Quite possibly my favorite Ashley Poston book!!!!! I loved the music aspect so much.

It was such a unique way to bring two people together and then the ending?! Ugh.

I related so hard to Joni.

Thank you berkley for the gifted eARC!

4.5 ⭐️

Ugh Ashley the things you do to my heart!! I adored the touch of magical realism and the emotional rollercoaster this book brought me on 🥹

The characters were so well done! I loved getting to know these Sebastian and Joni and watching them develop. The character growth was absolutely perfect! And watching them fall in love? Chefs kiss 💋

This is one of the most beautiful books I have ever read. I finished this book on Saturday and it genuinely changed the way I look at life. I have never seen an author have the ability to write about grief in a way that makes me feel safe and understood quite like Ashley Poston. I finished this book in a waterfall of tears, and thinking back two days later I still have to fight off the onslaught of emotion running through my veins. The struggles that Joni faces throughout this book felt so real I could feel it in my bones. Her anxieties, her insecurities, her struggles, her excitement, her passion, all of it was palpable. There is no one quite like her in the romance space, a character that faces struggles just like me, someone who is walking through a fictional life that feels parallel to that of reality. The terror she faces of grief that is coming at her head on, leaving her and her loved ones helpless and angered. There was raw, stripped down emotion woven within each and every page. Every character served a purpose, every line pushing them forward in their world and in our eyes.

Love is the heart of this story. The loss of it. The fear of it. The longing for it. The regret of losing it. The anger of never having it. The safety in finding it. The comfort of feelings it. The story is more than that of romantic love. And yes, the romance was perfection. But there is the love of female friendships. A mother and daughter. A husband and wife. A sister and brother. A girl with her home town. A family and their legacy. The past and the present. The present and the future. Those still here and those they have lost. The love of music and self expression. The love of love itself. It is the heartbeat of the story, and it is one of the truest love stories I have ever read.

I have a very intimate relationship with grief. It's something I wish I knew nothing about, an experience I wish I never had. But the world is cruel and unforgiving, and so I have walked through life alongside constant grief and tragedy. The strength I have was forced upon me, and it is something I would have never chosen for myself. Those are just a glimpse into the reasons that I read, that I long for escapism in worlds of fiction. I read to give myself an outlet to feel everything I suppress throughout the day. The tears, rage, anger, despair, longing, ache, heartache, heartbreak, numbness - these are just a fraction of the emotions I push down throughout the day, that I finally allow to surface in the face fiction.

Sounds Like Love is the first book I have read since the loss I faced weeks ago. It was the first time I had to look it in the face, because Ashley Poston wrote down so much that was bottled inside my heart. The ache that never eases, the pain that never subsides. She gave me a space to feel seen and cared for, she put word to my experience that I couldn't find myself. I will never be able to thank her enough.

Here are some of the quotes that made me feel like I wasn't alone. In those moments, my grief and I was safe.
"'How did you get over it? Missing your mom?' He thought for a moment. 'You don't. At least, I didn't. I still miss her every day, but some days I miss her more than others. Some days I'd give up everything, just for one of her hugs. And then I have to remind myself that she's gone, but bits of her stay. The parts that made me, the parts that raised me, the parts she left behind. They all stay, bird. The things that matter always do.'"
"This was what I would miss forever."
"...but that might've just been me convincing myself that something more could've been done. That something could be done. That we weren't helpless here. But the truth was, we were."
"You should cry as much as you want. It's not a bad thing. It never is. Grief is just a love song in reverse."
"'Is everything okay?'...'No, but it will be, someday.'"
"...we lived the best we could in the moment. Without regrets. Because it was all anyone could ask for, really."
"Sometimes, I thought I heard a familiar voice -- it sounded just like Mom's -- and my heart would speed up and then I'd remember, and the honeyed taste of hope on my tongue would turn bittersweet."
"We were slow to find our new normal, but we were trying."

I believe that everyone should experience the magic of this book. It will give solace to those who have lost, and give understanding to those who have not. The joy that I felt from Joni and Sasha is one that is imbedded in my soul. I am forever grateful for this story.

If you wish Daisy Jones and the Six was more romantic and less biopic, this is the book for you. I am a ride or die for Poston and this book is no different. A little magical realism and a whole lot of heart. Star-crossed lovers who pine for each other and a third act chaos moment.

It's pretty rare for me to get mental or emotional pictures of main characters anymore, but for some reason these characters were screaming at me. For some reason I picture the female MC as Kesha during the Praying era. Daughter of someone who was peripherally in the music world and full of soul. Meanwhile male MC is the Julian Lennon. Discarded first child of world famous musician.

Sounds Like Love by Ashley Poston hit all the right notes—fun, heartfelt, and full of charm. The banter felt real and swoony, and I found myself genuinely rooting for these characters. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a joyride. Definitely a solid 4‑star romance I'd recommend!

Sounds Like Love is my new favorite Ashley Poston book, and it’s definitely going to be one of my top reads of the year. I just loved everything about it. The descriptive writing makes it easy to imagine the beautiful setting in Outer Banks, NC. I love music in my books, and I especially appreciated the chapter titles, I think they’re so fun. The multifaceted characters were easy to love, I was completely enthralled by their inexplicable connection. All of the details that made up this story were flawlessly laid out and executed. I laughed, I cried, and everything in between. Between Joni’s family 🥹, and Sasha’s, and their slow burn romance laden with chemistry and tension, and so many sweet and swoony moments, it had me feeling it all. This is the perfect read to add to your Summer TBR!!

𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 ⇣
Magical realism
Humor
Coastal small town - OBX
Songwriter x bitter musician
Grumpy x sunshine
Slow burn
Dementia & caregiver rep
Loss of a loved one

Ashley Poston always does a great job of writing gentle stories with a hint of magical realism. In this case, Joni and Sasha can hear each other’s thoughts which is awkward as heck but also creates an immediate intimacy between them. They don’t have to go through the motions of getting to know each other because they hear what the other is thinking, despite the uncomfortableness of that singular thought. The fact they met one other time and he was a complete A@@ made their current situation harder, but as they got to know each other and build that trust the magic of being able to talk to each other in their heads became secondary to the feelings they began to feel as they worked on this song together. The build-up was a slow burn, but the outcome was worth the wait.

The setting for this novel, a small beach town in North Carolina and their small concert venue The Revelry, really cast a golden, vintage light on the comings and goings of their community and Joni’s family. I loved how Joni fighting through her writer’s block was the juxtaposition against the other two story lines, her best friend’s growing discontent, and her mother’s health issues. As Joni figured out her path the conflicts in the other two plots ebbed and flowed with her decisions. It was really good writing by this author.

This novel is being hyped as one of the most looked forward to reads this summer and I can agree. It will be the perfect book to throw in your beach bag and take a step away from reality. Enjoy!

Sounds Like Love by Ashley Poston is a delightful contemporary romance with a touch of magical realism and it gave me all the feels. The southern beachy setting was perfection. It is the perfect summer reading, especially if you are a music fan. I highly recommend it!

Synopsis:
Joni Lark is living the dream. She’s one of the most coveted songwriters in LA…and she can’t seem to write. There’s an emptiness inside her, and nothing seems to fill it.

When she returns to her hometown of Vienna Shores, North Carolina, she hopes that the sand, the surf, and the concerts at The Revelry, her family’s music venue, will spark her inspiration. But when she gets there, nothing is how she left it. Her best friend is avoiding her, her mother’s memories are fading fast, and The Revelry is closing.

How can she think about writing her next song when everything is changing without her?

Until she hears it. A melody in her head, lyric-less and half-formed, and an alluring and addictive voice to go with it—belonging, apparently, to a wry musician with hangups of his own.

Surely, he’s a figment of her overworked imagination.

But then the very real man attached to the voice shows up in Vienna Shores. He’s aggravating and gruff on the outside—nothing like the sweet, funny voice in Joni’s head—and he has a plan:

They’ll finish the song haunting them both, break their connection, and hope they don’t risk their hearts in the process.

Because that song stuck in their heads? Maybe it’s there for a reason.

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkeley for the advanced digital copy of the book for my opinion.

This is a story about mother / daughter relationships, finding your way after being stuck, opening up to change, accepting a new normal, navigating a loved one with dementia, and in great Ashley fashion, dealing with grief.

Joni and Sasha’s connection was lovely. I guess I’d love being able to be in my significant other’s thoughts. At least for a day. Haha.

Have the MMC give her a cute nickname and I’m sold. I ADORED Lemon’s and Iwan’s cameo.

All in all - I will read anything Ashley writes.

Thank you Berkley, and NetGalley for the digital copy.

I always look forward to a new Ashley Poston book- and this one did not disappoint! She is one of those talented people that can make you feel as if you've traveled across the country without ever leaving your favorite chair. I truly feel as if I've just gotten back from the Outer Banks, having just enjoyed a walk on the beach, an Italian ice on the boardwalk, and a good visit with my friends at the Revelry. This book dives into the concept of love on many levels- certainly romantic love, but also familial love and the love that we have for our friends, as well as the love we have for those special places in the world that helped to mold us into the people we are. As usual for AP, there's a supernatural (but not ghosty) element to the story, but it's one that delivers an added spice to the story as a whole.

Overall a great book, and one I'll be recommending all summer!

Ashley Poston has done it again. I found myself wondering how she comes up with these magical realism ideas. How does she think of these ways to connect the main characters and get them in forced proximity together where they need to solve their shared problem. The song title chapter names were lovely, great to have a playlist while reading. Fully immersive! Joni was a great FMC to follow, and I was rooting for Sasha to win her over the whole book. Loved the cameo from Iwon and Clementine.

This was my first time reading Ashley Poston, and I quite enjoyed it! I went in without knowing much, and was pleasantly surprised by the touch of magical realism woven into the story—it added a fresh, whimsical twist to what initially feels like a classic rom-com setup.

A symphony of emotion and silence and longing stayed with me long after I finished this story. The fantasy parts were small but added a nice mystery, especially with the way the two musicians could hear each other’s thoughts. Not knowing how or why at first made their connection feel real and interesting, like there was something unspoken between them that made their bond deeper.

The romance between them was well done. It wasn’t loud or dramatic — it was slow and full of real feeling. Their connection felt like music itself, with every note and quiet moment meaning a lot. I melted more than once reading about them, caught up in the way they understood each other without needing to say everything out loud.

The characters felt real, with their struggles and hopes laid out honestly. I could feel their frustration, their joy, and the weight of the things they didn’t say. The story didn’t rush through their emotions but let them grow naturally, which made it easier to care about what happened next.

The ending felt right. It wasn’t forced or rushed, and it respected the story and the characters. It gave me a sense of closure while leaving a little space for imagination.

I enjoyed following the musicians through their ups and downs. The way music was woven into their lives added a nice layer, making their story feel more alive. The fantasy element wasn’t overwhelming but worked well to create a unique connection between the two.

It’s a book that’s easy to get into, with moments that stick with you after you finish. It made me think about connection, communication, and the quiet ways people can understand each other.

Gah Poston is back! This was so adorable and oh so romantic! I loved that it was set in OBX, a place I love and adore! I also love how the whole book featured music and how it makes you feel. The romance was swoony & just downright beautiful.

4 🌟 really enjoyed the magical element in this! Ashley writes such early 2000s coded rom coms I love it! The connection was so sweet and different. I loved the setting of this. & the cameos Iwan & Clementine? LOVE!

Ashley Poston has such a gift for blending magical realism with emotionally layered characters and tender, heartfelt themes. While this story is technically a romance, what stood out most to me were the quieter, more emotional moment, especially Joni’s relationship with her mom and the way she’s processing her dementia diagnosis. There’s something really powerful about the way this book explores grief not just as something that happens after a loss, but something we can feel while we’re still holding on.

I also loved how relatable Joni felt. She’s burnt out, searching for meaning, and trying to figure out what’s next and I think a lot of people will really connect with that feeling. And I really loved watching Sebastian, who’s spent so long living in the public eye, slowly learning to let someone in. Their telepathic connection made for such a fun and creative premise, and the songwriting element was a unique way to explore their bond.

Ashley Poston’s writing always just feels like a warm hug. It’s cozy, nostalgic, and quietly profound. My only small critique (one I’ve felt with some of her other books as well) is that the ending wrapped up a little too quickly. I would have loved to spend more time seeing how Joni and Sebastian would move forward in their relationship without the constant presence of each other in their heads.

Overall, this was heartfelt, charming, and so easy to get lost in.

Joni Lark is a successful songwriter living in LA. She has some amazing hits and musicians love to work with her. So why is it that it feels like her joy of writing music has disappeared. She misses her family and decides to take a break and return to her small town in North Carolina.

Except nothing as it was when she left. Joni's mother's memory is fading, her family is deciding to sell the music venue which they've owned for years and there's clearly trouble between Joni's brother and his fiancee - who also happens to be Joni's best friend. Her world feels like its crashing down around her.

Only then does Joni start hearing a melody in her mind. No one else seems to be able to hear it except for the voice in her head. Only this voice isn't some magical, mythical being he's a real human being named Sasha. When they finally meet, Joni's not sure what to make of this connection. She liked it better when he was just a voice in her head, she was able to be more vulnerable with him. But they soon start working on the melody that keeps haunting them. Once its finished where does that leave them? Will they try to make more of this tentative relationship that seems to be blooming between them or move on to their separate ways?

Once I started reading Sounds Like Love, I couldn't stop. I feel like Ashely Poston has this effect - I love the way that I am able to relate to her characters. The first interaction between Joni and Sasha had me laughing out loud their chemistry was so fun even though they were just voices in each others head. I loved the vulnerability between these two the most.

Yes, there are a lot of different characters in Sounds Like Love, but each of them make up this story. I loved Joni's relationship with her mom, even though she was starting to lose her memory. Having lived through this with a loved one, I was able to relate to not only Joni's struggles but the struggles of her entire family.

Overall, I really enjoyed Sounds Like Love by Ashley Poston.

p.s. there's a cameo by a favorite couple and I LOVED revisiting them 🍋

I love the way Ashley Poston blends contemporary romance with unique magical realism concepts - it never fails to amaze me!

I loved everything about this story! A music industry book is always going to be a winner for me, but the way it was combined with this really interesting magical twist was perfection! I love Joni and Sasha and the way they learned to support each other and work together to figure out what was going on with their inexplicable bond. The "twist" in this one was also so exciting and made the whole story come together in such a special way! It felt like pure magic to me!

RATING: 4/5 STARS

This is a music-themed romance with Ashley Poston's signature magical realism touch. I can always count on her novels to bring a creative twist to beloved rom-com tropes. SOUNDS LIKE LOVE stars a songwriter with burnout returning to the small town in which she grew up and a former boy band member who is more than he seems upon first meeting.

3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️.✨ // a very easy and dare I say cheesy? read! I always love Ashley Postons magical realism romances but I’m not sure this is one that will stick with me like The Seven Year Slip did! I LOVED all the music references as I am big music junkie. I however didn’t love the nickname of our main male love interest—definitely gave me the ick but maybe that’s just me? All in all I think I wanted more tension and butterflies and I just didn’t get it with this one.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC :)