Perfect Tunes

By: Emily Gould

Narrated by: Candace Thaxton

“An intoxicating blend of music, love, and family from one of the essential writers of the internet generation” (Stephanie Danler).

Have you ever wondered what your mother was like before she became your mother, and what she gave up in order to have you?

It’s the early days of the new millennium, and Laura has arrived in New York City’s East Village in the hopes of recording her first album. A songwriter with a one-of-a-kind talent, she’s just beginning to book gigs with her beautiful best friend when she falls hard for a troubled but magnetic musician whose star is on the rise. Their time together is stormy and short-lived—but will reverberate for the rest of Laura’s life.

Fifteen years later, Laura’s teenage daughter, Marie, is asking questions about her father, questions that Laura does not want to answer. Laura has built a stable life in Brooklyn that bears little resemblance to the one she envisioned when she left Ohio all those years ago, and she’s taken pains to close the door on what was and what might have been. But neither her best friend, now a famous musician who relies on Laura’s songwriting skills, nor her depressed and searching daughter will let her give up on her dreams.

“A zippy and profound story of love, loss, heredity, and par­enthood (Emma Straub), Perfect Tunes explores the fault lines in our most important relationships, and asks whether dreams deferred can ever be reclaimed. It is a delightful and poignant tale of music and motherhood, ambition and com­promise—of life, in all its dissonance and harmony.

Critic reviews

"Narrator Candace Thaxton embodies wide-eyed 20-something Laura, who moves from Ohio to New York City with a notebook full of songs. Listeners are drawn into Laura's adventure of making it in the city that never sleeps. Thaxton takes listeners through Laura's twenties, starting from when she is a newcomer, moving into a troubled relationship, and landing at middle age, when she is a single mother. Thaxton evokes empathy for Laura's deferred dreams as she shoulders the responsibilities of adulthood. Her light narration is easy on the ears and flows smoothly through Laura's challenges as well as her lyrics. This is a quick listen for anyone looking for a contemporary story of a mother who makes good on her dreams."

5 stars for a literary star!

I adored this book. I’ve followed Emily Gould’s career for a long time—and this book exceeded my high expectations. This is someone shaping literature for the better in a hyper-readable way.

Brilliantly raw & real

The author really knows how to create realistic characters & a story full of heartache, honesty & humor. Loved it!

Edited version?

Even though the narrator used some quirky vocal inflections that bugged me, I enjoyed the story because I could relate to it. It seemed like it had been edited which left me questioning a couple of times and the musician boyfriend was not sympathetic but the protagonist was.