The Music Box
by Alyssa Drake
A victim of obligation, Gabrielle spends her days slogging away in a dead-end job, fending off the unwanted advances of her manager. At night, she spoon-feeds memories to her mother, a resident at an assisted-living facility, which specializes in dementia.
The only highpoint in her life is Luciano, the grandson of another patient. When his grandmother passes away, Luciano bequeaths Gabrielle an antique music box, which plays a hauntingly familiar tune, her mother’s favorite song.
However, the music box hides a dark secret, one which could rip apart the budding relationship. Once the truth is revealed, Gabrielle must decide what she is willing to sacrifice for love.
Inspiration: This story is dedicated to my first muse, my mother, who passed prior to the publication of this story. It was written during the final weeks of her life. I hope her memory will live on in these pages. -Alyssa Drake
Fly Girl’s Review:
So I got this on Audible and I really can’t say enough about how much I enjoyed this novella. I’ve read and reviewed a lot of Alyssa’s work, but I think having heard a bit about her inspiration for this one really peaked my interest, which is why it released in February 2018 and I’m just getting it off my TBR pile. This one really is masterfully done. Her tribute to her mother is exquisite.
A few of the things I really liked about the story: She gives life to the character in the music box which is pretty cool. I love how Gabrielle talks to her fish in the apartment and how she makes it seem as if he is responding. I also like that she brought up a sexist work environment and great strategies to deal with it. Luckily Alyssa’s imagination helps take care of that little problem for Gabrielle.
I’m giving this 5 of 5 propellers because of how rich her story was with emotion, beauty, and love as well as the uniqueness of the fairy tale. Now I will tell you this is narrated by a voice that feels older and is reminiscent of a Grandfather reading a bed time story. It takes a bit to get used to, but the story is truly great and overshadows the narrator. I feel really lucky to have connected with Alyssa and have access to most of her catalog. She has a great imagination and every book so far has exceeded expectations. I even read a horror story by her, so she has to be good.
5 of 5 Propellers
Connect with Alyssa Drake
Best-selling, award winning, author Alyssa Drake has been creating stories since she could hold a pen, preferring to construct her own bedtime tales instead of reading the titles in her bookshelves. Enraptured with many different types of genres, Alyssa currently writes Historical romance, Paranormal/Urban Fantasy romance, Contemporary romance, and Dark romance stories. She thoroughly enjoys strong heroines and often laughs aloud when imagining conversations between her characters.
Alyssa graduated from the University of the Pacific, with a B.S. in business and a concentration in French literature. Currently she resides in Northern California with her blended family, where she works full-time at a chocolate factory.
She believes everyone is motivated by love of someone or something. One of her favorite diversions is fabricating stories about strangers surrounding her on public transportation. Alyssa can often be found madly scribbling notes on a train or daydreaming out the window as the scenery whips past.
