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A review by lololovesthings
Sammy Espinoza's Last Review by Tehlor Kay Mejia
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.25
4 stars!
I thoroughly enjoyed the queer, second-chance romance with a hefty dose of family drama that is "Sammy Espinoza's Last Review" by Tehlor Kay Mejia (in her adult romance debut). I found this book to be unputdownable. Stories about music are right up my alley, and this one did not disappoint. This book is refreshing, engaging, compelling, and at times, heartbreaking. Mejia takes quality time building up here characters and the relationships between them so they feel realistic and natural. I loved the chemistry between main characters Sammy and former rock star Max Ryan, who spent one fleeting evening together when she was 18. What started out as a night full of truthtelling, intense connection, and massive promises quickly turned into shattered dreams and resentment for Sammy, and she has been bitter about it and flailing in life ever since. When she returns to his (and her parents') small hometown of Ridley Falls, Washington, she may get the opportunity to confront Max Ryan about their one night together 'lo those many years ago. Sammy falls back into old habits when she finds that it is easier to reestablish her and Max's bond because their fierce connection is still there. I felt so deeply for both Sammy AND Max while I was reading this book. They have both known trauma in their lives, which has shaped who they have become as adults. Sammy's mother is a total flake who only cares about herself, and Sammy's father died before she was born. She has serious abandonment issues, which were not helped by the fact that Max, well, abandoned her when they were younger. Still, they have found their way back to each other, but what will become of their reunion? There is also a found family aspect to Sammy's story that I loved. Her best friend Willa and her wife Brooke are Sammy's chosen family since she doesn't have/hasn't had anybody solid to rely on in her life. All that may change when she meets her grandmother Paloma, who up until this point has wanted nothing to do with her. This book is bursting at the seams with emotions, and I loved every minute of it. It is touching, it will make you think and feel and want and love and appreciate music and unabashed queer joy and life and connection. Please take a chance on "Sammy Espinoza's Last Review." I promise you won't be disappointed.
Thank you to NetGalley, Tehlor Kay Mejia, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and Dell for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
I thoroughly enjoyed the queer, second-chance romance with a hefty dose of family drama that is "Sammy Espinoza's Last Review" by Tehlor Kay Mejia (in her adult romance debut). I found this book to be unputdownable. Stories about music are right up my alley, and this one did not disappoint. This book is refreshing, engaging, compelling, and at times, heartbreaking. Mejia takes quality time building up here characters and the relationships between them so they feel realistic and natural. I loved the chemistry between main characters Sammy and former rock star Max Ryan, who spent one fleeting evening together when she was 18. What started out as a night full of truthtelling, intense connection, and massive promises quickly turned into shattered dreams and resentment for Sammy, and she has been bitter about it and flailing in life ever since. When she returns to his (and her parents') small hometown of Ridley Falls, Washington, she may get the opportunity to confront Max Ryan about their one night together 'lo those many years ago. Sammy falls back into old habits when she finds that it is easier to reestablish her and Max's bond because their fierce connection is still there. I felt so deeply for both Sammy AND Max while I was reading this book. They have both known trauma in their lives, which has shaped who they have become as adults. Sammy's mother is a total flake who only cares about herself, and Sammy's father died before she was born. She has serious abandonment issues, which were not helped by the fact that Max, well, abandoned her when they were younger. Still, they have found their way back to each other, but what will become of their reunion? There is also a found family aspect to Sammy's story that I loved. Her best friend Willa and her wife Brooke are Sammy's chosen family since she doesn't have/hasn't had anybody solid to rely on in her life. All that may change when she meets her grandmother Paloma, who up until this point has wanted nothing to do with her. This book is bursting at the seams with emotions, and I loved every minute of it. It is touching, it will make you think and feel and want and love and appreciate music and unabashed queer joy and life and connection. Please take a chance on "Sammy Espinoza's Last Review." I promise you won't be disappointed.
Thank you to NetGalley, Tehlor Kay Mejia, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and Dell for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Abandonment