I was equal parts nervous and excited for this book. Excited because music in books is one of my all-time favourite things, especially when set in the 1960s and 70s. And nervous because I was worried it would be too much like Daisy Jones & the Six. Thankful I had no reason to worry. I adored Songs in Ursa Major.

Set in the backdrop of the last 1960s, early 70s folk movement and Jane Quinn’s rise to fame. Jane steps boldly onto the music scene after her band, The Breakers, is asked to replace the Folk Megastar, Jesse Reid, headline performance. Jesse is unable to perform due to a motorcycle accident. Jane steps barefoot onto the main stage and faces a restless and angry crowd. It is a rocky start. Jane does not just survive the show she manages to get noticed and land The Breaker's a spot on Jesse’s upcoming tour.

I adore Jane Quinn with all my heart and soul. She is headstrong, fiercely talented and refuses to compromise her integrity, even at times to her detriment. I felt connected to her as we watched her find herself while navigating the bright lights and hidden toxicity of fame.

This story ultimately follows the creation of an album. While the main perspective comes from Jane and Jesse, we get additional points of view from the A&R reps, sound engineers, music journalists involved with the album. Sprinkled throughout the narrative are magazine articles, and we get lyrics that Jane and Jesse have written for each other. I loved this touch. I am a sucker for mixed media in my novels, and Emma Brodie pulls this off beautifully.

The relationship between Jane and Jesse is loosely based on the real-life affair between James Taylor and Joni Mitchell. I do not know how closely Songs in Ursa Major follows their story, but it is a nice little easter egg. While the pair were musically a great couple, they were problematic long term. Jesse was very much the embodiment of sex, drugs and rock and roll. As the tour goes on, Jesse’s addiction to heroin is hard to hide. He needs a caretaker. He is moody and gone is the sweet soul Jane first fell in love with. Jane refuses to watch Jesse ruin his life and lose herself to take care of him. I am in awe of how Jane stuck to her decision to walk away even though it would be easier to stay, especially with their label wanting to capitalise on the media hype surrounding their relationship.

There are some powerful themes tackled in this novel – mental health, the sacrifices made for family, addiction, to name a few. All are handled beautifully and with a lot of respect. The theme I enjoyed exploring most was the double standards of the music industry. Brodie does not shy away from highlighting how Jane is treated compared to her male counterparts, which is the sad reality of the era. It does not matter that she is just as talented as Jesse. Jane's interviews are littered with questions about what make-up she uses and how she dresses. You can feel her rage and frustration bleed through the page at every sexist remark thrown her way.

Songs in Ursa Major is the perfect summer read and a solid debut. While there is a heavy hit of nostalgia and deep explorations of the horror and darkness of mental health, addiction or the music industry, at the core, there is a sense of triumph, hope and love. If you are a fan of this era and reading books about the music industry, I’d recommend adding Songs in Ursa Major to your TBR!

Oh how I loved this book. I was completely and utterly swept away by Jane’s story. I loved Jane. I think she might be one of my favourite fictional female characters ever. I loved how she stood up for herself, how she took no bullshit from anyone and how she grew throughout the book. She was headstrong but flawed, gritty but vulnerable. The song lyrics peppered throughout the book were fantastic, the writing was evocative and layered and the setting of the early 70s was *chefs kiss* Yes it’s a love story, but not, as you would expect, the story of the love affair between Jesse and Jane. Rather, it is the story of the love that Jane has for her music, and the lengths she is willing to go to to fight for her art.

This is the perfect summer read. It’s a little bit Daisy Jones and the Six and a little bit A Star is Born, and completely addictive. You will not want to put this one down.

Songs in Ursa Major transports you to the late 60s/early 70s as we follow Jane Quinn, a rising musical star. Along the way, she battles with long-kept family secrets, male chauvinism in the music industry, going solo and falling in love with the infamous Jesse Reid.

Here's what I liked about Songs in Ursa Major:
- Jane. She's a complex character that's headstrong and stubborn at times, but also smart and brave.
- That the book allows you to travel back in time and takes you behind the scenes of making music in the 70s. This was so interesting to me.
- Brodie's writing. From the first page, I knew I was going to love her writing style and I was right! Sometimes simple, sometimes poetic, it was captivating.
- That while it did focus on the usual sex, drugs and rock'n'roll elements of the 70s music industry, it went deeper than that and also focused on other elements like mental health.
- I was pleasantly surprised by the unpredictable ending.

The only thing I wanted more from this novel is development of Jane and Jesse's relationship, as it was such an integral part of the story. Nevertheless, this is such a promising debut from Emma Brodie and I'm looking forward to seeing what she does next.

Thank you HarperCollins Publishers Australia and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Saturday afternoon and I I sat down to start Songs in Ursa Major..... after a break to eat and watch a movie with the family I dived straight back into it and finished it just before midnight. I was completely caught up in the sex, drugs and rock and roll of the 70's and the life of Janie Q.

Janie Q and her band the Breakers are given the opportunity of a lifetime when the headline act at the Folk Festival is injured in an accident and fails to turn up. Thrown into the spotlight and thousands of upset Jessie Reid fans, they take their chance and a star is born. Come on the journey of The Breakers, lead singer Janie Q, as they find their way through the world of professional music. Janie is a woman who knows what he wants, won't take second best and is not afraid to stand up for herself. In the early 70's the music business was still very male dominated and sexist. But whatever a man can do Janie can do better.

It is a story of music and fame, of love and family and so much more. I don't want to say too much as you need to read it for yourself. It is not your typical music business story and is not at all predictable. You will fall is love with Janie and Jessie

Thanks so much to Harper Collins Australia for my advanced copy of this book to read.

I’m not crying. You’re crying! - A groovy, out-of-this-world debut novel from Emma Brodie.

I can’t believe I second-guessed pressing the request button to receive an ARC of “Songs in Ursa Major’. It turns out it’s one of those unique books that attaches itself to your soul, never to be forgotten.

Opening in 1969 smack bang in the middle of Folk Fest, Janie Q takes to the stage. In a bold move, she saves the day by performing a song from Jessie Reed, missing in action after an accident.

The hairs on the back of my neck stood tall. I was instantly immersed in music magic, dancing in the crowd wearing flared jeans and a peace sign painted on my cheek.

Following Jane on her music journey throughout the ’70s was frustrating, emotional, romantic, and most notably included a good dose of sex, drugs, and rock and roll.

And I have to mention the plot twist I didn’t see coming and the captivating song lyrics sprinkled throughout. They need to be turned into real songs, please!

Emma Brodie has stolen my heart, and I cant wait to see what she comes up with next.

Thank you, Netgalley and HarperCollins Australia, for providing me with an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.