My thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group for an advanced copy of this novel.

Isabel, a classically-trained violinist recovering from the death of her husband and the secrets and debt that have been uncovered, is bequeathed a manor that she moves to with her two children, to get away from it all. The house is dilapidated, a true fixer upper and with money rapidly disappearing, Isabel must call on strength she doesn't realize she has to keep her family together and make a go of it.

Night Music is an early book by Jojo Moyes, and it shows. There is a little awkwardness in the story and plotting, but it is still a good novel, and highly entertaining. The characters are interesting and you know who to root for and who to boo. Isabel's children, I thought, were far smarter and fun to read about, especially the daughter who seems much older than her years. A perfect light read for holiday or vacations, perfect even for summer Book Clubs.

Awesome! That sums up my feelings on this novel by Jojo Moyes! I could not put it down until the end! Couldn’t wait to see what happened to Isabel, the heroine of the story. It is a story of a widow: Isabel, and her two children, trying to start a new life, in an old dilapidated house she inherited from a distant relative; Along with the colorful characters, that came into their lives, living in this tiny village outside of London. I cannot help rooting for the gay couple: Henry and Asad, Isabel, and her kids: Kitty and Thierry, and Byron, the handyman, while suppressing my anger and pity for her neighbors, Matt and Laura and the opportunist, Nicholas! Riveting story about love, friendship, loss, hardship, and triumph! Thank you for the opportunity to preview this book!

What can I say but that I'm a loyal Jojo Moyes fan? I loved this story and how all the threads lead to the inevitable conclusion.

Oof I much prefer her current works, there's a marked difference between her earlier and later work. This was not for me. Give me more Giver of Stars.

A story about over coming the death of a spouse and learning to live with the fact that all wasn't as it seemed. Isabel moves her family to the country after inheriting a falling down mansion. She finds her voice and her strength as she deals with the house and her and her children's grief. Moving on can be difficult.

Night Music was a book that I couldn't put down. I was invested in the characters and couldn't wait to find out what would happen with them. In Night Music, Isabel is a widow who finds out that she can no longer afford her house in London. She unexpectedly gets a house in the country from a relative who died. The house is huge, but needs a lot of work. Unknown to Isabel her neighbors thought the house would be theirs and are bitter that it went to Isabel. When her neighbor Matt starts renovations on the house, Isabel has no idea that he is overcharging her, depleting her finances, and purposely making the house worse to try to drive her out. Night Music follows Isabel's journey, along with her children, Matt and his wife Laura, and Byrant, a handyman who becomes a trusted friend.

This book was originally released in 2008. It’s clearly early Jojo Moyes, meaning a delight to read but not as seamless as her more recent novels. I enjoyed it well-enough, and believe it will be most popular with a female audience.

Greed and heartbreak thread this intricate story of broken souls and a house that looms over them all.

This was a fun pandemic read -- absorbing and a page-turner. That said, it was not nearly as believable and compelling as Jojo Moyes best-known and loved books. Some of the events and characters really strained credibility; there is a LOT going on here plot-wise, some of it just a little silly. Still, an entertaining read for big Moyes fans, with the caveat that this is one of the author's earlier works. My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

Wi really enjoy the writing style of JoJo Miles. The ain character, Isabel, really annoyed me at the beginning of the book, but she marured and became a worthwhile mother and parent. This book will appeal to most women and make an excellent book group novel.

This story alternates between the McCarthy couple and Isabel. The McCarthys (Matt & Laura) own a small house on some land next to a larger estate. Matt is the evil villain in the story as a corrupt, revengeful builder. This hit a little to close to home for me. I’ve vowed to never build a house again, only already built and cared for houses for this girl. His wife, Laura doesn’t do anything without expecting something out of it. So they are in the countryside. Then in London, Isabel is a professional violinist obsessed with her Guarneri violin (same type of quality as a Stradivari). The married mom of two is enabled by her family to do nothing but concentrate on her violin. Her husband passes away suddenly. She has no money, no significant means to support them and is inept at raining children or managing a house.
Enter the real main character of the story — the Spanish House. It is an odd architectural mishmash in a beautiful country setting which Isabel inherits. Having little other options and as a possible escape from her new reality, Isabel just up and moves her two kids there. The problem is the house is in shambles.
Matt wants the Spanish house for himself so he sets out to sabotage the house. He does everything from let rats loose to intentional shoddy workmanship while charging her false, exaggerated prices. He continually does work she hasn’t asked for all while doing work he wants done for when he takes the house for himself. I was so frustrated with Isabel! I was yelling at the book.
Things unravel very quickly and soon result in a dangerous obsessions. Matt obsessed with the house and gaining it at all costs. Laura obsessed on revenge on anyone around her. Isabel obsessed with her damn violin and playing music. I understand she had trouble dealing with reality, but get a grip! The title comes from her drowning her sorrows away with her music in the early evening. The sound echoes into the little village for all to hear.
The best character then steps in— Byron Firth. He’s a ex-con working for Matt. He helps Isabel “grow up” and start being a housekeeper and mother. Isabel’s children, Kitty and Thierry come to love the countryside. I loved the scenery’s brilliant colors and sounds. It made me long for spring and summer. I could see myself jumping in the lake with Kitty and her friends.
The cute village shop was such a nice touch. This is a cute, cozy story despite the Spanish house not being cozy at all. I’m not sure which was more evil the house or Matt.
I didn’t love the ending but it was completely realistic and true to the story.

Somehow I was not in the right frame of mind for this book, as I ultimately found it depressing. Although the writing is proficient, I'm not currently a fan of books that change characters/narrators from chapter to chapter. I think it feel.s like too much work each time to learn the voice, story, etc. Overall, I can see that there is a substantial audience for this book, but I was looking for something more lighthearted or hopeful.

My, my, my how human we all are, especially in this little town. What a lovely story of music, family, grief, mistakes and struggles. Even though I couldn’t relate to Isabel, especially her way of being a mother, I liked her. Crazy how everyone was all of a sudden having sex with the wrong person. Does that really happen? Love the kids. Sweet Thierry. And something I really love that Kitty says to Anthony “It gets better. Life. Sometimes it can be really, really crap, and just as you think it’s going to be like that forever, it changes”. If only people realized that, especially teenagers. Great story.

Did not realize when I requested that this book was originally published in 2008.

Did not read.

Hmm. I adore Ms. Moyes’ fantastic books! They truly tune with your heart!

As soon as I saw her name appear at my computer scene without reading the blurb or looking at the title, I just pushed the request button so hard and I might have broken my mouse! Well, later I found this book is one of her oldest works! I read couple of her old time historical fictions she wrote before “ Me before you” which were good but not so great and actually I started to feel same about the book after reading few pages!

A talented violinist Isabel and also widow inherits a dilapidated house named Spanish house at the close knit country village , moving there with her two kids after she’s suffering from the trauma to lose her husband at tragic traffic accident.

But we just realize Isabel is like fish out of water at country side. She doesn’t know how to repair things at a derelict place when only thing she was focused on her music for years. Her husband handled everything for the family including finances!

Now she has to deal with the whole responsibility to turn the house into a proper place to live in where has no bathroom, fridge and water supply. She doesn’t have enough money to cover these expenses so she needs advise of the wrong man/ her neighbor, local builder Matt who has true vendetta against her because he thinks he deserves to be the real owner of the place with his wife Laura.

First he manipulates Isabel about the prices to fix the place properly and he gets his fight too far as his jealousy starts to take control of him!

Isabel’s poor kids are also struggling with their new lives. Her 15 years old Kitty misses her friends from her old place and Thierry is still keeping his silence after dealing with tragedy of losing his father.

Even though the incompetencies of Isabel frustrated me a lot, I can resonate with her because her music is her only power and sometimes those artsy minds dedicated their souls to create new compositions and they slowly separate from the responsibilities and obligations of real life. Isabel’s unique talent helps her endure her pain but it also drift her apart from her burdens needed to be handled immediately.

On the other hand: Matt was truly vindictive, devious, obsessive character who does anything in his power to take control of the house!

I could still give this book four stars because
of poignant and engaging story but the ending made me clench my fists! I’m not gonna spill more beans but I can only say the conclusion about some of the characters’ stories are not fair! It pissed me off a lot!

So I’m sticking with my three still poignant, heartfelt story with resonating characters deserved better ending stars!

I’m looking forward to read brand new books of the author! I’m a true fan of her amazing, tear jerker, heartbreaking stories!

Special thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP/ Penguin Books for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.