More Than Maybe by Erin Hahn, 336 pages. Wednesday Books, 2020. $18. LGBTQIA
Language: R (149 swears, 83 “f”); Mature Content: PG13, Violence: PG
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Luke is a private person, and he’s gotten used to hiding what makes him happiest: writing music and crushing on Vada from afar. Vada, on the other hand, does not shy away from most things, going after everything herself in order to make her five-year plan work. As high school seniors, Luke and Vada have some important decisions to make, but maybe they don’t have to take care of everything alone.
From the first page, I was hooked; Luke and Vada feel real to me, not like characters Hahn made up. These teenagers are awkward, they overthink and wonder if they’re doing the right things, and I love them for being so relatable and honest. Throughout the story, I got the overall impression that this book is hope; hope that if these two awkward kids can fight for what they want despite everything holding them back from their dreams, then so can I -- even if it takes longer than reading this book for me to accomplish it. The mature content rating is for innuendo, mentions of pornography, and mentions of sex.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

This book isn’t wasn’t for me. I couldn’t get into the writing style. i felt that it was lacking something for me so that i could enjoy it.

This was my first Erin Hahn book, but will not be the last! This was so adorable and just so much fun to read. I immediately fell in love with the characters and loved watching them fall in love!

Thanks NetGalley for the preview!

I really really liked this book! Vada was an interesting character with big dreams. Luke was all swoony when he needed to be and made me fall in love with his sweet demeanor. I have always loved stories with twins and would love to hear more about Cullen and Zack.

I enjoy reading YA novels and found this one to be sweet and refreshing. Loved the theme of music and creativity throughout the story and how each character found this as a way of connecting with others and expressing themselves (in different ways). Overall, a fun, easy read that young adult and older readers will likely both enjoy. Thank you for the opportunity to review this book.

Luke Greenly's dad was in a famous punk rock band, but Luke prefers to stay out of the spotlight. Vada Carsewell is committed to her job at the local bar and music venue, The Loud Lizard. Luke and Vada have never been close, but both have secret crushes on the other from afar.

More Than Maybe is a sweet young adult love story. The characters were well written and felt true to high school. I couldn't put this down as I anxiously wanted to find out if Luke and Vada would end up together.

Thank you Wednesday books for the review copy! This was just beautiful ❤️ Erin's sophomore venture gave me all the feels and I honestly loved it even better than her first book. I highlighted every single song mentioned and I'm definitely going to sit and listen to them all again very soon. This book was such a treat! More, please!

This falls somewhere between a 3.5 and 4 star read for me. I loved all the music references and I enjoyed the perspectives between Vada and Luke. Honestly I just wish it moved a little faster. I felt like the ending was a little rushed since it took so long for both characters to get their acts together. The build up to them realizing their feelings for each other was great and felt realistic but I just went away feeling like there should have been more.

I absolutely loved Hanh's last book so I had super high expectations for this book. Unfortunately it didn't have the same sparkle as her last book and I couldn't get in to it. I found myself setting it down and not picking it back up. I will admit it was probably a reader problem because a lot of the music references were over my heads. I think music lovers would really like this one!

Thought I gave feedback on this earlier, but it appears I did not.

I REALLY enjoyed MORE THAN MAYBE by Erin Hahn! This was my first book by Erin Hahn, and I found it so, so sweet. A touch dramatic, but delightful, too.

WHAT I LIKED

• I loved Luke and Vada, both individually and together! I love that the two of them had huge crushes on each other that they pretended not to have, and they collided based on shared interests.
• The side characters felt full and developed, without taking over the story. I especially loved Phil! Big hugs for Phil.
• The plot was really sweet and not at all what you expect from a contemporary YA, in a good way. Everything made perfect sense in the world that Hahn developed. I was glad that the conflict that drove Vada and Luke apart wasn't the typical "withholding information that leads to drama" plot that many contemporary writers tend to lean on and was instead something very impactful that also was a total accident.

More Than Maybe sings a great love song between two people most passionate for music. A talented music blogger who aspires to be a music journalist meets the son of a famous musician who secretly writes songs for himself but doesn't wish to perform, and what follows is a great mix of romantic angst and the awkwardness that teen crushes bring. With a sweet and simple writing that easily brings across all emotions of sneaking glances, cute smiles, and yearning, this YA contemporary is perfect for those who love a realistic teen romance that makes your heart fill with happiness. In terms of how melodious this book is, there's music on almost every page, whether in the texts the characters exchange or them doing anything that can easily incorporate some tunes, so when this book says it's set around music, it really means it.

A sweet teen meet-cute rom com, centering on the world of music. The characters are charming and well-developed. Highly recommend for readers who love books by Emma Lord, Jenny Han, Katie Cotugno, or Kristina Forest.

Music lovers rejoice! A meet cute story for avid music fans. Vada is a girl with a plan for her future. Luke knows his future passion will disappoint his famous rocker father. When the two of them get together and start talking will it be music to each other's ears, or will a cacophany ensue? Filled with lots of music references that will have you running to YouTube, this romance will sweep you off your feet.

Vada loves all things music and dreams of becoming a music journalist, but first she needs to pad her resume with her blog reviews- and get her deadbeat father to help pay for her dream school. Luke hates the limelight his father tries to force on him, instead loving being overlooked and secretly creating music for himself instead of the world. The one thing Vada and Luke can count on is the Loud Lizard, the music centered bar that helps them be themselves when the outside world is falling down.

Ok, my two favorite things about this book probably are not even the main focus of the book for most people (I mean, this is a romance and strongly features music) but I adored the side relationships the best, two in particular. The friendship between Vada and her best friend was perfect, complete friendship goals in the best of ways. They supported each other and always had each other's backs, I just adored every interaction between them and longed for more on the pages. The second relationship I love was between Vada and her boss/mom's boyfriend Phil. Gawd, he was so perfect for Vada, the father she has always needed, the role model and backbone she didn't know she used, and their obvious love for each other just filled my heart to near bursting. I like the fact that while this was very much a romance, the side characters were well developed and their relationships were just as important.

This is my first book by this author and I really enjoyed the experience. I will for sure check out what else she wants to write. This is the perfect book for anyone who loves all aspects of music, YA contemporary super cute romances and feel good stories about made families.

I really enjoyed this book! The musical elements were so interesting to read about and overall, the story was so well put together.

In More Than Maybe Vada, a dancer and music critic, and Luke, a musician, who creates a vlog with his twin called "The Grass is Greenly," have been crushing on each other from afar. However, they don't get together until his music composition class and her dance class are assigned joint projects. He will create the music for a piece she choreographs and dances. When his twin hears the song Luke wrote for Vada, he plays it on their vlog without Luke's permission. Their dad, a former rock star who wants Luke to pursue a stage career, hears it and ups the pressure for Luke to perform, which he wants no part of. Problems with her alcoholic father also complicate Luke and Vada's relationship. Working together at The Loud Lizard, her mom's boyfriend's club, their flirtation turns into a friendship filled with mutual interests and ultimately love. Their texts and conversations include references to songs whose lyrics reflect their emotions. Reading it a second time, I used the internet to listen to the songs in the texts as they occurred, I loved exploring the music that gives a deeper insight into this slow burning romance.

This is my first read by author Erin Hahn and it didn’t disappoint’ Very thought out and entertaining characters as well as side characters. Smart and fun writing style and it kept a steady pace. All in all, a cute YA read.. I hope to check out her other books too!

Thank you to netgalley, the publisher’s and Erin Hahn for the wonderful opportunity to read and review this novel.

I loved this book! Erin Hahn is so brilliant at creating deep, realistic characters and swoony romance, along with her uncanny ability to incorporate music into her books in a beautiful way. I can't wait to listen to the audio after it finally publishes (updated to add: listened and loved!).
✨
My teenage self can really relate to her characters’ processing their futures, and all the props for the modern twist on sharing music (I was a major mixed tape/CD mix fiend in my day!) and how that can feed a friendship/romance. This is such a sweet example of a slow-burn mutual-pining romance, but there’s also a lot of depth in the family relationships here. I loved how Vada processed where she was in her own faith, and finally, I definitely loved the nods to Empire Record and My Girl 2— two absolute mainstays in my own adolescence.

so this was absolutely the boost of serotonin i needed in my life!!!! Luke and Vada were both such dynamic characters and the way they secretly crushed on each stole my heart.
Also, Luke's brother Cullen and his boyfriend, also the BEST. I love how their relationship was so rich and just stole my heart. Ahhhhh, I'm a sucker for siblings and friendships.


Some content warnings - there is quite a bit of alcohol on page. The teenagers don't drink but they do work in a bar and mix drinks while adults

I honestly loved this book!

The story follows Luke and Vada, two teens in Michigan whose lives revolve around music. Raised by a former rockstar, Luke grew up surrounded by music. But to Luke, the whole fame thing is a huge turn-off. He's overwhelmed by the attention and so he's happy to keep his music to himself, much to his father's dismay. Vada, on the other hand, has her sights set on big dreams. She plans to attend a prestigious music journalism program and fulfil her dreams - as long as she can find a way to get her dead-beat dad to help pay her tuition.

Erin Hahn immediately roped me into this one with her magical writing, creating a beautiful introduction to romance and music. From the get-go, readers know what to expect from this story - a traditional romance where a guy tries to win over a girl with music. This rock'n'roll 2020 YA had all the vibes of a 2000s rom-com and I fell in love.

The characters in the book deal with some really hard-hitting problems, which I think added a level of realism to the story. It's an honest portrayal of teens, who are far more mature than society gives them credit for.

Of course, the romance itself was adorable and fun. I loved how music was used to tie together all the characters; it was a really interesting way to unite them while also maintaining a sense of individualism.

All in all, I think this was an absolutely adorable romance with fun musical elements and heart-wrenching family drama to boot. I loved it and consider it to be one of my new favourite YA books. It receives two major thumbs up from me!

I received this ARC for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.