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Tone Deaf
His world is music. Her world is silent.
Ali Collins was a child prodigy destined to become one of the greatest musicians of the twenty-first century—until she was diagnosed with a life-changing brain tumor. Now, at seventeen, Ali lives in a soundless world where she gets by with American Sign Language and lip-reading. She’s a constant disappointment to her father, a retired cop fighting his own demons, and the bruises are getting harder to hide.
When Ali accidentally wins a backstage tour with the chart-topping band Tone Deaf, she’s swept back into the world of music. Jace Beckett, the nineteen-year-old lead singer of the band, has a reputation. He’s a jerk and a player, and Ali wants nothing to do with him. But there’s more to Jace than the tabloids let on. When Jace notices Ali’s bruises and offers to help her escape to New York, Ali can’t turn down the chance at freedom and a fresh start. Soon she’s traveling cross-country, hidden away in Jace’s RV as the band finishes their nationwide tour. With the help of Jace, Ali sets out to reboot her life and rediscover the music she once loved.
Ali Collins was a child prodigy destined to become one of the greatest musicians of the twenty-first century—until she was diagnosed with a life-changing brain tumor. Now, at seventeen, Ali lives in a soundless world where she gets by with American Sign Language and lip-reading. She’s a constant disappointment to her father, a retired cop fighting his own demons, and the bruises are getting harder to hide.
When Ali accidentally wins a backstage tour with the chart-topping band Tone Deaf, she’s swept back into the world of music. Jace Beckett, the nineteen-year-old lead singer of the band, has a reputation. He’s a jerk and a player, and Ali wants nothing to do with him. But there’s more to Jace than the tabloids let on. When Jace notices Ali’s bruises and offers to help her escape to New York, Ali can’t turn down the chance at freedom and a fresh start. Soon she’s traveling cross-country, hidden away in Jace’s RV as the band finishes their nationwide tour. With the help of Jace, Ali sets out to reboot her life and rediscover the music she once loved.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published May 3, 2016
About the author
Olivia Rivers
30 books354 followersOlivia Rivers is an award-winning author of Young Adult fiction. Her works include Tone Deaf, which was awarded a place on the American Library Association's "Quick Picks" list, and In the Hope of Memories, which has been optioned for film. Olivia enjoys experimenting with new publishing technologies, and her online serials have received over 1,000,000 hits on Wattpad.com. She is represented by Laurie McLean of Fuse Literary.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 469 reviews
April 25, 2016
To be honest, "Tone Deaf" was never intended to be read by others. I wrote the story out of frustration, when I was unable to find a book that featured a main character with diverse physical abilities. On a whim, I posted the first chapter of “Tone Deaf” to Wattpad.com. The response I received was absolutely amazing and humbling. “Tone Deaf” gained over 1,000 hits within a week of being posted, and to this date, has over 1,000,000 hits.
Some readers call “Tone Deaf” a “diverse book," but I prefer another word: realistic. In reality, not every person is perfectly healthy or physically functional. And not every person is white, straight, and good-looking. And, honestly, who would want that? The world would so boring without the diversity it presents us.
I truly hope "Tone Deaf" presents this diversity and reality in a way that readers can relate to. And, most importantly, I hope readers enjoy the characters and love-story within the book!
Some readers call “Tone Deaf” a “diverse book," but I prefer another word: realistic. In reality, not every person is perfectly healthy or physically functional. And not every person is white, straight, and good-looking. And, honestly, who would want that? The world would so boring without the diversity it presents us.
I truly hope "Tone Deaf" presents this diversity and reality in a way that readers can relate to. And, most importantly, I hope readers enjoy the characters and love-story within the book!
May 14, 2016
EDIT: How the heck does a book this phenomenal get less than 4 stars? This makes me sad. :(
Ah, Tone Deaf. At only 24% of the novel, you have already managed to get me teary-eyed, and that’s a feat that cannot be done by many. To top that off, I have absolutely no luck with boy-band novels and road trip novels, so I wasn’t actually supposed to request you. But then, my stupid brain had to tell me to do so, so I did, and it’s the best stupid thing I’ve ever done.
I became an avid reader precisely because of books like this. Every year, I read so many books, trying to find books that would make me feel, and Tone Deaf did just that. Ah, not enough words in the English language could ever justify my love for this novel, but I would try anyway because it’s been a while since I’ve felt this way. And although I cannot put “this” into words, I can assure you that “this" nothing but amazing.
I don't think there has ever been a book who has made me laugh out loud with tears still in my eyes. This book is just too special! A lot of the things mentioned in the book are thoughts that run through my head every day and a lot of their issues are also my issues. I feel like this book understands me, instead of the other way around.
Gosh, the things that Ali and Jace went through are things that no one should ever go through, and I feel so much for them. On so many levels, I can relate to both of the characters, which makes this book so close to my heart. Everything is just so meaningful for me, and I just love these characters with all my heart. Even though both Ali and Jace have been treated badly by life, they still managed to be happy in those moments. Of course, what makes this book realistic is how not every moment is a happy one.
Killer and Arrow's relationship is just goals! I love how they tease each other, but cannot be completely mad at each other for long. I love that amid the heavy issue discussed in this novel, the author was able to include a gay couple. Ugh, I just love these two so much that I wish they were real people that I could meet! Actually, I wish that of everyone in the band plus Ali and Avery.
Since I have mentioned Avery, let's just discuss for a while how completely loyal she is to Ali. Tone Deaf is her favorite band, but when after what Ali went through initially, she completely supported Ali. Through everything, Avery was there for Ali. But again, what makes this realistic is how Avery doesn't completely understands Ali in the way that only Jace can, because they have been through similar things.
And let's not forget Jon! Jon is such a huge contradiction. He looks intimidating with all his tattoos, but he's actually scared of talking to girls. He also has a soft spot for Cuddles. Jon teaches us not to judge people by their outer appearances. Jon teaches us to give everyone a chance because everyone deserves it.
This book is a book that will always hold a place in my heart. It's true to life, and every bit of it is meaningful. I love this book with all my heart, and the feeling that I had while reading this is just priceless. Gosh, I am so thankful for reading this book right now, when I am struggling to come to terms with life's bitchiness. Thank you, Olivia Rivers, for giving me this gem to hold onto.
Seriously guys, just read this book not just because it deserves to be read, but also because you guys all deserve to read an amazing book such as Tone Deaf. Just yourselves a favor read this one already!
"Am I better off speaking in silence,
Or screaming so loud no one will hear?
I fake a smile,
But it's killed by you,
I fake a soul,
But that dies, too.
So I fake my life,
What else can I do?"
Ah, Tone Deaf. At only 24% of the novel, you have already managed to get me teary-eyed, and that’s a feat that cannot be done by many. To top that off, I have absolutely no luck with boy-band novels and road trip novels, so I wasn’t actually supposed to request you. But then, my stupid brain had to tell me to do so, so I did, and it’s the best stupid thing I’ve ever done.
"So I'll wait for you to figure out how to love."
I became an avid reader precisely because of books like this. Every year, I read so many books, trying to find books that would make me feel, and Tone Deaf did just that. Ah, not enough words in the English language could ever justify my love for this novel, but I would try anyway because it’s been a while since I’ve felt this way. And although I cannot put “this” into words, I can assure you that “this" nothing but amazing.
I don't think there has ever been a book who has made me laugh out loud with tears still in my eyes. This book is just too special! A lot of the things mentioned in the book are thoughts that run through my head every day and a lot of their issues are also my issues. I feel like this book understands me, instead of the other way around.
"Fate's a bitch, but it's not your fault."
Gosh, the things that Ali and Jace went through are things that no one should ever go through, and I feel so much for them. On so many levels, I can relate to both of the characters, which makes this book so close to my heart. Everything is just so meaningful for me, and I just love these characters with all my heart. Even though both Ali and Jace have been treated badly by life, they still managed to be happy in those moments. Of course, what makes this book realistic is how not every moment is a happy one.
"When life's tumbling down, down, down,
And nothing's there when you look up,
Except the innocence you let life corrupt."
Killer and Arrow's relationship is just goals! I love how they tease each other, but cannot be completely mad at each other for long. I love that amid the heavy issue discussed in this novel, the author was able to include a gay couple. Ugh, I just love these two so much that I wish they were real people that I could meet! Actually, I wish that of everyone in the band plus Ali and Avery.
Since I have mentioned Avery, let's just discuss for a while how completely loyal she is to Ali. Tone Deaf is her favorite band, but when after what Ali went through initially, she completely supported Ali. Through everything, Avery was there for Ali. But again, what makes this realistic is how Avery doesn't completely understands Ali in the way that only Jace can, because they have been through similar things.
"I could cry about it, but I've lost enough tears over him."
And let's not forget Jon! Jon is such a huge contradiction. He looks intimidating with all his tattoos, but he's actually scared of talking to girls. He also has a soft spot for Cuddles. Jon teaches us not to judge people by their outer appearances. Jon teaches us to give everyone a chance because everyone deserves it.
This book is a book that will always hold a place in my heart. It's true to life, and every bit of it is meaningful. I love this book with all my heart, and the feeling that I had while reading this is just priceless. Gosh, I am so thankful for reading this book right now, when I am struggling to come to terms with life's bitchiness. Thank you, Olivia Rivers, for giving me this gem to hold onto.
"Yeah, I was young, and yeah, there probably wasn't anything I could do about it. But ... what if there was? What if I could have stopped it, what if I'd tried harder, what if I just wasn't strong enough?"
Seriously guys, just read this book not just because it deserves to be read, but also because you guys all deserve to read an amazing book such as Tone Deaf. Just yourselves a favor read this one already!
May 6, 2016
This book was good, but not great.
Parts of it were fluffy, cheesy and fantastic, but there were aspects of it that really brought the whole thing down.
While I applaud the author for having a leading lady who is different from the normal YA protagonists we generally see - Ali is deaf - I had A LOT of trouble with her romantic interest, Jace.
Jace is a jerk. Jace is a straight up Asshole, yes, that's right, he's such an Asshole he gets a capital A. When he first meets Ali he does something so incredibly mean that I was never really able to get over it. I get that he is meant to be a dark, mysterious and broody guy with a tortured soul and all that, but the redemption arc and his back story didn't feel organic and I never quite bought that he actually cared for Ali in any way, shape or form. So this book does not win points from me for the love story, because I didn't believe it.
Having two of the members of Tone Deaf being in a romantic relationship was a nice breath of fresh air, and Killer and Arrow never felt like they were the stereotypical gay couple.
But what really bogged me down while reading this was the amount of times I had to remind myself to suspend my disbelief over a lot of what was going on in this story. That might sound strange coming from someone who reads a hell of a lot of paranormal romance, but it was really quite an effort for me to swallow some of the things that happened in this. Especially
After all this negativity, I have to say though, this was an easily digestible book. It read incredibly well and was well edited and I enjoyed reading it, when I wasn't rolling my eyes at Jace and his douchcanoe antics. The pacing was a little off, there was an awful lot of buildup at the start and then the drama was very heavy handed at the end. But the cheesy, fluffy happy ever after helped me nearly forget about that.
I would happily pick up more from this author in the future, if just to see what else she can do.
3 i-still-want-to-stab-jace Stars
Thank you kindly to Olivia for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Parts of it were fluffy, cheesy and fantastic, but there were aspects of it that really brought the whole thing down.
While I applaud the author for having a leading lady who is different from the normal YA protagonists we generally see - Ali is deaf - I had A LOT of trouble with her romantic interest, Jace.
Jace is a jerk. Jace is a straight up Asshole, yes, that's right, he's such an Asshole he gets a capital A. When he first meets Ali he does something so incredibly mean that I was never really able to get over it. I get that he is meant to be a dark, mysterious and broody guy with a tortured soul and all that, but the redemption arc and his back story didn't feel organic and I never quite bought that he actually cared for Ali in any way, shape or form. So this book does not win points from me for the love story, because I didn't believe it.
Having two of the members of Tone Deaf being in a romantic relationship was a nice breath of fresh air, and Killer and Arrow never felt like they were the stereotypical gay couple.
But what really bogged me down while reading this was the amount of times I had to remind myself to suspend my disbelief over a lot of what was going on in this story. That might sound strange coming from someone who reads a hell of a lot of paranormal romance, but it was really quite an effort for me to swallow some of the things that happened in this. Especially
After all this negativity, I have to say though, this was an easily digestible book. It read incredibly well and was well edited and I enjoyed reading it, when I wasn't rolling my eyes at Jace and his douchcanoe antics. The pacing was a little off, there was an awful lot of buildup at the start and then the drama was very heavy handed at the end. But the cheesy, fluffy happy ever after helped me nearly forget about that.
I would happily pick up more from this author in the future, if just to see what else she can do.
3 i-still-want-to-stab-jace Stars
Thank you kindly to Olivia for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 26, 2016
*Thank you to the author for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
Guys. Guys, this was so good. Oh my gosh. I don’t even have the proper words right now. The main thing that piqued my interest is the fact that it’s a book involving music. And I’m a sucker for any book that is related to music in any way. And then to find out that the main character is deaf… well, that’s just the cherry on top because we need more diverse books and more books that deal with disabilities.
Ali Collins was a child prodigy destined to become one of the greatest musicians of the twenty-first century—until she was diagnosed with a life-changing brain tumor. Now, at seventeen, Ali lives in a soundless world where she gets by with American Sign Language and lip-reading. She’s a constant disappointment to her father, a retired cop fighting his own demons, and the bruises are getting harder to hide.
When Ali accidentally wins a backstage tour with the chart-topping band Tone Deaf, she’s swept back into the world of music. Jace Beckett, the nineteen-year-old lead singer of the band, has a reputation. He’s a jerk and a player, and Ali wants nothing to do with him. But there’s more to Jace than the tabloids let on. When Jace notices Ali’s bruises and offers to help her escape to New York, Ali can’t turn down the chance at freedom and a fresh start. Soon she’s traveling cross-country, hidden away in Jace’s RV as the band finishes their nationwide tour. With the help of Jace, Ali sets out to reboot her life and rediscover the music she once loved. (from Goodreads)
It’s very difficult to describe this properly. It’s a mixture of sweet and heartbreaking, and it’s a book that can very easily be read in one setting, because it’s enthralling and it just puts a spell on you. It’s written in dual POV, from Ali and Jace’s perspectives, and they really compliment each other, giving us a glimpse in both their heads and hearts. It’s a very character driven book and I have to admit that Olivia did an outstanding job portraying Ali and the reality she faces as a deaf girl. She reads lips and uses ASL (which was incorporated in the story) and she dreams of attending a college with a strong deaf community. The thing is that she’s never reduced to that. She’s never just “the deaf girl”. She’s a person that’s so much more than that, but who accepts who she is and is proud of that. Jace has a lot of demons, a past that won’t let him go, but Ali crashes into his life and turns everything upside down. I absolutely loved that their relationship did not feel insta-love-y for one moment. Sure, there is attraction at first, but it progresses in a natural, unforced way, and this is something that mattered a lot for me. They’re both strong characters and I loved that the side characters - Jace’s band mates, Ali’s dad and best friend - were very well defined, despite the limited “screen time”.
There’s also the issue of Ali’s dad’s abuse - Olivia tackled a very difficult and tricky subject here, but she did it wonderfully. Ali’s story (and Jace’s, for that matter) is touching and heartbreaking and I found myself tearing up and wanting to do unspeakable things to her abuser. Same goes for Jace’s dad. The author presented a reality that’s all too present for a lot of people. And most of them see no way out. Probably the only thing that slightly bothered me is that fact that Ali is saved by Jace, in a lot of ways, instead of saving herself. But at the same time, I think that in situations like this, you need help from whoever is willing to give it. So I can’t really fault the author for this.
Bottom line is: read this. Especially if you’re looking for books with a diverse cast (one of Jace’s band mates is POC and two of them are gay) and for books dealing with disabilities. It’s well researched, well written, poetic and swoon-worthy. It’s a story of love, bravery, overcoming the hand that you’re dealt and fighting for your right to be happy. What more could you want?
Trigger warning for: abuse, drug use.
★★★★
Publication date: May 3rd 2016
Guys. Guys, this was so good. Oh my gosh. I don’t even have the proper words right now. The main thing that piqued my interest is the fact that it’s a book involving music. And I’m a sucker for any book that is related to music in any way. And then to find out that the main character is deaf… well, that’s just the cherry on top because we need more diverse books and more books that deal with disabilities.
Ali Collins was a child prodigy destined to become one of the greatest musicians of the twenty-first century—until she was diagnosed with a life-changing brain tumor. Now, at seventeen, Ali lives in a soundless world where she gets by with American Sign Language and lip-reading. She’s a constant disappointment to her father, a retired cop fighting his own demons, and the bruises are getting harder to hide.
When Ali accidentally wins a backstage tour with the chart-topping band Tone Deaf, she’s swept back into the world of music. Jace Beckett, the nineteen-year-old lead singer of the band, has a reputation. He’s a jerk and a player, and Ali wants nothing to do with him. But there’s more to Jace than the tabloids let on. When Jace notices Ali’s bruises and offers to help her escape to New York, Ali can’t turn down the chance at freedom and a fresh start. Soon she’s traveling cross-country, hidden away in Jace’s RV as the band finishes their nationwide tour. With the help of Jace, Ali sets out to reboot her life and rediscover the music she once loved. (from Goodreads)
It’s very difficult to describe this properly. It’s a mixture of sweet and heartbreaking, and it’s a book that can very easily be read in one setting, because it’s enthralling and it just puts a spell on you. It’s written in dual POV, from Ali and Jace’s perspectives, and they really compliment each other, giving us a glimpse in both their heads and hearts. It’s a very character driven book and I have to admit that Olivia did an outstanding job portraying Ali and the reality she faces as a deaf girl. She reads lips and uses ASL (which was incorporated in the story) and she dreams of attending a college with a strong deaf community. The thing is that she’s never reduced to that. She’s never just “the deaf girl”. She’s a person that’s so much more than that, but who accepts who she is and is proud of that. Jace has a lot of demons, a past that won’t let him go, but Ali crashes into his life and turns everything upside down. I absolutely loved that their relationship did not feel insta-love-y for one moment. Sure, there is attraction at first, but it progresses in a natural, unforced way, and this is something that mattered a lot for me. They’re both strong characters and I loved that the side characters - Jace’s band mates, Ali’s dad and best friend - were very well defined, despite the limited “screen time”.
There’s also the issue of Ali’s dad’s abuse - Olivia tackled a very difficult and tricky subject here, but she did it wonderfully. Ali’s story (and Jace’s, for that matter) is touching and heartbreaking and I found myself tearing up and wanting to do unspeakable things to her abuser. Same goes for Jace’s dad. The author presented a reality that’s all too present for a lot of people. And most of them see no way out. Probably the only thing that slightly bothered me is that fact that Ali is saved by Jace, in a lot of ways, instead of saving herself. But at the same time, I think that in situations like this, you need help from whoever is willing to give it. So I can’t really fault the author for this.
Bottom line is: read this. Especially if you’re looking for books with a diverse cast (one of Jace’s band mates is POC and two of them are gay) and for books dealing with disabilities. It’s well researched, well written, poetic and swoon-worthy. It’s a story of love, bravery, overcoming the hand that you’re dealt and fighting for your right to be happy. What more could you want?
Trigger warning for: abuse, drug use.
★★★★
Publication date: May 3rd 2016
August 28, 2019
This was an incredibly easy book to get through- almost too easy, the writing style was a bit juvenile and that got irritating after while. But I was really exciting to read it and it did manage to live up to some of my expectations.
March 22, 2016
GUYS. THIS. BOOK. IS. PHENOMENAL.
AMAZING. AMAZING. AMAZING.
AMAZING. AMAZING. AMAZING.
June 17, 2016
Cue unlimited swooning!
Wow, what a totally surprising good read! This book was nothing short of beautiful. Just from reading the prologue, I was already in love with it. I expected a cute read, but damn, I didn't expect a heart-tugging and tear-jerker story. Guys, I am seriously in awe. No offense, but this book is definitely a far cry from shallow rockstar romance books.
Tone Deaf seriously took. my. breath. away.
I think this book was more character-driven, and I think that factor alone made it better. Aside from Jace and Ali, I found Killer, Arrow, Jon, and Avery appealing.
Also, I think we all know by now the usual rockstar-meets-a-non-fan-and-vice-versa-and-ends-up-getting-together trope, but Jace and Ali somehow makes their dynamic much more appealing, and dare I say, gut-wrenchingly sweet. Their relationship is something you can call unconventional, but what the heck, it was magical.
4.5 stars!
Wow, what a totally surprising good read! This book was nothing short of beautiful. Just from reading the prologue, I was already in love with it. I expected a cute read, but damn, I didn't expect a heart-tugging and tear-jerker story. Guys, I am seriously in awe. No offense, but this book is definitely a far cry from shallow rockstar romance books.
Tone Deaf seriously took. my. breath. away.
"As if reading my mind, I feel a soft hand rest on my shoulder. I flinch partially because she scared me, and partially because she scared me, and partially because her touch scares me. It makes my heart race, and my skin grow warm, and my breathing come faster. And nobody should be able to control me that easily...right?"
I think this book was more character-driven, and I think that factor alone made it better. Aside from Jace and Ali, I found Killer, Arrow, Jon, and Avery appealing.
Also, I think we all know by now the usual rockstar-meets-a-non-fan-and-vice-versa-and-ends-up-getting-together trope, but Jace and Ali somehow makes their dynamic much more appealing, and dare I say, gut-wrenchingly sweet. Their relationship is something you can call unconventional, but what the heck, it was magical.
"Ali stirs in my arms and nuzzles closer to me in her sleep, a soft smile on her mouth. I trail my fingertip along her full lips, tracing the contours of her smile. I've had hundreds, probably even thousands, of girls flash me smiles. But none of them have been as pretty as Ali's. Hers is hesitant, like she isn't used to happiness, and it's hard not to share her good mood when I know I'm the reason for the gentle expression."
4.5 stars!
February 27, 2016
This book is hard to describe but I have very few reservations if any towards the story. It's sweet and poignant despite the heavy-hearted content and I adored the relationship that blossomed between the characters Jace and Ali.
It gave me such a sweet aftertaste that I'm smiling as I write this; in a world with painful ugly moments, books such as these provide hope and it unfurled a softness in my heart. The ode to music was lovely as well, and while I cannot vouch for the accuracy of the representation I felt that Ali was realistic, in ways that mattered.
Thank you to Edelweiss and Sky Pony Press for the review copy.
It gave me such a sweet aftertaste that I'm smiling as I write this; in a world with painful ugly moments, books such as these provide hope and it unfurled a softness in my heart. The ode to music was lovely as well, and while I cannot vouch for the accuracy of the representation I felt that Ali was realistic, in ways that mattered.
Thank you to Edelweiss and Sky Pony Press for the review copy.
January 5, 2019
I went into this expecting an amazing book featuring people with disabilities but instead I got teenage angst with a side of abuse (The abuse wasn't even necessary. The author just used it as a plot device) and instalove.
August 13, 2018
Rated five stars based on how quickly I devoured the book and thus how much I loved it!
July 20, 2019
2.5
I was so incredibly excited to read this book. It seemed to be the perfect setup! I absolutley adore a book (whether it's contempory, fantasy, or somewhere in between) in which one or both of the main characters are kind of broken, but they help to piece each other back together and fall in love in the process. It's always so beautiful and makes for a fantastic read, which is why I had such high hopes for this one. The plot sounded very interesting and I was intrigued to learn more about being deaf by reading from the P.O.V. of a character who is. Unfortunately, it was a bit of a let down. The story line ended up being a little too unrealistic for me, and some parts of the story were a bit rushed, especially the romance!
It wasn't a bad book; it had a great premise. It just wasn't executed the best. At times, I really felt like I was just reading a decent Wattpad story.
Overall, it was enjoyable, just not as great as I'd hoped it to be. I'm glad I finally got to read it though.
I was so incredibly excited to read this book. It seemed to be the perfect setup! I absolutley adore a book (whether it's contempory, fantasy, or somewhere in between) in which one or both of the main characters are kind of broken, but they help to piece each other back together and fall in love in the process. It's always so beautiful and makes for a fantastic read, which is why I had such high hopes for this one. The plot sounded very interesting and I was intrigued to learn more about being deaf by reading from the P.O.V. of a character who is. Unfortunately, it was a bit of a let down. The story line ended up being a little too unrealistic for me, and some parts of the story were a bit rushed, especially the romance!
It wasn't a bad book; it had a great premise. It just wasn't executed the best. At times, I really felt like I was just reading a decent Wattpad story.
Overall, it was enjoyable, just not as great as I'd hoped it to be. I'm glad I finally got to read it though.
June 19, 2018
This sounded like a cute read but it had literally ALL the elements I hate: loss of one parent, other parent abusive, sickness (tumor), deafness aaaaand insta love. also the whole character of killer was horrible, the author tried so hard to make him likeable but it didn't work because he was so over the top.
all in all this read like a semi good fanfiction on wattpad...
all in all this read like a semi good fanfiction on wattpad...
May 26, 2018
Pro- Deaf main character
Con- instalove
Pro - funny side characters
Con- jerk love interest
Con- instalove
Pro - funny side characters
Con- jerk love interest
July 31, 2016
"Tone Deaf" is the second book by Olivia Rivers that I've read and now it's official - I'm a die-hard fan.
Between the beautiful writing style, relatable and likeable characters and a strong plot, this is definitely a new favorite of mine.
I love how the author isn't scared to tackle difficult topics and how she does so with incredible finesse and tact.
Not only did "Tone Deaf" captivate me and take me on an emotional rollercoaster ride, but it also gave me food for thought. It broadened my horizon and let me walk in someone else's shoes for a while.
And Ali's and Jace's shoes aren't the most comfortable ones to wear.
Ali, a musical genius, has lost her hearing, her mom, her future. All she has now is a will to withstand her father's abuse until she's an adult.
Jace is a rockstar - fame, money, women are at his disposal. But all of it leaves him feeling empty, devoid of meaning. Nothing can help him forget his past.
Their paths cross when Ali wins a meet and greet. What starts out as a trainwreck, soon becomes Ali's only chance to escape her father.
Jace, the arrogant rockstar becomes her knight in no-so-shining armor, letting her travels with his band to help her get away.
The trip becomes a journey for both of them. A journey of letting go, of trust, of vulnerability and of letting another person in. And it's a journey that brought me to tears on more than one occasion.
Ali could be bitter and miserable considering all she went through and all she's still going through. Yet, despite her paralyzing fears, she doesn't give up hope, doesn't stop making plans. She's broken in her own way. Scared and distrustful since the man who is supposed to love and protect her, is the one who hurts her.
I loved how driven she is, fighting for her own future. Despite all the hurt that was caused in her life and all the pain she's feeling, she's a fighter. I loved seeing her growth and the change of learning to let people in, to trust them. Even when it was hard to do.
And Jace really doesn't appear trustworthy.
A rockstar with a reputation, he is controlling, tactless and brushes people off. The first encounter with him and I was ready to strangle him. But the more I learned, the more his other side - the sweet, caring one - shined through.
Yes, he's arrogant and demanding. But he's been hurt before and the demons of his past haunt him every day. And every day he fights against them, trying to be a better version of himself. Once his trust is won, he's loyal to a fault and will fight with all he's got. Underneath the armor of arrogance is a sweet guy wanting to be loved.
And it's Ali who coaxes that guy out.
Their growth and learning process are both heart-warming and heart-wrenching, because no one should have to learn to be loved.
Fact is, I love them both as well as the side characters who add a lot to the story and aren't merely there to move it forward.
What really impressed me is how well the author wrote those young characters, giving them substance,, depth and personality.
This is a story that will stay with me for a long time to come.
5+ serva-me-servabo-te stars.
Between the beautiful writing style, relatable and likeable characters and a strong plot, this is definitely a new favorite of mine.
I love how the author isn't scared to tackle difficult topics and how she does so with incredible finesse and tact.
Not only did "Tone Deaf" captivate me and take me on an emotional rollercoaster ride, but it also gave me food for thought. It broadened my horizon and let me walk in someone else's shoes for a while.
And Ali's and Jace's shoes aren't the most comfortable ones to wear.
Ali, a musical genius, has lost her hearing, her mom, her future. All she has now is a will to withstand her father's abuse until she's an adult.
Jace is a rockstar - fame, money, women are at his disposal. But all of it leaves him feeling empty, devoid of meaning. Nothing can help him forget his past.
Their paths cross when Ali wins a meet and greet. What starts out as a trainwreck, soon becomes Ali's only chance to escape her father.
Jace, the arrogant rockstar becomes her knight in no-so-shining armor, letting her travels with his band to help her get away.
The trip becomes a journey for both of them. A journey of letting go, of trust, of vulnerability and of letting another person in. And it's a journey that brought me to tears on more than one occasion.
Ali could be bitter and miserable considering all she went through and all she's still going through. Yet, despite her paralyzing fears, she doesn't give up hope, doesn't stop making plans. She's broken in her own way. Scared and distrustful since the man who is supposed to love and protect her, is the one who hurts her.
I loved how driven she is, fighting for her own future. Despite all the hurt that was caused in her life and all the pain she's feeling, she's a fighter. I loved seeing her growth and the change of learning to let people in, to trust them. Even when it was hard to do.
And Jace really doesn't appear trustworthy.
A rockstar with a reputation, he is controlling, tactless and brushes people off. The first encounter with him and I was ready to strangle him. But the more I learned, the more his other side - the sweet, caring one - shined through.
Yes, he's arrogant and demanding. But he's been hurt before and the demons of his past haunt him every day. And every day he fights against them, trying to be a better version of himself. Once his trust is won, he's loyal to a fault and will fight with all he's got. Underneath the armor of arrogance is a sweet guy wanting to be loved.
And it's Ali who coaxes that guy out.
Their growth and learning process are both heart-warming and heart-wrenching, because no one should have to learn to be loved.
Fact is, I love them both as well as the side characters who add a lot to the story and aren't merely there to move it forward.
What really impressed me is how well the author wrote those young characters, giving them substance,, depth and personality.
This is a story that will stay with me for a long time to come.
5+ serva-me-servabo-te stars.
April 25, 2019
When I first requested Tone Deaf, I didn't think too much of it. It sounded like the type of contemporary reads I usually enjoy. As I got around to reading it, I realize this book is more than just a cutesy love story. Surprisingly it dealt with some difficult subjects.
Ali's life literally went from being in heaven one moment to stranded in hell in the blink of an eye- a music prodigy to an abused deaf girl. After the death of her mother, she goes to live with her father who did not care for her at all. I could really feel the desolation from Ali's thoughts and actions. When the perfect opportunity to escape pops up, she hesitates to take it. But when her father denies her her dream, she snaps and goes for it. I admire her courage. It took a lot of self- convincing for her to commit to running away early (she was just a few months shy of legal independency). It was also hard to see Ali's reaction to being in a foreign surrounding but I'm so glad she found comfort and safety. In the most unexpected place too.
Jace was every bit the tortured soul. I didn't approve of some of his words and actions but as we got to know him, I could understand where it all came from. It made me sad to hear about his past and how it's shaped him into who he is. Thankfully he's away from it all now and is surrounded by kind and caring people.
The romance in Tone Deaf was too convenient for me. I would've thought it would take Ali and Jace a little more time to fall in love. It almost seemed like they fell for each other because they were in such close proximity and saw each other everyday. Don't get me wrong, I really loved the connection they made through their sarcastic retorts and musical talent but it was fast. In my opinion, Killer and Arrow was the ultimate ship ;)
I'm also a little dumbfounded by the timeline of the story. I couldn't wrap my head around how everything happened in such a short span of time. The story was suppose to take place during the band's nationwide tour but it only went two(?) stops before shit hit the can. (Please excuse the language but that's literally what happened.) Granted there was an unplanned stop but that worked out. The short timeline really weighed down the plausibility of the story for me.
Similar to the romance I found the solution to Ali's problem to be too easy. I mean I get that some people need a little push It was logical but too rushed for me to taste the victory.
Tone Deaf surprised me in a really good way. Even though I realize the chance of this story ever really happening in real life is slim, I couldn't help but love the book. I am definitely happy with the curve Tone Deaf threw at me and how the story turned out.
Ali's life literally went from being in heaven one moment to stranded in hell in the blink of an eye- a music prodigy to an abused deaf girl. After the death of her mother, she goes to live with her father who did not care for her at all. I could really feel the desolation from Ali's thoughts and actions. When the perfect opportunity to escape pops up, she hesitates to take it. But when her father denies her her dream, she snaps and goes for it. I admire her courage. It took a lot of self- convincing for her to commit to running away early (she was just a few months shy of legal independency). It was also hard to see Ali's reaction to being in a foreign surrounding but I'm so glad she found comfort and safety. In the most unexpected place too.
Jace was every bit the tortured soul. I didn't approve of some of his words and actions but as we got to know him, I could understand where it all came from. It made me sad to hear about his past and how it's shaped him into who he is. Thankfully he's away from it all now and is surrounded by kind and caring people.
The romance in Tone Deaf was too convenient for me. I would've thought it would take Ali and Jace a little more time to fall in love. It almost seemed like they fell for each other because they were in such close proximity and saw each other everyday. Don't get me wrong, I really loved the connection they made through their sarcastic retorts and musical talent but it was fast. In my opinion, Killer and Arrow was the ultimate ship ;)
I'm also a little dumbfounded by the timeline of the story. I couldn't wrap my head around how everything happened in such a short span of time. The story was suppose to take place during the band's nationwide tour but it only went two(?) stops before shit hit the can. (Please excuse the language but that's literally what happened.) Granted there was an unplanned stop but that worked out. The short timeline really weighed down the plausibility of the story for me.
Similar to the romance I found the solution to Ali's problem to be too easy. I mean I get that some people need a little push It was logical but too rushed for me to taste the victory.
Tone Deaf surprised me in a really good way. Even though I realize the chance of this story ever really happening in real life is slim, I couldn't help but love the book. I am definitely happy with the curve Tone Deaf threw at me and how the story turned out.
April 6, 2016
**I was provided with a copy by the author in exchange for an honest review!**
When I find out about a book, I read the blurb, but to be honest I mostly only skim over it. That often leads to me being way more surprised about what happens than I would have been if I had read the summary in detail - this is basically what happened with Tone Deaf! I only knew it was about a former musical prodigy turned deaf and a boy from a band and that I wanted to read it. So, I don't even want to talk about the content all that much, I want you to find out what it is about yourself. I can only say that it was funny, more intense than I thought and really heartfelt.
The thing I was most intrigued about was how language would work. Dialogue is such an important part of the books I read and I didn't quite know how it would be executed here. I can only say that Olivia Rivers did it perfectly! ASL is a language of it's own, comprised of a different kind of vocabulary, but it was incorporated in a way that made sense to me.
Also, Ali, the main character, was great at reading lips but it was also made clear that she couldn't just follow any conversation, especially not if people talked quickly or turned their face away from her. Tone Deaf also worked with texts and even Twitter, so I thought that was such a clever way to incorporate modern day technology into the story.
I tore through the book within two days and I think I would have made it in one if it hadn't been for work. The thing that made the book so enjoyable were the characters - they simply felt real! And I am not even talking about the main characters only. Arrow, Killer and Jon (the bandmates) are some of my new favourite people, even though I wish Jon had gotten some more page time. And I would definitely love a dog like Cuddles!
Also, the romance between Ali and Jace was lovely. Yes, they were physically attracted to each other even when they didn't like one another, but their connection was something way deeper. And I honestly think that they could never find that with anyone else.
If I had to complain about something in this book, there really isn't much I can find. However, I did not like that Jace didn't appreciate his fans or how the storyline fit together a bit too conveniently sometimes, but those were minor details. Jace definitely struggled with a lot of things and I just have a feeling that he couldn't fully glory in the love of his fans, because deep down he still felt broken and not like he deserved it. I am going to keep telling myself that in order to not see him as a jerk so much.
Fazit: 4.5/5 stars! A super sweet read about taking your life into your own hands, while realising that there is no shame in accepting help. Also, definite plus for the Doctor Who references!
You can also find this review on Life and Other Disasters!
When I find out about a book, I read the blurb, but to be honest I mostly only skim over it. That often leads to me being way more surprised about what happens than I would have been if I had read the summary in detail - this is basically what happened with Tone Deaf! I only knew it was about a former musical prodigy turned deaf and a boy from a band and that I wanted to read it. So, I don't even want to talk about the content all that much, I want you to find out what it is about yourself. I can only say that it was funny, more intense than I thought and really heartfelt.
The thing I was most intrigued about was how language would work. Dialogue is such an important part of the books I read and I didn't quite know how it would be executed here. I can only say that Olivia Rivers did it perfectly! ASL is a language of it's own, comprised of a different kind of vocabulary, but it was incorporated in a way that made sense to me.
Also, Ali, the main character, was great at reading lips but it was also made clear that she couldn't just follow any conversation, especially not if people talked quickly or turned their face away from her. Tone Deaf also worked with texts and even Twitter, so I thought that was such a clever way to incorporate modern day technology into the story.
I tore through the book within two days and I think I would have made it in one if it hadn't been for work. The thing that made the book so enjoyable were the characters - they simply felt real! And I am not even talking about the main characters only. Arrow, Killer and Jon (the bandmates) are some of my new favourite people, even though I wish Jon had gotten some more page time. And I would definitely love a dog like Cuddles!
Also, the romance between Ali and Jace was lovely. Yes, they were physically attracted to each other even when they didn't like one another, but their connection was something way deeper. And I honestly think that they could never find that with anyone else.
If I had to complain about something in this book, there really isn't much I can find. However, I did not like that Jace didn't appreciate his fans or how the storyline fit together a bit too conveniently sometimes, but those were minor details. Jace definitely struggled with a lot of things and I just have a feeling that he couldn't fully glory in the love of his fans, because deep down he still felt broken and not like he deserved it. I am going to keep telling myself that in order to not see him as a jerk so much.
Fazit: 4.5/5 stars! A super sweet read about taking your life into your own hands, while realising that there is no shame in accepting help. Also, definite plus for the Doctor Who references!
You can also find this review on Life and Other Disasters!
May 15, 2016
Serva me, servabo te.
This book turned out so much better than I've expected. I reckoned that this will be a light-hearted read but it ended up touching on more deeper and emotional contents such as abuse and physical impairment. The music-related elements to the book were an added bonus in creating a soulful and rich ambience.
Initially, I was put off by Jace's aloofness and jerkass attitude towards Ali. Well, more like his general hatred and frustration towards life to be exact, all except for his overwhelming love and passion for music. However, we learned about his past and I came to slowly empathise with the reason behind his guarded personality and cold demeanour, his fear of inability to love and to simply feel. But things changed when Ali, with similar traumatic experience, came into the picture as both Ali and Jace seek comfort and understanding from each other. I liked the transition of their relationship, from the initial wariness and doubt, to one of trust, strength, salvation and hope. Also, I really liked Killer, with his positive vibe, animated and cheery disposition. His friendship with Ali is super cute and endearing too.
The ending was really sweet and inspiring. I liked that Jace can truly feel happy and that Ali embraced her imperfections and became more confident.
This book turned out so much better than I've expected. I reckoned that this will be a light-hearted read but it ended up touching on more deeper and emotional contents such as abuse and physical impairment. The music-related elements to the book were an added bonus in creating a soulful and rich ambience.
Initially, I was put off by Jace's aloofness and jerkass attitude towards Ali. Well, more like his general hatred and frustration towards life to be exact, all except for his overwhelming love and passion for music. However, we learned about his past and I came to slowly empathise with the reason behind his guarded personality and cold demeanour, his fear of inability to love and to simply feel. But things changed when Ali, with similar traumatic experience, came into the picture as both Ali and Jace seek comfort and understanding from each other. I liked the transition of their relationship, from the initial wariness and doubt, to one of trust, strength, salvation and hope. Also, I really liked Killer, with his positive vibe, animated and cheery disposition. His friendship with Ali is super cute and endearing too.
The ending was really sweet and inspiring. I liked that Jace can truly feel happy and that Ali embraced her imperfections and became more confident.
Want to read
March 6, 2016 5th March 2016
What caught me first was this book has a singer..... YAS I LOVE MUSICIANS!
What caught me second was this book has a heroine that is.... she was diagnosed with a life-changing brain tumor
YAS AND YAS! I love books like this, its so refreshing and realistic.
There is another book like this, it is When I'm Gone and When You're back by Abbi Glines.
Definitely will read this and I shall get my hands on it ASAP!
What caught me first was this book has a singer..... YAS I LOVE MUSICIANS!
What caught me second was this book has a heroine that is.... she was diagnosed with a life-changing brain tumor
YAS AND YAS! I love books like this, its so refreshing and realistic.
There is another book like this, it is When I'm Gone and When You're back by Abbi Glines.
Definitely will read this and I shall get my hands on it ASAP!
June 18, 2016
I enjoyed this book -- well written with good character development and a believable story. The characters were natural and real and I thought it gave a good look into the world of young woman who is deaf. It was a little slow moving for me but I think that's because I usually CONSUME books and this book took the time to develop the love story with the black moment being very close to the end.
June 1, 2021
This was a rockstar romance with a twist. Ali is deaf after a brain tumor and she randomly win backstag pages and meets the rockstar Jace. When he learns she is abused by her father he decides to help her and somewhere in between their love blossoms. Liked that part of the book, little rushed but engaging. What I really disliked was his extremely asshole behaviour when they first meet and he learns she is deaf. Feelt like it was brushed over and forgotten to easily and I couldn't quite buy their romantic feelings for each other. I loved Ali's character and learn about the struggles she gone through, both with her abusive dad and being deaf.
May 23, 2018
This is the type of book to make you think that all the shit your dealing with in your life could be worse. Like you could have a past or a present like either Ali or Jace. And man, were they dealing with/had they dealt with some fucked up shit in their lives. My poor babies.
Anywho, Ali is deaf. And has an abusive father. And Jace is a famous rock star who had absuive parents before he got away from it. Ali is then thrown into his life seemingly out of no where and their adorable love story evolves from there.
Jace is swoon worthy. He seems like a dick and don’t get me wrong, he is. But he’s also a sweetheart and you just can’t help but love him.
Ali, she had so much happen to her that she is a certain way. And you can’t help but understand why she is that way. But damn if I didn’t find myself rolling my eyes because of some of the things she’d think or do. But I ended up seriously adoring her.
Jace and Ali’s story was super cute. 😁
Anywho, Ali is deaf. And has an abusive father. And Jace is a famous rock star who had absuive parents before he got away from it. Ali is then thrown into his life seemingly out of no where and their adorable love story evolves from there.
Jace is swoon worthy. He seems like a dick and don’t get me wrong, he is. But he’s also a sweetheart and you just can’t help but love him.
Ali, she had so much happen to her that she is a certain way. And you can’t help but understand why she is that way. But damn if I didn’t find myself rolling my eyes because of some of the things she’d think or do. But I ended up seriously adoring her.
Jace and Ali’s story was super cute. 😁
March 9, 2016
I greatly enjoyed this book! For once there was no insta-love, and the main character is deaf! Both of which you don't see often in books now a days.
Truthfully I don't read the whole entire blurb before I downloaded an review copy of this book from Edelweiss so I didn't know immediately what had caused Ali to go deaf. I found out later in the story what caused it. I enjoyed finding out this way versus knowing right from the start. It gave the book an air of mystery about it. Especially because Ali never wanted to discuss what had happened.
At the start of the novel we are introduced to Ali, a deaf girl of seventeen who is dragged to a concert by her best friend. Not being a fan of the band Tone Deaf, Ali is not happy to be there. Even more so when she wins a backstage tour with the band.
She outlines who the members of the band are once she gets backstage. There's Jace, the lead singer and guitarist of the punk band, Arrow and Killer. Killer was by far my most favorite character. He was so bubbly and happy all the time, and being British was a major plus. He's in a relationship with the Bassist Arrow who was my least favorite character of the book. I can't find anything redeeming about him. He was mean, rude and untrustworthy. I thought Jace could be mean, but this kid had major issues. Jace and arrow are cousins, and Arrow states that he trusts him, but then doesn't as soon as Jace helps Ali, who desperately needed help.
The initial meeting between Jace and Ali is not a pretty one. Upon finding out that Ali is deaf, Jace flies off the handle, flips her the bird and leaves. Ali both hurt and angry asks to leave as well, not wanting to finish the tour that barely got started.
We are then introduced to Ali's home life, and boy was that a twist. I was not expecting it at all! I wasn't fond of it at first, as the heroine is abused by a family member is an often used cliche. But the author did it right! She made the story and actions of her father very believable. And even now after finishing the novel I feel a small tinge of sadness and pity for the man. He clearly needed help but he chose alcohol instead. She hates her home life and vows as soon as she is eighteen she will move far away from her father.
As compensation for how poorly Jace treated Ali he agrees to give her eight thousand dollars. Ali desperate needs the money although she doesn't want to let Jace know that. She wants to take the check and leave.
When Ali and Jace meet up in order to give Ali her money Jace see's how much trouble Ali is in and offers her a way out. A way to escape her abusive father and get somewhere safe from him. Ali doesn't want to take his help because she doesn't like him in the slightest. She's still hurt about how he treated her when they first met. Understandable! She turns it over in her mind all night.
Ali finally accepts Jaces help and she sets off with them on their cross country tour. The author did an excellent job of portraying how uncomfortable Ali was to be on the bus, as if she didn't belong, she was in a whole nother world.
Killer makes her feel welcome by being friendly, nice and all around a good guy. He was the goofball and nerd of the group, which Ali could identify with. Arrow on the other hand wants nothing to do with her, and hardly interacts with her.
There was absoultuely NO insta-love! I could cry tears of joy at how happy that made me. There was also a welcome absence of those sappy lines often associated with love at first sight.
Jace and Ali took time to get to know one another, especially since they were both so closed off from everyone, unwilling to let their walls down to talk about sensitive issues. Jace understood Ali's pain and living situation which was why he helped her out in the first place but he was unwilling to talk to Ali about how or why he could relate to her.
Although as early as 25% Jace really wants to help Ali, it's not because he wants to get in her pants it's because he knows the pain she has been through and wants to help. No anterior motives at all.
Ali spends a lot of time on the bus thinking about her life and what it could be like. She also thinks about Jace a lot and what it meant for him to help her. Jace and Ali have some sweet moments, their feelings for each other gradually building as they travel.
All good things must come to an end though. Ali is eventually found and is being sent back to live with her father. Both her and Jace are crushed at the thought of Ali leaving to back to her abusive dad. Jace comes though in the end though and saves the day! I was so so happy for that to happen. I couldn't imagine Ali having to go back to her father.
Everything wrapped up nicely and I hope that the author will write more about this couple! I'm not sure how much the author researched sign language and deaf culture but everything seemed solid! (I work on a sign language database. I know a thing or two.)
Truthfully I don't read the whole entire blurb before I downloaded an review copy of this book from Edelweiss so I didn't know immediately what had caused Ali to go deaf. I found out later in the story what caused it. I enjoyed finding out this way versus knowing right from the start. It gave the book an air of mystery about it. Especially because Ali never wanted to discuss what had happened.
At the start of the novel we are introduced to Ali, a deaf girl of seventeen who is dragged to a concert by her best friend. Not being a fan of the band Tone Deaf, Ali is not happy to be there. Even more so when she wins a backstage tour with the band.
She outlines who the members of the band are once she gets backstage. There's Jace, the lead singer and guitarist of the punk band, Arrow and Killer. Killer was by far my most favorite character. He was so bubbly and happy all the time, and being British was a major plus. He's in a relationship with the Bassist Arrow who was my least favorite character of the book. I can't find anything redeeming about him. He was mean, rude and untrustworthy. I thought Jace could be mean, but this kid had major issues. Jace and arrow are cousins, and Arrow states that he trusts him, but then doesn't as soon as Jace helps Ali, who desperately needed help.
The initial meeting between Jace and Ali is not a pretty one. Upon finding out that Ali is deaf, Jace flies off the handle, flips her the bird and leaves. Ali both hurt and angry asks to leave as well, not wanting to finish the tour that barely got started.
We are then introduced to Ali's home life, and boy was that a twist. I was not expecting it at all! I wasn't fond of it at first, as the heroine is abused by a family member is an often used cliche. But the author did it right! She made the story and actions of her father very believable. And even now after finishing the novel I feel a small tinge of sadness and pity for the man. He clearly needed help but he chose alcohol instead. She hates her home life and vows as soon as she is eighteen she will move far away from her father.
As compensation for how poorly Jace treated Ali he agrees to give her eight thousand dollars. Ali desperate needs the money although she doesn't want to let Jace know that. She wants to take the check and leave.
When Ali and Jace meet up in order to give Ali her money Jace see's how much trouble Ali is in and offers her a way out. A way to escape her abusive father and get somewhere safe from him. Ali doesn't want to take his help because she doesn't like him in the slightest. She's still hurt about how he treated her when they first met. Understandable! She turns it over in her mind all night.
Ali finally accepts Jaces help and she sets off with them on their cross country tour. The author did an excellent job of portraying how uncomfortable Ali was to be on the bus, as if she didn't belong, she was in a whole nother world.
Killer makes her feel welcome by being friendly, nice and all around a good guy. He was the goofball and nerd of the group, which Ali could identify with. Arrow on the other hand wants nothing to do with her, and hardly interacts with her.
There was absoultuely NO insta-love! I could cry tears of joy at how happy that made me. There was also a welcome absence of those sappy lines often associated with love at first sight.
Jace and Ali took time to get to know one another, especially since they were both so closed off from everyone, unwilling to let their walls down to talk about sensitive issues. Jace understood Ali's pain and living situation which was why he helped her out in the first place but he was unwilling to talk to Ali about how or why he could relate to her.
Although as early as 25% Jace really wants to help Ali, it's not because he wants to get in her pants it's because he knows the pain she has been through and wants to help. No anterior motives at all.
Ali spends a lot of time on the bus thinking about her life and what it could be like. She also thinks about Jace a lot and what it meant for him to help her. Jace and Ali have some sweet moments, their feelings for each other gradually building as they travel.
All good things must come to an end though. Ali is eventually found and is being sent back to live with her father. Both her and Jace are crushed at the thought of Ali leaving to back to her abusive dad. Jace comes though in the end though and saves the day! I was so so happy for that to happen. I couldn't imagine Ali having to go back to her father.
Everything wrapped up nicely and I hope that the author will write more about this couple! I'm not sure how much the author researched sign language and deaf culture but everything seemed solid! (I work on a sign language database. I know a thing or two.)
April 27, 2016
4/24/16
*I received this book as an ARC (April 5th) for an honest review.*
**Caution: overload of quotes:) ** No Spoilers**
Let me start off by thanking the author so kindly for asking me to review her book. She emailed me on the 5th of April and my busy schedule didn’t let me pick up the book until the 23rd. I do apologize for the late review, but I must applaud you Olivia Rivers. This book was nothing like I expected.
Let me start by saying that I read this book in 2 days. Like, I stayed up until 5 a.m reading this book (plus taking notes in my book journal!) and then finishing it the next morning!
The MC’s name is Ali, who is deaf and who doesn’t feel like she belongs anywhere. After her accident that caused her to lose her hearing, her life was forever changed when she lost her mother right along with the ability to hear. The character is such a strong willed, spunky girl, but her past is dark and she has issues with her dad being a complete maniac who beats her up. I love how she, as a character, may be strong but she has many weakness when it comes to people around her. Emotionally, physically and spiritually, this girl has a dark shadow over her, causing her to not interact with people well. What I love most about her is that she is strong and compassionate for her friend Avery even though she has seen many dark things. It didn’t change the way she looks at people.
“So, I’ll fix him.” -Ali (255)
I have read about disabilities in romancy/teen books, but never quiet this in depth to deafness. I found her ways of describing things fascinating with vibrations, people speaking/lip reading and even the sign language. It is a fresh, new perspective!
Jace is an excellent character! Sure, he is an ass *at first*, but I love the male characters who are rough around the edges and seem to melt around a certain someone! His past is darker than Ali’s in a way, making Jace a little more standoffish and hard to understand, but I love not being able to guess what he is going to do or say! Jace is really well put together. He is a strong, difficult wall of emotions, but soon with Ali around, he begins to crumble. I keep a journal as I read books, and many times I note that I would NOT have liked Jace if I had not been able to see into his POV!
“I keep upsetting the girl… Now, it just feels wrong.” -Jace (116)
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*I received this book as an ARC (April 5th) for an honest review.*
**Caution: overload of quotes:) ** No Spoilers**
Let me start off by thanking the author so kindly for asking me to review her book. She emailed me on the 5th of April and my busy schedule didn’t let me pick up the book until the 23rd. I do apologize for the late review, but I must applaud you Olivia Rivers. This book was nothing like I expected.
Let me start by saying that I read this book in 2 days. Like, I stayed up until 5 a.m reading this book (plus taking notes in my book journal!) and then finishing it the next morning!
The MC’s name is Ali, who is deaf and who doesn’t feel like she belongs anywhere. After her accident that caused her to lose her hearing, her life was forever changed when she lost her mother right along with the ability to hear. The character is such a strong willed, spunky girl, but her past is dark and she has issues with her dad being a complete maniac who beats her up. I love how she, as a character, may be strong but she has many weakness when it comes to people around her. Emotionally, physically and spiritually, this girl has a dark shadow over her, causing her to not interact with people well. What I love most about her is that she is strong and compassionate for her friend Avery even though she has seen many dark things. It didn’t change the way she looks at people.
“So, I’ll fix him.” -Ali (255)
I have read about disabilities in romancy/teen books, but never quiet this in depth to deafness. I found her ways of describing things fascinating with vibrations, people speaking/lip reading and even the sign language. It is a fresh, new perspective!
Jace is an excellent character! Sure, he is an ass *at first*, but I love the male characters who are rough around the edges and seem to melt around a certain someone! His past is darker than Ali’s in a way, making Jace a little more standoffish and hard to understand, but I love not being able to guess what he is going to do or say! Jace is really well put together. He is a strong, difficult wall of emotions, but soon with Ali around, he begins to crumble. I keep a journal as I read books, and many times I note that I would NOT have liked Jace if I had not been able to see into his POV!
“I keep upsetting the girl… Now, it just feels wrong.” -Jace (116)
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October 21, 2023
Pages: 288
My rating (stars): 5
Read other books from this author in the future: yes
Tone Deaf is a sad but hopeful story. It is about the deaf girl Ali and the rock star Jace. But it's not the typical rock star meets girl story. It's about friendship, loyalty, protection, hope and the courage to accept and feel that being different is a strength.
I liked the story very much and actually would like a second part very much, which is about Ali's new life and how the relationship between Jace and Ali develops despite distance and other difficulties. For this book I give a clear reading recommendation!
Edit: I reread this book after four years (or maybe I didn't list other rereads?). I enjoyed it very much just like the first time. I'm kind of sad that Olivia Rivers didn't write a second book about Ali juggling her life at the new University being on her own and exploring Deaf culture while still being with Jace and writing music with him. I tried to find new books from this author but either she uses a different pen name or she gave up writing?
My rating (stars): 5
Read other books from this author in the future: yes
Tone Deaf is a sad but hopeful story. It is about the deaf girl Ali and the rock star Jace. But it's not the typical rock star meets girl story. It's about friendship, loyalty, protection, hope and the courage to accept and feel that being different is a strength.
I liked the story very much and actually would like a second part very much, which is about Ali's new life and how the relationship between Jace and Ali develops despite distance and other difficulties. For this book I give a clear reading recommendation!
Edit: I reread this book after four years (or maybe I didn't list other rereads?). I enjoyed it very much just like the first time. I'm kind of sad that Olivia Rivers didn't write a second book about Ali juggling her life at the new University being on her own and exploring Deaf culture while still being with Jace and writing music with him. I tried to find new books from this author but either she uses a different pen name or she gave up writing?
February 7, 2017
This book was alright. It ended up being super cheesy and completely unrealistic and I was just sort of disappointed with it because it sounded good.
I was looking forward to this book because it had a deaf protagonist which is super awesome and something I haven't read before. However that was about all that was good about this book.
The plot was totally unrealistic. The lead singer of a band decides to have a girl who's being abused stow away on his tour bus and they end up falling in love. Never mind the fact that he was a total jerk and I didn't really like him all that much. Or the fact that her dad is a cop and the one who abuses her and would do anything to try and get her back. It was just so far fetched and it got worse as the book progressed.
This book was just unrealistic and super cheesy.
I was looking forward to this book because it had a deaf protagonist which is super awesome and something I haven't read before. However that was about all that was good about this book.
The plot was totally unrealistic. The lead singer of a band decides to have a girl who's being abused stow away on his tour bus and they end up falling in love. Never mind the fact that he was a total jerk and I didn't really like him all that much. Or the fact that her dad is a cop and the one who abuses her and would do anything to try and get her back. It was just so far fetched and it got worse as the book progressed.
This book was just unrealistic and super cheesy.
October 14, 2017
An amazing read indeed!!! <3
"Am I better off living through death,
Or dying an invisible ghost?
Am I better off speaking in silence,
Or screaming so loud no one will hear?
I fake a smile,
But it's killed by you,
I fake a soul,
But that dies, too.
So I fake my life,
What else can I do?
Take me in, spit me out,
And I scream and scream and shout,
But you can't hear my pain,
My blood's nothing but a worthless stain.
I fake a smile,
But it's killed by you.
I fake a soul,
But that dies, too.
So I fake my life,
What else can I do?
And if one day I wake up gone,
Maybe people will see through,
But until then the lies will rule.
And sometimes I think
I'm better off dead,
But then I realize
I already am."
— Olivia Rivers (Tone Deaf)
"Am I better off living through death,
Or dying an invisible ghost?
Am I better off speaking in silence,
Or screaming so loud no one will hear?
I fake a smile,
But it's killed by you,
I fake a soul,
But that dies, too.
So I fake my life,
What else can I do?
Take me in, spit me out,
And I scream and scream and shout,
But you can't hear my pain,
My blood's nothing but a worthless stain.
I fake a smile,
But it's killed by you.
I fake a soul,
But that dies, too.
So I fake my life,
What else can I do?
And if one day I wake up gone,
Maybe people will see through,
But until then the lies will rule.
And sometimes I think
I'm better off dead,
But then I realize
I already am."
— Olivia Rivers (Tone Deaf)
February 14, 2022
*I received this as an eArc from the author for an honest review and that doesn't affect my review and thoughts*
Amazing! A unique love story that made me shed tears! I'm not a book crier, remember? So tears are a big thing... I recommend this to people out there who love romance and contemporary! YOU HAVE TO READ THIS! Full Review will be up on blog!
Amazing! A unique love story that made me shed tears! I'm not a book crier, remember? So tears are a big thing... I recommend this to people out there who love romance and contemporary! YOU HAVE TO READ THIS! Full Review will be up on blog!
May 9, 2016
I've really missed reading a rock/boy-band story! A sweet asshole hero and a different type of heroine - wished it was longer!
September 13, 2021
3.5 stars
Cute, but a little rushed. I think this book did a good job with the deaf representation, but the conversations around abuse weren't great. Don't get me wrong, they were pretty good for the most part, but then every once and a while they would get the tiniest bit problematic, and you could always tell it was because the romantic plot line was prioritized over the abuse plot (for example the number of times Jace has to "save" Ali or the fact that, as his bandmate mentions, she's probably not the only fan of his who deals with abuse, but the only one he feels the need to help). Still, although it wasn't perfect, when this book discussed abuse it always did so with care and you could tell the author had good intentions. The real problem with this book was just the pacing. This book is really short, and it definitely feels like it. It took a solid third of the book just to set up the plot. The middle section was really good, but I wish we spent more time on it, and then the final act was super quick and had minimal conflict, despite having had been set up for the entirety of the book. Overall though, I enjoyed this, and it was a cute quick read with some good deaf rep.
Cute, but a little rushed. I think this book did a good job with the deaf representation, but the conversations around abuse weren't great. Don't get me wrong, they were pretty good for the most part, but then every once and a while they would get the tiniest bit problematic, and you could always tell it was because the romantic plot line was prioritized over the abuse plot (for example the number of times Jace has to "save" Ali or the fact that, as his bandmate mentions, she's probably not the only fan of his who deals with abuse, but the only one he feels the need to help). Still, although it wasn't perfect, when this book discussed abuse it always did so with care and you could tell the author had good intentions. The real problem with this book was just the pacing. This book is really short, and it definitely feels like it. It took a solid third of the book just to set up the plot. The middle section was really good, but I wish we spent more time on it, and then the final act was super quick and had minimal conflict, despite having had been set up for the entirety of the book. Overall though, I enjoyed this, and it was a cute quick read with some good deaf rep.
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