Gosh this book is so beautiful, it made me cry. Ashley just knows how to write a book that you'll hold in your heart and the magical elements are always the perfect amount. I also loved the cameos from a previous book.

Lets start with Sebastian. I wanted to give him the biggest hug, he has walls high up and he feels so alone, until he lets in Joni. Seeing him try to make her happy, even encouraging her to date someone else if that's what she wanted, made my heart ache. Meanwhile Joni keeps looking back when she visits her hometown, while trying to navigate her present and all the complicated elements she's dealing with.

Ashley knows how to write grief that merges with your soul and makes you feel seen if you've went through it too. This book is sweet, raw, and beautifully tender.

Synopsis: When hit songwriter Joni Lark finds out that her mother has been diagnosed with dementia, she heads home from LA for one last summer with her family in the Outer Banks. In the midst of dealing with her grief, she also finds herself unable to write - until, inexplicably, a melody enters her head accompanied by a male voice. Belonging to none other than ex-boy band star, Sebastian Fell. Can Joni and Sebastian work together to write the song haunting them both?

Thoughts: My favorite magical realism author does it again! I don’t know how Ashley does it, but she infuses her books with ✨magic✨ in the best way. This beautifully written, whimsical romance really tugged at my heartstrings. I absolutely loved the unique plot and the lovely intimacy of the characters being drawn together by a melody. The setting is perfection - the Outer Banks is one of my favorite places in the world. Joni and Sebastian are fabulous main characters and had great banter and chemistry, but I also have to mention Jodi’s friends and family that added such depth and richness to the story. This is not only a romance, but also a story of family, grief, memories and chasing your dreams.

Read this if you like:
🎶 music
🎶 magical realism
🎶 nostalgia
🎶 OBX
🎶 forced proximity
🎶 family
🎶 friendship
🎶 nicknames

Thanks for the free book, @berkleypub
I received this copy in exchange for an honest review.
Sounds Like Love by Ashley Poston
OUT NOW!
4 Stars ⭐️
Songwriter Jo hasn't been able to write a song since she found out about her mother's dementia diagnosis. But when she kisses Sebastian, a member of an old boy band on a kiss cam, all of a sudden, she hears a melody in her head. But so does Sebastian. How can they hear each other's thoughts and the same song? And how do they get it to stop?

This was a very emotional story. I normally avoid books featuring dementia because it makes me very sad, but I'm glad I read this book. I liked seeing how Jo and Sebastian helped each other work through their difficulties and sadness. While there were very heavy topics, this book still had very funny moments. Jo's family is hilarious. I also really liked the magical realism. Being able to read each other's minds was such an interesting concept in a contemporary romance. I usually only see that in paranormal romances.

I liked this a lot! I haven’t read every book by the author but this was my fave of hers so far.

It’s a romance but it’s also a story about self discovery, returning to your roots, but also breaking free from the expectations you and others have set.

The romance itself was pretty sweet (maybe too sweet?), I can’t say it felt passionate or anything but I did enjoy it. They had an awkward meet cute which I love. I’m also a fan of MMCs that at first appear to be bad boys but are really softies on the inside.

I enjoyed the uniqueness of the premise even if ultimately I struggle with magical realism because my brain wants to know whyyyyyyyy these things happen but that’s more my problem than the book’s.

It also has a great setting, and I really enjoyed the family relationship though it was a bit sad so take care of yourself if dementia is a trigger for you.

Overall I enjoyed my time in Vienna Shores at the Rev!

This is my new favorite Ashley Poston book, filled with lots of my favorite things to read about- music, songwriting, romance. There's a touch of magic in this one that only enhances the ethereal feeling of this love story. Ashley Poston is great at incorporating grief into her books in a way that feels very real and yet doesn't seem inappropriate in a romance novel- in this one, main character Joni is back in her hometown for the summer, dealing with her writer's block and the gut punch of her mother's dementia diagnosis. This one is a masterpiece.

4.5 stars - This was so beautiful! I've adored Ashley Poston's writing and was so excited for her new book. (especially after being a little let down by A Novel Love Story). This absolutely delivered great rom-com vibes, magical realism on point, and delightful characters.

What I Loved: I absolutely adored the magic twist in this book. Characters being able to communicate telepathically and hear each other's thoughts is one of my favorite micro-tropes and this one delivered it perfectly. I love how it allowed both characters to be so vulnerable and supportive with each other and the way it helped grow their relationship. The setting of this book was so vividly imagined I felt like I could have been there. I also loved the portrayal of home and family and how music can bring so may people together and invoke so many emotions for people.

What I Didn't Love: The beginning was a little clunky, but that might have just been me. Since I wasn't as big of a fan of A Novel Love Story I think I started this with a bit of trepidation. Thankfully, that quickly went away though and I ended up being hooked early on.

Overall, I had the absolute best time reading this book and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a cute summer read! Thank you so much to Berkley Romance for the eARC - all opinions are my own!

Ashley never misses. I looove magical realism and I love HER magical realism the most.

I really have issues with celebrity romances and I don’t know why!! That was my only “issue” with this just cause I cannot connect to the story in a way that I want to. This book wouldn’t have worked without the celebrity aspect though so truly a me issue that I need to try and get over!!

Fully skip the audio for this one. Honestly not great (I switched the fully physical in the second half and enjoyed the story sooo much more). I also think you’ll get more out of physically reading to know when the convos between the MCs are out loud vs in heads. They switch a lot between speaking and thinking and it’s not always obvious when listening. Makes it a bit more special. BUT the audio does music/singing (although odd if you listen at speeds greater than 1.5x 😅) sooo pros and cons!

Read if you like:
🎹 music & the music industry
🤩 celebrity romance
🌶️ mild spice (1.5/5)
✨ magical realism
🏘️ small town
🎶 classic concert venues
🌊 the outer banks

Check TW!! Grief is the biggest theme ❤️‍🩹

I will read anything and everything Ashley writes! She is one of my favorite authors and writes about grief in such a beautiful and raw way. Sounds Like Love has lovable and relatable characters, romance, and felt like a love letter to music. This book made me laugh, cry and feel hopeful while reading. (Be sure to check out the author’s note at the end.)

Read if you like:
✨magical realism
✨singer & song writer
✨small town vibes
✨slow burn romance
✨found family

although it's a cool concept on some level, with simplistic writing that's beautiful, Sounds Like Love completely falls flat offering nothing exciting or interesting. It fails to hold get the dopamine in my head running and the cliche one dimensional dialogues by the mmc at places—clearly placed for booktok virality — don't sit right in the tone of the book and create a jarring disconnect.

thank you so much to the publisher and netgalley for the arc

Ultimately not my favorite, but I think fans of Poston will like this book. It's similar to her others--reluctant lovers, past shaping the present, and very serious issues grounding the romantic plotline.

BOOK REVIEW: SOUNDS LIKE LOVE🎶🎸✨💕🌾🌊

Like all @heyashposton books, this one was so much more than a love story and I loved the depth and how the characters felt so real. I loved the magical realism element and felt like it just added a bit of sparkle to this story!✨

Thank you @berkleyromance for my Netgalley arc! #berkleypartner

I also lovedddd the OBX setting in this story, it felt really authentic to me with the hush puppies, cheerwine, and small town beachy vibes. I vacation there every year with my fam so always enjoy reading books set there!

I caught the mention of Iwan from The Seven Year Slip and loved it (that’s one of my all time fav books!) 🥹

If you’re looking for a summery romance with small town beachy vibes that also covers tougher topics like grief and overcoming burnout/creative slumps, then I’d recommend this one!

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC!

There is something about Ashley Poston's books that just makes me want to live inside the worlds she creates. Her main characters are so genuine and relatable, from an overwhelmed publicist living through grief, to a bubbly book lover who feels most comfortable playing it safe but is sick of being put in second place, to (here) a songwriter living behind the scenes struggling to follow up one truly great hit. Her love interests are charming but real. I usually hate nicknames but somehow she always makes them work! And there's always a twist of magical realism that illuminates very raw, real emotions and connections.

I think Joni and Sasha were my favorite couple from her books yet (maybe second only to Clementine and Iwan). I was charmed by them almost instantly from their failed meet-cute. I am always so interested to see the surreal turn that one of Ashley Poston's books will take, and this one was particularly fun- Joni, who's struggling with burnout following some terrible news she's received from her family and can't seem to write another hit, starts hearing a distant melody in her head. Then a voice to accompany it. And the voice is talking back? I really loved seeing how both main characters grew over the course of the story.

I loved how this book brought to life the incredibly personal role that music plays for all of us- how it makes us feel and how it connects us to others. There is such a lovely web of connection that develops through one perfect song. This is as much a story of familial love as romantic love, and I really enjoyed how we got to know Joni's parents, brother, and best friend. I always cry at her books but the ending to this one was particularly special. As a huge fan of all of her books, I was also so delighted by the cameo from one of her other stories!

Ultimately, I adored this and can't wait to listen to the playlist I need to make of all of the songs that were quoted in her chapter titles!

Ashley has done it again. I loved the setting at a NC beach town which just made this magical realism even sweeter for me. It’s perfect for summer, but oh the emotions!! I was a MESS by the end of the book. It was beautiful and the ending was so perfect.

Huge thanks to Berkley Romance and PRH Audio for the gifted advanced digital and audio copies of this deeply moving, sweet, and swoony story that had me laughing, crying, and reflecting on what really matters. (berkleypartner, prhaudioinfluencer)

Joni Lark can’t write a song anymore, and that’s a huge problem—she’s one of LA’s most sought-after songwriters. When her mom was diagnosed with early onset dementia, Joni’s music vanished along with her spark. She’s hopeful that by returning to her small Outer Banks hometown and the music venue, The Revelry, her family has run for decades will spark her creativity while she spends one last summer with her mom. But when she gets there, The Revelry is run down, her best friend seems distant, and her mom is worse than she had hoped.

Then she hears a tune taking shape in her mind and a voice inside her head. A gruff male voice. And she’s in his head, too. And it isn’t, as she initially suspects, her imagination. So what happens when someone can hear your innermost thoughts? When they know your every truth? And when he shows up in person to figure out how to get out of her head, he’s not at all who she expected. And that tune they can’t seem to un-hear, it may be bigger than they both imagined.

Ashley Poston has such a gift for turning big themes into stories that feel deeply personal and intimate. This one is no exception: a small-town romance that celebrates new love and lifelong love, a family caught in a heartbreaking transition, and the raw honesty of finding yourself when everything else feels uncertain. It’s also a poignant exploration of how dementia slowly steals the people we love—and the quiet, brave ways we keep showing up for them. I ended this story feeling an urgency to make the most of every second.

🎧 Audiobook Notes 🎧 Patti Murin has voiced some of my favorite books (Paradise Problem, The Bodyguard, The Rom-Commers, etc), and she knocked it out of the park again with this one. She really embodies the many emotions of this story. (11h, 25m)

Thank you to @berkleypub, @berkleyromance, and @netgalley for my gifted copy of this book! #berkley #berkleypartner

Ashley Poston is the queen of magical realism! The Seven Year Slip is definitely my favorite of hers still, but this one is very cute.

Joni one day realizes she’s hearing a melody in her head, followed by a voice. Eventually, she comes to connect this voice to a famous musician she finds super irritating, who is also hearing the melody along with Joni’s voice in his head. I liked the telepathic connection and felt like it allowed for a faster and deeper emotional connection, setting a strong foundation for a romance.

I lovvved the Outer Banks setting, and thought the Margarita Barge was an adorable touch! There is a lot in here dealing with family legacy, and I felt like it overshadowed the romance frequently. I wanted more of the romance! Although, Joni dealing with her heavy emotions and grief does add a layer of depth to the story that is classic Poston. I just feel like her beautiful prose sometimes goes overboard with its flowery-ness and the story gets a little muddled. Because of this, I felt bored at times.

Please note that there is much of this book that deals with dementia, but I think the topic is truly handled gracefully and with care. I love seeing this more in books because it’s such a prevalent issue facing people today.

Overall, if you love Ashley Poston books, you will love this. If you’ve never read her before, prepare for gorgeous writing with a little bit of magic in the romance. And an author who is unafraid of tackling heavy topics that her main characters face together.

Thank you @berkleyromance @prhaudio for my free book and audiobook! All opinions are my own.

Ashley Poston's writing and books never fail to touch my heart, and this story about a songwriter definitely had me fully invested in the characters and the story.

Joni is a songwriter with writer's block, and she hopes that heading back home for the summer with her family will help her get past it. She is suddenly hearing a man's voice in her head, and the duo have the same melody running between them. Is this new man the key to writing another hit?

I loved the focus on music, on songwriting, on picking out the perfect notes and words to tell a story through a song. Joni's emotional journey heavily influences her music, and she pours her anticipatory grief and homesickness into the chords and melody along the way.

While there is definitely a love story and a story about music, there is also one of family and of grief. Joni's mother has dementia, and Joni is home to spend that last good summer with her before she sinks deeper into her diagnosis. I thought the early stages and the anticipatory grief were beautifully written, and they deeply resonated with me. I was brought to tears several times, especially when reading Ashley's author note about what prompted her to tell this story at this time. This felt personal and important and like a heartfelt dedication to loved ones with dementia.

What are Ashley Poston's books like? Romance.. but something is odd. This is how I would describe the basic Ashely Poston experience. I love every minute of her heartfelt books with a side of weird.

I love Magical Realism, especially in the way that Ashley Poston uses it. But this one didn't hit the mark for me as much. It was almost like they figured it out to quickly. There was also a little too much music and not enough of the rest of the plot.

Ashley Poston is totally killing it with these magical realism novels! Sounds Like Love is another funny, sweet, heartbreaking, and deep story with lots of music and a mysterious melody that will not only bring two people together but also help heal a past sorrow.

Joni and Sebastian are both wonderful main characters. Joni is living her dream as a successful songwriter in LA, but she's also suffering from her mother's diagnosis of dementia and an overwhelming feeling of homesickness. When she kisses Sebastian Fell--yes, the famous former boy band bad boy--she thinks nothing of it...until she hears a mysterious melody and the voice of a total stranger in her head. (Spoiler: It's not a stranger, it's Sebastian). Sebastian Fell is more than he seems, but years of being in the spotlight have forced him to hide his true self. When Joni and Sebastian team up to write the song they're both hearing, they're both forced to confront not only their misconceptions about each other but also the truths they've kept hidden from everyone.

Seeing these two learn to be honest with each through their telepathy is a lot of fun. Of course it would be easier to open up to someone when they're already in your head, but it would also be so much harder to hide anything from them, as Joni and Sebastian find out. The banter between these two is funny and filled with so many musical references that make me smile. Coming from a musical family myself, I'm so used to conversations filled with song lyrics and randoms bursts of singing, so the conversations between Joni and Sebastian as well as Joni and her parents feel so realistic and so much fun.

The secondary story of Joni's mother's dementia is truly heartbreaking but oh so hopeful. In coming home, Joni finally sees how her mother is changing day to day, and while it's incredibly sad, she also sees the way that her parents still care for one another and how they're making the best of the time they have left, even if that means giving up the family theater. The theater--The Revelry--is basically a character unto itself, and all the shows, the unexpected meetings, and the craziness that takes place there feel so magical.

The ending is dramatic and powerful and wonderful, as you would expect, but also bittersweet and a reminder that although the dreams you come with aren't always the ones you leave with, that doesn't make any dream wrong. Dreams can change as people change and grow, and sometimes that dream looks like chasing your dreams out in the world while other times it looks like finding yourself in your hometown with the people and places and things that you love.

Sounds Like Love is a powerful ode to music, dreams, family, and love.

Sounds Like Love by Ashley Poston completely stole my heart. It’s one of those quietly powerful stories that nestles deep into your soul and doesn’t let go. It’s about loss, yes—but more than that, it’s about love in all its many forms: romantic, familial, platonic, and the love we have to find again within ourselves.

From the first page, I was all in on Joni’s story. Her grief was palpable and real, but so was her strength. Poston wrote her with such raw honesty that I couldn’t help but feel everything alongside her—her loneliness, her fear, her hope. Watching her slowly open herself back up to the world was beautiful and painful and so rewarding.

One of my favorite parts of the book was Joni’s dynamic with the people closest to her. Her relationship with her mom and dad was deeply layered—there was tension and silence and miscommunication, but also an undercurrent of fierce love that made every interaction hit harder. Her bond with her brother added moments of levity and heart, and it felt so real and relatable. And her friendship with her best friend? Absolutely perfect. Supportive, grounding, and full of the kind of deep understanding only a longtime best friend can bring. Those relationships gave the book such emotional richness.

And the romance. Oh my god, it was so good. It was tender and slow-burning in the best possible way. The chemistry felt natural, but more than that—it mattered. It wasn’t just about attraction; it was about connection, about showing up for someone even when they’re hurting, about helping them believe they’re still worthy of love. The scenes between them gave me butterflies, and by the end, I was completely invested in their future together.

Ashley Poston’s writing is lyrical and atmospheric, full of quiet beauty and emotional depth. Every chapter felt like a song—some sad, some hopeful, all meaningful. I laughed, I cried, I highlighted so many lines. Sounds Like Love is about healing, yes, but it’s also about remembering who you are when everything else falls apart—and learning that love doesn’t leave you, even when people do.

This is easily one of my top reads of the year. If you’re looking for a story that will break your heart a little and then stitch it back together with grace, warmth, and a little bit of stardust—this is it.