Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Twenty year old Corey Evans is one-half of 2ICE, the biggest duo on the radio at the moment. Pronounced twice, they're number one on the Billboard charts this week with their latest single. And number one in download sales, with two albums that have already gone platinum, to hear their manager tell it. And currently on their second U.S. tour, which has sold out stadiums across the nation.

Despite this, there's an emptiness inside him which Corey can't seem to fill, no matter how many groupies he takes to his bed. He sees this same emptiness mirrored in the eyes of his band-mate, Ian Coltraine, who drowns his evenings after each show with a bottle of whiskey. Ian's the one Corey turns to when he wakes beside an unknown fan, still asleep in his bed and needs help evicting her. He's Corey best friend, the only person on the tour he can confide in, who he really trusts ...

The one, Corey finally realizes, with whom he is madly, deeply, terribly in love. And he suspects Ian might feel the same.

But his recent string of one-night stands makes Ian cautious about Corey's true feelings. He's wanted Corey for so long, and has watched him go through countless fans in search of ... what? Ian doesn't know. And he doesn't yet believe Corey when he says Ian might be it. Ian hopes so, but can't bring himself to believe Corey's fickle desire won't be gone in the morning.

Can these two young men somehow move beyond Corey's past and Ian's pain to embrace a love they both so desperately desire?

Book Review

Ian Coltraine, in 'Beautiful Disaster' by J.M. Snyder, is in love with his best friend, but he feels he has to hide it. It's especially hard on Ian because he has to listen to his friend, Corey Evans, talk about his many conquests. Ian knows that Corey is searching for something more permanent, and even though he realizes that being with girls means nothing to Corey, seeing his friend engage in such meaningless activity only adds to his frustration. Ian wishes Corey could see that what he needs is right in front of him. Ian wants to commit to Corey, to give him everything he needs, but the fear of not having his love returned, or even worse, losing him as a friend, leaves Ian suffering in silence.

Being successful at any age is hard to wrap your head around at times, but dealing with the constant challenge of staying grounded in spite of it, at twnety years old is nearly impossible for Corey. It's not that Corey is cold-hearted about the women he beds, he's just not mature enough to realize the consequences. He doesn't understand that such behavior depletes not adds to his well-being. He also doesn't see how his behavior affects Ian and why. He knows Ian is angry at him and this breaks his heart, but for the life of him, Corey can't figure out why. He's so close to Ian that he discounts Ian's feelings and his own. He can't realize that he loves Ian in a way that they both feel and need to be whole. Until he can feel that, they are both doomed to misery.

Ian broke my heart. He loves Corey so much, but is frustrated with his insensitivity. Ian comes close to destroying himself to keep from alienating his friend. Ian is definitely more in touch with things than Corey. He understands what Corey is doing, yet has to stand by and watch him make mistakes over and over again without being able to point them out to Corey. He goes on so long in pain and denial that when Corey begins to understand what's between them, Ian has trouble accepting it. He's afraid Corey will treat him the way he's treated all of his other lovers and toss him away like used tissues. As much as he loves Corey, he's not willing to destroy himself to have him in his arms.

This book is a good example of what a disaster life can be without communicating effectively, both with yourself and with others. It shows the pitfalls of living in the surreal world of the rock music scene while trying to balance all the glitter and glitz in order to have a real life. This story is full of angst and a myriad of other emotions, but at least has a happy for now ending. If you like love stories about rock musicians learning how to live and love, you might enjoy 'Beautiful Disaster’.

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by JMS Books for the purpose of a review.

Additional Information

Format	ebook and print
Length	Novella, 38135 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	01-July-2010
Price	$3.99 ebook, $13.50 paperback
Buy Link	http://www.jms-books.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=85&products_id=261