Blue Notes: A Book Club Recommendation!

by Carrie Lofty

For fans of Jamie McGuire and S.C. Stephens, a sizzling new adult novel featuring the tumultuous relationship between a young piano prodigy and a reluctant billionaire playboy—set against the vibrant backdrop of a New Orleans college campus.

After being bounced from foster family to foster family, Keeley, a talented pianist, is ready to start over as a junior at Tulane. But when she plays a small concert that attracts the attention of Jude, a brooding playboy and heir to an enormous fortune in the wake of his parents’ tragic death, suddenly Keeley’s life is thrown off balance once again.

Jude is the first person to confront her about the pain behind her music, and she struggles with whether or not to let him into her life, or to keep protecting herself from the hurt that relationships have caused her in the past. But Keeley’s about to learn that the melancholy young billionaire who appears to have everything he wants can open her eyes to exactly what she needs…

Genres: New Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Music, College, Young Adult

352 pages, Paperback

First published May 6, 2014

About the author

Two time RITA-nominated and multiple RT Reviewers' Choice-winning author Carrie Lofty has over twenty-five books to her name--or four names, to be precise. Her paranormal (as Lindsey Piper ) and historical romances from Pocket have been described as "nuanced and superbly realized" (The Chicago Tribune) and "sexy, brutal and somehow innocent" (All About Romance).

In college, Carrie lured an unsuspecting Englishman to the Midwest, where she's kept him a happy ex-pat for more than twenty years. With two teen daughters and a master’s degree specializing in the America West, Carrie is a movie buff, Civil War museum docent, online tutor, and Halloween haunted house actor.

Reviews

[✿kawehi.reviews · Rating 2 out of 5]

What initially caught my attraction to this book was the first line of its plot synopsis: "For fans of Jamie McGuire and S.C. Stephens". But after reading it, uhhhh..



NOT . EVEN. CLOSE.

Blue Notes sadly did not do it for me at all.

I struggled immensely throughout this read. From connecting to the book and its characters to the lack of chemistry and character development I just couldn't love it at all. Everything just seemed choppy, forced, "draggy", and simply directionless.

**And what's with the use of the words: "Sugar", "Memorable", and "Seduction"? It kind of drove me nuts after a while of reading those words! It was random and didn't match the story at all.**



*sighs heavily*

Gosh, I'm so sorry guys. I really mean no disrespect. This book had a lot of promise but it totally floundered and bored me to tears from start to finish.



*I received an ARC via the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!!*

[Glass]

DNF, 25%

I expected so much more from this book. Story doesn't make any sense, characters are annoying, writing is confusing... I don't like it at all. Also, it doesn't have anything in common with Thoughtless series and Kellan Kyle. That part should be deleted from book description - it's misleading.

[Booknut 101 · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the place of a review, I just wanted to share a truly beautiful quote from Blue Notes instead:

'What is a relationship if not questions?

They're the blue notes that hover between yes and no, maybe and definitely, the present and the future. So many doubts. It took missing Jude so badly and facing the man who'd warped my life to realise I possess the power to answer those questions. I possess the power to shape my own life, and to inflict hurt on others. That's pretty hard to admit.

I've said I'm sorry to the people I love. I give them another apology, this time using the instrument that was once my only voice. Now the piano is part of my voice. It's part of me too, but it's not all I am or all I have to offer.

The last note fades into silence.

(...) I've done enough apologising. It's time to start living an laughing again.'

[-ya · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dnf at 51%.
Whether you like Beautiful Disaster/Thoughtless or not, I just want to say Blue Notes has very little common with both novels. Granted. Keeley is a more interesting character than Kiera. I single out Kiera character cuz she is probably the least likable heroine in all my NA read.

I have a soft spot for any book character with back stories like Keeley and Jude. It is just a matter of rooting for them that I held on to the pages for as long as I could. But the sexual tension between LCs made no sense to me. Jude character didn’t stand out and I don’t even get why he was attractive to Keeley in the first place.

In many instances, I had to reread the phrases and figure out who said what. It was hard for me to follow a storyline with fragmented events and stilted dialogues.

Sorry. I didn’t enjoy it.

[a · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

It was okay. I disliked pretty much everything. The only thing this book had going for it was the sexual tension. Review to come.

[Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Initial reaction: "Blue Notes" actually surprised me in a few ways for the strength of the narrative, but I'll admit that it fell into a number of cliches and the pacing felt uneven through certain turns of the work. But I have to say that the overarching story did draw me in and felt realistic for the genre, probably even more than the narratives its cited in comparison to. I'll explain more in the full review.

Full review:

Yeah, color me surprised, because I don't often rate New Adult books above 2.5 stars often, but this read clicked more with me than I was expecting it to for the subject matter.

I'm going to start this review by naming the caveats right off the bat, because I think these made it difficult in the overarching read for me to rate this higher. This book, for the New Adult genre, is quite formulaic and it never really sheds its stereotypical coats. You have a virgin heroine with a tragic past who instalusts over a bad boy billionaire hero who seems to be rude and self-absorbed. There is some slut shaming, some bravado on the part of the hero that makes him a jerk, and times when the narrative pacing is far more slow than it should've been.

However, I really liked the environment and character insight/motivations established by this book. Those two aspects are things I'm really big on when it comes to contemporary college focused fiction. It felt quite realistic and I was able to follow the tough subject matter in this book far more easily (and actually believe it!) than many other reads in this respective genre. I feel it's a bit of a false comparison when the blurb depicts this as being similar to Jamie McGuire and S.C. Stephens. Having read both of the authors aforementioned - the comparison is false because "Blue Notes" lacks the constant melodrama and silly character actions/reaction being flung at you every which way but loose in McGuire and Stephens' narratives. Lofty's narrative really isn't like that at all, and I was glad to see that it wasn't. It's more realistic and grounded for the situations it sets forward (though I would say there are some points where I think taking out the obvious cliches and improving the pacing could've helped it be much stronger than what it comes across).

Keeley is a junior in college with an identity she's trying to forge after a childhood with rough considerations. Her father killed her mother, she had to testify at her father's trial at 15, ended up with a foster family who adopted her permanently, with a new identity in tow. She seeks to move on with her life from that. Attending college at Tulane in New Orleans, she engages with her music and mentors another younger student in the process.

But in the meantime, she happens to meet the mysterious Jude - a guy who radiates sexual tension with her at almost every encounter that they have. He's a jerk from point one, probably not so much in their first meeting as much as their second (he rudely makes another couple move from their seats during a performance). But Keeley can't stop lusting after this dude. He's not completely over the top or unrealistic for reaction though, which is probably why I tolerated him far more than some other NA heroes (unfortunately, I couldn't really see myself swooning over Jude's character, for reasons I'll get into in a minute.)

Part of me thought this was very annoying at how *long* Keeley seemed to lust after him without really knowing who he was. And while there may be some relationships that start with an intense physical attraction/gravitational pull to a respective admirer, I had a hard time for how long this was focused upon until the narrative got to a point where it started revealing some of Jude's backstory and associations. It was too drawn out and could've been pared down a little quicker to establish the grounding of the characters more, not to mention really help understand the attraction between the characters for more than just the physical.

Turns out that not only is Jude from a wealthy family, but he's also an orphan who takes care of his little sister and had to take over his family company at a young age after graduating from business school.

There is an age gap between hero and heroine (Keeley's 21, while Jude's 26, his younger sister is 18). The two had some very nice moments of exploring their intimacy with each other, though it does play into some stereotypes associated with virginity. But at least the two seem to talk to each other and their conflicts are palpable. There are multiple conflicts within the novel occurring in the interludes, and I have to admit that Lofty did a nice job with providing character insight into each of these measures. I was even convinced by Keeley's uneasiness to reveal her respective past and how that provided some conflict points within the novel, though there was still a part of me that thought the pacing could've been improved to delve into these even more, rather than spending so much time in Keeley's eye to her attractions. (In other words, I'm fine with the narrative highlighting what draws her to the guys in here in rationale, but it should've taken way less time in the overarching narrative).

I did like this work more as it went on and as the character relationships and interactions built upon themselves. Keeley's foster parents were cool and I liked that the narrative called out specific incidents that seemed like B.S. for the treatment of the MC. The college environment and interactions were authentic to me on the whole and well done for Keeley's experience, as well as how she eventually steps up to the plate to deal with parts of her past and present. So taking it into consideration on the whole, I liked the novel, but I do wish that it'd not fallen so heavily in reliance on its cliches and improved its respective pacing. I think those who liked Leah Raeder's "Unteachable" would probably find something to like in this, give or take its caveats.

Overall score: 2.5/5 stars

Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher Gallery Books.

[Debra]

ARC courtesy of Gallery, Treshold, Pocket Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**

[Cait · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is very very lucky I am giving it 2 stars - and I'm only doing that because I can't bear to give a Carrie Lofty book 1 star

This was not at all what I expected from the cover, or from what I've come to expect from the author.

So much of the plot never connected with me - Jude (OH MY GOD THIS DUDE WHAT THE WHAT) and the romance most of all. Normally in the case of a book like this I can be like oh well the sex was good. I can't even say that here because I felt so detached from it.

I ended up skipping much of the second half of the book because just none of it worked. If this hadn't been Carrie Lofty, it would have been a DNF in all likelihood.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Turn me on, sugar," he says, smoldering and daring. "Just you and that piano."

As soon as I saw this book on Goodreads, I had to have it. Did you read that synopsis? How perfect does it sound? It was on my mind all the time. Not always at the forefront, but tucked away in there somewhere desperately waiting for it to be released. I had built it up so much in my head, that I was almost scared to read it and have it disappoint me in any way. But when I finally had it in my hands, I jumped in feet first ready to fall in love. And boy, did I fall in love.

My music is ...private. It's a hole in me where anyone can look inside. It's a damn bathroom door that won't lock. The keys aren't my friends when I'm so pent up. It's only afterward, when I write down what's flowed through me, that I feel in control again. The music doesn't own me then. I own it.

Keeley is an exceptionally gifted pianist, although she can't stand the spotlight. But she wants nothing more than to make music her career. So she enrols as a junior at Tulane. After a run in with the wealthy Jude Villars, she has to admit that he rattles her. Even more so when he comes up with a proposition for her that sounds just too good to pass up.

He's a vortex, or a planet with it's own powerful orbit. He's gravity and the tide. There's no denying any force of nature that powerful. Jude is one of them.

Jude was imperfectly perfect. He was brash and he had a touch of arrogance about him. But there was something about him right from the very start that I loved. Even when he was being cocky and a little bit of an arse. There were times he was infuriating Keeley with his words and even then, I loved him. And didn't I swoon every time that he called her sugar!! But under all of that, he is carrying a whole load of pain and responsibility. He was flawed perfection.

My gasps make his smile even wider. Yes. Just like he said. He's learning me. I'm a gasping, writhing road map, and the man does love to explore.

The chemistry and heat between Jude and Keeley was amazing. Somewhere along the way the lines become blurred. Jude begins opening up to Keeley and letting her into his past. Sadly, she doesn't do the same. She keeps her secrets very closely guarded. Secrets have a way of coming out. Will Jude be able to overlook everything that Keeley has kept from him, and will the feelings that they've developed be enough to overcome it all?

I really loved the growth of the characters and the development of the beautiful friendships throughout the story. Keeley and Jude both have such amazing strength which is such a stand out by the end of the book.

Carrie Lofty needs to write more New Adult, because she does it so awesomely well. I loved Blue Notes from the first page to the last. Her writing is beautifully descriptive and her characters were likeable as well as being relatable. The pacing of the story was fantastic. So much so that I was so engrossed, I was at the end of the book before I knew it.

"Touch me there. At my nape."
I'm a melty puddle of guh before I take my next breath.

Yep, a complete puddle.

5/5 Amazing Jude Stars

[Emily - Reads Must · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not perfect, very few books are, but all in all I really quite enjoyed Blue Notes! It gripped hold of my curiosity from page one and didn't let me go until the very last sentence. It was intense at times and made me smile at others, and it was always 100% sexy.

Usually the thing I love most about a book is the characters - or at least one in particular - however, with this it was the story. Admittedly there were some predictable moments and parts that made me cringe - although I think they were meant to - but in general it flowed really well and kept me turning the page. The story follows Keeley as she starts University at Tulane, and how she copes with the attention from one dangerously attractive arsehole named Jude. As well as following Keeley as she tries to find the ability to let go of her past, or at least, move on from it.

There was the odd moment where I felt that Keeley's decisions where out of character (like getting into Jude's car) but she has this strength that I really admired. Even when her world felt like it was being torn apart at the seems she picked herself up, brushed herself down and kept moving forward. She never gave up!

Keeley's back story is woven into the book in singular threads, with each chapter giving you more information into her horrific past. More than once I wanted to jump into the book and steal her away from her monstrous parents. I have a real soft spot for this girl!

Now... Jude Villars. Where to start? I mean, there were times when I want to punch that guy in the face and then there where times when I was like, damn he's sexy! In my opinion Keeley's obsession with Jude is completely understandable, he's intoxicating! He has a kind of dirty Christian Grey feel too him, although Mr Grey would never have called Anna 'sugar'. I really didn't like that nickname...

One thing I did notice throughout this book is that almost every male character was build up of fatal flaws. Other than Keeley's adoptive father, they're all kind of dicks. Even the nice ones. Which is a complete 180 from most NA/YA books I read.

Overall, I really liked this book! I would have liked a bit more information about her father though. I would have liked to have know more about what happened in California. If anything I would just have liked more! More Jude. More Keeley. More Janey. More Addie... just, more.

[Jess · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I'm just really disappointed, which is sad for me because I've been looking forward to this book since it was announced. I was willing to pay the exorbitant original price for it, that's how much I was looking forward to it. But in the end, it just did not live up to my expectations at all and the major ways it let me down are related to two things.

1) I was expecting to get a Carrie Lofty New Adult novel, not a New Adult novel. And maybe that was a wrong expectation to have, but I REALLY like Carrie Lofty's writing. I have for years. But this didn't feel like her writing, this felt like any other new adult novel that I could get off amazon for free or ninety nine cents and that would have been fine, but that's not what I wanted. I wanted a new adult novel by someone that I trust to tell compelling stories. I didn't get that.

2) What a waste of New Orleans. Now, I grant you that I may be a harsher critic on this than most since my sister spent nine years of her life attending Tulane, but if not for the occasional mention of the garden district or the french quarter (or walking down bourbon street which is IN the french quarter, putting those things together was really redundant, okay?), there was really no sign that this book was taking place in an incredibly vibrant city. Hell, the neighborhood that Tulane's campus was in (Uptown, for the record) didn't even get a mention, while other neighborhoods did. And the book mentioned people taking shelter from Katrina in the Astrodome, which I'm sorry, is in Houston.

And as for the romance itself, I probably would have been more okay with it if the language surrounding it had been less florid. I don't have anything against the story of a girl deciding to let a dude seduce her into losing her virginity and them both being completely aware that's what's going on. I think that's great, actually. But I lost that somewhere in the writing and well, that's another thing that made me sad.

I'm glad I got this on sale, because if I'd paid $11 for it? I'd be returning it without a single shred of guilt.

[Sarah Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to author Carrie Lofty.)
21-year-old Keeley has had a difficult upbringing living with her vice-addicted parents, and then having to find her mother murdered. Now a 21-year-old music student, she’s looking for love.
Is Jude the right guy for her though?


This was an okay story, but it wasn’t really for me.

Keeley was an okay character, and I liked how strong she was in the face of adversity. She’d obviously been through a lot in her life, had had a difficult childhood, had had to testify against her own father at her mother’s murder trial, and had still come out of it all a good person.

The storyline in this was okay, but I did lose interest. I’m not sure whether this was just me though, as there didn’t seem to be anything obviously wrong, but I just didn’t really enjoy it. I failed to really connect with the characters, and just couldn’t get into the story. I think this is probably just a case of wrong person, wrong book though.
There was romance in this one, and some of the steamy scenes between the characters were okay, I just found it difficult to really enjoy them while I couldn’t connect with the characters though.
The ending to this was okay, and we got a happy ending which I was pleased about. I just never got to the point where I could really enjoy this though.
Overall; wrong book, wrong person,
5 out of 10.

[CeCe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not sure how I felt about this book when I finished it. The characters are likable, but somewhere at the half way point, I lost whatever connection I had with them.
I loved that Keeley truly loved her foster parents. The scenes when Keeley calls them when she has a bad dream or something in her life happens showed the great relationship she had with them.

The negative: There were many times in the story where Keeley’s POV was too wordy. There was too much information that I found myself skimming. I love how Keeley and Jude meet and initially how they interacted with each other. However, Keeley’s behavior later in the story seemed very immature for a 21 year old. Some of the dialogue between Keeley and Jude felt awkward. There were brief occasions where I felt the characters’ actions felt out of place.

I think the author did a great job with setting up the story with Keeley. I liked the premise of the story, but I felt like it was not executed properly.

A copy was provided by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Mlpmom (Book Reviewer)]

*Review to come*

[Ella Janine · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was foolish of me to think that the story, the characters, and the romance will get better.



Read full review at The Filipina Booknote

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh...LOVED this book so much!!! Full review to come.

[Nereyda (Nick & Nereyda's Infinite Booklist) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had been debating on reading this book for a while. It's silly but I try to stay away from stories that have 'billionaires' in them. A billion dollars is a lot of fucking money and I just don't always find it realistic. Even some of the biggest celebrities aren't even billionaires. But I loved this cover and the summary had me hooked. When I started seeing reviews for it, I wanted to read it even more. For the most part, I still enjoyed this book. It just didn't have the effect on me that I thought it would.

The beginning of Blue Notes grabbed my attention right away. We have our 15-ish year old MC who is testifying against her father who is on trial for killing her mother. Keeley grew up with horrible parents who were addicted to drugs. They run con after con, often involving Keeley, to score their next hit until a confrontation between them turns violent and her dad ends up killing her mom. Keeley is taken away to live with foster parents, she changes her name and vows to start a new life. Fast forward to a now 21-year old Keeley who is in college and is a piano prodigy. Although she's very talented, she lacks in stage presence, mostly because she has stage anxiety. She takes on a mentor, Adelaide, who just so happens to be Jude's little sister.

Jude and Adelaide lost their parents in an accident and ended up inheriting their billion dollar empire. Jude ends up taking over the company and has a reputation for being a playboy. When these two meet, the attraction between them is instant and strong. Despite Keeley's apprehension towards Jude, she can't seem to stay away from him and his brooding ways. Jude propositions Keeley to seduce her and finally cash in her V-card, in exchange for making it a memorable and enjoyably experience for her while at the same time showing her how make love. Because, you know, she's never had a boyfriend and she's awkward at this kind of stuff. Eventually, and without too much convincing, Keeley agrees.

I'm so annoyed at the virgin storyline that has been beaten to hell in NA books...but in this case, I guess I could find it realistic that this 21 year old girl would still be a virgin, because of her sheltered past. At the same time, because of her past, I found it unrealistic that she would take up Jude in his offer in the first place. When I found out Keeley was still a virgin and this is where the storyline was going, I thought: Sweet baby Jesus, please give me the patience to survive another virgin book. I didn't like how this whole 'seducing you out of your virginity' thing was going to be such a huge part of the story. (This really should have been mentioned in the summary in my opinion) I wasn't sure what I thought of this proposition most of the time. Sometimes, I thought it was sexy and intense, other times it was just awkward. Their's something about planning that moment that takes out the passion and spontaneous element to it. I also don't believe girls have to be taught how to kiss of have sex, you just learn by doing it. I have this thing about paying close attention to position descriptions in hot and heavy scenes, they just have to make sense for me. Some of these didn't make sense for me, they were just awkward. Example: Keeley has thing weird fascination with the back of Jude's neck. In a scene, their in his towncar (What 20 year old drives a towncar? Besides Chuck Bass?) and she's behind Jude kissing the back of his neck. Yet, their somehow still kissing and she's somehow still on his lap.... I read this a few times and the position just doesn't make sense to me...

Keeley was a character I couldn't connect with. She was that type of insecure girl who can't even take a compliment. But, with her past, I got why she was like that. It was realistic to me. I still had a hard time connecting with her though. Jude was probably my favorite part of the book. He has that bad boy, lovable asshole quality to him. In a lot of ways, he reminded me a lot of Chuck Bass, which was a good thing because it helped me connect with him. I loved Jude's sister, Adelaide, and I loved how she and Keeley formed a strong friendship and ended up helping each other with their piano-related issues. I really liked Keeley's friendship with her roommate (although I can't remember her name) and I couldn't help but wonder if she might be getting her own story. I looooooooooved that Keeley's foster parents, who ended up adopting her, weren't painted as bad guys. Keeley had such a strong relationship with both of them and I loved how much they supported Keeley. The chemistry was hit or miss with me. I loved most of it, but sometimes it felt forced and planned. I really wish this wasn't so focused on the 'seduce a virgin' plot and more focused on their relationship. I know this is one of my personal pet peeves so it might totally work for other readers. While I didn't love it like I was expecting to, I still enjoyed Blue Notes and I loved the writing.

3 out of 5 stars!

***
Read full review & more of my reviews at Mostly YA Book Obsessed

[Marie · Rating 1 out of 5]

So the most glaring thing with this book was that I misread the intended audience... I downloaded the ebook thinking that it was a skewing-toward-YA NA book but instead it was definitely-adult NA. I blushed pretty heartily, and only skim read certain sections. And I don't consider myself a prude! But the author used every descriptive word in her vocab for this one.

Once you get past the fact that this is a stereotypical romance, the base storyline isn't really any good. It's barely there at all. It's supposed to be that Keeley has miraculously escaped a horrific childhood when she ends up with the world's most wonderful foster parents at age 15. Somehow she escaped with pretty much no ill mental effects and is now on scholarship to Tulane University where she's expected to graduate and become a world-famous pianist overnight. Despite a childhood of abuse and neglect she has no qualms about falling for a guy over the course of just one evening and letting him take her to his car to make out. The whole book takes place only over a couple weeks. Like a literal couple. And she even travels overnight with this guy. And she's only a junior in college! My parents never would've allowed that, I didn't have a traumatic childhood!

The whole thing is so implausible. And the focus is 110% on behind-bedroom-doors activities.

[Lindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Thoughts:

Blue Notes, by Carrie Lofty, was an interesting story. The very beginning of the story was amazing and completely caught my attention. It was about Keely's dark, and horrific past with her real parents. I could feel the insecurity and terror of poor little Keeley, and everything that she was put through by her drug addicted, abusive, con artist parents. Keely ends up witnessing a horrific act of violence that forever changes her life. She is taken to live permanently with two very sweet and nurturing foster parents, Clair and John. They eventually adopt her, help her through her nightmares, and give her the stability that every child craves. Keely becomes a piano prodigy, and when she leaves for Tulane, her junior year, her life takes a drastic change.

Keely ends up meeting Jude, an arrogant, wealth, and sarcastic playboy. These two bicker and banter from the start, but there is an underlying vibe of sexual tension between them. Keely is fascinated and attracted to Jude, but he drives her crazy. Eventually, Jude offers Keely a proposition; and she wholeheartedly accept. He will seduce her and take her virginity, but will romance her, and make it worth her while. Keely ends up meeting a fellow freshman piano prodigy that she is suppose to mentor, Adelaide, and discovers that she is Jude's younger sister. Adelaide is great when it comes to grand performances on the piano, but needs work on her technique. Whereas, Keely is great with performance, but has serious performance anxiety. The two decide to hep each other, and become quick and close friends. Meanwhile, Keely develops a strong friendship with her dorm roommate, Janissa. I loved Janissa. She was such a great friend, and quickly became one of my favorite characters in the story. Meanwhile, there is a dark and sinister guy names Brandon who is in charge of security at the dorm. He keeps asking Keely out, and things turn sinister when Keely turns him down, and calls him out on two-timing a friend of hers. Keely becomes upset when she starts to have feelings for Jude, and thinks she is nothing more to him than a lay. Things begin to get more complicated, and as Keely and Jude start to fall in love, she worries about him finding out about her past.

I have mixed feelings about this story. On the one hand, it started off great and completely captured my attention, but in the middle it slowed down a lot and dragged. There was a little too much description, and I needed a bit more action. Then three quarters of the way in, things really started to pick up again. At first, I couldn't see the appeal in Jude. He came off as cocky, way to arrogant, and wasn't use to hearing the word, "no." I couldn't see the attraction, or appeal of his character. I had troubles feeling the connection between him and Keely. Then, as the relationship developed more, I started liking Jude. As I got to know hum more, I realized he had a huge heart, and loved his sister dearly. He had a hard life, and the way he aced was a facade, because he had trouble showing himself to people. I started to feel the connection between these two, and it was off the charts!

I loved the secondary characters as well. My favorites were Adelaide, and Janissa. They both had very distinct personalities, and fascinated me. I would like to know more about them, and could see them getting their own story. There was always an element of suspense and danger in the plot that kept me turning the pages. Brandon was a scary character, and I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. Also, Keeley's biological father held a grudge against her, and he was a scary man. I kept waiting to see what would happen with him.


My Rating:

I give Blue Notes, by Carrie Lofty, 3.5 Dark, Suspenseful and Steamy Stars! My favorite parts of the story were the very beginning, the relationship and sensuality that developed between Keely and Jude, the friendships, and the lurking sense of danger!

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Items ticked off: 18

Well, color me surprised. Not necessarily because I actually liked a NA book. No, but because I liked one that is littered with the usual clichés. Who would've thought?

In truth, Blue Notes has so many clichés that I'm normally not a fan of due to how they've been incorporated in the NA genre and rarely done well. That's the difference though. Blue Notes, full with these tropes, does them well. I've been turning it over and over in my head what this book does differently from the rest NA stories and I can only come to one conclusion. The author tackle these issues with sensitivity. The protagonist's voice is intimate, genuine, and authentic. A small detail like this creates and entirely different atmosphere that the general NA story lacks.

Blue Notes focuses on Keeley and her experiences, both what she suffered through in the past, and her daily life in the present. Keeley, a piano prodigy is prefers her music, but when she meets Jude, she starts to open herself up. She overcomes her stage fright, partly on her own but also with Jude's encouragement. Together they make an unlikely pair. (Not in NA standards, but in general.) Jude has his own problems after his parents died and left him and his sister alone with him in charge of his father's company.

By that description alone, you see that parts of the story isn't exactly new. Still, it's a good story even with it's issues. I loved Keeley's journey. In comparison to other NA heroines, Keeley is one of the better ones. And Jude, despite some moments, he was also a decent guy, given the circumstances. Sure, they both had their flaws, some bigger than others, but they were real people. And that, dear people, is what makes Blue Notes take a place as one of the top ten books in my New Adult Project so far.

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[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Music connects us all, even if it doesn’t always seem that way. While some of us prefer death metal over classical, no one has ever failed to answer the question “what’s your favorite kind of music?” We all have that song that rocks us to our core; our Jam. Keeley feels her music right down to her soul. It takes her into a kind of trance, as she composes. In those moments, she takes the reader with her, getting lost in her own little world. While I loved getting an inside look into her mind, it often put a wedge into the middle of a scene. It did slow the pace down, but it made the scene more detailed. Don’t read this and expect it to be a whirlwind of action. It’s slow and steady, with a lot of character development.

When I read a book that involves music so prominently (though I wish there had been more of it), I can’t help but try to find a deeper connection with it. Due to my own imaginative shortcomings, I always have the most difficult time coming up with suitable music in my head. On that note (pun intended), take a look at the playlist down below. I wish I had seen that list before I had read the book! It would have made it easier to imagine.

In between the important plot, are the more important sex scenes. ;) Talk about smoldering! Not every scene was believable (the backseat of a car has NEVER been so spacious when I tried fooling around in them) but it didn’t matter! There was some serious chemistry between Keeley and Jude. Speaking of Jude… when I first read that this book was for fans of Jamie McGuire I thought, “My, those are some big claims.” Damned if I wasn’t schooled! They weren’t kidding! Jude may not be quite as aggressive as Travis Maddox, but he has an Alpha Male streak to him a mile wide. If you’re left wondering what to read after BD, head on over to Blue Notes. You’re welcome.

A copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Kirsti · Rating 1 out of 5]

I feel kind of let down by my local bookstore. I buy books the way some people buy lollies, pretty much walking into a store and stocking up on my favorites. I buy five or six books at a time, and it might take months to read them, but I get round to them eventually. This was part of one such spree. It was in the teenage section, but this isn't really a YA novel, summed up here on Goodreads as 'New Adult'. If I'd known that I don't think I would have bought it.

Cringe worthy sex, and I don't mean cringe in a good way. I hate instalove, but have become so desensitized by YA that I forgot Adult instalove/lust means sex on the second meeting. Awkward car sex. Plus, he's a billionaire with a dark past, she's a virgin with a dark past; if I wanted to read mills and boon I'd go pick on out of the box my mum bought for me at a garage sale when I was 16. It was just too cliched, I couldn't stop rolling my eyes.

I also struggle to feel any attraction in romance novels to tortured badass millionaires. Is that weird? Pretty much the only romance I read when I'm not tricked into it is regency, because I love dress descriptions, manners and etiquette, and flowery language. I can't handle modern romance, because I want men to treat me with respect, but fob off introducing me to his work mates, play stupid head games, insult with dopey nicknames (any man who calls me Baby will get punched in the face) Especially the part where he orders her food for her and insists she try everything. Anyone, man or woman who thinks they know what I want when I go into a restaurant is so wrong! Drives me bonkers! I have been with my partner for almost 9 years, if he ordered for me I doubt we'd make it past that!

Gah, suffice to say I hated this book. I felt tricked by my bookstore placing it in the wrong place, which wasn't the book's fault. I was turned off by the characters and the sex. The storyline was boring, predictable and felt like Mills and Boon. I was enraged by idiot characters and thoughts. I hope my next book is better.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved loved loved Blue Notes!

The title caught my eye first – or my music major’s eye. I have a thing for music books. Rock stars, classical musicians, even dance because dancers get music, I love music. I love how much Keeley feels the music when she is playing it. I could feel it through the words on the page.

And I jump ahead of myself.

The book starts with a young Keeley, with what puts her in the care of her foster family, that part of the book is heart breaking. It’s not overly dark, it’s sad, one of those things that no child should have to go through.

Then we jump ahead to Keeley off to college. She has just transferred to Tulane. She runs into Jude after a hurricane like composing session/rehearsal. I wasn’t sure if I was going to like Jude at first. He was kind of a cocky SOB, the type who literally says you don’t know who I am?

There’s a reason behind that exterior that he projects though. He has had his own tragedies happen in his past.

They run into each again when Keeley goes to meet her mentor. The chemistry starts to build and we are off.

I don’t feel like my words are doing justice while I am writing this right now. This was a beautiful sexy, but not overbearing, romance where our leading man and woman have both been through horrible things, yet the book doesn’t feel dark at all. It’s sweet. I love the chemistry between them. I love Jude’s attitude once we get to really know him. I loved watching Keeley grow.

I finished this in one sigh inducing late night sitting, it (352 pages) went by so quickly because of how into it I was. I wanted this to work for Keeley and Jude. I wanted them to have a HEA. Did they? You’ll have to read it yourself to find out.

Thank you so much for my copy of Blue Notes that I was gifted to facilitate this review.

[Farrah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A deep, emotional, and absolutely lovely New Adult romance, Blue Notes was a wonderful read. I really liked this book. It was a sweet, romantic, and truly enjoyable read.

Keeley was a wonderful heroine. She went through a lot and, though it made her withdrawn, it also made her very resilient and strong. I loved how, in her own quiet way, she refused to take crap from anyone, even a super attractive billionaire. She was lovely and I really liked her.

Jude was also great. I'll be honest, he could be an ass at times. But, he could also be very sweet and, as the book went on, we learn more about his past and why he acted closed off. He was very determined and protective of those he loved. Overall, I really liked him.

The romance was lovely. Keeley and Jude were great together. I wasn't totally feeling it, though, because both Keeley and Jude were so hesitant. But, when they finally let go, they were sweet together. Not to mention the sizzling chemistry between the. I thought they were a wonderful couple.

The plot was well paced and, though I wasn't totally hooked, the was kept interested the entire way through. I really liked how the emotions in this book were portrayed, in a way that was deep and really came across as I was reading. I enjoyed the story and the ending was perfect.

Blue Notes was a wonderful New Adult romance. I really liked this lovely read, with all the emotions, secrets, and romance. Romance lovers, this is a book worth checking out.

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

[Autumn Review · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of those reviews where I'm not quite sure what I want to say about the book. What I can say, is that this was a book that I was anxious to read. The blurb grabbed me and I liked the cover. As I started reading, I kept waiting and waiting to get hooked, but...it didn't quite happen. I didn't dislike it. In fact, I enjoyed getting to know the characters and I felt that Keely's back story was incredibly interesting. And I liked Jude and his sister. I felt that the story had a lot of potential, but there was just something missing for me. I would have liked to have seen a stronger connection between Jude and Keely. There was passion, but long term HEA potential? I wasn't quite sold. So, I leave you with this thought, there were many aspects to the story that I did like. It held my interest enough to finish the book. It wasn't a total win for me, but it might be the right book for you.

Quotes:
~"A whole lot of good memories got swallowed by the bad. But you, sugar...You're making it feel brand new."-pg 100

~"I've been thinking about you, sleepless over you. I made something complicated out of something pure and full of potential."-pg 229

~"I imagine sometimes..." he says, before breaking off. I have to pinch the back of his hand where it rests at my waist. "Sometimes I imagine you keep those deep kisses with you. That is anyone lifted your hair, they'd see that I'd taken you."-pg 279

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

You might want to read Jess and Cait's review's before you read mind because theirs affected my mindset heading into this book.

Jess, Cait and I don't have identical opinions when it comes to books, but this is one we've all been looking forward to and I think we've been pretty in synch on the new adult genre. So when they didn't like it, I figured I might end up not finishing it.

So that let me take the first part of the book not very seriously, which let me enjoy it somewhat. And, you know, there is a good story in here. And I really liked Janissa and Adelaide. If they got books, I'll probably read them.

But the book wasn't really about them. It was so much about the relationship. And the relationship was one of those that isn't quite instalove, but is close to it, with the characters supposedly having a connection that I just didn't feel. And their conflicts didn't make a lot of sense to me either.

I could've done with that angsty backstories, but for this genre? Not that bad at all.

I was convinced that the creepy desk guy was going to kidnap her or something along those lines, so it's nice that didn't happen!

[Jay]

DNF at 280. I know I said I will push through.. But why? I have too many books I can spend this time reading. The emotional aspect of the book I was waiting for never showed and all I got was the main protagonist talking about her not so great looks and going back and forth between hating and obsessing over the love interest. The emotional parts with her legal guardians/adoptive parents seemed so superficial and I just wanted more. The title, cover, and synopsis promised a music themed book but again.. I barely got anything real other than her fear of performing in front of people.. Which is weird because when the love interest dared her to she was all "Okay! I'll do it" then after that she went back to being afraid.. Too many inconsistencies..

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The story was interesting and I liked most of the characters. I struggled a little bit with how the story flowed and a little bit with the relationship development between the characters. Also, I would've really liked an epilogue - it felt like some of the story was left unfinished when the book ended. I enjoyed this book and would read more if the author turned this into a series (to tell Adeline's story.)

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 4.5 stars

Blue Notes was such a great story. I was pulled into the story from the first page and couldn't wait to read more. The writing was amazing!

The banter between Jude and Keeley was wonderful. I loved watching their relationship grow. Blue Notes had some great romance, friendships and angst.

Blue Notes was a very enjoyable read and would definitely love to read more!

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book doesn't so much play with romance tropes as breath new life into them. For all the fetishizing of virgins in 50 SHADES, I didn't expect to enjoy a red hot romance that's all about the foreplay leading up to deflowering. Keeley is gorgeously written, from her music to her romance, and I lost myself in this book from page one.