This is the second book in a series, and fully enjoyable on its own. 
 Trevor hails from a conservative Christian family which has rejected him due to his sexuality. He's weeks from graduating college and his whole life already seems a bust. He's cut off from his family and his planned job as music director in his father's church. He has no prospects, no home and less than $100 in his bank account when he gets a call to take part in a "boy band" reality show. Trevor was part of an acapella group in college, and even participated in a previous reality show with that group the summer before--one of this new show's producers is the one calling him back, and well, he has the choice between homelessness and six weeks of room and board in the reality show house. Plus, if the group he's with wins...well! 
 Okay, it's not gonna be easy, especially when Trevor learns that he's part of a "gay" band. And, not just part...he's the "other half" of a couple, to a guy he has never met. 
 Jalen is doing this show as a favor to his foster sister, and he doesn't mind singing so much, but he hasn't had any formal training, and he's not sure what to make of Trevor, his "boo." Jalen's a beefcake mix of Black-Hispanic-Hawaiian genes, and though he isn't tall, he dwarfs 5' 5" Trevor. They are pressed into sharing a room in the house, and that's not all they share. Okay, well, that is all they share at first, but the pressure cooker of the competition soon draws them close. 
 Trevor has such a negative view of himself, it's upsetting. He's never been good enough for his family, his music group, his instructors, etc. He's also so very hard on himself for looking too femme, with a high vocal range that also makes him feel femme. He has NO desire to be femme, but it's kinda default, on account of his stature, and it really affects him, holds him back from being the best he can be. Jalen is such a nurturer. As Jalen gets a glimpse into Trevor's world, all he wants is to keep Trevor safe. It's not easy, due to a developing medical problem that worsens as the story winds on. The big crisis comes just when it looks like Jalen and Trevor and their group are poised to win the whole thing. 
 There are some spectacular feels in this book. Trevor's capacity for self-loathing seems deep and wide, but Jalen's steadfast affection, and eventual love, is able to slowly draw Trevor into a positive mindset. There is some rather deep shame kink here--some I hadn't read before--and I liked the way it was handled. The whole "different strokes" take was interesting and kept me engaged, as I hoped that Trevor would work past it. The playful banter was so spot on, and the insight from both Trevor and Jalen's POVs were compelling. The competition didn't play such a role in this book, as very little of the story takes place before an audience and there are no weekly eliminations, so the bulk of the narrative was focused on the characters and their love story, and how it developed. 
 There are good secondary characters, too. Carter and Carson--the other half of the "band" are not pleasant at first, but we get a good look in on them when the going gets rough. I liked how Trevor and Carter interacted when it looked like the whole plan was going up in smoke. Jalen's sister is a good gal, despite the prickly situation of being a boss in the show. 
 I totally loved this one, and am not nearly ready to wait goodness knows how long for the NEXT book in this series now that I broke my rule and read the (included) first chapter of book three... ARRGH! 
 I received a review copy of this book via NetGalley.