In the Band by Jean Haus

When family problems push Riley Middleton into giving up a percussion scholarship in another state and attending college from home, her friends push her to try out for a local rock band. Of course, Riley makes the band. She rules at the drums. 

Riley soon finds out rock bands have a different dynamic than marching bands, especially when each of her male band mates has a major ego and is a major player. Two of them relentlessly flirt with her. The other—a dark, sexy rock god she can’t help being attracted to— is a total jerk and pushes her to quit. She becomes determined to ignore his rudeness and his hotness. Even if she was interested in jerks, a hook up would probably get her booted out of the ego-ridden band, and playing keeps her sane. Behind the drums, the world and her family’s troubles evaporate. 

If she wants to stay in the band, Riley just has to ignore the growing sparks between her and her band enemy. But as she gets to know the man behind the stage persona, ignoring him proves to be more difficult than flowing through a time sig shift.

*New Adult/Mature YA for language and sexual situations.

Thessa's Review

4.5 Stars

Why is love such a cluster fuck? 

This was an impulse buy. Amazon suggested it in an email, I clicked the link, read the blurb that included the words dark, sexy rock god and was sold. Those are dangerous words you know. Its so sad how easily persuaded I am. Seriously. I have issues. lol. Anyhow, I was very impressed with this book and enjoyed it very much. I initially thought this book was going to full of angst and drama, but I was wrong, well…at least on the angst part. The story turned out to be much than I had originally bargained for. 

I’ll keep giving and giving. My mother and sister are worth the giving. 

Riley has just given up her scholarship; her dream. Now is not the time to go off to college and leave her mom and sister. Her parents are going through a divorce. To add salt to the wound, her father is already in a serious relationship with a woman ten years younger than her mom. Yea, her mom is not taking this divorce very well. Riley has now officially become the surrogate parent for her little sister. The only time she feels free is when she’s playing the drums. 

She recently auditions for a college band and they are immediately taken with her. Her talent on the drums is undeniably brilliant. Of the three male band mates, one is adamant to not let her in the band. His name is Romeo and he’s going to do everything in power to make her quit.

Why is it if a person looks like they stepped off the cover of a magazine, they’re usually a certified dickhead. 

Romeo knows letting a girl like Riley into his band is just asking for trouble. He can just see it now. His band mates flirting with her, vying for her attention. She’s sexy and extremely talented on the drums. Again, she’s like some rock goddess come to life behind the set. I can feel my temple pounding to her beat as Sam and Justin continue to peek at her in awe. She’s going to tear his beloved band from the inside out, especially since he feels an attraction to her the likes in which he hasn’t felt like in a very long time. Oh yea. This girl is going to cause trouble. 

“It’s not too hard to hold someone who’s already caught.” ~ Romeo 

This story was, at times, a little heartbreaking. Poor Romeo. Yes, he was a douche to Riley, but his behavior was based on the wrong assumption. After finally coming to the realization that his attraction to Riley couldn’t be contained, he’s willing to give them a chance. After learning of his past, when he falls for someone, he falls hard. I commend Riley and her selflessness, but part of me wonders at what cost is her martyrdom? She deserves a life, too. Her bitterness to her dad and girlfriend, her responsibility to her mother and sister, and to her commitment to the band: She’s being pulled apart. How much longer before it tears her and Romeo completely apart? 

To wait and love wisely. 

This story had a little added depth that I liked, a lot. I could not put it down and basically read it one setting. There were some parts where Riley’s martyr tendencies were driving me a little bonkers. She deserved happiness and Romeo made her happy. She was just so darn stubborn and it broke my heart for Romeo. Ugh! The drama! Gotta love it, you know? I would consider this a mature YA, even though the hanky panky between the H/h were on the light side. I so wanted more from them. I was craving it actually. But alas, my mind was left to wander. Oh well, I still really liked it and would definitely recommend it.