Body Rocks by A.M. Arthur (Off Beat #1)
Released: June 28, 2016
M/M Romance
Swerve
Reviewed by Mandi
Everything is finally falling into place for Trey Cooper: his band has been accepted into one of the biggest music competitions in the country…too bad their drummer just quit to play with XYZ, their biggest rival. When Trey has a mind-blowingly hot hookup with a mysterious violinist, Trey definitely plans to see him again – just not on stage as a member XYZ.
Dominic Bounds’ time to make his musical dreams come true is running out. If something doesn’t happen fast, he has to head home to find a real job. This competition is his last chance, and Dom needs to come out on top – but he never expected to fall for his rival. As Dom and Trey risk everything to begin a secret affair, there’s no denying their chemistry is off the charts – but could their band rivalry turn their romance into a one-hit wonder?
Trey’s passion in life is his band, so when they lose their drummer just days before they are to play in a big indie music festival, things look dour. If they finish first at this festival, they could win money and their own recording contract – it would be a dream come true. Letting off some steam as they search for a new drummer, Trey goes to one of his favorite hangouts to listen to open mike night and have some drinks. Trey is gay but in the closet – only his best friend knows. That doesn’t keep him from looking at hot men, and when a man by the name, Dom goes on stage and wows everyone with his violin, Trey is hooked and even goes on stage and sings while Dom plays.
Their intensity on stage turns into Trey and Dom having sex that night. While normally I’d be cheering at this part of the story, I was a little let down. Trey is a virgin when it comes to actual intercourse, and there was no build up or sexual tension leading up to this. I felt that way throughout the book. They had chemistry and a lot of make out scenes but no build up to anything.
Soon after this, Trey finds out Dom is in a competing band, going up against them for the recording contract. So they have to keep their relationship a secret – and after this more things come out, and Trey’s secret of being gay is exposed as well.
The premise of this book really drew me in – two competing indie rockers who fall for each other, but the reality didn’t work so well for me. This story felt really slow. The lack of sexual tension definitely added to the pace. Trey and Dom get together so fast and fall for each other so easily, all that was left in the story was the music competition which didn’t wow me so much. For it being an “Indie rock” competition, they played Katy Perry and Taylor Swift – songs I wouldn’t necessarily consider Indie Rock.
We get both Dom and Trey’s back stories which have darker moments, but for some reason I was never drawn in. At one point, Dom has to rush home when one of his sisters is assaulted, and I felt like it again slowed the story down instead of engaging me.
I liked Trey and Dom – they have sweet personalities, but overall I was bored with this one.
Grade: C
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