Category Archives: Erin Hahn

September 28, 2021 · 12:01 am

Review: Never Saw You Coming by Erin Hahn

Title: Never Saw You Coming by Erin Hahn
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult, Romance
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

In Erin Hahn’s Never Saw You Coming, sometimes it takes a leap of faith to find yourself.

Eighteen-year-old Meg Hennessey just found out her entire childhood was a lie. So instead of taking a gap year before college to find herself, she ends up traveling north to meet what’s left of the family she never knew existed – all while questioning the ideals she grew up with.

While there, she meets Micah Allen, a former pastor’s kid whose dad ended up in prison, leaving Micah with his own complicated relationship with faith. The clock is ticking on his probation hearing and Micah, now 19, feels the pressure to forgive – even when he can’t possibly forget.

As Meg and Micah grow closer, they are confronted with the heavy flutterings of first love and all the complications it brings. Together, they must navigate the sometimes-painful process of cutting ties with childhood beliefs as they build toward something truer and straight from the heart.

Review:

Never Saw You Coming by Erin Hahn is an engaging young adult romance with a topical storyline.

Eighteen-year-old Meg Hennessey’s gap year is turned upside down when she learns a huge secret about her life. She was homeschooled growing up and very involved in an ultraconservative church whose attitudes toward women she now questions. In order to distance herself from her parents, Meg heads to the Upper Peninsula in order to meet family she never knew existed. Her great-grandmother welcomes her with open arms as does her uncle James. But it is her chance meeting with nineteen-year-old Micah Allen that results in the most changes in her life.

Micah has been in his own crisis of church for several years. His faith in God never wavered but his faith in church institution did following the poor treatment lack of support of his family’s former congregation. Micah worships in his own way but he has yet to come to terms with the precipitating event that turned him away from going to church. His relationship with his family is a little strained under the weight of an expectation that he is unfairly burdened with. Micah is immediately intrigued with newcomer Meg and their lives intersect in a very unexpected way.

Until recently, neither Meg’s faith nor her relationship with her parents has ever been tested. She has always been a dutiful daughter but in light of new information, she rightly feels betrayed. Meg is hoping this trip away will help provide some clarity about her relationship with her parents and her now complex views on religion. Always extremely sheltered, Meg takes baby steps away from her strict upbringing as she decides her own viewpoints about the more extreme versions of her former church. She is also slowly feeling her way in her burgeoning romance with Micah.

Never Saw You Coming is a charming coming of age young adult novel. Meg and Micah are multi-faceted characters whose romance is very sweet. The UP is a wonderful backdrop since so much of Micah’s personality is tied to his love of the outdoors. The elements of faith are understated but religion is an integral part of Meg and Micah’s lives. Their less than positive experiences will resonate with readers who have questions about certain aspects of more conservative doctrine.  The story-line is well-executed and Erin Hahn brings this thought-provoking young adult novel to a heartwarming conclusion.

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Filed under Contemporary, Erin Hahn, Never Saw You Coming, Rated B, Review, Romance, Wednesday Books, Young Adult

July 20, 2020 · 11:57 pm

Review: More Than Maybe by Erin Hahn

Title: More Than Maybe by Erin Hahn
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult, Romance
Length: 336 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss

Summary:

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?

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:

More Than Maybe by Erin Hahn is a charming young adult romance.

Luke Greenly is the son of a former punk rock sensation.  Although he and his twin brother, Cullen, produce a weekly podcast, Luke is shy and does not want to be in the spotlight. Under pressure from his father, Luke gave up writing music years earlier, but he has recently begun to compose again. The song he has recently written is inspired by his long-time secret crush Vada Carsewll. When the two begin working on a school project together, will Luke work up the courage to act on his feelings for her?

Vada is also big into the music scene.  She writes a very popular music review blog and she is thrilled by her acceptance to Berkeley.  She is frustrated and hurt by her  bio-dad’s reluctance to truly invest himself in her life. But luckily for her, Vada’s mom is absolutely wonderful and her boss and mom’s boyfriend, Phil Josephs, is supportive and caring. And despite being tongue-tied in his presence, the absolute highlight of her week is chatting briefly with Luke. Agreeing to collaborate with Luke on a music and dance project, will Vada’s infatuation with Luke turn into a real romance?

Vada and Luke are wonderfully drawn, appealing characters. Vada’s struggle to come to terms with her absentee father is heartbreaking to watch. Equally frustrating is Luke’s inability to convince his father that he truly has no interest in pursuing a singing career. Despite their respective issues with their fathers, Vada and Luke’s friendship is fun and angst-free. Their friendship and love of music are the perfect springboard for their delightful slow burn romance.

More Than Maybe is a fast-paced and engaging young adult romance.  The primary and secondary characters are vibrantly developed and likable. The storyline is well-written and unique. The various friendships and romances are realistic and supportive. Music lovers are sure to enjoy  this light-hearted, enjoyable young adult romance by Erin Hahn.

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Filed under Contemporary, Erin Hahn, More Than Maybe, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Wednesday Books, Young Adult

March 31, 2019 · 11:58 pm

Review: You’d Be Mine by Erin Hahn

Title: You’d Be Mine by Erin Hahn
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult, Romance
Length: 281 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Annie Mathers is America’s sweetheart and heir to a country music legacy full of all the things her Gran warned her about. Superstar Clay Coolidge is most definitely going to end up one of those things.

But unfortunately for Clay, if he can’t convince Annie to join his summer tour, his music label is going to drop him. That’s what happens when your bad boy image turns into bad boy reality. Annie has been avoiding the spotlight after her parents’ tragic death, except on her skyrocketing YouTube channel. Clay’s label wants to land Annie, and Clay has to make it happen.

Swayed by Clay’s undeniable charm and good looks, Annie and her band agree to join the tour. From the start fans want them to be more than just tour mates, and Annie and Clay can’t help but wonder if the fans are right. But if there’s one part of fame Annie wants nothing to do with, it’s a high-profile relationship. She had a front row seat to her parents’ volatile marriage and isn’t interested in repeating history. If only she could convince her heart that Clay, with his painful past and head over heels inducing tenor, isn’t worth the risk.

Erin Hahn’s thrilling debut, You’d Be Mine, asks: can the right song and the perfect summer on the road make two broken hearts whole?

Review:

You’d Be Mine by Erin Hahn is a truly captivating young adult novel which stars two country music singers while on tour.

Clay Coolidge is the superstar sensation of his record label but he is in danger of being dropped after a drunken brawl.  The only way to salvage his career is to persuade rising internet star Annie Mathers to join him for his summer tour. The two musicians are a study in contrasts with Clay singing the popular beer swilling country anthems while Annie writes her own songs drawn on her real life experiences.   While their record label tries to publicly brand them as a modern day Johnny and June, Annie and Clay initially barely tolerate one another. But will a summer spent in close quarters change work its magic on the darlings of country music?

Clay is a charismatic singer whose life mirrors his songs. He is drinking too much but everyone  loves his party songs and his bad boy image is a hit with his female  fans. Clay is trying to outrun his past but will he lose his career in the process?

Annie is no stranger to the world of country music since both her parents were megastars.  Since their heartrending  deaths, she has lived a quiet life on her grandparents’ farm.  But music is in her soul and Annie, her cousin Kacey and friend Jason have been playing together on the local scene. With firsthand experience with the darker side of the country music scene, Annie is reluctantly drawn into the life that destroyed her family.

Although Annie and Clay respect one another’s talent, they keep their distance from one another as they begin the tour. Annie is wary of Clay’s reputation so she tries to keep out of his way. Due to his troubles,  Clay does not want to do anything to harm Annie’s reputation.  They both soon realize they are kindred spirits and their camaraderie on stage  soon spills over into real life. But as Annie’s star is rising, Clay’s demons begin to spin out of control. After experiencing so much heartache when she was younger, how will Annie react to Clay’s downward spiral?

You’d Be Mine  is a compelling young adult novel with flawed yet endearing characters.  Clay and Annie are vibrantly developed with realistic problems to overcome. Their relationship is messy, sometimes poignant and ultimately heartwarming. A well-written debut by Erin Hahn that music lovers are sure to love. Highly recommend to older teen and adult readers.

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Filed under Contemporary, Erin Hahn, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Wednesday Books, You'd Be Mine, Young Adult