Filthy Rock Stars

Love Unexpected #3

by R. Cayden

I can’t stop thinking about him, but I don’t even know his name…

The stranger with the rakish grin upends my world.
It’s not just that the tattooed bad boy saves me from my ex with a getaway motorcycle ride.
I confess secrets to him in the rainy park that I’ve never told another person, and we do things in the shadows that I’ve only dared fantasize about.

I’m surprising myself a lot lately.
At the Natural History Museum where I work, I take a chance and share my secret, geeky music project with friends, only to stumble my way into an audition with the hottest rock band in the world.
Actual rock gods who, for some reason, really like my keyboard solos.

But a shy, ordinary guy like me could never be a rock star.
And the brooding man I now meet for anonymous hookups can’t be anything more.
We’ve set strict boundaries, and keeping them in place is the only way this can work.

With a heated rivalry erupting between my new band and Forbidden Destiny, a hard rock band that’s dominating the charts, I don’t have time to fall in love anyway.
Until I finally see the bassist in Forbidden Destiny, and love comes straight for me.

Filthy Rock Stars is an M/M rock star romance with secret identities, celebrity hijinks, and two sweet guys. It features a geek who becomes a rock star, a rock star who has always been a bit of a geek, and enough dirty talk to steam up a sauna. The third book in Love Unexpected, it can be enjoyed as a standalone or as part of the series.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary, LGBT, Musicians, Gay, Music

281 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 2, 2022

About the author

R. Cayden writes steamy M/M romance and sweet, easy reads.

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You can also send along an email. I love hearing from readers, and knowing what you think of the stories!

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Thanks for reading!

Reviews

[Simona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting! Anonimous dating between rock stars.
Loved the chemistry

[Mir · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be very enjoyable. I really liked the plot of anonymous hookups to discovering who each other truly was.

There’s some plot holes but they’re minor. I see other reviews saying there’s poor communication, but other than the main “angst” of the book, once they know each other’s identity I really didn’t think the communication was bad at all.

There’s a lot of sex here but I loved it all, but most of all I just enjoyed how fluffy and cute this was and how badly Shadow (one star off due to the terrible name) and Nico work to just be together.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book filled with bad communication, petty adults acting like teenagers, horrible side characters, and next to nothing chemistry. My favorite kind.

[Florence . · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC but aww this one was great. This was exactly the sweet and sexy moment I wanted it to be and I loved it. This was everything I wanted to be reading at this moment of my life.

I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest opinion

[Devy B · Rating 1 out of 5]

1 stars for the name “ Shadow”

Too much sex, no relationship development, sex in public. I have nothing against public sex it can be very appealing and hot but here is OTT and not realistic, I have skimmed a lot of them like 75% of the book 😆
I haven’t read the épilogue.

Both are part of two “rival” bands so they don’t have time to see each other a lot. When they do, it’s for a quickie in a public bathrooms, arenas (Nico had to wear a catwoman costume so the fans won’t recognize him) , helicopters, changing rooms before the shows and they aren’t even out to anyone they were shocked when they got caught by paparazzis 🤪


The writing is kinda amateurish. Besides it’s typical Cayden : fucked up bad boy who doesn’t do commitment and the sweet geek who helps him take his life back after being controlled by someone evil and fell in love with him, he’s free to do whatever he wants and wants a relationship.

End of the story.

I don’t recommend.

[Jane aka Coughy019 (Safety info included) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tropes: anonymous hookup to lovers, rockstar/geek, rockstar/rockstar
Feels: 4/5
Steam*: 3.5/5
Kinks: sex in risky public places
Angst: low
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks: homophobia, bad parents

Nico is a geek, plans his life to the minute. Openly gay. With a secret passion for creating quirky music with a nerdy twist. And a public sex kink.

He meets Shadow, a rockstar who is in the closet because of his homophobic family. He has no idea who Shadow is. They hookup, and keep hooking up. Nico through a wild coincidence auditions to join the band in a one-sided feud with Shadow's band. And he makes it. By the way, Shadow's band is assholes. They realize who eachother are. But can they make it work given all the conflict? It's turned into feelings.

I liked this. Nico and Shadow were good characters. They had a lot of chemistry between them and genuine feelings. It was a nice low angst story. I didn't like how Shadow was so dumb with his original contracts. It's not attractive to be ignorant and manipulated like that, to not pay attention to hugely significant legal contracts. I liked the realism of the conclusion, that there was work put in. The Lovefool VMAs moment was cute. I don't think this author's style of writing smut resonates with me, but that's not a big thing - it's physical, but not so sensual IMO.

Some notable moments:

"He gasps. “What? Why did you gasp?” “It’s just so exciting!” he says, his voice ringing like a bell. “You’re a rock star having a secret relationship with another rock star! And all I did today was dye my underwear and bake cookies.”"

"My brain latches on that word, monogamy. I’ve never done that before, but the realization that we haven’t clarified our commitment and that Nico could, theoretically, hook up with someone else terrifies me. “F***. Monogamous. Yes. We’re that.”"


*FYI, I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink."

[HarriReadsRoMMance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nico and Shadow are smoking hot from their very first meeting. The anonymity they begin with is understandable and sexy considering where they both are emotionally at the start of the book. I feel so sorry for Shadow with what he had to deal with. It would be so draining dealing with such day in day out and completely understandable why he’s so drawn to Nico and their game to start as a way to step outside of his life. Their game of guessing each other’s jobs was pretty fun too. They have some growing pains once things become “real” between them but once they get that sorted it’s beautiful to see pretty smooth sailing between them despite the outside forces of them being in rival bands. This book, while steamy as heck, isn’t just that. There’s a lot of emotion too which really had me rooting for Nico and Shadow. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Heather Duff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never before have two men been so bad at communicating, but when they finally get their act together…they rock!

What starts as an anonymous hookup, turns into anonymous friends with benefits. Neither realizes that their lives are about to collide IRL. Filled with geeky banter and rockstar flare, they both have to figure out how to push aside the outside noise and decide their own paths and fight for it and fight for each other.

R. Cayden specializes in easy, laid-back books with fun characters and lots of steam. All in all, an enjoyable way to spend a few hours.

< ARC provided by GRR and this is my honest review >

[Janet Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m seriously enjoying this series so much! Nico and Shadow were amazing together, so much chemistry! They start as a hookup to turns to friends with benefits all anonymously! I seriously loved their banter. Overall, a fantastic read! The story was really well written, the story will hook you! The pacing flowed smoothly, highly recommend. I’m voluntarily reviewing from an advanced copy that I received. My review is solely based on my thoughts and opinions.

[M · Rating 2 out of 5]

Uninspired and extremely improbable romance between a sweet nerdy guy and an internationally famous rock star. The drama in this book relied heavily on coincidence, and the chemistry felt very forced. It's not a long book, but it took me forever because I had to drag myself through the last few chapters. Not a great read for me.

[Jordyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 46%

I just don’t feel the connection between the characters and I’m not invested enough in the petty drama to continue reading.

[Sarah C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a fan of R. Cayden's works since the first book I read of theirs and this book did not change that opinion. It lived up to the expectations set by the other books in this series and continued the low angst, high heat combination that we all come to love from R Cayden.

Honestly, this book surprised me. I didn't realize how much I would enjoy the initial conceit or how well it would work. Two men meet and hook up. They decide they enjoy the anonymous, so they don't share names with one another. Instead, they come up with nicknames for each other - and that's used until their paths inevitably cross and they learn the truth about who the other is.

It shouldn't have worked so well, but R Cayden's characters made it work and made it work so well.

I think what worked best on this type of story was the fact that the lack of names didn't mean that they weren't getting to know one another. While it started as just hookups - usually to fill a bit of a public sex kink - they started to open up to each other. Even before they had names. They started getting feelings which made it make sense that when life tried to stand between them, they'd keep pushing.

While this is book three in the series, it can be read as a standalone. Characters from other books appear, but I don't feel like its necessary to read them to really understand anything in here. I definitely recommend - but then I recommend the whole series.

** DISCLAIMER: ARC provided by GRR for fair and honest review. **

[Juniper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nico and Shadow start as anonymous hookups and quickly build a relationship that has plenty of heat and more than a little sweetness as well: they share more than just attraction and a love for scifi, and they both realize that and lean into their connection, even when they think they aren’t. Their growing relationship is the highlight of the book for me, and I love how it transforms both their lives, especially Shadow’s. It’s heartbreaking, seeing just how many people in Shadow’s life are using him, and how conditioned he is to expect nothing better. Neglectful, emotionally abusive parents, bullies for bandmates, a mercenary record label…he has no one in his corner until Nico, and it makes sense that he struggles to find the right path forward and the strength to believe in his own worth. I love that Nico helps him see the good things about himself: he has a much wider base of emotional and career support than Shadow does, despite his new-to-rockstardom status. There are definitely parts of this book that strain credulity– the sheer speed of Nico’s musical career and the scenery-chewing villainy of Shadown’s bandmates top the list, and I do wish Shadow had more confrontation to go with his closure, although I can’t say that there isn’t a deeply dramatic and showy “cement the relationship and solve all the problems” scene that does some of that. Overall, an enjoyable read.

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Bkwrm24 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nico and Shadow 🔥❤️🔥
4 Stars 🌟

Well, well, well.....someone's got a dirty secret 🔥 I ate this one up...it was so delicious 😈

Nico and Shadow started out as an anonymous kinky hook up after a chance meeting, deciding to see each other again and again with that same arraignment.... it slowly but surely turns into such a sweet and sexy little love story. I adored these two, they were such dorks together...their chemistry was off the charts hot but their relationship proved to be so much more than that. Shadow was such an encouraging presence for shy and timid Nico....he gave Nico the courage and strength to go after his dreams when he otherwise wouldn't, in turn Nico gave Shadow the truth, support and love that Shadow has been missing in his life...it took him a while to realize he was worthy of Nico's affection and love but when he did omg....cuteness and sweetness overload!!! As always R Cayden give us another incredible read...I can always count on this author as my go to for the perfect balance of sexy and sweet. I 100% recommend this story and this series!!!

* I received an ARC from GRR, this is my open and honest review *

[Alison Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the first two books of this series but I think this one might be my favorite! Shadow and Nico were such amazing characters and I loved their shared geekiness so much! It might seem from the outside that these two characters have almost nothing in common but the more you get to know them and their true selves, it is easy to see why Nico and Shadow are so drawn to one another from the very first time they meet. This book was the perfect mix of sweetness, heat, humor, and heart! I loved getting to see Nico come out of his shell and find his confidence while still remaining true to who he really is. Shadow's personal growth was a little bit more slow but it was so satisfying in the end to see him stand up for himself and finally go after what he really wants out of life. The epilogue is one of my favorite parts of the book and I loved seeing how happy and successful both Nico and Shadow are! While the MC's from the other books in the series make appearances in this book, Filthy Rock Stars can easily be read as a standalone. Great series overall and I hope we haven't seen the last of these guys!

[Chelsea Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just keeps getting better and better! This book was so much fun to read! It kept me intrigued and hooked from the very beginning. There was sweetness, steam, humor, music and all the feels! Filthy Rock Stars is about Nico and Shadow, two strangers who turned into regular hook up buddies who then developed a connection so deep you could feel it through the pages. I felt completely immersed in this book like I was actually there. Nico and Shadow had amazing off the charts chemistry from day one. I loved reading about these two amazing men! If you haven’t started this series, you should definitely go pick it up! You will not regret it!! The whole series is worth the read!!

I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.

POV: 1st Person Dual POV

Standalone or series: Book 3 in the Love Unexpected series

Would I recommend it: 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ highly recommend!! 🤩

Would I read it again: Most definitely!

[Tammy Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series! Nico and Shadow were so hot together! While their "relationship" starts out as an extremely well timed anonymous hookup, they soon realize that maybe they could extend their trysts. I love how open they were able to be with each other while still remaining secretive about their actual identities. The cover stories they used for who the other thought they were had me in stitches! The freedom to let go of their real life personas allowed these two the chance to get to know the "real" people that they never felt safe to reveal in public. As their true identities come to light, decisions about how to proceed as a couple become much more difficult for each of them. The one thing that is never in question is the scorching hot chemistry these two have and the creative ways they find to satisfy their desires.

[L H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nico and Shadow start with anonymous hook-ups that lead to them wanting and feeling more. There starts a series of unexpected things. Nico, the geek, becomes a part of a band. Nico and Shadow wind up in rival bands. And although they seem like very different men they have great chemistry, are falling for one another and they have a lot in common. Things started for them casually but they didn't stay that way. They are both sweet guys and they deserve better than Shadow's bandmates treatment but in some ways the beginning of their relationship is the start of better days for both of them in ways neither could have seen coming. Nico into a career he did not expect and Shadow away from toxic folks and into love with a good guy. Enjoyed this a lot.
I received an ARC from GRR for an honest review.

[Jo Atkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this book was so good that I stayed up until 3.00am reading it. Nico meets a stranger in the street whilst trying to avoid his ex and takes a chance. The stranger is intrigued because the young man he has just run into doesn't know who he is. Confessions occur which lead to anonymous hook ups out in the public. To keep their identities to themselves they become Prince and Solo. Prince/Nico gets the chance to audition for a famous rock band who love him and want him to join. Solo is in a band that he is not happy with as they have taken to dissing another band. During a set up Prince is outed as Nico and Solo is outed as Shadow. The story then follows their path towards a HEA (maybe). Great from start to finish

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best in the series!

I loved the plot of this one. The “anonymous” hookups turned very much not anonymous were so steamy and fun. Nico and Shadow were hit with a lot of obstacles but I do feel like they handled them maturely.

They did have their moments, but there was no big breakup 3/4 of the way in as is typical. I loved that they stuck together!!

I wish we got more details on what happened with Shadow’s old bandmates. I wanted the satisfaction of knowing Adrian and Elle got what was coming to them, but I was especially hopeful that Cutter and Shadow would remain friends.

The fact that Cutter wasn’t mentioned at all in the epilogue was a disappointment.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and especially liked Nico and Shadow!

[Sam Jewiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

After a chance encounter Nico and Shadow meet and hook up for some intense public sex. They decide to keep it anonymous and don't share names but they slowly fall for each other.
This book was hot. Like seriously hot!!
I really wanted to hug Shadow at multiple points during this book. He deserves all of the love for who he is rather than what he can do for others. I'm so glad he met someone like Nico. Nico is so blooming adorable, and talented. People definitely underestimate him.
When the two of them get together, it is seriously fireworks. They are hot and steamy but also their love is heart warming.
I loved seeing the previous couple cameos, Kissing Dirt, and I really hope Damian gets a book because he was awesome!

[Joanne Mccorkell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Im not in thebleast surprised that I really liked this book. Ive really liked the rest of the series.
I enjoyed seeing the leads of the other books as well as Mare and the kissing dirt band, but adored Shadow and Nicos story.

Shadow broke my heart as he felt like he had to figure everything out alone, despite never having a partner to rely on before, he grew up being told he was useless. Any wonder he never felt good enough for Nico. As for Nico, after everything his ex put him through any wonder he thought he was too much for Shadow.
But I certainly found Nico blurting out his kink at the start a good way for any relationship to start.

[Amy Dahmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Shadow the rock star who was nothing like his band and Nico who he met for amazing secret hookups. Eventually unbeknownst to Shadow he encourages Nico to try out for rival band Kissing Dirt. Eventually they discover each other making for some awkward moments as these two try to find their way in an awkward world where their groups are not getting along. Shadow trying to find an out and both of them finding a way to make it work made for a great read. Overall this was a fantastic steamy and smutty read. This series keeps delivering and I highly recommend this one if your looking for conflict, angst, and steam with a very happy resolution this book is the one for you.

[C.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing kills the magic like 'talk'! Two guys anonymously meet and fall in deep lust. When you're in a 'mood', random sex can lighten it. Nico and Shadow, keep stumbling into relationships and new career paths. They have secrets. They share secrets. Life is challenging, decisions are hard. The story is an anthology of feelings as they move through the 360 degree spectrum of human emotions. Where do they settle? Do Nico and Shadow find their balance? Do they resolve their career issues? Do they make better choices for themselves? Nice story. Lots going on. Great family and friends support. Nicely done. I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mary Vitrano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nico and Shadow, from strangers to regular hook-up to lovers. The perfect evolution of these two characters.
And the flow... omg! At first I was like: dude, put your big boy pants on and claim your life. And when he did it? Bang! I was "lovefooled"!
And don't let me start about all the hot and steamy and sexy scenes!
And the music... I know, I know, you can't hear music from a book. But I assure you, in this you can. You are thrown into space.
Please, go grab a copy, right now! You won't regret it!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[K-Me · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, so wow. this book was hot! Who does not love a savior on a motorcycle? Nico and Shadow have off the chart's chemistry starting in a park!! Just plain smoking hot. The fact that they start an anonymous arrangement and for quite some time, do not really know the real each other at all just makes it even better. The fact they did not communicate just brought on more hotness factor. I received an arc, and I am not going to give away anymore. Just read it if you enjoy a nerdy, rockstar romance that I promise will keep you turning the page!!

[Stephanie W · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Rockstar and the Geek

One moment. One chance meeting changed everything for Nico and Shadow. Who knew that saving Nico, would result in some of the sweetest, humorous and amazing moments.
Oh, and they had no idea who the other person was... musicians from different bands. Quite the dilemma and things only get better from there. I guess they were a little short on communication.
Nico and Shadow are incredibly hot together. The kind of chemistry I love indulging in.

**I received this ARC via GRR for my honest feedback.**

[patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved the first two books in this series and was very excited to read this book, which I absolutely loved also. Solo/Shadow and Nick were perfect for each other. They balanced each other out and had AMAZING chemistry. Can I just say that some of the "public" scenes were smoking hot and had me fanning myself! The writing of this book was pretty good. I felt like I was a rockstar right along with the characters. The epilogue was awesome too. It wad nice to catch up with previous characters also. I even fantasized about Nico's space opera being real. It sounds totally cool!!

[Latecia Jennings · Rating 4 out of 5]

**ARC Review**

This was definitely Love Unexpected. Nico and Shadow's love came out of nowhere. I really enjoyed how they met and what led up to their kinky explorations to something more. The drama with Shadow's band was disappointing but overall I enjoyed the romance between these two nerdy musicians. Very steamy and HOT plus sweet and emotional. They really fit well together. Start to finish I was engaged and cheering these two on for their special HEA. I was very satisfied with the ending and I would recommend this to anyone who wants to read a some spiciness with sweetness.

[smatchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not usually a fan of rock star romances, they just aren’t my jam (pun intended). I have trouble suspending my disbelief when things works out well for the MCs because I’m sure those entertainment lawyers know what they are doing when they write those contacts. I have enjoyed the other two books in this series, so took a chance on this one. I liked that the contact issues were dealt with somewhat realistically, but the most of the rest was a lot of fantasy love and heat between Shadow and Nico.
Recommended!