HEART THROB is the seventh book in Brooklyn Ann's Hearts of Metal series. This book works as a standalone story, but because a particular event is frequently referenced, reading FORBIDDEN SONG before this book might be best. Lexi Adams is an experienced director and executive producer who will be putting together a documentary about the heavy metal band Vicious. Vicious bassist Brand Kife is skeptical about the documentary, but it ends up bringing love into his life. Although these two characters have very different professions, they eventually find that they have more in common than they thought.

Lexi and Brand have both experienced abusive childhoods but managed to survive, cultivate successful careers, and develop tight friendships. Brooklyn Ann skillfully, and with sensitivity, relates the events in Lexi's and Brand's pasts without going into excruciating detail. When they first meet, Brand and Lexi are immediately attracted to each other, but both have their reasons for wanting to avoid a romantic entanglement. Lexi wants to be taken seriously for the professional she is, and if people heard of her having a fling with one of the subjects she was filming, it would look bad for her. Brand has some secrets and baggage from his childhood that make emotional and full physical intimacy complicated at best. Even though this is a contemporary romance, Brand is like a hero out of a historical gothic romance. Abrupt and slightly isolated before Lexi walked into his life, this romance brings positive changes for both Brand.

HEART THROB is a fiery romance between an independent heroine and a gothic rock star hero. Rather than be a tale about rock star decadence, Brooklyn Ann once again focuses on the very real problems some people face and the way they are able to overcome them. Friendships take a place of prominence in HEART THROB and they make the story better. I look forward to Brooklyn Ann's next book.