Not with the Band

By: Kelli Warner

Narrated by: Melissa Moran, Aaron Shedlock

Length: 8 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

Drama. Jerks. Another new school.

Those are three things Kassidy Perry vows to avoid her senior year of high school. Unfortunately, it looks like the Universe didn't get the memo. When her mom marries the football coach from a rival high school, Kassidy's forced to move (again), enroll in a new school (again), and adapt to life with three stepbrothers, including the school's star quarterback who's barely said two words to her. And what's up with her incredibly hot-yet-cocky neighbor who's developed a weird habit of climbing the trellis to her bedroom's balcony? Nothing about her senior year is turning out the way Kassidy planned - and that's before a revealed family secret drops the biggest bombshell yet.

Jordan Lawson could care less about football, even though he's starting his senior year on the radar of college recruiters. He just wants to play music with his band, win a national contest with a record label, and pursue his dream of being a musician. When those plans are threatened, his saving grace lies in the hands of his new stepsister. But how can he ask Kassidy for a monumental favor, when he's partly to blame for derailing her life? And what if getting what he wants puts her dreams in jeopardy?

In her debut YA novel, Kelli Warner weaves a humorous and relatable story about finding your way in a world you can't control - and what happens when the people you least expect turn out to be the ones you need the most.

©2017 Kelli Warner (P)2018 Tantor

Love it!

The family dynamic in this was really cute and I loved the growing bond between Kassidy and Jordan.

I didn't really understand the point of the Nichole thing. I thought it was an interesting twist that had a lot of potential. It just didn't really go anywhere plot wise with the rest of the story. Over all I enjoyed it though and would definitely recommend it.

Great story.

I enjoyed listening to this book about what a family really is. The romance is cute and sweet. There are situations in this book that teens now days have to deal with, which gives the opportunity for YA to relate to. The character development is right on. Of course if life wrapped itself up as well as this book did, we would all live Happily ever after.

Everything but the kitchen sink

First, the positive... This book does a good job of explaining the feelings of the main female character. The descriptions seem highly realistic and reflect how our inner thoughts don't always make sense. The author seems to have a good grasp of writing about inner monologues, especially the inner thoughts of the main female character. Confusion and conflicting thoughts are depicted well. The two main characters seem a bit cliched, but realistic.

Now, the areas that need improvement. This book is positively BURSTING with cliche teenage plot twists. Light spoilers ahead... There is a character that finds out he/she is adopted, a character who's parents get a divorce, a character who's parent died of cancer, a character who's mother goes into labor, TWO characters that have their significant others forced to move away, a character that is accidentally scheduled to do two important things at the same time and must choose, etc. Any one of these plot points would be enough for a single book, but in this book, a major cliche plot twist happens every two chapters! It is far, far, far too much for one book. Towards the end, it became comical to me how many plot twists (each stolen directly out of TV teen dramas) occur. Almost all of them resolve in the most stereotypical way possible, leaving no original plot points of any kind. Even the outcome of the band competition was stale. It resolved the way ALL similar plot lines have resolved in popular media since the late 90s.

I will also mention that this book is actually a lot more about SPORTS than music. This was the biggest disappointment for me. Sports are the meat of the story, and music is like the side dish or dessert. The title is misleading to say the least. Given the author's good grasp of the thoughts and feelings of her characters, I think maybe she should spend time really working on developing ORIGINAL plot twists, and maybe only focus on one or two per story.

Good book. Worth your time.

Very enjoyable story. It’s about a young woman getting used to a new family and new high school due to her mother’s marriage. Brother hears her singing in the shower and begs her to sing in his band.

There’s some heavy kissing, but little profanity if any and no sexual content. Suitable for anyone over 14.

The dual narrators did a great job.

Deeper storyline the one would imagine

Kelli Warner has a wit in her writing that will have anyone smiling. This is definitely a YA genre book as some situations are handled to flippantly and others are just scratched at the surface. Minimal if any foul language, not even heavy petting so this book is good for ages 9-14 easily. The overall message to follow through on your commitments and how to blow off bullies will resonate with the younger audience's in a positive way.

A delightful read.

This book is the perfect blend of a love story and a family drama, and the way the entire thing weaves together is masterful and overwhelmingly sweet. I love this.

Kinda boring and predictable

Interesting take with two POV from step brothers and sister with two different problems... but their love interest stories were not exciting and very predictable....i kept waiting for something interesting to happen but it just never did.

Loved it so much I missed my exit!

Love the story and the narrator! Listened while drive and was so intent that I missed my exit a couple of times! Oops! Look forward to more from this author!

Not that good

it was just okay not that good could have been better it was bad enough

Good job!!

Just a nice YA novel. I just wished there was a more developed loved story between Lucas and Kassidy. I would have happily listened for another 30-45 minutes to develop his backstory more and given them a few more scenes or at least longer scenes.