I really liked the opening of the book and at first found it an interesting story about a mystery disappearance and the rise of a singer/songwriter. Some of the sections were interesting but found it hard to get into it and stay interested. There is a lot of jumping around in time within a chapter which got confusing.

Thank you to Netgalley and Mariner Books for an ARC and I voluntarily left this review.

So I DNF'd this author's first book (too many POVs for me) but decided to try this because I love pop star books. What a great book! It's one part Veronica Mars and feels very inspired by Taylor Swift (though the author clearly did a LOT of research into singer-songwriters).

In the book, a pop star has had a meteoric rise but she's still haunted by her best friend's disappearance. It's not a mystery really, but Sloan, the main character, does spend a lot of time thinking about Kelsey, her missing friend. We learn more about their relationship and how Kelsey and Sloan use to collaborate. Sloan has a lot of survivor's guilt.

My full review goes up October 14 but highly recommend!

🎧 Once More From the Top - Emily Layden
2 ⭐️ - Meh, I wanted to like this way more than I did. This was not. It’s a mix between the musical world and a lil mystery, and I wish it was just one or the other. I was intrigued by the mystery and what happened to Kelsey, but simply nothing else. The long chapters lost me and I felt myself wandering away from the story.

Thank you to Mariner Books, #partner, for an advanced e-copy of Once More from the Top in exchange for my honest review.

This is a book that I totally took a chance on and I’m so glad I did. It’s the first book I’ve read by Emily Layden but it certainly will not be the last.

I typically shy away from books that are heavily music/singer based because it’s not really my jam, however I really liked this one because of the underlying mystery of what happened to Kelsey. Give me a cold case and I’m one happy girl!!! I also appreciated how it explores grief as well as guilt. The dual timeline really pulled me in, as slowly secrets are revealed, ending with quite the final twist. ⁣

I have already added the author’s debut novel, All Girls, to my tbr, and I cannot wait to see what else she writes!

“For the one millionth time women are not responsible for the bad behavior of men; for fuck’s sake she was 17.”

Once More From The Top is a layered novel about the meteoric rise of a legendary pop star and the secret she’s kept hidden for fifteen years. Very Taylor Swift, if you will.

This book is being marketed as similar to Daisy Jones & The Six, yet I didn’t really get that vibe. This is a much more character driven story. Following Dylan’s life in dual timelines (then and now), you are immersed in both her life as the uber successful pop star she is now and the story of a hometown secret, involving her childhood best friend, that has shaped who she has become. There is a bit of mystery sprinkled in as well but the focus of the story really is on the characters.

“No matter what, no matter how smart I am or how much I think I know, the men are the ones who shape the narrative.”

Thank you to @emilylayden, @marinerbooks, and @mbc_books for the #gifted copy.

I loved this book so much, I read it twice.

Why, you ask? You are going to have to dive in to find out for yourself.

I first read Emily Layden, when I picked up "All Girls" . .To say I was intrigued, would be an understatement. When I saw Once More From the Top, pop up on NetGalley, I was pleasantly surprised and eager to see what Layden had been working on.

I loved it

I absolutely loved every bit of this enthralling, tantalizing and mind bending thriller.

Relative and captivating, this is a book, once you start, you will not want to put down. I totally felt the Daisy Jones vibe with a hint of current social media influences.

You don't want to miss this one!

Check out this teaser :

Everyone in America knows Dylan Read, or at least has heard her music. Since releasing her debut album her senior year of high school, Dylan’s spent fifteen years growing up in the public eye. She’s not only perfected her skills when it comes to lyrics and melody; she’s also learned how to craft a public narrative that satisfies her fans, her label, and the media. In the circles of fame and celebrity in which she now travels, the careful maintenance of Dylan Read pop star is often more important than the songs themselves.

And so lots of people think they understand everything about Dylan Read. But what no one knows is the part of her origin story she has successfully kept hidden: her childhood best friend Kelsey vanished the year before Dylan became famous. Now, as Dylan’s at the height of her career, Kelsey’s body is found at the bottom of their hometown lake—forcing Dylan to reckon with their shared past, her friend’s influence on her music, and whether there’s more to their story than meets the eye.

I was drawn to this book because it was described as fans for Daisy Jones and The Six. (One of my favorites!) This one fell flat for me. I found it to be average. 3/5 stars.

Emily Layden's Once More from the Top is a captivating exploration of ambition, nostalgia, and the complexity of human relationships set against the backdrop of a small-town theater. The narrative centers around a group of former high school friends who reunite for a community production of a beloved musical, prompting them to confront their pasts and their divergent paths since adolescence.

Layden's prose is both lyrical and accessible, effortlessly weaving together the characters' individual stories while maintaining a strong ensemble feel. Each character is well-drawn, showcasing their unique struggles and aspirations, from the aspiring playwright seeking validation to the once-popular jock grappling with the realities of adulthood. The dialogue sparkles with authenticity, capturing the banter and tensions that arise as they navigate their reunion.

One of the novel's strengths is its rich exploration of themes such as the passage of time and the bittersweet nature of memory. Layden deftly contrasts the idealized visions of youth with the harsher truths of adult life, inviting readers to reflect on their own journeys. The theater setting serves as a perfect metaphor for these themes, as the characters don different masks, revealing and concealing their true selves in a dance of vulnerability.

Moreover, the pacing is skillfully handled, maintaining a balance between character introspection and plot progression. The emotional stakes rise as secrets are revealed and unresolved tensions bubble to the surface, culminating in a poignant climax that resonates long after the final page is turned.

Ultimately, Once More from the Top is a heartfelt tribute to the power of friendship and the ways we are shaped by our pasts. Layden's ability to blend humor with deeper reflections on life makes this novel a compelling read for anyone who has ever grappled with the bittersweet nature of nostalgia. It’s a beautifully rendered story that invites us to revisit our own "once more" moments and the lessons they impart. Highly recommended for fans of character-driven narratives and those with a love for theater.

I had high hopes for Once More From the Top—seemed like maybe a Daisy Jones vibe….but unfortunately for me, it fell flat. It kept jumping around to different times and characters, which to me was hard to follow within one chapter. And the chapters were super long, which I am not a fan of. I’m sure many people will enjoy the mysterious aspect but this one wasn’t for me.

🎤 Once More From The Top 🎤
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5
.5/🌶️

If you enjoy books packed with detailed descriptions of every movement, conversation, and setting, this one might be for you. The novel follows Dylan Read as she navigates her coming-of-age journey and rises to fame as a music artist. The narrative shifts between different timelines in Dylan's life—starting from when she first met her best friend, Kelsey. Together, they faced the awkward teenage years, writing and singing songs. Even after Kelsey's disappearance 15 years ago, she remains a presence in Dylan's life, haunting her in both memory and spirit. Kelsey's body has just been discovered in the lake where she loved volunteering at camp.

After Kelsey went missing, Dylan pursued their shared dreams. Although she was primarily a poet, writing songs for Kelsey to sing, Dylan decided to carry on Kelsey's dream, all while battling imposter syndrome throughout her career, constantly thinking, "This should be Kelsey." Along the way, Dylan grapples with relationships, marriages, and her past. As she uncovers more about the night of Kelsey's disappearance, Dylan eventually comes to terms with the fact that it wasn't her fault.

I struggled with this book. The plot seemed to lack a clear climax and felt directionless at times. The constant shifts between timelines left me confused in nearly every chapter, although this eased toward the end. I'm also puzzled by others comparing this book to something related to Taylor Swift—the football star and revenge record storyline was such a minor part of the overall narrative.

When I say Once More From the Top described as perfect for fans of Daisy Jones, I immediately knew I needed to read it, because I loved that book, but I feel that that's an unfair comparison. This book is so much more than Daisy Jones. Dylan Read is complex, she's talented, and she's been hiding a big secret for a very long time. While Daisy Jones was about the ultimate demise of The Six, OMFTT is about friendship and redemption. The characters were complex and real, and there were times that I wanted the plot to move faster, but I was still thoroughly engaged throughout, I'm already looking forward to what's next from Emily Layden.

This book was not for me. I saw reviews that said it was comparable to Daisy Jones and I didn’t feel like it was. The author wrote a beautiful literary story about a pop music artist who has a secret she has kept for over a decade. I struggled with the long chapters and was confused at times by the dual timeline. If you like character driven stories with a hint of mystery, you might like this one.

I received an advanced electronic (eARC) copy from @thoughtsfromapage Early Reads Program. Thank you to Cindy Burnett and publisher Mariner books. I appreciated the opportunity to preview this book.

Once More from the Top by Emily Layden is an intriguing novel about a popular singer’s secrets.

Dylan Read is a gifted performer whose fans take her shifts in genres in stride. Her albums reflect her personal life but the media and fans sometimes read a little more into her songs than they actually mean. Dylan is hoping her label will back her latest project. But when the body of her long missing friend, Kelsey Copestenke, is found, will the publicity affect her negotiations? And most important, can Dylan uncover the truth about what led to Kelsey’s death?

Once More from the Top is a fast-paced novel that weaves back and forth between Dylan’s past and present. Dylan and the other characters are flawed yet likable. Her small hometown is well-developed and easy to visualize. Dylan’s need to learn what happened to Kelsey drives the plot and Emily Layden brings the novel to a satisfying conclusion. Very enjoyable read!

Dylan Read and Kelsey Copestenke are high school friends who share an interest in writing music and poetry. At the opening, Kelsey, who disappeared 15 years earlier. was discovered having drowned in the lake where she served as a counselor. This occurred just as they were finding some footing writing music together. Dylan went on to become a famous singer-songwriter who felt guilt that Kelsey was not sharing it with her. As the story unfolds, it flips between the past and 2022. There is a lot about writing music, some of which bogs down the story. My biggest criticism is that it jumped back and forth quickly between timeframes and relationships and made it difficult to follow.

At the heart is an interesting story about family, friends, and love, but it was hard for me to really enjoy it. Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy.

Once More From the Top is a juicy mystery combined with an even juicier pop star origin story and the results are addictive, delicious drama that will keep you sucked in to the very last page.

I freaking loved this book. I read this in one afternoon on my sunny patio, and I genuinely couldn’t have stopped reading this even if I wanted to. It has everything I love in a story - dynamic characters, a cold case missing person mystery, an insider-view of the music industry, and ripped from the headlines pop star drama. When it’s said that this is for fans of Daisy Jones, it so seriously delivers.

The pacing in this book is excellent, and I really enjoyed the moving timelines that kept revealing little secrets a bit at a time, before the full picture explodes with the final twists.

Genuinely this is one of the most satisfying books I’ve read this summer, and I cannot recommend it enough as the perfect entertainment for your autumn reading lists. Do not miss this one, it’s just too much fun!

Many thanks to @mbc_books for having me on tour and @emilylayden my god, you have made a super fan out of me. Can’t wait for what’s next.

This was a quick read, marketed to Taylor Swift fans. I think this book will do well with people that love celebrity drama. I think Dylan was kinda of a boring character so I kept losing interested. But all and all a good read.

Thank you to @netgally and @marinerbooks for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. Sadly this one just did not work for me. I did not enjoy the writing style. The chapters were super long and jumped between past and present very abruptly several times in each one. It was jarring and hard to keep track of what was happening and where we were. The writing was also way to descriptive for my liking and I felt myself getting bored and skimming at times.

The story follows Dylan, (think Taylor Swift). She is trying to navigate her career and the fame that comes with it, while also dealing with past trauma. Then her childhood friend, who has been missing for 15 years is found. The story of the past and what happens slowly unfolds from there. I just didn't really connect with these characters and kept waiting for "more" to happen.

Give this a try if you're a big Swiftie and it might just work better for you.

4.25 rounded down

I totally enjoyed this story and flew through most of it, wanting to know more!

This absolutely feels like it was inspired by Taylor Swift, though obviously not biographical. Dylan is a massive pop star who started in country music and worked her way into pop music. We start to realize her relationship with her high school friend Kelsey is at the center of, well, everything.

I thought everything about this was great. Minus Dylan’s relationships, specifically with Nick. I just didn’t feel it the same way as I felt Kelsey and even Matt, Aaron, etc. I didn’t get the vibe from their interactions even though I wanted to believe in it.

Advance reader copy provided by Mariner Books and NetGalley but all opinions are my own.

Thank you Mariner books for Once More from the Top, I really love a book that is behind the scenes music/movies/media blended with the reality, and cost, of fame, money, and ambition. The role of mystery and reconnecting to past high school themes, friendships, and secrets was a great twist on a favorite trope. I found Layden's writing engaging, if the pacing a little slow for what felt like a plot that wanted to move along faster, and I enjoyed the exploration of fame and costs. A great read for music fans, Swifties, and for anyone who enjoys stories about the complexity of fame and music (Daisy Jones, Honey, Where Are You Echo Blue).

Dylan Read is a mega-star. The singer/songwriter has won numerous Grammy awards and has legions of devoted fans. She rose to fame in country music and transitioned to pop music, where she is beloved for her confessional lyrics. A truth that she has never revealed was that she owed everything to her best friend Kelsey, who disappeared while they were in high school. Fifteen years later, while working on her next album, Dylan learns that Kelsey's body has been found at the bottom of their local lake in Upstate New York. With flashbacks to their high school years as friends exploring their love of music, to the emergence of a superstar's career, the truth about what happened to Kelsey is uncovered.

Emily Layden's novel Once More from the Top is a well-done tale of the rise of a musical artist (the comparison to Taylor Swift is inevitable) and the challenges along the way including the scrutiny of the press, pressures from the record label, and the struggle to maintain a personal life. The long-buried pain from the loss of her friend brings up feelings of guilt and self-doubt as she has the career that Kelsey had dreamed of. It's an engaging story and should appeal to those who enjoy books set within the music world.