Jesse's Girl by Miranda Kenneally

Jesse's Girl by Miranda Kenneally

Release Date - July 7, 2015

Publisher Website - Raincoast Books
Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages - 304 pages
My Rating - 4/5
**received in exchange for an honest review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Practice Makes Perfect.

Everyone at Hundred Oaks High knows that career mentoring day is a joke. So when Maya Henry said she wanted to be a rock star, she never imagined she’d get to shadow *the* Jesse Scott, Nashville’s teen idol.

But spending the day with Jesse is far from a dream come true. He’s as gorgeous as his music, but seeing all that he’s accomplished is just a reminder of everything Maya’s lost: her trust, her boyfriend, their band, and any chance to play the music she craves. Not to mention that Jesse’s pushy and opinionated. He made it on his own, and he thinks Maya’s playing back up to other people’s dreams. Does she have what it takes to follow her heart—and go solo?

It's no secret that Miranda Kenneally knows her way around a sports novel. Her previous books have focused heavily on various sports and have done so with much success. Jesse's Girl offered a departure into the world of music and Miranda Kenneally once again immerses you into the world, and uses music to the same effect that she used sports as the backdrop and heart of the setting and story.

There is a whole lot of 80's nostalgia worked into this novel and I loved every single page of it. There is a Ferris Bueller's Day Off vibe throughout the story, particularly in the middle, and it's filled with 80's references and songs. The playlist at the end are all songs you could easily find in my collection. This element was pretty much tailor made to appeal to me, and made loving this book all the easier.

Fans of the series are rewarded with a fun, and welcome look at some beloved characters. Miranda's novels all create a feeling of community and family and the little cameos only add to it's charms. It allows readers to feel anchored in the story in a way that is really unique to a series like this. It rewards long time fans in the best ways while allowing new fans to jump into the series.

Those looking for the deeper, sometimes gritty elements, of her previous novel may be disappointed to find more lighter fare gracing these pages. This felt and read more like a John Hughes movie (wish fulfilment scenes included) and was simply fun. There is so much humour in this from Sm and Jordan's interactions, the banter between Jesse and Maya, and lots more. While it still tackles some serious issues that teens will relate to, it has a much more relaxed, summer pool side read vibe than any of her previous books.

Miranda Kenneally tackles teen sex and sexuality in a really honest, and forthright manner. This novel is no exception. She lays it out there rather than pretending it doesn't happen and uses it to encourage safe sex. These novel do a pitch perfect job of capturing the teen voice, and exploring some of the issues may of them are facing.

While this has quite a different feel than her previous books, there is still that heart you would expect from a Miranda Kenneally book.This novel's core is a sweet romance wrapped in the message of striving for your dreams, and not giving up on yourself.