Trigger warnings for readers: Sex (implied/ closed door/ fade to black), motor vehicle accident, injury, death, child death, grief, abandonment, divorce.
Izzy has never done anything extroverted in her life, and has spent the summer between High School and starting her art degree hanging out with her lifelong best friend Simon.
Her entire world revolves around staying home reading all the books she can get her hands on, and calling Simon over for their annual Star Wars marathons.
All she has ever wanted is to be as confident and popular as her best friend, but while Izzy dreams of a safe future designing product packaging, Simon has only one goal..to be the world’s next big rock star!
Their first day at the Academy seems normal until her friend Eileen can’t stop looking at Simon. Surely his awful army jacket and messy hair couldn’t result in a love match for her two besties? But Eileen just can’t stop staring. Worse still, Simon is looking for a new vocalist to join his band, and when Izzy throws courage into the wind and auditions, she soon finds that all three of her new bandmates are absolutely gorgeous and already look like veritable rock gods! Everyone on campus can’t stop whispering about them and wishing to either be them, or to date them. Not only that, but they can actually play, and not just rock and roll either. The lead guitarist Ethan also plays Mozart on the violin and Chopin on the piano.
If only he didn’t have such horrendous stage fright, he could be a world-changing musician. And if only her heart would stop racing when he came near her, she might be able to find her own courage within the lyrics.
As they prepare for their first gig as Obstruction, Izzy realises she will have to really dig deep to show them their trust in her was worth it.
Izzy discovers in the group the missing pieces of family she had been longing for her whole life, but her stupid heart won’t stop messing things up for her. When tragedy strikes, the group realise they can only survive if they stay together, but with everyone at odds, it won’t be an easy road.
When a record deal comes along, Izzy has to decide which life she wants to pursue, her safe future working on her art, or a messy, crazy life on the road with a group of guys who can’t even get through a week without arguing.
Is she brave enough to risk it all for love, fame, and rock and roll?
Maggie Boudrie’s young adult novel takes us on a wild journey through the first chapters of life in a rock and roll band, and will sweep you along through romance and tragedy as protagonist Izzy discovers where her heart truly lies.
Boudrie is an independently published author who works as a teacher, and loves spending time with her family.
She resides in Norway, and is a huge fan of music, even titling each chapter of her novel after her favourite songs, giving this book a soundtrack of its very own.
Obstruction is a courageous, modern-day tale that revives the excitement of taking your first independent steps as a young adult with all the opportunities of life ahead of you, and the terror of making the wrong decision when the big opportunities come along.
A brilliant journey perfect for older YA readers that will make you want to go out and grab an instrument and throw all your courage to the wind!
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