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On and off the cameras they grow closer and form a deep and meaningful connection that both boys desperately crave and need in their lives, but they must overcome some pretty heavy roadblocks before they can find any kind of personal peace and happiness together. I liked Trevor and Jalen as a couple and I enjoyed their kinky yet emotional sexual explorations. Being a massive music lover and long-time fangirl of all things boy band related, I definitely enjoyed the backdrop of the making-a-boy-band reality show and I loved how music played a major role throughout the story.
Obviously it's an overarching theme of the series, but the religion stuff was just too heavy and too infuriating, again, for me to truly love this story. As a fan of stories with great secondary characters, this one fell short in that department. At the end of the day, although I may not have loved some of the heavier themes here, this was yet another well-written, deliciously angsty offering from Albert, and I look forward to wrapping this series up with All Note Long.
View all 5 comments. Dec 27, Vivian rated it really liked it Shelves: Forced together in a marketing stunt they soon find out that they are more interested than they thought. The games boys play. The exploration of their sexuality and what makes them tick and explode is interesting, thoughtful, and well done. Both guys have some serious issues in their past that have affected them, and they rear up in unexpected ways during the competition and its stresses.
I love the subdued and natural acceptance of their interracial relationship. In SoCal and among my friends, this is the norm so I found the lack of polemic blustering and posturing much more to my liking than the hyperbole of skin politics. The focus was Jalen and Trevor's relationship and the events affecting its progression or regression, not the reality TV competition as much. I liked it, some the elements fell together super smoothly--this isn't gritty realism. Yeah, they made it look easy, but sometimes that's the cozy blanket we throw over our shoulders to keep out the cold.
It is romance, after all. Sep 20, Catherine rated it it was amazing Shelves: If you are in love with love, you will love this book! Jalen and Trevor are just the cutest! There are so many swoony, sigh-inducing moments and I could just DIE of the cute. View all 3 comments.
Mar 21, Sheziss rated it did not like it Shelves: This one went over my head. I admit I had doubts about this one since the very beginning, despite the great reviews. But one thing is to suspect it, and another thing altogether is to experience it in person. My main and only problem with this book is this simple fact: Apart from a detail or two I got a little upset about, this is the only objection I have.
I struggled with each passing chapter hoping for a ray of sunlight to appear, This one went over my head. I struggled with each passing chapter hoping for a ray of sunlight to appear, to no use. There were a few hints where I realized this story would take off at some point. However, I was let down again and again. I felt I was at the same landing strip the whole way, waiting for some signal to begin the trip.
I was expecting to fly and I was on the ground instead. When I saw that this book would never improve and that it would get 2 stars, being generous, I decided there were better things to invest my time in. This is what happens when authors are ambiguous in their descriptions. My face is priceless.
Why is it so difficult to mention an ethnicity in so many words? I don't really care what color his skin is. If the author says nothing about the appearance of the characters, I'm okay with that. But if you are going to describe them, do it properly, please. Above all when you are going to show aspects related to it, like marginalization and racism. To sum it up: I want to understand them better.
I want to get to know them. And, above all, I want to have a proper and faithful image of them in my head. And authors tiptoeing around it is not the best way to do that, in my humble opinion. I value it when someone says it naturally in a book. Apart from that, the media stuff and music show bullshit was getting on my nerves. I felt I was watching some kind of Big Brother and it was unbearable. Definitely, not for me. Jan 03, Dena rated it it was amazing Shelves: Aug 27, Ele rated it really liked it.
Feb 27, Leta Blake rated it it was amazing. Really loved this book a hell of a lot. It was the perfect length for me, covering more than just falling in love, but really getting into the psychology of both guys and digging into the sex, the family situation, the past with Trevor, and it was just so deliciously good.
I'm all about the psychology of characters and Ms. Albert dug into it and unf. This book really delivered for me. Trevor is a graduating college student who is about a month away from homelessness. He recently came out to his ultra-religious conservative family and was turned away. He won't be welcome into the family business where his post-college plans had been as well. It's there he meets his "boyfriend" Jalen, who is "jacked like a Chevy with a lift kit.
Their group of 4? They're the gays who are coupled off and in luuurve. But is it really such a hardship, Trevor? Jalen, come to mama. Alas, these two don't get along at first. They snipe all the time. But that does eventually, deliciously, turn into sizzling flirting since they have to have it "turned on" for the cameras. There are some mild, but HAWT, kinks on display here. And one of my personal favorites if I do say so. Trevor's been in that super-religious environment for a long time.
So he has some, hmmmmm, issues about sex. And Jalen is this awesome balance between supportive and not letting him walk over him. But even Jalen along with me takes a while to understand the true depth of Trevor's internal struggle. He'd let dirty, dirty things happen to him, again because he was weak. There was nothing left to do except ride out the tidal wave of shame.
And once Jalen and Trevor begin spending hour upon hour, day upon day, together. They have each others backs. The reality show did NOT take up too much page time. This was a beautifully written story about Jalen and Trevor, with side characters who you will actually grow to love. It's not often I give a high rating to a YA story, but this one is very much worth it. View all 6 comments. Feb 13, Vallie rated it it was amazing Shelves: Trevor was ostracised by his very conservative family when he came out and he has nowhere to go, so he chooses this competition mainly to secure a place to live and living expenses.
Jaylen has the too cool for this shit vibe down pat. He is not excited about having to pretend delicate Trevor is his boyfriend for the cameras, but he wants a career in music and is willing to go along with it. What both Trevor and Jaylen did not see coming though was some honest attraction happening where the cameras cannot see.
Can I just say how much I loved those late night talks they had and the cuddling? Trevor is struggling with shame and self-loathing after every sexual encounter, to the point where he does not think he deserves anything better than a quick fuck from someone without even getting off. But Jalen manages to break down that barrier and find ways for Trevor to be active sexually without hating himself afterward. I love what Annabeth Albert has done with this series in terms of kink. In every book, it seems that the characters have some unique kink to bring to the table which makes everything all the more delicious and spicy!
Their sex scenes were very steamy but more importantly for me, more and more emotional as time went on. The plot follows the reality competition so the boys are whisked from photo shoot, to interview, to performance every other day. I also liked that the singing parts were very present but did not take over the story, which was my feeling from book 1. The other couple in their band, Carter and Carson, were pretty obnoxious in the first half of the book, especially Carter, but as the band became closer, we learned more about that couple and why they acted the way they did.
It served as the catalyst for the boys to get closer and for solid character development as well. I honestly have nothing bad to say about this book. It had everything I want in a NA novel. The first chapter of his book is included at the end of this one, just enough to make waiting for his book torture. Thanks a lot Annabeth Albert! See this review at Gay Book Reviews. Jul 01, namericanwordcat rated it really liked it Shelves: There is a lot going on in this romance and that is a good thing, Trevor was in this first book in this series and he was sympathetic but not very likable.
He is so utterly human and in pain in this book and becomes utterly lovable, Jalen starts out the book defensive in a way that is not really a match with the personality that is revealed but who he becomes is as the book moves on is pretty great. They make a wonderful couple with pretend romance for the show to get them started. It would be There is a lot going on in this romance and that is a good thing, Trevor was in this first book in this series and he was sympathetic but not very likable.
It would be easy to give spoilers for this book that would take the fun out of why each hero is the way he is that would ruin the book. Feb 18, Fabi rated it it was amazing Shelves: What a wonderful surprise this book was for me. The boys were young and just starting out on life on their own. One had a supportive adoptive family while the other had a horrible religious zealot homophobic family.
I was afraid the story was going to take a dark turn. Thank goodness it didn't go there because I get so angry reading about homophobic families, especially the religious ones. The boys learned and grew as indi What a wonderful surprise this book was for me. The boys learned and grew as individuals and as a couple, it was beautiful to read. Honestly, I enjoyed all the characters in the book. I haven't read the first book in this series yet, but it honestly didn't affect this story at all.
There were only a couple of casual mentions of previous characters. I got a sneak peek at the next book at the end of this one. It's going to be great. Slick's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews 4. While one of the main characters was in the first book in this series, it is not necessary to read that book to enjoy this one. The couple from book one is mentioned a couple of times in this book, but not featured. Author Annabeth Albert treats us to another book about reality television, young men trying to break into show business, and discovering, embracing the things that make you unique and living the life that makes Slick's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews 4.
Albert and Me is a British radio series that had a pilot and eight episodes in , and another eight episodes in The 17 half-hour-long episodes were. Comedy about a single dad working as a cosmetics salesman, starring Richard Beckinsale.
Author Annabeth Albert treats us to another book about reality television, young men trying to break into show business, and discovering, embracing the things that make you unique and living the life that makes you happy. Love Me Tenor was exciting, entertaining but also sweet with a side of sexy and a very enjoyable story. College senior Trevor is scared, lonely and trying to figure out what he's going to do when he graduates in a little over a month when he'll be homeless, jobless and still disowned by his ultra religious and conservative family after coming out as gay.
Being asked to return to the world of reality television as part of Next Direction a show looking for the next big Boy Band isn't high on his list of things to do, but with no other options he find himself agreeing and in Vancouver for taping. As a favor to his assistant producer sister, Jalen agrees to be a part of one of the Boy Bands competing for stardom but he questions his ability to really help a group win. Jalen has swagger, he can rap some, but that's about the extent of his musical ability and then finding out that he has to pretend to be the boyfriend of the very uptight guy who thoroughly checked him out while he was waiting for his sister makes him want to run.
Trevor and Jalen don't get off to a great start and it takes them awhile to find their footing with each other, but along the way they begin to appreciate the little things that make the other special. I liked that Trevor shared and trusted some pretty big secrets with Jalen given that he didn't really have someone he could confide in.
While Jalen was a bit more closed off, he did warm up to Trevor but more than that he wanted help Trevor and keep him safe and happy.
I admired Jalen's dedication to Trevor even before they crossed the line from acquaintances to friends to lovers and I loved watching Trevor learn to love himself and accept that his wants and needs were not only important but necessary to being happy. That's not to say these two didn't struggle because they did, but overall even with all the changes in their relationship and a very serious episode that truly was a matter of life and death their relationship wasn't filled with a lot of angst. While the taping of the reality show was pretty present throughout this book, for the most part Trevor and Jalen and their burgeoning relationship was front and center.
In my opinion the other members of Trevor and Jalen's group, Stand Out, Carter and Carson, a real life couple who oddly looked like twins, were featured way too much as I found them boorish, insipid and with bullying tendencies. I think I would have enjoyed this book a whole lot more if I hadn't had to wade through so many scenes with them in it.
Love Me Tenor is another great coming of age story from Annabeth Albert, but most of all it is a great testament to believing in yourself, celebrate your life and learning that sometimes the family who choose is better than the one you are given. Review copy provided for an honest review. Jan 07, Ami marked it as my-issues-not-yours.
As I started reading this I realized that I really, really, hated the whole fake relationship for marketing ploy.
I thought I could get pass this to find out more about the characters, but even the whole twitter shout at the beginning of the chapters made me grit my teeth because they were all lies. I hated the idea so much. So, I decided to stop earl As I started reading this I realized that I really, really, hated the whole fake relationship for marketing ploy. So, I decided to stop early on. Definitely my issue alone and not the book especially not the author. I'll stick to her " Portland Heat " or other books instead. The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review.
No high rating is required for any ARC received. Jan 16, CrabbyPatty rated it really liked it Shelves: It took me a while to get into this book, unlike Treble Maker where I fell hard and fast. But about half-way through, all of a sudden it seemed to click. Looking forward to the next book in the series All Note Long.
Dec 20, Veronica of V's Reads rated it it was amazing Shelves: This is the second book in a series, and fully enjoyable on its own. Trevor hails from a conservative Christian family which has rejected him due to his sexuality. He's weeks from graduating college and his whole life already seems a bust.
He's cut off from his family and his planned job as music director in his father's church. Trevor was part of an acapella group i This is the second book in a series, and fully enjoyable on its own. Trevor was part of an acapella group in college, and even participated in a previous reality show with that group the summer before--one of this new show's producers is the one calling him back, and well, he has the choice between homelessness and six weeks of room and board in the reality show house.
Plus, if the group he's with wins Okay, it's not gonna be easy, especially when Trevor learns that he's part of a "gay" band. And, not just part Jalen is doing this show as a favor to his foster sister, and he doesn't mind singing so much, but he hasn't had any formal training, and he's not sure what to make of Trevor, his "boo. They are pressed into sharing a room in the house, and that's not all they share.
Okay, well, that is all they share at first, but the pressure cooker of the competition soon draws them close. Trevor has such a negative view of himself, it's upsetting. He's never been good enough for his family, his music group, his instructors, etc. He's also so very hard on himself for looking too femme, with a high vocal range that also makes him feel femme. He has NO desire to be femme, but it's kinda default, on account of his stature, and it really affects him, holds him back from being the best he can be.
Jalen is such a nurturer.
As Jalen gets a glimpse into Trevor's world, all he wants is to keep Trevor safe. It's not easy, due to a developing medical problem that worsens as the story winds on. The big crisis comes just when it looks like Jalen and Trevor and their group are poised to win the whole thing. There are some spectacular feels in this book. Trevor's capacity for self-loathing seems deep and wide, but Jalen's steadfast affection, and eventual love, is able to slowly draw Trevor into a positive mindset.
There is some rather deep shame kink here--some I hadn't read before--and I liked the way it was handled. The whole "different strokes" take was interesting and kept me engaged, as I hoped that Trevor would work past it. The playful banter was so spot on, and the insight from both Trevor and Jalen's POVs were compelling. The competition didn't play such a role in this book, as very little of the story takes place before an audience and there are no weekly eliminations, so the bulk of the narrative was focused on the characters and their love story, and how it developed.
There are good secondary characters, too. Carter and Carson--the other half of the "band" are not pleasant at first, but we get a good look in on them when the going gets rough.
I liked how Trevor and Carter interacted when it looked like the whole plan was going up in smoke. Jalen's sister is a good gal, despite the prickly situation of being a boss in the show. I totally loved this one, and am not nearly ready to wait goodness knows how long for the NEXT book in this series now that I broke my rule and read the included first chapter of book three I received a review copy of this book via NetGalley. Dec 03, Aerin rated it it was amazing Shelves: Hands down, this is Annabeth Albert's best book to date.
It was not only fun, but also very complex and the characters certainly manage to play with your heartstrings. I'm pretty sure every single character in this book grew a lot, changed, matured, from who they were at the beginning of this book. I usually don't watch talent shows, but I'm pretty familiar with how they work, and I kind of enjoyed the setting and plot of this book. I loved Trevor and Jalen from the very beginning, and I loved ev Hands down, this is Annabeth Albert's best book to date.
I loved Trevor and Jalen from the very beginning, and I loved every single one of their interactions, from the reluctant enemies to incendiary lovers. Let me tell you, Trevor and Jalen set the sheets on fire, I've never come across a hotter frottage scene than the one that takes place between these two.
Holy fuck, it was intense Jalen is dominant and bossy, but at the same time a very sensual lover, while Trevor loves to be held down and rubbed into submission. The result is some out if this world sex in many different forms I tend to skim the sex scenes when they get too repetitive, and I never once wanted to skim any part of this book. Trevor is a very damaged soul who's at a very bad place in life. He's been kicked out of his very religious family after coming out to them, wasn't able to find any reliable job, and he's about to become homeless when he gets the call about being part of Next Direction Show.
Trevor is not a confident person, and there's not much about himself he loves or even likes. He's too short, his dick's too small, his voice is too high pitched, he's gay, and he doesn't think he deserves any of the good opportunities being part of this show can bring him.
Trevor's journey is somewhat painful to watch, and I found myself aggravated with him at times mostly when I wasn't brokenhearted , mainly for his ignorance and dismissal when it came to his diabetes. The feelings of guilt and shame he experienced after each time he had sex broke my heart, and I was so glad I had Jalen to hurt with Jalen is a rock, that dude has my heart! He is a caretaker, a worrier, he NEEDS to know that the people he cares about are happy and safe, always taken care of. Trevor pushes every one of his buttons, because he NEEDS people who care about him and his wellbeing, and there's nobody better at that than Jalen.
I absolutely loved how Jalen refused to be stereotyped and put in a box simply because someone believed he belonged in one. He believed at all times that being yourself was the only way to go, and he teaches Trevor how to love, both himself and others. There are lots of secondary characters, but I want to give a shout-out to the boyfriend-"twins" Carter and Carson, the other two member of Stand Out You guys were catty, bitchy and pretentious, sometimes even downright rude, but I still loved you anyways, especially after you removed those huge baseball bats you had shoved up your bottoms and became amazing friends to Trevor, who was in desperate need of support.
I went from being amused and mildly annoyed with Carter mostly to loving you guys to pieces, and I always appreciate a character who can make me go through such a complex range of feelings. This book totally rocked, I'm goo-goo, ga-ga, over the top in love with the whole story! I hope we get more in this series, because Michelin really needs his own book, it's about time!
Aug 16, Cadiva rated it really liked it. I loved this one, I think I preferred it just over book one in the series too because Trevor was just so in need of someone to love him and he found the perfect person. I also love the idea of these singing reality TV shows even though I don't watch any of them in actuality and I think this worked better than the a cappella version in book one too.
The cast of secondary characters were great, the twin boyfriends Carter and Carson had me laughing but they actually had a lot of depth to them and t I loved this one, I think I preferred it just over book one in the series too because Trevor was just so in need of someone to love him and he found the perfect person. The cast of secondary characters were great, the twin boyfriends Carter and Carson had me laughing but they actually had a lot of depth to them and their relationship, I liked Dawn, it's nice to have supportive female characters, and our other MC, the delightfully spikey Jalen, was also a serious sweetheart.
Most of the conflict comes from external sources and there's one character I'd like to hit with a piece of two b'four because of how he treats Trevor and how he gets in the way of Trev and Jalen. Homophobia and religious fervor really grind my gears. Now to find where the heck I stuck book three because I need M's story like yesterday! Apr 28, Marion rated it really liked it Shelves: Mar 14, Flavia rated it really liked it. Dec 15, Alicia rated it it was amazing Shelves: Like really really good. After reading book one, and seeing what Trevor was like in that, I was a little wary going in to this, thinking I was getting some huge Christian Virgin who would spend most the book preaching before finally giving in.
Yep, I was really completely wrong. He was nothing like Lucas in book one, and this moved in to the fun things way quicker. I honestly didn't ever imagine Trev had it in him. We learn a lot more about Trev and his background. He comes from a really strict religious home, who upon finding out he was gay, disowned him. The music show he was asked to join is his one chance at having somewhere to live and a potential future until he figured out what to do.
Of course he never expected Jalen, his 'fake' onscreen boyfriend. Jalen comes from his own rough upbringing, and has a lot of issues with trust, and wanting to fix everything. He is lucky to have a great family, even if it wasn't always that way. At first the two boys clash, having a mutual hate toward each other. It doesn't take long though for them to be heating up the sheets, and for the 'fake' to become reality.
I loved them them together, especially how Jalen took care of Trev all the time. Some may find it overbearing, but I think it's exactly what Trev needed, considering how abandoned and unwanted he felt. Of course we can't forget Carson and Carter, the dopplebanger boys, otherwise known as the other two band mates. I would love to read a book about them. This was almost a five star read, but their were some things that irked me, mainly the communication issues between the boys.
That's a pet hate of mine, especially when things can be easily resolved with a few words, and their was unnecessary drama in this because of that. It wasn't unbearable though, and was resolved without to many issues. Overall a great, sexy, happy read, with two fantastic MCs.
Even if you didn't like, or read the first book, this can be read as a standalone, and is better IMO. Aug 12, Bibliophile rated it liked it Shelves: It's summer vacation for me which means that I get to read books. Lots and lots of book! But, like you, I only want to read good books if can help it.
Books that make me sigh, laugh, cheer, and feel lots of sappy emotions. So I read lots of Goodreads reviews from friends and try to be selective about which books I read. I chose this particular book because a lot of my friends on here gave this book 5 stars and added it to their "Best of " lists. I was excited to read this book as a resu It's summer vacation for me which means that I get to read books. I was excited to read this book as a result, and had high expectations for it. Sadly, though, this book wasn't for me.
It wasn't bad not at all. I read the entire story in one sitting and enjoyed parts of it. I liked, for instance, the sexual interplay between Trevor and Jalen, Carter and Trevor's religious upbringing backstory, and the way in which this group of strangers slowly came together to form a cohesive singing group.
But it also wasn't great. I don't think the characters were that well developed or fleshed out. I also felt like the main drama view spoiler [ Trevor hides his diabetes from the show producers hide spoiler ] was a bit contrived and completely unrealistic if you ever worked in reality TV which I have. And while it wasn't instalove which I abhor I did feel like Trevor and Jalen went from enemies to boyfriends way too fast to be realistic. They also solved their conflicts ridiculously fast as well. The end result is that this book was okay, but it lacks the story and character development that I crave and require for a 4 or 5 star review.
I came to this book with high expectations which may be impacting my rating. Overall, it was a satisfactory read. Retrieved 4 May Classical meets stadium metal as Sheffield boys grow up gracefully". Bring Me the Horizon. Sempiternal That's the Spirit Amo. Discography There Is a Hell Retrieved from " https: Views Read Edit View history.
This page was last edited on 24 October , at By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Royal Albert Hall London , England. That's the Spirit