#BookReview: Sing Like No One's Listening by Vanessa Jones

Synopsis: A moving story of grief and healing - sure to be a pure joy for any musical theater aficionado.

Nettie Delaney has just been accepted into a prestigious performing arts school--the very same school her superstar mother attended. With her mother's shadow hanging over her, Nettie has her work cut out for her--and everyone is watching. To make matters worse, Nettie hasn't been able to sing a single note since her mother died. Whenever she tries, she just clams up. But if Nettie's going to survive a demanding first year and keep her place in a highly coveted program, she'll have to work through her grief and deliver a showstopper or face expulsion.

All may not be lost, however, when Nettie stumbles upon a mysterious piano player in an empty studio after class. Masked behind a curtain, can Nettie summon the courage to find her voice? Or will the pressure and anxiety of performing come crashing down?

All about finding and raising your voice, and not throwing away your shot, Vanessa Jones's well-crafted journey of grief and healing will pull readers along with its strong narrative voice and satisfying sense of mystery. 


This title will be released on September 1, 2020. 

Goodreads | Amazon

Rating: ⭐⭐
My Review: This emotional read.  I loved the music aspect of the story. It's a cutthroat world out there in the arts and this book did a wonderful job with that aspect.  I did feel that this story left a lot of things open by the last pages.  And although a lot of those questions aren't all that important I still would have loved to have them answered. I was very confused during a lot of this book and that made it not all that enjoyable.  The plot changes were weird and the entire book looking back just didn't mesh well.  The writing wasn't the greatest and the story was very off and confusing the way it was told. 

Go Into This One Knowing: Cancer, Dysfunctional Family, Plot Holes, Confusing 

Review

“Anglophiles, music and theater nerds, and those looking for some classic will-they-won’t-they romance will all find something to enjoy here. Jones writes her subject matter authentically, with obvious passion to balance the professional arts’ not-so-pretty struggles…. A touching portrait of healing after loss.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“Jones' novel has the expected Fame vibes that will delight any reader who loves stories of aspiring young stars learning their craft, but its exploration of Nettie's complexities makes the story unique…. Jones offsets the narrative’s weightier moments with light and quirky ones, making it a fast read with staying power.” ―Booklist

About the Author

Vanessa Jones trained at Laine Theatre Arts and went on to be a musical theater actor in West End Shows, including Sister Act, Grease, Guys and Dolls, Annie Get Your Gun, and Mary Poppins. She began her writing career with a stage play for a fringe theater and also works as a freelance copywriter and editor. She lives in England with her fellow chimney sweep.

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Posted in: 2 Stars, Macmillan, Review, Young Adult