by Tsvi Jolles
I’ve been waiting anxiously for this moment, the one every author both craves and dreads: that first “real” review from someone who isn’t related to me or obligated to be kind. Yes, I’m talking about the good ol’ unbiased, professional critique. It took a couple of weeks—though it felt longer—but it finally showed up on NetGalley, the platform librarians, influencers, and book bloggers flock to for advance copies (often before a book is even published).
And…what an opening review! When I read it, I almost spilled my golden milk on the bright-colored sofa—which would’ve earned me a whole different kind of review from my wife. I didn’t expect such an enthusiastic reception from a reviewer I’ve never met, but my first reviewer just made my day. Actually, my entire winter—and here in Georgia, they say it’s going to be a tough one.
Allow me to share the review in its entirety so you can feel my joy right alongside me:
Review by
Samantha David – Reviewer
Last updated on Jan 07 2025
5/5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Brave Fawn Books for providing this eARC!This book was absolutely FANTÁSTICO! The amount of passion and research that has went into the book was amazing, I felt like I got a full history lesson and music lesson in one.
The use of singers was an incredible idea, the show of how bullying can affect our passions, how rumours hurt us but can also lead to something beautiful.
Leo and Shane’s friendship! Tammy felt a-bit fillerish but I appreciated her nonetheless. The use of different languages in this book was great and was amazing to see blended and explained for those who don’t speak it.
It’s amazing to see a book that shows magic within!
Overall this book was amazing and I highly recommend it to everyone!
Is that cool or what? I’m so grateful for the appreciation, the five-star rating, and the fact that the reviewer enjoyed (and noticed!) so many aspects of Leo and the Magic Guitar of the Ozarks: from the music, to the languages, to the friendships and magic at its core. I poured a lot of time and effort—an entire year—into this story, so seeing it recognized in such a thoughtful review is both deeply rewarding and humbling, in some strange way.
One of the hardest parts of being a writer is all the waiting—waiting for an agent to take a chance on your work, for an editor to finish their notes, for readers to not only discover your story but share their thoughts about it, and for the book to find its own path. It’s a lot of waiting. I found myself checking NetGalley, then my email, then back to NetGalley again—hoping for some signal that someone out there was reading my words and connecting with the story I’d devoted so much time and energy to crafting. I kept wondering: Will they connect with the messages of Leo and the Magic Guitar of the Ozarks.
It’s both a relief and a thrill to get this first official thumbs-up. The journey is just beginning, but it feels amazing when the first glimpse out the car window is something straight out of a dream—even before you’ve hit the open road.
To all of you fellow authors or soon-to-be published writers—keep going! This is what it’s all about: the opportunity to share your passion and see if it resonates with readers. And if my journey can encourage someone else to keep pouring their heart into their craft, then that makes the waiting and wondering all worth it.
Thank you, first reviewer. Thank you, NetGalley. And to all my future readers: get ready for Leo and the Magic Guitar of the Ozarks—I sincerely hope you’ll find its magic just as enchanting!
Update: Second review is in, and it’s positive too:
A Shelf Story – Reviewer
Last updated on Jan 14 2025
A joyful, heartwarming story of changes and transitions, and the power of music, family, and friendships.
Leo, a talented musician and guitarist, receives a special electric guitar from his uncle Javier for his 13th birthday. Javier tells him that the guitar, which once belonged to Leo’s dead father, has a special power that reveals itself to those who can feel and connect with its magic. As Leo familiarizes himself with the guitar, he finds that it has the power to draw the spirits of legendary musicians to inspire and guide him as he deals with challenges at school and in relationships – including classroom rivals, online bullying, changing families, absent loved ones and first love. Along the way, he learns how, throughout history, music and art were powerful tools for people to connect, unite and challenge unethical and discriminatory social institutions and practices.
I appreciate how Leo’s journey is neither easy nor a linear progression. He experiments, fails, makes the occasional wrong choice, and experiences the consequences of those failures and choices before he can experience true growth. I also love how, even at the end, his life is not fairytale perfect. This is a story of finding happiness without expecting or needing perfection.
Tsvi Jolles’ writing is both lyrical and easy to follow. I really liked how Leo’s dialogues with his Columbian mother are a in a mix of Spanish and English, with plenty of references to Columbian food and culture. It really honours and brings alive the multicultural roots of the story and adds both depth and beauty to the narrative.
I would recommend this one for both the classroom and for book clubs for grades 6-8. it’s sure to spark multiple discussions on the power of art, literature, and music to power change, both personal and social.