Closer (Taint Vol. 2)

Taint Duet #2

by Carmen Jenner, Laura Caroniti (editor), Raffaella Patriarca (translator)

Levi Quinn ha sempre avuto tutto: fama, soldi, donne e un sorriso irresistibile.

Ogni cosa nella sua vita andava per il meglio, almeno fino a quando Ali non si è unita alla sua rock band, i Taint.
Levi si è innamorato di Ali. Ma anche Cooper, il cantante, si è innamorato di lei. E Ali... be’, non è finita bene per Levi.

Brielle Kagawa è una violoncellista di talento, un po’ sopra le righe, che tollera molto poco le rockstar.
Licenziata dall’orchestra in cui suona a causa di un conflitto di natura personale, decide di accettare un ingaggio un po’ particolare che le procurerà un mucchio di soldi: restare a completa disposizione del suo datore di lavoro per... suonare il violoncello.
Il fatto è che Brielle non si aspettava proprio di doversi relazionare con un tizio affascinante che passa fin troppo tempo con una bottiglia in mano.

Tuttavia... che cosa mai potrebbe andare storto?

Lui ha il cuore spezzato.
Lei non ha un cuore da spezzare.
Eppure insieme funzionano a meraviglia.

Genres: Romance, Music, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Erotica, Adult

322 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 21, 2018

About the author

Carmen Jenner is a USA Today and international bestselling author.

A hardcore red lipstick addict and a romantic at heart, Carmen enjoys books—duh!—long walks through Sephora, tattooed boys, and eyeliner so sharp it could kill a man. She lives in small-town, Australia, where she wrangles her two children, a French Bulldog named Busy, her Jungle Jag Python named Bunny, and her very own manchild.

Carmen always gives her characters the HEA they deserve, but not before ruining their lives completely first … because what’s a happily ever after without a little torture?

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Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review




Closer by Carmen Jenner was a sexy, intriguing, raw emotional read that completely blew me away and left me speechless. This book was brimming with such an intensity that readers like myself were hypnotized by Jenner’s raw and poetic prose. Closer picks up where it last left off and I must forewarn you that you will be left a beautiful mess of tears because Levi’s story will leave your heart aching. Two broken individuals. Two hearts who have everything to lose. But one epic love story that was a beautiful disaster. Levi and Brielle’s story was unforgettable,breathtaking and had that emotional punch to keep you yearning for more. I will not say much but this is one romance journey that you have to read. With a few twist and unexpected details, Jenner creates a romance that was flawed and yet a beautiful masterpiece.



Carmen Jenner

[Shabby -BookBistroBlog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never mind, I'll find someone like youuuuuuuuuuu
I wish nothing but the best for youuuuuuuuu



I swear as if Adele wrote/sang this song for Levi, the Axe-Man of Taint! The foot long guy who stole our hearts in Revelry, the douchebag smirking Bastard was just too much to handle in Book 1, wait till you see him in book 2. He'll make you laugh and make you weep your eyeballs out!
I started the book laughing as a fiasco takes place on a special day for the Band and then burst into sobs. A cello breaks and the splinters just embed into Levi's arse and spikes in his heart. ( come to me baby, I'll hug you)



I'm crying as I write this review, you owe me therapy and wine Carmen!!!!
I have read few books of Carmen before , and though this book doesn't carry the same tune and super comic mood like prior books, I loved this book the most. The range of emotions that Carmen spreads before us have you swinging from torture to torment and all the throes of anguish in between
Let me go on record to say that Carmen is a she devil, having no mercy at all on us poor readers. I cried, shed tears, sobbed, howled to the moon, hurt like a mother trucker then cried some more. The sheer heartbreak of this magnitude shouldn't be endured by any human, let alone my beloved Levi.
“Maybe a man broke my heart by asking a woman to marry him. And a woman broke my heart by saying yes.”
His anger, bitterness, sadness and hollow desperation makes him lash out and turn to the bottle. Having ruined the day, he flees and crashes in the middle of nowhere. Just loitering in the halls of The Chateau, he's a crazed maniac, a dejected lover, a man on the verge of giving up.



In sweeps a kindred spirit, Brielle Kagawa, a godsend or Levi-propositioned as the siren of cello. Her sole purpose is to lure the sadness away from Levi's heart. Together they wallow in misery and try to stay afloat in their sea of guilt and loneliness.
I’m drunk, heartsore, and all kinds of fucked up. If I had any sense left, I might be embarrassed. Good thing I drank all my sense away. I get nothing. Nothing but a pickled liver and an angry French girl.



While he grasps at straws of pitiful happiness, tragedies strike in succession and his downward spiral is just out of control.
Story of my life, right? I’m always chasing women, but none of them are ever chasing me.”
Forget women.
Forget France.
Forget everything that isn’t music, because she’s the only mistress who’s always been there for me when no one else was.



Well at least he got some songs out of his burning hell. Sweetest songs are written with darkest of inks. His pain and suffering had me crying THROUGH-EFFING-OUT!! Not one second was I not feeling gouged and dismembered. The words were blurry and soaked with my bucketsfull of tears.
“I told you once that when you found the right girl, it would break my heart.
L'artiste Con—The Con Artist, just got played by life. And he just broke my heart!
Oh and if the serrated knife didn't twist enough, Carmen just brings out the big swords too etch a fresh wound that I DID NOT SEE COMING !!!. Omg why does she hurt us again and again and why can't this pain just stop😭
While reading I was pming Carmen, seriously I wanted to throw my kindle to the wall!!



Margeaux steps in as salvager and along with the Dog just about keeps everyone breathing.
Be sure to pick this book after you read Revelry and Be sure to Cuss loud. I'll come join you and we'll both cry and drink wine😭
5 "Tu Me Manques" stars
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[~Stéphanie~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it’s been well over 15minutes I’m trying to begin writing my review for closer and I’m a little lost for words. I don’t know how to begin, I don’t even know how to make justice to the book.

I’ve been waiting for Levi’s book ever since I finished Revelry! I fell hard for his character! To be honest I felt hard for all the Taint members. My review back then was a mess! I wrote the longest review ever and I feel like maybe this one will be the same or maybe not. At this point I have no idea. I had so many feeling while reading but there’s one thing I’m sure: I fell even harder for Levi Quinn with every pages I read. His character was exactly how I remember him, how I wanted him to be.

See Levi Quinn is a guy with a big heart who lives in vice. Music, booze, drugs & women are his favorite « pastimes » if I can put it that way. Falling for the one woman not meant for him hit him hard in the chest and messes with his head. I’ve said it in my Revelry’s review and I’ll say it here too but Levi was a man who needed to find true love and most of all I’ll add he needed to be loved.

I was really wondering who will steal his heart. Who will be strong enough to handle him and his attitude. Well here comes Brielle, a French cellist who was such a badass!

She takes no sh*t from the man and she takes and takes over and over again! She has a big heart as big as Levi. That’s the beauty of it all. Together they were explosive to say the least. Two strong characters in the same room makes a lot of sparks in all the sense of the word.

But eventually, it comes a time when you see what’s really beneath the person you spend time with and you know it’s worth fighting for. That’s what Levi& Brielle’s love was about.

Carmen Jenner wrote the perfect book with the one of the best characters I've ever read about. Levi has a lots of flaws but dig deeper and it will be all worth it! The pain was very much present throughout the book. I wanted to crawl in a corner many times. My anxiety was high and many times I needed air to breath but I wouldn't change Levi & Brielle's love story for any other book.
This is their story, it's now time for you to read it.


~I voluntary read a copy of the book provided by the author~

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

***AVAILABLE NOW - FULL REVIEW ***

5 Forgive Yourself CROWNS

LEVI broke my freaking heart at the end of Revelry, like took a knife and flayed my heart open with one simple utterance over the phone. Ever since that moment, I’ve been dying for Carmen Jenner to write his story, to give him the HEA he deserves. Boy, did she, but not before putting my heart through some more turmoil.

Levi is such a broken rock star. Self destructive doesn’t even begin to encompass who Levi is. He hurts himself and the ones he loves in order to deal
with all the pain he feels, even if it is to point of numbing himself and not remembering all the pain he causes. The beginning of this book is honestly hard to read, not because of what he does but because of how much I love his character. Like the secondary characters of the story, it pains me to see him self destruct. I wanted to scream and yell at him. What does happen, though, is that we get to see him come alive with music, to crawls out of this hole he has buried himself in. Seeing him start to enjoy life and be happy and love is so rewarding, but as with any novel there is back slide and that might have been just as painful if not more. I felt my heart physical ache for him and Brielle.

Brielle has a passion for music one that has burned in the past and has put her in the direct line of Levi. It is music that brings them together and how they communicate. Through her music she shows compassion for this broken man and heals his broken shards. There are times when she gets angry and runs or gets scared and flees but she is human, and like Levi, she is flaws and but broken. I love her, though, for the way she loves this embattled and self destructive man.

This story is not just about a romance between Brielle and Levi. I mean it is that with their chemistry and intimacy that is scorching, but It is a story of forgiveness, of a family torn apart, of loss and healing. My heart soared and splattered on the ground, but in the end it was so full I thought it would burst by the time the epilogue was over. The real sign that this book is a must read is that I didn’t want it to end! I wanted to stay on tour forever with this motley crew of people I’ve grown to love.

Carmen Jenner killed me with Levi! Just absolutely killed me. Levi’s story is heartbreakingly beautiful and emotional, and sends the biggest message of forgiveness. It is a story of hope for a brighter future, and that people can get better, can find love worthy of them, and can get their HEA no matter how badly they may have screwed up in the past. It is about LOVE, romantic and family alike.

ARC received in exchange for an honest review

[Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really wasn't prepared for Levi's particular brand of angsty pain. Sigh. Reading Closer about did me in. Thank God I had some tissues handy, because I needed them.

At the start of Closer Levi is feeling the pain of not being chosen by the woman he loves. Instead, she's chosen the other man in their fucked up threesome, Cooper Ryan, Levi's bandmate. And damn does Levi not take it well. He self medicates, he pours his angst out with booze and more drugs, and almost kills himself because he cannot handle the pain of not being the one for Ali, his Red. To make things worse, she and Cooper have the nerve to ask him to be at their wedding. Surely they wouldn't be that cruel, right? Wrong. I admit to wanting to slap both of them throughout Closer. They were so damn selfish that they couldn't see what they were doing to poor Levi. But Levi too, was selfish, so freakin' self-absorbed. To the point of not seeing anything but his own pain. And he took down Brie with him. His Angry French Girl.

I can say without a doubt that I loved Brie. She's a tough, strong woman. And pretty sweet for an Angry French Girl! I honestly don't think Levi deserved her, but Brie's heart just couldn't resist him when he was doing his requisite begging and groveling, so I give her a big pass. Besides, she loved him and when you love someone, it doesn't matter if they deserve you or not, you still love them.

I may not have fallen in love with poor, tortured, self-absorbed Levi, but I did love his and Brie's story. It walked the line between angst overload, what with all the rejection, the addiction, and the tragedies, that happened, but it never truly stepped over it, because Carmen Jenner has got some serious writing chops. Kudos to her for giving us an emotional, angsty, sexy story of love, grief and healing. It was one hell of a ride.

I received an ARC for an honest review.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

I have to say that enjoyed this book more than the first one (Revelry). You definitely need to Revelry before this one to get a true concept of Levi's pain and anguish (plus it's a duet, so duh, LOL). Some say it can be read as a standalone, but I think it won't have the same oomph if you do.

Levi is broken - the world may see him as together, but behind the curtains and lime light - he is nursing a shattered heart with booze, drugs and whatever else he can do. However, it does nothing to soothe him. Except when he hears Angry French Girl play.

Angry French Girl is Brielle. Brielle herself is a bit broken and has refused to allow her heart to be open again. Her pain shines through her music though. And when Levi makes her an offer she can't refuse - these broke and battered musicians duel it out between one another.

Closer is one of the stories that you must read, experience first hand to truly understand the enjoyment of this book. This book had a much more impactful and emotional story than Revelry did. I found myself more tuned in with these characters - Levi and Brielle felt more alive and their story was heartbreakingly beautiful. They may be slightly flawed, but that's what makes them real and likeable. And Carmen stays true to her characters (no 180 transition on bad boy to sweet, loveable man).

Carmen delivers another amazing story to her readers. I highly recommend this series to all.

[A.BookNerd.Bookseller&Bibliophile.Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second half of a duet. I really liked this book. I felt both love and hate for Levi, as he behaved both selfishly and stupidly in the beginning. However, once Margaux and Dog, and finally Brielle, entered his life, the love overtook the hate. And Brielle, I absolutely loved her. She was the perfect yin to Levi’s yang. At times both funny and sad, this book was the perfect end to this duet.

Reviewed by: Clare M.

[SimplyƝì₭ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt so accomplished when I finished this book. Thank you Carmen for giving me the closure I needed. Levi got his HEA, boy was it messy, sad and perfect.

[✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰Janeane ✰ · Rating 5 out of 5]

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ARC Received for an honest review

This book should come with a warning - take out shares in Stolichnaya Vodka and Kleenex before reading, as you are going to need both.

Carmen Jenner has absolutely wrecked me with this story. After the way book one, Revelry ended, I knew Levi's story was going to hurt, but no word of a lie, I spent the entire first 25% of Closer reading through ugly snot crying tears. I swear, I was an absolute mess!

And just when I think things have calmed down and I am right to go again, she does this to me
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A day later and my heart still hasn't recovered. This book started as one big, beautiful disaster and I didn't know if we were going to recover from it.


I hate to say it though, I really kinda hated Coop and Ali for a lot of this book. Yes, I know they fell in love blah blah but man, like Levi, I wanted to punch them.


I am tearing up again just thinking about Levi as I write this review. Gah, Ms Jenner, what have you done to me!


I gotta say, I loved the angry French cellist. I love how she takes not sh!t from Levi, gives him hell, yet can't help but adore him too. I don't want to give much away about Levi and Briele's story, as I feel that it is one that you have to absorb as you are reading, but you will love it.

This story sure did take a few twists and turns that I was not expecting - and again had me bawling.

And I loved every second of it. I am a fan of angsty, rip your heart out stories, and this was one of the best I have read.

I ran the whole gamut of emotions whilst reading Closer. I laughed, I cried (oh how I cried), I got p!ssed of. And I loved. Love this so so much.

I am going to miss the Taint family, however I am looking forward to what Ms Jenner brings us next.

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[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

We pick up right where we left off in Revelry and OMG what a crazy and wild ride! Its Levi Quinn’s turn and I could not wait to dive right in! Feeling like he lost the best thing to happen to him, can he find a way to move forward? Well life is about to throw him another curveball!

Still reeling from what happened, Levi seems to be on a path of self-destruction. My heart felt for him, but I also wanted to hit him over the head sometimes. Then when he attends a bandmate’s wedding and he meets a woman that is about to change everything. Brielle Kagawa is a gifted cellist, but after a life-changing event, is she ready to spend time with a man set on bad path? But the offer is too good to pass up and she needs this right now.

Let me just say this was not love at first sight! I loved Levi and Brielle’s banter and all their back and forth! Their journey was not easy, but you could feel their connection from the start! I loved this book even more than the first and loved seeing this couple fall! Carmen Jenner has definitely become a 1-click author for me!

4.5 stars! Read and reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog.

Happy reading!

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

Ce tome débute ou le premier c'est terminé.

Nous retrouvons Levi et ses démons, l'alcool, drogue, sexe et un cœur brisé.

C'est une descente aux enfers, le dernier trip, c'est savoir accepté et pardonner... Pardonner Cooper et Aly, accepté d'être celui qui était de trop, c'est se baigner dans la mélancolie et tristesse.

Ce tome est très dur.

Levi est probablement le stéréotype du roqueur avec tous ces vices, mais c'est aussi un être humain qui se brise et nous brise.

Son trip est semé d'embûches de mauvaises décisions et beaucoup de haine.

C'est aussi une rencontre qui changera tout ou pas.

L'amour et les addictions ne vont pas toujours de pair.

Cela a été un incroyable voyage un roman qui ne laisse personne indifférent la plume de l'auteur est captivante et poignante, dans ce tome j'y ai retrouvé ce que j'aime dans les romans de Carmen jenner...

Un monde de paillettes rempli d'amour et douleur de choix et conséquences.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Your best. Levi was sure to be a good character. He's so tragic. Doesn't disappoint.

[Demetra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here’s the thing: I didn’t know about this series before signing up for this opportunity. I know shame on me, because this duet is seriously amazing! I read Revelry in order to be able to review this one and I’m so glad that I did! (My review for Revelry is coming soon!)

Closer is one of those books that stayed with me even after I finished it. Now several hours after reading it, it’s still in my mind and I have the urge to read it again! It was intense, full of angst, pain, drama, loss and heartbreak. I felt all those things while reading the book.

In this book, Levi found a way to conquer my heart. I wasn’t really rooting for him in the first book but in this one he was my champion from the start. Seeing him so miserable after everything that happened in the first book, made me so mad with Ali. I really wanted him to find someone who really sees him. That someone is Brielle! She’s his match in everything. She doesn’t put up with his bullshit and tell it to him as it is! He really has his hands full with this Angry French Girl 😛

This book gutted me. Levi messes up too many times and while doing it he hurts the people around him. I really felt for him; losing someone that’s close to you sucks. The way he copes with it and how he treats Brielle, it’s rude and wrong. I was so happy about them at the end, about all of them. I really hope that we get more of all of them; I don’t thing that I’m ready to let them go!

[Heather South · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 You are Missing From Me Stars!


Closer picks up pretty much where Revelry left us, only from Levi's point of view. It was after Cooper had left for Sydney to get Ali back.

Levi had my heart breaking in the first few chapters, I honestly thought this was going to be a disaster and that Ali would be the biggest hurdle between him and his love interest. I was way wrong.

I hate this.
I hate her.
I hate him.
But mostly I hate myself because if I'd never touched her in the first place, if I hadn't taken her to that party at Josh Holme's place, and I hadn't kept coming back like a kicked dog just begging for more, I wouldn't be in this fucking situation.

Ali comes to Prague for Christmas to be with Cooper, and it's the first time they have all been around each other since the disaster that occurred...
" You're not going to say hello?" Ali
" Wasn't planning on it just yet, but then you always knew how to make me do exactly what you wanted." -Levi'
" I missed you"
" I missed you too. You look good, babe" " Fucking hot actually." - Levi

Levi is having a hard time with his feelings. He isn't taking it well and that's putting it mildly. Not too long after, TMZ reports Levi walking naked through the snow in Prague.
After that stunt, the last five shows of the tour is cancelled and they're giving the band three months to sort out their shit. Three months to clean up or they will be dropped from the label.

Brielle-
She has been helping her mom take care of her father for months since he had a stroke. Money is tight for her parents. She gives them as much as she can after her rent is taken out.

She was recently fired from the orchestra. She teaches students. Nowhere in the city will hire her, not without a lot of ass kissing.
- I refuse to get on my knees for a man who broke my heart.- Brielle
she gets a phone call that the lead singer of Taint wants her to play at his wedding. She will be the only musical entertainment they will have.
-Love makes fools of us all. Love turns smart men into idiots, and strong women into doormats. I will be neither.-
I hope I never fall in love, for I cannot afford to lose my head. I like it exactly where it is, and no man will make me think otherwise.

I loved Brielle, she was not a doormat and she was strong, from the beginning to the end of this book she was strong and very relatable. I liked her a lot better than I originally liked Ali.

Levi & Brielle meet at Cooper and Ali's wedding, which pretty much spells disaster for Levi Quinn.

I don't want to go to in depth about what took place, but I loved the banter between Levi & Brielle. It was funny. And charming and Carmen Jenner did an amazing job of building this beautiful relationship between the two of them. I didn't expect sultry and seductive when it came to Levi Quinn's book, but it was all class and heat and a slow burn that gave you tingles.

I think it was the perfect way to end this duet. This book made me laugh, made me want to sob into my kindle at times, in all the best ways. No over the top drama.

I read this book in one sitting. I needed something to get me out of a recent book slump, and Closer has done that!

[Alex in Spades · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Tu Me Manques Stars

I have to say I was a bit affraid about Levi's story (between Close and Revelry there was a few hit and miss books from Carmen Jenner for me). But I guess this book is just like fine wine, it had to take it's time to be amazing.

"Maybe a man broke my heart by asking a woman to marry him. And a woman broke my heart by saying yes".

We take on very soon after Revelry ended. Levi is hurt, his heart is shattered, and mine broke for this man. It was so painful to watch him, of course in his not so wonderful fashion, he made a lot of mystakes, and hurt all the people around him. That broken man trying to piece himself together (with alcohol, and insults mostly). Brielle was a wonderful surprise. I adored this Angry French Woman so much, and I adored her story, and her stubbornness. Their banter was just amazing. The hate to love relationship they had was so wonderful to watch.

"Yeah, I wanna make music, but I can't. All I have is shit, an arse-load full of despair". I give her a brittle smile as I play another chord. "And dissonance".
Brielle studies me for a beat. She raises her brow. "Then use it, idiot".
"Ah, Brie, I love it when you talk dirty".

The band story broke my heart, and I still can't believe Carmen went there. I'm shook! The very ending was a bit predictable for me (I guessed it), but still it was such a beautiful story about finding calm through the hardship of life (even if you're a very well endowed rock star), and that even when you love someone, and you lose them, there might be someone who will stroke the fire in you once more.

I need the rest of the band in my life, I can't wait for Zed's story (I truly hope he'll get one). This duet was amazing, and wonderful, and I'm so happy that the conclusion was just everything I could dream of.

[Laura Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Closer (Taint #2)
By Carmen Jenner
4.5 Stars

Closer is book 2 of the Taint duet. This book can be read as a standalone. I would however, recommend reading Revelry (Taint #1) first to get the full effect.

Levi is broken. After having the best MMF relationship with his band mate and the PA for the band, those two have gone their own way and left Levi broken. Spiraling out of control, drugs, booze, women, you name it. Anything to overcome the loss of the girl that made him feel.

Chucking all feelings out the window, Levi pulls up his big boy britches and goes to a very special event for one of his bandmates. There is a Cello playing beautiful music. Levi is drawn to not only the beautiful music but the beautiful woman playing.

While staying at the Chateau in France, nothing is clearer than Levi is destined for a mental breakdown. The only thing that helps him so far is ‘the dog’ and the housekeeper. The days that go by are like a time bomb waiting to go off.

Brielle is the gifted cellist who plays beautifully. Although she’s learned that in life, who you associate yourself with, can ultimately come back to bite you. She’s been hurt and now survives teaching the love she has for playing the Cello to her students.

Barely making ends meet after helping her parents out, Brielle accepts the job offered for 1 week at a Chateau in France, to play her cello anytime the new employer desires.

This book was fantastic! I devoured it page by page. There is something about a broken-down rocker that sucks me in every time! I was suffering right next to Levi throughout this entire book.

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[A Book Lover's Emporium Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that Carmen Jenner had the balls to write a story that is so unique and emotionally charged. Closer was not what I was expecting it to be. I expected it to be a fun, hot rock star romance and it was a romance, and there was hot sex and humorous moments, yet that's not the focus of Closer. Levi Quinn and his screwed up self, lead the way on this one and I loved it.

Closer is a character driven story. Having the leading man, Levi, be the most aggravating, selfish, narcissistic and out of control character I have ever read, makes this book beyond any other Rock Star romance.

This book really pulled me in and I was devastated for Levi at the start. With Closer, we get to witness Levi's heartbreak first hand. How he handles himself had me switching from loving him, to hating him from one chapter to the next. I think that if you feel that strongly for a fictional character, the author has done something right. The other characters from book one are all there too, with the addition of cello player Brielle. With Levi taking up so much of the spotlight in this book, Brielle was not as prominent as I would have liked. She is a strong female lead, yet Levi dominates and takes the focus in every scene he is in.

The relationship between the two lead characters was fire and ice, at times making it hard for me to keep up with their emotions. I was expecting the slow emerging of a beautiful relationship that grew from heartbreak. A strong woman to mend Levi's broken heart over an extended period of time. I didn't get this, yet not getting what I was expecting was awesome. This book is a whirlwind of events, emotions and tragedy. Levi is not the typical romance hero who changes from a bad boy to be a sweet and caring boyfriend overnight. I loved that the author stays true to his character.

Closer is the second part of a duet so must be read after Revelry. Both of these books are five star reads that are far more than an average romance.

[Romanticamente Fantasy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nayeli - per RFS
.
Si tratta del secondo volume di una dilogia intensa e commovente. Nella prima parte della storia, “la Rossa” Ali insieme a Cooper e Levi, entrambi membri di una rock band, avevano sperimentato un ménage terminato con i due uomini che si innamoravano della stessa ragazza. Ali però ricambiava solo il frontman, Cooper, e solo quando Levi si è fatto da parte i due hanno potuto ricongiungersi.

Questo secondo episodio è incentrato su Levi, il terzo incomodo, e riparte dal momento in cui è completamente a terra, dal suo cuore spezzato, dall’umiliazione del dover restare in una band in cui l’amore del miglior amico per la sua ex gli viene sbandierata davanti agli occhi continuamente, dalla sua incapacità di reagire.

Per buona parte della trama Levi lotta contro il suo sentirsi ferito e il desiderio di stordirsi e di sparire dal mondo. Il suo personaggio è un mix tra un poeta maledetto e un rocker autodistruttivo che si rifugia nel sesso e nei liquori per cercare di anestetizzarsi e “sentire” meno.

Jim Morison e Kurt Cobain sono i riflessi che vedevo in lui nel leggere di un uomo musicalmente straordinario ma intimamente tormentato e solo, perso, incapace di spurgare da dentro di sé il dolore tanto da credere di non trovare più nessun significato nella vita. Un uomo che si nasconde dietro una maschera disinibita, arrogante, irriverente, facile agli eccessi per proteggere un ego fragile e insicuro, pieno di sensi di colpa e vergogna.

Dilaniato da emozioni negative, non solo non riesce a gestirle e incanalarle completamente nella musica, ma non intende tentare di soffrire meno, imponendosi una sorta di autoflagellazione che gli sembra giusta punizione per gli errori e le inadeguatezze che sente su di sé, impedendosi di interrompere questo circuito vizioso che rischia di portarlo a conseguenze estreme.

Ascolto e bevo e intanto la rabbia, la tristezza, il vuoto e l’amara disperazione che provo mi vengono lentamente strattonate dalle sue mani. Come se lei fosse una sirena, e il violoncello la sua voce, e io solo un altro uomo di mare al quale lei desiderava distruggere l’anima. Forse sono ancora ubriaco, forse sono solo ridotto a uno schifo, ma quando lei smette di suonare, mi fissa. È come se non sapesse che cosa fare dell’uomo completamente distrutto ai suoi piedi. Un uomo che ha appena rovinato con le sue mani esperte, senza nemmeno sfiorarlo con un dito. Un mezzo sorriso le solleva l’angolo della bocca, poi si alza e lascia la stanza, fredda e più solitaria, eppure in qualche modo più piena di quando è arrivata.

Levi si ritira, in modo piuttosto rocambolesco, in una villa in Francia per leccarsi le ferite. È una violoncellista parigina di origini giapponesi, Brielle, il piccolo boccaglio che riesce a farlo respirare affinché possa lentamente rialzarsi.

Brie condivide con Levi la carnalità con cui la musica esce dalle proprie viscere, il modo in cui riesce a concretizzare le emozioni generando sinfonie. Non le manca un presente doloroso, ma è capace di reagire con più ottimismo e un certo distacco, convogliando le emozioni sugli strumenti e sulle note. Il dolore non la abbatte, poiché lo trasforma in creazione e in meraviglia.

Anche se seduti agli strumenti trovano una sintonia da subito, il rapporto tra loro nasce in modo spumeggiante: lei è superba, rigida ed elegante. Non si lascia irretire dal fascino da cattivo ragazzo di Levi, per quanto ne percepisca le ondate di ormoni seduttivi prorompenti.

Tanto bollente lui quanto ghiacciata lei, ne scaturiscono scintille dovute ai battibecchi e alle frecciatine, che caricano di elettricità statica i loro corpi. Quando la lussuria esplode, coinvolge non solo il corpo ma anche la mente, l’anima, la sensibilità artistica. Il sesso con Brie rappresenta per Levi la prima volta in cui l’esperienza del corpo si connette con quella dei sentimenti, in cui si concederà lentezza, esplorazione, adorazione.

Insieme sono magici, danno vita a una sinfonia intensa che gronda dolore e ogni sentimento negativo che sentono il bisogno di buttare fuori.

Ma pur rappresentando un sostegno, la forza di Brie non riesce a compiere magie. La battaglia di Levi è piena di cadute e di momenti che sembrano volerlo buttare sempre più giù. Sarà necessario un percorso più complesso per riuscire a imparare a vivere senza autodistruggersi. Un percorso caratterizzato da molta solitudine, perché la band non riesce a essere di supporto in alcun modo. Non solo all’interno ci sono proprio i due ragazzi che gli ricordano costantemente quello che ha perso, ostentando la loro gioia e obbligandolo a presenziare tenendosi dentro il proprio dolore, ma la verità è che nessuno dei suoi amici lo “vede” davvero. E dopo una bolla curativa in cui tutto il suo mondo era circoscritto alla villa francese solitaria in compagnia di Brie, il ritorno alla vita reale fatta di concerti, esposizione mediatica, ricordi dolorosi e amici egocentrici che gli sbattono in faccia la loro forza e la loro gioia torna brutale per metterlo alla prova.

«Se sono brava, è perché lui mi ha reso così. Il dolore mi ha reso così.» «Che stai dicendo? Che ho bisogno che tuo padre venga a farmi il culo mentre suono?» «No, ti sto dicendo di usarlo, questo dolore.» Mi fa trasalire posandomi il palmo sul petto. «Qualsiasi cosa sia che ti fa bere e sanguinare, usala per stare meglio.» «Non so come stare meglio. Non so se riuscirò a farlo. Non so nemmeno più chi sono.»

Una storia drammatica e intensa, che la narrazione in prima persona e al presente rende ancora più coinvolgente.

La gestione di punti vista è oculata e attenta: non esagera con i cambi dandoci il tempo di immergerci a fondo nelle sensazioni dei protagonisti, ma allo stesso tempo aggiunge variazioni di campo su altri personaggi, in modo da ampliare la prospettiva sul legame tra Levi e i membri dell’intera band, un intreccio di vite nel quale una non si può risolvere senza risolvere le altre.

Adorabile il modo in cui sono state rese le difficoltà linguistiche e l’ambientazione francese.

[Stacey (sassysreadingnook) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gahhhhh I really loved this story! I'm so emotionally drained right now, but I could seriously pick these books up again right now and start the ride all over again, they were just that damn good!!

Carmen Jenner and her brilliant storytelling had me hooked from the first page, I couldn't escape this book for anything or it couldn't escape me, lol. Twists and turns that kept me guessing and so much emotion I was laughing, ugly crying and swooning.

A heartbreakingly beautiful love story, that'll have you coming back time and time again.

The Taint Duet is most definitely a fave read of mine for 2018. If this sound like something up you alley than I highly recommend one-clicking these books and diving in head first.

[Avidez Literaria · Rating 4 out of 5]

“We were dancing from the second I first laid eyes on you, or at least I thought we were. Turns out I was just over here dancing on my own like a tool.”

Closer is the conclusion of the Taint duet. Nothing is fairer than, what began with Cooper to end with Levi, after all the story revolves around the two and Ali. At the end of the first book, Ali is with Cooper, which breaks Levis’s heart and puts him in a self-destructive spiral. Levi decides to return to the same behavior of the past, and the drink, drugs and women become his way of trying to numb his pain.
If everything was bad for him, it will get worse. Cooper and Ali are getting married, and the happy couple decide they want everyone present at the ceremony. You can already imagine that something will go wrong, and a very drunk Levi, prompted by an irritating Cooper, will ruin the party. After some punches between him and the groom, a destroyed cello and an angry musician, Levi hits the rock bottom. Completely drunk and in possession of a potent Ferrari, Levi will leave the wedding after further insults from Ali (still do not like her) and will suffer an accident. A car destroyed, an intoxicated Levi, a French lady, a mutt and a mansion for sale. And so Levi ends up in France isolated from everyone.
Trying to compensate the musician for the damage he caused, Levi hires her to play for him at his house for a week. Brielle needs the money and takes the job. Just do not suspect that the client is the drunken rocker who destroyed her instrument. What was meant to be a week turn into two months. And so Levi and his angry French girl will irritate each other, fight a lot, and finally fall in love.
Until again a woman will break his heart. Returning home, Levi will deal with the worst news he could imagine, and if he felt he was suffering so far, he did not expect the pain he would face, and completely in mourning, lost and full of guilt, he will enter into a path to self-destruction.
And with all that happened, my outrage increased at stratospheric levels. I finished the book completely angry. I fell in love with Levi in ​​the first book, suffered with him all along, eagerly waiting for his story to finally have a happy ending, and when I finally waited for some light at the end of the tunnel, he is bombarded with so much bad stuff.
Why? Why? That's all I'd like to know. Why completely change a character, deconstructing everything that was beautifully portrayed in the first book? I had so many expectations for Closer, but I confess I got frustrated. I was expecting Levi's story, but instead I was bombarded by at least 18% of the narrative with Ali and Cooper. I'm sorry, they do not interest me. They are two selfish ones who deserve each other.
Of a total of 90% of the book, Levi is drunk. Or drugged. Nothing different from the other members of the band, but suddenly he is addicted and needs help (yes, they are all addicted, by the way). To make matters worse, a very drunk and drugged Levi decides to bathe (not his best decision) and ends up in rehab for attempted suicide? Without total coherence with the character.
Brielle was a character and romantic interest completely insipid. A lighter version of Ali. Levi deserved someone different, better, and who really fought for him for a change.
What about all of Ash's plot? Again, why? No one saw the signs, but Levi is to blame because he only thought of himself. And the other friends? Cooper was busy with Ali, Zed with Deb, but Levi is egocentric.
The character deserved a happy ending. Okay, he got. But most of all, he deserved a book that would live up to his person, not one where he is suffering all the time. Despite all this, I was in a kind of contradiction of feelings, because despite being a great book, yes, the writing is very good, as the story of Levi alone, there were failures and could have been better.
Sorry, I'm trying to process everything that happened. I was curious about the story of Zed and his relationship with Deb, it's a shame he will not get his own book. The two books were good, the band’s story interesting, the development very well executed, but I can not forgive what was done with Levi.

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest Review *

https://avidezliteraria.wordpress.com/

[She's a Lip Biter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Multiple Reviews Below

5Stars
I eagerly dived into this second book about the rockstar band, Taint and I can honestly say I was enthralled with this incredible story.

Levi is a self absorbed rockstar, that is a bit harsh but he really is! He’s just lost the girl he loves to his lead vocalist, Cooper Ryan, and is on a very self destructive path. Let’s not forget the poor pedestrians in his way too! This is how he meets Brielle Kagawa. She is a cello player who was hired by Cooper to play at his wedding, she immediately takes a dislike to Levi the first time she meets him. The second time it is cemented and a confirmed hate after he falls onto her and smashes her cello!

Once again, although there is plenty of drama and seriousness in the book, a wonderful humour is threaded throughout. Much of it is Levi being honest with himself or the banter between characters. There is, without doubt, a high emotional content in this story that has you either on the edge of your seat, laughing out loud, gasping in shock, sniffing back tears and at times in actual pain from heartbreak or cheering to encourage..well in your head! 😉

The way this author creates magic with words is amazing, she truly knows how to cast spells with her sentences and paragraphs. Fantastic character and setting descriptions allow you to fully participate in the story but more we are given mental descriptions of what is going through the character’s minds as well. This enables us, as readers, to go on that emotional roller coaster ride, and boy is it a wild one!

I devoured this book but be warned: I found it leaves you wanting more so your one click finger might just get a bit itchy like mine did!

Reviewed by Robyn

5Stars
Omg! Where do I begin to say just how I feel about this book and just how it made me feel. I cried loads through this book and it wasn't all tears for Levi or maybe it was. I cried for the state he let himself become and also what he became. I didn't know if I want to scream, shake or punch him at times.

I loved Levi in Revelry but this book made him and brought him and his struggle to the forefront. I grew increasingly frustrated with him and his treatment of the world and himself. God, we have all been heartbroken but he took it to a whole new level. I get that Ali and Cooper broke his heart but in return, he broke the world's 

When he meets Brielle it's far from love, at first sight, it's definitely hated and in a location, Levi hated more. But his actions from this point are really eye-opening and sometimes unforgiving. The banter is there and his quick-witted responses but the undeniable heartbreak runs throughout this book.

This story is far from a fairytale and to say that I am sad it's all over is an understatement, I am gutted that the world of Taint is over but I think it was written and ended perfectly. I sobbed and sobbed at the end of this book. I never saw it coming and I don't think anyone else will.

This is a huge recommend for me. This duet is fantastic and probably 2 of my favourite books I have had the pleasure to read. An awesome fairytale of love, loss, friendship and betrayal. As well as finding the love of your life even when you thought you all ready had.

Reviewed by Donna

5Stars
What an epic conclusion to an amazing Duet! Levi was an alcoholic, drug-addicted rock star with a god complex... he was in love with his band mate and best friend Cooper Ryan's girl, this lead to a very self-destructive path that took out so many in his wake! In walks Brielle Kagawa, the French cello player who brings out the cheeky, arrogant side of Levi but she also brings the love of music back to his black heart... the chemistry between the two is electric but it is also toxic at times especially when the band loses a brother this causes another spiral downwards for Levi and not everyone survives the fallout. This was a well-written story of addiction, love and loss and a band who are more than just band mates they are a family who goes through so many trials and tribulations only to come out stronger and happier on the other side!! I cannot recommend this Taint Duet highly enough!!

Reviewed by Nat

[Tasha Mahoney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Closer is the second book in the Taint duet, and boy does it hit you in the feelings!

This story opens on a very hurt Levi, who lost the girl to his band-mate and copes with his heartbreak by being very drunk, offensive and irresponsible. He has pushed his fellow band-mates to the limit with his worryingly self destructive behaviour.

His band-mate Coop and the girl that got away get married in a posh hotel on the French Riviera and Levi does not leave a great impression on anyone. Least of all the beautiful French Cellist, Brielle Kagawa . A drunk and abusive Levi manages to show himself up and in doing so he breaks something precious to Brielle or as he calls her AFG, then having hurt his friends, shocked the wedding guests and caused mayhem he leaves the reception. Much to his initial disappointment, Levi remains in France and he remains drunk but he does remember Brielle/ AFG and in a spectacularly underhand tactic, he makes her an offer that she can, quiet literally, not afford to turn down.

Two passionate musicians who have both damaged their lives by becoming involved with the wrong person in the past, put together my Levi’s sneaky tactics- what could possibly go wrong- or right.

Ok, that’s a tease isn’t it! Seriously this book managed to make me smirk, feel sad, and fan myself and I seriously wanted to kick Levi’s butt into gear at times. Ultimately I found that I did like Levi, despite his heartache at the beginning of the book making him behave like a total idiot.

Brielle was a character that I did like from the start. I liked that she wasn’t star struck by Levi and put him in his place right from the start.

This story had heartbreak, humour and was really raw. Carmen Jenner manages to put so much emotion into her writing and you feel it with every word you read. That, in my opinion, makes her a remarkable talent.

There is so much more to this story than I have written here, I always strive to be spoiler free, what I can say is that the writing is a pleasure to read, the sentence structures flow so well and you don’t want to put it down until the end. Having said that, you won’t want it to end. It’s that good!

Thanks to Carmen Jenner and Social Butterfly PR for granting me an ARC copy of Closer This is my honest review.

[Jennifer Pierson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe that I FINALLY got this story, as truly it has seemed like FOREVER for it to come out! And before I go on, I must say that Closer is the second book in the Taint Duet, so YOU MUST READ Revelry (Book 1) FIRST, or you will NOT understand all of Levi's angst! Now on with the show! Carmen Jenner has such a brilliant writing style that I never know what she is going to do next which I definitely love. Revelrey was definitely more hysterically funny for me, while Closer had angst for days, so my emotions were left raw by the end of it. See, this is more of Levi's story in the wake of being not chosen, and he's not taking it well, in fact, he's completely falling apart, and it had my heart breaking for him to be honest. Like I was mad at Cooper & Ali for it, even though I wasn't in the first book. Then Brielle enters the picture, and something sparks in him, not instantly though, which makes it realistic, but slowly. As they spend time together away from his chaotic life, sparks fly, and yes, there's that humor that I love from this author to make me laugh, with sexy times to light the sheets up flare up, and Levi is starting to heal a bit. But then life finds them, and Levi goes back to his life. He's not taking it too well when a HUGE twist out of left field hits, cue my big f-bombs drop, and he finds himself self sabotaging again. Will he get help before it's too late? You will have to read it for yourselves. This story tried to bread me emotionally as Ms. Jenner knows how to pull those emotions out from deep down. I LOVED it so much, though she tried to kill me. HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND TO ALL!

[Helen M.A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why do I do this to myself???
I don’t understand. I always call authors emotional sadists because they just love to put us readers through the ringer.
But, in reality, I’m just a book masochist.
I knew this book was going to be hard... I freaking knew it.
The ending of Revelry, the final thing that Levi did to set Coop and Ali “free” told me this book was not going to be easy.
And, **** you, Carmen Jenner!! This book completely destroyed me. I have nothing to say but BRAVA! You pulled everything out of me with Closer.
Oh, my god. My heart couldn’t take it anymore. My poor Levi. Why did he have to go through so much. I loved Cooper and Ali in Revelry, but I freaking HATED THEM in Closer. It’s not like they were bad people, but I just couldn’t stand seeing my poor Levi in so much pain. So much turmoil. Whyyyyyy?!
Damn it!
Then comes in tough Brielle. *le sigh* I loved her. This woman put up with A LOT. And, that is why she was absolutely perfect for my broken Levi.
Although, it came to a point where I was more team Brie than team Levi.
I cried in this book pretty much throughout the entire read, up until the end, lol.
That’s how much Jenner put me through.
And, let me tell you... the twists??? I want to scream at the top of my lungs! Whyyyyyyyy?! Why did that have to happen?!
This book was simply perfect, and my review is one big jumbled mess, but I implore you all to read this book.
Closer was just everything and so much more.
Brava, Ms. Jenner.
Can’t wait for your next read.

[Weronika]

English review below! :)

PL:

Pierwszy tom serii Taint skusił mnie do kupna swoim świetnym opisem. A skoro ma się w planach przeczytać całą serię, to czemu by nie sięgnąć po tom drugi jeszcze przed premierą?

Zatrzymajmy się na chwilę w tym miejscu. Jestem osobą, która opowie wam o "Closer", a która nie czytała wcześniej "Revelry". Da się? Da się. Choć powiem szczerze, że po wydarzeniach w tej części nie jestem już tak pewna czy chcę poznać historię Ali i Coopa, ponieważ, no cóż, pałam do nich ogromną niechęcią przez ich podejście do Levi'ego. Ale po kolei.

Levi należy do znanego zespołu. Jego życie to istne szaleństwo i rzeczywistość gwiazdy rocka - seks, alkohol i inne używki, status ten nie zgadza się tylko w jednym - Levi ma złamane serce. Kobieta, w której się zakochał wybrała jego kolegę z zespołu i to z nim układa swoje życie. I powiem wam szczerze, że ten wątek jest bardzo mocno rozbudowany i naprawdę wywołał u mnie współczucie dla głównego bohatera, ponieważ zarówno Ali, jak i Coop są bardzo nieczuli na cierpienie Levi'ego. Ja wszystko rozumiem, miłość, danie komuś czas, aby się otrząsnął, ale w moim odczuciu byli oni zwyczajnie brutalni. Z tego powodu po "Reverly" sięgnę dopiero za jakiś czas, poczekam aż emocje opadną.

O właśnie, emocje! Jest ich tu co nie miara. Nie spodziewałam się, że w ciągu jednej części serii wydarzy się tak wiele! Autorka wzięła mnie z zaskoczenia i nie pozwoliła mi nawet na chwilę opuścić gardy. Do samego końca emocje były na wysokim poziomie, a ja byłam emocjonalnym kłębkiem nerwów. Bardzo przeżywałam wszystko co się działo, a wszystko dlatego, że zżyłam się z bohaterami.

Brie nie da się nie lubić. Francuzka z ciętym językiem, niebywałym talentem do gry na wiolonczeli oraz zamkniętym na ludzi sercem. Levi to w połowie Polak, co jest przyjemnym dodatkiem, uzależnionym od alkoholu oraz użalania się nad sobą. No dobrze, z tym drugim trochę przesadzam, jednak nie można mu odmówić rozwiniętego egocentryzmu. Na pierwszy rzut oka wydawało mi się, że Brie i Levi dopełniają się idealnie i pomogą sobie wzajemnie uporać się z problemami, jednak jak się okazało sytuacja nie była tak prosta. Warto mimo wszystko wspomnieć, że chemia i uczucie ich łączące są bardzo wyraziste i realne.

W przypadku tego tytułu nie można mówić o barierze językowej. Zdarzają się pojedyncze słowa warte sprawdzenia, ale cała książka jest naprawdę napisana przystępnym językiem. Dla mnie jedynie fragmenty po francusku wymagały całkowitego tłumaczenia, ponieważ nigdy nie miałam styczności z tym językiem. W tym przypadku wypowiedzi Brie były idealnie wpasowane w dialogi i po przetłumaczeniu okazały się być naprawdę interesujące, momentami nawet zabawne.

"Closer" wspominam jako przyjemną i odprężającą lekturę. Oczywiście miała ona swoje momenty, kiedy łamała serce i wywoływała łzy, oraz ukazywała ciemną stronę bycia gwiazdą, narkotyki i alkohol prowadzące do autodestrukcji. Zdecydowanie jest to must read dla osób, które gustują w historiach o muzykach oraz opowieściach trzymających w napięciu.

ENG:

The first volume of the Taint series tempted me to buy it with a great description. And if you are planning to read the whole series, why not reach for the second volume before the premiere?

Let's stop for a moment in this place. I am a person who will tell you about "Closer" and who has not read "Revelry" yet. Can be? Can be. Although honestly, after the events in this part, I'm not so sure if I want to get to know the story of Ali and Coop, because, well, I have been reluctant to them by their approach to Levi. First things first.

Levi belongs to a known band. His life is a real madness and the reality of a rock star - sex, alcohol and other drugs, this status does not only match one - Levi has a broken heart. The woman in whom he fell in love chose his friend from the band and it is with him that she arranges her life. And I will tell you honestly that this thread is very extensive and really provoked my compassion for the main character, because both Ali and Coop are very insensitive to Levi's suffering. I understand everything including love, give someone time to recover, but in my opinion they were simply brutal. For this reason, after "Reverly" I will reach for some time, wait until the emotions fall.

That's just excitement! There is no measure here. I did not expect that so much will happen in one part of the series! The author took me by surprise and did not let me even leave my guard for a moment. Until the end, the emotions were high, and I was an emotional bundle of nerves. I was really experiencing everything that was happening, and all because I became familiar with the heroes.

Brie can not be disliked. Frenchwoman with bitter language, an incredible talent for playing the cello and a closed heart. Levi is half Polish, which is a nice addition for me because I was born in Poland, addicted to alcohol and self-pity. Okay, I'm exaggerating the latter a little, but you can not refuse him a developed egocentrism. At first glance, it seemed to me that Brie and Levi are perfectly complementary and help each other deal with the problems, but as it turned out the situation was not so simple. It is worth mentioning, nevertheless, that chemistry and the feeling of their combination are very expressive and real.

In the case of this title, you can not speak about a language barrier. For me, only fragments in French required a complete translation, because I never had contact with this language. In this case, Brie's statements were perfectly suited to the dialogues and after translating they turned out to be really interesting, sometimes even funny.

I remember "Closer" as a pleasant and relaxing reading. Of course, it had it's moments when it broke my heart and caused tears, or showed the dark side of being a star, drugs and alcohol leading to self-destruction. It is definitely a must read for people who like stories about musicians and tales that keep you in suspense.

[Sabrina Fornero · Rating 4 out of 5]

«Tu mi piaci» dice infine, in fretta, come se nel farlo stesse sfidando sé stessa. «Anche se mi fai venire voglia di strangolarti. Anche se sei sfacciato, maleducato e insopportabile quando sei ubriaco – e sei sempre ubriaco – e inopportuno il novantanove percento del tempo e mi guardi come se fossi nuda, come se ti appartenessi per potermi guardare in quel modo… mi piaci.»

Levi e Brielle 🎸🎻è pieno di difetti ma anche a me il chitarrista dei Taint mi piace da impazzire. All’inizio ha il cuore spezzato perché Ali, la Rossa, ha scelto il frontman del gruppo, Coop. Poi la storia si trasferisce in Francia e una ragazza francese arrabbiata cattura il suo cuore. Un Enemies to lovers ma soprattutto un music Romance hot ma anche molto emozionante. La sofferenza di Levi non è solo dovuta al cuore, ad un certo punto tutto crolla e Bri dovrà andare oltre le sue dipendenze per perdonarlo.
Una Jenner che mi ha convinta, finalmente! 👏🏻

[maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book! Levi broke my heart!!
This book leaves off after Ali leaves both Levi and Cooper behind, figuring staying in their relationship will only end badly. Yes this Rock Star series has an M/F/M relationship and for all that is holy it’s so amazingly Hot🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥!!Hot. The characters in this story are incredible. If you have read a Carmen Jenner book you know how she does it!! Her characters become your best friends, you carry them with you!!
So no spoilers... but this book is Levi’s journey to discover himself again. It an awful feeling when you loose yourself trying to love someone else. This is a story of love, life and music and so much more.
Click it! So brilliant!!

[Laurie V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great second book in the series. This book gave some humanity to the character Levi beside just a rock star with a booze problem. Delved into some heavy concepts but I liked how it tied everything up and gave the hero a hea.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rockstar with a whole lot of baggage.



This cover completely drew me in along with the fact Levi is a typical but troubled rock-star and having read reviews for the previous book along with the blurb I was eager to read his story.

I haven't read the previous book and it didn't matter, I could pretty much read between the lines of all that had gone on before.
A good chunk of this book is Levi grieving and feeling sorry for himself and his anger over losing Ali to his band-mate Cooper and then his downhill spiral with drugs and alcohol.

Levi believes he has lost the woman he loves but no amount of fighting for her will get her back when she is madly in love with someone else.

Levis demise comes when Ali and Cooper announce their wedding but at the same time, it saves him.

Levi first meets Brielle who is a beautiful cello player at Cooper's wedding, she's a take no crap kind of girl and doesn't fall for Levi's rock-star charm.
Brie gains the name AFG from Levi which means angry French girl and despite their outward acts of annoyance towards each other, there's a whole lot of chemistry between them too.




I enjoyed closer, one minute I was laughing at Levi's ridiculous comments and the next completely drawn in by either one of the character's anguish or hurt.
Closer brought out a good mix of emotions and it was also a hot read, Levi and Brie have some hot passion and chemistry.

I liked Brie she's a straight talker and definitely could put this annoying cocky rockstar in his place, which she did plenty of times, she saw Levi for who he was and not just the Rockstar he portrayed.

A life of a rock star and all the downs that come along with it, loss, grief, struggles and addictions and in the middle of it all true love is found.

A good story, I'm glad I didn't read the first book, I liked this just the way it was without having any judgement on Levi or anyone with what may have happened before. I know there were threesomes, MFM and a whole lot of other stuff including a love triangle in the previous book but obviously, Levi just hadn't met his girl yet.

Another great read from Carmen Jenner and a great conclusion for Levi, an enjoyable rock-star romance that had me eagerly turning the pages.

Arc gratefully received for review purposes
Http://www.bbbf-sizzlereads-bestbookb...

[Candyce Kirk · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I have to start by saying that this book is a lot different than Cake, haha. Levi is taking it hard that his bandmate is with the girl he loves. It's clear that there is some history there and Levi thinks that alcohol can make it all better. That is until he meets Brielle. When they first meet it's not the best way of starting off on a good foot. He is so drunk he breaks her cello.

Feeling sorry for himself, he ends up buying a chalet in France and getting her to come play with him. Well actually, for him. Any way for him to be able to see her again. It's clear there's an attraction and a slow build up to anything happening. When life takes a turn, things happen and are said that they can't take back. But can they find their way back to each other?

To be honest, I had a love/hate relationship with this book. In the beginning I was kind of annoyed by Levi. How many times do I need to read that certain body parts are huge? Sometimes more than once on one page. I mean, don't get me wrong, it's fine if it's mentioned, but this was just a bit too much!

After Levi gets to the chalet in France, I actually started liking him. When he was with Brielle he was really a different person. I really enjoyed Brielle's character as well. She's down to earth and may have made some mistakes in love before, but she's going to make sure it doesn't happen again. Money is tight and Brielle will do anything to help out her parents. Brielle just never bargained to fall in love.

At a certain point, Closer takes some turns that didn't really maeke sense to me. I felt that when it came to the band members, it should've built up a bit more. Levi takes a turn for the worse to me. Through the whole book he is really constantly drinking. Yes, I get that he's a rock star and can get his hands on everything, but why didn't anyone ever question his drinking? In my eyes, people let it go a bit too easily. Until he takes it too far. And it seems like he did often. Yes, I know all books don't really have a happily ever after in things like this, but it just bugs me.

In the end, it was a fast and easy read. Closer was an interesting story and I became invested in the characters. I loved the other characters as well: Ali, Cooper, Margaux, Brielle, etc. They really made this story complete. The connection between Brielle and Levi is clear from the start and I loved watching them get closer through music. Even Levi grew on me in the end. He is just a guy that experienced a lot of hurt and didn't learn how to cope with that.

When the next books in this series are published, I will definitely be giving them a go!