Felix Humphries can’t even remember the first time he crushed on Star Shadow’s drummer, Max McCloud.It’s been an embarrassingly long time, but he’s still never acted on his feelings. One, because Max is his older brother’s best friend. Two, because Max is also his friend. Three, Max is technically his boss. And four, worst of all, Max is straight.But when Max unexpectedly needs a caretaker for a … straight.
But when Max unexpectedly needs a caretaker for a few weeks, Felix can’t leave his friend in the lurch. He’s all ready to suffer through being so close but not close enough, when the unexpected happens.
Max isn’t straight after all, and what Max wants is Felix—but only in his bed, not in his heart.
Hazardous Things is the third book in the Star Shadow series and should not be read as a standalone.
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Beth Bolden creates such delightfully witty (and sometimes outright snarky) men! Her characters don’t just speak; they spar. They challenge one another, but beneath the surface, they are achingly vulnerable. It all adds up to amazing chemistry that sizzles on the pages.
Hazardous Things does all of the above exceptionally well. There’s a push and pull between characters who are not quite ready to trust, not quite ready to be vulnerable with one another — and yet cannot resist the pull of attraction, longing, and sexual chemistry.
Did they frustrate me at times? Yes. They were stubborn and guarded and I wanted them to make nice. Was the payoff worth it? Definitely. Watching them give in to their desires, despite their fears and reluctance, made the experience that much sweeter.
Beth brings a depth to her characters you won’t find in all books. There are undercurrents to the undercurrents. Subtle nuances that enrich each exchange between characters, and a realness to the storyline that will make their love not only enjoyable, but entirely believable.
I highly recommend. =)
4.5
I’ve been waiting for this book because it combines two of my favorite tropes, GFY/Bi/Gay Awakening and Friends to Lovers. It did NOT disappoint. Thank you, Beth Bolden. Leo being supportive took out the forbidden best friend and little brother aspect, though. Leo is such a party pooper!
I sat down u202aat about 5 p.m.u202c, and started the book. I read it straight through u202auntil 1:20 a.m.u202c I couldn’t put it down. Max and Felix‘s story was just too delicious.
This was book three in the series. It continues the story from book two, only it shifts the main characters to Max and Felix. This can’t really be appreciated as a standalone, and Terrible Things and Impossible Things should be read first.
I stand by my previous reviews, and I’m still obsessed with this series. It’s so, very good. The writing has drawn me in and made me fall in love with these six beautiful men. I will be nursing a broken heart once the series is deemed complete. I will be revisiting them repeatedly in the future. One read-through is hardly enough. I need more!
***Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn’t a requirement. ***
Max spends his vacation, with the band on a break, recuperating from knee surgery. Felix stays behind and helps Max since Leo decides for him and his brother Max giving them no choice but to agree.
This was a slow-burn with some miscommunication story. These two MC’s made me a little crazy at times but I really did love the way their story came together. I definitely recommend this book!
Felix works as a PA for his older brother’s very famous band Star Shadow. He’s a very clever and capable man and he’s best friends with the drummer of the band, Max. He’s also been in love with Max for years. But Max is straight and Felix decides to put some distance between them and try to get over him. When Max has knee surgery and needs someone to help him recover Felix is the only one that can do it. So they get stuck together in a house and things between them start changing. Maybe Max isn’t straight after all.
Felix was one of my favorite side characters from the first book. I loved his witty comments. I was really excited for his story and it was all I was hoping for! The chemistry between him and Max was explosive. Forced proximity is one of the most entertaining tropes. The book was beautifully written and I really enjoyed reading it. It was fun, steamy and had some very moving moments. I’m anxiously waiting for the last book and to find out what is going on with Leo and Caleb
5/5 stars
I received an ARC of this book for an honest review.
Wow! Just when I thought nothing in this series could surprise me, we get this?! So many emotions in this story!
The development of both the story and the MCs was absolutely flawless! I loved every minute of the tension between the guys!
I loved Felix and Max and was excited to finally get their story. It was so sweet to see how Max liked all of Felix’s qualities, even his bossiness and grumpiness. Felix was adorable in his half-hearted efforts to pull away from Max, believing his love would always remain one-sided. These two were sexy and stubborn, and sometimes clueless.
This book revolved around Star Shadow’s break, so there were no concerts this time. However, music was still a big part of Max’s side of the story. I enjoyed seeing his creative process.
I’m so in love with this series, and I’m looking forward to the next part of Leo and Caleb’s story, which will be out soon. This romances of this band, plus Felix, make for a great series, one that I highly recommend!
Felix has loved his best friend, Max forever it seems, unrequited love as he assumes Max is straight. Max has always thought he was straight but whilst having Felix help him recover from surgery, he began to question his sexuality and his feelings. Both Max and Felix were not good at communicating causing many angsty moments. The storyline was good and the characters were awesome. Love this series and can’t wait for last one.
I loved Felix and Max, their sweet slow-burn romance is a wonderful addition to the Star Shadow series. I highly recommend reading the series in order because of the overreaching arc woven throughout, all in all the wonderful characters and engaging storyline made for a very enjoyable read.
*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book*
I loved Hazardous Things. Star Shadow series is great and I love that Felix and Max got their story. It was funny, sexy, hot, full of just the right amount of angst and a great romance. I loved how Max and Felix communicated with each other, even when a bit oblivious. I love that we got to see more about the rest of the band but that the majority of the story was about Felix and Max. I am totally loving this series about rock stars, which is a world I can’t imagine, but sure is fun to read about. I definitely recommend this book and the whole series and I can’t wait for Extraordinary Things.
Why can’t they be frank: Felix with Max and Max with himself?!
If you like your MM romance angstful with steam and tons of feelings bottled up and left unsaid, this rock band romance should hit the mark. Felix has known for ages that he is in love with his brother’s fellow band member (and so does almost everyone but Max, the object of his affection). Max is pretty clueless and, when his operation and recuperation has Felix living in his pocket to watch over his recovery, the stage is set for churning emotions to boil over.
For me, the constant introspection and inability for these guys to open up to each other got me frustrated and I felt the story lagged in the middle. I was not won over by either or Felix. But the writing is fine and the ending is happy so all’s well that ends well? Though part of a series about the guys in the band, this book can be read as a standalone. The other guys in the band appear, but the plot is solidly built around Felix and Max.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
Max is the drummer for Star Shadow, Felix is their PA and Leo’s brother. Felix has been in love with Max for 10 long years but has decided that he must get over his unrequited love. When Max has surgery, Felix decides to help him to recover. Max has always been in love with Felix but never realized it until forced to… This story gave me those dang ugly tears, it was so good. Definitely recommend…..
I am voluntarily leaving a review form an ARC that I received. My reviews are solely based on my thoughts and opinions.
Let me make one thing clear first – I enjoyed the heck out of this book. It’s well written with a plot that drew me in and kept me reading. It does feature appearances from the other band members in this rock star romance, so while you could probably read this as a standalone, but you’ll need to read the first book before book No. 4 comes out because it’s back to Leo and Caleb.
However, if I hadn’t been emotionally invested in these characters, I’d have never made it to the third book in the series because these are about the most over-all unlikable people – in my opinion – in any series I’ve read. I like Max, who seems to honestly be doing his absolute best, and I like Felix most of the time but GOOD GRIEF he needs to get over himself. Such a martyr! That’s just my take, mind you, but for more than 3/4 of the book I wanted to reach through the pages and smack these guys around until they paid attention and stopped the insanity.
They did, of course, find their way to a happy ending, and they’re really sweet together. It’s a testament to Beth Bolden’s skill as a writer that I made it through all three of these books with as little sympathy as I had for most of these guys. If you liked the first two books, you’ll love this one.
Love the Star Shadow boys but I think Max and Felix are my favourite! BFF to lovers is one of my fave tropes and the author has done a great job of writing their story!
3.5 – 4 stars This story is about Max, drummer of Star Shadow and Felix who works for and is friends and family with some of the members of the band.
Felix will take care of Max after a knee surgery.
A lot of inner conflicts going through Felix’s head. His deep feelings for Max can never see the daylight. Max is straight and they are best friends. It’s getting harder until Max makes a proposition, to hook up. They are attracted to each other so they could hook up. Max doesn’t want more. It’s killing Felix but at last, he has something from Max.
Bad bad idea ever. It means nothing to Max and everything to Felix. Right?
Even though I love this story I had a hard time digesting all the none or vaguely communication between both men, I grind my teeth and wanted to shake someone more than once. I wanted transparency!
Max is a bit of a softy and Felix is a feisty one, both were inadequate with communication.
The story was captivating, only it was dragging on, for me a bit too long.
The secondary stories of the other members of Star Shadow are as captivating as the main.
Overall a slow-paced, nicely entertainingly written story, with lovable characters.
Hazardous Things by Beth Bolden is the third book in the Star Shadow series. It is important to read the previous books to fully appreciate the wonderfulness of this book and the characters depicted here. This is an addictive tale of Rockstars figuring out their lives and friends becoming lovers with an added best friend’s brother feel. Felix and Max heat up the pages and deliver their lovestory of confusion, devotion, connection, lust, heat, steam and love. Can not wait for the next release…
Put in close quarters for a week the incredibly stubborn PA who has been in love with the drummer of Star Shadows for all his life together with the exact drummer who has been oblivious of said unrequited love but suddenly realizes that 1. he may not be as straight as an arrow and 2. he might have been in love with the PA, too, and you will spend hours debating with both these characters whether or not they should admit their reciprocal love and affection beyond friendship while hooking up and breaking all the basic rules of hookups.
At times the reader may get quite annoyed with Felix and Max and may want to scream “JUST TELL HIM ALREADY!!!” and “GET OVER YOUR F**ING STUBBORNNESS”, because, let’s say it, the back and forth between these two was exhausting at times. But as for the other two couples of this series, the men of Star Shadows don’t know what easy love means, and their way to happiness is pathed with obstacles, mostly coming from their internal debates, insecurities, and stubbornness. But once they come to terms with their inner wars, they embrace their feelings and love to the fullest.
Independent reviewer for Gay Romance Reviews