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Parts of A Song
“I don’t know about you, but I want to remember every great love. Each is a teacher.”
Lara, torn between her passion for the arts and the pressure to succeed, reluctantly immerses herself in a high-pressure marketing job. But deep within her, she cannot shake the call to create.
Owen is an engineer-by-day who believes his true work and worth lie in his music. Fueled by a difficult past and a desire to escape his demons, he dreams of the day he can make his Big Break.
When Lara and Owen’s worlds collide, a friendship is ignited, propelling them on an incredible journey. Against a backdrop of music, art, and adventure, they face their deepest fears, battle their traumas, and confront their pasts. But what will remain of them when the final note fades?
This novel is an ode to friendship, first love, forever love, and self-discovery, set across the world in Manila, Singapore, San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles.
Content Warning: This story includes some depictions of abuse.
Lara, torn between her passion for the arts and the pressure to succeed, reluctantly immerses herself in a high-pressure marketing job. But deep within her, she cannot shake the call to create.
Owen is an engineer-by-day who believes his true work and worth lie in his music. Fueled by a difficult past and a desire to escape his demons, he dreams of the day he can make his Big Break.
When Lara and Owen’s worlds collide, a friendship is ignited, propelling them on an incredible journey. Against a backdrop of music, art, and adventure, they face their deepest fears, battle their traumas, and confront their pasts. But what will remain of them when the final note fades?
This novel is an ode to friendship, first love, forever love, and self-discovery, set across the world in Manila, Singapore, San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles.
Content Warning: This story includes some depictions of abuse.
- GenresFiction
333 pages, Paperback
Published May 25, 2023
1 person is currently reading
299 people want to read
About the author
Alexandra Del Rosario Romualdez
1 book7 followersAlexandra Romualdez is a mother, educator, illustrator, entrepreneur, and writer. She grew up in the Philippines, and holds 2 degrees: one in Communication Arts, and the other in Montessori Early Childhood Education.
After 6 years as a Marketer with Google, she left to pursue her creative career and focus on family. These days, she writes and publishes children's books under her other author name (Alexandra Romualdez Broekman). She has started writing adult/young adult work in her maiden name as well. This author's page is dedicated to that work. Her debut coming-of-age novel "Parts of a Song" is out in stores now and is a work of autofiction, borrowing heavily from details of her own life and experiences.
After 6 years as a Marketer with Google, she left to pursue her creative career and focus on family. These days, she writes and publishes children's books under her other author name (Alexandra Romualdez Broekman). She has started writing adult/young adult work in her maiden name as well. This author's page is dedicated to that work. Her debut coming-of-age novel "Parts of a Song" is out in stores now and is a work of autofiction, borrowing heavily from details of her own life and experiences.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 12, 2024
Inside the pages of this book, you'll find a collection of music that goes beyond just notes and lyrics—it's a meaningful journey through emotions. The author explores the varied facets of music, delving into its power to evoke inspiration, stir sadness, kindle feelings of love, and even bring a sense of hurt. As you read, you might discover that the melodies described within these pages have the ability to linger in your thoughts, occasionally haunting you with their depth and resonance.
Owen and Lara's friendship blossomed amidst the shared joys of music, art, and adventure. Their enthusiasm for these pursuits bestowed upon them a unique strength, adding a vibrant sparkle to their individual personalities. For Owen, whose past held shadows of pain, music became a steadfast companion, offering solace in the midst of life's cacophony.
Lara, possessing a beautiful soul, discovered her love within the realms of arts and music. Their journey together unfolded gradually, weaving the tapestry of their lives with shared experiences. Yet, the whispers of Owen's troubled past lingered, casting a subtle shadow on their intertwined destinies. Broken stories, etched in the fabric of time, began to surface.
As life unfolded, questions arose. How long would it take for Lara to embrace the realization that Owen might not be able to offer the love she truly deserves? In this tale of two imperfect souls, entangled in the messiness of life, the challenge lies in unraveling the complexities and finding a way to preserve their precious friendship against the backdrop of unresolved narratives.
This book captivated me from the start, and even though it took me nearly a week to read, every moment was worth it. The emotional rollercoaster it took me on was unlike anything I've experienced before. I found myself in the middle of the book hoping that the two main characters wouldn't end up together. It might sound a bit strange, but deep down, I felt that both of them deserved distinct paths and unique destinies in life.
Owen and Lara's friendship blossomed amidst the shared joys of music, art, and adventure. Their enthusiasm for these pursuits bestowed upon them a unique strength, adding a vibrant sparkle to their individual personalities. For Owen, whose past held shadows of pain, music became a steadfast companion, offering solace in the midst of life's cacophony.
Lara, possessing a beautiful soul, discovered her love within the realms of arts and music. Their journey together unfolded gradually, weaving the tapestry of their lives with shared experiences. Yet, the whispers of Owen's troubled past lingered, casting a subtle shadow on their intertwined destinies. Broken stories, etched in the fabric of time, began to surface.
As life unfolded, questions arose. How long would it take for Lara to embrace the realization that Owen might not be able to offer the love she truly deserves? In this tale of two imperfect souls, entangled in the messiness of life, the challenge lies in unraveling the complexities and finding a way to preserve their precious friendship against the backdrop of unresolved narratives.
This book captivated me from the start, and even though it took me nearly a week to read, every moment was worth it. The emotional rollercoaster it took me on was unlike anything I've experienced before. I found myself in the middle of the book hoping that the two main characters wouldn't end up together. It might sound a bit strange, but deep down, I felt that both of them deserved distinct paths and unique destinies in life.
January 11, 2024
Music made us imagine we're inside it. Feeling every word about love, hurt, and sadness. The poem has a touch of different tones from the guitar, piano, and other musical instruments. Owen and Lara's friendship is truly sharpened through time, respect, and forgiveness. Two souls made from different experiences happen to find each other in arms. Music became one of their connections. The arts became their inspiration. But this is not a fairy tale in some music video; it's the reality they're facing.
September 25, 2023
"In his presence, she felt seen somehow. Like he was noticing her, really looking."
Owen and Lara are two lost souls connecting over a shared love for music, albeit in different styles and degrees of passion. For Owen, music was his salve, his safe place, the only world he's ever known. To find Lara, a kindred spirit, a talent and a voice to match his own, is something of a miracle. They embark on a journey together, their lives becoming increasingly entangled, their feelings even more so. With an essence reminiscent of movies such as La La Land and Begin Again, and books by Sally Rooney and Coco Mellors, Parts of a Song follows Owen and Lara as they discover their place in the world and where they stand with each other.
Stories of broken people coming together are not rare; they have been increasing in contemporary literature. That being the case, I think there is a sort of established trajectory that these stories drive towards. Personally, I can read about dysfunctional relationships between complicated people trying to make it in this world over and over. What makes this book even more special is 1) how rooted it is in music and 2) how it’s also a sneak peek into Filipino culture.
As expected, Owen and Lara are flawed characters; most of the time they frustrated me to no end (Owen more so than Lara). Much like a lot of novels I read in a similar vein, I do grow more attached towards the female character- in this case, Lara. Her melancholy is very palpable and her plight of wanting to jump into love but never knowing where she stands with the other person is something that I feel is a pain shared by a lot of women.
It’s an immersive story spanning many years and many miles, showing how people and relationships change throughout the different seasons of life, how healing is a personal journey and responsibility, and how being open to life’s possibilities can lead to things unexpected, both bad and good.
What prevented me from fully loving this book, I think, would be my own existing biases. It’s harder to remove myself from the story as a lot of it is set in the Philippines, and both our main leads are part-Filipino. However theirs is a world I couldn’t relate to and would honestly say I have a little disdain towards (i.e. it’s a little too “burgis” for me). That isn’t to say their stories are irrelevant; it’s just something a little hard for me to empathize with, and I fully own up to that.
Thanks to kadopublishing for a copy of this book in exchange for a post and honest review.
Owen and Lara are two lost souls connecting over a shared love for music, albeit in different styles and degrees of passion. For Owen, music was his salve, his safe place, the only world he's ever known. To find Lara, a kindred spirit, a talent and a voice to match his own, is something of a miracle. They embark on a journey together, their lives becoming increasingly entangled, their feelings even more so. With an essence reminiscent of movies such as La La Land and Begin Again, and books by Sally Rooney and Coco Mellors, Parts of a Song follows Owen and Lara as they discover their place in the world and where they stand with each other.
Stories of broken people coming together are not rare; they have been increasing in contemporary literature. That being the case, I think there is a sort of established trajectory that these stories drive towards. Personally, I can read about dysfunctional relationships between complicated people trying to make it in this world over and over. What makes this book even more special is 1) how rooted it is in music and 2) how it’s also a sneak peek into Filipino culture.
As expected, Owen and Lara are flawed characters; most of the time they frustrated me to no end (Owen more so than Lara). Much like a lot of novels I read in a similar vein, I do grow more attached towards the female character- in this case, Lara. Her melancholy is very palpable and her plight of wanting to jump into love but never knowing where she stands with the other person is something that I feel is a pain shared by a lot of women.
It’s an immersive story spanning many years and many miles, showing how people and relationships change throughout the different seasons of life, how healing is a personal journey and responsibility, and how being open to life’s possibilities can lead to things unexpected, both bad and good.
What prevented me from fully loving this book, I think, would be my own existing biases. It’s harder to remove myself from the story as a lot of it is set in the Philippines, and both our main leads are part-Filipino. However theirs is a world I couldn’t relate to and would honestly say I have a little disdain towards (i.e. it’s a little too “burgis” for me). That isn’t to say their stories are irrelevant; it’s just something a little hard for me to empathize with, and I fully own up to that.
Thanks to kadopublishing for a copy of this book in exchange for a post and honest review.
August 24, 2025
This book was a random pick for me. But wow, what a beautiful book! Lara and Owen are two people who connect with each other and their inner self with music and arts. This book included everything, right from messy to beautiful relationships: romantic and unromantic. It also mentions how important distance and letting go of a person can be for your own healing and personal growth; something I’ve had to do in my life as well
It’s heartbreaking yet fulfilling in the best way✨
It’s heartbreaking yet fulfilling in the best way✨
February 25, 2025
I don't know how to review this book, but I will do my best because by the end of it, I was speechless. I was speechless to how beautiful the story is, I was speechless to how wonderfully crafted these characters were and how many emotions it made me feel. This is one of the most wholesome, most realistic human books I have ever come across.
There were so many things that happened, like you also grew with the book, you experienced the things that those characters were feeling, you experienced everything, and you saw everything. There was not a moment missed, and I completely agree with the metaphor of two people in this because Owen and Lara were two people who mirrored each other's energy. They were in this one story, but two separate people, and I loved the way this book was written, every description, every single moment had so much power, so much beauty, and it truly felt like I was going through the waves of a song, and I loved the fact that this book had parts named as parts of a song, and it couldn't have been named better. I loved it so much. It took me from art to emotion, to art again, to love, and it was not your usual literary fiction. Yes, the two characters definitely grew in the story, there was a lot of personal growth, but there was the growth of love as well, and the fact that love can grow, it can change, it can fade, it can be completely transformed in moments. I love this book so much, I can't explain what it did to me, and I have a feeling it will appear to be fresh to me every single time I read this again. I am in love, I am in love, and I am speechless. More people need to get this book in their hands and actually read it. I am so glad that I went with my whim and bought this book and got to read it because I would have missed out, and people who are not reading it are missing out.
There were so many things that happened, like you also grew with the book, you experienced the things that those characters were feeling, you experienced everything, and you saw everything. There was not a moment missed, and I completely agree with the metaphor of two people in this because Owen and Lara were two people who mirrored each other's energy. They were in this one story, but two separate people, and I loved the way this book was written, every description, every single moment had so much power, so much beauty, and it truly felt like I was going through the waves of a song, and I loved the fact that this book had parts named as parts of a song, and it couldn't have been named better. I loved it so much. It took me from art to emotion, to art again, to love, and it was not your usual literary fiction. Yes, the two characters definitely grew in the story, there was a lot of personal growth, but there was the growth of love as well, and the fact that love can grow, it can change, it can fade, it can be completely transformed in moments. I love this book so much, I can't explain what it did to me, and I have a feeling it will appear to be fresh to me every single time I read this again. I am in love, I am in love, and I am speechless. More people need to get this book in their hands and actually read it. I am so glad that I went with my whim and bought this book and got to read it because I would have missed out, and people who are not reading it are missing out.
December 27, 2023
Did you ever settle for less? Did you also have past baggages that hinder you from commitments? Did you have someone who got away? Are you seeking for your life’s passion?
This is a heart felt ode to love, self-love, friendship, growing up, growing apart, and family! Finally, I have found a contemporary romance novel that I actually loved from the beginning up to the end.
I may actually be biased but this book made me relive my broken past but led me to a heart warming resolve and realizations. This is the book that I wish I have read when I was in my drowning moments due to my brokenness because its a liberating and an inspiring one. If you have loved and lost, this one’s for you, and if you’re in search for your passion, this, too, is for you.
I personally love how the lead characters, the ‘two people’, Lara and Owen, who met each other when they were in their early twenties have been true friends ever since and could also be considered messy lovers at the same time. They have been partners in pursuing their love for music and art but ended up growing apart—yet their great love for each other eventually allowed them still to be nurtured though living their separate lives.
This book made me smile, laugh, love my friends and family even more and tear up! I found the story so moving and realistic that it even mirrored my own.
This is definitely the book that I would always recommend especially if you are looking for good vibes, a positively moving and a heart warming read.
Plus, I totally loved the Spotify playlist that came along with this book. And like our favorite songs that we sing along, this story would anchor you down and reverberate within you and will stay with you for a long time.
This is a heart felt ode to love, self-love, friendship, growing up, growing apart, and family! Finally, I have found a contemporary romance novel that I actually loved from the beginning up to the end.
I may actually be biased but this book made me relive my broken past but led me to a heart warming resolve and realizations. This is the book that I wish I have read when I was in my drowning moments due to my brokenness because its a liberating and an inspiring one. If you have loved and lost, this one’s for you, and if you’re in search for your passion, this, too, is for you.
I personally love how the lead characters, the ‘two people’, Lara and Owen, who met each other when they were in their early twenties have been true friends ever since and could also be considered messy lovers at the same time. They have been partners in pursuing their love for music and art but ended up growing apart—yet their great love for each other eventually allowed them still to be nurtured though living their separate lives.
This book made me smile, laugh, love my friends and family even more and tear up! I found the story so moving and realistic that it even mirrored my own.
This is definitely the book that I would always recommend especially if you are looking for good vibes, a positively moving and a heart warming read.
Plus, I totally loved the Spotify playlist that came along with this book. And like our favorite songs that we sing along, this story would anchor you down and reverberate within you and will stay with you for a long time.
August 6, 2024
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
I want to scream and cry. This book ripped my heart into pieces. Like I’ve been silently crying while reading it.
Okay, let’s make my review more cohesive (this may contain spoilers):
Part of a Song revolves around two people — Owen & Lara —finding each other through music and arts. This might sound so cliche but you need to read the book to know what I am talking about.
This book is about love, grief, and hope. It is about two people trying to make sense of their dreams, only to find out that it’s them stopping their growth.
At the first half of the book, I am really pissed off with Owen and Lara. I mean, what they are thinking? But then, we see growth when one of them realized what’s happening.
Shout out to Monique! Yes girl! Love her for the intervention!!!!
I am glad of that ending. It’s heartbreaking but I think it’s realistic and to be honest, dasurv.
This book is a breath of fresh air for me. I don’t read romance so much, but this, this book is more than that.
I have so many things to say! But for now, I hope you’ll find all the courage to pick up Part of a Song and read it!
I want to scream and cry. This book ripped my heart into pieces. Like I’ve been silently crying while reading it.
Okay, let’s make my review more cohesive (this may contain spoilers):
Part of a Song revolves around two people — Owen & Lara —finding each other through music and arts. This might sound so cliche but you need to read the book to know what I am talking about.
This book is about love, grief, and hope. It is about two people trying to make sense of their dreams, only to find out that it’s them stopping their growth.
At the first half of the book, I am really pissed off with Owen and Lara. I mean, what they are thinking? But then, we see growth when one of them realized what’s happening.
Shout out to Monique! Yes girl! Love her for the intervention!!!!
I am glad of that ending. It’s heartbreaking but I think it’s realistic and to be honest, dasurv.
This book is a breath of fresh air for me. I don’t read romance so much, but this, this book is more than that.
I have so many things to say! But for now, I hope you’ll find all the courage to pick up Part of a Song and read it!
June 10, 2023
This was a wonderful read! I enjoyed every moment of it. It's one of those books you just want to keep on reading - couldn't put it down, did it in one sitting. It's well written. It has good imagery and allows the reader to make a connection with the characters. I love it!
July 19, 2023
Ahhh what a beautifully written piece! From heartfelt dialogues to poetic lyrics, this book takes you through a rollercoaster of emotions felt by two people whose love was left unsaid. Not only do we have relatable main characters to love (and sometimes dislike), but the whole thing also just feels very intimate, and you can feel the passion emanating from the words. I smiled a lot, got really annoyed multiple times, and overall felt so attached to the characters. Their journey from strangers to friends to “it’s complicated” to best friends was described perfectly. It also successfully transported me back to South East Asia - the familiar cultures, the tantalizing aroma and the mouthwatering flavors of the food.
This book is pure bliss on so many levels. Definitely one of my favorite reads this year!
This book is pure bliss on so many levels. Definitely one of my favorite reads this year!
October 3, 2023
Romualdez' "Parts of a Song" immediately grips you from the first page and doesn't let go. The characters are superbly written and nuanced. The storytelling masterfully captures the essence of navigating friendship, love and identity as young professionals/budding artists. "Parts of a Song" is an extraordinary journey that resonated with me deeply. Look forward to reading more from this promising young author!
September 30, 2023
3.5 🌟 [review coming soon] still processing the emotions i had on that ending
June 21, 2024
hmm feels like CoHo's It Ends with Us with a mixture of Daisy Jones and the Six (well at least for the music part) not bad.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews