Bittersweet Melody

The Bittersweet Symphony Duet #2.5

by Kate Stewart, Joe Arden (Narrator), Maxine Mitchell (Narrator)

The vows are just the beginning…

For Natalie, being the wife to the most sought-after rock star on the planet has its privileges, but in the last year, she's been put through the wringer as far as the pitfalls.

When Easton summons her to Mexico for a second-anniversary honeymoon vacation in the very place that brought them back together, Natalie becomes filled with hope to close the space between them…along with a special request—a request that leads them into a day-long exploration of sorting through their past while trying to imagine the rest of their future together.

They'll soon recognize that to keep what they have, they'll have to rediscover each other. With a little reminder from both their parents, they'll realize the fight to keep what they hold most sacred begins after I do.

Bittersweet Melody is a novella that must be listened to after finishing Drive and Reverse.

Genres: Romance, Novella, Audiobook, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Music, Adult

3 pages, Audible Audio

First published February 14, 2023

About the author

New York Times, USA Today, Amazon Charts, and Internationally bestselling author Kate Stewart, a Texas native, lives in North Carolina with her husband, Nick. Nestled within the Blue Ridge Mountains, Kate pens messy, sexy, angst-filled contemporary romance, as well as romantic comedy and erotic suspense.

The Ravenhood Trilogy, consisting of Flock, Exodus, and The Finish Line, as well as the spinoff series, Ravenhood Legacy, have become NYT, USA Today, and International bestsellers as well as TikTok sensations. The Ravenhood was recently acquired for film adaptation with Kate set to co-write the script, as well as executive produce, which will kickstart her lifelong dream of becoming a filmmaker.

Amongst Kate’s other bestselling works, The Bittersweet Symphony Duet, specifically Drive, was a Goodreads Choice Awards finalist for best contemporary romance of 2017. Stewart’s works have been featured in USA Today, BuzzFeed, The New York Daily News, Huffington Post, Glamour Magazine, and translated into over twenty languages.



More info: https://geni.us/katestewartbooks

Reviews

[Wil Loves Books! · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could stay in this world forever!

I would happily live in this world with Reid,Stella,Nate, Addie, Natalie and Easton. Kate Stewart writes my brand of angst and her books just speak to my soul at a whole new level. Drive is one of my favorite books and Reverse was hands down my favorite book last year. I love these characters and this story with a fiery passion. This bonus epilogue is everything I didn’t know I needed and yet I crave more of these characters. Like I said, I wish I could stay in this Drive world forever. We’ll always have Mexico, bet!

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

"You... there's not a woman alive that will ever compare to you. Not ever."

I could read about these characters forever! Not only was this a fantastic extended epilogue for my favorites- Easton and Natalie, but we got so much Reid, Stella, Nate, and Addison. It was perfect. Of course things weren't smooth sailing, that wouldn't be Kate, but it worked out just the way it was supposed to. I even shed a happy tear at the end. Such a great read and for sure a must read after you've read the duet.

[Erika Braga · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why even the novela is AMAZING?

I loved everything about this duet and now the novela. I loved seen how their life is now and the family dynamic ❤️

[Malene · Rating 4 out of 5]

*4.5 Stars*
What a fabulous novella. Back with my favorite characters from the Bittersweet Symphony Duet and I enjoyed every minute of it. Easton and Natalie fight to get their marriage back on track. Finding each other again.
What can I say except I just enjoy these characters and their dynamics. Easton and Natalie of course but also their parents who kicked ass with advice and tequila. There’s a wonderful cameo surprise by a couple from Kate Stewart’s romcom series and it was so good. I called it!
This novella gave me everything I adore about this duet and its characters. Love, tension, steam and a very HEA.

4.5 Stars

[Stephanie ☾ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is everything I dreamed about. ✨

An epilogue for Natalie and Easton! I love the Ravenhood series to the core of my bones but The Bittersweet Symphony left its marks on my heart too. 😭

You bet this wasn't the usual epilogue novella, but Kate Stewart's which cannot be without some struggle and its resolution. And, not surprisingly, some crocodile tears. It being released on Valentine's Day was the best gift for that particular holiday.

This novella was the perfect "trouble in paradise" story, two years into marriage. The paradise part is literal, as they are in Mexico. Though the novella was short, it brought everything you needed, the fun, the heartwarming and the sexy! If you decide to pick up Kate Stewart's work, don't expect anything short of a wonder, incredible love stories, tear-soaked pillows, giddy kicking feet situations and all the spice that you need.

Apart from all the Bittersweet Symphony love this novella gave me, I got an extreme sense of need for a novella for Cecilia and Tobias desperately. 🙏🏻

5 stars ✨

#51 in my book reviewing slump

[koko kingston · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t know if I would ever get another glimpse at Natalie and Easton, and MY GOSH THE WAY I SOBBED READING THIS 90 PAGE NOVELLA.

Kate, how do you do it????

I seriously cried from page 20 til the end.

This novella crushed me (as Kate’s books usually do) but I was whole by the end. I cried so hard because I was mad at some characters for certain things they did or how they reacted to something, but overall, I still love them.

This universe is one of my favorites and I am just so overwhelmed with emotions rn.

[April (s.i. work is busy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bittersweet Melody is an extended epilogue to Reverse. If you have read The Bittersweet Symphony, be sure to read it. This gave me all the feels, I laughed, cried, swooned, and was angry at times.

Easton plans a trip back to Mexico for him and Natalie's second anniversary. He invites their parents since they don't see each other often enough. The time away is meant to give them some time together that they have been missing and help them reconnect. However, that is not the case. While their parents are having the best time, her and Easton have hit a rough patch, making it feel like dejavu.

“I’ve missed you so much, so much, Natalie, and I just want to be here with you— just us—where I find my true peace, even if we fight every day and your face looks like road rash.”

Kate, thank you for giving us this last piece of Eaton and Natalie's story it was a perfect ending for them!

[BOOKLOVER_81 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good epilogue to the series... I just hated that he gets mad once at her and stops communicating. Not very adult response. Other than that, their parents were hilarious. I loved that their was no conflict amongst the parents 🤗 The chemistry and love are still there for these two... Great series overall.

[Hannah Rhodes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just the perfect way to end Natalie and Easton’s story!!

[Sharon ∞❥ is an emotional book junkie ❥∞ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5-4 ⭐'s

This was a nice surprise from the author, however, it packs quite the punch for a novella.

Easton and Natalie are trying to spend some quality time together since both their works have been all consuming.

Unfortunately, things don't work out that well. I hate how Easton treated Natalie...again. Ugh. But with everyone involved, it made the events lighter.

Happily, circumstances do get better and that epilogue was a killer. I definitely teared up!

[pannit · Rating 4 out of 5]

เป็นเล่มพิเศษที่เล่าเรื่องราวต่อจากตอนจบเล่มสอง Reverse เราก็อุตส่าห์คาดหวังว่ามันจะมีซีนน่ารัก หวาน ๆ ให้ชุบชูใจหน่อยเพราะเล่มหลักหนักหนาสาหัสเหลือเกิน เล่มนี้ที่มาแค่สั้น ๆ ก็ยังจะมีเรื่องให้ปวดใจและปวดหัวอีกแล้ว รู้สึกว่าคู่นี้มันไม่ค่อยโตขึ้นเลย พวกแกควรคุยกันให้มากกว่านี้นะ คุณพระเอกก็ so sensitive & emotional ละเกิรรร

สิ่งที่ชุบชูใจในเล่มนี้ก็คือเรื่องราวของพ่อ ๆ แม่ ๆ ในเล่มแรก Drive ที่น่ารักกันมากกกก รู้สึกเติบโตและเดินทางกับตัวละครมายาวนานสุด ๆ เลย ปลื้มปริ่มใจ <3

[Jenny Lovez Bookz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how sensitive and emotional Easton is. Bonus novella filled with passion, fight & family

[❤️ Nanda ❤️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect bonus epilogue for this series!
I really hope to see more books in this world!

[Ali · Rating 2 out of 5]

TOXIC! And not the entertaining kind. I don’t remember if I found Natalie this annoying in the previous books? But geez. Immature babies talking about having babies 😭

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now that I finished the series I’m going to blankly stare at my wall for the next hours. 😭

[Giota (the reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leave it to Kate Stewart to give you an extended epilogue on Valentine’s Day for one of the most tortured couples ever and make it… hurtful … before it turns heartwarming… eventually🫠!
I swear to God, I haven’t suffered as much as when I read Reverse last year and Easton and Natalie made me sob uncontrollably 😭.
They have been through SO MUCH and now three years into their marriage, things are not the best… I had forgotten how INTENSE Easton is! In everything! The way he loves, hates, fights, fcks… Their hurt about the past, struggling to be a rock star and what fame brings with it, being the wife of said rock star and hated on by the female fandom, the media, the absence…
Like Kate herself said in the author’s note: “I love Easton and Natalie and their fiery imperfect, perfect love.”
It was the perfect ending to their story and Reverse will be one of the rare occasions I reread a book because I like to suffer 💁🏻‍♀️.

Hopefully Kate Stewart will give us what she hinted at in this epilogue and the author’s note… a story about Joel and Rian and Benji… 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

[Gabi Koz · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE PAIN !!! I should have known Kate Stewart couldn’t deliver a nice, sweet love story without crushing my heart first….even in just 90 pages 😂

I felt like Easton was incredibly immature in this novella which made me kind of mad 😭 but in general, I still loved it and am just obsessed with the intensity between Easton & Natalie.

I LOVED the developments with the parents in this novella!!

[Chloe Hildebranski · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5!!!! I didn’t think a novella could pull plot like this but PERIODDD IT DID!!! I think I will always love this little world and forever connect to them.

[Sonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aweee I so needed this!!!

Easton and Natalie have a perfectly imperfect love story and it is raw and genuine and unique and beautiful. Getting to move forward with them and revisit old favorites was everything in this epilogue. A great ending and a must read series!

[Karly · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4.5/5) I always find it unfair to rate novellas because they're so short. If you love the Bittersweet Symphony Duet and need to get some more time with the main characters in Reverse, please read. You won't regret it.

[Leona Greally · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️

This was the perfect round out to this series!
It was exactly what was needed to give the closure I’m sure everyone wanted for all of these characters and I absolutely loved it!
In true Kate style, a little drama and heartache along the way!
Such an incredible series.
I will always recommend this series for people and it truly lives in my head rent free.🖤

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I still want to drop Natalie into the depths of hell. She is my most hated FMC to date.

These two need to divorce. Their relationship is so goddamn toxic. And they definitely don’t need to be bringing a baby into this world.

[Bryanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these characters so it’s always fun to read more about them. This isn’t a book, it’s an extended epilog with some drama and spice 💗

[Brittany Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great ending to one of my favorite series. Easton Crown is perfection 🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼

[AJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

Kate Stewart has released a bonus epilogue to the Bittersweet Symphony duet, a little bit more Easton and Natalie for her fans, and at 90 pages, it’s a novella that had my heart twisted once again for these incredible characters and their “perfectly imperfect” love.

Easton and Natalie have been married for two years and are returning to Mexico to escape their crazy lives and reconnect as a couple. But planning to take a big step forward in their lives raises concerns and vulnerabilities. Life as a couple is hard when one of you is the world’s biggest rockstar, and Easton’s celebrity has taken its toll on both of them. While their love and passion for each other is never in doubt, they’ll need to truly open up to each other to deal with their issues and fight for the future they both want.

It's a bit of a rocky ride, and while I hurt so much for these two, the intensity and fire between them is still very much there (and evidenced in all the ways *wink*). They are so hot for each other, they’re just trying to find their way, and with honesty and dedication – and all four parents along for the ride to offer their wisdom and experience – they do just that.

This is a story of what happens after the HEA. Life happens, and it’s not always easy. But the love that Easton and Natalie have for each other continues to shine, and I loved watching them work to come back together and rediscover each other all over again.

“I’ve missed you so much, so much, Natalie, and I just want to be here with you just us – where I find my true peace.”

I love these two! I love their parents, and I loved the ending that we got to see for them in this bonus story.

A great addition for fans of the duet.

4 stars.

You can get this novella for free by signing up for Kate Stewart’s newsletter – www.katestewartwrites.com

It’s also available on Amazon, and is free in KU.

[Joanne Ragona · Rating 5 out of 5]

This extended epilogue is everything I hoped it would be. Natalie and Easton have that passionate, burning love that can often ignite heated exchanges. In true Kate Stewart fashion, there are sparks flying everywhere in this epilogue and I couldn’t have loved it more.

Getting a further glimpse into this world Kate created in Drive and Reverse, with characters we all love and adore, Bittersweet Melody is a beautiful gift and a wonderful end to books that will always hold a special place in my heart. Goodbye to Nate, Reid, Stella, Easton and Natalie, you will be missed. Bet.

[Courtney ✩ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate Stewart will always be my fav romance author! Ever since I stumbled upon her in Kindle Unlimited, her stories have never let me down. Her writing has always effortlessly drawn me in; her characters always strong and dynamic. This was an extended HEA epilogue from the last book in the series, Reverse. It was so fun to go back into this world with Natalie, Easton, Reid, Stella, Nate and Addie. It's been a while since I read Drive and Reverse, but it felt like I had never left! It's astounding to me that Natalie and Easton still suck at communication, but they learn from it in the end. For 90 pages though, it really makes you feel all the feels!

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damn. Another heart wrenching read. Thanks.
But seriously, she really captured real life relationships with this story. This wasn’t your typical HEA novella and I appreciated the realness of it. Love and marriage aren’t always sunshine’s and rainbows. You’re going to hurt each other, sometimes on purpose and there will be times where sacrifices have to be made. But fighting shows that you care, care enough to have your feelings heard, and care enough to want to make things better. I love Natalie and Easton and loved their story. Sad it’s over.

[Lindsay Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m thankful for this closure but I’m still yearning for more from this family! 🫶🥹 so many cliff hangers, so many side stories I need answers too. I’ll be over here dreaming of this kind of love until the end of time.. not only the love between N & E, but the love they feel from and give back to their parents. My heart is shattered but throbbing all at once!

[Karalyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really highlighted the ups and downs of a relationship. You fight, you love, you fight again and love harder. And they came out of these arguments stronger than ever.

I will always love Natalie and Easton’s relationship.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“You’ll never have to look for my hand again”