⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4-Star Review for Worth the Trouble by Eva Simmons
🎧 Narrated by Desiree Ketchum & Connor Brown
📚 Thanks to NetGalley and Tantor Media for the ALC!

Worth the Trouble is an opposites-attract romance that hits all the right notes—steamy, angsty, and emotionally resonant. Rome Moreno, the infamous “Riff King,” and our disciplined, world-class dancer heroine couldn’t be more different, yet their chemistry is undeniable. What starts with a hilariously awkward encounter quickly evolves into a layered and heartfelt connection that challenges both characters' sense of identity and control.

Desiree Ketchum delivers a compelling performance, capturing the protagonist’s internal conflict and vulnerability, while Connor Brown brings Rome’s charm, grit, and hidden pain to life with perfect rockstar edge. Together, their narration adds depth to an already captivating story.

This isn’t just about passion and spice (though there’s plenty of that)—it’s about the price of ambition, the scars we carry, and the people who help us heal. Fans of emotionally driven, character-rich romance will find Worth the Trouble a satisfying listen.

Definitely worth the download!

This story is absolutely delicious. Two broken souls that find each other - the dancer and the rockstar, and teach each other how to be whole again.

I loved this and now need to get my hands on the rest of the series!
The audio was done so well!

Thanks to NetGalley and RBMedia for this arc in return for my honest review.

Pub date: 27 May 2025

Book Review: Worth the Trouble by Eva Simons
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5 stars)

Worth the Trouble was a good read — enjoyable, engaging, and surprisingly easy to dive into even without having read the previous books in the series. As someone jumping straight into the audiobook, I appreciated that it stood strong as a standalone. The focus remained on this particular couple’s journey, and everything you needed to know was right there.

The chemistry between the main characters was definitely palpable. From the get-go, you could tell they were drawn to each other. But while the attraction and physical tension were well written, what felt missing to me was emotional depth. Their connection seemed rooted more in lust than anything layered or lasting. It wasn’t that they were a bad couple — they worked, they were functional — but I just didn’t find myself rooting for them in the way I love to with romance reads.

Interestingly, I found myself more drawn to the characters as individuals. Their personal struggles, their development — that’s where I felt the writing shined. Together, they were fine, but not unforgettable. The steamy scenes were well done, but also not essential to the emotional core of the story.

All in all, it’s a solid 3.5 stars for me — a good romance that’s easy to enjoy but didn’t fully sweep me away. If you're looking for a light, standalone listen with chemistry and character, this one's worth a try.

*ALC REVIEW*

This was my first book of this series done an audio, as I’ve read the first two. (Still need to read the third one) and I really enjoyed it.

This whole series has dealt with some heavy and emotional topics and Eva is such a beautiful writer!

At first glance, Lili and Rome seem so different. She’s a beautiful professional dancer and he’s the tatted rockstar that likes women, drugs and alcohol from Enemy Muse, but deep down, they’re so much alike. Both broken. And in that brokenness they find love in one another.

I’ve listened to a few of Desiree Ketchum’s narrations and she always does a standout job. I haven’t heard much of Connor Brown but he as a great Rome. I forgot it wasn’t in duet narration while listening they both were just that good!

Thank you to Eva and the team at Tantor Media for the early ALC!

This is the first book I’ve listened to narrated by Connor Brown and I am hooked! His voice was perfect for the bad boy, rockstar Rome. Desiree Ketchum voiced Lili beautifully. Made her feel sophisticated, yet there was a raw need in her voice. A need for freedom and love.

Lili and Rome were opposites attract yet a match made in heaven. They were able to bring out completely different sides of each other that were hidden deep away. Rome was Lili’s escape from the dance world. Lili was the shakeup Rome didn’t know he needed. I enjoyed watching their relationship evolve from that initial terrible meeting.

Thank you Eva Simmons, Tantor Audio, and NetGalley for this ALC. I now have a new author and narrators to add to my list!

I loved this! So this is book 4 in the enemy muse series and I've read precisely none of the others. There were a few things mentioned that I felt it should have probably read the others to understand but it was in passing so overall I feel like this was a standalone. I love the tortured soul with the prim and proper. Gets me everytime. The story was beautiful and i didn't see that ending. I gasped 🫣 in hindsight, I wish I read the entire series. Its definitely something I'd love. I'll be downloading the series pronto 🔥

🤍

"Like life music is up for interpretation, from the lyrics to the drum beat. it paints it paints different colours for each listener. Mutually heard and uniquely experienced."

"Don't mistake me for a gentleman because i'd rather destroy you than save you."

"She's the calm in center of my storm and I'm her hurricane raging hard enough for her to finally feel something."

I really enjoyed this book. I didn’t realize it was part of a series, but now I’m definitely planning to read the first three. It had an insta love feel, but the emotional depth between Rome and Lili made it work. These two felt so real and raw. Both have heavy pasts, but together they found peace and acceptance. I loved that they never tried to change each other—they just saw the messy, beautiful parts and still chose one another. The opposites attract and forbidden love vibes were done so well, I’m always here for a reformed bad boy. Rome’s protective side melted me, and Lili was the calm to his chaos. Rockstar and ballerina may be one of my new favorite tropes.
The dual narration by Conner Brown and Desiree Ketchum made the audiobook even better. They captured the emotion and brought both characters to life. I had a hard time with Conner’s voice for Lili but, it was still an easy listen.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Eva Simmons where have you been all my life!

This book has started strong. Lili and Rome run into each other, literally, and Rome mistakes her for a dance of the pole variety. Not a great first impression mate!

She is beyond unimpressed with Romes cocky nature and wants to leave their encounter a distance memory.

This is a story about two people putting up walls and pushing people away, wearing masks and only letting people see what they want to see, letting it all fall away for each other, because there was no other way.

This was an incredibly well written and I would highly recommend.

Our FMC is a dancer with no freedom and a need to break away.
Our MMC is a bad boy rock star who is emotionally unstable.
Somehow, this dynamic works. The two together allow for the character development of the other.
Lili breaks down all of Rome's walls and smooths his rough edges.
The two have more in common than the reader would think, and they love/accept one another despite their faults.
Trauma bonding big time.
SPICE. Pole scene.. just whoa!
I didn't realize when reading that this was book 4 in a series. This reads very well as a standalone book. I didn't feel that I was missing anything pertinent or essential to the plot by not reading the previous 3 books.
The plot is structured well, and the pace works for the plot.
The characters are well-developed. Their development drives the entire plot.
Also - Rome mistaking Lili for a stripper... Yes.
Tropes: rock star, ballerina, opposites attract, trauma bonding, dark pasts, and found family.
I enjoyed this book. A little darker than I typically read, but I still thought it was good.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
Happy Reading!

This was a random choice for me but wanted to give more romance books a go. I was very surprised how much I enjoyed this one, didn't love the narration but listened to this in one day ! I also didn't realise until after I finished it was book 4 of a series, oh well! I rated this 4.5 but rounded up to 5. Will definitely be checking out more by this author. Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this audio arc.

Eva Simmons' Enemy Muse series concludes with Worth the Trouble. While each book stands alone, elements from previous instalments weave their way into the unfolding story.
Rome is questioning his once-thrilling life and why it no longer satisfies him. Meanwhile, Lili, a dance prodigy trapped under her mother's control and the demands of her company. Lili collides with Rome on the streets, setting the stage for their undeniable connection.
Despite their differences, Rome and Lili's forbidden romance masterfully explores the tension between opposites. As they navigate the weight of emptiness and self-doubt their connection becomes unparalleled as they expose one another’s deepest wounds and become each others catalyst for healing.
The captivating slow-burn romance is heightened by the stellar dual narration of Connor Brown and Desiree Ketchum, who bring Rome and Lili’s chemistry to life. Their voices perfectly embody the push and pull, passion, and vulnerability of a love that refuses to be denied.
With this final book, every Enemy Muse band member has found their happily ever after. Worth the Trouble is an absolute must-read for Rockstar Romance fans!

Going into this I didn’t realize this was book four in a series, but I was able to read ( or listen) and enjoy the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Their story was beautiful and heartbreaking. This was such a lovely story.

Listening to this book make me want to go back and listen or read the other books in the series to see how we got here!

I really wanted to love Worth the Trouble, but it completely missed the mark for me. The characters felt flat and frustrating — the bad boy rocker came off as trying too hard to be edgy. The romance leaned too heavily on lust without meaningful emotional development, and the constant back-and-forth over their “different worlds” got old fast. The pacing dragged, the transitions were awkward, and overall, the story just didn’t hold my attention. Sadly, this one wasn’t worth the trouble or time.

3/5⭐
4/5🎧

Me gustó la premisa, a pesar de que es el primer libro que leo de la autora y se trata de una serie de autoconclusivos interconectados pude engancherme facilmente con la trama. El trasfondo de ambos protagonistas y sus historias parecían ser la receta perfecta para un romance muy interesante pero siento que se quedó un poco corto el desarrollo y crecimiento de ambos. De todas formas fue bastante entretenido.

Los narradores hicieron muy buen trabajo en el audiolibro (ingles) es en modo dual.

📖 ᴡᴏʀᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛʀᴏᴜʙʟᴇ – ᴇᴠᴀ ꜱɪᴍᴍᴏɴꜱ
📚 ꜱᴇʀɪᴇꜱ: ᴇɴᴇᴍʏ ᴍᴜꜱᴇ (ʙᴏᴏᴋ #4)
🎤 ɴᴀʀʀᴀᴛᴏʀꜱ: ᴅᴇꜱɪʀᴇᴇ ᴋᴀᴛᴄʜᴜᴍ & ᴄᴏɴɴᴏʀ ʙʀᴏᴡɴ
🎧 ᴀʟᴄ
👄 ᴘᴏᴠ: ᴅᴜᴀʟ 1ꜱᴛ ᴘᴇʀꜱᴏɴ (ʀᴏᴍ & ʟɪʟʏ)
⏱️ ʟᴇɴɢᴛʜ: ~8.5ʜ

✨🎧 Endless thanks to the amazing Eva Simmons and NetGalley for the early audio copy of this gem! 💕📖
So grateful for the chance to experience Rom & Lily’s story ahead of release — it was absolutely worth it. 🎸🩰

Just finished Worth the Trouble and I’m officially obsessed. This book gave me everything I love in a romance: emotional depth, crackling tension, and characters that feel real. Rom is a broody, broken rockstar with layers that drew me in, and Lily is a graceful, disciplined ballerina with surprising complexity. Their slow-burn opposites-attract romance worked beautifully.

I hadn’t listened to the earlier audiobooks in the series, but I wasn’t lost at all. The story stands strong on its own, and after meeting all the other characters, I’m eager to go back and experience the whole series.

Desiree Katchum is one of my favorite narrators. Every time I see her name, I know I’m in good hands—and here, she delivered perfectly. Her performance as Lily was expressive and in tune with the character’s strength and vulnerability.

This was my first time hearing Connor Brown, and I was seriously impressed. His voice as Rom had the perfect mix of edge and emotion. He brought Rom’s inner world to life and made every scene hit harder.

If you love any of the following tropes, you’re going to fall hard for this book!:
🎸 Rockstar Romance
🩰 Ballerina Heroine
⚡ Opposites Attract
💔 Tortured Hero
👄 Enemies to Lovers (ish)
☀️😒 Grumpy/Sunshine
🎭 Forced Proximity
👥 Found Family

4.5🌟 and definitely one of my favorites this month.

I always love seeing a “bad boy” turn over a new leaf.
This was good, Rome grew up with a father who treated him horrible, which then made him unaccepting and unwilling to love. And Lily comes out of nowhere and her life is complicated because she has no control over any decisions in her life. They both were so unwilling to let each other in but in the end love conquers all. I need to read the rest of the books in the series but this makes me excited. The drama, the spice, the real life connections, made it a really good read.

Tropes:
-rockstar romance x dancer
-reformed playboy
-mutual trauma
-healing
-opposites attract
-found family
-dual POV

Eva has quickly become one of my favorite authors. I have read some of her other series, but this was the first one I read from this series. I loved it, and now I can’t wait to read the rest. I loved the other band members and would love to read their stories. They all seem like they’ll be incredible.

Rome and Lili are from different worlds, but they have a lot more in common than meets the eye. They are both broken souls who find healing in each other. I was sucked in the whole time. The narrators did a wonderful job bringing the characters to life, and I enjoyed the audio.

Thank you, Eva and Net Galley, for allowing me to listen to the audiobook. I am always honored to get selected. This book is available to read for free on KU. The audiobook will be released on May 27. I hope you will read this and love it, too.

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to review this ALC! Bad boy meets good girl in this rockstar + professional dancer romance. Rome is a wild and crazy rock star who refuses to settle down. Loves to party and loves women. Lili is a buttoned up professional dancer in need of a release. They meet and can’t get enough of each other. What starts out as a little fun turns into something more serious… love. But is love enough?

I found myself connecting with the two main characters very early on! Rome has a hard exterior, but is a sweetheart deep down. He has a lot of trauma from his childhood that he has yet to deal with properly when we meet him. He uses women and drugs to drown out the pain. Lili definitely helped him to move on from that life. It was cool to see his transition and growth throughout the book. I felt sad for Lili.. her relationship with her mom was classic “my daughter will do anything to be perfect” even though she didn’t want that… she was forced by those close to her to be held to this unattainable standard. Her mom literally pushed her into an eating disorder from the age of 7. WHAT!? Makes me so angry. It takes falling in love with Rome to make her realize that she deserves better. This is their redemption story! I felt that in my bones.

And yes, this one is SPICY! And we love that.

This is technically the fourth book in the Enemy Muse series but it can be read as a stand alone! The audiobook is dual narration and very well done!

Triggers: discussion of past domestic assault, eating disorder, drug and alcohol addiction, discussion of past SA

Fast paced rockstar romance. I enjoyed the chemistry between the two main characters and was the right amount of spice, would definitely read more from the author

Rome Moreno is a band member of Enemy Muse. All the other band members are now in a happy relationship but he is still making his way through all the women.
After he ran into Lili in the streets, he felt something he never felt before. He couldn’t get enough of Lili and kept trying to meet up with her and get closer to her.

Lili is a world-class dance princess. Her mother has forced her into this world from a young age. Everything is decided for Lili by her mother; what she does, what she eats, and who she meets up with.
Rome is distracting her from everything she needs to do, but she can’t get enough of him. She knows he is the forbidden fruit but that only makes her more intrigued.
He is nothing but trouble, but maybe he is worth the trouble.

I don’t really know how to describe this book but I enjoyed it a lot. It’s a romance book but it explores many more topics and problems.
I liked both the main characters. They both had great backstories and problems that made them real. The chemistry between Rome and Lili was great. The book was written in dual POV so you get the story from both sides.
I listened to this book as an audiobook and the production was great. I really liked both the narrators.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.