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lydiarama's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
After blazing through Comfort’s later romcom, What Is Love?, I knew I had to read every other book in her catalogue. Comfort is one of few authors that can pull an actual, earnest laugh out of me, and I love that she takes on daringly whacky storylines with similarly eclectic characters without making the narrative (too) unbelievable while weaving together an electric romance with all the drama of a Broadway musical.
Midnight Duet was riotously funny, offering a gender-swapped retelling of The Phantom of the Opera, in which the Phantom is a broadway diva who fell from grace after a stage accident left her scarred, and Christine is a German rock star with a flare for the dramatic and a passion for rock music, making him a perfect fit for the heroine. I loved that neither of the main characters were perfect people, with Erika being a self-admitted adulteress with a history of selfishness, and Christoff a controlling, self-righteous band frontman. Their egomaniacal natures made for instant chemistry between the two, which was delicious to experience. Despite their shortcomings, they were both able to find empowerment and growth through their romance. This character growth is also realized through Erika’s absorption into the band, Nachtmusik, in which she is able to feel true kinship for the first time, and is a way of Christoff enveloping her into his family.
My only critique for such a fun book was that I wanted just a teensy bit more ravishing (LOL). So much tension is built up in the story, and I found the moment that the two characters finally gave in to their desires was a bit flat. With so much effort being put into showcasing Christoff as a leather-pants-wearing, long-hair-whipping, electric guitar-shredding sex god, there could have been a bit more passion when it came to the steamier scenes.
Additionally, I felt like there wasn’t a dedicated scene in which the characters actually have a midnight duet! Erika agrees to give Christoff voice lessons at midnight, but we don’t experience them singing a song together, at least not in real-time. I felt like this was a bit of a missed opportunity, but I understand that such a scene could be difficult to translate into a book.
My last gripe is that I believe the ending should have been through Erika’s perspective, as she felt like the truest main character/the story begins through her POV. This is a super minor thing, but I would have liked to have experienced her triumphing in the end in her return to the stage.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I know I’ll be first in the library queue for whatever adorable, sexy hijinks Comfort releases next.
Midnight Duet was riotously funny, offering a gender-swapped retelling of The Phantom of the Opera, in which the Phantom is a broadway diva who fell from grace after a stage accident left her scarred, and Christine is a German rock star with a flare for the dramatic and a passion for rock music, making him a perfect fit for the heroine. I loved that neither of the main characters were perfect people, with Erika being a self-admitted adulteress with a history of selfishness, and Christoff a controlling, self-righteous band frontman. Their egomaniacal natures made for instant chemistry between the two, which was delicious to experience. Despite their shortcomings, they were both able to find empowerment and growth through their romance. This character growth is also realized through Erika’s absorption into the band, Nachtmusik, in which she is able to feel true kinship for the first time, and is a way of Christoff enveloping her into his family.
My only critique for such a fun book was that I wanted just a teensy bit more ravishing (LOL). So much tension is built up in the story, and I found the moment that the two characters finally gave in to their desires was a bit flat. With so much effort being put into showcasing Christoff as a leather-pants-wearing, long-hair-whipping, electric guitar-shredding sex god, there could have been a bit more passion when it came to the steamier scenes.
Additionally, I felt like there wasn’t a dedicated scene in which the characters actually have a midnight duet! Erika agrees to give Christoff voice lessons at midnight, but we don’t experience them singing a song together, at least not in real-time. I felt like this was a bit of a missed opportunity, but I understand that such a scene could be difficult to translate into a book.
My last gripe is that I believe the ending should have been through Erika’s perspective, as she felt like the truest main character/the story begins through her POV. This is a super minor thing, but I would have liked to have experienced her triumphing in the end in her return to the stage.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I know I’ll be first in the library queue for whatever adorable, sexy hijinks Comfort releases next.
annie_the_lesbrarian's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This was silly and melodramatic and I freaking loved it! Phantom of the opera is not my favorite but this book is truly for the theatre girlies. All of this book was such a good time, from beginning to end.
jafeyrer's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
illstoptheworldandreadwithyou's review
5.0
“What’s so awesome about this book?” you ask. Well, let me tell you.
It’s a Phantom of the Opera retelling set in small-town Nevada at a defunct theater and its attached historical brothel with a now-disfigured former Broadway star and the lead of a German hair metal band poised as our romantic leads. Erika was going places, y’all. She was up for a Tony for her performance as Fantine in Les Misérables before everything went wrong. And now she’s in Nevada. With the money pit she inherited. Just trying to make ends meet.
And Christof and his band? Well, they’re renting the theatre so that they can have the authentic American experience while creating their next album. The members of Nachtmusik are already international superstars in Europe, but they want to break into the American market.
If you, like me, were raised on Labyrinth, or even if you weren’t—you should go watch that now by the way—you will love Christof and his aesthetic. He’s going to give you all the David Bowie vibes. (That film was a formative part of my childhood. I will not be accepting any negative feedback about it.) Anyhoo, Bowie and Bon Jovi are both name-dropped in relation to his level of presence and glamour when Erika first sees him.
Erika has a flair for drama and perhaps a tendency to be overdramatic. (Former Broadway diva, remember?)
He’s a stern brunch daddy with tons of self-imposed pressure regarding his band as well as—what could be considered to be—an unhealthy attachment to his guitar.
The band members are a cast of characters. Let me tell you: they will keep you highly entertained.
And the romance between Erika and Christof turns out to be exactly what each of them needs.
Also, did I mention that Jen Comfort writes delicious steam? Because, y’all, she writes some delicious steam.
5⭐️
Anyway, I highly recommend picking this up one when you need a pick-me-up.
It’s a Phantom of the Opera retelling set in small-town Nevada at a defunct theater and its attached historical brothel with a now-disfigured former Broadway star and the lead of a German hair metal band poised as our romantic leads. Erika was going places, y’all. She was up for a Tony for her performance as Fantine in Les Misérables before everything went wrong. And now she’s in Nevada. With the money pit she inherited. Just trying to make ends meet.
And Christof and his band? Well, they’re renting the theatre so that they can have the authentic American experience while creating their next album. The members of Nachtmusik are already international superstars in Europe, but they want to break into the American market.
If you, like me, were raised on Labyrinth, or even if you weren’t—you should go watch that now by the way—you will love Christof and his aesthetic. He’s going to give you all the David Bowie vibes. (That film was a formative part of my childhood. I will not be accepting any negative feedback about it.) Anyhoo, Bowie and Bon Jovi are both name-dropped in relation to his level of presence and glamour when Erika first sees him.
Erika has a flair for drama and perhaps a tendency to be overdramatic. (Former Broadway diva, remember?)
He’s a stern brunch daddy with tons of self-imposed pressure regarding his band as well as—what could be considered to be—an unhealthy attachment to his guitar.
The band members are a cast of characters. Let me tell you: they will keep you highly entertained.
And the romance between Erika and Christof turns out to be exactly what each of them needs.
Also, did I mention that Jen Comfort writes delicious steam? Because, y’all, she writes some delicious steam.
5⭐️
Anyway, I highly recommend picking this up one when you need a pick-me-up.
setsandstories's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A fun, spicy, modern twist on The Phantom of the Opera.
kateyroa's review against another edition
Ugh. Tried it as audible and didn’t like the narrator. May try as an ebook.
mirandagray23's review against another edition
4.0
This book was cutie!!
CHAPTER 25 IS EXTRA SPICY COMPARED TO THE REST OF THE BOOK!
The Astronaut and the Star was more my vibes, but I still loved how cute and fun this one was.
Jen Comfort definitely loves to add some international flex in her books!
CHAPTER 25 IS EXTRA SPICY COMPARED TO THE REST OF THE BOOK!
The Astronaut and the Star was more my vibes, but I still loved how cute and fun this one was.
Jen Comfort definitely loves to add some international flex in her books!