I didn’t even know this book was coming out until the ARC landed in my hands — and once I started, I couldn’t stop. I didn’t just read about the Future Saints, I felt like I was living with them. The chaos, the music, the heartbreak — it all felt close, like I was standing right there next to them.
Hannah is the heart of everything. She’s that kind of person who draws you in without even trying, but underneath all that presence is so much pain. The loss of her sister is something she carries in every move, every word, every silence. Nothing in this book tries to simplify what she’s feeling, and that’s what made it hit so hard.
And then Theo walks in. A total contrast — sharp, focused, polished — the one the band calls the suit. But he’s not just there to manage the band. He’s steady in a way Hannah doesn’t even realize she needs at first. He sees her — not the version she shows the world, but the one that’s tired and raw and unsure. Their connection builds in the in-between moments, the quiet tension, the space where grief and love start to overlap.
There’s friction. There are setbacks. But it never feels forced — more like watching two people try to figure out how to move forward with all the weight they’re carrying. I loved that about them. It wasn’t just attraction. It was real effort, care, and something that felt earned.
The story got under my skin. There’s so much energy in the band’s world, but the emotion sits just beneath it all — humming, waiting, aching. It’s not just about fame or success. It’s about holding on to people, to yourself, to memory.
Certain moments, lines, and silent exchanges stayed with me long after the last page. They spoke louder than words, carrying everything that needed to be felt — complex, raw, and unforgettable.

I’m a big fan of Ashley Winstead’s books, always something fresh and different.

The Future Saints follows the band The Future Saints, they never quite made it and are on a downward spiral since the death of their manager. Record company fixer Theo has been despatched to see if he can coax out the album they owe the record company.

It’s fresh, contemporary and the character writing is excellent. Chaotic, charismatic lead sister Hannah is grieving and Theo doesn’t know if he’s facing a breakdown or a rebirth.

Thoroughly believable and compelling, Ashley Winstead really captures the rock band dynamic, the creative struggles and the commercial pressure. Hard to define, I wouldn’t exactly call it a romance. Don’t get hung up on the Daisy Jones and the Six comparisons, this is a very different book, ‘now’ instead of nostalgia, though just as great in its own way.

Very moving, involving and highly recommended!

Thanks to Netgalley and Aria & Aries

Wow, Ashley Winstead has done it again; this is my 3rd Five Star Read of hers. I can understand why The Future Saints has been likened to Daisy Jones & The Six (another Five Star Read) because both Hannah and Daisy are electric characters that just spark off the page. I wish their albums were real so I could play them on repeat.

I could relate so strongly to Hannah, who’s messed up after her younger sister, Ginny tragically drowned and how determined she is to make sure she isn’t forgotten. I lost Mum last year and I feel like the author really understands what it’s like to lose your person, the one who truly gets you in a way nobody else can and how utterly adrift it leaves you. I highlighted so many paragraphs because they captured my feelings so beautifully.

I’ve always had a soft spot for books about musicians and The Future Saints delves into the internal politics (and misogyny) in the music industry. Theo, who’s brought in as replacement manager for the band is a great character. He starts off as the Suit who’s trying his best to wrangle one final album from the band to impress his odious boss but you can tell it’s actually the music that drives him not the business and he becomes an honorary Saint.

I can’t wait for this to be published so more people can discover The Future Saints.

Ashley Winstead never disappoints me.

I've been anticipating this book for a while, as I love anything music/band related, so I was overjoyed when I was approved for the ARC and immediately dived right in.

The comparisons to Daisy Jones aren't exactly wrong - here, again, we have a rock band on the brink of success with their personal dynamics and issues threatening to ruin it for them - but Ashley always brings a darker edge to her work, and this is really a book about grief, and what that means, and how to explore a tragedy through art.

There's also a great look at how women are treated by fame - Hannah is going through something very publicly while creating great art and her gender is never something that the men or media around her are able to put aside (even Theo, their new manager, is fairly accused of favouritism towards her by the male members of the band).

I know I'm jumping around here. I waited a few days to write this after finishing the book to try and gather my thoughts and yet the book feels so wide and deep that it's still hard for me to collect them. I loved the members of the band - Hannah, our frontwoman, talented and spiralling. Ripper, a queer South Asian guitarist who is so aware of representation and what he means to people. And Kenny, the drummer and beating heart of the band. I loved these characters' relationships to each other - that even when they fought, they loved each other, and we got to see that unwavering support.

I do think for me, Theo and the romance were the weakest parts. He reminded me a lot of William Miller in Almost Famous pining after Penny Lane - he didn't really understand what was going on with Hannah, and he wanted to save her. I'm glad that Hannah found support in him, but I was more interested in her relationship with grief, with Ginny, and the other members of her band. Still, Theo creates the throughline and our introduction to the band and their journey - but to me, he was the least interesting member of the Future Saints.

I will say, I am more of a fan of her darker work (The Last Housewife is peak, This Book Will Bury Me) and this didn't quite have the same impact or pacing, but it was still fantastic - and I knew that going into it. Everything Ashley Winstead writes has the same kind of sharpness to it, and I really appreciated that here. I know that this is a book I'll be coming back to, and that there'll be something new for me to find here each time.

Thank you to NetGalley & Atria books for the eARC.

How is it possible that I’ve already read the best book of 2026? The Future Saints blew me away. Wow, wow, wow!

Ashley Winstead has once again proven she’s a master of crafting deeply human, unforgettable characters. I was completely invested in their stories from the very first page—I laughed with them, I cried with them, and I felt completely transported into their world. Her writing is so immersive, I could practically feel the locations and environments come to life around me.

This book is smart, emotional, and full of heart. I absolutely loved it. Don’t walk—run to read this when it releases. Winstead just keeps getting better and better.

I can't say I was ever familiar with Ashley Winstead's books, but I'm not disappointed.

The Future Saints is about The Future Saints, a band of three people in their late-twenties declining in popularity years after their one commercial hit. The passing of the main character's sister and band manager, Ginny, is pushing them to take a completely different path regarding what they start to write and perform. Enter Theo, nicknamed "The Fixer", sent by the label to help the band write one last album before they can drop them. From there starts a story not only between him and the main singer, Hannah, but also about grief, self-acceptance, found family and the love and impact of music in one's life.

What drew me is obviously the music aspect, which I absolutely love in books. It was heavily character-focused and not only about the main characters' love story, who we have the POVs through the book. Hannah is a force to be reckoned with and I absolutely loved her authenticity and her flaws. She is such a strong woman and her development was amazing. Theo's growth was also remarkable, and his choices were taken with a lot of maturity.

The only thing that did not do it for me was the period when the actions took place (2024-2025) and so references to TikTok for example. I definitely think it's more of a personal preference with having some of my favorite books about bands set in the 1980s/1990s.

The Future Saints is incredible and makes you understand that it's okay not to have everything fixed even if you're 28, that no matter what comes in your way you can fulfill your dreams if you surround yourself with good people, and that you should always reach out for help when needed. I definitely would recommend it.

Thank you to Aria or Aries and NetGalley for giving me an ARC in exchange for a honest review!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book. A 4 star rating from me. Loved the plot and the storytelling and relatable, likable characters. Loved every single second reading it.

This was exactly what I wanted Daisy Jones and the Six to be - all the decadence of the rock star lifestyle with deep emotional depictions of grief. I was hooked and couldn't put this down, the structure of excerpts of interviews and TikTok transcripts mixed with prose kept this interesting. It broke my reading slump with aplomb.

I particularly enjoyed that the refreshing focus was on Hannah's grieving, rather than the burgeoning romance with Theo, which allowed the romance to grow more organically in the background, whilst giving the grief respect it deserved. Having started the read assuming this would be light and fluffy, the depth of emotions conveyed were unexpected and I felt that Winstead respected me as a reader to be able to cope with this. It won't be for everyone due to potential triggers but I loved it.

I haven't read any Ashley Winstead before but will quickly now work my way through her backlist - the writing style entranced me. The ambiguous ending will not be for all readers, but it left me with a hopeful feeling for the characters on closing the book.

Hannah, who is both beautiful and broken, is the front woman of the band The Future Saints. They are falling apart rapidly because Hannah is losing her mind due to the death of Ginny, her sister and band manager. Everything changes when their record label's "fixer," Theo, takes over the band. This is an extremely well written book full of the highs and lows of the rock and roll life.

The Future Saints is about a band who have had some success but haven't quite lived up to their full potential. They are assigned a new manager following the passing of their much loved old manager, As they explore a new sound and experience some viral success they explode in popularity and the band and new manager Theo have to navigate their newfound success whilst also trying to come to terms with their grief and evolving personalities and feelings. In summary this book is a whirlwind of emotions and follows the band but most closely the lead singer Hannah who is struggling with grief and dealing with life in the spotlight. I absolutely adored this story. It was heartfelt and had some great depictions of grief and the struggles that Hannah faced. I loved all the members of the band and enjoyed the levity that their joint interactions brought to the book. I also really enjoyed Ashley Winstead's writing style and having only read one book by her before I look forward to reading more of her backlist.
I'm sure this will be a popular book upon its release! A really heartfelt emotional look at grief, addiction, evolving friendships and complex family issues whilst also very entertaining and an addictive read. Highly recommend!

Wow! I devoured this. Ashley Winstead has another 5 star read and this seems to be different from everything so far yet carries her signature style.

This is a serious page turner and I love how emotionally in touch this book is. Th characters make you feel and root for them and quickly turn the pages to know their fate. The supporting characters are amazingly written and add to the story. They show both the positives and negatives of the world they inhabit.

I loved the insight into the music world. Something that the fans of Daisy Jones and the Six would love. The writing style in terms of excerpts and pov is definitely engaging. But this book also beautifully integrates aspects of grief, loss, family, love, ambition, sacrifice. Th dialogues bring out the banter and witty nature of the characters amidst what they are facing. I have to say I loved the band and how the story is brought together. The dynamics play out beautifully.

I loved how the pap culture, social media, rivalry and industry control is shown. Not going to give any spoilers but it also has some good twists and amazing chemistry, but not what you would expect. Definitely recommend picking this one up! If you read one book this year let it be this one. If makes you wanting for the next book my Winstead as always!

Thank you Aria & Aries and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange of my unbiased review.

This definitely isn’t the normal type of book by Ashley and it was good to see her out of her comfort zone. The book was engaging and I really enjoyed it!

The Future Saints was definitely a departure from Ashley Winstead's more lighthearted, fluffier romances - this felt more literary and emotional, slightly darker and more provocative. It was truly fantastic to read- I couldn't put it down! Whilst I don't get the sense Theo and Hannah are made for forever together, I think that really added to it. The way Winstead has written the band (very much Hannah/ Theo focussed at the start, then hearing more and more from Rip and other characters) really reflected the character development nicely. I loved that we saw Hannah and Theo's attitude towards alcohol progress as the book got darker and I think it was handled really sensitively without being glib. The tenderness from Theo and his persistence really endeared me to him.

I'm not sure about the Hannah/Ginny dialogue but it definitely had the desired effect of showing the true darkness and longing within Hannah. I enjoyed that despite being in a band and a book about the music industry, Winstead didn't get too bogged down in lyrics. This isn't a pick-up and read every day book- it requires the time, care and emotional commitment that Winstead has clearly poured into it.

‘The Future Saints’ by Ashley Winstead tells the story of record executive Theo, who has a reputation at his label for monetising and then culling “problem” bands. Dispatched to a dive bar to meet drifting rock band the Future Saints in their hometown, Theo realises that the group - who have been in a downward spiral since the death of their former manager - have something incredibly special. Having fallen in love with the magic of their music and the haunting vocals of grieving lead singer, Hannah, will he be able to keep things strictly business?

I recently read and enjoyed a couple of Winstead’s thrillers, but it’s been a while since I read a contemporary/romance novel from her… and this has reminded me what a talented and versatile author she is.

I became pretty obsessed with the band and found Theo so loveable… even more so when the rockstars were making fun of him for being a “suit”. Spiky, damaged Hannah had a lot of depth and was a captivating female lead! I also loved the mixed media style of the narrative.

I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoyed ‘Daisy Jones and the Six’ by Taylor Jenkins Reid, ‘The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits’ by Jennifer Weiner or Ava Wilder’s angsty celebrity romances!

This the first 2026 release I’ve given five stars to, and I’m hoping it’s a sign of what’s to come! I received an advance Digital Review Copy of this book from the publisher Aria & Aries via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Ashley Winstead impressed me with In My Dreams I Hold a Knife and after some reading I realized she branched into romances (I haven’t read any of hers yet). This book though, is something else-it’s contemporary, centered around a rock band that’s hanging on by a thread, it’s filled with entertainment, drama and love. Winstead explores friendship, grief/loss, sisterhood, mental health, love and fame. I continued to get more and more engaged in the book as various drama ensued. I read this one in two days…be warned it’s emotional and dark at times but such a stunning read.

Theo Ford, a music label "fixer", is sent to a dive bar to evaluate and salvage what he can of The Future Saints. The band initially showed promise, but after the death of their manager, Ginny, the lead singer’s sister, they are reeling. Hannah, our blonde haired, blue eyed front woman is haunted; she delivers a moving, soul-bearing performance that goes viral, resonating with millions. It is clear they are all grieving Ginny, and Theo can’t turn away.

Winstead has produced a magical story- the characters have such depth and their backgrounds are layered masterfully, creating a heartfelt, rich, Hollywood drama. Hannah’s character is depicted so well, she’s a bit of a mess, yearning for her sister, hurting and battling her own mental health demons. I was so impressed with how Winstead shows the fans relating to Hannah and her story through descriptions of Instagram posts and TikTok videos. Somehow she made it flow so well and it was easy to picture these fans speaking to Hannah.

Theo is the calm man in a suit that holds Hannah, Kenny and Rip together. He has to put his feelings aside momentarily to do what’s best for the band.

I loved the rock and roll, fame, and nostalgia that are draped throughout this book. Raw and real characters with true pain shine through the pages. Winstead’s writing is so vivid that it felt as though The Future Saints were my favourite band and I was there cheering them on every moment. It was a beautiful journey to be a part of and I was savoring every page…not to mention the slow burn love story and the ending, which was just perfection.

Please add this one to your list and even give it a pre-order! I think this will be a hit! Thank you to @netgalley and Aria and Aries for the arc!

Thank you to Ashley Winstead, Aria & Aries and NetGalley for this arc!

I am an absolute sucker for a rockstar/hollywood/famous person romance trope and when I saw this I thought it would be right up my street.
While it definitely had elements of that, it was not what I expected at all but in the best way.

The Future Saints follows Hannah, our lead singer of The Future Saints who is in the midst of grieving her beloved sister - and the bands manager - Ginny. In the only way she knows how to articulate it, what was once a soft, laidback sound to the band becomes a tragic and intense new sound that has started capturing attention. But with Hannah slowly going off the rails in an attempt to stay in her grief, the bands newfound fame brings about Theo, the bands new manager who is sent to clean up the Saints act and smash out a hit record full of their new material.

As the story unfolds, Hannah’s grief threatens to swallow her whole and Theo is perhaps the only person who is able to get through to her. It was definitely a romance by the end but not by conventional standards, but more of a book on grief and picking up the pieces in the aftermath of trauma.

I’ve never read a book by this author before but I loved the writing style. It read slightly TJR in style which I loved, and some have likened it to Daisy Jones & The Six (although I’ve never read that!). I am usually a fan of a big, lovely happy ever after and while the ending of this book was satisfying, it was open ended and left open to the imagination on what happens next which I surprisingly loved. I thought each and every character was so real and genuine and I felt such a connection to the characters even when I didn’t really like their actions.

One of my favourite reads in a long time; I would really recommend this one and I look forward to trying some other titles from this author!

I really didn’t need to be sold on this one - Ashley Winstead & perfect for fans of Daisy Jones…need you say more! As with all her books her writing is so engaging and I’m never bored, great characters and love stories about music and fame. I suppose my only criticism is that it will be so heavily compared to Daisy Jones and The Six which is one of my favourites and so it’s hard to live up to such high expectations. I will of course read anything this author writes and I love that she’s constantly trying different genres but if I’m 100% honest her thrillers are still my favourite!

Thank you to netgalley for providing an ecopy in exchange for an honest review.

The Future Saints rock band were once riding the top of the charts but now stricken by grief at the death of their manager they are washed out and losing fans. Their record company sends Theo Ford, an executive ‘fixer’ to check them out and see if he can get them back on track to fulfil their contract for one more album. He tracks them down to a run-down bar in a small Californian town and finds them playing a dispirited set. It’s not looking good for them, until lead singer Hannah Cortland belts out the last song which is so full of grief and emotion it blows him away.

Hannah’s new songs are coming from her grief at the death of her sister and band manager, Ginny. Gone is their light and breezy California pop, replaced by a totally different style showing raw emotions and longing. Videos of the performance go viral on social media and the public love it! The only problem is that Hannah is self-destructive and unstable, self medicating herself into oblivion with drugs and alcohol, but she certainly has a fierce talent if only Theo can help her harness it.

This is an emotionally raw account of a band on the edge, with grief and egos all playing a part as well as the pressure and demands of the music industry. Hannah is drawn as the quintessential talented and highly strung lead singer, vulnerable and haunted, out of control and on the edge of self-destructing. I don’t imagine there are too many ‘fixers’ around like Theo who starts to take a personal interest in the band and their music and in healing Hannah, rather than a purely business one, as he tries to steer them towards success. I would really liked to have got to know the other members of the band a bit more, as they are all interesting with a lot to offer. Overall,l I really enjoyed this moving depiction of grief and loss amidst the pressures of fame and creativity and I enjoyed the realistic ending.

The Future Saints is a story that follows a band called the Future Saints comprised of Hannah, Rip and Kenny. This book is told from the POV of Hannah and the POV of record executive Theo. Theo meets the Future Saints when they are performing at a dive bar in their hometown. The performance is a mess and the band is not what it used to be. Hannah is the lead singer and is struggling after the death of her sister who was also the band’s manager. Theo needs to motivate the band to make a new album which needs to be successful but Hannah keeps going viral for all the wrong reasons and she is not ready to move on from the death of her sister.

This book is very good and I’m really impressed by this author. This book sucked me in from the very start and I didn’t want to put this down. I read it in one day and found it to be a compelling story. The writing was good and it was very easy to connect to Hannah. This book is focused on Hannah’s grief which I found to be so relatable and I teared up at the end. It was cool to see the band through Theo’s eyes as an outsider. I have no musical talent but always thought it would be so cool to be in a band and this book helped me to experience what being in a band would be like. I can see many people enjoying this and I will be recommending this. I wouldn’t say this is like Daisy Jones and the Six that much, this is unique and a very different story to that book. It’s a story of grief, sisterhood and love. I thoroughly enjoyed this.

Sensational!!
Heartbreakingly beautiful💔Sorrowful. Mesmerising🎊
Some books will stay with you for years to come and this was one of those for me.

Theo, a record executive, is sent to meet the Future Saints. They are playing at a dive bar and avoiding their record label, since the death of their manager. Theo is struck by Hannah, the lead singer, who debuts a whole new song when he arrives at the bar. A new sound and a new opportunity. But things are more complicated than he initially expected and getting the band back to success may prove more challenging than he first thought, as Hannah's grief is all consuming.

This was just spectacular. The music, the grief, the challenges, friendships, love, triumphs, family and connections, community and loyalty. Inspiring and truly remarkable.

Theo is sent by his record label as the new manager for the Future Saints rock trio. Their former manager, sister to their singer and songwriter, Hannah, tragically drowned and their performances have plummeted . A wonderful insight into the lives of celebrity rockstars and the effect of social media, whilst suffering the grief echoed in Hannah's songs . Hard to put down, brilliant.

“Women with ambition are intimidating to a lot of men.”

That line hooked me right away, and it sets the tone perfectly for what The Future Saints is about — ambition, grief, fame, and finding the strength to keep going even when life throws everything at you.

As soon as I saw this compared to Daisy Jones & The Six, I knew I had to read it. I love anything with that band dynamic, and having already loved Ashley Winstead’s Fool Me Once duology, I was sure this would be right up my street. It absolutely was. In fact, it might be one of my favourite reads of 2025 already.

The book follows The Future Saints — Hannah (lead vocals and guitar), Tarak aka Ripper (bass), and Kenny (drums) — as they deal with the loss of their manager and try to keep going. When Theo steps in as their new manager, everything changes. The story switches between Hannah and Theo’s perspectives and mixes in interviews, articles, and even social media comment threads. I really liked that — it made the whole thing feel modern and alive, like you’re right in the middle of the chaos that comes with fame.

The way Ashley writes about the online world feels so real. The social media parts, with fans commenting, reacting, misinterpreting, and connecting — it’s exactly what life is like now. Some of the phrases actually made me laugh because I had to Google them; it made me feel old in the best way!

Hannah is one of those characters that gets under your skin. She’s strong, loyal, and messy in a completely believable way. You can feel her grief and frustration but also her heart. She’s trying so hard to keep it all together and you just want to reach through the page and give her a hug. She’s the kind of FMC who feels real enough that you could meet her in a coffee shop and just get her.

Theo is brilliant too — a really refreshing character in the world of music and management. He’s calm, grounded, and brings such a balance to Hannah’s chaos. The way their relationship develops feels natural and emotional, not rushed or overly romanticised. They just fit, and I loved watching that connection grow.

Then there’s the rest of the band — Kenny and Ripper. I completely adored them. Their friendship, their loyalty, the way they argue and still have each other’s backs no matter what — it gave me proper found-family vibes. There’s this real sense of them against the world, and I couldn’t get enough of that dynamic.

There’s also a twist around the band’s late manager that I genuinely didn’t see coming. It completely threw me but in the best way. It changes how you see certain moments earlier in the book, and it adds this wave of emotion that hit me right in the chest.

The book handles grief in such a raw and honest way. It doesn’t try to make it neat or easy. It shows the messy parts — the anger, the numbness, the tiny steps forward that don’t always feel like progress. There’s a line that really stuck with me: “Loss gives us an unexpected gift.” That’s exactly what Hannah’s journey shows — that sometimes loss gives you a new way of seeing the world, even if it hurts to get there.

And of course, the writing is stunning but still easy to read. It feels like music on the page — shifting rhythm, building emotion, never staying still. I loved the little nod to Kerri Maniscalco, too — it made me smile.

By the end, I was completely in bits. I laughed, I cried, I got angry and protective. I was so invested in these characters that finishing the last page actually hurt a little. The ending is… wow. Capital OMG. I wasn’t ready for it at all. It’s one of those that leaves you shouting “no, that can’t be it!” while secretly loving that it’s been left open. I need a sequel — I refuse to believe this is where it ends.

And there’s one final quote that sums up what this book really is: “You don’t have to be perfect to be powerful. You can pull yourself out of the dark.” That line broke me a bit, but it also tied everything together. It’s about grief, but it’s also about surviving, forgiving yourself, and finding your voice again — even when it shakes.

This book has everything I love: emotional depth, brilliant characters, a band that feels like a family, and a story that punches you right in the heart. I honestly can’t find a single fault.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 — I’ve absolutely adored this book. For me, it’s easily one of the best things I’ve read in 2025, and I’ve got no doubt it’ll be the book of the year for so many when it officially releases in January 2026.

I started reading "The Future Saints" with very few expectations. I thought it might be a rock band version of Layne Fargo's "The Favorites". I was thrilled to discover that it was far less stressful than that would have been.
Ashley Winstead's novel follows the titular rock band "The Future Saints" as they gain a new manager, workaholic Theo. I knew little of the plot going in and I think that that might be best way so I won't say much more, but what follows is a fairly sanitised exploration on grief, abandonment, growing up and self acceptance. I would have loved a bit more of a conclusion at the end, but it was beautifully rounded off, so I think I might be greedy.

The Future Saints by Ashley Winstead is a powerful and emotional book about love, loss and the cost of ambition. When record executive Theo discovers The Future Saints playing to a half-empty bar, he sees something extraordinary in Hannah, the band’s passionate lead singer. Her new sound is raw and unpolished, but it carries real pain and truth. Determined to give the band one last chance, Theo risks his career to help them rise again.

As the story unfolds, grief, fame and self-destruction collide. Hannah’s struggle to cope with loss and her complicated relationship with her sister Ginny drive the story forward, while Theo’s quiet empathy offers a counterpoint to her chaos. Their connection is tender and believable, full of both tension and understanding.

Winstead’s writing captures the spirit of music perfectly. The noise, the emotion and the power of performance leap from the page. Beneath it all lies a deep exploration of mental health, family and forgiveness.

Moving, honest and beautifully written, this is a story about finding hope and healing through the mess of art and love.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Ashley Winstead can do no wrong! Wow, this book is intense and it broke me emotionally. Now everyone knows that I don’t do romance but if Ashley writes it I will read it. I was a bit of a mess of tears by the end of this book, I loved it so much.

I am a sucker for a book that goes behind the scenes in the music or film industries. We meet The Future Saints playing a gig that is half empty and has no feeling. That is until lead singer Hannah announces that they are playing a new song and the crowd goes wild. In the crowd is their new manager, a manager that they don’t want. Theo doesn’t let this stop him from getting backstage and into their lives.

I don’t want to say too much more about the story, it is one of those books that you just have to read to find out more. More than a story about a band, The Future Saints is an emotional roller coaster that will stay with me for a very long time.

It is a story of grief, of love, family, fame, friendship and so much more, it will break your heart and then stomp on it. Hannah is a brilliant character, not the most likeable person but so incredibly talented and broken, that you can’t help but feel for her. There is only one thing in the world that she wants, and coming to terms with the fact that she can never have it is what makes this story so special .

I loved her bandmates and long time friends Ripper and Kevin. They were the kind of friends that everyone wants, so loyal even through the really dark times. Theo was lovely too, so much patience.

This book is going to be top of everyone’s favourite books list when it comes out in January. You just have to read it. I don’t think anything I can say will do it the justice that it deserves.

Thank you so so much Aria and Aries for my early copy to read. Such an honour. Out in the world on January 22nd.

Ashley Winstead’s The Future Saints feels like a creative leap into new territory, and it’s an impressive one. Known for her thrillers, Winstead shifts into emotionally rich contemporary fiction without losing any of the intensity that defines her writing. This novel hums with grief, music, and the complicated bonds that hold people together long after life has pulled them in different directions.
At its heart is the band The Future Saints, a group frozen in place after the loss of their manager. Into their fractured world walks Theo, a record executive meant to sever ties with the band — not save them. But what he finds instead is a group with raw, aching potential, especially in their lead singer, Hannah. She’s a woman carving new space for herself through music, even as grief pushes her toward choices that threaten to derail everything she’s building. Her relationship with her sister Ginny adds another charged layer, making the story as much about family and shared wounds as it is about art.
Winstead handles the emotional landscape with honesty. The exploration of loss feels grounded and deeply human, capturing not only the weight of personal sorrow but the ripple effect it has on the people orbiting around it. The band’s history, friendships, and fractures carry the story as much as the music does, giving Hannah’s arc a real sense of depth and lived experience.
While there’s a thread of romance between Hannah and Theo, it stays mostly in the background — and that works. The true focus is Hannah’s struggle to move forward while fame, family, and her own self-destructive instincts collide. Readers expecting a sweeping love story may find the chemistry muted, but those drawn to character-driven fiction will appreciate that Winstead keeps the spotlight where it belongs.
The novel’s mixed-media structure — peppered with social posts, interviews, lyrics, and commentary — brings an immediacy that makes the band feel startlingly real. It’s easy to imagine their songs, to hear the rasp in Hannah’s voice, to sense the electricity of a group caught between collapse and rebirth.
A love letter to siblings, to the messiness of creative partnership, and to the heavy truths of addiction and grief, The Future Saints is a standout work of contemporary fiction. Fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid–style music narratives and emotionally immersive storytelling will find plenty to love here. It’s heartfelt, unique, and quietly powerful — the kind of book that lingers after the last note fades.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the alc.

📕 ASH’S RATING: 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Vibes: Rockstar Romantic, Almost Famous, Roadie Chaos

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I always admire an author who can jump between genres so well and Ashley Winstead is the genre hopping queen. The last book I read from Ashley was a serial killer thriller and now she’s completely switched up to a band banging, heart thumping love story and she’s nailed both (5 stars from me!)

The Future Saints surprised me in the best way. The premise is not new.. struggling band, fragile hearts, grief and ghosts of the past but Ashley’s storytelling makes it feel fresh.

Her writing style has always been a joy to read and I love her mixed media style adding in fictional news articles and online chat forums and in particular how she brought The Future Saints characters to life so well that I wanted to go out and buy their album.

Sure there were a few over the top, cliche moments and that’s rockstar fiction for you. But there were moments that gave me absolute goosebumps and an ending that was so spine tingling it locked in a 5 star rating immediately!

If you’re a rock and roll romantic gal, an Almost Famous tragic (hi, it’s me) or you love book vibes like Daisy Jones and the Six or The Favourites, this one is calling your name.

A big thank you to Aria and Aries for the sneak peek of this read.

Theo Ford is a music manager, with a reputation for fixing bands. Sent to try to help The Future Saints, he arrives in their lives to find a band dealing with grief, especially lead singer Hannah, whose sister and the band’s previous manager, is the one they are grieving for.
This has a Daisy and the Six feel about it, it really feels like it takes what it’s like to be in a band, and have the spotlight on you, and turns it into an emotional roller coaster of a read.
Loved it.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.