Review: Treble Maker by Annabeth Albert (Perfect Harmony #1)
Note: This ARC was provided by Kensington Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Cody Rivers is a talented singer and he knows it. In order to garner more exposure, his agent suggests he and join Perfect Harmony, a reality competition show for a capella groups. He makes no apologies for his cocky personality or his out there appearance. He's used to attention but when it comes in the form of Lucas Norwood, a member of a competing group, Cody's curiosity is piqued. Lucas is the antithesis of Cody--quiet and reserved, he was raised to believe that sex should be after marriage and he isn't into drinking or any other vices. They can't help but push each other's buttons, with Cody challenging Lucas' convictions at every turn. The attraction between them is palpable, but will Lucas be able to turn his back on his upbringing and be open and honest about wanting a career in singing and having Cody by his side?
Treble Maker is the first novel in the Perfect Harmony series from author Annabeth Albert, and it takes place in the world of reality television and a capella singing groups competing for the top prize. Cody Rivers is an online sensation and while he's had solo gigs before, he needs something more national to gain him the notice he needs to push his career forward. He's gay and has no qualms about putting his sexuality on display. On the other hand, Lucas Norwood may be gay but he doesn't think it's necessary to flaunt that fact at every opportunity. Their lives are very different--Cody left home after high school to get away from his grandmother who saw his sexuality as a sin and he's been pursuing his career ever since while Lucas' family accepted who he was but they have apprehensions when it comes to the gay lifestyle.
There's a lot of back and forth between Cody and Lucas, mainly because there are numerous times that Cody wants to maintain his couldn't-care-less facade even though Lucas is beginning to mean more to him than even he expected plus Lucas is torn between being honest about his wants and needs as a young gay man and standing by the convictions instilled upon him by his parents, peers, and community. The two guys are a study in contrasts, but they're able to push each other's boundaries, allowing them to see just how far they're willing to go both for themselves and one another. Cody, who always looks out for number one (aka himself), wants to be the kind of man he believes Lucas deserves, and Lucas discovers true acceptance from others will only come if he is truly able to accept the kind of man he is inside and outside.
The singing competition made for an interesting backdrop for the story and I enjoyed reading about how Embellish, Cody's group and the one that Lucas becomes a part of after his own group is eliminated in the first round, fares during each episode. It's easy to compare the fictional show to The Sing-Off, a show that aired for four seasons and had a capella groups battling it out, but then you get a lot of the backstage drama that you know is happening on actually shows here in this book so it's all the more entertaining. While I liked Annabeth Albert's Portland Heat trilogy, Treble Maker had that snarky humor that I hope sets the pace for the rest of the Perfect Harmony series and made this a fun overall read. I've already got the second book on my TBR list and can't wait for its release. I'm giving this first book 4.5 stars out of five. ♥
Release Date: 04 August 2015
Date Read: 01 August 2015
Learn more about Annabeth Albert here.
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