Ashley Poston’s latest offering, Sounds Like Love, orchestrates a symphony of emotion that resonates long after the final page. This contemporary romance with magical realism elements explores the inexplicable connection between two strangers who find themselves bound by an unfinished melody—a premise that could easily stumble into absurdity but instead soars with genuine heart and authentic musicality.
The story follows Joni Lark, a successful Los Angeles songwriter experiencing the creative drought that every artist fears most. Her return to her coastal hometown of Vienna Shores, North Carolina, sets the stage for both personal reckoning and unexpected romance. When she begins hearing a mysterious melody accompanied by an alluring voice in her head, the line between imagination and reality blurs in the most captivating way.
Character Portraits: The People Behind the Music
Poston demonstrates her mastery of character development through Joni’s evolution from a burned-out creative professional to someone rediscovering her authentic self. Joni’s internal struggles feel remarkably authentic—the pressure to follow up a career-defining hit, the guilt of success when family faces hardship, and the complex emotions surrounding a parent’s declining health. Her voice carries the weight of someone caught between two worlds: the glittering superficiality of Los Angeles and the grounded reality of her small-town roots.
Sebastian “Sasha” Fell emerges as more than just a love interest; he’s a fully realized character grappling with his own shadows. As the son of legendary rocker Roman Fell, Sebastian carries the burden of living up to an impossible legacy while struggling with addiction recovery and the desire to forge his own path. The contrast between his public persona and private vulnerability creates a compelling tension that drives much of the novel’s emotional weight.
The supporting cast enriches the narrative significantly. Wynona Lark, Joni’s mother, facing early-stage dementia, represents one of the novel’s most poignant elements. Poston handles this sensitive subject with remarkable grace, avoiding melodrama while capturing the heartbreaking reality of watching a loved one slip away gradually. Gigi, Joni’s best friend, provides both comic relief and grounding wisdom, though her character occasionally feels underdeveloped compared to the leads.
The Magic in the Music: Exploring Supernatural Romance
The magical realism element—the telepathic connection through song—serves as more than mere plot device. Poston uses this supernatural bond to explore themes of creative collaboration, emotional intimacy, and the ineffable nature of artistic inspiration. The shared melody becomes a metaphor for how two people can complete each other’s unfinished thoughts, dreams, and fears.
However, this magical element sometimes creates pacing issues. The initial confusion about whether Sebastian is real or imaginary extends perhaps longer than necessary, occasionally testing reader patience. When the truth finally emerges, the revelation feels both inevitable and satisfying, though some readers might wish for more exploration of the connection’s origins.
Vienna Shores: A Character in Its Own Right
Poston’s portrayal of Vienna Shores transcends typical small-town romance settings. The Revelry, the family’s music venue, pulses with decades of musical history, becoming a character as vital as any human in the story. The author’s descriptions of the venue—”the sharp lights of the stage, the crackle of the stereo, the smell of stale beer and sweat that had seeped so far into the hardwood floors”—create an immersive sensory experience.
The coastal setting provides more than picturesque backdrop; it represents the pull of home versus the allure of big-city dreams. The approaching hurricane serves as both literal plot device and metaphorical representation of the changes threatening to wash away everything familiar.
Thematic Depth: More Than a Love Story
Beneath the romantic plot lies a meditation on several profound themes:
- Creative burnout and artistic authenticity receive thoughtful treatment through Joni’s struggle to rediscover her musical voice
- Family responsibility versus personal ambition plays out through Joni’s guilt about pursuing her LA career while her family faces challenges
- The nature of memory and legacy emerges through both the Revelry’s impending closure and Wynona’s dementia
- Second chances and redemption thread through Sebastian’s recovery journey and his relationship with his father
Writing Style: Poston’s Musical Prose
Poston’s prose demonstrates the same melodic quality that defines her characters’ musical abilities. Her sentences flow with natural rhythm, particularly during emotional climaxes. The chapter titles, all references to classic songs, create a clever structural element that reinforces the novel’s musical foundation.
The author excels at writing emotional scenes without veering into sentimentality. The moments between Joni and her mother carry genuine weight, particularly a scene where Wynona struggles to remember how to use a bottle opener—a small detail that speaks volumes about the cruel progression of dementia.
Areas for Improvement: When the Music Falters
Despite its many strengths, Sounds Like Love has notable weaknesses. The pacing occasionally stumbles, particularly in the middle section where the will-they-won’t-they dynamic feels repetitive. Some secondary plotlines, including Gigi’s romantic subplot, feel underdeveloped and could benefit from more attention or trimming entirely.
The resolution comes together perhaps too neatly, with several conflicts resolved in ways that strain credibility. Sebastian’s transformation from bitter recluse to devoted partner happens rapidly, though Poston provides enough groundwork to make it believable. The ending, while satisfying emotionally, ties up loose ends with a convenience that some readers might find overly optimistic.
Cultural and Musical Authenticity
Poston’s research into the music industry shows throughout the novel. The details about songwriting, recording, and the business side of music feel authentic and informed. The references to classic songs and artists create a rich tapestry that music lovers will appreciate, though they never overshadow the story for readers less familiar with musical history.
The portrayal of small-town music venues and the challenges they face in modern entertainment landscapes rings true. The Revelry’s struggle to survive echoes real concerns about cultural preservation in rapidly changing communities.
Comparative Analysis: Poston’s Growing Artistry
Compared to Poston’s previous works like The Dead Romantics, A Novel Love Story, and The Seven Year Slip, Sounds Like Love demonstrates increased confidence in handling serious subjects alongside romantic elements. While maintaining the whimsical charm that defines her brand, this novel tackles heavier themes with greater sophistication.
The magical realism elements feel more integral to the plot than in some of her earlier works, serving story rather than existing for their own sake. The emotional depth regarding family relationships, particularly the mother-daughter dynamic, represents some of Poston’s finest writing to date.
For Readers Who Loved: Similar Recommendations
Fans of Sounds Like Love should consider:
- “Beach Read” by Emily Henry – for its blend of emotional depth and romantic tension
- “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid – for its music industry setting and family secrets
- “The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig – for its exploration of life choices and second chances
- “Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine” by Gail Honeyman – for its treatment of family trauma and healing
- “The Ten Thousand Doors of January” by Alix E. Harrow – for its magical realism and coming-of-age themes
Final Verdict: A Song Worth Hearing
Sounds Like Love succeeds as both an entertaining romance and a thoughtful exploration of creativity, family, and finding one’s authentic voice. While not without flaws—the pacing issues and occasionally convenient plotting prevent it from reaching true excellence—the novel offers enough emotional resonance and character development to satisfy both romance readers and those seeking deeper literary merit.
Poston has crafted a story that acknowledges the messiness of real life while maintaining hope for healing and connection. The magical elements enhance rather than overshadow the human elements, creating a reading experience that feels both escapist and grounded.
The novel’s treatment of dementia deserves particular praise for its sensitivity and authenticity. Poston, drawing from personal experience as noted in her author’s note, captures both the heartbreak and unexpected moments of grace that accompany this devastating disease.
Why This Song Will Stay with You
Sounds Like Love reminds us that the best love stories aren’t just about romantic connection—they’re about finding harmony within ourselves and with the world around us. Joni and Sebastian’s journey toward each other parallels their individual journeys toward creative fulfillment and personal healing.
The novel’s exploration of how music connects us across time, space, and circumstance feels particularly relevant in our increasingly disconnected world. Poston suggests that sometimes the most important conversations happen not through words but through the universal language of song.
For readers seeking romance with substance, characters with authentic struggles, and a setting that pulses with musical history, Sounds Like Love hits all the right notes. It’s a melody that will linger long after you’ve turned the final page—which, perhaps, is the highest compliment one can pay to any love story worth telling.
