Another Miserable Love Song

by Brooke Carter

Kallie Echo is starting to think dreams are dangerous. Her dad had one—to be a rock star—and then he died. Now Kallie is practically homeless and her life is falling apart. So when a punk band asks Kallie to sing for them, she must decide if she's got the heart to front a band of rocker chicks (and one trans guy). Can she find a new purpose in punk? And will the drummer with the amazing smile break her heart?

The band goes on tour, and everything hinges on Kallie. It's a lot of pressure—especially when you throw in substance abuse and Kallie's deadbeat mom showing up at the worst time. Kallie must learn to trust her friends, and herself, if she's going to get over the past and make a new future. But if she dares to dream again, will she lose it all?

CONTENT WARNING: The 2016 edition depicts violence against a trans youth, which may be traumatic for some readers.

A newer version published in 2021 has a different ending and the violent content removed.

Genres: Young Adult

128 pages, Paperback

First published August 30, 2016

About the author

Brooke Carter is the author of several books, including The Stone of Sorrow, Another Miserable Love Song, Learning Seventeen, Lucky Break, The Unbroken Hearts Club, Double or Nothing, Sulfur Heart, Star-Eaters, Ghost Girl, and the forthcoming sequel Ghost Girl: The Other Side.

Reviews

[Natasha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this entire book in 45 minutes. The idea was good, but the execution needed work. It was really rushed, the timeline was unclear, and there was no detail. It would've made more sense to have it as a short story in a compilation instead of a stand alone book.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kallie is having a tough time when her beloved dad dies before her 18th birthday. She finds solace in music and when a punk band asks her to sing with them, this may be exactly what she needs to start pulling her life back together.
Nice inclusion of transgender character. Some teen drinking and sexual situations.
A good hi-lo tending a bit more to high school age.

[Ashlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a quick read. It ended kind of abruptly and I wish there was more, but I understand why it ended the way it did. I definitely would read more from this author.

[Rachel Seigel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was liking this initially, but in the end I was disappointed. The author tried to tackle too much in just over 100 pages and there wasn't enough time to properly explore anything. Jamie's transition was barely mentioned and while I applaud how well Kallie handled her best friend becoming a guy, jumping into a relationship with her right away seemed a bit too easy. I was also bothered by the lack of explanation for why Kallie was on her own. Clearly her father's illness wasn't brief, and yet he seemed to make no provisions for her care (she's still a minor just turning 17). There was also the brief re-appearance of her mother (who had left when she was a kid), and the experience with the band, and an unsatisfactory and rushed ending. If the book wasn't intended as hi-lo and the author had more room to expand on some of these topics, it probably would have been a better story.

[Brooke Carter]

CONTENT WARNING:

Before reading or providing this book to youth, please be advised that the original 2016 edition of this book depicts violence against a trans youth, which may be traumatic for some readers.

The updated edition, released Sept 14, 2021, has been revised to eliminate the violent content and to make the book safer for LGBTQ+ youth to read.

[nbopla26 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book, even though it felt pretty much rushed, I think if the author had more pages, this book would've been so much better, love the inclusivity though!!

[Alana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kill your gaaaaays

Stab your queeeeeers

Is this a hi-lo thing or is Canada just big on murdering all the quiltbaggers?!?

Too bad; this book has serious potential to be one of my favorite hi-los even though the musical references ended far, far too soon. You know there are still punk goddesses out there, right?