Tim and Mandy are both deeply passionate about music and they immediately connect when they meet at an old pub on a battle-of-the-bands night. They are both at a point in their lives where they are figuring out what lies ahead for them. Tim is a songwriter and musician, repeating his final high school year after some major and traumatic family disruptions. Mandy, in her gap year, is considering her future while she works as a sandwich artist and watches daytime TV. Their story is told through their alternating voices: there are plenty of fun references to and observations about musicians and bands, and thoughts about how music enriches our lives and can provide comfort during tough times. It’s a cute and unsteady first love with mixtapes and gig dates; music obsessed teenagers will love this novel.

Kim Gruschow