Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I did have a few issues figuring out what was internal dialogue and what was written notes between the characters. I also wish the author had shown us the discussion about Thor's dad, rather than telling us it happened in the epilogue. It was such a big part of the plot, I felt like it deserved more attention.

I loved reading a romance where one of the main characters was flawed, and the other didn't even recognize that as a disability. Thor's willingness to learn sign language and find ways to connect to Harper were beautiful. I loved their story and all the challenges they both faced, find ways to come together to be stronger.

Live Out Loud by Marie Meyer is a contemporary romance currently scheduled for release on April 30 2017. Harper will never be able to hear, but music has always been a source of comfort for her. The moment she saw Thorin playing his guitar, she was mesmerized. However, Thor has secrets. He's holding something back, something that's keeping the relationship from being real. Can they Harper and Thorin open up and trust each other to share the secrets they fear sharing most.

Live Out Loud is a book that drew me into the story quickly. I really enjoyed the realistic portrayal of Harper. She may be deaf, but that is not what defines her, and while it has a major part to play in her character, trust and understanding are more more important factors with her relationship with Thor. Similarly, Thor has huge trust issues, but mainly in himself and not turning out like his father. He has real issues to deal with, and success on the horizon, if only he can trust himself and let Harper in. I think the realism of both characters is very well done, however, some of the circumstances and situations made my put aside some skepticism. I have seen how hard it is for people in the music scene, so that bit was hard for me to get on board with, as was the flexibility of the employer, but those that have never seen that firsthand would never know. I found the romance and characters, which are often the most important part, were well done. I enjoyed the read and think that many other people will as well.

Live Out Loud is an engaging and enjoyable read. I liked the characters and the conflicts they had, it was a nice blend of gritty reality and pure escapism.

What an incredible read Ms. Meyer has penned in this book about a heroine that never thought she'd find a man that could make her feel the way the hero does and a hero determined to show the heroine he's willing to do whatever it takes to be with her. The way this story started with the heroine knowing she should be concentrating on her studies and not giving into the pleas of her best friend had me liking the heroine immediately, as it shows how determined she is to show people that just because she's deaf doesn't mean she can't be successful, independent and have as normal a life as everyone else. However, it was from the moment that the hero and heroine met that had me completely enthralled, as it's palpable the hero and heroine have an inimitable connection; the 'I-see-you-across-the-room-and-everyone-else-disappears' type of connection, which makes a person want to get to know the other so much more.

As for the dialogue, it was a wonderful mix of intense and teasing banter, and I loved every moment the hero and heroine converse. Thor treasures every moment he spends in Harper's company, even though he knows the things he's keeping to himself; things that she desperately wants to know about him could break them apart, if he doesn't tell her sooner rather than later. Will she ever learn what happened to him in the past that keeps him from wanting to have a forever relationship? Will Thor realize that he will never be like his father? Will the hero be able to protect his mother?

Both the main characters are compelling due to their back stories. The heroine didn't have the easiest time growing up, because she's deaf and everyone treats her differently even her parents. I felt sorry for her having to deal with the way her parents treat her, so she's lucky to have found a man like Thor. Someone that is willing to learn every way possible to be able to communicate with Harper better. Can he do it? Will the heroine be impressed by his efforts? Will the heroine's parents finally be able to bridge the communication barrier they have with Harper?

While the hero, he's been through a lot in his life and has suffered physically and emotionally, so I could understand why he was so protective of his mom and determined to keep her safe from the past. However, it made me feel sorry for him when it came to his never wanting to have a long term relationship. How could he believe he'd ever turn out like his dad when he's so protective of his mom? Moreover, I liked how he talks about music and his guitar, and loved how it too helps him to communicate with Harper. She has quite a knack for figuring out what songs are being played.

Overall, this was a really good, engaging read with plenty of chemistry between the main characters that show love is possible, if you're willing to take a chance and not let the past have power over you. The way this story ended had me cheering for this couple's happy ever after, because of the effort Thor has to go to in winning Harper back. Certainly, it was a brilliant use of his talents as a musician, even though Harper doesn't make things easy for him. However, it was the epilogue that wrapped everything up perfectly, as we learn how far each of the main characters have come separately and together. Harper definitely knows how to surprise Thor. I would recommend Live Out Loud by Marie Meyer, if you enjoy the opposites attract trope, a story encompassing a couple that are meant to be, or books by authors Lily Everett, Donna Alward or KE Osborn.

I started out really liking the characters but the story sort of petered out. The real drama faded away and the author threw one in that felt made up. Since there was no real substance to the story, the characters didn’t flesh out.

In my continuing obsession with reading about imperfect characters and how authors address those issues, I had to grab a copy of Live Out Loud which featured a musician and a heroine who was deaf. How will she handle a relationship where his life revolves around music when she can’t hear it?

It started off sweet. Harper became deaf after an illness which she was about three years old. Her parents refused to learn ASL and Harper didn’t do well with a speech therapist so she never wanted to speak. This made Harper’s childhood hard since her mother wanted her seen but not heard. She didn’t like her waving her hands about when people where visiting since no one understood her anyway and it just drew attention to her. After Thor learns that Harper is deaf, he asks her to show him how to sign, and every time he does this and takes the time to learn how to speak her language, she is so happy since no one but her friend has ever made the attempt. Seeing her light up every time he tried to sign to her, made Thor happy as well. That part was very sweet so I will give the author an A-plus for those scenes.

Both Harper and Thor have issue with their parents. Harper’s mother is controlling of Harper like her deafness makes her incompetent, although she is finishing school to become a pharmacist. Thor’s mother has just recently left her abusive husband who beat her and Thor for years. Because his father was a physically abusive drunk full of rage, Thor presumes he could eventually become like him even though Thor does everything to protect and take care his mother. Because of this fear, Thor keeps his relationships to one night stands until he sees Harper at a show and has an instant connection. He wants to get to know her.

On their first date, Thor takes Harper to his special secret place where he would go to get away from his father (even though Thor won’t tell her why he has a super secret place). This is an abandoned and fenced off public pool where he climbs into the empty pool and hangs out under the diving board. I don’t know about Harper, but I would be afraid if a guy I didn’t know decided to take me to an abandoned pool and at least text my friend where she might start looking for my corpse. You know, a “just in case.” It also seemed a little quick to take the first girl you actually take on a date to your special secret place, which is slightly creepy, especially since you have a communication barrier.

Thor doesn’t want to tell Harper anything about his father or his childhood. He feels she is too good for him and that she would want nothing to do with him if she knew he was abused as a kid. Really, Thor, you think your dream girl is that shallow? He clearly is holding back information which makes Harper unhappy that he won’t share with her. You can understand that he doesn’t want to discuss all his deepest darkest secrets. The simple fact is they weren’t dating all that long and obviously he has some bad stuff he doesn’t want to share yet until you get to know each other better.

While Harper had issues with her parents going back all her life, Harper visits home and has a heart-to-heart with her parents, leaving us with an everything is going to be alright now feeling, but then chapters later Harper’s mother finds out about Harper dating and jumps all over her telling Harper that she needs to concentrate on school, blah, blah, blah. So what was the point of settling all their issues in the middle of the book if nothing changed about their relationship?

This story had a lot of potential and started out well. I just think it petered out before it really developed the characters more than superficially and the ending was rushed or the author ran out of ideas and needed to finish up. In the end, I was just disappointed.

4 stars

I enjoyed this book. It was a story that was different and sweet. I just wished it was a little deeper. I never really felt the emotional connection between Thor and Harper. It felt like they could have used more of a "love" story. It was still sweet and I liked it, but it felt a little like something was missing.

I loved this book! I loved to see how Harper and Thorin connect despite everything that might stand between them. Thor's willingness to communicate with Harper, to learn how to sign made such a big difference and I just loved him for it. Oh, don't forget her friend Chloe, she is amazing as well. Even though Thor's willingness to learn how to sign meant even more to me as he is a musician, he is someone whose life revolves around music, around sound - the one thing that Harper will never be able share with him. She can feel music but she can't hear. And she doesn't speak.
The whole story is about living in silence and living with sound. Thor sometimes needs silence to settle down, to be able to create music and Harper's life is silent. Even her relationship with Harper's former boyfriend was defined by the difference between coming from a Deaf family and a hearing family.
It is amazing to read how Thor tries to overcome all those obstacles and how much of a diffrence that makes for Harper. How can you NOT fall for a guy like him? Well, that's what Harper thinks - right until the moment when it is not enough any more. Or is she not enough? Or...?
There were moments when my heart broke, right then and there, I was so upset and I just hoped that, well, you know, all this happily ever after? That's what I wanted for those two and for a while I was really worried...

A wonderful book that left me thinking about opening up to someone, about connecting with people, learning other languages (and checking out options to learn how to sign as "Signing for Dummies" that Thor uses is not available for the German sign language and did you know that there are even different sign for the UK and the States?) and so much more. I loved the story and I loved the characters - a lot.
My first book by Marie Meyer but definitely not the last.

a different in a good way read. I enjoyed this book