What do you think?
Rate this book
Spaces Between Notes
Nikolai Amorosa is one of those men’s men. You know the type—allergic to feelings, couldn’t have a heartfelt discussion if he tried, which he never did. Then, he lost his voice, and any chance of communication went out the window.
Unable to speak or otherwise interact with anyone, Niko’s anger was off the charts. It could’ve been worse; he could’ve been in jail. Instead, he found himself doing construction on Carys Harper’s house. Carys talked—a lot—both with her voice and her hands. She was also at the beck and call of her deaf little brother, Benny, which drove Niko nine kinds of crazy. Not that he would’ve said anything, even if he could.
Something else that drove him crazy? Carys was stubborn. She wouldn’t let him wallow. More than that, she seemed to hear all the things he couldn’t say. She understood him like she understood music. She heard what existed in the spaces between notes. She knew that sometimes silence screams the loudest
Unable to speak or otherwise interact with anyone, Niko’s anger was off the charts. It could’ve been worse; he could’ve been in jail. Instead, he found himself doing construction on Carys Harper’s house. Carys talked—a lot—both with her voice and her hands. She was also at the beck and call of her deaf little brother, Benny, which drove Niko nine kinds of crazy. Not that he would’ve said anything, even if he could.
Something else that drove him crazy? Carys was stubborn. She wouldn’t let him wallow. More than that, she seemed to hear all the things he couldn’t say. She understood him like she understood music. She heard what existed in the spaces between notes. She knew that sometimes silence screams the loudest
246 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 27, 2016
14 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
About the author
Kristina M. Sanchez
5 books236 followersKristina M. Sanchez is an Orange County California native. She currently resides down the street from Disneyland and is the mother of two pain in the behind cats.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 4, 2016
This book could have been so good, but the execution was weak.
The characters did not grab me. I did not feel a connection. It all felt like words. Bland.
I really did not feel that Niko really liked Carys until 3/4 of the book. I am not sure how I felt about her either.
I got bored with the story and the attitude of the characters.
The writing style did not work for me.
Niko lost his voice when the doctor messed up on his surgery.
The characters did not grab me. I did not feel a connection. It all felt like words. Bland.
I really did not feel that Niko really liked Carys until 3/4 of the book. I am not sure how I felt about her either.
I got bored with the story and the attitude of the characters.
The writing style did not work for me.
Niko lost his voice when the doctor messed up on his surgery.
November 14, 2016
3 1/2 Stars!
tried-sample-not-interested
March 13, 2025I liked the idea of a mute H and h who knew sign language, and there weren’t a lot of errors in the sample, but it was very bland and I wasn’t interested in reading further.
November 4, 2016
A friend recommended “Spaces Between Notes” to me because she had read past fanfiction that Kristina Sanchez has written and really enjoyed the world that she created. Since one of the greatest things about book blogging is finding new authors and stories, I grabbed an ARC and started reading.
In all honestly, I thought that the story had a really solid base. Niko can’t express his emotions verbally like he used to be able to do or how he wants to now so instead of talking about his anger, he goes violent on his old childhood home. Before his steam runs out, during his episode, a woman, Carys, walks out and a deal is made between them that he will pay off the damages by fixing the house. This sudden connection builds into friendship, teacher, and eventually much more. So, it is a good, solid base of a story.
After finishing the book, I would say I had two major problems. The first problem was the formatting of the ARC. Normally, I don’t state if there are misspellings, random strings of numbers, or copy write information because I understand authors wanting to protect their work however, every chapter’s beginning was missing dialog. I felt like I missed a lot of what was being said and what tone was being set with design. I don’t know if it was on purpose, it may not have been, but it was always hard to start a new chapter when I only received the last three words in the sentence.
The second thing was that none of the characters felt genuine to me. All the secondary characters came and went throughout the story as they were needed. Jamie, Niko’s best friend, would only be there when work was to be done or Niko needed a translator. Micah, Niko’s little brother, showed up three-fourths through the book and played almost a big part but just kinda fizzled out at the end. The other characters: Bennett, Del, etc walked in and out of the pages and it didn’t feel natural. They brought their own baggage of problems but I never received closure for any of them. And then there is Niko and Carys. I liked them but I didn’t love them. They would fight for each other but they would never fight for themselves. I don’t want to list why because I think it would spoil the story but if you read it, I think you will get what I mean.
While the story was good and had major potential, I just couldn’t really get behind it. Yes, I feel bad for saying this.
In all honestly, I thought that the story had a really solid base. Niko can’t express his emotions verbally like he used to be able to do or how he wants to now so instead of talking about his anger, he goes violent on his old childhood home. Before his steam runs out, during his episode, a woman, Carys, walks out and a deal is made between them that he will pay off the damages by fixing the house. This sudden connection builds into friendship, teacher, and eventually much more. So, it is a good, solid base of a story.
After finishing the book, I would say I had two major problems. The first problem was the formatting of the ARC. Normally, I don’t state if there are misspellings, random strings of numbers, or copy write information because I understand authors wanting to protect their work however, every chapter’s beginning was missing dialog. I felt like I missed a lot of what was being said and what tone was being set with design. I don’t know if it was on purpose, it may not have been, but it was always hard to start a new chapter when I only received the last three words in the sentence.
The second thing was that none of the characters felt genuine to me. All the secondary characters came and went throughout the story as they were needed. Jamie, Niko’s best friend, would only be there when work was to be done or Niko needed a translator. Micah, Niko’s little brother, showed up three-fourths through the book and played almost a big part but just kinda fizzled out at the end. The other characters: Bennett, Del, etc walked in and out of the pages and it didn’t feel natural. They brought their own baggage of problems but I never received closure for any of them. And then there is Niko and Carys. I liked them but I didn’t love them. They would fight for each other but they would never fight for themselves. I don’t want to list why because I think it would spoil the story but if you read it, I think you will get what I mean.
While the story was good and had major potential, I just couldn’t really get behind it. Yes, I feel bad for saying this.
December 1, 2016
Niko's actions put him a spot and as his friend Jamie tries to keep him out of trouble, the two of them get introduced Carys. I really enjoyed the personalities of the characters and how the stories of each one unfold gradually. I love the way that Niko's story is metered out slowly while Carys has jumped into his life without invitation and full of her suggestions about how he can change his. As time goes on, he begins to enjoy seeing her and delighting in her all-in attitude. But as the story continues, he finds some things he can do to help her in her own life.
This one pulls out some tears as the characters begin to examine their own lives and do the work involved to get there.
This one pulls out some tears as the characters begin to examine their own lives and do the work involved to get there.
October 13, 2017
I wanted more...
Overall I loved the story. I wanted more of the one on one time and maybe a epilogue to find out a little of what happened after. But in the end a beautiful story.
Overall I loved the story. I wanted more of the one on one time and maybe a epilogue to find out a little of what happened after. But in the end a beautiful story.
July 3, 2018
3.75 Stars. Just ok. Got repetitive after a while.
October 21, 2016
Utterly beautiful love story. It's the kind of book you simply don't want to put down - so I didn't :) I sat a full evening engulfing myself with Kristina's unique characters. I really enjoyed the love story, but above that I enjoyed getting to know Niko and Carys but also Niko's best friend Jamie, his siblings and even Carys' brother which isn't the easiest character to like in the book..
Nikolai "Niko" Amorosa is angry and upset, it's getting harder for him to manage his temper which is no wonder he finds himself one night in front of the house he grew up in, throwing rocks at the windows. Lucky for him, he gets rescued by his best friend Jamie who offers the owner to replace everything Niko broke including more work around the house as needed. It's not what Niko would have wanted but it's better than jail.. and frankly he can use the distraction.. Thing is, about 7 month prior he lost his voice which as a singer and salesman was something he NEEDED and now he is not only unable to do what he used to do, he is unable and maybe not really wanting to communicate with the world around him. Jaime basically understands him, but everyone else, not so much.. which leads to some of his temper outbursts. I liked the fact Niko was "flawed" and not only because he lost his voice, but also because he wasn't perfect, he had his issues. It made him so REAL. I could truly feel his struggle. I believed him and I felt empathy for him. In a way he didn't WANT to move on. Maybe he didn't even have a reason to. He couldn't see a future for himself so why bother.
Carys Harper lives in her grandmother's house, the same house which used to belong to Niko's family. Maybe she should have called the cops when she saw Niko in his fit of anger, but somehow she didn't and through the days to months Niko and Jaime spend working on her house (after a while working for her to renovate and upgrade it) she started to see Niko and read him better than anyone around him (I'll have to re-think if better than Jaime though...), first, she sees him as a man, sure she sees his weaknesses, but she mostly sees someone she wants to help. She starts with teaching him sign language which is basically her second language since her brother is deaf. Niko was reluctant at first but it's hard to stop Carys from doing ANYTHING really, add her sweet charm and how Niko is attracted to her and yeah.. she TOTALLY won him over.
There's attraction between them from the start but they both have things keeping them at an arms' length. For Niko is mostly his disability making him doubt himself, for Carys it's having a hard time communicating with Niko, realizing he is fighting her, not really trying to change his life but wallow in what remained. But she also have another "problem" or maybe I should say difficulty - her brother Bennett is ALWAYS there needing her. He was her responsibility since he was a small child so it's not wonder she is used to putting him first, and he isn't used to her having someone ELSE in her life. I was half annoyed by him, wanting to punch him in the face, and the other half I was feeling sad because he truly didn't know anything else, this is how he was raised and taught and Carys never actually told him - listen up kid, I have things I need and are important to me! She just always complied and he was used to exactly that. This is something that made her real for me, but more than that, it showed her compassion and just how much she is willing to sacrifice for the people she cares about. Granted it was too much at times but it was also humbling.
Carys was exactly what Niko needed, someone to make him realize his life is worth living, he has things to offer, to her, to himself, even with his disability (as much as he missed how he used to be). For Carys, Niko is a wake up call to owning what she truly wants and needs. Not only Niko but her job, her interests. He puts her happiness first, something NO-ONE did before him. It's something she needs time to adjust to, and mostly Bennett needs to understand that his problems cannot be constantly solved by his sister.
There is more issues in this book, with Bennett, with Niko's younger brother, a bit of family drama mixed in, there is A LOT going on in this book, but the romance is always THERE between them, it's not just the attraction it's the connection, the relationship buildup. It was simply BEAUTIFUL to unravel. Also we get an interesting insight into the world of sign language, I really liked that. It was also a part of Niko and Carys getting closer together. This book has some much HEART in it. I loved the way everything played, and how it was concluded. It was just perfect.
HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED as all of Kristina's books are.
I kindly received this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
More Reviews HERE
Nikolai "Niko" Amorosa is angry and upset, it's getting harder for him to manage his temper which is no wonder he finds himself one night in front of the house he grew up in, throwing rocks at the windows. Lucky for him, he gets rescued by his best friend Jamie who offers the owner to replace everything Niko broke including more work around the house as needed. It's not what Niko would have wanted but it's better than jail.. and frankly he can use the distraction.. Thing is, about 7 month prior he lost his voice which as a singer and salesman was something he NEEDED and now he is not only unable to do what he used to do, he is unable and maybe not really wanting to communicate with the world around him. Jaime basically understands him, but everyone else, not so much.. which leads to some of his temper outbursts. I liked the fact Niko was "flawed" and not only because he lost his voice, but also because he wasn't perfect, he had his issues. It made him so REAL. I could truly feel his struggle. I believed him and I felt empathy for him. In a way he didn't WANT to move on. Maybe he didn't even have a reason to. He couldn't see a future for himself so why bother.
Carys Harper lives in her grandmother's house, the same house which used to belong to Niko's family. Maybe she should have called the cops when she saw Niko in his fit of anger, but somehow she didn't and through the days to months Niko and Jaime spend working on her house (after a while working for her to renovate and upgrade it) she started to see Niko and read him better than anyone around him (I'll have to re-think if better than Jaime though...), first, she sees him as a man, sure she sees his weaknesses, but she mostly sees someone she wants to help. She starts with teaching him sign language which is basically her second language since her brother is deaf. Niko was reluctant at first but it's hard to stop Carys from doing ANYTHING really, add her sweet charm and how Niko is attracted to her and yeah.. she TOTALLY won him over.
There's attraction between them from the start but they both have things keeping them at an arms' length. For Niko is mostly his disability making him doubt himself, for Carys it's having a hard time communicating with Niko, realizing he is fighting her, not really trying to change his life but wallow in what remained. But she also have another "problem" or maybe I should say difficulty - her brother Bennett is ALWAYS there needing her. He was her responsibility since he was a small child so it's not wonder she is used to putting him first, and he isn't used to her having someone ELSE in her life. I was half annoyed by him, wanting to punch him in the face, and the other half I was feeling sad because he truly didn't know anything else, this is how he was raised and taught and Carys never actually told him - listen up kid, I have things I need and are important to me! She just always complied and he was used to exactly that. This is something that made her real for me, but more than that, it showed her compassion and just how much she is willing to sacrifice for the people she cares about. Granted it was too much at times but it was also humbling.
Carys was exactly what Niko needed, someone to make him realize his life is worth living, he has things to offer, to her, to himself, even with his disability (as much as he missed how he used to be). For Carys, Niko is a wake up call to owning what she truly wants and needs. Not only Niko but her job, her interests. He puts her happiness first, something NO-ONE did before him. It's something she needs time to adjust to, and mostly Bennett needs to understand that his problems cannot be constantly solved by his sister.
There is more issues in this book, with Bennett, with Niko's younger brother, a bit of family drama mixed in, there is A LOT going on in this book, but the romance is always THERE between them, it's not just the attraction it's the connection, the relationship buildup. It was simply BEAUTIFUL to unravel. Also we get an interesting insight into the world of sign language, I really liked that. It was also a part of Niko and Carys getting closer together. This book has some much HEART in it. I loved the way everything played, and how it was concluded. It was just perfect.
HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED as all of Kristina's books are.
I kindly received this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
More Reviews HERE
February 13, 2017
A friend recommended “Spaces Between Notes” to me because she had read past fanfiction that Kristina Sanchez has written and really enjoyed the world that she created. Since one of the greatest things about book blogging is finding new authors and stories, I grabbed an ARC and started reading.
In all honestly, I thought that the story had a really solid base. Niko can’t express his emotions verbally like he used to be able to do or how he wants to now so instead of talking about his anger, he goes violent on his old childhood home. Before his steam runs out, during his episode, a woman, Carys, walks out and a deal is made between them that he will pay off the damages by fixing the house. This sudden connection builds into friendship, teacher, and eventually much more. So, it is a good, solid base of a story.
After finishing the book, I would say I had two major problems. The first problem was the formatting of the ARC. Normally, I don’t state if there are misspellings, random strings of numbers, or copy write information because I understand authors wanting to protect their work however, every chapter’s beginning was missing dialog. I felt like I missed a lot of what was being said and what tone was being set with design. I don’t know if it was on purpose, it may not have been, but it was always hard to start a new chapter when I only received the last three words in the sentence.
The second thing was that none of the characters felt genuine to me. All the secondary characters came and went throughout the story as they were needed. Jamie, Niko’s best friend, would only be there when work was to be done or Niko needed a translator. Micah, Niko’s little brother, showed up three-fourths through the book and played almost a big part but just kinda fizzled out at the end. The other characters: Bennett, Del, etc walked in and out of the pages and it didn’t feel natural. They brought their own baggage of problems but I never received closure for any of them. And then there is Niko and Carys. I liked them but I didn’t love them. They would fight for each other but they would never fight for themselves. I don’t want to list why because I think it would spoil the story but if you read it, I think you will get what I mean.
While the story was good and had major potential, I just couldn’t really get behind it. Yes, I feel bad for saying this. ~BookWhisperer Reviewer MC~
In all honestly, I thought that the story had a really solid base. Niko can’t express his emotions verbally like he used to be able to do or how he wants to now so instead of talking about his anger, he goes violent on his old childhood home. Before his steam runs out, during his episode, a woman, Carys, walks out and a deal is made between them that he will pay off the damages by fixing the house. This sudden connection builds into friendship, teacher, and eventually much more. So, it is a good, solid base of a story.
After finishing the book, I would say I had two major problems. The first problem was the formatting of the ARC. Normally, I don’t state if there are misspellings, random strings of numbers, or copy write information because I understand authors wanting to protect their work however, every chapter’s beginning was missing dialog. I felt like I missed a lot of what was being said and what tone was being set with design. I don’t know if it was on purpose, it may not have been, but it was always hard to start a new chapter when I only received the last three words in the sentence.
The second thing was that none of the characters felt genuine to me. All the secondary characters came and went throughout the story as they were needed. Jamie, Niko’s best friend, would only be there when work was to be done or Niko needed a translator. Micah, Niko’s little brother, showed up three-fourths through the book and played almost a big part but just kinda fizzled out at the end. The other characters: Bennett, Del, etc walked in and out of the pages and it didn’t feel natural. They brought their own baggage of problems but I never received closure for any of them. And then there is Niko and Carys. I liked them but I didn’t love them. They would fight for each other but they would never fight for themselves. I don’t want to list why because I think it would spoil the story but if you read it, I think you will get what I mean.
While the story was good and had major potential, I just couldn’t really get behind it. Yes, I feel bad for saying this. ~BookWhisperer Reviewer MC~
February 19, 2017
Speaks to the heart
Tough and tender, The Space Between Notes is real, a love story between damaged people who exist with the help and hindrance of their families. The main characters have very different obstacles to overcome, and they repair their lives slowly but well. I was sorry to see this one end
Tough and tender, The Space Between Notes is real, a love story between damaged people who exist with the help and hindrance of their families. The main characters have very different obstacles to overcome, and they repair their lives slowly but well. I was sorry to see this one end
October 22, 2016
Solid 4.5 bright stars
We meet our hero, Niko, going out to a bar with his childhood best friend, Jamie, who I would also say offers a certain level of comic relief. At said club we see Niko get angry and beyond frustrated due to his lack of being able to verbally communicate, so any how, he suddenly leaves and somehow finds himself beating up his old childhood home. From there we meet Carys, Nikos future love interest. Now that woman is a saint, in regards to her brother!! I would have kicked his little ass a long time ago, but I will let you read the book and have you make up your own mind about him, and well Niko's, thinks like a caveman father..
So anyways, this is a beautiful love story about learning the trials and tribulations of acceptance, oneself And surrounding circumstances, surmounting perceived and actual obstacles, compromising and accepting help, seeing and accepting that you deserve to be loved and valued.
Go read this book, it is worth it. sometimes it's great to snuggle on the couch to read a realistic story.
We meet our hero, Niko, going out to a bar with his childhood best friend, Jamie, who I would also say offers a certain level of comic relief. At said club we see Niko get angry and beyond frustrated due to his lack of being able to verbally communicate, so any how, he suddenly leaves and somehow finds himself beating up his old childhood home. From there we meet Carys, Nikos future love interest. Now that woman is a saint, in regards to her brother!! I would have kicked his little ass a long time ago, but I will let you read the book and have you make up your own mind about him, and well Niko's, thinks like a caveman father..
So anyways, this is a beautiful love story about learning the trials and tribulations of acceptance, oneself And surrounding circumstances, surmounting perceived and actual obstacles, compromising and accepting help, seeing and accepting that you deserve to be loved and valued.
Go read this book, it is worth it. sometimes it's great to snuggle on the couch to read a realistic story.
October 21, 2016
I was lucky enough to get an advance reader copy of the talented Kristina' Sanchez's newest romance in exchange for an honest review.
What impressed me most about this book was how the reader gets invited into the hero, Niko's head as gradually as his romantic interest, Carys is able to break through his tough exterior. I admit to finding him a little off-putting at first. Though he could not express himself by speaking aloud, I found myself wondering why we couldn't have more of the words that were undoubtedly in his head. But, that just illuminates how the pain of his disability, and his less-than-supportive father, has shut off that part of himself that wants to communicate.
Even by the end of the story, I found myself screaming at the page that someone should just grab a smart phone and allow him to text. But, if you can suspend disbelief (and Sanchez does give some psychological defense of that choice), you will get your reward along with the characters.
What impressed me most about this book was how the reader gets invited into the hero, Niko's head as gradually as his romantic interest, Carys is able to break through his tough exterior. I admit to finding him a little off-putting at first. Though he could not express himself by speaking aloud, I found myself wondering why we couldn't have more of the words that were undoubtedly in his head. But, that just illuminates how the pain of his disability, and his less-than-supportive father, has shut off that part of himself that wants to communicate.
Even by the end of the story, I found myself screaming at the page that someone should just grab a smart phone and allow him to text. But, if you can suspend disbelief (and Sanchez does give some psychological defense of that choice), you will get your reward along with the characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 21, 2016
Spaces Between Notes is a MUST READ!!! I really enjoyed this book and I'm guaranteeing you will as well!
Niko is a very angry person but he has a good reason to be. He was played a bad hand. He had surgery on his voice box to remove a couple of nodules and it left him without the ability to speak. Jamie, his best friend, has been by his side since they were kids. One night at a bar some dude started in on him which irritated him to the point that he left before he did something he'd regret. He went walking and ended up at his old house. He took his frustrations out on the house. That's when he meets the owner. His friend came to his rescue once again. In order to save Nik from going to jail they'd promised to fix up the house.
You will have to read it to find out what happens with the owner and Nik.
But you won't regret it!!!!! GO. READ. THIS. NOW!!!!
Niko is a very angry person but he has a good reason to be. He was played a bad hand. He had surgery on his voice box to remove a couple of nodules and it left him without the ability to speak. Jamie, his best friend, has been by his side since they were kids. One night at a bar some dude started in on him which irritated him to the point that he left before he did something he'd regret. He went walking and ended up at his old house. He took his frustrations out on the house. That's when he meets the owner. His friend came to his rescue once again. In order to save Nik from going to jail they'd promised to fix up the house.
You will have to read it to find out what happens with the owner and Nik.
But you won't regret it!!!!! GO. READ. THIS. NOW!!!!
October 27, 2016
This book was just a breath of fresh air to me. I couldn't put it down. It has everything I want in a good book, Niko is sexy and frustrated and pretty much exudes anger, he's got a decent reason. I could really feel, deeply, the chemistry between him and Carys.
I had that feeling, that I do often have with this author's books, that I am a becoming a better person while I read it. Not in a teaching kind of way. It's like that change you feel when you meet someone who is different from you, or has some obstacle to overcome that you've never thought about (like oh, not being able to speak). After you become friends with that person, you have a new empathy for their life and their anger and frustrations.
This book goes in my stack of, "will read again".
I had that feeling, that I do often have with this author's books, that I am a becoming a better person while I read it. Not in a teaching kind of way. It's like that change you feel when you meet someone who is different from you, or has some obstacle to overcome that you've never thought about (like oh, not being able to speak). After you become friends with that person, you have a new empathy for their life and their anger and frustrations.
This book goes in my stack of, "will read again".
October 26, 2016
4.5 stars
I was given an ARC for an honest review.
This is my favourite book by this author yet. Knowing a little sign language myself, I was so happy to read the descriptions of some of the signs be so accurate. The relationship between the two lead characters is heartwarming and real. Like all her books, this one is again a great character study. Emotions and inner turmoil define the book. If you’re looking for rip roaring action this is probably not the read for you, but if you love people and what makes them tick, then saddle up and prepare yourself for a great journey.
I was given an ARC for an honest review.
This is my favourite book by this author yet. Knowing a little sign language myself, I was so happy to read the descriptions of some of the signs be so accurate. The relationship between the two lead characters is heartwarming and real. Like all her books, this one is again a great character study. Emotions and inner turmoil define the book. If you’re looking for rip roaring action this is probably not the read for you, but if you love people and what makes them tick, then saddle up and prepare yourself for a great journey.
October 28, 2016
I love this book! It is an intriguing look at how music, love and sign language can overcome a damaged soul. He lost his ability to speak and gained a temper, Her stubborness and ability to reach him through music and teaching him ASL changed them both. A loving homage to the deaf community and the power of love.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 14, 2016
Dnf - 15%
January 3, 2017
Great story.
Sometimes frustrating but lovely at the same time. Keeps you guessing and wondering if these two could really work out. Now you have to read it to find out.
Sometimes frustrating but lovely at the same time. Keeps you guessing and wondering if these two could really work out. Now you have to read it to find out.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews