Thrown Off Track

Thrown Off Track

Tamsen Parker2018
Singing about love is one thing. Finding it is another. Teague Martell has been License to Game's bassist for over a decade, and he's played Casanova for just as long, sleeping with almost everyone in his path. But unbeknownst to even his bandmates, it's always felt like going through the motions. His best friend and LtG drummer Christian Vogel has secrets of his own. Like that he's had a crush on Teague for as long as he's had crushes. And while LtG's lead singer may have made his solo plans public and sent the band into a tailspin, Christian's got a side gig as well-one he's been keeping under wraps. A nude photoshoot for a charity calendar has Teague seeing Christian in a different light-suddenly he knows what it is to want. But disagreements about the future of the band could impact their future as a couple. Christian and Teague have to decide whether their differences of opinion create a sweet harmony or if there's too much discord in the duet they're finally playing.
Sign up to use

Reviews

Photo of Briar's Reviews
Briar's Reviews@briarsreviews
5 stars
Jul 31, 2023

"It sounds serial-killer creepy" = the best quote of this entire book (and it's pretty darn quote worth). Here's the thing - I don't normally like M/M romance. Not because I don't enjoy M/M romance stories, but because every book I've ever read that involved M/M centered around stereotypical men and always made M/M seem like a joke. But this book? It has characters that felt real, with awkward situations that would actually happen, and doesn't make M/M look like some weird fairy tale full of characters without personalities. I loved it, like normal. Tamsen clicks with me, and all of her nerdy references make me fangirl beyond believe. Narnia? Schrodinger's cat? Heck yes! Continuing on with this series (some characters from SIG, and now LtL) is an excellent way to keep these characters alive. I love Tamsen's creativity with her series - Olympics, boy bands. What's next?! This fantastic author is filling my childhood obsessions up, now she just needs to make a story about a swimmer and she's hit almost every point in my childhood (because I was a highly competitive swimmer...most readers won't understand that reference if you don't know me). Essentially, these series feel like throwbacks, and I love it! This book is fun, lovable and about boy bands (of all topics...) and raises this genre to a new high for me. I was hooked and addicted (yes, I got side tracked often by the nerdy references and had to tweet Tamsen about it, but what can you expect from me? I embrace my nerdiness). Although, this book isn't as R rated as her past books (the deleted scene is very hot and heavy, but I'm not sure if that will be in the final copy). Thank you for including LGBT characters in this story - I have never heard of the term demisexual before, and I'm so thankful you're introduced me to more terms that I can totally understand and relate to. On top of that, having these male leads with personalities and likes and dislikes and not being perfect? It makes it even better. It felt more realistic (within the realm of a superstar boy band, realism). So, delving into these characters - Teague and Christian are a really different/unique pair (in a good way). Teague is a superstar, rock star who is a demisexual. Christian is the drummer (in the same band of Teague) and is a little more shy and awkward (and always JUST on time). Christian likes guys, Teague's been with both genders. And then Teague develops a little crush on Christian, who's been crushing on him for a long time and sexy antics ensue! I feel like everyone saw this coming with the boy band theme, but that doesn't make it any less cute! They're awkward together at first (which felt wildly refreshing, since everyone just seems to mesh well the first time and BAM they're a couple, which isn't always the case in real life) and slowly grow. Even though most readers could see a relationship between members coming from a mile away, the bassist and the drummer? I wouldn't have seen that pair coming. If you haven't read anything by Tamsen before, I highly recommend her (as a fan). But, she might not be for you (because it happens). I find her books are fun and uplifting, and are never too serious. They move fast, are full of romance, and will open your eyes up to different worlds (religion, sexuality, lifestyles, etc). I keep praising over and over, and I'll do it again in this review - she doesn't stick to the same old story. There are some really fantastic authors (who I love and still read) that do that, but Tamsen changes it up and keeps me on my toes! The likelihood that there will be one book you like (because she has so many different types of romance books) is high! Read through her catalogue and find the topics you like, but keep in mind all books might not be for you! My reading style and Tamsen's writing style just click, and the nerdy references on top of that lift these books up. This is definitely a must read and a recommendation from me, as I think it's one of her better books (at this rate, I can't pick a best. It rotates depending on the day and how I feel, but this book will be included in that "top tier", ever rotating list). On a side note, I really like the little guitar symbol that was above the names of when the characters switch back and forth between point of views. My copy is an ARC, so I'm not sure if that will be on the final copy, but I thought it was a nice addition and looked aesthetically pleasing! Five out of five! Ten out of five! Fifteen out of five! I'm pulling an Oprah with these stars! Every gets one! Five for every boy in the boy band and Rowan gets six for a surprise cameo! I received an uncorrected proof from the author Tamsen Parker in exchange for an honest review.

Photo of Lauren Sullivan
Lauren Sullivan@llamareads
3 stars
Feb 21, 2022

This book appears on the shelf England

The End of the World Running Club
The End of the World Running Club by Adrian J. Walker
Wuthering Heights
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
The Salt Path
The Salt Path by Raynor Winn
Dead Wake
Dead Wake by Erik Larson
Wolf Hall
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
Queenie
Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams

This book appears on the shelf 23 new

Prisoners of Geography
Prisoners of Geography by Tim Marshall
American Nations
American Nations by Colin Woodard
We Fed an Island
We Fed an Island by Jose Andres
A Line Made by Walking
A Line Made by Walking by Sara Baume
Half of a Yellow Sun
Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
The Chimps of Fauna Sanctuary
The Chimps of Fauna Sanctuary by Andrew Westoll