Reviewed by Kat

TITLE: Gamble on Me

SERIES: The Road to Rocktoberfest 2022

AUTHOR: Ann Lister

PUBLISHER: Rock Gods, LLC

LENGTH: 252 pages

RELEASE DATE: November 15, 2022

BLURB:

Two teenage boys were certain they’d be best friends for life. With clear paths planned for the future, they were ready to take on the world. All it took was one deep—very adult kiss to throw them off kilter, and their plans turned to dust. One chose a path toward stardom and stage lights while the other stayed behind in their hometown and pursued his dream of being a cop. Although they hoped to see one another again, neither thought it would ever happen.

No one can turn back time, but perhaps the future can be altered with a little luck—and a lot of love.

Gamble: I was fifteen when I realized I was in love with my best friend, Bix. Since then, not a day has passed when he didn’t cross my mind. I arrived in L.A. at eighteen with nothing more than raw talent and a dream, then fell face-first into drug addiction but not before my band hit it big, earning awards and million-dollar paychecks. Success was one thing, but I still wanted Bix and the simple life we once had growing up on Starfish Island.

Bixby: I spent a lot of years worrying about Gamble. The entertainment news was great about airing his dirty laundry, which kept me aware of how low he was sinking. Now I worried he might not survive. I’d wanted him since that one perfect kiss we shared on graduation night, and I’ve wanted a lifetime of more with him ever since.

Possible Triggers: Mentions of drug addiction, overdose, recovery, and a gunshot wound.

Gamble on Me is part of the multi-author The Road to Rocktoberfest 2022 series. Each book can be read as a standalone, but why not read them all and see who hits the stage next? Hot rockstars and the men who love them, what more could you ask for? Kick back, load up your kindle and enjoy the men of Rocktoberfest!

REVIEW:

Ann Lister has been a go-to/one-click author for me for many years. She is one of the true masters of Rock Stars and their men. And we are gifted once again with another of her deep and thought provoking stories.

Bix has loved W since they were teenagers. And that kiss just before W left to seek his chances/dreams of becoming a rock star cemented it. Ten years later and Bix still loves W deep in his heart while watching him become a mega rock star and then self-imploding on drugs and alcohol abuse. W has one last chance in life. The last time he finally woke up for an overdose, that came close to ending his life and left him in a coma, was finally the wake-up call he needed. He’s been abandoned by everyone in his current life except his PA and manager. His rock star career has left him swimming in more money than he will ever be able to spend. And his inheritance from his grandfather has given him the place to finally completely heal and face life again clean and sober. When he discovers his greatest wish of his childhood best friend Bix being still around he wastes no time getting him back in his life. But outside forces continue to try and push against his new life. Can W and Bix rekindle the love they were building when they were young or is it to late for Bix to Gamble on him?

Oh my goodness this had me on the edge of my seat and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. I love a second chance romance and this was the best kind. Both boys turned men were made for each other and they just had to be able to trust and get past their self fears. It was obvious that they had always loved each other but being teens was too young for that kind of commitment. I really liked that they had both had a chance to grow up and pursue their dreams before the opportunity presented for them to reconnect on an even higher level. I don’t like what the rock scene lead W to but I loved that he came out the other side a much better man.

Although this was a road to Rocktoberfest novel it didn’t fixate on that part in this story. Yes, it allowed Trip to reinvent himself to GW and show the world that an addict and alcoholic can recover and become even better. Rocktoberfest allowed him that venue to show the world, and those that he needed to get away from, that his talent was real and he overcame it all. I loved that he had that chance but then chose to head in a different direction. I also loved that we got a moment with one of my all-time favorite rockstars Dagger Drummond, from Black Ice, and his journalist husband Ryan Pierce. Daggers encouragement to GW was heartfelt and touching. And the perfect timing for GW to hear.

I am so thankful to have been given the opportunity to read and review this book and this entire series. Each author gave their own unique spin on the Road to Rocktoberfest and it was a joy to go along on each adventure. I found some new-to-me authors that I grew to love and got the opportunity to reconnect with some of my all-time favorite authors on this trip too. This series was a huge win/win for me and Gamble on Me was a true treat that I will cherish and curl up with again in the future. I fell in love with both Bix and W and hate to let them go 💕

RATING:

BUY LINKS:

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