I am intensely flapping my arms and squawking like a poor abandoned pterodactyl baby at the excitement of actually having been able to read a review copy of A Thousand Perfect Notes! (Thanks for staying with my review after that sentence.) My emotions towards Cait’s book can be described roughly as such, starting from when I found out she was publishing a book at all:
- oh wow! Cait is finally publishing one of her books, something I’ve been asking her about for ages (…WHEN, WHEN, WHEN)
- THAT IS JUST SO COOL THO
- I know someone who’s publishing a real, actual book, and I was there when it happened
- …wait. What if… What if I could read it?
- But… but what if I don’t like it?!
- I mean… wow, that would be awkward.
- But Cait’s blog is like so awesome, so she clearly CAN write, right?
- But it YA. You don’t like YA that much. You dread YA love stories. What if there’s one??
- What if it’s a cheesy one. What if it’s sugary sweet and my eyes will roll back and stay there. WHAT IF.
- *hides in bushes*
And I’ve been hiding in the bushes ever since. Till it was like a month till the book comes out. And then I had an unexpected opportunity to grab at it, and I did, and… And, welp, I LOVED IT. I loved it so much, I’m giving it 5 stars, and guess what? I had nothing to worry about!!
UPDATE: welp! At first I was low-key just getting the review copy, and then one thing led to another, and NOW I’m part of Cait’s blog tour!! I’m not promising anything yet, but there may be further content!! Keep your eyes on the blog 😉
Anyway…
I have now been converted. I am looking at you, Cait. I want to read every single book you write. I don’t even normally like contemporaries, so you’ve really got something going on here.
I know I have a problem with how much I overuse this GIF 😂
5 Reasons To Read A Thousand Perfect Notes
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★★★★★ 5 stars
Beck is a talented pianist, but he’s also a teenager in a pretty unhappy home, so he doesn’t really know he’s any good. All he is ever told is that he’s not good enough. Forced to live in the shadow of his mother’s brilliant past as a pianist and her grim present of losing her ability to play, Beck struggles to keep up his own emotional stability, and the physical safety of his younger sister. Trying to save any childhood his sister might still have, Beck sacrifices anything he might want in life himself, and focuses on just making the precarious lifestyle they lead somehow hold out as long as it can. It’s hard to sum up this story without giving too much away, but if I had to be broad, I could say that this is both a story of how friendship and human affection can open a person up to himself, as well as one of survival in domestic abuse situations, and how much even a little bit of empathy and acceptance can do for a person who is struggling to see himself despite of what his abusers have been trying to get him to believe.
Incredibly Important Topic That’s Very Well Written As Well
It’s funny how this always happens to me, but it seems I always read books that are connected, without even trying to. I started A Thousand Perfect Notes just as I was reading No Fourth River, an actual real-life account of domestic abuse, both growing up and in a relationship. I didn’t even read the blurb for A Thousand Perfect Notes, cause it’s always more fun not to know – imagine my surprise when I found out it’s about the same topic. This gave me even more perspective when reading this – an account of the reality of domestic abuse, side by side with the fictional take. These books were amazing companions. Needless to say, A Thousand Perfect Notes brings a very important topic to the table, and it also brings it up in the YA genre, which might allow it to reach a very vulnerable age group more easily – people who might not even be aware of some things that might be off in their own households, or those of their friends.
Another thing that I MUST mention is that… well, I don’t want to talk about it much, but I am no stranger to abuse. I grew up in a single parent household – because my mother was brave enough to leave when faced with domestic abuse. My first memory is me hiding behind a door, while my mother is being beat up by my dad. That is literally THE FIRST MEMORY I have. So while I wasn’t hurt myself (he had this much decency), I know I was often a human shield for my mother’s safety. My life is still grounded in fear because of this. Later in life, I was bullied, fiercely, for many years – in school. So I know my share of abuse. But since this post is not about me – where I’m going with this is that the victim mentality is VERY well known for me. I still struggle with the fallout decades later. And what surprised me the most is that Cait managed to write this mentality so well! (Cait herself mentions that she had a wonderful family, so it’s not from personal experience – which is stunning at how she managed to write this so accurately.) The way Beck thinks about himself is literally the way a bullied, abused person will think of themselves. I know it all too well. Cait has done a stunning job writing this character. I applaud it.
Note, if you’re curious: things are okay with me and my dad now (as much as they can be.) He’s even stopped drinking, what I am incredibly proud of – even if it’s many, many years too late. But I also am not afraid to put it out there that he hit my mom and threatened to kill her for a year, and I grew up in that fear, which shaped me a lot like a person and is responsible for a lot of my current anxieties. Peace now does not mean that what he’s done will be forgotten. Which is why I am not embarrassed to put it out into the public. Deeds you do will not go erased despite your ‘sorries’, abusers. Some respect can never be gained back. However, in the defense of my dad, I must mention that most of my knowledge of this mindset comes from bullying. Domestic abuse shares an incredible amount of similarities with bullying. In a way, it’s what it is – being bullied by those your life depends on, and whose influence is so much harder to escape.
If you are a teen who lives in an abusive household, remember this: You ARE good enough. Stay strong. You are probably even much better than you think you are.
Currency = Pure Emotion
I mean, it’s hardly any surprise, if you’ve ever read Cait’s blog, but she deals in PURE FEELS. And this is wonderful! If what you’re expecting from A Thousand Perfect Notes is to have your heart dragged out of your chest, stomped on a few times, wrought out and then also thrown out the window? It’s pretty much what will happen. And you’ll like it, and you’ll thank Cait for it. What are you waiting for?
All The Musical Insiders
Me reading this book (hint: I’m the doggo):
(Oh God, is that not the cutest GIF in the entire universe tho.)
I do sort of play piano, but I haven’t played for a long time, and I’m also self taught (hence, I’m the doggo.) But reading this book basically made me want to pick it up again! And even if I’m not very good at playing, it reminded me how much I loved it. If you miss the days you played music in school, you’ll be able to relate to this so much! It really spoke to me.
How Does She Make It So Relatable?
Okay, so maybe it was more relatable for me since I struggled with some of the things Beck had to go through, but I still believe that ANYONE could relate to this book, if not to Beck – then some of the other characters. They’re quirky, sincere and fun. Their problems are often painful and something you might have gone through when you were a teen (or are going through right now). I believe everyone will find at least a little bit in A Thousand Perfect Notes they can nod their head YES to.
A Very Honest Tone
Okay, I’ll be frank with you. The reason I dislike most YA? Is because it’s got this weird tone that I just can’t pinpoint… Often so very self-important, bantery and just… Just not for me. I struggle to relate to it. My generation, at least where I come from, has been much less self-important, self-centered. I just can’t enjoy reading that kind of tone. And that’s often a thing I worry about, when starting a YA book. But A Thousand Perfect Notes? No such problem! It’s so remarkably honestly written – the tone is no-nonsense, there isn’t the typical privilege tinge that is dripping from a lot of other YA books that I dislike. That’s possibly why it’s so easy to relate to it. It’s simple. It’s honest. It’s even got so much humor, despite talking about such a grim, painful topic. It captures the whimsicality of how we sometimes talk to each other, even in the book community. I can always appreciate whimsical!
Triggers Though
You have obviously already figured out that this book contains domestic violence. The violence is also graphic in places (sufficiently graphic for me, at least…) I’ll also go out of my way to mention verbal abuse as well. If you are going through a tough mental period, and you’ve been bullied or abused in the past, maybe you should be careful with this. It really, really might trigger you. So do consider this carefully, please.
No book is perfect – but A Thousand Perfect Notes comes close.
I thank Hachette Children’s Group for giving me a free copy of the book in exchange to my honest opinion. Receiving the book for free does not affect my opinion. You can buy the book here at Book Depository and buying using this link supports the blog.
And don’t forget to visit all the other blog tour stops!
Have you read A Thousand Perfect Notes? And if not, do you plan to?
I’m Evelina and I try to blog about books that matter, with a bit of fun there too! Disability and equality will be topics you see a lot, but there’s also a lot of scifi, fantasy and… GIFs. I’m also the proud founder of #ARCsAnonymous.
This sounds amazing – great review. Anne – Books of My Heart
Thank you!
Though ATPN has been gaining so much praise and I’ve come across so many reviews about how amazing it is, I’m all the more hyped now that YOU’re recommending it! I know how much YA is not your favourite genre but you loved it which basically means I’m gonna love it too, haha 😀 I’m just waiting for June to be over so I can buy this book <3 Issues like domestic abuse especially while growing up are so sensitive and it's nice to see that Cait did a great job to bring the issue in limelight and in the… Read more »
Haha thank you, Fanna 🙂 exactly, YA + contemporary as well. But this one was just super sweet 🙂 I’m glad you liked the doggo 😀 I can actually sing and play, but I’m not good at playing the piano, especially due to the fact that I haven’t had any time to play it in the past year or so xD and yes, of course there’s a lot of cake, it’s Cait we’re talking about here, haha 😀 Thank you 🙂 yes, I agree that it’s very important to talk about it. And I’m glad you like my review, actually,… Read more »
This review! Ok can we saying gif goals?! Because you set them and that opening visual. I walk away with all of the feels. Stunning. Simply stunning.
Thank you!!! Tell me you loved the doggo 😀 that doggo!! That doggo is GIF goals indeed 😀
That doggo is the best <3
I know right 🙂
Sounds like this is one of those great YA books that surpass their genre. I’m not a big YA fan either, more an occasional dabbler, but your review has me keen to read Cait’s book 🙂
Indeed! Yeah, some of the books, no matter what genre, transcend it and are just relatable to anyone I think 🙂
I just got my hands on a copy of this book and after reading your review I can’t wait to start reading it!
I’m glad to hear that, I hope you like it 🙂
Such a fabulous review. I’m so thrilled for Cait and I can’t wait to read her book.
Thank you! I am sure you’ll love her book, it was amazing 🙂
Aww just make me cry why don’t you. ❤️❤️This is SO SPECIAL and this post just means the world to me! I’m so honoured you liked it and just everything you said ajfdkslad…I love this post. And I want to send all the hugs for what you had to go through growing up. I know that’s such a small thing to say, but I mean, you’ve read ATPN so you know how deeply I feel about kids who don’t get the love and support they deserve. I hate that people go through this, but they DO. And if even just… Read more »
Thank you! I am so glad you liked the review 🙂 this book was truly great and I can’t wait for your next one. And it’s really cool that despite not having lived it, you wrote it so accurately! I will never cease to be inspired by that 🙂
Ahh you finally read this and you loved it? Mazing! You know, when you first told that you got the ARC of this book, I was like – Will she love it? But she doesn’t read YA? But now, I am glad that you loved it 🙂
I can’t wait to read this book. I am just hoping for the prices to go down because I already have feeling that I would love it and that’s why I need a paperback 😛
I was afraid of the same thing 😀 but you know, there are always exceptions, I guess 🙂
I hope you get it soon and enjoy it just as much as I did 🙂
I loved this book so, so much! And I agree with everything you said, Evelina. So relatable, and I absolutely loved all the music – even if that was also part of Beck’s pain.
All the love for all of the music 🙂 next week I’ll have a Q&A with Cait, so that should be interesting too – I have some questions related to the book 🙂
This book was awesome! I really liked how the friendship grew and blossomed between August and Beck. They were incredibly cute.
It is an important topic and i’m so glad it was written so well and with so much care.
I’m so sorry you had to go through the same when you were so little. It’s great your mother was brave enough to leave! <3
I know, it totally was 🙂 actually, I was less of a fan of the relationship cause I’m an unromantic grumpy cat xD but! It was done well for sure 🙂
Thank you 🙂
Omg this makes me want to get my hands on ATPN even more My amazon says it will ship in 3 weeks and the dates coincide with my vacation plans so there will be nobody to receive it which means I’ll have to wait even more
Great post though, I’m really glad you gave YA another chance
Oh noes… that sucks! You can never tell when they’re gonna ship anyway. At least I can never tell xD hopefully you’re received it already though? Cause I’m so late in replying my comments 😀
Thank you! 🙂
It’s a little nerve wracking to read a book written by someone you know, because like you said, what if you don’t like it? Glad you ended up loving it, Evelina. Good to hear the topic of abuse is handled well. Lovely review! 🙂
Exactly! And thank you, glad you liked it 🙂
Wow. Sounds like a must read. Will definitely add to the TBR mountain, but I might rejig the order. Sounds like a consensus is forming. 🙂
Definitely was 🙂 I hope you like it!
Amazing review! I’ve been hearing such amazing things about this book. Now, I’m convinced that I need to read it! Thank you!! <3
Thank you! 🙂 yes, this book is truly worth it 🙂
I am so sorry to hear about what happened when you were younger and I am sending tons of hugs your way! It’s also really nice that your relationship with your dad is better now because humans can change for the better and I am glad it was that way with him.
Also, I never knew how to say for sure why I do not really like YA but your reason is exactly why! Although still hard to pinpoint, ha ha!
Thank you 🙂 and I’m glad my reason was relatable 🙂 whatever it’s worth, I’m glad some people share my lack of love for YA, and for the same reasons too 😀 #lessalone LOL
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Oh I’m so glad to hear this captured your heart!! And it’s fantastic that it dealt with important topics well. I’m really looking forward to this one. Great review!
It really was 🙂 have you been able to read it yet? Hope you enjoy it. And thank you!
Such a wonderful review! I’ve seen this one around and of course on Cait’s blog and Instagram, so I already wanted to read it, but your review made me want to read it even more! I was worried about the romance as well since it’s really not my thing, so it’s good to know it didn’t bother you that much.
Thank you 🙂 yeah, it’s definitely worth the read, it’s an amazing book. Yeah, I’m not a fan of romance, but it’s really light on the romance here so I’m sure you’ll like it too 🙂
This is such a beautiful review, Evelina! I adored this book immensely. It was so heartwrenching and yet still hopeful. I’ve been a fan of Cait’s writing ever since I read the book she put on Wattpad and beta-read what turned out to be her next book that comes out! (Which you’ll LOVE, btw, just saying. Also keep tissues at hand for that one.)
Aww, thank you so much 🙂 have you also read my Q&A with Cait? Just thought you might also be interested 🙂 yeah, Cait’s writing is amazing. And so relatable somehow. Oh wow! You’ve actually read it xD maybe she’s changed it a little bit? Didn’t know it was on Wattpad 🙂 I think it might have been there before I was blogging. And I am SURE I’ll love it 🙂
I’m a little late here! (Please don’t hate me!) Firstly, you always write amazing reviews, Evelina! I love your format and how you always take it down to earth.
Secondly, my boyfriend got this book for me! Yaaaaaay! But I won’t be able to read it until my visit to Australia this July 😀 You loving this book is making me very impatient!
Haha, of course I don’t hate you 😀 I haven’t been able to visit anyone either! I will have to be catching up with your blog today too 🙂
Thank you <3 your boyfriend got this book for you too! Wait xD he gets you like... ALL THE AWESOME BOOKS, didn't we just talk about this? Your boyfriend rocks. Totally approved 😀
Hahahaha only because he hears me talk about them all the time (probably!)
Hey, that only shows that he’s a great listener 😀
This sounds amazing and yes that doggo gif is the cutest. I really do wish there were more books that spoke about growing up in an abusive household, it’s such a controversial yet needed discussion. I wasn’t going to read this book because triggers but I’m really curious about it now.
Thank you 🙂 yeah, you are right about not reading it because of the triggers though – it is quite a strong story.
Awesome review as always! XD
(Also, I’m loving the pterodactyl sentence! Lol.)
Thank you! 😀 and I am glad there were fans of the pterodactyl sentence, haha 😀
Great Review! I really need to get my hands on a copy soon and I’m incredibly excited that a fellow blogger has managed to publish a book ♥
Thank you! I hope you manage to get a copy somehow 🙂 yes, I know right – it’s so incredibly motivating to know that one of us has done so well in the publishing industry 🙂
I really want to get my copy at least this year, it’s really motivating to see a fellow blogger being successful and I really want to support that 🙂
I hope you can! I saw her book in London, it was amazing 😀 didn’t end up buying because limited luggage space, but I took pics xD
[…] I have been promising you some MOAR @Paperfury content since posting my review of A Thousand Perfect Notes. Since me and Cait are SUCH GOOD FRIENDS … blogger buddies … OKAY since Cait is so […]
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