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medium-paced
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It took me an age to get into it, but in the end, I liked this coming of age story. I seem to like my main characters messy, and Al is as messy as anyone young and starting out is.
“Sweetbitter” vibes, but with an aspiring songwriter and a fictional Nashville music spot blandly called “The Venue.” Many real places appear, though, so fun nostalgic elements. Lots of great music referenced, too. A decent read by a local Nashville author. And look, I love Yeungling, but it’s mentioned so many times, it feels like product placement.
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I've only been to Nashville once, but after reading this terrific novel, I feel like I've been there again. Set in a sweaty hipster music club called The Venue and told from the point of view of a mid-20s woman named Alison who is trying to find her place in this scene, this novel really makes the Nashville of the early 2010s -- right before it's exploded into what it is now -- seem like paradise.
It's definitely a sex, drug, and rock'n'roll novel -- but with a sweetness and coming-of-ageness that makes it really endearing. If you loved books like Jessica Anya Blau's Mary Jane or Matthew Norman's Charm City Rocks or Taylor Jenkins Reid's Daisy Jones and the Six or Allison Larkin's The People We Keep -- all novels about music and striving -- you'll love this too.
It's definitely a sex, drug, and rock'n'roll novel -- but with a sweetness and coming-of-ageness that makes it really endearing. If you loved books like Jessica Anya Blau's Mary Jane or Matthew Norman's Charm City Rocks or Taylor Jenkins Reid's Daisy Jones and the Six or Allison Larkin's The People We Keep -- all novels about music and striving -- you'll love this too.
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Things I’m obsessed with about this book:
- chaotic good, 20-something year old main character who is as stuck at the restaurant as i
- her co-worker/slow burn love interest whom i developed a crush on after the first encounter
- absolutely addicting writing style
- numerous lists of songs to listen to when [insert scenario here], which i compiled into a massive Spotify playlist to listen to as a read (what an electric experience)
- everything else in between
Seconding the review about awaiting the Hulu adaptation of this (it’s basically my new Normal People). I wish i could read this again for the first time.
- chaotic good, 20-something year old main character who is as stuck at the restaurant as i
- her co-worker/slow burn love interest whom i developed a crush on after the first encounter
- absolutely addicting writing style
- numerous lists of songs to listen to when [insert scenario here], which i compiled into a massive Spotify playlist to listen to as a read (what an electric experience)
- everything else in between
Seconding the review about awaiting the Hulu adaptation of this (it’s basically my new Normal People). I wish i could read this again for the first time.
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes