Chasing Eveline

Chasing Eveline
Author(s)
Age Range
12+
Release Date
July 11, 2017
ISBN
9781941541159
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Sixteen-year-old Ivy Higgins is the only student at Carmel Heights High School who listens to cassettes. And her binder is the only one decorated with album artwork by 80s band Chasing Eveline. Despite being broken-up since 1989, this rock band out of Ireland means everything to Ivy. They’re a reminder of her mom, who abandoned Ivy and her dad two years ago. Now the music of her mom’s favorite band is the only connection she has left. Even though Ivy wavers between anger and a yearning to reconnect, she’s one-hundred percent certain she’s not ready to lose her mom forever. But the only surefire way to locate her would be at a Chasing Eveline concert. So with help from her lone friend Matt—an equally abandoned soul and indie music enthusiast—Ivy hatches a plan to reunite the band. The road to Ireland won’t be easy, though. And not just because there is no road. Along the way they’ll have to win over their Lady Gaga-loving peers, tangle with some frisky meerkats, and oh yeah, somehow find and persuade the four members to play a reunion gig. It’s a near-impossible task, but Ivy has to try. If she can’t let go of the past, she’ll never be able to find joy in the present.

Sixteen-year-old Ivy Higgins is the only student at Carmel Heights High School who listens to cassettes. And her binder is the only one decorated with album artwork by 80s band Chasing Eveline. Despite being broken-up since 1989, this rock band out of Ireland means everything to Ivy. They’re a reminder of her mom, who abandoned Ivy and her dad two years ago. Now the music of her mom’s favorite band is the only connection she has left. Even though Ivy wavers between anger and a yearning to reconnect, she’s one-hundred percent certain she’s not ready to lose her mom forever. But the only surefire way to locate her would be at a Chasing Eveline concert. So with help from her lone friend Matt—an equally abandoned soul and indie music enthusiast—Ivy hatches a plan to reunite the band. The road to Ireland won’t be easy, though. And not just because there is no road. Along the way they’ll have to win over their Lady Gaga-loving peers, tangle with some frisky meerkats, and oh yeah, somehow find and persuade the four members to play a reunion gig. It’s a near-impossible task, but Ivy has to try. If she can’t let go of the past, she’ll never be able to find joy in the present.

Editor reviews

2 reviews
Great Story of Love and Perseverance
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4.7
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Ivy is desperate to connect with the mother who abandoned Ivy and her dad. The closest connection she has to her mother is their mutual love of the 1980's band 'Chasing Eveline'. Ivy and her friend Matt mount several schemes to raise money for a trip to Ireland. Once in Ireland they hope to reunite 'Chasing Eveline'. Ivy secretly hopes that her mother will be at the bands reunion.
This was such a cute read. I loved all the crazy ('I Love Lucy' type) projects that Matt and Ivy used to make money. Ivy has big ideas that never quite worked out the way she planned. I really loved the perseverance that Ivy had to never give up on her dream.
I loved the relationship Ivy had with her dad. I think it was a unique perspective to have a single dad raising a teenager. I also really liked the relationship Ivy had with Matt. Matt stood by Ivy no matter how crazy her ideas were. He really demonstrated what true friendship is. Getting rained on, getting thrown off stage,  getting booed where some of the things that happened to Ivy and Matt when they tried to raise money for their trip.
I am not a big music fan so some of the descriptions of the music passed over my head. However, the description of the music was detailed and helped to demonstrate why Ivy loved the music so much. I would have liked some of the loose ends tied up at the end. Some of Ivy's relationships were left just hanging.
I really enjoyed 'Chasing Eveline'. It was a really endearing story that touched on the  important topics of single parenthood, true friendship, and perseverance.
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2 reviews
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5.0
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Chasing Eveline
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5.0
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Chasing Eveline is a fantastic book that I didn't want to put down. I especially liked how it steered away from typical YA books.

Ivy's journey wasn't convoluted. It felt true. Honest. And complete. Ivy came to terms with one chapter in her life and is ready for new chapters.
Good Points
Must read
Story for everyone
Family oriented
Friendship based

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Further Proof that Music is Magic
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It's been a minute since I've read a feel-good YA Contemporary novel, and I didn't realize how much I needed one in my life until I picked up Hauser's Chasing Eveline. It was such a fun read and the characters were so relatable that I even found myself wishing that I could find my very own Chasing Eveline album just so I could listen along to Ivy's favorite songs. I loved Ivy and her wonderful spirit and how no matter what seemed to happen she never really let it get her down. My daughter is only four right now, but I know when she gets a little older, these are EXACTLY the kinds of books I want her to read. Well done, Ms. Hauser!
Good Points
Feel-Good Read
Strong Characters
Great Storyline
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