Maestro: A Love Story

So I finished the book, but it took me a little longer than normal for me to read because this was an emotionally heavy read. I had to stop reading a few times throughout for almost a whole day’s worth of my normal reading times before picking back up and forging on. This is an amazing book! The story is hauntingly, breathtakingly, tragically beautiful. This book struck so many chords in me due to the MANY similarities of my life with those of the characters of this story. I’ve cried, yelled, kicked furniture and still have a huge boulder sitting in the pit of my stomach from reading this book. I’m emotionally wrung out and exhausted. And I think you should read it, too, and I believe you’ll like it as well.The MANY obstacles this couple had to overcome seem insurmountable at times. From outsiders getting in the way to them getting in their own way. The betrayals, dirty dealings and emotional manipulation that goes on will make you want to cry or hit something, or both. I know there’s a few characters I’d love to be in a room alone for just 5 minutes! The story takes you through several decades - yes DECADES where our two star-crossed lovers always seem to be ready at the wrong time. The way it starts is an automatic heavy note of “where do they go from here?” and then it takes you back to the beginning. While reading how these two start out, you’re still thinking about HOW the book itself started and your mind and emotions are just at war. This is a longer read than my usual contemporary read, though I’ve read longer books, but stay with it as it will all make sense why the author takes you through the journey in the manner she takes you on. This is not a book to read immediately post breakup as this is not a light read. Honestly, I’m still processing.

Wow, this was so heartbreakingly beautiful and just an amazing story from start to finish. If it's any indication as to how good it was, I read this in one sitting and couldn't tear my eyes away. These two are soulmates and meant to be, and their love spans decades but is challenging, gutwrenching, beautiful and heartbreaking. These two really went through it, but their love was steadfast, even when they were apart. This is emotional, angsty, and you'll experience a rollercoaster of ups and downs but it was so worth it. Life gets in the way for these two SO MANY TIMES but neither of them ever give up on their love for each other. The journey is far from simple; it's complicated from beginning to end but I have never read a book that has made me feel this much before. It's best if you go in blind, so I won't be sharing anything that could remotely be a spoiler. However, I cannot recommend this highly enough and I think everyone should read it.

A wonderful and all encompassing love that spans decades, with tragedy and heartbreak again and again. The crux of the .5 star I would have loved to give. This is an incredible story with just a bit more angst then necessary, to encapsulate the love of Aurelia and Chad. Nonetheless, I loved it and definitely think it's worth the read!

I read about 150 books a year and Maestro is my top read for 2023! It’s rare when I read a book that affects me deeply, and this is one that consumed me and I will long remember.This is my first read by Auden Dar, and it won’t be my last. I researched her background as I had a hunch that she must be a classically trained musician by her knowledge of training and playing for a professional orchestra, and was impressed to learn she trained at the same high school in NYC as portrayed in “Fame” and Maestro, and that she was also an A&R music executive.All 602 pages of this book were brilliantly crafted. Please go in blind and just trust the process. There were many pages that I felt physically ill and had to get up and walk around I was so upset, but back to the book I went. About half way in, there was an electrical storm at my home and I lost power, and the only thing I cared about was the battery life on my Ipad. I had to know what happened and read until the wee hours of the morning by candlelight!This book spans four decades and begins in present time with flashbacks to the first day that Aurelia, a cellist, meets Chadwick David, a prodigy violinist. He befriends her during their auditions into the most prestigious high school of the arts in NY and they become each other’s first and only loves. He was swoony from day one and never lost his charm, not once. He was intense and passionate, and always wore his heart on his sleeve with her.I generally don’t read young adult romances, but these chapters are so very critical to their love story. This gifted writer sent me back in time as I could relate to how Aurelia felt as a young teen with her first crush just by reading her descriptive words.The attention Chad gave her, and how their beautiful souls connected with their shared love of music touched me deeply. Chad made her feel special and was her biggest fan. She loved him from day one, and had tremendous character growth over the four decades that this book spans.I loved how the story was told through the decades and all of the references of the time such as AOL dial up internet, first generation cell phones, the popular bands at the time, when facebook was first introduced, and the horror and pain of being in NYC during 9-11. These two literally grew up together and were best friends and lovers until something happens their senior year.I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but if I had to rate how angsty this book is on a scale of one to ten, it would be a 100!!! What these two went through over the years is just heartbreakingly beautiful, and you will feel every emotion. You will cry right along with them through all of the set-backs and obstacles they had to endure, and cheer for them when you read of their accomplishments which were cleverly highlighted in “pull-out” newspaper headlines.The push and the pull, the desperate longing, and never forgetting or letting go of your first love and BFF is so very powerful. Chad was always there for her. Always. Whenever she needed him, he would fly across the ocean or bow out of a concert to be with her. And when she had to show some tough love later in the book and choose herself, she remained strong, and I felt my own heart breaking.My only complaint with Aurelia is that he showered her with so many sweet words that were like poetry over the years, especially on their shared birthday, and it was rare when she reciprocated. He could feel her love and that was enough for him, and knew that she was guarded for good reason.Their lack of communication was often confusing and kept them apart, and had me pacing the floor with my own internal dialogue. But...if they had perfect communication, then they would not have experienced all they did to reach their well-deserved HEA. Trust the process as truths will be revealed and their ability to forgive and move on with grace is so inspiring.The pacing of the story, while some may feel was tedious and long, was necessary in my opinion. There were so many intricate details woven in and her mom and father, her step-mom, Chad’s family, their friends, their fellow musicians, were all woven throughout the story with purpose.I just loved every minute of reading their passion for music and truly respect artists who dedicate their life to their craft so others may enjoy it. It’s obvious the author is knowledgeable on the subject and wrote from her deep in her soul. Her words were a symphony of their own.Their love story wrecked me! I honestly almost called out of work I was so distraught (you’ll know the scenes when you get to them) and elated at the same time when I read the ending, and had to reach out to my real-life book friend for emergency therapy. Please read this book and don’t give up! Thank you to the author for gifting us with a bonus epilogue into the future and tying it all up beautifully. Loved Maestro. Brilliant.

One of the best books of 2024!Chadwick and Aurelia’s story spans years. Years of love, heartbreak, deception, triumphs, loss, wins, career highs, and emotional lows.We meet both characters at age 13, at their audition for a prestigious music school. From there, they champion each other through the years. We see them through 9/11, through tragic losses, and into their twenties. We see them as adults with trying to balance aspirations, career, and personal life.The way this book is written will hit you straight in the heart and then twist. I went through the gamut of emotions with Auden’s words, and feel like a better person for having read this amazing story.

"você é essencial como o ar que eu respiro, a água que eu tomo, a música que eu toco. sem você, eu quase não respiro, quase não existo. eu me recuso estar sem você."esse livro foi uma longa montanha russa emocional e LINDA, me fez chorar, rir e me curou, é um livro que fala sobre a força do amor e a força de saber perdoar e se levantar nas piores dores, o Chad é um mocinho maravilhoso e apaixonante de todas as formas, ele é um sonho. a Aurelia foi uma mocinha muito forte também apesar de fazer as decisões mais difíceis e duras. o livro é dividido por 4 movimentos que eu vou resumir em 1: fofura 2: dor 3: dor e gritaria 4: dor, gritaria, fofura e final feliz. os dois personagens principais são apaixonados por música, Chad sendo um violinista e Aurelia sendo uma violoncelista, o amor nasce entre eles desde novinhos.

There were times in this book that my heart broke and if you have ever been through a heartbreak from a first love you’ll know the pain. The author literally had me crying and clutching my chest like it was me going through these emotionsIt also put me back together and Aurelia and Chads story is just beautiful. What a journey they hadWow. An absolute must read

La vie ne se passe jamais comme on l'imagine et c'est encore plus compliqué quand des personnes extérieures interviennent... Aurelia et Chad auraient pu être ensemble dès le départ mais ils avaient chacun un bagage personnel à régler. Parce que l'histoire s'étant sur plusieurs années, il y a certains points seulement évoqués qui auraient mérité qu'on s'y attarde et d'autres qu'il aurait fallu accélérer.

I don't know how to put into words what this story did to me.I can't remember ever rooting more for two people to find their way to eachother. I have read almost 2000 romances in my life and after finishing this I can only come to one conclusion: this is the best book I have ever read!----------------------------------------------⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I loved this book⭐⭐⭐⭐ I really liked this book⭐⭐⭐ I liked this book⭐⭐ Meh...bored or annoyed⭐ What did I just read?!