As much as I wanted to read this book when I was first granted access via NetGalley I never managed to get round to reading it. I have now gone back through and read the Synopsis and found that now this book is just not for me and will not be reviewing. I want to thank the publisher for allowing me to have access to the book but due to my tastes changing in reading this book no longer appeals to me.

Struggled to download this to my kindle. Appeared to be incompatible. Did not appear as a readable book. Unable to give feedback.
Thank you NetGalley for the copy.

Such a cute and lovely summer read! Following on from the first novel Love, Secret Santa.

Really enjoyed the festival feel, The music, the food, the atmosphere was electric. Really got me excited for when this year is over and everything can go back to normal and Festivals can thrive again!

Such an easy read, Really enjoyed the romantic side, got me ready for the summer

'Love on the Main Stage' was exactly what I needed on a cold and dreary lockdown Tuesday. It is YA romance at its best with a strong female lead, a swoon worthy guy and a summer full of music festivals. Ah it has just put me in the best mood!

I absolutely adored Love, Secret Santa and S.A Domingo did not disappoint with this! I absolutely loved it and I'm eagerly awaiting any other books she may write in the future

Nova is ready for the summer, to put school and ex’s behind her and get stuck in to working the circuit on her family’s food truck. Then she meets Sam a gorgeous American boy with an amazing voice who makes her want to share her own songs…but why does he always have those backstage passes?

This is a really easy read and also is super sweet without being too cutesy. Nova was an amazing character who stands out well on her own, even without the romance element. Not only is she smart and on top of things such as environmental issues, she also doesn’t take herself too seriously.

I also absolutely adored the passion for cooking and food that came from Nova’s parents. It was as if I could smell the food, taste how delicious it was and the additional plot line of their challenges and need to win a competition. I was rooting for them the whole way through as well as Nova.

The relationship between Sam and Nova is very sweet, particularly the stages as they begin to get to know each other. While there is clearly a romantic attachment between them this isn’t what pulled me in. It’s the fact that they can encourage each other, have fun and be teenagers. There was a kindness about their relationship that was lovely to read.

Domingo clearly has a talent for description, I felt like I was at a festival while reading this novel (something I’ve missed this year). I could hear it, see it, smell it and I had a huge craving for Eats and Beats after I finished, yep I know it’s fictional.


This is a sweet read and I really enjoyed it. I’d love to know what Nova gets up to after this novel. This was a 4 star read for me. I highly recommend it for those who love music and for those who want a nice chilled read.

Thank you to the publisher and author for sharing a copy of this with me in exchange for review.

I honestly don’t think I could have asked for a better book to join me and my factor-50 sun cream during this heatwave that we have been having! It’s fun with a cute story and lovable characters. The setting of the various festivals that Nova’s family visits filled me with serious envy as literally every fun activity I had planned for the summer was cancelled, but this story acted as some much-needed escapism, I could almost smell the curried goat and ginger beer as I read, I was that immersed in the story!

I found Nova to be a really enjoyable protagonist, and I think she would be really uplifting for other young Black, and West African-Jamaican girls to read about, who are long over-due some positive representation in mainstream media. Nova is fashionable, sociable and fun-loving, but there is also some depth to the character (her struggles with her family's expectations versus her own dreams and wishes) which allows the reader to easily connect with her and feel empathy for her.

All in all, I really enjoyed reading Love on The Main Stage, it was the perfect summer read to keep me company for me the two-days our British heatwaves usually go on for, and because of that I am giving this book a rating of 4/5 stars. There are lovable characters (honestly Nova’s family sounds like domestic bliss) and some great escapist elements (my new life goal is to own a food truck and tour festivals). If you’re someone who can read a children's book without expecting it to be something that it's not (an adult's book) then I would definitely recommend that you grab a copy of this, ready for the next time we experience even the slightest hint of sunshine!

THIS BOOK GOT ME OUT OF MY READING SLUMP! I was excited that after a month of no reading this book came to my rescue. I read half of it in one sitting in my new reading chair I’d like to mention.

Music has always been in Nova Clarke’s heart, it’s her passion but it’s will never be her career, just a dream. Her parents wish for her to go to uni and make a solid life for herself. She knows music isn’t a stable career but it’s what she loves especially during summer. Her parents own a restaurant and tours the summer music festival in their food truck. She lives off summer like these especially after finishing her GCSES. After having the worst break up, she is sworn off boys, a boy-free-summer, then she meets the cute and funny Sam Rodrigues, singer-songwriter himself. But there’s more to him than meets the eye and Nova is certainly curious. It’s meant to be an unforgettable summer!

One thing I absolutely adore about Sareeta’s books is that they are the perfect seasonal type reads. First Love, Secret Santa, perfect for this festive feels and now Love on the Main Stage, the perfect read to escape, live that summer romance and music festivals. If your one is missing that of Glastonbury this past weekend, this book will get you in the mood I can assure you of that. I will admit I have never been to a music festival. So this experience of touring all of them in the summer with Nova was like another world. Where music is alive. All of this is from Sareeta’s vivid and rhythmic writing.

Nova is very relatable, mature, strong black young lady that really shone through the pages of this book. I love trying new food, sometimes I wish I was more worldly with my cuisine because some of those Caribbean/Jamaican dishes that her parents cook up literally makes your mouth water. (My mouth is salivating just thinking about it.) I loved Nova’s character, getting to know her bit by bit. I loved her selflessness for her family, she will protect them and help them no matter what. She’s a very proud too, of her parents, her brother, her home and her family.

There wouldn’t be a summer romance book without mentioning the very cute Sam Rodrigues. He’s a breath of fresh air. Maybe it’s because I haven’t read a contemporary for long time, but I was smitten with him that’s for sure. He’s the spontaneous, energetic, romantic type of boy that you can’t help then fall for. Yes, I knew early on who he was, but I really enjoyed Sam being Sam. Again another character proud of their family and it’s just refreshing and so relatable. They are perfect for one another.

Love on the Main Stage, is a book I couldn’t put it down, it’s like a book that had a beat of it own that you just kept on replaying. I honestly loved it. I want more from Sareeta.

Next up for Sophie was the light-hearted YA romance Love on the Main Stage by S. A. Domingo, set across one summer at the British music festival scene.

16-year-old Nova Clarke has just finished her GCSEs and is looking forward to summer. Having just broken up with her boyfriend, she wants nothing to do with boys this year and would rather spend her time exploring the many festivals she attends thanks to her parents’ food truck business. However, when she literally bumps into the gorgeous, American Sam Rodriguez at the first festival of the season, the mutual attraction is instant.

The pair keeps meeting as the festivals come and go, and between her shifts at the food truck, Sam helps Nova build up the courage to work on her goal to become a singer-songwriter. Nova is torn between her desire to spend time with Sam, and her promise not to get involved in a relationship—especially not with someone who will be returning to Miami in just a few weeks’ time. Sam, however, clearly has something to hide. Why won’t he introduce Nova to his dad, and how does he have the money to keep splashing out on expensive merch and food? When the truth is finally revealed, Nova feels betrayed, but is there enough of a spark between them to keep going?

Love on the Main Stage is an easy read that might help ease the pain of not getting to attend any festivals this year. Nova is a likable character, although Sophie spent most of the book wanting to shake her because Sam’s “secret” is so blindingly obvious from pretty much their first meeting, which made the “betrayal” at the end feel utterly ridiculous. On the plus side, Sophie really loved the close, drama-free friendship between Nova and her BFF Gemma, something she doesn’t see enough of.

Love on the Main Stage is far from ground-breaking but will be a great summer read.

This end of school year is bitter sweet for Nova. If only the only thing she had to worry about was just acing her GCSEs, but no! This year had to end with her being cheating on and having to see Nate parading himself shamelessly with his new girlfriend, how annoying! Thank God, Gemma her partner in crime is here to throw them daggers on her behalf. At least, it’s nearly over and it won’t be long until the festival season starts this summer, a time Nova promised herself to enjoy fully, in between her shifts at the Eats & Beats, her parents fusion food truck, feeding hungry festival goers with the delicious mix of West Indian and African home-cooked food they are well known for, and the free time she’ll have to watch the few shows she has on her list, a time for inspiration for her own song writing. So, no room for a boys, and after Nate, who can blame her?

Needless to say that things didn’t exactly go according to plan. Sam Rodriguez happened, and although they are from two different worlds, Nova and Sam have their love of music in common. But will this be enough for their budding relationship to flourish and survive?

‘Love On The Main Stage’ is great feel good read exploring different themes through the characters and their stories. The contradictions between Nova and Sam are well played out, one wants no secrets while the other wants to remain a mystery so that he can find his own success. There is also a rather lovely sub plot with Nova’s parents, Deana and Hector. Both display love, hard work and sacrifice and seeing their story develop did not come in the way of the main characters, but rather added to the tale as if making an original dish with different ingredients.



If you’re a lover, of food, music and love, this is for you!

Love on the Main Stage is the cutest Summer read that every teen needs, it’s a fun, diverse romcom with an eco warrior for a main character! If you enjoyed Love, Secret Santa by S. A. Domingo you will no doubt enjoy this Summer inspired novel, from teen drama and romance to festival food and music, Love on the Main Stage has it all. Nova is touring the festival circuit with her family to work on their food truck, which includes a fusion of food inspired by her Jamaican father and Sierra Leonean mother, I need this food truck outside my door as soon as possible because the food all sounded delicious! I loved how proudly Nova spoke of her parents restaurant or food truck, she was confident and passionate about her heritage and it showed.

Gemma is that wild best friend who gets up to all sorts of mischief and ropes Nova into all the drama, but she could brighten up anybody’s day! I really enjoyed reading about this sweet and loyal friendship and how accepted Gemma was amongst Nova’s wonderful family as well, Gemma definitely had some personal issues to work through which added some depth to her character but she was generally very upbeat and joyful. At the first festival Nova stumbles upon up & coming musician Sam, the pair hit it off and are soon falling in love with each other. The plot twist within this novel in regards to Sam who attempts to keep his identity a secret is quite obvious to the reader but naïve Nova was completely oblivious, I think the mystery around Sam was too obvious but it didn’t impact the overall enjoyment of the book.

This adorable novel will not only leave you wanting a cute romance, an amazing family and loyal best friend but also salivating for Jamaican & Sierra Leonean fusion food! My only disappointment is where are the recipes? I think adding a couple of recipes of the foods mentioned within this book would have been a wonderful treat for baking readers, especially readers who love to be immersed in stories. Love on the Main Stage is everything you expect it to be, a light and fluffy romance but with an added sensitivity of a main character who’s passionate for the environment!

This was a really cute YA summer romance. I loved the setting of the music festivals, getting to follow Nova as she went from festival to festival working on her family's food truck was the perfect summer setting. I smiled the whole time I was reading, perfect summer reading.

Unfortunately I was given access to this the same day it was archived, so I was unable to download/read/review it. Nevertheless I adored S.A.Domingo's first book, so am sure this one will be fantastic, and am super excited to get a copy of it now it's been published.

This was a really fun and entertaining read that transported me straight to summer and reminded me of the magic of music. Summer feels like this stretch of time where anything could happen, which Domingo capitalises on with this romantic, feel good read.

I really loved how much food there was in this book, with all of the vivid descriptions sounding mouth-wateringly good. The fusion of food and sheer variety of flavours were so delicious, I could practically smell them. I really loved how Domingo explored the link between food and culture, with Nova’s parents using their culinary magic to keep aspects of their culture prevalent in their family life. Food, when done right, evokes so many memories and you often associate it with a time or place, something which Domingo utilises to full effect.

Similarly, music is such an emotional tool in our lives and it is music that is at the heart of the sweet, natural feeling romance that the book centres around. Music draws Sam and Nova together, giving them confidence and expressing their feelings in such a powerful and eloquent way. Nova felt like such a star in the making, initially shy and lacking confidence in her skill. She slowly blossoms out of her shell and is just incredibly likeable and relatable.

I really liked Domingo’s style of writing, as it was just so engaging and bingeable. This was the case with Love, Secret Santa and it happened again here! I flew through the majority of the story within an afternoon, getting wrapped up entirely in the summer that might’ve been. The general tone of the book is light and fun, but it also delves into tougher topics of privilege, gentrification and the effects of alcoholism and broken families.

Love on the Main Stage is a really cute, endearing summery read that will leave you dreaming of your own dream festival.

This book is so very cute. A book with food and music? That right there ticks every box!

Nova is spending the summer going around five different music festivals with her parents working in their food truck. At one of these festivals she meets Sam an up and coming singer from America. After spending a magical evening with Sam she doesn't expect to see him again but it seems fate has other plans and they keep meeting up at the different festivals.

Such a fun story that left me feeling so happy while reading!

Nora is involved with a Jason Mamoa lookalike but when he cheats on her she swears off boys for the summer. With her parents food truck prepped for a summer of festivals there is only one problem - enter stage left Sam.

Sam is a tall American all round nice guy but it feels like he’s hiding something. Can they get round the sense of betrayal in the air?

Small touches throughout reminded me of my childhood and being that age when everyone received their GCSEs. Don’t get me wrong there is a sense of fiction, I mean who is going to move halfway across the world at 16 for their boyfriend or girlfriend? But I enjoyed it and easily read it in a few hours.

First things first, the main character in this would have to get an award for missing what is blindingly obvious to everyone reading (though seemingly no one else, so perhaps we shouldn’t be too harsh). That gripe aside, this was a sweet wish-fulfilment romance with a summer of festivals, wonderful sounding food, great family and friends...
Entertaining read, which will definitely put a smile on your face and have you chuckling at the antics of best friend Gemma.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to review this prior to publication. A great summer pick-me-up that will go down a treat (the only thing that I’d love to see is recipes of some of those dishes!)

Real Rating - 3.5 stars

I read Love, Secret Santa late last year, so was looking forward to reading S.A. Domingo’s new release Love On The Main Stage. It sounded like the perfect, easy summer read and I was all for that.

This book is an effortless, clean romance, that takes you on a journey throughout one summer and five music festivals. As I was reading I found myself feeling ultra summery and longing for the day when I could go to a gig again (fingers crossed I can next year!). The writing style was vivid and each description of each festival had you feeling like you were there, which in this current climate was needed. I found myself immersed in each setting and was excited to see what festival we would be taken to next. The musical theme also captured my interest and I relished in seeing different music genres portrayed throughout the book. Nova’s passion for it shone through and to be able to see her open up to her dreams of becoming a singer-songwriter was touching. I was rooting for her to gain the confidence to follow them.

Plot-wise, I found the blossoming romance between Nova and Sam to be sweet and a good indication of what it’s like to find young love. Sam’s efforts to charm Nova didn’t go unnoticed, and as time went on you see Nova start to open herself up to Sam, despite having trust issues due to a past relationship. Sam was an adorable character, and the mystery surrounding who he was added some much-needed dimension to the story. Additionally, the fact he was half Cuban added the already great diversity in the book.

Following on from that, I want to mention the diversity within Love On The Main Stage. It was great to see a Black main character and have the element of Nova’s Caribbean roots brought to life through her parent’s love of cooking. The scenes at the food truck and in the restaurant were probably some of my favourite scenes and had me feeling hungry. I also feel like family played a big part in this book, and the close relationship Nova had with her family was inspirational. Her closeness to her brother was touching, and I do enjoy seeing sibling relationships played out in YA; not all siblings argue all the time.

Overall, Love On The Main Stage was a cute, summery read that was full of diversity, family, friendships, food and music. If you want a clean, easy read this summer then this is the book for you.

3.5/4 stars!

Love On The Main Stage was a quick and fun read about friendship, young love and music.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Nova Clarke is prepared to have the best summer of her life travelling around the country's music festivals with her family's food truck/restaurant business. Nova's summer becomes even more exciting when she meets Sam Rodriguez at the first festival, an up and coming musician from Miami who is travelling through the festivals with his English dad.

Nova and Sam are having the time of their lives at the festivals and hopelessly falling in love each other, but Sam's reluctance to tell Nova anything about himself is worrying. The fact Sam will have to go back to the States at the end of the summer is also a stone in their path. Will their love rise above the issues that arise? Will Nova finally be okay with sharing her songs and her music? Will Sam finally open up?

Love On The Main Stage was incredibly cute and full of important representation. The family relationships and friendships in this novel are wonderfully crafted and very interesting to read about.

I want to point out that whilst I love Nova as a main character, I found it hilariously frustrating that she was oblivious to the truth about Sam, despite the awful amount of clues and coincidences. Sam, the love interest, on the other hand, was near enough perfect. His actions, thoughts, logics, feelings were all spot on and made him an incredibly lovable character from the beginning.

All in all, this is a fun summer read for anyone who loves ya contemporaries with lots of friendship, great descriptions of food, representation and a cute love story.

Festivals, Food and young love! This book ticked all my boxes for a good summer read.
Really enjoyed this story, including the diversity of the characters and representation of different food trucks.
A really enjoyable quick read.
Thank You to Netgalley for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.