Blog Tour and Scavenger Hunt: Another Little Piece of My Heart by Tracey Martin {Review, Scavenger Hunt Clue, +Giveaway}
Another Little Piece of My Heart
by: Tracey Martin
Publication Date: Dec. 1, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Genre: Contemporary
Age Group: Young Adult
Source: e-ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 304 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4/5 stars
What if your devastating break-up became this summer’s hit single? In this rock-and-roll retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion, music can either bring you together or tear you apart.
At her dying mother’s request, Claire dumps Jared, the only boy she’s ever loved. Left with a broken family and a broken heart, Claire is furious when she discovers that her biggest regret became Jared’s big break. While Jared is catapulted into rock-star status, another piece of Claire’s heart crumbles every time his song plays on the radio.
The summer after her senior year, it’s been months since the big break-up, and Claire is just trying to keep her head down and make it through a tense trip to the beach with her family. But when Jared shows up, and old feelings reignite, can Claire and Jared let go of the past? Or will they be stuck singing the same old refrain?
At her dying mother’s request, Claire dumps Jared, the only boy she’s ever loved. Left with a broken family and a broken heart, Claire is furious when she discovers that her biggest regret became Jared’s big break. While Jared is catapulted into rock-star status, another piece of Claire’s heart crumbles every time his song plays on the radio.
The summer after her senior year, it’s been months since the big break-up, and Claire is just trying to keep her head down and make it through a tense trip to the beach with her family. But when Jared shows up, and old feelings reignite, can Claire and Jared let go of the past? Or will they be stuck singing the same old refrain?
My Review:
"But that's okay because some nights are like a perfect song. The energy in the air lifts your spirits, and the chill drives you forward. The sound of a thousand buzzing insects fills in the gaps, and the touch of a hand makes you dance with joy."
I was so excited to receive the invite for this tour/scavenger hunt from Harlequin! Not only do I have a passion for reading, but I am such a music lover! I really love books that revolve around and incorporate music into their storylines. Martin has done a remarkable job of capturing teenage voice and I love that this was a story I actually found to be realistic and could see happening.
This story primarily revolves around Claire and her relationship with her ex-boyfriend-turned famous singer-songwriter, Jared. However, we also see a girl who is dealing with a lot of changes in her life as she graduates high school and looks ahead to the future. The plan was always simple: make music with the person she cared about the most- her boyfriend. However, Claire's plan didn't quite mesh with the plan her parents had for her. They want their daughter to follow in her father's footsteps and attend an ivy league school. They saw Jared as a boy with no ambition and therefore do not feel that he is good enough for their daughter. Her parents didn't care about the fact that Jared makes her happy. They are more concerned about their daughter making a good life for herself and finding a boy who will be successful and able to take care of her. Of course, forbidding their daughter to go out with Jared only leads to rebellion. However, after her mom becomes sick with cancer, Claire finds that she doesn't want her mother to be unhappy and needlessly stressed. An argument between Jared and Claire leads to a breakup of epic proportions and Jared walking out of Claire's life.
Flash forward to present day. Jared is that successful musician he always wanted to be and he has used his heartbreak over losing Claire to his advantage. What does a musician do when they have their heart broken? Write breakup songs, of course! Now, Jared is famous and is singing nasty songs about Claire at her expense. Claire definitely didn't deserve that from Jared, but he was hurting and let his emotions take over. Claire spends most of the book convincing herself that she is over Jared and what he does doesn't matter to her. However, running into him over the summer she is staying in New Hampshire makes her realize how untrue that really is.
I was pretty indifferent to Jared most of the book. His interactions with Claire are pretty limited until later on. He is uncomfortable around her and these two definitely have unspoken business to take care of. Claire is hurting over the fact that Jared would exploit her like he did in his music and in typical teenage fashion, she can't help but want to make him jealous and sling barbed insults his way. However, Jared is hurting too and he retaliates. Both handle their situation immaturely, but that's what teenagers do. They speak before they think and Claire and Jared both end up hurting the other. The two keep getting thrown into each other's paths throughout the book, which ultimately forces them to acknowledge the other. Lisa, Claire's older cousin, is good friends with Mike, Jared's good friend from high school who he is staying with for the summer. After a party at Mike's, Hannah, Claire's other cousin, becomes interested in Jared, even though she is not privy to Claire and Jared's past. Claire tries not to let this bother her, but it's evident it does. She tries to divert her attentions to Mike's other roommate, Zach, but there really is no connection between the two. Both are complete opposites, but Claire wants to give him a fair shot, thinking maybe they could have something between them. At least then, she could rest assured that Jared doesn't completely still own her heart.
As I said earlier, while the book focuses on Claire and Jared's story, it also really sheds light on the fact that life is ever changing and not everything always goes according to plan. Claire's after high school plan is once again turned upside down and she is handling that the best she can. She doesn't intentionally try to butt heads with her father, but she isn't a child anymore either. She may seem egocentric, but some of her decisions that conflict with her father's are actually the right ones. She sticks to her ideals and I really respected her for that. She is also learning to be more confident in her music. She has played in her band for a while now and the thought of performing by herself scares her. She has her insecurities, but the reality is, she's very talented. Seeing her struggle to find the words for a song that won't leave her alone and then watch inspiration hit was very cool from an outsider's view. I like that Martin didn't stray from the musical aspect of this story.
Overall, this was a cute, fun read and I flew through it. Contemporaries are my thing as of late, and this one did NOT disappoint.
Scavenger hunt directions:
In my post, you’ll notice
that I’ve linked to one song from the Another
Little Piece of My Heart Claire’s Summer Survival Playlist. There are 12
songs on the playlist in total, and therefore 12 stops on the scavenger hunt (posting
from November 29 – December 1). Find them all, and discover 12 chances to win
great Harlequin TEEN books and Another
Little Piece of My Heart swag.
Song #4: Claire's Summer Playlist:
Indigo Girls- Least Complicated
Giveaway:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
28 comments
Fantastic review! I was wondering about this one, I do really like contemporary but it can get repetitive sometimes. Sounds like a good coming of age story, although I think I would kind of dislike the character's attitudes.
ReplyDeleteThanks Alise! The character's attitudes definitely took a bit to get used to, but it was easier for me since I work with teens everyday and that's how they really act, LOL.
DeleteGreat review! This sounds like a really cute read and I loved that it's centered around music too. I liked that it is realistic because even though their immaturity would drive me crazy, that is how teenagers are and behave.
ReplyDeleteThanks chica! Exactly! Being around teens all the time, it bothers me when I read stories about teens acting all mature and such. More times than not- it's not very accurate.
DeleteSummertime Sadness by Lana Del Ray
ReplyDeleteOh I love that song Ann!
DeleteEntering for my teen, but I'm not going with her music; I'm going with mine. Vadoinmessico's "In Spain"
ReplyDelete:) Thanks for entering Cyndy!
DeleteThis does sound like a really cute read! I also love books where teenagers actually act like teenagers. Great review!
ReplyDeleteThanks Teresa! It was really cute! I really enjoyed it!
DeleteSeveral but I guess my fave is Back in Black by AC/DC.
ReplyDeleteOoh that is a good one to rock out to!
DeleteThe book sounds awesome!
ReplyDeleteIt was super cute Tammy!
DeleteHi Jess :) I got so excited when I saw you review this book, because I just posted my review on it today! I too, am a music lover! I love how you stated your review of with that great music quote. I agree the Tracey caught the teen voice perfectly, and the story was very realistic! Amazing Review Friend!!!
ReplyDeleteLindy@ A Bookish Escape
YAY! I'm headed over to read yours now! I love that we always are on the same tours! And that was my favorite quote of the book! I loved it so so much!
DeleteWould love this! My summer song? Zedd's Clarity. Or fun.'s Some Nights. Or Of Monsters and Men's Little Talks. Or about a billion other songs :) I hate most of the stuff coming out now, but this indie music push is awesome!
ReplyDeleteHahaha, those are all great songs! And I agree! I hate the pop coming out now- I prefer indie music all the way!
DeleteOne sonf of my summer playlist: "Get Lucky" by Daft Punk and Pharrell Williams.
ReplyDeleteLittle Piece of My Heart sounds great!
Raffle name: Demitra Giote
That was a fun one!
DeleteWe Are Young by fun. That song is so catchy and it brings back awesome memories!
ReplyDeleteOh, that is a great song!! Love that one!
DeleteOkay, you made me a little more excited to read this and I didn't even think that was possible. I just realized how much I'm loving contemporaries lately too, so even if Another Little Piece of My Heart doesn't blow it out of the park, I think I'm going to be happy that I got a chance to read it!
ReplyDeleteAhh! I hope you like this Aly!! It's a cute read and I really did enjoy it!
DeleteRoyals by Lorde! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat choice Alexandra!!
DeleteThis book sounds like such a cute fun read!
ReplyDeleteOne song on my summer playlist is Harlem by New Politics! Its just such a catchy fun song...perfect for summer!
Oh I haven't heard that song! Must go Spotify it right now!!
DeleteLeave me some comment love! And I will get around to commenting back!
My blog is an award-free blog, however, as I just do not have the time to follow-up.