Love Notes

by Michelle Windsor

Justin Jeffries could be the boy next door. Except for the way he looks when he plays guitar and sings. From the moment I lay eyes on him, I'm lost. Lost in the deep blue eyes that seem to see in me what no one else could. Sydney Porter is everything you'd expect from a small-town girl. But when she opens her perfect, pink mouth and quotes my favorite author, I'm lost. Lost to a voice that seems to speak just to me. After a perfect summer of endless sunny days falling in love, Justin leaves to pursue his dream of becoming a successful song writer. Promises are made to reunite, but when Sydney discovers he's taken something precious from her, all trust is shattered and love is lost. Sydney seeks him out four years later with shocking news, altering both of their lives forever, forcing him to make a choice he never saw coming. What do you do when more than your heart is stolen?

Genres: Music, Second Chance

212 pages, Paperback

Published April 13, 2018

About the author

Michelle Windsor is the author of over a dozen steamy, contemporary romances filled with alpha males and even stronger females.. She has achieved both Amazon and Barnes & Noble International Best Seller status, and was awarded Best Contemporary Romance Writer by Passionate Plume Ink in 2019. Her first book, The Winning Bid, was nominated for the Summit Indie Book Awards by Metamorph Publishing in 2017, and continues to be her best-selling book to date.

Michelle is married with three grown children, and lives north of Boston in the type of suburban neighborhood you read about in sweet romance books. When she’s not working on another book, you can find her spending time with her husband, hanging out with her three sisters, or snuggled up with her three cats, yes three, watching a movie or reading a book.

Reviews

[Dilek VT]

Trust issues, miscommunication... nah... not appealing to me.

Also, I need my HEA. The ending of this book is too sad for me.

[lucie]

DNF @19%

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am still crying an hour after reading the very last words from this book.
I am really not sure how I can find the words to say how I feel right now, but I am an emotional mess.
This is an absolutely Stunning story!! It is all kinds of beautiful, heartwrenching and frustrating all at the same time. I just wanted to scream at Justin and Sydney for wasting so much time and letting the years drift by.,without eachother. After falling blissfully in Love and planning a future together. Justin an aspiring Musician makes a huge mistake in their relationship which ultimately destroys trust and the young couples romance. Sydney is a budding writer and works in the bar where Justin plays every Saturday. I liked Sydney she was sweet and sassy but I felt she was a bit unfair to Justin and the way she handled things between them, giving him an ultimatum, I was annoyed with her because that decision tears them apart. Anyway I can't say too much. If anyone actually does read my review, Read this book for yourself you will not regret it. Michelle Windsor has woven a magnificent tale that will squeeze your heart and hold it hostage. Honestly I can't stop thinking about the outcome of this story it totally floored me.
I Love Justin, he was so torn between his dreams and the woman of his dreams, the Love he had for Sydney was what every girl wants from her man. I felt so bad for him. I think Love Notes teaches us that communication is so important when it comes to any relationship, and to never waste any time Loving eachother, love with all your heart and never waste precious moments on trivial discrepancies. Hang on with both arms to the one you love and don't let them go life is too short.
It has been such a privilege to be able to read this breathtaking, Amazing book. My heart is still aching thinking about all the beautiful moments captured between Justin and Sydney.
I whole heartedly recommend this book. You will need tissues.

[Donna Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Justin and Sydney... I just finished this book and my thoughts are everywhere. I absolutely loved this book. Sydney meets Justin when he sings at the bar that her best friend's mother owns. She and her bestie tend bar. She stutters through a conversation with him and is totally embarrassed by it. But he sees something more in her and asks her out. Their romance is sweet to begin but moves into the hot category quick. The only problem is Justin is moving to Brooklyn at the end of the summer which means they only have a few months. To not fall in love. Fat chance. The chemistry is too strong for them to ignore.
Sydney is a words person. She is an aspiring writer and she's submitted a book to publishing houses. She also has some intersting quotes that she throws at Justin. It's a good thing he is too, being a song writer. But her words call to him when he reads her words. He sets them to music. And that could lead to trouble.
These characters are flawed. The best ones always are. Sydney is put in a tough spot when she hears Justin sing her words but she tries to listen to his side. And Justin is put In a tough spot when Sydney disappears on him. He has made a commitment to be there for her but is held up by the studio. She assumes he's done with her and he assumes the same. it's a long road back for trust to happen again. If it ever fully does. These two characters will stay for a long time in my heart.

[Clare Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow! this is a book that just as you think you have the rythem of it the tempo completely changes and like that person on the dancefloor at the end of a song who doesn't know whether to stay or go you are frozen, speechless, and utterly amazed at what a fantastic book you just read.

Love notes is not all about stardom, and big posh hotels with first class everything it's the little things. The small pub where it all began, the small country girl and what came next.

I don't want to post any spoilers but seriously this is a must read book it has all the feels, and you will struggle to put it down and when you have finished I can guarantee you will feel just how I feel now but the difference is you will be able to voice it whereas I cant.

Michelle Windsor did a fantastic job with this and I for one cant wait to see what she comes up with next!!

[Heather Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book we have a love story for the ages. We have Justin Jefferies, who is 25, and a good country farm boy. Justin loves to sing and play his music. He starts singing at a local bar, where Sydney is working.

Sydney Porter, 23, is a local college grad who is working at a bar and library in town. Sydney wants to become a writer, but is so shy she isn’t sure where her future will lead.

Sydney and Justin have a young love everyone dreams of having. Sydney knows this love can’t be true because they love each other so deeply in such a short amount of time. They are both afraid of this new found love.

Will Justin and be able to work out their romance? Will his new found fame rip them apart? Will Sydney be able to cope with his fame?

I did receive a free ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review I am freely leaving.

[☆☆Hannah☆☆ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Warning: If you are looking for a HEA this is NOT it.

I really hate giving out 1 stars but this author did what I absolutely hate. I don't know why authors can't warn you. It would keep me from reading and being disappointed. I read to get away from the real world so sad endings don't cut it for me. I liked Sydney and Justin so I was sad to see that after they reconnected that their story wasn't a happy one. I will try this author again and hopefully next time there will be a HEA.

[Dusty Summerford (Reviews by Reds) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The words to this book entered through my eyes, wound around my heart, and embedded into my soul. It has been over a week and I still can't read anything else.

Sydney is a small town girl working as a bartender in a local bar with her best friend. When Justin Jeffries takes a singing gig at the bar it ends up as a summer romance that he's not ready for. He leaves in the fall and doesn't want to leave anyone broken hearted. But Sydney isn't just a girl, she's the girl....

This book will open up emotions that you didn't even realize that you have. It is definitely one of my top reads this year!

5 Stars from Reviews By Reds

[Paula (in & out) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a five star read through and through - though technically I should have taken 1 out due to how it ended! People who know me, should know that I need a HEA in my romances and this one didn't quite have it....

Love Notes is a MUST read! It left me crying buckets like a big old baby! This is a sweet love story with absolutely lovable characters and a sad ending, but it somehow worked. I absolutely loved it!

[Marybeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! This book just shredded my heart and really rocked my emotions to the core. I was not expecting this story to go where it went at all. It is very different from any romance I’ve read. Kudos to Michelle Windsor for making this work and taking me on a very unexpected emotional journey.
Justin and Sydney meet one summer and fall in love and it’s sweet and sexy, but that is about where the similarities to your average love story end. I am still trying to process and don’t want to give anything away but it is definitely worth the read!

ARC generously provided by the author for an honest review.

[Laura Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Notes
By: Michelle Windsor
4 Have I told You…Stars

Deep Breaths in… Slowly release…

I picked up my first Michelle Windsor book to read today. I asked for an emotional book and this one paid off. Now I need sparkles and rainbow unicorns to move on….

Sydney is working at a bar, recently a college graduate. Passing the time until she gets word back from the publisher about the book she submitted. Until then, serving drinks with her best friend will make due.

Justin has a goal, move to NYC and cut the album he has been dreaming of. Get signed, make it big and enjoy life. Working on the farm and playing at bars he has saved up enough money to finally say he’s going to NYC!!!

When he gets a new gig in the town over from where he lives, his world is turned upside down.

She’s like an onion… many layers to peel
No wait…
She’s like a flower… waiting to bloom.

He didn’t want to… because he was leaving. He is a good guy and knows she isn’t a summer fling.

The fun times, the sexy times, the surprise visit, the distant, the cruelty of life… It all comes into play with this story. It’s a tough ending but a happy one too. Maybe not the way some would say a happy ending should be but to me it was a happy ending.

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[T. Rosado · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

This is a struggle to review, because I almost put the book down at 50% and DNF'd. Instead I decided to read a chapter at a time between other endeavors and then, fortunately, it started to intrigue me at a rate I could then finish. Mechanically, the writing was great, but the story and character development was a bit simplistic for my taste. It also evolved into an overly clichéd story. The list of romantic clichés are numerous, but in order to not spoil another reader's experience, I won't go into detail. Aside from the clichés, by the end, I did find myself emotionally invested and affected. As for the story conflict - it was frustrating. Although, I did like how the author quickly reconciled the misunderstandings and the characters didn't dwell in the past. Albeit, it took years to get to that point. Overall, the writing mechanics are strong, but it's a story that could use a bit more development and originality. (This is my voluntary and honest review of an advanced copy of Love Notes via Booksprout.)

[Kim Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not even sure I can write a review for this book right now! I have never been so thoroughly gutted emotionally by a story.
Love Notes is a story of the kind of love we all hope to find - love that will stand the test of time. It is the biggest emotional roller coaster I have ever had a book take me on.
When I started reading it, I thought it would be a light-hearted, easy read. The chemistry between Justin and Sydney was so sweet and so pure, and then Michelle smacked me in the face with the rest of the story.
It is raw, gritty and so full of heart! The characters are everything you could want in a story. It is heartbreakingly beautiful and will leave you with a book hangover.

[Danielle Spellbound Stories · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!!!



As a reader and blogger, I had not previously heard of Michelle Windsor. However, I saw the availability to read and review this book for bloggers and I love rockstar romance, so it was easy for me to jump in feet first with the new-to-me-author. Michelle Windsor writes a fantastic second chance romance about the boy next door falling for a small-town girl. I LOVED our hero Justin Jefferies and our heroine Sydney Porter. Justin is the talented guitarist who wants to become a song writer and ultimately leaves behind the love he found with Sydney to pursue his dreams.



Since the blurb for this story prepares readers to expect a time lapse of 4 years, you know that this couple will be reconnecting. The question ultimately is whether together they can move past their fears and his fame in order to come together once and for all. I loved this plot. It was moving…starting of sweet and evolving when their second chance at love irrevocably binds them again. Michelle Windsor wrote characters that I could see and feel a connection with. I was instantly invested proceeded to finish this heart wrenching and beautiful story in one sitting. While it didn’t consume me to the point of a out and out book hangover, I did cry and have to take a few deep breaths to get through some of Love Notes. I was completely enthralled within the covers of the story and would HIGHLY recommend Love Notes by Michelle Windsor to anyone willing to listen...



I was given a bloggers copy of Love Notes to read and I am so thankful to the author and the PR company for the opportunity to read Michelle Windsor’s words…they were beautiful and I look forward to reading more work by her in the near future!

[Jamie Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG the tears.....

This book was so freaking good. I want to give a shout out to my book buddy Kathy A. For messaging me at 3:30 in the morning saying she couldn't stop crying. And that I had to read this book. And now I am writing this review with tears falling down my cheeks.
This was an amazing book. When a book can make you feel, cry, rejoice and cry again that is an amazing thing. This author definitely did her job on this one. This is an unconventional, break your heart love story. The storyline flows brilliantly. I am not going to give it away so I am leaving this review as it stands right now!! Just know if you want a beautifully written story, then READ this book.
Thanks Jamie Nibarger Ellis

[Ivy Blacke · Rating 5 out of 5]

One word......never! A thousand words could never describe this book. Michelle Windsor you made me fall in love with Justin and Sydney. You made me believe in a true gentleman. You made me see how not talking things out can lead to misconceptions and you made me cry big fat ugly tears. If I didn't love you so much, I'd be mad at you for how you broke me with your words your story and the Love Notes.

This book..... I started it yesterday afternoon and could not sleep.....I wanted to finish it. Got up this morning and finished it. This one will ruin you....but in the best possible way. True love is powerful.....we all deserve to be loved like Sydney was. And to the men like Justin......I know you are out there somewhere.......

[Paula D · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful, heartbreaking story! I’m sitting here bawling my eyes out and amazed with the author’s words that made me feel every characters feelings through out this book. Sydney is this shy, awkward woman but knows what she wants at the same time. Justin is this sexy guitarist singer who wants to become big and has been saving his money. Two people that have opposite goals but will it all change? I got goosebumps while reading this book and had to take couple breathers from crying so much. Definitely a book that will always be close to my heart forever. “Have I ever told you that I love you?” 5/5 fox stars ****Reviewed by Sweet & Spicy Reads a voluntarily Advanced Reader Copy of this book ****

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Where Do I Begin" - This quote is not from the book and most of you won't understand it, however if you are old enough, you will get the gut-wrenching inference. I was not expecting the depth of love between Justin & Sydney's relationship, their flirty beginning, to the friendship and ultimately falling in love. A very believable romance with a wonderful supporting character, Sydney's bff Kelly. Just have the tissues ready.

[Excessive~Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story just floored me. I seriously recommend Love Notes. This is now one of my top ugly cry books.
The characters were easy to love, the story flow was fantastic, and the development was spot on. I got the warning from the author that this book is a love story but it’s not a HEA romance readers are used to. But If you like swoony guys, hot musicians, sexy farms, and a love story you’ll never forget...than this book is a must read.

As an after thought there is one downside I need to mark for confusion clear up. There is POV changes, sometimes mid chapter. It’s split with a pretty musical note 🎼 however not every chapter break is a new voice. So a character title would have been much appreciated throughout the book.

[Amber | aambuurreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had me in a serious chokehold. There was this buildup of tension in me and I knew it was going to explode! Michelle Windsor did a fantastic job in structuring this musician meets small-town gal love story. They fell in love and had a whirlwind romance; that one of a kind love we crave as humans. And life just happens.
It was a beautiful romance. Justin Jeffries... with a name like that, you know he's special!
Loved, loved, loved!

[Treasa · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEAUTIFUL! ❤BREATHTAKING!❤SPEECHLESS!

I LOVED IT! You will not be able to read this without an entire box of tissues!
A beautifully written raw read! You will fall in love as the story unfolds pulling you deep into its grasp then it will rip your heart to shreds never letting up till the very last page and your still broken and crying your heart out! An electrifying sweet intense read that will send you on an emotional rollercoaster ride you will not be able to overcome! A riveting page turner that is impossible to put down! An amazing must read that will stick with you long after you finish the last page! I LOVED IT!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book by Michelle Windsor. Love Notes is a beautiful love story about love, love loss, and forgiveness. Justin and Sydney and their story will pull at your heartstrings throughout the entire book, but for different reasons. Be ready to ride the roller coaster of emotions. Michelle Windsor does a fantastic job of pulling every emotion available from you while reading and then manages to help you put it all back together by the very end. You will want to finish this book as soon as you start. Thank you for this beautiful story!

I voluntarily reviewed as advanced copy of this book.

[Often Sarcastic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not crying.... you're crying!! OMG....this book has all the feels, sexy guitarist Justin (yum) and aspiring author Sydney are so in love ❤. Their relationship is the type that makes you love "love". Both captivating and heartbreaking their story will stir up every emotion inside of you. This is a definite must-read.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book , once I started this story I read it in one sitting. If I could rated it higher than 5 stars I would. One moment you are smiling and so happy for Justin and Sydney then the next, I wanted to chuck my kindle . When I got to the last few pages of this book I couldn't stop the tears from flowing. The author made you feel the emotions that the characters were feeling. Such a beautiful love story , but make sure you have some tissues handy.

[Darja Drakšič · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book

When you prepare yourself for another romance from favourite author, fall in love with characters in the first chapter and then ....
Seems like the author poured the hearts and souls of soooo many people in this book.
It is impossible to write anything from the contents without spoilers, so let just say - amazing!!!

[poppy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a really good sweet romance then you should give this book a read but your gonna need the tissues for this one.So well written with a fantastic storyline and great characters this is one that you will want to read again and again.I would recommend this to all.I just loved it.

[Laila Viking · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hated the ending of the story but I loved the rest. It is so well written and the words made me cry. The writing style and the description of the characters was so intense and engaging. I could not stop reading until I finished it. Wow.
A romance that will take you by storm.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never knew one line could rip my heart out and shatter it into a million falling tears! This book has done that and I loved it at the same time! My wors of advice: Grab a box of tissues before reading!

[Mayra M · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Angela K Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful story with a bittersweet ending. You'll laugh and cry and be frustrated, but such is life. Everything isn't always rainbows and roses. If you're looking for something sweet and sour to dive into, read Love Notes.