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emilylovesbooks94's review against another edition
5.0
I've read this book half a dozen times, but still the magic of Cedric and Nicolas's romance remains. It's difficult to put into words how much I adore every single piece of this story, from the intense emotions to the writing style to the wonderfully lifelike characters. Elaine has created something that stands apart from other romances I've read, and I can honestly say that no other story has touched me the way this one did.
By structuring this book into several connected parts, it was easy for me to see how Nicolas and Cedric were shaped by the events of their past into the men they were when they first met. After experiencing so much of their lives in vivid detail, it was impossible for me to feel anything but love for these complicated, imperfectly fantastic people. The entire idea of Cedric being Nicolas's equal, his duet partner that he'd been searching for his whole life, felt incredibly romantic. No, the two of them weren't the best at expressing themselves but the music told me everything that was left unsaid. The passion both Cedric and Nicolas had for music took my breath away, and though I'll never be able to understand how it feels to have symphonies dancing through my mind, the emotional impact of their work was crystal clear. I can barely play the piano myself but I found my fingers aching to touch the keys right alongside Cedric.
Though the music alone was enough to sweep me off my feet, Cedric and Nicolas's slow-burn romance added a whole other level to the emotional intensity of the story. These men had every reason to stay away from each other, but something unsaid kept pulling them together. Even before they professed their love, before they finally took each other to bed, I could sense a deep connection between them. To me it felt like Cedric and Nicolas were soulmates, because who else could understand each other as perfectly as they did? Despite how obvious it was that they were meant for each other, these men sure did put up a fight when it came time to put their unspoken feelings into words. Without Alessio and Remy to talk some sense into them, I think Nicolas and Cedric's love would have been doomed to failure. It was wonderful to see the four of them form a warm support structure in the second half of the story, and I especially appreciated how well they balanced each other out.
By the time I reached the climactic Christmas concerto, Nicolas and Cedric had already proven to me that their love could withstand any external pressures. In some ways, I wasn't surprised that Cedric had to confront his past one last time, but it was a huge relief to see him stand strong and trust that Nicolas would be there for him through it all. The two of them certainly deserved their happy ending, and it warmed my heart to see them in love and at peace at last.
**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.
By structuring this book into several connected parts, it was easy for me to see how Nicolas and Cedric were shaped by the events of their past into the men they were when they first met. After experiencing so much of their lives in vivid detail, it was impossible for me to feel anything but love for these complicated, imperfectly fantastic people. The entire idea of Cedric being Nicolas's equal, his duet partner that he'd been searching for his whole life, felt incredibly romantic. No, the two of them weren't the best at expressing themselves but the music told me everything that was left unsaid. The passion both Cedric and Nicolas had for music took my breath away, and though I'll never be able to understand how it feels to have symphonies dancing through my mind, the emotional impact of their work was crystal clear. I can barely play the piano myself but I found my fingers aching to touch the keys right alongside Cedric.
Though the music alone was enough to sweep me off my feet, Cedric and Nicolas's slow-burn romance added a whole other level to the emotional intensity of the story. These men had every reason to stay away from each other, but something unsaid kept pulling them together. Even before they professed their love, before they finally took each other to bed, I could sense a deep connection between them. To me it felt like Cedric and Nicolas were soulmates, because who else could understand each other as perfectly as they did? Despite how obvious it was that they were meant for each other, these men sure did put up a fight when it came time to put their unspoken feelings into words. Without Alessio and Remy to talk some sense into them, I think Nicolas and Cedric's love would have been doomed to failure. It was wonderful to see the four of them form a warm support structure in the second half of the story, and I especially appreciated how well they balanced each other out.
By the time I reached the climactic Christmas concerto, Nicolas and Cedric had already proven to me that their love could withstand any external pressures. In some ways, I wasn't surprised that Cedric had to confront his past one last time, but it was a huge relief to see him stand strong and trust that Nicolas would be there for him through it all. The two of them certainly deserved their happy ending, and it warmed my heart to see them in love and at peace at last.
**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.
aboulle's review against another edition
5.0
5 stars ++. This book in a word is simply beautiful. It started slowly and initially I was really wanting to get to the now rather then delving so far into the MCs past however it is 100% needed to truly understand the MCs and why they are the way they are emotionally. There were so many issues that you can see would easily be fixed by simply communicating but isn't that how life really is. I usually prefer a writing style in 1st person however even though it wasn't that did not take away from this book and the way the author really makes you feel, and that is simply the best description I can give this book is that it will make you FEEL.
murphyslaw123's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
jreason's review
5.0
Excellent book. I bought it a while back and was hesitant to start as music has never been much of an interest for me and it held a large presence in this story.
But it was very good. With some incredibly interesting characters.
Could have done with some minor editing especially towards the end but over all nothing to complain about.
My only complaint, if there was one, was that there were too many characters. They were easy enough to keep track of, but sometimes you'd go multiple chapters without a mention of a character. Some characters were left out for almost the entire book.
Would definitely read more by this author.
But it was very good. With some incredibly interesting characters.
Could have done with some minor editing especially towards the end but over all nothing to complain about.
My only complaint, if there was one, was that there were too many characters. They were easy enough to keep track of, but sometimes you'd go multiple chapters without a mention of a character. Some characters were left out for almost the entire book.
Would definitely read more by this author.
jennyoli96's review
5.0
Update: 20/August so apparentely Verismo was only free on kindle for some days ahh well, don't I have a good aim
--
Okay... What do I have to say about this masterpiece? Words fail me, and they don't often do. This book is too good to be true, too good to be free even though I'm so grateful to E.M. Lindsey that it was. It's 300+ pages of wonderful writing coupled with a love story for the ages, with music as its lifeline, and a whole lot of sweet, sweet pain. It's unlike most books I've read, it's a lot of "show" and not a lot of "tell", which is what makes it so big and so beautiful and exactly how it should be. The characters are toubled, as most great musicians and artists probably are, and their stories are amazing and touched me very deeply. I think this might just be my new favorite stand alone book, right up there with Anyta Sunday's Rock, even though they're completely different stories.
This deserves a standing ovation.
--
Okay... What do I have to say about this masterpiece? Words fail me, and they don't often do. This book is too good to be true, too good to be free even though I'm so grateful to E.M. Lindsey that it was. It's 300+ pages of wonderful writing coupled with a love story for the ages, with music as its lifeline, and a whole lot of sweet, sweet pain. It's unlike most books I've read, it's a lot of "show" and not a lot of "tell", which is what makes it so big and so beautiful and exactly how it should be. The characters are toubled, as most great musicians and artists probably are, and their stories are amazing and touched me very deeply. I think this might just be my new favorite stand alone book, right up there with Anyta Sunday's Rock, even though they're completely different stories.
This deserves a standing ovation.
tiggers_hate_acorns's review against another edition
5.0
I stayed up late to finish this - absolutely worth it. A slow-burn story that starts at the beginning to show how life formed two damaged individuals. Yet we were never made to feel sorry for what life had thrown at them for they both fought to become individuals and follow their dreams. Together they made beautiful music.
5 stars
5 stars
ladydewinter's review against another edition
3.0
This was a bit of a bumpy ride - or read- for me. Compared to her more recent books, the writing is a lot more uneven, and some things really didn’t work for me the way they probably were supposed to - but the things I liked, I liked a lot.
Nicolas is a genius composer and pianist looking for someone equal in talent to him so they can play his Magnum Opus, a piano duet, together. Cedric has a very special musical talent, but hasn’t been able to play the piano for years when the two of them meet...
I found the beginning both too confusing and somewhat odd in tone. It sounded like a fairytale of sorts, but the problem with that kind of narration is that is tends to keep me distanced rather than pull me in. I also think it might have helped to have dates at the beginning, because I had no idea whether these things were happening at the same time or not.
I didn’t find the idea of Isaak’s internalized homophobia and the way he expressed it all that odd (if sad), but there was too much telling for me to really believe it? I don’t think “believe” is quite the right word - but it felt too superficial for me? I don’t know. I think - the best way to put it is that when it works, I tend to be afraid with the characters as they’re doing something the other character will hurt them for (for example), but something stopped me from feeling that way here. Anyway, the biggest issue I had was with his name - Nazis or Nazi sympathizers naming their child Isaak seems odd.
But! So many other things I loved a lot - everything involving music and Nicolas and Cedric, basically, and Alessio, Rémy, Emmaline and all others of Cedric’s friend. I also liked that it didn’t really feel like a romance novel. It definitely has its weaknesses, but you can see the potential here (it helps knowing that she has gotten better), and it had me hooked until the end.
Nicolas is a genius composer and pianist looking for someone equal in talent to him so they can play his Magnum Opus, a piano duet, together. Cedric has a very special musical talent, but hasn’t been able to play the piano for years when the two of them meet...
I found the beginning both too confusing and somewhat odd in tone. It sounded like a fairytale of sorts, but the problem with that kind of narration is that is tends to keep me distanced rather than pull me in. I also think it might have helped to have dates at the beginning, because I had no idea whether these things were happening at the same time or not.
I didn’t find the idea of Isaak’s internalized homophobia and the way he expressed it all that odd (if sad), but there was too much telling for me to really believe it? I don’t think “believe” is quite the right word - but it felt too superficial for me? I don’t know. I think - the best way to put it is that when it works, I tend to be afraid with the characters as they’re doing something the other character will hurt them for (for example), but something stopped me from feeling that way here. Anyway, the biggest issue I had was with his name - Nazis or Nazi sympathizers naming their child Isaak seems odd.
But! So many other things I loved a lot - everything involving music and Nicolas and Cedric, basically, and Alessio, Rémy, Emmaline and all others of Cedric’s friend. I also liked that it didn’t really feel like a romance novel. It definitely has its weaknesses, but you can see the potential here (it helps knowing that she has gotten better), and it had me hooked until the end.
waitingforgoodoggo's review against another edition
1.0
Oh god that was horrible. Thank goodness I got it as a free download. I never want to waste my time on a book like that ever again.
knrt_17's review against another edition
5.0
New to me author. This is a mm contemporary story set mainly in USA. Making characters are gifted musicians Cedric and Nicolas. This is a slow burn story with an amazingly tragic start for both characters. I’ll read more from this author.
xiaxia's review against another edition
DNF at 10% because:
Issue nr 1:
We are talking about a gay couple having an issue that their adopted son is gay. Are you kidding me?
“I know. But…it’s so weird. I mean, your parents are two gay dudes. How can they possibly be upset that you’re gay?” “I don’t know,” he replied. “They’ve never said anything to my face. But every time I brought up being like them, they’d just say crap like, ‘Oh don’t worry about it. It’s not something that’s going to happen to you.’ Like being gay is something you catch.”
“Prom. With Ben?” Isaak was pacing the living room while Cedric sat on the couch, one foot up on the low table. He’d mentioned the dance to his fathers, and while Noel didn’t have a problem with it, he told Cedric to ask his Vati, and Isaak was bothered. “You don’t have a girl you can take?”
Noel’s voice was exasperated and tired. “You honestly are trying to tell me that you think him playing piano makes him gay?” “I’m telling you I think if he’d been better exposed to normal boy things as a child, he might not be inclined that way. I’m not going to sit here and be okay with this.
Issue nr 2:
Cedric is blind but he can assess height, weight and age by the sound of someone's voice.
"The other scoffed, and his voice was a little deeper, sounding a year or two older."
"By the sound of his voice, Ben was taller than Charlie, and larger overall."
Issue nr 3:
“Pleased to meet you. Would you like to go for a coffee?” Swallowing, Nicolas knew he had very little time to waste, so instead he eyed a nearby supply closet and with purposeful movements, yanked Dimitris inside. He slammed the door, twisting the lock, and turned around. It was hardly bigger than a broom cupboard, but there was enough room to move, which he did as he dove for the zip on Dimitris’ jeans."
"With careful fingers, Nicolas freed the hard length from the confines of the boxers, and took a moment to admire it. He’d only really explored his own, and this one was shorter, but with more girth. His balls hung low, and a mass of dark curls surrounded the entire thing. “I could write an entire aria to your cock,” Nicolas muttered before he bent forward to take it into his mouth. Being that this was his first time, it was awkward."
Spoiler alert! He does write an aria for that cock....
Issue nr 4:
Cedric is blind but the moment he touches the piano he can play Fur Elise.
At 5 Nicolas can play complex piano concertos without having any lessons. At a grand piano that existed in his room. A grand piano his mother had no idea existed in her son's room.
Dammit, I really wanted to read a good MM story with classical music. Do you have any recommendations?
Issue nr 1:
We are talking about a gay couple having an issue that their adopted son is gay. Are you kidding me?
“I know. But…it’s so weird. I mean, your parents are two gay dudes. How can they possibly be upset that you’re gay?” “I don’t know,” he replied. “They’ve never said anything to my face. But every time I brought up being like them, they’d just say crap like, ‘Oh don’t worry about it. It’s not something that’s going to happen to you.’ Like being gay is something you catch.”
“Prom. With Ben?” Isaak was pacing the living room while Cedric sat on the couch, one foot up on the low table. He’d mentioned the dance to his fathers, and while Noel didn’t have a problem with it, he told Cedric to ask his Vati, and Isaak was bothered. “You don’t have a girl you can take?”
Noel’s voice was exasperated and tired. “You honestly are trying to tell me that you think him playing piano makes him gay?” “I’m telling you I think if he’d been better exposed to normal boy things as a child, he might not be inclined that way. I’m not going to sit here and be okay with this.
Issue nr 2:
Cedric is blind but he can assess height, weight and age by the sound of someone's voice.
"The other scoffed, and his voice was a little deeper, sounding a year or two older."
"By the sound of his voice, Ben was taller than Charlie, and larger overall."
Issue nr 3:
“Pleased to meet you. Would you like to go for a coffee?” Swallowing, Nicolas knew he had very little time to waste, so instead he eyed a nearby supply closet and with purposeful movements, yanked Dimitris inside. He slammed the door, twisting the lock, and turned around. It was hardly bigger than a broom cupboard, but there was enough room to move, which he did as he dove for the zip on Dimitris’ jeans."
"With careful fingers, Nicolas freed the hard length from the confines of the boxers, and took a moment to admire it. He’d only really explored his own, and this one was shorter, but with more girth. His balls hung low, and a mass of dark curls surrounded the entire thing. “I could write an entire aria to your cock,” Nicolas muttered before he bent forward to take it into his mouth. Being that this was his first time, it was awkward."
Spoiler alert! He does write an aria for that cock....
Issue nr 4:
Cedric is blind but the moment he touches the piano he can play Fur Elise.
At 5 Nicolas can play complex piano concertos without having any lessons. At a grand piano that existed in his room. A grand piano his mother had no idea existed in her son's room.
Dammit, I really wanted to read a good MM story with classical music. Do you have any recommendations?