5 stars for Riven by Roan Parrish

Theo Decker might be the lead singer of Riven, but he hates being a rock star. The paparazzi, the endless tours, being recognized everywhere he goes—it all makes him squirm. The only thing he doesn’t hate is the music. Feeling an audience’s energy as they lose themselves in Riven’s music is a rush unlike anything else . . . until he meets Caleb Blake Whitman. Caleb is rough and damaged, yet his fingers on his guitar are pure poetry. And his hands on Theo? They’re all he can think about. But Caleb’s no groupie—and one night with him won’t be enough.

Just when Caleb is accepting his new life as a loner, Theo Decker slinks into it and turns his world upside-down. Theo’s sexy and brilliant and addictively vulnerable, and all Caleb wants is another hit. And another. That’s how he knows Theo’s trouble. Caleb can’t even handle performing these days. How the hell is he going to survive an affair with a tabloid superstar? But after Caleb sees the man behind the rock star, he begins to wonder if Theo might be his chance at a future he thought he’d lost forever.

AMAZON  |  IBOOKS  |  BARNES & NOBLE  |  KOBO

 PENGUIN/RANDOM HOUSE

Here's what people are saying about RIVEN!

“Riven has it all: off-the-charts chemistry, heart-wrenching emotion, and a captivating storyline that grabs you from page one.”

  —Sloane Kennedy, author of The Protectors series

“Roan Parrish’s Riven is the romance you’ve been waiting for. My favorite book of 2018!” 

  —Suzanne Brockmann, New York Times bestselling author of Some Kind of Hero

“Roan Parrish turns her signature lyrical prose to the world of rock and roll, and the result is both beautiful and off-the-charts hot.”

  —Jenny Holiday, USA Today bestselling author of One and Only

"Parrish may well break readers’ hearts with this deeply felt, perfectly paced contemporary about a reluctant rock star and the recovering addict he falls for."

  —Publishers Weekly (check out the whole review here!)

What I thought about Riven

Reluctant rock star Theo Decker just found out the tour he desperately wants over is going to be extended.  Coming home for a few days, he's out walking about when he hears a tune that draws him in.  He meets Caleb and they immediately connect through the music.  I was so hooked on this book already by this point.

Caleb is on another try at recovery and occasional trips into the city are all he can take without risking his hard fought sobriety.  But when he meets Theo, he's enthralled with him and he too feels the connection that Theo feels.  

There are lots and lots of feels here -- Theo's love of music and performing versus fame and everything that brings.  And then there's Caleb -- he's afraid of so many different things, but he wants Theo and he's starting to trust his love of music again. They work together.  I really loved this couple.  I loved how they talked about music and how it was so important to both of them. Riven went so much deeper into the music than most of the rock star romances I have read.

I really enjoyed Riven, especially the portrayal of Caleb's addictions and his struggles with recovery.  Theo is just adorable in his naivete and his love for Caleb. Not only are they smoking  hot together, but they really talk to each other and I loved that about this book.

Nicely done!

An ARC was provided for review. 

About Roan Parrish

Roan Parrish lives in Philadelphia, where she is gradually attempting to write love stories in every genre.

When not writing, she can usually be found cutting her friends’ hair, meandering through whatever city she’s in while listening to torch songs and melodic death metal, or cooking overly elaborate meals. She loves bonfires, winter beaches, minor chord harmonies, and self-tattooing. One time she may or may not have baked a six-layer chocolate cake and then thrown it out the window in a fit of pique.
 
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