"The Love Curse of Melody McIntyre" is a contemporary young adult novel written by Robin Talley. The story revolves around Melody McIntyre, a high school theater geek who has a reputation for being able to predict the success or failure of couples in her school. Melody believes that she has a gift for matchmaking and uses her talent to help her friends find love. However, Melody soon realizes that her "gift" is more of a curse when her own love life starts to crumble. Despite her successful track record with matchmaking, Melody struggles to find love for herself. She falls for a boy named Odile Rose, who seems to be the perfect match for her.
Praise for PULP: Talley, already accomplished at weaving historical detail into engaging narratives, pulls off an expansive story encompassing a host of characters . A sweeping, engrossing drama full of important moments. Recommended for all library collections. — School Library Journal (starred review)
8220Those familiar with the source material will not be surprised at how the story plays out, but knowing the eventual outcomes does not diminish Talley s dark tale about fate and ambition Highly recommended. Melody McIntyre s love of theater is entirely infectious Tally s latest will instantly hook theater kids as well as readers who ve never even heard a track from Les Mis glancing at their drama club sign-up sheet.
She falls for a boy named Odile Rose, who seems to be the perfect match for her. But as Melody navigates the complexities of love and relationships, she discovers that things are not always as they seem. As Melody tries to juggle her role as the school's matchmaker and her own love life, she begins to question the authenticity of her gift.
The Love Curse of Melody McIntyre (Paperback)
“Any theater nerd, especially those who enjoyed the epic highs and lows of high school theater, will gobble up this book and enjoy every second. Everything rang so true and felt incredibly real! I adored every character — and found myself listening to the Les Mis soundtrack while reading!”
— Abby Bennsky, Old Town Books, Alexandria, VA
Description
Perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli and Nina LaCour, this romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Robin Talley has something for everyone: backstage rendezvous, deadly props, and a seemingly insurmountable obstacle to True Love.
Melody McIntyre, stage manager extraordinaire, has a plan for everything.
What she doesn’t have? Success with love. Every time she falls for someone during a school performance, both the romance and the show end in catastrophe. So, Mel swears off any entanglements until their upcoming production of Les Mis is over.
Of course, Mel didn’t count on Odile Rose, rising star in the acting world, auditioning for the spring performance. And she definitely didn’t expect Odile to be sweet and funny, and care as much about the play’s success as Mel.
Which means that Melody McIntyre’s only plan now is trying desperately not to fall in love.
About the Author
Robin Talley is a queer author who grew up in southwest Virginia and now lives in Washington, DC, with her wife and their kids. She is the New York Times bestselling author of seven novels for teen readers: Music from Another World, Pulp, Our Own Private Universe, As I Descended, The Love Curse of Melody McIntyre, What We Left Behind, and Lies We Tell Ourselves. You can find her on the web at www.robintalley.com.
Praise For…
“Melody McIntyre's love of theater is entirely infectious…Tally's latest will instantly hook theater kids as well as readers who've never even heard a track from Les Mis glancing at their drama club sign-up sheet.” — Booklist
"A love letter to high school theater." — Kirkus Reviews
“Talley (Music from Another World) has fun portraying the details of running tech, the divide between techies and actors, and the teamwork that theater requires… A story that will entertain both true theater geeks and readers who’ve never considered life onstage or backstage.” — Publishers Weekly
Praise for AS I DESCENDED: “. A devastating marriage of the stunningly unexpected with the maddeningly inevitable. This adaptation’s bewitching intrigues and enthralling deceptions will whet the daggers of any reader’s mind.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Talley creates a dark and twisted gothic boarding school setting replete with vengeful spirits, drugs, and suicide in this Shakespeare-inspired tragedy… that lulls readers into a false sense of security while setting them up for the next chilling event.” — Publishers Weekly
“An intriguing, appropriately atmospheric take on one of Shakespeare’s most spine-tingling plays.”
— Booklist
“Those familiar with the source material will not be surprised at how the story plays out, but knowing the eventual outcomes does not diminish Talley’s dark tale about fate and ambition… Highly recommended.” — School Library Journal
“Fans of horror will find that Talley comes up with some genuinely creepy scares, and her Shakespeare-inspired story is solid and compelling.” — Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
Praise for PULP: Talley, already accomplished at weaving historical detail into engaging narratives, pulls off an expansive story encompassing a host of characters . A sweeping, engrossing drama full of important moments. Recommended for all library collections. — School Library Journal (starred review)
Not many YA novels contain one lesbian romance, let alone four, but Talley’s newest pulls it off, while creatively — Booklist
The superlative pacing will hook readers. . Suspenseful parallel lesbian love stories deftly illuminate important events in LGBTQ history. — Kirkus Reviews
This ambitious novel is startlingly original. — The Guardian
- Young Adult Fiction / Romance / Romantic Comedy
- Young Adult Fiction / Romance / LGBTQ+
- Young Adult Fiction / Performing Arts / Theater & Musicals
- Young Adult Fiction / Social Themes / Emotions & Feelings
- Kobo eBook (December 1st, 2020): $8.99
- Hardcover (December 1st, 2020): $17.99
- MP3 CD (December 1st, 2020): $39.99
- Compact Disc (December 1st, 2020): $39.99
- Compact Disc (December 1st, 2020): $59.99
ISBN: 978-1-4022-7782-5
She wonders if she has been relying too much on her ability to predict relationships and ignoring her own feelings. The curse of her talent becomes clear as she realizes the limitations it places on her personal happiness. Throughout the novel, Melody learns valuable lessons about love, relationships, and the importance of following her heart. She begins to question societal expectations and the pressure to conform to others' perceptions of who she should be. Melody's journey is one of self-discovery as she learns to trust her own instincts and find her own path to happiness. "The Love Curse of Melody McIntyre" is a heartfelt and relatable novel that explores the complexities of love and self-identity. Through Melody's story, readers are compelled to reflect on their own experiences with love and the pressure to conform to societal expectations. Robin Talley delivers a compelling narrative that captures the ups and downs of teenage love, ultimately reminding us that finding true love begins with understanding ourselves..
Reviews for "Fate's Lament: The Tragic Romance of Melody McIntyre"
- Emma - 2 stars - I found "The Love Curse of Melody McIntyre" to be incredibly cliché and predictable. The plot followed the same formula as many other teen rom-coms, and I was hoping for something more original. The characters lacked depth and development, and the romance felt forced and unrealistic. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a fresh and unique love story.
- John - 1 star - "The Love Curse of Melody McIntyre" was a complete letdown for me. The writing style was juvenile and amateurish, making it difficult for me to connect with the story or the characters. The characters themselves were one-dimensional and lacked any real growth or depth. The plot was predictable and lacked any surprises or twists that could have made it more engaging. I was hoping for a heartfelt and captivating love story, but instead, I got a shallow and forgettable read.
- Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "The Love Curse of Melody McIntyre". The main character, Melody, was incredibly annoying and unrealistic. She was obsessed with her job and her crush, to the point where it became irritating to read about. The plot felt contrived and predictable, and I never felt invested in the outcome. Overall, I found this book to be a tedious and uninspiring read.
- Mike - 3 stars - While "The Love Curse of Melody McIntyre" had its moments, I ultimately found it to be a mediocre read. The premise was interesting, but the execution fell flat. The characters felt flat and stereotypical, and I struggled to connect with them. The romance felt forced and lacked any real chemistry or depth. The writing style was also basic and didn't draw me into the story. Overall, it was an average book that didn't leave a lasting impact.