Ashley post on how do you come up with these concepts and can we have more please - I am obsessed and will deffo recommend

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the advance copy to review.

Where do I even begin in trying to sum up how I feel about this book? I absolutely adored it! The author writes so beautifully and really captures the nuances of real life relationships especially through hard times, whilst still having faith in love.

This is a love story and so much more. It is about family, about finding yourself again, about how music can captivate people and about being human. It is written from some a unique perspective that reads for a very original and fresh take on a love story.

I cannot recommend this enough,

I find it difficult to write reviews for books that I rate five stars, but Sounds Like Love was truly beautiful.

The dementia plot line is something that resonates with me anyway but I cried a lot towards the end of the story - the author note at the end was also incredibly heartfelt.

I was worried that I wouldn't like Sebastian as he's pretty unlikeable when we first meet him, but the way he morphs into Sasha as Toni gets to know him was done really well. The music theme and the telepathy were also great, I loved the way Toni and Sasha's past and present were woven together.

I highly recommend reading Sounds Like Love and I'll be buying a physical copy asap!

When I first read ‘The seven year slip’ I knew I had to keep on reading Ashley Poston’s books.

Truth is that this book was just magical, Joni and Sasha were so cute together and separately too. Both of them had interesting background stories and the maturing of Joni’s character felt real. But this book was more than a simple (not so simple) love story, it is a book about friends and family too, it goes deeper.

Now, talking about how they started the attraction, I think it was kind of an instalove? But even tho it felt like an early thing, it didn’t bother me somehow. Instalove is something that takes me off of a book almost every time, but I think the reason of why I didn’t cared so much is because they still developed a connection that was actually believable.

Thank you so much to the publishers and Netgalley for the ARC. This was such a magical and heartwarming book and I would definitely recommend it.

Sounds Like Love is a stunning blend of emotional depth and magical realism that showcases Ashley Poston’s signature storytelling flair. For readers familiar with her previous works — or newcomers diving in for the first time — this novel offers a touching, immersive experience that lingers well after the final page.

At its heart, the story follows Joni, an emotionally exhausted creative returning to her small hometown of Vienna Shores after burning out in LA. What unfolds is a tender exploration of love, grief, and identity, all wrapped in an enchanting premise: Joni and a mysterious musician named Sasha find themselves psychically connected after a kiss, each hearing the other's thoughts and a haunting shared melody.

Joni is an incredibly authentic protagonist — her internal struggles, especially surrounding her mother’s early-onset dementia and her artistic stagnation, are portrayed with raw honesty. Her deep ties to her family and hometown ground the story in a beautiful sense of place and nostalgia, while Sasha — kind, brooding, and quietly magnetic — offers the perfect emotional counterbalance.

Poston weaves in her hallmark touch of magic with such elegance that it never overwhelms the realism. Instead, the supernatural elements enhance the emotional resonance, especially in the way secrets are no longer private between Joni and Sasha. This creates not only moments of vulnerability but also some of the most genuine romantic tension you’ll read in a contemporary love story.

The lyrical chapter titles and the music thread running through the book are especially moving for anyone who finds comfort and meaning in song. Despite the heaviness of certain themes — grief, burnout, the painful reality of a loved one slipping away — Poston manages to infuse warmth, humour, and hope into the narrative.

Sounds Like Love isn’t your typical romance, and that’s what makes it stand out. It's thoughtful, a little bittersweet, and completely original. Highly recommended for fans of emotional, character-driven love stories with a magical twist.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

I LOVE Ashley Poston and jumped with absolute delight when I realised I had access to her newest release Sounds Like Love. I read this book in one sitting during a very long nightshift!

Joni and Sasha are the cutest Ashley couple to date 😍.

If you love magical realism, telepathy or music this is the book for you...even if you're looking for something different, this is the book for you!

This book was a sweet, emotional story about connection, trust, and finding your version of happiness. It starts off slow, building Joni's character and the people around her. Once the mind-link connection between Joni and Sasha starts, the book becomes hard to put down. This concept of connected minds isn't brand new, but it's really enjoyable to read and gives us a deeper look into the characters’ personalities and thoughts. I always love how Ashley Poston adds magical realism into her stories, here you get to see the characters' vulnerabilities, the parts of themselves they usually keep hidden.

I loved Sasha, the misunderstood musician stuck with fame and a public image that doesn’t reflect his kind and thoughtful personality. Joni’s journey is messier, full of self-doubt and pressure to be who everyone expects her to be. She has the success she thought she wanted, but something’s still missing. Her character feels flawed, but so real, sometimes you just want to shake her and make her realise what we all already know. I also loved the family dynamics and the way they all care so deeply for each other. The portrayal of her mum’s dementia was heartbreaking and so emotionally honest.

Joni and Sasha’s romance builds quickly, but it makes sense, they’re in each other’s thoughts. There’s no room for pretending or playing it cool when your feelings are exposed. It made their connection feel intense and genuine.

Not my favourite of Poston's work, but SOUNDS LIKE LOVE was a fun, quick read regardless. And I was delighted with the SEVEN YEAR SLIP cameos.

Sounds Like Love was my first Ashley Poston but it won't be my last - I adored it. Beautifully-written, sexy and swoony, with the most gorgeous setting (I haven't checked if Vienna Shores is real yet, but either way, I want to go to there).

I loved all the characters - Joni and Sebastian, Joni's best friend, Gigi, her parents, Uncle Rick and his margarita barge.

The love story plays out alongside Joni's mum's dementia and this was handled so sensitively and movingly. I cried more than once. Gorgeous.

I absolutely loved this musical romance with a dash of magical realism thrown in. It had such beautiful, immersive writing with an engaging plot and flawed but likeable characters. 4.5 stars.

This review is for Sounds Like Love by Ashley Poston which releases in the UK on the 17th June! Thanks so much to Netgalley and HQ for giving me an eArc copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Poston has become a must read author for me now, as I just love the whimsy and romance in most of her books. As soon as i saw this was available to request, you know I had to jump at the chance.

First of all, we need to talk about Sasha. Literal dream man. Tall ✅ Long Hair ✅ Musician ✅ and KIND??? And RESPECTFUL??? No-one can compete with men written by female authors, it’s a fact. Joni was also such an amazing FMC, she was independent but also had a deep love for her family and hometown that you could see coming through the pages. Their relationship was super cute and I loved their banter.

It’s not a stereotypical romance, as if you know Poston then you know her romances come with a touch magical realism. And in this we see both the MMC and FMC linked by telepathic thoughts after their first kiss, where they can also hear the echo of a song. I loved this aspect of the book, and that they couldn’t keep any secrets from each other.
You also see some themes of grief throughout the book, as you find Joni’s mum has early onset dementia. You see Joni struggling with this diagnosis and the fact that she is going to lose one of her parents.
It was a little heartbreaking.

Overall, I loved this book and would highly recommend to any romance readers out there, especially those that love a little magical twist.

This is one of those books I would happily reread straight after finishing it. The perfect reminder that success doesn't always look how you expect it to.
The magical elements were perfectly woven throughout while not taking over the book, and I loved how they developed as the story went on. Both the main characters and the side characters felt so real, and I loved them all so much (flaws and all) 🥺

I loved this book! I have read all of Ashley Poston's previous books and this was one of my favourites. I don't want to say too much as I do think its best to go into these books blind so you can enjoy the reveal of the magical element and how this plays out. Overall really enjoyed the characters and the development of the plot in this book. I was not able to put it down and found myself reading it within a day. Highly recommend to fans of Poston's previous books and anyone looking for a fun, unique romantic story!

Joni & Sebastian
Secret Identity
Songwriter FMC x Musician MMC
Magical Realism
Small Town

This is my first book by this author so I didn’t reallt know what to expect, but I really enjoyed this one!

I really enjoyed the magical realism element of this, with the MCs being able to hear each other in their heads. It felt like it added a new level to the book and I'd be interested to read more like this!

After their initial interaction, I was expecting this to be a little more fast paced than it was, but overall a great book!!

4.5⭐️

I honestly think this is Ashley Poston's best book yet. Perhaps that's due to the fun I had working out the songs used in the chapter headings, many of which spoke to my musical taste; perhaps it's down to the descriptions of The Revelry and Vienna Shores, so delightfully evocative that I honestly felt transported there in my mind. Mostly though, it's about the literal connection between Joni, burnt out and uncertain and rocked by her mother's dementia, and Sasha, guarded and distrustful and secretly romantic. I loved how the concept of being in each other's heads plays out, the snippets they pick up of each other's thoughts and lives and the way Sasha's voice interrupts Joni's actions at certain moments. And then there's the music: how it's entwined with memories, how it impacts friendships and family connections, and how it's the driving force that shapes and controls Joni's past and future. Emotional, heartfelt, and with a seam of humour running throughout, this is definitely going to be one of my best reads of the year.

Sounds Like Love was such a wonderful read! This is one of those books that grabs your attention from the very first pages, and doesn't let go for a minute.
Sebastian (Sasha) and Joni (Bird) had the kind of chemistry that leaps off the pages. The fact that they could hear each other's thoughts, and a particular melody, added a layer of intimacy that enhanced their connection from the beginning. I think that that was my favorite part of the story - that immediate closeness that's established with someone who knows you and your thoughts.
Added to that, they decided to work together to write the melody that only they could hear, which put them in a vulnerable setting I feel - because music, the kind that touches hearts, is all about feelings, and as Sasha states in this story, every song is a love song.
Sounds Like Love was all feels from beginning to end, and one that I think many readers will love!

Thank you HQ Stories for the ARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Sounds Like Love is a heartfelt and gently whimsical story about music, memory and the mysterious bonds that connect us. Joni Lark has always found her rhythm by the ocean, but when her parents decide to close their beloved music venue, she’s thrown off beat and left with creative silence. That is, until a haunting melody — and a voice she’s never heard — starts playing in her mind.

As the notes take shape, so does the man behind the voice. And when he turns up in her seaside town, the connection between them proves to be more than just musical. Their bond is equal parts frustrating and electric, and the only way to silence the song is to write it together. The challenge? They can’t seem to agree on a single note.

Ashley Poston blends emotional depth with magical charm, offering a story that sings of healing, hope and second chances. With warm prose and characters who feel achingly real, this book captures the joy and pain of making peace with the past while daring to write a new tune for the future.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

This is definitely my least favourite book from Ashley Poston, but her other books were so good, anything is going to have a difficult time living up to it.
Joni and Sasha were such good examples of flawed characters and I think we really saw the growth within Joni, but Sasha’s character development fell a little flat for me, he kind of just gets over all of his daddy issues in the last 20 pages and doesn’t really do anything to work on that throughout the rest of the book.
I also think it took too long to understand the psychic connection between them, I wish there was more linking them than just their parents, it fell a little flat to me, but again it’s most likely because I’m comparing this to Poston’s other work.
I definitely think if I hadn’t read all of her other work then I would’ve rated this higher but I’ve come to expect more than just a romance book from this author and this one was just a romance, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, I just came in with higher expectations.
All in all though, I did enjoy reading this one and I would definitely recommend to others.

I've only recently discovered the work of Ashley Poston in the last few weeks and she is a total gem! I love how she can take magical plots and then ground them in the simplest and truest facts of life.
I don't want to say too much about the plot of "Sounds Like Love" as whilst the central conceit reveals itself much as you'd expect, it does so in a way that is incredibly affecting. The weaving together of the past and present, without anything but the current narrative is beautifully done. Memories evoked from photographs and music, which is completely relatable.

I come bearing a wonderful gift: a musician x songwriter romance set in a cosy coastal Carolina beach town, the kind of place that feels like salt air and summer heartache. Sounds Like Love is atmospheric and deeply introspective – very on-brand for Ashley Poston – and while it still delivers her signature emotional gut-punches (this one tackles ailing parents, shifting dreams, and the ache of growing up), it didn’t quite hit her usual 5-star mark for me.

The story moves fast, perhaps too fast. The romance, while sweet, felt a bit underbaked. At times, it gave novella energy: heavy on insta-love, light on the build. I wanted more time with these characters, more tension, more reasons to believe in them beyond their shared past and present longing. But where the romance falters, the rest absolutely soars.

This book is 42 existential crises in a trench coat. It’s a quiet scream into the void about identity, grief, growing up, and letting go of who we thought we’d be. It made me want to dig out old mixtapes and spiral gently into the kind of reflective mood where you question every major life decision you’ve ever made, so, you know, classic Poston.

Ashley remains a master of emotional storytelling, the kind that sneaks up on you and suddenly you’re crying at the beach in a scene that doesn’t even seem sad on the surface. This book feels like a love letter to who we used to be, and a gentle permission slip to become someone new.

So yes, while the romance left me a little hungry, the story as a whole is nostalgic, painful, tender, and totally worth your time. Pick it up if you’re in the mood for a wistful summer read that feels like driving home from vacation with your windows down and your heart cracked open.