Book Review - A Diva in Manhattan by Aubrie Dionne - Harper Impulse Fortnight

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Title: A Diva in Manhattan

Author: Aubrie Dionne

Format reviewed: E-book

Source: Purchased

Publisher: Harper Impulse

Publication Date: 20th November 2014

Rating: 4 Stars

A Date with the Diva

Fresh off a successful Italian tour, soprano soloist Alaina Amaldi returns to America on cloud nine. The Metropolitan Opera has invited her to guest star in their performance of Mozart’s Magic Flute, and she’s singing at the top of her game. But, to act the part of the sweet, young Pamina in love, she has to be likeable; something that has never come easily to her. On a quest to soften her diva-like image, she volunteers at an arts school for underprivileged children. Too bad the kids call her the opera witch…

Brett Robinson has moved to Manhattan to start afresh. Used to living on his own as a logger, he finds a job with a construction company repairing the sidewalk in front of the Metropolitan Opera House. What he didn’t count on was for one of those hoity-toity divas to strut straight past him and into his heart!

However, Brett knows that a guy like him doesn't have a chance with a woman like Alaina. That is until an older woman asks him to attend a fundraiser, posing as her Wall Street stockbroker son. Before he knows it, Brett’s drinking cocktails with the gorgeous diva! Trouble is, she thinks he’s quite a few billion dollars richer. Is she as shallow as everyone claims, or will she still love what she sees when the tux comes off?. 

We meet Alaina Amaldi as she is auditioning to star in the opera The Magic Flute at New York's Metropolitan Opera. She is a diva with a reputation. The Met only agree to let her star, if she massively changes her public images, by attending charity functions, as well as volunteering to teach music at an arts school for underprivileged children. 

Alaina, although having no experience with children, desperately wants the part, so agrees, and that night has to attend a charity gala, with auction.

Brett is a former logger, now working for a construction company near the Met. He spots Alaina walking past, but knows he would never stand a chance with someone like her. However, he then gets asked by Mrs De Barr, if he could impersonate her son, to attend a charity gala, and be auctioned off. He isn't comfortable with the lie, but agrees as the charity is one that is close to his heart. 

Alaina, and her arch rival Bianca are both at the gala and both try to outbid each other for the date with Brett (posing as Lance). Alaina wins, and both of their lives change. 

I loved the scenes where Alaina  was teaching in the school. To make opera accessible to a group of children, and to see her character soften over the course of the lessons was very touching, especially when she takes a special interest in a couple of them. During the lessons, the reader gets some information too about the stories of a few operas, which was interesting. 

Due to the big lie Brett is having to tell, the courtship doesn't exactly run smoothly, but then when does true love ever run smoothly? He seemed like good looking, warm hearted man, who was trying to the best for varying people, for good reasons. 

The rivalry between Alaina and Bianca was amusing, and I loved Bianca's attempts at sabotage. 

Overall I found A Diva in Manhattan to be an entertaining romance, with two characters I warmed too, and I was sad that it ended so fast.