Ashley Poston’s latest, Sounds Like Love, is a luminous blend of magical‐realism romance, creative burnout, and small–town nostalgia. At its heart are Joni Lark, a hitmaking songwriter facing a crippling block, and Sebastian McKellen, a former boy‐band guitarist with a charismatic bad‑boy past. Their inexplicable psychic link—triggered by a shared half‑written song—forms the core emotional journey of the novel. Reviews have called it a “sweet, sexy romance” with “a touch of magic” that stays with readers long after the final page.
A Struggling Star Returns Home
The story opens in Los Angeles, with Joni wrestling with creative exhaustion despite her acclaim. After her mother’s dementia worsens and her childhood music venue, The Revelry, faces closure, Joni heads back to Vienna Shores, North Carolina. She’s seeking solace on the beach, family support, and most of all, inspiration.
But the hometown she loved has changed: her best friend is distant, family dynamics are strained, and her mother’s failing mind casts a shadow of grief. Suddenly, a haunting melody and a mysterious male voice begin ringing in her mind—neither of which belong to any song she’s written .
Two Voices in Tune… Psychically
Enter Sebastian, the gruff yet vulnerable musician behind that voice. Once a boy band sensation, he now seeks anonymity and authenticity instead of the limelight. When he and Joni connect telepathically over the melody and lyrics, they embark on a joint mission: finish the song, release the bond, and then return to their separate lives.
Poston cleverly uses this shared creative process to explore heart boundaries and emotional walls—but of course, sparks fly. The bond forces both characters to confront their vulnerabilities: Joni her fear of loss, Sebastian his desire to be seen as more than a past star.
Sweet Small‑Town Vibes & Family Ties
Vienna Shores pulses with life: the surf, sand, family gatherings, hometown gigs, and local warmth contrast sharply with Joni’s faded LA glamour. The community’s embrace reminds Joni of the long-forgotten parts of herself she desperately needs to reclaim. Many reviewers highlight the “cozy” charm and how the musical venue setting amplifies the emotional stakes.
The narrative also leans into grief—not as melodrama, but with genuine emotional weight as Joni faces her mother’s dementia. Critics indicate that Poston’s tone balances humor and pathos gracefully, making the heartbreaking moments feel earned rather than forced.
Magic, Music & Romantic Tension
If you crave a tale steeped in musicality and magical realism, this delivers. The psychic song connection is both playful and haunting, delivering humor in improbable whispered conversations and pangs of longing at unexpected times.
The dialogue crackles with banter, and when nerves fray, the emotional vulnerability shines through. The climax, often called “heartfelt” and “moving,” sees Joni and Sebastian finishing the song together under high emotional stakes: Joni confronting her regrets and Sebastian embracing his true self .
Audiobook Magic: Patti Murin’s Captivating Narration
Listening to the audiobook version—narrated by Patti Murin—has earned 5‑star praise. Listeners say she brings nuance to both Joni’s inner turmoil and the duo’s shared chemistry. One reviewer said the ending alone “would have made the entire book” for them.
Thematic Resonance: Burnout, Boundaries & Healing
Poston mines burnout—not just creative, but emotional exhaustion. Joni’s struggle with expectations (“always better, always more”) mirrors real‑world artist dilemmas. Speaking in an E! exclusive, Poston expressed how she wanted to explore burnout and its ripple effect through an emotional narrative set in a place that was both nostalgic and healing .
The psychic link also prompts reflection on boundaries—what we let others see, how we guard our hearts, and what it takes to let someone in. It’s a tender, magical metaphor for hearing the other’s heart even when words fail.
A Heartwarming, Slow‑Burning Romance
Many early readers note it’s a slow‑burn romance wrapped in familial warmth and introspection. While a few mention minor pacing lulls, the emotional pay‑off is consistently praised as worth the wait .
The chemistry builds naturally: first tentative mental exchanges, then collaborative songwriting, then heartfelt personal openness. By the beachside finale, it feels like the culmination of the emotional melody woven throughout the book.
For Whom This Romance Resonates
- Fans of magical realism, especially those who enjoy gentle supernatural elements wrapped in emotional arcs.
- Music lovers: songwriters, fans, or anyone enchanted by the songwriting process and live‑music settings.
- Readers seeking emotional feel‑good romance with soul, family ties, and a poignant look at aging/loss.
- Listeners who appreciate lush audiobook narration—especially Patti Murin’s engaging voice .
Final Verdict: A Summer Romance That Strikes a Chord
Sounds Like Love is exactly the kind of book you tuck in your beach tote: tender, thoughtful, and charmingly melodic. It blends magical realism with real‑world stakes: grief over a parent’s decline, creative exhaustion, and surging longing that spans miles yet stays intimate. It’s about finding your voice, trusting others to hear it, and letting love be the chorus you didn’t know you needed.
Yes, there are moments where the pacing softens midway, but the final chapters hit the emotional crescendo perfectly. Between its witty banter, gentle magic, and strong themes of healing, Poston has crafted a summer romance that sticks with you long after the last note fades.
If you’ve loved her previous novels like The Seven Year Slip, A Novel Love Story, or The Dead Romantics, this is another heartfelt entry in her repertoire. And if you’re new to Poston, start here—you might find the summer read you didn’t know you needed.
📚 Rating Summary
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Story & Plot | ★★★★☆ |
| Characters | ★★★★☆ |
| Romance & Chemistry | ★★★★½ |
| Emotional Depth | ★★★★½ |
| Enjoyability | ★★★★☆ |
Conclusion
Sounds Like Love is a slow-burning melody of hope, healing, and heartfelt connection—perfect for summer listening or reading. Whether you’re drawn to magical realism, music, grief‑touched joy, or simply a beautifully told love story, this one will hit the right notes.
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