Reviewed by Kat
TITLE: Damaged Saints
SERIES: The Road to Rocktoberfest 2023
AUTHOR: Layla Dorine
PUBLISHER: Desolate Press
LENGTH: 324 pages
RELEASE DATE: October 27, 2023
BLURB:
Last year, days after Rocktoberfest, the band Damaged Saints were onstage when a pyro accident burned their drummer and seriously injured their singer when he was hit with flying bits of burning shrapnel resulting in damage to his voice that has left him unable to continue on as the band’s singer.
He’s their new manager though, and thanks to a friend from another band, they’ve got a lead on a new singer. Jagger is smokin’ hot, charismatic as hell, and so far as they’ve been able to tell, has very little in the way of inhibitions, which makes him the perfect fit for their rather snarky, salacious crew. There is just one problem: Jagger has only ever sung with cover bands and never on a large scale or even at a venue larger than a small-town waterfront festival. He’s used to having less than four feet to move around in, which doesn’t translate well when you’ve got a whole big stage to fill. With less than a month to see if he’s got some hidden moves they can draw out of him, they’re looking to use any means at their disposal and maybe even discover if Jagger is the perfect fit for them off the stage too.
Damaged Saints is a book in the multi-author Road to Rocktoberfest 2023 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:
We all know I love going to Rocktoberfest but this trip was particularly poignant and painful, but so worth the trip.
Jagger is sent down as, as a favor to his best friend since childhood Johnny, to audition to be lead singer for the Damaged Saints, the popular Rock Band that suffered horrendously when their pyrotechnics at their show blew up, burning their drummer and seriously injuring their lead singer with flying shrapnel. Unfortunately now Draven’s speaking ability is permanently damaged and he requires a voice assistance device more and more frequently daily. So Johnny sends his best friend to help out his dear fellow musicians/friends. Jagger is gorgeous, he has the chops to be a fabulous new lead singer and the charisma to pull it all off. The only thing hindering him is his lack of ever preforming with anything more than a local cover band. Oh, and the fact that the band has two huge St. Bernard dogs and Jagger is terrified of dogs. When chemistry begins to sizzles between two of the band members and Jagger it seems like the perfect fit but can Jagger’s confidence be encouraged enough to help heal the Damaged Saints and propel them back into stardom?
This book got to me in so many ways. First the tragedy that happened to the band. The loss of Draven’s voice would be such a catastrophic blow to a lead singer. I can’t imagine the frustration of not only loosing your livelihood in such a vicious and brutal way. But to also cut him off from communicating how he always has. Thankfully technology has advanced so much and he has the means even if it isn’t what he wants. Talking to Robbie seemed to help. And it was a brilliant choice to make him their manager. He knows them the best and has all their best interests at heart.
Next was the parallels between Robbie injuries and Jagger’s loss of his brother after his accident. I think that this connection will help both men heal. Then you add in Kayden and Robbie’s past and how Jagger was the perfect piece to complete the puzzle to make them all work together in their budding relationship.
I did love how those two sweet and protective dogs eventually wormed their way into Jagger’s heart and were their for him when he needed them most. They actually became somewhat therapeutic for him during his recovery.
I am concerned about the two remaining members of the group. Draven needs to have more than just managing. And, if I know Layla Dorine (which I do 😉) I bet she has something really special up her sleeve for him. And also for their bass player Mickey, who is Ace. I would also like to see something more about Johnny too!
So, I hope you can tell that I really loved this book. It wasn’t always an easy read, because there were some really tough subjects, but it was liberally sprinkled with lots of fun, hijinks and, because it’s Jagger, Robbie and Kayden, lots and lots of hot sex! But there were some especially tender moments that really made this book and made it so you can’t help but fall for all these guys. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
RATING: 
BUY LINKS: