This booked played with my emotions the whole way through. Theo is a rock star who hates being famous buts loves performing for his fans. Caleb is a recovering drug addict who also used to be a famous blues musician. One lonely night between touring, Theo was walking and heard someone playing music in a small bar. He stopped and was transfixed by what he heard and who he saw (Caleb). They spent one hot night together. But Theo couldn’t shake Caleb and Caleb kept thinking of Theo. After his tour ended, Theo found Caleb and their passionate, yet scary relationship started forming. These two ripped my heart apart. Both of them are struggling with past demons and are afraid to fully trust their feelings. I was so lost in their journey. I loved it and hated it sometimes. This is a truly touching romance. Perfect!

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 Stars

Riven is a contemporary MM romance between an older blues musician and a young, reluctant rock star, solely focusing on their character development, within their relationship with one another and within themselves.

Slow paced, with a small cast of characters, I have to be honest how it took me several days to finish the novel. Not because I didn’t enjoy it, but rather because there just wasn’t much going on to ‘hook’ me. It meandered at times, causing it to feel longer than its page count. With that being said, I did truly enjoy Theo and Caleb.

Theo is all about the music and the performance, and absolutely loathes the bells and whistles. He joined a band because he wanted a sense of community, camaraderie, of family. Being the lead singer, which means he is the frontrunner who has fans clamoring for his attention, jealousy and a divide keeps Theo from connecting with his bandmates in the way he wished he could.

Caleb had a good career as a musician, but he fell into all the trappings of being a star, including drugs. It took four stints in rehab, but it was basically maturity that has Caleb struggling to stay sane and sober. I felt this characterization was dead-accurate – the fear, the worry and panic. How he wants to be with Theo but not the celebrity that follows in his wake, how he wants to create music but not the trappings.

Theo and Caleb were hot together, a lot of chemistry and tension that was a bit too instantaneous for my liking. I need to be teased, have it drawn out and make me earn it. There was lust explored at the start of the novel, and the guys kept going there as they got to know each other on a deeper level. Prude, I am not, but I have to admit I skimmed the later sex scenes due to the abundance and redundancy.

The conflict was self-created. While I understood Caleb’s fear and hesitation, the ‘push you away’ was one or two too many times in a novel, removing the emotional impact while taking it into more of a frustrating-the-reader territory, when the reader knows they will eventually get there due to the genre. Able to predict the ending, I kept thinking, “C’mon, not again!”

Theo and Caleb resonated with me on an emotional level. I appreciated their struggles and growth as the novel progressed, and their connection felt real. The music intrigued me. However, the slower pacing, lack of any real conflict, the redundancy when it came to scenes/smexy time/relationship issues, and Caleb pushing Theo away a few times too many, this had my interests waning and contemplating DNFing the novel many times over.

The ending did give me the warm and fuzzies, so I’m pleased I persevered and do believe it was worth it.


Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
This is a full on angst-fueled romance between two tortured musicians. Theo is a reluctant rock star, the front man outsider in a band that both resents and needs his musical talents. Caleb is a washed-up Blues musician struggling to stay clean and away from the lifestyle that exacerbated his addiction.

There is an immediate connection between Theo and Caleb from their first meeting. But both men carry too much emotional baggage. Relationships require trust and vulnerability and neither Theo or Caleb can do either of these things. The result is an emotionally volatile push-pull relationship that I found exhausting and often infuriating as a reader.

The music is beautiful in this book and I love the way the author almost allows us to hear it. For me, the relationship between Caleb and Theo is so volatile that both men often seem childlike. Theo’s reaction to his success comes across as petulant and ungrateful. There were times I shared the band’s dislike for Theo because his arrogance and general misery aren’t terribly attractive.

I enjoyed the quality of the writing in this story more than I enjoyed the characters or their relationship. I’m probably older than the target demographic for this story and I think I’m a little too old for Theo’s emo angst. But as always, Roan Parrish’s writing is beautiful.


Angie – ☆☆☆
I have only read a few books by this author and seems like I am always in the minority on how I feel about each book. I almost didn't make it through this one. The insta-love between Theo and Caleb would have been fine with me, along with all the sex, I love sex in my books. However, I didn't connect with Theo or Caleb. I felt like some things were said over and over again, which drove me nuts. Then some of the story just seemed like filler to make the book longer or to try to make you like it more. Even the sex couldn't keep me interested. Theo and Caleb's story just wasn't for me but I am sure others will love it.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
I am a big fan of tortured rock stars who have had enough of fame and paparazzi – so this worked for me. It has to be said that Theo could have helped himself by communicating better with his band, as when he does finally they do tone their expectations down a bit.

Both Caleb and Theo clearly had an amazing talent, but not enough direction – so it was a bit frustrating at times to have them leading the story! They did, however, have wonderful chemistry, in every way, which kept the interest levels high even when their future together seemed so uncertain. The lack of supportive side characters who were integral to the story was noticeable – sure, there were both Rhys and Huey in Caleb's life, but their role seemed to be fixed around Caleb's fear of falling, rather than his chance at a clean future. And Theo really had no one except Caleb.

It was a different take on a rock star romance, and one which gave me pause for thought, and guaranteed that if I met them, we would eat out!

Have you ever read a book for the cover alone? What? Now don't look at me like that. Have you seen this cover? There's just something about it that's utterly magnetic. It lures you in. And then you read the blurb, and INSTANT HOOK!

This was my second book by Roan Parrish and I'm definitely a fan. Riven is an emotional, character driven story that was as gripping as it was raw. Now normally, I don't really enjoy a romance where the main characters hook up in less than 20% of the book. But that's what happened when Theo first stumbles onto Caleb. The unwilling rockstar that's trying to escape his reality meets a brooding recovering addict and sparks fly immediately. After no more than some conversation over their love of music and a romantic walk, they fall into bed together. But yet somehow it totally worked in this story.

The chemistry between Theo and Caleb may have been instant, but it also progresses over the course of their courtship. Caleb struggles daily with his sobriety. He was such an endearingly imperfect character. This is a man that's as far from perfect as it gets, and he knows it. After several failed stints in rehab, he hopes his third will be the charm. Cutting himself off fully from his previous life is the only way he sees of serving sobriety this time around. And Theo and his fame threatens everything he's worked so hard for.

Theo was absolutely adorable. There was something so vulnerable about him that you can't help but fall for him. He wears his heart on his sleeve and his emotions all over his face. He's one of the most genuine characters I've read in a long while. His fame is still a shock to him and something he struggles with. He loves music, but hates the notoriety that has come with it and the weird vibe that he seems to have with his bandmates. Caleb is his escape from his own gloom reality.

Theo had burrowed deeper than I’d realized, dug barbs into me. And when he’d ripped away—when I’d pushed him away—it had felt like they all tore loose at once.

This was a bit slower paced than I normally like, but it still worked for me. I loved the characters, and I absolutely loved the story. It may not have been my normal cuppa, but it was one I enjoyed from beginning to finish. Caleb and Theo were adorable together and oh so sexy. If you're looking for an emotionally charged, character driven story, this is a definite must read.

"If you're looking for a prize, you ain't lookin' for love. Love isn't a reward. It's not something you deserve or don't deserve."

I have to admit that this is my first Roan Parrish book but it will definetely NOT be my last. I absolutely adored this book and all the brokenness and rightness of all that was Theo & Caleb.

Theo Decker is part of the a huge upcoming rock band. He has it all. The fame and the fortune but he's misearble.

Caleb Blake Whitman was living it all but his demons won out, causing it all to crash down. Now he's trying to survive life after his most recent stint at rehab.

Music is the main thing in common between these two and by fluke Theo and Caleb are drawn together by music. They have one explosive night then Caleb walks away because Theo is too big of a temptation.

Theo has never fit into the world. He's always felt on the outskirts but something about Caleb makes him feel right. So, he makes the effort to make it with Caleb. However, things aren't always easy and both have their own demons causing some bumps along the way.

Their relationship had such a beautiful organic flow to it and it just grew and grew to where it needed to be.

I'm not sure if Rhys had his own book or story already, If he did I will hunt it down and read it, if he didn't then he''s such a great part of this story and I wish we did have his own book.

OMG, this book is awesome!! I don’t have enough words to say how much you need to stop everything and read this, so that statement will have to do. 😉 Warning, there is an element of insta-love in this. The two MCs meet and have sex and then can’t stop thinking about the other and then get together, but they are essentially strangers. Ok warning over! Now to the good stuff!

These guys are explosive, just burn up the sheets hot. One think you can guarantee with a Roan Parrish story – steamy hot sex scenes and men you want to be real. Theo is so sweet and sensitive, and also a lost soul. I don’t want to give away any spoilers so just know he has never felt truly wanted by anyone before, and he is now a famous rock star with band mates who don’t seem to care about him. He doesn’t feel connected to them and there is this energy between them that almost screams “stay away – we only want you for your talent, not you.” This really hurts Theo because he wants so much to be part of a close group and he is afraid to say no to them for fear of being rejected or hated.

Caleb though, he has his own demons to contend with. He is an addict and he escaped fame to live in a remote home away from the glitz and glam and drugs of celebrity/rock stardom. When Caleb and Theo meet, Caleb is apprehensive about getting involved with Theo because of who he is and what he represents. Their relationship (if you want to call it that – they certainly aren’t sure if they would) seems to be going smoothly until…Theo is followed by the tabloids to Caleb’s oasis. Now people know where Caleb is and where and who Theo is involved in. The drama between them that follows is so very real and hard to read. Caleb is so scared of relapsing, and Theo just wants someone to want him enough to try.

I was so in love with these characters, and it is MORE THAN OBVIOUS Roan did some research in music because literally everything written about writing music and the creativity behind it just blew me away and felt so real and I completely decided to never want to be a music writer, lol. 😀 That stuff is hard!!
Of course our hero’s can’t stay apart, and while the road wasn’t easy & smooth, these guys are so worth the potholes traveled to get to their HEA. I cannot wait to read more stories set in this world. An absolutely brilliant story and I highly recommend it.

Roan Parrish sure knows how to write a romance novel.

I liked just about everything about this book. That includes the scenario: Caleb, a blues singer and veteran of the music industry who has withdrawn from the world because of struggles with addiction, meets Theo, the young lead singer/songwriter for a hit rock band, and the two fall in love while navigating their careers and Caleb’s fears about relapsing. I liked the way the relationship between the two men is allowed to develop over time and with both of them occasionally messing up and then learning from their mistakes. And for anyone who wants plenty of hot scenes in their romances—yep, that’s definitely a plus here.

The only thing that niggled at me about this book is Theo’s extreme naïveté. I do realize that the author chose to write the character that way; more than one character notes that Caleb is very naïve. But it just didn’t seem realistic to me that a guy who has been involved in the music industry for several years could be as innocent as Theo seems to be. That’s the one thing that made Theo seem more like a character in a book than a real person to me.

Really, though, this is one of the best romances I’ve read in a while. Highly recommended.

A copy of this book was provided through NetGalley for review; all opinions expressed are my own.

This is a MM romance set in the world of rock music. The characters have great characters along with their flaws. They are well developed and you feel you know them. The ups and downs of their journey just adds to the story. The story moves at a great pace, I had a hard time putting it down. It is a wonderful read.

This story was such a roller coaster!

This book follows Theo, a very kind and gentle soul who wants to please his loved ones. He's an amazing and gifted musician, and I just want to protect him. Then we have Caleb, who is trying to find some stability in his life after the drugs and alcohol.

This book is the perfect example of the hurt/comfort trope. We have two broken men just trying to find themselves. Individually and together.

I loved that Caleb's addictions weren't swept under the rug. I recently read a book where this happened and it is the absolute worst. I appreciated that Roan showed the ups and downs of addiction, and I loved that we saw Caleb interact with his sponsor. Overall, I thought this very well done.

Riven was filled with heartwarming and heartbreaking scenes, I definitely recommend it!

Theo is a rock star and has all the problems that come with it. He meets Caleb and BOOM instant chemistry. I loved reading about these two characters and the problems they try to overcome. A wonderful read.

I received a copy of this book via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

4.5 almost true love ★'s rounded all the way up!

I love Roan Parrish’s writing. Seriously. I’ve said it before but I am going to say it again. She is easily and I’ll also add quickly climbing to the top of my favorite list. She has a way of writing that I feel I can see it, hear it and feel it. It's like magic. This was no exception.

I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about this one though, favorite author or not. Let’s get the disclaimers out of the way. First, I don’t normally even touch a book about addiction. It’s just not my thing. I don’t like that type of reality in my romance but, favorite author and all, so, chance given. Secondly, I don’t usually dig celebrity type/rock star stories. But, same, Roan Parrish. I don’t know why I was worried at all really.

If stories with addiction and fame were always handled this way I would probably change my tune. I wasn’t put off by either in this book. I can’t say I completely understand where either Caleb or Theo are coming from but I feel that these two subjects didn’t take over the story, they were part of who they were but not all they were. The normal formula was thrown out the window and I was able to just focus on the romance and read their story.

So, as I mentioned, it was just almost true love. I don’t really understand addiction, like I said, it just isn’t my thing and I like to live in my naïve bubble, so maybe with a bit more understanding I’d feel differently, but I feel like Caleb was just not in the right place for a relationship and Theo was continuously hurt by this but also too forgiving. It seemed to keep happening and it got on my nerves a bit. Naïve or not I mostly understand where Caleb’s fear was coming from but I’d have liked a little more of a backbone on Theo. Sorry does not always need to = sex. At least, in this case it shouldn’t. There needed to be a bit more groveling.

That is probably it truly. Everything else I think I loved. I especially loved Theo remembering a gig in Philly!

So, I’m just going to call it another win for me. I can’t wait for the next one!

I am a fairly unabashed fan of Roan Parrish. From her first book (that I honestly couldn’t believe was her first book) through and including Riven. She writes stories and characters that I just care about. That I want to know more about. I get immersed in their stories and don’t want to let go.

The dynamics between Theo- lead singer of Riven- and the rest of the band is like nothing I have read before. There’s the tension of Theo getting the most press being the lead singer, but there’s also the tension of him being the outsider. Riven was a band of three who needed a lead singer and song writer. He got hired. I think that this book really showed that even if you are in a rock band and famous, it is a job. And you don’t always get along with your coworkers for one reason or another.

Caleb knows what fame feels like. And the fall from it because of drugs. In recovery again, he basically hides out at his farm, venturing into the city once a month or so to play music in a dive bar without recognition. Until Theo sees him and feels his music deeply.

Oh I loved Theo. He is so broken, so lost, so innocent. He isn’t the angry guy who hates fame and is a total jerk about it. He hates fame but deals with it because it is part of the job. And because he needs music.

And Theo helps Caleb find his music again.

Their relationship started out as sex. And then grew into a really beautiful love. The way they supported each other without becoming a crutch was so sweet. No one was a whiny brat. No one did the whole “you can’t get past my walls!” thing. There was a bit of the you deserve better than me, but they worked through it.

Gah, I’m rambling.

I really loved this book.

Reluctant rock star Theo Decker just found out the tour he desperately wants over is going to be extended. Coming home for a few days, he's out walking about when he hears a tune that draws him in. He meets Caleb and they immediately connect through the music. I was so hooked on this book already by this point.

Caleb is on another try at recovery and occasional trips into the city are all he can take without risking his hard
fought sobriety. But when he meets Theo, he's enthralled with him and he too feels the connection that Theo feels.

There are lots and lots of feels here -- Theo's love of music and performing versus fame and everything that brings. And then there's Caleb -- he's afraid of so many different things, but he wants Theo and he's starting to trust his love of music again. They work together. I really loved this couple. I loved how they talked about music and how it was so important to both of them. Riven went so much deeper into the music than most of the rock star romances I have read.

I really enjoyed Riven, especially the portrayal of Caleb's addictions and his struggles with recovery. Theo is just adorable in his naivete and his love for Caleb. Not only are they smoking hot together, but they really talk to each other and I loved that about this book.

Nicely done!

An ARC was provided for review.

I chose not to finish this title. I read the majority of the novel however I found the writing to be very customary. There were many instances where the narrative felt as if it was lifted from any other ordinary romance. There was no chemistry between the protagonists and their romance feels overly manufactured. Add in the copious amounts of self loathing and I was completely uninterested.

Wow. This book was beautifully written and I’m feeling overwhelmed by the feelings it evoked in me.

Theo is a popular reluctant rockstar who doesn’t understand why he is so popular and can’t believe that he is deserving of being loved. Caleb is a former musician who is one year out of rehab, trying to get his life back together . When these two meet, sparks fly and from their first meeting, it’s so inevitable that they have to be together.

The character development is great in this book. The journey of Theo realizing what he wants from his life and Caleb trusting himself to dream of a future are amazingly written. Their internal struggles are very realistic and it was good to see them follow their own paths and find a way back to each other every time they separate. Their love story is absolutely beautiful and I was rooting for them from the get go. They also take time getting to know each other and it was wonderful watching them grow together.

The book is also full of musical terminology, aspects of creating music, the way Theo and Caleb visualize and feel their way through their writing process - it’s qll very enthralling and I wished I knew more about music. I think the author did a great job incorporating the intricacies of creating music as well as the negative affects the fame can have on a musician. Theo and Caleb’s struggles were very different and the author handled them each in a very individual way.

Overall, this book was a great experience and I would definitely reread it in the future.

I hadn’t read anything by Roan Parrish in a while and the cover of Riven really caught my eye. It’s a rock-star romance all about finding your way.

Even things that needed you could hurt you in the taking.

Theo Decker is the lead singer/songwriter for his rock band, Riven. But touring isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. In fact, he absolutely hates it. So, falling into Caleb—a man who loved it all too hard and lost it—leaves Theo floundering as much as it cements him in place.

I really enjoyed both of these characters, and right away, you could feel the chemistry. Caleb has some demons, battling with addiction, and his draw to Theo has Caleb wondering if he’s simply trading one addiction for another. That, and Theo is deep into the music scene. Something that left Caleb high and dry. I admired Caleb so hard. He has to think about each of his decisions and really dig into the why of it all. Heart. Throbs.

He was the most in-focus thing I’d ever seen.

Then there’s Theo who has this mega cute, awkward vibe. He pulls Caleb into risking again, but Theo has his own issues in the music world, too, and they’re pulled in different directions. My only complaint was that the latter half didn’t have that pull the first half did. I kept putting the book down because it fell into a pattern of break up, make up, break up, etc.

That tension was missing. However, this had some beautiful lines and wonderful imagery, and it just made me want to listen to music. Caleb and Theo are two characters who will pull you in.

4 stars!

In all honesty, as soon as I saw this gorgeous cover I knew I needed to read the blurb. Then when I read the blurb I knew I needed to read.

Blurb:
Theo Decker might be the lead singer of Riven, but he hates being a rock star. The paparazzi, the endless tours, being recognized everywhere he goes—it all makes him squirm. The only thing he doesn’t hate is the music. Feeling an audience’s energy as they lose themselves in Riven’s music is a rush unlike anything else . . . until he meets Caleb Blake Whitman. Caleb is rough and damaged, yet his fingers on his guitar are pure poetry. And his hands on Theo? They’re all he can think about. But Caleb’s no groupie—and one night with him won’t be enough.

Just when Caleb is accepting his new life as a loner, Theo Decker slinks into it and turns his world upside-down. Theo’s sexy and brilliant and addictively vulnerable, and all Caleb wants is another hit. And another. That’s how he knows Theo’s trouble. Caleb can’t even handle performing these days. How the hell is he going to survive an affair with a tabloid superstar? But after Caleb sees the man behind the rock star, he begins to wonder if Theo might be his chance at a future he thought he’d lost forever.


Riven is a rock star romance featuring two heroes. One is a reluctant rock star and the other a musician on the road to recovery from a heroin and booze addiction. They meet by chance one evening in a smoky bar and after a long walk and an easy conversation, share a sexy, sweaty night together. But when Theo wakes up, Caleb is gone. They reconnect several months later when Theo seeks Caleb out and surprises him at home. Neither have been able to get the other off their mind and they quickly pick up where they left off.
There were so many things I enjoyed about this romance. It’s angsty, but not so angsty that I felt like I needed to take a break in order to catch my breath. Told in alternating 1st person POVs, readers get to know each of them as they fall in love with each other and overcome their fears together. I think the portrayal of Caleb’s addiction and his anxiety about the future are realistically portrayed. Theo was easy to relate to with his love of music, but dislike of celebrity. Their chemistry is off the charts, and even though there are an abundance of love scenes, each one felt like they made sense within the story line.

There is so much going on with this couple. Caleb is a little older and has just left rehab for the fourth time. He is in a self-imposed exile on a family owned farm. He doesn’t have much to do with the music scene any longer because he can’t separate his addictions from his song writing and performing. For years they have been intertwined and he fears falling back into one will mean falling back into the other. He’s messed up everything good in his life, including a relationship with his family and a great career. He has two touchstones… his NA sponsor, Huey, and his once lover now turned best friend, Rhys. He and Theo have an instant attraction, but they are also able to communicate through music, which is really the lens each of them views the world through. Those things may bring them together, but as their relationship grows and evolves Caleb steps back repeatedly afraid to move forward with his new lover. And it all felt completely realistic to me.

Theo is looking for that connection, he’s always been looking for that connection. He didn’t have it with his family. He doesn’t have it with any of his band members. In fact, he really has no close friends and no one who really understands him. That is until Caleb comes into his life. They have chemistry, but there is a whole lot of complications to get through in order to connect on a stable and positive level. Fears to overcome, boundaries to set and respect, and an understanding of what kind of future they each envision. As vulnerable as Theo was at the beginning of the book, his character does develop into a man with a lot more confidence and determination by the end.

Roan Parrish is an author that has been on my radar for awhile. I’ve seen many a Twitter and Goodreads friend recommend her books, in fact I have some of her backlist sitting on my Kindle waiting for me to dive in. I’m not sure why I haven’t made the time before, because her writing is beautiful. I love her descriptions.

Here’s an example:

"There is this moment, before the first note left my mouth, when everything changed. There was the before and the after; the quiet and the noise; the off and the on. It was the moment when I felt like I appeared, pushing everything that I was out of myself like the notes I sang were a strong-currented river, able to disgorge me.

I could almost feel this moment with Theo as he took the stage and let the music over take his soul.

Here’s another quote that I loved. This is during an intimate moment where Caleb is watching and appreciating his lover.

"He moved like silk and water over me, creating a rhythm, then changing it. I lay there and watched him, marveling at how the fuck it was possible that I was here, right now, in this bed, with this man, when by all rights I should be dead. The gratitude welled up in my chest and I pulled Theo down to me, kissing his mouth desperately.

Happy sigh.

Seriously, this is such good stuff. Not only do I plan on putting the next book in this series on my TBR list, even though I have no idea what it is about, but I plan on making time to read this author’s backlist. Riven was an emotional, sweet, sexy, beautiful romance and I can’t recommend it enough. Final Grade-B+

Favorite Quote:

"I opened my arms, threw my head back, and shattered myself to pieces for them, until there was nothing left.

Oh wow, this book! 🙂 I loved Theo from probably about the second paragraph, and I have also loved Caleb so much.

Theo is a wonderful musician, enjoying in everything connected to music, but not so much enjoying the fame. The band is doing great, but it’s not exactly what Theo would want. He wants to create music, but he also wants to be free to go outside and live his life without being cornered by paparazzi, by people wanting to talk or photograph him.

Caleb, on the other hand, is a musician that has disappeared from the public eye because he is sure only total avoidance of the music and anything related to it would allow him to stay clean, to not relapse. He is living his life in fear of a relapse, so much so that you could barely call it living.

Both of them are dealing with problems. Theo keeps feeling isolated, not accepted by the others, not even in a band where he thought he’d find another family. But the others have been together from the beginning and Theo feels he’s on the outside. Caleb isolated himself, as said before, to stay clean after another stint in rehab. He doesn’t have a good opinion about himself, convinced he’ll screw up everything he’ll touch.

They do have instant connection, but they have to work through a lot of other things to actually get to the ‘in love’ thing, as well as the relationship thing. They do seem to belong together from very early on. As Theo said, Caleb can actually see him.

I have read some of Parrish’s books before and had a high expectations for this one. And it did not disappoint. The characters were realistic, in fact so much so that I just wanted to find them and hug them both!

The dual POV was a great thing as well. It was different than in the other books by Parrish I’ve read but I loved the fact that I could see things from both of their perspectives so much. It gave me chance to get to know both characters really well, their hopes, their fears, everything.

I think by now, Roan Parrish has totally become another of the one-click authors for me!

Riven
By: Roan Parrish

📚💕⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💕📚

Can Love be more important than Fame?

Let me start off by saying I absolutely loved this book. This was my first Roan Parrish read but will not be the last. I’ve read quite a few LGBTQ books and have really only enjoyed the ones that have the intensity like this book. I fell in love with Caleb and Theo. Written to show how raw and real people’s hearts are. I also loved that the author showed how organically two people can fall for each other.

Authors Blurb:Theo Decker might be the lead singer of Riven, but he hates being a rock star. The paparazzi, the endless tours, being recognized everywhere he goes—it all makes him squirm. The only thing he doesn’t hate is the music. Feeling an audience’s energy as they lose themselves in Riven’s music is a rush unlike anything else . . . until he meets Caleb Blake Whitman. Caleb is rough and damaged, yet his fingers on his guitar are pure poetry. And his hands on Theo? They’re all he can think about. But Caleb’s no groupie—and one night with him won’t be enough.
 
Just when Caleb is accepting his new life as a loner, Theo Decker slinks into it and turns his world upside-down. Theo’s sexy and brilliant and addictively vulnerable, and all Caleb wants is another hit. And another. That’s how he knows Theo’s trouble. Caleb can’t even handle performing these days. How the hell is he going to survive an affair with a tabloid superstar? But after Caleb sees the man behind the rock star, he begins to wonder if Theo might be his chance at a future he thought he’d lost forever.

I really enjoyed this book and it kept me engrossed throughout. I really loved the characters and the way they interacted with each other. This is a fun, hot, romantic must read book and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone.

This book has everything I love in a book. Then you add that it's beautifully written and believable. It is easily a five star read. Written in dual POV my personal favorite this story flows so incredibly well that the next thing you know your 80% into the book and loving every second of it. The believable way the characters interact is perfect. Run, Hop, Jump or use your (1 click) finger to do whatever you have to do and get this amazing book. It'll break your heart, you'll want to scream with frustration and it'll let you discover that love just might conquer all. The chemistry is steamy and sweet and oh so romantic.

Thanks Netgally for letting me read and review.📚💕

Reluctant rockstar and the blues musician!

Theo Decker is a reluctant rockstar and hates the trappings of being the lead singer of a popular rock band even though he feels he should. Theo thinks all the members of the band are having the same problems with being recognized and not being able to go out in public without being hounded by fans. One night while Theo was wandering the city, he heard Caleb Blake Whitman playing in a bar and wandered in because the music was so different from what his band played. Caleb is a recovering addict and former musician that had crashed his career when he was more concerned with his addiction than playing his next concert.

Riven by Roan Parrish is a book that I will definitely read again because it shows the healing of two very damaged musicians by falling in love change each of them for the better. I hope I’m lucky enough to read the next book in the series.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

5 Stars

Theo is a “Reluctant Rock Star”, although he loves music, he is tired of being artistically controlled by bandmates and managers. He just wants to make his music, his way and while he appreciates the fans and what they’ve done for his career, the spotlight isn’t for Theo and he just wants the simple things in life, to be able to walk down the street and go out to dinner without being mobbed. Out one night walking the streets of NYC, between tour stops, he happens upon a bar with a guy and his guitar on the stage. He can’t turn away from the voice he hears, and when he catches sight of the face to go along with the voice, he’s hooked.

Caleb had it all: Love, great friends and family as well a successful music career, but drugs took it all away and now, after his fourth stint in rehab, he struggles to get by from day to day and stay sober. While he still loves music, he can’t deal with the lifestyle that comes along with it. He wants Theo, but he doesn’t want to be in the spotlight that comes with Theo’s career.

I absolutely loved this story. I adored both Theo and Caleb, although I kind of wanted to smack Caleb a few times. I’m torn with how I feel about him and his actions, because while I completely understand that being with Theo, no matter what Caleb’s feelings for him were, threatened his sobriety, my heart broke for Theo when Caleb pushed him away. But when they were together it was magical and they fit perfectly. The chemistry between them was out of his world and they were smoking hot together.

I loved that we got a good balance of their struggles, both as a couple, and individually. My heart broke for both of these men. They are both a bit lost, but together they find comfort, a home, harmony and it was a beautiful thing to watch develop.

The story was emotional to read, it was well-written and flowed well, and I couldn’t put it down. I was hooked from the first word and I can’t recommend it enough!

*copy provided by author/publisher via NetGalley for my reading pleasure, a review was not a requirement*