e-ARC, 384 pages
Release Date: July 16, 2024
Published by: Forever
Read from: June 24- July 7, 2024
Companion to Forget Me Not
Source: Netgalley (I received a copy of this e-audio from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for a just and honest review. This did nothing to influence my review.)
Content Warning: Sexual content, Death of parent, Cursing, Grief, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Death, Cancer, Misogyny
For Readers Interested In: Romance, Realistic Fiction, Adult, Classical MusicTwo string players fight their attraction for each other as they compete for center stage in this spicy and emotional romance.
Gwen Jackson and Xander Thorne are both musical prodigies, but each has had very different paths to success. Xander was born into classical music royalty, while Gwen had a natural ear for music that was nurtured by a kind shop owner.
After Gwen performs at his friend’s wedding, she’s mortified when she realizes Xander has no clue who she is—despite having worked together for a year at the Pops Orchestra. But she’s more furious that he arrogantly critiques her performance.
When Gwen is offered the role of First Chair of the orchestra, something Xander had secretly coveted for years, their existing hostility goes up a notch. But their respect for each other’s music is undeniable, and their onstage chemistry off the scale. As they begin to explore their feelings for one another, suddenly they’re box office dynamite and the fragile romance that’s growing between them is in danger of being crushed beneath a publicity stunt…
*MY THOUGHTS*
I am so happy to report that I loved this so much more than her debut! There weren’t any life threatening things (well there was but if you didn’t read the first one you missed it) and everything about this felt so much more real. I can safely say this is my fave of the two.
Ok so what I did like was the romance. Dude, they had so much chemistry. And I can’t even say why or what it was about them. But the way Xander used music to show his feelings? I can rightfully admit that that was hot lol And I’m very happy to report that a certain scene is in the book, because I’m not gonna lie I would have been pissed if it wasn’t there. But because I’m me, I was a little annoyed at the beginning. The whole telling her she wasn’t good bit wasn’t great. I do not like enemies to lovers. But I know that if it was me, I probably wouldn’t have even made it to the part where they finally kissed. I am not into tension lol (I think it has a lot to do with my anxiety and not wanting people to be mad at me) But watching them get together and seeing the way they were together really made me think twice about that lol
The music was a huge part of this story. That bathroom scene?! Lordt! I’m writing this review like a week after I finished it and I am still thinking about it. I think I reacted so viscerally to this because I played in band from middle school to high school. And I kept my flute after high school. I know the connection you can have with music. It’s something that some people feel on a different level. And these people are prodigies, so I can’t imagine how it filters into their everyday lives.
The ending was a little too abrupt for me tho. And I didn’t like how things felt unfinished. The whole thing with the conductor was terrible. But we don’t get him ever admitting to it or even getting a confrontation with him or the big wig music person. It was like a huge build up to nothing. She basically got on a flight for one day, but there wasn’t any follow up on what happened? They said they’d look more into it and then it was the epilogue. Idk, I just wanted more. It didn’t seem like there was a climax to the book. I think that’s why I felt like it was abrupt.
This was so good, but I do wish there was more to some bits. The music and the romance and the chemistry was enough for me to drown out the places where I wanted someone to out a certain person as an asshole lol
Overall, I give this
