The Butterfly and the Violin by Kirsty Cambron

This book's not coming out for another two months or so, but I'm giving you an early review so you know whether you should pre-order the book or not.

The Butterfly and the Violin follows Sera James, an art gallery owner obsessed with finding a painting she once saw as a child; and Adele Von Bron, a famous Viennese violinist who gets arrested by the Nazis for hiding the Jews. The two stories are connected by that one painting and yes, there is a love interest for both girls (although Sera's love story was much more prominent).

To be honest, I basically read the book for Adele's side of the story. Sera had an interesting plot, but for some reason, I wasn't drawn in. Perhaps its because the impact her past had on her didn't impact me as strongly - what happened to her was terrible, but by skipping over it (and key events), I felt distanced.

On the other hand, I was fully engaged in Adele's story. It helped that it wasn't totally a love story, well, it was, but it had familial (the kind of family that isn't bound by blood but you don't choose either) and romantic love. And of course, the music.

I would have been happier if this book focused only on Adele and fleshed out her story more. Or, if the dual-plotline was important, expanded the book by fleshing out both Sera and Adele's plots. Because while Adele's side of the story was very well-written (although a bit short for my liking), I felt that Sera's side of the story was rather rushed.

 All in all though, this is a good book. It was absorbing and moving. It's length makes it a quick read, although I think that with its subject matter, it's not a fluffy book that you'd want to take to the beach. It's more of a book that you curl up with.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a free and honest review.