Symphony of Salvation

Timber Creek Academy #2

by Nicky James

Music teacher Niles Edwidge gets the shock of his life when Maestro Augustus Castellanos, a world-renowned musician and composer, shows up at Timber Creek Academy. Not only has the maestro been asked to guest teach alongside Niles, but he’s brought his prodigy daughter and enrolled her as a student.

Niles has been waiting for the day the academy decided to replace him. His educational background falls short of the school’s usual demands, but a revered maestro? It doesn’t make sense. Why would such a prominent figure want to teach high school music?

Fearing for his job and envious of the other man’s career, Niles doesn’t give the maestro a warm welcome, but their feud doesn’t last when Niles learns the respectable musician is struggling with a mountain of problems and would prefer to be anywhere but Timber Creek.

As the truth about August’s troubled life surfaces, so too does a secret he has carried for decades. As a self-proclaimed repressed bisexual, August rarely allows himself the freedom to explore his sexuality, but an undeniable attraction to Timber Creek’s music teacher threatens to test his resolve. He can’t afford to fall for Niles. He has a life and responsibilities outside Timber Creek.

The minute his obligations are fulfilled, he’s out the door.

Unless he finds a reason to stay…

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Music, Contemporary, LGBT, Audiobook, Musicians

382 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 13, 2024

About the author

I live in the small town of Petrolia, Ontario, Canada and I am a mother to a wonderful teenage boy (didn't think those words could be typed together...surprise) and wife to a truly supportive and understanding husband, who thankfully doesn't think I'm crazy.

I have always had two profound dreams in life. To fall back hundreds of years in time and live in a simpler world, not bogged down by technology and to write novels. Since only one of these was a possibility I decided to make the other come alive on paper.
I write mm romance novels that take place in fantastical medieval type settings and love to use the challenges of the times to give my stories and characters life.

Reviews

[Snjez · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I'm conflicted. The story is beautifully written and I really liked Niles, but I had some issues with it.

I appreciated August as a character, but I didn't find him appealing as a love interest. The dynamics between him and Niles was interesting to begin with, but their constant disagreements, August's repression and Niles' envy became tiring after a while.

The same could be said about August's relationship with his daughter, which didn't change until the very end. I could understand why she acted the way she did, she is a child and in her situation it was understandable. I don't get why he so stubbornly kept pushing her to speak. By the end of the book, I felt exhausted.

The last thing that bothered me was the way August just left both of them, with no explanation. Why not tell them what he was planning to do? He hurt them both so much, but he was forgiven the moment he returned. I wouldn't.

As I said, beautiful writing, compelling characters, but I wasn't sold on the romance part.

[~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semicolons~✡~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Profoundly moving, this book is a symphony of emotions.

My name had never sounded so pure rolling off a lover's tongue. August turned it into an aria.

~ MCs in their 40s (important because everyone deserves love; people don't wither and die once the sunshine of youth is gone)

~ A mountain of angst (Niles and August's connection is fraught with denials and secrets, but it's nothing compared to the volatile relationship August has with Constance, the 14-year-old daughter he never wanted)

- Even more angst piled on top of that mountain: childhood cancer, addiction, fragile family ties, a teenager brimming with anger at the world, jealousy, job insecurity ... the list goes on

I was furious with August for being so evasive. So much pain and grief could have been avoided if August had just communicated with Niles and Constance.

The drama toward the end was entirely unnecessary (but not unrealistic). Grand gestures are nice and all, but a few meaningful, timely conversations would have spared everyone involved a great deal of sorrow.

I wanted to knock some sense into August, but the man was as stubborn as an ox.

A couple side plots were interrupted, particularly Niles' perilous teaching career. The school director was a special kind of arrogant, disloyal bitch, so I doubt August's speech made much of a difference (bravo for trying though!).

All that aside, I was struck by the depth and complexity of Niles and August's love affair. It wasn't easy to read precisely because it was raw and real: insecurities, fumbling kisses, desperate passion, shame, and an overwhelming desire to hold on and never let go.

The MCs may be flawed and troubled, but they work on a fundamental level, chords in harmony.

If tragedy can befall people out of the blue, why not love?

Why not indeed?

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

**** 3.75 stars ***

I think this author has a real talent for characterization. The characters are authentically developed and feel genuine. She also brings depth to the secondary characters, which stands out to me; they aren't just included for the sake of it.

However, the plot included two frustrating elements: the job offer as a teacher extended to Maestro Augustus Castellanos, a world-renowned musician and composer and the fact that he left his child and Niles without any explanation. This conflict was unnecessary! Perhaps it was intended to create mystery? but it just led to frustration. Why couldn't he explain his plans through a simple conversation?

Overall, I enjoyed this quite a lot. So, I'm going to round up the stars!

[Renae Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this slow-burn romance between music teacher Niles and conductor August. They have instant chemistry, which clashes quickly due to their relationship with one another, but their simmering attraction remains, making this an incredible romance that I could not get enough of.

This story took me on a fantastic emotional journey seeing these two navigate their precarious positions, and struggling personal lives while embarking on a sweet and loving romance that against all the odds had the best timing possible.

I love August's transformation. He learns to love more than himself by becoming an active father while embracing love for the first time in his life. Watching August slowly unravel and learn to welcome foreign feelings was such a wonder. Also, seeing Niles risk his heart yet again for someone who wasn't fully ready was exhilarating. Both were unknowingly risking so much without any guarantee of a positive outcome, which makes their romance even more genuine.

Together these two go on an epic journey of discovery, risk, and yearning for a stronger connection than anticipated. There are many strong emotional moments and I was so happy to see these two finally figure everything out. This story is beautiful, heartfelt, and completely moving. I could not get enough of these characters and their story.

*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***

[Papie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not it.

Things I hate, that featured in the book:
- pompousness
- bad parenting. I don’t care how horrible and difficult your child is. It’s YOUR JOB to keep trying and keep loving
- characters making decisions without communicating them
- long absences
- grand gestures
- evil characters (like the boss here)
- unrealistic work situations. Why would a high school only hire PhDs? It’s a research degree, not a teaching degree

Things I like, that featured in the book:
- two guys falling in love

I don’t know. Meh.

[alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I downright adored Niles in the first book and couldn’t be happier for him to get his HEA. That fondness grew as I came to learn the depths of his life’s insecurities and regrets that have held adjacently similar homes in mine. The maxim “comparison is the thief of joy” has never rung truer than in this man, and he can’t escape the daily reminder once the esteemed Maestro comes to town.

August is far from the perfect human, despite what his long list of accomplishments and accolades may suggest. His life tilts further off kilter when he finds himself in surprise custody of his daughter and fumbling (gravely) his role as a father. By the end of the book, there was still room for him to curry my favor, and I wished for more pleasant interactions between him and his daughter after they exchanged enough discordant energy to power a whole country, but he still had a beautiful redemption carried out in resplendent prose. If you have a special place for music in your heart and/or come from a musical background, I wouldn’t be surprised if you end up connecting with the words on an even greater, more profound level than me.

Thank you to the author for providing a complimentary copy of this book; this is my honest review :)

[Caz · Rating 4 out of 5]

B+ / 4.5 stars

Earlier this year in Promises of Forever , Nicky James introduced readers to Niles Edwidge the best friend/former lover of Koa Bugard, one of the protagonists in that story. Niles teaches music at Timber Creek Academy, the prestigious private school where Koa teaches English, and although they were no longer romantically involved it was clear they cared for each other deeply, and Niles was an excellent sounding board for Koa as he struggled to find his way in his relationship with his partner, Jersey. Niles is one of those characters who leapt from the page demanding his own story be told – and here it is. In Symphony of Salvation, Niles meets his forever person in the form of an internationally renowned musician who takes a temporary position at the school in order to help his troubled fourteen-year-old daughter settle there.

Niles has worked at the academy for sixteen years, but not a one has gone by without at least one parent complaining about their child being taught music by the only teacher at the school who does not have a PhD. Niles has his reasons for that and the lack of those letters after his name don’t stop him being a dedicated and exemplary educator, but he’s regularly plagued by feelings of inferiority. He loves his job and knows he’s good at it, but can’t help waiting for the day he’s told the school has found a more qualified teacher and that he should pack his bags. He thinks that day has arrived when he’s unexpectedly summoned to the principal’s office – but the news he’s given isn’t what he expects. Instead of being fired, he’s told that he’ll be temporarily sharing his teaching load with world-famous performer, conductor and composer, Maestro August Castellanos.

August has taken a break from his busy career to parent his teenage daughter, Constance, who, until recently, lived with her mother, Chloé, an opera singer. Due to circumstances not revealed until later in the book, it’s no longer possible for Constance to remain with her which means August has had to step in – but he has been an absent parent (which was the deal after Constance was conceived – Chloé wanted a baby, not a husband or partner) and is rapidly drowning, having no idea how to deal with an angry, hurting teen who has been ripped away from everything that is familiar to her. August is trying to do the right thing – giving his daughter the chance at a more normal life than the one her mother has given her so far – but he can’t seem to do anything right and they are constantly at daggers drawn. The real sticking point is that Constance is voluntarily mute following the removal of a tumor on her larynx and subsequent treatment; she can speak, but hates the sound of her voice when she uses the prosthesis she’s been fitted with, and so she opts not to talk. This drives August up the wall, and his refusal to learn ASL because he wants her to use her voice (and thus fulfil his promise that she’d speak again after the surgery) infuriates her. It’s a no-win situation and their relationship is crashing and burning at an alarming rate.

To say that Niles and August don’t hit it off to begin with is an understatement. At their first encounter, August provides an unasked for and rather harsh critique of Niles’ performance on the piano which, not surprisingly, angers Niles and cements his opinion that August is an arrogant, high-handed musical snob who thinks he’s better than everybody else. It doesn’t help that Niles is more than a little jealous of what he perceives as August’s charmed existence. Here is a man living the life Niles had dreamed of – a top-flight professional musician with the world at his feet – but was never able to achieve. His family of doctors and lawyers always looked down on his musical ambitions and refused to support them, still seeing him as nothing but a glorified babysitter. Add being gay into the mix and, well, Niles is most definitely the blackest of black sheep. It’s not until August starts to allow Niles a glimpse of the truth of the man behind the musician that Niles learns that August’s life hasn’t been a bed of roses either; his family may have fostered his talent and supported his desire for a musical career, but he was ruthlessly pushed by his father, forced to practice for hours and hours a day from the time he was six, and never allowed to make his own choices, even well into adulthood.

It’s after those brief moments of vulnerability that the relationship between the pair starts to warm up. There’s been a spark of attraction between them from the start although they’ve both done their best to ignore it, Niles because he knows he falls in love too easily and believes someone like August isn’t for him; August because he’s spent years repressing the side of him that’s attracted to men and isn’t planning to stick around. But Niles has captivated him – he’s kind and funny and charming, he’s so effortlessly himself and is an incredibly gifted teacher with the ability to relate to and empathise with others in a way that August has never been able to do. And despite his best efforts, Niles can’t help being drawn to August, a man who seems to have everything but who, in reality, is deeply lonely and unhappy. The antagonists-to-lovers element to the love story is superbly done; August and Niles’ initial dislike of one another is palpable even as it fizzes with chemistry and attraction, and their romance has the feel of a sensual slow-burn – and the way Nicky James turns August from a character who is hard to like into a man we can believe is worthy of love – worthy of Niles – is masterful. I loved watching them help each other to realise some important truths about themselves and their lives, and the way they gravitate towards each other even when they (think) they don’t want to.

Niles and August are complex, flawed and fully three-dimensional characters, and while the secondary cast is small, it’s equally well-rounded with Constance being the stand-out. Not all authors can write children and young people well, but Nicky James brings angry, insecure, frustrated, loving, vulnerable Constance to vibrant life. There are brief cameos from Koa and Jersey, too, who return the favours Niles did for them in the previous book by being sympathetic ears and sounding boards as he works his way through his complicated feelings for August.

I enjoyed the characters and loved the romance, but I really struggled with the inaccuracies and misconceptions about the life of a professional classical musician, which kept pulling me out of the story. I’ve often heard lawyers or police officers say they avoid books featuring characters in those professions because errors about the details make it hard for them to enjoy the stories; and that happened here for me. I trained as a classical musician and worked in the business for well over a decade so I know something of how that world works, and unfortunately, the author’s depiction of it just doesn’t match my experience. I won’t make an exhaustive list, but here are just a few of the things that made no sense to me. We’re told that August was a prodigy, a virtuoso - so why didn’t he become a soloist? Becoming principal flute in a symphony orchestra takes talent, no question, but it’s not a path to international stardom or becoming a household name. A principal flautist who has occasionally done a bit of conducting is unlikely to be called “maestro” – that term is generally reserved for highly respected conductors who are and have been at the top of their profession for many years – think Bernstein, Karajan, Abbado etc. - and very occasionally composers or soloists. And August composing so many pieces of music but not wanting them to be published or played is, surely, akin to an author writing a book and not wanting anyone to read it!

I have to applaud the author for so clearly understanding that music is more than something musicians do – it’s something they ARE – but it’s a double-edged sword, because the musical background is so closely woven into the fabric of the story that it meant I couldn’t separate the romance – and the story of August learning to become a better father, and Niles realising that being a teacher is his true passion – from the things that bugged me. If that hadn’t been the case, or if there had been fewer things that pulled me out of the story I might have been putting this one on my keeper shelf, but as it is, I’m not sure it’s a book I’ll go back to.

But this is obviously a ‘me’ thing and I’m sure that the author’s many fans will love Symphony of Salvation and Niles and August’s messy, bumpy road to their HEA.

[Essie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not warm up to August at all. The last part was unnecessary drama (just tell your plans) and I hate that. He is also immediately forgiven by Niles and Constance, which made no sense. Nicky James is one of my favorite authors, but this series isn’t for me.

[Mal · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I read this book about two classically trained musicians, one an accomplished performer and one a beloved teacher, I realised that the writing had a lovely rhythm, cadence and poetry to it that made it flow so smoothly, beautifully weaving words of emotions big and small in harmony of the plot and character development, sticking with me well past putting the book down.

The first impressions I had of these lonely characters were fairly straightforward- I thought August to be a fairly self absorbed absentee father challenged by the struggles of his daughter’s needs and Niles came across as a bit sentimental, focused on his unfairly unrecognised potential. But as the story progresses, the author peels back layers of these complex, floundering and hurt characters who somehow find a way to heal each other. August a little obtuse when it comes to emotions and trying his best always, giving up as much as he can for his child, burdened under huge expectations and Niles with a big heart and unbearable courage, trying to stay true to himself while still protecting his heart. There were so many touching moments in the story on the way to its hea conclusion and I’ve tried to include a few in the quotes.

I love Nicky James writing and i loved this one too. If you’re looking for a love story with loads of hurt comfort, medium amount of spice, fantastic character development, flawed MCs you can’t help get attached to, a dash of humour and a genius father and teenage daughter always at the edge of confrontation, I highly recommend checking this book out.

Expect:
* A Maestro x A music teacher
* Hurt comfort
* Instant animosity
* A dash of pompousness (trust me it works)
* Opposites attract
* Single dad
* Bisexual rep

[Nijntje Pluis · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I had some of the same problems with this book as with the first one in this series. Like Koa, Niles's internal monologues were tiring after a while and the way he couldn't get over the fact that August was famous while he was not felt childish. The guy is 44, get over yourself. Niles kept saying August didn't hear him when he tried to give him pointers about teenagers, but Niles didn't listen to August when August kept trying to tell him that his fame wasn't all that.

And watching August with Constance was just painful. Yes, Constance was deliberately provoking him at every turn, but the only thing August kept hammering on was that she wouldn't talk. Seriously dude, maybe try to give her a hug and have an actual conversation with her, in however way she wants to? And when she's a bit more settled, then try to change her mind?

The relationship development was also a bit weird, I never really felt the love. Niles said he fell in love with every guy he dated, so August didn't feel special and August was so repressed for most of the book that I needed more from him, especially on the communication front. Why on earth did he not tell Niles what he was going to do in Chicago? Why hurt Niles (and Constance) like he did, when explaining everything would at least have brought them understanding?

But I was interested the whole time, I never wanted to dnf and the overall writing quality was good, because it's Nicky James. And yay, there was actual teaching in this book!

[Ana · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know!!! Rating a Nicky James book with 2 stars is also nothing I thought possible but here we are.
I super disliked August. The romance didn't convince me and I need more groveling before even thinking about forgiving August.
The circumstances of Constance, her mother and again August are too constructed for me.
And how could Niles seriously stay at the school after knowing they'd ditch him???

[beautiful journey｡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicky's writing in this one was top notch and blended well with wine, music and Christmas atmosphere.

[Sarah☀️ Somerville · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved this book so much.

I loved the themes explored in this book: music and the different careers available, communication barriers and multimodal and nonverbal communication, families/parenting, the challenges of making decisions for children, the issues with guiding/encouraging/discouraging/dictating different things. I loved how the three family situations (Niles and his parents, August and his parents, and Constance and her parents) were all so different and yet somehow so similar.

I loved how Niles and August were both beautifully flawed, and their issues clashed, causing more challenges in the relationship.

I loved it all.

Except

Then

At 93%

That Thing Happened.

And I saw it coming, I did. I mean, I hoped it wouldn't happen, but I wasn't exactly holding my breath. And I guess there were ways it could have happened that wouldn't have been entirely awful.

But no, it was about as awful as it gets.

I didn't throw my phone at the wall, but there might have been an angry tear or two.

Not gonna rate this book right now because it really wasn't a 3✭ read and I can't decide between 5✭ or 1✭.

...

Okay, after letting it sit for a week or so, I've decided this is a 3✭ book. It had a lot of promise, but the ending was unsatisfying.

When I read a character/relationship-driven romance, I want to see change. I want to see character development/growth over the course of the book. I want to see characters who learn something. I want to see characters who struggle, learn from their mistakes, then figure out how they can make their relationships work.

In the end of this book, Niles and August end up together. Do I care about this? Honestly, not that much. What I cared about was August's relationship with Constance. I'm pretty sure I'm not alone here. Because this was the key theme in the book and also something that affected August and Niles and their relationship.

And let's be frank: August and Constance's relationship at the end of the book was worse than at the start.

So August spent the entire book being told by absolutely everyone (with any sense) that he needed to learn to communicate with Constance in the way she felt most comfortable communicating. You know, like he did when he made an effort to learn the language in every place he lived/worked. Honestly, this was pretty much the only thing I wanted him to learn by the end of the book. He could have continued to be completely messed up in all ways if only he learnt this one thing. Did he learn it? No, he did not.

Instead, here's what happened: he manipulated his daughter into believing that he was only going to stay with her and, more importantly (to Constance), Niles if she used her voice. And then, once he'd won, he was magnanimous enough to learn some ASL, so long as she continued to use her voice when it was "important".

Ugh, I'm still angry about it.

I would have loved to read a book with the theme "manipulative and controlling parent learns that their child is entitled to choice and control and a voice/method of communicating that they identify and feel comfortable with". The theme "manipulative and controlling parent continues to find ways to manipulate and control their child" is less appealing.

August and Niles might have sworn less in this book than most of Nicky James's main characters, but pretty sure I was tempted to swear while reading it and thinking about it more than with any other book. Ever. (major spoilers - DO NOT LOOK until you've read the book, I'm serious)

[juli✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

“You are my salvation, Niles Edwidge. My life was stale and mechanical without you. I love you with all my heart.”

guess i gotta go back and read book one 🤪

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK... I can't believe I am saying this, but this story was annoying as hell! Maybe it was me and I wasn't in the right frame of mind? August rubbed me the wrong way from the very beginning, and trust me, I tried to tolerate it, but it just wasn't happening... grrr

Niles? Yeah, not sure what to do with the need to reach through the reading device and smack him upside the head! 🤦‍♀️

Having said all of that... the story wasn't bad. We just had two idiot MCs that needed to look in the mirror... grow the f*ck up and live the life they wanted!!! Did I say it would be easy? NO!!! Real life never is and I do understand this is fiction... that is where the whole "the story wasn't bad" comes in! 🤣

So, if you want to read a book that brings out your WTF? This one is for you!!!

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Romance Recs · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is JUST OKAY. It's not really the kind of love story I'm into because I love passion, love and angst.

This story is about a famous male composer who has custody of his daughter who has mental health issues and also a tragic result of cancer and chemotherapy. It's sad.

She's okay in the end but the gist of this story was about a father bonding with his daughter. Not love.

He and Niles from book 1 in the series find themselves to be at odds with each other at first and then eventually fall in love.

I like stories about the 2 people in love in a relationship. Yes, secondary characters can be funny, help the story move alone and add to the world building. The thing is, this book didn't focus enough on the relationship for me.

When I read a romance novel I want ROMANCE. Not a story about 2 men finding themselves and blah blah blah. All they did was find themselves in this book and grow as individuals.

It was literally about 2 people finding their way which is cool I guess if you like that sort of thing but I do not at all.

I want hugging, love, cuddles, sweet romantic moments, passion, love confessions.

I would keep complaining because there's a lol I didn't like but the writing was enough to keep me compelled.

I didn't care for the daughter's story. She definitely could have been written about LESS. It was all the daughter this, the daughter that... enough !! Like who cares about the stupid daughter this is supposed to be a love story.

I was so disappointed.

At first I liked it a lot, but it was just so lacking in terms of romance I find myself wanting to read something else now. Something romantic.

[AL♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

So happy to be back at Timber Creek Academy.
We met Niles in Promises of Forever. Niles was Koa's ex, but most importantly, his best friend.
Niles loves with whole heart, and that was his undoing with Koa.
What happens when he falls for the father of a student whose stay has an expiration date?

Symphony of Salvation is so beautifully written.
I will not cry!! Lies, I told myself while reading this book. It's heartfelt and heartbreaking.
My heart broke for not only Niles and August, but also Constance.

Get the tissues ready.

[Ana Nimity · Rating 5 out of 5]

As much as I enjoy Nicky James' mystery-suspense books, I also love when she writes contemporary romance that doesn't have a suspense component.

Symphony of Salvation is a thoughtful exploration of identity, relationships, and personal growth. It follows a music teacher dealing with insecurities about his job and his own perceived shortcomings, and a world-famous musician with a lively daughter. As the musician navigates his previously repressed bisexuality, the story dives into the challenges and tensions that arise between the main characters and the father-daughter relationship with honesty and depth.

The writing is beautifully crafted, with each character's unique internal dialogue adding depth to the emotional journey and building to a satisfying, well-earned ending.

[Judy W · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is part of a series (I've not read) but works fine as a stand alone. Niles is the music teacher at a very posh school and the only teacher with a Master's degree rather than a Doctorate and the Principal never lets him forget it. But Niles is great at his job and the students like him. Out of the blue a new student and music prodigy arrives with her famous Maestro father, August. Niles is informed that August will be helping him teach his class and he thinks this will be the end of his career. August doesn't want to be there but the circumstances surrounding his mostly estranged daughter compel him to step up and trade his brilliant musical career for the one of fatherhood. There is a very rough start to being a father of a teenager and Niles steps in where he can. They develop feelings but Niles refuses to be with someone who won't come out of the closet. August came across as being on the spectrum and had difficulty with feelings. Great couple but I was disappointed a bit with August at the end of the book. I understood what he was doing but keeping it a secret made no sense and unnecessarily hurt the feelings of the people he cared about. Still very readable.

[Jennifer Reilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so happy that Nicky went back to Timber Creek Academy so that Niles could get his HEA.

As we learned in Koa book, Niles is the
Music teacher at the academy and a wonderful musician. He loves hard. My heart hurt for him for what he feels is a shortcoming of not having his PHD and the way his family treats him. He doesn’t take it so likely when he learns Augustus will be in his classroom teaching

Augustus is a famous maestro and more. He has lived a life that he has been told not wanted. He has been repressing his feelings for lots of years. He is very critical of music and that sets Niles off.

I will say I feel Constance was a star of the book. She was the one thing in common (although they have a lot more than you think) that bound them together. I adored her.

This is a slow burn, students father, older men finding love.

I highly recommend this book and the first one too

[Georgie-who-is-Sarah-Drew · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded up because I generally like Nicky James' books
This did not work for me in the slightest. Too many overblown reactions on the part of the MCs and secondary characters alike. Romance and resolution both unconvincing.

I admire Nicky James for trying different series—her Quaid/Valor series was entertaining, and the Trials of Fear series enlightening—but sadly neither of the Timber Creek books has landed for me.

[Emily H · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love this author and her writing style.

Admittedly, I disliked Niles in Koa’s book, and I disliked August at the beginning of this book and at times throughout (especially when it came to his daughter 🫣), but Nicky James has the ability to make me eventually fall in love with less than like-able characters, which I think is realistic and refreshing in a way.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story set at a high school for musicians. Two of the teachers, one famous dealing with a daughter at the school,and one who has been teaching at the school for several years, start teaching a class together and start a relationship. Nicky James did some beautiful writing in this story, almost like writing a symphony herself. The book is long but a very good read.

[Mir]

DNF

Single dad? No thanks. Single dad of a child that requires a ton of attention? Extra no thanks.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oof - this one hit me HARD. I love Niles & August’s slow burn, and the mix of single new dad angst. They were so REAL and painful, how could you not love them?? The ending had me tearing up. 🥹

[Christina | readingthroughatlanta · Rating 5 out of 5]

(4.5 Stars!)

I love Niles and I’m so happy he got a love story!
Less traumatic than Koa’s book but no less beautiful. Appreciate that August is still a work in progress at his age. LOVED Constance’s presence in the book. Happy with the Koa/Jersey cameos.

Same feedback from the last book but why doesn’t August have any friends?? Wish he could’ve had a sounding board as he was figuring things out.

Wish Niles could give that principal a piece of his mind as well…

Another great one from this author!!

[Thaise Wolff · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really like Nicky James, and I enjoyed a lot how this started... it just slowly lost its shine for me :(

[noe · Rating 5 out of 5]

- Men in their 40s
- Single Dad
- MaestroXteacher
- Clashing personalities

What an AMAZING book!!
Niles and Augustus are so real and raw, and oh so
lovely to meet!!
August's teenage daughter is by far my favourite child of an MC I have ever read about!.

When Augustus and his daughter move to Timber Creek, Niles immediately feels threatened. They don't start off on a good foot, and considering they have to work together...
There is insecurity, jealousy, they both have egos, they're maybe a tiny *bit* pretentious, and they have their vulnerabilities, and they're ALSO SO LOVELY AND UNIQUE. Their dynamic . . . chef's kisses !

I particularly loved Constance (daughter) and the relationship that the men had with her. Especially the relationship between father and daughter .. it is portrayed in such an authentic way, like real life situations and not in the perfect way we sometimes see in book. Absolutely amazing. And it made the ending even more satisfying ✨️The bond between Constance and Niles on the other hand, my favourite scenes in the whole book, hands down!

I recommend this book to everyone !

[AGandyGirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this. One of Nicky’s best IMO. And I adored the exchanges with Koa and Jersey. ❤️