I really enjoyed getting into this book, I've been a fan of the Beatles for a while and was so glad I was able to learn about John and Paul. It was a strong biography and had that feel that I was wanting in this type of book. Ian Leslie wrote this well and had that research element that I was looking for and enjoyed in this type of book.

This is quite a complete work on a very specific Beatles topic - the relationship between John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Each chapter is based on a specific Beatles song, discussing who did/wrote what and why. The book begins at the very beginning when the two met each other in school in Liverpool and continues through John's murder and almost up to today. George and Ringo do not get much coverage here, but that is to be expected, considering the focus of the book. It is very detailed and thorough, with many references and footnotes. My only objection is that the author tries very hard to find evidence of a physical relationship between the two men. He found nothing, but he hinted constantly, much to my annoyance. Thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for providing an ARC.

As a lifelong Beatles fan, having read several books, I thought I knew the story. But I was blown away by the detail of the history and relationships of the Liverpool lads. Especially interesting was the examination of John and Paul’s songwriting practices. Their relationship is one for the ages, and their work will remain a standard for all time. This book captures all of that magnificently. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for making this available for an honest review.

I found this book fascinating. It's pretty chronological, so the reader has a timeline and can see just how quickly the Beatles went from "I Want to Hold Your Hand" to "A Day in the Life," and beyond.

I knew bits of information about the Beatles early years and knew even less about John and Paul's early days, so this book introduced me to a lot of facts. And when the author started to get into the technical aspects of the songs, I was blown away by the things I hadn't been aware of when listening to the music. Of course, I had to listen as I read, and the book informed my appreciation of their words and lyrics even more.

The relationship between John and Paul was deep and complex. Psychologists could have a field day (and some probably already have). Even at 17 and 19 years old, the recognized the importance of their collaboration; Theirs was a partnership and a friendship that combined youthful spirit and old souls.

The hardcore Beatles fan probably already knows a lot of the stories in here, but maybe they will gain some added insight or get a smile remembering. I enjoyed the writing style and added a bunch of songs to my playlist!

My thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for the eArc in exchange for an honest review.

I was a teenager in the 1960s and fell in love with the Beatles when I heard their first song. I lived in a large city and had the opportunity to see them in concert in 1964 and 1966. Even though I could barely hear them sing because of all the screaming - those concerts were my favorite concerts ever! I've read a lot of Beatles books over the years and there wasn't a lot new in this new book. It was still great to read and be reminded of what a major change the writing duo of John Lennon and Paul McCartney had on music at the time and how it affected future popular music. I thought that the author did considerable research and managed to put all of the information together in an organized fashion. This book was a pure joy for me as it looked at the ups and downs of the long term friendship between these two musical geniuses who influenced my younger years.

The story of The Beatles is so well-known, and so often told, that “Beatles book” is more of a genre than a description. Here’s the story of the first meeting at the town fair. There is the story of sharing a grimy space in Hamburg. Oh, look, there’s George Martin telling the gentleman that they have just recorded their first number one record.

So it’s more what the writer does with the story than the story itself. And what writer Ian Leslie does with this story is quite wonderful. He sees the story of the Beatles as the story of a singular friendship. Not always friendly, but always inextricably tied to each other, John Lennon and Paul McCartney form the spine of what is essentially more a character study than a rock bio. .

There are some limitations to this approach. George and Ringo are admittedly set to the side, where I think there would’ve been an opportunity for them to be more vocal witnesses to this friendship. And the effort to tie the meaning of each highlighted song to a moment in the friendship can get strained from time to time.

But the emotional core of this book is steady and true. Leslie has clearly thought a lot about this band and about its founders, and he has so much to share that isn’t the same old story told over and over again.

Many thanks to Celadon Books and NetGalley for the advance reader’s copy.

John and Paul was an excellent read. I learned so much about the dynamic duo and this is a must read for any Beatles fan.

As a Beatles fan, I was excited to read this book after a long hiatus from tackling my list on NetGalley! Love the way the author approached the story of each of the performers. The big surprises came from the story of John Lennon! Did not expect the revelations about John Lennon’s personality and his relationship with Yoko Ono!
Paul, however, was portrayed as how I believed he was. Nonetheless it was great reading.
The author tied in the relationship between Jon and Paul flawlessly and was brilliantly written. It is a must have item for the Beatles fan!

I really enjoyed this book. I am a Beatles fan but this is the first book I’ve read about them. The focus is only on John and Paul. The author chooses songs to go with each period in their relationship and analyzes the lyrics. It’s interesting but very detailed. This was an interesting point of view on the complicated relationship of two musical geniuses.

It's hard to remember a time when the Beatles weren't part of our lives. It seems like we went from listening to our big sister's records of Pat Boone and Perry Como to wanting to hold your hand. Author Ian Leslie does an excellent job taking us along on the ride, introducing pivotal characters like Brian Epstein, Derek Taylor, and all things hippy and New age. It's a deep dive into the shadows, not to mention the uneasiness of the spotlight. It was a time that changed us and the world forever.

While I'll admit upfront to not being familiar with many of the musical terms tossed about -- aclion cadence, anyone? -- after a few pages they seemed to just waft right on over my head without demanding I stop to figure out what they actually meant. What can I say? I tend to be one of those who enjoys the music without knowing every little detail in it. That said, I'll certainly never listen to a Beatles tune again the same way. At the same time, we're taken into the psyche of both John and Paul as individuals as well as the singular entity of Lennon-McCartney. Despite the labels rabid fans were eager to attach to them, the four Beatles were complicated individuals. They went through incredible highs and lows together, certainly being prisoners of their own success and images.

I can't even begin to summarize the book. It's lengthy but don't let that daunt you. For the most part, it's an easy read and most of the names you encounter will be familiar. Actually, much of the material was familiar to me although I was delighted to discover John's discovery of a new sport in his latter days. I definitely don't want to give away that story but it was somehow comforting to know he had that in his life before his tragic death. I also came away with even more respect for actress and former McCartney girlfriend Jane Asher for not allowing herself to be pulled into Paul's life to the detriment of her own hopes and dreams. Even better, she's never written a tell-all book, not true of many.

Bottom line, I could go on and on or list countless descriptive words and phrases that popped into my head as I read but will simply wind this up by saying music and Beatles fans will enjoy this read. Those who devour every tiny mention of anything Beatles will definitely find much to ponder within. Will they agree with it all? Surely not, but that's part of the fun, isn't it? The Beatles were something different to everyone. For fans like me, who enjoyed their music and the rush of Beatlemania, it was fun. You don't have to understand the musical references or even agree with Leslie's comments to enjoy hanging out like that proverbial fly-on-the-wall as John and Paul created something magical out of a boyhood meeting. I simply didn't have the time to do so but would strongly recommend you call up the various songs as discussed and listen to them as you read, too. Since this is a book that just begs for a re-read, that's my plan for my next visit. As it is, my thanks to #CeladonBooks for sending me this advance invite for my own trip back to "Yesterday". It was magical.

I enjoyed this read about John & Paul. They happen to be up there with Rodgers and Hammerstein to me. The thing that puts them at the top, for me, is the way they wrote their songs and then often blended their voices into one. This book is kind of pro Paul in some of the stories, and while Paul is my favorite, that is hard for me because John started this fire. I enjoyed the text, but I feel that the author hasn’t see the Let it Be movie. While Get Back is superb, Let it Be shows how things were imploding on the band and is a large piece of the puzzle for me. I like how this book showed that the boys were growing up, and wives and family were becoming important, that is another factor for the end. Then the author said something I thought was perfect and something that I have thought of for years……The song The End, it showcases everyone for a few seconds, a finale. Four solos to make one ending……an ending for something that is simply magical.

This book is for the Beatles fan that might want to know more about the music, or the fan that loved that all the pieces were in the right place, at the right time and perfection was made. Well done, Ian Leslie.

I have been a fan of the Beatles all of my life. In fact I can't remember not loving the Beatles. When people much younger than me talk about them, I somewhat jokingly remind them that I actually remember when they were a group. I own all the original albums and then the CD releases and then the remastered releases. I've read any and all books i can obtain.
All that to say, did we truly need another book about the Beatles?
Many would say no, what could possibly be written that we don't already know?,
My answer to this query is a definite yes.
I found the author has taken a new and unique dive into the world and the relationship between John and Paul. We have read and heard so many stories and listened to same songs repeatedly that we do not always hear or listen to what is perhaps a new perspective on John and Paul's relationship.
I found it interesting how the author chose to organize the chapters baaed on songs that John and Paul wrote either together, separate, or as solo artists.
Also by taking a deep dive into the psyche od each and how their relationship evolved throughout their lives and how they sought each other's approval, while all the while also being competitive, attempting to not only grow as songwriters but to out perform the other.
Wonderful book...truly enjoyed it.

3.5 stars. I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own,
I’ve read quite a few Beatles books, as well as bios of John and Paul, and while the subject has been studied from almost every angle, Ian Leslie manages to inject some perspective into the subject by focusing on the unique bond between the two, as friends (practically brothers) and songwriting partners, and how the two relationships were inextricably connected. While some of the typical beats are discussed, following the highs and lows of their relationship, I really appreciated some of the insights, especially in terms of how it uses the songs so directly to trace their story. Textually, it does get a little tedious in places, especially given it’s not all that groundbreaking, and Leslie is relying almost entirely on secondhand info. So while it’s not the most essential of Beatles books, it’s definitely worth reading for the diehard fan.

As a child born during the 1970's I was a little late to be alive during "Beatlemania," but I felt it deeply nonetheless. Thank god my parents played their music relentlessly, because I did still grow up to be a huge Beatles fan. John& Paul: A Love Story in Songs is just that - a beautiful and heartfelt tribute to this dynamic duo that created music that defined a generation and forever changed the face of popular music. At times it is sad and times it is joyous, but that is life. I loved every inch of this biography as it brought me right back to my childhood and offered a glimpse into their lives that we have not yet seen. Leslie has crafted something new for Beatles fans as their lives are, at its core, about the music they created together. Each chapter delves into one of their biggest hits to give not only the background of how the song came into existence, but what was happening in their lives that impacted it. If you love The Beatles, even if you just love music, this is a great read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Beatles fans, gather ’round because you will want to add this book to your fan collection! Analyzing John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s relationship through a deep dive into the songs they wrote at the time is not the usual book about the Fab Four. Showing the ultimate bromance as John and Paul wrote some of the most memorable songs of the last half of the 20th century is a genius way to look at their relationship and how it impacted their lives and the lives of others.

I enjoyed the deep dive into how certain songs were created, and the analyzing of the push-pull of the Lennon & McCartney relationship. They truly behaved like brothers from another mother. They leaned on each other and at times, pushed the other one away. The actual songs take second stage as the John/Paul relationship is dissected, which actually makes the songs meanings all that more poignant.

This is a book for music fans young and old alike. It’s definitely one of the better books on the Beatles that I’ve read. Highly recommend!

ohn & Paul: A Love Story in Songs is a biography of John Lennon and Paul McCartney and how their collaborative efforts produced the various iconic songs that we know and love today.

The book outlines how each of the top songs were thought out and made real by John and Paul. Both men had an uncanny connection when it came to music and song writing. They were like the Yin and Yang of music composition. With John the Yin and Paul the Yang.

There were a lot of musical phrases and terms. And being a novice in music composition, I found the terms to be too techinical for my abilities. But, what I found helpful in my understanding was listening to the songs that were mentioned. It made it easier to get more insight on the composition of the songs and the terminology being used. And listening to the songs enhanced the overall experience of the book.

John & Paul is the perfect book for diehard Beatles fans who also have a greater understanding of the music world. Four solid stars.

I received a DRC from Celadon Books through NetGalley. This review is completely my own and reflects my honest thoughts and opinions.

Thank you for giving home to this book. Sometimes The Beatles fandom disregards that what built the foundations of one of the greatest bands of all time was the love of two boys...

I found this to be an extremely engaging, entertaining and nostalgic read. As a fan of the Beatles, this gave me an inside look into the relationships, inspirations and processes that lead to so much amazing music. I may not use this entire read in the classroom but will certainly use sections to help students on their creativity journey and to better access the creative process on their own lives.

Fascinating look at one of the most formative partnerships in the history of music. Filled with facts and insight, it is a tribute and exploration to both men.

I am an ardent Beatles fan dating back to the sixties and own a king's ransom of Beatles books spanning the decades, so was pleasantly surprised to find that good and relevant ones are still being written- a contented feeling as I closed this book. Honestly, I was a bit cynical about the premise of this book, the provocative whisper that John and Paul loved each other...but in what way? The implication was: possibly in ALL ways. While this was a biography about The Beatles, it focused primarily on the core relationship of its main composers: John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Throughout the biography as it explored each of The Beatles albums and singles, there were deep dives into how songs were written (which parts John and Paul contributed) and the author's interpretations of their meanings. At times I get weary of psychoanalyzation, where people wax poetic about what these songs mean. However, as the book neared its end I found myself gleaning new insights on certain song lyrics in a profound way. The book ended with the aftermath of John Lennon's assassination, how Paul learned of it, and the evolution of his grief over the decades since. This was a quality book that offered new kernels of Beatles lore and will be very much enjoyed by Beatles fans.

Thank you to the publisher Celadon Books for providing an advance reader copy via NetGalley.