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A Duet for Invisible Strings
Heledd, leader of the first violins, has been in love with her irrepressible conductor Rosemary for years.
She’s keeping a secret that means she can never be with Rosemary, but the time they spend working and performing together is enough for her – until a near miss with a speeding car forces her to reevaluate everything she thought she knew.
When the orchestra is mysteriously summoned to perform in the Welsh village where Heledd grew up – a village she hasn’t returned to in decades – the life she’s made for herself begins to unravel, and her secrets threaten to escape.
She’s keeping a secret that means she can never be with Rosemary, but the time they spend working and performing together is enough for her – until a near miss with a speeding car forces her to reevaluate everything she thought she knew.
When the orchestra is mysteriously summoned to perform in the Welsh village where Heledd grew up – a village she hasn’t returned to in decades – the life she’s made for herself begins to unravel, and her secrets threaten to escape.
85 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 14, 2019
4 people are currently reading
184 people want to read
About the author
Llinos Cathryn Thomas
7 books27 followersLlinos Cathryn Thomas was born and raised on the North Wales coast, where she read a lot of Welsh fairy tales and legends and watched a lot of Star Trek – which probably explains some things about how she turned out.
She has a degree in Russian Studies from the University of Nottingham, which she has used mainly to deepen her appreciation for the movie Anastasia.
She now lives in London with her wife, and when she’s not writing she is often reading instead, and if she’s not doing either of those things she’s probably watching TV.
She is the author of two speculative F/F romance novellas, Sparks Fly and A Duet for Invisible Strings, and is working on a novel.
She has a degree in Russian Studies from the University of Nottingham, which she has used mainly to deepen her appreciation for the movie Anastasia.
She now lives in London with her wife, and when she’s not writing she is often reading instead, and if she’s not doing either of those things she’s probably watching TV.
She is the author of two speculative F/F romance novellas, Sparks Fly and A Duet for Invisible Strings, and is working on a novel.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
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July 14, 2023Sapphic short story about a Welsh musician with a terrible secret and the conductor she secretly loves. Slow burn with Welsh magic and terrific music and lots of emotional intensity, very nicely written.
March 2, 2023
One of my new fave sapphic romances, a contemporary paranormal about two older women! (My 48 year old self says THANK YOU to romance authors who write middle-aged characters!) Heledd, a violinist, has been in love with Rosemary, her conductor, for SO long. But Heledd has a secret that keeps them apart... until she's summoned home to her village in Wales where she'll have to pay a price for a deal she struck long ago. As you might imagine from the whole "secret" and "paying a price" setup, there is SO much yearning and pining here, it's wonderful, and both of these gals are just so lovely. I could not have been happier with how their story played out.
The paranormal aspect might be a tiny bit obscure if you're not familiar with some of the mythology from that general area, but I think the dramatic tension still works as Heledd and Rosemary confront Heledd's past together.
The paranormal aspect might be a tiny bit obscure if you're not familiar with some of the mythology from that general area, but I think the dramatic tension still works as Heledd and Rosemary confront Heledd's past together.
November 8, 2019
I got this book via Sapphic Book Club hosted by @sapphicliterature.
★★★★,5 || How the hell so much pinning fit into such a short story?
Ok, first of all, I don't usually relate to characters in their 40s so much but Heledd is such a mood. She legit tried to google what do you wear to meet up with friends before visiting her crush's house and then she decided she's a mess but a pridefull mess -- and, this is me. I would do that.
But, anyway, we have Heledd, in her 40s, and Rosemary, in her 50s, which already is eyecatching because I don't usually see romances with people this old. And they've spent x years pinning after each other.
They also have an orchestra together and act like a married couple in front of a whole room of children on a daily basis. Yep. This oblivious.
(Ok, in their defence both of them have valid reasons for being oblivious but it's still super funny.)
So, besides amazing chemistry, pinning, and the beautiful world of classical music -- Heledd has made a certain deal. A deal that has left her on the edge for most of her life.
And, like with all deals, there comes the time to pay one's due.
But wouldn't it be great to stay by Rosemary's side instead? Especially since she may finally show a sign that Heledd's feelings are not as one-sided as she thought.
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December 8, 2019
This is a really lovely contemporary fantasy novella, with such a perfect unfolding of its magical puzzle that the moment I finished reading it, I went straight back to the beginning and re-read it all immediately, just to savor how neatly all the hints and clues had been laid! (The first time I read it, I thought I had the fantasy element all figured out by the end of the first scene. I was wrong! And I loved it.)
The heroine, Heledd, is a seemingly rigid, uptight and intimidating 48-year-old woman who helps to run the professional chamber orchestra where she's the concertmaster...but behind her outer shell, she is intensely caring, secretly in love with the female conductor she's working with (who is just as obviously secretly in love with her too, in the most delightful way), AND dealing with some simmering fey secrets that are about to explode.
I'm often the wrong audience for stories set in the classical music world because I'm overly picky with them. (I trained to be an orchestral musician at a music conservatory before switching to music history and then getting a job at a professional opera company.) However, the music throughout this novella is written so beautifully, and the organizational details all felt so spot-on, that I absolutely loved it all. The story starts out in London before shifting to the part of Wales where Heledd grew up - and the mix of Welsh mythology with those two contemporary settings is just gorgeously done.
The jacket copy for this book focuses on the romance, and the romantic storyline itself is lovely and understated - but also, this was one of the loveliest contemporary fantasy novellas I've read in a long time, and the romance itself is so understated (and entirely non-graphic) that I think even the most romance-hating contemporary fantasy readers would truly love this one. (Particularly fans of Charles DeLint, Terri Windling, or other mythic fiction authors!)
Really, really lovely and SUCH a satisfying read.
The heroine, Heledd, is a seemingly rigid, uptight and intimidating 48-year-old woman who helps to run the professional chamber orchestra where she's the concertmaster...but behind her outer shell, she is intensely caring, secretly in love with the female conductor she's working with (who is just as obviously secretly in love with her too, in the most delightful way), AND dealing with some simmering fey secrets that are about to explode.
I'm often the wrong audience for stories set in the classical music world because I'm overly picky with them. (I trained to be an orchestral musician at a music conservatory before switching to music history and then getting a job at a professional opera company.) However, the music throughout this novella is written so beautifully, and the organizational details all felt so spot-on, that I absolutely loved it all. The story starts out in London before shifting to the part of Wales where Heledd grew up - and the mix of Welsh mythology with those two contemporary settings is just gorgeously done.
The jacket copy for this book focuses on the romance, and the romantic storyline itself is lovely and understated - but also, this was one of the loveliest contemporary fantasy novellas I've read in a long time, and the romance itself is so understated (and entirely non-graphic) that I think even the most romance-hating contemporary fantasy readers would truly love this one. (Particularly fans of Charles DeLint, Terri Windling, or other mythic fiction authors!)
Really, really lovely and SUCH a satisfying read.
October 27, 2019
This was a bonus read for the Sapphic Book Club.
This is a short, sweet little romance, with a hint of something else. I am generally not a fan of short stories, unless they are supplements to a larger storyline, because by the time I’m invest in the characters it is over. But this author does a great job of creating a connection between the characters and the reader in a very short amount of time. The mystery around her past definitely kept me intrigued and I would have liked more time with the characters. Nevertheless I didn’t feel like there wasn’t enough time with the characters when the story ended.
A worthwhile read, especially if you are a music fan or want a cute little romance.
This is a short, sweet little romance, with a hint of something else. I am generally not a fan of short stories, unless they are supplements to a larger storyline, because by the time I’m invest in the characters it is over. But this author does a great job of creating a connection between the characters and the reader in a very short amount of time. The mystery around her past definitely kept me intrigued and I would have liked more time with the characters. Nevertheless I didn’t feel like there wasn’t enough time with the characters when the story ended.
A worthwhile read, especially if you are a music fan or want a cute little romance.
October 16, 2019
Well, this was a genuinely delightful read. I want the next 180 pages though, because this must surely be the beginning of a series! Or perhaps I'm just very keen to spend more time exploring the lives and experiences of these characters. With zero-g fireworks ballet as the art form explored in the first of the author's published novellas, and an orchestra in this novella, I'm very curious to see which art form gets explored in the next, but I really would love to see more stories around Heledd and Rosemary. If nothing else, I really want to know how exactly they did manage to lose a tuba during a rehearsal...
January 27, 2020
I loved everything about this book, both Heledd and Rosemary just leap off the page. The setting in Wales is gorgeous, as is the Welshness woven through Heledd and the story. The music/orchestra background is also great. Highly, highly recommended.
March 18, 2020
This novella was so aggressively my brand, and it completely hooked me from the beginning. The depiction of the classical music world was spot-on (genuinely one of the best I’ve read), and a conductor/first violinist sapphic romance??? Be still, my heart.
May 29, 2021
My heart is full after all the yearning and pining in this contemporary fantasy FF romance. Neither Heledd and Rosemary realize they’re both in love with each other and it was sweet how oblivious they were. One of my favorite moments was when Rosemary invited Heledd over and Heledd thought about googling "what do you wear to a friend's house.” I love characters who aren’t quite sure how to people. The fantasy element is light—I had no idea there was going to be a fantasy element at all and I was utterly delighted when I realized what was happening. The star of this novella, however, is the way music draws Heledd and Rosemary together and ultimately becomes the key to the HEA. I loved how it all unfolded. Such remarkable writing!
Character notes: Heledd is a white Welsh 48 year old violinist. Rosemary is a white British conductor in her late 50s. This is set in London and a small town in Wales.
CW: MC hit by car (minor injuries), alcohol, past death of father 15 years ago, MC was adopted shortly after father’s biological daughter disappeared
Character notes: Heledd is a white Welsh 48 year old violinist. Rosemary is a white British conductor in her late 50s. This is set in London and a small town in Wales.
CW: MC hit by car (minor injuries), alcohol, past death of father 15 years ago, MC was adopted shortly after father’s biological daughter disappeared
April 2, 2023
Let me start with saying that I love that this novella is about older women, who I feel are not represented enough in lgbt books.
I really wanted to love this, but the mystery aspect really ruined it for me. I didn’t care about who They are, and it never been revealed what They are. I think this was an unnecessary part, and if the book focused more in Heledd and Rosemary’s relationship, it would be much better.
Everything happened quite quickly, and because the story is told from Heledd’s POV, I felt like we never got to know Rosemary that well.
Obviously, a big part of the story focused on the music and rehearsals, so if you’re not familiar with musical terms, you may have to google a bit. I graduated from TwoSetViolin university, so I knew some of the terms, but as a non-musician, I found it overly-detailed in some parts (I guess if you’re a musician, you won’t mind it).
I really wanted to love this, but the mystery aspect really ruined it for me. I didn’t care about who They are, and it never been revealed what They are. I think this was an unnecessary part, and if the book focused more in Heledd and Rosemary’s relationship, it would be much better.
Everything happened quite quickly, and because the story is told from Heledd’s POV, I felt like we never got to know Rosemary that well.
Obviously, a big part of the story focused on the music and rehearsals, so if you’re not familiar with musical terms, you may have to google a bit. I graduated from TwoSetViolin university, so I knew some of the terms, but as a non-musician, I found it overly-detailed in some parts (I guess if you’re a musician, you won’t mind it).
October 14, 2019
What a gorgeous, sweet, happy, romantic delight of a novella! Everything I could want in a charming fantasy f/f romance — love, laughter, aching want, and good people trying to do right by each other in a difficult world. So lovely. Highly recommended if you’re looking for a lovely f/f romance to brighten your day and leave you smiling.
October 21, 2019
I was lucky enough to read an early version of this novella back in March, and both versions I read in one glorious sitting (both on the tube, weirdly enough*). It's gorgeously written and completely absorbing: Heledd and Rosemary felt like real, rounded people living in a world with depth and history to it. The magical elements are seeded beautifully, the orchestra setting is so well drawn, and the romance is lovely and very satisfying - romance often doesn't work for me, but this one really did. Highly recommended.
*ok, technically first time round I didn't quite finish it in one go, but only because my stop arrived faster than expected
*ok, technically first time round I didn't quite finish it in one go, but only because my stop arrived faster than expected
April 23, 2020
Being a novella, I knew it was going to be short, but I honestly think the story could have benefited from being a touch longer and taking the proper time to slow down and explain what Heledd is and her circumstances and really unveil the mystery of who exactly They are to help the reader understand more. As a reader, I was left confused about the plot as a whole, frustrated that there were no clear character arcs despite having distinctly different and likable characters, and ultimately unsure what I was supposed to gain from reading the story.
There were moments I liked within the story. I loved the way Thomas explains the feeling of playing in an orchestra but have to admit that I am a bit rusty on my musical terminology (and am sure if I didn’t have a base knowledge of music and symphonies, I would have been completely left in the dark when music was the main focus of a scene). And ultimately, I was happy to see queer representation in the way of older women and not young twenty-somethings. I just wish there was more of it and that it was thoroughly fleshed out.
There were moments I liked within the story. I loved the way Thomas explains the feeling of playing in an orchestra but have to admit that I am a bit rusty on my musical terminology (and am sure if I didn’t have a base knowledge of music and symphonies, I would have been completely left in the dark when music was the main focus of a scene). And ultimately, I was happy to see queer representation in the way of older women and not young twenty-somethings. I just wish there was more of it and that it was thoroughly fleshed out.
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September 8, 2020I liked the writing and particularly the details about the orchestra and the music world. The characters were appealing enough, but the plot was pretty linear and without any real surprises, and it felt like a lot of buildup with a fairly abrupt conclusion.
"Somebody just bargained away something very important to them in order to save me from being taken away to Fairyland, this must mean they never want to see me again" seems like a bizarre conclusion for anyone to come to, and it felt like that bit was just put in there for an extra sprinkling of angst.
"Somebody just bargained away something very important to them in order to save me from being taken away to Fairyland, this must mean they never want to see me again" seems like a bizarre conclusion for anyone to come to, and it felt like that bit was just put in there for an extra sprinkling of angst.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 16, 2020
Very interesting premise. Very dramatic execution. The MC was too selfishly broody and distant with the usual shitty excuse of wanting to protect her LI who's thus left to do all the work for them to even talk, let alone end up together. So a very low 2-star rating for me, completely on the basis of the uncommon premise and the tender LI.
February 10, 2022
So good!
This was a really enjoyable romance, with the perfect amount of pining and angst. The mystery behind the MC’s past was well done and I liked the fantasy element. I only have good things to say about this one, and look forward to reading the author’s other work.
This was a really enjoyable romance, with the perfect amount of pining and angst. The mystery behind the MC’s past was well done and I liked the fantasy element. I only have good things to say about this one, and look forward to reading the author’s other work.
June 1, 2020
This is a lovely story with beautiful prose. It has magical elements, which I usually don't like, but they worked with the romance to enhance it.
June 24, 2020
This novella was so sweet, poignant, and magical. It was also a roller coaster of emotions in the best way. A lovely little book for tough times.
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June 29, 2021
Trigger & Content Warnings
Alcohol consumption
Death of a parent recounted
Car accident
Alcohol consumption
Death of a parent recounted
Car accident
February 3, 2023
Absolutely lovely lyrical novella about a woman who has spent her life on the outside of actually living.
February 17, 2023
I wish it were longer
January 24, 2025
Delightful sapphic romance with a classical music and folklore backdrop. As always with good novelas, I wanted to know more, but that's a format issue, not a writer's issue.
February 22, 2020
I received this book for free through Voracious Readers Only.
A Duet for Invisible Strings by Llinos Cathryn Thomas is a short but intense novella about Heledd, a violinist who is in love with orchestra conductor Rosemary. But Heledd has a secret, and after saving Rosemary from a speeding car she has to face the fact that she has to leave the life she has built for herself.
This was a wonderful little love story. Both Heledd and Rosemary have a life centred around music, and they are dedicated to teaching music to their students and the orchestra they are running together. I liked them both, and the musical elements.
The fantasy elements were very underplayed, and I felt like the main conflict point of the story was the mystery of how Heledd was different. That didn't quite work for me, partly because it remained a mystery even after the story had ended. But it was fun to read nonetheless.
A Duet for Invisible Strings by Llinos Cathryn Thomas is a short but intense novella about Heledd, a violinist who is in love with orchestra conductor Rosemary. But Heledd has a secret, and after saving Rosemary from a speeding car she has to face the fact that she has to leave the life she has built for herself.
This was a wonderful little love story. Both Heledd and Rosemary have a life centred around music, and they are dedicated to teaching music to their students and the orchestra they are running together. I liked them both, and the musical elements.
The fantasy elements were very underplayed, and I felt like the main conflict point of the story was the mystery of how Heledd was different. That didn't quite work for me, partly because it remained a mystery even after the story had ended. But it was fun to read nonetheless.
November 10, 2019
A sweet and charming little tale.
My only quibble is that the author never definitively stated who They are.
My only quibble is that the author never definitively stated who They are.
May 13, 2021
A sweet unique novella, with wonderful characters and a satisfying plot.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews