Carly's Sound

by Ali Vali

Is passion still possible the second time around? Poppy Valente has the world in the palm of her hand until fate steals from her the one thing that matters most – her wife Carly. When breast cancer ends their life together, Poppy finds herself at a loss as to how to begin to live again. Julia Johnson is running to Carly’s Sound with her newborn daughter Tallulah in search of the path to her future. On a chance meeting two years after Carly’s death, these two women form a bond of friendship that lays the foundation for something more. “Carly’s Sound” will bring you from New Orleans to a five star resort in the Caribbean as Julia and Poppy struggle to define their lives and Poppy’s past comes back to haunt her – literally.

Genres: Lesbian, Romance, Lesbian Romance, LGBT, Butch Femme, Lesbian Fiction, Audiobook

264 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2006

About the author

Ali Vali is the author of the long-running Cain Casey "Devil" series and the Genesis Clan "Forces" series, as well as numerous standalone romances including two Lambda Literary Award finalists, Calling the Dead and Love Match, and her 2017 release, Beauty and the Boss. Ali also has a novella in the collection Girls with Guns.
Originally from Cuba, Ali has retained much of her family's traditions and language and uses them frequently in her stories. Having her father read her stories and poetry before bed every night as a child infused her with a love of reading, which she carries till today. Ali currently lives outside New Orleans, Louisiana, and she has discovered that living in Louisiana provides plenty of material to draw from in creating her novels and short stories.

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just an ok read for me. Didn’t get suck in to the storyline.

Ratings - 2.75

[Elske · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely and warm romance. Again I read a book with a meddling and loving ghost. Don’t know what it is with the ghost stories. This time it’s the deceased wife of one of the main characters who is still grieving for her wife but also healing and getting ready for a new future.

[Arn · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's technically well written but the plot and characters leave much to be desired. Basically all conflicts were solved via the weird and completely unexpected paranormal element which is basically a deus ex machina. And there are some pacing issues with the book getting stale in places.

Furthermore there's almost no attraction besides the physical one between the main characters. And the book is really, extremely sappy which I dislike in my reading material because it pulls me out of the illusion that it could actually be real. It reads like a girl's ultimate fantasy of a perfect romance, a fairy tale. I hoped it would tackle the issues presented maturely but all I got was stalling and glossing over via the supernatural 3rd party.

[Celina · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's been a lot of grief stuff. But HEA prevails.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't we all wish for a person like Poppy to come into our lives. There are times when I thought "too good to be true", but you still hope for it. Poppy's story is kind of complex, but it is a relatively relatable story. I really liked the struggles that Vali takes Poppy and Carly through. Vali makes you feel so many different emotions that you may laugh on one page and feel sad on the next. Definitely recommend.

[Mirtha Siblesz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

This was an excellent story! The love Poppy and Carly experienced was very special even though it was short lived as a result of Carly’s death from cancer. Her coming back to help Poppy come to terms with letting go and start to live again actually makes sense even though it’s sad. Carly loved Poppy enough to guide her towards Julia and Tallulah to give her a chance to feel love again. It was a lovely story of sad endings and new beautiful beginnings. Well done Ms. Vali!

[Amy Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

The learning to love again and the learning to not take yourself all too seriously. What can be better than a writer that tells a story and makes you feel for the characters? I found myself laughing, crying and screaming as the story was spun and it was one I had a hard time putting down.

You won't be disappointed with this story of love, loss, acceptance, love and the changing understanding of what family is.

[Dide · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Carly and Poppy's relationship but I must confess I didn't like that if Julia....I just find her character too insecure and that pissed me a number of times. I actually was rooting for Carly and Lizzie. I also feel the story was a tad too long...it could have ended when Lizzie made her loving commitments

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this book!

Five stars is not enough for this story! Julia, Tallulah and Poppy have my heart. This story of finding love after loss made me feel that once you want love badly enough the universe will do everything in its power to bring your soulmate into your life.

[Jade · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a re-read for me and I still love Julia and Poppy's love story and the way the author entwined it with Poppy and Carly's love story.

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid 3.5

[theresa a payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love her still...

I fell in love with this story when I was 19 years old. I read it again for the third time in January 2020 and it hit hard and close to home. I just finish reading it again 08.31.2021. It has been 1,061 days since my wife passed away. We had 10 beautiful years together. It's been almost 3 years now and I've been waiting and wanting her to come talk to me. I continue to fall and rise into love with one person who makes me feel, who gives me peace, who makes me want to live. I wish I could say I'd end up with an ending like Poppy and Julia. I highly recommend this book for anyone who believes in real true love, the after life, and ghosts who love so much their spirits come back to help us move on.

[AC · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only thing that kept me from reading this in one sitting was that I had to keep charging my Kindle as the battery depleted. A beautifully written, absolutely engaging work of art that tackles the subject of love--terminal illness and loss--and second chances--and more. Thank you Ali Vali for writing it. It is a book that I know I will visit frequently, as I know that I will gain more insight into the characters each time I read it. If you have not yet read this book, put it on your "to read" list, as you will not be disappointed. It is thoughtful, with characters of great depth, and captivating dialogue. I adore it.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply beautiful!

“You make me want to sing, Poppy, and no one before you has ever done that.”

“The thought of being with you is uncharted territory for me so I get a little nervous. But the thought of being without you devastates the part of me I need if I’m going to survive.”

“Whatever you do, and wherever you go, just look to your side and I’ll always be standing there.”
+ • + • + • +

It made me smile, made me cry, made my heart ache & made me optimistic riding an emotional rollercoaster from the first word to the last about the joy, journey, passion & pain in the minutes, moments & memories & the letting go of a love & loss of a lifetime.

[Doug Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This romance pairs main characters who are each ready to move on from difficult things in their past. There are some wealth and age-gap issues but those are relatively minor in the scope of things. The supporting cast is good and includes an extremely persistent ghost to help nudge things along. A very good read with a nice HEA.

[marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply wonderful.

I cannot believe I had not left a review. I love this book. So beautifully written by an amazing author. Full of love sad endings and beautiful memories.Then moved on to a new beginning while paying honour to the past.I love this book never tire of reading it. I bring it out like and old friend to give me a lovely cuddle when I need it.Highly recommend.

[CassTrusty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too many tears were shed

I cried so much that I actually skipped parts where I knew I would cry my eyes out. This story was sweet, but it seriously had me crying to the point of dehydration.

[Michelle Schuler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carly's Sound

A beautiful, heartfelt book by Ali Vali. It was slow-paced due to trying to heal from the loss. The chemistry is vibrant. I enjoyed getting to know all the MCs. I have become an avid fan of Ali Vali's and look forward to more of her books in the future.

[Wilhemina Little · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, how emotional was that!

I laughed, I cried and experienced every emotion inbetween.

Simply the best book I have ever read...

[Nope Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not today, Satan

[Sarah Thornton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mediocre, felt like it had been translated from another language. Confusing time shifts.

[Fatima · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved It

I just reread this book and all the emotions came roaring back. This book is a great read and i would recommend it it to my peers.

[MizLiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

good story. loved the tropical setting.

[LaraR_11 · Rating 4 out of 5]

“…love her beyond the limits you think you can.”

[AL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely story and managed to lift me away. So much pain but also so many feelings and emotions abs so many opportunities for a bright future. Perfect described characters and beautiful scenery. Perfect book

[stephanie bates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

Well take this trip of love and lost very well written. Take the time to read all of Ali books.

[Tristan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think there's a lot to like here. I really appreciated the story of love and loss. Something not addressed enough in this genre.

BUT this is a romance novel, and I had a problem with the chemistry between Poppy and Julia. I've read several of Ms. Vali's novels, and really enjoy her strong, caring (rich) butch leads, but the femmes leave me scratching my head. Aside from physical attraction, I had no clue what the draw was to Julia or why she was "the one". She was a young, unmarried nursing mother, without much else fully described. The odd part was, I did understand what Poppy loved about Carly (her deceased spouse). I have to confess I found myself skipping over the love scenes. Something seemed off about them. I've never felt compelled to skip before, so I'll shake my head and move on.

[Susanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Does love come second time round for people? That's the question which is sensitively explored in this book. Poppy Valente, a successful hotel entrepreneur is such an engaging and loveable character. Poppy fell in love with Carly, an older woman with three children who is stuck in a loveless marriage, soon after meeting with her. They were destined to be together for a lifetime but Carly died after battling with cancer. The story sets two years since Carly passed away; Poppy meets with Julia and her cute baby at one of Poppy's hotel resort. Poppy and Julia struck a friendship. Will Poppy be open to the idea of loving someone else again?

[Margaret L. Hedman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book.

Wow! Another great book by Ali Bali. What a powerful story. The great love story of Poppy and Carly continuing into the love story of Poppy and Julia. Always like to read about strong successful business women.

[FSH78 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautiful story full of love and hope. I am not usually one to get involved in spirits or the afterlife but loved this book. I cried a few times but in the end was so glad to have read this book.