Title: Asher Beauregard Attempts to Give a Damn
Series: N/A
Author: Thursday Euclid
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novel (286 pages)
Publisher: Loose Id (June 15th, 2015)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
Blurb: With a sold-out tour looming and intense media attention on their every move, the Artificial Hearts are the hottest rock act in the world. It’s just a matter of time until newfound fame illuminates a past Asher Beauregard would rather leave in the shadows. When he meets Leo Harpstedt, the irresistible frontman for the opening act, undeniable chemistry draws them together, but Asher’s secrecy and emotional scars keep Leo at a safe distance.
Posh and well-adjusted despite the blue hair, Englishman Leo comes from a world that Asher, a Louisiana-born high school dropout, can’t imagine, never mind inhabit, but as first the Artificial Hearts’ manager and then the tour throw them together, the tension between them grows uncontrollable. Leo’s seeming confusion about his sexuality and Asher’s refusal to let go of the persona and be vulnerable threaten to destroy the tender friendship they’ve built living and working together.
With help from his drag queen stylist, lesbian sound tech, and a lead guitarist with secrets of his own, can Asher overcome the public revelation of his deepest secrets and seize this chance at love?
ISBN: 978-1-62300-930-4
Product Link: http://www.loose-id.com/asher-beauregard-attempts-to-give-a-damn.html#product_tabs_description
Reviewer: Prime
Review: I’ve heard of Thursday Euclid before but this is the first time I’ve read one of his books (though I just discovered that I have a short story in my never-ending unread pile). Asher Beauregard Attempts to Give a Damn proved to be a good introduction to the author’s writing because it is based around one of my favourite scenarios: rock star who is broken inside and uses drugs to make it better.
So the book is basically what the title says. Asher Beauregard is a rock star who basically doesn’t care about much outside of music and to deal with his demons he resorts to drugs and alcohol.
Probably not at all uncommon in this world. Then Asher meets Leo, he’s lead singer for the support band on Asher’s band’s tour. Where Asher is gritty and broken and all Cajun, Leo is English and refined and pretty damn well-adjusted to the world/reality. With Leo’s appearance, Asher’s perspective begins to change and his world is about to be rocked, and not always in a good way. It’s up to Leo if he is strong enough to support Asher through the turbulence to follow.
This story is just… wow. It blew me away. This does not put on the rose-tinted glasses viewing the world of drugs and alcohol. Or more accurately, the world of sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll. It is an intense read and a very gritty read. If you don’t like either or intense or gritty, particularly when it comes to drugs, this is probably not the book for you.
The chemistry between Asher and Leo is explosive. I loved it, although sometimes it almost levelled on soap drama proportions I understand that this was used to portray to “rock” and the drug lifestyle. Asher also had so many demons to fight, it seemed like it was insurmountable.
Admittedly, Asher sometimes seems a bit too incoherent through the book, but remember this is a character that has become reliant on drugs as a crutch just to live. Meanwhile, Leo, whose life has been vastly different to Asher, is everything that is sweet and strong (and I love him too!).
This is an intense book; it’s probably going to leave you tired and still thinking about it at the end. You really need to take it slowly to get the full enjoyment and effect out of it. At first I thought, “Nope, not going to like it”. Then I slowed down and read it between other books and my appreciation for the story just went up.
In the end, it has left me wondering, what’s in store for Leo and Asher? Will Asher finally clear his head of the drugs and alcohol? I’m left wondering what Thursday Euclid has in store for us!
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *