Enjoyed this one! I found Caz and Jamie’s relationship intriguing following the death of their parents. Caz’s sudden decline was hard to read, but I found the book overall very interesting and well written.

A really great debut about family dramas and then some! The growth of Jamie was particularly well written. This story does not shy away from big topics which were handled sensitively yet Caz’s battles were raw and not sugar coated.
A book which had me gripped and I loved the early 1990’s setting.
I will look out for more from this author in future.

After Jamie and Caz Felton's parents die, they are left to navigate their grief and their demons.

This novel deals with HEAVY topics. Reading about the characters' struggles was emotionally taxing but despite the heavy subject matter, the charceters and their struggles were portrayed with compassion and sensitivity.

This was equal parts sad and beautiful and overall an impressive debut. I'll be reading anything else this author writes!

I love books about family disfunction and generational trauma - each unhappy family is unhappy in it's own way, etc etc. This story was so artfully written and easily held my attention. Everything was realistic yet unpredictable. I really enjoyed - recommend!

This is a family drama that takes a dramatic turn quite close to the start of the novel. As the Fentons are celebrating a somewhat awkward, tension-filled New Year's Eve, none of them are aware that something devastating is going to tear the family apart in the small hours. From the opening, readers are taken on a journey which specifically focuses on Jamie, the youngest, and Caz, his sister - and they see the devastation that such an event can cause.

Aside from the fire which guts the family home and ends the lives of the parents, Jamie is a troubled soul, both in his personal and professional life. The event triggers a deterioration in Caz's life, too, and much of the novel focuses on this - as well as Jamie's relationship with Zoe. I find it a little implausible that Jamie and Zoe are only together for a few weeks before the fire - it doesn't quite ring true to me, given what we see and learn about their relationship.

I really like a family drama and Howat tells a good story throughout. I am not entirely convinced by the 1991 setting as it feels more 1980s in places, although this is perhaps my subjective interpretation. Howat mentions how Take That were very popular - maybe they were - but I thought it was a little later. There are some aspects that jar, too - things like magazines 'slithering across the carpet' which I don't think works (thinking more 'sliding' but, again, maybe this is my subjective interpretation!) Also, things like how 'the dresser quivered in reproach'. I think some of the prose is a little over-written and would be more impactful if simplified.

Overall, I enjoyed 'Crescendo' and I like the way the title is significant and symbolic in different ways - specifically how it ties in with Jamie's love of the piano (the 'Pleyel') and the role this has in his life. It is a motif for the book, something that survives the fire and keep Jamie sane. And - of course - we all root for Jamie and Zoe to get back together, something that seems unlikely, but... I will leave you to read the book and find out for yourself! One final thing - I didn't like the font and it seems to be different to others on Kindle.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

A beautifully written and deeply touching novel about family, relationships and grief. The characters are well drawn and complex and the plot unfolds beautifully. Difficult subjects such as self-harm and alcoholism are dealt with sensitively and realistically. A moving read that deals with the complexities and emotions of familial relationships in an overall positive and engaging way. Very well done.

I liked how easy the writing was to read in this one. The characters progressed a lot in this book and there were events that happened that were interesting. I think the author did well to balance events and dialogue.. I think Caz was my favourite character from the book, I could see his growth the most throughout it.

Thank you to the publisher and author for sending mw this book.

I'm thankful to NetGalley and Flying Dog Press for the ARC.

Rating: 4+/5 stars

Here’s your review based solely on your notes and a synopsis:

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Joanna Howat's Crescendo is a deeply introspective and emotionally resonant novel that takes its time to unfold, drawing the reader into a story of family, grief, and personal growth. It follows siblings Jamie and Caz as they navigate the complexities of their relationships and the weight of their past.

At first, the pacing feels a bit off, and the introduction of many characters early on can be overwhelming. However, the novel quickly finds its rhythm, pulling the reader in by the third chapter. The writing is strong, with well-crafted inner monologues that bring the characters' struggles to life. The family dynamics feel authentic, and every relationship, emotion, and hardship depicted carries a weight of realism.

One of the standout moments in the beginning is the fire scene, which is exceptionally well written, showcasing Howat’s ability to create vivid, immersive tension. The novel as a whole requires the reader to sit with it, to allow its introspective nature to sink in, and once it does, it becomes deeply engaging.

While it may take some time to fully settle into the story, Crescendo is ultimately a rewarding read—one that lingers in the mind long after finishing. Highly recommended for those who enjoy character-driven narratives with rich emotional depth.

The central character of Crescendo is a piano.
Jamie and Caz are siblings. They are different, life has treated them differently, yet soon, they experience the same loss.
Jamie is a charming character with interesting life choices and conflicting traits - conflicting but not unrealistic. He is absolutely authentic and fresh at the same time.
This novel unfolded a bit like a well-written mini TV series for me with great characterisation, a setting that serves the story and via emotional themes, or the themes are revealed via the characterisation and the plot.
3.5 stars rounded up.
Plot 3
Characterisation 4
Themes 4
Setting 4
Writing 3.5

A beautiful written story.
Relatable characters and plot.
Couldn put it down all day.
Highly recommend.

Stand out debut novel. When faced with grief, two siblings take very different paths to help them cope with their loss. Beautifully written story that deals with very difficult topics.

Debut author Joanna Howat flexes her writing skills in Crescendo, creating complex characters, but ultimately, the storyline is a bit too flat. I wanted to love this because I was quite drawn in by Howat's literary style and the depth and relatability of her characters, but the lack of plot combined with the mourning and addiction made the book such a downer that I struggled to get through it. That being said, I will absolutely read her next book, as I think the author has tons of talent and a lot of promise, if channelled into a project with slightly more inertia.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. I always learn so many things when I read a book not set in my native country. This story was beautifully written. Highly recommend

I liked this book but I couldnt say I loved it. I struggled to connect to Caz's character. I loved the way the author writes but the connection with Caz affected my enjoyment.

This is a really interesting read which is different to books I've read recently.

It tells the story of Jamie and Caz who lose their parents in a fire and how this then impacts upon their lives. They are in their early 20s, they're both in vulnerable positions and it's interesting to see how the impact of their parents' sudden deaths affect them.

I like the way the story unfolded, I was intrigued by it and wasn't sure how it would pan out. I liked the musical element, the way the piano played a part, very unusual.

I don't think some elements were fully believable; the head teacher, i'm sure, would have had put in a referral to SS...

But overall it was an enjoyable read that had interesting elements within it.

At times this was a hard read as it dealt with difficult topics but the dynamic between the siblings kept me intrigued and exploring their dynamic was very interesting and sometimes frustrating. Overall this was an emotional and intense read.

Despite dealing with heavy, emotive subjects such as grief and alcoholism, this book made me feel nothing except boredom. I could not connect with any of the characters. I almost DNF'ed a few times as the story dragged on with little of interest happening.

I raced through this debut author’s story in just two sittings so kudos for writing such a page turner. However it does deal with difficult subjects including grief, alcoholism and cutting. Reflecting on it, I felt that the pace of the story overshadowed the character development because I didn’t really feel much for the brother and sister at the heart of the story which, given the subject matter, is surprising.

Crescendo is a heartfelt exploration of family dynamics, loss, and the challenges of adulthood. Set against a fateful New Year’s Eve dinner in 1991, the story introduces readers to the Fenton family, whose seemingly stable world is shattered by tragedy. What follows is a tale of grief, resilience, and the often painful process of navigating life without the safety net of parental support.

Jamie and Caz, the central siblings, are relatable in their imperfections. Jamie’s struggles with his stagnant career and fraught relationship with his parents feel authentic, as does Caz’s idealistic view of family life. However, their character arcs occasionally feel underdeveloped.

The novel excels in depicting familial relationships—the quiet tension at the dinner table, the unspoken rivalries, and the deep bonds that persist even when the family is falling apart. Yet, while the themes are universal and moving, the plot unfolds in a somewhat predictable way, with few surprises to keep readers engaged.

While it doesn’t break new ground, it delivers moments of emotional resonance and serves as a poignant reminder that life rarely unfolds according to plan.

The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Joanna Howat wrote a book about two siblings finding themselves and each other after the tragic deaths of their parents. Crescendo is equal parts about grief and growing up, and while it was well written, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I hoped.

My heart broke for Jamie and Caz as they faced hardship and heartbreak, but I couldn’t help but feel frustrated with them as well. It felt at times that if any character had bothered to talk about their feelings for just a few minutes before they boiled over, then large parts of the plot could have been avoided.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!