I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. I read this some time ago and did not enjoy it as much as I thought that I would. The characters and their chemistry is pretty hot but once they started calling each other their pet names it became rather disturbing and then the hot scenes turned a whole lot less hot and kind of gross.

I read book two right before this book, and after how dark and rough the previous book was - Hard Rhythm felt like a breath of fresh air. This author does a great job combining two subgenres that I know a large group of romance reading patrons love - BDSM romances, and rock star romances. I've suggested this series to readers that loved the Stage Dive series, but wanted something a little edgier.

While this book itself was good, I think the romance took a back seat to the story of Chino's family. Not to say there wasn't plenty of drama with Chino's family, but if you're in this series for the romance and smut, Hard Rhythm seems to lose its rhythm somewhere near the 70% mark. The book did have a strong finish, and definitely leaves readers wanting more - so hopefully the remaining bandmates will get their own story soon. And who knows, maybe they will even get their story together - menage or m/m seems to be the BDSM trope that Tan is missing in this series.

This is the third book in this series but it's my second read in the series. I read the last installment but I will say for any readers who also read that last book, this one is pretty different. The characters in this book are not like the others in the series and the book has a different feel than at least the last book.

Maddie is a hostess at the super exclusive sex club that is featured in all the books in this series. When we are introduced to Maddie, she is described as a switch- someone who can alternate between being a Dom and a submissive. I don't really love the female Dom books but if you are like me, no need to be concerned about this one. Maddie is a sub for nearly the entire book. In fact, I think it's fair to say that what Maddie really needed and longed for was the freedom to be a submissive. In the scenes where she acts as a Dom, the real Maddie is locked up tight.

Maddie has been attracted to Chino whose entire band is in the sex club but she has never acted on that attraction. Maddie assumed that Chino was just some arrogant rock star/manwhore Chino, mostly in response to Maddie's attitude towards him assumes that Maddie hates him. But then something happens. Chino challenges Maddie in a way that she can't pass up and through that challenge Maddie discovers something about herself that she had been missing. Maddie doesn't know how to deal with finding this part of herself but Chino knows and is the perfect balance for her. And even though Chino is hiding stuff of his own, Maddie also helps him to come to terms with some truths and to accept himself.

Oh oh oh, how could I forget, the sex scenes are amazing. The BDSM aspects are well described and realistic without being over the top. The characters are well developed, the story moves forward quickly and I think you'll find this book entertaining and romantic.

Lots of sex, lots of kink, tons of chemistry and just packed with a good time. Very enjoyable and definitely recommended!

This book was really weird. I guess it's just not quite my catnip. It's good I've read it, so I can recommend it for patrons who are looking for this kind of book, but it wasn't really my cup of tea.

Secretive sex club, sexy as sin drummer from famous rock band and a hostess from afore mentioned sex club; what you get is a voyeuristic look into the BDSM world…with a rocker! Chino had been biding his time for a shot at the voluptuous sex club hostess, Madison and it finally happened. Nothing like dares to bring out all the naughtiness in people.

Once this door opened for Chino and Maddie it took time to build off their attractions to something much deeper that one could only wish for in a relationship as far as truly trusting beyond comprehension. Yes, you are taken front and center into the world that many people only fantasize about so be prepared for some down and dirty. This book also comes with a message in domestic violence. Chino’s mother and sister have hard and scary decisions to be made and since Maddie has helped with domestic violence help lines before she is there to give guidance to these women. Just like Chino’s family some people do not see the difference between the physical punishment given in BDSM and domestic violence. I thought Ms. Tan did a great job of dealing the taboo subject matter. This is the third book in the series and I can’t wait to see what’s next for our bad boy rockers who seem to be falling for women who know how to please their Dom.

I received this book from NetGalley as an ARC for a freely given honest review.

ARC received for review

3.4 stars (just can't give it enough to round it up to 4)

Haven't read book one. Loved book two.

This one dragged for me till about half way. Chino was all kinds of hot and with Maddie he got even hotter. It got better until she had to say the dreaded "D" word during a scene and then sex. I just don't understand that, and it slightly grosses me out. It was a good book, but those two things keep it from four stars.

When I start a Cecilia Tan book I know I am in for some SCORCHING sexy steamy times and a fantastic story. I absolutely love this series and could not get enough of Chino and Maddie. Their chemistry was Hot, their banter was fiery and the overall story was fantastic!

This is the third book in the rockstar/sex club series. But is a complete standalone for those that haven't read books one and two and is Maddie and Chino's story for those that recognize them from the previous books. This book was just really fun. It was full of great banter, kinky sexy times and romance. Throw in a sneaky journalist out to look for dirt on the club and Chino's family drama, it made for an enjoyable read! Bravo! 4 stars!

I would like to thank NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for an advanced copy of this book for an honest review.

Chino had been watching Maggie every time he came into the Governor's Club - which was a secret and exclusive sex club owned by the Hamilton sisters who had inherited the sex club Chino wanted a chance with Maggie but so far hadn’t figured out a way to get one. The Hamilton sister’s grandfather had hired Maggie to work in the club so she was jaded and had seen everything and had not been shocked in a long time. This is a BDSM club. Maggie also has a new job reviewing sex toys Then a bet is made with a spanking contest going on between Maddie and Chino but Maddie zones out and Chino is concerned about Maddie. and that shows the chemistry burning between Maddie and Chino. Maddie didn’t really like Chino although she did desire him. Chino is the drummer for the band The Rough. Maddie doesn’t trust Chino at first but as she gets to know him she let’s her guard down. Maddie doesn’t like giving up control but as her trust for Chino grows she can let go more. Maddie and Chino what they wanted and weren’t afraid to take it. Maddie has had many jobs but her dream job was as a journalist but it just never happened. But after the bet Maddie and Chino became kinky friends of a sort with benefits. Chino has a lot of family issues to get through from his past. Chino had nothing to do with his stepfather who was abusive. Chino had left home at sixteen because of his stepfather. But he left behind his sister , brother and mother. But his stepfather was strictly religious and was saying that Chino was evil, Maddie does give Chino’s mom and sister some useful information on domestic violence and where they could get help. Maggie had issues with negative feedback when she had taken on the role of sub or bottom. All Maddie really wanted was to be approved of. Maddie lets the Hamilton sisters know that a nasty reporter wants to know the secrets of the clubs and to let it be known. The trio of The rough- Chino Axel and Max also set out to help the Hamilton sisters. Normally chino escapes his demons in his music but now he also has Maddie. Chino and Maddie’s sexual relationship has become that of daddy/girl.
I liked this book quite a bit oddly enough. It gave more more of understanding of the BDSM lifestyle and about a lot of the relationships are covered and all sorts of limits. I have always been a curious person and this definitely gave me more insight and i Liked that except I wasn’t particularly comfortable with the daddy/girl style but I did get through it. I loved how the author actually put real domestic violence information in this story that was real and any of the readers could use it if they needed to. I tip my hat to the other on that as it is still a big concern unfortunately. There was definitely hot hot sex in this story. But I loved how Chino and Maddie were working toward more than just sex. All and all a very good story even if it was way out there with the kink . I liked the characters a lot and then ins and outs of this story and I recommend. I do wish I had read the previous books as i feel I would have had a lot of background for this story and may go back and read them.

I’ve been turned into a Cecilia Tan fangirl, and let me tell how excited I was when Susan let me know that Hard Rhythm, the third in Tan’s Secrets of a Rock Star series, was on its way to me. Whee!

Turns out, this one is the story of one of Ricki and Gwen’s employees, Madison. She hooks up with a member of Axel and Mal’s band, Chino. He’s the drummer.

Like I said in my other reviews of the earlier books, I don’t see a lot of rocker in Chino. He’s very much an everyman, and that is disappointing. In fact, we see so little of Chino’s rocker side that I hesitate to call this Rock Fiction.

I gotta admit, of the three books in the series, this is my least favorite. The guys—Axel, Mal, and now Chino—aren’t quite distinctive enough, and their personalities are all sorta blending together. They’re dudes in bands and they’re all doms – how’s that affect your band dynamics there, guys? – and they support their successful women… but what sets them apart from each other? I need more.

The other thing that totally squicks me out is the Daddy-baby stuff. Ugh. Age play just isn’t my catnip.

A few other things and man, I hate to rip on Cecilia, but… this one just didn’t hit the mark. The ending felt rushed and the situation with Chino’s family was too simple, too fast. There was real meat in that subplot, and I really wanted to see more of the struggles and the intricacies and all of it. It came on too slow, resolved too easy, and just wasn’t satisfying. Same for the subplot that occupies Ricki and Gwen, and I’m not going to spoil that except to say what I just did: came on too slow, resolved too easy, and just wasn’t satisfying.

So I dunno. This one didn’t hit the mark. It felt rushed, and almost scattered. Like, what’s really the story here? Is it really Chino and Maddie? If so, focus on that. Or is it Chino and his family? If so, focus on THAT. I’d dig both stories, separately, and in fact, Chino’s family’s story could be some really positive, helpful fiction if Cecilia would develop all that stuff out. It’s important stuff and could really help others. I want that for her, to write something really ground-breaking.

I’m writing this one off as a mis-step in an otherwise really awesome series. I love the first two in this series, and I love how Cecilia makes me bring new eyes to sex dungeons and submission and what it all means. She’s still writing incredible scenes and still teaching me new things and sometimes, it can be hard to expand your world in all directions at once. Cecilia’s not the first author who’s struggled with that as I watched. She probably won’t be the last. But she’s one I’m hoping gets it under control ASAP. And, of course, if she needs help, Susan’s just an e-mail away.

I am leaving this one unrated- I did finish it and it had some good points, but there is one fundamental element of Chino and Maddie's relationship that just skeeved me and I can't get past it. The use of "Daddy" and his girl to define their relationship is not something that works for me - ever. It's actually too bad because there were some interesting points to the story like Chino's relationship with his estranged family members and the threat of the Governor's Club being exposed by a sleazy journalist. Oh well onto the next...

This 3rd book in the rockstar/sexclub series is about Maddie and Chino. Chino is the drummer of The Rough and Maddie works in the secret Hamilton-family bdsm club. She’s worked many jobs in her life. She always wanted to be a serious journalist, but it never really happened. But she’s pretty happy where she is now. Which is where she met and kind of disliked, but also lusted after Chino!
And now, after a sexy bet one night, they’re kind of friends. Kinky friends with benefits.
But could it become more?

description

I really enjoyed this story. It wasn’t very rockstarish. It was a bit too sex-club kinky for my tastes. Not that the things they do are weird, it’s just a bit too much and too often. I wanted more normal moments with them. But we also have those normal moments. Chino has lots of family problems that need to be solved and some journalist is after the secrets of the sex club.

All in all a very erotic & adorable & funny & serious romance! I LIKED! ☺

For the most part, I enjoyed this book. The relationship between Chino and Maddie was enjoyable to watch develop. I really liked that Maddie was experienced in the BDSM lifestyle. So many BDSM books feature the hero teaching the heroine but I liked that both Maddie and Chino were on an equal level. As much as I liked both the characters and the plot, I did have an issue with the later part of the book. Maddie and Chino’s relationship delves into a level of BDSM I haven’t read before and discovered I was uncomfortable with. While I wasn’t a fan, I decided to not let that aspect of their relationship ruin the book for me.

Are they ready to go all the way?

Maddie Rofel has seen it all. Even the kinkiest games she witnesses working as a hostess in L.A.'s most exclusive private sex club fail to shock her, much less turn her on. Until the night she has a very personal encounter with drummer Chino Garcia, and the two discover an intimate connection neither can deny. Suddenly the jaded hostess is softening under Chino's touch, and submitting in ways she never expected . . .

All his life, Chino has been running from something. Normally he beats back his demons by losing himself in his music. Now he's losing himself in Maddie. And, while it drives Chino wild when Maddie bares her body to him, what he really wants is for Maddie to bare her soul. For that, Chino will have to push Maddie past her furthest limits-and share his own dark secrets.




Review:




I was very surprised when I started reading this book, though I should not be after reading the last book. You think it might just be about kink but there is a lot of depth to the story also. The issues that Chino and Maddie have make them more interesting and add to the depth of the story. I thought the issues were very well-done, written wonderfully and made perfect sense for the characters and story. The kink level is high in this story, so be forewarned if this is something that bothers you. Though it is never good when a romance starts out on a bet, it broke the ice for these two who had been circling each other for a while. I loved Chino's family and back story, very unique in my opinion. Both characters were very strong, passionate, the role play in their romance was so great and I really got into that part of the story.



This is the final book in this series but this can totally be read as a stand alone and not be confusing. I can attest to that since I always seem to start series out of order.




4Stars




*I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book provided by the publisher.*

This is the third book in the Secrets Of A Rockstar series. I have read all the books and well I felt a bit let down with this one. Don’t get me wrong the flow was ok and the writing, in general, was good, however, for me, something was missing. This one actually delves into the deep issue of domestic violence.

While reading this book I enjoyed the lead Chino as well as Madison. They met because of where she works at and exclusive club. Madison and Chino are older than the previous two couples, thirty is right around the corner. There is a lot going on in this book. There is the BDSM aspect of it, for me though it didn’t read like a real BDSM couple. Madison isn’t truly a submissive. At times I didn’t feel like Chino was a true Dom. I felt like it was more of a porn book than not. They were so back and forth.

When they finally decide to see where it goes and he asks for her complete trust before he can make that final move, was drug out. That didn’t bother me. That was the part that kept me engaged.

All in all, it was an ok read, but me I had a hard time connecting. I give this a 3.5 star read as they had great chemistry and worked well each other. I liked getting to see some of Chino’s family. I like the friends and we got to see them from the previous book.

OK well I enjoyed this book but it wasn't one I couldn't put down. It took me about a week to read Hard Rhythm because I was losing interest in this book. I think it is because I just wasn't a fan of the characters or maybe I just wasn't in the mood to read the genre at the time.

3.5 stars

In Hard Rhythm by Cecilia Tan we meet Maddie Rofel and Chino Garcia. Maddie works in an exclusive private sex club and Chino is the drummer for The Rough. Maddie and Chino have baggage each needs to deal with, but cannot deny the connection they feel for each other.

Maddie has seen it all and really, working in a sex club, nothing surprises her. At least not until the night she meets Chino. Disillusioned from past experiences, she does not expect much from men, so she keeps a lot of herself private.

Chino has always found solace in his music. It allows him a chance to put the past behind him, though he can never really forget. His was not an easy family life and after years of running, can he finally confront and deal with his past?

Chino and Maddie’s journey is one of exploration, learning to trust and being able to be open and honest. There was a lot of sex (sex club after all), some of it on the kinky side. There may be some themes here that may not be for everyone, but overall, it added to the flow of the story.

I really enjoyed the honesty and openness between them when they talked about what they were planning to do and experience together. The understanding between them as they considered what was safe, really allowed their trust in each other to grow.

Though I was able to enjoy this story on its own, I think I would have benefited by reading the first two books in the series. Even so, it was an enjoyable story about two people exploring their sexual desires and relationship needs. As well as a bit of intrigue.

Erotic, spellbinding and romantic, this kinky series hits all the pleasure spot on me. Hard Rhythm is the third in the Secrets of a Rock Star series. This can be a standalone as I read this book out of order. The only regrets I have are reading this book so late and not reading the first two books in this series. Ms. Tan wowed me with her characters, plot and amazing kinky sex.

For those who are looking for erotic romance, look no further. Ms. Tan delivers lovable characters who come across down to earth. Chino Garcia may be the drummer of a band and he looks like a bad boy, but he is a gentleman. Chino is a dominant and when he turns his dom voice on, I melt into a puddle, just like Maddie Rofel.

Maddie is a character I really liked. She's smart and funny. Plus she's a red head which is a definitely weakness of mine. Maddie is sex vlogger and has been in the sex industry for a while. One of the coolest jobs she works, is as a hostess in an exclusive private sex club. Do these clubs exist? Probably for the rich. Is this a bit glitterkink with the exclusive club? Yes, but it is so much more.

I love how Ms. Tan describes what goes on in this club. It may be exclusive for movers and shakers, but what happens in the club is not too different than clubs I've attended. The kink is fabulous. The BDSM scenes in this story are blazing hot. The arousal level this book achieves is off the charts for me. The reason is because of the scenes that are graphically described. I can see them and they are a complete turn on. Ms. Tan knows her BDSM and it is very evident in her accurate portrayal of the different scenes. What I enjoyed most about her scenes is how most of it was mental. The mind-fucking as well as the D/s is very appealing. When Chino kicks it up a notch with having Maddie expose herself in the club, it is hard not to reach for a vibrator to hum along.

Whilst this story may incorporate BDSM, the focus is still on the romance, specifically Maddie and Chino falling for each other. It may come across as insta-love; it is not. I liked the setup of how they danced around each other for six months and we come in when they finally decide to play with each other. They may have come together through their mutual enjoyment of kink, but it is much more than just sexy times. The reader learns more about each of their lives. This adds depth to the story and engages the reader. I'm fully vested in Chino's family situation. I am rooting for Maddie as she starts a new job which sounds like so much fun. The best is, these characters are true to themselves and they are happy with it. This is what really makes the book work for me. Ms. Tan creates characters who are not perfect and they are perfectly happy with it. This kinky book featuring exhibitionists, Daddy kink and flogging is highly recommended to all kinky readers.

Hard Rhythm is the third and final (sadly) book in best-selling author Cecilia Tan's Secrets of a Rock Star series. The previous books are Wild Licks, and Taking the Lead, and Hard Rhythm is no disappointment in the series.



Maddie has been working at the most exclusive BDSM club in Hollywood for a while now, and has seen it all. She's done much of it too, because you can't teach without experience. But she still feels a big empty space inside, that she can't be a "real" submissive because she can't let go.



Chino, the drummer for the most wildly popular rock band, can't get over Maddie. He's had a thing for her since the first time he saw her. But he's got abandonment and family issues of his own to work through before he can fully commit to a relationship.



Chino & Maddie eventually decide to give in to their mutual feelings, but Chino wants Maddie to completely give herself over to him. She's bared her body, but Chino wants her mind as well. And in learning to bare Maddie's mind, Chino learns to bare his past and family. And in learning to bare their deepest secrets, Maddie & Chino will forge a bond beyond what either could have hoped for.



As always, Cecilia is at the top of her game, giving hot, steamy sex together with characters you care about. Relationships you want to succeed, packed full of naughtiness. I've said it before, and I continue to stand by it, Cecilia Tan is one of the greatest writers of smut out there. Few others can combine the tenderness of a budding romantic relationship together with the endorphin packed beginning of D/S relationship the way she has with the Secrets of a Rock Star series.



If you're looking for some loving smut, pick up the series. If you're new to the smut genre, pick up the series. If you like your love stories on the sexy side, pick up the series. It starts off quickly, there are no boring parts, everything is important for the stories, and the sex is marvelously hot. It's definitely a must read.