This book has a pretty standard young adult style romance plot where boy and girl meet and act like they hate one another to hide a growing attraction. Nothing new there, but the sexual descriptions definitely qualify this as new adult. The main characters are well-drawn and likable, though they do tend to be a little angsty for my taste. (Yes, I made that word up.)I suspect most girls in America fantasized about some hot musician at some point in their lives, so this definitely has that going for it, because Romeo is certainly dreamy. As you get to know him more, he's the super hot rock god on the outside with the warm gooey sensitive center. Riley is talented and driven, but her main characteristic is her overdeveloped sense of responsibility. She has basically taken on raising her little sister as her parents go through a nasty divorce. It isn't clear exactly where this overwhelming sense of duty comes from, since it seems like she was a relatively normal teenager prior to the divorce. But it's not unbelievable the way it's done.The sparks grow between the two even as they bicker and clash over almost everything. The dialogue is solid, and the writing is consistent throughout. I gave this one four stars because it's a fun romantic brain candy read. As long as you don't go into it expecting anything deep, you'll enjoy it. I thought this book was okay. I love rock star books, and the main character was awesome in her own right for once, so that was nice. I like the fact that rock star didn't equal nasty, graphic sex. There were good messages about responsibility to others and self. At the same time, it just didn't really move me. I didn't believe the depth of the love bt the main characters. There was a lot of focus on the hotness of Romeo, and the thoughts about him as a good guy seemed like an afterthought. Language was minimal, and there were some sexual situations, but this was a book I would still allow a teen to read.
What do You think about In The Band (2012)?
I gave this a 3.5 to 4 stars, good but not great...... Something was just missing for me.
—EmilyEnnis
LOVED this book! Thanks Romeo, Thanks Riley! Thanks Jean Haus!
—Samina
