Let me start my saying that while I’m an incredibly avid reader and rely heavily on book reviews of others, it is rare that I actually take the time to review a book myself. Mayluna has created a well-warranted exception to that trend for me.
This book first showed up in my Amazon First Reads in January (if I recall correctly) and has persistently shown up in “Recommended for You” since then. I was hesitant to read it because I saw several people liken it to Daisy Jones and that wasn’t really my cup of tea. Anyway, I finally took the plunge and read it and… just wow. It’s so beautiful and complex and moving and tragic and did I mention just beautiful?! Like, I’m talking The Notebook level of beautiful and tragic romance.
Don’t pass on this one, y’all! I won’t be surprised to see movie rights sold on this one (although we all know the movies are never as good as the books ????).
I also want to add that Kelley McNeil did a stellar job of not only building relationships, but following through with them and tying them all up with nice bows on top. Some of the bows may have felt a little painful, but Kelley left NO loose ends. Excellent, excellent writing!
Mayluna: A Novel
4.6 | 10,404 ratings
Price: 26.33
Last update: 06-04-2024
Top reviews from the United States
TDMorris
Rich. Captivating. Tragic. Stunningly Beautiful.
Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2024Ray McClain
Stunningly beautiful. Superb narrative. Emotional roller-coaster. Expert foreshadowing.
Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2024Alan and Emily
Epic story of love, loss, and fate
Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2024
Alan and Emily
Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2024
I enjoyed the music-themed Daisy Jones and the Six, so when Amazon First Reads had a novel that also promised a behind-the-scenes perspective of a fictional up-and-coming rock band, it was an easy pick for me.
The love story in the novel is between freelance music journalist Evie and Mayluna lead singer Carter, and their chemistry is off the charts. They’re drawn together like lovers from a previous life, filling the cracks of loneliness in each other and replacing shadows with wonder. McNeil’s beautiful lines about love warm the heart and create an enviable bond between Evie and Carter.
One odd thing about the storyline is the lack of character development for the 4th member of the band. After I cried my way through the end of the novel, I realized that I could only name 3 of the 4 band members: Carter, Tommy, and Alex. Why couldn’t I remember the 4th band member? I’ll tell you why… because, according to a search in my Kindle, his name is only written 9 times throughout the entire book.
Thankfully, Evie and the rest of the band are well-developed, and though Evie and Carter are obviously intended to be the main characters of the novel, Tommy and Alex kind of steal the spotlight. Tommy is easygoing and upbeat, while Alex seems judgmental and grumpy, but both end up being very likable and nearly as protective and supportive of Evie as Carter is. I think they are endearing, the type of characters readers wish were real and part of their own families or friend groups.
The main reason I gave Mayluna 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the way McNeil wrote the story as if Evie is telling it to her children. I found it difficult to keep track of the transitions between time periods, and it was like Evie was writing in a diary rather than speaking to her children, especially since there were no reactions or comments from them until at the very end of Evie’s shocking revelations.
Overall though, the story is quite engaging and hard to put down. Mayluna is beautiful, crushing, thought-provoking, and real. The characters have dreams and flaws, hopes and heartaches, enough for readers to find a piece of themselves in the story as well. If you enjoy epic love stories, tearjerkers, stories about music and musicians, or historical fiction, give Mayluna a try. It’s available now through the Amazon First Reads program and is scheduled to be released by Lake Union Publishing on February 1st.
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Shannon902
Enchanting, haunting, gut-wrenching, amazing
Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2024Krewsin
A wonderful book!
Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2024
Elise
Read This Book!
Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2024
Elise
Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2024
It's a love story between two people who felt a connection to one another that was written in the stars long before they met.
It's the story of a bright young woman who had dreams and was fulfilling them, only to have her life take a sharp turn and head in the opposite direction due to decisions she made for the benefit of others.
It's the story of a troubled, young British rock singer who's band is skyrocketing to fame. Trying to stay grounded and true to himself and his fellow band mates.
The writing style was so entranceful. I felt it early on that this book was magical and had that out-of-this-world, nostalgic feeling of a time that has long ago passed. The idea of the choices we make for the ones we love, especially as mothers. The trajectory we put ourselves into or take ourselves out of. How easily life can pass us by. How small we are in the Universe and how we are connected. I highlighted so many passages in my kindle copy and will be getting a physical copy to do the same!
It was everything I love in a book.
Angtsy.
Gripping.
Endearing.
Enchanting.
Heart-wrenching.
Powerful.
I was left sobbing, but also oddly comforted
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