New Book Alert: THE ASTRID NOTES by Taryn Bashford

Today, I wanted to post a little spotlight on THE ASTRID NOTES, the latest YA contemporary by Australian author Taryn Bashford, which was released a few weeks ago and works as a companion novel to Taryn's first book, THE HARPER EFFECT published in 2018. Not only is the author my good friend, but I'm always excited and surprised when I find a book I fall in love with that's outside my usual reading  tastes.

I was lucky enough to beta read an earlier draft of THE ASTRID NOTES and, as mentioned, I'm happy to admit it wouldn't ordinarily be the type of book I'd pick up in a bookstore or library. But I was delighted by how addictive it was. I was sucked in by Taryn's beautifully smooth writing, the always present intensity in her voice, and the well-rounded and real characters I connected with immediately. It's about music and performance, deep fears and past pain, following passions, and crawling out from beneath the suffocating behaviours of controlling parents … a perfect recipe for a dramatic YA novel, right? Absolutely! But at the same time it has the balance of drama and joy and sadness and hope just right and, I feel, is unique in its content. All in all it was an absolute pleasure to spend some of my precious free time in the world of THE ASTRID NOTES! 

So, rather than listen to me blabber on about it anymore, just go grab your own copy so you too can fall in love with Astrid and Jacob! 

Astrid Bell
Dutiful daughter. Classical singer. Secret pop songwriter.
And suffering from stage fright.

Jacob Skalicky.
Trust Fund Kid. Indie singer. Immensely gifted performer.
​And refusing to sing again.

Are they polar opposites? In his grief and fury at the world,
​Jacob certainly thinks so.

But when Jacob loses everything and Astrid uncovers a shocking family secret, they may need each other to make sense of their lives. 
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​Taryn is the author of The Harper Effect and currently lives on the Sunshine Coast with a family that includes teen children and a highly-strung dog. Taryn’s lived on four continents, meaning her job experience has been varied: an advertising sales rep, a ski chalet chef, a late-night newsreader and the CEO of an internet company, but writing and Australia are her true loves. Taryn is currently working on her PhD in Creative Writing while tutoring undergraduates and writing more novels. When she’s not writing or teaching, she’s training for triathlons in the hope they will compensate for the fact she spends ten hours a day sitting on her tushie.

​Check out the trailer here! 
YouTube

Buy THE ASTRID NOTES here! 
Booktopia
Amazon
​Book Depository

Find out more about Taryn and her books here! 
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