Light Me Up

Rock U, Book 4

De: Christie Gordon

Narrado por: Finnley Cole

Getting rescued in a dark alley should’ve been the end of the story. Instead, it was the beginning of everything I never saw coming.

Silas

Music is my escape. My control. The one thing in my life that still makes sense.

After everything—the shooting, the guilt, the mistakes I can’t outrun—I keep my world tight. Controlled. Safe. Then I meet Cash. He’s loud where I’m quiet. Bright where I’m… not.

A walking contradiction in glitter and chaos who hands money to a guy who tried to rob him and smiles like the world hasn’t broken him. He shouldn’t get under my skin.

Shouldn’t make me feel things I’ve spent months trying to bury. But every look, every touch, every kiss pulls me closer to something I don’t know how to handle.

Because wanting him?

That means risking everything I’ve barely managed to hold together.

And I don’t know if I can survive falling apart again.

Cash

I’ve spent my whole life choosing joy. Fighting for it.

Because I know what it’s like to have nothing. No safety. No love. No light. Then Silas crashes into my world like a storm I can’t look away from.

He’s guarded. Sharp-edged. Carrying pain so deep it bleeds through everything he does.

But underneath it?

He’s good. So damn good it hurts to see how little he believes it.

And I want him.

Not just for one night. Not just for the heat between us.

I want all of him.

Even the broken parts he tries to hide.

But loving Silas means walking straight into his darkness, And hoping I don’t lose myself trying to light him up.

Light Me Up is book 4 of the Rock U series and is a steamy, emotional MM romance featuring a guarded guitarist with survivor’s guilt, a sunshine-soft survivor who refuses to dim, opposites-attract tension, bi awakening, found family, healing from trauma, and a love that burns bright enough to chase away the dark.

Buy now and fall for the boy who hides in the shadows, and the one determined to light him up anyway.

©2023 Christie Gordon (P)2026 Christie Gordon

Heartwarming Couple

This book from the Rock U series by Christie Gordon has great characters and very realistic storylines. From the beginning you will be engaged in Silas and Cash’s meeting and how the relationship develops as they get to know each other. Wonderful banter, special friendships and family love that make your heart smile. Finnley Cole does an excellent job narrating and brings each of the characters to life in unique ways that endear them to the listener.

Really Good story & narration

This is a fun series and this story doesn't disappoint. Well written story that keeps you engaged, the narration is really good and brings the characters to life.

RockedU Rocked again

Finnley Cole nails the RockU series again with this book four. Good to hear Silas and Cash get their HEA.

so so good

Light Me Up is the 4th book in the Rock U series. This book, like all the others in the series, can be read as a standalone but I prefer reading it in order with the others. This is Silas the rhythm guitar player of the band ”Knot Me” and Cash a sweet sunshiny guy. Silas and Cash are complete opposites and work so well together. This book has a realness to it that keeps you interested from the beginning. I love books that deal with real world issues and do it well. Christie Gordon is an amazing author and I look forward to the next book she does. If you get the audio narration, Finnley Cole does a wonderful job of narrating this series. He makes the change in characters seamlessly. I can't wait to listen to the next book. I would definitely recommend this book and series.

Insta-love, Complex and Engaging OWD

1st person, past tense, dual POV
Silas Brown (23), master's of accounting and finance student at ASU, Rhythm Guitar player for Knot Me
Cash Phillips (23), assistant manager at Discount Tire

Audiobook (9h7m), Narrated by Finnley Cole: 4.25 stars (2024)
This narrator is one that I enjoy listening to so I'm happy to recommend this book in audio. I do find that he speaks a little on the slow side, but given the choice between that and someone who talks a million miles a minute, this way wins hands down. I love the emotion and personality that he is able to convey in bringing the characters to life. As a standout read in the series, I was delighted to be able to listen to Light Me Up, though I was a tad disappointed in Cash's voice as he felt more vivacious in my head .

I was given an Audible code and voluntarily wrote an honest review.


Original Book Review (2023):
This is book four of the Rock U series (book five if you consider the prequel) and while I have read the previous books of the series I think this would standalone well as all necessary context is given to the reader. Beware though, that it will spoil some of the events in previous books if you decide to start here. Also, heed the trigger warnings on this one, they are there for a reason.

Silas Brown is the rhythm guitar player for Knot Me and he has appeared previously as the stoic grump of a bandmate in the previous books of the series. He had been in an on-again, off-again relationship with Mia, who didn't appear to be the best partner to Silas and as this book takes place they have been broken up for about a month.

Cash Phillips in about as opposite from Silas as a person could be, sunshine incarnate, open, loving, and colourful. They meet one night after one of Silas' shows as Cash is being accosted by a drunk man attempting to rob him. Silas thwarts the attack and sparks fly as Cash immediately recognizes Silas as being a pretty special person, he just has to convince Silas to given them a chance.

This book is pretty insta (which I am not the biggest fan of) and I feel like the first half of the book could have benefitted from a little more restraint in this regard, especially given the length of the book. They get together, declare their love for one another, etc. at a lightning pace, which causes the middle of the book to drag a little because there isn't a whole lot left to engage the reader. At least I enjoyed what I was reading, the dates, and especially the time at the cat rescue where Silas volunteers were adorable.

I loved getting the little cameos of the other band members and seeing the band grow in popularity, it makes the world seem organic rather than stagnant. I loved the positive mental health rep, with characters dealing with trauma in a healthy way and accepting/supporting each other fully. I loved that the angst/drama was external to the couple and we got to see their relationship strengthen as a result. The Mia storyline was well developed and done in a way that left you feeling some sympathy for her when going into the book she felt more like a pure villain. I hope she gets a HEA too.

I'm enjoying the series and looking forward to Gabe's story next.

I was given an ARC and voluntarily wrote an honest review.