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Symphony #4
En Garde
After seven years as Nina Devereaux’s executive assistant, Serena Bowers is finally getting her shot at her producing shows for The Royal Ballet. The problem is her promotion depends entirely on the success of Illyria , Nina’s latest original ballet, and that means working closely with the Honorable Rowan Alexander—Olympic fencer and Serena’s arch-nemesis from University. Rowan needs the ballet to succeed for her own reasons, but working with Serena just might be a bigger challenge than defending her Olympic gold. Will they be able to push past grievances aside, or will Illyria be their downfall?
600 pages, Paperback
Published July 31, 2023
5 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
About the author
M.J. Duncan
20 books436 followersMJ Duncan is a Southern California girl who traded in her surfboard for hockey skates when she moved to Minnesota. When not writing, MJ enjoys reading, climbing, swimming, and spending time with her family. You can also follow her on twitter (@mj_duncan) and tumblr (mjduncan).
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
August 22, 2023
4 - 4,5 ⭐️
Fitting end to a wonderful series, set in the world of music and ballet.
It’s an extremely long book. You not only got to know the two MCs Serena and Row but Addy, Nina and Clara also appear very often and move the story forward.
The author included a lot of bed scenes and the chemistry between the two MCs was off the charts. Maybe because of the fact that they are portrayed as “enemies-to-lovers”.
This book was entraining for me but my personal favorites of the series are “Pas de Deux”, followed by “Evolution” because I liked the MCs more.
“En Grade” has its lengths and it dragged on sometimes.
Fitting end to a wonderful series, set in the world of music and ballet.
It’s an extremely long book. You not only got to know the two MCs Serena and Row but Addy, Nina and Clara also appear very often and move the story forward.
The author included a lot of bed scenes and the chemistry between the two MCs was off the charts. Maybe because of the fact that they are portrayed as “enemies-to-lovers”.
This book was entraining for me but my personal favorites of the series are “Pas de Deux”, followed by “Evolution” because I liked the MCs more.
“En Grade” has its lengths and it dragged on sometimes.
November 26, 2023
I didn't realize this book was part of a serie when I started it, I realized it when I was 20% in. The book being around 600 pages, I didn't have the heart to start from book 1. It can be totally read as a standalone though because it didn't prevent me from enjoying it. Don't be afraid of the length of this book because you can really follow each step of Serena and Rowan's relationship with nothing feeling rushed. First, previous "enemies" with this tension and the grudge between them, and when there is tension, there is passion ; then them burying the hatchet and having a tentative friendship, then...more. When in most romance, two characters getting together is the peak of the book, and ends on the couple barely reaching happiness, this one shows you the established couple moving forward in their loving relationship. It was really refreshing and it's like I was wrapped in a love blanket, I couldn't help smiling reading the book. It also gives each main character a real setting of their respective lives, really existing independently to have their world merging afterwards.
Side characters were not just extra here. Having not read the first books of the serie, I couldn't savor it properly but I understand a lot of the side characters are characters from previous book and this one gives you a thorough follow up, especially for Nina and Clara.
The book did have some lengths to me, making me not read some scenes with the same attention or dedication than for others.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and it made me want to read the three first books.
Side characters were not just extra here. Having not read the first books of the serie, I couldn't savor it properly but I understand a lot of the side characters are characters from previous book and this one gives you a thorough follow up, especially for Nina and Clara.
The book did have some lengths to me, making me not read some scenes with the same attention or dedication than for others.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and it made me want to read the three first books.
August 9, 2024
I enjoyed this reasonably for about half the book and beyond 60%, I could not fathom what the rest of the book would contain since the primary conflict is wrapped up and there is no further conflict occurring in anyone's life ever beyond resolving the primary plot point.
The answer to what on earth could still happen in the remaining 40% of this 600-page book was a lot of spicy scenes, a lot of affirmations of love, and an incredibly predictable conclusion to all the slightly open plot points. I was pretty bored during this, honestly, because there is absolutely no conflict, just dialogue and sex scenes and insufferable friends.
More on the insufferable friends: this is the worst group of friends and friend-adjacent people I have ever met in a book. Every single one must randomly slip in (heh) innuendo in every single conversation with the two main characters. I can't fathom why neither of the two leads tells them all to mind their own business and fuck off because this is far too much investment in someone else's love life, crushes, and even sexual positions and preferences for a friend group, including Clara who is quite a bit older than them and a godmother-adjacent to one of the main characters.
TL:DR; For a 600-page book to sustain interest and momentum, we need conflict, character growth, fewer insufferable side characters deeply invested in making irritating jokes filled with innuendo about the main characters' interest in each other and sex lives.
The answer to what on earth could still happen in the remaining 40% of this 600-page book was a lot of spicy scenes, a lot of affirmations of love, and an incredibly predictable conclusion to all the slightly open plot points. I was pretty bored during this, honestly, because there is absolutely no conflict, just dialogue and sex scenes and insufferable friends.
More on the insufferable friends: this is the worst group of friends and friend-adjacent people I have ever met in a book. Every single one must randomly slip in (heh) innuendo in every single conversation with the two main characters. I can't fathom why neither of the two leads tells them all to mind their own business and fuck off because this is far too much investment in someone else's love life, crushes, and even sexual positions and preferences for a friend group, including Clara who is quite a bit older than them and a godmother-adjacent to one of the main characters.
TL:DR; For a 600-page book to sustain interest and momentum, we need conflict, character growth, fewer insufferable side characters deeply invested in making irritating jokes filled with innuendo about the main characters' interest in each other and sex lives.
Read
October 8, 2023DNF about 40% in. There were things I liked about it, but 600 pages is way too long for it. And it's also one of those books where the majority of the secondary characters exist to obsess about the main characters' love lives and their interactions with each other. To the point where basically their conversations are nothing but matchmaking, teasing about the love interest, smirking or staring at the two every single time they interact.....it got extremely old.
June 16, 2024
This book really needed an editor. It was WAY too long. I also didn't realize until I was about half way through it that it was part of a series. I mean, that's to its credit, since I didn't really need to know what came before to appreciate the good parts of this book. However, I stopped reading after the protagonists got together because it was BORING and repetitive, and all they did was fuck. The first part, about two (also ridiculously named) women who know each other and hate each other yet have to work together was pretty interesting. Rowan (bleh) is a Olympic world-class fencer, and is very rich on top of that. She tends to keep her girlfriends at arm's length so they don't impede her independence, and she's kind of a dick--playing pranks, acting out, etc. Annoying. Serena (double blech) works for Rowan's godmother/auntie figure at the Royal Ballet in London as an assistant-type, who is getting her first big break helping produce a new ballet. Unfortunately, it includes fencing/fighting as part of the plot, so the auntie brings in Rowan to teach the ballerinas how to hold their swords, etc. and Serena has to be involved as well. There is this whole backstory about how Serena was a ballerina who hurt herself and couldn't dance anymore and she knew Rowan in college when SHE had to take fencing to learn to fight, and how Rowan was just generally a jerk to her and made fun of her constantly while she was young, which scarred her for life, apparently. The enemies-to-friends-to-lovers bit is cute, and the ballet/fencing parts were really interesting, but after the two get together, there is this weird submissive/dominance thread to their romance, and Serena recedes a bit as a character, where she'd started off the book so strongly. Eh, I just think the author got carried away and no one was there to rein her in, so she just word vomited all this stuff onto the pages and a good third of it could've been cut, to the benefit of the book. There was a LOT of exposition of what each of them was thinking, and it was so repetitive that I found myself skimming for new information. The sex scenes were great, but there were so many that even THEY became repetitive. I would have enjoyed this a lot better if it had been edited for length and shaped a bit more. It's like an overgrown haircut. Shaggy. After the ballet was completed, I stopped reading because I felt like I'd gotten the point. I skimmed the rest very quickly, but man, the good stuff was buried. The book was bloated which made it boring. Empty calories... I could go on with the metaphors but then I'd be just as bad. You get the point. LOL.
August 19, 2023
First off can I give this more than 5 stars because those five cover only a small portion of this book. It’s absolutely outstanding! As with all the books in this series you just want to continue reading it…page after page after page. And boy howdy is this one a whopper. But not a single word, sentence, paragraph or chapter could be any better. When I started the book a few days ago I thought I might get a bit miffed it was so long but the only thing that reminded me it was while reading it was the amount of time it took to finish. And still I couldn’t get enough. Every character is so real, so relatable and lovable that you will smile, laugh a blush your way through it. The settings and action? Yeah let’s say action is so realistic that you can see it. It’s a pity that you cannot book to go see a show like this, that would be one hot ticket for sure. You feel every emotion and happily take the ups along with the downs as you just know it will all come together. Plus I love catching the Easter eggs from the other books Duncan has written.
I personally hope we get another book in this series as I just can’t get enough.
So, do yourself favour and read this! Read all 4 books! And read the others written by this amazing author. You won’t be disappointed.
I personally hope we get another book in this series as I just can’t get enough.
So, do yourself favour and read this! Read all 4 books! And read the others written by this amazing author. You won’t be disappointed.
November 18, 2024
There's a jaunty skip to M J Duncan's prose which exactly matches Rowan's persona. In Rowan, M J has created an endearingly cocky character. She is loyal and competitive with just hints of insecurity.
Her partner in love, Serena is authorative and bold, yet also fiercely loyal.
Serena works extremely hard as assistant to The Royal Ballet's Artistic Director, (Nina) and as Assistant Producer on the original ballet, Illyria which Rowan's godmother (Nina) has created. I love how M J details the amount of blood, sweat and tears involved in the art of ballet, and how her characters unapologetically work long hard hours to produce beautiful art. It is endearing that Rowan supports Serena with food, coffee and understanding when her job demands such sacrifice.
When Serena in return is supportive of Rowan's dedication to her sport, M J creates a true partnership.
I enjoyed the juxtaposition of Serena's outward femininity, with an inner core of indomitable strength to Rowan' sartorial elegance overlaying a flirtatious desire to please.
The cadre of supporting characters was pure M J, as all her stories seem to abound with rich friendships between realistically drawn personalities.
The tribulations and triumphs of Serena and Rowan is beautifully crafted as M J Duncan once more delivers a richly narrated happy ending.
Her partner in love, Serena is authorative and bold, yet also fiercely loyal.
Serena works extremely hard as assistant to The Royal Ballet's Artistic Director, (Nina) and as Assistant Producer on the original ballet, Illyria which Rowan's godmother (Nina) has created. I love how M J details the amount of blood, sweat and tears involved in the art of ballet, and how her characters unapologetically work long hard hours to produce beautiful art. It is endearing that Rowan supports Serena with food, coffee and understanding when her job demands such sacrifice.
When Serena in return is supportive of Rowan's dedication to her sport, M J creates a true partnership.
I enjoyed the juxtaposition of Serena's outward femininity, with an inner core of indomitable strength to Rowan' sartorial elegance overlaying a flirtatious desire to please.
The cadre of supporting characters was pure M J, as all her stories seem to abound with rich friendships between realistically drawn personalities.
The tribulations and triumphs of Serena and Rowan is beautifully crafted as M J Duncan once more delivers a richly narrated happy ending.
September 25, 2023
Another brilliant story from MJ Duncan! Don't let the length scare you, it is so worth the time. Both of the main characters are wonderfully created and drawn out. These love stories where the two start off not really liking each other are my favorites because of how wonderfully the dislike builds the sexual tension. Once they give into that tension it is so beyond satisfying. As per usual MJ does a phenomal job with the spicy scenes. Be sure to have a fan handy to cool yourself off while reading those. I also enjoyed seeing the characters from other books in the series. It was great getting to see a new side of Nina as she interacted with Rowan. Definitely recommend reading this one!
September 28, 2023
Good conclusion to a wonderful series.
It's an enemies to lovers book between Serena and Rowan, but i feel that they were "enemies" for only a short period and liked each other too quickly.
The tension and chemistry were definitely there and i loved how the characters from the other books were added into this.
However, i would have liked for a bit more of a slow burn and the book didn't need to be as long as it is. At some moments, it bored me to death.
Evolution is my favourite but this is a decent read.
3.5 stars.
It's an enemies to lovers book between Serena and Rowan, but i feel that they were "enemies" for only a short period and liked each other too quickly.
The tension and chemistry were definitely there and i loved how the characters from the other books were added into this.
However, i would have liked for a bit more of a slow burn and the book didn't need to be as long as it is. At some moments, it bored me to death.
Evolution is my favourite but this is a decent read.
3.5 stars.
February 3, 2025
Serena Bowers has been given the chance to be Assistant Producer on a new Ballet, but the performance will involve swords, and they need a expert as their normal staffer is away. Enter Rowan Alexander.
Rowan, a Olympic fencer, is there as a favor to her godmother, Nina. Also, she's amused to run into Serena again, whom loathed her back in school. And Rowan finds its just as fun to tease her, even if she's even more beautiful now.
Slow Burn and Enemy to Lovers that's 600 pages or so. Good but certainly not a light read. I liked Serena and Rowan, and their interplay is amusing.
Rowan, a Olympic fencer, is there as a favor to her godmother, Nina. Also, she's amused to run into Serena again, whom loathed her back in school. And Rowan finds its just as fun to tease her, even if she's even more beautiful now.
Slow Burn and Enemy to Lovers that's 600 pages or so. Good but certainly not a light read. I liked Serena and Rowan, and their interplay is amusing.
August 21, 2023
'm always available to read an MJ novel so when I saw this it was immediately sent to my Kindle app. However, I would have loved to give this story five stars as the story deserved but there were a number of typos that made me drop a star. The Symphony series has been a wonderful escape into the world of ballet and music, something I knew nothing about. I think it's time for me to start reading number one, Symphony in Blue, again.
September 1, 2023
Ah!
I love the world of Nina and Clara. Theirs is a love story for the ages. This time we are lucky enough to also meet Rowan and Serena, two characters who are important players in Nina and Clara’s world. Through much patience and growth, Row and Serena eventually find their way to each other. Their love story is quite sweet eventually. I love any chance to revisit Nina and Clara too. This is a wonderful tale, beautifully written.
I love the world of Nina and Clara. Theirs is a love story for the ages. This time we are lucky enough to also meet Rowan and Serena, two characters who are important players in Nina and Clara’s world. Through much patience and growth, Row and Serena eventually find their way to each other. Their love story is quite sweet eventually. I love any chance to revisit Nina and Clara too. This is a wonderful tale, beautifully written.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 20, 2025
I never thought I would enjoy learning so much about fencing in the Olympics and also placing it within a ballet, but I did due to MJ's beautiful writing, fun banter, sexy scenes and previous connections throughout this story. I think the character of Rowan was outstanding and the pairing of her with Serena, Nina's assistant at the Royal Ballet, was wonderful. This entire Symphony series has been a joy to read. I wholeheartedly recommend it!
October 3, 2025
Beautiful story, quite complex build-up, a bit too long in the 2nd half of the book. The readers do not need all the details. Let them wonder…
Enemies to lovers never looked so sexy as in this book.
However, the conflict was resolved halfway through the book and then it was just a very, very long epilogue.
Tighter editing would have done wonders.
Good work on side characters and fencing descriptions.
Rating: 4 stars
Enemies to lovers never looked so sexy as in this book.
However, the conflict was resolved halfway through the book and then it was just a very, very long epilogue.
Tighter editing would have done wonders.
Good work on side characters and fencing descriptions.
Rating: 4 stars
August 6, 2023
I think this may be one of MJ's best novels so far. She tries a few new things with this book, notably the multiple POVs, and it pays off in spades. Fans of her 'spicy writing' will be happy too, as the spicy parts are spicier than in previous books. Absolutely loved it.
August 17, 2023
Loved returning to the Symphony world! This is why I love series - seeing old favorites again while falling in love with a new couple (and the swords were a fun addition!) Damn, I really wish Nina's ballets were real. What I wouldn't give for tickets to see Evolution and Illyria...
August 22, 2023
I am sad to see this series end. The whole Symphony series was wonderful and just kept getting better with each book. I honestly couldn't tell you which story was my favorite, as they were all great!
April 14, 2024
Beautifully written with a lot of spunk and spice. Sometimes the people who we meet in our past collides in our present. Inspiring and encouraging with every thoughtful ways that each characters that grow. It’s addictive in every page, leaving you breathlessly wanting more.
August 10, 2023
3.5 Stars
October 18, 2023
Wonderful as always, loved the entire series, might go back for a reread! Highly recommended.
March 12, 2024
The best one of the series!!
December 16, 2024
This quickly became my favorite entry in the Symphony series; so much so that I was quite sad when I reached the end. This is a book I very much see myself re-reading in the future. Well done, MJ.
March 31, 2025
2 stars means I didn't finish reading it
June 2, 2025
Another winner in the Symphony Series and for this author. Long read
but worth it.
but worth it.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews