More Than Maybe by Erin Hahn
Published by: St Martin’s Press (Wednesday Books)
Released: 21st June 2020 (in the US)
ISBN 9781250231642
Read: 20 -21 June 2020
While it’s really important to make sure I read just before I review a book, l also don’t recommend waiting until the day before it’s due to be released either. I am unable to give myself time to ponder the style, the plot or any of those other elements that require some thought before writing a review.
So, just so you know – I just finished More Than Maybe not 30 minutes ago, and I am still aglow with the lovely grand gesture and the perfectly pitched epilogue, and the tremendous bond that is the love between Vada and Luke.
They share the story with alternate chapters. Luke is a British boy, all charm and music nerd, a perfect counterbalance to wannabe music journalist Vada. I loved that they both had secret crushes on each other, which is a bit different to the usual plot where it’s either the boy or the girl who has the long-term crush. Here we see Luke feverishly checking every time Vada posts a new music vlog, and Vada going to sleep listening to Luke’s soothing voice through the podcast he presents with his twin brother, Cullen.
Both have music in their blood – Luke’s father is an ex punk rocker, now mostly retired looking for purpose. Vada’s horrible father used to be the lead singer of a local band. They broke up when drummer Phil quit and Marcus, now insurance salesman, having abandoned Vada’s mother, regularly turns up to Phil’s bar (where Vada works), and tosses around blame and regret while drinking himself to embarrassing levels. He refuses to help Vada financially and still expects her to babysit his new children. I don’t want him to take up any more of the review, actually. He’s basically a nightmare of a character and father.
So while Vada and Luke share secret longings for each other (Cullen and Luke record their show in Phil’s sound booth), neither of them are bold enough to take any steps beyond stumbling small talk. Of course, fate intervenes, by way their class schedule. Vada takes a dance elective, mostly to use the improvisation time to drive out her demons through movement and song. Luke’s music composition class is given the opportunity to create a piece for one of the dance class to choreograph a dance for the end of year final assessment. While Vada dances without knowing Luke is observing, she convinces herself no one will ask to work with her. But there’s no way Luke can pick anyone else!
While in actuality, very little collaboration goes on between them (Luke is able to compose several songs about Vada with very little effort), it does begin a series of texts, sharing stories and adventures, in which they get to know each other, allowing us to see them as well. This includes the acknowledgement that Luke is not interested in a life of performance, even though he has the voice of an angel, and the song writing ability of a legend and the network opportunity his father Charlie is only too willing to exploit. Luke’s decision to keep all his composition work private means he feels misunderstood by his family, and this is played out when Cullen uploads a video of Luke singing a song (secretly inspired by his love for Vada). It goes viral. He denies there ‘is a girl’, and the aftermath of this decision provides much of the drama of the middle of the book.
Hahn develops characters that are authentically teen. Cullen and his boyfriend Zack are more than side characters, as is Vada’s best friend Meg, and all the bar workers – lumbersexual Ben, and dread headed Kazi. I also liked seeing Vada’s mum build her lovely romance with Phil, and Luke and Cullen’s parents as well. Complicated messy families who still work together to overcome their issues are very much welcome in YA fiction.
Hahn drops in many musical references and although personally, I am aghast at Vada’s aggressive dislike for Stevie Nicks (what the?), most of the bands and songs reflect Vada and Luke’s growing relationship and inform much of the plot. Luke’s own songs are raw and when he lets others in, we see his vulnerabilities and how much he’s prepared to do for Vada.
Thanks to publisher, Wednesday Books, and Netgalley for advanced copy. This is a super romantic story with two main characters deserving of the dreams they want to follow. They are usually thoughtful of other people, but yeah, they make mistakes and then try to do better. I have previously reviewed Hahn’s first book, You’d Be Mine, another teen romance involving teen music stars, and I am here for both of them. More than Maybe will be released in the US on June 21. Recommended if you love your fictional boys shy and a little bit broken, your fictional girls feisty and goal oriented, and a range of side characters who try to make our protagonists step up and risk love.
Trish Talks Texts 