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Making a Comeback
2016 Lambda Award Winner-Best Lesbian Romance 2016 Goldie Award Winner-Contemporary Romance 2015 Rainbow Award Winner-Best Lesbian Romance
Jazz pianist Liz Randall is reeling from her wife's death and struggling to keep their band together. An invitation to play at the prestigious Monterey Jazz Festival is an opportunity she can't turn down, and a challenge she might not be up to until she enlists the help of a mysterious neighbor who's surprisingly knowledgeable about jazz.
When Jac Winters reluctantly agrees to help, a past she wants to forget threatens to destroy the carefully ordered life she's built with her guide dog, Max, in the quiet town of Carmel-by-the-Sea.
With music and love swirling around them like ocean currents, will Liz and Jac play it safe or risk everything on making a comeback?
Jazz pianist Liz Randall is reeling from her wife's death and struggling to keep their band together. An invitation to play at the prestigious Monterey Jazz Festival is an opportunity she can't turn down, and a challenge she might not be up to until she enlists the help of a mysterious neighbor who's surprisingly knowledgeable about jazz.
When Jac Winters reluctantly agrees to help, a past she wants to forget threatens to destroy the carefully ordered life she's built with her guide dog, Max, in the quiet town of Carmel-by-the-Sea.
With music and love swirling around them like ocean currents, will Liz and Jac play it safe or risk everything on making a comeback?
264 pages, Paperback
First published July 14, 2015
18 people are currently reading
241 people want to read
About the author
Julie Blair
7 books49 followersJulie Blair has always believed that reading fiction is one of life’s great pleasures. From the time she was old enough to hold a book, escaping into worlds where anything is possible and endings are usually happy has been a favorite pastime. Growing up a tomboy before it was fashionable, Julie attached herself to sports, especially softball, which culminated in her pitching in the Women’s College World Series. Finally forced to grow up and get a job, she landed in restaurant management for a decade before entering chiropractic school. She has been a chiropractor for over twenty-five years.
Julie has travelled to Peru to see Machu Picchu and Uganda to see mountain gorillas, but her favorite place is curled up on her couch, reading or writing. A California native, she lives in the quiet of the redwoods in Boulder Creek with her partner, Pamela, and their two Labradors. She enjoys gardening, hiking, red wine, strong coffee, smooth jazz, and warm fall afternoons.
Never Too Late, Julie’s debut romance, won a Golden Crown Literary Society Award for Best Debut Author and Rainbow Award Runner-up in two categories. Her second romance, Making a Comeback, won a Rainbow Award for Best Lesbian Romance, was a Rainbow Award Runner-up for Best Lesbian Book of 2015, and a Lambda Literary Award finalist. She’s hard at work trying to give voices to other characters with stories to tell—their struggles, their triumphs, their love affairs—mostly in self defense, hoping they’ll stop waking her up in the middle of the night with snippets of dialogue or ideas for scenes and settings.
Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Julie has travelled to Peru to see Machu Picchu and Uganda to see mountain gorillas, but her favorite place is curled up on her couch, reading or writing. A California native, she lives in the quiet of the redwoods in Boulder Creek with her partner, Pamela, and their two Labradors. She enjoys gardening, hiking, red wine, strong coffee, smooth jazz, and warm fall afternoons.
Never Too Late, Julie’s debut romance, won a Golden Crown Literary Society Award for Best Debut Author and Rainbow Award Runner-up in two categories. Her second romance, Making a Comeback, won a Rainbow Award for Best Lesbian Romance, was a Rainbow Award Runner-up for Best Lesbian Book of 2015, and a Lambda Literary Award finalist. She’s hard at work trying to give voices to other characters with stories to tell—their struggles, their triumphs, their love affairs—mostly in self defense, hoping they’ll stop waking her up in the middle of the night with snippets of dialogue or ideas for scenes and settings.
Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
April 3, 2019
'NetGalley ARC provided by The Publisher in exchange for a honest review'
**'The writer's responsibility is to increase,develop our senses,expand our vision,heighten our awareness and enrich our articulateness as readers..'
Fairly okay story!
Right from the start this story was very misleading and not just because of the title it was about much more like the chemistry between these two leads who i think had no character development or anything by the author for that matter maybe the only positive thing on their side and that readers could tell were some kind of knowledge in the history of music. Furthermore,the sad part is that both only got together only because of one loosing her partner. No depth and not much substance to the writing or storytelling-- just an okay ending...
**'The writer's responsibility is to increase,develop our senses,expand our vision,heighten our awareness and enrich our articulateness as readers..'
Fairly okay story!
Right from the start this story was very misleading and not just because of the title it was about much more like the chemistry between these two leads who i think had no character development or anything by the author for that matter maybe the only positive thing on their side and that readers could tell were some kind of knowledge in the history of music. Furthermore,the sad part is that both only got together only because of one loosing her partner. No depth and not much substance to the writing or storytelling-- just an okay ending...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2018
This book felt uneven. Sometimes I liked it and other times less so which makes this a really mixed read for me.
I'll say that the author tackled a few tough subjects so I give her kudos for that. Namely, the first major issue is that Liz's love-of-her-life spouse of fourteen years died from cancer six months prior to the start of the book and that definitely is not the easiest atmosphere in which to build a romance.
For this reason, it really takes a long time for any romance in the book to kick in. I was more than half way through wondering when it was going to happen because neither character seemed to want it. The read is more a story of friendship and healing with a romance slapped on towards the very end.
Because it's so different, if you're looking for a shake-up of the usual formulaic romance and want something unorthodox this may be a good choice for you.
One thing of interest is that Jac is blind and I thought that was pretty well represented. Jac, has her own past she's struggling with and is an ice-queen for the first half of the book because of it.
Despite the heavier issues, if the book has a tone it's more about hope, redemption, and taking chances when you least want to. As romances go, for Jac, cue Shalamar's "The Second Time Around" and, for Liz, Presley/UB-40's "Can't Help Falling In Love With You".
What did I like?
I actually thought that Liz with her grief, loneliness, and guilt from her wife's death were well portrayed as was the slow burn of the relationship with Jac. Rushing into a new romance wouldn't have worked and luckily the author didn't go that route.
I like seeing authentically imperfect and even dysfunctional parents sometimes and how they impact the family around them. In this case, that would be Liz's father and I wanted to drop kick him. The only thing I didn't like was that Liz went waaaay too easy on him.
Music was obviously well researched and integrated into the plot. And all of the supporting cast was pretty decent. I especially liked the sisters to both Jac and Liz.
What I didn't like?
There is a lopsided feel to the story. What are we going into it for? If it's romance, there's very little of it. I actually saw NO romantic chemistry between the two leads for the majority of the book and, if asked, I would have told the author there was no way I'd buy into one occurring. In the last third of the book it's like a switch is flipped and we're told love is now in play THEN shown, like a cart before the horse scenario. I will say, that once Blair goes the romantic arc I do start to believe it but, still, the romance itself is lopsided because it's not all roses and each person is not on the same page.
If you're going into the book to read about two women's daily drama dealing with pain, building friendships, exploring history, family dynamics, and so on, it's heavy there. So, a satisfying book about women's friendships and overcoming obstacles? Sure.
Style-wise, the narrative is choppy. Sometimes that's in the dialogue and sometimes in the fast forwarding of events. This could be jumps of a weeks, months, or even transitioning from one area to the next. I have a mixed feel on this, too. Sometimes I liked the time jumps but simple transitions from one area to the next were abrupt.
Dialogue on the whole was good (minus the choppy parts) but at the very end it starts to go into a cheesy, cringe territory.
And, at times, I had to reread passages because either knowing who was speaking was confusing or how something played out didn't match with my first read through. Example being the reason we discover Jac is such an ice-queen. I was like, "Wait, what happened and who was doing what?"
And then there's Jac. The story around her character was just too out there for me so I questioned its authenticity several times. Not the blind aspect but her career. It gets spoilery if I go into the details of why. And the reason for her ice-queen persona? Parts of it I get but it's ambiguous if drunk driving was involved and, if it was, I have no sympathy. I almost put the book down at that point because I initially interpreted that it was but on a second read through it's less clear.
And then a couple of peeves: Drinking occurs a lot in the story. It's another read where wine or alcohol makes an appearance at every gathering. I don't mind if it's an occasional mention in a book but when it's all the time I don't care for it. And, then there's a dog present during the intimacy scenes which, when they occur, are steamy. I get that Max is a seeing eye dog so Jac relies on him but did he need to be in the same room for these scenes? Ack. ::shudders::. To be clear, he's not involved in any way, he's just there in the room. But, still!
So, overall, a bumpy read. Some aspects were really well done and others I didn't enjoy. 3.5 stars
I'll say that the author tackled a few tough subjects so I give her kudos for that. Namely, the first major issue is that Liz's love-of-her-life spouse of fourteen years died from cancer six months prior to the start of the book and that definitely is not the easiest atmosphere in which to build a romance.
For this reason, it really takes a long time for any romance in the book to kick in. I was more than half way through wondering when it was going to happen because neither character seemed to want it. The read is more a story of friendship and healing with a romance slapped on towards the very end.
Because it's so different, if you're looking for a shake-up of the usual formulaic romance and want something unorthodox this may be a good choice for you.
One thing of interest is that Jac is blind and I thought that was pretty well represented. Jac, has her own past she's struggling with and is an ice-queen for the first half of the book because of it.
Despite the heavier issues, if the book has a tone it's more about hope, redemption, and taking chances when you least want to. As romances go, for Jac, cue Shalamar's "The Second Time Around" and, for Liz, Presley/UB-40's "Can't Help Falling In Love With You".
What did I like?
I actually thought that Liz with her grief, loneliness, and guilt from her wife's death were well portrayed as was the slow burn of the relationship with Jac. Rushing into a new romance wouldn't have worked and luckily the author didn't go that route.
I like seeing authentically imperfect and even dysfunctional parents sometimes and how they impact the family around them. In this case, that would be Liz's father and I wanted to drop kick him. The only thing I didn't like was that Liz went waaaay too easy on him.
Music was obviously well researched and integrated into the plot. And all of the supporting cast was pretty decent. I especially liked the sisters to both Jac and Liz.
What I didn't like?
There is a lopsided feel to the story. What are we going into it for? If it's romance, there's very little of it. I actually saw NO romantic chemistry between the two leads for the majority of the book and, if asked, I would have told the author there was no way I'd buy into one occurring. In the last third of the book it's like a switch is flipped and we're told love is now in play THEN shown, like a cart before the horse scenario. I will say, that once Blair goes the romantic arc I do start to believe it but, still, the romance itself is lopsided because it's not all roses and each person is not on the same page.
If you're going into the book to read about two women's daily drama dealing with pain, building friendships, exploring history, family dynamics, and so on, it's heavy there. So, a satisfying book about women's friendships and overcoming obstacles? Sure.
Style-wise, the narrative is choppy. Sometimes that's in the dialogue and sometimes in the fast forwarding of events. This could be jumps of a weeks, months, or even transitioning from one area to the next. I have a mixed feel on this, too. Sometimes I liked the time jumps but simple transitions from one area to the next were abrupt.
Dialogue on the whole was good (minus the choppy parts) but at the very end it starts to go into a cheesy, cringe territory.
And, at times, I had to reread passages because either knowing who was speaking was confusing or how something played out didn't match with my first read through. Example being the reason we discover Jac is such an ice-queen. I was like, "Wait, what happened and who was doing what?"
And then there's Jac. The story around her character was just too out there for me so I questioned its authenticity several times. Not the blind aspect but her career. It gets spoilery if I go into the details of why. And the reason for her ice-queen persona? Parts of it I get but it's ambiguous if drunk driving was involved and, if it was, I have no sympathy. I almost put the book down at that point because I initially interpreted that it was but on a second read through it's less clear.
And then a couple of peeves: Drinking occurs a lot in the story. It's another read where wine or alcohol makes an appearance at every gathering. I don't mind if it's an occasional mention in a book but when it's all the time I don't care for it. And, then there's a dog present during the intimacy scenes which, when they occur, are steamy. I get that Max is a seeing eye dog so Jac relies on him but did he need to be in the same room for these scenes? Ack. ::shudders::. To be clear, he's not involved in any way, he's just there in the room. But, still!
So, overall, a bumpy read. Some aspects were really well done and others I didn't enjoy. 3.5 stars
February 7, 2017
This is not a review but a few words, about 'what happened.'
A day or two ago I was at the 88% completed position and . . . just stopped reading. The specific reason eludes me now. But I was 'inches' away from finishing, so I took the five or so minutes to read the end. I either had disconnected myself too much from the book, or I'd have felt the same way if I had or hadn't taken a break there.
First thing I noticed is that I literally did just walk away from the book - as in I had apparently been in the middle of a sentence when I just stopped. Second thing I noticed was that I was detached, numb to what unfolded. Didn't particularly care. Which is, in its way, strange how I had a moment there wherein I flashed to a kind of 3D like experience during one moment; detached and yet there, eh? Heh. I do not normally, I am not normally 'there' and/or 'know'/feel/whatever . . . but there was a moment when a knee was pulled up and back and the scene was vivid in my mind, good or bad. So, except for a moment or two there of vivid connection, I was numb during the last 12% of the book.
--
About 14 years before the start of this book Liz Randall, jazz pianist, meet and fell in love with a woman named Teri. Over the next 14 years (from that moment), they formed two jazz bands - Liz on the piano, Teri on the drums (I do not normally think of jazz bands having drums, but I never paid much attention to jazz). They kept getting to the edge of success, but keep stumbling. First because Teri got diagnosed with cancer and they had to deal with that; then the second time, the illness came back and ultimately killed Teri.
It's been six months since Teri's death when the book opens. Liz is kind of wandering in a daze, attempting to put together an album made up of live recordings of their shows (of their band Up Beat). While in this daze, Liz wanders into a gallery to pick up painting for her asshole father's birthday (oops, sorry, yeah, her father is a selfish asshole leach). Carrying the painting awkwardly, Liz stumbles, almost loses the painting, and then whacks a woman. Who proceeds to rudely bleed from a cut on her face.
That woman being Jac, the blind woman (what, for a good portion of the book, that is how Liz knew her - someone who she wants to be friends with, is blind, and is sister to the person who painted the painting Liz had gotten for her father). With Jac is Max, her guide dog.
Jac and Liz keep bumping into each other that day, and while Jac has no desire to have anything to do with things like 'friends' and the like, Liz does want something like that. And is persistent. Liz and Jac then proceed on something like a courtship – to become friends.
Others of importance in this novel: Hannah – Liz’s out-of-work chef sister; Kevin – Liz’s brother (& and his wife, Karen I think I recall); Peggy and her husband (Roger?) – Peggy being Jac’s sister; and . . . whatever asshole father’s name is. Oh, and Max – Jac’s guide dog. Jac’s parents make something of a cameo appearance but I got no real impression of them at all (despite several scenes that included them being all . . . there and stuff). Slightly larger than a cameo, but barely, are Kevin and his wife’s kids (slightly more than a cameo because they get the chance to show how much of a dick Liz’s father is – when he causes one of the children to bleed, and he just jokes about it). Oh, and there are three other members of the band – Regan, Sammy (the two are twins, or something like that), and Cassie. Other than Regan being kind of moody, Sammy making a joke that got repeated (hi, I’m Sam), and Cassie . . .um . . being there, I do not really know anything about these three (well, other than that Cassie is, apparently, huge in the industry and knows everyone).
Plot points of interest: broken wrist (Liz); album to release; concert to prepare for; vacation (Hawaii); walking in Carmel-by-the-sea (often referred to as Carmel (though, apparently, Liz’s grandmother insisted on it being called by its full name) was founded in 1902, located in Monterey County, California – heh – from the wiki on Carmel - “a prohibition on wearing high-heel shoes without a permit, enacted to prevent lawsuits arising from tripping accidents caused by irregular pavement”- the heh is because Liz broke her wrist from walking on the irregular pavement); stuff.
September 29 2016
A day or two ago I was at the 88% completed position and . . . just stopped reading. The specific reason eludes me now. But I was 'inches' away from finishing, so I took the five or so minutes to read the end. I either had disconnected myself too much from the book, or I'd have felt the same way if I had or hadn't taken a break there.
First thing I noticed is that I literally did just walk away from the book - as in I had apparently been in the middle of a sentence when I just stopped. Second thing I noticed was that I was detached, numb to what unfolded. Didn't particularly care. Which is, in its way, strange how I had a moment there wherein I flashed to a kind of 3D like experience during one moment; detached and yet there, eh? Heh. I do not normally, I am not normally 'there' and/or 'know'/feel/whatever . . . but there was a moment when a knee was pulled up and back and the scene was vivid in my mind, good or bad. So, except for a moment or two there of vivid connection, I was numb during the last 12% of the book.
--
About 14 years before the start of this book Liz Randall, jazz pianist, meet and fell in love with a woman named Teri. Over the next 14 years (from that moment), they formed two jazz bands - Liz on the piano, Teri on the drums (I do not normally think of jazz bands having drums, but I never paid much attention to jazz). They kept getting to the edge of success, but keep stumbling. First because Teri got diagnosed with cancer and they had to deal with that; then the second time, the illness came back and ultimately killed Teri.
It's been six months since Teri's death when the book opens. Liz is kind of wandering in a daze, attempting to put together an album made up of live recordings of their shows (of their band Up Beat). While in this daze, Liz wanders into a gallery to pick up painting for her asshole father's birthday (oops, sorry, yeah, her father is a selfish asshole leach). Carrying the painting awkwardly, Liz stumbles, almost loses the painting, and then whacks a woman. Who proceeds to rudely bleed from a cut on her face.
That woman being Jac, the blind woman (what, for a good portion of the book, that is how Liz knew her - someone who she wants to be friends with, is blind, and is sister to the person who painted the painting Liz had gotten for her father). With Jac is Max, her guide dog.
Jac and Liz keep bumping into each other that day, and while Jac has no desire to have anything to do with things like 'friends' and the like, Liz does want something like that. And is persistent. Liz and Jac then proceed on something like a courtship – to become friends.
Others of importance in this novel: Hannah – Liz’s out-of-work chef sister; Kevin – Liz’s brother (& and his wife, Karen I think I recall); Peggy and her husband (Roger?) – Peggy being Jac’s sister; and . . . whatever asshole father’s name is. Oh, and Max – Jac’s guide dog. Jac’s parents make something of a cameo appearance but I got no real impression of them at all (despite several scenes that included them being all . . . there and stuff). Slightly larger than a cameo, but barely, are Kevin and his wife’s kids (slightly more than a cameo because they get the chance to show how much of a dick Liz’s father is – when he causes one of the children to bleed, and he just jokes about it). Oh, and there are three other members of the band – Regan, Sammy (the two are twins, or something like that), and Cassie. Other than Regan being kind of moody, Sammy making a joke that got repeated (hi, I’m Sam), and Cassie . . .um . . being there, I do not really know anything about these three (well, other than that Cassie is, apparently, huge in the industry and knows everyone).
Plot points of interest: broken wrist (Liz); album to release; concert to prepare for; vacation (Hawaii); walking in Carmel-by-the-sea (often referred to as Carmel (though, apparently, Liz’s grandmother insisted on it being called by its full name) was founded in 1902, located in Monterey County, California – heh – from the wiki on Carmel - “a prohibition on wearing high-heel shoes without a permit, enacted to prevent lawsuits arising from tripping accidents caused by irregular pavement”- the heh is because Liz broke her wrist from walking on the irregular pavement); stuff.
September 29 2016
December 10, 2017
I loved this book. (I loved it so much I stayed up until 3AM reading last night - which is a recent record.) The book is set in Carmel, which is about an hour south of where I live. Blair does a nice job of bringing the location to life, and I enjoyed the authentic feel of the Carmel locations. In addition to a romance with plenty of chemistry, there are interesting relationships with siblings and parents. Both main characters had significant emotional barriers to overcome and there is a noticeable amount of angst, which I do enjoy ;).
Finally, the real star of this book is the description of the music and the relationship the main characters have to music. You could change, or even remove, any of the other elements of the story that I've already mentioned and the book would still work. But the music brought the story to life, and was what kept me riveted to the story.
Finally, the real star of this book is the description of the music and the relationship the main characters have to music. You could change, or even remove, any of the other elements of the story that I've already mentioned and the book would still work. But the music brought the story to life, and was what kept me riveted to the story.
September 10, 2015
Liz's wife is dead. In her grief, she feels like she is losing everything - not just her deceased partner and succor, but also the music which they made together. The band she leads is rudderless and album-less. The buzz that Liz needs to be successful is fading away. And her grief makes her careless - she whacks Jac Winters with a large painting accidentally when she's trying to put it in her car.
Jac is blind and riddled with pain from a long-ago car accident. She really didn't need to be hit with a large painting, and she wants Liz's subsequent attempts to befriend her even less. But she also seems to know a tremendous amount about music, and that's a connection which is difficult to sever.
What follows is a complex story of Jazz, character growth, and love. But especially music. Speaking generally, sometimes in books that frame the narrative around a band or a sound, that music is more of an afterthought to the romantic plot and serves as a kind of "MucGuffin". You could swap the singing of the protagonist with a dozen other potential professions and the book would probably be fine. This book would not be fine. This book breathes Jazz - it is a separate force through which the main characters talk with the world. It is the symbol of their healing. It is also the prime way that they both fall in love.
This is a very difficult narrative to speak of without spoiling anything. Suffice to say the book is technically excellent (barring a few glitches - for example, some characters seem know each other before they're introduced, even though that introduction is a plot point). It's well paced, well plotted. It's satisfying.
Four stars.
Jac is blind and riddled with pain from a long-ago car accident. She really didn't need to be hit with a large painting, and she wants Liz's subsequent attempts to befriend her even less. But she also seems to know a tremendous amount about music, and that's a connection which is difficult to sever.
What follows is a complex story of Jazz, character growth, and love. But especially music. Speaking generally, sometimes in books that frame the narrative around a band or a sound, that music is more of an afterthought to the romantic plot and serves as a kind of "MucGuffin". You could swap the singing of the protagonist with a dozen other potential professions and the book would probably be fine. This book would not be fine. This book breathes Jazz - it is a separate force through which the main characters talk with the world. It is the symbol of their healing. It is also the prime way that they both fall in love.
This is a very difficult narrative to speak of without spoiling anything. Suffice to say the book is technically excellent (barring a few glitches - for example, some characters seem know each other before they're introduced, even though that introduction is a plot point). It's well paced, well plotted. It's satisfying.
Four stars.
October 13, 2019
Well I loved it! There are some books that stay with you and it's difficult picking up the next one as the characters are still swirling around in the mind - and Liz and Jac so so are! (Is that even English?) 1st I've read of JB - will be trawling for more.
July 23, 2015
This is an amazing WOW story.
Two things I love the most; music and romance. And this combination, wow. This was much more than excellent. Throughout the whole story I could feel the music, their music. The fusion of the trumpet and the piano, the love game between these two instruments was almost palpable and audible. "listening to the beat that wasn't steady", this part of the story brought tears to my eyes. The story is set in beautiful surroundings. It was very well described. I could smell the sea, feel the sand between my toes. I love all the characters. They have become dear to me. I really enjoyed this book and now I miss the music, their friendship and their love. Thank you so much Julie for sharing this with us.
Two things I love the most; music and romance. And this combination, wow. This was much more than excellent. Throughout the whole story I could feel the music, their music. The fusion of the trumpet and the piano, the love game between these two instruments was almost palpable and audible. "listening to the beat that wasn't steady", this part of the story brought tears to my eyes. The story is set in beautiful surroundings. It was very well described. I could smell the sea, feel the sand between my toes. I love all the characters. They have become dear to me. I really enjoyed this book and now I miss the music, their friendship and their love. Thank you so much Julie for sharing this with us.
January 3, 2021
A very deeply involved and detailed story. Maybe too much for me, since I struggled to comprehend a lot of it. If you're a music and especially a jazz aficionado you would love this!
The uniqueness is that Jac who has a jazz background and is a real music expert has been blind for 10 years and hiding away from her life, there's a backstory to all of this that slowly eeks out over the length of the story. Which is understandable to a point, but it did start to grate on me, that we were only getting tiny reveals here and there. Especially with how standoffish and tortured Jac's came across. I found myself becoming impatient and skimming a heck of a lot of the book, but still getting the overall plot points. Which kind of tells me that perhaps a lot of it could have been edited down? I ultimately found it difficult to really sympathize with Jac overall.
The other MC is Liz a pianist in a Jazz band. Her first love of 14 years and wife was the drummer in the band and passed away from leukemia 6 months ago. When we meet her she is emotionally raw and still grieving, which is to be expected at only 6 months after the death of a spouse you'd loved and worked with for 14 years!! But she is being pushed into doing more with the band by her father and other family and friends. Which never did sit well with me. The way they are really pushing her despite her obvious grief and yet later on trying to deny her feelings for Jac, was a dichotomy that confounded me.
Her father was an annoying pissant as were her brothers and sister. I wanted them to bugger off so far, and the fact they would just make decisions for her as if she were a child and she would LET them, really did my head in. I feel like she never did grow a spine and tell them where to go.
Again I couldn't raised my empathy for Liz, except for the case of her grief for her wife. Other than that, I felt both characters were hindered by a lot that wasn't as difficult to overcome as they thought. Which I get it. We all think our problems are insurmountable and outsiders always think they easier to solve than they really are - but I guess ultimately I never really cared or connected to either mains enough and for how long the story ended up being, I felt the growth wasn't as equal.
So unless you're really into music and jazz and quite angsty drama of the self flagellating kind with characters who allow others to walk all over them - then I wouldn't recommend it.
The uniqueness is that Jac who has a jazz background and is a real music expert has been blind for 10 years and hiding away from her life, there's a backstory to all of this that slowly eeks out over the length of the story. Which is understandable to a point, but it did start to grate on me, that we were only getting tiny reveals here and there. Especially with how standoffish and tortured Jac's came across. I found myself becoming impatient and skimming a heck of a lot of the book, but still getting the overall plot points. Which kind of tells me that perhaps a lot of it could have been edited down? I ultimately found it difficult to really sympathize with Jac overall.
The other MC is Liz a pianist in a Jazz band. Her first love of 14 years and wife was the drummer in the band and passed away from leukemia 6 months ago. When we meet her she is emotionally raw and still grieving, which is to be expected at only 6 months after the death of a spouse you'd loved and worked with for 14 years!! But she is being pushed into doing more with the band by her father and other family and friends. Which never did sit well with me. The way they are really pushing her despite her obvious grief and yet later on trying to deny her feelings for Jac, was a dichotomy that confounded me.
Her father was an annoying pissant as were her brothers and sister. I wanted them to bugger off so far, and the fact they would just make decisions for her as if she were a child and she would LET them, really did my head in. I feel like she never did grow a spine and tell them where to go.
Again I couldn't raised my empathy for Liz, except for the case of her grief for her wife. Other than that, I felt both characters were hindered by a lot that wasn't as difficult to overcome as they thought. Which I get it. We all think our problems are insurmountable and outsiders always think they easier to solve than they really are - but I guess ultimately I never really cared or connected to either mains enough and for how long the story ended up being, I felt the growth wasn't as equal.
So unless you're really into music and jazz and quite angsty drama of the self flagellating kind with characters who allow others to walk all over them - then I wouldn't recommend it.
June 8, 2015
I was provided with a free copy of this book via NetGally in exchange for an honest review.
Detailed score: 2.5
If I was describing this book through music rather than words [something that occurs frequently during this novel] then it would be a long, wailing, drawn out single not of frustration broken up with a few excited trills in the middle and a few low wailing notes of tear inducing sadness.
The first half of the book was a drawn out, overly long and irritating introduction to the main characters and their secret and not-so secret pains [Liz, the loss of wife Teri...Jac, something very very secretive and life altering that the author keeps hinting at and that we, as the reader, are meant to be interested in]. To be honest, if I only had the sample on which to decide if I was going to buy this book I don't think I would have gone there. In terms of opening / scene setting chapters this one would get 1/5. Long, drawn out and I wasn't given enough to go on to get 'into' the heads of the characters, esp Jac, to be interested in / barracking for what happens next.
Once Jac, fiiiiiiiinally decides to trust Liz and tell her about her secret that has left this character a recluse for 10 years things start picking up [the angst around 'will we or won't we be friends got ooooolllddd very quickly]. I won't give away too many spoilers here but in the middle part of the book I was actually able to settle 'in' to the novel a bit a be carried along for the ride happily enough. I am a sucker for a 'dancing' scene bringing characters together and there were two such scenes in this book, both of which I though were done very nicely .
Thank goodness for this middle part of the book because what was meant to be the climax of the book just fell flat. I was so, so sick of the unremitting angst by the end of the book that I wanted it to end to put me out of my misery rather than be the uplifting, heart-swelling, smile-making conclusion it was meant to be.
The pacing of the book was off. Scenes that should have been covered in two sentences got two chapters whereas others that may have allowed some of the secondary characters to shine a little were overlooked. Character intentions and motivations are over-explained [a personal pet peeve - hate being made to feel like the author thinks I (as the reader) am an idiot] All the supporting characters are one dimenional and either good or bad with no in between [ bandmates, Jac's parents, the two sisters = unrealistically good , Jac's ex husband and Liz's father = bad ] . Musical metaphors are over used [look reader, look how much reasearch I did and how I understand that complex world of jazzzz]. Being a BSB publication you can trust that the editing from a gramatical perspective will be top notch, and this is no exception, but the novel really could have benefitted from a firmer editors hand in terms of the content of the novel itself.
I probably sound a bit harsh in this review but I think it's because I'm so disappointed. Despite the criticisms I've outlined above, there are some really nice moments in this book and the overall storyline is a good one - especially if, like me, you're a sucker for a 'celesbian' tale.
Overall, though, this book could have benefitted from a few more rehearsals before going solo.
Detailed score: 2.5
If I was describing this book through music rather than words [something that occurs frequently during this novel] then it would be a long, wailing, drawn out single not of frustration broken up with a few excited trills in the middle and a few low wailing notes of tear inducing sadness.
The first half of the book was a drawn out, overly long and irritating introduction to the main characters and their secret and not-so secret pains [Liz, the loss of wife Teri...Jac, something very very secretive and life altering that the author keeps hinting at and that we, as the reader, are meant to be interested in]. To be honest, if I only had the sample on which to decide if I was going to buy this book I don't think I would have gone there. In terms of opening / scene setting chapters this one would get 1/5. Long, drawn out and I wasn't given enough to go on to get 'into' the heads of the characters, esp Jac, to be interested in / barracking for what happens next.
Once Jac, fiiiiiiiinally decides to trust Liz and tell her about her secret that has left this character a recluse for 10 years things start picking up [the angst around 'will we or won't we be friends got ooooolllddd very quickly]. I won't give away too many spoilers here but in the middle part of the book I was actually able to settle 'in' to the novel a bit a be carried along for the ride happily enough. I am a sucker for a 'dancing' scene bringing characters together and there were two such scenes in this book, both of which I though were done very nicely .
Thank goodness for this middle part of the book because what was meant to be the climax of the book just fell flat. I was so, so sick of the unremitting angst by the end of the book that I wanted it to end to put me out of my misery rather than be the uplifting, heart-swelling, smile-making conclusion it was meant to be.
The pacing of the book was off. Scenes that should have been covered in two sentences got two chapters whereas others that may have allowed some of the secondary characters to shine a little were overlooked. Character intentions and motivations are over-explained [a personal pet peeve - hate being made to feel like the author thinks I (as the reader) am an idiot] All the supporting characters are one dimenional and either good or bad with no in between [ bandmates, Jac's parents, the two sisters = unrealistically good , Jac's ex husband and Liz's father = bad ] . Musical metaphors are over used [look reader, look how much reasearch I did and how I understand that complex world of jazzzz]. Being a BSB publication you can trust that the editing from a gramatical perspective will be top notch, and this is no exception, but the novel really could have benefitted from a firmer editors hand in terms of the content of the novel itself.
I probably sound a bit harsh in this review but I think it's because I'm so disappointed. Despite the criticisms I've outlined above, there are some really nice moments in this book and the overall storyline is a good one - especially if, like me, you're a sucker for a 'celesbian' tale.
Overall, though, this book could have benefitted from a few more rehearsals before going solo.
May 2, 2016
Honestly i was reluctant to read this book because i don't usually like tragedy in the beginning of a book but it captured me. The characters were so complex and their development so beautiful, the jazz theme gave the story a nice touch. I also liked the slow burn of the friendship building through the the book.
April 2, 2016
Liz Randall is left in stasis after the death of her wife, Teri. Her jazz band, Up Beat has lost their drummer and Liz has lost her muse and her way.
Jac Winters has been living as a recluse in a cottage in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Her past haunts her. She copes by taking daily walks along the beach with her guide dog Max and keeping a low profile.
As the book blurb suggests, Liz and Jac meet and discover they share a love of jazz music. Can two women with a whole lot of personal baggage find a path towards a life together?
If you like music and love jazz you will be swept up by this novel. Blair writes with knowledge and authority and had me highlighting albums by jazz legends I plan to listen to in the future. Instead of being a distraction, this love of all things jazz shared by Jac and Liz is the bond they need to overcome some early challenges in their friendship.
The author packs a whole lot of living into her main and secondary characters. We learn a great deal about Liz and her family, her past and her potential. While the focus remains on Liz, there were times when her family and their issues threatened to derail the main story. Jac's backstory is revealed slowly. Depending on how impatient a reader you are this can be a good or bad thing. In it for the long haul, I enjoyed filling in the gaps and unravelling the reasons for Jac's need for privacy and her cool detachment.
This is a romance novel and with it comes the predictable handwringing and uncertainty. In this romance both women carry all kinds of former relationship issues. It is a lot to wade through. If you are a patient reader you will be rewarded with a lovely and memorable HEA.
Ms. Blair takes her time building a love story. If you are willing to put in the time, you will be rewarded with a heartfelt romance.
ARC received from publisher via NetGalley.
June 16, 2016
No doubt the author writes well, smooth flowing and captivating at the start. But as I progressed to the later half of the book, I thought the push and pull thingy bit got a little tiresome. I liked the author's writing style though and will read other books by her. I would have given this book a 3.5 star rating if it's available.
July 29, 2015
Oh my goodness, this book has music at its heart and foundation. There are two astoundingly gifted women each battling different pressures that come with mind-boggling intricacies. They cope as best they can while attempting to maintain a functional equilibrium that allows them to sustain a lifeline to the world of music, preserving and protecting talents and creative treasures hanging in the balance. This book unquestionably blew me away and I definitely recommend it. Exquisitely enveloping!
Liz Randall has suffered a devastating loss. Her wife, who was oh so much more, succumbed to leukemia. Liz seems so lost and appears to be dangling by a thread. That thread is born from music, takes its strength from music, and I think it puts her in just the right place at just the right time. She literally bumps into possibly the answer, the light, and maybe the most cantankerous entity on the planet! Surprisingly, this woman who is now blind is a link to Liz's musical soul and a guide to Liz's musical reincarnation. Nevertheless, Liz still has a staggering journey to make, family historical bonds to break free from, and a purely amazing rebirth to live through. I cried and soared on the wings of Liz Randall's thoroughly enthralling journey. Melodiously mesmerizing!
Jac Winters is blind and has muscular skeletal difficulties because of complications from a car accident approximately ten years ago. She inadvertently encounters Liz because of a miscalculation Liz makes as she is carrying a large painting. This painting extraordinarily links Liz to a family member of Jac's. Phenomenal! However, it is Jac's mysteriously astute technical skills as if she were a musician that provide a much needed lifeline for Liz as they assembled Liz's first live album. Jac assists Liz through that rigorous process that must be completed as soon as possible. During this exhilarating collaboration it is definitely Liz who appears way more incapacitated than the clearly physically disabled Jac. Yet they both seemingly have deeply troubling emotional issues with tendrils thick and complexly woven through their personal, public, and professional lives. Jac is a puzzle wrapped in a disguise, hidden and withdrawn from the world. Staggeringly splendiferous!
This story is definitely a roller coaster ride with soaring highs, gut-wrenching vertical plummets, and it is not to be missed. Plus all the sublime musical complexities put this book in a rarified world usually not open to many in life, yet here everyone gets to live the magic as two women make a comeback!
NOTE: This book was provided by Bold Strokes Books for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Liz Randall has suffered a devastating loss. Her wife, who was oh so much more, succumbed to leukemia. Liz seems so lost and appears to be dangling by a thread. That thread is born from music, takes its strength from music, and I think it puts her in just the right place at just the right time. She literally bumps into possibly the answer, the light, and maybe the most cantankerous entity on the planet! Surprisingly, this woman who is now blind is a link to Liz's musical soul and a guide to Liz's musical reincarnation. Nevertheless, Liz still has a staggering journey to make, family historical bonds to break free from, and a purely amazing rebirth to live through. I cried and soared on the wings of Liz Randall's thoroughly enthralling journey. Melodiously mesmerizing!
Jac Winters is blind and has muscular skeletal difficulties because of complications from a car accident approximately ten years ago. She inadvertently encounters Liz because of a miscalculation Liz makes as she is carrying a large painting. This painting extraordinarily links Liz to a family member of Jac's. Phenomenal! However, it is Jac's mysteriously astute technical skills as if she were a musician that provide a much needed lifeline for Liz as they assembled Liz's first live album. Jac assists Liz through that rigorous process that must be completed as soon as possible. During this exhilarating collaboration it is definitely Liz who appears way more incapacitated than the clearly physically disabled Jac. Yet they both seemingly have deeply troubling emotional issues with tendrils thick and complexly woven through their personal, public, and professional lives. Jac is a puzzle wrapped in a disguise, hidden and withdrawn from the world. Staggeringly splendiferous!
This story is definitely a roller coaster ride with soaring highs, gut-wrenching vertical plummets, and it is not to be missed. Plus all the sublime musical complexities put this book in a rarified world usually not open to many in life, yet here everyone gets to live the magic as two women make a comeback!
NOTE: This book was provided by Bold Strokes Books for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
June 26, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. The story line was focused around grief and finding happiness again through love. I thought the story line was spread out really well keeping you wanting more, making it difficult to put this book down!
I thought the author did a really good job in showing us the difficulty of moving on after you loose your life partner to illness. Is it ok to fall in love again? If yes, how soon can you fall in love after their death. Too often we judge people going through this horrible grief and put a time on when it's ok to move on and fall in love again. That's what I loved about this book we enjoy watching the two characters come out from the darkness and enjoy life again.
I will admit I got about 70% into the book and thought that we wouldn't have enough time to resolve the issues that were still swirling around in the storyline and thought we were going to have a rushed ending (which I hate) but I found that the story came together perfectly in the end and it didn't feel rushed at all.
The one aspect that I did struggle with in this book (and why it is 4 stars and not 5) is the flow of some of the dialog. Dialog is really important to me as a reader and found at times we were in conversations with someone and then all of a sudden we were in another moment. Which I can find myself losing a connection to the book because I feel jerked out of the moment and thrown into another which can give me a slight disorientated feeling before I can get back on track with the story.
All in all I absolutely loved this book and would recommend it.
I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review.
I thought the author did a really good job in showing us the difficulty of moving on after you loose your life partner to illness. Is it ok to fall in love again? If yes, how soon can you fall in love after their death. Too often we judge people going through this horrible grief and put a time on when it's ok to move on and fall in love again. That's what I loved about this book we enjoy watching the two characters come out from the darkness and enjoy life again.
I will admit I got about 70% into the book and thought that we wouldn't have enough time to resolve the issues that were still swirling around in the storyline and thought we were going to have a rushed ending (which I hate) but I found that the story came together perfectly in the end and it didn't feel rushed at all.
The one aspect that I did struggle with in this book (and why it is 4 stars and not 5) is the flow of some of the dialog. Dialog is really important to me as a reader and found at times we were in conversations with someone and then all of a sudden we were in another moment. Which I can find myself losing a connection to the book because I feel jerked out of the moment and thrown into another which can give me a slight disorientated feeling before I can get back on track with the story.
All in all I absolutely loved this book and would recommend it.
I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review.
May 28, 2017
4.5 Stars
Liz Randall is a jazz pianist, who is still lost in grief after losing her wife six months ago. She is struggling to keep the band together, and struggling to compose any new music.
Jac Winters write the best jazz blog around, and when she is persuaded to help Liz select the songs to go onto a tribute album, she reluctantly agrees. She holds many secrets, while requiring Liz to reveal herself in her music. Can they find common ground, and will Liz still want to be around if Jac reveals who she really is?
This was a slow burn romance, with two interesting, and complex characters. I really liked this book.
I found the musical elements interesting, and I'm not a musician, nor a jazz aficionado. Despite that, Blair managed to keep me spellbound by the intricate weaving of emotion and music, and how each reveals the other.
I have read Blairs two preceding books, unrelated in content, and found them good at the time. However, this book shows a clear progression of skill from Blair's first book, and I couldn't put it down. I highly recommend this as a slow burn tale of two women trying to find a way to get together when both of them are hurting.
Liz Randall is a jazz pianist, who is still lost in grief after losing her wife six months ago. She is struggling to keep the band together, and struggling to compose any new music.
Jac Winters write the best jazz blog around, and when she is persuaded to help Liz select the songs to go onto a tribute album, she reluctantly agrees. She holds many secrets, while requiring Liz to reveal herself in her music. Can they find common ground, and will Liz still want to be around if Jac reveals who she really is?
This was a slow burn romance, with two interesting, and complex characters. I really liked this book.
I found the musical elements interesting, and I'm not a musician, nor a jazz aficionado. Despite that, Blair managed to keep me spellbound by the intricate weaving of emotion and music, and how each reveals the other.
I have read Blairs two preceding books, unrelated in content, and found them good at the time. However, this book shows a clear progression of skill from Blair's first book, and I couldn't put it down. I highly recommend this as a slow burn tale of two women trying to find a way to get together when both of them are hurting.
September 8, 2016
I'm very fond of this book... It was a very nice read, and it stays in a category "to come back to occasionally". There isn't a thing I was bothered by while reading it. Well done!
June 26, 2021
When I buy a book, I spend a lot of time taking a ‘look inside’ before making a decision. Good writing begins with the first sentence (and if you’re lucky, it carries through to the last one). I caught the scent of a skilled writer and bought the book despite the fact that I’m not a jazz fan. In fact, I’m a total ignoramus about it. I mean: Totally clueless. Like, while others are cheering or clapping for something the musicians did in their improvisations, I’m the one thinking: “Huh? What just happened?” I’m that uneducated.
So I was unsure whether to get a book set in a world that has never hooked me. But the ‘look inside’ promised a good read at the hands of a skilled writer, so I bought it. Boy, am I ever glad I did! What a fabulous read! This book delivers on every page, right up to the happy ending. Lots of angst. Lots of character growth. Lots of complicated, messy life sorting itself out in a loving way, not just between the main protagonists but also with their families and friends. This book contains a particularly emotional sex scene that I suspect as a writer myself, must have been very tricky to pull off in the right tone. And the use of music as a metaphor for the relationship lends it a lovely additional dimension.
You know how some books make you feel like you went to a cocktail party and all they had were canapes? You ate some stuff, but … whatever. Meh. This book was a sit-down dinner in good company.
So I was unsure whether to get a book set in a world that has never hooked me. But the ‘look inside’ promised a good read at the hands of a skilled writer, so I bought it. Boy, am I ever glad I did! What a fabulous read! This book delivers on every page, right up to the happy ending. Lots of angst. Lots of character growth. Lots of complicated, messy life sorting itself out in a loving way, not just between the main protagonists but also with their families and friends. This book contains a particularly emotional sex scene that I suspect as a writer myself, must have been very tricky to pull off in the right tone. And the use of music as a metaphor for the relationship lends it a lovely additional dimension.
You know how some books make you feel like you went to a cocktail party and all they had were canapes? You ate some stuff, but … whatever. Meh. This book was a sit-down dinner in good company.
November 9, 2022
This is a beautiful romance set to the tune of jazz: Two musicians wounded by life-changing tragedies find each other through their shared love of music and set out on a journey of friendship and healing. The chemistry between these two damaged souls is good. The surrounding characters are carefully rendered, and family dynamics are explored. The setting (Carmel and San Jose, California) is realistically depicted. The writing is artful.
What sets this story apart is the central focus on music. In particular, how emotions can be communicated through music. I’m not a jazz aficionado, but you don’t need to be.
I also loved the fact that one of the protagonists is blind. Also, race was handled with aplomb.
I did not like the first sex scene. (Do women really lose it like that?) I also could’ve done with less alcohol consumption; they’re drinking massive quantities of wine in virtually every scene (which seems common in WLW fiction).
So, 4.5 stars, rounded up.
This book encouraged me to go to the website of the publisher, Bold Strokes, and check out their catalog. Ugh. Their Sapphic romance offerings are mostly schlock. This was the needle in the haystack, I guess, but I do look forward to checking out other titles by Julie Blair.
What sets this story apart is the central focus on music. In particular, how emotions can be communicated through music. I’m not a jazz aficionado, but you don’t need to be.
I also loved the fact that one of the protagonists is blind. Also, race was handled with aplomb.
I did not like the first sex scene. (Do women really lose it like that?) I also could’ve done with less alcohol consumption; they’re drinking massive quantities of wine in virtually every scene (which seems common in WLW fiction).
So, 4.5 stars, rounded up.
This book encouraged me to go to the website of the publisher, Bold Strokes, and check out their catalog. Ugh. Their Sapphic romance offerings are mostly schlock. This was the needle in the haystack, I guess, but I do look forward to checking out other titles by Julie Blair.
July 14, 2016
I understand why this book is winning awards. I couldn't put it down. Not only has Julie Blair created intriguing, like-able characters with unexpected levels of depth, but her descriptions of places and music are absolutely beautiful. As the story opens, both women are broken, certain that their lives, as they knew them, are over and they will never find love again. Their friendship blossoms over their shared love and knowledge of music. The gorgeous town of Carmel comes alive and feels virtually a character. I could smell the sea air and see the quaint shops. Her descriptions of the music and improvisation have me reaching for my own jazz albums to listen with fresh ears. A solid well written romance and so much more.
May 22, 2016
This was a great read, and a pretty good listen on audible. I liked this story very much. The pacing was good and tight, and the conflict made sense. It had been shifting in my pile of "to read" because I saw it was about jazz music and feared the story would a primer on the genre. But the information was woven well into the story line so it didn't seem like a music lesson. It was easy to feel the pain of the musician gone blind, but I sometimes grew impatient with the other character who was slow to cut the parental apron strings choking her. Otherwise, I would have given it five stars. Nice work by the author.
September 2, 2015
A bit of a slow start... I'm glad I persevered as it turned into a lovely story of two lost souls.
August 15, 2021
This was a moving romance. Two women, both damaged by loss, and unsure if they can move on from their grief. Liz lost her partner and Jac lost her sight and more. Both are still grieving in their own way when they meet by accident. The standoffish Jac wants to be alone, while Liz who’s intrigued by Jac wants to be friends. Their friendship and mutual love for music opens both women up to living their lives fully again.
There are plenty of characters in this story that assist the women in their journey back to a full life – siblings, parents, bandmates, the guide dog and the music, which is a character in its own way. And it’s not just the two women that change; other characters do as well. I particularly enjoyed how Liz’s sister morphed from being annoying into a caring and capable person coming into her own. Maybe that was just Liz starting to see people for who they really are and not through her veil of grief any more.
The music and their love for it bring both Liz and Jac back to life. I’ve never really understood the appeal of certain kinds of music, but this really opened my eyes to how music can move people, whether the audience or the musicians. Both Liz and Jac expressed their feelings through their music, whether it was despair or love. It’s definitely making me take a closer listen to different genres.
There are plenty of characters in this story that assist the women in their journey back to a full life – siblings, parents, bandmates, the guide dog and the music, which is a character in its own way. And it’s not just the two women that change; other characters do as well. I particularly enjoyed how Liz’s sister morphed from being annoying into a caring and capable person coming into her own. Maybe that was just Liz starting to see people for who they really are and not through her veil of grief any more.
The music and their love for it bring both Liz and Jac back to life. I’ve never really understood the appeal of certain kinds of music, but this really opened my eyes to how music can move people, whether the audience or the musicians. Both Liz and Jac expressed their feelings through their music, whether it was despair or love. It’s definitely making me take a closer listen to different genres.
July 2, 2016
This is a very traditional romance – a charming and well done story of falling for the woman who seems unobtainable, but the personalities and circumstances set it apart. Both our main characters have major hurdles to overcome in their lives, irrespective of any romantic complications.
Liz has recently lost her wife, her life partner and the inspiration for her musical creativity. She is struggling to get past the initial grief and loss, faced with mounting pressure to push forward with the jazz band and CD release they worked on together, knowing others depend on her, yet unable to find the will to make a start. Jac has built layers of fortress-worthy walls around her life, insulating her from any but her sister and brother-in-law, she relies on no one except her adored yellow lab. She wants nothing in her world other than her music and her routine.
Making a Comeback explores the lives of these two anguished women, both of whom have suffered from cruel fate. As their lives increasingly collide they can challenge the other to move beyond their pain, and provide the support that might make it possible to do so – if they are prepared to take the risk.
Liz and Jac are interesting women. Mature, seasoned, complex and multi-layered. They are people we can relate to, rounded and whole, warts and all. Ms Blair has portrayed women of substance that reflect the traumas of their lives.
Both are supported by family, and their interactions and family dynamics add significantly to the depth of emotion and realism throughout. Domineering parents, complex sibling relationships, these women have baggage.
This is, more than anything, an exploration of how mature women have dealt with what life has thrown at them, and how they can move on, face their greatest fears, find a new beginning.
Well done, well written, engaging and absorbing. I will definitely be looing out for more of Julie Blair’s writing.
(publisher review copy received)
Liz has recently lost her wife, her life partner and the inspiration for her musical creativity. She is struggling to get past the initial grief and loss, faced with mounting pressure to push forward with the jazz band and CD release they worked on together, knowing others depend on her, yet unable to find the will to make a start. Jac has built layers of fortress-worthy walls around her life, insulating her from any but her sister and brother-in-law, she relies on no one except her adored yellow lab. She wants nothing in her world other than her music and her routine.
Making a Comeback explores the lives of these two anguished women, both of whom have suffered from cruel fate. As their lives increasingly collide they can challenge the other to move beyond their pain, and provide the support that might make it possible to do so – if they are prepared to take the risk.
Liz and Jac are interesting women. Mature, seasoned, complex and multi-layered. They are people we can relate to, rounded and whole, warts and all. Ms Blair has portrayed women of substance that reflect the traumas of their lives.
Both are supported by family, and their interactions and family dynamics add significantly to the depth of emotion and realism throughout. Domineering parents, complex sibling relationships, these women have baggage.
This is, more than anything, an exploration of how mature women have dealt with what life has thrown at them, and how they can move on, face their greatest fears, find a new beginning.
Well done, well written, engaging and absorbing. I will definitely be looing out for more of Julie Blair’s writing.
(publisher review copy received)
May 9, 2016
Had this as an audiobook. Enjoyed the story. The narration was a bit distracting and stiff. Almost robotic especially the character Joss' voice. And any of the male character voices.
November 30, 2016
Does anyone really talk that much during sex? Comer for me? Seriously?
And the rest - draaaaggggeeeeeeeddddd out, so much nonsense. From zero to I'll always be with you. I mean, really.
And the rest - draaaaggggeeeeeeeddddd out, so much nonsense. From zero to I'll always be with you. I mean, really.
July 25, 2019
4.75 stars |
April 27, 2024
Making a Comeback
This was a beautiful book by Judy Blair. I loved how the music flowed through the book. The angst was understandable and well resolved. The book had a good voice, well thought out. A lot of healing happened between the MCs and helping each other grow. This was a well thought out slow-burn.
This was my first book by Julie Blair, I will continue to follow her.
This was a beautiful book by Judy Blair. I loved how the music flowed through the book. The angst was understandable and well resolved. The book had a good voice, well thought out. A lot of healing happened between the MCs and helping each other grow. This was a well thought out slow-burn.
This was my first book by Julie Blair, I will continue to follow her.
June 22, 2024
"I wan to kiss you in the worst way." - What could that possibly mean? I have sure read dark romance and I have a few ideas... but what does she mean? - Good book.
January 9, 2023
I honestly can't beliave so many people didn't like this story. Apparently "it's too focused on the music world" and "the romance seems forced."
I don't think that's true at all!
I know jack sh*t about music (other than I like it) and I actually hate jazz, and yet all the jazz Talk in this story didn't borhered me that much. Sometimes it was a little boring, but it just proves the author knows something about the themes they write about!
In lots of cases, writers who introduce main characters as musicians, soldiers, or doctors actually don't know anything about music, army or medicine, and it shows! So I much rather prefer a bit of 'jazz talk' over nonsance.
And the romance factor... Was it sudden? a little too soon? Without an obvious trace of chemistry? Yeah, maybe. But that doesn't mean it's unrealistic!
People say there wasn't any relationship development between the two woman. I don't think that's quite right. Yes, it all seemd like just a good friendship at the begining, but the romance wasn't forced! From the start the two made a really strong conection through music, and shared interests and similar past. They both found comfort and safe space in the other person.
When you're such good friends with someone, they bring you peace, and they'd do anything for you it's actually pretty easy to fall in love with your friend instantly! I know from personal experience. You need that person to live and you are together all the time, but you don't realize you're in love with them untill they say they love you first.
People always want to see a story filled with chemistry, sexual tention and loads of romantic moments, since it feels right and seems beautiful, but sometimes it just doesn't work that way!
This story shows a different kind of love experience, one that is similar to my own, and for all those other reasons above, I really appreciate it!
I don't think that's true at all!
I know jack sh*t about music (other than I like it) and I actually hate jazz, and yet all the jazz Talk in this story didn't borhered me that much. Sometimes it was a little boring, but it just proves the author knows something about the themes they write about!
In lots of cases, writers who introduce main characters as musicians, soldiers, or doctors actually don't know anything about music, army or medicine, and it shows! So I much rather prefer a bit of 'jazz talk' over nonsance.
And the romance factor... Was it sudden? a little too soon? Without an obvious trace of chemistry? Yeah, maybe. But that doesn't mean it's unrealistic!
People say there wasn't any relationship development between the two woman. I don't think that's quite right. Yes, it all seemd like just a good friendship at the begining, but the romance wasn't forced! From the start the two made a really strong conection through music, and shared interests and similar past. They both found comfort and safe space in the other person.
When you're such good friends with someone, they bring you peace, and they'd do anything for you it's actually pretty easy to fall in love with your friend instantly! I know from personal experience. You need that person to live and you are together all the time, but you don't realize you're in love with them untill they say they love you first.
People always want to see a story filled with chemistry, sexual tention and loads of romantic moments, since it feels right and seems beautiful, but sometimes it just doesn't work that way!
This story shows a different kind of love experience, one that is similar to my own, and for all those other reasons above, I really appreciate it!
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