Love Songs & Other Lies

March 5, 2018
After Virginia’s first year at college, her childhood friend Logan, an up-and-coming musician, invites her to join his new band on a nationally televised battle-of-the-bands tour. What could be more fun than spending the summer as a part of the action? Almost anything, Virginia realizes, after she discovers that one of the band members is Cam, the ex-boyfriend who broke her heart during senior year. In this tale of love lost and found again, Pennington depicts the thrill of being part of a band’s rise to stardom, while also focusing on the equally dramatic history of Virginia and Cam’s relationship. Pennington capably develops the protagonists through their alternating perspectives: readers learn, for example, that Virginia’s parents are separated and that she’s anxious about her future, and that Cam has been harboring a tragic secret. Set on beaches, stages, and tour buses, Pennington’s debut is a light road-tripping romance about redemption and the love of music. Ages 13–18.

March 1, 2018

Gr 9 Up-On summer break, Virginia (Vee), a talented songwriter and musician, leaves Michigan for a three-month reality band competition tour with best friend, Logan. Much to her surprise and initial dismay, the newest member of Your Future X is Cameron, Vee's not-quite forgiven or forgotten ex. Guilt-ridden and alone, Cam moved to Riverton from California after a horrible accident that killed his parents. Vee becomes the center of attention on a tour bus full of single musicians where every moment, private or not, is viewed by the fans. Told in alternating points of view, this story's pacing is quick, switching between two years prior to the present. Much like notes plucked on their guitars, Vee can't deny the hum of sexual tension between herself and Cam. Will Vee forgive him and open herself up to love again? This modern-day realistic fictional romance has both steamy love scenes and tender moments between best friends which gives it appeal for even reluctant readers. Its Battle of the Bands meets The Bachelorette premise will grab teens' attention and the execution will sustain it. VERDICT Filled with lyrics, love, and late nights, Pennington's debut novel will appeal to romance fans of Sarah Dessen and Susane Colasanti.-Laura Jones, Argos Community Schools, IN

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2017
Grades 9-12 For the summer before college, Vee will be traveling with her best friend Logan's band, working as their publicist as they compete in a reality-television show. Or so she thinks. After boarding the tour bus, Vee discovers that there is no publicist job and that ex-boyfriend Cameron is now playing with the band. Cam was Vee's first real love and first heartbreak, so his presence on the bus is worse than awkward. Vee plays along with the drama staged for the television audience, which has her cast as Logan's girlfriend. These events, as well as alternating chapters that flash back to Vee and Cam's high-school romance, are told from both Vee's and Cam's perspectives, so readers gain a better grasp of the reasons for the breakup and can root for a reunion. There is believable tension in both stories, which progress in that predictable push-pull pattern so beloved by romance readers. In addition, music fans will enjoy Vee's evolution as a songwriter and the way that music brings the lovers together.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)