This one was fine—not bad by any means, but it didn’t quite hit me in the feels like her other books have. I love Ashley Poston’s cozy, emotional storytelling, but this one just didn’t land the same way for me.

It had sweet moments and a charming premise, but overall it felt a little forgettable compared to her usual magic. Still a solid read, just not a new favorite.

Gahhhh Ashley Poston is back and possibly better than ever. Watching the relationship unfold between this songwriter and former boy band bad boy was so delicious. The supernatural-ish element, while always present in Poston’s novels, never seems gimmicky or distracts from the character development. I loved reading about them trying to hide their thoughts from one another. It was beyond romantic. Love love love this one. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-arc.

This story of a songwriter and a former boy band bad-boy who somehow mind-meld and create a song together -- while falling in love -- just did not work for me. I liked the setting (a charming Outer Banks island) and the main character's family dynamics, but the love story fizzled. The mind-to-mind connection was awkward, and I know we're supposed to accept that it's a special magical gift, but I didn't buy it, and didn't buy the two of them as a couple. I loved this author's previous contemporary romances, but this one did not live up to expectations.

4.5 stars
Ashley Poston is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. Her use of magical realism combined with romance is wonderful and makes for a breath of fresh air in the genre. Sounds Like Love had me crying at the end and truly had me feeling connected to the characters and the setting. The romance between the two characters was beautiful and well written and I cannot wait to see what Poston writes next. The magic and whimsicalness combined with the beauty of the writing truly makes for such a wonderful book.

I like the little magic aspect she has in all her books, a touch of fantasy without being fantasy. I liked all the characters but I felt like <spoiler>she wrote the argument with her best friend just to add drama and it didn’t feel real, it didn’t feel genuine </spoiler>. I loved the ending, it felt satisfying and complete.

4.5🌟
Thank you Berkley Romance, Netgalley and Ashley Poston for this free eArc!!! i just love Ashley Poston and all the books she’s writes! i am so happy i was given a chance to read this. i loved the magical realism, the plot was so fun and idk i just felt like this was such a cozy read. The author went into how hard it is to have someone you care for have dementia and watch them slowly forget but still trying to make the best memories with them. The romcom of the book was so fun and uplifting. i enjoyed how Joni and Sebastian connected and helped each other through moments that they didn’t know they needed someone. Also, both of them having dreams and achieving them but figuring out that those dreams might have been for others and not really themselves. but finding new dreams that make you even happier was so worth getting too! The balance of grief and romance was honestly perfect, we were able to understand what these characters felt when moments went south but felt their joy through all the good !!

4 stars!!! This book snuck up on me. I thought I was getting something cute and quirky—and then bam. Feelings. Real, quiet, aching ones. It’s soft and sad and hopeful all at once.

The romance? Subtle and lovely. The grief? Gut-punch real. And the cat? Honestly, deserves its own spin-off.

Only knocking a star because the pacing dipped in the middle, but otherwise? I highlighted half the book and might go cry into my iced coffee now.

𝙶𝚎𝚗𝚛𝚎: 𝚁𝚘𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎

𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬💭:
It’s no surprise that I picked up yet another Poston novel for the summer. She’s been a yearly auto read author and I was excited to read another one by her this time of year.

Thank you Berkley Romance for the e-arc and PRH Audio for the audiobook.

𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐫𝐛📝:
Joni is a song writer who’s been feeling uninspired and hasn’t been able to write something new. Until she goes back home and hears a melody in her head with a very alluring voice that seemed promising. The voice in her head just so happens to be from a musician she least expects.

𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.💫/5. Sadly this one didn’t quite grab me as much as her previous books did, but I still found myself wanting to know how it ended. I was intrigued by the synopsis, and I’m usually so drawn to the author’s whimsical and magical realism plots. However, i felt some things were too convenient, rushed and a little too cheesy and corny for my liking. I did like the dementia rep and the addition of the sweet and heartwarming relationship between her and her mom. The author’s note at the end was really touching. These themes have been so common in books lately that i’m starting to get a bit overwhelmed by them at this point. Could have been a personal issue, but i think alot of people would still find this cute.

𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚: 𝘚𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘤, 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴

All the magic that worked so well in seven year slip and novel love story, just didn’t work for me in this one the same way. Still love Ashely Poston and can’t wait for her next book, but this one was a miss for me.

The music Joni lost felt like it was coming back to her, but only half formed and it came with someone else's thoughts inside her head. I loved the way this wove music, writing, love, and loss all into one singular thing. This book really explored all facets of each, together and separate. What it means to love, to lose, slowly and all at once. Poston, you've done it again. Thank you.

Sounds Like Love by Ashley Poston is a tender love story that feels like a song you didn’t know you needed until it quietly wrecks you. Poston’s writing is pure magic—soft, aching, and full of quiet truths that settle into your bones. I was hooked from the first melody.

Ashley has this incredible ability to make me cry with every book, and not the cute kind of crying, I was sobbing by the end. This story was so beautiful. I loved how music was the thread that connected them all. The bond they shared felt deeply intimate, almost scary at times, but it’s what brought them closer than they could’ve ever imagined.

I especially loved how everything tied together by the end, and how the memories they created will stay with them forever. I honestly don’t think my review does this book justice, just trust me and read it. It was so good.

There’s something about Ashley Poston’s writing that is just unmatched for me. The way she writes about love, life, and grief while bringing in magical realism is funny and lyrical, sensitive and beautiful. Sounds Like Love pulled me in from chapter one and I couldn’t get enough. The romance and chemistry was also completely page-turning and unique. It was so easy for me to give this one five stars, and I can already tell it’s going to be in my top ten list of 2025.
I received an advanced reading copy, receipt of which did not impact my review.

Ashley Poston will truly have me sobbing at any of her books. It's truly like clockwork. (And I'll rank any book highly that makes me cry). I would have liked less more recent pop culture references (it just dates the book a lot more for some reason) and I would have liked more of an exploration into Joni's relationship with her mom before her mom passed, to make the loss a little bit more meaningful. But I always enjoy how Poston writes about grief, it always hits for me.

4.5/5

God I just love Ashley's work. She simply excels at incorporating moments of magical realism throughout her novels and always has the perfect balance of grief and those rom com moments that we love.

As someone in the entertainment industry, I HEAVILY related to this one. Sounds Like Love really brings dreams to the forefront: Are our dreams worth the price of leaving family? What happens when our dreams are finally achieved? Is it worth it to follow our dreams?

I really enjoyed seeing Joni war with her inner thoughts throughout. I felt that the emotion and decision making felt incredibly real and raw and I loved getting to see her find her way back to herself.

I loved the element of magical realism where Joni and Sebastian could hear one another's thoughts! It was such a unique element to the plot and honestly made for such an enjoyable reading experience.


Anyone working in a creative field needs to read this one!!!

Thank you Berkley Romance and Ashley Poston for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 Stars

Ashley’s little twists are some of my favorites and the magical realism of being able to hear someone’s thoughts as you fall for each other was so delicious! Set in the outer banks of NC, Sounds Like Love gave me One Tree Hill vibes and made the story feel nostalgic yet fresh. If you’ve ever wondered what the person you are falling for is thinking, this book shows how awkward yet romantic that could be. It was refreshing and unique and I couldn’t put this book down!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

A magical realism that’s infused with romance and a musical aspect perfectly. I am an Ashley Poston Stan so it’s no surprise that I loved this one. If you’ve watched August Rush, I got the same vibes for how magical music can be and how it brought them together.

Sounds Like Love has:
✨Coastal small town
✨Magical realism
✨Finding yourself
✨Slow burn
✨Music

Ps, this book does cover grief and illness and I recommend checking the TW.

I really enjoy Ashley Poston's novels. They are fun and romantic, and they always have a bit of magic.
In this novel, a songwriter, Joni, is stuck. She hasn't been able to write since hearing that her mom's memory is fading. Prior to heading home to NC, and the family music venue, The Revelry, she stops by a concert for a star who is singing her song. There she meets a former boy band star and bad boy, Sebastian Fell. They share a memorable kiss.
Then, she starts hearing a voice in her head. Someone is sharing her thoughts. They speak to each other in their minds, and he calls her Bird (songbird) and she calls him Sasha. They decide to meet, but when Sebastian shows up, Joni can't believe it is him. He suggests they collaborate to write the song that is running through their minds.
Bittersweet as she deals with her mom's memory loss, but nice for the romance.
I loved the author's note at the end which highlighted why she wrote this story.

Ashley Posten is a must-read author for me. I love her fresh take on contemporary romance with some supernatural elements. "Sounds Like Love" is no exception!

Joni is a songwriter who can't write. Ever since her mom's dementia diagnosis, she's lost that spark. That is, until one night the whispers of a melody get inside of her head...along with the male voice of Sasha. When they decide to meet, Sasha turns out to be Sebastian Fell, son of superstar Roman Fell, former boybander, and arrogant guy Joni kissed at a concert recently. Joni realizes she needs Sasha to write the song and Sasha realizes he needs Joni to make his comeback and avenge his dad (whom he did not know was his dad until after his mom died).

There are endless twists and turns along the way and I love that Ashley keeps her readers guessing until the very end!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this title!

I'm unfortunately super delayed in submitting this because of a variety of things so I fear I've lost a lot of my initial thoughts but I did really enjoy this. I liked it MUCH more than her last title because I feel like we went back to the type of magical realism that I think just works so much better. As always, Poston's emotional beats are hard hitting and hurt my feelings. I liked both of the MCs a lot and I found myself enjoying the supporting cast just as much!