Just Sing
Book Oneof the
Seven Oaks Series
by
René Gilley
“Follow you dreams, follow your heart, love your family and Just Sing."
Release Date: 5th June 2014
Genre: Young Adult/Performing Arts/Music
Published by: The Writers Coffee Shop
Available from: Amazon, Kobo, Barnes and Noble, and TWCS PH
Summary:
Sixteen-year-old Lily O’Brien has one goal in life—to sing. Her dream is to get into a top notch college vocal program, but the summer before her junior year, her high school cuts their awarding-winning vocal ensemble. She might as well kiss her dreams goodbye.
Sixteen-year-old Lily O’Brien has one goal in life—to sing. Her dream is to get into a top notch college vocal program, but the summer before her junior year, her high school cuts their awarding-winning vocal ensemble. She might as well kiss her dreams goodbye.
When the snobby new neighbors move into their mansion up the hill, Lily is positive summer can’t get any worse, and she’s determined to hate and ignore them—until she meets Aiden.
He’s broken and beautiful, and they become reluctant friends. Through her newfound friendship, she finds the strength to step outside the comfort of her plan and follow her dream.
But when Lily’s family is about to lose their home, she puts her wishes aside and finds the answer to save their generations-old ranch in the last place she expected.Author Bio:
By day, René Gilley works as a portfolio manager for a Fortune 50 company, but her nights and weekends are spent writing young adult and new adult romance books. Her brain never shuts off—always dreaming up new situations her characters can get into. 
Her California home is often the backdrop for her books. Her debut novel, Just Sing of the SEVEN OAKS SERIES, was years in the making. Like her character, René seeing Just Sing being published is a dream come true.
Video Trailer:
Praise:
Just Sing evolves mostly around Lily’s struggle with her family, the reality of her dreams, and her first relationship issues with the neighbors’ son Aiden. Honestly Lily is a truly amazing... She is strong-willed and her loyalty and love for her family is admirable. -Between Dreams and Reality Blog
With the popularity of shows like American Idol and The Voice, Gilley's Just Sing promises to bring high engagement to any YA reader who dreams of the stage, lives the stage, or enjoys the stage as a spectator... -Fictionally Yours Blog
Just Sing was a complete and pleasant surprise. There's not many YA novels out there that can capture my heart and soul wholly. And this book is definitely one of them. -Goodreads Review
MY REVIEW
I really enjoyed this book. As a singer myself, I wish there was a little more singing throughout, rather than right at the end. I also had issue with the fact she couldn't really read music, especially since she got into a private school where reading comprehension would be part of the application process.
But Lily was a great character. With a crazy, messed up family, she struggles to carry the whole burden of keeping things together all on her own. I really felt for her, and really wanted to smack both her parents in the head for her.
Knowing how obnoxious high school drama/rivalry can be, I really felt for her with the whole Melanie drama, and wondered what the deal with Tyler was throughout.
Aiden is an interesting character. He was so back and forth, and obviously cared about Lily, but he still acted like a total jerk to her. Although, I still wish for more resolution on the Aiden matter, I also know this is a series and so hopefully more will come of it in later books, which I will certainly be waiting for!
All up, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Writing is good, it flowed well, and the characters acted fairly believably.
I am ready for book 2 :-)
Guest Post With Author of Just Sing
René Gilley
Great topic. First, I
don’t know if I could write anything else. I feel like I have stories in me and
I’m drawn to writing this age level. I believe that your story and characters
drive where you land in the genre world. With Just Sing, I had these two wonderful and layered characters, I
loved them so much I created a world for them to thrive in. With book one specifically,
it is the young adult genre, both of my characters being 16 years young.
Lastly, I believe that
so many of our youth are classified as being lazy and are called the ‘entitled
generation’. I think this might have a lot to do with technology, and like I
said before, adults forgetting what it was like to be young. I know so many
kids who are high achievers, push through diversity, and follow their dreams.
My goal is to inspire, not lecture. And with Lily, my heroine, and my story, I
really hope people can draw inspiration from someone so determined to follow
their dreams, but also doing it in a way not to step on others and still
maintain her love and closeness to her family.
Writing New Adult and connecting with youth, High School, dreams
and teenage love- how to get in touch with your inner youth.
Great topic. First, I
don’t know if I could write anything else. I feel like I have stories in me and
I’m drawn to writing this age level. I believe that your story and characters
drive where you land in the genre world. With Just Sing, I had these two wonderful and layered characters, I
loved them so much I created a world for them to thrive in. With book one specifically,
it is the young adult genre, both of my characters being 16 years young.
Second, I’m a mother to
two teen daughters--one would be the target age for young adult books and one
would be the target age for new adult books--not only do I remember this time
in my life, but having two daughters in this age range, I know firsthand what our
youth is going through. I also believe that many people forget this time in
their life, it’s like the rawness of their youth fades. I never want to forget.
Thirdly, nineteen was
one of the most memorable and amazing years of my life. It was my second year
of college, I lived in San Diego, and I was on top of the world. It was also
the year my life was torn apart by an ex-boyfriend who stalked my roommates and
me, essentially drastically changing my life. This was such a trying time for
me and I remember having to dig deep to pull everything back together and move
on. I did and things turned out great for me.
Lastly, I believe that
so many of our youth are classified as being lazy and are called the ‘entitled
generation’. I think this might have a lot to do with technology, and like I
said before, adults forgetting what it was like to be young. I know so many
kids who are high achievers, push through diversity, and follow their dreams.
My goal is to inspire, not lecture. And with Lily, my heroine, and my story, I
really hope people can draw inspiration from someone so determined to follow
their dreams, but also doing it in a way not to step on others and still
maintain her love and closeness to her family.
In the end, I believe
everyone has challenges and diversity in their lives. It’s how we choose to
deal with those challenges that set us apart. That being said, with each story
I write, I always have that in the back of my mind, and I also draw on those
raw feelings of being young when I sit down to craft my stories.
Thank you for your time
and support ~ René
Connect With René Gilley
