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.

Billie recently graduated with her masters in music theory. Struggling to make a way for herself in the music industry as an black woman. She obtained her dream job at one of the top music labels. She struggles to maintain a healthy work and personal life balance. Battling perceived notions and biases within the company, is it all she hoped it would be? Amber Olivers debut novel is beautifully written and puts you there feeling all the feels Billie does in the ups and downs of this period of her life!

I was completely drawn into Billie's story. She's such a relatable character, and her relationships with her family and boyfriend are complex and realistic. Her friendship with Alicia is beautiful This book is a great look at the music industry and the challenges of chasing your dreams. Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for the ARC to read and review honestly.

When the Music Hits gives readers a glimpse into the music industry through the lens of aspiring producer named Billie. Music is her deepest passion so when a job opportunity for Lit Music pops up the offer is too good to resist. But once the ugly threads of the music industry threaten to destroy everything Billie believes in will she be able to make a change or leave her career as a whole.

I love how this novel speaks to the heart of music and artistry that goes into creating the notable songs we know and love. Reading this novel I was excited to find nods to some of my favorite tracks and artists that I listen to on a daily basis. Oliver definitely speaks to the power of music and how it shapes and influences the soundtrack of our lives. The novel also heavily discusses the grittiness of the industry underneath the glamour as Billie experiences firsthand shorthand music deals, industry plants, and much more. She highlights the disproportionate ways the music industry often pulls one over on Black and Brown artists as well which I appreciated. This juxtaposition of both sides of the industry make for a interesting read that continues the discussion surrounding the evolution of music.

I think this is a solid debut novel from Oliver who’s lyrical writing is engaging and fresh. The novel tells a coming of age story that makes it easy to connect with Billie as she struggles to navigate her way through a new chapter in life. While the ending is left a bit open, and the latter half of the novel feels a bit rushed in pacing, it was a very enjoyable read. I feel like the subplots could be explored more (especially when it comes to the Romance factor) if the novel had been just a bit longer.

I would recommend this novel to those who like stories surrounding music or self-discovery journeys. I look forward to reading more of Oliver’s works!

Okay so boom… when I say this book was on brand for everything we see in the music industry today?! Whew. Billie is fresh outta college, just tryna get her foot in the door, but quickly finds out that being a Black woman in a male-dominated, messy music world is no small task. The racism, the sexism, the micro (and macro) aggressions? Very much present.

What I loved most though is how she’s constantly reminded, specifically by her boyfriend, that she can’t lose herself in the grind. The balance between chasing dreams and staying grounded is real, and sis had to make some hard choices that could shift her entire career.

When the Music Hits is a beautiful and heartfelt journey through love, loss, and healing. The storytelling is powerful, and the emotional depth resonates long after the final page. A moving and memorable read.

This was a solid read. I was invested enough in the story to keep going, but it felt like there was a lot of build up to a predictable ending. The MC was hard to root for because she seemed very nieve. But I think that could also make her relatable to some readers. In my opinion this book will be loved by younger audience that is interested in the music industry as this book is very descriptive in that area. I do wish it dug a little deeper into the characters. Overall, it was a good story.


Thank you Random House Publishing Group and Netgalley for this Advance Readers Copy ebook in exchange for my honest review