Forbidden Melody

By: Magnolia Robbins

Narrated by: Joan Dukore

Length: 11 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's Summary

Emma Harvey is a brilliant and gifted young pianist, accepted into one of the most prestigious music conservatories in the country and prepared to do whatever it takes to accomplish her dreams of playing professionally. With a renowned jazz musician for a father and a world-famous mentor growing up, she is convinced her path is easy. Until her world is suddenly silenced when she loses her hearing.

Juliet Hamilton is a prodigy violinist. First chair for nearly 15 years in the New York Philharmonic and a professor at the conservatory, she is engulfed in her career, with no time for distractions. Especially not a beautiful young graduate student with a spirited personality that challenges her every step.

When Emma and Juliet’s paths cross in the classroom, their connection is undeniable. When their music comes together, it is unstoppable. The bond they begin to form threatens to challenge more than just their opinions of music. Friendships, ethics, and careers are tested as Emma and Juliet find themselves lost in a concerto of fiery passion and heartbreak.

©2018 Magnolia Robbins (P)2018 Magnolia Robbins

The story is breath taking

Being a person or adores beyond words the emotion which pours out of classical music, or any music or that matter, this story blew me away.
I couldn’t step away from it for a second. Hated having to go to bed and leave it for a few hours!
It had me captivated. Enthralled.
The attention to detail in their love and feelings for one another was stunning. I felt like I was there.
I enjoyed the push and pull of the storyline. Even at its heartbreaking moments because it made the love even more pure...
Only down fall in the slightest was the over all performance of the narrator. She was good! But not the best in my opinion. She definitely made you understand the differences between the characters. She has talent! But sometimes it was a bit dry. A bit shrill. But just my view. Still was a wonderful overall story! Just lovely

Loved the music in this story

After a while, I started pausing so I could listen to the pieces played by the characters. I loved this book, and I really enjoyed the idea of someone you wouldn't expect to play doing it so well. I found myself wondering whether it was actually possible.

I didn't like the ending as much since it left me with to many questions - specifically, where does Juliet go from here?

Disappointed

The narrative is disappointing. The whole story felt rushed with little to no feeling. The narrator also has a shrill voice.

Excellent book!

The push and pull between the main characters as excellent! I really felt their despair at times, made my heart ache a little for them. In the end, love wins! Highly recommended!

Disappointing

I really wanted to like this but found it very long and boring. The characters were shallow and annoying. Couldn't finish this book.

Difficult

Same romance story line we’re used to. Couple meets, fall in love, break up and reunite. There was the teacher-student thing to make it somewhat interesting. What made it difficult was the breakup didn’t have to happen. In the end they solved the problem the same way they could have earlier. Also too many music scenes. If you’re into classical music and know it well this books for you, otherwise I can only say I warned you.

Classical jazz orchestra

In a world of slience there is a hearthbeat for the love of music and the soul.

Beautifully and poetically written

I've read this book a few times and each time is a little different from the last. I just love it so much. The love that blossoms between Emma and Juliet through their music and instruments was so palpable despite their efforts to hide it once they even realized what was happening. They had my anxiety skyrocketing at their haste but it was understandable and I enjoyed their journey. Juliet's father, as far as I'm concerned doesn't deserve to have her as his daughter and her mom, though a bit better than he, could've intervened yet, all Juliet's life she simply chose not to. Juliet became who she was despite them, thankfully. I was so happy with the way the story ended, I just wished Juliet hadn't allowed her father to have such a strong hold on her for all her 41years. However, sometimes it truly takes someone else coming into your world to shake it up a bit and to help you see what you truly deserve. I'm glad that for Juliet,that someone was Emma. The supporting characters weren't too bad but I felt like until one isolated moment in the book, aside from Emma, Juliet really had no one in her corner to support her and make sure that she was alright. Especially, when she needed it the absolute most. Thank you Magnolia Robbins for this beautiful novel. I've read a couple of your other titles and I look forward to reading and enjoying more.

Part of the music

Listening and reading this book makes me feel like I could get on stage a play the piano, I don't have any clue on classical music, but this book just brings it to life and makes you feel like you are there with the characters making music together. Story is great, sweet,heartbreaking, just magical. Get it!

Love this

So if you love classical music and sweer romance this book is for you ...Emma Harvey is a natural born musician, she's diagnosed with a disease that causes her to loose her hearing but that does not stop Emma to soar higher than the others. I admire her character, she is strong, determine, talented, swoony and despite being younger she's much more confident in pursuing the forbidden relationship with Juliet Hamilton.
Juliet Hamilton, another brilliant musician, a violinist. Her father is an original asshole and have been controlling her life since forever. Through him Juliet and Emma meet and from the first meeting, the spark is there and the anticipation gets bigger and bigger as they connect through their love in music and the uncontrollable attraction that they have for each other. Reading their scenes especially when they're playing their instruments where they bare their souls and connect through the music is truly amazing. I'll let Ms.Robbins describe it.
"It was almost as if we were the only two people, in a room of nearly a hundred, playing together. Just a piano and a violin. Two instruments that were meant to be heard together."
Joan Dukore did an amazing job at this.

Utterly wonderful

This is not a book you should miss, the story is sweet but so well done.

Easy listening, a glimpse into the life of an orchestra.

Loved this book. I think I rate this as my best listen. Thank you. I lost myself and my troubles for a good while