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The Playlist
Gina Vergotti, a new teacher with an old soul, is reeling after the suicide of Lily, a friend and mentor… who was also her gay awakening.
Charismatic, young-at-heart rock musician, Cori Ryder, is also floundering after Lily’s death, since she was her roommate and needs to find a new place to crash stat.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Gina and Cori move in together. Soon after, they embark on a road trip from New York to Nevada to return Lily’s belongings to her family… and to gain some insight into the mysterious playlist that Lily made for Gina before she died. Though their new connection deepens, it’s obvious that both of them have a lot of growing up to do. The trip leaves them forever changed, but do their respective “forevers” include each other?
This story of loss, love, music, maturation, romance, and redemption unfolds over a span of more than four years, in settings as diverse as New York City, Nevada, Washington State, and places in between. Join the journey of Gina and Cori as they find themselves and each other across time and spaces. And yes, The Playlist includes the actual playlist, the song titles listed as the names of the chapters.
Charismatic, young-at-heart rock musician, Cori Ryder, is also floundering after Lily’s death, since she was her roommate and needs to find a new place to crash stat.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Gina and Cori move in together. Soon after, they embark on a road trip from New York to Nevada to return Lily’s belongings to her family… and to gain some insight into the mysterious playlist that Lily made for Gina before she died. Though their new connection deepens, it’s obvious that both of them have a lot of growing up to do. The trip leaves them forever changed, but do their respective “forevers” include each other?
This story of loss, love, music, maturation, romance, and redemption unfolds over a span of more than four years, in settings as diverse as New York City, Nevada, Washington State, and places in between. Join the journey of Gina and Cori as they find themselves and each other across time and spaces. And yes, The Playlist includes the actual playlist, the song titles listed as the names of the chapters.
346 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 28, 2022
4 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 15, 2022
** Trigger Warning for Suicide **
Gina and Cori are brought together by heartbreaking news that a mutual friend commited suicide. Lily was Gina’s co-worker (and her first crush on a woman) and Cori’s roommate. Since Cori is unable to afford rent on her own, and Gina is looking for another roommate, Cori moves in with Gina and her roommate Sarah. During their time living together, Gina and Cori harbor crushes for each other, but believe the other is not interested; Cori believes Gina is straight and Gina believes the rockstar Cori would never be interested in her. The two become closer during their cross country trip to deliver Lily’s personal items to her family. On their drive, they listen to the last mixed cd Lily made for Gina which turns out to be a pride mix to celebrate Gina’s recent coming out. Gina and Cori have a whirlwind romance that ends rather abruptly not too long after they return to New York. From there the book jumps one year for a chapter then four years for the remainder of the book.
While I love friends-to-lovers and second chance romance, I was frustrated with the “break-up” and the time jump. I completely understand why Gina was so upset with Cori and broke it off, but I wish they would have had a real discussion about their feelings before the time jump. Gina and Cori have really good chemistry and sweet moments, but their communication was awful, and I wanted them to fight more for the relationship they were building during the beginning of the book. By the time they met again four years later, I had a hard time rooting for them to get back together. Gina and Cori are the definition of “right person, wrong time” and I know both characters needed that time apart to grow and heal from their past. It took me a bit to get back into the book during the second half, but once I did I was really hoping for Gina and Cori to get back together.
Overall, The Playlist is a good debut. I loved how important music was to the characters and the book as each chapter is a song title. I’ll definitely be watching for what is next for Nat Christo.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Gina and Cori are brought together by heartbreaking news that a mutual friend commited suicide. Lily was Gina’s co-worker (and her first crush on a woman) and Cori’s roommate. Since Cori is unable to afford rent on her own, and Gina is looking for another roommate, Cori moves in with Gina and her roommate Sarah. During their time living together, Gina and Cori harbor crushes for each other, but believe the other is not interested; Cori believes Gina is straight and Gina believes the rockstar Cori would never be interested in her. The two become closer during their cross country trip to deliver Lily’s personal items to her family. On their drive, they listen to the last mixed cd Lily made for Gina which turns out to be a pride mix to celebrate Gina’s recent coming out. Gina and Cori have a whirlwind romance that ends rather abruptly not too long after they return to New York. From there the book jumps one year for a chapter then four years for the remainder of the book.
While I love friends-to-lovers and second chance romance, I was frustrated with the “break-up” and the time jump. I completely understand why Gina was so upset with Cori and broke it off, but I wish they would have had a real discussion about their feelings before the time jump. Gina and Cori have really good chemistry and sweet moments, but their communication was awful, and I wanted them to fight more for the relationship they were building during the beginning of the book. By the time they met again four years later, I had a hard time rooting for them to get back together. Gina and Cori are the definition of “right person, wrong time” and I know both characters needed that time apart to grow and heal from their past. It took me a bit to get back into the book during the second half, but once I did I was really hoping for Gina and Cori to get back together.
Overall, The Playlist is a good debut. I loved how important music was to the characters and the book as each chapter is a song title. I’ll definitely be watching for what is next for Nat Christo.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 27, 2024
This is a banging love story for the ages!
Bat Christo, you have brought me to tears, thrown me into fits of laughter and dragged me all over the emotional score! Congratulations on writing a splendid story. Your characters became larger than life, the settings, I mean really, red wood forest in Washington and NYC? The story does take us on an emotional roller coaster that delivers us to a satisfying end. By golly, this was a good read.
Bat Christo, you have brought me to tears, thrown me into fits of laughter and dragged me all over the emotional score! Congratulations on writing a splendid story. Your characters became larger than life, the settings, I mean really, red wood forest in Washington and NYC? The story does take us on an emotional roller coaster that delivers us to a satisfying end. By golly, this was a good read.
January 9, 2023
Great read
I really enjoyed this book! Very well written and well crafted story of finding the right love with the right person at the wrong time, and then finding their way back. Really liked the premise of the playlist and its role throughout the story, and that it was composed of music by predominantly queer musicians. Would recommend and I hope we see more of ths authors fresh voice!
I really enjoyed this book! Very well written and well crafted story of finding the right love with the right person at the wrong time, and then finding their way back. Really liked the premise of the playlist and its role throughout the story, and that it was composed of music by predominantly queer musicians. Would recommend and I hope we see more of ths authors fresh voice!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews