Published: November 2, 2021

St. Martin’s Press

I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.

Tracey Garvis Graves is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary fiction. Her debut novel, On the Island, spent nine weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, has been translated into thirty-one languages, and is in development with MGM and Temple Hill Productions for a feature film. She is also the author of Uncharted, Covet, Every Time I Think of You, Cherish, Heart-Shaped Hack, White-Hot Hack, and The Girl He Used to Know. She is hard at work on her next book.

“He didn’t ask for details; she didn’t offer them.”

Layla is a natural-born performer. She isn’t a songwriter, but the rush she gets from getting on stage with her guitar, and a microphone gives her a feeling she can’t describe. When a handsome stranger keeps showing up to her band’s gigs, Layla falls quickly. Unfortunately, things with that attractive stranger don’t last. And Layla finds herself starting over. Josh married his high school sweetheart, and together they grew up and created a life together. They had a beautiful daughter, but the marriage fizzled. When Josh met Layla, neither of them was looking for anything serious. Little did they know, they were about to change each other’s lives.

This is such a beautiful story. I loved that this romance wasn’t your classic or typical romance story. I enjoyed how deep the plot was, how intricate the emotional depths were.

The characters were so well done. Layla was such a bright, bold, strong character. Her story arc is so powerful. The descriptions used to explain her inner thoughts are so vivid and so raw. It’s easy to put yourself in her shoes and understand what she is feeling.

Josh was the most incredible male lead. Charming, honest, and so genuine. He is a compassionate man, a doting father, and just a decent human. He was the most amazing balance with Layla.

The struggles and emotions that both Josh and Layla went through are so honest. The story is told from alternating perspectives, and the way the story unfolds is so beautiful.

I really enjoyed the way music was such a significant catalyst. It was such a unifying force and such a definitive way to explore who Layla really is.

The ending of this book was incredible. It was the most powerful, beautiful, perfect ending. I could not have asked for more from such a profound novel.