Welcome to Litsy!

This is a soft pick. Bea Kim, a high school senior, hides her love for music (and her innate talent) from everyone. Then a new music teacher arrives at her school. He‘s worldly, and talented, and beautiful and he thinks her musical gift should be celebrated. You can guess the rest. I am not sure Ohlin managed to flesh out these characters or the relationship between teacher and student in more than broad strokes, but it was an easy read.

This novel disappointed me. With it's subject a bit of taboo (student-teacher affair), I felt it needed more. The affair didn't seem to last too long and I felt like it was rushed by the author. It is a very quick read however, so maybe that is why I felt this way. If you read it, let me know your thoughts.

It's unfortunate when the actual novel doesn't live up to the promise of --or the expectations set by-- its prologue. Far from being an investigation of the inappropriate relationship between a student and teacher, this devolved into romance territory. Not for me.

"His hand is still on my elbow when the room clears.
I should probably move away, but I don't.
Neither does he"

This book begins with a police interrogation, which led me to believe the plot would revolve around it. It does not. This is a sophomoric, unbelievable romance novel featuring an annoying protagonist daddy issues.

I had high hopes for this story, but they weren't realized. It felt more like a love story between the protagonist and her piano than the book's actual love interest. I feel that if the details used to describe Bea's feelings at the piano were put into other parts, it'd have been better.

I read this as a coming of age story more than a student/teacher romance. Through her illicit relationship with Dane, Bea was able to express herself and be true to herself. I'd definitely suggest this book. It's a quick read.