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One Hit Wonder
From the acclaimed author of Raising Jake comes the hilarious, heartfelt story of a former pop star who goes back to his roots--to answer the age-old question,"Whatever happened to... ?"
Back in the Eighties, Mickey DeFalco was America's teenage heartthrob with spiky gelled hair, slanted sideburns, and a number-one hit single--"Sweet Days"--a sappy love song he wrote after his high school sweetheart, Lynn Mahoney, broke his heart. Now approaching middle age, Mickey is lucky to land a singing gig at a bar mitzvah. So the one-hit wonder-boy is making a different kind of comeback--returning to his old stomping grounds in Queens, living with his parents, and sleeping in his childhood bed. Just like in high school. And speaking of blasts from the past, Lynn is also back in town--as beautiful, beguiling, and baffling as ever...
Back in the Eighties, Mickey DeFalco was America's teenage heartthrob with spiky gelled hair, slanted sideburns, and a number-one hit single--"Sweet Days"--a sappy love song he wrote after his high school sweetheart, Lynn Mahoney, broke his heart. Now approaching middle age, Mickey is lucky to land a singing gig at a bar mitzvah. So the one-hit wonder-boy is making a different kind of comeback--returning to his old stomping grounds in Queens, living with his parents, and sleeping in his childhood bed. Just like in high school. And speaking of blasts from the past, Lynn is also back in town--as beautiful, beguiling, and baffling as ever...
385 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2010
17 people are currently reading
412 people want to read
About the author
Charlie Carillo
14 books27 followersCharlie Carillo was a reporter, rewrite man and columnist at the New York Post for 15 years before switching to a career as a producer for the TV shows "American Journal" and "Inside Edition." He's a frequent contributor to the Huffington Post and divides his time between London and New York. Visit Charlie at charliecarillo.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
December 3, 2022
Mickey DeFalco is a washed-up star in his late 30s. A former teen-idol singer, he only had one hit, Sweet Days, and a failed acting career along with a side business that went down the drains just as quick. Unable to even make a small living, he leaves L.A. to return to his hometown of Little Neck to be with his parents. While he's all but forgotten in Hollywood, he still appears to be a big deal in his old neighborhood, with neighbors and former classmates attempting to catch up with him. With nothing much left, he takes on measly jobs, much to the irritation of his parents, as he tries to regain his footing on what to do next. If there's one thing that never changed for Mickey, was the yearning of his lost first love with a girl named Lynn. While he had many flings with other desperate women since her disappearance, it's clear that Lynn still holds his heart. Now when he learns that Lynn has returned to town, he's asking himself if he's worth a second chance with her.
The premise of One Hit Wonder sounded interesting in having a washed up star attempt a comeback, not in his career, but rather his personal life. As it's clear from the first couple of pages, Mickey gave up a lot of his youth to become a star. In doing so, while he's an adult now, his personality is still like that of the naive, unsure teenager. He's also a very flawed lead protagonist: continuing with his multiple one-night stands before his return, his inability to keep a steady job, making actions that drives his folks nuts, and clearly lacking in direction of what to do now that he's no longer famous. And yet, he tries to clean himself up when his ex-flame comes back, albeit she's changed more so since their teenage romance. There is a hanging theme of second chance opportunities and the stuck mindset of what things "could've been" like. Where Mickey, time to time, wonders how things would have turned out had he just taken a chance with the things that came his way. Perhaps his fantasies would have come true, or maybe change for the worse.
For what it's worth, the idea of taking chances with life is something everybody faces. And that sometimes, they may not go the way we expect, because we can never be too sure of the outcome. Upon Mickey's reunion with Lynn, he learns that there were some stuff beyond his control that affected their union, but there were still some things he could've done differently that might have brought him closer to love. Carillo knows how to write an engaging story that also gets us to think and relate towards the heavily-flawed lead. Flipping back and forth between present time and flashbacks, he mixes the timing between flipping humor against serious moments in a sensitive way. Of which, I find it pleasant enough to read through and, occasionally thought-provoking. Maybe I might try some of Carillo's other novels in the future.
The premise of One Hit Wonder sounded interesting in having a washed up star attempt a comeback, not in his career, but rather his personal life. As it's clear from the first couple of pages, Mickey gave up a lot of his youth to become a star. In doing so, while he's an adult now, his personality is still like that of the naive, unsure teenager. He's also a very flawed lead protagonist: continuing with his multiple one-night stands before his return, his inability to keep a steady job, making actions that drives his folks nuts, and clearly lacking in direction of what to do now that he's no longer famous. And yet, he tries to clean himself up when his ex-flame comes back, albeit she's changed more so since their teenage romance. There is a hanging theme of second chance opportunities and the stuck mindset of what things "could've been" like. Where Mickey, time to time, wonders how things would have turned out had he just taken a chance with the things that came his way. Perhaps his fantasies would have come true, or maybe change for the worse.
For what it's worth, the idea of taking chances with life is something everybody faces. And that sometimes, they may not go the way we expect, because we can never be too sure of the outcome. Upon Mickey's reunion with Lynn, he learns that there were some stuff beyond his control that affected their union, but there were still some things he could've done differently that might have brought him closer to love. Carillo knows how to write an engaging story that also gets us to think and relate towards the heavily-flawed lead. Flipping back and forth between present time and flashbacks, he mixes the timing between flipping humor against serious moments in a sensitive way. Of which, I find it pleasant enough to read through and, occasionally thought-provoking. Maybe I might try some of Carillo's other novels in the future.
February 16, 2011
You can never go home again. Or so the cliche goes. Mikey DeFalco finds that this is not always the case in "One Hit Wonder" by Charlie Carillo.
Mickey DeFalco had it all. Having been deserted by his girlfriend when he was seventeen, Mickey poured all his angst, all his heartache into a song. That song took off and took Mickey with it. But before he could even really get used the lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, he was on his way back down. A one hit wonder who tried his best to capture lightning twice.
With nowhere else to go, Mickey heads home to Little Neck and his folks. He's broke and broken, not knowing what to do, but hoping to find something back where he first left it. In the twenty years since he left, Mickey has lost all but one thing. His love for his girl, Lynn Mahoney.
Even though Lynn ran out with no explanation, Mickey can't help but love her. She was his "one that got away." Try as he might, the other women (and they are numerous) could never take her place. How great it is, then, when Mickey finds that Lynn has moved home as well, to care for her ailing mother. This is the second chance he thought he would never get. He will pursue it no matter what.
As I was reading this book, I couldn't make up my mind as to whether I loved it or hated it. In the end, I decided I liked it well enough. The emotional connection to the characters is what solidified this book for me. At times, I found myself repulsed by Mickey's behavior. Wondering, "If this is what he is really like, does he even deserve his second chance?" But it is this deep duality and flawed nature that really helps you connect with the character. I don't know what it is like to make it to the top of the charts, just to crash and burn shortly after. But I do know what it is like to wonder "what might have been." It is that wonder that kept me coming back to find out what happened next. Even with the secondary characters, Carillo is able to peel back the layers to reveal more than you would expect from them.
The other gem of this book is the pacing. Carillo knows when it is time to go for the laugh and when to take his story seriously. He is able to deal with a couple of touchy subjects with class and dignity.
Overall, this was a good read.
Mickey DeFalco had it all. Having been deserted by his girlfriend when he was seventeen, Mickey poured all his angst, all his heartache into a song. That song took off and took Mickey with it. But before he could even really get used the lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, he was on his way back down. A one hit wonder who tried his best to capture lightning twice.
With nowhere else to go, Mickey heads home to Little Neck and his folks. He's broke and broken, not knowing what to do, but hoping to find something back where he first left it. In the twenty years since he left, Mickey has lost all but one thing. His love for his girl, Lynn Mahoney.
Even though Lynn ran out with no explanation, Mickey can't help but love her. She was his "one that got away." Try as he might, the other women (and they are numerous) could never take her place. How great it is, then, when Mickey finds that Lynn has moved home as well, to care for her ailing mother. This is the second chance he thought he would never get. He will pursue it no matter what.
As I was reading this book, I couldn't make up my mind as to whether I loved it or hated it. In the end, I decided I liked it well enough. The emotional connection to the characters is what solidified this book for me. At times, I found myself repulsed by Mickey's behavior. Wondering, "If this is what he is really like, does he even deserve his second chance?" But it is this deep duality and flawed nature that really helps you connect with the character. I don't know what it is like to make it to the top of the charts, just to crash and burn shortly after. But I do know what it is like to wonder "what might have been." It is that wonder that kept me coming back to find out what happened next. Even with the secondary characters, Carillo is able to peel back the layers to reveal more than you would expect from them.
The other gem of this book is the pacing. Carillo knows when it is time to go for the laugh and when to take his story seriously. He is able to deal with a couple of touchy subjects with class and dignity.
Overall, this was a good read.
November 21, 2013
I'm giving this two stars because it was very readable. But not in a good way? Things happened, both in real time and flashback, that made NO SENSE. You don't get involved in a major crime the way this dude did and then never get caught because "Oh, I've never been fingerprinted."
WHAT?!
Also, the author's view of women was sad at best. Every woman wanted to sleep with our hero, but of course they were all middle aged and ugly.
I think the writer might hate women JUST A LITTLE BIT?
I was shocked to find he is Mary Carillo's brother.
Oh well, it passed the time.
WHAT?!
Also, the author's view of women was sad at best. Every woman wanted to sleep with our hero, but of course they were all middle aged and ugly.
I think the writer might hate women JUST A LITTLE BIT?
I was shocked to find he is Mary Carillo's brother.
Oh well, it passed the time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2022
Good book! Characters in it were very likable.
May 9, 2019
It has been probably five years since I've read this book, but I remember it hooking me immediately. The characters were very believable. What I remember liking the most was the way he bounced back and forth between the past and present. The end of each chapter was dramatic, making it nearly impossible to put down. As soon as I finished reading the book, I went out and purchased "Raising Jake."
February 1, 2021
3 stars. Flailing former teen pop star tries to reinvent his life 20 years after finding his initial success. Definitely written from the male perspective. Can’t figure out why so many people/characters in the book- both men and women- would be infatuated with this loser aside from the author’s wishful thinking.
September 30, 2020
Oh, my goodness. I didn't expect to like the book this much.
I hope this is fiction. I would hate to find out real people could know emotional pain like this. The book is cracker jack.
I hope this is fiction. I would hate to find out real people could know emotional pain like this. The book is cracker jack.
March 29, 2022
LOVED THIS BOOK and picked it up just because of its title. Very quick and easy to read. Literally made me laugh at loud at times and I even became a little teary-eyed at the very end. Want to read Raising Jake now.
June 16, 2023
You need a lot of suspension of disbelief to get through this story--unlikely situations and coincidences abound. But I needed something lightweight to read on the heels of a book about the final nine days of the Civil War, and despite some near-dark turns, this filled the bill admirably.
June 12, 2021
I love his books! The characters are so flawed and so real. I would like to hang out with them.
December 31, 2023
Good comic novel about a life and the choices made. Low key and warm. A bit Richard Russo-ish, but not quite as profound. Really enjoyed it.
January 30, 2026
Had this book forever and decided to read it. Regretting that now…it sucked!
March 12, 2011
Blurb: Back in the Eighties, Mickey DeFalco was America's teenage heartthrob with spiky gelled hair, slanted sideburns, and a number-one hit single -- "Sweet Days" -- a sappy love song he wrote after his high school sweetheart, Lynn Mahoney, broke his heart. Now approaching middle age, Mickey is lucky to land a singing gig at a bar mitzvah. So the one-hit wonder-boy is making a different kind of comeback -- returning to his old stomping grounds in Queens, living with his parents, and sleeping in his childhood bed. Just like in high school. And speaking of blasts from the past, Lynn is also back in town -- as beautiful, beguiling, and baffling as ever...
Sometimes life can feel like a broken record. But even a one-hit wonder deserves a second chance.
What Stephanie Thought: Oh, be still, my beating heart. Want to be swept away with charm, the kind we haven't seen since recluses like J.D. Salinger or S.E. Hinton? Want to laugh until your lungs ache, or giggle like a schoolgirl? Then read One Hit Wonder. Funny, poignant, and unforgettable, One Hit Wonder joins the leagues of my "favorites" shelf. And not only because Mickey DeFalco is my newest character crush either.
Charlie Carillo writes in easy prose that doesn't take too much effort to enjoy. But rather than his writing style that is made prominent in this novel, it's the characters he creates that really shine. Even the supporting characters, even the antagonists -- the "villains" -- are made likable. Not in a way where I wish the attention is taken away from Mickey, but in a way that I want to meet ALL of them in real life.
No one can describe heartbreak better than a heartbroken man. And Mickey DeFalco was heartbroken twenty years ago; he still hasn't let go of the girl, though. Lynn Mahoney didn't just leave him -- she disappeared. Everything had been going fine between her and Mickey, but she just vanished. Thus Mickey composed a song, a song only a girl like Lynn could appreciate, one that was heard by the wrong pair of ears and instantly made a #1 hit in the country. Mickey never asked for that kind of success, but with the numbness in his heart, he really couldn't tell the difference between fame and happiness.
Twenty years later, his song is all but forgotten, but he's a broke man who's just lost his pool-cleaning job. The solution? To go live with his parents in his hometown -- the town where he lost Lynn Mahoney. I thought it was really interesting to really see what a one-hit wonder does after his success simmers. We all know of the ones from the eighties, and of the ones that are more recent. They're legends, but where are the physical people? One Hit Wonder gives a glimpse in the life of a former one-hit wonder, displaying how shockingly normal and uneventful it is.
To Mickey's dear fright, Lynn Mahoney is back in Queens after all those years too -- finally. He attempts to rekindle the innocent childhood relationship they had, but she's more than reluctant, and Mickey's determined to find out why.
Personal tragedy, loss, and misconception are all illustrated penetratingly in Carillo's novel, with plenty of wit and humor to spare. I think anyone will enjoy living the life of a celebrity who was once on top, then very abruptly fell to rock bottom.
The only reason I'm not giving One Hit Wonder ten hearts is because some of it seems unrealistic. There are about fifteen random women Mickey describes having sex with throughout his lifetime. At first, it's pretty amusing, but I got weary of it quickly because his "game" got stale after the first five times he described it.
Other than that, Carillo's One Hit Wonder is one of those books you'll start reading immediately after you finish it -- yes, it's that good.
Stephanie Loves: "I played ["Sweet Days"] twice a day -- once at the early show, then again at the later one. The rest of my repertoire included songs my the Carpenters, Captain & Tennille, The Commodores...love songs, nothing but love songs, one more dreadful than the next.
It was what was known in the business as an Insulin Set. You needed an injection of the stuff at the end of the night to prevent a diabetic coma from all those sugary sounds."
Where Stephanie Got It: LibraryThing for review.
Radical Rating: 9 hearts- One of my all-time favorites! ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Sometimes life can feel like a broken record. But even a one-hit wonder deserves a second chance.
What Stephanie Thought: Oh, be still, my beating heart. Want to be swept away with charm, the kind we haven't seen since recluses like J.D. Salinger or S.E. Hinton? Want to laugh until your lungs ache, or giggle like a schoolgirl? Then read One Hit Wonder. Funny, poignant, and unforgettable, One Hit Wonder joins the leagues of my "favorites" shelf. And not only because Mickey DeFalco is my newest character crush either.
Charlie Carillo writes in easy prose that doesn't take too much effort to enjoy. But rather than his writing style that is made prominent in this novel, it's the characters he creates that really shine. Even the supporting characters, even the antagonists -- the "villains" -- are made likable. Not in a way where I wish the attention is taken away from Mickey, but in a way that I want to meet ALL of them in real life.
No one can describe heartbreak better than a heartbroken man. And Mickey DeFalco was heartbroken twenty years ago; he still hasn't let go of the girl, though. Lynn Mahoney didn't just leave him -- she disappeared. Everything had been going fine between her and Mickey, but she just vanished. Thus Mickey composed a song, a song only a girl like Lynn could appreciate, one that was heard by the wrong pair of ears and instantly made a #1 hit in the country. Mickey never asked for that kind of success, but with the numbness in his heart, he really couldn't tell the difference between fame and happiness.
Twenty years later, his song is all but forgotten, but he's a broke man who's just lost his pool-cleaning job. The solution? To go live with his parents in his hometown -- the town where he lost Lynn Mahoney. I thought it was really interesting to really see what a one-hit wonder does after his success simmers. We all know of the ones from the eighties, and of the ones that are more recent. They're legends, but where are the physical people? One Hit Wonder gives a glimpse in the life of a former one-hit wonder, displaying how shockingly normal and uneventful it is.
To Mickey's dear fright, Lynn Mahoney is back in Queens after all those years too -- finally. He attempts to rekindle the innocent childhood relationship they had, but she's more than reluctant, and Mickey's determined to find out why.
Personal tragedy, loss, and misconception are all illustrated penetratingly in Carillo's novel, with plenty of wit and humor to spare. I think anyone will enjoy living the life of a celebrity who was once on top, then very abruptly fell to rock bottom.
The only reason I'm not giving One Hit Wonder ten hearts is because some of it seems unrealistic. There are about fifteen random women Mickey describes having sex with throughout his lifetime. At first, it's pretty amusing, but I got weary of it quickly because his "game" got stale after the first five times he described it.
Other than that, Carillo's One Hit Wonder is one of those books you'll start reading immediately after you finish it -- yes, it's that good.
Stephanie Loves: "I played ["Sweet Days"] twice a day -- once at the early show, then again at the later one. The rest of my repertoire included songs my the Carpenters, Captain & Tennille, The Commodores...love songs, nothing but love songs, one more dreadful than the next.
It was what was known in the business as an Insulin Set. You needed an injection of the stuff at the end of the night to prevent a diabetic coma from all those sugary sounds."
Where Stephanie Got It: LibraryThing for review.
Radical Rating: 9 hearts- One of my all-time favorites! ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
November 24, 2010
Cute. Creative. But with two flaws, in my opinion.
1) 99% of the book has some reasonably witty or clever writing, but every once in a while you hit a clunker of either writing style or unrealistic dialog. It's one of those "where was the editor" things. Examples: Mickey, the main character at 17 years old, just a regular guy who knows nothing about art, says that Winslow Homer's paintings are "in our heads, now, so we keep the artist alive.. he'll never really die". Talk about not having the ring of truth. And one of the worst lines I've every read about having sex the first time: "I understood why I always got lousy grades in math, right from the first grade. The teacher always used to insist that one plus one is two, but I knew better. If you're one of the lucky ones, one plus one is One." Right when he started talking about math, I thought to myself, no, not that, he has to be going in any direction but THAT... ouch. That being said, I reiterate that 99% of the book is not like this.
2) Here's the spoiler: from the beginning, it is telegraphed that Something Went On between Lynn and her abusive father when she was a teen. So it's no surprise when it comes.. except that the way the father is depicted doesn't jive with anything I've heard about sexual abuse. After being frozen out for months from having sex with his wife, he announces to Lynn that he intends on having sex with her, and if she doesn't comply, well, he'll just sodomize the younger brother. So tonight's the night, get ready, I'll be home at 6! Every other account I've read about incestuous abuse is more of the middle of the night, creep in the room, pretend it never happened in the light of day. Maybe I'm off base here because I'm lucky enough that this never happened to me, but it just didn't pass the smell test. I understand that doing it this way was important for the plot, given what ends up happening on that fateful night, but I don't think that excuses it.
1) 99% of the book has some reasonably witty or clever writing, but every once in a while you hit a clunker of either writing style or unrealistic dialog. It's one of those "where was the editor" things. Examples: Mickey, the main character at 17 years old, just a regular guy who knows nothing about art, says that Winslow Homer's paintings are "in our heads, now, so we keep the artist alive.. he'll never really die". Talk about not having the ring of truth. And one of the worst lines I've every read about having sex the first time: "I understood why I always got lousy grades in math, right from the first grade. The teacher always used to insist that one plus one is two, but I knew better. If you're one of the lucky ones, one plus one is One." Right when he started talking about math, I thought to myself, no, not that, he has to be going in any direction but THAT... ouch. That being said, I reiterate that 99% of the book is not like this.
2) Here's the spoiler: from the beginning, it is telegraphed that Something Went On between Lynn and her abusive father when she was a teen. So it's no surprise when it comes.. except that the way the father is depicted doesn't jive with anything I've heard about sexual abuse. After being frozen out for months from having sex with his wife, he announces to Lynn that he intends on having sex with her, and if she doesn't comply, well, he'll just sodomize the younger brother. So tonight's the night, get ready, I'll be home at 6! Every other account I've read about incestuous abuse is more of the middle of the night, creep in the room, pretend it never happened in the light of day. Maybe I'm off base here because I'm lucky enough that this never happened to me, but it just didn't pass the smell test. I understand that doing it this way was important for the plot, given what ends up happening on that fateful night, but I don't think that excuses it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2014
The whole premise drew me in. I LOOOOOVED Dedication which reminded me of this. ( 80s singer,hometown boy making it big by writing a popular song about the girl from high school). I am an 80's baby anyway so I loved the early days in Mickey's life and journey. I am unfamiliar with this author but will have to check out some of his other books. The parents, Donna and Steady Eddie were laugh out loud funny. I didn't enjoy all the colorful images of the sexual escapades but what can ya do? It was kinda sad how Mickey let women take advantage of him like that but he couldn't be with the one woman he still carried a torch for. Speaking of Lynn, I was really mad at her and other than NOT being able to get over her thought Mickey should move on because she wasn't worth it... until I found out her secret. I even enjoyed the minor characters like Flynn and Patrick. I liked it not just being about Mickey but we also found out about Lynn as well and his parents were developed as characters as well as Mickey's secrets in LA.I didn't see any of that coming or the ending which were welcome surprises making the book lighthearted and funny at times and serious and even a bit dark now and then. (Lynn's story and the LA murder suicide.) I found some of the scenes with the parents very touching and was glad Mickey got a chance to have a relationship with them. I was pleasantly surprised both Mickey and Lynn still wanted Aaron after finding out he wasn't really Mickey's but would now be "their" child not his or hers. I am curious who Mickey's dad was. This was a very delightful story that I devoured over 3 days. I loved the ending.I just wish we would have an epilogue that included a day with Aaron and a royalty check. :-) Really enjoyed this one and the trip back to the 80s and a relatable family.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2010
I picked up this book as a free read from the Amazon Kindle book store. The premise seemed interesting enough, but this book never quite delivered for me. It is a relatively light read, although not necessarily a quick one. It did drag for me from time to time.
The first half of the book follows the pattern of "here is a present day event that triggers a memory of a past event, so let me tell you about the past event, and now back to the present day..." This is how we learn about the main character Mickey and his past. Important to his past and future is the mention of his one true love Lynn.
The second half of the book reads like a downward spiral resulting from the events presented earlier in the book. However, this is also where Lynn returns to the present day and the underlying story of love comes to the forefront. There is an up and down ride for the love story throughout the book that just got boring to me after a while. I started not to care, which is unfortunate since it is really a big part of the story.
For most of the book, we only see a surface picture of Lynn. It is not until one of the last chapters where we finally get to learn of the mystery that is Lynn in a single chapter. By that time, though, smart readers will probably have already figured out at least part of her story.
The ending reads more like a quick epilogue tying up the story, but at least there are not really any important loose ends.
I could have done without this book, but, for free, I do not regret giving it a try.
The first half of the book follows the pattern of "here is a present day event that triggers a memory of a past event, so let me tell you about the past event, and now back to the present day..." This is how we learn about the main character Mickey and his past. Important to his past and future is the mention of his one true love Lynn.
The second half of the book reads like a downward spiral resulting from the events presented earlier in the book. However, this is also where Lynn returns to the present day and the underlying story of love comes to the forefront. There is an up and down ride for the love story throughout the book that just got boring to me after a while. I started not to care, which is unfortunate since it is really a big part of the story.
For most of the book, we only see a surface picture of Lynn. It is not until one of the last chapters where we finally get to learn of the mystery that is Lynn in a single chapter. By that time, though, smart readers will probably have already figured out at least part of her story.
The ending reads more like a quick epilogue tying up the story, but at least there are not really any important loose ends.
I could have done without this book, but, for free, I do not regret giving it a try.
December 7, 2014
This was a 4 star read right up until the ending.
I liked the premise. I am an 80's girl myself and I still love the era - some of my favourites were one hit wonders or washed up stars. To read about an 80's teen star who had one popular romantic song - pretty much tailored to me as a plot.
Like others, I didn't especially like Mickey's behaviour with some of the women, but I could buy it from an ex star who would have got used to women flinging themselves at him, and he was single at the time, so I didn't dislike him based on that.
Returning home with a can of ill gotten cash, but no clues at this point how he got it, and then finding out that, Lynn, his ex girlfriend and the one who inspired his hit song has also retuned home - the plot thickens, fantastic!
This book had me all the way up to the near end with Lynn's confession about what she did to avoid the situation at home. WTF, Mickey leaves her over it?! That was the step too far and the thing that made me dislike Mickey.
Okay he returns back to her, but the damage was done for me and that convenient other little plot twist, albeit not as convenient as it initially seemed - I hate that meaning of life BS in women's chick lit and I think I hated it even more here because somehow I didn't quite expect it.
The cash story also fizzed a little, but it was fine. What he did with the cash was idiotic, though.
Overall, a good story that would have been much better had that little story at the end been omitted and Mickey had just had his HEA with Lynn and been happy to be just with her.
I liked the premise. I am an 80's girl myself and I still love the era - some of my favourites were one hit wonders or washed up stars. To read about an 80's teen star who had one popular romantic song - pretty much tailored to me as a plot.
Like others, I didn't especially like Mickey's behaviour with some of the women, but I could buy it from an ex star who would have got used to women flinging themselves at him, and he was single at the time, so I didn't dislike him based on that.
Returning home with a can of ill gotten cash, but no clues at this point how he got it, and then finding out that, Lynn, his ex girlfriend and the one who inspired his hit song has also retuned home - the plot thickens, fantastic!
This book had me all the way up to the near end with Lynn's confession about what she did to avoid the situation at home. WTF, Mickey leaves her over it?! That was the step too far and the thing that made me dislike Mickey.
Okay he returns back to her, but the damage was done for me and that convenient other little plot twist, albeit not as convenient as it initially seemed - I hate that meaning of life BS in women's chick lit and I think I hated it even more here because somehow I didn't quite expect it.
The cash story also fizzed a little, but it was fine. What he did with the cash was idiotic, though.
Overall, a good story that would have been much better had that little story at the end been omitted and Mickey had just had his HEA with Lynn and been happy to be just with her.
December 29, 2010
Imagine breaking up with your girlfriend and then writing a song about it that becomes a number one hit, all while your still a teen. That's just what happened with Mickey DeFalco, he was the true one hit wonder, with his number one song "Sweet Days" a love song he wrote after he broke up with his high school sweetheart Lynn. The song became an instant success and he was able to ride on the success from the song for almost 20 years. Now down on his luck, out of money, he decides to go back home to New York, and move back in with his parents. Turns out Lynn is back in the old neighborhood as well. Will he have a chance at second love, with his old high school flame, who he never really forgot?
This was my first time reading anything by Charlie Carillo, and I was pleasantly surprised at the story. While it started out a bit slow for me, once I got into the story I became totally hooked and was anxious to see how the story would play out. Several little sub-plots added depth to the story allowing us to see the flaws of the characters making them seem more realistic. There were some laugh out loud moments for me, but there was also some points that were very emotional as well. A story about second chances at love and the affects of the choices we make. If you like a story that is a love story/ comedy, with some serious moments rolled in the mix then you just might enjoy "One Hit Wonder". I for one am interested in reading some of this authors other work.
This was my first time reading anything by Charlie Carillo, and I was pleasantly surprised at the story. While it started out a bit slow for me, once I got into the story I became totally hooked and was anxious to see how the story would play out. Several little sub-plots added depth to the story allowing us to see the flaws of the characters making them seem more realistic. There were some laugh out loud moments for me, but there was also some points that were very emotional as well. A story about second chances at love and the affects of the choices we make. If you like a story that is a love story/ comedy, with some serious moments rolled in the mix then you just might enjoy "One Hit Wonder". I for one am interested in reading some of this authors other work.
November 2, 2013
One Hit Wonder
Vor knapp 30 Jahren hat Mickey einen Hit geschrieben, um seinen großen Liebeskummer zu verarbeiten. Damals war sein Lied auf allen Playlisten. Doch es blieb bei einem Erfolg, alle späteren Versuche, aus seinem Leben etwas zu machen scheiterten. Und nun mit 38 auf dem Tiefpunkt zieht er von Los Angeles nach New York zu seinen Eltern. Etwas sauer ist er schon, als er rausbekommt, dass seine Mutter ihm nicht erzählt hat und das, wo sie doch sonst jeden Klatsch verbreitet, dass Lynn (seine Lynn von damals) auch wieder da ist. Sie will ihre Mutter pflegen, die einen Schlaganfall hatte. Und Mickey nimmt seinen alten Job beim Landschaftsgärtner wieder auf. Sein Chef, ein väterlicher Freund, gibt ihm nicht nur einen guten Rat.
Eigentlich ist Mickey wirklich gescheitert als er bei seinen Eltern ankommt und er hat einige eigenartige Erlebnisse hinter sich, an die er sich erinnert oder von denen er seinen Gesprächspartnern berichtet. Das wirkt zu Beginn des Romans manchmal etwas in die Länge gezogen. Lynns und Mickeys Geschichte zieht einen erst im letzten Drittel des Buches in ihren Bann, in dem der Autor mit einigen unerwarteten Wendungen aufwartet, die einigen vorherigen Ereignissen einen Sinn einhauchen. Wenn man also schon an dem Roman zu zweifeln beginnt, wird man schließlich doch mit einer Story belohnt, die einen warmen leuchtenden Sonnenaufgang erwarten lässt.
Vor knapp 30 Jahren hat Mickey einen Hit geschrieben, um seinen großen Liebeskummer zu verarbeiten. Damals war sein Lied auf allen Playlisten. Doch es blieb bei einem Erfolg, alle späteren Versuche, aus seinem Leben etwas zu machen scheiterten. Und nun mit 38 auf dem Tiefpunkt zieht er von Los Angeles nach New York zu seinen Eltern. Etwas sauer ist er schon, als er rausbekommt, dass seine Mutter ihm nicht erzählt hat und das, wo sie doch sonst jeden Klatsch verbreitet, dass Lynn (seine Lynn von damals) auch wieder da ist. Sie will ihre Mutter pflegen, die einen Schlaganfall hatte. Und Mickey nimmt seinen alten Job beim Landschaftsgärtner wieder auf. Sein Chef, ein väterlicher Freund, gibt ihm nicht nur einen guten Rat.
Eigentlich ist Mickey wirklich gescheitert als er bei seinen Eltern ankommt und er hat einige eigenartige Erlebnisse hinter sich, an die er sich erinnert oder von denen er seinen Gesprächspartnern berichtet. Das wirkt zu Beginn des Romans manchmal etwas in die Länge gezogen. Lynns und Mickeys Geschichte zieht einen erst im letzten Drittel des Buches in ihren Bann, in dem der Autor mit einigen unerwarteten Wendungen aufwartet, die einigen vorherigen Ereignissen einen Sinn einhauchen. Wenn man also schon an dem Roman zu zweifeln beginnt, wird man schließlich doch mit einer Story belohnt, die einen warmen leuchtenden Sonnenaufgang erwarten lässt.
March 10, 2011
Mickey DeFalco is a pathetic, yet somehow likable, one-hit wonder in this book by Charlie Carillo.
When he was 18 years old, Mickey wrote a hit song about his first love, Lynn. Now, 20 years later, he is broke and moving back home to live with his parents.
The story intertwines Mickey’s present with his past as the two seem to repeatedly collide. He gets his old job back mowing lawns. He bickers with his parents as he comes to relate to them as adults and find out they really are interesting people. Most shocking of all is that Lynn, who ran away from home without so much as a goodbye, has also moved back to the neighborhood.
Mickey has to cope with the embarrassment of people who are star struck when they recognize him and ask what he is doing now. He does manage to make the most of opportunities when women, who were teenagers when he was famous, throw themselves as him.
The song wraps around the story nicely, appearing in the most unexpected places and giving the story a powerful connection. Anyone who has ever had to make peace with their teenage self will be able to relate.
One Hit Wonder is a character-driven story with an edgy tone that reveals an unexpected sweetness. The plot was impossible to predict. I really enjoyed reading this book, despite some crass scenes.
When he was 18 years old, Mickey wrote a hit song about his first love, Lynn. Now, 20 years later, he is broke and moving back home to live with his parents.
The story intertwines Mickey’s present with his past as the two seem to repeatedly collide. He gets his old job back mowing lawns. He bickers with his parents as he comes to relate to them as adults and find out they really are interesting people. Most shocking of all is that Lynn, who ran away from home without so much as a goodbye, has also moved back to the neighborhood.
Mickey has to cope with the embarrassment of people who are star struck when they recognize him and ask what he is doing now. He does manage to make the most of opportunities when women, who were teenagers when he was famous, throw themselves as him.
The song wraps around the story nicely, appearing in the most unexpected places and giving the story a powerful connection. Anyone who has ever had to make peace with their teenage self will be able to relate.
One Hit Wonder is a character-driven story with an edgy tone that reveals an unexpected sweetness. The plot was impossible to predict. I really enjoyed reading this book, despite some crass scenes.
December 29, 2010
All of us wonder what it's like to be a musician with a top song. At one time or another we've sat around and thought whatever happened to such and such who sang that song? This book is one take on the life of a singer with one hit. As a reader you get to know Mickey as a singer and as a person. He's always got a story for some present day memory. The author captures small town life well and in a way makes the town Mickey's from another character in the book.
I do feel the stereotypical pop star was possibly exploited a bit within the book, but overall the book is written well. Definitely some plot twists I didn't see coming. Any kid from a small town tries to move on to bigger and better things. Not everyone is able to and eventually has no choice but to come home and hope life in a small town isn't too bad. This book highlights how coming back home can help with closure and possibly open up new opportunities.
I do feel the stereotypical pop star was possibly exploited a bit within the book, but overall the book is written well. Definitely some plot twists I didn't see coming. Any kid from a small town tries to move on to bigger and better things. Not everyone is able to and eventually has no choice but to come home and hope life in a small town isn't too bad. This book highlights how coming back home can help with closure and possibly open up new opportunities.
July 10, 2011
Mickey is in love with Lynn and has been since he met her. As teenagers, she leaves him, running away from something Mickey is unaware of. A stroke of genius hits him and he writes a hit song inspired by Lynn. It becomes a one hit wonder. His life winds down from there, but for Mickey it was always downhill ever since Lynn left. Now Mickey is 38 and back living with his parents doing the same job he had in high school. He has nothing left of his fame and fortune, both of which were short lived. To me, Mickey seemed like he lacked a bit of common sense, and he could be pretty oblivious at times. He seemed like the kind of guy that gets pushed around easily. Mickeys relationship with Lynn didn't strike me as something that could render a broken heart, but I guess for Mickey it did. Their relationship just didn't seem genuine to me I guess. I liked the story enough to finish it, so that is something.
July 12, 2016
So THIS is what happened to Rick Springfield...well, maybe sort of.
Reading this book is a bit like peeking at the man/road-kill behind the curtain while acting like TMZ paparazzi. The focus? A one-hit-wonder long out of the limelight and not too far above rock bottom. The story could've been trite or boring, but the rather particular plot (flash-in-the-pan pop star) and his particular motivations (or lack there of) keep it interesting. Supporting characters offer new perspectives and new opportunities for wry humor (well-written, by the way). Most engaging is the story's rather poignant parallel tale/plot line about what can (or won't) happen when True Love (yes, a la The Princess Bride) gets catalyzed or gets derailed. The hard edges, dark humor, and (somewhat too-well-described) irresponsible sex make this a fairy tale for grown ups. But it IS a fairy tale, so there is some Happily Ever After.
Reading this book is a bit like peeking at the man/road-kill behind the curtain while acting like TMZ paparazzi. The focus? A one-hit-wonder long out of the limelight and not too far above rock bottom. The story could've been trite or boring, but the rather particular plot (flash-in-the-pan pop star) and his particular motivations (or lack there of) keep it interesting. Supporting characters offer new perspectives and new opportunities for wry humor (well-written, by the way). Most engaging is the story's rather poignant parallel tale/plot line about what can (or won't) happen when True Love (yes, a la The Princess Bride) gets catalyzed or gets derailed. The hard edges, dark humor, and (somewhat too-well-described) irresponsible sex make this a fairy tale for grown ups. But it IS a fairy tale, so there is some Happily Ever After.
January 7, 2011
I really wanted to give this book a 4 but I am bordering on 3.5. It was interesting to read this kind of book (almost a chick lit type of book) by a male author.
You have all seen at least one of those "Whre are they now?" shows. Well it actually happens to this character. He grows up in an odd household. Becomes a quick star, never even finishes high school -but then it all fizzles. I felt bad for him because one thign after another happens to him in a bad way. Still in love with his high school sweetheart and just when it seems like they get together - something else happens. I think that is why I didn't go full 4 on this one. Plus the fact that most men do not stay hung up on the high school gf for 20 years!
All in all - an easy read. good read.
You have all seen at least one of those "Whre are they now?" shows. Well it actually happens to this character. He grows up in an odd household. Becomes a quick star, never even finishes high school -but then it all fizzles. I felt bad for him because one thign after another happens to him in a bad way. Still in love with his high school sweetheart and just when it seems like they get together - something else happens. I think that is why I didn't go full 4 on this one. Plus the fact that most men do not stay hung up on the high school gf for 20 years!
All in all - an easy read. good read.
July 11, 2013
For any music fan, there's wonder in the one hit wonder. What does happen to those riding the double-edged sword of a meteoric rise to fame and the equal and opposite reaction. Carillo's Mickey DeFalco is a compelling combination of jaded from his whirlwind clash with fame and naively optimistic about the future. My biggest complaint about the book is that Lynn isn't given enough space to be much beyond the girl of Mickey's dreams, and her reasons for disappearing are deep, dark and come too close to the end of the book to really be dealt with. All in all, though I loved the dynamic between Mickey and his parents (as a boomerang child myself), and Carillo (while cheating Lynn) does draw a nice arc for Mickey's character that satisfies the story.
July 13, 2011
I felt bad for Mickey DeFalco, the main character. I really wanted him to have that second chance he so longed for, but in the same vein I was just so perturbed by how he treated his parents who were intrusive, but truly cared about him that I had a hard tome really rooting for him in the end.
That said, let me be honest with you. This was NOT a fabulous read. It was quite predictable, however, at the same time I found it to be engaging and sweet. Surprisingly it kept my attention for the full story, but I feel that I could have just as easily put it down, walked away and never looked back. Can't say I'd recommend it.
That said, let me be honest with you. This was NOT a fabulous read. It was quite predictable, however, at the same time I found it to be engaging and sweet. Surprisingly it kept my attention for the full story, but I feel that I could have just as easily put it down, walked away and never looked back. Can't say I'd recommend it.
July 23, 2011
I felt bad for Mickey DeFalco, the main character in One Hit Wonder. I really wanted him to have that second chance he so longed for, but in the same vein I was just so perturbed by how he treated his parents who were intrusive, but truly cared about him that I had a hard tome really rooting for him in the end.
That said, let me be honest with you. This was NOT a fabulous read. It was quite predictable, however, at the same time I found it to be engaging and sweet. Surprisingly it kept my attention for the full story, but I feel that I could have just as easily put it down, walked away and never looked back. Can't say I'd recommend it.
February 10, 2011
This book tells a fantastic story, but I didn't particularly like the way it was told. I felt for the love interest, though the MC seemed extremely unlikeable at times and I kind of felt like he deserved what he got. And maybe I don't wander in the right circles, but I don't know anybody who drops the f-word in every conversation, and in this book,everyone did. Major turn off.
The author's an excellent writer though, and it's really just my taste in things. I'm sure someone else would appreciate this book.
The author's an excellent writer though, and it's really just my taste in things. I'm sure someone else would appreciate this book.
September 2, 2012
It is always fun to read a Charlie Carillo book. My favorite, by far, is still the first one I ever read, My Ride With Gus, but this one was engaging and enjoyable nevertheless. The premise was a little weird, but I just accepted the improbabilities, read on anyway, and before I knew it, I was on the last page. Fact is, it is hard not to care about the Micky DeFalco character as he battles with his self esteem issues as a has-been teen heart throb. I want to read more from this author, but it is a shame that at least two of Carillo's books are only offered as Amazon Kindle readers.
April 13, 2015
Mickey DeFalco wrote a hit song years and years ago, and made millions off it. Now his life has hit bottom, and he moves back home with his parents to get to grips with all that's happened.
Another great read from Carillo, who keeps turning out believable characters who you want to meet in real life.
This falls a bit a part at times, compared to his other books - when the story needs a twist to continue he seems to have chosen the easy way out. But never in a way that breaks the story or the characters in any way.
I gladly recommend this!
Another great read from Carillo, who keeps turning out believable characters who you want to meet in real life.
This falls a bit a part at times, compared to his other books - when the story needs a twist to continue he seems to have chosen the easy way out. But never in a way that breaks the story or the characters in any way.
I gladly recommend this!
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