Guitar Notes by Mary Amato

Guitar Notes by Mary Amato
Release Date: July 24, 2012
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 304

Summary: On odd days, Tripp Broody uses a school practice room to let loose on a borrowed guitar. Eyes closed, strumming that beat-up instrument, Tripp escapes to a world where only the music matters.

On even days, Lyla Marks uses the same practice room. To Tripp, she’s trying to become even more perfect—she’s already a straight-A student and an award-winning cellist. But when Lyla begins leaving notes for him in between the strings of the guitar, his life intersects with hers in a way he never expected.

What starts as a series of snippy notes quickly blossoms into the sharing of interests and secrets and dreams, and the forging of a very unlikely friendship.

Challenging each other to write songs, they begin to connect, even though circumstances threaten to tear them apart.


My Thoughts: I don’t know, I didn’t love this one. We meet Tripp and Lyla who are complete opposites of each other. Lyla is goal oriented and Tripp is really somewhat of a slacker.

Lyla plays the cello and Tripp plays the guitar.

Lyla and Tripp get to know each other through music and mostly leaving notes for one another at first. I liked reading the notes, I liked experiencing their music they make together but I just wasn’t in awe of this one.

Maybe because of the point of view its told in. I didn’t feel like I was really in either of their heads and I wanted to be in at least one.

Its a cute novel but just not right for me. I can see people loving this one. I can see music fans devouring it.

I also did like how one of them was called Even and Odd, you’ll understand this reference a lot better as you read through the novel. I liked the side characters and getting to know them.

Lyla and Tripp were both fun heartfelt characters who I’d love to get to know better.

Overall: Liked it enough. It was also a very fast read and cute. I really liked how we got to explore how stressful playing instruments can be, its a lot of pressure to be perfect for some.

Probably more of a 3.5 cupcake rating for me!

Cover: Like it. It doesn’t have many colors but it still fits.

What I'd Give It: