MORE THAN MAYBE

Love blooms between two independent, musically involved teens.

Vada and Luke have long admired one another from afar but finally begin talking during their senior year in high school in Ann Arbor. Each has family ties to the music world that both inspire and tether them, manifesting in their lives in different ways. Vada is determined to grow her music review writing into a career while British-born Luke has made a fierce decision to keep his talent and love for songwriting as something he only does for himself, which his former punk-rock-star dad can’t understand. Told in alternating first-person narration, the slow unfolding of this love story will be relished by teens who favor swooning romances. The palpable understanding of how music speaks to some people’s souls will ring true for serious music lovers—though references to various real-life artists both contemporary and older, from Demi Lovato to the duo’s reverence for Adam Duritz of Counting Crows, may not always resonate. Realistic and messy details about the complicated relationships imperfect adults have with their kids will likely ring true for a broader audience. All main characters are white. Luke’s twin brother, Cullen, is gay and happily coupled up with Luke’s best friend, Zack.

A character-driven story of first love and family drama replete with its own soundtrack.