Some legends never die.Killian Desmond met his end in the fiery crash that killed his band, or so the newspapers say. Now a nameless drifter, he plays one pick-up gig after another in a haze of pain and regret, moving on the minute someone says, “You sound like that guy from Trickster.”Getting outed cost Mike Rose his musical family. A bassist without a band, he’ll play any kind of music to earn … kind of music to earn a paycheck, but Trickster’s music provides light during the darkest moments of his life.
A chance meeting brings together two lost souls who spark enough heat to set their guitars on fire. Their chemistry, both onstage and off, feels like something written in the words of a song and gives them courage to face life again.
But to seize their future, they have to confront their past.
Every damned, ugly inch of it.
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No, just no.
I desperately wanted to love this story but there were too many lyrics, too much inner monologue and too much foundation building without much meat to the story.
Then it was like instalove between the two but no matter how much I tried I could not connect to either character. One minute they were both wanderer’s and the next they cannot live without one another. Sorry, but no. I tried, and I did finish it but it wasn’t for me.
I’m not gonna lie, this book has some heavy angst going on for both main characters. The first part of the book laid the scenes out for what happened to put these two men on a path to drift through life. If you’d call what they were doing living, that is.
Killian lost everything and everyone he held dear in a horrific bus crash. There was ugliness going on prior to that as well. According to the world, Killian died alongside his band members and brother, and he was devastated to the point of not caring. So his journey of merely existing and taking whatever gig he could get, began. As soon as people would get suspicious, he’d move on.
Mike grew up in a musical family. He was a member of a gospel band. When his sexuality is discovered, his stepfather kicks him out. He takes his guitar and sets out trying to figure out how to move on. He, too takes whatever gig he can. Ironically enough, he finds inspiration from Killian’s band.
Fate is a funny thing. They meet by chance, possibly fate, and start playing together. Music is their connection, music and an understanding. Eventually, it becomes something more. The past has to be dealt with first, because no matter how far you run, you can never escape it.
This book had a dark beginning, but slivers of hope snuck in, here and there. I found myself rooting for Killian and Mike’s relationship. They deserved happiness, love, and life free of pain and regret.
If you’re not wanting a sweet, fluffy romance, this is your book. It has a lot of pain, sorrow, and heartbreak, but it also has love. That makes this book worth reading through the pain.
***Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn’t a requirement. ***
There are a few serious subjects in the book and they were all really nicely treated and given the right weight in showing the characters’ mind frames. Killy and Mike have been dished a rough hand by life, and what I appreciated was that the author didn’t make it overbearing to read through, but just angsty enough to feel for them and get really invested in their healing and happiness.
That’s why Drifter was an incredibly touching tale of dealing with grief and guilt, starting anew and finding acceptance, forgiveness, love and home.
Killian has already lost so much. After tragedy, you look for the little things that mean a lot. He decides the music means the most. Until he meets someone who gives him a reason to have hope.
Mike too has lost so much. He is excited to find someone who he actually has so much in common. Is it worth it to get your hopes up? Maybe there is a future with another lost soul who knows how it feels to lose.
This story felt to me like the epitome of a slow burn. Slower than I actually preferred, but the build was worth it as the backstory pays off as you read. Such sad lives until they come together and you know it is meant to be. Great book for a good cry, and two truly realistic characters that make you feel in such a genuine way for them.
***This copy was given in exchange for an honest review.
Drifter is a new book from Eden Winters for me. Looved it! Can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
Killy Desmond has been struggling for the past three years after he lost his brother and bandmates in a fiery bus crash. Resigned to a fate without them Killy takes it upon himself to drift through life – picking up gigs here and there for some cash, letting the world believe that the whole band, including himself perished in the fire. Mike Rose was kicked out of his home for being gay and to escape the fate of having to attend conversion therapy. Now three years later he has drifted from place to place picking up side jobs to get by. By chance he finds a band looking for a bassiest. The Band is a Trickster Tribute Band (Killy’s band) and are eager for someone new. Then with their back-up guitarist and vocalist out they need to find someone else fast and Killy decides to take his place. Mike Rose may have lived a sheltered life in the church but he knows Killy is the real deal. What they believe is a one-time thing quickly turns into something that has the potential for long term, maybe even forever.
Eden Winters pulls you in with the angst and turmoil that these two characters face after the tragedies they’ve had to go through. When the reader is introduced to Killy we get to see the man he was before the bus accident and he is identifiable as the protective older brother. His dedication to protect Elliot is sweet and fills the reader with sappy goo – that this is a good man and he will do whatever it takes to help keep his brother safe. Frankly even his brother was an interesting character in the few pages we got to meet him and so even I was said when he had to go. But the conflict in the novel is only beginning here, then we see unjust upbringing that Mike has had to deal with, with his new step-father; and the knowledge that his mother ultimately chose his step-dad over him. I’m honestly surprised the man didn’t drag Mike out of the house and into conversion therapy before he left (thank goodness for that). Both these men were lost souls drifting along the open road and when they finally meet there’s this spark between them. It is not only attraction but it’s understanding, that they both have went through something horrible but came out the other stand. And now maybe they could be something even more together. I found this novel interesting, it did drag in some pages due to the nature of the constant traveling of the band and playing gigs, but it was a good read!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a new to me author and this story was simply beautiful. I rooted for the characters from page one and was unable to put the book down. This story is a hit with me.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I’ve read Highway man, the short story on which Drifter is based on, years ago and I always wished it was longer. I felt that Killian and Mike had so much more to say. My wish came true and I couldn’t put it down. This is one of the best mm romances happening in the rock and roll world that I’ve read in a long time. One broken and jaded man, running and hiding from his past and guilt. The other rejected from his family seeking for the place to belong. What they have in common is music. Chance meeting in the middle of nowhere ignites a spark that develops into a fire. The scene where they play on stage for the first time is hands down one of the most powerful scenes I’ve read in any book – ever. I forgot how to breathe. It’s clear that Ms. Winters knows a lot about music and loves it with great passion. Her lyrics to the songs are meaningful and memorable. Highly recommended.
Killy lost his brother and himself on a snowy slick road. For three long years he drifted through life. Never stopping, never caring about anything. Till a hookup app brought him to a rundown, out of the way in Wyoming.
Mike lost his family when he came out. His preacher stepfather wouldn’t allow a gay boy to sing in the christian family band. He wandered, also alone. Till the same app brought him Killy.
The author brought all the heartache with this book. But even with the sadness it wasn’t a real angsty story. The song lyrics were beautiful and I could see Killy and Mike singing them to each other. Nice story, well written. I’ve read (and own) several of the authors books and will undoubtedly read more of her work.
Magic Words..
by and1515
If only he’d say something he knew without a shadow of a doubt the one dragging them all down would be out on his keister before he could say good bye.
Mike wasn’t damaged or confused he knew what he liked and there was no way he was allowing his holier then thou step father to take control of his life and unfortunately now he’s been barred from contacting his family again.
Killy wasn’t pleased being awoken by his brother’s piece of crap boyfriend all because he didn’t know where Elliot was. But all he could really think about was how much he wanted to was rearrange his face and drop kick him out the door.
Killy would do anything to protect his brother from his abuser and soon enough he could finally kick him to the curb.
He must have dosed off but somthing julted him awake and here he was in the middle of a nightmare.
It should have been a happy occasion his birthday but nope Mike was alone and trying to talk to his own mother who’s words left him shattered.
Kilian didn’t want anything to do with this bafoon’s plans he was done after all
The vultures were circling just waiting for there oppertunity to pick his bones clean.
The last thing Mike ever expected was to see an obituary for someone he didn’t even know was dead only he wasn’t.
Some how the years continued to rolled over until the day their two worlds collided but never once in his wildest fantasies did he believe he’d be knocking boots with a man like him.
Mike had been on his own for a long time now and sitting here spilling his poor story about his family that kicked him to the curb for daring to be himself.
Stories everyone has them and its should always be up to their owner to pick the time and place to share or not.
Kilian’s own was just as hard to tell as it had been to live it.
But today he was resurrecting himself and his music now that he honestly had the right person by his side.
Nope he wasn’t changing a darn thing this was his life and Kilian was going to be large and in charge.
He finally saw the writing on the wall the way he’d been trying to hijack his life and now he just had to say two magic words.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.