This is one of those books that just didn’t connect with me, even though I could see that it would appeal to plenty of others. I found the main character too passive, and as a result struggled to form an emotional connection with the novel.

Still, for other readers, there is an interesting plot, thoughtful themes, and believable characters. It’s well written and well paced, and many readers are going to find a lot to enjoy in it.

At 26, Evelyn is well advanced on her goal of becoming an international opera star. And then one night, mid-performance, she loses her singing voice. Nothing she tries brings it back. And so she finds herself in a strange limbo: she hasn’t given up hope, but she can’t work. She’s watching her colleagues in a very competitive field zoom past her. She can’t afford to stay in London, but she doesn’t want to return home to Australia as a failure.

But return she has to, and finds herself confronted with a lot of things she hadn’t faced up to. Her distant relationship with her father; the friends she failed to keep in touch with; the lover she left behind without a second look. Taking a job as a debating coach at her old high school is the final step in forcing her to look at her past and what it means for her future.

That plot summary sounds a lot heavier than this novel is. It’s written in a relatively light style, and I found it flowed quite quickly despite some pretty tough themes.

I found Evelyn a very passive character, and although I understood her, I found it hard to connect. One of the themes here, it seems to me, is what happens when you allow others to decide your goals and dreams for you. So the passivity of much of Evelyn’s behaviour makes sense, but gee it annoyed me.

This is a really interesting exploration of one woman reassessing her life: not only what she wants for the future, but looking at her past through different eyes. At times it struck strong chords, and it was never less than interesting and entertaining. It just didn’t have that extra emotional connection for me – but readers less annoyed by Evelyn may well find it.

On balance, I recommend this for readers looking for contemporary fiction which leaves you with something to think about. Even if you, like me, don’t connect with Evelyn, I don’t think you’ll regret reading it. It has a fair bit to offer even without emotional connection.

I seem to be going through a phase of reading books about women in a quarter-life crisis, and I'm here for it. This is about Evelyn, who has always wanted to be an opera singer. it starts with her loosing her voice, and then works backwards and forwards from there. It's written with a deft touch - despite Evelyn being an unlikable main character she is very understandable. The pacing of the book was perfect, the friendships felt so real. This book avoided an issue I've been complaining about recently - novels that are set in a generic city. While Sydney is not a character in this book, as a reader I really felt it was happening there. And that's the charm of this book. It feels real and thoughtful. I had to smile at these 26 year-olds going through what they were going through and getting though it the best they can.
Thanks to NetGalley and Allen & Unwin for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This debut is a witty, painfully relatable dive into the mid-twenties meltdown. Evelyn’s opera dreams crash and burn, and suddenly she’s back home, dodging her ex and coaching high school debate like it’s a comeback tour.

This book wonderfully encapsulates and explores what happens when your "gifted and talented kid" bubble bursts in your mid-twenties. I found this an enjoyable and thought-provoking read.

Despite sounding like a dying cat when I sing and having no musical talent whatsoever, I really enjoyed reading this novel and I found many elements that I could connect with. Evelyn, an opera singer, is living her dream as a successful international star when she unexpectedly loses her voice. She then faces the harsh reality of dreams ending (and beginning), finding her identity outside of her singing and dealing with relationships.

I found the writing style to be interesting and engaging. There were a range of emotions throughout Eleanor's story and despite not always agreeing with her actions at times, I found myself really hoping for a positive outcome as she dealt with her situation. I really appreciated that this was a unique storyline.

Thank you to NetGalley and Allen and Unwin for the arc, it is greatly appreciated.

I really enjoyed Very Impressive for your age by Eleanor Kirk. Although I am definitely not a singer nor know anything about opera, this story enthralled me from the start.

Kirk’s writing is raw, relatable and realistic, but I still felt an optimism to the novel even as things unwind. The author’s ability to write uncomfortable and somewhat cringey moments was fantastic and I felt like I was again ‘coming of age’ throughout the book. I also felt that it was written so well that Evelyn’s selfishness and desperation are even endearing.

Thank you NetGalley for the eArc of this book!

I was drawn to this story purely from the musical element, having trained in classical music for most of my life. And I was sooo glad to have read it.

Evelyn is living her dream, singing opera professional in Europe, until one day her voice disappears. She can talk, but it’s silence when she tries to sing.

What follows is a story of growth and development in one of the most raw, realistic and heartfelt ways. Evelyn has to work out what might have caused this to happen while also trying to decide whether it’s actually what she wants.

It’s beautifully written, raw and rough around the edges which feels so honest. The ending didn’t feel finished, but in a poetic way it felt like the start of Evelyn’s next part of life which I kind of loved too!

A profoundly relatable novel about chasing your dreams and losing your ambition while exploring the crisis that occurs when you learn that who you always wanted to be when you grew up isn't quite what you imagined. A painfully relatable story of youth told with humour and heart.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧 & 𝐔𝐧𝐰𝐢𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐯𝐢𝐚 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐀𝐠𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐊𝐢𝐫𝐤

This had me up at 1am in bed laughing out loud. A few passages worth reading aloud to my partner and he was laughing too!

Some uncomfortably relatable moments for me!

If you can watch Girls and be able to relate, enjoy and not hate all the characters you'll enjoy this one. MC Evelyn is truly insufferable in a Hannah Hovarth way. Not fast paced by any means, not sure anything happens really but I did enjoy it and would recommend.

Some really brilliant short scenes - would honestly make a great movie or limited series.

Thankyou NetGalley for this ARC!