Thank you Netgalley and Hachette Audio for allowing me to listen and review this book. I have to start with saying I LOVED the narrators for this audiobook, they were all amazing and really held my attention the entire book. I had my reservations at the beginning of this book because I am not huge into musician books or books about famous people falling in love BUT thankfully I was mistaken in having my reservations. This book had me laughing and smiling at parts, crying at others and down right angry at others! I loved August and Luke’s love story being able to concur everything, I was actually pushing for them to work out and I don’t do that often in books. I truly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone 4.5/5 stars!

I loved this one so much! Great for Black Country Music lovers! d
I absolutely was engrossed in the second-chance romance! Huge fan of reading about "flawed" characters with difficult upbringings.
The interview aspect of this was great too.
This was my first Regina Black book & 1 am pleasantly HAPPY about this!
Would FOR sure recommend.
Thank you grandcentralpub

A story of love, struggle, and redemption. August Lane starts as we follow Luke Randall, a broke country musician who is given the opportunity to perform a duet with a popular black country singer during her award ceremony. In order to do this performance, Luke finds himself back in his small hometown where he has to face our FMC, August Lane again. August and Luke have a tumultuous relationship dating back years where they first wrote a hit song together.

Told in dual timelines, 2009 and 2023, we follow August and Luke as we see them first meet, form their friendship and writing partnership, and all the tough battles they had to endure as kids. From Luke dealing with being an alcoholic who grew up in an abusive household, August taking care of her grandmother with dementia, my heart ached for them and I just anted to reach through the pages to give them a hug. I loved that this was told in dual timelines because we really got to see how their experiences earlier in life shaped them into the adults that they were. The romance between August and Luke was messy but real, which made me love their slow burn even more.

Regina Black’s writing in this once again excels. Through her storytelling, this book explore race in the country music genre, racism, dementia, alcoholism, domestic violence, and trauma. While these are all heavy topics, she writes about this with the respect and care that they deserve. Regina Black is truly a master of character building and I just loved August and Luke. I will forever read what Regina writes and can’t wait to see what she does next!

The audiobook is narrated by four incredible narrators: Bahni Turpin, William DeMerritt, January LaVoy and Stephanie Cannon. They all did an amazing job bringing these characters and all the emotions to life.

Rating: 3.5⭐️

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing & Netgalley or the e-ARC and Hachette Audio for ALC in exchange for my review. It was such a great time getting to immersive read this one!

I wanted to like this so bad but it just wasn’t for me. I struggled with the flashbacks throughout the book it didn’t seem to build up the story as much as it could. There also was so many plot lines it was hard to follow and I wasn’t completely sold on the romance between the main characters. Overall I do think that production of this audiobook was so good.

Second chance romance. He left and took credit for the song they wrote together
Now he’s back ready for his comeback joining a concert show for her mom‘s recognition award. Luke is singing his only hit song, the song he took full credit for, with her mom as a duet. The vulnerability and the depths of the character was heavy with emotion and tension. I loved everything about it. It felt like I was reading someone’s biography. It was so good. The romance was the perfect amount of tense and angsty, with dual timeline. I honestly didn’t want this book to end.

this one didn’t fully land for me. the pacing felt uneven and there were long stretches where i struggled to stay invested. the romance element felt a little muted and the emotional tension didn’t build the way i hoped it would. it wasn’t a bad read by any means—just one that didn’t quite hit the high notes for me.

📕 August Lane by Regina Black was a second chance romance journey that pulled me along for an emotional ride. From childhood trauma to found family this book has so much substance. At the backdrop, we have the undercurrents of race as our black main characters navigate the world of country music.

🎙️ The arrangement and editing of this audiobook combined with the narrative talents of Bahni Turpin; William DeMerritt; January LaVoy; Stephanie Cannon provides an immersive experience for the reader.

🏆 I highly recommend this read! Thank you to NetGalley, Hachette Audio, Grand Central Publishing and author Regina Black for the advanced listener copy of this audiobook. All opinions expressed are my own.

Favorite Quote: “Each time I sing it, I get to fall in love with you again, hurts like hell when its over but its worth it. I want to hurt that way for the rest of my life” ~ Luke Randall

I read Regina Black’s debut novel ‘The Art Of Scandal’ that released in 2023 of August of last year. I liked it but did not feel strongly about the characters and felt they lacked some depth.

Now I was granted the amazing opportunity to listen to a advanced copy of Ms. Black’s second novel and my favorite part of this was the multilayered characters. I was blown away by this story, this felt like more than a simple second chance romance. You feel the growth in the author’s skills from one book to another and I can only see this getting better from here.

Semi failed country star Luke Randall gets the opportunity for a redemption arc and is asked to perform a duet with one of his idols, unfortunately it forces him to return to his traumatic small childhood town and his past childhood love, whose song that he stole launched his career many years ago.

This does not even touch the surface of this layered story told that is written in dual timelines (which really made this story) with a podcast interview in the middle from the country idol, Jojo Lane. This story dived into being a Black country music star, addiction, integrational trauma and so much more. I don’t want to spoil this amazing story but please listen or read if you can!

The narration of this story was so amazing!!! They use 4 narrators and they fit all of the characters so well and they really brought the passion and pain for the characters alive. This is a narration and story that will sit with me for a long time.

Super excited for August Lane. I loved Regina Black's previous book and was eagerly anticipating this one. I started listening to the audio and it was an immediate no for me in terms of audio production and quality. Even though some of my favorite narrators are featured, the quality of the sound was so subpar that I put the book down and will pick it back up once I can read with my eyes. Very disappointing as a reader who primarily does audiobooks.

The star rating is for the audio, not for the content of the book.

Growing up, I was never much of a country music fan. However, those songs I did listen to had some of the best storylines - full of loss, trials, and heartache, yet also laced with hope and redemption. Regina Black has captured that narrative so well here in August Lane.

I loved August and Luke’s love story. It’s as messy as it gets. Layered and complicated, these high school sweethearts are torn apart by stardom, family dysfunction, and trauma, plus a huge secret hovers between them.

August Lane is not just a romance; it's a passionate, intense blend of music, regrets, race, and second chances. It's a story that hits all the right notes, drawing us into a world where love and raw emotions intertwine, making us feel deeply connected to the characters.



🎧Narrated by Bahni Turpin, William DeMerritt, January LaVoy and Stephanie Cannon this was an outstanding production! This cast does an excellent job of bringing the characters to life. The addition of sound effects enhances the different formats, such as the recording of the podcast perfectly. A wonderful complement to the physical book.

Thank you @hachetteus for this #gifted book. Thank you @Hachetteaudio for the gifted audiobook via #NetGalley.

If you are looking for a feel-good, traditional romance, you should look elsewhere. This story was beautiful, but yet so tragic.

Overall, 4 stars, maybe 4.5 stars, this story was tragic, sad, and downright heart breaking. The character development of Luke and August was amazing, and I felt like I could better understand Jojo through the interview transcripts throughout the book. The amount of trauma in this book was unreal, the abuse, the neglect, and the bullying to name a few. All I wanted to do throughout this book was rage, at Luke, at Luke's mom, at August's bullies, and at August's family. My need to rage took away from the overall enjoyment of this book because I just wanted to protect August and make her feel loved.

*Racism
*Small town romance (not in the traditional sense)
*Dual timeline (2009 and 2023, 2024)
*Multiple POV
*Music industry

Thank you to NetGalley, Hachette Audio and Regina Black for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

What a raw and emotional journey for August Lane.This story contains multitudes of real life issues; racism, sexual assault, choice, addiction, violence. Regina Black does not hold back or sugar coat any of it- and that is what makes this story so gripping and relevant.

Narration was WONDERFUL! Using four narrators to tell this story was BRILLIANT! I'm recommending that everyone grab the audio on this one!

Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio for allowing me to listen to this ALC!
I did not have this book on my radar and I'm so glad I requested this one!
Washed-up country star Luke Randall is forced to return to his hometown and confront the woman whose lyrics launched his career, August Lane, who wants payback and a shot at her own success. To protect his secret and secure a comeback, Luke agrees to co-write a new song with August for a high-stakes performance. But as old feelings resurface, they must decide if healing the past is worth risking everything.
Listening Speed: 1.75X
Narators: Bahni Turpin; William DeMerritt; January LaVoy; Stephanie Cannon
Feedback: What a performance!! This is definitely one of those audiobooks where you sit back and listen and do nothing else! It's such a spectacle I loved it! The full cast audiobook brings the story to life with incredible depth and emotion, each voice perfectly captures the heart of the characters, making the listening experience immersive and unforgettable! I highly recommend!

Regina Black's writing is some of my favorite in the romance space right now. In her latest book, she blends music, history, culture with an electric connection between the main characters in a way that makes this a summer romance I can't wait to hand sell.

This is my first book by Regina Black. I enjoyed the audiobook and couldn't put it down. the narration was great. The storyline had me from the beginning. Luke and August's chemistry was great. The storyline with their mothers was done well. I can't wait to read more by Regina Black.

What a ride. I was anticipating a music industry romance but this story gave so much more. This book covered racism, abuse, addiction, childhood love, forgiveness, familial strain, pursuing your dreams, and so much more. It didn’t take much for me to get into this story. The narration was great as well. It felt like I was listening to a docuseries and I loved how the picture slowly came together over time. August is complicated but familiar in her pain. Luke’s story was heartbreaking at times but his resolve and heart was at the forefront of his character development. I loved the exploration of black country singers and the hurdles they have to face in a world that likes to put black entertainers in very specific boxes. Well done👏🏾

Thank you to NetGalley, @HachetteAudio and @GrandCentralPublishing for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.

August Lane by Regina Black it's a layered, emotional second chance romance with so much feeling and heart and the audiobook narration made it even better.

Luke Randall is a washed-up country singer still coasting on the one hit he never actually wrote. August Lane is the one who did write it, and she’s been living in his shadow for way too long. When fate (and some blackmail) forces them to co-write a new song for a big concert, sparks fly and not all of them are friendly. There's history, hurt, and a whole lot of tension between them, and watching them slowly unpack it all kept me hooked.

The narrators, Bahni Turpin, William DeMerritt, January LaVoy, and Stephanie Cannon did an amazing job bringing these characters to life. Each voice felt distinct and added so much to the story. It felt like I was listening to a movie.

I loved the music angle, the small town drama, and the way it all explored forgiveness, family, and finding your voice again. It gets emotional at times (definitely some heavy moments), but it’s handled with care and depth. There were a couple parts that leaned a bit dramatic, but nothing that took me out of the story.

If you’re into second chance romance, complicated pasts, and country music vibes with a strong Black woman lead, this one’s definitely the audiobook/book for you.

4.25 Stars!

#NetGalley, #AugustLane, #ReginaBlack, #SecondChanceRomance, #HachetteAudio, #GrandCentralPublishing

August Lane by Regina Black is the perfect small-town romance for lovers of country music and second chances.

August Lane, daughter of the biggest Black female country artist in the genre's history, still lives in the small town she grew up in. She's feeling unmoored after the death of Birdie, the grandmother who raised her, and her world is suddenly turned upside down when the boy who stole her teenage heart shows up out of the blue. Luke Randall, five years sober, is back home, preparing to sing with August's mother, who is being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Back home, he has to face the past he left behind--his addict mother and his biggest regret, August. He's a has-been country music sensation, known for one song--a love song he and August wrote together their senior year of high school, but he took all the credit. He isn't home to ask forgiveness--he doesn't feel like he deserves it--but he is trying to make amends.

August and Luke eventually arrive at their happy ending, but this is a book that doesn't shy away from alcoholism, addiction, racism, physical abuse, and sexual violence (although the latter is only referenced and doesn't appear on page). If those are triggers, read with care. I couldn't stop listening to this one--the narrators did a fantastic job. Bahni Turpin is one of my favorite narrators, and the others, including William DeMerritt, January LaVoy, and Stephanie Cannon added their own wonderful performances to create a textured, dynamic listening experience.

I think overall this was a good story. Regina Black is a great writer and story teller. I loved the plot of these two country artist who have this crazy past with each other through music. The story of the hardships in the music industry, especially as a Black country interesting to read about. They both had their traumas that seemingly brought them together in the past and present. I like the back and forth that gave us context to how they new each other as teenagers and how they came back together as adults. I also found the background on their family life to be a story that was told well and gave us more insight into why they are the way they are. The interview chapters also gave great context into August especially when it came to her relationship with her mother and grandmother.

Unfortunately the main thing that I didn't quite connect with was the romance. For some reason I just couldnt get into the chemistry between these two characters. I understood their history and how they came together, but I just didn't feel engaged. I thought everything outside of the relationship was a lot more interesting. Depsite this, I feel like I might revisit the book again to see if my opinion will change.

As far as the audio, I thought the narration was well done and I loved the variety of voices for the characters when it came to the POVs.

Thank you Hachette Audio!

Thank you Netgalley and Hachette Audio | Grand Central Publishing for the free ALC and e-arc. My opinions are being left voluntarily. Regina Black is a Supremely talented author and this follow up from her debut did not disappoint. I am absolutely in my based on real life historical fiction. This has my whole entire attention.as someone who loves music I know many genres are as a result of black singers performers. I will absolutely be looking into this more. This bookmis so important with the current state of things and the erasure of historical events.

Suggest giving it a try.

5/5☆