I would say that I mostly enjoyed this book. I liked Twyla’s story and wanted things to go well for her, but I didn’t always like or understand her decisions. She was a unique character with a very unusual coming of age story. I like that she eventually took ownership of her life and decisions, and I liked the twist at the end of how things turned out for her.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

Engaging plot and likable characters. Loved the insider type view into the music industry as well. Thank you for the opportunity to review this book!

Twyla Finch's singing makes 'you want to stop what you are doing, stop time, and call someone you love before all of it goes away.'

The novel follows her from age nineteen to sixty, from Texas to Nashville and beyond, through a hard life that's always centered on 'writing to save her soul.'

I think Caroline Frost has such a way of writing a coming of age story. She adds depth, emotion, and mystery all in one. This was a quick read because I was so immersed in the writing and the characters. I haven't read a lot of stories where the main character is a musician, but I loved the way Twyla was written. I loved Shadows of Pecan Hollow and the author did not disappoint with her sophomore novel!

In this mesmerizing novel set against the vibrant backdrop of 1970s Nashville, the author masterfully blends the allure of country music with a thrilling mystery. The story follows Twyla Finch, a young musician whose rise to fame is marred by a dark secret tied to a tragic night and a haunting ballad.

Twyla's journey from a hopeful Texan to a pivotal figure in Nashville’s music scene is depicted with both emotional depth and authenticity. Her dilemma—whether to claim her song and embrace the fame she’s always dreamed of or remain silent to avoid implicating herself in a crime—creates a gripping narrative that keeps readers enthralled.

The book shines with its richly atmospheric portrayal of Nashville during a golden era of country music. The author's vivid descriptions and nuanced characterizations bring the city and its vibrant music scene to life. Twyla’s internal struggle is portrayed with a sensitivity that makes her journey both heartbreaking and relatable.

With a compelling plot, well-drawn characters, and a setting that feels both nostalgic and immediate, this novel is a standout read. It’s a captivating blend of suspense, emotion, and music that earns a well-deserved five stars.

Twyla has always had song writing in her blood. Her father was a songwriter and musician. But her life in Ft. Worth is dull and boring. When her life-long favorite artist, Elvis, passes away, she has to be at his funeral. Finally, leaving her overbearing mother, she hops on the next bus to Memphis. Striking up a relationship with another artist, she ends up in Nashville.

But things don't go well. While she is able to indulge her writing skills, and finds the nerve to perform, her cheating boyfriend, decides to go violent on her. In the struggle to defend herself, she kills him. Is it self-defense? Or was there more malice in her efforts?

At the same time, a down-on-her-luck private eye is looking for a way to work her way back on the homicide squad. In a stroke of luck, she is hired by the boyfriend's parents to find his murderer. The PI and Twyla are on a collision course.

The author provide masterful character development. Her plot is engaging and enjoyable. She also a pretty good country music writer! This is an enjoyable read for one and all.

This captivating novel follows Twyla, a singer-songwriter with a difficult childhood. She leaves home in the middle of the night to pay her respects to Elvis in Memphis after his passing. One thing leads to another, and she decides to try her hand at the music industry in Nashville. As with most things in life, it didn't go as dreamed.

I used to live in Nashville, so I was delighted to find references to places I'd been. I had forgotten about the description of this book when I started reading and was completely enthralled by the unexpected twists and turns. The characters are all compelling, and they all have complicated relationships that leave readers questioning decisions, societal expectations and our own viewpoint. Above all, I think it's a story about compassion and responsibility. I highly recommend this for anyone. I think it's a book that would catch the attention of a wide range of people from historical fiction-lovers to suspense junkies.

Interesting story about a girl who only wants to make it in Nashville when she gets herself in a situation where she winds up killing her boyfriend. She becomes a songwriter out of blackmail and creates beautiful music all the while is feeling guilty about what she did.

Frost excels at creating the most memorable and intriguing characters that will stick with you. In her forthcoming novel we are introduced to Twyla Higgins, a nineteen-year-old living with her extremely religious mother and stepfather in Texas. Twyla loves country music and has aspirations of becoming a singer/songwriter, but can’t achieve her hopes and dreams under her mother’s strict rule. The reader follows Twyla on an unforgettable journey full of adventure, heartbreak, excitement and SO many ups and downs. Twyla is a character that you will root for. She is young and doesn’t always make the best decisions, but I quickly felt a pull towards her.

this book was so good! It was so original. I loved being transported back to 1970s Nashville and getting an idea of what the music scene was like. One night, a teenager witnesses a crime. Years later, they are a country singer and write a song about it that is very powerful. Someone steals her song. I fell in love with Twyla's character. I loved how this book addressed timely issues in a relatable manner. It was great!

This novel blends crime fiction, historical fiction and a coming of age novel. It is a story that lingers long after the last page is turned.
Many thanks to William Morrow and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I had a really hard time trying to get into this book, so much so that I did not finish reading. It could be possibly because it was a step outside of any genre I have read. Or it could be that it started out pretty slow.

I did have high hopes for this book especially that it was set in Nashville and had country music influences. I was even more excited when I got through a few chapters to see Elvis Presley played an important role in shaping the main character. But ultimately these things could not hold my interest enough for me to actually finish the book.

Maybe some day I will return to this title, but I don't believe it will be anytime soon. It just was not for me.

This is one of those books that reminds me of why I enjoy reading so much. This book is a mash up of many different genres and follows the story of Twyla as she comes of age and leaves home for the first time. She is seeking out a career in music and life and happenstance gets in the way. I felt that the characters, plot, pacing, and atmosphere was perfection. The author captures a grit to her book that flows from the pages. I cannot wait to read more from this author in the future. Her voice is amazing. Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley.

It took me a bit to get into this one, but once I did, I was invested. I don't know how to explain it, but I was simultaneously rooting for the murderer and Detective Struthers 🤷🏻‍♀️ This book kinda had some Yellowface vibes, but with stealing music instead of manuscripts.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the eARC!

In 1977 nineteen year old Twyla Higgins is tired of her sheltered life in Texas. She decides to defy her mother,. Twyla makes her way to Graceland to attend Elvis’s funeral. From there, she gets a ride to Nashville. There she meets and falls for she Chet Wilton. Chet recognizes her songwriting talent. After sleeping with him,Twyla’s crushed when she learns Chet is engaged to singer Lorelei Ray. Following a violent argument on a boat, Twyla stabs Chet in self-defense . She tries to save him from drowning. Not long after, she hears Lorelei on the radio, singing a song Twyla had written about her guilt over Chet’s death. Lorelei later blackmailsTwyla into writing the rest of her debut album in exchange for keeping quiet.about Chet’s death.

The author does write an excellent portrayal of the imperfect yet sympathetic characters. It is a bold historical novel. It is about ambition, and obsessions and determination to succeed. It is a story that warmed my heart.

I thought this was really well written and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. I think it will find readers at our library, so we will definitely be purchasing for the collection.

The Last Verse takes a while to settle into its story, gets into a good rhythm, and then has a difficult time settling on an ending. Still, it's very engaging and will be a great summer/vacation read.

The Last Verse takes readers on a mesmerizing journey through the vibrant and tumultuous world of 1970s Nashville, where music and romance intertwine in unexpected ways. What initially drew me into the story was the moving exploration of Twyla's first romantic love, tainted by tragedy and betrayal. As she navigates the country music scene and grapples with the consequences of an accidental crime, Twyla's journey is both captivating and heartbreaking. What truly surprised and delighted me was the power of music as a driving force in the narrative, shaping the characters' lives and emotions in profound ways. The revelation of Twyla's haunting ballad, and the subsequent dilemma she faces, added layers of depth to the story that kept me eagerly turning pages. The Last Verse is a compelling tale of ambition, resilience, and the transformative power of claiming one's voice, leaving me thoroughly engrossed and pleasantly surprised by its emotional resonance.

This book is being voluntarily reviewed after receiving a free copy courtesy of NetGalley, the Publisher, and Caroline Frost.

I received an electronic ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This story flowed so well - even with so many moving parts, it all came together beautifully. I think readers who love music, and enjoyed books like THE SONG BOOK Of BENNY LAMENT, by Amy Harmon will enjoy this one also. At times this did seem like two different stories, but in the end I think it needed to be written just the way it was. I look forward to reading more from Caroline Frost.

Its 1977, Elvis Presley has just died and Twyla Higgins is bereft. Living in Fort Worth in her born-again mother's strict household, she's about to burst at the seams wanting to spread her wings and do SOMETHING. On impulse, Twyla heads to Memphis for Elvis's funeral. She doesn't ask her mother or step father, or even tell them she's going - she's going to come back, after all. Right? From Memphis, Twyla, who also happens to be an aspiring country music songwriter, gets sucked into Nashville and the sometimes seedy underbelly of the music industry. When she meets and falls for a handsome stranger, her life gets set on a path she never would have predicted.

This novel threw me, and I'm not positive it threw me in a good way. The beginning was wonderful, and very Daisy-Jones-and-the-Six-ish focusing on a young up and comer and how she gets sucked into the music world. Then the shit hits the proverbial fan. I knew from the blurb, obviously, that a crime was committed - but I was slightly taken aback by just how dark things got. I love a thriller, it's my genre of choice, but this seemingly went from sunny skies to BLEAK really quickly. I do think it was handled well, especially when viewed from the lens of the 1970s and the technology and investigation techniques that were available at the time. I did find myself shaking my head a lot though, knowing that the whole mess could have been avoided if Twyla had just used her brain a little bit more.

The addition of the second POV character was a bit jarring, though that might be due to the formatting of the ARC, so I won't hold that against the overall review. I did like that we got a new voice, and a new perspective on everything that was happening. I almost wish we had gotten to meet Struthers earlier so we were able to connect to her a little bit more - her plot line and background seemed a bit rushed.

Overall, a nice read!