I have always loved a good billionaire gay romance and this book has that and even more. They’re good singers. Honestly this was a pretty average romance but it was still pretty good. This is kind of book you read in a day was you don’t want to do anything else. That is exactly what I did anyway. I would say this book is definitely 15+ material. Overall I liked it.

Almost. I say almost like an enemies to lovers kind of story. However, it's much more than that.

I find the writing fast-paced and actually made me rush through the entire book making me want to know how both the characters would build their relationship towards the end.

Quite satisfying to read, a must read for music lovers and MM contemporary romance.

Thank you, NineStar Press, for the advance reading copy.

It was fine, cute concept, just not my cup of tea really. I didn't feel it was as fleshed out as it could be and there was a lot just left hanging by the end of the book.

I thought that this was an excellent story and a fantastic read!

This book was fast paced and great to read.

The characters were strong and really well developed with some great interaction between them and those, combined with the plot really drew me in to the story and I was really engaged with the book from start to finish.

I flew through the pages, it was very well written and it had a great flow to it, it was a really addictive read and a book that I did not want to put down.

It was a book that captured me and left me wanting more and more.

It is 5 stars from me for this one – very highly recommended!

Cute concept and well done execution! I was somewhat skeptical about the power imbalance between an exec + up-and-coming artist but the characters seemed to work through it well and keep open communication. I felt like there were quite a few loose ends at the end of this book but it has set up a sequel nicely! I would have LOVED to see more of the bands interact and process of the show but that ultimately wasn't the point of the book :) (I'm here for a spin off.to show more of the competition for sure)

Fighting Chance, Book One, Anni Lee

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Romance 
Genre: LGBTQIA, Romance.

I really thought I'd love this book and...it was good-ish.... Just not great.
I didn't really like Jay, he's quite cold almost, rude to Roland and yet when they are together there's a really feeling of sensuality, lust, but I felt the Love part was way, way too soon. I kind of understood Jay more by the end, and came round to actually liking him.
Roland though, I know he's got grit and determination to have taken this chance but he just feels like an enthusiastic overgrown puppy. I just can't see other than lust whats between him and Jay. I'm puzzled too how his writing goes from awful as Jay so kindly describes it, to winning when there doesn't appear to be much driving that change?

I liked that there's more than just romance here. Given that's not doing great for me its just as well ;-) I know its book-land, fiction, but I'm feeling that possibly events and people are a little too coincidental to believe, but will find out more in next book I guess. I'm on the fence about that, do I want to read more given I really aren't feeling the romance? Actually on balance yes, its got real possibilities and Jay's actions at the end show that he really does feel strongly for Roland. I also want to learn more about the past, about Jay's history, there are some real game changers revealed in those final pages.

I've one HUGE caveat though. Condoms – or lack of them. In any book now I feel its irresponsible of characters not to talk tests and use condoms unless they are very very certain of partners. Getting it wrong can have livelong consequences and for me its the wrong message to be sending. Its not just LGBTQIA reads though, any story involving sex IMO, regardless of sexuality. It affects anyone and everyone. I felt in this story, especially given Jay's history, and Roland's uncertainty about it the lack was inexcusable. I've dropped a star for that, I really feel its too important to ignore :-(

Stars: Three, a bit lacking in romance, but the later events brought it up. Four if there wasn't that glaring personal safety issue.

ARC supplied by Netgalley and publishers

Fighting Chance is a story following a guy trying his hardest to land a record deal on a television competition show, and his secret relationship to a successful songwriter on said record label team.

I thought the chemistry was written well between the two leads, although there was a certain "oomph" missing from their relationship that should've really made me like and root for them. When compared with many of the great romances (Emily Henry, Casey McQuiston) that become uber-sucessful, this book is just lacking.

I did find this story very easy to get through, as I finished it all in about 3 hours. The plot was quick to entrap me, and it's short length kept me running steadily through the book. I liked how succinct the book was, however I think it would've benefited from some deeper character exploration and some quirkier personality traits to the two main leads.

Overall, this story was pretty formulaic and forgettable, but it did bring me joy and entertainment for the few hours I spent reading it, which is always important in a book. 2.5 stars rounded up.

It was a cute story. I would have loved it to be longer, to learn more about Roland and Jay and their lives outside music and each other but it was a book about music and romance and I can never turn that down. It was good.

4 stars
This was my first book by this author and it was so much fun!
This book reminded me of some CW TV shows but better.
I really liked the plot albeit a bit predictable it was fun to read and kept me entertained the entire time.
The MCs were good. I liked their banter and the steam level was very good! Very hot!
I didn't know this was a series but now I'm definitely hooked and want to read the next one asap.
Fun fast paced romance book perfect for a weekend.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review

I love a well written rock star romance. Well, actually any mm romance that involves music, be it country, rock, pop...I don't mind. Next to reading, music is one of my other loves, so when I can get a combination of both, I'm in heaven.
That is, if the book is well written, with characters I am able to connect with, where there's an interesting romance and maybe a little bit of angst.
Unfortunately, I found only one of these things in this book, and that was the fact that it was well written. Because it was.

My list of enjoyable things is, unfortunately, shorter than the one about things that didn't work so well for me.
What I did enjoy: despite something that bothered me (more about that later on), I did think the sex was steamy and hot. I liked how Jay was a bit of a dirty talker and a bit dominating too. I mean, hot office sex, and the exhibitionist scene...that one was very hot!

I'm sorry to say that there were several things in this story that didn't work well for me, starting with an important fact that I never felt connected with either mc. After having read the book, I haven't felt like I knew them much better than before I started reading. I didn't like Jay very much; he just didn't seem like a very nice person, which made it more difficult for me to feel their relationship developing. I had a hard time feeling their chemistry and when I'm not feeling that, it's hard to find enjoyment in the story.

Some of the other things that bother me:
- Jay and Roland kissed just after Roland puked his guts out...not something I enjoy imagining, or maybe that's on me?
- I kept mixing Lance and Logan up - their names sound too similar. Specially when they are supposed to be 'enemies' I would have chosen two names that were more different
- I thought it was a bit strange that Roland never confided in his best friend Logan, that he never told him he liked guys, specially since they've known each other for most of their lives and tell each other everything. And how come Logan never suspected?
- Since I had a hard time feeling Jay's and Roland's connection, I thought the LOVE word came way too soon. I just wasn't feeling it, and I had a feeling they hardly really knew each other. How often had they actually met and spoken to each other about the things that define a person?
- Maybe the most important thing that really bothered me, was they didn't use condoms, nor talked about tests. Specially since Roland wonders if Jay has more bed partners than just him, and later on Jay confesses he has been sleeping around. I have been reading mm romance for quite some time now, read quite a lot of mm books, and I find it's bothering me more and more when this happens.
I read mm romance for the fiction it is, an escape from real life. Not a lot of things bother me, for the fact that it is fiction - I'm not triggered easily. But this is one of the things I can't seem to get passed without it bothering me.

My 3 star rating is because it wasn't all that bad - I finished the book, due to the fact that the writing is good. But unfortunately I wasn't very invested in Jay's and Roland's story.
It also ends in a cliffhanger, and I wasn't aware of that when I started reading. There's some suspense here, but I honestly don't know if I'm curious enough to find out more about Jay's story.

I ran through this book in one sitting because that's how enticing of a read it was.

Roland Finely is in an unnamed band with his best friend Logan. The two must pick a name fast because they're auditioning for a reality television show called Battle of the Bands. Winning this television show will mean serious things for them: a defined space in the music industry, no more minuscule jobs to make ends meet, and getting to do what they love.

Like most things in life, all good things come with a price. That's where Jay McClintock comes in, a big-wig hotshot writer from Alive Records.
When Roland encounters a mocking jay in the park and drops everything, Jay is there to help him. Only to swiftly knock him down again with his words.

The two men continue to "accidentally" bump into one another, and things not only start to heat up in their lives, but also on Battle of the Bands.

Like they always say, reality television isn't what it seems. Even when you're the one on camera, a lot of things can be happening in the background that you have no knowledge of.
Will the past come back to tear everything all down, or will the odds be ever in their favor this time?

This book ends as though there could be a sequel, so I'll be patiently waiting and hoping that it happens.

Thank you to NetGalley and NineStar Press for providing an advance copy of this book for me to enjoy. As always, this book was read and reviewed voluntarily, and the opinions stated above are completely my own.

From reading the synopsis of this book, I expected a run if the mill romance with low stakes staring the lead singer of (insert your favorite rock band here…) Anni Lee is not an author I have heard of before so I was not sure what level of writing I was getting, but I was excited to read a gay rocker romance.
Roland is the lead singer of Fighting Chance, a rock band formed by him and his best friend Logan. The group is partaking in a. Tv competition Battle Of The Bands…the winner of which receives a recording contract. But how can Roland write about love when he’s never experienced it? A chance encounter with one the record label’s executives leaves Roland reeling, and for the first time inspired. Jay, the record executive in question, is helping ghost write for the opposing team though, and his secrets and past threaten to unravel the feelings the pair have grown for each other.
There were pets if this I loved and parts I weren’t a fan of. The things I loved: the American Idol-esque setting. What a fun concept to look behind the curtain of a singing competition, and the fact that it’s most likely not as genuine as they would have you believe. The romance: Jay is hot, so anytime we got to a steamy scene it was a lot more interesting because I found myself attracted to Jays character. The subplot: Jay’s past was the most interesting part of this book. I won’t spoil, but I need more if this story flushed out in the following books. I understand we needed to set the scene with this book, but in book two I’m hopeful we get some answers.
Things I wasn’t so much a fan of: the couple. Now, that isn’t to say I don’t support Roland and Jay as a couple because I do I just felt that it was all too convenient. Roland came off a bit of a brat when it came to Jay doing his job, and it made me feel some kind of way. The pacing: I think this book would of benefited from a hundred more pages. I think the couple would of made me more excited if I could of gotten more out of their encounters, but I felt like almost every time the two together they ended up in a steamy situation.
All this to say: this has the potential to be a fantastic series, and I’m excited to see where this author leads the characters in the coming books.

I love books that focus on musicians- even better when they’re queer so I was excited for this one. Unfortunately, although I enjoyed elements of it, it didn’t work for me as a whole.

The story follows Roland and his best friend/stepbrother: Logan who are entering their band into a reality tv show for a chance to win a recording contract and $500,000. While this is happening Roland starts running into and falling for Jay, who turns out to also be involved in the music industry and as it turns out a mysterious past.

I didn’t connect well with either Roland or Jay although I definitely preferred Roland. I did enjoy the relationship/dynamic with him and Logan and found it enjoyable. The plot wasn’t terrible but it just didn’t hold my intention and I struggled to stay invested in the characters and their motivations.

I didn’t enjoy this as much as I wanted to but it was a fairly quick straightforward read. Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of this in exchange for an honest review.

I love books that focus on musicians- even better when they’re queer so I was excited for this one. Unfortunately, although I enjoyed elements of it, it didn’t work for me as a whole.

The story follows Roland and his best friend/stepbrother: Logan who are entering their band into a reality tv show for a chance to win a recording contract and $500,000. While this is happening Roland starts running into and falling for Jay, who turns out to also be involved in the music industry and as it turns out a mysterious past.

I didn’t connect well with either Roland or Jay although I definitely preferred Roland. I did enjoy the relationship/dynamic with him and Logan and found it enjoyable. The plot wasn’t terrible but it just didn’t hold my intention and I struggled to stay invested in the characters and their motivations.

I didn’t enjoy this as much as I wanted to but it was a fairly quick straightforward read. Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of this in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

Roland Finley and his best friend-slash-stepbrother Logan have been building their band for years. Both in college and working part-time jobs, Roland is sure that getting a spot on the Battle of the Bands reality show will be their breakout experience. Roland is the vocalist, who also plays keyboards, and Logan plays guitar. They don't have a big following and their few gigs have all been for family or friends, but Roland has big dreams. He's working on new songs for the show audition, and is startled to encounter a salty-tongued songwriter in the park near his dorm. Jay McClintock is a legend, the writer behind numerous top-grossing acts, notably Brad Garza, who Roland rather emulates. Jay's sneering critique of the lyrics in Roland's notebook is a lightning rod to help Roland write more heartfelt and cohesive lyrics. He and Logan, performing as Fighting Chance, grab one of the four LA-based band spots in the TV show. Along with longtime rivals Dread Theory, fronted by Lance Gold, son of an oil company billionaire and somehow former schoolmates with both Roland and Logan.

Jay McClintock is a man of secrets. He's been raised under an alias after his family was murdered, but he's become a notable songwriter, rising among the ranks at ALIVE Records. He's made few friends over the years, though he and Brad are close--once lovers but better as friends. He's not sure why Roland is so appealing, but he's sure it's only a whim. After all, his juvenile lyrics won't get him into the competition. And, even if they do, well, Jay has been contracted by his company to write the songs Dread Theory will sing for the competition. Yeah, reality TV is a sham, when his own record company is just using it as a springboard for a rich man's son to build an audience before the record launch. Yet, Jay's intrigued further and further when Roland's songs become more and more deep, and garner his professional as well as personal respect. He'd planned to toy with the kid a bit, but now, well, Roland's fresh sound and virginal naivete call to Jay on a primal level.

This is a mostly fun and breezy rock romance, with some deeper currents relating to Jay's backstory of violence. BRad makes some cameos, urging Jay to take his feelings seriously, even as Jay fears Roland's response if he learns that Jay's been providing the fuel for his biggest rival to steal his dream. And, well, the sex is both risky and amazing. Roland is an unqualified novice in nearly everything, and definitely relishes Jay's attention and his expertise. They connect in ways Roland hardly dared to imagine, giving away all his firsts without a second thought. I liked Roland a lot, he's peppy and sweet, the opposite of Jay, giving Jay the opportunity to display his softer underbelly--if infrequently. Logan and Brad can see the connection, however, once they're all out in the open together, before Jay or Roland reveal their relationship.

The competition is fierce, but Fighting Chance is not going down without giving it their all--even after Jay's behind-the-scenes activity becomes apparent to Roland. What he didn't expect was the depth of his own feelings for Jay, nor the depth of Jay's losses, and what fuels his own creative streak. The story ends with a Happy For Now, and a tease that Jay's dark past with take center stage in the next book. I liked the rock romance part of the story, but felt the witness protection storyline was weak, by comparison. And, honestly, when did Roland and Logan attend class? These "college students" did nothing college-related but sleep in a dorm. For me that was an oversight which could have ramped up some tension, or fed into the growing fan base to prop these guys up.

Oh my goodness!!

If you know me, you know I'm a HUGE MM romance fan, I can read them all day, everyday. So when I read a book like this, a book that just makes me absolutely happy and makes me want to read it again, makes me crave for the rest of the book, I'm positively giddy! I loved this book, I know I'm going to love this series. Anni Lee knows what she is doing!!

Roland is absolutely everything, all sunshines and forgiveness and just the sweetest guy. Jay is just the grumpiest grump with a difficult past and I need more of their story!! I cannot wait for the rest of this series to come out, I'm just way too excited right now. I finished this book in one day, I couldn't put it down, it was thoroughly addicting.

Also, love Rockstar stories, they're awesome.

Thank you to NetGalley and Nine Star Press for the earc in return for an honest review.

I was intrigued by the blurb for this book. I love reading about musicians as I have a background in music myself. This book is about Roland and his band, Fighting Chance. He enters into a reality TV show "Battle of the Bands" in LA. It's a dream come true... and he's ready to fight for what he wants.

Along the way, Roland meets up with a sharp-tongued stranger who becomes his lover. Turns out Jay is in the industry as well. Their lives/careers become more and more entangled until things become troublesome. There's just enough angst in this for it to be interesting and the physical relationship is really well written. There's some sizzling chemistry between Roland and Jay.

What I really enjoyed is that there's a good, solid plot to go with the main relationship. Turns out Jay has a history that no one knows about and it still poses a threat to him and everything he cares about.

Please be aware this book ends on a cliffhanger as it's the beginning of a series.

Engaging and well written.