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A review by caseytogo
The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes by Xio Axelrod
4.0
A slow-burn read told from two perspectives, readers are given narrations of the lives of musician Toni Bennet and band manager Seb Quick. Seb also happened to be Toni's teenaged crush back in the small town in which they'd been raised, until he ran away, leaving her behind.
Now, years later, Toni & Seb find themselves reunited in Philadelphia, first with a chance encounter at a recording studio and again when she's auditioned for a band, the band Seb happens to be working with not realizing she'd been called to try out until she's already impressed the rest of the group.
After losing the historic musical fiction show Vinyl on HBO to cancellation years ago, I was excited to read a rock story with a similar feel. It just felt a little like work getting through it. Much of the story felt like it could have been edited down, and it was hard to connect with some of the characters, whose instances, feelings and dialogue were always covered in great, great detail.
I ended up swapping reading the ebook for listening to the ebook on walks, just to get through it in a timely fashion; although the male voice chosen for the Seb chapters is far too Hollywood / cinema listings hotline for my liking, but the voice for Toni's chapters was perfect.
I almost wish Toni's story had been one book, and Seb's story had been a 2nd perspective release. I adored Toni most and just wanted to hear more of her experience when getting through the Seb moments.
It definitely gets better overall after the halfway mark though, so keep at it. A good book, and I'll certainly keep an eye out for future releases by Xio Axelrod, especially follow-ups about the Lillies.
Thank you Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for the advance reading copy.
Now, years later, Toni & Seb find themselves reunited in Philadelphia, first with a chance encounter at a recording studio and again when she's auditioned for a band, the band Seb happens to be working with not realizing she'd been called to try out until she's already impressed the rest of the group.
After losing the historic musical fiction show Vinyl on HBO to cancellation years ago, I was excited to read a rock story with a similar feel. It just felt a little like work getting through it. Much of the story felt like it could have been edited down, and it was hard to connect with some of the characters, whose instances, feelings and dialogue were always covered in great, great detail.
I ended up swapping reading the ebook for listening to the ebook on walks, just to get through it in a timely fashion; although the male voice chosen for the Seb chapters is far too Hollywood / cinema listings hotline for my liking, but the voice for Toni's chapters was perfect.
I almost wish Toni's story had been one book, and Seb's story had been a 2nd perspective release. I adored Toni most and just wanted to hear more of her experience when getting through the Seb moments.
It definitely gets better overall after the halfway mark though, so keep at it. A good book, and I'll certainly keep an eye out for future releases by Xio Axelrod, especially follow-ups about the Lillies.
Thank you Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for the advance reading copy.