Příběh písně

by Rochelle B. Weinstein

(Rocková) balada o zakázané lásce a o vítězství srdce nad největšími překážkami. Dokonce i pro ty, kteří lásku už odepsali.

Novinářka Cecilia Jamesová miluje hudbu a ze všeho nejvíc rockové balady. Když tedy narazí na stopu, která ji zavede k múze autora jedné z nejznámějších rockových písní, nedokáže touze po odhalení pravdy odolat. A tak přesto, že osud jejího vlastního vztahu visí doslova na vlásku, při psaní článku pro časopis Rolling Stone zapáleně restauruje historii písně, která zaujala fanoušky, a objevuje tak klasický příběh dvou spřízněných duší, které rozdělil osud a okolnosti.

Rocková hvězda Eddie Vee kdysi zpíval duší a věnoval milostné písně Saře Friedmanové, své inspiraci a první lásce. Pak se Eddie uchýlil do anonymity a uzavřel se před minulostí. Také Sara se od jejich lásky vzdálila a odstěhovala se tisíce kilometrů daleko, aby žila život, proti kterému kdysi brojila. Eddie a Sara se Cecilii nesměle svěřují se svými zmařenými sny a ona se jim snaží dopřát šťastný konec. Přitom se naučí, že zlomená srdce lze uzdravit, tak možná i to její?

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Music, Audiobook, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Jewish

328 pages, Unknown Binding

First published October 17, 2023

About the author

Rochelle B. Weinstein is the USA Today bestselling author of multiple contemporary fiction novels, most recently We Are Made of Stars. Her work has been featured in People, Deadline, Entertainment Weekly, Country Living, Woman’s Day, Woman’s World, First for Women, Kveller, Totally Booked with Zibby, BookBub, and more. Rochelle is the book columnist for AQUA Magazine and a frequent speaker and workshop instructor. A former entertainment industry executive and NBC-6 Miami book correspondent, Rochelle splits her time between South Florida and the mountains of North Carolina.

Reviews

[Rochelle Weinstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hi! What You Do To Me is my seventh novel and the scariest one I've ever written. Why? There have been several times when I've come up with an "idea" and thought it too outlandish, only to find another author having written the bestselling story. So I threw caution to the wind and executed a story that was a departure from my norm but which I believed in with my whole heart. ❤️

What you might not know about me is that before becoming an author I worked in the music industry. Music was my fuel, my livelihood, and, personally, one of the best ways for me to feel my emotions. It was no surprise when I fell in love with the song HEY THERE DELILAH, but admittedly, I was disappointed that the real Delilah and Tom Higgenson didn't end up together. Yes. I know she had a boyfriend. Yes. I know some found that creepy and weird. But come on. A guy writes you a song. How beautiful is that?!

Stay with me here.

In my reimagining inspired by the moving song, I created entirely different characters, a different time period (the 70s), and a different ending. You'll have to read it to see how that goes. I hope you do. The title, WHAT YOU DO TO ME, pays homage to the lyrics, which Tom graciously gave us permission to use.

Maybe this book won't be for everyone, or maybe you'll fall in love with it as I did. However which way it goes, I hope you understand the power of music and song and lyrics and storytelling.

For that, you're damn right I'm giving my baby five beautiful stars. For nothing more than seeing a dream come true and taking a chance.

Thank you readers. YOU are the reason I write.
#fullheart

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Song Vibe: Hey There Delilah by Plain White T's

I somehow missed the fact that What You Do to Me by Rochelle B. Weinstein is based on the song Hey There Delilah by Plain White T's until I started reading it. This is one of my favorite songs and one that means a lot to me, so how I missed that will remain a mystery! Moving on, this story grounded in a song was completely beautiful and I loved that Weinstein not only gave us Eddie Vee and Sara's story, but Cecilia and Pete's as well. There are a variety of timelines going on in the book and through this, we get to see quite a few facets of Cecilia's story, and we get to go back to the beginning of Eddie and Sara's. I feel that the synopsis is a little misleading when it comes to how Cecilia actually gets to speak to the pair, and this is one of those books where I think it is beneficial to go in as blind as possible.

What You Do to Me is an ode to music and the way it touches our lives, and I loved that the book started with a foreword from Tom Higgenson (writer of the song and frontman of the band). It is short but powerful and as much of a must-read as the author's note and acknowledgments. This was a fantastic book to listen to on audio, and I thought the narrator Stacy Gonzalez was incredibly talented. I do think it could have benefited from 2 narrators, one for Cecilia and one for Sara, but I enjoyed it all the same. Cecilia's character drove me absolutely bonkers at times for more than one reason, but it gave a huge opening for her character arc, and I was thrilled by the way she grew by the end of the book. I laughed and I cried, and this story brought a whole new meaning to the song for me. Weinstein is now an auto-buy author for me, and I can't wait to go back and read her other novels!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Jamie Rosenblit · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are not enough words to properly articulate how much I loved this book. First, Cecilia was an incredibly strong (albeit headstrong at times), driven woman in her career and I loved watching her find herself. In the process, we got to know Sara and Eddie, two more amazing characters.

What You Do to Me was rife with Jewish representation (which I can’t get enough of) and real characters. I enjoyed following along with their growth and development and of course, the nods to Hey There, Delilah, on which this book was based on. This is absolutely Weinstein at her best.

I received an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

[Jessica Paige (Exercise_Read_Repeat) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What You Do to Me follows journalist Cecilia James and her journey to uncover the meaning and mystery behind one of the world’s most popular love songs. Alternating between 1996 when Cecilia is beginning her career and digging into the life of rockstar Eddie Vee to the years before when Eddie and his muse Sara meet one summer in Miami, you will be pulled into this musical love story about forbidden love, regret, forgiveness and second chances.

I loved all the musical elements to the story from Cecilia’s job at The Rolling Stones, to all the interviews, the songs that were used for chapter titles, and of course, all the references to Hey There Delilah. The Jewish representation was absolutely beautiful and relatable. I will say, I did not love Cecilia’s home life situation for a lot of the story because of her stubbornness surrounding her father and his new family. However, it did allow for great character growth, and I did enjoy seeing Cecilia’s perspective surrounding her family shift by the end.

Read if you like:
-Star crossed lovers
-Jewish rep
-Music
-Journalist interviews
-Hey There Delilah (bc it’ll be on repeat in your head)
-Taylor Jenkins Ried books

Thank you Get Red PR for the ARC! Pub 10/17

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up.

This was a heartfelt and heartbreaking story about star crossed lovers, family secrets and dedicated to everyone who has ever been inspired by a great song. Perfect for fans of movies like Almost Famous, this book follows Cecilia, a young Jewish woman who just landed a job with Rolling Stones. Cecilia digs into the past in an attempt to uncover the story behind rock star Eddie Vee's famous song and where he's disappeared to.

Told in a dual timeline structure we get to see Eddie and his first love Sarah fall in love in the 70s and then ultimately get torn apart. I loved so much about this story but it was also really sad too!! Cecilia is very career focused, which drives her boyfriend away, she also has a complicated relationship with the father she thinks abandoned her and doesn't know the full story behind her mother's death.

Good on audio and recommended for fans of authors like Taylor Jenkins Reid. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!!

CW: alcoholic, drug addicted parent, racism

[Kristel | Your Novel Ambitions · Rating 5 out of 5]

When words fail, music speaks in Rochelle Weinstein’s book about the unification of long lost lovers separated by the most unfortunate circumstances.

It’s 1996 and Cecilia Caroline James is a 26 year-old assistant and aspiring journalist who works for Rolling Stone. Considering Cecelia was raised in a vibrant, music-loving family (her middle name being after “Sweet Caroline”), her vocation comes as no surprise. All of Cecelia’s fondest, rose-tinted memories of when she was a child and her parents were still together include a soundtrack full of 1970s mainstays and magical times.

When Cecelia receives her first break to cover an up and coming band in Miami, she happens upon a lead to the identity of the muse to one of rock’s all-time greatest love songs, “What You Do To Me.” The identity of the girl behind Eddie Vee’s infamous song has been a mystery that’s intrigued fans over the years. It also happens to be Cecelia’s song she shares with her longtime boyfriend, Pete, who is reaching a breaking point with Cecelia’s workaholic tendencies. Cecelia knows she holds the key to uncovering the truth about what happened between the now reclusive Eddie and his estranged muse, Sara Friedman.

But as Cecelia works to break the story behind the classic love song, she is also confronted by the shocking truth behind her parents’ divorce as well as the likelihood of Pete leaving her for good.

A fascinating love story within a love story, Weinstein was inspired by her love of the hit, “Hey There Delilah,” and revisioned the song (with the band’s permission and guidance) for the book. Music lovers will appreciate the common theme among the song titles of every chapter from “Layla” to “Roxanne” and even the catchy earworm “Brandy (You’re A Fine Girl).”Weinstein’s past life in the music industry is evident in every character she brings to life throughout the story by the connections they make within themselves and each other through the only universal language, music.

Highly recommend for fans of Daisy Jones & The Six. Bonus positive Jewish representation.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What You Do to Me is the third book I have read by Rochelle B. Weinstein. While I enjoyed her previous two novels, this one is definitely a favorite for me! I will, however, admit that I am not a fan of the song "Hey There, Delilah." It's a huge earworm and it was so overplayed. I like how Rochelle made it into an eighties ballad by changing the title of the song and giving a different meaning behind it. I would love to have heard this reworked version.

I just loved reading about Cecilia's quest to reunite lovers because of a song and also getting the backstory from the muse's perspective. There are some Jewish elements to this story, which I definitely appreciated. And having visited Surfside a few years ago, it was easy to visualize that area. Sara and Eddie's story made me think of She's Up to No Good by Sara Goodman Confino. So fans of that novel (which also had a dual timeline), will definitely appreciate this one.

The only thing that didn't work for me was not knowing why the pivotal incident happened at the Miami concert. It just seems like it came out of nowhere, for no particular reason. It would have been interesting to learn why situations like that happen in the first place and how to prevent or avoid them.

Overall, the story was just so amazing and well-told. It was actually haunting in some ways. I also love that it took place during the nineties, as that's my favorite decade for music. And Cecilia's job sounded really cool. I highly recommend it and I know you won't be able to put it down either!

(Trigger warning at the bottom.)

Movie casting suggestions:
Cecilia: Victoria Pedretti
Pete: Dacre Montgomery
Don: Michael Raymond-James
Tori: Lyndsy Fonseca
Eddie (1979): Enrique Arrizon
Sara (1979): Iris Apatow

Originally posted at Chick Lit Central, along with a giveaway.

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TW: alcoholism, drug abuse, parental alienation

[Susan Z (webreakforbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What You Do To Me is an amazing novel about first love and the one that got away.

It follows the story of Sara and Cecelia. Cecelia is employed at Rolling Stone in the mid 90s and is digging in to find the muse behind a chart topping song. The muse turns out to be Sara.

The story follows both Sara and Cecelia through their early adulthood as they grapple with love, mistakes and illusions of truth.

What You Do To Me is a book that fully transports you into the lives of these amazing characters. They were brought to life so vividly, I will truly miss them.

This story will stay with me forever. I can't recommend this one enough.

[Hilary Heiblim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a gorgeous love story and woven in so nicely with some of the best music of many generations . I just loved it . It’s a must read .

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a clever idea! Weinstein took the lyrics to The Plain White Tee’s hit, “Hey There, Delilah” and wove a complete story around those words. If you love music and enjoy a good love story, this book is for you.

In 1996, Cecelia James is a young reporter for Rolling Stone magazine based in Los Angeles, and one of the things she loves is delving into the backstory of popular songs’ lyrics. Her personal life is a bit of a mess, as she tends to push other commitments aside to follow a story. She has a strained/estranged relationship with her music-loving father, who has remarried and has two young daughters. While in Miami for a story (as well as to go on a cruise with her boyfriend), she stumbles over a hint to what might be the backstory for a huge hit (“What You Do To Me”). No one knows who the song was written for and the group broke up after an awful incident at one of their Miami concerts. The lead singer, Eddie, has virtually disappeared. Of course, in those days, before ubiquitous cell phones and internet, it was more possible to disappear out of the public eye. So everything about the song is a huge mystery.

The book hops around in time, starting and ending in 2023, with most of the story taking place in the late 1970s and mid-1990s. I confess it took me a little while to “get into” this book, with it bouncing between two seemingly unrelated stories and different timelines, but once I did, I was all in. Along the way, you’ll find chapters that each have a song title. Someone has even made a Spotify playlist to go along with the book. Fun!

We gradually get to know what happened in the late 1970s that led to the song and to Eddie’s vanishing. Sara Friedman’s extended family have a condo on Miami Beach (Surfside, technically) and they all head there for any and all holidays as well as summers. Sara’s mother, in particular, is overprotective. She’s been traumatized by something that happened to her sister (Sara’s aunt) when she was young, so it’ was kind of understandable but I still felt her protectiveness was over the top. Sara’s friendship with Eddie, the grandson of the condo building’s caretaker, was forbidden, even when they were kids. I realize this was a very insular Jewish family, but this ban struck me as being a bit of class-ism as well as about religious differences. It also had a little Romeo and Juliet vibe.

So what happened to Sara and Eddie? And Cecelia and her boyfriend? And her dad? You’ll have to read it to find out! Get your tissues ready, if you’re anything like me.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved several of the authors books but this one is her best yet. There was something that felt very personal about this one and it caused me to forge a strong connection to the story and characters. I absolutely loved that it had two love stories to follow in alternating timelines and I enjoyed both couples journeys, they felt authentic and romantic and the addition of a deep musical connection only added to my enjoyment. If you like romance, music and second chances this was SO good.

[Janet | purrfectpages · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s 1990 something and Cecelia James is a journalist for Rolling Stone magazine. A lifelong music lover, sometimes she still can’t believe she works at the infamous establishment. But she still has aspirations of climbing the ranks- making herself a reputable name in music journalism.

Her love for music came from her father, a man who works in the business. As a child, she was close to her dad, until he left the family- remarrying and starting over. Cecelia never forgave the betrayal and losing her mom at a young age didn’t help much. Now a grown woman, she sees the struggle it takes to balance a home and work life, her own romantic relationship hanging in the balance.

Then one day Cecelia overhears a women referring to the famous, but elusive Eddie Vee, a singer that shot to stardom, but went into hiding after a tragic event at one of his concerts. Determined to discover the mystery women’s identity, Cecelia goes all in on finding out who she is- confident this is the key to finding not only the story behind the chart topping hit, but the path to finding Eddie as well. In an alternate timeline, we go behind the music-learning Eddie and Sara’s love story. As the worlds collide, secrets are revealed and relationships are tested. Can the power of music heal all that’s been broken?

What You Do To Me sources it’s inspiration from the Plain White T’s iconic track, Hey There Delilah. It’s an interesting jumping off point for a novel, and not one often used. But the love for melodies doesn’t stop with Delilah- each chapter named after other memorable hits. This concept, along with Cecilia’s occupation, is particularly intriguing to me as I love music as much as I love books. But even if music isn’t your jam, there’s plenty of tracks here to keep all sorts of readers in the mix.

[Randi (randi_reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a big music fan, I was excited to read this book. The two other books I have read by this author I have really enjoyed.

This is a dual timeline, two stories in one contemporary romance. It’s Cecelia’s story that starts in 1996 as an up and coming Rolling Stone journalist and the story she is researching.

While leaving an assignment, Cecelia is hurrying to the cruise ships where she and her boyfriend Pete will be taking a vacation. She gets the time wrong and misses it. Pete is angry and breaks it off with her. While there, Cecelia believes to have found the muse for the very popular “What You Do to Me” song. She is determined to bring Eddie Vee (the singer) and Sara back together while trying to navigate her own relationship with Pete and with her father.

The only thing negative that I would have to say is that I didn’t care for the very ending for Cecilia. Seemed unnecessary to me. Other than that, I enjoyed both storylines.

Thank you to Booksparks for a #gifted copy of this book as part of the #FRC2023 campaign and to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing for a digital arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Mylynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would say that this felt like an attempt to write fanfiction as if the author was Taylor Jenkins Reid writing the origin story to Hey There Delilah, but I wouldn’t want to insult TJR.

I think the premise was interesting but I found myself immediately bored and could not bring myself to become invested in any part of the story. I didn’t care about Cecelia, or her constant poor choices. I think her journey as a journalist was interesting, but overall I had a hard time keeping my attention on this book (in fact I finished 2 other books while trying to get through this one).

Maybe this book just wasn’t for me because I see some people really loved it.

I do have Hey There Delilah stuck in my head as I write this, so…that’s something.

Thanks to Netgalley and Net Union publishing for this ARC!

[Kate Vocke (bookapotamus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What You Do to Me is a love letter to love songs. ⁣
⁣
The song “Hey There Delilah” by the Plain White T’s inspired this fictional story of the melodic mystery to find the girl behind an iconic love song.⁣
⁣
This book is a musical fairy tale. A lyrical love story. It’s one you’ll want to put on repeat, and hum along like a rock ballad of the 80s. It has the perfect cadence waltzing between the timelines of 1979 and 1996, with an ensemble of characters who strike all the right chords. ⁣
⁣
As these two love stories duet on the pages, it becomes a stunning symphony of finding rhythm in relationships, holding tight to what makes you heart beat, and letting go of anything off-key.⁣
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A pitch perfect 5-star harmony of words, music, and magic… consider me a Rochelle Weinstein groupie, because this book shines brighter than Times Square.✨ ⁣

[Christine Nolfi · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do you get when you mix the ultimate love story with family disfunction and classic rock? Storytelling perfection. If you enjoyed Daisy Jones & the Six, you’ll love What You Do To Me.

[Jessica Paige (Exercise_Read_Repeat) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What You Do to Me follows journalist Cecilia James and her journey to uncover the meaning and mystery behind one of the world’s most popular love songs. Alternating between 1996 when Cecilia is beginning her career and digging into the life of rockstar Eddie Vee to to the years before when Eddie and his muse Sara meet one summer in Miami, you will be pulled into this musical love story about forbidden love, regret, forgiveness and second chances.

I loved all the musical elements to the story from Cecilia’s job at The Rolling Stones, to all the interviews, the songs that were used for chapter titles, and of course, all the references to Hey There Delilah. The Jewish representation was absolutely beautiful and relatable. I will say, I did not love Cecilia’s home life situation for a lot of the story because of her stubborness surrounding her father and his new family. However, it did allow for great character growth, and I did enjoy seeing Cecilia’s perspective surrounding her family shift by the end.

Read if you like:
-Star crossed lovers
-Jewish rep
-Music
-Journalist interviews
-Hey There Delilah (bc it’ll be on repeat in your head)
-Taylor Jenkins Ried books

Thank you Get Red PR for the ARC! Pub 10/17

[Annissa Joy Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHAT YOU DO TO ME
Rochelle Weinstein
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is by far one of my top reads of 2023!! This book had me singing, crying, yelling and obviously turning the pages so very quickly!!

I love that each chapter starts with a title of a song!! It made me think about when those songs can’t put and what I was doing in that time frame!!

This is a story of so many things!! The love story of Cecilia/Pete, Eddie/Sara, Don/Tori, forgiveness, the quest for the truth and understanding!!! I had a hard time putting this book down after I started and I was sad when it was over!!!

There are so many lines in this book that I have highlighted but one of favorites is..”To Cecilia, music was not just meant to be heard; it was meant to be felt. She felt it like a whispery breeze. Tender and carnal, melodies were hands, caressing her skin, tapping on deep seated emotions.”

I love the cover of this book so much!! This beauty will be out on Oct.17 and I highly recommend that you preorder it now!!!

[Susie Schnall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this! Well told - nice twists. Another winner from Rochelle Weinstein!

[Mo Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Journalist Cecilia James is a sucker for a love song. So when she stumbles across a clue to the identity of the muse for one of rock’s greatest, she devotes herself to uncovering the truth, even as her own relationship is falling apart.

I put off starting this book for so long and for absolutely no reason at all.
But when I finally did start it & read the Forward, I was absolutely delighted to learn where the inspiration came from and I couldn’t wait to tuck in!

And I’ll be damned if I’m not slightly wrecked at the moment.

I so appreciated the musical vein threaded throughout this novel and I absolutely loved how the chapters are titled after some legitimate legendary songs of the 70’s, 80’s & 90’s…

It’s a love story inside of a love story inside of a love story. There’s so much of pain, countless mistakes and heavy regret. But there’s also overwhelming love, redemption, happiness and life!

I’m sorry to say this is my first read by Weinstein, but I can’t wait to get my hands on her previous novels!

I fell in love, had my heart broken and listened to a lot of good tunes along the way, all in a day!

Just read it.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

Pub date: 10.17.23.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 ⭐️s! When I started this book and read the foreword and realized it was going to be a fictionalized explanation/interpretation of the song Hey There Delilah by the Plain White Ts, I was immediately interested! I, myself had listened to this song by the Plain White T’s on repeat when it first came out, to grasp the story of the song. And here it was! The storyline moves from two different time periods and involves likable characters… A mix of romance and mystery… Love and loss… The reason I didn’t give it a solid 5 ⭐️s was because main character, Cecelia, at 27 years old, many times acted more like a petulant 15-year-old🫠 OK—we get it—-She was still processing her grief of losing her mom in her teens and anger at her perception of being abandoned by her dad. But her teenage antics and tone were immature enough to be annoying. I also questioned some of her dad‘s choices, but again this is a work of fiction. Besides that ☝🏼 the characters (main and supporting) were likeable and interesting as well as the storylines from both time periods.

Side note—-each chapter is the title of a song that includes a person‘s name, again the author saying each of these songs based on a real or fictionalized character probably has a story to tell… I created a Spotify set list with all of the titles and we have been enjoying it thoroughly! 👏🏼🙌🏼

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful surprise! I expected it to be more cutesy, romancey but there was a great story here.

Have you ever wondered who the muse might be for a certain song- Angie, Rosalita, Jolene, to name a few. This is what Cecelia, a writer for Rolling Stones Magazine, sets out to find about a song that hit the charts & then the band vanishes. Who was this song written for? She finds a clue & this sends her on a quest to find the muse & the performer.

Dual time lines from the the late 70's with Sara & Eddie & the late 90's with Cecelia & Pete.

We see how Sara & Eddie meet & how their friendship progresses over the years & we follow Cecelia's life as a writer, a lover, a daughter & how she copes, or doesn't cope with things in her life.

I love the song aspect, the titles of the chapters & just the overall vibe even with some dark moments.

I did struggle briefly in the very beginning, but once I moved past that glitch I was wrapped up in this story.

[Ana Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cecília could be insufferable!! She infuriated me!! But she grows as you read and you end up understanding her. This story was really beautiful. It’s a story about true love, forgiveness, moving on after tragedies, family relationships, loyalty, and music! It hits all the feels, including a few tears at the end.

✓ Contemporary Fiction
✓ Mother-Daughter Relationship
✓ Father-Daughter Relationship
✓ Family
✓ Romance
✓ Dual Timeline
✓ Two stories in one
✓ Cecilia in 1996 and Sara in 1979
✓ 3rd Person Narrative with Alternating POVs
✓ Taylor Jenkins Reid vibes

[Christine M in Texas (stamperlady50) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read and listened to this novel since music was involved. I have always loved music in many genres.

Cecelia James is a journalist and wants to uncover the mystery for one of the world’s popular love songs. Cecelia works for The Rolling Stones and has access to the music world. The songs are chapter titles and some of my favorite songs were showcased. Don’t want to spoil those for you.

A fun and nostalgic story along with some entanglements with family and a story about past lovers Eddie and his muse Sara. Eddie Vee was a recluse after a tragic event at a concert. Can Cecelia find out what happened?

[Judy Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Master storyteller (favorite) Rochelle B. Weinstein returns following When We Let Go with her seventh novel, WHAT YOU DO TO ME —a captivating, nostalgic, clever tale exploring the story behind the song—the reimagining of two unfinished love stories and the music and lyrics that bring them together.

Fun, Illuminating, and endearing! A romantic story of star-crossed lovers— Eddie, a musician, and Sara, his muse, and Cecelia, the journalist who is trying to rewrite their ending

Meet Rolling Stone reporter Cecilia James. She has become emotionally invested in her story as she dives deep into the truth behind a hit love song. All the while, she tries to detangle her messy love story and family of secrets.

Cecilia overhears a conversation about the famous Eddie Vee, a famous singer who went into hiding after a tragic event at a concert. She is obsessed with finding the woman and learning her identity.

As the worlds connect past and present, secrets are revealed while relationships are tested. Can the power of music heal all that's been broken?

The author follows Eddie and Sara's love story with short, fun chapters, including the song's name, year, and city. We travel from the 70s, 80s, and 90s, to 2023 past/present. We learn about all the hit songs and their reimagined inspiration. We visit LA, Miami, New York, and others. My absolute favorite is Bisbee, Arizona, a unique, memorable place.

I was a hotel consultant, and investors would send me to these areas where I would spend weeks or months learning about the community, the competition, other hotels, restaurants, historical research, sites, etc., and real estate. I would write the business financial plans and city reviews; and choose the name for the new hotel, inns, rooms, suites, software, and interior design while designing their website and marketing plans.

This was so much fun! Bisbee is full of writers and artists and is often a place where creatives hide, write, create, and inspire. I agree; it is peaceful, cozy, and in a world of its own. I loved visiting all the places and seeing the projects come to life. So many fabulous art galleries!

Like Delilah, the song title at the beginning of each chapter includes a name. As the author references, she has always believed that the songwriter was inspired by someone, real or imaginary, illuminating the music. Those chapter titles remind those who impacted a life enough to write about it.

The author writes poignant books about people, places, and experiences. She has a rare gift for getting into the hearts and souls of her characters and vivid settings that jump off the page.

Songwriters write music about the same, from love, friendship, loss, and pain. Storytellers use these experiences to share their feelings about the work. Musicians, songwriters, and authors are all part of what brings joy to readers/listeners.

Spectacular! Music lovers will devour WHAT YOU DO TO ME, rewinding the past with songs that bring us joy! If anyone could tell this story, it would be Rochelle B. Weinstein! Well done! #CoverCrush. If you loved Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Daisy Jones & the Six, this is for you! (However, I liked WHAT YOU DO TO ME better). From love, mystery, song, and second chances —it has it all!

A massive fan of the author, I have read all her books and highly recommend them!

Thanks to Lake Union and NetGalley for a gifted early reading copy for an honest opinion.

On a personal note: BISBEE, AZ.
I was a hotel consultant, and investors would send me to these areas where I would spend weeks or months learning about the community, the competition, other hotels, restaurants, historical research, sites, etc., and real estate. I would write the business financial plans and city reviews and choose the name for the new hotel, inns, rooms, suites, software, and interior design while designing their website and marketing plans.

This was so much fun! Bisbee is full of writers and artists and is often a place where creatives hide, write, create, and inspire. I agree; it is peaceful, cozy, and in a world of its own. I loved visiting all the places and seeing the projects come to life. So many fabulous art galleries!

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Oct 17, 2023
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[Cait · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's a lot happening in this book - not that it was hard to follow, but it was hard to be invested because there's so many things happening at once. But a whole star knocked down for the epilogue.

[Zibby Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

What You Do To Me is a moving novel about love, nostalgia, and the impact of parental choices. The author was inspired by the song "Hey There Delilah," and the book is the fictional journey of Cecilia, a Rolling Stone reporter on the hunt to find the muse behind the title song "What You Do to Me"—a line right out of "Hey There Delilah." In this dual timeline novel, we see Cecilia in her childhood and how her history influences her current-day choices while she's also introducing us to rock star Eddie Vee, who wrote "What You Do To Me," and Sara, who he wrote the song for. As Cecilia interviews Eddie and Sara, who share their broken dreams, she struggles to give them a happy ending. In the process, she learns that broken hearts can be healed―even her own.

I found it to be so much more than just a love story. It was about longing and family and nostalgia and forgiveness. So many topics were intertwined in what could easily have been a light read but were so much more profound. The author hits on the missed opportunities or missed connections that happen as a result, not of a choice we make but a choice that someone makes on our behalf, and how that has a waterfall effect on our lives. And as in life, it's not black and white; the author chooses to live in the gray area. Relationships are layered and multifaceted, but even in the most challenging ones, there is a chance for redemption. What You Do To Me is hopeful, even for those who have written off love.

To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at: https://shows.acast.com/moms-dont-hav...

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars

What You Do to Me is Contemporary Fiction mixed with Romance. It is full of music and Jewish rep.

The book focuses on Cecilia who is receiving the Rolling Stone Spotlight Award in the present. However the main part of the story alternates between Cecilia's POV in 1996 and Sara's POV starting in 1979.

I am not a big music lover. I can definitely see this book resonating more with people who adore music. Also I do prefer contemporary stories. So it took me a bit of time to really get into this story. But once I did I really enjoyed it.

The chapters focusing on Cecilia are riveting. And show her as a 26 year old trying to get her big break at Rolling Stone Magazine. There is so much of the story having to do with her boyfriend Pete. And there is also a big focus on her relationship with her dad. Cecilia is trying to discover the muse for the hit song "What You Do to Me". And this was so fascinating.

The other chapters focus on Jewish teenager Sara who falls for a singer Eddie. Her mom is very strict. The Jewish rep in these chapters was so amazing.

I loved how these two storylines come together. And overall this was such a meaningful and beautiful story. The last part of the book was so good and the ending was wow!

[Shannon (The Book Club Mom) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listen up, music lovers and romance fans! What You Do to Me by Rochelle B. Weinstein is just the book for you. The musical references in this novel will have you smiling, humming, and reminiscing about some of your old favorites—songs and crushes! Weinstein gives her readers not just one epic love story, but TWO! Through dual timelines, we’re fully immersed in the lives of Cecilia & Pete and Eddie & Sara. The power of music, love, and family sings loud and clear in this tale of broken hearts, dreams, and second chances. I couldn’t get enough of this beautiful story!

[Camille Maio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some books come along that make you think about things differently and WHAT YOU DO TO ME is one of them. Rarely have I thought about the backstory to a song, tending to immerse myself in what it means to me. Or, more often, just enjoying the emotion it evokes.

Though fictional, the author delights readers with her signature heartwarming style as she explores not one, but two main love stories. The first a forbidden love tale and the second one of introspection and forgiveness. Both weaving together to show how music is the glue of humanity.

If Weinstein was not already an auto-buy author for you, this one will seal the deal.