Out Now!
On Halloween Eve, 1961, seventeen-year-old Jimmy Welton hears the haunting opening notes of a song in his head—a melody born from grief and longing after the tragic death of his firefighter father. Forced to leave behind the comfort of Long Island for a cramped Bronx apartment, Jimmy clings to music as his only solace. At his after-school job in a New York amusement park, fate intervenes when he meets Mark Morgan, a rebellious teen with a rock band and a dream. Their chance encounter sparks a creative partnership that will change both their lives—and the landscape of rock music—forever.

As Jimmy and Mark form The GooseBumps, their songs begin to resonate far beyond the stage, becoming anthems for people grappling with heartbreak, loss, and redemption. One song in particular, “Wrapped in Gauze,” becomes a lifeline for strangers: a mother facing divorce and a sick child, a woman haunted by words she can’t take back, and a young man rebuilding his life after tragedy. Each story unfolds like a verse in a larger composition, revealing how music can heal, connect, and transform lives in unexpected ways.

This emotionally rich tale blends coming-of-age drama with the pulse of rock’n roll history, exploring how one song can echo across decades and touch countless hearts. It’s a celebration of creativity, resilience, and the invisible threads that bind us through shared melodies. Readers will be swept into a world where music isn’t just background noise—it’s the heartbeat of hope, memory, and second chances.

Thank you to NetGalley and Covfefe Press for this ARC!