Book Review - Unwritten Melody by Tessa Emily Hall

4 1/2 STARS

Title: Unwritten Melody 

Author: Tessa Emily Hall 

   Tessa Hall is a Christian author who had her first book (Purple Moon) published when she was only 19, and I've heard wonderful things about it, so I couldn't pass up the chance to read her newest book, Unwritten Melody - which is releasing in on November tenth. 

   I wasn't sure what to think of it when I first started (it's rare that you'll find me reading anything in the genre), but by the end of the book I was more than ready to give it a good rating. I had no idea Tessa's books were so beautiful - otherwise I would have already read Purple Moon. 

   The plot started out as being slight cliche - or so I though, as this changed once I got a bit further in the book - but the characters were wonderful and realistic. Tessa didn't gloss over their flaws and the troubles they had. It was very well paced, and the conclusion was so hope-filled, I absolutely loved it. It might be one of the best endings I've ever read.   

   There were some more mature things in the book, but Tessa handled them very well, so I'd probably recommend this book for 14+, maybe 13+. 

   All in all, I think Unwritten Melody was a wonderful, powerful book, and it fully deserved those four-and-a-half stars. Definitely made me want to read Purple Moon, too. If you've ever been interested in reading one of Tessa's books, I would definitely say go for it.    

  

(I was given this ebook by the author in exchange for my honest review)
 

Summary (taken from Tessa's blog)

Does breaking free require breaking the rules?

Cassie Gilbert lives every day in the shadows of her deceased mom’s rebellion. But now that she’s seventeen, she finds herself longing to break away from her grandmother’s suffocating rules, experience what it’s like to be a regular teenager, and fulfill her songwriting dreams. 

James Russo, former American Spotlight contestant, escapes to small town Willow Creek, SC hoping to flee from his tarnished past. When a school project pairs him with the shy principal’s granddaughter, he’s determined to get to know this Emily-Dickinson-obsessed and typewriter-using girl. His plan? Convince Cassie to co-write songs for his demo album. 

As Cassie gets to know James over “project meetings” (more like opportunities to match her lyrics with his melodies), she becomes intrigued by his sense of adventure and contagious passion for music. But soon, his past becomes exposed. Cassie’s left to wonder—did she make the same mistake Mom did by falling for the bad boy?
 

Then, Grandma’s control pushes her over the edge. Cassie must choose between remaining in the chains of yesterday, or delving into her own freedom by completing the melody her mom left behind.

   Author Bio

   Tessa Emily Hall is an author of YA inspirational fiction, including Purple Moon (Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, 2014 Selah Finalist) and Unwritten Melody (November 2016, Clean Reads). She’s also the Editor of PursueMagazine.net, a magazine that inspires teens to embrace their God-given potential. Other than writing, Tessa’s passionate about blogging at ChristisWrite.blogspot.com and speaking to teens, encouraging them to pursue their dreams.

Links

Visit Tessa's blog and website, buy her first book, Purple Moon, and check out the kick off post for the Unwritten Melody tour.

~ Savannah Grace

   Have you ever read any of Tessa's books? What did you think?

(and what's a book that you think I should read+review?)