Starred review from May 8, 2023
Bestselling YA author Mejia (We Set the Dark on Fire) makes their adult debut with a smart second-chance romance that packs a hefty emotional punch. Sammy Espinoza’s career as a music critic is in jeopardy after it comes out that she gave her ex-girlfriend’s mediocre band falsely positive reviews in hopes of winning her back. She has one chance to save her job: get an exclusive interview from reclusive former rock star Max Ryan, who’s rumored to have a long-awaited debut solo album in the works—and who ghosted Sammy after one “magical” night together 10 years before the book’s start. Sammy’s hoping she can use his guilt over this to her advantage, and is taken by surprise when Max doesn’t remember her and asks her out all over again. She says yes, planning to charm him into opening up before revealing their history and her true motives. As they begin to date, however, she finds herself falling for Max all over again, especially as he supports her through some family turmoil. Sammy proves a delightfully snarky and quick-witted narrator and a subplot about her digging into her complicated family history adds both depth and nuance to this heartfelt rom-com. This is a knockout.
December 1, 2023
YA author Mejia's (Lucha of the Night Forest) adult debut transports listeners to the small town of Ridley Falls, WA. Seattle music columnist Sammy Espinoza's life has taken a turn for the worse. Her rock star girlfriend broke up with her, and now her job is in jeopardy after she wrote lots of positive (and biased) reviews in an attempt to win her girlfriend back. Sammy comes up with a last-ditch plan to save her career--return to her hometown and interview the reclusive rock god Max Ryan about his rumored solo album. Though the two spent a magical night together when he was on the brink of making it big, Max doesn't recognize Sammy at all. On top of her other drama and her uncertainty about Max, Sammy also struggles with family secrets and an absentee mother. Listeners will be rapt as narrator Victoria Villarreal describes Sammy's determined efforts to navigate the challenges before her. Villarreal brings Sammy and Max to life and also provides distinct personalities for secondary characters. VERDICT Villarreal's nuanced performance captures Sammy's journey toward a more promising future. Listeners won't want to miss this layered second-chance contemporary romance.--Amanda L. S. Murphy
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