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

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

Wow great deal of the day

I was so pleasantly surprised at this one. I used to buy a lot of deal of the day until I realized they were kind of worth the cost(not much). The book was well written and great character development. I am so glad I got this one. The subject intrigued me but I remembered I didn’t like another book the author wrote but I still got it. Both narrators were excellent!

Devastating Love Story

This was an excellent book. Definitely a lesson to not take things and life and the people we love for granted.

Beautiful Story of Love

This author takes you on a realistic journey of life and love that results from decisions made in a moment and the repercussions of those decisions.
I highly recommend this beautiful piece of work.

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.