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Rebel Strings
As concertmaster of the London Symphony Orchestra, Lee Allison is an expert at navigating the cutthroat, high-class world of elite musicians. A talented but mercurial violinist, he has his hopes set on a solo career -- until a shadow from his past reappears, dredging up long-forgotten memories and jeopardizing his plans.
New conductor Harry Linden represents everything Lee despises. He's young, showy, and shallow, and his brash vision for the orchestra sets Lee's teeth on edge. He's also strikingly handsome. An annoying, infuriatingly alluring distraction who is well out of Lee's league both in looks and career... or so Lee thinks.
As their clashes over the music heat up, professional jealousy begins to mix with an undeniable mutual attraction -- one that threatens to turn physical at any moment. Can Lee maintain control over the orchestra and his heart? Or will memories of their painful past unravel everything?
New conductor Harry Linden represents everything Lee despises. He's young, showy, and shallow, and his brash vision for the orchestra sets Lee's teeth on edge. He's also strikingly handsome. An annoying, infuriatingly alluring distraction who is well out of Lee's league both in looks and career... or so Lee thinks.
As their clashes over the music heat up, professional jealousy begins to mix with an undeniable mutual attraction -- one that threatens to turn physical at any moment. Can Lee maintain control over the orchestra and his heart? Or will memories of their painful past unravel everything?
332 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 3, 2015
1 person is currently reading
75 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 13, 2018
So... This was a re-read, but after watching God's Own Country and getting a serious case of 'want' for something British and gripping and HEA and heartwrenching, I thought I would give this another go, since I seemed to remember that it contained exactly that (also my recent positive outcome of re-reads have me questioning my taste of my first foray into MM, so I might have been mistaken about my 3 star rating:-)
However I wasn't completely off, because jeebus fucking christmas sweater Lee was a fucking ass for no apparent reason! And it went on FOR TOO DAMN LONG IMO.
I do understand Lee's insecurity, but I just don't think it felt justified for that long. Dude is playing for LSO. He's not just a rando guy picked out from the crowd.
Also a warning for those of you with that pet-peeve: we have a BUTTLOAD of miscommunication and 'not talking about things'.
At 54% they STILL hadn't had a convo about their past and Lee's loathsome treatment of Harry when they were younger. And it was just too much.
It's actually quite sad, and I really did consider giving this a higher rating, when I got proper into the last (maybe) 40% of the book, but the ache in my stomach in the first half of the book, is not letting me.
The reason I actually liked this book is the humour though, and the FEEL of it. I have no clue about classical music, but this book sort of read like a concerto, I think. And it did emote a lot, and while some of the music expressions and descriptions had me going crosseyed, the setting and the 'nerdi-ness' of it had me smiling.
Also: I have a very special place in my heart for Harry Linden. That dude was just freaking lovely<3
However I wasn't completely off, because jeebus fucking christmas sweater Lee was a fucking ass for no apparent reason! And it went on FOR TOO DAMN LONG IMO.
I do understand Lee's insecurity, but I just don't think it felt justified for that long. Dude is playing for LSO. He's not just a rando guy picked out from the crowd.
Also a warning for those of you with that pet-peeve: we have a BUTTLOAD of miscommunication and 'not talking about things'.
At 54% they STILL hadn't had a convo about their past and Lee's loathsome treatment of Harry when they were younger. And it was just too much.
It's actually quite sad, and I really did consider giving this a higher rating, when I got proper into the last (maybe) 40% of the book, but the ache in my stomach in the first half of the book, is not letting me.
The reason I actually liked this book is the humour though, and the FEEL of it. I have no clue about classical music, but this book sort of read like a concerto, I think. And it did emote a lot, and while some of the music expressions and descriptions had me going crosseyed, the setting and the 'nerdi-ness' of it had me smiling.
Also: I have a very special place in my heart for Harry Linden. That dude was just freaking lovely<3
October 7, 2015
3.5 stars
I’m a sucker for romances featuring classical musicians, especially when there’s more than a cursory glance at the work involved. This story is infused with music, it gives shape and meaning to its characters, brings them to life. The backstage gritty work, sweat, tears, and sacrifice for a few moments of glory in front of the curtain— we get to see some of this in Rebel Strings. It’s clear that the author, in shaping violinist, Leeland Allison, and cellist/conductor, Harry Linden, knows something about it… or did some good homework.
But, this is a romance after all, and Lee and Harry have their backstory to overcome. Now, they have to work together as collaborators, and they each still have their issues. Lee is a right arse— it’s hard to cozy up to him. But the author lets us see, eventually, why he is the way he is. And Harry… Harry is too forgiving and easy-going. He’s too bumbling, with too much blushing self-consciousness. I wanted him to have more ego and arrogance. It would only be natural for someone with his musical credentials. Whenever he took a strong hand in the relationship, asserted himself, things really heated up. I wish there could have been more of that.
But, I did enjoy reading about Lee and Harry’s love for their art. That rang true.
I enjoyed the first three-quarters of the story. The last bit slowed down. The resolution of the big misunderstanding took a little too long and was a little too angst-filled. All the extra telling that I overlook in the main body of the story becomes a bit much at this point. There’s a lot of breaking down into tears and blushing and flushing and reddening cheeks— it adds up exponentially. Miscommunication or… non-communication… If the guys had just used their words like they did their fiddle sticks, things would have been less painful and more quickly resolved. As usual.
What worked for me was the apparent love of music and music-making threaded in with the romance. I only wish the story had been more tightly written; that would have gotten an extra star rating.
March 12, 2016
TURNED OUT TO BE ONE DIRECTION FANFIC - Very Disappointing
I had a very mixed experience with this book. The first half, or so, was really enjoyable. The author can write for sure, although she's a little in the "Too much telling and not enough showing" camp. I don't need to hear a character's every thought process. But other than that; some lovely writing and nicely researched.
Then… Giant Problem Number One. The realisation came over me in slow increments, like drowning in porridge. This is a piece of ONE DIRECTION FAN FICTION. Yes. You heard me correctly. Specifically, its a piece of LARRY fanfic. Totally, totally ruined it for me. I started to recognise the Harry Styles character first. (Character name Harry) It was all there, every single detail, hair, clothes, mannerisms, voice, tattoos. Literally everything. Leeland Allison is based on Louis Tomlinson. I think we even got Liam and Niall as peripheral characters.
The Larry references were so overwhelming that I had to abandon my own imaginations and just go with the Harry-Louis narrative. Of course, if you're not very familiar with One Direction you won't be affected by this, but trust me, its all there.
Now, I don't read One Direction fan fiction. That's my personal choice. I hate it when writers take real people, with real lives and fetishise them in print. There's something very distasteful to me when somebody writes homoerotic material about a person without their knowledge or consent.
I really don't want to be tricked into reading it by dressing it up as original fiction.
Giant Problem Number Two… The giant cliched misunderstanding. Uurgh. Surely this has been done to death now. I have to say that this was one of the most annoying, most protracted, and most contrived misunderstandings ever. I won't say any more. You all know what I mean.
On the whole I think its a shame. The author went to a lot of trouble to take us into this world of classical music, but not enough to create her own fictional characters or to plot a story without resorting to horribly overused plot devices.
I had a very mixed experience with this book. The first half, or so, was really enjoyable. The author can write for sure, although she's a little in the "Too much telling and not enough showing" camp. I don't need to hear a character's every thought process. But other than that; some lovely writing and nicely researched.
Then… Giant Problem Number One. The realisation came over me in slow increments, like drowning in porridge. This is a piece of ONE DIRECTION FAN FICTION. Yes. You heard me correctly. Specifically, its a piece of LARRY fanfic. Totally, totally ruined it for me. I started to recognise the Harry Styles character first. (Character name Harry) It was all there, every single detail, hair, clothes, mannerisms, voice, tattoos. Literally everything. Leeland Allison is based on Louis Tomlinson. I think we even got Liam and Niall as peripheral characters.
The Larry references were so overwhelming that I had to abandon my own imaginations and just go with the Harry-Louis narrative. Of course, if you're not very familiar with One Direction you won't be affected by this, but trust me, its all there.
Now, I don't read One Direction fan fiction. That's my personal choice. I hate it when writers take real people, with real lives and fetishise them in print. There's something very distasteful to me when somebody writes homoerotic material about a person without their knowledge or consent.
I really don't want to be tricked into reading it by dressing it up as original fiction.
Giant Problem Number Two… The giant cliched misunderstanding. Uurgh. Surely this has been done to death now. I have to say that this was one of the most annoying, most protracted, and most contrived misunderstandings ever. I won't say any more. You all know what I mean.
On the whole I think its a shame. The author went to a lot of trouble to take us into this world of classical music, but not enough to create her own fictional characters or to plot a story without resorting to horribly overused plot devices.
December 14, 2015
Leland Allison is a sourpuss. Complete sourpuss. Just as I was getting annoyed with him he changes his perspective and I fell in love with him. Harold Linden...so lovely, I loved him from the very beginning. Rebel Strings might just be the most romantic m/m Ive read. It could very well be because of the music ( I spent some time on youtube, and loved every listening moment). Perfect amount of angst, perfect amount of sex, perfect writing. I loved loved loved this book and I will definitely be reading it again and again and again.
November 8, 2015
Refined, emotional and very sexy MM romance.
June 21, 2017
I'm mad at this book!
I decided to buy it after reading a sample whcih I immediately loved. I seriously thought it was going to be something wonderful. And I must say the first 30% was OK but then it all went downhill...
I do not like Lee! He's an a**hole. He's mean, petty, and a total jerk and yes, he doesn't deserve Harry. I honestly think that a character should have something a little bit more than just an amazing ass (not just to be one) to get the guy. Apparently it's enough to be sarcastic and cruel, works like a charm... But this isn't the reason why I'm angry.
I simply hate, HATE books with a wasted potential. From the first page I thought I found something amazing, another 5* book... but then, somewhere around 1/3 it just started to get boring... (one star less) Too much whining, too many internal monologues, too many words. It could easily be 200-page long book, if not shorter. And, oh god, what's with the "eye rolling"?????? The characters were constantly rolling their eyes, what the hell? (2 stars less) There are TONS of other facial expressions. It does not have to be eye roll after eye roll after eye roll! At some point I wanted to count how many times this phrase was used (I'm betting several dozens).
I am mad at this book! Because it could have been better! It should have been better. The author's style was SO good at the begining and I was so hopeful, and I feel it all got drown in the mushy mushy cliche romance and way too many words.
Ygh, I am mad!
I decided to buy it after reading a sample whcih I immediately loved. I seriously thought it was going to be something wonderful. And I must say the first 30% was OK but then it all went downhill...
I do not like Lee! He's an a**hole. He's mean, petty, and a total jerk and yes, he doesn't deserve Harry. I honestly think that a character should have something a little bit more than just an amazing ass (not just to be one) to get the guy. Apparently it's enough to be sarcastic and cruel, works like a charm... But this isn't the reason why I'm angry.
I simply hate, HATE books with a wasted potential. From the first page I thought I found something amazing, another 5* book... but then, somewhere around 1/3 it just started to get boring... (one star less) Too much whining, too many internal monologues, too many words. It could easily be 200-page long book, if not shorter. And, oh god, what's with the "eye rolling"?????? The characters were constantly rolling their eyes, what the hell? (2 stars less) There are TONS of other facial expressions. It does not have to be eye roll after eye roll after eye roll! At some point I wanted to count how many times this phrase was used (I'm betting several dozens).
I am mad at this book! Because it could have been better! It should have been better. The author's style was SO good at the begining and I was so hopeful, and I feel it all got drown in the mushy mushy cliche romance and way too many words.
Ygh, I am mad!
February 5, 2016
Poor Leland is hard to like in the beginning. His razor sharp tongue, quick barbs and pompous attitude did not endear him to me. My opinion of him sank even lower when I learned how he treated Harry when they were teenagers. Ah.. but there are two sides to every story.
Leland is a very talented violinist but his self-confidence is really low. After his mother is introduced into the story, I understood him. Parents with talented children have been known to do more harm than good. His mother pushed him while reminding him that he lacks emotional expression and is lacking as a musician. He is gay and seems to be constant disappointment to her. He definitely need a hug and someone to have his back.
Harry is a genius on the cello and has spent the last three years conducting. He comes to London to conduct Leland's orchestra. Harry is different from Leland. He is sweet, slightly klutzy, and has a supportive family. He has always been in awe, in lust, fascinated and eventually in love with Leland. When they finally get past the fear and are open with each other, they make beautiful music together - culminating in a duet written by Leland.
Leland is a very talented violinist but his self-confidence is really low. After his mother is introduced into the story, I understood him. Parents with talented children have been known to do more harm than good. His mother pushed him while reminding him that he lacks emotional expression and is lacking as a musician. He is gay and seems to be constant disappointment to her. He definitely need a hug and someone to have his back.
Harry is a genius on the cello and has spent the last three years conducting. He comes to London to conduct Leland's orchestra. Harry is different from Leland. He is sweet, slightly klutzy, and has a supportive family. He has always been in awe, in lust, fascinated and eventually in love with Leland. When they finally get past the fear and are open with each other, they make beautiful music together - culminating in a duet written by Leland.
March 11, 2016
Read this! Till this day and after all the books I've read in my life... this is still one of the stories that touched me the most. I LOVE, ADORE AND WORSHIP this story, it's amazingly written, it made me appreciate classical music on a another level and omg, all the feels I had, while reading this.. <3 This story honestly has it all... great storyline, amazing characters, it's hot, it's angsty and it has the sweetest ending.
June 6, 2015
This is one of my favorite romances of all time. The writing is smart, funny, and sexy. The characters are engaging and the storyline is absolutely one of a kind. Definitely read this one, you won't regret it.
July 13, 2015
I loved,loved, loved this book! It had everything I like: some broken MC's, classical music and supportive friends!
June 12, 2015
This book is so much fun. Super well written, impossible to put down, actually made me miss my bus stop on my morning commute. Also, inspires you to listen to lots of classical music.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews