Annalisa and Thomas come from two different worlds. Annalisa though poor is from a huge, loving Italian origin family all caring for each other and
sometimes overpoweringly stifling. Annalisa unfortunately does not fit into the groove expected of her - to grow up, get a local job, get married and
have babies. She wants more, especially after she saw her mother's life and how her mother's dreams were trampled by her father who did not allow her
mother to have any life of her own.

Annalisa finds Payton Mills closing in on her and only wants to get out to Portland, the closest city to her home to pursue her dream of the arts.
To get tutored properly, to have a chance at being exposed and influenced by great artists and in turn to have a chance to showcase her own work.
Annalisa knows she is good but she does need finishing touches and she is not going to get it in the backwaters of Payton Mills. Pursuing her dream with
determination she succeeds to a point but then life threw a spanner in the works. She falls pregnant and with Thomas away on secondment in Vietnam,
no backing at all from Thomas's family she is faced with bringing up Celia on her own.

The story of Annalisa's grit and determination even with setbacks and practical difficulties not to give up on her dream, despite her never failing out
of love with Thomas despite his so called indifference, the attitude of his family is admirable. Survival, putting aside feelings to reach your original
goal is foremost in her mind and this she achieves very well. Love does happen but only after the bitter hatred and jealously of those who are supposed to
be family is shown as the reason for Thomas and Annalisa's breakup. That was a shocker as it came from an unexpected source.

The story set in 1969 with its overtones of Woodstock, hippies, a freer lifestyle, Vietnam and protests was an intriguing one.

"The Singing Trees" is so beautifully written. My eyes flew through it as the wind moves the clouds. So heartfelt and filled with hope and dreams, love and happiness.

This is a book that will move you from start to finish. You will find yourself immersed to the point where you do not want to put the book down nor do you want it to end. It's filled with joy. I have never read a book that has been like stars floating across the sky. Like the sun rising and setting. It's beautiful.

Pick up this book and feel it. What a joy it will bee for you!

Thank you, Boo, for writing one of my favorite books of all time. I look forward to reading more of your work.

I had no idea what to expect when I started reading this book. It is my first by this author so I went in with an open mind. I was quickly drawn in by the complex family dynamics. The story develops the bonds of love throughout the book very successfully. As the complicated relationships are further revealed and explored, it keeps the reader wanting to know more. I feel this was a very successful novel that faces family, betrayal, and personal growth with honesty and heart.

Annalisa, a young orphan and talented artist, is from. large Italian American working class family. She moves to Portland to work on her art, where she meets Thomas, an Ivy leaguer from a wealthy family. Set in the 1970s. this one effectively uses events from the period, notably Vietnam, and its Maine setting, to tell an emotional love story. The characters are good and I found myself wrapped up in their world. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

I was unable to finish this book and thus will not be posting a full review. I found the writing to be amateurish at best, which surprised me given other reviews of this book. I'm sorry this did not work out for me but thank you for the opportunity

DNF @ 12%
(there will be no rating on Goodreads; I leave 3 stars here because NetGalley doesn't allow you to leave it blank)

I couldn't get into this book at all. I've been reading it all morning and I'm only 12% through, and I feel like I've been reading for ages, but not really getting into at all. It's written well, and I'm sure it will appeal to a lot of other readers (especially judging by other reviews), but it's just not for me.

I thank the publisher for giving me a free copy of the ebook in exchange to my honest review. This has not affected my opinion.

In this book, the main character, Annalisa, is just seventeen when we first meet her, She has aspirations of becoming a famous artist and wants nothing more than to live anywhere other than her small hometown. The historical perspective of living during the time of the Vietnam war sets the ideal backdrop for a story about a young woman trying to forge her own path. Having never been to Maine, I was captivated by the descriptions, Walker writes with a lyrical style that paints a beautiful tale of love, love and overcoming grief. I recommend this moving story and look forward to my next read by this new to me author.

What a wonderful enthralling story.

I loved the characters and the simple way in which it was written.

A true book that you can't put down.

I shall miss it

Thank you netgalley for giving me this ARC in return for an honest review.
The story starts off in the late 60s. After the death of her parents Annalisa Mancuso has closed herself off. She lives with her grandmother and dreams of persuing a career in arts. Annalisa is determined not to let anything interfere with her goal of finding her own voice in her paintings and leaving the small town behind. Shortly before her planned move, however, she meets Thomas and she begins to question her plans and which risks are worth taking.
The characters are well developed and feel very real. I was extremely engaged with the characters and was on the verge of tears a few times. I especially loved Annalisa. Her devotion to painting and her determination to fulfil her dreams despite all that she struggles with is truly inspiring.
I wholly enjoyed the writing style. It seems simple but is very touching, humble and real. It was so easy to get immersed in this story which encompasses themes like aspiration, love and foregiveness.

Thanks to this ARC I have added Boo Walker to my list of favorite authors.

When I read Boo Walker’s, The Unfinished Story, I said that I would give it 10 stars if I could. Well, I have to say the same about this wonderful novel. Boo Walker has become my favorite author. This story, just rocked me, it was so good.
It has everything needed for a best seller. The characters are wonderful, the journey is staggering, the emotion just had me reaching for a tissue, and I was disappointed when it ended.
Annalise is a committed, aspiring artist, that is raised by her grandmother, in a large Italian family. Her only focus is on finishing school, working to save money, so that she can go where she can she can get the instruction she needs to succeed. But meeting Thomas throws her off course, and despite the disparity of their upbringings, there is a strong, committed love between them. But the Vietnam War sidetracks their plans and Annalise strikes out on her own. Her own desire to succeed and the support of her loving family, guides her through heartache disappoint and accomplishment.
This is just a wonderful story of family bonds, young love, pain, loss, and the struggle to succeed.
I loved everything about this book and look forward to what comes next. My thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and the author for the ARC.

This story is set over the course of a decade during the 70s, in New England, and revolves around Annalisa, a young woman whose one true desire is to live and breathe as an artist. Painting is a craft she has honed her whole life and not even the small town she has grown up in can stop her from soaring. However, on the eve of her taking a new step toward fulfilling her big dreams, she meets Thomas and his unexpected presence (and his family baggage) puts her beautiful but fragile aspirations at risk.

I cried, so much. Really slow burn, well paced and oh so freaking emotional. I think it’s

The Singing Trees took my expectations and blew them out of the water! I had to wait a couple of days just to get my thoughts in order before I could write a proper review and do this book justice!

Annalisa Mancuso is a young aspiring artist in small town Maine. After losing both of her parents in a tragic car accident, she goes to live with her aggressively Italian grandmother. Seeing what happens when you open your heart to experience love and the heartbreak that it will inevitably bring, Annalisa swore off love. Until she meets Thomas Barnes, an Ivy league student who is quite the charmer! Will she allow herself the luxury of experiencing love and all it has to offer, or will she push Thomas away to protect herself all that can go wrong?

This book… This book made me so freaking mad! The victim mentality, the “woe is me” bullshit, and looking for things to go wrong and when they did, the “I told you so” was infuriating and agonizing, yet so typical for the age and the endured trauma. Being on this side of the fence, being as wise as a 24-year-old can be with both her parents, it was incredibly frustrating. But then Thomas or Annalisa would say something that made me laugh out loud, and then I was fine again! Annalisa and Thomas had a young, honest, and passionate love that comes once in a lifetime, and I really enjoyed seeing their relationship play out through the thick, the thin, and the just plain unfair.

Boo Walker has such a way with words. I’m positive he could write about how entertaining it is to watch paint dry and I would believe him with every fiber of my being! Seriously, the storytelling was so well done! Fully developed characters who grew and changed with time, painting vivid pictures of the environments, and invoking appropriate emotional responses in his writing are why I have placed this book at number three on my list of top 10 favorite books!

Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review! This book is set to be published on August 3rd, 2021.

The Singing Trees is a coming of age story set in the late 1960's and 70's. After the death of her parents Annalisa comes to live with her strict Nonna in Peyton Mills, Maine. I tried to like this book but the writing was very typical for a teenage and a bit flat. Nothing pulled me into hold my interest for long. Thanks to author Boo Walker, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy for an honest review.

After completing 40% of this book (Part 1) I have decided not to continue reading.

This is a coming of age story about a girl named Annalisa who is determined to pursue a career in art. After meeting Thomas, a boy she falls in love with, her fears of following in her deceased parent's footsteps come to light. Annalisa is conflicted. Can she pursue a career in art while devoting herself to a loving relationship?

This book didn't work for me for a couple of reasons. The writing tells rather than shows how and why things are happening. The love between Thomas and Annalisa felt too immature for what they were going through or deciding.

Writing wise, the figurative language in the book was so random that it was distracting. There are tons of similes that are WAY out there and that could have been cut from the text. I also frequently forgot that the book was set in the 1970's. It was only when 1970's events were mentioned that I would remember that's then it was set. This could be less of an issue later in the book as I stopped reading right when Thomas is drafted.

I think this book will work for Young Adult readers who enjoy a good coming of age story or a story of love conquering all, but unfortunately it did not work for me.

This is an incredible novel of love, of loss and of finding one’s self amid the love and loss. The ups and downs will make you feel like you are traveling a mountain road searching for the perfect destination.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was kindly blessed with an ARC offering of this wonderfully written read. In a world of light beer and burgers, this is a delightful feast of fine merlot and lobster tortellini! Walker manages to weave together the complexity of generational relationships and class disparity while he walks the fine line of balancing dysfunctional family dynamics.. I laughed, cried and finally cheered for the good guys! You'll meet and become immediately invested in Annalisa, a young girl balancing the desperate loss of her parents while she struggles to fulfill her deep need to create and succeed, thinking that she simply must choose either career or family. Boo Walker simply has a way with words, evocative, minus the cheese.

The Singing trees by Boo Walker follows the story of Annalise, who meets Thomas while still in school. On leaving school she moves to the city to chase her dream of becoming an artist, while Thomas is sent to fight in Vietnam.

Will she fulfill her dream, does Thomas come home safely, does love conquer all?

If I'm honest, I struggled with this book and was a full 75% in before I could finally find a connection with Anna. It was a sweet story of love overcoming a myriad of boundaries but I found the characters too shallow and the story telling a little unbelievable at times.

However, this is worth a read if you like a romance.

The Singing Trees was an emotional book that drew me right in.

Set in the 1970s, we meet two teens from opposite ends of the track (if you want to put it that way). While Annalisa doesn't want to fall in love because of her parent's past, Thomas doesn't want to give up on the love he has for her, even willing to give up his inheritance.

I was feeling all the feels, and had a hard time separating the book from real life, actually waking up a few times the next morning feeling like I needed to check up on the characters. I have never read any books by Boo Walker before, but if the others are written like The Singing Trees, I can tell you I will be reading them all!

A lovely book.

The story is emotionally powerful, if a little teenage angsty in places. I found myself drawn right in, the characters felt so real, so read much of it compulsively over 2 sittings.

Some of the bigger issues in the story I felt were talked around rather than about which was a little annoying, and the ending felt too tidy - but that may just be my cynical side talking!

Great wee read overall. Liked it a lot.

Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read this beautiful book.

This story is set in the early 70’s in small town in Maine. Annalisa comes from a large Italian family and is living with her paternal grandmother Nonna after the death of her parents.

She is fighting the demons of the time, wanting to develop her art and overcoming her grief. She has a dream to move to the city and take art classes, have her work shown professionally.

She meets Thomas who comes from a Presbyterian family that doesn’t approve of her relationship. The bond between them is really powerful and despite trying to deny it, it doesn’t go away.

This story is written so beautifully, it had me in tears in the really emotional parts. A stunning read!