Songs in Ursa Major was an unexpected delight. Going into it, I fully expected this to feel like yet another stale, derivative book about the music scene of the 70's, a regurgitated Daisy Jones and the Six, or this year's Ballad of Nev & Opal. And, I will say, this book doesn't stray far from those story lines or characters. In fact, as I'm reflecting on it, I'm not sure it has anything new to say at all... But Emma Brodie's writing comes alive off the page, transporting you to the era in a way that makes even a somewhat tired plot compelling. She wraps you up with poetic lyrics and imbues the relationship between her protagonists with such emotionality that you can't help but feel invested as you move through the pages. We know almost as soon as free spirit Jane stumbles upon the troubled Jesse how their story will play out, the tragiromance sure to follow. It's like a car crash; you can't look away. I have to give all of the praise to the author, as the success of this book truly hangs on her talent.

Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Daisy Jones and the Six is one of my all time favorite books and because of that, I have been drawn to a lot of novels based on fictionalized versions of musical acts of the 70s. The description of Songs in Ursa Major definitely fit the bill so I immediately jumped at the chance to read this book. While I did enjoy this book, I felt like this was too similar to Daisy Jones without the emotional punch. I felt that the conflicts that came up between the two protagonists Jane and Jesse were very predictable and the tone confused me a lot. The first part of the book felt like a new adult romance novel but then once the characters got together, it jumped time straight to the crumbling of their relationship and by the halfway point, the plot got just about as lost as Jane did after her and Jesse's break up. The second half dragged on with a lot of unnecessary side plots like Jane's trip to Crete and Jesse and Morgan's club. The story of these characters is compelling and I'm not saying that the writing is bad but I feel like the book jumped over a lot of the most emotional scenes and could have been more effective if it focused on more of the emotional moments instead of the nuances of the music industry.

Songs in Ursa Major closely resembles the relationship of Joni Mitchell and James Taylor. It’s 70’s, toxicity, love and fame all rolled into one.the only problem is the characters Jane and Jesse are just not the approachable. I wasn’t a fan of their development. I felt that at times the time would just jump. Or the characters would just change drastically from one chapter to the next.

I did enjoy the behind the scenes look on the creation of a album, the artistry of song writing and the pure exhilaration you felt when scenes of performances had been brought into the fold.

The music aspect of the book are phenomenal but the hidden past of Jane was... Well it just seemed bogus. The whole way it was handled, how Brodie made it seem that this hidden past was just heartbreaking actually was upsetting. I just didn’t understand the how or why of it. It almost felt like a tick mark so we can say we added this aspect and broaden our readers net.

But if you love the 70’s vibe, musical talent and family drama with a bit of steam then this book is for you.

This is a solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️.

I received a copy of this book free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

4.5/5 stars

I really loved this book. Jane Quinn is thrust into the national spotlight when singer Jesse Reid is hurt in a motorcycle accident just before a concert. Jane's band takes over.

Jesse mentors Jane and her band thru their first album and the go on tour with Jesse. While on tour Jane and Jesse start a romance. This ends when Jane finds out a secret about Jesse.

It took me about 1/3 of the book before I figured out the Grace/Elise/Maggie family connection. It wasn't well defined in the beginning so I kept getting them mixed up. The story wa quick paced and easy to read. I didn't want to put it down. I like how the author wrapped up the ending. It left me feeling complete about everybody.

Songs in Ursa Major is about Jane Quinn, a talented singer-songwriter who is thrown into the spotlight after her band, The Breakers, is thrust onto the main stage at a local festival after the main act canceled. Based in the 1970s, this is a fun look at the time period and what it was probably like as a woman singer during that time.

Janie meets Jesse Reid, the singer she replaced at the festival, because her grandmother is his nurse (he missed his performance because he got into a motorcycle accident). They embark on a romance that may be ill advised for Janie's burgeoning career. Headstrong and talented, Janie is determined to get her songs out there the way she wants to, no matter who she has to go up against, including many industry bigwigs.

I enjoyed this book, for both the subject matter and the way it was written. I don't know too much about the time period or the music scene back then other than watching Almost Famous. Emma Brodie writes her characters fairly well and am looking forward to what she writes next.

Thank you to Netgalley and Knopf/Doubleday for giving me this ARC.

4.5 stars. Thank you for the opportunity to
read this ARC. I was honestly a bit surprised by how much I enjoyed this book and that I felt compelled to stay up late to see how it turned out. I went into reading it with mixed expectations given the seeming similarity in description to Daisy Jones and the Six, which I had very much enjoyed, and A Star is Born which I had rated somewhat lower. While there are a number of repeated themes and settings among these works (drugs, music industry, band issues) they are a common element of musicians’ stories in real life and are addressed in a reasonably unique way in Ursa Major with characters that stand on their own from those other works. I particularly enjoyed the focus on a matriarchal family structure and the gradual way that the story developed the hidden layers of the family dynamics. Another key factor in my high rating is the author’s feel for the creative process and many lyrical descriptions, some literally as song lyrics and others as part of the narrative. Speaking of narrative, I’m a bit on the fence about some of the sudden changes in perspective in the course of the novel and found the first one very abrupt. For the most part it was an effective technique to provide the reader with perspective on the characters that they may not have about themselves. Overall, the story was very well-crafted, I was invested in Jane and the other characters, and for much of the book felt like I was along for a very engaging ride which I increasingly found to involve unexpected but welcome depth and insight into societal issues through the characters’ struggles and interactions.

At the Bayleen Island Folk Festival of 1969, the crowd is ready for super star on the rise Jesse Reid. His voice and guitar virtuoso skills have put him on the road for big things. When Jesse has a motorcycle accident just before performing, local favorite Jane Quinn takes the stage winning over the disappointed crowd with her performance backed by her band, The Breakers. Watched by Jesse’s manager, Jane and her band get the opportunity of a lifetime to tour with Jesse and his band.

Jesse’s wealthy family has a home in the area in which he stays to recover. Jane’s aunt is a nurse who helps care for him so he and Jane become friends. Jesse begins to mentor her into the world of songwriting and performance on a much bigger stage seeing Jane as a kindred spirit.

Jane is thrilled with their luck until she realizes that women in this field are patronized, marginalized, and not taken very seriously. The music industry and record label execs only care about them as moneymakers. While enjoying performing which sends her to an ethereal place, Jane rebels against the manipulation and publicity wheels that try forcing her to be little better than a puppet; however, this puts her likelihood of success at stake.

Jane and Jesse connect on several levels; it is clear they could very well be soulmates, but once again their world of drugs, sex, rock and roll with hedonistic living on top of the profession issues derails their relationship on more than one occasion. Jesse has some serious issues connected with the musician lifestyle while Jane has secrets from her past that keep her emotionally captive. Jane does not want to be just arm candy for Jesse; however, her chances at a career hinge on accepting that role.

Jesse, Jane, and their people are all very young so it is not surprising they get caught up in the difficulties of living in the drugged-out sixties and seventies making poor life choices that could easily turn deadly. Fans of music from that era as well as readers interested in the time period especially women’s struggles to find their voice in a very male dominated industry will enjoy this intense, at times dark and complex, artsy story loosely based on the love affair between James Taylor and Joni Mitchell

I requested to read and review this book from Alfred A. Knopf from Penguin Random House. This plot line take place from 1969 to into the 1970s. This story is about love, drama, mystery, forgiveness. You wil meet characters Jesse, Jane, Elsie Grace, Maggie and some many more characters that play an important part in this story. Love can be wild, passionate, and it also can be devastating. Can love save someone or can you only save yourself. How do you know when you have rock bottom? Music can be a soothing for some or others an emotional Rollercoaster. Can you really be true to yourself in the music industry? This book had some many feels. This is for a mature reader but can be read anytime.

This book starts in the summer of 1969 at an island music festival. Here we meet Jane and her band as they’re thrust into the spotlight when frontliner Jesse Reid is on an accident and can’t make it. This book captures the feel of the late 60’s/early 70’s music scene, especially when it comes to women in the industry.

The book is written beautifully in a lyrical form that captures the essence of who Jane Quinn is. We see Jane from multiple perspectives, which showcases the multiple facets of her personality.

The big “secret” didn’t feel that big and I personally did not like the ending ; however, it’s a solid read that sucks you in from the beginning. It’s a story of heartache and growth. As reminiscent of the 70’s, there are several drug scenes, including an overdose, that may trigger some readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Drenched in nostalgia, drugs, music and mystery, Songs in Ursa Major centers around Jane Quinn, a confident and talented musician running full-bore in a male-dominated music industry in the early seventies. Jane’s early rise is irrevocably intertwined with that of Jesse Reid, a musician already on his way to success when Jane and her band The Breakers replace him during a music festival after a motorcycle accident. Success soon sunnily unspools for both Jesse and The Breakers, but as their tour goes on and their meteoric rise strains their relationship and their happiness, Jane begins to see the dark side of fame and Jesse. This helps transition the story into a more thoughtful reflection of just what exactly Jane wants the message of her music to convey, and what she’s willing to sacrifice to do the thing she loves most. I love how the book starts upbeat and optimistic, but the story creates a natural segway into a more introspective, thoughtful evaluation of Jane and where and how far she’s willing to let the music take her. It feels like a behind the scenes view of a person who isn’t a trainwreck of sex, drugs and disaster, but struggles just the same with the tolls that family, friends and fame bring to her. Jane is a strong-willed woman who’s not willing to conform to expectations that the record label, media and fans expect from her, and is willing to do what’s best for her even if it means walking away. This is a great, powerful story that goes in directions that I didn’t expect, and while others may not agree, I feel it’s a better book that resonates more deeply because of it.

This is a very unique book about the music industry in the early seventies. It was the beginning of the folk music generation and this is the story of a local girl, Jane Quinn, who through some unfortunate circumstances gets the break of her life when she is able to perform in a large stadium. The lead singer that night was a very talented guitar player named Jesse Reid. He crashed his motorcycle on the way to the concert and was replaced by Jane. During his recovery, Jesse helps Jane complete her first album. Jane learns first hand about sexism in the industry and what happens to an artist when they don't go along with the rules.

Songs in Ursa Major is a love story set in 1969 through today. It is about so much more than the music industry in the ’70s. Although that is a story that never gets old.

Jane Quinn lives on an island off the coast of Massachusetts. She sings with her band along with her friends. She lives with her Grandma Elsie and her Aunt Grace. Where her mother is will be quite a mystery.

When Jane meets folk singer Jesse Reid who is recovering from an accident at the facility her aunt works at she begins a relationship that will push and pull them for years. Jesse’s star is on the rise and the nasty record company has decided Jane will be his girlfriend and her band will open for him. Fine, looks good. Until it isn’t. Jane wants to sing her own songs in her own way and she will sacrifice love for that.

When she discovers Jesse’s dark secret she is out of there. Blackballed by a nasty producer, she returns home and tries to make peace with all of the secrets in her own life. Starting with her mother.

Obviously, the music industry is cutthroat. The record company owns you and your music. What Jane does is brave and I love her character. This was a book for music lovers. The lyrics, the emotions, the love, the sacrifice! Oh my, I loved this book so much!

NetGalley Review/22 June 2021 Knopf Doubleday

Great for fans of Daisy Jones and the Six. Very relatable characters. great insight to the music industry.

This book was not for me. They're are many characters and you get little background on them so it's hard to invest in them. There isn't a whole lot that happens and it became uninteresting to read.

My many thanks go out to Knopf Doubleday and Netgalley for letting me read this book early. Songs in Ursa Major publishes on June 22.

I’m a sucker for a book about musicians and this one being set in the 70s makes it all the better. Jane and her band, The Breakers are playing a music festival and when the headliner can’t go on they take his place. They wow the crowd and attract attention from a record label. This story follows Jane’s stardom and there’s a lot of hints that this is loosely inspired by Joni Mitchell and James Taylor. Jane slowly climbs the ladder and tries her hardest to be true to herself. She goes on tour, falls in love and ends up finding her voice to write about it all.

This book has so much potential but it inevitably lost me. There’s some “romance” in this one but to me it just felt like bam all of a sudden there’s random bits of passion thrown in with little to no build up. But don’t let those things stand in your way, this story is good and its written fine but it’s just not going to knock your socks off. If you’re into this time period and fictional musicians then you should pick this one up! It’s a great beach read and I honestly think it would make an even better movie. My favorite part was the song lyrics that are in this book, they really make it come to life and I wish that they were real and I could listen to them!

These books about bands from the 60s and 70s are my sweet spot! This is my era and it's fun taking a trip back to a time I remember fondly. Songs in Ursa Major is the story of an emerging rock band and all you'd expect about that--drug use, sexual tension, and cutthroat record executives. It's the story of staying true to yourself, even if that means missed opportunities. Somewhat predictable, somewhat not, I had a hard time putting the book down.

I found it to be mostly enjoyable. I don't think the storyline about Jane's mother worked. That these strong women would deal with it in the manner in which they did didn't ring true for me. Also, I kept forgetting that the story took place in 1969/70 because some of the situations and dialog was too modern and didn't belong back then.

Songs in Ursa Major is one of those books you never want to end.

Jane Quinn is a protagonist you can't help but love and cheer for. Jane and her band, The Breakers, are tapped to cover for the famous Jesse Reid when he is badly injured on the way to a music festival. Jane has beauty and talent; soon she and Jesse Reid are involved in a passionate, but secret, love affair that changes the trajectory of both their lives.

Emma Brodie has given us a protagonist every child of the 70s and 80s will love: from the fashion to the locations, the names and the stars, we become completely immersed in Jane's world. Jesse was a bit underdeveloped to me; I felt like so much more could have been done with his character, but it wasn't really his story, after all.

Jane's family was quirky, and I enjoyed many of the peripheral characters.

I do not compare this to Daisy Jones and the Six, or to any real life people it may be based on; as a novel, this book holds its own and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Jane Quinn is a local in 1969 at the Bayleen Island Folk Fest when the headliner, Jesse Reid, doesn't show up. Luckily, she's there with her band and they take the stage in his place. From there, Jane and her band are thrust into the spotlight and the roller coaster that is the music industry. Trying to remain true to herself, as well as keep her family secrets, puts her at odds with the 60s and 70s music bigwigs.

I had seen this book compared to Daisy Jones and the Six, which was a great read for me. I'd say if you liked Daisy Jones, you'll like Ursa Major. I found Jane extremely likeable and sympathetic. Jane's family is a fun mix of characters and Jane's interactions with her band rang true to me. The story read fast, with shorter chapters that kept me reading, as well as just an overall compelling story. I definitely recommend this book.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advance free copy of this book. On sale June 22, 2021.

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf Doubleday for the ARC. Loved this book. This book was amazing! The characters were phenomenal. Some have compared this book to another and I have to say this book is so much better (I did enjoy the other but loved this one). Really looking forward to see how the audio version will be done. I loved how the author told the story of each character. Character development was superb. Highly recommend this book.