The book blurb hooked me immediately. Unfortunately, the story itself was not very compelling. Thank you NetGalley for the advance ecopy.

It's 1980 and aging country music star Water Lil has just been diagnosed with a career ending vocal injury. So she takes the show on the road one last time. As she crosses the country, creeping ever closer to her long abandoned hometown of Walla Walla, Lil reflects on her life and how good it will feel to show her sister how far she's come since their bare bones childhood on the farm in Washington.

Lil is a survivor but such a miserable character I didn't know if I'd be able to finish the book. I couldn't see how I could come to care for Lil. But I was pleasantly surprised by the last quarter of the book. Lil really is redeemed by confronting her past. The ending was rewarding and tidy, which I often find isn't common in fiction anymore.

A worthwhile read for readers who love complicated women or music.

Thanks to Harper for my copy of The Farewell Tour by Stephanie Clifford.

This was a complex book, I listened to the audiobook and while I enjoyed reading and thought there were great messages in the book, it was a bit slow for me and I didn't like the ending.

I love country music, but not really a fan of books about the 60/70s music scene, so I wasn't sure going in. I loved this this was more of a historical fiction told in dual timelines of the 1920s-1970s and then the 1980 Farewell Tour. I liked that she really tried to give a voice to women and I enjoyed her writing and storytelling.

The Farewell Tour by Stephanie Clifford is a delightful, albeit sad and slow novel about fame, growth, ambition, and love. As someone who has lived in Nashville for nearly a decade, I jumped at the chance to read a book that promised a look at the rise of Nashville. This book did not disappoint! There were a good number of details (accurate as far as I could tell) about the early days of Nashville and the growth of the country music industry. It was a fun way to see my city with new eyes.

But what I truly appreciated about this book was how smart and determined Lil was to succeed, to grow, and to not give up despite the obstacles of her childhood. I liked how the book alternated between the days of Lil's "farewell tour" and the details of her life. I was often heartbroken at what she had to endure, but in awe at the trajectory of growth over the course of her life. I felt that Lil's relationship with Kaori was really the epitome of demonstrating that growth. I loved the ending! If you can take the long view and enjoy a book with a slow build, I highly recommend this one for you!

Thank you to NetGalley as well as the author and publisher for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

This is about a famous country music star embarking on her last tour. It has flashbacks to her childhood and rise in the industry. Swipe for goodreads synopsis. It starts in the 20s and ends in the 80s and is set in rural Washington and Nashville. Thank you to @netgalley & @harperbooks for the earc.

Sometimes the language/writing is confusing of what’s actually going on as it hints to something a lot until actually revealing it in the end. I don’t think that was totally necessary. I did think one of the twists was surprising and good but the other could have been mentioned earlier.

I’d describe this as NASHVILLE meets THE GREAT ALONE meets DAISY JONES. I also thought that there were great lyrics for the songs which were very impressive.

⚠️: addiction/alcohol abuse, child abuse, statutory rape, racism, domestic violence, child rape

This is an excellent book for music lovers and fans of strong narrative voice alike. Lillian is one of the most complex, interesting characters I've read in a long time, and her twisted road to country stardom and downfall is absolutely made for country story songs. This is definitely character driven and slower paced on plot, but there is a lot that goes on.

Despite my lack of knowledge about guitars or music, which this novel is filled with, Lillian’s story captivated me. She was an absolutely infuriating character, but also unforgettable. It is rare for me to love a book so much with such a difficult protagonist, but her grit and determination won me over. There are content warnings here—many, in fact. Be warned. If you love country music, and love Johnny Cash. Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn, this book will speak to you. The last 40 pages left me with such a huge lump in my throat…and also left me knowing I won’t forget this story.

This was my first read by this author. I loved the book and how easily the story flowed all together. The book is a great story that tells the story of one unforgettable woman’s rise in the country and western music. The story takes place around 1980 and Lillian Waters is hitting the road for the last time due to vocal cord problems. She stops along the way at her childhood farm and confronts old memories.

Wow! This book sunk its teeth into me and didn’t let go until I finished. I simply could not put this one down. Lillian is an incredible MC and is such a flawed human, but I still felt for her and everything she went through. I’m not really a country music listener, but that didn’t hinder my enjoyment of this story even a little bit, and you absolutely don’t need to be a country fan to read this. This book is also about more than a country star; it’s about resilience, doing anything to achieve your dreams, human failings, and friendship. The story is told in a then/now timeline, and I really loved getting glimpses of Lillian’s past compared to her present day situation. Her relationship with Charlie felt so special to read about, even if I was yelling at them in my head sometimes. I highly recommend this one if you’re looking for a beautifully written character-driven book!

Lillian Waters sets out on the road for her final country music tour, planning to end with a show in her hometown of Walla Walla, Washington. She hasn't been home in forty years or so, and she's anxious about a reunion with her vicious older sister. Lil has endured quite a life, forever striving to be a successful female musician, and we get to see vignettes of her life between the time she left home and this final tour in 1980. Was it all worth it? What will be left for her at the end of this farewell tour?

This was a delicious and unique novel, delving deep into the country music scene of the mid-20th century. I absolutely loved all the references to stars of that time and their songs, and I can't wait to dig into the accompanying playlist that the author is making available on Spotify! What a great touch.

It is a rather slow, character-driven story, and it took me a while to develop a connection with Lillian. She doesn't make it easy, and I think that's part of the point — the sacrifices she's made include some of her humanity and compassion. She's seen a lot, which becomes evident the more you read, and by the end, I was fully invested in her as a character.

I loved all the detail in this book, especially Lil's days in Tacoma, and I can't wait for others readers to experience this lovely bit of historical fiction. Thank you to Stephanie Clifford, Harper, and NetGalley for my gifted digital copy!

The Farewell Tour is the latest novel from Stephanie Clifford and will be published on March 7, 2023. Harper Collins provided an early galley for review.

I'm a music nerd whose favorite decade is the 1980's. So, this book seemed to fall right into my wheelhouse. Turns out, half of the book is indeed set in 1980 while the other half is a bit of a historical novel that follows Lillian as she gets to this point in her life. Still, I found it an intriguing story.

I was not surprised to hear Lillian's tale hitting some familiar story beats; from childhood to relationships to domineering men in the industry, all of the greatest hits are here. These are elements we often see in stories and in songs about women. They are reliable ones because they are so familiar, so easy to get those reactions from the audience. Still, the story is told well with several standout characters among the cast which includes Lillian herself.

This book feels like a variation on the criminally underrated film Country Strong, perfect for people wanting a music literary fix after the release of Daisy Jones

The Farewell Tour
by Stephanie Clifford
Pub Date: Mar 7, 2023
Harper Collins
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
From the author of the New York Times bestseller Everybody Rise, a rich and riveting novel with the exquisite historical detail and evocative settings of The Cold Millions and Great Circle that tells the story of one unforgettable woman’s rise in country and western music.
Clifford does a wonderful job writing this story. Lily is embarking on her final music tour. She's tired, drinking too much, and her throat is betraying her. There are a few triggers in this book: domestic abuse, abortion & rape.
It's heavy.
I recommend this book! Pick it up as soon as its published in March! Great read!
5 stars

This was my first book to read by this author but will definitely not be the last! Wonderful story that will stay with you long after you finish it. Highly recommend!

Famous country music star Lillie Waters is embarking on her final music tour. She’s tired, drinking too much, and her throat is betraying her. As she tours, the book brings us back to her difficult childhood, her start in Nashville, and all that has happened to her from childhood on. Lillie learns who she was as a child and the woman she became. Beautifully and poignantly written.