Author: Matthew Norman
Series: None
Publication Date: June 6, 2023
Publisher: Dell Books
Pages: 368
Obtained: publisher via Netgalley
Genre: Contemporary Fiction; Contemporary Romance
Rating: 4.5/5
Bottom Line: Mr. Norman does it again
Grab, Just get it at the library, or Remove from your TBR list? Grab
Summary: Billy Perkins is happy. And why wouldn’t he be? He loves his job as an independent music teacher and his apartment in Baltimore above a record shop called Charm City Rocks. Most of all, he loves his brainy teenage son, Caleb. Margot Hammer, on the other hand, is far from happy. The former drummer of the once-famous band Burnt Flowers, she’s now a rock-and-roll recluse living alone in New York City. When a new music documentary puts Margot back in the spotlight, she realizes how much she misses her old band and the music that gave her life meaning. Billy has always had a crush on Margot. But she’s a legitimate rock star—or, at least, she was—so he never thought he’d meet her. Until Caleb, worried that his easygoing dad might actually be lonely, cooks up a scheme to get Margot to perform at Charm City Rocks. It’s the longest of long shots, but Margot’s label has made it clear that any publicity is an opportunity she can’t afford to miss. When their paths collide, Billy realizes that he maybe wasn’t as happy as he thought—and Margot learns that sometimes the sweetest music is a duet. ~amazon.com
Review: Matthew Norman is a can't miss author for me. His sense of humor is right up my alley and he always has clever insights on life. I have loved each on of his books and Charm City Rocks is no different. This one is a love letter to his home city of Baltimore and 90s girl bands.
Billy Perkins loves his life. He likes teaching students music, loves living above a record store and really loves spending time with his son, Caleb. He doesn't even mind sharing the kid with his ex, Robyn. It works well for the 3 of them, 4 if you count the co-dad, Aaron. Things are going to change though even if none of them are completely aware. The biggest change will be set off by Caleb himself and lead Billy to meet his teenage crush, Margot Hammer.
Unlike Billy, Margot doesn't love her life. Her daughter, Poppy, definitely doesn't think she's happy. In fact it's been a long time since she's been happy because she lost what made her the happiest...her music. Since her epic meltdown on the MTV Awards she's shielded herself from the world in her loft in NYC. Being thrown into a situation she doesn't know how to handle in a city she's not familiar with she goes into a bar and the rest it history.
Except it's not always easy and being a famous rock star that is back from the oblivion has some drawbacks. Like thrusting Billy into the limelight and making Margot deal with issues she thought she buried.
I just adored this book. It's about 2nd chances at life and love but it's also about family. It's really just a feel good book that I suggest you read.
