“Have you ever wondered what your mother was like before she became your mother, and what she gave up to have you?”

Perfect Tunes is Laura’s story. The evolution of a young, carefree and talented young woman into a mother who had a life before her daughter. A before that was filled with the intense love for a broken man and dreams of performing her own songs on big stages. Now Laura is fighting for a life where she can give her daughter love, security and normalcy. Is it possible for a mother to have the before along with the now?

Emily Gould’s writing captivated me from the very first page, and I found myself contemplating questions and lines from the book long after I finished reading. Although my life is very different from Laura’s, I found myself reminiscing on so many aspects of my life before my little girl was born and how the me before prepared me to be the me that I am now. I was also reminded in a big way that I cannot give up my hopes and dreams now that I have a child. It may be more important now than ever so that my daughter can see that women can do big things, and you don’t have to give up yourself to have a family. All of this resonated so deeply with me because I tend to put my all into my family and not have much energy left for myself. Perfect Tunes reminded me that it doesn’t have to be either/or, but it can be and should be both. I don’t know what Emily Gould hoped readers would find in this beautiful story, but I found the perfect reminder for me!

This coming of age story was raw, moving, and a testament to life before and after 9/11 in NYC. Emily Gould's descriptive writing made me feel as though I was at the concerts she was describing. This book was such a quick and powerful read.

Perfect Tunes is a multi-generational coming of age novel. Beginning with Laura arriving in New York City to pursue her music, the novel chronicles Laura’s turbulent and consuming relationship with a musician named, Dylan, who is part of a band on the rise. Laura is drawn to Dylan through a magnetic pull and tries to keep him close but their affair is short-lived. Fifteen years later, Laura’s daughter, Marie has questions about her father, and Laura struggles to answer them. We then watch Marie grapple with her own coming of age. Told with wit, empathy, and depth often missing from quick reads, this novel hits the mark.

Tender is the word that comes to mind upon finishing this novel. I started this book and within two days, arrived at the final chapter. I didn’t want it to end. This novel is different than most coming-of-age stories because it is rooted in family development. Usually, a coming of age story shows our heroine breaking away from her family and finding herself. When Perfect Tunes begins, that structure is present – Laura leaves her small Ohio town to pursue music in the Big Apple. What follows, however, is anything but the narrative we would expect. This story is ultimately about family – a mother’s love, a child’s struggle as she yearns to understand her genetic code, the comfort we find in partners who give us stability but maybe don’t fulfill our sexual hunger. It is about small moments that, while in retrospect are lesser than we thought, change the trajectory of our lives impermeably.

This is a fabulous debut from a voice that our generation will read again and again. Gould manages to balance quick pacing with contemplative complexity. The writing is sharp and poignant. I also want to highlight that the dialogue is believable and flows as if you’re overhearing a conversation in a bar, in a café, or on the streets of New York. I highly recommend Perfect Tunes.

PERFECT TUNES by Emily Gould was a wonderful, entrancing read. I really enjoyed Ms. Gould’s writing style and will eagerly anticipate her next book.

Laura is a young musician and songwriter from Ohio that heads to New York City to be the next great singer/songwriter. A story that has been told innumerable times but Ms. Gould’s approach is new and fresh. The story is full of nostalgia and music, but mostly Laura’s story of being a mother, a best friend and her own person.

Laura meets Dylan; she is in love, she is obsessed. Dylan is the musician Laura dreams of being. This story is Laura’s journey into adulthood after becoming pregnant. As readers we get to see Laura’s daughter Marie grow from infancy to a troubled teenager. I was invested in the lives of Laura, her friend Callie and her daughter Mare.

I particularly enjoyed the rock music theme. Reminded me somewhat of another book I recently enjoyed immensely; DAISY JONES AND THE SIX by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Both of these books will transport you to another place and time with very interesting characters.

I struggled to read this story, I couldn’t connect to the characters. I think because I had higher expectations, based on other reviews I read, I was disappointed which led me to not enjoy the story.
Not the story for me unfortunately, but I’m sure someone else could relate to it .

Thanks to Avid Reader Press and NetGalley for the ARC! I was not a huge Emily Gould fan but wanted to give this a try. I highly recommend going into this book blind because the publisher’s synopsis gives away a lot! I have just become a new mom and this book was an interesting exploration of motherhood and how to balance life, kids and your passions. Plus any story set in NYC I will read especially right now when I am missing being in my city. Highly recommend and props to Emily Gould!

As a mother who sometimes longs for the days I thought I was cool, this was a fun read. I loved the music angle, the NYC setting, and the sentimental humor. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a good read and who is missing their mom these days.

Well crafted story about motherhood and all women give up to become mothers. Very insightful, emotional and relatable.

Thank you Avid Reader Press and Netgalley for the e-ARC off Perfect Tunes. This book is the type of book that you can get lost in. There’s truth in the melancholy of motherhood, in compromise and in the realization that dreams will get deferred because of motherhood. The sacrifices that becoming a mother requires is immeasurable.

Laura was a undeniably frustrating character and often times too passive with her daughter Marie. I didn’t understand her disdain for Daisy and was happy when they both shared a moment of understanding. I get her though, we’ve all been in her shoes as a mother. We battle with what we want out of life versus what I our children need. We prioritize them as we should until they can fend for themselves and even then, we’re right there ready to ease their fears and pains.

Marie struck me as a spoiled brat, who tried too hard to connect with a father she’s never known. The traits she clinged too just didn’t make sense to me, but taking into account issues with depression and mental illness, I can see why.

This book for me went towards thinking it would never end, to boom it was done. I had to look back to confirm I hadn't missed any chapters. There just seemed to be a jump to end feeling when I think about the ending. Over I thought it was an enjoyable read and would recommend the audiobook.

I’ll admit my plot summary is the tip of the iceberg about this book…and there’s a reason for that. I went into Perfect Tunes fairly blind and, when I read the publisher’s synopsis after finishing the book, I was shocked how much it gave away. Let me say this…if the theme of women struggling to pursue their dreams while being mothers and wives appeals to you (and you like character-driven novels), read this book. The story begins with a toxic relationship that reminded me of the one in Sweetbitter (my review) and turns into an exploration of motherhood and balancing time and attention to children with pursuing a dream of your own. Perfect Tunes packs a lot of themes and a long timespan into a small package, but the story and characters still feel fleshed out. It was the book about pursuing an artistic dream that I wanted Writers & Lovers (my review) to be…but, I identified with Laura far more than the main character in Writers & Lovers. Plus, pair it with Why We Can’t Sleep by Ada Calhoun (which I happened to be listening to on audio at the same time as I was reading this in print), which addresses similar struggles women have from a nonfiction perspective.

This book threw me for a loop in the best possible way. While it starts with a story about a young musician with lots of hope and dreams, tragedy hits. It takes on a raw and powerful look at motherhood and the sacrifices women make for their children. While I am not a huge music person, I connected with both these characters and the storyline and really enjoyed this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avid Reader Press for an advanced copy.

This book was a light, enjoyable, heartwarming read, perfect for these lolling days of quarantine. For me, it falls into "good beach book" territory: breezy, intelligent enough to not make you feel like absolute trash for indulging in it, but not particularly memorable.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Avid Reader Press/Simon & Schuster, and Emily Gould for the opportunity to read and review this novel - great read! If you liked Daisy Jones and The Six, you'll love the gritty, behind the scenes music world of NYC presented here. But where this book shines is in the road not taken storyline. 4.5 stars.

Laura writes the perfect song when she is a teenager. It opens up a world of possibilities and dreams in her mind, dreams that fall away when she meets Dylan, a troubled musician in a band that is gaining popularity. She lets her dreams take a back seat. Her best friend, Callie, is more of a bright star though less talented and their relationship is not always smooth or equal.

I think less is said about the storyline in this book. I also think this would be a great book club read for mothers - so much emotion and feelings about motherhood in every stage in this book. I loved these characters, even when I didn't like them, and hope to read more about them in another book possibly?

First of all thank you to Netgalley and Avid Reader Press for this ARC egalley of Perfect Tunes.

This book unleashed so many complex feelings for me. It is told in three parts and centers around the main character Laura and her complicated relationship with NYC, her best friend Callie, Dylan, who she thinks is the man of her dreams, and then eventually her daughter, Marie.

Part I has a very Girls HBO vibe and therefore was the most relatable for me. It reminded me what it was like to have a best friend who is effortlessly cool and thinks that you need her guidance and opinion on everything. I could uncomfortably feel that desire and desperation to be wanted and loved by the mysterious guy who won't really give you anything of himself. Not to mention the feeling of wanting to drink or smoke weed (sorry, mom) in an effort to numb all of those emotions that are boiling just under the surface of your skin.

Part II begins after 9/11 and we discover that Laura is pregnant with Dylan's child. This is where the story fell off for me a little bit and the reason why I gave it 3 stars. Laura never really seems to show any character growth and remains kind of bland throughout. She does become a mother to Marie and shows some maturity in that aspect but she really seems to lose all sense of self and identity and becomes a very two dimensional and judgmental person, as though you once you become a mother that can be the only aspect of your personality.

Part III fast forwards to when Marie is 14 years old and settled back into a much more relatable story line for me. It reminded me of what it was like to be 14 and to wonder if your mother had always been so uptight or if she knew what it was like to truly want someone or something. It makes me wonder even now what secrets my mom has about her past and what similarities there might be in our own stories that we will likely never share with each other. I found the ending unsatisfying in that I wanted to story to continue to develop more of the relationship with Laura and Marie and how they faced Marie's depression and Laura's musical abilities moving forward.

Overall I would have rated this book higher if there had been fewer plot lines and more character development, However I enjoyed the setting and the dynamics of the mother/daughter relationship so I would recommend to friends who tend towards this genre.

TW: drug use, addiction/alcoholism, suicidal ideation, depression, 9/11

Laura wants to be a songwriter and musician so packs her bags and moves to New York City. There she meets Dylan, a guitarist in an up and coming band and her life changes. Callie, her breathtaking best friend, talks her into forming a band called the Groupies and this is the start of their lives.

Emily Gould writes a book about the dysfunctional family like no other. Laura is desperately trying escape the feeling of being unloved and seeks to find someone that expresses their love for her. Her mother and father never did. Her boyfriends mother doesn’t and Laura jus
#perfecttunes #NetGalley #goodread

Perfect Tunes is almost a perfect story about a very imperfect woman. Over 15 years you will meet and get to know Laura. When she was younger she writes what she thinks is the perfect song and she spends the next years never quite living up to that and that really has an effect on her life.

Laura moves to New York City when she is 22. She quickly meets Dylan a budding musician himself, and of course she is totally in love with him from the start. Dylan’s career is starting to take off, along with his use of alcohol and drugs. Month’s after Dylan dies in a tragic accident and Laura is left to pick up the pieces and to raise a daughter that she does not even realize she is pregnant with until after Dylan’s death.

Over the next 14 years, you will see Laura was meant to be a mother, hardships and all. She virtually gives up any hope of being a musician to raise Marie, who she loves more than anything. Laura struggles to pay rent, and just keep up, but I don’t think she would trade any of it. Laura eventually meets Matt and they marry, and while it is not perfect, it is what she needs.

Fourteen years later, Marie is fighting her own demons. We start to understand that she might take a little more after her father than her mother thinks. She wants to learn more about her Dad, which leads to the apex of this story,

This is an extremely respective novel about motherhood and how we still struggle with the idea of living our dreams, while doing the best they can for their families. Simple and beautiful.

Thank you NetGalley and Avid Reader Press for an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book! Though I'm sure this was unintended, it was a great quarantine read. Laura's experience in New York City and her parenting experiences really drew me in, and adding Marie's voice to the story in the last third really closed out the book on an interesting note. I love a multi-generational family story, and the intricacies of Laura's family life (and the way it intertwined with her personal life and dreams) was lovely. I really liked Emily Gould's writing style as well and would definitely pick up something by this author again.

I posted about this book on my Instagram account, maurbooks.

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I am a sucker for books about music, musicians, songs, & bands. I requested this on @netgalley for that reason and was so happy to read it!
As it started out, I wasn't hooked because it seemed to contain more "romance" than I prefer, but as the novel progresses it becomes way less of a romance novel and more women's literature.
Overall some of the "mom moments" were relatable and there were several current pop culture references I appreciated 😁 I was a little disappointed in the ending, would love to hear other opinions on it!
It's out April 14, can't wait to hear your thoughts if you pick it up!
Thanks so much to @avidreaderpress and @netgalley for the arc of Perfect Tunes by Emily Ghould!

3.5 stars rounded up.

Thank you Avid Reader Press and NetGalley for physical ARC and an eGalley.

I wanted to love this book. The premise sounded like one that I would immediately love. However, the first chapter, which was 66 pages, dragged on forever. The entire first part of the book seemed to drag on. Part two seemed to pick up more and part three definitely had me hooked.

If part 1 had more developed dialogue, this could have been 4 stars.

I enjoyed the mother daughter relationship between Laura and Marie, but the relationship between Laura and Dylan need something more. So did the friendship between Laura and Callie.

This book was so good! I absolutely loved it! I heard it compared to Daisy Jones and the Six, which I do think is an accurate comparison, but it was wholly unique. I loved Laura's character and her creative journey, and the obstacles she faced as a young mother. I highly recommend this!