Quickstop Tuesdays Review: Playing Autumn

Title:     Playing Autumn
Author:   Mina V. Esguerra
Rating:   ★★★★ 1/2

I bought a copy of the six-book Rock Gods of Romance ebook bundle from Amazon primarily because I wanted to read Playing Autumn by Mina Esguerra (only $0.99 for a limited time!). Since I've only read hers for now, that's what I'm going to be reviewing for today.

"Hot Piano Girl" Haley and rock star Oliver officially meet on a plane ride back to Houston, where they're both serving as mentors at a music festival for young artists. Unofficially? Haley has been a fan of Oliver's since she was ten (and he was twelve), when she saw him on a TV talent show. And Oliver's had her in his head since he saw her performing covers of his songs online. His career has hit rock bottom, and hers has stalled before even starting. Will an autumn weekend in their hometown give them exactly what they need?

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Playing Autumn has got me giddy! I'm not the type who has been obsessed with an actor/boy band/singer growing up, so I wasn't able to relate to Haley Reese. However, I did have a pretty huge crush on a schoolmate (you know the drill: you become better at finding out things about the person than the local police can, obsessively finding out his schedule, trying to bump into him, joining the orgs he's in, stalking said crush's crushes to find out if you have a chance - I didn't - and trying to befriend him, etc. What, you didn't do that? You must be some kind of kook, aren't you? Kidding :p) So, you know, it's one of those books that aptly deserves hashtag #GivesMeHope.

In true Mina V. Esguerra style, I got to know Haley and Oliver pretty well. Even secondary character, best friend Victoria sounded pretty awesome to me already. If Mina writes a sequel (and I sure hope she does!), I hope it will be about Victoria, because I think she deserves her own story and hopefully a happy ending :)

Short story is short so the plot was fast-paced. The only thing I didn't like is that Oliver suddenly felt like he was in love with Haley. But that's more of a personal preference for me than Mina's lack of explaining their feelings. I just don't subscribe to the idea of insta-love. Or maybe it really happens, you know? Meeting someone and in that moment, there's magic, and you know you just have to be with him. I wouldn't know, I haven't experienced that yet, I think.

Playing Autumn gives the idea that someday, your dreams just might come true. It might be your dream of making a name for yourself, or a dream of learning a new skill, or fulfilling some of those high school dreams, or it could be as exhilarating as finally getting that one boy you've been so gaga for to finally fall for you. It was a good novella to get those kilig feelings again -- something that is in darn short supply at the moment. And sometimes, being reminded of the hope that that dream might come true is a really good reason to read a particular book.


**Quickstop Tuesdays is a feature in My Book Musings where I review books/comic books/graphic novels that have less than 200 pages, on Tuesdays.**