Sounds of Yesterday
by Jacob Hubbard
Pub Date: Nov 19 2024

Sounds of Yesterday is very unique and different than what I normally read. With that being said the book is about a post break up. It goes over loss and grief after a break up, the aftermath of a love story. It revolves around Rob and Ana’s relationship over the course of five years. I was shocked at the ending and a little confused. I do recommend this book as it is a good story.

Many thanks to #SoundsofYesterday #NetGalley and #CelestialSeasidePublishing for providing me with an E-ARC of this book.

I am quite conflicted by this book and very happy that it exists. While I enjoyed the way the story was told, the plot was monotonous and I kept waiting for some dramatic climax that never happened. But by the end of it I realised that what the book captured so well is, well, life. There's not always some big dramatic reveal and plot twist (like Ana being an international super-spy, as I initially thought), catharsis and closure isn't always accompanied by fireworks and absolute life-changing epiphanies, and there is no such thing as the right time or the wrong time.
I struggled with the non-linear structure of the book at first, but then easily fell into subsequent chapters with harp sounds ringing in my ears. I enjoyed the way Rob envisioned his internal struggle - it made me think of, was it a Shakespeare quote? "The world is a stage and I am but an actor in it." (Do fact check me!) - and it gave me greater insight into how different everyone's internal dialogue must be! I was definitely challenged by some characters and their behaviours and views, but I identified with Ana quite strongly, and I think there is a lot to learn about people in this book.
It was an interesting read, to say the least, and I hope we get to see what more Jacob Hubbard has to offer.
Thank you very much to Jacob Hubbard and Celestial Seaside Publishing for this ARC for my honest review!

2 1/2 rounded up to 3 stars.
I wanted to love this book, but I only liked it. Why? It was hard to read; the writing style, the various time settings going back and forth, and the plot moved slowly.
However, I love the idea of a neurodivergent main character, Rob, and how he approaches life. The author left many notes for the reader to keep in mind as reading, and that was appreciated. It definitely is not a romance, more of a life telling narrative. Reading from the perspective of Rob was unique and eye-opening to me. I just wanted to like it more.

Thank you to NetGalley and Celestial Seaside Publishing for this ARC.

This book is a bit unique, and therefore may be difficult for the reader to get into without some background. Sounds of Yesterday is not a typical Romance - in a couple of ways.
First of all, and most important, the main character is a neurodivergent young man, who also serves as narrator. In this light, this is a brilliant insight into the neurodivergent mind - how they perceive and process their world. By reading this book, I feel I have better insight and understanding of this population. Even knowing this going in, I was sometimes distracted by what comes across as choppy writing. Stick with it; you'll get used to it the more you become invested in the story. In fact, I came to see that the writing style was very well done. The author himself explains that his purpose is to "amplify neurodivergent voices". For this, I am grateful. Isn't this why we read? To expand our horizons, and to understand other lives beyond ourselves?
Secondly, this is not the formulaic love story we usually read. It is the aftermath of a breakup. The author helps us to deeply feel the loss and the grief our main character is feeling as he is trying to process the breakup as best he can.
One heartwarming message that stood out to me was the community and support system surrounding the main character, and how he benefits from this. This is something we all desire - to have "our people" to lift us up.
I would be remiss if I did not mention how much I enjoyed the many musical references the author adds - songs which brought our main character calm and comfort. The author even includes a Playlist for us at the end. (Thanks for that!)
Kudos to author Jacob Hubbard for this important read. I am grateful to NetGalley for the advance read.

This book offers a beautifully crafted glimpse into neurodivergence and life. I commend Jacob for this honest, raw novel. I look forward to seeing more of his work in the future.

I was fascinated and drawn in by the characters in this book, mostly Rob. I'm the parent of a son who skims along the side of the spectrum, and I can see some of the thinking reflect things he might do. On the other hand, my cousin once said, "Aren't we all autistic?", and I know we have all had the same doubts about ourselves and relationships as Rob does. I wanted to be very purposeful in my review, because it goes to another website as well, and so I read the opinions of other people before writing. I still don't understand how lowly this book is scored! It is simple in it's language, but it reveals very complex feelings. I did not have a problem with the shifts in timeline, they were after all carefully indicated. I would also like to "know what happened", but often times in a relationship you never find out why someone left it. Sometimes the other person doesn't know! All in all, I liked it .

I got about 50% through this book and decided to DNF it. I really appreciate the neurodivergent representation, but I couldn't get through how poorly written this book is. The book starts out with the main character, Rob, getting broken up with by his girlfriend Ana. The storyline follows Rob reflecting on his relationship with Ana and trying to figure out where things went wrong. Though the premise sounds interesting, it was extremely confusing for me to follow. I also think there were comments made by the side characters that just gave me the ick in how they were written, so I didn't love it. Couldn't finish it.

I looked forward to this due to the autistic representation in the main character. I think the author was accurate in a number of ways. However, there was too much telling vs. showing, which made it hard to stay engaged. It could've benefitted from a tighter edit. For instance, there are too many exclamation points and repetition. This reads more like a young adult book than general fiction/adult. Also, I don't know that labeling this as a romance is the best option.

Thank you to the publisher for providing an ARC.
This was an interesting look at autistic main character and dating. I liked the seamless integration of internal dialogue, the depiction of stimming, the difficulties in masking, and navigating communication in relationships. I thought the writing was a little plain and more telling than showing. It was also very repetitive and could have used more editing. I was also uncomfortable with devoting the book to the author's ex as we don't know how she feels about being included in this way.

For five years, Rob and Ana were inseparable, facing life’s ups and downs together—career struggles, personal growth, even a pandemic. But when Ana suddenly ends their relationship, Rob’s world falls apart. As he reflects on what went wrong, he’s torn between trying to meet others’ expectations and finally embracing his true self. His journey toward healing and self-acceptance is both heartbreaking and hopeful.

Sounds of Yesterday is a warm and insightful story about love, loss, and navigating life as a neurodivergent person. Jacob’s writing is raw and honest, offering a heartfelt portrayal of both neurodivergent and neurotypical experiences. Rob’s perspective feels so real and relatable, especially if you’ve ever struggled with identity or relationships.

This unique novel left a lasting impression on me, especially in how it invites readers to better understand a world they might not fully know.

Thanks to NetGalley and Celestial Seaside Publishing for the chance to read this touching story!

I read about a quarter of this book and then skimmed the rest of the way through it, as it’s written most like a YA adult novel. I wouldn’t disagree it’s a romance, but having some more depth or a better hook would benefit this story! As it is, I may have enjoyed it earlier in my life. It moves slowly and mostly details shallow, teenager-like conversations between the protagonist and his now ex-girlfriend. A large part of the issue might be the overuse of exclamation marks!

I think this book was pretty good! As a neurodivergent person myself, I enjoyed reading from the perspectives of the characters. The premise was great. Unfortunately, I did feel like the dialogue fell a little flat for me, which made the story drag some at times. Overall, I had fun reading this!

I really appreciate books with neurodivergent characters. I think it’s so important to have authentic characters in our books. Although I feel this story could have been better, I really thought the characters were well written. I’d love to see more by this author.

2.5 ⭐️ rounded up

The novel follows the story of Rob and Ana’s relationship over the course of five years. While the story isn’t told in chronologically order, the novel flows well and isn’t confusing.

While I enjoyed reading about a neurodivergent relationship, the writing was not very descriptive and I was not super engaged in the story. The author did mention in the acknowledgments that he wrote the book as a kind of journal for himself and I feel like that checks out. It feels more like a reflection on a relationship than a love story for others to read. I think I would have needed more details in places and stronger and less repetitive descriptions in order for me to have enjoyed this story.

I definitely think neurodivergent stories need to be told and can appreciate the obstacles that a neurodivergent person may experience that I do not, but I just didn’t enjoy this story as much as I was hoping to.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Celestial Seaside Publishing for an advanced copy of this novel.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel. All of the opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rob is autistic, and dated Ana for many years. When Ana suddenly breaks up with Rob he works out what happened in their relationship. I appreciated the honesty of this novel. I appreciated how Rob’s way of processing his feelings was shown. However, everything became repetitive for me.

Jacob Hubbard's *Sounds of Yesterday* is a romance that defies the traditional expectations of happily-ever-afters. Instead, it dives deep into the messy, complex, and often painful aspects of love, especially when layered with childhood trauma, depression, and the challenges of navigating a neurodivergent mind in a neurotypical world. Hubbard brings these struggles to the forefront through the experiences of Rob and Ana, a couple whose relationship plays out against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic—a time that transformed many lives and relationships in profound ways.

At its core, this novel is a raw portrayal of love in its most vulnerable form. It’s about two people trying to connect, trying to make it work, despite the heavy baggage they carry. What makes Rob and Ana so relatable is the way Hubbard unflinchingly explores their mental and emotional burdens. Readers who have dealt with anxiety, depression, or feelings of being out of sync with the world will likely feel a deep kinship with the characters. The depiction of how they navigate their individual struggles while attempting to maintain a relationship is both heartbreaking and profoundly human.

Hubbard also captures the unique strain placed on relationships during the COVID-19 pandemic. The isolation, uncertainty, and collective trauma of that time are skillfully woven into the narrative, becoming more than just a setting—they shape and ultimately alter the course of Rob and Ana’s love. Rob’s internal journey as he watches the world shut down is particularly poignant, and for many readers, it may bring back memories of the disorienting days of lockdown. In many ways, the pandemic becomes a silent third character in the story, an invisible force that pushes and pulls at Rob and Ana’s relationship.

What makes *Sounds of Yesterday* stand out is its unflinching honesty. It acknowledges a truth that many romantic stories avoid: not all great romances are forever. Sometimes love is fleeting, but that doesn’t diminish its importance or beauty. Hubbard doesn’t shy away from this reality, instead embracing the bittersweet nature of love and loss, and in doing so, he offers readers a narrative that feels grounded and real.

I found myself deeply connected to both Rob and Ana, aching for them as they struggled to hold on to something that was both beautiful and fragile. Their love isn’t perfect, and that’s what makes it so compelling. It’s a romance that reflects the complexities of real-life relationships—the highs and lows, the moments of deep connection and painful distance.

*Sounds of Yesterday* is not just a love story, but a meditation on the nature of relationships, mental health, and the indelible impact of a world-changing event. It’s a story that will resonate with readers who understand that love is often messy and complicated, but also achingly beautiful in its imperfections. Hubbard has crafted a novel that is as introspective as it is emotional, a romance that doesn’t promise forever but offers something perhaps even more valuable: authenticity.

If you’re looking for a romance that breaks the mold and explores the deeper, more painful aspects of love, *Sounds of Yesterday* is well worth the read.

A unique novel by the author showcasing the complex life of a neuro divergent young man, I was glad to read it thru Netagalley and got a lot of insights on the life of a the main character as he deals with school, family, work and social life. Interesting read!

This story is told by Rob, a person on the autism spectrum, about his relationship with Ana, one that she abruptly (to him) ends after five years. Rob looks back at his interactions and memories of his relationship with Ana over the years to try to understand what went wrong. Along the way, he offers a glimpse into his brain as he imagines scenarios on an imagined stage where others judge him. It is a very interesting story about how a person with a neurodivergent mind navigates through the world and specifically through romantic relationships which can be unpredictable in the best of times. Rob's struggle for order and answers to why Ana ended this relationship are elusive making the story a bit unfulfilling. It was an engaging story, however. Thank you, NetGalley for the advanced copy.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of Sounds of Yesterday by Jacob Hubbard.

I do love the representation of a neurodivergent person in a book. There are things that neurotypical people just don't understand or know what is going on. My daughter is a high functioning neurodivergent, and I do see quite a few of her reactions to things going on around her. This is a story of love and loss written in great detail.

(3.5/5) Sounds of Yesterday by Jacob
Hubbard is set to release November 19, 2024.
Thank you @netgalley and @celestialseasidepublishing for the ARC!
This book was very cute and endearing. I loved that there was neurotypical characters present in the book. Representation matters!
It was interesting to see the main characters perspective on life.
I overall enjoyed this story, it was a quick read, and kept me entertained. The ending was unexpected, but that's okay! This was a little out of my normal genres, but it was a pleasant surprise!