
Member Reviews

Thank you, NetGalley, and Atria Books, for allowing me to read this book early. The opinion in this review is my own.
This is the first book I’ve read by Ashley Winstead that wasn’t a mystery/thriller. I am so impressed with her range. This book was very well written and it had me hooked from the start. I do see how they relate this to Daisy Jones and the Six, but this book stands on it’s own. The main similarity is that it’s about a band going through a rough patch and the female lead singer is troubled and having difficulty getting on track, which is a common issue in many celebrities. I don’t feel this is in any way a rip off of Daisy Jones. I personally enjoyed this book more than Daisy Jones, but it’s like comparing apples and oranges. They’re both good, but aren’t fundamentally the same.
I enjoyed the characters, they were very complex with their heart and their flaws. There were so many layers with heart break and victories. It felt like these characters are real people. The dialogue felt genuine and the plot was compelling. It kept me wanting to continue the book. I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it.

Phenomenal book- would give it 6 stars if I could! So many layers to this book, and all were woven together so well. Already recommending to friends. Ashley Winstead, you can truly write it all!

The Future Saints is a bold and thought-provoking story that blends mystery, faith, and rebellion in a way that feels totally fresh. Winstead’s writing is sharp and immersive, pulling you deep into a world where belief and power collide. I loved how the characters are complex and flawed, making their choices feel unpredictable yet deeply human. The pacing keeps you hooked, balancing big, high-stakes moments with quieter emotional beats. Fierce, imaginative, and impossible to forget, The Future Saints is a ride worth taking.

The only reason I’m not giving this five stars is because the beginning was a little slow, it took until about 30% in to really take off. Hannah was a PERFECT character with Theo a close second (The tension was 10/10). Ripper aggravated me a little but that’s what happens. I loved the mix of the story and the snippets of Twitter interviews, TikTok clips, and all that. It was interesting because it reflected the modern music landscape in a way that wasn’t cringe. However, Preteen Comedy loving me would like to let the author know that SNL does NOT tape during the month of July. That is hiatus. 🫡
I didn’t expect the absolute HEARTBREAK at Ginny and Hannah’s relationship and the breakdown had me right there with the two of them. Gotta go hang out with my sister now and tell her how much I appreciate her. “Every second I spent on Earth… I knew how much you loved me. It shaped who I was.”

I have such a tough time with Ashley Winstead -- I really love her ideas and plots, but her execution continues to leave me a bit cold. I appreciate how often she takes very big swings, pushing outside her seeming comfort zone, and this book is a somewhat successful combo of her literary-tinged ideas (or, Taylor Jenkins Reid Very Lite) and her romantic offerings (though, the love story never clicked for me). This is an easy enough read, and the details about the band's life and existence are quite interesting to read. The subplot about Ginny was both quite emotional and completely paper-thin, plot-wise (it was SO obvious). Winstead seems to enjoy writing the kind of women that some might consider "unlikable," but Hannah is probably her most likable (and real) creation yet. A step forward, at least in my eyes.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC! All thoughts are my own.
This is my first Ashley Winstead novel and it most assuredly won't be my last. This was absolutely brilliant. Think a modern Daisy Jones and the Six. It was romantic. It was heartbreaking. It was raw and real. It was traumatic. It was endearing. It was honestly everything. I cried like a baby. Fantastic. Read this book when this comes out, please. You won't regret it.

UGH I loved this book so much! Truly the first band novel since Daisy Jones & the Six that left me wanting more. The dynamics between the band members and Theo alongside Hannah's own journey to find herself after the loss of her sister was beautiful to read. This was my first Ashley Winstead read and I can't wait to dive into more of her work.

"This is a love story, but not the one you’re expecting." That sentence is the truest statement that could be made about The Future Saints. The book was compared to two books I genuinely enjoyed ("Daisy Jones and the Six" and "In Five Years") and it did not disappoint. The characters adn the storyline were well rounded and well paced. I enjoyed the book quite a bit.

Oh, wow- Ashley Winstead has once again outdone herself! The Future Saints is a beautiful, raw, and deeply moving novel that is equal parts heartbreaking, heartwarming, and inspiring. At its core, it’s a story about the everlasting love between sisters, the bonds of friendship, the ache of grief, the power of forgiveness, and the magic of finding a someone when you least expect it.
I’d read that fans of Daisy Jones & The Six would enjoy this book, and I completely agree- while it shares the backdrop of a struggling rock band, The Future Saints has its own bold, unforgettable voice and a wholly original storyline.
The emotional depth within these pages is astounding. Winstead masterfully captures the messy, complicated beauty of love and loss in a way that lingers long after the final page. This is a story I know I’ll return to again and again.
A total, unequivocal 5-star read- I recommend it to absolutely everyone!

I was really excited to read this piece, because I am a big fan of books that take you behind the scenes of a particular industry that I interact with regularly but know little about the inner workings. In this case, we learned about the music industry through the two main narrators, Hannah. the troubled, tortured rockstar grieving the loss of her sister, and Theo, “the Fixer” sent by the label to rescue or release the band.
Unfortunately, the book didn’t really give much insight into the music industry itself, outside of fairly typical details that are fairly widely known. Also, the pacing of it was a little bit uneven. I really enjoyed the first two thirds, but I felt like the final third ran out of steam and became a bit repetitive.
A big thank you to Ashley Winstead, Atria Books, and NetGalley for this book in exchange for an honest review.

This story is about a band looking to create their second act and finally find fame. The members are hard living and complex characters and they are paired with a corporate manger tasked with getting their careers back on track. The main plot is behind the scenes of the music industry but the real story is about grief, survival, and ultimately love. I really enjoyed this book and I was rooting for all of the characters. I connected with Hannah's journey to acceptance of her sister's death and letting go of what she thought her life would look like. It was a powerful message. I highly recommend this to all types of fiction readers. Thanks to Ashley Winstead, Atria Books, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A book along the lines of Daisy Jones and the Six. Rock musicians that finally became famous because of viral social media posts of the lead singer having a melt down. ok book

Review — The Future Saints (2.5⭐)
I really wanted to love this one, but unfortunately, it just wasn’t for me. The behind-the-scenes look at the music industry will probably be fascinating for some readers, but it’s just not my vibe and I found myself skimming those parts. The romance leaned more toward insta-love, and without much build-up, I never felt the chemistry I was hoping for.
That being said, the writing itself is solid and I can see how fans of music-driven stories and whirlwind romances might really enjoy it. This one just didn’t hit the right notes for me personally.

The Future Saints is an exceptionally quick, propulsive read that keeps a tight grip on its two anchors, Hannah and Theo, while offering sharp glimpses of the rest of the band. We meet the group at a true crossroads: they’ve lost their manager—who was also Hannah’s sister, Ginny—and the center cannot hold. Enter Theo, a label fixer brought in to squeeze out one more album, only to find himself pulled into the undertow of addiction, ego, and very human hurt.
The novel’s strongest current is grief. Hannah is written with jolting honesty—haunted by Ginny’s presence in her imagination, ricocheting between self-sabotage and flashes of stardom in a social media ecosystem that can turn breakdowns into breakthroughs overnight. Theo, meanwhile, starts as a “sheep in wolf’s clothing,” a corporate yes-man shaped by a father who walked out. His arc—from cautious handler to knight-in-shining-armor willing to “fall on his sword” for the band (a phrase the book returns to more than once)—gives the story its moral spine. Their chemistry feels earned: two people magnetized by shared brokenness and different kinds of loss.
The industry notes ring true: image versus authenticity, how virality can paper over pain, and how a band’s fate can hinge on one risky decision. The pacing is brisk; the book moves the Saints from the brink of extinction to the bright light of instant culture, without losing sight of the costs. If anything, the supporting players—Ripper and Kenny in particular—are sketched rather than deeply drawn, but that narrow focus keeps the emotional lens tight on Hannah and Theo where it belongs.
Without spoiling specifics, the ending threads the needle: major loose ends are tied, yet the author leaves room for readers to decide whether Hannah and Theo ultimately find their way back to each other after rehab—and what becomes of the band after a hard-won burst of success and even a brush with awards. It’s satisfying without being saccharine.
Bottom line: The Future Saints is a smart, modern love story that refuses to gush. It’s about the messiness of grieving in public, the long shadow of abandonment, and the fragile alchemy required to make something beautiful out of people who feel broken. Content notes for substance abuse and loss, but the payoff is worth it. Recommended for readers who like their romance complicated, their music fiction believable, and their endings open enough to haunt.

People are going to eat this book up.
If you loved daisy jones and the six this book is for you. While both share the intoxicating world of rock bands, The Future Saints goes deeper into a raw emotional chord. The heart of this story is about grief and how it truly shapes, haunts and transforms us. It also was a book that was a love letter to sisterhood. I loved all the characters and would love this to become a show or movie.

“When record executive Theo meets the Future Saints, they’re bombing at a dive bar in their hometown. Since the tragic death of their manager, the band has been in a downward spiral and Theo has been dispatched to coax a new—and successful—album out of them, or else let them go.”
I wish I liked this book more. I had a hard time connecting to the characters, some chapters felt like they dragged on a bit, and I found Theo’s saviour complex a little insufferable. A lot of people compared it to Daisy Jones, which truthfully, I haven’t read yet. However, the writing was no where near Taylor Jenkins Reid. I’m curious to read Daisy Jones now to compare the two. It wasn’t a bad read overall, just not one that I feel inclined to recommend to others.

5 glowing stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Atria Books, for the ARC!
This story begins with Theo Ford taking over management of a flailing band, The Future Saints. The label wanted him to get one more album out of them and then cut them loose. Social media and viral videos changed the trajectory of his mission. Hannah, Ripper, and Kenny make up the band and go viral through a new sound, a new angst delivered by the lead singer. Hannah becomes the new Queen of Sad as she pours her heart into new music about her sister who has recently passed away. But, Theo is not just a suit and The Future Saints are not just a chess pawn.
I was struck by how the author writes about mental health and substance use. As someone who works in this field, I believe she handled the topics very well.
I read this book wishing I could pause and pull up Spotify, but oh wait…
I found myself being a little annoyed at Theo for his savior complex and, of course, wanting to always save the pretty girl. But, this is absolutely something he points out about himself. So, it must have been the point and it was well done. At the same time, Theo had some incredible courage towards the end which caused me to change my mind in those last pages.
With Hannah, I think I’d be obsessed with her in real life. I love a girl that goes against what society expects. (And I know the author always does her FMC’s justice!)
This book would be perfect for readers who enjoy books with emotional depth and an open ending. This book will make you examine any grief you may be carrying as well as indicting any parts of you that equate value with productivity.
As a huge fan of Taylor Jenkins Reid, I acknowledge the parallels that people may see to “Daisy Jones …” but, I think this book blows that one out of the water. I thought about this book often when I wasn’t reading and will definitely continue to do so.
Does Ashley Winstead write anything I don’t devour?! I would highly recommend to anyone. No notes.

I love a book that has a little bit of a love story, fame, and dealing with heavy feelings. There is so much substance to the plot. The characters were quite complex, especially Hannah. This book did a fabulous job of demonstrating how grief can absolutely destroy you but how you can rise from the ashes of it if you really try to pull yourself out. In fact, I actually feel like the biggest love story was not between Theo and Hannah, but between Hannah and her sister Ginny. Beautiful story. I can absolutely see it being turned into a film or TV show! 5 star read from me. If I could give it more I would. I absolutely loved it!

Phenomenal. I stayed up late to finish. Just a beautiful and poignant story about grief, love, friendship, addiction, and just the human experience.
Thank you to netgalley and Atria books for a complimentary earc in exchange for an honest review.

I really loved this book and found it different than Winstead’s previous releases but in a positive way. Her books have all affected me differently and I have a feeling I’ll be thinking about this one for a while.