Warrender #5
Another good read in the Warrender series. ( )

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

Felicity, a music teacher, promotes a pupil of hers, Janet, whom she believes to be a truly gifted violinist, to Stephen Tarkman of the Tarkman music school. Janet is thrown by the presence of her aunt Julia at the audition concert and does not play her best, but Stephen asks Felicity to teach some classes at the Tarkman school, which gives Felicity further opportunities to advocate for Janet and to get to know Stephen better.

Initially I quite enjoyed this story, (although initially it seemed to be going to be about another teacher, Mary!), and there were some amusing throwaway comments, e.g. "She knew in that moment how it was that some men occasionally had their faces slapped." As Felicity's feelings for Stephen grew though, I became more and more frustrated. We only got Felicity's perspective, but I wanted to know why Stephen found it so unacceptable that Felicity should be prejudiced against Julia, but why it was fine for Julia to turn him against Felicity. Also, what did Julia have against poor Janet? Her hatred of an 11 year old niece by marriage seemed a little extreme.

Ultimately, the romance just wasn't very romantic. ( )