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emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia, Car accident, Death of parent
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Alcoholism
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia
Moderate: Death of parent
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This story was good but it was also slightly corny. Definitely had strong hallmark vibes lol.
I always appreciate a story centered around music and this had a lot of that. The feeling of needing to get your creativity out is relatable and I think those were the strongest parts of the story for me.
I found the fmc Joni to be a little whiny and that persisted for the entire story. She had warranted emotional events happening like her mom with dementia, and that's totally valid, but a lot of her narrative centered around being regretful and wanting people to pause their lives as she moved away and it's like...okay girl can you be happy about anything? I can understand looking back and feeling negative about your choices but ruminating doesn't change anything. She also actively was never trying to change anything either so that leaves me as the reader hanging. I was sort of over her.
Sebastian was fine as a character. I wish we got more insight into his life because having things split between him and Joni would've made the emotional aspects of the story flow better for me personally. Like he felt like a background character that was only meant to have her realize her own potential which ....is fine but ultimately boring for me personally. I thought his story was much more compelling and we're told a lot about his talents but we never actually see them the way we see Joni's.
The romance was also fine. I was able to figure out immediately what was going on with every ~twist so they fell flat for me. Not to say they were bad, but I felt like between the romance and the "mom is sick" storyline, this book was trying to emotionally manipulate me lmfao. I know that it wanted me to feel all these deep emotions and love connection but I wasn't really buying into it. I can see why they fell in love but I wasn't personally deeply connected.
Overall I wanted this story to have more character background as that would've helped me feel like I understood their feelings and history more. You're sort of dropped in and most of this story is watching Joni figure out how to become herself again but it was at the expense of showing me the processes. Things just happened very easily for her outside of the mom storyline.
I'm sure people will love this and it's definitely a case of me and not the book. Totally not bad, just overall fine. I'll probably read her other books so a win is a win.
I always appreciate a story centered around music and this had a lot of that. The feeling of needing to get your creativity out is relatable and I think those were the strongest parts of the story for me.
I found the fmc Joni to be a little whiny and that persisted for the entire story. She had warranted emotional events happening like her mom with dementia, and that's totally valid, but a lot of her narrative centered around being regretful and wanting people to pause their lives as she moved away and it's like...okay girl can you be happy about anything? I can understand looking back and feeling negative about your choices but ruminating doesn't change anything. She also actively was never trying to change anything either so that leaves me as the reader hanging. I was sort of over her.
Sebastian was fine as a character. I wish we got more insight into his life because having things split between him and Joni would've made the emotional aspects of the story flow better for me personally. Like he felt like a background character that was only meant to have her realize her own potential which ....is fine but ultimately boring for me personally. I thought his story was much more compelling and we're told a lot about his talents but we never actually see them the way we see Joni's.
The romance was also fine. I was able to figure out immediately what was going on with every ~twist so they fell flat for me. Not to say they were bad, but I felt like between the romance and the "mom is sick" storyline, this book was trying to emotionally manipulate me lmfao. I know that it wanted me to feel all these deep emotions and love connection but I wasn't really buying into it. I can see why they fell in love but I wasn't personally deeply connected.
Overall I wanted this story to have more character background as that would've helped me feel like I understood their feelings and history more. You're sort of dropped in and most of this story is watching Joni figure out how to become herself again but it was at the expense of showing me the processes. Things just happened very easily for her outside of the mom storyline.
I'm sure people will love this and it's definitely a case of me and not the book. Totally not bad, just overall fine. I'll probably read her other books so a win is a win.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia, Death of parent
emotional
funny
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
I always love when a romance novel is more than just romantic love. This book was about finding your passion, friendship, and familia love.
Joni Lark may have a one in a million kind of job but her struggles are the same. She is trying to find her spark again and dealing with her mom's failing health.
Then there is Sebastian Fell. He is trying to find his place. He is in his father's shadow and also a celebrity from a band he was a part of during his teens. He wants to do something but he doesn't want to do it on the coattails of his father's fame.
I enjoyed the magical realism of this book with telepathy. It was a great way to see the thoughts of the characters without having multiple POVs in this book. The writing in this book was amazing. I was able to feel the characters and see what the characters saw. This book brings so much emotion to the story and it is easy to get lost in this book.
This is my first Ashley Poston book but I look forward to reading her back list.
Joni Lark may have a one in a million kind of job but her struggles are the same. She is trying to find her spark again and dealing with her mom's failing health.
Then there is Sebastian Fell. He is trying to find his place. He is in his father's shadow and also a celebrity from a band he was a part of during his teens. He wants to do something but he doesn't want to do it on the coattails of his father's fame.
I enjoyed the magical realism of this book with telepathy. It was a great way to see the thoughts of the characters without having multiple POVs in this book. The writing in this book was amazing. I was able to feel the characters and see what the characters saw. This book brings so much emotion to the story and it is easy to get lost in this book.
This is my first Ashley Poston book but I look forward to reading her back list.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia, Car accident, Death of parent
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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:
N/A
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia
Minor: Death of parent
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia, Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Car accident
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
Was this my favourite of Ashley Poston's novels? No. Was it predictable and corny? Certainly. But it had me up until 3am so I could get to the end.
It had me smiling and sobbing in turn, I felt so much with this one. It's an easy read, you know where its heading, but I highlighted the crap out of this one (kindle edition). There were so many poignant and heartfelt family moments in this.
Whilst I did feel it needed a trigger warning for dementia going into it, this was still a super cute read.
It had me smiling and sobbing in turn, I felt so much with this one. It's an easy read, you know where its heading, but I highlighted the crap out of this one (kindle edition). There were so many poignant and heartfelt family moments in this.
Whilst I did feel it needed a trigger warning for dementia going into it, this was still a super cute read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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 book gave me a few good cries reading it. Very cute. Probably my favorite Ashley Poston.
Content Warnings
Minor: Dementia, Death of parent
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Sometimes Ashley Poston can be so hit or miss for me but this was a definite hit. So sweet and full of so much love. Get your tissues ready!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent