ABOUT THE BOOK
Tom Cobalt has been called a lot of things. Arrogant god. Overachiever. Demanding, uncooperative jerk. It comes with the territory of being the fifth-born of a storied family. Not even his own punk-rock band can meet his high standards. So when every member of The Carraways quits on him before finishing an album, he’s left with a bruised ego and a major dilemma.
Reviving his childhood dream comes down to one infuriating choice: pair up with a hard-edged drummer or be dropped by his music label permanently.
Phoenix St. Pierre has enough baggage to ground every plane in New York City. He’s volatile, sleep-deprived, and still carrying the fallout of imploding his own band. He should not be paired with Tom, the stuck-up trust-fund baby who pushes all his buttons—yet the second chance is impossible to walk away from.
Making music means too much to Phoenix and Tom to let this last shot slip through their fingers. But working together feels like a Shakespearean disaster ready to unfold. Especially when off-the-charts chemistry, undeniable attraction, and destructive habits threaten to make or break them.
It’s nothing personal—but they just might be the best and worst thing that ever happened to each other.
MY REVIEW
Good grief! This book had me breathless. If you’re into rock star romances, or even if you’re not, this one is an absolute must-read! The explosive sexual tension between Tom and Phoenix had me glued to the pages, and I couldn’t put it down.
Tom Cobalt is a perfectionist who’s reached the end of his rope trying to find a band member to resurrect his flailing career. Enter Phoenix St. Pierre, the last man Tom would ever choose. Phoenix is finally living his dream, but it’s with a guy he absolutely despises. What could go wrong?
Tom is quite the character. Wealthy and arrogant, he’s reckless to the core and has burned all his bridges in the music industry. With only two days to find a new band or face the axe from his label, he’s in full-on panic mode. Plus, he bears the weight of being responsible for his younger brother Ben after a past incident, which only increases his anxiety. And when you think it can’t get any crazier, his manager pairs him up with Phoenix. Talk about a match made in hell. But honestly, it’s a match that blew my mind.
Phoenix is the broody one—the quiet type… until you get him behind the drums. He comes from a super talented family that’s all about music, and his folks had big dreams for him and his brother, Birdie. While his brother is juggling their parents’ expectations, playing in both the symphony and a rock band, Phoenix is doing his own thing, carving out his own path. I really admire how he stands up to Tom’s intense family and remains patient and understanding amid Tom’s antics and mood swings.
Both Tom and Phoenix are talented music geniuses. They’d both do anything for their families, and despite their heated rivalry, their chemistry is off the charts. I found myself on the edge of my seat watching them manage the tension of songwriting, overprotective families, and the smoldering attraction that threatens everything they’re building. It’s similar to watching a disaster in slow motion, but in the best way possible. I’ve never been so invested in two characters striving to succeed individually while desperately trying to hold back their feelings.
I am so impressed with the Ritchies’ writing style. It’s emotionally raw and incredibly real, portraying the characters as they juggle mental and physical challenges amid life’s challenges. Their portrayal of family dynamics is one of my favorite aspects of this series. The laughter and sacrifices they make for the people they love are amazing.
If you’re looking for a rollercoaster ride packed with music, angst, laughter, and compassion, I can’t recommend this book highly enough. I can’t wait to see what other Cobalt family members are up to in the next installment.
Thank you to the Ritchies for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
Cobalt Empire Series
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ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Krista & Becca Ritchie are New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors and identical twins—one a science nerd, the other a comic book geek—but with their shared passion for writing, they combined their mental powers as kids and have never stopped telling stories. They love superheroes, flawed characters, and soul mate love.Â
Follow Krista and Becca on their website, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok.
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