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!