I loved The Art of Scandal by Regina Black. One time at a panel she mentioned when she writes a scene she is always looking past the first 2 obvious emotions and goes deeper. I felt that in this book. It's so much more than a story about a second chance romance. It has so many deeper themes of love and abandonment, abuse and sobriety, anger and forgiveness. August Lane contains so many amazing characters with lots of depth. Even secondary characters that only show up in a few scenes. There might be a bit of melodrama (like in Scandal) but it still felt real and not tacky or corny. This book made me want to listen to Country, and I have never been a Country girl. Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this early.

**⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Lyrical, Lush, and Unforgettable Romance**

*August Lane* by Regina Black is everything I want in a contemporary romance—deeply emotional, beautifully written, and full of soul. Black’s storytelling is both poetic and grounded, creating a world that feels as rich and complex as the characters who inhabit it.

August and her love interest have an undeniable chemistry that leaps off the page, but what makes this book stand out is the emotional depth and personal growth woven into every chapter. This isn't just a love story—it's a story about identity, healing, second chances, and the ways we carry (and sometimes overcome) our past.

Black’s prose is lyrical without being overdone, and her characters are refreshingly real—flawed, vulnerable, and fiercely human. I was completely immersed from beginning to end.

If you’re looking for a romance that goes beyond the surface and leaves a lasting impression, *August Lane* delivers in every way. Regina Black is an author to watch—I’ll be first in line for whatever she writes next.

📕 Ⓑⓞⓞⓚ Ⓡⓔⓥⓘⓔⓦ 📕

Title : August Lane
Author: Regina Black
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Format: 📖
Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

“Pain is a sign of life. If that hurts, that means there’s something worth saving.”

This is my first Regina Black book and it was stunning. From the very first look that the table of contents, I was hooked. The book is set up in the way that a song is written into parts : The Intro, The First Verse, The Lift, The Chorus, The second Verse, The Bridge, The Chorus. and The Outro. If you love music, and the way that music is written you will love this book. If you love Country Music and also expanding your knowledge on Black Country Music then this book is for you! This is one of the first romance books that I have read were I was not just focused on the steamy scenes. The love between August and Luke is so tense and fraught with trauma that you are rooting for them the whole book. The 2nd change trope hits hard! August’s mother JoJo is a bigger than life black country music star but had to leave August when she was young. August meets Luke when she is in high school and we follow their story between a reunion in 2023 and when they are 18.

Likes:
🎸Again the music structure to the parts of the book, the mentions of country music

🎸The care and compassion that Regina Black has taken with show how abuse, addiction and mental health can leave lasting scars on humans.

🎸The interview sections with JoJo!

🎸The triple time lines and how seamless we toggle between them.

Themes: Mother daughter relationships, Domestic violence, addiction, sexual assault, reproductive rights, grief and dementia.

#blackcountrymusic #ARCreview #reginablack #secondchancetrope

August Lane" by Regina Black is a captivating second-chance romance that explores the complexities of love, identity and the country music industry. Luke Randall, a washed-up country singer, returns to his hometown to perform at the Country Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony for his childhood idol, JoJo Lane, who's also the mother of his former flame, August Lane. August, who wrote the lyrics to Luke's hit song "Another Love Song," is forced to confront her past and the man who betrayed her. With its dual timeline narrative, "August Lane" masterfully weaves together trauma, healing and redemption. This novel shines with its authentic portrayal of Black country music artists' struggles and triumphs. Black's writing is emotional, propulsive and beautifully messy, making this book a must-read for fans of romance and music. With its thoughtful exploration of complex themes, "August Lane" is a standout in the genre

Overall: 4.5/5
Spice level: 1.5/5
Tropes: second chance, country music star, small town, he falls first, slow burn

TW: addiction, child abuse, SA (off page), child abandonment, racism

What a story. I don't have really any criticisms for it. It was a compelling and emotional story of second chances, in romance, in life and in career.

There was really great character development for both Lucas and August, and made it work as adults instead of teens because they were stronger for the wait.

My heart hurt for both of them for things they had to endure. All the trauma, neglect and abuse. It hardened their shells.

The pacing was a bit slow but the flashbacks added depth to their story from past to present.

One of my favorite aspects featured was how country music originated with Black people, just like many other forms, but their just now slowly being welcomed and recognized for their talents.

I’m all for unlikeable characters, but when you introduce your FMC with drunk driving and a fight with a cheated-on woman, I’m out. It turned me off so bad, I honestly didn’t care what happened next. Having a famous mom might make you irresponsible and dramatic, but come on. Awful.

A heart-wrenching second chance romance highlighting grief & loss, racism in American society & media, and love. Regina Black’s prose masterfully weaves together a serious, real tone with modern, natural voices for the characters. She quickly develops layers of dimension for each character and their actions. You understand their motives but still want better for them- both in their circumstances and the choices they make. Regina’s writing is instantly gripping, and the different timelines and podcast introductions all flow together easily. This is an intense, wonderful read and I’m very grateful to the author and publisher for the chance to read & review.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

5⭐️

Ahhh mothers and daughters… such a complex relationship that so many authors struggle to do justice on paper. Too often the depictions come off as stereotypical, the authors uninterested in being honest and vulnerable and complicated, especially when intergenerational trauma is involved.

This was not the case for Regina Black’s August Lane, where we saw extremely caring and touching depictions of 2 generations of mothers and daughters. I finished this novel caring so deeply for all the women in this book, sympathizing with them and all their messy, trauma-informed decisions and reactions.

I only wish the book was a little longer and could have delved into the mother and grandmother’s relationship more deeply. I would have happily read another 100+ pages to get an even bigger emotional payoff at the end. A very satisfying payoff that includes a beautiful second-chance romance, I must add!

This book is a deep/heavy story with a lot of emotion. I really enjoyed the depth of the characters and how their feelings were portrayed. I also loved the representation in this book (Black country singers).

The pacing was a little too slow for me at times. I found that between the dialogues, there was a lot of writing to provide context, and sometimes that pulled me out of the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this romance with my whole heart. Emotional, spicy, and full of heart. I will definitely return to this again.

This was easily one of my favorite reads so far this year. Regina did a great job mixing trauma, love, and music. The lyrics were absolutely beautiful, Luke and August were realistic MC with so much depth. Overall a great, emotional story. Thank you for the opportunity to read early and I can’t wait to get my physical copy.

This is not my typical book. Plus I dont like country music lol. BUT....the writing was really good and the story sucked me in! This is a new author for me, but I definitely want to check out her other work now! Thanks for the ARC!

I'm thrilled to have had the opportunity to read this novel. I enjoy country music, and I'm aware that certain black artists have been called out in the news for their work in this genre. This novel explores the powerful dynamics of being a black woman in country music and the challenges that come with it. I enjoyed the story and thought it flowed beautifully. There's romance and a deep look at relationships and self-discovery elements to hold one's attention. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This book is such a standout for me. It’s quiet, but lands like a gut punch… layered and emotional and just so brilliantly written. The sections are structured around the parts of a song, with dual timelines, podcast transcripts, and lyrics interspersed—which all felt so fresh.

Not going to lie, the story itself is really heavy. There’s trauma, grief, betrayal, all of it. But it never felt gratuitous—just real and raw. I loved both August and Luke, but Luke especially is a character I don’t think I’ll ever forget. His arc gutted me, and also left me in complete awe.

Country music is such a huge part of this story, and even as someone who doesn't listen to or know much about it, I was hooked. The way Regina writes about the erasure of Black voices in the genre—especially through the experiences of Jojo, August, and Luke—was eye-opening and frustrating, but also honest and powerful.

And the romance was beautiful, of course. Just two people finding their way back to each other with so much care and history between them. The way Luke made things right with August in the end was everything.

Definitely read the Acknowledgements in this one! Regina Black is doing something truly special with her storytelling and I’ll read anything she writes, forever.

August Lane is a thoughtful and emotionally layered story that explores fame, love, and the price of ambition. I appreciated the way Regina Black took her time with the characters, especially in showing how past choices ripple into the present. The country music setting felt refreshing, and I liked seeing Black characters centered in a space where they’re so often sidelined.

The pacing dragged a bit for me in places, and I didn’t always connect with the romantic tension as much as I wanted to. Still, there’s no denying the quality of the writing or the care that went into building August’s journey. This was a solid, character-driven read, and while it didn’t blow me away, I’m glad I read it.

I loved this book. The characters and story were so layered and intriguing. Each flawed but with such redeeming qualities. I liked the dual timelines. I loved August’s sass! And the steam! Another knockout from Regina.

All thoughts are my own. Thank you to Regina Black, Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.

Loved this second chance romance! The characters were phenomenal and their emotional journeys were incredibly compelling. I loved the dual timelines, and thought the storyline in the past was exceptionally well handled. I also really enjoyed the podcast interjections-- often in books those feel somewhat pointless, but I thought they told an entire story of their own in a very succinct, engaging manner. My only small critique is that I thought some of the present storyline, and especially the ending, was slightly rushed-- I thought the build was so so good that I wanted a little bit more from the conclusion. But still, highly recommend!

: This book was deeply impactful. It offered a raw and powerful blend of the beauty and brutality of life intersecting. It delved into the hearts, emotions, and thoughts of a man and a woman, both flawed and shaped by their pasts. This novel was rich in depth and resilience. It was chaotic yet incredibly engaging. It took me on a journey, encouraging reflections on choices, truths, reconciliation, and the transformative nature of love.

It follows a Black country music artist who fabricated the story behind his sole hit faces the risk of jeopardizing his comeback as he seeks to reconnect with the woman from whom he took it, a first love whose lyrics continue to haunt him. When Luke's guitar meets August's heartfelt alto, neither can ignore the intense connection they shared as teenagers that still lingers.

Despite being able to take me in an emotional journey I was still left wanting more by the end of this book. Overall though, I do recommend it!

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!

Regina Black really said, Cowboy Carter? Sinners?.... Here's a book that also grapples with the place of Black folks in American music - particularly in country music. I absolutely loved August Lane and the complex, yet inevitable relationship between August and Luke as collaborators and lovers. The angst, the material conflicts that can't be ignored, really shine in this one - all while still having the BEST yearning and also being hot as hell. I will read whatever Regina Black writes!

Regina wrote another five-star read. This book took me through every single emotion I could have. I can’t wait for the world to read this and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to read it early.