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The Lightning Bottles
He was the troubled face of rock ‘n� roll…until he suddenly disappeared without a trace.
Jane Pyre was once half of the famous rock ‘n� roll duo, the Lightning Bottles. Years later, she’s perhaps the most hated—and least understood—woman in music. She was never as popular with fans as her bandmate (and soulmate), Elijah Hart—even if Jane was the one who wrote the songs that catapulted the Lightning Bottles to instant, dizzying fame, first in the Seattle grunge scene, then around the world.
But ever since Elijah disappeared five years earlier and the band’s meteoric rise to fame came crashing down, the public hatred of Jane has taken on new levels, and all she wants to do is retreat. What she doesn’t anticipate is the bombshell that awaits her at her new home in the German countryside: the sullen teenaged girl next door—a Lightning Bottles superfan—who claims to have proof that not only is Elijah alive, he’s also been leaving secret messages for Jane. And they need to find him right away.
A cross-continent road trip about two misunderstood outsiders brought together by their shared love of music, The Lightning Bottles is “both a page-turning mystery and a love letter to the grunge era� (LitHub) that captures a searing portrait of the cost of fame.
Jane Pyre was once half of the famous rock ‘n� roll duo, the Lightning Bottles. Years later, she’s perhaps the most hated—and least understood—woman in music. She was never as popular with fans as her bandmate (and soulmate), Elijah Hart—even if Jane was the one who wrote the songs that catapulted the Lightning Bottles to instant, dizzying fame, first in the Seattle grunge scene, then around the world.
But ever since Elijah disappeared five years earlier and the band’s meteoric rise to fame came crashing down, the public hatred of Jane has taken on new levels, and all she wants to do is retreat. What she doesn’t anticipate is the bombshell that awaits her at her new home in the German countryside: the sullen teenaged girl next door—a Lightning Bottles superfan—who claims to have proof that not only is Elijah alive, he’s also been leaving secret messages for Jane. And they need to find him right away.
A cross-continent road trip about two misunderstood outsiders brought together by their shared love of music, The Lightning Bottles is “both a page-turning mystery and a love letter to the grunge era� (LitHub) that captures a searing portrait of the cost of fame.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published September 24, 2024
178 people are currently reading
21.3k people want to read
About the author
Marissa Stapley
10books1,019followersMarissa Stapley is the NYT bestselling author of the novels Lucky (a Reese's Book Club pick), The Last Resort, Things to Do When It's Raining, and Mating for life. Her fiction has been published around the world and her journalism has appeared in magazines and newspapers across North America. She has taught creative writing and editing at the University of Toronto and Centennial College, and lives in Toronto with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 752 reviews
June 30, 2024
This is another book that I had high expectations going into, as I enjoyed the authors previous book, “Lucky�. However, I didn’t feel very lucky after having read this newest release. This is a story about musicians in the 1990’s, and I thought that I would feel a great sense of nostalgia and longing for what was once a great time in my life. This book didn’t bring me any joy unfortunately, and the pages and chapters seemed to drag on� This book is also labeled as General/Historical Fiction for adults, but I feel that it is more of a YA read.
We have the story of Jane (formerly Janet) Pyre, who runs away from home on her 18th birthday to get away from her very strict, church-going mother. Jane fell in love with a musician she met online, and drove all the way to Seattle, WA from Canada to be with him. Luckily, it was meant to be and they went on to make beautiful music together�
However, things were not always easy for Jane and Elijah. Elijah’s friends hated Jane, as did all their fans. Elijah struggled with substance abuse problems, and Jane always felt like she was the problem. They had to deal with legal issues, all while growing up in the public eye. Then Elijah disappears, and maybe Jane has one friend that can help her find out what really happened�
Unfortunately, I didn’t care for any of the characters in this book and I felt that it was unnecessarily long. As I mentioned above, I didn’t get that nostalgic feeling I was looking for, and I think that those who enjoy reading about young love might enjoy this book more than I did.
(2.5 stars - rounded up)
Many thanks to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster, and the author for an ARC of this book which I had the pleasure of reading. Publication date: September 24, 2024.
We have the story of Jane (formerly Janet) Pyre, who runs away from home on her 18th birthday to get away from her very strict, church-going mother. Jane fell in love with a musician she met online, and drove all the way to Seattle, WA from Canada to be with him. Luckily, it was meant to be and they went on to make beautiful music together�
However, things were not always easy for Jane and Elijah. Elijah’s friends hated Jane, as did all their fans. Elijah struggled with substance abuse problems, and Jane always felt like she was the problem. They had to deal with legal issues, all while growing up in the public eye. Then Elijah disappears, and maybe Jane has one friend that can help her find out what really happened�
Unfortunately, I didn’t care for any of the characters in this book and I felt that it was unnecessarily long. As I mentioned above, I didn’t get that nostalgic feeling I was looking for, and I think that those who enjoy reading about young love might enjoy this book more than I did.
(2.5 stars - rounded up)
Many thanks to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster, and the author for an ARC of this book which I had the pleasure of reading. Publication date: September 24, 2024.
March 13, 2025
This story is a stimulating, angsty, powerful tearjerker that tugs at your heartstrings and then rips them out. It's the kind of rock 'n' roll love song you get addicted to, listening day and night!
If you enjoyed "Daisy Jones and The Six," and are excited to explore a 90s music-drama-tragedy-heartbreaking love story fueled by themes of misogyny, workplace inequality, and the costly price of fame, then this book is for you. It takes readers on a journey through the highs and lows of a complex, sorrowful love story, a mystery of loss and rediscovery, and the promise of second chances.
For those who were kids in the 90s, like me, you may easily connect with the characters and their whirlwind, wild, heart-wrenching journey that will shake you to the core.
Two women embark on a road trip to bring back a lost man presumed dead. Jane Prye, the highly criticized and reviled partner of rock 'n' roll legend Elijah Hart, the famous singer of the "Lightning Bottles" rock band, and a teenage German fangirl named Hen, who holds an important clue to finding the mysteriously disappeared Elijah. The story takes readers on an unforgettable journey, connecting the past and present through interwoven flashbacks that tell how Jane and Elijah met, their ups and downs, and the prices they paid throughout their meteoric rise to fame and subsequent crash.
Don't miss this sentimental celebration of rock 'n' roll and tearful love story!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing me with this amazing book’s digital review copy in exchange for my honest opinions.
If you enjoyed "Daisy Jones and The Six," and are excited to explore a 90s music-drama-tragedy-heartbreaking love story fueled by themes of misogyny, workplace inequality, and the costly price of fame, then this book is for you. It takes readers on a journey through the highs and lows of a complex, sorrowful love story, a mystery of loss and rediscovery, and the promise of second chances.
For those who were kids in the 90s, like me, you may easily connect with the characters and their whirlwind, wild, heart-wrenching journey that will shake you to the core.
Two women embark on a road trip to bring back a lost man presumed dead. Jane Prye, the highly criticized and reviled partner of rock 'n' roll legend Elijah Hart, the famous singer of the "Lightning Bottles" rock band, and a teenage German fangirl named Hen, who holds an important clue to finding the mysteriously disappeared Elijah. The story takes readers on an unforgettable journey, connecting the past and present through interwoven flashbacks that tell how Jane and Elijah met, their ups and downs, and the prices they paid throughout their meteoric rise to fame and subsequent crash.
Don't miss this sentimental celebration of rock 'n' roll and tearful love story!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing me with this amazing book’s digital review copy in exchange for my honest opinions.
September 23, 2024
I loved this book! It is gripping, nostalgic, evoked emotion, and had me smiling with all the musical references. I had a hard time putting this book down as I was fully invested in the characters, their music, their relationships, their challenges, their fights, and their love. This book gave me all the feels and then some!
Jane (Janet) and Elijah met online when Elijah answered one of Jane's posts. They communicated online, through phone calls, and eventually through letters when they were teenagers. Jane's mother was not having it, so Jane ran away from home. She traveled from her home in Canada all the way to Seattle to be with Elijah. They are young, in love, and share a love of music! Things are not easy as his friends see her as a threat and let her know how they feel about her. But love conquers all and soon Jane and Elijah find themselves on top of the rock 'n' roll world as the hot duo 'The Lightning Bottles.' Jane writes the songs while Elijah is the singer. He is handsome, charismatic, and captures the hearts of their fans. Jane is quiet, reserved, misunderstood, hated, and maligned by fans and critics alike.
Years later when Elijah goes missing, Jane finds herself alone, misunderstood, and trying to pick up the pieces. When her teenage next-door neighbor, Hen, arrives claiming to have some information on Elijah that might help Jane, Jane begins a walk down memory lane in hopes of getting to the truth.
Oh, how I loved the nostalgia and memories that this book brought up. I enjoyed the characters, even the unlikeable ones. I loved the angst, the jealousy, the love, the drama, and the music. I found myself rooting for both Jane and Elijah as they delt with fame, addiction, jealousy, the music industry, their relationship, and loss.
I enjoyed how this book is told in the present and through flashbacks from their teenage years to the skyrocketing fame. This book is about falling in love, making music, the cost of fame, addiction, and friendship. Whew! What a journey this book took me and the characters on while entertaining and thrilling me.
Marissa Stapley nailed the 90’s music scene. She also did a great job creating characters which I cared about. I felt their pain, their loss, their longing, their frustration, their love, their hope, their drive, and their need to create music.
Wonderfully written, moving, nostalgic, and gripping.
Highly Recommend.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at 📖
Jane (Janet) and Elijah met online when Elijah answered one of Jane's posts. They communicated online, through phone calls, and eventually through letters when they were teenagers. Jane's mother was not having it, so Jane ran away from home. She traveled from her home in Canada all the way to Seattle to be with Elijah. They are young, in love, and share a love of music! Things are not easy as his friends see her as a threat and let her know how they feel about her. But love conquers all and soon Jane and Elijah find themselves on top of the rock 'n' roll world as the hot duo 'The Lightning Bottles.' Jane writes the songs while Elijah is the singer. He is handsome, charismatic, and captures the hearts of their fans. Jane is quiet, reserved, misunderstood, hated, and maligned by fans and critics alike.
Years later when Elijah goes missing, Jane finds herself alone, misunderstood, and trying to pick up the pieces. When her teenage next-door neighbor, Hen, arrives claiming to have some information on Elijah that might help Jane, Jane begins a walk down memory lane in hopes of getting to the truth.
Oh, how I loved the nostalgia and memories that this book brought up. I enjoyed the characters, even the unlikeable ones. I loved the angst, the jealousy, the love, the drama, and the music. I found myself rooting for both Jane and Elijah as they delt with fame, addiction, jealousy, the music industry, their relationship, and loss.
I enjoyed how this book is told in the present and through flashbacks from their teenage years to the skyrocketing fame. This book is about falling in love, making music, the cost of fame, addiction, and friendship. Whew! What a journey this book took me and the characters on while entertaining and thrilling me.
Marissa Stapley nailed the 90’s music scene. She also did a great job creating characters which I cared about. I felt their pain, their loss, their longing, their frustration, their love, their hope, their drive, and their need to create music.
Wonderfully written, moving, nostalgic, and gripping.
Highly Recommend.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at 📖
November 21, 2024
Raise your hand if you remember cassette tapes. Writing letters?
[Yes, child, people actually put pen to paper and corresponded with one another, waaaaay back before there were cell phones. Imagine.]
Ah, the olden days. Thirty years ago, the world wide web (aka, the internet) was a new phenomenon that could instantly connect strangers thousands of miles apart.
Two teens on opposite sides of the U.S. begin a conversation in an online music chat room and thus marks the fated meet-cute of what would eventually become the 1990s renowned duo The Lightening Bottles: Elijah Hart, who has “the voice of a fallen angel� and songwriter Jane Pyre, the band’s “creative genius.�
“Your lyrics, his voice? Lightning in a bottle.� ~Elijah’s mom, Alice
Reminiscent of Taylor Jenkins Reid's Daisy Jones and the Six, author Marissa Stapley deftly captures the ins and outs of the music industry � which unfortunately all too often involves drug abuse and alcoholism.
The dark side of fame casts its shadow over The Lightening Bottles, ending their meteoric rise when heroin addict Elijah disappears in the frigid waters off the coast of Iceland.
Years later, newly sober and desperately trying to escape the unrelenting public scrutiny that continues to plague her, Jane purchases a remote home in Germany.
What are the odds: her one young neighbor is a Lightning Bottles super fan.
And so, the mystery begins…the two join forces and attempt to figure out what exactly happened on that fateful night Elijah Hart disappeared.
This was a quick enjoyable read.
If you’re a fan of Daisy and/or the grunge music scene of the 90s, give it a go. Or, like Lucky, Stapley’s 2021 novel about a broke con woman that Reese Witherspoon is developing as a TV series, you can wait for The Lightening Bottles to likely follow suit.
April 2, 2025
Canadian Author 🇨🇦
Gripping, nostalgic, and memorable!
THE LIGHTNING BOTTLES is an absolute gem of a book! From the very first page, I was drawn in and couldn’t put it down. Marissa Stapley has crafted a hauntingly beautiful, immersive journey into the heart of �90s rock and roll, capturing the allure and devastation of fame, addiction, and the complex dynamics of those who lived it.
The world Stapley creates is rich with atmosphere—think wild parties, intoxicating music, and the darker sides of superstardom. She expertly weaves a tapestry of greed, jealousy, and betrayal, showing the cost of living on the edge while still making the reader feel the ache of longing, hope, and redemption.
But it’s the characters that truly shine. Each one is deeply human, flawed, complicated, and fully realized. I couldn’t help but feel for them as they navigated love, heartbreak, and personal demons. Their relationships, both tender and tumultuous, evolve in a way that feels raw and real. Stapley makes you care about them in a way that stays with you through every page, pulling you deeper into their world with each turn.
This book is the kind of story that will move you. If you want a read that is not only gripping but also emotionally resonant, with an intriguing mystery that keeps you guessing, The Lightning Bottles is an unforgettable, must-read novel. I can’t recommend it enough!
Gripping, nostalgic, and memorable!
THE LIGHTNING BOTTLES is an absolute gem of a book! From the very first page, I was drawn in and couldn’t put it down. Marissa Stapley has crafted a hauntingly beautiful, immersive journey into the heart of �90s rock and roll, capturing the allure and devastation of fame, addiction, and the complex dynamics of those who lived it.
The world Stapley creates is rich with atmosphere—think wild parties, intoxicating music, and the darker sides of superstardom. She expertly weaves a tapestry of greed, jealousy, and betrayal, showing the cost of living on the edge while still making the reader feel the ache of longing, hope, and redemption.
But it’s the characters that truly shine. Each one is deeply human, flawed, complicated, and fully realized. I couldn’t help but feel for them as they navigated love, heartbreak, and personal demons. Their relationships, both tender and tumultuous, evolve in a way that feels raw and real. Stapley makes you care about them in a way that stays with you through every page, pulling you deeper into their world with each turn.
This book is the kind of story that will move you. If you want a read that is not only gripping but also emotionally resonant, with an intriguing mystery that keeps you guessing, The Lightning Bottles is an unforgettable, must-read novel. I can’t recommend it enough!
April 3, 2025
Turn Up the Volume: Celebrating This Canadian Author
Let me crank up the volume for incredible Canadian authors who deserve our support—now more than ever. And trust me, Marissa Stapley’s The Lightning Bottles is worth the noise. From page one, this novel had me hooked. It’s not just another rock ‘n� roll love story—it’s a raw, emotional rollercoaster that hits deep, exploring love, loss, fame, and the uphill battle women face in the music industry.
Not Your Typical Rock ‘n� Roll Tale
I’m not the biggest music fanatic, but the 90s? A little past my era but I still turn up the volume on those older rock songs so a novel set in that time period immediately caught my interest. However, The Lightning Bottles isn’t a rehash of the typical sex, drugs, and rock ‘n� roll narrative. At its core, this is a story about soulmates—Jane Pyre and Elijah Hart—who built a band, The Lightning Bottles, and took the world by storm. They’re committed to their music and to each other, but external pressures and public scrutiny threaten to tear them apart. Everyone loves Elijah. Jane? Not so much. And that’s where Stapley really shines.
A Feminist Takedown of the Music Industry
One of the most powerful parts of this story is the look at sexism in the music industry. Jane isn’t just misunderstood; she’s one the most hated women in music, while Elijah gets to bask in his rock god status. She's lightening in bottle when it comes to songwriting yet she is criticized, and dismissed. She is a force of nature—fierce, sharp-edged, and deeply emotional. She keeps so much bottled up, playing the role expected of her while quietly enduring the world’s judgment. I wanted to scream for her, fight for her, and most of all, see her get the recognition she deserves.
Love, Loss & Rock ‘n� Roll
Raw, electrifying, and unforgettable, The Lightning Bottles is more than a rock star story. It’s a mic drop moment for women.
So turn up the volume and let this one play on repeat
Let me crank up the volume for incredible Canadian authors who deserve our support—now more than ever. And trust me, Marissa Stapley’s The Lightning Bottles is worth the noise. From page one, this novel had me hooked. It’s not just another rock ‘n� roll love story—it’s a raw, emotional rollercoaster that hits deep, exploring love, loss, fame, and the uphill battle women face in the music industry.
Not Your Typical Rock ‘n� Roll Tale
I’m not the biggest music fanatic, but the 90s? A little past my era but I still turn up the volume on those older rock songs so a novel set in that time period immediately caught my interest. However, The Lightning Bottles isn’t a rehash of the typical sex, drugs, and rock ‘n� roll narrative. At its core, this is a story about soulmates—Jane Pyre and Elijah Hart—who built a band, The Lightning Bottles, and took the world by storm. They’re committed to their music and to each other, but external pressures and public scrutiny threaten to tear them apart. Everyone loves Elijah. Jane? Not so much. And that’s where Stapley really shines.
A Feminist Takedown of the Music Industry
One of the most powerful parts of this story is the look at sexism in the music industry. Jane isn’t just misunderstood; she’s one the most hated women in music, while Elijah gets to bask in his rock god status. She's lightening in bottle when it comes to songwriting yet she is criticized, and dismissed. She is a force of nature—fierce, sharp-edged, and deeply emotional. She keeps so much bottled up, playing the role expected of her while quietly enduring the world’s judgment. I wanted to scream for her, fight for her, and most of all, see her get the recognition she deserves.
Love, Loss & Rock ‘n� Roll
Raw, electrifying, and unforgettable, The Lightning Bottles is more than a rock star story. It’s a mic drop moment for women.
So turn up the volume and let this one play on repeat
September 19, 2024
Author Marissa Stapley propels readers on a whirlwind ride down an emotional, nostalgic rock'n'roll memory lane in THE LIGHTNING BOTTLES, carrying them back to the '90's Seattle Grunge scene with the music and all the drama associated with rock bands and their loyal legion of fans. Woven in is an intriguing mystery - the story of a rock legend who's been missing and presumed dead for five years, and his music and life partner, the woman fans love to hate, left behind to grieve and work through the guilt consuming her, wondering where it all went wrong and what really happened to her soulmate that fateful night she sent him away.
THE LIGHTNING BOTTLES opens with a young German teen, Hen, listening to the music of her all-time favorite band, The Lightning Bottles, on the eve of the five-year anniversary of the tragic disappearance of the group's star singer, Elijah Hart, who allegedly died in a drug-induced haze in the frigid Icelandic waters though his body was never recovered. The current whereabouts of his band and soulmate Jane Pyre, who is the unrecognized genius behind the group's famous lyrics, are unknown as she disappeared shortly thereafter to grieve, rehab and escape the ire of angry fans who blame her for Elijah's demise. It’s imperative Hen contact Jane because she has a secret, a clue about Elijah's disappearance. Imagine Hen's shock when she realizes the woman moving into the isolated property next door is none other than the despised woman herself, Jane. When Jane catches a girl spying on her, Hen shares her secret, and the despondent woman and teen fan embark on a trip that carries them and readers across a continent in a frantic search for the truth about Elijah’s disappearance. What they discover will either save or finish destroying a fragile, disillusioned, heartbroken Jane.
Unfolding through highly effective past/present chapters, THE LIGHTNING BOTTLES allows readers to experience Jane and Elijah's rocky journey first-hand from the early days to the day he disappeared in Jane’s own words as she relays their tragic ill-fated story to Hen. In the present, readers travel with Jane and Hen as they follow clues that carry them back to the places where main events occurred in Jane and Elijah's lives. The pace escalates as they go through the motions setting a desolate tone that soaks through the pages like the tears shed over the lyrics of heartbreaking songs woven throughout. While Jane and Hen carry the story, there’s a strong support cast adding another intriguing layer to the plot line. What happened to Elijah? Did he die in the icy sea off Iceland as believed? Or is he out there somewhere, alone and scared waiting for Jane to save him yet again?
Stapley takes readers on a highly atmospheric, hauntingly beautiful, yet painful trip paying homage to the world of rock'n'roll, capturing the power and essence of the music scene in the '90's - the music, fame, parties, addiction, groupies. Greed and jealousy, along with the endless drug and alcohol induced days and nights, took its toll creating toxic working relationships. The author's expert ability to weave a dark mystery into this story takes it to another level as does the emphasis on themes of misogyny, inequality in the workplace (especially the music industry) and the blistering cost of fame on both individuals and those who love them.
THE LIGHTNING BOTTLES is an epic, brilliantly rendered, character driven mystery and ode to music. A story of fated love, jealousy, guilt, pain and loss. A time when stars rose and fell quicklyand music was everything. A visual masterpiece, this book would be fantastic on the big screen. Highly recommended to fans of star-crossed romance, mysteries and ole time rock'n'roll.
Thank you to publisher Simon and Schuster and Author Marissa Stapley for a gifted arc of this title for review. Opinions expressed are my own. This book is scheduled for release Sept. 24, 2024. My review was first published in and is now available on my blog, .
THE LIGHTNING BOTTLES opens with a young German teen, Hen, listening to the music of her all-time favorite band, The Lightning Bottles, on the eve of the five-year anniversary of the tragic disappearance of the group's star singer, Elijah Hart, who allegedly died in a drug-induced haze in the frigid Icelandic waters though his body was never recovered. The current whereabouts of his band and soulmate Jane Pyre, who is the unrecognized genius behind the group's famous lyrics, are unknown as she disappeared shortly thereafter to grieve, rehab and escape the ire of angry fans who blame her for Elijah's demise. It’s imperative Hen contact Jane because she has a secret, a clue about Elijah's disappearance. Imagine Hen's shock when she realizes the woman moving into the isolated property next door is none other than the despised woman herself, Jane. When Jane catches a girl spying on her, Hen shares her secret, and the despondent woman and teen fan embark on a trip that carries them and readers across a continent in a frantic search for the truth about Elijah’s disappearance. What they discover will either save or finish destroying a fragile, disillusioned, heartbroken Jane.
Unfolding through highly effective past/present chapters, THE LIGHTNING BOTTLES allows readers to experience Jane and Elijah's rocky journey first-hand from the early days to the day he disappeared in Jane’s own words as she relays their tragic ill-fated story to Hen. In the present, readers travel with Jane and Hen as they follow clues that carry them back to the places where main events occurred in Jane and Elijah's lives. The pace escalates as they go through the motions setting a desolate tone that soaks through the pages like the tears shed over the lyrics of heartbreaking songs woven throughout. While Jane and Hen carry the story, there’s a strong support cast adding another intriguing layer to the plot line. What happened to Elijah? Did he die in the icy sea off Iceland as believed? Or is he out there somewhere, alone and scared waiting for Jane to save him yet again?
Stapley takes readers on a highly atmospheric, hauntingly beautiful, yet painful trip paying homage to the world of rock'n'roll, capturing the power and essence of the music scene in the '90's - the music, fame, parties, addiction, groupies. Greed and jealousy, along with the endless drug and alcohol induced days and nights, took its toll creating toxic working relationships. The author's expert ability to weave a dark mystery into this story takes it to another level as does the emphasis on themes of misogyny, inequality in the workplace (especially the music industry) and the blistering cost of fame on both individuals and those who love them.
THE LIGHTNING BOTTLES is an epic, brilliantly rendered, character driven mystery and ode to music. A story of fated love, jealousy, guilt, pain and loss. A time when stars rose and fell quicklyand music was everything. A visual masterpiece, this book would be fantastic on the big screen. Highly recommended to fans of star-crossed romance, mysteries and ole time rock'n'roll.
Thank you to publisher Simon and Schuster and Author Marissa Stapley for a gifted arc of this title for review. Opinions expressed are my own. This book is scheduled for release Sept. 24, 2024. My review was first published in and is now available on my blog, .
October 24, 2024
Really fun ride!
If you love coming of age stories and if you loved Daisy Jones, you’ll enjoy The Lightning Bottles. Nostalgic rock n roll with a really nice love story. Nothing compares to Daisy, BUT- this one was fun.
If you love coming of age stories and if you loved Daisy Jones, you’ll enjoy The Lightning Bottles. Nostalgic rock n roll with a really nice love story. Nothing compares to Daisy, BUT- this one was fun.
September 23, 2024
This book was all I could have hoped for—I love fictional celebrity stories, and this one had both the 90s and a hint of mystery!
The plot revolves around the mystery of what actually happened when Elijah disappeared and it is handled in a way that makes you want to keep turning pages as you grow to love the characters more and more. I liked how the two timelines let us comprehend what they had gone through.
I was immediately engrossed in Jane and Elijah's romance since they were such likable characters. They battled each other as well as their own flaws. Jane's difficulties in particular struck a chord since she was a woman living in a society that was out to denigrate and loathe her. Jane is a fantastic character, and it was simple to feel sorry for and support her.
Apart of the romance and mystery this book takes you on a journey with this young couple and how they learnt to negotiate stardom, despite its harsh themes of drug use and suicide. The pervasive misogyny in the music business has been explored, shedding light on the challenges faced by female musicians in the process of creating their art.
This intriguing book captivated me right away, and if you enjoy 90s music as much as I do, you will be too. Without a doubt, I'll be reading more of this author's work soon.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
The plot revolves around the mystery of what actually happened when Elijah disappeared and it is handled in a way that makes you want to keep turning pages as you grow to love the characters more and more. I liked how the two timelines let us comprehend what they had gone through.
I was immediately engrossed in Jane and Elijah's romance since they were such likable characters. They battled each other as well as their own flaws. Jane's difficulties in particular struck a chord since she was a woman living in a society that was out to denigrate and loathe her. Jane is a fantastic character, and it was simple to feel sorry for and support her.
Apart of the romance and mystery this book takes you on a journey with this young couple and how they learnt to negotiate stardom, despite its harsh themes of drug use and suicide. The pervasive misogyny in the music business has been explored, shedding light on the challenges faced by female musicians in the process of creating their art.
This intriguing book captivated me right away, and if you enjoy 90s music as much as I do, you will be too. Without a doubt, I'll be reading more of this author's work soon.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
September 29, 2024
Packed with '90s music nostalgia, especially for fans of grunge, this book is a treat for those who love this style of music. Personally, I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with grunge. On one hand, I love the raw, rebellious energy that fuels the music—it’s intense and emotionally charged. But the lyrics, often full of self-loathing, pain, and despair, can sometimes feel a bit too heavy for me. That same grittiness, though, felt like the perfect soundtrack to the rise and fall of Elijah and Jane, both as a band and as a couple. The angst and raw emotion in their music mirrored the fragility of their relationship, capturing both the beautiful chaos of their success and the heartbreak that came with their downfall.
The novel begins in 1999, on the fifth anniversary of Elijah’s death, supposedly from drowning. Henrietta (Hen) Vogel, now seventeen, is listening to a radio program dedicated to Elijah Hart, inviting fans to call in and share their memories of the music icon. A huge fan of The Lightning Bottles, Hen had been at their final concert in Berlin. Meanwhile, Jane Pyre, who’s been elusive since Elijah’s death, has moved to a farmhouse in Wolf, Germany, seeking escape. When Hen realizes her neighbor is Jane, she feels like fate has brought them together. They bond over Hen’s belief that Elijah might still be alive, sending messages to Jane through street art. Together, they set off on a wild road trip, chasing down clues in these mysterious works.
The story alternates with flashbacks to Jane and Elijah’s first meeting in an online chat room, where they connected over their love of music. After weeks of exchanging heartfelt letters, Jane makes the 2,000-mile journey to Seattle to finally be with Elijah. Eventually, they form their band—The Lightning Bottles.
The book is filled with clever parallels to real-life people and places, and I think Stapley did a great job tying those in. Themes of the price of fame, drug addiction, lawsuits over song rights, and the media’s power over public image, especially how it unfairly painted Jane as “difficult,� add a lot of depth to the story. While I really enjoyed the love story between Elijah and Jane, a few things didn’t quite work for me. The pacing felt uneven, and a major twist at the end didn’t make much sense. The book covered a lot of drama, which made it addictive to read, but the prose itself didn’t particularly stand out for me.
Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the opportunity to read an early copy for review.
The novel begins in 1999, on the fifth anniversary of Elijah’s death, supposedly from drowning. Henrietta (Hen) Vogel, now seventeen, is listening to a radio program dedicated to Elijah Hart, inviting fans to call in and share their memories of the music icon. A huge fan of The Lightning Bottles, Hen had been at their final concert in Berlin. Meanwhile, Jane Pyre, who’s been elusive since Elijah’s death, has moved to a farmhouse in Wolf, Germany, seeking escape. When Hen realizes her neighbor is Jane, she feels like fate has brought them together. They bond over Hen’s belief that Elijah might still be alive, sending messages to Jane through street art. Together, they set off on a wild road trip, chasing down clues in these mysterious works.
The story alternates with flashbacks to Jane and Elijah’s first meeting in an online chat room, where they connected over their love of music. After weeks of exchanging heartfelt letters, Jane makes the 2,000-mile journey to Seattle to finally be with Elijah. Eventually, they form their band—The Lightning Bottles.
The book is filled with clever parallels to real-life people and places, and I think Stapley did a great job tying those in. Themes of the price of fame, drug addiction, lawsuits over song rights, and the media’s power over public image, especially how it unfairly painted Jane as “difficult,� add a lot of depth to the story. While I really enjoyed the love story between Elijah and Jane, a few things didn’t quite work for me. The pacing felt uneven, and a major twist at the end didn’t make much sense. The book covered a lot of drama, which made it addictive to read, but the prose itself didn’t particularly stand out for me.
Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the opportunity to read an early copy for review.
June 9, 2024
4.5 stars. Loved it.
July 28, 2024
A kind of based on Kurt Cobain-Courtney Love what-if story. If you have no idea who these folks are, then this is a nice -esque YA mystery in which a teen girl joins forces with a retired, fairly hated, half of a famous 90's rock duo. The book shifts back and forth between 1999, when the girl and the hated rock star are on the case, and several years earlier filling in the blanks of who the Lightning Bottles were and how they met.
If you do know who Kurt and Courtney are then it will be a much different book, one that is rife with nostalgia and references to the 90's Seattle Grunge scene. With all the mentions of real and made up musicians, some of the fun is trying to figure out if the made up characters are based on real people. Is Kim in the book based on Krist Novoselic? Is Mikey Churl based on Johnny Depp? And Fiadh Connelly is surely based on Sinéad O’Connor...
Regardless of familiarity and knowledge of the Grunge Era, this is a fun and interesting read. Interesting in how it puts a spotlight on certain inappropriate and hateful behaviors mainstream press engaged in that are surely no longer tolerated today but were seen as totally normal and accepted at that time.
One observation, at the back of the book are lyrics from the fictional band at the heart of the story. This is the second time where I have seen this recently, the other book being by , which is the same title of this author's first novel. Strange coincidence.
Disclosure: Received an uncorrected ARC of this book from NetGalley and Simon & Schuster (Thank you!) in exchange for an honest review.
If you do know who Kurt and Courtney are then it will be a much different book, one that is rife with nostalgia and references to the 90's Seattle Grunge scene. With all the mentions of real and made up musicians, some of the fun is trying to figure out if the made up characters are based on real people. Is Kim in the book based on Krist Novoselic? Is Mikey Churl based on Johnny Depp? And Fiadh Connelly is surely based on Sinéad O’Connor...
Regardless of familiarity and knowledge of the Grunge Era, this is a fun and interesting read. Interesting in how it puts a spotlight on certain inappropriate and hateful behaviors mainstream press engaged in that are surely no longer tolerated today but were seen as totally normal and accepted at that time.
One observation, at the back of the book are lyrics from the fictional band at the heart of the story. This is the second time where I have seen this recently, the other book being by , which is the same title of this author's first novel. Strange coincidence.
Disclosure: Received an uncorrected ARC of this book from NetGalley and Simon & Schuster (Thank you!) in exchange for an honest review.
September 20, 2024
A heartbreakingly honest love letter to rock n' roll, falling in love and the high costs of fame and addiction. I absolutely loved this latest from Canadian author, Marissa Stapley!!!
This is a must read for fans of Daisy Jones and the Six and anyone who mourned the untimely loss of 90s music legends like Kurt Cobain and the extra toll exacted on women musicians like Sinead O'Connor.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!!
This is a must read for fans of Daisy Jones and the Six and anyone who mourned the untimely loss of 90s music legends like Kurt Cobain and the extra toll exacted on women musicians like Sinead O'Connor.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!!
January 30, 2025
If you liked daisy jones and the six you'll like this!
June 27, 2024
Marissa Stapley has laid me out flat with her latest, THE LIGHTNING BOTTLES, which decisively showcases her craft. I was blown away by Stapley's tight storytelling, sympathetic yet complex characters, and her ability to capture the atmosphere of the 90s alt rock culture within a story that is at once an epic romance and a cautionary tale.
Millennials and Gen Xers who came of age in this era will be transported back in a literary tidal wave of nostalgia. This story left me pining for radio call-in shows and countdowns, Walkmans, maps, teen love, and candles burned in beer bottles. It's also a reminder of music's enduring ability to serve as our tether to each other, and to specific eras of our individual and collective lives.
Emotional, thrilling, thought-provoking and engrossing, THE LIGHTNING BOTTLES is unlike anything I have read before. It will stand as one of my top reads of 2024 and my favourite among Stapley's oeuvre.
Millennials and Gen Xers who came of age in this era will be transported back in a literary tidal wave of nostalgia. This story left me pining for radio call-in shows and countdowns, Walkmans, maps, teen love, and candles burned in beer bottles. It's also a reminder of music's enduring ability to serve as our tether to each other, and to specific eras of our individual and collective lives.
Emotional, thrilling, thought-provoking and engrossing, THE LIGHTNING BOTTLES is unlike anything I have read before. It will stand as one of my top reads of 2024 and my favourite among Stapley's oeuvre.
June 26, 2024
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
When i saw this book was centered around music in the 90s I was so excited and let me tell you-it did not disappoint. I loved everything about this book (except Kim, he can kick rocks). The music, the lyrics, the teenage angst, the rockstar life, getting too famous too fast....ALL of it! I was a teenager in the 90s and so many of the music references hit close to home. I even loved the reminder of how we all thought the world was going to end on y2k lol
Go read this book! Just do it!
When i saw this book was centered around music in the 90s I was so excited and let me tell you-it did not disappoint. I loved everything about this book (except Kim, he can kick rocks). The music, the lyrics, the teenage angst, the rockstar life, getting too famous too fast....ALL of it! I was a teenager in the 90s and so many of the music references hit close to home. I even loved the reminder of how we all thought the world was going to end on y2k lol
Go read this book! Just do it!
September 26, 2024
I’m not one to write reviews but this was an ode to little grunge punk me. I have always found solace in music, the magic of lyrics and sound, but especially as a lonely kid. I could relate so much to Jane and Hen and it was a great reframe of female artists in the media (think Courtney love). The author mentions that Elijah is loosely based on Jeff Buckley, my favorite (and highly underrated) musician out of the 90s. Buckley’s album Grace has transformed me time and time again. Every part of this book speaks to my heart and soul. “…feeling the music. Living the music. Being the music. Waiting for her real life to begin�
March 24, 2025
The Lightning Bottles is an enticing story that follows a husband-and-wife music duo, Jane and Elijah, and their rise to fame. Both come from backgrounds marked by personal struggles, finding solace in the music they create together and the deep bond they share. As their popularity grows, they achieve the fortune and fame they’ve been chasing, but the grunge, rockstar lifestyle begins to take its toll. At the peak of their career, Elijah vanishes, leaving Jane to navigate life alone.
The narrative alternates between the present day and the past, delving into their relationship from its inception to the empire they built together. It seems as though nothing can tear this duo apart, even as the media and the misogyny of the 90s music industry try to pit them against each other. But eventually, something does.
I thoroughly enjoyed the eerie atmosphere and mysterious setup, with the 90s rock scene serving as a perfect backdrop. I found myself eagerly anticipating how the story would unfold, continuously rooting for the duo. Their love for each other is easily felt, conveyed through their shared passions and struggles. This story is a good reminder that art can save us all.
The narrative alternates between the present day and the past, delving into their relationship from its inception to the empire they built together. It seems as though nothing can tear this duo apart, even as the media and the misogyny of the 90s music industry try to pit them against each other. But eventually, something does.
I thoroughly enjoyed the eerie atmosphere and mysterious setup, with the 90s rock scene serving as a perfect backdrop. I found myself eagerly anticipating how the story would unfold, continuously rooting for the duo. Their love for each other is easily felt, conveyed through their shared passions and struggles. This story is a good reminder that art can save us all.
March 10, 2025
Maybe music/band books are not my thing. I want to love them - I've picked up a few now and I just can't seem to connect and like the stories.
I never liked Jane, never felt any draw to Elijah. I thought the start with letters to instant love was just odd. The drawings, the superfan living next door, the songs - the napkin - all of it I struggled to feel any connection to. The story felt like telling, not showing, and I never thought of them as an epic love story.
*sigh* I really wanted to love this but it just wasn't my thing.
I never liked Jane, never felt any draw to Elijah. I thought the start with letters to instant love was just odd. The drawings, the superfan living next door, the songs - the napkin - all of it I struggled to feel any connection to. The story felt like telling, not showing, and I never thought of them as an epic love story.
*sigh* I really wanted to love this but it just wasn't my thing.
June 21, 2024
I loved Stapley's last book, LUCKY, and TLB does not disappoint. An immersive story of rock and roll and first love that will have readers flipping pages.
Jane and Elijah have a rare kind of love, only rivaled by their musical talent. But when success and betrayal become too much, the pair meet a devastating end.
Hen is the young girl who befriends Jane and leads her on a hunt to mend her broken heart. Brilliantly written and executed, the pair follow clues/artwork to find what might be the missing, presumed dead, Elijah. Told in dual timelines--Jane and Elijah's early years in the business to Jane and Hen's search--the novel sings of the power of music and aches with the bitter sting of fortune and fame.
Music. An all-encompassing love. An unsolved mystery. Stapley writes a compelling, pitch-perfect tale, one where a song captures your heart and doesn't let go.
Jane and Elijah have a rare kind of love, only rivaled by their musical talent. But when success and betrayal become too much, the pair meet a devastating end.
Hen is the young girl who befriends Jane and leads her on a hunt to mend her broken heart. Brilliantly written and executed, the pair follow clues/artwork to find what might be the missing, presumed dead, Elijah. Told in dual timelines--Jane and Elijah's early years in the business to Jane and Hen's search--the novel sings of the power of music and aches with the bitter sting of fortune and fame.
Music. An all-encompassing love. An unsolved mystery. Stapley writes a compelling, pitch-perfect tale, one where a song captures your heart and doesn't let go.
September 22, 2024
5⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The Lightning Bottles follows Jane Pyre, once part of the famous rock duo The Lightning Bottles. She now may be one of the most hated women in music, she never connected with her fans and now they blame her for her bandmate, and husband, Elijah's disappearance years ago. Jane rents a house in remote Germany to find some peace and quiet, but instead meets who new neighbor Hen, a huge fan of The Lightning Bottles, who claims to have clues about what happened to Elijah. The story intertwines their journey with flashbacks to the beginning of The Lightning Bottles and their journey through fame and what it cost them.
I was hooked on this story from the first chapter. I loved the romance between Jane and Elijah from the beginning, their journey was so unique, and it was so hard at times, but at the end of the day they truly loved each other. Jane was such a complex character, she was far from perfect, but that is why I liked her so much. She had to deal with misogyny from the beginning of her career and she kept going despite it. The mystery elements were interesting, and I loved how Hen was able to help Jane in their journey. I really enjoyed the 90s music setting in the story and getting a look into the struggles that came with being in the music industry.
Mystery books are usually not my favorite, but I loved this story so much! There were so many interesting aspects, and I would definitely recommend reading this story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The Lightning Bottles follows Jane Pyre, once part of the famous rock duo The Lightning Bottles. She now may be one of the most hated women in music, she never connected with her fans and now they blame her for her bandmate, and husband, Elijah's disappearance years ago. Jane rents a house in remote Germany to find some peace and quiet, but instead meets who new neighbor Hen, a huge fan of The Lightning Bottles, who claims to have clues about what happened to Elijah. The story intertwines their journey with flashbacks to the beginning of The Lightning Bottles and their journey through fame and what it cost them.
I was hooked on this story from the first chapter. I loved the romance between Jane and Elijah from the beginning, their journey was so unique, and it was so hard at times, but at the end of the day they truly loved each other. Jane was such a complex character, she was far from perfect, but that is why I liked her so much. She had to deal with misogyny from the beginning of her career and she kept going despite it. The mystery elements were interesting, and I loved how Hen was able to help Jane in their journey. I really enjoyed the 90s music setting in the story and getting a look into the struggles that came with being in the music industry.
Mystery books are usually not my favorite, but I loved this story so much! There were so many interesting aspects, and I would definitely recommend reading this story.
September 24, 2024
This book was brilliant. Pure perfection.
I don’t want to say too much about it because it is a book you just need to experience.
You get two timelines. One is Jane and Elijah’s love story along with their rise to fame in their band called Lightning Bottles. It’s beautiful and heartbreaking. The second timeline is 5 years later. It’s about a girl named Hen who is a big Lightning Bottles fan. She has found a secret with no one to tell it too until Jane moves in next door.
This book is everything. The amount of grief and pain in this but also hope and resilience is incredible. There’s so many 90s alternative rock references and also the pitfalls of being a female musician. There’s so many sad examples of how fame can bring out the worst in people and not everyone survives it. It feels very nostalgic and like you’re reading about real people so it brings out even more emotion. I loved Jane and Elijah with all their flaws so so much. I was dying to see what would become of them.
I highly recommend this book if you enjoy books about music and the perils of fame.
5/5 stars, I loved it so much. I already want to reread it. Thank you Simon Books for a copy of this book.
I don’t want to say too much about it because it is a book you just need to experience.
You get two timelines. One is Jane and Elijah’s love story along with their rise to fame in their band called Lightning Bottles. It’s beautiful and heartbreaking. The second timeline is 5 years later. It’s about a girl named Hen who is a big Lightning Bottles fan. She has found a secret with no one to tell it too until Jane moves in next door.
This book is everything. The amount of grief and pain in this but also hope and resilience is incredible. There’s so many 90s alternative rock references and also the pitfalls of being a female musician. There’s so many sad examples of how fame can bring out the worst in people and not everyone survives it. It feels very nostalgic and like you’re reading about real people so it brings out even more emotion. I loved Jane and Elijah with all their flaws so so much. I was dying to see what would become of them.
I highly recommend this book if you enjoy books about music and the perils of fame.
5/5 stars, I loved it so much. I already want to reread it. Thank you Simon Books for a copy of this book.
September 12, 2024
Lightning Bottles by Marissa Stapley. Thanks to @simonandschuster for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Jane and Elijah were a famous music couple of the 90’s until he disappeared, assumed dead. Now years later, a fan teams up with Shane to find out the truth.
Call to music fans! We’ve had our share of pop music fiction books lately, and now we have a new style of music fiction. While taking place in the 90’s, coming from Seattle, The Lightning Bottles aren’t quite grunge but their lyrics and music is stylistic of the time. This story is dual timeline. I loved the past timelines the most but enjoyed the mystery of the present as well. The lyrics and love of music really made this one!
“What good is lighting if all you do is keep it in a bottle.�
The Lightning Bottles comes out 9/24.
Jane and Elijah were a famous music couple of the 90’s until he disappeared, assumed dead. Now years later, a fan teams up with Shane to find out the truth.
Call to music fans! We’ve had our share of pop music fiction books lately, and now we have a new style of music fiction. While taking place in the 90’s, coming from Seattle, The Lightning Bottles aren’t quite grunge but their lyrics and music is stylistic of the time. This story is dual timeline. I loved the past timelines the most but enjoyed the mystery of the present as well. The lyrics and love of music really made this one!
“What good is lighting if all you do is keep it in a bottle.�
The Lightning Bottles comes out 9/24.
October 28, 2024
I read this with a group of bookstagrammers hosted by Tandem Collective. What a fantastic book to discuss as a group as there's so much to unpack!
I really enjoyed the mystery element, the 90's music and of course, the characters. Well, most of them ;)
The nostalgia is strong with this one. I related to the chatroom aspect of the storyline so hard. I was an icq user! Anyone else? Haha!
I love a fictional celebrity story! If you enjoyed Daisy Jones , you will enjoy The Lightning Bottles.
My thanks to Tandem Collective and Simon and Schuster Canada for this gifted copy!
I really enjoyed the mystery element, the 90's music and of course, the characters. Well, most of them ;)
The nostalgia is strong with this one. I related to the chatroom aspect of the storyline so hard. I was an icq user! Anyone else? Haha!
I love a fictional celebrity story! If you enjoyed Daisy Jones , you will enjoy The Lightning Bottles.
My thanks to Tandem Collective and Simon and Schuster Canada for this gifted copy!
October 13, 2024
Overall cute read, I found it started off strong and sort of dwindled in the second half 😬
November 17, 2024
I thought it was alright. I enjoyed following two storylines. I didn't find myself that emotionally invested in the main characters though.
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January 18, 2025I went into this book not knowing a thing about it. I bought it on pub day because I have liked other books by this author and I actually thought this one would be a thriller. I soon realized I was wrong about that or maybe I wasn’t. I’m not sure how I would classify it. This book was absolutely amazing! I loved it from beginning to end and it has left me with a book hangover. I love a great character driven plot and this one was so well written with great characters. Definitely one of my top books of 2024
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October 24, 2024Lovely romance about finding the ONE and fighting to keep what you found against the odds.
I loved that this was also a love story to music. The inclusion of real events blended into this narrative made this self proclaimed music nerd happy.
I loved that this was also a love story to music. The inclusion of real events blended into this narrative made this self proclaimed music nerd happy.
November 16, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶�/5
WOW WOW WOW
This is a completely different read for me and to be completely honest i only bought it because i found a signed copy but im so glad i did!
The story setting is amazing early 90s seattle music scene. The main characters are amazing but also so infuriating at the same time. This was so fast paced and the dual time line makes it such a fun read. Id recommend this to anyone.
🌶�/5
WOW WOW WOW
This is a completely different read for me and to be completely honest i only bought it because i found a signed copy but im so glad i did!
The story setting is amazing early 90s seattle music scene. The main characters are amazing but also so infuriating at the same time. This was so fast paced and the dual time line makes it such a fun read. Id recommend this to anyone.
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