Blog Tour: In the Band by Jean Haus (Review!)

In the Band by Jean Haus
Release Date: October 19, 2012
Format: ebook, 306 pages
Source: Author for blog tour!

Description from Goodreads:
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 its troubles evaporate.

If she wants to stay in the band, Riley needs 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.

First of all, I want us all to look at that cover. LOOK AT IT. Gorgeous, right? I love it. And it is sooooo perfect. Just so we all know. It has now been established. Okay? Okay.

Moving on...This book is an NA contemprary romance. NA. I love NA. Contemporary. Some of the coolest books are contemp. Romance. COME ON, guys. You should know this one by now. I'm a swooner. So this book? Was set up in my mind to be fantabulous. And, of course, this book did not disappoint. At all. Ahhhh, I loved it!

I loved the way the story started off as something completely simple. I mean, there were issues, obviously, but it was nothing too huge. But then we met more characters and situations changed and got bigger and the story turned into something riveting. Honest to goodness, I lost some sleep over this book because I could not stop reading. The banter between Riley and Romeo was so amusing, I can't even. AHHH, love.

Character Rundown:
Riley: Riley's character actually wasn't TOO bad. There were things about her that got on my nerves--like resisting Romeo, for instance. HOW she could do that, I have no flipping idea. Other than that, she was great to her little sister, which I respect, and I understand her frustration when it came to her mind. Were I her, I'd be the exact same way toward my mother. I guess I just get her. Well, all except the Romeo thing.

Romeo: This boy shocked me. So. Much. He seems so agressive and mysterious at first, but then he changes and we find out secrets and just...goodness, guys. This boy. This boy this boy this boy. I heart him so hard, guys. If I were to know him in person, he'd be one of the few people I hug every time I see them. (There SERIOUSLY aren't that many people I do that to.) And his name? Justin Romeo. Perfect.

Plot. This book has issues up the yin-yang. And it kept my eyes locked to this book for looong periods of time. This is NOT one of those contemps that have the possibility of boring people (ahem, ME) to tears. Thank goodness for that.

Aww, Romeo. All the sweetness in this book comes from this wonderful boy. I mean, the bandmates have a moment or two of their own, but Romeo runs the show. He and Riley...well, Romeo wanted it to happen, so I did, too. He was good for her. And she was good for him. Plus, Riley sort of deserved something more happy in her life. So Team Romeo&Riley it is/ ;)

The ending. Ahhh, smiles. That's all I must say for this. Smiles. And Romeo. <3

Overall, In the Band is a riveting NA contemporary romance that made me smile and even made me tear up once or twice. Maybe three times. Oh, and, ha, there may have been a gasp at a certain spot or three. If you like amazing NA books, you should give this book a go, no doubt about it.

♥Jessica(: