ARC Review: More Than Maybe by Erin Hahn
10:00
Series: None
Author: Erin Hahn
Published July 21st 2020 by Wednesday Books
Goodreads Synopsis
Growing up under his punk rocker dad's spotlight, eighteen-year-old Luke Greenly knows fame and wants nothing to do with it. His real love isn't in front of a crowd, it's on the page. Hiding his gift and secretly hoarding songs in his bedroom at night, he prefers the anonymous comfort of the locally popular podcast he co-hosts with his outgoing and meddling, far-too-jealousy-inspiringly-happy-with-his-long-term-boyfriend twin brother, Cullen. But that’s not Luke’s only secret. He also has a major un-requited crush on music blogger, Vada Carsewell.
Vada's got a five year plan: secure a job at the Loud Lizard to learn from local legend (and her mom's boyfriend) Phil Josephs (check), take over Phil's music blog (double check), get accepted into Berkeley's prestigious music journalism program (check, check, check), manage Ann Arbor's summer concert series and secure a Rolling Stone internship. Luke Greenly is most definitely NOT on the list. So what if his self-deprecating charm and out-of-this-world music knowledge makes her dizzy? Or his brother just released a bootleg recording of Luke singing about some mystery girl on their podcast and she really, really wishes it was her?
Goodreads
Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.
Growing up in the spotlight was always going to be hard, but for introvert Luke Greenly, it's doubly so. He's never wanted the fame that comes with being the son of former punk rocker, Charlie Greenly, but luckily he has his twin brother, Cullen to rely on. Luke is more than happy to be behind the scenes, part of a double act on his podcast, and secretly writing and creating music in his bedroom. No one else knows about that, nor do they know just how far his feelings go for music blogger, Vada. Vada has had a difficult childhood, with a father who would rather drink himself stupid in the bar she works at with her pseudo-step father, Phil, than remember that he has an 18 year old daughter. She wants to cultivate her connections through the bar to her writing, and hopefully be able to go to college in California, before becoming a music reported for Rolling Stone. Part of her five year plan is to get Phil and her mam to trust her to take on a managerial role in the bar, and even close up a few times, and part of her new responsibilities is to oversee the Greenly brother's using the sound booth to create their podcast. Working with Luke a lot more, especially when he starts working in the bar, they both realise that the feelings they've been hiding from one another are reciprocated, but when a secret recording of Luke singing his own song is released, will the pressure become too much?
Now, I've been putting off this book for a while, and honestly, I don't really know why. I loved Erin's debut release, and couldn't wait to read More Than Maybe but every time I've tried in the past, since been approved for the eARC, I wasn't in the right mood or whatnot. Well, during my Easter holidays, I decided to read it again, and I don't know what it was, but as soon as I loaded it up on my phone, I couldn't put it down, and devoured the entire book in just a few short hours. It was perfect! The characters, from Vada and Luke, to Phil and Vada's mam, Mary, to Cullen, Zack, Meg, and everyone else who was part of the story, were so well fleshed out, and had their own history and back stories. I loved the romance between Vada and Luke, but even more so was the plot line away from their relationship. Both had plans for the future, and though some people in their lives - namely, their fathers - didn't wholly approve of them, they wanted what was right for themselves. For Vada, that's writing for music publications, and continuing the hard work she had already started, whereas Luke wanted to be involved in music, but through writing and composing, not actually being on the stage. They complimented each other so much, and I loved seeing them both grow through their own eyes, and each others. They secret collaboration for the end of term showcase was a nice addition too, and we saw them go from neigh on strangers, to friends, to more, really quickly through they mutual love of music.
The backwards and forwards of sending music playlists to each other, and the sheer amount of pining and wanting between Luke and Vada made me want to squeal at times. They were the cutest, and, to be honest, the book was full of fluff and honest to god, adorable relationships. First there's the established relationships between Luke's parents and his brother Cullen, and best friend, Zack. Cullen and Zack were the sweetest couple, and I definitely agreed with what was said in the book that they were made for each other. Both of them were so invested in each other, and they wanted the best for their brother/best friend, and were perfect wingmen to Luke when he was trying to understand his feelings for Vada. Then there's Mary and Phil, who just deserved each other, and were so right for each other, and what Vada needed. After having such a deadbeat father in Marcus, having Phil there as another father figure, who actually loved and cared for Vada how she should be, and wanted to raise her up and bolster her dreams and ambitions, was more than we could've asked for. I was so unbelievably pleased with how the book ended, and everyone had the happy ending they wanted. The only thing I could've wanted more, was seeing if Meg had finally told her mam she wanted a gap year, but I think that would be me nit picking. Seriously, this book was perfect, and I am dying to read Never Saw You Coming!
Dates Read:
April 13, 2021
Rating
5 Stars
Dates Read:
April 13, 2021
Rating
5 Stars
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