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A review by bookrantreviews
Perfect Tunes by Emily Gould
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.