Cover Image: More Than Maybe

More Than Maybe

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

More Than Maybe was young adult novel about love, family issues, finding yourself, and coming together. This cleverly written, music loving book was a quick read because once you are in it, you won't want to put it down. The teenage characters referenced songs to express their thoughts and feelings toward each other throughout the story. Of course, I had to look each one up because I didn't want to loss anything out of the moment, even if it was in the middle of the night. The relatable characters showed that true friends and family can help you overcome anything.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read the book for an honest review. I LOVED the book. It was a much needed sweet story!

Was this review helpful?

⭐⭐⭐💫

This book was such a fun read! I'd recommend this if anyone is looking for a good beach read.

Overall, while I did enjoy it, it did take about 1/3 of the book before I actually got invested. However, I really loved the characters and their dynamics were so sweet.

One of my favorite theme for this book was that it was not just about the romance. It focused on friendships and family as well.

This is the perfect book for anyone who works with and/or breathes music.

Many thanks to netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

DNF at 50%

Usually, DNF's are a one star for me, but I'm giving two here because I did not particularly dislike the book.

So, here is my reasoning.
I'm not the targeted audience, but nevertheless, I really enjoy reading YA in all genres. That sense of adventure I should have had when I was younger, the kind of understanding of the world I love and envy young adults for among a lot of other things that make me addicted to the literature directed to this particular demographic.

But enough about me and let's move to the book. I liked Erin Hahn's writing quite a lot. Snappy-young, I call it. Lovely and true to the generation it represents. But I had major issues with the story.

First problem: insta-love. Not really fond of those. An outdated idea of love for the Millenials.

Second problem: girl falling for boy with a cute British accent. This particular problem confirmed my suspicion that there was nothing particularly interesting about Luke. His brother Cullen might have been more interesting. Vada's mother is a lot more interesting. But Luke?! No. Sorry, dude. Not sorry.

Third problem: I'm not sure if all the young people got all the musical references. I'm sure didn't,

I really wanted to like this one. I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for Hahn's books. I'm even thinking of checking her backlist. But I couldn't finish this one. I really couldn't

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the e-ARC.

Was this review helpful?

More Than Maybe by Erin Hahn delivers the perfect YA book. Based in Michigan, our main characters are Vada Carsewell and Luke Greenly. Vada is who I wish I could have been in high school. She's rather sure of herself. She's happy with who she is and what she likes and she's incredibly comfortable with that. She lives and breaths music. Her kind-of step-dad, Phil, owns the dive bar she works at and she dreams of a future in music journalism.

Luke is that character that is what marketing people want you to think of as "adorkable," but to me, seemed pretty cool. First of all, he's handsome. He's an ally to LGBTQ community - social awareness is attractive, am I right? His dad is a retired Punk Rocker. Oh and he has a British accent. He and his twin brother run a podcast. So I'm not sure dorky is quite the accurate description.

Luke and Vada move in each other's peripherals - it's the whole "missed connections" thing. Until now. Vada and Luke are kind of thrust together and it's kismet.</p>

For the reader, it's watching a friendship (and sure, crushes) develop into a relationship. It's lovely, it just makes your heart full and happy.

There's a theme threaded throughout the novel and that's music. If you're at all passionate about music, you'll love this element. Luke and Vada tend to text each other music videos and let the lyrics speak for themselves. A cool element is looking up all of these back and forth video moments in time with the novel. You get a soundtrack to their romance.

I think Hahn's writing was witty and relatable. I never found myself rolling my eyes at cliches. She used great imagery and really specific and unique metaphors. A few particular things about this novel that I really loved are: 1. We get the lyrics. Without spoilers, some original songs are mentioned in the book, and up until the end we don't get to "hear" them. So I was thrilled when she worked the lyrics into the ending. I would have been TICKLED to be provided with a link to an actual recording of these songs. They seem like they would be awesome. 2. You know that whole plot line where one of the characters is keeping a secret the whole time the couple is together and then it blows up, and teenage angst and hormones are all "we can't be together?" Sometimes, that can really irk me. Maybe it's because I'm 31 and reading a YA novel and a little bit removed from how big those emotions feel when you're young But ultimately, I think that bit represents the lies media tells us about "passion." It has always bothered me that in any romance movie there is a big blow up that takes a grand gesture and violins playing to overcome. I don't think that's a realistic description of relationships. And it sets us up from a young age to expect jealousy and big gifts and turmoil in a relationship and that stinks. So, all of this to say that didn't happen in this book. This story reflects a relationship with respect. Yes, there is a disagreement. Yes, it gets a teeny bit melodramatic. BUT, before it gets out of hand, there is logic. I so appreciated that Hahn had her character full of normal human emotion and yet also able to reflect and see their own flaws and missteps.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and would certainly recommend it!

Was this review helpful?

This was a refreshing and cute YA romance. Once I started, I was not able to put it down. If you are a music lover, you will definitely enjoy this.

Was this review helpful?

More Than Maybe by Erin Hahn was a super cute contemporary young adult book. The characters were relatable, and the overall storyline had me hooked from the opening pages. If you enjoy young adult books, check this one out!

Was this review helpful?

A really sweet read about two music nerds crushing on each other but too insecure to make the first move. My only complaint was how contrived the final "conflict" was because really there was no conflict between these two.

Was this review helpful?

I was all in for this book. I loved the concept, I loved the execution, the music, everything. Then it had to go and get religious. That is just not my vibe. Still amazing, but definitely took it from a 5 to a 4. I would love to see more books that take place in this world. On a personal note, as someone who is from Windsor, right across from Detroit, I was more than a little miffed with the "Detroit with colourful money" reference.

Was this review helpful?

I finished this book last night and I'm still swooning!

Vada and Luke have been secretly crushing on each other for years. When their paths cross with regularity thanks to her job, then a school project, both feel they're in over their head. Slowly, each begins to suspect their crush isn't unrequited as imagined. Then the feelings start rushing in big time, and there are some serious decisions to make. They're practically adults, both 18 and weeks away from high school graduation. Both desperate to her out of this town and on with their lives.

This is a slow, sweet romance. Hahn perfectly captures the magic of first love and the joy of sharing your favorite music with people you care about. And it's so much more than "just" a romance. This is also a story about learning to stay true to yourself despite others' expectations. It's about loving people even when the disappoint you and learning when to set boundaries with that. There are a lot of valuable, relatable life lessons tucked into this novel, as well as a ton of wonderful music references. The writing is sharp and funny. I highly recommend it for readers of YA fiction, romance, and music lovers.

Was this review helpful?

Luke Greenly is the son of a former British rocker. He hosts a podcast with his twin brother Cullen. Luke has a crush on Vada Carsewell, a girl who works at the bar where they record their podcast. When Luke and Vada get paired up to work on a school project, with Luke writing a song to go with Vada’s choreography, they realize they both like each other. Luke’s secret talent for music is revealed when he is recorded while composing, and the song is released online. Everyone wants to know who the mystery girl is in Luke’s song, and Vada hopes it’s about her.

This was a cute romance. It’s set in the same music world of Erin Hahn’s first novel, You’d Be Mine. A song by Annie Mather, the main character from You’d Be Mine, was mentioned in the book. I liked that the books were connected in that small way, though it isn’t a sequel. I actually liked this book more than You’d Be Mine. I think that’s because I could relate to the rock music references in More Than Maybe more than the country music in the previous book.

The characters were well developed in this story. Even the parents of Vada and Luke had lengthy backgrounds that influenced their children. These backgrounds, that went beyond the story, made the characters seem like real people. The backgrounds of the characters added to the story.

I loved this story! It had an adorable ending!

Thank you Wednesday Books for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

If you’re looking for a sweet YA book to listen to, More Than Maybe is a great choice. If you’re also a music fan (in general) there’s also plenty to love. Or if you like a narrator with a charming British accent because this has that too!

Vada is a fairly well known music blogger who has a solid plan on how to make a career for herself in the music industry. She has a crush on Luke but wants to remain focused on finishing her senior year and getting a few steps closer to snagging an internship at Rolling Stone. Luke also harbors a secret crush on Vada, but he likes to stay really low key in all aspects of his life. Until his twin brother Cullen leaks a recording of him singing a song about a mystery girl on their podcast and it goes viral. Also? He NEVER sings in front of anyone else, he writes and plays for himself and doesn’t want any attention whatsoever.

Ok so clearly the leaking of the song sets Vada and Luke off on a similar path where they begin to get to know each other besides just as unrequited love interests. I found this to be totally sweet and adorable and really liked both of them. There was also a super strong cast of supporting characters and my absolute favorite was Phil, Vada’s boss and also her moms boyfriend. This had depth but wasn’t too heavy, it was cute and cozy and definitely gave me all the feels. I also loved the narration of both Luke and Vada’s characters, both narrators brought the story to life and definitely swept me away for a few hours. This is my second book by the author and I’m now a firm fan

Was this review helpful?

Like Hahn's first book, More Than Maybe is a multi-faceted ode to the power of music to bring people together. This one pairs two older teens with one-time rocker dads. Vada is a music blogger who works at her mom's boyfriend's bar/club and Luke is a songwriter trying desperately not to be in the spotlight. (His dad has other ideas.) Hahn's characters are again white and straight, but the supporting cast is diverse and she explores issues like crappy parents and an exploitative industry while allowing her characters to succeed in their own ways. I appreciate how she works to give not just the protagonists but also many secondary characters their happy endings.


This is a must-read if you want to vicariously experience the spine-tingling "eye-closer" feels of a great rock song.

Content Warnings: alcoholism, strained parent relationship bordering on abandonment, character's music is shared without consent and goes viral

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review.

Was this review helpful?

I loved this book. I thought the story line and characters were very well developed. This should be a YA contemporary romance gold standard, that is how well Hahn delivered this story. It also has the added bonus of the most epic playlist in recent publishing history. Definitely recommend.

Was this review helpful?

Oh, how I love books about music! Yes, you may cue a Billie Eilish “Duh” right here. And, I was not disappointed with Erin Hahn’s More Than Maybe, a young adult romance between Luke, son of a British punk rocker, and Vada, would-be music journalist. Before they ever really begin talking to each other, Luke and Vada have been on each other’s radar and music is ultimately what brings them together.

Vada and Luke are both likable characters who are very in tune to each other. Actually most of the characters in More Than Maybe are likable with the exception of Vada’s father, Marcus, who is more than a little dysfunctional and who I wish had been written a little more roundly because his issues are extremely interesting in a character. The older couples, Luke’s parents, and Vada’s mother and her employer, Phil, who happens to be Vada’s mother’s boyfriend, are cute, in love and supportive of their children. These things are an oddity in YA books in which parents are like Marcus forcing the teenager to find their own way in the wicked world.

There were a couple of things that made me hit my head on the table like Vada’s dissing of Stevie Nicks and then elevating Carrie Underwood’s American Idol audition as one of the top three moments in music history, which no self-respecting wannabe music journalist would ever do. I mean, seriously, Carrie Underwood over Prince’s guitar solo in “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” during The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?! Or Prince’s half-time concert at the Super Bowl?! Or Heart covering “Stairway to Heaven” at the Kennedy Center Honors?! Or Queen’s performance at Live Aid?! But it’s fiction right and what teenager can be expected to appreciate just how magnificent Prince’s guitar solo was compared to Underwood’s warbling? Okay. Definite digression.

Hahn’s writing throughout is good. She does a great job of showing the progression of Vada and Luke’s cute relationship. The ending is predictable but again likable despite being predictable.

All in all this is a sweet story for anyone who loves music and a cute relationship story.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

It’s been said that the music that has the most impact on our lives is the music of our late teens and early 20s. It’s the music that defines who we are—the music that we always go back to. And author Erin Hahn’s More Than Maybe creates that life-changing soundtrack for a pair of music-loving teens.

Full review published on NightsAndWeekends.com and aired on Shelf Discovery

Was this review helpful?

First off let me start by saying sorry this is so late, life took a turn. No excuses, but I'm back.

I picked this up as a read now, it sounded like it had the potential but it fell flat for me. At times this was a cute story at times it was very corny. I had to tell myself its YA so maybe thats why it was so corny/cringe worthy at times. I liked how it was about music as I tend to not see that in a lot of books. For some reason I only like books with characters from the US, only because I'm so used to the language. With UK characters, I'm not used to the way they pronnounce things or say things so I either have to look it up or try to piece it together myself.

Nevertheless, I will not be buying a finished copy of this book however, this was a quick read. Thank you NetGalley to a free opportunity to read this book.

Was this review helpful?

I can’t even express my excitement to you when I saw that I was approved for this book. When I opened the email I literally screamed in happiness. I loved this book so much! Erin Hahn is such an amazing author and person. I follow her on Insta and just love the things she posts. When I started with NetGalley You’d Be Mine was the first ARC I was approved for and I fell in love with this story. When I found out she had another book coming out I knew that I needed it. It didn’t disappoint.

Our 2 main POV’s is Veda and Luke. Veda is a music blogger who also loves to dance. Her parents are divorced and she lives with her mother and her mother’s boyfriend Phil. Can I just take a minute to say, I loved Phil. He was such a great character and I was always so happy that Veda had him. Her father is hardly ever there for her when she needs him and is an alcoholic on occasion.

Luke is the son of a Rockstar dad and a twin brother. He and his brother had a pretty well-known podcast that they do weekly. Luke is also a star of his own. He is an amazing piano player and writes his won music and has an amazing voice. His famous father wants Luke to get out into the music industry but Luke wants to lay low and just enjoy his music for what it is.

Luke has always had a thing for Veda but never had the guts to ask her out. All that changes when they end up having to work on a school project together. They start spending more and more time together and feelings start coming out in the open.

I loved everything about this book. Veda and Luke were just so dang cute and I loved their friendship/relationship. All the other characters were written so well and I couldn’t help but love them all. Hahn does an amazing job writing about relationships and the hardships that come along with it. I also love the whole blogging aspect of the story. This is one great contemporary that I would recommend to anyone! I know you won’t be disappointed.

What were your thoughts on this story?

Was this review helpful?

Vada is a shy girl who loves to vent her feelings through dance. She has a blog about music and works at the stepfather and mentor themed bar and even with all the care and attention she receives from him and her mother, she still feels a great emptiness due to her father's negligent behavior. She has a secret crush on the shy Luke.



Luke and his twin Cullen are sons of a famous punk rock singer who moved with his family from England to the United States because of his wife's job. The twins record their podcast in the studio of the bar where Vada works. Luke is a discreet boy who does not like dramas and spotlights unlike his whole family and especially unlike his brother. Cullen is so outgoing that he has already been chosen as the king of the school ball and is successful with everyone, he has a dream romance with Luke's best friend and does everything to encourage his brother's talent in singing and composing. Luke doesn't want any of that, he just wants to enjoy his music and inspiration alone but when a certain mysterious girl inspires him in one of his songs and that song leaks and goes viral, his whole life can change in the blink of an eye.



Meanwhile, he and Vada need to create an end-of-semester project for his composition and her dance class at the school together and this approach will make them see how much they have in common and create an exciting bond between them through an exchange of messages in the form of songs and magical moments that they will share.

The insecurity of both will hold them back and make us anxious but little by little they will no longer be able to hide their feelings for each other and even with all the pressure from Luke's family because of the music and pressure that Vada feels to help her stepfather to not lose his bar, the two will create beautiful moments with connection and love.

This is one of those YA that I would love to see everyone reading, because the writer presents romances so sweetly and cute that it was a great pleasure to follow and makes me want to talk about it with several friends.

I loved the cover and the title.

5/5 stars

Was this review helpful?

More Than Maybe by Erin Hahn was a fun book to read. There was much to like about the story and nothing to dislike. The characters were all likable and the back stories were as interesting as the main story. This is a wonderful book to read during the pandemic lock down and will leave the reader with a smile.

Was this review helpful?

This delightful story about Vada and Luke, who are so cute you will just swoon! Luke’s grand gesture is BRILLIANT! Everything about this book is so delightful from the couple themselves, to the banter, to the music, the best friends... like I said everything!!! Well, apart from Vada’s father, who is a super jerk - but the rest is 🙌!

The playlist for this book is AWESOME! While reading this book, I would pause to google the songs if I didn’t know them to see what significance the lyrics had. I has so much fun diving in and working it all out! I’m sure you will too as you read this!

Thank you to Wednesday Books for this very delightful ARC!

Was this review helpful?