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qrb's review against another edition
5.0
This was a great love story. This told a story about the love between a couple, the love between siblings, the love between parents and kids, and the love between community and how music helps you remember it all.
owlyenthusiast's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
An unexpected take on the romance genre, but one of the most romantic books I've ever read. Jackson crafts a loving and realistic relationship that not only shows Ada and Alonzo falling in love back in the 60s, but the result of all their love and commitment to each other with their children in 2010. Not to mention the music that is the beating heart of this book and adds a beautiful layer. Highly recommend reading this while the Spotify playlist Jackson curated plays in the background.
turtleberry's review
5.0
I love the way this was written. It was a love story but also a. story about a son with an aging father. This was just beautifully done.
bookjunkie57's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
2.0
Back in the Day
Bay Area Blues, Book 2
I Picked Up This Book Because: Exploring the author’s work/Needed something short to tie me over until the beginning of the month.
Media Type: Audiobook
Source: Scribd
Dates Read: 9/29/23 - 9/30/23
Stars: 2 Stars
Narrator(s): Jakobi Diem
The Story:
While this story was well written it just did not capture me. A father visiting the past and telling his son about how he met his mother. Like I said it was well written and I loved the narrator's voice but I just didn’t care. I finished just to finish.
The Random Thoughts:
Bay Area Blues, Book 2
I Picked Up This Book Because: Exploring the author’s work/Needed something short to tie me over until the beginning of the month.
Media Type: Audiobook
Source: Scribd
Dates Read: 9/29/23 - 9/30/23
Stars: 2 Stars
Narrator(s): Jakobi Diem
The Story:
While this story was well written it just did not capture me. A father visiting the past and telling his son about how he met his mother. Like I said it was well written and I loved the narrator's voice but I just didn’t care. I finished just to finish.
The Random Thoughts:
afgerstenberger's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
givemaribooks's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
ALL THE STARS!! I LOVED this book. It had me bawling like a baby, and I rarely cry with books. The story was so sweet and full of love. And the writing felt lyrical. I felt the love between Alonzo and Ada, but also between Alonzo and his children. I know there had been a lot of discussion about whether the relationship ends in an HEA, and I think it does. What more could one want than to spend a long and happy life with the love our your life? If there is one reason why I am not sure this book is a Romance book, it is because I am not sure that Alonzo and Ada are the main characters. Ada felt more like a side character to me. Alonzo and Amir felt like the actual main characters. Either way, this book has so much love, and you can tell the author put her whole heart into it. I plan on re-reading it and do a more in-depth reading next time.
I listened to the audiobook, and I think Jakobi Diem was perfection. He did an amazing job. I often forgot it was only him doing the narration because it felt like more than one person at times.
I listened to the audiobook, and I think Jakobi Diem was perfection. He did an amazing job. I often forgot it was only him doing the narration because it felt like more than one person at times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
anniekslibrary's review
5.0
I can't imagine how anyone would think this is not a romance. The only difference with your average romance novel is that you see how the HEA played out here, and then the story is told in flashbacks. Which, imo, added a lot of depth to the story and makes it hit even harder.
Anyway, I picked up this ebook because it got some backlash recently from people saying it isn't a romance, so I wanted to support it. I'm so glad I finally read this, because it's truly a gorgeous novel. Even though one of the characters has already died before the book even starts, this is not exactly a sad book. It has its sad moments, but mostly it's the story of a life lived well, a love that doesn't end when life ends.
Seeing this romance told in flashbacks through a father telling his son how he met his mother added a beautiful extra layer to this book. You don't just get such a wonderful romance, but also a beautiful, loving parent-child relationship.
Anyway, I picked up this ebook because it got some backlash recently from people saying it isn't a romance, so I wanted to support it. I'm so glad I finally read this, because it's truly a gorgeous novel. Even though one of the characters has already died before the book even starts, this is not exactly a sad book. It has its sad moments, but mostly it's the story of a life lived well, a love that doesn't end when life ends.
Seeing this romance told in flashbacks through a father telling his son how he met his mother added a beautiful extra layer to this book. You don't just get such a wonderful romance, but also a beautiful, loving parent-child relationship.
elanorh's review
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This is a romance novel with a twist - in that it reads as a memoir, almost. It's mostly the reflections of a father, after the death of his beloved wife, about how they met and fell in love, as the father is assisted by his son in packing his belongings to move out of their home.
Be warned, for those who don't read romance novels, this one has detailed sex scenes. But I will say that even for those who don't normally read romance novels, this book is worth reading because of the character development and descriptions; you feel as if you are dropped into a slice of life in the late 60's in California, for a Black family as it began to knit itself together, and then as that love was grown and expressed through their children's lives and into grandchildren's lives as well. As such, it is a luminous, fierce book about hopes, dreams, and work to bring those to fruition - also about community, love, dedication.
Be warned, for those who don't read romance novels, this one has detailed sex scenes. But I will say that even for those who don't normally read romance novels, this book is worth reading because of the character development and descriptions; you feel as if you are dropped into a slice of life in the late 60's in California, for a Black family as it began to knit itself together, and then as that love was grown and expressed through their children's lives and into grandchildren's lives as well. As such, it is a luminous, fierce book about hopes, dreams, and work to bring those to fruition - also about community, love, dedication.
lateresita27's review
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
qace90's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I will fight anyone who says this isn’t a romance
This is such a fantastic, warm-hug of a romance. Alonzo is moving in with his son five years after the death of his wife, and while packing up his records he collected over the 40 years he shared with Ada, he recollects their first meeting and the beginning of what would become their timeless romance. This is also a story of community and connections and the ways we pass on memories to keep people alive in our hearts. This is so sweet and truly a warm hug, even as parts made me tear up. I also loved the full circle element of the ending and the way the love Alonzo and Ada taught to Amaya and Amir lives on, even after their parents’ death.
This is such a fantastic, warm-hug of a romance. Alonzo is moving in with his son five years after the death of his wife, and while packing up his records he collected over the 40 years he shared with Ada, he recollects their first meeting and the beginning of what would become their timeless romance. This is also a story of community and connections and the ways we pass on memories to keep people alive in our hearts. This is so sweet and truly a warm hug, even as parts made me tear up. I also loved the full circle element of the ending and the way the love Alonzo and Ada taught to Amaya and Amir lives on, even after their parents’ death.