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The Spellbinder's Sonata
Griffin Dunn is a brilliant piano virtuoso and a guest at the lavish Byrons estate. When his callous treatment of the Byrons’ son leads to the child’s death, the boy’s mysterious nanny places a dark curse on Griffin, binding his soul to the mansion until true love finds him.
Kate Covington has always been an outsider, but she’s determined to make it as a clarinetist at The Byrons School of Music. She’s heard strains of the ghostly piano during her early morning rehearsals, but no way is she letting those creep-tastic compositions distract her. Not even when a hot, pompous jerk named Griff shows up and calls her an imposter.
Over one hundred years have passed and Griffin’s given up on love finding him—until he meets Kate. The instant their paths cross, he transforms from a spirit to a living, breathing man. It’s obvious she’s the one he’s been waiting for. But though the pair falls in love, they discover the curse isn’t as straightforward as it seemed. As dark magic awakens in the Byrons School, they’ll have one chance to break Griffin’s curse, or else he’ll be trapped . . . forever.
Beauty and the Beast meets The Phantom of the Opera in this modern, unconventional fairy tale.
Kate Covington has always been an outsider, but she’s determined to make it as a clarinetist at The Byrons School of Music. She’s heard strains of the ghostly piano during her early morning rehearsals, but no way is she letting those creep-tastic compositions distract her. Not even when a hot, pompous jerk named Griff shows up and calls her an imposter.
Over one hundred years have passed and Griffin’s given up on love finding him—until he meets Kate. The instant their paths cross, he transforms from a spirit to a living, breathing man. It’s obvious she’s the one he’s been waiting for. But though the pair falls in love, they discover the curse isn’t as straightforward as it seemed. As dark magic awakens in the Byrons School, they’ll have one chance to break Griffin’s curse, or else he’ll be trapped . . . forever.
Beauty and the Beast meets The Phantom of the Opera in this modern, unconventional fairy tale.
426 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 28, 2018
98 people are currently reading
261 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Keyes
17 books165 followersAuthor Stephanie Keyes is a geek, a dreamer, and a hopeful romantic who writes books ranging from young adult fantasy to adult contemporary romance. Keyes won the RONE Award for Best YA Book of 2019 and took 2nd place in the Romance Writers of America Athena Awards For Excellence in NA & YA Fiction, both for The Spellbinder’s Sonata. As a romance author, she was a finalist in the 2018 International Book Awards for her debut romance, The Internship of Pippa Darling. In addition, she has also written under the pen name Gemma McKay.
Steph is a Product Manager, teacher, and speaker. She lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her husband and two boys. When she's not writing, Steph plays the clarinet, reads constantly, paints, and loves game night with the rest of the fam. Fun fact: Steph's pen surname (Keyes) is borrowed from her great-great-great-grandfather John Keyes, who was forced to abandon it to avoid persecution in Ireland over two hundred years ago.
Steph is a Product Manager, teacher, and speaker. She lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her husband and two boys. When she's not writing, Steph plays the clarinet, reads constantly, paints, and loves game night with the rest of the fam. Fun fact: Steph's pen surname (Keyes) is borrowed from her great-great-great-grandfather John Keyes, who was forced to abandon it to avoid persecution in Ireland over two hundred years ago.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
July 8, 2019
I just finished reading this. Guys my heart ❤️ I absolutely loved it! It’s such a great book! I know I will be revisiting this world again every time I’m in a reading slump or just wanting to read about their emotional story😍. I fell in love with Griffin🥰, but I love Kate also it’s an emotional roller coaster, but it’s great though. I highly recommend it.
September 16, 2020
INCREDIBLE!❤ENTHRALLING!
A whirlwind of a read that will leave you breathless as the intoxicating storyline grabs hold of you keeping you hostage feeding you a non-stop bundle of gripping twists sending your emotions into a spiraling flurry of distress on pins and needles then picking you up flying high in the clouds only to send you pummeling out of control all over again! Intense, edgy, erie, breathtaking, heartpounding, angst, sassy, exciting, a myriad of emotions, crazy twisted suspense and hard to put down! Passionate moving chemistry! An emotionally driven must read!
A whirlwind of a read that will leave you breathless as the intoxicating storyline grabs hold of you keeping you hostage feeding you a non-stop bundle of gripping twists sending your emotions into a spiraling flurry of distress on pins and needles then picking you up flying high in the clouds only to send you pummeling out of control all over again! Intense, edgy, erie, breathtaking, heartpounding, angst, sassy, exciting, a myriad of emotions, crazy twisted suspense and hard to put down! Passionate moving chemistry! An emotionally driven must read!
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August 29, 2020I am so excited to bring you The Spellbinder's Sonata. It's a tale set in my hometown and inspired by a building I attended music school in! It's spooky, but not horror. A romance, but one with witches, a sort-of ghost, and characters who have to start out broken to become whole. Happy reading!
xoxo
Steph
xoxo
Steph
December 26, 2018
My favorite Keyes book yet: a ghost story set in contemporary Pittsburgh, where we meet two engaging main characters whose musical obsessions kindle a wonderful slow-burn romance. Even more tantalizing is the mounting feeling of doom as the sweethearts slowly unravel the tangled threads that link his tragic destiny with her mysterious heritage.
August 21, 2019
I dont even remember if i have read from Stephanie Keyes before but dang this book is good. It is supernatural and it is truly satisfying. A young musician been cursed by a witch and was sentence to be a ghost -not truly a ghost i daresay not?. Until true loves comes to hit him-again..my word a bit dramatic are they not?. Something different from the fairy tale but i am fully satisfied.
July 22, 2020
Enjoyable read
I would consider it a beauty and the beast but with maturity. Well written story that keeps you wanting more.
I would consider it a beauty and the beast but with maturity. Well written story that keeps you wanting more.
October 27, 2018
Geat writing style. Lots of twists and a very emotional story. I enjoyed this story and will be looking for more books from this author.
I received a copy of this book from Book Spout
I received a copy of this book from Book Spout
October 12, 2020
Greatly enjoyed this book, especially since I live in Pittsburgh!
September 26, 2020
This book was absolutely wonderful! A quick read that I couldn't put down. The characters were well rounded, the plot kept me engaged and the ending was satisfying in the best ways.
July 30, 2020
A refreshing story about the purity of "impossible love"
The character development in this book is wonderful. I cared about these people and wanted them to succeed! A very good read I didn't want to put down.
The character development in this book is wonderful. I cared about these people and wanted them to succeed! A very good read I didn't want to put down.
November 22, 2018
This is the first book I have read by Stephanie Keyes, and I am so glad that I did. This is a paranormal romance story which captured my attention immediately. I quickly became enthralled with the main characters Katherine and Griffin. This felt like a sorrowful dance as they ebbed and flowed towards each other. There must of been a great deal of research done in this world of classical music, including the areas the storyline took place. This definitely enhanced the world building of this novel. What really touched me was the realism of the emotions I laughed, I cried and I grieved with these characters. This author has an exceptional talent to be able to transfer this into the written word. This storyline offers you mystery, suspense, retaliation, death alongside romance, love and magic. It is a gripping story that had me guessing to the end and kept me awake into the early hours of the morning as I was compelled to finish this as quickly as possible, and I enjoyed every minute. I will definitely look out for other work by Stephanie Keyes
April 19, 2020
ALL THE STARS! I'M GIVING THIS BOOK ALL THE STARS!!!
Okay so maybe this is just my undying love for Beauty & the Beast and Phantom of the Opera but this book was too good for words. Like it perfectly blended the stories but added something completely new to both. The ending was nearly perfect and not a cop-out. The writing was spectacular. I could rant about my love for this book for days.
There were only two minuscule issues I could find with it. One is the ages. They are like 16 in the book. I know Griffin's over a hundred but 16 just seems a bit young to be making these life-changing decisions. That's just my own issue though. The second is that while the ending was not a cop-out, it didn't completely tie up the loose end of one specific character (not going to give names) which I found a bit annoying.
But those two things aside, this book had me fangirl screaming at every chapter and I absolutely freaking adored this book!
Okay so maybe this is just my undying love for Beauty & the Beast and Phantom of the Opera but this book was too good for words. Like it perfectly blended the stories but added something completely new to both. The ending was nearly perfect and not a cop-out. The writing was spectacular. I could rant about my love for this book for days.
There were only two minuscule issues I could find with it. One is the ages. They are like 16 in the book. I know Griffin's over a hundred but 16 just seems a bit young to be making these life-changing decisions. That's just my own issue though. The second is that while the ending was not a cop-out, it didn't completely tie up the loose end of one specific character (not going to give names) which I found a bit annoying.
But those two things aside, this book had me fangirl screaming at every chapter and I absolutely freaking adored this book!
October 27, 2018
Griffin was 16, a spoiled prodigee, who without wanting to became the reason for a small boy's death. The boy's nanny cursed and killed him for vengance. That was 1902. More than 100 years later, the old mansion was converted into a conservatory and Griffin is a resident ghost.
When he sees Kate, he is shocked, as she looks very similar to the woman who cursed him. But when he obersves her he falls in love with her and she with him. Plus, when together he is alive again for a short time.
Piecing the history and the curse together and trying to end the curse so they could be together for eternity becomes their main goal. And time is running out. It is a wonderful story, haunting, romantic and at the same time like a cozy mystery with interesting characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
When he sees Kate, he is shocked, as she looks very similar to the woman who cursed him. But when he obersves her he falls in love with her and she with him. Plus, when together he is alive again for a short time.
Piecing the history and the curse together and trying to end the curse so they could be together for eternity becomes their main goal. And time is running out. It is a wonderful story, haunting, romantic and at the same time like a cozy mystery with interesting characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 13, 2018
The book is a good teen and young adult paranormal romance read. The book is a good read for readers that are fans of The Vampire Diaries or The Phantom of The Opera. The story has an intoxicating story line. The characters are good, and they have good chemistry. The story is intense, edgy, erie, breathtaking, heart pounding, angst, sassy, exciting, myriad of emotions, crazy twisted, suspense, paranormal, romance read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 15, 2020
This spellbinding book was a great read. I often end up coming back to the magic of the story. When souls are destined to be no matter what time and fate sends their way destiny will always have its play.
The Spellbinder's Sonata was as Romanic and tragic as The Phantom of the Opera and captures the assents of Beauty and the Beast. I would put this on a must read for a love story.
The Spellbinder's Sonata was as Romanic and tragic as The Phantom of the Opera and captures the assents of Beauty and the Beast. I would put this on a must read for a love story.
October 26, 2018
I love a good ghost story and love a good romance just as much. The Spellbinder's Sonata was both. And to top it off there were fairytale nods throughout - Ryder was so Gaston! Highly recommend! Just get the tissues ready because you'll need them for the end.
February 13, 2019
4.5/5.0
“The Spellbinder’s Sonata” is a beautifully written piece weaving the everyday together with the supernatural.
Read full review in the 2019 February issue of InD'tale Magazine.
“The Spellbinder’s Sonata” is a beautifully written piece weaving the everyday together with the supernatural.
Read full review in the 2019 February issue of InD'tale Magazine.
April 7, 2020
Very thoughtful read
The best part of this book is that the story felt real (supernatural yes, but real). I loved Griffin as a character, great growth there. I would recommend this to anyone who just wants a good read.
The best part of this book is that the story felt real (supernatural yes, but real). I loved Griffin as a character, great growth there. I would recommend this to anyone who just wants a good read.
March 23, 2020
A really good book. Definitely an interesting book and one I thoroughly enjoyed reading!
June 25, 2020
I seriously loved this book I never thought that it was so romantic and heartbreaking at the same time and I love how Griffin and Kate fell in love with each other ❤❤❤❤❤❤
March 31, 2021
4.5 stars out of 5.
I went in expecting a pretty light and fun read (plus, Phantom of the Opera meets Beauty and the Beast, what's not to love?), but this book turned out to be way deeper than I expected. Characters are well-rounded and interesting, the romance is lovely, and as someone who played the violin for ten years when I was a child then a teen, it's really refreshing to read a book that happens in a music school setting that's actually an accurate depiction of what they're like (yes, Scales were terrible). Of course, since my brain is still wired to think about practice, I kept wondering when Kate would ever actually practice or if she does it "off-screen", but blame that on me reading too many a joke on how musicians practice 40 hours a day.
The 0,5 star missing is due to how I do think the story would have benefitted from the two leads being older than 16, although the parts from Kate's point of view did sound like how a 16-year-old would think. (Griffin, I'm not sure, because unfortunately, I don't know enough centuries-old ghosts who died at 16 to give an accurate estimate.)
All in all, I would definitely recommend this to anyone who wants a good modern day retelling of POTO and BATB - it's definitely one of the better ones I've come across in the last few years, and I'll probably check out this author's other books as well.
I went in expecting a pretty light and fun read (plus, Phantom of the Opera meets Beauty and the Beast, what's not to love?), but this book turned out to be way deeper than I expected. Characters are well-rounded and interesting, the romance is lovely, and as someone who played the violin for ten years when I was a child then a teen, it's really refreshing to read a book that happens in a music school setting that's actually an accurate depiction of what they're like (yes, Scales were terrible). Of course, since my brain is still wired to think about practice, I kept wondering when Kate would ever actually practice or if she does it "off-screen", but blame that on me reading too many a joke on how musicians practice 40 hours a day.
The 0,5 star missing is due to how I do think the story would have benefitted from the two leads being older than 16, although the parts from Kate's point of view did sound like how a 16-year-old would think. (Griffin, I'm not sure, because unfortunately, I don't know enough centuries-old ghosts who died at 16 to give an accurate estimate.)
All in all, I would definitely recommend this to anyone who wants a good modern day retelling of POTO and BATB - it's definitely one of the better ones I've come across in the last few years, and I'll probably check out this author's other books as well.
December 14, 2021
Really loved this take of the Beauty and the Beast /Phantom of the Opera stories! I loved the idea of this piano playing ghost haunting a music school, scaring the students, until he found love.
I really liked the build of the paranormal romance between ghost and piano virtuoso, Griffin, and clarinet student, Kate. They were not fans of each other at first. And Griffin didn’t really pay much attention to her. But then he heard her play and felt compelled to help her improve her clarinet playing. Together they start to play beautiful duets and get to know each other’s stories. And, in turn, working together to unravel the mystery behind his curse.
The supernatural twists on Kate’s past were a really nice connection to what had happened to Griffin and helped explain more why they might be drawn to each other.
The story felt like a slow waltz between Griffin’s sad situation and Kate dealing with the loss of her father that brings the two characters closer, while also having sass and humor when they venture off the school grounds into a world Griffin has only glimpse through windows. Buses and coffee? Griffin is experiencing the modern world for the first time and that’s really fun!
Very satisfying paranormal romance that makes me want to read more from this author!
I really liked the build of the paranormal romance between ghost and piano virtuoso, Griffin, and clarinet student, Kate. They were not fans of each other at first. And Griffin didn’t really pay much attention to her. But then he heard her play and felt compelled to help her improve her clarinet playing. Together they start to play beautiful duets and get to know each other’s stories. And, in turn, working together to unravel the mystery behind his curse.
The supernatural twists on Kate’s past were a really nice connection to what had happened to Griffin and helped explain more why they might be drawn to each other.
The story felt like a slow waltz between Griffin’s sad situation and Kate dealing with the loss of her father that brings the two characters closer, while also having sass and humor when they venture off the school grounds into a world Griffin has only glimpse through windows. Buses and coffee? Griffin is experiencing the modern world for the first time and that’s really fun!
Very satisfying paranormal romance that makes me want to read more from this author!
November 6, 2018
This was such a wonderful heart warming book. Such wonderful characters and the story line was something that you can just see playing out in your mind! Griffin, an arrogant pianist from early 1900's, pretty much makes the wrong person mad. Tragedy strikes after he performs and he is cursed for life to haunt the very house he performed in. Kate, strong willed and determined to make it in the music world, meets Griffin and strange things happen. Griffin and Kate play off each other wonderfully. The chemistry between them is so energetic. When they both realize they have fallen in love with each other brings tears to ones eyes. Then she finds out her family secret and that just starts a whole new mission for her. Through all the struggle they have had, they get their happy ending and I for one loved it. You will not be disappointed in this book one minute!!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 27, 2021
Interesting modern fairy tale
Quick! Add a reference for all the Phans who are here because the ad said similar to Phantom!
"I took her hand in mine, noting her long, slender fingers. Fingers she’d run through my hair earlier. But that had been five, no ten minutes ago. We’d past the point of no return."
Grammatical error? Yes. But my Phan heart still squeed in recognition.
This is a modern fairy tale with a dark beginning, romance, a curse, a missing parent, witches, and more. The adoration for music oozes from every page, beautifully portrayed. I enjoy Griffin's take on modern devices more than I should, such as a seller phone. The author's note about how much of her personal experiences were woven into the story is interesting as well.
Quick! Add a reference for all the Phans who are here because the ad said similar to Phantom!
"I took her hand in mine, noting her long, slender fingers. Fingers she’d run through my hair earlier. But that had been five, no ten minutes ago. We’d past the point of no return."
Grammatical error? Yes. But my Phan heart still squeed in recognition.
This is a modern fairy tale with a dark beginning, romance, a curse, a missing parent, witches, and more. The adoration for music oozes from every page, beautifully portrayed. I enjoy Griffin's take on modern devices more than I should, such as a seller phone. The author's note about how much of her personal experiences were woven into the story is interesting as well.
March 14, 2019
Spooky Good
I really enjoyed this book. Easy to read and great story line. I loved the plot and ending. Definitely a book I would pass along to anyone. I’m into paranormal books and the stuff in this book was good but also some what believable. The characters were great to follow and not in anyway boring. I might have wanted a bit more info on Kates family but the plot twists were decent.
I really enjoyed this book. Easy to read and great story line. I loved the plot and ending. Definitely a book I would pass along to anyone. I’m into paranormal books and the stuff in this book was good but also some what believable. The characters were great to follow and not in anyway boring. I might have wanted a bit more info on Kates family but the plot twists were decent.
June 10, 2019
Excellent mashup
This book is a balanced mix of Beauty & The Beast, Phantom of the Opera, and some good old fashioned ghosts. While longer in page count than others, the pace stays consistent throughout by giving plenty of detail and alternating perspective without rushing through things to the end. Since I didn't have the chance to get bored, I'm glad to have finally finished so I can focus on real life again.
This book is a balanced mix of Beauty & The Beast, Phantom of the Opera, and some good old fashioned ghosts. While longer in page count than others, the pace stays consistent throughout by giving plenty of detail and alternating perspective without rushing through things to the end. Since I didn't have the chance to get bored, I'm glad to have finally finished so I can focus on real life again.
October 26, 2018
The Spellbinder's Sonata by Stephanie Keyes is an amazing story writen by an author I never read before this story. I am so glad that I got to read this story it is an emotional roller coaster threw the whole story and I loved it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 29, 2018
He is a great pianist and he is a guest but he is cursed after being cruel to the child who then dies. The curse will be broken by true love but there will be a twist. It is not going to be so easy. See how hard it is going to be
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 26, 2019
Sweet
This was a sweet story and had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. It was so hard to put down. I absolutely love Kate and Griffin. I was disappoiinted with the premarital sex but it was fade to black so still about a pg13 rating. Aside from this the story was amazing and I really did love it.
This was a sweet story and had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. It was so hard to put down. I absolutely love Kate and Griffin. I was disappoiinted with the premarital sex but it was fade to black so still about a pg13 rating. Aside from this the story was amazing and I really did love it.
January 2, 2023
This was such a wonderful book. It kept popping up on my Facebook feed during the pandemic so once I got on Kindle Unlimited I borrowed it to read. This was a great story that brought the past and the present together. It was a sweet, slow burn romance between two people from two different eras. I highly recommend this book for lovers of romance, the arts and adult fairy tales.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews