Morally grey is a term that could apply to all three of the main characters in Walk Softly on This Heart of Mine. Everyone is terrible, but not awful. Everyone is okay, but not great.

Set in an off-the-beaten-path honkey tonk, we meet each of our three characters: Doug, a blues musician, hired to play every night at the Rush Creek Saloon. Deanna, the owner of the Rush Creek Saloon, is unhappy in her marriage and her life. Steven is the boy who loves too hard and struggles with his own identity and sexuality.
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Callie Collins captured a slice of life for each person, but it read a bit empty to me. Doug was kind of a pain in the ass and a little too far up his own. Steven's section of the book was too weird, and I say this as someone who likes weird book.

There are ways to write about music, and there's plenty of that included in this book, but like most of Doug's songs and nights out....there was a lot of fluff and hollowness.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Callie Collins’ writing vividly captures the essence of Austin’s music scene, delving into themes of ambition, identity, and the quest for connection. The novel made me feel like I was immersed in the bar scenes and I was fully invested in the perspectives of each character. Loved every second reading this and getting to know each character from their point of view.

Set against the gritty, soulful backdrop of 1970s Austin, this debut novel sweeps you into a world of blues, longing, and lives on the edge. Collins captures the raw essence of a town and its people searching for connection, whether through music, love, or something darker.

The story, told through the perspectives of Doug, Deanna, and Steven, gives us an intimate view of how deeply loneliness can seep into a person's soul. Each character is aching for something that makes them feel alive again - whether it's Doug's desperate chase for fame and escape in booze and drugs, Deanna's struggle to save her failing bar and marriage, or Steven's painful journey grappling with his sexuality and need to belong.

Collins perfectly captures the vibe of a time and place where freedom and chaos collide, with Rush Creek Saloon becoming the symbol of that chaotic energy. It's a powerful, immersive read that explores the highs and devastating lows that come with searching for something more.

For me, it was a vivid time capsule, full of heat, music, and heartbreak, and if you've been a fan of Daisy Jones and the Six or Mary Jane, this book would likely be right up your alley.