Country hat act Markus Kane is pretty skeptical when one of his oldest industry friends calls and asks him to do a joint tour. He and Seb haven’t seen each other in years, not since Markus quit drinking. Maybe not since he and Sebastian Longchamps almost lost their careers to the fact that they couldn’t keep their hands off each other.
Sebastian is a country-fried Cajun rocker, and he’s been missing Markus ever since they broke up all those years ago. His label thinks he and Markus are a match made in ticket-sales heaven, but Seb knows better. He knows that it won’t take even the tiniest effort for Markus to break his heart all over again, and this time around he has way more to lose.
Time has changed both men, though, and while Markus and Seb try to fight their addictions, the big music industry machine has plans for them that don’t include the quiet life. Can Markus convince Sebastian that there are things more important in life than adrenaline and control? And can Sebastian make Markus understand that all he really wants is his music and his man?
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This is a story full of angst that kept my emotions constantly on edge and that I just gobbled up! With its likable characters, eclectic collection of secondary characters, and an intense and realistic look into the music world I found it easy to immerse myself into this story.
Markus and Sebastian are former lovers whose love was torn apart because of Markus' alcoholism and their fear of being outed. Many years have passed but their passion hasn't. A new album and tour have them making music again but some of the same problems still exist. This time though it's Seb with the addiction. His need to keep his road to fame rolling along, and a very creepy and nefarious manager, have him high on speed and close to starvation. Seeing the high cost of fame was scary and eye opening and it was nice seeing that there were still lots of people in his life wanting to help him get well.
Among those people is Markus, who still loves him and no longer fears the world finding out about them. He's beaten his addictions and is a stabilizing force in the storm that Seb's life has become. They're exact opposites in so many ways except when it comes to making music and making love. When they come together it IS like making music and these sexual interludes were off the charts hot and became the salvation they both needed.
This story presented a perfect blend of the behind the scenes and on stage world of music. The jam sessions the characters had were lively and practically made you feel like a part of the action as do the energetic concert scenes. The only part of the music scenes that didn't work was the over the top cruel manager, Jack. These scenes were overdramatic and very unbelievable with a resolution that was a bit unsatisfying. Thankfully, this part of the story came towards the very end and was dealt with quickly.
BA Tortuga's dialogue in this story felt a bit choppy but worked for me as it conveyed the desperation of these two men trying to be together in a world that watches them incessantly. You could sense the heartache and the longing and it's why the reader wants them to be happy together too. Fighting Addiction was an immensely satisfying story that I was sad to see end. It was inspiring seeing two people battle their demons, both together and apart, and become stronger because of it. If there's ever a chance to revisit this world, I'll definitely be the first one there.
My rating for this is an A.
*I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.
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