Adagio

by Bree M. Lewandowski

Between the music and the dance, theirs is a love to find. But what if that space is too wide to cross? A career as a professional ballet dancer at the Metropolis Ballet Theater, Lidiya's days are a whirl of music, performance, rehearsal, and teaching students at the theater's conservatory. All those things are what she's worked for. All those things make her days chaotic and wonderful. Except even in the world of professional dance, where everything moves at the speed of the music, everything can turn upside-down. When the company's opening of Le Corsaire is threatened, Lidiya's only thoughts are how the show can be salvaged. Not of falling in love. Patrick's life had been ballet until nine months after a one-night stand left him a father. With his daughter needing special care, he exited the professional world without looking back. But dance is a community and a phone call from Metropolis Ballet Theater's director, desperate to save the run of Le Corsaire, is like a siren song he can't ignore. And Lidiya is the woman he can't take his eyes away from. But people have limits. Ballet demands perfection. You don't fall in love with your partner. Sweet. Steamy. Swoon-worthy. Author Bree M. Lewandowski is back with another contemporary romance novella, set in the heat of a Chicago summer!

144 pages, Paperback

Published June 13, 2020

About the author

Having lived all her life in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, author Bree M. Lewandowski incorporates all aspects of her life in her writing. A ballet dancer at a young age, continuing to teach ballet through her career as an author, she often turns to the tumultuous world of dance to find threads of a story. In love with classical literature, her writing not only pays homage to the style of writers like Dumas and Hugo, she also believes in creating main characters who are larger than life. Yet, struggles with body image, mental and emotional health, and the strained relationships so many have also play in and out of Lewandowski's writing. In the end, all these attributes combined, she loves to tell a love story.

Reviews

[Tanja Glavnik · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I said this before in a review but, Bree M. Lewandowski has a way with words, no matter what subject it's about. This can very much be said about 'Adagio' which takes us into the heart of ballet and a company trying to put on an unforgivable show when the male lead walks on them.

This prompts a mad dash and scramble to find his replacement, so they call in someone who hasn't danced in two years, but who manages to take to it again like he'd never left. Of course sparks fly between Patrick and Lidiya, but there's hurdles to overcome, not the least of which is the fact he has a special needs daughter whom he absolutely adores, and she has a father who's in assisted living because of a degenerative disease. However, in the end, all's well that ends well!

A very ballet-forward book, this will probably be a turn-off for readers who aren't as familiar with the dance and all it entails in the background of big productions. While I've never danced it in my life, I've been lucky enough to at least read more than my share of books featuring it, so I wasn't exactly out to sea with it.

It's a straightforward story, with a lot of thought obviously having been put into how to make the characters relatable and real when they're only people on the page.

I adored Patrick and while the circumstances of HOW his daughter came to be were ghastly, the fact he rallied, wasn't afraid to go to therapy, and basically did the best he could for her speak of just what kind of man Ms Lewandowski painted onto the page. Couple that with him also looking fiiiiiiine and, well, you've got yourself a winner.

As for Lidiya, I liked her at first ... then she all of a sudden got super shocked an outraged that someone who was looking to be just a hot fling and she'd only known for a week, tops, hadn't immediately spilled his guts out about having an infant daughter. That one already kinda threw me for a loop, but then the cherry on top of the cake came when she got so incredibly mad that he was leaving again after his two weeks on the show were done. I'm not sure I understand her anger - just because he wouldn't be at the ballet didn't mean they couldn't have a relationship? Also, he wasn't obligated to tell her anything?

So, overall, Lidiya did not make me like her. I feel like she was much too young and vapid and absolutely too over-the-top for Patrick, but one can hope that in the fictional world they get to live happily ever after.

The side characters weren't quite as well-rounded this time as with the other book I read, but I will say that I enjoyed reading the book overall, as always loved the writing, and breezed through it in one sitting. That's a fairly good recommendation if I ever heard one.

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't remember how I was introduced to this author I mean I am not a big fan of dance reads (well I wasn't). She quickly blew my reservations out the window and continues to do so with each read. I am constantly left feeling I want more and this time was no different. The play between her two characters is epic. The push and pull of desire, flirtation, infatuation, confusion and fear. Yeah this author plays with it just like the actual rendition of the music. Her characters become real and the real life touches just bleed right into your heart. It's can't even be described as a slow burn because the attraction isn't a slow burn but the way they come to terms is. It's the little things that count and this author uses those little things beautifully. She shows us the people and the feelings and the challenges and makes it a story you can't put down because you can't wait to see how it all plays out. It's a clean read and that in itself shows the strength of the story, the characters, the message and the skill she has to make it work. Absolutely brilliant. It's so much more than a story of dancers, it's a story about life and all it encompasses.

[Sher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Adagio is a piece of music that is played at a leisurely or slow pace with little dynamic change. While that may be the pace at which the characters lives were running, I will say this is the opposite of the changes that brings our two protagonists together. Lidiya is part of a dance company on the cusp of performing a show that will hopefully extend its tenure. Patrick is helping his brother with the family's construction business, having left dancing behind to care for his child.
These two come together slowly throughout the story. I liked how each approached the other and how gradually the relationship grows.
I enjoyed the rhythm of the story, though at times was the opposite of adagio. It played to the rhythm of life with all its surprises and daily ordinary steps.
Lidiya and Patrick's journey will be one you'll be happy to take a part in.

[**Elle**Bee**Double U** · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lidiya's life revolves around her career as a professional ballet dancer.
Her days are filled with performances, rehearsal, and teaching.
However, things are thrown for a loop when the lead for the company's Le Corsaire quits with only 2 weeks till opening night.
Patrick had lived for ballet. Now he lives for his daughter.
Single-parent status to a daughter who needs more attention and patience than other children, isn't the kind of life Patrick can lead, not with the chaotic hours dancing requires.
Falling for your partner wasn't in anyone's cards. But will everything Patrick has going on in life be too much for Lidiya?

Cute and short story.
What I will say I didn't care for was all the constant comparisons to characters who I can only assume are from ballets. For those of us that aren't familiar it makes it hard to understand the comparison the characters are trying to make. We don't know these people the characters are being compared to so it's hard to imagine.

[Chantil · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second ballet romance I have read and I had high hopes for this one. It was a sweet story. I loved that they were fighting an undeniable attraction and I loved Patrick, I thought he was well written and his many layers coming across. Unfortunately, I can't say the same for our heroine, who I didn't relate to at all and really couldn't understand why she was acting so entitled about everything. They have only known each other, what 2 weeks, nothing has happened between them and and she's throwing a fit because he hadn't told her he wasn't going to stay with the company (when he was only doing them a favour anyway?). Lost it for me there I'm afraid.. It just felt an unrealistic reaction (or maybe I'm an abnormal woman??) if I was Patrick I'd have run for the hills at that point away from the seriously, needy female!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brava! This short story immerses us completely in the world of dance from costume designs, rehearsals, social media publicity,teaching classes and the tension of opening night the reader gets a unique perspective-stressing the dedication and sacrifices "elite dancers" make in their personal lives, especially the desires the two principal dancers have for each other. Lidiya and Patrick attraction for each other is undeniable-their relationship playing out like a beautiful , hot (but clean), slow performance. Patrick's story and his love for his special daughter, Aoife, tugged at my heartstrings. There is so much packed in this beautifully written novel. There is so much packed into this beautifully written novel that I highly recommend getting lost in.

[Pam Gough · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't read any of this author's books previously.

The storyline was against a background of ballet which I must admit had a little too much technical detail for me in parts. An example is : 'changed from a diatonic musical idiom to one centred on twelve-tone techniques.

The author obviously has a very good knowledge of ballet but I'm afraid this book wasn't for me. The ending seemed a little rushed and it wasn't a book where I wanted to stay up late at night in order to finish it, sorry. However it would probably appeal to anyone who loves ballet.

I received a free advance copy and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Ashleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super Sweet Story!

The writing draws you in and keeps you involved throughout the whole story, I found myself in love with not only the characters but also the world that was created.

The descriptions of the characters and their feelings are so involved, you can truly picture it in your mind.

This review has been voluntarily submitted for your consideration.

[Tamara Dell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is quite a moving story. The characters are well thought out, very well described and easy to connect with. The hardships that each of the main characters face bring a tear to the eye, and make your heart break for them. The sexual innuendo and tension between the main characters is well described. This book is one that is easy to lose yourself in for a few hours.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written short story that held my interest until the end. I enjoyed reading Lidiya and single father Patrick's story, they meet when they dance in the ballet Le Corsaire as partners. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great storyline and character development made this book a hot and enjoyable read!
Extremely entertaining, captivating and interesting sexy read. I could not put it down. Wonderfully written with strong, intriguing characters. I want to read more from this author.

[Jeanne Kotsios · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book hooked me from the get go I just couldn’t put it down I fell in love with these characters and omg what a story just a perfect

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

[Brandy Goodman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lidiya and Patrick are so sensual in dance and life. Pure attraction and raw emotions while dancing together and offstage. Family is the most important in their lifes.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet story with wonderful characters . Lidiya is a wonderful woman who 's whole life has been ballet. She loves her job and loves to dance . Patrick is a hard working man who loves ballet but he was thrown for a loop when he becomes a dad . They are a sweet couple that are friends and you watch them fall in love . Its so much fun to see them come together and feel their way around each other . They both have insecurities and fears that bring them together and sometimes push them apart . They are well written and complex and they will tear at your heart strings .
This is a sweet novella , I am not usually a sweet romance reader but this book sucked me in and had me reading well into the night . The author has a style of writing that will have you caring for the characters in a way like they are family . The story is well written and have you tearing up a time or two and also cheering for the main characters . This would be a great little story for your winter nights so check it out.