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raynebair's review
4.0
Kids in a story just give it that extra fun warmth. Massi was adorable. I've read several of these Blue Notes books recently and I like that this one wasn't about one MC running away because he wasn't good enough or whatever. I was expecting that after the last two I read. So I was pleasantly surprised that this one didn't go that way. Cary had other issues to overcome, but his battle wasn't in his relationship with Antonio. It was more with his relationship with his parents.
teresab78's review
3.0
meh
I think this is a case of it’s not the book, it’s me. I just found it mostly boring. I usually read books with more action and this is more slice of life. I can see how many other readers would find this romantic and comforting. There’s some drama but I really wasn’t invested in these characters to care. I’ve loved other books in the series, and other books by this author but this did nothing for me.
I think this is a case of it’s not the book, it’s me. I just found it mostly boring. I usually read books with more action and this is more slice of life. I can see how many other readers would find this romantic and comforting. There’s some drama but I really wasn’t invested in these characters to care. I’ve loved other books in the series, and other books by this author but this did nothing for me.
liza5326's review
4.0
This was a beautiful story that takes place over a few years, about the love and life of musician, Cary and Italian lawyer, Antonio. Reading this book was like watching an entire tv series, from beginning to end. They meet, there are lies and misunderstandings, but they work past that. More issues crop us, to be worked through, sometimes with laughter, sometimes with tears. They fight, they make love. By the end of the book, I was completely satisfied in their story. I loved Massi. He was an adorable little guy.
crtsjffrsn's review against another edition
4.0
Cary Redding is a renowned violinist by day with a bit of a wild streak by night. After he is mugged coming out of a club after another anonymous hookup, he finds himself rescued by Antonio Bianchi, a lawyer who quickly draws Cary's interest. Cary never expects to see him again, so he gives him a fake name and backstory. But can he keep up the charade as he finds himself more and more drawn to Antonio and wondering if maybe he's finally found what he's been looking for.
While this is the second book in the Blue Notes series, there's no real direct connection to the first book. All of the books can be read as stand-alone stories. It was great to read a romance that was set in the world of classical music. As a classically trained musician, there were parts of this that really spoke to me in ways that I hadn't entirely expected.
The flow and build of the relationship between Antonio and Cary really seems to work here. I did feel like the business with Cary's family stuff seemed a bit drawn out, but I fully understand why it was included as part of Cary's arc.
While this is the second book in the Blue Notes series, there's no real direct connection to the first book. All of the books can be read as stand-alone stories. It was great to read a romance that was set in the world of classical music. As a classically trained musician, there were parts of this that really spoke to me in ways that I hadn't entirely expected.
The flow and build of the relationship between Antonio and Cary really seems to work here. I did feel like the business with Cary's family stuff seemed a bit drawn out, but I fully understand why it was included as part of Cary's arc.
suze_1624's review
4.0
Second of the Blue Notes series, though as the only cross over characters are some of the lesser ones from the first book, they are totally standalone stories.
I enjoyed this book more than the first one, I think because of the two main characters. Cary is late twenties but still carrying the scars of his upbringing and it took some time for him to accept himself and had his relapses. I enjoyed the setting of the first story as I can relate to France, so I didn't gel with the Milan elements as much.
Once again, I did feel the characters connections to their music, so overall another enjoyable read
6.5.18 reread : I do like this story, about how the effects of how your are brought up can affect you much much later. Cary is a mess. Antonio has his baggage. Together they seem invincible. Some little flies in the ointment, cute kid, bad dad. Liked it being set in Milan.
I enjoyed this book more than the first one, I think because of the two main characters. Cary is late twenties but still carrying the scars of his upbringing and it took some time for him to accept himself and had his relapses. I enjoyed the setting of the first story as I can relate to France, so I didn't gel with the Milan elements as much.
Once again, I did feel the characters connections to their music, so overall another enjoyable read
6.5.18 reread : I do like this story, about how the effects of how your are brought up can affect you much much later. Cary is a mess. Antonio has his baggage. Together they seem invincible. Some little flies in the ointment, cute kid, bad dad. Liked it being set in Milan.
tiggers_hate_acorns's review
3.0
Enjoyable but I didn't warm to Cary's character till about 3/4 through the story. Antonio seemed a very naive, trusting person to take a drunk into their home but we find out later that he knew who Cary was straight away. However this still doesn't mean that Cary was actually someone you would want in your house especially with a child to consider. The plot was insta-lust and minimal with the relationship between the two men growing as time progressed. Without the intervention of Massimo this would have been a boring read, thankfully he helped to break the tedium. I didn't enjoy this as much as the first in the series but will continue.
3 stars
3 stars
elianara's review
4.0
A wonderful story.
No insta love, this is a story that rings true. It actually takes place over a few years, and the main characters are not in a hurry to commit within a couple of weeks. This was lovely!
And the book is the first one in the series I read, and it works really well as a stand alone.
kaje_harper's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoy books like this, where "I love you" is the middle of the story and not the end, and where you get to see the characters coping with life. I really felt for Cary as the story began - he's a man with one singular talent who has been made to believe that outside of his music he has little worth and must hide who he is. Antonio is wonderful for him, both strong enough and loving enough to gradually convince Cary that he is worthy of a full and balanced life. I appreciated that the story line with Cary's dad didn't end up all roses, and enjoyed the supporting characters, including a little boy who was not always an angel. There is a sweetness to the second half of the book that will make this a comfort reread for me.
nykyriann's review against another edition
4.0
Technically a reread, I obviously liked it enough to read it at least twice. :-)
I'm in the process of reading all four of the Blue Notes books again, prepping for Symphony in Blue. I love these books and the feeling of the music that I get when I read them. It's funny that I happen to listen to classical music when I read so it is a perfect background for these books.
The characters feel real and connected to each other, the story moving with a flow that felt natural to these particular people. I just enjoyed this read from beginning to end.
I'm in the process of reading all four of the Blue Notes books again, prepping for Symphony in Blue. I love these books and the feeling of the music that I get when I read them. It's funny that I happen to listen to classical music when I read so it is a perfect background for these books.
The characters feel real and connected to each other, the story moving with a flow that felt natural to these particular people. I just enjoyed this read from beginning to end.