I recently fell in love with the first book in this series, and with this book my personal romance with Roxie Noir continues. (Never Enough, the first in the series, was also first read from this author, and after reading this it looks like Roxie Noir has made it to my very short favorite romance writers list.)

We met the two stars of this story, Trent and Darcy, in the last book. Marisol tells Gavin that these two "best friends" are hot for one another, and he insists they are just friends, and that is how we know they get the next book. I am a particular fan of the friends to lovers trope in romance, and watching these two come together after years of supporting and caring for one another is so lovely. Trent and Darcy are both broken. Trent grew up with a brutally abusive father. He has two felony convictions under his belt, a brother in prison for murder, and a mother who requires round-the-clock care due to head injuries inflicted by her abusive spouse. He is now the guitarist for Dirtshine, a hugely popular band, and is responsible for taking care of his brother and mother. Darcy is Dirtshine's bass player. She grew up in a series of foster homes, and has no family at all. She ran away from a foster home where others were sexually abused and she desperately worked to blend into the scenery to keep herself safe. She ran away as a young teen and was homeless for years. Plenty of trauma to go around, and these two know how to support one another almost instinctively, and how to make the other happy. They are so good together, and their need for the safe harbor they find in one another makes it totally understandable that they are terrified to rock the boat and risk losing one another by becoming involved. The issue is exacerbated by the fact that they are in the same band, their music is their joy and their livlihood, and we all know what a bad idea interband romance is! (Side note: in the 80's there was a soul singer named Terrence Trent D'Arby, and every time I saw these two characters names together I thought of him -- luckily I don't think I know a single song from him, just the name, so no earworms.) These two are so delightful together, so brash, raunchy, funny, sweet and supportive, it is impossible to not root for them. Also, the third act hurdle these two face (it is romance, there is always a 3rd act hurdle) is surprisingly unique and effective. It is set up well, but I never guessed at what would happen. I really liked it a lot. Everyone's behavior made sense as did the resolution.

All in all a great second book in the series. The steam level of this one is a little below the last but it is still very sexy. I rarely jump from book to book, and I have two romances demanding immediate attention, but I am pretty sure I will listen to the final book in the series (Ever After -- Liam's story!) very soon and expect I will soon move to other series from the author. It is a pleasure getting to know Madame Noir. ( )