Love is a War Song
Danica Nava
Pub: 7/22/25
4☆

My first read by Nava and I enjoyed it. It was a funny, sweet, and heartwarming romance. Though it’s a lighthearted pop star in trouble, grumpy cowboy romance, it also tackles themes of identity, belonging, and the ever so present cancel culture. It was very much a grown up version of the Hannah Montana movie but Native American. All in all an enjoyable read, and I definitely look forward to more from Nava.

What I enjoyed;
🤠 Cowboy Romance
🤠 Slow Burn
🤠 Grumpy/Sunshine
🤠 Found Family
🤠 Indigenous Rep

**Thank you Berkley Romance and Berkley Publishing for the free book**

4.5 stars!!! I loved this book. I finished this book in a day because it is such an easy funny read. I enjoyed the FMC, Avery. She is a Native American pop star who is finding herself. I could relate more to Avery when it came to questions regarding her indigenous heritage. The found family trope within this book is really sweet and I enjoyed it so much. I, of course, loved Lucas. The banter between Lucas and Avery is funny and delightful which made the romance more enjoyable. The diversity and the neurodivergent representation is wonderful and very needed in the romance space.

Thank you to Danica Nava and Berkley Publishing for allowing me to receive and read the e-ARC of this novel!

I think it's amazing when authors have the ability to get you to dislike their characters at the beginning and have you loving them by the end. That's how I felt about Avery at the beginning of this book--I really thought I disliked her as a character. But Danica did such a great job with Avery's redemption arc in this book. I really loved that Avery sought more than public redemption by going to Oklahoma--she sought to take accountability for her actions, to learn about her heritage and family and love her newfound community, to invest in that community without expectation of anything in return, and about being willing to try new things and be vulnerable in a really tough situation she found herself in.

I also loved the evolution of her relationship with Lucas and the respect they gained from each other. It was really nice to see her teach her how to be involved in the Muscogee Nation and the Broken Arrow community. Lucas' unconditional support of Avery made my heart soar; never wanting to hold her back and making sure she was making decisions for herself and not based on him is partner goals. Standing up for each other and learning why Lucas sought support outside his family also helped make him a relatable character. I think we all have a new book boyfriend in Lucas Iron Eyes now.

Finally, I really, really loved that this was a book with Indigenous representation at the front and center. It's so refreshing to read a book like this, especially one from an author with such an intimate knowledge of the Indigenous community. This book was a fun take on cowboy romance; it's not my typical genre so this was a great way for me to branch out into something outside my comfort zone. Danica created such a fun world and lovable characters and I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and will highly recommend it to friends for an uplifting read.

Danica Nava plays with tropes of a cowboy romance to create this fun and heartfelt story. Nava was able to discuss so many “big” topics critically and with care within this story of finding one’s place in the world. I fell in love with the cast of characters, especially Avery. Avery made a mistake and yet she was able to grow from it in a genuine way. I loved the complexity between Avery, her mom, and her grandma, the importance of caring and showing up for your community, and what owning up to your mistakes actually looks like. This book was fun, fresh, and had me giggling and kicking my feet! I cannot wait to read what Nava writes next as this was a great second novel.

4 stars and my thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the eARC!

What a lovely little love story. A little hokey at times, a little Hallmark Original at times, but lovely all the same. I can't speak for the Native American experience, but I really did love the theme of "who can tell you who or what you are other than yourself"

The only thing I could see being fixed is the whiplash of Lucas' feelings going from outright loathing to omg we're besties and I wanna make out within the span of like a page. I would have liked a little bit more of a slower burn. Avery was a little insufferable at times, but she's supposed to be. It made sense. But god I wanted to shake her at times.

All in all, would recommend!

What a sweet, cutesy cowboy romcom!

Danica Nava did an exceptional job crafting a sunshine x grumpy romcom dealing with themes of identity, belonging, cancel culture, harmful stereotypes, and standing up for yourself when it matters most.

While the first 20% of the story/plot felt like it dragged on (especially with Lucas and Avery clashing at the very start), it picked up by the 25% mark, and I thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the story! I was thrilled by all the Indigenous culture and representation throughout the story, and especially Avery's character growth.

This story was giving major Hannah Montana: The Movie vibes and that made my inner child very, very happy (it was one of my favorite movies growing up), and I loved getting a taste of a cowboy romance, too!

All in all, this was a great summer read, and I'm excited to read more from Nava!

A really love contemporary romance that also delves into issues with family and child actors/musicians. I enjoyed the main character of this book quite a bit--more than Ember from The Truth According to Ember, if I'm honest--and I liked how quickly she realized when she had made a mistake and tried to push to make it better. When people gave her a hard time for being "spoiled" coming from Hollywood, she was quick to defend herself with the many hours of hard work.

I was a little worried, given the overall plot summary, that this book would be one of those, 'everyone in California is fake, come to REAL America in rural areas' but it really didn't. The fact that she didn't know anything about being on a horse ranch was the butt of a number of jokes, but people were also quick to recognize the fact that she also worked really hard at her chosen career and was very talented in that too. It was a nice balance. And the rural characters weren't seen as out of touch or one dimensional either.

Overall, I felt like this had some really nicely fleshed out characters with some depth, and I enjoyed the side characters almost as much as I enjoyed the main romance.

Danica Nava’s sophomore novel is an absolute delight. I love how her characters are able to be messy and have room to grow, and you end up rooting for their growth. And it makes their transformations, especially Avery’s, feel so satisfying. Even if you aren’t Indigenous, I feel like many people can relate to feeling distant from your culture and wanting to learn more about it, as well as wanting to be authentic to said culture and do it justice. I also enjoyed the “western” type setting in Oklahoma on the ranch, but with actually showing the Native American communities that are so prominent in the state.

I enjoyed how the characters mean well but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re perfect. And that even characters like Avery’s mom are given some nuance even if they may not be 100% redeemed. And that there isn’t one single model answer of how to deal with one’s estranged parents; how Lucas’ relationship with his parents is resolved is different than how Avery’s relationship with her mother is dealt with, and that resolution is different than her resolution with her grandmother.

I also enjoy seeing how their community is demystified and humanized, and has both its pros and cons and even its own aspects it might need to grow from, like any real community.

Avery and Lucas’ relationship starts at genuine but understandable dislike, and I really enjoyed seeing them learn more about each other as well as themselves as they grew closer. They really became each other’s safe place.

This was such a sweet, easy read. It felt like reading a hallmark movie, it was entirely predictable brain candy and perfect for a palate cleanser or dissociation read. Several times it introduced plot lines where we had the opportunity for it to go deep, but it never really dug in to those storylines and I have to appreciate that because I came here for a light pop princess hallmark cowboy romance and thats exactly what I got. Reliable, sweet, and easy - great chemistry between the two leads, I was rooting for them the whole time. Perfect if you like a grumpy sunshine with a touch of workplace / forbidden romance, found family, Hallmark cheese, HEAs… and if you ever saw Just Friends and wished Anna Farris’s Samantha got a redemption arc / love story of her own, this one is for you.

Synopsis:

Pop singer Avery Fox has become a national joke after posing on the cover of Rolling Stone in a feather warbonnet. She escapes to her estranged grandmother Lottie’s ranch in Oklahoma. Living on the rez is new to Avery—she has to work in the heat to earn her keep. Red Fox Ranch has been home to Lucas Iron Eyes since he was 16. Lucas can’t stand what Avery represents, but when he’s forced to work with her on the ranch, he can’t get her out of his sight—or his head. They form a tentative truce and make a Avery will help raise funds to save the ranch, and in exchange, Lucas will show her what it really means to be an Indian.

Review:

Ahhhh how refreshing to read an Indigenous cowboy romance! It was a perspective that I didn't know I NEEDED. This book was funny, sweet and romantic, while exploring themes of community, identity and finding your roots. The funniest moment in this book was the spiky tooth LOL (#iykyk) and the most romantic was during the thunderstorm (obvs). I loved the strong FMCs, with Avery, her mother and grandmother all being badass women who take life by the horns. I hope this book makes it to all the store shelves and all the TBRs because it deserves to be front and centre!

You can preorder this book now - it pubs next week - and as you know preorders are so important, esp for BIPOC voices because it shows the publishers we want MORE!

Thank you Berkley Romance for my finished copy!

Equal parts hilarious, over the top, and vivid writing.

I love the premise of the fallen pop star getting back to her roots and along for the ride is the broody cowboy. The Indigenous rep in here is amazing, we get mutli dimensional and flawed (very real) characters just transplanted in a very romanclelandia type of world.

Too many parts I was cracking up or holding my breath to not burst out laughing while reading in public. I think about the swoon factor in this book and there could have been a bit more and I think this author has the chops for more passion when it comes to steamy scenes, BUT I know so many friends will love this book just the way it is just like I do.

Cannot wait to have my physical copy!

I love this book so much. this book was such an eye opening of how a lot of things work. Indian, music, family everything is lay out so amazingly that I couldn't stop reading. now their relationship was such a AHJHRBJHEBIUNR they really made me want to giggle, scream and kicking my feet they are just such a cuties that I cannot stop thinking about them. I love them so much and I need them to be happy

4.25 stars!!

this was a super fun cowboy romance book!! i definitely agree that it gives hannah montana the movie vibes.

lucas!!!!! i loved him!! he held back no punches and honestly i loved his first few interactions with avery. perfectly captured the small town cowboy vs the city popstar !!! avery went through such a personal and reflective journey throughout this book and i loved getting to see her find herself, gain confidence and connect with her family. plus her and lucas were HOT!!!!!!!

i absolutely adored lottie and thought she was the perfect grandma haha. i also really liked reading about the native american culture and learning more about it !!!

thank you Berkley Romance & Berkley Pub for the arc & the finished copy! this is my honest review.

I vibed with this book almost immediately, must faster than I did with 'The Truth According to Ember', though I still liked that book too. I really enjoyed the narrative, and the way cancel cultured played into the book. Avery has been working hard forever and now is thrown into the unknown when she is told that 1) she is appropriating her own culture and 2) realizes she doesn't know that much about her culture. When she ends up in OK, with a grandmother she hasn't ever had a relationship with, she is shocked to see how different life in OK is. As she starts to argue with the grumpy farm hand, Lucas, she is confused on if her feelings for him are hatred or something more. It doesn't help that Lottie, her grandmother, has banded them from having any time of relationship. As Lucas starts to teach her more about the life she missed, or didn't know she even had connection to, she starts to wonder if she wants to go back to LA at all. I really liked how the book was written, the debate on being 'enough' of a community and learning from your mistakes to do better for everyone.

3.25⭐️

Thank you to Berkeley and Netgalley for an e-ARC of this book 🤍

For Hannah Montana, the Movie fans, this is for you! There is a part in this book where she *literally* saves her grandma’s horse ranch by creating a concert fundraiser and she is the headlliner. DO I NEED TO SAY MORE TO CONVINCE YOU TO READ IT??

This book was such a quick read and it captures your attention quickly. The story starts at such a high, with us full of anticipation with our FMC, Avery, excited about her future and how her fans will take her new single. Unfortunately, she gets cancelled by her fans due to suspicions of appropriation.

I enjoyed my experience with this book, although I think I was more excited with the first half of the book versus the second half. I loved reading about Avery discovering more about her culture and getting to know her grandmother and I think that was my favorite part! I do wish her and her mother had a better resolution, or even her mom and her grandma. As a romance, I did like Lucas but to me, their relationship didn’t seem to memorable. Overall, I enjoyed this so much and it was a good palate cleanser! 🥰

I read Danica Nava’s previous book and loved it so when I got the chance to read and review this, I jumped at it and honestly, I’m SO GLAD I did—shout out to Berkeley for this! Nava’s voice is so unique and effortless. I loved the characters, especially Avery’s grandmother. This book was so good and I loved the atmosphere, the learning I went through alongside Avery, the romance, and absolutely loved the humor in it. I would read ANYTHING Danica Nava puts out from here forward! Loved this book—no second book slump here!

Unfortunately, the complete 180 in personality didn't save this romance for me. Nava is a unique voice in fiction right now, but this one didn't quite work for me. I couldn't connect with the characters, and our MMC is too mean for redemption in my eyes.

Avery Fox is a pop singer, a Native American pop singer. And her label wants to cash in on that. So they have her dress in a Native America warbonnet on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine and then she is met with nothing but backlash. Her fans, extremely displeased, call her a fake. Her mother sends her away to her grandmother’s ranch in Oklahoma. Only, Avery knows nothing of this grandmother. Her mother hasn’t spoken to her in years. When she arrives, she meets Lucas Iron Eyes. He despises her, but now he has to work along side of her. And while he really wants her to leave, he can’t seem to get her out of his mind. They team up to work on a project together, and the tension mounts. But they are just too different, right?

This book is wonderful for so many different reasons. The book started off really strong with setting up who Avery was and really providing the reader insight on how quickly fans and turn on a celebrity. Then we meet Avery’s grandmother and our first introduction to her is fantastic! I don’t want to say anything else about that scene because it’s really funny.

I really enjoy the way that Avery learns about her Native American culture. From the whistling to the community, all the way through the end of the book. Avery learned, but I also learned.

Lucas was a great grumpy sunshine character and I really liked the progression of his relationship with Avery. It was not one that changed over night. I wouldn’t call it a slow burn exactly, but it was a gradual change. It really made their feelings and their connection stronger. The moment after the dinner at his parents house really got me. I could feel their emotions. I really loved them together.

The other characters were fun and I loved them too. This whole book was a really fun read. I highly recommend this book to rom-com readers!

Thank you Berkley Publishing Group for this arc.


Nope, this one isn't for me. I love the Native rep but that's about all. I do not like Avery, her mother, her grandmother or the hero. I mean not at all. I also find it ridiculous that Avery has no concept that what she did was wrong. She hates the song and the video because it's not her music but is clueless about how distasteful and insulting the magazine cover is? She rattles on about how long she's been in entertainment and again, is this naive? I just can't see myself finishing this one.

Avery is the only Native American pop star around and she makes the horrible mistake of listening to her uninformed mother and team in the process of posing for the cover of Rolling Stone. And so, her reputation is totally tanked, and she’s sent off to stay with her estranged grandmother for awhile til the gossip dies down. Instantly, she’s on the wrong foot with Lucas, the extra handsome man who works at the grandmother’s ranch. Just about as instantly as she’s attracted to him. She’s learning to adapt to a totally new environment, while everyone around her is terribly unhelpful. But the attraction between her and Lucas is super strong, despite all the realities of their lives. This book was funny and emotional and I loved seeing Avery embrace her roots.