Review: LOVED it!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 12 6, 2013
Find this review & more at Such a Novel Idea dot com!4.5/5 starsGood lord I loved this book!  I still can’t really explain it.  Logically, the book followed an outline I could have easily predicted by reading the synopsis.  It wasn’t anything particularly different or unique in that respect.  So, why did I just want to hug my Kindle when it ended?1. The Music2. The Characters3. The EMOTIONThis was an emotional read for me.  I connected on an emotional level and emotion is what drove me through the entire plot.  I felt each and every thing the main character did so deeply, it was a bit frightening. I cried with her. I laughed with her. I rolled my eyes when she made the wrong decision. I was in her head and it made the book that much more enjoyable.Claire was great.  Her story was pretty unique — her ex-boyfriend became famous and wrote nasty songs about her.  I can’t even imagine, but I’m guessing Taylor Swift’s exes understand her pain.  Claire felt deeply for the boy and they didn’t even break up because she didn’t love him, but because her mom was dying.  The whole thing was just heartbreaking.  I felt her shock when she came face to face with the boy in the grocery store and I quickly strapped in for what I knew was going to be a tumultuous ride.The music! There was SO much music in this book (hello, the title is a famous line from Janis Joplin’s song) that I was giddy. From talking about the Beatles to meeting famous made-up bands from Australia, to the music Claire and Jared created.  The music was such a major selling point for me.This book is very much character-driven.  We spend a lot of time in Claire’s head, dealing with the emotions and the things life has thrown her way.  I think this truthfully answers why I loved it so much.  The plot was predictable, but the experience was refreshing. I fell madly in love with the book and I SERIOUSLY wish I could have been laying by the pool when I read it.  It is the perfect beach read, especially since much of it takes place on or near the beach.The writing was great, the plot was tight and didn’t leave anything hanging or missing, the pacing was perfect, and we spent a lot of time in the character’s frame of mind.  The end made me smile and the book left me with a warm and fuzzy feeling.  I will definitely be checking out more from this author!I definitely recommend this to fans of contemporary romances, those who like books with a lot of music, coming-of-age, and reconciliations.