Heard It In a Love Song is one of my most favorite songs by the Marshall Tucker Band. The novel by the same title is a sweet story. The build up is super slow, giving readers ample time to Kramer more about Josh and Layla. Their previous marriages are delved so their full stories emerge. Both aren't looking to jump into a relationship either. They each grow a lot as people. I liked how Layla realized she didn’t have to do anything she didn’t want and Josh refused to go back to a broken structure. I really liked.Norton the best in the entire story.

Ohh how I wanted to love this book. I adored the authors previous book so I had high expectations. The tone of the book is a retrospective one. You get flashes of both Layla’s and Josh’s life as they come together. It’s a quiet story and did keep my attention (most of the time). I just feel like it doesn’t have any staying power at all. This story and these characters will soon be forgotten. I’ll definitely give the author another chance but this was a miss for me.

I could not wait for this one after reading several of the author's earlier books and absolutely LOVING them!! (And how stunning is this cover?!) I would not call 'Heard It in a Love Song' a romance per se because the focus is really on the main characters' growth and experiences after their respective divorces; however, there are most definitely elements of romance in the story and the book ends on a very hopeful, upbeat note.

The author writes in a unique way, exploring the timelines of Layla and Josh's past relationships and alternating that with their present-day lives. Both Layla and Josh are very strong characters and their stories will resonate with many readers. They are both extremely relatable, and for me, books about second-chance relationships are always enjoyable.

Layla is thirty-five and recently divorced from her husband. She gave up her passion and her dream of being a professional singer and now finally is able to explore her true self. Josh is the father of a student at Layla's school and is also experiencing coming out of a long relationship. While I didn't feel a lot of emotion or tension with his character, I appreciated his struggles to find someone he could connect with.

I am certain that the audiobook version narrated by the wonderful Andi Arndt is probably fantastic. Because Layla is a former band member, I would love to hear how her story is narrated!

Tracey Garvis-Graves is a fantastic writer and I read this book in one day. If you love contemporary and women's fiction, you will like this book. It is a fresh, optimistic story about finding yourself, pursuing your passion and second chances.

(Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance review copy in exchange for an honest review.)

This is a quite romance where the beauty lies within the subtlety. The author takes her time building this complex story, developing characters with substance and context, and making sure emotions are felt throughout each of her pages. There’s no flashy scenes or over-the-top drama, it, instead, is reflective of everyday life and emotions and I think that’s where the beauty of this book lies. I like that the author had an unconventional definition of what a happily ever after should entail rather than two characters walking off into the sunset. Josh and Layla each had a journey that had trials and tribulations but in the end they are a better version of themselves because they refused to take the path that was easiest.

There’s an interesting narrative with the story telling, as it’s told in third person alternating between past and present within the same chapters. Usually I find this distracting but this author uses it as a wonderful tool in helping tell a deeper story. You get a better understanding of who the Josh and Layla are by showing the reader where they came from. I really enjoyed this book and the journey it took me on. The story was entertaining but also an emotional read. It was a little slow at times, but overall this book will grab you by the first page and stay with you after you are done. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for this ARC

Heard it in a Love Song by Tracey Garvis Graves
Published: November 2, 2021
St. Martin’s Press
I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.

Tracey Garvis Graves is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary fiction. Her debut novel, On the Island, spent nine weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, has been translated into thirty-one languages, and is in development with MGM and Temple Hill Productions for a feature film. She is also the author of Uncharted, Covet, Every Time I Think of You, Cherish, Heart-Shaped Hack, White-Hot Hack, and The Girl He Used to Know. She is hard at work on her next book.

“He didn’t ask for details; she didn’t offer them.”

Layla is a natural-born performer. She isn’t a songwriter, but the rush she gets from getting on stage with her guitar, and a microphone gives her a feeling she can’t describe. When a handsome stranger keeps showing up to her band's gigs, Layla falls quickly. Unfortunately, things with that attractive stranger don’t last. And Layla finds herself starting over. Josh married his high school sweetheart, and together they grew up and created a life together. They had a beautiful daughter, but the marriage fizzled. When Josh met Layla, neither of them was looking for anything serious. Little did they know, they were about to change each other’s lives.

This is such a beautiful story. I loved that this romance wasn’t your classic or typical romance story. I enjoyed how deep the plot was, how intricate the emotional depths were.

The characters were so well done. Layla was such a bright, bold, strong character. Her story arc is so powerful. The descriptions used to explain her inner thoughts are so vivid and so raw. It’s easy to put yourself in her shoes and understand what she is feeling.

Josh was the most incredible male lead. Charming, honest, and so genuine. He is a compassionate man, a doting father, and just a decent human. He was the most amazing balance with Layla.

The struggles and emotions that both Josh and Layla went through are so honest. The story is told from alternating perspectives, and the way the story unfolds is so beautiful.

I really enjoyed the way music was such a significant catalyst. It was such a unifying force and such a definitive way to explore who Layla really is.

The ending of this book was incredible. It was the most powerful, beautiful, perfect ending. I could not have asked for more from such a profound novel.

This is a love story of two people who are in a transitional period of their life. Both coming out of divorces, one with a little more baggage then the other. You follow them on their journey of growth and self-discovery, while learning in depth of their past relationships. Their past has helped define who they are present day, both a bit shy, a bit stand-offish and not ready for a new relationship.

A duo timeline plot is one of my favorite ways to read a book. It helps grow a deeper understanding of the characters and flaws. Tracey Garvis Graves did this beautifully with Heard it in a Love Song. While I was able to predict the outcome, I still found myself fully engaged in the story. Not only that, but I wanted to see how the characters would get to my prediction. What internal growth did they have to accomplish to attain true happiness?

I highly recommend this book, it is a endearing romance that is a quick read and pulls you in immediately.

Heard It in a Love Song is like a coming-of-age story for the next chapter of your life. Layla (whose attitude I love) and Josh (anyone else picturing the hot dad from Bad Moms?) both have some ish to get over. Both are getting/have gotten a divorce and need to work through their baggage. What do you do with your life when it’s time to start over? Duh, you find yourself. This story is a dual point of view where they both are wading through this new phase and reminiscing on the way things used to be, and what in life brought them to where they are now. There are many relatable moments (Don’t even get me started on the School Drop Off Line), and moments that are pure and true. I appreciated Graves’s ability to make a love story realistic, with all the crap life can throw at you.

I received an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Heard It In a Love Song is a cute and entertaining read about opening your heart to second chances and building yourself again after unsuccessful previous relationships.

Layla is an elementary school music teacher and a former lead singer of a cover rock band. Newly divorced after 1o years of marriage, Layla isn't ready to get back on the dating scene even though her friends want her to be. She spends her evening and weekends playing her music and she' s content.

Josh is separated from his wife, whom he met in high school. They have one child who attends the elementary school where Layla teaches. Josh and Layla strike a conversation one morning when Sasha, the child, has first day jitters and Layla swoops in to help calm Sasha. Since then, Josh and Layla start develop a "friends with potential" type of relationship.

I enjoyed how the author gave the flashbacks of Layla and Josh to give the backstory of each of their marriages and how their stories came to be. I found it a compelling and unique execution of the book.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was such a nice, low-key story about rediscovering yourself and falling in love again.

I enjoyed the way this story was laid out - the mix back and forth between Layla and Josh’s perspectives and their present and past.

I enjoyed watching both of them reflect on their past relationships and work on moving forward. This story was so refreshing because there was no big drama that came from miscommunication. Perhaps that was the age of the main characters or perhaps it comes with them having been in serious relationships already.

I also really enjoyed Layla’s love of music and performing. I was so glad to see that part of her life flourish and also watch her understand what mattered most.

Overall this is a quick, easy read. Perfect for someone who wants a romance with little drama and just feels good.

Really cute story of two who are not quite ready to date, yet very attracted to each other. I really enjoyed this one, as I do any book by Tracey Garvis Graves!

I adored this story! I love reading about second chances at love and new starts! I especially liked Layla’s character; she had a good shoulder on her head. I liked Josh too! I like how they both admitted to themselves that they weren’t happy and did something about it!
I will be recommending this book to others!

This is the third book I’ve read from this author and she’s right up there with TJR and CoHo when it comes to immediately pulling me into her stories and ensuring I’m invested in her characters.

This was such a sweet romance story about starting over and finding love again. Josh is a single dad helping to raise his daughter Sasha with his ex wife who he married right out of high school. Now he’s in his late 30s and divorced and has no idea how to go about dating or meeting anyone new. Layla is also in her late 30s, newly single after divorcing a man she stayed with way too long even when she knew she should walk away. She is a gifted musician who gave up her dream of making it big when she needed a stable income and she’s now a music teacher at an elementary school.

Layla happens to be Sasha’s music teacher and during morning drop-offs she connects with Josh. Josh is intrigued by Layla but his divorce isn’t even finalized yet and he wants to make sure he isn’t rushing into something new. Layla is also reconnecting with her first love- music and finding that she needs to focus on herself before she dives into another relationship. But sometimes you can’t help the pull towards someone and you have to take a chance at love…or in their case a second chance.

I loved these characters and enjoyed seeing their love story play out in the pages of this book. I definitely plan to read everything I can find from Tracey Garvis Graves. Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for this advance reading copy. Heard It In A Love Song is available 11/2/21.

Heard It in a Love Song by Tracey Garvis Graves follows Layla, a recently divorced 35-year old woman, who is healing from a traumatic marriage. Layla is a singer, but her ex-husband didn't support her dream and she gave up singing in a band to become a music teacher and provide private guitar lessons. Finally on her own, she rediscovers the joy she had in her music.

Layla meets Josh at school drop off. Josh is recently separated from his high school sweetheart and is yearning to meet someone who actually talks to him instead of staring at their phone. Layla and Josh's backstories slowly unravel to reveal the depth of their previous relationships and why each is hesitant to start something new.

I enjoyed the alternating narrators as well as at the flashbacks that provided background of their relationships. I also enjoyed the references to musical lyrics and bands that were peppered throughout.

Thank you to St Martins Press and NetGalley for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Heard It in a Love Song is one of those books that will be a hit for some and a miss for others. For me, this book was just an ok read. Let's start with the positives. I liked the overall idea of the story and seeing the characters grow and adjust to the new paths their lives have taken. I wouldn't really classify this story as a romance, but more of a story of finding one's self.

Now for the parts that didn't work for me. The pacing absolutely killed me. I'm not the biggest fan of slow pacing to begin with, but can usually push past it, but man was I struggling. The other issue I had was with the constant back and forth with the past. Now, don't get me wrong, revisiting the past was important, since it helps us to connect with the characters and helps to visualize the bigger picture, I felt like it was a bit much with this book.

Like I said, I think this book will be a hit for some and a miss for others. And while this book wasn't a 100% hit for me I'm still glad to have checked it out and given it a try.

I enjoyed Heard It in a Love Song! It is a story about finding oneself post-divorce and focusing on joyfulness. I appreciated the relationship between the main characters, Layla and Josh, and that it was so rooted in friendship and companionship. So often, authors don't value the intimacy that arises from friendship, and I am glad that Tracey Garvis Graves didn't ignore that dynamic. I thought the pacing of the narrative was a bit slow, but only because there were flashbacks within the chapters that removed me from the current action or emotion of the storyline, and often the character was caught "daydreaming" when then flashback was over. This happened so many times that I began to dread the flashbacks when I'd see the font switch and I wished the flashbacks had been written as their own chapters. I hope that the publisher or author creates a playlist for the book, as so much of the story revolves around Layla finding herself through her love of music. It would add a great soundtrack to the world built by the author. Overall, I recommend the book for those who appreciate a story about giving yourself a second chance and reconnecting with a part of yourself that you thought you may have lost.

Advanced copy provided courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is great! Would definitely recommend. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Heard It in a Love Song follows Layla and Josh as they find themselves after divorce. Layla, a creative musician and Elementary School teacher, uses her music to find her self again as she learns what it really is that she wants out of life. Josh focuses on creating a life the he and his daughter Sasha can share together as he and his ex-wife navigate the world of co-parenting and independence from each other for the first time since high school.

Layla and Josh first meet on the first day of school at Sasha's school drop off when Layla attempts to ease Sasha's first day jitters with music. From there Layla and Josh continue to connect over school drop off and Sasha's dog Norton. We not only get to see the budding romance between Josh and Layla, but the author also takes us back to the past where we learn the specific details of Layla and Josh's past relationships that led to divorce.

Overall, Heard It in a Love Song is a sweet story that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys women's fiction. The reason for three stars? I was less interested in Layla and Josh's past relationships and I would have been more interested in the budding relationship between Josh and Layla. As someone who prefers the romance genre this made it fall short for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this ARC.

Ugh. This one hurts to write.

I love everything about Tracey Garvis Graves books. Until this one, I hadn't picked up a single one that I didn't wind up loving. But Heard it in a Love Song started very slow for me and then promptly lost me with the flashbacks.

Other reviewers have noted that this is not a romance and - as a romance reader - I had little patience for the careful deconstruction of Josh and Layla's past. I actually wasn't really interested in their past. I wanted more from the future and the pace was far too slow for my liking.

This story is also set in my hometown, which I was initially very excited about, but then quickly found distracting.

So, in the end, this was a rare miss for me. I know that I'm not going to love every book, even from my favorite authors and that appears to be the case here. And, in the year 2021 when everything feels hard - I chose not to force myself through a book that wasn't working for me which means that this was sadly a DNF.

I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to read and review. Tracey Garvis Graves will remain one of my favorite authors and I look forward to trying again with the next book!

4.5⭐️
Thank you @stmartinspress @netgalley for my review copy! This one comes out 11/2!

Layla and Josh are both currently going through divorces. As we learn about their pasts, we also see their present journey towards healing and each other.

I love the way this author tells a story. I really liked the alternating points of view and the way the author switched back and forth from the present to the past. I think it’s easy for that to get confusing, but it was very well written. I also really loved their present timeline and watching them grow in their own ways.

📚Read if you’re looking for a slow building, more serious subject romance or if you enjoy character driven novels.

✍️How I rated other books from this author:
The Girl He Used to Know- 4⭐️

Is this one on your radar? I haven’t seen it talked about much, and I think it needs more hype!

Layla and Josh are both shellshocked after their marriages disintegrated unexpectedly but not surprisingly. Each has dedicated themselves to rebuilding their lives and reclaiming their identities as individuals. The two meet when Josh drops his daughter off for her first day of kindergarten. They slowly develop a friendship, one that they both see has the potential for more. Is it the right time to start a new relationship? After all, isn't the first person you date after a breakup supposed to be your rebound? Or, when it comes to love, is there no such thing as too soon or too late?

Heard It in a Love Song moves back and forth between the past and the present. This thoughtful examination of Layla and Josh's two divorces provides context for their unresolved issues as they negotiate being newly single and beginning a new relationship. You get a sense of how far they have traveled individually and the development of their relationship. Both Layla and Josh are likable and relatable characters in a realistically complex situation. I found myself cheering for them to have a deserved second chance at love.

I highly recommend Heard It in a Love Song. It is a relatable tale of starting over, learning to love yourself, and hope.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the digital copy to read and enjoy. This review reflects my honest, unbiased opinion.