She cuts her hair, puts on her brother's clothes, walks into an audition as a man... and suddenly she's good enough.

Yep. That made me mad.

Pas de Deux takes us to 1946, where Charlie has the talent to earn her place in a professional orchestra, but unfortunately she also has the audacity to be a woman. After watching her future get ripped away by men who have already decided she doesn't belong, she does something completely impulsive: she becomes "Theo."

And I was HERE for it.

What I loved was how angry this book could make me one minute and how completely invested in Charlie's ridiculous plan I could be the next. Watching her finally be judged on her talent while knowing she couldn't receive that same respect as herself was both incredibly satisfying and absolutely infuriating.

And then there's Frederick.

A WWII veteran, an old friend, fellow musician, and a man who has loved Charlotte for a very long time. Their history gave this so much more emotional weight than I expected. This wasn't simply a romance dropped into a historical setting. These were two people carrying their own disappointments, dreams, and scars while trying to figure out where they fit in a world that had changed around them.

I also LOVED the orchestra setting. I've read plenty of post-WWII historical fiction, and this felt completely different. No spies. No secret resistance missions. Instead, we get music, ambition, identity, romance, and a woman basically saying, "Fine. If you won't give Charlotte a seat, let's see what you think of Theo."

Apparently, I have a weakness for women finding creative ways around men who tell them no.

Charlie had me rooting for her from the beginning, Frederick completely won me over, and by the end I realized just how attached I'd become to both of them.

5 stars. This one surprised me, and those are sometimes my favorite five-star reads.

What a delightfully charming and heartwarming story! The characters are utterly lovable, and their witty, heartwarming interactions make the book an absolute joy to read from start to finish. While a touch of classical music knowledge adds an extra layer of appreciation, this is a must-read recommendation for anyone who loves classical music, orchestral life, and instruments. A fantastic read that leaves you eager for more from this talented author!

4.5/5 Charlotte Miller played as a substitute violist during WWII for the Pittsburg Orchestra. With the war now over, Charlotte is auditioning for a permanent spot. When she gets hardly any consideration, she returns home to find her twin brother not ready for his own violist audition. An idea forms and Charlotte runs off with it fueled by indignation and passion. And when her plan works, Charlotte figures out how to live two lives.

Freddy knew Charlotte and her twin, Theo, from their school days and seeing her once again reaffirms that he’s still in love with her. Through a comedy of misunderstandings and working through the entanglement of working together, it takes them both a while to let feelings be known.

I really enjoyed this debut story. It’s a slow burn and while it opens around Charlotte and setting up the story, you’re soon introduced to Freddy and their friends. It’s a ragtag group that is bound by their shared experiences of war and music. I really enjoyed how they looked out for one another for those who had fought in the war and the value of friendship amongst them all.

The story follows them through a portion of the Orchestra season as they deal with the stresses of life, season, and workplace issues. I don’t know a lot about music or musicians that are mentioned in the story but I was still able to fully appreciate and enjoy it. The first half is heavier on the different musical pieces than the second half and the love and passion the author has for this subject shined through.

I was drawn in to the story and while misunderstandings isn’t a trope I enjoy often - this was one I had to keep reading to see what would happen. Add in the heroine taking control of her life and finding that she’s supported by so many people in her life.

This story is quite long and at times read more as a historical fiction yet I was left with an elated feeling upon finishing that I didn’t care. The writing was delightful and kept me engaged with the story and each storyline wrapped up in a way that felt complete but not too tidy.

A wonderful story of music, love, and finding the people that makes life better.

Pas de Deux is a debut historical romance set in 1946 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

It is a slow burn with a few kisses and no intimate scenes (no open or closed door).

I received an advanced reader copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.