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trudyd's review
4.0
How did this get buried on my Kindle??? I found it late yesterday afternoon. I went to bed reading it. I cried when the battery died, determined to read the rest in the morning. I couldn't do it. I got up in the middle of the night, grabbed another Kindle and devoured the rest. I was finally able to sleep knowing that Devlin and Kim got their happily ever after.
I am not sure what I liked more that is was sort of a second chance romance or that it was a reality check for Kim. Devlin and Kim had been at band camp. And this one time, no many times, in band camp Kim received notes, sometimes supportive, sometimes critical. She cherished them all. Everything changed the last day of band camp. She came home a different girl, a self destructive girl. She earned entrance into SWS club as she tumbled down and down.
Knoxville Symphony is Devlin's last chance. The Devil of the Symphony needed to control his temper or loose his job. More important to him, he needed to finish his symphony. To do that he would need Christine Day. In reality he needed Kim Dae who was pretending to be Christine Day. She had lost herself. He needs to her find the old Kim.
Their journey is full of complications just like real life. Their journey is full of interruptions. Their journey has lots of support from some unique people. And then their is the guy that wants to destroy it all.
I am not sure what I liked more that is was sort of a second chance romance or that it was a reality check for Kim. Devlin and Kim had been at band camp. And this one time, no many times, in band camp Kim received notes, sometimes supportive, sometimes critical. She cherished them all. Everything changed the last day of band camp. She came home a different girl, a self destructive girl. She earned entrance into SWS club as she tumbled down and down.
Knoxville Symphony is Devlin's last chance. The Devil of the Symphony needed to control his temper or loose his job. More important to him, he needed to finish his symphony. To do that he would need Christine Day. In reality he needed Kim Dae who was pretending to be Christine Day. She had lost herself. He needs to her find the old Kim.
Their journey is full of complications just like real life. Their journey is full of interruptions. Their journey has lots of support from some unique people. And then their is the guy that wants to destroy it all.
things_i_read_lately's review
5.0
A little bit phantom of the opera, a little bit Say You Still Love Me, a little bit The Player (Staci Hart), a little bit forbidden romance, a little bit of second chance romance, and a whole lotta Green Valley. I know I’m a broken record, but I just love the Green Valley world, and how many different sub stories authors have been able to create from it. One of my favorite things is when I book immerses me in, and makes me obsessed with a world that I had put very little thought into before. Much like Space Junk or Well Met made me super curious about all things NASA and Renaissance Faires, this had me super invested and intrigued in the world of the SOOK orchestra. The chemistry between Devlin and Kim was
littlebookreader_'s review
5.0
A book inspired by The Phantom of the Opera... YES PLEASE!!! The premise of the book hooked me immediately! But I was quickly wrapped up in who Devlin was and what his secrets were! I didn’t want to put it down! A bit of a slow build but I was hanging on ever single note of their song! (See what I did there? ;) LOVED IT!
modrallj's review
2.0
I seem to be in the minority here - but this book did NOT work for me. Most of the books from Smartypants Romance advertise that they can be read as stand alone books even if they’re in a series & in general I agree. This book did NOT feel that way. From the very beginning I felt like I was missing several chapters worth of critical information and that feeling continued as the book progressed. This was an unfortunate miss for me. That aspect combined with the odd pacing of the romance made this two stars for me.
profromance's review
5.0
Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“‘I think the past is tricky. It shapes so much of who we are. Mistakes, especially. But they’re necessary, you know? It’s a fine line between learning from them and being indebted to them […] But you can’t let it hold you prisoner. It was just a lesson, not a life sentence.'”
You know when you read a book that you love to your toes, and you become so effusive about it that it overwhelms the words for your review? Well, this reader/blogger is there. To say that I’m incredibly impressed with Piper Sheldon is an understatement. When I read the first book of her Scorned Women Society series for SmartyPants Romance, My Bare Lady, I appreciated two facets of it: her reworking of the My Fair Lady story and her sense of her self as a writer. I enjoyed that book, titillated by the fact that she chose one of my favorite stories to retell in the context of Penny Reid’s Winston Brothers universe. However, there were a few moments in her story that felt a little slow. I had a grand appreciation for that book, but I wouldn’t say that I would gush profusely over it.
Then, she wrote The Treble with Men. And I’m done.
This second book of her Scorned Women Society series is exponentially better than My Bare Lady. It is a treatise on control. Some of us struggle with embracing the message behind the popular Disney film, Frozen, in “letting go” of life, embracing the moments to connect and improve and feel a passion for life. This is the essence of The Treble with Men. Sheldon nestles this lesson within the world of Reid’s Tennessee and the world of music. Even more, like her My Bare Lady, she utilizes the vehicle of The Phantom of the Opera story to give it life. In doing so, she reimagines this oft-loved tale with a different ending, one that feels wildly better than the original. All of these attributes conspire to scream at the ingenuity of Sheldon’s storytelling. It is all of this and more that should compel you to “one-click” this book.
“I’d shown her my love in the lessons. In the music. I could tell her everything. I could tell her the truth of my love for her, but then what? It would still be me choosing for her. She needed to make a choice about her own life. I wouldn’t be another person telling her what to do. I wouldn’t hamper her growth. I loved her too much.”
What is it about The Treble with Men that makes it worthy of your time and energy? Here’s the list:
*At the most basic level, Piper Sheldon has the best cover of the SmartyPants Romance world. Bar none.
*Her retelling of The Phantom of the Opera is done in such a way to challenge our notions about the original. For many of us, the ending of that story is bittersweet, as we want Christine to choose the Phantom, but she doesn’t. <<>> Sheldon’s Kim Dae does, and it’s glorious. It suggests that the seemingly most difficult character of a story can also be loved. That’s the heartbreak of the original: that the Phantom is unworthy of love because he isn’t offered up in a neat pretty package. With Sheldon’s story, Devlin, the “phantom” character, hides behind a constructed persona as a defense and for good reason. As the reader, you empathize with him, and Sheldon allows us to do so because Kim (Christine Day) is never truly frightened by him; she is intrigued. She sees him better than everyone else in the story. Sheldon offers us an initial lesson that “nothing is ever as it seems,” and we, as human beings, should look deeper for a greater understanding: something missing from OG Phantom of the Opera. This, right here, magnifies Sheldon’s genius as the author of this story.
*The characters are compelling. Both Kim and Devlin are fighting for control of their lives. Kim does so at the expense of the depth of her talent. Thankfully, Devlin “sees” her (just as she fully “sees” him), and he challenges her control. As he encourages her to embrace her passion, this allows Devlin to feel his. These two drive each other forward, propelling them to greater heights, including their chemistry and eventual love for each other. Their feelings of lust and love heighten Sheldon’s story, and it engages the reader more deeply into the book’s pages.
*Secrets always make for greater suspense. The Treble with Men is a book of secrets. Both Devlin and Kim are holding onto them tightly. I won’t divulge anything here, as I don’t want to spoil the book for readers. What I want to do is give a nod to Sheldon’s use of it to build the tension of her book. Sometimes, stories divulge their secrets too quickly, and the pacing and depth of the book are lost. Sheldon suspends her readers for the right length of time that you find yourself enraptured in her story because you can’t wait to see how the secrets upend the lives of the characters. Since those secrets aren’t divulged until later in the story, this book becomes one that you simply can’t put down. Even after we know Devlin and Kim’s secrets, there is fall-out from them that keeps you engaged. Sheldon has paced this perfectly to grab the attention of her readers until the last page.
*And probably one of the most important aspects of this book is its diversity. For one, it is set in the world of music. Kim is a cellist, while Devlin is the conductor. There aren’t many romances written in this world, creating an interesting space to inhabit for the story. Secondly, Kim is a POC. As such, she doesn’t “look” like your average heroine. At a time when diversity is necessary for romance, I love this choice. Even more, while Kim is a driven perfectionist, this doesn’t read as a stereotype; instead, it suggests that it is a personality trait of Kim’s. Sheldon’s choice for her heroine feels important in our world.
I believe I have gushed enough over Piper Sheldon’s The Treble with Men enough. From its cover to its title to its characterizations to its storytelling, this book is another example of what SmartyPants Romance is doing right. It’s opening a world to more voices. In doing so, Penny Reid gives us new authors with new voices that need to be heard. Sheldon’s story is an important one because it reminds us that there is freedom in living our truth and our passions. We shouldn’t work so hard to control every aspect of our lives because we miss out on the prismatic colors of it. Devlin and Kim come to this understanding, and Sheldon’s story finds even greater heights. If you love the re-telling of a favorite story, then you will definitely love Piper Sheldon’s The Treble with Men. I know I did.
“‘I think the past is tricky. It shapes so much of who we are. Mistakes, especially. But they’re necessary, you know? It’s a fine line between learning from them and being indebted to them […] But you can’t let it hold you prisoner. It was just a lesson, not a life sentence.'”
You know when you read a book that you love to your toes, and you become so effusive about it that it overwhelms the words for your review? Well, this reader/blogger is there. To say that I’m incredibly impressed with Piper Sheldon is an understatement. When I read the first book of her Scorned Women Society series for SmartyPants Romance, My Bare Lady, I appreciated two facets of it: her reworking of the My Fair Lady story and her sense of her self as a writer. I enjoyed that book, titillated by the fact that she chose one of my favorite stories to retell in the context of Penny Reid’s Winston Brothers universe. However, there were a few moments in her story that felt a little slow. I had a grand appreciation for that book, but I wouldn’t say that I would gush profusely over it.
Then, she wrote The Treble with Men. And I’m done.
This second book of her Scorned Women Society series is exponentially better than My Bare Lady. It is a treatise on control. Some of us struggle with embracing the message behind the popular Disney film, Frozen, in “letting go” of life, embracing the moments to connect and improve and feel a passion for life. This is the essence of The Treble with Men. Sheldon nestles this lesson within the world of Reid’s Tennessee and the world of music. Even more, like her My Bare Lady, she utilizes the vehicle of The Phantom of the Opera story to give it life. In doing so, she reimagines this oft-loved tale with a different ending, one that feels wildly better than the original. All of these attributes conspire to scream at the ingenuity of Sheldon’s storytelling. It is all of this and more that should compel you to “one-click” this book.
“I’d shown her my love in the lessons. In the music. I could tell her everything. I could tell her the truth of my love for her, but then what? It would still be me choosing for her. She needed to make a choice about her own life. I wouldn’t be another person telling her what to do. I wouldn’t hamper her growth. I loved her too much.”
What is it about The Treble with Men that makes it worthy of your time and energy? Here’s the list:
*At the most basic level, Piper Sheldon has the best cover of the SmartyPants Romance world. Bar none.
*Her retelling of The Phantom of the Opera is done in such a way to challenge our notions about the original. For many of us, the ending of that story is bittersweet, as we want Christine to choose the Phantom, but she doesn’t. <<
*The characters are compelling. Both Kim and Devlin are fighting for control of their lives. Kim does so at the expense of the depth of her talent. Thankfully, Devlin “sees” her (just as she fully “sees” him), and he challenges her control. As he encourages her to embrace her passion, this allows Devlin to feel his. These two drive each other forward, propelling them to greater heights, including their chemistry and eventual love for each other. Their feelings of lust and love heighten Sheldon’s story, and it engages the reader more deeply into the book’s pages.
*Secrets always make for greater suspense. The Treble with Men is a book of secrets. Both Devlin and Kim are holding onto them tightly. I won’t divulge anything here, as I don’t want to spoil the book for readers. What I want to do is give a nod to Sheldon’s use of it to build the tension of her book. Sometimes, stories divulge their secrets too quickly, and the pacing and depth of the book are lost. Sheldon suspends her readers for the right length of time that you find yourself enraptured in her story because you can’t wait to see how the secrets upend the lives of the characters. Since those secrets aren’t divulged until later in the story, this book becomes one that you simply can’t put down. Even after we know Devlin and Kim’s secrets, there is fall-out from them that keeps you engaged. Sheldon has paced this perfectly to grab the attention of her readers until the last page.
*And probably one of the most important aspects of this book is its diversity. For one, it is set in the world of music. Kim is a cellist, while Devlin is the conductor. There aren’t many romances written in this world, creating an interesting space to inhabit for the story. Secondly, Kim is a POC. As such, she doesn’t “look” like your average heroine. At a time when diversity is necessary for romance, I love this choice. Even more, while Kim is a driven perfectionist, this doesn’t read as a stereotype; instead, it suggests that it is a personality trait of Kim’s. Sheldon’s choice for her heroine feels important in our world.
I believe I have gushed enough over Piper Sheldon’s The Treble with Men enough. From its cover to its title to its characterizations to its storytelling, this book is another example of what SmartyPants Romance is doing right. It’s opening a world to more voices. In doing so, Penny Reid gives us new authors with new voices that need to be heard. Sheldon’s story is an important one because it reminds us that there is freedom in living our truth and our passions. We shouldn’t work so hard to control every aspect of our lives because we miss out on the prismatic colors of it. Devlin and Kim come to this understanding, and Sheldon’s story finds even greater heights. If you love the re-telling of a favorite story, then you will definitely love Piper Sheldon’s The Treble with Men. I know I did.
kylnmrtnz's review
4.0
I received an advance read copy of this novel through a Patreon page. It was much like Piper’s previous novel. A very cute, fun read! It was easy to devour over the course of two days and enjoyable in this time of uncertainty and fear in our country.
livingin_ficiton's review
4.0
Amazing humour
Lovely banter
Sometimes frustrating characters
Sweet romance
Amazing secondary characters - SWS Squad especially
Makes me want to pick up an instrument and start playing !
Lovely banter
Sometimes frustrating characters
Sweet romance
Amazing secondary characters - SWS Squad especially
Makes me want to pick up an instrument and start playing !
lorenh's review
4.0
4.5 stars
Teared up a little at some points, thought the MC was so blind or passive or otherwise frustrating at other points that only the good folks at Speck saved my phone from being thrown--I feel like I paid for that HEA in emotions. A theme in the book was conveying advice/ lessons for life and love and respecting other humans but IMO it didn't feel overdone, as it qas woven into the tremendous growth experienced by both Kim, the MC and Devlin, her broody love interest. I enjoyed seeing Kim bloom beyond her initial persona, and Devlin get his head out of his butt so he could be sufficiently Green-Valley-swoon-worthy on the regular.
Teared up a little at some points, thought the MC was so blind or passive or otherwise frustrating at other points that only the good folks at Speck saved my phone from being thrown--I feel like I paid for that HEA in emotions. A theme in the book was conveying advice/ lessons for life and love and respecting other humans but IMO it didn't feel overdone, as it qas woven into the tremendous growth experienced by both Kim, the MC and Devlin, her broody love interest. I enjoyed seeing Kim bloom beyond her initial persona, and Devlin get his head out of his butt so he could be sufficiently Green-Valley-swoon-worthy on the regular.
hijinx_abound's review
4.0
A phantom of the opera retelling.
I am loving these additional green valley books. Although the first in this particular series was not my favorite, I really enjoyed this book.
Kim & Erik both had things that threw their lives off track. They are each hiding in a way. One needs all the control all the time and the other does not want to make a decision because what if someone is hurt by it.
I knew that the notes were going to be more than what Kim thought. The fact that she could not see the deception of them was a bit crazy but we have all been fooled by the golden boy.
I like the wAy that this author looks at how emotions do not always express themselves cleanly. Fear sometimes shows up as anger. Panic sometimes freezes you. Not every person has the same reaction to any situation.
I loved the quick peek at Jethro and the chance for he & Kim to have some closure.
I am loving these additional green valley books. Although the first in this particular series was not my favorite, I really enjoyed this book.
Kim & Erik both had things that threw their lives off track. They are each hiding in a way. One needs all the control all the time and the other does not want to make a decision because what if someone is hurt by it.
I knew that the notes were going to be more than what Kim thought. The fact that she could not see the deception of them was a bit crazy but we have all been fooled by the golden boy.
I like the wAy that this author looks at how emotions do not always express themselves cleanly. Fear sometimes shows up as anger. Panic sometimes freezes you. Not every person has the same reaction to any situation.
I loved the quick peek at Jethro and the chance for he & Kim to have some closure.