With only a few days left until pub day for this beauty, I had to drop my review. Where are all my 𝙷𝚞𝚛𝚛𝚒𝚌𝚊𝚗𝚎 𝚂𝚞𝚖𝚖𝚎𝚛 lovers at?? Miss Asha is back with anothaa bangaa! I'm not sure if ya'll are ready for 𝚂𝚘𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝙸𝚛𝚒𝚎...

This gut-wrenching yet equally beautiful story is set in late 1970s Jamaica, during a time of civil and political unrest that changed the country forever. Best friends, Irie and Jilly, one from the poor streets, the other from the rich hills, have built a strong bond in high school, but soon find out that they might not know each other as well as they thought. Their love for Reggae music and each other gives them hope to weather some unfortunate storms but isn't quite enough to bridge the gap between their very different worlds. With the country's political parties at war and the streets more deadly and violent than ever, Irie and Jilly are forced to make choices that will change their lives as they know it.

In the most skillful and vulnerable way possible, 𝚂𝚘𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝙸𝚛𝚒𝚎 challenges us to explore a deeply controversial era and its impact on the youth and culture of that time. Between Irie and Jilly's narratives, we come across themes of violence, poverty, racism, classism, gender dynamics, sexuality, death/loss and so much more. However, this book is also an appreciation of Jamaican history, music, and culture that I truly believe will touch the hearts and educate the minds of all readers.

My historical fiction lovers and my sapphic romance girlies, can't you hear this book calling your name?! Just go 'head and pre-order now! I do have to say...as much as I enjoyed it, this story had me in shambles very early on 😭 but it was too good, I couldn't put it down. So just make sure ya'll got the tissues ready!

Rating: 🎵🎵🎵🎵.5/5

Pub Day: October 10, 2023

Thank you to Asha Ashanti Bromfield and St. Martin's Press for providing me with this e-ARC via NetGalley!

*All opinions in this review are 100% my own*

This book was great at touching topics of politics, classism, colorism, spirituality, violence, love, friendships, and so much more.

The story follows Irie and Jilly who met at school and they come from two different backgrounds. Irie and Jilly found themselves loving each other but also having a difficult time dealing with their differences.

I went into this thinking it will be a cute sapphic romance based on the cover, but it was more than just a romance.

Thank you NetGalley for this eARC

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy. I really enjoyed this book. I didn’t know too much about what was happening in Jamaica in the 1970s and Bromfield does a great job weaving in the history while developing fascinating characters. I do wish the flash forward to the 90s at the end was handled differently. I think it was just a little too neat and didn’t quite fit with the tone of the rest of the book.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed Asha Bromfield’s debut last year and was impressed, so I was interested to try more from her. Songs of Irie was right up my alley, being both historical and sapphic. Once again set in Jamaica, I found this one even more enlightening about the history and culture. While I’m not unfamiliar with reggae music, I didn’t know much about its ties to its politics, as discussed here. I was deeply moved to read about the tense landscape of Jamaica in the late 1970s, including the violence that led up to the 1980 election, as depicted here, and how the growing reggae movement provided an avenue for resistance.
The narrative also centers the friendship (and possible relationship) between two girls, Irie and Jilly, who come from very different backgrounds, Jilly coming from a wealthy background and being insulated from the worst of what’s going on in the outside world, but simultaneously reckoning with her parents’ tough expectations, and Irie coming from a working-class background and having to scrape by to survive. They come together in spite of this, in part due to their shared passion for reggae music. The political tensions around them, and them discovering their respective queer identities and feelings for each other is also made more complicated due to the institutionalized homophobia. It’s by no means a romance (no HEA), however, it’s not claiming to be. But it is a love story about people who navigated and overcame obstacles and created and shared art in the midst of a politically fraught fight for freedom.
This is a beautiful, moving book, and I’d recommend it to readers looking for emotionally moving historical fiction, especially if you’re looking for a time period outside the norm.

What a beautiful and painful story about love, music, and violence in Jamaica!

It's 1976, and Jamaica is divided between political parties. Irie and her best friend Jilly have graduated school. Irie wants to perform reggae; Jilly is trying not to succumb to her politician parents' expectations. All they have in common is love of music and love for each other. Is it enough to bridge the divide between them?

Irie is so powerful and passionate. I loved her journey even though it destroyed me. Jilly really came through in an unexpected way. I think everyone who loves Sapphic historical stories needs to read this.

After reading Bromfield's debut book, I knew I had to pick up Songs of Irie, her sophomore book set in Jamaica. Once again, she did not disappoint. This story was historical fiction filled with family, a friendship/relationship, civil unrest, and behind all of that....music.

Songs of Irie starts with Jilly and Irie graduating from their high school. Jilly is from one social class and Irie from another, but throughout the years have built a very strong friendship. On their last day of school, Jilly is looking forward to leaving Jamaica and continuing her education abroad like everyone from "the hills in their mansions". Meanwhile, Irie knows her future has her staying in Jamaica, no matter what type of education she got. She is from the ghetto, a scholarship kid that can't afford anything else. But her love of music runs strong in her veins and is what ultimately beats throughout this love story of a country that was fighting within itself.

Bromfield brought a piece of Jamaica history to life by dropping us right in the middle of civil unrest in the 70's. The story not only covers politics, but also colorism, social class, and even music. And reggae music is what brings Jilly and Irie together. Even though it is seen as the music of the "poor and uneducated", it is what brings life to Irie after seeing death and violence brought to her feet.

Songs of Irie was a beautifully told story that gave me a huge piece of history I wasn't even familiar with. Not only that, but getting to see how the social classes interacted with one another in a country so small was very eye opening. And in the middle of the war among the classes, we got to see a love story of friendship and music build between Irie and Jilly. Something they had to hide because in Jamaica, reggae and relationships such as theirs were not accepted. I enjoyed seeing Jilly trying to break away from her parents beliefs and enjoy her life as a kid, but ultimately she was ruled by her parents and whatever they wanted. That was most notable when Irie came to have dinner with them. That encounter was uncomfortable but also something needed for both Irie and Jilly to see how different their lives were. I also LOVED the music that made the story beat. The music brought life and brought death. Irie was a true gift not only to her friends and family, but to a community that was looking for love and freedom in a time of war and violence.

Songs is told from both Jilly and Irie's voices and gave us a young person's view of freedom in disaster. It is rich in description, culture and language and gave me beauty and music even during the violence. A love story of friends, of a country and of music that brought people together years later. I highly recommend this book from a newer voice in YA fiction.

This was such a powerful novel, and I'm so glad I read it! I thought it would be a fluffy romance based on the cover, but it's truly so much more than that. We are given insights into the civil unrest of the 1970s in Jamaica. The commentary on the political tension and classism was so intriguing and well illustrated via the way the leads navigated their identities/places amidst all of this!

cw: violence, racism, body shaming, sexual harrassment

I read an eARC of the Songs of Irie by Asha Ashanti Bromfield. Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press.

Don’t let the cover fool you, yes it’s about these two young women and music, but it’s also very much about the civil unrest of the 1970s. I’d say that it’s actually mostly about that, humanized through the eyes of young women in the middle of the poorer part of Jamaica Irie, and the richer part through Jilly.

We start just as these two are graduating from high school. Right away we get a feel for their dynamic. Irie is reserved, and very aware of where she is seen among the rich teens from her school. She wants to continue her education, but her father doesn’t have the funds. Jilly is from a family that works in politics from the conservative side of the political landscape in Jamaica at that time.

The book focuses on Irie’s rise as a reggae artist. From just singing in front of the teen girls who resent her, to performing for a real crowd and beyond. Jilly deals with a verbally abusive family that she can’t tell she didn’t even get into Cambridge and who early in the book, engages her to the son of the conservative running for office.

I really ended up loving the book. The ending was a little too spread apart, years-wise. I got why it had so many “epilogues” but I ended up wishing it had just chosen one. I also loved learning all about reggae and how it inspired people. I don’t really listen to it, but this book made me want to. I think there’s even a playlist for the songs mentioned on Spotify.

For anyone looking for mostly romance, this book isn’t that. It doesn’t feature a sapphic romance that takes a good chunk of the book. But it’s really about these two trying to navigate their lives in the political tensions around them, and how their social statuses affect how they see the world and each other. It’s amazing, heartbreaking, and inspiring. I ended up falling in love with this historical novel.

"Songs of Irie" by Asha Ashanti Bromfield transports readers to the tumultuous backdrop of 1976 Jamaica, a country on the brink of significant political change and upheaval. Against this charged setting, the novel weaves a captivating tale of friendship, love, and the enduring power of music.

The contrasting backgrounds of the two main characters, Irie and Jilly, offer a compelling exploration of class divisions and social inequalities in Jamaica during that era. Irie, hailing from the heart of Kingston, brings to life the gritty streets and the daily struggles of the working class. In contrast, Jilly's background in the hills and her privileged upbringing provide a stark contrast that highlights the vast disparities within the country.

At its core, the novel seems to revolve around the transformative power of music, particularly Reggae, in bringing together individuals from different walks of life. The shared love of this music becomes a unifying force for Irie and Jilly, transcending the boundaries of their disparate worlds.

As tensions rise both in the country's political landscape and in their own relationship, the story promises to deliver a powerful exploration of the complexities of friendship and love in the face of adversity. The budding romance between Irie and Jilly, set against the backdrop of Jamaica's turmoil, adds layers of emotional depth and tension to the narrative.

Asha Bromfield's narrative appears to offer a profound examination of the characters' choices and the sacrifices they make as they confront the challenges of their time. The themes of fighting for one's voice, life, and love in the midst of social and political upheaval provide a compelling and timely backdrop for the story.

Overall, "Songs of Irie" seems poised to be a moving and thought-provoking novel that explores the enduring bonds of friendship and the capacity of music to unite people across divides, set against the backdrop of a nation in the throes of change.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

Well, I do believe this book has left me not wanting to pick up any more titles. Because this one was such a beautiful tale and it was also a very emotional one.

Asha Ashanti Bromfield( who also wrote Hurricane Summer, a book I adored) takes readers back to the summer of 1976 Jamaica. On the eve of important elections, two young women- Irie and Jilly find themselves caught between their dreams and the expectations of their families and their country.

Like other reviewers, I would agree that this book is more historical fiction coupled with the two school friends and a blossoming romance. As Irie and Jilly share their dreams and expectations for the future in their narrative roles, there was denying that an atmosphere of dread laced the pages. My reader's heart knew as the story advanced that not only would the hearts of my protagonists break, but mine as well. Why even now I can feel the tears misting at the corners of my eyes as I write this review.

If I had one little quibble, I didn't like the chapters that bring the story into the 90's. As a reader, I love it when I am given a resolution BUT not when it distracts me by giving a cheesy HEA after such a heavy read.

Overall, a stunning cover+ two compelling protagonists= a favorite book of 2023

Expected Publication Date 10/10/23
Goodreads Review 14/09/23

First of all...this cover?!?!?! So beautiful and the story was just as beautiful. The writing was amazing. I loved the emphasis on love within friendships and just overall growth! I really enjoyed it!

The drastic difference between the inner monologues and the way the characters spoke out loud threw me off to the point that each character seemed like multiple people. It was difficult and confusing to read, which was a bummer, especially after being excited to read this after reading the book blurb. Maybe it would be a better book on audio and hearing distinct voices.

Thank you, Wednesday Books and Netgalley, for the arc!

I went into this book going into uncharted territory. This book is not in my normal genre. I can definitely say I was pleasantly surprised!
Going into this I expected a romance, but just like others I found a love story that was so real and heart breaking.
The author writes the characters in a way where you start to care for them all, not just the main characters. Deep connections and a sense of family is very strong.
As a YA book I think that a lot of the themes could have been more thoroughly explored since there are a lot of dark thinks in this book; but I also believe that ya introduces important topics like this the younger generations.

I was given the arc of this book for an honest review.

Even though YA isn't my preferred genre, "Hurricane Summer" was a five star read for me last year. So when I saw that Asha Ashanti Bromfield had written another book, I knew I had to add "Songs of Irie" to my to-be-read list. There is no sophomore slump for Ms. Bromfield: "Songs of Irie" is even better than "Hurricane Summer!"

Having previously read "A Brief History of Seven Killings" by Marlon James, I was familiar with the violence and political turbulence that plagued 1970's Jamaica, as well as the role both the United States and colonialism played in that troubled time. Even though "Songs of Irie" is a much more accessible read than "Seven Killings," it does not sugar coat the violent unrest that occurred prior to the election of 1976. It does not gloss over how different life was for poor, darker skinned Jamaicans in the ghetto and their wealthy, lighter skinned counterparts in their mansions in the hills.

Though billed as YA, "Songs of Irie" is a very heavy and educational read. I was thoroughly engrossed from the first page to the last. It's a story of two Jamaican girls from two vastly different backgrounds, living vastly different lives, who become friends against the backdrop of Jamaican history. This genre bending novel seamlessly blends historical fiction, romance, and political commentary into one compelling and unputdownable read! It's the kind of book that sweeps a reader up and along and keeps him or her turning the pages faster and faster in order to see what happens next. The writing is good and more complex than the typical YA novel, which, as an adult reader, I appreciated.

I am already looking forward to Ms. Bromfield's next book and I thank NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the privilege of reading an advanced copy of this fabulous book. Five stars!

Set in the politically charged Jamaica of the 1970s, I was surprised at how intense and emotional this book was. Don't go into this one expecting a light read! I would probably categorize this as historical fiction before romance, honestly.

That being said, this was very beautifully written and full of emotion and heart wrenching experiences. You feel the setting, you feel what the characters are going through, you are there living what they're living. This story will stick with me for a long time. ❤️❤️❤️

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

Songs of Irie is a YA novel set in the political turmoil and violence of 1970s Jamaica. Irie, a girl from Kingston, feels bound to family and her father’s record shop though she aspires to share her gift of music with the world. Jilly is a politician’s daughter, cycling through realizations of what is behind the wealth and success of her family. Best friends & more from high school, Irie and Jilly face feelings for each other, their different futures, and survival in this heated moment in history.

One of the things I loved most was the connections and characterizations of the secondary characters in the novel. Community, support, love, fear and hate swirled potently around the main narrators

Songs of Iris is a beautiful story filled with love in a time of political conflict. Jamaica is the home of Irie and Jilly but the girls come from different culture with in their country. When their country is fighting, Jilly and Irie find comfort in each other and their love of Reggae Music. However, their bond is tested as the fighting gets worse and it become clear that they live in two very different versions of Jamaica. The writing in this story was superb as you could almost feel the music pulsing in the background. The backdrop of Jamaica's political climate made for an interesting and informative read. This was one of the most heartfelt and thoughtful books I've read in a long time. Anddd it might make you cry.

I’ve been wanting more Black sapphic books, especially with some romance, and this definitely delivered. This self so refreshing and was beautiful. This was my first time reading Bromfield! I need to go back and read more of her work.

Songs of Irie is a beautiful piece of historical fiction with LGBTQ, colorism, and classism aspects. I also loved the explanation of Rastafarian spirituality, and that it's not just about weed-smoking and locs.
There were parts that were a bit slow, but I think the ending made up for those.

Irie graduated high school and wanted to pursue music in the midst of tumultuous Jamaican political tensions that sparked violence.
Her best friend, Jilly, was from the other side of Jamaica- the well off, light-skin-is-the-right-skin part of the country.
And even though they lived in different worlds that said the two should never mingle, they somehow found themselves drawn to each other.
The pacing of this was good for me, the character arcs were intriguing to see blossom, but the ending gutted me!
This is my first time reading Bromfield, so I am going to have to backtrack and read Hurricane Summer.

Asha Ashanti Bromfield truly has a gift! Songs of Irie is a beautifully crafted story that sheds light on Jamaica's political history & the strain it has on the island. It also shows the intersection between wealth, class, & colorism. I love how different, yet alike Irie & Jilly are. This book is one of the first to address the island's sentiments on stigmas surrounding relationships and the history of Rastafarian culture. While reggae may be a mainstream genre associated with Jamaica, it has come a long way, to be engrained and widely accepted! This is a body of work that all should indulge in! - P.S I appreciate Bromfield's use of patois in this book & her last.