Title: Rhapsody for Piano and Ghost
Author: Z.A. Maxfield
Genre: LGBT Paranormal/Contemporary
Length: Novel (214pgs)
Publisher: Loose Id (23rd May 2011)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: Fitz Gaffney finally has some breathing room. His mother’s out of town, his piano teachers have backed off, and he gets to spend time at a school where he only has to be adequate for an entire year before all his responsibilities comes crashing back in again. With this freedom comes the realization that he’s lonely, but his first attempt at dating goes horribly awry.
Fitz’s new — but possibly imaginary — friends, Julian and Serge, want to help him find happiness. His used-to-be-stepbrother Ari Scheffield wants to help him gain confidence and a little much-needed cool. His housekeeper Marguerite wants to keep fowl in the back yard for butchering because duck confit is expensive and she has pillows to re-stuff. And his possible new boyfriend Garrett wants to prove he didn’t mean for their first date to end with Fitz lying unconscious in a dumpster.
All Fitz wants is someone who cares about him, and suddenly there seems to be a glut. How’s a shy guy to know what’s real when he’s confronted by crazy ghosts, a less than truthful boyfriend, and relatives with hidden motives? It’s a Rhapsody For Piano And Ghost.
Review: I absolutely adored this story which really surprised me because I have put off reading this book mainly because of the title. Yeah, I know childish, but it’s been in my ‘to be read’ file for months. So today I gritted my teeth and opened it up and wished I’d opened it ages ago.
Fitz Gaffney may be a musical genius but when it comes to interacting with others he’s a dud. Ari Scheffield was Fitz’s step-brother (for 3 months) and has sworn to keep an eye on him for Fitz’s mother. Garrett Fender is a student at Fitz’s school and is interested in being more.
Fitz is a man who is sweet, innocent and gullible who has been cocooned by his mother from the outside world. He snatches at the first friendship that comes along and it embarks him on a journey of discovery and true love. Ari feels more for Fitz than brotherly love but he knows that his chances are slim especially when Fitz gets a boyfriend. The relationship between Fitz and Ari is deeper than we first think and I liked being able to understand their relationship and see its progression. Even when they were at each other’s throats. Fitz learns that you can’t trust everyone and that it’s okay to rely on others for support sometimes.
Okay this book is brilliant and funny and I loved most of the characters to death. The story is written beautifully and is extremely smooth; the characters are wonderful whose interaction is great. I loved Julian and Serge, they made me laugh and they made me want to cry. The story is rock solid and the danger was a surprise and very well done.