I got half way through and had to put this one down, thinking I would end up DNFing it. I did end up picking it back up and finishing it as I’m not a fan of not finishing books but it was not easy. There was too much spice for me personally. Although I did enjoy the story line outside of that.

The main characters seem to get aroused when they heard the other say “Good Girl or Boy”. Sky at one point ties this into her adopted father and after that when they would say it, it just felt creepy and wrong in so many levels.

Short synopsis: Skye has everything figured out, wanting to play basketball until an accident ruins everything. Dante, is a radio DJ who’s gone through immense loss. Together they might just be able to move on through their joint love of music.

My thoughts: I love how this story was told through the joint love of music between the two main characters. The story unraveled so beautifully and I couldn’t stop listening! Binge read for me!

Read if you love:
* Music and playlists
* Good girl/Bad Boy
* Growth through loss
* Grumpy sunshine
* Workplace romance

There was a lot to love about "The Sound of Us." The characters were great, and I loved how various elements of the story were skillfully woven together at the end. In multiple storylines, there was the theme of how "the little guy" can make a difference, even when confronted with seemingly insurmountable odds.

The one drawback for me was how spicy the romance was. I prefer closed-door stories, so this was uncomfortably explicit. However, putting that aside, I loved how two very wounded figures found healing and hope for a brighter future when they finally trusted enough to let someone else in.

Thank you to Sarah Castille, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

The Sound Of Us- Sarah Castille
Narrated by Thomas Oakley and Lila Winters

Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Narration 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧

I loved this book so much. Why is it not talked about more? I loved Sarah’s ability to write in heavy themes like pain and loss while also keeping it light and comical overall. I loved all the music and song references. It’s giving…Nick and Norah’s Playlist vibes. Dante and Skye both make playlists for everything, they have so much in common when they meet that they’re almost scared of the feelings they have for each other. There was *so much* angst, so much banter. I was cracking up the whole time. We don’t get spice much in traditionally published audios but the spice in this one was 🤌🏻🤌🏻 *chefs kiss*

Lila and Thomas did SO GOOD on this narration. This is my first Lila narration and I can’t wait to find more of her books that’s she’s narrated. And it’s been a long time since I’ve heard Thomas and I’m so happy I rediscovered him. They portrayed Dante and Skye so well in this dual style narration.

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.

Cute and enjoyable read, and I enjoyed the music theme. The narrators did a good job.

This was a good read with solid character development and a solid story.

Our main character, Skye is nursing deep wounds. She's recovering from an accident that claimed the life of her father and left her injured and doubtful that she'll be able to continue her basketball career. But her wounds run deeper than that. As a foster child who was adopted, she always felt like she had to push harder and be better to make people want to keep her around. With her parents, especially her father, she focused on being a talented basketball player to make him happy. All the time she thought it would make him love her.

Dante comes from a family where love felt transactional. With a father who is a gangster -- the mafia type and a deceased mother, he is running from the family that never made him feel safe or loved. He was found and protected by his friend and mentor. Through him, he becomes involved with the campus radio station and finds his way in a world that was cold and empty before. Then he meets Skye and the world brightens even more - - but it's complicated.

Skye and Dante's story is a beautiful one. They are both tough and hardy characters with sensitive hearts and minds. This wasn't just a romance but also ended up have some mysterious twists to it as well.

I listened to the audiobook and it was well narrated and enjoyable. I would recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley for this early copy.

A story of two college students who find each other during trivial times in their lives. There is a central theme of music, reminding me a bit of Not Another Love Song. Full of character growth and development, this book was just okay for me. Worth giving it a try as I know others who have really enjoyed it, just not for me!

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.