From beloved bestselling author Tamera Alexander comes the much anticipated final novel in the Sweeping Belmont Mansion Series
A master violinist trained in Vienna, Rebekah Carrington manages to wheedle her way into an audition with the new maestro at the Nashville Philharmonic. But women are “far too fragile and frail” for the rigors of an orchestra, and Rebekah’s hopes are swiftly dashed when … an orchestra, and Rebekah’s hopes are swiftly dashed when the conductor–determined to leave his mark on the world of classical music–bows to public opinion. To make matters worse, Adelicia Cheatham, mistress of Belmont Mansion and Rebekah’s new employer, agrees with him.
Nationally acclaimed conductor Nathaniel Tate Whitcomb is Nashville’s youngest orchestra leader. And despite a reluctant muse and a strange buzzing and recurring pain in his head, he must finish composing his symphony before the grand opening of the city’s new symphony hall. Even more pressing, he must finish it for the one who first inspired his love of music–his dying father. As Tate’s ailment worsens, he knows Rebekah can help him finish his symphony. But how can he win back her trust when he’s robbed her of her dream?
As music moves us to tears yet makes our hearts soar, A Note Yet Unsung captures the splendor of classical music at a time when women’s hard-won strides in cultural issues changed not only world history–but the hearts of men.
I enjoyed this novel on so very many levels. The love story flowed so easily and naturally from sparks of dislike into sparks of love. There were beautiful lessons to be learned within these pages too. Highly recommended.
Loved the history packed into the book. Our son lives in Nashville, and I’m familiar with Belmont Mansion and the area. So, it was extra special. Great read!
Wonderfully compelling, insightful, and masterfully described. This book gave me a deeper appreciation for the musicians I know and love, especially my own daughter who is talented as a violinist but also plays other instruments. The plot was beyond what I expected, and so many times I found myself crying over different circumstances I could relate to, they were so real. This book was true to the adage of saving the best for last, to complete the Belmont trilogy. Definitely a must-read!
If you ever need a book to encourage your writing talents and help you jump over the hurdle of doubt and stress, this is the one. Bring tissues for the last two hundred pages.
Well.
When you get a page or two into her stories, they are truly impossible to put down. What a masterpiece that she wove together in this book. I loved it. I would love a sequel to just this story alone (and to every other story I’ve read of hers), and if I ever meet her, I might request that.
I loved the musical theme, something that’s not always explored in books, and what a surprise when Tate’s past was revealed! It was awesome. I was teary-eyed for the last 100 pages. Which is always a great thing. I love crying my way through books.
Thoroughly enjoyed this novel! The history was fascinating, and the characters well-rounded and endearing. It’s challenging to portray music with mere words, but Tamera Alexander did a wonderful job. I can’t wait to read more from her.
This in the third book in the Belmont Mansion series. The series is set in Nashville after the Civil War. Rebekah is a master violinist but must keep her talent a secret. Tamera Alexander’s character development and historical accuracy draws the reader into this low-key inspirational novel.
One of the edgier novels I’ve encountered among the Alexander trilogies I’ve read, it dealt in some weightier subject matter. I admit to being a little surprised at the content of the story, though not in any way unbecoming of Christian fiction. If you’re unfamiliar with Alexander’s work, she is not heavy-handed in her delivery of the Christian perspective, but rather delivers it organically and heartfelt. The irony in that is that non-Christians often think Christians are looking down their noses at others in self-righteousness and superiority, seeking to aggressively convert the world to their beliefs, and looking for opportunities to preach; in reality, while that may be true for a few, for the vast majority of us, we are only too aware of our own faults and shortcomings, cognizant we have no right to loftily hold ourselves over anyone, that the prayers we breathe are full of longing and heartache and deep remorse, and that if we share our beliefs, it is only in the desire that others may also come to know the comfort that comes from the convictions to which we cling. All this to say that I can’t help but feel Alexander does an exemplary job of capturing all the contradictions and fumblings of what it truly is to navigate life from a place of faith. You’ll get no sermons in her books, but rather characters laced with a realness that that is flawed and humble.
What I liked about “A Note Yet Unsung”:
Stronger opening that typical – Unlike my previous experiences with Alexander’s work, notorious for their slow starts but building into something worth sticking with, “A Note Yet Unsung” hit the ground running and never let up.
The relationship between the two main characters – For quite a while, I couldn’t decide if I even liked Rebekah and Tate, but not only did they grow on me, but moreso, I loved the way their relationship unfolded.
The unexpected – A couple of scenes that got the heartrate up. Some very unexpected twists. The way this book came at me from directions not usual for this author, and really even this genre at large, were quite gratifying.
What I didn’t care for:
A couple of stray pieces that struck me as odd – One thread struck me as unnecessary to Rebekah and Tate’s story. The other, related to Barton, felt abrupt and unresolved, especially for playing such a key role in the book.
Overall, I have to say that this was one of the most engaging of Alexander’s books that I’ve read to date. While I have enjoyed each of them and been sad to bid them farewell, this one struck a chord (pun not intended but now I’m chuckling and I can’t rephrase it) deep within me. I don’t know if it was all the talk of orchestra, since music in that setting is one I had much experience with growing up, or if it was the increased intensity of this book overall, between the content and two very fiery lead characters, but this book led me to tearing up on more than one occasion. I will be moving along to the Belle Meade Plantation trilogy next, and given their co-existence with Belmont, I am hopeful I might get the “previous character glimpses” that are usually contained to just that trilogy spilling over into this one as well. Regardless, it’s been a pleasure to move about in Adelicia Acklen Cheatem’s world.
I loved Rebekah and Tate’s story. If you have read the first two and enjoyed them, you will definitely love this story as well. Tamera Alexander does a great job of writing characters that are interesting. I know that Adelicia is how Alexander chose to write her into the story, but I can totally imagine it being true! I appreciate the perseverance of the characters that are written into the stories, and it is great getting to read how their stories unfold with Christ in their lives.
Loved this book–and wish there were more to come in this series which has been so loved by me and many others!
I’ve enjoyed several of Tamera Alexander’s books, so I took a break from housework to read a chapter of A NOTE YET UNSUNG. Within the first pages, I decided the housework could wait. One chapter turned into another. The housework never got done. The historic Tennessee setting and the compelling romance between a brilliant violinist and the new conductor of the Nashville symphony had me riveted. Vibrant characters and the deep spirit of this book stayed with me for days. This one’s on my Keepers Shelf. Enjoy!
Especially like this one!!!