The amazing vibes from The Dead Romantics are baccckkkkk! I loved Sounds Like Love. ❤️

Imagine if you started hearing someone else in your head. Like, actually hearing their thoughts. Would you want to know who it was? What if you kept hearing the same song and couldn't figure out what it was? Songwriter Joni finds herself in this exact situation and while she tries to ignore it, she realizes that's not going to make it go away.

Enter small town vibes, magical realism, and the Ashley Poston we all fell in love with after reading Dead Romantics.

Thank you to netgalley for a copy to enjoy.

What a beautiful, sweet, heartbreaking read. The words. The description of emotions. The lovely lovely words. It was so wonderful to combine my two favorite things - words and music - into one gorgeous story. I ached right along with Bird and Sasha and practically felt the depth of their confusion and connection and sadness and yearning and joy. It was just a really beautiful book. I loved it. So much. 💜💜💜📚

I love everything about this sort of fantastical world Ashley Poston has created for these books, and considering Seven Year Slip was what got me into romance books in the first place, they hold a special place in my heart. This one is no different.

The relationship was beautiful and the song in their heads was too. But my favorite aspects were the familial ones. Losing someone too soon, grieving the life you wish you had, having homesickness constantly flowing through your veins was all done so well and had me connecting to Joni more than I thought I would.

4/5 ✨ Thank you Netgalley and penguin for the ARC!!!

Thank you for the free book, Berkley Romance!

Songwriter Joni has writer’s block and hasn’t been able to write another song since her last hit. She meets Sebastian, a has-been musician with a famous father, and they don’t exactly hit it off. However, when she returns to her hometown and finds things aren’t as she expected, she discovers a melody in her head along with an unfamiliar voice. When she discovers who the voice belongs to and how they can work together to create the song of both of their dreams, it’s like it was meant to be.

I absolutely, positively adore Ashley Poston’s writing. Her books are written for my heart and good for my soul and make me feel like she gets me. She writes so beautifully and captures the human experience of grief, flawed characters, and love better than anyone else. I loved this take on magical realism with the two characters being able to hear one another’s thoughts. Joni’s story with her mother really resonated and was captured so sensitively. I loved the chapter titles as a kind of playlist to go along with the book and the musical theme throughout. It really was just a wonderful book that I wanted to savor but was over far too soon. I’d recommend this book to all of the music lovers, those who are recovering from a loss in their life (and able to handle a sensitively written book that addresses grief), and those who enjoy a romance with a touch of magical realism.

One of my favorite things about Ashley Poston novels is the magical realism element. She creates charming and romantic stories and gives them a touch of magic.

Enter Joni, a successful song writer who has lost all inspiration after her mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Enter Sebastian, a famous "bad boy" who used to be in a band as a teenager, and is the son of the music legend, Roman Fell.

In an effort to find inspiration, Joni leaves LA to stay with her family in her childhood home, but she brings along a random tune and a man's voice in her head. Is she finally cracking from the pressure of not writing a new song in a year? Why can she have conversations with a man in her head? What is going on?!

Y'all, buckle up and get ready for some forced mental proximity, a haunting melody that won't leave the main characters alone, beautiful family relationships, a celebrity that isn't actually as he seems, and some toe curling yearning and romance. Get ready to fall in love with Joni and Sebastian! I absolutely adored them, their mind banter, and how vulnerable and endearing they were to each other because of their ability to know each other's thoughts. I found myself giggling, tearing up, and kicking my feet, so overall a successful read!

Thank you Netgalley and Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ashley Poston, the author that you are! As an avid romance reader, I always love when something completely new comes up out of nowhere. Ashley Poston hits it out of the park every time for me! In this book, we follow Joni Lark, a songwriter who has been suffering from writer's block. Honestly, I don't want to give too much away, but it was as interesting a premise as A Novel Love Story but a bit more believable than being stuck in your favorite author's book series. Man, I'm looking forward to buying it in June!

Ashley Postons writing is truly magical and captivating. However, this has to be my least favorite of hers so far. The book was still a very cute romance but the family conflict was too similar to Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez which comes out at a similar time. It was also difficult to relate to the characters like you really want to in a women’s fiction/romance. Overall, very cute but not my favorites. Thank you for the opportunity to enjoy this book.

I loved Sounds Like Love! The characters were multilayered, their family relationships were believable, and the telepathic connection and the couple of twists at the end all came together to make it an engrossing story. Also? It was an excellent exploration of the many possible paths to success for those with creative dreams.

I'm sure this book will be very successful, but I'll certainly do my small part by recommending it widely.

Thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for the opportunity to read a digital ARC in advance of publication.

Ashley Poston is a marvel at what she does—truly a master of fantastical, romantic surrealism. Her stories always strike that perfect balance between whimsy and emotional depth, and she has a rare ability to make the impossible feel achingly real.

This story is no exception.

If you’ve ever wanted to be swept away into a world just a little off-center from our own—where magic exists quietly between the cracks—this is your next read. She’s not just telling a story; she’s casting a spell.

Ashley Poston has done it again. I didn't think I could ever love a romcom as much as I adored "The Seven Year Slip", but here we are.

Poston wonderfully combines laugh out loud humor with tender, heartfelt moments. If you love music, small southern towns, or just a good story, "Sounds Like Love" is for you.

4.5 ⭐️ rounded up!

I think I have cried reading every Ashley Poston book at this point. Her voice is so unique and she is so insanely talented at her craft. She truly never misses.

“We were all made of up memories, anyway. Of ourselves, of other people. We were built on the songs sang to us and the songs we sang to ourselves, the songs we listened to with broken hearts and the ones we danced to at weddings.”

I fell in love with this story and these characters. Within every setting in her novels, she writes the most beautiful imagery and it was just coming right off the page. I felt like I was there on the North Carolina coast with Joni and Sasha and it makes me crave summer!! This book hit me like a ton of bricks — the love and grief is so intense. I think that a lot of people will relate HARD to this book and I’m happy I was able to read it at this time in my life.

“You feel like home, bird.”

My only criticism is that I wanted more between Joni and Sasha, but I am just selfish! Really really really loved this!

Thank you so much to Berkley for the advanced copy! Out June 17!!!!

Everything Ashley writes a masterpiece. I said what I said. If I could inject her stories into my soul, I would.

Besties at Berkley & NetGalley, and Ashley— Thank you for the free advanced reader copy. I am forever changed once again.

Each time I begin an Ashley Poston book, I know I’m setting myself up to cry. And this one really got me in the feels. Ashley always finds a way to weave the all of the emotions from the complicated narrative of life into one beautiful book.

In Sounds Like Love: Romance, self-discovery, friendship, mental health, creativity, grief, and so much more are braided into one book and all have their very own respective space in each chapter. It takes a very special writer to give all of those feelings space to breathe and seamlessly flow into one another.

The magical realism, as always, is soOoO good. Who wouldn’t want to hear Joni or Sasha in their head? These talented individuals bring a vivid passion and heartbeat to this book, and the tension between them was oh-so-delicious. It was the “giggling and kicking my feet” kind of love.

I have spent my whole life immersing myself in music, and this book spoke to that piece of my soul in so many different ways. From Joni’s parents’ love story to her own life’s journey, I love how deeply connected to music everyone in this book is. It grounded the story in reality in a new way.

On a personal note, this book also contains a heartbreaking but incredibly realistic portrayal of when a loved one is battling dementia. It is so difficult to put into words, but having been through the same journey with my grandmother… it is the most helpless and hard thing for a family to go through. I highly suggest reading the Author’s Note at the end.

Five million stars 4eva.

Sounds Like Love is another beautiful and magical romance by Ashley Poston. Joni Lark and Sebastian Fell are in each others heads--literally--they can hear each other thoughts. In order to get their thoughts back to themselves, the two artists have to work together to write a song that they both seam to hear during a magical summer in Joni's hometown in the Outer Banks. I loved the book and easily devoured it. Every character was lovable and fully developed, and the family stakes on both sides felt real and made me cry. It was fun seeing the central pair get to know each other while being unable to hide their thoughts from the other. A fun concept and lovely romance. Each of the chapter titles is a different song and I loved seeing what the next one would be. I highly recommend this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC! Joni Lark is a successful songwriter with a current hit at the top of the charts, but she's currently blocked and is worried she'll never write another song. After a run in with a former boy band member that involved a stadium cam kiss, Joni returns to her home in North Carolina, and to the music showhouse the Revelery that her parents run. She's hoping to find inspiration while also spending time with her mother behind she loses her. But once there, Joni starts hearing a voice inside her head and a melody that sparks something in her. When the voice inside her head arrives in real life (and is someone very familiar), Joni is faced with discovering what she truly want in life.

“Grief is just a love song in reverse”

Gosh darn it Ashley Poston. How dare you hit me in the feels at 2PM on a random Thursday.

Y’all I love Ashley Poston. Her books always take you on an emotional journey filled with magical realisms. I knew going in I was going to love it. What I wasn’t expecting was “Sounds Like Love” to hit so close to home. A little personal backstory. I lost my amazing grandmother due to a battle with dementia. So reading Joni’s story, going through the ups and downs of watching a loved one battle with dementia hit hard for me. Even though it was hard, Ashley did a phenomenal job of blending that journey with heartache, hope and magic.

But Joni’s mom storyline isn’t the only part of this books journey. This also follows the love story between Joni & Sebastian. I have to give it to Ashley. I didn’t think she could top the romance from “Novel Love Story”. But Ashley literally said, “hold my beer y’all”. From the very first page, I was hooked. Joni and Sebastian’s connection was so unique and unlike anything I’ve ever read before. For those that didn’t read the synopsis. Joni & Sebastian are tied together through a musical melody that only they can hear. And not just any melody, but one that is begging to be finished. They decide to work together to complete it. And throughout the journey their chemistry and banter explodes off the pages. I fell in love with both of them. Watching them overcome shared struggles while also pushing each other out of their comfort zones. It all felt so genuine and real.

By the end of this book guys I was in tears. To say this wrecked me is an understatement. But let me tell you it wrecked me in the best way. The emotional journey I went through reading this was worth it. If you can’t already tell I 100% recommend this book. Please check this book out when it releases June 17, 2025. “Sounds like Love” is a masterful journey of joy, hope, sorrow and magic. It’s not one to miss!

Lastly big Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

I liked this one. More than her last book for sure. It's unique and it had good characters and and great chemistry but I think it's a me problem that I couldn't enjoy it fully? but it was a fun book. I loved the magical realism elements.

Ashley Poston does it again! A struggling songwriter, a mysterious “bad boy”, they’re in each others’ heads both literally and figuratively. This book is exactly what I needed to get out of my reading slump. While this contains the love story we all expect, it also focuses on family and the tense but ever-powerful relationship between mother and daughter. Love and loss. Letting go of fear.

I think if someone where to ask what book to start with if they were dipping a toe into the romance genre Ashley Poston would always be at the top of my list! After I read a Novel Love Story and became so obsessed, I didn't know if her next book would meet my high expectations, but I was so glad to be proven wrong! Poston has a beautiful way with words to describe love, all types of love, and all kinds of experiences and backgrounds. Joni and Sebasation's love story is sprinkled with humor, talent, magic, and beauty. More importantly, it is also a love story to creativity and more powerfully, to mothers. I finished it in one sitting and can't wait to reread my favorite parts just like I did with a Novel Love Story when I add it to my collection!

Thank you publishers and Net Galley, for the ARC!

I loved The Seven Year Slip so I was so excited to be approved for this one! I really enjoyed this. I loved the small town vibe, the musical aspect, and the family/friendship aspect. I wanted a bit more from the romance though but overall an enjoyable and fun read.

This author has done it again—Sounds Like Love was pure magic. This book was a breathtaking blend of romance, music, and fate, wrapped in the author's signature heartfelt and whimsical storytelling. From the very first page, I was completely swept up in Joni’s world, feeling every bit of her creative frustration, her longing for something more, and her deep-rooted love for the place she once called home.
Joni was such a beautifully complex character. As a wildly successful but currently blocked songwriter, she carried so much pressure on her shoulders, and returning to Vienna Shores only seemed to add to that weight. Her mother’s declining memory and the impending closure of The Revelry made my heart ache for her, and I loved how the setting—this nostalgic, seaside town steeped in music—became such an integral part of the story.
And then there was the inexplicable connection. The way Joni started hearing the voice of a stranger, someone who felt just as lost as she did, was nothing short of mesmerizing. The romance between Joni and the mysterious musician was slow-burn perfection—filled with tension, banter, and an undeniable pull that neither of them could fully understand. The duality of their connection (the sweet, almost dreamlike voice in her head vs. the very real, very guarded man who appears in town) was so well done. I loved watching them navigate their strange bond, trying to fight it while also clinging to the solace it provided.
And the music—oh, the music! The author wove lyrics and melodies into the story in a way that made it feel alive. The act of songwriting, of chasing inspiration, of finding meaning in the notes and words—it was all so vividly and beautifully captured.
If I could change anything, it would only be that I never wanted this book to end. The emotional depth, the touch of magic, the raw and real love story—it all came together in such a stunning way. Sounds Like Love was an unforgettable symphony of longing, healing, and finding your way back to yourself. Absolutely a must-read!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!