I haven’t read any Sara Barnard before I read this one and now I am desperate to read her full backlist as quickly as I possibly can. It was told in a really fun format, I loved the relationships explored and I also really enjoyed the musical element.

This Song is About Us is told over the course of three summer music festivals as the relationship between Drew, the troubled lead singer of an up and coming band, and his girlfriend Ruby, who is the only person who knows the real Drew, changes after they decide to keep their relationship a secret.

There were so many elements of the book that contributed to me loving it. It is such a bingeable book and the way that it is written means that you don’t want to stop reading about these characters.

I am someone who loves to read a book that has a unique format and if that format is done well most of the time it leads to me loving the book, with This Song is About Us being no exception. I found the way the bulk of the story was told through three summer music festivals really interesting with mixed media elements in between. I found that I quickly read the bulk of the story and that it was fast paced along with the mixed media of the band fans online discussions and headlines making me curious about what was happening during the rest of the year but not leaving me with unanswered questions.

One of my favourite relationships explored in this book was the friendship between Ruby and Stel. It was really well written, clearly an important part of the story and I loved seeing how much closer they became each year, growing from just getting to know each other in the first year and best friends who have been there for each other through so many struggles in the third year.

A lot of this book explores what impact fame can have on relationships and how easily in this situation things can become toxic and what the sacrifices can lead to. I found this element really interesting to read and how it was also explored in both Ruby and Stel’s relationships that were in very different situations. I found it to be really well done and something that I both wanted to read about and got me thinking in ways that I previously hadn’t been. This exploration wasn’t limited to romantic relationships though and I found it well done throughout the book, particularly in exploring the impact that fans can have with their narratives. I also really appreciated the emphasis that Sara Barnard placed on saying no and choosing to do what is right for you even if it isn’t what you want to do.

I also loved Sara Barnard’s writing, as I said it was my first time reading from her and I am so glad that I have found her now. I felt so many emotions while reading and I really loved how her writing evoked those in me. I really rooted for these characters and my only complaint would be that I wanted more and would have absolutely loved to spend more time with these characters and find out what happened after it ended.

I definitely think the Holly Bourne comparison is accurate and this is the ideal book to read this summer. I highly recommend picking it up and am looking forward to spending my summer reading more Sara Barnard.

I love Sara Barnard books! She writes amazing characters. I loved the whole plot. The duality of the story was really interesting to read!

In a market where so many books that find success are hooky romantasy series, THANK EVERYTHING for Sara Barnard. She can do no wrong in my eyes with her perfectly pitched upper YA which feels grown up enough for teenagers to think it's cool, and never underestimates the intelligent of particularly the young female audience. This was my favourite yet.

Headlines:
Summer reading list
Music festivals
Growing pains

This book is definitely on my summer recommended reading list for this year. It brings all the feelings of hope, summer music festivals (Brit-style) and a case of committed young love. I always know with Sara Barnard books I'm going to get something of a sucker-punch in the head, heart and gut but she does it so well, I will turn up again and again for this kind of great experience-punishment.

The two main characters were Ruby and Drew, THAT committed couple on the verge of adulthood that you wanted to stay the distance and thought they would. The complications in their path were in the form of Drew's immenent fame with his band The Kerbs. The way this story unravelled through music festivals and tours was so well pitched and I loved the highs and angst-ed through the lows.

While this story is not one most young people will experience themselves, it felt a relatable story nonetheless because Drew and Ruby were down to earth and deeply connected. I raced through this story in a day, feeling the music vibes of Reading and Glastonbury and also feeling the crash ahead.

I wanted a little more at the end to find the what next for these two and I wanted a bit more about Ruby and Topher's friendship that seemed to have deteriorated. Overall this was a great satisfying summer read. One for all YA fans.

Thank you to Walker Books for the review copy.

Well that was a rollercoaster of emotions 😭 This book navigates the relationship of Ruby and Drew and how they handle their relationship when Drew’s band suddenly blows up. If you love an emotional book with a ‘one of us is famous’ trope then this book is for you!

For me, going into a new Sara Barnard book is handing over my whole heart and waiting to see how she breaks it this time. This Song is About Us was no exception; I have no experience of having a young newly famous boyfriend, but this book still managed to rip me apart and heal something in me I didn't know needed fixing.

Drew and Ruby's relationship is really being strained in this book. Ruby desperately wants to maintain some privacy and carve a space just for the two of them as Drew and the rest of the band (The Kerbs) are catapulted to fame. We see the impact this decision has on them, how secretive they have to be and how Drew has to maintain a public image that's very different from his private self.

I love how Sara showed us the reality of being in a relationship and trying to make that work when there are other demands on your time. Sometimes the choices Drew made infuriated me, but I appreciated how realistic it was and the way it explored Drew and Ruby both looking at these situations very differently.

I adored Stel. Nobody writes a female friendship like Sara Barnard. Nobody. Stel's unwavering support and friendship towards Ruby was one of my favourite things in the book. In some ways, Stel shows us how Ruby's life could have looked different as Stel and Lex are very public with their relationship, but she never once questions Ruby's choice and is there for her when it matters. Everyone needs a friend like Stel.

I loved this whole book. I stayed up late to inhale the last 100ish pages because I could not put it down. I didn't want it to end, but I loved where it did.

Another absolute banger from Sara. All the stars for this one. Definitely get it on your summer reading lists!

Thanks for approving me to read this early on Netgalley.

This was SUPERB! A truly authentic portrayal of the teen experience. This Song is About Us sensitively covers serious topics such as mental health, alcohol/drug addiction, queerbaiting, and social media without being heavy handed or preachy. You could definitely see some nods to recent bands in The Kerbs. Quite possibly Barnard's best yet!?

✨4 stars✨

I always enjoy Sara Barnard’s books and this was no difference! The writing and plot was engaging and I really enjoyed the mixed media aspects of the book.

There were a few characters that irritated me (Marianne in particular, I’m looking at you) and I thought the ending was a bit abrupt, but overall this was a solid YA book that I read really quickly.

I would definitely recommend if you looking for a YA read where the characters feel age appropriate.

I received an ARC from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

I have read every book Sara Barnard has written and always loved her writing, her newest offering This Song Is About Us is no different. I adored this book from start to end.

Ruby and Drew are young and in love. Drew’s band are about to hit the big time, catapulting him into the spotlight and Ruby is the ever faithful, biggest fan of Drew and his band. Faced with the decision of whether to keep their relationship secret or go public, this book explores the consequences of their decision, the influence of social media, the world of fandom.

I loved the snippets of forum and social media posts between the festivals to help keep us op to date with what the band are doing. My absolutely favourite thing about this book (in typical Sara Barnard style) is the friendship between Ruby and Stel. Nobody writes a layered, female friendship like Sara.

A really emotional read that is bound to tug on your heart strings.

Thank you to Walker Books, Sara Barnard and NetGalley for my early review copy in exchange of a fair and honest review.

I love the way the author writes. It reads like the inner voice of teenagers. This is the kind of books that my KS3 students will bond with. As a 50 something reader, this reminds me of my groupie days.

I love this romantic take on the music world. Especially cool for the YA set. I love behind the scenes looks at the music industry and cannot wait to bring this to readers. It has a DJAT6 vibe to it as well. I loved learning about the real Drew and each of the different music festivals