Book Review: Amplified

Amplified

Book Details

Author: Tara Kelly

Hardcover: 304 pages

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); First Edition edition (October 25, 2011)

Summary:

When privileged 17-year-old Jasmine gets kicked out of her house, she takes what is left of her savings and flees to Santa Cruz to pursue her dream of becoming a musician. Jasmine finds the ideal room in an oceanfront house, but she needs to convince the three guys living there that she's the perfect roommate and lead guitarist for their band, C-Side. Too bad she has major stage fright and the cute bassist doesn't think a spoiled girl from over the hill can hack it. . . 

In this fresh new novel by critically acclaimed author Tara Kelly, Jasmine finds out what happens when her life gets Amplified.

Review:

Rating: 4/5

Amplified tells a story about a 17-year old girl, Jasmine Kiss (that’s the name) who needs a break from school so opted to defer her studies (in Stanford) to pursue a musical career. Since her father could not fathom the logic of her decision, he dad kicked her out of the house.

After being sheltered all her life, Jasmine found herself with her car (already broken), homeless, no job and a small amount of her savings. When she stumbled on a perfect ad for a house, she dives for it. Once she got there, Jasmine needs to prove herself first that she could really play and if she’s willing to share a house with three other guys who are in a band.

The guys are part of the band who called themselves C-Side. There’s the leader of the band who also plays the drums, Bryn. Felix whose hair is blue, he plays the keyboards and lastly Veta, the lead singer of the group and became closest to Jasmine. Lastly there’s Clover aka Sam, who plays the bass.

Primarily Sean and Jasmine didn’t get along. I like Sean, and I think he’s almost tangible and existent. There is only one thing wrong with this guy – HE IS SO NOT OVER HIS EX! This makes the love angle of this story quite interesting, especially when this EX is bitchy and wants to get back with him.

Aside from the EX, I really didn’t like her father and I wish there was a conclusion to their fight. Yes, he was an ass for letting go of Jasmine and not supporting her decisions. He doesn’t even call her when she doesn’t initiate. I wish there was an enlightening in their relationship before the story concluded.

I love her best friend, Jason, he may be far away but at least he kept the communication going and asks about her well-being. He is really sweet, although he rarely pops out of the story, and everything through phone. It would’ve been really nice if he showed up.

I like that Amplified is gay-sensitive/friendly. Jason and Veta are gay and it was pointed out nonchalantly like its just normal – which is definitely reality. It’s just amazing!

The ending – okay, I didn’t expect it. There are things I wanted answers and conclusions, but nevertheless, it was satisfactory. It was almost open-ended with a glimmer of hope. Over all, I love reading Amplified and I would recommend this to friends who (a) loves music (b) wants to pursue their dreams (c) cannot move on from their relationships.

Favorite Quotes

"I really wanted something, giving myself permission to screw up wasn't an option"

"He'd probably spent as much time practicing scales as he had jacking off."

"First loves can fuck you up."

ChuCha™