Rating: 
Summary: FABULOUS!
Review: Just when I think Karin K's books can't get any better, she does it again! Writing outside the usual box of lesbian romance novels, she weaves the story of a violin virtuoso, Sabrina Starling, whose entire life revolves solely around her instrument. A beautiful woman convinced that without her violin she is nothing and undeserving of the love of the woman that is the love of her life. The novel takes us from present day back to key events in Sabrina's life, as present day situations trigger her memories. The transitions are very clear and Ms K's writing is descriptive and fluid. As with any good character driven novel, we WANT Sabrina to figure things out and find true happiness. The secondary characters are real, and Ms K does her usual incredible job with convincing and believable dialogue. Two thumbs up for another winner!
Rating:
Summary: Rich and Breathtaking
Review: Karin Kallmaker's latest novel spans 40 years of Sabrina Starling's life. Told in both present events and flashback, it chronicles Bree's rise to stardom as a concert violnist and her fall into an abyss of despair when her ability to play is lost. There is a mystery at the heart of this story: why can't Bree play? If the answer is age or, as is common with many musicians, carpal tunnel syndrome, then Bree's inability to cope or get at least a measure of comfort from her gift is immature. But the reason for her loss is nowhere near that simple, and unraveling the cause of Bree's agony is what this book is about. Along the way there is some exceptional prose about the power of music, the escape of sex and the frustration of love gone wrong. The encounter between teenaged Bree and the love-of-her-life Jorie, also a teenager, is one of the best I've ever read about first times between young adult women. It's poignant and erotic and completely realistic. In our journey with Bree we discover which of her wounds are accidents and which are self-inflicted, and as the book closes we see a moving portrayal of a woman healing and trying to atone for the many mistakes she has made along the way. Loss, tragedy, ecstasy, atonement and a real chance for happiness: to me that is good reading. So many books set in Hawaii (as this book primarily is) dwell on the beautiful beaches, the smiling people, and the easy pace of life. Kudos to Kallmaker for digging deeper into the island culture with the rich addition of Hawaiian spirituality as shown in Bree's struggles with her own ancestors. Ancestors often know what is best for us, especially when we do not. The trick is -- as Bree discovers -- listening to your ancestors in time. Sometimes Bree listens, other times she does not. This isn't the kind of intense two-character romantic tale that Kallmaker pens so well (and I really do hope she pens again!) but it is one of the best books I've read this year. Erotic, believable, heartbreaking and breathtaking, I read it the first time at a breathless pace to discover Bree's story, then I read it again much more slowly to savor the quality of Kallmaker's prose and the skill with which she spun such a captivating tale of a lesbian life. I am eagerly awaiting what promises to be a much lighter read in her "One Degree of Separation." I think it's marvelous that she can -- if I let her -- take me just about anywhere she wants with the exceptional gift of her storytelling. Don't miss this book -- and I completely agree with another reviewer. This story ought to be a movie.
Rating: 
Summary: really... 4.5 stars
Review: maybe next time is a great story with a lot of feeling, research and anguish. i don't know what was so hard for the other readers, i found it rather easy to follow the book. kallmaker has a great talent for bring a character to life. of all the thigs i've heard about artistic geniuses, they are only a genius in one area, while failing in others... which makes sabrina starling fit the bill quite nicely. i know i wanted to knock bree and jorie around for being so dense about each other, but i understood it...bree was too driven by her musical needs and jorie was too scared by it. this amount of angish reminds me of watermark. it's dark and depressing at points, but there's redemption and light at the end that gives hope... i loved all the details so rich in imagery when kallmaker describes sabrina's musical ability, obsession, and talent... makes me want to listen to classical music ^_^
Rating:
Summary: She knows how to make you feel the depression
Review: Not up to Karen's usually style, but it did keep me interested with the story line. Karen knows how to make you feel dark and depressed, and that takes talent. The characters are well designed, built up with many flaws that we believe every writer should do. When she writes about the violin and the feelings, you believe there is almost something mystical about her feelings. Just received this book and three others, this one was the best of the three. Karen is usually a very good read, but something just wasn't up to pare with this effort, but I'll buy everything she writes anyways.
Rating:
Summary: Redemption, Healing, and Surviving
Review: Scientists who map the human brain have discovered that when most people hear music, their pleasure centers are stimulated in the brain. When musicians hear music, their language centers are stimulated. For violin virtuoso Sabrina Starling, the protagonist of Karin Kallmaker's novel, Maybe Next Time, music is not only a language, it is the language she depends upon to express her emotions. Bree, as she is known from childhood, first began to play the violin when she was four years old. And it is music that allows her to survive the death of her mother and her father before she is six. Music is the only way she can breech the wall that grief and loss have built around her childhood. With her music she can adapt to living in rural Hawaii with her mother's best friend, Lani, and Lani's daughter, Jorie. Through her music, Bree will be blessed time and again as her life crosses other great musicians who guide or encourage her. However, there are things that Bree doesn't seem able to understand. She struggles to understand her feelings for her Jorie. Her love for Jorie is exciting and frightening. Jorie, Bree believes could be "music for a lifetime." (p108) Despite the teens' explorations, Jorie doesn't seem to reciprocate Bree's love. This rejection is just one more section in the wall that stands between Bree and the rest of the world. Identifying as lesbian when she goes off to study music at the Conservatory, Bree discovers other women who are very attracted to her. For several years she takes a "living in the moment" approach to romance, indulging in the groupies of the classical music world. While her professional life was successful beyond imagining, her personal life was lonely. Bree's love for Jorie is an ache that she hasn't been able to fill. Recuperating from an injury and floundering without her music, Bree finds herself drawn to Diana. Diana and Pam have been together for years. They have a kind of happiness that Bree has been missing. Without her music, a confused Bree decides that having Diana will fill her life with the love she has missed. And she will risk everything to have that happiness. Told in a series of flashbacks; Maybe Next Time is not a light read. The journey of Bree's redemption is a painful one. She must face her own arrogance and mistakes. However, it is a rich story with complex characters struggling with their faults and weaknesses as well as several charming moments. Kallmaker reminds readers what it was like to be a sixteen-year old girl in 1976 and realize that you're in love with another girl. It was a time and place far away from the Pride Parades of San Francisco, let alone the relative freedom of the 21st century. Kallmaker depicts respectful insights into Polynesian culture. Perhaps one of the most touching moments in Bree's childhood is when Lani takes her to a native Hawaiian celebration. Young Bree is blessed by a gentle singer and finds the voice of music again. From this moment it becomes clear to Lani that her newly adopted daughter must have music in her life. Lani will make certain that Bree gets musical training. Even with the angst there are signature Kallmaker elements. The erotic energy between Bree and Jorie is electric and evolves throughout the novel. Kallmaker's wit enlivens the book. There are delightful moments such as Bree's first opportunity to play an 18th century Guarneri violin. Or the poker night when Diana and company create new group terms including, "A clench of clits" and "a lick of lesbians!" (p186) No "formula" romance, Maybe Next Time is an engrossing, compelling story of redemption, healing and surviving. Kallmaker has explored complicated themes and done so with heart and a touch of humor. In this reader's opinion, it is one of her best novels.
Rating:
Summary: Redemption, Healing, and Surviving
Review: Scientists who map the human brain have discovered that when most people hear music, their pleasure centers are stimulated in the brain. When musicians hear music, their language centers are stimulated. For violin virtuoso Sabrina Starling, the protagonist of Karin Kallmaker's novel, Maybe Next Time, music is not only a language, it is the language she depends upon to express her emotions. Bree, as she is known from childhood, first began to play the violin when she was four years old. And it is music that allows her to survive the death of her mother and her father before she is six. Music is the only way she can breech the wall that grief and loss have built around her childhood. With her music she can adapt to living in rural Hawaii with her mother's best friend, Lani, and Lani's daughter, Jorie. Through her music, Bree will be blessed time and again as her life crosses other great musicians who guide or encourage her. However, there are things that Bree doesn't seem able to understand. She struggles to understand her feelings for her Jorie. Her love for Jorie is exciting and frightening. Jorie, Bree believes could be "music for a lifetime." (p108) Despite the teens' explorations, Jorie doesn't seem to reciprocate Bree's love. This rejection is just one more section in the wall that stands between Bree and the rest of the world. Identifying as lesbian when she goes off to study music at the Conservatory, Bree discovers other women who are very attracted to her. For several years she takes a "living in the moment" approach to romance, indulging in the groupies of the classical music world. While her professional life was successful beyond imagining, her personal life was lonely. Bree's love for Jorie is an ache that she hasn't been able to fill. Recuperating from an injury and floundering without her music, Bree finds herself drawn to Diana. Diana and Pam have been together for years. They have a kind of happiness that Bree has been missing. Without her music, a confused Bree decides that having Diana will fill her life with the love she has missed. And she will risk everything to have that happiness. Told in a series of flashbacks; Maybe Next Time is not a light read. The journey of Bree's redemption is a painful one. She must face her own arrogance and mistakes. However, it is a rich story with complex characters struggling with their faults and weaknesses as well as several charming moments. Kallmaker reminds readers what it was like to be a sixteen-year old girl in 1976 and realize that you're in love with another girl. It was a time and place far away from the Pride Parades of San Francisco, let alone the relative freedom of the 21st century. Kallmaker depicts respectful insights into Polynesian culture. Perhaps one of the most touching moments in Bree's childhood is when Lani takes her to a native Hawaiian celebration. Young Bree is blessed by a gentle singer and finds the voice of music again. From this moment it becomes clear to Lani that her newly adopted daughter must have music in her life. Lani will make certain that Bree gets musical training. Even with the angst there are signature Kallmaker elements. The erotic energy between Bree and Jorie is electric and evolves throughout the novel. Kallmaker's wit enlivens the book. There are delightful moments such as Bree's first opportunity to play an 18th century Guarneri violin. Or the poker night when Diana and company create new group terms including, "A clench of clits" and "a lick of lesbians!" (p186) No "formula" romance, Maybe Next Time is an engrossing, compelling story of redemption, healing and surviving. Kallmaker has explored complicated themes and done so with heart and a touch of humor. In this reader's opinion, it is one of her best novels.
Rating:
Summary: Intense, satisfying read
Review: Some of the reviews say that this book is hard to read, but my opinion is that it's got nothing to do with the writer, or the writing! The book has been nominated for a Lammy in the romance category and it deserves to win. Maybe some people find it hard because it's real. No sugar coating. Sabrina Starling is deeply wounded. Her life has been seemingly magical but fate has been abruptly cruel. Sabrina, petrified she has lost her ability to play the violin, does something cruel herself, but it's not fate that gets hurt, but real women. Sabrina's despair about not just her violin but her own actions is intensely moving. Can she somehow find a way to make amends? When you actually believe that you deserve the bad things that have happened to you, how can you possibly find happiness and love? Karin Kallmaker made me believe it. I couldn't stop reading. Tears running down my cheeks at times, I ached for Sabrina to heal, to find her way back to her music, love and passion. Nobody who reads with an open mind and open heart can't be moved by Sabrina's final confrontation with her losses and how she lets go of the most precious thing in her life in order to move on. I could feel the sea spray on my face. What a great book. Karin Kallmaker surprises me every time.
Rating:
Summary: Intense, satisfying read
Review: The only complaint I have about Karin Kallmaker is: You can't put her books down once you start reading them and therefore it ends up being over too soon. Never has a book made me cry almost out loud and with such emotion. This book was unsurprisingly great therapy for me. Since I have read all of Karin's other books, I eagerly await her next one. Karin also has the ability to make you reread her books over and over like a great movie. I was already contemplating doing so with this book the same night I finished it. The lady is simply superb.
Rating:
Summary: Over Too Soon
Review: The only complaint I have about Karin Kallmaker is: You can't put her books down once you start reading them and therefore it ends up being over too soon. Never has a book made me cry almost out loud and with such emotion. This book was unsurprisingly great therapy for me. Since I have read all of Karin's other books, I eagerly await her next one. Karin also has the ability to make you reread her books over and over like a great movie. I was already contemplating doing so with this book the same night I finished it. The lady is simply superb.
Rating:
Summary: Virtuoso Kallmaker
Review: This is not an easy book. Maybe Next Time is well layered and brilliantly structured in both plot and character development. Kallmaker introduces characters early in the book whose significance won't be realized until well towards the end of the story. However, it's their early introduction that lends to the startling impact they have as events unfold. Similar to the way a mystery writer leaves you clues, Kallmaker sets the reader up with innocuous references that appear to have little to do with the current action. Beginning at age 7, this story spans 35 years of Sabrina (Bree) Starling's life. The story is written in a series of flash backs as the 40-year-old Bree returns home to Hawaii to attend her adopted aunt's funeral. It was her Aunt Lani who enabled Bree to find her voice through the violin. It is her musical genius that gives Bree strength, but it is also her violin that isolates her from everyone around her. Perhaps, it's due to the death of her Aunt Lani that sends Bree reeling in reflection about her own life. Everything seemed to have started off so innocently: the love of music and her violin, the love of her girlhood sweetheart, Jorie, the friendship with a long-term couple, Pam and Diana. However, through a series of mistakes, misinformation, and omissions, Bree's life comes crashing down around her. There is a beautifully written part of this book that truly captures the panic, confusion, and guilt that Bree comes to feel. Kallmaker achieves this through the pacing of memory and real action in her writing. When I read this particular part, I found myself gasping because I'd stopped breathing. This is a romance that reads like saga, is structured like a mystery, and is written with an ear for music. By the way, the [physcial] scenes are sizzling. Although I've re-read KK's books from time to time, this was the first one that I turned immediately back to page 1 as soon as I'd read the last. ...
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