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Harmony #1
Harmony
Sometimes conformity and control are only shields, and all it takes is the right woman to shatter the illusions forever.
Andrea Taylor craves peace in her life, no matter what the personal sacrifice. She arranges her career as a violist, her relationships with family and friends, and even her love life so she can avoid strife at all costs. Everything is going according to plan until she meets Brooke Stanton the night before Brooke’s wedding rehearsal and her ordered existence falls apart.
When Brooke hires a string quartet to play at her rehearsal dinner, she doesn’t expect to meet a woman who threatens the security of her already predetermined future. Suddenly she has doubts about the conventional path she has chosen and desires she can no longer ignore.
In an eclectic neighborhood in Seattle, Washington, these two women face a life-altering decision—will they fight the attraction that threatens their carefully structured lives or take a chance on finding the harmony only love creates?
Andrea Taylor craves peace in her life, no matter what the personal sacrifice. She arranges her career as a violist, her relationships with family and friends, and even her love life so she can avoid strife at all costs. Everything is going according to plan until she meets Brooke Stanton the night before Brooke’s wedding rehearsal and her ordered existence falls apart.
When Brooke hires a string quartet to play at her rehearsal dinner, she doesn’t expect to meet a woman who threatens the security of her already predetermined future. Suddenly she has doubts about the conventional path she has chosen and desires she can no longer ignore.
In an eclectic neighborhood in Seattle, Washington, these two women face a life-altering decision—will they fight the attraction that threatens their carefully structured lives or take a chance on finding the harmony only love creates?
7 pages, Audible Audio
First published August 1, 2011
13 people are currently reading
201 people want to read
About the author
Karis Walsh
33 books152 followersKaris Walsh is a native of the Pacific Northwest and an adopted citizen of Texas. When she isn’t wrapped up in a book—either reading or writing one—she spends her time with her animals, playing music on her viola or violin, or hiking among the prickly pears.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 20, 2024
There was a period of time when I, for the most part, didn’t write reviews. Well, it has fluctuated over the years – there were some longish ago where I tended to review most of what I read, but those years are so long ago I barely recall them (we are talking about the early 2000s, right? Hmms, well, that is roughly 18 years ago depending on when in the early 2000s. Oh good, now I’m talking to myself inside my own review). Cutting a much longer paragraph shorter than it might become – this is one of those occasions when I kind of wish I was in my non-reviewing phase.
This book stars two immature young women. Both have their point of views on display. There are similarities and differences that are easy to spot. Like: both have family issues (Brooke is something of a doormat to her family – they want her to go with a certain boy to prom? Sure, why not? Date him? Okay. Marry him? Why the fuck not? (because you are actually a lesbian and have thought you might be since college?); Andy is less of doormat, but still feels the need to aggressively obey her family – mostly as a stand-between between her mother and very angry father (the doormat part comes in with constantly needing to make sure she doesn’t piss off her father, and actively spend time with them)). Both have no issue what-so-ever with cheating (okay, one did eventually develop a guilt complex, but more about cheating on her ‘other woman’ with her ‘girlfriend’).
Differences? Well, let’s see – Andrea Taylor is open and out lesbian; Brooke Stanton is so far into the closet she’s marrying a man. Also Andy is super neat and organized and Brooke is the messy kind of person.
That’s how the two meet, by the way. No, not because of mess, but because Brooke was going to marry a man. Andrea, along with about 12,000 other music related jobs (tip: unless you are someone like a member of the Rolling Stones, a music career doesn’t tend to pay a lot), works as a musician at weddings. She plays with a quartet. Wait, no . . . Tina, man, man, Andrea, yes a quartet. And Brooke’s wedding is one of their ‘gigs’.
Andy meets Brooke to set up the music for the wedding. Brooke seems cold, unattached to the world around her, and generally completely unlike how she normally acts – though Andy doesn’t know this at the time. Brooke only really ‘awakens’ when she finds out Andy is a lesbian. Whereupon she spends that moment until hours before her wedding thinking about fucking Andy to get being a lesbian out of her system.
So, she does. Thereby cheating on Jake (Jake right?); meanwhile, by giving in to Brooke’s bad seduction techniques (seriously – Brooke tries to seduce Andy in a fake pre-meeting that Andy didn’t know was a set-up; Andy calls her on it, Brooke becomes enraged and flings a lemon into Andy’s eye. Then bluntly asks to fuck. So they do. Because, you know, Andy’s quite . . . heh, not let’s not go down this road) Andy cheats on her girlfriend (described, at some point, as ‘sort of’ girlfriend, though, you know, still girlfriend). So, there we go. The book begins with: a closeted lesbian, who is going to marry a man, spots a lesbian, badly seduces her (how bad is it if it works, eh?), and both parties cheat on others so they can fuck each other.
Despite not having had much interaction with each other, despite not knowing a damn fucking thing about each other, Andy assumes that the mind-blowing sex they had changed Brooke’s world and that they would now become a couple. Because, you know, that’s the natural next step when you fuck someone before their wedding to someone else. Brooke, meanwhile, thought the sex was mind-blowingly good – too good, she wanted a fling to wash this stink of lesbianism off her, but nooo, she had to love fucking a woman – but she doesn’t want to disappoint her parents or Jake, especially since she isn’t really sure if she is actually a lesbian, and if the sex really was that good (it was – I mean to her, I mostly skimmed the sex scene).
I’m now reading another book involving a man, woman, woman love triangle, and that one has graphic depictions of man on woman sex and woman on woman sex, so I do not actually recall if Jake ever graphically fucks Brooke. I think that didn’t occur.
So, where was I, so, Andy assumes the wedding is off, but Brooke is going through with it. A showdown occurs at the rehearsal (which the quartet doesn’t normally play at, but Brooke wanted more time with Andy – I’ve a vague impression this was set up before they fucked). Words are exchanged. Brooke is upset. Andy’s upset. The wedding is still going forward.
Before the wedding occurs, Brooke postpones it, and turns up at Andy’s door. Whereupon one of the most annoying scenes in all lesbiandom occurs. Andy, with apartment door open, looks at Brooke. Brooke wants in. At this point in their relationship (what relationship?), Andy thinks Brooke just used her. Brooke demands to be allowed in. She has, by the way, some luggage with her.
Andy, naturally, scoffs at this comment. Owes her? After Brooke pounced on her, injured her eye with a lemon, had mind-blowing sex, then just left the next morning like nothing had happened? OWED?
Brooke’s reasoning? Andy owes Brooke because Brooke wanted a fling before the wedding. But . . . BUT!!! THE SEX WAS TOO GOOD!!! YOU RUINED ME! So, you know, you owe me. WTF?
Brooke is let in (somewhat more due to her mentioning she had nowhere else to go). Andy leaves or something. Comes back. Finds that Brooke has kind of exploded all over the apartment. Her clothing is all over the floor. The bathroom is a mess with her stuff. And she’s wearing lingerie. Andy’s apartment before the arrival of Brooke was cleaner than . . . something clean and organized.
*breathes*
Brooke and Andy kind of do, kind of don’t date. Andy keeps doing things that piss Brooke off (as does Brooke to Andy, though Andy is more mildly annoyed; Brooke becomes enraged). And, to be honest, the things Andy does are alarming blinking red lights that should warn people to flee. Like, several times, setting things up for Brooke without once talking to her about the issue ().
ANDY: I JUST WANT TO HELP!!!
BROOKE: TALK TO ME!! DON’T TRY TO CONTROL ME LIKE MY PARENTS!!!
At some point Andy, while in the middle of fucking her girlfriend (no not Brooke, recall how I said Andy actually had a girlfriend, sort of or not? – she’s fucking that woman, Lyse or something like that), Andy suddenly stops. She keeps thinking of Brooke. She wants Brooke. She shouldn’t be cheating on Brooke with her girlfriend (Lyse)! So . . . Andy’s a serial cheater. Cheats on Lyse with Brooke, cheats on Brooke with Lyse – only feels guilt when cheating on Brooke.
Story-wise? I loathe this story.
Character-wise? I loathe the main characters. And I’m not sure I like the others, though I do not really have enough information – though Lyse (whatever the fuck her actual name is for fuck sake) is a massive bitch – in stories about her, and in person.
You know books that I feel like tossing against the wall/burning to show my rage, whatever the fuck? Yeah, I loathed this book but not to that point. I tend to need to actually like the book, which goes in a horrifyingly bad direction, before I develop those ragey feelings. So . . . 2 stars instead of anything less than 2 stars. Hmm, that means I think the book is okay, if I recall Goodreads’ floater tip thingie. Ah, whatever, 2 stars.
Rating: 2
May 31 2018
This book stars two immature young women. Both have their point of views on display. There are similarities and differences that are easy to spot. Like: both have family issues (Brooke is something of a doormat to her family – they want her to go with a certain boy to prom? Sure, why not? Date him? Okay. Marry him? Why the fuck not? (because you are actually a lesbian and have thought you might be since college?); Andy is less of doormat, but still feels the need to aggressively obey her family – mostly as a stand-between between her mother and very angry father (the doormat part comes in with constantly needing to make sure she doesn’t piss off her father, and actively spend time with them)). Both have no issue what-so-ever with cheating (okay, one did eventually develop a guilt complex, but more about cheating on her ‘other woman’ with her ‘girlfriend’).
Differences? Well, let’s see – Andrea Taylor is open and out lesbian; Brooke Stanton is so far into the closet she’s marrying a man. Also Andy is super neat and organized and Brooke is the messy kind of person.
That’s how the two meet, by the way. No, not because of mess, but because Brooke was going to marry a man. Andrea, along with about 12,000 other music related jobs (tip: unless you are someone like a member of the Rolling Stones, a music career doesn’t tend to pay a lot), works as a musician at weddings. She plays with a quartet. Wait, no . . . Tina, man, man, Andrea, yes a quartet. And Brooke’s wedding is one of their ‘gigs’.
Andy meets Brooke to set up the music for the wedding. Brooke seems cold, unattached to the world around her, and generally completely unlike how she normally acts – though Andy doesn’t know this at the time. Brooke only really ‘awakens’ when she finds out Andy is a lesbian. Whereupon she spends that moment until hours before her wedding thinking about fucking Andy to get being a lesbian out of her system.
So, she does. Thereby cheating on Jake (Jake right?); meanwhile, by giving in to Brooke’s bad seduction techniques (seriously – Brooke tries to seduce Andy in a fake pre-meeting that Andy didn’t know was a set-up; Andy calls her on it, Brooke becomes enraged and flings a lemon into Andy’s eye. Then bluntly asks to fuck. So they do. Because, you know, Andy’s quite . . . heh, not let’s not go down this road) Andy cheats on her girlfriend (described, at some point, as ‘sort of’ girlfriend, though, you know, still girlfriend). So, there we go. The book begins with: a closeted lesbian, who is going to marry a man, spots a lesbian, badly seduces her (how bad is it if it works, eh?), and both parties cheat on others so they can fuck each other.
Despite not having had much interaction with each other, despite not knowing a damn fucking thing about each other, Andy assumes that the mind-blowing sex they had changed Brooke’s world and that they would now become a couple. Because, you know, that’s the natural next step when you fuck someone before their wedding to someone else. Brooke, meanwhile, thought the sex was mind-blowingly good – too good, she wanted a fling to wash this stink of lesbianism off her, but nooo, she had to love fucking a woman – but she doesn’t want to disappoint her parents or Jake, especially since she isn’t really sure if she is actually a lesbian, and if the sex really was that good (it was – I mean to her, I mostly skimmed the sex scene).
I’m now reading another book involving a man, woman, woman love triangle, and that one has graphic depictions of man on woman sex and woman on woman sex, so I do not actually recall if Jake ever graphically fucks Brooke. I think that didn’t occur.
So, where was I, so, Andy assumes the wedding is off, but Brooke is going through with it. A showdown occurs at the rehearsal (which the quartet doesn’t normally play at, but Brooke wanted more time with Andy – I’ve a vague impression this was set up before they fucked). Words are exchanged. Brooke is upset. Andy’s upset. The wedding is still going forward.
Before the wedding occurs, Brooke postpones it, and turns up at Andy’s door. Whereupon one of the most annoying scenes in all lesbiandom occurs. Andy, with apartment door open, looks at Brooke. Brooke wants in. At this point in their relationship (what relationship?), Andy thinks Brooke just used her. Brooke demands to be allowed in. She has, by the way, some luggage with her.
Brooke crossed her arms over her chest. “After Thursday night, I figured you owed me at least that much.”
Andy, naturally, scoffs at this comment. Owes her? After Brooke pounced on her, injured her eye with a lemon, had mind-blowing sex, then just left the next morning like nothing had happened? OWED?
Brooke’s reasoning? Andy owes Brooke because Brooke wanted a fling before the wedding. But . . . BUT!!! THE SEX WAS TOO GOOD!!! YOU RUINED ME! So, you know, you owe me. WTF?
Brooke is let in (somewhat more due to her mentioning she had nowhere else to go). Andy leaves or something. Comes back. Finds that Brooke has kind of exploded all over the apartment. Her clothing is all over the floor. The bathroom is a mess with her stuff. And she’s wearing lingerie. Andy’s apartment before the arrival of Brooke was cleaner than . . . something clean and organized.
*breathes*
Brooke and Andy kind of do, kind of don’t date. Andy keeps doing things that piss Brooke off (as does Brooke to Andy, though Andy is more mildly annoyed; Brooke becomes enraged). And, to be honest, the things Andy does are alarming blinking red lights that should warn people to flee. Like, several times, setting things up for Brooke without once talking to her about the issue ().
ANDY: I JUST WANT TO HELP!!!
BROOKE: TALK TO ME!! DON’T TRY TO CONTROL ME LIKE MY PARENTS!!!
At some point Andy, while in the middle of fucking her girlfriend (no not Brooke, recall how I said Andy actually had a girlfriend, sort of or not? – she’s fucking that woman, Lyse or something like that), Andy suddenly stops. She keeps thinking of Brooke. She wants Brooke. She shouldn’t be cheating on Brooke with her girlfriend (Lyse)! So . . . Andy’s a serial cheater. Cheats on Lyse with Brooke, cheats on Brooke with Lyse – only feels guilt when cheating on Brooke.
Story-wise? I loathe this story.
Character-wise? I loathe the main characters. And I’m not sure I like the others, though I do not really have enough information – though Lyse (whatever the fuck her actual name is for fuck sake) is a massive bitch – in stories about her, and in person.
You know books that I feel like tossing against the wall/burning to show my rage, whatever the fuck? Yeah, I loathed this book but not to that point. I tend to need to actually like the book, which goes in a horrifyingly bad direction, before I develop those ragey feelings. So . . . 2 stars instead of anything less than 2 stars. Hmm, that means I think the book is okay, if I recall Goodreads’ floater tip thingie. Ah, whatever, 2 stars.
Rating: 2
May 31 2018
May 31, 2018
3 stars for the audio book. This is a re-read.
I read this a few years ago and gave it 4 stars. Upon re-reading via audio, I've rated it 3 stars. It might be my change in tastes or the audiobook itself. The narrator, Ruby Rivers was OK but there were a bit of audio problems not too bad but a bit distracting. I took a star away because of the communication or rather lack of communication between the two MC, Andrea (Andy) Taylor and Brook. Maybe reading it myself I may have skimmed the redundancy which I have a tendency to do, while I listen to every word. It was tiresome to hear the thoughts of the MCs when they should be discussing it with the other. I was also bothered by their first encounter. It seemed so uncharacteristic of Andy who likes order and not messy apartments or situations. Taking the bride, Brooke back to your apartment the night before her wedding would be a messy situation.
I think this was Karis's first book and you can tell how far she has come as a writer, just by reading the sequel (Improvisation), which was published a few years after Harmony.
I read this a few years ago and gave it 4 stars. Upon re-reading via audio, I've rated it 3 stars. It might be my change in tastes or the audiobook itself. The narrator, Ruby Rivers was OK but there were a bit of audio problems not too bad but a bit distracting. I took a star away because of the communication or rather lack of communication between the two MC, Andrea (Andy) Taylor and Brook. Maybe reading it myself I may have skimmed the redundancy which I have a tendency to do, while I listen to every word. It was tiresome to hear the thoughts of the MCs when they should be discussing it with the other. I was also bothered by their first encounter. It seemed so uncharacteristic of Andy who likes order and not messy apartments or situations. Taking the bride, Brooke back to your apartment the night before her wedding would be a messy situation.
I think this was Karis's first book and you can tell how far she has come as a writer, just by reading the sequel (Improvisation), which was published a few years after Harmony.
May 31, 2018
Updated May 2018 to change my rating from 4* to 3* (see comments)
--------------------
Original review follows
--------------------“Harmony” is best viewed as a book to read before reading the sequel, “Improvisation”, so that you’ll get the backstories of Brooke, Andy, Jan and Tina before you read and enjoy “Improvisation”.
Other than that, I found “Harmony” annoying. MC Brooke knows she’s attracted to girls, but is about to marry a man picked out by her family after they sent her to years of therapy to “cure” her one-time crush on a girl in college. Ohhhh…..I’m so tired of the But It’s What My Family Wants and I Have No Backbone Trope!! Brooke spends much of the book realizing she needs to grow up (her words), but she’s so desperate to not be in anyone’s shadow that she’s virtually completely unlikeable, always hurting Andy whenever she reaches out to try to help. Brooke agrees to only delay her wedding, not cancel it, agreeing to take until Christmas to come to her wedding senses. She forces Andy to agree to the same terms….she asks for “until Christmas” to decide if she’ll marry the guy or be with Andy.
Andy agrees (because maybe potentially-lesbian Brooke is such a great sounding catch, right?), but in a moment of anger, Andy tells Brooke:
MC Andy is pictured as over-controlling every detail in her life, yet sleeps with Brooke just before her wedding, lets her move in to her apartment (on the sofa) a few days later, and then gives Brooke ultimate control over their budding relationship, agreeing it will be Brooke’s choice whether they are a couple or not. Uncharacteristically flexible, or a badly developed character? I kind of liked Andy (more than Brooke!), but just couldn’t understand her instadevotion to Brooke.
Naturally, Brooke finally tells her fiancé and family she's a lesbian, discovers it’s no big deal, and then tells the ever-waiting Andy that she’s made her decision and we have an HEA ending….with a teaser for the next book.
Audiowise, Ruby Rivers delivers an overly breathy narration with several recording issues. With seven books now on audible.com, author Karis Walsh has now used seven different narrators. As much as the MCs and the narrator annoyed me, I’m still surprised to say that the book was moderately enjoyable. I think I’m just a sucker for stories about women finding happiness together despite meddling family and elements of society wanting women to marry men.
I recommend you read the book rather than listen to it. Overall, “Harmony” earns 4*, barely, because I REALLY recommend you then immediately get the much better sequel: “Improvisation”. It earned 5* despite a mediocre narrator.
--------------------
Original review follows
--------------------“Harmony” is best viewed as a book to read before reading the sequel, “Improvisation”, so that you’ll get the backstories of Brooke, Andy, Jan and Tina before you read and enjoy “Improvisation”.
Other than that, I found “Harmony” annoying. MC Brooke knows she’s attracted to girls, but is about to marry a man picked out by her family after they sent her to years of therapy to “cure” her one-time crush on a girl in college. Ohhhh…..I’m so tired of the But It’s What My Family Wants and I Have No Backbone Trope!! Brooke spends much of the book realizing she needs to grow up (her words), but she’s so desperate to not be in anyone’s shadow that she’s virtually completely unlikeable, always hurting Andy whenever she reaches out to try to help. Brooke agrees to only delay her wedding, not cancel it, agreeing to take until Christmas to come to her wedding senses. She forces Andy to agree to the same terms….she asks for “until Christmas” to decide if she’ll marry the guy or be with Andy.
Andy agrees (because maybe potentially-lesbian Brooke is such a great sounding catch, right?), but in a moment of anger, Andy tells Brooke:
“Maybe you’re really scared of finding a woman you really care about, because then you’ll need to be an adult and stop using your indecision as a crutch”
MC Andy is pictured as over-controlling every detail in her life, yet sleeps with Brooke just before her wedding, lets her move in to her apartment (on the sofa) a few days later, and then gives Brooke ultimate control over their budding relationship, agreeing it will be Brooke’s choice whether they are a couple or not. Uncharacteristically flexible, or a badly developed character? I kind of liked Andy (more than Brooke!), but just couldn’t understand her instadevotion to Brooke.
Naturally, Brooke finally tells her fiancé and family she's a lesbian, discovers it’s no big deal, and then tells the ever-waiting Andy that she’s made her decision and we have an HEA ending….with a teaser for the next book.
Audiowise, Ruby Rivers delivers an overly breathy narration with several recording issues. With seven books now on audible.com, author Karis Walsh has now used seven different narrators. As much as the MCs and the narrator annoyed me, I’m still surprised to say that the book was moderately enjoyable. I think I’m just a sucker for stories about women finding happiness together despite meddling family and elements of society wanting women to marry men.
I recommend you read the book rather than listen to it. Overall, “Harmony” earns 4*, barely, because I REALLY recommend you then immediately get the much better sequel: “Improvisation”. It earned 5* despite a mediocre narrator.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2022
Loved this book - classical music, total control ordered life Vs unsure of job, sexuality and clutter. Read 11 of her books now, all 5* with 2: 4*. A class act. Thank you.
November 15, 2015
This is an amazing story. There is a magnificent interweaving between a professional musician and a woman taking a bold step to express and feel her heart's desire. I was astounded and charmed by this book and recommend it to all. Deliciously enveloping!
Andrea Taylor, Andy to most everyone, is the coordinator for a professional quartet that performs at many wedding ceremonies. October Fifth is the handy nickname the quartet has given to the bride to be, Brooke Stanton. That idiosyncrasy of nicknaming the bride by the date of her wedding is just one of several mechanisms that Andy's associate musicians utilize to juggle their various duties. Andy herself is a truly curious, sensitive, and a remarkably intense professional violist. Why she became a violist was a droll tidbit tossed in early on along with her complicated family and the intricate relationships with her orchestral and quartet associates. I also learned that Andy is a somewhat fanatic housekeeper. She and I would have a bit of difficulty in regard to her nearly fanatic neatness. However, I might have been a blessing in comparison to the unexpected roommate that showed up at her door needing at least temporary sanctuary. How these two learn to accept and compromise shared quarters was beguilingly amusing. Andy is a bit of a treasure, clearly an accomplished violist, and more adept at many things than I think she is aware of. Frankly, I was rather impressed by Andy, enchanted by her skills and idiosyncrasies, and somewhat surprised by her attempts to balance so many people and stuff. Startlingly amazing!
Brooke Stanton is a beautiful yet puzzling individual, who initially appears to have let everyone except herself make decisions about her life. Her parents believe that her several years in therapy have wiped clean the icky stain and burden undermining and confusing her. Everyone, even Brooke, is in for a startling revelation at how she chooses to supposedly tie a neat bow around a seemingly unquenchable desire and yearning. Brooke's heart and mind are about to be blown away by what she might have viewed as a bit of an innocuous yet palpably perfect prenuptial appraisal of life from a dramatically different angle. I was dazzled by Brooke's audacity and befuddled by her naiveté. She eventually compounds my astonishment when she lands on Andy's doorstep requesting a variation on asylum. When Brooke eventually learns some profound truths about herself, she might have the tools to positively live her life, to firmly link herself to her true desires, and to finally give birth and power to a fragile and exquisite soul. Stunningly admirable!
I most assuredly recommend this book for the glorious twists and turns and its delightful presentation of music, love, and life. Elegantly extraordinary!
NOTE: This book was provided by Bold Strokes Books for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Andrea Taylor, Andy to most everyone, is the coordinator for a professional quartet that performs at many wedding ceremonies. October Fifth is the handy nickname the quartet has given to the bride to be, Brooke Stanton. That idiosyncrasy of nicknaming the bride by the date of her wedding is just one of several mechanisms that Andy's associate musicians utilize to juggle their various duties. Andy herself is a truly curious, sensitive, and a remarkably intense professional violist. Why she became a violist was a droll tidbit tossed in early on along with her complicated family and the intricate relationships with her orchestral and quartet associates. I also learned that Andy is a somewhat fanatic housekeeper. She and I would have a bit of difficulty in regard to her nearly fanatic neatness. However, I might have been a blessing in comparison to the unexpected roommate that showed up at her door needing at least temporary sanctuary. How these two learn to accept and compromise shared quarters was beguilingly amusing. Andy is a bit of a treasure, clearly an accomplished violist, and more adept at many things than I think she is aware of. Frankly, I was rather impressed by Andy, enchanted by her skills and idiosyncrasies, and somewhat surprised by her attempts to balance so many people and stuff. Startlingly amazing!
Brooke Stanton is a beautiful yet puzzling individual, who initially appears to have let everyone except herself make decisions about her life. Her parents believe that her several years in therapy have wiped clean the icky stain and burden undermining and confusing her. Everyone, even Brooke, is in for a startling revelation at how she chooses to supposedly tie a neat bow around a seemingly unquenchable desire and yearning. Brooke's heart and mind are about to be blown away by what she might have viewed as a bit of an innocuous yet palpably perfect prenuptial appraisal of life from a dramatically different angle. I was dazzled by Brooke's audacity and befuddled by her naiveté. She eventually compounds my astonishment when she lands on Andy's doorstep requesting a variation on asylum. When Brooke eventually learns some profound truths about herself, she might have the tools to positively live her life, to firmly link herself to her true desires, and to finally give birth and power to a fragile and exquisite soul. Stunningly admirable!
I most assuredly recommend this book for the glorious twists and turns and its delightful presentation of music, love, and life. Elegantly extraordinary!
NOTE: This book was provided by Bold Strokes Books for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
April 8, 2013
How do books like this even make it out of the editing stage, and who keeps publishing them! ? Is it THAT hard to write an engaging story with two characters who don't come across as psychopaths?
January 27, 2017
Well written, entertaining and sassy
This is my first book from Karis Walsh and I am looking forward to read more from this author. Well written, I was entertained from the get go. Could actually relate to both main characters. Sassy moments to make it exciting. Great job!
This is my first book from Karis Walsh and I am looking forward to read more from this author. Well written, I was entertained from the get go. Could actually relate to both main characters. Sassy moments to make it exciting. Great job!
August 30, 2011
Product Description from the Boldstrokes Website
Sometimes conformity and control are only shields, and all it takes is the right woman to shatter the illusions forever.
Andrea Taylor craves peace in her life, no matter what the personal sacrifice. She arranges her career as a violist, her relationships with family and friends, and even her love life so she can avoid strife at all costs. Everything is going according to plan until she meets Brooke Stanton the night before Brooke’s wedding rehearsal and her ordered existence falls apart.
When Brooke hires a string quartet to play at her rehearsal dinner, she doesn’t expect to meet a woman who threatens the security of her already predetermined future. Suddenly she has doubts about the conventional path she has chosen and desires she can no longer ignore.
In an eclectic neighborhood in Seattle, Washington, these two women face a life-altering decision—will they fight the attraction that threatens their carefully structured lives or take a chance on finding the harmony only love creates?
Review:
First off let me say that this is a romance novel and as such it follows the typical romance formula. It is definitely light reading, but it’s a romance novel, it’s supposed to be light and have a happy ending. I can’t tell you how many pages it is because Kindle doesn’t tell me. I can tell you that:
I enjoyed the story.
I was able to walk away from the story for reasonable amounts of time (work called) but I looked forward to picking the book back up.
I read it in 7 hours.
If/when the author comes out with another story I’ll give that story a try as well.
One last note, I believe that this is Karis Walsh’s first book. However, it did not have that typical first romance novel feel to it. That’s a compliment.
Sometimes conformity and control are only shields, and all it takes is the right woman to shatter the illusions forever.
Andrea Taylor craves peace in her life, no matter what the personal sacrifice. She arranges her career as a violist, her relationships with family and friends, and even her love life so she can avoid strife at all costs. Everything is going according to plan until she meets Brooke Stanton the night before Brooke’s wedding rehearsal and her ordered existence falls apart.
When Brooke hires a string quartet to play at her rehearsal dinner, she doesn’t expect to meet a woman who threatens the security of her already predetermined future. Suddenly she has doubts about the conventional path she has chosen and desires she can no longer ignore.
In an eclectic neighborhood in Seattle, Washington, these two women face a life-altering decision—will they fight the attraction that threatens their carefully structured lives or take a chance on finding the harmony only love creates?
Review:
First off let me say that this is a romance novel and as such it follows the typical romance formula. It is definitely light reading, but it’s a romance novel, it’s supposed to be light and have a happy ending. I can’t tell you how many pages it is because Kindle doesn’t tell me. I can tell you that:
I enjoyed the story.
I was able to walk away from the story for reasonable amounts of time (work called) but I looked forward to picking the book back up.
I read it in 7 hours.
If/when the author comes out with another story I’ll give that story a try as well.
One last note, I believe that this is Karis Walsh’s first book. However, it did not have that typical first romance novel feel to it. That’s a compliment.
February 17, 2014
Andrea is the violist in a string quartet that earns a living by playing at weddings. She is tasked with coordinating and negotiating with the Bridezilla's, amusingly named by the band by their wedding date. Andrea is the controller; ordered life, organized work, distant `relationship'. But she is also the peacemaker who gives in to her domineering family and demanding lover to stop conflict of any kind. Unlike second violin Tina, Andrea does not mix work with pleasure so despite finding October 5th attractive she would never act on her impulses.
Brook - October 5th - is instantly fascinated by the gorgeous viola player when the meet to discuss the wedding plans, and has to fight down her urge to have one last wild night, one chance to explore what she has never let herself enjoy.
When Brook calls a second meeting with Andi to finalise details of the wedding it will set them up to challenge who they are, and who they want to be.
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This was Karis Walsh's first novel and what a great addition to the LesFic fold. It is very well written and flows effortlessly as it weaves together the story of Brooke and Andi's worlds and their intriguing journey together.
The characters are well rounded and loveable. Ms Walsh has given space to more than just the heroines and we come to know the quartet and their partners, all of whom are likeable and interesting.
Brooks personal journey, struggling to find herself and find a balance between people domineering her and helping her, is a great read. At the same time Andi must also realize how her own behavior has trapped her into a cold world or control which costs her early.
Lovely romance, well paced and an enjoyable read. You spend the whole book wanting to egg them both on. Well recommended.
Brook - October 5th - is instantly fascinated by the gorgeous viola player when the meet to discuss the wedding plans, and has to fight down her urge to have one last wild night, one chance to explore what she has never let herself enjoy.
When Brook calls a second meeting with Andi to finalise details of the wedding it will set them up to challenge who they are, and who they want to be.
--------------
This was Karis Walsh's first novel and what a great addition to the LesFic fold. It is very well written and flows effortlessly as it weaves together the story of Brooke and Andi's worlds and their intriguing journey together.
The characters are well rounded and loveable. Ms Walsh has given space to more than just the heroines and we come to know the quartet and their partners, all of whom are likeable and interesting.
Brooks personal journey, struggling to find herself and find a balance between people domineering her and helping her, is a great read. At the same time Andi must also realize how her own behavior has trapped her into a cold world or control which costs her early.
Lovely romance, well paced and an enjoyable read. You spend the whole book wanting to egg them both on. Well recommended.
July 30, 2023
This is a nice read with pleasant characters who have chemistry together but it doesn’t jump off the page to the reader. Andy is a classical violist and Brooke is in transition. Brooke wants to experience love with a women before she marries the man that she is expected to by her family and friends. Of course, She ends up with Andy who was to play at her wedding. It is a sweet story with lots of communication issues from the start. They try to talk but are coming from very different places in life. Quick read. Takes place in Washington State. New author for me. I will read another of hers shortly.
January 5, 2026
harmony…
Thank you Karis Walsh, this is the first of your books I’ve read. Loved it! Andy’s character is so nuanced, her fears driving her control issues so lovingly laid out. And Brooke was written to perfection! I loved that you took almost the whole book for her to realize that Andy wasn’t controlling her, but helping her towards her desires, with love. A beautiful, moving love story with wonderful musical history and references to make it even better!
Thank you Karis Walsh, this is the first of your books I’ve read. Loved it! Andy’s character is so nuanced, her fears driving her control issues so lovingly laid out. And Brooke was written to perfection! I loved that you took almost the whole book for her to realize that Andy wasn’t controlling her, but helping her towards her desires, with love. A beautiful, moving love story with wonderful musical history and references to make it even better!
June 16, 2014
I liked Harmony. This was my first book by Karis Walsh and I enjoyed reading about Andrea Taylor and Brooke Stanton. I think I finished the story in one sitting as the writing allowed the story to flow along and the characters were engaging. It is one of those dating scenarios where you sleep with someone and then wonder if you could actually have a relationship with them. When they are as different as Andy and Brooke are the balance creates an entertaining story that Walsh accomplishes well. I recommend this to anyone looking for a well put together romance that truly harmonizes the two leading characters.
September 6, 2011
This is a great book and a great debut by this new author. Okay, I admit that I have a thing for classical music so I instantly liked the character who played viola. It's a classic romance, but with a funny twist. This writer knows her characters and develops them well, framing them with great secondary characters. Loved this book and I'm looking forward to the next from Ms. Walsh.
November 6, 2011
This is a really sweet romance. These characters are very appealing and have fabulous chemistry. I really couldn't put it down and it kept me smiling...
July 2, 2012
Loved it...a definite fave
February 15, 2016
I totally relate to Andrea's need for order in her life then Brooke comes into her life like a whirlwind and she's a total mess, but a hot mess at that.
October 25, 2015
2011 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention (5* from at least 1 judge)
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