gentle read. Copy received for my honest and unbiased review
September 17, 2020
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
The bandmates of Hush are back in a new novel by R.L. Merrill, Brains and Brawn. Little has changed for the group; they are still slightly immature, crazy talented, and full of drama. Thank goodness for their drummer, Brains, who keeps them all from imploding, alongside their team manager, Jessica. Before I go any further with this review, I recommend reading this series in orde. The first book, Summer of Hush, lays some critical relational groundwork and this story builds on that information. You might be hard pressed to understand the inner workings of this group without the first book under your belt.
Brains is the star in this story. His own unique foibles and phobias are on full display and his mutual attraction to Paul a major part of the novel. It’s his secret that keeps him from even thinking about going full in with Paul emotionally, but it is a real struggle for Brains to stick with that idea.
Read Sammy’s review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
The bandmates of Hush are back in a new novel by R.L. Merrill, Brains and Brawn. Little has changed for the group; they are still slightly immature, crazy talented, and full of drama. Thank goodness for their drummer, Brains, who keeps them all from imploding, alongside their team manager, Jessica. Before I go any further with this review, I recommend reading this series in orde. The first book, Summer of Hush, lays some critical relational groundwork and this story builds on that information. You might be hard pressed to understand the inner workings of this group without the first book under your belt.
Brains is the star in this story. His own unique foibles and phobias are on full display and his mutual attraction to Paul a major part of the novel. It’s his secret that keeps him from even thinking about going full in with Paul emotionally, but it is a real struggle for Brains to stick with that idea.
Read Sammy’s review in its entirety here.
November 9, 2020
“Brains and Brawn” is a spicy, well-developed, heart-warming read about relatable characters with real-life issues.
Read full review in the 2020 November issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2020 November issue of InD'tale Magazine.
August 25, 2020
Brains and Brawn is the first book written by RL Merrill that I have read. It is the second book in the Summer of Hush series which features the members of a band called Hush.
Brains (Billy) is the drummer of the band and Brawn refers to the other MC Paul who is a 25 year Navy Corpman. They encounter each other at a rock festival where they have instant rapport. Billy is injured when a tent collapses on him and he is aided by Paul who was nearby. So starts their growing attraction which finds Billy recovering at Paul’s place.
I found the story quite enjoyable but rather lengthy and felt some tighter editing may have improved it. A case in point was the first chapter where there was reference to various bands at the festival which had no bearing on the story.
Brains (Billy) is the drummer of the band and Brawn refers to the other MC Paul who is a 25 year Navy Corpman. They encounter each other at a rock festival where they have instant rapport. Billy is injured when a tent collapses on him and he is aided by Paul who was nearby. So starts their growing attraction which finds Billy recovering at Paul’s place.
I found the story quite enjoyable but rather lengthy and felt some tighter editing may have improved it. A case in point was the first chapter where there was reference to various bands at the festival which had no bearing on the story.
September 2, 2020
Wow! I really enjoyed this book. Age gap, hurt/comfort, single dad, and a man in uniform—what more would I want wrapped up in one story? Hmm, well-rounded and well-developed characters who grab me from the beginning and carry me on their journey to self-discovery and healing. This has that too. Following Summer of Hush, this story features the fallout from Brains’s broken leg and the band’s survival without him.
However, the story can stand alone as the author provides overlap by starting this one before Chief Petty Officer Paul McNally takes his son to the Warped Tour to see their favorite metalcore bands, including Hush. Paul is in place to help Brains when an accident occurs and Brains is injured. The first 20 percent of the book fills in Paul’s background and builds up to the meeting at the concert so although reading the first book gives more weight to readers’ interest in the band, it’s not a requirement to enjoy this story.
This is a love story, pure and simple, with the slow build of the relationship readers can savor. Brains has a secret that affects his health, over and above his broken leg, and he’s reluctant to share that with Paul even after its evident they love each other. But Paul shows him that “some people are worth trusting and will stand by you when darkness is looming on the horizon.”
In the meantime, Paul, who is a planner to his core, cannot seem to plan beyond his rapidly approaching retirement from the navy, and he’s finding that issue more and more worrisome. A take-charge guy, he’s happy to oversee Brains’s physical therapy, but he recognizes that it’s Brains’s decision to stay or to leave once he’s recuperated. Brains has always been the “mother” of his motley mix of band members, and he hates the idea of missing the chance to go back, but he wants to stay with the man he loves. In a nutshell, all of these life decisions provide the push/pull of their relationship drama.
This story has a host of secondary characters, playing an important role. Paul’s sister, Penny, a widow who lives in a duplex with him is a delightful character, and her two children add to the story rather than detract from it, something I appreciate. She’s solid, down-to-earth, and provides the voice of reason to balance his worries about Brains. Band members from book one make multiple appearances, all of which show the dynamic between Brains and his “family of the heart.”
All in all, this is a very enjoyable read, and I’m super happy I was given an opportunity for review.
NOTE: This book was provided by the author via GRRT for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
However, the story can stand alone as the author provides overlap by starting this one before Chief Petty Officer Paul McNally takes his son to the Warped Tour to see their favorite metalcore bands, including Hush. Paul is in place to help Brains when an accident occurs and Brains is injured. The first 20 percent of the book fills in Paul’s background and builds up to the meeting at the concert so although reading the first book gives more weight to readers’ interest in the band, it’s not a requirement to enjoy this story.
This is a love story, pure and simple, with the slow build of the relationship readers can savor. Brains has a secret that affects his health, over and above his broken leg, and he’s reluctant to share that with Paul even after its evident they love each other. But Paul shows him that “some people are worth trusting and will stand by you when darkness is looming on the horizon.”
In the meantime, Paul, who is a planner to his core, cannot seem to plan beyond his rapidly approaching retirement from the navy, and he’s finding that issue more and more worrisome. A take-charge guy, he’s happy to oversee Brains’s physical therapy, but he recognizes that it’s Brains’s decision to stay or to leave once he’s recuperated. Brains has always been the “mother” of his motley mix of band members, and he hates the idea of missing the chance to go back, but he wants to stay with the man he loves. In a nutshell, all of these life decisions provide the push/pull of their relationship drama.
This story has a host of secondary characters, playing an important role. Paul’s sister, Penny, a widow who lives in a duplex with him is a delightful character, and her two children add to the story rather than detract from it, something I appreciate. She’s solid, down-to-earth, and provides the voice of reason to balance his worries about Brains. Band members from book one make multiple appearances, all of which show the dynamic between Brains and his “family of the heart.”
All in all, this is a very enjoyable read, and I’m super happy I was given an opportunity for review.
NOTE: This book was provided by the author via GRRT for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
August 27, 2020
After finishing Brains and Brawn and skimming some reviews by other readers, I realized that there was an overlap between this book and Summer of Hush. That’s what I get for skipping the first book in a series. Other than missing the other characters’ response to Brains’ injury and the initial meeting of him and Paul, I don’t think it mattered much. Other than the fact that I now want to go back and read Summer of Hush. So yes, readers, this is another case of “do as I say, not as I do” – you’ll find that happens a lot around here. 😉
Even though it was Paul that came to Brains’ rescue, in a way, Brains did the same for Paul. He had a full life, but between being deployed, working state-side, helping his sister take care of her twins and worrying about his son Bowie, his life was still missing something. Something that he didn’t realize it was missing until he let Brains into his life.
I really enjoyed their story and how their secrets defined them and held them back. I loved the other relationships in the story as well. Though not as traditional as Paul’s close-knit family, Brains’ found family was just as important and supportive in a manic sort of way. Finding a way for them to make things work between them wasn’t easy. There was some heartbreak and they both had to learn how to trust, but in the end, it was worth it.
There was just one little niggling issue I had with the way that the story ended, but I can’t really say what it was…(sorry, no spoilers.) I’m really kind of hoping that there is more to come in the Summer of Hush series. There seemed to be quite a few loose ends that need to be tied up along with the one that really bugged me. This is my first M.L. Merrill read, but I’m pretty sure it won’t be my last, especially since I have to start from the beginning. 😉
I received Brains and Brawn in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Even though it was Paul that came to Brains’ rescue, in a way, Brains did the same for Paul. He had a full life, but between being deployed, working state-side, helping his sister take care of her twins and worrying about his son Bowie, his life was still missing something. Something that he didn’t realize it was missing until he let Brains into his life.
I really enjoyed their story and how their secrets defined them and held them back. I loved the other relationships in the story as well. Though not as traditional as Paul’s close-knit family, Brains’ found family was just as important and supportive in a manic sort of way. Finding a way for them to make things work between them wasn’t easy. There was some heartbreak and they both had to learn how to trust, but in the end, it was worth it.
There was just one little niggling issue I had with the way that the story ended, but I can’t really say what it was…(sorry, no spoilers.) I’m really kind of hoping that there is more to come in the Summer of Hush series. There seemed to be quite a few loose ends that need to be tied up along with the one that really bugged me. This is my first M.L. Merrill read, but I’m pretty sure it won’t be my last, especially since I have to start from the beginning. 😉
I received Brains and Brawn in exchange for a fair and honest review.
August 9, 2020
4.5 smiles and hearts. Lol
I absolutely loved and adored Brains and Paul. This book was full of love, friendship, awesome banter, and ending that made me ball. I love all of the guys from Hush.
I would not wait for this book as we met Brains in book one and a little glimpse of Paul. They had an instant connection.
This book brings us back to the event at the concert where the guys first meet and revisit what happened there. We get this event from their point of view this time.
Brains is the famous drummer, holding back, scared (which we see how terrified he is in the beginning of the story), and not supported by those that should love him the most.
Paul is getting ready to retire from military and find his future path. He is a nurturer, an awesome dad, brother, uncle, just an overall awesome guy. He is a giver to everyone. He has an awesome son Bowie that dug himself into my heart.
These two embark on a journey of recovery and love like one deserves. Paul has been alone for many years and Brains hasn’t been in a relationship. As we get to know them deeper, they both have some very tough events from their path and both deserve more happiness and love in their life.
Add in an awesome secondary set of characters which is the band, Penny, and Paul’s niece and nephew.
This book was a huge pleasure to read with all the emotions I felt, smiling, laughing, crying, heart full of love. I can’t wait to see who’s book is up next.
I absolutely loved and adored Brains and Paul. This book was full of love, friendship, awesome banter, and ending that made me ball. I love all of the guys from Hush.
I would not wait for this book as we met Brains in book one and a little glimpse of Paul. They had an instant connection.
This book brings us back to the event at the concert where the guys first meet and revisit what happened there. We get this event from their point of view this time.
Brains is the famous drummer, holding back, scared (which we see how terrified he is in the beginning of the story), and not supported by those that should love him the most.
Paul is getting ready to retire from military and find his future path. He is a nurturer, an awesome dad, brother, uncle, just an overall awesome guy. He is a giver to everyone. He has an awesome son Bowie that dug himself into my heart.
These two embark on a journey of recovery and love like one deserves. Paul has been alone for many years and Brains hasn’t been in a relationship. As we get to know them deeper, they both have some very tough events from their path and both deserve more happiness and love in their life.
Add in an awesome secondary set of characters which is the band, Penny, and Paul’s niece and nephew.
This book was a huge pleasure to read with all the emotions I felt, smiling, laughing, crying, heart full of love. I can’t wait to see who’s book is up next.
September 13, 2023
I loved the main couple, but I had never read book 1 of the series and all of the drama from the other couple was unusually distracting/confusing.
August 26, 2021
2.5 stars
I liked it, it’s sweet. The MCs were fine together until the drama by the end, it was unnecessary. Give up on the love of your life very easily because your son didn’t approve your relationship then it’s the guy who got dumped who makes the 1st step to fix things after it took him some time to convince the son to accept them as a couple. No no. The one ( I don’t even remember their names, I’ve read it a few weeks ago 😆) who broke up and make them miserable should’ve groveled at his feet and redeem himself.
I liked it, it’s sweet. The MCs were fine together until the drama by the end, it was unnecessary. Give up on the love of your life very easily because your son didn’t approve your relationship then it’s the guy who got dumped who makes the 1st step to fix things after it took him some time to convince the son to accept them as a couple. No no. The one ( I don’t even remember their names, I’ve read it a few weeks ago 😆) who broke up and make them miserable should’ve groveled at his feet and redeem himself.
September 3, 2020
Hadn't read the author before but stumbled upon this one and thought I'd give it a go. It was sweet, with pretty low steam plus some angst. A little uneven maybe, but still good. Didn't bother me too much that I haven't read the 1st book in the series. There were some things that I personally wasn't the biggest fan of. Overall a pretty enjoyable read.
February 20, 2021
A slow-burner, with a relationship developing over time. Unfortunately, slow is the relevant word for the book. The second half is tedious and unnecessary, and has little to do with the story. The first half was pleasantly written, although the characters were not well differentiated, nor well defined. My verdict is "could do better". I won't bother reading any more of her books.
August 28, 2020
I was all in in this book right from the start. I love the diversity of the characters, the heart wrenching emotion and the humor. The tender portrayal of a child with special needs…making them a fun and amusing character without making them an object of pity or ridicule was very well done.
This is the second book in the series and I would highly recommend reading book one first. I didn’t and while this story does stand on its own there are many references to things that seem to have taken place in book one, or build off book one and I hated not being in the know. I’ll be going back to read that book.
Brains (Billy) and Paul are MCs who capture your attention right away. I was invested in both of their back stories and curious about them from the outset. The set up to their ending up in proximity to each other/meeting/connecting is different and while normally not a fan of insta-love, and everything here happens in a VERY condensed time period, it’s not so bad. The ending is sweet and concludes on a very hopeful note.
There are some very heavy emotional moments and I found myself in tears several times. I got pretty annoyed at some secondary characters and their selfishness and immaturity which impacted the relationship of the MCs. Really wanted to smack some people in the head!
It’s obvious the author put a lot of time into research and getting details right. I always appreciate seeing that in a book.
This is a quick read and I was really invested so it almost a one sitting read for me (darn that having to actually sleep thing!) Highly recommend.
This is the second book in the series and I would highly recommend reading book one first. I didn’t and while this story does stand on its own there are many references to things that seem to have taken place in book one, or build off book one and I hated not being in the know. I’ll be going back to read that book.
Brains (Billy) and Paul are MCs who capture your attention right away. I was invested in both of their back stories and curious about them from the outset. The set up to their ending up in proximity to each other/meeting/connecting is different and while normally not a fan of insta-love, and everything here happens in a VERY condensed time period, it’s not so bad. The ending is sweet and concludes on a very hopeful note.
There are some very heavy emotional moments and I found myself in tears several times. I got pretty annoyed at some secondary characters and their selfishness and immaturity which impacted the relationship of the MCs. Really wanted to smack some people in the head!
It’s obvious the author put a lot of time into research and getting details right. I always appreciate seeing that in a book.
This is a quick read and I was really invested so it almost a one sitting read for me (darn that having to actually sleep thing!) Highly recommend.
August 22, 2020
Brains and Brawn was terrific! Brains and Paul hit it off from the beginning while debating rock influences. Later, when a freak accident occurs, Paul runs in to assist and finds Brains in need of help. In his panic, Brains latches on to Paul and a connection starts to bloom. With a broken leg, Brains can’t continue on the tour and Paul offers to care for him until he’s back on his feet.
I really enjoyed this slow-burn romance. Paul and Brains are wonderful together. Their relationship begins with friendship laced with mutual attraction and builds into a lasting relationship as they learn more about each other. These guys balance each other out and are there to support each other through the challenges they face. The emotional and intellectual bond they form is refreshing. Don’t get me wrong, their chemistry is hot, but the witty dialogue and deep connection they share make this story something special. I couldn’t put it down.
This book 2 in the Summer of Hush series and the timeline of the story coincides with events in book 1. I recommend reading in order for full enjoyment because book 1 is great too.
I really enjoyed this slow-burn romance. Paul and Brains are wonderful together. Their relationship begins with friendship laced with mutual attraction and builds into a lasting relationship as they learn more about each other. These guys balance each other out and are there to support each other through the challenges they face. The emotional and intellectual bond they form is refreshing. Don’t get me wrong, their chemistry is hot, but the witty dialogue and deep connection they share make this story something special. I couldn’t put it down.
This book 2 in the Summer of Hush series and the timeline of the story coincides with events in book 1. I recommend reading in order for full enjoyment because book 1 is great too.
August 27, 2020
They weren’t expecting to fall in love
This book was so sweet. Brains, the drummer for the band Hush, is injured at a festival the band is playing. Paul, a Navy Corpsman, saves the day, and volunteers to be nursemaid. As they spend more time together, feelings develop and secrets are learned.
The way these two come together while Brains is recuperating is hot and sweet. There is an instant attraction, but they are both afraid to act on it. Brains is the make-up wearing, openly gay drummer for a metal band. Paul is a divorced Navy Corpsman preparing for retirement and trying to navigate both his and his young adult son’s future. Neither had love on the mind.
This is a solid 4 stars. I read it without having read Summer of Hush (book 1), which runs parallel to this story. However, it was not spoiled as they are in different areas, and we only see Silas and Krish at the beginning and end of this book, and all we know is they have a HEA. Which is a given, as this is romance, after all. Love always wins.
This book was so sweet. Brains, the drummer for the band Hush, is injured at a festival the band is playing. Paul, a Navy Corpsman, saves the day, and volunteers to be nursemaid. As they spend more time together, feelings develop and secrets are learned.
The way these two come together while Brains is recuperating is hot and sweet. There is an instant attraction, but they are both afraid to act on it. Brains is the make-up wearing, openly gay drummer for a metal band. Paul is a divorced Navy Corpsman preparing for retirement and trying to navigate both his and his young adult son’s future. Neither had love on the mind.
This is a solid 4 stars. I read it without having read Summer of Hush (book 1), which runs parallel to this story. However, it was not spoiled as they are in different areas, and we only see Silas and Krish at the beginning and end of this book, and all we know is they have a HEA. Which is a given, as this is romance, after all. Love always wins.
August 24, 2020
R.L. Merrill is the reigning queen of romance and rock and roll. Brains and Brawn delivers yet another heartfelt love story with relatable characters whose trials feel steeped in the real world. Like the first book in the series, "Summer of Hush", this one gives you a VIP backstage pass to life on a mega-tour. You’ll come out feeling like a member of the band.
* * * * *
"Brains" is the injured drummer of the band Hush who has to take a break from the Warped tour after a freak accident. Paul is a ten-years-older career military man on the brink of retirement and a new life he can't quite envision (yet). Brains needs taking care of at the exact moment that the wayfinding Paul needs to busy himself with a mission. Both are afraid of slowing down and figuring out what it means to re-emerge into their own lives.
In true R.L. Merrill fashion, this book goes deep. Both men harbor demons and struggle as much to exorcise them as they do to accept that they are worthy of joy. Both men are used to being part of a team—Paul as a member of the military and Brains as a member of a band. Both must overcome ingrained habits of taking care of and being responsible for others and learn how to claim happiness for themselves.
* * * * *
"Brains" is the injured drummer of the band Hush who has to take a break from the Warped tour after a freak accident. Paul is a ten-years-older career military man on the brink of retirement and a new life he can't quite envision (yet). Brains needs taking care of at the exact moment that the wayfinding Paul needs to busy himself with a mission. Both are afraid of slowing down and figuring out what it means to re-emerge into their own lives.
In true R.L. Merrill fashion, this book goes deep. Both men harbor demons and struggle as much to exorcise them as they do to accept that they are worthy of joy. Both men are used to being part of a team—Paul as a member of the military and Brains as a member of a band. Both must overcome ingrained habits of taking care of and being responsible for others and learn how to claim happiness for themselves.
August 27, 2020
Freak Accidents and love
This was a new and interesting twist to a storyline. I liked it. When Billy the Rock star has a freak accident and single dad Paul saves him this get hot and love is in the air. Billy or Brains as he is called is a great character and he blends well with Paul loved them.
This was a new and interesting twist to a storyline. I liked it. When Billy the Rock star has a freak accident and single dad Paul saves him this get hot and love is in the air. Billy or Brains as he is called is a great character and he blends well with Paul loved them.
August 25, 2020
Two men who come together when they most need it. This book is a lovely read with memorable characters, a slow burn romance, and an understanding only these two men could achieve. The story is a memorable one, mainly character driven, which is never a negative for me. The slow relationship development as the two men, Brains and Paul, get to know and learn about each other, and fall in love. A must-read and an excellent first book for me by R.L. Merrill!
August 26, 2020
Wow! After a brilliant book 1, the next meeting with Hush is even better!
Creations of both Brains and Paul were so multi-dimensional and so well crafted! All the characteristics, all the background were done with care and played perfectly into their story!
Need more!
Creations of both Brains and Paul were so multi-dimensional and so well crafted! All the characteristics, all the background were done with care and played perfectly into their story!
Need more!
August 25, 2020
Rock on!
I enjoyed the second book in the Summer of Hush series. Brains is the man the band looks up to , the one with the smarts. But he is hiding his true self. When he meets Paul, everything changes.
I enjoyed the second book in the Summer of Hush series. Brains is the man the band looks up to , the one with the smarts. But he is hiding his true self. When he meets Paul, everything changes.
August 23, 2020
This book was quite slow paced but I really enjoyed it.
Paul and Brains had an instant connection and I enjoyed watching the sparks burn wildly between them. These two needed each other more than they realised.
This was a beautiful story about friendship, love and healing. I really liked the secondary characters too especially, Penny.
*I voluntarily read this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else's*
Paul and Brains had an instant connection and I enjoyed watching the sparks burn wildly between them. These two needed each other more than they realised.
This was a beautiful story about friendship, love and healing. I really liked the secondary characters too especially, Penny.
*I voluntarily read this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else's*
August 24, 2020
4.5 Stars!
I LOVE Billy "Brains" Brennan and Paul McNally!!!
Brains and Brawn by R.L. Merrill totally lived up to my expectations. I loved the first book, Summer of Hush... Silas and Krish had me swooning. I was so delighted and engaged in their storyline and the Warped tour. It made me feel like a kid again. (Back in my rocker chick days.) RL Merrill took me on one fantastic ride. She continued that ride in Brains and Brawn just at a slower, more emotional pace. Although, the beginning of this book, picks up where Brain's had his accident on the tour.
We get Brain's & Paul's POV. Once we get past the accident and how Brain's ending up living with Paul, the story pretty much soley focused on them. Which I loved! Right from the start, their connection was palpable. They clicked in every way possible.... Mentally, spiritually and physically. It was an immediate connection.
That gave me goosebumps!
Brains is such an enigma. From the outside, he is brilliant, put together, but on the inside he's a scared little boy. He past has does a number on him. He has his heart and past locked up in a vault! Even the closest to him don't know his story... His bandmates are his chosen dysfunctional family. (The antics with these guys had me cracking up! What a bunch of knuckleheads.)
He's their leader, the one who keeps them going.
So, when he gets hurt, he needs to learn and accept the help of a stranger...
The gorgeous, to good to be true, older man who makes his heart skip a beat.
Chief Petty Officer Paul McNally is a natural born nurturer. He's taken care of countless soliders in his career.
So when a beautiful, injured rockstar Brains latches onto him, his only thought is to get him well. What he didn't expect was an overwhelming attraction to the younger man....
Two people who need each other more then they know! They casted such a spell on me. I fell hard and fast for them. Their relationship was both saccharine and profound.
Every secondary character brought so much to this story! Paul's sister Penny and her two children, Polly and Quinton were exceptional!! I adored them. The guys from the band were still the rambunctious group from the first book. The scenes with them were filled with hilarity.
RL Merrill has created an amazing world full of rockstars, shenanigans and feels that I will continue to happily get lost in!! Bring on book 3!
I LOVE Billy "Brains" Brennan and Paul McNally!!!
Brains and Brawn by R.L. Merrill totally lived up to my expectations. I loved the first book, Summer of Hush... Silas and Krish had me swooning. I was so delighted and engaged in their storyline and the Warped tour. It made me feel like a kid again. (Back in my rocker chick days.) RL Merrill took me on one fantastic ride. She continued that ride in Brains and Brawn just at a slower, more emotional pace. Although, the beginning of this book, picks up where Brain's had his accident on the tour.
We get Brain's & Paul's POV. Once we get past the accident and how Brain's ending up living with Paul, the story pretty much soley focused on them. Which I loved! Right from the start, their connection was palpable. They clicked in every way possible.... Mentally, spiritually and physically. It was an immediate connection.
That gave me goosebumps!
Brains is such an enigma. From the outside, he is brilliant, put together, but on the inside he's a scared little boy. He past has does a number on him. He has his heart and past locked up in a vault! Even the closest to him don't know his story... His bandmates are his chosen dysfunctional family. (The antics with these guys had me cracking up! What a bunch of knuckleheads.)
He's their leader, the one who keeps them going.
So, when he gets hurt, he needs to learn and accept the help of a stranger...
The gorgeous, to good to be true, older man who makes his heart skip a beat.
Chief Petty Officer Paul McNally is a natural born nurturer. He's taken care of countless soliders in his career.
So when a beautiful, injured rockstar Brains latches onto him, his only thought is to get him well. What he didn't expect was an overwhelming attraction to the younger man....
Two people who need each other more then they know! They casted such a spell on me. I fell hard and fast for them. Their relationship was both saccharine and profound.
Every secondary character brought so much to this story! Paul's sister Penny and her two children, Polly and Quinton were exceptional!! I adored them. The guys from the band were still the rambunctious group from the first book. The scenes with them were filled with hilarity.
RL Merrill has created an amazing world full of rockstars, shenanigans and feels that I will continue to happily get lost in!! Bring on book 3!
September 8, 2020
I was disappointed that so much of this book overlapped with the first book. Reading them back to back made it even more painful. There had to be some way to avoid that.
August 26, 2020
This is the second book in the Summer of Hush series, but can be read as a standalone.
Paul McNally is a forty two year old navy man. Growing up, he never thought he would be in this line of work, but here he was missing another one of his son’s birthdays and working overseas.
To compensate for his absence and to make it up to his son, he gifts him tickets to the last Warped Tour along with a pass to Brains’s Drumming Technique workshop.
When he attends said workshop with his son, he is taken aback by the depth of his sudden attraction to the goth Rockstar, but what surprises him the most is his concern for the vulnerability behind Brain's confident and professional exterior.
𝘓𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘺-𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘻𝘰𝘯𝘦. 𝘓𝘦𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘢 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘦’𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯
Billy Brennan also known as 'Brains' to his fans is the drummer of his band Hush. As the oldest and most experienced of his bandmates, it made sense for him to be in charge of their band. He loves his found family and would do anything it took to keep the band afloat.
Brains is less than thrilled to be doing a behind the scenes workshop but a certain stacked, muscular attendee definitely makes it more bearable.
When Brains is injured by a tent collapsing on him, he immediately finds himself been taken care of by the handsome and capable Navy Corpsman.
Playing nursemaid to the sexy rockstar is no hardship for Paul, and he can't help but fall for the intriguing and vulnerable young man.
Will Paul and Brains act on their mutual attraction? But most importantly how will Paul explain to his son, Bowie that he is falling for a younger man?
𝐵𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑠 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑙𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑛 𝑡𝑜 𝑚𝑢𝑠𝑖𝑐 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑃𝑎𝑢𝑙 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑘, 𝑙𝑎𝑢𝑔ℎ, 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒….
𝑂ℎ, ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑃𝑎𝑢𝑙, 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑏𝑜𝑑𝑦, 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑑, 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑘𝑒𝑒𝑝 𝑘𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 ℎ𝑖𝑚, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑑𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑚 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑠 𝑔𝑜 𝑜𝑓𝑓.
I appreciated the depth of emotions between the characters. It was very heartfelt and realistic.
Paul has been lonely for far too long and Brains just needs someone in his corner, supporting him for a change.
Even though the attraction was instant between them, we get to see their relationship grow and evolve.
I loved the author's writing style and that the characters were so real and relatable.
If you are looking for an opposites attract, age gap romance with witty dialogue, self discovery and a ton of emotions, I definitely recommend this!
Paul McNally is a forty two year old navy man. Growing up, he never thought he would be in this line of work, but here he was missing another one of his son’s birthdays and working overseas.
To compensate for his absence and to make it up to his son, he gifts him tickets to the last Warped Tour along with a pass to Brains’s Drumming Technique workshop.
When he attends said workshop with his son, he is taken aback by the depth of his sudden attraction to the goth Rockstar, but what surprises him the most is his concern for the vulnerability behind Brain's confident and professional exterior.
𝘓𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘺-𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘻𝘰𝘯𝘦. 𝘓𝘦𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘢 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘦’𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯
Billy Brennan also known as 'Brains' to his fans is the drummer of his band Hush. As the oldest and most experienced of his bandmates, it made sense for him to be in charge of their band. He loves his found family and would do anything it took to keep the band afloat.
Brains is less than thrilled to be doing a behind the scenes workshop but a certain stacked, muscular attendee definitely makes it more bearable.
When Brains is injured by a tent collapsing on him, he immediately finds himself been taken care of by the handsome and capable Navy Corpsman.
Playing nursemaid to the sexy rockstar is no hardship for Paul, and he can't help but fall for the intriguing and vulnerable young man.
Will Paul and Brains act on their mutual attraction? But most importantly how will Paul explain to his son, Bowie that he is falling for a younger man?
𝐵𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑠 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑙𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑛 𝑡𝑜 𝑚𝑢𝑠𝑖𝑐 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑃𝑎𝑢𝑙 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑘, 𝑙𝑎𝑢𝑔ℎ, 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒….
𝑂ℎ, ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑃𝑎𝑢𝑙, 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑏𝑜𝑑𝑦, 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑑, 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑘𝑒𝑒𝑝 𝑘𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 ℎ𝑖𝑚, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑑𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑚 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑠 𝑔𝑜 𝑜𝑓𝑓.
I appreciated the depth of emotions between the characters. It was very heartfelt and realistic.
Paul has been lonely for far too long and Brains just needs someone in his corner, supporting him for a change.
Even though the attraction was instant between them, we get to see their relationship grow and evolve.
I loved the author's writing style and that the characters were so real and relatable.
If you are looking for an opposites attract, age gap romance with witty dialogue, self discovery and a ton of emotions, I definitely recommend this!
August 29, 2020
3.5 stars
The synopsis of this rock star romance sounded interesting, so I thought I’d give it a try even though I haven’t read Summer of Hush, the first in the series.
The premise is fun, if unlikely. Paul and drummer Billy (aka Brains) meet when Paul takes his son Bowie to see Brains and his band Hush perform during the Warped Tour. When Brains’ leg is fractured during a freak accident, Paul steps in to help, but he does a lot more than use his emergency medical training as a Navy corpsman to make sure Brains is OK. Instead, Paul winds up taking Brains home with him to oversee his recovery after he’s released from the hospital. Once Brains is installed in Paul’s house (and his bed!), can love be far behind? (The answer is no, obviously.)
So, Paul and Brains go from being complete strangers to living together to being a couple in a heartbeat. It’s much faster than I typically like in a romance, but here it mostly worked. In addition to being smart and hot, Paul’s a natural caretaker, and that’s not something Brains has had much of in his life; he’s generally the one supporting the other guys in the band. When Brains has a health scare (on top of his broken leg), the fact that he can depend on Paul to be there for him is a powerful draw. And while Paul loves to take care of others, Brains reminds Paul that it’s OK for him to think of himself and what he needs, too. The two of them are such a good fit, the deepening romance between them seems natural.
The one thing that lessened my enjoyment of the book was the third act crisis point where Paul and Brains almost split up. Throughout the story, Paul is a strong and determined guy, the kind of person who can be depended on, no matter what. But when Brains rejoins the tour temporarily and Bowie gets upset about him and Brains being together, Paul just walks out on their relationship and then sits around feeling sorry for himself. That hit a wrong note for me because I couldn’t reconcile it with the rest of his behavior.
I’d still recommend this, though, especially for readers who like books about rock stars. The author obviously loves music as much as she does romance, and that shines through in the story.
This review is based on a complimentary advanced reader copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
The synopsis of this rock star romance sounded interesting, so I thought I’d give it a try even though I haven’t read Summer of Hush, the first in the series.
The premise is fun, if unlikely. Paul and drummer Billy (aka Brains) meet when Paul takes his son Bowie to see Brains and his band Hush perform during the Warped Tour. When Brains’ leg is fractured during a freak accident, Paul steps in to help, but he does a lot more than use his emergency medical training as a Navy corpsman to make sure Brains is OK. Instead, Paul winds up taking Brains home with him to oversee his recovery after he’s released from the hospital. Once Brains is installed in Paul’s house (and his bed!), can love be far behind? (The answer is no, obviously.)
So, Paul and Brains go from being complete strangers to living together to being a couple in a heartbeat. It’s much faster than I typically like in a romance, but here it mostly worked. In addition to being smart and hot, Paul’s a natural caretaker, and that’s not something Brains has had much of in his life; he’s generally the one supporting the other guys in the band. When Brains has a health scare (on top of his broken leg), the fact that he can depend on Paul to be there for him is a powerful draw. And while Paul loves to take care of others, Brains reminds Paul that it’s OK for him to think of himself and what he needs, too. The two of them are such a good fit, the deepening romance between them seems natural.
The one thing that lessened my enjoyment of the book was the third act crisis point where Paul and Brains almost split up. Throughout the story, Paul is a strong and determined guy, the kind of person who can be depended on, no matter what. But when Brains rejoins the tour temporarily and Bowie gets upset about him and Brains being together, Paul just walks out on their relationship and then sits around feeling sorry for himself. That hit a wrong note for me because I couldn’t reconcile it with the rest of his behavior.
I’d still recommend this, though, especially for readers who like books about rock stars. The author obviously loves music as much as she does romance, and that shines through in the story.
This review is based on a complimentary advanced reader copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
September 9, 2020
Brains and Brawn
MMy Thoughts Confessions and Review:
Not going to lie, this made me cry. It wasn’t the ugly stuff this time, but more the oh sweet Joan Jett and all those Blackhearts this is better than any Hallmark!
We knew from book one, what was going to happen when book two began, so that was a bit of a recap, just this time told from the perspectives of Paul and Billy Brains (the drummer of Hush). Brains is the gel that holds his bandmates together, so when tragedy strikes, removing him from the equation, the band must move forward to finish the tour.
Paul, a Corpsmen in the US Navy has hit his 25th year and decided it is time to retire. At forty-two that still leaves him with plenty of time left to enjoy life with his son, sister, and her two kids. He has no idea when he gets into a verbal sparring match with Billy Brains over different drummers and their varying drumming styles that his life is staring down a different path than the one, he previously thought it would.
Unlike reading “Summer of Hush,” I did not have a soundtrack playing for me, because I do all my reading now with TTS. However, I always take notes now as I read, to help my memory issues. So, each time the book would mention a band or song in the story, I wasn’t familiar with, I would make a note. That way I could look them up on YT and have a good reference point.
I can’t say I loved “Brains and Brawn,” more than “Summer of Hush,” because that would be like saying I love moose tracks ice-cream better than fudge brownie. I love them equally but for different reasons. This is an age-gap romance that deals with both physical and mental illness. Topics of suicide, PTSD, loss of family, facing tragedy, not giving up, crossroads decisions, single-parent homes, special needs kids, and a few other themes are present. The greatest however is love. Love of family, friends, colleagues, strangers, etc... This is a story of hope and beyond the Rockstar Romance is a story/ series I think many would love escaping into.
I now very patiently await book three…😇
Sharonica’s Logic: 5.00 shook-me-all-night-long-stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I graciously received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. 🎶
MMy Thoughts Confessions and Review:
Not going to lie, this made me cry. It wasn’t the ugly stuff this time, but more the oh sweet Joan Jett and all those Blackhearts this is better than any Hallmark!
We knew from book one, what was going to happen when book two began, so that was a bit of a recap, just this time told from the perspectives of Paul and Billy Brains (the drummer of Hush). Brains is the gel that holds his bandmates together, so when tragedy strikes, removing him from the equation, the band must move forward to finish the tour.
Paul, a Corpsmen in the US Navy has hit his 25th year and decided it is time to retire. At forty-two that still leaves him with plenty of time left to enjoy life with his son, sister, and her two kids. He has no idea when he gets into a verbal sparring match with Billy Brains over different drummers and their varying drumming styles that his life is staring down a different path than the one, he previously thought it would.
Unlike reading “Summer of Hush,” I did not have a soundtrack playing for me, because I do all my reading now with TTS. However, I always take notes now as I read, to help my memory issues. So, each time the book would mention a band or song in the story, I wasn’t familiar with, I would make a note. That way I could look them up on YT and have a good reference point.
I can’t say I loved “Brains and Brawn,” more than “Summer of Hush,” because that would be like saying I love moose tracks ice-cream better than fudge brownie. I love them equally but for different reasons. This is an age-gap romance that deals with both physical and mental illness. Topics of suicide, PTSD, loss of family, facing tragedy, not giving up, crossroads decisions, single-parent homes, special needs kids, and a few other themes are present. The greatest however is love. Love of family, friends, colleagues, strangers, etc... This is a story of hope and beyond the Rockstar Romance is a story/ series I think many would love escaping into.
I now very patiently await book three…😇
Sharonica’s Logic: 5.00 shook-me-all-night-long-stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I graciously received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. 🎶
September 4, 2020
5 Stars
This new book takes up near the end of the “Summer of Hush”. It can be a standalone but I do recommend reading the previous story. This is a tale laced with loud music, cute rockers, and an unlikely match of two men that meet at a concert. Brains is the intense and brilliant drummer for the band Hush. He’s sort of the den father and keeps the other members in check with his responsible attitude. During a drum demo, he sees a Captain America look alike and boy is he intrigued. Paul has been a Navy corpsman for over two decades and he feels a weird pull towards the younger but fascinating musician. Their moment together may have been fleeting but it leaves a lasting impression for both men.
At the concert with this college-aged son Bowie, Paul is frankly stunned at his visceral reaction to the handsome and talented drummer. After the gig, the men from the group are signing autographs when a serious accident injures Brains. The drummer sees Paul in the crowd and begs him to stay with him. Now we are off to a very interesting story!
Paul is the world’s most nurturing man! It is simply second nature to him. He offers to watch Brains at his home, as the Navy corpsman is nearing retirement and has the time to help. The band is upset to leave him, but Brains refuses to cancel their gigs. There’s plenty of bonding time for the pair when the rockers bustle off.
I loved all the characters in this book. Paul, who is genuine and kind. Brains, who is a decent man but harbors a scary and dark past. Paul’s sister and kids were an absolute delight along with his anxiety-ridden son Bowie. I just really enjoyed getting to know this interesting group of people and was rooting for the Navy man and his drummer love interest to realize there can be a forever and the past can just be the past. I strongly recommend this well-written and tender story of finally escaping your worst fears. Happy Reading!
***Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn’t a requirement.***
This new book takes up near the end of the “Summer of Hush”. It can be a standalone but I do recommend reading the previous story. This is a tale laced with loud music, cute rockers, and an unlikely match of two men that meet at a concert. Brains is the intense and brilliant drummer for the band Hush. He’s sort of the den father and keeps the other members in check with his responsible attitude. During a drum demo, he sees a Captain America look alike and boy is he intrigued. Paul has been a Navy corpsman for over two decades and he feels a weird pull towards the younger but fascinating musician. Their moment together may have been fleeting but it leaves a lasting impression for both men.
At the concert with this college-aged son Bowie, Paul is frankly stunned at his visceral reaction to the handsome and talented drummer. After the gig, the men from the group are signing autographs when a serious accident injures Brains. The drummer sees Paul in the crowd and begs him to stay with him. Now we are off to a very interesting story!
Paul is the world’s most nurturing man! It is simply second nature to him. He offers to watch Brains at his home, as the Navy corpsman is nearing retirement and has the time to help. The band is upset to leave him, but Brains refuses to cancel their gigs. There’s plenty of bonding time for the pair when the rockers bustle off.
I loved all the characters in this book. Paul, who is genuine and kind. Brains, who is a decent man but harbors a scary and dark past. Paul’s sister and kids were an absolute delight along with his anxiety-ridden son Bowie. I just really enjoyed getting to know this interesting group of people and was rooting for the Navy man and his drummer love interest to realize there can be a forever and the past can just be the past. I strongly recommend this well-written and tender story of finally escaping your worst fears. Happy Reading!
***Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn’t a requirement.***
September 19, 2023
Love these guys!
Billy 'Brains' Brennan is the drummer in Hush, and the band's defacto dad on the road - he's the one who keeps the other guys as healthy as possibly, both physically and emotionally. When he encounters an intriguing silver fox during one of his drum tech sessions on the Warped tour he's all kinds of interested, but when disaster strikes and he's injured there's only one man he wants and needs to keep him feeling safe and grounded.
When Navy Corpsman, Paul, is in the right place at the right time to meet one of his son's drummer heroes and become that man's anchor in the chaos, he's pretty much already gone for the younger guy. As meet cutes go, this isn't exactly sweet but it does set the tone for a very satisfying deep emotional connection between Brains and Paul. I love the way their relationship develops and the way in which Paul's mile-wide protective streak is 100% focused on Brains during both his physical recovery after the accident and his mental health after Billy finally shares the series set he's been carrying around for a decade. All this whilst trying to juggle his own emotional wellbeing and his son's...wow, Paul is just pretty much perfect! What's more, I really love the way Brains brings a bit of levity to Paul's life at the same time - they have fun, sweet and hot together which really brings great balance to the story. And it needs it, not just when the emotional lows hit, but also the dramas in the band. There's a lot to unpack, but with the support of the brilliant side characters, whether they be blood related or band family, our guys find their way to their HEA. Love it! 5*
Billy 'Brains' Brennan is the drummer in Hush, and the band's defacto dad on the road - he's the one who keeps the other guys as healthy as possibly, both physically and emotionally. When he encounters an intriguing silver fox during one of his drum tech sessions on the Warped tour he's all kinds of interested, but when disaster strikes and he's injured there's only one man he wants and needs to keep him feeling safe and grounded.
When Navy Corpsman, Paul, is in the right place at the right time to meet one of his son's drummer heroes and become that man's anchor in the chaos, he's pretty much already gone for the younger guy. As meet cutes go, this isn't exactly sweet but it does set the tone for a very satisfying deep emotional connection between Brains and Paul. I love the way their relationship develops and the way in which Paul's mile-wide protective streak is 100% focused on Brains during both his physical recovery after the accident and his mental health after Billy finally shares the series set he's been carrying around for a decade. All this whilst trying to juggle his own emotional wellbeing and his son's...wow, Paul is just pretty much perfect! What's more, I really love the way Brains brings a bit of levity to Paul's life at the same time - they have fun, sweet and hot together which really brings great balance to the story. And it needs it, not just when the emotional lows hit, but also the dramas in the band. There's a lot to unpack, but with the support of the brilliant side characters, whether they be blood related or band family, our guys find their way to their HEA. Love it! 5*
September 20, 2023
Brains/Billy and Paul have a shared love of music but not a lot else in common on the surface. As they get to know one another, it becomes more clear that they have plenty in common, from caring for their bodies to protecting their loved ones (sometimes at their own expense).
This is a sweet story of finding love in unexpected places—and getting some amazing benefits from some otherwise tragic events. Brains, Paul, Penny and the kids, and Bowie (mostly!) are all great. Maybe it’s because I came to this from You Can of Magic (the Carnival of Mysteries), but I didn’t think much of Hush collectively (and Ryan’s band is even worse). Perhaps it’s the stress of the tours, or maybe it’s just really not my lifestyle, but I found the people pretty awful and not very supportive most of the time. (There were so few instances of band members being great in the book that it was hard for me to really understand why they were putting up with this.)
I much preferred the time spent with Paul and Billy as Billy recovered and they really got to know one another. It was so clear that Billy needed someone really on his side, and Paul was ready to fully commit to making him happy. I wasn’t very impressed with Bowie’s part in the conflict, but I think this partly comes from having read You Can Do Magic first, where it made it seem like this conflict was ongoing and long-lasting. (I wasn’t paying that much attention to timescale in that book, and there was no resolution there.) I was very happy to see everything get sorted here. These two deserve to be happy!
This is a sweet story of finding love in unexpected places—and getting some amazing benefits from some otherwise tragic events. Brains, Paul, Penny and the kids, and Bowie (mostly!) are all great. Maybe it’s because I came to this from You Can of Magic (the Carnival of Mysteries), but I didn’t think much of Hush collectively (and Ryan’s band is even worse). Perhaps it’s the stress of the tours, or maybe it’s just really not my lifestyle, but I found the people pretty awful and not very supportive most of the time. (There were so few instances of band members being great in the book that it was hard for me to really understand why they were putting up with this.)
I much preferred the time spent with Paul and Billy as Billy recovered and they really got to know one another. It was so clear that Billy needed someone really on his side, and Paul was ready to fully commit to making him happy. I wasn’t very impressed with Bowie’s part in the conflict, but I think this partly comes from having read You Can Do Magic first, where it made it seem like this conflict was ongoing and long-lasting. (I wasn’t paying that much attention to timescale in that book, and there was no resolution there.) I was very happy to see everything get sorted here. These two deserve to be happy!
August 28, 2020
This book is amazing as now I have done a re-read . The connection between Brain’s (Billy ) the drummer of the metal core band Hush and his Chief Petty officer is one to devour. Brains has a sad past that he has kept hidden away for a very long time. Paul , is Brains Chief Petty Officer who has felt lost for a good while , he nurtures Brains and takes such care of him after the dreadful accident .
A slow burn romance with a longing but not ready to conquer his past, Brains tries not to succumb to Paul but …... Paul has his issues big issues but how he works them and to help Brain is a credit to him .There are beautiful moments , which are written so very well .. I will miss these great guys.
So much going on in their lives with family, which is fabulous, and the band they have a lot to work through ,,, But they do and I couldn’t be more happy .. with a big WooHoo … A great book , great characters, everyone one of them .
A slow burn romance with a longing but not ready to conquer his past, Brains tries not to succumb to Paul but …... Paul has his issues big issues but how he works them and to help Brain is a credit to him .There are beautiful moments , which are written so very well .. I will miss these great guys.
So much going on in their lives with family, which is fabulous, and the band they have a lot to work through ,,, But they do and I couldn’t be more happy .. with a big WooHoo … A great book , great characters, everyone one of them .
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