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Please Note: I received an advance copy of this novel from the publisher as part of a Blog Tour to promote this book. This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way. I had the option to not participate if I did not like this book.
Synopsis (from the publisher):
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 Stoneinternship. 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?
In More Than Maybe, Erin Hahn’s swooniest book yet, Luke and Vada must decide how deep their feelings run and what it would mean to give love a try.
Review:
I read Erin Hahn's first book, You'd Be Mine, last year and loved it for the inside view of rising stars in the music industry. More Than Maybe is also set in the music world, but with characters who have already risen, and descended, in fame and influence.
I loved the characters and relationships in this book. I found them so charming, but realistic. This book also had lots of music references that had me jumping on Youtube to look up all the bands mentioned in the story. This was a simply joyous book.
What I Liked:
Characters:
Vada is a girl with so much going on. As a senior in high school, she has been accepted into college, but needs to find a way to pay for it (no wealthy parents here). Her whole life is centered around figuring out what she'll do. Even with after school jobs, and possible scholarships, she's falling short. She really needs her bio-dad to step up and help pay for college. But he's got a new family and doesn't feel it's his responsibility. I can totally relate to the stress and anger she feels. I loved that she never gives up. Her journey moves from anger and helplessness to acceptance and embracing all the positive things (and people) in her life.
Luke's dad has already had a successful music career in England. You can tell his dad really misses the fame and power he had. Luke knows that he has the talent to follow in his dad's footsteps, but wants no part of the notoriety that comes with fame. He would much rather work in the background, composing music, than performing it. I liked that Luke knew what he wanted and would not be persuaded from his own goals.
Parents:
I loved that these were not just stereotypes of parents, but a variety of realistic people. Luke's parents have a longer-term marriage, and his dad is projecting his own aspirations onto his kids. This happens so much! Vada's parents are divorced and now with other partners. Her dad is a total jerk, wanting his daughter's respect, but not helping her out in any way.
But the most wonderful adult in this book was Phil, Vada's boss who is also dating her mom. While he's an anchor for Vada and her mom. he is not there to save them. I thought that showed a great deal of respect for them.
Music:
There is so much wonderful music in this book that I can't possibly list them all. I enjoyed how the characters connected to the music. There is already a playlist on Spotify!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
ERIN HAHN is the author of You'd Be Mine and More Than Maybe. She teaches elementary, would rather be outside and makes a lot of playlists. So many playlists in fact, that she decided to write books to match them! She married her very own YA love interest who she met on her first day of college and has two kids who are much, much cooler than she ever was at their age. She lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan, aka the greenest place on earth and has a cat named Gus who plays fetch and a dog named June who doesn’t.
Buy this book: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250231642
Author website: https://www.erinphahn.com/
Author Twitter: @erinhahn_author
Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17130322.Erin_Hahn
Author Instagram: @erinhahn_author
Rating: 
Release Date: July 21st, 2020
Author: Erin Hahn
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Genre: YA Contemporary
Page Length: 336 Pages
Source: Blog Tour Publisher
Format: E-Book
Recommendation: A charming YA filled with music and loving relationships.
