Composing Cat

by Mia Rosette

She’s closer to hitting rock bottom than the top of the charts…

Do any guys actually cheat on their girlfriend with her best friend? Aspiring musician Catherine Tanner didn’t think that was something that happened in real life…until she found herself standing alone and broken-hearted in the aftermath of the betrayal.

Instead of drowning in the darkness, she doubles down on seeking the light: the spotlight. Success is the best revenge, and she’s determined to become the rock star she was born to be, one song at a time… until she finds herself at the center of a scandal that eclipses her talent and drive, forcing her into hiding. Amidst the chaos, she finds solace in the unwavering support of bandmate Jensen and newfound roommates. But she’s never going to find the stardom she craves within the walls of her comfort zone…

Will Cat find the strength to trust others… and most importantly, herself… to discover her true voice, or will the echoes of doubt silence her music forever?

A story of empowerment, self-discovery, and resilience, the second book in this new women’s fiction series for fans of "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" and "The Bold Type"; is a must-read.

Genres: Romance

Paperback

Published June 24, 2025

About the author

"Mia Rosette is a luminous voice in the world of Chick Lit, Women's Fiction, and Romantic Comedy. With a flair for crafting irresistibly charming characters and plots that blend wit with warmth, Mia has captivated readers looking for that perfect escape.

Her stories, rooted in contemporary romance, offer delightful twists, hearty laughs, and moments that tug at the heartstrings. Beyond her passion for writing, Mia is an avid coffee enthusiast, a lover of vintage rom-coms, and believes in the magic of a perfect first date.

Dive into her worlds where love, humor, and modern-day fairy tales await, and let Mia remind you of the joy of finding romance in the everyday."

Reviews

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cat is a hot mess after being publicly humiliated and betrayed by the two people closest to her.

This story is an edgy look to a young woman looking to become a famous rock musician. I felt bad for her because the only support she had was toxic until she moves in with other women. It is a story of found family and self-empowerment.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a story about following your dreams and staying true to yourself especially during the darkest of times. Probably women in their 20's would resonate most to this book.


I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Danielle Stiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very cozy read. It was nice to see more of the story from book one also developing and getting another perspective on events that happened. I liked the theme of this book about being true to yourself and not apologizing for something that you didn't do.

Cat was personally attacked after a choice that she made. A lot of bad things had happened to her, from catching her best friend with her boyfriend to sleeping with a married man who then acted like the victim. None of these things was her fault. I really did not like that her mom was basically telling Cat that she was the reason that all this was happening. I feel like it was a story of trying to break the generational abuse that happens. You just need that one to break the mold. In the end, Cat was able to find herself and make the truth know in her way. She also was not allowing her mom to make her spiral cause of the negativity that she tended to throw towards Cat.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

The probability of the way things happen in this story remind me a bit of a Dicken’s novel. But that is ok. Romances are often that way, a bunch of chance meetings that lead to “the one” after all.

This is the second book in a series of stories about young women living together in a house that is being restored in New York City. In this book, we follow Cat, who is a musician who is good, but whose boyfriend cheated on her on national television, and she just wants to get on with her music.

Through a series of not trusting the people she should trust, and too much alcohol, she gets herself in a bad situation, where only her songs and singing can get her out.

I found Cat to be very naive and immature, but that is the issue with reading books with 20-somethings in it. I got so angry at her for not trusting herself, but that is often what happens when women are young, and the whole point of a story is to grow and learn, even if it takes them the whole book to do so.

I got a little exasperated with Cat, but other than that, it was a quick read, and had a good love interest, and I expect we will see her again in the later books in the series.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookspout for making this book available for an honest review. This book is coming out the 24th of June 2025.

[The Bourbon-Sipping Bibliophile · Rating 3 out of 5]

Composing Cat is an emotionally rich and empowering journey of self-discovery, resilience, and music. In this second installment of the Faking it in the City series, Mia Rosette delivers a heartfelt and modern coming-of-age story featuring Cat, a talented musician whose life implodes on national television moments before her big break.

After catching her boyfriend and best friend in a devastating betrayal backstage, Cat flees her small-town roots and shattered dreams for a gritty restart in the big city. Armed with only her guitar, a notebook full of lyrics, and stubborn resolve, she sets out to reclaim her voice and rebuild her life. Along the way, she moves into a communal brownstone with four uniquely wonderful women—each of whom plays a role in her healing and reinvention.

Rosette excels at character development. Cat is a compelling narrator—raw, witty, and deeply relatable. The portrayal of her emotional landscape post-betrayal is honest and layered. Jensen, her former bandmate turned unexpected roommate and steady support system, brings a tender dynamic to the story. Their slow-burn connection is heartfelt and well-paced, filled with mutual respect and unresolved tension that never overshadows Cat’s personal growth.

The standout element is the found family of female housemates. These women are diverse, quirky, and vividly drawn. They support and challenge Cat in equal measure, and the honest conversations they share elevate the narrative with themes of feminism, ambition, and emotional agency. Rosette avoids the cliché of catty female rivalry, opting instead for the kind of empowering sisterhood that feels aspirational and real.

If there’s one critique, it’s that the middle section can meander a bit as Cat weighs her options with a potential record deal. Still, these moments feel true to life and the indecision that often accompanies starting over. The ending is satisfying and reflective—Cat doesn’t just find a new stage, she finds herself.

Composing Cat is a love letter to creative women trying to make it on their own terms. It’s about heartbreak, hustle, and hope—with a soundtrack. Readers who enjoy character-driven stories with feminist themes, emotional recovery arcs, and a splash of romantic tension will fall for Cat’s story. Highly recommended for fans of Talia Hibbert, Ali Hazelwood, and coming-of-age rockstar romances.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½ (3.5/5)
Spice Level: Mild to Moderate
Tropes: Second Chances, Found Family, Small Town Meets Big City, Betrayal Recovery, Music Heals, Friends to Lovers (Slow Burn)

My Rating System:
1⭐️: The book didn’t hold my interest and/or had significant issues that overshadowed any redeeming qualities for me, but generally not my cup of tea. Most likely did not finish the book.
2⭐️: The book didn’t quite resonate with me, and while my experience wasn’t remarkable, I did finish it. It had some redeeming qualities and potential but fell short in execution. Recommendable, though with some reservations.
3⭐️: Good read, but didn’t quite stand out. Still worth recommending to others.
4⭐️: Really enjoyed it and stayed engaged throughout. Would read the book again. Definitely recommendable.
5⭐️: Incredible writing that made me deeply connect with the characters. I was completely absorbed in the world and didn’t want it to end. This book stayed with me even when I wasn’t reading it. I'd gladly reread it and highly recommend it to everyone!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shawna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Composing Cat
Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Tropes: (not listed that I could find - below are ones I was able to identify. I know there's more missing, but this is just a quick short list.)
HEA
Slow Burn
Drugs and Alcohol
Cheating (not by MMC or FMC)

~Book synopsis~
Cat finds herself catapulting to the lowest spiral downhill in her life when she walks in on her boyfriend cheating on her with her best friend right before they go on stage for their big opportunity. Cat crashes and burns right there on camera. Completely devastated, Cat leaves the small town for the big city. She works on herself and her song writing, building her way up. When she finds herself smack dab in the middle of her own self-made scandal she goes into hiding, along with her four new found girlfriends and one sexy "friend" that goes back to her small town band. Finding her resilience and support with the help of her friends, Cat tries to find her way out of her own self-doubt to discover her own true self.

~My Thoughts~
What I liked:
*the bonds the five ladies developed
*the slow burn
*the support from Jensen

What I didn't like:
*Cat's immaturity at times
*The alcohol and drug trope
*Cat's way of "dealing" with Jensen

I loved the bond that these ladies form and continue to form. They seem to fit together very well and are able to adapt to each other's emotions. When one see's something unreasonable, one of the other ladies is able to reason things out that make sense, where the other ladies did not see. I like that this seems to be forever friendships and is developing to be more of a sisterhood than anything.
I like the slow burn that happens between Jensen and Cat. I struggled with the way she dealt with Jensen sometimes, and her immaturity level with him (and within the whole book). Jensen's support of Cat is always unwavering. His family has done a very good job of raising him.

Cat's resilience throughout the whole book is just amazing. Her self-discovery is empowering. I'm not sure that most people would be able to handle the things that happen to Cat, if it were to happen to them in their personal lives.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone, however, I would recommend starting from the beginning of the series, rather than reading individual books. Each book gives the next book the background they need to understand how things have happened and who is who.

[Aleksandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Composing Cat is an empowering, heartfelt, and at times chaotic journey of self-discovery that perfectly continues the Faking It in the City series by Mia Rosette. While it leans a little more into personal growth than romance, it delivers on emotion, character development, and female resilience.

We were introduced to Cat in Editing Emily, but here, we finally get to know the woman behind the music. Betrayed by both her boyfriend and her supposed best friend, Cat’s world is flipped upside down. Instead of letting it defeat her, she moves forward—literally and figuratively—into a new life with supportive roommates and a second chance at finding herself. And with bandmate Jensen showing up in New York, a little romantic tension simmers in the background, too.

Cat's story is raw and relatable. She's dealing with toxic relationships, fame-related scandals, and the challenge of rediscovering her voice in more ways than one. Her journey isn't clean or easy, and that’s what makes it compelling. Mia Rosette does a great job of blending humor, heartbreak, and hope into one entertaining package.

While there were a few plot elements that felt a bit rushed or slightly over the top, the emotional beats landed strong. The friendships, especially among the women, were a highlight, and the glimpses of music life added a fun flair.

If you love stories about picking yourself back up after life knocks you down—with a side of music, scandal, and friendship—Composing Cat hits all the right notes.

[Sabrina Mordini · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really compelling and emotional read. Composing Cat follows Cat, a musician trying to make it in the big city, but from the very beginning, we see her spiraling — losing herself to the weight of her past. What I especially appreciated was that the story doesn't center on a romantic relationship until the very end. Instead, the real focus is on Cat herself: her journey of rediscovering who she is, learning to accept her past, and growing into a more grounded, authentic version of herself.

The writing flows smoothly, with the narrative often pausing to reflect Cat's inner thoughts. I really loved this aspect — it made me feel deeply connected to her. We get such an intimate glimpse into her thought process and how she experiences the world, which pulled me even further into the story. At times, the introspective tone slowed the pacing a bit for me, but it also deepened the emotional connection, which felt like a fair trade-off.

This is the second installment in the Faking It in the City series, and for me, it felt like a strong improvement from the first. While it works as an interconnected standalone, I’d still recommend reading the first book to better understand the dynamics between the side characters and appreciate their presence here.

If you're in the mood for a character-driven story with emotional depth and beautiful introspection, this one is worth picking up.

I received a copy of this book from Booksprout

[JoAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

COMPOSING CAT is the second book in the Faking it in the City series by Mia Rosette. This is Cat’s story along with her four female roommates, Jensen - her past band member, friend and romantic interest and some other supporting characters who add layers and a richness to the story. We are just scratching the surface on Jensen but I do like the glimpses we see.

The story has a good flow as it continues from the first book. I like how the roommates get closer and form more of a bond. Cat is spiraling downward as she makes poor choices and her actions or those affecting her go viral. She gets no support or sympathy from her mother and her father lays low not to get in his wife’s crossfire. But her new friends are always there for her and each other.

Music and composing songs play a huge part in this story. There are multiple stories being told and they are woven together nicely. There is darkness, self destruction, anger, tears, fear, hurt, lies, lots of food and baking, drinking, steamy moments, strengthened friendships, honesty, self awareness and some kindness. I enjoyed seeing how the story arc unfolded but the story ended abruptly but at least it was on a high note. There’s also some hints of romance and what might come next.

I look forward to reading the next book in the series and I love the author’s alliterative titles.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Cat's story. I love that it focuses more on her handling heartbreak, following her dreams, and developing new friendships. Yes, there's the love story with her and Jensen, but it starts out as a friendship that builds over time. One thing that annoyed me was there were no consequences for her ex and ex best friend. I feel like they needed to be held accountable for their actions. But I guess it's fine that Mia Rosette took the high road (I would've been very petty though  ). Cat is so relatable and believable because we've all been there before. Questioning our dreams, having self doubt, having unhealthy coping mechanisms, listening to haters (her mother OMG), etc. But Jensen and the roommates (and Sebastain from book 1) really rally around her and continually pour positive energy, love, and support into her to build her back up brick by brick. By the end, she was stronger, wiser, and came out on top. I'd highly recommend this book and can't wait to see how the series progresses.

[Kim Blain · Rating 4 out of 5]

We met Cat in the previous book and to be perfectly honest we didn't even touch the surface on who Cat is, Cat is a musician who frankly has a diabolical best friend and boyfriend, her mum isn't a delight either. luckily she upps and moves in with Emily and the rest of the girls we met in Editing Emily
luckily for Cat she also has Jenson who coincidentally has also moved to New York and after a awkward run in with a fellow musician and her husband, her world blows up for the second time and this time its worse than before.
I found Cat less likable than Emily but this made her more interesting, she has flaws that we didn't see before but she's also real, she's impulsive and feels like someone we all know.
we also get to continue with Emily and Sebastian's story which I love, and seeing them from a different perspective is good too.
I can't wait for Daphne's story and I hope it's soon.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vivian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like the phoenix rising from the ashes Cat was able to find back her voice, and her music, after she finds her boyfriend cheating on her with her best friend. We find Cat’s story on the second book of Faking it in the city.
Cat, a character we read about on book one has been on a path of self destruction after her boyfriend and band mate cheats on her with her best friend, also a band mate. She just wants to make músico and become famous, but life hasn’t dealt her a fair hand.
But slowly with the help of her friends and a very special male friend, also a band mate , she’s able to turn her life around.
I loved the way the book gives a specific voice to Cat, so much so that I was able to hear her in my head and feel her pain and her joy.
This was a very engrossing book that deals with heavy situations but with enough humor that makes it a very hard one to put down.

[Gin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first book in the series wasn't my favourite, but I liked it enough to try another book from this author. I started out liking Cat, but there were times when it was hard to like her. I didn't like how she treated Jensen. She seemed hypocritical at times e.g., raging against men who only use women for sex when she has no qualms using men the same way.

I had a hard time pinning down the passage of times sometimes-- the author sometimes glosses over events. We also know that Cat and Jensen perform together, but they never seem to practice together.

Cat's immaturity sometimes frustrated me even as I acknowledged that it was a sign of her young age and that, in theory, she was maturing over the course of the novel.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marygrace Orfanella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mia Rosette is an author that all 20-30 something women should be reading. With her ability to combine female empowerment and real life issues into something entertaining and emotional she is a rare gem. Composing Cat is made me cry several times due to the emotional depth of the characters. Cat was a character that really embodied the full range of human emotion form joy to grief to abandonment. The book does address some continuing issues from book one so I do recommend reading that one first but if the plot doesn’t appeal to you, you could hypothetically read this as a standalone. Be prepared to feel all the feels with this book. A few honorable mention quotes to drag you in “You’re not invited into the house. Now be a good vampire and go away” (if you read book one you’ll know who this refers to) and “We all lie and keep our real feelings and fears secret”.

[Re Clarke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mia has done it again!

What a great read!

Cat is an aspiring musician. After finding her best friend and her boyfriend sleeping together (exposed on a tv show!), and dealing with an uptight & unsupportive mother, she moves to New York to try and take control of her life. She moves in with the rest of the girls we met in Editing Emily.

After she ran out on her first gig at a club, her life is turned upside down and her dirty laundry is aired yet again - even worse than before! I really enjoyed how Cat took control of the situation and you really felt for her whilst this was happening.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and cannot wait for Daphne’s story!!

I received this as a review copy!

[Margaret Hejmanowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have never read anything by Mia Rosette before, OMG this was fantastic!! This is book two in The Faking it in the City series. Cat is part of a band CatAshRoPi; Cat on guitar, Ash (boyfriend) lead singer, Ro(Bff) on drums, and Jensen (friend) on bass. Just before they were to be on tv, Cat caught Ro and Ash having sex; and she walked out. All Cat wants is to make music and be famous, if that is even possible. She also likes to party, and have random hookups. One hookup with a random married man with a famous wife, nearly destroys her. Cat's mother is a whole other story. Can Cat bring herself back with her roommates and Jensen's help? Love the plot, great setting, and strong intense interesting characters. I look forward to reading more from Ms. Mia Rosette!!!!

[Sajida · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first, I wasn’t a fan of the main character—Cat felt too wild and chaotic for my taste. But as the story progressed, she really grew on me. Her character arc was well done and made me appreciate her journey all the more. I especially liked Jensen—there’s something grounded and sincere about his presence that balances the story nicely.

The message of the book was uplifting and meaningful, and I loved the way it was woven through the plot and relationships. The friendships in the story were a definite highlight—real, supportive, and heartwarming. I also really enjoyed how the books are interconnected. It gives a richer feel to the world the author has created.

I’m already looking forward to Designing Daphne!

[Claudete Takahashi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cat pours her heart into her music and drawns her sorrows with booze and sex. She sees herself involved in a major scandal in the internet and her life, which was already broken, falls totally apart. She's supported by friends, however, her family is never there. She'll find that prejudice against women abound and that it's not easy to stand on her own, but she'll find a way. Composing Cat is a story about growing up, learning limits, understanding society and finding love and respect.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shailyne Killgore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Composing Cat is a great book about following your dreams even through trials and tribulation. Cat is a songwriter who aspires to be a rockstar. After her whole world falls apart she is forced to start over in a new place with new people and learn to trust others again. In this incredible story of self love, following your dreams and learning to trust yourself and others again you will follow Cat's journey through many ups and downs (mostly downs) and see her come out the other side stronger than ever.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in this series and we meet Cat. Cat is a young aspiring musician, but find her boyfriend cheating with her best friend. Walking away and starting over moving in with a group of girls is what she needs. The problem is she doesn't always trust her instincts and certainly makes a few mistakes. But can her music and songs help her overcome her issues. It was nice to read about Emily from the previous book which helps bind the stories together

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just couldn’t get into the main female character. She was a self-centered drug addict with no thought of how her actions impacted others. Whole lot of “woe is me”. I knew the story was about a female struggling with her life but if I’d known what Cat was like before I read the story I would not have picked up the book. From what I read about her other books I was expecting something more enjoyable.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ineta · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good to be back with Faking it in the City series by Mia Rosette.
Your boyfriend is cheating on you with your best friend? Don't let it determine who you are. Cat needs to find her voice for her life.
Enjoyed characters and the story.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mariam Mirza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ooohhhh I was shouting in that first part: Im still upset with Cat being cheated on! But her becoming independent and finding her own way and finding this group of friends was clutch.

I think she would have a great character arc, even without the romance aspect. I was rooting for her and loved her ending.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cat’s big dream is to be a singing star. She found her best friend and boyfriend together in a very comprising position. She lost her chance that time to make it big. She is trying to slowly make a living and possibly become famous by herself. Will it work? I received a free book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have a tissue handy and set aside a full day for this fast-paced, action-packed, steamy, laugh-out-loud, contemporary, forbidden, second-chance, rockstar romance that betrayal moves from a small town to New York City, where the misogyny is just as bad.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mahnoor Lasania · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was definitely better than the previous book and I liked Cat far more than I liked Emily (which is like very less lol), however, there were times when Cat was too immature and frustrated me to no end. The way she treated Jenson sometimes was very childish and frustrating too. Also, don’t they ever practice together for their performances? xD

[Amy Donaldson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Composing Cat. I felt like it started slow, but once I got through that initial start, the pages flew by. Cute story.

One of my fave quotes: "The sheets? Soft and made of imported unicorn hair from the fairy kingdom. ".

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[CMLH · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so enjoying this series.

Cat begins with finding her ex and ex-best friend in the position that caused both to become ex. As she works on rebuilding not only her music but herself, she finds solace in the roommates and Jensen. there are so many emotions that will pull at you while you read this book.

Definitely read the first to fully enjoy everything.

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Faking It in the City series. It follows Cat, a musician trying to make it in the big city. I loved that the book is about self-discovery, and I really enjoyed the story. The characters themselves are also very well written, as is the romance story.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cat is inspiring. She is hit the proverbial rock bottom. With the help of Jensen and her bandmates, she is going to come out on top. Her resilience and story are inspiring. A great story.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Petra Moss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story with interesting characters and storyline. An enjoyable and entertaining read . Look forward to the next book in the series.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.