Book Review: Between the Notes
Between the Notes
By: Sharon Huss Roat
By: Sharon Huss Roat
Published by: Harper Teen
Release date: June 16, 2015
Genre: YA contemporary
400 pages
Buy it at Amazon, IndieBound, Book Depository, or Barnes & Noble
Source: ARC kindly provided by publisher
Ahhh, I so enjoy a good contemporary. I was craving a great read when I finally got to start this one, and it was so fantastic, I finished it in a day. Nicely done, author.
This is a great journey of self-discovery for main character Ivy. She experiences a lot of big feelings, between what's happened to her family's financial situation and what's going on in her social life. She has to learn a different way of processing and expressing those feelings, since she's no longer able to do so through playing the piano. This journey refocuses the meaning of her friendships, the importance of her family, and the emphasis she once placed on popularity and wealth.
As she learns to navigate her world differently, Ivy gets closer to two very different boys. Through a series of assumptions and misunderstandings, she mistakenly develops feelings for both boys- though I wouldn't characterize it as a love triangle. The boys, in many ways, represent who Ivy was and who she is becoming. Her triumphant moment is when she chooses to move forward rather than looking back.
The title is a fabulous pun, which I don't want to spoil for you. The cover, I'm afraid, might not be enticing enough to draw in as many readers as this fabulous story deserves. I guess we'll have to fix that shouting our praises from the roof tops- or out Ivy's attic window.
Please note that, should throwing potatoes at beautiful young ladies become a trend, this book is to blame. If you want to know why, you'll need to read it for yourself.
Ahhh, I so enjoy a good contemporary. I was craving a great read when I finally got to start this one, and it was so fantastic, I finished it in a day. Nicely done, author.
This is a great journey of self-discovery for main character Ivy. She experiences a lot of big feelings, between what's happened to her family's financial situation and what's going on in her social life. She has to learn a different way of processing and expressing those feelings, since she's no longer able to do so through playing the piano. This journey refocuses the meaning of her friendships, the importance of her family, and the emphasis she once placed on popularity and wealth.
As she learns to navigate her world differently, Ivy gets closer to two very different boys. Through a series of assumptions and misunderstandings, she mistakenly develops feelings for both boys- though I wouldn't characterize it as a love triangle. The boys, in many ways, represent who Ivy was and who she is becoming. Her triumphant moment is when she chooses to move forward rather than looking back.
The title is a fabulous pun, which I don't want to spoil for you. The cover, I'm afraid, might not be enticing enough to draw in as many readers as this fabulous story deserves. I guess we'll have to fix that shouting our praises from the roof tops- or out Ivy's attic window.
Please note that, should throwing potatoes at beautiful young ladies become a trend, this book is to blame. If you want to know why, you'll need to read it for yourself.
Summary:
When Ivy Emerson’s family loses their house—complete with her beloved piano—the fear of what’s to come seizes her like a bad case of stage fright. Only this isn’t one of her single, terrifying performances. It’s her life.
And it isn’t pretty.
Ivy is forced to move with her family out of their affluent neighborhood to Lakeside, also known as “the wrong side of the tracks.” Hiding the truth from her friends—and the cute new guy in school, who may have secrets of his own—seems like a good idea at first. But when a bad boy next door threatens to ruin everything, Ivy’s carefully crafted lies begin to unravel . . . and there is no way to stop them.
As things get to the breaking point, Ivy turns to her music, some unlikely new friends, and the trusting heart of her disabled little brother. She may be surprised that not everyone is who she thought they were . . . including herself.
Debut author Sharon Huss Roat crafts a charming and timely story of what happens when life as you know it flips completely upside down.
When Ivy Emerson’s family loses their house—complete with her beloved piano—the fear of what’s to come seizes her like a bad case of stage fright. Only this isn’t one of her single, terrifying performances. It’s her life.
And it isn’t pretty.
Ivy is forced to move with her family out of their affluent neighborhood to Lakeside, also known as “the wrong side of the tracks.” Hiding the truth from her friends—and the cute new guy in school, who may have secrets of his own—seems like a good idea at first. But when a bad boy next door threatens to ruin everything, Ivy’s carefully crafted lies begin to unravel . . . and there is no way to stop them.
As things get to the breaking point, Ivy turns to her music, some unlikely new friends, and the trusting heart of her disabled little brother. She may be surprised that not everyone is who she thought they were . . . including herself.
Debut author Sharon Huss Roat crafts a charming and timely story of what happens when life as you know it flips completely upside down.
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Oh my goodness - finally got around to reading this review, and I am so excited to read this book now!! I must add it to GR. Ivy sounds so intriguing and her situation unique. Thanks for the awesome review. <3
ReplyDeleteSierra @ Yearning to Read
...throwing potatoes at beautiful young ladies..."? Alright, I am intrigued!
ReplyDeleteI've had my eye on this for a while! I'm definitely excited to read this one.
ReplyDeleteI've seen this one on many a blog, and keep wanting to read it. While the cover might not seem catchy to some, I adore it.
ReplyDelete