Small town, black country artists who are friends to almost lovers to he's her enemy but she's his everything?! YES PLEASE! If you need me, I'll be playing my Darius Rucker albums on repeat 💁🏻‍♀️

The audiobook was phenomenal! The dual narration felt immersive and hard to believe I was listening to a book and that these people aren't real! Bahni Turpin, January LaVoy, William DeMerrit, and Stephanie Cannon yall are the real MVPs!

Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the chance to listen to this incredible read.

I will always love a full cast & the audio production was amazing!!! I highly recommend this via audiobook, it truly brought every character to life.

Bahni Turpin; William DeMerritt; January LaVoy; Stephanie Cannon were all SO incredible. I felt every emotion.

The story was so beautiful and full of love, grief, growing, and honesty.

August Lane follows August and Luke who met in high school and bonded over their love of music. Luke however betrays August and they don’t see each other again after his betrayal… until August’s mom, JoJo Lane invites Luke to sing a duet of his most famous song.

Although that was the main plot of the book, I found that family ties and how that can affect a person, the most interesting aspect of this August Lane. Also loved the commentary of race in genres of music!

Thank you Hachette Audio for this INCREDIBLE book.

This was the sweetest book. Heart-breakingly so. I was intimidated by this book and was scared to read it because of the amount of my triggers in it. But I love Regina Black so much, I gave it a shot anyways. I ended up skipping those scenes with the help of a friend who had already read it and I still fell in love with this book anyway.

OK so the characters were everything in this one. August had a rough childhood when it came to her mom. She was raised by her grandmother because her mom was a singer and didn’t take her on the road. And then there was Luke, who’s childhood was also terrible. And even with that, they found each other. They have found each other and became each other’s everything and healed each other. But of course, things happened that tore them apart and they STILL found their way back to each other. I can’t even explain to you the way this made me think about their romance. It was so raw and real. And I know that sounds cliche, but it really was.

As for them apart, August was confusing. She wanted to out him but she didn’t. But then she was mad that he didn’t say anything himself. But then she didn’t either. She confused me the entire book, but I do think she was just at war with herself. She still loved him but felt betrayed but she also didn’t want to listen to what really happened. It was maddening. But I will say, this entire thing was heart breaking. I kept thinking they were the only thing the other had and then they lost it and gah it hurt so much. And as for Luke, I was mad at him. He should have said something about that damn song immediately. And if not to them, he should have said something to August. And the entire time he was sitting there sad and mad that he was away from her. They were both so messy and real and complicated.

As for the audiobook, I was so happy that that’s the version I decided to read. I LOVED that it was a full cast audio and that they changed some of the sounds in production. Like when JoJo was being interviewed? Perfection. And the way the music is imbedded in this book was also perfection. She showed the good, the bad, and the ugly of being Black in the Country Music scene. That really sat with me.

This took me by surprise. I may not have read all of it, but I got the most important parts. And even though this is something that I’m not comfortable with, I still know from what I read that this is not something I could have missed out on. I hope y’all loved this as much as I did.

“She gave everything to everyone—but who was ever there for her?”

⭐️⭐️⭐️¾ (3.75 stars)
August Lane by Regina Black — ARC & Audiobook

This emotional, character-driven novel follows August, a Black aspiring country artist who’s always been the strong one for everyone else. Told through alternating POVs and a reflective, time-jumping structure, August Lane explores abandonment, generational trauma, and the quiet ache of wanting to be chosen.

The romance between August and Luke isn’t the whole story—but it threads through every part of her journey with tenderness and truth. The audiobook narration by Bahni Turpin, William DeMerritt, January LaVoy, and Stephanie Cannon was exceptional—raw and immersive.

Content Warnings: abandonment, emotional trauma, grief, strained family dynamics.
If you enjoy deeply felt fiction with love, heartbreak, and healing at its center, this one’s for you.

The book of all books, WHEW. Regina wowed me with her debut, and that feeling was only elevated with August Lane. This is a book that puts Black creatives at the center of a narrative they've been so often removed from, and I loved the feeling of seeing myself in a work that was so carefully crafted with love and honor for the genre. The narration and production quality of this story was so well done. Regina is definitely an autobuy author for me now!

I truly wished I listened to this book at a time when my attention was split many ways. I say this because I felt I could have inhaled this book are LOVED it, but life had other plans. (3.5 stars)

The author, Regina Black, writes about the exclusion of Black voices in country music and the controversies of Black voices in country that translate to music today. Country music, what it is/can be, and who can listen to it is a major point in the story.
August and Luke are two dynamic main characters who both share emotionally heavy pasts, not just separately but also together. Their story and relationship had such a satisfying and endearing end that I was internally clapping for them. This book is beautifully written and the story line is quite heavy and emotional. We see themes of grief, betrayal and childhood trauma, but we also see building trust, personal growth and love.

The audiobook narrators (4) we're fabulous!! Each brought such a unique and engrossing take of their characters.

Thank you netgalley for the audio arc!!

*August Lane* by Regina Black is much more than a romance novel. August is the daughter of JoJo Lane, a (in)famous country music star. JoJo had August when she was young and left her to be raised by her grandmother in a small country town, where August grew up under strict rules and the weight of constant gossip. In high school, she met Luke Randall, and they fell in love while writing music together, only to be torn apart.

Some readers might see August as an unlikeable narrator, but I think she just can’t catch a break. I could list everything she goes through, but doing so would spoil the plot. Let’s just say, life hasn’t been kind to her. The same goes for Luke.

That said, I wanted more from this book. There was so much individual brokenness, but I didn’t feel like we truly witnessed August’s healing. Luke does some wonderful things to show August he’s worthy of forgiveness, but the epic love story I was hoping for never quite materialized. There wasn’t enough between them as teenagers, and not enough as adults either.

The JoJo storyline was richly complex, and many of the side characters stood out. I especially wanted more from Silas and Mavis. In the end, *August Lane* may have just felt a bit too restrained for me.

The audiobook narrators did an excellent job. The multi-narration format and podcast elements were well executed and added a lot to the experience.

Thanks to Hachette Audio and NetGalley for the audiobook copy.

This was an angst filled emotional roller-coaster of a book. It was like reading a soap opera and felt almost more like women's lit or a family drama than it did a romance. While I enjoyed it I would have liked more time spent on the relationship between August and Luke. The writing however was beautiful and kept me invested the whole way through.

I particularly enjoyed the country music theme and the exploration of the price of fame. August and Luke faced numerous challenges, including difficult family circumstances, addiction, career setbacks, and shattered aspirations. Their path back to each other was complex, yet ultimately rewarding.

My review is based on the audiobook, which featured an outstanding full cast narration. Bahni Turpin, January Lavoy, William DeMeritt, and Stephanie Cannon delivered heartfelt and profoundly moving performances.

It is important to note that this book addresses some sensitive topics, so it is advisable to review trigger warnings If necessary.

Thank you to Hachette Audio for this complimentary copy.

Book- August Lane
Author- Regina Black

I just finished listening to this book, and I’m already eager to go through it again, this time with a physical copy in hand.

August is the daughter of JoJo Lane, a famous Black country singer. Growing up in her mother's shadow, August has often faced bullying at school, largely because country music is stereotypically associated with white culture. When she starts at a new school, she meets Luke.
Their bond forms naturally over a shared love of music. But eventually, Luke leaves and seems to forget about August. Or so she believes.

In the present day, Luke is viewed as a washed-up country artist, stuck performing the same song he despises at a local bar. After one of these performances, he unexpectedly gets the chance to open for JoJo Lane, one of his childhood idols. To accept the opportunity, he must return to the small town where he grew up, confronting both his past and August.

The story unfolds across a dual timeline, set in 2009 and 2023. It offers multiple character perspectives, adding depth and richness to the narrative.

This novel explores a wide range of important themes, including:
Addiction
Teenage pregnancy
Parental absence
Grief and loss
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)
Physical and emotional abuse
Second chances in both romance and friendship
Racism and discrimination within the country music industry

I felt the book had a gentle, slow pace, which really suited the story and made it more enjoyable for me. The characters felt authentic, and their experiences were relatable and grounded in reality. I would definitely recommend this book to other readers.

Thank you for allowing me to listen and review this book.

August Lane by Regina Black is a beautifully written, emotionally rich romance that stays with you long after you’ve finished. From the first page, I was hooked by the vivid storytelling, heartfelt dialogue, and characters who feel authentic and deeply human.

Regina Black masterfully weaves a story of love, second chances, and personal growth, all set against a backdrop that feels warm and inviting. The chemistry between the main characters is undeniable, but what makes the book truly shine is the way it explores healing, vulnerability, and the courage it takes to open your heart again.

If you’re looking for a romance that’s both tender and meaningful—with a perfect blend of passion and emotional depth—August Lane is a must-read. I’ll be recommending it to everyone who loves a story that makes you feel every word.

I wanted to love this book, I expected to love it. The storyline had me highly anticipating this read. However, I found myself CONSTANTLY drifting and losing interest in this book. I normally love a dual timeline but found this one up be hard to follow and / or over done ESPECIALLY with having the random interview/podcast element in between as well. I read this book via audio and lost track of the number of times that I skipped back to start a chapter over and really try to stay tuned in. I was extremely close to making this book my first DNF. I didn't like how easily and quickly August forgave Luke for such a MAJOR betrayal nor did I believe in feel or care about the romance it just didn't seem authentic and almost as if we were trying to be convinced that he was this amazing guy without him doing much before or after the betrayal.How/ when did they fall in love? I found myself more interested in the story of their childhoods and Jojos' story, but those things weren't talked about enough in the book to keep me engaged before the timeline was changing to something completely unrelated. I also expected this story to have more of a black excellence famous country singer finesse mentioned in this book. It was just lacking for me

Narration: Overall, I liked the narrators for everyone except August and Ethan. At times, the voices sounded so similar it was hard to tell when their was a shift in characters speaking.

Unfortunately, I would not read again or recommend it. I'm sorry! This one just wasn't for me.

Thank you to @hachetteaudio / @netgalley
for providing me with an ARC.

Back and forth timeline about August, the unwanted daughter of a teen Mom and the boy she fell in love with when she was in high school. The trauma addressed in this book is real life. August is raised by her Grandma while her Mom pursues her dream to sing and becomes a famous and successful Country music star. August stuffs her dreams down to care for her ailing Grandma and the boy she fell in love with escapes his abusive homelife and pursues his music career. They reunite, work through their past betrayals and attempt a relationship while each pursuing their dreams of music. Great listen!

August Lane was an emotional second chance romance book set in the world of country music, and explored the cost of fame, how to forgive past betrayals, complicated family dynamics, the power of reclaiming your voice, and the racism prevalent in our world.

August and Luke went through so much, with hard family situations, addiction, stalled careers and broken dreams, bad reputations, and failed relationships. They were both damaged and deeply flawed, but they were able to heal and find a love with each other that was raw, real, and vulnerable. I definitely recommend listening to the audiobook which was narrated by Bahni Turpin, William DeMerritt, January LaVoy, and Stephanie Cannon. The multiple narrators helped weave together a complex story and resulted in something both heartbreaking and hopeful.

Thank you to Booksparks, Grand Central Pub, Hachette, Hachette Audio, Regina Black, and NetGalley for the finished copy and ALC.

📔August Lane
✏️ Regina Black
📆 July 29, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

READ IF YOU LIKE:
🎶 country music
🎶 black protagonists
🎶 second chance
🎶 damaged characters
🎶 sobriety
🎶 dual POV
🎶 flashbacks

August Lane is a slow-burning, beautifully tangled story of love, trauma, and the complicated path toward healing. It’s about what it takes to move forward without pretending the pain never happened—and it asks the bold question: can something beautiful still grow from all that damage?

I think Regina Black does an incredible job building the emotional landscape of each character, especially August and Luke.

August is a champion of self-preservation through forgiveness. While Luke would be the poster child for burdened if it were a personality. Their connection is magnetic, messy, and deeply moving. Their shared history is raw and painful—the kind that doesn’t just sit in the past, but bleeds into everything they try to build in the present. Both carry blame that isn’t always theirs, twisting their trauma into self-punishment. Watching them unlearn that was one of the most satisfying emotional arcs I’ve read in a long time. The supporting characters bring their own trauma (and frustration)—especially the parents who force these two to grow up too fast because they're also unhealed and sometimes do more harm than good.

I especially loved the podcast chapters! They’re such a creative way to explore Jojo’s presence and legacy without turning the spotlight away from August, and they gave the audiobook an immersive, layered feel.

This was my first Regina Black read, and by the last page, I was already adding more of her work to my TBR.

August Lane was an engaging second chance romance with good pacing. I enjoyed the "interview" chapters with JoJo and the look into "what" is country music and who is belongs to. Regina Black did a great job of delving into the past and giving understanding to who August and Luke are in the present.

Audio note: Bahni Turpin is a great narrator, but her timbre wasn’t quite the right fit for August for me—I wanted a richer, more honeyed tone to match a singers voice. Performance is precise; the casting just didn’t match my ear.

I enjoyed this read, I think because there was a lot more to it than your average romance novel.

It took on issues of prejudice, racism, religion, health, child abuse and more and I think it did them all well.
I liked that August and Luke both had their stories to tell, and reasons why they did what they did.

I would have liked a little more of Ethan’s story. And I also thought the smut felt like an after thought in the face of everything else that was going on. It wasn’t built up to in a way that made it meaningful imo. I was much more interested in the rest of the plot.

AUGUST LANE wasn't quite the sweeping romantic story that I wanted it to be, probably because some of the characters really annoyed me. The piece I did really appreciate though was the commentary on complex mother-daughter relationships where love exists, but hurt exists too.

Thank you to Hachette Audio for the ALC copy of this novel.
This was my first Regina Black novel and now I want to go back to read her debut.
I did walk in expecting a tad more romance and wooing than I was met with but the depth of Luke and August made up for it. They both come from homes that aren't 100% happy go lucky. Which makes their eventual emotional connection sweeter when they were together. Both of them understand what it's like to want someone to just simply love you as who you are not what you can offer them. I did find myself drawn to the past storyline a little smidge more than the present but that also might be because during the podcast intervals - I was drawn in to Jojo's life. The connection between what it means to be Black and a country artist was prevalent throughout the novel which was also appreciated. The audio was narrated by the greats (Bahni Turpin, January Lavoy, William DeMeritt and Stephanie Cannon) The emotional turbulence and passion was there from the beginning until the end. They made you feel as if you were actually witnessing love all over again.

The cover and the focus of Black country singers, romance and emotional turbulent backgrounds also appealed to me!

It pains me to say that thus far I’ve been struggling to stay fully engaged in the story. There have been some parts that I’ve been enjoying - especially August and Luke in high school.

But mostly I’ve been confused. For one, I feel the multiple past and present timelines for both August and Luke, coupled with the interviews would flow better reading the physical book. I can’t follow well with the audiobook.

I’m also not getting much of the Black country star flair and opulence that I was hoping for, and the romance is nonexistent.

I wasn’t the biggest fan of the authors first book, either, so maybe I just don’t connect with her writing?

The story is narrated by some popular and beloved narrators - Bahni Turpin and January Lavoy to name a few. I’m a huge fan of January and could’ve listened to her narration for the entire book!

I first saw this book available on NetGalley and quickly wanted to read it... I received the audiobook and really enjoyed listening to this. Luke and August's story twisting in with her mother JoJo's interview discussions was really well done. To be fair, there were times that this did feel a little sluggish and drawn out, but overall the story is really well done!
The story of black artists in country music felt really timely, and the awareness to call out that many black artists are raised on country music and have a true passion for it, in a world where people assume differently.

Thank you to Hachette Audio, Regina Black and NetGalley for providing me with an ALC of this book.