Sounds Like Love by Ashley Poston
Contemporary Romance/Magical Realism
June 17, 2025- Berkley
ARC

Review by Angela

Oh, how I adore this author and her magical romances. Every new book surprises me and I fall just a little more in love with her prose. This story introduces two characters, both artists in the music industry struggling with their career and life choices who find themselves telepathically connected after a kiss on a balcony.

Joni Lark is a songwriter, living the dream in L.A., with a hit song on the airwaves and a bright future. Only she has a secret, the music and lyrics aren’t speaking to her anymore. Before heading home to Vienna Shores, North Carolina she quickly stops by a friend’s show, only to discover Sebastian McKellen, ex-boy band member, already occupying the balcony. Sebastian doesn’t exactly make the best first impression, but after being put in the spotlight, they share a kiss.

It’s not until Joni arrives back home that she realizes she has begun to hear a melody playing in her head, and the voice of a man, who seems to be just as startled by their connection. As she is reuniting with her best friend, helping out at the Revelry, the music hall owned by her family, and coming to grips with her mother’s dementia, she is also slowly getting to know the man, Sasha, who’s thoughts are always right there. Sasha and Joni decide that the only way to fix this shared affliction is to finish the song they both keep hearing. So, Sasha heads to North Carolina, and Joni is surprised to find that Sasha is actually Sebastian McKellen.

Ashley Poston excels at writing grief books that are wrapped up in magical romances. This book leans heavily on Joni’s heartache over her mother’s failing health and memories, and her own decisions that have kept her away from the family she loves so much. She goes on a journey of self-reflection, about what is important to her and what she wants her future to look like. At the same time, she is getting to know the real Sebastian, who is himself angry and at times unsure. Two things they both have in common though, are their affinity for music and their love for their mothers.

This is one of those romances where you know there are supernatural forces at work bringing these two together. And although I did have inklings early on at just how these two were cosmically connected, I was still choked up at the end when I was proven correct. This is kind of a love letter to music lovers, to creatives who doubt themselves, and to people who go out into the wide world but ultimately come back home to their happy places. The scenes of Joni and Sasha working on their song together while falling in love were beautiful. The softness and deeply felt affection and love between Joni’s family and friends soothed my soul. There were tears, but laughter and sweetness as well.

I don’t even know how this author manages to write such magical, whimsical romances time and time again. This book is deeply romantic, and despite the overall sense of sadness about Joni’s mother’s illness and the progression of her disease, there is also lovely moments between them and an HEA that brings everything together just right.

Final Grade- A