Heard It in a Love Song was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, however, it unfortunately didn't blow me away. This is not a romance novel in my opinion. It definitely had romantic elements but the main focus was how both the characters Layla and Josh were handling their post-divorce lives and how they got to this point. I didn't like how much time we spent in the past, I personally didn't really need to know so much about their past marriage. The back and forth felt a bit chaotic and took me out of the story. It made it difficult for me to connect to the characters as a couple. Also I didn't think we spent enough time in present time for me to believe in their relationship. I really enjoyed the parts where they got to know each other and I just needed more of that.

If I rated this book as a romance novel then I would give it two stars, but as a women's fiction I would rate it three stars. I really liked the characters but I just wasn't able to connect to them both as individuals and as a couple. There was no passion between them, and the story felt impersonal. Overall I thought the story was okay, and I was able to finish it so something kept me intrigued enough to keep reading. My biggest problem was the layout of the story and the flashbacks just ruined it for me. It just absorbed a huge chunk of the story and hindered me into connecting to Josh and Layla as a couple. Furthermore, it felt like the flashbacks were added randomly right into the middle of the chapters, which ruined my focus. I did think the personal growth was great for both of the characters, and I enjoyed seeing them take a step towards the next chapter in their lives. This isn't my favorite by this author but I do look forward to her next book.

The Girl He Used to Know was a favorite of mine, so I was looking forward to Tracey Garvis Graves's next novel. Heard It in a Love Song was an endearing story of second chances... and while I enjoyed it, I didn't feel the same emotional connection that I did while reading TGHUTK.
Layla is newly divorced and navigating life in as a single woman, but not necessarily looking for love. Enter Josh, a single dad of one of Layla's music students. Their common interests and shared pasts have them seeking a friendship "with potential." What ensues is the ups and downs of second loves, trying again, and embarking on new territory. I enjoyed the musical references and the deep connection that Layla had with her own musical roots. The relationships and characters were well developed and I could definitely relate to some of the things Layla was going through and the emotions she experienced.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

I was so excited to get an advanced copy of this book. I have loved the author’s previous books since her first one, On The Island. The cover is gorgeous and I had such high hopes for this book. For me, it was just a little slow and a little too uneventful. I wanted to see more about Layla and Josh and less about their past relationships. So much time was spent on their previous marriages and I wanted to see more of their relationship develop. That part of the story seemed rushed and just skimmed over. I liked seeing Layla come into her own and figure out who she was and who she wanted to be, but would have liked to see this from Josh too.
I’m glad I read this but it just wasn’t my favorite.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.

I have enjoyed all of Tracey Garvis Graves’s work and was excited to get an advanced copy of “Heard it in a Love Song.”

Recently-divorced Kayla teaches music at a nearby elementary school, but in her former life, she sang lead singer in a well-known band. Josh, who is also going through a divorce, has a kindergartener who attends the school Kayla teaches at. As the author weaves flashbacks for both Kayla and Josh with the present story line, we learn about their marriages and what led to their demises as well as who Kayla and Josh used to be. Naturally, Kayla and Josh connect, but are they better off as friends or are they willing to take a second chance at love?

I thought this story would work wonderfully as a Hallmark movie because there was a lot of sweetness to it. I understood Kayla’s struggle to let go of her past, and I related to Josh wrestling with letting go of a twenty year marriage. Yet, I felt the two characters were pushed together a little too forcefully, while I wanted any romance between them to develop more organically. Overall, I enjoyed Kayla and Josh’s journeys, though I wished they did not always take the most predictable routes. This is the perfect novel to curl up with when you’re seeking something comfortable and assuring. Three and a half stars.

My thanks to Tracey Garvis Graves, the publisher and Net Galley for a chance to read and review this novel.

4.5 stars

I always love finding an author that I know I will love their book, no matter what. And Tracey Garvis Graves is one of them! I first started reading her work years ago, and to this day I honestly cannot wait for a new book from her. The anticipation is real!

There’s just something about Tracey’s writing that is so real and relatable. The characters are likable and the stories are always ones that grab you and drag you in from the start. At least for me they do. Heard It in a Love Song was a beautiful story about second chances, love and friendship. Bottom line, it was just a really good book. The writing, as usual, was amazing and I loved the slow build of Layla and Josh’s romance. I also enjoyed watching Layla gain her confidence back after her divorce and begin enjoying the things she used to before she married her ex husband.

If you’re a TGG fan, you won’t be disappointed. And if you’re new to TGG, I highly recommend this book and any of her other novels!

Tracey Garvis Graves has become one of my favorite authors. Heard It in a Love Song is such a beautifully written endearing story with characters you will love. The Girl He Used to Know is my all time fave of hers, but this one is a very close second. Highly recommend!
Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

This is the second book by this author and I really loved this story! So heartfelt and warm characters! Highly recommend

I hadn’t heard of this book, though I am familiar with the author, but the publisher sent me a netgalley widget to read and review it, and I was so happy that they did. Not only is the cover beautiful, but the story itself is well written. I really enjoyed it and glad that I was able to read it. I loved the characters, and even though I have never been married, I felt a strong connection to Layla and what she was going through. I really enjoyed this story and look forward to more from this author.

Love doesn’t always wait until you’re ready.

Layla Hilding is thirty-five and recently divorced. Struggling to break free from the past—her glory days as the lead singer in a band and a ten-year marriage to a man who never put her first—Layla’s newly found independence feels a lot like loneliness.

Then there's Josh, the single dad whose daughter attends the elementary school where Layla teaches music. Recently separated, he's still processing the end of his twenty-year marriage to his high school sweetheart. He chats with Layla every morning at school and finds himself thinking about her more and more.

Equally cautious and confused about dating in a world that favors apps over meeting organically, Layla and Josh decide to be friends with the potential for something more. Sounds sensible and way too simple—but when two people are on the rebound, is it heartbreak or happiness that’s a love song away?

I was so excited to receive a copy of this book, I absolutely loved Girl He Used to Know. This story is so sweet, with loveable characters.

I really enjoyed reading this book. Garvis Graves always creates complex and captivating characters. Some parts were a little slow for me, most likely because it switches between past and present. I would definitely recommend this book to those who enjoy reading women's fiction or romance. Also, I loved the cover and the music inspiration!

Before reading "Heard It in a Love Song" I thought I knew what I was getting myself into. I was looking for another Annika ("The Girl He Used to Know") or Anna ("On the Island") and Tracey didn't give me that. Instead she gave me Layla. Beautiful and simple Layla. And I found myself drawn a story of how life goes on after divorce, when you never imagined there ever being such a thing for you to wade through.

“Heard It in A Love Song” is a slow-burn romance between love cautious Layla and Josh as they navigate new circumstances, relationships and expectations. Layla and Josh’s friends-to-lovers story is simple. There is no angst, no drama. They've lived that once before and don't have space for it now in their post-divorce lives.

Tracey gives us alternating POV's along with a glimpse into each character's past. These romantic histories are what creates the need for the slow-burn feelings in this book, which I can completely appreciate. "Heard It in a Love Song" is a honest look at how a broken heart can heal when given the chance to love again.

My favorite quote: "She paid the full asking price for something she found herself wishing she could return later." Because isn't that how we all feel at the end of a relationship, especially one that we've invested so much time to.

Magical love story about second chances, music and magic. I absolutely love the story and fell in love with all of the characters. I highly recommend this book.

Loved The Girl He Used to Know, and this met my expectations. Sweet but also realistic. Main character was disarmingly relatable.

2.5 - 3 ⭐️

Layla is a recently divorced music teacher at the elementary school where Josh's kindergartener attends. Josh, who is going through a divorce himself, is trying to navigate life as a single parent and the new world of independence. With a past and present storyline, the author slowly explained why their marriages ended. During this time, the two start a friendship based upon commonalities. As things heated up and the friends turn into lovers, Layla decided to put their relationship with each other on hold until Josh's divorce was final.

Once Layla and Josh took a break, the story focused on the present and took on a new direction as it began exploring what Layla truly loved and what made her happy. We saw her flourish and come into her own after a terrible marriage and even more awful divorce. She began to accept responsibility for her role in her life and placed less blame on her ex.

At this point, Josh's storyline stopped in order to focus on Layla. We didn't get to watch him discovering who he was, what he liked, and who he wanted to be. Which I think would have lent so much to the story, especially since he was married when he graduated high school and was married for 20 years. There's a lot for him to unpack there, and we didn't get to witness that. This was especially noticeable because the present and past were about both Layla and Josh. Also, because they put their relationship on hold with one another until his divorce was final, I needed Josh's POV of what happened during that time. While I understand the author's intent with the ending of the book; and can appreciate the author taking the story in a different direction than my *non-authoring* experience wished for, by exploring not exploring more of Josh's present, I feel the reader missed out.

Despite the slow-burn buildup between Josh and Layla, this is more a story about coming into your own than it is a romance. While this book may have missed the mark for me, Tracey Garvis Graves is one of my favorite authors, and I've read and enjoyed all of her books.

This was a beautifully written story of Layla and Josh. The characters were rich with details and the situations realistic. Two people brough together in a common, yet unexpected place. I would recommend this book!

Heard it in a love song was everything that I expected and more.
The story follows Josh and Layla finding companionship, friendship and love after a painful ending to their long term relationships.
Josh, a single father that finds himself starting over after the end of a 20 year marriage to his high school girlfriend. Layla, a newly divorced elementary school music teacher that is looking to find her inner passion after putting it aside during her turbulent marriage.
The story of how each evolve personally and professionally and come together as friends and more was equally entertaining and heartwarming. A great read!

This romance story was a tad underwhelming for me. I enjoyed all the parts that took place in the present time, but the flashbacks stopped the story in its tracks. I don't feel like they were woven into the story well and actually took me out of the story.

Harlequin Junkie Recommends!

Tracey Garvis-Graves' storytelling ability was proven once again with slow burn romance Heard It in a Love Song where raw and tender emotions met palpable chemistry.

A former rock goddess from a local band and a self-employed electrician might sound like an odd pair but the air sizzled with attraction between Layla and Josh. Not that they acted on it right away. But it was a fun dance, watching the way they slowly formed a friendship that grew into something bigger and much more serious than either of them expected.

Because it evolved over time, the story itself seemed to move at a slow pace and might not be as explosive or exciting as some readers expect from Garvis-Graves. But I felt like overall it suited our kind-hearted lovebirds, Josh and Layla. They were both still healing their wounds from previous broken relationships–she was newly divorced, he was in the middle of one–so I applauded them for taking the time needed to see if a new relationship was something they wanted in their lives. It was further complicated a bit where Layla was a music teacher at Josh's five-year-old daughter Sasha's school. They wanted to make sure what was truly between them before making things public, as well as before telling Sasha, which I thought was the right thing to do.

For readers who are music lovers, I think you'll have a great time with Layla's parts of the story where she channels her inner rock goddess. (Think: Ann Wilson of Heart) Music was her passion and her outlet for her emotions. It was interesting to see the difference between how her ex-husband Liam and later on how Josh treated that part of her life–whether they nurtured that creativity or tried to hinder it. And FYI: the book title is actually pulled from Marshall Tucker Band's hit song of the same name. Good luck getting the song unstuck from your head while reading this book. (You're welcome! *grins*)

I've been highly anticipating this read from Tracey since I'm a huge fan of hers. Ultimately this one came down to personal preferences when I read a book, and while some things didn't work for me, the ending had me quite fulfilled. And I couldn't have imagined a better ending.

One thing that I've always struggled with when reading is the back and forth between the past and the present. They tend to go really slow and it's a setback for me. I truly understand the why since it gave us the chance to know both characters during their marriages. And what lead to their divorces. But it felt like it went on much longer than I hoped. I was just really eager to finally get a bit more of the romance between Layla and Josh.

However, I loved the amount of growth they both went through and it was absolutely necessary if they wanted a relationship with nothing holding them back. I really liked seeing them take a stand for themselves and for once, just focus on themselves. Divorces are always a tough situation all around and it was a relief to not have any major underlying drama with the exes.

Even though I struggled with the pacing and the flashbacks, I still enjoyed this one and I think many will absolutely love this book!

3.5 / 5

This one was slow to get into, but ended up being really good! I kind of remember Tracey Garvis Graves other book being a little slow to get into, but then I loved it. I like how Graves really gives us background on these characters and we get a look into their past, as it adds up to what is happening in their future. This is definitely a slow burn romance between Layla and Josh, but I liked getting to know them as they got to know each other and I understand why they were cautious about falling in love again.
I think this is one a lot of people will love because Graves just creates good wholesome characters.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!