Yesterday's Song: a novel

by K. Meldrum Denholm

One simple song can change everything for those whose story began at a 1970 rock festival.

As the 1970s dawn in Virginia, grieving guitarist Cal Leonardowski is ready to end it all when he hears Hendrix will play at the Second Atlanta International Pop Festival. He delays the devastating thought for the rock and roll respite, and there he meets adventurous, Beatles-loving Nainsi Murphy, from County Dublin, who only wants to do what her late Ma never to build a music industry career in America. Yet love changes everything, as does a world exploding in the Vietnam War and the Troubles. Just as she chooses between family, country, religion, and her own dreams, Cal opens the letter of a lifetime and makes a drunken, desperate, secret choice of his own. What becomes of the broken-hearted, a new family created in peace, love, and music, but reeling in the times?

Told amid a backdrop of history with a '70s pop-rock playlist and questions for a book club, the psychological saga YESTERDAY'S SONG explores recovery from loss and trauma, the definition of family, the necessity of love, and the nature of forgiveness and redemption. This sentimental novel--a coming-of-age story for Baby Boomers and Gen X in the 1970s and 1980s-- centers on the power of music in healing, identity, inspiration, and connection. Maybe it’s never too late to find your own voice—and hear another’s-- if you can just get back to the heart of it all.

Sometimes, hope is right under your ears.

Advance

"Denholm’s sweeping novel, steeped in references to the rock music of the era, goes deep inside the minds of the characters to capture the hopes, dreams, and fears of a generation." - Kirkus Reviews

"Like a carefully curated mixtape, Yesterday’s Song weaves together decades of musical references to create a powerful narrative about love and resilience." -Annie Zaleski, author, Duran Duran's Rio; This is Christmas, Song by Song; Pink, Raise Your Glass; Taylor The Stories Behind the Songs (2024)

"Yesterday's Song is for those of us who always hold a song in our heart. Every scene, every character, every moment of our lives should have a soundtrack like the one that carries this story from page to page."
-Kristin Nilsen, Author, Worldwide Crush; Co-host, The Pop Culture Preservation Society podcast

"Yesterday’s Song is a groovy page-turner best described Love, Loss, and What they Listened to. Perfectly attuned to those of us who came of age in the 1970s and ’80s, it really rocks. When I was finished reading it, I missed the characters, which, to me, is always the mark of a great read. I can’t wait to share it with my book club." - Rebecca Rego Barry
Author, The Vanishing of Carolyn Investigations into a Forgotten Mystery Author (2024).


Short description: A family borne of peace, love, and music of 1970 must return to their roots to heal.

Historical fiction, family saga, women's fiction, book club novel, historical pop culture novel, 1970s music, Vietnam War era, 1970s, searching, identity, inspiration, resilience, reconnection, reunite, hope, healing, coping with loss, finding peace, voice, empowerment.

392 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2024

Reviews

[Diana Richey · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's so much I loved about this book that I don't know where to start.... Characters and plot were the biggest takeaways for me. The depth of the three main characters is extraordinary. Usually, I don't really care about fictional characters, because, well, it's fiction and I'm reading for fun, but the multiple layers of each of them made them feel like real people. It felt more like non-fiction, with the historically accurate plot and many references to specific places and things from the '70s and '80s. I totally loved this book and will buy copies for Christmas gifts; this book will definitely resonate with my friends and family. How can this be Meldrum Denholm's first novel?! I can't wait for more!

[Barbara Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to receive an advance copy of Yesterday's Song and absolutely loved it. Trying to avoid spoilers, but the well written characters of Cal, Nainsi and Rhiannon stayed with me long after reading their story and I genuinely miss spending my time with them. Their story of love, youth and the true meaning of family was seamlessly blended with classic tracks from the 70's and 80's - a device that really helps the reader identify the tone of the world during some of its most tumultuous and exciting times. I could listen to this playlist everyday! Denholm masterfully transports her audience back in time and it's hard to believe this is her debut novel. If you are a music lover, Gen X'er or simply a fan of good storytelling, you will love this book about love, redemption and the true definition of family.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every story has a soundtrack. "This One's For You".

Yesterday's Song tells the story set to a soundtrack that will resonate with anyone who ever fine tuned a transistor radio to Gen Z'ers who insist on the sound of vinyl.

Beginning at a 70s music festival, Meldrum Denholm takes us on a journey of a family that was torn apart by circumstances but brought back together over the years by a love of not just each other but the music that brought them together.

She creates characters that are nuanced and real. You cry, laugh, and cheer for them, all while humming along to the songs that we know by heart.

[Sunitha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! The characters were well fleshed out and the story line kept me turning the pages. The music references were fun and some parts moved me to tears. Great read for 70s music lovers!

[Karen L Leftridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who doesn’t have a song that evokes a searing memory emblazoned in the heart? The author has uniquely seized on that theme and weaved a captivating story that sparks our nation’s collective memories and soundtracks from some of our most tumultuous experiences, including the Vietnam War, Equal Rights Amendment, and Civil Rights Movement. Her impactful song choices are wide ranging - from 70s pop and one hit wonders to rhythm and blues - mixed genres reflecting our shared humanity - and our shared longing for love, healing, and forgiveness.

This novel is beautifully written with flawed but compelling characters who strive for the rainbow we all seek but rarely find.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Denholm’s passion and research is clear. The era and music is so effortlessly woven into the heart of the book. Even for those unfamiliar with the era or the music, the writing paints a crystal clear picture in your head that feels true and lived in. The characters in this heartwarming tale of a broken and found family will drive you crazy (in the best way possible), tug at your heartstrings, and capture you with their stories!

[Terry Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kudos to Denholm for her novel Yesterday’s Song! Not only is if filled with stories of family and struggle but the way she tells the story with the backdrop of a classic rock playlist I loved completely rocks! The integration of not only music many of us love but all things Cleveland including the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame hit me right where I live. Nice work!

[Kathy Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book as it brought back lots of fun memories.

[Barb Cashmere · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great vacation read! Circumstances beyond their control tore a young family apart, with each main character needing to grow up before being able to resolve hurt feelings, abandonment and substance abuse issues. Love of music is the common denominator for Cal, Nainsi and Rhee. While Cal and Rhee are extremely likable, I thought Nainsi was an extremely selfish character who put herself and ambitions first. This book brought back many musical memories, with 70's & 80's music references interwoven throughout the novel. I could hear the soundtrack in my head as I was reading. We were lucky enough to have the author attend our bookclub who was delightful and filled in any questions that we had that went beyond the novel.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was much that I loved about this book. The characters were well developed - even the secondary characters. I cared about each of them and felt that I really got to know them. The references to music in the 70’s was awesome. I knew every song that was mentioned. I attended lots of concerts in the 70’s although never did a weekend festival. And then there was Viet Nam.
This story was easy for me to relate to and beyond that, it is just a great story of love, pain, forgiveness, family, music and more music! At 19 years old, in 1970, Nainsi and Calvin meet at a weekend music festival and their lives are forever changed. One thing is certain, music will always be a part of their lives.

[Sara McAfee · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Within a few pages I was hooked! I dove into a place I haven't been in a long time. I was reminded of so many times, people, places and most of all the songs of that era in time that I cherish. The book had me in an emotional state from start to finish! The songs mentioned in the book brought back floods of happy and sad memories from my youth to a young adult. The characters seemed so real to me. As if it were a true story about someone I knew long ago.
It was a rollercoaster of emotions and a sheer reminder of where I was in 1969 Manassas and beyond. I enjoyed all the song references and familiar landmarks roads and highways mentioned. I felt connected to it.

[Susan Poole · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love music from the 70s, you're going to love this novel! I was first hooked by the clever and perfectly positioned music references, but it was the characters who truly drew me in. Their choices as young adults frustrated me at times, but they brilliantly illustrated the complexities of growing up during that era. Ultimately, Yesterday's Song is about love and forgiveness. It's a heartfelt tribute to the timeless power of music.

[Chris Kormis · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who loves a good book and music, I really enjoyed Yesterday's Song. I grew up listening to most, if not all, of the songs mentioned in the book, and that music added a personal layer that folded me into the story.

The book is well written and drew me along into each chapter. I felt like I got to know each character, and I was connected to them as they made their decisions and dealt with all that life throws at them.

[Raquel Drosos · Rating 5 out of 5]

A poignant story of music, grief, and making tough choices in tumultuous times. Carl and Nainsi meet at a rock festival in 1970, and the novel follows each of them over the next two decades as they grapple with war, substance abuse, career disappointments, infertility, and their own regrets. Music remains the constant in their lives; I loved how each chapter is named after a song, and how the reader gets to see different aspects of the music industry through the characters' eyes.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rounded up to 4 stars. The songs make this book fun to read. Lots of singing in my head...thankfully those around me didn't have to hear me belt out tunes.