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Songs in Ursa Major
The year is 1969, and the Bayleen Island Folk Fest is abuzz with one name: Jesse Reid. Tall and soft-spoken, with eyes blue as stone-washed denim, Jesse Reid's intricate guitar riffs and supple baritone are poised to tip from fame to legend with this one headlining performance. That is, until his motorcycle crashes on the way to the show.
Jane Quinn is a Bayleen Island local whose music flows as naturally as her long blond hair. When she and her bandmates are asked to play in Jesse Reid's place at the festival, it almost doesn't seem real. But Jane plants her bare feet on the Main Stage and delivers the performance of a lifetime, stopping Jesse's disappointed fans in their tracks: A star is born.
Jesse stays on the island to recover from his near-fatal accident and he strikes up a friendship with Jane, coaching her through the production of her first record. As Jane contends with the music industry's sexism, Jesse becomes her advocate, and what starts as a shared calling soon becomes a passionate love affair. On tour with Jesse, Jane is so captivated by the giant stadiums, the late nights, the wild parties, and the media attention, that she is blind-sided when she stumbles on the dark secret beneath Jesse's music. With nowhere to turn, Jane must reckon with the shadows of her own past; what follows is the birth of one of most iconic albums of all time.
Shot through with the lyrics, the icons, the lore, the adrenaline of the early '70s music scene, Songs in Ursa Major pulses with romantic longing and asks the question so many female artists must face: What are we willing to sacrifice for our dreams?
Jane Quinn is a Bayleen Island local whose music flows as naturally as her long blond hair. When she and her bandmates are asked to play in Jesse Reid's place at the festival, it almost doesn't seem real. But Jane plants her bare feet on the Main Stage and delivers the performance of a lifetime, stopping Jesse's disappointed fans in their tracks: A star is born.
Jesse stays on the island to recover from his near-fatal accident and he strikes up a friendship with Jane, coaching her through the production of her first record. As Jane contends with the music industry's sexism, Jesse becomes her advocate, and what starts as a shared calling soon becomes a passionate love affair. On tour with Jesse, Jane is so captivated by the giant stadiums, the late nights, the wild parties, and the media attention, that she is blind-sided when she stumbles on the dark secret beneath Jesse's music. With nowhere to turn, Jane must reckon with the shadows of her own past; what follows is the birth of one of most iconic albums of all time.
Shot through with the lyrics, the icons, the lore, the adrenaline of the early '70s music scene, Songs in Ursa Major pulses with romantic longing and asks the question so many female artists must face: What are we willing to sacrifice for our dreams?
336 pages, Hardcover
First published June 22, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,343 reviews
July 25, 2021
drop what you’re doing right now and reads songs in ursa major. when you read as many books as i do, it’s easy for the stories to blend together, for the impact to be lost. i can tell that this is a book that will stay with me for a very long time. jane quinn is a flawed, headstrong, and admirable protagonist with integrity and grit. she’s so painfully human. what i initially believed to be a romance between two stars turned into the love affair of an artist and her art. as someone who has felt deeply passionate about art, music, and creativity for her whole life, this book was uniquely inspiring. additionally, getting a glimpse into the music industry’s treatment of women in this era made my blood boil. the writing feels like poetry, and the volatile and enrapturing story is one i physically could not put down. there are powerful themes of mental health, addiction, fate, relationships, reality, and what we’re willing to sacrifice in order to get what we want. songs in ursa major left me feeling every emotion imaginable: melancholy, pride, sadness, frustration, joy, hope, wonder, etc. also, the end left me very satisfied and oh so curious. i’m almost overwhelmed in the best possibly way. i detect some influence from daisy jones and the six as well as the bell jar. an excellent debut chalk full of layers, depth, intelligent metaphors, and twists. i’m eager to see what emma brodie has in store for the future.
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July 16, 2022This was a quick read with some cool characters that I think a lot of people will enjoy. I did like it a lot myself, but I just wish it had leaned into the time period a bit more. It was easy to forget that it was the 70s (well 1969 is when it starts) throughout the story. I thought it showed a really interesting look at what it was like to be a female in the music industry then, and I’m sure 99% of it is sadly true even now. Obviously this is going to be compared to Daisy Jones but they’re totally different stories just with some similarities in setting and subject matter. I didn’t love this as much as Daisy Jones, with that being said, but I thought it was a really solid read!
September 7, 2021
Songs in Ursa Major by Emma Brodie is a 2021 Knopf Publishing Group publication.
It was the summer of �69�
That’s the whole story right there.
Off the coast of Massachusetts, on a remote island, the Folk scene is creating a buzz. Jesse Reid, a good looking and wildly popular singer is slated to appear at the big music festival on the island, but is injured in an accident shortly before he was set to take the stage.
Shoved into Jesse’s spot, local musician, Jane Quinn, faces a restless and angry crowd. Despite the rocky start, she not only survived the night, but managed to get herself noticed in the process.
While Jesse is recovering on the island, he and Jane become close, and Jane’s band ‘The Breakers� are even tapped to open for Jesse’s upcoming tour- although Jane wants to keep her relationship with Jesse on the down-low so she'll be judged by her own merits.
It’s a heady time- but things don’t work out as well as Jane hoped, which turns out to be a catalyst for her creative juices, prompting her to write her breakthrough masterpiece- Songs in Ursa Major.
This is a quick read, somewhat based on the real- life affair between James Taylor and Joni Mitchell. It’s also an expose on the double standards in the music industry that Jane had to cope with.
This story feels nostalgic and occasionally melancholy, but it is also a story of tenacity and triumph, and a profile in the conflict of success and fame.
A solid debut!
4 stars
It was the summer of �69�
That’s the whole story right there.
Off the coast of Massachusetts, on a remote island, the Folk scene is creating a buzz. Jesse Reid, a good looking and wildly popular singer is slated to appear at the big music festival on the island, but is injured in an accident shortly before he was set to take the stage.
Shoved into Jesse’s spot, local musician, Jane Quinn, faces a restless and angry crowd. Despite the rocky start, she not only survived the night, but managed to get herself noticed in the process.
While Jesse is recovering on the island, he and Jane become close, and Jane’s band ‘The Breakers� are even tapped to open for Jesse’s upcoming tour- although Jane wants to keep her relationship with Jesse on the down-low so she'll be judged by her own merits.
It’s a heady time- but things don’t work out as well as Jane hoped, which turns out to be a catalyst for her creative juices, prompting her to write her breakthrough masterpiece- Songs in Ursa Major.
This is a quick read, somewhat based on the real- life affair between James Taylor and Joni Mitchell. It’s also an expose on the double standards in the music industry that Jane had to cope with.
This story feels nostalgic and occasionally melancholy, but it is also a story of tenacity and triumph, and a profile in the conflict of success and fame.
A solid debut!
4 stars
July 17, 2021
There’s a Song for That.
Songs in Ursa Major is infused with warmth. Equal parts romantic, family affinity, and a passion for one’s dreams created an efficacious read.
Set in the early 1970’s, I adored the main character Jane and felt a connection to her as she navigated her path to self discovery. Mining her feral talent and staying true to her beliefs, this will sing to anyone who’s felt an insatiable calling.
Of marked interest to me, were the studio recording sessions. The author’s research was evident as I was immersed into Jane’s vision and overwhelming desire for perfection. Knowing little about the music business, I was fascinated.
Comparisons to that ‘other book� by TJR have moderately circulated reviews, but each has a unique berth on my favorites list having read both. I’ll miss Jane and several other characters now that I’ve finished.
Purchased at The Book Depository, I’m happy to own a hardback copy. It’s a keeper!
Songs in Ursa Major is infused with warmth. Equal parts romantic, family affinity, and a passion for one’s dreams created an efficacious read.
Set in the early 1970’s, I adored the main character Jane and felt a connection to her as she navigated her path to self discovery. Mining her feral talent and staying true to her beliefs, this will sing to anyone who’s felt an insatiable calling.
Of marked interest to me, were the studio recording sessions. The author’s research was evident as I was immersed into Jane’s vision and overwhelming desire for perfection. Knowing little about the music business, I was fascinated.
Comparisons to that ‘other book� by TJR have moderately circulated reviews, but each has a unique berth on my favorites list having read both. I’ll miss Jane and several other characters now that I’ve finished.
Purchased at The Book Depository, I’m happy to own a hardback copy. It’s a keeper!
May 6, 2021
This very promising debut novel is loosely based on the affair between James Taylor and Joni Mitchell and depicts the music scene of the late 1960’s/1970’s. It’s July 1969 and folk singing sensation Jesse Reid is the headline act of the Island Folk Festival, Bayleen Island. However, fans are to be disappointed and the spot is filled by local band The Breakers with lead singer Jane Quinn. They take to the stage, seize their moment and win over the audience with a captivating performance. A star is born in Jane Quinn whose amazing voice and musical aptitude bewitches and winning over many fans.
This is a well written novel and parts of it feel very authentic especially on the music scene of this era. There are three strands to the storytelling, the personal of Jane and her family, the relationship between Jane and Jesse and a snapshot of the music industry through Jane’s eyes, this works and flows well. The character of Jane is admirable, she has her demons but I love how she ploughs her own independent furrow even though this brings her into conflict with her record label, she rightly goes with her gut. There are some good insights into how women are treated in the music industry scene with sexism and misogyny especially the superior disdain of producer Vincent Ray. Is he ever vile, treating her condescendingly as ‘the little lady� and as a commodity with no free will. Jesse and his many issues is portrayed well, it feels realistic and the emotional charge between him and Jane is palpable. One of the highlights for me is the fascinating dynamic of the all female Quinn household who are all fiercely independent and it’s clear where Jane gets her values from, as its passed down through the generations. Other characters are recognisable as cameos are Mick Jagger and Carly Simon. The book shines a light on mental health issues and the stigma attached to it at that time. My only negatives are that it follows a fairly predictable path of sex, drugs and folk rock n’roll and some of the song lyrics... sorry, they’re awful!!
Overall, if you like Daisy Jones and the Six then I daresay you’ll like this one too, if you have an interest in the music and artists such as Joni Mitchell then I think you’ll enjoy this one as I did.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Harper Fiction UK for the much appreciated widget in return for an honest review.
This is a well written novel and parts of it feel very authentic especially on the music scene of this era. There are three strands to the storytelling, the personal of Jane and her family, the relationship between Jane and Jesse and a snapshot of the music industry through Jane’s eyes, this works and flows well. The character of Jane is admirable, she has her demons but I love how she ploughs her own independent furrow even though this brings her into conflict with her record label, she rightly goes with her gut. There are some good insights into how women are treated in the music industry scene with sexism and misogyny especially the superior disdain of producer Vincent Ray. Is he ever vile, treating her condescendingly as ‘the little lady� and as a commodity with no free will. Jesse and his many issues is portrayed well, it feels realistic and the emotional charge between him and Jane is palpable. One of the highlights for me is the fascinating dynamic of the all female Quinn household who are all fiercely independent and it’s clear where Jane gets her values from, as its passed down through the generations. Other characters are recognisable as cameos are Mick Jagger and Carly Simon. The book shines a light on mental health issues and the stigma attached to it at that time. My only negatives are that it follows a fairly predictable path of sex, drugs and folk rock n’roll and some of the song lyrics... sorry, they’re awful!!
Overall, if you like Daisy Jones and the Six then I daresay you’ll like this one too, if you have an interest in the music and artists such as Joni Mitchell then I think you’ll enjoy this one as I did.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Harper Fiction UK for the much appreciated widget in return for an honest review.
May 27, 2021
This debut novel takes place in 1969-71, starting at a fictitious folk festival in Massachusetts. This was the year a lot of the soft rock singers were just getting recognized- James Taylor, Carole King, Joni Mitchell and CS&N. In fact, this book is a takeoff on the Joni Mitchell/James Taylor relationship. And I don’t mean takeoff in the sense of caricature or parody, but more in the sense of a stepping off point.
This book will appeal to those that loved Daisy Jones and the Six. It covers some of the same material - the sexism, the hardships for a female singer to stand her ground and maintain her creative integrity. It also covers how hard it is to keep the tour lifestyle going - the sheer exhaustion, the constant pressure to be “on�, both leading to a reliance on drugs to power through.
While I adored Jane and Jesse and found them well formed, I was even more pleased to see the detail allocated to secondary characters, especially Willy. His comparison to his stars as horses, just really rang true. Brodie really made me feel the work involved in putting together a record, especially one as intricate as Songs in Ursa Major (of course, the entire time, I’m overlaying Blue in my mind).
I devoured this story. I wanted to fly through the pages, but also to savor it. I will admit to being a sucker for books about the music industry, especially from this period, but this is one of the better ones. As the ending of the book states, “a time of myth, a time of beauty, a time of rock and roll.�
My thanks to NetGalley and Knopf Doubleday for an advance copy of this book.
This book will appeal to those that loved Daisy Jones and the Six. It covers some of the same material - the sexism, the hardships for a female singer to stand her ground and maintain her creative integrity. It also covers how hard it is to keep the tour lifestyle going - the sheer exhaustion, the constant pressure to be “on�, both leading to a reliance on drugs to power through.
While I adored Jane and Jesse and found them well formed, I was even more pleased to see the detail allocated to secondary characters, especially Willy. His comparison to his stars as horses, just really rang true. Brodie really made me feel the work involved in putting together a record, especially one as intricate as Songs in Ursa Major (of course, the entire time, I’m overlaying Blue in my mind).
I devoured this story. I wanted to fly through the pages, but also to savor it. I will admit to being a sucker for books about the music industry, especially from this period, but this is one of the better ones. As the ending of the book states, “a time of myth, a time of beauty, a time of rock and roll.�
My thanks to NetGalley and Knopf Doubleday for an advance copy of this book.
May 10, 2021
I really wanted to love this book.
I was expecting Daisy Jones and the Six, or maybe The Happy Ever After Playlist, or even A Star is Born. This book has high aspirations, but it's none of those things. It's barely coherent.
Jesse Reid and Jane Quinn are supposedly based on James Taylor and Joni Mitchell. I hope Sweet Baby James and Joni don't read this -- they'll be shocked to find that they're so boring. This book has no plot -- it's just a long string of "this happened, then this happened, then this happened." There's also very little character development. In the end, I still hadn't learned the difference in Grace and Elsie and Maggie, because there was nothing about any of them that made them different from each other. Jane and Jesse don't have much personality either -- I kept wondering why anyone would be interested in either of them.
I figured out toward the end that Charlie and her condition were supposedly some big secret, and that Jane's refusal to talk to Jesse about it was what split them up (that, and a heroin addiction). But that's extremely unclear. We keep hearing about how Jane shouldn't tell Jesse too much -- um, okay. About what? I had no idea what was happening. It's so poorly written and poorly plotted.
I have so many questions about how this book made it past an editor. Rock stars aren't created overnight from one lucky performance. Where do we see Jesse and Jane falling in love? Suddenly they just ARE. Has the author ever experienced drug addiction or mental illness in her family? They don't work at all the way she describes them. We're supposed to believe there were no signs of Jesse's addiction until one day Jane just catches him with a needle in his arm? That's not how that works. Naloxone was not a thing in the early 70s -- no way some random nurse on an island was carrying it around in her kit and saving the lives of rock stars with it. Charlie's condition is a secret? Why? Are you ashamed of her? Jane takes off to Greece and has a breakdown of some sort, but it's never clear what brought that on. As near as I could tell, nothing was so awful as to cause that. And the things that WERE awful were of Jane's own making, and within her power to fix. The dialogue is atrocious. We keep switching points of view from Jesse to Jane to Morgan to Willy and sometimes to obscure characters that don't even matter. What little climax there is to the story is completely manufactured and comes out of nowhere, and it's all wrapped up in a sappy epilogue that will satisfy exactly no one. It's all just so stupid.
I really wanted to love this book the way I've loved other books based on musicians and the history of rock and roll. But it's just so bad.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy of the book.
I was expecting Daisy Jones and the Six, or maybe The Happy Ever After Playlist, or even A Star is Born. This book has high aspirations, but it's none of those things. It's barely coherent.
Jesse Reid and Jane Quinn are supposedly based on James Taylor and Joni Mitchell. I hope Sweet Baby James and Joni don't read this -- they'll be shocked to find that they're so boring. This book has no plot -- it's just a long string of "this happened, then this happened, then this happened." There's also very little character development. In the end, I still hadn't learned the difference in Grace and Elsie and Maggie, because there was nothing about any of them that made them different from each other. Jane and Jesse don't have much personality either -- I kept wondering why anyone would be interested in either of them.
I figured out toward the end that Charlie and her condition were supposedly some big secret, and that Jane's refusal to talk to Jesse about it was what split them up (that, and a heroin addiction). But that's extremely unclear. We keep hearing about how Jane shouldn't tell Jesse too much -- um, okay. About what? I had no idea what was happening. It's so poorly written and poorly plotted.
I have so many questions about how this book made it past an editor. Rock stars aren't created overnight from one lucky performance. Where do we see Jesse and Jane falling in love? Suddenly they just ARE. Has the author ever experienced drug addiction or mental illness in her family? They don't work at all the way she describes them. We're supposed to believe there were no signs of Jesse's addiction until one day Jane just catches him with a needle in his arm? That's not how that works. Naloxone was not a thing in the early 70s -- no way some random nurse on an island was carrying it around in her kit and saving the lives of rock stars with it. Charlie's condition is a secret? Why? Are you ashamed of her? Jane takes off to Greece and has a breakdown of some sort, but it's never clear what brought that on. As near as I could tell, nothing was so awful as to cause that. And the things that WERE awful were of Jane's own making, and within her power to fix. The dialogue is atrocious. We keep switching points of view from Jesse to Jane to Morgan to Willy and sometimes to obscure characters that don't even matter. What little climax there is to the story is completely manufactured and comes out of nowhere, and it's all wrapped up in a sappy epilogue that will satisfy exactly no one. It's all just so stupid.
I really wanted to love this book the way I've loved other books based on musicians and the history of rock and roll. But it's just so bad.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy of the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2021
I listened to the audiobook of Songs in Ursa Major and while I was curious about the story based on its premise, I enjoyed it more than I expected to.
Set in the early 1970s, the story follows Jane Quinn, an aspiring musician who gets her first big break when she fills in at a festival on her hometown island when headliner Jesse Reid, is in an accident and unable to perform.
Songs in Ursa Major follows Jane’s pursuit as a musician, where her and her band, The Breakers, first join Jesse on tour. The story is filled with love, lust, sacrifice, and secrets.
With a rise in music fiction over the last few years, I think comparisons can do a disservice to new books and sometimes lead to disappointment, but to me, this is a fun genre and there’s more than one story to be told � I liked this one.
Set in the early 1970s, the story follows Jane Quinn, an aspiring musician who gets her first big break when she fills in at a festival on her hometown island when headliner Jesse Reid, is in an accident and unable to perform.
Songs in Ursa Major follows Jane’s pursuit as a musician, where her and her band, The Breakers, first join Jesse on tour. The story is filled with love, lust, sacrifice, and secrets.
With a rise in music fiction over the last few years, I think comparisons can do a disservice to new books and sometimes lead to disappointment, but to me, this is a fun genre and there’s more than one story to be told � I liked this one.
August 6, 2022
Songs in Ursa Major by Emma Brodie. Sometimes it is hard to write a review. This is one of those times. The 60s is my favorite era. I was super excited to read this book. It just did not grab me like I thought it would. I was easily confused between the female characters. It wasn’t bad. Just not one of my favorites.
March 10, 2021
While this novel seems to accurately depict the music industry machine of the sixties and early seventies, the big reveal wasn’t much of a surprise nor did it seem to be much of a showstopper. Loosely based on the affair between James Taylor and Joni Mitchell, this novel tries to hit the high notes but ultimately the notes it hits are flat.
July 23, 2021
This was really good! I got drawn into the story from the first chapter and found it hard to put down from then on. The story begins in 1969 at a music festival and the headline act, Jesse Reid can no longer perform after a motorbike accident. Local group, The Breakers with lead singer Jane Quinn take the stage instead and manage to win over the unhappy crowd with a brilliant performance. From there the book follows the music career of Jane and her romance with Jesse. Showing the sexism and misogyny within the music industry, not to mention the drugs and sex and partying, there’s also a focus on mental illness. I only found out after finishing this book and since reading about it, that it’s loosely based on James Taylor and Joni Mitchell. Im not a fan of either so I don’t think it’s essential to enjoy this book!
Great characters and writing, an excellent read.
Great characters and writing, an excellent read.
October 10, 2021
If you’re a fan of books about the music industry, here’s one for you: Emma Brodie's debut,
Songs in Ursa Major
.
In 1969, all eyes were on the Bayleen Island Folk Fest as Jesse Reid was getting ready to perform. His star was already on the rise but the festival performance was expected to launch him into the stratosphere. But when a motorcycle accident renders him unable to perform, local girl Jane Quinn and her band, The Breakers, get their break on the main stage.
While at first the crowd is angry that Jesse isn’t performing, Jane captures the crowd within the first few notes. She gives a star-making performance that quickly catches the eye of the music industry.
Jesse stays on Bayleen Island to recover from his injuries, and he and Jane become friends. As she and her band work on their first album and she encounters the sexism and capriciousness of the music industry, Jesse and Jane inspire each other musically and deeply connect on a personal and romantic level.
When Jane and The Breakers get the opportunity to open for Jesse on tour, the music they play is electric, and Jane’s star rises, both because of her talent and her proximity to Jesse. But both have dark secrets they are keeping from one another, and when it all becomes too much for Jane, she walks away, only to be inspired to create some iconic music.
I loved this book. I wondered if it would be similar to Daisy Jones and the Six , and while there are some parallels, this is a story all its own. Books about the music business and musicians hook me completely, and I tried so hard to imagine what the music must’ve sounded like.
Just excellent and atmospheric.
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2020 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2020.html.
See all of my reviews at .
Follow me on Instagram at .
In 1969, all eyes were on the Bayleen Island Folk Fest as Jesse Reid was getting ready to perform. His star was already on the rise but the festival performance was expected to launch him into the stratosphere. But when a motorcycle accident renders him unable to perform, local girl Jane Quinn and her band, The Breakers, get their break on the main stage.
While at first the crowd is angry that Jesse isn’t performing, Jane captures the crowd within the first few notes. She gives a star-making performance that quickly catches the eye of the music industry.
Jesse stays on Bayleen Island to recover from his injuries, and he and Jane become friends. As she and her band work on their first album and she encounters the sexism and capriciousness of the music industry, Jesse and Jane inspire each other musically and deeply connect on a personal and romantic level.
When Jane and The Breakers get the opportunity to open for Jesse on tour, the music they play is electric, and Jane’s star rises, both because of her talent and her proximity to Jesse. But both have dark secrets they are keeping from one another, and when it all becomes too much for Jane, she walks away, only to be inspired to create some iconic music.
I loved this book. I wondered if it would be similar to Daisy Jones and the Six , and while there are some parallels, this is a story all its own. Books about the music business and musicians hook me completely, and I tried so hard to imagine what the music must’ve sounded like.
Just excellent and atmospheric.
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2020 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2020.html.
See all of my reviews at .
Follow me on Instagram at .
May 14, 2021
The Bayleen Island Folk Fest of 1969 is set to welcome headlining folk artist Jesse Reid until he crashes his motorcycle on the way to the show.
Now, it’s up to local band The Breakers, fronted by the equally beautiful and talented Jane Quinn, to step on the main stage and deliver a performance grand enough to make fans forget their disappointment over the missing headliner.
The fateful performance lands The Breakers a record deal and an unexpected friendship between Jane and Jesse that grows into a passionate affair on the road. Jane is enamored by her lover, captivated by the media circus, and caught up in the magic of touring. Unfortunately, Jane and Jesse both have secrets that threaten their careers and their relationship.
Eventually Jane finds herself at rock bottom and records her heartache on what will become an iconic album.
Loosely based on the love affair of James Taylor and Joni Mitchell, Songs in Ursa Major holds so much promise but didn’t deliver for me. We are introduced to characters but never get to the heart of their relationships or forge any true development, the writing is lovely but becomes too flowery at times (especially the dialogue - seriously, no one talks like that), and there is a whole lot of telling rather than showing. I love a good Behind the Music story but this one was frustrating because I saw the author’s intent but also the struggle to pack the punch in delivery. The doomed romance of Jane and Jesse was bland and the “secrets� that tore them apart felt paper thin, Jane was all over the place running away from everything that didn’t go her way but I never understood her reasoning/intentions or cared enough to try, and I wasn’t swept up in the atmosphere that I expected of the 1970s touring rock stars.
It’s all a bit too contrived for me but it will be a perfectly acceptable beach read this summer.
Thanks to Knopf and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Songs in Ursa Major is scheduled for release on June 22, 2021.
For more reviews, visit
Now, it’s up to local band The Breakers, fronted by the equally beautiful and talented Jane Quinn, to step on the main stage and deliver a performance grand enough to make fans forget their disappointment over the missing headliner.
The fateful performance lands The Breakers a record deal and an unexpected friendship between Jane and Jesse that grows into a passionate affair on the road. Jane is enamored by her lover, captivated by the media circus, and caught up in the magic of touring. Unfortunately, Jane and Jesse both have secrets that threaten their careers and their relationship.
Eventually Jane finds herself at rock bottom and records her heartache on what will become an iconic album.
Loosely based on the love affair of James Taylor and Joni Mitchell, Songs in Ursa Major holds so much promise but didn’t deliver for me. We are introduced to characters but never get to the heart of their relationships or forge any true development, the writing is lovely but becomes too flowery at times (especially the dialogue - seriously, no one talks like that), and there is a whole lot of telling rather than showing. I love a good Behind the Music story but this one was frustrating because I saw the author’s intent but also the struggle to pack the punch in delivery. The doomed romance of Jane and Jesse was bland and the “secrets� that tore them apart felt paper thin, Jane was all over the place running away from everything that didn’t go her way but I never understood her reasoning/intentions or cared enough to try, and I wasn’t swept up in the atmosphere that I expected of the 1970s touring rock stars.
It’s all a bit too contrived for me but it will be a perfectly acceptable beach read this summer.
Thanks to Knopf and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Songs in Ursa Major is scheduled for release on June 22, 2021.
For more reviews, visit
February 8, 2023
I was browsing at Lift Bridge Bookstore in Brockport NY (one of my favorite indie bookstores ever) and my husband noticed this book and handed it to me; the cover art won me over instantly, and it came home with me. The fact that the story is based loosely on Joni Mitchell’s relationship with James Taylor helps: “Blue� is a record I know inside and out, and have been listening to my entire life � and I am still not tired of it.
A small island off Massachusetts hosts a folk music festival every year. When their 1969 headliner Jesse Reid is injured and can’t take the stage, a small local band, the Breakers, fronted by the aloof but very talented Jane Quinn, take his spot and become that year’s revelation. They are offered a recording contract by the same label that distributes Jesse, and he and Jane inevitably get closer as the Breakers record their first album and begin touring, opening for Jesse� band. But both he and Jane have their secrets, and while their art binds them together, what they withhold might be enough to tear them apart.
Cue dramatic, romantic music.
My favorite part of this book is really how Brodie explores the complexity of band relationship dynamics, the gritty reality of being a woman musician in a heavily male-dominated milieu, the reality that if you are not willing to self-promote you might be dead in the water regardless of how good you really are. Music has an incredibly glamourous aura, but the reality of it can be so brutal and so gross � I am always happy when people are willing to lift the veil on that reality and talk about it honestly.
Jane is an amazing character. Flawed, stubborn, deeply passionate about her art, with a strong sense of self and integrity. I deeply sympathized with her struggle as a female in the recording industry. In case anyone is wondering, it’s still a misogynistic hellscape, and talent counts, but not as much as good marketing (Taylor Swift’s entire career is the ultimate proof of that�). These topics are obviously close to my heart, so it was easy for me to see the story from Jane’s point of view and wish I could tell her that she was right to hold on to her principles. I am too Gen X to ever condone selling out, even in fiction.
The “twist/reveal� was kind of underwhelming, and it’s really what knocks this book from 4 to 3 stars for me. I can see why Brodie went that way, but it was a touch predictable. I understand that she used this to explain Jane’s reticence to really let herself go and lose herself in the process. Mental health is such a important topic, and it’s easy to glamourize it in artists, but it’s hugely damaging, life-altering and sometimes, life-ending, and I am glad to see it discussed. I just wish Jane’s background had felt less shoehorned.
Overall, a lovely novel, quiet but moving, the way a proper folk song ought to be.
If you like Joni Mitchell, I recommend you check out Amelia Curran () and Laura Stevenson ().
A small island off Massachusetts hosts a folk music festival every year. When their 1969 headliner Jesse Reid is injured and can’t take the stage, a small local band, the Breakers, fronted by the aloof but very talented Jane Quinn, take his spot and become that year’s revelation. They are offered a recording contract by the same label that distributes Jesse, and he and Jane inevitably get closer as the Breakers record their first album and begin touring, opening for Jesse� band. But both he and Jane have their secrets, and while their art binds them together, what they withhold might be enough to tear them apart.
Cue dramatic, romantic music.
My favorite part of this book is really how Brodie explores the complexity of band relationship dynamics, the gritty reality of being a woman musician in a heavily male-dominated milieu, the reality that if you are not willing to self-promote you might be dead in the water regardless of how good you really are. Music has an incredibly glamourous aura, but the reality of it can be so brutal and so gross � I am always happy when people are willing to lift the veil on that reality and talk about it honestly.
Jane is an amazing character. Flawed, stubborn, deeply passionate about her art, with a strong sense of self and integrity. I deeply sympathized with her struggle as a female in the recording industry. In case anyone is wondering, it’s still a misogynistic hellscape, and talent counts, but not as much as good marketing (Taylor Swift’s entire career is the ultimate proof of that�). These topics are obviously close to my heart, so it was easy for me to see the story from Jane’s point of view and wish I could tell her that she was right to hold on to her principles. I am too Gen X to ever condone selling out, even in fiction.
The “twist/reveal� was kind of underwhelming, and it’s really what knocks this book from 4 to 3 stars for me. I can see why Brodie went that way, but it was a touch predictable. I understand that she used this to explain Jane’s reticence to really let herself go and lose herself in the process. Mental health is such a important topic, and it’s easy to glamourize it in artists, but it’s hugely damaging, life-altering and sometimes, life-ending, and I am glad to see it discussed. I just wish Jane’s background had felt less shoehorned.
Overall, a lovely novel, quiet but moving, the way a proper folk song ought to be.
If you like Joni Mitchell, I recommend you check out Amelia Curran () and Laura Stevenson ().
July 4, 2021
Saturday afternoon and I I sat down to start Songs in Ursa Major..... after a break to eat and watch a movie with the family I dived straight back into it and finished it just before midnight. I was completely caught up in the sex, drugs and rock and roll of the 70's and the life of Janie Q.
Janie Q and her band the Breakers are given the opportunity of a lifetime when the headline act at the Folk Festival is injured in an accident and fails to turn up. Thrown into the spotlight and thousands of upset Jessie Reid fans, they take their chance and a star is born. Come on the journey of The Breakers, lead singer Janie Q, as they find their way through the world of professional music. Janie is a woman who knows what he wants, won't take second best and is not afraid to stand up for herself. In the early 70's the music business was still very male dominated and sexist. But whatever a man can do Janie can do better.
It is a story of music and fame, of love and family and so much more. I don't want to say too much as you need to read it for yourself. It is not your typical music business story and is not at all predictable. You will fall is love with Janie and Jessie
Thanks so much to Harper Collins Australia for my advanced copy of this book to read.
Janie Q and her band the Breakers are given the opportunity of a lifetime when the headline act at the Folk Festival is injured in an accident and fails to turn up. Thrown into the spotlight and thousands of upset Jessie Reid fans, they take their chance and a star is born. Come on the journey of The Breakers, lead singer Janie Q, as they find their way through the world of professional music. Janie is a woman who knows what he wants, won't take second best and is not afraid to stand up for herself. In the early 70's the music business was still very male dominated and sexist. But whatever a man can do Janie can do better.
It is a story of music and fame, of love and family and so much more. I don't want to say too much as you need to read it for yourself. It is not your typical music business story and is not at all predictable. You will fall is love with Janie and Jessie
Thanks so much to Harper Collins Australia for my advanced copy of this book to read.
July 16, 2021
Grossly overwritten with no real plot to speak of. Dull characters with no growth; I found myself not rooting for any of them to come out on top. Unrealistic storyline with implausible overnight successes, sudden cross continental travel, a nurse with "gastric lavage" supplies in her "go bag" (not to mention naloxone). What the hell happens on this island?
Some of the cloying verbiage was (I think) trying to harness the spirit of the 70's. But phrases like "Rebecca smelled like candied moonbeams" made me actually roll my eyes. I wanted to see how everything shook out in the end, which is why I gave this 2 stars (barely). I figured if I wanted to see how it ended, the book must've grabbed me in some way, right? The end turned out to be grossly underwhelming and this book just wasn't worth the effort. Would not recommend.
Some of the cloying verbiage was (I think) trying to harness the spirit of the 70's. But phrases like "Rebecca smelled like candied moonbeams" made me actually roll my eyes. I wanted to see how everything shook out in the end, which is why I gave this 2 stars (barely). I figured if I wanted to see how it ended, the book must've grabbed me in some way, right? The end turned out to be grossly underwhelming and this book just wasn't worth the effort. Would not recommend.
February 16, 2023
Well, this was fun. I'm aware that this book has many flaws, especially the fact that the author can't use a verb other than "said" for all the dialogue. However, it managed to take me away from the real world for a couple of hours and sometimes that's all you need from a book. As a hopeless romantic, this book didn't deliver all the clichés I wanted, but I made peace with the ones I did get. A good one to read in between heavier books as a palate cleanser. PS: try not to see Jesse and Jane as Sam Claflin and Riley Keough, I dare you. This book gives soooooo many Daisy Jones & the Six vibes.
June 14, 2021
This novel from the storytelling to the writing was absolutely incredible. To say it's a beautiful story is simply an understatement. This book may in fact be one of my favourites for this year.
When I started reading this book, I was getting hints that reminded me of the movies "Almost Famous" and "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood". Although all are very different stories from each other, I stick to these small comparisons because there were similar aspects in them all that I loved. With that being said, this novel is very much its own with a story that's incomparable.
No matter the genre or style, if you are a music lover/connoisseur, there's a good chance that you'll enjoy this novel. If you have a strong appreciation for music, there's a good chance you'll have a strong appreciation for this novel and the story that unfolds.
I really loved each of the characters that made up this novel from Julia and Jesse to Willy and the Quinn females. I could easily see how Jesse could be made out to be a villain but I think many, like me, will find it difficult to place him in that category based on the complexity of this story.
For those that like a hard hitting and emotional read, check this one out. I cannot help but applaud Emma Brodie on such a fabulous debut and I know I will be keeping my eyes peeled for more of her published works in the future.
***Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for sending me an ARC and final copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review***
When I started reading this book, I was getting hints that reminded me of the movies "Almost Famous" and "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood". Although all are very different stories from each other, I stick to these small comparisons because there were similar aspects in them all that I loved. With that being said, this novel is very much its own with a story that's incomparable.
No matter the genre or style, if you are a music lover/connoisseur, there's a good chance that you'll enjoy this novel. If you have a strong appreciation for music, there's a good chance you'll have a strong appreciation for this novel and the story that unfolds.
I really loved each of the characters that made up this novel from Julia and Jesse to Willy and the Quinn females. I could easily see how Jesse could be made out to be a villain but I think many, like me, will find it difficult to place him in that category based on the complexity of this story.
For those that like a hard hitting and emotional read, check this one out. I cannot help but applaud Emma Brodie on such a fabulous debut and I know I will be keeping my eyes peeled for more of her published works in the future.
***Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for sending me an ARC and final copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review***
September 19, 2021
“don’t run from your pain. put it to work for you. this struggle—to be able to struggle—is a gift your mother never had. the question is, what will you make of it?�
songs in ursa major traces the unorthodox early years of fictional singer-songwriter jane quinn’s career in a way that’s very reminiscent of and (though ursa major isn’t an oral history, and jane lacks the charisma of daisy and opal). through jane’s music, her fraught relationship with her label, and her affair with jesse reid, brodie explores themes of mental illness and what it means to be a woman in an industry controlled by men.
in a word, underwhelming. the last third was a significant improvement on the first two-thirds, but as a whole this book does a lot of meandering and skimps on really delving into some of the more interesting aspects (the mother/daughter relationships in the matriarchal quinn family, the mental illness/addiction thread).
also, those sex scenes just felt like attempts to convince readers of jane and jesse’s lackluster “passion.� (and if i never have to read the phrase again, it’ll be too soon.)
rating: 2.5/5 stars
July 12, 2021
THE BOOK OF THE SUMMER.
This is a slow burn novel, so be warned! But it’s a debut that’s oh-so-worth it. Songs in Ursa Major had me entranced from beginning to end. It’s like i was alive in the late 60s/early 70s, witnessing first hand greatness being born. It was captivating, hypnotic, and engrossing.
Covering a lot of issues (sexism, drug abuse [heroin], and mental health), I loved the wide scope of what was explored in here. I think it was done in a way that was true to perceptions and what was “normal� in the time period.
If you’re looking for the great follow-up book to Daisy Jones, this ones for you. I’d even argue that this one is just as great, it not better.
(Thank you PenguinRandom House Canada for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review)
This is a slow burn novel, so be warned! But it’s a debut that’s oh-so-worth it. Songs in Ursa Major had me entranced from beginning to end. It’s like i was alive in the late 60s/early 70s, witnessing first hand greatness being born. It was captivating, hypnotic, and engrossing.
Covering a lot of issues (sexism, drug abuse [heroin], and mental health), I loved the wide scope of what was explored in here. I think it was done in a way that was true to perceptions and what was “normal� in the time period.
If you’re looking for the great follow-up book to Daisy Jones, this ones for you. I’d even argue that this one is just as great, it not better.
(Thank you PenguinRandom House Canada for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review)
July 6, 2021
1969 into the early 70s was just a phenomenal time for music, IMO, so even if I hadn't heard that this book was very loosely based on Joni Mitchell and James Taylor, I still would have enjoyed it. They're Jane and Jesse, just getting started in the music biz. Jane comes from a matriarchal family so doesn't take a lot of guff about being a woman, yet that's what the business is about at that time. The lyrics she writes and her constant fight against conforming to what's expected of her keep pissing off the men around her. Too bad for them, as Jane instinctively knows exactly what's best for her and her career. Jesse... not so much.
If you liked the music of this time or if you enjoyed the book , give this one a try. I'm so glad the publisher offered me this through NetGalley
If you liked the music of this time or if you enjoyed the book , give this one a try. I'm so glad the publisher offered me this through NetGalley
December 10, 2021
*
*
**4.5 stars**
Songs in Ursa Major by Emma Brodie. (2021).
Summer, 1969. From the moment Jane steps barefoot onto the main stage at Island Folk Festival, her golden hair glinting, her voice soaring into the summer dusk, a star is born- and so is a passionate love story. Jane's band hits the road with Jesse, the musician whose bright blue eyes are setting hearts alight everywhere. And as the summer streaks by in a haze of crowds, wild nights and magenta sunsets, Jane is pulled into the orbit of Jesse's star. But Jesse's rise could mean Jane's fall. And when she discovers a dark secret beneath his music, she writes her heartache into the album that could make or break her: Songs in Ursa Major.
I seriously enjoyed this entertaining novel. Mixing music and love, it was so engaging. Jane is a fabulous lead - intelligent, gorgeous, musically talented, brave. She is a young woman with an enormous amount of musical talent when she is suddenly 'discovered' by the music industry and ends up on tour with the similarly young and talented Jesse. Of course, the two have a connection and an attraction... but it isn't going to be smooth sailing for them. Jane's weariness towards the music industry due to her mother's experiences added some drama to the story. I can't believe this is the debut novel of the author because it is so well-written; I felt like I was there and I wanted to hear the music in reality.
Overall: I'd highly recommend this fabulous novel that would make a perfect holiday binge read.
*
**4.5 stars**
Songs in Ursa Major by Emma Brodie. (2021).
Summer, 1969. From the moment Jane steps barefoot onto the main stage at Island Folk Festival, her golden hair glinting, her voice soaring into the summer dusk, a star is born- and so is a passionate love story. Jane's band hits the road with Jesse, the musician whose bright blue eyes are setting hearts alight everywhere. And as the summer streaks by in a haze of crowds, wild nights and magenta sunsets, Jane is pulled into the orbit of Jesse's star. But Jesse's rise could mean Jane's fall. And when she discovers a dark secret beneath his music, she writes her heartache into the album that could make or break her: Songs in Ursa Major.
I seriously enjoyed this entertaining novel. Mixing music and love, it was so engaging. Jane is a fabulous lead - intelligent, gorgeous, musically talented, brave. She is a young woman with an enormous amount of musical talent when she is suddenly 'discovered' by the music industry and ends up on tour with the similarly young and talented Jesse. Of course, the two have a connection and an attraction... but it isn't going to be smooth sailing for them. Jane's weariness towards the music industry due to her mother's experiences added some drama to the story. I can't believe this is the debut novel of the author because it is so well-written; I felt like I was there and I wanted to hear the music in reality.
Overall: I'd highly recommend this fabulous novel that would make a perfect holiday binge read.
February 1, 2021
Please note that when it comes to books set in the 1960s/70s music scene, it’s impossible for me to be objective, I’m just going to automatically, unapologetically love them, and this was no exception! That said, this was wonderful in its own right, most notably for the spotlight it shines on mental health and the battle women in music face daily in order to be taken seriously - back then and still now! The characters and the music (the music!! Can Jesse and Jane and their albums exist in real life, please??) just explode off the page and I was totally captivated. The ending was that precise combination of desperately sad but also so beautiful, and I finished it while listening to Joni Mitchell’s “Blue� on repeat, which yup, made it pretty much perfect.
June 20, 2021
Travel back to the time of the emergence of the folk rock singer/songwriter. Hometown hero and new megastar Jesse Reid is set to headline at the annual Folk music festival on Bayleen Island, off the coast of Massachusetts (think Martha’s Vineyard). After Jesse is in a motorcycle accident, a local band, The Breakers, is called on to fill his spot. The crowd is disappointed until they hear the voice of its 19 year old lead singer Jane Quinn. After wowing the crowd, Jane and The Breakers are signed by Jesse’s manager and a whirlwind begins. An album is made, the band tours with Jesse and a romance begins. Jane falls hard for Jesse but realizes he is battling demons. Jane, too, has her own. We get to follow Jane’s journey including the creation of her masterpiece album, Songs in Ursa Major, complete with song titles and some very appealing lyrics.
If you are a fan of the music of the late 1960s/early 70s, you will thoroughly enjoy Songs in Ursa Major. It is an outstanding story of an incredibly creative time in music. While inspired by the love affair between James Taylor and Joni Mitchell, this is not a biography of these talented performers. I even hesitate to mention it as the tale of Jane and Jesse should be viewed as its own love story which takes us from the East Coast to Laurel Canyon, California and the legendary Troubadour in West Hollywood.
Author Emma Brodie, in an impressive debut, does a fine job in presenting the music business during this era, revealing how women were treated quite differently than their male counterparts. Jane is such a wonderful character � she is a true talent and doesn’t conform to what is expected of her. Well, I guess that is pretty similar to Joni Mitchell.
Many thanks to Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read Songs in Ursa Major in advance of its June 22, 2021 publication. I was excited to read that the rights to the book have been acquired to be adapted into a feature film.
Rated 4.5 stars.
Review posted on .
If you are a fan of the music of the late 1960s/early 70s, you will thoroughly enjoy Songs in Ursa Major. It is an outstanding story of an incredibly creative time in music. While inspired by the love affair between James Taylor and Joni Mitchell, this is not a biography of these talented performers. I even hesitate to mention it as the tale of Jane and Jesse should be viewed as its own love story which takes us from the East Coast to Laurel Canyon, California and the legendary Troubadour in West Hollywood.
Author Emma Brodie, in an impressive debut, does a fine job in presenting the music business during this era, revealing how women were treated quite differently than their male counterparts. Jane is such a wonderful character � she is a true talent and doesn’t conform to what is expected of her. Well, I guess that is pretty similar to Joni Mitchell.
Many thanks to Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read Songs in Ursa Major in advance of its June 22, 2021 publication. I was excited to read that the rights to the book have been acquired to be adapted into a feature film.
Rated 4.5 stars.
Review posted on .
June 20, 2021
This book comes out next week but I've been struggling to talk about it. It's not really a romance although there are relationships in it. It's about some singer-songwriter types in the late 60s-early 70s, the rise and fall of fame, the sexism and disparity of this subculture, the dangers of commercialism when you have actual talent. I liked how the author wrote about music, but there is this major plot point kept from the reader when we are in the MC's head otherwise, and I was frustrated and confused by that whole thing. So I feel torn. Kudos to the author for writing some of the song lyrics instead of making us imagine everything.
August 14, 2021
2.5 stars- There could have been glimmers of Joni Mitchell in this novel because other reviews told me so - I had to look VERY hard to find them- overall, not much new and I found the characters wooden. I’m an outlier, I know- the “passion� felt inserted as gratuitous sex, the plot severely linear. I found myself wincing - “Then…� � Then…�. Phoney musical artists, pretend musical hits- and one dimensional characters; I simply wasn’t in love.
I had to push myself to finish the book, in hopes that it might become a hit. There were moments of resonance; largely out of tune for me.
I had to push myself to finish the book, in hopes that it might become a hit. There were moments of resonance; largely out of tune for me.
July 28, 2021
Easily making my top 10 of the year
October 30, 2021
I give this lovely novel a total of 4.5 stars!
I really enjoyed this novel, I think it's an excellent debut by Brodie and I am so interested to see what she rights next. This was an easy read, or listen for me, and I was engaged and invested from the beginning. This story covers the nuances of some hot button issues such as addiction, inequality in the entertainment industry, and the toll that infamy can take on a person. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I liked it so much more than Daisey Jones and the Six. I loved the way that this novel transported me back to the 70's when music was a way to rebel from an unequal system and express the love and contentment that so many people desired in this era.
Jane Quinn (Janie Q to those who are close to her) is a young woman with stars in her eyes. The Island Folk Festival is a tradition on Bayleen Island (an Island of the coast of Canada known for its history in whaling) and Janie Q is so excited to be performing on the amateur's stage with her band "The Breakers". Jesse Jones is the headliner and Janie is excited to be in his orbit. When Jesse crashes his motorcycle and is unable to perform, Janie is asked to perform on the main stage in front of thousands of angry fans. Janie is awestruck by the crowd, but they are not as impressed by her, until she starts singing one of Jesse's most popular songs and she transcends the stage.
After making their debut, Janie and her best friends Greg, Rich, and Kyle are offered a record deal with Pegasus. They are just out of high school, living simple, slow island lives with a love for making beautiful music. None of The Breakers knew or expected that their music would result in fame or fortune but for Janie Q there were personal reasons her music and her integrity as an artist were so important to her. After their first show at the Island Folk Fest, Janie meets Jesse and she's intrigued and impressed. Jesse was born into wealth but made a name for himself when an A&R rep, Willie, offered him a record deal. Janie is also approached by Willie after her bands performance and this is how the story of Janie and Jesse begins. After Jesse recovers from his injuries he, Janie, and The Breakers go on tour and Janie and Jesse connect both musically and romantically. Janie and Jesse built their bond on their shared love of music and the shared experience of losing their mothers at a young age.
This is a beautifully written novel about music, fame, fortune, and misfortune. Janie and Jesse are kindred spirits and together they make beautiful music. I really loved listening to this novel as an audiobook and Kristen Sieh did an amazing job as the narrator. I loved listening to the lyrics, learning about their creative process, and the in-depth look at how women artists were treated in this era. This novel is an uplifting coming of age story set in the 70's. I would definitely recommend the audiobook for my fellow audiophiles as it's lovely to here the lyrics being spoken. It is a wonderful debut by this artist that has all the makings of a great novel.
I really enjoyed this novel, I think it's an excellent debut by Brodie and I am so interested to see what she rights next. This was an easy read, or listen for me, and I was engaged and invested from the beginning. This story covers the nuances of some hot button issues such as addiction, inequality in the entertainment industry, and the toll that infamy can take on a person. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I liked it so much more than Daisey Jones and the Six. I loved the way that this novel transported me back to the 70's when music was a way to rebel from an unequal system and express the love and contentment that so many people desired in this era.
Jane Quinn (Janie Q to those who are close to her) is a young woman with stars in her eyes. The Island Folk Festival is a tradition on Bayleen Island (an Island of the coast of Canada known for its history in whaling) and Janie Q is so excited to be performing on the amateur's stage with her band "The Breakers". Jesse Jones is the headliner and Janie is excited to be in his orbit. When Jesse crashes his motorcycle and is unable to perform, Janie is asked to perform on the main stage in front of thousands of angry fans. Janie is awestruck by the crowd, but they are not as impressed by her, until she starts singing one of Jesse's most popular songs and she transcends the stage.
After making their debut, Janie and her best friends Greg, Rich, and Kyle are offered a record deal with Pegasus. They are just out of high school, living simple, slow island lives with a love for making beautiful music. None of The Breakers knew or expected that their music would result in fame or fortune but for Janie Q there were personal reasons her music and her integrity as an artist were so important to her. After their first show at the Island Folk Fest, Janie meets Jesse and she's intrigued and impressed. Jesse was born into wealth but made a name for himself when an A&R rep, Willie, offered him a record deal. Janie is also approached by Willie after her bands performance and this is how the story of Janie and Jesse begins. After Jesse recovers from his injuries he, Janie, and The Breakers go on tour and Janie and Jesse connect both musically and romantically. Janie and Jesse built their bond on their shared love of music and the shared experience of losing their mothers at a young age.
This is a beautifully written novel about music, fame, fortune, and misfortune. Janie and Jesse are kindred spirits and together they make beautiful music. I really loved listening to this novel as an audiobook and Kristen Sieh did an amazing job as the narrator. I loved listening to the lyrics, learning about their creative process, and the in-depth look at how women artists were treated in this era. This novel is an uplifting coming of age story set in the 70's. I would definitely recommend the audiobook for my fellow audiophiles as it's lovely to here the lyrics being spoken. It is a wonderful debut by this artist that has all the makings of a great novel.
March 19, 2023
Cativante.
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