Member Reviews
Another wonderful read from Danielle Steel!
This is a heartwarming story about Iris who has had a very hard childhood. Along the way she meets some lovable characters who become her friends. Two of these people are Harry and Pearl and they were my favorite part of the story. After growing up without two parents, these two become the most wonderful stand in parents a girl could have.
This book shows the reality of the music business at its best and at its worst. The realism in Danielle Steel's stories is what makes her so loved as an author. By the time the book ended, I felt like I was leaving friends behind. Friends that I had been with and watched endure tough times, grow up and flourish.
It is inspiring to see someone go from having nothing but hardship to finding her voice and get all she could ever dream of. A few of the characters overcame so much in their lives that it can heal the hearts of those who have been through a very tough childhood or life and give them the hope of better times ahead. It also teaches you that you can remain humble and never forget the kindness that you are shown. It comes full cirle to then show you how you can repay that kindness forward and make a difference in the lives of others.
I love Danielle Steel's strong character development and that this is an emotional story that makes you laugh, cry and hope with the characters. Thank you for putting such a strong and inspiring woman as the main character of this wonderful story.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House Ballentine for allowing me to read this book. I won't lie. I read this book so fast and was so mad at myself when it was over! This book starts with Chip and his daughter driving to a bar to see if Chip can get his daughter (who is a young vocal prodigy) a job singing for them. She is hired (at the age of 7!) and is immediately a hit. Chip would move her along a few months later which he did consistently for the rest of her childhood. Eventually they end up in Las Vegas where she ends up on a tour where she was in a van for five years and at the end of the five years, she finds out that her dad spent all her money. She ends up on another tour which was with a better agent. Four years into the second tour, she leaves when she realizes how bad the situation is. She ends up in a bar and meets up with a band which included a guy named Boy. She sings with them but when their gig is over, they decide to go to NYC. The book takes a crazy turn not long after and honestly I screamed when it happened. This is going down as a top ten Danielle Steel book for me!
Another wonderful book by Danielle Steele. The High Notes follow along with Iris Cooper. Iris didn’t have a good childhood growing up. My heart ached reading about her life growing up. Her father pushing her into singing at age 12 in a bar for money. He took it all for his drinking problem. They moved all the time and she barely had enough food or good clothing. Her father would leave her in the truck while he was drinking or visiting women. Iris led a hard life but her music kept her going. She had a talent for hitting the high notes in her songs and anyone who heard her was amazed. After years of being exploited by agents, she was finally discovered. That discovery led her to a life she only would dream of.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, for an early read in exchange for an honest review.
Iris, Clay and Boy (evidenced by the name produced in foster care) were united in the fact that all experienced hardship in childhood whether it be neglect or poverty. However, they rose above it and sang and produced music that spoke to audiences. They learned what true love and joy should look like. The high notes were much more than simply those that Iris could reach when singing her songs. It was the high that they all experienced when choosing to live. In giving themselves, they gained far more than they could have imagined. This was certainly evidenced by the tribute concert. Clay and Iris and Boy and Star deserved to find love. This was a great and inspiring book.
Great quick read about a girl who can hit the high notes.
I enjoyed watching \ reading about her through the years and how music was always the center of her life till it wasn’t.
A few surprises that I didn’t see coming but a book I wanted to see what happened after I turned every page.
It also showed me a little of the behinds the scenes of a music career.
There was a lot that happened in this short book, but it was written well and well done. Another Danielle Steel book I enjoyed. The story is good but generic. But I’ve read this kind of story many times and this didn’t bring anything new or special to help me remember it.
If you love country music, this one's for you.
Iris Cooper has the voice of an angel and starts
singing at the tender age of twelve in honkey tonks and dives under the tutelage of her drunkard father who exploits her and her talent for his own means. She manages to take off after years of singing for literally nothing as her father squandered all of the money she made on his own decadent lifestyle. The story is intriguingly touching with a bit of pathos thrown in as well, as Iris works her way into riveting stardom and personal happiness beyond her wildest dreams while fighting those who would continue to exploit her and her amazing voice.
A real down home country tale.
I liked the previous book of Danielle Steel's book so much, I was totally prepared to dislike this one as they seem to ebb and flow between good and not so good. To my surprise, “The High Notes” was actually enjoyable. It is the story of Iris, a young singer, who was consistently exploited by others for her amazing voice and her unique ability to hit the high notes. Despite all of her hardships, she manages to retain her goodness.while there is a certain amount of repetition, it is not overwhelming. A quick read for when you are bored and looking for something uplifting. Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy.
I fell in love with the main character, Iris Cooper. My heart ached for her loss of her childhood and the horrible way her father treated her. I could see her onstage and hear her voice singing her heart rendering songs. I finished the book in 2 sittings so don’t plan on getting anything else done until you finish it, as It ended too soon and I miss the characters already! Good job Ms Steele.
Another fantastic book by Danielle Steele! I was trying to figure out if it was a book about a particular star or maybe a hodgepodge of different stars. I know there are some really sad stories about child actors who are taken advantage of. I wish them all the best and hope they find their happy ending too. This book made me tear up and I always love her writing!
The High Notes follows Iris Cooper. She is a child of a drifter who puts her to work singing in bars when she is only twelves years old. Her natural voice and innocent support the two of them. Trying to make it in Vegas he presses her into a contract to tour for years. Of course eventually she is going to get her big break and maybe a shot of her own happiness. I like Iris but I found the story superficial. I think is covers the heartbreaking use by her dad well. But she tours for over nine years and the biggest thing you get is her one friendship. There is never a first love or loss of virginity. What makes her make a pack up and leave the road is an attack that isn’t made against her. Her eventual romance was is with a wonderful man but the age gap is too great and falls into my icky zone. (Happy zone is anything half age plus seven years.) You can’t help wonder if she isn’t looking for a replacement for her father. Their intimacy is behind doors so you don’t get to feel much connection or chemistry between the two.
The story is good but generic. I think Steel fans will enjoy as will readers who enjoy a woman’s fiction with a closed door romance. But I’ve read this kind of story many times and this didn’t bring anything new or special to help me remember it. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I read this book in a rainy yucky Saturday. Danielle Steel knows how to write great novels, and this one is no different. Yes, there are the usual predictable parts, but as of recently she has been throwing in some current events, and this book is no stranger to that. You get a glimpse into the lives of singers and what some of them go through to get to the top
"The High Notes" tells the story of Iris Cooper, a small singer with a big voice. Life hasn't always been easy for her. From tour managers to her own father, she has been exploited for as long as she can remember. Just as her career really begins to take off and she finds true love, tragedy strikes. Will she give up or will she continue to hit those high notes?
I'm not quite sure how I feel about this book. Overall, I liked the storyline, even though I feel this particular story trope is overused a bit. The age difference between Iris and Clay was somewhat cringeworthy, especially given the fact she lacked a fatherly role model and the story mentioned him "fathering" her a couple of times. While I really enjoyed all the strong characters, it just wasn't enough to pull me in and I struggled to finish the book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Iris has an incredible voice. Her Father uses her when he has her singing in bars from the age of 12. He then signs her up for an abusive manager and keeps her money, spending it on booze. This is a typical Steele. Her books are predictable but at the same time provide an enjoyable escape from reality. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.
The High Notes is a quick, easy read that will leave readers wanting more from author Danielle Steel.
This story is about Iris Cooper who is a very talented singer. Her father capitalized on her talent in her pre-teen years and continued to take advantage of her performances as she grew into a women. Iris learns the ins and outs of touring, bad managers, and people you meet on the road. She never knew what it was like to have an actual home. Iris meets another musician named Boy, and a musical partnership and friendship flourish. They make their way to New York where they meet an agents who helps pave a wonderful future for them, and they begin to grow as musicians, grow in relationships, and deal with some challenges.
I look forward to reading more by this author.
Rags-to-riches fairy tale story of a young girl blessed with the ability to sing, especially the high notes. Starting at twelve, we follow the young lady as she struggles through adverse conditions maintaining an an amazing attitude and being a blessing to those whose lives she touches.
Iris pays more than her dues in order to reach her dreams of being a singer. After being taken advantage by her dad and bad agents for money, she finally finds an agent to help her rise to fame and watch her back. Through it all, Iris always hits the high notes when she sings.
This was a fantastic book. I always enjoy a book when a character has to rise up against their struggles and find their dreams. Iris was a great character and Steel also created some good supporting characters. I did not see the last part of this book coming! Wow.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing-Ballantine for this ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I enjoyed this.. However this book is basically sort of a modern version of a book that she wrote in 1989 which was called Star.
and I looked at Netgalley reviews and on here, and a few people agreed with me that she basically changed a few names and made it more modern.
You meet Iris Cooper, she has been controlled by men her whole life. First, her stage dad alcoholic father pushed her into performing in run-down bars from the time she was 12 until she finally escapes in her 20s. Then by Shady managers and other men who treat her terribly.
The romance in this book was very strange, Danielle Steel likes to write much older men getting with young girls. It happens in her books a lot and honestly, it's kind of creepy..
This was an inspiring story of what family means, friendship, determination, and love .
Iris was raised by her father, who never seemed to be able to keep a job or save money. When she was 12 her father realized she could earn money singing in bars with her beautiful voice. For years she sang and moved from place to place with nothing of her own to show for it. One day she got the number of a successful manager from a friend and one phone call changed her entire life. She has many highs and lows in her life but music keeps her going.
Throughout Iris’ journey Steel introduces us to an array of characters that all shaped Iris in one way or another. The story will make you reflect on your own life and who helped make you what you are today. Loved this book. Is now one of my favorite books by Danielle Steel.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Hard work can pay off, but you know there will always be bumps in the road and these can just push you to work harder to reach your goals. This book is the perfect example of these ideals. Growing up poor and pushing yourself hard can help you achieve your dreams. This a wonderful story!