What do you think?
Rate this book
Country Roads #1
Playing by Ear
After spending his young life traveling with his musician father, Charlie Nelson has roots for the first time. Living with his mother in a small Appalachian town in western North Carolina, Charlie struggles to find his place in this new world, which isn't without challenges. Living in poverty, dealing with bullies, and having no friends, Charlie's new life is anything but a fairytale. If it were up to Charlie, he'd stay at home and do the one thing he loves, playing his guitar ... but life doesn't always give us what we want.
627 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 30, 2021
About the author
Travis Starnes
47 books93 followersTravis writes science fiction, fantasy, and thriller novels (and the occasional coming-of-age story), with the hope of transporting and enthralling readers. Publishing novels since 2015, Travis’s passion is creating worlds and characters that live and breathe, and experiencing the joy of those stories with his readers.
When not writing, Travis enjoys connecting with readers and other writers, managing the popular Complete Marvel Reading Order website, where he works on his other passion for comics and graphic novels, and spending time with his family.
When not writing, Travis enjoys connecting with readers and other writers, managing the popular Complete Marvel Reading Order website, where he works on his other passion for comics and graphic novels, and spending time with his family.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 14, 2021
Excellent start of a series
I've been reading the author's John Taylor series (if you haven't read them, please avail yourself of the opportunity) and decided to give this series a try.
Good start of a young man finally putting roots down after his father left the bar music scene. Homeschooled for his entire academic life, high school is a culture and academic shock. He makes friends and enemies and finds mentors.
I'll be buying book two as soon as it comes out and I urge you to do the same.
I've been reading the author's John Taylor series (if you haven't read them, please avail yourself of the opportunity) and decided to give this series a try.
Good start of a young man finally putting roots down after his father left the bar music scene. Homeschooled for his entire academic life, high school is a culture and academic shock. He makes friends and enemies and finds mentors.
I'll be buying book two as soon as it comes out and I urge you to do the same.
April 17, 2025
This is my review for the series as a whole. I loved it. Read the whole thing in 2 days and now I fell all kinds of cracked out. Are book hangovers a thing? I love coming of age stories with amazing characters that you desperately want to get their happily ever after. And all the characters growth was so well done. Minus Hannah she was my favorite character and I’m not completely happy with her story arc i would have liked to see more of a HEA for her then she got but she’s a side character so I can only complain so much about that. Definitely keeping an eye out for more books by this author
September 16, 2021
An enjoyable read!
I was so engrossed reading the book, cld'nt put it down till I finished reading it! Waiting to read about the, soon to be, 'superstar' Charlie! Pl bring out the next book soon! Thanks!
I was so engrossed reading the book, cld'nt put it down till I finished reading it! Waiting to read about the, soon to be, 'superstar' Charlie! Pl bring out the next book soon! Thanks!
October 8, 2021
Great story
Although the main character is something of a Mary Sue, I don’t care. It was great anyway. This coming of age story has great characters, interesting tension, and a fun premise. I’ll be disappointed if there’s not a sequel.
Although the main character is something of a Mary Sue, I don’t care. It was great anyway. This coming of age story has great characters, interesting tension, and a fun premise. I’ll be disappointed if there’s not a sequel.
November 30, 2021
Wow. Just wow
Held off starting this book for almost two weeks. Then ran thru it completely this afternoon and evening. My only complaint is that there will now be a wait for book two. Not the typical coming of age by any means, though some cliches remain, just like life.
Held off starting this book for almost two weeks. Then ran thru it completely this afternoon and evening. My only complaint is that there will now be a wait for book two. Not the typical coming of age by any means, though some cliches remain, just like life.
March 7, 2022
Like it alot. But.
Another of these kind of stories the main character gets to op. They keep adding on to them until it to much. I would have liked him if he just could play. Add cook fight sing. It feels forced. But I'll read the superhero in these type of book anyway.
Another of these kind of stories the main character gets to op. They keep adding on to them until it to much. I would have liked him if he just could play. Add cook fight sing. It feels forced. But I'll read the superhero in these type of book anyway.
July 21, 2022
This is self-published fiction with a big portion of wish fulfillment. As an example of such, it's pretty good, and I liked it.
Nevertheless, I think it should be sweated down and cut. With the repetitive parts removed, I estimate it could be twenty to twenty-five percent shorter with no loss of story. It also has some contradictions and discontinuities that need to be fixed.
Nevertheless, I think it should be sweated down and cut. With the repetitive parts removed, I estimate it could be twenty to twenty-five percent shorter with no loss of story. It also has some contradictions and discontinuities that need to be fixed.
December 20, 2022
Good story
A good coming of age story. Author has wide range of books like his sifi so figured try this one. I've not read many coming of age stories,but after loving stupid boy series figured gi it a try.
A good coming of age story. Author has wide range of books like his sifi so figured try this one. I've not read many coming of age stories,but after loving stupid boy series figured gi it a try.
July 7, 2021
Great, can't wait for the next one.
July 20, 2021
Excellent!
The characters sounded real and true to life. Can we have more of this young man and his friends? Like book two and three?
The characters sounded real and true to life. Can we have more of this young man and his friends? Like book two and three?
July 22, 2021
Great Read
Very good coming of age story with believable, lovable (mostly) characters. Couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Just loved it.
Very good coming of age story with believable, lovable (mostly) characters. Couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Just loved it.
December 10, 2021
A great short story
This is a book about what being a kid used to be like. And maybe still is in rural America. The good, the bad, and the things that happen as kids grow up.
This is a book about what being a kid used to be like. And maybe still is in rural America. The good, the bad, and the things that happen as kids grow up.
December 27, 2021
Excellent
Wow! One of my very few recent 5 star ratings and somehow I still feel this story deserves more. I just could not put it down once I started reading it.
Wow! One of my very few recent 5 star ratings and somehow I still feel this story deserves more. I just could not put it down once I started reading it.
March 14, 2023
Good book
This is really a pretty great book. It’s not my usual genre — I’m more of a sci-fi guy — but I really liked this book. Highly recommended.
This is really a pretty great book. It’s not my usual genre — I’m more of a sci-fi guy — but I really liked this book. Highly recommended.
August 6, 2023
A Good Slice
This story of a young man who’s a very talented musician going to a new school was a fantastic read. Not my usual genre, but a good story is a great nonetheless.
This story of a young man who’s a very talented musician going to a new school was a fantastic read. Not my usual genre, but a good story is a great nonetheless.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews