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From the blurb:
Silas Brown
I’m the rhythm guitar player in a pop-punk band and I’m tired of being called a hero. I’m also done with crazy. After taking down a mass shooter, I’m trying to survive and recover. Then out of nowhere, this colorful dude pleas for help and what do I do? Save him. Of course, he’s really attractive and probably crazy. Now he’s found me at work, wants to meet for coffee and so much more. Do I lower my defenses and let him in?
Cash Phillips
After a childhood of neglect and foster care, I’ve defeated my past and clawed my way to happiness. Now I’m ready to meet Mr. Right and I know he’s out there. He might even be Silas, the one who saved me from being robbed. He’s cranky and oh so adorable and I know he’s the yin to my yang. How can I make him see I’m not the crazy man he thinks I am?
When Silas’ ex comes at us with her brand of emotional abuse, Silas tries to shield me. But when she’s the one needing help, will it tear us apart or bring us all together?
Light Me Up is the fourth book in the Rock U series and is part of the Mesa Boys universe. This novel features a grumpy man falling for another who’s all sunshine, hurt/comfort, and a bad-boy rocker recovering from past trauma and emotional abuse. It guarantees an HEA and has no cliffhangers. It features a cynical college student with a big heart, and a man who’s perpetually positive and knows what he wants. Each book features a different couple and can be read as a standalone or as part of the series in order.
Trigger warning: This book contains themes of gun violence, past and present emotional abuse, past childhood neglect and suicidal thoughts of a side character.
Angel's Review:
Silas is the one who stopped that madman in the shooting. Everyone calls him a hero. He doesn't feel like he is, and he doesn't believe it either. In fact, he believes he could've done more, could've saved more people. One night he ends up helping a man about to be mugged, and the man he saved changed his life for the better.
Cash grew up in the foster care system and had a rough time while being there. Thankfully, he did get adopted into a wonderful and loving family that's full of love and plenty of siblings. When Silas helps him from being mugged, he knows Silas is it for him. He'll just have to make Silas see it.
I thought Silas and Cash's story was good. It was written well. There was drama in the story, due to Silas's ex, there was plenty of supportive family feels throughout the book. As well as a very powerful message; that message being, it's okay to get help. It takes strength to reach out and ask for help and to accept it. I really appreciate that Christie really made that message sing in this book. I adored Cash's family, along with Silas's band family. They all care about each other and have one another so backs when it's needed.
I don't know quite how to feel about how Silas and Cash got together. I mean, it was pretty quick, and while I do think it's good that they just did what felt right to them, it was definitely giving off an insta-love vibe. I'm interested in seeing where Christie continues to take this series.
Rating: 4.25 Stars
Sheena's Review:
This is the 4th in the Rock U series, and I feel like I've spent so much time with these boys that I know them all by now. This is Silas and Cash's story, and Cash is a new character although we've met Silas in the previous books. This is grumpy/sunshine which is my absolute kryptonite, it's probably my favourite trope. Silas is going through a lot, getting over severe trauma with the help of therapy, not helped by an ex who won't let go and borders on stalking. He's closed off and grumpy most of the time when we meet him.
Cash is a joy, he's sunshine personified and straight away breaks down all of Silas' barriers mostly by simply ignoring them. It's so wonderful to see these two get so close, so quickly and how good they are for each other. This isn't just one sided, they each bring something to the relationship and although it's so fast for them both, it works for them, I think. There's the complication of Silas' ex though, and that doesn't go away until it comes to a head. I loved how protective Cash was of Silas and him enrolling the help of the band family was great - I love found family too.
I really enjoyed this story, it was hot, sweet and just a lot of fun.
Rating: 4 Stars
Heather's Review:
I've been waiting for Silas to get his HEA - from the mass shooting to his ex-girlfriend, he's had very little to smile about and I am so happy that Cash provided the balance and the sunshine to Silas' grumpy and sad exterior. The relationship itself has very little angst, but Silas' past features prominently.
This book was a page turner in the best way - steamy and sweet romance with great friends and family support and some aha moments for the characters. It also has some dark and difficult parts that balance the sunshine - and this is where reading the trigger warnings is important - there are a lot of positives that come out of the trauma situations, but there is a lot of past and present trauma in the storyline. As with the rest of the series, I was fully engaged from start to finish and I can't wait to see where we go next! While this book could be read standalone, you would understand it better as part of the series.
Rating: 5 Stars
Light Me Up is available to buy as an ebook, paperback, hardback, or to read with Kindle Unlimited subscription.
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