Duet Rubato

The Dueling Hearts #1

by Claerie Kavanaugh

Will a return to the stage bring love or heartbreak?
Ten years after a near-fatal accident almost ended her musical theater career, Catie Klarken is still struggling to keep a roof over her daughter's head. Landing the lead in a musical is the break she needs to get her life back on track. Everything hinges on this production.
But being in the show comes with its own set of problems. The assistant director is none other than her ex-girlfriend, Addie. Catie can't afford to walk away, but working with her old flame threatens to break down the walls she's built around her heart. The show must go on, but only Catie can decide if their relationship deserves an encore after the final bow.

347 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 18, 2019

About the author

Claerie Kavanaugh has spent most of her life telling stories, but she never imagined herself writing romance. In fact, she used to think it should only be reserved for Hallmark movies. It wasn't until college, when she discovered fanfiction, that she learned what romance was truly about: not just fluffy relationships and happily ever afters, but human connection, the desire to push one another to be better, and create hope that somewhere, somehow, everyone has someone.
When she's not writing, she loves to travel and explore new cultures, helping other authors polish their works as a freelance editor, and singing while doing so. Broadway musicals are her soul-food, something her mother and sister know well. She constantly blasts the newest soundtrack through the halls of their Missouri home, much to the chagrin of her very sassy and spoiled cat.

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this one. Unfortunately it didn't happen. In one of the flashbacks Addie pressures Catie into not aborting and explains she has no intention to help raise someone else's child. I didn't continue after that.

[Kexx · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite a difficult read - not in content but how it flowed. Didn't really warm to either main character... and the rest weren't much better. Won't be queuing up for the sequel.

[Sandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had a hard time with the flow of the story. The main characters had very little chemistry and they talked around each other not to each other. After 9 years apart, even with a bad breakup, you would think they would try and ease into the issues between them. Throw in a demanding Director and even the relief being in the theatre should create doesn’t happen. Add a bratty kid, father of said kid who has mean but wealthy parents and you get an awful lot of angst. The MC’s work on their issues but there is very little triumph at the end.

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review and feedback.

[Mari Stark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the debut novel of this author and got to say I like her writing style, how she developed the storyline and how she describes the characters. I liked as well the alternating point of view, this way we have a better interpretation of the whole story, their past and experiences.

It is an intriguing second chance romance. I really enjoyed the story of Catherine (Catie) and Adaline (Addie), I liked their chemistry very much. We get a bit of drama, tension, intrigue, romance, high emotions, high spirited characters, theatre life, stage, fears and a lot of miscommunication. These are undoubtedly the right elements for an excellent book.

The pace of the story is good; I liked how Claerie drives us through the past and present to discover the real story along with them and learn what happened in between. I was so immersed with the story that more than once I wanted to shake, smack or do something to the leading characters and make them talk to each other, communicate. There’s nothing better than to feel part of the story and “talk” to the characters. Means the book is engaging and the story captivating, something this book definitely is.

I enjoyed it very much and every time I had to put the book down (just because life happens), I looked forward to picking it up again and getting back ASAP into the story.

I truly enjoyed this book and is one I’d gladly like to recommend. I will for sure be looking more from this author


I received an ARC copy of the book and voluntarily leaving my review.

[Ally Aldridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the conflict from their unresolved history and the ending left me with happy vibes. There were some strong feels throughout the book as the couple went through highs and plenty of lows as they made their way to their long awaited Happy Ever After.

I think this novel will appeals to fans of these genres but also anyone who loves the theatre as there are references to famous plays made between the characters and inside jokes.

Visit my blog for the full review: https://allyaldridge.wordpress.com

[Killian Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a beautiful love story, I couldn't put it down! I love how everything relates to musicals, and the fluidity of the voice itself is enough for me to keep reading Claerie Kavanaugh's books. It has drama, sass, and complicated characters that could be made into a T.V series. It's been a long time since I've found an author voice that I can really fall in love with.

I'm not easily persuaded by reviews, so I want to say that despite having read some of the reviews on here prior to reading this book, I feel like something needs to be mentioned.
(Beware of spoilers in my next few lines)


I want to say that the premise of this book has absolutely nothing to do with abortions. The character was remembering something that had crossed her mind a long time ago because she made a terrible mistake in cheating on her partner and getting pregnant. It would have been a lie to leave out the fact that an abortion crossed her mind. The other character was making her consider the consequences of putting her career before her family because it was something she would unconsciously do often. She does state that she will also not raise someone else's child. In my opinion, to put a book down because of this is short-sighted. This book reflects on how they both made mistakes in different things, especially since that character regretted every word she had told her years later. The main character decided to keep the baby, out of her own choices. Please remember, these are just characters. I did not detect an ulterior motive in this book.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good debut novel!

Told in dual POVs, we follow the lives of ballerina/singer Catie and singer/dancer Lyn who had been a couple ten years before. However, through a career ending accident and a very unexpected pregnancy, Catie never thought she would be on stage again. At her wit's end, barely eking out a living, and in fear of her nine year old daughter being taken from her, Catie auditions for Wicked and is shocked to run into Addie/Lyn, now the Assistant Director of the theater, no longer an actress.

The past ten years have filled both these women with many fears and misconceptions, but their connection to one another is undeniable. Ms. Kavanaugh writes with raw emotion, sass and tension that makes it difficult to put down the book. And as a musical theater lover, I truly enjoyed all the behind the scenes making of the production. I enjoyed this story very much,; however, another round of editing was needed. (Chord, not cord; brake, not break are just a couple of examples.). Overall, a very good debut novel.

[Bekah | Bekah’s Bookshelves Hosford · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Duet Rubato, the first installment in Claerie Kavanaugh’s Dueling Hearts Saga, Catie’s life is nothing like she thought it would be while studying dance in school. She dreamed of being a professional dancer, and she was for awhile. Then, somewhere among becoming pregnant, breaking up with her girlfriend, and a life-altering accident, everything fell apart. Now, she’s working a crappy job, living paycheck to paycheck and trying to provide the best life for her daughter Lyssa. With the threat of Lyssa’s grandparents taking her away, Catie knows she needs a solid income. When a production of Wicked: The Musical comes to town, Catie jumps at a second chance at being on stage. She wasn’t expecting a second chance at love, but upon bumping into her former flame Lyn, it was as if fate was telling her to that all of her dreams could still come true. Lyn can barely believe it when Catie drops back into her life. Can they both put their past behind them, and find their own perfect finale?

In this engrossing contemporary romance novel, we follow the lives of Katherine (Catie) and Adaline (Lyn). Told in alternating points-of-view, we delve into their past, experiencing their love when it was new and then again as they try to heal the wounds left by their breakup and life events since they’d last spoken. Trust and communication do not come easily. Catie and Lyn constantly miscommunicate, make assumumptions, and fight. They are also both battling personal issues. While the drama is a little contrived and, at times, unrealistic, the plot is still entertaining (as is typical of most romance novels).

I love romance novels, but I usually don’t stray too far from Regency Historical Romance Novels. They are always the perfect blend of historical fiction, romance, and ridiculousness. They make me so warm and fuzzy–like a Hallmark Movie, of which Duet Rubato is reminiscent. Although, Duet Rubato incorporates more diversity since it has a black protagonist and the couple is LGBTQ.

Those who enjoy contemporary romance novels as well as theater enthusiasts will enjoy this novel. Overall, some of the drama was just a bit too much for me, and I couldn’t suspend my disbelief, which is why I have given it a rating of 3.5/5 stars.

[Doug Elliott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting main characters supported by a decent cast of secondaries. The main characters have complex back stories which are not entirely explained. There is also an awful lot of bouncing back and forth between speaking to each other and not speaking to each other, which is a little confusing in spots. Overall a decent read.

[Gwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author and I'm happy to give my honest review.

I have been really enjoying LGBQT books and I was excited when Claerie offered me an early copy of her book Duet Rubato. I read this in one sitting and really enjoyed the second chance romance.

Catie and Addie were best friends before a fight tore them apart. Catie is a mom whose life changed drastically after a dancing accident. She has been struggling to find a solid income to support her daughter and is afraid her daughter's grandparents will take her away. She catches a break in a role in Wicked and meets up with Addie the assistant director.

Although I liked the story, I did struggle with the author's character building and contrived drama. The characters felt a little two dimensions and very immature. At one point Catie left her daughter at the school because she was upset, telling her to call her dad. That wasn't an action I could believe a parent who is afraid of losing her child would do. Addie was also quick to make judgments and slow to forgive so her character was kind of frustrating. I also really didn't like the daughter's grandparents, like at all. The story wasn't ruined for me and I'm glad I got a chance to read it.

Check this book out if you like lesbian second chance romance which musicals/dancing.

[Karin Aston · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sassy second chance romance sucks you right in from the start and holds you tight till the very end. The story alternated between the two characters’ points of view which gives the reader a chance to really get to know their personalities and develop a bond with them as the story progresses. The characters. Adaline and Catherine, have a deep backstory, both together and apart, and it was great to see how they were confronted with each other, and their pasts, to try and forge a new relationship. And save their careers at the same time. Addie and Cate have a lot of trauma and heartache to deal with and you really feel for their struggles but, at times, I really just wanted to smack them over their heads, lock them in a room and not let them out until they had really talked to each other without recriminations, misunderstandings and secrets. Lucky for them I wasn’t able to!
This is a nicely crafted book with a well thought out storyline that gives you all the feels and I would recommend it to anyone who likes a romance with the push and pull and angsty moments where you just want to scream at the characters to get themselves sorted. Good job Claerie Kavanaugh!

[Kara Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sassy, full-on emotions, rollercoaster ride romance which doesn't disappoint. Written from the point-of-view of both Catherine and Adaline, the book sucks you in straight away, taking you through the story at an even pace which feels both relaxed and intimate while keeping the tension throughout. I sometimes wanted to smack both characters upside the head while they navigated tentatively through the theater world, and my mother heart went out to Catherine more often than not.

In all truth, I would probably not have picked this book up of my own accord, because it's not the genre I usually read in, but I am glad I did. Every day I looked forward to my reading moment so I could get back to my cozy time with the two leading ladies in Duet Rubato.

Have a read! You won't regret it!

[J.D. Groom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must admit, this wasn't a genre I had really read before. It's a second chance lesbian romance, and I loved it.

The story is told from the perspectives of both female characters by alternating chapters, and it's really easy to tell who's 'speaking' due to the amazing formatting.

I don't want to give too much away but these characters have a history which they have to face pretty quickly, whilst also dealing with outside pressures and internal battles.

If you are into the theatre and musicals then this book should also be on your list as it centers around the production of Wicked with lots of other stage references.

There are plenty of laughs, as well as tears, and it left me with a fuzzy glow inside.

[Patricia OHara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great characters

This story was a little different from others I have read. The main characters were really wonderful and their love story was unique. Given the reason for their breaking up a decade earlier, it was refreshing to see them rekindle their love despite interference from others. Caties fear of heights and the effort Lyn went help her overcome it was endearing to this reader. Well worth a second reading despite the lack of sexual content.

[Hailey Bridges · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful romance novel!!! It was written very well and really allowed me to immerse myself in its pages. :) I definitely recommend to any readers in love with love and stories with real-life situations and hardships that bind us to the characters and their journey.

[Savy Leiser · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written debut novel! A romantic story with lots of nostalgia for theater geeks! Check out my full review on BookTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlPo0...

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great story, I felt like I was in the middle of the action. The characters were well-written and the plot was interesting.