from the top, Sally Flynn by Méabh Collins

Sally loves musical theatre and dreams of a career on Broadway. Living near a theatre with her dad, she can practically see her dreams come true.

Writing her own musical is Sally’s first step to a life of fame. It’s so annoying that friends and family KEEP hinting that maybe her musical is not really about a lonely frog, but actually about her own life. She’s sure no one ever said that to Lin-Manuel Miranda!

Armed with new skills from a course packed with main-cast-energy theatre kids, Sally is ready to take her show public. Will her performance prove to her friends that she’s over any problems? The show must go on, after all.

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Musical theatre, teen ambition, and a frog who might be closer to home than Sally thinks.

Pre-Reading Thoughts

This promises fun, clever teen energy with a heavy dose of musical theatre vibes. I’m ready for Dublin streets, witty references, and a protagonist who’s bursting with creativity and determination. The question is: will Sally’s first foray into writing and performing her musical reflect the real heart beneath the jokes? And I love that cover - it's fresh and fun without being cliche.

Post-Reading

As I thought…
The story sparkles with teen energy. Sally is ambitious, creative, and fully herself without ever feeling forced. The Dublin setting is lived-in and authentic, the dialogue snappy, and the theatre references clever. You can sense her feelings simmering just under the surface without the story hitting you over the head with them.

It surprised me by…
How effortlessly it balances teen social dynamics with the artistic journey. Sally’s friendships, family interactions, and personal growth are woven seamlessly with the humor and theatre flair. And yes, there’s plenty of nods to Lin-Manuel Miranda, but it never feels gimmicky - it’s just part of the teen theatre world she inhabits.

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Music Pairing

🎵 Featured Song: Defying Gravity - Idina Menzel

🎶 Vibe Album: Hamilton (Original Broadway Cast Recording) - Hamilton

🎧 Artist Recommendation: Darren Criss - playful, passionate, full of main-cast energy.

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Vibe Check

Colour Palette: bright gold, velvet purple, stage spotlight white

Soundtrack: backstage chatter, piano tuning, audience laughter

Season: spring - new beginnings, rehearsals, excitement in the air

Mood: fun, ambitious, buoyant

Scent: ticket stubs, fresh paint, rehearsal sweat

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Tarot Pull

Queen of Wands

Sally is a natural leader with boundless creative energy. The Queen of Wands represents her enthusiasm, charm, and the way she draws people into her vision - both for her musical and her life. Confidence, charisma, and a little playful stubbornness make her the perfect fit for this card.

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For Fans Of

Book: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

TV: Julie and the Phantoms - fun, musical teen energy, creative ambition, and friends who cheer (and tease) along the way.

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from the top, Sally Flynn publishes on the 7th of April, 2026. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.