In the Band by Jean Haus - Review

I just finished In the Band  by Jean Haus for the second time and I must say I loved it just as much as the first.  I really think I have a thing for musicians!  I seem to gravitate to stories that involve a sexy, moody rock god!  This one was not lacking in that department!

A self proclaimed "band geek", Riley, gives up her music scholarship and position in the marching band at a division I school to help her mother take care of the family that is being torn apart by divorce.   While her mother slips further into depression she takes on the role as mother, father, and maid to her 8 year old sister, Jamie.  After her best friends, Marcus and Chloe, convince her try out for a rock band, she meets a not so nice (at least to her) guitarist, Romeo.  He is determined not to let her join the band even though at the auditions she was clearly the most talented.  He gives in but with the plan to make her quit.  Despite the fact that he is absolute jerk to her she still finds herself attracted to him.  But who wouldn't? Romeo has his reasons for treating her the way he does but eventually his heart starts to overrule his logic and he starts to fall.

The author has an incredible way of describing the music scenes that make you feel like you are actually listening to them play.  I know very little about music besides what I think sounds good. However,  from her writing I could feel and understand the complex elements that go into making music.  I found myself getting completely lost in the story and could not put the book down until it was finished.

As for the love story between Romeo and Riley, it was touching and sweet and I enjoyed watching the relationship progress.  Even though Romeo was such a jerk I still loved his character especially when his true personality started to show.   At the end, the author gives you a little treat with the audition scene in Romeo's point of view and his actions really start to make sense.

I look forward to reading more from this author and really hope there is a sequel to In The Band!  Please I need more ROMEO!

My Rating 5 stars