ARC Review: Pop Star (Famous #1) by Eden Finley

Blurb:

Harley

What happens when the most successful boy band on the planet breaks up?
How about twenty thousand fans screaming my name.
But the price of fame comes with an increased risk to my safety.
I’ve been avoiding the dreaded B word for as long as I can, but after a close call with a rambunctious fan, I can’t do it anymore.
It’s time to give in.
I need to hire a full-time bodyguard.
And when he shows up, he not only screams badass, he’s another B word I try to stay away from: boyfriend material. 

Brix

Protecting people is not what my company usually does, but the boss knows I need money, and the pop star is offering an insane amount to live with him and make sure no more crazy fans break into his house.
I’m doing it for the money and nothing else.
He may be the prettiest man I’ve ever seen, and I may feel sorry for the celebrity life he’s been forced into since he was a teenager, but that doesn’t mean anything.
Just because he fascinates me, that doesn’t mean I like him.
It doesn’t.
Professionalism. I’m gonna live it. Breathe it. Enforce it … Mostly.

Todd's rating:

After Harley being the selfish, arrogant, would-be villain slash pop star diva in Jet's "Hat Trick" book, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect of him in this story, but I did have a feeling that Eden wouldn't disappoint. And she didn't.

Right off the bat, I immediately liked the more down-to-earth, slightly-insecure guy behind the boy band image that was forced upon Harley by his shitty, controlling record label. There was a lot more to him than the public was allowed to see.

The main thing that completely irked me about Harley in "Hat Trick" was his engagement to Evah, but we quickly found out here that their relationship was a total work of fiction, arranged by those making all of Harley's decision for him behind-the-scenes.

Then when an obsessed fan took things way too far, and Harley needed a bodyguard, that's where we met Brix, the straight-laced, military guy assigned to babysit the anxious pop star.

Although Brix's Army training had left him pretty buttoned-up, I enjoyed the fun, playful, often-mischievous interactions that the pair engaged in nearly from the start. Brix was not only a guardian at the gates, but also a friend with good advice that Harley needed to hear.


This being a romance, of course the guys secretly had the hots for one another and, of course, eventually acted on those emotions, but neither of them expected it to turn into something more.

Although I didn't entirely understand Brix's need for the level of secrecy, I did really enjoy the story line surrounding his medical debt.

Since I'm not a usually a huge fan of mysteries, though, the dangerous stalker plot was less successful for me, if I'm being 100% honest; however, it was the lynchpin reason behind their meeting and spending countless days together.

I did especially love Brix's coworker, Iris, who totally reminded me of Maddy (from "Fake Out") in regards to his personality. He was a totally fun, crazy character and I can't wait to read his book. And the origin of his name was hilarious.

The angst was kept to very manageable levels, and the flip-floppy steam was on the hotter side, but not so prevalent that I ever felt like skimming my way past the nekkid scenes.

Also, the epilogue was pretty touching, especially the part about  further cementing their happily ever after, so I was glad that it was included.

Overall, I'd rate the book at just over 4 stars and recommend it to fans of Eden's other books.

My ARC copy of the book was provided by the author in exchange for a fair, unbiased review.

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