Thanks so much for checking out today’s book review.  In Love Me Tenor by Annabeth Albert, Trevor Daniels has nowhere to go and a useless degree that won’t get him a job. He takes his chances on a reality show aimed at finding the next big boy band and discovers Jalen Smith.  Jalen is more than he seems on the outside and these two guys will end up making beautiful music together!  I received one copy of this book at no charge in exchange for my honest reviews but all opinions expressed here are my own.  This post contains affiliate links.

Love Me Tenor by Annabeth Albert

Purchase Links: Amazon

Title: Love Me Tenor

Series:    Perfect Harmony

Author:      Annabeth Albert

Publisher:  Lyrical Shine February 16, 2016

ASIN:   B00XSVSCJY

Genre:  M/M, Contemporary

Length/Format:  1413 KB/266 pages

Heat Rating:   3

Star Rating:   4

 

About the Author:  To learn more about the author you can check out her website or follow along on Facebook or Twitter.

 

Book Blurb:  Trevor Daniels is feeling aimless. A recent college grad, he’s not sure what to do with his useless degree, and his family all but abandoned him after he revealed the truth about himself. But a friend’s suggestion that he take his chances on a reality show aimed at finding the next big boy band strikes a chord with him—until the show’s producers convince him to act like he’s in a relationship with a guy who’s not at all his type. It isn’t exactly love at first sight for Jalen Smith either—but lust just might push them in an unexpected direction. If only their secrets weren’t even more twisted than their sheets, threatening to cost them the win—and each other…

 

My Review:

Trevor is about to graduate from college with a religious studies degree that he got only to please his family.  Since he came out to them just recently, however, and they kicked him out of the family…he has no use for his degree.  And no home to go back to after he graduates.  And about $78 to his name.  Desperate times call for desperate measures and he accepts a spot on a reality TV show looking for the next big boy band.  Of course, there is a catch.  He has to pose as boyfriends with one very sexy Jalen Smith.  Trevor takes one look at Jalen and makes some automatic assumptions.  Jalen looks like a jock and of course (in Trevor’s mind) must therefore be a jerk.  Trevor needs to work on not judging a book by it’s cover!

Jalen is on the show as a favor to his sister, who is working to promote the show.  He is perfectly fine with pretending to be all lovey dovey with Trevor, however, things are a bit tense between them.  On the outside, Jalen comes off as indifferent and uncaring but that is very far from the truth.  Inside, Jalen is practically a marshmallow who wants to take care of everyone he loves. And for some reason, Trevor just pushes all his buttons.  I love the backstory that the author created for Jalen.  I am all for kids finding second chances in life!

I loved seeing the development of Jalen and Trevor’s relationship.  At first, they tolerate each other with barely concealed annoyance.  Then, there comes a reluctant friendship and eventually, a soft and caring relationship.   While this relationship is slowly developing, the story is also being told about the band itself.  It moves from last place in the ratings up the charts until they have a real shot at winning the competition.  There is a wonderful balance between the relationship development and story of the reality show and competition itself.

In Love Me Tenor, the author’s inclusion of social media shoutouts made the story have a light hearted and upbeat vibe to it. Ms. Albert also created some great secondary characters for this story.  I had mixed feelings about Trevor and Jalen’s ‘band mates’ Carson and Carter.  I wasn’t sure whether to like them or hate them but they gave a nice little twist to the group of singers.

Trevor and Jalen both have their own sexual hangups and histories that need to be dealt with.  Honestly, I think the author did a great job of mixing in steamy moments with romance.  There was a bit of kink, some emotional upheaval, and overall a very interesting physical relationship.

Overall, Love Me Tenor by Annabeth Albert is a wonderful story with just the right balance of tender romance and musical creativity.  Wonderful story development right alongside two awesome guys falling in love.