This is certainly not a book I would have chosen. Thanks to NetGalley for offering the chance to read it.
I know virtually nothing about classical music, am tone deaf but much inspired by the plot took to looking up Tchaikovsky: Symphony No 5 in E minor horn solo to actually listen to the piece around which the central characters Cate and Sarah are based.
The idea of a huge crisis/panic attack in an orchestra when you are playing a solo certainly started the book well. However we were soon into 10 years later and a rather contrived life abroad which Cate then had. This seemed very rushed and often unbelievable.
After her mother's death and her return to England it seemed cosy and consequential as to how Cate's life might be turned around.
I liked the descriptions about the music (although I know very little about it generally).
The peripheral characters were more rounded - especially old friends and fellow 'local' orchestra members.
It did seem obvious how the plot would end.
Overall it was a good read - if predictable. Many would enjoy the mid life crisis of Cate and understand her insecurities which were well described.
Like a piece of music it rose (and sometimes fell) but overall gave an arc of a pleasing sight and sound.

Thank you Netgalley and The Book Guild for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

'Miss one day's practice and you'll know it. Two days, and I'll know it. And if you miss three, the whole world will spot it.'

At the height of her career, Cate went through a traumatic event, which lead to her quitting music. She then reinvented herself and distances herself from the musical world for years. But then, in comes Sarah, a young talented horn player, who Cate is drawn to because she sees herself in Sarah. The story then focuses on how Cate is drawn to help Sarah get her big break, and her eventually facing her own past and fears.

Immediately upon coming across the book, I was interested in reading it because I, too, am a pianist and percussionist who have had experience being in an orchestra, and I am intrigued to see how the author would describe and write about music and musicians. This feels like a mesh of both things I loved--music and reading-- and it didn't disappoint me. The book is an easy read and highly relatable for someone with my background, and manages to be lighthearted and funny at times, even with heavy topics. It is worth mentioning that non-musician readers might have trouble keeping up unless you have a background in music. Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and I would recommend it, especially to my musician friends. I am looking forward to reading the author's future books if it were to be in the same vein as this!

This book is truly a love story for musicians and people who appreciate classical music. I was eager to read this book because my husband is a first chair horn player. I was really impressed with the level of technical detail included in the book. It's clear the author is passionate about playing horn and it shows on the page. It was extremely fascinating and I loved those parts of the book.

However... the main character Cate was not very likeable and not always easy to empathize with. Some of the things she did were so painfully cringy that I had a lot of second hand embarrassment for her. For example - the oversharing pointless Facebook posts and validation from likes. Why?! It was such a weird thing to constantly throw in, she reminded me of the crazy people who compulsively post on town Facebook pages about litter or sad lonely moms. I was also horrified by the fact that she kept referring to her miscarriage as "embarrassing" because it happened on stage during a horn solo. I've had one, and that's probably the last way I'd ever describe it. Her reaction to that event was so bizarre and her choices after were even worse. Her relationship with Giovanni was BRUTAL. She was legitimately the girl no one wanted around but couldn't take the hint.

That being said, I liked her relationship with Sarah (when Cate wasn't acting like a pathetic child - Sarah deserved better, TBH) and I liked how the book ended. I will recommend this book to people passionate about horn playing, because those parts really held my interest.

It's always fun and fascinating to learn more about a niche subject.

Thank you to NetGalley and The Book Guild for the eARC! <3

“Me and the horn are history.”

After one disastrous concert, Cate made that decision. She walked away from the horn and reinvented herself as an English teacher. For ten years, her life was ruled by trauma. Instead of facing it, she spent those years in denial, chasing pleasure, traveling the world, partying in Italy, skiing, always running from her demons.

On the surface, it all seemed wonderful. She had built a new life and was even close to buying a forever home in Tuscany. But everything changed when she suddenly had someone to protect and be responsible for. That was when the past could no longer be ignored. Watching the gifted Sarah bullied by her orchestra peer, struggling for the chance to learn and practice the French horn, brought Cate face to face with her younger self.

This story shows that starting over is not about ignoring pain or trying to escape it. It is about finding the courage to confront the past. The disastrous concert was not her greatest failure. Walking away from the horn was.

What I loved is how the book opens up the world of the French horn in such an engaging way. It is rich in detail but never dry or pretentious. The language is clear and steady, making it easy to follow. While reading, I often opened Spotify to listen to the repertoire mentioned—Rachmaninov’s Second Symphony, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5, and many more. What a wonderful dive into the universe of the French horn. Now, whenever I go to a concert, I will listen for it with new appreciation.

At the beginning, even halfway through, I found it difficult to like Cate. Fortunately, I stayed with her story until the end and witnessed the phoenix rise from the ashes. Bravo to horn player Catherine Jackson-Harper. Still, my favourite character is Sal. Friendship forever.

“It is people that are more important. Everything else will follow.” — Solo, Caroline Swinburne


Solo by Caroline Swinburne is published by The Book Guild on 28 September. Thank you to @NetGalley and @thebookguildpublishing for the eARC.

A delightful novel about home, music and finding what you really want, after life's twisted you onto a path that you wouldn't have chosen. Highly recommend.