Rifts and Refrains

By: Tiye, Keisha Mennefee

Narrated by: Benjamin Charles, IiKane

Length: 9 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

Dreamscape First: Enjoy exclusive audiobooks from Dreamscape Media—before they're available in any other format.

Music
Born and raised in Atlanta by a father who blames the family rift on music, Amara Johnson’s talent for guitar and passion for poetry have always been just that: talent and passion that she channels into her work as a music teacher. When her estranged grandfather—a man known as much for his raspy, soulful blues songs as his perplexing personality—passes away, Amara discovers a collection of old letters, journals, and a tattered photo that offer more questions than answers.

Legacy
Jake Barnes, part of legendary country music star Evelyn Hart’s management team, is blown away by Amara’s voice when he sees her perform at her grandfather’s burial. Enraptured, he offers her a deal: he’ll help her uncover the truth about her family’s past if Amara agrees to come to Nashville and sing for him.

Love
Against a backdrop of music and the drive for answers, Amara and Jake grow closer, testing the boundaries of friendship as the summer passes. With Jake’s help, Amara is on the brink of a blindingly bright future, preparing to share her undeniable talent with the world. But when Jake confronts some unsettling truths, he’s torn—between Evelyn, who he considers family, and Amara…the woman he’s slowly falling in love with.

©2024 Honey Magnolia Media (P)2024 Dreamscape Media

Critic reviews

“Rifts and Refrains is a sweeping story of artistry, legacy and irresistible attraction. Effortlessly blending history, a years-old family mystery and modern Black romance, Tiye takes us on a wild ride through Nashville’s country music scene. Unique, fresh and gripping.” (Ryan Kennedy)

Refreshing

I don't think I've ever listened to a book about a black country singer. I absolutely loved the book. I can't wait for the TV adaptation. The book was well worth the credit!

Rifts and Refrains🎤🎵

This story was so good and compelling. I loved how Tiye weaved together multiple themes such as identity, family, and music. The characters were richly drawn and well developed. I also loved that Tiye wrote more than just a romance story but also tackled the complexities of family, the weight of legacy, and the struggle to find one's true voice.

Slow burns are my favorite and Amara and Jake did not disappoint in that department. It was paced so well, and I could feel the burn and anticipation until the very end. The romance was sweet and tender that added a delightful layer of tension to the story without overpowering the main themes, which I appreciated.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone who loves romance, family dramas, or stories of self-discovery. It's a beautifully written and heartfelt story that left me feeling warm inside. Lastly, the narrators did a wonderful job!

Nothing short of amazing

Rifts and Refrains is not just a story, a lovely slow burn, it is an education. Jake and Mari’s story provide lessons in forgiveness, redemption, perseverance, love, and acceptance. Mari teaches us to leap and follow your dreams in spite of other’s opinions and obstacles. Country music is one of my favorite genres of music. I am excited about the strides African Americans are making in the genre. Thank you Tiye for spotlighting our contributions and accomplishments. We are Country. It is in our roots and heritage. Benjamin Charles and Iikane also did an phenomenal job bringing this story to life. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Never to late to dream

Awesome redemption!! Well worth reading. Time flows for over 50 years, but secrets always tend to come to light..

Beautiful

Great characters, setting, pace, and plot. The narrators brought the emotional and tension of the story to the forefront.

Beautifully written

There are times when you read, or listen, to a book and it strikes you that a lot of time and care went into crafting the story. This was such a book. The research, characterization, and writing were done brilliantly. I absolutely loved all the information about Black artists and their contribution to country music. I appreciated walking away with so much knowledge. The romance between Jake and Amara took a backseat to history, sites, and sounds of Nashville, though. I would’ve liked a bit more of the romance, but it was a small price to pay for everything we did get. And the narration was good. Not great, but good. Well done🤗

Definitely read like a movie!

This story read like a movie. I really enjoyed it and the performances by the narrators were great but I think Benjamin Charles goes down too low and it gives off a sound that doesn't vibe with the characters. His regular narrating voice is great, but when he's "acting" as the character he goes off the rails, in my opinion.
overall, both narrators did great and really brought this story to life.

This was so GOOD!

This was my first introduction to this author. She did not disappoint. I got the book because of the narrators Benjamin Charles and iiiKane. They did an excellent job! I will be on the lookout for more novels.

A book you lean in closer to hear

I truly felt like I took a visit outside of Texas to Heartland( if it were a real place). The unique use of words to describe the characters inner thoughts and chemistry between all of them felt genuine. I felt connected to all of the women in this story. I was surprised by the men in this story. The magic of the studio moments allowed me to explore a singing experience as a cowgirl I didn't know I can be. Great story