ARC Review: Double Time by Olivia Cunning

Filed in 3 Stars , featured , Olivia Cunning , Review , The Danger Lover Posted on November 1, 2012 @ 11:00 am 6 comments

Format Read: paperback ARC provided by courtesy of Publisher for Review
Length: 416 Pages
Series: Sinners On Tour, Book 5
Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance
Release Date: November 6, 2012
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Formats Available: eBook, Kindle, Nook, Trade Paperback
Purchasing Info: Publisher, Author’s Website, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, Powell’s, The Book Depository, Kindle, Nook

Book Blurb:

After falling head over heels in love with Reagan Elliot, the perfect woman for him, Sinners’ rhythm guitarist, Trey Mills, vows to give up his bisexual ways forever.

When an obsessed fan threatens Reagan, she hires her friend, Ethan, to protect her while on tour. Falling for his girlfriend’s bodyguard, a guy, was never on Trey’s agenda.

Will he have to choose between them, or can he have the best of both worlds?

My Thoughts:

Sinners rhythm guitarist Trey Mills hasn’t aspired to monogamy over the years. In fact, he has had innumerable partners, male and female, individually and at the same time, and, in every conceivable combination and position. He enjoyed the momentary physical release and moved on. There has never been any promise of commitment, in fact Trey makes sure his partners are well aware of his love ‘em and leave ‘em approach regarding relationships. Trey and Sinners lead guitarist Brian Sinclair were high school best friends and Trey has been secretly in love with Brian for years particularly after they experimented with male/male intimacy. Trey has come to the realization that Brian deeply loves his wife Myrna and he will never be more than a best friend and band mate therefore Trey reluctantly decides to move on.

Gifted female rhythm guitarist Regan Elliot enters and wins a contest replace the mega famous, über wealthy metal band Exodus End’s singer and rhythm guitarist Max, who  is unable to play due to a medical condition. Trey’s brother, Dare, is the lead guitarist of  Exodus End and Trey hears Regan’s audition while visiting Dare’s mansion. Trey is convinced it is Brian playing when he listens to Regan’s rendition of a particularly famous Sinners tune. Trey is not only drawn to Regan’s raw sexy vibs, they also have an affinity with music in common. Trey has no intention of looking for or finding someone to love the way he loved Brian, but surprisingly, he develops warm and fuzzy feelings for Regan Elliot.

Regan is realizing her dreams, not only is she going to play guitar with one of the most recognized metal bands on the planet she is being extremely well financially compensated to do it. Plus, her band mates are hot! Then Trey Mills, one of her guitar idols, walks into the sound booth and lightning strikes. When it turns out Trey is drawn to more than her talent she doesn’t turn down the chance to spend time with the sinfully sexy Sinners guitarist.

Ethan Connor, a former cop turned security guard is Regan’s roommate, best friend and her previous lover. Ethan is bisexual and when Regan came home one night to find him in a lovers knot with a guy, things did not go well, he hurt her deeply. They did manage to mend fences and establish a good friendship. Regan understandably has issues with becoming involved with men who are sexually attracted to men as well as women. She assumes Trey is straight, something he doesn’t deny even though it’s a lie.

Ethan pins Trey as bisexual as soon as they meet, and both men are attracted to the other. Trey even checks out the other man as he enters the bedroom to do the deed with Regan the first time. And, Ethan feels confused because he is jealous of both his former female lover and Trey because he wants both of them. Confused yet? I know I was… lol

Anyway, Olivia Cunning writes a light suspense subplot into the story, and Ethan’s expertise is required. The Sinners are about to embark on a lengthy tour with Exodus End and prior the start Trey comes clean with Regan regarding his sexual preference for men and woman. After some initial angst, what began as a lover’s triangle evolves into a ménage relationship. Ethan is a tough guy and likes a dominant role in the bedroom, which Trey enjoys too. But then Trey isn’t picky—top, bottom, upside down, you name it that boy is game. Lol I thought Cunning did a good job of characterizing the protagonists, they did, for the most part compliment each other.

Regan faces a huge lifestyle adjustment. Being part of an internationally famous metal group requires an image make over, promotional appearances, photo ops etc. She is very much the sassy tom-boy, and doesn’t dig being made up like a sex-goddess. I really liked Regan, what you see is what you get, she is real and very good for Trey who relates to her quick come backs and wry sense of humor. She also has a fiery temper and gives as good as she gets. It’s shaky for Regan in the beginning but she proves she’s got what it takes to survive the mega fame and frenzy that surrounds the band. Plus she has two men to support her although they go through growing pains too.

As with all the Sinners books you can expect oodles of carnal sex and plenty of hilarity. I have to say I hooted with laughter at Eric and his ladylove Rebekah, who majors in kink with a capital K. There are also serious issues that the band must work through and some tough decisions to be made. The dysfunctional Sinners family is, lord help us, propagating, and the band is evolving, but at least the guys now have their women (and one man) to help and support them along the way.

I’ve enjoyed the Sinners on Tour series. It took me a while to get into Double Time but at the end of the day I became invested in the story and wanted to see Trey, Regan and Ethan happy. My one big niggle is that through no fault of the author, Double Time is the fifth and final book in the series and we haven’t seen book three and four yet! It’s difficult understand why the publisher would make the decision to release Double Time ahead of the other novels, because it does give facts that could be considered spoilerish for the previous two stories. In addition, the Sinners world obviously builds over the course of the five books so a reader can’t help but feel disadvantaged by not having access to the information shared in books three and four.

Regardless, I am looking forward to reading Hot Ticket, the quiet, seemingly introverted Jace’s story that will be released in February.

I give Double Time 4 Stars

***FTC Disclaimer: Most books reviewed on this site have been provided free of charge by the publisher, author or publicist. Some books we have purchased with our own money and will be noted as such. Any links to places to purchase books are provided as a convenience, and do not serve as an endorsement by this blog. All reviews are the true and honest opinion of the blogger reviewing the book. The method of acquiring the book does not have a bearing on the content of the review.

About Lea


Lea is an animal loving, tree hugging vegetarian who lives in Toronto, Canada with her family, which includes three dogs. She is a prolific reader and has been blogging and reviewing since 2008. Lea is a contributor at the USA Today HEA Blog and an active member at Goodreads.

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6 Comments

Join the Discussion
  • Caro The HEA Lover November 1, 2012 at 3:21 pm

    I’m still not sure if I want to read it now or wait to read them in order. I’m a bit OCD when it comes to the order of my books. This is just too f*cked up. 🙁

    Of course I say that NOW but I know it’ll be hard to wait till the other books come out. =P Maybe I’ll at least try to read Hot Ticket first….it’s not that far away! *sob*

    • Lea November 1, 2012 at 6:23 pm

      Hey Caro!!

      Yeah, I’d wait if you have it in you to do so. DT is a fun read and Cunning is a riot but I am annoyed by the publisher doing this. Very weird. *shrugs* I am looking forward to Jace’s story though, I’ve always liked Jace. 😉

      Thanks!!

      • Tanya November 2, 2012 at 2:35 pm

        Jace has always stood out to me, I can not wait for his story…

    • Susan November 1, 2012 at 8:07 pm

      I’m with you on the OCD thing. I think this might go on my wish list until all the books are available and can read them in one fell swoop–in order.

  • Tanya November 1, 2012 at 3:52 pm

    I just discovered this series, I read Backstage Pass and LOVED it. When I finsihed it I immediatley ordered book 2. These are some amazing smokin hot band gods. I had heard that Trey’s story was meant to be last and I think I am gonna wait so I can read them in order as the author intended.

    • Lea November 1, 2012 at 6:21 pm

      Hi Tanya:

      I have to admit, Backstage Pass is my favorite to date, although I am keen to read Eric’s book (Book 4) because Rebekah is great fun. I think a lot happens with the band in book 3 & 4 and it is frustrating to have to back-track.

      Thanks!!

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