Reviewed by Valerie
TITLE: Code Blue
SERIES: Atrous #2
AUTHOR: N.R. Walker
PUBLISHER: BlueHeart Press
LENGTH:
RELEASE DATE: February 24, 2022
BLURB:
Steve Frost had dreams of wearing the national championship belt in mixed martial arts, maybe even going pro, but instead, finds himself working as a security guard for the rich and famous in LA.
Quickly earning a reputation for his blunt and precise people management skills, he lands a position on the security team for an up-and-coming boyband, Atrous. Years later, he’s head of security. He knows these boys, and with countless tours, flights, car trips, public events, concerts, he’s closer to one band member in particular.
Jeremy’s been a pillar for Atrous since day one, but even more so these last few months. Now the face of the band more than ever, he’s also got himself the attention of a delusional stalker-fan.
When the fame and stress become too much, when Jeremy’s health takes a hit, Steve becomes Jeremy’s lifeline. But as Jeremy knows already, and as Steve is about to learn, not even the brightest star can shine forever.
REVIEW:
You know when you miss something you never had? When you feel like you’ve lost something you can’t explain?” Jeremy’s eyes met mine. “That’s what that music feels like.”
Code Blue is the sequel I didn’t know I needed. It’s another fantastic book in the Atrous series. In Code Red, Maddox, from the boy band Atrous, fell in love with his manager, Roscoe. This time around, it’s Maddox’s best friend and bandmate, Jeremy, who finds love with Steve, the band’s head of security.
This book picks up a year or two after the end of Code Red. They just completed an exhausting world tour and are home in Los Angeles for much needed rest and relaxation for the band, its managers, and security. But it’s not meant to be. Platinum Entertainment has been receiving threats targeted at Jeremy. He has a deranged stalker and it’s a nasty, dangerous situation. Steve determines Jeremy needs around the clock protection and assigns himself as his personal bodyguard. He’s had feelings for this man for years now as they’ve traveled around the world together on numerous tours. He’s not going to let anyone harm him. He’s firm on not ever crossing the professional boundary, either.
The stalker situation is making Jeremy realize how tired he is. He feels lost and detached from the world, empty and used. He craves a normal life even though he doesn’t know what that is. He’s been in the band since he was a teenager. But the dynamic of the band is changing now that Maddox has Roscoe and Wes has a girlfriend. Jeremy’s never had his own person. Until he gets a Steve, and his possessiveness is adorable:
Jeremy came up between us and shoved Maddox away. “He’s my Steve. You get your own Steve.” He linked his arm with mine like Maddox had done.
Jeremy loves the one-on-one attention he’s getting from Steve, but is this friendship, he wonders? He’s straight but he finds himself oddly attracted to Steve and it’s confusing. He’s not ready to act on it; he doesn’t want to be gay and bi doesn’t feel like the right label, either. He decides he must simply be Steve-sexual.
Steve, meanwhile, is having trouble getting his head in the game. The forced proximity while he lives at Jeremy’s house has his mind constantly on Jeremy’s mouth, his eyes, his everything. He wants to protect him and care for him – not just as a bodyguard – and finally, he realizes he loves him. But it’s complicated: not only is Jeremy his client, but Steve isn’t publicly out. And he has a horrifying secret he’s spent a decade hiding and it results in trust issues between him and Jeremy. All of this is entwined with the mystery and suspense of the stalker plot and the harassment of the paparazzi. Jeremy’s mental and physical health suffer and soon it all comes to a head.
N.R. Walker has done a wonderful job with characterization. I love both of these guys. All of the past characters are here including the managers and security agents. Of course, the band of brothers – Jeremy, Maddox, Wes, Luke, and Blake – are so good together, their joking and teasing and fondness for each other. Maddox, with his fierce protectiveness and deep love for Jeremy, is one of my favorite things in the book. Their relationship is awesomesauce.
The one year in the future epilogue provides a great end for the story and gives closure to all of the bandmates. If you liked Code Red, you might find you like this one even more, as I did. If you haven’t read the first book, I recommend starting there first to get a full idea of the band’s backstory and the various relationship origins. Highly recommended.
RATING: 
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