Finishing the first book in this series I was intrigued about Quinn. I didn't like the way she behaved towards Kira but with one explanation I could totally see her POV. She was protecting someone she cares deeply about and she has already seen the women Jonas surrounded himself with and was NOT impressed. She needed to be sure this woman is right for him. That being said, for some reason I had a hard time connection with this story. I'm not sure exactly why. It was sad and heartfelt but I wasn't "there" with Quinn and her family as I would have liked to be (probably in tears half of the book). For some reason I felt like a bystander, a bit like she felt coming home after 9 years not knowing how or even if she can fit back into her family.
Quinn Montgomery is a rock star. She has worked hard to become one but it wasn't with anyone's blessing. Well, except for her grandmother "Nan". 9 years after she left everything and everyone behind she doesn't have a reason to return yet when her mother calls to tell her Nan has died in her sleep she knows it would be wrong to stay away. She needs to say her last goodbyes even if it's not going to be easy. She could handle a week and that's all she's planning to give this experience.
Quinn's family loved her, but they never truly understood her and her passions, growing up in a rather conservative family with a father as the town's pastor. When she wanted to spread her wings and fly - that's when things truly broke apart. That day she didn't only lose her family, she also lost the love of her life - Graham - who took her family's side, not believing in her, not believing in THEM. Years later Quinn is still single, by choice. She has never found a way to forget the boy she has loved and has loved her. Another person she isn't ready to confront this week and it doesn't help seeing HIM first thing when she lands in Montana.
Graham Hayes is more than resentful for Quinn leaving and never looking back, though he isn't ready to think about his actions and how he contributed to the way they fell out. His life is different now. Raising a 7 years old kid and working construction with Quinn's older brother he has found his place in this community and he doesn't need distractions or complications. Losing Nan is hard enough. Growing up next door to Quinn and her family he feels like he has lost a family member and Nan's last wishes concerning him and Quinn just make things worse.
Stuck together preforming Nan's wish they play and sing at her funeral is hard even if they would have done it on their own. They both miss her so much. She had such a strong personality with the biggest heart. Without her Quinn feels totally disconnected from her family. Her fallout with her father was horrible that they can't even exchange a whole sentence now. Her mother isn't sure what to say to her as well though she is trying and her siblings have grown and already have a families of their own, something she has missed through all the time she was away. So much has changed. She has changed, yet their feelings are stuck in that place in time when she left.
It was hard for ALL parties to express what this time apart has meant to them, what they wished for, and what they hope for now that Quinn is home, even if just for a week. All of them are grieving as it is, it doesn't feel like the best time to open their hears to more pain and grief.
Graham and Quinn try to stay away from each other (when not practicing) but it doesn't work, the pull to spend time together is strong. They know each other so well, they share so much history - and passion - once they share their first kiss it's obvious for both of them they are in for an emotional roller-coaster. Yet Quinn's life is on the stage wherever that stage is, and Graham's is right here in the small town in Montana in the business he has built and the son he is raising.
I was a bit frustrated with the way Quinn and in a way most of her family members including Graham were unable to talk to one another, running away anytime something "real" presented itself. It took ALL of them this whole week to even try and be genuine and truthful. I wanted at least ONE person be a "grownup" and actually SAY what s/he has to say but they kept circling one another in total silence making the whole experience needlessly painful (for me as well). I'll admit that though Quinn's father in a way redeemed himself, I have very little to no patience for religious figures. Some of the decisions made throughout the book felt a bit manipulated by him which I truly disliked. But alas, that's me and my issues.
This was quite an emotional journey for Quinn and Graham but also to both their families, trying to say goodbye to someone who has been so important to all of them, but it was also learning to forgive and give a second chance. To believe in love and give themselves the permission to seek what they were missing. There were many instances when my heart clenched for Quinn who feels so alone even when surrounded by her family. When leaving Graham's bed just before morning. There was such sadness for all family members not knowing how to fill this hole their family has suffered. But through this loss an opportunity to fill another was presented.
As for Graham and Quinn? When there's a will there's a way.
Can't wait to get Nix's story. I'm more than intrigued by him. He is a good friend even if he is mostly broken.
 |
Rating:
★★★★ |
E-Book
Edition |
288
pages
|
Read on:
16-17 October 2020
|  |  |  |  |  |
ABOUT THIS SERIES
Hush Note is a Contemporary Romance series written by Sarina Bowen, Devney Perry and Rebecca Yarros. It focuses on the 3 members of the rock band "Hush Note" - Jonas Smith, Quinn Montgomery and Nixon Winters - each getting his/her own book of Happily Ever After.
The first two books have two things in common, first being "lost love" and the second is having a kid in the mix. Yet it was very different in everything else including the circumstances of these things. The last book brings the whole three members of the band to a different place which was beautiful to watch. It was also my absolute favorite. NIxon's story was totally different and while we've seen his tendency to self destruct with glimpses into the guy he can be when his addictions aren't swallowing him whole, the person to truly heal him and his heart is Zoe. He was on his way to getting better but only on the surface, only for the sake of others, not his own. Zoe changed that.
A great series! Highly recommend you give it a go. It has been my first reading of both Devney and Rebecca (as I'm already a HUGE fan of Sarina) and I'm so happy I was giving this opportunity to get to know them a bit.
Books:
1. Lies & Lullabies [Jonas Smith & Kira Cassidy] (Published 23 September 2020) ★★★★½
2. Rifts & Refrains [Quinn Montgomery & Graham Hayes] (29 September 2020) ★★★★
3. Muses & Melodies [Nixon Winters & Zoe Shannon] (Published 6 October 2020) ★★★★★
 | |  |
No comments:
Post a Comment