Reviewed by Valerie
TITLE: Love Song
AUTHOR: Christina Lee
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 245 pages
RELEASE DATE: April 20, 2023
BLURB:
Thirtysomething bandmates, Nolan Metcalf and Ellis Bloom, have been there for each other through thick and thin. So when a life-changing event sends Ellis to the safety of Nolan’s apartment, he’s grateful for the comfort his best friend provides. They’ve never done anything resembling cuddling and sleepovers before, but Ellis finds he needs it just the same.
Soul-deep conversations and tender moments transform into a passion that shocks them both. Since neither has ever entertained the idea of being with another man, they attribute their confusing feelings to their established nightly routine. Determined to spend time apart, they resume their solo lives. But the desperate, achy neediness only returns, and soon enough they’re back in each other’s arms—and beds.
Before they have time to work through it, the real world intrudes. Admitting their secret status would change not only the chemistry of their band but the trajectory of their lives. Plus, their newfound feelings seem as fragile as the beginning notes of a new melody. They’ll need to rely on the solid foundation of their friendship, and even then, it could all fall apart. Will they become a one-hit wonder or a love song that endures the test of time?
REVIEW:
Christina Lee’s new novel, Love Song, is a sweet, friends to lovers, hurt/comfort romance. Nolan and Ellis are best friends, neighbors, and bandmates who both experience a bi-awakening when circumstances put then in close proximity for an extended period of time. In addition to being musicians, both men have regular day jobs. Nolan works in an instrument repair shop and gives music lessons, and Ellis is a full-time middle school horticulture teacher. Their funkadelic rock band plays regularly in a local bar with two other thirty something guys.
Nolan avoids relationships because of how his parents’ divorce affected his family. Ellis, on the other hand, likes being in a relationship and is, in fact, divorced from a woman. Both identify as straight men.
When a terrible event leaves Ellis feeling helpless, fearful, and shaken, he starts sleeping at Nolan’s apartment – in his bed but completely platonically. (At first.) Nolan comforts Ellis during his nightmares and allows him to feel safe. Their friendship deepens and, of course, morphs into romantic love. Predictably, they both worry about losing their friendship if the romance should crash and burn, but they eventually decide it’s worth the risk to explore their new feelings
Both Nolan and Ellis are likable, well-developed characters. I very much enjoyed their dual journey of sexual discovery, which was tender and felt realistic. Their story is well-paced as they take their time giving into their physical attraction and begin to explore each other. They experience all of their first times together. This is a slow burn (of course it is, this is Christina after all). It’s a low-angst story, gratefully void of misunderstandings. I liked that they allow themselves to be vulnerable with each other.
This is not a typical rock band book that centers around struggling with new-found fame, dealing with record producers, labels, agents, and promoters, and most commonly, not being allowed to come out because of how it might affect their fans. This book is a refreshing change since almost all rock band books follow that increasingly unoriginal formula. In Love Song, we get to enjoy the musician theme on a low key note, exactly how most of the band wants to keep their playing and performing.
One other subject the author briefly touches upon is toxic masculinity. Ellis struggles with the feeling he should’ve dealt with the incident differently. He should’ve fought harder and been the hero, as is ingrained in so many boys from a young age.
Overall, this is a sweet read that I happily recommend.
RATING: 
BUY LINK: