Mayluna

A Novel

By: Kelley McNeil

Narrated by: Amanda Leigh Cobb, Kevin Kemp

A legendary band, an iconic lead singer, and their mysterious connection to a woman whose love helped create the music of a generation. Timing is everything in a powerful novel about fate, regret, and moving on by the author of A Day Like This.

In the 1990s, Carter Wills was the lead singer of the English alt-rock band Mayluna, securing his place among music legends. His tortured-heart lyrics struck a chord. And so did his secret connection to a woman whose love changed all their lives. Who was she?

Evie Waters’s two grown children discover an iconic photo in an old magazine of a “mystery girl” with Carter: their mother. It all started in a wistful time and place for Evie, her twenty-fifth summer. A young columnist forging her career. Backstage euphoria. A long-shot interview. And an almost cosmic connection with an enigmatic musician on the rise.

What happened between them is a hidden story no one, not even Evie’s family, knows. Until now. Worlds apart, Carter and Evie finally reveal the story—joyful, regretful, and unforgettable. It was a time when the stars aligned for a love so profound the whole world felt it. It was as if it would last forever.

©2024 Kelley McNeil (P)2023 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“This achingly romantic tear-jerker by McNeil (A Day like This) hits the same notes as Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Daisy Jones and the Six.”—Library Journal

“McNeil's latest is a dreamy, melancholy look back at young love…Fans of wistful love stories and intellectual music retrospectives will appreciate the astronomical metaphors throughout, intertwining music, math, and the planets into this complicated love story.”—Booklist

“An utterly engrossing story about secret lives, second chances, and encounters with enigmatic rock stars. Mayluna is fresh, heady, and nostalgic.”—Jennifer Gold, author of Halfway to You

Moving story but very slow

Well written and performed. At least partially predictable storyline. Not sure I could have sat and read it as it is a very slow moving, melancholy story. Was ok listening while I drove or moved about the house. I’m not big on sad stories and nothing about it made me cry but I’m sure some people did. Lost love and all that.

Great book.

I sort of predicted the ending, which I am not sure if that is a good sign. However, I love how the author handled a lot different aspects and tribulations in this book. I NEVER write book reviews, so perhaps take it as a good sign that someone liked this book enough to feel the need to write a review.

Great story

Simply great story. Could not put down. Loved everything about it. Love, lost, friendship, life

LOVE STORY WORTH HEARING

If you enjoy a slow burn with a twist, you will enjoy this story. I was working while listening so I was just distracted enough that the twist caught me off guard. I like a story that leaves you thinking about the characters well after you have finished the book.

The ending made it worth reading

So many have raved about this book in The Idea of You Facebook group, saying it was similarly heartbreaking so I had to give it a read. In the vein of God Shaped Hole, the beginning gives a foreshadowing that all may not be well in the end, and there should be no expectation of a Happily Ever After. It was when listening to the audio, when finally all is right in their worlds, that I began to suspect what would happen, and when it did, I was still not prepared for the events at hand. Heartbreaking is putting it mildly. Still, I did not cry. I was not a fan of the way the story was told. I think I would have preferred a true flashback or a third person retelling of events. I had a hard time connecting to the characters simply due to the format of the retelling of events. Plus, I absolutely loathed the narrator who gave Carter Wells a Scottish accent instead of an English accent. There were things I was beating Evie up about, in fact hard core judging, but if Carter could give her grace, so too can I. This was a great book at the end, but it is a sloooooow ride getting there, again bogged down by the retelling format. But it does pay off in the end. I don’t think I could have read the ebook. I needed the audiobook to keep pace and keep me on track. Listened at 1.7 speed. The last 4 chapters were where the story wrapped up nicely.

go in blind

fantastic listen. wonderful narration. well written. I highly recommend this story. 5 solid stars! listened between 1.5 and 1.75

A beautiful story

I loved every minute of this book and I didn’t think I would. It should be made into a film.

May Luna

Kelley McNeil is new to me. Excellent story and I loved the two main characters in their distinct voices. Brought it alive in a refreshing way.

Unique love story

I loved that this book was like a person telling their story yet it was also, in large parts, a drama with multiple characters. Not your typical rock star romance - loved that it surprised and touched me.

Reaching for Love

I like a good emotional book. This was a little, Bridges of Madison County and Nights in Rodanthe.
I love both of those stories. Good author for me