A Part to Play (Ashley's Pre-Reading)

*I received this book from the author in return for a fair review*

Title: A Part to Play
Author: Jennifer L. Fry
Year Published: 2012

Amazon | Goodreads | Rogue Phoenix Press

Synopsis:   When fifteen-year-old actress Lucy Carter loses her older sister in a car accident, her mother shuts down and her father can’t hold the family together. Their only choice is to ship Lucy off to the Edmond School for Performing Arts. But boarding school is no cure for Lucy’s grief. With failing grades, wooden stage performances, and curfew violations, Lucy is threatened with expulsion. For the once talented Lucy, it feels as though she has nowhere to turn.

One night, Lucy hears mysterious music drifting through the school’s old heating system. The music leads her to a troubled but passionate songwriter whose brilliance gives her the strength to perform like never before. Yet their intense relationship puts Lucy in a precarious position: if she follows her muse, will she lose herself? And if she breaks it off, can she stand on her own again?

Why?: Jennifer asked me to review this book for her, and since I haven't read a contemporary YA novel in quite some time, I thought it would be nice to have a change of pace.

Expectations: I expect a sad story, with a lot of main character growth. She's obviously going through a rough time in her life, and I think most of the book will be her trying to overcome her grief and move on with her life. Plus, I think there will be quite a bit of relationship drama and Lucy trying to rediscover herself after her devastating loss.

Judging a book by its cover: I probably wouldn't pick this book up off of a shelf, since it really doesn't catch my eye. The only reason I might have even stopped to look at it would be because of the stage - I'm kind of a sucker for theater and music.


--Ashley