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bobbijod's review against another edition
4.0
This book kept my attention and was actually very different than I expected. Overall, a good, but rather unusual love story.
surikun's review
3.0
To me, this book was cringe-worthy. I really wanted to read it. I have no idea why, because even in the blurb it said that it's gonna be about a relationship between a middle aged woman and a younger musician. Maybe the musician part got to me. I was all prepared for god of rock hotness. And I got hotness. But not the kind I was looking for. I like it when the male lead is edgy and rough, but this guy was a real sap. The romance was really weak and the only part I did like was when they were separated. At least then I didn't get sappy proclamations of love. Sex was really boring too. A lot of pages wasted on descriptions of sex that were unnecessary. Honestly, I felt like I was reading about population in Botswana or something like that. I think the grieving part was weak too. I never got the feeling that I should feel sad about Melody's death. I just never felt the sadness that the characters were feeling. It was all flat. At least this book was cheap so I didn't spend a lot of money on a book I don't really like. So it will stay on my shelf gathering dust until I decide otherwise.
sleighbelle's review against another edition
5.0
Jane's Melody is a must read for anyone who has lost loved ones, been in love or had a friend they could always count on. Ryan Winfield does an amazing job developing the characters in this novel; by the end you are totally invested in their lives and emotions. The descriptions and imagery used in the novel bring to life the island and surrounding areas. I think I enjoyed reading it so much because it was realistic. Some novels have scenes that are so far out of the realm of possibility that it distracts from the story line. Jane's Melody provided a glimpse into Jane's life, the triumphs and the tragedies and the fact that she is human...flaws and all. I truly enjoyed reading this novel and would recommend it to all.
whatcha_listening_to's review
4.0
This was the first book I had read by this author and wow it was better then I thought it was going to be. Now to wait for the Jane's Harmony. :)
kimberlyfaye_reads's review
4.0
Find this review and more at kimberlyfaye reads.
I wasn't sure at all what to expect when I started reading Jane's Melody. I'd heard such wonderful things about it, but I was a little afraid of the "ick factor" with the relationship between the main characters. Not because of the age. Honestly, once you hit a certain point in your life, age really is nothing but a number. It was more the mom getting involved with her dead daughter's boyfriend. I'm happy to say I unfairly judged the book at first based on the synopsis. There's a lot more to the story than what I took away from that short blurb. When all's said and done, this is a great story about loss, friendship, love and second chances.
My heart broke for Jane during this book, especially early on. I'm not a parent, but I can't even begin to imagine the grief losing a child would cause. Jane and Melody hadn't been close for a long time, not since addiction started to run Melody's life, but that doesn't make losing her forever any less difficult. She feels guilty because she wonders if she could have done more. Life isn't easy for Jane, as you can imagine. But, sometimes the right person will come into your life and start to ease the aches. That's exactly what Caleb did for her. She first sees him at her daughter's grave and assumes they were dating. After finding him again in the city, after he's been jumped and robbed, she brings him home and strikes up a deal with him: she'll give him a place to stay and pay him the money he needs to follow his dream of music in Austin, Texas if he helps her clean up her yard and do some landscaping. As they spend more time together, they build a friendship which then extends on to more. Truths come out and love blooms.
I really liked Jane and Caleb together. They were passionate about each other and their relationship built from something real. They were supportive of each other and there for one another. Their age difference didn't matter at all. At least not to anyone but Jane. She was afraid she was holding him back from following his dreams. He assures her she's not keeping him from anything. He's where he wants to be.
My favorite thing about the book was not the romance. Yes, I enjoyed that part and there was no "ick factor." Their relationship was believable and honest. There were tons of feels and I went through the whole range of emotions. But what really stuck out to me most during this book was the friendship between Jane and her sponsor, Grace. It was real and rich and heartfelt. Grace was Jane's rock, at least until roles were reversed and it was Jane's turn to be there for Grace. I love seeing strong female friendships in books and this was one of them. It was a great addition to an already very good story.
The only thing I felt was really lacking from this story was more information about Melody. I know the book wasn't about her, but it also wouldn't have happened if it hadn't been for her death. I wanted Jane to find out more information about Melody and get some peace of mind. It's a wound that won't ever be fully healed, but I think learning more about her daughter and what led her down that path might have helped some. Maybe that will come in the second book.
But all in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was an easy read that I devoured in a few short hours. It was emotional, but not overly-angsty. I shed a couple tears, but that's not uncommon for me. It's not my normal choice of read – falling more into women's fiction than what I tend to pick up – but it's nice to mix things up a bit, especially when it leads me to find a book as heartfelt as this one.
Jane's Melody has been on my TBR since it was first released last year. Somewhere along the line I was approved for an ARC via NetGalley, but I didn't get around to reading it until recently. It was the first titled I pulled out of my TBR Jar and the timing couldn't have been more perfect, because I was just approved for an ARC of the sequel, Jane's Harmony, earlier this week. After finishing this book, I'm excited at the prospect of a sequel, but I'm a little nervous after reading the blurb. I guess I'll have to wait and see, and trust Ryan.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
I wasn't sure at all what to expect when I started reading Jane's Melody. I'd heard such wonderful things about it, but I was a little afraid of the "ick factor" with the relationship between the main characters. Not because of the age. Honestly, once you hit a certain point in your life, age really is nothing but a number. It was more the mom getting involved with her dead daughter's boyfriend. I'm happy to say I unfairly judged the book at first based on the synopsis. There's a lot more to the story than what I took away from that short blurb. When all's said and done, this is a great story about loss, friendship, love and second chances.
My heart broke for Jane during this book, especially early on. I'm not a parent, but I can't even begin to imagine the grief losing a child would cause. Jane and Melody hadn't been close for a long time, not since addiction started to run Melody's life, but that doesn't make losing her forever any less difficult. She feels guilty because she wonders if she could have done more. Life isn't easy for Jane, as you can imagine. But, sometimes the right person will come into your life and start to ease the aches. That's exactly what Caleb did for her. She first sees him at her daughter's grave and assumes they were dating. After finding him again in the city, after he's been jumped and robbed, she brings him home and strikes up a deal with him: she'll give him a place to stay and pay him the money he needs to follow his dream of music in Austin, Texas if he helps her clean up her yard and do some landscaping. As they spend more time together, they build a friendship which then extends on to more. Truths come out and love blooms.
I really liked Jane and Caleb together. They were passionate about each other and their relationship built from something real. They were supportive of each other and there for one another. Their age difference didn't matter at all. At least not to anyone but Jane. She was afraid she was holding him back from following his dreams. He assures her she's not keeping him from anything. He's where he wants to be.
My favorite thing about the book was not the romance. Yes, I enjoyed that part and there was no "ick factor." Their relationship was believable and honest. There were tons of feels and I went through the whole range of emotions. But what really stuck out to me most during this book was the friendship between Jane and her sponsor, Grace. It was real and rich and heartfelt. Grace was Jane's rock, at least until roles were reversed and it was Jane's turn to be there for Grace. I love seeing strong female friendships in books and this was one of them. It was a great addition to an already very good story.
The only thing I felt was really lacking from this story was more information about Melody. I know the book wasn't about her, but it also wouldn't have happened if it hadn't been for her death. I wanted Jane to find out more information about Melody and get some peace of mind. It's a wound that won't ever be fully healed, but I think learning more about her daughter and what led her down that path might have helped some. Maybe that will come in the second book.
But all in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was an easy read that I devoured in a few short hours. It was emotional, but not overly-angsty. I shed a couple tears, but that's not uncommon for me. It's not my normal choice of read – falling more into women's fiction than what I tend to pick up – but it's nice to mix things up a bit, especially when it leads me to find a book as heartfelt as this one.
Jane's Melody has been on my TBR since it was first released last year. Somewhere along the line I was approved for an ARC via NetGalley, but I didn't get around to reading it until recently. It was the first titled I pulled out of my TBR Jar and the timing couldn't have been more perfect, because I was just approved for an ARC of the sequel, Jane's Harmony, earlier this week. After finishing this book, I'm excited at the prospect of a sequel, but I'm a little nervous after reading the blurb. I guess I'll have to wait and see, and trust Ryan.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
sadiecass's review
5.0
*I received this book from netgalley for an honest review. All opinions and tears are my own.
~takes a deep breath~ I usually don't write reviews right after reading, but I had to this time. So forgive any incoherent thoughts.
Every moment of this book held me captive. When I had to set it down, I was filled with regret. Jane was so relatable. While I've never experienced the loss she went through, I truly felt I could be her, she could be me. Her pain, her fears, and her love were all so real. Caleb was such a deep character, and so complex, yet so simple. Grace, the lovely Grace. I suspected her secret early on, but the moment of reveal was true and deep, and how she chose to handle it was beautiful.
What Jane went through, what she put herself through, to reach the ending was very true, even if sometimes frustrating. But that's life, and we all make mistakes, but she found her way finally with the help of a wonderful friend, and love.
I felt all the feels throughout the book. Deep anguish, frustration, and such happiness.
It's been a while since a book captivated me so much, and it's going to be a long wait for book 2, which I'm so very eager for. I can't wait to see what's next for Jane and Caleb.
*I received this book from netgalley for an honest review. All opinions and tears are my own.
~takes a deep breath~ I usually don't write reviews right after reading, but I had to this time. So forgive any incoherent thoughts.
Every moment of this book held me captive. When I had to set it down, I was filled with regret. Jane was so relatable. While I've never experienced the loss she went through, I truly felt I could be her, she could be me. Her pain, her fears, and her love were all so real. Caleb was such a deep character, and so complex, yet so simple. Grace, the lovely Grace. I suspected her secret early on, but the moment of reveal was true and deep, and how she chose to handle it was beautiful.
What Jane went through, what she put herself through, to reach the ending was very true, even if sometimes frustrating. But that's life, and we all make mistakes, but she found her way finally with the help of a wonderful friend, and love.
I felt all the feels throughout the book. Deep anguish, frustration, and such happiness.
It's been a while since a book captivated me so much, and it's going to be a long wait for book 2, which I'm so very eager for. I can't wait to see what's next for Jane and Caleb.
*I received this book from netgalley for an honest review. All opinions and tears are my own.
iswim41's review against another edition
4.0
Almost done! If I could have stayed awake longer last night I would have finished it. I really like Winfield's writing style. While this is a genre' I have generally moved away from, his characters are real, which for me, makes it way more readable. At times, Jane is not a very likable person, selfish in many ways, but in an understandable state of mind. I have faith that she will come around as I read the last two chapters. I love the Bainbridge Island setting.