Macks: The Color of Music

by Josefine James

Wenn Ruhm und Anerkennung reichen müssen, um glücklich zu sein.

Bereits mit fünfzehn Jahren wird Mackenzie Walker zu Macks - dem weltberühmten Popstar.
Doch als die Liebe ins Spiel kommt, wird klar, dass nicht Macks, sondern ihr konservatives Label und dessen Besitzer, Peter Miller, die Fäden ziehen.
Macks steht vor einer schicksalhaften Karriere oder Liebe. Wird es ihr gelingen, den Vorstellungen des Labels und ihrer Fans gerecht zu werden, ohne dabei sich selbst zu verlieren?
Eine mitreißende Coming-of-Age-Geschichte über Erfolg, Mut, Selbstfindung und die Farben der Musik.

490 pages, Paperback

Published June 4, 2024

Reviews

[Ria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mackenzie is a young and talented girl, who has to move to New Orleans after her parent's divorce. In the city of music, she finds her place as a pianist in a jazz club, and after some time she begins to perform her own music. Her talent doesn't go unseen, and she ends up signing a contract with Elephant Records. That's how Macks is born. She's a musician and songwriter, young and approachable. Macks quickly becomes a famous artist, but in the process, Mackenzie gets lost. When she has to face her identity as a lesbian, Macks is forced by the company to hide her orientation, while still trying to have some kind of relationship with other women in the industry. As time passes, things get more complicated, and Macks feels like she's losing her passion for music and even herself. Hollywood and the music industry lose their charm and she has to come to terms with what she wants and needs in her life. Who does she actually want to be?
"Macks. The Color of Music" is an outstanding novel about the life of young artists in the industry. Macks' identity is forged to please an audience, while there's little to no consideration of the person behind the Name. The book really shows one of the ugliest sides of human greed, in a world where making money is the only purpose and everything is justified when moving towards that goal. Also it's shown how men in power can abuse mentally of young and innocent minds.
I truly appreciated the point of view of the writer and the psychological analysis of the protagonist. Since the book follows Macks through the years of her career, we can see her facing many challenges and growing, going from being a girl to a young woman. Her sexual orientation is one of the main focuses in the story. The struggle in trying to keep it hidden, while also being unable to suppress it, is a constant torment for Macks, who has many relationships with women throughout the book, but every time has contradictory emotions about her feelings and how they can have an impact on her career. Ultimately, Macks has almost been forged by Peter, the head of the recording agency, into thinking that her career is her whole identity, and her sexuality is an obstacle to her success. She will understand the big lie she was told, but that will require time and growth.
This novel gave me similar vibes to "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo", but setting the story in present years obviously changes many factors. Also the age of the protagonist puts the novel in the New Adult category, I would say. There are some scenes with sexual content, even if there's nothing too explicit.
The one big thing that made this book so hard to read for me was the fact that many narrative schemes are very repetitive, and I got kind of lost some times, since it felt like I was reading the same thing over and over. Unfortunately, this effect was also given by the main character, who has an extremely slow growth. I would say that Macks stays pretty much static until the last one hundred pages of the book. I can understand this choice, by considering the age of the character, so it's not necessarily a defect, but it certainly did make the reading experience harder. I appreciated the themes regarding mental health, and the writing was pretty fluid. Overall, it's a good book, with many difficult themes and a protagonist that will sometimes make you angry, but will also get your heart.

[Ted and her books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun read, but also a bittersweet one. It’s a coming of age novel, and a story about how the music industry treats people.

I liked the characters, and loved the writing. Now I have to admit, I’m not a big Taylor Swift fan… but I did once see a documentary and Macks kinda reminded me of her.

I would love to say more, but I’m afraid I’ll spoil it for you, so I’ll shut my mouth.

Read if you loved Daisy Jones & The Six, and Taylor Swift !

[Marcel]

Ich habe Macks mit einer gewissen Neugier begonnen – ein Teenie wird Popstar? Klang erst mal nach einer leichten, unterhaltsamen Geschichte, die aus der Feder des Disney Channels stammen könnte. Was ich aber bekommen habe, war so viel mehr: eine feinfühlige, tiefgehende Auseinandersetzung mit dem Erwachsenwerden im grellen Rampenlicht. Macks ist keine Heldin im klassischen Sinn. Sie stolpert, sie zweifelt, sie geht manchmal verloren – und genau deshalb habe ich sie so ins Herz geschlossen.

Was mich besonders beeindruckt hat, ist die Ehrlichkeit, mit der die Autorin über Themen wie Selbstwert, Leistungsdruck und Einsamkeit schreibt. Nichts wird beschönigt, nichts überdramatisiert. Es ist diese stille Stärke im Schreibstil, die mich durch das Buch getragen hat. Auch die Musik – eigentlich nur Kulisse – wird zum Spiegel für Macks innere Entwicklung. Und obwohl sie so jung ist, spürt man in jeder Zeile: Diese Geschichte ist universell.

Wer dieses Buch liest, wird nicht nur Macks besser kennenlernen, sondern vielleicht auch ein kleines Stück sich selbst.

3 passende Wörter zum Buch:
verletzlich. stark. bewegend.

"Die Erinnerungen an ihren ersten großen Auftritt und an Sarah schlichen sich in ihre Gedanken, doch dieses Mal fühlte es sich anders an. Sie war nicht mehr hier, um der Welt zu beweisen, dass sie es draufhatte. Sie stand am Höhepunkt ihrer Karriere und war eine der erfolgreichsten Künstlerinnen ihrer Zeit."

[Vick898 (confession_of_a_reading_freak) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read !!

Firstly thank you for allowing me an early copy to read!

This is a really great read for any music lovers out there. I really enjoyed the story in this book too!

Mackenzie is the main character that shows her journey from a young teen entering the music industry and self discovery.
I really enjoyed her character she portrayed fierce , passionate and talented. I loved her discovery of herself and fighting for what she wanted.

I think the writer really catches the music industry perfectly and how hard it can be for famous people to have their own privacy without secrets coming out!

I loved Sam and Mackenzies friendship throughout the story too. The was easy to relate to and follow.

This ending of this book was really nice 😊 way to end “Mack’s” being herself as Mackenzie was really great to see rather than the manipulate “Mack’s” character!!

Overall, I have nothing bad to say the writing style was easy to follow the chapter titles gave insight to what the chapter was about. But it is definitely not one to miss!!


It’s Out now !!!

[Gio.reads.sapphic · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit - from the way this book started it was going to be a DNF; this is mainly because i couldn't stand Peter - that's to say how well written the book and the characters are!
I wouldn't call this book a Romance but more a fictional biography and if you're looking for:
- First Time
- Queer Awakning
- Celebrity Romance
- Late in life coming out
- Second Chance
- Secret Relationship
- Toaster Oven
and a bit of tabloid drama this is perfect for you.

Oh did i mention is it practically a Taylor Swift story but sapphic?

TW: homophobia - blackmail - sexual scenes with a man - manipulation

[SullenSapphic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spice Level: 1/5 Closed Door / Fade to Black


Mackenzie Walker is a 15-year-old forced to move from her home in Batavia, NY, to New Orleans with her mom and her sister after her parents’ divorce. She meets Sam, who becomes her best friend. One night, after sneaking with Sam into Sam’s parents' Jazz Club, Mackenzie plays one of their songs by ear, and Sam’s dad hears it. Her career takes off from this point. After being invited to play with Sam’s parents’ band, she is signed by a record company. Because Mackenzie Walker is a meek and mild child, she creates the persona “Macks,” who is everything Mackenzie wants to be. 


This story follows the trials and tribulations of a child star’s rise to fame and the decade following her rise. One of those being that Macks is queer and has to fight what is expected of her and what she wants. With her monstrous amount of fame, can Macks find love?


Reading this book, all I could think is Taylor Swift but make it queer. At a young age, Mackenzie Walker, a.k.a Macks, skyrockets to fame. Unfortunately, Mackenzie comes up in the industry at a time right before being queer in media is better accepted. She can only love who she loves behind closed doors. Her song writing is inspired by women and she has to change the pronouns in her songs so they could be accepted by the industry. At one point, she is forced into a contracted relationship with a male so she can keep up appearances to sell records.


This story is nothing short of devastating. However, I mean that in a way that I highly suggest reading this book. This book pulls at your emotions. When I catch myself gasping, making shocked faces, crying, I know a book has reached me. This story is beautifully written from the front cover to the back cover. I also really love how the author tells the story by starting the MC at a talkshow and giving a tell all about the MCs book. So it was almost like I was reading the MCs story written by the MC. I will be thinking about this book for a while to come.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mit gerade einmal fünfzehn Jahren wird Mackenzie Walker entdeckt. Von diesem Moment an nennt sich sich nur noch "Macks", erobert die Charts, tourt um die Welt und legt eine großartige Karriere als Musiker hin.
Doch während ihrer gesamten Zeit im Business muss Macks ein Geheimnis bewahren und dabei einen Teil ihrer selbst verschweigen, um ihren Erfolg nicht zu gefährden.
Eingebettet ist Macks' Geschichte in ein Talk-Show-Setting, welches bereits zu Beginn sehr neugierig macht und eine große Enthüllung am Ende vermuten lässt.
Es hat mir sehr viel Spaß gemacht, Macks auf ihrem Weg zu begleiten und zu verfolgen, wie sie mit Ruhm und Anerkennung, aber auch Niederschlägen und Skandalen umgeht. Dabei waren ihre Gedanken und Gefühle so eindrücklich geschildert, dass die Entwicklung ihres Charakters sich sehr realistisch und nachvollziehbar angefühlt hat.
Besonders spannend fand ich auch die Eindrücke hinter die Kulissen der Musik-Branche, in die Abläufe der Produktion von Alben, wie Paula, Macks großartige Presse-Managerin, es schafft verschiedene Katastrophen zu verhindern, und wie groß der Druck auf ein so junges Mädchen in der Musik-Industrie eigentlich ist.
Während des Lesens ist mir auch eine gewisse Ähnlichkeit zwischen Macks und Evelyn Hugo aufgefallen, wäre Evelyn Hugo ein Teenie-Popstar in den 2020er Jahren (Also klare Empfehlung an alle Evelyn Hugo Fans, Macks eine Chance zu geben).
Insgesamt bin ich von dem Buch mehr als überzeugt, es lässt sich sehr leicht und angenehm lesen und entwickelt schon fast eine Sogwirkung, sodass man es kaum aus der Hand legen kann.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Der Prolog des Buches hat mich direkt gepackt. Eigentlich wollte ich nur mal kurz reinlesen, weil ich echt noch einiges für die Uni zu tun hatte, und schwupps, waren auch die ersten drei Kapitel gelesen. Ich muss sagen, dass es sich nach dem Prolog am Anfang zeitweise etwas gezogen hat, aber ich glaube, das lag daran, dass ich gefühlt gar nicht wusste, was kommt, weil ich so ein Buch noch nie gelesen habe.

Wir begleiten Mackenzie - oder Macks - auf ihrem Werdegang zu einem internationalen Superstar und sehen sie dabei strugglen und wachsen. Ich finde, dass der Übergang von Mackenzie zu Macks der Autorin richtig gut gelungen ist. Das Buch nimmt nach anfänglichen Längen dann schnell wieder an Fahrt auf und konnte mich fesseln, sodass ich die zweite Hälfte dann am Stück verschlungen habe. Und das Ende hat mich wirklich geschockt 👀🤭

Abgesehen von den ein oder anderen Längen haben sich dann noch ein paar Rechtschreibfehler eingeschlichen, die den Lesefluss zwischenzeitlich gestört haben, grundsätzlich dem Buch aber keinen Abbruch tun.

Alles in allem war es ein schöner Debütroman, der mich positiv überraschen konnte und wirklich gut die Entwicklung des Hauptcharakters zeigt.

Ich kann euch empfehlen, dem Buch eine Chance zu geben! Es lohnt sich ☺️

[SukisMagicLibrary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Color of Music is an emotionally-driven, character-focused read that explores the cost of fame, the pressure of performance—on and off the stage—and what it really means to claim your truth. Macks is a pop sensation, yes, but this story doesn’t glamorize her spotlight. Instead, it digs into the vulnerability, the identity crisis, the closeted love, and the price of survival in an industry that demands perfection.

This isn’t just a romance or a coming-of-age—it’s a personal unraveling. The relationships, especially the queer rep, feel authentic and layered. The chemistry is strong, the stakes are high, and the storytelling builds beautifully once it finds its rhythm.

The first chapters take their time, but once the emotional momentum kicks in, it’s impossible to stop reading. The behind-the-scenes look at fame mixed with intimate, character-driven storytelling makes this a standout read.

💌 I received this as an ARC directly from the author, and I’m so glad I did—it’s honest, heartfelt, and impossible not to feel.

If you like your love stories complicated, your pop stars emotionally messy, and your heartbreaks laced with hope—this one's for you.

[Sie · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

💜'For everyone who feels pressured to meet others’ expectations and who feel that they are losing themselves in the process.'💜
Quoted from #MacksTheColorOfMusic by @josefine.james

Struggling with recognising her sexuality Mackenzie (Macks) is forced to deny her feelings and the ones she loves. Maintaining the wholesome American girl next door image to further her career. Consistently, Macks has to choose her work over love, leaving her empty and lonely.

'Will fame be enough to keep Macks in the closet, or will she risk everything to live authentically?'
🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈

#NewRelease #YA #Sapphic #ComingOfAge #Selfdiscovery #MasterPianist #LGBTQ #Bookstagram
#ARCreader #BookReview #InternationalAuthor #TranslatedFromGerman #MediaPersona #FakeDating

[Moni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Macks The Color of Music ist der erste Band der zweiteiligen Reihe von der Autorin Josefine James.

Macks heißt im wirklichen Leben Mackenzie Walker und wird erst zur Kunstfigur Macks durch die Plattenfirma Elephant Records und Peter Miller im Alter von fünfzehn Jahren. Ihre Musik-Karriere geht steil bergauf und doch ist Macks nicht wirklich glücklich. Sie liebt Frauen und genau das widerspricht ihrem Label und sie muss sich entscheiden zwischen Erfolg und Anerkennung und der Liebe. Dabei stößt sie oft an ihre Grenzen....

Mir hat der Schreibstil der Autorin sehr gut gefallen, er war flüssig und fesselnd. Dabei hat sie gekonnt die Weiterentwicklung der Hauptfigur und ihre tiefen Emotionen beschrieben und mich bis zum Schluss mitfiebern lassen, ob Mackenzie das große Glück findet.

[Magócs Martina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I definitely recommend this short story if you really love musical genres (especially Jazz), if you don't shy away from stories dealing with LGBTQ themes, or if you would like to gain insight into the difficulties of the music industry!

[Beatrice · Rating 5 out of 5]

second book when?

First and formost, what makes this book so good is the characters, I feel like I know them.
I recommend this book to everyone who loves and emotional, character-driven coming of age story!