Erryn reviews Come Closer to Me: A Rockstar Bi-Awakening Gay Romance (Rock U Book 2) by Chrstie Gordon. Ebook released April 28, 2023, 338 pages. The audiobook was released May 24, 2024. Narrated by Finnley Cole, the audio is 10 hrs and 42 mins in length.) A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis:
A man crushing on his brother’s best friend. Another man who’s afraid to love. When all is laid bare, can love triumph over fear?
Axel Sandstrom
I’m the lead guitar player in a punk-pop band and I get hit on a lot. But I’ve got a big problem—a crush on my older brother’s best friend, Remy.
Of course, he’s straight.
So instead of having him, I’ve become the king of hookups. I’m used to hiding my feelings behind teasing and innuendo. But that only drives him further away from me.
When Remy decides to go back to school, my brother asks me to tutor him. After spending time alone with him, it’s pretty obvious he’s not as straight as he says he is.
Remy Hall
Axel makes me feel things. Tingly things.
But he’s also obnoxious and my best friend’s younger brother.
I should stay away, except that I need him to tutor me. During our tutoring sessions it’s impossible for me to deny my attraction to him.
But the bigger issue, is my all-consuming fear of being close to people.
After the deaths of my younger brother and my dad, I don’t want to get close to anyone. But Axel makes me want to try.
He might have the conviction to yank me back to him, kicking and screaming, as I’m about to fall off the edge.
Come Closer to Me is the second book in the Rock U series and is part of the Mesa Boys universe. This novel features bisexual awakening, hurt/comfort, and a rocker in love with his brother’s best friend. It guarantees an HEA and has no cliffhangers. It features a bad boy who goes after what he wants, and a man who’s hiding his attraction to men and shies away from love. Each book features a different couple and can be listened to as a standalone or as part of the series in order.
Buy links: Audible | Amazon | Add to Goodreads
My review:
I’m enjoying this series by Christie Gordon. It has just the right amount of angst, humor, and feelz. I also enjoy the trope of best friend’s brother. Mixed in with a bit of unrequited love.
Axel has a problem. He’s in love with his brother’s best friend. They’ve all known each other since childhood – Remy and Leo used to let Axel hang out and, as he matured, Axel discovered both that he liked guys and that he really liked Remy. Problem? Remy’s straight and not interested in his best friend’s little brother. (I will quickly say I didn’t like how the women in Remy’s life were treated – the portrayal of Bubbles especially bothered me. In the first book, there was a pair of women who enriched the book. I found this book lacking in solid female characters – except the mothers and even one was portrayed as clueless.)
Leo asks Axel to tutor Remy in a class Remy’s already failed once. Axel steps up and does it. Happily. Then…things develop into more. Remy feels like he needs to hide the relationship from everyone which bothers Axel. Everything gets resolved eventually, though. There’s more drama, for sure, much as there was in the first book. That also got resolved and I got my HEA. I will say I found way less pop-punk band in this book than the previous. I did get to see Devin and Brandon, though, so that made my heart happy.
Finnley Cole is doing a great job narrating this series and I’m thoroughly enjoying his performances. Can’t wait for the next one.
My rating:
9/10 Pots of Gold (90% Recommended) – Compares to 4.5/5 Stars
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