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Sammy Espinoza's Last Review
A music critic stuck in a spiral of epic proportions targets her teenage crush for a career comeback and a chance at revenge. What could possibly go wrong?
Sammy Espinoza’s life is a raging dumpster fire. Her desperate attempt to win back her singer ex-girlfriend has landed her in hot water at work, and she has one last chance before her editor cuts her column. Luckily, Sammy has a plan to redeem herself, but it won’t be easy.
Rumor has it that Max Ryan, the former rock god, is secretly recording his first-ever solo album years after he dramatically quit performing. And it just so happens that he and Sammy have Right before Max got his big break, he and Sammy spent an unforgettable night together.
Exclusive access to Max’s new music would guarantee Sammy’s professional comeback and, even better, give her the opportunity to serve some long-awaited revenge for his traumatic ghosting.
But Max lives in Ridley Falls, Washington, and Sammy has history there as a family that never wanted her and a million unanswered questions. Going back would mean confronting it all—but what else does she have to lose?
Sammy Espinoza’s life is a raging dumpster fire. Her desperate attempt to win back her singer ex-girlfriend has landed her in hot water at work, and she has one last chance before her editor cuts her column. Luckily, Sammy has a plan to redeem herself, but it won’t be easy.
Rumor has it that Max Ryan, the former rock god, is secretly recording his first-ever solo album years after he dramatically quit performing. And it just so happens that he and Sammy have Right before Max got his big break, he and Sammy spent an unforgettable night together.
Exclusive access to Max’s new music would guarantee Sammy’s professional comeback and, even better, give her the opportunity to serve some long-awaited revenge for his traumatic ghosting.
But Max lives in Ridley Falls, Washington, and Sammy has history there as a family that never wanted her and a million unanswered questions. Going back would mean confronting it all—but what else does she have to lose?
348 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 18, 2023
45 people are currently reading
7612 people want to read
About the author
Tehlor Kay Mejia
21 books1,185 followersTEHLOR KAY MEJIA (he/him) is a bestselling and award winning author of books for all ages.
His debut young adult novel, WE SET THE DARK ON FIRE, received six starred reviews, as well as the Oregon Spirit Book Award for debut fiction, and the Neukom Institute Literary Arts Award runner up honor for debut speculative fiction. It has been featured on Seventeen, Cosmopolitan, and O by Oprah Magazine’s best books lists, and was a 2019 book of the year selection by Kirkus and School Library Journal.
Tehlor’s debut middle grade novel, PAOLA SANTIAGO AND THE RIVER OF TEARS, was published by the Rick Riordan Presents imprint at Disney/Hyperion. It received four starred reviews, and was named Amazon’s best book of 2020 in the 9-12 age range.
Tehlor strives to create stories which showcase the importance of community, radical inclusion, and abolitionist values. He lives with his child, wife, and two dogs in his home state of Oregon, and is active on Instagram @tehlorkay.
His debut young adult novel, WE SET THE DARK ON FIRE, received six starred reviews, as well as the Oregon Spirit Book Award for debut fiction, and the Neukom Institute Literary Arts Award runner up honor for debut speculative fiction. It has been featured on Seventeen, Cosmopolitan, and O by Oprah Magazine’s best books lists, and was a 2019 book of the year selection by Kirkus and School Library Journal.
Tehlor’s debut middle grade novel, PAOLA SANTIAGO AND THE RIVER OF TEARS, was published by the Rick Riordan Presents imprint at Disney/Hyperion. It received four starred reviews, and was named Amazon’s best book of 2020 in the 9-12 age range.
Tehlor strives to create stories which showcase the importance of community, radical inclusion, and abolitionist values. He lives with his child, wife, and two dogs in his home state of Oregon, and is active on Instagram @tehlorkay.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 364 reviews
September 8, 2025
I apparently like to read things out of order, because C H A O S. While I loved nearly everything about CASH DELGADO IS LIVING THE DREAM, I had a hard time with Sammy's story.
Yes, I'm typically not big on second chance romance, but I've enjoyed a few of them this year (AND THEY WERE ROOMMATES | IT'S DIFFERENT THIS TIME | LOVE IN FOCUS). So it wasn't that. I just didn't think Sammy and Max were right for each other. I'm sorry, but if a man ghosted me after making that many promises, I would literally never give him another chance. Girlie, respect yourself. And other women.
What did I love? Sammy's journey navigating her way through found family, and actually finding family. While her mom sucked incredibly, her newfound relationship with her grandma gave me life. Maybe poor choice of words, but I won't spoil anything.
rep: Mexican American, pan
tw: alcoholism, parent abandonment
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Dell
Yes, I'm typically not big on second chance romance, but I've enjoyed a few of them this year (AND THEY WERE ROOMMATES | IT'S DIFFERENT THIS TIME | LOVE IN FOCUS). So it wasn't that. I just didn't think Sammy and Max were right for each other. I'm sorry, but if a man ghosted me after making that many promises, I would literally never give him another chance. Girlie, respect yourself. And other women.
What did I love? Sammy's journey navigating her way through found family, and actually finding family. While her mom sucked incredibly, her newfound relationship with her grandma gave me life. Maybe poor choice of words, but I won't spoil anything.
rep: Mexican American, pan
tw: alcoholism, parent abandonment
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Dell
July 17, 2023
Sammy Espinoza ruins a great job to try save her relationship with her girlfriend. She's got one chance left to salvage her music column, but it will involve heading to her hometown, of sorts, in Washington, to track down an old flame, Max Ryan. A former and beloved rock star, Max has been in hiding, and rumor has it, he's recording a new album in their hometown. If Sammy can review it, she'll win back her job. But can she forgive her history with Max to do so?
I loved this book very much! It's such an ode to music, but also has great banter and romance. There's a lot of lies and miscommunication and family issues! Sammy's mom is a bit of a mess, always abandoning her daughter for her latest love (including leaving her in Washington for a year with a whole other family). But Sammy can't see that: she's constantly making excuses for her. So Sammy has a whole host of frustrating excuses for her mom--and life--due to these abandonment issues: shutting down, bailing, and just being a general doormat for her mother. Apply this to Max--and you can see a whole train wreck about to happen. Oh Sammy. Some of the miscommunication was a bit too much (just tell him what happened with your job, Sammy!).
But the rest of the story was really picture perfect. Max and Sammy have amazing banter and chemistry. The small town setting is just lovely while the theme of found family is so well-done. The book is filled with diverse characters, including pansexual and queer folks. Parts of Sammy's story truly made me cry. It's such a funny, sweet, and touching tale. The book deftly explores abandonment and anxiety as well as love and music. Overall, a truly lovely read. 4.5 stars.
I received a copy of Sammy Espinoza's Last Review from Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine in return for an unbiased review.
I loved this book very much! It's such an ode to music, but also has great banter and romance. There's a lot of lies and miscommunication and family issues! Sammy's mom is a bit of a mess, always abandoning her daughter for her latest love (including leaving her in Washington for a year with a whole other family). But Sammy can't see that: she's constantly making excuses for her. So Sammy has a whole host of frustrating excuses for her mom--and life--due to these abandonment issues: shutting down, bailing, and just being a general doormat for her mother. Apply this to Max--and you can see a whole train wreck about to happen. Oh Sammy. Some of the miscommunication was a bit too much (just tell him what happened with your job, Sammy!).
But the rest of the story was really picture perfect. Max and Sammy have amazing banter and chemistry. The small town setting is just lovely while the theme of found family is so well-done. The book is filled with diverse characters, including pansexual and queer folks. Parts of Sammy's story truly made me cry. It's such a funny, sweet, and touching tale. The book deftly explores abandonment and anxiety as well as love and music. Overall, a truly lovely read. 4.5 stars.
I received a copy of Sammy Espinoza's Last Review from Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine in return for an unbiased review.
March 15, 2023
This wasn't a terrible book by any means, but it definitely wasn't for me. In fact, I think my biggest problem with SAMMY ESPINOZA'S LAST REVIEW is more my problem with romance books in general: they expect me to root for couples who are almost always objectively terrible together. Like... I'm sorry, but Sammy and Max had absolutely no business ending up together (which is barely even a spoiler, let's be real)—and when your main premise is flawed right off the jump, it's hard to fight your way back from it. The domestic drama surrounding Sammy's complicated relationships with her mother and grandparents was by far the more compelling and emotive plot thread, but it also felt a little half-baked and underdeveloped. And where was all the friggin' music?
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
June 7, 2025
#️⃣2️⃣7️⃣4️⃣ Read & Reviewed in 2025 ⛈️⚡🚨
Date : 📢 Thursday, June 5, 2025 🍙⚔️
Word Count📃: 105k Words 🏕️
──★ ˙💥🪨💣🪨💥 ̟ ⋆✮˚.*⋆
ദ്ദി ≽^⎚˕⎚^≼ .ᐟ My 12th read in "Explosive Impactful Reads June"
2️⃣🌟, it just drags on soo longggggggg😫😫😫😫😫😫
——————————————————————
➕➖0️⃣1️⃣2️⃣3️⃣4️⃣5️⃣6️⃣7️⃣8️⃣9️⃣🔟✖️➗
It's a romance book but where is the romance? It's just a random compilation of scenes between a music critic and a rockstar just creating albums, creating songs there's not really any problems ANYWHERE. The two of them are NOT fit for each other but the story forces it to me. And for a book about music criticism and rockstars there is a surprising lack of musical elements or just song & music references as a whole. Sad to say but the two of them have zero personality and even the drama between Sammy and her family are a poor attempt to make Sammy just a LIIIITLE bit more interesting than the basic nobody that she really is. She was really immature and honestly manipulative but it got overshadowed of the mere NOTHINGNESS the she gives to the story.
Max probably deserve better but i don't really care about him either, the book focuses about Sammy and Sammy only, we don't have any time to actually connect to who Max iss so if the main character is a nobody and then the second main character is not even handled properly as a love interest, what does this book gives? All the emotional problems are handled like expired cheese as if it's just something to throw across acting like it's something interesting. I rooted more for Brook and Willa more than the main characters *eyeroll* 🙄
Date : 📢 Thursday, June 5, 2025 🍙⚔️
Word Count📃: 105k Words 🏕️
──★ ˙💥🪨💣🪨💥 ̟ ⋆✮˚.*⋆
ദ്ദി ≽^⎚˕⎚^≼ .ᐟ My 12th read in "Explosive Impactful Reads June"
2️⃣🌟, it just drags on soo longggggggg😫😫😫😫😫😫
——————————————————————
➕➖0️⃣1️⃣2️⃣3️⃣4️⃣5️⃣6️⃣7️⃣8️⃣9️⃣🔟✖️➗
It's a romance book but where is the romance? It's just a random compilation of scenes between a music critic and a rockstar just creating albums, creating songs there's not really any problems ANYWHERE. The two of them are NOT fit for each other but the story forces it to me. And for a book about music criticism and rockstars there is a surprising lack of musical elements or just song & music references as a whole. Sad to say but the two of them have zero personality and even the drama between Sammy and her family are a poor attempt to make Sammy just a LIIIITLE bit more interesting than the basic nobody that she really is. She was really immature and honestly manipulative but it got overshadowed of the mere NOTHINGNESS the she gives to the story.
Max probably deserve better but i don't really care about him either, the book focuses about Sammy and Sammy only, we don't have any time to actually connect to who Max iss so if the main character is a nobody and then the second main character is not even handled properly as a love interest, what does this book gives? All the emotional problems are handled like expired cheese as if it's just something to throw across acting like it's something interesting. I rooted more for Brook and Willa more than the main characters *eyeroll* 🙄
November 9, 2023
sammy espinoza is the love of my life. and so is max ryan. i love every single thing about this book i’ll never get over it
September 21, 2023
I haven’t been this frustrated by a fmc in quite a while so this will be a rant-y review. Sammy was immature, manipulative, jumped to conclusions and was incapable of making the right decision. I also did not buy this couple at all. Their independent issues made them incompatible in my opinion and I wish they had not ended up together in the end. I think Max deserved better, even though we never actually got to know him well because Sammy is not a reliable narrator, especially when it came to him. I also found Sammy’s descriptions of Max and their time together to be incredibly cringey, sort of like what a 13-year-old teenage girl would say about their first crush. I love spice in books but I had to speed up the audiobook during the sex scenes. I think the audiobook narrator saved it from being even worse. She did a great job narrating.
This book dealt with some serious issues and I don’t think it handled them well. Honestly, many of my issues with this book would have been solved if this had been YA/NA so the fmc would’ve been younger and I could’ve understood some of her actions.
*Spoilers* - Non-extensive list of issues:
- she called herself a journalist but then was acting unethically by manipulating Max and hiding her job from him until the end
- I wish she had not been in therapy because why wasn’t her therapist helping her resolve some of this very obvious issues with her mother and feelings of abandonment. She should get a refund from her therapist.
- it was soooo predictable that her mother purposely kept her from her grandparents, I was hoping this wouldn’t be the case
- her reasons for “hating” Max at the beginning were all in her head. I wish he had actually done something to her but while it was rude of him not to call, he knew her for a couple of hours and his life was about to change. Holding on a grudge for 10 years over this was unreasonable
- I hated the lack of resolution with her mother
- she was a bad friend. She was so self-involved she didn’t notice anything was going with her friend
- she could’ve withdrew the article without self-sabotaging herself
- she should’ve grovel more for betraying Max
- none of their issues were resolved, she still has abandonment issues and he still has trust issues, so 🤷🏻♀️
CN: parental neglect, parent death (off page), grandparent death (on and off page), addiction
This book dealt with some serious issues and I don’t think it handled them well. Honestly, many of my issues with this book would have been solved if this had been YA/NA so the fmc would’ve been younger and I could’ve understood some of her actions.
*Spoilers* - Non-extensive list of issues:
- she called herself a journalist but then was acting unethically by manipulating Max and hiding her job from him until the end
- I wish she had not been in therapy because why wasn’t her therapist helping her resolve some of this very obvious issues with her mother and feelings of abandonment. She should get a refund from her therapist.
- it was soooo predictable that her mother purposely kept her from her grandparents, I was hoping this wouldn’t be the case
- her reasons for “hating” Max at the beginning were all in her head. I wish he had actually done something to her but while it was rude of him not to call, he knew her for a couple of hours and his life was about to change. Holding on a grudge for 10 years over this was unreasonable
- I hated the lack of resolution with her mother
- she was a bad friend. She was so self-involved she didn’t notice anything was going with her friend
- she could’ve withdrew the article without self-sabotaging herself
- she should’ve grovel more for betraying Max
- none of their issues were resolved, she still has abandonment issues and he still has trust issues, so 🤷🏻♀️
CN: parental neglect, parent death (off page), grandparent death (on and off page), addiction
July 18, 2023
I adored this big-hearted adult fiction debut featuring a cast of queer characters, found family, small town charm and an utterly cheer-worthy second chance romance between Sammy, a pansexual music reviewer and Max, a Rockstar looking for a comeback.
Great on audio and it seems like there just might be a second book coming??? I would definitely love to return to Ridley Falls and get more Sammy and Max stories. Recommended for fans of authors like BK Borrison or Courtney Kae.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and @prhaudio for early digital and audio copies in exchange for my honest review!
⚠️CW: recovering alcoholic, absentee/neglectful parent, death of a loved one
Great on audio and it seems like there just might be a second book coming??? I would definitely love to return to Ridley Falls and get more Sammy and Max stories. Recommended for fans of authors like BK Borrison or Courtney Kae.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and @prhaudio for early digital and audio copies in exchange for my honest review!
⚠️CW: recovering alcoholic, absentee/neglectful parent, death of a loved one
July 3, 2025
Why do all these stories have some sort of ‘this is my only hope’ thing and why is it always an old flame/ex-lover/person who they have history with, that holds the key to dealing with all their problems? And WHY do authors think that miscommunication is a must have for their books? There has to be SOME way to make the same thing happen WITHOUT the miscommunication. Again, stupid reasons for disliking the person and ykw I’m done I’m going to go rip my eyes out
August 19, 2023
I cried like 3 times at work while reading this. Such a heartbreaking story about falling fast and hard, but also about abandonment issues, mommy issues, and family blood and chosen.
August 7, 2023
Find photo and review on Instagram.
Sometimes the world doesn’t give you closure. Sometimes you have to make it yourself.” – Tehlor Kay Mejia
Sammy Espinoza’s Last Review, Tehlor Kay Mejia has:
.
🌧️PNW grunge vibes
💔Second chance romance
🏡Found family (both literally and figuratively)
🫶🏼One chance at making it all right
🙋🏻Very mysterious and hot lead singer for a famous band that just disappears one day
🖤Mental health rep: anxiety and depression
🌳Finding out about your roots
.
If you read Funny You Should Ask and wanted MORE from that second chance romance, then Sammy Espinoza’s Last Review is the book that will fill the emotional hole that book left wanting.
.
Deducted a star because I honestly don't know if I was pulling for these 2 or not pretty much the whole book.
.
Thanks to @randomhouse #partner for my finished copy.
Follow me on Instagram & Tik Tok.
Support me by shopping my Bookshop shelves.
Sometimes the world doesn’t give you closure. Sometimes you have to make it yourself.” – Tehlor Kay Mejia
Sammy Espinoza’s Last Review, Tehlor Kay Mejia has:
.
🌧️PNW grunge vibes
💔Second chance romance
🏡Found family (both literally and figuratively)
🫶🏼One chance at making it all right
🙋🏻Very mysterious and hot lead singer for a famous band that just disappears one day
🖤Mental health rep: anxiety and depression
🌳Finding out about your roots
.
If you read Funny You Should Ask and wanted MORE from that second chance romance, then Sammy Espinoza’s Last Review is the book that will fill the emotional hole that book left wanting.
.
Deducted a star because I honestly don't know if I was pulling for these 2 or not pretty much the whole book.
.
Thanks to @randomhouse #partner for my finished copy.
Follow me on Instagram & Tik Tok.
Support me by shopping my Bookshop shelves.
July 18, 2023
Thank you so much to Penguin Random House/Ballentine for an advance copy of this book!
Thank you so much to PRH Audio for the complimentary audio!
This book will be published on July 18.
Content Warnings from Storygraph:
This book dug deeper into heavier topics than I was expected! Sammy Espinoza returns back home after she is hanging on a thread in hopes that she can convince her former crush Max Ryan to give her the scoop on his solo album that could save her job. But coming back to her hometown is with mixed emotions as she is scared to confront her family history and meet the grandparents who never wanted her.
I did end up really enjoy this book. When I was reading it, I was super into it but I wasn't finding myself itching to go back to it. Listening to the audio in tandem really helped push my reading along. The narration from Victoria Villarreal was excellent! I thought they did such a wonderful job with all the characters!
I really enjoyed the friendships in the book. Willa & Brook were such wonderful characters and I loved anytime they interacted with Sammy. And Willa's parents were such wonderful people!! I love when they were featured.
One relationship that so wonderful to see the journey that Sammy develops with her grandmother. I love how we had such a negative assumption about her based off what we knew from Sammy. But Sammy herself was wrong about her because of the lies her mother was telling her. It was beautiful to see how close they came in such a short time & Sammy was able to learn about her grandfather and more importantly her father.
The female main character frustrated me mostly because I wanted her to be honest about her intentions with Max Ryan right from the start. Whenever I think it was going to happen something got in the way. I would have been curious the direction the story would've gone in if she had confessed early.
The love interest Max Ryan, made me so mad!!! Moreso towards the last quarter of the book. One thing I do not tolerate when it comes to any sort of relationship is ghosting. I understood why he suddenly disappeared but still could've left a note, a text message, SOMETHING. Despite that I really did love his character and come on I'm a sucker for a musician.
It may seem like I did not like the book but I really did!!! I really love Sammy & Max together. They just connected in a way that felt genuine and at the root really connected by music. I think that is why I was so frustrated in why they harmed one another because they had such a good thing going when it all could've been avoided. Of course one of my favorite moments was when they were singing karaoke! You know I will always point that out in a review.
If you are a fan of music, queer representation, found family, second chances this is the book for you!!!
Thank you so much to PRH Audio for the complimentary audio!
This book will be published on July 18.
Content Warnings from Storygraph:
This book dug deeper into heavier topics than I was expected! Sammy Espinoza returns back home after she is hanging on a thread in hopes that she can convince her former crush Max Ryan to give her the scoop on his solo album that could save her job. But coming back to her hometown is with mixed emotions as she is scared to confront her family history and meet the grandparents who never wanted her.
I did end up really enjoy this book. When I was reading it, I was super into it but I wasn't finding myself itching to go back to it. Listening to the audio in tandem really helped push my reading along. The narration from Victoria Villarreal was excellent! I thought they did such a wonderful job with all the characters!
I really enjoyed the friendships in the book. Willa & Brook were such wonderful characters and I loved anytime they interacted with Sammy. And Willa's parents were such wonderful people!! I love when they were featured.
One relationship that so wonderful to see the journey that Sammy develops with her grandmother. I love how we had such a negative assumption about her based off what we knew from Sammy. But Sammy herself was wrong about her because of the lies her mother was telling her. It was beautiful to see how close they came in such a short time & Sammy was able to learn about her grandfather and more importantly her father.
The female main character frustrated me mostly because I wanted her to be honest about her intentions with Max Ryan right from the start. Whenever I think it was going to happen something got in the way. I would have been curious the direction the story would've gone in if she had confessed early.
The love interest Max Ryan, made me so mad!!! Moreso towards the last quarter of the book. One thing I do not tolerate when it comes to any sort of relationship is ghosting. I understood why he suddenly disappeared but still could've left a note, a text message, SOMETHING. Despite that I really did love his character and come on I'm a sucker for a musician.
It may seem like I did not like the book but I really did!!! I really love Sammy & Max together. They just connected in a way that felt genuine and at the root really connected by music. I think that is why I was so frustrated in why they harmed one another because they had such a good thing going when it all could've been avoided. Of course one of my favorite moments was when they were singing karaoke! You know I will always point that out in a review.
If you are a fan of music, queer representation, found family, second chances this is the book for you!!!
February 28, 2023
This is an awesome book that held my attention throughout as it was so different and unique! Sammy "meets" Max years after she's had a crush on the musician even when he ghosted her. Now he appears to have no memory of her whatsoever and she confides in friends, Brooke and Willa with whom she is staying. So many great complications and crazy scenes that kept my head spinning but I loved it! Even as she re-connects with her grandmother, Sammy finds answers to questions she's longed to know. Heartfelt and poignant!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
January 14, 2024
4.5/5
If you're in the mood for something messy with fantastic found family representation, you should definitely read this.
It took me a hot second to get into the plot line but I absolutely loved the last third of this book! I loved Sammy's journey throughout the story and her struggle with balancing her unavailable mother and the family that she never knew.
I fell in love with Sammy and Paloma. I absolutely adored their relationship and loved getting to see them grow and love on each other. Paloma's letter at the end of the story truly broke me.
I will say that the only reason this wasn't a 5, was because of Sammy and Max hiding big secrets from each other. Now, of course when you're essentially strangers to each other, you're not going to immediately spill your deepest and darkest secrets. However, as their relationship progressed, I kept wanting them to speak up!
Sammy and Max tended to come across a little younger at times, but I loved their relationship and their love for music that they shared with one another.
Overall, just a beautifully messy story about finding family and passion in your life. I will definitely be reading Tehlor's work from now on!
Thank you PRH Audio for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
If you're in the mood for something messy with fantastic found family representation, you should definitely read this.
It took me a hot second to get into the plot line but I absolutely loved the last third of this book! I loved Sammy's journey throughout the story and her struggle with balancing her unavailable mother and the family that she never knew.
I fell in love with Sammy and Paloma. I absolutely adored their relationship and loved getting to see them grow and love on each other. Paloma's letter at the end of the story truly broke me.
I will say that the only reason this wasn't a 5, was because of Sammy and Max hiding big secrets from each other. Now, of course when you're essentially strangers to each other, you're not going to immediately spill your deepest and darkest secrets. However, as their relationship progressed, I kept wanting them to speak up!
Sammy and Max tended to come across a little younger at times, but I loved their relationship and their love for music that they shared with one another.
Overall, just a beautifully messy story about finding family and passion in your life. I will definitely be reading Tehlor's work from now on!
Thank you PRH Audio for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
July 9, 2023
More like 4 1/2 stars
Thank you to Tiffani @penguinrandomhouse for sending me Tehlor Kay Mejia's Adult Romance Debut: Sammy Espinoza’s last review. I went into this completely blind and I really enjoyed this book.
I didn’t know what to expect from this music critic who needs to get her life back on track and a musician who is afraid to get back on stage again. Sammy has had a rough childhood and honestly all I wanted to do was love her because she felt so unloved with no family. Max is a musician who walked off stage one night and never came back. But now he would like to get back up there. He and Sammy met just as Max was getting started and he ditched her. Needless to say she never forgot it. She’s now a music critic about to lose her job unless Max Ryan lets her write about his super secret new album.
This one really squeezed my heart but it was very good!
Thank you to Tiffani @penguinrandomhouse for sending me Tehlor Kay Mejia's Adult Romance Debut: Sammy Espinoza’s last review. I went into this completely blind and I really enjoyed this book.
I didn’t know what to expect from this music critic who needs to get her life back on track and a musician who is afraid to get back on stage again. Sammy has had a rough childhood and honestly all I wanted to do was love her because she felt so unloved with no family. Max is a musician who walked off stage one night and never came back. But now he would like to get back up there. He and Sammy met just as Max was getting started and he ditched her. Needless to say she never forgot it. She’s now a music critic about to lose her job unless Max Ryan lets her write about his super secret new album.
This one really squeezed my heart but it was very good!
February 26, 2023
Tehlor this was breathtaking. Seriously, friends - this book. I devoured it. Too complex to be called a romedy, but too accessible to be what, women's fiction? This is the type of book I crave ... There's so much heart and friendship and romance and (amazing) bits of spice (the perfect amount, and not a turgid peak to be seen) and family and casual queerness. Put the release date in your planners.
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September 24, 2024This one was just too ridiculously sad in the most hyperbolic ways possible. Her dad is dead, her grandpa is dead (both of which she never met), her grandma dies after knowing her for a week, her mom is an absentee piece of shit, she loses her job in a ridiculous way… And to top it all off, her LI has the personality of a wet cardboard cutout and they have no chemistry. I think I would’ve liked this book more if the framing had been more “coming of age, lite literary fiction” similar to Adelaide, but it was forced to be a romance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2025
I loved the plotline about Sammy, her reunion with her grandma and her healing from familial wounds but the romance part was really really bad. Maybe I'm just prone to holding grudges but a man who ghosted me would NEVER get a second of my day ever again let alone an entire relationship. I could not get behind it
January 30, 2024
3.5⭐️
December 3, 2023
I went in for a romance but I think the bits about family and reconnecting with sammy’s roots were the most compelling. The romance was fine! But Justice for Willa bc I would be respectfully exhausted with Sammy.
January 15, 2026
I'm yet to pick up a book by this author that I don't completely love.
Sammy is a girl who was born to a mother still in her teens. However, unlike the wholesome view of this trope that Gilmore Girls offers, Sammy's mother is one entire mess who it's hard to redeem. While her mother has seen herself as a victim of life, the real victim has been Sammy who has had to make do with the belief that she's not lovable as she is and therefore has to trick people into being around her if she wants them to stay.
The only exception to this, especially after her recent break up with Juniper, is Willa and her wife. Sammy returns to the small town where she spent a year as part of Willa's family during their childhood in order to regather herself and, also, to write a music review that might just save her flailing career.
Because Ridley Falls isn't just the home of her best friend Willa. It's also the home of rock god Max Ryan, who disappeared from his band for reasons no one entirely knows, despite speculation, and who's said to be working on his own solo album.
Max isn't just a rock god to Sammy, however. Before her relationship with Juniper started or failed, before her writing career was something Sammy needed to save, Max was just a guy with a dream of making it big in music, someone who promised Sammy the world only to disappear the day after and never send word why.
This book is phenomenal for the crowd of people who are in their 30s but for whom life is anything but sorted out yet. It's about getting what you want and realising it isn't how you imagined it might be. And it's about parents not being anything close to perfect, and actually making enough mistakes that it isn't automatically reasonable to forgive them because they're the only parent you'll ever have.
I loved Sammy's strength, wished she could have spent more time not self destructing, loved the time she got to spend with Paloma and wished she could have spent less time at odds with Willa. But I wouldn't have changed a minute of it because every part of this book is what gave it a delicious tension that worked.
Sammy is a girl who was born to a mother still in her teens. However, unlike the wholesome view of this trope that Gilmore Girls offers, Sammy's mother is one entire mess who it's hard to redeem. While her mother has seen herself as a victim of life, the real victim has been Sammy who has had to make do with the belief that she's not lovable as she is and therefore has to trick people into being around her if she wants them to stay.
The only exception to this, especially after her recent break up with Juniper, is Willa and her wife. Sammy returns to the small town where she spent a year as part of Willa's family during their childhood in order to regather herself and, also, to write a music review that might just save her flailing career.
Because Ridley Falls isn't just the home of her best friend Willa. It's also the home of rock god Max Ryan, who disappeared from his band for reasons no one entirely knows, despite speculation, and who's said to be working on his own solo album.
Max isn't just a rock god to Sammy, however. Before her relationship with Juniper started or failed, before her writing career was something Sammy needed to save, Max was just a guy with a dream of making it big in music, someone who promised Sammy the world only to disappear the day after and never send word why.
This book is phenomenal for the crowd of people who are in their 30s but for whom life is anything but sorted out yet. It's about getting what you want and realising it isn't how you imagined it might be. And it's about parents not being anything close to perfect, and actually making enough mistakes that it isn't automatically reasonable to forgive them because they're the only parent you'll ever have.
I loved Sammy's strength, wished she could have spent more time not self destructing, loved the time she got to spend with Paloma and wished she could have spent less time at odds with Willa. But I wouldn't have changed a minute of it because every part of this book is what gave it a delicious tension that worked.
July 20, 2023
Trigger Warnings: break-up, past death of a grandparent, absent parent, alcohol, past death of a parent, drunk driving death, pregnant out of wedlock/teenage pregnancy, injury, panic attack, hospital, sex, alcoholism, death of a grandmother on page, funeral
Representation: Pansexual, Lesbian, Mexican-American
Sammy Espinoza’s Last Review is a queer, contemporary romance about a music critic stuck in a spiral of epic proportions as she targets her teenage crush for a career comeback and a chance at revenge. What could possibly go wrong?
Sammy Espinoza’s life is a raging dumpster fire. Her desperate attempt to win back her singer ex-girlfriend has landed her in hot water at work and she has one last chance before her editor cuts her column. Luckily, Sammy has a plan to redeem herself, but it won’t be easy. Rumor has it that Max Ryan, the former rock god, is secretly recording his first-ever solo album years after he dramatically quit performing. And it just so happens that right before Max got his big break, he and Sammy spent an unforgettable night together.
Exclusive access to Max’s new music would guarantee Sammy’s professional comeback and, even better, give her the opportunity to serve some long-awaited revenge for his traumatic ghosting. Unfortunately Max lives in Ridley Falls, Washington; and Sammy has a history there, with a family that never wanted her and a million unanswered questions. Going back would mean confronting it all, but what else does she have to lose?
This eARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a very cute story! It also gets very steamy! The book has found family and small town vibes, but also touches on some deep themes. I thought the audiobook was quite enjoyable and the narrator does a great job bringing these characters to life. The interactions between characters includes a lot of wit and banter, making the storyline very funny. The characters are also flawed and relatable humans. I love a good cast of messy queers!
Representation: Pansexual, Lesbian, Mexican-American
Sammy Espinoza’s Last Review is a queer, contemporary romance about a music critic stuck in a spiral of epic proportions as she targets her teenage crush for a career comeback and a chance at revenge. What could possibly go wrong?
Sammy Espinoza’s life is a raging dumpster fire. Her desperate attempt to win back her singer ex-girlfriend has landed her in hot water at work and she has one last chance before her editor cuts her column. Luckily, Sammy has a plan to redeem herself, but it won’t be easy. Rumor has it that Max Ryan, the former rock god, is secretly recording his first-ever solo album years after he dramatically quit performing. And it just so happens that right before Max got his big break, he and Sammy spent an unforgettable night together.
Exclusive access to Max’s new music would guarantee Sammy’s professional comeback and, even better, give her the opportunity to serve some long-awaited revenge for his traumatic ghosting. Unfortunately Max lives in Ridley Falls, Washington; and Sammy has a history there, with a family that never wanted her and a million unanswered questions. Going back would mean confronting it all, but what else does she have to lose?
This eARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a very cute story! It also gets very steamy! The book has found family and small town vibes, but also touches on some deep themes. I thought the audiobook was quite enjoyable and the narrator does a great job bringing these characters to life. The interactions between characters includes a lot of wit and banter, making the storyline very funny. The characters are also flawed and relatable humans. I love a good cast of messy queers!
July 24, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
My Selling Pitch:
Do you want to read a generic small-town romance between a rockstar and the girl he ghosted that do not wind up having a healthy relationship, but the book pretends that they do? Do you like family and friend drama?
Pre-reading:
If my name is in a book, I am legally obligated to read it.
Thick of it:
If you’re calling another human being a goddess, you deserve to be broken up with. Just sayin.
The voice in this is charming, if a little cringey.
Rom-com serial killer sin
Detritus sin
Your mom owed it to you to make sure she was ready to have a kid before she had one.
What do you mean you wondered? You literally have her wallet and gave her your address.
Do you think an orange sofa is tasteful?
It’s way too instalove.
I don’t think I’m in the audience for this book because I am not obsessed with musicians. I don’t really care about music. I just don’t relate to it at all.
Did she put her number in his phone wrong?
Lol, never mind.
He invited you to be a groupie, babe. You didn’t really miss out on anything.
Is the paper bag condoms? (it’s not)
I know I’m reading too much into this, but I don’t understand how they could have half a foot difference in height, but the same shoe size.
I take it back. They don’t fit her. Good on you, book.
You’re just coming off like an asshole.
impetus
It’s bucket and hallmark, but entertaining
This old bitch is a Cunt.
Wow, I’m glad he’s a normal human being and was like I was drunk and asked a random girl to come with me. Obviously, it wasn’t serious.
I mean, you don’t have the opportunity to do it to her now. I feel like he would still do it. Once that guy, always that guy.
viscera
I don’t know why I thought this was YA. I don’t know why I thought this was going to be a clean romance.
This is not a bad sex scene, and I will leave it at that.
Babe, he’s a rockstar. He can afford a maid.
What bachelor man has powdered sugar in his kitchen? I don’t even have powdered sugar just around.
You not knowing Spanish is not her fault. They got Duolingo. You could’ve taken it in school.
She said she would take legal action? On what fucking grounds? And you believed this lady?
I’m very glad this book isn’t giving her mom a redemption arc, and it’s actually her coming to terms with the fact that her mom is awful.
She just had another entire chicken lying around?
I feel like this is a very high three stars. The family drama in it is great.
I don’t think Willa doesn’t have her back. I think Willa has her back so much that she’s trying to stop her from making any mistakes. I think you need a friend like that.
Please no karaoke. Here I am toying with the idea that maybe this book deserves four stars because the family drama is so good, and they’re gonna put karaoke in this bitch?
No Wonderwall
Literally just text him where are you. That’s weird behavior.
God, this book really relies so heavily on the miscommunication trope. and it’s getting a little old. Just fucking talk to each other.
This mans better be dead in a ditch somewhere.
I don’t see how the author could possibly explain this away and have me be on board because I am done with him. He is dead to me.
I regret the cunt comment from earlier, but current grandma is not the same character as past grandma.
Oh fuck, grandma’s dying. It was not dehydration
This reminds me of the family drama and emotional growth of an Emily Henry novel, but it doesn’t have the snappy banter.
Girl, grandma is dead.
I’m sorry, no. Absolutely not. Break up. He is irredeemable. He’s an addict and he didn’t want to tell you so he just decided to do alcohol and then leave you and go on a bender and not communicate for a week? Girlypop. This will happen again. We are not doing this. Goodbye, sir.
I just don’t have time for insecure men. I don’t. They exhaust me. I want nothing to do with them. Go to therapy, sir.
Hey idiot, you could literally just have sent her a text that said talk later. That’s literally all you had to send. This is a bullshit explanation. Absolutely not. Fuck this man.
As you said to your mom, it doesn’t count just because you keep coming back. If they wind up together, I’m gonna be frustrated.
Fuck this guy. He can inflict whatever pain he wants, but she’s not allowed? I hope they don’t end up together. They are doomed. Also, I just think from a practical standpoint that they would never get along if he’s a meticulous, neat freak, and she loves to be messy.
Don’t forget we have to pile on to the misery. Grandma is 100% dead, but like you’ll probably inherit her house and some money, so like fair trade?
Is he really making her dead grandma’s funeral about him and his feelings? I’m sorry, you don’t get comfort right now, sir.
Gotta put the horny in funerals.
I know it’s supposed to be chivalrous that he keeps sharing his wet jackets with her, but I’m just like you’re getting her more wet, and not in the fun way. Wet man jackets are heavy.
I’m sorry they named their baby after a cloud?
Wow, money fixes everything.
Wow, what a trash man.
Post-reading:
This book was getting to almost be a tossup for me between three and four stars because the family drama was done so well, but the cringe bits and the fact that the love interest is absolute trash have put this firmly in the three-star category.
Like most contemporary romances, this book relies heavily on the miscommunication or non-communication trope. It gets annoying after a while. Like grow up. Talk to people. Y’all are adults. I think the family drama in this book is well done. I think the fights that the characters have are realistic and relatable. All the waxing poetic about music is cheesy. Also, the love interest’s betrayal is a giant red flag and pretty unforgivable to me. I don’t like that they wound up together. I think they’re actively bad for each other.
It’s a better book than I thought it was going to be, but that’s really not saying much because I expected to hate every second of this. Instead, it was tolerable and even good for a few beats, but it ends up being a generic small-town romance. It’s skippable, but I won’t discourage you from reading it. I will discourage you from thinking that this book ends with any sort of semblance of a healthy relationship.
Who should read this:
Small-town romance fans
Family drama fans
Musician romance fans
Do I want to reread this:
No
Similar books:
* Beach Read by Emily Henry-small town family drama romance
* Book Lovers by Emily Henry-small town, family drama romance
* Happy Place by Emily Henry-friendship drama, second chance romance.
* When in Rome by Sarah Adams-Small town instalove romance between a singer and a normie
* Our Place on the Island by Erika Montgomery-small town romance, family drama
* Welcome to Beach Town by Susan Wiggs-small town romance, family drama
My Selling Pitch:
Do you want to read a generic small-town romance between a rockstar and the girl he ghosted that do not wind up having a healthy relationship, but the book pretends that they do? Do you like family and friend drama?
Pre-reading:
If my name is in a book, I am legally obligated to read it.
Thick of it:
If you’re calling another human being a goddess, you deserve to be broken up with. Just sayin.
The voice in this is charming, if a little cringey.
Rom-com serial killer sin
Detritus sin
Your mom owed it to you to make sure she was ready to have a kid before she had one.
What do you mean you wondered? You literally have her wallet and gave her your address.
Do you think an orange sofa is tasteful?
It’s way too instalove.
I don’t think I’m in the audience for this book because I am not obsessed with musicians. I don’t really care about music. I just don’t relate to it at all.
Did she put her number in his phone wrong?
Lol, never mind.
He invited you to be a groupie, babe. You didn’t really miss out on anything.
Is the paper bag condoms? (it’s not)
I know I’m reading too much into this, but I don’t understand how they could have half a foot difference in height, but the same shoe size.
I take it back. They don’t fit her. Good on you, book.
You’re just coming off like an asshole.
impetus
It’s bucket and hallmark, but entertaining
This old bitch is a Cunt.
Wow, I’m glad he’s a normal human being and was like I was drunk and asked a random girl to come with me. Obviously, it wasn’t serious.
I mean, you don’t have the opportunity to do it to her now. I feel like he would still do it. Once that guy, always that guy.
viscera
I don’t know why I thought this was YA. I don’t know why I thought this was going to be a clean romance.
This is not a bad sex scene, and I will leave it at that.
Babe, he’s a rockstar. He can afford a maid.
What bachelor man has powdered sugar in his kitchen? I don’t even have powdered sugar just around.
You not knowing Spanish is not her fault. They got Duolingo. You could’ve taken it in school.
She said she would take legal action? On what fucking grounds? And you believed this lady?
I’m very glad this book isn’t giving her mom a redemption arc, and it’s actually her coming to terms with the fact that her mom is awful.
She just had another entire chicken lying around?
I feel like this is a very high three stars. The family drama in it is great.
I don’t think Willa doesn’t have her back. I think Willa has her back so much that she’s trying to stop her from making any mistakes. I think you need a friend like that.
Please no karaoke. Here I am toying with the idea that maybe this book deserves four stars because the family drama is so good, and they’re gonna put karaoke in this bitch?
No Wonderwall
Literally just text him where are you. That’s weird behavior.
God, this book really relies so heavily on the miscommunication trope. and it’s getting a little old. Just fucking talk to each other.
This mans better be dead in a ditch somewhere.
I don’t see how the author could possibly explain this away and have me be on board because I am done with him. He is dead to me.
I regret the cunt comment from earlier, but current grandma is not the same character as past grandma.
Oh fuck, grandma’s dying. It was not dehydration
This reminds me of the family drama and emotional growth of an Emily Henry novel, but it doesn’t have the snappy banter.
Girl, grandma is dead.
I’m sorry, no. Absolutely not. Break up. He is irredeemable. He’s an addict and he didn’t want to tell you so he just decided to do alcohol and then leave you and go on a bender and not communicate for a week? Girlypop. This will happen again. We are not doing this. Goodbye, sir.
I just don’t have time for insecure men. I don’t. They exhaust me. I want nothing to do with them. Go to therapy, sir.
Hey idiot, you could literally just have sent her a text that said talk later. That’s literally all you had to send. This is a bullshit explanation. Absolutely not. Fuck this man.
As you said to your mom, it doesn’t count just because you keep coming back. If they wind up together, I’m gonna be frustrated.
Fuck this guy. He can inflict whatever pain he wants, but she’s not allowed? I hope they don’t end up together. They are doomed. Also, I just think from a practical standpoint that they would never get along if he’s a meticulous, neat freak, and she loves to be messy.
Don’t forget we have to pile on to the misery. Grandma is 100% dead, but like you’ll probably inherit her house and some money, so like fair trade?
Is he really making her dead grandma’s funeral about him and his feelings? I’m sorry, you don’t get comfort right now, sir.
Gotta put the horny in funerals.
I know it’s supposed to be chivalrous that he keeps sharing his wet jackets with her, but I’m just like you’re getting her more wet, and not in the fun way. Wet man jackets are heavy.
I’m sorry they named their baby after a cloud?
Wow, money fixes everything.
Wow, what a trash man.
Post-reading:
This book was getting to almost be a tossup for me between three and four stars because the family drama was done so well, but the cringe bits and the fact that the love interest is absolute trash have put this firmly in the three-star category.
Like most contemporary romances, this book relies heavily on the miscommunication or non-communication trope. It gets annoying after a while. Like grow up. Talk to people. Y’all are adults. I think the family drama in this book is well done. I think the fights that the characters have are realistic and relatable. All the waxing poetic about music is cheesy. Also, the love interest’s betrayal is a giant red flag and pretty unforgivable to me. I don’t like that they wound up together. I think they’re actively bad for each other.
It’s a better book than I thought it was going to be, but that’s really not saying much because I expected to hate every second of this. Instead, it was tolerable and even good for a few beats, but it ends up being a generic small-town romance. It’s skippable, but I won’t discourage you from reading it. I will discourage you from thinking that this book ends with any sort of semblance of a healthy relationship.
Who should read this:
Small-town romance fans
Family drama fans
Musician romance fans
Do I want to reread this:
No
Similar books:
* Beach Read by Emily Henry-small town family drama romance
* Book Lovers by Emily Henry-small town, family drama romance
* Happy Place by Emily Henry-friendship drama, second chance romance.
* When in Rome by Sarah Adams-Small town instalove romance between a singer and a normie
* Our Place on the Island by Erika Montgomery-small town romance, family drama
* Welcome to Beach Town by Susan Wiggs-small town romance, family drama
June 4, 2023
4.25 ☆
Can a story about a 29 year-old trying to figure out her life after a career crisis feel like a coming of age story? This definitely did and was done so well! I enjoyed this immensely and while it started off a bit slow, Sammy’s journey as she navigates returning to her hometown was heartwarming and emotional.
I found Sammy to be super relatable. Dealing with estranged family issues and trying to make sense of her career, I couldn’t blame her indecisiveness. I was rooting for her throughout and was satisfied with her character arc in the end. Her found family - Willa, Brooke, Larry, Maeve, Paloma - really makes this book special.
Can a story about a 29 year-old trying to figure out her life after a career crisis feel like a coming of age story? This definitely did and was done so well! I enjoyed this immensely and while it started off a bit slow, Sammy’s journey as she navigates returning to her hometown was heartwarming and emotional.
I found Sammy to be super relatable. Dealing with estranged family issues and trying to make sense of her career, I couldn’t blame her indecisiveness. I was rooting for her throughout and was satisfied with her character arc in the end. Her found family - Willa, Brooke, Larry, Maeve, Paloma - really makes this book special.
January 26, 2024
DNFed this last year when I got the ARC. I figured it was meant to be picked up again when I saw it at the end cap at the library.
It was okay. I really enjoyed some characters, but found max to be annoying at points as well as Sammy (and her mother was so annoying). I liked the more complex background but felt like some parts were dragged out and others were rushed.
It was okay. I really enjoyed some characters, but found max to be annoying at points as well as Sammy (and her mother was so annoying). I liked the more complex background but felt like some parts were dragged out and others were rushed.
October 1, 2023
Upon picking up SAMMY ESPINOZA'S LAST REVIEW, I was excited to see that not only was this a story by an own voices author, but it is set in Washington state....Where I live! That's always a bonus in my book. A story set in Washington state AND that centered around music. We were already off to a good start and I hadn't even cracked the book open (or rather, started the audio).
We meet Sammy and this woman is lost. She is in trouble with work, has recently broken up with her musician girlfriend and has a weird relationship with her mother that seems to be at the center of everything. But she wants to redeem herself. With a trip back to her hometown and a rockstar that is apparently making his home there and whom she has a short-lived past with, she thinks she can finagle herself an interview to change her life. But there is way more to Sammy's past that she needs to uncover. How will being back in her hometown affect her future she has planned for?
This was a delightful, queer filled book that I enjoyed listening to. The only problem? The characters and their romantic journey felt way more YA than Adult. Except for a couple love scenes, Max and Sammy both seemed a little immature and perhaps like young college students. Not 30 years old. They were both in very pivotal moments in their lives and I liked that they had each other to navigate it with, but they both held secrets from one another that ultimately were quite huge. If I were to take their romance out of the story, this book may have worked better for me. I liked seeing Sammy find out about a piece of her history and embracing it and learning that sometimes you have to let go of things that are toxic, even if you love them. And Max was dealing with his own demons. He really needed to make peace with himself before looking for it in anyone else.
Overall, this was still an enjoyable story and I liked the overall arc for each character, just not so much romantically. There were also some great supporting characters that really pushed the story forward. I also liked the fact that we got a Hispanic FMC that was also pansexual. Finding these books and these types of stories are not that easy, but I try to be as intentional as I can to learn more about the world we live in. Even if it's fiction. It shows the beauty that is out there and the fact that we are all human and we all struggle with identity and where we fit. Tehlor Kay Mejia clearly worked that into the narrative in the story and I really enjoyed that aspect of it. I would definitely check out more of this author's work. 3.5 stars
We meet Sammy and this woman is lost. She is in trouble with work, has recently broken up with her musician girlfriend and has a weird relationship with her mother that seems to be at the center of everything. But she wants to redeem herself. With a trip back to her hometown and a rockstar that is apparently making his home there and whom she has a short-lived past with, she thinks she can finagle herself an interview to change her life. But there is way more to Sammy's past that she needs to uncover. How will being back in her hometown affect her future she has planned for?
This was a delightful, queer filled book that I enjoyed listening to. The only problem? The characters and their romantic journey felt way more YA than Adult. Except for a couple love scenes, Max and Sammy both seemed a little immature and perhaps like young college students. Not 30 years old. They were both in very pivotal moments in their lives and I liked that they had each other to navigate it with, but they both held secrets from one another that ultimately were quite huge. If I were to take their romance out of the story, this book may have worked better for me. I liked seeing Sammy find out about a piece of her history and embracing it and learning that sometimes you have to let go of things that are toxic, even if you love them. And Max was dealing with his own demons. He really needed to make peace with himself before looking for it in anyone else.
Overall, this was still an enjoyable story and I liked the overall arc for each character, just not so much romantically. There were also some great supporting characters that really pushed the story forward. I also liked the fact that we got a Hispanic FMC that was also pansexual. Finding these books and these types of stories are not that easy, but I try to be as intentional as I can to learn more about the world we live in. Even if it's fiction. It shows the beauty that is out there and the fact that we are all human and we all struggle with identity and where we fit. Tehlor Kay Mejia clearly worked that into the narrative in the story and I really enjoyed that aspect of it. I would definitely check out more of this author's work. 3.5 stars
March 7, 2023
I enjoyed many parts of 'Sammy Espinoza's Last Review' except for the romance, and that's a problem for a romance book. The main characters, Sammy and Max, met and spent a great night together ten years ago. Max was in a band, and he told Sammy that he would take her with him on tour, but he ghosted her. Being ghosted forced Sammy to think more about herself and her career. It led her to being a music critic and reviewer. She has held on to the pain of that night for all of these years. Sammy's reaction seemed very juvenile, and it was hard to believe that she was 29 years old. That part of the story read as very YA.
When Sammy hears a rumor that Max is back in his hometown and working on a new album, she sees it as her opportunity to get answers about her past. The problem is that he doesn't remember her when they meet. I really don't like miscommunication, lying, and deceit in romance stories, and Sammy had all of those issues with Max. I felt uncomfortable reading those parts of the book because I didn't want their relationship to be built on lies. I didn't want Max to get hurt.
I really didn't like what happened toward the end of the book and the third act breakup seemed like it came out of left field. I wasn't rooting for them to be together, and I didn't believe that they could make things work.
If I remove the romance part of the book, I enjoyed the rest of the story! I loved how Sammy had a found family with Willa and Brook, Willa's parents, and her grandmother. I connected to those parts of the story, and I loved that she was able to meet her grandmother and have a bond with her. Meeting with her grandmother was such an emotional part of the story, and it brought me to tears many times. Willa and Brook had such a strong marriage, and I wanted more of their characters. I would enjoy a romance book about their backstory and their love story together.
If I focus on parts of the book other than the romance, I enjoyed this book so much. The romance was lacking for me because it was built on dishonesty. I wish that Sammy and Max had been honest from the beginning. It would have helped to create a strong foundation, and it would have allowed me to root for their happy ending together.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for an ARC of this story. If you're looking for a story with a found family, supportive friends, and music references, this is the book for you.
When Sammy hears a rumor that Max is back in his hometown and working on a new album, she sees it as her opportunity to get answers about her past. The problem is that he doesn't remember her when they meet. I really don't like miscommunication, lying, and deceit in romance stories, and Sammy had all of those issues with Max. I felt uncomfortable reading those parts of the book because I didn't want their relationship to be built on lies. I didn't want Max to get hurt.
I really didn't like what happened toward the end of the book and the third act breakup seemed like it came out of left field. I wasn't rooting for them to be together, and I didn't believe that they could make things work.
If I remove the romance part of the book, I enjoyed the rest of the story! I loved how Sammy had a found family with Willa and Brook, Willa's parents, and her grandmother. I connected to those parts of the story, and I loved that she was able to meet her grandmother and have a bond with her. Meeting with her grandmother was such an emotional part of the story, and it brought me to tears many times. Willa and Brook had such a strong marriage, and I wanted more of their characters. I would enjoy a romance book about their backstory and their love story together.
If I focus on parts of the book other than the romance, I enjoyed this book so much. The romance was lacking for me because it was built on dishonesty. I wish that Sammy and Max had been honest from the beginning. It would have helped to create a strong foundation, and it would have allowed me to root for their happy ending together.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for an ARC of this story. If you're looking for a story with a found family, supportive friends, and music references, this is the book for you.
March 1, 2023
The protagonist manipulating and lying to the love interest made it impossible for me to enjoy the romance, I just spent most of the book feeling bad for Max...And then the third-act conflict is so artificially and explicitly tailored to each character's worst fears, it was just too much.
February 3, 2024
3.5/almost 4 stars, but not quite.
This was a strange one for me, because the parts I liked I REALLY liked, & the parts I didn't drove me off a cliff. It also took me decidedly longer to read than it should have, so I had some extra time to really sit in the story. Notably, I loved Sammy, but also she was often the worst. It seemed, to me anyway, that she had a split personality, not so much being two different people, but her behavior manifested in two wildly different versions of herself. She is this badass music critic (a sidenote worth mentioning here: I always find stories about writers to be contrived & inadequate, but Sammy was well-written & believable as a writer) who's passionate about music & the journey of discovery it can take you on, who is honest & open & compassionate, but then on the flip she could be whiny, was dopey & naive, & allowed her happiness to be controlled by the whims of others. Granted, she struggled with severe abandonment issues from a mother who was absolute clown shoes, but was self-aware enough to know the choices she was making were Hot Garbage.
I don't even know how to really start this in any kind of coherent order, so I'll start with what I liked best. Paloma Espinoza was the shining star of this story. Sammy building her relationship with her never-have-I-ever-met-you grandmother was by far the best part of this novel. I cried, I laughed, I cheered, I cried again. Without a complete spoiler, I'd say my only note would be that this part of Sammy's story ended unfairly in a pretty thinly-veiled, cheap attempt at propelling the plot forward, but that's just how these novels go sometimes. Regardless, I would not rest until I mastered the perfect homemade tortilla in Paloma's mischievous abuela eyes.
The Max Ryan part of this story was half snooze half happy ever after, which I guess is the trap you're willing to snag yourself in when you choose to read a rom-com. Might be an unpopular opinion (but actually probably not in the eyes of my mid-thirties girlies peers), but I wish Sammy & Max hadn't ended up together (hardly a spoiler tbh). They were both so deeply flawed & damaged (which is not a dig against them, merely an observation about their ability to build a future together without working their shit out themselves first) that it seemed unrealistic to walk off into the sunset together in the end. They both hurt each other, badly, but I remained so staunchly on the side of Team Sammy that having her forgive Max & take him back after essentially abandoning her (again!!) to ~try~ to deal with his own shit had me cursing them both out & screaming internally (ok, & maybe also externally). Idgaf what trauma you're carrying around with you, it gives you no right to treat people like they're nothing, like they don't have feelings, like they don't matter, which is exactly what Max did.
What I will say was done exceptionally well, was the depiction of trauma & how it leaves lasting scars on peoples' psyches & can really fuck a person up in their future endeavors/relationships. As someone who has previously struggled with PTSD, & continues to battle abandonment issues that know no ceasefire, Mejia absolutely nailed it with their writing of this. I could feel the anxiety knotting itself in my chest during parts about Max ghosting Sammy, & how she dealt with not hearing from him, trying not to let it make her feel insane. The loss that Sammy suffered from people always leaving, or never being there in the first place, having a narcissist for a mother who never did one unselfish thing in her life- it was incredibly well done for a short novel. Succinct & accurate, while devastating & cruel.
Willa was an underutilized character, but if you've ever found yourself fiercely protective of a friend who you're 100% sure is going to get herself hurt, she's relatable as hell.
It's not often I find myself not rooting for the romance in a rom-com, but the greater love story here was with Sammy's found family, & with the absolution of herself for never believing she could be loved unconditionally.
Lesson to be learned: DON'T take a stupid boy back just cause he apologizes ONCE for being a jackass garbage person. Wait for that grand gesture. Make him beg. Forgive yourself for being flawed before you ever forgive him for capitalizing on it. But also, love freely & deeply, & never apologize when that's not enough.
This was a strange one for me, because the parts I liked I REALLY liked, & the parts I didn't drove me off a cliff. It also took me decidedly longer to read than it should have, so I had some extra time to really sit in the story. Notably, I loved Sammy, but also she was often the worst. It seemed, to me anyway, that she had a split personality, not so much being two different people, but her behavior manifested in two wildly different versions of herself. She is this badass music critic (a sidenote worth mentioning here: I always find stories about writers to be contrived & inadequate, but Sammy was well-written & believable as a writer) who's passionate about music & the journey of discovery it can take you on, who is honest & open & compassionate, but then on the flip she could be whiny, was dopey & naive, & allowed her happiness to be controlled by the whims of others. Granted, she struggled with severe abandonment issues from a mother who was absolute clown shoes, but was self-aware enough to know the choices she was making were Hot Garbage.
I don't even know how to really start this in any kind of coherent order, so I'll start with what I liked best. Paloma Espinoza was the shining star of this story. Sammy building her relationship with her never-have-I-ever-met-you grandmother was by far the best part of this novel. I cried, I laughed, I cheered, I cried again. Without a complete spoiler, I'd say my only note would be that this part of Sammy's story ended unfairly in a pretty thinly-veiled, cheap attempt at propelling the plot forward, but that's just how these novels go sometimes. Regardless, I would not rest until I mastered the perfect homemade tortilla in Paloma's mischievous abuela eyes.
The Max Ryan part of this story was half snooze half happy ever after, which I guess is the trap you're willing to snag yourself in when you choose to read a rom-com. Might be an unpopular opinion (but actually probably not in the eyes of my mid-thirties girlies peers), but I wish Sammy & Max hadn't ended up together (hardly a spoiler tbh). They were both so deeply flawed & damaged (which is not a dig against them, merely an observation about their ability to build a future together without working their shit out themselves first) that it seemed unrealistic to walk off into the sunset together in the end. They both hurt each other, badly, but I remained so staunchly on the side of Team Sammy that having her forgive Max & take him back after essentially abandoning her (again!!) to ~try~ to deal with his own shit had me cursing them both out & screaming internally (ok, & maybe also externally). Idgaf what trauma you're carrying around with you, it gives you no right to treat people like they're nothing, like they don't have feelings, like they don't matter, which is exactly what Max did.
What I will say was done exceptionally well, was the depiction of trauma & how it leaves lasting scars on peoples' psyches & can really fuck a person up in their future endeavors/relationships. As someone who has previously struggled with PTSD, & continues to battle abandonment issues that know no ceasefire, Mejia absolutely nailed it with their writing of this. I could feel the anxiety knotting itself in my chest during parts about Max ghosting Sammy, & how she dealt with not hearing from him, trying not to let it make her feel insane. The loss that Sammy suffered from people always leaving, or never being there in the first place, having a narcissist for a mother who never did one unselfish thing in her life- it was incredibly well done for a short novel. Succinct & accurate, while devastating & cruel.
Willa was an underutilized character, but if you've ever found yourself fiercely protective of a friend who you're 100% sure is going to get herself hurt, she's relatable as hell.
It's not often I find myself not rooting for the romance in a rom-com, but the greater love story here was with Sammy's found family, & with the absolution of herself for never believing she could be loved unconditionally.
Lesson to be learned: DON'T take a stupid boy back just cause he apologizes ONCE for being a jackass garbage person. Wait for that grand gesture. Make him beg. Forgive yourself for being flawed before you ever forgive him for capitalizing on it. But also, love freely & deeply, & never apologize when that's not enough.
January 9, 2025
Sammy Espinoza's Last Review follows Sammy, a music critic who finds herself back in Ridley Falls, the closest place to a home she has ever had. After a bad breakup and work trouble, Sammy's time in Ridley Falls is meant to be a way of figuring out her life. While Sammy is happy to spend time with her best friend, Willa, she also hopes her time in Ridley Falls will give her a way to save her career. Sammy hopes to run into Max Ryan, a famous musician rumored to be back in Ridley Falls creating a new album after a long hiatus. Sammy and Max had a fling in the past, so Sammy hopes to run into him and ask him for the favor of giving her a peek on what he has been working on. Writing about Max Ryan's new music could save her career. Sammy's time in Ridley Falls is also complicated by the presence of her grandmother who she has never met.
I was meant to read Sammy Espinoza's Last Review in 2023 and I regret not getting to it sooner! The romance in this novel is great, but I loved that it was about so much more than romantic love. You see Sammy's love for music, her deep friendship with Willa, and her blossoming relationship with the grandmother she never knew. Sammy also faces the childhood trauma of having a flighty mother who tends to choose everyone but Sammy. Sammy grows so much throughout the novel and while I was annoyed by her at times (mostly for lying to everyone she cares about) she acknowledges her faults and works on them as the story progresses.
Similarly, Max also grows within this novel and while we do not read from his perspective, I found his story just as transformative as Sammy's. Both characters cannot deny their connection, but they have to face the parts of themselves that are keeping them apart so that they can find true happiness. I loved that this novel focused on the romance, but also family and facing hard truths.
This story is fun and sweet at times, but it also deals with heavy topics like trauma, addiction, and loss of a loved one. If you like your romances light and fluffy, this may be a harder read.
I really loved this one and I look forward to reading more of Mejia's work in the future.
e-ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was meant to read Sammy Espinoza's Last Review in 2023 and I regret not getting to it sooner! The romance in this novel is great, but I loved that it was about so much more than romantic love. You see Sammy's love for music, her deep friendship with Willa, and her blossoming relationship with the grandmother she never knew. Sammy also faces the childhood trauma of having a flighty mother who tends to choose everyone but Sammy. Sammy grows so much throughout the novel and while I was annoyed by her at times (mostly for lying to everyone she cares about) she acknowledges her faults and works on them as the story progresses.
Similarly, Max also grows within this novel and while we do not read from his perspective, I found his story just as transformative as Sammy's. Both characters cannot deny their connection, but they have to face the parts of themselves that are keeping them apart so that they can find true happiness. I loved that this novel focused on the romance, but also family and facing hard truths.
This story is fun and sweet at times, but it also deals with heavy topics like trauma, addiction, and loss of a loved one. If you like your romances light and fluffy, this may be a harder read.
I really loved this one and I look forward to reading more of Mejia's work in the future.
e-ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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