I have to admit that I almost gave up a few pages in as I found all of the names so strange (maybe that’s just what they call people in Arkansas?!) but I decided that wasn’t a good enough reason to DNF, and I’m glad a pushed through. This was such a fun read, and I loved the dual timeline! I enjoyed Jenna’s writing style, and even though for me Decklee was a deeply unlikeable character I liked her story anyway. I also loved seeing how Darren toed the line of going one way or another, and how she chose not to prioritise herself and her ambitions over everyone else. As much as I liked her and Kendall’s relationship, I’m glad that she still left Mayberry! There’s nothing wrong with staying in small towns but there’s nothing wrong with leaving either. The treasure hunt element was really fun too! Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an e-arc for a review!

Voris masterfully captures the essence of country music in this book, delving into its core themes of storytelling, defying expectations, and embracing the complexities of love and loss. With adept storytelling techniques like dual points of view and well-placed flashbacks, Voris immerses readers in rich character development and intertwining narratives. The result is a gripping tale that tugs at the heartstrings, keeping readers engaged from beginning to end.

Furthermore, the book serves as a heartfelt tribute to queerness and the indomitable spirit of Dolly Parton, which feel inseparable to many. Yet, amidst this celebration, it's clear that Swifties, with their keen eye for detail and knack for decoding hidden messages, find a special resonance with the narrative. Despite their playful scrutiny, their insights often prove to be surprisingly accurate, adding another layer of appreciation to the story.


As a queer woman, I couldn't help but feel profoundly understood while reading certain parts of this story. Moments of empathetic connection with characters like Decklee, Mickenlee, and Darren resonated deeply with me, offering a sense of healing to parts of myself that longed for representation during my formative years.

I would first like to say that this does not have a standard HEA for any couple so shouldn’t be shelved as a romance genre book.
That being said I really did enjoy this. It gave me Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo vibes, or imagine if Dolly Parton was more concerned with fame that the good person we all know she is. It’s dual timeline/dual pov – one following Decklee’s rise to fame, and the other following Darren and Kendall’s search for Decklee’s time capsule. I loved the explorations of queerness and community we get by following Darren in her adventure and the growth we see in her character by the end. We don’t get to see that character growth from Decklee, and maybe that makes it more realistic(?) but ooof would I have loved to have seen her appreciate what she had.

Very cute YA story. It was an easy read and the characters were very well written. Loved the dynamic between the characters and the plot was very sweet. Who doesn’t love an adventure story?

This is an incredibly delightful story, set in a small town, with a cute little road trip.

Told in a dual timeline and in a dual POV, the present is about Darren, a 17 year old who wants nothing more than to leave the small town, embarking on a road trip with Kendall, who loves the town and has his own plans.

The past is all about Decklee, an ambitious country singer, and her rise to fame.

Following Decklee's death, Darren and Kendall set off on a quest to find clues that will lead to Decklee's final songs.

It's all about self discovery and growth, falling in love, yearning for something more.

Darren is also figuring out her identity and attraction towards girls, as well as boys, and has dreams too big for her little home town.

I did figure out the twist fairly early on, and I was so happy that I got it right. It had a big impact on the story, and I really loved how it all turned out.
I pictured Decklee as a cross between Dolly Parton and Stevie Nicks, two absolute icons. She was so unapologetically ruthless with her career.

I wish this book was longer! I wanted it to never end.

Fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid and Taylor Swift, you'll love this one!

I really enjoyed this book overall, I found it easy and cosy to read during a cold evening, It definitely reminded me of something by Taylor Jenkins-Reid and I'd read more by Jenna Voris in a heartbeat.

An interesting and engaging novel. Well paced and well written, I enjoyed the strands of mystery and romance that threaded through this book and remained interested till the very last page. Reminded me a little of Daisy Jones/Evelyn Hugo - always a good thing!

Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

I absolutely love anything by Taylor Jenkins Reid so I love that this novel holds a similar tone. I absolutely cannot wait to share my full thoughts and review. I love the country music aspect and the bit of mystery tied in as well. I think it is a fresh beautiful concept for a novel and I also think it would make a good book club pick or movie as well.