Love's Melody Lost

Romance #1

by Radclyffe

A secretive artist with a haunted past and a young woman escaping a life that has proved to be a lie find their destinies entwined. A fragile melody of love is played between these damaged souls, a song made sweeter and stronger by the day...but will their blossoming romance be destroyed by an outsider's greed or will it succumb to the discord of one woman's tormented heart? A reprint of the classic lesbian high-romance between a deeply secretive musician and the woman who returns the light to her dark days and the melody to her soul.

Genres: Romance, Lesbian, LGBT, Lesbian Romance, Lesbian Fiction, Disability, Fiction

230 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2001

About the author

Radclyffe has written over forty-five romance and romantic intrigue novels, dozens of short stories, and, writing as L.L. Raand, has authored a paranormal romance series, The Midnight Hunters. She has also edited Best Lesbian Romance 2009 through 2015 as well as multiple other anthologies. She is an eight-time Lambda Literary Award finalist in romance, mystery, and erotica—winning in both romance and erotica. A member of the Saints and Sinners Literary Hall of Fame, she is also an RWA Prism, Lories, Beanpot, Aspen Gold, and Laurel Wreath winner in multiple mainstream romance categories. In 2014, she received the Dr. James Duggins Outstanding Mid-Career Novelist award from the Lambda Literary Foundation. In 2004, she founded Bold Strokes Books, an independent LGBTQ publishing company, and in 2013, she founded the Flax Mill Creek Writers Retreat offering writing workshops to authors in all stages of their careers.

She states, “I began reading lesbian fiction at the age of twelve when I found a copy of Ann Bannon’s Beebo Brinker. That book and others like it convinced me that I was not alone, that there were other women who felt like I did. Our literature provides support and validation and very often, a lifeline, for members of our community throughout the world. I am proud and honored to be able to publish the many fine authors at Bold Strokes Books and to contribute in some small way to the words that celebrate the LGBTQ experience.”

Radclyffe lives with her partner, Lee, in New York state.

Reviews

[Pin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I prefer Radclyffe's early works, so I reread some of my old favorites. I enjoyed Love's Melody Lost even more on the second reading, and I changed my rating from four to five stars. A nice addition to this great romance is Music on the Wind -- Graham & Anna's short story that can be found in the anthologies Best Lesbian Romance 2009 and In Deep Waters: Cruising the Seas. (June 29, 2014)
--- *Updated after another reread* ---
This is certainly not a perfect book, but somehow it gets better and better every time I read it. Classic Radclyffe at her best. (Aug 14, 2017)

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The way Love’s Melody Lost is written makes it feel like it’s of another era, and I don’t just mean 20 years ago when it was written. In a lot of ways it reminds me of Jane Eyre, actually. Graham is like Mr. Rochester after the fire and Anna is like Jane, convincing her partner of her ardent and true love. They’re on an estate with other staff, big old gardens (which are just as unkempt as their mistress at first), dramatic scenes by the sea. Even the dialogue feels like it’s of another time. It all works very well.

Full review: http://www.thelesbianreview.com/loves...

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting enough to make me read in one sitting... Story of a talented Musician butch-Graham, who went blind after an accident and lived an isolated life with just Helen her housekeeper for many years. She hired not-so-straight Anna to run and managed her Manor, which she had neglected for years... Story took off from there where Graham can’t seemed to open up her heart to anyone else after her last relationship. Throw in angsty scenes, mandatory break-up, a visit from Graham’s past and a comeback, what you get is an enjoyable read..

[Megzz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book will always be special to me.

It's different from any other romance novel I've read before. At first, the way they spoke ("from another time" as some reviewers said) bothered me. But after a few chapters I reached a completely unique state of mind. I read the story as if it was a classic romantic movie. I don't believe it's a coincidence, but at some point I heard music in the writing, poems in the dialogues, and felt the need to listen to movie soundtracks as I was reading (Pride and Prejudice, Meet Joe Black, Braveheart, all the beautiful and painful love stories seen on the big screen), and it changed the whole experience for me! It may sound stupid.. but it totally enhanced the beauty of this book.

I found myself in a trance, it was literally like watching a beautiful and heartbreaking classic movie. The romance suddenly became more powerful, the feelings more passionate, the overly sophisticated sentences had a purpose...

This book is about a tortured genius composer who's lost faith in life after a terrible accident and who re-discovers it as she falls in love with a beautiful woman who's full of life and promises. It has lots of angst, lots of feelings, heartbreaking moments that brought me to tears, extremely touching characters... a truly unique piece for this genre!

---- even better the second time. I couldn't not add a 5th star. -----

[Luce · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars for the audible book. 4 Stars for the story minus one star for the narrator.

I first read this classic Radcyffe online years ago. This rating is for the audiobook. The narrator, Paige McKinney is not the worst I've heard but her choices could have been better. She rushes, especially during the in between dialogue or during inner dialogue. It was annoying because a character would be thinking something and then you realize the sentence she just read was said out loud. She needed to take a breath, or change of voice or cadence to delineate spoken dialogue from narrative. I wasn't too thrilled with Anna's high voice.

But the story was good. Brooding, hermit, wealthy, beautiful, blind musician, Graham Yardley and Anna Reid, a student in landscape architecture. Anna is hired by Graham as a live-in assistant and house manager at the Yardley estate. Yardley Manor with its large grounds near Boston, on the cliffs above the ocean, has a Gothic vibe. Graham was a world class pianist (the best) when she lost her sight in an accident. Anna is recently divorced and is trying to restart her life. Anna decides to clean up and restore the gardens to their former glory. A modern Gothic romance.

[Serena · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is really my kind of romance! The damaged soul who has so much to offer, but has drawn from life. Graham is a great character, who would not be touched by her, so much passion, so much personality. Anna is the right person to free Graham from the life she's been living. As it should be, there is a slow start, it allows you to take in the story. ultimately it's a simple story, but the chemistry and romance are high quality reading.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Treads the fine line between a classic romance and something so formulaic it could have been written for Mills and Boon.

Given the above concern, it was still highly enjoyable and certainly very easy to read.

[Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a read I could not put down. I am a cheerleader for the downtrodden. Graham Yardley is a damaged and lonely person with pain so deep the reader has to wonderful if she can recover. I believe everyone should have friendship and ultimately happiness and I was riding the roller coaster of emotion with Graham as she struggled with her demons. Anna Reid is the kind of friend you care about and love. The read was hauntingly beautiful as the author described the house, the grounds, the cliff and the despair. The push and pull between the two ladies was quite the tug-of-war. In my opinion, this is a keeper.

[Pricelessfem · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read sooooo many of Radclyffe's books and by far this was the most beautiful love story that she ever wrote. I am right now as I type in the process of reading it AGAIN!!!!! The tension between the two main character's was nail bitting, and when the two main character's finaly connected you could literaly see the sparks flying off my kindle. AMAZING!

[CuriouslyOrdinary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book makes me believe that love transcends all physicality.

[Char Dafoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hauntingly beautiful

Love's Melody Lost had an old world charm to it. At times I felt this story was suited better for the 18th century as opposed to the 20th century it was set in. I honestly believe the author wanted readers to feel like they had stepped back in time to a world where elegance, grace, manners, and yes, courting were more dominant traits within one's character. Time seemed to move slower and I truly felt it was the setting that helped with that. Graham's home where she secluded herself was anything but ordinary. It sat back away from the realities of the modern world giving it an old relic feel as it slowly decayed over time due to negligence. The house represented Graham's mental state, in my opinion, and when Anna arrived and used her gift to revive the house, unbeknownst to Graham, revived her too. The more Anna opened up Graham's heart the more Graham's beloved music began to flow. It's hard to create when a soul is broken, and if that soul isn't properly nurtured, only a hollow, darkness manifests from one's creativity. The imagery that flashed in my head during this story was haunting and beautiful. Radclyffe brilliantly painted each scene as if I were standing inside the story, watching everything play out.

The love story between Graham and Anna was a tale as old as time; classic, emotional that pulled at the heartstrings, and passionate.

Simply beautiful

[Kexx · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good yarn that set a good scenario and ran with it. Of course being inn the incredibly safe hands of Radclyffe makes it all the better. Highly recommended even on 2nd read. Thank you.

[Katia M. Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a deliciously angsty sensual read. I enjoyed the chemistry between the two main characters and could see their interactions in my mind's eye. Radclyffe paints mood and the terribly tragic backdrop well with her words. It really did come alive for me and I had tears in my eyes several times. I was surprised at how quickly I read through this, but it seemed to carry me away. Great read.

[Rashika · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a great story. the pull push between Graham and Anna was wonderful.
the visuals in the book were brilliant, the sea spraying on your face.
Grahams stumbles felt real, we have all stumbled with with our sight but having your sight and then losing it must be tough.
with Graham being as poised as she was kinda ticked me off. but i guess with that upbringing it would be ingrained in you. but when the ex came into the scene i expected a totally her to rebuff the ex. but the turmoil she went throught showed.
the scene on the balcony - woman you need to put a warning - please do not read in company of others could leave you SERIOUSLY wanted a moment alone.

thanks for a great read that i completed once alone.

[Em Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of Love and Redemption that is played out in a beautiful setting.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Older Radclyffe doesn’t seem as polished. Found the use of the same word got on my nerves a bit. An example would be precipice. Some of the reason I might not have enjoyed it as much as other books might be the narrator, this was an audiobook so maybe that factors into it. Still love Rad and will keep reading and listening to her books.

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. I loved this because of all of it’s over the top angst and dialogue. I devoured this book in just a few hours because I could not get enough. The writing was gorgeous and lush and has a gothic feel to it which I love. The characters are so emotional and full of feelings and angst but their chemistry could not be denied. I really enjoyed the emotional push and pull between Anna and Graham. Anna is headstrong and has no problem going after what she wants and Graham is scarred and guarded. So good. I had such a blast reading this and it definitely made me eager to check out more of Radclyfe’s work because this was so romantic and angsty. The pining! The feels! I loved it all.

[Nyki Mancera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unforgettable

I wasn’t sure I was interested in this book because it just didn’t grab me from reading the back flap. This story was more than I could have imagined. It went places, I could have never dreamed it would. I was hooked from the first few pages. It was one of the best love stories I have read in such a long time. But then again, this author is good at giving you unforgettable love stories chock full of substance and relatable characters. Not a story I would soon forget and will have to visit over and over again.

[Tess · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story, but the writing was weirdly formal or British in a way that made me think it would have worked better for this to have been a work of historical fiction, rather than a modern romance. I kept thinking of the setting and trying to make the language work, and I kept failing, but, that said, I enjoyed the unfolding romance, the character development, and the story.

[Dide · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently became a converted Radcliffe Fan and this book certainly promises that I'd be staying on her side still.
I loved the angst character of Yardley and the innocent but passionate warrior/lover in Anna. It's the kind of novel you keep for rainy days and reacquaint yourself with the hope of love.

[Andi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I rarely read a Radclyffe book I don't like too much, but this is the one. Perhaps expectations were set too high as this ends up on all kinds of lists, but I struggled with the formal, stuffy language drying out the story.

Certainly not going to put me off Radclyffe, but meh...

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Another good one from Radclyffe.

[Arn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall a pleasant read.

[Violet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who said I was okay? Who's okay? Who's we?

So this what keeps happening: I read a Radclyffe book, get into a reading slump afterwards because it was so good, I read another book by her to get out of my reading slump, it turns out to be just as good and I get into yet another reading slump.

The book is achingly beautiful. 🥀

The visuals so vivid, so real, you truly step into another world as soon as you start reading.

I could sum it up by saying this: take the aesthetics of Black Butler, apply it to the story of a sapphic Me Before You but make it blind and SAD.

- Glad I read it on late May, just where the book is set.

- Appreciate how the writer kept things real with Christine, sometimes we go back to our old ways not because they are good for us, but because they are familiar

- I once had the same love that Anna has for Graham, except my ex was a narcissist and I had to break up with her after 4 years of endless giving. If it wasn't for my past experience, I have a feeling I would have enjoyed the book much more, without the occasional twist in my gut that some things were similar to my past.

- One thing that was lacking, it wasn't revealed what is it that made Graham so withdrawn from Anna, it felt like there was something real stopping her, not just self-destructive thoughts. At some point I swear I thought maybe Graham would turn out to be a vampire or something and the story will take a different path.

- Graham's language? Hello?? Adopt me??


She does it again.. Just when I had lost hope in good writing, I found Radclyffe.


Love's Melody Lost playlist:
- SOLAS piano version reverb + slowed. Perfection.
- Merry go round sad version (because?? I would literally hear it playing in my head as I was reading)
- Idea 25


And yes, I also made this.


https://imgur.com/a/NG5j9yY

[Brooklyn Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was, by far Radclyffe's best novel, in my humble opinion. There were so many things that were absolutely sublime about this book, that I just don't know where to begin. Firstly, of course, there was the tragic figure of Graham. Oh, god how my heart ached for her! Aside from her talents as a gifted musician and composer, she was so human in her weaknesses and her fears. Then there was the unwanted and annoying intrusion of Christine, that nearly had me throwing my kindle across the room at times. Anna was lovely, and so steadfast in her feelings for Graham. Parts of the book made me physically weep, and it was in those moments that I felt the difference between this work and Radclyffe's other works. Being her third novel, chronologically written, (not published) I could sense a little of the nouveaux in her composition, and it was priceless. Radclyffe herself has stated that Graham is one of her favorite characters, and there can be no doubt why. It was an emotional, and at times difficult read, but worth every tear. I quite literally couldn't put it down.

[Sha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gifted musician who lost her music and a young woman rebuilding her life from scratch come together in this sweeping story of healing, devotion, and determination.
I loved the setting of the isolated mansion. Seeing it through the eyes of a landscaper and through the changing seasons throughout the story added a lot of charm and grandeur to the story. The conflict here results from past trauma and is essentially baseless, but the MCs don't know that. The love they share is so special that it permeates every aspect of their lives. Being apart is not an option, so they end up either dead inside or critically ill when separated. The reunion is swift and desperately decisive.

Very skillfully written. Great story and great characters.
Rating: 4.5 stars

[Margaret Guadarrama · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional Highs and Lows

I have read many of Radclyffe's books and have not been disappointed in any of them. Many of them, I have read again. This book is one of her best, in my opinion. The highs are either causing the readers to laugh or to hold their breath. The lows bring tears or anguish.

Graham is a very proud introspective person. She feels deeply but finds it difficult to share her feelings because of past relationships.

Anna also feels deeply and is quite capable of letting her feelings be known.

A collision course is made to order and Helen, bless her heart, tries to navigate the emotions of both Graham and Anna.

[Elena Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love's Melody Lost is one of my favorites i've read from Radclyffe.
The story is much more magical and fantasy oriented than her other books. It's a dark gothic romance story that sucks the reader in to the reclusive, beautiful world of the main character.

The words used to describe the scenes in the book are lovely. You get lost in the plot.
The story is a retelling of a fairytale, but it's so deftly done it doesn't feel stale.

The perfect book for a rainy or cold night. I hope it brings you as much joy as it brought me.

[Tristan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of Rad's older books and I haven't seen her write anything like it since. Her current books seem to be focused on either action/ cop like stories or medical focused stories but Love's Melody Lost is completely different. Graham and her history as a pianist trying to cope with trauma and Anna, who seems kind of lost and drifting while trying to figure everything out, just make for a phenomenal love story. If you love Rad and are looking for a more romance driven plot, definitely check this one out. You will love it.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first Radclyffe book and I chose a standalone on purpose. Tortured genius sounded right up my street. As other reviewers have noted the story did seem of a different era, but this did not detract from my enjoyment. This was a great phrase. 'She kept asking herself why she felt this way, and she kept running from the answer'. I loved the simplicity and the economy of the writing. A very pleasing introduction to Radclyffe.