When the Music Hits by Amber Oliver is the book I’ve needed for years! A young woman trying to work her way up in the music industry, in that sweet spot between musical creativity and the business side. That’s exactly what I wanted to do with my career. This sense of harmony made it easy for me to fall into When the Music Hits initially, but the engrossing storytelling is what kept me hooked until the end.

Billie has just graduated with her master’s degree in Music, and she’s determined to get a job in A&R at a record label. After doing her own thing for a while, she’s built up credibility and connections. She finally lands a position as an assistant at Lit, but she’s already trying to scope out artists the label can sign. Over the course of a year, Billie must determine where she fits, as a Black woman, at an overwhelmingly white label with a not so pristine reputation.

What I Liked:
- Illuminating the music business, specifically A&R. As someone who has a master’s degree in Music Business, I can affirm: It is hard to get into the music industry. Billie is actually aiming for the same career I initially wanted to do (A&R), and she’s a real go-getter. I admire her so much for her ambition and passion. It was also fun to read about so many of the inner-workings within the music industry, from masters rights to licensing to the horrors of a 360 deal.
- Love of music! Beyond the business, Billie also has a deep love for music and knowledge of not only what sounds good, but how to achieve that sound. Most music-related books I’ve read focus on the musicians making and performing music, though often not in very much depth. Here, however, we gets lots of the nitty gritty details, including some of the music creation. I also love how Billie constantly references specific artists and songs, from comparisons for new talent she’s scouting to simply setting the backdrop for her day-to-day life.
- Tackling racism in the music industry. Billie is a Black woman from the Bronx, and when she gets hired at Lit, she quickly finds she’s one of only three people of color there. She also learns of the extreme disparity in how signed talent are treated and paid, invariably based on race. While Billie sees the racism in her own company (and the industry at large), she’s aiming to bring positive change from within. She can be the one helping sign Black and brown artists and getting them better deals. But is she supporting a system that’s too rotten? And maybe a bigger takedown is needed, too?
- Is it selling out? A source of contention comes from Billie’s boyfriend, Lucas, an idealist who aims to make his own career without relying on anyone. He’s all about community and authenticity, and he questions Billie’s commitment to her job. Has she sold out? Is she betraying her Black community in working there? Or is she on the right path to change from within?
- Mentorship: women of color helping each other up. Billie soon finds an ally in Nina, an A&R rep at the company. It’s a problematic industry in so many ways, but I liked that Billie found someone she could learn from in her career. All in all, I loved seeing how Billie had a network of support, both in work and in her personal life.

Final Thoughts
When the Music Hits is a powerful debut for anyone who loves music and the music industry. It weaves in themes of career ambition, creativity, and tackling racism, while grounding the novel with Billie’s circle of family and friends. I enjoyed accompanying Billie as she takes the first steps into her dream job. This book may especially resonate with readers of color, but I believe white readers can glean many valuable lessons from it, too. Regardless, this is a must-read for music fans.

DNF…not a fan of the writing style. It felt more like info dumping than the story actually making any progress. The characters seemed underdeveloped too.

A behind the scene look. Raw. Real. Rhythmically authentic. This story pulls back the curtain on the music industry’s heart and shadows. As Billie struggles to chase her dream, one question haunts her: Is it still what she wants?

I am sorry to say that I did not connect with this story at all.

The writing style felt very stilted to me - lots of showing, rather than telling, with very minimal character development or plot. There were also a lot of really specific details about music and dialogue that just did not do anything for me or to further the book. I felt myself skimming the pages to just see where the plot ended up. It read more like a series of diary entries almost (not literally --but just in the sense that it was "Billie did this", "they said that", "Billie went here", etc.

Billie, the main character, seemed very naïve and I just didn't buy into her character. The ending was predictable and not high stakes. I loved the many themes of this book: coming-of-age, cultural and racial struggles, corruption and unfairness/bias in the music industry, choosing one's career/self vs relationships. Unfortunately, none of these themes every had enough depth for me to truly connect to them.

I would recommend this book to a younger (early 20s) audience and to those that would be very interested in reading about the ins-and-outs of the music industry.

Thank you Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for this eARC.

Amber Oliver's "When The Music Hits" is an outstanding debut novel. This beautifully crafted story delves into the intricacies of black families, the journey of self-discovery, and the profound impact of friendships and relationships.

Oliver’s writing is both heartfelt and authentic, painting vivid portraits of characters that feel genuine and relatable. The narrative gracefully weaves themes of identity and belonging, exploring how music becomes a powerful backdrop for personal growth and connection.

What stands out is the author’s ability to capture the essence of family dynamics and the complexities of relationships with sincerity and depth. The friendships portrayed are heartfelt, illustrating how they shape and support us through life’s challenges.

"When The Music Hits" is more than just a novel; it's an emotional journey that resonates long after the final page. Amber Oliver has set a high bar with this debut, and I eagerly look forward to her future works.

This is a well-written book for fans of women’s fiction. Unfortunately, it’s too angsty and depressing for me. I’m not the target audience.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

A behind the scenes look at the music industry through the eyes of Billie, a 24 year old who wants to become a force for musicians of color. There's a lot of detail about music (I learned something) but this is quite focused on how difficult it can be to break through. Billie is a trooper who keeps moving even when others might step away. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It's a good read.

An earnest contemporary coming of age story set in New York’s prestigious and imperfect music industry. We follow Billie Grand, who dreams of working for a record label and uplifting Black voices, as she follows her passion and learns the hard way about the flaws in the system, as well as balancing her blossoming career with competing familial and romantic relationships. The gorgeous cover of this novel really encapsulates the cinematic feel of the story, and I could easily imagine a successful screen adaptation with dramatic lighting and an incredible soundtrack. As a book, however, it lacked some momentum; I kept waiting for a big reveal or twist that never came. Billie had challenges, but there were never any real setbacks or consequences as she pursued her dream, despite all the built-up tension. And, although there was great dialogue and some searing commentary on the racial and social inequities of the music industry, the characters felt a little underdeveloped, and I wasn’t always sure what they were thinking. Still a solid and compelling read, but not as satisfying as it might have been.

3.5 stars

Thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

In the Tribe Called Quest classic, "Check the Rhime," Q-Tip rightly said "Industry Rule No. 4080: record company people are shady." In "When the Music Hits," Billie shows us this through her job at Lit Records. There Billie and her friends begin to question who she is and if authentic art and profitable business can coexist. June is Black Music History Month, so publishing June 17, 2025 is the perfect time to release it into the world. I can easily see it taking its place on many lists alongside Regina Black's "August Lane," Erica Kennedy's "Bling" and more. I would recommend it to people who follow folk like Naima Cochrane, and readers 16 and up.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review. I wanted to like this so badly, but I just didn’t. It was under 300 pages but was a slog to get through. I think the idea was there, but it was very predictable and desperately needed an editor.

The synopsis for this book really drew me in, as I’m a self-proclaimed “music head”. It is a common tale of a young, talented woman who has BIG career aspirations, but she needs to prove herself to make it and get the big fish (job, deal, etc). She struggles along the way, frustrates her family in some way, questions herself (confidence/worth/ability), gets hyped by her bestie or partner, and has an epiphany that changes the game. The author took us through that story arc, with some great articulation of the music industry and the NYC landscape. It fell slightly flat with shallow character development of several characters, missing details, and a marked shift from medium to fast pace toward the end. There are some predictable notes, but not enough for me to trash the book. It was an enjoyable read that I truly hope we might get a sequel to tell a more cohesive story about Billie, Lucas, and even Nina and Alicia.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

I love books that take place in the entertainment industry, and When the Music Hits was no exception!

Billie Grand finally lands her dream job in the music industry, but the glittering world of Lit Music Productions quickly reveals a toxic underbelly of exploitation and erasure. As she fights to champion authentic talent and stay true to her roots, Billie must decide how much of herself she’s willing to sacrifice to succeed.

I loved getting to know Billie and exploring the decisions she made in her pursuit of the career she always wanted. There are so many pros and cons to the music industry, fame and self-fulfillment, and I loved how Amber Oliver explored those topics. Fans of emotionally rich stories about dynamic women navigating success will love this one!

Billie longs for a career in the music industry as she hopes to be an A&R manager. When the opportunity finally lands she cannot wait to hit the ground running! Ultimately, she learns that the company she is working for has a system in place and her trying to make boss moves early on is not entirely supported. As she gets more industry exposure, she finds out about her boss' questionable deals for some artists, while he moves mountains for others. Billie initially tries to focus on her career but is challenged by her friends and family to be the change in the system. Is Billie willing to risk what may be her only opportunity to get her foot in the door in the industry, or will she stand ten toes down for what she believes is right?

I enjoyed this story as it tapped into the business secrets of the music industry. I do wish some of the plots points where tapped into more, but overall it was a solid book.

I loved this book. This well written debut novel has great characters and a well paced plot that grabbed me from the first chapter and I couldn't put it down. While exploring themes of friendship, family and relationships, it also provides an insider look at the racism, misogyny, and corporate greed in the entertainment world. Her well chosen musical references throughout the story are a big bonus. Highly recommended

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an advanced reader copy.

very well written and very intriguing novel with some awesome ideas and great descriptions of the music scene. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

I found this one to be a good debut novel. Amber Oliver delivers a vibrant mix of romance, music, and self-discovery, wrapped in a story that’s both fun and heartfelt.

The characters are easy to root for—especially the lead, whose passion for music and personal growth make her journey engaging and relatable. The romance is sweet with great chemistry, and the musical backdrop adds a fresh, dynamic energy to the narrative.

While some parts of the plot felt a bit predictable, the emotional beats still landed, and the writing had a warmth and humor that kept the pages turning. It’s a great pick for fans of contemporary romance with a pop-culture twist and strong character arcs. Wonder if there will be more for this character?

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for advanced copy, and I give my review freely

When the Music Hits by Amber Oliver had such a promising premise: a young Black woman navigating the gritty, glittering world of the New York City music industry? Count me in. I was excited to dive into a story that blended ambition, culture, and soul. Unfortunately, despite my enthusiasm for the concept, I struggled to stay engaged with the plot. The pacing was extremely slow, and the character development didn’t give me enough to hold on to. I often found myself confused about the characters’ motivations or disconnected from their emotional journeys. I kept hoping things would pick up, taking extended breaks and coming back with a fresh mindset, but I ultimately couldn’t finish the book. I genuinely wanted to love this debut, and I applaud Amber Oliver for bringing a unique voice to contemporary fiction. I just wish the execution had matched the strength of the premise. That said, I know every reader brings different tastes and experiences, so this one may resonate more deeply with others.

"I thought about how music had been my anchor"

As I read this story I appreciated the research that was done, as it translated within the pages. The author goes into great detail about the music industry and music in general and what it means to the Black Culture. How it centers us, provides escape, aids in the celebration of life, and acts as lyrical healing in our times of need.

I found myself singing or rapping along to the songs as they were mentioned, and able to make real time connections with the music industry as we know it today.

I liked the story and look forward to more from Amber.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for this ARC in exchange for a honest review.

I liked this. I thought the beginning of the book started slow but it laide great foundation. I was really rooting for Billie. I wanted her to set the boundary with her mom way sooner, but she came around eventually. The ending of the book felt rushed and incomplete. However, im hoping that is to lay foundation for a second book.

I did not love this book, I honestly didn't really like it. The writing style felt a lot like the main character was telling me about herself, her life, instead of showing me through action. There were also a lot of really specific details about music in a way that felt like the author or character were just flexing the long list of artists they knew, which really wasn't that interesting. I felt myself skimming a lot of this book to just see where the plot ended up because a lot of the prose was just not very compelling. Overall I liked the plot and there were a lot of interesting characters and their relationships we saw develop, I just think the storytelling and writing style could be improved.