What a perfect summer romance book. LOVE IS A WAR SONG was one of my most highly anticipated reads of this year and it was everything I had hoped it would be. Avery is incredibly gullible and messy at times, but her story was fun and somehow nostalgic to follow. This book made me laugh and swoon. It brought up all of the feelings I want romance books to invoke. My only complaint is that I wish the epilogue had been further in the future so that I could get confirmation that these two end up together long term. I’m not quite ready to let these characters go so I may need to reread this one soon.

Avery Fox may have the song of the summer but Danica Nava has the book of the summer! Swoony, sexy, charming, laugh-out-loud funny and brimming with tender moments that made my heart ache, this is the perfect breezy romcom. I will devour anything Danica Nava writes

A young woman whose level of fame I couldn’t quite get a grasp on (high-ish?) makes a miscalculation and gets canceled (whoops). She gets sent to her grandmother’s ranch to reconnect with her culture and falls in love with a hot cranky guy. This book was extremely cute and breezy, although I am continually bewildered by how fictional characters never tell their overly-intrusive and boundary-ignoring parents to fuck off. There isn’t really a villain in this book aside from Avery’s own internal battle with her desires versus what’s expected of her, but there IS a sexy basement. Are you a horse girl? You’re in for a good time. (I didn’t mean for that to sound weird.)

This sweet romance was a fun, breezy weekend read. Witty and fast-paced, with flawed but likable characters, Love is a War Song is perfect for fans of Rachel Lynn Solomon and Alicia Thompson. Though the novel deals with serious topics, including difficult family dynamics and professional missteps, it never veers into dark and depressing territory. It is a rom com, after all.

As other reviewers have pointed out, main character Avery is the only POV character in this book. However, seeing as how the plot focuses on her journey and growth, I didn't miss MMC Lucas' point of view. Her witty, slightly naive (but ultimately earnest) characterization makes her a character you want to root for, regardless of the romantic outcome.

Nava is a romance writer to watch. This is her second novel, and you can see her writing getting smoother and stronger. This is an enjoyable fish-out-of-water romance.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy.

I loved Danica Nava's first romance novel and I think it's safe to say I love this one even more! Love Is A War Song is a fresh, funny addition to the cowboy romance subgenre. Lucas and Avery's banter-fuelled romance is the stuff quippy dreams are made of, and I always appreciate when personal wants are given equal weight to the romantic goals of the book

I enjoyed Danica Nava's debut, and was excited to see a new book from her so soon. Avery Fox is a 23-year old singer/dancer/actress who gets a ton of backlash after being featured on a Rolling Stone cover in a war bonnet and sexier versions of other traditional regalia, a nod to her own Native heritage (about which knows nothing, and therefore does not realize how offensive she's being). Between the cover and her hit song "I Need a Warrior Tonight," Avery is very quickly canceled, and when credible threats to her safety are made, her momager sends her to the only place she can think of - her own mother's horse ranch in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Avery doesn't just want to hide out - she wants to learn more about the family she's never met, especially her grandmother Lottie, and she wants to understand her own Muscogee heritage better after she's been raked across the coals in the media. This was a great use of the "fish out of water" trope, and Avery is able to charm almost all of the locals in her new life, except for her grandmother and her grandmother's hot ranch manager, Lucas. While Avery tries to figure out who she is as a daughter, a granddaughter, a musician, and a person, she and Lucas get closer and closer, even though they don't see a way to continue their relationship after Avery goes back to her real life as a semi-disgraced pop star. This was a really interesting exploration of family, identity, and the power of social media (for good and for bad). Plus, tons of horses! Content warning for mentions of past drug and alcohol addiction, racism, and threats of violence.

Native American pop star Avery graces a magazine cover adorned with a headdress, provoking anger among some and prompting others to "question her Nativeness."
She is sent by her mother-manager to stay with her grandmother, whom she has never met, an experience that introduces her to the disapproving Lucas and deepens her understanding of her cultural roots and family history.
This romance encompasses a bit of everything: passionate kisses, a woman discovering her identity, and a poignant family legacy that supports the narrative. The relationship between Avery and Lucas evolves from mutual disdain laced with chemistry to love and longing, while Nava skillfully heightens the tension surrounding the possibility of a pop star and a cowboy finding common ground. Naturally, we all recognize that they can indeed make it work. This book was quite enjoyable from both plot and character perspectives. I have a fondness for the fish-out-of-water trope, especially in a pop star/country romance sprinkled with a hint of grumpy/sunshine dynamics. I found the circumstances leading to her reconnection with her heritage and her time on the farm to be quite fascinating. However, I do wish this book featured a dual point of view, or just more scenes in general between them as the romance felt somewhat underdeveloped.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!

Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the complimentary e-ARC. All opinions provided are my own. This blog post includes affiliate links.
Danica Nava writes another great contemporary with Love is a War Song.

In this romance, out 07/22, Native American pop star Avery appears on a magazine cover wearing a headdress, angering some & causing some to “question her Nativeness.”

She’s sent by her momager to live with the grandmother she’s never known, an experience that leads her to meeting disapproving Lucas & understanding more about her culture & family history.

This romance has a little bit of everything: smooching, a woman who learns about herself, & an emotional family history underpinning it all.

Avery & Lucas’s relationship moves from mutual dislike tinged with chemistry to love & yearning, & Nava satisfyingly builds the suspense surrounding the question of how a pop star & a cowboy can ever be together. Of course, we all know they can make it work ;).

4⭐️. Out 07/22.
[ID: Jess holds the ebook over a green & pink bouquet, a brown guitar, & a table.]

Ever since I read her debut novel last year, Danica Nava is an automatic read author for me. I was lucky enough to be close to Birchbark Books during Romance Bookstore day, and they carried signed copies of her book (legit - it's the book that had me travel out during the Romance bookstore day). I was super excited to see a new book out so quickly after her first one, and immediately knew it was going straight on my TBR.

I liked how Love is a War Song approached the concepts of culture and belonging, of how you can both belong but not truly belong to a group. I also appreciated that the book recognized what it is like to grow up separate from your family and not know where you came from. Both Avery and Lucas experienced these themes to different extents. Avery grows and matures throughout the novel, and I did find it interesting that she went from one particularly grueling job to another that were in complete extremes of one another. The author also did a great job at showing the behind the scenes deals that are taking place, where artists are not in control of their careers but have to make the labels and managers happy.

Some of the writing was on the simpler side, but the story itself in my opinion was strong. I also really loved how the book tackled parasocial relationships. Some of what occurs online when it comes to celebrities is intense and sometimes completely unhinged. It's easy to think of those in the entertainment industry as a "thing" and not a person. This book really showed the human element of what entertainers (whether it's a singer, author, actor, etc.) face when it comes to public scrutiny and their online presence. It's super easy to judge someone in the public eye without understanding the pressures the are facing in the background. I personally removed much of my social media presence due to the people I come across in my work searching me out, and I can't imagine living my life online the way celebrities are forced to.

Please be advised I received an Advance Readers Copy (ARC) from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I was so excited when I got this one! Nava’s debut, The Truth According to Ember, was one of my top 10 favorite reads of 2024

This book was such a breath of fresh air! I loved all the characters, and I’m always a sucker for a small town romance. It totally gave Hannah Montana: The Movie vibes. Big City Pop Star gets sent to a small town to reconnect with her roots, find herself, and maybe fall for a cowboy? Yes, please!

Just like with her debut, Nava did a fantastic job with Indigenous representation here, and it felt really meaningful and well done.

My only (small!) complaint is that I wish it had been dual POV. I would’ve absolutely loved a few chapters from Lucas’ perspective..he had so much going on beneath the surface!

Overall, if you’re into slow burns, cowboys, grumpy x sunshine dynamics, and small town vibes, this one’s for you!

Danica Nava's first novel, The Truth According to Ember, was a big favorite of mine last year. This time around, I loved the fish-out-of-water perspective that Avery brings after a lifetime of knowing nothing about her heritage. Danica's exploration of her family and the way she grapples with trying to figure out where she fits in world only to happy to tell her where she doesn't is fascinating. The way she is "cancelled" and subjected to bullying and everyone's virtue-signaling is captured with heart and understanding. She's been following orders, now she's the only one who answers for it.

I thought that the mysteries of Avery's mother's past and Lucas's family situation were handled deftly and the timing felt good. I was a little disappointed that there wasn't more resolution with either story line, but it felt in keeping with the novel's message about taking things one day at a time.

Charming. Refreshing. Endearing. This book was a breath of fresh air. Featuring a pop-star dismissed by the greater netizen society and the sometimes-surly man tasked with helping her find her feet, this Indigenous cowboy romance is perfect rom-com lovers everywhere. While I would have personally loved to dig a little deeper into the characters and their emotions, their pasts, and their intertwined choices, this book was just very charming.

Five stars! Love is a War Song is full of banter, chemistry, tension and is a delightful slow burn. It’s a story of family and finding yourself and your voice. I loved Lucas and Avery so much and I’m truly sad to leave them and the ranch family! Danica Nava has outdone herself and has truly written a story so full of heart. I can’t wait to see what she puts out next.

This is a PERFECT BOOK! If you love cowboy romances, grumpy/sunshine, Hannah Montana: The Movie!!! YOU’LL LOVE THIS BOOK! Everything about this read like a classic rom com in all of the best ways! The fish out of water, a girl coming home to place she’s never been, the pop star and the small town guy, the HOT cowboy who’s instantly annoyed with the pretty girl but FOR SURE likes her!! But it was also balanced with a lot of good Native representation. We got to see Avery meeting her grandmother for the first time, someone who is so important to her community, and what she does for other people. We get to see Lucas teaching her the “lessons” of being Native - when in reality it’s not as straightforward as you’d think - which is the whole point! Every single thing about this book made my heart so incredibly happy.

I LOVED LUCAS AND AVERY!!! They were the PERFECT sort of enemies to lovers that were never REALLY enemies they just didn’t really understand each other at first and were really just irritated with each other’s existence. Because the more time they spent together the more they got to open up with each other and the bond they formed was so special to them!! I LOVED IT SO MUCH!

I also loved all the side characters! Danica’s writing is so FUN and filled with so much love and community, it’s very clear how important family and friendship and community is to Native American’s and she really highlighted that here.

AND let’s not forget Danica and her husband MADE A WHOLE SONG FOR THIS BOOK!!! That is literally the coolest thing ever!!

thank you so much to Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!!

4.5*

I dove into this book and did not want to come up for air!! I've seen this mentioned in a few reviews, and fully concur: if you loved the Hannah Montana movie, this one is for you. It absolutely tackles larger issues than that movie and has its own unique story, but the overall vibe was very similar in the best way!

Avery's life in the public eye blows up after she is featured on a magazine cover and her identity as a Native American woman is called into question by the masses. She is essentially sent to her estranged Grandmother's ranch in Oklahoma to hide out from the media backlash.

From there, a really heartwarming story unfolds. A story in which she discovers her roots and gets the opportunity to connect with family she's never met. Avery also meets Lucas, one of her Grandmother's ranch hands. Lucas, oh Lucas.. I love this man!!

One thing about Danica Nava, she knows how to write a MAN!! Despite being a bit weary of Avery, Lucas always shows up for her. He is kind and caring. He's just a giant green flag of a man.

I loved being with Avery on her journey and seeing her growth throughout the story as she learn more about her identity and created deep connections (that had absolutely nothing to do with her fame) with those around her.

I devoured this so quickly and I think my fellow Cowboy Romance lovers will love this one too!!

ARC Review: Love is a War Song by Danica Nava
Pub Date: July 22nd

Thank you to @berkleyromance for the #gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Listen, we all know I entered by cowboy romance era this year but one thing that I really struggle with in the genre is the incredible lack of diversity. I've been seeking out more diverse books within the genre (and if you have any recommendations, please let me know!) so when I found out that Danica's new book was a cowboy romance, I was so so excited! We absolutely need for indigenous representation in books and I am so excited to be sharing this one with you today.

And I really liked it!! I really liked all of the characters and the setting on a horse farm was really fun. Seeing Avery, who has not grown up with her culture, learn and grow as a character was really satisfying. She's a city girl thrown onto a horse farm and has to learn a lot real fast - which often results in some pretty funny scenes (I too, have had a horse chew on my hair!). I loved grumpy Lucas and how he softens to Avery over time - I love what he wanted to do with the horse farm. I read most of the book in one day and really found that I didn't want to put it down!

I often don't love celebrity romances (which this also is) but I was really rooting for Avery and Lucas the whole time. They're also a bit on the young side for me so they make some *questionable* decisions but I can forgive those given their ages.

All in all, I wholly recommend this one! Especially if you've also discovered your cowboy romance era - this is a great addition to the genre and I hope we continue to see more diversity in the genre. Please consider preordering this one!

While I generally don't reach for pop star romances, and I can't think of a single other cowboy romance I've read, after reading Danica Nava's first book, I decided to give this one a try and I am glad I did! I just had a great time reading this, and despite Avery's naivety at first, she really grew on me by the end of the book. Based on the synopsis, I do have to say I was expecting it to be dual POV, so just know that this whole book is in Avery's first person POV.

Thank you @berkleyromance and @danica_nava for this ARC!

Hi, it’s me again. I’m begging you to add this to your summer tbr! Love Is A War Song is a cowboy romance full of humor, summer heat, finding home, and Indigenous representation. I absolutely devoured this story, and I laughed so much that my cheeks were hurting. While the romance is a favorite, the overall message Danica sends throughout this story is so powerful and beautifully written.

✨Avery Fox is a pop singer who has found herself on the canceled celebrity list after her cover for Rolling Stones in a feather warbonnet was posted. In order to help her reputation, she’s sent to her grandmother’s horse ranch in Oklahoma. I loved her character so much. She’s so used to doing whatever she’s told, and she finally starts putting herself first. She wants to learn her family history and her culture.

✨Lucas Iron Eyes is the hot cowboy ranch worker on her grandmothers ranch. He immediately despises Avery and wants her gone. He’s lived on the ranch since he was 16 and doesn’t see how her being there helps them at all. If anything, teaching her how to work on the ranch makes his days seem longer.

✨Avery and Lucas make an agreement where she will help raise funds for the ranch, and he will help her learn more about their culture. They have a sizzling slow burn relationship that’s full of tension and witty banter. When they’re not working together, they’re still thinking about each other. I loved that Avery showed Lucas he was someone worth fighting for, and I loved that Lucas showed Avery he would always be the person in her corner.

Love Is A War Song has:
🩵 Oklahoma horse ranch
🔥 Slow burn
🤠 Cowboy MMC
🎤 Pop Star FMC
☀️ Self growth
🐴 Indigenous representation
💚 Grumpy X sunshine

This book was a ton of fun but also full of heart! I love the slow burn romance between Avery and Lucas and Lucas' backstory. Danica Nava writes a great MMC! I enjoyed all of the pop culture references, which felt natural given Avery being a popstar. This is the perfect summer read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for access to this arc!