It takes a great couple to keep me invested for three whole books. It takes an even greater one to make me wish there was a fourth! Jason and Tae Hyun are definitely one of those couples. It was exciting and satisfying to watch how their relationship developed over the series. One factor I very much appreciated was how much detail Salvo put into that, including how their s3xy times evolved from quickies in the poolhouse to long, steamy sessions with sizzling foreplay. Salvo was already on my must read list, but learning that we'll be getting a new story with a new couple next year warms my BL-loving heart.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
(ARC)

Okay, so this book took me for a ride. I was fully prepared for Tae Hyun and Jason's story to end after the second book, so imagine my surprise when I got to the end of book two and got thrown for a rollercoaster-sized loop. I didn't know what to expect from this story but I am definitely happy with what I got. There were multiple times during this book when I found myself yelling at my Kindle about what the characters were doing. Also, the ending of this book made me happy sob because FINALLY, my boys got their happy ending. I loved this series and I can not wait to see what else this author has to offer.

It's been a wild ride with my boys Jason and Tae Hyun, and I was curious about how Salvo planned to top the first two books in this series. By shifting gears again, apparently. It's straight from the bedroom to the boardroom in Idol Lives, where Jason reckons with the death of his parents on the cusp of Tae Hyun's solo tour. Pulling our boys apart was a genius move, giving me all the angsty tension I craved without the messy breakup. And that ending? I've imagined that scene for three books, and Salvo still blew me away. Can't wait for their next series!

KT Salvo’s Idol Lives is a heartfelt and satisfying conclusion to a whirlwind romance.

This slick and stylish tale is the culmination of Salvo’s debut trilogy, a fact that continues to amaze me, considering the author’s growth since their first book. While Salvo’s writing has evolved to incorporate more vivid scenic imagery alongside their trademark food and fashion descriptions, their style remains razor-sharp and to the point.

The romance between K-pop idol Woo Tae Hyun and American actor Jason Park has been sorely tested, and it shows. The pair, who’ve grown significantly since the first book, navigates life’s speed bumps with easy communication, even when forced apart for a significant portion of the book. This separation, a refreshing take on a common trope, tests the strength of their bond and their willingness to persevere. As with the second book, which veered from a sweet and intimate will-they-won’t-they into dark and thrilling K-drama action, Idol Lives steers into tense relationship and boardroom drama. It incorporates familiar tropes while retaining the spare, fresh, and dialogue-forward style that I’ve come to love from Salvo. Even Jason and Tae Hyun’s spicy intimacy has evolved, reflecting their growing comfort and familiarity.

I continue to appreciate Salvo’s inclusion of real-world issues among the over-the-top telenovela problems, including homophobia, emotional manipulation, and family drama. This grounds a story that could otherwise easily fly off the rails. And, of course, Salvo gives us the ultimate happily ever after that Jason and Tae Hyun deserve, a closing chapter that’s not just a conclusion but a celebration of their love and perseverance, sure to inspire tears of joy.

Overall, Idol Lives is a satisfying conclusion to a series that has matured alongside its characters. Salvo’s writing style, while still concise and focused on dialogue, now incorporates more description than in previous books. The relationship between Tae Hyun and Jason faces realistic challenges, and their communication and intimacy develop in a way that reflects their growing bond. Salvo’s inclusion of real-world issues adds depth, and the happy ending is well-deserved.

Idol Lives was an enjoyable conclusion to Jason and Tae-hyun's story. It perhaps lacked a little of the impact of the first two books and was fairly predictable, but it was still a compelling conclusion, well paced and ultimately satisfying, with some steamy scenes set amidst the action in a way that didn't feel gratuitous. The book does really heavily on context from the early two volumes, though, so this is a series you do need to read in order if you want to get the most out of it. I am giving this particular volume 4 stars, although the series overall gets 4.5 stars from me. Recommended to gay romance fans who also love K-pop and/or K-drama.

Why do I keep comparing the Idol Romance series to K-dramas and Thai BLs, you ask?

Because reading this series is like reading a beloved K-drama ─ first in Idol Minds everything is meet-cute-fall-in-love-fluffy ─ next up Idol Moves brings the super shady, dark and murdery part ─ and the third act, just when you are feeling safe and happy for your couple, WHAM! the unexpected and painful storyline shows up ─ I’m looking at you Idol Lives. To wrap it up in the last hour, they all live happily ever after… except for the bad guys, because f#ck them!

The fact that Jason and Tae Hyun keep running off to Phuket adds a little Thai BL flavor to the classic K-drama recipe. I love the recipe!

Recommended for: readers looking for something similar to your favorite K-dramas; steamy romance readers

Content warning: emotional abuse and manipulation, homophobia, violence including physical assault and a death by suicide

I received a digital ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! I love this series! This last book in the trilogy was packed with action from start to finish. There are two bad guys, both very bad, but with understandable if not excusable motives. I love that our MCs are flawed people who fight with each other but care enough to talk out their issues because they are committed to each other. If you love the Asian pop music world, these books are for you! Thanks to the author for representing the LGBTQIA+ experience in such a loving and sensitive way!
I highly recommend this series to readers of LGBTQIA+ romance and lovers of Kpop.

Thanks so much to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC!

IDOL LIVES is the conclusion to Salvo's Idol Romance trilogy. I note that this series should be read in order; they are NOT standalone books.

UGH I just love Jason and Tae Hyun so much. In this book, they're very much an established couple. Tae Hyun has just begun his tour, which I was very pleased we got to see so much of on-page, and Jason is left reeling after the news of his parents' sudden deaths at the end of book 2. In short, Major Stuff forces our MCs to separate at a time when, really they need each other most. So while they are physically separated for large sections of the book, the events that separate them are serious enough that it feels justified. Moreover, we get to see both their biggest insecurities brought to bear and also the strength of their love tested and, ultimately, strengthened. I really enjoy reading about couples who deal with and overcome conflict in the relationship (a fave trope is marriage in crisis), so I appreciated their fight. It was just series enough to be a meaningful addition to the book, and their reconciliation came quick enough to not take away from the joy of their love. Salvo knows just how long we want our MCs to be on the outs: not long. Once again, Jason and Tae Hyun are communication kings.

Like its predecessors, Idol Lives is all the over-the-top plot fun (but still nicely focused on the experiences of queer celebrity life, particularly for Tae Hyun) AND the deeply romantic heart of a K-drama. Three books later, I'm still so fascinated by the world Salvo has created and how satisfyingly fresh of an addition to the contemporary romance subgenre this series is. I've just had so much fun with this series.

Bonus? I learned at the end of the book that Salvo is continuing the series with a new book featuring a different MM couple, set to release in 2025. Can't wait!

Actual rating: 4.5 stars (really liked)

MAJOR thanks to Jetspace Studio and Netgalley for the eARC! #IdolLives is out on 8/6!