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You are here: Home / My Book Reviews / Book Review – Jane’s Melody by Ryan Winfield

Book Review – Jane’s Melody by Ryan Winfield

July 15, 2013 By Maryse 15 Comments

Jane’s Melody: A Novel (Atria)
The synopsis sold me (before it was released) and it was so worth the wait. As soon as it was live, I got excited and one-click happy, and just had to have it. I am all about an unconventional love story!

‘Cause you see, she’s a forty year old woman who’s just lost her twenty-something year old daughter (tragically)…

But after so many years of worry, she had no voice left for grief. And she couldn’t imagine feeling a worse sort of pain.

At what moment had everything gone wrong?

At what crossroads has she taken the wrong turn?

Were there warning signs she had ignored?

… and is looking for answers. She thinks she might have found them in her daughter’s boyfriend (a talented street musician that also appears to be living on the street), and she attempts to connect with him over and over again.

“Hello there,” Jane said, looking down.

“This is bordering on stalking now,” he said, without even bothering to remove the cap from his eyes.

Was her voice that identifiable, Jane wondered.

“Give a girl a break,” she said, “I just want to talk with you for awhile.”

And he gives in. As they get to know each other (tentatively) he reveals his future plans, which prompts her to offer him a temporary job. And she “takes in” her daughter’s boyfriend. Oh. Well. *grins* And ummm… being in such close proximity and all. You know. eek An unconventional love story is what I wanted, and it’s exactly what I got (but so tastefully handled).

Yep. 😉 I know… I went into the “what’s it about” part right away didn’t I? I figured I’d get to the good part right away.

Kandace: I know a lot of people recommended Jane’s Melody months ago. I should have listened sooner. Loved this book! Heart wrenching!! The last part of the book was beautiful. I cried and cried until the end.

Maryse’s Book Blog: Me toooooo I cried!!! My review will be tomorrow for this one. 1st half good! Second half GREAT!

I was excited (after all, a story like this was destined for angst) and connecting to the author’s eloquent writing style, but I was still on the fence in regards to my romantic connection to the story for a good portion of the first half of the book. I wanted to feel that longing and the heart tugs. It was good, but a little cautious (at least in terms of intensity, for me).

Interspersed with very sweet moments (the “coin” reveal had me smiling through tears), they got to know each other, as I got to know them (some great character reveals), but I found myself somewhat distant from their developing connection. I don’t know how to explain it exactly, but it’s as if I wasn’t being teased enough. I wasn’t worried enough. I saw “it” happening, but was anxious to feel completely immersed in it. That all-consuming, burning need for each other? I wanted it.

Okay and just ’cause I couldn’t resist, here’s a pic of me and the author (Ryan WInfield) at Book Bash. Height difference? What height difference. Oh quit smirking. Tee hee!! 😉

But the second half of the story blew me away. The emotion I wanted to feel in the first half as their attraction developed, I felt it in spades in the second half. I cried. TWICE. Big ‘ol fat tears for two completely different reasons, and both story lines were equally important, to the heroine’s own self-acceptance and her healing. Her choices, and how they would affect her and the characters that surround her.

And my eyes welled with bittersweet tears, too. The cast of characters were as wonderfully developed as the two main characters themselves, and brought an incredible depth to the story. From the best friend, the lady down the street, the mother… even the goat. Each one vivid and alive in my mind and in my heart.

A beautiful, touching, heartfelt story that I’ll never forget. Surprises that I didn’t see coming, and moments that I DID see coming that were so richly explored, I couldn’t help but be completely taken by them, anyway. The author dug deep and I was right there with them every step of the way.

4 stars for first half and 5 stars for 2nd half, soooo 4.5 stars!! 😀 So good!

Filed Under: My Book Reviews Tagged With: 4.5 stars, contemporary romance, Ryan Winfield

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Lise
Lise
7 years ago

Love the review, Maryse. This was such a sweet love story. I especially love the pic of you and Ryan. I do believe he is at least two feet taller than you…. LOL. I met him at BB and LOVE him 😉 <3

Reply
Maryse
Maryse
Maryse's Book Blog
7 years ago

I know it’s crazy!! I’m already exceptionally short, and he’s taller than most, so this was a photo-op I couldn’t pass up. He’s such a good sport! 😛

Reply
Maryse
Maryse
Maryse's Book Blog
7 years ago

And look!!! I was standing as tall as I could and he’s kind of slouching. And let’s not forget the 3″ heels I had on. *sigh* LOL!

Reply
kirsten
kirsten
7 years ago

He is so tall, Maryse. I remember him walking in thinking good Lord how tall is he? 😉 I do love the pic though. Loved this book, and Ryan was such a sweetheart at Book Bash I decided to read. Such a beautiful story. <3

Reply
Kirsten
Kirsten
7 years ago

Lise is that always your avatar? I don’t remember seeing it before it made me laugh. 🙂

Reply
Jaime
Jaime
7 years ago

Its like he could pick you up and put you in his pocket!

Reply
Kandace Lovesbooks
Kandace Lovesbooks
7 years ago

I’m still amazed this story was written by a male author!

Reply
Jen
Jen
7 years ago

Holy height difference! How tall is he?

Reply
Gina linsley
Gina linsley
7 years ago

Ryan is one of my absolute favs, so glad to see him getting some attention from you Maryse and the huge numbers you reach!!

Reply
Lise
Lise
7 years ago

@Kirsten.. I guess it is. How did I get the funky spider-thingy? LOL…:-)

Reply
Kim
Kim
7 years ago

I JUST finished this book last night and LOVED it!! My emotions were put through the ringer… it had me NOT wanting to put it down and I also lived the goat!!!
Great review!!!

Reply
Mom
Mom
7 years ago

I also got my picture taken with him at BB… Now I have to read this book it’ll probably mean even more to me… Being closer to the mother in the book I’ll relate more to her story 😉 …. Nice pic Sweetpea! Love you xxxxxxx!

Reply
Jean
Jean
7 years ago

I already had this on my TBR list, but it just got moved up to the top! Sounds so good based on your review!

Reply
Nicole Lowery
Nicole Lowery
7 years ago

Loved this book!

Reply

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