A Seductive Melody

In McHugh’s fifth Kelly Brothers contemporary (after The Heart’s Game), Ethan Kelly, lead singer of a popular band, shaves his famous hair and flees public life to fight his heroin addiction after his best friend overdoses. The last thing he seeks is romance, but in a Narcotics Anonymous meeting in a Manhattan church basement, he catches the eye of “Ms. Park Avenue.” Over coffee she reveals herself to be Rebecca Shore, former celebrity party girl who cut ties with her hypercritical father and his money in hopes of maintaining sobriety. Now a struggling journalist, she offers Ethan sympathy and help before realizing “the man was a rock god she’d worshipped since she was a teenager.” McHugh creates sympathetic characters with strong support systems: Rebecca’s friends and faith, and Ethan’s solicitous family. Some contrived plot developments detract, however, and soft BDSM elements and purple prose do little to enhance an otherwise satisfying romance. [em](BookLife) [/em]