What do you think?
Rate this book
I'll Be There for You
Rae Ballester loves movie musicals and—thanks to her dad—’80s rock. Since he died a year ago, his favorite music helps keep his memory alive. Struggling to move on, Rae keeps her head down and earbuds in, but shunning the world has cost her even her closest friendships, leaving her the “Owner of a Lonely Heart.”
When Rae meets Mac, a boy with a charming smile who thinks any problem can be solved with a show tune, she cautiously welcomes their easy banter. With his humor, enthusiasm, and well-curated Broadway playlists, Mac slowly edges his way into her heart, but when he proves “Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” Rae thinks about withdrawing to the comfort of hair metal and the silver screen.
Should Rae retreat from the world to protect her already broken heart, or will her involvement in the school’s theater program and the random acts of kindness she and others have started performing give her “Something to Believe In?” I’ll Be There for You delves into the personal journey of healing old wounds, making new friends, and how to build a future with pieces of the past and present.
When Rae meets Mac, a boy with a charming smile who thinks any problem can be solved with a show tune, she cautiously welcomes their easy banter. With his humor, enthusiasm, and well-curated Broadway playlists, Mac slowly edges his way into her heart, but when he proves “Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” Rae thinks about withdrawing to the comfort of hair metal and the silver screen.
Should Rae retreat from the world to protect her already broken heart, or will her involvement in the school’s theater program and the random acts of kindness she and others have started performing give her “Something to Believe In?” I’ll Be There for You delves into the personal journey of healing old wounds, making new friends, and how to build a future with pieces of the past and present.
- GenresYoung AdultFiction
282 pages, Paperback
Published October 4, 2022
4 people are currently reading
1214 people want to read
About the author
Brieanna Wilkoff
2 books35 followersBrieanna Wilkoff (she/her) is an award-winning author of contemporary young adult stories about friendship, romance, and family that tug at the heartstrings, including her debut, I’ll Be There for You, and her sophomore novel, Beyond the Bucket List. Outside writing, Brieanna loves reading and theatre. Her favorite musical is a three-way tie between Les Mis, Wicked, and Hamilton, and a Playbill cruise is high on her bucket list. You can visit her online at brieannawilkoff.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
October 30, 2025
This book is Y.A. realistic fiction at its very best!
Ninth grade was mostly a blur to Rae. After her father died in a car accident, her grief was almost unbearable. Not only because she missed him so, but also because she was carrying a secret burden. She knows that the wreck happened while he was on his way to hear her sing in a concert, so Rae feels responsible. She also has a lot of hidden resentment toward her mother, who did not tell her the entire truth about the details of the accident, which Rae already knew because she overheard what the police officer told her mom that terrible night…
Now Rae is a sophomore, and has classes again with people who witnessed her break-down last year over a discussion about “Of Mice and Men”, one of her dad’s favorites. People who basically told her she needed to get serious help, or they would “take a break” from their friendships with her…including her best friend.
Upon reluctantly accepting an invitation to audition for the school play, Rae’s outlook on life begins gradually to become more positive, because her group of new theater friends accepts her immediately with warmth and approval. In addition to her work in the play, Rae reaches out with them to make a difference in their community by taking on a project that she hopes will be a fitting legacy for her dad…
So many, many positive things to say about this book! The compassion shown by Rae and those involved with her in the theater in their “pay it forward” projects was wonderful; I think teachers could incorporate many of the group’s ideas into their own curriculums. Every character was drawn vividly by the author, “warts” and all. The love that Rae had for her father and for the 80’s rock bands like Bon Jovi that he adored (23 concerts attended!) is a tender, heart-rending aspect of this book that makes it a very special and unique read. Lastly, I want to thank this author for writing a Y.A. book, set in modern times, in which the teen characters are not drinking, smoking,doing drugs, having sex, and dropping f-bombs and other curse words everywhere. This book was like a breath of fresh air compared to many Y.A. books written about today’s society!
Ninth grade was mostly a blur to Rae. After her father died in a car accident, her grief was almost unbearable. Not only because she missed him so, but also because she was carrying a secret burden. She knows that the wreck happened while he was on his way to hear her sing in a concert, so Rae feels responsible. She also has a lot of hidden resentment toward her mother, who did not tell her the entire truth about the details of the accident, which Rae already knew because she overheard what the police officer told her mom that terrible night…
Now Rae is a sophomore, and has classes again with people who witnessed her break-down last year over a discussion about “Of Mice and Men”, one of her dad’s favorites. People who basically told her she needed to get serious help, or they would “take a break” from their friendships with her…including her best friend.
Upon reluctantly accepting an invitation to audition for the school play, Rae’s outlook on life begins gradually to become more positive, because her group of new theater friends accepts her immediately with warmth and approval. In addition to her work in the play, Rae reaches out with them to make a difference in their community by taking on a project that she hopes will be a fitting legacy for her dad…
So many, many positive things to say about this book! The compassion shown by Rae and those involved with her in the theater in their “pay it forward” projects was wonderful; I think teachers could incorporate many of the group’s ideas into their own curriculums. Every character was drawn vividly by the author, “warts” and all. The love that Rae had for her father and for the 80’s rock bands like Bon Jovi that he adored (23 concerts attended!) is a tender, heart-rending aspect of this book that makes it a very special and unique read. Lastly, I want to thank this author for writing a Y.A. book, set in modern times, in which the teen characters are not drinking, smoking,doing drugs, having sex, and dropping f-bombs and other curse words everywhere. This book was like a breath of fresh air compared to many Y.A. books written about today’s society!
September 12, 2022
* I read this book in an author book exchange for an honest review, but all opinions are my own*
This book is called I'll there for you and let's just say this book was there for ME
Last month was a really hard month for me, my grandma passed away on August 4th and on top of that I had covid (well my whole family had covid including me) when she passed.
When I first decided to read this book, I just thought it was going to be a fluffy teenage love story about a girl falling in love and dealing with her father's death and what not.
BOY, WAS I WRONG!!!
Reading this I felt a connection to this book and its characters that I don't feel in many books.
All the characters have so much depth and personality to them like even the side characters have so much personality.
And the writing (chefs kiss) was so detailed, and you really felt the pain and loss the Character was going through.
The Plot and Thoughts:
This book is about a girl Rae, dealing with the loss of her dad who LOVED 80's rock music.
Rae and her mother are both dealing with the loss of their Father/Husband alone. So that's causing problems between them plus Rae has lost all of her friends, so Shes feels very alone.
Then one day at school she meets Mac (who has made it on my list of favorite male characters Hes right up there with Jacob Black, Puck AKA Robin Goodfellow, Todd Hewitt and Luke Davenport) who makes her sign up for the schools play and that's where she meets Joss her new girl best friend. (I was so scared reading this that Joss was going to be a mean girl)
And well not to spoil the whole book but......
you get to read Rae experience love, heartbreak, what it's like to have real friends and how to deal with losing a loved one.
The only thing I would change about the book is maybe getting to know Paul better I feel like I didn't know Paul as much as would have liked too.
* SPOLIERS like only really read if you have already read the book.
In conclusion this book is really good and is definitely worth reading especially if you love plot twists because this book has them!
AGE RATTING: 12 and up
Thank you so much Brieanna Wilkoff for letting me review your book it was amazing!!!
If you ever need a reviewer I would love to read more of your work!
Book references:
Twilight, Iron Fey series, Chaos walking and Meet Me There.
Twilight
The Iron King
The Knife of Never Letting Go
Meet Me There
This book is called I'll there for you and let's just say this book was there for ME
Last month was a really hard month for me, my grandma passed away on August 4th and on top of that I had covid (well my whole family had covid including me) when she passed.
When I first decided to read this book, I just thought it was going to be a fluffy teenage love story about a girl falling in love and dealing with her father's death and what not.
BOY, WAS I WRONG!!!
Reading this I felt a connection to this book and its characters that I don't feel in many books.
All the characters have so much depth and personality to them like even the side characters have so much personality.
And the writing (chefs kiss) was so detailed, and you really felt the pain and loss the Character was going through.
The Plot and Thoughts:
This book is about a girl Rae, dealing with the loss of her dad who LOVED 80's rock music.
Rae and her mother are both dealing with the loss of their Father/Husband alone. So that's causing problems between them plus Rae has lost all of her friends, so Shes feels very alone.
Then one day at school she meets Mac (who has made it on my list of favorite male characters Hes right up there with Jacob Black, Puck AKA Robin Goodfellow, Todd Hewitt and Luke Davenport) who makes her sign up for the schools play and that's where she meets Joss her new girl best friend. (I was so scared reading this that Joss was going to be a mean girl)
And well not to spoil the whole book but......
you get to read Rae experience love, heartbreak, what it's like to have real friends and how to deal with losing a loved one.
The only thing I would change about the book is maybe getting to know Paul better I feel like I didn't know Paul as much as would have liked too.
* SPOLIERS like only really read if you have already read the book.
In conclusion this book is really good and is definitely worth reading especially if you love plot twists because this book has them!
AGE RATTING: 12 and up
Thank you so much Brieanna Wilkoff for letting me review your book it was amazing!!!
If you ever need a reviewer I would love to read more of your work!
Book references:
Twilight, Iron Fey series, Chaos walking and Meet Me There.
Twilight
The Iron King
The Knife of Never Letting Go
Meet Me There
April 20, 2023
This is a comfort book! I absolutely love the way that the 80s music and musicals were what inspired this book. The way the Brieanna addressed loss was so relatable to me. This book also expressed how small acts of kindness go so far. You never know who's day you might make better by just holding the door for them.
September 18, 2022
Wow. What an emotional journey this book took me on. Rae’s loss, grief, anger, and loneliness are all wonderfully felt. A few acts of kindness and acceptance left me reeling in a way I wasn’t even ready for in a novel. I enjoyed this book start to finish and I learned a few things about musicals along the way. If you want a stellar read with a rockin’ soundtrack check this one out today.
\m/ ( -_- )
\m/ ( -_- )
Read
September 6, 2022Refreshing and relevant! New author, Breanna Wilkoff, brings a cast of diverse characters into the life of Rae Ballester. Rock and Drama help Rae navigate the healing she needs. You will thoroughly enjoy the journey. Threads of kindness keep you connected even after you turn the last page.
September 4, 2022
first and foremost, i would like to thank the author for sending me an ARC!
it took me just a day to finish i'll be there for you. fast-paced with easy writing and likeable characters, this book is exactly what i needed to get out of a reading slump.
this book centers around spreading kindness and dealing with the loss of a loved one. i really appreciated how realistic rae's grief was — she expressed sadness, anger, and guilt. she and her mother also struggle with each other, as rae is holding a grudge at her mother for lying to her about the accident and not letting her to be a real teenager, as rae likes to put it.
i enjoyed reading about rae and her friend's acts of kindness missions so much. i do find it extremely important to value kindness and friendship, so it was lovely to see an entire book dedicated to just this; spreading kindness.
it was also really refreshing to witness how teenage romance was handled in this book — the awkwardness of it all — how embarrassing and complicated teenage crushes can be.
all in all, i really liked this book and i do recommend it for anyone who enjoys the young adult contemporary genre.
taking into account that this is a debut novel, i wish the author best of luck on her career!
it took me just a day to finish i'll be there for you. fast-paced with easy writing and likeable characters, this book is exactly what i needed to get out of a reading slump.
this book centers around spreading kindness and dealing with the loss of a loved one. i really appreciated how realistic rae's grief was — she expressed sadness, anger, and guilt. she and her mother also struggle with each other, as rae is holding a grudge at her mother for lying to her about the accident and not letting her to be a real teenager, as rae likes to put it.
i enjoyed reading about rae and her friend's acts of kindness missions so much. i do find it extremely important to value kindness and friendship, so it was lovely to see an entire book dedicated to just this; spreading kindness.
it was also really refreshing to witness how teenage romance was handled in this book — the awkwardness of it all — how embarrassing and complicated teenage crushes can be.
all in all, i really liked this book and i do recommend it for anyone who enjoys the young adult contemporary genre.
taking into account that this is a debut novel, i wish the author best of luck on her career!
October 5, 2022
I received an ARC of this book in return for an honest review
I really enjoyed this book!
Rae is a teenage girl who has just survived the first year without her 80s rock fan Dad, and she's signed up for the school play in an attempt to live another life for a while, with the encouragement of Mac. Along the way she gets up to the usual teenage antics - new friends, first kisses and awkward moments with old friends. The book is basically her quest to learn to be herself again after her Dad's passing, and she does this through passing along acts of kindness.
First of all, I really enjoyed the writing style, I felt like everything flowed nicely and it was an easy, enjoyable read. The end of chapter 1 really hit hard and as soon as I'd got to the end of that I was hooked. There were some parts that I would have liked more detail on, but, you know what they say, leave them wanting more!
Rae is a very believable grieving teenage girl. At the start, she's moody, self-absorbed, paranoid of making too big an impression on her peers, and unnecessarily rude to her Mom (including a time literally 5 minutes after she's just been preaching about acts of kindness!) I liked how she grew through the story, she definitely finds herself and although yes her kindness quest was for her, you could see that she really did care about her classmates and others.
Now, other characters. Mac. I didn't like Mac at the start, but I couldn't tell you why? He came back around though! I felt like
Joss. Joss was amazing, and again a very believable teenage girl. She was just mega positive and over dramatic about everything and I am here for it! She was such a good friend to Rae throughout the book and I couldn't fault her.
Arlo, Rory and Casey. These three were cool side characters who were in the play with Rae, Mac and Joss. They were all cool, but at times I struggled with who was who. Would have loved to see more of all of them! Spinoff books on each side character, please.
Paul. This book needed more Paul. That's all I will say.
Overall this was a really heartwarming read, thank you for letting me have an advanced copy :D
I really enjoyed this book!
Rae is a teenage girl who has just survived the first year without her 80s rock fan Dad, and she's signed up for the school play in an attempt to live another life for a while, with the encouragement of Mac. Along the way she gets up to the usual teenage antics - new friends, first kisses and awkward moments with old friends. The book is basically her quest to learn to be herself again after her Dad's passing, and she does this through passing along acts of kindness.
First of all, I really enjoyed the writing style, I felt like everything flowed nicely and it was an easy, enjoyable read. The end of chapter 1 really hit hard and as soon as I'd got to the end of that I was hooked. There were some parts that I would have liked more detail on, but, you know what they say, leave them wanting more!
Rae is a very believable grieving teenage girl. At the start, she's moody, self-absorbed, paranoid of making too big an impression on her peers, and unnecessarily rude to her Mom (including a time literally 5 minutes after she's just been preaching about acts of kindness!) I liked how she grew through the story, she definitely finds herself and although yes her kindness quest was for her, you could see that she really did care about her classmates and others.
Now, other characters. Mac. I didn't like Mac at the start, but I couldn't tell you why? He came back around though! I felt like
Joss. Joss was amazing, and again a very believable teenage girl. She was just mega positive and over dramatic about everything and I am here for it! She was such a good friend to Rae throughout the book and I couldn't fault her.
Arlo, Rory and Casey. These three were cool side characters who were in the play with Rae, Mac and Joss. They were all cool, but at times I struggled with who was who. Would have loved to see more of all of them! Spinoff books on each side character, please.
Paul. This book needed more Paul. That's all I will say.
Overall this was a really heartwarming read, thank you for letting me have an advanced copy :D
April 27, 2023
4 stars
You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.
I loved this book and read it in one sitting. The growth of Rae throughout the book was wonderful to read. She went from grief-stricken and alone to hopeful and outgoing. The friendship with fellow theater-lover Mac was beautiful. I remember being in high school and having that one best friend that just "got" me. Someone you could trust with all of your troubles, fears and hopes with and know that they would always be there to support you. I loved re-living those wonderful memories as I read this book.
The friendship between Rae and co-star Joss was fantastic to read because it was girl power at its best. Rather than being catty and competitive, Joss was 100% there for Rae, even when Rae was prickly and stand-offish. She was determined to be a good friend to Rae and helped Rae bloom. That is what I've always strived to do in my relationships with my girlfriends and it was refreshing to read this rather than the standard "mean girls" trope we see so frequently in YA books.
Let me just say, as a child of the 80's, I was 1000% there for all of the music references. It was a beautiful trip down memory lane as Rae remembers all of the songs and artists her father loved. I could picture in my mind my own memories of first hearing the songs mentioned in the book and the fun times I had with friends while the music was blaring in our cars or at our homes. This gave me all the feels.
Even though this book centers on the grief of a teenager in the aftermath of losing her father in a car accident, it's really a book about moving past grief to something else, and believing in kindness and hope. I highly recommend you pick up with beautiful and fun book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Katie and Brey PA and the author. All opinions are my own.
You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.
I loved this book and read it in one sitting. The growth of Rae throughout the book was wonderful to read. She went from grief-stricken and alone to hopeful and outgoing. The friendship with fellow theater-lover Mac was beautiful. I remember being in high school and having that one best friend that just "got" me. Someone you could trust with all of your troubles, fears and hopes with and know that they would always be there to support you. I loved re-living those wonderful memories as I read this book.
The friendship between Rae and co-star Joss was fantastic to read because it was girl power at its best. Rather than being catty and competitive, Joss was 100% there for Rae, even when Rae was prickly and stand-offish. She was determined to be a good friend to Rae and helped Rae bloom. That is what I've always strived to do in my relationships with my girlfriends and it was refreshing to read this rather than the standard "mean girls" trope we see so frequently in YA books.
Let me just say, as a child of the 80's, I was 1000% there for all of the music references. It was a beautiful trip down memory lane as Rae remembers all of the songs and artists her father loved. I could picture in my mind my own memories of first hearing the songs mentioned in the book and the fun times I had with friends while the music was blaring in our cars or at our homes. This gave me all the feels.
Even though this book centers on the grief of a teenager in the aftermath of losing her father in a car accident, it's really a book about moving past grief to something else, and believing in kindness and hope. I highly recommend you pick up with beautiful and fun book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Katie and Brey PA and the author. All opinions are my own.
Read
September 30, 2022The Novel I'll Be There For You by Brieanne Wilkoff is a truly believable experience of grief, healing and finding true friendships. Not only Young Adults, but Adults and Older Adults "Grandparents" can relate to the story. It shows how you can move on after a tragedy and find the good "kindness" all around you.
The characters are well defined and very relatable. Rae a 16yr. old who is grieving the death of her father, finds Rock, High School Drama, and random acts of kindness to help her heal.
Mac, a boy Rae meets at school who encourages her to try out for the school play, Joss a new best girlfriend and finally Paul all help Rae find her way through the grieving process all while doing random acts of kindness.
I especially like the Chapter Titles, nice touch, they are all songs from the 80's that kind of tie into the chapter. The relationships between the teens was spot on. The crushes, awkwardness and general complications of being in a High School romance could not have been depicted better.
Overall this is an excellent debut novel!!
Yes, I would recommend it to all ages. It's an easy, quick read for an adult yet a Young Adult will have no problem understanding and relating.
The characters are well defined and very relatable. Rae a 16yr. old who is grieving the death of her father, finds Rock, High School Drama, and random acts of kindness to help her heal.
Mac, a boy Rae meets at school who encourages her to try out for the school play, Joss a new best girlfriend and finally Paul all help Rae find her way through the grieving process all while doing random acts of kindness.
I especially like the Chapter Titles, nice touch, they are all songs from the 80's that kind of tie into the chapter. The relationships between the teens was spot on. The crushes, awkwardness and general complications of being in a High School romance could not have been depicted better.
Overall this is an excellent debut novel!!
Yes, I would recommend it to all ages. It's an easy, quick read for an adult yet a Young Adult will have no problem understanding and relating.
October 22, 2022
Brieanna Wilkoff has penned a poignant story of heartbreak and reconciliation centered on how the power of kindness helps to heal a teenage girl devastated by her father’s death. I’LL BE THERE FOR YOU incorporates 1980s music, theatre, and a kindness project that affects the characters in the YA novel and will be sure to touch the readers of this enchanting tale.
February 9, 2024
What a beautiful book about persevering through grief as a high schooler. I loved the found family Rae got to experience while in drama club. It takes me back to my own stage (and backstage) days. My favorite character besides the amazing Rae was definitely Mac. He was so nuanced and special. The message of kindness in this book really overwhelms me as a person in the best way. I love everything about their fundraiser and the people whose lives were affected. Kindness causes ripples that touch everyone! What an amazing debut novel!
December 6, 2022
I think this book had just about all my favorite things wrapped up in one. Love of musicals✔️ awesome soundtrack✔️ trials and tribulations of finding love in high school ✔️ What I wasn't expecting was such a resounding theme of kindness, friendship, and paying it forward. This book made my heart so happy! Lastly, I LOVED all the chapter titles.
August 23, 2023
I would've died for this book in high school. The quintessential high school theater kid with a little trauma but not a ton of drama, plus they care for everyone around them. The characters felt realistic and I loved how the relationships developed. Kindness is so important and I was really inspired by all the extraordinary ways these kids showed it. Also, all the Columbus anecdotes are so fun!
To Brienna, I'm sorry I didn't buy this book at the book festival. I did immediately put it on hold though. You were very sweet and kind in our interaction and I loved seeing that in your book!
To Brienna, I'm sorry I didn't buy this book at the book festival. I did immediately put it on hold though. You were very sweet and kind in our interaction and I loved seeing that in your book!
September 30, 2022
I enjoyed the journey as Rae dealt with grief and loneliness, as she lost friends and made (and re-made) friends, and as her horizons expanded. Her kindness crusade will have readers thinking about how small acts of kindness can have large impacts, and will inspire them to pick up post-its and join in. I’ll look forward to more from author Brieanna Wilkoff!
September 3, 2022
The Young Adult novel I’ll Be There For You by Brieanna Wilkoff takes you on a journey full of emotions and personal growth. Wilkoff captured the high school experience so well that it brought back memories of the same characters at parties and sitting next to me in the classroom. As a male reader, my favorite character is Paul…but you’ll have to read about him to find out why! The story left me feeling satisfied and hopeful for the future. I can hardly wait for more from this enjoyable new author.
September 22, 2022
What a beautiful journey to reconciliation!
Beginning at Rae’s rock bottom, we witness her taking steps, one day at time, some big, some little, but her transformation was truly heartening. The relationships were so well crafted and highly believable/relatable. It was often hard to bare the scenes between mother and daughter, as I so badly wanted to help them get through their difficulty.
Mac and Joss were Rae’s true lifeline, helping her regain a sense of new normal and eventually helping her experience true joy again.
My only issue while reading was trying to figure out who was who in the cast of the play. Many of the names were gender neutral and I wasn’t always sure who was talking to whom. By the second half, I was able to figure it out a bit better, but it made for a bumpy start.
I spent most of the story smiling…except for the several times I genuinely cried, which was during the beautiful reconciliation scenes between mother and daughter.
Beginning at Rae’s rock bottom, we witness her taking steps, one day at time, some big, some little, but her transformation was truly heartening. The relationships were so well crafted and highly believable/relatable. It was often hard to bare the scenes between mother and daughter, as I so badly wanted to help them get through their difficulty.
Mac and Joss were Rae’s true lifeline, helping her regain a sense of new normal and eventually helping her experience true joy again.
My only issue while reading was trying to figure out who was who in the cast of the play. Many of the names were gender neutral and I wasn’t always sure who was talking to whom. By the second half, I was able to figure it out a bit better, but it made for a bumpy start.
I spent most of the story smiling…except for the several times I genuinely cried, which was during the beautiful reconciliation scenes between mother and daughter.
Read
May 1, 2023Review to come
September 28, 2022
A poignant debut that tackles grief in such a creative way with music. I loved the mother/daughter relationship and the friendship between Rae and Mac. This book could easily appeal to middle schoolers through adults who enjoy reading coming of age stories or YA in general. Highly recommend!
September 20, 2022
4.5 stars
I love 80s music, movie, etc., so this one ticked all the boxes for me (and I'm a huge fan of Bon Jovi, so that sealed the deal!) ... and it did not disappoint! You do not need to be a "young adult" to enjoy this book. Characters are well-crafted. Rae's struggles with grief, anger, and loneliness are relatable, no matter your age. I loved the acts of kindness Rae and her friends did (and it's something our society needs to see more often!). I loved every minute of this book, and I look forward to reading more from Wilkoff.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn't required to leave a positive review.
I love 80s music, movie, etc., so this one ticked all the boxes for me (and I'm a huge fan of Bon Jovi, so that sealed the deal!) ... and it did not disappoint! You do not need to be a "young adult" to enjoy this book. Characters are well-crafted. Rae's struggles with grief, anger, and loneliness are relatable, no matter your age. I loved the acts of kindness Rae and her friends did (and it's something our society needs to see more often!). I loved every minute of this book, and I look forward to reading more from Wilkoff.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn't required to leave a positive review.
November 21, 2022
This book hits all the right (musical) notes!!! Beautifully told story of high school sophomore Rae as she copes with the untimely loss of her father though the magic that is theatre. I thought the characters were complex and interesting, and I loved the path that Rae's relationship with her mom took throughout the book. The theatre geek inside me loved all the musical references, even though all the themes broadly resonate with what it is like to be a teenager - trying to fit in, make friends, and find your place in this world. I was inspired by the kindness theme that ran all throughout the book, and the author stuck the landing with a hopeful and sweet ending. Definite recommend.
September 3, 2022
"Alexa, play a mix of 80's rock with Broadway show tunes!"
I'll Be There for You is a lovely contemporary young adult novel from debut author, Brieanna Wilkoff that focuses on grief, mental health, identity, and healing through acts of kindness. With a generous amount of 80's rock ballads and Broadway tunes, Wilkoff weaves MC Rae's emotional journey through music, giving the reader a different song to hum (and get stuck in your head!) with each chapter. Being a former high school theater nerd myself, I felt like Wilkoff nailed the high school theater experience on the head and I enjoyed the sweet romances that developed both with the main and side characters. I loved the 80's-themed sleep out scene the most, as well as Rae's date night...(no spoilers here!). Having lived in Columbus, OH for years and being a theater nerd myself, I loved this book and am excited for more to come from Brieanna!
*Thank you to the author and WRDS for an ARC copy for my honest review!*
I'll Be There for You is a lovely contemporary young adult novel from debut author, Brieanna Wilkoff that focuses on grief, mental health, identity, and healing through acts of kindness. With a generous amount of 80's rock ballads and Broadway tunes, Wilkoff weaves MC Rae's emotional journey through music, giving the reader a different song to hum (and get stuck in your head!) with each chapter. Being a former high school theater nerd myself, I felt like Wilkoff nailed the high school theater experience on the head and I enjoyed the sweet romances that developed both with the main and side characters. I loved the 80's-themed sleep out scene the most, as well as Rae's date night...(no spoilers here!). Having lived in Columbus, OH for years and being a theater nerd myself, I loved this book and am excited for more to come from Brieanna!
*Thank you to the author and WRDS for an ARC copy for my honest review!*
November 12, 2022
What a wonderful read for all ages! The characters are so loveable and I couldn’t help but have a smile on my face at so many points in the story. The theme of kindness really resonated with me as well, and it’s already inspired me to engage in some acts of kindness :)
September 3, 2022
Highly recommend this VERY enjoyable read! I fell in love with the characters, the story flowed beautifully, and fantastic banter is a great plus in my book (so to speak!☺️). By the way, you don't need to be a young adult to thoroughly adore this book - this adult relished every page and didn't want it to end!! Rock on fellow readers!!🎶📚
December 8, 2022
I'll Be There For You was a beautiful story about love and loss, grief and acceptance. The journey with Rae as she felt all of this, and more, was a whirlwind. The story flows seamlessly from one aspect to another.
The characters are all very realistic and likeable, well written personalities, even if I did find some of Rae's behavior appalling. The friendly banter was top notch, and the touching moments brought a tear to my eye.
I loved all the 80's music and theater production references - it's not very often you find that type of stuff (music) in books, let alone a "young adult" book, so it was a major bonus for me. It was even better that the author clearly knows what she is writing about, that she didn't just pick some random songs that were "popular" and the way she tied it into the flow of the novel was amazing.
The kindness project was beautiful. It really hits on how the little things matter; a smile or a simple note can turn someone's whole day around.
I look forward to reading more from author Brieanna Wilkoff!
You can read my original review at YABooksCentral.com
The characters are all very realistic and likeable, well written personalities, even if I did find some of Rae's behavior appalling. The friendly banter was top notch, and the touching moments brought a tear to my eye.
I loved all the 80's music and theater production references - it's not very often you find that type of stuff (music) in books, let alone a "young adult" book, so it was a major bonus for me. It was even better that the author clearly knows what she is writing about, that she didn't just pick some random songs that were "popular" and the way she tied it into the flow of the novel was amazing.
The kindness project was beautiful. It really hits on how the little things matter; a smile or a simple note can turn someone's whole day around.
I look forward to reading more from author Brieanna Wilkoff!
You can read my original review at YABooksCentral.com
October 23, 2022
Amazing story! Inspiring and uplifting!
There's so much to love about this book! Great main character with such depth and emotion + dynamic cast of secondary characters makes for a fantastic story about dealing with grief and practicing kindness. Warms my heart!
There's so much to love about this book! Great main character with such depth and emotion + dynamic cast of secondary characters makes for a fantastic story about dealing with grief and practicing kindness. Warms my heart!
September 10, 2022
Note: I received a free ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Yup that's right! Another ARC review! Let's go!
(Rae Ballester loves movie musicals and—thanks to her dad—’80s rock. Since he died a year ago, his favorite music helps keep his memory alive. Struggling to move on, Rae keeps her head down and earbuds in, but shunning the world has cost her even her closest friendships, leaving her the “Owner of a Lonely Heart.”
When Rae meets Mac, a boy with a charming smile who thinks any problem can be solved with a show tune, she cautiously welcomes their easy banter. With his humor, enthusiasm, and well-curated Broadway playlists, Mac slowly edges his way into her heart, but when he proves “Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” Rae thinks about withdrawing to the comfort of hair metal and the silver screen.
Should Rae retreat from the world to protect her already broken heart, or will her involvement in the school’s theater program and the random acts of kindness she and others have started performing give her “Something to Believe In?” I’ll Be There for You delves into the personal journey of healing old wounds, making new friends, and how to build a future with pieces of the past and present.) ~ Blurb from Goodreads
I loved how Raina's grief was depicted. From being reluctant to have items that once belonged to her late dad be given up to how she feels about going through her first holidays and other special occasions without him and so on, I think it's pretty accurate as someone who has unfortunately lost their dad not that long ago. I also think this aspect made it easy for me to connect with her.
Speaking of that, I admired how natural her growth was from a character who was initially stuck and depressed about her dad's passing to
The titles of the chapters were neat. Each chapter is named after a song from an eighties rock artist (such as Bon Jovi, Duran Duran, etc) and they also tie into what's going on in them without giving everything away. Considering that this novel heavily involves eighties music (which was something Raina's dad really liked), it was a nice touch.
I liked Mac. He may have been mischievous and snarky, but he still had a heart of gold. I also liked how he had major things in common with Raina like but also had minor things in common as well, such as preferring a shortened version of his name. At times, he was unsure if he was saying or doing the right things to help Raina, but still went ahead and tried his best anyway, which was really cool.
The acts of kindness Raina, her friends, and other volunteers (including a campaign where they posted notes all around school that said positive things about each other, why they're thankful for them, and so on, the reverse burn book, the sleep out to raise money for Bon Jovi's charity, and so on) were awesome. They were really heartwarming ways to show just how far Raina was willing to go to indirectly "pay it forward" to a volunteer at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame who comforted her when she broke down after thinking about her dad and how willing everyone was to lift each other up.
There's a part in the Hungry Like the Wolf chapter that I don't quite understand. So Raina decides to take part in the school play and the director assigns her to play Mary and Young Mary, which leads to this, "My cheeks burn when I say George is "making violent love to me," but at least Jay stops us before Mary cries and she and George say, "I love you."" Who is Raina talking to here? Is it herself? Is it someone else? It's never made clear, even though it would've pretty easy to provide some kind of answer.
I'm really not a fan of the gap between the Knockin' on Heaven's Door chapter and the Can't Fight This Feeling chapter. Raina and Mac have a falling out in the former where Mac bails on Raina during a game of seven minutes in heaven because he can't kiss her (making her think that he doesn't care about her) and it takes them until the latter to actually reconcile, where it's revealed that Mac is It's legitimately infuriating. Up until this point, Mac and Raina were willing to be open and honest with each other, even if it was tough for them, so it just seems out of character for them. What makes it even more infuriating is that, even though it's extremely obvious that they're gonna make up, this whole thing took eight chapters, yes eight chapters, to resolve! That's nearly a quarter of the entire book!
Overall, I'll Be There for You was a very heartwarming read with fantastic characters.
Now like I've mentioned at the beginning of this review, this is an ARC so it's very possible that some of the issues I had will get ironed out in the final version.
Overall Grade: B+
Yup that's right! Another ARC review! Let's go!
(Rae Ballester loves movie musicals and—thanks to her dad—’80s rock. Since he died a year ago, his favorite music helps keep his memory alive. Struggling to move on, Rae keeps her head down and earbuds in, but shunning the world has cost her even her closest friendships, leaving her the “Owner of a Lonely Heart.”
When Rae meets Mac, a boy with a charming smile who thinks any problem can be solved with a show tune, she cautiously welcomes their easy banter. With his humor, enthusiasm, and well-curated Broadway playlists, Mac slowly edges his way into her heart, but when he proves “Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” Rae thinks about withdrawing to the comfort of hair metal and the silver screen.
Should Rae retreat from the world to protect her already broken heart, or will her involvement in the school’s theater program and the random acts of kindness she and others have started performing give her “Something to Believe In?” I’ll Be There for You delves into the personal journey of healing old wounds, making new friends, and how to build a future with pieces of the past and present.) ~ Blurb from Goodreads
I loved how Raina's grief was depicted. From being reluctant to have items that once belonged to her late dad be given up to how she feels about going through her first holidays and other special occasions without him and so on, I think it's pretty accurate as someone who has unfortunately lost their dad not that long ago. I also think this aspect made it easy for me to connect with her.
Speaking of that, I admired how natural her growth was from a character who was initially stuck and depressed about her dad's passing to
The titles of the chapters were neat. Each chapter is named after a song from an eighties rock artist (such as Bon Jovi, Duran Duran, etc) and they also tie into what's going on in them without giving everything away. Considering that this novel heavily involves eighties music (which was something Raina's dad really liked), it was a nice touch.
I liked Mac. He may have been mischievous and snarky, but he still had a heart of gold. I also liked how he had major things in common with Raina like but also had minor things in common as well, such as preferring a shortened version of his name. At times, he was unsure if he was saying or doing the right things to help Raina, but still went ahead and tried his best anyway, which was really cool.
The acts of kindness Raina, her friends, and other volunteers (including a campaign where they posted notes all around school that said positive things about each other, why they're thankful for them, and so on, the reverse burn book, the sleep out to raise money for Bon Jovi's charity, and so on) were awesome. They were really heartwarming ways to show just how far Raina was willing to go to indirectly "pay it forward" to a volunteer at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame who comforted her when she broke down after thinking about her dad and how willing everyone was to lift each other up.
There's a part in the Hungry Like the Wolf chapter that I don't quite understand. So Raina decides to take part in the school play and the director assigns her to play Mary and Young Mary, which leads to this, "My cheeks burn when I say George is "making violent love to me," but at least Jay stops us before Mary cries and she and George say, "I love you."" Who is Raina talking to here? Is it herself? Is it someone else? It's never made clear, even though it would've pretty easy to provide some kind of answer.
I'm really not a fan of the gap between the Knockin' on Heaven's Door chapter and the Can't Fight This Feeling chapter. Raina and Mac have a falling out in the former where Mac bails on Raina during a game of seven minutes in heaven because he can't kiss her (making her think that he doesn't care about her) and it takes them until the latter to actually reconcile, where it's revealed that Mac is It's legitimately infuriating. Up until this point, Mac and Raina were willing to be open and honest with each other, even if it was tough for them, so it just seems out of character for them. What makes it even more infuriating is that, even though it's extremely obvious that they're gonna make up, this whole thing took eight chapters, yes eight chapters, to resolve! That's nearly a quarter of the entire book!
Overall, I'll Be There for You was a very heartwarming read with fantastic characters.
Now like I've mentioned at the beginning of this review, this is an ARC so it's very possible that some of the issues I had will get ironed out in the final version.
Overall Grade: B+
December 7, 2022
I enjoyed this uplifting Young Adult story that has a positive message. It is nice to read a book and feel good afterwards, and even wonder, what can I do to share kindness and make the world a better place. For those who like their high schools teeming with vampires and werewolves, this book might be a little too Pollyannaish. But if you enjoy reality based stories, with teens facing real problems of dealing with loss and grief, relationship and communication with ones parent(s), overcoming self-doubt, dealing with love and attraction, fitting in with one's peers, and finding purpose for one's life, this book checks many of those boxes.
The characters are well filled out and endearing, even though at times they are quite unlikeable because of the decisions they make. But what would high school be without messing up and making bad decisions? It presents the characters an opportunity to learn and the reader an opportunity to assess their own decision making (and empathizing) abilities.
I liked the writing. It was very straightforward, easy to read, and the pace kept me interested. There are many references to musical theater and eighties rock music. Some were familiar and some were unknown to me. Although the chapter titles are cleverly done as song titles, I felt I was missing out on some of the musical references (and having flashbacks of being the uncool kid), but I didn't want to be distracted by looking up the songs/plays while reading. It would have helped me if there were quotes from the songs to go along with the characters thoughts. That way, even though the references were unknown, I would still benefit and the character's emotions and intent would be clearer. (I don't know how copyrights might be involved, so that may be an issue.) An index of songs could have been helpful and fun, then I could have made a playlist to enjoy after reading. (After some consideration, the table of contents could be used for a playlist...my bad.)
There are some very fun and interesting side characters that I would have liked to have read more about, but a book can only be so long. I am all for a book that will stand by itself, and not have the anxiety about when the next book in the series will be released and wonder if it will be as good, for a change. I also liked there was a cute surprise for the reader after the story ended.
The characters are well filled out and endearing, even though at times they are quite unlikeable because of the decisions they make. But what would high school be without messing up and making bad decisions? It presents the characters an opportunity to learn and the reader an opportunity to assess their own decision making (and empathizing) abilities.
I liked the writing. It was very straightforward, easy to read, and the pace kept me interested. There are many references to musical theater and eighties rock music. Some were familiar and some were unknown to me. Although the chapter titles are cleverly done as song titles, I felt I was missing out on some of the musical references (and having flashbacks of being the uncool kid), but I didn't want to be distracted by looking up the songs/plays while reading. It would have helped me if there were quotes from the songs to go along with the characters thoughts. That way, even though the references were unknown, I would still benefit and the character's emotions and intent would be clearer. (I don't know how copyrights might be involved, so that may be an issue.) An index of songs could have been helpful and fun, then I could have made a playlist to enjoy after reading. (After some consideration, the table of contents could be used for a playlist...my bad.)
There are some very fun and interesting side characters that I would have liked to have read more about, but a book can only be so long. I am all for a book that will stand by itself, and not have the anxiety about when the next book in the series will be released and wonder if it will be as good, for a change. I also liked there was a cute surprise for the reader after the story ended.
June 24, 2023
From the very first chapter, one great song after another kept rattling around in my head. Despite that :-D, this book was a nice, before-bed read for me. This is a great story about how even unfair and unthinkable tragedies can bloom into love, laughter, and all-around goodness.
Brieanna shares an honest and inspiring tale from the perspective of an adolescent girl named Rae. She skillfully walks readers through the process of how Rae finds comfort after a traumatic event in her own time, through small steps: by taking a chance on joining the theater, on new and mended relationships (though not always in the way she first assumes or expects), and ultimately discovers the healing power of being of service to others.
Although the death of her father initially rocks her world and she grieves intensely, Rae emerges a strong young woman who does more good in the world than she probably ever thought she could do, and in a way that keeps her connected to her dad. The book clearly demonstrates how the actions of one person can and do have far-reaching effects (e.g., the Rock-n-Roll Hall-of-Fame woman on Rae, and then Rae on others as she pays it forward).
Brieanna's book highlights the importance of friendships, kindness, compassion, and service without being preachy. It fills me with hope and optimism for the future, to think young adults might read this book and take its message to heart.
Brieanna shares an honest and inspiring tale from the perspective of an adolescent girl named Rae. She skillfully walks readers through the process of how Rae finds comfort after a traumatic event in her own time, through small steps: by taking a chance on joining the theater, on new and mended relationships (though not always in the way she first assumes or expects), and ultimately discovers the healing power of being of service to others.
Although the death of her father initially rocks her world and she grieves intensely, Rae emerges a strong young woman who does more good in the world than she probably ever thought she could do, and in a way that keeps her connected to her dad. The book clearly demonstrates how the actions of one person can and do have far-reaching effects (e.g., the Rock-n-Roll Hall-of-Fame woman on Rae, and then Rae on others as she pays it forward).
Brieanna's book highlights the importance of friendships, kindness, compassion, and service without being preachy. It fills me with hope and optimism for the future, to think young adults might read this book and take its message to heart.
dnf
July 14, 2024DNF at 85 pages.
This book started out kind of cute… but it feels like the storytelling and plot are so disjointed and meandering. The plot points felt like checkboxes instead of a cohesive storyline… if that makes sense? I found myself super bored and skimming over every side character. I just didn’t get any attachment to anyone, even Rae.
I think perhaps this is just a book specifically not meant to appeal to all ages. Like, usually when reading YA, I can put myself into my teen brain again and dive in. But this one didn’t go that way. When I start to sympathize with the mother in a YA, that’s when I know it’s not for me. And there is NOTHING wrong with it sticking to its target audience! Just something to be aware of with this one.
(For reference, when Rae asked her mom to borrow the wind chimes that her dead father got her mom, I gasped. Child, you just took his shirts from your mom bc you didn’t want her donating them. But you want to take her wind chimes for a play - maybe they’re really important to her?? She gets upset with you and then you get angry at her bc “they’re just wind chimes” and you’ll “look after them” 😬 Admittedly I didn’t like how the mom handled most of the interactions they had either. You should have put your child in therapy earlier… maybe when all her friends abandoned her?) 😭
Overall, it was a miss for me and I couldn’t continue.
This book started out kind of cute… but it feels like the storytelling and plot are so disjointed and meandering. The plot points felt like checkboxes instead of a cohesive storyline… if that makes sense? I found myself super bored and skimming over every side character. I just didn’t get any attachment to anyone, even Rae.
I think perhaps this is just a book specifically not meant to appeal to all ages. Like, usually when reading YA, I can put myself into my teen brain again and dive in. But this one didn’t go that way. When I start to sympathize with the mother in a YA, that’s when I know it’s not for me. And there is NOTHING wrong with it sticking to its target audience! Just something to be aware of with this one.
(For reference, when Rae asked her mom to borrow the wind chimes that her dead father got her mom, I gasped. Child, you just took his shirts from your mom bc you didn’t want her donating them. But you want to take her wind chimes for a play - maybe they’re really important to her?? She gets upset with you and then you get angry at her bc “they’re just wind chimes” and you’ll “look after them” 😬 Admittedly I didn’t like how the mom handled most of the interactions they had either. You should have put your child in therapy earlier… maybe when all her friends abandoned her?) 😭
Overall, it was a miss for me and I couldn’t continue.
April 24, 2023
This is a YA novel which centers around spreading kindness as well as dealing with the loss of a loved one. It was a fast paced and easy read.
I enjoyed Rae' s character development, initially we see how she was dealing with everything ~ the stress, pain, strained relationship with her mother, the broken friendships, the frustration. By the end of the book we see she has evolved into a whole new persona of kindness and confidence.
I really value kindness and friendship greatly and i appreciate this book putting forward and giving much needed importance to this agenda..
The relationship between Rae and Paul was something that I felt needed more time and depth to have the swoon-worthy feature which was missing.. This is me but i felt Paul to be a bit nagging constantly coming up with facts and saying"Did you know...", I mean Yeah Einstein i don't know... Give it a rest...
I did love the representation of queer characters in the book and their insecurities in the early ages.
Taking into account, this is a debut novel it surely has potential and I wish all the very best to the author.
I enjoyed Rae' s character development, initially we see how she was dealing with everything ~ the stress, pain, strained relationship with her mother, the broken friendships, the frustration. By the end of the book we see she has evolved into a whole new persona of kindness and confidence.
I really value kindness and friendship greatly and i appreciate this book putting forward and giving much needed importance to this agenda..
The relationship between Rae and Paul was something that I felt needed more time and depth to have the swoon-worthy feature which was missing.. This is me but i felt Paul to be a bit nagging constantly coming up with facts and saying"Did you know...", I mean Yeah Einstein i don't know... Give it a rest...
I did love the representation of queer characters in the book and their insecurities in the early ages.
Taking into account, this is a debut novel it surely has potential and I wish all the very best to the author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews