Becoming Calvin by Javier De Lucia follows the adolescent adventures of Calvin McShane, a young man with a dream of making it in the music industry. Calvin’s family gets a big break when his father wins the lottery. Unfortunately, his father chooses to heavily invest in a woman named Solitaire, managing her and promoting her music. Calvin is disappointed because Solitaire is not even that talented. Calvin plays the bass guitar and continues to make parody songs with his band, which consists of his close friends who are mostly interested in girls and getting laid. He is also filled with youthful energy and hormones, so he gets into a relationship with Kari, which ends in disaster, but he finds stability with Ilse, whom he fears losing. After months of seeing no improvement with Solitaire, Calvin challenges his father that he could do better than Solitaire and even make it further in the music industry. He organizes his bandmates, makes additions to the band, and gives it his best.

Becoming Calvin by Javier De Lucia is about reflection and retracing one's past. The story is set in the mid-1990s and contains mature themes about puberty, sexuality, alcohol and drug use, abortion, guns, and pornography. Despite this, it touches on societal expectations and personal identity struggles, covering vital lessons about growing up and finding your purpose. The novel has realistic characters and covers real historical details of that era. References to movies like Rocky III, Action Jackson, and Kenny Rogers’s ‘The Gambler’ and scenes of eating in diners, watching videotapes, and the obvious lack of the internet give it a nostalgic feel that transports readers to the past. Calvin is goofy and has good intentions. He often has internal conflicts about his choices and those of his friends. The mid-1990s music captures the cultural shifts and iconic genres of that era. This is a wonderful read, and I recommend it to anyone interested in coming-of-age stories and reflections on youthful adventures.

Becoming Calvin is the first book in The Wake of Expectations trilogy by Javier De Lucia. Set in the early 1990s, the story follows Calvin McShane, a high school senior who appears to have it all. Calvin is popular, loved by his friends, and has no problems impressing girls. His family has just won the state lottery, and his application has been accepted by his preferred university. But not everything is working according to plan. His romantic relationships always run into trouble for one reason or the other. He is also not sure if he truly wants to leave West Fairfield just yet. On top of it all, Calvin discovers that his father is making a big mistake. How will he navigate friendship, romance, and his musical ambitions?

Becoming Calvin is one of the best coming-of-age stories I've read all year. Javier De Lucia's captivating narrative illustrates the complexities of high school life, how friends slowly drift apart, and how relationships get more complicated with the onset of adulthood. This is a beautiful character-driven story. With a well-paced plot and compelling characters, De Lucia ensures that there is not a single dull moment in the entire book. Calvin, Ben, Jake, and Ilse will remind you of your own high school/teenage years. One of the best things about this book for me was how natural the dialogue felt. It enhanced the relationship dynamics and made the characters feel even more realistic. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel. Perfect for fans of coming-of-age tales.