Coffee Sonata

Coffee Sonata universe

by Gun Brooke

A story of Rediscovery and Romance.

Nothing exciting ever happens in East Quay, a quaint New England coastal town. Not until its most celebrated daughter returns for one last performance.

Four women, Manon, Eryn, Vivian and Mike, whose lives unexpectedly intersect in a small town by the sea share one thing in common--they all have secrets. Despite tragedy, past and present, each learns that life holds more than they dared dream.

Manon Belmont, socialite and president of a wealthy foundation, leads a closeted life. She thrives helping others, but denies herself happiness for reasons she shares with no one. Nothing is the same after she meets Eryn Goddard, a reporter who has lost track of her dream of a grand writing career years ago.

Eryn is suddenly rescued from her mundane assignments at the local paper when Vivian Harding, East Quay's only world famous celebrity, returns for a farewell performance.

Vivian carries with her a secret that she fears has not only ended her career, but will also destroy her life. She finds an unexpected source of understanding in Michaela "Mike" Stone, a street smart and brilliant café owner.

Mike, in turn, works hard developing her business, and even harder at overcoming the shadows of her past. She feels utterly protective of Vivian, but will she dare to eron her heart again?

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

290 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2006

About the author

Gun Brooke resides in the countryside in Sweden with her very patient family. A retired neonatal intensive care nurse, she now writes full time, only rarely taking a break to create web sites for herself or others and to do computer graphics. Gun writes both romances and sci-fi. She is the recipient of the 2009 Alice B. Medal for "body of work."

Reviews

[Lex Kent · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 Stars. This was excellent! This is easily one of my favorites that Brooke has written. This book came out a long time ago, but to be honest the cover put me off. It just didn't really attract me. Well the story was so much better than the cover!

What I really enjoyed was that there are four likeable main characters; two potential couples. It is like two stories in one. Most authors probably would have spilt this in two books. Instead this was a good size book with two great romances.

I’m going to keep this short as it is an older book and there are plenty of other reviews… but I do want to say if you are a Brooke fan or just a romance fan, get this book. You will not be sorry. Both romances were great and there was no forced angst. The story just flowed well and was really nice to read.

P.S. The reason I read Coffee Sonata now is because Joc mentioned, in her review of Brooke’s new book Wayworn Lovers, that it features the characters from Coffee Sonata. I’m anal about reading books in order. Here is my new problem. Brooke’s book Fierce Overture also has the characters from Coffee Sonata in it. Not only does it have the characters from Coffee Sonata it also has the characters from Course of Action in it too. Does that now mean I need to read Course of Action and Fierce Overture first before I read the new book Wayworn Lovers? This is a lot of reading just to read Brooke’s new book. Not sure what to do

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Fallback Friday selection was much better than my last two. This was published in 2006. So everyone's suggestion to try for a newer older book was a good idea.

I love music. Although the focus was on two romances, there were musical connections made throughout. There were some instances where the author describes emotions through the way instruments are being played. I am a such a sucker for that.

Anyhow, Vivian is a world famous opera singer who is returning to her hometown for a farewell concert. She meets a local cafe owner, Michaela (Mike), who catches her fancy despite the fact that she has always been into men and she is 20 years Mike's senior.

Manon is benefactor for the foundation that is sponsoring Vivian's farewell tour. The proceeds will go to build a children's wing at the local hospital. She becomes enthralled with a persistent reporter, Eryn, who ends up threatening to ruin everything Manon has built for herself.

Emotions run deep in this one. There was nothing superficial here. Just flawed people, falling for people they don't expect to, and trying to make things work against all odds.

The story does hold up despite some references to older musicians (Eric Clapton and Bonnie Raitt). In fact, Eryn the reporter, uses quite a bit of technology to keep her working remotely which must have been pretty advanced for 2006.

There were several intimate scenes that were not gratuitous. They demonstrated lots of chemistry and furthered the story by revealing backstory and insecurities. Even the kisses were written sensually. If I had been an editor, though, I would have suggested the author use 'nibbled' or 'nibbling' less often.

Highly recommend this story if you are into romance, age gap, music, loving on the wrong side of the tracks, disabilities, closeted lesbians, and coffee.

[Agirlcandream · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two romances for the price of one. What a deal. I enjoyed the way the author developed all four of her leading ladies and gave us enough backstory to make us care about each one of them.

I loved the brooding Mike with her dark past and the way the author takes her time rolling out the causes for that darkness. I also loved Vivian and found it bittersweet to watch the opera star lose her vision and move into darkness just as Michaela is overcoming her insecurities and daring to come out of her cave and back into the light.

Manon and Eryn get less page time/ intimate moments together but we still get a feel for the couple. As much as we laugh at toaster oven conversions, the closet Manon peeks out of is much harder to climb out of and we get that sense of tension and frustration with this couple.

One too many references to coffee and the over the top coincidence that the four leading ladies are all music savants drops this story to 4.5 stars. A nice if slightly dated time with wonderful characters.

[Pin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Coffee Sonata even more on the second reading. Such a lovely story and my favorite by the author (so far).

[AnnMaree Of Oz · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable read about two couples trying to learn to trust and love in each of their respective relationships.

Michaela 'Mike' owns her own coffee shop and has worked her way up from multiple foster families and abuses to make something of herself. She meets the enigmatic Vivian, 20 years her senior, who is insisting on retiring as an opera singer due to sight loss.
Their attraction is instant and although Vivian hasn't been with a woman before, she isn't shy about the relationship - except for insisting it's only temporary and casual. 😏

The other couple was more frustrating, Manon is a business heiress with strong charitable foundations in the community and is all about her perceived image. She's very in the closet. Until she meets Eryn, the challenging charming reporter from a local paper.
Eryn is honest and open about who she is and what she wants, being out and proud since 15 even if it cost her a relationship with her mother. She confesses quickly to her attraction to Manon who tries to deny it but becomes consumed with the sassy Eryn, but wary and unwilling to go there, or out herself because of self imposed 'obligations'.

I found her to be very frustrating, and there was one aspect of her story I couldn't believe at all. She states she's never kissed anyone, ever. Despite having had sex with men a few times. Um, sorry can't really accept that one.

The four women are friends, Eryn and Mike knowing eachother and Vivian and Manon run in the same circles. The four start a band throughout the book and often support and encourage eachother in friendship.

There's a bit of angst for all involve with each having to come to terms with their feelings, pasts and futures. But there is happily ever after for both couples.

[Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most enjoyable reads I have encountered over the last year. Why? Because of the characters and their desire to find love when some of them did not know they were looking for it. Also appealing was the unlikeliness of the coupling.

Coffee and music. Although not a coffee drinker (tea is my pleasure), I do love music and I understand how you can find yourself in a music zone. The story was beautiful with enduring characters. I cheered for and was sad for each of them as I rode the ebb and flow of desire for life and each other.

[MJSam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice, sweet love story. Actually, it's two love stories, and I enjoyed both couples, and how they came to know each other. I'm a sucker for May/Dec love stories, so Viv and Mike were my favourites but Manon and Eryn were a close second. The friendships between all of the women were wonderful too.

Music plays a secondary character in the story, and I doubt I'm the only one who read the story who wished there was a soundtrack to go with it. One of Gun's best.

[Paulina · Rating 4 out of 5]

.

I liked this one. We got pretty much two stories in one. All four characters were well developed and had good chemistry but I did enjoy Mike & Vivian a little more. It broke my heart how messed up Mike was and I wish her finale confrontation with her past was a little more developed. On the other hand Eryn & Manon were in my opinion a little less enjoyable mostly because it felt like Eryn was trying to force Manon into something Manon didn't want. I know the life Manon was living wasn't very healthy for her but it was still her decision.

[Kexx · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sort of "Wow!" book - four women and four extra ordinary story lines - anything missed out? Shove them in a bowl, mix them up together &, reading the package, I thought, oh, no, too much, can't cope, but blended beautifully & a yummy book. Thank you.

[Serena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was afraid I would not like it, because there are two main story's. I'm not used to that, I was afraid that it would distract me. this was definitely not the case. I especially liked the story of Vivian and Mike, very tingling and Hot! The age difference and that they came from two different worlds, I loved! Definitely a book I will read More than once. Books from Gun Brooke i often read more than once.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't sure I'd like this one, but I actually ended up loving it. The two relationships developing side-by-side worked really well and I liked all four characters. Gun Brooke is rapidly becoming one of my favourite authors.

[Ulla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely, romantic story about four women who, despite their very different backgrounds and burdens, find a way to happiness! I warmly recommend!

[Anja · Rating 2 out of 5]

3 words: too much drama

[Woody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coffee Sonata is about four women in East Quay, who all have their own secrets.
Manon Belmont socialite and president of a wealthy foundation,
Vivian Harding the world-famous celebrity opera singer returning to her home town.
Eryn the local newspaper reporter going nowhere
Mike (Michaela) who owns and runs the café.
I loved all four characters, seeing how their stories developed and mingled together. So well written by Gun Brooke. It was a sweet endearing story of four women finding love. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short of 5 stars because at times I felt the characters weren't quite deep enough, or that you couldn't quite grasp where something had come from or it wasn't quite developed enough. Otherwise loved the entertaining two love stories and the friendships of the four women.

[G Brooke]

I'll leave that for others to say - since I wrote it. :-)

[Heinerway · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great story. Lovely characters. But... a little bit predictable, long and heavy.

[hubsie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd give this light read about a 3.75. I enjoyed it and breezed through it in no time. The four main characters had such different backgrounds and all had their own past struggles to fight, but Brooke teased the details out in a steady, interesting way that was not too overly dramatic. I liked the age variation of the couples as well, it gave more depth and reality than usual sugary, simplistic romances.

I found the forming of the quartet a bit of a stretch though, it was rather cheesy for my tastes. And sometimes the intimate scenes were very Harlequin-esque....blah. Many eye rolling moments. Would have been nice for Manon and Eryn to have more play time, amiright?

I did get annoyed at the over-used coffee references, I mean, I GET IT, look at the title of the book, but really...who wants to leave a ritzy gala dressed to the tits with beautiful women lounging in a limo and go get a latte?? How 'bout cruising around with champagne while pumping some Whitney tunes? ;)

[Katharina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the characters and the story in general.
A few things come out of the blue and don't really tie to the rest of the story, e.g. Eryn's Christian mother suddenly coming around with her lesbianism. While this is very nice for Eryn, I did not see the relevance in terms of the story line.
I heard that there's a whole "Coffee Sonata Universe", so maybe these threads are going to be picked up in other books :)

[Brandie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfection

This is officially my favorite book of all time across all genres. I have now read it at least a dozen times and it never gets old. I also love following these beautifully written characters throughout the other stand alone novels that Ms Brook has written. Do yourself a favor and buy this book, and the others by Ms Brook. You will not regret it!!

[Ashuri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not finish - I tried many times to read this book but kept getting confused by the relationships involved. I know that some questions I had were eventually answered but it was a bumpy road and I just kept losing interest and focus. I have read other books by this author and they were alright but this one was just one I couldn't get into sadly.

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. Loved the writing but this wasn’t the most interesting read. I didn’t like the way it switched point of views because it felt jarring at times but the characters themselves were lovely and I liked their relationships and friendships with each other. I’ll definitely read another book by this author because this was a quick read but it didn’t wow me. It was fine.

[Celina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such an addictive read that I read it in one afternoon. I loved all four of the lead characters. I found myself laughing at some parts and crying at others. There's also just enough steamy moments to make it a good romance novel. Overall glad I read it.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything was great, loved everyone. The ending was a bit rushed, i also expected vivian to be blind but she recovered?
The band part was also a bit weird i guess. A bit rushed, they kinda just played together and worked?
3.5 stars.

[Mishael · Rating 2 out of 5]

Couldn't buy into the premise.

[Jude Aaron Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uno de mis favoritos de literatura lesbica, sin lugar a dudas.
Simplemente, placentero.

[wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

eww coffee

[Margaret Guay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book

[Dakota Vuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars from me. Thank you.

[Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Love this book. Every main character have their own struggle and how they overcome it make this a great story

I especially like Vivian and Mike, their dynamic is great and their struggle is more real

But really I recommend this book for eveeyone that love a book about love and friendship, and of course coffee and music