Performance Anxiety

by Betsy Burke

Miranda Lyme, mezzo-soprano, is in love with the infamous -- and, okay, technically married -- conductor-composer Kurt Hancock. So what if he lives in London, and she...doesn't. Their secret rendezvous are more than enough -- for now.

Besides, Miranda's life is full and frenetic: four part-time jobs, plus singing in the opera chorus, voice lessons with Madame Klein and looking for her long-lost father. Who's got time for a full-time beau?

Miranda craves the good life and is certain that's what she'll have once Kurt officially ends his marriage and she rises to stardom. But there are glitches. Like the fact that Kurt is still technically faithful to his wife and he insists that Miranda keep their relationship a secret. He promises it won't be like this forever. Yeah, sure... The truth, when it finally arrives, is so shocking that it causes Miranda to lose her voice.

But the show must go on. Will it be a night to remember -- or one to utterly forget?

Genres: Chick Lit, Fiction

368 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2004

Reviews

[Liesel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Way too many characters and a flimsy, improbable plot to boot. Didn’t relate to anyone and felt the story just dragged on.

[Barbara Nutting · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read 2007

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this - darn the no half stars, I'd go for 3 1/2 if I could... The whole opera story line was a fun change of pace, and I loved the main character - she was smart and funny and feisty and she knew that she was making bad choices in her life but plowed on anyway - which made her seem that much more real. Betsy Burke is definitely a fun writer, I hope she has more books!

[Charity · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pretty bored with this book. An opera singer struggles with working several part-time jobs, taking voice lessons, falling for a married conductor, and searching for her father. The story drags and I was happy to finish it.

[Aprile · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I love anything that is based around music because I can relate to it and this book I was able to relate to (well at least the music). I found the plot was good, but not spectacular in any means. It kept my attention and I enjoyed it.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't care what anyone else says, I loved this book! It's in my friends hands right now but seriously, I adored it so much that I was engrossed in it for a couple of days until I finished! If you're a singer of any sort I think you'll enjoy it.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book overall. Not one of my favorite Red Dress Ink books, but it was enjoyable none the less.

[Julia Fandechicklit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good chick-lit! Une héroïne forte, chanteuse d'opéra, qui tente de trouver un sens à sa vie entre Vancovuer et Londres...