Just umm wow - I accepted this ARC based on the author alone, I didnt even read the blurb first.

And NR did not let us down. This is a beautiful emotional read with Maddox and Roscoe and the ups and downs of building a relationship between 'boss and employee' let alone touring as a musician in a famous band.

This story took us into the nitty gritty of what I can only imagine has been portrayed as the life of a touring musician who is always on.

I adored this book, read it start to finish with no breaks, staying up way to late to finish it.

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4.25 ( )

Being in the world's most famous boy band isn't always all it's cracked up to be...the press and paparazzi...the fans following wherever you go and especially the loneliness that comes with it. Those bones are what this sometimes sad, though beautiful story are based on...and it's also from one of my favorite authors, N.R. Walker. The story portrays the message clearly that fame is not all sweet-smelling roses and good times. It's not even about the money and fame...it's about the price it demands that isn't always visible until it overtakes the performer. we see what happens when it all becomes too much and spirals into health problems both mental and physical. It affects everyone around them. It's also a love story that clearly shows how the power of love is everything especially when you feel like you have nothing, and no-one is on your side and sees that you are much more than a "money maker". N R Walker has done a fantastic job of showing the human cost of fame. ( )

[4.5] As the TV host at the end succinctly puts it: "That's sweet, but Maddox, that's also kind of sad."

THE ENTIRE BOOK IN A NUTSHELL MY FRIENDS

Straight off the bat, let me confess that celebrity/band books aren't my favorite. Too much infighting, too many meddling outsiders, too many stupid decisions, too many eyes on the MCs. Just too much of everything.

But this was a welcome change from what I've come to expect from the trope, and I can honestly say I didn't anticipate for this story about a global sensation boy band to make me feel so much.

Code Red paints an incredibly realistic picture of the physical and emotional toil of fame and touring on the lives and wellbeing of stars (and the crew behind-the-scenes).

MADDOX

As the face of the band, Maddox has the world’s expectations on his shoulders. It’s easy to dismiss his troubles as insignificant when he supposedly has it all, but through Maddox’s struggles, we see that fame isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

We meet him when he’s already a shell of the young kid who played around with music in a garage with his friends. Everyone puts him on a pedestal, and as a diehard perfectionist, he completely internalizes those expectations. He must perform every dance move on point, sing perfectly—failure is not an option. There is no excuse for disappointing fans.

Roscoe is the only one Maddox allows to see the real him. At times, he can almost feel too dependent on Roscoe but I saw it more as a cry for help than anything. Especially as his frustration builds when events reveal what little control he actually has over his life.

It's lonely at the top. And being part of a band since a young age, his whole identity is built around this persona. It's too easy to lose sight of himself when this is all he knows and it's as if the entire world has something to say. There were times when I’d just put down my tablet, stare into the distance, and think about how sad and empty he must feel inside. *insert woman protecting Kevin Hart meme here*

I think these lyrics from Suga's Interlude: Shadow represent where Maddox’s head is at perfectly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PV1gCvzpSy0&ab_channel=HYBELABELS

People say, there's splendor in that bright light
But my growing shadow swallows me and becomes a monster
Up high, high, and higher, higher
I only go higher and vertigo overtakes me
I rise, rise, I hate it
I pray, I pray, hoping to be okay

But despite this, Maddox has a backbone of steel and will not take disrespect lying down. When he has something to fight for, he turns full-on alpha male, and respect to him for taking absolutely no bullshirt when the safety of those he cares for is threatened ( )