At one point in life, Jane had it all. Half of a dynamic rock ‘n’ roll duo that had reached the height of the international music scene, Jane and Elijah seem to have it all. Then Elijah disappeared, and Jane has been left dealing with the aftermath ever since.

Hated by their bereaving fans, Jane finally moves to the country to get away from it all and find peace. She finds as a teenage Superfan, who is her new neighbor and insist that Elijah isn’t gone and has been reaching out to Jane for years. As the two set out to track down the messages from Elijah, they connect and the story unfolds even more.

I actually a little heartbroken while reading this. It really highlights the way that women are treated verses men and the music industry, even if it’s the woman who was the one behind the success of a group or duo. In the end, was greatly moved by Jane’s journey. This was a wonderfully written and thought-provoking read for me.

The book checks a lot of boxes for me: set in the 90s, grunge/alternative music scene, unlikable female MC, complicated family dynamics, blah blah. Unfortunately the execution kind of missed the mark for me.

It's clear to me that the author was taking a lot of inspiration from actual celebrities of this time, and I think that the main characters (Jane and Elijiah) were modeled a bit off of Kurt and Courtney. Okay, fine. The two of them meet in an internet chatroom as teenagers, fall in love, and form a band. How very 90s. From there, the duo experience a meteoric rise to fame in the rock scene and suffer the various pitfalls that you'd expect: alcohol/drug addiction, fame destroying relationships, etc etc.

The story is told in alternating time lines: past and present, so we ge glimpses into the early 90's when their band was rising to fame, as well as present day. In the present, we know that Elijiah is missing and presumed dead, and Jane has been on her own in the intervening years. Most people don't like her and blame her for Elijiah's death.

One thing that I do think the book got right, and that I appreciated, was the depiction of misogyny and sexism against Jane. It was interesting to be told how things really happened and contrast that to how things were perceived by the general public, espeically with fans basically blaming her for Elijiah's issues and eventual downfall despite it not having anything to do with her. (a la Courtney Love)

The main plot point of the book is that it turns out that Elijiah maybe faked his own death, and Jane (along with a teenage fan, Hen) set out to discover the clues he has been leaving throughout Europe (????) to lead her back to him. I wanted to be able to set aside how bonkers this is as a concept, but man, I couldn't. To be frank, <spoiler> the relationship between Elijah and Jane was toxic and I think it's weird as hell for the "love story" to be that he fakes his own death and lets her be miserable/mourning for FIVE YEARS only to then lead her on a wild goose chase across various countries to prove that she'll "always find him" or whatever the fuck. Okay??? Idk man this didn't strike me as romantic, personally. </spoiler>

I was also hoping for a bit more actual 90s nostalgia but for me this story didn't deliver on the "sense of time" that I expect from a story intentionally set in a specific era.

Giving it 2.5 stars because for whatever reason I was invested in Jane and enjoyed the beginning parts of the story (though didn't love how this story resolved).

Jane Pyre is a musician who played in the Seattle grunge band The Lightning Bottles years ago. When her bandmate and love Elijah went missing, everything went wrong. Years later she travels to Germany and surprisingly meets a young woman who claims to know what happened to Elijah.

I wanted to read this novel because I love fiction about music and about the rock world. The description of this book is very intriguing!

This is a compelling, stay-up-too-late-reading, sometimes heartbreaking read. I loved it and other rock fans - who also love brilliantly written novels - will too!

A charming story of a 90s alt-rock grrrl and her Gen Z fan. Jane Pyre, a thinly veiled Courtney Love, is accused of breaking up the (fictional) band the Lightning Bottles. She has retreated from the public eye to hide out in Scotland. But a reclusive music lover next door is convinced her dead husband and the face of the Lightning Bottles is alive, and they set out to prove it together. Good for Gen Xers, capital-R Romantics, and feminists alike.

If you’re GenX or a millennial that lived off of music in the 90s this a nostalgic hard look at the life our idols (both males and females) went through on the road to fame. From starting out as naive musicians - to addicts - to being adored and hated.. to ODs, death and love. And to that secret wish that our idol didn’t really die but is thriving and living a simple life as a nobody.
Thank you NetGalley, Marissa & S&S!!!!!

The Lightening Bottles by Marissa Stapleton tells the story of Jane Pyre and Elijah Hart up and coming alternative rock stars. There are 2 timelines the past 1990 and then the present 1999. Very descriptive and I felt as though I was right there with them. Meaningful song lyrics. I really wanted to hear their music. The characters are very realistic. How they handle different situations, fame, fortune, tragedy, and their love for each other.

This was a great read! I highly recommend it! Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This story was a very interesting look at how fame can affect people and the difference between how men and women are treated in the music industry. I enjoyed the two timelines that lead us to really understand what these characters have been through. You really can’t go wrong with a back drop of the 90’s!

As someone who loves books set during the 90s and with a focus on the music scene, I couldn’t wait to dive in when I was approved for a DRC. Thank you Netgalley and Simon & Schuster.

Following the relationship/singing/song writing partnership of Jane and Elijah was like taking a stroll down memory lane. Inspiration from Courtney and Kurt was felt throughout the tale as were some of the big name music stars of that time period.

I felt for Jane and all the women she represented. The widespread misogyny in the music industry was explored and shine a light on what female musicians had to face in order to make their music. It was not pretty and you could see how it could crush a person’s spirit.

I am thankful for the story as it causes one to reevaluate that time period and really appreciate the absolute brilliance of Sinead, Shirley, and all the women who fought to play their music. This books comes out in September and I highly recommend you pick it up and pay close attention to the author’s note..it’s a fabulous homage to the 90s and the women who made everlasting music.

Thank you Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the copy of The Lightning Bottles by Marissa Stapley. This isn't my usual genre, but I couldn’t resist the promise of a book about rock ‘n’ roll and musicians. I’m so glad I took the chance because I ate this book up! The writing drew me into the story and I couldn’t stop reading until I discovered Elijah’s fate. Jane and Elijah were such compelling characters and I was hooked on their relationship from the beginning. I loved how Hen was introduced and how she was such a fan. The music woven into the story was nostalgic and the lives of the musicians was eye-opening. If you have ever loved a band or a musician and their music and want a great book with a little mystery, do not miss this one. It certainly made me nostalgic for the time when I would go out every night to hear live local music. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

This is Daisy Jones and The Six notched up a level. Well developed characters, intriguing look at the music business and the Seattle grunge scene, the price of fame, and redemptive power of love. Told from two different time lines, the story was well paced and kept me fully engaged throughout. Highly recommended

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an advanced reader copy.

I had high hopes for this one but it was really hard to get into. The story picked up once they started hunting for clues, but the Hen character just made no sense. And the Jane/Hen partnership was just strange. I did appreciate the insight into song-writing and how hard it was for female rockers to get the respect that they deserved.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

The story is split between Jane’s present-day road trip across Europe and flashbacks to the band’s rise to fame.
The Lightning Bottles is more than just a love story; it’s a celebration of music and a portrayal of the cost of fame.
This book is a must-read for fans of music and heartfelt storytelling.

This story gets all the stars. One of my top reads of the year. This is Daisy Jones and the Six for the 90’s grunge scene. Pure 1990’s grunge nostalgia. In 1989, Two teenagers meet in a chat room to discuss their favorite bands. By 1991 Jane and Elijah are touring the world selling out arenas. As is often the case, Jane is immediately villainized. Years later, Jane has moved to a remote house Germany when her teenage neighbor forces her to go on a roadtrip to show Jane some art. Through this trip Jane is forced to revisit the start of everything and allow herself to leave some of her grief behind. The highs are highs and the lows are heartbreaking. “Is it better to burn out than fade away” 💔 If you are a fan of Courtney Love, Fiona Apple, Tori Amos and 90’s grunge this one is for you. So well written. I found myself immediately transported to a time I hold so close to my heart while falling in love with this deeply human characters.

An interesting read about fame, young love and the 90’s alternative music scene. I enjoyed the mystery and back and forth past to present storyline. It was a bit far fetched for me but the music lover in me took over and I recommend it to all the fans of the grunge era.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Transitioning From Codependency to Healthy Relationships and THE LIGHTNING BOTTLES by Marissa Stapley

Cover of the book THE LIGHTNING BOTTLES by Marissa Stapley used to teach the concept of Transitioning from Codependency to Healthy Relationships
Jane and Elijah are 90s grunge music enthusiasts who meet in an online music forum. He’s experienced; she’s naïve. Jane moves to Seattle to be with Elijah, to find that he has a drug problem that he was unable to solve before they started a life together. She promises to save him.

They form a band, The Lightning Bolts. Jane’s a whiz at writing songs; Elijah’s voice is magical. He agrees to stop using, then gets her to accept him doing drugs – “just” hallucinogens and alcohol - when performing live. But Elijah also seems high a lot outside of the agreed-upon moments. Jane feels guilty that she can’t get him to stop and runs herself ragged trying to run interference and save him. Their band takes off. Suddenly, they have a platinum record. The pressure is relentless. He’s addicted; she’s drinking to numb the stress of it all. The Lightning Bolts are a mess.

Jane and Elijah’s relationship, one steeped in true love, was codependent.

Healthy relationships are mutually beneficial. They sometimes seesaw but average out at about even. Codependent relationships are dysfunctional, with one person sacrificing their wants, needs, and autonomy to care for the other. Codependency is frequently associated with addiction but refers to any lopsided or enabling relationship.

Here are tips for transitioning from codependency to a healthy relationship.

Do What Makes You Happy: Identify the activities, hobbies, rituals, professional tasks, and self-care you enjoy and incorporate these into your schedule.

Set Boundaries: In a loving but firm tone, communicate ways you will and will not help the other person. Clarify that they are responsible for their own behaviors.

Maintain Other Relationships: Spend time with friends and family outside the codependent relationship.

Look For Patterns: Is history repeating itself? Analyze your attachment style and how past relationships may impact your present.

Recognize You, Me, and We: Different things work for you, the other person, and the relationship. It’s a red flag if you always come in last.

The Lightning Bottles by Marissa Stapley

Love Marissa Stapley? Me too. Check out my post on Stages of Change and Moving From Preparation to Action and LUCKY by Marissa Stapley

Simon and Schuster provided an early galley for review.

As her introductory author's note states, Stapley was a 90's teen passionate about the music and artists of that time. That love and longing translates perfectly into the character of Hen, the sullen teen who Jane encounters shortly after her arrival in the country.

While the present day acts as the roadmap of the story, the flashback chapters provided much-needed backstory to the relationship between Jane and Elijah. I had to smile with the BBS (bulletin-board system) exchanges; early Internet chatrooms were something one does not forget. The use of letters between characters also works very well here (it is a literary technique I don't think about utilizing that often myself). I also liked that the flashbacks are written in past tense while the "present day" chapters are written in present tense. It is a subtle thing (it took me almost a third of the book to register it) that works well.

Stapley mixes real world musicians like Bono and Michael Stipe with those she has made up for her tale (like the reimagined Seattle music scene and her stand-in for Sinéad O'Connor, one of the artists Stapley praises in her opening author's note). For those who know their 90's music trivia, these nods and reworkings will be very familiar. Whether one considers these reinterpretations of people and events as creative license or an literary shortcuts will vary. In any case, the story makes it way to a satisfying conclusion.

I like the added bonus of three song lyrics at the end. That is a nice touch too.

Enjoyed! Its very Daisy Jones & The Six with a little bit more of an active mystery rather than just a 4th act reveal. Fairly well done, I was interested in all the characters whether I particularly liked them or not, which is all that matters in such a character focused story! would recommend.

Jane Pyre was once 1/2 of a famous rock duo. Her husband & bandmate disappeared. Years later, she is hated by the public and wants to know what happed to him and her career. In Germany, where she goes to hide, her neighbor is a superfan of her former band. The girl says that her husband is still alive & has been leaving Jane clues. They need to follow the clues quickly and solve the mystery. Can the two solve the mystery on a cross-country road trip?

Was so excited for this ARC and thank you NetGalley for the chance, so I find myself torn rating this a 2 star read. I loved this author’s previous work “Lucky” and the plot comparisons to “Daisy Jones and the Six” but I just could not get into this one. The prologue fell very flat for me. I kept trying to pick up and get back into this book, but was just not kept engaged and ultimately DNF.

⭐️ 3.75

A really solid read. It took me a hot minute to get into, but once I did I flew through it. I typically love any book that incorporates music and/or the music industry so I loved that aspect. I feel like most I've read take place in the 70s, so to read one in the 90s was a breath of fresh air. But what stood out to me was this element of mystery and suspense that builds up until the end of the book — it kept me hooked and anxious to find out what happens. It fell flat for me in a few places, but overall, I really enjoyed it!