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irwine's review against another edition
2.0
Giving 2 stars because part 1 was kinda interesting but it fell so flat. Felt zero connection to any characters. The plot was so bland.
sp3cia1j's review against another edition
3.0
I received a copy of this in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley.
I’m having a hard time describing Perfect Tunes. From the publisher’s description, you’d think it was a little more eventful. It’s definitely character driven and because the main character, Laura, is not a very dramatic person, even the action seems a little subdued. Because of this, it can be easy for the book to seek a little boring or unfinished. It seems like some of the characters could have been fleshed out more.
That being said, I really enjoyed reading this. It was quick and easy and it held my attention. I also DNFed three books directly before it, so it definitely wins points for holding my attention.
I’m having a hard time describing Perfect Tunes. From the publisher’s description, you’d think it was a little more eventful. It’s definitely character driven and because the main character, Laura, is not a very dramatic person, even the action seems a little subdued. Because of this, it can be easy for the book to seek a little boring or unfinished. It seems like some of the characters could have been fleshed out more.
That being said, I really enjoyed reading this. It was quick and easy and it held my attention. I also DNFed three books directly before it, so it definitely wins points for holding my attention.
tms792's review against another edition
3.0
Thought the pacing of character development was interesting, but ultimately felt incomplete. Liked that the ending was a bit messy, but did feel that it was quite rushed. Kind of a "oh wow this is over now" feeling.
charadelle's review
2.0
The synopsis of the book misled me. After being very intrigued I found the book hard to follow and rushed towards the end. There were so many time jumps to keep up with what was happening. Then after a few time jumps the POV begins jumping around too. There weret barely enough interesting events to keep me curiousabouto what would happen next. About 80% into the book the chapters start getting shorter and shorter and make it feel like the ending was rushed. However, most of the plot from the given summary doesn't happen until these chapters either. I appreciate the immense amount of character-building this book offers. All in all, this book was not good enough to have me remembering much of the plot, but just OK enough to fill the silence while cleaning my apartment.
fbroom's review against another edition
4.0
I like Emily Gould and I enjoy what she writes (Sometimes I think I prefer her non-fiction more in general). I wasn't drawn to it in the beginning but it quickly grew on me and I couldn't leave it and had to finish it all in a day. I really liked it but I also wanted more? I felt like there could've been more. For example her relationship with Matt? and also her relationship with Kayla? These all felt superficial to me.
novelvisits's review against another edition
3.0
Note: I received a copy of this book from Avid Reader Press (via NetGalley) in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Perfect Tunes was one of the books I was most looking forward to from my Spring Preview 2020. The story of a young woman who came to NYC with dreams of making it as a musician sounded ideal for me. I also was intrigued by the idea of her life fifteen years later with a daughter asking questions about who her father is. I expected a lot, but sadly for me Perfect Tunes just didn’t deliver quite what I’d hoped. What bothered me most was the main character, Laura. She hit difficulty early on that derailed her career, and that felt real and right. The part that didn’t feel real was Laura turning down opportunity after opportunity to get back into the music scene. She always had reasons for not doings so, but I never felt like she truly looked for solutions, ways around the obstacles. As women, we all have to do that, and I didn’t like that for so long Laura couldn’t fight for herself. Perfect Tunes was an easy book to read. It held my interest, that is when I didn’t feel like throwing it across the room!
Original Source: https://novelvisits.com/april-mini-reviews-a-half-dozen/
Perfect Tunes was one of the books I was most looking forward to from my Spring Preview 2020. The story of a young woman who came to NYC with dreams of making it as a musician sounded ideal for me. I also was intrigued by the idea of her life fifteen years later with a daughter asking questions about who her father is. I expected a lot, but sadly for me Perfect Tunes just didn’t deliver quite what I’d hoped. What bothered me most was the main character, Laura. She hit difficulty early on that derailed her career, and that felt real and right. The part that didn’t feel real was Laura turning down opportunity after opportunity to get back into the music scene. She always had reasons for not doings so, but I never felt like she truly looked for solutions, ways around the obstacles. As women, we all have to do that, and I didn’t like that for so long Laura couldn’t fight for herself. Perfect Tunes was an easy book to read. It held my interest, that is when I didn’t feel like throwing it across the room!
Original Source: https://novelvisits.com/april-mini-reviews-a-half-dozen/
bookrantreviews's review against another edition
3.0
“Perfect Notes” by Emily Gould is an astute as it is poignant. Through Laura and Marie, she perfectly captures the desire we all have for fulfillment and understanding in our lives. She doesn’t skimp on the euphoric, heady feelings that accompany youthful passion and love. Nor does she gloss over the the deep, all-encompassing love that comes with parenthood.
“Perfect Tunes” depicts the mother-child bond with emotion and accuracy. Laura sets aside her own dreams of becoming a singer-songwriter to make Marie her priority. She teaches music to children to pay the rent. She gives up a chance to tour with Callie for her daughter’s security and stability. Even her marriage to single dad Matt feels more like an attempt to give Marie a two-parent home than love. The affection between Matt and Marie is obvious, but romance between Laura and Matt never occurs.
By the time a fourteen year old Marie takes over the story, it’s clear that “Perfect Tunes” has less to do with music and more about life’s ability to take us full circle. Marie’s more like her father than ever imagined. Her dark moods and rebellion take Laura back to the past — and to finding empathy and common ground with someone she once despised. At the same time, Laura finds herself attracted to yet another up-and-coming musician, as well as the possibility of a second chance at her own music career.
There are some books that you read for the story. You meet the characters and keep turning the pages to learn what happens to them. When it’s over, you move on. However, there are some books you read that take you deeper. There’s meaning behind the story, and it stays with you long after you finish. “Perfect Tunes” by Emily Gould is the latter.
“Perfect Tunes” depicts the mother-child bond with emotion and accuracy. Laura sets aside her own dreams of becoming a singer-songwriter to make Marie her priority. She teaches music to children to pay the rent. She gives up a chance to tour with Callie for her daughter’s security and stability. Even her marriage to single dad Matt feels more like an attempt to give Marie a two-parent home than love. The affection between Matt and Marie is obvious, but romance between Laura and Matt never occurs.
By the time a fourteen year old Marie takes over the story, it’s clear that “Perfect Tunes” has less to do with music and more about life’s ability to take us full circle. Marie’s more like her father than ever imagined. Her dark moods and rebellion take Laura back to the past — and to finding empathy and common ground with someone she once despised. At the same time, Laura finds herself attracted to yet another up-and-coming musician, as well as the possibility of a second chance at her own music career.
There are some books that you read for the story. You meet the characters and keep turning the pages to learn what happens to them. When it’s over, you move on. However, there are some books you read that take you deeper. There’s meaning behind the story, and it stays with you long after you finish. “Perfect Tunes” by Emily Gould is the latter.
essjay1's review against another edition
2.0
A good storyline, ideal holiday read. Reminded me of a twenty something Liane Moriarty or Maggie Alderson.