Unwritten Melody

by Tessa Emily Hall, Tessa Emily Osborn

2017 Next Generation Indie Book Awards Young Author Finalist

2017 Moonbeam Children's Book Award Bronze Medalist

Does breaking free require breaking the rules?

Cassie Gilbert lives every day in the shadows of her deceased mom's rebellion. But now that she's seventeen, she finds herself longing to break away from her grandmother's suffocating rules, experience what it's like to be a regular teenager, and fulfill her songwriting dreams. James Russo, former American Spotlight contestant, escapes to small town Willow Creek, SC hoping to flee from his tarnished past. When a school project pairs him with the shy principal's granddaughter, he's determined to get to know this Emily-Dickinson-obsessed and typewriter-using girl. His plan? Convince Cassie to co-write songs for his demo album. As Cassie gets to know James over "project meetings" (more like opportunities to match her lyrics with his melodies), she becomes intrigued by his sense of adventure and contagious passion for music. But when his past surfaces, doubt creeps in. Cassie's left to wonder—did she make the same mistake her mother once did by falling for the bad boy?

With her grandmother’s control tightening and her own heart stirring awake, Cassie must remain bound by the chains of yesterday, or step into the freedom of her own story—by finishing the melody her mother left behind.

317 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 4, 2026

About the author

Tessa Emily Hall is an award-winning author who wrote her debut novel when she was sixteen. She is now a multi-published author of both fiction and non-fiction inspirational yet authentic books for teens, including her upcoming release, LOVE YOUR SELFIE (October 2020, Ellie Claire). Tessa's passion for shedding light on clean entertainment and media for teens led her to a career as a Literary Agent at Cyle Young Literary Elite, YA Acquisitions Editor for Illuminate YA (LPC Imprint), and Founder/Editor of PursueMagazine.net. She's guilty of making way too many lattes and never finishing her to-read list. When her fingers aren’t flying 128 WPM across the keyboard, she can be found speaking to teens, teaching at writing conferences, attempting pilates, editing manuscripts, and acting in faith-based films. Her favorite way to procrastinate is to connect with readers is on her mailing list, social media (@tessaemilyhall), and website: www.tessaemilyhall.com.

Reviews

[Katja Labonté · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. I've been wanting to read this for years and I'm glad I finally did! It's a sweet, interesting little teen romance and drama as Cassie navigates her grandma's stifling rules and James tries to figure out his blossoming music career.

Cassie was somehow relatable to me, though I've experienced nothing of the same things she has except the depression and suicidal tendencies, and that I'm an author who occasionally dabbles in poetry. But I could so easily see myself in her shoes. Her grandma's strictness (not to say injustice and flat-out unkindness) drove me crazy but we did get an apology, though I didn't like how everything was rebranded as love. James was a little less relatable for me, but he was interesting and I enjoyed his side of the story as much as Cassie's. They were both well-developed and the plot had more depth than mere "will they get together or won't they?" which I appreciated.

Overall, this was a fun read and I've love to get my hands on more books by Tessa Emily Hall Osborn!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this story! I loved how the moments in this book had people going through, hard, real things, but there was the hope of Christ etched into this book as well! Cassie was a great character, and I was rooting for her and could ache with her in her heartache. And I loved her and James together!