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Twisted Wishes #3
Reverb
The tougher they are, the harder they fall.
Twisted Wishes bass player Mish Sullivan is a rock goddess—gorgeous, sexy and comfortable in the spotlight. With fame comes unwanted attention, though: a stalker is desperate to get close. Mish can fend for herself, just as she always has. But after an attack lands her in the hospital, the band reacts, sticking her with a bodyguard she doesn’t need or want.
David Altet has an instant connection with Mish. A certified badass, this ex-army martial arts expert can take down a man twice his size. But nothing—not living as a trans man, not his intensive military training—prepared him for the challenge of Mish. Sex with her is a distraction neither of them can afford, yet the hot, kink-filled nights keep coming.
When Mish’s stalker ups his game, David must make a choice—lover or bodyguard. He’d rather have Mish alive than in his bed. But Mish wants David, and no one, especially not a stalker, will force her to give him up.
This book is approximately 105,000 words
One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise : all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!
Twisted Wishes bass player Mish Sullivan is a rock goddess—gorgeous, sexy and comfortable in the spotlight. With fame comes unwanted attention, though: a stalker is desperate to get close. Mish can fend for herself, just as she always has. But after an attack lands her in the hospital, the band reacts, sticking her with a bodyguard she doesn’t need or want.
David Altet has an instant connection with Mish. A certified badass, this ex-army martial arts expert can take down a man twice his size. But nothing—not living as a trans man, not his intensive military training—prepared him for the challenge of Mish. Sex with her is a distraction neither of them can afford, yet the hot, kink-filled nights keep coming.
When Mish’s stalker ups his game, David must make a choice—lover or bodyguard. He’d rather have Mish alive than in his bed. But Mish wants David, and no one, especially not a stalker, will force her to give him up.
This book is approximately 105,000 words
One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise : all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!
317 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 6, 2019
About the author
Anna Zabo
24 books611 followersAnna Zabo (they/them) writes contemporary and paranormal romance for all colors of the rainbow. They live and work in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which isn’t nearly as boring as most people think.
Anna is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns and prefers Mx. Zabo as an honorific.
Anna grew up in the wilds of suburban Philadelphia before returning to their ancestral homelands in Western Pennsylvania. They can be easily plied with coffee.
Anna has an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University, where they fell in with a roving band of romance writers and never looked back. They also have a BA in Creative Writing from Carnegie Mellon University.
Anna is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns and prefers Mx. Zabo as an honorific.
Anna grew up in the wilds of suburban Philadelphia before returning to their ancestral homelands in Western Pennsylvania. They can be easily plied with coffee.
Anna has an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University, where they fell in with a roving band of romance writers and never looked back. They also have a BA in Creative Writing from Carnegie Mellon University.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
November 11, 2021
I’m so fucking disappointed with this i just...
Read
January 23, 2019ETA: Content warnings added Jan 22, 2019.
As you can tell from the cover, this is obviously not m/m. Please don't add it to m/m lists.
This is Mish's book, it's m/f, and a take on the bodyguard trope. Mish is a cis pansexual woman. David is a queer transgender man.
Content warnings (that I can think of) under the spoiler tag.
FYI, no one is deadnamed. Don't even ask, 'cause I don't know.
As you can tell from the cover, this is obviously not m/m. Please don't add it to m/m lists.
This is Mish's book, it's m/f, and a take on the bodyguard trope. Mish is a cis pansexual woman. David is a queer transgender man.
Content warnings (that I can think of) under the spoiler tag.
FYI, no one is deadnamed. Don't even ask, 'cause I don't know.
April 4, 2019
I wanted to read something different and Reverb fulfilled that for some aspects but was also very similar in trope to so much of what I read. Mish Sullivan is the 6'2" red-haired bass player for the highly successful band ‘Twisted Wishes’. When she’s attacked by a scissors-wielding fan it becomes apparent that her stalker needs to be taken a little more seriously. The band hires David Altet, an ex-military martial arts expert as their security and Mish’s bodyguard. David is awed by Mish and it seems she’s just as attracted to him in return, not caring at all about his gender reassignment.
One of the things I really liked about this novel is having a trans character as the main character and also that his transition and identity is a non-issue. However, on the same theme, I wish there had been more information about his background and struggles for no other reason than it would have made him a much richer character with more depth. Mish’s background was also a little glossed over but that might be because this is the third novel in a series and I haven’t read the first two.
Mish’s stalker doesn’t have a threatening enough presence for most of the novel and I found the pace to be quite slow going. In some ways the story reads like a young adult novel but Mish is 35-years-old and David 45-years-old so it doesn’t really fit into the category. The thing I struggled most with though, is that the band with their partners is a close-knit group and consider each other family. It’s a lovely sentiment but I would rather have seen it via their actions and dialogue than it being drummed into me continuously. There are no less than 50 mentions of family as well as a loads more allusions using different words.
That said, it is still a good read and answered questions that I didn’t even know to ask. The last quarter is where the pace picks up and I enjoyed that section the most.
Book received from Netgalley and Carina Press for an honest review.
One of the things I really liked about this novel is having a trans character as the main character and also that his transition and identity is a non-issue. However, on the same theme, I wish there had been more information about his background and struggles for no other reason than it would have made him a much richer character with more depth. Mish’s background was also a little glossed over but that might be because this is the third novel in a series and I haven’t read the first two.
Mish’s stalker doesn’t have a threatening enough presence for most of the novel and I found the pace to be quite slow going. In some ways the story reads like a young adult novel but Mish is 35-years-old and David 45-years-old so it doesn’t really fit into the category. The thing I struggled most with though, is that the band with their partners is a close-knit group and consider each other family. It’s a lovely sentiment but I would rather have seen it via their actions and dialogue than it being drummed into me continuously. There are no less than 50 mentions of family as well as a loads more allusions using different words.
That said, it is still a good read and answered questions that I didn’t even know to ask. The last quarter is where the pace picks up and I enjoyed that section the most.
Book received from Netgalley and Carina Press for an honest review.
April 13, 2019
This is a solid 3.5.
I still haven’t read the first book in this series but after enjoying Counterpoint so much, I knew I had to read Mish’s story. And this was a fun read for the most part and I quite liked the slightly mysterious part of it too.
Mish Sullivan is a badass and hates showing her vulnerable side to anyone. She can seem bull headed at times, but I liked knowing the reasons for the way she is. She is confident and amazing and totally in her element on stage, she enjoys her interactions with fans but there is also a good deal of unwanted attention. The author does a great job of showing us how even fans or people in general treat female artists differently when compared to their own male band mates. The way everyone feels entitled to tell Mish how she should behave or what clothes she should wear or even questioning her sexuality (which she is pretty open about) is a testament to how women in general are constantly questioned for making their own decisions. I really loved Mish for never backing down, despite being stalked but I also really liked that gradually, she let her friends take care of her a little.
David is a bodyguard that Mish doesn’t want, but he is extremely respectful of her decisions while also making sure she is protected. The attraction between them is crackling right from the get go and it was wonderful to see both of them never backing down. I especially loved the emphasis on consent and asking each other about their preferences every time they got together - it was written with such beauty and thoughtfulness, it was great to read. His being trans is also never an issue between them but we can see that he had issues in the past, but he is in a better space now. The author manages to capture the conflict that David feels about protecting Mish as a job vs because of his relationship and his worry about how his feelings might affect his job. He is really hard on himself and while everyone can see that, he can be a little adamant too. While it felt like the relationship moved into serious territory pretty quickly, it felt very organic and David and Mish were just so good for each other.
My favorite part of this book and the series in general is still the band. They are an amazing group of people who love their music, their art and their fans but they mean so much more to each other. It’s a perfect found family dynamic and I love how everyone of them is always there for each other. Mish might not want to show any vulnerability, but Zav and Ray are always ready to shoulder her burdens or just let her express her feelings. I also loved seeing Adrian become such an inseparable part of the group and his budding friendship with David was a delight to read. It’s pretty evident from the beginning that David fits in perfectly with the group and I absolutely adored the scenes where they were all together just goofing off.
This is only my second book by Anna Zabo but I’ve quickly realized they’re awesome at writing banter. The back and forth and conversations in this book are flirty, sweet and heartfelt and I had a big smile on my face for most of it. The situations in the story also feel very realistic and it felt like a good depiction of the darker side of fame and social media. The writing was also very easy to read and I finished very quickly. It would have been a solid 4 or maybe more but the conflict after about 70% felt so irrational and pointless to me. David had his reasons but just like Mish, I couldn’t agree with them and it just shocked me for a while. But I’m glad the author didn’t drag it out a lot and the ending was really sweet.
This is a nice love story which works well as a stand-alone but I think reading the previous installments gives it more depth. If you love badass female rockstars who are never afraid to punch someone who deserves it, you should definitely check this out. This series also has some of the best friend groups I’ve read in recent times and I am totally in love with Twisted Wishes.
I still haven’t read the first book in this series but after enjoying Counterpoint so much, I knew I had to read Mish’s story. And this was a fun read for the most part and I quite liked the slightly mysterious part of it too.
Mish Sullivan is a badass and hates showing her vulnerable side to anyone. She can seem bull headed at times, but I liked knowing the reasons for the way she is. She is confident and amazing and totally in her element on stage, she enjoys her interactions with fans but there is also a good deal of unwanted attention. The author does a great job of showing us how even fans or people in general treat female artists differently when compared to their own male band mates. The way everyone feels entitled to tell Mish how she should behave or what clothes she should wear or even questioning her sexuality (which she is pretty open about) is a testament to how women in general are constantly questioned for making their own decisions. I really loved Mish for never backing down, despite being stalked but I also really liked that gradually, she let her friends take care of her a little.
David is a bodyguard that Mish doesn’t want, but he is extremely respectful of her decisions while also making sure she is protected. The attraction between them is crackling right from the get go and it was wonderful to see both of them never backing down. I especially loved the emphasis on consent and asking each other about their preferences every time they got together - it was written with such beauty and thoughtfulness, it was great to read. His being trans is also never an issue between them but we can see that he had issues in the past, but he is in a better space now. The author manages to capture the conflict that David feels about protecting Mish as a job vs because of his relationship and his worry about how his feelings might affect his job. He is really hard on himself and while everyone can see that, he can be a little adamant too. While it felt like the relationship moved into serious territory pretty quickly, it felt very organic and David and Mish were just so good for each other.
My favorite part of this book and the series in general is still the band. They are an amazing group of people who love their music, their art and their fans but they mean so much more to each other. It’s a perfect found family dynamic and I love how everyone of them is always there for each other. Mish might not want to show any vulnerability, but Zav and Ray are always ready to shoulder her burdens or just let her express her feelings. I also loved seeing Adrian become such an inseparable part of the group and his budding friendship with David was a delight to read. It’s pretty evident from the beginning that David fits in perfectly with the group and I absolutely adored the scenes where they were all together just goofing off.
This is only my second book by Anna Zabo but I’ve quickly realized they’re awesome at writing banter. The back and forth and conversations in this book are flirty, sweet and heartfelt and I had a big smile on my face for most of it. The situations in the story also feel very realistic and it felt like a good depiction of the darker side of fame and social media. The writing was also very easy to read and I finished very quickly. It would have been a solid 4 or maybe more but the conflict after about 70% felt so irrational and pointless to me. David had his reasons but just like Mish, I couldn’t agree with them and it just shocked me for a while. But I’m glad the author didn’t drag it out a lot and the ending was really sweet.
This is a nice love story which works well as a stand-alone but I think reading the previous installments gives it more depth. If you love badass female rockstars who are never afraid to punch someone who deserves it, you should definitely check this out. This series also has some of the best friend groups I’ve read in recent times and I am totally in love with Twisted Wishes.
April 30, 2019
Well I guess SYNCOPATION was the exception and not the rule for me because here we are again with another surprise disappointment.
Zabo excels at representation and I have no complaints on that score. But this is the second romance to fast track at the speed of light and it just felt very.. repetitive. You know how people have a drinking game for every time you hear the word 'family' in any of the Fast and the Furious movies? It would also apply to this. You could also take a shot for every time you see a rehash of Zav being all knowing, Mish thinking she needs to protect everyone, etc etc. It's just a lot of the same stuff over and over again and while in theory I'm down with the concept : queer band, found family, rockstars, and, in REVERB, a bodyguard romance.. it just.. limps along.
I'm sorry to say not only did I skim but I put this down at every opportunity given the most minor of distraction. It's probably me. But I am sad because I loved so much of the first in this series. I might give the author a try again but sadly would not prioritize.
** I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
Zabo excels at representation and I have no complaints on that score. But this is the second romance to fast track at the speed of light and it just felt very.. repetitive. You know how people have a drinking game for every time you hear the word 'family' in any of the Fast and the Furious movies? It would also apply to this. You could also take a shot for every time you see a rehash of Zav being all knowing, Mish thinking she needs to protect everyone, etc etc. It's just a lot of the same stuff over and over again and while in theory I'm down with the concept : queer band, found family, rockstars, and, in REVERB, a bodyguard romance.. it just.. limps along.
I'm sorry to say not only did I skim but I put this down at every opportunity given the most minor of distraction. It's probably me. But I am sad because I loved so much of the first in this series. I might give the author a try again but sadly would not prioritize.
** I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
Shelved as 'dnf'
August 23, 2019
I was sent this book as an advance copy by the publisher via NetGalley for reviewing purposes, but all opinions are my own.
DNF @ 55%, no rating BUT GOOD RATING
Please hear me out before you dismiss this as a DNF review!
Book two of this series, Counterpoint, was my favorite romance of 2018. Even knowing this, I didn't know how much I had grown attached to Twisted Wishes (the band these books follow) until I started Reverb and I literally couldn't stop crying (of joy!) at the mention of both the previous two couples and the mention of how much of a family they've all become.
I love Mish so much and I devoured the first half of this book basically in one sitting and I was highly enjoying her romance with David, her bodyguard and a queer trans man.
However, I had to decide for my sanity to DNF after months of postponing finishing the second half of the book, because the element that drives the plot (Mish has a stalker) was giving me so much anxiety I couldn't bring myself to turn the page anymore. I thought about it long and hard and took this decision which was difficult because of how much I love the series and was loving this book itself, but I just couldn't force myself to go through an anxiety attack.
So, as much as it made me extremely sad and frustrated, and as much as I was loving the book, this was the best decision for me, but I'd highly recommend reading it both as a standalone and as the last installment of the series (which you should read anyway because you will fall in love with the band).
And because it can be triggering, make sure you're safe and if you find yourself not being able to continue, or if you have to pause for a little while, think about me and feel free to use me as a positive example of self care, lol.
TWs (partly taken from my friends' reviews): misogyny, stalking, hospitals, violence, rape mention
DNF @ 55%, no rating BUT GOOD RATING
Please hear me out before you dismiss this as a DNF review!
Book two of this series, Counterpoint, was my favorite romance of 2018. Even knowing this, I didn't know how much I had grown attached to Twisted Wishes (the band these books follow) until I started Reverb and I literally couldn't stop crying (of joy!) at the mention of both the previous two couples and the mention of how much of a family they've all become.
I love Mish so much and I devoured the first half of this book basically in one sitting and I was highly enjoying her romance with David, her bodyguard and a queer trans man.
However, I had to decide for my sanity to DNF after months of postponing finishing the second half of the book, because the element that drives the plot (Mish has a stalker) was giving me so much anxiety I couldn't bring myself to turn the page anymore. I thought about it long and hard and took this decision which was difficult because of how much I love the series and was loving this book itself, but I just couldn't force myself to go through an anxiety attack.
So, as much as it made me extremely sad and frustrated, and as much as I was loving the book, this was the best decision for me, but I'd highly recommend reading it both as a standalone and as the last installment of the series (which you should read anyway because you will fall in love with the band).
And because it can be triggering, make sure you're safe and if you find yourself not being able to continue, or if you have to pause for a little while, think about me and feel free to use me as a positive example of self care, lol.
TWs (partly taken from my friends' reviews): misogyny, stalking, hospitals, violence, rape mention
November 14, 2020
Like the rest of the series, Reverb is a queer romance, and the queerness extends to its side characters too. Mish is a pansexual cis woman and David is a trans man. The two other couples in the band are male/male, and one of the men is aromantic. The total lack of agony over any of their queerness is refreshing, since there’s no biphobia or slutshaming about Mish’s romantic history with men and women (a common pitfall with bisexual characters in romance, which has been getting better in recent years), or transphobia directed at David. Instead, Reverb dishes up tons of delicious sexual tension, with Mish and David’s vulnerabilities coming from other places in their personal histories.
Full review: https://www.lambdaliterary.org/2019/1...
Full review: https://www.lambdaliterary.org/2019/1...
March 30, 2019
Review also on my blog • Twitter • Bookstagram
Rep: pansexual main character, trans man main character, side mlm characters
I received an arc from the publisher bia netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Reverb's the third and final book in the Twisted Wishes series. It follows Mish who appeared in the first two books, and introduced David. The basic trope of this is bodyguard/famous person.
I can say I liked it, but not as much as the first two books. I did find the plot really engaging, and I liked both Mish and David a lot. And while I did enjoy the romance, I wouldn't say I was that... I guess attached? This probably stems from not loving m/f romances most of the time. But I can still say this was a great book. I love all of the characters,
I don't have much to say really. I liked it, just not as much as the first two books. I'm happy to see that Mish has found her person, since I've loved her from Syncopation.
April 16, 2019
In the third book of the series, Twisted Wishes are back on tour, better and with more energy than ever. But there's tension - because Mish, the band's bassist, has a stalker, and because the sparks between her and David, the band's newly hired security guy, are undenyable.
What I loved most about Reverb was the strong theme of found family. I adored the interactions between Mish and her bandmates (and their partners, along with their new manager), their easy familiarity, teasing and how palpable the love between them all was. David fit in perfectly despite his loner-attitude, making the found-family-theme wind throughout the entire book.
While Counterpoint was very focused on internal conflict and the direct interactions between the two protagonists, here the side characters are more present. We not just get to see the band a lot, but also the crew, fans and more who they meet while touring at a much closer angle than in Syncopation, which I loved!
Both the stalking and the bodyguard thing wasn't too on-the-nose, partly even fading into the background, which fits with the rest of the series and the not always detailed conflict. I didn't mind that much, I had a great time reading!
The trans rep was very well done, with no educational or long-winding explanations. David happens to be trans, which isn't dwelled on, simply a part of him.
Content warnings include: stalking, online harassment, assault (more than once, with the intent to steal, cut hair, intimidate and stab with a knife, sexual assault of a minor), theft, misogyny and misogynistic slurs, sex on-page; mentions of transphobia, death of parent because of cancer,
I received an ARC and reviewed voluntarily!
What I loved most about Reverb was the strong theme of found family. I adored the interactions between Mish and her bandmates (and their partners, along with their new manager), their easy familiarity, teasing and how palpable the love between them all was. David fit in perfectly despite his loner-attitude, making the found-family-theme wind throughout the entire book.
While Counterpoint was very focused on internal conflict and the direct interactions between the two protagonists, here the side characters are more present. We not just get to see the band a lot, but also the crew, fans and more who they meet while touring at a much closer angle than in Syncopation, which I loved!
Both the stalking and the bodyguard thing wasn't too on-the-nose, partly even fading into the background, which fits with the rest of the series and the not always detailed conflict. I didn't mind that much, I had a great time reading!
The trans rep was very well done, with no educational or long-winding explanations. David happens to be trans, which isn't dwelled on, simply a part of him.
Content warnings include: stalking, online harassment, assault (more than once, with the intent to steal, cut hair, intimidate and stab with a knife, sexual assault of a minor), theft, misogyny and misogynistic slurs, sex on-page; mentions of transphobia, death of parent because of cancer,
I received an ARC and reviewed voluntarily!
April 15, 2019
After reading the book description, I thought this is not my usual storyline interest but I thought what the heck, try it. Turns out, I am glad I did. This is a read about finding comfort and contentment in self. There is no right way to discover love. Mish Sullivan is the bass player for a successful band. She looks at the love her fellow band mates enjoy with their partners and wishes she had some of that. David Altet, former military, martial arts expert and current for hire bodyguard. David is hired to protect Mish and her fellow band members from a stalker. When David and Mish meet, there is an attraction. Will they or will they not find a connection that goes beyond a few days, weeks or months. I enjoyed the back and forth self-talk of Mish and David. It was interesting to know what was going on in their heads and hearts. Provided a connection with the characters which in my opinion, was a good thing.
March 13, 2019
This is my first time with Anna Zabo and while Reverb is the third book in the Twisted Wishes series, the story definitely stands alone. However, after finishing Reverb I now need to immediately read the first two books in the series, so if you haven't yet you definitely have a little time to tackle them while waiting for Reverb's release on May 6, 2019.
There are a few content warnings, which are noted behind the spoiler at the bottom of this review.
Reverb is a classic rock star and body guard romance with a deliciously queer and sexy cast of characters and I loved it!
When David Altet is hired on as a bodyguard for the band Twisted Wishes after its bassist and rock queen Mish is assaulted by a dangerously over-zealous fan, he finds himself falling in love with both the band's found family and Mish herself, a feeling which threatens his own sense of security in being able to get the job done.
Mish is also falling for the handsome and delicious security expert and wants him in her bed and her life more than she wants his protection. Mish knows how to take care of herself, but as the threats grow these two will need to figure out how their two completely separate worlds can ever be combined.
What I adored the best about this story is that while David is a trans-man, his gender is not the driving point of the plot. I'm a White, cis-het woman so I'm not an expert in this own-voices book, but I thought the way David told Mish his story was beautiful and total relationship goals. I loved how Zabo has Mish, a queer woman with many lovers of many different genders, easily accept David for exactly who he is and love him completely while also allowing her to discuss with David the best way to do so, both mentally and physically.
I also adored the secondary characters who obviously have their own books, and can't wait to read more about them!
Content warnings I noticed are behind the spoiler. I do believe the author may have noted some on their own page as well.
There are a few content warnings, which are noted behind the spoiler at the bottom of this review.
Reverb is a classic rock star and body guard romance with a deliciously queer and sexy cast of characters and I loved it!
When David Altet is hired on as a bodyguard for the band Twisted Wishes after its bassist and rock queen Mish is assaulted by a dangerously over-zealous fan, he finds himself falling in love with both the band's found family and Mish herself, a feeling which threatens his own sense of security in being able to get the job done.
Mish is also falling for the handsome and delicious security expert and wants him in her bed and her life more than she wants his protection. Mish knows how to take care of herself, but as the threats grow these two will need to figure out how their two completely separate worlds can ever be combined.
What I adored the best about this story is that while David is a trans-man, his gender is not the driving point of the plot. I'm a White, cis-het woman so I'm not an expert in this own-voices book, but I thought the way David told Mish his story was beautiful and total relationship goals. I loved how Zabo has Mish, a queer woman with many lovers of many different genders, easily accept David for exactly who he is and love him completely while also allowing her to discuss with David the best way to do so, both mentally and physically.
I also adored the secondary characters who obviously have their own books, and can't wait to read more about them!
Content warnings I noticed are behind the spoiler. I do believe the author may have noted some on their own page as well.
March 15, 2023
This is the queerest book I have ever read. It is a panorama of queerness. This is the third installment of a series, but it is also the place I started, and I can tell that it is consistent with the earlier entries (which I will go back and read.) I loved it. Alternately sweet and sad and sexy and romantic and at all moments transgressive.
The central couple David and Mish, are lost souls who end up being pretty perfect for one-another and for their larger chosen family. Mish is a 6'1" bi glamazon rock queen with a bit of the dom in her, the bassist for a very queer jam band of sorts called Twisted Wishes who are, with their partners. a real and loving family. When a stalker starts to worry the band they hire security in the form of David. a 5'9" transman with a lot of damage from his time in the military, and also from coming out (twice) and finding that the people around him were not as loving as one might hope. The hurdles to their relationship make sense, David is a man, a man who knows who he is but who has been hurt and who insulates himself by not opening himself to more rejection. Mish is a badass musician who knows her worth, and also a woman whose mother was always involved with terrible men, so she is hesitant to sink into coupledom. Things happen, as expected Mish and David and his bag of dicks find their happily ever after. The prose is a bit overwrought in parts, and the lyrics included are SO BAD, but this is a high 4.
The central couple David and Mish, are lost souls who end up being pretty perfect for one-another and for their larger chosen family. Mish is a 6'1" bi glamazon rock queen with a bit of the dom in her, the bassist for a very queer jam band of sorts called Twisted Wishes who are, with their partners. a real and loving family. When a stalker starts to worry the band they hire security in the form of David. a 5'9" transman with a lot of damage from his time in the military, and also from coming out (twice) and finding that the people around him were not as loving as one might hope. The hurdles to their relationship make sense, David is a man, a man who knows who he is but who has been hurt and who insulates himself by not opening himself to more rejection. Mish is a badass musician who knows her worth, and also a woman whose mother was always involved with terrible men, so she is hesitant to sink into coupledom. Things happen, as expected Mish and David and his bag of dicks find their happily ever after. The prose is a bit overwrought in parts, and the lyrics included are SO BAD, but this is a high 4.
May 7, 2019
I love Anna Zabo's books and I loved this one too. The character work and romance are just so good.
The sexual agency of both Mish and David make this book a treasure. We get the fun of a bodyguard and rocker troupe.
The nuanced address of David as a transgender male is so welcome. I really liked the settled into his skin and person of his character. His inner conflicts come from being a protector. Plus, he is super hot.
So, is Mish but she is actually much more of a closed book but the band mate dynamic is great.
The stalker plot isn't my favorite and the balance with the relationship and what these events say about each lead and their interactions with each other isn't spot on for me. They both annoy by being locked in to some ideas and I don't get enough in the HEA to relax all the way but I liked them both apart and together and wished for the very best.
Fun read and sexy!
I was given this book for my honest review. So, there you have it.
The sexual agency of both Mish and David make this book a treasure. We get the fun of a bodyguard and rocker troupe.
The nuanced address of David as a transgender male is so welcome. I really liked the settled into his skin and person of his character. His inner conflicts come from being a protector. Plus, he is super hot.
So, is Mish but she is actually much more of a closed book but the band mate dynamic is great.
The stalker plot isn't my favorite and the balance with the relationship and what these events say about each lead and their interactions with each other isn't spot on for me. They both annoy by being locked in to some ideas and I don't get enough in the HEA to relax all the way but I liked them both apart and together and wished for the very best.
Fun read and sexy!
I was given this book for my honest review. So, there you have it.
March 25, 2019
This book was just as amazing as I knew it would be and now I need to try to calm myself down so I can write a legitimate review when all I want to do is scream with joy.
Read the review on my blog!
Read the review on my blog!
May 8, 2019
With each book of Mx. Zabo’s that I read, I think that they can’t possibly top their last. But they always prove me wrong by writing a story that is more unique, more boundary-pushing and more engaging than the last.
Reverb is the third book in the series, following the band Twisted Wishes along their rise to fame. While each book covers a different band member, this can still be read as a stand alone. We’ve met Mish in Dom’s, Ray’s and Zav’s stories and now we finally get to see her happy ending. Mish is the Rock Queen, the ballsy, strong bass player that holds the band together. But when a stalker threatens her safety, David is hired to provide protection.
From the start, the attraction between Mish and David is apparent. The flirting, the looks, it all provides an undercurrent and a hum between the two of them that is undeniable. And no matter how much David fights the appropriateness of entering into a relationship with a client, he can’t resist Mish.
I loved the themes of this story. About acceptance, about family being who you choose to surround yourself with. But what I found most interesting was that the fact that David was a trans-male, and this was never made to be a big issue. It just was what it was. There was never a big reveal, it was never dwelled on, no discussion about David’s background and the decisions he made regarding this. This was just how David was. I found it heartening that the acceptance of David was simply there among this queer-friendly band, and given Mish’s pansexual leanings, never an issue. Both Mish and David accepted one another for who they were. Stereotypes were totally smashed, with the dominant woman kicking ass and the masculine body guard easily submitting to the whims of his rock goddess.
Anna Zabo truly is a fascinating author. Their books always pull me in with the amount of heart and intelligence they contain. Combined with the masterful creation of characters that I wish could be real, each new story Mx. Zabo puts out is guaranteed to be one that won’t be able to put down. Reverb was emotional, sexy, sweetly romantic and I am sorry my time on the Twisted Wishes tour had to come to an end. This was truly one of the most accepting books I’ve read in a long time.
April 9, 2019
Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this novel!
Title: Reverb
Author: Anna Zobo
Rating: 4 stars
Rep: Pansexual MC and trans MC. Pretty much every character in this book is LGBTQ+
Disclaimer: I haven't actually read the other two books in this series, but this one can be read as a standalone. After reading this, I can't wait to pick up the previous books! I think this could've been potentially more amazing if I had read the other two first though.
David is a 43-year-old bodyguard, who's next assignment is guarding Mish, a 33-year-old rock star after she starts receiving threatening messages from a potential stalker.
David is a trans man, this is not the focus of the story at all, which I loved. Mish is pansexual and when David and her first meet they are instantly attracted to each other.
I will admit to saying that I am not usually a fan of "music" or "rock" romances, but I couldn't pass this one up when I realised it had trans and pan rep!
I loved Mish, she was hilarious and such a strong woman. Their relationship was spot on, amazing chemistry between them.
I loved the strong theme of family, found/chosen family in particular. How all the characters had each other's back, protected each other and cared about one another.
I did find the plot too slow at points and the story began to get very monotonous. Same thing again and again which did get a bit boring after a while. Slowly paced plots are not necessarily bad, but I prefer fast-paced.
Overall I am so happy I read this book and I would recommend this to anyone who likes diverse characters, romance and music.
Title: Reverb
Author: Anna Zobo
Rating: 4 stars
Rep: Pansexual MC and trans MC. Pretty much every character in this book is LGBTQ+
Disclaimer: I haven't actually read the other two books in this series, but this one can be read as a standalone. After reading this, I can't wait to pick up the previous books! I think this could've been potentially more amazing if I had read the other two first though.
David is a 43-year-old bodyguard, who's next assignment is guarding Mish, a 33-year-old rock star after she starts receiving threatening messages from a potential stalker.
David is a trans man, this is not the focus of the story at all, which I loved. Mish is pansexual and when David and her first meet they are instantly attracted to each other.
I will admit to saying that I am not usually a fan of "music" or "rock" romances, but I couldn't pass this one up when I realised it had trans and pan rep!
I loved Mish, she was hilarious and such a strong woman. Their relationship was spot on, amazing chemistry between them.
I loved the strong theme of family, found/chosen family in particular. How all the characters had each other's back, protected each other and cared about one another.
I did find the plot too slow at points and the story began to get very monotonous. Same thing again and again which did get a bit boring after a while. Slowly paced plots are not necessarily bad, but I prefer fast-paced.
Overall I am so happy I read this book and I would recommend this to anyone who likes diverse characters, romance and music.
July 13, 2020
I've given this an A for narration and a B for content at AudioGals, so 4.5 stars.
I’ve been really enjoying Anna Zabo’s series about the members of the rock group Twisted Wishes. When we first met them in Syncopation, they were on the verge of making it big, and by the time of Counterpoint, their position as one of the most famous bands around had been cemented. Reverb finds the group about to go on tour once again, this time as a headlining act, and now it’s the turn of bassist Mish Sullivan to get her happy ever after.
Beautiful, confident and talented, Mish has always seemed like the glue that has – on occasion – held Twisted Wishes together. She’s not had an easy life, having lost the mother she loved dearly to cancer when she was in her teens, but she’s moved on and made a successful life for herself with the band, who are her family. But the sort of fame she’s now enjoying brings problems of its own; over the last few months, Mish has been receiving threatening emails from an obsessive fan who is clearly stalking her. She’s tried to play it down, but when she’s attacked by a (different) fan wielding a pair of scissors (wanting to cut off a lock of hair) Ray Van Zeller decides it’s time to step up their security and hires ex-military martial arts expert David Altet as protection for them all – but really, to act as a bodyguard for Mish.
You can read the rest of this review at AudioGals .
I’ve been really enjoying Anna Zabo’s series about the members of the rock group Twisted Wishes. When we first met them in Syncopation, they were on the verge of making it big, and by the time of Counterpoint, their position as one of the most famous bands around had been cemented. Reverb finds the group about to go on tour once again, this time as a headlining act, and now it’s the turn of bassist Mish Sullivan to get her happy ever after.
Beautiful, confident and talented, Mish has always seemed like the glue that has – on occasion – held Twisted Wishes together. She’s not had an easy life, having lost the mother she loved dearly to cancer when she was in her teens, but she’s moved on and made a successful life for herself with the band, who are her family. But the sort of fame she’s now enjoying brings problems of its own; over the last few months, Mish has been receiving threatening emails from an obsessive fan who is clearly stalking her. She’s tried to play it down, but when she’s attacked by a (different) fan wielding a pair of scissors (wanting to cut off a lock of hair) Ray Van Zeller decides it’s time to step up their security and hires ex-military martial arts expert David Altet as protection for them all – but really, to act as a bodyguard for Mish.
You can read the rest of this review at AudioGals .
June 23, 2019
Mish is the bass player in a band, and her bandmates are her family. They’ve put in the work for years and are now seeing success and fame, but that all comes with a dark side. After threatening messages appear on social media that target Mish specifically, the band hires David, a military veteran and security expert who is also a trans man, to keep Mish and her bandmates safe. What David didn’t count on is falling for the woman he’s supposed to be protecting (bodyguard trope, anyone?), and he definitely didn’t expect to feel like the band could be his safe haven too. The book maybe could have been shorter with less repetitive inner monologue-ing, but the found family/total acceptance gooeyness made me really happy.
March 12, 2019
Oh goodness I loved this one. As much even as I loved the other two in the series!! Goodness, what was not to like? There was a bodyguard/rockstar romance. The movie with a similar premise was referenced multiple times. Reverb brought new and interesting twists to the old story. Although David does step back from Mish, it's not his first reaction when things go wrong. Chosen family! Adorable side character romances! A band of amazing queer misfits to die for!
Okay, let me start from the beginning. This is Mish's story, the bass player for the band Twisted Wishes. We've previously had the stories for Ray and Dom, both of them m/m romances. This is a f/m story with a trans male protagonist.
Mish is kickass and powerful and manages to look after and protect the rest of the band without coming across as the band mother. She kinda defies already established female archetypes and kinda just makes her own way.
David is definitely the same. Although he is trans, this is not a trans story. It's part of his history, and it's definitely mentioned, but it's not everything he is. The rest of his personality is filled with pride, wanting to belong, needing to feel useful. Actually, I could very much relate to David. Especially in his stupid and self blaming moments.
His close friendship with Adrian, the other person who isn't part of the band but is part of the inner circle, was I think my favourite side relationship. We've seen Misha in previous books, and obviously we saw Adrian with Dom in Counterpoint, but I enjoyed seeing this different side of Adrian in a platonic friendship as I enjoyed seeing him stretch his dominant nature with Dom.
Zavier is a terrific know it all as ever, and the many references to Ray's hospitalisation at the end of Syncopation made me wanna just go back and start the whole series right back from the start now that I've finished this trilogy.
Okay, let me start from the beginning. This is Mish's story, the bass player for the band Twisted Wishes. We've previously had the stories for Ray and Dom, both of them m/m romances. This is a f/m story with a trans male protagonist.
Mish is kickass and powerful and manages to look after and protect the rest of the band without coming across as the band mother. She kinda defies already established female archetypes and kinda just makes her own way.
David is definitely the same. Although he is trans, this is not a trans story. It's part of his history, and it's definitely mentioned, but it's not everything he is. The rest of his personality is filled with pride, wanting to belong, needing to feel useful. Actually, I could very much relate to David. Especially in his stupid and self blaming moments.
His close friendship with Adrian, the other person who isn't part of the band but is part of the inner circle, was I think my favourite side relationship. We've seen Misha in previous books, and obviously we saw Adrian with Dom in Counterpoint, but I enjoyed seeing this different side of Adrian in a platonic friendship as I enjoyed seeing him stretch his dominant nature with Dom.
Zavier is a terrific know it all as ever, and the many references to Ray's hospitalisation at the end of Syncopation made me wanna just go back and start the whole series right back from the start now that I've finished this trilogy.
March 29, 2019
Reverb follows the romance of the rock band’s bass-player, Mish Sullivan. Mish is lone woman on their stage, and even though the guys she built the band with are her friends and family-of-the-heart, she’s still used to taking care of herself, along with all of them. So when a creepy stalker focuses on her and her alone, she’s not willing to look weak or need protection. At least not until she meets her new bodyguard, David Altet. Their chemistry is instant, and David finds himself too focused on Mish to think he’s doing his job - no matter how much getting close to Mish IS the job. He gets all the way in, both to Mish’s heart and the family of the band, only to pull all the way out when the stalker starts to close in. In the end, he keeps Mish safe from her creeper, but not her heartbreak.
VERDICT: Reverb is a terrific play on the classic bodyguard romance, but with a whole lot of twists - and kinks. Unlike the previous books in this series, it is not M/M, while still being queer romance as Mish is both pansexual and kinky, while David is trans. It’s also far from the standard alpha male romance, as David is a fascinating beta hero. Recommended for lovers of rock star romances, and those looking for fresh takes on the genre and its protagonists.
VERDICT: Reverb is a terrific play on the classic bodyguard romance, but with a whole lot of twists - and kinks. Unlike the previous books in this series, it is not M/M, while still being queer romance as Mish is both pansexual and kinky, while David is trans. It’s also far from the standard alpha male romance, as David is a fascinating beta hero. Recommended for lovers of rock star romances, and those looking for fresh takes on the genre and its protagonists.
May 7, 2019
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
Reverb is the third book in the Twisted Wishes series. Mish has appeared in the first two books and David is new to the series. While their relationship stands alone, all of the other MCs are present and many references are made to previous situations. This book also showcases how incredibly close the band is and I appreciated knowing all the connections.
Mish is a strong female lead character. In the world of rock and roll, she can hold her own and has found something special with the guys in the band. She came from a more difficult childhood and no longer has any close relatives, but the band fills that void. I really enjoyed how Zabo showcases the found family the band has become and that is an integral part of the story. It’s not easy to be included in that closeness, but David fits in perfectly with them.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
4 stars
Reverb is the third book in the Twisted Wishes series. Mish has appeared in the first two books and David is new to the series. While their relationship stands alone, all of the other MCs are present and many references are made to previous situations. This book also showcases how incredibly close the band is and I appreciated knowing all the connections.
Mish is a strong female lead character. In the world of rock and roll, she can hold her own and has found something special with the guys in the band. She came from a more difficult childhood and no longer has any close relatives, but the band fills that void. I really enjoyed how Zabo showcases the found family the band has become and that is an integral part of the story. It’s not easy to be included in that closeness, but David fits in perfectly with them.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
July 18, 2020
Twisted Wishes need a bodyguard because a stalker is after the bassist, Mish Sullivan, and they're going on tour. David, a trans man, veteran, and bodyguard is hired for the job. While the plot is driven by the stalker, the book is really about found family, acceptance, and queer spaces. The author definitely drives home those themes A LOT but I feel like that is just where we collectively are today, queer characters need books with loving found families and acceptance. I am docking a star because it could have been edited down a bit but overall this book was super sweet. I've been looking for trans stories and this is such a good one, especially because it doesn't center on David's trans identity or his history or pain, but rather on his relationship with Mish and the band. Also David has a teddy bear with his dog tags on it and it's the sweetest fucking thing. ALSO David is in his 40s how bout that.
March 14, 2021
Delightfully queer. Wonderful found family. Competence Porn. Normalization of Therapy. Rockstar Goodness. Those are 5 main reasons I love this series. What a fantastic run of three books. Highly Recommend!
May 8, 2019
Classic bodyguard story with transgender twist.
Someone has been sending Mish threatening emails and leaving nasty comments about her on the bands various social media sights. Someone has even gotten too close and cut a lock of her hair, and she was hurt defending herself.
The band is worried so they hire David. They each have reasons to stay away from each other, but the attraction is too strong.
Will David be able to keep their personal life separate from the job? Will he ever feel like he’s enough for a rock goddess?
I really enjoyed this. I was sucked into the story from the beginning and barely put it down until I was finished. This was my first Anna Zabo book, but I’ll definitely be checking out the previous books in this series, along with some of her other works.
*ARC provided by LesCourt Services
Someone has been sending Mish threatening emails and leaving nasty comments about her on the bands various social media sights. Someone has even gotten too close and cut a lock of her hair, and she was hurt defending herself.
The band is worried so they hire David. They each have reasons to stay away from each other, but the attraction is too strong.
Will David be able to keep their personal life separate from the job? Will he ever feel like he’s enough for a rock goddess?
I really enjoyed this. I was sucked into the story from the beginning and barely put it down until I was finished. This was my first Anna Zabo book, but I’ll definitely be checking out the previous books in this series, along with some of her other works.
*ARC provided by LesCourt Services
April 7, 2019
What a wonderful end to an amazing series!
The good:
- Mish is a pansexual cis woman, David is a trans man, and they're in a book full of lots of queer folks written by a non-binary person. All the yes.
- The romance is like-likes-like, which I don't see very often. Mish and David both see themselves as protectors and have a similar personality type, and as a result they have a feel for what makes each other tick. It brings them closer while also contributing to issues down the line.
- I love that Zabo doesn't have Big Miscommunications in their books. People talk to each other about their feelings like the adults they are - insert mock gasp of shock here. 😉
- The found family dynamic runs through the series and is extra strong here. You can sense that the group is nearly complete and that David is the last puzzle piece. And him fitting goes both ways - the band accepts him as part of the family, and he has to realize and accept that he both fits and is wanted.
- There's a natural friendship between David and Adrian as the two guys who are with the band but don't play on stage and it works so well.
- The queerness of the band is never forgotten, and they are totally there for their fans and each other, from lead singer down through the roadies.
- Little realities of touring ring true and make sense. For example, when they get donuts at a rest stop they make sure to buy the most garish ones they can find because they'll look good on Instagram.
- There's tons of positive modelling, showing how delicate situations should be handled. When David sees a crew member hesitating to enter the men's room, unsure of their reception, he warmly says "come with me" and strikes up a conversation.
- In a similar vein, David is cis-passing, so Mish doesn't realize that he's trans. We see him come out to her from his point of view, worried she won't be accepting. Her reaction is honest, real, unforced, and utterly respectful and accepting. We see how much it means to David, and I fell in love with both of them even more.
Neither here-nor-there:
- The BDSM element so strong in the first two books is really light here. That being said, if you're interested at all in this series I suggest you start with book one, Syncopation, in order to enjoy the character arcs and warm fuzzies to their fullest.
The not-so-good:
- Nothing in particular!
I'm both sad to see this series end and excited to see what Zabo does next - it appears that Twisted Wishes' opening band could get its own spin off series and I hope it does, and soon!
The good:
- Mish is a pansexual cis woman, David is a trans man, and they're in a book full of lots of queer folks written by a non-binary person. All the yes.
- The romance is like-likes-like, which I don't see very often. Mish and David both see themselves as protectors and have a similar personality type, and as a result they have a feel for what makes each other tick. It brings them closer while also contributing to issues down the line.
- I love that Zabo doesn't have Big Miscommunications in their books. People talk to each other about their feelings like the adults they are - insert mock gasp of shock here. 😉
- The found family dynamic runs through the series and is extra strong here. You can sense that the group is nearly complete and that David is the last puzzle piece. And him fitting goes both ways - the band accepts him as part of the family, and he has to realize and accept that he both fits and is wanted.
- There's a natural friendship between David and Adrian as the two guys who are with the band but don't play on stage and it works so well.
- The queerness of the band is never forgotten, and they are totally there for their fans and each other, from lead singer down through the roadies.
- Little realities of touring ring true and make sense. For example, when they get donuts at a rest stop they make sure to buy the most garish ones they can find because they'll look good on Instagram.
- There's tons of positive modelling, showing how delicate situations should be handled. When David sees a crew member hesitating to enter the men's room, unsure of their reception, he warmly says "come with me" and strikes up a conversation.
- In a similar vein, David is cis-passing, so Mish doesn't realize that he's trans. We see him come out to her from his point of view, worried she won't be accepting. Her reaction is honest, real, unforced, and utterly respectful and accepting. We see how much it means to David, and I fell in love with both of them even more.
Neither here-nor-there:
- The BDSM element so strong in the first two books is really light here. That being said, if you're interested at all in this series I suggest you start with book one, Syncopation, in order to enjoy the character arcs and warm fuzzies to their fullest.
The not-so-good:
- Nothing in particular!
I'm both sad to see this series end and excited to see what Zabo does next - it appears that Twisted Wishes' opening band could get its own spin off series and I hope it does, and soon!
April 12, 2019
I took a chance reading this because I knew going in that this was about a transgendered male and a woman. I didn't know what to expect but thought why not. I am happy to say I am glad I took a chance on this one.
Mish Sullivan is a bada** bassist in a Rock band and she had a stalker. She can take care of herself, but the other band members and their manager decide that the group needs to have a Bodyguard. They hire David Altet to be their personal body guard. Everyone pretty much knows that David will be more so responsible for keeping Mish safe. Mish doesn't want a body guard, but after meeting David and seeing how easily he fits into the group she decides to go with it.
So I overall enjoyed the love story between Mish and David. The band Twisted Wishes is a queer band and Mish could be considered queer. She has dated a mixture of people and could be considered non-binary (my words). From the moment they meet you can tell they have great chemistry together. Mish is for sure attracted to David and David to Mish. They flirt easily with each other and you can easy see the attraction. I also enjoyed the overall plot of this one. David must protect Mish and he has to decide if becoming involved with her will jeopardize her safety or even the bands safety. The one downfall of this romance is it was long and a bit slow. I did find myself a few times skimming to get to the dialogue. I think if I was have given a better glimpse into the stalker, the length would not be a problem and the pace would have picked up.
I have to admit that I learned a great deal from reading this book. I didn't have an understanding of what transgendered people could go through and Reverb gave me a glimpse of what it could be like to walk in their shoes. I understand there are some other books before this one and it seems that not reading those wasn't a big deal.
I will give this one 3.5 stars The ARC was provided by Netgalley and the Publisher for an honest review.
Mish Sullivan is a bada** bassist in a Rock band and she had a stalker. She can take care of herself, but the other band members and their manager decide that the group needs to have a Bodyguard. They hire David Altet to be their personal body guard. Everyone pretty much knows that David will be more so responsible for keeping Mish safe. Mish doesn't want a body guard, but after meeting David and seeing how easily he fits into the group she decides to go with it.
So I overall enjoyed the love story between Mish and David. The band Twisted Wishes is a queer band and Mish could be considered queer. She has dated a mixture of people and could be considered non-binary (my words). From the moment they meet you can tell they have great chemistry together. Mish is for sure attracted to David and David to Mish. They flirt easily with each other and you can easy see the attraction. I also enjoyed the overall plot of this one. David must protect Mish and he has to decide if becoming involved with her will jeopardize her safety or even the bands safety. The one downfall of this romance is it was long and a bit slow. I did find myself a few times skimming to get to the dialogue. I think if I was have given a better glimpse into the stalker, the length would not be a problem and the pace would have picked up.
I have to admit that I learned a great deal from reading this book. I didn't have an understanding of what transgendered people could go through and Reverb gave me a glimpse of what it could be like to walk in their shoes. I understand there are some other books before this one and it seems that not reading those wasn't a big deal.
I will give this one 3.5 stars The ARC was provided by Netgalley and the Publisher for an honest review.
April 22, 2019
From the moment i met t Mish in book 1 i loved her! I knew she'd be this force to be reckoned with so it was no surprise that I adored her even more when we got her book. Mish is this amazing powerhouse who is just so much herself and chock full of vulnerability too.
David and Mish's story were perfection together! I loved that Mish is taller and there were no complexes about that. i don't think i've actually read a romance where the heroine is taller??? at least i don't think. Mish and David were so good for each other. every scene. from the first time they met to the last word I was allll about how this relationship grew, even that bit of rough patch they hit.
Their frank discussion during intimate moments was so well down. They both checked in to make sure what the other was comfortable doing. and omg David came prepared with an assortment of dicks and i legit died because my dude brought a tie-dyed dick!!! LOL. David you adorable dork.
I also loved how at no time did any conflict revolve around David being trans. he just was and it wasn't an issue.
The theme of found family runs through this book and the entire series and it was great to see how the untied front of the band. the argue, the tease, they love each other so much and David becomes a part of that which my emotiooooons. the band has been sooo much over these 3 books can they rest now??? lol.
But seriously, another aspect of these books that get me every time is the performance scenes. how does Anna just craft them so beautifully and fill of so much emotion. every time we get to see them on stage, i felt like i was actually at the concert.
I just really loved this book and the whole damn series and i hope we get to see them again? yeh i hope, because Anna has created something special here i think :)
David and Mish's story were perfection together! I loved that Mish is taller and there were no complexes about that. i don't think i've actually read a romance where the heroine is taller??? at least i don't think. Mish and David were so good for each other. every scene. from the first time they met to the last word I was allll about how this relationship grew, even that bit of rough patch they hit.
Their frank discussion during intimate moments was so well down. They both checked in to make sure what the other was comfortable doing. and omg David came prepared with an assortment of dicks and i legit died because my dude brought a tie-dyed dick!!! LOL. David you adorable dork.
I also loved how at no time did any conflict revolve around David being trans. he just was and it wasn't an issue.
The theme of found family runs through this book and the entire series and it was great to see how the untied front of the band. the argue, the tease, they love each other so much and David becomes a part of that which my emotiooooons. the band has been sooo much over these 3 books can they rest now??? lol.
But seriously, another aspect of these books that get me every time is the performance scenes. how does Anna just craft them so beautifully and fill of so much emotion. every time we get to see them on stage, i felt like i was actually at the concert.
I just really loved this book and the whole damn series and i hope we get to see them again? yeh i hope, because Anna has created something special here i think :)
May 8, 2022
CW: stalking
Another thoroughly enjoyable book!
This is the last in the Twisted Wishes series and follows the bassist, Mish. It was really interesting to read a book with a female MC, as up until now all of Zabo’s books that I’ve read have been m/m. This was f/m, with a trans LI, and I thought it was really well done. It’s rare to come across trans rep in romance, and this is only the third adult romance I’ve read with a trans character (not including NB), and first with a trans man. Not being trans myself, I can’t really say if it was good rep or not, but it seemed good to me. I thought the sex scenes were interesting (haha, maybe not what you’d want to hear about a sex scene!), the way they were written. In previous romances with a trans person, the terms used for their anatomical parts reflected the gender they were assigned at birth, whereas in Reverb, the terms used reflected their true gender. I also loved David’s confidence around sex, and his bag of dicks.
Anyway, in this book Mish has a stalker, so the band hires a security guy, David, to help keep her safe. I really liked how the gendered differences to fame were looked at. How you’re treated differently as a woman in the spotlight as opposed to a man. Yes, men get agressive, stalkerish fans, too, but not nearly to the same extant as women.
While the first two books in the series definitely were about found family, I think in this one it was even more so. The way that David interacted with the band and they with him. Also, it felt like the first two books were specifically about the main couple, and this one was, too, but there was so much other drama going on, it felt a bit more like it was about the whole band. And I liked that, that it showed that even though someone was stalking Mish, it was really an issue for the whole band and they were all affected by it.
Great end to the series. I’ll be on the lookout for more Anna Zabo books to binge!
Another thoroughly enjoyable book!
This is the last in the Twisted Wishes series and follows the bassist, Mish. It was really interesting to read a book with a female MC, as up until now all of Zabo’s books that I’ve read have been m/m. This was f/m, with a trans LI, and I thought it was really well done. It’s rare to come across trans rep in romance, and this is only the third adult romance I’ve read with a trans character (not including NB), and first with a trans man. Not being trans myself, I can’t really say if it was good rep or not, but it seemed good to me. I thought the sex scenes were interesting (haha, maybe not what you’d want to hear about a sex scene!), the way they were written. In previous romances with a trans person, the terms used for their anatomical parts reflected the gender they were assigned at birth, whereas in Reverb, the terms used reflected their true gender. I also loved David’s confidence around sex, and his bag of dicks.
Anyway, in this book Mish has a stalker, so the band hires a security guy, David, to help keep her safe. I really liked how the gendered differences to fame were looked at. How you’re treated differently as a woman in the spotlight as opposed to a man. Yes, men get agressive, stalkerish fans, too, but not nearly to the same extant as women.
While the first two books in the series definitely were about found family, I think in this one it was even more so. The way that David interacted with the band and they with him. Also, it felt like the first two books were specifically about the main couple, and this one was, too, but there was so much other drama going on, it felt a bit more like it was about the whole band. And I liked that, that it showed that even though someone was stalking Mish, it was really an issue for the whole band and they were all affected by it.
Great end to the series. I’ll be on the lookout for more Anna Zabo books to binge!
April 14, 2019
After reading the book description, I thought this is not my usual storyline interest but I thought what the heck, try it. Turns out, I am glad I did. This is a read about finding comfort and contentment in self. There is no right way to discover love. Mish Sullivan is the bass player for a successful band. She looks at the love her fellow band mates enjoy with their partners and wishes she had some of that. David Altet, former military, martial arts expert and current for hire bodyguard. David is hired to protect Mish and her fellow band members from a stalker. When David and Mish meet, there is an attraction. Will they or will they not find a connection that goes beyond a few days, weeks or months a a theme that permeates the read. I enjoyed the back and forth self-talk of Mish and David. It was interesting to know what was going on in their heads and hearts. Provided a connection with the characters which in my opinion, was a good thing.
ARC provided by Carina Press via NetGalley with thanks.
ARC provided by Carina Press via NetGalley with thanks.
August 22, 2020
This didn't work as well for me as the first two books because the bodyguard/guardee relationship isn't my favorite trope and there were many times when I frankly agreed with David's poor assessment of his own job performance and wanted the members of the bad to stop being his friend and start being his boss. Also, when you're asked repeatedly if there's anyone in your past who would have wanted to harm you, how on earth does someone who actually tried to attack you not cross your mind??? Lots of stupid pants in this book and everyone got a turn.
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