Tone Deaf

By Olivia Rivers

His world is music. Her world is silent.

Ali Collins was a child prodigy destined to become one of the greatest musicians of the twenty-first centuryuntil she was diagnosed with a life-changing brain tumor. Now, at seventeen, Ali lives in a soundless world where she gets by with American Sign Language and lip-reading. She’s a constant disappointment to her father, a retired cop fighting his own demons, and the bruises are getting harder to hide.

When Ali accidentally wins a backstage tour with the chart-topping band Tone Deaf, she’s swept back into the world of music. Jace Beckett, the nineteen-year-old lead singer of the band, has a reputation. He’s a jerk and a player, and Ali wants nothing to do with him. But there’s more to Jace than the tabloids let on. When Jace notices Ali’s bruises and offers to help her escape to New York, Ali can’t turn down the chance at freedom and a fresh start. Soon she’s traveling cross-country, hidden away in Jace’s RV as the band finishes their nationwide tour. With the help of Jace, Ali sets out to reboot her life and rediscover the music she once loved.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sky Pony
• Release date: May 3, 2016
• ISBN: 9781634507080

Olivia Rivers

Olivia Rivers is a hybrid author with a passion for young adult fiction. As a certified geek, she enjoys experimenting with new publishing technologies, and her online serials have received more than one million hits on Wattpad.com. When she’s not writing, Rivers works as a freelance digital artist and assists at a literary agency. She resides in Northern California.

Reviews for Tone Deaf

[leahlo89 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

DNF.

Um, nope. You lost me when Jace asked her if she knew sign language and he then flipped her off.

[valerieandbooks · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I'm sorry to say I bailed on this, so no rating given (ETA: okay. I decided to give it one star because I *did* read some of it). This was given to me from someone who thought I might like it, being deaf myself. Even though this is YA and I don't typically read YA. The main character of this story has become deaf -- before her hearing loss, music was a big part of her life. Why oh why does this trope have to be trotted out? As if a person is "less than" because they can't fully appreciate music anymore, if ever. While I don't remember if the MC grieved greatly about this, she does go to a rock concert with a friend, and she wins an opportunity to meet the lead singer backstage.What made me think about bailing ( but I skimmed some parts after this scene): rock star asks MC if she knows sign language. She says yes. Then: "His lips curve into a tight smile that looks more like a snarl. 'Then read this.' Jace holds up both his middle fingers, points them at me, then turns away."Wow. Yes, this is rude, and I'm no stranger to this type of rudeness. But what made me decide to bail for good was that it was obvious this was also going to be a story with another trope I dislike: hate-to-love romance. I didn't stick around to find out how Jace redeems himself after that horrible first impression -- no one should put up with that, ever.Oh, there's more I could go on about this, but will stop here. The author is young, and I admire her pluck in writing this and getting it published, but this could have been so much more than it is. Maybe her future work will be more substantial. I know I should not have high expectations for what is supposed to be a relatively easy read, but I can't help it.

[kristymk18-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Tone Deaf touches on many subjects, including physical abuse and living with being deaf. I think the author does a great job depicting what it is like to live with these, and even though the two main characters help and aid each other in the healing process, I am glad it wasn't strictly a "I'll fix you" type relationship. I loved all of the side characters. I thought they each added something, whether it be humor or a voice of doubt or a friend showing supportive love. Ali's interactions with all of them help heal her and change her, and each of them are there for Jace in whatever way he lets them. As a story fueled by the abuse Ali suffered from her dad, this book is not as heavy as you'd assume; however, I think it portrays the effects of abuse very realistically. Ali is hesitant around others, shrinking away from touch and avoids confrontation when possible. Her inner thoughts are also tragic and sad, showing the results of what abuse can do to you. For all of Jace's faults, he is great with this aspect of Ali.Of course, music is vital to this story as it plays a major role in Jace's and (previously) Ali's life. In a way, it is both of their first loves, and (I think) ultimately what helps them heal the most.