Fitzgerald “Fitz” Gaffney is nineteen, socially hopeless, and a piano prodigy. Left alone in a marble mansion while his mother goes on her eighth honeymoon, Fitz falls for Garrett, a smooth-talking classmate who finds Fitz’s home, money and virginity highly appealing. After letting Garrett talk him into trying Ecstasy, Fitz wakes up in a dumpster, looking up at two men who will change his life.

Julian and Serge look, talk, and act like something out of Fitz’s mother’s film collection with their natty suits, European accents and slick hairstyles. The two assign themselves roles as fairy godmothers to Fitz, giving him gourmet meals, advice and a loving family setting Fitz has never experienced. Julian and Serge also happen to be ghosts.

Ari Scheffield is a forensic accountant and bon vivant trying to leave his boy band past behind. As one of Fitz’s previous stepbrothers, Ari maintains contact with Fitz despite their parents’ divorce. Now Ari finds his affection for Fitz growing to a new, adult level, and he fights to hold his tongue (and other parts of his anatomy) as Garrett continues to take advantage of Fitz. Unbeknownst to Ari, Julian and Serge agree with his opinion of Fitz’s boyfriend, and are working behind the scenes to reveal Garrett’s slimeball nature.

Rhapsody for Piano and Ghost gets five enthusiastic tombstones. I did not want this story to end and found myself rationing pages. I, like Fitz, am moved to tears by the tender devotion between Julian and Serge, and there are several laugh-out-loud moments at the ghostly duo’s pranks. Fitz’s awkwardness and inner dialogue is so real, so easy to relate to, and the near misses between he and Ari are a rollercoaster ride of hope and frustration. Watching Julian and Serge dance, Fitz wonders how it would feel to have someone hold him that way, to look at him that way. We all do, Fitz, we all do.

Book Stats:
e-book, digital format
Publisher: Loose Id (May 25, 2011)
Language: English
ASIN: B005DHMHTC

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