In Harmony: New Adult Romance (Fenbrook Academy, #2)

by Helena Newbury

• ISBN10: 1492764280
• ISBN13: 9781492764281
• Publish Date: 19 September 2013
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 400
• Language: English

Reviews

[Angie]

In Harmony follows cellist Karen through her final months of college. All that stands between her and graduation is one last recital. The pressure is on though because she has to ace it to make up for her failing presentations grade (she has an extreme fear of public speaking). But then, her duet partner breaks his arm, and performers cannot go on solo. The only other student without a partner is guitarist Connor, who had no intention of performing anyway. Karen must convince him or her future is lost.

I really enjoyed In Harmony. At least after those initial chapters. I had a hard time believing the situation that Karen finds herself in. She goes to talk to her professor about the fact that her partner was mugged and shattered his elbow, and his response is essentially, "Oh well. No graduation for you." I really don't believe that a school would react that way at all. I get that it's an extremely competitive college, but shouldn't they want their students to succeed? Even not, he should have discussed options with her. It was just very unbelievable.

But after that, In Harmony was great! Karen is determined to graduate which I really admire. Even after she and Connor fall in love and everything else seems to be falling apart, she does not give up! She's going to graduate and accomplish her goals! She's also going to help Connor pass his classes, graduate, and accomplish his goals! She even finds time to help her other friends with their problems! There's a lot going on, but it never felt like too much or forced. Karen just worries about those around her.

What I loved best about In Harmony was the frank discussions of sex. Of course, later in the story Karen and Connor have to be getting in on, but before then, Karen is kind of exploring her sexuality. She's a virgin, but she does pleasure herself. But when it comes to being with a guy, she has no clue, so she turns to Jasmine for help. That scene is one of the most hilarious things I have ever read. I loved how Jasmine was honestly trying to prepare her, but her methods were just not working! It's too funny.

In Harmony was just really great. I loved the romance and the friendships and the focus on working toward your goals no matter what. There are some more serious parts, but nothing that goes too dark. I also liked getting updates on Natasha and Darrell. It's not all sunshine and rainbows, saved by the power of love with them, but they are doing good.

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.

[Berls]

Actual rating is 4.5 stars.
I received this book for free from IFB Tours in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

This book may be unsuitable for people under 17 years of age due to its use of sexual content, drug and alcohol use, and/or violence.

My Initial Reaction...

After already loving Dance For Me, I wasn't at all surprised that I enjoyed In Harmony just as much. I was pleasantly surprised, however, by how different the story felt. Despite being set in the same place, time, and even including many of the same characters, by simply shifting the point of view Helena Newbury managed to tell a very different kind of story. And I loved it.

The Characters...

Karen is the character I would have voted least likely to star in a steamy romance, and yet she pulls it off beautifully. She's been working hard her whole life to get into the NY Phil Harmonica, sacrificing normal relationships and childhood experiences to do so. Karen's the ultimate over-achiever, with an uber successful father's expectations to live up to. I loved seeing her try to navigate her father's expectations with her efforts to find her own path. Karen's also never been in a relationship; her only sexual experience comes from a selection of bodice-rippers hidden under her bed, alongside her dildo. While Karen may be a virgin it's not for lack of interest, just opportunities. Her inexperience forms a humorous backdrop and allows Newbury to stretch out the sexual teasing to its height.

Just when Karen is reaching the culmination of all her hard work her duet partner for her senior recital is injured and can't perform with her. If she wants to graduate, Karen has to put her faith in Connor, the electric-guitar playing, class-skipping, notorious bad-boy. Connor is exactly what you'd expect from a bad-boy: he's ridiculously sexy, talented, cocky and has a notorious reputation with the ladies. And yet there's more going on below the surface. I enjoyed getting to know the deeper side of Connor and appreciated that, while he came with his own set of issues, Newbury didn't write him as a totally broken man either. He needs help, but not rescuing.

I was thrilled too see characters I loved in Dance for Me continue to figure prominently within In Harmony, but their struggles are a subplot and you can easily pick up In Harmony without reading Dance for Me. If you have read it though, you're in for a treat as these excellent characters continue to develop.

The Story...

In Harmony revolves around Karen and Connor's struggle to graduate - which means Connor must pass his classes, Karen must deal with some issues of her own, and they both must figure out how to make a cello and an electric guitar work together. Like in Dance for Me, I loved the way music moved the story forward. Newbury is very gifted in the ways she employs music to express emotions, heighten tension, and tell a story of their own. Some of the best moments were when Karen and/or Connor were playing - it became this tangible way to visualize their journeys as individuals and in their relationship.

I loved that In Harmony didn't duplicate the insta-love that we saw in Dance for Me. Instead we see a relationship that develops slowly, through closely working together over a long period of time. In fact, I think Newbury beautifully complicated the insta-love that had so bothered my in Dance for Me by showing us those relationships in their progression, going through some troubles of their own. Since this story is told exclusively from Karen's point-of-view, which is pretty observant but also hesitant, it's a very different perspective that we saw before.

Concluding Sentiments...

In Harmony has really well-developed characters and intertwines music beautifully to propel the story forward. It's a fairly simplistic plot, without a lot of mystery, but it's thoroughly enjoyable. Once I started, I devoured In Harmony and can't wait to read more from Helena Newbury.