As a child, I trusted no one.Then I found my best friends.They gave me a family and saved me from a life of abuse that still has me messed up.Then one of those best friends captured my heart.Lincoln, tough yet tender, a walking contradiction.He loves me too—flaws and all. He’s the most patient man on the earth and understands my PTSD. What he doesn’t understand is why our being intimate makes me … understand is why our being intimate makes me feel “dirty”.
He’s not one of the men who abused me, and he’d never hurt me. I know this. I believe it.
Still, the “dirty” creeps in even though I know what we do together is anything but.
He’s here now and he’s going to stay.
It’s time for me to talk to someone professionally.
I need to shed my unhealthy past in order to have a healthy future with the man I love.
If I don’t, I just might lose the best thing that’s ever happened to me—and there’s not enough therapy in the world to get me through that.
more
Refrain by Anne Mercier is the M/M love story of Ethan and Linc. This book is in the timeline that Xander Part 1 & 2 is in. Ethan is the bass player for Falling Down ; he is such a complex character- he’s got this background that before this book, was a mystery but now the reader finds out what shaped him into who he is today while Linc is a fighter whose ready to fight.. in more ways than one.
This was full of feels, drama, angst, heartache, anger, pain, despair, hope, sizzle, twists, forbidden love, passion, excitement and love. This book ends on a cliffhanger…I liked the main characters and the secondary characters in the book. I look forward to the next book in this series.
My Rating: 4.2 stars ********
Emotive & Full Of Love But Also Brutal & Bruising!!
What a story!
Ethan & Linc’s love was stunningly beautiful. it was full of all the feels you could ever want & their heat was scorching. This storyline ran alongside much of what’s happened in previous books but especially Xander & Tera’s 2nd book and the short stories that followed then!
I was swept up in the CFD home & it’s family of Rockstars & their partners. The two youngest girls , before Xan & Tera’s baby’s arrives, have the guys in equal parts awe & terror with their wiley ways – hilarity abounds around those situations! The Mojo is strong in Kiki Seeing the FDB Families again was fantastic!! La Familigla are around, Of course. They are an integral part of the group’s now. They’re busy trying to keep threats at bay & everyone safe
This was a completely emotive read on many levels. There are betrayals, losses, new additions, bigotry & much more. Sexy as sin Damian, struts his stuff & he’s panty melting in the process.There are many light hearted & outright hilarious moments throughout!! I love this series & this book didn’t disappoint in anyway! I can’t wait for book #17
Debbie, 1970, UK
Ethan and Linc’s story was amazing. I know it’s an M/M, not that, that would stop me. Honestly though, it was a beautifully written, emotional read, with lots of surprises. With Answers to some of the questions from earlier books.
Love these characters and really enjoyed this book
The Rockstar Series is one of my absolute favorites by Anne Mercier! I love that in each of the different books she still ties in the other characters so you can see what going on in their lives still and it keeps you sucked into the books. I loved Ethan and Lincoln’s story cause it made me have so many feels for the both of them. Ethan is battling his demons but Lincoln is seriously the perfect rock for him that keeps him grounded and able to fight those demons in the end. I seriously cannot wait for the next book to come out so I can find out more about all the characters and what is happening in their lives.
This is one of my favorite series. I’ve been waiting for this book for awhile now, and she didn’t disappoint me. I love m/m romance and this has real in it. I love that most about this book. Very well written and keeps you drawn in.
See full review under Up All Night With Books Blog.
This series is one of my absolute favorites. From book 1 to book 16 we get everything and then some. But one of my ultimate favorite things about this series is the point of views. Even though each book is a different couple we get everyone the whole “family” and even if it just one quick thing, we get it all!!!!
HOLY SMOKE AND A PANCAKE!!!
Well… All I can say it was well worth the wait! Anne knocks it out of the park and once again leaves us wanting more!
While I know M/M might not be everyone’s cup of tea you don’t see that here. All you see is two people who love each other. Gender doesn’t even register at lease it didn’t for me. You cant help but root for Linc and Ethan and be a little envious of the love that they share and the love and support of all those around them. Honestly I wouldnt let that keep you from reading and catching up with our favorite Rockstars.
We also get to hear from our favorites and see a little more of some of the supporting characters that again make you want more of them.
Fair warning!! There will be some tears shed. Some out of happiness. Some out of anger. Some out of sadness. But man does Anne make it worth the ride.
I for sure can’t wait for the next book in the series to come out because while some questions were answered there were others that were left wide open. Hate to be those people that mess with the Russos and I would hate to be someone that missed out on such a wonderful love story!! Thank you Anne!!
Another great book in the Rockstar Series by Anne Mercier. Intrigue, pain, secrets, and new threats are woven into this installment, filled with all the characters we have grown to love.
4 Stars
Review by Lisa
Late Night Reviewer
Up All Night w/ Books Blog
Holy smokes with this book everything! If you have been following the Rockstar series by Anne Mercier, then wait until you get your hands on this one. Refrain is book nine, but if you read all the little snippets/novellas/Christmas extras then it’s book sixteen. You can read it as a standalone but you might get lost in the storyline and it is so worth it to start this series from the beginning.
We are up to Ethan and Linc story and yes, it’s an M/M story, and so good. It definitely tops the charts. In this book, we have a chance to reunite with our favorites in this dual point of view story. As the ending of this series is getting closer, there is a loose end that is tied. I can’t believe what the author did to have that come about.
There is a gamut of feels in this book from laughing out loud moments, to a bit of anger and love. This a story that has family, mafia, rockstars and MMA fights. I had to close my eyes at that last one because I didn’t want to read those moments.
One of my absolute favorite lines is:
“It’s fierce, it’s all-consuming, and it’s forever”
swoon swoon swoon, I love that line!!!
I absolutely love this series and I can’t wait for the next installment because the ending just killed me. Send the bat signal out, we need a Batman!!!
I loved this book, I read it in one day, I could’t put it down.
I fell more in love with all the characters, and like all the previous books in the series I felt all the emotions, sad happy and angry to name three.
Roll on the next book, can’t wait.
Refrain is just hands-down amazing. I loved it from the first word until I hit the end. Not many books these days can affect my emotions, this one brought tears to my eyes and a pain to my chest. Life hits people in unexpected ways and this definitely had some unexpected twists.
The 16th book in the series goes a little off typical because it is a M/M romance and it ends with a cliffhangar. Neither of these things take away from the awesomeness of this book. Linc, an MMA fighter and Ethan, bass player for Falling Down, have known and loved each other almost their whole lives. Now they are finally in the same city and can make their relationship public. They fight against demons from Ethan’s past and narrow minded opinions of others as they try to live their very public lives. Throw in the members of Falling Down and Blush, la Famiglia problems and one she devil toddler and you have a book you won’t put down.
Get ready for an emotional rollercoaster
I love this series so much. Refrain is full of the feels. It’s more than an M/M book. That’s just a little tiny smidgeon of this book.
There is so many things going on. Loose ends are tied up and its heading more into the mafia side of the Rockstars.
So many surprises and appearances by the Familia we all know and Love. Anne did an excellent job portraying Ethan and Lincs love and it’s so sweet how they do exactly that. LOVE.
There are some super wth moments you’ll get to meet someone brand new
Such a great read and I’m oh so ready for MY Trace!! He’s all mine! Anne said so!
That ending though gahhhh
Oh my goodness…..I could not put this down! Love is love, and it is an amazingly well written example to prove it! Lincoln and Ethan’s story is a love story of all love stories! It might not be your “normal” relationship, but then again, what is normal these days anyways? Their story is an example how you can overcome a tragic and unfair past with the help of a loving partner and family that you can trust with all of your heart. Lincoln and Ethan both have their own skeletons in their closets but they don’t let that hold them back from being with each other. They help each other to work through their demons and skeletons, and come out on the other side with a better understanding of what their love means to each other. This book took me through all of the feels and it kept me guessing from the minute I started it.
Y’all ain’t ready for this
Without question my favorite book in the series now. There’s so many layers to this and I feel like it’s really setting the tone for the way the other books are going to play out. We FINALLY get to see Linc and Ethan get their HEA! Of course it couldn’t come without it challenges. It was heart breaking to see some of their struggles and situations play out but their love for one another and the love and support they received from the BFD crew AND La Famiglia was incredible.
Throughout Refrain we get multiple POVs, not just Ethan and Linc. Which I loved. It’s always fun getting to see certain scenes and situations through specific characters eyes. It’s also a great way to get more from our series favorites without taking too much away from the main characters.
But the thing that I enjoyed most about this book was the increased presence of the Russo familia and their mafia storyline. It’s always just been there simmering under the surface of this series but by the end of Refrain it is very clear that the Russo familia/mafia is going to be playing a much larger role as the series continues. I for one am ridiculously excited to see this happen. I can’t wait to see which direction Anne takes it. I know it’s going to be intense, emotional and all kinds of crazy.
So much is happening in this book I do not know even where to begin. First off yes it is a M/M book, . A very well done M/M book. Anne shows Linc & E’s relationship in a beautiful and very real way. But this book has so much in it. I laughed out loud, I cried and yelled at my kindle at times. It truly is a great addition to this Rock Star series. You will not want to miss this one.
I absolutely loved Refrain and Ethan and Linc together. What a sweet and loving couple. Hate all the crap they had to go through but glad they had their family to help them through it. And as far as the She Devil goes, I love love love her and how she scares Jesse!! Next Rockstar book please!
I’m so happy that we finally got Ethan and Linc’s story! I’m a huge lover of M/M books and Anne Mercier does a stellar job with their love story. Ethan’s always been a bit of a mystery so getting his backstory was something I was eager for. His history is rough but that wasn’t the focus of the book. This is the story of Ethan and Linc coming out and living their life together in the spotlight. It is gritty and raw and these two characters are put through the wringer. Their story is emotional and will certainly break your heart at times. The story is told through multiple POV’s and we see the set up for things coming down the pike with the next books. We get to know Kennedy a bit more in-depth. As he’s always been an enigma to me, I was glad to get a taste and can’t wait for what’s to come with his story. Mercier writes some shocking twists and the story definitely ends with a bang so be prepared for a cliffhanger of sorts.
Refrain is not a standalone. It’s a continuation of the Rockstar series and prior books should be read to fully understand the backstory with these characters. There a ton of history with all of the characters so reading from the beginning is best to fully enjoy the story. Besides, who doesn’t love reading and falling in love with rockstars? 4 stars
Hot Rockstar
Sexy Fighter
Love too beautiful for words
Amazing friendships
Hilarious moments
Jaw dropping action
Refrain ticks ALL the boxes for an epic read. It’s emotional, it’s fun, it’s absolutely beautiful! Anne Mercier blew me away with this one.
This is the 16th book in this phenomenal series, and Ethan and Linc’s story. Linc is a tough MMA fighter and Ethan the rock star, but the love they have for each other is unique and genuine. These two have many obstacles to overcome along the way, as well as heartbreaking pasts and fears. It is great to catch up with the other characters. This is a beautifully written story which is fun, humorous, emotional, entertaining, and filled with love. I cannot wait to read more in this awesome series, especially after that unexpected ending. I highly recommend this gifted authors’ work for all.