I have a lot of complicated feelings about this book (not really all that complicated, but you’ll see what I mean. First of all, I still think about this author’s first book Everybody Rise, which I absolutely loved (it’s New York City social climbing/living beyond your means at its best). Naturally, I was very excited for her next book as that one came out back in 2016. This one is about an aging country music star with a tumultuous childhood (she left home at just ten years old!). It spans from the 1920’s through “modern day” (1980), in alternate timelines. Overall, I netted out only medium on this book and I feel a little bad about that because 1) It’s very well written and you can tell that Clifford put a lot of effort into researching the world of country music and 2) the last 50 pages were amazing. But I think that for me, the main character wasn’t all that likable and I don’t really care about country music, so I struggled. It took me a long time to finish. But then I absolutely loved the ending (I cried?) so I feel like the slog was worth it? I don’t know what to say here. Read it, be annoyed with me for recommending it, and then be happy you did because the ending was wonderful? I’m still not sure if I’d recommend it but having finished it, I’m glad I did!
Author: Stephanie Clifford
