Chasing Eveline

by Leslie Hauser

Sixteen-year-old Ivy Higgins is the only student at Carmel Heights High School who listens to cassettes. And her binder is the only one decorated with album artwork by 80s band Chasing Eveline. Despite being broken-up since 1989, this rock band out of Ireland means everything to Ivy. They’re a reminder of her mom, who abandoned Ivy and her dad two years ago. Now the music of her mom’s favorite band is the only connection she has left.

Even though Ivy wavers between anger and a yearning to reconnect, she’s one-hundred percent certain she’s not ready to lose her mom forever. But the only surefire way to locate her would be at a Chasing Eveline concert. So with help from her lone friend Matt—an equally abandoned soul and indie music enthusiast—Ivy hatches a plan to reunite the band.

The road to Ireland won’t be easy, though. And not just because there is no road. Along the way they’ll have to win over their Lady Gaga-loving peers, tangle with some frisky meerkats, and oh yeah, somehow find and persuade the four members to play a reunion gig. It’s a near-impossible task, but Ivy has to try. If she can’t let go of the past, she’ll never be able to find joy in the present.

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary

300 pages, Paperback

First published July 11, 2017

About the author

I am a YA writer and middle school teacher. I have a B.A. in English from UCLA and a Master’s degree in Educational Administration. I was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and currently reside in Los Angeles, California, with my dog Mr. Darcy.

When I’m not living in fictional worlds inside my head, I run all sorts of distances, torture my body at CrossFit, and DVR entirely too many television shows. I dream of one day returning to the Midwest to live on a farm. Or perhaps owning a cookie delivery service.

I am the author of CHASING EVELINE, THE BRILLIANCE OF FIREFLIES and SO IN LUCK.

Reviews

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chasing Eveline by Leslie Hauser is a young adult contemporary read that is full of emotion and heart. Sixteen year old Ivy Higgins wasn’t even born in the 80s but she holds onto so much from that decade to remind her of her mother who left Ivy and her father a couple of years before. Ivy is especially obsessed with her mother’s favorite 80s band Chasing Eveline.

After Ivy’s mother left Ivy withdrew from her friends and she and her father both struggle to cope with her departure. One night however Ivy hears some loud music outside her home in their quiet neighborhood. Curiosity gets the better of Ivy so she goes to investigate and finds Matt serenading Ivy’s neighbor in a scene right out of Say Anything…. the problem, it’s the wrong song!! To save this strange boy from embarrassment Ivy stops his serenade and explains the problem and the two become instant friends from their love of the 80s and both battling loss in their lives.

Even with Matt in her life and a father that adores her Ivy still is not ready to give up the memory of her mother and struggles between anger and regret. One day Ivy comes up with the idea that if she can just get her mother’s favorite band back together then she might run into her mom at one of their shows. Ivy enlists Matt’s help in doing anything and everything the two can to raise money and recruit the band in Ivy’s grand plan.

Seeing the synopsis of Chasing Eveline I really couldn’t resist picking up this wonderful little gem. From the cover to the plot this one just screams read me to someone who is a fan of the 80s references and music in general and imagine my surprise when beginning to read that the cherry on top of it all was this is set in my state. Ivy was such a fun and likable character too, a bit of an outsider with her friend Matt she’s naive but oh so hopeful, a born dreamer. The story is full of ups and downs for Ivy as she tries to execute her crazy schemes that you can’t help but feel for her and root her on. Great little story that I’d recommend to all the YA contemporary readers.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

For more review please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/

[Erin Bembridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

🍪🍪🍪🍪
4 Cookies
“Every song is a possibility.”
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This was surprising enough, an amazing book.

Characters:
Ivy: Ivy is a quirky teenager who loves music. Specifically Chasing Eveline. I really like Ivy because she tries her hardest even if something ruins her day. Its so refreshing that she tries her hardest and doesn't give up. We need more book characters like her.

Matt: Ok I have to be honest here... Matt is really annoying. I can't believe that Ivy is still his friend when he constantly talks about his ex. At the very end He finally breaks out a little bit but not an extreme amount.

Sean: There isn't too much on Sean in the book since he joined in the last few chapters. From what I read he's a really cool addition to the book.

Story: (no spoilers)
The story was actually super cute. It has a good message, and is surrounded on love and friendship and the things that bring people together.

Story:SPOILER SECTION FROM HERE DOWN UNTIL CONS DONT READ IF YOU DONT WANT TO BE SPOILED!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is where I have a bit of a problem... Why didn't we hear more background on Ivy's mom? Why did she leave? What made her leave? She didn't die, but it was said she went out to explore, but it doesn't really make much sense as to why she would leave her husband and child. I don't know maybe its just me. The ending was also mind boggling to me. I was disappointed but yet I wasn't. It was actually a pretty cool ending when you really get the message behind it. I really like how they heard another band and loved it. That was really the highlight of the book for me. They began to form another bond on a band that they heard together which was a super cool touch. The last thing that I don't like about it was mainly how they just jumped on a plane with Sean and didn't really question anything about finding him off Craigslist. This really bothered me.

Cons: (start with the bad...)
Other then what was listed above in the spoiler section of story, I have no complaints!

Pros:(end on a good note:)
A feel good comforting story on friendship and love is really all you need! It was so nice to curl up with this book and just have a lot of fun reading it.

[chloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Netgalley!

Wow this 1. exceeded my expectations and 2. reminded me of Chasing Nirvana, which was an underrated book I read earlier this year (IT'S SO GOOD)

I love Ivy so much. At first everything she does seems kind of stupid, but then I started to really understand why she does them. She's a huge dreamer, and hopes to hold on to bits of her mom by listening to the band she loves. I love how she describes the lead singer's voice - it's so full of emotion and made me tear up. A lot of terrible things happen to Ivy, but she continues being a tough little cookie - I really appreciate her strength and determination <3

Matt and Sean and Jackson!!! Oh my I love them all so much. Matt and Sean are always so supportive - okay, at first Matt is a little bit annoying. He keeps on whining about his ex and ughh that pisses me off. But after that I see how much he cares about Ivy and is even willing to do crazy stuff with her to make money for their trip. Sean lives in Ohio, and he has only known Matt and Ivy for a few days, but when Ivy needs assistance and support, he drives all the way to her house to cheer her up. Jackson is the most adorable doggo ever. He often plays sock tug-of-war with Ivy and gives her emotional support and that is super sweet.

However, I was really disappointed in the ending. Chasing Eveline performing live turns out to be not as great as Ivy imagines after all. It's kind of similar to the scene where Hazel meets Peter Van Houten and he crushes her dreams. I felt so sorry for Ivy. She travels all the way to Ireland just to watch a performance she doesn't really enjoy. She totally does not deserve that :(

Final thoughts

I really loved this book, and can't wait to read more of Leslie Hauser's work!

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I'm part of the blog tour for this book, so an e-ARC was provided for me in exchange for an honest review - totally didn't influence me in anyway!*

So, I was sold on this novel by its summary: journey to Ireland, frisky meerkats, some major feely feels, and super non-mainstream band love. And goodness, does this book provide! Every new development was so intriguing and made me feel even more for Ivy.

And let's get one of my favorite things out of the way first: this is one of the most realistic contemporary books I've ever read. Okay, there was one thing that I thought was like, oh, kind of convenient, but I'm dead serious: this book is SO. REALISTIC. Nothing went perfectly for our two heroes of this story. They encountered obstacle after obstacle, and it was dealt with in such realistic manners. The road to get to Ireland in the States is NOT an easy one when concerned with money, and Hauser portrayed it in the realest of ways. In so many contemporary novels, when an obstacle comes along, things are usually tied up with a nice little bow, but Hauser shows the true struggles, and I don't think she even knows where that nice bow is - WHICH WAS SO BRILLIANT.

And no spoilers from me, but I have to say: this has the most realistic ending that I have seen in a contemporary book, I think ever. I literally sat there after the fact and was like, um, time for a round of applause. SO. RELATABLE. OMG. 

Now, that I'm done fangirling about the realisticness, onto the glorious music references. Hauser showcases her brilliant writing abilities in all forms in the novel, but where she really shines is in her musical descriptions. When I was putting in the about section for this post, I was shocked to find out that this was her debut novel. She has a voice, and her musical descriptions were the best that I've ever read. While I couldn't imagine the music, I had the same feeling as if I was listening to it with her words. Blown. Away.

The characters were great as well. I really connected with the characters as well. I really enjoyed Ivy, and I thought she was a brilliant heroine. I ached for her and I rooted for her - sometimes in the same paragraph. XD Matt and Sean were cool as well, and I did enjoy them as supporting characters. I even really liked Ivy's dad. Everything about these people felt real. 

The only issue I had with it is sometimes I felt the pacing was a bit slow. I got drawn out of the story, but really, it didn't take away too much from the story. It just got me a bit disconnected occasionally in the beginning.

Overall, though, this was a brilliant story. It had so much realism, so much beauty, and so many feels. If you're looking for a story that showcases all of that (and I mean, who isn't?) plus a glorious cover, this is the book for you. I super enjoyed this, and I'll definitely be picking up anything by Hauser again. Four crowns and an Ariel rating! Also, let's end with one of my favorite quotes from the novel:

"She said, 'People don't know what they like until they hear it. And that is the magic of music. Every song is a possibility, and all it takes is the right chord or the right beat and the heart is hooked.'"

[Leslie Hauser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote this book, so of course I love it! My five stars are more about my excitement for YOU to read it!

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this review on my blog. The Book Return Blog
Ivy is desperate to connect with the mother who abandoned Ivy and her dad. The closest connection she has to her mother is their mutual love of the 1980's band 'Chasing Eveline'. Ivy and her friend Matt mount several schemes to raise money for a trip to Ireland. Once in Ireland they hope to reunite 'Chasing Eveline'. Ivy secretly hopes that her mother will be at the bands reunion.
This was such a cute read. I loved all the crazy ('I Love Lucy' type) projects that Matt and Ivy used to make money. Ivy has big ideas that never quite worked out the way she planned. I really loved the perseverance that Ivy had to never give up on her dream.
I loved the relationship Ivy had with her dad. I think it was a unique perspective to have a single dad raising a teenager. I also really liked the relationship Ivy had with Matt. Matt stood by Ivy no matter how crazy her ideas were. He really demonstrated what true friendship is. Getting rained on, getting thrown off stage,  getting booed where some of the things that happened to Ivy and Matt when they tried to raise money for their trip.
I am not a big music fan so some of the descriptions of the music passed over my head. However, the description of the music was detailed and helped to demonstrate why Ivy loved the music so much. I would have liked some of the loose ends tied up at the end. Some of Ivy's relationships were left just hanging.
I really enjoyed 'Chasing Eveline'. It was a really endearing story that touched on the  important topics of single parenthood, true friendship, and perseverance.This review was originally posted on The Book return...

[Lia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really didn't like this book a lot at the beginning. The characters were mildly annoying and the story didn't really seem to make much sense to me. The story is about Ivy and her friend Matt who want to reunite this band called Chasing Eveline. Ivy is obsessed with both the band and the project, and I found her to be kind of irresponsible and I had the sense that she thought she was better than others because she did love this band. Matt is still caught up with his ex and won't stop talking about her!! However, when we near the halfway point the characters grew on me and I didn't find them at all annoying, so that's good! I loved the way the story took a bit of a different turn in the second half and I loved the new character that was introduced. I would have loved to get some more answers at the end, especially about Ivy's mother, but overall I really liked the ending!

I was initially going to give this book 4 stars but now that I wrote this mini-review, I think I'm going to scale it down to 3.5 stars. It was really good (the second half at least) and it was really enjoyable, so if you love books about music and with very little romance (it was more about family and friendship), I would recommend this book!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: https://bookbriefs.net**
Chasing Eveline is a young adult contemporary by Leslie Hauser. This book felt so different than the books I normally read. It was like a breath of fresh air for me. Overall, I relaly enjoyed this book. It started out as a bit of a surprise for me because it was much more somber and melancholy in its' tone than I was expecting, but I quickly fell into the groove of the story and I really came to like to characters and their journey.

Ivy is the main character of the story. She is going through a tough time after her mom left her and the only thing that makes her feel close to her mother is the band Chasing Eveline. Her mom used to love the band and Ivy has become obsessed with it. I loved that it was a non-mainstream indie rock band that was the focus of the story. Now, I will be the first to admit that I know little to nothing about indie rock, but I really enjoyed how authentic all of the music elements in the story felt. It was very 80s throwback and Ivy and Matt seemed to know what they were talking about, so it was really easy for me to default to them as the authorities. I loved that they embarked on this journey to reunite the band.

They each had their own reasons for doing so but I loved watching them and their journey. It was at times funny, at times kooky and at times sad. Matt and Ivy are both very realistic portrayals of teenagers. In fact, that was what I loved the most about the story. Everything felt so authentic to me. My only issue with the story was that it did feel a little slow in parts. But the story line itself more than made up for that fact.

Bottom line: Chasing Eveline was a read that I really enjoyed. If you are a fan of inide rock, you will love all the references in this book. But even if you are not I would try Chasing Eveline out. I wouldn't necessarily call it a fun read, even though it did have fun parts, but it was a read that I related to and I very much enjoyed. If you are looking for something a little different, something utterly realistic and something with great characters with their own inner strength, I would recommend checking out Chasing Eveline.

This review was originally posted on Book Briefs

[Ms. Foor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to get my hands on an early copy of this book and it is awesome. It combines a lot of what I love about YA literature: music, romance, and hilariously awkward situations. Leslie Hauser does an amazing job at telling a story that really captures the reader. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves YA!

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chasing Eveline is the story about Ivy, a teenage girl who still feels connected to her AWOL mother through the music of her mother’s favourite band, Chasing Eveline. This is what drew me into the story, as music is very important to me personally and I too have a favourite band, whose songs mean the world to me.

The present tense is not my favourite, but I do like the author’s writing style, simple and effective, and quite lyrical in places. Ivy is a very likable and well-explored narrator and though I found her a bit of a headcase at times and she was full of the worst ideas, I could relate to her quite easily. The relationships between her and the other characters were very realistic.

Maybe the storyline was a bit too simple, but it did make me smile and even cry a little bit. I liked the ending too.

A quick enjoyable read!

[Evelina | AvalinahsBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chasing Eveline is...
- so full of love for music and rock/pop culture
- easy to relate to, especially if you were something of a misfit in your teens too
- very poignant, but at the same time, down to earth as well
- impossible not to feel for the characters, at least eventually

Chasing Eveline also...
- tackles heavy emotional subjects, like loss and PTSD, and how trauma makes you shut in from the world
- is about the desperate things you might do when you're really, really hurting
- is also about the worth of memories and how easily they can fade, taking pieces of you along with them
- is about good friends
- is also not quite about what you think it is about
- might break your heart and then stick it back together again

Chasing Eveline isn't quite the typical YA, and once you get into it, you won't want to stop reading it – even if it's not fantasy, adventure or anything like that. You'll wonder why you keep on reading, but there's just definitely that little something in this book that will keep you coming back to its pages. Even if it's just your nostalgia or your memories of your love for music.

I thank the author and publisher for a copy of this book I received as a freebie. This does not affect my opinion or the review.

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[Marie Patlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so cute! Ivy is so awkward and relatable, her platonic friendship with Matt was perfect, and her relationship with her dad captured a lot of what I remember about high school. Plus, the music elements and Sean were both so lovely and so well-written. I got completely lost in this book. A must read - highly recommend!

[Kester Nucum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: Thanks so much to the author for providing me an electronic ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. This will not affect my review in any way.

You can find this review also on www.lilbooklovers.wordpress.com!

Chasing Eveline is a heartwarming Young Adult contemporary novel that will inspire you to chase your wildest dreams despite the obstacles that stand in your way. I could not put down this book so much that I finished it in an entire day, which only a few novels can accomplish for me. I loved everything from the characters and the music to the humor and the romance. It’s a very quick and easy-to-read novel, and it will capture your attention from page one! Hauser’s debut novel did not disappoint, refreshing both my love for literature and my love for music.

As a musician who’s life is constantly fueled by my passion for music, I became ecstatic at how the novel revolved around Ivy’s love and connection to Chasing Eveline. I could really relate with her as she attempts to spread the love of her favorite band with her peers, only to face rejection. I definitely know how that feels, especially since I’m one of the only male singers and violinists at my high school and since my taste in music is European oldies (Eurovision from 1998 and before–I know, very specific). Hauser captured Ivy’s connection to music so vividly that I could feel the notes and lyrics swirl around me and enrapture me in its emotion.

Chasing Eveline also tackles family and friend problems in such a raw yet graceful way that I felt my heartstrings being tugged at. There’s so much love in the air that you can’t help but go “Awww…” There is a bit of romance in this novel, and fortunately, it was very clean and the book didn’t solely revolve around it. I really felt the deep and heartfelt emotions that Ivy felt towards her missing mom and her semi-distant dad. I also really loved both Matt and Sean–they were such supportive and caring friends!

This novel put me on the edge of my seat even though it was both light and funny and dark and depressing at different points. There was even a few bits of humor that made my entire day, especially the scene about garage sales. A few months ago, I had to work a yard sale for one of my clubs, and I literally had the same exact experience as Ivy–I tended to overprice everything (I didn’t know you’re supposed to make everything super cheap!) and I had to work with the bargainers. This section may not seem very influential in the plot, but the author tackled having a garage sale very accurately to where I just loved it.

I was not disappointed by Chasing Eveline at all! I am so glad that I had the chance to read this delightful contemporary novel full of love, family, and friendships! This is the perfect novel for music lovers (like me). Chasing Eveline will take you on a roller coaster ride full of emotions, from happiness and humor to sadness and sorrow, as it moves you to chase your dreams and never give up. I am super excited to see what Leslie Hauser has in store next! She’s a debut author you do NOT want to miss!

[P.S. Malcolm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chasing Eveline Book Review

Note: I received a free eBook copy of Chasing Eveline by Pen Name Publish, in exchange for a review. However, the content of the review is 100% my own personal opinion.

***

Music fans— this one's for you!

Have you ever found an amazing band that you just adore, and you know other people would like it too if they just gave it a chance? Yep. That was me with K-pop back in high school. No matter what I did, or how many times I tried to get my friends to listen, they just wouldn’t accept it. I felt like they were missing out on something magical, and that’s kind of how 16 year old Ivy feels, from Leslie Hauser's debut novel Chasing Eveline.

For Ivy, Chasing Eveline is more than just a band. It’s a lifeline— connecting her to her mom, who walked out on her. Their music helps her to sort through her kaleidoscope of emotions. She's a tad bit obsessed, and she can't understand why no one else feels it too. It's not easy being that weird music geek— or any kind of geek, for that matter. Especially not when you're already dealing with issues at home.

But then, when she's given the opportunity to go see Chasing Eveline play again after years of being broken up, she simply can't resist. Except Ivy has to overcome a few obstacles on her journey getting there…

What I Liked

I loved how well done the characters were. It felt like I'd been teleported back into high school, and I could remember thinking and feeling the way that Ivy did throughout the book. Characterisation? Leslie Hauser nailed it!

I also loved the way music was discussed in the book. It's very hard to accurately describe music— especially made up music— without your readers being able to hear it. But the descriptions were so vivid and well done, that I could picture exactly the kind of music it was, in a way that was more engaging than reading straight song lyrics.

My favourite part was the very end, but I don't want to spoil anything!

What I Disliked

I've been out of high school for a few years now, so my reading tastes are changing as I grow. I would have enjoyed this book a whole lot more if I were still in school, and though I still found it very relatable and engaging, it's probably not the kind of book I'd have picked up on my own accord. But you know what? It's good to try new things, and I'm glad I read it!

The Characters

The characters were all so individual and loveable. Though Ivy's dad was giving me anxiety the entire time— take your meds, damn it! I really loved Matt, personally.

Final Thoughts

After reading it, I 100% believe this book would really appeal to people between the ages of 13 – 17. I also think it would really thrive in school libraries, because I really think we need more books that have good, platonic friendships in YA Literature. It's a great book for anyone who loves relatable stories that touch on a lot of real life issues and emotions.

[Annalee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book wasn't anything special. I enjoyed it, but I don't think that I'll remember anything about it later. It was very underwhelming. I was expecting more from it. I wanted to be in love with the characters and invested in the plot from page one. That didn't happen. If you want to hear more of my thoughts then you should read the rest of my review on July 24th.

[Dori Dupré · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chasing Eveline tells a story of a 16 year old girl named Ivy, abandoned by her mother, now being raised by her father - himself, dealing with his own loss and abandonment. But when you're the parent, you don't get to quit just because life sucks. She maintains a connection to the love she holds for her mother through her mother's favorite band from the 80s, Chasing Eveline. All of the songs take her to a place with her mother, one where the memories are fresh and happy and in a place of peace. Along with her friend Matt and another friend named Sean who they pick up along the way, Ivy tries and tries to get the band to reunite for a concert.

Peppered with 80s references to beloved John Hughes movies and popular music, Chasing Eveline was written for young people in 2017 but it was also written for their mothers. We came of age in a time when Bono was simply the hot lead singer of that passionate band from Ireland and Jon Cryer wasn't the hapless dork with Charlie Sheen or Ashton Kutcher but instead was known for his most excellent shoes and lipsinc-ing the best version of Otis Redding's Tenderness...ever. And honestly, the best part of this entire book to me was that it was a realistic story told about a teen girl dealing with profound pain and grief - and it didn't involve sex, drugs, mutilation, and suicide. She was strong in her brokenness. She was resilient. Actually, a wonderful example of how young people can rise above their unfortunate circumstances by finding something other than harmful substances and destructive tendencies to help them through.

This is one of those "Young Adult" novels that anyone can read and relate to, no matter their age. I realize genre exists for a reason, but good stories that touch your heart and feed your soul are beyond all of that. And I would hate to think that women my age wouldn't think to read Chasing Eveline because it is about high school kids navigating their challenges in life through old music. After all, isn't that what we do - even way beyond our teenaged years? I can't imagine traveling through my current state of grief without it being accompanied by music. Music of my lifetime, new music, old music, shared music.

Beautiful first novel by Leslie Hauser!

[Lara Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked that this didn't go the way I expected. This wasn't what I expected to read when I picked up the book, and even as I was going, the plot seemed to move in a clear direction, but then it went somewhere else. It was unpredictable, and I really enjoyed that about it!

I LOVED the music element in this book! It is very much a completely different style of music than to what I would listen to, but I just love people being passionate about music regardless of what it is. I love how much she loved them, if that makes sense.

I also loved the references to 80s films, many of which I have seen. Whenever Back To The Future was mentioned, I smiled so wide!!

Ivy did a lot of dumb things though. I liked her character, she just didn't have a lot of wisdom or common sense. I just don't know how she thought any of her ridiculous ideas would work, and I was constantly cringing at her optimism. I was still entertained by her antics though.

Matt was a good character, I think that he was the perfect balance of everything, and I have nothing to say about him other than that he is great!

What I wanted more of was Jason & Sean. I feel like if a dog is going to be in a story, they should play a role (I also believe that there should be a dog in every story...) But Jason was still really great!

I LOVED Sean's character, I kept waiting and waiting for him to play a bigger role, but his character role kind of just fizzled out. I loved him, but I needed more.

The ending also felt a bit incomplete. It just kind of ended and I didn't really feel as though it was all resolved, which isn't a style I am a fan of.

Overall though, I really liked this book.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me with a copy. All opinions are my own.

[Ida · Rating 4 out of 5]

“She said, ‘People don’t know what they like until they hear it. And that is the magic of music. Every song is a possibility, and all it takes is the right chord or the right beat and the heart is hooked.”

Sixteen-year-old Ivy Higgins has been dealing with the absence of her mother for two years, ever since she walked out on her and her father. This had a deep impact on Ivy as well as her dad who had to find a way to carry on on their own. But with the passing of time, Ivy’s connection to her mother begins to fade as memories and past moments become more blurred and distant. The one thing she and her mother shared was a love of an 80’s band called Chasing Eveline, which at one time helped Ivy get through the loss and now serves as her one remaining connection. It is a connection she fears to lose, and feels the only possibility of finding her mom would be at a Chasing Eveline concert. The only problem is that the Irish rock band has been broken up since 1989, and the odds of a reunion are very slim. With the help of her best friend, Matt, Ivy sets out to do the seemingly impossible in reuniting the band for at least one more performance.

Chasing Eveline is a sweet and touching novel that really grabbed me as the story unfolded. Ivy and Matt are pretty typical teenagers with a strong and supportive friendship that felt really nice and genuine. There are parts of the novel that focus mostly on their attempts at creating buzz for the band and earning money, with varying success, which provides a humorous element to the story. However, where the story really shines is as it unfolds further and we begin to experience the connection between Ivy and her dad as she is struggling to maintain a connection to her mom. There are lighthearted moments, and moments that delve deeper. The use of music throughout is very well done, and the way the author describes songs and lyrics as they are being listened to perfectly encapsulates the experience of the characters. Chasing Eveline is an enjoyable, endearing story, and a great option for music fans.

*E-copy provided by publisher for an unbiased review.

You can find all of my reviews and bookish postings @ https://aboutabookreviews.com

[Jess Houser (JJ Burry) · Rating 5 out of 5]

(I received a free copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review. I do not know her, nor have I ever met her personally.)

Book Review: Chasing Eveline by Leslie Hauser

Single parent. New best friend. Lost identity. Ivy Higgins has a lot to learn in Leslie Hauser's new YA novel Chasing Eveline.

Ivy, a 16-year-old who still doesn't know where she wants to go for college, is lost after her mother walks out of her life. She seeks answers in the lyrics of her mom's favorite band, "Chasing Eveline," a (fictional) 1980s Irish rock band.

After seeing her dad slowly become a new person these last two years, Ivy decides that she must reunite the band if she wants to find her mom, which she hopes will also reunite her family and help her father.

Ivy draws you in with her determination to put her family back together, a determination that drives her spontaneous decision-making. Some choices she makes are only half-heartedly supported by her new best friend Matt, who is still obsessing over his former girlfriend Charlotte.

One of Ivy's wild ideas leads the duo on a dangerous path through the Internet, a place that isn't as safe as she thought. Their adventure takes you on a spontaneous ride, complete with 1980s music and movies, tears you don't see coming, and laughter, specifically at a hilarious - albeit slightly disturbing - zoo fundraiser.

Hauser hooks you from the first moment Ivy speaks of finding her mother, and she keeps you reading throughout Ivy's journey of self-identity and discovery.

I recommend Chasing Eveline to readers who love to be surprised, who love music and movies, who are making new friends, and especially to readers who are trying to find a piece of themselves when a piece is missing.

[Tiina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though this book is a short one, it took me some time to get through it. Music is important to me and this book surprised me in how much it was entwined into the story, but overall, I can't say I loved this book. It was enjoyable and it made me smile quite often although most of the time, Ivy got on my nerves. It was the amazing cover that made me continue reading despite the struggles.

What I liked most about the story was how things never turned out the way I expected them to. I loved how Ivy kept pushing through and had ideas she could use to reach her goal. I think this book can be an inspirational read for people who are motivated by emotional reasons, even though this wasn't a book for me.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story for teen readers and some adults will also enjoy the story. 16 year old Ivy lives with her dad and has only 1 true friend, Matt. They both love music and Ivy in particular loves a group called Chasing Eveline. This band was her mother's favorite and mom left the family two years ago to find herself. This is a story of how Ivy, with Matt's help gets the band back together for a charity concert hoping her mother will show up. I liked the story but I prefer a more structured ending that completes the story without so many loose ends. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Chelsea DeVries · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is much like an earworm that gets stuck in your head and sticks with you long after you are no longer reading it. Every song has a possibility, and this book is by far, one of THE BEST, I've read in a while. It keeps you hooked and invested from the first line until the last and I will now list it as one of my favorite books of all time.

https://youtu.be/wegSsCrX7L8

[Priyasha Anand · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED THE BOOk

[Morgan Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a fun read. It is the story of Ivy, a high school girl who is dealing with her mother leaving their family and her father's heart disease. She finds solace in a band, Chasing Eveline, that she used to listen to with her mother. This is the story of Ivy's quest to reunite the band for a comeback reunion concert (every fan of a band will understand the urge) and how she and her friend Matt bond through their journey together.


One of my favorite parts of this books was the music scene. The author completely captured what it is like to have a band be a huge aspect of your life. A few years ago I was very immersed in the music scene. I was Ivy- listening to music on the bus, wearing band t-shirts to school, stalking band members on twitter, attending every concert I could. This book did a great job of showing that experience, the feeling of music completely capturing what you are feeling in a moment. It took me back to high school, in a good way.
I also thought that this book handled the family dynamics really well. Illness and abandonment are two of the hardest topics to write about in YA, because each of them are so personal. They are experiences that are completely different for everyone, and broaching the subject in a way that is both touching and realistic is a very challenging thing. I've only seen it done well a few times, but Leslie Hauser managed it wonderfully.
I also loved the setting/ Irish theme. I'm Irish and I just visited Ireland for the first time. It made me miss that trip so much. Leslie Hauser wrote Ireland so well, she really captured the magic. I remember when the plane first touched down and I saw all of those fields and hills, I knew there was magic in that country, and I felt just like Ivy in that moment.
Overall, I would highly recommend this book. It is a very touching coming of age story for any music fan, or anybody in general. I would give it an overall rating of 4.5/5, and I would certainly recommend it to a friend. Thank you all for reading my review, and until next time, happy reading :)

[Wendy Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chasing Eveline by Leslie Hauser

Leslie's debut novel was amazing! With young adult themes of Ivy and her love for the band Chasing Eveline. She goes on a mission to convince 80's band Chasing Eveline to play one last time in the hope of meeting her Mum.

With her Dads illness threatening to cancel the plans Ivy has to make the decision whether to go or not.

I loved Leslie's book, bringing me back to my love of 80s music.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book! The mix of music and 80's movie references and high school today gave this book a really unique perspective that is relatable to almost everyone. I found my self laughing out loud at the thoughts that go through Ivy's head and reminiscing about growing up in Indiana myself. It was a touching book without being overly sentimental, which is a pitfall of many of the YA novels I've read. I was just so happy to read a good story, fall in love with the characters, and be sad to see them go when the book was finished. To me, missing the characters after a book is complete is the best measure of greatness. And this one was great!

[AshleyA (MamaNeedsBooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given a free copy of this book for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this! It can be a bit slow in places, but overall it is a fun and realistic read. I thought the characters were relatable and likeable. You really wanted to root for them. The music references were awesome. I think this author has a lot of potential! Will definitely read more by her in the future. :)

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

WOW, you all, my 1980s loving-heart is fully in love with this book. Chasing Eveline may take place in our world of skyping and cellphones, but this book definitely has all the best elements of a 1980s movie: teen melodrama, an underdog theme, great music, and a feel-good ending. This coming-of-age story will definitely fill your soul with nostalgia, warm fuzzies, and the appreciation of great music.

As the main character, Ivy, is highly focused on her mother abandoning her family. And instead of accepting that her mom is truly gone, Ivy sulks, which then dominoes into other people in her life fading away. Luckily, Ivy finds a way to keep the memory of her mom anchored to her, which is rediscovering the 80s bands and music that her mom once shared with her. One of these beloved bands is Chasing Eveline.

As a band with strong and heartfelt lyrics, Chasing Eveline becomes the catalyst and glue to Ivy’s story. They influence Ivy in the most positive ways–leading to new friendships, crazy ways to raise money, and adventurous traveling plans. I love that this band fills Ivy’s grief-filled heart with hope, peace, and willingness to try new things. In Chasing Eveline, Ivy sometimes comes off as stubborn and naive. But even though she hates letting go of the past, I appreciated that Ivy also has the most heartwarming and hilarious ways of approaching life and moving forward.

Chasing Eveline is littered with 1980s movie references, which made me love Ivy and her story even more. When Ivy thinks she’s being innovative and creative, her love for Chasing Eveline often leads to the most awkward and funny scenes. I love that Ivy is passionate about music, but more importantly that she appreciates lyrics as the blood that keeps the song pumping. If you love a little teenage angst, 1980’s pop culture, and a beautifully executed ending, I highly recommend that you read Chasing Eveline ASAP!

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

My full review can be found on the Epilie Aspie Chick blog!

Thank you to Pen Name Publishing for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When I picked this book up, the story I thought it would be definitely turned out to be something else entirely. While it seems like everyone else who has read this book loves the story and all of its characters, I had the opposite reaction. In fact, the farther in I read the more horrified I became.

The story itself is cute, but the problem I have is the behaviors throughout this book from both Ivy and Matt. Its disturbing just how obsessive, manipulative, and destructive they can be not only for their own mental health - but also for healthy relationships. Ivy makes it crystal clear that she's willing to do anything and sacrifice anyone to get that band back together and see them. The only exception to the rule is her father here, which provides the opportunity for a wakeup call but is never properly utilized. Matt is a low level stalker for his ex Charlotte by knowing where she is and when to the point where even Ivy points out that she doesn't want to know how he knows Charlotte's whereabouts. Its creepy, frightening, and absolutely not the type of behavior that should be outlined in the book. By the end the whole story, Ivy and Matt's behavior ends up being justified as a way of moving on with their lives when it should have been pointed out as an inappropriate way to deal with a personal tragedy.

[Sabrina Roy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 Stars. Overall a cute story. Likeable characters. Ivy was truly focused on getting her goal of earning enough money to Ireland to see Chasing Eveline. Matt and Sean were great side characters. I wish there was a little more interaction with her dad but it was needed for the story. I felt for Ivy on getting a lil lost in life when it came to her mother. That cannot be easy on any child. I also know the pain of being scared about your Dad in that situation. I wish Matt would have grown a bit more or there was more of a story with the Charlotte obsession. I also wish one more chapter at the end of realization with Ivy at the end. Maybe her having a conversation with her Dad about everything. But overall a good read.