This is such a powerful, deftly-written book - so many lines just left me breathless, I loved all of the musical analogies interwoven into the story. Beck is a fantastic character but I really fell in love with August and Joey, his little sister. The Maestro is suitably monstrous, but she isn't a caricature either - she is completely believable in her abuse. Beck himself is heartbreaking - you just want to take him away and make everything alright again. Moving and hopeful and completely brilliant - this is a fantastic debut and I can't wait to see more from C. G. Drews.

This book was an emotional rollercoaster. Beck’s mother abuses him, dictates his life, destroys his confidence and beats him. All the while, Beck tries to protect Joey and allow her some semblance of childhood. The characters in this book are marvellous. I adored Beck, Joey and August and the interactions between them are simply fantastic. Drews had me snorting with laughter one minute (which is rare for me when reading), and had my heart breaking the next. I don’t tend to read many YA contemporaries but this book drew me in from the first page. If you read Cait’s blog, you’ll feel her style leaping off the page. Her characters are so real, her writing is stunning and, as one would expect from Cait, this book is laced with delicious food! Truly, this is an incredible debut that managed to tackle such important and difficult issues, while still entertaining the reader. I devoured this book and I’m sure you will too!

I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for a review and wow! I finished this book in about three hours, in one sitting! "I'll write you an entire symphony if you ask.." Beck is a teenage pianist, who's mother pushes him to his limits and beyond to truly exceed and excel - to continue her legacy and the family name at whatever cost to himself. Throughout the book, she goes by Maestro - a title that conjures dread somehow from the first mention and mounts ever more as the warped lengths she goes to become ever more clear. The lyricism of this book really manages to communicate the tight rigidity of Beck's life, the contained schedule of practicing scales and notes over and over, the overwhelming panic that occasionally descends and too, the dread. August comes into his life, and abruptly, Beck is confronted with everything her name suggests - light, laughter, sunshine. He struggles to respond and watching their friendship blossom through the novel was a joy, especially in contrast to the Maestro. While lovely, it did lead, for me, to some painfully sad moments, especially those where a bruised and battered Beck was unquestioningly taken into August's family and given another glimpse of how life could have been. Beck and Joey (!! What a sweetie!!) are the epitome of a brother & sister relationship - each treasures the other in their own way and watching Beck struggle to give Joey a life as normal as possible was a testament to his strength. The way in which his love for his sister informed his final decision to travel to Germany and make a better life for them both away from the Maestro really tugged on my heart. (Not to mention the way he communicates his love for August by composing songs for her!!) (ARC via NetGalley

This was an emotional sucker-punch of a book (content warning - child abuse). The voice of the MC & narrator, Beck, was wonderfully distinct and carried me through the story, and because it was so easy to get completely caught up in his world, all his hurt and fear and disappointment, and the hope he tried so hard to squash down, were vivid and raw. It was an easy book to read, the writing style and the pacing kept me turning pages, but it wasn't an easy story to read - if you prefer your contemporaries light and fluffy this one isn't for you. For me, it struck the right balance between humour and darkness, and the relationships Beck had with his sister and with August were beautiful to watch play out in all their complicated, messy glory, even if it also had me tearing up a little as he tried to look out for Joey even when it was beyond hard, and despite everything going on in his life. The ending was part heartbreaking, part hopeful. It was clear in the build up to the end that there was no way Beck would be able to get all his happy endings. I'm glad the author didn't chicken out of showing that, and the choice he made to me felt like the right one. There were some things I didn't like as much; some parts needed a little much suspension of disbelief, e.g. August's character seemed a little too extreme, too odd. Some aspects of the abuse storyline felt a little off, too; not in terms of the dynamics between Beck and his family or how he reacted, which were painfully real, but how it fit in with the wider setting and other character interactions. Since I'm fortunate enough never to have been in that situation I don't want to call it unrealistic, but it didn't sit well while I was reading. Overall, I'd probably go 3.5 stars, but I'm definitely going to be looking out for the author's next book.

A unique contemporary ya novel which demands to be read in one sitting. Beck is a talented pianist, however his real passion comes from composing music rather than playing. Add in the fact that his mother, The Maestro, a world renowned pianist who is no longer able to play, forces him to practice to tortuous levels, it’s understandable that he’s somewhat conflicted. I have no knowledge of classical music, and my own talent began and finished with playing Silent Night on the keyboard... but I am a huge fan of rock music and I totally get how music can move you, speak to you, save you and empower you, so it was interesting to see it used in the story in this way. Beck is a great character, it’s easy to see that he’d do anything to protect his little sister, Joey, (think a more violent version of Karen from Outnumbered and you get the feel for her hilarious commentary on Beck’s life), and this is even more special given the way his mother treats him; he could easily do what he wanted but he knows it’d have a negative impact upon Joey so he confirms to his mothers frankly ludicrous regime to try and stave off any punishments. The Maestro is the single most unlikeable character I’ve ever read. I understand why she’s like it, but I have absolutely zero sympathy for her. Cait has cleverly crafted someone who is so despicably flawed that I didn’t care about her motivations, I just wanted someone to put her in her place! When Beck is paired up with August Frey for a school project it’s immediately obvious that their different personalities will initially clash but then slowly they’ll meld together and let each other into their lives. I absolutely loved August, she’s fun, fierce, morale, and knows just when to probe for details or simply back off and offer cake (vegan of course). Her caring nature has been ingrained into her by her parents who in contrast to Beck’s mum is astonishing. As the story progresses and the pressure on Beck to perform perfectly becomes overwhelming, it’s anyone’s guess as to how it’ll turn out... I won’t give any spoilers, but the end made me shed a tear or two. Or a thousand. Perfect for fans of Jennifer Niven, Rhian Ivory or Holly Bourne.