Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Tyler thinks making out on stage with his bandmate is just a publicity stunt—until his father cancels his allowance and he’s forced to take a real job. Working in a record store feels plebian enough, but when Tyler wakes up nearly twenty years in the past, he finds that working in that same record store seventeen years ago is a whole different scene. His one bright spot is a chance to be in a band with a guy named Dylan—but Dylan’s problems with the 1995 music scene aren’t the only obstacles in their way.

Book Review

Obsessions with wanting to be someone you are not, or with being successful in a chosen field, can get in the way of someone being happy. In this story, Tyler gets a chance to find out what it is like to live your dream – or so he thinks. Actually, the 'lesson' he has to learn is different from what he expects. I loved that twist, even if the 'technical details' of his experience are never revealed, so we don’t find out if it was a dream or a trip into a parallel dimension. The value of  what he comes back with is unquestionably very high, and I think he will be much happier for having experienced 'whatever it was'.

 

Tyler is a typical teenager. He has big dreams of becoming a rock star, but not much chances of getting there. When his allowance is taken away (because his homophobic father doesn’t want him involved with a band member), his world collapses. He now has to get a job to earn spending money. I wanted to smack him. He is 19, still lives with his parents and wants to make music all day long. He sure needs a wakeup call!

 

The one he gets is somewhat unexpected. A trip into the past and a chance to play in a band seems like the solution to all his problems. Needless to say, this is where he actually learns something. I loved his reaction to 1995 – 'What, no facebook?', 'Where is my iPhone?' and similar details just made me laugh. His relationship with Dylan is rocky to put it carefully, and every twist was just one more hint at what fate was trying to tell him.

 

If ever you want to read a story about a wannabe musician who has to travel in time (or at least have a very vivid dream about the past) to understand what life is all about, this one fits the bill. If you enjoy seeing the past (barely 20 years ago) through today's eyes, and if you like stories about teenagers realizing what life is all about, then you will probably enjoy this short story.

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review.

 

Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Novella, 60 pages
Heat Level
Publication Date	01-June-2012
Price
Buy Link