Reviewed by Kat
TITLE: Syncopation
SERIES: Twisted Wishes #1
AUTHOR: Anna Zabo
PUBLISHER: Carina Press
LENGTH: 295 pages
RELEASE DATE: April 9, 2018
BLURB:
Twisted Wishes front man Ray Van Zeller is in one hell of a tight spot. After a heated confrontation with his bandmate goes viral, Ray is hit with a PR nightmare the fledgling band so doesn’t need. But his problems only multiply when they snag a talented new drummer—insufferably sexy Zavier Demos, the high school crush Ray barely survived.
Zavier’s kept a casual eye on Twisted Wishes for years, and lately, he likes what he sees. What he doesn’t like is how out of control Ray seems—something Zavier’s aching to correct after their first pulse-pounding encounter. If Ray’s up for the challenge.
Despite the prospect of a glorious sexual encore, Ray is reluctant to trust Zavier with his band—or his heart. And Zavier has always had big dreams; this gig was supposed to be temporary. But touring together has opened their eyes to new passions and new possibilities, making them rethink their commitments, both to the band and to each other.
REVIEW:
Gay rock stars romance…yum! And this is a brand new series too, by a new-to-me author, so it’s a win/win!
Ray Zeller is the lead singer of the rock band Twisted Wishes. They are rising stars that are having their big chance threaten to fall through their fingers if they can’t find a new drummer fast. And it can’t be any old drummer. Their previous drummer had mad skills before he decided to drown himself in the bottle. Now Ray is stuck with a very difficult decision. Either hire the man that he was turned down by when they were in high school or let his band fail! Zavier is aromantic and that caused a huge problem with his last partner, the Maestro of the Orchestra he was preforming with. Now he is auditioning for the man he turned down playing with in a high school garage band! What happens next surprised both men…but not their band mates.
Definition of syncopation
1: a temporary displacement of the regular metrical accent in music caused typically by stressing the weak beat
2: a syncopated rhythm, passage, or dance step
But I think, more than the Miriam Webster dictionary definition, these two men “compliment” and “complete” each other. And, in the end, to further my use of “C” words, they learn to “cherish” each other. Which was a much more difficult task for Zavier. I had never even ran across the term “aromantic”. But Ray, the amazing and caring showman that he is, knew what it was completely since some of his fans had told him about it when sharing their stories. Zavier’s being aromantic didn’t seem to phase him. He knew in his heart that he could not only trust this man but also knew that they needed to be together in the long haul. Zavier’s realization that he need this wonderful man forever was very touching and a huge step.
What I loved even more was that Zavier figured out that they were both equals in every part of each other. Sexually they were the yang and yang. They both need their kink to fulfill and center themselves. Musically they truly were equals…Protégés. The difference was that Zavier had the advantage of money and schooling that Ray would have benefited from. At the very least he would have had the self confidence that he lacked from his lack of formal training. What they both had was a natural talent that can’t be taught but are born with.
One of the parts that surprised me was the BDSM/D/s part. When I read all the blurbs they left it out completely. I feel that it needs to be mentioned. It wasn’t too hard core but their was submission, bondage, spanking, use of floggers and crops and anal toys. I do believe it was a key part of the story and necessary for the development of their relationship.
I look forward to more of this series because of the rest of the band. I really liked getting to know both Mish and Dom. They are not only great friends but they have become Ray’s band family. I loved how they not only supported Ray but stood behind him and encouraged him. They saw in Ray what Zav did also, the total package, a hard working man that had great natural talent and a caring heart.
I do think that the Carl part of the story went on a bit too long. When all of the band backed Ray up and started calling him out he had long served his usefulness and they all should have grown a pair and had him fired. I have to admit that I sided with Ray on what should have happened to this nasty man. I will look forward to the next book without him.
I truly enjoyed this book and had been looking for a new Rock Star series. This book did not disappoint and rose to the level I was looking for. There was great character and story line development. I am eager to read Dom’s story and hear where the band is going next. Great new series and, in my opinion, a must read!
RATING: 
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