Review: This Song Is (Not) for You by Laura Nowlin

Title: This Song Is (Not) for You by Laura Nowlin
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult, Romance
Length: 240 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Ramona fell for Sam the moment she met him. It was like she had known him forever. He’s one of the few constants in her life, and their friendship is just too important to risk for a kiss. Though she really wants to kiss him…

Sam loves Ramona, but he would never expect her to feel the same way-she’s too quirky and cool for someone like him. Still, they complement each other perfectly, both as best friends and as a band.

Then they meet Tom. Tom makes music too, and he’s the band’s missing piece. The three quickly become inseparable. Except Ramona’s falling in love with Tom. But she hasn’t fallen out of love with Sam either. How can she be true to her feelings without breaking up the band?

Review:

This Song Is (Not) for You by Laura Nowlin is a quirky but highly enjoyable young adult romance.

Ramona Andrews and Sam Peterson are best friends who are also in a band together. They are also in love with each other but neither is willing to admit it since they are afraid to ruin their friendship.  After an accidental meeting with Tom Cogsworthy, they invite him to join their band and everyone’s relationship unexpectedly becomes complicated when Ramona and Tom fall for each other.

Ramona is a very bubbly, energetic and enthusiastic young woman. She does not particularly care about other people’s opinions of her and she definitely marches to the beat of her own drummer. An avid musician, she is an talented piano player but her true love is percussion instruments. She is surprised by her romantic interest in Tom and although they quickly become a couple, Ramona is confused by her continued feelings for Sam.

Sam enjoys making music, but unlike Ramona, he does not want to pursue it as a career. His parents are divorced and although his home life is a bit atypical due to his eccentric mom, he is fairly well-adjusted and happy. Although Sam is disappointed when Ramona and Tom start dating, he remains hopeful about a future with her.

When Tom first meets Ramona and Sam, he is rather depressed and lonely. Although well-liked by his classmates, he does not have any close friends and he is still upset over a recent breakup with his girlfriend. He has a penchant for glitter that has caused him a bit of trouble but overall, he is a quiet young man that blends into the background.

This Song Is (Not) for You alternates between the three main characters’ perspectives but Laura Nowlin does an excellent job giving them distinctive voices and unique characteristics that make it easy to tell them apart. The storyline is engrossing and the romantic element is different than is typically found in young adult novels. All in all, a fascinating story with appealing protagonists that fans of the genre are sure to enjoy.