Symphony of Salvation

Timber Creek Academy

By: Nicky James

Narrated by: Nick J. Russo

Music teacher Niles Edwidge gets the shock of his life when Maestro Augustus Castellanos, a world-renowned musician and composer, shows up at Timber Creek Academy. Not only has the maestro been asked to guest teach alongside Niles, but he’s brought his prodigy daughter and enrolled her as a student.

Niles has been waiting for the day the academy decided to replace him. His educational background falls short of the school’s usual demands, but a revered maestro? It doesn’t make sense. Why would such a prominent figure want to teach high school music?

Fearing for his job and envious of the other man’s career, Niles doesn’t give the maestro a warm welcome, but their feud doesn’t last when Niles learns the respectable musician is struggling with a mountain of problems and would prefer to be anywhere but Timber Creek.

As the truth about August’s troubled life surfaces, so too does a secret he has carried for decades. As a self-proclaimed repressed bisexual, August rarely allows himself the freedom to explore his sexuality, but an undeniable attraction to Timber Creek’s music teacher threatens to test his resolve. He can’t afford to fall for Niles. He has a life and responsibilities outside Timber Creek.

The minute his obligations are fulfilled, he’s out the door.
Unless he finds a reason to stay…

©2024 Nicky James (P)2025 Nicky James

Brilliant

Story: A touching and emotional story of change and new challenges. The narration filled with music was incredibly poetic and gave the book even more depth. Brilliant book.
Narration: very good performance and great voice acting.

Heartfelt...

This story hit me in the feels, in all the best ways. I like both Single Dad as well as redemption/overcoming tropes and this story has both and I enjoyed it a lot!While we met Niles previously as Koa's ex in Promises Of Forever, this story can be listened to as a standalone. Niles redeemed himself from when I first met him and I wanted to protect him from his insecurities. August too had his own fears and insecurities to deal with. Ultimately, while a rocky journey, their relationship helped each of them grow and become stronger both individually and together. Nick J Russo's narration is as great as I've come to expect, especially on the emotional scenes. I know this will be one of my "relisten to" audios this year.

Powerful and meaningful

I always start my Nicky James reviews by saying I love Nicky James. I do – as a person and as a writer and as a master storyteller. This book was absolutely up to the high standards I expect from her. She delivered another stellar story.

I’d met Niles previously, in Promises of Forever, and hadn’t entirely loved him. But nothing is better than a redemption arc and he sure redeems himself in this book. He’s accepted his ex-boyfriend Koa is now in a loving relationship – with the wonderful Jersey. He’s now consigned to never feeling good enough at work and being alone – possibly for the rest of his life. He has his music. He has friends. Most importantly, he has his students. His parents expected great things from him (medicine, law) and his decision to study music at the University of Toronto resulted in zero financial assistance and just about the same amount of emotional support from his entire family.

Boo. Shame on them.

Teaching is truly a noble profession and having a great teacher can make all the difference in a child’s life. Niles’s newest student is a case in point.

Constance is a virtuoso at just about every instrument she plays. A health crisis has left her with an issue that her father cannot – or will not – cope with. She comes to Timber Creek Academy to try to settle into a ‘normal’ life. Only her situation makes her different. Fortunately, she’s got Niles to support her through this rough time. For the record – high school is brutal enough without being ‘different’ in any way. So total empathy for her.

The problem? Her father, Maestro August Castellanos has come with her. Ostensibly to ensure she settles in. Except he’s been offered a position at the Academy, forcing Niles to face his own demons. To say these two men get off on the wrong foot right away is an understatement. But August has some dark demons of his own – not the least is his approach to parenting. He feels he has a lot to make up for and even he can see he’s not doing a great job.

This is where Nicky’s genius comes in. She gives us glimpses – and then deep dives – into both men. Their approach to education, their beliefs in child rearing…oh, and that simmering sexual tension I’ve come to expect.

This was one of those books where the resolution looked truly impossible. That one man would have to give up something he held so dear. Alas, Nicky found a solution. One I adored.

I’ll say Nick J. Russo again did a bang-up job with this emotionally challenging novel. There are some dark issues addressed, but there are also moments of levity. Overall, just a brilliant book.

Moving, beautiful, and fascinating … ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

There’s so much to love about this audiobook. First and foremost, this is a story about character growth. That is closely followed by a strong focus on relationship development. I thoroughly enjoyed both aspects.

Nicky James has a remarkable ability to perfectly immerse a reader into worlds they might not otherwise know much about. In this case, she brought us into the domain of classical musicians and let us see how their love of music colors most everything in their lives. I was fascinated by the passion and the music-based language used by both Niles, the dedicated music teacher who never feels good enough, and Augustus, the famous maestro and single dad committed to his craft and troubled daughter Constance.

From the minute Niles and Augustus meet, their strong personalities and emotions are exposed… prepping the stage for the uphill battle of their relationship. Throw in the unique challenges Constance adds with her self imposed mutism and virtuoso talent, and you get a compelling, soul-stirring story from start to finish.

Nick J Russo’s ability to make me “feel” Augustus and Niles, through distinctive voices (especially the swoony accent for Augustus) and excellent voice acting, was a wonderful experience. His narration enhanced an already engaging story by adding rich depth to the emotional development of both MCs. I loved getting to know these men in this way.

Symphony of Salvation is another Nicky James winner in storytelling. Expect some heartache, issues brought on by fears and insecurities, heartwarming love, and a triumphant HEA. Nick J Russo adds a wonderful way to experience it all. My recommendation: gift yourself this book.

Hits just right

Oof - this one hit me HARD. I love Niles & August’s slow burn, and the mix of single new dad angst. They were so REAL and painful, how could you not love them?? The ending had me tearing up. 🥹

Loved this book!

Nick Russo does such an amazing job of bringing this story to life. Symphony of Salvation by Nicky James is book two in the Timber Creek Academy series. It can be read as a standalone but why miss out on the amazing first book!
Niles is the music teacher as the academy and Augustus is a famous maestro who has come as a guest instructor.
August and Niles struggle to get along as they work together in Niles' class but their passion for music bonds them. Love the inclusion of August's daughter and how that adds to the story.
I loved the slow burn buildup and emotions in this book.

Loved even more after listening

Story:
Wow! Nicky James knows how to take you on an emotional ride. The second story within the Timber Creek Academy is a good example of this. Her ability to tell a story with such amazing detail is phenomenal. The way she describes both of these music lovers allows the reader to really feel their love and obsession. There were times I become frustrated with August, but I think that was meant as Niles has to overcome both his own and August's approach to a relationship. Love the inclusion of August's daughter and how that adds to the story. Lovely story all in all.

Audio:
HOLY COW!! Nick Russo's voice is lovely as is. But love the accent for August and even for Chloe. It brings so much to the story. I think I loved this story even more after listening to it. Nick Russo brings it up another level.

Loved the book and Nick

Wow. Nick did a wonderful job with his narration of Niles and Augustus. He kept me engaged with the story and brought me into the book. Nice job Nick.

I am so happy that Nicky went back to Timber Creek Academy so that Niles could get his HEA.

As we learned in Koa book, Niles is the Music teacher at the academy and a wonderful musician. He loves hard. My heart hurt for him for what he feels is a shortcoming of not having his PHD and the way his family treats him. He doesn’t take it so likely when he learns Augustus will be in his classroom teaching

Augustus is a famous maestro and more. He has lived a life that he has been told not wanted. He has been repressing his feelings for lots of years. He is very critical of music and that sets Niles off.

I will say I feel Constance was a star of the book. She was the one thing in common (although they have a lot more than you think) that bound them together. I adored her.

This is a slow burn, students father, older men finding love.

I highly recommend this book and the first one too

I just wished

Why the heck did Niles stick around the school. I wish there had been something about him deciding to leave because he truly is not properly appreciated by head staff nor do they treat him with the respect he deserves.I know the convenience the position provides but IDK sometimes we just gotta do what we gotta do.

making a child smile, shouldn't feel so accomplished when it happens.

This is just another reason why I do nothing but toss Nicky James books recs to my friend who ask for book recs.
the two men who were unlikely to cross paths end up finding common ground is just chefs kiss. I REALLY wish that one person would listen to the advice of another when it came to teens but it's fine. it all ends up wonderful and great and I'm not crying someone is cutting onions in here.