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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.
abbywdan's review against another edition
4.0
I love a good progression from Yes We Were Desperate and Gross 20somethings to Late 30s Mom Life, and THIS IS THAT. Also yikes, when our kids are teens we are all so effed. Anyway. I’m not really ready, in life, for the transition explored here from small children who need you to small almost-adults who need you but think they do not. Whose actions and motivations are not only inscrutable but possibly forever unknown. And they have so much AGENCY. Ugh, no thank you. Anyway, this was fab. A great audiobook reader, to boot.
colorfulleo92's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars. It sounded like the perfect book for me at the moment. A little music artist mixed with a lot of mother daughter relationship drama. But unfortunately it didn't quite hit as well as I hoped. It didn't feelt quite done, like it needed more work to it for it to be perfect but I can see potential in it so I might read something else by Emily Gould, old or newer.
brennadonahue's review against another edition
3.0
This was the summer of chick lit for me - and this didn't disappoint, though it wasn't quite as exciting as the summary had me hoping. It was a bit predictable, but still a fun and quick read.
megancrusante's review against another edition
3.0
3.5- I was loving this but the ending was not satisfying for me.
aubsbooks's review against another edition
1.0
If the book I read was actually like the description I read, I probably would have enjoyed it.