Julia (bookish.jka)'s Reviews > Of Chords and Dreams

"If someone makes you feel like music does, you should never let them go."

Of Chords and Dreams is the third book in the Burn to Rise series by the wonderful, new-to-me author L.A. Cannon, and whilst it can totally be read as a standalone (which is exactly what I did) in retrospect, I would have liked to have read the first two books in the series first, just to get the background to the band and to Leah's story. Book 1 Behind the Lights and book 2 Beyond the Lights are MF and are pretty dark I understand, (they are both on my book shelf ready to be devoured!) but this instalment is MM, which is my favurite genre.

Be aware that this is written in the third person, which personally took me a bit of getting used to.

Of Chords and Dreams is Chris and Marc's story. They are the lead guitarist and bass player in a rockband that rises to preeminence during the course of the story and they have been best friends for over a decade. Chris is straight (or so he thinks) and a total commitment-phobe and Marc is bi, having had one or two serious relationships including one long-term with another guy. He's secretly been in love with Chris for years but has kept a lid on his feelings, not wanting to destroy their relationship or put the band in jeopardy.

Things start to change between them when they have a threesome with a consenting female, which leads to something physical happening between the two of them during the course of the liaison.........and Chris totally freaks out.

The way their relationship develops, physically first and then as the reality of their growing feelings becomes apparent, makes for a fabulous read. This is an angsty, best friends to lovers, opposites attract, bi-awakening, rockstar romance - with all the feels. And all the steam! 😈

Marc grinned that beautiful smile of his. “You’re a mess. I’m a mess. And that’s fine. We don’t need to be perfect. Broken chords can also be part of a song.”

I totally loved it!

Highly recommended.

5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐