Review: Enjoyable Contemporary Romance Set Against a Classical Music Backdrop
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 25, 2013
I just couldn't resist the opportunity to read a contemporary romance with a backdrop that involved classical musicians and music. Okay, let's add that I couldn't resist reading another story by this particular author even though its in a different genre than I'm used to because I love her storytelling. I was not disappointed either. This was a lovely story and it even provided a mild amount of intrigue to make the romance interesting. Who knew the world of the symphony orchestra could be a cut throat place too?Melody Mire is the first flutist in the orchestra and she has just sworn off dating musicians after a catastrophic date with the first violin and manager who is conniving against her to have her replaced by his child prodigy sister. Too bad, she has just gotten a gander at the new conductor who is a Thor look alike all the way from Germany. Before anything can spark, she gets a glimpse at Wolf Braun's personality and wants none of it. If only she can convince her wayward hormones and emotions...Wolf has just endured heartbreak and betrayal and has sworn off women. He took this position in another country to escape his past mistake, but who does he spy perched in the first flute chair? His ex's lookalike and she's already claiming to have not received her music- let the lies and excuses commence he thinks. Only, his heart isn't so convinced that Melody Mire is anything like Alma when he bumps into her a few times away from their work. Not that it matters- he's not allowed to fraternize with the musicians and what will she think when she discovers what he's been brought in to do.In a back and forth clashing of interests, goals and even personal barriers to guard their hearts, Wolf and Melody against better judgment are drawn to each other and allow themselves to hope that this time will be different. Will a conniving ex and a need to save the orchestra be too much for their fledgling romance to bear?The plot of this one was sweet and the pace gentle. Yes, there were a few barriers in the romance both internal and external, but I still felt the flow of the story was mellow. I enjoyed this about the story and was glad that it balanced well without getting angsty or flat. I was worried when I saw all the misunderstandings and seeming betrayals coming, but the reactions to this didn't hang on too long and get irritating. It was handled well. I loved the inclusion of family scenes that made up a secondary plot which were enjoyable in and of themselves, but also helped paint Melody and Wolf's characters with more depth.Now as to the backdrop to this story- music is so prominent that it is like its own character. It doesn't get over the top technical with the terms and things are explained or inferred. I loved it since I have a background in music particularly classical.Wolf and Melody are great characters and it was a pleasure to get to know them. I confess the combo of a conductor of music with Thor's body was a warm and pleasant thought. I love how Melody just wants to have a family and a man who understands her and Wolf is looking for a real person that isn't faking in whom he can intrust his heart. And who can resist a guy who voluntarily dresses up like a clown Mozart to entertain the children in the hospital?It was a lovely story that I would recommend to fans of contemporary romance on the sweeter side.