“Raw, dark, yet achingly tender, Dark Notes is a scorching-hot masterpiece as beautifully written as the music within.” ~ Anna Zaires, NY Times Bestselling Author
They call me a slut.Maybe I am.Sometimes I do things I despise.Sometimes men take without asking.But I have a musical gift, only a year left of high school, and a plan.With one obstacle.Emeric Marceaux doesn’t just take.He seizes my … plan.
With one obstacle.
Emeric Marceaux doesn’t just take.
He seizes my will power and bangs it like a dark note.
When he commands me to play, I want to give him everything.
I kneel for his punishments, tremble for his touch, and risk it all for our stolen moments.
He’s my obsession, my master, my music.
And my teacher.
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Yesterday I finished and you guys this book was incredible!!
This isn’t your typical student/teacher romance,this was something so much more. Ivory & Emeric are two very different people who had very different upbringings but they are drawn to one another for their passion & love for music. was dealt with such a heartbreaking hand at life but that didn’t stop her from wanting to achieve her goals,she held her head high and never gave up. loved like no other,he didn’t see a broken girl in front of him,he sow a strong determined women,who fought each day to survive. The connection/chemistry between them was like two dueling pianists,beautiful & at times dark but they completed each other.
“I fall helplessly into her gaze, lost in the shadows of tragedy and fear and neglect. But there’s a glint of light in the dark depths. As she sways closer, seeking, my heart kicks with realization. That tiny glimmer in her eyes is trust. That’s when I hear it.
The tempo of our breaths. The drum of our heartbeats. The crackle in the air. The exquisite cadence pulses through me, awakening sensations I’ve never felt, composing a melody I’ve never heard. Our hypnotic, dark notes.”
Fifty-two. That is how many ivory keys are on a traditional piano. They make up the natural notes. The other thirty-six keys are black as night; they make up the sharps and flats, or the twists and turns that hypnotize us as we get sucked into the music it creates. This is Ivory and Emeric.
They are night and day. Two souls that come from completely different worlds, brought together by one common thing. Music. “Dark Notes”, by Pam Godwin is a forbidden age-gap romance. It takes precedence over Ivory and Emeric. She is a poverty stricken, but brilliant student, doing whatever it takes to make ends meet. He is the new teacher, caught running away from who he is and his past indiscretions.
Enthralled is what I was with this story. Two perfectly imperfect people brought together by a soul deep connection; it was white hot and full of magic. I was blown away by this story and wanted more. If you’re looking for the forbidden, with that touch of darkness, this is a must read. Well played, Pam. Well played. Literally.
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Holy shit. THIS BOOK. I bought dark notes awhile ago but was avoiding starting it because I’m not really into teacher/student tropes but I’m so glad I finally picked it up because I devoured this book. I loved every second of it.
Dark Notes is the story of 17 year old, Ivory, who attends a prestigious music school. She’s a piano prodigy but everything in life is determined to keep knocking her down. The school wants her out, her brother resents her, the girls in school all hate her because the boys all want her… She doesn’t trust men because men only want to take from her.. until she mets Emeric, her new music teacher. Emeric is captivated by Ivory the second he sees her and he wants to own her, body and soul.
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This a story of forbidden love, of pain and pleasure and achieving your dreams. I was so anxious while reading it but I was utterly captivated by Pam’s words. This was my first Pam Godwin book but it definitely will not be my last.
Why did it take me so long to read this book? I loved this story of Emeric and Ivory and I was hooked from the first line. I loved it so much that I read it a second time and it is had the same effect on me.
Ivory’s story is tragic and dark. She was victim to incredible abuse from the time she was 13. She had no support system, no idea that what she was going through was not ok. What she had was ambition and great musical talent.
The connection between Ivory and Emeric was intense and wonderful. I cannot express how much I enjoyed the way Emeric gained her confidence, gave her limits and freedom and saved her.
Pam Godwin is a wizard with words. The cover is so beautiful, one of my all time favorites.
Dark Notes is the ultimate forbidden teacher-student romance! Completely Riveting!!
This tale is dark, heart breaking, and all consuming! Emeric is an intense alpha that will make you fall to your knees. Ivory has been through so much in her young life but is stronger than any other character, the intense chemistry between these two will leave your kindles melting!!
This is a very dark and twisted but compelling book. The main character, Ivory, is an aspiring pianist with dreams of attending an elite performing arts college. She has a terrible home life that is horrible to read about. Ivory finds a champion in her teacher, Emeric Marceaux, who is not typically seen as a hero character. Emeric is a very dark and tortured character living in a privileged world. Ivory has suffered so much throughout her life and Emeric is the only person that tries to protect her. The writing is excellent and I could not stop reading this book until I knew the conclusion. Highly recommend it.
This was an amazing and steamy age gap romance. I really loved the chemistry and also how sweet the main characters were with each other.
Holy Hotness. While I am not a fan of student teacher romance most of the time this book blew me away. Leave it to Pam to completely change my mind. Normally I cringe hardcore on a student teacher romance because of the power dynamics at play there. This was done so well. It was effortless and the way Emeric took care of Ivory was just perfect it was not a selfish act it was genuinely that he wanted the best for her. Slowburn in the best way. Emeric truly saves Ivory and her backstory was heartbreaking. And the chemistry and steam between the two was phenomenal. That piano scene whew just can I get a fan over here please. lol
Dark Notes is very dark. There’s a couple of explicit scenes with the heroine, Ivory, getting raped or basically trading sexual favors for rent money. If that is the kind of thing that bothers you, you probably won’t like this book. I didn’t love the relationship between Ivory and Emeric, her high school music professor. I don’t mind a little BDSM but I don’t really like it when the Emeric started hitting Ivory with a belt.
Wow. What a ride this was. You read,you digest and you reflect with this book. It keeps you thinking about it for some time after.
Ebony is a character you love and champion from the word go. Such struggles and tragedy but the determined spirit and the resilience within Ebony has you wanted her to have a happy ending.
Is Emeric the person to do this? Should he be the person to do this.
At times I was conflicted by his confidence and his unapologetic darkness but at others I got that he needed it to survive and be successful.His ability to nurture made me question whether in fact he was on a par with some of the individuals that Ivory already had in her life but this book is well written and this is not grooming but blistering attraction that would go no further unless it was consensual.
The chemistry and heat bounds off the page.
This is well written,explores a number of different issues without being in your face with it but most of all is page turner that is a must read. I did not see that coming with Shubert either – I will leave it with that.
5 easy stars
What a captivating love affair! I read this book through audible and I must say the narrator’s nailed it! The story of a teacher and a student. So foreboding…..but so delicious and tantalizing. Ivory lives a life of poverty and abuse that is beyond comprehension. She finds strength in her music and hope in her future. But when a new teacher arrives, a man nonetheless, will her dreams be shattered right in front of her? With the odds stacked against her will her strength diminish? Emrick messed up at his last job by mixing business and pleasure. It almost cost him his career. Will he keep his deal with the devil, who runs the school or will he end it all for….her? This book grabbed me and kept me listening through til the end! The choice of narrator’s was perfect for the characters. I absolutely loved Pam Godwin’s Dark Notes!
Pam Godwin continues to amaze me with her writing. The premise of this book was off-putting to say the least – a 17 year old female student and a 29 year old male teacher, involved in a Dominant/submissive relationship? Yet she drew me into their story almost immediately, with Ivory’s tragic home life and her fierce will to succeed as a pianist, and Emeric’s mesmerizing command of what being a Dominant is about. His love for Ivory evolved such that he became her champion in every way, while she gave his own love of music renewed passion. The author’s understanding of the musical world they inhabited only brought the story to life even more vibrantly. Can’t recommend this book enough. It would have been five stars except the end felt slightly rushed – or maybe that was simply that I wasn’t ready to say good-bye to them yet!
5 Stars
Dark Notes by Pam Godwin is one of my favourite books by her. I have read so many of her books now, and have love them all- but this is definitely one of her best. This is the second time I’ve read it and loved it just as much as the first time. This is a forbidden romance, a student/teacher relationship which takes the reader on a journey of violence, abuse, dominance, heartbreak, emotion, chemistry, passion, tension, BDSM situations, secrets, kink, drama, suspense, shocks, twists, horrible situations, and all with fantastic characters.
Ivory Westbrook is in her senior year at an elite high school specializing in performing arts. She is a bit of an outcast, not fitting in with the other students because she’s from the wrong side of the tracks. She’s had a very difficult childhood and can’t wait to graduate so she can leave it all behind. But all that hinges on her earning a scholarship at an exclusive Music academy. She’s a gifted musician at the top of her class, so that shouldn’t be a problem- right? But with hidden agendas and others gunning for that top spot- things are not going to be easy. Especially when she has a new music teacher to deal with.
Emeric Marceaux has just started a new job as music teacher, after losing his previous position due to a scandalous indiscretion. He’s determined to keep his head down and do everything he can to keep this job. He has a clear vision of what’s expected of him and he is ready to get started. What he isn’t expecting is an alluring new music student who puts a serious chink in his plans. Will he remain professional at all times, or will she bring out his passionate, darker side?
I was captivated right from the very beginning. The story is electric, the characters are superb, the writing is masterful- add the darker, shocking and violent scene and OMG I was sitting on the edge of my seat devouring every word!!!
Brilliant!!!
Thank you, Ms. Godwin!
Pam has proven to me over and over that she is a writing GENIUS!!! I’m obsessed!! She killed it again with this amazing book! I’m so in love with Ivory and Emeric’s story. I love teacher/student books as I’ve read them a lot but this one is so unique to all the other ones and I’ll say this is my favorite.
Loved the originality of this book. The characters were complex with woeful stories that made you not want to put it down. His persistence and her naivete was intriguing. And the dark side of his charm was what honestly kept me hooked.
I’m new to this author but am already gearing for another deep dive read.
I just love Pam’s books and taboo, dark, student/teacher are my favorites. Ivory has dealt with some terrible stuff, loosing her father, being abused both physically and mentally by her mother and brother, and being raped by her brothers best friend. Emeric is her teacher but is instantly drawn to her and wants nothing more than to protect her. My favorite quote from this book is this “Words aren’t needed because we have something better. Our own notes. It’s just us and our song, the tune pulsing between us, nourishing, fusing and making us one”. Highly recommended.
Dark Notes was a beautifully written and the characters were so well crafted and developed that the story flowed flawlessly.
Ivory and Emeric come together in the most taboo of ways, a teacher and student, but the reader sees beyond that because they fit together perfectly. I felt like I was glimpsing into their life and was able to watch and feel their relationship through words.
6 wonderful stars!!
Pam Godwin can definitely deliver some dark romance and she certainly delivered with Dark Notes. This “forbidden” teacher/student romance between Ivory and Emeric touches on many levels of touchy subjects such as BDSM and abuse that some may find offensive. I really enjoyed the story and felt it was very emotional and well written that kept me glued from beginning to end.
“The tempo of our breaths. The drum of our heartbeats. The crackle in the air. The exquisite cadence pulses through me, awakening sensations I’ve never felt, composing a melody I’ve never heard. Our hypnotic, dark notes.”
When this book was recommended to me, I already knew I liked Pam Godwin as an author. I already knew I liked a bit of taboo with my romance. I already knew I liked a bit of dark (okay, a lot of dark) with my romance. What I wasn’t prepared for was how absolutely beautiful this dark, taboo, mostly swept under the rug subject would be. The quote above illustrates just how beautiful Pam’s words can be even when writing about something that most would cringe about. Even when she wrote about the total dominance and super steamy scenes, it was lyrical and musical. You could feel the heart beats that “vibed”. Amazing read!
A horrible, beautiful disaster. What a horrific road Emeric and Ivory have to travel. This was beautifully written, very insightful and inspirational. Really glad I read this.