Sometimes our idols aren't who we think they are.
Darren Purchase is an inspiring journalist, who feels stuck in her hometown of Mayberry, TX. She is also a lifelong fan of country superstar Decklee Cassel who is famous for her classic hits she wrote with songwriter Mickenlee Hooper.
The same Mickenlee who is famous for one day disappearing from the limelight and never writing with Decklee again.
When Decklee passes away, her funeral is televised for the nation to see, everyone highly anticipating the open of a time capsule Decklee had been teasing. But when the capsule is opened to reveal nothing is inside, everyone is shocked to hear that Decklee has left clues that will lead only the biggest of fans to the capsule, and a multi-million dollar prize.
Darren is determined to be the one who finds the capsule, the money and a story she can tell the world. In desperation to go, she invited her coworker and friend Kendall to come with her, though he doesn't know much about Decklee, and they make their way to Memphis to try to figure out the secrets Decklee left behind. When they run into a famous influencer, only on the search for the clout, Darren becomes more determined to not let herself or her mom down.
This story is told in two different views. One of Darren on her current search for the secrets of Decklee and Mickenlee's careers and another telling us the stories of Decklee and Mickenlee in the 70s. As Decklee is making decisions for her career, instead of her heart.
Throughout the journey of the story, Darren starts to learn that maybe Decklee isn't the person she had hoped she was, that she was selfish and hurt her friends to continue a long successful career. As Darren learns more and more about Decklee's betrayal of Mickenlee, and where Mickenlee may have ran off to, she starts to feel like maybe she is making choices that are selfish too.
This book had a fun way of telling a story, with the audience learning about Decklee at the same time as Darren, and sometimes even learning more than Darren knew. There is a plot twist I for one was not expecting and I like the road trip aspect with Darren and Kendall. Overall, I think this story has a great way of showing that you may be able to achieve your dreams without leaving everything behind, and sometimes the things we want the most can hurt us.
I also loved how complicated of a character Decklee was but also how determined, and how those things led to the story playing out the way it did. This story definitely also celebrates the country music that inspired it and was a really great, heartwarming read.
It is the second novel by Jenna Voris, who already has another novel planned to come out in 2024. If you love country music, or even if you don't, I definitely recommend this story.!
4.5 out of 5 stars for me!
This book is scheduled to be released April 2, 2024.
Be sure to pre-order from your favorite local bookstore!
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