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.

Has-been country singer Luke Randall is barely making a living singing every week in a motel lounge. When he's presented with an opportunity to sing with famous country singer JoJo Lane, he can't pass up the opportunity. The gig is in Luke's hometown, a place he fled nearly fourteen years ago, and returning home brings back the past he was trying to avoid. It also gives him an opportunity to reconnect with JoJo's daughter, August Lane. Can she forgive him for leaving him all those years ago?

Regina Black has another hit with her sophomore release. I loved her debut, THE ART OF SCANDAL, and I knew that I would read anything she writes from that point. This book has such a different vibe and feel to it, but I loved it all the same. Regina Black has a voice that compels your attention. She is an exceptional writer and with this book, it's clear that she is also an exceptional storyteller.

This book had depth and it was messy. I loved that this novel was not just about two people who found love with each other again. It was also about each of their journeys through pain, heartbreak, self-destruction, and healing. August and Luke were both broken for different reasons. As their past was revealed in the dual timeline, my heart broke over and over for them.

August was a complex character that I enjoyed diving into. At first, I didn't know if I would like her. She was flawed and reckless and that kind of character usually has me running the other way. But I knew there was something about August that intrigued me. I knew that there was reasons why she was so prickly and careless. Underneath the facade was a woman who lived a life of abandonment, harassment, and feelings of inadequacy. Luke came back into her life when she needed him most. He forced her to see that she deserved love, happiness, and success.

One of the main themes in this book that is going to stay with me is that people are 100% good or 100% bad. I know it's easier for people to think of certain people as bad people, but maybe there is a reason why they way they are. That's not to say that you shouldn't put boundaries in relationships where they're needed.

What an accomplishment that Regina Black has achieved with this book! You'll want to pick this one up when it releases!

Steam level: 🔥🔥¾
⚠️: infidelity (not between the main characters), addiction, child abuse, bullying, harassment, mention of rape & abortion

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.

Quick Summary: An emotional women's fiction, loving and losing, second chance romance

My Review: August Lane by Regina Black is a contemporary fiction novel. It is scheduled for release on 7/29/25.

About the Book: "A Black country music star who lied about writing his only hit risks his comeback to reunite with the woman he stole it from, a first love the lyrics won’t let him forget.

When Luke’s guitar reunites with August’s soulful alto, neither can deny that the passionate bond they formed as teenagers is still there."

In My Own Words: August Lane and Luke Randall lived lifetimes through their individual and collective experiences. Hurt, betrayal, abuse, and hardships colored their lives. Where the music of love had once allowed a harmony of sorts to exist, a dissonance eventually interrupted.

Question to Consider: Is it possible for two people who are out of sync to ever find their way back to a perfect place of unity and/or to a union of sound?

My Final Say: This story was heavy. It was a raw and potent blend of what happens when the beauty and the ugliness of life collide. It was a journey into the hearts, the emotions, and the minds of a man and a woman who were both flawed and shaped by their circumstances. This novel had substance and grit. It was messy, but it was also really good. It took this reader on a ride, causing me to consider choices, truths, reconciliation and the power of love.

Other: I would absolutely love to hear this in the audiobook format. For that matter, I would like to see it as a Prime or Netflix movie. It would translate well in that medium.

Note: Potential readers are advised to read any author/publisher notes, as content may be triggering for some.

Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Status/Level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Triggers: Yes

Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Grand Central Publishing), and to NetGalley. Thank you so very much for granting access to a digital ARC of this title. It was a pleasure to review. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. This was my first exposure to her work; I cannot wait to read more.

✨Themes/tropes✨
Second Chance romance
Small town romance
Abuse
Addiction
Dual timeline

If I could sum this book up in one word, I’d say: ✨Redemption✨

Have you ever read a book and the whole time you’re rooting for the main characters and wanting better for them? I finished August lane and she and Luke both deserved better from their mothers and life in general. One mother abusive, the other absent. These two trauma bonded and found love and solace in eachother. After Luke makes it big singing a song August wrote, while never crediting her- their relationship takes a hurtful turn and goes unresolved for years.

August Lane is a heartbreakingly beautiful second chance romance that dives into the conversation about black singers in the country music genre. The racism, the barriers, the roadblocks, and the “you don’t belong” energy. It illustrates black country singers attempting to survive and live out their passion in a genre filled with people that don’t believe they belong. Given recent current conversations regarding black artists and country music- I thought of Beyonce, Tanner Adell, Shaboozy and many other current artists in the genre.

Outside of that, this book was about so much more! Love, heartbreak, imposter syndrome, abuse, addiction, and ultimately redemption. The ending was perfect and I loved to see things come to fruition and play out the way they were supposed to. I found the ending beautiful and it sparked so many emotions in me, as someone who loves to see the underdogs win.

Please note: this book is heavy, this is not your run of the mill happy/feel good romance but, keep reading- the way the story ties up makes the heartbreak worth it. CHECK YOUR TRIGGERS WARNINGS

Actual rating: 4.5 ⭐️

Thank you so much to Grand Central Publishing for the Gifted e-arc!

It’s a pleasure to dive back into Regina Black’s signature voice and deep, viscerally true insights. Another stunner from this author, with damaged but still-hopeful characters, a sultry Southern setting, and a fearless, nuanced exploration of Black country music’s history and culture. Black swings big and doesn’t miss.

There’s no doubt about it, Regina Black is a powerhouse of a writer. Her sophomore effort is much more emotional than her debut (do these characters ever get a break?!) but she pulls it off effortlessly. I was curious how I’d get past a Hero who stole creative work from the Heroine (ten years ago, but still! How does one get over that?!) and yet she managed to make come around in the end. This read will appeal to fans of emotional, angsty reads told in dual timeline

August Lane

"This is your life. It's happening right now and it's the only one you'll ever have. Stop asking permission."

Oh my hear this book. This was beautiful and heartbreaking all at the same time. An emotional second chance romance that highlights the pain of life, the decisions we make and the HOPE that love can bring us. I adored August and Luke's story, how they found their way back to each other and the beautiful way that Luke recognized, "I love you. And there's a right way to do that."

Luke is a sober, one-hit wonder, washed up country singer reality show star when he is approached to perform at THE Jojo's showcase to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. It's a paycheck, which Luke needs, and an excuse to go back to his hometown, face some demons and the girl he left behind, who just so happens to be Jojo's daughter. August is still grieving the loss of her grandmother, for whom she was the caretaker, when Luke tumbles back into her life, not the bit star she thought he would be after stealing her song and claiming it as his own. Despite their pasts, the choices they've made, and the stumbles along the way, August and Luke though rocky, the path to each other is worth the stumbles along the way.

I HIGHLY recommend this one. Keep the tissues near by, but don't miss out on the beautiful story of August and Luke, especially if you're looking for:
- Second chance romance
- Small town setting
- Black representation in country music
- Always you

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for this ARC! My opinions are my own. August Lane is on shelves July 29, 2025.

This is my first, but not last Regina Black story. I have heard good things about the author. The representation is there. A black country singer. Also one of my favorite tropes happens to be second chance romance

Thank you r Grand Central titles for the opportunity to read this e-Arc.

Y’all. This book had me absolutely HOOKED—I mean, I couldn’t put it down if I tried! It’s my first time dipping into a country story, and I just knew it had to center Black characters to really pull me in—and it delivered. August and Luke? They snatched my heart and ran off with it. The way their journeys unfold, the battles they’ve faced, and the resilience they carry? Simply stunning.

The story focuses on a Black country singer from a small town who has weathered her share of racism and heartbreak in her career. But the soul of this book lies with her daughter, August, who lights up every page she’s on. And then there’s Luke—a fellow Black country star whose struggles and triumphs cut straight to your soul. These two characters are unforgettable.

I’m giving this book an easy 4.5 stars—it’s THAT good—and I absolutely cannot wait to add it to my collection when it’s released. Trust me, this is one for the shelves!

Regina Black does it again. This second chance romance was everything. The love between the two characters was dripping off the page and it was Swoony, it was nostalgic, and so full of emotion.

While at the start this book started off a little slow, once it got going, it was going. Regina Black never does me wrong. I loved The Art of the Scandal, so when I saw August Lane I had to read it. Especially since it's about black country music artists. It book was emotional, raw, honest, and humorous. Some parts I laughed out loud. It also had a soap opera/behind-the-music vibe that I enjoyed. I'll be talking about this book for a while especially since we are in the Beyoncé Cowboy Carter era (yee-haw). Prepare for this book to be my entire personality.

When I started reading this book I just knew that it would give me all the feels. I honestly didn’t know that it would have me laughing and crying and then getting angry sometimes in the same chapters!

I love the way that Regina Black uses flashback scenes in the book to truly build out these characters. They are so developed as characters early on and it makes me feel like I know them as a real people and I love that!

Luke is a former country music star and is now at the rock bottom of his career. He has one hit that people still pay to hear him sing, but what they don’t know about this hit is that he stole it from August Lane. The same August Lane whose mom is 90’s country superstar, Jojo Lane. Luke is asked to perform with Jojo at her Country Music Hall of Fame induction since they are both from the same small town. This means that he has to go back to the small town and come face to face with August who he hasn’t seen in over a decade, since he stole the song she wrote and made

Now August threatens to reveal his secret unless he writes and performs a new song with her. This book is so juicy and also it’s fast paced so it moves at a good speed and can be finished in about a day. The feelings that these two main characters have for each other is evident in both the present and flashback scenes. I love the transition that we see in both their characters, August and Luke are both very angry and sad people who have been through so much in such a short time, Luke getting a divorce and August losing her grandmother who loved her so deeply.

The book deals with a lot of topics including racism in country music and it just feels so fitting reading it because Jojo is a black woman in country music and her critics and some family and friends didn’t understand why she chose that genre and they treated her and her daughter bad because of it. Luke being black himself was kind of welcomed into the country world which shows how women in general are just treated lesser than in general. It’s always shocking to read about racism in the current day because it’s such a blatant disrespect to another because of their skin color and it just pisses me off as a human being and as a black woman.

Either way I absolutely loved this book and Luke finally has his reckoning with August but she also has hers as well with Luke when she’s made to confront her feelings and stop running away from the way he makes her feel.

Thank you to Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for the advanced read copy of this book for my honest review.

Thank you Grand Central for this gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. I went into this book completely blind so coming off a historic win in country music made this book hit a little different. The way the story is written with a podcast element and the multiple scenes including dual timelines, gives the feel of a really good audiobook. But for someone like me who sees books visually with sound, it is written like the movies we enjoy on a rainy weekend at home complete with a beautifully written lyrics as the soundtrack. The characters were flawed yet extremely lovable. Understanding the root of Luke’s addiction and pain made me champion despite his wrongdoing. I wanted adult August to win for the sake of the wounded teenager. JoJo’s story shocked me but explained everything I needed to know about both of roles as a mother and a daughter. On top of this captivating story, the author’s ability to gently educate readers about some of the history of the stolen art was a pleasant surprise - especially in light of how country music (the industry and the fans) treats Black country musicians. This is the perfect follow up to The Art of Scandal and has cemented Regina Black as an auto-buy author.