Tuesday 27 January 2015

Review: In Harmony by Helena Newbury

In Harmony by Helena Newbury
(Fenbrook Academy #2)

Published: September 2013
Genres: New Adult, Romance


The Blurb

Everyone expects her to succeed...
Karen plays the cello like an angel, and it’s the only thing that makes her truly feel alive. But her father’s dream—for her to join a prestigious orchestra—leaves no time in her life for anything but music...not even love. Trapped on her path, she doesn’t know how to rebel.

Everyone expects him to fail...
Connor plays rock guitar like the devil himself, and his ability has got him all the way from a dead-end life in Belfast to a scholarship at Fenbrook Academy. But beneath his arrogance and charm, he doesn’t believe he has what it takes. He’s spent his time in New York drinking and partying, and the only future he sees is a return to Ireland as soon as he flunks out.

But what no one expects...
When Karen’s duet partner is injured, the bad boy guitarist and the shy, sheltered cellist are forced to team up. Neither likes the idea, but what begins as anger and distrust slowly spirals into love...and lust. If they can face up to their feelings, they might just have a chance together. If Connor will allow Karen to stop his fall, maybe he can show her a life she never thought possible...

This New Adult Romance is recommended for readers 17+



My Thoughts

**** 4 Stars

I enjoyed the first book in this series so much that I couldn't wait to get started on In Harmony and leapt straight into reading it as soon as I had finished Dance For Me. This time the book centres on Karen, a musician who plays the cello who dreams of playing for the New York Philharmonic. Karen is friends with Natasha from Dance For Me & we get to see all of the secondary characters from that book back again.

Karen Montfort is an extremely talented but shy & introverted musician with an extremely over protective & over bearing father who is determined that his daughter will achieve her dream. Unfortunately he wasn't planning on Irish bad boy guitarist, Connor Locke appearing on the scene to mess with Karen's head. A boy who is just a breath away from being kicked out.

Karen is the ultimate in dedicated student except things start to fall apart for her when her duet partner for her final recital injures his hand and is no longer able to play. She needs to find another partner quickly but her choice is limited in that Connor is the only student still partnerless. She plays cello, he's a rock guitarist - how on earth are they going to make it work?

In my opinion this book was better than Dance For Me - there was more intensity & I found myself more absorbed by the storyline. The chemistry between Karen & Connor was amazing & it was great seeing Karen come out of her shell. Connor helps Karen find her fight & makes her see that she is something special, a person who shouldn't be hiding behind her hair. In turn Karen softens Connor around the edges and exposes his true self. A scared boy who hides between a brash persona.

Once again we have the fantastic cast of secondary characters who add another layer to the story. I would have so loved being at somewhere like Fenbrook when I was younger. Karen needs her friends around her & I love how they especially Jasmine help her shine.

I love a good story where total opposites attract & I most certainly found that with In Harmony. Helena Newbury certainly cranks up the heat level in this book as it is far steamier than Dance For Me. The chemistry between Connor & Karen just spills over the pages as their relationship builds through their music. Newbury really makes the music come to life through her writing - it added a real energy to the book.

It was great being back at Fenbrook Academy with this book & I can't wait to book 3 in the series which tells Jasmine's story.

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