Jesse's Girl by
Miranda Kenneally Series: Hundred Oaks #6 Published by Sourcebooks Fire Published: July 7th 2015
Buy on Amazon Add to Goodreads Practice Makes Perfect.Everyone at Hundred Oaks High knows that career mentoring day is a joke. So when Maya Henry said she wanted to be a rock star, she never imagined she’d get to shadow *the* Jesse Scott, Nashville’s teen idol.But spending the day with Jesse is far from a dream come true. He’s as gorgeous as his music, but seeing all that he’s accomplished is just a reminder of everything Maya’s lost: her trust, her boyfriend, their band, and any chance to play the music she craves. Not to mention that Jesse’s pushy and opinionated. He made it on his own, and he thinks Maya’s playing back up to other people’s dreams. Does she have what it takes to follow her heart—and go solo?
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I don’t deny the fact that I am a lucky girl. I got to read Jesse’s Girl for the first time when it was in draft form and wasn’t even called Jesse’s Girl. I fell in love with it then but I wanted to wait to review it until I had done a reread. Honestly, though, it didn’t matter. The book was awesome in draft and awesome in a final copy. Miranda Kenneally once again does what she does best and gives you awesome boys, wicked cool girls and a story that will keep you invested ill the end. Not to mention the laughs.
Jesse’s Girl is about Maya Henry (if you read Catching Jordan there is a reason the name seems familiar) a punk rock girl in a country world. Maya has dreams of being a famous punk rocker some day but those are few and far between in her hometown in Tennessee. When Maya is given the chance to shadow Jesse Scott, country music God, for one day she feels like this is her chance to see how the business works. Too bad Jesse doesn’t trust anyone, as they are all looking for something, and makes that very clear to Maya off the bat. Even with their differences, the two spend a day together that changes them both in a way they never expected.
If you have read a Kenneally book before you know they usually involve some kind of sport. Football, running, softball…they have all played a role in the past Hundred Oaks books. Jesse’s Girl is different in that case. Instead of using a sport Miranda went with music and it worked for this story. I think the magic of two different music styles in a music city was the perfect way to take a tale about a normal girl and a famous guy. When I first read the synopsis I was sad there would be no use of sports, but it was the right decision for this story and I think ended up adding to it.
Nashville! What isn’t there to love about Nashville?? I have gone once and it has been one of my favorite cities that I have ever visited in the US. Having that is the background for Jesse’s Girl was pretty amazing as I was able to picture a lot of the places from my short visit there. I was also able to picture how easy it was for Maya to feel out of place as a punk rock girl because Nashville is anything but. It was pretty much the perfect setting for a story like this. Truthfully…it made me want to hop on a plane and go to the Ryman Auditorium, the Grand Ole Opry and pop in a Tootsie’s. Who’s in for a road trip??
Hands down what I liked best in Jesse’s Girl was the characters. Maya Henry…talk about spunk. She knows who she is and isn’t afraid to stand out. She stands up for herself and does what she thinks is the right thing. She’s funny and uncertain but also sure of who she wants to be and I loved that. And Jesse. Oh adorable Jesse Scott. He had some of the perfect one-liners in the book that just made me laugh, still make me laugh when I think about them. He is definitely closed off (and with good reason) but there is something very open about him too. Just add him to the list of the amazing Kenneally Boys (have we trademarked that term yet?? We should!). Plus you know there will be the inevitable cameo from characters in other books, I mean Maya’s last name is Henry for crying out loud.
All in all I loved Jesse’s Girl both times I read it. It made me laugh and cringe and then smile as Maya and Jesse navigated through whatever was going on between the two of them. I loved the way the story was told and how it all went down in the end. I loved the cameo of some old favorites while starting off a generation of new Hundred Oaks kids to love. It did exactly what I think a good book should do and it made you feel just like you were part of the day and had become friends with Jesse and Maya yourself.
Open Internationally (if The Book Depository ships to your country). Winner gets one Miranda Kenneally book of their choice. One winner. Goes until 7/6/15 at 11:59pm EST.
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I’m glad you loved this! I’m very excited to read this book as well! So excited that Maya is Sam’s sister because he’s my favorite! I love Sam and Jordan so much! <3
My favorite is Sam Henry!
Sam Henry. No questions asked. 😀 Thank you!
I’ve only read Breathe, Annie, Breathe so far, but I did think Jeremiah was rather swoonworthy anyways 😉 R x
Sam Henry has alway been my favorite. <3
Sam Henry! Always Sam Henry!
Jeremiah! Duh!
I haven’t read any of her books yet so I can’t really say 🙁 Thanks for the amazing giveaway!!
Wonderful review! My copy of Jesse’s Girl came in the post on Saturday, and I’m planning on re-reading the entire series again before starting it. I think either Sam or Will are my favs, though Jesse may be after I’ve read this one 🙂
I adored Jesse’s Girl! It’s just so dang sweet, and I loved Jesse and Maya. But all in all, if you asked me, I’m still loyal to my first {Kenneally} love – Will Whitfield <3
Sammmm !!!
Jeremiah
Lovely review, Andi! Jesse’s Girl was such a JOY to read. And now that I’ve actually been to Nashville, I need to re-read the book and see if I recognize more of the city. 🙂
*nods through whole review* So glad to hear you enjoyed Jesse’s Girl too, Andi! I admired Maya’s spunk and I loved the way you described Jesse. I think Jeremiah remains to be my fave Kenneally boy though!
I haven’t read any of her books yet, but I would love to so I can see which one would be my favorite! =D
[…] It had been a while since I first read this one. Actually when I read Jesse’s Girl the first time it had a different title. Either way it was awesome both times around. I love the humor and the characters that Kenneally puts in her books. Not to mention Jesse was adorable. REVIEW […]