I adore all of Tracey Garvis Grave’s novels and this was no exception. Each has their own storyline, but the true human emotions draws me in. The conflicts are believable and all emotions felt deeply. Heard it in a Love Song was very realistic and I enjoyed the struggle of each well developed character. Specifically, Layla a music teacher & Josh her student’s newly separated father. Is this just a rebound or where exactly is Josh’s heart? The development of post divorce situations was realistically saddening, but their newfound love was heartwarming.

Thank you Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press, and the lovely Tracey Garvis Graves for this advanced copy.

4.5ish stars, rounded up. This was one of those books that just quietly spoke to me. Layla and Josh and their cautious, careful process of falling in love after their divorces was a delight to read. Layla, in particular, is a character that really came alive as she rediscovers her passion for music and what she wants out of her life after the end of her marriage. This is a book about really ordinary people and a very ordinary second chance at happiness, and perhaps that is why it is so resonant. It's set in Rochester, Minnesota- not a place anyone would mistake as glamorous, yet the author makes it feel very real, very any-place. These aren't necessarily the words that anyone would think would describe a book I really did love a lot, but I think a lot of the beauty in this one is in the fact that you don't have to be bright, shiny, new, and young to deserve happiness.

Heard It in a Love Song is a beautiful love story. It's relatively low in stakes and angst and perfect for a rainy afternoon with a cup of tea or hot chocolate. Josh and Layla are both so likeable - just decent people who are impossible not to root for. I could have done with less focus on the flashbacks of their earlier relationships and more on the two of them, but I truly enjoyed this read and the ending felt like being wrapped in a warm blanket. (And the old-school music references fed my Gen X soul.)

Thank you NetGalley, Tracey Garvis Graves and St Martin’s Press for the ARC of Heard it in a Love Song. This is my personal review.
I have to say first that the cover grabbed me as soon as I saw it. The story was a match for my love of the story.
Layla and Josh -wow what a match. They wanted to first be friends and see where it went from there.
They both knew what they wanted in life and headed for it . The connection between Layla and Josh was perfect. It made me feel so many things as I read the book. I was caught up in the lives of them and could not wait to see where the story took me.

I found there to be a beautiful stillness to this book. The flow of the story, and stories within the the plot, felt slow and calm yet strong addressing the realities of: marriage, parenthood, divorce, co-parenting and finding true happiness in new chapters of one's life.

Layla and Josh are two individuals who happen to cross paths at the right time. They are going through similar post separation/divorce limbo– the phase where they take time for themselves, discover old and new loves and slowly figuring out the dating world all over again.

There were moments where I felt lost with where the story was really going. It is told in third person, dual perspectives, but we also get two different past plot lines that left me a bit confused in the beginning. However, the author wonderfully pieces everything together and brings a sense a clarity about the message they are relaying about moving on, letting go, being selfish, love and companionship.

I felt a sense of peace finishing Layla and Josh's separate stories as well as the one they share together.

Heard It in a Love Song by Tracey Garvis Graves is the story of Layla Hilding, a recently divorced ex-lead singer of a band and her navigation of a new, independent life. Layla meets Josh, the father to one of her students, and also recently divorced, and they hit it off as friends and then a bit more. This story is told in alternating point-of-views which I enjoy--I like both sides of the story if you will. It's a slow-burn kind of romance that will definitely have you grabbing the tissue box more than once. There is a lot of back story of both Layla and Josh's previous relationships and I could have done without a lot of that but otherwise, I really enjoyed this book, and the cover is amazing!

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

From the very first page, I was immersed in Layla's and Josh's stories---and it was important for me to know both of their stories, their backgrounds, their loves, their pain, their joyes, their sorrows, before I could lose myself in the story of them together. When Josh and Layla meet, it isn't all hearts and roses --he is a single dad dropping off his daughter at school, and she is the music teacher there to greet the students every morning. Each of them are newly separated, navigating their new world of being single, and unsure about exploring the possibilities of a new love interest. It was necessary for these characters to learn about themselves before they are really all-in. You knew they were developing feelings, but it was so important for it not to be rushed. I loved the flashbacks and insights into their previous relationships, which were lovely and hopeful in the beginning, and knowing why/how they ended was as important as where Josh and Layla were going. This slow-burning story is quiet and sincere, heartfelt and tender, simple but oh so meaningful.
One part of the story that sets this book apart for me is Layla's passion for music. The scenes of Layla up on the stage with her guitar singing to an audience are emotional and joyful and passionate, making me feel like I could actually hear her sing these songs! This book, like Layla's music, deserves a standing ovation. Bravo!

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of HEARD IT IN A LOVE SONG by Tracey Garvis Graves. I didn't not like this book, I just didn't really feel a lot for it in general. The main romance between Layla and Josh was good and I liked their chemistry—it took a long time for anything to happen between them at all, and at one point that pulled me through trying to get to that part, but at other points it just made me a little bored. A lot of time was spent on flashbacks to both their previous marriages and at a certain point I just started skimming/practically skipping those because I really didn't care that much and I figured out I wasn't missing out on much of the plot by doing so. I've definitely enjoyed flashbacks in other books, so I'm not sure what it was that made these uninteresting to me. Maybe there were just too many of them, or there wasn't enough built up tension to what had happened in their relationships for me to care. In general, this book lacked a lot of emotion to me. Both MCs kept saying they were grown-ups now, they didn't do impulsive, dramatic things—but goodness, you can still make me care, all right? The writing was good, and the character development was pretty good too. I got absorbed in the tranquil suburban setting of it all and got comfy there. I just never really got that sucked in or connected to the story of what was happening. So, a definitely middle-of-the-road read for me.

It was fun to read a book set in my home state of Minnesota. Layla and Josh are both likable characters with baggage that makes their relationship complicated. I enjoyed the musical aspect of the story.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

The simplicity of this story is what makes it work so well.

So rarely is there a romance novel that isn't flashy, that doesn't rely on drama and miscommunication. This is a simple story of two people who find each other whilst in a transitional period and how they make room for each other in their lives. No gimmicks, no obstacles, just two people who fall for each other and work at starting a relationship.

I think fans of ‘Daisy Jones and The Six’ will enjoy the music aspect of the story and fans of Jodi Picoult will appreciate the realistic feel of the characters and life stages. Overall, a sweet addition to TGG's bibliography!

4.5 stars rounded up
I really enjoyed this low-key, slow burn romance. I liked it in part because it’s much more where I’m at in my life with relationships to men than some romances where boy meets girl but some fairly stupid obstacle keeps them apart until much further along in the book. In this case, they are both ending marriages. Josh’s 20-year marriage isn’t completed yet. There is paperwork to be signed and custody arrangements for their daughter to be ironed out. Layla’s papers are signed, but her douchebag ex-husband Liam chooses to make things as hard as possible as she tries to get back to living.

Layla is an elementary school music teacher, and when Josh drops his daughter off at school each morning, they chat. The conversations get a little more serious after Josh adopts a senior dog and learns that Layla is willing to dogsit when he’s out of town. As they become friends and commiserate over their friends setting them up on blind dates or god forbid encouraging them to try dating apps, their friendship grows into something more. But this relationship is the first for both of them after their several-year-long marriages—are they just each other’s rebound romance before they’re ready for something more serious—if they’re ever going to be able to trust another and themselves again?

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this novel, which RELEASES NOVEMBER 2, 2021.

What a sweet story about second chances, self growth, finding yourself and your happiness and finding love again after divorce.⁣
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There’s a super cute pup named Norton, and a little girl named Sasha.⁣
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There are plenty of great music references and a kick ass elementary school music teacher who is also a rock star!⁣
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Josh had been with his high school sweetheart for most of his life, only for them to grow apart. Layla met her ex husband when he played groupie at one of her music gigs, only for them to grow apart too. ⁣
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Josh and Layla are learning how to be alone, while also trying to find a new companion after divorce, and their story just seems so realistic and how life after divorce likely is for many people. I really enjoyed this second chance romance.⁣
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Layla is devastated after her divorce. She gave up her band, and while she enjoys her job as an elementary school music teacher, she still misses the thrill of the stage. When one of her students asks her to petsit their dog, Layla meets her dad Josh and the two become fast friends. Both nursing the ends of their marriages, Josh and Layla decide to be friends with potential for more.

I adored The Girl He Used To Know, so I needed to read this one! I absolutely loved the story of Layla and Josh! I will say though that when they flashes back to Layla’s relationship with Liam, I literally fumed. I hated that guy so dang much! Sasha however, was by far one of my favorite characters! I just really enjoyed how both Josh and Layla had their own heartbreaks and reading how they worked through those heartbreaks through their friendship! Tracey Garvis Graves is definitely a must read!

If this is categorized as a romance book then I give it 2 stars. The characters felt a little disconnected from each other. The flashbacks of their own failed relationships were off putting. It's hard to read about couples falling in love in a past relationship that we ultimately know doesn't work out when you are trying to focus on their current developing relationship. Plus the flashbacks made it hard to concentrate on the current story since there was so many flashbacks. Some of the flashbacks were dropped right in the middle of a chapter. It was a little interruptive to the current setting.

If this book is categorized as woman's fiction then I give it 3 stars. The personal growth of each character was interesting. The pacing a little too slow. Unfortunately, the attempt at making this a romance book causes the book to fall short as woman's lit.

I do love the cover.

***Advanced copy obtained via Netgalley from St. Martin's Press***

This book hooked me from that beautiful cover! Layla and Josh are both navigating their divorces, when a friendship begins. This book was told over time and was their individual journeys. It was not all smooth sailing. I loved it !!! Cried ugly tears !

This is one of my most anticipated books of 2021. After reading The Girl He Used to Know, any Tracey Garvis Graves’ book is a must read for me.

Layla is recently divorced and living with the regret of putting her wannabe rock star days on hold for a failed marriage. Josh is recently separated and adjusting to life as a single dad after separating from his high school sweetheart. The two run into each other and form a friendship that turns into “a love song of a story.”

I loved this one! I read the physical book and listened to the audio which were both equally amazing. Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan for the copy in exchange for my review.

I liked the plot of the story and this book had great potential for learning to find love again after a divorce. The story did not flow very well and it was very hard to follow with jumping back & forth between the past/present.

This is a new to me author, although I keep hearing about On the Island and will definitely need to check that one out as well.

First, the cover is gorgeous! I switched between audio and ebook while reading and both were fabulous!

Layla - recently divorced and trying to find who she is. She is a music teacher, but her love of music goes so much beyond and she lost that part of herself during her marriage and is trying desperately to rediscover that hidden deep in herself. She turns her basement into a studio and spends free time there becoming one with her music.

In the drop off line, she meets Josh and his daughter. Josh is going through a divorce. He and his soon to be ex were high school sweethearts and he's struggling to figure out who he is and where he belongs without the woman who was a part of his life since he was so young.

Both are a little hesitant to re-enter the dating world. But when Josh's daughter asks Layla to pet sit their dog, Norton, they get thrown together outside the drop off zone, and it's clear there's an attraction.

I enjoyed following their relationship and watching them both grow from what they had been through, find their passions, and realize you can be yourself and also be part of a healthy relationship.

Many thanks to Netgalley and both Macmillan Audio and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was exactly the book I needed after some darker, heavier reads. Divorce is not a light topic, yet the happy ending was perfect. All the songs mentioned are some lifelong favorites and had me creating a playlist in my mind, which was fun. I especially enjoyed how the author weaved in each characters backstory using flashbacks.

Learning to love after divorce is the premise of this story and it was a good story. I had hoped for a bit more "romance" but overall, it was an enjoyable read with characters I did grow to care about. Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.