TEST
Committing to someone romantically and living with that person are two very different things as Anthony explains in this third Blue Notes romance.
As Aria begins, Philadelphia attorney Sam Ryan is heartbroken and can’t quite bring himself to dispose of his late partner’s ashes. Sam’s family and friends urge him to cut the ties and move on with his life. But Sam is a captive of the good times he had with Nick. Sure, he had a fling with a guy named Aiden after Nick’s death, but Sam left before anything got serious.
Concurrently opera singer Aiden Lind in London finds his wealthy partner and patron having sex with another man. Since this isn’t Lord Cameron Sherrington’s first foray outside their relationship, Aiden leaves with Cam apologizing on the one hand and threatening to ruin Aiden on the other.
When they meet again in Paris, Sam and Aiden realize that sparks still fly between them. Slowly they come together and decide to become a couple, using Philly as their home. Making this arrangement work is the other half of the story.
Both men are established and successful in their fields with all the commitments and daily hassles that keeping and honing their positions require. While they have many friends in common, they aren’t colleagues, nor are they active in the same professional circles, so carving out time for themselves isn’t easy.
On top of that, Sam is living in both the past and the present. He hasn’t let go of Nick, nor has his family. Aiden’s part of the partnership, therefore, feels like less than it is.
Anthony wisely knows that even though passion is the basis for their coming together, it isn’t enough to sustain them. The story, while having hot and heavy sex scenes, delves into the plusses and minuses of their commitment and partnership, often with heartbreaking results.
Attorney Sam will win readers’ hearts because of his earnest desire to move on with his life even though he can’t figure out what to do with his memories of Nick. He can’t forget him after all the years they spent together, but he knows he must do something with the memories if he and Aiden are to have a chance together.
Aiden has finally come into his own as an opera star and is a little shell-shocked by the experience. Even though he has worked for his fame, his mind hasn’t adjusted to it yet. In addition, being betrayed by Cam, then finding Sam, has left Aiden reeling. Anyone caught up in concurrent personal and professional matters will empathize with Aiden.
Aria is a wonderful addition to Anthony’s Blue Notes series and includes her signature elegant descriptions of Paris and music. Because of these and the wonderful characters she shares, I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
Grade: B+
Book Type: Queer Romance
Sensuality: Hot
Review Date: 16/02/13
Publication Date: 2012/12
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Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.