Tropes:
Forbidden
Agent MMC / aspiring singer FMC
Family secrets
Off limits

4⭐️
3🌶️

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape for the ALC.

The music of love!

When Amara Johnson traveled to Memphis, TN to attend her grandfather’s funeral, it set off a chain of events that ignited her passion for music, poetry and performing. Coupled with her curiosity about this estranged relative with whom she seemed to share a connection that went deeper than familial…she couldn’t help but be drawn to the handsome, mysterious, musically connected Jake Barnes, who reeled her in with promises of helping uncover family history, while tapping into her music aspirations. As the story shifted to Nashville, the birthplace of country music…a forbidden attraction propelled the narrative towards a culmination tainted by hidden secrets, betrayal and deception. This was a well researched listen, that dropped plenty of eye opening revelations when it comes to the origins of black female artists and the country music genre. With memorable supporting characters and an undeniable chemistry between Amara and Jake to balance it out, there’s something to enjoy for anyone willing to indulge. And the narrators brought it to life in a manner that was just as inspiring as the author’s foray into a scarcely featured writing lane.

Thank you NetGalley, Honey Magnolia Media and Dreamscape Media for sending this audiobook for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

This was such a great book! I love books based around the music scene, and to showcase a FMC with roots in blues take on Nashville was a nice twist. The narrators made the book even more amazing! There’s a slow-burn romance involved, which was predictable, but still enjoyable. The story revolves around the death of the grandfather of the FMC. She discovers letters/journals from his past, which leads her on the quest to find answers. In doing so, she learns she is made for the stage, writing & singing her own songs, instead of teaching music to kids. It’s a book of self-discovery & I highly recommend listening to the audiobook.

Books that are focused on music are usually a miss for me, with some rare exceptions. Rifts and Refrains mostly fell into the exception category. The Story follows a music teacher named Amara. Amara was a strong character and I enjoyed going on this journey with her.

After the passing of Amara’s grandfather, she comes into possession of letters, journals, and pictures. She is left with nothing but questions. That’s when Jake Barnes comes to help. Jake has ties to country music and he agrees to help Amara get answers as long as she comes back to Nashville and sings for him.

I did have some issues with the relationship between Jake and Amara but I did want happiness for them both. I never want to root for any type of cheating and that was a big hangup for me.

The music side of this story was intriguing and engaging and was the best part of this story. If you like books that have musical storylines then definitely check this one out.

Good book, page turner! I loved how it flowed and how it showed how they were making the songs and their chemistry. I didn’t like how the husband thought about himself, The way he was manipulative and kept gaslighting her about cheating when she wasn’t was really annoying. I loved the ending, she deserved a happy ending!!!

I was blown away by this audiobook. This was my first attempt at listening to a story and I would definitely listen to more audiobooks in the future. I really enjoyed the changing narrators. It changed from a women narrator to a male narrator depending on whose POV was in the chapter.

I loved the connection that grew between Amara and Jake. A romance with mystery. I felt like I was there with Amara taking the journey through her grandfather's memories. Very Interesting to see the questions that Amara had after finding the old memorabilia.

I would highly recommend this audiobook. Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this ALC.

Unfortunately I couldn't get into this one myself, but I can absolutely understand why others might. The story itself was good, just not for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this ALC 🫶🏻🫶🏻

This is the first performing artist romance that I have read, and I LOVED IT! It was such a unique take on ‘forbidden love’ on many accounts and SUUUUUCH a slow burn (which I enjoy). I loved both the female and male narrators, but at times felt that the females the male narrator performed weren’t distinguishable enough.

Over all, the story kept me listening any minute I could!

This book has so much more to it than the romance, in fact, the romance feels like somewhat of a subplot to the intrigue of starting her career and carrying on her grandfathers legacy while uncovering some mysteries. While parts of the story were pretty predictable, I still thoroughly enjoyed it!

There were times that the MMC was joking about her physique and commenting that left me feeling a little 🥴, but over all it did not take way from their relationship building.

I am so glad to have picked up this ALC drone Dreamscape Media!

As a hopeless romantic AND a musician, this novel was right up my alley!
Would’ve rated this higher, but the ending wrapped up waaaaay too quickly & neatly for me.
Will absolutely be keeping my eye out for more books by Tiye!

Thank you NG and Dreamscape Media for an ALC.

This was my first audiobook that I've listened to and it was fantastic! I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the characters. The narrators did an excellent job. I especially enjoyed how the narrative explored themes of self-discovery and family dynamics. I also enjoyed the sexy moments between the characters.

I recommend this!

Rating: 4/5

Rated 4.5 Stars

I loved Rifts and Refrains. It was engaging. It kept my attention from start to finish. I loved listening to these narrators and going on this journey with these characters. It was one of self and familial discovery. There were secrets, betrayal and sexy times too. It was predictable but that in no way took away from how enjoyable it was. I adored it and thought the narrators superbly executed it. This is my first time reading this author and it most certainly won't be my last. I love her style and voice. I look forward to reading the rest of her work. I highly recommend this book.

Thank you Netgalley and dreamscape media for the free ALC. My opinions are being left voluntarily. Wow.this was such a beautiful book.. I am in awe of the musicality and the story how it unfolded. I loved the connection to the grandfather and was just riveted the entire time. When a trope I don't love (cheating) works you know the author is gooooood.

4.5/5☆