Review: Between the Notes

I received this book for free from FTC: Exchange for honest opinion, Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Between the Notes by Sharon Huss Roat
Published by Harper Collins, HarperCollins on May 23, 2015
Genres: Young Adult-Contemporary/Romance
Source: FTC: Exchange for honest opinion, Publisher
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When Ivy Emerson’s family loses their house—complete with her beloved piano—the fear of what’s to come seizes her like a bad case of stage fright. Only this isn’t one of her single, terrifying performances. It’s her life.

And it isn’t pretty.

Ivy is forced to move with her family out of their affluent neighborhood to Lakeside, also known as “the wrong side of the tracks.” Hiding the truth from her friends—and the cute new guy in school, who may have secrets of his own—seems like a good idea at first. But when a bad boy next door threatens to ruin everything, Ivy’s carefully crafted lies begin to unravel . . . and there is no way to stop them.

As things get to the breaking point, Ivy turns to her music, some unlikely new friends, and the trusting heart of her disabled little brother. She may be surprised that not everyone is who she thought they were . . . including herself.

As people, sometimes we need to strip ourselves down to the bare to find out who we are truly meant to be. People may judge but that is what it takes to be between the notes. Sharon Roat writes a compelling novel in which the reader sees how someone has her norm taken away from her and she must see things from a different angle.

I heard great things about this novel and debut author that I was excited to see where this book would take me. I feel that you need to get to the middle to really get into the novel and allow it to fully release it potential. The novel takes you on a journey and shows you how to find happiness in the things near to you.

Ivy is that private school girl who has the big house, the money to go shopping, and of course the friends click. However, as soon as she realizes that all that is soon to be taken away is the time the secrets start forming and Ivy puts on a mask to the world. It must be difficult for Ivy, and I understand. Having everything taken away from you in a blink of an eye is something that must be difficult. She has her best friend to help her deal with most things but things take a wrong turn when a new body shows up and comes into the picture.

I feel that the one main connection she has is music. When playing, she goes into a different world, becomes a different person, and forgets everything. Sometimes people have their one escape and it just gives them time to erase everything and just live in the moment.

The relationship scene in this book is interesting. The whole idea of secrets is what keeps Ivy from finding what she truly needs. I feel that this goes for anyone. We get so tied up in what we think we need but it turns out to be what we want. And I feel that we look over people because of how they look, where they live, or even the rumors we hear about them. I feel Ivy got the better guy and I hope when you read this you will agree.

Overall Ms. Roat writes an exceptional novel that will truly touch the hearts of many. And who knows maybe we are between the notes ourselves.

Happy Reading!