Book Blog: THE SOUND OF LETTING GO by Stasia Ward Kehoe

Having grown up with three brothers, one of the most fascinating relationships to me is the sister-brother relationship. (You’d think I’d have gotten tired of it, but no, just the opposite.) That’s why I was so pleased to find that the conflict in Stasia Ward Kehoe’s new book (due out in February) centers around the main character, Daisy’s, brother, who has autism, and Daisy’s rebellion when things start to change for their family. Just as delicious as that particular tension is the tension of love and lust with Daisy’s childhood friend and town bad-boy, Dave. The story and voice pulled me in, the verse was gorgeous, and the references to different music and songs had me scouring Youtube for every version of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” I could find.

From the back of the ARC:

For sixteen years, Daisy has been a good daughter, helping out with her autistic younger brother uncomplainingly. But when her parents announce they’re sending Steven to an institution, Daisy is furious. She decides the best way to be a good sister is to start being bad. She quits jazz band and orchestra, and falls for bad-boy Dave. But one person won’t let Daisy forget who she used to be: Irish exchange student and brilliant musician Cal. Does she want the bad boy or the prodigy? Should she side with her parents or protect her brother? How can she know when to hold on and when—and how—to let go?