"Most people aren’t ugly right to your face. They just make life difficult when your back is turned."

Reading Amy Harmon's book are like reuniting with an old friend. They comfort me, bring me happiness, and give me faith in humanity, and after a year like 2020, this book was a welcome distraction.

“She said if you want people to change, you have to show them what it looks like.”

Common among her books is her ability to question your moral compass without coming right out and doing so. The Songbook of Benny Lament, touches on the struggles for African American's during the 1960's. She does this through the lens of a romantic relationship between an Italian American male and an African American female.

Benny Lament and Esther Mine could not be more dissimilar and yet, similar at the same time. He is an only child and was raised by his father. Benny's dad works for the head of the mob (who happens to be his late mother's brother). Esther Mine was raised in a household full of brothers by a mother and father. The two connected through their mutual love of music. Both used music to escape and both had dreams of 'getting out' leaving their struggles and life behind while pursing a music career.

During the 1960's in America, theirs wasn't a condoned relationship. But love is love and these two were meant to be and weathered many painful struggles and dangerous hurdles to be together.

“The thing is . . . when you’re close to me, everything inside me goes still. My heart stops. My breath slows. And my mind opens up, like I’m pushing open the windows and breathing in spring. Everything is so quiet that it’s . . . loud. So loud that it drowns out everything else. That’s what you do to me. And I like it.”

The way she pulls emotions from my heart is both painful and exciting. Harmon draws her readers in one word at a time until she has snared them, and then she slowly and meticulously unravels their emotions until they are no longer in control. We are puppets to her master hands.

Beautiful, emotional, heart-wrenching, and engrossing with a slow progression that sucks you in, Amy Harmon chronicles race relation struggles of the sixties through a poignant romance.

Wow! Ms. Harmon never ceases to surprise and amaze! In this touching and poignant tale of a mobster’s son and a young black singer in the 1960s era of social strife and turmoil, the author deftly weaves a stark and real-life look at the world beneath the glitz and glamour. Both main characters are a product of their upbringing but immediately find common ground in their love and humanity. Benny, as a gifted song-writer and Esther with her soul-stopping voice. The story is enlightening, heart-breaking, and ultimately inspiring as these two beautiful characters find the soul of what it truly means to be human and love. Powerful writing, enthralling reading!

This love story is not sunshine and rainbows. Set in the 1960’s, it definitely wasn’t a favorable time for black people, and especially interracial love. Amy brought us a love so pure, fierce and brutally honest. I am so in love with Benny Lament, that I really can’t fault Esther for falling in love with my man (lol). He was so protective over her, and loved her with his whole self. Benny didn’t care what anyone thought, and just knew that he had to “write a song for her”, and that’s just what he did.

Amy didn’t shy away from the hard areas in this book. She writes with such realness and transparency that is refreshing. It’s gritty and painful, but oh the silver lining of hope that she paints with broad strokes in Benny & Esther love. It’s truly incredible!

I love Benny’s voice, and this story being in his pov. He’s so real and honest in his fears, and also his intense love for Esther. He is definitely in my top 5 book husbands list.

I love the Motown feel of the music, and the nod Amy gives to some of the greats that paved the way in the soul music genre. I loved the mobster feel to this story, and that we got to experience Benny’s Italian heritage from the Bronx.

This love story “strummed my pain with its fingers”, but if I had one take away it would be this: It’s a quote Esther said that will stay with me forever.

“If you want people to change, you have to show them what it looks like.”

Benny and Esther do this and more. Thank you Amy for continuing to give us the treasure of your words. They are truly a balm to the aching soul.

❓How to write a review that captures the sublime essence of this novel? I know you've all heard me drone on and on about Amy Harmon's talent, but let me just say that this incredible author knows no boundaries, and is an absolute master of words and emotion.

🔥In this latest novel, Ms. Harmon transports us to New York in the 1960s, to the center of life in the Italian mafia. Benny Lament wants little to do with his "famiglia" and their ties to the mob, and would much rather focus solely on his one true love, music. That is, until another distraction enters his orbit, Esther Mine. Suddenly the two begin a journey full of musical rapture, harsh realities, raw emotion, and surprising revelations.

🎶This novel is a joy for music fans and is perfect for those who enjoy historical fiction with a little romance and a touch of mystery. I was so immersed in this musical rendezvous where I could hear the rhythm and feel the beat.

❤As always, I am in awe of Amy's ability to captivate her audience; it is so evident that she adores her characters. This allows the reader to follow suit and embrace each magnificent individual readily. Benny's soft and strong demeanor paired with Esther's sassy courage is something I will remember long after the last page was turned. Harmon always does unparalleled research on her subjects and time periods and weaves a story full of both resolve and compassion. This novel is absolutely perfect for our time and place, tackling tough topics such as racism and stereotypes.

🗓So, please mark your calendars for this treasure due out March 16th! I guarantee you won't be disappointed!

🙏A million thanks to Amy Harmon and Lake Union Publishing for gifting me with this advanced reader's copy in exchange for a very honest review.

5/5👶👶👶👶👶 (of course!)

With all the glitz and glam of the New York music scene in the 1960s- Amy Harmon brings us a vibrant backdoor view to the mobs, the money, the politics, and the segregated lines that dictated who would rise and sing, and who would be defeated on the stage, in the ring, and on the streets.

With a brilliantly orchestrated timeline, and charming, era-accurate characters the story flows along with the music and the love story that draws you in until the last page. With sensitivity to the racial obstacles of the time, her characters embody the heart, soul, and dreams of Motown Music. This story and characters will stay with you long after the last page!

This story was powerful. Lots of powerful subjects. I don’t even have words. Amy knows how build up the intensity. You know something is going to go down, but you never know what, how or when, but you can just feel it. And this book definitely makes you feel, not just that, but everything. It takes you back in time and has you live and see things differently, through different eyes of different people. There is no story telling like Amy Harmon’s. She blew me away with this one.

As always the research the author put into her books is astonishing, and palpable. The story flows, engages, and is utterly spellbinding. And the way the Italian mob and the music of the 60s intertwined in this book was nothing short of masterful.

Benny and Esther’s story was epic, enthralling, and one of a kind. An interracial romance that was brimming with chemistry. I mean, the banter between them was just fabulous! And the way they made up lyrics – my most favorite part of the book – was just admirable. They effortlessly bounced ideas off each other, one moment they were squabbling, two minutes later the start of a new song was born. Just like that!

Each chapter was introduced by a segment of a radio interview, between Benny and the radio host on New Year’s Day of 1969. It was suSo good, and I can only imagine how well the audiobook will sound.

The book was unputdownable – PERIOD! Thanks to a fascinating background and characters which were based on facts, the book delivered a punch. One that was felt deeply. Especially in a year like 2020.

Also the Romeo and Juliet kind of vibe, the forbidden attraction between Benny and Esther pulled my heartstrings in more way than one.

The love-story, the era, the music – it was all exceptionally well done!

I have to admit that I was pretty intimidated going into this book. I know that Amy and her family are very musical and I was afraid too many things would just go over my head. But it did not! This is such an incredible story about love. Love of music, love of family, and of course knock you on your butt kind of love. Its set in the early 60's and tell the story of a semi Italian mobster and a beautiful black singer. Can the famous Benny Lament keep his promise to make Esther Mine a star? He sure does everything possible to make sure the world can hear her sing. If you love love, you will love this book.