From the publisher:
Ali Hazelwood promises “the cello scene in this book will change your life” in this Reylo-inspired grumpy-sunshine romance full of sharp banter, deep emotion, and irresistible humor.
https://amzn.to/3y419kh
When professional—and self-taught—violinist Gwen Jackson plays, she disappears into the peaks and valleys of each song, a quiet passion that never quite explodes into pure emotion. Xander Thorne is the exact opposite. A cellist and a rock star, he’s all about big emotion, but not even his six-foot-four frame can contain his skill, his genius . . . and an attitude that borders on jerkitude.
Not only did it take Xander a year to notice that he and Gwen both play in the Manhattan Pops, but he also always seems to have the perfect cutting criticism about her technique. When Gwen is offered the role of first chair of the orchestra, something Xander has secretly coveted for years, their existing hostility goes up a notch. Yet, despite her best efforts, Gwen can’t ignore the sizzling chemistry between them.
Forced to work more closely with each other, they can’t help exploring their attraction. As they begin to compose and play songs together, it’s clear that their powerful connection could make for a performance that would blow everyone’s minds. Suddenly, they’re box office dynamite, and the fragile romance growing between them is in danger of being crushed beneath a publicity stunt.
Gwen is an orphan who was raised by her grandfather, and now he’s gone, too. She is a violin prodigy, started playing when she was a child and her teacher owned a music store. While she is trying to decide if she wants to audition again for Julliard, she is playing in the Manhattan Pops orchestra. The first chair, Ava, is married to the conductor and the two of them run the Pops. When they lose a major grant, they decide that Ava will retire and they audition Gwen for first chair. At 22, she would be the youngest first chair in the history of first chairs, and the board decides the publicity alone would garner them enough money to keep the Pops going.
One of the cellists is Xander, who is known for playing original rock music on an electric cello along with a few other bandmates. They are owned by their manager in one of those contracts that seem like something out of The Godfather.
Gwen and her roommate. a gay pianist, are hired to play a weekend wedding. But when she gets there. the wedding planner realizes she wanted a cellist. Xander happens to be in the wedding party, and get gives Gwen his cello to use. Since Gwen once played the cello, no problem! I get the sight reading at a concert – my daughter is a talented musician, and it was amazing to me to see her high school orchestra get a piece of music, read it once through, then perform it so I know that can easily be done by decent musicians, never mind professionals. And I’ve seen my daughter switch instruments to ones she’d never played when they needed her to fill in, so I know that is plausible as well. I mention this because some of the negative reviews I’ve seen of this book just couldn’t buy these things happening, but I know it is entirely possible and have seen it myself. But I digress!
Turns out Xander is a truly gifted musician, plays cello and violin, and composes. When he and Gwen start playing together. the heat is palpable even if we can’t hear the music. There is a lot of drama between them and the Pops and Xander’s rock band, but eventually they reach their happy ending. and it was a treat getting there. Even if you know nothing about music, this is still a wonderful glimpse into that world and a terrific romance. Don’t miss it! I actually have this author’s first book, Forget Me Not, on my Kindle so will be reading and reviewing that one shortly.
Note: I had no idea what a “Reylo-inspired grumpy-sunshine romance” was but it turns Reylo is “a nickname for the romantic relationship between Star Wars characters Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and Rey Skywalker (Daisy Ridley.)” Apparently, there is a ton of fanfiction about them, some of which have become bestselling novels, including Ali Hazelwood’s The Love Hypothesis. It is her blurb at the top of this page that sent me down this particular rabbit hole.
7/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
NOT ANOTHER LOVE SONG by Julie Soto. Forever (July 16, 2024). ISBN: 978-1538740910. 384p.
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