Holy cow. This novel was everything I didn’t know I needed right now. The perfect blend of rock and roll, love and reality with a touch of “a star is born.” Janie Q and Jesse Reid feel like real people, and I desperately wish there was an actual album of all the music described in this book. Anyone with nostalgia for the hippie music scene, a love of James Taylor and other folk song writers, or just general music lovers would thoroughly enjoy this book. There is a lot of heart and pain interwoven in the characters. So incredibly well done.

I read this book over a 24 hour period. That is unusual . It held my interest from the first page to the last.. The characters each had a distinct story to intertwine with the others. Nothing was as I thought it would be but was all very satisfying. Read this book if you like strong women and music.

Thank you to Netgalley for a free copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.

This book had a lot of promise. The story of Jane Quinn and Jesse Reid, rising folk stars during the 1970’s. The book is loosely based on the love affair of James Taylor and Joni Mitchell. The book is mostly told from Jane’s point of view though there are small sections from the viewpoints of other minor characters and from Jesse. This mostly acts as a distraction from the story. Which was interesting but not as well executed as I wanted it to be.

Unfortunately, this book pales in comparison to Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid, which follows an imaginary rock band and has a similar tone. But Songs in Ursa Major suffers from writing that is on just the wrong side of good - there is too much telling the reader what is happening instead of showing them and far too many metaphors.

Also, there are a couple of open door scenes that are quite jarring and feel gratuitous and unnecessary. The same thing goes for some of the swearing in the novel. I’m not opposed to either of those things in a book but they did not work here.

So what’s good? I liked the push and pull of Jane and Jesse’s relationship as well as the mystery surrounding Jane’s mother (though that could have been set up better). I enjoyed the song lyrics sprinkled throughout the book and some of the supporting characters - Rich, Simon and Willy - were fantastic and could’ve used more focus.

I kept reading to the end and I can see why others have enjoyed this one. It didn’t totally work for me but if you enjoy books that explore the music scene, give this one a go.

Perfect for fans of Daisy Jones and the Six and other fiction about musicians of the 60s-70s, Songs in Ursa Major is an impressive debut inspired by the affair between Joni Mitchell and James Taylor. Jane, Jesse, and the secondary characters were flawed but loveable and well-developed. The book was beautifully written and I appreciated the writing style. The interviews and/or non-linear timelines that are common in books about musicians have their place, but it's starting to feel overdone. This novel hits a perfect sweet spot for what I prefer in a summer read: not too lighthearted or fluffy, but not too heavy either. I look forward to more from Emma Brodie.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this read and think you will too if you enjoy behind the scenes looks at the late 60s/70s music industry. Supposedly based on the relationship between James Taylor and Joni Mitchell, this debut novel is well written with a strong push and pull between the two main characters/lead singers and well developed band mate characters. There were parts that were predictable, but it didn’t end wrapped in a perfect bow. Instead staying true to the characters and their choices that would have realistically followed (which I appreciated!) Artists are also often tortured, damaged souls who use their talent as a means of processing and self therapy (even when the process is at a detriment to themselves) and I enjoyed how this novel explored that. It’s a perfectly entertaining summer/beach read. Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Scheduled for release June 22, 2021

All the feels for this book. I was a big fan of Daisy Jones and the Six, and I'm pretty sure I loved Songs in Ursa Major more. Perhaps it's because I grew up with the sounds of James Taylor in my house, or I can relate to a young girl with big dreams, but this was one that I couldn't put down and will certainly never forget. It's beautifully written, and despite not growing up in the 70s, I felt as if I was transported back in time and could imagine every scene as it played out.

Read this lyrical story.- you won't be disappointed.

4.5stars

Thank you to Netgalley, Knopf, and Emma Brodie for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I LOVED this book. It, of course, has shades of Daisy Jones, but I was simply captivated. I cared about the characters, was curious to see what would transpire as time passed, rooted for them, enjoyed the bit players, and just loved it. Jane is a woman to get behind, coming of age, trying to remain true to herself, loyal to her family but conflicted, craving both the big time and her small town. Once I was a third of the way in, I could hardly put it down, plowing through to the end. Please read this book. I am only sad that it’s ended and that all of the stories and moments told aren’t able to be relived in true music history.

Thoroughly enjoyed this one. Excellent character development, easy to identify with the main characters. A heartbreaking love story, the price of fame exposed and realization some things are just not meant to be. Will read this one again.

When I began reading this book, I thought of how similar it was to Daisy Jones & The Six. Not in the style, but the story: a young beautiful woman whose dreams of becoming a famous singer start to come true due to her relationship with an established singer-songwriter. As I started reading further, it veered away from Daisy Jones and became its own novel with its own struggles and successes.

Songs in Ursa Major is apparently loosely based on Carly Simon and James Taylor (I found this out when I looked up reviews). I don't know how loosely it is based on their relationship, but the cast of characters are familiar and the story is not a new one. Jane Quinn is a beautiful (that's something repeated throughout--how beautiful she is, with her long blonde hair) and has incredible raw talent and a voice that is her own. She has a band that she's fiercely loyal to and as they go on tour with Jake Reed, she struggles with her sense of self, her deepening relationship to Jake, and is able to see what she's been missing.

The story isn't new. The drugs and sex and alcohol that are ubiquitous in rock'n'roll stories are here, but what makes this story different is that Jane isn't a pushover. What makes this story different is that Jane has a support network in place and Brodie throws a mystery into it. The mystery was the lie that was needed--it's a McGuffin lie. Brodie needed to propel the story forward, so she added this mystery.

Overall, this is a good read. If you like A Star Is Born and Daisy Jones & The Six, you'll enjoy this one, too. And then enjoy listening to the golden age of soft rock.

I was excited to receive an advanced readers copy of this book and went into it with high expectations. I absolutely loved Daisy Jones and the Six and was hoping this would be similar to that story given that they both take place in the 1970’s - one of my favorite musical decades!

The story starts out with a local band, The Breakers, getting the opportunity of a lifetime when they are asked to fill in last minute at a music festival for the no-show headliner Jesse Reid. The lead singer of The Breakers, Jane Quinn, delivers an amazing performance and wins over not only the audience but the music industry as well. Turns out that Jesse is recovering from a near fatal accident and coincidentally, Jane’s aunt is his private nurse. Jesse becomes a music industry mentor to Jane as The Breakers rapidly grow in popularity and the two soon become involved in a passionate love affair.

There were a lot of side stories in this book some of which left me confused or wondering why they were included in the first place. Parts of the story were quite interesting especially those that dealt with the ins and outs of the music industry and the pressure and frustration that a struggling female musician faced back then (and probably still faces today!). There were however many parts that seemed to drag and I found myself skimming ahead to more interesting pages. While I didn’t absolutely love this book, it was a decent story and I would recommend it to others.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free electronic advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

As a musician, I love books about music and musicians, and Songs in Ursa Major definitely checked some requirements off my list. A local band is called in at the last minute to fill in for Jesse Reid (A James Taylor-esque singer/songwriter) at a folk festival. They land a record deal, but Jane, the lead singer, doesn't want to play by the record company's rules. Jane and Jesse become a couple, and his demons almost end her career in music. Jane begins to question what truly matters to her, and saves both her career and Jesse's life in the process.

Songs in Ursa Major by Emma Brodie, is an excellent musical tale! Set in the late 1960’s-1970’s in Bayleen Island as a most popular Jesse Reid is suddenly injured and needs coverage for his festival concert show, The Breakers with lead singer Jane Quinn step in performing a most breathtaking performance, and everything changes. A fascinating rollercoaster ride of becoming famous, creating music, management companies, touring, mental illness, family bonds, falling in love, and the destruction of drug addiction, this story is compelling and unforgettable. Thank you NetGalley, author and publisher for the early reader edition, all opinions are my own.

I slid into Songs in Ursa Major like hearing and old favorite song. Jane Quinn, a young, talented musician lives in the safe arms of her loving extended family of women., preforms her music locally and lives a tranquil life on Bayleen Island. That is, until she and her band step onto the stage as a substitute for rock star Jesse Reid, following his motorcycle accident. Jane's glorious and painful relationship with Jesse amid the 70"s counter-culture, dealing with the anguish of family secrets, and the cruelty and sexism of the music industry pave the way to the expression of her feelings through music. This is a very well written book with strong and resilient women at its core. I enjoyed the lyrics incorporated in the book and experiencing Jane's coming of age journey. I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review and that Netgalley, author and publisher for this opportunity.

Wow. This is a wonderful read. The prose is so poetic and captivating. I love how the words are put perfectly in to place and the pictures that Brodie creates within the lines. The characters were real and raw as well. The only thing I didn't like was a felt like the romance was rushed in a sense that it seemed like some of the falling in love is skipped over, would like to have seen a little bit more of that. I would definitely read again and recommend especially for fans of rockstar fiction.

The story is about the romance story between two people in the music industry. Although the storyline wasn’t a surprise, it was well written. I did enjoy.

SONGS IN URSA MAJOR is a beautifully written MASTERPIECE.

The opening scene where Jane and the Breakers go on stage in place of the headliner who had to cancel last minute…. Breathe taking. I was instantly captivated and wanted to know more about Janie Q.

I wish every single song in this book was real because the lyrics were written so beautifully.

This book takes place in the late 60’s-early 70’s when soft rock and indie started to become noticed in the main stream music scene, and follows Jane’s journey with being a female in the music industry during that time.

Scummy producers (that you really just want to punch in the face), fame, addiction, mental illness, love, heart break, and ultimately, music. How is it possible this is a DEBUT novel from this author?! Absolutely AMAZING!

This is one you will want on your summer reading list! !

This is a great book. You know that it's based in part on the love affair between Joni Mitchell and James Taylor. That's not a spoiler. It's there from the very beginning. Ms. Brodie's efforts to take you into the world of making an album that sells a million copies is wonderful & revealing. This is in a time (late '60's-early '70's) when men ruled the recording industry & their superiority was not questioned. There is a record exec who is the exception to that. It's an outstanding novel. I highly recommend it.

Play another novel about music! Thanks to excellent recent titles like Greatest Hits by Laura Bennet, Utopia Avenue by David Mitchell, Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid, and The Final Revival of Opal & Nev by Dawnie Walton, my shelf of books about the rock industry is getting heavier, and I love every minute of them.

Despite the inevitable comparisons, Songs in Ursa Major doesn't follow the rock journalist format that Daisy Jones and Opal & Nev use. Instead, this is a compulsively readable novel which follows a heroine's journey from small town dreamer to accomplished, world-weary warrior queen. The linear structure feels pleasant - maybe I've just been reading a lot of timeline-jumpers - and I found the pages compulsively turning as the hours passed. Yes, I stayed up way too late to find out what happens, and you will, too.

Apparently this book owes a lot to sixties and seventies folk music icons. I confess I don't know anything about music from this period - my interest in rock begins in the eighties and skews synth pop, not folk - but that definitely didn't slow me down.

Oh, and I have to mention the lyrics! Emma Brodie managed to write haunting, heartfelt lyrics to go along with this novel, and that's almost too much talent. Goodness, Emma. They're gorgeous!

I received a free ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Ever since I read Daisy Jones and the Six, I’ve been looking for similar books. One of the books I found was The Final Revival of Opal and Nev and now Songs in Ursa Major.. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Knopf Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review:

I have to say that initially, this book drew me in and captivated me. This book is loosely based on the relationship between real-life singer/songwriters James Taylor and Joni Mitchell, but I don’t know enough about it to tell you what’s real and what is the author’s imagination. The early 1970’s music scene on Martha’s Vineyard was well-drawn, but the character development was lacking at times. Jane’s family dynamic isn’t explained well at all and I wondered for a long time who was the mom, the aunt, the Grandma and the cousin. One minute Jane and The Breakers takes the stage, the next they’re on the road with Jesse Reid as an opening act. And just as quickly, Jesse and Jane hook up without much explanation. The sex scenes seemed like they were thrown in. I believe the chance was wasted to make me really invested in these characters.

About halfway through the book is when the plot lost me. Jane learned quickly about the pitfalls of being a woman in the early 1970’s and the misogyny of the music business at that time, and then she just goes off the rails. I found myself not caring about Jane as she doesn’t seem to care much about herself, either. I won’t rehash the plot, there are enough reviews out there that do that, but her choices left me scratching my head a lot. The story seemed to meander a bit before getting back on track. And the big reveal of Jane’s secret wasn’t that big of a deal to me.

When Jane returns to her life on the island, the story picked up for me again. The resolution of Jane’s story is not a surprise at all, based on how the book went. Ultimately, this is a coming-of-age story involving growth as a human being and as an artist, and taking a chance on having your heart broken. It also touches on mental illness and illegal drug use that was prevalent in some circles in the early 1970’s. This book was good, but I feel like it could have been so much more.

What do you get if you take a heaping serving of Daisy Jones and the Six and add a dash of The Happy Ever After Playlist? The answer is this standout debut novel from Emma Brodie inspired by the folk rock music scene of the late 1960s/1970s and the affair between James Taylor and Joni Mitchell. The story opens at the Bayleen Island Folk Fest, where the headline act, rising star Jesse Reid is about to go on. But instead, local act The Breakers takes his place when Jesse crashes his motorcycle on the way to the show. The Breakers' performance, specifically their leader singer Jane Quinn, becomes the talk of the island and attracts the attention of reporters and record labels.

The story unfolds as The Breakers sign a contract to record their first album. During this summer, Jane strikes a friendship and bit of mentorship with Jesse as he recovers from his accident. We get a real sense of what the sexism of this era was like as we see the difficulties Jane experiences as she fights for the credit she is due and struggles to maintain creative control of her work. Jesse becomes her biggest advocate, inviting The Breakers to join his tour, where they finally give in to their mutual attraction. What follows is the ups-and-downs of the music industry - fame and excess, sexism/misogyny, corporate control of artistic creativity, mental health, and the heartbreak of falling in and out of love.

I tore through this book from page one - the writing and the characters drew me in. If you loved Daisy Jones and the Six, you'll fall in love with this one too! Many thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for the opportunity to read this wonderful book!