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“Bound to charm readers from page one . . . You’ll root for everyone in this sweet love story.”—Elissa Sussman, bestselling author of Funny You Should Ask
Billy Perkins is happy. And why wouldn’t he be? He loves his job as an independent music teacher and his apartment in Baltimore above a record shop called Charm City Rocks. Most of all, he loves his brainy teenage son, Caleb.
Margot Hammer, on the other hand, is far from happy. The former drummer of the once-famous band Burnt Flowers, she’s now a rock-and-roll recluse living alone in New York City. When a new music documentary puts Margot back in the spotlight, she realizes how much she misses her old band and the music that gave her life meaning.
Billy has always had a crush on Margot. But she’s a legitimate rock star—or, at least, she was—so he never thought he’d meet her. Until Caleb, worried that his easygoing dad might actually be lonely, cooks up a scheme to get Margot to perform at Charm City Rocks.
It’s the longest of long shots, but Margot’s label has made it clear that any publicity is an opportunity she can’t afford to miss. When their paths collide, Billy realizes that he maybe wasn’t as happy as he thought—and Margot learns that sometimes the sweetest music is a duet.
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Creators
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Publisher
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Release date
June 6, 2023 -
Formats
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OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9780593743133
- File size: 261915 KB
- Duration: 09:05:39
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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April 17, 2023
In this gentle romance, Norman (All Together Now) takes a thoughtful look at finding love in one’s 40s and how it balances against family, career, and other obligations. Cheerful single father Billy Perkins is content living in his Baltimore apartment over a record store, teaching music, and raising his son, Caleb, who’s almost ready to head off to college. But Caleb thinks his father needs more love in his life and engineers a meeting between Billy and his longtime celebrity crush Margot Hammer, former drummer for the all-girl rock band Burnt Flowers. After some initial awkwardness, Margot and Billy realize they enjoy each other’s company, and embark on a quietly satisfying relationship. Then a viral performance at a local bar thrusts Margot back into the spotlight and her newfound happiness is threatened by both old colleagues and the reappearance of her actor ex-husband. With Billy and Margot forced to reevaluate their goals and priorities, their time together may be cut short. Both protagonists come with plenty of baggage, whether it’s Billy’s attachment to the status quo, or Margot’s checkered rock star past, and the way their chemistry pushes them both out of their comfort zones seals the deal on this romance. This is a joy. Agent: Jesseca Salky, Salky Literary. -
Kristen DiMercurio's dynamic performance takes listeners to Baltimore, where Billy Perkins owns Charm City Rocks, an independent record store. Margot Hammer, Billy's long-time celebrity crush, was the drummer of a now defunct rock band. Their first encounter, orchestrated by Billy's son, Caleb, is a total disaster but eventually leads to an endearing romance. The story is told in the third person from multiple points of view, and DiMercurio switches smoothly among characters and accents. She portrays Billy as slightly awkward but charming, Margot as apprehensive but open, and Caleb as energetic and youthful. She also delivers a combination British-American accent for Margot's daughter, Poppy. This audiobook hits all the right notes for a romance that takes place later in life but also works as family listening. E.P. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine -
June 10, 2024
Norman's (All Together Now) latest, warmly narrated by Kristen DiMercurio, follows single father and music teacher Billy Perkins as he grapples with love, family, and middle age. Billy is happy and content with his life, living above the record store Charm City Rocks and teaching music with his nerdy teenage son, Caleb. Only when he and Caleb are watching a music documentary about bands from the past does he remember how much he loves music. Caleb tries to convince Margot Hammer, the drummer from his dad's favorite band, Burnt Flowers, to come and perform at the record store. The story takes off as Margot tries to stay relevant in an age that seems to have passed her by, and Caleb tries to ease his dad's loneliness by casually setting them up. DiMercurio provides a spirited and expressive performance, capturing the story's twists and turns and keeping listeners invested until the end. VERDICT DiMercurio's depictions of Norman's endearing characters, full of love for music and the people around them, strike exactly the right note. A satisfying, feel-good rom-com recommended for fans of Jonathan Topper and Richard Roper.--Tatyana Nelsen
Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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