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Atrous #1
Code Red
Maddox Kershaw is the main vocalist of the world’s biggest boy band. He’s at the top of every music chart, every award show, every social media platform, and every sexiest-man-alive list. He’s the bad boy, the enigma, the man everyone on the planet wants a piece of.
He’s also burned out and exhausted, isolated and lonely. Not in a good headspace at the start of a tour.
Roscoe Hall is Maddox’s personal manager. His job is high-flying, high-demand, high-profile, and he loves it. Maddox has consumed his entire life for the past four years. Roscoe knows him. He sees the real Maddox no one else gets to see.
He’s also in love with him.
When the tour and stress become too much, when the world begins to close in, Roscoe becomes Maddox’s lifeline. But as Maddox knows already, and as Roscoe is about to learn, the brighter the spotlight, the darker the shadow.
Word count: 102K
He’s also burned out and exhausted, isolated and lonely. Not in a good headspace at the start of a tour.
Roscoe Hall is Maddox’s personal manager. His job is high-flying, high-demand, high-profile, and he loves it. Maddox has consumed his entire life for the past four years. Roscoe knows him. He sees the real Maddox no one else gets to see.
He’s also in love with him.
When the tour and stress become too much, when the world begins to close in, Roscoe becomes Maddox’s lifeline. But as Maddox knows already, and as Roscoe is about to learn, the brighter the spotlight, the darker the shadow.
Word count: 102K
404 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 24, 2021
About the author
N.R. Walker
134 books5,520 followersAuthor also writes as A. Voyeur
N.R. Walker is an Australian author, who loves her genre of gay romance. She loves writing and spends far too much time doing it, but wouldn't have it any other way.
She is many things; a mother, a wife, a sister, a writer. She has pretty, pretty boys who she gives them life with words.
She likes it when they do dirty, dirty things...but likes it even more when they fall in love. She used to think having people in her head talking to her was weird, until one day she happened across other writers who told her it was normal.
She’s been writing ever since...
https://www.facebook.com/N.R.WalkerAu...
N.R. Walker is an Australian author, who loves her genre of gay romance. She loves writing and spends far too much time doing it, but wouldn't have it any other way.
She is many things; a mother, a wife, a sister, a writer. She has pretty, pretty boys who she gives them life with words.
She likes it when they do dirty, dirty things...but likes it even more when they fall in love. She used to think having people in her head talking to her was weird, until one day she happened across other writers who told her it was normal.
She’s been writing ever since...
https://www.facebook.com/N.R.WalkerAu...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 688 reviews
July 12, 2021
I decided to give this story another try because of the audiobook narrated by Nick J. Russo, who is one of my favourite narrators. I liked the audio, but my feelings about the book haven't changed. I managed to finish it, though it felt like it took me forever, and I can only confirm what I said in my original review.
*********
Original review:
dnf @ 46%
I really tried, but after three weeks of putting it down and picking it up again in hopes something would change, I just have to accept that this is not working for me. For several reasons.
*********
Original review:
dnf @ 46%
I really tried, but after three weeks of putting it down and picking it up again in hopes something would change, I just have to accept that this is not working for me. For several reasons.
July 8, 2021
I like Maddox & Roscoe and was rooting for their HEA (which they very much got).
I also appreciate that the author doesn't pull any punches when it comes to showing the dark side of fame: endless talk shows and rehearsals, months on the road, wear and tear on the body, crazy fans, mental exhaustion.
Walker also doesn't sugar coat Maddox's panic disorder. Maddox isn't cured by Roscoe's magic dick. He needs therapy and time to heal.
But I have some issues with the story that dropped my rating:
- We are missing Maddox's POV, so we only see him from the outside in.
- Maddox and the other members of the band are referred to as "the boys" (they're 23). Their mutual love and support is the stuff of fairytales. They never argue, never have artistic differences. This didn't strike me as believable.
- The pacing is inconsistent. The middle of the story drags, then a bunch of stuff happens at the end.
- We jump into the story when the MCs already have feelings for each other (but are not together). I felt like I missed the beginning and thus wasn't as invested in the story.
- Most of the sex scenes fade to black. I hate, hate, HATE that. It's like offering dessert and then snatching the tray away. Here you are ... ah, no, nope, just kidding. WTH is up with that? I'm cool with lower steam stories, but don't tease if you can't deliver.
_________________________________
This book has been out for two weeks and I didn't know. How did I not know? 🤦♀️
Nic Walker is an auto buy for me.
I also appreciate that the author doesn't pull any punches when it comes to showing the dark side of fame: endless talk shows and rehearsals, months on the road, wear and tear on the body, crazy fans, mental exhaustion.
Walker also doesn't sugar coat Maddox's panic disorder. Maddox isn't cured by Roscoe's magic dick. He needs therapy and time to heal.
But I have some issues with the story that dropped my rating:
- We are missing Maddox's POV, so we only see him from the outside in.
- Maddox and the other members of the band are referred to as "the boys" (they're 23). Their mutual love and support is the stuff of fairytales. They never argue, never have artistic differences. This didn't strike me as believable.
- The pacing is inconsistent. The middle of the story drags, then a bunch of stuff happens at the end.
- We jump into the story when the MCs already have feelings for each other (but are not together). I felt like I missed the beginning and thus wasn't as invested in the story.
- Most of the sex scenes fade to black. I hate, hate, HATE that. It's like offering dessert and then snatching the tray away. Here you are ... ah, no, nope, just kidding. WTH is up with that? I'm cool with lower steam stories, but don't tease if you can't deliver.
_________________________________
This book has been out for two weeks and I didn't know. How did I not know? 🤦♀️
Nic Walker is an auto buy for me.
October 11, 2021
2.5 stars
Eeeeehhh!! This was just oooookkay.
I was hoping for a spark that never came. There was something missing.
The characters were bland and boring, I ended up liking Jeremy, he had some personality. I didn't even get to know Maddox and Roscoe as individuals to form a connection with them. I am told that Maddox is 23 and Roscoe is around 30 but I felt like these guys were in their teens even the sex scenes read like the ones in YA.
The book is very readable though, by the time I wanted to Dnf I was already at 80% So I just decided to finish it.
Overall it was a meh one.
Eeeeehhh!! This was just oooookkay.
I was hoping for a spark that never came. There was something missing.
The characters were bland and boring, I ended up liking Jeremy, he had some personality. I didn't even get to know Maddox and Roscoe as individuals to form a connection with them. I am told that Maddox is 23 and Roscoe is around 30 but I felt like these guys were in their teens even the sex scenes read like the ones in YA.
The book is very readable though, by the time I wanted to Dnf I was already at 80% So I just decided to finish it.
Overall it was a meh one.
July 1, 2021
2nd Reread: BUDDYREAD w/ @Elena
11/22/2021
I swear on my fucking life, this book, these words, the characters, the fucking shit show that is this sorry ass music industry, the soft sweet tender moments, the tapping of the shoe, the smoldering eye contact, and fuck me but the holding hands... This book is the embodiment of my soul and I say it with every fiber of my being,
This book sang with my soul, and is truly a gift to my existence.
First Reread: August 28-29, 2021
Yes I loved this book every damn second of it, yes I quoted right back at Maddox and Roscoe because the amount of times I memorized their sayings is my kind of prayer and yes I only reached up to 88% of this book before panicking and realizing this can't end, this is so going to end, I CANT DO THIS and so help me god but I'm not going to finish this today. My memory of this book's ending is enough to keep me satisfied and NO ONE can stop me because yes I'm a dramatic bitch who needs to get her shit together, but you guys don't understand the pain I went through for the ending of this. And no, this isn't a sad ending. But it felt like someone forced themselves inside my heart and altered it's entire chemistry AND UNTIL this day, I'm not functioning any better after this book.
Ps, I know everyone hates Ambrose but I really feel for that man. I wish people just look at the situation through his hands and through his eyes, and just see that, he's not that different, whether he liked it or not, decisions needed to be made and he was the person who had to make them, and whether satisfying or not, the bigger picture was always there for him and for that, I have respect for him.
*
*
*
*
Original Review
One of my Favorite Books of 2021
Have you ever cried for something so beautiful and so incredibly heartwarming? Have you ever cried at the ending of a book not because it was sad or if it was magical, maybe simply because it ended and you didn't want it to?
Because I cried my eyes out when I Finished this book, not because it was sad but because I just didn't want it to end.
May the stars above guide us,
may your lighthouse bring me home.
First of all, I just wanna say.
Fuck reality.
Fuck this world and everything that comes with it, except books. Because honestly, who needs reality when you have this magnificent piece of art, 400 too short pages of glorious fiction.
I'm just going to continue to ramble and waste your time, so before I get to that, I have to speak that this book is Music Industry DETAILED.
He waited until the van slowed, then he shrugged. “Not really. I don’t think I could.” He gave me a smile that was all stage and performative. His public smile. “I don’t know who I am without any of this.”
And by that I mean, this book focuses on what happens Behind the Scenes in concerts, stadiums, interviews etc. The staff, the stress, the amount of effort, management, organization and overall, it is very detailed oriented (at the beginning anyway)
And I fucking loved it.
And I very humbly will say that my adoration is very bias.
I already have past experience with boybands and knowing what happens Behind the Scenes and the charade itself so this book hit a bitttttt too close to home, and that's why I lived for every detail because honestly, I wanted to clap at the accuracy.
So if you have no interest in the music industry, the business side and management side of this, this book at the start will be a bit rough for you as one of our protagonist is the manager of a five member hit boyband. So I can see why for some people, it is slow.
But like I said, my middle name is BIASED so I lived for every second of the detail and watching how things worked behind the scene.
“Yeah. Of course.”
I didn’t believe him, and it was devastating how he could look right at me with those dark, dark eyes and speak so sincerely while he lied.
On the topic on how this book hit too close to home, I'm a fan of boybands myself. I love bands more than solo artists and I'm not ignorant to the ridiculous system and vigorous lifestyle they're put under and honestly, it felt like someone kept on tramping on my heart as I watched how my nightmares became true in this book.
But I'll be damned if this book, with these characters weren't the most resilient, flawed and honest, most beautiful, hilarious and HUMAN characters I've every read.
Maddox was the face of Atrous. Unwilling, but the face, nonetheless.
He carried the weight of their reputation, their brand. He was the one they hounded, the one they chased, the one they followed, the one that made headlines every other day.
He wore black, he had a full sleeve of tattoos, perfect skin, and he had attitude to spare. His motto was to burn down the institutions, to stand tall for those who had to kneel, and to speak for those who had been silenced.
He resonated with the youth around the world.
Watching Maddox throughout this book was the most beautiful and heartbreaking sight to read and to learn and see his perspective.
Although he is from a different league above and from all of us, there can and is so much to learn from him and I seriously am in awe of him. In every fiber of him, the real him, the precious being that he is.
And how can I forget? That man is sin himself.
He sang like an angel and danced like the devil
i think the only thing I wished in this book was to see at least one chapter in his point of view. Even though his perspective was always detailed in between the lines of the book, I wanted the privilege of just knowing what went through his mind even though I already knew.
Regardless.
Amber shrugged. “It’s how he is. How he’s always been.”
I conceded a nod. “True. But it’s more now. It’s different. Before he thrived on it. The harder it all was, the better he did. Now he’s . . . tired.”
My precious, precious, MY DARLING ROSCOE.
He deserves to have the ground beneath his feet fucking WORSHIPPED.
Man, I wish I can express how gold he is. He is fucking treasure, a warmth of comfort and love and sincerity and genuine. He is everything and more and I BLODDY love him so damn much.
All Hail Roscoe Hale.
Everyone deserves a manager like this man, one who cares for you until the end of this world, a friend one as loyal as him, a lover who will go to the moon and back for you, would walk face first through hell and would go through it again and again.
It was dark outside, and inside the van the only lights were passing streetlights and traffic. His gorgeous face flashed into neon view in time with my thundering heart. He lifted his hand, palm up, an offering for me to hold it.
Oh man . . .
I skimmed my fingertips up his palm before I wove his fingers with mine. His lips parted; his eyes burned into me.
This was . . . this was a bad idea, diving headfirst into dangerous waters. It had trouble written all over it. But it was exhilarating and wonderful, and it felt so, so right.
And so help me fucking god, he smiled.
I love this book with these characters so much, how genuine, how heartfelt and gut wrenching it was, how accurate and how beautiful it was. This book stole a piece of my heart and capture a part of my soul and I would never forget this story.
I hope this book isn't just a standalone and the author decides to continue this series because this band, Atrous, this is not the end.
The interviewer asked, “A pentagon for the five of you, obviously. Does it signify anything else?”
“No,” Maddox answered. “A five-sided shape of equal parts. That’s what we are. If one of us was gone, we could never be whole.” He shrugged, somewhat nervously. “Like the saying goes, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. On our own, we’re just five ordinary guys. Together we conquered the world.”
+ I just wanted to insert, I loved this book so much, and Maddox just captured a piece of my heart and I wanted to be honest, he inspired me to open a notebook and write down words, maybe poetry, maybe lyrics, maybe rubbish, but he inspired me to write down words, and I'll forever be grateful.
Immediate Reactions:
I'm not okay. This book was TOO good
11/22/2021
I swear on my fucking life, this book, these words, the characters, the fucking shit show that is this sorry ass music industry, the soft sweet tender moments, the tapping of the shoe, the smoldering eye contact, and fuck me but the holding hands... This book is the embodiment of my soul and I say it with every fiber of my being,
This book sang with my soul, and is truly a gift to my existence.
First Reread: August 28-29, 2021
Yes I loved this book every damn second of it, yes I quoted right back at Maddox and Roscoe because the amount of times I memorized their sayings is my kind of prayer and yes I only reached up to 88% of this book before panicking and realizing this can't end, this is so going to end, I CANT DO THIS and so help me god but I'm not going to finish this today. My memory of this book's ending is enough to keep me satisfied and NO ONE can stop me because yes I'm a dramatic bitch who needs to get her shit together, but you guys don't understand the pain I went through for the ending of this. And no, this isn't a sad ending. But it felt like someone forced themselves inside my heart and altered it's entire chemistry AND UNTIL this day, I'm not functioning any better after this book.
Ps, I know everyone hates Ambrose but I really feel for that man. I wish people just look at the situation through his hands and through his eyes, and just see that, he's not that different, whether he liked it or not, decisions needed to be made and he was the person who had to make them, and whether satisfying or not, the bigger picture was always there for him and for that, I have respect for him.
*
*
*
*
Original Review
One of my Favorite Books of 2021
Have you ever cried for something so beautiful and so incredibly heartwarming? Have you ever cried at the ending of a book not because it was sad or if it was magical, maybe simply because it ended and you didn't want it to?
Because I cried my eyes out when I Finished this book, not because it was sad but because I just didn't want it to end.
May the stars above guide us,
may your lighthouse bring me home.
First of all, I just wanna say.
Fuck reality.
Fuck this world and everything that comes with it, except books. Because honestly, who needs reality when you have this magnificent piece of art, 400 too short pages of glorious fiction.
I'm just going to continue to ramble and waste your time, so before I get to that, I have to speak that this book is Music Industry DETAILED.
He waited until the van slowed, then he shrugged. “Not really. I don’t think I could.” He gave me a smile that was all stage and performative. His public smile. “I don’t know who I am without any of this.”
And by that I mean, this book focuses on what happens Behind the Scenes in concerts, stadiums, interviews etc. The staff, the stress, the amount of effort, management, organization and overall, it is very detailed oriented (at the beginning anyway)
And I fucking loved it.
And I very humbly will say that my adoration is very bias.
I already have past experience with boybands and knowing what happens Behind the Scenes and the charade itself so this book hit a bitttttt too close to home, and that's why I lived for every detail because honestly, I wanted to clap at the accuracy.
So if you have no interest in the music industry, the business side and management side of this, this book at the start will be a bit rough for you as one of our protagonist is the manager of a five member hit boyband. So I can see why for some people, it is slow.
But like I said, my middle name is BIASED so I lived for every second of the detail and watching how things worked behind the scene.
“Yeah. Of course.”
I didn’t believe him, and it was devastating how he could look right at me with those dark, dark eyes and speak so sincerely while he lied.
On the topic on how this book hit too close to home, I'm a fan of boybands myself. I love bands more than solo artists and I'm not ignorant to the ridiculous system and vigorous lifestyle they're put under and honestly, it felt like someone kept on tramping on my heart as I watched how my nightmares became true in this book.
But I'll be damned if this book, with these characters weren't the most resilient, flawed and honest, most beautiful, hilarious and HUMAN characters I've every read.
Maddox was the face of Atrous. Unwilling, but the face, nonetheless.
He carried the weight of their reputation, their brand. He was the one they hounded, the one they chased, the one they followed, the one that made headlines every other day.
He wore black, he had a full sleeve of tattoos, perfect skin, and he had attitude to spare. His motto was to burn down the institutions, to stand tall for those who had to kneel, and to speak for those who had been silenced.
He resonated with the youth around the world.
Watching Maddox throughout this book was the most beautiful and heartbreaking sight to read and to learn and see his perspective.
Although he is from a different league above and from all of us, there can and is so much to learn from him and I seriously am in awe of him. In every fiber of him, the real him, the precious being that he is.
And how can I forget? That man is sin himself.
He sang like an angel and danced like the devil
i think the only thing I wished in this book was to see at least one chapter in his point of view. Even though his perspective was always detailed in between the lines of the book, I wanted the privilege of just knowing what went through his mind even though I already knew.
Regardless.
Amber shrugged. “It’s how he is. How he’s always been.”
I conceded a nod. “True. But it’s more now. It’s different. Before he thrived on it. The harder it all was, the better he did. Now he’s . . . tired.”
My precious, precious, MY DARLING ROSCOE.
He deserves to have the ground beneath his feet fucking WORSHIPPED.
Man, I wish I can express how gold he is. He is fucking treasure, a warmth of comfort and love and sincerity and genuine. He is everything and more and I BLODDY love him so damn much.
All Hail Roscoe Hale.
Everyone deserves a manager like this man, one who cares for you until the end of this world, a friend one as loyal as him, a lover who will go to the moon and back for you, would walk face first through hell and would go through it again and again.
It was dark outside, and inside the van the only lights were passing streetlights and traffic. His gorgeous face flashed into neon view in time with my thundering heart. He lifted his hand, palm up, an offering for me to hold it.
Oh man . . .
I skimmed my fingertips up his palm before I wove his fingers with mine. His lips parted; his eyes burned into me.
This was . . . this was a bad idea, diving headfirst into dangerous waters. It had trouble written all over it. But it was exhilarating and wonderful, and it felt so, so right.
And so help me fucking god, he smiled.
I love this book with these characters so much, how genuine, how heartfelt and gut wrenching it was, how accurate and how beautiful it was. This book stole a piece of my heart and capture a part of my soul and I would never forget this story.
I hope this book isn't just a standalone and the author decides to continue this series because this band, Atrous, this is not the end.
The interviewer asked, “A pentagon for the five of you, obviously. Does it signify anything else?”
“No,” Maddox answered. “A five-sided shape of equal parts. That’s what we are. If one of us was gone, we could never be whole.” He shrugged, somewhat nervously. “Like the saying goes, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. On our own, we’re just five ordinary guys. Together we conquered the world.”
+ I just wanted to insert, I loved this book so much, and Maddox just captured a piece of my heart and I wanted to be honest, he inspired me to open a notebook and write down words, maybe poetry, maybe lyrics, maybe rubbish, but he inspired me to write down words, and I'll forever be grateful.
Immediate Reactions:
I'm not okay. This book was TOO good
July 5, 2021
4.5 ✨
Where do I even start? I absolutely adored this one. SO MUCH. NR WALKER has always been a hit or miss for me but this hit me so hard. I cried. I sobbed. I laughed. I fucking giggled.
@Mariam girlll I love you. Muah
So we have Maddox Kershaw, the bad boy rock star, and Roscoe Hall, his personal manager. They’ve been working together for a long time but lately their relationship worked differently and they soon realize their feelings for each other are too strong to hold in.
This was honestly an amazing experience. It was nothing like I expected, I figured with the rock star trope we would have Maddox throwing temper tantrums and Roscoe being the only one to give him a firm hand. But Maddox was a deep character. His personality was so flawlessly written, I can truly understand his thoughts and his pain. I physically felt it. His attempts at hiding his hurt and anxiety behind sarcasm and humour. His need for Roscoe by his side. His love for his band mates. It was all so beautifully incorporated.
- guess who has blue eyes
We see the events through Roscoe’s POV. Did I wish we had dual POV? Honestly no. I loved that we saw everything through Roscoe’s eyes. He knew Maddox better than anyone else and it was obvious by him noticing the smallest things about Maddy. Their relationship wasn’t slow, they got together at an appropriate time in the book and the pacing was perfect in my opinion. There was just enough tension and angst for it to be satisfying when they finally kiss and more.
“We’re just . . . together.”
Maddox smiled at me, just briefly. Jeremy watched Maddox; the others all nodded slowly. “How long?” Blake asked.
Maddox put his hands about nine inches apart. “About that long.”
Christ.
The secondary characters were equally amazing! The rest of the band mates were so supportive and loving and hilarious as fuck. They knew exactly what to do and say at times and the loyalty among them really made me think of a pack of wolves.
“None of you would ever consider a solo career?” he asked. “When and if the time ever comes?”
Maddox’s expression was cool, if not a little offended. “God, no. Who the hell would I be without these guys? When I’m not with them, I feel like I’ve lost my phone or my keys. Five fingers, five senses, I dunno. Pick your analogy.”
“I could totally go out on my own,” Wes said, grinning.
Jeremy shoved him. “Fuck off. You can’t even decide pizza toppings on your own.”
And their moments together were so funny. Like it was those moments that would bring a sudden burst of laughter through you
Ambrose made his way down the steps to the stage. He held up three fingers. “What does this symbolize?”
“Wes’s IQ,” Blake replied.
“How high Blake can count,” Wes snapped back.
We also experience scenes of Maddox’s stress and anxiety. With him having problems with his voice and also of him being the face of their band - Maddox faces problems because although they’re a band of 5, he gets most of the attention and light and that puts a lot of pressure on him. I thought it was spectacular how the author wrote those moments. At a point, I do admit that I thought the relationship might be a little unhealthy? . I felt that Maddox was a little too dependent on Roscoe and couldn’t handle things on his own, but that was quickly erased from my mind after the way he dealt with the problems life threw at him and the decisions HE made.
Where do I even start? I absolutely adored this one. SO MUCH. NR WALKER has always been a hit or miss for me but this hit me so hard. I cried. I sobbed. I laughed. I fucking giggled.
@Mariam girlll I love you. Muah
So we have Maddox Kershaw, the bad boy rock star, and Roscoe Hall, his personal manager. They’ve been working together for a long time but lately their relationship worked differently and they soon realize their feelings for each other are too strong to hold in.
This was honestly an amazing experience. It was nothing like I expected, I figured with the rock star trope we would have Maddox throwing temper tantrums and Roscoe being the only one to give him a firm hand. But Maddox was a deep character. His personality was so flawlessly written, I can truly understand his thoughts and his pain. I physically felt it. His attempts at hiding his hurt and anxiety behind sarcasm and humour. His need for Roscoe by his side. His love for his band mates. It was all so beautifully incorporated.
Oceans of blue
In a storm of you
May the stars above guide us,
Maybe the lighthouse bring us home
- guess who has blue eyes
Let the current take me
I want to drown in the blue
Where there is nothing but silence
And visions of you
We see the events through Roscoe’s POV. Did I wish we had dual POV? Honestly no. I loved that we saw everything through Roscoe’s eyes. He knew Maddox better than anyone else and it was obvious by him noticing the smallest things about Maddy. Their relationship wasn’t slow, they got together at an appropriate time in the book and the pacing was perfect in my opinion. There was just enough tension and angst for it to be satisfying when they finally kiss and more.
“We’re just . . . together.”
Maddox smiled at me, just briefly. Jeremy watched Maddox; the others all nodded slowly. “How long?” Blake asked.
Maddox put his hands about nine inches apart. “About that long.”
Christ.
The secondary characters were equally amazing! The rest of the band mates were so supportive and loving and hilarious as fuck. They knew exactly what to do and say at times and the loyalty among them really made me think of a pack of wolves.
“None of you would ever consider a solo career?” he asked. “When and if the time ever comes?”
Maddox’s expression was cool, if not a little offended. “God, no. Who the hell would I be without these guys? When I’m not with them, I feel like I’ve lost my phone or my keys. Five fingers, five senses, I dunno. Pick your analogy.”
“I could totally go out on my own,” Wes said, grinning.
Jeremy shoved him. “Fuck off. You can’t even decide pizza toppings on your own.”
And their moments together were so funny. Like it was those moments that would bring a sudden burst of laughter through you
Ambrose made his way down the steps to the stage. He held up three fingers. “What does this symbolize?”
“Wes’s IQ,” Blake replied.
“How high Blake can count,” Wes snapped back.
We also experience scenes of Maddox’s stress and anxiety. With him having problems with his voice and also of him being the face of their band - Maddox faces problems because although they’re a band of 5, he gets most of the attention and light and that puts a lot of pressure on him. I thought it was spectacular how the author wrote those moments. At a point, I do admit that I thought the relationship might be a little unhealthy? . I felt that Maddox was a little too dependent on Roscoe and couldn’t handle things on his own, but that was quickly erased from my mind after the way he dealt with the problems life threw at him and the decisions HE made.
the sirens cut the night
All the birds take flight
All the world stops turning
Can you, can you feel me burning
June 28, 2021
I'm sorry Walker I've failed you. 🥲🥲
I write this review with a heavy heart *gets dramatic*, I love this author and even though she sometimes creates stories with a lot of fluff, they usually work for me but this one really didn't.
I really enjoyed the first part of the book, the longing, the looks, the subtle touches. And then at 30% they got together and my jaw dropped, normally that is not a good sign with books, normally when that happens the story goes to shit. I had hopes so I kept going but it was inevitable, it went to shit.
It got boring 🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️, they did their concerts, they kissed, they spent time together, they had offpage sex (so sad about that) and that was about it until 80% or so, at that point I was bored and disappointed 😔😔.
Oh and also everything was so perfect all the fricking time!!! *whines* The boys were always happy with each other, they didn't drink, they didn't do drugs, they didn't go all drama queen, was that even a band? I'm skeptical. And every situation was handled perfectly, so little angst *suffers in spanish*... Give me something to wake up my brain!! For the love of the universe!!! 🥲🥲
Not only that, I had issues with the "anxiety" that Maddox had and how it was handled in the book sometimes. I have said this before and I'll say it again: mental illness Is not cured by a dick, it would be wonderful if that were true but it ain't, and in here Maddox said stuff like... Spoilers ahead btw:
He tightened his hold on me. “You make everything better.” Maddox to Roscoe
That's not healthy and I'm not gonna rant about it more deeply because it was pointed out later in this gem:
"Roscoe helps me,” he said quickly. “If I can’t catch my breath.”
“And if Roscoe’s not around?” Hardwick asked gently.
DROP THE MIC DOCTOR, DROP.IT!!! That was one problem for me, I felt the relationship was built in that feeling of codependency, of need and that is not love, that is a crutch.
So yeah, it didn't work for me BUT I SWEAR I LOVE U N.R. WALKER!! 😭😭😭❤
I write this review with a heavy heart *gets dramatic*, I love this author and even though she sometimes creates stories with a lot of fluff, they usually work for me but this one really didn't.
I really enjoyed the first part of the book, the longing, the looks, the subtle touches. And then at 30% they got together and my jaw dropped, normally that is not a good sign with books, normally when that happens the story goes to shit. I had hopes so I kept going but it was inevitable, it went to shit.
It got boring 🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️, they did their concerts, they kissed, they spent time together, they had offpage sex (so sad about that) and that was about it until 80% or so, at that point I was bored and disappointed 😔😔.
Oh and also everything was so perfect all the fricking time!!! *whines* The boys were always happy with each other, they didn't drink, they didn't do drugs, they didn't go all drama queen, was that even a band? I'm skeptical. And every situation was handled perfectly, so little angst *suffers in spanish*... Give me something to wake up my brain!! For the love of the universe!!! 🥲🥲
Not only that, I had issues with the "anxiety" that Maddox had and how it was handled in the book sometimes. I have said this before and I'll say it again: mental illness Is not cured by a dick, it would be wonderful if that were true but it ain't, and in here Maddox said stuff like... Spoilers ahead btw:
He tightened his hold on me. “You make everything better.” Maddox to Roscoe
That's not healthy and I'm not gonna rant about it more deeply because it was pointed out later in this gem:
"Roscoe helps me,” he said quickly. “If I can’t catch my breath.”
“And if Roscoe’s not around?” Hardwick asked gently.
DROP THE MIC DOCTOR, DROP.IT!!! That was one problem for me, I felt the relationship was built in that feeling of codependency, of need and that is not love, that is a crutch.
So yeah, it didn't work for me BUT I SWEAR I LOVE U N.R. WALKER!! 😭😭😭❤
May 30, 2023
[updated info after reread]
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.
“So I was thinking,” he began, “that it’d be a terrible shame if we were a room or two short in Vegas and we had to share.” I snorted. “Is that right?” “How does one go about incorrectly booking out a hotel?”
I have relistened to the audiobook more times than I can honestly count since I originally wrote this review. I still love this book so much.
________________________________________
Well, folks. It's official. I know I'm late to the party on this one (I have no excuse), but I now have a new favorite N.R. Walker book. I didn't think that would happen, considering how much I love On Davis Row. I'm going to think about Maddox and Roscoe a lot the next few days, and I'm already excited about listening to the audiobook.
I think the portrayal of Maddox's anxiety and panic disorder was really well done. I've had some personal experience with those things, and I appreciate that it wasn't completely over the top for drama's sake, but it wasn't underplayed either. It's a difficult line to straddle, but Miss Walker did it perfectly, in my humble opinion. Of course, everyone's experience with mental health problems is different.
One of my favorite things to read about in books is just solid, loving relationships with LOTS of casual intimacy, touch and cuddles, which was a big part of this one. As many others, I'm a huge fan of some solid spice in my books, but I enjoy it more if there's some sweetness for balance.
Maddox finished his sandwich and pulled his chair closer to mine, put his leg over my thigh, and when that wasn’t close enough, apparently, he sat on my lap. Just curled up, with his arms around my neck, his head on my shoulder.
It's been a long time since I last read a book with single POV, and I really enjoyed it. I especially liked how it wasn't Maddox's POV. The author did well in not leaving us guessing on how he felt and his reasons for doing so. It was showed, not told, which is impressive.
OH! I nearly forgot. This author writes the best and most satisfying epilogues, and Code Red is no exception. She never leaves a girl hangin'.
I'm now debating how long I need to wait before it's socially acceptable to start the audiobook, considering I finished reading about 10 minutes ago.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Boy band
Famous musician
Artist/personal manager
Tactile and clingy MC
Secret relationship
Mental illness rep
Documentary filming
Hurt/comfort
Friends to lovers
Mutual pining
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
On-page panic attacks
Explicit sexual content
Intense feelings of loneliness and isolation
Medical emergency (heat exhaustion)
MC suffering minor injury
MC with medical challenges/issues (not chronic)
Brief mention of MC wanting to drink or take a substance (one-time, no addiction)
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 1st person, single
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
Main characters’ age: 23 and 29/30
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 404
Happy ending: Yes
“You don’t need anything to shine another spotlight on you, especially from me. I’m supposed to make your life easier, not harder.” “Hey.” I looked at him then. “You do make my life easier. You make it bearable, Roscoe,” he said gently.
“Please don’t lie to me,” he whispered. “I can’t take it.” “Okay.” “Please don’t leave me.” I squeezed him. “Okay.”
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?...
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.
“So I was thinking,” he began, “that it’d be a terrible shame if we were a room or two short in Vegas and we had to share.” I snorted. “Is that right?” “How does one go about incorrectly booking out a hotel?”
I have relistened to the audiobook more times than I can honestly count since I originally wrote this review. I still love this book so much.
________________________________________
Well, folks. It's official. I know I'm late to the party on this one (I have no excuse), but I now have a new favorite N.R. Walker book. I didn't think that would happen, considering how much I love On Davis Row. I'm going to think about Maddox and Roscoe a lot the next few days, and I'm already excited about listening to the audiobook.
I think the portrayal of Maddox's anxiety and panic disorder was really well done. I've had some personal experience with those things, and I appreciate that it wasn't completely over the top for drama's sake, but it wasn't underplayed either. It's a difficult line to straddle, but Miss Walker did it perfectly, in my humble opinion. Of course, everyone's experience with mental health problems is different.
One of my favorite things to read about in books is just solid, loving relationships with LOTS of casual intimacy, touch and cuddles, which was a big part of this one. As many others, I'm a huge fan of some solid spice in my books, but I enjoy it more if there's some sweetness for balance.
Maddox finished his sandwich and pulled his chair closer to mine, put his leg over my thigh, and when that wasn’t close enough, apparently, he sat on my lap. Just curled up, with his arms around my neck, his head on my shoulder.
It's been a long time since I last read a book with single POV, and I really enjoyed it. I especially liked how it wasn't Maddox's POV. The author did well in not leaving us guessing on how he felt and his reasons for doing so. It was showed, not told, which is impressive.
OH! I nearly forgot. This author writes the best and most satisfying epilogues, and Code Red is no exception. She never leaves a girl hangin'.
I'm now debating how long I need to wait before it's socially acceptable to start the audiobook, considering I finished reading about 10 minutes ago.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Boy band
Famous musician
Artist/personal manager
Tactile and clingy MC
Secret relationship
Mental illness rep
Documentary filming
Hurt/comfort
Friends to lovers
Mutual pining
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
On-page panic attacks
Explicit sexual content
Intense feelings of loneliness and isolation
Medical emergency (heat exhaustion)
MC suffering minor injury
MC with medical challenges/issues (not chronic)
Brief mention of MC wanting to drink or take a substance (one-time, no addiction)
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 1st person, single
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
Main characters’ age: 23 and 29/30
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 404
Happy ending: Yes
“You don’t need anything to shine another spotlight on you, especially from me. I’m supposed to make your life easier, not harder.” “Hey.” I looked at him then. “You do make my life easier. You make it bearable, Roscoe,” he said gently.
“Please don’t lie to me,” he whispered. “I can’t take it.” “Okay.” “Please don’t leave me.” I squeezed him. “Okay.”
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?...
June 18, 2021
4.5 stars!!!
I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest review.
This book was the perfect blend of sweet, sexy, intense and intimate for me. I loved it from start to finish and I was bummed it was over.
What I loved:
The Characters
- Roscoe: The long lost Hemsworth brother was larger than life in every way. He was a solid presence for everyone in the band, Maddox especially. He was there for him on every way possible, professionally at first and the romantically. Roscoe was the pillar of strength and support that Maddox needed to get a hold of himself, take better care of himself and start healing. #AlwaysHereForYou
- Maddox: He was probably the biggest superstar in the world, had everything he ever wanted, from fame, money and fans. He was doing something he loved, was beautiful with the voice of an angel. But all of that also came with tremendous responsibility that took a toll on his mental health. Maddox was drowning, but Roscoe was there to keep his head above water. #TheAirThatIBreathe
The Plot
The book revolves around Maddox's mental health and how Roscoe keeps him in check. Maddox is no ok, has not been for a long time, and Roscoe becomes his lifeline in more ways than one. I loved the message this book gave, the insight into band life and the immense pressure fame has on stars, physically and emotionally. We as fans are always removed from the process of fame, and get the final result. So it was humbling to kind of see what dedicated responsible stars go through to give us these results. #Insight #TheSpiralDown
The Romance
So we got two men who have been pining for each other for years... from a distance. Each thinking the other was out of his league or too good for him. They didn't know that they were puzzle pieces who fit each other to a T. We don't get to experience this pining first-hand, only through some discussions, but the book starts with them slowly coming together. Maddox is desperate for Roscoe's nearness and strength, and Roscoe craves taking care of Maddox. #ISeeYou #MoscoeForever
Steam-o-meter
Steamy! The scenes range from full on explicit to fade to black. It was, for me, the perfect balance so as not to flood the book with sex. Roscoe and Maddox being intimate transcended the physical. Them being close, doing little things like Maddox searching Roscoe out in a room, sitting in his lap, snuggling, showering together... all that gave so much more to their relationship. #TouchStraved
Angst-o-meter:
Medium angst. This book is not heavy on the angst but it is intense. There is no relationship angst between the characters..no breakup and miscommunication. Once they are together, they were all in. The angst comes from Maddox's mental health issues, his anxiety and the pressure from his fame. It was handled beautifully. #FullSpeedAhead
The HEA:
It was filled with so much hope and love, so much joy and healing. I loved reading it and I wished it had more. #GreedyReaderIAm
Niggles:
I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest review.
This book was the perfect blend of sweet, sexy, intense and intimate for me. I loved it from start to finish and I was bummed it was over.
What I loved:
The Characters
- Roscoe: The long lost Hemsworth brother was larger than life in every way. He was a solid presence for everyone in the band, Maddox especially. He was there for him on every way possible, professionally at first and the romantically. Roscoe was the pillar of strength and support that Maddox needed to get a hold of himself, take better care of himself and start healing. #AlwaysHereForYou
- Maddox: He was probably the biggest superstar in the world, had everything he ever wanted, from fame, money and fans. He was doing something he loved, was beautiful with the voice of an angel. But all of that also came with tremendous responsibility that took a toll on his mental health. Maddox was drowning, but Roscoe was there to keep his head above water. #TheAirThatIBreathe
The Plot
The book revolves around Maddox's mental health and how Roscoe keeps him in check. Maddox is no ok, has not been for a long time, and Roscoe becomes his lifeline in more ways than one. I loved the message this book gave, the insight into band life and the immense pressure fame has on stars, physically and emotionally. We as fans are always removed from the process of fame, and get the final result. So it was humbling to kind of see what dedicated responsible stars go through to give us these results. #Insight #TheSpiralDown
The Romance
So we got two men who have been pining for each other for years... from a distance. Each thinking the other was out of his league or too good for him. They didn't know that they were puzzle pieces who fit each other to a T. We don't get to experience this pining first-hand, only through some discussions, but the book starts with them slowly coming together. Maddox is desperate for Roscoe's nearness and strength, and Roscoe craves taking care of Maddox. #ISeeYou #MoscoeForever
Steam-o-meter
Steamy! The scenes range from full on explicit to fade to black. It was, for me, the perfect balance so as not to flood the book with sex. Roscoe and Maddox being intimate transcended the physical. Them being close, doing little things like Maddox searching Roscoe out in a room, sitting in his lap, snuggling, showering together... all that gave so much more to their relationship. #TouchStraved
Angst-o-meter:
Medium angst. This book is not heavy on the angst but it is intense. There is no relationship angst between the characters..no breakup and miscommunication. Once they are together, they were all in. The angst comes from Maddox's mental health issues, his anxiety and the pressure from his fame. It was handled beautifully. #FullSpeedAhead
The HEA:
It was filled with so much hope and love, so much joy and healing. I loved reading it and I wished it had more. #GreedyReaderIAm
Niggles:
June 15, 2021
Absolutely one of Nic's best books for me, this is a rollercoaster of feels that runs through the pressures of being in a globally successful boy band.
The way the plot slowly develops along two distinct strands is exceptionally well paced.
As Maddox and Roscoe's friendship deepens into love, after they've both been mutually pining for years, we see the rest of their lives begin to unravel.
The romance between them is lovely, it's soft and soothing, supportive and caring. There's a seven year gap between the 23-year-old frontman and his manager but it doesn't feel like it.
Maddox definitely reads more mature than your typical young adult, but him and his four bandmates have been famous since they were 16, so it's no surprise he's more self aware.
What I liked best about this story is that it never runs into overly dramatic interactions.
Roscoe is a really lovely guy, he's just genuinely trying to do his best for all the band's members.
Maddox is a sweetheart, he's falling in love while his band goes on another sell out stadium tour and it's not an easy ride.
There are moments of humour, the friendships between the five young men, and all three of their managers, are also richly woven in to the feeling of them living lives isolated from the wider world.
As pressures mount up, Maddox and Roscoe get even more involved, the commitment they have for meeting each other's needs is sweetly represented.
Sex isn't just a passing thing, they take time to explore each other's desires, although the steam level is medium.
Not that it detracts, the narrative doesn't need to have loads of smexy times for you to get a sense of how they feel.
There isn't a real villain here, either than the expectation of paparazzi and fans to have 24/7 access to someone just because they have a talent which brings them fame.
It's a salutary warning about treating people as commodities as well as a delightful romance.
The pressures of fame are laid out with an ever increasing awareness that something has to break, and it might just be Maddox.
There'll be no spoilers here, but I felt everything which happened was justified and definitely possible.
The conclusion and Epilogue are seriously cute too, and made me smile.
I'm not sure if this is a standalone or whether there'll be more in the series, but I'd be happy to venture into their world again.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
The way the plot slowly develops along two distinct strands is exceptionally well paced.
As Maddox and Roscoe's friendship deepens into love, after they've both been mutually pining for years, we see the rest of their lives begin to unravel.
The romance between them is lovely, it's soft and soothing, supportive and caring. There's a seven year gap between the 23-year-old frontman and his manager but it doesn't feel like it.
Maddox definitely reads more mature than your typical young adult, but him and his four bandmates have been famous since they were 16, so it's no surprise he's more self aware.
What I liked best about this story is that it never runs into overly dramatic interactions.
Roscoe is a really lovely guy, he's just genuinely trying to do his best for all the band's members.
Maddox is a sweetheart, he's falling in love while his band goes on another sell out stadium tour and it's not an easy ride.
There are moments of humour, the friendships between the five young men, and all three of their managers, are also richly woven in to the feeling of them living lives isolated from the wider world.
As pressures mount up, Maddox and Roscoe get even more involved, the commitment they have for meeting each other's needs is sweetly represented.
Sex isn't just a passing thing, they take time to explore each other's desires, although the steam level is medium.
Not that it detracts, the narrative doesn't need to have loads of smexy times for you to get a sense of how they feel.
There isn't a real villain here, either than the expectation of paparazzi and fans to have 24/7 access to someone just because they have a talent which brings them fame.
It's a salutary warning about treating people as commodities as well as a delightful romance.
The pressures of fame are laid out with an ever increasing awareness that something has to break, and it might just be Maddox.
There'll be no spoilers here, but I felt everything which happened was justified and definitely possible.
The conclusion and Epilogue are seriously cute too, and made me smile.
I'm not sure if this is a standalone or whether there'll be more in the series, but I'd be happy to venture into their world again.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
February 15, 2022
Audio - 5 Stars
Story - 4.5 Stars
Loved it! No regrets! I can't wait for the next book in the series!
Story - 4.5 Stars
Loved it! No regrets! I can't wait for the next book in the series!
Read
July 13, 2021DNF at 69%
Ugh. I wanted to love this. I usually like celebrity romances. But there is so much work talk. Shows. Practices. Management meetings. Meetings with security. Travelling. And I don’t feel like there is much else going on. Not enough to hold my interest anyway.
Full disclosure, I’m also running a fever tonight (please don’t be Covid) and my brain feels like jello, but the idea of going through the last few chapters is too much. What is left to happen anyway? They are in love. Everybody knows. They are touring. Yawn.
I liked Roscoe and Maddox okay, but I didn’t love them. And everybody in this band is so wholesome and perfect. It’s almost like a Christian band touring instead of the biggest boy band in the world. Where are the parties? Drugs? Groupies? Evil managers? Fuckfests? Give me something!
Ugh. I wanted to love this. I usually like celebrity romances. But there is so much work talk. Shows. Practices. Management meetings. Meetings with security. Travelling. And I don’t feel like there is much else going on. Not enough to hold my interest anyway.
Full disclosure, I’m also running a fever tonight (please don’t be Covid) and my brain feels like jello, but the idea of going through the last few chapters is too much. What is left to happen anyway? They are in love. Everybody knows. They are touring. Yawn.
I liked Roscoe and Maddox okay, but I didn’t love them. And everybody in this band is so wholesome and perfect. It’s almost like a Christian band touring instead of the biggest boy band in the world. Where are the parties? Drugs? Groupies? Evil managers? Fuckfests? Give me something!
April 29, 2022
***4 - 4.5 Borahae 💜's***
Yep, this gave off some heavy BTS vibes and I loved it!!!
And also yep, this is me outing myself for being addicted to these guys. *cough* BTS, I mean, not Atrous, although I'm not far off from that one, too. 😉 The group dynamics, their interactions, the tour description... If this wasn't some kind of fanfic (with some added downside of fame), I don't know what is. 🤷♀️
Although, to be honest, I loved the whole atmosphere more than the romance part, but for me this was secondary here anyway. 🤷♀️😂
*runs off to download book #2*
Yep, this gave off some heavy BTS vibes and I loved it!!!
And also yep, this is me outing myself for being addicted to these guys. *cough* BTS, I mean, not Atrous, although I'm not far off from that one, too. 😉 The group dynamics, their interactions, the tour description... If this wasn't some kind of fanfic (with some added downside of fame), I don't know what is. 🤷♀️
Although, to be honest, I loved the whole atmosphere more than the romance part, but for me this was secondary here anyway. 🤷♀️😂
*runs off to download book #2*
October 27, 2022
3.5 Stars
It’s a tale as old as time: pop star falls in love with someone on his management team, while dealing with the emotionally depleting highs and lows of being in the spotlight, in this day and age of social media madness where everyone’s fair game and someone is always watching.
On one hand, this was really sweet and romantic, as we followed lead vocalist of boy band Atrous, Maddox Kershaw, as he falls head over heels in love with his slightly older personal manager, and all-around great guy and decent human being, Roscoe Hall. These two together were so lovely. Between them there was much tenderness and emotional connectivity—it was all too easy to see why, over time, they’d fall so deeply for each other.
On the other hand, this book dealt quite seriously with themes of mental health, showing the darker impacts of fame, with Maddox slowly breaking down over time, as his anxiety issues grew in intensity until things began to fall apart on Atrous’s latest world tour.
As someone who has dealt with anxiety (in a myriad of forms) my entire life, I found the portrayal of what Maddox went through to be very genuine and well-showcased here. Honestly, I was exhausted by the entire reading experience, but I actually attribute that to the fact that I related all too deeply to Maddox’s inner turmoil (in a completely unrelatable yet relatable way).
Beyond the great mental health representation and the truly lovely couple pairing, I also enjoyed the greater cast of characters. All the other boys in the band, particularly Jeremy, along with the other management players and the head of security, Steve, were all excellent and welcomed additions, making this a fuller, more enjoyable story.
Hearing Jeremy and Steve get their own story next tickles me. Although there was no real hint of romantic potential here, I loved both characters and am all too happy to know I can return to this world and these characters for a new story! I have no doubt if Artous were a real boy band, I’d be a massive fan.
Atrous series
Book #1 - Code Red (3.5 Stars)
Book #2 - Code Blue (4 Stars)
Book #3 - Code Word (4 Stars)
It’s a tale as old as time: pop star falls in love with someone on his management team, while dealing with the emotionally depleting highs and lows of being in the spotlight, in this day and age of social media madness where everyone’s fair game and someone is always watching.
On one hand, this was really sweet and romantic, as we followed lead vocalist of boy band Atrous, Maddox Kershaw, as he falls head over heels in love with his slightly older personal manager, and all-around great guy and decent human being, Roscoe Hall. These two together were so lovely. Between them there was much tenderness and emotional connectivity—it was all too easy to see why, over time, they’d fall so deeply for each other.
On the other hand, this book dealt quite seriously with themes of mental health, showing the darker impacts of fame, with Maddox slowly breaking down over time, as his anxiety issues grew in intensity until things began to fall apart on Atrous’s latest world tour.
As someone who has dealt with anxiety (in a myriad of forms) my entire life, I found the portrayal of what Maddox went through to be very genuine and well-showcased here. Honestly, I was exhausted by the entire reading experience, but I actually attribute that to the fact that I related all too deeply to Maddox’s inner turmoil (in a completely unrelatable yet relatable way).
Beyond the great mental health representation and the truly lovely couple pairing, I also enjoyed the greater cast of characters. All the other boys in the band, particularly Jeremy, along with the other management players and the head of security, Steve, were all excellent and welcomed additions, making this a fuller, more enjoyable story.
Hearing Jeremy and Steve get their own story next tickles me. Although there was no real hint of romantic potential here, I loved both characters and am all too happy to know I can return to this world and these characters for a new story! I have no doubt if Artous were a real boy band, I’d be a massive fan.
Atrous series
Book #1 - Code Red (3.5 Stars)
Book #2 - Code Blue (4 Stars)
Book #3 - Code Word (4 Stars)
June 26, 2021
3.5 stars ⭐️ Oh boy, I know I'm the worst person for giving a less rating for a book everyone loves so far. But what can I say!? In my defense, this is not what I expected. This book proved to me again that I should stay far away from Celebrity romances.
This is a typical celebrity romance where the MCs doing public displays, declarations, public affection dramas, social media kinds of things.
On a positive note, I enjoyed the first half of the book, and I really liked Maddox and Roscoe as a couple. They were cute and sweet. Maddox was too good to be true.
Roscoe was the personal manager of Maddox for four years. Maddox was the main vocalist of the Atrous band. (like One Direction) Maddox was a sexy, hot man who has the biggest fan base. The band was scheduled to perform several concerts that would be happening in America for seven weeks, and the book started off with it.
Roscoe always loved Maddox. But he didn't want to say it loud. However, with time, everything became too personal between Maddox and Roscoe. They didn't know who took the first step to break the boundary of professionalism. They slowly became a ‘thing’, but they couldn't hide their ‘heart in eyes’ behavior from others.
“I’ve never had anyone,” he whispered. “Anyone that meant anything to me, anyway. Not like you. It’s my first taste of real life, Roscoe. You’re the only real thing in my life. And I know, rationally, if I try to keep too tight a hold on you, it will push you away, but at the same time, I’m too scared to let go.”
Maddox was struggling with anxiety and panic attacks. But he didn't want to tell anyone about it, except Roscoe. Roscoe was always with him helping to get through all of his issues. He was a good manager and boyfriend to Maddox.
“I love you, Maddox. ‘For every day I have lived, for every beat of my heart.’”
“‘I want to dream of you,’” he whispered. “‘Where the world can’t touch us, where time can’t betray me. Where your smile lives on forever. That’s where I’ll be.’”
There are some dramas in the story. I'm fed up with hearing celebrity lives and how much does it hard to cope with the industry, and the paparazzi and their lack of freedom. Some part of the book was unbelievable like one of the band players and the best friend of Maddox (Jeremy), uploaded a video, without knowing Maddox and Roscoe were hugging in the background of the video. Afterward, the fans erupted with happiness from seeing it, and the headlines of every social media were Maddox and Roscoe. Don't you think it's too cheesy? I mean before they upload something like that, don't they think about it twice!?
This is zero angst and too cheesy story. You can read it without getting bored. My heart was getting warm when I read the last few pages of the book, and it was Maddox’s notebook. I always like to read the lyrics in songs. Aaaaaaand, there were a few songs in Maddox’s notebook. They are beautiful and the best thing in the book.
This is a typical celebrity romance where the MCs doing public displays, declarations, public affection dramas, social media kinds of things.
On a positive note, I enjoyed the first half of the book, and I really liked Maddox and Roscoe as a couple. They were cute and sweet. Maddox was too good to be true.
Roscoe was the personal manager of Maddox for four years. Maddox was the main vocalist of the Atrous band. (like One Direction) Maddox was a sexy, hot man who has the biggest fan base. The band was scheduled to perform several concerts that would be happening in America for seven weeks, and the book started off with it.
Roscoe always loved Maddox. But he didn't want to say it loud. However, with time, everything became too personal between Maddox and Roscoe. They didn't know who took the first step to break the boundary of professionalism. They slowly became a ‘thing’, but they couldn't hide their ‘heart in eyes’ behavior from others.
“I’ve never had anyone,” he whispered. “Anyone that meant anything to me, anyway. Not like you. It’s my first taste of real life, Roscoe. You’re the only real thing in my life. And I know, rationally, if I try to keep too tight a hold on you, it will push you away, but at the same time, I’m too scared to let go.”
Maddox was struggling with anxiety and panic attacks. But he didn't want to tell anyone about it, except Roscoe. Roscoe was always with him helping to get through all of his issues. He was a good manager and boyfriend to Maddox.
“I love you, Maddox. ‘For every day I have lived, for every beat of my heart.’”
“‘I want to dream of you,’” he whispered. “‘Where the world can’t touch us, where time can’t betray me. Where your smile lives on forever. That’s where I’ll be.’”
There are some dramas in the story. I'm fed up with hearing celebrity lives and how much does it hard to cope with the industry, and the paparazzi and their lack of freedom. Some part of the book was unbelievable like one of the band players and the best friend of Maddox (Jeremy), uploaded a video, without knowing Maddox and Roscoe were hugging in the background of the video. Afterward, the fans erupted with happiness from seeing it, and the headlines of every social media were Maddox and Roscoe. Don't you think it's too cheesy? I mean before they upload something like that, don't they think about it twice!?
This is zero angst and too cheesy story. You can read it without getting bored. My heart was getting warm when I read the last few pages of the book, and it was Maddox’s notebook. I always like to read the lyrics in songs. Aaaaaaand, there were a few songs in Maddox’s notebook. They are beautiful and the best thing in the book.
July 9, 2021
4.25 Stars!
I definitely enjoyed this one.
Probably would've rated it a bit higher if it weren't for a few things:
--alluded to sex scenes, yes there was still some on-page but more than I prefer was alluded to.
--it was a bit too lovey-dovey at times (but I did really like possessive Maddox)
Liked all of the bandmates. Maybe some of them will get books?
I definitely enjoyed this one.
Probably would've rated it a bit higher if it weren't for a few things:
--alluded to sex scenes, yes there was still some on-page but more than I prefer was alluded to.
--it was a bit too lovey-dovey at times (but I did really like possessive Maddox)
Liked all of the bandmates. Maybe some of them will get books?
July 20, 2021
Am I a bit biased when it comes to books by my favourite authors?
Hell, no.
When a book is good, it is good.
When a book makes you heart the characters with all your heart, it is good.
When a 404 long book gets read in a matter of 24 hours because the writing feels like a blessing, it is good.
When the character development and the plot of the story are so well done, it is good.
When the chemistry burns you, it is good.
When the story gives you the trending biggest K-pop boyband vibes and it gets so real, it is good.
That's it.
*Content warnings for anxiety, panic attacks.
I had a difficult time reading the book whenever one of the main character was struggling through the panic attacks. I had to close the book few times for a few hours each time as I was struggling reading these parts.
I need the next book by the author.
Please.
Hell, no.
When a book is good, it is good.
When a book makes you heart the characters with all your heart, it is good.
When a 404 long book gets read in a matter of 24 hours because the writing feels like a blessing, it is good.
When the character development and the plot of the story are so well done, it is good.
When the chemistry burns you, it is good.
When the story gives you the trending biggest K-pop boyband vibes and it gets so real, it is good.
That's it.
*Content warnings for anxiety, panic attacks.
I had a difficult time reading the book whenever one of the main character was struggling through the panic attacks. I had to close the book few times for a few hours each time as I was struggling reading these parts.
I need the next book by the author.
Please.
Read
June 26, 2021DNF
I just don't like this. I'm passing the torch to its next readers. I don't like how this book is not killing me. When these mcs attraction/romance started to get hot and cutesy and the fact that I didn't feel anything, I had to wave the white flag.
I just don't like this. I'm passing the torch to its next readers. I don't like how this book is not killing me. When these mcs attraction/romance started to get hot and cutesy and the fact that I didn't feel anything, I had to wave the white flag.
June 24, 2021
[4.5] As the TV host at the end succinctly puts it: "That's sweet, but Maddox, that's also kind of sad."
THE ENTIRE BOOK IN A NUTSHELL MY FRIENDS
Straight off the bat, let me confess that celebrity/band books aren't my favorite. Too much infighting, too many meddling outsiders, too many stupid decisions, too many eyes on the MCs. Just too much of everything.
But this was a welcome change from what I've come to expect from the trope, and I can honestly say I didn't anticipate for this story about a global sensation boy band to make me feel so much.
Code Red paints an incredibly realistic picture of the physical and emotional toil of fame and touring on the lives and wellbeing of stars (and the crew behind-the-scenes).
MADDOX
As the face of the band, Maddox has the world’s expectations on his shoulders. It’s easy to dismiss his troubles as insignificant when he supposedly has it all, but through Maddox’s struggles, we see that fame isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
We meet him when he’s already a shell of the young kid who played around with music in a garage with his friends. Everyone puts him on a pedestal, and as a diehard perfectionist, he completely internalizes those expectations. He must perform every dance move on point, sing perfectly—failure is not an option. There is no excuse for disappointing fans.
Roscoe is the only one Maddox allows to see the real him. At times, he can almost feel too dependent on Roscoe but I saw it more as a cry for help than anything. Especially as his frustration builds when events reveal what little control he actually has over his life.
It's lonely at the top. And being part of a band since a young age, his whole identity is built around this persona. It's too easy to lose sight of himself when this is all he knows and it's as if the entire world has something to say. There were times when I’d just put down my tablet, stare into the distance, and think about how sad and empty he must feel inside. *insert woman protecting Kevin Hart meme here*
I think these lyrics from Suga's Interlude: Shadow represent where Maddox’s head is at perfectly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PV1gC...
But despite this, Maddox has a backbone of steel and will not take disrespect lying down. When he has something to fight for, he turns full-on alpha male, and respect to him for taking absolutely no bullshirt when the safety of those he cares for is threatened 🙌
Points I loved :
- N.R. Walker doesn’t have our beloved band members make the same harmful decisions that characters in other stories with the same trope often make. The five members of Atrous pledge at the very start to stay away from drugs, to never drink alone. All of them are genuinely good boys that you will want to protect from the dark side of society. (THE BROMANCE IS STRONG)
- Love doesn't miraculously heal all wounds. Roscoe's presence by Maddox's side doesn't resolve his issues, not by a long-shot. Of course, having love and support nearby does make the pain more bearable, but we still see Maddox's mental state progressively worsen as the tour goes on. You know he's going to snap, it's just a matter of when.
- No silly breakup scene, no OTT miscommunication. The worst we get is omission of the truth, but it's handled well imo.
- The UST at the beginning had me sweating 😳 When Maddox flirts, he's relentless . (Poor Roscoe trying to remain professional at all times 😂) But you'd also find me aww-ing just as much over a simple gesture like handholding 🥺
A few notes:
- This didn’t bug me personally, but the smexy scenes are glossed over for the most part, focusing more on the emotional connection than giving readers a play-by-play. So if you’re looking to buy a ticket to Smutfest 2021, you might want to check the next booth over 😆
- The story's told entirely from Roscoe's POV.
- Taken from N.R. Walker's newsletter:
☝️ For this last point alone, giving this a go is a no-brainer.
-------
I did feel like a little something was missing from the narrative, but for what the characters managed to make me feel and for the author tackling such an important issue, my heart's telling me to bump the rating up.
Our biggest takeaways:
Paparazzi are garbage, y'all crazy folk on the interwebs need to take a chill pill, and famous people are human beings who aren't obligated to do anything for you 💅
THE ENTIRE BOOK IN A NUTSHELL MY FRIENDS
Straight off the bat, let me confess that celebrity/band books aren't my favorite. Too much infighting, too many meddling outsiders, too many stupid decisions, too many eyes on the MCs. Just too much of everything.
But this was a welcome change from what I've come to expect from the trope, and I can honestly say I didn't anticipate for this story about a global sensation boy band to make me feel so much.
Code Red paints an incredibly realistic picture of the physical and emotional toil of fame and touring on the lives and wellbeing of stars (and the crew behind-the-scenes).
MADDOX
As the face of the band, Maddox has the world’s expectations on his shoulders. It’s easy to dismiss his troubles as insignificant when he supposedly has it all, but through Maddox’s struggles, we see that fame isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
We meet him when he’s already a shell of the young kid who played around with music in a garage with his friends. Everyone puts him on a pedestal, and as a diehard perfectionist, he completely internalizes those expectations. He must perform every dance move on point, sing perfectly—failure is not an option. There is no excuse for disappointing fans.
Roscoe is the only one Maddox allows to see the real him. At times, he can almost feel too dependent on Roscoe but I saw it more as a cry for help than anything. Especially as his frustration builds when events reveal what little control he actually has over his life.
It's lonely at the top. And being part of a band since a young age, his whole identity is built around this persona. It's too easy to lose sight of himself when this is all he knows and it's as if the entire world has something to say. There were times when I’d just put down my tablet, stare into the distance, and think about how sad and empty he must feel inside. *insert woman protecting Kevin Hart meme here*
I think these lyrics from Suga's Interlude: Shadow represent where Maddox’s head is at perfectly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PV1gC...
People say, there's splendor in that bright light
But my growing shadow swallows me and becomes a monster
Up high, high, and higher, higher
I only go higher and vertigo overtakes me
I rise, rise, I hate it
I pray, I pray, hoping to be okay
But despite this, Maddox has a backbone of steel and will not take disrespect lying down. When he has something to fight for, he turns full-on alpha male, and respect to him for taking absolutely no bullshirt when the safety of those he cares for is threatened 🙌
Points I loved :
- N.R. Walker doesn’t have our beloved band members make the same harmful decisions that characters in other stories with the same trope often make. The five members of Atrous pledge at the very start to stay away from drugs, to never drink alone. All of them are genuinely good boys that you will want to protect from the dark side of society. (THE BROMANCE IS STRONG)
- Love doesn't miraculously heal all wounds. Roscoe's presence by Maddox's side doesn't resolve his issues, not by a long-shot. Of course, having love and support nearby does make the pain more bearable, but we still see Maddox's mental state progressively worsen as the tour goes on. You know he's going to snap, it's just a matter of when.
- No silly breakup scene, no OTT miscommunication. The worst we get is omission of the truth, but it's handled well imo.
- The UST at the beginning had me sweating 😳 When Maddox flirts, he's relentless . (Poor Roscoe trying to remain professional at all times 😂) But you'd also find me aww-ing just as much over a simple gesture like handholding 🥺
A few notes:
- This didn’t bug me personally, but the smexy scenes are glossed over for the most part, focusing more on the emotional connection than giving readers a play-by-play. So if you’re looking to buy a ticket to Smutfest 2021, you might want to check the next booth over 😆
- The story's told entirely from Roscoe's POV.
- Taken from N.R. Walker's newsletter:
"Roscoe looks a bit like Chris Hemsworth. He's tall, blond, well-built, and is often mistaken for Maddox's security. He grew up in a small town in Vermont playing ice hockey and moved to LA to experience the gay scene, sunshine, and city life.
Maddox looks like Jeon Jungkook. Maddox is American born with grandparents from Japan and Europe. He has one sleeve of tattoos, he wears long black earrings. He sings like an angel, dances like the devil, and is utterly gorgeous. It's kinda easy to see why Maddox is head over heels in love with him."
☝️ For this last point alone, giving this a go is a no-brainer.
-------
I did feel like a little something was missing from the narrative, but for what the characters managed to make me feel and for the author tackling such an important issue, my heart's telling me to bump the rating up.
Our biggest takeaways:
Paparazzi are garbage, y'all crazy folk on the interwebs need to take a chill pill, and famous people are human beings who aren't obligated to do anything for you 💅
June 25, 2021
I can totally see why this book received so many 4/5 star reviews but it just didn't click for me.
Following the life of A-list mega-famous lead singer of the boy band Atrous ( think one direction type vibe ✨), Maddox and his personal manager Roscoe as they navigate a world tour and secretly following in love.
Positives:
First off, I wanna say how impressed I was by how realistic this portrayal of a celebrity life was. I will admit that pop culture and celeb gossip is my guilty pleasure so I love reading a good famous MC romance. Normally I have to use extended belief because authors will often write the famous MCs life to benefit the storyline (like not having people around so the romance can progress) but this book was the opposite. The boy band had people constantly around, personal managers, hairstylists, bodyguards, readers really get to see how even though life can be glamourous... it's also really shitty, isolating and controlled. N.R Walker did a fantastic job of really portraying the struggles and downfalls of fame. I really felt for Maddox who had so much pressure and eyes on him at all times.
Niggles:
While it was impressive in its portrayal...I think the realism was also this story's downfall ☹️ Since the story was only in Roscoe's POV, we spent SO much of the story thinking about scheduling, and safety protocols....like boring manager stuff and it felt so mechanical? There were so many work-related thoughts and scenes, it was a bit boring and took away from the romance. I also really wish we had gotten Maddox's POV since his struggles and life was the main focus of the plot, only understanding the situation from Roscoe's outside POV didn't feel like enough in my opinion.
The epilogue was sweet, and I did love them together but overall the story left me wanting.
Following the life of A-list mega-famous lead singer of the boy band Atrous ( think one direction type vibe ✨), Maddox and his personal manager Roscoe as they navigate a world tour and secretly following in love.
Positives:
First off, I wanna say how impressed I was by how realistic this portrayal of a celebrity life was. I will admit that pop culture and celeb gossip is my guilty pleasure so I love reading a good famous MC romance. Normally I have to use extended belief because authors will often write the famous MCs life to benefit the storyline (like not having people around so the romance can progress) but this book was the opposite. The boy band had people constantly around, personal managers, hairstylists, bodyguards, readers really get to see how even though life can be glamourous... it's also really shitty, isolating and controlled. N.R Walker did a fantastic job of really portraying the struggles and downfalls of fame. I really felt for Maddox who had so much pressure and eyes on him at all times.
Niggles:
While it was impressive in its portrayal...I think the realism was also this story's downfall ☹️ Since the story was only in Roscoe's POV, we spent SO much of the story thinking about scheduling, and safety protocols....like boring manager stuff and it felt so mechanical? There were so many work-related thoughts and scenes, it was a bit boring and took away from the romance. I also really wish we had gotten Maddox's POV since his struggles and life was the main focus of the plot, only understanding the situation from Roscoe's outside POV didn't feel like enough in my opinion.
The epilogue was sweet, and I did love them together but overall the story left me wanting.
August 12, 2022
Re-read
I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed this book!! I'm doing a re-read so I'm ready for Code Word (which I never expected we'd get) and I never did get around to writing reviews for Code Red and Code Blue so my brain was struggling to remember why I loved them so much 😂
Maddox and Roscoe are just so good together. I love how Roscoe is like an absolute warrior when it comes to making sure Maddox is happy and has what he needs, but I equally love it when Maddox goes feral and demands Roscoe be protected from the world!
Maddox's emotional struggles and his battle with anxiety make him so relatable which I always think is hard to find in a rockstar romance, but I just wanted to wrap him in a blanket and keep him safe.
I also really liked how the POV of the book is from Roscoe, because we get to see what's happening to Maddox and the rest of the band through the eyes of someone who's not in the middle of the storm, but who's been there with them for years and knows who they are and what their life entails. It's like getting that slow realisation that actually, Maddox's fame and fortune isn't all it's cracked up to be because now you can see the price he's paying and the effect it's all having on him.
It was also nice to get a refresher on who Steve and Jeremy are too because I know I enjoyed their story first time around, but again my brain isn't reliable unless I've written something down to refer to in future 😂
I'm excited to get to Bluke's story now!
I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed this book!! I'm doing a re-read so I'm ready for Code Word (which I never expected we'd get) and I never did get around to writing reviews for Code Red and Code Blue so my brain was struggling to remember why I loved them so much 😂
Maddox and Roscoe are just so good together. I love how Roscoe is like an absolute warrior when it comes to making sure Maddox is happy and has what he needs, but I equally love it when Maddox goes feral and demands Roscoe be protected from the world!
Maddox's emotional struggles and his battle with anxiety make him so relatable which I always think is hard to find in a rockstar romance, but I just wanted to wrap him in a blanket and keep him safe.
I also really liked how the POV of the book is from Roscoe, because we get to see what's happening to Maddox and the rest of the band through the eyes of someone who's not in the middle of the storm, but who's been there with them for years and knows who they are and what their life entails. It's like getting that slow realisation that actually, Maddox's fame and fortune isn't all it's cracked up to be because now you can see the price he's paying and the effect it's all having on him.
It was also nice to get a refresher on who Steve and Jeremy are too because I know I enjoyed their story first time around, but again my brain isn't reliable unless I've written something down to refer to in future 😂
I'm excited to get to Bluke's story now!
October 4, 2024
Loved this! The beginning was perfect. The end was sweet. Very sad look into the life of a musician. You could really feel the isolation and loneliness.
February 10, 2022
Only thing missing from this was Maddox’s POV otherwise the feelz and squealz were there.
-lots of hotel room sex
-staring, staring, staring
-sexy, charming rockstars with tattoos who wear all black
-Japanese-American MC
-rockstar/manager romance
-loving sidekicks (band members/besties)
-the little boot tapping the other was so cute (iykyk)
-was this 1D fanfic kind of?
Took off one star for the last quarter feeling dragged out and redundant.
Re-read 11/16/22 - I am SO ridiculously obsessed with Maddox. That is all.
-lots of hotel room sex
-staring, staring, staring
-sexy, charming rockstars with tattoos who wear all black
-Japanese-American MC
-rockstar/manager romance
-loving sidekicks (band members/besties)
-the little boot tapping the other was so cute (iykyk)
-was this 1D fanfic kind of?
Took off one star for the last quarter feeling dragged out and redundant.
Re-read 11/16/22 - I am SO ridiculously obsessed with Maddox. That is all.
Read
September 14, 2025I should have listened to my trusted friends here. This isn’t good, despite NJR narrating.
You know I’m still in my audiobook phase, I seem to prefer listening to reading right now. So seeing NJR narrating this series, and knowing the author, I knew I might enjoy it (although it’s a bit hit and miss with NR Walker).
Spoiler: I didn’t. I’m not a huge fan of “celebrity romances” in the first place, but I loved some nevertheless, like the Popstar series by Eden Finley.
This one didn’t work for me at all. It’s the story of Maddox, singer of (ofc) one of the biggest boybands worldwide. Their music is catchy, the lyrics are deep, they have a rapper in their mids and they have spectacular shows with dancers and whatnot.
Listen, I love music, I love going to concerts (in fact, it’s my favourite way to wind down), and I’ve loved my share of boy bands, too. This description of a band is SO generic and so obviously out to cover all the bases and genres, I couldn’t NOT roll my eyes.
Anyway.
Ofc Maddox is not the show pony he is on stage, he’s quiet and withdrawn in private. And that’s something that only very few people know, one of them being Roscoe, his manager/PA.
Again, the author chooses to write it in a way that’s inoffensive: “the boys” are in their early twenties, and “the manager” only 7 years older, so there’s no huge power imbalance there.
🙄
Roscoe is already in love with Maddox, but he’s very professional and hasn’t shown him any of that. Because he’s professional and shit. But he’s protective. And oh, did I mention that Maddox is insanely hot and does “slut drops” on stage?
I stopped at around 10%, no rating therefore. There’s no use in continuing when I’m so very annoyed with literally anything.
Sorry, NJR. I would have loved listening to you.
You know I’m still in my audiobook phase, I seem to prefer listening to reading right now. So seeing NJR narrating this series, and knowing the author, I knew I might enjoy it (although it’s a bit hit and miss with NR Walker).
Spoiler: I didn’t. I’m not a huge fan of “celebrity romances” in the first place, but I loved some nevertheless, like the Popstar series by Eden Finley.
This one didn’t work for me at all. It’s the story of Maddox, singer of (ofc) one of the biggest boybands worldwide. Their music is catchy, the lyrics are deep, they have a rapper in their mids and they have spectacular shows with dancers and whatnot.
Listen, I love music, I love going to concerts (in fact, it’s my favourite way to wind down), and I’ve loved my share of boy bands, too. This description of a band is SO generic and so obviously out to cover all the bases and genres, I couldn’t NOT roll my eyes.
Anyway.
Ofc Maddox is not the show pony he is on stage, he’s quiet and withdrawn in private. And that’s something that only very few people know, one of them being Roscoe, his manager/PA.
Again, the author chooses to write it in a way that’s inoffensive: “the boys” are in their early twenties, and “the manager” only 7 years older, so there’s no huge power imbalance there.
🙄
Roscoe is already in love with Maddox, but he’s very professional and hasn’t shown him any of that. Because he’s professional and shit. But he’s protective. And oh, did I mention that Maddox is insanely hot and does “slut drops” on stage?
I stopped at around 10%, no rating therefore. There’s no use in continuing when I’m so very annoyed with literally anything.
Sorry, NJR. I would have loved listening to you.
July 29, 2022
This was definitely one of the best rock star/musician romances I've ever read. The entire setting is insanely authentic and you feel sucked right into the mind-boggling music industry.
I was a bit skeptical about the one-sided narrative from Roscoe's point of view. I usually miss something when it's not told by both main characters, not so here. Roscoe is so incredibly insightful and detailed in his observations of Maddox that you can see inside Maddox even though you're not inside his head. Wonderfully good writing.
How you can create such deep feelings from something as simple as holding hands. Awesome. 🥰🥰🥰
And these characters ...
Roscoe, always there and so completely unselfish. There wasn't a single moment where he was uncertain that he belonged at Maddox's side. Finally, a character who doesn't hesitate and just trusts his heart. 💕💕💕
Maddox, so fragile yet so strong as he desperately wants to be there for his band mates even though it breaks him. You just have to fall in love with the lad.
“‘I want to dream of you,’” he whispered.
“‘Where the world can’t touch us, where time can’t betray me. Where your smile lives on forever. That’s where I’ll be.’”
It was one of their songs from their last album. I finished it for him. “‘Where love still lingers, I want to dream of you and me.’”
I was a bit skeptical about the one-sided narrative from Roscoe's point of view. I usually miss something when it's not told by both main characters, not so here. Roscoe is so incredibly insightful and detailed in his observations of Maddox that you can see inside Maddox even though you're not inside his head. Wonderfully good writing.
How you can create such deep feelings from something as simple as holding hands. Awesome. 🥰🥰🥰
And these characters ...
Roscoe, always there and so completely unselfish. There wasn't a single moment where he was uncertain that he belonged at Maddox's side. Finally, a character who doesn't hesitate and just trusts his heart. 💕💕💕
Maddox, so fragile yet so strong as he desperately wants to be there for his band mates even though it breaks him. You just have to fall in love with the lad.
“‘I want to dream of you,’” he whispered.
“‘Where the world can’t touch us, where time can’t betray me. Where your smile lives on forever. That’s where I’ll be.’”
It was one of their songs from their last album. I finished it for him. “‘Where love still lingers, I want to dream of you and me.’”
July 6, 2021
This was a new premise and venture for this author, and I was excited to dive into it.
Overall, this worked for me. It had that wonderful Walker romance aspect to it that I just loved, so much so that the light steam, as Walker usually has in her books, I found more acceptable. I do wish we had gotten just a few more detailed sex scenes than we got, because after their first time a lot of it was either fade to black or described in a paragraph or two but not full on detail. Again, I wasn't too bothered, because the romance was good enough that I didn't feel the story was lacking too much from the light steam, but I do wish Walker would sometimes do more with the sex scenes she does put in there, or put in a few more than what she does.
Despite the light steam, I enjoyed Maddox and Roscoe together a lot. They had that chemistry, and once they got together, they were both all in, and despite not getting Maddox's POV, unfortunately, I felt his love for Roscoe really well. I was really happy that his feelings for Roscoe came across so well.
Because in a romance if you're only gonna do one POV, the other's love for the POV character has to come across or else it'll just feel like something is missing and their feelings are hard to believe without their POV.
But in this one it worked. I would have liked Maddox's POV, yes, but to me if a one POV romance book is able to pull off showing the non-POV MC's feelings well, then I'm ultimately okay with not getting it.
Even without getting Maddox's POV, I felt his feelings for Roscoe, I totally believed that he was in love with him, and that he couldn't get enough of him. Actually, I honestly felt like at times Roscoe's inner thoughts were restrained more than Maddox's, that we heard him talk about and felt with how he reacted to things. Roscoe, I felt, tried to hold back because he wanted to be professional and follow the rules, so it actually ended up being Roscoe, at times, that I felt held back and we didn't get enough of that overwhelming love from.
Interesting to see from the POV character, but that was who Roscoe is. I know he loved Maddox and wanted everything with him, but he was his manager, had been for 4 years, and he wanted things to work for Maddox and was very "we have to follow the rules, even if we are together behind closed doors." So with that attitude came a certain distance, I think. He had the thoughts of how much he loved and wanted to be with Maddox, but he held himself back so much, and he was the more level-headed of the two as well, so at times he felt like the one we didn't get enough from. That's how I feel, anyway.
Now, I did have some niggles that made me rate this down to 4 stars instead fo giving it 5 stars:
- I felt like this got to be too long. Not too much, but at times it was very "they went to this city, that city, this city on the tour and did this, this, and that" and at times it didn't feel necessary, and dragged out this story and made it even a little slow at times when it didn't need to be.
I think, at least, that Walker was trying to go for showing Maddox's slow breakdown - it wasn't too bad, but the eventually got to him, around 80-ish, 85-ish percent. I think that's what she was going for, anyway. The harder it got for Maddox and the more determined he was to pull through it regardless, eventually it had its effects and such, so I get that.
It just...I think it could have been shorter still. Written in a more succinct way. Trim this down at least 50 pages. Some things in this book were just...not that exciting or too intricate to the plot or to Maddox and Roscoe's relationship, so I personally didn't see why some things needed to be there, and in the end they dragged this story down at times, made it too slow.
Most of the story was good with pace, and I enjoyed the majority of it. But there was just times when it slowed down, which made it take longer for me to read this.
- I felt like things went too easy with their label. Maybe not all big labels are money sucking, greedy assholes who don't care about the well being of their artists (trying to give the benefit of the doubt here), but their label was presented as one that at times just cared more about the money than them. Actually that the majority of the time they did. And that they put too much pressure on the band and didn't give a fuck.
But Maddox and all the sudden it's just that easy for things to change? I didn't buy it. I feel like if a label was that bad, and let things get that far without a care for their artists, that they would try to save face for themselves and behind the scenes try to continue their bullshit.
And I think Walker also just didn't go as into detail when things came to a head, and it made it seem like their label were the good guys. But I think when things came to a head, they conceded on things for their image and the money, but the book made it seem like they did it all out of the kindness of their hearts for the well being of their artists. Eh...I didn't buy it.
- I actually wish the whole book hadn't taken place over the 7 week tour. I would have liked to have seen stuff outside of that tour, how the band and Maddox and Roscoe lived outside of when they were on tour. And also focusing on just the tour led to a lot of the same, which contributed to it being slow at times.
I would have liked to have seen these two settling into their life together, how they got to the place where Maddox and things like that.
Seeing only their relationship primarily while in the confines of the tour, and only getting to be together behind closed doors and cameras off didn't leave enough time to just see them being a couple in love doing couply things. I wanted more of that.
So, just a few niggles, but they were enough for me to give a full star off. I enjoyed this a lot, but I just didn't quite love it as I had hoped to.
Another thing I did like though, was Walker showing the exhaustion, physically and mentally, this can give artists. In other singer/band romances I've read, it never really touches on what a long tour can do an artist, especially if they go all out on stage to entertain their audience. I've never even really thought about what it could do to someone physically, and I liked how Walker included that in this. It made it feel more realistic and like when Maddox
So overall, this was a good and enjoyable book from Walker, there were just areas in which it could have been improved, I think. Romance was still solid - although even that, I think we could have gotten even more of ;) - and the story was overall good and enjoyable. It just could have been better, in my opinion.
Definitely still recommend it, two thumbs up from me!
Overall, this worked for me. It had that wonderful Walker romance aspect to it that I just loved, so much so that the light steam, as Walker usually has in her books, I found more acceptable. I do wish we had gotten just a few more detailed sex scenes than we got, because after their first time a lot of it was either fade to black or described in a paragraph or two but not full on detail. Again, I wasn't too bothered, because the romance was good enough that I didn't feel the story was lacking too much from the light steam, but I do wish Walker would sometimes do more with the sex scenes she does put in there, or put in a few more than what she does.
Despite the light steam, I enjoyed Maddox and Roscoe together a lot. They had that chemistry, and once they got together, they were both all in, and despite not getting Maddox's POV, unfortunately, I felt his love for Roscoe really well. I was really happy that his feelings for Roscoe came across so well.
Because in a romance if you're only gonna do one POV, the other's love for the POV character has to come across or else it'll just feel like something is missing and their feelings are hard to believe without their POV.
But in this one it worked. I would have liked Maddox's POV, yes, but to me if a one POV romance book is able to pull off showing the non-POV MC's feelings well, then I'm ultimately okay with not getting it.
Even without getting Maddox's POV, I felt his feelings for Roscoe, I totally believed that he was in love with him, and that he couldn't get enough of him. Actually, I honestly felt like at times Roscoe's inner thoughts were restrained more than Maddox's, that we heard him talk about and felt with how he reacted to things. Roscoe, I felt, tried to hold back because he wanted to be professional and follow the rules, so it actually ended up being Roscoe, at times, that I felt held back and we didn't get enough of that overwhelming love from.
Interesting to see from the POV character, but that was who Roscoe is. I know he loved Maddox and wanted everything with him, but he was his manager, had been for 4 years, and he wanted things to work for Maddox and was very "we have to follow the rules, even if we are together behind closed doors." So with that attitude came a certain distance, I think. He had the thoughts of how much he loved and wanted to be with Maddox, but he held himself back so much, and he was the more level-headed of the two as well, so at times he felt like the one we didn't get enough from. That's how I feel, anyway.
Now, I did have some niggles that made me rate this down to 4 stars instead fo giving it 5 stars:
- I felt like this got to be too long. Not too much, but at times it was very "they went to this city, that city, this city on the tour and did this, this, and that" and at times it didn't feel necessary, and dragged out this story and made it even a little slow at times when it didn't need to be.
I think, at least, that Walker was trying to go for showing Maddox's slow breakdown - it wasn't too bad, but the eventually got to him, around 80-ish, 85-ish percent. I think that's what she was going for, anyway. The harder it got for Maddox and the more determined he was to pull through it regardless, eventually it had its effects and such, so I get that.
It just...I think it could have been shorter still. Written in a more succinct way. Trim this down at least 50 pages. Some things in this book were just...not that exciting or too intricate to the plot or to Maddox and Roscoe's relationship, so I personally didn't see why some things needed to be there, and in the end they dragged this story down at times, made it too slow.
Most of the story was good with pace, and I enjoyed the majority of it. But there was just times when it slowed down, which made it take longer for me to read this.
- I felt like things went too easy with their label. Maybe not all big labels are money sucking, greedy assholes who don't care about the well being of their artists (trying to give the benefit of the doubt here), but their label was presented as one that at times just cared more about the money than them. Actually that the majority of the time they did. And that they put too much pressure on the band and didn't give a fuck.
But Maddox and all the sudden it's just that easy for things to change? I didn't buy it. I feel like if a label was that bad, and let things get that far without a care for their artists, that they would try to save face for themselves and behind the scenes try to continue their bullshit.
And I think Walker also just didn't go as into detail when things came to a head, and it made it seem like their label were the good guys. But I think when things came to a head, they conceded on things for their image and the money, but the book made it seem like they did it all out of the kindness of their hearts for the well being of their artists. Eh...I didn't buy it.
- I actually wish the whole book hadn't taken place over the 7 week tour. I would have liked to have seen stuff outside of that tour, how the band and Maddox and Roscoe lived outside of when they were on tour. And also focusing on just the tour led to a lot of the same, which contributed to it being slow at times.
I would have liked to have seen these two settling into their life together, how they got to the place where Maddox and things like that.
Seeing only their relationship primarily while in the confines of the tour, and only getting to be together behind closed doors and cameras off didn't leave enough time to just see them being a couple in love doing couply things. I wanted more of that.
So, just a few niggles, but they were enough for me to give a full star off. I enjoyed this a lot, but I just didn't quite love it as I had hoped to.
Another thing I did like though, was Walker showing the exhaustion, physically and mentally, this can give artists. In other singer/band romances I've read, it never really touches on what a long tour can do an artist, especially if they go all out on stage to entertain their audience. I've never even really thought about what it could do to someone physically, and I liked how Walker included that in this. It made it feel more realistic and like when Maddox
So overall, this was a good and enjoyable book from Walker, there were just areas in which it could have been improved, I think. Romance was still solid - although even that, I think we could have gotten even more of ;) - and the story was overall good and enjoyable. It just could have been better, in my opinion.
Definitely still recommend it, two thumbs up from me!
June 11, 2022
i did like it in the beginning but i don't think it ever developed past the first 50 pages.
both MC were pretty much already in love with each other and started dating pretty early into the story. i think setting this a couple years earlier maybe when Roscoe first joined the band and watch them get closer would have been a better book.
as it was it very much dragged on and definitely could have been a good 100 pages shorter.
the characters never really developed either. i don't think we really know anything about Roscoe other than that he is hot and tall and in love with Maddox.
Maddox kinda felt very immature to me. the way he was attached to Roscoe by the hip and how he would talk to him sometimes, idk, if you told me he's like 16 i would have believed you
the characters also didn't have any depth and neither did the story as whole and i didn't really feel the connection between the MCs either. it was also always more a "need" than a "want" which felt weird and also contributed to Maddox feeling more like a child asking for his Dad than the adult that he is
even the discussion about mental health and Maddox's panic attacks fell kinda flat
TL;DR: i didn't hate it and there were definitely cute moments especially in the beginning but i was also bored a lot and i will most likely not read the second book. 2.5 stars
both MC were pretty much already in love with each other and started dating pretty early into the story. i think setting this a couple years earlier maybe when Roscoe first joined the band and watch them get closer would have been a better book.
as it was it very much dragged on and definitely could have been a good 100 pages shorter.
the characters never really developed either. i don't think we really know anything about Roscoe other than that he is hot and tall and in love with Maddox.
Maddox kinda felt very immature to me. the way he was attached to Roscoe by the hip and how he would talk to him sometimes, idk, if you told me he's like 16 i would have believed you
the characters also didn't have any depth and neither did the story as whole and i didn't really feel the connection between the MCs either. it was also always more a "need" than a "want" which felt weird and also contributed to Maddox feeling more like a child asking for his Dad than the adult that he is
even the discussion about mental health and Maddox's panic attacks fell kinda flat
TL;DR: i didn't hate it and there were definitely cute moments especially in the beginning but i was also bored a lot and i will most likely not read the second book. 2.5 stars
July 9, 2021
*3.5 stars*
I haven't liked a Walker book in ages but I enjoyed this one. I would have liked a bit more angst relationship wise. The tension was so GOOD in the beginning, I wish it had lasted more and the MC had gotten together later in the story. But it happened sooner than I expected and by the end things got dangerously close to becoming a big pile of goo. The off page sex scenes threw me off too.
I think these niggles of mine won't be an issue for the fans of the author, though. But I tend to like more grit in my stories so...
I haven't liked a Walker book in ages but I enjoyed this one. I would have liked a bit more angst relationship wise. The tension was so GOOD in the beginning, I wish it had lasted more and the MC had gotten together later in the story. But it happened sooner than I expected and by the end things got dangerously close to becoming a big pile of goo. The off page sex scenes threw me off too.
I think these niggles of mine won't be an issue for the fans of the author, though. But I tend to like more grit in my stories so...
October 12, 2021
Reread/Relisten #3 October 2023
Sometimes you need a good rockstar romance and I really enjoyed this one.
Reread/Relisten #2 April 2023
Loved being back with One Direc— I mean Atrous!
This book is always longer than I realize it’s one of NRW’s longer books haha
Nick J Russo killed it!
Reread/Relisten #1 November 2022
New rating 3.5-4 stars
I'd say that i enjoyed this read of Code Red more than the first time. I do think that the beginning dragged a little, i think i was engrossed in the book and then thinking i had to be at least 50% in and it turns out i was 20% haha. that happened a lot, but i enjoyed the book and the characters that i didn't mind that i had more book to read!
i wished we had Maddox's POV in the book but overall i really liked going through Roscoe's POV and seeing the band in that light.
I can't wait to be back with Jeremy and Steve!!
3 stars October 2021
this book to me was alright, after reading almost all of NR Walkers backlist, this book to me wasn't one of her strongest.
I loved getting a boyband book because yes i was a teenager in love with One Direction, so this was a great book to read for that aspect. BUT we were thrust in to the book with no real back story of the first interactions with Maddox and Roscoe. I think if we saw how their feelings grew instead of being told it would have been a higher rating from me.
This audiobook is on Scribd right now narrated by Nick J Russo, he did a pretty good job, i didn't love or hate it.
Overall the feeling i had was ehh, i was hooked through the whole book and i didn't put it down but that is due to the writing style, i click with NR Walkers writing style but the story itself wasn't one of my favorites which is a bummer.
Oh well on to the next.
Sometimes you need a good rockstar romance and I really enjoyed this one.
Reread/Relisten #2 April 2023
Loved being back with One Direc— I mean Atrous!
This book is always longer than I realize it’s one of NRW’s longer books haha
Nick J Russo killed it!
Reread/Relisten #1 November 2022
New rating 3.5-4 stars
I'd say that i enjoyed this read of Code Red more than the first time. I do think that the beginning dragged a little, i think i was engrossed in the book and then thinking i had to be at least 50% in and it turns out i was 20% haha. that happened a lot, but i enjoyed the book and the characters that i didn't mind that i had more book to read!
i wished we had Maddox's POV in the book but overall i really liked going through Roscoe's POV and seeing the band in that light.
I can't wait to be back with Jeremy and Steve!!
3 stars October 2021
this book to me was alright, after reading almost all of NR Walkers backlist, this book to me wasn't one of her strongest.
I loved getting a boyband book because yes i was a teenager in love with One Direction, so this was a great book to read for that aspect. BUT we were thrust in to the book with no real back story of the first interactions with Maddox and Roscoe. I think if we saw how their feelings grew instead of being told it would have been a higher rating from me.
This audiobook is on Scribd right now narrated by Nick J Russo, he did a pretty good job, i didn't love or hate it.
Overall the feeling i had was ehh, i was hooked through the whole book and i didn't put it down but that is due to the writing style, i click with NR Walkers writing style but the story itself wasn't one of my favorites which is a bummer.
Oh well on to the next.
September 18, 2022
Being in the world's most famous boy band isn't always all it's cracked up to be...the press and paparazzi...the fans following wherever you go and especially the loneliness that comes with it. Those bones are what this sometimes sad, though beautiful story are based on...and it's also from one of my favorite authors, N.R. Walker. The story portrays the message clearly that fame is not all sweet-smelling roses and good times. It's not even about the money and fame...it's about the price it demands that isn't always visible until it overtakes the performer. we see what happens when it all becomes too much and spirals into health problems both mental and physical. It affects everyone around them. It's also a love story that clearly shows how the power of love is everything especially when you feel like you have nothing, and no-one is on your side and sees that you are much more than a "money maker". N R Walker has done a fantastic job of showing the human cost of fame.
June 20, 2021
I was pretty excited about Code Red; I love employer/employer romance. Maddox is the face of the biggest boy band globally, and Roscoe is the manager that is assigned to oversee him.
Things I liked:
-UST and longing. Walker was able to get those feelings across; there was no doubt that Maddox and Roscoe had feelings for each other.
-We also got an insight into the world of boy groups. Everything she wrote is things that have been reported- how ruthless it can be.
-I liked the secondary cast of characters, the camaraderie between them.
-Loved how devoted Roscoe and Maddox were to each other.
Niggles:
-I wanted Maddox's POV. It felt like the story was centered around him and everything he was going through. To not get his POV felt to me like I was missing part of the story.
-Sometimes, Maddox came across as younger than 23. Some of his actions came across as petulant.
-The pacing was off between the last chapter and the epilogue. It came across as abrupt.
Steam... you know, I'm not going to lie, I could've used more. There is a little but mainly fade to black. Hear me out, these guys have been longing for each other and finally get to act on their attraction- more passion was warranted. I am filing this under just me. 🤷🏽♀️
I've struggled with what to rate this book. The things I loved, I really loved. The lack of Maddox's POV really bothered me. I didn't skim and didn't think about DNFing.
I'll go with 3.75-4 Stars
Things I liked:
-UST and longing. Walker was able to get those feelings across; there was no doubt that Maddox and Roscoe had feelings for each other.
-We also got an insight into the world of boy groups. Everything she wrote is things that have been reported- how ruthless it can be.
-I liked the secondary cast of characters, the camaraderie between them.
-Loved how devoted Roscoe and Maddox were to each other.
Niggles:
-I wanted Maddox's POV. It felt like the story was centered around him and everything he was going through. To not get his POV felt to me like I was missing part of the story.
-Sometimes, Maddox came across as younger than 23. Some of his actions came across as petulant.
-The pacing was off between the last chapter and the epilogue. It came across as abrupt.
Steam... you know, I'm not going to lie, I could've used more. There is a little but mainly fade to black. Hear me out, these guys have been longing for each other and finally get to act on their attraction- more passion was warranted. I am filing this under just me. 🤷🏽♀️
I've struggled with what to rate this book. The things I loved, I really loved. The lack of Maddox's POV really bothered me. I didn't skim and didn't think about DNFing.
I'll go with 3.75-4 Stars
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