Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  Encore

SERIES:  Famous

AUTHOR:  Eden Finley

NARRATOR:  Iggy Toma

PUBLISHER:  Tantor Audio

LENGTH:  8 hours and 7 minutes

RELEASE DATE:  February 8, 2022

BLURB:

Blake

Never make a bet with Jordan Brooks. That’s how I’ve ended up here, doing a movie that risks my entire acting career. Taking on a gay role when I’m straight is problematic in its own right, but when production gets put on hold, and a fabricated story breaks out in the media, Jordan and I have to go into hiding.

Our livelihoods are put on the line all because of an ill-timed photo and Jordan’s bitter ex-boyfriend. Scandals, lies, and PR nightmares. Welcome to Hollywood.

Jordan

Why am I always drawn to the straight ones? You’d think I’d learn my lesson, but when our movie is delayed, I repeat old patterns. My plan to bury my hurt and anger toward my ex by “method acting” with Blake Monroe is foolish. But Blake is as irresistible as he is good-looking, and he settles into his role easier than I thought he would. In fact, he likes it a little too much.

There are too many PR problems hooking up with Blake for real would bring, especially when the media thinks he’s the reason my relationship fell apart. Yet, I can’t walk away from him, and it seems he can’t walk away from me either.

Contains mature themes.

REVIEW:

Note:  This is book 4 in this series and contains major spoilers for Books 1, 2 and 3.  That being said, it can be read as a standalone, but I recommend the first book 🙂

Blake Monroe is the fifth member of Eleven, the most popular boyband from some years back.  They have gone their separate ways, but the are back in tough.  Blake has moved on to acting and is the start of an action series.  But his agent wants him to branch out.  And when he loses a bet to his friend Jordan Brooks, up and coming out and proud actor, he agrees to take a part of in a gay romcom movie.  When he realizes he’ll be the love interest for Jordan’s character and the film is being directed by Jordan’s boyfriend, he wonders what he’s gotten himself into.

Things are up and down in the production.  The director seems to alternately love and hate the film.  But then he does something that sets off a string of lies and deceit that put both Blake and Jordan at risk.  While production is shut down, Blake and Jordan have to get away from the press and so they retreat  – first to Blake’s bandmates’ house and then to one of Blake’s bandmates hideaways far from Hollywood.  While Jordan is devastated he’s also not surprised.  Nobody’s ever picked him or put him first.  He realizes he’s not enough.  Oh and he always seems to go for the straight guys who realize they aren’t so straight and then marry the next guy after Jordan.

Despite Blake’s believe that Jordan is a good guy, Jordan is not convinced.  He knows he must keep doing something for everyone to leave him.  Blake is not having it though and he does his best to convince Jordan that he’s just not going for the right guys.  As they spend more time together, they get closer and the sexual tension is getting thick.  The bandmates assume that they will get together, and yet another bet ensues 😉

When they return to the film, the director makes things difficult  But they need to get through the last of the shooting so that everyone can move on.  The tension and pressure are taking it’s toll though.  Blake manages to get Jordan to work with him on a way to relive the pressure and give them a haven from the stress.  But when Blake s career is threatened, Jordan goes into protective mode.  he’s determined that he’s not going to let the bad guy get away with destroying anyone else.  He’s still not convinced that he deserved Blake, but he’s going to make sure that he won’t walk away from this movie without a career.

True confessions:  I really loved this whole series.  I hadn’t read any Eden Finley books before this series.  And despite not every having been a boyband fan (sorry – closing in on 60 so I was just too old 😉 ) I absolutely enjoyed every single thing about these guys and their stories to finding their happily ever afters.  Each one of these books really touches on various aspects of the pitfalls of fame.  This one is no different.  The fact that Blake has moved on to acting and how much he enjoys is was a new twist.  Blake’s friendship and support of Jordan was the heart of their relationship.  And because of Blake’s openness and his experiences with his bandmates, he’s ready for the feelings that surface when he realizes that his friendship with Jordan can really be something more.  Jordan has been burned too many times though and his ability to trust has been compromised.  Despite having no reason to question Blake’s motives, he’s a bit jaded and cynical from coming in second too many times.  The fact that he finally thought he could trust someone and be in an exclusive relationship only to once again find out he’s been betrayed is the worst he thinks can happen.  Until Blake is threatened and then he figures there has to be a way out.  That he’s willing to go to the mat for Blake should convince him he’s ready for more, but it takes a bit to convince him.  Blake understands the stakes after seeing what his bandmates have been through – the homophobia, the coercion from management to stay in the closet, the lies and subterfuge, etc.  But he also realizes that the only thing that will set them free and allow them to be truly happy is to live their lives authentically.  And he wants in on that too.  I absolutely loved how the group resolved their dilemma of how to reveal the truth 😀

Iggy Toma did a really masterful job with this narration.   Jordan’s pain and insecurity is palpable.  He never is enough for anyone, so why should it be different with Blake?  Despite Blake telling him he is what he wants, Jordan continues to question how the formerly straight guy will handle all the crap that is about to be thrown at him.  But he shows his true mettle when Blake is threatened and he’s not going to take that lying down.  Despite the fact that he’s got more to lose, it’s clear that he doe care for Blake.  Mr. Toma’s performance in this book made me believe that these two were meant to be together.  Blake’s concern and care for his friend were totallyl believable.  His acceptance that he might not be as straight as he though was performed with great care.  I believe him and cared about him and wanted him to be happy.  Plus I loved revisiting the whole cast and crew from the previous books – from Brix and Harley and Mason and Denver and Lyric and Ryder to Kaylee and Maggie, the consistent voices reminded me of the the previous love stories in this series.

Even though everybody ends up where they are supposed to be, I’m kind of sad it’s over. I hope that maybe the author will take pity on us and give us glimpses of the guys from time to time 😉 Highly recommended!

RATING: 

BUY LINKS:

Amazon

Audible