Mayluna: A Novel

Wow…a terrific story beautifully told.

At the time of writing this review, I have just finished the book, and I’m overwhelmed with tears. This story is truly beautiful yet deeply heartbreaking. Mayluna, a British alt-rock band, shares their journey with a journalist on the way to their next gig in Rio. When asked about a specific photo with a girl known as "mystery girl in studio," frontman Carter Wills gently reveals who Cameron Leigh was. In alternating chapters, Evie Waters' husband, Steve, has recently passed away, and their adult children, Lucas and Lainey, explore boxes in their childhood home. They find many magazines featuring Mayluna, and when they come across the same photo, they realise that “mystery girl in studio" bears a striking resemblance to Lainey. Evie finally opens up about her life before motherhood, sharing a story that feels worlds apart from the mother they knew. She explains how she adopted a pen name to pursue her journalism dreams and recalls falling deeply in love with Carter Wills from Mayluna. Her story spans from those early days to the present, capturing a poignant “one that got away” love that never truly faded. Kelley McNeil writes with such tenderness and beauty. I’ve fallen deeply in love with these characters, and although they faced difficult choices, the story handled their struggles with extraordinary care. I was fully immersed in this world, feeling every emotion along the way. I reached 92% into the story before my heart sank and I realised how it would end. The final two chapters were nothing short of perfect. Kelley McNeil, you broke my heart into a million pieces, and yet I’m grateful for this powerful, unforgettable journey.

If Penny Lane from Almost Famous told her kids about the summer she spent with the band. This was so charming and romantic and heart wrenching. Absolutely loved it. I had a bit of a hard time keeping up with the way it was written. Seemed to not be consistent with 1st person vs 3rd person but that didn’t detract from the story.