This was such a unique and immersive read. Emotional, intense and filled with the glitter and darkness of the music industry, it explores friendship, betrayal, ambition and the complicated road to redemption.

Eva is just eighteen and interning at a record label when she discovers sixteen year old Alora online.

Captivated by her voice and convinced she has found something extraordinary, Eva steps in to become her manager without fully understanding the world they are both about to enter.

What follows is a whirlwind rise to fame, with parties, paparazzi and power swirling around them, but beneath the glamour there is something much darker unfolding.

🎤 A compelling look at the highs and lows of the music industry
🤍 A complex relationship between Eva and Alora
🎶 Beautiful, emotional songwriting woven throughout the story
🖤 Themes of trauma, betrayal and hope
🎧 An immersive reading experience that feels full of atmosphere

One of the most striking elements was the music itself. The songs woven into the story add so much emotional depth, and the lyrics are written in a way that feels heartfelt, haunting and at times heartbreaking. They really helped bring the characters and their emotions to life.

I also really appreciated how the story explores the way the industry can build people up just as quickly as it tears them down. There is a lot of emotional weight beneath the glamour, and that balance made the story feel even more powerful.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

As a massive fan of Daisy Jones and the Six, I really enjoyed this novel, told from two first person perspectives - those of Eva, an 18-year-old intern at a music company, and Alora, the 16-year-old singer-songwriter she discovers.

Through their eyes we see the best and the worst of the industry, including the #MeToo issues with which it is plagued and the clashes that are always bound to ensue when talent is monetised.

I noticed that this is marketed as "New Adult", meaning it's too spicy for under-18s but may appeal particularly to those in the 18-25 age-group. As someone well into my 50s, I was really interested in the novel, helped by Alora's being drawn to mother-figures my age, including her housekeeper Gina and her friend from rehab, former model Vanessa.

I liked the ending, which left it open to the reader whether Alora had escaped the traps of fame to a happy or an unhappy ending, and I liked the way that the impact of #MeToo was shown realistically, with a new 14-year-old discovery appearing right at the end, ready to be used up and spat out by an industry that doesn't seem any better safeguarded despite the removal of two bad actors from it.

Three-word review: authenticity, fake authenticity

Delphine Seddon’s debut (which reminded me a little of The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits) lifts up the drains of the music industry and sends in Dynorod.
Eva and Alora are two young women swept up in the overnight fame that one viral video causes. Alora’s future and talent is seized by the rich and powerful and ruthlessly exploited to keep the money-making machine churning out the dollars. Eva, Alora’s manager - only two years older than her client and an industry newcomer - gets caught up in the momentum to the detriment of herself and those around her.
The whirlwind of fame picks the girls up and catapults them into a life of extravagant hotels, all-night parties and private jets, with scant regard for their past traumas and personal wellbeing. It’s not long before the cracks begin to show.
I can understand why it’s been optioned for TV - it’s going to make a great series. I listened to the audiobook, narrated (seamlessly) by Milly Oldfield, Mei Mei Macleod and Cherise Silvestri. This added a wonderful additional aspect - an original score music soundtrack, so we get to hear Alora’s music.
This is a fast-paced character-driven novel with a solid plot and some difficult themes, including self-harm, drug and alcohol abuse, grooming and exploitation. Do read the trigger warnings.
Alora is a beautiful soul who’ll you’ll want to wrap up in a duvet and hand her a cup of warm cocoa. I also loved Vanessa, a character who appears later in the story exactly when she’s needed and brings just the right amount of tough love.
Grab an early copy and get in before the hype. Five big beautiful ones from me. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 With thanks to MacMillan Audio Saturday books and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ALC. Darkening Song releases on 20 April.

This was stunning, raw and immersive.

"I said I would always die for you,
but now I've changed my mind,
blinded by the bright white lies,
I missed all of the warning signs"

Darkening Song felt so raw and immersive in a way that reminded me of Daisy Jones and The Six, but it also reminds me of The 7 Husbands Of Evalyn Hugo. The storytelling had that same intimate behind the scenes energy where emotions feel messy, real, and deeply human. It is the kind of story that does not just tell you what is happening, you feel it unfolding.

The audiobook narration absolutely elevated the experience. It brought an extra layer of depth to the characters, making their struggles, relationships, and inner worlds feel even more intense and personal. I found myself completely absorbed, like I was right there with them.

The writing itself is beautifully done, moody, emotional, and at times quite haunting. It explores complex themes with a lot of honesty, which I really appreciated. There were moments that felt almost uncomfortably real in the best way.

I also very much need the song "Piece of Me"
"hold me, just a little bit closer...
Take a little piece of me..
It's the last you'll ever see...
Cut me...
Just a little bit deeper..
Take a little piece of me..
Its the last you'll ever see..

If you loved Daisy Jones and The Six, The 7 Husbands of Evalyn Hugo, or enjoy character driven stories that feel authentic, emotional, and a little bit gritty, this is definitely worth a listen.

Eva, an 18-year-old intern at a record label, discovers 16-year-old Alora online and is struck by her extraordinary voice. When no one else shows interest, Eva impulsively becomes her manager despite having no experience. Alora quickly rises to superstardom, and the two form a deep, family-like bond while navigating fame. However, as Alora’s troubled past resurfaces and Eva’s ambition clouds her judgment, their lives begin to spiral toward devastating consequences.


🎶🎶Publishing 20th April 2026 🎶🎶

This was such a good book! I found it to be so addictive and would read it for long sprints at a time. I listened to the audiobook alongside the physical book which helped it to be even more of a reading experience.

I felt it touched on a few tough topics but did them very carefully and with compassion. You can totally tell the author had worked in the industry because the level of knowledge was perfect.

The audiobook was fab! I loved how the songs were actually sung rather than just the words read! To be honest, the songs were pretty catchy and I imagine I’d love them! The narrator was also fantastic and had such a lovely voice.

I’d definitely recommend this book if you like the music industry style genre! It had a slight similarity to The Idea of You in relation to the music industry storyline!

*Thank you so much to @blueneonbooks for the physical arc but also the audiobook via @netgalley!