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Unexpected Harmony

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After a disastrous live-streamed proposal, singer Aspen Lake limps to her beachfront Malibu cottage to take a much needed time-out and reevaluate her life. Unfortunately, even the calming ocean isn’t enough to bring back the music that once played in her mind.

Zoey Estrada comes from a musically gifted family, but it’s always something she’s had to work hard at. When she is forced to leave college and come home, she struggles with where the next chapter in her life should take her. Luckily her mom provides some direction when she drags her to work in her landscaping business.

An unexpected encounter leads to something neither woman is ready for. As Aspen and Zoey get closer, they must try and figure out what comes next. Can they continue to grow together, or are they destined to be an unfinished song?

258 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 12, 2024

134 people are currently reading
651 people want to read

About the author

Violet Morley

11 books136 followers

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5 stars
283 (43%)
4 stars
201 (31%)
3 stars
119 (18%)
2 stars
37 (5%)
1 star
4 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
Profile Image for Diane Wallace.
1,444 reviews162 followers
November 21, 2025
**'You have skillfully drafted a storyline in your head but then your execution ends up mediocre. Keep on trying, maybe one day it might come off much better..'

2.5 stars!
The first 2 maybe 3 chapters were okay but then downhill from there... sometimes writing this instant romance thingie is not for everyone.
Profile Image for Kexx.
2,318 reviews101 followers
October 29, 2025
Loved this book: as promised a ‘light & fluffy’ read. Really brought into the characters and so refreshing to have communication up front so no stupid misunderstandings. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Guerunche.
649 reviews35 followers
July 19, 2025
Initially I didn’t think this book was for me. I chose it because I really enjoy narrator Allie Shae’s work so thought I would try it. I almost stopped listening early on because I found some things about it completely implausible. But I stuck with it and am glad I did.

Zoey Estrada is a character not often seen in sapphic fiction. A gifted musician, she struggles with mental health issues. I appreciated that it was treated seriously and with care. I also loved the very healthy, open communication between Zoey and love interest pop star Aspen Lake.

The secondary characters were also strong, though Aspen’s manager Morgan was predictable. Still - the family dynamics were handled beautifully and Morley obviously knows or is part of a Hispanic family/families. She understands the culture.

The romance was sweet and well developed. While some of what occurs in this story feels far fetched, I absolutely believed them together.

Shae indeed did a great job on this one and I enjoyed the listening experience!
Profile Image for cloverxheart.
210 reviews11 followers
April 21, 2025
Enjoyable but nothing special.

The pacing really bothered me, so much time passed way too quickly.
I absolutely hated Morgan from page 1, but since we're not supposed to like her that was a good thing.
The characters were fine, not my favorites and pretty fotgetabe.
In theory this could have been a great book for me, but I just struggled with the execution of it.

I enjoyed previous books by the author, eben rated one 5 stars, but I felt like her writing got worse. Since I don't remember being this bothered by the pacing or way it was written in the two other books.
57 reviews
December 10, 2024
Loved the characters! Aspen and Zoey are real, believable, and are both working at life, adulting, and issues.
204 reviews3 followers
December 7, 2024
Worth the read

This was such an enjoyable read. I liked everything about this book. The main and supporting characters as well as the dialogue was so well written. The relationship between Zoey and Aspen developed organically and seemed very believable. The drama between the MCs was resolved with mature communication. The author handled mental health issues and the drawbacks of fame with sensitivity and caring. This book is definitely worth the read.
5 reviews36 followers
Read
March 16, 2025
no rating. could not finish this book. it was so bad I couldn’t even get through it.
1,255 reviews
November 29, 2024
Remarkable characters and sensitivity!

I love music stories and this one is fabulous. Aspen is a pop singer who leaves NY to hide out at her Malibu home when her proposal to her partner becomes a disaster. Zoey, who comes from a prominent musical family, leaves college and a stint in a rehab facility where she was recovering from a mental breakdown. The women meet in a very unusual way due to Zoey's brother with autism, who appears to be a musical savant.

This is the first book I've read from author Violet Morley and I'm excited to read many more. The writing is just superb. The relationship between Aspen and Zoey progresses in a very authentic, loving and sensitive manner. The negative influences are truly outweighed by the positive family dynamics and the loving comfort offered to each other. This story touched me greatly and I highly recommend it!
Profile Image for Cissa Rego.
214 reviews3 followers
December 23, 2024
This is the very first book by Violet Morley that I picked up, and I was not disappointed.

Unexpected Harmony is a low angst, low stakes romance between a mega famous singer and a struggling composer.

To no one's surprise, my favourite thing about this book was how incredible the communication was between the main characters. It's frankly refreshing to sit down with a cosy story and realise that I didn't roll my eyes once at silly miscommunication.

The struggles Aspen and Zoey have to go through felt real, and their relationship blossomed organically, leaving no trace of doubt about what they felt from one another. They navigated their conflicts like two adults would, not without bumps in the way but with a healthy and steady line of dialogue.

The mental health aspect of the story was dealt with sensibly, including the portrayal of an ASD child. You could tell a lot of thought, care, and research went into it.

Unexpected Harmony was a lovely one sit read, and I'll be sure to check out Morley's other titles.
Profile Image for Lindsey Wallace-Galli.
446 reviews1 follower
February 8, 2025
4.5 stars!!!! What an amazing, sensitive and well written book about mental health, overcoming obstacles and finding love when you least expect it.

Aspen, basically forced to propose to her girlfriend of 2 years by her manager (who’s in fact a very toxic human being), only to catch her in some uncomfortable situation. Fleeing to Malibu so that she can have some peace and quiet (since she’s a famous singer), meets Zoey, in her own house. Zoey, home from an unfortunate stay at the psychiatric facility after a psychotic break during her last semester of college, loses her brother who is nonverbal, while on a walk on the beach. Only to find him in Aspens house playing the piano.

All else fails when Aspen and Zoey meet and the rest is history.

This book is worth the read and highly recommended for anyone who needs a book with low angst, no third act break up and communication between both of the characters!
24 reviews
March 16, 2025
unique and engaging

What I love about Violet Morley’s body of work is that each book is unique and the characters feel real and authentic. She has a talent for going beyond tropes to sweep you along on a journey with the characters, as they pick themselves up and find their inner balance.

The feel of the stories as they unfold, and the characters as they grow and evolve all feel organic and relatable even if their lives are far removed from how we live and what we know in our every day.

My favorite part of this book are the characters and the subtle ways they grow, strengthen, and blossom. Violet Morley again shines in the little ways you get glimpses into the evolution of the characters, like when Aspen realizes she’s become part of a family again in the midst of a mundane family breakfast.

I also really like the cameo appearances of characters from other books. In this case it was a very brief cameo by Parker and Melanie Cooper.
Profile Image for This.
276 reviews9 followers
June 2, 2025
I really enjoyed this.
It tells the story of Zoey and Aspen. Zoey has just returned home from college for a break. She's studying composing and comes from a musical family. Her autistic brother Theo is musical and the piano is part of his routine.
Aspen is already a famous musician - and Theo literally walks into her house and starts to play her piano - providing an introduction for Aspen and Zoey.
Both of them have had a hard time lately and they recover together as they slowly begin to develop a friendship.
This story highlights the importance of staying true to yourself, and making sure you keep hold of your phone and knowing how it works!

182 reviews1 follower
December 26, 2024
A Very Good Love Story

A famous singer who leaves her fast paced life in NYC behind after a horrible public breakup goes viral. She retreats to a beach cottage in California. When she hires a landscape company she begins to get to know the lovely woman who is working on her yard. Thus begins a friendship and more based on their love of music. This is a very well written story of two women who are dealing with complex issues.
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
3 reviews
January 19, 2025
I enjoyed this book - the characters were likable and I love a romance that incorporates the celebrity/normal person trope.

I wished that the relationship between the characters was a little more fleshed out. Although there is some relationship development, I didn’t quite feel the connection between the MCs. I also wished that the spicy scenes were more consistently detailed, they got more specific toward the end of the book. Some might appreciate the fade-to-black but it wasn’t used consistently, so I can’t say it was PG-13 either.

Overall a really fun, quick sapphic read!
Profile Image for Lindsey.
34 reviews
May 25, 2025
I thought this book was very cute and had a unique concept. It seemed very fast-paced, and I wish I had more time to explore who the characters were individually and seen more of their “small moments,” rather than having them overshadowed by the larger plot. Overall, this was a precious read that I enjoyed.
2 reviews
June 18, 2025
a nice light read. violet weaves a fantastic story while highlighting some difficult subjects when starting a relationship. I wish the story could have a part two but the author also put a nice bow on the package delivered. timing/ pace was nice, I took my time reading this because I just didn't want it to end, the characters make such a great couple.
7 reviews
January 30, 2025
highly recommended

A true love story where everyone is not perfect, but yet it works. Totally enjoyed reading. Wish more people were as accepting as the people in this book seem to be
39 reviews
February 14, 2025
Loved it!

This is my first book by this author, and certainly won't be the last! This book was such a nice, relaxing, easy read. Prefect amount of spice. I also loved the family dynamic. Just lovely all around!
Profile Image for Trippentigger.
346 reviews4 followers
May 16, 2025
This was a pleasant surprise of a good read. Sometimes I find “celebrity” romance reads to be vapid, that is not this book. The characters not only work well together, they have a nice depth to them. The story reads well and the writing held immersion steady throughout.
Profile Image for S. Hess.
53 reviews3 followers
May 26, 2025
Another success from Violet Morley. Great book with tons of redemption and fulfillment. Well paced, not super spicy but spicy enough, and a fresh enough take on the known/ unknown musical artist collaboration trope
Profile Image for Jade Doodes.
688 reviews16 followers
June 19, 2025
I loved the characters in this book, both Aspen and Zoey were brilliant leads in the story. The love story was gushy and perfect, I couldn’t have stopped reading if I wanted to. I was honestly a little sad when I finished the book!
52 reviews
August 14, 2025
It took 1000 yrs of my life to finish this book. And I only finished it cuz i don’t like to dnf that much💀.
I think the characters were made out of cardboard i swear. The way the dialogues went, basically made them like talking robots lol.
Profile Image for Rhia.
24 reviews7 followers
September 4, 2025
I was catfished by these reviews. How in the world does this have multiple stars? I get that this is a low-stakes, light-hearted romance, but does it have to read like middle school fan fiction? DNF at 44%
Profile Image for Sheila.
924 reviews
November 8, 2025
loved

It takes courage to seek help and strength to be able to trust. Communication is the greatest foundation for love. Sometimes we just need to believe our worth to find the road to happily ever after.
11 reviews
December 8, 2025
The author forgot a lot of things to clarify.... Many important details that should have been there were missing and few scenes were unnecessarily stretched.....

I was expecting a clearity on zoey's depression and Aspen's parents death.
27 reviews1 follower
December 19, 2024
Wonderful

This book highlighted the world of what people in the industry can go through and the mental health aspect needs to be adressed and this book did in a lovely way!
130 reviews2 followers
January 22, 2025
Really Enjoyed This

As the title states, I really enjoyed this story. Very emotional and well written. I Highly recommend it. Well done.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews

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