Reviewed by: Sue Eaton

TITLE: Scene Queen

SERIES: The Court #2

AUTHOR: Charlie Novak

PUBLISHED: Self Published

LENGTH: 289 Pages

RELEASE DATE: February 22, 2024

BLURB:

Note to self: just because he’s hot and funny doesn’t change the fact he’s annoying AF.

Hooking up with my irritating as hell neighbour wasn’t on my agenda for the week, even if he is ridiculously gorgeous with a smile that lights up my life. His music is too loud, he’s too nosy… but I can’t stop myself from wanting more than a taste.

It was only supposed to be a one time thing, but now Rhys seems determined to charm his way into my world. And when he gets his nose broken at a rock concert, I’m the one who comes to his rescue.

But there’s no time in my life for a relationship. Juggling drag, a paramedic career, and helping with my sister’s kids has already pushed me close to burnout, and I’m walking a fine line between survival and exhaustion.

I’ve always been the one helping everyone else and I can’t remember the last time I put myself first.

Maybe it’s time to cause a scene and go after the thing I really want: a chance with the sparkling man next door who has terrible taste in music.

REVIEW:

It was so nice to return to The Court series and find out more about the Drag Queens and their lives.

Evan (Eva Nessence) keeps his cards close to his chest, he has a lot of plates spinning and is frightened of dropping any of them.  He has a full-time job as a paramedic, babysits for his sisters children and his drag shows, getting by on very little sleep and finding it impossible to say no to anyone, he knows he is under pressure but he thinks he’ll be fine he just needs a bit of sleep.

Rhys is a fitness trainer, a twin and has honed the art of being annoying, he views it as his superpower and plays his music far too loud for Evan who is trying to sleep.  He isn’t lonely, he tries to convince himself, though he does find it hard to be in the quiet house by himself.

They are both so sweet together, Evan is grumpy, dominant, and determined not to need anyone, and any help but Rhys is getting under his skin.  Rhys is determined that Evan needs someone to look out for him and he is up for the job.  The more Evan grumps at him the more he wants to help him and whilst neither of them “do relationships” they seem to be sliding into one slowly but surely.

I particularly loved the chapter where Rhys tries to sneak in and watch Eva Nessence perform, instead of being inconspicuous at the back he ends up at the front and the dynamic between Rhys and Eva was hilarious.  Rhys makes internet stalking Eva cute and funny, rather than weird.  Rhys is annoying but in a sweet way that captures Evan’s attention rather than turning him off.

There are so many lovely scenes, Rhys learning to cook so Evan doesn’t have to after a long shift.  The interaction between them and Evan’s niece and nephew and my favourite, the other Drag Queens visiting Evan and how he finally lets down his guard and admits they are friends and tells them about his life outside of Drag.

Evan and Rhys are a cute couple, and the complexities of their characters are captured perfectly, the difficulties they both face and how they manage to navigate their new relationship and the realisation they both have, that nothing is more important to them, than giving their relationship every chance to succeed and grow.

I’m really enjoying this series and I am looking forward to the next book.

RATING:

BUY LINKS: 

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