A Song Apart

by Jeffrey H. Baer

Rising pop singer Shannon Kistler never expected to see college student Kevin Derow on a Manhattan street wearing her concert shirt. But she offers gratitude in her own way, leaving her biggest fan in shock. When the two teenagers meet again six days later, Shannon slips Kevin her phone number, and the unlikely romance begins.Soon they find they have several things in lonely childhoods, a passion for music, and making unpopular choices about their own lives. The public cannot take Shannon seriously as a teenaged recording artist, but she risks her sudden success by making some public mistakes after breaking into a soulless music industry with unusual ease. Meanwhile Kevin loses the respect of family, friends and coworkers over the girl he idolizes-and unwittingly blows the lid off a payola scheme devised by Shannon's record label, threatening her career and possibly his own freedom.A Song Apart revolves around two young people from distinct backgrounds who choose to follow their hearts rather than their peers and find a greater reward at the end of their paths.

352 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 28, 2011

Reviews

[Réal Laplaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Song Apart, by Jeffrey H. Baer, is a slow-burn, but captivating story which speaks to any age group, from teen on up through adult. Although the plotline is simple, about a young adult pop-start who rises to fame, and the man who becomes her most passionate follower, it actually has much deeper roots than that. The author pulls no punches as he reveals just how brutal and calloused the music industry can be, moreover, how the culture around it and media can be so vicious and heartless toward someone, such as Shannon, the rising pop-star, because she is so young and yet so successful. Whether it is pure jealousy that fuels this assault, or a lack of an ability to accomplish something as creative in their own lives, or simply a tendency in society to try and find fault with those who are successful, Shannon faces a constant barrage of attacks, as if being a "critic" is a license that everyone possesses.
Kevin, her undaunted follower, has her back, always, but he also faces the brutality of a shark-like culture that aims to take both of them down.
It's a heart-felt story.
Lots of dialogue, but very inspiring.
Recommended.
Five stars!

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

On a Manhattan street, rising teen pop star Shannon Kistler sees college Kevin Derow wearing one of her concert t-shirts. She slips him her phone number, and, meeting a few days later, their unlikely friendship/romance begins.

They find that they have a lot in common: dysfunctional families, a passion for music, lonely childhoods and choosing the "wrong" (according to other people) paths for their lives. Kevin unwittingly blows the lid off a payola scandal at Shannon's record label, which could destroy her career. He also loses the respect of friends and family, because of this younger girl that he nearly idolizes. Do Shannon and Kevin Live "happily ever after" at the end? Does Shannon's career survive the payola scandal?

Aside from teen romance and the music business, this novel also touches on things like 9/11 and autism. It's a good, and well-written novel that almost reaches the level of being an excellent novel.

[Annabelle Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

I got to know a pretty interesting guy named Kevin. Poor guy couldn't catch a break. I did like how it all turned out though.