In Sounds Like Love, hit songwriter Joni Lark returns home to Vienna Shores, North Carolina, hoping the sand, surf, and her family’s music venue will help spark her creativity. But nothing is the way she left it. Just as Joni struggles to reconnect with herself, a mysterious melody and a voice start echoing in her head - belonging to a wry, guarded musician named Sebastian. Their inexplicable mental connection might be the key to finishing the haunting song stuck in both their minds. I love the hint of magical realism that Ashley Poston always sprinkles into her novels, it’s just enough to let you escape reality without losing the emotional grounding. Sounds Like Love did not disappoint. I really enjoyed the storytelling aspect of Joni and Sebastian’s mental connection—getting to know someone with your guard down, without the layers we often use to protect ourselves, felt refreshing and honest. It made me think about how often we perform versions of ourselves, especially when meeting someone new. Their bond felt genuine and emotional in all the right ways. As someone who deeply connects to music (and experiences frisson!), I loved how central music was to the plot. It felt like a character in its own right. And while the romance and magic carried the story beautifully, there are also heavier elements (particularly the storyline involving Joni’s mother and her dementia diagnosis, which may be a trigger for some readers.) Still, this book struck a lovely balance between emotional depth and lyrical charm.