Book Review: His Cocky Cellist by Cole McCade
At the rate Victor Newcomb is going, he’s likely to drop dead of a heart attack by the time he’s 40. It’s not something most 24-year-olds have to worry about, but neither is running a multibillion dollar textile empire. Vic is trying so hard to be the perfect CEO and son — entering the office at dawn, working through lunch, falling asleep hunched over contracts — that the pressure and stress are seriously endangering his health. He needs some way to relax before “I’ll sleep when I’m dead.” becomes more than a facetious comment.
Amani Idrissi, Moroccan-American masseuse, is originally glad that Ashton Harrington made his appointment for someone else. Then Vic ruins it by offering to hire Amani as a cello tutor so he can catch up on his tuition payments, right after Amani explains that he hasn’t played since he recovered from surgery years ago. Rather, he states that Amani will teach him for an obscene amount and doesn’t understand why Amani doesn’t appreciate his white savior act.
When Vic attempts to apologize through their mutual connection, Amani takes him up on his suggestion for tutoring, fully intending to end any association once he can pay for tuition. Yet it’s only a matter of time before Vic and Amani are using more than their cellos to make beautiful music together.
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The role of CEO was supposed to go to Vic’s older brother. Due to his disgraceful choices, he was disowned, leaving Vic to step into his place as heir. Vic puts so much effort into trying to be better than his brother, trying to run the business well, trying to take care of those left behind in the wake of his brother’s actions. It’s not until he meets Amani that he begins to examine himself and his life, his beliefs and his goals.
Amani can’t take a relationship with Vic at face value when Vic is both rich and white. Vic attempts to throw money at Amani, fully expecting Amani to be grateful for it, without considering Amani’s point of view. He just assumes his efforts will be welcomed and appreciated. However, Vic is willing to evaluate his actions and admit his wrongs. Though he doesn’t like what he sees when Amani holds up a mirror to him, he doesn’t shy away from the image.
As their relationship deepens, Vic finds release in giving up control to Amani. He’d always believed he was straight, so he struggles both with being attracted to a man, and with unlearning the “real men are strong and in control” narrative he’s been taught his whole life. Amani struggles with whether Vic truly sees him or a service worker he can pay when he wants and dismiss when he doesn’t. In the end, they both realign their understandings of themselves in order to grow together.
5 stars! Recommended for anyone interested in music, massages, and cat-and-mouse games.