LISTEN TO ME is Book 1 in Kristen Proby's "Fusion" series. This is a story about friendships and finally finding the person to fall in love with who totally gets you. When restaurateur Addie Wade meets rock star Jake Keller at the beginning of LISTEN TO ME, she's looking for a musician to play at her restaurant -- not looking for a potential lover. However, when her current boyfriend reveals himself to be the cheating, scumbag he always actually was, Jake seizes his opportunity and slowly makes his move.

Although he readily admits that he is flawed, and has just as much emotional baggage as Addie, I love Jake. Jake is thoroughly smitten by Addie and shows her how much every chance he gets, says charming things, and generally takes care of her emotionally and any other way she'll let him. However, both Jake and Addie have trust issues. He doesn't totally trust himself because of his past, and she has trouble trusting him because of her history of dating selfish losers. Kristen Proby packs LISTEN TO ME with sizzling sex scenes, but what really drew me in was the wealth of emotional intensity between Jake and Addie.

LISTEN TO ME is very much a story in which friendships play a crucial role. Addie co-owns Seduction with her closest girlfriends. Her friends act as a sounding board for Addie and offer support when she is sometimes in short supply of it from her family. The interactions between the women are touching and very silly in equal measure. Likewise, Jake's friendships with Max and Christina are a big part of his life. Through Max and Christina, the reader gets a window into Jake's past and his soul. These friendships create a more layered and interesting story.

LISTEN TO ME is bursting with characters you'll laugh and cry with. Jake is an out-of-this world hero and I rooted for him throughout LISTEN TO ME. Kristen Proby does a great job of balancing the sexiness with the drama. I look forward to reading future books in this "Fusion" series -- especially Cami's story.