This book was very different than I expected going in. It explores themes that you do not usually see explored in a young adult book. Not for me, but not a bad book.

I am still traumatized by If He Had Been With Me. This was different. I enjoyed the story. The characters were quirky and had some happiness to them vs the straight depression of If He Had Been With Me. Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the opportunity to read in exchange for a review.

I wanted more from this book and finished it feeling meh. I’m glad I have read other titles by this author before reading this one because this alone wouldn’t make me want to read more by this author.

I enjoyed This Song is (Not) For You by Laura Nowlin. As someone involved in music in high school, I could connect with the musical aspects of this book and highs and lows of band group dynamics. They story was extremely heartfelt and emotional, and the characters felt relatable.

Sam and Ramona are in a band and best friends. The music they make is not mainstream but it does help them navigate the world. At an audition for a post-secondary school, they meet Tom and invite him to join their band. Over time Ramona and Tom start dating but Tom isn't quite sure how he feels about relationships. As time progresses, Ramona decides she would rather be romantically involved with Sam, but not to the exclusion of being involved with Tom. Nowlin is a gifted writer and 5 years ago, this novel might have made its way onto high school library bookshelves, but in this climate, most high school librarians will have a hard time making the case for a book about a throuple.

Rating: 2 stars!

The best way to explain this book is if 3 middle schoolers wrote a diary about liking each other and took turns with the POV. The book felt very elementary to me and the plot was weak. I loved that each character had goals for their lives and dreams of things they wanted to accomplish, but the overall execution fell short for me.

Thank you NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Fire for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Readers of The author's previous book, If He Had Been With Me, didn't feel complete until reading the second book, If Only I Had Told Her. Similarly, this book may need a second book, to help readers feel complete by the end. Although, there are different points of view in the book the ending will leave some readers wanting more. This book will do well with young adult audiences that are particularly interested in a novel focusing on a character's asexual point of view. The love triangle is a good surface-level plot for teen readers looking more for diverse characters.

I tried to read this book a few times but it was one I could not get into. Perhaps I will try to read it again when there are no time restraints in place. I will look to see others published by this author. One book
Doesn't make an author bad we all have different tastes in what we read and writing styles

I was enjoying this one.. until the second half.. wtf was that? ☠️😭 that second half of the book actually made me a little angry 😅

Love love love!! Then again, I love everything by Laura Nowlin.
As with all her book, this will give you all the feels about with her tender story about growing up and the pains of being a teen in love.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the arc

Updated cover!

Ramona and Sam created the band, April and Rain. Tom soon joins them. They each live their own unassuming lives and just want to enjoy their music. The three friends bond and learn from each other as they get through high school, meet their goals and make their future plans. Not everyone understands them but they understand each other and are true friends unconditionally.

Likes/dislikes: The author shows an authentic portrayal of dyslexia. The high school band and unconditional best friends are refreshing. The tidbits of wisdom from Ramona are helpful to her friends.
Mature Content: PG for kissing.
Language: R for 25 swears and 7 f-words.
Violence: Pg for bullying.
Ethnicity: falls to white.

I had to sit with my thoughts for a while before reviewing this book because I was a bit conflicted right after I was done, but it’s been 2 weeks now, so let’s go.
This book is about 2 teens making music, initially. Ramona loves her long time friend Sam but he doesn’t know, he loves her and she doesn’t know (tale as old as time). Tom comes in as a third member, they form a new band. Now Ramona loves Tom too. He’s a little rebel, likes to protest about things he doesn’t like in a very weird way that gets him in some trouble. They also explore the fact that what Ramona had envisioned for the future, might not be the same thing that everyone wants.
I feel like the main idea of this book was to explore polyamorous relationships. As much as I’m here for that idea, I just really feel icky when we’re talking about anything sexually related with teens, regardless of type of relationship. I also have a hard time relating to these characters. I didn’t like being a teen myself, I don’t like getting into their brains either through a book, so generally speaking, books that explore teenagers are not my thing. If you like it, you might enjoy this book. But it really was (not) for me.
I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for trusting me with an ARC in exchanged of my honest review.

i’m truly sitting here staring into space trying to process what i just read? i feel like i don’t know what just happened. the ending???? just as the plot was starting to pick up, it just…. stopped??? i guess i was expecting some sort of big revelation or for something major to happen and it…. didn’t??? honestly i’m confused.

this is getting 3 stars because i liked the characters and the musical aspect of the story. i found the representation of asexuality and polyamorous relationships (which was pretty love-triangley) to be very interesting, but other than that, i feel like i couldn’t tell you what this book was *really* about?! but maybe that’s the point! maybe it’s just meant to be a reminder that love can be complicated and simple at the same time, and doesn’t always have to/isn’t always able to be placed into a certain box. this is republished version coming out at the end of the month. i’m really curious though if anyone read this back in 2016 when it first debuted! if you want to read any of laura’s work, honestly, just stick with “if he had been with me” and leave it at that.

thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me this ARC to read and review!

I really wanted to love this because I loved “If He Had Been With Me” when I was high school. But this book was just confusing. It’s like nothing actually happened except a whole lot of music snobbery?? I almost DNF’ed this book at the fish scene because it was just morally icky for me. I had to set the book down and take a break after that.

Also as a person who is ace, asexual representation is always a pleasant surprise but I wish it could’ve been executed better.

I was drawn in by the topic of music, but the book lost me after that. It seems geared toward a younger audience, which might be why I didn't enjoy it. There might be some who love this book, but it just wasn't for me.

Ramona and Sam are my new favorite characters! I wasn't a fan of if he had been with me since the first chapter tells you what happens but was pleasantly surprised that this one was better

The part I loved most about this book was how quick of a read it was. The story follows three main characters: Ramona, Sam, and Tom as they battle adolescence in their senior year of High School. All three characters are bazaar and quirky in their own right. I’m all here for the quirks and being 100% yourself! I especially enjoyed the music aspect of the storyline that brought them together including their unconventional sound. It was the confusing sexual tension and self discovery that fell flat and ruined what could've been a more interesting plot. There were many moments and side character interactions I found confusing and unnecessarily included in the story.

Book Review: This Song Is (Not) For You by Laura Nowlin

Laura Nowlin’s This Song Is (Not) For You is a beautifully layered exploration of love, friendship, and the complexities of self-discovery, all set against the backdrop of a shared passion for music. Known for her emotionally rich storytelling in If He Had Been With Me, Nowlin once again delivers a deeply resonant narrative that challenges conventional ideas about relationships while celebrating individuality and the transformative power of art.

Plot: A Love Triangle with a Twist

The story follows Ramona, Sam, and Tom—three teenagers whose lives intersect through their shared love of music. Ramona and Sam have been inseparable for years, their friendship defined by an unspoken but palpable undercurrent of mutual affection. Ramona’s feelings for Sam are complicated by her fear of ruining their connection, while Sam harbors a quiet, steadfast love for her, convinced she could never see him as more than a friend.

Enter Tom, a charismatic musician who becomes the missing piece in their band and their dynamic. As Ramona falls for Tom, her feelings for Sam don’t fade, creating a tension that ripples through their friendships and forces all three to confront what they truly want.

What sets this story apart is its exploration of nontraditional relationships. Rather than adhering to a simple love triangle, Nowlin delves into themes of polyamory, asexuality, and the fluidity of human connections. The result is a narrative that feels refreshingly authentic and emotionally complex, capturing the nuances of love in its many forms.

Characters: Multifaceted and Relatable

Nowlin excels at crafting characters who feel deeply human.
• Ramona is a spirited, quirky protagonist whose passion for music is matched only by her desire to navigate her feelings with honesty and care. Her internal struggles—torn between her love for Sam and her growing connection with Tom—are rendered with raw emotional honesty.
• Sam is endearing in his quiet devotion, grappling with insecurities and the fear of losing the person who means the most to him. His journey is particularly poignant as he learns to express his feelings and assert his own needs.
• Tom adds a layer of complexity to the story, not only as a romantic interest but as someone whose presence challenges the established dynamics between Ramona and Sam. His charm and openness make him an intriguing addition to their world.

The trio’s chemistry is electric, whether they’re making music or navigating the emotional minefield of their relationships. Their interactions are rich with humor, tenderness, and tension, making their journey as a group as compelling as their individual arcs.

Themes: Love, Identity, and the Power of Art

At its core, This Song Is (Not) For You is a meditation on love in its many forms—romantic, platonic, and self-directed. Nowlin deftly explores the boundaries of traditional relationships, inviting readers to consider the validity and beauty of connections that don’t fit into neat categories.

The novel also touches on themes of asexuality and polyamory with sensitivity and nuance, offering representation that feels both groundbreaking and necessary. Sam’s asexuality is portrayed as an integral part of his identity, not as a barrier to love, but as a facet of it.

Music serves as both a metaphor and a binding force in the story. It’s through their shared passion for creating art that Ramona, Sam, and Tom find a language to express their deepest emotions and forge connections that transcend words. The descriptions of their performances are vivid and immersive, making the reader feel as though they’re part of the band.

Writing Style: Lyrical and Intimate

Nowlin’s prose is as lyrical as the music her characters create. She has a gift for capturing the small, poignant moments that define relationships—an exchanged glance, a shared laugh, a quiet moment of vulnerability. Her writing is both accessible and deeply introspective, drawing readers into the emotional lives of her characters.

The alternating perspectives allow for a deeper understanding of each character’s motivations and inner conflicts, creating a rich tapestry of emotions and perspectives.

Final Thoughts: A Heartfelt and Thought-Provoking Read

This Song Is (Not) For You is a masterful exploration of love, identity, and the ties that bind us. Laura Nowlin has crafted a story that is as much about the joy and pain of human connection as it is about the music that brings her characters together.

For readers seeking a YA novel that breaks away from conventional romance tropes, offers diverse representation, and celebrates the messiness of real relationships, this book is a must-read. It’s a story that will linger in your heart, like the echo of a favorite song.

Rating: 5/5

It might be the 01/01/25 but that masterpiece will be a highlight of my reading year. It was so emotional and I read through it in two sittings because it was that good. It was even better than if he had been with me.

I was really looking forward to reading this as I enjoyed other books by Ms. Nowlin. This one was decent but felt much younger than the others I've read. I'm not 100% sold on the love story she was selling, but it was good. I think a lot of people will enjoy this one, it just wasn't for me.