Book Review: Still Into You by Erin Connor

Official Synopsis: Bad-boy-turned-straight-edge frontman, Dax Nakamura, would prefer the skeletons in his closet to stay there, thank you very much. But not giving interviews didn't stop the press from writing about one of metal's biggest bands--or its lead vocalist. With their new album about to drop, Dax is finally ready to address the rumors that have plagued Final Revelations for the past eight years. And the only person he trusts to write it is the same person who broke his heart three summers ago.

Sloane Donavan knew she wanted to write about music since the first time she posted a MySpace blog for her neighbor's garage band. A journalism degree, a failed internship, and countless backstage passes later, Sloane still hasn't secured the dream job she left her dream man behind for. So when Dax shows back up with a career-making opportunity--exclusive insight into him, his band, and the chance to craft the narrative of one of the scene's most revered bands--Sloane agrees, with one stipulation: No one can know they're exes. As they dive into Dax's past, Sloane quickly realizes their history isn't the only thing he's hiding, and Sloane has a choice to make. The article Dax wants and the salacious tell-all Sloane's editor expects are two completely different stories. This is the big break she's been waiting for, but it comes with a price: the chance to rewrite the ending with her first and only love.

Still Into You is everything I've wanted in a rockstar romance, especially a second chance romance mixed with the 'now they have to work together' vibe. Sloane Donovan is working as a freelance reporter for Alternative Press, hoping to eventually become a staff writer, as soon as she can find the article that will help move her career forward. When Final Revelations, a band Sloane has a close connection with, is finally making their way back into the scene, they say they will only do an interview with her. Her connection to the band is more than just running into them while touring with her friends, or even work, but because three years ago her and the frontman had a whirlwind summer romance, one that ended with both of them heartbroken and Sloane wondering if giving someone up to follow a dream is even worth it. Even worse, this break, and other moments in his life, led lead singer Dax to going into rehab after falling into a drinking and drug habit he couldn't escape.

When Sloane and Dax are thrown back together in order for Sloane to take off in her own career, she is shocked to see how easy it is to fall back into Dax, even when every part of her craves more. Now that they are in each other's orbits again, it doesn't seem like they want to leave. But Sloane doesn't want to get caught flirting with Dax in front of others or having people believe she only got the interview because they are/were romantically involved. So instead, they try to pretend to hate each other, or at least be annoyed with each other, at least until the article is finished. The main issue is some of the things that Dax and his bandmates share with Sloane might make for a good story, but Sloane doesn't want to betray their trust by sharing it with all the world.

This story having the overall backdrop of dirty small venues, metalcore and pop-punk music and long summer festivals meant I was immediately ready for it. (And lets not forget the Paramore song title). I loved how close the author seemed to this music scene, the way they seemed to care about the music and some of the bands within it. I also enjoyed having a story where you can see someone on both sides of addiction, and especially them once they've survived it and continued to thrive. Dax is a complicated character, with a lot of pressure on him but also a lot of his own issues he had to work though. He is also an absolute sweetie to Sloane, and I love that for him. (But also give me more tattooed lead singer MCs, truly.) Sloane has her own demons to work through, especially those related to not wanting to give up on dreams or being left behind. Watching these two characters re-connect, even before it was romantic, was really great.

This book also has some fun side characters, especially when you have two bands, and a gaggle of brothers acting as the 'voices of reason' in these character's lives. I also liked how Sloane's notes/article were mixed in with the story, I think it made us learn and see more about the connection between everyone too. I did listen to the audiobook for this one, and the narrators were really great. The story is overall narrated by Sloane, but the interviews add in other actors to play the boys answering questions and I think that made it really interesting to listen to.

I rated this book 4 / 5 stars!

Still Into You is out now!

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