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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
Just might be the best second chances romance I've read this year, which is a tall order. I'm a sucker for found family narratives and narratives about playing/appreciating music, so this was an obvious pick for me.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I’m feeling pressure to review a book about a reviewer! The good news, however, is that I only have positive feedback for Sammy Espinoza’s Last Review. When this book opens, Sammy is in rough shape- her girlfriend dumped her, her mom has essentially abandoned her, and the only way she can keep her job is by following through with a last-ditch efort to review an album that she’s not sure exists. ese misfortunes mean she ends up in her “hometown”, where she has a “meet cute” with the rock star she’s trying to interview that isn’t really a first meeting at all.
Sammy is a delight to spend time with, made even more so by the community that forms around her. ough at times she leans too much into the selfish narrator, I found her mostly balanced, and her personality and behaviors were explained and earned. ough this is a romance with the attendant, expected plot arc, the conlict and resolution were believable, and the extras about Sammy finding her family were rich and rewarding. Plus, the character chemistry was sexy and fresh throughout. is book explores how we care for one another and allow ourselves to be cared for, and I wanted to spend more time in its world.
I’m feeling pressure to review a book about a reviewer! The good news, however, is that I only have positive feedback for Sammy Espinoza’s Last Review. When this book opens, Sammy is in rough shape- her girlfriend dumped her, her mom has essentially abandoned her, and the only way she can keep her job is by following through with a last-ditch efort to review an album that she’s not sure exists. ese misfortunes mean she ends up in her “hometown”, where she has a “meet cute” with the rock star she’s trying to interview that isn’t really a first meeting at all.
Sammy is a delight to spend time with, made even more so by the community that forms around her. ough at times she leans too much into the selfish narrator, I found her mostly balanced, and her personality and behaviors were explained and earned. ough this is a romance with the attendant, expected plot arc, the conlict and resolution were believable, and the extras about Sammy finding her family were rich and rewarding. Plus, the character chemistry was sexy and fresh throughout. is book explores how we care for one another and allow ourselves to be cared for, and I wanted to spend more time in its world.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-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
First thank you so much Penguin Random House for sending me an ARC of Tehlor Kay Mejia's newest release.
In this book Sammy Espinoza has ten days to save her music journalism job, and make the life she always wanted for herself. Stuck in a spiral of epic proportions, Sammy targets her teenage crush aka former rock god Max Ryan to make her career comeback. She goes back to her home town where she has to confront the ghost of her past and deal with her aloof mother.
This is Mejia's debut in adult romance and I think they did a great job. Sammy is a relatable character and we see her tackling a lot of family trauma.
The writing for me read a bit younger, and for the characters all being in their late 20s early 30s they were a bit immature. The storyline follows a fairly formulaic routine, some parts dragged and I think more development could've been had by the main characters as well as the side characters. Many problems were dragged for far to long and the miscommunication trope is a heavy aspect of this book which isn't a favorite of mine.
The premise was promising and I think I would recommend this to people transitioning from YA romances to adult as the writing isn't difficult and the characters feel younger. This book does contain some sexual content and includes topics of death of family members and abonnement issues. This to me leaned heavily on the adult slice of life moments over the romance aspects.
Thank you so much Penguin Random House.
In this book Sammy Espinoza has ten days to save her music journalism job, and make the life she always wanted for herself. Stuck in a spiral of epic proportions, Sammy targets her teenage crush aka former rock god Max Ryan to make her career comeback. She goes back to her home town where she has to confront the ghost of her past and deal with her aloof mother.
This is Mejia's debut in adult romance and I think they did a great job. Sammy is a relatable character and we see her tackling a lot of family trauma.
The writing for me read a bit younger, and for the characters all being in their late 20s early 30s they were a bit immature. The storyline follows a fairly formulaic routine, some parts dragged and I think more development could've been had by the main characters as well as the side characters. Many problems were dragged for far to long and the miscommunication trope is a heavy aspect of this book which isn't a favorite of mine.
The premise was promising and I think I would recommend this to people transitioning from YA romances to adult as the writing isn't difficult and the characters feel younger. This book does contain some sexual content and includes topics of death of family members and abonnement issues. This to me leaned heavily on the adult slice of life moments over the romance aspects.
Thank you so much Penguin Random House.
What makes a family? What doesn't? How do you find them (again)? These questions are at the core of Sammy Espinoza's Last Review and Mejia has knocked the answering out of the park. I have been a fan of theirs since the WSTDOF days, but this may be my favorite yet. As a musician myself, it was so centering to read the way Sammy/Mejia thinks about that art form and the community around it. Sammy is such a deeply relatable character, her own struggles winding a knot round your finger and pulling on your heartstrings. Mejia had no intention of pulling punches - the way this book grapples with grief, especially the far-off kind of strangers who should've been more, is a special thing. The relationship that blossoms between Sammy and Max is such a gentle and vulnerable thing too, each choosing to learn and grow over time. I laughed my ass off, cried so hard I couldn't see through my tears - a must-read.
emotional
lighthearted
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
This was enjoyable and more of what I wanted compared to "The Happily Ever After Playlist" but I can't say anything really made this book stand out from other romances. The plot and ending were pretty predictable, and the romance wasn't very strong, but I still had fun reading. It did have some nice queer rep as well (pan main character, married lesbian side characters).
This is my second romance from this author and I enjoyed it as much as the first. This did start to drag a bit in the middle, but just as I was about to DNF, twists and turns started happening that kept me around. I usually hate romances that occur over a week or two, but honestly, Sammy and Max’s relationship really did feel deep, connected, and real - so bravo to the author. Sammy’s relationship development with her grandmother was also really well done and I think a rare example of a subplot that truly adds to a romance and is done well. Overall, I hope this author writes more romance! I’d love to read it.