Review: Encore by Shira Anthony
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 11 13, 2013
"We had the right love at the wrong time. Those dreams of yours are...calling you away. I have no right to make you stay. But somewhere down the road...I know that heart of yours will come to see that you belong with me." ~ Barry ManilowJohn Fuchs and Roger Nelson of 'Encore' by Shira Anthony are soul mates. They find each other as teenagers, long before they know who they are or who they are capable of being. Their music, John's conducting and Roger's violin playing, is an important part of what holds their demons at bay; but when Roger loses his ability to make music, even listening to it threatens to tear him apart. John loves music and continues to make great strides in what promises to be a brilliant career. Knowing John would do anything for him, Roger holds it all inside until he decides that John would be better off without him.John has always known what he wanted to accomplish; he wants to be a famous conductor some day and works long and hard to make this a reality. Music is part of his soul; but it's not his first love. That is, and will always be Roger: his heart and soul, his touchstone. John depends, defers to, confides in, and needs him with an almost overpowering intensity. After Roger's accident, John knows that it will be rough, but he thinks that their love is strong enough to weather the storms that have plagued them since they first decided to be together. He doesn't count on the depth of Roger's pain when it comes to losing music, not being able to admit he's gay, his family's negative influence. John knows something is wrong, but since Roger won't tell him, he's taken completely by surprise when he leaves, but is too hurt and angry to go after him. Even though separated, the pain does not diminish his love for Roger. John eventually concludes that if he can't have Roger as his lover, he's determined to keep him as his best friend, not letting anything, even a chance of reconciliation to get in their way.Roger is a conflicted young man. Carefree as a youth, he's everything John isn't--popular, seemingly secure, and social. Yet there's something about John that draws Roger to him, causing him to feel things about a man he's never felt before. Their music gives them the opportunity to be together without questions being raised, but Roger is still uncertain and a bit paranoid about their relationship. He wants to be with John, but can't admit that he's gay, which causes a great deal of conflict between them. After his accident, he's even more lost. While he's recovering, he resolves to be with John and takes a job nearby., Even though he loves John and wants to be with him, Roger is going into the relationship wounded, not understanding what he's feeling. Sometimes love isn't enough. Instead of feeling better with John, Roger feels worse, but can't articulate these feelings, especially not to John. When it all comes crashing down on him, he does the only thing he feels he can do and leaves, hoping John won't hate him. He retreats to the life his parents want for him, leaving John, getting married, and leaving music behind forever. As a result, Roger is miserable. He's lost John and his music; he still can't admit he's gay but is married, all creating a sorrow which lasts for years. He's made a lot of bad choices while trying to do what was best for everyone but himself. He knows his life has to change. He has to admit his mistakes and correct them as best he can; but even with all this done, if he wants John back, to have a second chance, he's going to have to make a monumental effort to prove to John that he's a different person.For fans of the series, 'Encore' is a book you will definitely want to read. Not only is it wonderfully written, but it ties up the loose ends of the series with precision and grace. For those of you who are new to the series, I strongly recommend that you read all of the other books in the series first before you attempt this one since each book builds on the last. For a book which has love, music, angst, forgiveness, and redemption, I can't recommend it enough. Thanks, Shira, for giving Roger and John their happily ever after and for introducing us to all of the other amazing men in the series as well.Originally published at Rainbow Book Reviews.