A YA verse novel about first love and friendship, lost and found.
Daisy can feel like a solo act at home. On the outside of her twin brothers' intense relationship, she leans towards her parents, particularly her father, for support. As a passionate classical musician, she is not wildly popular at school, but she has one close friend and a life filled with musical performance. Her life is turned upside down when her boyfriend suddenly breaks up with her, and Daisy is left disconnected from her one true love, music.
When she makes a new friend at school, mysterious Flora, Daisy finds a glimmer of peace in her chaotic life. Just as everything seems to be getting better, they all fall apart. Family tensions heighten as Daisy's dad falls ill and Daisy needs to decide should she find her way back to who she was or look towards who she is going to become.
This incredible free verse novel follows Daisy, a passionate musician in an extremely niche field. Daisy plays classical music on the recorder. Needless to say, this has not make her the most popular girl in school, but she's happy with her best friend, her boyfriend and the endless hours if rehersal and performance.
Until her friend moves on and her boyfriend dumps her. Floundering, Daisy stops practising, losing ground quickly. With her Leaving Cert approaching, she needs to find her footing again.
There is so much going on in this story that I didn't mention - if I tried to fit it all in, the whole review would just be a summary! Although free verse can seem light and easy,there's a lot going on under the surface. Daisy is a wonderfully authentic character, and her love for her unconventional instrument, the relationships she forms with the people around her - and with herself - are amazing.
I really hope Gráinne is planning to write more; I can't wait to see what she can come up with next.
Book Recommendation: A Thousand Perfect Notes
While Beck’s heart lies in composing rather than performing, and his home life is far more unstable than Daisy’s, both stories explore the transformative power of music, first love, and the emotional turmoil of major life changes. If you’re looking for another intense, beautifully written YA novel about music and identity, A Thousand Perfect Notes is a great choice.
Movie/TV Recommendation: Julie and the Phantoms
Like Daisy, Julie is struggling to reconnect with music after a personal loss. This heartfelt and energetic series blends themes of friendship, self-discovery, and the power of music in a way that feels both fun and deeply moving. If you enjoyed Daisy’s journey, you’ll love following Julie as she rediscovers her passion with the help of some very unexpected friends.
Solo publishes on the 3rd April, 2025. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.
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