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I'll Always Have You: Once More with Feeling / Reflections
Two fan-favorite stories about learning to live...and love on your own terms
Once More with Feeling
Musician Raven Williams was devastated when Brandon Carstairs broke her heart five years ago. Now he's back, asking for her help cowriting the score for a major film--an opportunity she can't refuse. Despite the undeniable heat between them, Raven vows to keep things strictly professional. But it's as if no time has passed at all--and with so much lust hanging between them, it's hard not to melt...
Reflections
As one of America's finest ballet dancers, Lindsay Dunne has no time for romance. That is, until she meets brooding architect Seth Bannion, the guardian of a talented young ballerina in her class. Lindsay and Seth clash over their hopes for the girl's future, passions flare...and Lindsay receives a crash course in the art of love.
Once More with Feeling
Musician Raven Williams was devastated when Brandon Carstairs broke her heart five years ago. Now he's back, asking for her help cowriting the score for a major film--an opportunity she can't refuse. Despite the undeniable heat between them, Raven vows to keep things strictly professional. But it's as if no time has passed at all--and with so much lust hanging between them, it's hard not to melt...
Reflections
As one of America's finest ballet dancers, Lindsay Dunne has no time for romance. That is, until she meets brooding architect Seth Bannion, the guardian of a talented young ballerina in her class. Lindsay and Seth clash over their hopes for the girl's future, passions flare...and Lindsay receives a crash course in the art of love.
442 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1983
6 people are currently reading
168 people want to read
About the author
Nora Roberts
1,210 books59.8k followersNora Roberts is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 200 novels, including Hideaway, Under Currents, Come Sundown, The Awakening, Legacy, and coming in November 2021 -- The Becoming -- the second book in The Dragon Heart Legacy. She is also the author of the futuristic suspense In Death series written under the pen name J.D. Robb. There are more than 500 million copies of her books in print.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 7, 2018
Two stories. Read by Amy McFadden and Angela Dawe. 1983. Once More with Feeling. Musician Raven Williams was swept away by fame fortune and love. She was so young. The Man, Brandon Carstairs, walked out of her life. Let her grow up a bit. At their meeting up once more after 5 years, well can Raven keep things on a profssional level only? Does she want to? Does he? ///Reflections. Lindsay Dunne, a star ballerina in NYC, comes home to tend to her mother's health issues. She literally falls into a mud puddle on a rainy night when she is startled by a fast passing car. The driver, Seth Bannion, thinks she is clumsy. He just moved to Cliffside and is guardian to his niece, a novice and promising ballerina herself. Will the same fire that lights their passion over the niece's future in dance run over into a passion for each other? Can they manage it?
January 1, 2022
I did enjoy reading these two stories. They were a light read and very fun. I read another's review that said the stories felt rushed. And I have to agree with them.
I think the main characters fall in love so intensely and so quickly. That took some of the fantasy out of it for me, strangely. As if the idea of falling in love after a month is just was impossible (lol and I watch the bachelor.)
The characters were charming and likable.
I think the main characters fall in love so intensely and so quickly. That took some of the fantasy out of it for me, strangely. As if the idea of falling in love after a month is just was impossible (lol and I watch the bachelor.)
The characters were charming and likable.
August 15, 2017
There are two books in one. I think I prefer the second one, "Reflections" over the first, "Once More With Feeling". Love comes in many ways and has many hurdles to overcome. I was sure that in reflections Lindsey would be swayed by another love and I was surprised at the outcome from all involved.
April 8, 2021
A couple of Nora Robert's smaller novellas tucked into the same cover. These were a little more classic romance, 25 year old heroines are dewy women who have had little experience with love and lust. While they were fun and diverting, I didn't get that great sense of escapism that I have had with some of her other novels.
November 27, 2017
Great easy and romantic read. Two short stories in one. Some rather steamy chapters in both story's. It felt a little like each story was condensed, or cut short to fit two in the book. Fun, sexy and interesting characters.
October 1, 2017
Couldn't get past the first few chapters. Story did not pull me in.
October 23, 2017
Ekki það besta frá Noru minni .... .:( frekar þunnur þrettándi ....
October 28, 2017
I loved Nora's attention to detail in her descriptive choice of words. It took me right into the scenes and the emotions. This book fed the romantic within me.
October 28, 2017
I enjoyed this book too,she is a good writer too,i love her books too.
March 3, 2018
These two stories are great. Love the characters & the storylines. Kudos to Nora Roberts for another great one.
July 17, 2018
Loved this pairing of modern romance.
May 26, 2020
Boy, is this one not working for me right now! Once More with Feeling was never a favorite, but I've even lost my patience for Reflections, and I used to like that one. Bummer.
August 2, 2025
Did not age well...
October 1, 2025
The first story grew tedious. The second story was wonderful! I stayed up late reading it in one sitting until completion .
December 24, 2025
Double book!
Once More, With Feeling
There’s always a challenge when dealing with an ex: a shared history, a reason for the breakup, and often unresolved feelings can mud the waters. It adds sense and seasoning to the push and pull, and it also feels logical when either character makes a contradiction.
Brandon being aggressive in the plane and stating he could get to sleep with her if he wanted was a bit of a turn off, but I think he meant that he knew deep down she desired him and not that he would force himself on her. But hey, I’m not very familiar with 80’s tropes, so I’ll leave it there.
Continuing with the 80’s, I found it coherent to portray alcoholism as a serious and scandalous reason for Raven to worry about her mother. Her rejection of physical intimacy rooting from her mother’s unruly life and string of lovers fits quite well. The click when she finally accepts Brandon was a bit wild, though. Could’ve done with fewer intimate encounters.
By the ending there’s another scene with aggressive assertiveness that in today’s standards could be considered as violent – Brandon grabbing Raven by the wrist and taking her out of a restaurant and making a scene. Not a fan, but again, not well-versed in those years’ tropes either.
But in the end they finally communicate and make amends.
Fav scene: the kiss on stage.
What I else wanted to read:
• A deeper exploration of Raven’s relationship with her mother.
• More details about the misunderstanding/miscommunication in the ending so it didn’t come off as out of the blue, like the clean lady putting Raven’s note away with the rest of the music sheets, for example.
• The music piece debut and how it was received (them working on it was the reason to reunite, after all).
Reflections
Lindsay is sweet, loving and empathetic to others (as shown in her caring about Ruth and driving her and Monica in the snowstorm).
Sadly, Seth wasn’t very explored and we only get to see his serious, aggressive (as in having initiative) and practical side. The result made him look hyper focused on sleeping with Lindsay and advancing on getting physical with her in each encounter. Maybe that’s why when he pushed her into the snow after they do the deed I didn’t see it as playful but rather butthole-ish.
Other than physical attraction, I didn’t get how or why she knew she loved him instead of just having an infatuation. Maybe if there were a few more scenes with both of them dealing with the one thing they have in common (Ruth) in a non-confrontational way, and getting to see more aspects of each other than how good they look, the realisation of love would have been better justified.
What else I wanted to read:
• More character development in general: Lindsay and her mother, Lindsay and Ruth, Ruth and Seth, Monica and Andy.
• How her mother was doing in her new life, at least as a footnote. After years of dedicating herself to Lindsay, flying away to start over was too clean of a cut.
Once More, With Feeling
There’s always a challenge when dealing with an ex: a shared history, a reason for the breakup, and often unresolved feelings can mud the waters. It adds sense and seasoning to the push and pull, and it also feels logical when either character makes a contradiction.
Brandon being aggressive in the plane and stating he could get to sleep with her if he wanted was a bit of a turn off, but I think he meant that he knew deep down she desired him and not that he would force himself on her. But hey, I’m not very familiar with 80’s tropes, so I’ll leave it there.
Continuing with the 80’s, I found it coherent to portray alcoholism as a serious and scandalous reason for Raven to worry about her mother. Her rejection of physical intimacy rooting from her mother’s unruly life and string of lovers fits quite well. The click when she finally accepts Brandon was a bit wild, though. Could’ve done with fewer intimate encounters.
By the ending there’s another scene with aggressive assertiveness that in today’s standards could be considered as violent – Brandon grabbing Raven by the wrist and taking her out of a restaurant and making a scene. Not a fan, but again, not well-versed in those years’ tropes either.
But in the end they finally communicate and make amends.
Fav scene: the kiss on stage.
What I else wanted to read:
• A deeper exploration of Raven’s relationship with her mother.
• More details about the misunderstanding/miscommunication in the ending so it didn’t come off as out of the blue, like the clean lady putting Raven’s note away with the rest of the music sheets, for example.
• The music piece debut and how it was received (them working on it was the reason to reunite, after all).
Reflections
Lindsay is sweet, loving and empathetic to others (as shown in her caring about Ruth and driving her and Monica in the snowstorm).
Sadly, Seth wasn’t very explored and we only get to see his serious, aggressive (as in having initiative) and practical side. The result made him look hyper focused on sleeping with Lindsay and advancing on getting physical with her in each encounter. Maybe that’s why when he pushed her into the snow after they do the deed I didn’t see it as playful but rather butthole-ish.
Other than physical attraction, I didn’t get how or why she knew she loved him instead of just having an infatuation. Maybe if there were a few more scenes with both of them dealing with the one thing they have in common (Ruth) in a non-confrontational way, and getting to see more aspects of each other than how good they look, the realisation of love would have been better justified.
What else I wanted to read:
• More character development in general: Lindsay and her mother, Lindsay and Ruth, Ruth and Seth, Monica and Andy.
• How her mother was doing in her new life, at least as a footnote. After years of dedicating herself to Lindsay, flying away to start over was too clean of a cut.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2017
Okay so the first novel is this once more with feeling is just bad, the male character threatens rape and is totally manipulative and abusive which is something I could not get passed. I don't understand how anyone reading this would swoon over brandon carstairs he is a creep and a horrible person. Now the second one Reflections was great I like the story and the characters where much better than the other. Though all in all it was just meh nothing super excited and very predictable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews