This book was rough for me... I struggled to feel a cadence in the story and it felt like the book was jumping all over the place, missing major parts of the story that would cause you to feel a connection to the readers. There were too many storylines trying to do too much as once, and way too many narrative points of view. The time line of the story was just also completely unbelievable. I just didn't feel at all engaged in the story even though the premise was really good. It'd make a great Hallmark Christmas movie though.

Jimmy Sullivan's fame blows up after the right person hears him singing the song that he wrote with the girl who made him believe in love again. Jimmy struggles with old temptations and the growing rift between him and the woman that he loves.



The book also follows Jimmy's brother Jack, who is getting married in Ireland, as well as Kara, and Charlotte.



A Christmastime romance about a rising music star and his family. A sweet read, but at times it was a struggle because the plot felt predictable. Previously published in 2010, and then re-released by Thomas Nelson in 2019.



I liked the friendship between Kara and Charlotte and how they support each other.



I felt a little misled, as Thomas Nelson is a Christian publisher, and while this was a nice Christmas read it wasn't Christian.



I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I had a little bit of a hard time getting into this book, because at first I felt as if I was jumping into the middle of a movie that I’d never seen and was trying to sort out the characters and their relationships to each other. But I kept reading, and I was glad that I did. This story about Jimmy and Charlotte and their song turned out to be a charming love story. I’d love to read another book about these characters and their visit to Ireland.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Jimmy and his brother been traveling with his band The Unknown Souls. When they go back to their old hometown he falls for Charlotte Carrington. Jimmy loves writing poems and with the help of Charlotte they end up creating a love song that ends up at hit and he ends up with the glory of fame and fortune. Now with his brothers upcoming wedding things are starting to get complicated when it seems his career is getting in the way of those that he loves.

I thought that this book was pretty good. To be honest wasn't really into it. Not sure what it is about this book. Maybe just not in the mood for it? I did end up liking the characters and getting to know them and their past. I liked the bit of romance between Charlotte. Maybe the book felt rushed to me that I just didnt seem into it. This was a pretty good book but I don't think it was for me.

The Perfect Love Song is a delightfully charming holiday story. I love Hallmark books and movies and this book has that same vibe. I am fast becoming a fan of Ms Henry. Happy reading.

Somebody tell me how it is that I was unaware of author Patti Callahan Henry until now! I did know about one of her books, “Becoming Mrs. Lewis,” but I never slowed down long enough to see who wrote it.
“The Perfect Love Song” is the sweet story of a young musician who struggles to make sense of his life and priorities in light of his newfound success. The author has deftly woven together a story with many moving parts (even the legend of the Claddagh ring for you Irish enthusiasts) and made it all work smoothly together to explore, in the words of the author, “what happens when our hearts quiet” and “what opens up when our souls reach for what lasts."

The Perfect Love Song by Patti Callahan Henry has the feel of a Hallmark Christmas movie with a miracle or two and a trip to Ireland thrown in. I liked both of the main characters and thought their romance was very sweet. I also liked the secondary characters, which are featured in When Light Breaks. While I have not read their story, I didn’t feel lost at all while reading this one.

My favorite part of this story was towards the end where Jimmy comes to a realization that changes the path he is headed down and the lengths he goes to to make things right again. I did miss the “falling in love” aspect of the story as the main characters are already together when the story starts.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley. All thoughts are my own.

I loved the overall idea of this one, but it took me a bit to get into it. I didn't "click" with the characters or the dialogue. The story as a whole is sweet and magical for the holidays without being so sugary you gag. It touches on themes of home, heartache, belonging, and forgiveness...following your dreams, being true to yourself, honouring commitments... but I didn't love it. It was "okay" - a way to pass the time and I didn't dislike it - but it doesn't make me want to gush. It was an easy read, but not too deep and didn't grab me by the emotions. The ending was redeeming so that is a definite plus!

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a digital advanced copy in exchange for review. All opinions are entirely my own.

A magical tale that will charm and delight and definitely deliver all the feels of a holiday story. With complex characters and an intricate plot, The Perfect Love Song is definitely a must read!

The Perfect Love Song was a sweet, enduring story featuring the importance of family, following your dreams and most of all being true to yourself and those you love. I enjoyed this feel good romance novel. Jimmy, a singer that spends most of his time on the road with his small band, including brother Jack writes the perfect holiday song with his girlfriend, Charlotte. Immediately thrust into the spotlight, solo, Jimmy is off on a national tour featuring his new song. This story follows the upcoming wedding of Jack, to his long time love, Kara, and the roller-coaster of emotions Jimmy and Charlotte face as Jimmy’s fame grows. The book was a quick romance read and I found myself wishing for more detail at times.

I read this completely unaware that this is book 2, following When Light Breaks. I didn’t feel lost in the story, but plan to go back and read the first one now. The Perfect Love Song is a great addition for cozy, sweet holiday reading!

A sincere thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Perfect Love Song has all the elements to make it a great book. This sweet romance between both couples and the conflict of choosing between music and true love. As I read it I appreciated Patti's ability to make you feel the holiday season. I do think as I reader I missed out since I haven't read the story that precedes this. In that case, I wish their was less passive retelling. So many of those chapters felt like a narrator summarizing a story I really want to hear in every detail.

That being said, this book still gives you all the warm feels that a Hallmark movie would and I hope it makes it their one day! Perfect Holiday read!

This was a sweet heartfelt Christmas Romance. It is about realizing what is most important in your life. I would definitely recommend reading the book prior to this to obtain the backstory.
Many thanks to Thomas Nelson Fiction and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Patti Callahan Henry knows how to write a tale of love and redemption in The Perfect Love Song, a follow up to her 2006 novel, When Light Break. Originally released in 2010, The new version has some additional content. Though it can be read as a stand alone without the first book (which is what I did as I didn’t know it was a sequel when I read it), it did feel like the characters had already been introduced..

This story focuses primarily on Jimmy Steele, a member of a band who has the chance to have fame and fortune, but it could cost him personal relationships with those he cares most about, primarily his brother Jack and girlfriend Charlotte. Jimmy has to go through some bumps to figure how what is most important. There is also sub plot involving the Claddagh Ring and a woman named Maeve Mahoney, both references to the earlier book. Multiple coincidences occur at the end of story, which also revolves around Christmas.

Readers are encouraged to read the books in order to get the most out of the second book, as there are references and content that will make more sense with the backstory. That stated, Henry is a prolific writer and this book is an example of her ability to understand human nature with clarity and forgiveness.

What I liked about this book - the poetic bits. What I disliked about this book - some of the poetic bits that just sounded absurd to me. Ha! Also didn't enjoy some of the scenes that just seemed too sweet to me. Other than that, the book is highly readable

I am now curious about Ms Henry's award-winning title. May just go and do a one-click buy.

Thank you Thomas Nelson and Netgalley for the review copy. This is my honest opinion of the book.

This was a super love story. Slightly unusual in that it's told from the perspective of a storyteller, rather than in the main protagonist's points of view. At first, that made the emotion of what was playing out harder to appreciate, but once I got used to the vibe of the book, it was utterly charming. By the end, the narrator made it feel like a fairytale. If you love a great Christmas romance, ripe with tender feelings and great, rekindled love, then this is absolutely for you. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Perfect Love Song by Patti Callahan Henry is the perfect book to read this time of year to get into the true spirit of Christmas. It’s also perfect for the rest of the year when that joy may start to wane due to life! A great reminder of all that matters in life...love.

What a cute Christmas book! I always love "rocker" romance books, but the added razzle-dazzle of Christmas really made this one that much more enjoyable! Loved it!

A band on the road with their loved ones left home to hold down the fort is a story that I have heard. This is different because while most of the band goes home to get ready to celebrate Christmas and an upcoming wedding, Jimmy chooses to go on his own and find his own way. The journey opens his eyes to what is important and what he needs to do to make himself happy.

I love the band. They are more than a band; they are family who love each other entirely. They will do anything they can to help each other out and support each other. They have relationships outside of the band that are just as important, and they make them priorities even when they are touring. I liked seeing the nurture those relationships and going out of their way to spend time with each other, support each other, and love each other.

The Perfect Love Song is a cute and quick read. It is a great Christmas story that ends with a wonderful wedding in a beautiful setting. This is not my favorite Patti Callahan Henry book but it is sweet and fun to read.

The premise was great but I felt like the book did not live up to the hype. Thanks for the review copy. I usually enjoy Henry’s books.

I received an ARC from NetGalley.com for an honest review.

This book is a combination of the country music world and the myth of the Claddagh ring. The novel is rich in emotion and description. You may think the story is slow, but it is to be savored. At the end of the book, the author gives us a recipe for the shortbread that we read about. She also gives directions to making garland, also found in the story. I just wish she had come up with the words to The Perfect Love Song.

Congratulation to Patti Callahan for receiving the Book of the Year Christy Award 2019. Her book, "Becoming Mrs. Lewis," is another excellent read.