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?
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Whenever I’m reviewing an ARC, I highlight on my Kindle app and make notes for favorite quotes and scenes.
I had 101 highlights.
More Than Maybe is absolutely phenomenal. Please excuse me while I fangirl over the writing.
This novel had an aspect to the writing that doesn’t often occur in books – a spark. At one point in the story, a character is referred to as a firecracker and honestly, that’s what reading this book felt like. The pacing was on fire in the best way.
I read it in one sitting and ended up staying up until 2 AM to finish the book. I literally cancelled my classes for the next morning so I could stay up and binge-read the book. It’s just that good – or, as they say in the book, a five-eyes-closed experience.
And oh, the characters. The characters. Vada and Luke had such strong voices, there was never any confusion as to who was talking even when I was way too absorbed in the story to notice the chapter markers of who’s point of view it is. Vada, with her witty sarcasm and determined drive inside of her. Luke, with his adorable shyness and journey to finding his own voice in writing. I also high-key related to Vada’s best friend Meg, who reminded me so very much of myself with her quirky sayings and cheerful disposition.
More Than Maybe also had an incredible way of weaving incredibly poignant lines into casual conversation. It felt like the words were settling into my heart and I’ll carry them with me -much like the music in the story.
Also, I have to take a moment to talk about Vada’s relationship with her parents. Erin Hahn’s skill with writing teenagers and knowing exactly what it feels like already has astounded me, but the way the characters interacted with parents was amazing. It’s so refreshing to see a character who gets along with her mother and both loves and supports her mother’s boyfriend. I teared up several times, to be honest.
More Than Maybe was just….amazing. I’d give it six stars if that was an option. Thank you, Erin Hahn, for writing one of my new favorite books that has moved me and touched my heart.
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