I don’t usually review romance, but I do like telling my readers about books I think people will be talking about. Here’s my Review of Mayluna by Kelley McNeil, a book being compared to Daisy Jones & the Six. Is it similar? Will you enjoy it? You should definitely avoid spoilers if you want to read it and be surprised, but this review will have PROTECTED spoilers in case you’re a peeker or want to discuss.
Jen’s Quick Take on Mayluna by Kelley McNeil
- Past/Present Storyline (1990s to the present)
- Had the music journalism feel of Almost Famous
- It’s a Rock Star Romance if you like that kind of thing
- Had the tortured romance feel of Daisy Jones & the Six
- Read (to me) like a romance novel with tropes I’ll discuss in the spoilers
Plot Summary for Mayluna
To be published on February 1, 2024 by Lake Union Publishing
Click here to read a plot summary for Mayluna
In the 1990s, Carter Wills was the lead singer of the English alt-rock band Mayluna, securing his place among music legends. His tortured lyrics struck a chord, and so did his secret connection to a mysterious woman. Who was she? Evie Waters’s two grown children discover an iconic photo in an old magazine of a “mystery girl” with 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 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.
Review of Mayluna
Confession: I was the person who didn’t “get” Daisy Jones.
I don’t love epistolary novels and struggled a little with the format. Plus, I think that books with music themes are hard to write because you can’t really capture that crucial element: the music.
But there are a bunch of big music themed books this winter and spring, so I decided to give Mayluna a try.
Mayluna did have some interesting similarities to Daisy Jones, but also some differences.
Like Daisy Jones, Mayluna has a past/present storyline and features a charismatic yet sensitive lead singer who falls for a girl. But Steve Perry said it best: loving a music man isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be. (Okay, I paraphrase…)
Mayluna is at its heart a romance novel, focusing on two people and their love story. It’s FILLED with romance novel tropes.
I think fans of classic romance novels will really enjoy it, though they may predict some of the twists and turns of the story. And when I say “classic” and “twists and turns” I mean old school books like The Bridges of Madison County or The Notebook. NOT the kind of “spicy” romances people are discussing on TikTok.
I liked Evie in Mayluna far more than Daisy, who irritated me to no end.
However, I have come to appreciate Daisy Jones & the Six a little more after re-reading the book and comparing it to the Amazon Prime Video series in this long post.
How Daisy Jones is Different from Mayluna
Daisy is a far grittier book, focusing more on the dynamics and psychology of the band and life on the road. After reading it again and watching the show, I have come to admire it as a more feminist book than I originally thought and I think it’s an interesting and realistic portrayal of substance abuse issues.
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Spoilers for Mayluna by Kelley McNeil
If you read this, I need to know ALL your thoughts, so please leave a comment. Spoilers are fine.
Also, take my quiz on Who Were You in the 1990s!