You, Me, and Our Heartstrings

by Melissa See

Overview

What if the whole world was watching while you fell in love for the first time?

Daisy and Noah have the same plan: use the holiday concert to land a Julliard audition. But when they're chosen to play a duet for the concert, they worry that their differences will sink their chances.

Noah, a cello prodigy from a long line of musicians, wants to stick to tradition. Daisy, a fiercely independent disabled violinist, is used to fighting for what she wants and likes to take risks. But the two surprise each other when they play. They fall perfectly in tune.

After their performance goes viral, the rest of the country falls for them just as surely as they're falling for each other. But viral fame isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. No one seems to care about their talent or their music at all. People have rewritten their love story into one where Daisy is an inspiration for overcoming her cerebral palsy and Noah is a saint for seeing past it.

Daisy is tired of her disability being the only thing people see about her, and all of the attention sends Noah’s anxiety disorder into high speed. They can see their dream coming closer than it’s ever been before. But is the cost suddenly too high?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781338790290
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	08/02/2022
Pages:	320
Sales rank:	145,715
Product dimensions:	5.80(w) x 8.40(h) x 1.10(d)
Age Range:	12 - 18 Years

About the Author

Melissa See is a disabled author of young adult contemporary romances. When not writing, she can be found reading, baking, or curled up with her cat, most likely watching anime or 90 Day Fiancé. She currently lives in the New York countryside. You, Me, and Our Heartstrings is her debut novel.

Editorial Reviews

05/30/2022

Debut author See writes with authority about a talented teenage violinist who has cerebral palsy in this swoony romance. Juilliard hopeful Daisy Abano, a white senior at the prestigious Manhattan Academy of Musical Performance, is thrilled when she’s chosen to play a concert duet with her crush Noah Moray, a white cello prodigy who has anxiety and |is from “one of the most illustrious music families in all of New York City.” Despite their differing opinions on what music to play, the two are well-matched performers. When their dazzling concert performance—and their passionate on-stage kiss—goes viral, the pair are launched into the limelight. While Daisy is rightfully upset by ableist comments calling her an inspiration for “overcoming cerebral palsy,” she knows that the fame could better her chances of receiving a scholarship to Juilliard. But as the remarks increase in frequency and the notoriety exacerbates Noah’s anxiety, the duo’s relationship becomes strained. Although the novel’s message leans on formulaic plot beats, Daisy and Noah’s alternating perspectives offer an enticing portrayal of two teens confronting obstacles while falling in love in the public eye. Ages 12–up. Agent: Emily Forney, BookEnds Literary. (July)

Publishers Weekly

10/01/2022

Gr 8 Up—Daisy Abano and Noah Moray seem to have nothing in common except their school orchestra and Julliard ambitions. Daisy's Italian American parents are too busy working and caring for her toddler sister to attend her performances, while Noah is the last in a long line of wealthy and talented Scottish musicians who can't help but put him under maximum pressure. Daisy has cerebral palsy and is determined to prove that she deserves her place at the prestigious Manhattan Academy of Musical Performance, even though she is constantly bombarded by ableist discrimination from her peers and teachers. Her crush on cellist Noah blossoms into something more when they are teamed up for a duet. Their performance culminates in a passionate kiss and the video goes viral. Thrust into the limelight, Noah gets a crash course in how cruel people can be online, and the types of hate Daisy faces as a disabled violinist. Their relationship falters but inevitably gets back on track with some help from Noah's therapist, who teaches him to manage his anxiety and gives him some practical tools for positive allyship. A predictable plot and some heavy-handed dialogue are peppered with refreshing discussions about disability, online bullying, mental health, and privilege. The presence of some ableist slurs may limit the audience, though they are addressed in the context of the story. VERDICT A gooey, tender love story that leans heavily on romantic tropes but introduces fresh perspectives on disability and allyship. A recommended purchase for larger YA collections.—Allison Staley

School Library Journal

2022-04-27
A viral duet causes discord for two promising musicians in See’s debut.

Italian American New York City teen Daisy Abano just wants to be seen as “a skilled disabled violinist,” not a charity case. But people can’t see past her cerebral palsy. The school bully calls her “Differently Abled,” and her church’s congregation prays for her to be cured. Daisy’s working-class parents, busy with their jobs and caring for her little sister, hardly see her at all. Getting accepted to Juilliard would prove her skill, and a class duet project is the perfect way to showcase her abilities. She’s paired with wealthy cello prodigy Noah Moray, whose father emigrated from Scotland. The pressure of measuring up to his equally musically talented family members exacerbates Noah’s anxiety, but he can’t bear to disappoint them. As they rehearse, Daisy and Noah find themselves falling in love, culminating in a performance—and a kiss—that goes viral. But their newfound fame exposes Daisy to even worse ableism and exploitation, and Noah discovers he is out of his depth. Daisy’s and Noah’s alternating narratives candidly explore such issues as emotional neglect and class privilege. The author, herself disabled, portrays the media’s often patronizing depictions of disabled people with realism that is uncomfortable in its pointed accuracy. Though the dialogue is occasionally heavy-handed, Daisy’s self-assurance is refreshing, and Noah’s therapy sessions offer insights on allyship.

Thought-provoking though not subtle. (Romance. 13-18)

Kirkus Reviews

An enticing portrayal of two teens confronting obstacles while falling in love in the public eye."

Publishers Weekly

"With a charming, unforettable vioce, You, Me, and Our Heartstrings is an ode to big dreams, first love, and the people who believe in us even when we don't beleive in ourselves."

Rachel Lynn Solomon, author of Today Tonight Tomorrow

"You, Me, and Our Heartstrings is a heartwarming debut that combines romance, disability, music, mental health, and family into a symphony of pitch-perfect emotions."

Ashley Schumacher, author of Full Flight

"Melissa See beautifully weaves a swoon-worthy romance into an earnest story about disability, mental health, and the dark side of viral fame. You, Me, and Our Heartstrings will make your heart sing."

Daniel Aleman, author of Indivisibile

From the Publisher