The Lillys
e-book, KU
Author: Xio Axelrod
Antonia ‘Toni’ Bennette grew up backstage, watching her mother chase fame one gig at a time. One day, on her birthday no less, her mother ships her off to live with a father she never knew. That’s when she meets Seb – a little older than her 12 years, a little more streetwise, and as invested in music as she is. They become each other’s person. They grow up making plans to live Nowhere, PA together. They are tight… until he splits without looking back when he turns 18.
Now, Toni is all grown up, making some money as a session musician in Philadelphia’s indie rock scene and as a resident act at a local bar. When an invitation to replace a troublesome guitarist in an all girl band drops on her lap, she decides to go for it, only to get the surprise of her life. One of the people who will decide if she’ll have the opportunity that can change her life is Seb. It wouldn’t be a problem if Seb still didn’t have her heart… and the power to break it all over again.
A very slow romance that sends us back and forth in time through small flashbacks, this story throws you right into the indie rock scene without falling for the habitual clichés of a rockstar romance. We do have the quintessential “troublesome rocker”, but, as it’s a very character driven story, you end up finding them all very real and relatable even. I guess the fact that the author has firsthand experience and knowledge helps a lot in that.
I was intrigued by all the other characters: the girls in the band, the lawyer, the best friend… It’s very well written and engaging and I can’t wait to read what’s in store for The Lillys. After all, this was just their beginning. Great read.
Representation: black heroine, black author
Possible triggers: child abandonment, drugs and alcohol use, mentions of physical abuse of a minor, toxic relationship with parents
