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Double Concerto

   (10 reviews)
Genres: Romance,
Sub-genres: Contemporary Romance

Small Town Main Street

Most of Rick’s life was performed solo and in quiet. He told himself he liked it that way, preferring to keep even his closest friends away from his secrets. But an aggressive woman and a stranger in town found a way to bring out his inner music.

Small town life still exists like this. The pace is slow, and everyone knows your name. And your business.

Copyright © 2020 Parker Owens; All Rights Reserved.

Story Recommendations (34 members)

  • Action Packed 9
  • Addictive/Pacing 26
  • Characters 33
  • Chills 3
  • Cliffhanger 11
  • Compelling 4
  • Feel-Good 6
  • Humor 4
  • Smoldering 11
  • Tearjerker 10
  • Unique 19
  • World Building 16
  • Like 16
  • Love 17

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weinerdog

weinerdog 69,099

· Edited by weinerdog

   7 of 7 members found this review helpful 7 / 7 members

Other readers will be for more eloquent then I in reviewing this story I'm just making sure this author gets his share of 5 star reviews and trust me he will probably before I'm done writing  this.

If you read this author's other stories you know that he's very good at taking his and other people's life experiences plus doing his due research in creating a story you can relate to.There are many stories on the GA site  about teenagers coming to terms about being gay and coming out.In this our main character Rick while no age is given I think it's safe to say he is in 40's and is still in the closet.Living in a small town where most of the people grew up with him or at least knows him well complicates thing in addition to a dominating  father who thinks he needs supervision even from a distance. 

His Job as the town's very respected Plummer has him cross path with a concert Pianist named Gus.From this point things are different and Rick tries to find a path to Gus.

The one thing that set this author's apart from other good writer's is while you root for his main characters you also openly cheer for them and feel the emotions they feel. Enjoy reading this story there is no doubt in my mind you will.

 

Response from the author:

Thank you so much for this very kind review. As you point out, there is no age standard of statute of limitations on coming to terms with who one is. Rick finally found someone who could help him find his own music.

  • Like 2
  • Love 4
Mrsgnomie

Mrsgnomie 67,630

   5 of 5 members found this review helpful 5 / 5 members

This is an incredible story: well written, engrossing, and realistic. I found myself feeling protective of Rick. I got so angry at times, when he was treated poorly, and elated when he was happy. If you're on the fence, do yourself a favor and read it. 

Response from the author:

I can’t thank you enough for reading Rick’s story, and for your immensely kind words. It makes me happy to know you enjoyed following him on his journey to fulfillment. Rick is one of those people with a very long fuse, and a huge store of patience. Gus seems to understand his luck in finding him. Anyway, many, many thanks. 

  • Love 5
CincyKris

CincyKris 19,569

   5 of 5 members found this review helpful 5 / 5 members

This is one of the most absorbing and heartfelt stories I have read, but don't worry, it's never cloying or mushy.  You will love some characters and hate a few.  The protagonist, Rick, grows and develops realistically and satisfyingly.  The side characters are entertaining and maddening, sometimes all at once.  While it was fun anticipating and devouring a chapter a week, this is one I would binge read in a couple of days!

Response from the author:

To read your immensely kind words about Rick’s story brought a big smile to my face. I hope growth and evolution appeared to be natural and unforced. Thank you! 

  • Love 5
Doha

Doha 17,502

   4 of 4 members found this review helpful 4 / 4 members

The tale of Rick, the plumber and Gus, the Concert Pianist is one of my favorite stories on GA.

The characters are well-developed and capture both our minds and hearts.

In many ways, their stories are our stories and we can empathize with their dilemmas, and celebrate their joys.

The story comes to a pleasing conclusion, and yet I long to know more and to engage once again in the lives of these two delightful men. 

Response from the author:

Thank you so much for your kind words, and for reading Rick’s story. I very much identify with Rick, and I wrote about that summer in which everything changed for him. I hope that came through in the story. Once again, thank you.

  • Like 1
  • Love 4
84Mags

84Mags 10,672

· Edited by 84Mags

   4 of 4 members found this review helpful 4 / 4 members

Take your time and really enjoy the many details of this well written work, including each chapter title and orchestration references. The story is engrossing and the characters captivating. The reader is able to wander through small town life as we follow along with Rick, as he overcomes personal trauma and self doubt to find lasting friendships and love. Along the way we meet some interesting characters and challenging situations. I really love everything about this story. Rick, Gus and the good people of Eagle Lake will stay with you in the most satisfying way. 

Response from the author:

What a very thoughtful and lovely review! If this scrapbook of the summer in Eagle Lake made you smile, I can only hope it is because the people there captivated you as they did me. Thanks very, very much. 

  • Like 1
  • Love 4
ChillFire

ChillFire 69

   3 of 3 members found this review helpful 3 / 3 members

 

Congratulations on moving to Eagle Lake!

Plumbing problems? Call Heinrich Ernst and Son, Plumbing and Heating. Rick will certainly help you out.

Need to relax? Be sure to check out our picturesque lake, near the Cedarcrest property. You should especially consider visiting at night – there might be a surprise in store for you.

Doubting your investment? Our little town will most certainly be the place to be in the future. Contact your real estate agent, Rita McKee, for more details on what’s to come.

And remember:

“The pace is slow, and everyone knows your name. And your business.”

What I Loved

God, I loathed Rita and Heinrich Sr. Every time they showed up and started spouting off about whatever, I honestly wanted to just yell at them.

On a semi-related note, the content warnings slowly morphing into Rita and Heinrich Sr. “weather reports” was hilarious.

Great job capturing the atmosphere and vibe of life in a small town. Reading Double Concerto almost makes it feel like you’re actually living in Eagle Lake!

Thanks for including links to the various music referenced throughout the story. I’m not a huge classical music fan, but it’s nice to have this “supplementary material” for those who want it. I’ll be sure to have a listen later.

Spoiler

Parallels – parallels everywhere! (Is that what you even call them? You get what I’m referring to, right?) Rick and his dad, Zoltan/Magda and Gus, Zoltan/Magda and Marta, the teenager on the plane…

Rick’s one liner when he burst into the room where Magda and Zoltan were arguing with Gus was cheesy as hell and I legitimately laughed out loud when I read it. Perfection.

What Could’ve Been Better

Jerry kinda felt like a throwaway character, to be honest. Did he even have much of a role in anything? Perhaps he did and I just forgot.

Spoiler

Would ICE really act on some random unreliable tip that fast and then allow a Wikipedia page and piano playing as evidence? I mean, I get why it was included (to introduce Gus’s backstory), but perhaps there could’ve been a better way.

Unfortunately, I found the large time skip between the last chapter of the Chicago arc and Coda to be quite disappointing. I wanted to see a bunch of things “on-screen” that were given only passing mentions, like Rick’s dad hearing that his son is gay (this in particular felt like it was building up to something big). The Chicago arc and Coda did not wrap things up enough to my liking.

Did Rick even deal with the trauma he endured from being sexually assaulted by Willy? Or his self-esteem issues? I was expecting him to go to a therapist or something. Gus being there definitely helps, but I think there needs to be more done to deal with all that.

Miscellaneous Thoughts

The theme of “having your life be micromanaged” hit very close to home, honestly.

At one point during the first half of the book, I felt like Gus was being put in front of Rick just to torture him, haha. What’s that saying, again? “Authors love to torture their characters?”

I should really check out the series where CJ and company are featured in.

I don’t live in the States (nor do I participate in my country’s equivalent patriotic day), so it was interesting reading about all the festivities surrounding the 4th of July.

Spoiler

Is Rick really fine with living at Cedarcrest? I mean, he was raped in the basement… 

Verdict

I couldn’t put down Double Concerto when I was reading it! (One time, I accidentally read to 6am in the morning. Had to “wake up” shortly after. Whoops.) The slow pace of life at Eagle Lake pulls you in and makes you never want to leave. While I have some issues with some elements of the plot, they aren’t too major and Double Concerto is still a very enjoyable read.

5 stars.

  • Like 3
  • Love 2
Dan South

Dan South 6,499

   2 of 2 members found this review helpful 2 / 2 members

If you have scrolled far enough to read my review it isn’t one. I want to leave a copy of my final comment on the final chapter: 

”I have a rather personal problem with your writing: I can’t put it down once I pick it up. Right at 48 hours to consume this one.

I feel cautious about commenting on stories long complete but I have to tell you that I loved absolutely everything about this. Rick really stole my heart.

The level of detail could convince me you yourself are a plumber and a pianist. I could say the same about farming and other career paths you’ve written with such a dedication to accuracy.

I don’t just enjoy myself, I learn something new every time. You send me off to consult the interwebs and I’m better, a bit wiser, because of that. Because of you. Thank you.”

Already a Parker Owens fan I was led here by a post about stories other GA readers recommend. They were so right. Read on …

Response from the author:

You have my grateful thanks for your kind words about Rick’s story. There is nothing an author likes to hear more than that a story could not be put down, that it informed or illuminated and that it left the reader satisfied. I really appreciate your taking time to respond to Double Concerto, and for taking Rick and Gus into your heart. 

  • Love 5
Cane23

Cane23 23,498

   1 of 1 member found this review helpful 1 / 1 member

Amazing story dealing with some serious issues in a way that is pure joy to read unlike some difficult and dark stories. Rick, a local plumber, fighting his childhood trauma, sexuality and outing… A brave guy standing opposite the selfish father, corrupt local authorities, greedy investors, fighting for the love of his life, for the future of his town and its citizens. If Rick is insecure and hidden behind self-built inside walls at the beginning of the story, at the end we see a real, self-confident hero.

Maybe it is not for the review section but, I would like to ask @Parker Owens question about Rick’s raping. It is not mentioned in the story that he said about this to anyone – authorities, lousy father at the end, friends…not even to his boyfriend. There is nothing he should be ashamed for and, in my opinion, it would be healthy to let this out of his mind and share it with somebody. Especially because it is trauma that marked his life and had a huge impact on his psyche.

Anyway, this story is big adventure and I recommend it with great delight.

Response from the author:

Thank you for your kind words and comprehensive comments. It lifts my heart to know you connected to Rick and enjoyed his story. There’s an untold tale about how Rick might have finally told someone about what was done to him. Unquestionably, he would have first confided in Gus. I can imagine that Gus would have encouraged Rick to seek some professional counsel, but in the end, it’s their strong bond which anchors him. At least, that’s how I see it. Thanks again for your kind review! 

  • Love 2
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