𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗦
Luke Randall was never more than a country music one hit wonder. Trying to escape a stalled career, he’s offered the chance of a lifetime: opening act for JoJo Lane at the concert prior to her induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

But returning to his hometown of Arcadia, Arkansas for the show will open old wounds, and he will be forced to face a reckoning: with his mother, his brother, his past, and the love of his life.

August Lane, JoJo’s daughter, and Luke met in high school. First love, best love. The two shared the hearts, and their songs. But a series of events stemming from Luke’s difficult home life tear the two apart.

As adults, they have a second chance to make things right, but at what cost?

𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦
Whew. This was a lot. Make sure you read the trigger warnings.

I loved the dual timeline and dual POV. Black does an amazing job showing character growth while simultaneously remaining true to the core of these two characters: they want to love and protect each other. That never changes.

The interstitials with JoJo doing an interview provide a fantastic opportunity to see inside the music industry, and to focus on the roadblocks Black musicians face trying to make it in a world where they aren’t traditionally welcome.

There is so much drama, though mostly understated, which only felt like more of a gut punch.

𝗩𝗜𝗕𝗘 𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗖𝗞
The Favorites but make it Black country music and more forgiving, with a little Colton Gentry level despair about a come back.

𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗗
Absolutely. It’s an epic love story - and not just between Luke and August, but also with the things about which you feel passionate.

𝗪𝗛𝗬 𝗔𝗨𝗗𝗜𝗢
I’m a sucker for a multicast audio and the production of this one is stellar. Multiple voices guide the reader through both time periods and emotional turmoil with skill that enhances the experience. Oh, the yearning.

𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞𝗦
Shout out to @netgalley and @hachetteaudio for the ALC. Out 7/29.

4.5 stars

A sexy, southern love story in the vein of SEVEN DAYS IN JUNE with a dash of DAISY JONES. Regina Black writes the hell out of this multigenerational musical family wrapped in a love story and all highlighting the complications and intricacies of Black Country music artists. Our Discord group was pretty passionate about this one, universally beloved audio narration from . So many talented narrators in a full cast, multimedia sound effects, truly so much fun at a high production value. Thank you @grandcentral & @hachetteaudio for the gifted copies.

𝗔𝗨𝗚𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗘 is a soulful, emotionally raw second-chance romance that hits all the right notes. Regina Black delivers a powerful story about love, betrayal, healing, and finding your voice—literally and figuratively. Luke Randall is a washed-up country singer clinging to the fame of a hit song he didn’t even write. When he's offered a career-saving gig in his hometown, he's forced to face not only his painful past but also August Lane—the woman behind the lyrics and the heartbreak. Told in a dual timeline, this novel slowly peels back the layers of two beautifully flawed characters. August is fierce, vulnerable, and unforgettable. Luke is broken but trying to be better. Their chemistry is undeniable, but their journey is messy, honest, and deeply moving. Regina Black proves again that she's not just a writer—she's a storyteller with heart.

I just finished my first Regina Black book, and consider me a fan! "August Lane" was an absolute standout. The author masterfully weaves together so many different threads, taking you on an emotional rollercoaster that hits all the right notes.

What truly impressed me were the layers of interconnected relationships and the profound impact they had on the main characters. The narrative perfectly captures the complexities of human interaction, with plenty of miscommunication and characters making decisions they genuinely believe are for the best. I found myself empathizing with the deep internal struggles faced by all the protagonists, making them feel incredibly real and relatable.

"August Lane" brilliantly explores a diverse range of themes, including love, race, the history and pitfalls of the music industry, and complex family dynamics. The use of dual timelines adds another compelling dimension, slowly revealing the intricate pasts that shape the present. And for music lovers, specifically country, the music itself is beautifully woven throughout the story, ultimately serving as a powerful force for healing and connection.

I experienced "August Lane" as an audiobook, and I highly recommend it for an immersive experience. The multi-character narration was exceptionally well done and genuinely enhanced the story. There was one surprising moment where crowd cheers amplified unexpectedly, but that was a minor blip in an otherwise excellent audio production. I can easily see this being an equally fantastic physical read, but the audio version truly brought the characters and their world to life.

If you're looking for a book that's emotionally resonant, beautifully structured, and full of heart, pick up "August Lane." You won't be disappointed.

August Lane was such a cozy listen. Bahni Turpin? Absolute magic. She brought so much heart and soul to every single scene. William DeMerritt, January LaVoy, and Stephanie Cannon all crushed it too, but Turpin really stole the show for me. This audiobook production was amazing!

I also loved seeing Black representation in a romance set in the country music world—it’s rare and honestly so refreshing. I’ve never read book like this.

The pacing dragged in spots, and that slow-burn romance? It definitely took its sweet time. But once it hit its stride, it landed just right and felt worth the wait.

If you’re in the mood for a heartfelt story with standout narration and a fresh take on the genre, this one’s an easy win.

Big thanks to NetGalley, Hachette Audio, and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC!

Thank you NetGalley, Regina Black, and the publisher for the chance to listen to this ARC!

This story is wrought with both heartache and grief, while also showing the (sometimes slow) process towards love and healing. We see the story from August, Luke, and to some extent Jojo's perspective, and we see how all three have had to contend with past traumas, and the constant bombardment of racism for being a part of a white dominated music genre. While I greatly enjoyed the narrative and the growth that the protagonists undergo, I felt like the end of the story seemed a bit rushed and ended with a neatly wrapped happy ending. Because this story delves so far into the trauma of August and Luke's childhood, I would have liked to have spent more time with them as adults, who were trying to repair and recreate their relationship. I truly cared for these characters, so I also would have liked to witness more of August's (and Luke's) entry into the country music industry, and August's reunion and any confrontation with Jojo.

The narrators did a fantastic job at bringing the story to life and I loved listening to their performance! I would definitely recommend the audiobook!
Overall, I enjoyed this book and want to read more by Regina Black!

If you love second chance, angsty, duel timeline, duel pov books, look no further! This book was amazing! I loved how perfectly all the tropes mentioned above hit and made me feel. I loved the characters (bonus points for the amazing narrators that made them come to life more), and how real they felt. For example, I actually went in thinking I would hate the mmc because of what the summary said (him stealing the fmc’s music), but being able to understand the whys and hows with the amazing depth given to him be the author made me care so much for him and root for his happy ending with the fmc, who is one of my favorites I’ve read about this year. If you need anymore incentive, this book made me love country music, even if just for a few days, a genre I have avoided for my entire life. That’s how much this story dug its way into me.

After loving The Art Of Scandal, I had to get my hands on August Lane, Regina Black's latest release! (Spoiler - this is another five-star read from her!)

Music is the backdrop to this wonderful story and with references to country music singers from years past. Black created such a nostalgic experience. I loved how the whole book was written to be a song, with each part broken down and opening up with a podcast interview transcript. Crafted in this way allows the story to be stunning, layered and even more impactful!

Black flawlessly creates romance books where romance is truly not the focus. Instead her point and themes are beautifully disguised under strong female characters and tangible plots, with romance as a secondary note.

Audiobook narrators Bahni Turpin, William DeMerritt, January LaVoy and Stephanie Cannon come together to create one knockout experience! This is one of the most easy listening audiobooks I've read with the voices matching the lyrical and honeyed quality to Black's words.

If you loved Seven Days In June and Daisy Jones & The Six - you'll love this one too!

Thank you NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing and Hachette Audio for the complimentary copies to read and review.

“I wrote him a love song because I loved him, and he sang it for years because he loved me too”

This quote was beautiful ♥️

I enjoyed this story, and I love when audiobooks do podcasts justice. I would like to say that the narrator’s did an amazing job on this book. It was a nice experience and they brought the story to life.

Birdie was my favourite character!! She reminded me so much of that next door neighbour who feels like family and always loves a good laugh. Now, the romance was there, but I think I felt it more toward the very end. Maybe it was the flashbacks and the slow burn, I’m not too sure. I do love a good HEA, so it definitely made my heart feel warm 🥹

This was my first Regina Black book and I’m intrigued to read The Art of Scandal.

Thank you to HachetteAudio and NetGalley for this ALC

4.5 stars!

Fading country music star Luke Randall is only still making money because of his hit “Another Love Song”. He gets offered the opportunity to open for Black country music star JoJo Lane when she is inducted into the County Music Hall of Fame. Unfortunately for Luke, this means returning to his home town and facing JoJo’s daughter, August—Luke’s first love and the woman who actually wrote the lyrics for his hit song that he claimed were his own.

This was an emotional book that had such complex and interesting characters. Luke and August were heavily shaped by their experiences earlier in life, which included addiction, domestic abuse, and abandonment. The book is told in two timelines (2009–when they were in high school, and 2023–as adults). As teenagers, Luke and August were able to see each other for who they truly were, and they built a beautiful friendship that turned romantic, but then it crashed and burned. The book takes a long time for the second chance romance to play out, but the story that is woven along the way is beautiful. This book explores race in country music, family dynamics, betrayal, forgiveness, healing, and love. It is heavy at times, and is absolutely a story worth reading.

The audiobook has four narrators: Bahni Turpin, William DeMerritt, January LaVoy, and Stephanie Cannon. It was extremely well done, and the narrators’ voices brought the story to life. I highly recommend the audio!

Thank you to Regina Black, Hachette Audio, and NetGalley for this gifted ALC; all opinions are my own.

Read if you like:
💕 Books about musicians
💕 Second chance romance
💕 Country music
💕 Dual timeline
💕 Dual POV

I enjoyed this one. The plot itself was really intriguing and the story line was capturing. It was unique and refreshing. This is definitely more of an emotional romance than a cozy one. I liked the narrators, they did a good job with expressing the emotions in the novel. The male narrator executed humorous scenes very well, I found myself laughing many times.

There were a few things that I had trouble with as I listened to this one. The timelines jumped around a lot and sometimes I wasn’t sure which one we were in. I’m not sure if that’s because the author didn’t specify that in the chapter titles or if the audio didn’t clarify, but it was a little difficult to keep track of and it took me out of the story at times. Also, their relationship development felt a little rushed. I know they had history, but I don’t feel like they really worked through their past.

I will most likely reread this as a physical copy and see if I’d change my rating at all. I did enjoy the core of the story and I hope the author continues writing in this series. The characters and the atmosphere were very entertaining.

Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio for early access to this audiobook in exchange for an honest and free review.

I am so torn about this book. I started out loving it; the look into how hard it is for Black singers not only to break into the music industry, but to fight to do it their way without being put into a box. Especially a Black musician who wants to do country (a genre I don't know much about, but I DO KNOW that it has been seriously white washed and it's roots in Black culture have been studiously erased by music execs). I love those conversations and how Jojo fought for place and is being recognized. I also appreciated the themes of how your childhood and even early adulthood can shape how you not only act with others, but treat yourself. Luke feels like he doesn't deserve love (or happiness or much good) and August is suffering from missing the love from her mother, so she seeks it in places where she knows she is going to be let down.

However, for me the characters just fell flat. Yes we saw a lot of their trauma and I connected with that and felt deeply for them. But I just didn't feel the passion for music that they supposedly had. Maybe because I'm not a musician, but that part was missing. And it was very slow, which made any character development hard to grasp.

Note: I tried the audiobook, but I preferred the physical copy. I did love the multiperson cast, but some of the narration (Especially August's), the chipper tone did not seem to match the sometimes very heartbreaking and deep actions and thoughts.

Let me start by saying I enjoy Regina Black’s writing and really liked her debut novel. She’s a great writer who makes you feel the emotions of her characters, and the ones in August Lane were no different. This book had me emotional a few times, especially with the dual timelines and seeing everything the characters had to overcome.

The story tackled important topics—like the erasure of Black artists in country music, the pressure to conform to others’ expectations, and the importance of releasing what no longer serves you.

With that said, there was something missing for me in terms of character growth. Both characters experienced trauma in their childhoods that trickled into adulthood. Their friendship and love were rooted in that trauma, and I really wished we could have seen the romance mature and grow more in adulthood. Because of that, I felt a slight disconnect from the romance.
Still, this is a meaningful story that was an emotional and thoughtful read.

The narrators did a great job in making you feel the emotions of the book!

Thank you, NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the ALC.

August Lane by Regina Black
Rating: 3.25⭐️
Pub Date: July 29, 2025

Love the full cast in audio!!

What a beautiful story of art, muses, creatives and country music. I always am in awe of how Regina writes such multidimensional characters. I always want to pick them apart and examine them. All of the flaws of these characters although, not justifiable, completely understandable on how they reached their decisions.

The flawed and uncovered history of country music so beautifully woven into this beautiful book are just the icing on the cake.

Also the theme of forgiveness, something that surely resounds with everyone, deeply touched me.

A masterpiece!

August Lane deserves to have this book named after her. She has spent years longing for the love of her mother, Country music star JoJo Lane and caring for, and now mourning her Grandmother. She also hasn’t gotten over her first love from thirteen years ago. The relationship was cut short before it could begin. Luke Randall is the one who got away. He’s really the one that ran away, and for good reason. During August and Luke’s budding teenage relationship, August was inspired to write heartfelt lyrics over Luke’s beautiful music. I kept wondering why he claimed their song as his own. Unfortunately “Another Love Song” was his only hit and life had not been good to him over the years.
It’s now thirteen years later and Ms. Black takes her time peeling back the layers of their history.

The story is written from three viewpoints: August, Luke and JoJo’s. August and Luke go back and forth between the past and present. I was eager to see what happened to drive Luke away.

Ms. Black has a way with words and there were great quotes and analogies throughout. August: “ I loved you like breathing, but then you left and stole my air”. Luke: “You see the world in colors I never knew existed. The rain plays you symphonies.”

“Second chance” is one of my favorite themes. This was a slow burn and August and Luke had explosive chemistry. All bets were off once they explored each other physically. They had years of pent of passion that boiled over like a pot. There were twists and turns to get this couple to HEA. I wanted to hear more from August and Luke directly at a certain point. I don’t want to give anything away so I’ll leave it at that. Overall, this was a great read and I’m glad we got to see the words of the song that meant so much to August and Luke.. This was great on audio!

August Lane was one of my most anticipated reads for the year. The story follows Luke Randall, a Black country artist who has battled addiction, has many regrets, and has been labeled a one-hit wonder. August Lane is the daughter of JoJo Lane, a legendary Black country star who is slated to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. August and Luke were best friends in high school, but their friendship ended when Luke moved away. August and Luke cross paths again as adults when Luke is asked to perform at JoJo's Country Music Hall of Fame event. Now he is back in town and forced to face the woman he betrayed and left behind.

August and Luke are deeply flawed, and their story is real and raw. Their pain, both shared and individual, completely broke my heart. Both August and Luke grew up in difficult homes, and found comfort and understanding in each other. Their story is told in past and present timelines, and as more is revealed about their past, their choices, and the heartbreak they experienced, it becomes clear that they continued to love each other through everything. Their reunion is messy but full of vulnerability and deep emotion.

This story is more than a second-chance romance. It tackles some heavy topics while exploring how Black artists are treated in the country music genre. Black country artists are often overlooked and made to feel they don't belong. Exploring the challenges and roadblocks they face is powerful, timely, and necessary. Although I enjoyed this story, some aspects prevented me from giving it a higher rating. I felt this story started strong, and I was immediately intrigued by the characters. They are layered, and I so badly wanted to root for them. Unfortunately, I couldn't get behind their romance. The pacing was extremely slow, and I was just not convinced these two were meant to be together. I also found the dual timelines a bit hard to follow.

Narration:
The audiobook was performed by a full cast including Bahni Turpin, William DeMerritt, January LaVoy, and Stephanie Cannon. The narrators themselves did a wonderful job bringing the characters to life, however, it was hard for me to connect to their performances on an emotional level. Generally, audiobooks enhance my experience with stories, however for this book I found myself preferring to read the text vs. listen to the narration. This story is probably best enjoyed as an immersive read.

(copied from my Instagram post)

August Lane by Regina Black 🎶 it’s out today! Thank you @HachetteAudio for the ALC!

Y’all, fans of music themed romances are being fed this summer! I am living my best life devouring musician romances.

The audiobook is great. It’s narrated by a full cast, Bahni Turpin (a fave), William DeMerritt, January LaVoy, and Stephanie Cannon. They were excellent! Absolutely would recommend it! If you like to tandem read/immersive read (text/audio at the same time) this would be a great book for that.

Read for: country music, family drama, honestly family trauma too tbh, second chances, small town, and dual timelines

Rated 4.5 Stars

It took me a bit to get into August Lane but when I got into it I was all in. I enjoyed this story it was engaging, compelling, interesting and kept my attention. It was packed with pain, hurt, anger, disappointment, betrayal, abuse, neglect and so much more. It was an emotional ride. The words felt like tears dripping down the side of cheeks. It was raw, real and powerful. The storytelling was majestic. The emotions bled out of the pages, out of the audio. The ensemble cast of narrators did this book justice. They brought every ounce of emotion to life as well as the characters and story. I loved listening to them. I also loved this story it was equal parts messy and beautiful. I can't wait to experience more of this author's work. I definitely recommend this book.

Thank you to Hachette Audio and Grand Central Publishing for advance copies of the book.

I adored The Art of Scandal and this didn’t quite hit for me. I requested it before I realized it had a pile of the issues that I can’t quite do. Alcohol abuse, domestic abuse, drug abuse, and dementia being the main ones. The book isn’t bad - not by a long shot - but I am not the reader for this one.

This book leans a bit more lit fic with a romantic subplot than a contemporary romance. So if you like your romance books with a bit more substance, this one is for you. It has a really interesting Black performers in country music base layer that gets into the darker parts of major celebrity.

I wish author’s notes were included with the summaries on Netgalley so I could have walked into this one with both eyes open.

Audiobook production and narrators though? Chef's kiss. Bahni Turpin, William DeMerritt, January LaVoy, Stephanie Cannon. Gimme 10 more of this combo right now.

Thank you to @netgalley and @grandcentralpub for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. And thank you to @hachetteaudio for a free download of the audiobook.

★★★★☆

August Lane by Regina Black is a soulful, emotionally layered second-chance romance that hits all the right notes—especially in audiobook format. Narrated by a full cast, the story comes alive with a rich, expressive performance that captures both the vulnerability and fire of its lead characters.

At its heart, this is a story about truth, redemption, and reclaiming one’s voice. Luke Randall, a washed-up country singer clinging to fame from a hit song he didn’t write, is forced to confront his past when he returns to his hometown. There, he reunites with August Lane—the woman who actually penned the lyrics that made him famous and the daughter of his musical idol, JoJo Lane.

The dynamic between August and Luke is electric and complicated. Their shared history is full of betrayal, longing, and unresolved feelings, and Regina Black doesn’t shy away from exploring the emotional fallout. Their journey toward forgiveness and creative collaboration is both tender and tense, with music serving as a powerful metaphor for healing and truth-telling.

One of the standout elements is the fictional podcast hosted by JoJo Lane, which adds a modern, layered storytelling device. Through it, we get deeper insights into JoJo’s legacy, the pressures of fame, and the generational impact of silence and secrets.

The book also tackles heavier topics—abuse, neglect, and the erasure of Black voices in country music—with care and nuance. These themes are never heavy-handed but are woven seamlessly into the characters’ arcs, making the story feel both timely and timeless.

If you love second-chance romance with depth, music, and a strong sense of place, August Lane is a must-listen. And with the cast's narration, every emotional beat lands just right.

#books #bookishlife #booklover #readingisfun #iowabookstagrammers #iowabookstagram #netgalley #grandcentralpub #hachetteaudio #augustlane #reginablack