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Band of Brothers #2

Beat of His Own Drums

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For All The Right Reasons introduced Ben and Simon Gallo, the two brothers who together created what would become the legendary rock band Reckless. For every step towards glory which Ben took on their rise to fame, Simon's footsteps faltered along that same journey. Nothing he did seemed to measure up and it was one misstep after another, until Simon no longer knew the man he was looking at in the mirror. Substance abuse covered up his anger and far too many poor decisions to count concealed what he really wanted in his life: acceptance and self-love along with a meaningful and committed relationship with a soul mate.

Beat Of His Own Drums is Simon's story, and gives insight to who Simon really is as a man and why he did the things he did to try and find his happiness. Everyone deserves a second chance at life and even at love, and Simon is ready for his. He's walked the walk and talked the talk, now Simon wants the world to know why he's always had to go through life using the beat from his own drums to guide him.

This 31,000+ word M/M novella has an HEA ending, and is a follow-up story to For All The Right Reasons, M/F, which I would recommend reading first. These stories have now become a series, and a full-length novel will follow Beat Of His Own Drums, which will release in the future to continue Simon and Ben's story.

138 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 20, 2017

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About the author

Ann Lister

46 books833 followers
Ann Lister is a native New Englander currently living in Florida with her husband. She has pulled details from her years living in the New England area and uses many local settings and landmarks in her novels.

After graduating art school, marrying, and raising two daughters, she established her own video production company. Her nearly two decades working in video production included work within the music industry and won her a coveted Telly Award. Her 'behind-the-scenes' exposure to the music world and her love of rock music is the inspiration for her erotic rock star romances.

The Rock Gods series gave her Bestselling Author status on Amazon. Beyond The Music, Book 7 in the series, reached #1 in Gay Erotica in the Pre-Order and held that spot for several weeks. The last book in the series launches the spin-off series, Guarding The Gods, which is releasing in early summer 2016.

Fall For Me, Book One in the series was a Finalist in the 2013 Rainbow Award. Each book in this series brings her two favorite elements together: musicians and the love between two men. These stories focus on what it truly means to love; love unconditionally, love without restrictions or labels, love without fear or judgment – to just simply love.

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5 stars
37 (43%)
4 stars
27 (31%)
3 stars
18 (21%)
2 stars
2 (2%)
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1 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
Profile Image for Joanne Mountford.
317 reviews21 followers
July 10, 2017


How does she do it? If you have read book one in this series you would have already met Simon. I took an instant dislike to him in For All The Right Reasons, he was a total douchebag. How Ann Lister got me to not only like him but fall for him in this book is unbelievable. I want so much more from this story. I am very thankful there’s a full length novel to come.

I understand now why Simon was a complete pig previously, I don’t agree with his behaviour, but I can see he was emotionally distressed and frustrated. If only he would have had someone to talk to, his life could have been so much different now.

Simon is in for quite a shock when a blasted from the past shows up. You know that saying a second chance love? Well, maybe Simon wasn’t ready the first time and this is his second chance.

Dakota Malloy is the best drum technician any drummer would be lucky to have and Simon knows it. Pushing his feelings aside has never been easy for Simon, he’s been through so much over the years, more than most, but he’s come through on the other side and he needs recognition for that. I’m hoping he and his brother Ben can become as close as I am sure they once used to be.

Ben Gallo is in For All the Right Reasons, Band Of Brothers Book one. He is hot as sin, beautiful on the inside too. He lit up my world when reading about him. My only complaint was the way Sydney dealt with things. I screamed at this book several times. Luckily I was given a HEA, but I am hoping to hear more about Ben and Sydney in Simon’s full length novel.

Overall I am so pleased that Ann Lister decided to write Simon’s story because he certainly has quite a story to tell.
Thank you Ann Lister for another fantastic story.
Profile Image for Jennifer Reilley.
1,084 reviews28 followers
July 12, 2017
I loved this book. I love the second chance romance. I loved seeing how they met and fell in love

I can't wait for their full story next. Great book Ann.
Profile Image for Laurie Ather.
210 reviews
July 11, 2017
I wish this would have been longer! Now the long wait for the continuation of the story of Simon and Dakota!
409 reviews3 followers
July 25, 2017
Beat of His Own Drums

Simon was a dock in the first book and i didn't really care for him but I am actually happy he got a novella and soon a full story of his own. Ann writes great stories of good men even if they are sometimes bad they usually have a good heart.
619 reviews
July 26, 2017
Very good read!

I loved Book 1 and this book raised the level up just a bit more than I expected. Simon rubbed me the wrong way for a bit, but now that I know the deal, I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt for now. Can't wait for the next book! Should be a doozy!!!
Profile Image for TracyG..
360 reviews
August 7, 2017
2.5 stars. Honestly I'm not impressed. I don't like books that flashback they annoy me and distract me from the story. Yes I got a small incite into who Simon is but not enough for me to stop disliking him. I'm hope the next book has no flashbacks and shows us the real Simon.

Sorry this on wasn't for me.
Profile Image for Barbara Holler.
102 reviews1 follower
March 18, 2023
Good read, but it ends before Simon tells his brother, Ben about his bisexuality, and this novella says "to be continued" coming in 2018. Well, 2023 now and I am waiting!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Valerie Degeorge.
324 reviews125 followers
July 13, 2017
This is a novella and also book 2 in the Band of Brothers Series by Ann Lister, you need to read the first book "For All The Right Reasons " to fully understand Simon Gallo's story in this book.

Let me point out first , that after reading book one, I couldn't stand Simon Gallo I wanted to smack him into the next week so when I found out that Ann was writing his book in this novella I was pondering "How will she ever redeem this jerk?" Well.... not only did she redeem him, Ann made me fall in love with him (I did not see that coming ).

Simon is the drummer in the band Reckless where his brother Ben Gallo is lead singer, we met him in the first book in this series. After years of partying hard and substance abuse Ann brought us back to the beginning showing us why Simon behaved the way he did which eventually broke up their band and relationship with his brother Ben. I slowly began to realize why Simon lashed out and acted like a complete jerk when all along he felt isolated and was hiding who he truly was as a person and his desires.

Dakota Malloy is the drum tech for Simon Gallo, when Simon finally notices Dak and and gets to know him sparks fly but will these two young kids be able to deal with new revelations and new stardom ? Is there such a thing as second chance love?

I so highly recommend this book and series and I can't wait until we get book #3 which will be a full novel about Ben and Simon and their significant others

Another great read from Ann Lister
Profile Image for Caryn.
2,154 reviews3 followers
March 1, 2018
Not a fan of a whole story being a teaser for a novel.

Simon Gallo, drummer for Reckless and brother of Ben Gallo, is attracted to other men. He explores this with his drum tech one night and they become inseparable. However, something happens and we are fast forwarded to a few years later and Dakota returns to apply for his old job. Their relationship is rekindled as hot as ever.

But...it is then, when Simon is ready to out himself, we find out their story will now be a novel. Not impressed.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews

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