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Runaway Train #2
Grenade Bouquets
I had stars in my eyes and I couldn't see around them...
The year is 1995 and my parents have finally allowed me to take the summer to tour in a VW van across the country with my boyfriend Evan and our band. Yes, my dream to be a singer became reality. Even with Clarissa, Evan's jealous ex-girlfriend, as the lead singer, it's my presence on stage that led us to a major record deal. There are moments you'll always remember in life, but I can't imagine anything more cool than hearing your song on the radio for the first time.
But being a Rockstar isn't as easy as it sounds. Using alcohol and drugs as coping mechanisms, nothing but tension surrounded me, hurting my still blossoming relationship, and continued grieving over my sister's death.
A love letter to the nineties and a journey of a girl becoming a woman, Grenade Bouquets charts the rollercoaster ride of a band primed to explode on the scene, as long as they keep from actually exploding.
The year is 1995 and my parents have finally allowed me to take the summer to tour in a VW van across the country with my boyfriend Evan and our band. Yes, my dream to be a singer became reality. Even with Clarissa, Evan's jealous ex-girlfriend, as the lead singer, it's my presence on stage that led us to a major record deal. There are moments you'll always remember in life, but I can't imagine anything more cool than hearing your song on the radio for the first time.
But being a Rockstar isn't as easy as it sounds. Using alcohol and drugs as coping mechanisms, nothing but tension surrounded me, hurting my still blossoming relationship, and continued grieving over my sister's death.
A love letter to the nineties and a journey of a girl becoming a woman, Grenade Bouquets charts the rollercoaster ride of a band primed to explode on the scene, as long as they keep from actually exploding.
- GenresYoung Adult
286 pages, Paperback
First published August 5, 2021
2 people are currently reading
1,757 people want to read
About the author
Lee Matthew Goldberg
28 books1,442 followersLee Matthew Goldberg is the author of fourteen novels including THE ANCESTOR and THE MENTOR along with his five-book DESIRE CARD series. His YA series RUNAWAY TRAIN is currently in script development with actress Raegan Revord from TVs Young Sheldon off his original written pilot. The GREAT GIMMELMANS comes out in 2023. He has been published in multiple languages and nominated for an Anthony Award, the Lefty, and the Prix du Polar. After graduating with an MFA from the New School, his writing has also appeared as a contributor in Pipeline Artists, LitHub, The Los Angeles Review of Books, Electric Literature, The Millions, Vol. 1 Brooklyn, LitReactor, Mystery Tribune, The Big Idea, Monkeybicycle, Fiction Writers Review, Cagibi, Necessary Fiction, Hypertext, If My Book, Past Ten, the anthology Dirty Boulevard, The Montreal Review, The Adirondack Review, The New Plains Review, Maudlin House and others. His pilots and screenplays have been finalists in Script Pipeline, Book Pipeline, Stage 32, We Screenplay, the New York Screenplay, Screencraft, and the Hollywood Screenplay contests. He is the co-curator of The Guerrilla Lit Reading Series and lives in New York City. Follow him at LeeMatthewGoldberg.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
August 31, 2021
4.5 stars
A teenage girl learns that chasing after your dreams can have a downside in Grenade Bouquets , the second book in Lee Matthew Goldberg's Runaway Train series.
Having read Goldberg’s earlier book, Runaway Train , I was excited to read the sequel. But perhaps what excited me even more was to discover that the book’s epigraph was the first stanzas of a poem (Arthur O'Shaughnessy's Ode ) which contains one of my favorite lines of all time, “We are the music makers and we are the dreamers of dreams.” So cool!!
It’s 1995 and Nico has finally pulled herself together a bit after spiraling out of control following the sudden death of her sister. She’s convinced her parents to let her spend the summer touring the country as a backup singer for her boyfriend Evan’s band, Grenade Bouquets.
The thrill of performing onstage is like a dream for Nico, and her presence and her one solo start to get the band increased attention. Before they know it, doors are open to the band that previously were closed, but it’s Nico that is becoming the focus, which doesn’t sit well with the other members, especially Clarissa, the lead singer and Evan’s ex.
Nico starts to discover the downside of being a musician, too. Not only is the band a hotbed of tension which she tries to avoid by drinking excessively, but the stress is also affecting her relationship with Evan. She’s also still grieving her sister and having issues with her best friend back at home. It’s a lot for anyone to take, much less a teenager.
I’ve really enjoyed these books. Goldberg so effectively captures the 1995 setting (all of the chapter titles are song titles from that period) and he does a great job conveying the feelings and actions of a teenage girl. Nico isn’t the easiest character to love, however, and she and her friends make some really impulsive decisions, so it’s essentially like hanging out with teenagers at times, lol.
Thanks to Suzy Approved Book Tours, Lee Matthew Goldberg, and Wise Wolf Books for inviting me on the tour and providing a complimentary advance copy of Grenade Bouquets in exchange for an unbiased review!
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2020 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2020.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
A teenage girl learns that chasing after your dreams can have a downside in Grenade Bouquets , the second book in Lee Matthew Goldberg's Runaway Train series.
Having read Goldberg’s earlier book, Runaway Train , I was excited to read the sequel. But perhaps what excited me even more was to discover that the book’s epigraph was the first stanzas of a poem (Arthur O'Shaughnessy's Ode ) which contains one of my favorite lines of all time, “We are the music makers and we are the dreamers of dreams.” So cool!!
It’s 1995 and Nico has finally pulled herself together a bit after spiraling out of control following the sudden death of her sister. She’s convinced her parents to let her spend the summer touring the country as a backup singer for her boyfriend Evan’s band, Grenade Bouquets.
The thrill of performing onstage is like a dream for Nico, and her presence and her one solo start to get the band increased attention. Before they know it, doors are open to the band that previously were closed, but it’s Nico that is becoming the focus, which doesn’t sit well with the other members, especially Clarissa, the lead singer and Evan’s ex.
Nico starts to discover the downside of being a musician, too. Not only is the band a hotbed of tension which she tries to avoid by drinking excessively, but the stress is also affecting her relationship with Evan. She’s also still grieving her sister and having issues with her best friend back at home. It’s a lot for anyone to take, much less a teenager.
I’ve really enjoyed these books. Goldberg so effectively captures the 1995 setting (all of the chapter titles are song titles from that period) and he does a great job conveying the feelings and actions of a teenage girl. Nico isn’t the easiest character to love, however, and she and her friends make some really impulsive decisions, so it’s essentially like hanging out with teenagers at times, lol.
Thanks to Suzy Approved Book Tours, Lee Matthew Goldberg, and Wise Wolf Books for inviting me on the tour and providing a complimentary advance copy of Grenade Bouquets in exchange for an unbiased review!
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2020 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2020.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
August 6, 2021
Runaway Train is one of those books that stay with you. It had me up past my bedtime googling Kurt Cobain facts and led me into a dark hole of conspiracy websites, but I digress. I was young when Kurt died but I saw how it affected my older brother and others around me, so being there with Nico felt real. We get that same rawness with the sequel.
Nico is now an active member of Grenade Bouquets. She's still the same Nico, but with a rock star edge. Things at home with her best friend aren't going well and her boyfriend's ex, Clarissa, is causing trouble. When they're suddenly scouted and find themselves on the cusp of fame, things take a turn for the worst. Nico's brashness becomes that thrusts her into the spotlight. The rest of the band starts to resent her, and fame starts to turn her into a monster.
Nico's character...I can't quite put my finger on it, but maybe it has to do with her rage toward Clarrisa; it felt very unnecessary and her actions almost unforgivable. Nobody bats an eye because they're all fresh in their new world of rock and roll. She is not easy to love, but she is the same old angsty girl we got in book one and she's incredibly flawed AND that is why 99% of me agrees with her character choices. She's a teenager and she acts like one. Boy, when I was a teen I'd explode over everything.
I still do...
I won't stop gushing about this series. Not ever. The book is an ode to 90's grunge and the way the music industry changed after grunge took a nosedive. The ending sooooorta hints at a third book, but did wrap together nicely. I wouldn't be mad if there was another book. ;)
Nico is now an active member of Grenade Bouquets. She's still the same Nico, but with a rock star edge. Things at home with her best friend aren't going well and her boyfriend's ex, Clarissa, is causing trouble. When they're suddenly scouted and find themselves on the cusp of fame, things take a turn for the worst. Nico's brashness becomes that thrusts her into the spotlight. The rest of the band starts to resent her, and fame starts to turn her into a monster.
Nico's character...I can't quite put my finger on it, but maybe it has to do with her rage toward Clarrisa; it felt very unnecessary and her actions almost unforgivable. Nobody bats an eye because they're all fresh in their new world of rock and roll. She is not easy to love, but she is the same old angsty girl we got in book one and she's incredibly flawed AND that is why 99% of me agrees with her character choices. She's a teenager and she acts like one. Boy, when I was a teen I'd explode over everything.
I still do...
I won't stop gushing about this series. Not ever. The book is an ode to 90's grunge and the way the music industry changed after grunge took a nosedive. The ending sooooorta hints at a third book, but did wrap together nicely. I wouldn't be mad if there was another book. ;)
August 18, 2021
Seventeen-year-old Nico’s life is in overdrive. She’s still processing her sister’s death and her parent’s breakup. Now she’s heading out to Vegas to meet up with her boyfriend’s band, the Grenade Bouquets.
The band has asked her to sing a couple of songs with them on their tour. It seems like a great opportunity; she gets to be with Evan and perform on stage. But Nico is a powder keg of chaos.
Evan’s ex is in the band, and jealousy abounds, and it turns into a brawling disaster. At first, this gives the band a totally grunge image. But when the big wigs of the music industry take notice, it’s Nico they see as the star. Things start to explode quickly, or maybe I should say implode.
𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐮𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐭𝐬 is about band life in the 1990s, but it’s a coming-of-age story as well. I loved Nico’s voice here, but, at times, I wanted the whirlwind of the tour and the drinking to slow down so I could hear a bit more depth of Nico and all of the band.
I highly recommend this book if you're a music lover, especially of ‘90s grunge. But know that, at its core, it’s a raw story of a young woman struggling with addiction, depression, and grief, and she pours it out in her music.
TW: alcohol, drug use, attempted suicide, depression.
Thank you to @suzyapprovedbooktours and @leematthewgoldberg for an invitation to the tour and a gifted copy.
The band has asked her to sing a couple of songs with them on their tour. It seems like a great opportunity; she gets to be with Evan and perform on stage. But Nico is a powder keg of chaos.
Evan’s ex is in the band, and jealousy abounds, and it turns into a brawling disaster. At first, this gives the band a totally grunge image. But when the big wigs of the music industry take notice, it’s Nico they see as the star. Things start to explode quickly, or maybe I should say implode.
𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐮𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐭𝐬 is about band life in the 1990s, but it’s a coming-of-age story as well. I loved Nico’s voice here, but, at times, I wanted the whirlwind of the tour and the drinking to slow down so I could hear a bit more depth of Nico and all of the band.
I highly recommend this book if you're a music lover, especially of ‘90s grunge. But know that, at its core, it’s a raw story of a young woman struggling with addiction, depression, and grief, and she pours it out in her music.
TW: alcohol, drug use, attempted suicide, depression.
Thank you to @suzyapprovedbooktours and @leematthewgoldberg for an invitation to the tour and a gifted copy.
August 5, 2021
Lee Matthew Goldberg does it again! Another grungy, angsty, coming-of-age story that I devoured in less than two days.
Seventeen year old Nico is still reeling from her sister Kristen’s death. While she is doing better a year later, Kristen’s tragic death still has a hold on Nico and sometimes causes her depression and anger to flare, making bad decisions along the way.
Now touring with her new band, Grenade Bouquets, Nico is making her way in the music industry, becoming a rock star seemingly overnight. The only thing standing in her way is Clarissa, her boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend and current lead singer in Grenade Bouquets. But with Nico’s confidence building the more they perform, she has a plan to get Clarissa out of her way for good.
Can Nico keep up the rock star life and keep her bandmates and boyfriend happy? Is she too obsessed with potential fame and money to truly see what is best for the band? And when tension rises between bandmates, is Nico strong enough to ward off her previous dependence on drugs and alcohol?
Book two of the Runaway Train series was a bit slower paced than the first, and a bit more repetitive because of the tour and performances, but it still packed a punch. I felt like Nico was more grounded and predictable this time, but she still had her moments where it felt like she might explode. Everything would build up until she just unleashed it all, and then would go on a bender with pot and alcohol and make waves with her bandmates. All the while she is touring, her best friend back home, Winter, is getting in with the wrong crowd and making her own terrible decisions, shutting Nico out in the process. Nico is trying to deal with her new-found fame and how to process what feels like the loss of her best friend at the same time.
I really loved that Nico was still the same angsty, tough, yet vulnerable girl that we met in book one. I think she had grown up a little bit, but she was still on the verge of explosion ay any given moment. She was created as a very real character, her flaws were always front and center throughout both books, and her decision making was very on-point for a teenager.
Like book one, every chapter in Grenade Bouquets was titled as a song from a mix tape. I felt like the songs were very accurate for what was happening in the chapters, and it was a form of foreshadowing if you were familiar with the song. I think this is very clever and unique and makes this book stand out.
I could continue gushing about this book (and series) but I think it would just be best for you to read them yourself. These coming-of-age stories are packed full of adventure and mishap and bad decisions, but it is a wild ride that you do not want to miss! I don’t necessarily think that you need to read them in order, they could be stand-alone novels, but I think it would be more beneficial to the back story to read them in order.
Overall, I would recommend this book. Another fast read and bomb waiting to explode, you need to add this to your TBR. 4 stars.
Seventeen year old Nico is still reeling from her sister Kristen’s death. While she is doing better a year later, Kristen’s tragic death still has a hold on Nico and sometimes causes her depression and anger to flare, making bad decisions along the way.
Now touring with her new band, Grenade Bouquets, Nico is making her way in the music industry, becoming a rock star seemingly overnight. The only thing standing in her way is Clarissa, her boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend and current lead singer in Grenade Bouquets. But with Nico’s confidence building the more they perform, she has a plan to get Clarissa out of her way for good.
Can Nico keep up the rock star life and keep her bandmates and boyfriend happy? Is she too obsessed with potential fame and money to truly see what is best for the band? And when tension rises between bandmates, is Nico strong enough to ward off her previous dependence on drugs and alcohol?
Book two of the Runaway Train series was a bit slower paced than the first, and a bit more repetitive because of the tour and performances, but it still packed a punch. I felt like Nico was more grounded and predictable this time, but she still had her moments where it felt like she might explode. Everything would build up until she just unleashed it all, and then would go on a bender with pot and alcohol and make waves with her bandmates. All the while she is touring, her best friend back home, Winter, is getting in with the wrong crowd and making her own terrible decisions, shutting Nico out in the process. Nico is trying to deal with her new-found fame and how to process what feels like the loss of her best friend at the same time.
I really loved that Nico was still the same angsty, tough, yet vulnerable girl that we met in book one. I think she had grown up a little bit, but she was still on the verge of explosion ay any given moment. She was created as a very real character, her flaws were always front and center throughout both books, and her decision making was very on-point for a teenager.
Like book one, every chapter in Grenade Bouquets was titled as a song from a mix tape. I felt like the songs were very accurate for what was happening in the chapters, and it was a form of foreshadowing if you were familiar with the song. I think this is very clever and unique and makes this book stand out.
I could continue gushing about this book (and series) but I think it would just be best for you to read them yourself. These coming-of-age stories are packed full of adventure and mishap and bad decisions, but it is a wild ride that you do not want to miss! I don’t necessarily think that you need to read them in order, they could be stand-alone novels, but I think it would be more beneficial to the back story to read them in order.
Overall, I would recommend this book. Another fast read and bomb waiting to explode, you need to add this to your TBR. 4 stars.
August 16, 2021
ARC kindly provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
After reading Runaway Train a few months ago, I had the highest of hopes for Grenade Bouquets. Runaway Train was easily one of my favourite books of 2021 so far and I loved how it explored grief through the eyes of a teen girl during the early 90's grunge scene. I was hooked with the nostalgia and the aesthetic of the book and thus when offered the opportunity to review its sequel, I agreed very enthusiastically.
With such high expectations, it was a very thin line between exceeding them or not meeting them at all. For me, Grenade Bouquets unfortunately swayed closer to the latter. I genuinely do believe it's still an important read about healing and grieving but I did find some opportunities for improvement.
From the start, the book felt really rocky and I find it nearly impossible to discuss why without drawing slight comparisons to Runaway Train. For starters, in Runaway Train, Nico's voice and her entire character was built upon this angsty facade as a result of her sister Kirsten's death. Her whole life goes off the rails and she runs away to rediscover her identity and who she really is. Her narration encapsulated that and also presented what it feels like not only to be lost, alone and overwhelmed but also what it means to be a teenager and what it means to be a human. It was Nico's character, her flaws and her layers that made me empathise with her and was the key ingredient to making Runaway Train a five star read. When entering Grenade Bouquets I was looking for the same sort of magic where we got to see the grief and sadness talking behind a wall of thinly covered angst. What I ended up getting was completely different and I think made me see the Runaway Train duology in a completely new light. In the sequel, I found Nico to be insufferable, selfish and cruel as a character. A lot of the things she did in particular towards a minor side character, Clarissa was almost unforgivable and to the point where I genuinely didn't know why or what they were fighting over a guy for. Ultimately, that seeped into the narration (which as I mentioned before, was one of the strongest elements of Runaway Train) and I started hating Nico as much as I tried looking for her redeeming qualities during the first half or so. Nico in this book just seemed so far away from the hurting girl we met in book one. I must admit, I was a little sad to see her go.
Eventually, I did manage to see glimpses into the Nico that appeared in Runaway Train but I didn't see that until around 50-100 pages from the end. It was around then that I started to see the same kind of magic I got previously. I started to feel for Nico and I could see the implications fame and fortune had on her (and not only her but her family and friends as well). I liked how that was tackled although I do think that the exploration into the ways fame and fortune can corrupt a person could've been teased out a little more. It was like a moment of realisation for Nico halfway through the book however, there could've been smaller little moments when those moments would've made up that realisation. That probably would've been a smoother transition and it would've shown that character development where Nico steps out of the spotlight to interrogate what she wants in life and if fame is really worth the price she is currently paying.
The other thing I had a bit of an issue with was the romance aspect of this novel. In Runaway Train it wasn't a main component and therefore I had little to nothing to say about it since it occurred closer to the end and I was indifferent to it. Romance was a bigger aspect in this book and I thought the connection would've been touched on a bit more between Nico and Evan. The romance –in terms of physicalness– was definitely there but I wanted to see the chemistry between Evan and Nico rather than the sexual and intimate moments. Nico seemed like she was holding onto Evan because he was the only one who stuck by her side during her hardships but it felt more like friendship than a relationship in my opinion.
Relationships aside though, something I've noticed Lee Matthew Goldberg doing incredibly well in his books is the creation of an aesthetic with his writing. I felt like Runaway Train and Grenade Bouquets both encapsulated the zeitgeist of the early-mid 90's grunge scene. Where Runaway Train I think showed this from a fan's perspective (Nico started off being a fan of grunge music), Grenade Bouquets showed the darker side of fame from a singer's perspective and what fame really does to a singer. It has the potential to corrupt people and set people up against one another which was really highlighted in this book.
All in all, I thought this book was okay. I didn't love it as much as I loved Runaway Train but I did like the general ambience of the novel and how it showed the dark side of the music industry.
ACTUAL RATING: 2.9 STARS
After reading Runaway Train a few months ago, I had the highest of hopes for Grenade Bouquets. Runaway Train was easily one of my favourite books of 2021 so far and I loved how it explored grief through the eyes of a teen girl during the early 90's grunge scene. I was hooked with the nostalgia and the aesthetic of the book and thus when offered the opportunity to review its sequel, I agreed very enthusiastically.
With such high expectations, it was a very thin line between exceeding them or not meeting them at all. For me, Grenade Bouquets unfortunately swayed closer to the latter. I genuinely do believe it's still an important read about healing and grieving but I did find some opportunities for improvement.
From the start, the book felt really rocky and I find it nearly impossible to discuss why without drawing slight comparisons to Runaway Train. For starters, in Runaway Train, Nico's voice and her entire character was built upon this angsty facade as a result of her sister Kirsten's death. Her whole life goes off the rails and she runs away to rediscover her identity and who she really is. Her narration encapsulated that and also presented what it feels like not only to be lost, alone and overwhelmed but also what it means to be a teenager and what it means to be a human. It was Nico's character, her flaws and her layers that made me empathise with her and was the key ingredient to making Runaway Train a five star read. When entering Grenade Bouquets I was looking for the same sort of magic where we got to see the grief and sadness talking behind a wall of thinly covered angst. What I ended up getting was completely different and I think made me see the Runaway Train duology in a completely new light. In the sequel, I found Nico to be insufferable, selfish and cruel as a character. A lot of the things she did in particular towards a minor side character, Clarissa was almost unforgivable and to the point where I genuinely didn't know why or what they were fighting over a guy for. Ultimately, that seeped into the narration (which as I mentioned before, was one of the strongest elements of Runaway Train) and I started hating Nico as much as I tried looking for her redeeming qualities during the first half or so. Nico in this book just seemed so far away from the hurting girl we met in book one. I must admit, I was a little sad to see her go.
Eventually, I did manage to see glimpses into the Nico that appeared in Runaway Train but I didn't see that until around 50-100 pages from the end. It was around then that I started to see the same kind of magic I got previously. I started to feel for Nico and I could see the implications fame and fortune had on her (and not only her but her family and friends as well). I liked how that was tackled although I do think that the exploration into the ways fame and fortune can corrupt a person could've been teased out a little more. It was like a moment of realisation for Nico halfway through the book however, there could've been smaller little moments when those moments would've made up that realisation. That probably would've been a smoother transition and it would've shown that character development where Nico steps out of the spotlight to interrogate what she wants in life and if fame is really worth the price she is currently paying.
The other thing I had a bit of an issue with was the romance aspect of this novel. In Runaway Train it wasn't a main component and therefore I had little to nothing to say about it since it occurred closer to the end and I was indifferent to it. Romance was a bigger aspect in this book and I thought the connection would've been touched on a bit more between Nico and Evan. The romance –in terms of physicalness– was definitely there but I wanted to see the chemistry between Evan and Nico rather than the sexual and intimate moments. Nico seemed like she was holding onto Evan because he was the only one who stuck by her side during her hardships but it felt more like friendship than a relationship in my opinion.
Relationships aside though, something I've noticed Lee Matthew Goldberg doing incredibly well in his books is the creation of an aesthetic with his writing. I felt like Runaway Train and Grenade Bouquets both encapsulated the zeitgeist of the early-mid 90's grunge scene. Where Runaway Train I think showed this from a fan's perspective (Nico started off being a fan of grunge music), Grenade Bouquets showed the darker side of fame from a singer's perspective and what fame really does to a singer. It has the potential to corrupt people and set people up against one another which was really highlighted in this book.
All in all, I thought this book was okay. I didn't love it as much as I loved Runaway Train but I did like the general ambience of the novel and how it showed the dark side of the music industry.
ACTUAL RATING: 2.9 STARS
January 19, 2022
“Nico, I’m going to tell you this only once, and that is - this train is already in motion. Everything you’ve done has led up to this moment, do you understand that?”
✮✮✮✮✮
Continuing on from the first book, Nico agrees to tour with her boyfriends band for a while. With his ex-girlfriend being lead singer, there is a lot of tension. So much so, that the girls take it out on stage! Between the attitude and the music, it gets them noticed by a record label..! But who can handle the fame and the drugs? And who can’t?
I loved book one. If you haven’t read my review for that, go and check it out NOW! But … this … This is what I needed. Nico has matured so much since book one, although in reality only a handful of months had passed. Her character was always a make or break, and her limits were really and truly pushed. I loved the fact that the Grenades had all the ups and downs, as I definitely could see it all playing out in my mind.
Winter was another character I grew to love again. Towards the end of book one, and the start of this book, I couldn’t stand her, but knowing the mental health problems and everything she had to go through, she definitely grew on me! I loved that she had more of a story this time round.
From mental health, to AIDS, to death, to drugs and alcoholism, to unprotected sex, this trilogy seems to cover it all. I can see how the story may be sensitive topic-wise to some, and this should maybe come with a warning. But, this coming of age story is definitely one that needs to be told!
I’m really looking forward to starting the third and final book in this series, and I can’t wait to find out where Nico’s journey will take her next!
✮✮✮✮✮
Continuing on from the first book, Nico agrees to tour with her boyfriends band for a while. With his ex-girlfriend being lead singer, there is a lot of tension. So much so, that the girls take it out on stage! Between the attitude and the music, it gets them noticed by a record label..! But who can handle the fame and the drugs? And who can’t?
I loved book one. If you haven’t read my review for that, go and check it out NOW! But … this … This is what I needed. Nico has matured so much since book one, although in reality only a handful of months had passed. Her character was always a make or break, and her limits were really and truly pushed. I loved the fact that the Grenades had all the ups and downs, as I definitely could see it all playing out in my mind.
Winter was another character I grew to love again. Towards the end of book one, and the start of this book, I couldn’t stand her, but knowing the mental health problems and everything she had to go through, she definitely grew on me! I loved that she had more of a story this time round.
From mental health, to AIDS, to death, to drugs and alcoholism, to unprotected sex, this trilogy seems to cover it all. I can see how the story may be sensitive topic-wise to some, and this should maybe come with a warning. But, this coming of age story is definitely one that needs to be told!
I’m really looking forward to starting the third and final book in this series, and I can’t wait to find out where Nico’s journey will take her next!
August 5, 2021
Nico's life just became a whole lot better when her parents agreed to let her take the summer of 1995 and go on tour with her boyfriend's band, The Grenade Bouquets as a backup singer. Evan's ex-girlfriend, Clarissa is the lead singer of the band and is putting out major jealousy vibes; however, Nico's presence on stage is astounding and gets the band noticed by a record executive. Soon, Grenade Bouquets are in the recording studio and on the radio and Nico is a real life Rockstar. Life as a Rockstar isn't as easy as it sounds as Nico is dealing with issues on all sides.
Grenade Bouquets is an ode to the 1990's and perfectly captures the feel of the 90's and the emerging Grunge and Alternative Rock scenes. Grenade Bouquets is the second book in the Runaway Train series, and I would recommend reading book one before to understand Nico and her past. Once again, I absolutely loved that the chapters titles were song tracks from the year that the book was set in. This led me on a deep nostalgia trip as well as perfectly setting the tone for the chapter. I felt like I was rejoining Nico's life as I read Grenade Bouquets, her life exploding suddenly in a roller coaster of new highs, lows, challenges, and feats while trying to navigate life as a teenager while in a famous band. Nico's emotions are real and raw as she deals with normal teenage issues along with the pressures of navigating stardom and a music career. I loved that she still wanted to connect with her friends at home and cared for her friend, Winter as she went through her own trauma. I was surprised by Nico's actions with Clarissa and how little consequence there was to her actions. The ending was emotional and well thought out. I can't wait to see what is in store for Nico next.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
Grenade Bouquets is an ode to the 1990's and perfectly captures the feel of the 90's and the emerging Grunge and Alternative Rock scenes. Grenade Bouquets is the second book in the Runaway Train series, and I would recommend reading book one before to understand Nico and her past. Once again, I absolutely loved that the chapters titles were song tracks from the year that the book was set in. This led me on a deep nostalgia trip as well as perfectly setting the tone for the chapter. I felt like I was rejoining Nico's life as I read Grenade Bouquets, her life exploding suddenly in a roller coaster of new highs, lows, challenges, and feats while trying to navigate life as a teenager while in a famous band. Nico's emotions are real and raw as she deals with normal teenage issues along with the pressures of navigating stardom and a music career. I loved that she still wanted to connect with her friends at home and cared for her friend, Winter as she went through her own trauma. I was surprised by Nico's actions with Clarissa and how little consequence there was to her actions. The ending was emotional and well thought out. I can't wait to see what is in store for Nico next.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
August 8, 2021
The year is 1994 and alternative music was all the rage. Nico is on summer break and she and the band are on tour in Las Vegas. A music producer notices her and Grouch Records made them an offer for their first song that Nico wrote about her dead sister. The record went up to #9 in the charts! They were stars, however things get complicated when the band members don’t see eye to eye.
This is the second book in the series and the way it was left, I think there will be a book 3 and I can’t wait to see if Nico can make it big on her own.
This is the second book in the series and the way it was left, I think there will be a book 3 and I can’t wait to see if Nico can make it big on her own.
July 18, 2021
In Book #1 we meet Nico as she decides to run away and get away from everything when her sister Kristen passed away suddenly as her life spiraled out of control. Now in Book #2 which picks up where Book #1 finished. Set in the year 1995 and Nico has been singing in a band called Grenade Bouquets which is her boyfriend Evan's band and they have been spotted by Record companies who want to make them big as they love Nico and she has that star quality. However, as the band goes along for the ride, they start to resent Nico as she becomes the face of the band and the rest of the background music even though they were the ones that created the band. As Nico rises to fame, she learns the underbelly of being a celebrity singer and how fame and fortune can ruin your life as she starts to once again spiral out of control but this time with drinking. Meanwhile back home, her friend Winter has been hanging out with a new girl Emily who is a bad influence and a Marilyn Manson fan. When life starts to spiral out of control for Winter, she ends up trying to commit suicide meanwhile Nico collapses after too much alcohol. This causes a catalyst and sparks a change in both Winter and Nico as they discover that they both need to re-evaluate their lives as if they don’t, they both might just end up like their idol in Book #1 Kurt Cobain.
July 4, 2021
After enjoying the first book, I was looking forward to reading Grenade Bouquets, which I found to be a very satisfying sequel. I continued to love a lot of things that I enjoyed in the first book: all of the 90s references, the honest and unapologetic narration of Nico and the complete submersion into a world of music and grunge. I loved Daisy Jones & The Six and this definitely gave me similar vibes!
I find Nico to be such an interesting protagonist, partially because she's so flawed. Her reasoning for making some of the mistakes she made was written about so smoothly that I completely understood why she made them. There were a few people that she seemed to treat pretty harshly, not empathising with them very well, which she didn't seem to take much accountability for, still blaming them in the end. On the one hand this is a little frustrating and it would be nice to see her character develop to be the better/bigger person. But on the other hand, this is also an accurate portrayal of people's complicated emotions and motivations and the fact no one is perfect.
I do have a few knit-picky complaints: similarly to the first one I would've liked things to slow down sometimes so that we could just hang out with the characters in their downtime, possibly also resulting to the fact that there were some things that were 'told' rather than 'shown'. There were also a few typos, but these things didn't overly bother me because I was so invested in the story and was completely submerged into this world!
I really enjoyed this one!
I find Nico to be such an interesting protagonist, partially because she's so flawed. Her reasoning for making some of the mistakes she made was written about so smoothly that I completely understood why she made them. There were a few people that she seemed to treat pretty harshly, not empathising with them very well, which she didn't seem to take much accountability for, still blaming them in the end. On the one hand this is a little frustrating and it would be nice to see her character develop to be the better/bigger person. But on the other hand, this is also an accurate portrayal of people's complicated emotions and motivations and the fact no one is perfect.
I do have a few knit-picky complaints: similarly to the first one I would've liked things to slow down sometimes so that we could just hang out with the characters in their downtime, possibly also resulting to the fact that there were some things that were 'told' rather than 'shown'. There were also a few typos, but these things didn't overly bother me because I was so invested in the story and was completely submerged into this world!
I really enjoyed this one!
September 20, 2021
Teen angst, fury, budding stardom and strained relationships, what could go wrong?
In this follow-up to RUNAWAY TRAIN we find Nico in a better place. She's dealing with the sudden death of her sister better and the band she connected with want her to join them on a tour as the backup singer. When they let her take center stage she shines and the band soon gets noticed both by the public and music executives. The problems start as Nico becomes the face of the band pushing Clarissa, the lead singer into the background and creating resentments from the rest of the band including her boyfriend, Evan, the lead guitarist and Clarissa's ex-boyfriend. What follows is a story that could be a journal of a girls coming of age in the music scene of the 90's complete with all the joys and pitfalls one could imagine.
I really enjoyed this nostalgic road trip and found it to be brutally honest and captivating. The characters feel real and the story unfolds as if it's a docudrama. The atmosphere is grungy and raw with a visual quality that puts you there in the scene with the characters. I loved that the chapter titles are songs that are Incorporated into the story. I found myself asking Alexa to play the songs as I went along and that added to my overall enjoyment of the novel. If you lived through the 90's or are interested in the time period at all, I recommend you give this book and series a go.
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Thank you to the author, Wise Wolf Books and Suzy Approved Book Tours for the gifted copy and including me on this tour.
In this follow-up to RUNAWAY TRAIN we find Nico in a better place. She's dealing with the sudden death of her sister better and the band she connected with want her to join them on a tour as the backup singer. When they let her take center stage she shines and the band soon gets noticed both by the public and music executives. The problems start as Nico becomes the face of the band pushing Clarissa, the lead singer into the background and creating resentments from the rest of the band including her boyfriend, Evan, the lead guitarist and Clarissa's ex-boyfriend. What follows is a story that could be a journal of a girls coming of age in the music scene of the 90's complete with all the joys and pitfalls one could imagine.
I really enjoyed this nostalgic road trip and found it to be brutally honest and captivating. The characters feel real and the story unfolds as if it's a docudrama. The atmosphere is grungy and raw with a visual quality that puts you there in the scene with the characters. I loved that the chapter titles are songs that are Incorporated into the story. I found myself asking Alexa to play the songs as I went along and that added to my overall enjoyment of the novel. If you lived through the 90's or are interested in the time period at all, I recommend you give this book and series a go.
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Thank you to the author, Wise Wolf Books and Suzy Approved Book Tours for the gifted copy and including me on this tour.
September 1, 2021
'Grenade Bouquets' is a rockstar of a book, full of canny 90's references, romance, betrayal, revenge and payphones.
Though this is the second book in a series, the author, Lee Matthew Goldberg brings the reader up to speed very quickly with what they need to know. Here are the details: Nico is a seventeen year old girl living in Los Angeles. Still tender from the loss of her sister two years earlier, Nico agrees to go on a country-wide tour with her band, 'Grenade Bouquets' over the summer of 1995.
Well, when I say that it's 'her' band, I mean that she's actually the back up singer. As the band moves around the country, drawing bigger and bigger crowds, Nico's magnetic stage presence begins to attract notice. First, she's the main story in an article about the band, and then record companies start to take notice.
All of this newfound fame is a heady cocktail for Nico, who, at seventeen is suddenly dealing with attention that even adults would struggle to understand. Beginning to slide down the inevitable slope into drug and alcohol abuse, Nico must also deal with Clarissa, the lead singer of the band and former girlfriend of Evan, Nico's current boyfriend. Clarissa is not content to sit back and let Nico steal her spotlight.
Between dodging Clarissa's jealousy and trying to come to terms with the fact that she and her best friend, Winter may have grown apart, Nico must find a way to keep a handle on her life and her emotions before she ends up as only a footnote in the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame.
The musical element to this was pure 90's nostalgia. Lee Matthew Goldberg has written something really special here. A must read for 90's kids and everyone else, too!
Though this is the second book in a series, the author, Lee Matthew Goldberg brings the reader up to speed very quickly with what they need to know. Here are the details: Nico is a seventeen year old girl living in Los Angeles. Still tender from the loss of her sister two years earlier, Nico agrees to go on a country-wide tour with her band, 'Grenade Bouquets' over the summer of 1995.
Well, when I say that it's 'her' band, I mean that she's actually the back up singer. As the band moves around the country, drawing bigger and bigger crowds, Nico's magnetic stage presence begins to attract notice. First, she's the main story in an article about the band, and then record companies start to take notice.
All of this newfound fame is a heady cocktail for Nico, who, at seventeen is suddenly dealing with attention that even adults would struggle to understand. Beginning to slide down the inevitable slope into drug and alcohol abuse, Nico must also deal with Clarissa, the lead singer of the band and former girlfriend of Evan, Nico's current boyfriend. Clarissa is not content to sit back and let Nico steal her spotlight.
Between dodging Clarissa's jealousy and trying to come to terms with the fact that she and her best friend, Winter may have grown apart, Nico must find a way to keep a handle on her life and her emotions before she ends up as only a footnote in the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame.
The musical element to this was pure 90's nostalgia. Lee Matthew Goldberg has written something really special here. A must read for 90's kids and everyone else, too!
September 16, 2021
Grenade and Bouquets in the same sentence! That sounded interesting the first time my eyes fell on this exciting novel. As a literature student myself, I couldn't help giving it varied interpretations, but ‘Grenade Bouquets’ turned out to be entertaining and interesting too.
The cover design tells it all, the bizarre love triangle and a true heart-rendering story of a young girl who is coming to age and wildly chasing her dreams. Things are breaking up in the process; she can't get her parents' approval at home, she is slowly losing her friends, and Clarissa, her boyfriend's EX, is causing a lot of trouble.
From time to time, I got lost in the process thinking what Lacey, the only seemly reasonable adult in the group thought about the ensuing feud between Nico and Clarissa. What really happened to Clarissa after she furiously left the group? I felt sorry for Clarissa, but this is Nico's story of self-realization after battling depression and then drugs, for a long time.
She is not willing to let go, and this is what I like most about this novel. Her departed sisters' memories keep haunting her, but she is more determined than ever to follow her dreams. This could perhaps explain her unnecessary rage towards Clarissa.
"This train doesn't have to run away," because she was now on the right pathway. I liked the general ambiance of the story, especially how Lee Matthew captures and breaths life into the characters. If you are looking for bits of the 90s music scene throwbacks and romance, this book is for you.
The cover design tells it all, the bizarre love triangle and a true heart-rendering story of a young girl who is coming to age and wildly chasing her dreams. Things are breaking up in the process; she can't get her parents' approval at home, she is slowly losing her friends, and Clarissa, her boyfriend's EX, is causing a lot of trouble.
From time to time, I got lost in the process thinking what Lacey, the only seemly reasonable adult in the group thought about the ensuing feud between Nico and Clarissa. What really happened to Clarissa after she furiously left the group? I felt sorry for Clarissa, but this is Nico's story of self-realization after battling depression and then drugs, for a long time.
She is not willing to let go, and this is what I like most about this novel. Her departed sisters' memories keep haunting her, but she is more determined than ever to follow her dreams. This could perhaps explain her unnecessary rage towards Clarissa.
"This train doesn't have to run away," because she was now on the right pathway. I liked the general ambiance of the story, especially how Lee Matthew captures and breaths life into the characters. If you are looking for bits of the 90s music scene throwbacks and romance, this book is for you.
November 8, 2021
I'm suffering with a severe book hangover this morning with Grenade Bouquets still fresh on my mind. I'm thinking I liked this book the best out of the two, but loved them both. I was so upset with Nico's drinking and fame going to her head. I hate what she did to Clarissa; however, I love that she remained such a loyal friend to Winter and that they reconciled their friendship. I was so relieved when she started to pull her life back together. I'm glad she reached back out to Evan even though their relationship remained a little "up in the air" at the end. This story ended a little too abruptly for me; I still wanted more. Hence, the four stars, but maybe there will be a third book. I hope so.
August 27, 2021
‘You’re an angel, don’t let anyone tell you you’re not, and blow shit up even more than you already have.’
Star that shone too bright is a perfect way to describe Nico.
Our main character is everything a 90s teen strived to be. She is rockstar on the rise with a perfect boyfriend and best friend. But everything can’t be perfect, right?
Reading about Nicos problems was at the same time felt far fetched and surprisingly relatable. We see her journey through serious problems like loss, addiction and depression as well as simple things like breakups and friends.
Despite some of the hard topics, this book keeps you on the edge. The unpredictability of rebellious teens was conveyed perfectly. You never know what’s going to happen next.
I think Grenade Bouquets was a perfect slow-paced read. Nearly everybody can relate to the story of choosing between your passion and society’s expectations. It’s an important decision and being able to see it through Nicos eyes was a wonderful experience.
Star that shone too bright is a perfect way to describe Nico.
Our main character is everything a 90s teen strived to be. She is rockstar on the rise with a perfect boyfriend and best friend. But everything can’t be perfect, right?
Reading about Nicos problems was at the same time felt far fetched and surprisingly relatable. We see her journey through serious problems like loss, addiction and depression as well as simple things like breakups and friends.
Despite some of the hard topics, this book keeps you on the edge. The unpredictability of rebellious teens was conveyed perfectly. You never know what’s going to happen next.
I think Grenade Bouquets was a perfect slow-paced read. Nearly everybody can relate to the story of choosing between your passion and society’s expectations. It’s an important decision and being able to see it through Nicos eyes was a wonderful experience.
September 15, 2021
This really took me back to 1995. Docs, parties, high school and so much plaid. The main feature is the music, you could make several excellent playlists from the music in here. The best music as far as I’m concerned!
The story though, seventeen year-old Nico has been allowed to tour with the band “Grenade Bouquets”, and she feels like she’s arrived. Especially with her boyfriend Evan being the guitarist.
Like most teenagers she feels invincible, given a little (a lot in her case) freedom, they go overboard on everything they’ve been forbidden from. At first, Nico is just backup/extra singing on a few songs, but she stands out and makes the Grenades hit the big time.
Yet she still struggles with the death of her sister and really, just being very young trying to make adult decisions. She develops an ego and the dominos start to fall. Evan, The Grenades, her best friends from home, her sobriety, all of it tentative.
I really loved the era. Pre-cell phone, and internet, a time when concerts were affordable and an afternoon had to include perusing a music store. This is also a sequel but I feel it’s perfect as a stand-alone.
I recommend for the music references alone.
August 10, 2021
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“Grenade Bouquets” was a great continuation to “Runaway Train,” and I enjoyed revisiting Nico as she tours with her band.
What struck me out about the story is how different it was from “Runaway Train.” The author takes the account to a new level to see the hardships and complexities Nico faces with the band and how the limelight affects their relationships. I enjoyed the drama between Nico and Clarissa as they fight over Evan. It was interesting to see if Nico and Evan’s relationship would withstand the story as they go through many ups and downs.
However, the highlight of the story was Nico and Winter. Considering that these two were besties in the previous novel, I was shocked to see how their friendship gets rocky in this one. Nevertheless, their scenes had me glued to the pages and were my favorite part of the story.
Some of my favorite scenes were when Nico meets Winter and tries to reach through with her. I also liked the part when the band participates in the interview. Once again, the author did a fantastic job with the pop-culture references, similar to book 1. I felt as though I was re-living the 90s with 90210 and Ace of Base.
However, while I loved how the story distinguishes itself from the first book, I missed some elements. For instance, I enjoyed “Runaway Train” for the emotional trauma Nico goes through regarding Kristen’s death and her parent’s separation. The first book also felt like a beautiful adventure ride. But in Grenade Bouquets, I thought that these themes were missing as they focused highly on drama.
Nevertheless, “Grenade Bouquets” is an excellent sequel to “Runaway Train,” and I can’t wait to read more books by the author!
August 3, 2021
This is one of those rare cases where the first book in a series is great, but the sequel is even better! In this second book in the wonderful, poignant and emotional Runaway Train series, we once again meet troubled teenager Nico as she’s living her dream on tour with the band Grenade Bouquets, but still fighting her demons, grieving the loss of her sister and generally making bad decisions.
In the first book, Runaway Train, Nico was a train wreck waiting to happen and I read the whole book with the heart in my mouth so afraid of the crazy things Nico might end up doing to herself. Here, in this second book, Nico was in a better place and I could enjoy the story in a more relaxed mood. That didn’t mean that Nico stopped making bad decisions, using alcohol and drugs as coping mechanisms or acting out though…
Nico is a main character that isn’t the easiest to love, but I really appreciate how Lee Matthew Goldberg never shied away from her flaws and shortcomings, since it’s what made her so unique and authentic. I have to admit that there were some scenes where Nico crossed the line for me and acted just too reckless and selfish for it to be okay, but other than that I was always on her side and totally rooting for her. This was a truly heartbreaking book at times. Even though Nico was in a better place now than in the first book when she was completely lost and broken by pain and grief, she still went through so much this time around too. There were so many ups and downs, so many times the demons got the better of her and she hurt herself and the persons closest to her. I also really appreciated how the harsh realities of the music industry were explored with all its pressure, cynicism and objectification. Being a rock star definitely isn’t as glamorous as one would imagine…
This series is such a raw and honest tale about the nineties and a troubled girl’s journey to find herself and heal. It’s both sad and upsetting at times, but also so hopeful and full of the magic of music. Just like in the first book in this series, the writing style had such a wonderful flow and authenticity, and the concept with the chapter titles being the songs on Nico’s mixtape was brilliant in the way each song matched the mood of the chapter.
All in all, Grenade Bouquets was a breathtaking rollercoaster ride that was sad and hopeful, heartbreaking and heartwarming, gripping and addictive with relatable and authentic characters, as well as a brilliant love letter to the nineties era!
4.5 magical stars rounding up to 5.
Thank you to Xpresso Book Tours for the ARC and blog tour invitation for this wonderful book! All opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
In the first book, Runaway Train, Nico was a train wreck waiting to happen and I read the whole book with the heart in my mouth so afraid of the crazy things Nico might end up doing to herself. Here, in this second book, Nico was in a better place and I could enjoy the story in a more relaxed mood. That didn’t mean that Nico stopped making bad decisions, using alcohol and drugs as coping mechanisms or acting out though…
Nico is a main character that isn’t the easiest to love, but I really appreciate how Lee Matthew Goldberg never shied away from her flaws and shortcomings, since it’s what made her so unique and authentic. I have to admit that there were some scenes where Nico crossed the line for me and acted just too reckless and selfish for it to be okay, but other than that I was always on her side and totally rooting for her. This was a truly heartbreaking book at times. Even though Nico was in a better place now than in the first book when she was completely lost and broken by pain and grief, she still went through so much this time around too. There were so many ups and downs, so many times the demons got the better of her and she hurt herself and the persons closest to her. I also really appreciated how the harsh realities of the music industry were explored with all its pressure, cynicism and objectification. Being a rock star definitely isn’t as glamorous as one would imagine…
This series is such a raw and honest tale about the nineties and a troubled girl’s journey to find herself and heal. It’s both sad and upsetting at times, but also so hopeful and full of the magic of music. Just like in the first book in this series, the writing style had such a wonderful flow and authenticity, and the concept with the chapter titles being the songs on Nico’s mixtape was brilliant in the way each song matched the mood of the chapter.
All in all, Grenade Bouquets was a breathtaking rollercoaster ride that was sad and hopeful, heartbreaking and heartwarming, gripping and addictive with relatable and authentic characters, as well as a brilliant love letter to the nineties era!
4.5 magical stars rounding up to 5.
Thank you to Xpresso Book Tours for the ARC and blog tour invitation for this wonderful book! All opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 5, 2021
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Grenade Bouquets
Author: Lee Matthew Goldberg
Book Series: Runaway Train Book 2
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: young adult readers, contemporary
Genre: YA Contemporary
Publication Date: August 5, 2021
Publisher: Wise Wolf Books
Pages: 286
Recommended Age: 16+ (slight sexual content, slight language, drugs/drug usage mentioned, alcohol/alcohol usage/underage alcohol usage mentioned, grief)
Explanation of CWs: Grief is a big part of the novel, as is the progression of the character from childhood to adulthood. There is some cursing, some sexual content, and then drugs and alcohol are mentioned.
Synopsis: I had stars in my eyes and I couldn't see around them...
The year is 1995 and my parents have finally allowed me to take the summer to tour in a VW van across the country with my boyfriend Evan and our band. Yes, my dream to be a singer became reality. Even with Clarissa, Evan's jealous ex-girlfriend, as the lead singer, it's my presence on stage that led us to a major record deal. There are moments you'll always remember in life, but I can't imagine anything more cool than hearing your song on the radio for the first time.
But being a Rockstar isn't as easy as it sounds. Using alcohol and drugs as coping mechanisms, nothing but tension surrounded me, hurting my still blossoming relationship, and continued grieving over my sister's death.
A love letter to the nineties and a journey of a girl becoming a woman, Grenade Bouquets charts the rollercoaster ride of a band primed to explode on the scene, as long as they keep from actually exploding.
Review: Overall, this was a pretty good book. The character development was amazingly well done as was the world building. The story was well plotted and the writing was good. I also loved all of the 90s references.
However, I did think the book was too fast in pacing and I just didn't really connect with this book.
Verdict: It's good, just wasn't for me.
Book: Grenade Bouquets
Author: Lee Matthew Goldberg
Book Series: Runaway Train Book 2
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: young adult readers, contemporary
Genre: YA Contemporary
Publication Date: August 5, 2021
Publisher: Wise Wolf Books
Pages: 286
Recommended Age: 16+ (slight sexual content, slight language, drugs/drug usage mentioned, alcohol/alcohol usage/underage alcohol usage mentioned, grief)
Explanation of CWs: Grief is a big part of the novel, as is the progression of the character from childhood to adulthood. There is some cursing, some sexual content, and then drugs and alcohol are mentioned.
Synopsis: I had stars in my eyes and I couldn't see around them...
The year is 1995 and my parents have finally allowed me to take the summer to tour in a VW van across the country with my boyfriend Evan and our band. Yes, my dream to be a singer became reality. Even with Clarissa, Evan's jealous ex-girlfriend, as the lead singer, it's my presence on stage that led us to a major record deal. There are moments you'll always remember in life, but I can't imagine anything more cool than hearing your song on the radio for the first time.
But being a Rockstar isn't as easy as it sounds. Using alcohol and drugs as coping mechanisms, nothing but tension surrounded me, hurting my still blossoming relationship, and continued grieving over my sister's death.
A love letter to the nineties and a journey of a girl becoming a woman, Grenade Bouquets charts the rollercoaster ride of a band primed to explode on the scene, as long as they keep from actually exploding.
Review: Overall, this was a pretty good book. The character development was amazingly well done as was the world building. The story was well plotted and the writing was good. I also loved all of the 90s references.
However, I did think the book was too fast in pacing and I just didn't really connect with this book.
Verdict: It's good, just wasn't for me.
August 21, 2021
I adored Runaway Train and now I adore Grenade Bouquets too. This book is a flashback to the 90's for me and I loved reliving those moments. The young love angst, the mosh pits and the culture of the grunge music scene, flannel and Doc Martens, friendships made and lost along the way, artists gone too soon. The author captures the spirit of those days beautifully and it was an amazing ride for a Daughter of the 90's. You'll want to read this to understand the journey.
I received a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
I received a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 22, 2021
I loved this one. I loved Nico in Runaway Train and couldn't wait to get my hands on this one to see where life took her next. Nico's parents let her go on tour as a backup singer with the Grenade Bouquets. Nico is living the dream but there is the craziness that comes with touring. Nico has a lot of things to deal with and she grows a lot in this one. I really liked this one.
August 12, 2021
This book is the sequel to Runaway Train where we first face the struggle of grieving the death of Kristen from a brain aneurysm.
Grenade Bouquets is a love letter to the 90s and I was often left nostalgic as I read this. We are in a simpler time… no cell phones, no internet, no social media.
We are taking a road trip across the country in a VW van (how much more quaint could it be?!). Can you hear the mix tapes? My favorite part about road trips is always mix tapes (or mix cds… or iPod playlists!)
We explore what it’s like to become a rockstar - that high you get when you hear your song on the radio for the first time!
This book was a fantastic follow up to Runaway Train. It was such a fun ride, filled with nostalgia and rock and roll and teenage adventures, with some heartbreak mixed in.
I hope there will be more books to follow as I really enjoyed following these characters.
Grenade Bouquets is a love letter to the 90s and I was often left nostalgic as I read this. We are in a simpler time… no cell phones, no internet, no social media.
We are taking a road trip across the country in a VW van (how much more quaint could it be?!). Can you hear the mix tapes? My favorite part about road trips is always mix tapes (or mix cds… or iPod playlists!)
We explore what it’s like to become a rockstar - that high you get when you hear your song on the radio for the first time!
This book was a fantastic follow up to Runaway Train. It was such a fun ride, filled with nostalgia and rock and roll and teenage adventures, with some heartbreak mixed in.
I hope there will be more books to follow as I really enjoyed following these characters.
July 26, 2021
Grenade Bouquets is the second book in this author’s Runaway Train series. And I honestly had no idea what to expect when I first picked up Runaway Train to read. I loved the cover, and the blurb had me intrigued. I’m a child of the ’80s, and the ’90s were my college and new adult years, so out of nostalgia, I thought, why not? I can’t say I was a total grunge fan back in the day, but there were artists and songs that I loved, so with the chapter titles reading like songs from a mixtape (brilliant idea!), I thought I’d give it a try. It was a wild, wild ride, so I decided to come back for more. While it can be read as a standalone, I think you’d get so much more out of the characters, especially Nico’s connection/history to them all, if you read book one before Grenade Bouquets.
Nico’s family has come through her sister’s untimely death and the dissolution of her parent’s marriage. They may still be on shaky ground, but it’s not the quicksand it was before. After nearly hitting rock bottom with alcohol and drugs driving her runaway train, she’s now heading out on tour as a special guest singer for her boyfriend’s band, Grenade Bouquets. When fame and fortune come knocking, can she stand tall, or will she once again ride that runaway train?
While Runaway Train put me through the emotional wringer, this book was a bit more predictable. Like its predecessor, it’s also raw, emotional, and angsty, as well as a nostalgic read for those of us who grew up in the ‘80s and ‘90s. I thought the author did a fabulous job delving into a teenage girl’s mind once more. Nico is a realistically selfish character (all teens are to some extent) who can also love big and stays loyal to those she considers her inner circle despite her immaturity. I loved the song references and playlist, but it was hard to read the parts where Nico was truly out of control once again. I’m a parent now, so from that perspective, it was more than heartbreaking. Despite feeling like the plot was a bit predictable, I’m hopeful there’s a third book coming, a conclusion so to speak, that will wrap up where Nico and her friends end up. I felt that the ending to this book was a good mix between a wrap-up and a possible cliffhanger as it could leave you guessing, or it could leave you using your imagination as to which road Nico chooses for her future.
NICUnurse’s Rating: I give Grenade Bouquets by Lee Matthew Goldberg 4 out of 5 stars!
Nico’s family has come through her sister’s untimely death and the dissolution of her parent’s marriage. They may still be on shaky ground, but it’s not the quicksand it was before. After nearly hitting rock bottom with alcohol and drugs driving her runaway train, she’s now heading out on tour as a special guest singer for her boyfriend’s band, Grenade Bouquets. When fame and fortune come knocking, can she stand tall, or will she once again ride that runaway train?
While Runaway Train put me through the emotional wringer, this book was a bit more predictable. Like its predecessor, it’s also raw, emotional, and angsty, as well as a nostalgic read for those of us who grew up in the ‘80s and ‘90s. I thought the author did a fabulous job delving into a teenage girl’s mind once more. Nico is a realistically selfish character (all teens are to some extent) who can also love big and stays loyal to those she considers her inner circle despite her immaturity. I loved the song references and playlist, but it was hard to read the parts where Nico was truly out of control once again. I’m a parent now, so from that perspective, it was more than heartbreaking. Despite feeling like the plot was a bit predictable, I’m hopeful there’s a third book coming, a conclusion so to speak, that will wrap up where Nico and her friends end up. I felt that the ending to this book was a good mix between a wrap-up and a possible cliffhanger as it could leave you guessing, or it could leave you using your imagination as to which road Nico chooses for her future.
NICUnurse’s Rating: I give Grenade Bouquets by Lee Matthew Goldberg 4 out of 5 stars!
August 9, 2021
Grenade Bouquets is the second book in Lee Matthew Goldberg’s Runaway Train series. Grenade Bouquets picks up where Runaway Train leaves off. Nico is still grieving the death of her sister Kristen. Nico is trying to get her life back on track after she jumped ship and took off on a road trip.
She has finally talked her parents into letting her go on tour with her boyfriend and their band, Grenade Bouquets for the summer. Nico is still trying to get her head on straight and move on after her sister’s death but it is still proving to be difficult for her but she is managing.
I think singing with the band would help Nico a lot more if it were not for Clarissa, Evan's jealous ex-girlfriend, the lead singer. Clarissa has an attitude problem, she wants everything to revolve around her. She wants all eyes trained on her at all times. I think she still wants Evan or maybe she just wants him because she can’t have him.
Nico’s best friend Winter seems to be giving her the cold shoulder treatment. She is not answering Nico’s phone calls nor is she returning them. Nico wonders what is going on with Winter. She has been acting so strange, different. But she keeps trying as Nico and Winter have been friends for a long time and she is not just going to give up on her like that.
I liked that the title for each chapter was a song title and author, it was like having a playlist for the Grenade Bouquets. I can just hear the Grenade Bouquets singing each song in my head and see them up there on stage. I also liked that Nico referred to her parents as the rents. I am looking forward to the next book in the Runaway Train series.
Would I recommend Grenade Bouquets? You bet I do. So grab your copy of Grenade Bouquets today! Be sure and check out the first book in the series, Runaway Train so that you can get the whole picture and not feel as if you are missing out on anything.
She has finally talked her parents into letting her go on tour with her boyfriend and their band, Grenade Bouquets for the summer. Nico is still trying to get her head on straight and move on after her sister’s death but it is still proving to be difficult for her but she is managing.
I think singing with the band would help Nico a lot more if it were not for Clarissa, Evan's jealous ex-girlfriend, the lead singer. Clarissa has an attitude problem, she wants everything to revolve around her. She wants all eyes trained on her at all times. I think she still wants Evan or maybe she just wants him because she can’t have him.
Nico’s best friend Winter seems to be giving her the cold shoulder treatment. She is not answering Nico’s phone calls nor is she returning them. Nico wonders what is going on with Winter. She has been acting so strange, different. But she keeps trying as Nico and Winter have been friends for a long time and she is not just going to give up on her like that.
I liked that the title for each chapter was a song title and author, it was like having a playlist for the Grenade Bouquets. I can just hear the Grenade Bouquets singing each song in my head and see them up there on stage. I also liked that Nico referred to her parents as the rents. I am looking forward to the next book in the Runaway Train series.
Would I recommend Grenade Bouquets? You bet I do. So grab your copy of Grenade Bouquets today! Be sure and check out the first book in the series, Runaway Train so that you can get the whole picture and not feel as if you are missing out on anything.
August 23, 2021
• REVIEW: Grenade Bouquets // Lee Matthew Goldberg •
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5.
Grenade Bouquets is book 2 telling Nico’s story [book 1 was Runaway Train]. I loved book 1, and I’ve got a review already posted for that one! In this book we follow Nico on her journey, she’s going on tour to pursue her dream of singing. I loved that it seemed like Nico was getting a happy story, but her journey isn’t all positive and it is heartbreaking at times 💔
I like Nico as a character, at times I wasn’t her biggest fan [but that clearly changed]. You can see her growth as a person in this book, with certain things. Like anyone she is flawed, she’s trying to make it in the ‘big music world’ and doing her best to accomplish her goal. You can’t blame her for her actions, she’s young and facing some tough things.
The ending…. I wasn’t expecting that, I was picturing a different outcome but there’s hope and I’m definitely rooting for Nico :)
Just like the first book, I loved the writing style [chapter titles as song titles continues in this one, which I loooove].
I’d definitely recommend this one to anyone and everyone, the message I get from this book is that it’s important to pursue what you love and that it won’t always go as expected or amazing, but you have to try. ☀️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5.
Grenade Bouquets is book 2 telling Nico’s story [book 1 was Runaway Train]. I loved book 1, and I’ve got a review already posted for that one! In this book we follow Nico on her journey, she’s going on tour to pursue her dream of singing. I loved that it seemed like Nico was getting a happy story, but her journey isn’t all positive and it is heartbreaking at times 💔
I like Nico as a character, at times I wasn’t her biggest fan [but that clearly changed]. You can see her growth as a person in this book, with certain things. Like anyone she is flawed, she’s trying to make it in the ‘big music world’ and doing her best to accomplish her goal. You can’t blame her for her actions, she’s young and facing some tough things.
The ending…. I wasn’t expecting that, I was picturing a different outcome but there’s hope and I’m definitely rooting for Nico :)
Just like the first book, I loved the writing style [chapter titles as song titles continues in this one, which I loooove].
I’d definitely recommend this one to anyone and everyone, the message I get from this book is that it’s important to pursue what you love and that it won’t always go as expected or amazing, but you have to try. ☀️
August 6, 2021
This is the second book in a series, the first book Runaway Train introduced us to Nico and how she was dealing with the death of her sister Kristin. This book takes place in 1995 and Nico has been singing in a band called Grenade Bouquets. The band is her boyfriend Evans band, and they have been grabbing the attention of record companies. The record companies want to make Nico the face of the band. As the band attempt to make it big, hostility and resentment begin to grow as Nico begins to receive all the attention and the rest of the band gets pushed into the background, especially since they were the ones who started the band. As Nico gets a taste of the celebrity life especially when she begins to drink , she gets a peek into the darker side of fame. Maybe the bright lights aren’t everything. Back in her hometown Nico’s friend Winter begins a friendship with a girl named Emily who happens to be a Marilyn Manson fan. This friendship has devastating consequences. Soon both of these girls are reevaluating their lives and figuring out what they both want and need before it’s to late. This book was a great follow up to Runaway Train. At times it was heartbreaking and I enjoyed reading the pressures of becoming a star. Four stars!
August 5, 2021
Grenade Bouquets is a love letter to 90s grunge music. The follow-up to Runaway Train, it can be read as a standalone, I definitely suggest reading Runaway Train first, so you have a better background of Nico's journey, plus how she came to join Grenade Bouquets.
Grenade Bouquets picks up where Runaway Train leaves off, with Nico meeting up with the band to tour the country in a VW van. With a new recording deal and tour schedule, Nico starts to quickly unravel, spiraling further into self destruction with drugs and booze over her feud with fellow lead singer Clarissa. To top it off, she is still trying to deal with the grief of her sister’s death. Despite having massive star power, her off stage antics are catching up to her, putting the band’s future in jeopardy.
While the first book leaves Nico in a good place, being thrust back into the spotlight, especially as a high school year before the era of cell phones and social media, she quickly succumbs to self-inflicted pressure to always perform. Coupled with the grueling recording and touring schedule, the spotlight Nico craves is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it makes her feel alive, but on the other hand, it also leads her to destructive behavior. I love how the book shined a light on the pressures of fame, especially on young stars in the 90s. It's the ultimate story of survival and figuring out what you truly want.
Thank you to the author and Suzy Approved Book Tours for the gifted copy.
Grenade Bouquets picks up where Runaway Train leaves off, with Nico meeting up with the band to tour the country in a VW van. With a new recording deal and tour schedule, Nico starts to quickly unravel, spiraling further into self destruction with drugs and booze over her feud with fellow lead singer Clarissa. To top it off, she is still trying to deal with the grief of her sister’s death. Despite having massive star power, her off stage antics are catching up to her, putting the band’s future in jeopardy.
While the first book leaves Nico in a good place, being thrust back into the spotlight, especially as a high school year before the era of cell phones and social media, she quickly succumbs to self-inflicted pressure to always perform. Coupled with the grueling recording and touring schedule, the spotlight Nico craves is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it makes her feel alive, but on the other hand, it also leads her to destructive behavior. I love how the book shined a light on the pressures of fame, especially on young stars in the 90s. It's the ultimate story of survival and figuring out what you truly want.
Thank you to the author and Suzy Approved Book Tours for the gifted copy.
August 4, 2021
Grenada Bouquets picks up on Nico's story after the events of the previous book. After getting permission, Nico goes on tour with Evan and the others as a guest singer. What follows is band drama as she's the outsider trying to fit in with everyone.
Nico is thrusted in a world of self destruction yet again, with instant fame and the pressure, she gets a one track mind. Things are not good with her friends as Winter feels abandoned and goes in her own destructive path.
This book is about loss and sorrow. How it is a continuous thing. Nico is still mourning the death of her sister, but at the same time her friendships and relationships are at risk as well. The books is about the ever evolving music industry and the early 90's trends. This is a book about friendships and loyalties and finding your people and then never letting them go.
I felt angry for Nico and the way she was treated. She was criticized for being ambitious and wanting to go big.
This book went full circle and even though it covers a short period of Nico's life, it is still the most critical.
I received the ARC from BookSirens for an honest review.
Nico is thrusted in a world of self destruction yet again, with instant fame and the pressure, she gets a one track mind. Things are not good with her friends as Winter feels abandoned and goes in her own destructive path.
This book is about loss and sorrow. How it is a continuous thing. Nico is still mourning the death of her sister, but at the same time her friendships and relationships are at risk as well. The books is about the ever evolving music industry and the early 90's trends. This is a book about friendships and loyalties and finding your people and then never letting them go.
I felt angry for Nico and the way she was treated. She was criticized for being ambitious and wanting to go big.
This book went full circle and even though it covers a short period of Nico's life, it is still the most critical.
I received the ARC from BookSirens for an honest review.
August 5, 2021
Rating 4.5/5
*This review is based on a free arc copy of the book from the publisher. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
*May contain minor spoilers
Overall-
Grenade Bouquets is the sequel to Runaway Train by Lee Matthew Goldberg and continues to follow Nico's story after her road trip to see her Idol Kurt Cobain's house and find a way to cope with the loss of her sister. She has joined her boyfriends band but has struggled to cope with growing popularity, turning to drugs and alcohol. I really enjoyed returning to Nico's story and the 90's! This was a great sequel that was just as iconic as the first book. I liked how it was a little bit faster paced than the first and how we get to meet some new characters! it was nice to see more character development with Winter too. Due to Nico's addiction and Winters mental health it is a little bit heavier than the first book but is still a really great read! Get your copy now! Find more of my reviews on Instagram @3am_bookmarks ! Thank you again to Wise Wolf books for the arcs!
*This review is based on a free arc copy of the book from the publisher. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
*May contain minor spoilers
Overall-
Grenade Bouquets is the sequel to Runaway Train by Lee Matthew Goldberg and continues to follow Nico's story after her road trip to see her Idol Kurt Cobain's house and find a way to cope with the loss of her sister. She has joined her boyfriends band but has struggled to cope with growing popularity, turning to drugs and alcohol. I really enjoyed returning to Nico's story and the 90's! This was a great sequel that was just as iconic as the first book. I liked how it was a little bit faster paced than the first and how we get to meet some new characters! it was nice to see more character development with Winter too. Due to Nico's addiction and Winters mental health it is a little bit heavier than the first book but is still a really great read! Get your copy now! Find more of my reviews on Instagram @3am_bookmarks ! Thank you again to Wise Wolf books for the arcs!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2021
Lee Matthew Goldberg, Author of “Grenade Bouquets” has written an intense and thought-provoking coming of age story. This is the second book in this series but can be read alone. The Genres for this story are Fiction, Coming of Age, and Young Adult Fiction. The timeline for this story is set in 1995 and goes to the past when it pertains to the characters or events. Many of the characters are the same as in the first book. This is a book of teen exploration and self-discovery. The characters are described as confused, complex, and complicated. The setting is enhanced by the music of the time period.
I appreciate that the author discusses such important topics as alcohol use and drug use in the music setting. Other important topics are family, friendship, and making better choices.
Nico Sullivan is obsessed with writing and singing, and becomes involved in her boyfriend’s band “Grenade Bouquets” Nico does become a “Rockstar” and the boys in the band feel like they are in the background. There are bad choices that are made that are dangerous. This is an edgy thought-provoking book that I would recommend for readers that enjoy music and self-growth.
I appreciate that the author discusses such important topics as alcohol use and drug use in the music setting. Other important topics are family, friendship, and making better choices.
Nico Sullivan is obsessed with writing and singing, and becomes involved in her boyfriend’s band “Grenade Bouquets” Nico does become a “Rockstar” and the boys in the band feel like they are in the background. There are bad choices that are made that are dangerous. This is an edgy thought-provoking book that I would recommend for readers that enjoy music and self-growth.
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