In the Band was a really great read that tackles a few hard issues as well as having a really lovely romance. 
 One thing I sometimes have a problem with when reading books that use some of life's most difficult issues as a storyline complication is how realistic they are portrayed (at least those I can say I have some experience with). In the Band, was really good at addressing issues like divorce/emotional adultery and depression in a real life, realistic way while showing the long-term light at the end of the tunnel. 
 The main characters Riley and Romeo were really admirable and interesting. Their romance was really well developed, allowing for a little bit of sexual tension and a passionate conclusion. This contrasts with the often used 'instant love', which can be fun in its own way, but would not have worked in the frame of this story. 
 Quote: 
 "The falling can be an emotional, chaotic whirlwind. The landing jarring and eye opening. But if two people are really in love, there's nothing in this world that can overcome it. Even if they can't be together, love doesn't cease." 
 From a romantic standpoint I loved this quote taken from In the Band, but from a realistic one it was also my least favorite aspect of the book, when the situation it was taken from was added to the equation. That sounds weird but since everything else in the book was touching on real situations my practical non-romantic side was screaming that life doesn't work that way unless the people involved want it to. It was a blip on the surface of the story but it was one of the main reasons I couldn't give the book a 5/5. I like to keep my romantic and practical sides separated, since they often clash. 
 Another reason I couldn't give the book 5/5 was the, at times, slow pace and the need for a little more awareness or an obvious connection between Riley and Romeo in the beginning of the romantic relationship.