This book was a complete mixed bag for me. I'm guessing that my feelings about it are due at least in part to my current state of mind. First - the positives:

I genuinely enjoyed the writing here. It's beautifully lyrical and wonderfully engaging. This was easy to read and it did draw me in easily in the beginning. I was also completely fascinated by Caleb - I wanted more of him. I would have almost preferred this narrative be flipped to center more on Caleb and less on Theo.

Unfortunately, the storytelling was a little off for me and I didn't connect with Theo very well. The constant melancholy that bordered on whining. I also didn't really connect with Theo and Caleb's relationship. It came on fast and furious and I didn't FEEL that. It was all sexual to me which - when it comes to m/m books, I need a stronger emotional connection to carry me through the story. That's what I'm here for and that's not really what I found. Or at least I didn't find it quickly enough to save the story for me.

In the end, I didn't feel connected enough with the characters or their storyline to finish this story. It will definitely appeal to most m/m readers, I think. It was just a miss for me.

This was such an amazing book!!!! I couldn't put it down, the music culture, the LOVE STORY, the constant forgiveness the characters had for each other. The beginning and ending were kind of weak, but from middle was AMAAZZZZINGGGGGG. Such a character-driven work. I'm in love. Roan Parrish's writing reminds me so much of Layla Reyne and I loved it.

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3 <b>Riven </b> stars

This book was one of those hard to rate books. Our main characters fall madly in lust and have sex day one .which is fine . But I never really felt anything more with them. I never connected with them or truly their sex. It seemed sex was the answer to everything for them which took away from the story. I enjoyed each characters flaws and sad stories . But I wasn't moved and I didn't connect. The writing flows really well and the music aspect is really good. I needed more from both characters and this would have been a 4 for me. I think it was a good book to venture into the Mm world so I'll check out a few more Mm books. I think this author is on the right track and I can't wait to see her other releases because the author can write I just didn't get sucked in. I think the side character stories didn't fully pan out as well. I hated the riven band because I didn't like any of them. I think Caleb' s history is a little more developed and rounded and oddly it paints Caleb in a bad light haha.

I think Caleb was better liked and was given a better story in this ...so we feel bad for both singers one is at the top and one has fallen from grace . But I feel Caleb has a more realistic and researched role in it all. I liked that they both saved eachother but I do believe if there was more drama or if it was so easy of a resolution it would have added more and enhanced everything

*earc provided by netgalley*

I am so wowed by this book. I can barely collect my thoughts about it. It blew me away, I was not expecting to love it this much, but it's definitely my favourite book that i've read by this author yet. Roan Parrish is truly gifted at writing these moody, lyrical, dark and dreamy romances. The devotion to music cuts through the writing so sharply it's hard not to yearn for the artists and songs that are put forth in Riven.

I found the pacing of this novel to be incredible. It wasn't necessarily unpredictable, but It did do MORE than most other romance novels that present a steady build up of plot and romance until about 85% in where theres One Big Conflict, then at 90% it's resolved and so comes the HEA. This story had a lot of minor twists and turns that made it seem fuller, meandering delightfully through both Caleb and Theo's music scenes as well as their relationship.

Now the characters. The story is about two musicians. Caleb, former rockstar and recovering addict, and Theo current rockstar, who hates his fame. From the start I thought that I would come to love Theo best out of the two because of his relatable anxiety and vulnerability and naiveté, but It was actually Caleb and all the parts that show him to be both incredibly weak and incredibly strong that got to me the most. So much of his narrative arc is about being so scared of failure that you are hesitant to try. And being so convinced that youre not enough that you don't know how to deal with being told that you ARE enough. A couple side characters really had Caleb's back throughout the story (Huey, who I think was Caleb's sponsor, and Rhys who is Caleb's best friend and ex lover) and those side relationships were just as emotional and important to me as the central romance. Trigger warning for drug addiction; Caleb's addiction is talked about at length and he uses a lot of metaphors comparing doing drugs to other things in his life.

I really can't put my finger on it, but Parrish writes music stories like no one else i've read. In any other novel where theres a band and these fictional songs all throughout, it always feels very cringy and distinctly fake but Riven feels extraordinarily real. My reading experience felt so genuine and raw. This is definitely a book you'll want to preorder. A romance that'll break you and a story that will move you and make you see how important it is to take care of ourselves before we take care of other people.

I'm a huge fan of Ms. Parrish.  I haven't read a book by her that I didn't like. She conjures up the best, broken characters who find partners that will either save them or will be each other's salvation. The same could be said for Theo & Caleb.

Theo is the lead singer for the band of the same title. He shot up the popularity and had become an instant celebrity. However, he's not dealing well with fame. He's a homebody; an introvert who prefers the quiet solitude of his apartment. On one of his rare breaks from touring, he stumbled upon Caleb singing all by himself at a bar. Their connection was instantaneous.

Caleb's former life was sort of similar to Theo's. But he let his status get the best of him and had turned to drugs and alcohol. He's long since straightened out his life, though. But that doesn't mean he's willing to jump right back into the melee. And that's exactly what he would be doing if starts a relationship with Theo. Regardless of the sizzling chemistry between them.

Caleb was consumed with fear with the thought of a relationship with Theo. He's terrified that being with him would bring back his old demons. So he was very skittish and would waffle between the intensity of his feeling towards Theo and feeling like he's going to substitute one addiction for another.

Theo is such a sweet character. He understood the precarious situation Caleb was in. He knew he had to give him time to acclimate to the idea of them being together. But sometimes, he wasn't a very patient person. I was frustrated with Caleb, though. the push and pull thing he put Theo through wasn't a fun thing to witness. Otherwise, this book was a fantastic read. Roan Parrish does M/M romance well that it's not hard not to get addicted.

This was a well written and masterful tale. It was well beyond the usual rock star trope in a great way. It certainly has Roan Parrish's characteristic style which is a wonderful thing. It's a masterful story of learning to appreciate friendship, learning who you are, the romance of being alone as one falls in love.

I think this has to be my favorite story by this author so far.

Theo was the type of character I desperately wanted to reach through the pages so I could hug him and Caleb garnered the same reaction out of me. One of my favorite couples I've read about this year hands down.

Theo loves music. He loves writing it and creating it. He loves seeing people enjoying their music. What he doesn't love is the paparazzi following him and taking his picture. The crowds that engulf him when he's out and about. He's not happy. Even in his band he feels alone. He hates touring but loves performing. Caleb loves music as well. He's a talented musician in his own right but hasn't been on a stage in years. He is a broken and damaged soul who is just trying to survive his addiction. He has learned his triggers and does anything to keep himself from temptation. But he needs music like he needs the blood pumping through his veins. But as much as he needs it he also fears it is exactly what will have him fall back into the life he's desperately trying to leave behind. He can't afford to fall down that slippery rope again so he's done his best to accept his new life as a loner. That is until Theo walks into his life. Theo hears Caleb playing when he's out having a late night stroll. Theo is completely captivated by Caleb's voice and the fingers that strum the haunting music that pulled him to this man. Caleb knows that Theo is trouble with a capital T and has more power to bring him to his knees than any drug ever had the ability to. He knows one night with this sexy vulnerable man won't be enough. But can a man who has been trying so hard to live a solitary life let himself be open to a man who is very publicly known?

With Caleb, Theo finally found like he belonged. That he found someone who saw him and wanted him just the way he was. With Theo, Caleb felt like he could be someone more than his past and the drugs. That he could be happy.

I really loved this story and will no doubt be reading it again. One of my favorites of the year.

When I started reading RIVEN, I was all giddy. Finally a book about one, no two musicians that doesn’t follow the usual stereotype. I read a lot of novels, romance novels that use the music industry as a backdrop and they are usually horribly cliched. Definitely 5* on how the author handles the subject matter and how she develps the music side of things.
I just wish she had NOT felt the need to add this super cheesy, and unbelievable Epiloge. The book was perfect how it ended. All that happened from there was totally for fantasy lala land. ***Spoiler Aler*** Writing songs, producing the songs, putting them on a record and putting them out there in less than four months? DIY? Dream on, baby! Also, the whole thing with remodeling Theo’s apartment as a studio (!) and renting it out (!) and letting acts who couldn’t otherwise afford it doing so…. that’s calld “indepenent label”. So yes, this was really over the top unnecessary.
***Spoiler Alert over***
So, one star less. Leaves us at 4 stars
How did I end up at 3 stars? Well… the book is very formulaic. It reminded me too much of a book I absolutely love and have read multiple times. It’s absolutely the same basic story. From the walks, to the the ex-boyfriends, to the important plot points. It’s not exactly a rip-off but given that these two authors share the same agent, I am pretty sure Roan Parrish did her duties. She even uses some very exquisite vocabulary multiple times, which only appears once (!) in the original story and her over-using it doesn't make it any better. So. 3 stars. Someone who has never read many other m/m stories before, will be totally delighted. Those who did, might not so much because they will see the pattern.
I=== I received a copy of this book as an ACR on Netgalley. Thank You.===

First, and because I rarely notice these things lately since I read mainly ebooks, check out this cover. It's simple, and striking, and fits what's inside. Practically a miracle.

Second: Wow. Just wow. I loved this book so hard. I loved the MCs, I loved the world that was built. The conflict was real without completely overwhelming the relationship. It was lovely being immersed in the music, whether in the MCs heads (especially Theo's) or in the concert/band scenes. Caleb's demons are real, and you sense he'll always struggle with them, but that being with Theo makes it possible for him to hope for better than only that struggle on a daily basis.

Roan Parrish always brings the feels. Having them woven into the music scene just made it that much more of my romance catnip.

Riven captives you from the very first page all the way to the last. I was taken back by how intense the emotional heartbreak was it hurt to look but I couldn't resist seeing what was coming next. I loved how the all characters were like a piece of the puzzle. I have to say as my first read from this author I am rather impressed!

What a roller coaster this was!

Roan Parrish has a knack for emotional, heartfelt characters and stories, and <i>Riven</i> falls right into her niche with a powerful story of music, love, addition and ultimately, getting what you want despite the odds.

Theo, the lead singer of Riven, doesn't like being a star. He loves music, but the burden that comes along with being internationally known isn't at all what he wants. When he meets Caleb, who is recovering from an addition to drugs and alcohol, he finds a kindred spirit who he wants nothing more than to have in his life. But Caleb is guarded--he doesn't trust himself yet. And these two must work through their individual demons to be happy together for the long haul. Their journey isn't easy, but it's so good. The budding relationship and ultimate conflict between these two was such a joy to read. Looking forward to more books in this series, and from Roan overall.

I really liked it (4 out of 5)
This is my first book by this author and I did really like it, The story itself was kind of an emotional one dealing with the positive and negative effects of stardom and addiction. The relationship these two developed was pretty intense at times, I felt the love and connection they both shared for music and song writing was the highlight of the whole book. Look forward to reading more. I would recommend.

Riven was.. so so good. It took me on a wild ride and didn’t let me go until the end. The book was very well written, and the characters were so fitting for this book.

This book was Not what I anticipated. Didn’t read very far

I fell in love with this book! Some of the pain was so real and fierce! I felt so bad for both MC’s for their different battles they were enduring. This is a story of second chances and cannot wait to see what the author has next stored for us! Highly recommended!

Two handsome men, Two sets of inner demons -- Together they are stronger; together they can become one. I found Riven a very enjoyable read. By the end, I discovered how Roan Parrish had cleverly used the dual narrative to reflect and enhance the struggles of Caleb and Theo; creating a more tangible sense of turmoil for the reader as the story bounced back and forth. I loved the author's passion for the characters, the music industry and the delicate and the honest dealing with the struggles of addiction. The romance and sexual interactions were steamy and quite believable-- never over the top. Great story!

Another great book from Roan Parrish! Theo is the lead singer from a popular rock band, Riven, and he happens to meet Caleb, a recovering drug addict and former musician one night. The main conflict of the book, whether Caleb's addiction can be managed if he gets close to Theo and his rocker lifestyle was handled well, and I thought Parrish's portrayal of addiction was complex and believable. Parrish writes isolated but brilliant introverts so well, and I really enjoyed Theo's character. A fun, sexy read!

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this title. Scorching chemistry and likable characters accompanied by a few emotional punches. Definitely adding Roan Parrish to my favorite authors list.

Riven by Roan Parrish is my first read by this author and I was hooked the minute I started reading. It was a mix of two of my favorite romance genres, Rockstar and M/M with a bit of an age gap thrown in.

Theo is dubbed the Reluctant Rockstar by the media and while his fans may think that it is just a persona, the title is a true reflection of his hatred to the fame. He loves the music just not everything else that comes with it.

Caleb has been where Theo is, only he loved the fame and everything that came with just a bit too much. After multiple stints in rehab he finally has his life together and plans to keep it that way. Theo wasn't a part of those plans, but the more time that they spend together the more his plans change.

I loved Theo and Caleb, they were the perfect couple. They complemented each other in the best of ways. Not to mention the chemistry between them, HOT! Their story was realistic, with multiple ups and downs and no easy fixes in sight. I only wish that there was more interaction with the secondary characters, I absolutely adored Rhys and I think that Ethan had the potential to become a great character if he had been given more of a voice.

4.5 stars

**ARC provided by author for honest review**
*Review by Amy W., Late Night Reviewer for Up All Night w/ Books Blog*

Ok first, the cover to this is cool. Secondly, I just want to wrap Caleb and Theo in bubble wrap and keep them in my pocket.

Theo is a rock star, but more of a self-conscious, twitchy, shy guy with a talent for music and just wanting to feel accepted and loved. He's stuck on a path that makes everyone happy but him, his upbringing was kind of sad (he had never even carved a pumpkin, the poor sweetheart).

Caleb is a fallen star, afraid to take any step in case he trips again. He's just as talented as Theo, but living a shell of a life. Every time they make progress, he pulls away from fear and it just breaks my heart for them both.

There is some fierce chemistry, some deliciously sexy scenes, but they are even better because throughout you can just feel the connection. Riven was an emotional book that pulled me in. It was told from dual pov with a happy ever after and was a great journey from page one to done.