travlbug

Ah, young love! Stupid school. Some things never change!

Using the time machine discussed above, I visited the future: Tommy will try his best to play on the album, but he won't be able to finish, and Oli will need to step into the breach. (Oli's stint with Messiah at Ryder's proposal served as his audition.) Of course, this is only one of many possible futures....

Just perfect.

While I loved this chapter, the initial third left me teary-eyed: While Oli always seems so confident, he shows some of his own sadness and frustration, saying, "People have been talking shit about me since I was in kindergarten" and "I'm not just some stupid annoying moody teenager," showing how he feels that others perceive him. When it appears that he will finally have his moment to let the world know who he really is, his own mother becomes the stumbling block, citing her fear that--if he gets in front of a camera--the world will indeed find out who Oli Haner is (and not in a good way). You can feel Oli's hurt at what he must feel as the ultimate betrayal. Of course, this sets us up for even more tears as mom finally gets it and gives her permission for the interview. The subsequent mother-son moment is truly touching and makes up for the heart-stopping moment when she first said no. The interview itself was pure Oli (with a little help from Teddy and Ryder). My favorite moment is when Ryder has to put his hand over Oli' s mouth to prevent an expletive. (Later, George asks, "Is he always like this?" and Teddy answers, "Since he could talk.") Maybe Oli and Jill's expectations were both realized as the world finally meets Oli Haner!

It's great to see the sexual banter between Teddy and Ryder towards the beginning of the chapter, as they deepen their own bonds. However, the guys prove to be just guys--Oliver included--when a piece of eye candy comes their way and they all can't help looking! (At least they confirmed to Oli that looking is OK.) I love Ryder's confession of brotherly love for Oli, as Teddy says "l have to accept that you love my little brother almost as much as me." Ryder's response? "That's not a problem, right?" The big reveal is in finding out how much Oli reminds Ryder of his grandma, but it doesn't hurt that he looks like Teddy and is "kind of funny" to boot. No doubt, Ryder, Teddy, and Oli will need to do an interview on their own terms to get the truth out about their relationships and about the music, as the media is already twisting the facts. I agree with Glennish: put Oli behind the drums while the camera is rolling, and no one will ever again harbor doubts as to his musicianship or as to Ryder's choice in his new musical partner. (Can't wait to read about the interview. Oli's going to give 'em hell!)

Kudos to Ryder in putting Teddy before another recording session. He has finally figured it out: People do come first!

Stupid record labels! Oli, let that be a lesson to you: Listen to Ryder!

Yep. Oli is still a kid: He may be a genius, but he'll need a thicker skin to survive in the music industry or simply to remain under public scrutiny. That said, he has an amazing support network; and along with his family and friends, his brash personality and sheer talent will see him through. However, mom and dad may wish to rethink sending him back to school, where he will stick out like a sore thumb and represent a moving target for the paparrazi. Home schooling and tutors may be the way forward.

Just like on a movie set, a tutor could be made available to teach Oli while Unity is on tour. Oli has never thrived in a traditional school environment, and he would probably learn more anyway in short one-on-one sessions that could be tailored to his attention span. The only drawback would be in leaving Mark behind.

What an amazing transformation! Oli has gone from annoying little brother to budding genius and musical partner to the greatest rock musician of the age. Despite his ADHD-like activity, he focuses like a laser in the creation of his music, and he isn't afraid to "butt heads" with Ryder in the creative process. He is truly blossoming as a musician, learning guitar in addition to the drums and following his muse, no matter the time of day (or night). In fact, he is no longer simply playing: His mind is filled with music, and he has actively become a song writer, though he can barely play (at least as yet) the riffs that he can hear in his head. At the same time, he can be an immature kid who calls his mother a "psycho" and who is just learning about relationships. I love the dichotomy! I even love the cliffhanger, where we see the new song being rejected and we have no idea what's going to happen next. (That said, this scene required me to suspend my disbelief, as I found it difficult to accept that any record label would reject a new song involving Ryder Sullivan.)

Hmmm.... Ryder is asking if Brandon and the rest of Messiah can help with his proposal to Teddy! I think we are in for a very musical proposal, but I have to wonder if it will be private or if Ryder intends to sing his love for Teddy to the world!

Right now, Messiah has no drummer, as Tommy developed cancer (which is also, most likely, one of the reasons that the band stopped playing). I wonder where they might find a replacement....

A wonderful chapter! On the one hand, we see Ryder continuing to struggle with his depression, but on the other, we see him contrasting his depression to the things that he really loves in life--and it turns out to be people, not possessions. He is amazed that Teddy loves him even though he is a "depressed addict"; and he would never be the "Mayo Monster" if Oli didn't think of him as an older brother. The Haner family has filled the void, and for the first time, Ryder sees hope that he can be happy. Further, while Ryder loves Teddy, Oli has become his inspiration musically, and Ryder has acknowledged to himself that Oli is a musical genius: Ryder may wind up on top once again, but it is clear that Oli will be helping to point the way and that they will both rise to the top together.

I vote with Teddy: If you work an insane schedule, sitting on a beach doing nothing can be paradise. I'm glad to see it finally confirmed: Rock stars can't cook (but they can order Chinese). I find it interesting that Oli, prickly as he usually is, has no real problem being photographed with Ryder at the airport or being mistaken as his son. Rather, he teases Ryder about it, and Ryder has the thinner skin. (Of course, Oli has no idea that the picture may have been published coast to coast and that he may now be recognized--and questioned--wherever he goes. He may be in for a lesson in privacy loss very shortly.)

Riley differs from all of Ace's other protagonists in that he carries his scars on the outside as well as on the inside. (Aidan's teeny little fighting-match scars don't count, as he wears them like a badge of pride and as they have nothing to do with his parent's abuse.) I wonder how much of Riley's tough-guy persona is in response to his physical appearance. Earlier in the novel, Riley refused to have his bad eye removed in favor of a false eye (and scar reduction surgery is not discussed at all): I wonder if he has progressed to the point where he will allow himself to let go of the past in physical terms as well as mental and how that, in turn, will affect his mental outlook.

Riley says that he has changed, but his behavior does not seem to have changed all that much since before his inpatient experience. His mom is right in that he still needs psychiatric follow-up to reinforce any progress that he has already made. Thank goodness that his boyfriend and family have been absolute saints in putting up with him while he pulls himself together. We're rooting for you, Riley!

So much good stuff in this chapter! Mrs. Haner is rarely funny, but when Teddy talks about his love life, his mother says, "We thought he was going to die alone!" What a comedian! Once again, Ryder proves himself to be a born psychologist, as he helps Oli to acclimatize to flying. I also love what Harry had to say about Oli's comfort zone: When Oli says "maybe if I'm not comfortable with something I shouldn't do it," his father rebuts, "That's true for a lot of things but not when it comes to living." Glad to see that he still has wisdom to impart to his younger son. I love the fact that Ryder took a picture of the brothers sleeping together, knowing they would want it later on. It wouldn't surprise me to find an enlarged copy hanging up somewhere soon where Oli can find it (you're so dead, Sullivan!). Finally, I love Ryder's newfound confidence: He previously said that he had nothing left inside himself to write. However, with the Haner family to support and energize him, he now says, "Let the media say whatever they want, before they know it I'll be back on top." I believe in you, Ryder, and the whole Haner clan.

Happy tears! What a beautiful little family, warts and all. When Teddy and Ryder finally move out on their own, it would not surprise me in the slightest to see them invite Oli to live with them (and the parents will probably sigh with relief!).

Nate, all you succeeded in doing was driving Teddy and Ryder even closer together! Can't wait to see your face when you're hit with two separate lawsuits and revocation proceedings for your nursing license. Maybe the best Christmas present of all, Teddy has regained his trust in Ryder completely.

I LOVE this chapter. The scene with rock star and teen in pajamas in the ER is priceless. I want a videotape of Oli's zinging it to the picture-takers! Again, leave it to Oli discuss marriage with Ryder: " You are waiting for the green light, but if it never comes you'll never do it, so what's the green light?" When did Oli become so brilliant? In turn, Ryder gives Oli a guitar that represents a little piece of his heart and soul. And finally, after Blake gives Teddy an off-stage piece of his mind, Teddy apologizes for being a jerk, and the way is cleared for a great vacation (and possibly a marriage ceremony!). Oh, yeah, and a baby is born (way to go, Liz and Blake!) What more could a reader ask for?

Ryder is actually smart--very smart. He has great insight into others, and not just in the way he can see inside Teddy and Oli: He has connected presumably with millions of people based on his lyrics and his view of the human condition. He is actually humble--he feels that his music is generic--but he is hailed as the greatest musician of his age. (At the age of 17, he literally took over the band that was interviewing him and made it into his own.) Virtually all the stupid decisions that Ryder has ever made were mediated by his major recurrent depression: He is a brilliant man with an incapacitating disease. If the Haner family made any mistake with the teenaged Ryder it was in not insisting that he get the help he needed (through behaviorists and meds) at that time, as it would have saved him (and his loved ones) needless years of grief. Now that Ryder is on the mend, his intelligence is once again manifest.

Hurry, Ryder, if you don't drive fast enough, you'll not only be a rock star but also an obstetrician--and Oli can be your nurse! (At least, Liz would have to forgive you then, but Oli would be scarred for life!)

Another great chapter. I love the banter between the boys (young and old) as it shows how they feel and what they think of each other. I love Oli's observation that Teddy and Ryder are always touching (who could watch them together and not see the love?). My fear is that the group is going to be discovered at the pizza parlor and that a picture or two (or three or four) may be leaked to the press or that the paparazzi will mob them outright. Ryder and company may soon be in the spotlight whether they want to be or not.

In a way, I feel sorry for Oli's parents: After bringing up a "good boy" like Teddy, they find themselves out of their depths in trying to raise a spitfire with self destructive tendencies. They clearly love Oli, but they have no idea how to manage him. His mercurial nature has worn them down. I found it telling when, several chapters back, Harry stopped Oli to ask him a simple question: Oli looked guilty, and while Harry started to ask him why, he subsequently stopped himself, saying "I don't want to know." I think that the parents have "Oli fatigue"-- that they find it easier to let him work off a tantrum than to address it. I don't think they realize the damage that this approach may have caused him over time. I am sure that the parents have tried their best, but with a child like Oli, it really took a kindred soul to make the breakthrough.

What a twist: Oliver's band goes from being the best to being disqualified! I love the way that Ace so deftly shows Oli's world falling apart before it all comes together again even better than before. That Ryder and Teddy both contribute to the turnabout--with Ryder willing to share his music (his soul) with Oli--also reinforces that they are a true family and will do whatever is necessary to support each other. And the icing on the cake: A budding romance! Oli's thought about Mark and him double dating with Teddy and Ryder was a nice touch. So cute!