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The Greatest Hit: Australia Reads Special Edition
When you love somebody, you have to sing it from the rooftops, literally. But can Tessa reveal the truth behind the viral music video that made her internet-famous? An exclusive story for AUSTRALIA READS.
People look at Tessa and see her biggest mistake.
While everyone else her age is taking their bold first steps into adulthood, she's just trying to outrun a song that went viral when she was fourteen.
But now - an opportunity. A profile as one of The Five Most Forgettable Internet Celebrities of the Decade So Far gives her the chance to right a wrong, and the courage to sing her greatest hit as it was originally written. But will it be enough to win back the person she hurt?
People look at Tessa and see her biggest mistake.
While everyone else her age is taking their bold first steps into adulthood, she's just trying to outrun a song that went viral when she was fourteen.
But now - an opportunity. A profile as one of The Five Most Forgettable Internet Celebrities of the Decade So Far gives her the chance to right a wrong, and the courage to sing her greatest hit as it was originally written. But will it be enough to win back the person she hurt?
80 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 27, 2020
1 person is currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
Will Kostakis
16 books330 followersHi. A teacher-librarian yelled at me to update this, so here goes. Time to talk about myself in the third-person.
Will Kostakis is an absolute delight.
In the past, he has written everything from celebrity news stories that score cease and desist letters, to tweets for professional wrestlers.
Nowadays, he’s best known (but not particularly well known) for his award-winning YA novels.
His first novel, Loathing Lola, was released when he was just nineteen. His second, The First Third, won the 2014 Gold Inky Award. It was also shortlisted for the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year and Australian Prime Minister’s Literary awards, among others. The Sidekicks was his third novel for young adults, and his American debut. It went on to win the IBBY Australia Ena Noel Award. Most recently, Will has applied his trademark style to the fantasy genre, with Monuments and its sequel, Rebel Gods.
As a high school student, Will won Sydney Morning Herald Young Writer of the Year for a collection of short stories. He has since contributed to numerous anthologies, including the ABIA Award-winning Begin, End, Begin: A #LoveOzYA Anthology.
An advocate for young readers and writers, Will was awarded the 2020 Maurice Saxby Award by the School Library Association of New South Wales for service to children’s and young adult literature.
Will Kostakis is an absolute delight.
In the past, he has written everything from celebrity news stories that score cease and desist letters, to tweets for professional wrestlers.
Nowadays, he’s best known (but not particularly well known) for his award-winning YA novels.
His first novel, Loathing Lola, was released when he was just nineteen. His second, The First Third, won the 2014 Gold Inky Award. It was also shortlisted for the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year and Australian Prime Minister’s Literary awards, among others. The Sidekicks was his third novel for young adults, and his American debut. It went on to win the IBBY Australia Ena Noel Award. Most recently, Will has applied his trademark style to the fantasy genre, with Monuments and its sequel, Rebel Gods.
As a high school student, Will won Sydney Morning Herald Young Writer of the Year for a collection of short stories. He has since contributed to numerous anthologies, including the ABIA Award-winning Begin, End, Begin: A #LoveOzYA Anthology.
An advocate for young readers and writers, Will was awarded the 2020 Maurice Saxby Award by the School Library Association of New South Wales for service to children’s and young adult literature.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
September 30, 2021
This was a nice short story about a girl Tessa and her life from when she was 14 years old when a song she made went viral to her first year of university navigating life during a global pandemic.
I really would love more stories about being in a global pandemic because this story was just the right fit for what's been going on for nearly two years and it was something that i just connected with. Will's writing is so intricate it's so easy for me to just to get lost in his books and i would have loved for this story to have been a little longer so i could get more of the story.
I felt the connection i had with Tessa and i felt like i was going through her story through this really short story i felt somewhat satisfied but i would love more of Tessa!
I really would love more stories about being in a global pandemic because this story was just the right fit for what's been going on for nearly two years and it was something that i just connected with. Will's writing is so intricate it's so easy for me to just to get lost in his books and i would have loved for this story to have been a little longer so i could get more of the story.
I felt the connection i had with Tessa and i felt like i was going through her story through this really short story i felt somewhat satisfied but i would love more of Tessa!
November 12, 2020
The story is told from the POV of Tessa, switching from her first year of uni to when she was fourteen and living in Melbourne during Covid lockdown. Tessa wrote a song about someone she had fallen in love with. The song went viral and now, during her first year of uni, she’s reliving her mistakes.
Even though it was a short story, the characters were fully fleshed out. The timeline wasn’t linear but the transitions were solid and I didn’t get lost at any point. I really adored Tessa and was cheering her on the entire time.
The Greatest Hit was just so relatable and relevant. I’m currently living through the lockdown here in Melbourne and have felt the absolute pain of being in a small apartment and not getting any alone time. I couldn’t related to Tessa’s love of introducing herself, I’ve always hated those ‘Tell us a fun fact about you’ games at the start of EVERY first class during uni!
My favourite part was the reference to event that will go down in history: The great toilet paper shortage of 2020!
The story explores family, friendship, loss, the struggles of lockdown, sexuality and being true to yourself.
I highly recommend you pick this one up, especially as it’s only $2.99! But hurry! They are limited edition!
Even though it was a short story, the characters were fully fleshed out. The timeline wasn’t linear but the transitions were solid and I didn’t get lost at any point. I really adored Tessa and was cheering her on the entire time.
The Greatest Hit was just so relatable and relevant. I’m currently living through the lockdown here in Melbourne and have felt the absolute pain of being in a small apartment and not getting any alone time. I couldn’t related to Tessa’s love of introducing herself, I’ve always hated those ‘Tell us a fun fact about you’ games at the start of EVERY first class during uni!
My favourite part was the reference to event that will go down in history: The great toilet paper shortage of 2020!
The story explores family, friendship, loss, the struggles of lockdown, sexuality and being true to yourself.
I highly recommend you pick this one up, especially as it’s only $2.99! But hurry! They are limited edition!
November 1, 2020
When I saw the press release for this, with the first like “Tessa is a teenage has-been”, I felt rly called out lol
This was sweet and fun and I wish it was longer!
This was sweet and fun and I wish it was longer!
November 27, 2020
What an absolutely precious story! Full RTC ☺️
September 10, 2023
Read this for the prompt "read in one day" of the Dymocks Spring Reading Challenge. I had the privilege of listening to Will Kostakis giving a presentation at a local high school while I was on prac there. I had read one of his short stories in the Begin, End, Begin #LoveOzYa anthology, so I was stoked to listen to his talk! Sadly I forgot my copy of the book, so I asked him if he would just sign a blank page in my notebook, but instead, he signed a copy of THIS book of his, and he gave it to me! It was a lovely story, really captures a unique moment in time (the pan-demi-lovato) in a hyper local (Australian uni/high school) context. A lovely little lesbian YA love story for the soul.
January 18, 2021
A super sweet YA short story that just warmed my cold, dead heart.
January 20, 2021
Perfection in a tiny package! This was everything I wanted and more. I love Will’s writing, and his style pulls you into his characters straight away, which was great for such a small book. I loved how much was packed in here, the themes of being yourself, of family, friends, new beginnings. I also - surprisingly - loved that it was set during the pandemic. I wasn’t expecting that, but I loved that connection and understanding I had with Tessa. Such a satisfying story!
November 12, 2020
This may be the cutest piece of writing to come out of a global pandemic
November 15, 2020
Trigger warnings: COVID-19, fear around coming out to a parent.
This was too stinking cute for words. Please write a full length book immediately, Kostakis.
This was too stinking cute for words. Please write a full length book immediately, Kostakis.
March 9, 2021
I loved this so much! The writing style is the perfect pace, not agonisingly descriptive but still super engaging. Only 71 pages long, this book is exactly the right size for what it is. I was captured at every moment, wondering how everything tied together. I was not disappointed. If I'd had my way, I would have devoured the entire thing in one sitting, which, I nearly did. I will definitely consider reading more books by this author.
November 2, 2020
This was such a sweet story! Naturally read in one sitting, it was a lovely story about Tessa’s transition from her mid-teens to late-teens and how she had to learn to be true to herself. I enjoyed the elements of poetry, song writing and the music that came with the sweet romance and the perfect ounce of drama. I thoroughly enjoyed this short exclusive story for Australia Reads - it really is worth the read!!
October 20, 2020
I feel like tying a bow around this book. Seriously! It is a perfect little bundle of feel-good teen drama/romance. I was excited to read a book set during our current lockdown/remote-learning and with an Australian perspective. An adorable read which I devoured during my lunchbreak.
Thank you to the author, Will Kostakis, for an early signed copy won on instagram.
Thank you to the author, Will Kostakis, for an early signed copy won on instagram.
November 28, 2020
Quick short story about gay love. Not bad but not as good as Kostakis' long form novels.
September 16, 2021
Read over a couple of sittings and thoroughly enjoyed it. Such a sweet story that was a joy to read.
December 21, 2020
Great F/F short story, i didnt realise the flash back scenes were based in the iso of 2020! The premise is that Tessa wrote a song which went viral on the internet when she was 14 (in 2020), she's been living in the 'echo'. It's not like a 'Rebecca Black' Friday situation, the song was well liked, but she altered it because she thought it would keep her dad happy which she is ashamed of. The person she wrote it about, Charlie, turns up in her Uni tute and she sees the chance to reconnect and maybe make amends.
Very short and very nice. My soundtrack for this read was She by Dodie. But it also gives me Middle of the Hill by Josh Pyke vibes when they are talking about song writing and how the songs tell a story.
Very short and very nice. My soundtrack for this read was She by Dodie. But it also gives me Middle of the Hill by Josh Pyke vibes when they are talking about song writing and how the songs tell a story.
December 21, 2023
This is both very sweet, very short and just barely manages to stay on the good side of my cringe response. Which says more about my cringe response, honestly.
I love Kostakis's work. And while I'd seen this referenced before, I didn't quite know how short it was. And I think it could have been even shorter if the text size wasn't so big and the margins quite so wide. It's essentially a short story you can read in one sitting.
Kostakis also manages to have written something about the 2020 pandemic, during the 2020 pandemic and set both during and after the pandemic. Which makes it an interesting little time capsule. It was also written for Australia Reads, a non-profit organisation designed to, you guessed it, get Australia to read.
This is very much a simple idea done well.
I love Kostakis's work. And while I'd seen this referenced before, I didn't quite know how short it was. And I think it could have been even shorter if the text size wasn't so big and the margins quite so wide. It's essentially a short story you can read in one sitting.
Kostakis also manages to have written something about the 2020 pandemic, during the 2020 pandemic and set both during and after the pandemic. Which makes it an interesting little time capsule. It was also written for Australia Reads, a non-profit organisation designed to, you guessed it, get Australia to read.
This is very much a simple idea done well.
January 5, 2021
A nice easy read as part of the Australia Reads campaign. This is an enjoyable book about a uni student who wrote a song for her crush during COVID lockdown; the video went viral and, years later, she sees the subject of the song in her class.
Can she reunite with her crush? We never know for sure, but I hope she got her kiss in the rain.
Flashback is used to switch between the present and past tense, when the video went viral. At times, this took thought to figure out when the events occurred.
With LGBQI+ themes and music at the heart of the tale, this is recommended reading.
I also liked the colourful cover.
Can she reunite with her crush? We never know for sure, but I hope she got her kiss in the rain.
Flashback is used to switch between the present and past tense, when the video went viral. At times, this took thought to figure out when the events occurred.
With LGBQI+ themes and music at the heart of the tale, this is recommended reading.
I also liked the colourful cover.
April 4, 2021
I really liked this. Really easy read. Tessa is full of personality, full of heart, and full of regret. AND you feel for her. She owns her mistake and wants to make up for it – and her attempt(s) make you cringe, laugh and hope for the best. For a 70-page read it is impressive how much character is built and story is packed into it. And I liked the COVID reference. It is amazing that with Brisbane in lockdown only last week, that still the lockdown that was described in the book feels a long time ago for me, but it bought back the mixed feelings of lockdown and COVID – and put simply, The Greatest Hit is a great short story.
May 12, 2023
When Tessa was fourteen, a song she wrote went viral. But it wasn’t the right song and Tessa has been trying to correct that ever since. Years later, at university, Tessa has the chance to sing the song as it was originally written, and she hopes this will win back the one she loves.
This short book is perfectly written. Will Kostakis tells a great, short, sharp story that is engaging without losing anything due to its length. I was enjoying it so much the ending snuck up on me, but it was exactly what the story needed.
This short book is perfectly written. Will Kostakis tells a great, short, sharp story that is engaging without losing anything due to its length. I was enjoying it so much the ending snuck up on me, but it was exactly what the story needed.
November 12, 2020
Actual Rating: 4.25
Read for Australia Reads Reading Hour!
I absolutely loved this Australia Reads exclusive short story. It’s one of the best short stories I’ve ever read. I felt connected to the characters, the story was interesting and it’s queer! The ending was satisfying however I would love to read more about these characters.
I encourage everyone to pick up a copy - and quick! These are limited.
Read for Australia Reads Reading Hour!
I absolutely loved this Australia Reads exclusive short story. It’s one of the best short stories I’ve ever read. I felt connected to the characters, the story was interesting and it’s queer! The ending was satisfying however I would love to read more about these characters.
I encourage everyone to pick up a copy - and quick! These are limited.
May 22, 2021
An adorable little novel about a girl who wrote a song for her girlfriend, that lost her said girlfriend, only to win her back with the same song four years later. Confused about that timeline? Me too. But it's a lovely story with an excellently developed sense of character and voice for something so short. And even though it acknowledges the COVID pandemic, it doesn't feel bleak. Wins all around!
November 19, 2022
This is a hard short story to review not because it’s a bad read- it’s the complete opposite! - but it’s hard to put into words how moving this book actually is.
But I’ll try anyway :P
I won’t lie- if you look at the cover, it essentially tells you the story of the short story! But DO NOT let that put you off- because this story will hit you in the feels!
Full review on my site @ www.robbiesramblings.com/reviews/the-...
But I’ll try anyway :P
I won’t lie- if you look at the cover, it essentially tells you the story of the short story! But DO NOT let that put you off- because this story will hit you in the feels!
Full review on my site @ www.robbiesramblings.com/reviews/the-...
November 17, 2020
The Greatest Hit is an engaging
& sweet YA short story that explores themes around relationships, being true to yourself and overcoming fears.
I loved the use of dual timelines, including a teen Tessa navigating the frustrations & difficulties of home isolation thanks to the coronavirus. There was a great mix of drama, romance, angst, humour and fun in this cute little package!
& sweet YA short story that explores themes around relationships, being true to yourself and overcoming fears.
I loved the use of dual timelines, including a teen Tessa navigating the frustrations & difficulties of home isolation thanks to the coronavirus. There was a great mix of drama, romance, angst, humour and fun in this cute little package!
December 23, 2020
This was seriously cute! I absolutely enjoyed this, but thought the ending was a cliff hanger and needed more! I know it leaves it up to your imagination, but we have no idea if there is going to be a relationship or if her song is a hit and I neeeeed more!
Heaps cute and highly recommend for a quick & cute read🥺
Heaps cute and highly recommend for a quick & cute read🥺
November 27, 2022
loved it. we need more amazingly written or even just written novels featuring lesbian relationships. got my signed copy from the author himself at and english excursion where he gave a lecture. i have loved his writing ever since loathing lola which was one of my favourites during covid. 10/10 would recommend i just wish it was longer lol
January 9, 2026
love love love this. i see myself in tessa; a queer kid trying to navigate love in a time where it seems impossible - even in todays age, and she makes mistakes but overcomes them. it captures young relationships so well and i absolutely adore tessa and charlie (her bringing up the 'i like him' song was so called for not gona lie)
November 13, 2020
What a refreshing read! This novella holds true to the notion that good things come in small packages; Will Kostakis crafts heaps of humour, fun, and sentiment into a clever little story that's sure to make your heart sing!
January 8, 2021
I found the book enjoyable. Had me wanting to read more. Very intriguing. It is also LGBTQ+, not that that I have a problem with that, but it was one of my first reads with lgbtq+ in it. It is a really good read. (Sorry, but I'm not good reveiews.)
February 6, 2021
I feel like I call everything I read lately sweet, but this just was! Even if my brain found it very hard to understand that this is set 4 years after the Melbourne lock down. The future??? Inconceivable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews