Sara and Melissa Talk About...Our Favorite Songs

We've been running a column series to get more personal with our readers. We are now into our seventh year!

Since we've shared about our favorite movies, TV shows, and books, we thought it was only fair to talk about our favorite songs today! Maybe you'll want to add some of these to your playlist?

We're always open to topic suggestions, so please don't hesitate to share those in the comments. We'd also love to know if you can relate to anything we've said or hear your own thoughts on the topic. So don't be shy. 😊 We look forward to getting to know you as much as we're letting you get to know us. You can find our previous columns here, in case you missed them.

Melissa Amster:

I can't imagine life without music in it and love so many songs. It was hard to narrow it down, since I'm just sharing ten of them today and also split them between rock/pop music and show tunes. This is just a sampling of songs I love, but they definitely rank high on my favorites list!

Rock/pop:

"If You Leave" by O.M.D.: I don't like Pretty in Pink, but I've always loved this song. It's just so melodic and has a great tune and lyrics. It totally brings back the eighties for me.

"Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen: Ever since I heard this song in Wayne's World, I had to go out and get the soundtrack right away to hear it again and also had to memorize it, of course. I still love it 34 years later and will turn up the volume and sing along whenever I hear it.

Courtesy of YouTube

"My Favorite Mistake" by Sheryl Crow: I love the guitar riff and tune, and Sheryl's singing is so good in this one. 

"Right Back Where We Started From" by Maxine Nightingale: It was my theme song a while back. I love the instrumentals, which makes it sound fun and carefree. Like with "Bohemian Rhapsody," this song is also from the year I was born. 

"Torn" by Natalie Imbruglia: No matter how often I hear this one, I never get sick of it. It's just so nineties for me. I know it's a one hit wonder for Natalie, but I love the album this came from too.

Back in 2012, I was challenged to come up with a playlist at my personal blog. Three of the above songs were on it at the time.

Show tunes:

"What Baking Can Do" from Waitress: I can't get enough of this song. It's so enjoyable to listen to and sing along with. Of course, I love baking, so there's that!

"Suddenly Seymour" from Little Shop of Horrors: My favorite song from this musical. It's so sweet and genuine. Especially because Audrey's not feeling like she deserves Seymour and he's totally crushing on her and now is his chance to make a move. It was especially fun hearing my son sing it when he played Seymour this past summer. (I'm sharing the movie version in the link because Ellen Greene is the ultimate Audrey.)

Courtesy of SoundCloud

"It Takes Two" from Into the Woods: Even though I'm burnt out on Into the Woods for the time being, I still love this song. It just speaks so well to marriage and partnership.

"Take Me or Leave Me" from Rent: What, you think I wouldn't include a song from my all-time favorite musical? It's the best song to sing along with. I even used it for my answering machine in college. ("Take me baby, or leave me...a message, thanks.")

"If I Were a Bell" from Guys and Dolls: Such a fun and melodic number about realizing you like someone. I love the rhyme scheme from it too. The lyrics just work together so nicely. 

Sara Steven:

Trying to determine my favorite songs of all time has been an extremely difficult task. I love and appreciate so many songs, so trying to narrow it down was tough. I decided to make a list of twenty songs that have gotten me through the years; the ones that even now when I listen to them, it takes me right back to the place and time when the lyrics resonated with me the most. In no particular order: 

Sia: "Breathe Me" (This one still brings me to tears whenever I hear it. Anyone who is familiar with HBO’s Six Feet Under and saw the series finale will understand.) The link is to the closing of the finale.

Eddie Money: "Take Me Home Tonight" (The first song I ever loved when I was six years old. I’m not sure why.)

Note from Melissa: I used to always think he said "I don't want to let you go till you're civilized." 

Crosby Stills & Nash: "Southern Cross"

Fiona Apple: "Sleep to Dream"

Courtesy of IMDb

Radiohead: "Karma Police"

Yelle: "Que Veux Tu (Madeon Remix)" (My kids used to dance to this song a lot when they were little.)

Massive Attack: "Teardrop"

Duran Duran: "The Chauffeur"

Garbage: "Supervixen"

Fleetwood Mac: "The Chain" (Anything by Fleetwood Mac is usually a go.)

Prince: "Erotic City"

Alanis Morissette: "Perfect"

Billy Joel: "She’s Always a Woman" (My first boyfriend had said that this song reminded him of me when we were teenagers. It’s beautiful.)

Courtesy of Medium

Metric: "Gold Guns Girls"

Mazzy Star: "Fade Into You"

Nirvana: "About A Girl"

Van Morrison: "Into the Mystic"

Pearl Jam: "Black"

Taylor Swift: "The Fate of Ophelia" (I only like a few songs by Taylor, but this one really sticks with me after I hear it.)

Phil Collins: "We Said Hello, Goodbye" (Another song that makes me feel emotional when I hear it. It hits home even more the older I get.) 

What are your favorite songs?

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Book Review: Moms Love Boy Bands

By Melissa Amster

Four best friends. A dream vacation. Then one vanishes without a trace.

Celebrating their forty-fifth birthdays, four best friends escape to a tropical island for "Boy Bands at the Beach." What could be better than basking in the sun, devouring beach reads, and being serenaded by the bands they idolized as teenagers?

But when the story opens, we learn that each woman is at a crossroads. Nicole is at a boudoir photo shoot, desperate to recapture when she was the life of every party and not just a boring stay at home mom. Liliana, the overworked COO of a tech company, has missed dinner with her family again and must face her disappointed husband. Angie, the misfit of the group, is wrestling with a secret from the past. And Carly, a trendsetting influencer, is on social media promoting her beach trip must-haves, even though she just caught her husband cheating.

Enter Luca-a gorgeous, charismatic twenty-something year-old. When he befriends Angie, the others question why he's at an event for women who get Botox injections and need sensible shoes. Suspicion escalates when someone steals Angie's passport. Then, the unthinkable happens when one friend vanishes. Will the others find her, or will a vacation to see the best nineties boy bands of all time end in disaster? (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

Moms Love Boy Bands is all sorts of nostalgic fun! It reminded me of when my best friend and I met up in Nashville to see New Kids on the Block in concert. We were both obsessed in middle school and still screaming for our NKOTB crushes in our forties! 🤣

The story has a bit of a White Lotus feel. (Think of the girlfriend group in season three.) There's also an element of danger in the story when one of the friends disappears and no one knows what happened or why. 

I loved all the nostalgia in the story and it made me want to listen to nineties music even more than I already do. Aside from NKOTB, I also enjoy listening to NSYNC and Backstreet Boys. The parts about the mental load mothers experience was so relatable and honest. Things did get real quite a few times (aside from all the vacation shenanigans) and I felt bad for the women for different reasons. I also liked that one of the friends was Jewish and that there were mentions of Shabbat, Hebrew school, etc.

My main concern was that some parts felt a bit disjointed, like the motivation was off. Certain situations could have been resolved if people just talked and listened instead of jumping to conclusions. Things weren't always what they seemed and even I assumed the worst sometimes!

If you need a virtual vacation filled with nineties memories and boy band music, look no further! I enjoy Jenifer's mom-coms and look forward to reading more from her.

(Trigger warnings below.)

Movie casting suggestions:

Nicole: Marla Sokoloff
Liliana: Romola Garai
Carly: Claire Coffee
Angie: Rachael Leigh Cook
Luca: Michael Provost
Josh: Justin Bartha

Thanks to Jenifer Goldin for the book in exchange for an honest review. 

More by Jenifer Goldin:

Anonymous Mom Posts

Moms Who Read Romance Novels

Good Moms Say Bad Words

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TW: Death of mother (cancer). Kidnapping. Infidelity. Career pressure. Marriage difficulties. Being scammed.

Spotlight and Giveaway: For the Record

We're excited to celebrate the publication of Emma Lord's sophomore adult rom-com, For the Record. Melissa enjoyed The Break-Up Pact last year (reviewed here) and looks forward to picking this one up soon. Thanks to St. Martin's Press, we have one copy for a lucky reader!

Once the most notorious rivals in the music scene, pop princess Mackenzie Waters and punk rockstar Sam Blaze electrified audiences as their bands clashed on stage. But behind the scenes, their simmering tension grew into something more — until suddenly both bands fell apart, and the idea of Mackenzie and Sam did, too.

Two years later, Sam has traded the rockstar lifestyle for a quiet life raising the son he didn’t know about. Meanwhile, Mackenzie is dealing with a postoperative change in her voice by only singing under a pseudonym. The only way to revive their public careers? A joint comeback album.

With fans over the moon and their futures on the line, Sam and Mackenzie face their biggest challenge yet: giving up their old rivalry and learning to work together. But as old sparks fly and new secrets emerge, they set off a chain reaction neither of them could have anticipated — one that proves that sometimes, the greatest hits are the ones yet to be written. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

"Musical rivals must find a way to work together in this winning contemporary... There’s a lot to love here." 
―Publishers Weekly

"Readers will be cheering for Mackenzie and Sam in this fun second-chance romance." 
―Library Journal

Credit: Clinton B. Photography

Emma Lord is a digital media editor and writer living in New York City, where she spends whatever time she isn't writing either running or belting show tunes in community theater. She graduated from the University of Virginia with a major in psychology and a minor in how to tilt your computer screen so nobody will notice you updating your fan fiction from the back row. Her sun sign is Cancer and her moon sign is whatever Taylor Swift song is about to pop up on shuffle. She is the author of Tweet Cute, You Have a Match, When You Get the Chance, Begin Again, The Getaway List, The Break-Up Pact, and The Rival.

Visit Emma online:

Website * Instagram

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway ends August 17th at midnight EST.

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Getting in tune with Jane L. Rosen

Photo by Captain W.

Today we welcome Jane L. Rosen back to CLC. She's here to recommend books to anyone who enjoys listening to music of any kind. Her latest novel, Songs of Summer, is sure to put some music into your head without you having to listen to the radio (or music app) first! While it's part of her Fire Island trilogy (all with gorgeous covers), it can be read on its own. (It's kind of fitting to share this after our post about concerts this week.)

Jane L. Rosen is the author of six novels, Nine Women, One Dress, Eliza Starts a Rumor, A Shoe Story, On Fire Island, Seven Summer Weekends, and Songs of Summer. She has a monthly column in the Fire Island and Great South Bay News called Cake or Pie? where she whimsically interviews her fellow authors. She is also a screenwriter and New York Times, Tablet, and Huffington Post contributor.  

Visit Jane online:
Website * Facebook * Instagram

Synopsis:
Maggie May Wheeler is living her best life—at thirty, she has big plans for her vintage record shop and is about to be engaged to her childhood best friend. But when she stumbles across a letter she wrote to her future self when she was thirteen, she realizes it may not be enough. The letter ignites a desire to find her birth mother and discover where she really belongs.

Her search takes her to dreamy Fire Island, where her birth mother is a guest at a wedding. As Maggie spies on her biological family, she’s caught between diving into their chaotic lives and returning to her comfortable world. Things heat up when a charming local makes her an offer to crash the wedding as his date.

Is it the island’s magic, the whirlwind of the weekend, or the thrill of a fake beau that has her rethinking everything? Swept away by every love song she hears, Maggie must figure out where her heart truly lies. (Courtesy of Amazon.)

Praise for Jane's writing:

“An irresistible escape.” (On Fire Island)

—Elin Hilderbrand, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Five-Star Weekend

“As funny as it is poignant, nostalgic as it is sharp. A beautiful tribute to the summers of our past and to Fire Island. Unforgettable!” (On Fire Island)

—Carley Fortune, New York Times bestselling author of Every Summer After

"Jane L. Rosen has a forever fan in me."

—Emily Henry, New York Times bestselling author of Book Lovers

🎸 Books for Music Lovers 🎤

Wherever you spend your summer—by the ocean, on the lake, at the local pool, or lounging in your own backyard—two things make the season complete: a good read and a great playlist. Books and music shape our summer memories just as much as fireworks in the sky or sand between our toes. Some novels tap into the music world directly, with musicians, record stores, or the music biz at the center of the story. Others have titles and lyrics woven into the plot. And some, like my latest, Songs of Summer, hit all those notes. Whether you're a queen of pop, a classic rocker, or someone who just loves a story with a good soundtrack, these books should have you scatting along on your lounge chair.                                                                   

High Fidelity by Nick Hornby   

No list of music-themed books would be complete without High Fidelity, in fact, two of the music-loving characters in my latest novel first bond over their love for the tale of a British record store owner who obsesses over top five lists and ex-girlfriends. A witty, music-soaked exploration of love, heartbreak, and emotional immaturity, High Fidelity takes a sharp, relatable look at how we use music to make sense of our lives.

Deliver Me from Nowhere: The Making of Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska by Warren Zanes 

Anyone who knows me personally—or even follows me on social—knows that my family and I are huge Springsteen fans. So, when my friend and neighbor, Jean Hanff Korelitz (The Plot, Admission), asked if my husband and I would host her Pop-Up Book Talk with Warren Zanes at our home, we jumped at the chance. The film version of Deliver Me from Nowhere, starring Jeremy Allen White as Bruce Springsteen, will be out on October 24. Until then, dive into Zanes’s deeply human story of the haunting, stripped-down recording of one of Springsteen’s most iconic and enigmatic albums, Nebraska. This isn’t just for Springsteen devotees—it’s for anyone interested in the raw creative process of an artist taking a huge risk.

It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan

This warm, witty romance centers on a former teen idol whose co-stars have all gone on to greatness—including a pop music icon who she needs to track down so she can finally have her own moment in the sun. Monaghan, beloved for her sharp dialogue and emotional depth, crafts a love story that's also a reflection on fame, nostalgia, and the songs that become part of us. With a vivid musical thread running throughout, it’s a heartfelt hit for romantics and music lovers alike.

The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits by Jennifer Weiner

Weiner captures the early-aughts music scene in all its glossy, gritty glory when two musically gifted sisters find themselves on very different paths. The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits is more than a snapshot of a cultural moment—this is a moving story of growth, forgiveness, finding your voice, and realizing you were always enough.

All the Summers in Between by Brooke Lea Foster

In the summer of 1967, impulsive, privileged Margot and grounded, hard-working Thea strike up an unexpected friendship during their days working side by side at the local record store. But one tragic August night changes everything. After a decade of silence, Margot reappears without warning, desperate for Thea’s help—and hiding more than one dangerous secret.

Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Told in a fictional oral history format, this bestselling novel brings to life the rise and fall of a ’70s rock band with stunning realism. Inspired by bands like Fleetwood Mac, Daisy Jones & The Six captures the wild highs and painful lows of making music, living fast, and falling apart. Readers, like me, who wished the fictional band’s songs really existed were granted their wish in 2023, when the book came to life in a mini-series starring Elvis’s granddaughter—Riley Keough.

Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau

In 1970s Baltimore, 14-year-old Mary Jane lands a summer job nannying for a psychiatrist’s daughter—only to discover he’s secretly treating a famous rock star and his glamorous movie star wife in his home. As Mary Jane’s straight-laced world collides with one of sex, drugs, and deep conversations about music and identity, she quietly comes of age in a summer that changes everything.

Musical Chairs by Amy Poeppel

Bridget, a classical musician and part of a beloved chamber group, retreats to her family’s Connecticut home for a quiet summer—only to have her adult children move in, her love life implode, and her trio threatened by unexpected changes. With charm and wit, Poeppel explores aging, reinvention, and the complicated harmony of family and art.

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett

At a lavish party in a South American mansion, a world-renowned opera singer performs—and then the house is taken hostage. In the days that follow, captors and captives begin to bond, with music serving as the unlikely bridge between them. Bel Canto is not just about opera, but about beauty, connection, and the transcendent power of art in impossible circumstances. Fun fact: Patchett published an annotated edition of her early work in 2024.

A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan

This Pulitzer Prize–winning novel captures the passage of time, with each chapter presenting as an individual story—reminiscent of a mixtape. It even has a Part A and a Part B, which can correlate to the A-side and B-side of a record album. Through a wide array of characters—many of whom are linked to the music industry—Egan explores ambition, regret, fame, and digital disruption.

Songs of Summer by Jane L. Rosen

When Ohio record store owner Maggie Mae Wheeler sets out to find her birth mother, her journey takes an unexpected turn—straight to Fire Island, where she crashes a wedding on the arm of a dashing Rolling Stone reporter. If the premise of my heartfelt addition to the musical fiction genre does not scream playlist, the fact that each chapter is named for a song certainly does. I’m thrilled to report that early readers are loving the immersive experience of singing and dancing along.

Tell us your favorite book about music! Is it listed above or do you have one to add?

Thanks to Jane for a wonderful guest post and to Berkley for coordinating everything.

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Sara and Melissa Talk About...Concerts

We've been running a column series to get more personal with our readers. We are now into our sixth year!

This month, we are talking about our most memorable concert experiences. We'd love to know what yours are, so please don't hesitate to share in the comments!

We're always open to topic suggestions, so please don't hesitate to share those in the comments. We'd also love to know if you can relate to anything we've said or hear your own thoughts on the topic. So don't be shy. :) We look forward to getting to know you as much as we're letting you get to know us. You can find our previous columns here, in case you missed them. 

Sara Steven:

The first concert I ever attended was to see the rock group Quarterflash with my dad at the Oregon State Fair. I think I was six at the time, and given the concert was held outdoors at the Salem Fairgrounds, I remember it was a warm night, with lots of people, and the songs were really loud. I really don’t remember a whole lot about it, but I still enjoy a few songs from Quarterflash and even have those songs on my current playlist. Music was always a big deal in my family, so it doesn’t surprise me that my dad would take me to a concert at such a young age.

It was nearly a decade later when I saw SWV at the same venue. This time, at fourteen, I went with a group of friends, and we felt like grown ups out on the fairgrounds without adult supervision. The State Fair is always held during summer months, and even though SWV performed during daytime hours, the heat didn’t bother me. One friend ended up on stage during the song “Right Here,” and I accidentally left my purse on the bleachers and never got it back. All in all, it felt like a pretty momentous occasion.

During my teen years, I went through a phase where I’d go to late-night indie concerts in downtown Salem. I still have an old flyer from one of the concerts I attended, back in 1995. I know it’s advertised for “all ages,” but during Cherry Poppin’ Daddies’s “Sockable Face,” a majority of the crowd broke out into a gigantic mosh pit, with many of the concertgoers throwing punches at one another. I sat on a tall male friend’s shoulders, so I didn’t get caught up in the drama, but it’s still one of the most memorable concerts I’ve ever attended. They really put on an amazing show.

One of my favorite groups, Garbage, did the college circuit back when we were about to hit the new millenia. I had moved to Arizona to live with my then-boyfriend, who drove us from the Phoenix area to Tucson’s University of Arizona. I could not believe my good fortune to get to see them in concert. At one point, two random strangers we didn’t know pulled us down through the crowd right to the front of the stage, and if anyone has ever attended a Garbage concert and had the privilege to be close to Shirley Manson, you know just how attentive she is with her fans. It feels like she’s singing just for you. I saw them again in the early 2000’s, when they opened for No Doubt, and again last year when they were in Arizona again. In some strange way, it felt a little like I’d come full circle, considering I’d seen Garbage when I first moved to Arizona when I was just a kid, then moved away and lived a whole lifetime before moving back to the valley of the sun and going to a Garbage concert again 25 years later. Much like the first time, I was only four rows back from the stage, and even though I’m a bit older, I felt like I was a young adult, getting to witness the band’s charm all over again. It was magical.  

Melissa Amster:

I will be honest here...concerts aren't really my thing. I've gone to them and they were fun enough, but I prefer to spend my money on musicals. To me, concerts are people standing on a stage singing the same songs that are on their CDs. However, I will admit to some concerts being memorable. 

My first concert ever was Michael Jackson's Thriller tour when I was maybe around seven years old. I was obsessed with his Thriller album at the time and was so excited to see him perform live. I even got a program that I'd look at all the time. The only disappointment was that when we thought we had good seats, there were actually a whole set of rows on the lawn in front of us. (This was at what was once known as Commiskey Park in Chicago.) In any case, it was a cool experience to have as a kid who couldn't stop listening to his music.

Courtesy of YouTube

When I was in eighth grade, I went to the New Kids on the Block concert with my best friend and sister. My best friend's mother was the chaperone. I was a huge NKOTB fan at the time, so this concert was a huge deal. I even cried when I saw Joey through our shared set of binoculars. Years later (like in our early 40s), my best friend and I saw a NKOTB concert again, this time with Boyz II Men and Paula Abdul performing, as well. It was a fun and nostalgic evening and we were definitely screaming for our favorite New Kids. 

I got to see Barenaked Ladies twice (once when Alanis Morissette was also performing) and they put on a good show too. I also got to see Wham and Whitney Houston when I was a kid. (I feel like I curse people I see concerts for...MJ, George Michael, and Whitney are now long gone. I also went to a concert at the Grand Ole Opry--same year as the second NKOTB concert--and a few months later one of the performers--from Montgomery Gentry--was killed in a plane crash.) I also saw the Dixie Chicks back when I was into their music. 

This leads me to the most memorable concert of my life...Weird Al. When I was going into freshman year of college, we had an orientation weekend and Weird Al did a free concert for all the freshmen. It was such an entertaining evening. He'd practically do music videos instead of just standing on stage and singing. Between songs, he'd play these videos of fake interviews (where it looked like he was interviewing celebrities but he was actually asking his own questions and playing their responses to other questions). So hilarious! This is one he did with Bruce Springsteen. The best was when he introduced "Headline News" and everyone screamed when he got to the Bobbitt part. (Yes, this was in the mid-90s.) I also remember that there was a Weird Al lookalike in the audience. I still talk about this concert and what a great time I had there. Weird Al is still iconic, but I love his older music more than his new stuff. I'm more old school for the songs I grew up with. 

Courtesy of YouTube

There you have it on my concert background! 

What is your most memorable concert?

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Spotlight: For One Night Only

After her recurring role in tabloid headlines, Valerie Quinn’s musical TV show is on the network chopping block. Desperate for good press, she hastily reassembles her wildly beloved pop punk band, Glitter Bats. A reunion concert could be the former lead vocalist’s ticket to a media makeover, especially if it renews public speculation around her iconic situationship with bassist Caleb Sloane.

The only problem? They haven’t spoken in six years.

Caleb had the makings of a rock god, but fallout from the messy Glitter Bats breakup left him broke, anxious, and resentful of the industry. But when Valerie shows up at Caleb’s doorstep with that devastating smile and a plea for help, he reluctantly agrees to put on one last show.

So what if the fandom assumes the two of them are back together too? They’ll play along. You know... for the press.

Making music together not only revives the harmony between them, but also the discord that led to the band’s downfall. With their futures—and the Glitter Bats—in the balance, can they survive a romantic reprise?

“Jessica James bursts onto the stage with For One Night Only, a sensational debut about first love, heartbreak, and getting your second chance while the whole world’s watching. Valerie and Caleb’s journey back to their music—and back to each other—had me grinning and kicking my feet ‘til the very last note.”

—Jenna Levine, USA Today bestselling author of My Roommate Is a Vampire

“If you've ever wished for a romcom version of Daisy Jones and the Six, Jessica James's sparkling debut, For One Night Only, is everything you're looking for! Set in the world of punk pop, the book's cool vibes, music industry intrigue, and its captivating look at the trials and tribulations of chasing your rising star will have you hooked from the first page. Valerie and Caleb steal the spotlight on and off the stage, and their swoony second-chance romance will have readers screaming for an encore.”

—Jenny L. Howe, author of On the Plus Side 

Purchase For One Night Only here.

© Andrew James 2024

Jessica James (she/her) is a writer who also loves watching musicals, baking family recipes, and exploring the Pacific Northwest with her spouse and two dogs. In addition to writing, Jessica has a passion for singing. She's a mezzo-soprano with a BA in Music and a healthy Broadway obsession.

Visit Jessica online:

Website * Instagram * TikTok

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Book Review: The Breakup Tour

By Sara Steven

A rising-star musician has a second chance at love with an old flame she remembers all too well in this swoony romance from the acclaimed authors of The Roughest Draft .

Riley Wynn went from a promising singer-songwriter to a superstar overnight, thanks to her breakup song concept album and its unforgettable lead single. When Riley’s ex-husband claims the hit song is about him, she does something she hasn’t in ten years and calls Max Harcourt, her college boyfriend and the real inspiration for the song of the summer.

Max hasn’t spoken to Riley since their relationship ended. He’s content with managing the retirement home his family owns, but it’s not the life he dreamed of filled with music. When Riley asks him to go public as her songwriting muse, he agrees on one he’ll join her in her band on tour.

As they perform across the country, Max and Riley start to realize that while they hit some wrong notes in the past, their future could hold incredible things. And their rekindled relationship will either last forever or go down in flames. (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads)

I wouldn’t say I’m a self-professed Taylor Swift fan, although I do like some of her songs. One of my favorites is “Illicit Affairs.” I had a feeling from about a few chapters into The Breakup Tour that the story of Riley Wynn very much mirrored the same depiction of Taylor Swift and her penchant for taking doomed relationships and writing songs about them. It was an interesting perspective, given that what we see on the surface of the media frenzy is often just that–the surface. We don’t really know what’s going on behind the scenes, or what life is really like for a woman who is revered so much that she has her own Swiftie following. What would it be like for a megastar when she’s given the chance to reconnect with the first real love of her life? Would it be a worthy enough experience to write a song about it?

Riley is unapologetically Riley. Love her or loathe her–much like her true-to-life counterpart–she knows who she is and isn’t afraid to use it. So much so, that she finds herself writing a hit song about her former flame, Max. There had been a time when the two of them felt destined for fame, together. But right at the last moment, Max bowed out, intent on fulfilling family duties, a potential ploy to steer clear of the limelight, considering he doesn’t seem the type to thrive in that kind of environment. Not like Riley. The two characters are such contrasting opposites, but it works for them. Max helps to center Riley, while Riley helps Max to step outside of the confines of his comfort zone, showing him that there is a deeper greatness and depth to him just waiting to claw its way out. 

What ensues is a potential love disaster waiting to happen. There is too much history there. And, it doesn’t help that Riley in a sense is using Max as a way to get back at her ex-husband. If diverting the public’s opinion that Riley’s lead single isn’t at all about her ex, but about Max instead, it could really be a win for Riley. But it will only add insult to the damaged past that is Riley and Max’s relationship. I can’t recall right now which character said it–it was Max or Riley’s mother–but at one point, it was suggested that instead of Riley thinking she has to create damaged relationships to write heartbroken songs, that she is the one who is in charge of her life. That she’s the one who can choose what she wants to create. I do know her mother said, “I’d like to see you write a love song,” and I wholeheartedly agree. 

The Breakup Tour was a literal lyrical read. So much of it focused on the musicality of life and relationships, and I really loved that style of writing. There were moments that had long pauses of reflection, which meant more introspective thoughts vs. dialogue, and I feel as though I would have liked to see more dialogue between characters. But other than that, it flowed well and I appreciated the point the story tried to make–that sometimes, there’s more depth to a story than the song that has been written about it. Has Riley’s story helped to convert me into a Swiftie? Probably not. But I still had a lot of fun reading it. It was a great read!

Thanks to Berkley for the book in exchange for an honest review.

More by Emily and Austin:

The Roughest Draft

Do I Know You?

Always Never Yours

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Book Review: The Woman in Me

By Allyson Bales

In June 2021, the whole world was listening as Britney Spears spoke in open court. The impact of sharing her voice—her truth—was undeniable, and it changed the course of her life and the lives of countless others. The Woman in Me reveals for the first time her incredible journey—and the strength at the core of one of the greatest performers in pop music history.

Written with remarkable candor and humor, Spears’s groundbreaking book illuminates the enduring power of music and love—and the importance of a woman telling her own story, on her own terms, at last. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

“There have been so many times when I was scared to speak up because I was afraid somebody would think I was crazy.  But I’ve learned that lesson now, the hard way.  You have to speak the thing that you’re feeling, even if it scares you.  You have to tell your story.  You have to raise your voice.”

To say that I was riveted reading Britney’s memoir is an understatement.  I was engrossed, gripped, and truly consumed.  My wife and I were on our way back from a very fun bachelorette weekend with a five-hour car ride journey ahead of us and we started to listen to this compelling and emotional read and I could. Not. Stop.  I had to have the audio and physical copy so that I could finish as quickly as possible. I read this in one day, honestly probably five hours.

I have always been a fan of Britney.  I remember watching her with Justin Timberlake at the VMAs.  I remember her ‘Baby One More Time’ music video and being mesmerized by her.  I remember when she shaved her head and watched the paparazzi chase her and her small children down the street.  I have watched every documentary there is, being completely fascinated by her life.  What a life she has lived and endured and so many of us have had no clue what she has been going through and dealing with.  This book showcases her strength and what an amazing human she is.

This book will make you understand her.  It will make you relate to her.  It will possibly also make you more aware of just how many people are suffering in silence and the last thing that they need is judgment.  It reads like a diary or series of long instagram posts with short chapters.  Britney’s storytelling is a bit all over the place but it makes sense and keeps you so engaged.  It is so nice to finally get to hear Britney’s truth and to hear her reflect, with such depth, on what she has learned.  It showcases how good of a mom she is, how thoughtful of a person she is, how strong she is.

This is probably one of my favorite memoirs and I think everyone should read it.  So many of us are consumed by pop culture and scrolling on our phones and celebrity news.  At the end of the day, they are just normal people trying to do the best that they can and this book really represents that.  I also think it spotlights how important it is to recognize there is always more than one version of the story and no one deserves to be ridiculed or judged.  Everyone deserves for their voice to be heard.  

I think you need to know that I also really enjoyed Michelle Williams's narration and highly recommend either version of the book.

Thank you Britney for sharing your story with us.  You are one strong woman!

Thanks to Gallery for the book in exchange for an honest review. Purchase The Woman in Me here.

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Book Review and Giveaway: What You Do to Me

By Melissa Amster

Journalist Cecilia James is a sucker for a love song. So when she stumbles across a clue to the identity of the muse for one of rock’s greatest, she devotes herself to uncovering the truth, even as her own relationship is falling apart.

While writing an article for Rolling Stone, Cecilia works to reveal the mystery that has intrigued fans and discovers a classic tale of two soulmates separated by fate and circumstance. Rock star Eddie Vee once sang with his soul, dedicating love songs to Sara Friedman, his inspiration and first love. Now, Eddie takes refuge in anonymity, closed off to the past. Sara, too, has distanced herself from their love, moving thousands of miles away to live the life she once railed against. As Eddie and Sara tentatively open up to Cecilia about broken dreams, she struggles to give them a happy ending. In the process, she learns that broken hearts can be healed—even her own.

What You Do To Me is the story of a love song and of the triumph of the heart over the greatest of odds. Even for those who have written off love forever. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

What You Do to Me is the third book I have read by Rochelle B. Weinstein. While I enjoyed her previous two novels, this one is definitely a favorite for me! I will, however, admit that I am not a fan of the song "Hey There, Delilah." It's a huge earworm and it was so overplayed. I like how Rochelle made it into an eighties ballad by changing the title of the song and giving a different meaning behind it. I would love to have heard this reworked version. 

I just loved reading about Cecilia's quest to reunite lovers because of a song and also getting the backstory from the muse's perspective. There are some Jewish elements to this story, which I definitely appreciated. And having visited Surfside a few years ago, it was easy to visualize that area. Sara and Eddie's story made me think of She's Up to No Good by Sara Goodman Confino. So fans of that novel (which also had a dual timeline), will definitely appreciate this one.

The only thing that didn't work for me was not knowing why the pivotal incident happened at the Miami concert. It just seems like it came out of nowhere, for no particular reason. It would have been interesting to learn why situations like that happen in the first place and how to prevent or avoid them. 

Overall, the story was just so amazing and well-told. It was actually haunting in some ways. I also love that it took place during the nineties, as that's my favorite decade for music. And Cecilia's job sounded really cool. I highly recommend it and I know you won't be able to put it down either!

(Trigger warning at the bottom of this post.)

Movie casting suggestions:
Cecilia: Victoria Pedretti
Pete: Dacre Montgomery
Don: Michael Raymond-James
Tori: Lyndsy Fonseca
Eddie (1979): Enrique Arrizon
Sara (1979): Iris Apatow

Thanks to Get Red PR for the book in exchange for an honest review. They have one copy to give away!

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here. 

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Giveaway ends October 25th at midnight EST.

More by Rochelle B. Weinstein:

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TW: alcoholism, drug abuse, parental alienation 

Erin Hahn is the friend we all need...plus a book giveaway

We are happy to introduce you to Erin Hahn, whose latest rom-com, Friends Don't Fall in Love, is now available. You don't have to like country music to enjoy this story, but you may find yourself listening to it when you're done! Thanks to St. Martin's Press, we have one copy for a lucky reader!

Erin Hahn is the author of the young adult novels You'd Be Mine, More Than Maybe, and Never Saw You Coming as well as the adult romance Built to Last. Romance is her vibe, grunge is her soundtrack and fall is her signature color. She fell for her flannel-clad college sweetheart the very first day of school and together, they have two hilarious kids who keep her humble. She lives outside Ann Arbor, Michigan, and has a cat named Gus who plays fetch and a dog named June who doesn't. Visit Erin at her website and on Instagram.

Synopsis:
Lorelai Jones had it all: a thriving country music career and a superstar fiancé. Then she played one teenie tiny protest song at a concert and ruined her entire future, including her impending celebrity marriage. But five years later, she refuses to be done with her dreams and calls up the one person who stuck by her, her dear friend and her former fiancé’s co-writer and bandmate, Craig.

Craig Boseman’s held a torch for Lorelai for years, but even he knows the backup bass player never gets the girl. Things are different now, though. Craig owns his own indie record label and his songwriting career is taking off. If he can confront his past and embrace his gifts, he might just be able to help Lorelai earn the comeback she deserves—and maybe win her heart in the process.

But when the two reunite to rebuild her career and finally scratch that itch that’s been building between them for years, Lorelai realizes a lot about what friends don’t do. For one, friends don’t have scratch-that-itch sex. They also don’t almost-kiss on street corners, publish secret erotic poetry about each other, have counter-top sex, write songs for each other, have no-strings motorcycle sex, or go on dates. And they sure as heck don't fall in love... right?

"Hahn deserves a CMA (Country Music Association Award) for her insider's depiction of the industry in this thoroughly satisfying romance." 

- Booklist

"[T]akes readers behind the curtain of the country music industry in this sassy rom-com...Those most familiar with the country scene and its artists will especially appreciate how deeply the music and culture is woven into the plot." 

- Publishers Weekly

"A really fun rom-com that takes you behind the scenes of country music, with two characters that you really like, and root for. This one is a winner." 

- Red Carpet Crash

What is a favorite compliment you have received on your writing?
Isn’t it so ridiculous how hard it is to remember compliments? An easier question would be “the worst insult,” because I remember them all! But I think my favorite is when readers tell me they’ve looked up my characters on Spotify or YouTube, wanting to hear their songs, but forgetting for just a moment that they aren’t real. That’s beautiful to me.

If you could tell the debut novelist version of yourself one thing, what would it be?
Write for your readers, not for publishing. Publishing is always chasing the next big thing, but your readers will fall in love with what you bring to the table – your very specific and special brand of love story. They’ll sustain you through those rocky moments. Every time I read something along the lines of “I will read anything Erin Hahn writes” or “Erin Hahn’s characters always…” it warms me down to my bones to have that kind of connection with my readers.

If Friends Don't Fall in Love was made into a movie, who would you cast in the lead roles?
Oh gosh. This is a tough one! I’m going with my gut on this and say Jake Johnson (New Girl) as Craig Boseman and Julia Garner (Ozark) as Lorelai Jones. Julia might not look the way I imagine Lorelai, but she is phenomenal in playing fed up female characters. Her sass is top tier. 

What is your go-to autumn beverage?

Like Lorelai Jones, I’m celiac, so my autumn beverage is a (hot) chai latte with oat milk and several pumps of pumpkin spice syrup. 

If your life were a TV series, which celebrity would you want to narrate it?
I feel like Kate Winslet would be fab. She’s just so down to earth but sounds posh and also I think she would most properly convey the perfect amount of “dngaf” I’ve started to embrace in my 40s!

If we were to visit you right now, what are some places you would take us to see?

I’d take you around my backyard! Visit the chickens, pick some berries, chop some wood, swing on the big swing and then we can wander the meadow to the pond and look for turtles. Afterwards, we can crack open a bottle of wine and sit on my porch while listening to some country music. ☺

Thanks to Erin for visiting with us and to St. Martin's Press for sharing her book with our readers.

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here. 

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Giveaway ends October 24th at midnight EST.

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Book Review: Hazel Fine Sings Along

 

By Melissa Amster

As Hazel Fine steps out of her crummy hotel room into the bright LA sunshine, she knows she’s got one, and only one, chance. Her audition for the massive talent show, The Sing Along, could change her life forever. She has the skills, what she needs now is a bit of luck.

Soon Hazel finds herself alongside fifteen other contestants who all have the same dream: superstardom. There’s the beautiful Hollywood golden child, Bella. The bright, bubbly country singer, Zoey. The extraordinarily handsome surfer/influencer, Benji. And Hazel, who has more to hide than her past. She’s got the chops, but can she handle the pressure without self-combusting?

Add in an undeniable attraction to the show’s talented yet brooding musical director, Nick, and the lecherous tactics of one of the judges, Hazel soon finds herself in over her head. But with her guitar strapped to her shoulder, she’s going to sing her heart out—and maybe open herself up to love at the same time. Who says you can’t have it all . . . (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

I had my eye on Hazel Fine Sings Along ever since Catherine McKenzie announced she would be writing this one as Katie Wicks. Catherine writes thrillers, but she did start out with a couple rom-coms and it was nice to see that side of her again. Her debut as Katie Wicks hits it out of the park! It is such a fun and interesting story. I even got teary-eyed a couple of times. I really liked getting to know Hazel and seeing what it was like behind the scenes of a reality music competition. (I watched American Idol for a few years in the late 2000s.)

If you're looking for drama, you've come to the right place. There is a lot of stress in Hazel's life and it starts to affect her relationships with the others in the competition. She has a secret that could hurt her career if it surfaces, so she is doing a lot to guard that, along with fending off advances from the show's host and hiding contraband (in this case, a quirky pet) in her hotel room. 

I just really liked this story overall. It kept me going from beginning to end, wanting to know what secret Hazel was keeping and wondering who would win the competition. The supporting characters were great (except the ones we weren't supposed to like) and the plot moved along smoothly. I also felt like I was right there because of the great use of detail. However, I felt like it was overkill to always describe everything each of the supporting characters was wearing. That part could have been simplified a bit. 

The only concern I had was that I felt some characters didn't receive consequences that were due to them. And when one of them did, it felt minor in comparison to what they deserved. 

Hazel Fine Sings Along is available now, so pick up a copy right away! I hope Katie will write more novels like this one, perhaps featuring some of the other characters (i.e. Bella, Zoey, etc.). 

(Trigger warning at the bottom of this post.)

Movie casting suggestions:

Hazel: Kaitlyn Dever
Benji: Darren Barnet
Nick: Theo James
Bella: Sofia Carson
Zoey: Amandla Stenberg (It can be a Dear Evan Hansen movie reunion with Kaitlyn too!)
Georgia: Gwyneth Paltrow
Kate: Julianne Hough
Martin: Jack Davenport

Keshawn: Tituss Burgess

Thanks to Wattpad for the book in exchange for an honest review.

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TW: Sexual harassment