Rhapsody for Piano and Ghost

By: Z. A. Maxfield

Narrated by: Douglas Berger

Length: 7 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

Fitz Gaffney finally has some breathing room. His mother's out of town, his piano coaches have backed off, and he's spending his time in a music conservatory where he only has to be adequate for an entire year before all his responsibilities come crashing back in again. Along with his new free time comes the realization that he's lonely, but his first attempt to make new friends goes horribly awry.

Fitz's new - but possibly imaginary - friends, Evan and Serge, want to help him find happiness. His used-to-be-step-brother Ari Scheffield wants to help him gain confidence and a little much-needed cool. His housekeeper Marguerite wants to keep fowl in the back yard for butchering because duck confit is expensive and she has pillows to re-stuff. And his possible new boyfriend Garrett wants to prove he didn't mean for their first date to end with Fitz lying unconscious in a dumpster.

All Fitz wants is someone to care about him, but suddenly there seems to be a glut. How's a shy guy to know what's real when he's confronted by crazy ghosts, a less-than-truthful boyfriend, and relatives with hidden motives in Rhapsody for Piano and Ghost.

©2011 Z. A. Maxfield (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

great story

I had a hard getting into this book at first so I switched from reading it to listening to it and I became enthralled. I love how the chapter titles give a little foreshadowing but are also quite humorous. Fitz starts off as a gullible, naïve, absent minded piano prodigy. He’s used to being in the background but then something miraculous happens…he’s approached by a guy, and not any guy, an extremely attractive guy. Throughout the story we have to wonder at Garrett’s motives and while its never really said outright what his plans are they become pretty obvious to everyone except Fitz. After a disastrous date, Fitz finds himself being taken care of by Julian and Serge, two dapper men who rescue him from a garbage bin. Eventually Fitz realized that they are ghosts. We also get introduced to Ari, who comes to Fitz’s rescue. Ari, who is Fitz’s older ex-stepbrother, is a handsome, sophisticated ex-boyband member. I really enjoyed Fitz’s journey from blinding lust with Garrett, to discovering what true love is with Ari. The ghost’s Serge and Julian are a great comic relief but their backstory is absolutely heartbreaking. There are a few sexy scenes and the last few chapters have a good bit of action. This is a very well romance with a paranormal aspect.

The narrator, Douglas Berger is a complete unknown to me, but overall he did a good job with this book. He had distinctive accents for the ghost’s, but at times Fitz, Garret and Ari all sound the same and towards the end when Ari is saying sexy dialog he slips into some blend of Julian and Serge. It was confusing because I thought it was the ghosts talking. I had to go back to the book and read the section to clear it up. He has a good voice and kept the flow of the story moving so I will most likely get another book narrated by him in the future.

👍🏻

This author has quickly become one of my favorites. Their story telling is fun and enticing and has grown over the years from story to story. This particular one frustrated me more than I was expecting but I’d definitely still recommend it for anyone looking for a unique read.

Almost Perfect

The narrator was good, but might have benefited from closer listening by an editor, as his characters sometimes bled into one another. The romance was satisfying, but I had a hard time with Fitz's character. It's usually a female lead that is so steadfastly TSTL, making all the wrong choices and disregarding all attempts to point out the wiser course of action, but Fitz just kept blundering on. And that is why this wonderful story got 4 stars instead of 5. Listen to it or read the book, it's worth the time invested.

Story was too tedious, I skipped to the end.

I couldn't go on after listening 1/3 into the story and ended up skipping to the last 2 chapters. I just couldn't stomach Garrett and Fitz being tstl. The narration was fine, though.

Lots of fun

The characters were well written. The story was fun and light hearted for the most part. I really enjoyed it.

Loved the ghosts...

...but why were they there? Wonderful book and a great narration. I have to wonder what will happen next.

Much better than the description implies.

I waited a long time to read this because the summary makes this sound like a superficial "bad boy" chaser novel. Instead, it's a finding-yourself tale about a sweet young virtuoso who's both sheltered and a bit neglected. The ghosts are cool - even if they're a little over the top and don't make a lot of sense. This isn't the sort of thing I'd read a million times or study but definitely worth the time and credit.

A really unusual story!

A story of a young guy who is discovering himself as a person, friend, lover...with a help of a couple of ghosts :)

Slow start. Acceptable Ending.

The book started slow and I lost interest a little bit. I forced myself to continue and it got much better. The ending was ... adequate I suppose. As with most books it tortures you with anticipation, waiting for the two fated lovers to get together, and then once they do that's it. The book is over. You never know what happens to them after that. I did like the story in the end though. It's nothing mind blowing or spectacular, I'll forget what it was even about I in a week, but I am glad I read it it all the way through.

A lovely ghost story.

The characters were amazing. The story line was well thought out and flowed. I loved every minute of it. I almost cried when Julian told his and Serges"story.


Kathy Banks

WOW! What an unexpected gem of a book!

I loved this audiobook and didn't want it to end.
If you are a lover of music and dance this will delight you.
There was so much love and romance between the couples that the ending left me with a wide, tearful grin. The narration for this books was just perfectly pitched and the narrator had a whole heap of accents from American to RP and French.
I really fell in love with Julian and Serge, and when their story was revealed it was so tragic.
MC Fitz and his step brother / Mr. Perfect, Ari were just a delight.
The writing was just great, and the sex scenes, beautifully descriptive.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

sweet

I enjoyed this greatly I cried laughed and cringed all alongside the characters thank and well done!

Fascinating story with two ghosts

A young man overruled by a domineering mother, he's lonely and is found by two amuseing ghosts. Anymore would give away the story but it's good, enjoy.

Sweet and better than expected

The characters are really good, you're rooting for them. Was expecting something more silly I guess but was a nice easy listen and better than expected.

Not worth it

I gave up listening because the story was just too far fetched and really not interesting

Interesting book

I really enjoyed the book, especially Serge and Julien even though they weren't the main characters. The narrator was great.

Delightfully unexpected

Fitz is socially awkward and Ari Scheffield wants to help him gain confidence and hopefully finally seehim as a love interest.
Garrett wants Fitz to believe he wasn't guilty abandoning him on their first date, causing him to end up unconscious in a dumpster. Fiz has help from some Goast friends, Julian and Serge. will they help him to choose the right man? I find the story quite engaging, descriptive and beautifully written.

Funny, romantic and cute

The book has a lovely feel, enjoyed it immensely. the ghosts story in parallel to main character is heart touching. The chapter titles are weird though like author just jotted the theme she choose for the story line in that chapter.