Score: 3.5/5 Bookmarks

Steam Rating: 0/5

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for gifting me a review copy of More than Maybe by Erin Hahn on audiobook.

I so wanted to love this book, it sounded right up my alley…but while I did enjoy it, it fell a bit flat for me. Two kids who are both dealing with their own parental issues, and go to the same school but haven’t had much to do with each other until they’re paired up for a school project and discover they have more than they realized in common. They start texting a lot, and gradually getting to know each other and end up being the support that each of them needed.

While I quite liked Vada, our leading lady, Luke Greenly’s character felt a little one-dimensional to me and I didn’t warm to him like I kept hoping I would. Now, I love audiobooks, love them, and can usually overlook a less-than-perfect accent, but I found P.J. Ochlan’s British accent (he’s American) particularly grating and thought he sounded 50-years-old, rather than like the teenager he was supposed to be. That was extremely offputting. I thought Rachel Jacobs did a great job with Vada though, which made her character come to life and feel approachable and dynamic.

Generally, I found Vada really likable. She was driven and focused and was able to maturely handle a number of situations that no kid should have to deal with. Plus, if you are a music buff then you’ll appreciate all the specific references throughout the book.

If you’d like to check out the audiobook, click the link below. If you’d like a copy of the physical book, click here.

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?