This has me giggling and kicking my feet. The narration was wonderful. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this audiobook.

The narration was amazing but the plot leaves something to be desired. I liked the premise but the execution was a bit mid.

my cats name is Dante. Lol. Okay. this book was a 4 star for the first half. It was nice seeing alt/metal people getting love. i liked the tension etc. but as soon as they did the deed the ebook changed and other storylines came into play. it lost a star for me. i will rea more from this author though. the writing was good.

The Sound of Us by Sarah Castille
Narrated by: Lila Winters; Thomas Oakley
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Two broken college students come together through their love of tunes and their musical expression. They are instantly attracted to one another and share some steamy, intimate times, even though they are forbidden to do so.

They each have troubled pasts, which affect their present relationships. They are both guarded, as they forge forward towards their goals and try to break down the walls that keep them insecure.

The narration is fantastic and fits the characters.

What I liked: Good story line. Loved the father figure man in Dante 's life.

What I didn't like: Didn't connect with the characters. Although the author developed them well, I didn't relate to their college life romance.

If you are a music lover, you will enjoy this book. The characters' lives are portrayed through various songs and artists throughout the book.

**Some steamy scenes**

Thank you, NetGalley, for the advanced reader's copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

#TheSoundOfUs #NetGalley #NewAdult #Romance

Interesting read. I enjoyed the main leads and their connection through/love of music. A lot of will they-won’t they and miscommunications, which isn’t traditionally my favorite, but it wasn’t off putting and gave the reader just enough drama to chew on. I enjoyed the theme of overcoming your past trauma and did feel like the characters experienced important growth. Audiobook note: Very good performance. Both narrators did a good job of bringing this story to life.

“I had always imagined meeting someone who wanted to hear the soundtrack of my life—the roadmap of the major milestones that got me to where I was at that moment in time—because it meant they truly wanted to know me. There was no point denying it existed, and I was sure he had one, too."

The Sound of Music is a New Adult/College Romance about two young adults who are learning how to navigate life on their own after shattered dreams and horrific childhoods. It’s also about found family, hope, healing, and the power of music. Told through dual POV, the physically and emotionally broken characters learn how to live with the scars from their past and how to rewrite the lyrics for the soundtracks of their lives.

I am a huge music lover, so I really enjoyed the representation of the power of music and the passion for music that the MCs shared. I also loved how each chapter was titled the name of a song. There were music/song references galore, which I loved.

The first half of the story was heavy and mostly character development which felt a little longer than necessary. However, once the plot picked up it had me hooked. I was interested in both of the characters' backstories, but honestly wasn’t too invested in their relationship story together. Their lack of communication, angst, bickering, immature jealousy and the on again/off again roller coaster relationship was just too much for me. Lack of communication is definitely one of my least favorite tropes, plus the spice was over the top, eye rolling, cringe. I am sure these were more ‘me problems’ and that the story will appeal more to young adults, but the story as a whole just wasn’t for this older adult.

The narrators did a great job bringing the story to life. They portrayed the characters exactly how I had envisioned them.

Thank you to @netgalley, @macmillanaudio, and @torpublishing for the #gifted ARC/ALC in exchange for an honest review.

The Sound of Us by Sarah Castille
Narrated by Lila Winters and Thomas Oakley
Standalone New Adult College Romance
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy for review purposes. Ana’s Attic accepts no compensation for reviews, and all reviews contain my honest opinion. This post contains affiliate links.

“You are the best song in the playlist of my life.”

I have a soft spot for books with a musical theme, and I can never resist picking one up when it’s centered around music or music history. When I saw The Sound of Us by Sarah Castille on NetGalley, I grabbed it immediately. However, it didn’t quite register with me at first that this was a college romance, something I realized only after my request.

Skye Jordan is a college basketball player with a deep love and knowledge of music. After a recent tragedy leaves her injured and at risk of losing her scholarship, she’s at a crossroads. Enter Dante: a law student with the same intense passion for music, a bassist in a band, a bad boy, and the sultry late-night DJ at the college indie radio station.

The moment they meet, their shared love of music creates sparks. It’s rare to find someone who matches your passion so completely. Add in their tragic family backstories, and it’s easy to see why these two are drawn to each other.

When Skye gets an internship opportunity at the radio station, it complicates things—Dante becomes off-limits. They try to resist their connection, but let’s be honest, it doesn’t really work. And that’s where the angst kicks in. Oh, the angst! I forgot how much New Adult romance leans into that.

While there are plenty of steamy moments (in some pretty interesting places), their immaturity and lack of communication grated on my nerves. Surprisingly, my favorite character wasn’t Skye or Dante—it was the station owner. In fact, I really enjoyed the side characters overall.

The Sound of Us was a very full story, and it stands out as different from most of the books I’ve read. Even weeks later, I still remember it, which doesn’t happen often. That said, I’m not the target audience. Readers in their 20s might connect with this story more than I did. For me, the immaturity of the main characters was a barrier I couldn’t quite overcome.

Likes:
•I loved all the musical references.
•The chapter titles were all songs that tied in well.
•The staff at the radio station.
•The storyline involving the radio station.
•There were plenty of steamy scenes, but they didn’t overpower the story.
•The story was unique, full, and memorable.

Dislikes:
•The characters’ immaturity and lack of communication.
•Dante’s hot-and-cold behavior—pulling her close, then pushing her away.
•Both characters carried too much emotional baggage.

The Narration:
Lila Winters and Thomas Oakley were both new to me, and they were fantastic. I hope to hear more from both of them. Their performances definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

The Down & Dirty:
I enjoyed The Sound of Us, but I’m not its intended audience. If I were younger and more into New Adult romances, I might have connected with it more. I loved the obscure musical references and the characters’ appreciation for both classic and contemporary music. If you enjoy music-centric books, this is worth picking up. The lack of communication and immaturity held me back from fully loving it, but that might be an age thing on my part. But if you are looking for a music-centric angsty college romance, this may be perfect for you.

Rating: 3.5 Stars, 3.5 Heat, 4 Narration

A quick college romance with a music element. I really enjoyed reading this one. I love a good love at first sight romance. I really enjoyed all the different types of music involved. It definitely deepened their relationship for me on a different level. The audiobook was just ok. I liked the different narrators for the main characters, but the quality of the production was a little off. You could tell which places in the audio were redone. It didn't change the story at all, but it was noticeable. Overall, a quick, spicy college romance with music you know and love!

*Thank you partner @macmillan.audio and @brambleromance for the #gifted audiobook and e-galley in exchange for an honest review.*

The Sound of Us by Sarah Castille sets the pages on fire with the chemistry of Dante and Skye. The audiobook version of this story amplified the experience for me as the reader. This is definitely one I'd recommend.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, narrators, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

I enjoyed this emotional, and steamy college romance between two people who share a love of music, and what happens when their worlds collide. Skye Jordan loves music and journalism, but is following her father's dream of hopefully playing professional basketball one day. After a tragic accident, she loses those she loved and now her scholarship as well. She is about to leave school when she has the opportunity to work at the college radio station. Dante Romano is a DJ at the station, and is a talented musician. He also lost those he cared for and is now on a path that is driven by vengeance. Neither Skye or Dante have time for a relationship, but when they meet, their connection through music is strong and undeniable. They try to be professional as colleagues, but they are unable to ignore their fiery chemistry. When Skye is assigned a story to research, her love and talent for investigative journalism puts both of them in the middle of something that could end what they love and break them apart for good. This is a rollercoaster journey with twists and turns that kept me totally invested as I cheered for Skye and Dante's HEA. They are great together, helping each other find the courage to follow their true passions, and their chemistry is explosive.
Lila Winters and Thomas Oakley did a terrific job portraying all the complex emotions of each character. You could definitely feel the chemistry and passion that smoldered between Skye and Dante, making this poignant, and sizzling romance even more enjoyable.

Sarah Castille’s The Sound of Us is a beautifully layered and emotionally charged novel that captures the healing power of love, the solace of finding your community, and the profound role music can play in overcoming life’s darkest moments. Dark yet undeniably hopeful, this story is as much about survival and self-discovery as it is about connection and passion.

At the heart of the novel is the journey of two individuals navigating pain and isolation, finding solace in each other and the music that threads through their lives. Castille’s use of music as a narrative device is particularly compelling, as it serves not only to underscore the emotions of the characters but also to give readers an intimate glimpse into their souls. The soundtrack of their story adds a unique depth to the novel, making it resonate on a deeply personal level.

What sets The Sound of Us apart is its unflinching exploration of difficult issues—such as mental health, trauma, and the feeling of being unseen—and its ability to address these topics with sensitivity and grace. Castille doesn’t shy away from the darkness, but she balances it with moments of light, showing how love, friendship, and shared passion can pull someone out of despair.

This is more than a love story; it’s a celebration of finding your people when you feel lost and a testament to the healing power of art. With its rich emotional depth and memorable characters, The Sound of Us is a moving and unforgettable read. Highly recommended for anyone who has ever found comfort in a song or strength in love.

This was such an amazing and emotional read.

You have Skye, lover of music, and a foster child who has tried to please her father her whole life by being the boy he never had. Until she gets hurt and struggles to play basketball again for her university.

Then you have Dante, also lover of all things music, a bass player and aspiring lawyer. He too has a past that follows him wherever he goes, but one day everything changes but not without more damage.

With dual narrators, friendships that last a lifetime, a book of loss and a love that sucks you all the way in, you will not want to miss this one. Especially if you are a lover of music.

I honestly wish I had the physical book so I could see all the songs at the beginning of each chapter to listen to.

“You are the best song on the playlist to my life”

Music brings together these main characters. The FMC's world falls apart and ends up landing an internship where the MMC works. Both dealing with a lot of things in their life it leads them to not having healthy communication. I wanted them to get their crap together and just communicate so many times haha. Music was such a driving factor in this though and the story shows just how powerful music can be for people. They have a spicy and emotional connection with lots of healing along the way.

The narrators captured these characters fantastically. It leveled up this story by hearing them bring it to life.

I received an ALC of this book and I really enjoyed it. The narration was very good and I found myself completely immersed in the story. The story started off as a chance meeting/college vibe and I thought that was the way the whole story would be which is fine by me, I love that trope. But it developed into a really emotional journey for both of the main characters. Skye and Dante both faced some real tragedy and trauma in their lives and it was an invisible string that drew them together. They were able to really understand what each other had gone through. I loved all the deep song/music references. It really added an interesting aspect to the story. And hanging around the radio station brought an Empire Records vibe. :)

Dante and Skye are both college students and end up working together at the college’s radio station. There is immediate attraction. However, they each have their own personal baggage to deal with it. Dante’s is his past and Skye is struggling with losing her basketball career and finding her own new path. While there is a lot of chemistry between these two, they definitely struggle with communication. I loved Dante until he disrespected Skye. I did love all of the song references throughout the book. Be aware that this book deals with bad parental relationships, cancer, death of a parent, and rape. Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This books explores many things from love, healing and the power of music to heal all wounds and get you through the hard times. I really enjoyed the musical references at the beginning of each chapter and felt that this really help set the tone for each one. I loved both Syke and Dante's passion for music and their attraction to one another. They both were navigating traumas from their past and while they were not completely open to letting each other in at first, it was amazing watching them grow and eventually opening their hearts completely to each other.

I felt that the narrators delivered outstanding performances and they just brought life to these amazing characters. The emotion that each narrator put into the characters was easily felt and made this an unforgettable experience.

There is also some spice in this book, which I wasn't expecting but I was here for it.

Music really is a universal language and can help just about anyone get through just about anything.

Read if you enjoy:
- Strong FMC
- Redemption
- Spicy romance
- Music themed books
- Dual POV

Thank you @macmillan.audio and @sarahcastilleauthor for the #gifted audiobook.

This one was good. Like really good. It was different than your typical romance in that it give music references at every turn and gives the characters something to bond over that is not usually something I've seen in romance books.

With that said, there is just about every other trope imaginable in this book which is both fun and also a smidge overstimulating. I felt like the middle could have been less traumatic for the characters if they weren't both dealt such a tragic deck of cards to handle. Things would work out and then BAM one of them gets hit with life altering news… things settle and then BAM the other gets earth shattering news…. It was all dealt with appropriately but also felt heavier than it needed to be. The way the characters come together is natural and fun and swoony. All the side characters are perfect and supportive. From start to finish, it's a gem- middle was just a little wonky for me.

I enjoyed all the mosaic references and the banter between characters, and if you love music this one's for you!

Audiobook review: narrated by Thomas Oakley and Lila Winters
4 stars for story / 5 stars for performance

This was a beautifully written coming of age romance. These characters are easy to love and I was genuinely rooting for them both. Dante is a great guy and has overcome a lot in his young life. Skye is also working really hard at staying in school despite losing a basketball scholarship after a fatal car accident in which she lost her dad. They bond over their mutual love of music. The plot is great and well timed. There are plenty of points of contention that keep interest high and I was tuned in for hours.

The audio aspect was top notch. These narrators were great at bringing the emotions to the forefront and I literally felt the characters brought to life. I highly recommend this one in audio if you are able to listen!!

This one kept my attention but felt longer than it needed to be. But the spice was A+. It was contemporary romance with open door romance that was well done. Definitely plan on reading more from this author! I really enjoyed the female narrator but the male narrator took a bit to get used to, but that’s probably just a personal preference!

Marketed as "A Star is Born" meets "Good Girl Complex," I was immediately drawn to the premise of The Sound of Us, which is that music is the universal language, and music connects us in so many different ways. The characters in The Sound of Us had both endured traumas of different kinds, but their connection to music was the bridge that brought them together and ultimately saved them both. Skye and Dante don't make sense on paper, but their connection and their chemistry is off the charts. The Sound of Us is perfect for fans of the After series or other new age college romances with broody heroes and heroines who bring the sunshine.

I listened to the audiobook and the narration by Lila Winters and Thomas Oakley was very well done. They both delivered stunning performances that brought the book and its characters to life.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for my advance listening copy.