I read this ARC for an honest review
All thoughts and opinions are mine

This is a new author to me so thank you #netgalley for letting me read it

I thought it was going to be fairly light romance - how wrong was I
This was an absorbing, powerful book about love and second chances. More deep than I was expecting, I couldn't put this down

Wonderful

This was a bit deeper than I was expecting but I really enjoyed Alex and Nate's story. Once I got into it, I could not put it down.

A powerful story about love and second chances. A second chance to see if you can figure out what you want and how to get it. It's a love story and the circumstances that drive them apart. Can love conquer all? Read this wonderful story to find. Happy reading!

What I liked about Counterpoint:
- I really enjoyed the way that Lauren told Alex and Nate's story. The chapters alternate between the main character's perspectives, which is my favorite ways to read a romance. This way the reader is able to see the relationship build between the characters without having to guess anyone's intentions.
-I thought that there was a nice balance between sex scenes and intimate connection through conversations between Alex and Nate. They listened to each other as they unpacked their years of emotional baggage and tried to help each other process their feelings.

What I disliked about Counterpoint:
-In the beginning, I felt that Nate's backstory set up was a little clunky and would have been better incorporated a few chapters later.

Who would I recommend Counterpoint:
-Fans of classical music
-Fan of romance with LOTS of emotional baggage


Overall Thoughts:
Overall, I think this was a wonderful story. I enjoyed how both Alex and Nate were able to grow as individuals and as a couple.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Harmony House Productions for the e-ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

Counterpoint is the second novel in the Symphony Hall series by Lauren E. Rico. I came across it when I was looking for some romances to review and this one seemed dark and fun. It's not quite what I was expecting, but I had a great time none the less.

This story is about to Pianists, working together to make their dreams come true. Apart, they are a hot mess. Together, they have a chance to get everything they ever wanted. But will they get out of their own way to get it?

After Alex has a breakdown before her debut in Carnegie Hall, her father puts her on lockdown and is ready to make sure she does what she is meant for, in some pretty forceful ways.

Nate was a brilliant young pianist poised for stardom when an accident derails his plans.

Enter Wyatt, a crazy cowboy piano teacher who isn't ready to give up on either of these savants. So he scoops them up and takes them to Texas for a summer of intensive training and practicing. They two butt heads and a beautiful chemistry emerges. This was a very sexy hate to love. I don't understand music the way these 2 do, but I really enjoyed their chemistry.

Alex is almost stunted in her personal reactions and very skittish after growing up in an oppressive home life. She is 24 and seems more like a teenager. Nate is fighting a lot of demons but he is totally into Alex. But they are still young and there is a lot of issues that come with that. There is so much pressure and it is hard not crack beneath it. Its hard for them both to trust.

I felt immense sympathy for both of them and it was painful to go through it with them. This is a little more angsty than I normally like to read, but it was also sexy and exciting.

I give it 4/5 Stars.

Plays on your heart strings:
What a tragic and emotionally gripping novel that had me captivated from the very beginning!
It is the story of two hurting, fragile and broken pianists who finally find healing and a way to embrace their futures. Nate is a child prodigy who has experienced incredible loss and he has become a fearful recluse. Meanwhile Alex has performance anxiety and is facing intense pressure from her family. Initially like oil and water, they find that it's only by working together that they have the strength to move forward and embrace their destiny. You could really feel the chemistry and connection between these two and in fact all of the characters came across as real and authentic
I thought the author did a great job of presenting classical musical facts and details to make it realistic but without it being overpowering nor confusing. This is the 1st book I've read by this author but certainly hope it won't be the last.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

Thank you netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was an emotional rollercoaster of a story. Alex and Nate are two extraordinary pianist who have experienced pain, loss and disappointment. They are brought together by Wyatt, their mentor, who has made it his personal mission to help them meet their full potential.
At first Nate distrust Alex intentions but as their chemistry grows he gives in and their love blooms. It's love story beautifully written, masterly illustrating the passion this couple has for music and for each other. When they played together I could just imagine it must have been magical.
And yet I longed for a more slow burn romance. I felt they fell in love too quickly and pulled apart even faster. It would have been much more poignant if they had a chance to really get to know each other before jumping into bed.
Overall, I enjoyed it and recommend reading it.

My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
There was so much to like about this enemies to lovers (well, sort of!) story of two damaged pianists in their mid-twenties. The glamorous world of classical music is the backdrop for this story. Alexandria's overbearing and demanding father has crippled her ability to perform. Nathanial was a child prodigy who lost his entire family in a plane crash which he barely survived. Enter Wyatt - the "Pianist Whisperer".

There are mysteries, high drama and a diabolical father that make the plot interesting. I found the (almost) "insta-love/attraction" a bit too speedy. We could have done with a bit more interaction between the main characters before they ripped each other's clothes off. Still, their supportive relationship was endearing. Notwithstanding this minor issue, the author writes very well, and you can bet that I am going to hunt down her other titles. It was a highly engrossing and entertaining read during the "Stay Home" order. I was suffering from seasonal allergies and my brain is too fuzzy to tackle anything like a thriller or literary fiction. <u>Counterpoint</u> was exactly what the doctor ordered: passion, drama and a very satisfying HEA. It was hard to put this one down. I'm rating this one a 4.4 out of 5. Enjoy!

I enjoyed the story between Alex and Nate and it made me want to listen to the music they discussed, especially Danse Macabre. The author lists the musical selections at the beginning of the book as well, and I thought that was a nice touch. I really enjoyed Wyatt's character, and I pictured him as looking like a young Woody Harrelson for some reason? I did think that the unnamed sixty year old man that came to Alex's aid who gave her a business card would have some sort of tie-in later, but nothing came of that. Overall an enjoyable read about two people coming together to heal.

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Such a sweet story of 2 pianists needing time find their own in order to play again.
Alex and Nate are alone until Wyatt comes into their lives and unites them. Through some struggles and a red hot steamy romance these two have their ups and downs.
Nat was the only survivor of a plane crash. Alex is the only daughter of musical parents and the child of a bullying father.
Through the course of Alexandria trying to be everything her father wants to be, she finds the strength to say no. And the result is perfection. The result is two. The ending is perfect