I must start off by saying I was so excited to read this book, the premise sound really cool. Music and romance, what is not to love about that. Well, those items are just background items in this book, they are not what the book is actually about. This book is just about recovery from drug addiction. Which was not what I wanted to read, so it highly disappointed me. It took a lot to finish it. If it that had just been a little of the added drama it would have added a depth to the story, but with it being the main focus it really just became a bit preachy. So in all honesty I would not waste my time on this book.

*~~*ARC kindly provided from the publisher/author to me for an honest review *~~*

Full review to come

4 stars

Asha “Velvet” Kendall is this close to achieving her dream of headlining the legendary Temptation Festival as half of the DJ duo Bedazzled Beats. The EDM scene could use a powerful female presence, and Velvet and her bestie Candy are ready for their moment in the spotlight. A chance encounter with sexy-as-sin industry icon Isaak “Zazzle” Van Sandt is the cherry on top. With a shared passion for music and an intense mutual attraction, the pair should be totally in sync. Instead, Zazzle’s reputation for hard partying has Velvet hitting Pause. Zazzle knows both the high of superstardom and the darker side of the life. But six months after rock bottom, he’s got his feet firmly planted on a new, less destructive path. Next stop: wooing the curvaceous and tenacious “one that got away.” But Velvet’s been there, done that, and she’s wary of risking her heart—not to mention her career—on someone in recovery. Earning her trust won’t be easy. If Zazzle can manage it, off-the-charts chemistry might just turn into once-in-a-lifetime love.
This was a great story from an author I hadn’t read before. It’s a story about success, drugs and recovery, which makes it more based on real situations that fantasy and fluff, which I appreciated. I really liked Asha and rooted for her to have the HEA she deserved. I look forward to reading more from this author. I highly recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

Asha (Stage name: Velvet) meets Isaak at a music festival and there is instant attraction and although they spend a passionate night together, the timing is all wrong. When Asha meets Isaak six months later, his alter ego Zazzle is in full swing. While watching his stage antics, Asha peeps that he pops a pill, and she bails. Been there, done that with a mentor that disappointed her time and time again and she refuses to go down that road again. Understandably so.

Isaak goes to rehab to get clean for himself and make amends to his group members and others he's hurt through his actions. He works his program and keeps in touch with his sponsor/psychologist as scheduled. He's doing well but he wants Asha back. She is reluctant based upon past experiences with an addict. She is extremely judgmental, time and time again and feels she knows exactly how Isaak is going to handle his recovery. Isaak tries to take it in stride but also acknowledges her concerns and doesn't make empty promises of what will happen in the future with his recovery. He is taking it, one day at a time. When she asks someone if she's judgmental, there is a slight hesitation in their reply. We all know if you have to ask ... well, you already know the answer to your own question.

This is a multi-layered story as Asha and Candy are trying to make a name for themselves on the music scene by performing and building a loyal following -- one performance at a time. Asha is also dealing with the aftermath of Candy's break-up with her long-term boyfriend which Candy refuses to talk about it. Asha can see she is spiraling out of control and wonders if the new man in her life is the cause. When Isaak eventually shares what he knows about the mystery man, Asha is angry with him. Isaak couldn't win with this heroine even when he is trying to do the right thing.

Though I didn't connect with Asha I'm still a fan of this author's work and I look forward to reading what's next from her!

I couldn't get into this one for some reason, but I think it's more of a you-not-me situation, as I can be picky about romance. I just couldn't connect with the characters

Definitely a case of me and not the book but I DNF this. The characters were in their early 20s and it felt like it. That isn't an age range I enjoy reading about so I decided to not keep reading.

This was a really good book. I enjoyed the rollercoaster ride that was Velvet and Zazzle's romance. The side tales woven in to add extra layers of depth were great. The happily ever after was there, of course. I enjoyed the ride getting to it. The characters were great.

4.25 Stars / 3 Steam Fans

This was such a sweet, funny, sexy, heartbreaking, and interesting story! I knew nothing about the DJing world before reading this book and now I have a new respect/love for the music industry. This story revolves around Velvet and Zazzle. Velvet is half of an upcoming DJ Duo called "Bedazzled Beats" these two DJs have been working shows and festivals with the ultimate goal of hitting one of the biggest venues in their world. Velvet meets Zazzle during this journey when he is at the top of his game. Zazzle is part of a trio of DJs, playing those top-level festivals that Velvet hopes to get to; however, Zazzle is battling demons of his own. When Zazzle and Velvet spend some time together they find a connection that is both firey and possibly damaging. I loved the connection between Zazzle and Velvet, their chemistry was so touching and I rooted for them all the way to the end. There were some moments that I just wanted to shake them both to get themselves together and some of their actions I found to be a little annoying. Overall, I am really happy with this journey to find love, acceptance, healing, friendship, and family.

There are content warnings for drug use, drug abuse, and manipulation. There are also music industry terms revolving around the EDM scene.

Video review available in Week 50 Dec 8 – 14 weekly book reviews.

For other video book reviews check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk

In Rhythm by JN Welsh is an amazing 2nd chance romance that is deliciously sexy yet also showcases the difficult work to manage addiction, fame, and friendships. Welsh crafts a story that is both romantic and makes you feel at one with the EDM scene (even for someone who knows nothing about it), full of color, light, and the darkness that can lurk in the corners waiting for an opportunity to take advantage of those weak moments we all struggle with. There's no magic sex cure here, and the way Velvet struggles to reconcile her worries for someone in recovery with the the trust he'll need to stand on his own was really great to see. This was my first JN Welsh book and it won't be my last!

This is a long story, and at times I felt like we were with Velvet's other friends and family more than we were with the main couple, but overall this was a lovely romance.

In Rhythm is the 2nd book in this series, but I had no issue reading it as a standalone.

Thank you to Carina Press for the ARC!

CW for addiction, drug overdose (on and off page), drinking, abusive and controlling behavior

A realistic view of the music scene.

Velvet is in a DJ duo and they are at the start of a great career. Zazzle is in a DJ trio and they are at the top of their game. When Velvet and Zazzle meet, their attraction is undeniable. But when Velvet finds out that Zazzle is an addict, she wants no part of him ... she's been there, done that with an old friend. When they meet again six months later, Zazzle is drug free and is living a clean life. But Velvet has trouble trusting addicts and is hesitant at letting Zazzle back into her life.

It took me awhile to get into this book ... but once I did, I really enjoyed it. I liked how it showed Zazzle's struggles with getting clean ... it was way more realistic than "he got clean and was great from then on". Zazzle repeatedly said that it was going to be a lifelong journey. I also really liked how Velvet made him "work" to get back in her life. And the sex scenes were very steamy!

I received a copy courtesy of Harlequin-Carina Press through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

I really enjoyed In Tune so I was excited when In Rhythm popped up on Netgalley. While I read In Tune in one day because I refused to put it down, it took me longer to get into In Rhythm. For one it starts out jumping right into the relationship. After it went to that level so quickly I could never quite buy the romance. Was it really love or just addiction filled lust? Zazzle and Velvet really knew nothing about each other but swore there was this undeniable connection after having spent one day together.

The constant nicknames were confusing at times. One minute they would go by their DJ names, then special nicknames, then by their real names.

I did like that this story explored the seedy but very real side of the EDM scene. The rampant drugs and free flowing alcohol are just as prevalent as the music. And it wasn't just light mentions of Zazzle recovering either. We got to see his therapy sessions and daily routine.

4.5 STARS

We dive into the world of EDM music scene once again with JN Welsh’s In Rhythm. This time, we meet DJ Asha Kendall aka Velvet. She’s one half of DJing duo Bedazzled Beats. She, along with her best friend Candy, is on the cusp of real superstardom. Velvet is super focused on her career and wants to make her goal of headlining the Temptation festival a reality.

Isaak aka Zazzle is a music legend and he, along with his two best friends, are at the top of the music scene. Velvet and Zazzle meet and share a passionate night together. A great night where they both are more open then they expected. Their time together plants a seed that perhaps they could be more than just a one-night thing.

That comes crashing to a halt when shortly after Velvet witnesses Zazzle in his performing element and realizes he has a drug problem. When you’re super-rich and super popular, sometimes you lean on certain vices and if you lean too heavily on them, they can destroy you. Isaak has to leave the band and enter rehab when he hits rock bottom in front of the whole world.

Fast forward about six months later and these two are back in each other’s orbit when Bedazzled Beats becomes the opening act for Zazzle and crew. Velvet is a bit standoffish to him because she’s had past experience helping a loved one through recovery and is not interested in doing it again.

Zazzle is now focused on making amends and living to the best of his abilities. Velvet is not the only one skeptical of him and he’ll see that the road to recovery is not a straight line. While we didn’t read much about Zazzle in the thick of his addiction, I liked that we saw him trying to stay sober and free from drugs. We bore witness to the therapy sessions, techniques, and routines that helped center him. Just because he successfully completed rehab didn’t mean that all was well and he was sure to remind himself and others that recovery was a lifelong journey.

While on tour, the chemistry between these two can’t be denied and soon they find each other under a spell yet again. Velvet has to learn to love Zazzle without smothering or second-guessing every move he makes. Zazzle must come to terms with changes in his career and the part he’s played in the demise of his relationships. Together, they learn that loving each other with fame and numerous vices at their fingertips is challenging, but giving up isn’t an option. The music is a great secondary character and really brought this novel to life. Isaak and Velvet’s shared love of music helped forge their bond. I liked the moments with all of their friends and fellow musicians and hope we get stories featuring a few of them.