Love Me Tenor (Vallie’s Review)

Title: Love Me Tenor (Perfect Harmony #2)
Author: Annabeth Albert
Publisher: Lyrical Shine
Release Date:February 16, 2016
Genre(s): Contemporary
Page Count: 266
Reviewed by: Vallie
Heat Level: 5 flames out of 5
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
Blurb:

There’s no way he’ll shake this off…

Trevor Daniels is feeling aimless. A recent college grad, he’s not sure what to do with his useless degree, and his family all but abandoned him after he revealed the truth about himself. But a friend’s suggestion that he take his chances on a reality show aimed at finding the next big boy band strikes a chord with him—until the show’s producers convince him to act like he’s in a relationship with a guy who’s not at all his type. It isn’t exactly love at first sight for Jalen Smith either—but lust just might push them in an unexpected direction. If only their secrets weren’t even more twisted than their sheets, threatening to cost them the win—and each other…

I wasn’t sold on Trevor when I read the first book in the series, but boy am I glad I read his book! After losing the first spot at the a capella competition, Trevor flies to Vancouver to join a band competing at a reality TV show for America’s new it band. Trevor was ostracized 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. What he didn’t realize was that the band he was chosen to compete with has the cute guys in love theme to sell, with Jaylen as Trevor’s pretend boyfriend. 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. Because, see, the boys are rooming together and one thing leads to another, before they know it, they’re making out every night and cuddling on Jalen’s bed.

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.

Sidenote: 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! I won’t tell you what it is but they boys had a lot of fun exploring that together –as did I reading about it. 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. Let’s just say they were plenty redeemed in my eyes at least.

One of my favourite drama tropes is medical emergencies and the author hit all my spots with the way Trevor’s situation was portrayed. It wasn’t some last minute add-on which can often feel prosthetic and OTT but something that we’re slowly introduced to from the get go. 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. There’s evocative writing, a lot of personal growth for both characters, good communication, humour, conflict, a good dose of angst, STEAM STEAM STEAM, and a glorious HEA. The next story is about Michelin, who for some reason I pictured as a 50+ year-old guy, but is in fact in his early-mid thirties. 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!

Highly recommend!