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khairun_atika's review against another edition
3.0
I opened this book expecting a summer romance, but that does not do justice to this book. Night Music explores the life of prodigy Oscar Bell, an aspiring conductor who is busy composing a symphony under the mentorship of maestro Marty Chertok. He seeks inspiration and is mused by Marty's daughter Ruby. While this may just be another story of forbidden love, I was glad that it touches on the strict lifestyle of a devoted musician, as well as misrepresentation of minority races. Being black, Oscar finds himself the face of the school's diversity campaign, and is torn between staying true to his music's direction, as well as the school's expectations of him. I loved the nods to classical music in this story. It truly reminded me of the music elective lessons I had at NAFA, of listening to Chausson, Mozart and Liszt. Make sure you listen to Schubert or Mozart when you read this!
sc104906's review against another edition
3.0
I received this eARC from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Ruby is the youngest child in a musically famous family. Her father is a famous composure, her older siblings both play in prestigious orchestras. After Ruby’s mother left the family, so that she could spend more time on her own music career, Ruby has taken a harder look at her own relationship with music. Ruby thought that if she tried hard enough and worked long enough her mother would be proud and be more emotionally available. Ruby knows that it is never going to happen when her mother leaves. Ruby isn’t as talented as her family and has decided to try other things. However, her father brings in a protégé composure, who is her age, to live and learn with the family and hopefully earn money for the school her father works for. Oscar is adorable and Ruby cannot keep herself away from him, even though being with him is a constant reminder of her musical inadequacies. However, it might be Ruby’s perspective that will help keep Oscar sane as the musical world begins demanding more and more from him and forcing him to fit a mold that doesn’t fit.
I loved Oscar, but I never warmed up to Ruby. I felt that she was a side character in her own story. The problem is that she has been a side character in her own life and her journey away from that is the point of the book. I think readers who are musically inclined will respond to this book, but those who don’t know much or care much will be bored by large parts of the story. I love this author, but this book did not work for me. I will continue to read her novels. This one will reach out to a specific reader and I just so happen to not be that reader.
Ruby is the youngest child in a musically famous family. Her father is a famous composure, her older siblings both play in prestigious orchestras. After Ruby’s mother left the family, so that she could spend more time on her own music career, Ruby has taken a harder look at her own relationship with music. Ruby thought that if she tried hard enough and worked long enough her mother would be proud and be more emotionally available. Ruby knows that it is never going to happen when her mother leaves. Ruby isn’t as talented as her family and has decided to try other things. However, her father brings in a protégé composure, who is her age, to live and learn with the family and hopefully earn money for the school her father works for. Oscar is adorable and Ruby cannot keep herself away from him, even though being with him is a constant reminder of her musical inadequacies. However, it might be Ruby’s perspective that will help keep Oscar sane as the musical world begins demanding more and more from him and forcing him to fit a mold that doesn’t fit.
I loved Oscar, but I never warmed up to Ruby. I felt that she was a side character in her own story. The problem is that she has been a side character in her own life and her journey away from that is the point of the book. I think readers who are musically inclined will respond to this book, but those who don’t know much or care much will be bored by large parts of the story. I love this author, but this book did not work for me. I will continue to read her novels. This one will reach out to a specific reader and I just so happen to not be that reader.
randomly_kait's review against another edition
4.0
I rather enjoyed this book. I liked our two main characters and how they interacted with each other. I thought Oscar and Ruby's relationship was believable for their age. It was a sweet romance, and kind of awkward at moments, because there were times when neither of them knew what to say or do.
I haven't read a lot of books with characters who are composers or anything like that, so this was a breath of fresh air. I learned a lot of new terms.
And the characters grow A LOT throughout the book. Ruby is lost ans unsure of what she wants to do with her life, because for so long she thought she wanted to be a pianist. It was nice getting to see her figure out what she loved and grow into herself. I like that she finally stood up to her mom and let her feelings be known, but wasn't belligerent about it.
I do think the characters came off as being older than their 17 years at times, and when they talked they used big words, that I had to look up. But I enjoyed that because I now have some new words in my repertoire.
I haven't read a lot of books with characters who are composers or anything like that, so this was a breath of fresh air. I learned a lot of new terms.
And the characters grow A LOT throughout the book. Ruby is lost ans unsure of what she wants to do with her life, because for so long she thought she wanted to be a pianist. It was nice getting to see her figure out what she loved and grow into herself. I like that she finally stood up to her mom and let her feelings be known, but wasn't belligerent about it.
I do think the characters came off as being older than their 17 years at times, and when they talked they used big words, that I had to look up. But I enjoyed that because I now have some new words in my repertoire.
megs_s's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
swinnn's review against another edition
3.0
I found this book hard to put down but not for reasons you might expect. Though the developing relationship between Ruby and Oscar was cute and somewhat intriguing, I spent most of this book waiting for Ruby acknowledgement and attention she deserves. Since walking away from music, and likely even before, she plays second fiddle (ha! See what I did there) to everyone else around her. Yes, her dad may have started to come around in the end, but most of her relationship with Oscar is spent bending to his passion and process. She’s not a priority, she’s not shown what she’s worth. Don’t be with a man who’s so self involved that he can’t be bothered to clear off the couch for you to sit on!
tajia's review
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The first 50 pages were slow, but after that it really picked up. I expected this book to be a light summer romance, and it ended up being so much more than that. It spoke on racism, classism, perfectionism, finding your own path/voice- so many big topics intertwined very beautifully. There were a few moments I was incredibly frustrated with the characters but that was the point- they were learning and growing, which means they had to have flaws.
The end was a bit rushed for me, which is what kept it from being a 5.0 read. I would’ve loved to read more about the fall out and felt like it served more that 40 or so pages, but in a way the story wasn’t so much about THAT and more about Ruby and Oscar finding their own way.
The end was a bit rushed for me, which is what kept it from being a 5.0 read. I would’ve loved to read more about the fall out and felt like it served more that 40 or so pages, but in a way the story wasn’t so much about THAT and more about Ruby and Oscar finding their own way.
lifeofaliterarynerd's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars
This was not the fluffy, happy contemporary I was expecting. Don't get me wrong, there's a lot of happy moments and an adorable romance but the characters are dealing with some weightier topics like classism, racism, anxiety, privilege. It was an enexpected, yet enjoyable read.
This was not the fluffy, happy contemporary I was expecting. Don't get me wrong, there's a lot of happy moments and an adorable romance but the characters are dealing with some weightier topics like classism, racism, anxiety, privilege. It was an enexpected, yet enjoyable read.
booksandpops4000's review against another edition
4.0
*I got this for review from the publisher for my honest thoughts*
I actually found this to be a super realistic read. I actually loved the focus on art/ music and also on how this book had super well crated ending. I also enjoyed how this book focused a lot on passion and what makes us want to create or partake in the arts. I really did like the female lead in this story and found her POV to super well done. I normally love duel POV novels and event thought i would have enoyey it, I did enjoy her being the only voice in my head. I really liked the pacing of this novel as well and the unique family dynamics present.
I actually found this to be a super realistic read. I actually loved the focus on art/ music and also on how this book had super well crated ending. I also enjoyed how this book focused a lot on passion and what makes us want to create or partake in the arts. I really did like the female lead in this story and found her POV to super well done. I normally love duel POV novels and event thought i would have enoyey it, I did enjoy her being the only voice in my head. I really liked the pacing of this novel as well and the unique family dynamics present.
anjreading's review against another edition
4.0
This was a lovely contemporary YA set in the classical music world of NYC. Ruby Chertok, daughter of a famous composer father and touring pianist mother, is floundering after realizing she doesn’t have that magic “it” music factor that the rest of her family shares, including her three much-older professionally established siblings. Oscar, an incredible prodigy that her father is mentoring, blows into her life and makes her realize all the things she’ll never have while they build a really sweet relationship. There was a lot more to this than a simple romance, and I really enjoyed Ruby’s growth as she starts figuring out who she is and wants to become.