You're The Kind of Girl I Write Songs About

You're The Kind of Girl I Write Songs About
Written by Daniel Herborn
Contemporary, Romance
Published May 1st 2015
345 Pages
Purchased. Available from Harper Collins Australia
Add to Goodreads
★★★★★
Tim’s a young singer songwriter with a guitar case full of songs and dreams of finding an audience to embrace his tunes.

Mandy’s obsessed with music and a compulsive dreamer. She’s longing for something more fulfilling than daytime TV and cups of tea with best friend Alice, something like the excitement and passion of rock ’n’ roll.

When their eyes meet at a gig, sparks fly across a crowded room and hope burns in their hearts.

But in a city of millions and a scene overrun with wannabes, can they ever get it together? Will Mandy’s nerves doom their romance before it even starts? And where does the darkness in Tim's songs come from? This is a story of Sydney's Inner West, of first love, crush bands and mix tapes, of the thrill of the night and what happens when the music stops.

Set in the cafes pubs and dives of Sydney's Inner West You're The Kind of Girl I write Songs About is a ballad to that time of your life when you are trying to work out who you are, what it is you want and what will it take to get you there.
Eighteen year old Tim is in his final year of school for the second time, moonlighting as a suburban Sydney dreamer while chasing a music career. It's up on stage where he'll always remember the moment he locked eyes with Mandy, the dark haired beauty allowing Tim to feel something more than being a failure.

The tea sipping, sandwich artist and music aficionado Mandy has seen it all. With best friend and part time pixie Alice by her side, Mandy seems to have lost her way and moves to wherever the music takes her. Fate has brought them together in a whirlwind romance of music, late night trespassing and finally finding the one person who makes you feel complete. But behind the music lies a troubled young man and a life before Mandy threatens to tear the two apart.

Kelly's thoughts

You're The Kind of Girl I Write Songs About is a lovely coming of age about finding yourself and finding that person that makes life suck a little less. Told in dual points of view and both being heavily involved within the Sydney independent music scene, both Mandy and Tim are surprised neither of them have met before. Mandy is a barely employed sandwich artist, preferring to spend her day sleeping or watching mindless daytime television. While Tim was likable, I think everyone has had a Mandy in their life. She was unmotivated and stuck in a monotonous routine that is so incredibly hard to shake. Although meeting Tim isn't her saving grace, it allowed her to break out of her former life and find a sense of meaning again.

Tim is still at school and repeating his final year, the reasons behind his downfall are obscure and mysterious at first. He lives with his uncle and the two share a gruff but easy going relationship in which he has just officially adopted Tim and now his legal guardian. Tim's character was nothing short of lovely. He's creative and gentle and almost the polar opposite to Mandy.

There was something utterly charming about the early stages of their burgeoning relationship. It reminded me of my own teen years, finding likeminded friends and bonding over music. Not being the biggest fan of independent music, so many of the bands didn't resonate with me apart from Jeff Buckley. If you have no idea who he is, you really need to reassess your life choices and head over to watch him here. I loved that there was no excess drama that is generally associated with teen contemporaries. Tim's character, although he wasn't as transparent both with Mandy and readers, his revelation wasn't manufactured and not something that is brought up generally in conversations. But considering the nationwide conversation that's ongoing in Australia at the moment, it's an important discussion to have. It added an extra dimension and depth to a fluffy and funloving storyline that I wasn't expecting.

The final verdict

You're The Kind of Girl I Write Songs About was superbly entertaining and overall, a lovely and fluffy feel good read. Although I couldn't connect or relate directly to the independent Sydney music scene, I loved it regardless. Daniel Herborn lends such a raw honesty to his characters and has crafted an engaging and gentle storyline that I couldn't help but immerse myself in. A brilliant debut from a wonderful new voice in Australian young adult fiction. Excited to see what he's working on next.

Kelly is currently reading Ten Thousand Skies Above You by Claudia Gray and eagerly awaiting the new season of The Walking Dead.


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28 comments

  1. Ahhh love. I've always been a fan of contemporary novels written by Aussie authors. They have my numbers every time! I have to see if I can find this on Book Depository. Lovely review, love!

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    1. Thanks Joy. It's really a great read. It reminded me a little of Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist with a touch of Reality Bites thrown in. An awesome mix that I really fell in love with.

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  2. I love a fluffy read, especially involving music so right away this makes me happy. Mandy tho, leaves a bit to be desired heh

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    1. Me too Lily. Mandy was a pretty good character, she was just so incredibly lost. You know when you just reach that point where you have no idea what to do with your life? Mandy had hit that wall and I think it endeared me to her character even more.

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  3. Ooh, I want to try this! :D I mean, contemporary and me can be a little shaky BUT I love a really good solid Aussie one and I just read an aaaamazing contemporary yesterday so I'm all contemporary-excited. (Excuse me, how many times did I just say contemporary? SOMEONE STRANGLE ME. *ahem*) And I do like music! Although I think sometimes it's hard to write music in a book really well? So I'm curious to see how this author does it for sure!!

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    1. You seem to be stuck in a loop there young smushy. Can I lure you out with cake perhaps?

      I love music, but this was more independent and pub bands that I'm not sure those outside of the Sydney scene might know, but it still didn't impact on how much I enjoyed it. It reminded me of Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, but with a massive dose of Aussie thrown in.

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  4. I really like the cover of this book! And I feel like I need to read it because I definitely feel like a Mandy sometimes.

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    1. It's really lovely isn't it, I think that's what drew me in initially too. I think we all have stages in our lives where we feel like Mandy don't we. That feeling of unmotivation and just feeling lost and useless. It was amazing to see her come alive, not only because of Tim but the music scene breathed life into her character.

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  5. This sounds absolutely lovely, Kelly. I'm not very much into music myself but I still enjoy reading about the music scene in books. I especially like that this one is set in Sydney. The relationships all sound lovely.
    Wonderful review, Kelly.

    P.S Thank you for your sweet comment! <3

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    1. You're very welcome Nick, I hope you're enjoying your break.

      This one is more about the music scene than the music itself, so it sounds like one you might really enjoy.

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  6. This one sounds interesting, though I'm not entirely sure if I'll read it (I just spent a good chunk of time staring at it on Goodreads and thinking about adding it to the TBR lol) great review Kelly, I think I'll be coming back round to this one :)

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    1. I bought it a while ago and left it on my Kindle until I was in the mood for an Aussie contemporary, and I loved it Wattle. I wish I had of read it sooner. I do hope you decide to give it a go, it's so uniquely Aussie.

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  7. First off, I like the box that says what you are currently reading.

    Now, for the book - this sounds really good. I like books with a focus on music. I'm glad you didn't think the drama was overdone either.

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    1. Thanks Lauren, we both really like it too. That way you'll be able to tell who is reviewing as well.

      I'm so glad this was drama free. Often contemporaries fall into that overly dramatic prose which makes them unrealistic and so incredibly drawn out. I really enjoyed it ad would love to see what you think of it.

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  8. Oh... my ... god ... I need this book. Bad! Whooo and Jeff Buckley!

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    1. I'm more excited that I really should be that someone else knows who he is Christy. He seems to be pretty obscure these days now that he's no longer with us. But yes, you definitely need this book. I'd love to see what you think of it.

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  9. This sounds right up my alley Kelly! I'm a huge fan of books that revolve around music and using music to discover yourself, and this sounds like it does just that. Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous review! ♥

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    1. Thanks Zoe. I thought you'd probably like this one, seeing how involved with music you are and can appreciate the music scene. I love books where characters are on a journey of self discovery and Mandy does just that. Tim's character is really lovely too, and swoonworthy as well.

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  10. Heh, I just didn't have just a Mandy, I USED TO BE A MANDY! It was through meeting someone inspirational that inspired me to do something with myself. It wasn't through music, though, but I can definitely relate to it nonetheless!

    Faye at The Social Potato

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    1. They must have been awesome because you're now an inspiration yourself Faye. I think Mandy is one of those characters that everyone can relate to at some point in their lives.

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  11. The synopsis is beautiful. I have a certain weakness for coming of age stories 'cause I think I missed mine. I woke up and then poof! Adult! Boohoo. I relive my teens through books now which is both sad and satisfying. Hehe, another one for my to-read shelf. Lovely review sweetie!

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    1. Me too Ana. When you're a teen, it feels like it'll never end and then we spend our adult lives reminiscing about our teen years again. But looking back, it really is the best time of your life isn't it.

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  12. The title of this novel sounds too fabulous! But this doesn't sound quite up my alley, mostly because (a) romance and (b) contemporary. Still, "that person that makes life suck a little less" is a WONDERFUL description XD

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    1. I think it's what we all look for isn't it and I really enjoyed Mandy's journey of self discovery. I used to shy away from young adult contemporary type romances too, but there have been so many spectacular reads in young adult this year that they're almost my preferred genre now.

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  13. Awwwe I am so glad you enjoyed it! I saw it and thought "what a cute concept." :) Sounds like that flufffy, light read you want when you are recovering from a book hangover (like I am at the moment). Gonna have to put it higher on the TBR list!

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  14. Admittedly, I too wish I could spend my entire day sleeping and watching mindless daytime television. Only, I would rather sleep and read books instead. I can do without the television ;)

    On another note, You're The Kind of Girl I Write Songs About does sound charming Kelly! Especially since you noted that the melodramatics are toned down to a more realistically paced level. This is actually one of the main reasons I don't typically read from the contemporary genre, I can only handle so much drama.

    I don't know that I would be able to connect with this book in view of independent Sydney music scene, but I know some Aussie's in my town that might take a liking to it :) Wonderful review!

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  15. I haven’t heard about this book before, sounds like a lovely contemporary. Books with heavy dose of music are hit of miss for me; hopefully it will work for me. Wonderful review, Kelly!

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  16. Great review Kelly. I suspect I'd relate to the Sydney music scene even less than you but love the way you've described their burgeoning relationship!

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