After living in Austria for several years, Rebekah Carrington returns home to Nashville. Desperate to find somewhere other than her family home, she auditions for the Nashville Philharmonic symphony only to be turned down because she is a woman. So Rebekah takes the best job she can find—tutoring the daughter of the owner of the Belmont Mansion, a notorious lover of music. Will she ever be able to achieve her dreams?

A Note Yet Unsung by Tamera Alexander continues the line of questioning brought up in the other books in the series: If a woman has the skill to perform at a high level, shouldn’t she be allowed to do so? But the post-Civil War era is one that only begins to reluctantly open these opportunities to women. In addition to the social critique, the other main focus in this novel is the romance between Rebekah and the symphony conductor, Nathaniel Whitcomb. They start off with a rocky relationship that quickly shows them to be the perfect match. They have many hurdles to overcome, but it was lovely to watch them grow together. I wish there were a few more details about their relationship at the end of the book, but the romance was charming overall. The book contained a little danger and mystery which were solved satisfactorily. While this book was not my all-time favorite, I enjoyed it very much and have very few negative comments for it. 

I recommend A Note Yet Unsung to readers of inspirational romance and historical fiction. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Bethany House Publisher’s Blogger Reviewer Program. All opinions are expressly my own.

What a statement - yes - a romantic statement - I am not going to tell you what it is - although it is blatant - just read the description and I think you could figure it out - but if not you have to read the book and by doing that you will pick up on it  -  I was like - you go girl - This book is creative and courageous,  it can be ignorant and yet intelligent, the story can be pleasing and yet repulsive.   This book is a book of dichotomies.  I love it so much.  You have the main character who wants to play in the philharmonic and yet the one she has to go through to be on says nay because well - that is what I was talking about at the beginning of this paragraph.  Long story short they start hanging - and could they get together?  GOD has HIS plans - who cares what man has....lol.  This book is awesome and is perfect because you can read it once you want to read it again - and each time you do you find something new.  AWESOME....

Rebekah Carrington has returned home to Nashville after spending several years studying music in Vienna, but she soon decides it would be impossible for her to live with her mother and stepfather and begins a desperate search for employment. Her greatest hope is to be accepted into the newly formed Nashville Philharmonic so she manages to audition for Maestro Tate Whitcomb. Although the violin is her instrument, she auditions for an oboe part because she knows that a woman playing the violin in public is still considered socially inappropriate and scandalous. Rebekah had seen an article written by Whitcomb that had been positive about women musicians being included in orchestras, but unfortunately for her, he knows that the donors holding the purse strings of the fledgling Nashville Philharmonic would never approve.

Tate's initial irritation at Rebekah's boldness in forcing the audition fades when he realizes how talented she is, but he dares not accept her into the orchestra for fear of the wealthy patrons withdrawing their support. He is struggling to finish his symphony in time for the opening of the opera hall, while trying to get his musicians prepared, and while spending weekends visiting his ailing father whenever possible. In addition, he is facing his own health concerns - but surely he is just overtired and anxious, and once the symphony is complete he'll feel better. He knows he needs help, and Rebekah's musical talent and ambition are the perfect complement to help him complete his composition and transcribe all the music. After disappointing her so bitterly at her audition, it takes some time - and some pressure from Rebekah's new employer, Adelicia Cheatham - for Rebekah to accept the situation. She and Tate form a partnership as they work on the music, and a friendship as well. And it could be so much more than a friendship, except it seems their careers may take them in separate directions after the symphony is complete.

Both characters face complex situations that test their loyalties and integrity, and both must decide what they can sacrifice and what chances they can take in order to pursue their dreams while still honoring God first with their musical gifts. I loved this story that gives a glimpse of what it was like for women to earn their place as respected musicians and performers while also telling a compelling story of love and family loyalty.

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to give a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own.*

Storyline
Rebekah Carrington is a master violinist and dreams of playing in an orchestra. Unfortunately in the 19th century, it was thought that women were too fragile to attempt such a feat - no matter how talented they may be. Forced to return home to Nashville after having spent the last 10 years in Vienna, she must settle for simply being an assistant to the orchestra leader, rather than showcasing her real talent. Nathaniel Tate Whitcomb is the Nashville Philharmonic's youngest maestro and needs Rebekah's help writing a symphony - before his own secrets threaten to destroy everything he has worked so hard for. 

Classic to author Tamera's usual style, this book grabs you right from the beginning and glides along like gentle rolling, green hills, a satisfying and pleasurable journey for the reader. She adds just the right amount of plot, activity and excitement to keep the reader hooked! 

Despite the wonderful storyline, we felt the end came a little too quickly, with some loose ends not fully explained, and without a couple satisfactory conclusions. 

Depth   
Both Rebekah and Tate have secrets they wish to keep hidden for fear of rejection by others. Issues of loss, grief, relationships with families (especially parents), health problems and going back to one's roots are explored. And as are usual in Tamera's stories, the historical reality of racism and slavery are faced head on, with tact and grace. 

Faith 
Rebekah caught her faith as a child from the older slaves she loved, as they taught her hymns on the violin. Now that she is an adult and on her own, she often goes back to these hymns and accompanying Bible verses to guide her and help her through rough times. Tate was raised with faith and is beginning to realize how important the role of it in his life should be. Going back to his roots reignites his faith and he allows God to lead him down the unknown path in front of him.

Love Story  
Tate and Rebecca definitely hit it off on the wrong foot which adds for some romantic tension! But as their walls come down and they understand each other more, a tender and genuine love develops between them. Especially sweet in their love story is the side of Tate no one knows about that Rebekah becomes involved in.

Overall
These two chicks have come to expect a lot from Tamera - complex plots weaved expertly together, well developed and realistic characters and a deep faith we can relate to. And sure enough, A Note Yet Unsung did not disappoint! This was the final installment of the Belmont Mansion Series and it was by far our favorite.

Really enjoyed this 'before its time" story.  Rebakah is a women after my heart.

It is hard to describe this book. I am not a instrument lover. In fact, many of my siblings would testify of my desire to destroy piano's during many years of my life based on how annoying they were to me. But I do love beautiful music, when well played. This book is music, well played. The subject of music is artfully woven into the story of a pair of people struggling to find their proper place in life. The romance is here, but is not the focus of the story. It is a subtle part of the novel, but you could almost miss it, but yet you cannot. Instead, the music, life and the desire for freedom from abuse, standards placed on the characters by society, and a desire to belong is stronger throughout. I really enjoyed this closing novel of the Belmont series as well as the true, historical tidbits sprinkled throughout.

“But you must trust that the Lord has your best at the center of his Heart, and whatever His plans are for your life, for this talent He’s given you, He will bring them to fruition in time.” 
					-Adelicia Acklen Cheatham

Once again I feel as though I stepped back in time to the genteel world of Nashville, Tennessee at a time following the Civil War when people were beginning to rebuild their lives. Tamera Alexander writes in such a way that as soon as you read those opening lines you are transported into her character’s world. I hear soft southern drawls and hear the gentle swish of petticoats and skirts stepping into the drawing room. 

Rebekah Carrington, a beautiful young woman in her twenties, returns home to Nashville after years of studying music in Vienna, Austria only to find that her home is not a safe haven or even a comfortable place to live. Challenged by a time period when women were not allowed to play an instrument in the orchestra, Rebekah initially chafes at the constrictions placed on her by society as she struggles to find a job and a place to live. Maestro Nathaniel Tate Whitcomb, the handsome young conductor of the Nashville Philharmonic, steps into Rebekah’s life. Although the conductor might be forward thinking himself, his benefactors would never stand for a woman in their orchestra. 

Once again Adelicia Cheatham, one of the richest women in America at the time, comes to the aid of a struggling young woman and employs Rebekah as a tutor to her daughter and an assistant to Tate Whitcomb to aid in his music transcription and composition. Tate and Rebekah battle against time, health, and struggling musicians to turn out a symphony worthy of the grand opening of the Nashville Opera House in a few months time. 

Rich in historic detail regarding music and the time period, the city of Nashville, and architecture, readers of historical fiction and will truly enjoy this novel. Morals and integrity shine throughout the story which also leaves the reader with a comforting sense of inspiration and faith.

This ARC copy was received from Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review. The above thoughts and opinions are wholly my own.

Music lover or not, A Note Unsung will capture your heart, reader friends because the story is about much more than the wonderful music! Reconstruction Era Nashville, as well as the struggles and triumphs of her residents, is brought to life once again by talented storyteller and bonafide southern belle, Tamera Alexander. The tenacious dreams and complex lives of the main characters will keep readers riveted to the pages.

I requested the opportunity to read and review this title through NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own.

It was great to learn about what is was like for women in that time period. I learned a lot about being a musician in that time and in general. There were flaws in the book that I've listed on Goodreads.com. Am I happy I read the book, yes. Would I recommend it to others? Yes

I love music - I've been playing piano for 12 years, singing for longer, and I've dabbled in organ and guitar. Baroque is my favourite genre, and classical isn't far behind. So naturally I was interested in A Note Yet Unsung after reading the description (and seeing the gorgeous cover!!!).

The characters were PERFECTION. Even the ones who didn't, or barely, appeared - like Nana and Demetrius - I fell in love with just through Rebekah's recollections of them. That'd be the mark of an excellent writer, when a character doesn't even have to actively appear for you to love them. Tate's family was very endearing (I loved Opal so much!).

I'm not sure how entirely true the romance rang. Inevitably, I eventually began rooting for them; however, Rebekah and Tate didn't seem altogether well-matched. And sometimes he was quite unlikable. Ms Alexander's writing, however, is so pitch-perfect that it hardly seemed to matter.

Ms Alexander is obviously familiar with music, since there are several rather technical passages in the book. So it was fun for me as a music geek - yet if you don't know the first thing about music it doesn't matter because there are few enough of them. I also learned something new about the music scene of the 1870's (or whenever the story took place) - I had no idea it was so taboo for women to play in orchestras. I suppose it never really occurred to me that that would be frowned upon.

I most certainly recommend A Note Yet Unsung, especially to avid readers of Christian romance who are also music geeks.

Tamera Alexander is one of my favorite authors and this book does not disappoint. My thoughts:

What I liked

Rebekah. She was a smart, capable heroine who knew herself and what she wanted. I will admit that it took me a minute to like her, but once I did, I was in her corner.

Nathaniel. He’s not likable at first, but by the end of the novel you are completely rooting for him. Nathaniel goes through a trial that is heart-wrenching. I thought the author did a fantastic job of dealing with the complexities of his problems.

Secondary characters. Adelicia Cheatham is in this book just as she is in the others, but she is not the one that steals the show. Nathaniel’s family is highly interesting and I loved each and every one of them.

Mystery. There are small mysteries or rather complex backstories behind the main characters which serve to make the narrative stronger and richer.

Music. Somehow the author made the music come alive and dance upon the pages. I enjoyed it along with the characters.

Spiritually, the novel deals with trusting God in difficult times.

What I didn’t like

There was one strange twist in the story that just didn’t make sense to me. I understood where the author was going, I just didn’t understand why she chose the route she did to get there.

Also, Nathaniel was both guarding his past tightly and planning to reveal it. He didn’t appear to be confused by this dichotomy, but I was.

Romantic scale: 8.5

Overall, just as I have always enjoyed Tamera Alexander’s books, I enjoyed this one.

**I received a copy from Netgalley. My opinion was not affected in anyway.**

Vienna-trained violinist Rebekah Carrington finds herself back in her hometown of Nashville after the sudden death of her grandmother.  Unable to live with her lecherous step-father and apathetic mother.  Pursuing her dream of playing with an orchestra, Rebekah auditions for Nashville's new conductor Nathaniel Tate Whitcomb.  While clearly impressed with her talent, Tate can't bring himself to defy the conventions of the time and allow a woman to perform with his orchestra.  Still seeking a way to support herself, Rebeka takes a job at Belmont Mansion teaching violin lessons. 

As Nashville's youngest conductor, Tate feels intense pressure-- from himself and anxious donors-- to finish his first symphony in time for the grand opening if the city's new opera house.  Fears for his dying father, frequent headaches, and a strange buzzing in his ears leave him seemingly incapable of finishing his symphony.  As he learns more about Rebekah's training and natural talent, in becomes clear to Tate that she may be the only one who can help him.  Can Tate manage to convince Rebekah to help fulfill his dream when he has effectively ruined hers? 

Tamera Alexander brings her Belmont Mansion series to an epic finale in A Note Yet Unsung.  I've long been a devoted fan of Alexander's, and this newest novel may just become my new favorite of hers.  It is easily my favorite of the Belmont series.  I can't think of a single complaint.  My inner Yankee often balks at her tendency to over-romanticize Southern culture, but there was very little of that in this case.  Music, feminism, faith, and romance all come together here for a virtually perfect work of fiction, and I devoured every last page.  The journey both Tate and Rebekah take in trying to reconcile their pasts with their dreams for the future is both believable and compelling, and caused me to shed more than one tear in the reading of it.

Rebekah Carrington is a tenacious young woman who has trained for years to become a master violinist, and is also fantastically skilled at the oboe, but is denied a place in the new Nashville Philharmonic because of the fact that she is a woman. So she applies for a job at Belmont Mansion as a governess, but when Adelicia Cheatham learns that Rebekah studied music in Vienna, she hires her to teach violin to her daughter Paulina.

Tate Whitcomb regrets not being able to offer a Rebekah a seat in teh orchestra, but he needs an assistant who can transcribe music, and he is saddled with the immense burden of building a orchestra from scratch with part time musicians. He is also composing an all new piece that is to be the show opener, so he asks Rebekah to help him. 

Though reluctantly at first, Tate and Rebekah come to respect and admire one another. And as the they work together, sparks fly, and they find that they have more in common than they thought. Rebekah is a brave, passionate woman, who loves music, and does well with unexpected situations. She is humble and works tirelessly, without seeking recognition, she does everything she can to make opening night a success. 

Tate is a determined man, and pushes on despite many disappointments and set backs.

Overall, this was a fantastic book that I just couldn't put down. It's one of the best books I've read in a long time, and is definitely going to be on my all time top ten. I loved the rich history and colorful characters full of faith, and passion for the music that they love. I loved watching Rebekah and Tate grow over the course of the book, as well as the clever dialog. This is a wonderfully entertaining read that you won't want to miss!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

Rebekah Carrington returns from Vienna after 10 years to find that her step-father is as difficult as ever and she sets about to find a place for herself away from his influence. She is determined to audition before Maestro Nathaniel Whitcomb, the conductor of the Nashville Philharmonic Orchestra.  However, public opinion believes that such a thing would be scandalous!  It’s much too rigorous, sensuous, and suggestive for a woman to master an instrument.  Even as he dashes her dreams, Whitcomb soon comes to believe the she is necessary for him to accomplish his task of finishing his symphony before the new opera house opens.  
It was fascinating to learn more about the orchestra in the 19th century.  I felt for Rebekah who had such a gift from God and nowhere to set it free.  I was astounded to learn that women were not truly welcomed into the orchestra until the 1970s.  
This was my first Belmont Mansion novel so I hadn’t met Adelicia Cheatham before…a woman who could “wrap a dead skunk in silk and lace and pass it off as a mink” (location 2565).  While she may have more bark than bite, she is not a woman to be trifled with.  I am looking forward to going back to read the two prior books in this series to get to know her more. 
I appreciated Maestro Whitcomb’s humility and that he didn’t look down on common folk despite his position.  Rebekah’s feistiness and love for music were a treat as well.  I feel I came to appreciate music more just by reading this book.  I even went to the Tamera Alexander website to listen to the music “played” in this book (see link below).  
This book was well written, with great characters.  I would highly recommend it.
Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book.  All opinions are my own. 
Belmont Mansion series:
Book 1:  A Lasting Impression
Book 2:  A Beauty So Rare
Book 3:  A Note Yet Unsung
http://tameraalexander.com/books/belmont_mansion_novels/a_note_yet_unsung

When I see that Tamera Alexander has a new book coming out, I get excited. I've been reading her books for several years now, and I've never been disappointed. She is truly a master storyteller. A Note Yet Unsung is another beautifully written novel, with a depth to the characters that I appreciate every time.

This is the third novel in the Belmont Mansion series, but could be read as a stand alone. Previous characters are mentioned and have small parts in this story, and, of course, Mrs. Adelicia Cheatham plays a key role as she is the mistress of Belmont. I absolutely loved Rebekah and Tate's story. Tate was particularly interesting, as he is obviously hiding something about himself from everyone. As who he is starts to unfold, for me the story truly began. His vulnerability, showing who is behind this ambitious conductor, binds he and Rebekah together. Rebekah is also hiding something from Tate and learns to trust him with her secret as he trusts her with his. A truly beautiful tale of conquering your fears and trusting God to use you right where you are. I would highly recommend this book!

**I received a free copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley in order to give an honest review.**

Tamera Alexander is one of my all-time favorite authors. She has a way of creating a captivating tale with incredible settings and irresistible characters. A Note Yet Unsung is the final installment of the Belmont Mansion series of novels. Within the pages of this novel are a few historical people as well as the characters of the book. Adelicia Cheatham owns the Belmont Mansion and takes in Rebekah Carrington as an employee to tutor her daughter in playing the violin. Rebekah's home life was not safe at all because of her stepfather who had tried to assault her when she was a young child. Rebekah's lifelong dream was to play in a symphony but the times are such that women are not allowed to play in the symphony. 

Nathaniel Tate Whitman was named the Maestro of the Nashville Symphony. Rebekah goes to him to apply for a job in the symphony only to be turned down. But Tate comes back to ask her to be his assistant, to help him with writing his symphony to be performed on the opening of the new theater in Nashville. 

The road to love for Tate and Rebekah is anything but smooth, but it is never boring, and it makes the book all the sweeter. This is a five-star book, with two thumbs up, and a mystery violinist playing the most beautiful music you've ever heard.

I appreciated Bethany House for allowing me to read and review this book. Extremely hard to put down.

LOVED LOVED LOVED this book. This book kept me up reading long after the hours of the day dictated that I should have been asleep. But no, I just didn't want to stop reading it. I just had to know how it was going to end.

A Note Yet Unsung is about Rebekah Carrington who has returned home after spending her years of education in Europe, learning music. But she returns home after the death of her grandmother and the funds for her to stay overseas is gone. She returns home to a house that holds terrible memories and she's eager to find a job that allows her to live elsewhere. Thus, her determination to audition for a seat in the orchestra. But despite her determination, she fails to obtain a seat because she is a woman. So after obtaining a potential governess position, she seeks out work so that one day she can apply for a seat in the orchestra in New York, where a woman has successfully been employed.

The one thing that I love about this book is that despite it being book three of the Belmont Mansion series, I did not find myself lost and floundering at any time. In fact, I have no idea who the previous characters were other than the Mrs. Adelicia Cheatham. But upon reading this story, I find that I definitely need (no wait, want) to read the first two in this particular series.

The author, Tamera, did an excellent job I believe in weaving the plot throughout the story along. There wasn't an excessive amount of talking, and where there was, I was able to stay along with the story without being overwhelmed. There were moments where I could feel moisture in my eyes, and then laugh out loud moments. Then those awwww, and hurray!

The only pieces I felt were lacking were the issues with her and her mom, and the problem with her grandmother's money, and her stepfather's issues. But, despite those loose ends, I thought the story being as it was about Rebekah, was excellent. 

I did receive this book from the publisher Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.

Tamera Alexander once again proves why she is historical fiction royalty. I could not put this book down!

From the very first chapter, I was swept away to 1870s Nashville and the sumptuous world of the symphony and opera house. The historical detail is second-to-none as Alexander brings post-war Nashville to life, and readers of the previous two Belmont Mansion novels will relish the opportunity to revisit that grand story setting. But as much as I love history (and if you know me or have ever read one of my reviews, you know just how much I love my history!), it's the characters who really made this story shine for me.

Even though I am a musician like the heroine, Rebekah, I believe I would have felt a kinship with her even if we didn't have that in common. She was immediately likable, and her struggle to "make it in a man's world" is one I think every woman reader can relate to. She believes in herself and her God-given talent, and is plucky enough to go after what she wants even while settling for what she needs in order to survive. Likewise, Tate was a flawed yet compelling hero. Trapped within the social confines of his day, he struggled just as much as Rebekah to channel his talent—and ultimately hers—in a direction that would honor both God and their family legacies. I especially loved how Alexander was able to channel Tate's purported favorite composer, Ludwig van Beethoven, into Tate's very character. Their mutual desperation and genius was one of my favorite parts of the whole book.

And these two characters combined to make one swoon-worthy romance! It's often hard for an author to make two complete strangers fall in love within the course of 400 pages, but Alexander kept the pace steady and realistic. I found their attraction to one another very believable, and the layers they kept peeling back, revealing more and more of their true hearts to one another, made this a romance I could easily and happily root for. Rebekah and Tate also have wonderfully moving relationships with their families and friends, and I was sobbing on more than one touching occasion.

Now, lest this turn into a complete gush, there were a few things that kept this from being a 5-star book for me. Without spoiling the ending for those of you who haven't read it, suffice it to say, I wanted and needed more from the ending. After the steadfast, consistent pace of the first 95% of the book, the final two chapters felt way too rushed for me, even as they left too many plot points unexplained. And I really felt there was a point-of-view missing from the final, climactic scene, so that the big "ta-da" moment the entire book had been building toward fell a little flat for me. There was also a subplot about a street urchin that I could've done without entirely, as it didn't seem to add anything whatsoever to the story. And this is also totally nitpicky of me, but considering this is a story about a violinist and a symphony conductor, the title, A Note Yet Unsung, kinda rubs me the wrong way, as this story really isn't about singing!

But on the whole, if you love historical romance with exquisite detail and a heart-pounding romance between two equally flawed yet driven characters, set in a lavish, real-life world, then you don't want to pass up A Note Yet Unsung. It's Tamera Alexander at her finest, and definitely one for any historical fiction lover's keeper shelf.

Tamera Alexander. A Note Yet Unsung. Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House Publishers, 2017.

The last time that I featured one of Tamera Alexander’s magnificent books was back in 2015!  I am absolutely delighted to see that she will be releasing two books during 2017, with A Note Yet Unsung completing her Belmont Mansion series this winter.

In A Note Yet Unsung, Rebekah Carrington returns to her hometown of Nashville, Tennessee, after spending years training as an instrumental musician in Europe.  However, only two orchestras in the United States have begun accepting women as members, with Nashville holding firm to the opinion that women do not belong among its male instrumentalists.  The city’s new conductor, Nathaniel Tate Whitcomb, has grander projects to complete than prove that women belong in his orchestra.  Instead, he must finish his symphony before the opera hall’s inaugural performance.  With time running out, he turns to the one musician in the city that has ever truly impressed him, Rebekah.  Together, Tate and Rebekah must create a musical masterpiece before time runs out and the city discovers the master violinist playing backstage is actually a woman.

Ms. Alexander brings her own level of brilliance to this fascinating tale of musical genius at work.  Rebekah and Tate will capture readers’ imaginations, as their struggle to fulfill their dreams meets with inevitable challenges.

Overall, I was absolutely thrilled with A Note Yet Unsung!  As a trained musician, I felt that Ms. Alexander remained true to the nature of musicians’ temperaments and approach to their art.  Simultaneously, she creates a compelling historical story that will reach the hearts of readers who enjoy great Christian fiction.  As the final novel in Ms. Alexander’s Belmont Mansion series, A Note Yet Unsung offers a fascinating conclusion to an overarching storyline including Adelicia Acklen Cheatham, the ever-memorable owner of the Belmont Mansion and famed Nashville-area philanthropist.  Altogether, the novel offers a fascinating plot with well-developed characters who face enormous challenges to their dreams.  Ms. Alexander remains true to the period, while writing a satisfying conclusion to the story and the series. 

Fans of Ms. Alexander’s previous historical novels, especially those in the Belmont Mansion series, will definitely want to read A Note Yet Unsung!  Readers who enjoy great historical Christian fiction, especially those set in the American South and those that take place during the mid- to late-nineteenth century.  Additionally, I would highly recommend this novel to readers who enjoy stories that focus on characters who are highly-trained classical musicians, particularly in a historical setting.   

Special thanks to NetGalley and Bethany House for the advanced copy of A Note Yet Unsung!

A few years ago someone gave me a book by Tamera Alexander.  I can't remember which one it was, but I just couldn't get into it, so I never finished it.  Because of that, I haven't even tried any of her books since.  What have I been missing out on?  A Note Yet Unsung was excellent from page one.  The characters, the plot, the attention to detail, all made me want to curl up inside the pages and live there.  (Figurative pages, since I read this on my Kindle.)  I cant' remember a time when I've loved two characters more--or fell in love with them as quickly--as I did Tate and Rebekah.  Their story was unexpected, and beautifully written.  Now, ya'll know that I sometimes accidentally choose a second or third book in a series, usually because I love the cover, and it ends up not working out for me.  I didn't realize it at the time, but A Note Yet Unsung is the third book in a series, but that didn't hinder my enjoyment at all.  It only means I need to go back and read the rest of the Belmont Mansion series in order to understand some of the side characters a little better.  And that is something I totally want to do.  I stayed up way too late reading this book, but I went to bed feeling so happy, and wasn't able to stop smiling because the ending made me so happy.



The Civil War is not long over, and Rebekah Carrington has just returned to Nashville after spending the last ten years studying music in Vienna, Austria.  Her beloved grandmother and benefactor has died, and she has no choice but to return home.  But she refuses to live in the house with her mother and stepfather, who is a cruel man, and the reason her grandmother sent her away all those years ago. A talented musician, Rebekah learns of a position as assistant to the maestro of the newly formed Nashville Symphony.  Under the ruse of applying for the job, Rebekah auditions with her oboe for Nathaniel Tate Whitcomb, the young maestro.  Tate knows Rebekah is talented--and very beautiful--but he cannot give a woman a place in his orchestra.  Rebekah leaves disappointed, and takes a job as a music tutor, but her path will cross with Tate's again.  Tate has a secret that no one else knows, and when Rebekah stumbles upon it, their whole relationship will change.  As their feelings deepen, Rebekah knows that she soon must tell Tate her secret, too.  But what will be his reaction?  Can their newfound love weather all that's about to be thrust upon them?

This story had so many unexpected avenues that made it really unputdownable.  I was on pins and needles wondering when Rebekah would reveal her violin-playing talents to Tate.  I thought I knew how it would happen, but I was wrong--and gladly so!  What really happened was even better than I could have hoped.  It's obvious that the author did a lot of research about music and the symphony (or she is also a very talented musician in addition to her writing skills!) and her attention to detail really shines.  I feel like I've been missing out on a lot by not reading her novels before, but I plan to remedy that in the future!  I'm really glad I read this book, and it's already one of my favorites for the year!




I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my review.  All opinions are my own and a favorable review was not required.  This post contains affiliate links.