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The Castleton String Quartet #3
Spirit of the Violinists
Lindsey Castleton has had a lousy year. She's had to abandon the life she planned because her father is dying, taking over his music students and taking over as first violinist for his string quartet. All that would be difficult enough, but her second violinist fights her at every turn, whether it's criticizing her, playing over her, or even double-booking the quartet. It's beyond frustrating becauase he's an amazing male but such a selfish man.
Jason Woodward returned to Maine from Hollywood only because his mentor was dying and needed someone to take over his quartet, so it's galling that his mentor's daughter is in that position. Well, also, he returned to Maine because of the social media detonation that destroyed his California career. He'll be heading back in three months, though, so he'd better start putting those pieces back together. It's just that it would be so much easier if Lindsey would get out of the way--and out of his thoughts.
They have no choice but to work together for now, but as Jason's California life seeps into his Maine life, Lindsey sees just what he stepped away from in order to help her father. Meanwhile, Jason finds himself attracted to Lindsey's confidence and clarity. It's never going to work, though. He's going to leave, and good riddance. At least, that's what they keep telling themselves...and one another.
In the final installment of the Castleton String Quartet trilogy, a pair of enemies stands on the brink of love and loss, facing death while forging the love of a lifetime.
Jason Woodward returned to Maine from Hollywood only because his mentor was dying and needed someone to take over his quartet, so it's galling that his mentor's daughter is in that position. Well, also, he returned to Maine because of the social media detonation that destroyed his California career. He'll be heading back in three months, though, so he'd better start putting those pieces back together. It's just that it would be so much easier if Lindsey would get out of the way--and out of his thoughts.
They have no choice but to work together for now, but as Jason's California life seeps into his Maine life, Lindsey sees just what he stepped away from in order to help her father. Meanwhile, Jason finds himself attracted to Lindsey's confidence and clarity. It's never going to work, though. He's going to leave, and good riddance. At least, that's what they keep telling themselves...and one another.
In the final installment of the Castleton String Quartet trilogy, a pair of enemies stands on the brink of love and loss, facing death while forging the love of a lifetime.
- GenresContemporary Romance
294 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2021
7 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
Maddie Evans
28 books244 followersMaddie Evans is a runner and biker. She lives in New England with her family and tropical fish, and she’s always thought warm hearts are the perfect antidote to cold winters.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 24, 2021
Aargh! Its 3 am!
I picked this up to read a chapter this afternoon. It's 3 am, and I just finished. Somehow, I managed to weep silently through the touching parts. Terrific love story. Terrific ending to the trilogy.
I picked this up to read a chapter this afternoon. It's 3 am, and I just finished. Somehow, I managed to weep silently through the touching parts. Terrific love story. Terrific ending to the trilogy.
February 2, 2021
(4.5 stars) - sweet disharmony!
Jason & Lindsey are forced to work together in her father's quartet at one of the most difficult times in each of their lives. Jason's Hollywood life has fallen apart, & Lindsey's dad has developed early onset dementia.
Jason is so used to people using & manipulating that he always assumes that's where Lindsey is coming from. He's insecure & constantly on the defensive
Lindsey can't understand why Jason is so selfish & only focused on himself. She's insecure & constantly underrating herself.
Their baggage keeps them from playing as well together as they could otherwise. It also keeps getting in the way of them being able to understand each other & get along well together.
The story did a great job immediately engaging my interest & maintaining it. It gets a bit angsty, and the emotional weight feels a little much at times, but it still managed to keep things pretty believable, as well as keeping things positive & uplifting overall. The conflicts between the unhappy couple were relatable for both. And the sparks between them that slowly begin to kindle into something more were credible - and fun.
I love how at various parts of the story, they sense & respond & play off each other like when they play their instruments together.
This is a new author, as well as series, for me, & I'm definitely interested in reading the previous books in the series now!
*Romance level: passionate kisses, nothing graphic
Jason & Lindsey are forced to work together in her father's quartet at one of the most difficult times in each of their lives. Jason's Hollywood life has fallen apart, & Lindsey's dad has developed early onset dementia.
Jason is so used to people using & manipulating that he always assumes that's where Lindsey is coming from. He's insecure & constantly on the defensive
Lindsey can't understand why Jason is so selfish & only focused on himself. She's insecure & constantly underrating herself.
Their baggage keeps them from playing as well together as they could otherwise. It also keeps getting in the way of them being able to understand each other & get along well together.
The story did a great job immediately engaging my interest & maintaining it. It gets a bit angsty, and the emotional weight feels a little much at times, but it still managed to keep things pretty believable, as well as keeping things positive & uplifting overall. The conflicts between the unhappy couple were relatable for both. And the sparks between them that slowly begin to kindle into something more were credible - and fun.
I love how at various parts of the story, they sense & respond & play off each other like when they play their instruments together.
This is a new author, as well as series, for me, & I'm definitely interested in reading the previous books in the series now!
*Romance level: passionate kisses, nothing graphic
February 2, 2021
Solid Romance That Does What It Must. With this particular book seemingly bringing the story of the Castleton String Quartet to a close, there were certain events that those following this series knew had to come to pass - and when they did, it was utterly heartbreaking. And yet Evans manages to wrap a solid romance around this and even give a Mr. Holland's Opus finale level sendoff to the series to boot. And since that is one of my favorite musical moments in film *ever*... that is high praise and is a style that is always appreciated by this reader. :) Very much recommended.
February 2, 2021
Maddie Evans saved the best for last in this final novel of the Castleton String Quartet series. Longtime musical rivals Lindsey and Jason vie for the leadership position in the quartet, even as Lindsey dreads her father's final days and the two violinists discover a bond they didn't know they had. A peek at the vulnerability Jason never shows sheds new light on his character, both for Lindsey and the reader.
Keep tissues handy for the most beautiful funeral I've ever seen in a book. (That's not a spoiler, BTW, if you look at the blurb offered by the author.)
ARC provided by author.
Keep tissues handy for the most beautiful funeral I've ever seen in a book. (That's not a spoiler, BTW, if you look at the blurb offered by the author.)
ARC provided by author.
March 1, 2021
We saw it coming. Lindsey and Jason. We know the formula for romance series, but...
Maddie doesn't stop there. The characters live in a world that continues whether they figure out their differences or not. They have reasons for their behaviour. They have families and friends and complex connections. Instead of a couple that has to get together because the series says so, the author gives us a couple that learn how to bring out the best in each other, because that's what they deserve.
Maddie doesn't stop there. The characters live in a world that continues whether they figure out their differences or not. They have reasons for their behaviour. They have families and friends and complex connections. Instead of a couple that has to get together because the series says so, the author gives us a couple that learn how to bring out the best in each other, because that's what they deserve.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews