Books › Things hoped for
Things hoped for
207 pages
A tense but hopeful exploration of artistic ambition, sudden independence, and the mysteries hidden within our own families.
What it feels like
This novel offers a brisk, suspenseful reading experience that balances the intense, high-stakes pressure of musical auditions with the unsettling mystery of a missing family member. The mood is steeped in uncertainty and the sudden, daunting freedom of navigating a massive city without supervision. As the narrative unfolds, the atmosphere shifts from anxious isolation to a sense of shared resilience, exploring deep themes of identity, artistic ambition, and the looming shadow of loss. The prose is accessible and emotionally direct, keeping the pages turning as family secrets threaten to boil over. It is a perfect fit for young adult readers who appreciate a blend of coming-of-age self-discovery, budding companionship, and the tense unraveling of a family mystery.
- Mood
- tense
- uncertain
- hopeful
- mysterious
- Tone
- earnest
- suspenseful
- empathetic
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- artistic ambition · family secrets · navigating grief · forging identity · coming-of-age
- The writing
- Accessible and emotionally direct, balancing the internal pressures of adolescence with the external pacing of a mystery.
- The arc
- Moves from anxious isolation and high-stakes pressure to shared resilience and startling revelations.
- Who it's for
- Young adult readers who enjoy a blend of high-stakes artistic competition, budding independence, and family mysteries.
Content notes
- death
- missing relative
- family conflict
About the book
Seventeen-year-old Gwen is preparing to audition for New York Citys top music schools when her grandfather mysteriously disappears, leaving Gwen only a phone message telling her not to worry. But theres nothing more stressful than practicing for her auditions, not knowing where her grandfather is, and being forced to lie about his whereabouts when her insistent great-uncle demands an audience with him. Then Gwen meets Robert, also in town for music auditions, and the two pair up to brave the city without supervision. As auditions approach and her great-uncle becomes more aggressive, Gwen and Robert make a startling discovery. Suddenly Gwens hopes are turned upside down, and she and Robert are united in ways neither of them could have foretold....
Description from Open Library.
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