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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
SECOND READ
This book is really all about chosen Family. The music aspect was less moving to me this time around than the first, but I think I did a really excellent job of drawing the focus on the Family theme. Music amplifies our emotions and the right music can make us feel Right within ourselves and in that moment. It brings people together and it expresses what we sometimes can’t put into words. Elijah Prince has stuck with me as a character I think about over and over. I’m excited to dive deep into his story (again) in the next one. Even if it hurts.
FIRST READ
This book reminded me of just how incredible music makes me feel, which I had forgotten with 2 little kids around and a full time job. So, I bought a violin and I’m excited.
This book is really all about chosen Family. The music aspect was less moving to me this time around than the first, but I think I did a really excellent job of drawing the focus on the Family theme. Music amplifies our emotions and the right music can make us feel Right within ourselves and in that moment. It brings people together and it expresses what we sometimes can’t put into words. Elijah Prince has stuck with me as a character I think about over and over. I’m excited to dive deep into his story (again) in the next one. Even if it hurts.
FIRST READ
This book reminded me of just how incredible music makes me feel, which I had forgotten with 2 little kids around and a full time job. So, I bought a violin and I’m excited.
Why did I wait so long to read this? Omg all the FEELZ! I loved this sooo much and am anxious to read the next one!
I am in love with Aaron Seavers, this book, the music in it, Aaron Seavers, the other characters (especially Baz), the setting, the writing style and...oh, Aaron Seavers!
I could read thousands of books about this perfect little being. At moments I just wanted to literally dive into the book so I could give him a big bear hug and we could become besties. He is just too precious.
I could read thousands of books about this perfect little being. At moments I just wanted to literally dive into the book so I could give him a big bear hug and we could become besties. He is just too precious.
Aaron had absolutely no idea what he was going to do after high school graduation but a chance meeting with Giles sets him on a path he didn't expect. Giles is ready to leave his small town behind and expand his horizons in college but running into Aaron and the reminders he brings is not what he wanted. As Aaron and Giles find their feet and learn what they really want from life, they find that first impressions may be wrong and that they can achieve so much more when they are together. But with their families providing additional pressure will Aaron and Giles find their HEA? A really great continuation of the Love Lessons series. With some repeating secondary characters I'd recommend starting with book one, plus it's worth it. Good read!
Excellent stuff.
A sweet spot for me that I try to find across genres is ‘chosen family’ and this one accomplishes this concept amongst the best I’ve read.
Giles and Aaron are both perfectly formed characters, with a huge cast of secondary characters that all should have been lost in the crevices of my overtaxed mind, but all of whom I was able to track. The Mulders knocked it out of the park, Kelly and Walter’s story continued organically, and I can’t wait to see where the next two characters proceed.
Was the knot too perfectly formed by the end? Okay, sure. But for the message this book is giving, to never, ever give up, even if your story isn’t perfect and you’re not the one who’d bet on a rescue? It damned well better be.
One complaint I had about the first in the series was there was too much telling and not enough showing. There was one scene where I felt that happened here, but only one, and I can’t even remember what it was. (It’s in the quotes.) As a non-music guy, I felt that I was at every single rehearsal, as well as every important scene in these characters lives.
Five stars, and a planned reread.
A sweet spot for me that I try to find across genres is ‘chosen family’ and this one accomplishes this concept amongst the best I’ve read.
Giles and Aaron are both perfectly formed characters, with a huge cast of secondary characters that all should have been lost in the crevices of my overtaxed mind, but all of whom I was able to track. The Mulders knocked it out of the park, Kelly and Walter’s story continued organically, and I can’t wait to see where the next two characters proceed.
Was the knot too perfectly formed by the end? Okay, sure. But for the message this book is giving, to never, ever give up, even if your story isn’t perfect and you’re not the one who’d bet on a rescue? It damned well better be.
One complaint I had about the first in the series was there was too much telling and not enough showing. There was one scene where I felt that happened here, but only one, and I can’t even remember what it was. (It’s in the quotes.) As a non-music guy, I felt that I was at every single rehearsal, as well as every important scene in these characters lives.
Five stars, and a planned reread.
This was so good like everyone has been saying and I just loved it. I loved Aaron and Giles, some of their family and their friends. The music part made me feel like I was there, wishing I was there in real life. So much happened that I wouldn't be able to explain it all, but have some tissues ready I cried a lot and you might want to throw, your book, Kindle, Kobo whatever you read on a few times. I normally don't like reading the real angsty books but I'm trying to step out of my reading box, but as long as I get my HEA. Now on to the next in the series which I know it's going to make me cry again.
This is placeholder review. I've finished the book and it's FREAKING AMAZING. I am EMOTIONALLY COMPROMISED BY FICTIONAL CHARACTERS and can't write a real review until I've had time to think and reread.
Despite some tense moments, the book was sweet and endearing. I loved Aaron and Giles. Though some aspects of their life were storybook perfect, there was enough that wasn't to keep the book from being sticky sweet.
I would love to hear their rendition of Titanium and I confess to stopping the book a few times to listen to the songs mentioned.
I would love to hear their rendition of Titanium and I confess to stopping the book a few times to listen to the songs mentioned.
Hahaha new adult. Definitely new adult. Borderline smut to be honest. I think this one had less story line than the first but it was still fun.
Aaron and Giles have a lot of similarities to Kelly and Walter it must be said, but then again Cullinan notes this so it kind of makes it harder to criticise if she's openly using her own her work. The music aspect I loved every single bit, all the references to Pitch Perfect had me excited and a capella of course is great fun.
Aaron's dad is an actual asshole. I hated him so much because he never seemed to get it. He was horrid and the fact his mum had no spine didn't help. In contrast Giles's family was a lot like Kelly's from Love Lessons, they were brilliant. Note the similarities.
Elijah now I wanted to mention him purely because it was horrific. I've never read a book where the main character is treated that way by his parents. His dad tried to shoot him. Actually tried to shoot his son. Religion vs LGBT+ was really a theme in his storyline and it was quite honestly cruel.
Kelly and Walter making appearances made me so happy especially at the end. All the allusions of the wedding throughout made me laugh. They had the sparks you expect but as this is set like over a year after the end of Love Lessons I believe they've matured together and are such a cute power couple I loved it. And them doting on Aaron was brilliant like they were his big gay brothers. It was fun.
Aaron and Giles start off at such a weird place that their relationship feels so strained because of the initial encounter. Much of the first section is tainted by the strain but Cullinan smartly has them cultivating a strong friendship before any relationship fully blossoms. Their mutual love for music was great was such a strong place to start. It was fun. Good book but I preferred Love Lessons I think marginally.
Aaron and Giles have a lot of similarities to Kelly and Walter it must be said, but then again Cullinan notes this so it kind of makes it harder to criticise if she's openly using her own her work. The music aspect I loved every single bit, all the references to Pitch Perfect had me excited and a capella of course is great fun.
Aaron's dad is an actual asshole. I hated him so much because he never seemed to get it. He was horrid and the fact his mum had no spine didn't help. In contrast Giles's family was a lot like Kelly's from Love Lessons, they were brilliant. Note the similarities.
Elijah now I wanted to mention him purely because it was horrific. I've never read a book where the main character is treated that way by his parents. His dad tried to shoot him. Actually tried to shoot his son. Religion vs LGBT+ was really a theme in his storyline and it was quite honestly cruel.
Kelly and Walter making appearances made me so happy especially at the end. All the allusions of the wedding throughout made me laugh. They had the sparks you expect but as this is set like over a year after the end of Love Lessons I believe they've matured together and are such a cute power couple I loved it. And them doting on Aaron was brilliant like they were his big gay brothers. It was fun.
Aaron and Giles start off at such a weird place that their relationship feels so strained because of the initial encounter. Much of the first section is tainted by the strain but Cullinan smartly has them cultivating a strong friendship before any relationship fully blossoms. Their mutual love for music was great was such a strong place to start. It was fun. Good book but I preferred Love Lessons I think marginally.
4.5. Music, college, friends, gay! I enjoyed the musical descriptions, these two boys, and all the happy and dramatic times throughout their first year, quite the year, of college.