The Secret Chord - by Virginia Hale (Paperback)
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<p/><br></br><p><b> About the Book </b></p></br></br>When Kate York accepted a temporary position as the music teacher at her former Catholic boarding school, she expected to deal with rowdy adolescents, strict nuns, and memories of her intense friendship with her old roommate, Tilly Wattle. The last thing Kate expected, however, was for Tilly to show up as the substitute teacher.<p/><br></br><p><b> Book Synopsis </b></p></br></br>When Kate York accepted a temporary position as the music teacher at her former Catholic boarding school, St. Joan of Arc, she expected to deal with rowdy adolescents, strict nuns, and memories of her intense friendship with her old roommate, Tilly Wattle. The last thing Kate expected, however, was for Tilly to show up as the substitute teacher. <p/> The last time the two had seen each other, Tilly had her heart set on joining the sisterhood of nuns that had raised her as an orphan. Tilly longed for a simple life devoting herself to God while Kate longed for a simple life devoting herself to Tilly. Now, twelve years since she forced herself to say goodbye, Kate realizes that she never really got over her sweet, beautiful friend--or the secret kisses they shared as girls. <p/> In her heart of hearts Kate believes that Tilly can match her passion with equal intensity. When Tilly steadfastly refuses to talk about their past, what choice does Kate have but to try to control her own longings and concentrate on renewing their friendship? <p/> But what if Kate isn't the only one desperate to hide her true feelings...<p/><br></br><p><b> Review Quotes </b></p></br></br><br><i>Tilly had longed for a simple life and devoting herself to God. Kate had longed for a simple life and devoting herself to Tilly.</i> <p/> Rarely do I feel like a book so emphatically resonates with me. All of the pieces have to come together just right. And they did. This was so very complicated. There was longing that I felt in my bones. Deep feelings so heavy they were destined to be revealed. Interactions charged with want. Emotions ran the gamut. Virginia Hale is such a talented writer. She showed us this beautiful relationship between two women. No telling. Showing us with looks, words, and touches. I read a ridiculous amount of books and so few of them can make me feel what the characters are feeling. I loved. I ached. I desired. I hoped. <p/> And who hasn't ever felt this way but never had the words as eloquent to describe? <p/> <i>It was hard to throw Tilly a buoy when she was in desperate need of a lifeline too.</i> <p/> I didn't even have to finish this book to know it was going to be one of my all-time favorites. Not a single complaint. I loved all of the author's decisions and direction. I'm feeling like this review is inadequate because I can't find the right words to say how much I loved this. <p/> I recommend this to everyone. Romance, second chances, feelings of unrequited love, religious guilt, emotional affair, infidelity, slow burn, will they/won't they, and ferries.--<strong>NetGalley</strong> - <i>Carrie K.</i><br><br>This is a wonderfully poignant slow burn, second chance romance that has lingered in my mind for days after I finished reading it. The story unfolds slowly but I never felt bored-I was captivated from the first page and that lasted right to the last one. There's just the right level of angst and pining to propel things along but this isn't a total hand-wringer. Instead, this is an intelligent and mature novel of love.--<strong>C-Spot Reviews</strong><br><br><i>The Secret Chord</i> had a very interesting set of characters. <p/> This was one of those stories that you can actually sense the emotional and sexual tension slowly building throughout the story. The author did a great job describing Kate's constant struggle not to cross any relationship boundaries and at the same time sizzling with an overwhelming desire to connect with Tilly on all levels. The need was great, the want was constant, but both women had to be in the same mindset to be free of any guilt or regret. This anticipatory element made this story an exceptional read. <p/> It was also nice to see that even though nuns were secondary characters, the author allowed them to offer quiet acceptance when most needed. They didn't regurgitate the church's stance on homosexuality, but made their own conscience decision based purely on love. <i>The Secret Chord</i> was not your typical romance, it was much more. Highly recommend!--<strong>NetGalley</strong> - <i>R. Swier</i><br><br>Hale is again very successful in her storytelling. The book is easy to read, the protagonists are interesting and likable, and the atmosphere at the school is shown convincingly. There is a nice bunch of supporting and minor characters. With all other elements done well, this makes for another good book by this author. I liked it, and will definitely check out her next offering. Recommended.--<strong>goodreads</strong> - <i>Pin's Reviews</i><br><br>Virginia Hale first impressed me with her debut novel <i>Echo Point</i>. Her writing style is almost impeccable and her stories are always complex and interesting. <i>Where There's A Will</i> was my favorite story of hers until now. <i>The Secret Chord</i> is another level of quality though and it's the brilliant testimony of Hale's creativity and evolution as an author. <p/> I think this novel is one of the best I've read this year. I didn't want it to end, I would really like to see Kate and Tilly in another book as they are such complex and rich characters.--<strong>NetGalley</strong> - <i>Grfb's Reviews</i><br><br>Wow wow wow. I had to make myself stop halfway to get some sleep before going back to <i>The Secret Chord</i> as soon as I woke up this morning. This novel is a rollercoaster of feelings, emotions and angst and I'd happily go for more. <p/> Tilly and Kate were schoolmates at St. Joan's Catholic school, they were roommates and then a bit more but didn't go very far, as Tilly was planning on becoming a nun. When they meet again twelve years after graduation as temporary teachers at their old school, Tilly is engaged to a much older man, a vicar who seems mostly interested in her as a nanny for his two young children. Kate, on the other hand, is still as in love with Tilly as she was at sixteen. <p/> I don't know what it is with books involving Catholic characters but I often postpone reading them (I'm not a Catholic, which might be partly why) only to find that they're often the most intense. Reconciling religious feelings and being attracted to women makes for a great romance when it's well done. Tilly is so naive and at the same time so willing to understand, so strong and sweet and complicated, Kate doesn't stand a chance. My heart was breaking along with Kate's and mended with hers as well. <p/> This book is going to stay in my mind for a while, no doubt. --<strong>NetGalley</strong> - <i>Jude S.</i><br>
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