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Blowin' My Mind Like a Summer Breeze Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Benjamin Roesch (Author, Publisher), Nicola Fordwood (Narrator)
4.9 out of 5 stars 53 ratings

Fifteen-year-old Rainey Cobb never thought meeting someone could actually change her life. But, then again, she’s never met anyone like Juliet.

It’s 1995, and The Cobb Family Band, led by Rainey’s rock star parents, has arrived for a week-long gig at the Midwestern resort owned by Juliet’s family. Dazzled by Juliet’s carpe diem attitude, DIY tattoos, and passion for grunge, Rainey falls hard. And when Juliet gives Rainey a mixtape that unlocks her heart’s secret yearnings, Rainey starts seeing herself—and her vagabond show-biz life—through new eyes.

If Rainey quits the band, her parents’ fading career might never recover. But if she doesn’t leap now, she might be stuck forever in a life she didn’t choose…and always wonder who she could have been.

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  1. Listening Length
    7 hours and 49 minutes
  2. Author
    Benjamin Roesch
  3. Narrator
    Nicola Fordwood
  4. Audible release date
    July 14, 2022
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Benjamin Roesch
  7. ASIN
    B0B6GRGR41
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
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Product details

Listening Length 7 hours and 49 minutes
Author Benjamin Roesch
Narrator Nicola Fordwood
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date July 14, 2022
Publisher Benjamin Roesch
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B0B6GRGR41
Best Sellers Rank

Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
53 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book engaging and well-written, with one noting how the prose flows like a good playlist. The story is full of raw emotions and love, with one review highlighting how it captures the intense feelings of being a teen. Customers appreciate the excellent character development and find the book insightful, with one mentioning how it acknowledges both trials and triumphs in a realistic way.

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ReadabilityStorytellingHeartwarmingCharacter developmentThought provoking
18 customers mention "Readability"18 positive0 negative

Customers find the book fantastic and well done, with one customer noting it's suitable for both adults and young adults.

"...grunge, and self-discovery into what was truly a solid and totally original read...." Read more

"...All in all, one of my favorite coming-of-age stories ever, and a terrific, heart-warming read. Hoping for more from this author very soon! T.J. Jones" Read more

"...An excellent debut. I missed Rainey and her family as soon as I finished the book." Read more

"...Representation matters. This was a great read!" Read more

15 customers mention "Storytelling"15 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the storytelling in the book, finding it instantly engaging and well-crafted, with one customer noting how the prose flows like a good playlist.

"...out is Roesch’s take on Rainey’s journey as a gay teen, unfolding with an authenticity I found impressive, reading as if it was the author's own..." Read more

"...between her and her parents, between her and her brother are well conveyed -- there are no villains here, just four people trying their best to..." Read more

"...the early 90s, so the underlying soundtrack of the book not only was nostalgic, but it also nailed the coming of age story of the lead character,..." Read more

"Musically this book took me back in time - I sure do miss mix tapes!..." Read more

10 customers mention "Heartwarming"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book heartwarming, with its raw emotions and love, and one customer notes how it authentically captures the intense feelings of being a teen, while another describes it as a sweet queer YA coming-of-age story.

"...The prose flows like a good playlist that's raw, heartfelt, and full of ‘90s vibes that I particularly enjoyed...." Read more

"...one of my favorite coming-of-age stories ever, and a terrific, heart-warming read. Hoping for more from this author very soon! T.J. Jones" Read more

"This was such a sweet queer YA coming of age story...." Read more

"...I loved how vulnerable the book/characters were - full of raw emotions and love, the author did an extraordinary job of displaying that...." Read more

8 customers mention "Character development"8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, feeling connected to the characters.

"...Good YA treats its protagonists with respect and acknowledges both the trials and triumphs in a realistic way...." Read more

"...I loved how vulnerable the book/characters were - full of raw emotions and love, the author did an extraordinary job of displaying that...." Read more

"This is a fantastic book. A must read. The characters became real, the setting comforted me and the music brought joy filled memories to mind...." Read more

"...how easily it was to fly through the pages and still feel connected to the characters. Well done, would recommend!" Read more

6 customers mention "Thought provoking"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking and insightful, with one customer noting how it acknowledges both trials and triumphs in a realistic way, while another appreciates how it explores first experiences in life.

"...It’s not just a YA book but rather a time capsule that feels relevant today reminding us why finding yourself matters and how we can always find..." Read more

"...YA treats its protagonists with respect and acknowledges both the trials and triumphs in a realistic way...." Read more

"...seeing it for everything else that it was...it was about the firsts that we experience in life, our complicated family bonds, the friendships that..." Read more

"...Excellent and thoughtful exploration of self discovery, self acceptance, family acceptance through music and travel...." Read more

Engaging, interesting, and heartwarming read
5 out of 5 stars
Engaging, interesting, and heartwarming read
I just loved this book. Like a great mix tape from my youth, it is so well put together. Thoughtful, fun, surprising. You go on a journey of emotions and feel connected to the characters. Highly recommend, you won’t be disappointed.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • LCM
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five stars. No regrets. Punk rock.
    Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2025
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Okay, now to get serious....what a fantastic read!

    Blowin' My Mind Like a Summer Breeze is a coming-of-age story that follows Rainey Cobb, a teen musician caught between her family’s fading has-been band (this part made me feel for them in their broken down van!) and her own awakening, blending mixtapes, grunge, and self-discovery into what was truly a solid and totally original read. The prose flows like a good playlist that's raw, heartfelt, and full of ‘90s vibes that I particularly enjoyed. Sure, there is an element of nostalgia baked in, but there's also this warmth that only life before the digital world could have achieved. (I happen to enjoy reading stories that don't include texting or social media.)

    But what makes it stand out is Roesch’s take on Rainey’s journey as a gay teen, unfolding with an authenticity I found impressive, reading as if it was the author's own lived experience. It's no easy feat and I applaud the execution as it read seamlessly with the words practically falling off the page. The family dynamics also add depth, touching down her story to place that's relatable to many of us with the music thread keeping the prose alive.

    Roesch tackled Rainey’s queer experience with empathy and care is a gutsy move that works, showing he’s not afraid to step into her shoes. It’s not just a YA book but rather a time capsule that feels relevant today reminding us why finding yourself matters and how we can always find comfort in the music. Five stars for its honest joy, quiet truth, and that mixtape feel that made me feel at home.
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  • T.J. Jones
    5.0 out of 5 stars As good as advertised
    Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    When I saw this book was rated 4.9, I thought no way! For a YA coming of age story from a new author? But yes, it is that good-for teens and adults-for so many reasons. Good YA treats its protagonists with respect and acknowledges both the trials and triumphs in a realistic way. Granted, Rainey might be exceptional (I'd say very-I learned a lot) in her understanding of music, and in the amount of empathy she seems capable of showing her family. Granted, she struggled with that at times, but the author gave us a realistic mix of both frustration and compassion that seemed realistic from all the characters.
    I thought the subject of Rainey's sexuality was treated perfectly. There, and an important part of her becoming a young adult, but not the overwhelming theme of the book. It read true for the 90's and I was really pulling for her and Juliet. Juliet, as the free-spirited of the two, helped Rainey get out of her own head, and the reader see that she needed to. Ah, first love. It never lasts, but that's all part of growing up. All in all, one of my favorite coming-of-age stories ever, and a terrific, heart-warming read. Hoping for more from this author very soon! T.J. Jones
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  • Alec Scott
    5.0 out of 5 stars I Got the Music in Me
    Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2022
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This book grabbed me and wouldn't let me go. The engaging heroine is sick of life on the road, as part of a family band. The daughter of two folk-rock legends, she is coming to grips with her sexuality, her own creativity. A good girl, she pushes her limits. The changing dynamics between her and her parents, between her and her brother are well conveyed -- there are no villains here, just four people trying their best to adjust to new concerns. The writer is a musician, and the book adeptly conveys the times when the band is working well together, when they fall short -- as well as the practical struggles that working musicians have in making a go of it. Also well done is Rainey's move into writing her own music, the little things that jar a song loose. Does a good song come about through hard work, bum-in-chair (as her songwriter mother believes) or is it out there waiting to be captured (her songwriter father's idea). An excellent debut. I missed Rainey and her family as soon as I finished the book.
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  • Celia O.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this book
    Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2024
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This was such a sweet queer YA coming of age story.

    It's 1995, 15 year old Rainey travels around with her family's band but when a week-long stop leads to an unexpected friendship, she starts questioning everything about her life. From her sexuality, to her homeschooling situation, to her music and everything that she wants moving forward.

    While Rainey's journey is the overall point of the book, I came out of it seeing it for everything else that it was...it was about the firsts that we experience in life, our complicated family bonds, the friendships that we make along the way and of course the music.

    I am a huge music lover but I am not at all musically gifted and while reading this book I learned so much about music from the perspective of a musician. It truly shows the knowledge that the author has as a musician himself. I truly love when you can read a book and see all the elements that the author puts in from their own personal life. An added bonus that so many of my favorite songs were mentioned.

    My absolute favorite quote comes from when Rainey asks a teacher (who is gay) how he knew.

    He says, "I think I always knew" ... "It took me a little while to realize it, but I think deep down I always felt it, even when I was a little kid. Before I knew what it was I was feeling."

    This is literally almost word for word exactly what I once said to someone when they asked me this very question, and it truly just hits home for me.
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  • Sarah Anderson
    5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect mixtape for your first love!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2022
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    As a middle school teacher, and a full-time consumer of all things YA, I found this book engaging right from the start. I was a teenager in the early 90s, so the underlying soundtrack of the book not only was nostalgic, but it also nailed the coming of age story of the lead character, Rainey. I even was getting some “Dirty Dancing” vibes with the summer resort setting in Lake Michigan. Nostalgia rearing it’s head yet again. But I think the true strength of the book is the representation and coming out story of Rainey. As she wrestled with her identity throughout the entire book, I could see how important that journey would be for any LGBTQ teens reading the same story. Representation matters. This was a great read!
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