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knunderb's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
A beautiful, funny, lovely book. I truly enjoyed how the love story unfolded and how the characters grew over the novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Death of parent
Moderate: Homophobia, Vomit, Drug use, and Alcohol
pawtory's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I thought this was a really solid romance and one of the best audiobooks I've heard, loved the incorporation of actual music. I do hope it gets a stage musical version some day. Appreciated the diversity - AAPI & neurodivergent MCs, Black trans best friend. It was written to be a romcom tho (according to author coda) and I didn't really find myself laughing much. Also the MC could be randomly critical of (unimportant) things that made me dislike him a bit. He was flawed but not really given much character growth for addressing the flaws? And there was enough sad stuff in it (mind the triggers) that it really didn't feel like a romcom. Overall well written and I think more people should check it out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content, Vomit, Alcohol, and Sexual assault
Minor: Infidelity
kshertz's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
It was cute! I don’t know if movie star falling in love with a regular guy is a trope that’s hard for me, even though they are childhood friends but it was! But otherwise, this is an adorable book about falling in love and what it means. They grow up together and navigate together. It’s sweet and a must for musical fans
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Bullying, Death of parent, Homophobia, Infidelity, Alcohol, and Outing
dogoodwithbooks's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I would like to thank NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for providing me with a free e-ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Dominic Lim’s debut novel, All the Right Notes, heart-warming novel featuring a romance decades in the making and a powerful relationship between father and son.
When Quito Cruz gets an unexpected request from his dad to help in leading his retirement concert but also get Hollywood superstar Emmett Aoki to perform in the concert, he doesn’t know what to think. After not speaking in over two decades, Quito is surprised that Emmett happily agrees and later comes to find that their connection becomes more intense than it ever has before.
Adopting a then/now alternate POV, Lim really gets at the heart of telling the timeline between Quito’s and Emmett’s relationship from their first choir rehearsal together during high school to college to finally the present day with organizing the concert. I think this adds a really interesting dynamic to the plot and it helps with understanding the nature of their relationship between the present-day narrative. Though, near the end of the “then” chapters, I don't really know what to feel about that plot twist.
Likewise, there’s some solid character development in All the Right Notes. Alongside Quito and Emmett defining their relationship as well as growing within their perspective fields, you also get some insight on how some of the side characters develop in the book. From Ujima’s positive portrayal of discovering the right gender expression to Mr. Cruz’s dedication for wanting the best for Quito, you really get some well-thought out characters that you’ll enjoy reading about.
Overall, All the Right Notes is definitely a novel to check out this summer for a heart-warming read of music, family, and finding love.
Dominic Lim’s debut novel, All the Right Notes, heart-warming novel featuring a romance decades in the making and a powerful relationship between father and son.
When Quito Cruz gets an unexpected request from his dad to help in leading his retirement concert but also get Hollywood superstar Emmett Aoki to perform in the concert, he doesn’t know what to think. After not speaking in over two decades, Quito is surprised that Emmett happily agrees and later comes to find that their connection becomes more intense than it ever has before.
Adopting a then/now alternate POV, Lim really gets at the heart of telling the timeline between Quito’s and Emmett’s relationship from their first choir rehearsal together during high school to college to finally the present day with organizing the concert. I think this adds a really interesting dynamic to the plot and it helps with understanding the nature of their relationship between the present-day narrative. Though, near the end of the “then” chapters, I don't really know what to feel about that plot twist.
Likewise, there’s some solid character development in All the Right Notes. Alongside Quito and Emmett defining their relationship as well as growing within their perspective fields, you also get some insight on how some of the side characters develop in the book. From Ujima’s positive portrayal of discovering the right gender expression to Mr. Cruz’s dedication for wanting the best for Quito, you really get some well-thought out characters that you’ll enjoy reading about.
Overall, All the Right Notes is definitely a novel to check out this summer for a heart-warming read of music, family, and finding love.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Outing, and Homophobia
Moderate: Drug use, Alcohol, Blood, and Car accident
imstephtacular's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Homophobia, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Cursing
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Bullying, Rape, Alcohol, Sexual assault, Drug use, Blood, Medical content, Body shaming, Racism, Outing, Car accident, Vomit, Sexual content, Infidelity, and Death
louisekf's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Outing
Minor: Alcohol, Drug use, Grief, and Sexual content
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