Heartbreak Symphony, Laekan Zea Kemp
Heartbreak Symphony, Laekan Zea Kemp
List: $27.99 | Sale: $19.59
Club: $13.99

Heartbreak Symphony

Author: Laekan Zea Kemp

Narrator: Robb Moreira, Tania Possick

Unabridged: 9 hr 47 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 04/05/2022


Synopsis

Clap When You Land meets On the Come Up in this heart-gripping story about navigating first love and overcoming grief through the power of music.

Aarón Medrano has been haunted by the onstage persona of his favorite DJ ever since his mother passed away. He seems to know all of Aarón’s deepest fears, like that his brain doesn’t work the way it should and that’s why his brother and father seem to be pushing him away. He thinks his ticket out is a scholarship to the prestigious Acadia School of Music. That is, if he can avoid blowing his audition.

Mia Villanueva has a haunting of her own and it’s the only family heirloom her parents left her: doubt. It’s the reason she can’t overcome her stage fright or believe that her music is worth making. Even though her trumpet teacher tells her she has a gift, she’s not sure if she’ll ever figure out how to use it or if she’s even deserving of it in the first place.

When Aarón and Mia cross paths, Aarón sees a chance to get close to the girl he’s had a crush on for years and to finally feel connected to someone since losing his mother. Mia sees a chance to hold herself accountable by making them both face their fears, and hopefully make their dreams come true. But soon they’ll realize there’s something much scarier than getting up on stage—falling in love with a broken heart.

About Laekan Zea Kemp

Laekan Zea Kemp is the author of Pura Belpré Honor book Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet and Heartbreak Symphony. She has three objectives when it comes to storytelling: to make people laugh, cry, and crave Mexican food. Her work celebrates Chicane grit, resilience, creativity, and joy while exploring themes of identity and mental health. She lives in Austin, Texas. For more information, visit LaekanZeaKemp.com.


Reviews

Goodreads review by alex on September 04, 2024

Maybe that’s what makes our dreams so defiant; what makes the people who dream them so strong. That we carry them without knowing if we’ll ever find soil safe enough for them to bloom. That we tend to them even though someone else might come along and yank them up by the roots. We do it anyway. We d......more

Goodreads review by Toya (thereadingchemist) on April 07, 2022

What an incredible book. Thoughts to come!......more

Goodreads review by akacya ❦ on November 25, 2023

2023 reads: 358/350 2023 tbr: 85/100 ever since his mother passed away, aarón has been haunted by his favorite musician, who voices his deepest fears, including that his brother and father are pushing him away due to his messed-up brain. aarón’s ticket out of this is a scholarship to the acadia school......more

Goodreads review by belle ☆ミ (thisbellereadstoo) on September 29, 2022

actual rating: 3.5 stars rep: mexican-american cast trigger and content warning: loss of parent, anxiety, depression, absent parent, immigration and police issues, abuse. heartbreak symphony features aarón and mia navigating the loss of their respective parent and the overall issue of immigration. the......more


Quotes

"A lyrical standalone about pursuing one’s dreams despite impossible odds."—Publishers Weekly

"A story of surviving grief with the help of community."—Kirkus Reviews

Praise for Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet:
*"Fans of Elizabeth Acevedo’s With the Fire on High will cherish Xander and Pen’s love story and Pen’s passion for food. This stellar debut offers a cathartic take on a relationship between a father and daughter. Authentic flavor inside and out."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

*"Kemp’s novel serves up finely rendered, stirring character arcs...as well as an intimate portrait of two teens grappling with mental health, complicated family relationships, and newfound love."—Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Wonderfully realized characters, a vibrant setting, and so much more. I loved this."—Melina Marchetta, award-winning author of Jellicoe Road

"Pen and Xander will steal your heart. One to savor."—Laura Taylor Namey, New York Times bestselling author of A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow

"A bold new voice to watch in children's fiction."—Eric Smith, author of Don't Read the Comments

"An affecting, timely debut....Add it to your 2021 TBR list immediately."—Liz Lawson, author of The Lucky Ones

"Like the delicious food and decadent desserts described within its pages, Kemp's debut explores the often bitter and sweet complexity of family, new love, and what it means to find home. "—Mia García, author of The Resolutions

"Pen and Xander's unforgettable love story refuses to sugarcoat difficult topics, but instead deftly explores them with a thoughtful hand. A cathartic read and new favorite author."—Nina Moreno, author of Don't Date Rosa Santos