I’ll just come out and say it, I was a bit disappointed in this book.

Not at all in the writing, I still loved it as much as in YOU’D BE MINE, mostly my disappointment comes from me not connection with the story.

I was missing a deeper connection between the characters, more dialogues, more time together. Some areas, especially when it came to the music, just went over my head. I’m the worst when it comes to music. I’ll admit it right now, from not being able to carry a tune, to not remembering lyrics. I’m the WORST!! So most of the music related stuff, the YouTube references etc didn’t relate to me at all. BUT that just means I was the wrong audience for the book.

I adored the backstory, in regards to both, Luke and Vada. They were actually pretty similar when it came down to it and complimented each other in a genuine way.

Also the supporting characters, Luke’s family, his brother Cullen and best friend Zack, Vada’s family, and especially Phil, made this novel full of likable and interesting characters. There was no limit to how wonderful they all played off each other. It was fun to see them interact with each other, and the many different dynamics that were part of each group.

I did feel that the story didn’t flow as easy as her debut novel. Some paragraphs actually felt like fillers, and weren’t needed in the overall storyline and didn’t add something new to the plot.

But besides all that, I love the author’s writing. And the way she describes things so authentic and with such an eye to detail. Scenes became so easy to picture. All in all just the way I like it.

So, overall, I believe this novel will be a hit with many YA readers and music lovers. It just wasn’t the right one for me.

This was a super cute high school love story full of popular music reference and tons of songs! I really liked it because the main characters, Veda and Luke were a little different than the average angst-y high school senior romance saga players. British raised Luke is twin to openly gay Cullen who is in a long-term relationship with Luke's bestie Zack. Luke is the quieter of the two and loves music. Their dad is a once well-known English punk rock star who has now retired to doing not too much else... Veda is an aspiring music critic/blogger who works at a club where Luke and his bro tape their weekly podcast plus they know each other casually from school. Veda has her own problem with her absent loser alcoholic father and trying to fund her future college career on the west coast. When Luke volunteers to write a song for Veda's senior showcase dance piece, they begin to spend more time together and discover a deeper love of the same music. Luke eventually gets hired at the club Veda works at and it takes some time any many, many antics before they two of them finally realize and tell each other that they like each other more than just friends. I love the many music and popular references throughout the story. Just adorable! Thanks to NG for the ARC!!

*Jumping to my feet, clapping hysterically and shouting “ENCORE! ENCORE!”* This piece of gem was vibrant, and not just with music. It really needs a standing ovation.
I fell in love with the characters, the story, the swoon feeling, the music. One of the best YA I've read. My 2020 favorite so far—and even though it's still early and I've only read like15 others, I'm sure Vada and Luke and their music nerdiness will stay with me a lot while.
BRAVO!

Another limbo read and I need immediate help! I’m moving back and forth between 3 and 4 stars! My head starts spinning to take the fair decision.

I loved the writing style, smart musical knowledge and intellectual references, I loved supporting characters and it was fast, easy, mostly sweet reading but I’m reading “You’d Be Mine” at the same time and that really confused the hell of me (By the way: there was nothing wrong about the book)

I could give this one four solid stars even though I couldn’t connect with the protagonists and their insta romance. But “You’d be mine” was so sweet, swoony, emotional book and comparison part failed me a little. So I guess, I’m unfortunately stuck with my 3.25 stars and I’m feeling pretty bad about it. Especially after taking a quick look at the lovely cover and sighed for two minutes ( I think I held my breath too long from the look of my purplish face! My husband already start to apply hemlich maneuver to me and I spitted out half bottle of Chardonnay, damn it! Why didn’t he let me choke in peace?)

Here are the things I loved so much about the book:

Vada is not my favorite kind of heroine but I have to admit I loved to read her parts of narration more than Luke. And I also loved Vada’s family parts ( I actually loved Phil and Vada’s mom’s romance parts more reliable and entertaining. I root for them even though they’re supporting characters of the book and I wish they have their own sequel at some parts)

Of course it’s so obvious to visualize my vindictive mind hated passionately from Vada’s father ( yes, my ascendant Scorpio takes over control and keeps on typing the letters)

But let’s turn back to the part why I became tough grader and lower my brownie points about this book. Well, my main reason is only one word: LUKE! Sorry pal, the hero I dreamed to resonate cannot be found at this moment. I didn’t find anything interesting about him. Only great things he is a British boy with charming accent. ( I think the author emphasized his charm more than ten times at the book. I found him a little artificial, spoiled, acting like the life dealt him the worst hand and he’s whining about his supportive family and insists that they never understand him. Look at this lovely drama king!

Romance parts of the book a little haphazard and I craved for more tension, angst, some obstacles, nonsense drama scenes. Maybe I have distorted opinions and I don’t get used to read easy HEAs.

Overall: Of course I loved to read more books of Erin Hahn. I’m already working on “You’d mine” with a big smile on my face and butterflies twisting in my stomach. This story was okay, too but I think I was expected more. I don’t love it too much but I also don’t have any negative opinions, either.

Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books for sharing this ARC COPY in exchange my honest reviews.

Music just might be the most important part of Vada’s life. She has a music blog, she works for Phil who owns a music club and she dreams of working for Rolling Stone.

Music is incredible important to Luke too but he has to keep it a bit of a secret. Luke’s dad was a famous musician, he’s retired from music now but he’d love to see his sons follow in his footsteps. Luke loves to write lyrics and he plays his keyboard alone. He’s an introvert and he does not want a life in the public eye. He doesn’t even want his dad to know about his talents.

Vada and Luke have both had a crush on each other for their entire high school years. They ate seniors now and they’ve barely ever talked.
Luke and his brother Cullen rent space from Phil to record their podcast.
So, Vada knows Luke from his podcast and Luke knows her from her music blog.

Music is an important connection between the two. They actually get to know each other in person when they decide to work together for an artistic school project.

This book has its own soundtrack.
I mean this almost literally.
Songs are so important to this story that I found myself writing down a list of them. I’m going to make a YouTube playlist as a soundtrack to this book.
If you don’t make a list as you’re reading, most of the songs are mentioned again at the very end.

I loved how important music was to the story.
I liked Luke and Vada as characters and their connection to each other.
I liked Phil as the non-biological father that Vada deserved.
I even liked all the sideline characters.
I also respected that they didn’t show anyone over the age of twenty as uncool or mean. Sometimes that happens in a book with young leads. It doesn’t happen here. The only adult that truly sucks is Vada’s dad but she has Phil to make up for him.

I got to read an early copy of this book from NetGalley. Thanks!

Thank you to Netgalley and St Martin's press for a copy of this book.

This was such a cute, heartfelt book. I loved Vada and Luke, and all the music references with the videos and lyrics. I feel like with all that incorporated, and how important music was to them, it helped tell the story more deeply and made you feel emotions related to the songs.
This was my first time reading this author, and I like the writing, it was well written and flowed nicely.

Five Stars!

What a story!

I loved the characters.
I loved the side characters
I loved the storyline.
I loved the way these characters had a slow burn adorable romance.
I loved watching the videos and feeling every word of a sing for a scene in the book.
I loved every single thing about this story.

A young adult story that will have you sucked in from the first few pages. Once you starting meeting the characters, you will fall, you will fall in love with each and every one.

Luke and Vada learn what it means to find their soulmate. And what a emotional journey!

Thank you to Net Galley for providing me a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.

There is a song for everything. If you are a lover of music and young adult romance then this is the perfect book for you. Vada and Luke’s story is so intelligently told. The reference to music videos had me constantly searching YouTube just so I could listen to the words and feel exactly what Vada and Luke were feeling. This is a must read!

Super cute, lovely little book with real and approachable characters, with fun connections with music. This book is about chasing after what you want and being yourself and following your own path despite others expectations. All the character felt real and fully fleshed out. Oh and Luke’s song lyrics were great!

I would maybe have even thought 4 stars but the trouble with writing books about music - what if your reader detests some of those epic (?) songs? Well. I did. And worse it’s Vada SONG - her anthem if you will - and that pretty much alienated me because I don’t like that band even a little bit. Hahaha. So. That’s where you lost me.

But, overall a cute little book that was enjoyable with some nice themes and messages, fun characters and a feel good but with real issues and growth.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

DNF @ 20%. I thought I would enjoy this, and there were parts of it that I did love (Meg! I wanted more of her!), but I just...didn’t. Similarly to “You’d Be Mine,” which I semi-liked but was not at all what I expected it to be, this was a little more...I don’t know, edgy?...than I anticipated. Not really my thing.

Erin Hahn ripped out my heart with her debut novel You'd be Mine. It left me a bit raw and deep in my feelings. It's not everyday you come across a book like that and how could another book ever come close to that? Then came More Than Maybe. If Annie and Jefferson were an epic and devastating love then Vada and Lucas are the always meant to be, easy-going kind of love. Lucas and Vada were relatable, they didn't have these huge tough issues to work out but everyday issues that we all go through. It was the perfect amount of teenage angst, romance, everyday life and music. So. Much. Music. And it was nothing like I expected, it was more than anything I could have imagined.

The falling in love was predictable. It's a contemporary YA romance though so of course it was, but what wasn't were Lucas and Vada or how they fell in love.

➽ Lucas - Son of a British punk rock music star, the other half of not only "The Grass is Always Greenly" podcast but also to his out and proud twin Cullen and musical prodigy extraordinaire. He hates the spotlight and preforming in front crowds but that's all his dad seems to want for him to do. An introvert in a family of extroverts who loves music and has had a secret crush on the town's up and coming music blogger for quite some time. Senior year is ending fat though and it might be time to make his move.

➽ Vada - Part time bartender at the Loud Lizard where her boss is the drummer from her Dads' old band and her moms maybe-maybe not boyfriend and music blogger for her boss' blog "Behind the Music." She eat, sleeps and feels music in her blood and has a plan to make her goal of music journalism a reality. All she needs is for her deadbeat dad to help out financially and to cover Ann Arbor's annual Save Liberty Live concert series for the blog to get into UCLA. Luke Greenly was not a part of the plan, but fate has thrown them together a lot lately and she has been crushing on him for years. Future and music first though.

Slow-burn, swoon-worthy romance. I was torn between reading faster to finally get to where they kiss and wanting the savor the innocent song-sending flirting along with the hilarious witty banter. It was a sweet romance, the kind you find in high school or college and hold on to forever. There was a tiny hiccup in their journey, but otherwise it was just two teens trying to find their place in the world while making space for each other. They discovered themselves a bit more while also discovering each other. I was enchanted by how well they just seemed to flow together and how music was their form of communication. It worked from them, even when upset with each other the music still spoke of love. Following Lucas and Vada not only through their separate life journeys, but watching them become intertwined took my breathe away. It was everything little girls growing up to punk rock could ever dream about when it comes to falling in love. All we want is someone to not only fall in love with, but share our music library with.

Have I mentioned all the music in this book? I think the best part, for me, was rushing to Spotify and looking up the songs Luke and Vada sent to each other along with other songs mentioned throughout the novel. I ended up keeping track of all the songs and posted a teaser playlist if you don't want to track down a song every time it's mentioned. This was a new experience for me, playing music while reading that is. In addition to the music there were a ton of pop culture and mainstream references mentioned. Think Gilmore Girls but more updated with the times. My favorite would have to be all the Teen Wolf references though. It's mentioned quite a few times and from following (stalking by accident!) Hahn on Twitter I know she's a huge fan of the show and a big Stiles fan. It was fun while still being relevant. I love when references of the kind are made because time is frozen in the book and years from now someone will pick up More Than Maybe and have a time capsule of not only music but other references that they might not be well known anymore. Like us with some of the music references, they'll be googling what Teen Wolf is.

I could go on and on about how much I love this book, but no one likes a lengthy review that picks everything about the book apart. I want people to pick this up and find the magic I found when reading it for the first time. What I personally took away from this book is it's okay to not be the leader of you own pack. Both Lucas and Vada are introverted and even discuss it. They don't want to be in the spotlight, but instead on the sidelines assisting others succeed while succeeding in their own ways. Whether it's being a kickass music blogger finding the next big bands or owning a local dive bar for the up and comers to play at. They understand and respect that about each other. It's okay to be on the sidelines and not do what others think you should be doing. Find your own path and fight for it. Hard work can take you a long way. I'm excited to see where Hahn goes next and who we will get to be on the journey with. All I know for sure is I'll be along for the ride wherever it goes.

Give me all the “angsty lyrics, the heartfelt plucking of the strings, passionate and world-weary please. Give me the banging of keys, the staccato of beach eats, the gift of swing and swoon.” Give me this book on repeat, singing at the top of my lungs alone in a car.

“Are you there God? It’s me smitten”. I am completely smitten with this story, Luke and Vada, and everything in between. Vada is a “middle-aged, overweight, receded-hairline soul” stuck in an 18 year olds body. She has a plan, a very solid plan, and has no intentions of deviating. Luke is my ideal Brit. He’s a high functioning introvert who is reserved while being outspoken and with a bit of tortured artist vibe going. He’s trying so hard to distance himself from his family and find his own voice. Both are hiding parts of themselves from everyone and because of that they carry this weight that hinders them from fully opening up to the world.

There’s something beautiful and real with this story. The emotions are pure and raw and the characters are thoughtful and considerate to their audience. It’s one that doesn’t just tag teenagers as delinquent youths with no substance. Both Vada and Luke are relatable at any age in this story, resounding with any generation. Even the side characters enhance the sincerity of the story. They uplift Luke and Vada when need, challenge them while building character, and make them stronger by giving them real life situations rather than obtuse, immature problems.

Luke is the guy who stands up for the girl without being asked, just because it was the right thing to do. The one who sees her potential and does anything to help promote it. It’s refreshing to see a male lead who isn’t scared of feelings or expressing them. He isn’t scared of the sappy emotions but instead embraced them and turned it into something beautiful.

Have you ever had that feeling when you first listen to a great song where it pulses through your veins and into your soul? The writing is like a well thought out lyric meant to evoke emotions your soul didn’t know it had. The way music was used in this story blew my mind. I haven’t heard of many of the bands and songs that were referenced and if you were like me I would suggest you take the time and look up the lyrics. Man, the author was able to pick the perfect songs for each moment. Wether it was a silly text or the perfect song to celebrate a big moment, music played a huge role in this book and I am here for it. And I see what you snuck in there, a little cameo from a country’s sweetheart Annie Mathers. A book that is able to reference both Dispatch and Taylor Swift is alright in my book.

This book was amazing and it was such a pleasure to read. So many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this eARC. Add this book to your list. It’s well worth it and look out for it May 12, 2020

There are novels that come along that defy their genres. That tap into a feeling so primal and deep that you can’t help but become completely immersed. To me, Erin Hahn’s ’More Than Maybe’ is one of those novels.

Luke Greenly loves music, but doesn’t want to be in the spotlight. The son of a famous punk rocker, Luke has all his father’s talent, with none of his desire for fame. He prefers to create music in secret, with no intention of ever performing for others. He also has a secret crush on music blogger, Vada Carsewell, whose witty reviews and expansive musical knowledge speak to his soul. Vada has big plans for her future, and she’s on course to achieve them all. She also has a secret crush on the charmingly shy Luke. When Vada and Luke decide to team up on a school project, they realize that there might be a whole lot more depth to their feelings than either of them anticipated.

Above all, this is a story about soulmates in all their forms. And I mean “soulmate” in a way that defies a romantic description; rather, it’s finding the people whom your soul connects with, be it romantically, fraternally, or platonically. The dynamics between Vada/Luke, Cullen/Zack, Vada/Meg, Zack/Luke, and Luke/Cullen are just a few examples of how this idea permeates throughout the story. Every relationship in this book is fully actualized and feels wholly authentic. It’s also about how music (or whatever muse you follow) can also be a soulmate of sorts. Vada and Luke connect on almost a cellular level, and as their story unfolds, you feel present every step of the way. Hahn creates supporting characters whose lives also feel essential to the story, which is a testament to Hahn’s adept storytelling and world-building abilities.

‘More Than Maybe’ is beautiful, layered, and brilliantly plotted. It’s a novel that I plan on revisiting often, and should be on everyone’s TBR list for 2020.

**Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest (and, in this case, enthusiastic) review.**

*Spoiler free, 4.75 stars*

I have seen a lot of love for You'd Be Mine online and a lot of excitement for More Than Maybe. I haven't read You'd Be Mine yet, even though I really want, because I know it's heavier. But, I knew that More Than Maybe would have a super sweet male main character and that was basically enough for me to want to read. And then I found out there's mutual pining and I kind of just exploded.

After reading this book, I kind of just want to launch myself right into You'd Be Mine (I will definitely be reading it as soon as I can). I get all the hype surrounding Hahn's books now. This was seriously incredible. I want to hug this book and I want to seriously shout about how good it is.

I don't know how I would describe myself when it comes to music. I guess the best way is that I don't listen to a ton of it. It's not that I don't like it, I just don't listen to it a ton. So, books about music have always been hit or miss for me. But this one really, really touched me. I could feel the love of music and what it can give you in Vada and Luke. I got it, I got what music meant for them and I could feel their passion for it. It was really cool and I really liked being able to connect with the book and the characters that way.

Speaking of the music, I want to hear Luke's songs. If Erin's books ever get made into a movie or TV show, everybody in the theater will just collectively faint when they here her songs. I could almost here them myself, but it would be so seriously awesome if they were actually produced.

Honestly, my thoughts about this book are just long lines of keyboard smashing. Vada is such a great character. I loved her. She has such passion for what she's doing. She dreams big and she works harder to make those dreams come true. Luke is shy, awkward, adorable, and sweet. He has his own passions, but he feels his in a way that seems quieter than Vada, but no less powerful. Zack, Luke's best friend, is dating his twin brother, Cullen. That relationship is seriously adorable. And Meg is a fantastic best friend.

I also loved Phil and when I realized what the dedication of this book meant, my heart just kind of turned to mush. It is so freaking sweet and so freaking cute and just so many words to describe how good it is. Most of the parents in this book were really cool. I liked how they were a bigger part of this story than I was expecting and they turned out to be really good people who helped out.

The mutual pining in this book was not what I was expecting, but it was still very, very good. It felt like a realistic, normal teenage crush that grew into something more. It was a relationship that developed. Plus, they're both dorks, which I really loved haha.

Also, there's You'd Be Mine Easter eggs (I could find them even without reading it!), which I thought was really clever.

This book feels like it's full of love. Love for music, love for the characters, the characters finding different kinds of love, them pursing what they want to, them becoming more comfortable with what they want. I loved Cullen and Luke's podcast, I loved Vada's blog, I loved the bar. I really loved everything about it. It's such a good book