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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
Thank you to Penguin Random House and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Sammy Espinoza's Last Review to review!
3.5 stars
Sammy has hit her quarter life crisis. She is about to lose her job as a music critic and she just got broken up with in a stint of public humiliation. She decides to move home to Ridley Falls to find her ground again but she also read a rumor that Max Ryan, a former rock star that also happens to be from Ridley Falls, is living in his hometown and working on his first solo album. In an attempt to save her job Sammy decides to try to find Max Ryan in Ridley Falls to convince him to let her review his yet to be released solo album. When her accidental meeting with Max turns into more than she could've ever predicted, her plan is pulled out from under her and her trip home brings her more than she could've imagined.
This book was so much more than I initially thought it would be. It had a great love story but it was also a great story about finding yourself and growing more connected to your friends and family. I love rock star love stories and Max Ryan seriously gave me Daisy Jones & the Six vibes. I also loved the whole "met once at 18 and never saw each other again" addition. I thought that was a very cool touch even though it wasn't super relevant to the story. I thought Max was a 10/10 love interest. I loved seeing Sammy become more connected with her biological and non-biological family throughout the story. I thought Brooks and Willa were so cool and I loved how they brought a little bit of comic relief while still being extremely relevant to Sammy's personal growth. I also thought the ending was very unpredictable which I loved, sometimes it's really nice to just go into a book like this with zero expectations and see where it takes you. I also thought the writing was so much more evolved than I expected it to be. I did think that the last third of the story dragged a bit and the book felt slightly longer than it needed to be, but other than that I thought this was a genuinely enjoyable read that I was pleasantly surprised by.
3.5 stars
Sammy has hit her quarter life crisis. She is about to lose her job as a music critic and she just got broken up with in a stint of public humiliation. She decides to move home to Ridley Falls to find her ground again but she also read a rumor that Max Ryan, a former rock star that also happens to be from Ridley Falls, is living in his hometown and working on his first solo album. In an attempt to save her job Sammy decides to try to find Max Ryan in Ridley Falls to convince him to let her review his yet to be released solo album. When her accidental meeting with Max turns into more than she could've ever predicted, her plan is pulled out from under her and her trip home brings her more than she could've imagined.
This book was so much more than I initially thought it would be. It had a great love story but it was also a great story about finding yourself and growing more connected to your friends and family. I love rock star love stories and Max Ryan seriously gave me Daisy Jones & the Six vibes. I also loved the whole "met once at 18 and never saw each other again" addition. I thought that was a very cool touch even though it wasn't super relevant to the story. I thought Max was a 10/10 love interest. I loved seeing Sammy become more connected with her biological and non-biological family throughout the story. I thought Brooks and Willa were so cool and I loved how they brought a little bit of comic relief while still being extremely relevant to Sammy's personal growth. I also thought the ending was very unpredictable which I loved, sometimes it's really nice to just go into a book like this with zero expectations and see where it takes you. I also thought the writing was so much more evolved than I expected it to be. I did think that the last third of the story dragged a bit and the book felt slightly longer than it needed to be, but other than that I thought this was a genuinely enjoyable read that I was pleasantly surprised by.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
If you're in the mood for something messy with fantastic found family representation, you should definitely read this.
It took me a hot second to get into the plot line but I absolutely loved the last third of this book! I loved Sammy's journey throughout the story and her struggle with balancing her unavailable mother and the family that she never knew.
I fell in love with Sammy and Paloma. I absolutely adored their relationship and loved getting to see them grow and love on each other. Paloma's letter at the end of the story truly broke me.
I will say that the only reason this wasn't a 5, was because of Sammy and Max hiding big secrets from each other. Now, of course when you're essentially strangers to each other, you're not going to immediately spill your deepest and darkest secrets. However, as their relationship progressed, I kept wanting them to speak up!
Sammy and Max tended to come across a little younger at times, but I loved their relationship and their love for music that they shared with one another.
Overall, just a beautifully messy story about finding family and passion in your life. I will definitely be reading Tehlor's work from now on!
Thank you PRH Audio for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
It took me a hot second to get into the plot line but I absolutely loved the last third of this book! I loved Sammy's journey throughout the story and her struggle with balancing her unavailable mother and the family that she never knew.
I fell in love with Sammy and Paloma. I absolutely adored their relationship and loved getting to see them grow and love on each other. Paloma's letter at the end of the story truly broke me.
I will say that the only reason this wasn't a 5, was because of Sammy and Max hiding big secrets from each other. Now, of course when you're essentially strangers to each other, you're not going to immediately spill your deepest and darkest secrets. However, as their relationship progressed, I kept wanting them to speak up!
Sammy and Max tended to come across a little younger at times, but I loved their relationship and their love for music that they shared with one another.
Overall, just a beautifully messy story about finding family and passion in your life. I will definitely be reading Tehlor's work from now on!
Thank you PRH Audio for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Tehlor this was breathtaking. Seriously, friends - this book. I devoured it. Too complex to be called a romedy, but too accessible to be what, women's fiction? This is the type of book I crave ... There's so much heart and friendship and romance and (amazing) bits of spice (the perfect amount, and not a turgid peak to be seen) and family and casual queerness. Put the release date in your planners.
emotional
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was a roller coaster of emotions. It was very up and down and something that’s interesting about a lot of the new books about complex milennials, makes sure to mention that sometimes our parents force us to be their parents and put us in difficult positions where we are fired to grow up quickly. And I like the idea that writers take their traumas and help make an incredible book with beautiful complex characters!! It’s something I love about Contemporary romance
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was fun and sweet.
There were times that I totally agreed with Sammy’s best friend Willow and wanted her to make good decisions. But there were other times that I understood her choices based on her background/family history.
I liked seeing Sammy connect with her grandmother and come to understand more about herself and finally stand up to her mother.
All in all, a good listen.
There were times that I totally agreed with Sammy’s best friend Willow and wanted her to make good decisions. But there were other times that I understood her choices based on her background/family history.
I liked seeing Sammy connect with her grandmother and come to understand more about herself and finally stand up to her mother.
All in all, a good listen.
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I’m such a sucker for a small town romance. Sammy Espinoza has had a rough past and heads back to the closest memory of home, Ridley Falls. With a mission to restore her job and avenge her teenage heart, Sammy is set to overcome more than she originally set out for. I loved the concept of this book. It had romance but it also had a plot of found family and honesty throughout everything. As far as the characters I loved the self reflection and the importance of relationships to keep and to let go. Just a good read to satisfy those seek second chance, small town romance with a strong family support system.