***The Starry-Eyed Revue***: tears

Title: Maybe One Day
Author: Melissa Kantor
Narrator: Shannon McManus
Series: n/a
Publisher: Harper Audio
Publication Date: February 18th, 2014
Source: purchased audio
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

Zoe and her best friend, Olivia, have always had Big Plans: They'll tour the world as prima ballerinas and live in a swanky Manhattan apartment (where they'll hang out with their fabulous boyfriends, of course). But when they're cut from the ballet company, their plans for the future evaporate. Suddenly, Zoe's dodging cheerleaders who want her and Olivia to go out for the squad, and Olivia's got a crush on Calvin Taylor, who Zoe can't stand.

Zoe can't imagine anything worse happening . . . until Olivia gets sick. Really sick. Suddenly, not being able to dance is the least of their problems.

Olivia has always been the nice one, the happy-go-lucky one. Zoe has always been the snarky one, the look-on-the-dark-side one. But when your best friend is in the hospital, you better learn to step up fast. Now Zoe needs to put on a brave face and be the positive one. Even when Zoe isn't sure what to say. Even when Olivia misses months of school. Even when Zoe starts falling for Calvin.

The one thing that keeps Zoe moving forward is knowing that Olivia will beat this thing, and everything will go back to the way it was before. It has to. Because the alternative is too terrifying for Zoe to even imagine.

Not too long ago, I saw April at Good Books and Good Wine review Maybe Someday. I hadn’t heard of it before, but I knew from reading her review that I would love it. I figured I would try the audio since I didn’t know when I would be able to get to it otherwise. April did not steer me wrong, I really loved this book.

Zoe and Olivia are best friends. More than best friends, they are more like family. They grew up together, built their dreams around each other. They always imagined the worst thing that would happen to them, is not dancing anymore. That was, until Olivia is diagnosed with Leukemia.

I know, I know… another cancer book. But it’s a friendship book too. It’s not all doom and gloom, though it mostly is, so be prepared. (tissues are a must) Zoe and Olivia’s relationship was so beautiful. It was! Anyone lucky enough to have that kind of friendship with someone better hold on tight. These two made me laugh constantly, but in the next moment, they could yank my heart strings and tears would be rolling down my face.

Zoe is sarcastic, difficult, and a bit of a bitch sometimes. She owns it though and she showed a lot of growth through-out the book. There were times that she made me so angry but I loved her. Her devotion to Olivia made it impossible not to. Olivia, she’s the sweetest character, she really is, and I felt horrible for all she was going through.

There is a little bit of romance, but it’s not the main focus. Zoe can’t think let alone handle much more than being there for Olivia. But Calvin, he was just awesome. He’s such a nice guy. He really is, and I’m a sucker for nice guys. There is one scene between them that is absolutely smoldering.

The Narrator, Shannon McManus, I was tossed at first. This being my second Audio book, I don’t have much to go by so initially I found her voice to be a little annoying. By the end of the story though, I had fallen in love with her voice. When she read the cheerleader parts, I laughed. I mean really laughed, she mocks them so well. She really did fit Zoe perfectly. She fit this book perfectly, at least for me she did. I’d listen to audio by her again.

The main thing that you need to know is that you will probably cry!

And if not you are cold and heartless!! Just kidding, but seriously, there are some tear jerking scenes. They won't make everyone cry, but I couldn't hold it bad. And as sad is this book was, I still felt good after reading/listening to it. Maybe One day might make it into my top ten this year, that’s how much I enjoyed this one.

About the author:

Melissa Kantor lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her family. Her most recent book, "Maybe
One Day," tells the story of two best friends and what happens when one of them gets sick with a life-threatening illness. "When I was in my twenties, my father was diagnosed with leukemia. I always wanted to write about what happened to him, but it took me two decades to write this book. I think I needed that time to figure out what I wanted to say."

Find Melissa:

Website | Goodreads | Facebook