ARC Review: Take A Bow by Elizabeth Eulberg

From the fantastic author of The Lonely Hearts Club and Prom & Prejudice comes a story of all the drama and comedy of four friends who grow into themselves at a performing arts high school.

Emme, Sophie, Ethan, and Carter are seniors at a performing arts school, getting ready for their Senior Showcase recital, where the pressure is on to appeal to colleges, dance academies, and professionals in show business. For Sophie, a singer, it's been great to be friends with Emme, who composes songs for her, and to date Carter, soap opera heartthrob who gets plenty of press coverage. Emme and Ethan have been in a band together through all four years of school, but wonder if they could be more than just friends and bandmates. Carter has been acting since he was a baby, and isn't sure how to admit that he'd rather paint than perform. The Senior Showcase is going to make or break each of the four, in a funny, touching, spectacular finale that only Elizabeth Eulberg could perform.

Normally I give myself a day or two after I've finished reading a book to let it all sink in before I start to write up my review, but not so much with this one. I couldn't wait to create the post for this title. I think it's safe to say that if I were asked to pick my top five favorite authors, Elizabeth Eulberg would without a doubt be one of those writers. I can't even really pinpoint why that is exactly, or what makes her writing stand out better than the others, but there's no denying that it does. I think if Eulberg ever decides to pack it up and stop writing, we'll all be denied a fantastic talent that does not come along very often. Her books are all so different and unique and yet they always have the same warmth and magnetism that draws readers in to the pages.

When I opened this book up I knew that I would like it. I've yet to find one of her novels anything less that wonderful, but each and every time, including this one I'm still surprised by how much I enjoy myself while reading her work. I had flown through more than half of the book and didn't even realize that I had skipped a meal and neglected pretty much everything else that was going on around me at the time. But it didn't matter, finishing the story and seeing what happened to these lovely characters was all that was important. So I managed to read this one cover to cover in two sittings. If I had started this one on the weekend I wouldn't have gotten up for anything, but with work, I couldn't avoid having to put in my eight hours at the office.

Emme, Ethan, Carter, Ben, Jack, they were all fantastic! The band...oh I just loved the band! Each of these characters have their own unique personality and bring something great to the table, but all together they create this wonderful story that I can only thank Eulberg for sharing with her readers. Even though I wish she was one of those authors that churned out a book every couple of months, I understand that part of the genius in her writing is that it's not rushed, it flows from page to page and grips the reader with it's intensity and has us invested in these character's futures as if they're not fictional characters, but our very own real life friends and family.

After meeting Eulberg at a book festival a few years ago and getting the chance to hear her speak about herself and her journey through publishing, there's no doubt in my mind that when I open up one of her books, she's put her whole heart into each and every word and character. There are bits and pieces throughout the story that other authors might have left out or felt wasn't necessary to the story, but in truth, that's what makes Eulberg's writing wonderful (or at least one of the things) and different. It's the little details and twists that she throws into her work that not only engage the readers, but leave them only hoping that the story won't end anytime soon.

I gave Take A Bow 5 shamrocks!!!!