I absolutely LOVED this book!!
Although the blurb's selling it more as a love story, for me it was the story of Jane. As a women working in the music industry I can say Emma did a wonderful job of very realistically depicting the double standards that afflict us to this day. Throughout most of it, actually, all I could think of was to buy a copy for one of the female artists I look after - she and I had numerous battles throughout TWO YEARS before she finally got the recognition she deserved among my colleagues who were the ones who actually signed her.
But I digress...
There were two or three twists that took the story to a different path but it never felt convoluted or too much, everything fit and I'm really glad the ending wasn't exactly predictable and Jane didn't turn out to be the type of woman to be with a man to fix him. She never was and it would've been really frustrating had they end up together.
Frankly, I can comment on various aspects of the book but nothing I say can do it justice.

I won't post this one on Goodreads because of spoilers but will share an edited review on IG and my blog thenomadreader.com once I take some good photos.

I have mixed feelings about this book. Firstly, it's a great storyline, and the book really invokes the feeling of 60s/70s rock and roll. The reader is properly thrust into the limelight along with the Breakers, and you are rooting for them. I particularly enjoyed the feminine force of Jane Quinn's matriarchal family, and it was refreshing to read as Jane stands up for herself in a music industry dominated by men. Alongside this musical fantasy is a whirlwind romance that you can't help but root for, despite everything in their way. I did find myself wrapped up in it, reading the entire book in about three sittings.
Just after the halfway point is when things start to fall apart for me. Although the constant song lyrics started out as endearing, they are overly used by this point, often striking little meaning in the wider context, and seemingly just to fill space. Jane becomes selfish and bratty, and it becomes increasingly difficult to root for her. I was sad about this, as she had been such a force of feminine energy to begin with, yet by the end her main characteristics are temper tantrums and episodes of disappearing, which doesn't seem fair on her adoring, supportive family. This half of the book also reveals the truth behind Jane's mother's disappearance. While the storyline is an interesting one, its 'revelation' is uneventful and rushed, and to be honest I almost missed it.
The final quarter of the book feels like a race to the finish, and after such a fascinating and titillating build-up, we never really see a satisfactory resolution of some of the main conflicts. The final chapter skips from the early 70s to a news article from 2022, and while I appreciate this creative tactic as a way to give the reader closer about the lives of our characters, it actually doesn't answer some of the most important questions. And the answers it does give are not the ones I was hoping for.

A fun romp through the 1960s/70s with echoes of Daisy Jones & The Six and smatterings of Valley of the Dolls (if it had been set later and in the music industry...).

It follows the rise and fall (and rise and fall) of extraordinary talented rock-'n'-roll/blues singer-songwriter Jane Quinn in the late 60s/70s, and her relationship to troubled megastar Jesse Reid. Coming from a family of strong and independent women, Jane is outspoken and determined and fierce - and a delight to spend time with.

I loved the first 3/4 or so of this book - the way it showed Jesse Vs Jane's career trajectories, life in Jane's hometown of Bayleen Island, the descriptions of making records, the characters, Jane herself.

However, the last section of the book tried to fit a lot in and felt a bit more whirlwind/fantastical. Though I see why everything that happened happened, I'd have preferred to spend time with some of the main characters we'd known throughout instead and find out what happened to them (some endings are hinted at in the book but we don't go into them. And while this is a fun, not heavy book I would have loved a little more focus on of the Black and LGBTQ+ characters, given period it's set in. As a result, I'd say if I was to chose one music-history type book to read that's come out recently, I'd probably pick The Final Revival of Opal & Nev personally. That said, Songs... is more escapist than Opal & Nev so it depends what you want from a book.

Overall, Jane's story may not be the most realistic but it is good fun and utterly addictive and it's hard not to come under her spell. A perfect lazy beach/Christmas read.

I’d like to thank NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for approving me for an ARC of this book.

Next to reading music is my second passion. As a pianist and music teacher I’m always keen to read books about music, throw in some historical fiction and you’ve got me, hook, line and sinker.

Songs in Ursa Major is a quiet, steady paced read. It’s not all singing and dancing but there is a lot of heart and passion to the story. The story starts in 1969 where Jane Quinn and her band, The Breakers, fill in for a well known singer. From there The Breakers hit their break and Jane’s love affair with Jesse Reid begins.

Jane and Jesse’s story was complicated from the start. There was passion and fire to their love affair but trying to reach stardom on the arm of a famous singer was hard for Jane. It was clear very early on that Jane had balls and she wasn’t afraid to speak her mind. Her confidence and determination is what helped her through the hard choices she made in the music industry and I admired her integrity.

Standing behind Jane was a formidable force of women. From Elsie to Grace and Maggie, the Quinn women certainly knew how to handle themselves. They worked hard and supported each other through anything and every thing. When Charlie’s story came to light the novel took a completely different turn, her final scenes with Jane brought a lump to my throat. Her story showed how deep these loyalties lied and what they would do to protect each other.

There was a moment when I started to doubt Jane and I was worried that the music industry had finally moulded her. Of course I was quickly proven wrong and I found myself grinning from ear to ear with her last performance.

Emma Brodie’s writing is not only beautiful it is lyrical. I was mesmerised by Jane’s story and could not stop till I had indulged every last word on the page. This book deserves all the stars and so much more.

A wonderful read a book set in the music scene of the sixties.I really enjoyed the love story a book that drew me right in.Looking forward to more by this author.#netgalley #harpercollinsuk

This was a good story that could have been edited to form a much better one. The scene, the music all great. Writing was very good but overly long and not edited at all

An incredible debut novel based around the music scene of the 60's, a perfect summer read that will immerse you in the world of music. An enjoyable read!

Hmm, I have mixed feelings about this book. I enjoyed it, but it really was overlong. Too many song lyrics that I’m afraid I didn’t get any meaning from. Great feel of place and time, the 60s, sex, drugs and rock n roll. The main character, Jane, didn’t strike any resonance with me, yet I was rooting for her until about half way through the book. Beautifully written though and so impressive for a first novel. I did enjoy the parts about composition, mixing and the musicality, very interesting to have a view into the creative process. Loved the English rock singer, but his role was very slight and seemed to serve no purpose, which was a shame. Lots of people will rave about this book, but it just didn’t totally do it for me. I do however, think that the author is a star in the making and was a little let down by her editor. Oh yes; I hated the ending.

Delving into this book I was transported back to the sixties. Back to a time of happy music, flowers in hair and free love. I loved the connection between our two main characters with their music and the attraction for each other they obviously felt.
There’s a tension running through their relationship though, aggravated by those around them and also the secret Jane is keeping.
The sadness is palpable when it all falls apart and we see the other side of the swinging sixties.
Altogether though, it’s a lovely book, full of nostalgia for those old enough to remember those days. I would have liked a different ending but maybe this one was more realistic. Highly recommended.

So the blurb got me with "...if you liked Daisy Jones and the Six..." because YES, yes I do love Daisy Jones and will recommend it for as long as I live. And now probably this one alongside it.
Fame, money, sold-out shows? Great! Drugs, pressure, image changes, judgement, broken relationships? Not so great!
Live the ups and downs and up agains, along with the band the Breakers and their enigmatic lead singer.
And remember that sometimes it is not such a good thing when we get exactly what we dreamed about.

Emma Brodie’s debut novel and I have to admit I loved it.

Set in the late 60s/early 70s it tells the story of Jane Quinn a young up and coming singer and her complicated relationships with rising star Jesse Reid, her family and also ultimately herself.

The mood is captured perfectly here as we are catapulted back to the time of folk music, record companies owning artists, causal drug taking, blatant sexism, the works.

I really devoured this book. I’m a lover of music in general so this piqued my interest anyway but you don’t have to be a music fan to love this story.

Well rounded complicated flawed characters, great story telling, the book feels as real as it gets. Jane is a fascinating character as she struggles with herself as much as the system and indeed the flawed Jesse.

A fantastic debut. If you get a chance go read this. It’s a real gem.

Thanks to the publisher for an ARC through Netgalley.

When nascent star Jesse Reid has a motorbike accident minutes before his set at a folk festival, local band The Breakers are rushed onstage to perform. They catch the eye of a talent scout from a major label and the band, including singer Jane Quinn, are set for stardom. Riding on the coat-tails of Jesse's success and his romance with Jane is great until suddenly it isn't and Jesse and Jane both have secrets that destroy their relationship. Maybe Jane's response to their break-up, an album called Songs in Ursa Major, can heal.
There have been a slew of books about fictional female rock stars of the late sixties over the past few years and this is up with the best of them. Jane is a feminist figurehead but the story is not stridently political, it is a coherent and sensitively written narrative in which drug addiction and mental health are drivers. I enjoyed the story and listened to the message.

An enjoyable read but I found the ending unsatisfying. The twist in regards to the protagonist's mother felt like it came from nowhere and was not necessary. A fun diversion but not one I think will stay with me for very long, I'm afraid.

"The Breakers" get their big break at a local but influential music festival when rising star Jesse Reid has an accident just before his headline show and they are called to step in. After this lead singer Jane Quinn is transformed into Janie Q, soulful songstress and her and her band mates end up on whirlwind of recording their first album and touring within months.
We see the hedonism of the scene at the time, while also seeing the pitfalls of being a rock and roll star in the 1970s. Family back stories, romantic relationships and fractured friendships punctuate Jane's story.
The comparisons between this and "Daisy Jones.." are inevitable but unfair in a way - this book is about Jane alone, and her life, loves and demons, not the cast of characters in the same way Daisy Jones was. However, once I hit about the 2/3 mark and different things started happening that I didn't enjoy as much, plus an ending that I was hoping would redeem it and didn't, the hopeful interest I had had for this was gone.
Had high hopes, and there were some good parts, but ultimately disappointed

I finished this book yesterday and have spent some time thinking over my feelings on it before preparing this review.

It did take me a while to get into and then for a good chunk of the book I loved it. At times I did feel that there was a little too much detail about the album and occasionally found Jane a bit annoying although in saying that I was rooting for her and Jesse.

I liked how there were often song lyrics included throughout and how this book also shone a light on how mental health was a stigma in the 60s/70s and how hard it was for women to be treated equally!

Thank you to #NetGalley and #HarperCollins for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. #SongsInUrsaMajor

This book, I can’t lie, after reading the blurb, I had high hopes for it. And I was not disappointed. Songs in Ursa Major, a debut by Emma Brodie (an editor, so she knows her stuff). Hit even note on the score for me. I loved the characters, the scenery of the Island, the story – based upon the love story between Joni Mitchell and James Taylor. It just ticked every box.

Jane lives on Bayleen Island, with a blended family, her grandmother and aunt brought her up. After her Mum left. Her Mum wanted a music career and it didn’t work out and she couldn’t cope with that fact. Jane has the same affinity with music, she can pick up an instrument and with hours can play it perfectly, so with Rich, Kyle and Greg she forms a band. The Breakers – they play local bars and play at the local music festival. When top spot Jesse Reid is taken ill and can’t play, The Breakers are asked to step in, the crowd aren’t keen, until they start playing and then they too are cheering on. When Willy Lambert of Pegasus records walks into the Carousel and offers Jane a record deal, their futures are written into musical history.

Before they know it, The Breakers are on tour with Jesse Reid’s band and gaining their own fan base. During this time is when the love and intensity between Jesse and Jane grows and they can no longer deny the tension between them. But Jane beens warned about Jesse and wants to keep their tryst a secret, from fans and journalists, and more importantly her family. Jane’s right to be wary and when it all get too much, and the music isn’t enough, she has to go home, back to Bayleen.

Heartbreak gets turned into music and the songs become her own album – Songs In Ursa Major is born. The book screams summer and festivals. A true insight into the music industry, the sexism that Jane faced and the world around it, including drugs and the party lifestyle. It’s not as glamorous as its made out to be. This is a book for any music/band fan, with its feet firmly planted in rock n roll historical fiction.

Hugely enjoyable and highly recommended. More please!!

‘Songs in Ursa Major’ is one of those books that you read, cannot stop thinking about and then keep recommending it to everyone you know because you want to talk about it.
The whole book is so atmospheric and perfectly captures the whole essence of the American music scene in the early 70’s. If you enjoyed the feeling of Emma Cline’s ‘The girls’, you will completely fall in love with this story. The main character Jane Quinn embodies the soulful yet sorrowful themes of the songs that she performs as begins her musical career at her island’s local folk festival.
Jane comes from a long line of independent women but she is not immune to perils of love and lust and finds herself drawn towards rising rock star, Jesse Reid. The path of these two talents will ultimately cross and divert from one another but their experiences are immortalised in their music. I personally loved all of the original lyrics throughout the novel and considering that this is Brodie’s debut she creates these fully formed, complex characters that you instantly fall in love with.
I cannot wait for more from this writer but until then I may have to re-read ‘Ursa Major’ because just like a favourite record you want to rediscover the words all over again.

I loved this. It riffs off themes of fate, love, secrets, and the big question of how much free choice we all have about where we end up.

Songs in Ursu Major is sexy yet sweet. It's a love story about music, family and souls connecting.

Jane Quinn and her band The Breakers, have their breakthrough moment when they stand in for Jesse Reid, rising star. Offered a record contract and a supporting role on Jesse's tour, it seems too good to be true. And before long, it all begins to fall apart.

Whilst I enjoyed this book, there was nothing truly surprising or endearing for me. The characters were just ok. It lacked a certain depth that would have allowed for a greater connection. It isn't a book that will stay with me, it was just pleasant enough.

This is up there with being one of my favourite books this year.

I fell in lust with the front cover and fell head over heels in love with the story contained within the pages.

The characters and the depth of their stories just tugged at my heart strings.

It wasn't overly dramatic,

A tale of music, fame and family that reads as though it really happened. It could easily be a documentary of someone's life (it is loosely based on the affair between James Taylor and Joni Mitchell).

The songs, the words. They read like poetry and I could imagine them playing in my head. They were like the glue that bought it all together.

Love is the focus. But not all of it the romantic kind. Love of people, of life and of the things we do.

Passionate.

And an unexpected but rather satisfying ending left me with a feeling of comfort. As though things were meant to be.

A debut novel that I'd happily read again.