In the late 1960s, Jane Quinn is the lead singer of a band called The Breakers. They receive their “big break” when the headliner for a music festival is injured and cannot play his set. This sets in motion Jane’s musical journey with her band and within herself.

This was a more of a coming of age story than a romance story. Jane is a very strong character who grew throughout. The music industry tried to tear Jane down again and again, showing readers what being a female singer truly entails: harassment, bullying and deceit. The 60s and 70s were a time of great music, and I loved reading a story set in this era.

I enjoyed the premise of the story. A female singer in an all male band, set in the 1960s and 1970s, I was amped up for a great read. Jane knew what she wanted for her career, and she didn’t bend or break at the industries ideas for her. I enjoyed reading Janes relationship with those in her band, her family, Jesse, and with herself.

I constantly found myself comparing this book to Daisy Jones and the Six which is one of my all time favorite books. It did not meet that expectation I had set for it going in. There were too many characters for me to keep track of, and because of this, I felt I never strongly connected to anyone in the book. Despite these two pitfalls, I enjoyed Jane as a character. She was a strong woman in a mans world who didn’t let fame and fortune derail her from her own wants and goals.
I also felt the epilogue wrapped up the story beautifully and I was so happy with how it ended.

I would recommend this book to those who enjoy reading about the music industry, strong female characters, the 60s/70s and coming of age/ family relationship focused stories.

The Bayleen Island Folk Fest attendees are eagerly awaiting the performance of headliner and rising star Jesse Reid when he crashes his motorcycle en route. Local band The Breakers, with their talented and striking lead singer Jane Quinn, are asked to step in and perform in his place. Jane knows they have to deliver the performance of a lifetime to quell the disappointed fans, and they do not hold back. Jesse remains on the island to recover and develops a friendship with Jane, helping her as she begins to navigate the industry while creating The Breakers' first album, including the latent sexism and condescension she contends with at every step. What follows is a passionate love affair between Jane and Jesse, the ups and downs of touring and stardom, and the dark secrets they have both been keeping from each other. Jane must decide what she wants to fight for and what she must let go in order to share her music with the world. She continually finds ways to survive while trying to forge her own path as a woman in the male-lead, male-dominated music industry, ultimately creating of one of the most iconic albums of all time,

Songs in Ursa Major is set in world of the music industry in the 1960s and 1970s, paying homage to musicians like Joni MItchell and James Taylor. It dealt somewhat with the creative process behind writing songs and creating the melodies for them, which, at times, bogged down the plot and didn't add much to the overall story. I thought it was interesting but there was so much description at times that I kept thinking, "Let's get on with it! Back to the main story!" I thought the relationship between Jane and Jesse was intricate, passionate, and intense, while feeling like there was more they could offer each other. The two of them seemed to orbit each other, always wanting to feel the light or approval from the other. They need each other no matter how far apart they are or how much time has passed.

I highly enjoyed this book. Although it follows in the recent trend of other music industry based books, it had a different tone and feeling to it, more of a darker side to the world of music.

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf Doubleday for the eARC of the book. All opinions are my own.

Songs In Ursa Major gives 60s/70s rock music scene realism. We start with Jane Quinn and her band covering at a music festival for Jesse Reid, a rising singer who got into a crash before his set was supposed to start. This launches Jane's (and her band's) budding music career, but not without her being shown the sexism, drug abuse, and awful treatment of the music industry at that time. Between family drama, relationship struggles, and being pushed aside in multiple ways, Jane grows to find herself and the music she wants to make. There were a few plot twists that I didn't expect, but that didn't feel as shocking as I would have expected.

This is kind of a dense read, but it sweeps you up into it. It can be a quick read, but you might miss some things if you go too quickly. I had to go back and reread some things to make sure I had things straight-for instance, the Quinn family is made up of all women, and it took me a while to figure out how they were all related. Recommended for people who enjoy pseudo-documentary novels and can handle reading about drug abuse. I do pretty well reading those things, but I still had a hard time with it toward the end of the book.

Thank you to Netgalley for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars- a great summer read for fans of Daisy Jones and the Six. A little clunky in places, but the character development of the main character is great and the story really carries you along. Perfect for your beach bag.

Thanks to Netgalley, Knoff, and the author who provided the ARC.

I liked the concept of this book and enjoyed the first part of it, but I was disappointed as the story progressed and with the ending. Reading other reviews, I know this was based on two singers/songwriters in the late 60's, early 70's and was meant to show the lives of pop and rock stars. It succeeded somewhat in doing that through two original characters, Jane Quinn and Jesse Reid.

Jane becomes an overnight sensation on the small island where she grew up when she takes the stage at the Island music fest after Jesse is unable to perform. Jane lives with her grandmother and aunt. Her mother, a songwriter whose song was stolen by another artist, disappeared when Jane was a child . . . or so the story goes. The secret about Jane's mother is revealed after Jane and Jesse hook up romantically and tour together. The tour ends disastrously when Jane discovers that Jesse is a drug addict.

I was hoping this book would turn into a murder mystery involving Jane's mother, but it went in a totally different direction. There were some ends never tied up such as a fire during the Island Music Fest, and the ending left much to be desired.

Songs in Ursa Major was an unexpected delight. Going into it, I fully expected this to feel like yet another stale, derivative book about the music scene of the 70's, a regurgitated Daisy Jones and the Six, or this year's Ballad of Nev & Opal. And, I will say, this book doesn't stray far from those story lines or characters. In fact, as I'm reflecting on it, I'm not sure it has anything new to say at all... But Emma Brodie's writing comes alive off the page, transporting you to the era in a way that makes even a somewhat tired plot compelling. She wraps you up with poetic lyrics and imbues the relationship between her protagonists with such emotionality that you can't help but feel invested as you move through the pages. We know almost as soon as free spirit Jane stumbles upon the troubled Jesse how their story will play out, the tragiromance sure to follow. It's like a car crash; you can't look away. I have to give all of the praise to the author, as the success of this book truly hangs on her talent.

Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Daisy Jones and the Six is one of my all time favorite books and because of that, I have been drawn to a lot of novels based on fictionalized versions of musical acts of the 70s. The description of Songs in Ursa Major definitely fit the bill so I immediately jumped at the chance to read this book. While I did enjoy this book, I felt like this was too similar to Daisy Jones without the emotional punch. I felt that the conflicts that came up between the two protagonists Jane and Jesse were very predictable and the tone confused me a lot. The first part of the book felt like a new adult romance novel but then once the characters got together, it jumped time straight to the crumbling of their relationship and by the halfway point, the plot got just about as lost as Jane did after her and Jesse's break up. The second half dragged on with a lot of unnecessary side plots like Jane's trip to Crete and Jesse and Morgan's club. The story of these characters is compelling and I'm not saying that the writing is bad but I feel like the book jumped over a lot of the most emotional scenes and could have been more effective if it focused on more of the emotional moments instead of the nuances of the music industry.

Songs in Ursa Major closely resembles the relationship of Joni Mitchell and James Taylor. It’s 70’s, toxicity, love and fame all rolled into one.the only problem is the characters Jane and Jesse are just not the approachable. I wasn’t a fan of their development. I felt that at times the time would just jump. Or the characters would just change drastically from one chapter to the next.

I did enjoy the behind the scenes look on the creation of a album, the artistry of song writing and the pure exhilaration you felt when scenes of performances had been brought into the fold.

The music aspect of the book are phenomenal but the hidden past of Jane was... Well it just seemed bogus. The whole way it was handled, how Brodie made it seem that this hidden past was just heartbreaking actually was upsetting. I just didn’t understand the how or why of it. It almost felt like a tick mark so we can say we added this aspect and broaden our readers net.

But if you love the 70’s vibe, musical talent and family drama with a bit of steam then this book is for you.

This is a solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️.

I received a copy of this book free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

4.5/5 stars

I really loved this book. Jane Quinn is thrust into the national spotlight when singer Jesse Reid is hurt in a motorcycle accident just before a concert. Jane's band takes over.

Jesse mentors Jane and her band thru their first album and the go on tour with Jesse. While on tour Jane and Jesse start a romance. This ends when Jane finds out a secret about Jesse.

It took me about 1/3 of the book before I figured out the Grace/Elise/Maggie family connection. It wasn't well defined in the beginning so I kept getting them mixed up. The story wa quick paced and easy to read. I didn't want to put it down. I like how the author wrapped up the ending. It left me feeling complete about everybody.

Songs in Ursa Major is about Jane Quinn, a talented singer-songwriter who is thrown into the spotlight after her band, The Breakers, is thrust onto the main stage at a local festival after the main act canceled. Based in the 1970s, this is a fun look at the time period and what it was probably like as a woman singer during that time.

Janie meets Jesse Reid, the singer she replaced at the festival, because her grandmother is his nurse (he missed his performance because he got into a motorcycle accident). They embark on a romance that may be ill advised for Janie's burgeoning career. Headstrong and talented, Janie is determined to get her songs out there the way she wants to, no matter who she has to go up against, including many industry bigwigs.

I enjoyed this book, for both the subject matter and the way it was written. I don't know too much about the time period or the music scene back then other than watching Almost Famous. Emma Brodie writes her characters fairly well and am looking forward to what she writes next.

Thank you to Netgalley and Knopf/Doubleday for giving me this ARC.

4.5 stars. Thank you for the opportunity to
read this ARC. I was honestly a bit surprised by how much I enjoyed this book and that I felt compelled to stay up late to see how it turned out. I went into reading it with mixed expectations given the seeming similarity in description to Daisy Jones and the Six, which I had very much enjoyed, and A Star is Born which I had rated somewhat lower. While there are a number of repeated themes and settings among these works (drugs, music industry, band issues) they are a common element of musicians’ stories in real life and are addressed in a reasonably unique way in Ursa Major with characters that stand on their own from those other works. I particularly enjoyed the focus on a matriarchal family structure and the gradual way that the story developed the hidden layers of the family dynamics. Another key factor in my high rating is the author’s feel for the creative process and many lyrical descriptions, some literally as song lyrics and others as part of the narrative. Speaking of narrative, I’m a bit on the fence about some of the sudden changes in perspective in the course of the novel and found the first one very abrupt. For the most part it was an effective technique to provide the reader with perspective on the characters that they may not have about themselves. Overall, the story was very well-crafted, I was invested in Jane and the other characters, and for much of the book felt like I was along for a very engaging ride which I increasingly found to involve unexpected but welcome depth and insight into societal issues through the characters’ struggles and interactions.

At the Bayleen Island Folk Festival of 1969, the crowd is ready for super star on the rise Jesse Reid. His voice and guitar virtuoso skills have put him on the road for big things. When Jesse has a motorcycle accident just before performing, local favorite Jane Quinn takes the stage winning over the disappointed crowd with her performance backed by her band, The Breakers. Watched by Jesse’s manager, Jane and her band get the opportunity of a lifetime to tour with Jesse and his band.

Jesse’s wealthy family has a home in the area in which he stays to recover. Jane’s aunt is a nurse who helps care for him so he and Jane become friends. Jesse begins to mentor her into the world of songwriting and performance on a much bigger stage seeing Jane as a kindred spirit.

Jane is thrilled with their luck until she realizes that women in this field are patronized, marginalized, and not taken very seriously. The music industry and record label execs only care about them as moneymakers. While enjoying performing which sends her to an ethereal place, Jane rebels against the manipulation and publicity wheels that try forcing her to be little better than a puppet; however, this puts her likelihood of success at stake.

Jane and Jesse connect on several levels; it is clear they could very well be soulmates, but once again their world of drugs, sex, rock and roll with hedonistic living on top of the profession issues derails their relationship on more than one occasion. Jesse has some serious issues connected with the musician lifestyle while Jane has secrets from her past that keep her emotionally captive. Jane does not want to be just arm candy for Jesse; however, her chances at a career hinge on accepting that role.

Jesse, Jane, and their people are all very young so it is not surprising they get caught up in the difficulties of living in the drugged-out sixties and seventies making poor life choices that could easily turn deadly. Fans of music from that era as well as readers interested in the time period especially women’s struggles to find their voice in a very male dominated industry will enjoy this intense, at times dark and complex, artsy story loosely based on the love affair between James Taylor and Joni Mitchell

I requested to read and review this book from Alfred A. Knopf from Penguin Random House. This plot line take place from 1969 to into the 1970s. This story is about love, drama, mystery, forgiveness. You wil meet characters Jesse, Jane, Elsie Grace, Maggie and some many more characters that play an important part in this story. Love can be wild, passionate, and it also can be devastating. Can love save someone or can you only save yourself. How do you know when you have rock bottom? Music can be a soothing for some or others an emotional Rollercoaster. Can you really be true to yourself in the music industry? This book had some many feels. This is for a mature reader but can be read anytime.

This book starts in the summer of 1969 at an island music festival. Here we meet Jane and her band as they’re thrust into the spotlight when frontliner Jesse Reid is on an accident and can’t make it. This book captures the feel of the late 60’s/early 70’s music scene, especially when it comes to women in the industry.

The book is written beautifully in a lyrical form that captures the essence of who Jane Quinn is. We see Jane from multiple perspectives, which showcases the multiple facets of her personality.

The big “secret” didn’t feel that big and I personally did not like the ending ; however, it’s a solid read that sucks you in from the beginning. It’s a story of heartache and growth. As reminiscent of the 70’s, there are several drug scenes, including an overdose, that may trigger some readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

1969. A local band is about to hit it big. The Breakers aren’t supposed to headline their hometown music festival, but when the scheduled big time star can’t perform they get their chance. This is the story of Jane, the small town girl with a shot at fame, and Jesse who is already famous. It’s the story of a band fighting to be heard when the industry seems to be against them because of their female lead singer. There are family secrets. There is personal drama in spades. This book has a little bit of everything. Sex, drugs, and rock and roll.

I hate to do it, but this book is a mess. The beginning of the story sucked me in, even with the over abundance of flowery adjectives. Once you reach the halfway point, this one just falls apart. The story starts going in about fifteen different directions, and things stop making sense. There’s a big secret, that wasn’t really the secret it was made out to be. Things get convoluted and just strange. It reads like a first draft filled with a bunch of ideas, and none of them stick.

I do appreciate the opportunity from Net Galley to review this one.

Drenched in nostalgia, drugs, music and mystery, Songs in Ursa Major centers around Jane Quinn, a confident and talented musician running full-bore in a male-dominated music industry in the early seventies. Jane’s early rise is irrevocably intertwined with that of Jesse Reid, a musician already on his way to success when Jane and her band The Breakers replace him during a music festival after a motorcycle accident. Success soon sunnily unspools for both Jesse and The Breakers, but as their tour goes on and their meteoric rise strains their relationship and their happiness, Jane begins to see the dark side of fame and Jesse. This helps transition the story into a more thoughtful reflection of just what exactly Jane wants the message of her music to convey, and what she’s willing to sacrifice to do the thing she loves most. I love how the book starts upbeat and optimistic, but the story creates a natural segway into a more introspective, thoughtful evaluation of Jane and where and how far she’s willing to let the music take her. It feels like a behind the scenes view of a person who isn’t a trainwreck of sex, drugs and disaster, but struggles just the same with the tolls that family, friends and fame bring to her. Jane is a strong-willed woman who’s not willing to conform to expectations that the record label, media and fans expect from her, and is willing to do what’s best for her even if it means walking away. This is a great, powerful story that goes in directions that I didn’t expect, and while others may not agree, I feel it’s a better book that resonates more deeply because of it.

Compelling from page 1, this story pulled me along in Jane's wake as her story took its radical turn by turn.  Late at night, eyes burning, I kept telling myself just one more chapter, then another, I have to see what happens next.....

There is an intimacy permeating this story, with Jane's point of view as dominant, despite being in third person throughout. The author clearly loves the time period in which she's placed the story and the type of headliner artists from which she's crafted her characters.  Many of the secondary characters are given chances to shine, while solidly filling in the story chapter by chapter.
Note: The story is dark in many places, so please don't expect a sunny, funny summer read as some advance review blurbs state.

Respect is a theme. Some of my favorite scenes were of the uniquely individual creative forces that produce that match between lyrics and scores.
The island townies dependent on tourism as well as multiple part time jobs to earn a decent living may have their lives contrasted to those of the wealthy visitors they serve, but we are never made to feel the townies are lesser people - although Jane at times reveals personal jealousy or inadequacy.

Idealism vs reality and truth vs lies are also themes, in the various quagmires that comprise the business of music and in Jane's relationships, personal and to her music.

My thanks to Knopf for making an advance ebook copy available to me in exchange for an honest review. An audio copy has also been produced, and I am quite curious to listen once its available. I have a longing to hear the music so central to this story.
#SongsinUrsaMajor #NetGalley #Goodreads

This is a very unique book about the music industry in the early seventies. It was the beginning of the folk music generation and this is the story of a local girl, Jane Quinn, who through some unfortunate circumstances gets the break of her life when she is able to perform in a large stadium. The lead singer that night was a very talented guitar player named Jesse Reid. He crashed his motorcycle on the way to the concert and was replaced by Jane. During his recovery, Jesse helps Jane complete her first album. Jane learns first hand about sexism in the industry and what happens to an artist when they don't go along with the rules.

Songs in Ursa Major is set against the backdrop of the late 1960's music scene and follows rising star, Jane Quinn, on her quest to stardom. Along the way, Jane learns about herself and her music, love, loss, and letting go. This book is quite literally art within art.

Songs in Ursa Major is a love story set in 1969 through today. It is about so much more than the music industry in the ’70s. Although that is a story that never gets old.

Jane Quinn lives on an island off the coast of Massachusetts. She sings with her band along with her friends. She lives with her Grandma Elsie and her Aunt Grace. Where her mother is will be quite a mystery.

When Jane meets folk singer Jesse Reid who is recovering from an accident at the facility her aunt works at she begins a relationship that will push and pull them for years. Jesse’s star is on the rise and the nasty record company has decided Jane will be his girlfriend and her band will open for him. Fine, looks good. Until it isn’t. Jane wants to sing her own songs in her own way and she will sacrifice love for that.

When she discovers Jesse’s dark secret she is out of there. Blackballed by a nasty producer, she returns home and tries to make peace with all of the secrets in her own life. Starting with her mother.

Obviously, the music industry is cutthroat. The record company owns you and your music. What Jane does is brave and I love her character. This was a book for music lovers. The lyrics, the emotions, the love, the sacrifice! Oh my, I loved this book so much!

NetGalley Review/22 June 2021 Knopf Doubleday