What do you think?
Rate this book
When the Beat Drops
It's time to face the music.
Seventeen-year-old Mira has always danced to her own beat. A music prodigy in a family of athletes, she'd rather play trumpet than play ball—and with her audition to a prestigious jazz conservatory just around the corner (and her two best friends at music camp without her), she plans to spend the summer focused on jazz and nothing else.
She only goes to the warehouse party in a last-ditch effort to bond with her older sister. Instead, she falls in love with dance music, DJing... and Derek, a gorgeous promoter who thinks he can make her a star. Suddenly, trumpet practice and old friendships are taking a back seat to packed dance floors and sun-soaked music festivals, outsized personalities and endless beats.
But when a devastating tragedy plunges her golden summer into darkness, Mira discovers just how little she knows about her new boyfriend, her old friends, and even her own sister. Music brought them together. Will it also tear them apart?
Seventeen-year-old Mira has always danced to her own beat. A music prodigy in a family of athletes, she'd rather play trumpet than play ball—and with her audition to a prestigious jazz conservatory just around the corner (and her two best friends at music camp without her), she plans to spend the summer focused on jazz and nothing else.
She only goes to the warehouse party in a last-ditch effort to bond with her older sister. Instead, she falls in love with dance music, DJing... and Derek, a gorgeous promoter who thinks he can make her a star. Suddenly, trumpet practice and old friendships are taking a back seat to packed dance floors and sun-soaked music festivals, outsized personalities and endless beats.
But when a devastating tragedy plunges her golden summer into darkness, Mira discovers just how little she knows about her new boyfriend, her old friends, and even her own sister. Music brought them together. Will it also tear them apart?
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 15, 2018
7 people are currently reading
705 people want to read
About the author
Anna Hecker
1 book30 followersAnna Hecker grew up at the dead end of a dirt road in Vermont. She holds an MFA from The New School and spent a decade writing ad copy and chasing beats before returning to fiction, her first love. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband, son, and fluffy bundle of glamor, Cat Benatar. Follow her @HeckerBooks on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
June 24, 2018
I received this book for free as part of BookSparks’ YA Summer Reading Challenge.
Going into this book, I didn’t have very high expectations. I thought it was just going to be an average contemporary YA summer read. Instead, this book blew me away.
The way the author describes music is incredible. From the very beginning you could just feel the passion that the main character, Mira, has for jazz music, and then later on for DJing. Prior to reading this book, I never thought of DJing as being that beautiful. But after reading this, I’m never going to look at it the same way. I have a newfound respect for it.
I liked that this book didn’t shy away from the drug aspect of rave culture. That was a huge part of the story and it highlighted the reality of it very well.
I also enjoyed Mira and Britt’s sisterly relationship and the journey they went through together. A large chunk of the book is focused on them going to these music festivals and how they cope with the devastating tragedy that happens at one of them.
Character-wise, I loved Shay! She was hands down my favorite character. I was actually shipping her and Mira after they first met, even though I knew (based on the blurb) that was probably not going to happen.
Another aspect of this book that I loved was the secrets that some of the characters had. They were all revealed at the right time and it just made the story click.
Overall, this is an impressive novel that was realistic and hit all the right notes!
Going into this book, I didn’t have very high expectations. I thought it was just going to be an average contemporary YA summer read. Instead, this book blew me away.
The way the author describes music is incredible. From the very beginning you could just feel the passion that the main character, Mira, has for jazz music, and then later on for DJing. Prior to reading this book, I never thought of DJing as being that beautiful. But after reading this, I’m never going to look at it the same way. I have a newfound respect for it.
I liked that this book didn’t shy away from the drug aspect of rave culture. That was a huge part of the story and it highlighted the reality of it very well.
I also enjoyed Mira and Britt’s sisterly relationship and the journey they went through together. A large chunk of the book is focused on them going to these music festivals and how they cope with the devastating tragedy that happens at one of them.
Character-wise, I loved Shay! She was hands down my favorite character. I was actually shipping her and Mira after they first met, even though I knew (based on the blurb) that was probably not going to happen.
Another aspect of this book that I loved was the secrets that some of the characters had. They were all revealed at the right time and it just made the story click.
Overall, this is an impressive novel that was realistic and hit all the right notes!
May 17, 2018
5 Words: Music, family, love, secrets, hope.
Well boy, that was a ride. And one I wasn't expecting.
I requested this on impulse on NetGalley based on the cover because music is like catnip in books for me. If I'd read the synopsis I'd probably have hesitated. Which is such a shame as I raced through this book and I absolutely loved it.
I was expecting something light, and probably fluffy, with a musical backdrop.
What I read was something far darker than I could have imagined, where the music came to life on the pages. And I could not stop reading. It's almost like there's a beat behind the story itself. Music is everywhere for Mira, it's part of her very character, and it was everywhere in this book. I could almost hear it.
I was absolutely blown away by the story. The pace was steadily rising, with various small story-lines all weaving together into one hell of an ending. And the story was more complex than I had prepared myself for, with more strands and deeper meaning. And trigger warnings for substance abuse and grief most definitely apply. As heavy as the story is at times, any issues are handled sensitively (even if I wanted to cry at times) and I felt it was done in a very responsible and non-preachy way.
This is not a light, fluffy, summer read. But it is excellent and you should absolutely read it.
Well boy, that was a ride. And one I wasn't expecting.
I requested this on impulse on NetGalley based on the cover because music is like catnip in books for me. If I'd read the synopsis I'd probably have hesitated. Which is such a shame as I raced through this book and I absolutely loved it.
I was expecting something light, and probably fluffy, with a musical backdrop.
What I read was something far darker than I could have imagined, where the music came to life on the pages. And I could not stop reading. It's almost like there's a beat behind the story itself. Music is everywhere for Mira, it's part of her very character, and it was everywhere in this book. I could almost hear it.
I was absolutely blown away by the story. The pace was steadily rising, with various small story-lines all weaving together into one hell of an ending. And the story was more complex than I had prepared myself for, with more strands and deeper meaning. And trigger warnings for substance abuse and grief most definitely apply. As heavy as the story is at times, any issues are handled sensitively (even if I wanted to cry at times) and I felt it was done in a very responsible and non-preachy way.
This is not a light, fluffy, summer read. But it is excellent and you should absolutely read it.
March 30, 2021
Music is a topic that I always seem to enjoy in books, so I was not surprised that I enjoyed When the Beat Drops by Anna Hecker so much. This book is all about DJing, which I have never read before. The main character is clever and the writing is so descriptive, which added to my enjoyment. After reading this story, I would love to see more of its kind.
Full Review on The Candid Cover
Full Review on The Candid Cover
May 10, 2018
Wow. This book was such a surprise!
The story is so unique and it’s really interesting to read about someone who has a heart for music. I also appreciated that the darker side of the music industry was discussed.
Read this book, especially if you’re into music! 🎶 It’s out in a few days!
The story is so unique and it’s really interesting to read about someone who has a heart for music. I also appreciated that the darker side of the music industry was discussed.
Read this book, especially if you’re into music! 🎶 It’s out in a few days!
June 15, 2018
"This beat is everywhere, percussion lines woven together in colorful tonal textile before unraveling just enough to keep the crowd on their toes, hints of distorted cello and bright, pure vibra-phone darting in and out of the beats like playful fireflies."
Mira has always heard the music in the world. Where the world hears noise, Mira hears rhythm, and uses her experience as inspiration in her jazz. Her entire focus is on getting into a music school focusing on jazz with her two best friends. But already, her plans are getting derailed.
First, her parents missed the scholarship deadline for the music camp she always attends. For the first time, she will be home, all summer, working in her parents struggling gym, being ignored while her superstar sister gets all their attention. Except her sister comes back from college different. She doesn't ignore Mira, but instead invites her to hang out with her and her friend, Yelena. And they go to the last place in the world she ever expected to find herself. A warehouse party.
There she meets Shay, a young DJ willing to teach her all about making a different type of music. And Derek. A music promoter who promises that he can change her world. Before she knows it, Mira is putting jazz on the back burner as she falls into the world of music festivals and dance floors. But the magic of summer can't last forever. Tragedy forces Mira to take a closer look at everything around her. Music can bring people together. But can it also tear them apart?
"This isn't the summer I wanted, but maybe, in its own way, it's just as good."
If you love music, you will love this book. Even though the plot focuses a lot on jazz and electric music, the way Hecker describes music is transcendent. She pulls you into the magic of music through Mira and I was constantly stopping to reread the passages describing the way Mira experiences the world.
I love the idea that music is everywhere, in the steps we take, the jingle of keys in our pocket, the swish of fabric, or of cars driving by. Even more is that music is how Mira explains even her own emotions.
"Hearing this album now reminds me of Derek, of the way his eyes hit a bass chord inside me so low I never knew it was there."
I don't know much about music. But I knew exactly the feeling described. I love finding authors and books that are able to take mainstream emotions and find new ways to define them, to describe them, and ultimately bring them to life in a new way for the reader. If there's one thing that makes this book stand out, it's this lyrical style of writing.
This is a hard hitting YA novel. It's beautifully written, but there are some tough subjects tackled. The idea of missing out on what you love, facing failure, first love, and family conflict are examined and explored in meaningful ways. But Hecker also looks at drug use, losing your virginity, and the danger of doing what we think people expect of us. It's about the complicated relationships we have with our best friends and our families. Most importantly, it's about finding ourselves in all that chaos.
"Music can't make this pain go away, but maybe it can turn it into something different, something beautiful."
Because of the content, I would say this is on the older spectrum of YA. And parents or teachers should read, because it is a fantastic opportunity to discuss some heavy and deep issues that many teens will face, or have faced. It is a very real-life book that doesn't sugar coat or gloss over or glamorize these issues. Hecker presents them in a believable context that makes it feel incredibly realistic.
Hecker also doesn't wrap things up in a nice bow. There is conflict, and confusion, and even tragedy. Mira does find who she is, but it isn't exactly what she thought it would be, or even what the reader thought it would be. I really liked that. Because life rarely turns out the way we plan. It's how we adjust to those changes that defines our future. And I think Hecker nailed that message dead on!
For me, this is one of the most important aspects of good YA. That it sends a good message to the reader without coming across as preachy, judgmental, or cliche. When The Beat Drops is a heartfelt, piercing, emotional come of age story. This isn't about finding love, but finding yourself. Figuring out who you are, and then deciding who to include in your life and in what way. About letting go of your own prejudices, biases, and preconceived notions. It's about friendship and sisterhood and I loved it.
Thank you BookSparks for sending me a copy as part of their #readbythesea2018 #yasummerreads blog tour!
Mira has always heard the music in the world. Where the world hears noise, Mira hears rhythm, and uses her experience as inspiration in her jazz. Her entire focus is on getting into a music school focusing on jazz with her two best friends. But already, her plans are getting derailed.
First, her parents missed the scholarship deadline for the music camp she always attends. For the first time, she will be home, all summer, working in her parents struggling gym, being ignored while her superstar sister gets all their attention. Except her sister comes back from college different. She doesn't ignore Mira, but instead invites her to hang out with her and her friend, Yelena. And they go to the last place in the world she ever expected to find herself. A warehouse party.
There she meets Shay, a young DJ willing to teach her all about making a different type of music. And Derek. A music promoter who promises that he can change her world. Before she knows it, Mira is putting jazz on the back burner as she falls into the world of music festivals and dance floors. But the magic of summer can't last forever. Tragedy forces Mira to take a closer look at everything around her. Music can bring people together. But can it also tear them apart?
"This isn't the summer I wanted, but maybe, in its own way, it's just as good."
If you love music, you will love this book. Even though the plot focuses a lot on jazz and electric music, the way Hecker describes music is transcendent. She pulls you into the magic of music through Mira and I was constantly stopping to reread the passages describing the way Mira experiences the world.
I love the idea that music is everywhere, in the steps we take, the jingle of keys in our pocket, the swish of fabric, or of cars driving by. Even more is that music is how Mira explains even her own emotions.
"Hearing this album now reminds me of Derek, of the way his eyes hit a bass chord inside me so low I never knew it was there."
I don't know much about music. But I knew exactly the feeling described. I love finding authors and books that are able to take mainstream emotions and find new ways to define them, to describe them, and ultimately bring them to life in a new way for the reader. If there's one thing that makes this book stand out, it's this lyrical style of writing.
This is a hard hitting YA novel. It's beautifully written, but there are some tough subjects tackled. The idea of missing out on what you love, facing failure, first love, and family conflict are examined and explored in meaningful ways. But Hecker also looks at drug use, losing your virginity, and the danger of doing what we think people expect of us. It's about the complicated relationships we have with our best friends and our families. Most importantly, it's about finding ourselves in all that chaos.
"Music can't make this pain go away, but maybe it can turn it into something different, something beautiful."
Because of the content, I would say this is on the older spectrum of YA. And parents or teachers should read, because it is a fantastic opportunity to discuss some heavy and deep issues that many teens will face, or have faced. It is a very real-life book that doesn't sugar coat or gloss over or glamorize these issues. Hecker presents them in a believable context that makes it feel incredibly realistic.
Hecker also doesn't wrap things up in a nice bow. There is conflict, and confusion, and even tragedy. Mira does find who she is, but it isn't exactly what she thought it would be, or even what the reader thought it would be. I really liked that. Because life rarely turns out the way we plan. It's how we adjust to those changes that defines our future. And I think Hecker nailed that message dead on!
For me, this is one of the most important aspects of good YA. That it sends a good message to the reader without coming across as preachy, judgmental, or cliche. When The Beat Drops is a heartfelt, piercing, emotional come of age story. This isn't about finding love, but finding yourself. Figuring out who you are, and then deciding who to include in your life and in what way. About letting go of your own prejudices, biases, and preconceived notions. It's about friendship and sisterhood and I loved it.
Thank you BookSparks for sending me a copy as part of their #readbythesea2018 #yasummerreads blog tour!
April 13, 2018
I received When the Beat Drops by Anna Hecker from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. That had no impact on my thoughts. My thoughts are my own.
Maaaaan that was a good story. I wasn't sure what to expect when I first requested When the Beat Drops. I just knew that it sounded like it could be good, but I wasn't sure. I'm not sure why I was a little bit skeptical about the book in the first place. But it proved me wrong!
When the Beat Drops was about a girl who started off wanting to play the trumpet for this college or camp program thing but then she gets to tag along with her sister to this party and bumps into a DJ when her sister ditches her and slowly develops an interest for DJing in the story. The DJ aspect of the story was just COOL! There was a bit of a party scene, and drugs, and sex involved in the story but they didn't take up the entire story. It's easy to overlook, especially how the character handled all of the situations she was in. (There was a time when she was being silly, but there was character growth from that!)
I just really liked the DJing part of the story very much. It was just super cool. This story was like P.S. I like you by Jenny Han with a bit of a party scene/ mixed in with it. It is more of a young adult/new adult crossover book so I'd recommend this to older high school students and above in the young adult crowd. I'd say there should be a warning for drugs, sex, and a character death but it's not terrible. It was very well written.
I definitely would recommend this to anybody who can appreciate the music/DJing part. Again, this book was so cool. I wasn't able to find much of anything I didn't like about this book. It's a five star read for the unique plot, character development and it's fast pacing. I was able to finish this in about a day if you don't count the 8 hours of sleep and work in between.
Thank you Netgalley and publishers for giving me the chance to read and review this!
Maaaaan that was a good story. I wasn't sure what to expect when I first requested When the Beat Drops. I just knew that it sounded like it could be good, but I wasn't sure. I'm not sure why I was a little bit skeptical about the book in the first place. But it proved me wrong!
When the Beat Drops was about a girl who started off wanting to play the trumpet for this college or camp program thing but then she gets to tag along with her sister to this party and bumps into a DJ when her sister ditches her and slowly develops an interest for DJing in the story. The DJ aspect of the story was just COOL! There was a bit of a party scene, and drugs, and sex involved in the story but they didn't take up the entire story. It's easy to overlook, especially how the character handled all of the situations she was in. (There was a time when she was being silly, but there was character growth from that!)
I just really liked the DJing part of the story very much. It was just super cool. This story was like P.S. I like you by Jenny Han with a bit of a party scene/ mixed in with it. It is more of a young adult/new adult crossover book so I'd recommend this to older high school students and above in the young adult crowd. I'd say there should be a warning for drugs, sex, and a character death but it's not terrible. It was very well written.
I definitely would recommend this to anybody who can appreciate the music/DJing part. Again, this book was so cool. I wasn't able to find much of anything I didn't like about this book. It's a five star read for the unique plot, character development and it's fast pacing. I was able to finish this in about a day if you don't count the 8 hours of sleep and work in between.
Thank you Netgalley and publishers for giving me the chance to read and review this!
February 28, 2018
I enjoyed this debut so, so much, and the ending had me in tears. As a huge music fan and a sister, all of it rang true for me, and every note felt pitch perfect, every character so real and relatable. It was so beautifully done and fun and easy to read and I raced through it! Check this one out if you love music, stories about sisters and family, and want a dizzying descent into the underground DJ scene!
May 12, 2018
Readers of young adult books will enjoy this book. The lead character, Mina was relatable and interesting. Although, I didn't like that she easily and quickly brushed off her best friends for the new music scene. However, on the other hand, I could see where she was coming from as all of the people she encountered were different from her friends.
Mina really did shine when she was DJing. She had an "old" soul trapped in a young body. The way that she was in tune with the music as if the vibrations and beats were flowing through her veins. Her newest friend and female DJ, Shay was cool. Shay showed that being a female DJ is exciting. There needs to be more female DJs.
Yet, this book is not just about music but the dangers of drugs. Mina learns the hard effects of drugs. I like how author, Anna Hecker did not down play the ages of the characters or try to make them so mature that they were unbelievable. They were very relatable. Additionally, the story was upbeat and refreshing. When the Beat Drops needs to be in your reading pile. It will be one not to be missed for 2018!
Mina really did shine when she was DJing. She had an "old" soul trapped in a young body. The way that she was in tune with the music as if the vibrations and beats were flowing through her veins. Her newest friend and female DJ, Shay was cool. Shay showed that being a female DJ is exciting. There needs to be more female DJs.
Yet, this book is not just about music but the dangers of drugs. Mina learns the hard effects of drugs. I like how author, Anna Hecker did not down play the ages of the characters or try to make them so mature that they were unbelievable. They were very relatable. Additionally, the story was upbeat and refreshing. When the Beat Drops needs to be in your reading pile. It will be one not to be missed for 2018!
May 1, 2018
As someone who has no real interest in music, I was unexpectedly taken in by Mira’s passion - don’t let a lack of knowledge or interest in the music scene stop you from enjoying this heartfelt debut! Filled with wonderful, fully-developed characters and realistically complex relationships, Hecker’s coming-of-age story takes readers on a wild ride through the DJ scene and expertly tackles serious issues without ever becoming preachy or alienating. Highly recommended!
April 5, 2018
“Mira, Mira, on the wall, who’s the dopest of them all?”
So first off I want to thank the author for giving me the opportunity to read this. I was immediately taken by Mira. She’s awkward, smart, and knows what she wants. She’s never quite felt like she fit in with her family and the closest person to make her feel special is no longer with her. I read this as if I WAS Mira. I felt her joy and pain with each word that went across the pages. I admired her will to try new things and take the direction in life she thought she needed.
WHEN THE BEAT DROPS is a spectacular coming of age story of a girl who isn’t necessarily innocent but oblivious to the world around her. Mira’s struggle with sticking with her life long dream of becoming a Jazz player and finding a new path with her prodigy like DJ skills will keep you up all hours of the night to find out what her decision is. Mira is faced with situations she never dreamed of Gorgeous guys, drugs, death and even her own beliefs to do what is right. ANNA HECKERS words jump off the pages and leave you not just wanting but needing more of this story. You will laugh, get mad, embarrassed and yes even cry – so grab your tissues get comfortable for this is a must read.
So first off I want to thank the author for giving me the opportunity to read this. I was immediately taken by Mira. She’s awkward, smart, and knows what she wants. She’s never quite felt like she fit in with her family and the closest person to make her feel special is no longer with her. I read this as if I WAS Mira. I felt her joy and pain with each word that went across the pages. I admired her will to try new things and take the direction in life she thought she needed.
WHEN THE BEAT DROPS is a spectacular coming of age story of a girl who isn’t necessarily innocent but oblivious to the world around her. Mira’s struggle with sticking with her life long dream of becoming a Jazz player and finding a new path with her prodigy like DJ skills will keep you up all hours of the night to find out what her decision is. Mira is faced with situations she never dreamed of Gorgeous guys, drugs, death and even her own beliefs to do what is right. ANNA HECKERS words jump off the pages and leave you not just wanting but needing more of this story. You will laugh, get mad, embarrassed and yes even cry – so grab your tissues get comfortable for this is a must read.
July 26, 2018
Original review: https://holedupinabook.blogspot.com/2...
This book started out a bit slow but once things started to pick up, I got completely immersed with the story and with Mira. I really, really enjoyed the book and loved how it really got into the details of the DJ-world plus Mira’s own love for jazz. I never thought the two worlds would ever merge but somehow Anna, the author, made it work. In fact, I got so engaged in the book that I was even debating if I should learn to DJ, LOL (but seriously, imagine that).
Anyways, I really enjoyed Mira as a character. I admired her intelligence and her ability to simply pick things up when they’re music-related. I can definitely see why Shay was kind of jealous by her in the beginning but was glad to see her put that feeling aside because they were such good friends. Another aspect that I enjoyed was the dynamic between Mira and her sister, Britt. The journey they went together throughout the book was real and it also touched on a lot of serious issues such as drug use and sex.
For me, the best part of the book was how the author discussed about music. She really brought things to life with that world and I could feel myself drawing closer to the DJ world and even the jazz world which are two worlds that I never thought I would really be into.
The writing style was also done really nicely. Other than the slow beginning where the author took her time to introduce the characters and the setting, the rest of the book was very engaging and complex. The author also did a good job with introducing bits of secrets throughout the book and it was done expertly. The plot was definitely a bit more intricate than I had initially imaged so I was glad for that. It definitely made the book stand out more.
Overall, I really liked the book and thought it was a great debut novel.
This book started out a bit slow but once things started to pick up, I got completely immersed with the story and with Mira. I really, really enjoyed the book and loved how it really got into the details of the DJ-world plus Mira’s own love for jazz. I never thought the two worlds would ever merge but somehow Anna, the author, made it work. In fact, I got so engaged in the book that I was even debating if I should learn to DJ, LOL (but seriously, imagine that).
Anyways, I really enjoyed Mira as a character. I admired her intelligence and her ability to simply pick things up when they’re music-related. I can definitely see why Shay was kind of jealous by her in the beginning but was glad to see her put that feeling aside because they were such good friends. Another aspect that I enjoyed was the dynamic between Mira and her sister, Britt. The journey they went together throughout the book was real and it also touched on a lot of serious issues such as drug use and sex.
For me, the best part of the book was how the author discussed about music. She really brought things to life with that world and I could feel myself drawing closer to the DJ world and even the jazz world which are two worlds that I never thought I would really be into.
The writing style was also done really nicely. Other than the slow beginning where the author took her time to introduce the characters and the setting, the rest of the book was very engaging and complex. The author also did a good job with introducing bits of secrets throughout the book and it was done expertly. The plot was definitely a bit more intricate than I had initially imaged so I was glad for that. It definitely made the book stand out more.
Overall, I really liked the book and thought it was a great debut novel.
March 31, 2018
This book is so much more than the cover and synopsis make it seem. The way it is advertised makes it seem like a light fast read about a girl who likes music... but it is so much more than that. When the Beat Drops is a heartfelt and heartbreaking story about finding yourself.
What I Liked:
I honestly loved Mira. Her whole world is music. She hears it in movement and emotion and nature. That's why it was so easy to believe that she picked up DJing so fast. She lives and breathes music. It was that fact that made this whole book so believable and enjoyable.
All of the characters were actually pretty great. They all had so many dimensions to them. They had their own flawed and complicated lives. They also were all so unique and interesting.
I also liked how this book handled some pretty serious topics, like drugs, death, mourning, denial, and family problems. It was able to tackle these topics in what felt like an honest way... making them simple enough to understand without making light of them.
I also really loved how this book ended. I'm not gonna say too much about it (cause #nospoilers), but let's just say life isn't perfect and I love how this book showed it.
What I didn't Like:
There really wasn't much I didn't like about When the Beat Drops. I was a little lost in the beginning, just because I had no idea what I was going to get out of this book, but that feeling went away pretty quickly.
I also didn't really love Yelena's character, but the more she was around the more I liked her.
Also, I felt like Mira's introduction to the warehouse party scene was a bit abrupt and odd, but I got over that pretty quickly, and it didn't bother me that much.
Overall:
I was completely surprised by this book. It was so much better than I expected it to be, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking for a YA contemporary that feels a little more solid that some others.
I am going to give When the Beat Drops 5 out of 5 hearts.
*I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
What I Liked:
I honestly loved Mira. Her whole world is music. She hears it in movement and emotion and nature. That's why it was so easy to believe that she picked up DJing so fast. She lives and breathes music. It was that fact that made this whole book so believable and enjoyable.
All of the characters were actually pretty great. They all had so many dimensions to them. They had their own flawed and complicated lives. They also were all so unique and interesting.
I also liked how this book handled some pretty serious topics, like drugs, death, mourning, denial, and family problems. It was able to tackle these topics in what felt like an honest way... making them simple enough to understand without making light of them.
I also really loved how this book ended. I'm not gonna say too much about it (cause #nospoilers), but let's just say life isn't perfect and I love how this book showed it.
What I didn't Like:
There really wasn't much I didn't like about When the Beat Drops. I was a little lost in the beginning, just because I had no idea what I was going to get out of this book, but that feeling went away pretty quickly.
I also didn't really love Yelena's character, but the more she was around the more I liked her.
Also, I felt like Mira's introduction to the warehouse party scene was a bit abrupt and odd, but I got over that pretty quickly, and it didn't bother me that much.
Overall:
I was completely surprised by this book. It was so much better than I expected it to be, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking for a YA contemporary that feels a little more solid that some others.
I am going to give When the Beat Drops 5 out of 5 hearts.
*I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
November 19, 2018
I received a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
I don't think it's so much that this book wasn't good as that it just wasn't for me. I'm not interested in the club/rave scene at all, so much of this dragged on endlessly for me. For what it is, it's well written, and I wouldn't be quick to tell anyone to avoid it. I would, however, strongly urge potential readers to go into this knowing that if they aren't interested in that particular scene, this one may be a bit lost on them.
I don't think it's so much that this book wasn't good as that it just wasn't for me. I'm not interested in the club/rave scene at all, so much of this dragged on endlessly for me. For what it is, it's well written, and I wouldn't be quick to tell anyone to avoid it. I would, however, strongly urge potential readers to go into this knowing that if they aren't interested in that particular scene, this one may be a bit lost on them.
March 26, 2018
When The Beat Drops is a book that, ultimately, loses most of its shock value. Even though it begins well, with a really interesting protagonist and a believable main motivation, the ending is rushed, and messy, and ultimately leaves the rest of the book in shambles.
April 29, 2018
Going into this book I wasn’t sure I was going to like it. I definitely have a bias against ‘rave’ music, but the description of the novel pulled me in. Reading what the book was about gave me a lot of “Save the Last Dance” vibes.
Going through college I knew my fair share of people who would attend Electric Daisy Festival or Electric Zoo Festival or whatever festival was going on around us. They would talk about how great it was and all of the friends they would make and how much fun they would have, and I would be like, “Yeah, that’s not really my scene.” And that’s kind of how the protagonist of this novel, Mira, starts off feeling as well. She’s a jazz trumpet player who basically believes that anything other than jazz music is for people who can't appreciate REAL music. Her sister Britt comes home from college and takes her to a warehouse party and first introduces her to electronic dance music, and after making friends with a lost DJ and stepping into her booth, Mira begins to understand the appeal of EDM.
I thought this book had many good qualities. For starters, I have never read a book about the rave scene. I like that this is a YA book that teens who are interested in EDM and music festivals can read. I also liked how it takes the perspective of someone who thinks EDM is not “real music” and transforms their opinion, thus potentially opening more readers to the music genre. The way that the music is described is done very well. I was concerned that I would be bored during the DJing scenes as I can’t actually hear any music, but the author does such a great job of transporting you there and keeping you hooked.
This is also a book that contributes to the We Need Diverse Books campaign. Mira in the book explains that she is biracial with a black dad and a white mom. The author explains the frustration that inevitably comes when someone asks “What are you, anyway?” without making the whole book about being biracial. Part of creating diverse books is not necessarily making the entire novel about race; rather, it is about creating a world where all children can see themselves in a book. There is one particular chapter where Mira explains how people have guessed she’s “Italian, Mexican, Hawaiian, Brazilian, Israeli, and once even Gypsy” and how she hates that people try to “categorize [her], put [her] in a neat box and stick a label on [her].” She talks about her frustrations, which is something other biracial readers can relate to.
Mira was also a very realistic teen who struggles with sibling rivalry, drama with friends, and first loves. She was not perfect and did make some questionable decisions, but what teen doesn’t?
Another thing that I liked about this novel is that it talks about drugs. Taking drugs is a huge part of the EDM culture, but not everyone does it. I thought that the author did a good job of explaining why people like to take drugs at festivals while also tackling the dangers of drugs. This is especially useful for teens who are starting to get into the festival scene. Mira is a character who is able to enjoy the music without ever indulging (aside from drinking too much champagne at one point), which shows that you can enjoy EDM music without taking Molly. Her sister, on the other hand, takes drugs quite frequently. Britt’s dependence on drugs and her inability to enjoy the music without them consumes her and offers a good contrast to Mira’s abstinence.
The one area that caught me off guard, where I found myself questioning over and over again, was the parental involvement. Am I supposed to believe that a parent wouldn’t notice one of their daughters completely changing due to events in her life? Granted, the parents seem bogged down by financial troubles, but there are some pretty drastic turns that make me question the realistic element of the parents of Mira and Britt. I would hope that parents would be more aware of such drastic changes in their own child(ren).
Overall, I found this book to be an enjoyable and quick read. I thought it did a great job of tackling the drug culture of raves and would recommend it to any teens who either like EDM or are interested in attending festivals. It had a very typical YA plot arc, but nevertheless I found myself reading it in one sitting.
Going through college I knew my fair share of people who would attend Electric Daisy Festival or Electric Zoo Festival or whatever festival was going on around us. They would talk about how great it was and all of the friends they would make and how much fun they would have, and I would be like, “Yeah, that’s not really my scene.” And that’s kind of how the protagonist of this novel, Mira, starts off feeling as well. She’s a jazz trumpet player who basically believes that anything other than jazz music is for people who can't appreciate REAL music. Her sister Britt comes home from college and takes her to a warehouse party and first introduces her to electronic dance music, and after making friends with a lost DJ and stepping into her booth, Mira begins to understand the appeal of EDM.
I thought this book had many good qualities. For starters, I have never read a book about the rave scene. I like that this is a YA book that teens who are interested in EDM and music festivals can read. I also liked how it takes the perspective of someone who thinks EDM is not “real music” and transforms their opinion, thus potentially opening more readers to the music genre. The way that the music is described is done very well. I was concerned that I would be bored during the DJing scenes as I can’t actually hear any music, but the author does such a great job of transporting you there and keeping you hooked.
This is also a book that contributes to the We Need Diverse Books campaign. Mira in the book explains that she is biracial with a black dad and a white mom. The author explains the frustration that inevitably comes when someone asks “What are you, anyway?” without making the whole book about being biracial. Part of creating diverse books is not necessarily making the entire novel about race; rather, it is about creating a world where all children can see themselves in a book. There is one particular chapter where Mira explains how people have guessed she’s “Italian, Mexican, Hawaiian, Brazilian, Israeli, and once even Gypsy” and how she hates that people try to “categorize [her], put [her] in a neat box and stick a label on [her].” She talks about her frustrations, which is something other biracial readers can relate to.
Mira was also a very realistic teen who struggles with sibling rivalry, drama with friends, and first loves. She was not perfect and did make some questionable decisions, but what teen doesn’t?
Another thing that I liked about this novel is that it talks about drugs. Taking drugs is a huge part of the EDM culture, but not everyone does it. I thought that the author did a good job of explaining why people like to take drugs at festivals while also tackling the dangers of drugs. This is especially useful for teens who are starting to get into the festival scene. Mira is a character who is able to enjoy the music without ever indulging (aside from drinking too much champagne at one point), which shows that you can enjoy EDM music without taking Molly. Her sister, on the other hand, takes drugs quite frequently. Britt’s dependence on drugs and her inability to enjoy the music without them consumes her and offers a good contrast to Mira’s abstinence.
The one area that caught me off guard, where I found myself questioning over and over again, was the parental involvement. Am I supposed to believe that a parent wouldn’t notice one of their daughters completely changing due to events in her life? Granted, the parents seem bogged down by financial troubles, but there are some pretty drastic turns that make me question the realistic element of the parents of Mira and Britt. I would hope that parents would be more aware of such drastic changes in their own child(ren).
Overall, I found this book to be an enjoyable and quick read. I thought it did a great job of tackling the drug culture of raves and would recommend it to any teens who either like EDM or are interested in attending festivals. It had a very typical YA plot arc, but nevertheless I found myself reading it in one sitting.
May 15, 2018
Mira's parents run a gym and Mira's sister Britt is a star athlete. Mira's a musical prodigy, but her family doesn't seem to care much about her abilities. Mira wants to go to a prestigious jazz conservatory and needs this summer's music camp more than ever to practice for her audition. However, her parents have messed up and Mira's two best friends are going to camp without her. Mira has to spend the summer on her own, playing as much music as possible without any help or guidance. Fortunately Mira has her sister to spend time with. Because of Britt Mira's music taste broadens in the most unexpected way.
Britt takes Mira to a warehouse party. Mira doesn't expect to like it, but the music captures her and before she knows it she's found a new friend who will teach her how to mix. She also meets a cute guy who will help her to get some gigs. Will Mira's summer be as bad as she expected it to be? Her new surroundings change Mira, but they also bring problems she'd never thought she'd encounter. She enjoys the music, but when tragedy strikes Mira needs to be the responsible one. Who can she trust and will she come out unscathed?
When the Beat Drops is a fantastic captivating story. Mira is unhappy with the long summer ahead of her. Her friends are living her dream and she's stuck at home without anyone to hang out with. Her sister Britt is already in college and introduces her to a completely different world. While Mira doesn't embrace it as fully as her sister does, she does like the music. Her musical abilities are making it possible for her to pick up DJing at a lightning speed. Her new life isn't without complications. Mira falls in love, her sister is involved in something she doesn't want to be a part of and it soon becomes clear that Mira is the only one who can keep a cool head in a crisis. Mira has to grow up quickly to adapt to all of the changes. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to find out where her story would lead and read it in one sitting.
Anna Hecker's gripping writing style makes When the Beat Drops a true joy to read. Her vivid descriptions of Mira's music are terrific, I could almost hear and feel the music, that's how well she makes it come to life. I admire it when an author can paint such a clear picture and for me that was what I loved the most about When the Beat Drops. The story is fast-paced, raw and vibrant with many surprising twists and turns and I absolutely loved every single page.
Britt takes Mira to a warehouse party. Mira doesn't expect to like it, but the music captures her and before she knows it she's found a new friend who will teach her how to mix. She also meets a cute guy who will help her to get some gigs. Will Mira's summer be as bad as she expected it to be? Her new surroundings change Mira, but they also bring problems she'd never thought she'd encounter. She enjoys the music, but when tragedy strikes Mira needs to be the responsible one. Who can she trust and will she come out unscathed?
When the Beat Drops is a fantastic captivating story. Mira is unhappy with the long summer ahead of her. Her friends are living her dream and she's stuck at home without anyone to hang out with. Her sister Britt is already in college and introduces her to a completely different world. While Mira doesn't embrace it as fully as her sister does, she does like the music. Her musical abilities are making it possible for her to pick up DJing at a lightning speed. Her new life isn't without complications. Mira falls in love, her sister is involved in something she doesn't want to be a part of and it soon becomes clear that Mira is the only one who can keep a cool head in a crisis. Mira has to grow up quickly to adapt to all of the changes. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to find out where her story would lead and read it in one sitting.
Anna Hecker's gripping writing style makes When the Beat Drops a true joy to read. Her vivid descriptions of Mira's music are terrific, I could almost hear and feel the music, that's how well she makes it come to life. I admire it when an author can paint such a clear picture and for me that was what I loved the most about When the Beat Drops. The story is fast-paced, raw and vibrant with many surprising twists and turns and I absolutely loved every single page.
April 30, 2018
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC
When I first requested this book I thought it would be a nice fluffy read with a musical element however what I got was something deeper, darker and much more exciting.
it handled so many issues really well and gave some great in depths on how best to handle them and what to look out for.
I love the Mira as a character she was in depth and well written I felt like I was with her trying to figure out everything. Seeing how she not only handled her own dreams and situations but also that of her friends and family. I loved the dynamic she had with the music - not only one single genre but fitting in a range made it feel more diverse and as someone who doesn't really listen to either genre I had fun learning more about them through the eyes of someone close to my age.
The writing was able to create a slow build up in suspense and anticipation, entangling all the smaller story lines into an amazing well planned and well detailed ending.
This novel is great for anyone and everyone and I feel like it would be able to help a lot of people on how o handle various different situations that seem to becoming more and more common in this day and age.
I would highly recommend.
When I first requested this book I thought it would be a nice fluffy read with a musical element however what I got was something deeper, darker and much more exciting.
it handled so many issues really well and gave some great in depths on how best to handle them and what to look out for.
I love the Mira as a character she was in depth and well written I felt like I was with her trying to figure out everything. Seeing how she not only handled her own dreams and situations but also that of her friends and family. I loved the dynamic she had with the music - not only one single genre but fitting in a range made it feel more diverse and as someone who doesn't really listen to either genre I had fun learning more about them through the eyes of someone close to my age.
The writing was able to create a slow build up in suspense and anticipation, entangling all the smaller story lines into an amazing well planned and well detailed ending.
This novel is great for anyone and everyone and I feel like it would be able to help a lot of people on how o handle various different situations that seem to becoming more and more common in this day and age.
I would highly recommend.
April 19, 2018
Find the review and more on Welp.Books!
Thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for the eARC in exchange of an honest review.
Music, drugs, sisters, friends, a boyfriend, and choices on what needs saving and what needs to be abandoned in the process. It’s a heart-wrenching story of teenage mistakes and choices to fix them.
When tagging along with her sister to a party, Mira finds herself in a different music universe than her marching band. The bass, the cdjs and the hot boy make her fall for the parties immediately, but the bright lights and loud beats come in with consequences of their own—lies, drugs that can kill.
It starts off with Mira wanting nothing more than an exciting summer after junior year, and she gets it. The story escalates so quickly from her first party on, it’s easy to miss five hours faster than you can realize what just happened. And then five more days going over how it all happened. That’s how painfully good it is. It’ll leave you hurting for days.
I loved the narrative style. The writing is rich, fresh and emotional. It pulls you in the book, listening to the music along with Mira, making music out of the ordinary sounds with her.
As for Mira’s character, there wasn’t anything I could find to dislike. She loves her sister, she doesn’t agree with how her parents treat her differently than her sister like she’s not good enough but she doesn’t really want to bring it up, she is always there for her friends and knows when to be the first to apologize. What I loved more though was the rebellious side of her that started building up and turned her into this strong decisive girl who can take charge of everything.
‘The devastating tragedy’ was so truly devastating. It’s a reality that so many of us face, and the author did an amazing job depicting Mira’s emotions as the tragedy unfolded, and the ways she pulled herself back up right after.
Overall, it’s realistically depicted, heartfelt, something so easy to connect to even if you’ve never had to be in Mira’s shoes.
Thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for the eARC in exchange of an honest review.
Music, drugs, sisters, friends, a boyfriend, and choices on what needs saving and what needs to be abandoned in the process. It’s a heart-wrenching story of teenage mistakes and choices to fix them.
When tagging along with her sister to a party, Mira finds herself in a different music universe than her marching band. The bass, the cdjs and the hot boy make her fall for the parties immediately, but the bright lights and loud beats come in with consequences of their own—lies, drugs that can kill.
It starts off with Mira wanting nothing more than an exciting summer after junior year, and she gets it. The story escalates so quickly from her first party on, it’s easy to miss five hours faster than you can realize what just happened. And then five more days going over how it all happened. That’s how painfully good it is. It’ll leave you hurting for days.
I loved the narrative style. The writing is rich, fresh and emotional. It pulls you in the book, listening to the music along with Mira, making music out of the ordinary sounds with her.
As for Mira’s character, there wasn’t anything I could find to dislike. She loves her sister, she doesn’t agree with how her parents treat her differently than her sister like she’s not good enough but she doesn’t really want to bring it up, she is always there for her friends and knows when to be the first to apologize. What I loved more though was the rebellious side of her that started building up and turned her into this strong decisive girl who can take charge of everything.
‘The devastating tragedy’ was so truly devastating. It’s a reality that so many of us face, and the author did an amazing job depicting Mira’s emotions as the tragedy unfolded, and the ways she pulled herself back up right after.
Overall, it’s realistically depicted, heartfelt, something so easy to connect to even if you’ve never had to be in Mira’s shoes.
April 30, 2018
I received this book as an advanced reader's copy and was inspired by the cover and the plot summary due to the fact that our young adult readers can easily relate to a book like this. I think a lot of our reader's will relate to Mira because it is every teenager's dream to become rich and famous but it also comes with a price and Mira and Derek are pure examples of it. The theme of this novel is easily relatable for the millennial young adult generation and that you should be thankful for what you have not for what you want. Also, its wonderful to dreams but some dreams come with a price and sacrifice. A fascinating read that we are proud to give 5 stars!
June 19, 2018
I got sent this book in exchange for a honest review, all my opinions are my own and thank you so much to the publishers for sending me this book!
I just really enjoyed my time with this book, it was such a cliche yet guilty pleasure of a read and I still loved it.
I just really enjoyed my time with this book, it was such a cliche yet guilty pleasure of a read and I still loved it.
Read
March 26, 2019We all know a Derek
May 12, 2018
I was lucky to receive an early copy of When the Beat Drops by Anna Hecker published by Sky Pony Press from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. When the Beat Drops comes out on May 15th. When the Beat Drops follows Mira a girl who is inspired by Jazz music because of her late grandfather who she loved dearly. When Mira discovers that she can not go music camp with her friends this summer she is very upset and feels like her summer is ruined. Mira has a sister named Britt who is comming home from college for the summer so Mira is feeling a little better even though her and her sister are not as close as she wishes they could be. Britt is everything that Mira is not. She is athletic and her parents faveorite. Britt seems to have it all together and her life seems golden. one night Mira goes to a warehouse party with her sister and her sisters friend Yelena and that is where mira discovers the life of being a dj. she also is introduced to the hot guy with the tattoos named derek and meets shay the girl who teachers her how to spin. during the course of the summer mira goes through alot of changes and struggles her life is completely flipped upside down and she learns a lot about herself she didnt know before
I thought this was a really enjoyable story and at times really heartbreaking. I gave this a 3 out of 5 stars. i did have some issues with some of the topics like when it came to how characters in the book were saying molly (the drug) is not harmful it was kinda like saying its ok to go out and do this drug go try it. that was one of my reasons for not giving this a 4 out of 5 stars. I did like how the family relationship went from not really a great one to working out there problems in a realistic way and how it shows nobody no matter who you are us perfect. I will defintely be adding this book to my collection when it comes out
I thought this was a really enjoyable story and at times really heartbreaking. I gave this a 3 out of 5 stars. i did have some issues with some of the topics like when it came to how characters in the book were saying molly (the drug) is not harmful it was kinda like saying its ok to go out and do this drug go try it. that was one of my reasons for not giving this a 4 out of 5 stars. I did like how the family relationship went from not really a great one to working out there problems in a realistic way and how it shows nobody no matter who you are us perfect. I will defintely be adding this book to my collection when it comes out
May 2, 2021
this appealed to the person who comes out of me once slightly drunk and wants to dance a lot. Pity the people who have been witness to this person
April 5, 2018
I was completely surprised by this book, I went into it knowing very little about it and I am so glad I did as it made reading it very enjoyable. Everything was great the plot, the characters and writing. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking for a good YA contemporary..
April 5, 2018
“Mira, Mira, on the wall, who’s the dopest of them all?”
So first off I want to thank the author for giving me the opportunity to read this. I was immediately taken by Mira. She’s awkward, smart, and knows what she wants. She’s never quite felt like she fit in with her family and the closest person to make her feel special is no longer with her. I read this as if I WAS Mira. I felt her joy and pain with each word that went across the pages. I admired her will to try new things and take the direction in life she thought she needed.
WHEN THE BEAT DROPS is a spectacular coming of age story of a girl who isn’t necessarily innocent but oblivious to the world around her. Mira’s struggle with sticking with her life long dream of becoming a Jazz player and finding a new path with her prodigy like DJ skills will keep you up all hours of the night to find out what her decision is. Mira is faced with situations she never dreamed of Gorgeous guys, drugs, death and even her own beliefs to do what is right. ANNA HECKERS words jump off the pages and leave you not just wanting but needing more of this story. You will laugh, get mad, embarrassed and yes even cry – so grab your tissues get comfortable for this is a must read.
So first off I want to thank the author for giving me the opportunity to read this. I was immediately taken by Mira. She’s awkward, smart, and knows what she wants. She’s never quite felt like she fit in with her family and the closest person to make her feel special is no longer with her. I read this as if I WAS Mira. I felt her joy and pain with each word that went across the pages. I admired her will to try new things and take the direction in life she thought she needed.
WHEN THE BEAT DROPS is a spectacular coming of age story of a girl who isn’t necessarily innocent but oblivious to the world around her. Mira’s struggle with sticking with her life long dream of becoming a Jazz player and finding a new path with her prodigy like DJ skills will keep you up all hours of the night to find out what her decision is. Mira is faced with situations she never dreamed of Gorgeous guys, drugs, death and even her own beliefs to do what is right. ANNA HECKERS words jump off the pages and leave you not just wanting but needing more of this story. You will laugh, get mad, embarrassed and yes even cry – so grab your tissues get comfortable for this is a must read.
March 29, 2018
I loved this book because the topic was so different and the protagonist made some bad choices but they were natural choices that a teen might make and then she learns from her mistakes. It's good to read about teens mucking up, because that's authentic, and then see how they get out of the hole they've dug themselves into. The descriptions of music really drew you into the scene, and it's clear the author has some love of this world. I'll be telling any teens around me to read this - good lessons learnt, and a reveal on the world of raves, DJs and why not to try drugs.
May 7, 2018
I really like this book. I initially requested it because of the focus on music. This is something I'm constantly writing about, so I really liked the idea of this book. It was completely different than what I expected because I thought it would actually be different from cliches, but I did enjoy it still. I think it was hard for me to LOVE because it just felt too easy, too expected, and too nothing in some parts. I wish there was more of a focus on the DJ aspect because I think it's so interesting. I still enjoyed it for the most part, but it had the potential to blow me away and it didn't
March 2, 2018
I loved this so much, I blurbed it:
"When the Beat Drops is a beautiful, authentic story about friendship, sisterhood, love, and the different ways that music―of all kinds―can bring us together. I devoured it in one sitting." ―Rebecca Phillips, author of These Things I've Done
"When the Beat Drops is a beautiful, authentic story about friendship, sisterhood, love, and the different ways that music―of all kinds―can bring us together. I devoured it in one sitting." ―Rebecca Phillips, author of These Things I've Done
February 27, 2018
I was given this book in exchange for my honest opinion
This seemed like a pretty good book. I really liked the characters, but it didn't really capture my attention, it wasn't unputdownable, (I know that's not a word lol ) But it was an okay read.
This seemed like a pretty good book. I really liked the characters, but it didn't really capture my attention, it wasn't unputdownable, (I know that's not a word lol ) But it was an okay read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews