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transportedlfl 's review for:
Sammy Espinoza's Last Review
by Tehlor Kay Mejia
emotional
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:
Yes
Thank you to Random House Ballantine and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy and to PRH Audio for the complimentary audiobook. These opinions are my own.
This one is for all the music lovers. Sammy's life starts as a bit of a wreck with her losing her romance and then her career all at once. She has one last chance to save her career writing reviews of musicians: return to Ridley Falls, Washington and preview Max Ryan's rumored new album. The former rock star has been reclusive for years, but he is supposedly working on a comeback solo album.
Strangely, I loved this book despite not especially loving the main characters. Sammy brought most of her problems on herself and keeps digging the hole deeper. And, in part because we only see him through her perspective, Max comes off as rather obnoxious and self-centered.
But there's so much about how they come together and learn to trust and love that is simply gorgeous. And I also really enjoyed the queer representation and the hint of magic in the form of Maeve's tarot readings for Sammy. This book really shows a love of music that even imbues the metaphors and prose. And the themes around found family and how we come to understand love and trust are so powerful.
Victoria Villarreal narrated beautifully. I especially appreciated an audio format for this book.
This one is for all the music lovers. Sammy's life starts as a bit of a wreck with her losing her romance and then her career all at once. She has one last chance to save her career writing reviews of musicians: return to Ridley Falls, Washington and preview Max Ryan's rumored new album. The former rock star has been reclusive for years, but he is supposedly working on a comeback solo album.
Strangely, I loved this book despite not especially loving the main characters. Sammy brought most of her problems on herself and keeps digging the hole deeper. And, in part because we only see him through her perspective, Max comes off as rather obnoxious and self-centered.
But there's so much about how they come together and learn to trust and love that is simply gorgeous. And I also really enjoyed the queer representation and the hint of magic in the form of Maeve's tarot readings for Sammy. This book really shows a love of music that even imbues the metaphors and prose. And the themes around found family and how we come to understand love and trust are so powerful.
Victoria Villarreal narrated beautifully. I especially appreciated an audio format for this book.