This book was not for me. I did not particularly like it and ended up DNFing it thus won't be able to provide a detailed review.

A gorgeous if brutal YA/romance that tells the story of two young lovers with very different backgrounds but with very similar experiences.

1,5 very disappointed stars
I’ve started writing this review when I was 70% done and still didn’t know the point of the book. Reading this story feels like following a meandering river delta surrounded by fog. You have no idea where this is going and frankly lose the patience to keep up with it. I am honestly shocked I am so bored by this book because it has almost no bad reviews at all, neither on NetGalley nor on here, which only adds to my confusion. I am honestly wondering if previous readers have read a different version of this book altogether.

⇝The story itself feels pointless.
You know it’s about a foster kid who steals to make ends meet and tries to get into Julliard with her cello skills. She is “discovered” by a rich kid with no ambitions and a tragic past and they find sense in each other. I know this sounds like a hit but it didn’t touch me at all. The main characters Maddy and Hamish seem to be aimlessly strolling through the story even though that’s not true. He is a millionaire’s drug dealing kid, she’s a foster kid having to care for several siblings and a highly addicted best friend. It’s just told in such a bland way it leaves me entirely cold. Also, the tale of the rich/poor romance feels so exploited by now, I just don't know why people even bother.

⇝The writing skills of the author lack diversity.
Mainly, I feel like all the intimate scenes are just copy and paste. I fail to find the passion in both their sexy scenes and the writing in general. In the end, I downright dreaded picking up this book again just for the sake of finishing it because I somehow still wanted to know how it ended.

⇝The dynamics of drugs is not illustrated properly.
This book had an amazing chance at illustrating how complicated, paradox and dark dealing and consuming drugs is and how contradictory it feels. Instead, I experienced it more like a glorified instrument attempting to make the story tragic in a Gossip Girl kind of way.

The only reason I am not giving this 1* is that I didn’t hate it at all.
___________________________
Writing Quality + ease of reading = 1,5*
Pace = 1*
plot development = 1,5*
characters= 2* (There was a lot of potential, that's for sure)
enjoyability= 1,5*
insightfulness =2* (Don't do drugs of any kind, kids, it's deadly)

Don't know how to say this but I didn't enjoy this book as much as I thought I would. This troupe is one of my favourite but the story in itself could not hold my attention for long. The characters were okay not as fun as I thought they would. But the description is definately eye catching . Wish I could have enjoyed it more.

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley!!

Maddison is a foster child currently living with drug addict foster parents. She's been forced to steal to make ends meet for her and her foster siblings. Kingsley is "filthy" rich with an alcoholic mother. His life changes when he hears Maddison playing the cello. He quickly finds that she doesn't want anything to do with him. She eventually lowers her guards, and Kingsley's tell her about his life and secrets... but he ruins it...

I think the cover is absolutely stunning. The characters are easy to like and highly relatable for a lot of us. I really for both of the teens as i grew up with a similar life, [ drugs/alcoholic parents ].

There IS a sex scene, drug talk, and profanity in the book.. so keep that in mind if allowing your child to read this.

First of all, let me say how absolutely gorgeous that cover is. It's so beautiful. This is one of those instances where judging the book by it's cover really works out wonderfully.

As for the plot itself, I gotta admit that August Rush is one of my favorite movies. And while this book isn't really all that similar to that movie, it does have the parentless main character who's exceptionally musically gifted (and both stories have characters that play the cello). This is gonna sound dumb but, the only thing that could have made this book better for me, and pushed my review to 5 stars, was if Maddy found her birth parents because of her love and intense connection to music. Which, granted, would have been a blatant August Rush rip-off. But as I've said, that's one of my favorite movies and I love the story so much I wouldn't have cared in the slightest.

I loved both Maddy and Kingsley so much. They were both such nuanced, multidimensional, compellingly human characters.

It has to be said though that, to me, her blaming Kingsley for Cynthia's death and dumping all that guilt onto his already guilt-ridden shoulders was totally unfair. She was a drug addict. It's not his fault she overdosed. It's not like he forced the drugs on her. She would have gotten them somewhere else if he didn't give them to her. I get being angry. I get being hurt. But he wasn't to blame. Cynthia had a problem she didn't wanna acknowledge and made her own choices. I hope Maddy realizes that eventually and apologizes to him.

I was so frustrated by how it ended, though. They come face to face again after SEVEN FREAKING MONTHS APART (without even having said goodbye before parting!!!) and that's where the book ends?! I need closure! Damn cliffhangers!

Totally worth reading, though. I just hope we get the next book soon.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved Maddison and Kingsley both so much! The story is damn heart wrenching and so beautiful! (Don’t you love it when the love story has music in it?!!)

This is the only time and place I feel content. This is my escape from the world.
My home.
My sense of peace..

– Maddison (Stolen Songs)

Stolen Song is written from two POVs. Maddy, coming from a foster home, her story of struggling is so real. My heart broke for that girl who has to take bigger responsibilities than her age coz the adults of her life would not do so. All that really matters to her is Music and her Siblings, until Kingsley came along. I loved their love story. It had everything.. It was honestly over the top cute and cheesy 😀

And oh my god Tilly! I loved her way too much.. She is so sensible and sweet ! A nerd at heart who quotes from HARRY POTTER!!!! I mean really!! She gave Kingsley “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” and marked this quote on it for him!!!

We’ve all got both light and dark inside us.
What matters is the part we choose to act on.
That’s who we really are.

I mean!! How can someone be so wholesome!?!!!

The twist was almost predictable and I was so damn angry! Why that had to happen?!!! WHY?!!! Also why this book had to end on a cliffhanger?!! -__-

I wanted to rate it 4.5 stars as I really did love the story and it was a great page turner. But I had to cut .5 due to the lengthy sex scene. I felt like it was not that necessary. I mean.. They had sex and they enjoyed it is good, but did I need the point to point description of their whole deed?!! NO!! -_-

So my rating is >> 4 stars

*Thank you NETGALLEY and Koru House Press for the review copy*

*The thoughts are totally mine*

This book was heart wrenchingly beautiful!
It was so dark and sad but yet so beautifully written and so REAL.
I fell in love the instant I started it.

Maddison and Kingsley live in two different worlds and their ways never cross, until Kingsley hears her play. This is the moment their paths entwine and tangle the two of them in a spiral of love, loss and desperation. The rich boy with his dark secrets and sad past and the witty thief with the heart of gold fall for each other faster than they have ever expected - but then life gets in their way and destroys them both.
Can Maddison get into Julliard and will Kingsley ever let his past behind?

This story was so good. I don't even know where to start. I always loved ark and sad stories, because that's what life is like. Life isn't perfect. Life isn't easy. And often the people don't deserve what happens to them. The life is full of decisions and we often chose the wrong ones. And Maddison and Kingsley are no excerption. This story contains everything you didn't know you needed. Its about the foster care system in America, about poverty and freedom, drugs and hope and in my opinion its a melancholic masterpiece that makes you feel SO much!

The love story is deep and sooo sad, but yet so real, full of flaws and mistakes and real real love. This is how it should be written. This is how love IS and was inside the characters minds and hearts the whole time.

Even if the books is a bit older now its super good and you should read it!

Maddison is a girl who had been abandoned and ended up in the foster care system. Maddison has to steal to keep her and her foster siblings in food and all they needed. Maddison really loved her siblings. All Maddison had was her music and her siblings and her best friend Cynthia who was a drug addict and helped her sell what she stole for her cut to support her habit . Her foster parents were not good foster parents as they were drug addicts so Maddison being the oldest it fell to her and make sure her younger siblings had what they needed Maddison plays here chello to escape from her problems.Maddison had got herself into a prestigious H S. Maddison’s music teacher, and mentor is able to get an audition at Julliard. If maddison gets into Julliard it could change her life as well as her siblings. Maddison was a talented cello player. Kingsley os a rich boy who is captain of their school’s Maddison had created an image for herself- she was the one who didn’t need anyone’s help and can take care of herself. One day while practicing Maddison realizes she's being watched by Kingsley who is rich and he is the most popular boy in school as well as the captain of the school’s lacrosse team. Kingsley is a party boy and in a relationship for the benefit of his father. Kingsley hides behind his bad boy mask. Kingsley loves the music Maddison makes with her cello.Maddison tries hard to blow Kingsley off even if she is attracted to him but he won’t let her. Maddison music keeps pulling Kingsley to her. He keeps showing up at the music room when maddison is practicing. Maddison knows they come from completely different worlds. But he carries a large load of guilt and is haunted by his past.Kingsley’s father never bothers to speak to him and his mother is living in her own world and depends on alcohol. The chef- Nick- is the only person who looks out for Kingsley. Kingsley and Maddison get to know each other and start to open up to each other with things long buried in themselves. Kingsley and maddison fall deeply in love. Kingsley is talented at playing the piano when Maddison’s music teacher hears hom play she says he needs to play with Maddison at her audition for Julliard.
I really enjoyed this book.. I loved that two kids from totally different worlds connect at first through music. Music is the reason they even meet. I rooted for Kingsley and Maddison all through this book they so needed each other when they let their true selves show. But I was annoyed with Kingsley when he really screwed up . I choked up while reading this. My heart broke for both Kingsley and Maddison they had already been through so much at a young age. I liked that Maddison and Kingsley worked on improving themselves. I really liked the pace and the plot. But I hate cliffhangers!!!!I loved Tilly and felt she added to this book. This dragged for me at times. I also didn’t think it needed all the swearing in this book even though it mainly concerns kids in HS. I loved how Maddison loved her siblings and took care of them. I also loved when Maddison described how music made her feel. I was glad to see Darren finally got what he deserved. I didn’t like NAgela or darren and I also don’t believe Angela could change that fast. I liked the characters and the ins and outs of this book and I recommend it.

This was my first book by the author and absolutely will not be the last. I was not prepared for how emotional this book would be for me. It was so good, so heartfelt and just an amazing read overall. I loved both main characters. Their stories broke my heart. So much heartache in here. There is a cliffhanger. I really need the sequel like now!

* ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

"This book does end on a cliffhanger, and the sequel has not yet been released"
Why didn't I read that content warning before picking this book up! I hope book two isn't to far off in the distant future!
There should be another warning attached to this book, a box of tissues needed!
This is on hell of an emotional rollercoaster of a read and it literally left me feeling like i had been through an emotional mangler, in a good way obviously!
This book has left a mark on my cold scared heart!

Before I get into my review for this book, I just want to say that I love books that have musicians in them. I think it adds a little something extra to the story and this book was no different.

There are some trigger warnings – There’s talk about drugs and alcohol

I loved how the prologue of the story is Kingsley’s POV and it’s just Fuck. Then then goes into Maddison’s POV. This book for me was already off to an amazing start and this is the first book by this author I have read.

Maddison is a foster child living with not the greatest family and she takes on the responsibility of looking after her siblings, she would do anything for them. With having that weighing on her shoulders she’s also a cello prodigy which is fantastic, and her goal is to get into Julliard. She has this persona that says she doesn’t need help from anyone. Her sister Tilly is amazing when she came into, he story I loved it. She was only 9 but reading everything that she was saying it was like she was a lot older than she was, She was wise beyond her years. She also loves Harry Potter which I loved.
Kinglsey is a bad boy rich kid that doesn’t really have a care in the world. Until he meets Maddison. He enjoys playing lacrosse but in his spare time he deals/does drugs, because is mom is not around and his father is always mad. He also has a secret talent that I’m not going to share because I think you need to read the story and find out.
When Maddison and Kingsley meet for the first time, they find out they have a lot more in common then they care to admit. I loved how this wasn’t an insta love kind of story that it actually took the time that it needed to. That made this story more beautiful.
There is also another book after this one and can’t wait to read that one to see where this story continues because the CLIFFHANGER.. I need to have the other book like NOW. Waiting until it comes out is going to be killer.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book! It was an emotional read filled with heartache, suspense, passion and just raw emotion. Maddie is a foster kid who has a shot at going to Julliard by playing the cello. However, Maddie’s foster parents SUCK and sometimes she must steal to buy food for her and her foster siblings.

Kingsley is a misunderstand rich kid. His story broke my heart just as much as Maddie’s. These characters endure so much I couldn’t help by cry along with them.

This is a page-turner and just a fair warning there is a cliffhanger! I will be reading more books by Samantha Armstrong!

I defiantly recommend this book!

What an emotional read. I find that I don't read a lot of YA, but when I find a good one I'm always excited. Stolen Songs is the story about Maddie and Kingsley, two teens that come from different sides of the track but have more in common than they think. The emotions that this story makes you feel is what makes this book so amazing. The story of the heartache these two characters go through just kept me turning the pages as fast as I could. I loved this story! Great debut by Samantha Armstrong!

I truly enjoyed this book! The book was full of emotions and suspense until the very last page! But the cliffhanger completely ruined me!!

I hate going into a book without knowing it is going to be a cliffhanger and while this book didn’t end on some big cliffhanger moment it for sure left a lot of things unresolved. I found this story hard to connect with. I’m not sure if it is because I couldn’t really relate to the characters (although that usually isn’t an issue) or if it was something else. This was an okay read but I found myself putting it down and wanting to start something else a few times.

I didn't know what to think at first. You have your normal rich boy falling for the poor girl. But was I wrong. There is so much here it's pure raw emotion. It doesn't matter your families status, everyone has their struggles. This book dealt with poverty, the foster system, abuse, addiction. Just so much! Very well done.

Maddison is a survivor. An unstable childhood has taught her to depend on no one but herself, which is exactly how she’s gotten to where she is today. With a scholarship to one of the most prestigious schools in the country, she’s finally able to settle into one location until she graduates. But with foster parents hooked on drugs, Maddison is forced to steal to make ends meet, not only for herself but her foster siblings.

Kingsley is filthy rich. An only child, he lives with a mother who is dependent on alcohol, a father who doesn’t talk to him, and his chef, the only real family he has. His life changes when he overhears Maddison playing the cello. She’s snappy, hot, and wants nothing to do with him, and he’s obsessed. As they spend time together, she begins to lower her guard. She’s everything he needs, everything he wants, and for the first time, he’s able to tell someone about his past. Everything is perfect. Until he ruins it.

This book was definitely a struggle for me. I was haunted by a tragic past, Kingsley is not happy despite his wealth and his popularity.

Beyond a typical romance, just not for me. Lot of emotions and the overall story concept was great, just not a strong delivery.

I didn’t really enjoy the ending that started just as it began. I needed a stronger ending.

3.5
Love the damaged little rich boy that falls for the “wrong” girl stories. Maddy is seriously messed up but so is Kingsley. Together, somehow, they fit. Neither character is living in a stable environment though Maddy obviously has it much worse. There was a good amount of push and pull to get through before they end up together. There is a fair bit of drama. I wasn’t in love with the way it wrapped up (or didn’t). I don’t mind some strings untied but with more minor players... overall, worth the read.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and Xpresso Book Tours for a copy in exchange for a review.

I received an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

Maddison refuses to be defined by the foster home she lives in, by her foster parents' neglect and drug problems, or by her poverty. She has one goal only, to get into Julliard and make a better life for herself and her siblings. But until then, she sees no other way to put food on the table other than stealing from rich people.

Haunted by a tragic past, Kingsley is not happy despite his wealth and popularity.

Worlds apart, even though they go to the same school, Maddison and Kingsley have nothing in common except for their love for music. So when Kingsley hears Maddison practice her cello, he is immediately hooked.

Stolen Songs goes beyond the usual romance between two people who come from different social backgrounds. It deals with raw emotions of love, loss, and struggling with a heavier burden than one can bear.

The relationship (especially on Kingsley's side) gets too angsty at times, but I feel like that correctly depicted how most eighteen year olds, who fall in love, would act.