Blade: As the lead singer of Hard Core, I’ve been taught several key life lessons. Unfortunately, I’ve also ignored many of them in the last twenty minutes alone, which is why I’m now being chased by a hoard of crazed fans. But my worst misjudgment today? Going outside in public without security or a backup plan. Screaming fans come with the job and the fame is as much of a blessing as it is a … it is a curse, but I still couldn’t imagine doing any other line of work.
Music owns me and I am happy to be her bitch.
Nico: I knew who he was as soon as he burst through the front door of my store and I was absolutely starstruck and speechless. Yes, me with my own hardened attitude and jaded outlook on life had lost the ability to talk in the presence of Blade.
I’m an ex-con. I paid my debt to society, and I have my own brand of scars to show from the time I spent behind bars. My life’s regrets stain my soul as much as the ink of my tattoos color my skin. Solace for me came with ownership of a bookstore. It was a peaceful place to work until a certain rockstar blew in from the street like a Category 5 hurricane.
Hurricane Blade was about to make landfall and I wasn’t sure I’d survive the storm.
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Hot! Hot! Hot! Extremely HOT!
Unexpected, serendipitous, fate? We all have our ways of expressing how we feel when something beautiful and unexpected happens to us!
Blade, a Rock God! Screaming women and men all over him all the time. He cannot be in a place without security because he’ll be mobbed! Nico, foolishness and pigheadedness when he was younger landed him in jail for a few years. He has learned his lesson and has been totally clean for eight years.
Two unseemingly opposite characters who would probably have little in common, but somehow when they met there seems to be a chemistry and connection so strong! Two totally different lifestyles, could they possibly make a go of it? Getting to know each other’s real characters was surprising for both Nico and Blade, what could they possibly have in common, right? But somehow, the natural chemistry they have is enough for them to embark on a relationship both were not looking for. Spending as much time as their schedules would allow, they talked and got to know each other better and better each day. It might be a whirlwind romance, but feelings are real and both are willing to see where this can lead to.
Sometimes when we are not looking, we find what is missing in our lives. Maybe it’s fate, but every person who gets this kind of chance would be foolish to turn it away! We should be ready to grab it as soon as it presents itself. Ms. Ann Lister, this book is phenomenal, hot and totally absorbing! Congratulations! I cannot wait for the next installment!
When Blade runs out of the recording studio to get a breath of fresh air, he realizes his mistake pretty quickly. Running from his overeager fans, Blade ends up ducking into a bookshop at the last min as the owner is closing up shop. It isn’t until after the overzealous fans are diverted that Blade realizes just how lucky he is. Nico knew the moment he saw Blade just who he was. When Blade proceeds to express his appreciation by offering dinner, Nico of course takes this chance, who in their right mind would not agree. For Blade, Nico is different, like a breath of fresh air, and Blade wants to spend more time with him. But can a quiet bookshop owner/ex-con and a rock star have anything in common? Can the two from completely different worlds even make something work?
This was the first time I have read anything from Ann Lister, and I found I have a lot of catching up to do! This is actually a spin off, there are loads, and I mean LOADS of characters from previous books and mentions of their stories that really make me want to go back and check them out (good for the author, bad for my wallet LOL). I felt this was done really well, I love a good rock star and a regular person storyline. With some drama and some really hot naughty times, this proved to be a very entertaining read and I give it 4 stars.
More Rock Gods!!
Ann Lister has a new bunch of rockers for us to love with her East Coast Label series!
A Rhythm You Feel focuses on Blade, the lead singer of Hard Core and what happens after he stumbles upon Nico’s bookstore while trying to flee a bunch of screaming fans.
To thank Nico for allowing him to use the store as a safe haven, Blade offers to take him to see Ivory Tower and Black Ice at Madison Square Garden.
Nico is completely mind blown that Blade is in his store to begin with and can’t even comprehend the thought of meeting the other two bands. As much as Blade has a good heart and is looking to impress Nico, he’s also pretty reckless and, at times, behaves like the pampered, entitled rocker that he is.
Blade is relentless in his pursuit of Nico and truly smitten with him. The problem is, the more Nico gets thrown into the rock n roll lifestyle—backstage parties, dining with Hard Core while the band is getting wasted, and invitations to their recording sessions, he’s fighting his own demons from past addictions. Nico hasn’t had it easy after his father died, trying to stay clean while running his father’s bookstore and making him proud by keeping his dream alive. He’s also battling to stay strong and out of trouble after having been in prison for a few years for selling drugs (which is how he’d started using) and going back isn’t an option.
I love how the guys from Black Ice and Ivory Tower get a decent sized cameo. There’s something else that happens towards the end of this story that has to do with Dagger and Ryan as Ann Lister sets us up for their story in another new, original Rock Gods.
Nico and Blade balance each other perfectly: Blade teaches Nico to let go once and a while and grab life by the horns, and Nico takes Blade down a few notches and makes him realize how people have to work at relationships and responsibilities in order to make sure they thrive. Yeah, I think those two are going to be just fine together.
Ann Lister doesn’t miss a beat as she takes us back on the road with a whole new crew of rockers. Her attention to detail, her knowledge of all things rocker, and the amazing songs she conjures up never cease to amaze me. Looking forward to more from this new series, but before that, bring on Dagger and Ryan’s new story!! I’m dying to make sure that they’ll be okay!
If you loved rock gods you will love this new story from ann lister. Blade and Nico, rock star, book worm, it shouldn’t work but it does! Great start to a new series of East coast rock!
Ann Lister does it again! This is steamy with all the Rock-star feels. Ann’s characters drive the story. They’re compelling and deep. I was rooting for them every step of the way. If you love a good rock star romance – do NOT miss this one. Big hearts!
Blade is a rock star with good looks and a cocky attitude. He also needs someone to see him for himself without the rock star, money or fame. He ends up meeting ex con and bookstore owner Nico while escaping from crazed fans one night. The two have instant chemistry and it’s hot. I loved these two together. A good start to a new series.
I need a moment to sort out the remblings in my head. This book was simply perfect and it’s hard to find the right words to do it justice.
Both Blade and Nico were great characters to get to know and fall deeply in love with. The banter was funny, some of the scenes had me almost combusting with heat and the tender moments stole my heart away. I loved the bad boy Blaze as much as I did the sorta shy, too good for his own good Nico. They come from two different worlds but are great for one another. Blaze with wanting to make him see the world he can provide and Nico keeping him down-to-earth and not spinning out of control.
Since this is my first book by Ann Lister I’m really happy I took a chance because I’m an insta-fan and I can’t wait to see what happens next for this group of men.
***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***
I liked this book. It’s very fast paced and belongs to the love at first sight trope. I felt it was a tiny bit too fast especially for Blade, who is a huge commitment phobe. I loved Nico and Blade. They are adorable together. This is a light read. I really loved Blade’s songs. They are quite good. I want to know more about the members of his band. Maybe we’ll know more un the following books.
This is a really good start to the series. I’ve never read a book by this author before, so it took me a while to get used to the writing style. I do have a pet peeve. I hate using the word ‘channel’ in sex scenes. I don’t think I’ve come across it much in the books I’ve read.
This is a really enjoyable book and I had fun reading it!
*ARC provided by the author via Signal Boost Promotions in exchange for an honest and unbiased review
3.5 hot, sweaty, tender stars.
Nico’s earnest desire for a good life is shaken for good by a rocker who explodes into his store with pleading eyes and a sexy everything else. Blade is a bit bowled over by the honest man that gives him refuge and pursues Nico in a way that’s completely new for him. Both of them are stunned by what they find in one another and I really liked that there were complications, demons, and adjustments that were necessary before they found their HEA together. While a little Hemingway at times, there was enough flow to the story that I could overlook that in favor of watching everything unfold.
Blade had a lot going for him but I never really felt that he lived up to his potential. He was a spoiled and rich rockstar that could have found ways to enrich his life after finding someone that made him think far beyond himself. Instead, the only change he found in his life was the relationship and his heart toward Nico. The bratty attitude wasn’t endearing. What was fabulous though, was his determination at the end to keep Nico from pushing him away when circumstances made him lash out at Blade. That level of maturity was kind of unexpected, but truly appreciated.
It was Nico that stole the story for me. I liked his complications. Sometimes it was a bit much, but it all worked together. Like, they fit the man in addition to how each complication fit with the others. Family loss, drugs, ex-con, sobriety, attachments…all of it worked for me. Even though I didn’t like the lashing out near the end, it was a long time coming and I was glad that Blade was there to help him work through it. I will say though, that it was resolved relatively simplistically. Far too simply to be satisfying. For it all to work out the way it did was kind of implausible.
There were a few other things that didn’t get resolved, such as Tigo’s situation, but I’ll be honest and say that while I could have pointed them all out as soon as I finished the story, a couple days removed and most of them I can’t remember at all. My overall feel for the book is very positive and I liked both men, but loved Nico. The way his issues, especially his sobriety, were handled was what stuck with me the most. As for the romance, I believed it, liked it, but didn’t really feel completely moved by it either. Definitely steamy, that’s for sure, and it was also quite raw at times with the feels, so that was another big plus for the book. I was drawn in to the music, the bands, and all the stories that are yet to be written for these intriguing men.
A rockstar’s lucky stumble into passion and romance: he’s moved but me, not so much!
August 15, 2019
Format: Kindle Edition
I’ve read one other MM romance by Ann Lister and preferred Moved By You which was not focused on rockstars. I felt this story was agonizingly slow and too detailed at times. Nico, the convicted felon turned bookstore owner is so excitable that he sometimes throws shades of Garfield’s pal Odie. I did not really feel the romance as Blade and Nico met and went from strangers to insatiably steamy lovers at a speed that gave me whiplash! The passionate clinches and phone sessions were hot. Nico’s backstory and his devotion to his father’s life work were touching. I guess I just don’t have interest in the detailed decadence and vicissitudes of a rock band’s day to day workings. I have read a number of rockstar romances that I enjoyed more, probably because they focused more on the rocker’s private life and downtime away from the band.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
This book kind of fell away for me, especially in the beginning. I personally couldn’t get into the characters, but after I pushed through my hesitation, I started to kind of like this rocker romance.
Please note that I did receive an ARC of this book, and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This is a great start for a new spinoff series. This series appears to be focused on the members of Hard Core, but we definitely get to spend some time with the guys from Black Ice and Ivory Tower as well. The character development is excellent, and the writing brings you right into the story.
Blade is the lead singer of the band Hard Core. He doesn’t do romance; in fact, he doesn’t understand or even believe half of what he’s been told about the L-word. He has a bear of a security guard, who is royally unhappy when Blade decides he needs a breath of fresh air and ends up as the prey to a small horde of fans that chase him through the city. Luckily, he sees a man closing up shop ahead and slips inside while begging for somewhere to hide.
Nico made mistakes in his youth, but he has done his time and is now working to keep his father’s legacy alive. His father was his hero, and left him his bookstore when he died unexpectedly. Nico has devoted his life to staying clean and sober, and making sure the store does the absolute best it can. He lives a quiet life, and is struck dumb when the lead singer of Hard Core sweeps into his store like a whirling dervish asking for sanctuary. He regains his senses just in time before a crowd of crazed fans come crashing into his store.
Insta-attraction is off the charts, even if Nico has only had experience with one other man. Nico is a bit starstruck, too, but he seems to be able to see behind the Blade persona, and Blade is rather intoxicated by this feeling. Blade pursues a relationship with Nico relentlessly, first believing he can be satisfied with a friendship, but soon pushing the limits of friendship to see if they have a chance for more.
Blade brings new life into Nico’s world, and he knows that the changes are mostly positive. They come from different worlds, and sometimes this can put Nico in a very uncomfortable position. But, he’s willing to take a chance, and Blade is experiencing life in a way he never expected. However, when tragedy strikes, Nico pushes back from the feelings that have developed and starts down a dangerous slope. But, Blade is going to be the strong one this time, and help the only person he’s ever felt this way about fix the problems and bring them both to a place of love and support.
I adored Blade and I understood and respected Nico. The sexy times were sizzling hot, and the building of their romance is not to be missed. And, of course, our MCs get their well deserved HEA.
Happy reading!
* I received an ARC of this book and I am leaving my honest review. *
A Rhythm You Feel is the first book in Ann Lister’s The Rock Gods: East Coast Label series. I am addicted to a new series now so Thank you for that! 😉 Sexy Rock Gods sexing up the the bathrooms, writing dirty and tantalizing songs… and falling in love. Yes! Yes!! Yes!!!
Blade is the sexy Rockstar….Nicky is the bookstore owner who saves his day and catches his attention. These characters are fun and wonderful. I love the journey they take in this story, discovering themselves and each other. The supporting characters are amazing as well!
As a first book of a series, this does a fantastic job of generating interest in the next books and setting up the feel for the series. Freakin’ Fantastic book!
I received an advanced reader’s copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.
This is a behind the scenes look at the band Hard Core. Lead singer and Songwriter writer Blade is on a collision course with fate. Use to being used for his fame and fortune, he’s a one and done kind of guy. Nico is an unassuming bookstore owner. A hardworking, responsible loner with a past. He doesn’t need an arrogant rock star busting through his business, with screaming, crazed fans on his heels, looking for a hiding place. This story is fun, funny and a hot, sensual seduction. This is a look at the world the public doesn’t get to see. The bands private dynamic and brotherhood. The building of a wonderful relationship between Blade and Nico with the fear on both sides of how this will change their lives. This is the introduction of The Rock Gods: East Coast Label. A new adventure into the rock star lifestyle as only ANN LISTER can tell it. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!!!!!