Mayluna

A Novel

By: Kelley McNeil

Narrated by: Amanda Leigh Cobb, Kevin Kemp

Length: 11 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

A legendary band, an iconic lead singer, and their mysterious connection to a woman whose love helped create the music of a generation. Timing is everything in a powerful novel about fate, regret, and moving on by the author of A Day Like This.

In the 1990s, Carter Wills was the lead singer of the English alt-rock band Mayluna, securing his place among music legends. His tortured-heart lyrics struck a chord. And so did his secret connection to a woman whose love changed all their lives. Who was she?

Evie Waters’s two grown children discover an iconic photo in an old magazine of a “mystery girl” with Carter: their mother. It all started in a wistful time and place for Evie, her twenty-fifth summer. A young columnist forging her career. Backstage euphoria. A long-shot interview. And an almost cosmic connection with an enigmatic musician on the rise.

What happened between them is a hidden story no one, not even Evie’s family, knows. Until now. Worlds apart, Carter and Evie finally reveal the story—joyful, regretful, and unforgettable. It was a time when the stars aligned for a love so profound the whole world felt it. It was as if it would last forever.

©2024 Kelley McNeil (P)2023 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“This achingly romantic tear-jerker by McNeil (A Day like This) hits the same notes as Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Daisy Jones and the Six.”—Library Journal

“McNeil's latest is a dreamy, melancholy look back at young love…Fans of wistful love stories and intellectual music retrospectives will appreciate the astronomical metaphors throughout, intertwining music, math, and the planets into this complicated love story.”—Booklist

“An utterly engrossing story about secret lives, second chances, and encounters with enigmatic rock stars. Mayluna is fresh, heady, and nostalgic.”—Jennifer Gold, author of Halfway to You

Unique love story

I loved that this book was like a person telling their story yet it was also, in large parts, a drama with multiple characters. Not your typical rock star romance - loved that it surprised and touched me.

Reaching for Love

I like a good emotional book. This was a little, Bridges of Madison County and Nights in Rodanthe.
I love both of those stories. Good author for me

The unbreakable love between Evie and Carter.

The story was amazing. I loved how the characters developed and found their way back to each other. Their bond and love was unbreakable.

Such a beautiful story!

I loved how the story captured you from the first moment…and held you to the very end.

Heartbreakingly beautiful

This love story was so beautiful and magical. It tore my heart apart and will stay with me for a long time. I loved these characters.

Moving story but very slow

Well written and performed. At least partially predictable storyline. Not sure I could have sat and read it as it is a very slow moving, melancholy story. Was ok listening while I drove or moved about the house. I’m not big on sad stories and nothing about it made me cry but I’m sure some people did. Lost love and all that.

Great book.

I sort of predicted the ending, which I am not sure if that is a good sign. However, I love how the author handled a lot different aspects and tribulations in this book. I NEVER write book reviews, so perhaps take it as a good sign that someone liked this book enough to feel the need to write a review.

Unpredictable, Haunting, Real Love

I won’t lie, halfway through I had to stop listening because I didn’t want to hear what I thought was coming next. Eventually, I decided to finish the book and I was so surprised to realize my initial prediction had been dead wrong. Not only is this love story reminiscent of a memorable decade of music, but it reminds you that while musical artists give and give to their fans they also sacrifice a lot in their personal lives. I ended up sobbing for 30 minutes because I felt so connected to all the characters and the center story. I’d listen if I were you.

great book

I really enjoyed reading this author.  I look forward to reading more books by this author in the near future.

Beautiful

This story had me going through all the emotions. By the end I was sobbing. To have a love like that no matter how short or long is indeed very lucky. What I think I loved most about this story was the way it caused great emotions and feelings with the reader (or at least I’d did for me). There were times where I was so mad and so frustrated with the main character Evie. I don’t want to spoil anything but I will say that it was heart wrenching, beautiful, and so powerful.