In Tune Out of Sync

by Kate Forest

No one wants to play second fiddle in love. Veronica “Ronnie” Lukas has one playing violin with the New York Philharmonic. She’ll do whatever she can to hide her dyslexia and inability to read music, because nothing, not even sexy and talented Scott Grossman, will stand in her way. Since he first tucked a violin under his chin, Scott’s tics caused by Tourette’s Syndrome quieted. His talent has thrust him into the harsh spotlight, becoming a reluctant poster child for living with Tourette’s. When Scott wins first chair of a small regional orchestra, Ronnie begrudgingly accepts second. She wants to hate the humble man who is disarmingly open about his disability. Instead, she falls for his heavenly music—and toe-curling kisses. Scott is smitten with the brilliant woman who doesn’t treat him with kid gloves, although he wishes she didn’t hide her dyslexia from the world. There’s only one spot open in the New York Philharmonic, but Scott and Ronnie find it’s not the competition but their differing views that come to a crescendo—secrets versus truth, spotlight versus shadows. Finding their rhythm is tough when they’re each marching to their own beat.

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romance, Music, Disability, Contemporary

310 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 5, 2017

About the author

Award winning author Kate Forest has worked in a psychiatric hospital, as a dating coach, and spent a disastrous summer selling above-ground swimming pools. But it was her over twenty-year career as a social worker that compelled her to write love stories with characters you don't typically get to read about. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband, two kids, and a fierce corgi.

Reviews

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Tune Out of Sync is a stand alone novel by Kate Forest. I’ve read every one of Kate’s books and in it’s own unique way, every one has amazed me and surprised me. This book is wonderful. Not only does it spotlight these two individual’s handicaps and how they dealt with them but also shows that anyone with any sort of issue that threatens to hold them back from achieving their dreams can overcome it and can achieve anything their heart’s desire!



Scott Grossman has Tourette’s Syndrome. He can keep his tics to a manageable level in order to function but ever since he was a little boy and first picked up a violin, he was able to lose himself in the music. It is the only time his tics disappear. He has been very open with his struggle with Tourette’s and has become a sort of poster child (man) for others struggling with the disease. So every accomplishment he achieves gives hope to others. Scott’s family is very supportive of him and help in any way that they can.



Veronica (Ronnie) Lukas is also a violinist. It’s her life. Ronnie suffers from dyslexia. In order to read music, she has come up with a color coded system that helps to keep all the notes from blurring together. But unlike Scott, she keeps her struggles secret. Very few people know. Ronnie’s family tries to overprotect Ronnie. They don’t feel that a music career is the safest route for her.



Both Ronnie and Scott are auditioning for two openings that have become available in the Delaware Symphony Orchestra. When they are both accepted, it is Scott that wins the first chair position. Ronnie doesn’t know what to think of this man who is the best looking man she has ever seen and plays more beautifully than she has ever heard. She is jealous of him, even dislikes him for his talent and winning the chair she wants. Since they sit next to each other, she comes to accept his tics as a part of him. Jealousy soon becomes acceptance which soon becomes friendship which soon becomes more.

“Veronica Lukas plays second violin. But she’s first in my heart.”



As Ronnie and Scott navigate the early stages of their relationship, they are also both forced to face some big decisions regarding what they really want out of life. A position from the prestigious New York Philharmonic becomes available, but it’s just one spot. Should Ronnie and Scott compete for the spot? Should one of them bow out of the competition?

This is just a beautiful story. Not only is it a love story but it is a testament to anyone living with any sort of disability that they not only can but should always reach for the stars, in life, and in love. Coming from a musical family, I know the level of competitiveness that a musician lives with. How hard it is to succeed in a musical career. The dedication it takes. And I am truly awed by these two.

“Being with Ronnie doesn’t just satisfy my sexual needs, not just my romantic needs, not just my relationship needs. Being with Ronnie shows me what I need in the first place. Truly, the other half of myself.”

[DJ Sakata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite Quotes:

She laughs and I swear it’s harp strings.

… we watch Ronnie and her family depart. They don’t leave, they depart. Her father stalks with long strides and her mother flounces. Ronnie falls into step with them, after giving Jan the up and down, and avoiding glancing at me.

If she meant to whisper, she failed. Lucy has two volume levels, loud and ambulance siren.

… once he begins playing, his tics disappear. Sure, he moves around in his seat like he’s trying to dislodge a wedgie, but he gets so into the music, it’s almost like he forgets to tic. It’s actually a beautiful thing to see.

Of course people notice you. You bark random words and slap yourself silly. That’s no reason for self-pity. So, we’re stuck in a German interrogation room. What could go wrong?

Scott sticks by my side as his mother runs a lint roller up the front of my blouse. Getting almost felt up by your boyfriend’s mother before you’ve even had a glass of wine would seem unusual, but I’m learning quickly what’s usual here.


My Review:

Kate Forest’s entertaining scribblings are a recent discovery for me. I had stumbled upon her work by accident less than a year ago when I picked up an anthology that included her novella of Grounded. I adored the story and her clever word skills to such a degree that her name remained to rattle around in my cranium, which is a rather rare event. While Grounded was but a brief appetizer, In Tune Out of Sync was a delightful, thoughtful, and engaging banquet, serving up several tasty courses of cleverly amusing and colorfully quirky characters as well as two very unique and compelling main characters who did not allow their severe disabilities and difficulties to hold them back or define them. Scott was laid back and open about his Tourette’s Syndrome and was an advocate and inspiration for others with the disorder. In contrast, the ambitious Veronica had a secret eating away at her as well as a chip on her shoulder as she was ashamed of her dyslexia and worked feverishly to prove herself to her family while keeping her difficulties hidden and fearing exposure.

Ms. Forest’s storyline was laced with clever humor, cunningly amusing and insightful observations, and mirth-inducing descriptions and details that found me frequently chuckling and smirking. Her descriptive writing invoked strong visuals and I would swear I heard music. She handled the foibles of their disabilities and personalities with exceptional agility in an entertaining and enlightening manner as well as with a deft and profound level of sensitivity. I was totally invested and engaged with this tale from page one to the conclusion and only wished for more.

[Carvanz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook: Narrator – Mary C. Carpenter

This narrator definitely has talent but there were certainly things that needed tweaking in this audio. While I enjoyed her voice for Ronnie, unless the words/book stated otherwise, I could not tell the difference between Ronnie and Scott, the hero. Some of the secondary characters’ voices were a bit irritating and felt very fake. Scott has Tourette ’s syndrome and I thought she did an excellent job of bringing this part of his character to life. There were also sections of the audio where the quality was not up to par to what I am accustomed to listening to. For example, there were moments when it sounded as though there were a slight echo in the recording and several times there was a sound of rushing air in the background. All of these are things I feel certain can be corrected and I would listen to Ms. Carpenter again hoping for a better studio recording as well as additional experience in switching from a female to male voices. I recommend you check out the sample before going for the audio.


This is a sweet romance between two artists that suffer with their own issues. What initially pushes Ronnie away, actually becomes something that pulls her in to Scott. I loved his outlook on life, his Tourette’s, his talent and what he was going to do with that talent in the future. Not sure if this is considered a New Adult romance, but it certainly had that feel to me. There isn’t a lot of angst, but definitely enough to push the story forward and then escalate near the end. The steam factor is about medium although it might have been higher if I had felt the chemistry between Ronnie and Scott. (I suspect the lack of connection with their chemistry is due to the narrator’s struggle to define the male/female voices.) Secondary characters were great and I loved getting to know them.

Overall, this is a nice read/listen that I would recommend to anyone who is musically minded, not just rock star minded. There are very few books written not only with a classical music backdrop but a plotline that involves a heroine with dyslexia and a hero with Tourette’s. If any of those things even garner a twinge of interest, you need to jump on this book.

Dual POV
Safe no ow/om drama – although h’s ex comes back on the scene he doesn’t really cause any problems except to my the H feel a bit inadequate – those feelings was not necessarily due to anything the ex did/said
Triggers no apparent triggers except what is listed in the blurb

[Callixta · Rating 4 out of 5]

J’ai déjà lu un roman de cette auteure discrète, peu connue encore mais qui écrit des romances au ton très personnel. Il vaut mieux être prévenu d’ailleurs si vous cherchez des héros classiques et des scènes très codifiées, vous serez forcément déçus. Kate Forest ne s’attarde pas sur la passion qui touche ses héros mais sur leur parcours personnel. Ce sont souvent des personnes avec suffisamment de difficultés dans leur vie pour les empêcher d’être heureux et de trouver l’amour. Le grand bonheur est de voir que cela peut se dépasser.

Ronnie et Scott font se rencontrer lors d’une audition de violon dans un orchestre de leur état natal, le Delaware. Tous deux sont des musiciens brillants mais qui souffrent d’un handicap socialement très déstabilisant. Ronnie est atteinte de dyslexie sévère à tel point qu’elle a du mal à lire et déchiffrer les partitions. Elle a dû développer des stratégies pour dépasser ses difficultés. Scott lui souffre de la maladie Gilles de la Tourette, c’est à dire qu’il a des tics verbaux et physiques très prononcés. Il répète ainsi des mots sans rapport avec sa conversation, sans pouvoir s’arrêter et contrôle mal certains de ses gestes. Pas facile de vivre dans ces conditions, au milieu des autres, ni d’exceller dans un système qui exige coordination et maîtrise de la lecture. Réussir à intégrer cet orchestre est donc un sacré défi qu’ils vont relever tous les deux.

http://romance-bluemoon.com/2017/10/i...

[Helyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed at www.smexybooks.com first

I was incredibly intrigued at the prospect of a story where both protagonists suffer from such different disorders. As I write this first sentence I struggle with using that word: disorder. It doesn’t quite feel right, but it somehow felt the least offensive of other words such as handicap, affliction, or disability. Because Ronnie and Scott are none of those things.

Ronnie and Scott are both incredibly talented musicians. They both play the violin and have done so since childhood. Scott has a pretty severe case of Tourette’s Syndrome. I say severe because that’s how it felt as I read. He has some of the tics people who have Tourette’s suffer from-the flailing or hand tapping and the uncontrolled verbal outbursts. Scott tends to whack himself on the side of his thigh when he is especially agitated, and if he’s holding something, like his violin case, he can bruise himself. Unlike the swearing that people seem to expect from Tourette’s, Scott’s main word tic is “bunny” which he’ll use often. Unfortunately for Scott, his brain seems to take on new word tics or phrases throughout the story-some quite embarrassing-and once they become a tic, they can escape at the most inopportune times.

Ronnie has dyslexia, and again a pretty severe case, as depicted by the author, in that Ronnie still struggles with reading even the simplest things. She’s learned many avoidance tactics to hide it for the most part, but her fear of being found out can be debilitating–as in having a panic attacks that literally take her down. Her determination to overcome her dyslexia and succeed as a violinist is all due to Ronnie’s sheer grit and most especially, proving to her parents that she could succeed when they had said she couldn’t.

While it was impossible for Scott to hide his Tourette’s, Ronnie was able to hide her dyslexia for the most part. She created for herself a way to color code her music sheets-something that took quite a long time to do-when she needed to learn a new piece. Then, she’d practice and practice until she had every single nuance of the piece memorized. The sheet music on her stand was just a prop at that point. She didn’t need it, she couldn’t read it without her color codes anyway.

Forest clearly shows the differences in Scott and Ronnie’s upbringing in that Scott’s parents never allowed him to feel that he was different. They encouraged him to do anything and everything and let him decide what limitations, if any, he may have. Ronnie, on the other had, was often made to feel that she shouldn’t try anything because she probably wouldn’t be able to do it. Interestingly, it did not deter her from her goal to be a violinist; in fact, it made her much per determined to succeed and prove her parents wrong.

The author depicts Ronnie and Scott as adversaries in the beginning. Ronnie knows that Scott is a magnificent violinist because she heard his audition, but when he gets first chair and she receives second chair with their local orchestra she is truly disappointed; especially after Scott’s Tourette’s is revealed in all its glory. But it’s not long before Ronnie starts to feel a sort of kinship with Scott especially when Scott has a panic attack of his own the night of the orchestra’s first performance.

Even after they get together, Ronnie has issues with the “competition” between them. It’s the one thing that keep causing conflict within their new relationship. Scott enjoys playing but he likes teaching more. He wants Ronnie to succeed and realize her dream of playing for the New York Philharmonic, but when he realizes that once again they are asked to audition for the same chair, he backs out so Ronnie can shine. I’m not sure what the author was trying to show here. Scott clearly loves Ronnie and I could feel how conflicted he was with his decision not to audition.

I found I admired both characters so much as I got to know them. I loved that when Scott got lost in the music he didn’t tic or flail as much. And I especially loved watching Ronnie come into her own and accept her dyslexia rather than hide behind it, and begin to use her experiences in a positive way.

Secondary characters round out the cast and bring it all together, especially Giselle. Giselle owns a music store that Ronnie get a job in and she becomes a mentor of sorts for Ronnie. She pops up and always has something enlightening to say.

A solid read with interesting characters and a unique subject matter that doesn’t overwhelm the love story.

[Bookphenomena (Micky) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick read with fantastic disability rep for Tourette's syndrome and dyslexia. Set in the world of classical music and orchestras, the main characters were endearing and chaotic. I really liked the main characters, the story until about half way when the plot went a little fast connection and insta-things for me. I wanted more depth to their developing relationship than I got.

This was definitely an unusual book with themes you don't see often. I just wanted more from it.

[PamB · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read by Kate Forest. I enjoyed it and would read other works by her.

The story is a moving contemporary romance that has one character with Tourette’s Syndrome and another with dyslexia. It subtly points out that special needs don’t detract from talent or intelligence.

The title contains the in problem in their romance - they are in tune with their music but out of sync with what their special needs mean to themselves and the public.

I enjoyed the interaction between both of these strong personalities. Scott was sweet and funny. Ronnie’s desire to hide her difficulty with reading music because of the fear of being judged made me feel bad for her. The addition of violins at the beginning of each chapter was a nice touch.


I received a free copy in return for agreeing to review this book.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Beautiful Romance that Teaches Us We Can Reach for the Stars

I discovered Kate Forest’s work on a whim last year when I read Interior Designs and Other Emotions and was pleasantly surprised by the attention to detail and descriptive writing she uses in her books. She writes about contemporary, flawed characters who must face everyday issues in life, all while battling a disability or a unique life situation. Her books always have wonderful, life lessons, too. Her characters fall in love, but learn to face what life gives them on their own first.

In Tune Out of Sync is a beautiful romance where both of her main characters discover that they can have everything out of life, including love and a career, no matter what hurdles seem to hinder them. They learn that their disabilities don’t define them - they simply make their successes mean more because they were hard won.

Scott and Ronnie meet when they are auditioning to play violin for a professional orchestra. Ronnie is highly competitive and wants to win first chair to prove to her parents and herself that she can be the best despite her dyslexia. Scott has a love of playing music and it suppresses his tics - he has Tourette’s Syndrome. He is open about his disability and uses his talent to be an advocate to others with Tourette’s. Ronnie has been taught to hide her disability and feels a sense of shame and humiliation about it. She has to color code music to play and only feels a sense of peace and accomplishment when she plays music. Scott and Ronnie are like oil and water at first, but have an intense connection from the beginning. They must work together and compete against each another in this story. The two have a passionate romance and they understand one another like no one else can. Ronnie doesn’t look at Scott’s disability first. She acknowledges it, but treats it as an afterthought. She sees Scott as a man first.

I love the intense emotions that the author has these two characters feel throughout the book. The two are a dichotomy as they look at their talent differently, yet they understand each other’s fears and successes like no one else. The emotions jump off the page as I was reading and I think this is one talent that makes Ms. Forest shine as her characters deal with what life throws at them individually and as a couple. The reader gets dual POV in this story and can feel the frustrations, fears and joys the characters feel about their disabilities and their relationship with one another.

I love the attention to detail the author makes to showcase how each character deals with their disability. Additionally, the reader has a front seat to the relationships these two have with their families. Scenes with the secondary characters shine just as much as the ones with the hero and heroine.

In Tune Out of Sync is more than a romance. The romance is front and center, yes, but this story is about the journey of two characters discovering what they want out of life and how sacrifice can make success so much sweeter.

This was a wonderful, unique book with a beautiful romance and an important life lesson for everyone and I highly recommend it.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is sheer perfection. I’ve finished it completely sated with its complex and multi-layered wounded hero.
The depiction of the main characters’ disabilities is amazing, especially the hero’s. Kate Forest does a superb job portraying Scott’s struggles and difficulties, his sense of humor and “joie de vivre”. Being constantly shown – there’s plenty of showing! – how his tics have a life of its own is… poignant. How his life and disability is intertwined with music is such a great storyline!
The heroine is great too and the way these two musicians become a romantic couple is so sweet, I loved that part too.
I usually don’t like first person dual point of view but well, after reading “In Tune Out of Sync”, I’m sold.
I loved Scott’s family – so caring, chaotic and supporting. I hope his protective big brother will have his story in the future.

[Rebecca M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this great tale of life in a symphony orchestra, with antagonists who live and work without being limited by their disability. They have found ways to exist in the world following their dreams, one embracing their disability and using his experiences to become an advocate for others; the other keeping her disability secret, learning ways to colour code reading and memory, and diversion tactics. One is happier and comfortable in his skin and enveloped in love, the other is a mix of hot and cold and determination and fear of discovery.

We need more atypical characters in fiction and romance, just like we need diverse characters and back grounds. The blurb to this book was like catnip!

A very engaging start of the book, Ronnie (Veronica) is irritated by the fact that at the her entrance auditition, a tall surfer-looking dude is playing her Bach number, sublimely, and she needs to change her song for the audition. They both play violin, and are both going for the first or second chair position of the orchestra.

We learn early on that Scott is different to the typical book hero. He has a 'tic' with his left arm, and an uncontrollable "chicken" coming out of his mouth, that increases with new words as the story continues. I quickly fell in love with Scott, he was wonderfully written, complex and engaging and lovely.
However the flow of the writing wasn't as smooth as what I've been reading, mostly traditionally published authors who have a team of editors to ship-shape a book. In the first 30% or so, there were some "telling" info dumps, that I felt would have served better by "showing". But this was only minimal and I was quickly engaged in the growing chemistry of Scott and Ronnie, their budding romance while on tour through Europe, Ronnie's changing feelings of irritation to acceptance to love. Scott wears his feelings on his sleeve, he was all in from the start, you couldn't help but root for him.

There's whole complexities to the story, their different back grounds, their families and friends, how they're perceived by the public and media. I thoroughly enjoyed Scott and Ronnie while they were lovers, Scott's 'tics' made for some interesting banter that made me giggle. His Tic's were quite clean and cute, but we met another 8 year old 'Touretter' who swore like a sailer, and his poor parents!! I loved the humour.

I think my main issue was Ronnie. I didn't always like her, and I think it was mostly due to her driven stand off-ish manner, her life time of hiding her learning disability from others. Her overprotective family certainly didn't help, enabling her need to cover up, like a dirty secret. There is a fine line where a character like this needs to be able to empathise in why she's like this, but sometimes Ronnie's internal thoughts and opinions towards others just got me offside. My dislike for her affected my feeling the authenticity of her feelings of falling in love with another person. However pushing through, I did enjoy seeing a transformation once she accepted people into her life and opened up. I ended up like the New her, even wiping happy tears in later pages.
This book was a great inspirational story that made me feel, swoon, wipe happy tears. It also frustrated me, made me roll my eyes... but those middle bits of frustration built to those happy tears at the end. Thoroughly enjoyed it!
I recommend this to those who are inspired by atypical characters. Who have or know of a loved one with a disability, and know how hard they work through therapies and special education, to succeed in things that typical people find easy.
Or just those who enjoy a unique love story with flawed, complex characters.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, with both H and h having issues, his more obvious than hers.

The only comment I have is about one of the scenes in the book, when in Amsterdam all is supposedly closed on 4 May for Dodenherdenking (Dutch Memorial Day). This is incorrect: Shops/Museums in Amsterdam will close a bit earlier than normal, in time for the memorial service starting at 19:30, but otherwise life goes about as usual on the 4th. 5 May, Bevrijdingsdag (Liberation Day), is a public holiday, but shops and museums will still be open. Only every 5th year the country 'closes' for celebrations on the 5th.

[GrnEyed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate Forest truly has a gift for telling stories about people with conditions/disorders/learning disabilities that have a tremendous stigma attached to them. This time she tackles Tourette’s syndrome and dyslexia, both suffered by two violinists.
Ronnie is a young woman who has always wanted to play for the New York Philharmonic; it has been her dream despite having dyslexia. She has learned over the years how to read music through color coding and memorization. Her competition is Scott, a man who has an innate gift for playing the violin. He also suffers from Tourette’s syndrome.
The two find themselves in competition for two open chairs for a small orchestra at the start of the book. As the story goes forward we see how Scott embraces his Tourette’s syndrome, including his tics, physical self-abuse, and the disgusted looks some people send his way. He is also forced to serve as a poster child for his Tourette’s.
Ronnie on the other hand, is forced to hide her dyslexia from everyone on the orchestra. She is forced to memorize all of her sheet music. She has to learn all of her songs without revealing that she’s dyslexic to the rest of the orchestra, including Scott. The man she is in direct competition with but also the man with whom she is starting to have feelings.
This book is beautiful, humorous, sad, and highly-educational. I found myself rooting for Ronnie and Scott. I absolutely loved the characters. I loved the dynamic that Ronnie’s ex brought to the story when they were in Europe. I thought the relationship that unfolded between Ronnie and Scott was beautiful. I could go into more details but I don’t want to spoil a truly beautiful book.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Terry Hammoutene · Rating 4 out of 5]

While Scott is very open with his disability Ronnie's is well hidden. They are both trying for the same seat to play violin in the first seat. this leads to a friendship that has no boundaries.

This story is inspirational it gives hope those with disabilities, and brings to light that a disability does not have to hold you back.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audio version of this book. This was an inspirational romance in which two people not only fall in love, but come to terms with their conditions and strive to be honest with themselves about what they really want out of life.
The author dealt with two different disabilities in the main characters. Scott has Tourette's syndrome and Ronnie has dyslexia. The two differ in the beginning in that Scott is very open about his condition (it would be impossible to hide) and uses his success as a forum in which to inspire others with the Tourette's. Ronnie however, does everything she can to hide her dyslexia. Her gradual acceptance and sharing of her condition is inspiring and shows us that we need to embrace who we are. Ms. Forest threw some humor in so that the story is not always heavy. There was a great balance.
The audio has a musical violin part at the beginning and end of every chapter. It was unique, but it always startled me. This was actually a pretty fun and entertaining audio book as well as inspiring. I loved that Ronnie saw Scott and not just his Tourette's. In Tune Out of Sync was well worth the listen!

[Kimberley Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so in love with this story. This is romance and fiction at its best, because it teaches about people I might never have learned about otherwise.

He’s got Tourette’s syndrome and the whole book is him interrupting himself with words we have to assume he’s either saying or shouting. She’s got dyslexia. They’re both brilliant violinists fighting for a seat in an orchestra. He gets first and she gets second, and they have to negotiate their individual ambitions to be together.

But the story is so much deeper than its high concept beginning. He has to make accommodations in his life and has learned to live with his Tourette’s. She does calm him when she’s with him, once they get together, but she isn’t going to miraculously ‘cure’ him and no one expects it. He’s a poster boy for living with Tourette’s and does speeches as well as his orchestra life. She hides her dyslexia even from him, and her parents are always terrified she’ll fail which makes her more nervous. He has his own dreams and has to decide which is most important to him: his public or private life--or can he do both?

Not being an expert in these things but knowing Kate is, I’m so happy to get into the head of two neuro-divergent people living their lives and loving each other. Their issues are part of them but they are also not defined by them. If you can get to a workshop by Kate Forest, I highly recommend it.

[Debra Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate Forest has another winner in her new novel: IN TUNE OUT OF SYNC. The Delaware Symphony Orchestra has it's 1st and 2nd chairs open after their two players fell in love and left the Symphony. They are planning a tour to Europe very soon, and need two self sufficient players immediately! The newly hired first chair is a heck of a good-looking specimen of manly physique. However, he has the tics which accompany Tourette's Syndrome; except, when this larger than life man plays so pure and sweetly on his violin. The newly hired second chair, a tiny woman named "Ronnie", hates him on first sight! He knocks her music stand over, and then, she has to play his part when he's sick one day. No easy feat for a woman who color codes and rewrites all her music to memorize it. She has severe dyslexia, and heaven forbid if anyone should find out! Her embarrassment at being different, would be more than she could handle. What happens when the Symphony arrives in Europe, and these two violinists must play side by side? Will they make amends between themselves as their understanding of each other begins to grow? A truly lovely, and romantic story that will hold your heart between it's pages!!!

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting & touching

Learned so much about Tourettes, dyslexia & classical musicians. Was a pleasure being in the middle of this warm, interesting love story. Wonderful characters throughout. Smiles galore.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars
Kate Forest does such a fabulous job writing characters who are differently-abled. This is a tender and poignant love story. Bravo!!

[Belinda (bookstorm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Tune Out of Sync was a really fun NA book. It merges music and traveling and romance, three things that I really love. As a musician, I love reading books where music plays a role, especially classical music, but I also am always hesitant about it. Music and our connection to it, whether we are musicians or not, is something that is unique to each person, which is part of why I love music so much and why it’s sometimes hard for me to read about musicians, but I will say that I enjoyed this book, especially since I was in need of a contemporary and it was just loads of fun to read during my recent travels!

One thing I really love about Kate Forest’s characters is how realistic they are in that they are flawed. Sometimes they make bad decisions or make bad assumption or say and do the wrong thing, but they learn and grow from it. I love seeing that growth and seeing them transform. I also love how she approaches relationships in the same way. The relationships in romance, friendship, and family aren’t perfect. There are struggles, misunderstandings, and assumptions that turn out to be wrong, and I love how that is portrayed in the book.

I really liked how we got to see different perspectives on life with disabilities. Ronnie is very adamant on keeping her dyslexia a secret while Scott is very vocal about Tourette’s and using platform to speak about it. And their families also have very different opinions on the matter as well, which were sometimes really frustrating and contradictory, but also I found it to make the story more realistic. It was really interesting to see how their varying perspectives had an impact on their relationship and in each of their character arcs. I also really love how Tourette’s and dyslexia are portrayed as part of these characters but not all of who they are, which is something I love to see in diverse books.

As a music major, I really found Ronnie’s situation with her parents to be extremely relatable. My parents do not believe I am going to make it as a concert pianist (I’ve also played viola my entire musical career in orchestras) and are banking on my success as a computer scientist, which coincidentally, Ronnie’s parents were really hoping for too. 😅 I just really appreciated being able to read about a character who kind of has that same struggle and I know that there are many other aspiring musicians out there with the same.

In terms of the music, I will say that there were some other things struck me a little funny and romanticized, which I kind of think most books about music do. It isn’t wrong exactly, but isn’t entirely realistic either. I talk about them more on my blog post: https://bookstormreads.wordpress.com/...

Overall though, I really enjoyed the read and I want to read more books about music because they’re just so much fun. *Thank you to the author Kate Forest for providing me a copy of the ebook in exchange for an honest review!

[Amber Daniels · Rating 4 out of 5]

a really great read. when I first started this book I thought all the tics wrote in for the main character that has Torrett's Syndrome would be hard to get past but as I continued reading the tics became so much a part of the story that I now feel the emotion and frustration that someone living with this syndrome would feel. I love how the author brought to totally different disabilities together and made it into one heartwarming story. Sometimes we forget that people with disabilities are more than just that disability! Bravo to this author for showing in such great detail how no matter the illness people are just people and we all want the same thing, to be accepted.

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 4 out of 5]

“In Tune Out of Sync" is an amazing story of overcoming all odds and not allowing a disability to stand in the way of one’s dreams.

Read full review in the 2017 December issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[Jan Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate Forest wrote In Tune out of Sync with great compassion, feeling, and insightfulness for those with Autism or Tourette's. The relationship of Ronni and Scott in this book was vivid. I loved the imagery, and how music was woven in the story. The fact that Ronni has dyslexia also added to the story. The romance in this book is sweet, and only has mild angst. The chemistry between characters seemed out of sync to me.
Mary C Carpenter did a good job narrating this book and she gave some of the characters distinguished voices, but wasn't solidly consistent. I requested this review copy audiobook and have voluntarily written this review. This is an original storyline about imperfect people that are into classical music.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the subject matter, Tourette’s, musicians, how to handle having a disability, being a spokesperson, how parents handle disabilities differently. It would have been a 5 star if they had left out the sex scenes. There is language but it is appropriate considering the topic.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable story, it's always nice to read something a little different. It needed more romance for me, the feels weren't really there. The conflict at the end was really random, just a conflict for the sake of it, didn't really add to the story.

[Rainy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unique, funny and loveable

Unique, funny and loveable
I really enjoyed this unique and romantic story.
My only complaint is the ending came too fast.

[Denise ~The Procrastinating Book Diva~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3~3.5 stars

[J.A. McIntosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unusual love story

Inspiring story of a man and woman dealing with their disabilities. One chooses to hide it, one to go public. Satisfying ending.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this one more stars, I would do just that! There was nothing about this story that I didn't love. Fabulous!

4/29/19 - Re-read for Book Club. Loved it 1st time around; loved it just as much, if not more, this time around. What a marvelous story!