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The Astrid Notes
Astrid Bell
Dutiful daughter. Classical singer. Secret pop songwriter. And suffering from stage fright.
Jacob Skalicky.
Trust-fund kid. Indie singer. Immensely gifted performer. And refusing to sing again.
Are they polar opposites? In his grief and fury at the world, Jacob certainly thinks so.
But when Jacob loses everything and Astrid uncovers a shocking family secret, they may need each other to make sense of their lives.
PRAISE FOR THE HARPER EFFECT BY TARYN BASHFORD
'A heartfelt story about perseverance, believing in yourself, family and love, The Harper Effect did not disappoint. Bashford kept me hooked from the first page.' Teenreads
'This novel is the kind of book that makes me want to be a better writer . . . Beautifully written, this story will stick with me for a long, long time.' Tara Gilboy, author of Unwritten
Dutiful daughter. Classical singer. Secret pop songwriter. And suffering from stage fright.
Jacob Skalicky.
Trust-fund kid. Indie singer. Immensely gifted performer. And refusing to sing again.
Are they polar opposites? In his grief and fury at the world, Jacob certainly thinks so.
But when Jacob loses everything and Astrid uncovers a shocking family secret, they may need each other to make sense of their lives.
PRAISE FOR THE HARPER EFFECT BY TARYN BASHFORD
'A heartfelt story about perseverance, believing in yourself, family and love, The Harper Effect did not disappoint. Bashford kept me hooked from the first page.' Teenreads
'This novel is the kind of book that makes me want to be a better writer . . . Beautifully written, this story will stick with me for a long, long time.' Tara Gilboy, author of Unwritten
242 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 23, 2019
1 person is currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
Taryn Bashford
3 books97 followersTaryn lives the typical writer’s life alongside supportive husband, teen children, and characters from her latest book insisting they help make dinner. This can be disconcerting as Jacob is always sticking his fingers in the cheese sauce and Harper can’t cook.
Taryn’s been an English Literature Honours student, an advertising sales rep and a CEO of an internet company, but writing is her first love. The Harper Effect is her debut novel.
Taryn’s been an English Literature Honours student, an advertising sales rep and a CEO of an internet company, but writing is her first love. The Harper Effect is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
August 3, 2019
Music has always been a pretty constant factor in my life so I was quite interested to read this story about teens taking their music seriously. There's something beautiful and calming, reading about music, and I find it easier to relate to characters who are moved by it.
This story tells of Astrid, who is attempting to fill the rather large shoes of her opera-singer mother, despite crippling stage fright. Into her life wanders Jacob as a student of her father. Jacob is trying to find his voice again in the wake of unspeakable tragedy, and the two naturally come together through the bonds they share.
At first I wasn't sure if this was going to be for me, after all, as I hadn't realised the romance would play such an important part, but in the end the couple won me over.
This is a book about chasing your dreams, and trying to understand the difference between not wanting a thing and just being terrified of it. It had more depth than I expected for a YA novel, and I rather enjoyed getting to know these characters a little deeper. I liked that there wasn't just superficial support between the two -there was real dialogue and that quest to truly understand one another.
It definitely has it's pretty serious cheesy moments, and I did cringe a lot, but overall this was a rather enjoyable story that I connected to through its love of music. I feel like a lot of research went into making sure this world was portrayed just right, and it's payed off.
A lovely novel that I'd definitely recommend for music lovers looking for a nice light read with some deeper characters.
With thanks to the publisher for my ARC.
This story tells of Astrid, who is attempting to fill the rather large shoes of her opera-singer mother, despite crippling stage fright. Into her life wanders Jacob as a student of her father. Jacob is trying to find his voice again in the wake of unspeakable tragedy, and the two naturally come together through the bonds they share.
At first I wasn't sure if this was going to be for me, after all, as I hadn't realised the romance would play such an important part, but in the end the couple won me over.
This is a book about chasing your dreams, and trying to understand the difference between not wanting a thing and just being terrified of it. It had more depth than I expected for a YA novel, and I rather enjoyed getting to know these characters a little deeper. I liked that there wasn't just superficial support between the two -there was real dialogue and that quest to truly understand one another.
It definitely has it's pretty serious cheesy moments, and I did cringe a lot, but overall this was a rather enjoyable story that I connected to through its love of music. I feel like a lot of research went into making sure this world was portrayed just right, and it's payed off.
A lovely novel that I'd definitely recommend for music lovers looking for a nice light read with some deeper characters.
With thanks to the publisher for my ARC.
February 11, 2020
The book was...not what I thought it would be. It had many amazing aspects, including overcoming tragedy and parental expectations well, teaching an important lesson that you should always stay true to yourself and that you should never change who you truly are inside for someone else. The characters also feel so authentic and have very intriguing personalities.
✨ What is it about? ✨
Astrid Bell is a classical singer who suffers from stage fright and is also the daughter of a renowned opera singer. Jacob Stalicky was an Indie singer who just lost everything that ever mattered him and refuses to sing again. When he stumbles into Astrid's life, shocking events take place and they discover they might need each other to make sense of their lives.
I liked this book. The accumulation of minor flaws in the book, however, brings my rating down drastically. And what are those flaws? The cringe scenes.
Especially the sexual tension between the two protagonists. Like, why? Why and why. Writing about sexual tension is risky because it can either go really well or extremely bad. Nothing in between. And uh- yeah, you can guess where this one falls into.
I don't regret reading The Astrid Notes though. It was fun and interesting and I recommend it to young readers who have an interest in Music like myself.
✨ What is it about? ✨
Astrid Bell is a classical singer who suffers from stage fright and is also the daughter of a renowned opera singer. Jacob Stalicky was an Indie singer who just lost everything that ever mattered him and refuses to sing again. When he stumbles into Astrid's life, shocking events take place and they discover they might need each other to make sense of their lives.
I liked this book. The accumulation of minor flaws in the book, however, brings my rating down drastically. And what are those flaws? The cringe scenes.
Especially the sexual tension between the two protagonists. Like, why? Why and why. Writing about sexual tension is risky because it can either go really well or extremely bad. Nothing in between. And uh- yeah, you can guess where this one falls into.
I don't regret reading The Astrid Notes though. It was fun and interesting and I recommend it to young readers who have an interest in Music like myself.
July 23, 2019
The Astrid Notes took me by surprise. It’s a YA read so I wasn’t expecting to be all that invested in the story—sometimes I think I’m getting too old to fully appreciate the genre—but I found myself completely absorbed in Astrid and Jacob’s world. I even got a bit teary towards the end! It’s such a wonderful, heartwarming read with great messages about finding yourself and having the courage to chase your dreams.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from Pan Macmillan Australia in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from Pan Macmillan Australia in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 4, 2019
I’ve always admired writers who can take a secondary character from one book and then continue to develop their story in another book – a different story from a new perspective. Taryn Bashford has achieved this in The Astrid Notes (Pan MacMillan 2019), a companion novel to her YA success The Harper Effect. In this new book, we follow the storyline of Jacob, one of my favourite characters in The Harper Effect. Reading The Astrid Notes was like meeting up with an old friend, and it was lovely to understand how his life had expanded and changed since the first book.
But this can also be read as a stand-alone. Once again, Bashford takes us directly into the adolescent minds of her characters, and in The Astrid Notes we are given the narrative from two perspectives: Jacob and his love interest Astrid Bell. With each alternate chapter taking up from the previous one, we get a lovely back and forth, simultaneous tale, told from two points of view.
As with Bashford’s first book, The Astrid Notes captures teenage angst, passion, desire, yearning, insecurities, ambition and the search for belonging and identity. The young people in this story need to prove themselves – to their parents, to their friends and ultimately, to themselves.
The book begins with Jacob – Indie singer, trust-fund kid – suffering a terrible tragedy that changes his life and makes him certain he will never sing again. This shocking opening catapults us into the transformed landscape of his life; he seems more grown-up than when we left him in The Harper Effect, and certainly having to cope with increased responsibility and pressure. He meets Astrid Bell, a promising opera singer who wants to write pop songs, the daughter of a demanding and strict but loving father who wants the best for her but also tightly controls her. And she suffers from stage fright. As the novel progresses, and we learn more about Astrid’s history, and the complicated legacy of her famous mother and beloved sister, both gone, the reason for her anxiety becomes apparent. While they at first seem to be completely different people who want the opposite from life, Jacob and Astrid are drawn to each other and come to realise that they fill in the absences in each other’s lives. They need each other.
Bashford has a knack for writing teenage desire and longing with the sexual tension and pace of a racy romance but the appropriate boundaries for younger (YA) readers. She writes of love and friendship in a way that adolescents will recognise and relate to; she peppers her stories with fresh, sharp dialogue that is authentic and engaging. Bashford writes with authority about the interests of her characters: in The Harper Effect it was professional tennis; in this book it is music – everything from classical opera to boy-band pop – and also surfing. And the lovely imagery of the Purple Woods – the meaning, the metaphor – continues here, and is replicated on the beautiful cover. This author favours exploring the themes of parental control and authority, young people’s independence and ambitions, the drive and work required to succeed, and the real or imagined emotional barriers to following your dreams. The Astrid Notes also examines the legacy of family history, and how young people manage to flourish because of – or despite – that history.
I think my favourite character in this book is the young man Dex – again, another minor character – but perhaps one due to star in his own future novel?!
But this can also be read as a stand-alone. Once again, Bashford takes us directly into the adolescent minds of her characters, and in The Astrid Notes we are given the narrative from two perspectives: Jacob and his love interest Astrid Bell. With each alternate chapter taking up from the previous one, we get a lovely back and forth, simultaneous tale, told from two points of view.
As with Bashford’s first book, The Astrid Notes captures teenage angst, passion, desire, yearning, insecurities, ambition and the search for belonging and identity. The young people in this story need to prove themselves – to their parents, to their friends and ultimately, to themselves.
The book begins with Jacob – Indie singer, trust-fund kid – suffering a terrible tragedy that changes his life and makes him certain he will never sing again. This shocking opening catapults us into the transformed landscape of his life; he seems more grown-up than when we left him in The Harper Effect, and certainly having to cope with increased responsibility and pressure. He meets Astrid Bell, a promising opera singer who wants to write pop songs, the daughter of a demanding and strict but loving father who wants the best for her but also tightly controls her. And she suffers from stage fright. As the novel progresses, and we learn more about Astrid’s history, and the complicated legacy of her famous mother and beloved sister, both gone, the reason for her anxiety becomes apparent. While they at first seem to be completely different people who want the opposite from life, Jacob and Astrid are drawn to each other and come to realise that they fill in the absences in each other’s lives. They need each other.
Bashford has a knack for writing teenage desire and longing with the sexual tension and pace of a racy romance but the appropriate boundaries for younger (YA) readers. She writes of love and friendship in a way that adolescents will recognise and relate to; she peppers her stories with fresh, sharp dialogue that is authentic and engaging. Bashford writes with authority about the interests of her characters: in The Harper Effect it was professional tennis; in this book it is music – everything from classical opera to boy-band pop – and also surfing. And the lovely imagery of the Purple Woods – the meaning, the metaphor – continues here, and is replicated on the beautiful cover. This author favours exploring the themes of parental control and authority, young people’s independence and ambitions, the drive and work required to succeed, and the real or imagined emotional barriers to following your dreams. The Astrid Notes also examines the legacy of family history, and how young people manage to flourish because of – or despite – that history.
I think my favourite character in this book is the young man Dex – again, another minor character – but perhaps one due to star in his own future novel?!
June 2, 2019
I was very lucky to read an early version of this fab book. Heaps of emotion. Brilliant voice. Perfect.
July 23, 2019
I loved this book. It was heartbreaking, heart-warming and beautifully written. Astrid and Jacob are both overcoming survivors guilt, both impacting the other in starkly different ways. They both share another similarity by being musically gifted. Trying to navigate life in the cut-throat world of the music industry, a chance encounter allows them to find a friend and most importantly, a chance to heal. This book has everything from crippling fear, brave moments, heartbreaking tragedy, self discovery and daring moments.
August 4, 2019
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher Pan MacMillan. This does not affect my review in anyway, and the thoughts expressed are completely my own.
Continuing on from The Harper Effect, this new book follows Jacob as he struggles to deal with the tragic loss of his bandmates while he befriends Astrid Belle, an opera singer in training who is suffers from terrible stage fright. Raised solely by her father, a world-class music teacher nicknamed the Maestro, Astrid attempts to live up to her mother’s shadow and follow Maestro’s harsh rules. Bonding over their love of music and grief over the loss of loved ones, Astrid and Jacob open up to one another and begin to heal.
Jacob’s music career was just starting when his four bandmates and best friends are killed in a car crash. Now his dreams feels unattainable under the weight of four deaths. His parents give him an ultimatum; get into the Conservatorium for Music or give up music forever. Still heartbroken after the girl he loved – his childhood best friend and neighbour, Harper – chose another guy over him, and still scarred over his parents’ continued indifference, Jacob was hardly stable before his friends died. Forced to get a music tutor, Jacob never would have expected that knocking on Maestro’s door would change his life.
Astrid mother was a famous soprano who died shortly after giving birth to Astrid. Six years later, Astrid’s older sister, Savannah, died. Witnessing her father’s all-consuming grief, Astrid would sing for him and declared she would be a soprano just like her mother and was finally able to drag him out of the dark. But years later, Astrid adheres his strict rules; home-schooled with no friends or distractions; everything that could risk damaging her voice is banned, including certain foods.
Maestro is controlling and overbearing, and practically loses his mind whenever Jacob and Astrid even speak to each other. I don’t know how Astrid stands living with him, his worse than a warden! She can’t even go to school and make friends her own age. He immediately attempts to control Jacob’s life, but he isn’t prepared for Jacob’s stubbornness. Watching these two butt heads was amusing and I’d laugh every time Jacob would come back with a snarky comment.
This book was emotional from the very first chapter. These two have suffer so much at such a young age and it was fascinating to watch the completely different reactions; let grief consume you and drink until you can’t see, or avoid your own grief and mould yourself to fill the shoes of those you lost. They were both unhealthy, despite Astrid’s being a subtle version. Watching these two heal and help each other with their grief was beautiful and I loved how their relationship developed. They saw the scars each other bares but are still drawn together – despite Astrid insisting they keep in platonic.
My favourite character was a Dex, a young boy who works his hardest to care for his ill mother. With only his single mother as family, Dex is determined to care for her as much as she has cared for him. Maria works as a maid for Jacob’s family, but due to her failing health Dex does most of the work. For a boy not even fifteen he knows more about hardship than most people ever will. I loved getting to find out more about Dex and his optimistic world view and love of music is a nice comparison to Jacob.
I didn’t expect there to be a mystery, but this just made the book all the more captivating. I had to know the truth! The reveal was worth the wait and helped to make this book feel real. I don’t enjoy contemporaries much, but I did find myself thinking about this one, eager to read more. I give it 5/5. Plus, the cover is beautiful!
Continuing on from The Harper Effect, this new book follows Jacob as he struggles to deal with the tragic loss of his bandmates while he befriends Astrid Belle, an opera singer in training who is suffers from terrible stage fright. Raised solely by her father, a world-class music teacher nicknamed the Maestro, Astrid attempts to live up to her mother’s shadow and follow Maestro’s harsh rules. Bonding over their love of music and grief over the loss of loved ones, Astrid and Jacob open up to one another and begin to heal.
Jacob’s music career was just starting when his four bandmates and best friends are killed in a car crash. Now his dreams feels unattainable under the weight of four deaths. His parents give him an ultimatum; get into the Conservatorium for Music or give up music forever. Still heartbroken after the girl he loved – his childhood best friend and neighbour, Harper – chose another guy over him, and still scarred over his parents’ continued indifference, Jacob was hardly stable before his friends died. Forced to get a music tutor, Jacob never would have expected that knocking on Maestro’s door would change his life.
Astrid mother was a famous soprano who died shortly after giving birth to Astrid. Six years later, Astrid’s older sister, Savannah, died. Witnessing her father’s all-consuming grief, Astrid would sing for him and declared she would be a soprano just like her mother and was finally able to drag him out of the dark. But years later, Astrid adheres his strict rules; home-schooled with no friends or distractions; everything that could risk damaging her voice is banned, including certain foods.
Maestro is controlling and overbearing, and practically loses his mind whenever Jacob and Astrid even speak to each other. I don’t know how Astrid stands living with him, his worse than a warden! She can’t even go to school and make friends her own age. He immediately attempts to control Jacob’s life, but he isn’t prepared for Jacob’s stubbornness. Watching these two butt heads was amusing and I’d laugh every time Jacob would come back with a snarky comment.
This book was emotional from the very first chapter. These two have suffer so much at such a young age and it was fascinating to watch the completely different reactions; let grief consume you and drink until you can’t see, or avoid your own grief and mould yourself to fill the shoes of those you lost. They were both unhealthy, despite Astrid’s being a subtle version. Watching these two heal and help each other with their grief was beautiful and I loved how their relationship developed. They saw the scars each other bares but are still drawn together – despite Astrid insisting they keep in platonic.
My favourite character was a Dex, a young boy who works his hardest to care for his ill mother. With only his single mother as family, Dex is determined to care for her as much as she has cared for him. Maria works as a maid for Jacob’s family, but due to her failing health Dex does most of the work. For a boy not even fifteen he knows more about hardship than most people ever will. I loved getting to find out more about Dex and his optimistic world view and love of music is a nice comparison to Jacob.
I didn’t expect there to be a mystery, but this just made the book all the more captivating. I had to know the truth! The reveal was worth the wait and helped to make this book feel real. I don’t enjoy contemporaries much, but I did find myself thinking about this one, eager to read more. I give it 5/5. Plus, the cover is beautiful!
July 24, 2019
I’ve been lucky enough to read some great books so far this year, ones that make you feel so many emotions all at once, and The Astrid Notes was one of those.
We follow the story of Jacob, a lead singer in a band, who loses everything. He stops doing everything that he loves, and just completely loses himself in his grief, completely shutting himself off to anyone and everyone, and in a while just sliding through life at that moment, and not really living it fully.
One the other side is Astrid, an opera singer, managed by her dad, not really living the normal teenage lifestyle so to speak, not going out, having fun or discovering herself. After losing people she has loved, she doesn’t want to disappoint her dad or those who have left her behind. Astrid also struggles with wanting to keep her dad happy, all the while stopping herself from being who she really wants to be and doing what she really wants to do and loves.
With Astrid and Jacob being brought together, they bring out the best in each other, and push each other to be who they really want to be.
I loved everything about this. How both Astrid and Jacob are so similar in ways, but yet so different. The exploration of grief, and how each individual handles it differently, and how two completely different people can come together and heal each other.
The Astrid Notes was beautifully written, heartfelt, sad and beautiful all at the same time, and I will be definitely picking up Taryn’s other book, The Harper Effect.
We follow the story of Jacob, a lead singer in a band, who loses everything. He stops doing everything that he loves, and just completely loses himself in his grief, completely shutting himself off to anyone and everyone, and in a while just sliding through life at that moment, and not really living it fully.
One the other side is Astrid, an opera singer, managed by her dad, not really living the normal teenage lifestyle so to speak, not going out, having fun or discovering herself. After losing people she has loved, she doesn’t want to disappoint her dad or those who have left her behind. Astrid also struggles with wanting to keep her dad happy, all the while stopping herself from being who she really wants to be and doing what she really wants to do and loves.
With Astrid and Jacob being brought together, they bring out the best in each other, and push each other to be who they really want to be.
I loved everything about this. How both Astrid and Jacob are so similar in ways, but yet so different. The exploration of grief, and how each individual handles it differently, and how two completely different people can come together and heal each other.
The Astrid Notes was beautifully written, heartfelt, sad and beautiful all at the same time, and I will be definitely picking up Taryn’s other book, The Harper Effect.
August 3, 2019
http://jessjustreads.com
The Astrid Notes is the second YA novel from Queensland author Taryn Bashford, this time set within the complex and high-pressure world of music and singing.
Jacob — who readers may remember from The Harper Effect — is navigating his way through a difficult time. After a late night gig, his fellow band members all die in a car accident. Jacob has survivor’s guilt, feeling like he’s lost his purpose and he starts to give up on his music and his singing.
To make everything worse, Jacob’s parents are fairly absent from his life but his father is constantly pressuring him to reconsider his career and his path, and to give up on this music dream of his. His father is a bully, and the reader can physically feel the effect that his father is having on Jacob’s physical and mental state.
Astrid is conflicted about many things. She’s an incredibly talented opera singer but she has stage fright and she doesn’t know how to fix it. She’s six months shy of 18, which is when her father promised to tell her how her mother died, but she wants to know now. Why does she have to wait? Astrid assumes her mother —who was an extraordinarily talent singer as well — died giving birth to her, and Astrid feels an enormous amount of guilt about this.
Naturally, when Astrid and Jacob’s paths cross, they have much in common.
“Four days after breaking my hand. I bite the bullet and am standing outside the doc’s house listening to Astrid sing. I like her sound even more than I like Yolanda Gustav. How can someone so small pack that much power?”
JACOB
The Astrid Notes explores some pretty heavy topics — death, alcoholism, depression, and parental pressure. I imagine there’ll be many readers out there who could find some comfort in what these characters are going through.
The POV shifts between Jacob and Astrid quite often — sometimes after only two pages — and I think the characterisation within these short moments was managed really well. From the beginning, we understand the characters’ motivations, their fears and their worries, and how their interactions with other people is a reflection of their struggle to overcome the issues they’ve been going through.
“Something has changed. He’s changed. It’s as if the older I get, the more the unpredictable side of him is taking over. Mr Maestro’s winning. It’s like living inside my own opera and the demon has gained ground. And I’m to sing, whether I want to or not.”
ASTRID
I think what does let this book down is some of the jarring references to pop culture that date the book and add nothing to the character’s inner dialogue. It makes the text read a little too juvenile for the characters, and the references do feel out of place — if there was no way to seamlessly weave them in, then I think they should’ve been culled in the editing.
“As always, I lost that argument. Should’ve kept my mouth shut because I probably made everything worse. Like the main character in a Step Up movie, I either pass this audition or my music dreams are over.”
JACOB
“I’m small, so being engulfed by Maestro has always felt like being hugged by the hero at the end of a movie or when the music score from the final scene of Lord of the Rings blasts in your head and you’re sure everything’s going to end well.”
ASTRID
A heartwarming and engaging follow up to The Harper Effect, with loveable, relatable characters and a rich plot. Taryn Bashford captures the world of elite music with authenticity. You’ll fall in love with Astrid and Jacob from the beginning, all the way through to the last pages. Recommend for young readers, 12+
Thank you to the publisher for mailing me a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Astrid Notes is the second YA novel from Queensland author Taryn Bashford, this time set within the complex and high-pressure world of music and singing.
Jacob — who readers may remember from The Harper Effect — is navigating his way through a difficult time. After a late night gig, his fellow band members all die in a car accident. Jacob has survivor’s guilt, feeling like he’s lost his purpose and he starts to give up on his music and his singing.
To make everything worse, Jacob’s parents are fairly absent from his life but his father is constantly pressuring him to reconsider his career and his path, and to give up on this music dream of his. His father is a bully, and the reader can physically feel the effect that his father is having on Jacob’s physical and mental state.
Astrid is conflicted about many things. She’s an incredibly talented opera singer but she has stage fright and she doesn’t know how to fix it. She’s six months shy of 18, which is when her father promised to tell her how her mother died, but she wants to know now. Why does she have to wait? Astrid assumes her mother —who was an extraordinarily talent singer as well — died giving birth to her, and Astrid feels an enormous amount of guilt about this.
Naturally, when Astrid and Jacob’s paths cross, they have much in common.
“Four days after breaking my hand. I bite the bullet and am standing outside the doc’s house listening to Astrid sing. I like her sound even more than I like Yolanda Gustav. How can someone so small pack that much power?”
JACOB
The Astrid Notes explores some pretty heavy topics — death, alcoholism, depression, and parental pressure. I imagine there’ll be many readers out there who could find some comfort in what these characters are going through.
The POV shifts between Jacob and Astrid quite often — sometimes after only two pages — and I think the characterisation within these short moments was managed really well. From the beginning, we understand the characters’ motivations, their fears and their worries, and how their interactions with other people is a reflection of their struggle to overcome the issues they’ve been going through.
“Something has changed. He’s changed. It’s as if the older I get, the more the unpredictable side of him is taking over. Mr Maestro’s winning. It’s like living inside my own opera and the demon has gained ground. And I’m to sing, whether I want to or not.”
ASTRID
I think what does let this book down is some of the jarring references to pop culture that date the book and add nothing to the character’s inner dialogue. It makes the text read a little too juvenile for the characters, and the references do feel out of place — if there was no way to seamlessly weave them in, then I think they should’ve been culled in the editing.
“As always, I lost that argument. Should’ve kept my mouth shut because I probably made everything worse. Like the main character in a Step Up movie, I either pass this audition or my music dreams are over.”
JACOB
“I’m small, so being engulfed by Maestro has always felt like being hugged by the hero at the end of a movie or when the music score from the final scene of Lord of the Rings blasts in your head and you’re sure everything’s going to end well.”
ASTRID
A heartwarming and engaging follow up to The Harper Effect, with loveable, relatable characters and a rich plot. Taryn Bashford captures the world of elite music with authenticity. You’ll fall in love with Astrid and Jacob from the beginning, all the way through to the last pages. Recommend for young readers, 12+
Thank you to the publisher for mailing me a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 22, 2019
When I write I truly hope to write stories that inspire and stories with heart that contain characters you'll love and remember. Astrid is an opera singer and Jacob is an indie-pop lead singer. They're opposites yet they're going through similar life-changing experiences and it's all happening in the public eye of the world of elite music: Astrid has stage fright due to living up to her dead mother's reputation and Jacob -- let's just say he's had one problem after another involving friendships, his heart and his family. I hope that you are inspired by their story and how they strive to live an unforgettable life.
July 17, 2019
Review to come upon Australian Publication Date- thank you Pan Macmillan Australia for sending a copy my way to review.
July 15, 2019
A beautifully written story of two souls bound by privilege and troubled by past (and recent) events!
There are three main elements that I absolutely fell in love with while reading Bashford’s The Astrid Notes: The tragic backstories, the dual perspectives and the allusion of music.
Firstly, both characters have been through so much for their age. Though both Astrid and Jacob come from two differing worlds of privilege, it still doesn’t discredit or take away from the heartbreak and loss that they have both experienced in their young lives.
Secondly, the alternating perspectives allows for Bashford to create further depth within both Astrid and Jacob’s characters, providing the reader with a deeper understanding of their feelings and emotions. Though some of their reactions seem a little far fetched at times, the dual points of view gives us a clearer insight into the here and now , as well as providing us with the opportunity to see into the past from their view.
Finally, the allusion of music woven throughout was skillful. The music matched the emotions being felt by each respective character and the tone of the language demonstrated this well. There was a lyrical quality to some of the more emotional inner dialogue, and it was lovely to read.
Thank you @macmillanaus for gifting me a copy to review!
There are three main elements that I absolutely fell in love with while reading Bashford’s The Astrid Notes: The tragic backstories, the dual perspectives and the allusion of music.
Firstly, both characters have been through so much for their age. Though both Astrid and Jacob come from two differing worlds of privilege, it still doesn’t discredit or take away from the heartbreak and loss that they have both experienced in their young lives.
Secondly, the alternating perspectives allows for Bashford to create further depth within both Astrid and Jacob’s characters, providing the reader with a deeper understanding of their feelings and emotions. Though some of their reactions seem a little far fetched at times, the dual points of view gives us a clearer insight into the here and now , as well as providing us with the opportunity to see into the past from their view.
Finally, the allusion of music woven throughout was skillful. The music matched the emotions being felt by each respective character and the tone of the language demonstrated this well. There was a lyrical quality to some of the more emotional inner dialogue, and it was lovely to read.
Thank you @macmillanaus for gifting me a copy to review!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2019
Powerful but sensitive, this author’s fan mail is going to rocket!! A work written with such deep feeling, sadness, understanding, healing, and growth, I lost myself as I soaked up every subtlety, from hurdles to aspirations and accomplishments. Poignant and heart-warming with some memorable characters. Can't wait for the next book!
July 25, 2019
Cried. Laughed. Couldn't put it down.
August 16, 2019
The Astrid Notes is a book that comes along every so often, a book that takes you by the hand and makes its way into your heart. It pairs beautifully broken characters with a writing style that will have you head over heels in an instant. Bashford has created a setting, so perfectly matched for these characters, it is so easy for the reader to be transported into the world of opera singing, training, short drives to the beach and studio-come-apartments.
Bashford writes with such honesty, her characters feel real and sincere. As though they have lain their truths bare on the page for us to feel with them. This title focuses on so many issues, some more common, other not, but there will be something in here that each and every reader can relate to.
Thank you so much to the team at MacMillan Australia for sending me a review copy of this title!
If you are interested in my full review, please pop over to my blog www.bookishintoxicationwrites.com
Bashford writes with such honesty, her characters feel real and sincere. As though they have lain their truths bare on the page for us to feel with them. This title focuses on so many issues, some more common, other not, but there will be something in here that each and every reader can relate to.
Thank you so much to the team at MacMillan Australia for sending me a review copy of this title!
If you are interested in my full review, please pop over to my blog www.bookishintoxicationwrites.com
January 2, 2021
Like a deftly balanced music composition, The Astrid Notes does arrange both positive and negative tones in a way that none of them is overpowered. Death and life, sadness and happiness, grief and excitement keep chasing each other, like a perpetual metronome, all along the common journey of Astrid and Jacob. Reading The Astrid Notes is like taking a deep dive into the abyss willing to find ‘the strength through love to rise up stronger than ever’.
October 20, 2022
Considered a three star rating but ultimately downgraded, as the bond they formed was quite codependent. I felt that they hinged a little bit too much of their happiness/reasons for change in behavior on each other. These are ultimately not healthy expectations or weights to have on another.
February 1, 2020
It was fine but it has been a week since I have read it and I can't remember what it was about. Not memorable.
August 12, 2019
Overall, The Astrid Notes was an enjoyable read. I liked both Astrid and Jacob and enjoyed their interactions. The premise was fun--quirky yet still believable--and the pacing on the whole was good and kept me turning the pages, keen to find out what would happen next. A few factual inaccuracies regarding references to both certain shows/pieces of music and Doctor Who did niggle at me a little, but it was a minor gripe, and I imagine many readers won't even notice. I don't read a lot of contemporary YA (I stick more to fantasy), but I did have fun with this one, and there is plenty in it to please fans of the genre.
I received this book as a free ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book as a free ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
October 5, 2019
The Astrid Note follows the story of Astrid Bell and Jacob Skalicky, two Australian teenagers whose lives revolve around music. Jacob is the vocalist of a rising pop band he founded with his friends. They are on their way to stardom until a tragedy strikes and leaves only Jacob alive, thus making him reluctant to sing. He is also rich and reckless, but he tries his best to turn his life around.
Astrid Bell is a soprano who must fill in some very big shoes of her dead mother who was a famous performer. Although her father nurtures her to be a singer, she secretly aspires to be a songwriter. Especially because she has a serious stage fright. She meets Jacob when he walks into her home as a student of her father, trying to get back into music.
The two become quick friends, developing a strong bond because of their love for music and history of tragedies. They try to step out from the hold of their manipulative parents and chase their own dreams even though they are terrified of the outcomes. But nothing is black and white, not their goals and certainly not the truth Astrid has been wanting to know her whole life. Moreover, the story also highlights the concept of overbearing parents who think they are doing good and protecting their children but end up suffocating them. It’s a very sensitive topic to write about but it was approached quite well in this story.
Astrid and Jacob also become friends with Dex, the son of Jacob’s housekeeper, who dreams to be a musician himself. He is only fifteen, but he has faced many hardships in life since he had to work to help his ill mother. Dex’s character is the one I liked the most because of his down-to-Earth, bubbly personality and his view of life.
The writing felt very choppy at first, being more of a tell than show. It was putting me off a lot but once I started to get invested in the story, it didn’t matter as much. It had some cringey and cheesy moments, but the overall story was wonderful and heartfelt, and I loved how the two of them healed and helped each other over their grief. They had a good chemistry as friends as well as romantic interests which was a delight to read about.
Thank you so much Pan Macmillan for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Astrid Bell is a soprano who must fill in some very big shoes of her dead mother who was a famous performer. Although her father nurtures her to be a singer, she secretly aspires to be a songwriter. Especially because she has a serious stage fright. She meets Jacob when he walks into her home as a student of her father, trying to get back into music.
The two become quick friends, developing a strong bond because of their love for music and history of tragedies. They try to step out from the hold of their manipulative parents and chase their own dreams even though they are terrified of the outcomes. But nothing is black and white, not their goals and certainly not the truth Astrid has been wanting to know her whole life. Moreover, the story also highlights the concept of overbearing parents who think they are doing good and protecting their children but end up suffocating them. It’s a very sensitive topic to write about but it was approached quite well in this story.
Astrid and Jacob also become friends with Dex, the son of Jacob’s housekeeper, who dreams to be a musician himself. He is only fifteen, but he has faced many hardships in life since he had to work to help his ill mother. Dex’s character is the one I liked the most because of his down-to-Earth, bubbly personality and his view of life.
The writing felt very choppy at first, being more of a tell than show. It was putting me off a lot but once I started to get invested in the story, it didn’t matter as much. It had some cringey and cheesy moments, but the overall story was wonderful and heartfelt, and I loved how the two of them healed and helped each other over their grief. They had a good chemistry as friends as well as romantic interests which was a delight to read about.
Thank you so much Pan Macmillan for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
May 6, 2020
Review originally posted on my blog here!
A story with a brilliant set of characters, that have their own plights, predominately set in Sydney, Australia.
I found this book was heart-breaking and heart-warming at the same time, and I loved all the dynamics between characters, which would be unlikely in other circumstances. I also love how the Con (the Sydney Music Consvertorium) was featured in this book- given I have a friend who studies there!
I loved the story, based on music (which there's not a lot of books out there for) and just how powerful this YA novel is, and it is definitely one of my favourites of 2019.
Rating: 4.5/5
A story with a brilliant set of characters, that have their own plights, predominately set in Sydney, Australia.
I found this book was heart-breaking and heart-warming at the same time, and I loved all the dynamics between characters, which would be unlikely in other circumstances. I also love how the Con (the Sydney Music Consvertorium) was featured in this book- given I have a friend who studies there!
I loved the story, based on music (which there's not a lot of books out there for) and just how powerful this YA novel is, and it is definitely one of my favourites of 2019.
Rating: 4.5/5
August 12, 2020
Astrid secretly longs to be a popular song writer – but she’s an operatic soprano. Jacob is grieving for his friends and his band – but his parents won’t continue to bankroll his music career unless he starts singing again. Together, can Astrid and Jacob make compromises for their families and themselves? Or will they lose everything?
Ugh! I didn’t want them to be in love! What I wouldn’t give right now for a YA friendship novel. It sets up unrealistic expectations for young adults – they’re somehow supposed to have a love that makes them defy their parents and overcome their stage fright. It’s ok to be single, and it’s ok to just have friends.
Although this novel could be considered a sequel to The Harper Effect’, Harper doesn’t really play a role in it. She cameos maybe once? So there’s no need to have read Bashford’s other novel. But I feel like I’d consider borrowing it from the library to see if the same strong feelings raised in me by The Astrid Effect worked via sports stars too.
Once upon a time I thought that I wanted to go to music school – which in Melbourne would be the Victorian College of the Arts. I quickly realised that I wasn’t inherently talented enough to go! So here, where both Astrid and Jacob are good enough to go to music specialist schools I felt some envy of their talent. But also I felt deeply sad about the circumstances that brought them together. Their feelings of depression and suicidality (it should be a word!) brought me to tears.
I’ll give this four stars for the feels it gave me, but the story didn’t seem to be anything particularly new. I preferred another music-themed YA novel I read a couple of years ago. I’ll update the post if I remember it’s name! I can picture the cover, but not the title.
Did you enjoy this goodreads review? If so you may find it useful to visit my blog The Cosy Dragon . I regularly post new reviews on a variety of genres.
Ugh! I didn’t want them to be in love! What I wouldn’t give right now for a YA friendship novel. It sets up unrealistic expectations for young adults – they’re somehow supposed to have a love that makes them defy their parents and overcome their stage fright. It’s ok to be single, and it’s ok to just have friends.
Although this novel could be considered a sequel to The Harper Effect’, Harper doesn’t really play a role in it. She cameos maybe once? So there’s no need to have read Bashford’s other novel. But I feel like I’d consider borrowing it from the library to see if the same strong feelings raised in me by The Astrid Effect worked via sports stars too.
Once upon a time I thought that I wanted to go to music school – which in Melbourne would be the Victorian College of the Arts. I quickly realised that I wasn’t inherently talented enough to go! So here, where both Astrid and Jacob are good enough to go to music specialist schools I felt some envy of their talent. But also I felt deeply sad about the circumstances that brought them together. Their feelings of depression and suicidality (it should be a word!) brought me to tears.
I’ll give this four stars for the feels it gave me, but the story didn’t seem to be anything particularly new. I preferred another music-themed YA novel I read a couple of years ago. I’ll update the post if I remember it’s name! I can picture the cover, but not the title.
Did you enjoy this goodreads review? If so you may find it useful to visit my blog The Cosy Dragon . I regularly post new reviews on a variety of genres.
September 2, 2019
A companion text to Bashford’s first novel The Harper Effect, The Astrid Notes takes up the story of Jacob, one of the main characters in the previous novel. While it is a stand-alone novel, readers who have read The Harper Effect will benefit from an extra layer of back story. The story is told in a dual narrative from the points of view of Jacob; depressed, lost, poor little rich boy whose world has been rocked by the death of his bandmates and Astrid; controlled daughter, fledgling opera singer who suffers terrible stage fright performing in the shadow of her tragic and famous opera star mother. The two are brought together when Jacob, in a last effort to appease his parent’s demands, goes to Astrid’s father for music lessons. Bashford has created very relatable and real characters of teens who are both quite gifted musically yet weighed down by survivor guilt and the burden of parental expectations. The pair meet and bond over their shared experiences of grief and loss. As they sing and train together they are drawn into a mystery to discover the secrets of Astrid’s mother’s past. Music and its restorative power of healing is a theme that runs throughout this novel and it will appeal to readers of contemporary Australian romance.
Suitable for 14+ swearing, sexual references, music, rock bands, opera singing, romance, friendship
Suitable for 14+ swearing, sexual references, music, rock bands, opera singing, romance, friendship
September 24, 2019
The Astrid Notes is based around two main characters.
We have Jacob who is suffering the loss of his friends and band mates that all died in a car accident. Suffering with survival guilt Jacob is losing his way in life and giving up on his dreams of music and singing. Living in a dark state of mind, Jacob is bullied by his father to leave his love for music behind.
We also have Astrid, an opera singer with extreme stage fright that also struggles with family issues at home.
To be honest, I found both home/family situations for both characters uninteresting and a little extremely played out. I think the characters and their struggle with music would have sufficed as a great story.
With the two POV you go over heavy topics like death, depression and the pressure from those you love. The characters and their fears and hopes are strongly introduced from the first few chapters, straight off the bat you know our two characters deeply which builds with the rest of the story being built.
Though this has dark elements, I wanted it to be slightly darker to aid that eye-opening appeal but overall this was a rather enjoyable book.
Side note: That cover is GORGEOUS!!!
We have Jacob who is suffering the loss of his friends and band mates that all died in a car accident. Suffering with survival guilt Jacob is losing his way in life and giving up on his dreams of music and singing. Living in a dark state of mind, Jacob is bullied by his father to leave his love for music behind.
We also have Astrid, an opera singer with extreme stage fright that also struggles with family issues at home.
To be honest, I found both home/family situations for both characters uninteresting and a little extremely played out. I think the characters and their struggle with music would have sufficed as a great story.
With the two POV you go over heavy topics like death, depression and the pressure from those you love. The characters and their fears and hopes are strongly introduced from the first few chapters, straight off the bat you know our two characters deeply which builds with the rest of the story being built.
Though this has dark elements, I wanted it to be slightly darker to aid that eye-opening appeal but overall this was a rather enjoyable book.
Side note: That cover is GORGEOUS!!!
August 18, 2019
I picked this book up at the bookstore because I never saw it there previously (it’s a new release) and the premise was right up my alley. And I definitely wasn’t disappointed. I was pleasantly surprised at how good this book was. I feel that it dealt with the theme of grief really well. Both of our main characters were dealing with grief as well as some of our side characters, and I never felt like their grief or feelings were undermined. Their feelings were also valued by other characters and I felt a strong empathy and connection to our main characters and their stories. This book had unique elements, but parts as well were also super common to typical YA contemporaries. This book had a really great representation of different family dynamics and how family can sometimes be what you make it. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and the romance was super sweet
October 4, 2019
I absolutely loved this novel, I was worried when I realised it was the second in the series, but it works well as a standalone and because I love music I could really get into this book.
The two main characters Astrid and Jacob were wonderful characters to get to know. This was a much deeper book than I was expecting and delved into some interesting themes and took some interesting turns.
I stayed up well past my bedtime to get this finished.
Thanks to Beauty and Lace Book Club and Pan Macmillan Australia for a copy in return for an honest review.
The two main characters Astrid and Jacob were wonderful characters to get to know. This was a much deeper book than I was expecting and delved into some interesting themes and took some interesting turns.
I stayed up well past my bedtime to get this finished.
Thanks to Beauty and Lace Book Club and Pan Macmillan Australia for a copy in return for an honest review.
October 5, 2019
There is much drama and intense grief here. But also a lovely developing relationship.
Glad to see Jacob coming into his own, and moving on. Astrid is a terrific love interest, and a sympathetic character in her own right. Loved Dex.
Glad to see Jacob coming into his own, and moving on. Astrid is a terrific love interest, and a sympathetic character in her own right. Loved Dex.
September 22, 2019
A bit ridiculous to be honest.
May 6, 2021
Made me cry 5 pages in. Love this book.
March 8, 2023
Five out of Five. Loved this book in 2019 and love it now in 2023.
Where do I begin with this book? The Astrid Notes was an emotional rollercoaster with family secrets, grief, being accepted for who you are and young love. This contemporary romance was just so beautiful, with Astrid struggling to sing and wanting to become a songwriter and Jacob, who is stuck in his grief of his dead band members and Harper. All Astrid wants is to be accepted by maestro for who she is, and Jacob for someone to love him for himself.
The plot twists were so well written and unexpected throughout the whole book I would never have guessed Maestro wasn't Astrid father and her mother wasn't indeed who Astrid grew up believing. Helping each other with the grief, Astrid and Jacob made such a beautiful couple with the slow burn with Astrid not trusting Jacob and Jacob still having feelings for Harper.
The Met (singing contest) was so well written about Astrid wanting to be more independent and wanting to make her own decisions. Maestro finally accepts this and his songwriting, and Jacob finds his way out of his grief, loving and getting loved by Astrid.
Dex also gets a good ending with his music video getting popular.
I cried at the end of reading The Astrid Notes because I was so upset it ended.
Truly, Taryn BAshford did such a good job, and this book couldn't have been better.
Where do I begin with this book? The Astrid Notes was an emotional rollercoaster with family secrets, grief, being accepted for who you are and young love. This contemporary romance was just so beautiful, with Astrid struggling to sing and wanting to become a songwriter and Jacob, who is stuck in his grief of his dead band members and Harper. All Astrid wants is to be accepted by maestro for who she is, and Jacob for someone to love him for himself.
The plot twists were so well written and unexpected throughout the whole book I would never have guessed Maestro wasn't Astrid father and her mother wasn't indeed who Astrid grew up believing. Helping each other with the grief, Astrid and Jacob made such a beautiful couple with the slow burn with Astrid not trusting Jacob and Jacob still having feelings for Harper.
The Met (singing contest) was so well written about Astrid wanting to be more independent and wanting to make her own decisions. Maestro finally accepts this and his songwriting, and Jacob finds his way out of his grief, loving and getting loved by Astrid.
Dex also gets a good ending with his music video getting popular.
I cried at the end of reading The Astrid Notes because I was so upset it ended.
Truly, Taryn BAshford did such a good job, and this book couldn't have been better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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