Sounds Like Love: A Harmonious Journey Through Heartache and Hope
As a lifelong admirer of stories that resonate with the bittersweet chords of real life, I was instantly drawn to Ashley Poston’s Sounds Like Love. The blend of music, romance, and the undeniable ache of nostalgia felt like a siren call to my heart. Anyone who has felt the smoky, sun-drenched melancholy of a Lana Del Rey song will understand why this novel felt like a whisper that begged to be heard, its pages alive with an essence that lingers long after the last word.
Nestled in the lush backdrop of Vienna Shores, North Carolina, we meet Joni Lark, a once-successful songwriter grappling with the shadows of her past and her mother’s early-onset dementia. The beloved music venue, The Revelry, becomes both a sanctuary and a reminder of what she’s risking losing forever. This setting breathes life into the story, echoing with the laughter and sorrow of memories long gone. Through Joni’s troubled journey, Poston masterfully explores themes of grief, family, and the complexity of love—as transient as a summer storm but as profound as a well-crafted melody.
When Joni unexpectedly collides with Sebastian Fell, a boy-band heartthrob weighed down by his own familial legacies, the narrative takes on a surreal twist. Their psychic connection, sparked by an accidental kiss during a local event, propels the plot into a dance of forced intimacy. The idea of sharing thoughts and feelings involuntarily is both a source of comedic tension and deep vulnerability, as they struggle not just to untangle their minds but to confront their own haunting fears. Their connection—a beautiful spell woven through the fabric of shared grief and longing—transcends mere attraction, pushing them both toward unexpected growth.
Poston’s writing style is like flowing music: evocative and lyrical, wrapping you in its rhythm. The pacing, too, is a delightful ebb and flow, allowing moments of tension to unravel gracefully in the midst of heartfelt introspection. The chapter titles act as tantalizing hooks that keep your anticipation alive—each one shimmering with promise. I found myself fighting the urge to peek ahead, swept up in the compulsion of what enchanting revelation lay just beyond the next turn of the page.
Lines like “Love is borrowed and love is blue” and “Grief is just a love song in reverse” sparked reflections on the transient nature of connections that resonate deeply with my own experiences. These moments not only encapsulate Joni’s struggles but echo a universal truth about the beauty and fragility of love that lingers beyond time.
Ultimately, Sounds Like Love isn’t just a book about rekindling lost dreams; it’s a heartfelt reminder that love, in all its forms, is a melody worth chasing. I believe this book would particularly resonate with anyone who cherishes the complexities of love, the nostalgia of music, or the stark reality of familial ties. As I closed the book, I realized it had not merely entertained me but touched my soul, igniting a yearning to embrace every fleeting moment that life offers—because sometimes, all we can hope for is to find our song within the echoes of love.
For those seeking a poignant blend of romance and self-discovery, I highly recommend diving into the rich waters of Sounds Like Love—just be prepared to emerge with a heart full of bittersweet melodies.