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.

Sammy Espinoza’s Last Review was cuuute! This is my favorite kind of rom-com. I loved the characters, their chemistry and witty banter. The setting of the book was also amazing. I love when an author just describes a charming little town so well that you can see it all in your head. While I loved the romance side of it, this book also had some heavier topics mixed in there and I think it all tied together wonderfully. I absolutely loved this book and can’t wait to read more from this author!

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.

Sammy Espinoza's Last Review is Tehlor Kay Mejia's adult contemporary debut. It features a small town setting, a second chance romance, a cast of queer characters, a Latinx lead, and witty banter.

I went into this book with no expectations. I read Tehlor's previous book, Lucha of the Night Forest, and did not really like it. I'm so happy I gave this author a second chance because I ended up ADORING Sammy Ezpinoza's Last Review.

Sammy's life is being held together at the seams. She's a people pleaser with a complicated relationship with her mom. Her girlfriend recently broke up with her and she is on the verge of losing her job. As a last ditch effort to save her job, Sammy returns to the small town in Washington where her parents fell in love to interview an ex-flame now rockstar. Here Sammy is thrown into an emotional rollercoaster as she learns how to navigate new and old relationships while finding answers to questions she's held all her life.

Sammy is at times unlikeable. She is flawed and continues to make mistakes throughout the book.

I personally really connected with Sammy's character specially with her complicated relationship with her mother and her attempt to have a deeper connection with her Mexican heritage. She's also learning how to live her life how she wants rather than by what is expected of her.

The tone of the book ranges from light-hearted and witty to emotional and sad.

TW: death of a loved one

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House/Ballantine for an eARC of this book.

While it did take me a while to get into this book, it was an enjoyable read. Broken and at the brink of losing her job, she is forced to go back to her home town in one last, come to Jesus chance of saving her career. Turns out the only possible savior is the man she fell in love with years ago but abandoned her without warning. I think there was great growth between who the characters were when they first met, when they reunited, and during the book as they figured out where it all went wrong. There was also a great amount of action outside of the romance, making this a well rounded book that doesn't completely depend on how two characters fall in love, and could have stood on it's own without the romance.

When Sammy Espinoza‘s girlfriend breaks up with her publicly on stage she decides to go spend time with old friends because it isn’t just her break up and her sanity on the line her job is as well. When she runs into her ex Max Ryan who has a new album coming out she isn’t prepared for it and almost decides to leave but her friend convinces her to stay when she heard about his new album she was hoping he turned into an ogre or at the very least an unlikable narcissist but unfortunately he’s the same old lovable guy she knew can her review of his album save her job and ken his attention save her sanity? It seems right when Sammy thinks she has lost everything she will get more than she ever dreamed of! I don’t know how I didn’t know this was a rockstar romance because I am not a big fan of those but OMG if I am not a fan of Max I know now why people say blank is my book boyfriend because Max is definitely mine. I love the ending of this book I love home Sammy not only got control of her life but her decisions will direct the lives of others and I can’t say much more than that just now this is a great book and when I definitely recommend it a sweet bunny and everything you read good romance is four. I want to thank Net Galley and random house publishing for my free Ark review please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

Sammy Espinoza's life has basically fallen apart. She just broke up with her rockstar girlfriend and she is about to get fired from your music review magazine. She goes in search of Max Ryan, the famed musician, who has been on hiatus but is rumored to be working on a solo album. I enjoyed this book's pacing and the predictable but satisfying story.

I am going to round up from 3.5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley & Penguin RandomHouse for the advanced reader copy.

Nice



Thank you soooooo much netgalley, the author and the publisher for the advanced review copy if this book💗
"I voluntarily read and reviewed the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

Sammy Espinoza’s Last Review is a beautiful story of family—chosen and biological, finding where you belong, and making up for lost time, all wrapped up into a romance novel. But it’s so so much more than a romance. It’s heart wrenching in all the right ways as Sammy and Max both learn that loving people must come with understanding the parts of themselves that they want to hide, and the power of transparency and healthy communication, especially in regards to how previous relationship traumas impact new ones. With vivid characters and an idyllic setting, the story is quick to draw you in, easy to keep you hooked, and sure to break your heart, but also help you stitch it back together.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Dell for inviting me to read an ARC of this title.

This was a great book that caused me to sit up way too late and finish it. I loved Sammy's decision to finally accept those who truly loved her as her family of choice. It was also a wonderfully heartfelt relationship between Sammy and Max and the way they could learn to accept each other flaws and all! Thanks #NetGalley #RandomHouse

After her girlfriend dumped her publicly and her credibility as a Music Critic has been hit very hard, putting her job in jeopardy, Samantha “Sammy” Espinosa returns to Ridley Falls, the small town she spent most of her childhood, with a mission: to find former Rockstar Max Ryan and convince him to give her an exclusive interview—including hearing his new album, as some forums have been insisting he’s supposedly recording, so she can review it as a way to save her career.

Sammy Espinoza’s Last Review is a story about second chances, knowing yourself, conquering your demons and yes, forgiveness. This is the first time I read one of Mejía’s books, and I really liked it. This book’s writing is witty and made me laugh a lot. The reading has a perfect pace and the transitions between scenes are fantastic. Also, kudos for the natural way the LGBTQ+ aspects of the book—starting with a queer heroine—which I LOVE, are added to the story, without effort nor being forced to the plot. Unfortunately, I didn’t like the ending much. It’s not a bad one, to be clear. It’s just Sammy and Max deserved better, in my humble opinion. After all, a second chance romance should always be better.

FULL REVIEW HERE:
https://aishasbookworld.wordpress.com/2023/07/28/review-sammy-espinozas-last-review-by-tehlor-kay-mejia/

• ARC given by Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine via Netgalley. Thanks for your trust.

Sammy Espinoza’s life is spiraling out of control. While trying to win back her singer ex-girlfriend, she also lands on her last leg at work as a music critic. The only way she thinks she can win back her boss is providing an inside scoop review on former rock star Max Ryan’s new upcoming solo album. Sammy has never forgotten the one night she and Max spent together and feels that this scoop is going to secure her everything she wants. However, as she heads back to Ridley Falls, Washington, things between Max and Sammy heat up in an unexpected way. She also begins to face the unknown with her family head on and realizes that there might be more for her to tackle during this trip to Ridley Falls than she initially expected.

One of things that captured me about this book was the music. As someone who lives life events by songs, this one really hit home for me. I loved how Sammy used music in her life and that any given day it would vary all of the time. The adored all of the characters. There were lots of little subplots throughout this one and while it focused on the romantic plots, I appreciated the plot between Sammy and her grandmother. There is definitely more to this one and it unfolds so well page by page.

Thank you Net Galley, Random House and Tehlor Kay Meijia for the advanced copy for my honest review. This one is out now!

Sammy Espinoza risked her job as a music reviewer by writing rave reviews for her girlfriend's not-so-great music in a desperate bid not to break up. She gets dumped anyway, and the only way she can get her boss to give her another chance is a promise to get a review of the highly anticipated new records from Max Ryan, an artist that disappeared years ago. She feels like she can do it because he just so happens to be from her almost home town where she plans to go to lick her wounds with the help of her best friend. The main obstacle is that she has already met the former rock god and he promptly broke her heart. And there's also the fact that the family that rejected her pregnant, teenage mother years ago also lives there, which makes her want to get the answers she's always been denied.
This one is all about emotions, having them, facing them, accepting them, and moving on with them. Sammy's situation goes from bad to worse before anything can get resolved, but I loved how she's always making herself face the things she's most afraid of. It doesn't always work and it might not always be the best option, but it makes for compelling reading and some excellent character growth.

Happy thanks to NetGalley and Dell for the great read!

This was such a heartwarming read, i LOOOOOVE a good found family trope and this definitely delivered. Everything about this was so incredibly charming and emotional. There’s something for everyone in here, i feel as though many would be able
to relate to this book somehow and that’s something i love in books.

The only stability in Sammy Espinoza's childhood was the year she spent living with family friends in the small Washington town where both her parents grew up--her teenaged motherwho has spent most of Sammy's life chasing her next romance and her teenaged father who tragically died before Sammy was born. Recently broken up and with her career in peril, Sammy concocts a plan to review the new solo album of the town's bona fide rock star, Max Ryan, with whom she has history and holds a grudge.

One of the first people she runs into when she returns is none other than Max Ryan, but most humiliatingly, he doesn't even remember her. And Sammy doesn't remember him being so...nice.

Her planned revenge against Max is faltering and meeting her grandmother makes her realize that her mother was even more manipulative than she'd ever realized. Sammy and Max are both so adorable and flawed as they learn to navigate their own and others' vulnerabilities. Ostensibly a romance, this is also a book about growing up (at whatever age that may happen) and loving the family you choose for yourself. #SammyEspinozasLastReview #NetGalley

Masquerading as a fluffy rockstar romance, this one is hard-hitting with abandonment issues. I can't wait to read more by Mejia.

DNFing/putting it aside for now. I can't get into the story as it is tooooo much of a slow burn. Maybe I'll come back to it, but I need convincing.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My Selling Pitch:
Do you want to read a generic small-town romance between a rockstar and the girl he ghosted that do not wind up having a healthy relationship, but the book pretends that they do? Do you like family and friend drama?

Pre-reading:
If my name is in a book, I am legally obligated to read it.

Thick of it:
If you’re calling another human being a goddess, you deserve to be broken up with. Just sayin.

The voice in this is charming, if a little cringey.

Rom-com serial killer sin

Detritus sin

Your mom owed it to you to make sure she was ready to have a kid before she had one.

What do you mean you wondered? You literally have her wallet and gave her your address.

Do you think an orange sofa is tasteful?

It’s way too instalove.

I don’t think I’m in the audience for this book because I am not obsessed with musicians. I don’t really care about music. I just don’t relate to it at all.

Did she put her number in his phone wrong?

Lol, never mind.

He invited you to be a groupie, babe. You didn’t really miss out on anything.

Is the paper bag condoms? (it’s not)

I know I’m reading too much into this, but I don’t understand how they could have half a foot difference in height, but the same shoe size.

I take it back. They don’t fit her. Good on you, book.

You’re just coming off like an asshole.

impetus

It’s bucket and hallmark, but entertaining

This old bitch is a Cunt.

Wow, I’m glad he’s a normal human being and was like I was drunk and asked a random girl to come with me. Obviously, it wasn’t serious.

I mean, you don’t have the opportunity to do it to her now. I feel like he would still do it. Once that guy, always that guy.

viscera

I don’t know why I thought this was YA. I don’t know why I thought this was going to be a clean romance.

This is not a bad sex scene, and I will leave it at that.

Babe, he’s a rockstar. He can afford a maid.

What bachelor man has powdered sugar in his kitchen? I don’t even have powdered sugar just around.

You not knowing Spanish is not her fault. They got Duolingo. You could’ve taken it in school.

She said she would take legal action? On what fucking grounds? And you believed this lady?

I’m very glad this book isn’t giving her mom a redemption arc, and it’s actually her coming to terms with the fact that her mom is awful.

She just had another entire chicken lying around?

I feel like this is a very high three stars. The family drama in it is great.

I don’t think Willa doesn’t have her back. I think Willa has her back so much that she’s trying to stop her from making any mistakes. I think you need a friend like that.

Please no karaoke. Here I am toying with the idea that maybe this book deserves four stars because the family drama is so good, and they’re gonna put karaoke in this bitch?

No Wonderwall

Literally just text him where are you. That’s weird behavior.

God, this book really relies so heavily on the miscommunication trope. and it’s getting a little old. Just fucking talk to each other.

This mans better be dead in a ditch somewhere.

I don’t see how the author could possibly explain this away and have me be on board because I am done with him. He is dead to me.

I regret the cunt comment from earlier, but current grandma is not the same character as past grandma.

Oh fuck, grandma’s dying. It was not dehydration

This reminds me of the family drama and emotional growth of an Emily Henry novel, but it doesn’t have the snappy banter.

Girl, grandma is dead.

I’m sorry, no. Absolutely not. Break up. He is irredeemable. He’s an addict and he didn’t want to tell you so he just decided to do alcohol and then leave you and go on a bender and not communicate for a week? Girlypop. This will happen again. We are not doing this. Goodbye, sir.

I just don’t have time for insecure men. I don’t. They exhaust me. I want nothing to do with them. Go to therapy, sir.

Hey idiot, you could literally just have sent her a text that said talk later. That’s literally all you had to send. This is a bullshit explanation. Absolutely not. Fuck this man.

As you said to your mom, it doesn’t count just because you keep coming back. If they wind up together, I’m gonna be frustrated.

Fuck this guy. He can inflict whatever pain he wants, but she’s not allowed? I hope they don’t end up together. They are doomed. Also, I just think from a practical standpoint that they would never get along if he’s a meticulous, neat freak, and she loves to be messy.

Don’t forget we have to pile on to the misery. Grandma is 100% dead, but like you’ll probably inherit her house and some money, so like fair trade?

Is he really making her dead grandma’s funeral about him and his feelings? I’m sorry, you don’t get comfort right now, sir.

Gotta put the horny in funerals.

I know it’s supposed to be chivalrous that he keeps sharing his wet jackets with her, but I’m just like you’re getting her more wet, and not in the fun way. Wet man jackets are heavy.

I’m sorry they named their baby after a cloud?

Wow, money fixes everything.

Wow, what a trash man.

Post-reading:
This book was getting to almost be a tossup for me between three and four stars because the family drama was done so well, but the cringe bits and the fact that the love interest is absolute trash have put this firmly in the three-star category.

Like most contemporary romances, this book relies heavily on the miscommunication or non-communication trope. It gets annoying after a while. Like grow up. Talk to people. Y’all are adults. I think the family drama in this book is well done. I think the fights that the characters have are realistic and relatable. All the waxing poetic about music is cheesy. Also, the love interest’s betrayal is a giant red flag and pretty unforgivable to me. I don’t like that they wound up together. I think they’re actively bad for each other.

It’s a better book than I thought it was going to be, but that’s really not saying much because I expected to hate every second of this. Instead, it was tolerable and even good for a few beats, but it ends up being a generic small-town romance. It’s skippable, but I won’t discourage you from reading it. I will discourage you from thinking that this book ends with any sort of semblance of a healthy relationship.

Who should read this:
Small-town romance fans
Family drama fans
Musician romance fans

Do I want to reread this:
No

Similar books:
* Beach Read by Emily Henry-small town family drama romance
* Book Lovers by Emily Henry-small town, family drama romance
* Happy Place by Emily Henry-friendship drama, second chance romance.
* When in Rome by Sarah Adams-Small town instalove romance between a singer and a normie
* Our Place on the Island by Erika Montgomery-small town romance, family drama
* Welcome to Beach Town by Susan Wiggs-small town romance, family drama

Unhinged Summary:
Sammy gets fired from her job as a music critic after she uses her column to write biased reviews in favor of her girlfriend. The masses sure are fickle. Her girlfriend dumps her, and Sammy decides that the best way to hit reset on her life is obviously to go back to Smalltown, USA where she kinda grew up in. You see, Sammy’s mom is categorically the worst. Sammy’s dad died in a car accident before she was born, leaving Sammy’s teen mom to raise her on her own because no one else would help her. Probably. Sammy didn’t learn the lesson that children don’t ask to be born and it’s parents' job to take care of them and not abuse them, so she spent her whole life feeling guilty that her mom had to take care of her. Sammy needs to fire her current therapist and get a new one because clearly, she ain’t working. Anyhooters, one summer, Sam’s mom dropped her off at a foster home in Smalltown for a year. There, she met her best friend Willa. Willa has moved back to Smalltown with her wife so that they can be homesteading lesbians like any trendy side character and has said that Sammy can stay with them while she figures out what she’s gonna do with her life.

Sam decides that she’s going to try to reconnect with her estranged family from her dad’s side, and weasels out one last chance from her editor. She tells her editor that she can get an exclusive interview with a reclusive music artist, Max, who is rumored to be releasing a solo album. Conveniently, they had not even a one-night stand, but just a kiss when they were blackout drunk, and Sammy is super convinced that he’ll remember her because they had a connection, guys. As a drunk teenage boy, Max asked her to go on tour with him as a groupie, and she agreed, and she thought this was a serious offer. So like he owes her, guys.

And if you’re like okay, solid plan. I’m sure she looked up his address or wrote to him or has some way of contacting said reclusive musician, right? Wrong! But this is a rom-com and it’s a small town, so when Sammy hits rock bottom and is crying in her car, eating Cheetos, guess who knocks on her window? No, not Ted Bundy, but the hottie reclusive musician! Does Sam capitalize on this encounter to get an interview? Heck no. She goes on a feminist tirade about nice guys. Luckily, the lesbians show up to take her home and put her to bed.

Except, oh no! She left her wallet in the parking lot, and now musician man has to give it back to her in person. So she goes to see him at his house, and if you’re like oh great, she’s going to do an interview now. Wrong again. He’s like you want to go hiking with me, random stranger that I’ve never met before? And she’s like oh my god, how dare he not remember me. How am I going to have the emotional leverage to get him to agree to do an interview now? I guess I’ll just have to go hiking. So basically they’re instantly in love. And she’s like dang, I really like him. I’ll just forget about this interview and be content with being fired. I don’t need money or a job. I have a boyfriend.

You know what I do need though? Family drama. I’m gonna go confront, granny. How dare she not help my teen mom and want to connect with me, her only granddaughter. Grandma got that shmoney, so Sammy heads over to the rich side of town, but she’s too scared to talk to Grandma, so she just creepily stares at her in her front yard and then runs away. Somehow Granny doesn’t call the police, but Granny’s also not white, so that kind of tracks. Musician man Max calls Sammy up, and he’s like let’s go on a second date, babe. I’ve got something super romantic planned. Let’s go sit on a lawn and listen to this cover band comprised of old guys from a doctor’s office, and Sam is like oh my god, that sounds incredible. You’re such a panty-dropper. So they go to the concert, and oh my god, granny is there. Bitches love music. Sam obviously decides a second date is the best time to confront her grandma about her abandonment issues. She’s like why didn’t you ever try to talk to me, grandma? Don’t you love me? And grandma’s like funny story. I’ll tell it to you over dinner tomorrow. Bring your boyfriend. Because granny can recognize that a public concert is not the place to have this chat.

Max drives Sammy home, and she’s like oh my god, thanks for the great date. Let’s fuck. And Max is like lol, not tonight. And Sam’s like but you’re hard? That’s basically consent. And Max is like wow, you need to fire your therapist, and I need to hire one because I have intimacy issues. I have an avoidant attachment style. Peace, crazy! And if the audience is like wow, is he running away from her for the very valid reason of the fact that she tried to confront her grandma over her family issues on a second date? No no. He’s just a douche.

The lesbians, who are the only sane people in this novel, confront Sam and are like hey, dealing with all this family drama is hard stuff. Do you want some backup, maybe? Also, this random musician has ghosted you twice now. Maybe he’s not the man for you? Also, how’s the job search going? You sending out any resumes? And Sam’s like oh my god, you guys are literally never on my side. And the lesbians are like babe, please fire your therapist. And she’s like whatever. I’m going to dinner with my grandma.

Except, oh no! When she gets there, Grandma is passed the fuck out. So she’s like hello, 911? My-well, she’s not my grandma because we’re estranged, but I want her to be my grandma, but I don’t know if I am entitled to her love and- And the 911 operator is like I don’t have a box that big on this form. Can you condense it? And she’s like whatever. Just put it’s complicated. So she goes to the hospital to make sure granny is OK, and then granny is a Cunt with a capital C. She’s not like thanks for saving my life, babes. She’s like I hope you put dinner in the fridge. Also, you better drive me home tomorrow. And Sam’s like I do not have a car, you entitled bitch. And granny’s like too bad. Figure it out. I’ll see you here tomorrow morning, and then we can chat about why I never helped you after you help me. Then Sam listens to her voicemail, and oh my god, musician boy tried to meet her at the lesbians’ house with no prior planning to go see grandma with her. Obviously, she was already gone because they didn’t make any fucking plans to meet, and if you’re like wow, that’s a giant red flag, Sammy is in fact legally color blind. Then Max leaves her a second voicemail like oh my god, babe, I did want to fuck you, but intimacy is scawy. Can we try again? And Sam is like oh boy, can we! So she texts him, and he’s like lol, you up? Come over. And she’s like oh my god, how hot and romantic.

So she gets there and Sam is like whoa, put your shirt back on, dude. Before we can bang, I have to confess our backstory to you because you don’t remember. When we were teenagers, we met at a house party, and I told you how to improve your music. Then you got the call that a record label wanted to sign you, and you asked me to come be a groupie for you. And he’s like oh my god, that’s crazy, babe. I can’t believe you thought that was a serious offer. And she’s like yeah, well, I did. I broke my apartment lease for you. And he’s like we didn’t even know each other’s last names. That’s almost like a completely insane thing to do. And she’s like I don’t see your point. And then this trash man is really like wow I was a piece of shit back then, but I promise not to do it again? And Sammy is like oh my god, I have no self-esteem. This is so romantic. Let’s fuck. You’re a rockstar who’s dated lingerie models, but I know a sex trick that they’ve probably never done. I’ll put your condom on with my mouth. And the audience is like at least they’re having safe sex? Because I’m sure he’s riddled with disease and she’s clearly not fit to reproduce.

The morning after, they have to pick up Grandma from the hospital, and luckily Max has a car that she can borrow. She’s like bye babe, don’t abandon me. Wink. And he’s like omg, I would never. Probably. And she’s like what do you mean probably? And granny’s like get in here and help me clean.

So granny spills the tea and is like we actually offered to pay for your mom to go to college and take care of you, but she said lol no, if you interact with my daughter, I’m gonna call my lawyer. And for some reason no one is like and you believed her? Like what kind of teen mom has a lawyer on speed dial? But Granny’s money is in golf not the judicial system. She’s like call your mom if you don’t believe me. So Sam calls her mom, and she’s like please tell me grandma is lying and you’re not actually the worst human being alive. And her mom is like fine, now I’m the bad guy. Also, I’m getting married, peace! And Sam is like dang, maybe Bestie Willa was right this whole time that my mom is the worst. And Granny’s like you should just move in with me and stay here because I’m definitely not living on borrowed time and like I can teach you to cook and we can clean out the house and you can borrow my car. And Sam is like sounds good. I’m homeless.

Music man gave her a flash drive with his secret album. And luckily grandma’s car has a USB port. Don’t question it. So she listens to the album, and she’s like oh my god, this is amazing, but as a completely unqualified music critic, I have some pointers to give him. So she calls him up because men love being criticized and they always handle it super well. She’s like hey rockstar, this acoustic jam sesh is a banger, but you sound like a pussy. We need to fix that. Let’s do whiskey shots and karaoke so that you regain your confidence. And if you’re like what the fuck does this have to do with regaining confidence? Don’t! So they go to karaoke, and Max is like anyway, here’s Wonderwall, and that’s not me making a joke. That’s literally what happens. That’s what he picks. When I said this girl was legally color blind-But Sam’s like what a stud, so they go home and fuck.

When she wakes up in the morning, he’s gone. No note, no text, and this bitch really gaslights herself into thinking there’s probably a logical explanation for this. And the audience is like yeah, there should be because this is a romance, right? No, this man is just categorically the worst. So while she waits for her boyfriend to remember that she exists, she decides to go hang out with Granny. She realizes that her dead dad kept a picture of her ultrasound so obviously that means that he totally would’ve wanted her and would’ve been a great dad and it’s such a tragedy that he died. That’s how it works, guys. Granny gives a speech about how men ain’t shit and that the good ones won’t hurt your feelings or make you question if they like you. And the audience is like wow, you should hire granny to be your tough love therapist. And if you’re like wait, Sam, didn’t you call her a cunt earlier? Don’t worry, her hospital stay caused a personality switch and she’s a different character now. When her boyfriend still doesn’t call her, Sam realizes that she’s been ghosted yet again by this man. That’s three times. And the audience is like she’s probably learned her lesson by now, right? Absolutely not, but she will go cry to her bestie about it and be like why does my life suck? And her Bestie is like you make bad decisions. And Sam’s like oh my god, you’re right. You’ve always just been looking out for me. You’re such a good friend. And het Bestie is like I know. I’m literally your mom friend. Speaking of moms, I’m gonna be one, so can you get your shit together so that I don’t have to manage you and a newborn? And Sam is like I’ll think about it.

Realizing that she’s been abandoned yet again by a garbage man, Sam concocts a revenge plot. Fire your therapist. She decides that she didn’t technically quit her music critic job, so she can write an article about Max’s secret solo album and submit it because if he’s going to use her, she’s going to use him. She also calls her ex-girlfriend during sad girl hours, and she’s like why did you break up with me? And her girlfriend is like I was just looking for a fun no strings attached relationship, and I told you that. When we met, you were confident and mysterious and emotionally unavailable, and I said oh my god, hot! But then once we got together, you were like I’m a stage five clinger, and I told you I wasn’t looking for anything serious. And Sam is like well I know you weren’t looking for anything serious and you told me that explicitly, but I thought you would change your mind! And her ex-girlfriend is like can you listen when people tell you what they want from you and also be honest when you tell people what you want from them? Also, fire your therapist. She’s not working. And Sam is like that sounds like really sound advice, but I’m not ready for emotional maturity, so my big takeaway from this conversation is going to be that my ex was just emotionally immature and not ready for a relationship, and I was just too good for her. And the audience is like the absolute irony. How many times do we have to tell you to fire your therapist?

Then Sam confronts her foster family who are like oh my god, we’re so sorry that we knew your grandma wanted to talk to you and we didn’t tell you. Also, we wanted to keep you too, so your whole schtick of I’ve been abandoned by everyone I’ve ever loved and no one loves me is a complete crock of bullshit. Your mom is just the worst. Please re-examine your worldview and fire your therapist. And Sam’s like cool, cool. I’m too preoccupied with this random man that I’ve known for a week. How could he reject me? I thought we had something special. And for some reason, no one is like babe, he’s a musician and he’s ghosted you three times. He is not worth shit.

Sam talks to her Bestie again, and she’s like I wrote an article that could save my career, but I feel guilty about submitting it because my boyfriend didn’t give me explicit permission to submit it. And no one is like it’s wild that your editor didn’t ask for any proof that this was the actual album. She just believed you. And her Bestie is like please stop feeling guilty about trash guys. Stop letting people treat you like shit. And then the audience is like oh my god, do you hear an echo? Oh my God, it’s fire your therapist.

And then, the boy shows up. Because why let a bitch move on when you can keep being toxic? Also, he still hasn’t texted or called or checked if this was a good time to talk to her or made sure that she even wanted to see him again. He literally just showed up. And if you’re like that’s fucking rude. Congratulations, you’re a healthy human being. But this is a romance, so this is a big, romantic gesture, and it turns out homeboy just didn’t call her because he’s a raging alcoholic. And if you're like is that supposed to excuse his behavior? Well, the author sure thinks so. He’s like I was totally capable of picking up a phone and texting you or writing you a note that I was struggling or you know recognizing the fact that I’m a raging addict and it already derailed my career for seven years and maybe I shouldn’t have done whiskey shots with you, but addiction absolves me of the consequences of my actions, right? And Sam is like oh my god, it totally does. I’m so sorry that you were struggling with this without my help. And the audience is like girl, what? And she’s like oh my god, before we get back together, I have to confess that I betrayed you by writing a super complementary article about you that would only get you more press for your return album. And he’s like oh my god, I gave you that flash drive in confidence even though I knew you were a music writer, and I didn’t say don’t write an article about this because I didn’t think I had to. And the audience is like that’s fair. She probably shouldn’t have written the article without asking him if it was OK, but like he’s literally the worst, and all press is good press. And he’s like what you did is so much worse than me ghosting you multiple times and not communicating, so we’re breaking up. And she’s like oh my god, you’re totally right. It’s all my fault. And the audience is like girl, fire your therapist.

So Sam feels so guilty about betraying this boy that she’s known for a week that she calls her editor and is like cancel the article. I lied about everything. And her editor just believes her. And she’s like you’ll never work in this town again, and Sam’s like that’s OK. I’ll figure something out. And then she goes home to Grandma, but Grandma is dead. So sad, but now she has a car, a house, and a trust fund, so fair trade? Money fixes everything in romcoms.

Sam tries to confront her mother, but her mother is still incapable of being an adult or a decent human being, and she’s like why are you making me the bad guy? Like it was so long ago and you turned out just fine. And Sam is like I’m literally not fine. Like I have crippling emotional issues. I’d send you the bill for my therapy, but that’s not working either. And her mom is like do you want a coupon for better help? And Sam’s like goodbye, Mom. And the audience is like thank god, please stop talking to this horrible lady. Then Sam writes a letter to Max and is like oh my god, it was all my fault. I’m gonna tell you our love story in a mix tape except it’s a fake mix tape and I’m gonna review the mix tape. I’m so quirky and clever. And she’s like oh my god, can we please have a second chance? And the audience is like fucking why? He’s bad. Also, this is multiple second chances already. Also also, he’s clearly more in the wrong than you are.

And then this fucking cock shit smegma of a man interrupts her grandma’s funeral to make it about him. He’s like oh my god, I didn’t know if I should come to the funeral because it might be awkward for me. And for some reason, no one is like sit down, sir. This is not about you. This is about grandma. And then this man really says I got your letter. I don’t think I can forgive you. But I also don’t want other people to have you, so let’s just stay in relationship purgatory. He’s like I’ll never ghost you again, babe, but if I do you have to pinky promise not to take revenge on me. And the audience is like fucking what kind of agreement is this? And Sam’s like a romantic one, that’s what! And the audience facepalms and is like please fire your therapist for one final time. And then I shit you not, this man is like oh my god, so if we’re back together, does that mean I can get my dick wet? At her grandmother’s funeral. Truly, there are no words.

And then we get an epilogue, where they are somehow, living happily ever after. He goes on tour all the time, but he does breathing exercises so he doesn’t get panic attacks or relapse into addiction. Sam used her grandma’s schmoney to start a record label and people just sign with her even though she’s completely unqualified and has no bands on her résumé. But don’t worry she’s emotionally codependent and living with the lesbians while her boyfriend is off on tour. What a happy ending, right? The end.

This book really really surprised me! The chemistry between Max and Sammy, their dynamic, the incorporation of music, the heartfelt moments. This is exactly what I want in a young adult lgbt coming of age story. It’s something I wish I read when I was in high school. I appreciated all of the diverse characters and representation, and how well it was all incorporated into the story. Overall, great read and I’ll definitely be checking out this authors next works.

This book was successful in exploring family trauma and the impacts of abandonment, but wholly failed at a romance, unfortunately. This was meant to be a "second chance" romance but one of the MCs wasn't even aware it was a second chance! And both of them used the other. Not a fan. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free advance copy.