Thank you so much to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Dell for an early copy of this title.

Tehlor Kay Mejia is a new to me author, but she has published many young adult and middle grade novels. I thoroughly enjoyed her adult debut.

This book takes us on a journey of growth and healing as Sammy navigates her childhood trauma while in the only place she has ever felt at home, Ridley Falls Washington. Sammy, Seattle based music critic, has fled the big city for a small-town reprieve after her famous rockstar girlfriend publicly dumps her and she is in hot water at work. Spending some time with her best friend Willa, her wife Brook and pseudo parents seem like the perfect way to mend her broken heart and fix her career.

Told in single POV, this book follows Sammy as she gets a second chance with a missed connection from years earlier, confronts her paternal grandmother who shunned her mother and deals with the loneliness and baggage her moms choices has left her with.

There were so many things I loved about this book: Willa and Brook, Willa’s parents (reminded me so much of Georgie’s parents from Georgie, All Along), the pacing, the small town setting and chance to rebuild a relationship with her grandmother. The romance piece was a little bit light since Sammy had so many other things going on and I didn’t quite understand the reason for their broken promises in the past, but I still enjoyed it. But the true winner for me was the found family development, discussions with her mom and time spent learning her culture with her grandma.

Overall, I flew through this adult debut and look forward to reading what comes next for Tehlor Kay Mejia.

To be honest, this book just wasn't my cup of tea. I didn't feel a strong connection with the characters, Sammy and Max, as they seemed to exhibit more teenage behavior rather than mature individuals in their late 20s. The romance aspect didn't engage me either, and overall, I didn't find the reading experience enjoyable. Initially, it seemed promising, but my interest quickly waned. The writing style was a bit scattered, making it difficult for me to follow the storyline. Moreover, it relied heavily on explanations rather than vivid descriptions, which made it challenging for me to immerse myself in the book. Unfortunately, I couldn't overlook my issues with the characters and the writing. Nevertheless, I believe there may be other readers who would appreciate it.

Highlights:

Queer representation.
Second-chance romance.
Small town setting.
Rock star hero.
Found family.
Overcoming child abandonment trauma and addiction.

Sammy Espinoza's Last Review has a couple of tropes that I usually enjoy. And I think I liked the idea of the book more than the execution. I found it hard to warm up to the characters and get swept away by the love story. Sammy and Max are pushing thirty, but both made immature decisions that frustrated me. Some very likable secondary characters made the story better. I loved Sammy's best friends and her grandma. I wish we got more of Sammy's grandmother. But Sammy's relationship with Max left me wanting more. I might recommend this book to romance readers who enjoy the tropes mentioned.

This was a really lovely read. Lots of hard topics are brought up and covered here (loss, parental emotional abuse, alcoholism, etc.) so it has a more serious tone than I normally read, but still really good.

Sammy was an interesting character to hear this story through. She's on the brink of losing her job, she's grown up with a flighty mom and almost no one else, and now she's being strong-armed into returning to the only town that kinda felt like home. She goes through a lot in this book. She's forced to confront lies she always thought truth, her past demons, the people who were in her life but maybe didn't really care for her, and more. It's a lot happening to her and Mejia handles it all beautifully. This book really could have been bogged down with Sammy's internal and external problems, but there were still light and heartfelt moments that kept me from feeling in down in the dumps about everything.

Also, I loved getting to know Max, our love interest. He's an ex-rock star so I expected him to be super arrogant and demanding and maybe abrasive, but he wasn't at all. He was soft and nervous and forward yet considerate. He really took me by surprise which doesn't happen all too often.

Overall, this is a definite read for those who enjoy realistic romances and plots. I typically enjoy something more lighthearted and comedic, but I still sped through this book in a couple of days. Two thumbs up from me.

I loved following along on Sammy’s journey. This was a heartfelt story and i loved the writing style.
Many thanks to Random House and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Sammy Espinoza’s Last Review by Tehlor Kay Mejia is a second-chance romance filled with self-discovery and a great found family.

This story follows Sammy, whose life is a bit of a mess after going through some things and hitting rock bottom. After her grandfather passes away, Sammy decides she needs to connect with the family she has left. She then returns to her small town to be with her family. She also has hopes to save her career by getting a sneak peek at a musician’s new music. The musician is Max, who Sammy had met years before and had a connection with before he disappeared.

I loved the relationships in this story of strong friendships and found family. I loved watching the characters connect and grow. The setting of the small town was so great and filled with quirky characters. Both characters have miscommunications and baggage but they also have amazing character growth.

If you are in the mood for a swoony romance that features rock stars, self-discovery, and found family then this book is for you!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review,

This book really had me feeling a lot of things - I laughed, I cried, I got angry, I got soooo frustrated, and, as someone with similar abandonment/commitment issues, I really resonated with the main character. It was so beautiful to see her grow throughout this book - I truly love a dynamic character arc. And the romance was beautifully written (and kinda hot- I always did have a thing for emo/screamo boys back in high school. I just know young me would have loved young Max, and older me adores older Max).

This was the first book I've read by this author, but I've had plenty of others on my TBR for awhile now. It looks like I might have to bump them up the list a little.

DNF. This one wasn’t for me. It starts with just pages after pages of exposition being thrown at the reader instead of any action happening. I don’t know why the author didn’t show any of these scenes or at least intersperse some of it as flashbacks within the plot, but it started off so boring I have no desire to read any further.

Listen. This book was SO GOOD. I didn’t know what I was expecting but it was so much better than I could have ever imagined. Don’t get me wrong, it also HURT MY FEELINGS. A LOT. But the second chance, found family, finally finding a safe place to land, uncovering things that desperately needed to be uncovered, all the music…it was all so good.

I loved Sammy so much. She was lost and searching for a way to safe her career and instead she found herself. It took place over just two weeks and so much happened! I loved her and Max, and her and Willa and Brook, and Maeve and Larry! And Paloma! They all had such important relationships with Sammy but it wasn’t until now that she knew what to actually do with that. And I loved watching her figure it all out. I loved watching her go back to the one place where she has family, found and biological, and find some sort of peace. It took a second, and it wasn’t easy. But she finally came home and it was exactly where she needed to be.

I also really loved Max’s story! It was very much Sammy’s story, but his journey was so important to Sammy too!

Also I LOVED MAX AND SAMMY. The way they fell right back into their easy relationship. And they were able to use each other to work through their problems. While it hurt that Max didn’t recognize her immediately…he did eventually! And he was able to tell her that all those years ago she changed everything for him!

The last quarter or so…HURT. I wasn’t expecting any of it. And while I loved what happened afterward and the full circle moments and the realizations and the declarations…I was tearing to the whole time.

And I love a good epilogue! It was so so sweet and a perfect button to the story!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Penguin Random house for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I enjoyed reading Sammy Espinoza's Last Review over a period of a few days.

Sammy is a critic who needs a breakthrough moment, deciding to go back to one of her previous hometowns. Ridley Falls is where her later father's family is from, but also where her past love now rockstar Max lives. With Sammy promising her boss she will get Max to let her review his newest album that the public hasn't heard, she sets out to look back on the past. Filled with found family and lost love, Sammy Espinoza's Last Review is a fabulous contemporary debut.

Sammy Espinoza's is a book I felt was more contemporary than romance. While I loved learning and reading about Sammy and Max, I found myself more compelled towards the story of Sammy and everyone else in her world. The sexual scenes, while good, felt unnecessary and like a page filler. Overall, I look forward to whatever Tehlor Kay Meija puts out next!

"Sammy Espinoza's Last Review" by Tehlor Kay Mejia is a peppy and delightful novel that will leave you with a smile on your face and a warm feeling in your heart. Sammy Espinoza, a music critic caught in a whirlwind of chaos, finds herself with one last chance to save her career and seek revenge on her teenage crush. With a mix of humor, sweet moments, and a dash of second chances, this story is a true delight.

Tehlor Kay Mejia has written a vibrant and relatable protagonist in Sammy. Her determination to redeem herself and her witty humor make her instantly likable. As Sammy sets out on her mission to access Max Ryan's exclusive music, readers are taken on a rollercoaster of emotions, rooting for her every step of the way.

Set in the charming town of Ridley Falls, Washington, the story offers more than just a chance at revenge. It explores the themes of found family and confronting past traumas. Sammy's return to Ridley Falls brings with it a sense of nostalgia, unanswered questions, and the opportunity for personal growth. The chemistry between Sammy and Max adds a touch of romance and sparks fly as they navigate their complicated history. The author's ability to balance humor, sweet moments, and deeper emotional exploration makes this story an enjoyable and satisfying read.

Yes this is a romance (and a trope-y one at that) but it's also about learning about yourself. Sammy is back in Ridley Falls, the town where she sorta grew up, with a plan to revive her own career by taking advantage of Max, the rock star she's got a past with, She's a music reviewer but she's been tanking her life lately, Now in Ridley Falls, she's finally getting to know her grandmother and,, well Max, Max has some things to deal with in his own life, not the least of which is getting his music going. You know how this is going to go but then it's a bit broader. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC, Good characters and storytelling,

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Sammy Espinoza’s Last Review is a somewhat promising adult debut from YA and middle grade writer Tehlor Kay Mejia. I’ve read a bit of her work before, and am pleased that some of the aspects I’ve enjoyed in the past are present here, like the Latine culture and great queer rep in the main and supporting cast.
I love the small-town atmosphere, including some found-family aspects. While I have some other issues with Max, I do respect what he gets out of solitude in this little isolated town. And Sammy’s own past connection to it plays a pivotal role in her growth, and I love seeing her come to appreciate them.
I do like Sammy as a main character. She’s a music reviewer, and her love of music comes through in a strong way. And as a reviewer myself, even if it is for a different art form, I love how she engages with her community and enthuses over the things she loves. Her relationship with her mother is a particularly complex aspect of her life, and I felt this was explored well throughout.
But the romance was hard to root for. They’re quite dysfunctional, going beyond the standard miscommunication to being quite toxic at times. I do see where it’s coming from to an extent, as both have their share of childhood trauma, but I personally wasn’t won over by them by the end, especially with the ridiculousness of the third-act breakup. I’m all for a messy romance between messy people, but the execution wasn’t really to my personal taste.
Whether this book works for you will depend on your personal preferences. If you’re interested in a contemporary that has equal emphasis on multiple dysfunctional relationships (both familial and romantic) in a person’s life, and sees them attempting to put their life back together, I’d recommend giving it a try in hopes you enjoy it more than I did.

Sammy Espinosa’s Last Review by Tehlor Kay Mejia is a fun rom-com that will make you smile!

Sammy, a music critic, had a childhood crush on rockstar Max Ryan. She remeets him now as an adult as he’s about to launch his solo comeback career.

Love a romantic comedy set in the music industry.

This is my first book by Tehlor Kay Mejia and it won’t be my last.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing/ Dell for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Sometimes I come across a book that’s so perfectly *me* that I need to drop everything and devote a day to reading it. Such was the case with Sammy Espinoza’s Last Review. I have two main things in common with Sammy Espinoza: 1. I’m from a tiny town in Washington, and 2. I love music and spent years writing album reviews and other music-related articles. (Though never as a paid employee, in contrast with Sammy.) Those were the two main elements that drew me to this novel, but there’s so much more that quickly won my heart.

Right away, the writing style in Sammy Espinoza’s Last Review is absolutely absorbing. It’s told in the first person, and Sammy’s voice is so funny and candid, even as her world is crumbling around her. She’s instantly relatable, and with her nuanced emotions, wit and humor, and drive to move forward in life, it’s impossible not to root for her. She makes mistakes, true. Sammy isn’t always completely honest, and she tends to run from problems rather than tackling them, but from page one you can sense that she is trying her best.

The biggest theme in Sammy Espinoza’s Last Review is the importance of relationships. I’ll get to the romance in a bit, but let’s first start with family. Sammy grew up with a single mother; her father passed away before she was born. With no family, she and her mom moved around a lot, but her mom was more intent on getting a boyfriend than acting as a real parent. Sammy spent one year with another family in Ridley Falls, Washington, where she became best friends with Willa. Part of why Sammy is now back in Ridley Falls, staying with Willa and her wife Brook, is to finally connect with the paternal grandmother she never knew. But does Paloma Espinoza even want anything to do with her? The scenes between Sammy and Paloma are among my favorite, and at least one scene fully made me cry. In addition to her new-found grandmother, Sammy also a wonderful found family with Willa and her parents. The friendship between Sammy and Willa, too, is expertly drawn—with its ups and downs and all!

Then there’s Sammy’s tentative relationship with Max Ryan. Sammy met him 11 years earlier, when she was 18, and spent a glorious night with him right before his band got signed and he got famous. Now Max Ryan, former rock star, has spent the last seven years as a recluse, though rumor has it that he’s working on a solo album in his hometown—you guessed it!—Ridley Falls. That’s part of the reason Sammy is back: She wants to guilt him into letting her hear his album before anyone so she can write its first review and save her job. But when Sammy runs into Max, there’s a definite spark there. Never mind that he doesn’t remember her, and never mind that she’s keeping secrets about her ulterior motives. The two just click, and the romance that develops is too fast for all the baggage and secrets between them. These two are so perfect together… yet they both have their personal issues to get through before this can truly work.

Besides the beautifully drawn relationships—family, friends, and romantic partners—one of my favorite elements is, of course, the music. Max Ryan’s band had its roots in screamo, making them the scene kids of my adolescence. Other references to ‘90s bands made me nostalgic, and even Sammy’s devotion to finishing a song on the radio before turning off the car is spot on! Her music criticism and music journalism career is what I dreamed of for myself for so long, as well as her ambitions of working in A&R or at a record label. I also loved the glimpses into Max’s song composition, stage presence, and feelings about fame.

Finally, as a Washington state native, I did feel a little Nancy Drew in trying to determine where Ridley Falls is supposed to be. Two hours away from Olympia, somewhere in southern Washington… not quite my neck of the woods, but still close enough that it felt like I was coming home as I read this.

Sammy Espinoza’s Last Review is a beautifully written romance and one of my favorite reads this year. It has everything: Emotional depth, humor, likable characters, genuine and diverse relationships, music… I could go on. This is a book I will treasure, and I eagerly anticipate reading more from Tehlor Kay Mejia.

I’m so over these covers, like it’s been done to death a thousand times.
The book was okay at best, but the cover… Yawn.

*4.5

This book was so beautiful and I loved it so much. Sammy connecting with her grandma and learning all about her family and her culture was so cute. Her grandma showing her all the love she never had growing up just warmed my heart and definitely made me cry. The way she connected with Max was so real and I felt it. It went kind of fast but they just understood each other. I also really enjoyed the relationship with her best friend, they were just always looking out for each other.

I received an arc through netgalley.

I enjoyed this book. It was an interesting read . I found that I was able to read quickly and enjoyed the pacing and premise of the book. I would recommend to others.

I don’t often read or enjoy romances between a man and a woman, preferring to stick to sapphic love stories. The fact that this one really drew me in only speaks to the great writing! I found myself so invested in Max and Sammy’s relationship. While it was a bit cliche at times, I loved the journey this book went on.

I went into this book practically blind, save for the recommendation of Tiffani from Random House Publishing and I was so pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed reading this.

Real, relatable, fleshed out MCs. Believable conflicts. Great cast of side characters that not only added depth, but were integral parts of the story. I also need to mention that I particularly enjoyed the writing style; I was hooked the whole way.

It's got:
- Second chance romance
- Queer FMC
- MCs at a crossroad in life
- Difficult family dynamics and history
- Found family
- Music love

I laughed, swooned, and even teared up. Highly recommend!