REVIEW: Prelude to Love – Anne Barwell

Genre: Contemporary

LGBTQ+ Category: Gay

Reviewer: Maryann

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About The Book

Music speaks directly to the heart.

Joel is a music teacher who knows it’s time to forget his ex and move on, while Marcus runs a lawn-mowing business and has come to Wellington to escape the reminders of a recent breakup. Although they’re opposites, when Joel and Marcus connect, their romance has the potential to hit all the right notes.

Too bad neither of them feels ready for new love.

With family and friends in common, dating is risky and things could get messy if it doesn’t work out. When the sweet song of possibility draws them towards romance, a Chopin prelude ends in a seductive kiss. But it will take some practice and perseverance to find their perfect harmony…

Author’s note: This is the second edition of Prelude to Love. The first edition was released by another publishing house. This edition has some added content, and has been revised and re-edited with the end result being a better, stronger story. It uses New Zealand spelling to reflect its setting.

The Review

Prelude to Love is a sweet, entertaining story with just the right amount of emotion and a host of delightful characters.

Joel Ashcroft loves music and enjoys teaching. His students are important to him. He also teaches piano after school to youngsters. He has a wonderful found family in the Priors:  Darin, Ella and Isabel. For Isabel, he’s not only her teacher but an adopted uncle of sorts. If it wasn’t for his best friend Darin, Joel would have been without a family connection. Joel has his own house and keeps very busy and caters to his companion Nannerl. 

Marcus Verden is Ella’s brother. He’s left Hokitika, a place he loves. He’s making a new start in Wellington and is temporarily living at the Prior residence. He’s found a job that he enjoys – lawn & gardening. He hopes to make the business his own. He loves working outside and just enjoys the wonders of nature.  

Marcus has one nagging issue and that’s his ex, Garth. He’s made it clear to Garth that they are over, but Garth continues his nagging. The relationship had become toxic, and Marcus made the necessary moves to keep his sanity.

Joel has several issues of his own – his biological family: sister Bernadette, mother Jill, and father Claude. Unfortunately, Joel never got the support from his mother or sister when his father, Claude, gave him no choice but to leave home. Joel’s feelings are very raw and he has fears about the estranged relationship with him and his father. Having had issues with his last boyfriend, Joel made his choice and is all alone, except for his love of music and Nannerl.

Marcus and Joel meet, but neither of them are even considering a new relationship. But there are those who see things differently. As time passes, Marcus and Joel grow closer, but of course there are a few misunderstandings along the way. 

Joel has an even bigger fear to tackle. His pet projects are the choir and orchestra, and there’s every possibility that funding will be lost for the music program. When the PTA suggests a concert fund raiser, Joel finds himself cornered into performing.  

Barwell creates a wonderful story with Prelude to Love. It deals with family drama – from dysfunctional to supportive – along with issues of acceptance, trust, and a budding relationship and love surrounded with the beauty of music. There are also many humorous moments of that will make you smile.

I liked both Joel and Marcus. They balanced each other with their caring, support and growing confidence in each other. Marcus was especially interesting – he always tries to look at things logically, but he has a vulnerability when it comes to expressing himself.

Barwell had me on edge with Garth. I never knew what he would do next, and he was very stalker-ish.

There’s also a very delightful group of secondary characters – the Prior family, Darin, Ella and Isabell “the matchmakers.”  And Joel’s family – Jill and Bernadette, who try to make amends to be supportive. Joel’s father Claude, who has to come to terms with Joel and his happiness.  And of course, Nunnerl, the scene stealer!

Prelude to Love is very entertaining, and clearly reflects the author’s love of music. 

The Reviewer

Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California.  Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018.  My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen.  New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.

I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.

My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012.  She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series.  Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book! 

As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.

My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing.  I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.

I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews.  One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group.  Joining her site was such an eye opener.  I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.

But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.