“She said, ‘People don’t know what they like until they hear it. And that is the magic of music. Every song is a possibility, and all it takes is the right chord or the right beat and the heart is hooked.”
Sixteen-year-old Ivy Higgins has been dealing with the absence of her mother for two years, ever since she walked out on her and her father. This had a deep impact on Ivy as well as her dad who had to find a way to carry on on their own. But with the passing of time, Ivy’s connection to her mother begins to fade as memories and past moments become more blurred and distant. The one thing she and her mother shared was a love of an 80’s band called Chasing Eveline, which at one time helped Ivy get through the loss and now serves as her one remaining connection. It is a connection she fears to lose, and feels the only possibility of finding her mom would be at a Chasing Eveline concert. The only problem is that the Irish rock band has been broken up since 1989, and the odds of a reunion are very slim. With the help of her best friend, Matt, Ivy sets out to do the seemingly impossible in reuniting the band for at least one more performance.
Chasing Eveline is a sweet and touching novel that really grabbed me as the story unfolded. Ivy and Matt are pretty typical teenagers with a strong and supportive friendship that felt really nice and genuine. There are parts of the novel that focus mostly on their attempts at creating buzz for the band and earning money, with varying success, which provides a humorous element to the story. However, where the story really shines is as it unfolds further and we begin to experience the connection between Ivy and her dad as she is struggling to maintain a connection to her mom. There are lighthearted moments, and moments that delve deeper. The use of music throughout is very well done, and the way the author describes songs and lyrics as they are being listened to perfectly encapsulates the experience of the characters. Chasing Eveline is an enjoyable, endearing story, and a great option for music fans.
*E-copy provided by publisher for an unbiased review.
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