The world is his stage… to break his heart again. He just has to keep playing the part, and never drop his guard, and stop obsessing over the keyboardist in their new opening act. He didn’t want Roux’s band on this tour in the first place, but somehow she shattered his barriers without even trying. The only way he knows to save his heart from breaking is to make her his forever, so why does she keep pushing him away?
The stage is her world…
Roux Williams knows an opportunity like this only comes around once in a lifetime. Her band, Baroquen, has finally gotten their big break and are opening for Exodus End and Sinners—two powerhouses of rock—on the European leg of their world tour. She refuses to screw up this opportunity by getting involved with Steve Aimes no matter how gorgeous, sexy and surprisingly attentive he is. She can’t deny her attraction to him—the man has the body of a god and the face of a model—but he’s absolutely off limits. Maybe a lust-crazed weekend on a private island will get him out of her system. Or maybe she’ll fall even harder. Once the tour is over they can date, but until then she must keep her distance, because mixing business with pleasure is not only tabloid fodder, it’s professional suicide. But damn, why does he have to be so stubbornly irresistible?
When their worlds are rattled by a ploy staged to destroy them, Exodus End’s infamous bad boy and Baroquen’s not-yet-famous good girl must figure out a way to have it all and each other.
more
After Jessica from Chatterbooks Book Blog raved and raved about this author’s books and how much she knew I’d love them, I figured it was about time to find out if she was right. She was! So thanks Jess for putting me on to a stellar book!
As this was my first read from this author, I didn’t know the back stories of the characters or the inner workings of their interpersonal relationships. And that was fine because the author wasn’t lying when she said this could be read as a standalone. I wasn’t the least bit confused and now I just want to know more about the characters who were on the sidelines of this story.
Anyhoo, the main characters were Steve, the drummer for Exodus End, and Roux, the keyboardist for Baroquen. Steve’s best friend was booted from being his band’s opening act on the world tour in order to make room for Roux’s band. Obviously, Steve was loyal to his bestie and had some hard feelings. But his feelings weren’t the only things to get hard at the sight of one band member in particular – Roux.
Jess let me know how freaking sexy this author’s work was so I thought I was prepared. And while this wasn’t as kinky as I expected, Steve and Roux did NOT lack in passion. However, they shared more of an emotional connection, right from the start, so it added another level to their intimacy. It was never just sex or a good shagging. It was erotic and sensual and loving. It was perfection. *sigh* Who knew a famous rock star, known for being a manwhore, could be so open and vulnerable and romantic? Steve was absolutely incredible and very easy to love. Roux was an amazingly sympathetic character and my heart immediately went out to her. She was a survivor and she had an enormous heart. Watching these two give their all to each other was quite simply beautiful.
So there you have it. On the word of two voracious readers, Olivia Cunning isn’t an author to be passed on. Don’t be like me and sleep on her series until everyone else has read them and you’re the last one left, wondering what took you so long. Maybe, like me, it’s hard for you to try a new author. I get it. But if you read no other book from her, because I can’t swear her other books are this lovely, than pick this one up. You won’t regret it!
Hot drummer romance….anyone? My first book by this author and I have to say….what a pleasure! Steve Aimes is a drummer for band Exodus End when the beginning act is changed. All female band Baroquen takes stage for the European tour. Roux the keyboardist for band Baroquen takes an insta dislike to Steve when he basically calls them hookers upon meeting them….let the good times roll.
What did I like? Instant attraction for Roux and Steve, highly enjoyable. I really loved Steve’s soft side and his really generous nature towards Roux. When we first find out why Roux grew up in a foster home it really makes you want the rest of the bands story. I devoured this book but it had me hooked for the six hours it took me. Great read!
Would I buy or recommend? Yes….Yes….all yessss. This was my only read by this author in this series, so easily a stand alone. I’d love the others. Great rock star romance!
Thoughts for the author! Amazing book! Kudos to a great job, it was highly entertaining and had some thought provoking moments. Five stars!
This is Steve and Roux’s story. Steve has vowed to never let another woman hurt him the way his ex-wife did during a divorce. He tries to stay away from Roux while they are on tour but can’t manage it. Roux is grateful for the chance her band has to tour with Exodus End and isn’t willing to mess it up with a messy relationship. These two are on a collision course and can’t help themselves. I love these reads about rock stars.
I received a copy of this book via Netgalley and am leaving a review.
How did I miss this coming out in late 2018?!
I’m obsessed with Sinners and Exodus End! I love them all. So much. This was no different.
This is Steve Aimes & Roux Williams, keyboardist of Baroquen.
Be still my
I loved everything about this. Except that it’s over.
And I really, really want to see Zach band catch a break.
Ok. Back to Staged.
Awesome characters. Love the backstories. Made me cry for Roux.
Steve’s best friends band, Twisted Element was supposed to go on a European tour with Exodus end. Their manager fired them and plans to bring a 5 all female band with them. Baroquen. This is where he meets Roux!
This story has a well written plot. Suspense. Heat. Paparazzi. Crazy ex’s. Asshole agents. And all the people we love from so many Cunning stories!
I highly recommend.
Olivia Cunning
This one is one hot rock star erotic novel. Exodus End drummer Steve falls for Roux the keyboardist of their new opening act Baroquen. They fall really quickly in love in each other but it is a problem Roux wants their relationship to begin after the European tour because she doesn’t people to say their relationship was the one who gave them to be the opening act. But that is not all that those two lovebirds have to worry. There is still the tabloid who wants to destroy Steve reputation and the band manager. I liked the story, plot and the characters. Steve was just a wonderful character full of love and just wants for someone to worship. Roux was also very likable, loved her reaction and how she treated the uncomfortable article. She showed her strength, love and a smart head. What bothered me and made for me a book a little boring was so much of their lovemaking, they were doing it on and on, on their special weekend on the plane, on the tour. It was great described and written, hot, but just a little bit too much. I really enjoyed reading it and was really happy with the end of the book. I am interested to see what all will happen in the book of Dare.
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book for Netgelly
I’m have to be honest and say this book was only an OK read for me. I had a hard time connecting with the characters and I’m not sure whether it was because I have not read the other books from this series or simply that I was not fond of the characters themselves. The plot was interesting and there was lots of drama and emotional turmoil.
Roux had a horrible childhood until she was put into a foster home with a bunch of girls. Those girls became her sisters and are now the rock group Baroquen. They won the chance to be the opening act of Exodus End world tour. Steve is the bad boy drummer and swears never to give his heart away after his divorce. At first he hates the girls because they took his best friends bands spot. But he quickly realizes what a sweetheart Roux is. Roux finds out that Steve isn’t as bad as he makes out to be, there is a soft and romantic side to him. Someone is trying to destroy him and they just might make him lose the love of his life.
I thought it was a great story. I hated how Roux wanted to keep them a secret to protect her sisters. Plenty of sex, alcohol, and rock n roll. All of Ms. Cunning’s books with leave you need a cold shower.
* voluntarily read and reviewed this for NetGalley.
It’s been awhile since I’ve dived into the rock and roll world that Olivia Cunning has created. I didn’t read the first two books in this series but I was fine picking up this one and not getting lost on who everyone was. Ive read most of her other books so it was cool catching up with the other characters. Yeah this one was really long, but also super hot, it took me a couple of days to finish it but I’m glad I read it. I’m really looking forward to Dare’s book. I was all kinds of intrigued by him the minute I first read about him years ago.
I have been hooked on Olivia’s rock star books since the Sinner’s series. I love these bad boys that have an edge to them. Steve is no exception with Exodus End. Our yummy drummer wears his heart on his sleeve. You really would not believe it from the previous books when he made his appearances. But wow! What an insane roller coaster ride Staged was. Steve has been burned to ashes before. Once he meets Roux, he is a mean a*hole and I was not sure if they would be able to happen.
Olivia Cunning gives you a surprise story for Steve. It is one of the “softer” edginess for her books, but somehow it just fits for these characters. With all the story line having us twisted up towards the end, you just want to reach out to these characters and give them a hug. The sexiness factor is still ah-mazing. The room temperature will get hotter and hotter as you are flipping the pages! And with a new girl rock band on the loose, all is fair in the war of love! Ha! I cannot get enough of the Exodus End guys and extremely excited for Dare’s story!!!
So much Rock Star redemption fun. I really enjoyed this book.
No one writes rock stars like Olivia Cunning! Every time you read one of her books you fall in love with the characters. Steve and Roux are no exception. Steve Aimes is the swoon-worthy bad boy rock star that every girl fantasizes about, and Roux is his perfect match. Staged is the latest in Exodus End series and I can’t wait to see what Olivia has in store for the rest of the band.
Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll…if any of those words are offensive to you, just stop reading now and move on…
To Exodus End drummer, Steve Aimes, the world is his stage. Hiding behind the persona of a typical sexed and drugged up rock star, no one would believe he has a heart of a hopeless romantic. That is until up and coming rock band Baroquen is introduced, and Steve sets his eyes on keyboardist Roux Williams. Steve is all in when it comes to winning over Roux’s attentions, and even when Roux shares her painful past, he loves her all the more.
Roux Williams is determined not to become another notch on Steve Aimes’ drumsticks. But when he lets his guard down to allow her to see past his legendary reputation, Roux takes a chance with her heart and allows herself to fall in love.
Roux and Steve are both characters hurt by their past, but made all the stronger for having survived. “She made him feel something he never thought he’d feel again. Hope. Hope that someone on this dark and twisted planet might be able to see him for who he truly was and love him because of it, not despite it.”
Even after a long hiatus between stories, Olivia Cunning has reminded this reader the joy of her sensuous writing style and the love for smexxy hawt rock and rollers! Loved this latest installment of the Exodus End series and highly recommend!
*Readers note, while this is book 3, it may be read stand alone. Highly recommend the author’s Sinners on Tour series as well.*
*Received copy via NetGalley for honest review*