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Motor City Love Song: A Novel
No one knows why the queen of indie rock vanished from the Detroit scene twenty years ago. Now, her ex-girlfriend is determined to track her down—and what she uncovers will change everything.
Detroit, 1997. At the Artemis Club, Paloma is chasing rock-and-roll stardom, with her girlfriend and manager Jace committed to making her a worldwide indie sensation. But when Paloma suddenly disappears from the public eye in 2001, Jace is left to pick up the pieces.
Two decades later, Jace thought she’d left music for good. Yet when the Artemis Club is threatened, she commits to saving the venue even though she’ll have to track down Paloma, whose early-career hit just went viral. Paloma has her reasons for not wanting to be found, and Jace isn’t eager to reopen old wounds. Still, each keeps measuring her life against the love she lost. With the Artemis’s fate at stake, Jace and Paloma are pulled back into the scene they once ruled...and back toward each other.
Told in two voices, this sapphic salute to Detroit’s garage band era shows that sometimes, the truth is the most powerful love song of all.
Detroit, 1997. At the Artemis Club, Paloma is chasing rock-and-roll stardom, with her girlfriend and manager Jace committed to making her a worldwide indie sensation. But when Paloma suddenly disappears from the public eye in 2001, Jace is left to pick up the pieces.
Two decades later, Jace thought she’d left music for good. Yet when the Artemis Club is threatened, she commits to saving the venue even though she’ll have to track down Paloma, whose early-career hit just went viral. Paloma has her reasons for not wanting to be found, and Jace isn’t eager to reopen old wounds. Still, each keeps measuring her life against the love she lost. With the Artemis’s fate at stake, Jace and Paloma are pulled back into the scene they once ruled...and back toward each other.
Told in two voices, this sapphic salute to Detroit’s garage band era shows that sometimes, the truth is the most powerful love song of all.
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Published February 10, 2026
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February 15, 2026I honestly don’t know how to review this.
So much telling and not enough showing.
Important conversations where we’re just given the summary.
But having the bi character cheat on the lesbian character with a man and basically be like “well I got a baby out of it” was definitely a choice. *this isn’t exactly how it went but it’s what it felt like to me*
This was more of a love letter to Detroit’s music scene of the 90’s than a rom-com.
So much telling and not enough showing.
Important conversations where we’re just given the summary.
But having the bi character cheat on the lesbian character with a man and basically be like “well I got a baby out of it” was definitely a choice. *this isn’t exactly how it went but it’s what it felt like to me*
This was more of a love letter to Detroit’s music scene of the 90’s than a rom-com.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2026
Thanks to Netgalley & Random House for the E-ARC! Really enjoyed! The chemistry was really good. Great characters & fun setting. Will read more from this author.
November 3, 2025
This novel was fine, objectively, but some parts just were not for me I suppose. The writing was objectively good and that entire aspect of the novel was well done. Same thing with the story structure, and all that jazz. The author was clearly knowledgeable and passionate about the subject matter and did their research (references in the back!) which I ALWAYS love to see. This novel had a nice little mystery right from the start and it did a great job of hooking my attention and keeping me engaged with the story throughout.
These characters were also well developed and written, messy, relatable, and incredibly human.
Rating: "C" / 3-Stars
Where this novel lost me (first) however is that it spent a lot of time (particularly in the first half) on scenes that I didn’t find relevant to the plot that I wanted to read about (the protagonists and their relationship, history, and what comes next) and I didn’t find all that interesting. It was almost like a slice-of-life story for a big part of it, and I simply wasn’t that engaged; I wanted them to get to the meat of the story that I was promised! If you are particularly interested in the music scene or some slice-of-life action then you might like this novel more than I did.
Then in the second half it lost me further because I didn’t like the “twist” (spoilers are CRIPPLING my ability to review this lol) and the reason for their falling out. I didn’t particularly like protagonist #2; I understood their character and all that and it was realistic, but in a lot of ways it was underwhelming as a story and I just didn’t get on the bandwagon. Their past issues stemmed largely from a lack of communication (ugh) and some other elements which I didn’t particularly love. I also found that the impact of everything was much less than I expected; nothing overly dramatic, no blow-up or big confrontation, just………events taking place.
This novel also fell into a personal pet peeve for me which is when a second chance romance doesn’t have a “past fallout” that is roughly equivalent to the “how we make it better in the present” (technical terms, I know!). Basically, there were some rather large issues in the past but in the present the resolution was mild and underwhelming. I realize a lot of time passed so the characters had “gotten over things” but…..still.
I might recommend to the author that the “twist” might necessitate a content warning because some readers are very put off by… certain things. I also realize that would end up being a spoiler….. idk you do you.
All that said, my response to this novel is “ehh”. Not amazing, not terrible. This WOULD however make a GREAT book club novel though I think. I can already think of several points I am conflicted about which would result in some great discussions; I would sign up for that book club and read this novel again for it in a heartbeat.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ARC. This honest review was left voluntarily.
These characters were also well developed and written, messy, relatable, and incredibly human.
Rating: "C" / 3-Stars
Where this novel lost me (first) however is that it spent a lot of time (particularly in the first half) on scenes that I didn’t find relevant to the plot that I wanted to read about (the protagonists and their relationship, history, and what comes next) and I didn’t find all that interesting. It was almost like a slice-of-life story for a big part of it, and I simply wasn’t that engaged; I wanted them to get to the meat of the story that I was promised! If you are particularly interested in the music scene or some slice-of-life action then you might like this novel more than I did.
Then in the second half it lost me further because I didn’t like the “twist” (spoilers are CRIPPLING my ability to review this lol) and the reason for their falling out. I didn’t particularly like protagonist #2; I understood their character and all that and it was realistic, but in a lot of ways it was underwhelming as a story and I just didn’t get on the bandwagon. Their past issues stemmed largely from a lack of communication (ugh) and some other elements which I didn’t particularly love. I also found that the impact of everything was much less than I expected; nothing overly dramatic, no blow-up or big confrontation, just………events taking place.
This novel also fell into a personal pet peeve for me which is when a second chance romance doesn’t have a “past fallout” that is roughly equivalent to the “how we make it better in the present” (technical terms, I know!). Basically, there were some rather large issues in the past but in the present the resolution was mild and underwhelming. I realize a lot of time passed so the characters had “gotten over things” but…..still.
I might recommend to the author that the “twist” might necessitate a content warning because some readers are very put off by… certain things. I also realize that would end up being a spoiler….. idk you do you.
All that said, my response to this novel is “ehh”. Not amazing, not terrible. This WOULD however make a GREAT book club novel though I think. I can already think of several points I am conflicted about which would result in some great discussions; I would sign up for that book club and read this novel again for it in a heartbeat.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ARC. This honest review was left voluntarily.
October 4, 2025
This is a sweet book about Jace and Paloma who are girlfriends but have fallen out due to Paloma's anxiety and a number of other things. It's about their relationship issues, music, and a lot of issues anyone can relate to: very unique!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Motor City Love Song by Lisa Peers is a sapphic romance that celebrates the history of the late 90s/early 00s Detroit indie and garage band era. The book is told in dual timelines and divided by the main characters and their unique perspectives, ending in a joint section. It also included realistic anxiety and panic attack representation, that I deeply appreciated. Nonbinary, bisexual, lesbian, and general queer representation was incorporated as well.
I am not knowledgeable about the Detroit indie music scene, but I do LOVE indie music. I could feel the music radiating off of every page. While the musicians and bands in the book are fictitious (and have awesome names) they are inspired by bands and artists of the time. Peers’ descriptions were incredible in that they made the scene come alive. The book felt like a rollercoaster of attending multiple concerts all at once.
Set in current times, the book follows Paloma and Jace, who are elder queers. Years before, Paloma was an indie singer and Jace was her business manager/girlfriend. The book incorporates the pandemic and how it impacted the music industry, especially small venues. The Artemis – where Paloma once frequented and was incredibly popular – is at risk of closure.
Jace and Paloma haven’t spoken to each other in years after their relationship ended, but Jace wants to put on a benefit concert to help save the Artemis. She knows that Paloma would bring a big crowd if she were to return to the scene. It is because of this that they reconnect.
The book is filled with tension as it covers the tumultuous relationship that Jace and Paloma had – as well as the abrupt way that it ended. I loved how Peers’ provided sections for each character to share their differing viewpoints of how things played out and what went wrong. Both characters are complex and flawed, which made their relationship and the story incredibly realistic. Peers did well to highlight how no one is either good or bad or right or wrong in a relationship. She also covered how people can have different perspectives of their relationships that the other person doesn’t see.
While the book does provide a happy ending, there are a lot of heartbreaking moments. My only critique is that it felt like the conflict resolution was rushed for how extensive it was between Paloma and Jace. Some of the side characters could have been developed further and given more page time. But I liked how Peers featured queer characters with various identities and views.
Ultimately, I adored Jace and Paloma. Even if some parts of the novel and their relationship felt rushed, the payoff of the entire story was worth it.
They aren’t perfect, their relationship wasn’t, but as they aged apart from each other and grew on their own, they learned how to better handle relationships and conflict. Both had tremendous love for each other, and they spoke about their needs to put in the work because of their dedication. This is not something many people have the capacity or willingness to do, and it highlighted how important emotional work is.
To supplement the book, Peers included background on the 90s/00s indie and garage band era of the Detroit music scene, thanking people who helped her with her research, ways to explore this era further, and included songs for readers to listen to which helps to get an idea of the sound of the era (I immediately made a playlist with the suggested songs!)
Motor City Love Song is perfect for fans of sapphic relationships, lovers of indie music or any music scene (especially if you love garage bands), and a story that is tense but filled with a tremendous amount of love. I only wish the bands and musicians featured were real so I could listen to their music!
I am not knowledgeable about the Detroit indie music scene, but I do LOVE indie music. I could feel the music radiating off of every page. While the musicians and bands in the book are fictitious (and have awesome names) they are inspired by bands and artists of the time. Peers’ descriptions were incredible in that they made the scene come alive. The book felt like a rollercoaster of attending multiple concerts all at once.
Set in current times, the book follows Paloma and Jace, who are elder queers. Years before, Paloma was an indie singer and Jace was her business manager/girlfriend. The book incorporates the pandemic and how it impacted the music industry, especially small venues. The Artemis – where Paloma once frequented and was incredibly popular – is at risk of closure.
Jace and Paloma haven’t spoken to each other in years after their relationship ended, but Jace wants to put on a benefit concert to help save the Artemis. She knows that Paloma would bring a big crowd if she were to return to the scene. It is because of this that they reconnect.
The book is filled with tension as it covers the tumultuous relationship that Jace and Paloma had – as well as the abrupt way that it ended. I loved how Peers’ provided sections for each character to share their differing viewpoints of how things played out and what went wrong. Both characters are complex and flawed, which made their relationship and the story incredibly realistic. Peers did well to highlight how no one is either good or bad or right or wrong in a relationship. She also covered how people can have different perspectives of their relationships that the other person doesn’t see.
While the book does provide a happy ending, there are a lot of heartbreaking moments. My only critique is that it felt like the conflict resolution was rushed for how extensive it was between Paloma and Jace. Some of the side characters could have been developed further and given more page time. But I liked how Peers featured queer characters with various identities and views.
Ultimately, I adored Jace and Paloma. Even if some parts of the novel and their relationship felt rushed, the payoff of the entire story was worth it.
They aren’t perfect, their relationship wasn’t, but as they aged apart from each other and grew on their own, they learned how to better handle relationships and conflict. Both had tremendous love for each other, and they spoke about their needs to put in the work because of their dedication. This is not something many people have the capacity or willingness to do, and it highlighted how important emotional work is.
To supplement the book, Peers included background on the 90s/00s indie and garage band era of the Detroit music scene, thanking people who helped her with her research, ways to explore this era further, and included songs for readers to listen to which helps to get an idea of the sound of the era (I immediately made a playlist with the suggested songs!)
Motor City Love Song is perfect for fans of sapphic relationships, lovers of indie music or any music scene (especially if you love garage bands), and a story that is tense but filled with a tremendous amount of love. I only wish the bands and musicians featured were real so I could listen to their music!
February 10, 2026
ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Motor City Love Song was listed as a romance, but for me, it's so much more than that and that's probably why I had such a good time.
This is a book about fame and how so many people get into the music industry when they're really young, begging the question: how do you grow into the next version of yourself alongside someone else enmeshed in an industry that takes a lot of time and energy?
Paloma and Jace run into this exact problem, as Paloma starts to want a life beyond her music career and Jace is trying to be realistic about what having a family would look like in the music industry. When Paloma splits without warning, Jace is left with a lot of pain and damage control.
The parts about the music industry were most definitely the strongest for me, partially because Paloma's parts are about a trajectory in life that I don't really want for myself, and because that seemed to be the author's driving force for writing this book.
When they were younger, I could really feel Jace and Paloma's chemistry, but it didn't hit quite as hard for me when they were older. Otherwise, I enjoyed this homage to the garage band scene and especially Jace's journey of becoming a badass all on her own.
Side note: Hamtramck is where my dad went to buy Paczki for Fat Tuesday when I was growing up. Don't ask me the name of the bakery, because he always did it while traveling there for work, but the name stuck in my head haha
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Motor City Love Song was listed as a romance, but for me, it's so much more than that and that's probably why I had such a good time.
This is a book about fame and how so many people get into the music industry when they're really young, begging the question: how do you grow into the next version of yourself alongside someone else enmeshed in an industry that takes a lot of time and energy?
Paloma and Jace run into this exact problem, as Paloma starts to want a life beyond her music career and Jace is trying to be realistic about what having a family would look like in the music industry. When Paloma splits without warning, Jace is left with a lot of pain and damage control.
The parts about the music industry were most definitely the strongest for me, partially because Paloma's parts are about a trajectory in life that I don't really want for myself, and because that seemed to be the author's driving force for writing this book.
When they were younger, I could really feel Jace and Paloma's chemistry, but it didn't hit quite as hard for me when they were older. Otherwise, I enjoyed this homage to the garage band scene and especially Jace's journey of becoming a badass all on her own.
Side note: Hamtramck is where my dad went to buy Paczki for Fat Tuesday when I was growing up. Don't ask me the name of the bakery, because he always did it while traveling there for work, but the name stuck in my head haha
February 10, 2026
Thanks to @thedialpress @randomhouse and @netgalley for the gifted e-ARC and to @prhaudio for the ALC!
Read this book if you like: Sapphic romance, the Detroit garage rock scene, 90s nostalgia, older MCs, and second chance romance.
In the late 90s and early 00s, Paloma was an up and coming star. Her career catapulted her from tiny Detroit bars to the national stage. And her girlfriend and manager Jace was with her all the way. And then one day, Paloma disappeared. She walked away from everything, including Jace, and Jace has no idea why. Now, 20 years later, Jace is organizing a benefit concert for a beloved Detroit music hall, the venue where she fell in love with indie music. She needs a headliner and decides to track down Paloma to find out why she left and if she can convince her to come back. To music and to Jace.
My husband grew up in the suburbs of Detroit, so so many of the locations in this book were familiar to me. In many ways it was a love song to the city. And as a reader in her late 40s, I loved seeing some seasoned main characters. Paloma and Jace were in their 50s and their friends at the music venue were in their 60s. Love knows no age! I thought both characters were well fleshed out. And getting both their POVs made the story come alive.
The plot sucked me in. Hearing their history in flashbacks and finding out what went wrong in the present kept me reading. The spice in closed door, but there was plenty of passion and yearning in the story.
Both narrators did an excellent job, and the sound quality was perfect even at 2x.
If you love music or Detroit or want to see some older folks fall back in love, this one’s for you!
Read this book if you like: Sapphic romance, the Detroit garage rock scene, 90s nostalgia, older MCs, and second chance romance.
In the late 90s and early 00s, Paloma was an up and coming star. Her career catapulted her from tiny Detroit bars to the national stage. And her girlfriend and manager Jace was with her all the way. And then one day, Paloma disappeared. She walked away from everything, including Jace, and Jace has no idea why. Now, 20 years later, Jace is organizing a benefit concert for a beloved Detroit music hall, the venue where she fell in love with indie music. She needs a headliner and decides to track down Paloma to find out why she left and if she can convince her to come back. To music and to Jace.
My husband grew up in the suburbs of Detroit, so so many of the locations in this book were familiar to me. In many ways it was a love song to the city. And as a reader in her late 40s, I loved seeing some seasoned main characters. Paloma and Jace were in their 50s and their friends at the music venue were in their 60s. Love knows no age! I thought both characters were well fleshed out. And getting both their POVs made the story come alive.
The plot sucked me in. Hearing their history in flashbacks and finding out what went wrong in the present kept me reading. The spice in closed door, but there was plenty of passion and yearning in the story.
Both narrators did an excellent job, and the sound quality was perfect even at 2x.
If you love music or Detroit or want to see some older folks fall back in love, this one’s for you!
February 3, 2026
Paloma and Jace are part of the Indie Rock scene in Detroit in the late '90s. As Paloma starts to make it big, she is managed by Jace, her partner and business manager. Although they are very happy, same sex couples in the music industry are not very common, and they have struggles with that and their private goals for fame and touring.
Twenty years later, Jace is helping put together a fundraiser to help keep the doors open of their favorite live music venue- and the place Paloma got her start. But Jace needs a headliner, but Paloma has been out of the public since their messy break-up twenty years ago. If Jace can find her and convince her to lead the fundraising concert, maybe she can also figure out where they went wrong and where Paloma has been for the last two decades.
I really liked this rock romance. I liked the main and supporting characters a lot and the dual timelines help build the tension with the main couple but also gave insight into their decisions. It was fun and dramatic, and I loved the Detroit setting and the music venue they called home. I'm adding to my list of music industry dramas to recommend.
Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy for review. All books are read by me, and no AI was used in the writing of this review.
Twenty years later, Jace is helping put together a fundraiser to help keep the doors open of their favorite live music venue- and the place Paloma got her start. But Jace needs a headliner, but Paloma has been out of the public since their messy break-up twenty years ago. If Jace can find her and convince her to lead the fundraising concert, maybe she can also figure out where they went wrong and where Paloma has been for the last two decades.
I really liked this rock romance. I liked the main and supporting characters a lot and the dual timelines help build the tension with the main couple but also gave insight into their decisions. It was fun and dramatic, and I loved the Detroit setting and the music venue they called home. I'm adding to my list of music industry dramas to recommend.
Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy for review. All books are read by me, and no AI was used in the writing of this review.
October 6, 2025
This is a hard book for me to rate because overall the story is good, but the execution fell very very very short. This felt like a second draft with miles to go. Many aspects were rushed and told rather than shown, and the characters were very one-note with little to no arc. I think the most frustrating part was how underdeveloped the love story was considering this is a romance. It’s a 2.5 but I simply cannot round up to a 3. But again, the concept is good and I was very interested in what was going to happen - the writing just needed significantly more work.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!
February 18, 2026
Paloma is trying to make it big in the Detroit rock-and-roll scene & Jace is determined to help her succeed. But when Paloma decides to leave the spotlight & The Artemis Club is on the brink of closing, Jace knows that she needs to get Paloma back on stage in order to save the club.
This book started off strong for me. I really liked watching Paloma & Jace's relationship bloom & I enjoyed the vibes of the Detroit music scene. I would have loved some of the songs to be included like as a track for the audiobook but that is just a personal note. Unfortunately by the end of the book their relationship just felt a little lackluster for me.
Very cute though!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ARC!
This book started off strong for me. I really liked watching Paloma & Jace's relationship bloom & I enjoyed the vibes of the Detroit music scene. I would have loved some of the songs to be included like as a track for the audiobook but that is just a personal note. Unfortunately by the end of the book their relationship just felt a little lackluster for me.
Very cute though!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ARC!
November 5, 2025
Thank you Net Galley for the ARC!
2.5 stars rounded up to 3
Motor City Love Song by Lisa Peers is a second chance romance taking place at the centre of the music scene in Detroit. The author does a wonderful job of immersing you in this setting. She is evidently passionate about the subject and you can feel the love for it in her writing. The story is told alternating between the past and present. This was great for building the history between Jace and Paloma and getting the reader invested in their relationship. And I was invested! I wanted to know how their meeting again after all these years was going to play out. This is unfortunately where things began to fall flat for me. Present day Jace and Paloma resolved their problems a little too easily… there was some major fallout all those years ago plus a massive bombshell dropped by one of the protagonists after they reunited. I was wanting more on page discussion, more work done towards their eventual getting back together. Overall the writing was solid, the story itself was interesting, but the romance itself was underwhelming.
February 20, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
This was a unique story. I enjoyed learning about the Detroit music scene. I love the drama of a musician novel as well. I enjoyed the multiple timelines and POVs. It really helped piece together the whole story.
This was a unique story. I enjoyed learning about the Detroit music scene. I love the drama of a musician novel as well. I enjoyed the multiple timelines and POVs. It really helped piece together the whole story.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"Jace found talent sexy. And Paloma was incredibly talented."
What a fantastic story. In a way, it gave me the same rush as One Last Stop. I loved the ride the reader is on (and I love Jace, obviously).
In much the same way One Last Stop is a love letter to NYC, this book is a love song to Detroit. And to the things we hold on to. And the people we never let go of.
If you need just one new romance this month, make it this one.
What a fantastic story. In a way, it gave me the same rush as One Last Stop. I loved the ride the reader is on (and I love Jace, obviously).
In much the same way One Last Stop is a love letter to NYC, this book is a love song to Detroit. And to the things we hold on to. And the people we never let go of.
If you need just one new romance this month, make it this one.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5
November 6, 2025
DRC from Netgalley and Random House / Dial Press Trade Paperback
Jace is new to managing bands and singers. When she hears Paloma, she knows she can make her big. Paloma, loves to sing, but also has other ambitions, including becoming a mother. But after her appliance on Letterman, Paloma just disappears. Jace is left with a broken heart and no answers to her many questions. Twenty years later, Jace learns that her friend and owner of the bar that made careers for many bands, is going under. She decides to hold a fund-raiser and thinks that if she can track Paloma down and convince her to play, they can make enough money to save the bar. What follows is flashbacks that tell the reader, and ultimately Jace, why Paloma left the public eye.
A heartwarming story about music, relationships, and second chances.
Jace is new to managing bands and singers. When she hears Paloma, she knows she can make her big. Paloma, loves to sing, but also has other ambitions, including becoming a mother. But after her appliance on Letterman, Paloma just disappears. Jace is left with a broken heart and no answers to her many questions. Twenty years later, Jace learns that her friend and owner of the bar that made careers for many bands, is going under. She decides to hold a fund-raiser and thinks that if she can track Paloma down and convince her to play, they can make enough money to save the bar. What follows is flashbacks that tell the reader, and ultimately Jace, why Paloma left the public eye.
A heartwarming story about music, relationships, and second chances.
November 14, 2025
A queer romance rooted in the Detroit music scene of the late 90's, early 00's. I know next to nothing about the Detroit music scene during these times, so I don't know how factual anything is or isn't, but I enjoyed the story, nonetheless. The story is written in dual timelines and from both FMCs perspective. Well written with likeable characters, a good romance that is relatively clean.
December 7, 2025
📚Motor City Love Song
✍🏻Lisa Peers
Blurb:
No one knows why the queen of indie rock vanished from the Detroit scene twenty years ago. Now, her ex-girlfriend is determined to track her down—and what she uncovers will change everything.
Detroit, 1997. At the Artemis Club, Paloma is chasing rock-and-roll stardom, with her girlfriend and manager Jace committed to making her a worldwide indie sensation. But when Paloma suddenly disappears from the public eye in 2001, Jace is left to pick up the pieces.
Two decades later, Jace thought she’d left music for good. Yet when the Artemis Club is threatened, she commits to saving the venue even though she’ll have to track down Paloma, whose early-career hit just went viral. Paloma has her reasons for not wanting to be found, and Jace isn’t eager to reopen old wounds. Still, each keeps measuring her life against the love she lost. With the Artemis’s fate at stake, Jace and Paloma are pulled back into the scene they once ruled...and back toward each other.
Told in two voices, this sapphic salute to Detroit’s garage band era shows that sometimes, the truth is the most powerful love song of all.
My Thoughts:
This is a sweet book about Jace and Paloma who are girlfriends but have fallen out due to Paloma's anxiety and a number of other things. It's about their relationship issues, music, and a lot of issues anyone can relate to: very unique! Set in Detroit with an indie rock scene, the setting of this book was great. I really enjoyed how I’m immersive it was.
Jace was a club manager and Paloma was an indie rock queen things seemed to be going well chances to go worldwide until Paloma suddenly disappeared and two decades later Jace decides to look for her when her club is threatened to close down. Peers still focused on sapphic characters beyond their mid-twenties which I loved but this time, it was revisiting an old flame later in life. I loved learning about the Detroit music scene and could tell that Peers really put her heart and soul into this piece and is passionate about music, particularly in this area. While I’m not familiar with the scene or area itself, there are enough hints dropped (including specific band and song suggestions) to do a deep dive while you’re reading or once you’ve finished to add an additional layer to the novel. It’s very Riot girl meets up and coming queer artists, and 2025 (or 2026 when this publishes) creates this interesting review mirror to think about current artists like Chappell Roan or Renee Rapp who are out and proud and thread their queerness through their lyrics compared to performers from decades or a few ago, who are still inherently queer, but were afraid or warned against showing that queerness in their lyrics.
Thanks NetGalley, Dial Press Trade Paperback and Author Lisa Peers for the advanced copy of "Motor City Love Song" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#DialPressTradePaperback
#LisaPeers
#MotorCityLoveSong
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⚠️Trigger Warnings: Cursing, Sexual content, Grief
✍🏻Lisa Peers
Blurb:
No one knows why the queen of indie rock vanished from the Detroit scene twenty years ago. Now, her ex-girlfriend is determined to track her down—and what she uncovers will change everything.
Detroit, 1997. At the Artemis Club, Paloma is chasing rock-and-roll stardom, with her girlfriend and manager Jace committed to making her a worldwide indie sensation. But when Paloma suddenly disappears from the public eye in 2001, Jace is left to pick up the pieces.
Two decades later, Jace thought she’d left music for good. Yet when the Artemis Club is threatened, she commits to saving the venue even though she’ll have to track down Paloma, whose early-career hit just went viral. Paloma has her reasons for not wanting to be found, and Jace isn’t eager to reopen old wounds. Still, each keeps measuring her life against the love she lost. With the Artemis’s fate at stake, Jace and Paloma are pulled back into the scene they once ruled...and back toward each other.
Told in two voices, this sapphic salute to Detroit’s garage band era shows that sometimes, the truth is the most powerful love song of all.
My Thoughts:
This is a sweet book about Jace and Paloma who are girlfriends but have fallen out due to Paloma's anxiety and a number of other things. It's about their relationship issues, music, and a lot of issues anyone can relate to: very unique! Set in Detroit with an indie rock scene, the setting of this book was great. I really enjoyed how I’m immersive it was.
Jace was a club manager and Paloma was an indie rock queen things seemed to be going well chances to go worldwide until Paloma suddenly disappeared and two decades later Jace decides to look for her when her club is threatened to close down. Peers still focused on sapphic characters beyond their mid-twenties which I loved but this time, it was revisiting an old flame later in life. I loved learning about the Detroit music scene and could tell that Peers really put her heart and soul into this piece and is passionate about music, particularly in this area. While I’m not familiar with the scene or area itself, there are enough hints dropped (including specific band and song suggestions) to do a deep dive while you’re reading or once you’ve finished to add an additional layer to the novel. It’s very Riot girl meets up and coming queer artists, and 2025 (or 2026 when this publishes) creates this interesting review mirror to think about current artists like Chappell Roan or Renee Rapp who are out and proud and thread their queerness through their lyrics compared to performers from decades or a few ago, who are still inherently queer, but were afraid or warned against showing that queerness in their lyrics.
Thanks NetGalley, Dial Press Trade Paperback and Author Lisa Peers for the advanced copy of "Motor City Love Song" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#DialPressTradePaperback
#LisaPeers
#MotorCityLoveSong
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⚠️Trigger Warnings: Cursing, Sexual content, Grief
October 12, 2025
This was my second Lisa Peers read after Love at 350, and these two books are like night and day, in a great way. Peers still focused on sapphic characters beyond their mid-twenties which I loved but this time, it was revisiting an old flame later in life. I loved learning about the Detroit music scene and could tell that Peers really put her heart and soul into this piece and is passionate about music, particularly in this area. While I’m not familiar with the scene or area itself, there are enough hints dropped (including specific band and song suggestions) to do a deep dive while you’re reading or once you’ve finished to add an additional layer to the novel. It’s very Riot girl meets up and coming queer artists, and 2025 (or 2026 when this publishes) creates this interesting review mirror to think about current artists like Chappell Roan or Renee Rapp who are out and proud and thread their queerness through their lyrics compared to performers from decades or a few ago, who are still inherently queer, but were afraid or warned against showing that queerness in their lyrics.
While the passion and idea was strong, the execution and development was a bit lacking for me. I wish that rather than part one being Jace and part two being Paloma, the POVs went back and forth. The way it’s set up, (though I love the then and now timing for each), we take Jace’s side and view of the past and then Paloma is left fighting for attention and votes from the reader. If it went back and forth, we could see the contrast and conflict and understand why there are two sides to the story without pitting the characters against each other. I also felt like all of the conflict was set up and up and up only to be resolved within a single page. I don’t need a third act break up or major hijinks, but after YEARS of no communication and each leaving a relationship having thought it was the fault of the opposite person, to leave all the resolution of that conflict off the page and internal to the characters seems misplaced. I also wanted to root for the characters to be together more. Maybe starting in the past, then flipping between the characters to show how we got to the present and then resolving in the present would have made the relationship arc stronger. Still entertaining and fun, but it felt like an earlier draft of a future story that’s still a bit in the works.
While the passion and idea was strong, the execution and development was a bit lacking for me. I wish that rather than part one being Jace and part two being Paloma, the POVs went back and forth. The way it’s set up, (though I love the then and now timing for each), we take Jace’s side and view of the past and then Paloma is left fighting for attention and votes from the reader. If it went back and forth, we could see the contrast and conflict and understand why there are two sides to the story without pitting the characters against each other. I also felt like all of the conflict was set up and up and up only to be resolved within a single page. I don’t need a third act break up or major hijinks, but after YEARS of no communication and each leaving a relationship having thought it was the fault of the opposite person, to leave all the resolution of that conflict off the page and internal to the characters seems misplaced. I also wanted to root for the characters to be together more. Maybe starting in the past, then flipping between the characters to show how we got to the present and then resolving in the present would have made the relationship arc stronger. Still entertaining and fun, but it felt like an earlier draft of a future story that’s still a bit in the works.
October 18, 2025
Motor City Love Song delivers a riveting, emotionally charged tale set in Detroit’s vibrant Indie rock scene, so cinematically painted and immersive that I found myself wishing I could hang out at The Artemis with club manager Jace and rising indie rock queen Paloma. The electric chemistry between Paloma and Jace is palpable, as Jace commits to making Paloma a worldwide sensation and nearly succeeds—until Paloma abruptly disappears, leaving the indie rock scene and Jace with no explanation.
Two decades later, Jace’s beloved Artemis Club is about to close for good. An early career hit of Paloma’s has just resurfaced and gone viral. Jace is pulled back to her roots within Detroit’s music scene and commits to a plan that could save the Artemis, even though it means seeking out her ex-girlfriend who clearly does not want to be found. Paloma hasn’t contacted Jace in twenty years.
The stakes here feel painfully high, as Jace risks a second round of heartbreak in her efforts to reconnect with the long ago love she’s never really gotten over. Lisa Peers masterfully weaves together the two distinct perspectives of Jace and Paloma, whisking the reader along for the intoxicating thrill ride of Jace and Paloma’s romance alongside Paloma’s rise to brief stardom followed by the plummet into despair at the sudden loss of love and limelight together.
The characters in this story are layered, multi-dimensional, and relatable. Paloma and Jace are each, in their own way, earnest, endearing, flawed, hopeful; my heart ached for both of them. There is always more than one side to any story. We discover through perfectly paced revelations what was behind Paloma’s mysterious exit from the life she’d once wanted.
Motor City Love Song is not the story of just one romance or even two. There is another love story here. Within this novel lies the beating heart of Detroit’s indie rock scene, the small clubs, the garage bands, the underdog musician, the aspiring rock star, all lovingly crafted with authentic detail. When Peers describes the Artemis Club, I am right there with Jace, basking in the sound of the crowd, the soles of my shoes sticking to the venue floor that vibrates beneath my feet as Paloma takes the stage.
I loved this book. It was impossible to put down. I am still thinking about the characters and all they went through. A deeply emotional and heartfelt tribute to music, love, and second chances, Motor City Love Song is an absolute must-read.
Two decades later, Jace’s beloved Artemis Club is about to close for good. An early career hit of Paloma’s has just resurfaced and gone viral. Jace is pulled back to her roots within Detroit’s music scene and commits to a plan that could save the Artemis, even though it means seeking out her ex-girlfriend who clearly does not want to be found. Paloma hasn’t contacted Jace in twenty years.
The stakes here feel painfully high, as Jace risks a second round of heartbreak in her efforts to reconnect with the long ago love she’s never really gotten over. Lisa Peers masterfully weaves together the two distinct perspectives of Jace and Paloma, whisking the reader along for the intoxicating thrill ride of Jace and Paloma’s romance alongside Paloma’s rise to brief stardom followed by the plummet into despair at the sudden loss of love and limelight together.
The characters in this story are layered, multi-dimensional, and relatable. Paloma and Jace are each, in their own way, earnest, endearing, flawed, hopeful; my heart ached for both of them. There is always more than one side to any story. We discover through perfectly paced revelations what was behind Paloma’s mysterious exit from the life she’d once wanted.
Motor City Love Song is not the story of just one romance or even two. There is another love story here. Within this novel lies the beating heart of Detroit’s indie rock scene, the small clubs, the garage bands, the underdog musician, the aspiring rock star, all lovingly crafted with authentic detail. When Peers describes the Artemis Club, I am right there with Jace, basking in the sound of the crowd, the soles of my shoes sticking to the venue floor that vibrates beneath my feet as Paloma takes the stage.
I loved this book. It was impossible to put down. I am still thinking about the characters and all they went through. A deeply emotional and heartfelt tribute to music, love, and second chances, Motor City Love Song is an absolute must-read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
At the peak in her career, Detroit rockstar, Paloma vanishes without a trace. Twenty-ish years later, Jace is trying to save the Artemis Club, a Detroit music venue, where many indie artists, including Paloma, had launched their careers. Jace has to find the rockstar she used to manage (aka her ex-girlfriend, Paloma), and convince her to come out of retirement to save the venue. Will their troubled history ruin the chances of the Artemis Club’s future?
Motor City Love Song tells a haunting sapphic love story with a nod to the 90s music format, compact discs (aka CDs). Disc One, is Jace’s POV, both back in the 90s and now. Disc Two tells the same story, but from Paloma’s perspective. Motor City Love Song nods to Detroit’s rich rock music history. Childhood trauma and mental health issues plague much of Paloma’s career. Jace’s successful yet misguided management style elevated Paloma’s career, but cast Paloma’s hopes and dreams aside. The lack of communication while they were together ultimately divides the women for two decades. The future of the music venue is riding on the their willingness to communicate with each once again. Paloma and Jace have to rip off the band-aid off and start to heal old wounds if they’re going to save the Artemis Club.
The story was raw, the emotions were palpable. I wish there was more time spent with their reunion as I felt the pain in their voices deep within me. Mistakes of their youth stole so much of their future. I had to pause to process it. I desired to feel their joy in equal measure. Lisa Peers put a lot of thought into the details of the local area, and I could visualize Paloma and Jace in the same places I’ve been. I felt very connected to the story.
This book is special to me for a few reasons. First off, I’m from Metro Detroit, so many of the places mentioned in the book are familiar to me. Second, the 80s and 90s music scene was a huge part of my wife’s life at the time, so having a peek into her world at that time was so fun for me. Third, there’s a date in the story that is special to me, so it just felt serendipitous to read an advanced copy of this book (thanks @NetGalley & @DialPress).
Motor City Love Song tells a haunting sapphic love story with a nod to the 90s music format, compact discs (aka CDs). Disc One, is Jace’s POV, both back in the 90s and now. Disc Two tells the same story, but from Paloma’s perspective. Motor City Love Song nods to Detroit’s rich rock music history. Childhood trauma and mental health issues plague much of Paloma’s career. Jace’s successful yet misguided management style elevated Paloma’s career, but cast Paloma’s hopes and dreams aside. The lack of communication while they were together ultimately divides the women for two decades. The future of the music venue is riding on the their willingness to communicate with each once again. Paloma and Jace have to rip off the band-aid off and start to heal old wounds if they’re going to save the Artemis Club.
The story was raw, the emotions were palpable. I wish there was more time spent with their reunion as I felt the pain in their voices deep within me. Mistakes of their youth stole so much of their future. I had to pause to process it. I desired to feel their joy in equal measure. Lisa Peers put a lot of thought into the details of the local area, and I could visualize Paloma and Jace in the same places I’ve been. I felt very connected to the story.
This book is special to me for a few reasons. First off, I’m from Metro Detroit, so many of the places mentioned in the book are familiar to me. Second, the 80s and 90s music scene was a huge part of my wife’s life at the time, so having a peek into her world at that time was so fun for me. Third, there’s a date in the story that is special to me, so it just felt serendipitous to read an advanced copy of this book (thanks @NetGalley & @DialPress).
February 17, 2026
⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5 stars)
This was one of those books that I admired in a lot of ways, even if it didn’t completely work for me as a romance. Motor City Love Song blends second-chance love with music history, queer identity, and the complicated reality of growing up inside an industry that doesn’t always leave room for real life, and I really appreciated the ambition behind all of that.
The Detroit indie and garage band setting is easily the strongest part of the novel. You can feel how much care and research went into bringing that music scene to life, and the atmosphere practically hums off the page. As a fellow Michigander, this was my favorite part of the book. I loved the sense of time and place, along with the representation of different queer identities and the honest look at anxiety, aging, and what it means to rebuild a life after things fall apart.
Where the story struggled a bit for me was in the emotional payoff of the romance itself. The dual timelines and past conflict set up something that felt like it should land in a really powerful way, but the resolution felt a little rushed compared to the weight of what came before. I also found myself more invested in the music world and character backstories than in the present-day relationship, which made the ending feel quieter than I expected.
That said, there’s still a lot to appreciate here- especially if you love character-driven stories, sapphic second-chance romance, or books deeply rooted in a specific cultural moment. Overall, this was thoughtful, messy, and heartfelt, even if it didn’t fully hit the emotional high note I was hoping for.
A big thank you to NetGalley and Random House | Dial Press Trade Paperback for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
This was one of those books that I admired in a lot of ways, even if it didn’t completely work for me as a romance. Motor City Love Song blends second-chance love with music history, queer identity, and the complicated reality of growing up inside an industry that doesn’t always leave room for real life, and I really appreciated the ambition behind all of that.
The Detroit indie and garage band setting is easily the strongest part of the novel. You can feel how much care and research went into bringing that music scene to life, and the atmosphere practically hums off the page. As a fellow Michigander, this was my favorite part of the book. I loved the sense of time and place, along with the representation of different queer identities and the honest look at anxiety, aging, and what it means to rebuild a life after things fall apart.
Where the story struggled a bit for me was in the emotional payoff of the romance itself. The dual timelines and past conflict set up something that felt like it should land in a really powerful way, but the resolution felt a little rushed compared to the weight of what came before. I also found myself more invested in the music world and character backstories than in the present-day relationship, which made the ending feel quieter than I expected.
That said, there’s still a lot to appreciate here- especially if you love character-driven stories, sapphic second-chance romance, or books deeply rooted in a specific cultural moment. Overall, this was thoughtful, messy, and heartfelt, even if it didn’t fully hit the emotional high note I was hoping for.
A big thank you to NetGalley and Random House | Dial Press Trade Paperback for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I absolutely adored Jace and Paloma at the start. Their love story felt magical—Paloma as an up-and-coming singer, Jace as her manager, helping her rise—it truly felt like a match made in heaven. I was completely invested in their beginnings. But then the story starts moving back and forth through the years, and we learn that Paloma hasn’t performed in over 20 years, abandoned her relationship with Jace, and disappeared without explanation. No one knows why—not even Jace.
We get the backstory in layers: first through Jace’s POV, then later through Paloma’s, and I’ll be honest—I expected the truth to unfold very differently than it did.
The Artemis—the bar where it all began for so many bands—is about to be shut down. The owner is behind financially, and COVID absolutely crushed the business. To save it, Jace comes up with the idea to reunite all the bands that got their start there to raise money. But the biggest name of all is Paloma. And I kept thinking… how is Jace supposed to track down the love of her life who disappeared over 20 years ago? And even if she does—how is that reunion going to go?
Let’s just say: not the way I expected. At all. I went from loving them to being genuinely annoyed 😭
When the truth finally comes out and Paloma explains why she left, I wanted to feel empathy for her—I really did—but I couldn’t help feeling even worse for Jace. And honestly, I struggled to truly like Paloma as a character in general. I know I’m not the only one who felt that way.
That said, I still liked the book overall, and I think it would make an excellent book club pick. There are so many layered themes, emotional conflicts, and morally gray choices that would spark really good discussion.
It’s one of those stories that doesn’t give you easy answers—and that’s both its strength and its frustration.
We get the backstory in layers: first through Jace’s POV, then later through Paloma’s, and I’ll be honest—I expected the truth to unfold very differently than it did.
The Artemis—the bar where it all began for so many bands—is about to be shut down. The owner is behind financially, and COVID absolutely crushed the business. To save it, Jace comes up with the idea to reunite all the bands that got their start there to raise money. But the biggest name of all is Paloma. And I kept thinking… how is Jace supposed to track down the love of her life who disappeared over 20 years ago? And even if she does—how is that reunion going to go?
Let’s just say: not the way I expected. At all. I went from loving them to being genuinely annoyed 😭
When the truth finally comes out and Paloma explains why she left, I wanted to feel empathy for her—I really did—but I couldn’t help feeling even worse for Jace. And honestly, I struggled to truly like Paloma as a character in general. I know I’m not the only one who felt that way.
That said, I still liked the book overall, and I think it would make an excellent book club pick. There are so many layered themes, emotional conflicts, and morally gray choices that would spark really good discussion.
It’s one of those stories that doesn’t give you easy answers—and that’s both its strength and its frustration.
February 14, 2026
I wish I loved this more than I actually did but in reality it was just okay.
Motor City Love Song follows our main character Jace through alternating chapters set in the past and the present(ish). The past focuses on her relationship with Paloma, while in the present, she is no longer in her life and they haven't had any contact for years. But due to Jace's friend Sadie's music club on the verge of closing, Jace has an idea for a fundraising concert. With Paloma as the headliner, an artist who hasn't sung publicly in two decades, they're sure to bring in the money. Unfortunately, no one knows where Paloma is and thus begins the search to find her... And get some answers about where their relationship went so wrong.
The second half of the book switches to Paloma's POV with the chapters in the same kind of format. This fills in a lot of the gaps from Jace's POV, and I thought it was a really clever way to do that. I definitely liked the second half of the book more than the first half, but I did think the conflict was resolved a little too quickly for how much of the plot it revolved around.
The author is clearly EXTREMELY knowledgeable about the Detroit music scene. Those parts of the book were really great and informative. I love learning about interesting things I don't know much about. The romance for me is where this book fell short, because it didn't really feel like one to me as we don't really see much of their relationship. I wish there was more. Jace is also really dismissive of Paloma's anxiety, and they just didn't fit together as a couple you're actively trying to root for.
Motor City Love Song follows our main character Jace through alternating chapters set in the past and the present(ish). The past focuses on her relationship with Paloma, while in the present, she is no longer in her life and they haven't had any contact for years. But due to Jace's friend Sadie's music club on the verge of closing, Jace has an idea for a fundraising concert. With Paloma as the headliner, an artist who hasn't sung publicly in two decades, they're sure to bring in the money. Unfortunately, no one knows where Paloma is and thus begins the search to find her... And get some answers about where their relationship went so wrong.
The second half of the book switches to Paloma's POV with the chapters in the same kind of format. This fills in a lot of the gaps from Jace's POV, and I thought it was a really clever way to do that. I definitely liked the second half of the book more than the first half, but I did think the conflict was resolved a little too quickly for how much of the plot it revolved around.
The author is clearly EXTREMELY knowledgeable about the Detroit music scene. Those parts of the book were really great and informative. I love learning about interesting things I don't know much about. The romance for me is where this book fell short, because it didn't really feel like one to me as we don't really see much of their relationship. I wish there was more. Jace is also really dismissive of Paloma's anxiety, and they just didn't fit together as a couple you're actively trying to root for.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Brief overview:
When the concert venue she frequented in her 20s encounters money problems post-pandemic, Jace agrees to step up and use her former band management skills and new event planning skills to create a fundraising event to keep The Artemis open. The only problem? Bands only want to play for free if Jace can get the reclusive Paloma back on stage after twenty years of secrecy.
The story is told from both Jace and Paloma's POV, switching halfway through, and alternating in time between 2023 and late 90s/early 00s to tell the story of the Detroit Garage music scene.
My thoughts:
As a Michigan resident, hearing all the names and descriptions of local spots (mixed in with the fictional) made it feel like hearing an old friend tell a story, complete with a Little Caesar's Arena jump scare. I do feel like some people that are not from Michigan may not understand some things, like why the 231 area code was important. So many parts of the story also genuinely felt like they could be real, like the song becoming famous again because of a show (example: Stranger Things x Kate Bush). The realism definitely added to this story feeling like a tale from a friend. It did feel like as we approached the end, things really sped up, and didn't feel like a fully formed bridge to the finale, but that also sort of resembles a story told by a friend, so I'm going to hope it was intentional!
3.5 stars, rounding up because I'm a sucker for Michigan stories. Thanks to Netgalley and Random House for the chance to check this out!
When the concert venue she frequented in her 20s encounters money problems post-pandemic, Jace agrees to step up and use her former band management skills and new event planning skills to create a fundraising event to keep The Artemis open. The only problem? Bands only want to play for free if Jace can get the reclusive Paloma back on stage after twenty years of secrecy.
The story is told from both Jace and Paloma's POV, switching halfway through, and alternating in time between 2023 and late 90s/early 00s to tell the story of the Detroit Garage music scene.
My thoughts:
As a Michigan resident, hearing all the names and descriptions of local spots (mixed in with the fictional) made it feel like hearing an old friend tell a story, complete with a Little Caesar's Arena jump scare. I do feel like some people that are not from Michigan may not understand some things, like why the 231 area code was important. So many parts of the story also genuinely felt like they could be real, like the song becoming famous again because of a show (example: Stranger Things x Kate Bush). The realism definitely added to this story feeling like a tale from a friend. It did feel like as we approached the end, things really sped up, and didn't feel like a fully formed bridge to the finale, but that also sort of resembles a story told by a friend, so I'm going to hope it was intentional!
3.5 stars, rounding up because I'm a sucker for Michigan stories. Thanks to Netgalley and Random House for the chance to check this out!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"Motor City Love Song" is a real page-turner—it drew me in from page one. I loved the warm and witty writing in this novel, the snappy dialogue, the physical details. I had a great time diving into the 1990s Detroit garage band scene, which felt very alive. Paloma and Jace were sympathetic and distinct, and had a magic chemistry as a couple that jumped off the page for me. I felt drawn into their very real struggle to make their relationship work when, like so many couples, in so many ways they wanted different things out of life. I found myself switching sides back and forth as each character's version of the past unfolded, but in the end I couldn't help but root for both of them. I wanted to know how everything would work out for Jace, for Paloma, for the Artemis Club, and for the music.
Shifting between the two time periods (1990s and recent) and the two points of view added intrigue and playfulness, and the grungy retro setting of the Artemis was a character in its own right. I also enjoyed the quirky personalities and interactions of the other characters, who had their own story arcs that were fun to follow.
Catching glimpses of local Detroit landmarks and insider references to Michigan would make this book an extra-special treat if you are local or know the area. It's also a great read for fans of indie rock, punk, and garage bands, and it's clear this author has done her research into the period and the scene, and has a deep feeling for the music. The lyrics made me want to hear the songs and I would love to see this as a movie! Five-Stratocaster rating!
Shifting between the two time periods (1990s and recent) and the two points of view added intrigue and playfulness, and the grungy retro setting of the Artemis was a character in its own right. I also enjoyed the quirky personalities and interactions of the other characters, who had their own story arcs that were fun to follow.
Catching glimpses of local Detroit landmarks and insider references to Michigan would make this book an extra-special treat if you are local or know the area. It's also a great read for fans of indie rock, punk, and garage bands, and it's clear this author has done her research into the period and the scene, and has a deep feeling for the music. The lyrics made me want to hear the songs and I would love to see this as a movie! Five-Stratocaster rating!
February 17, 2026
I'm a lover of a second chance romance because they generally have really great tension, but when they're bad oh boy they're bad. Initially I was really enjoying this book and thought it could be a four star read. Jace was being set up as a really interesting and dynamic character. She's single minded and a bit stubborn especially when it comes to her job. However, you get to see her start to see how she pushed Paloma away and that perfectly segues into the Paloma POV shift at 50%. Honestly, I think that the pressures of fame and mental health struggles were entirely justifiable reasons for Paloma to disappear from fame. It's forgivable and feels equivalent to Jace's actions. The moment that my perspective totally shifted on this book was when it was revealed that Paloma had cheated on Jace with a man and subsequently got pregnant. Cheating on your girlfriend of five years and having a secret child is way too big of a conflict to try and resolve in like 30% of a novel. I'm also not a fan of how the narrative feeds into broader cultural ideas of bisexual women being cheaters. Theoretically this plot could have worked, but I think the fact that this is a romance novel and not a genre like lit fic causes an issue. I just couldn't really root for the romance when we didn't do the work to repair this huge betrayal. If I hadn't enjoyed some of the more interesting character work in the first 50% this would likely be a one star read from me.
Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Random House/Dial Press and Netgalley for this ARC. This review is my own honest opinion.
Jace and Paloma had the music world at the feet following Paloma’s meteoric rise from local Detroit music scene to international stages. When Paloma leaves it all behind including her relationship with Jace, the world is left to wondering what happened 20-ish years late. In an attempt to save a beloved music venue Jace agrees to track down Paloma and ask her to come back to the stage. Will the secrets that have been hiding for the last 20 years finally come to light?
I really wanted to enjoy this one. I love indie music and have distinct memories of the early 2000s being at all age clubs seeing bands who I now definitely could not afford to see in concert. However this just didn’t do it for me. We didn’t get to spend enough time in the before of the break up with either character to fully know where they were and when we meet them in the after I just was waiting to find out what was so huge that would lead to Paloma disappearing. I won’t say what it is as that would be a major spoiler but I found myself sighing and wanted to tell Paloma to stop being a chicken and actually talk to folks. The resolution that brings Paloma and Jace back together didn’t feel fleshed out or real enough for me to believe that these two could be happily for now let alone happily ever after. It just felt like there were a lot of things in the story that needed more time to flesh out.
Jace and Paloma had the music world at the feet following Paloma’s meteoric rise from local Detroit music scene to international stages. When Paloma leaves it all behind including her relationship with Jace, the world is left to wondering what happened 20-ish years late. In an attempt to save a beloved music venue Jace agrees to track down Paloma and ask her to come back to the stage. Will the secrets that have been hiding for the last 20 years finally come to light?
I really wanted to enjoy this one. I love indie music and have distinct memories of the early 2000s being at all age clubs seeing bands who I now definitely could not afford to see in concert. However this just didn’t do it for me. We didn’t get to spend enough time in the before of the break up with either character to fully know where they were and when we meet them in the after I just was waiting to find out what was so huge that would lead to Paloma disappearing. I won’t say what it is as that would be a major spoiler but I found myself sighing and wanted to tell Paloma to stop being a chicken and actually talk to folks. The resolution that brings Paloma and Jace back together didn’t feel fleshed out or real enough for me to believe that these two could be happily for now let alone happily ever after. It just felt like there were a lot of things in the story that needed more time to flesh out.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
With a kind of slow start and heavy detail on a city I've never been to, I wasn't entirely sure I was going to enjoy this book, but I ended up really getting into it. The sense of place and time was quite vivid for the portions of the book that took place in the late 90s/early 00s, and it was easy to imagine the Artemis in all its glory. The love story between Jace and Paloma could have been a little more fleshed out (like, we just know they met and got together, but the process of their falling in love doesn't really happen on the page), and the ending felt a little rushed after all the build-up, though the whole thing felt entirely plausible and emotional. The dual timelines and dual POV were done smoothly, and despite the beginning dragging a little, the pace picked up and kept me reading to find out what happened to the Artemis as much as what happened in the love story. Only thing that bugged me about the timelines was that I got the sense the present timeline (2023) was originally written to be closer to 2020, since the pandemic is mentioned so often, and it's just a little hard to believe that the Artemis could have taken such a financial hit and still made it 3 more years to when this book takes place.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House/Dial Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House/Dial Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
November 11, 2025
This book had such a strong premise, but the execution just didn’t land for me. Two queer musicians with a complicated past coming back together to save their favorite venue sounded emotional and gripping, but the chemistry between Jace and Paloma was just not there like it should have been. I couldn’t connect with the characters or find their love believable, and it’s hard to feel anything for the story when I just feel the main characters and their romance are not giving what they should have been.
The dual timeline, which included jumping between present day and the 90s, also didn’t do the book any favors. Instead of adding depth, it made things feel choppy and confusing at times. And because the emotional groundwork between the characters never really felt strong or clear, the whole relationship arc just fell flat.
The one thing I genuinely enjoyed was all the Michigan nods and I felt like I was really immersed in the setting. Those little details were fun, and felt authentic, which I appreciated. But overall, the story itself just didn’t hit the way I hoped it would. Great idea, great city for this love story… but the rest didn’t come together for me.
Thank you to NetGalley, Lisa Peers, and Dial Press Trade Paperback for the eARC of this book.
The dual timeline, which included jumping between present day and the 90s, also didn’t do the book any favors. Instead of adding depth, it made things feel choppy and confusing at times. And because the emotional groundwork between the characters never really felt strong or clear, the whole relationship arc just fell flat.
The one thing I genuinely enjoyed was all the Michigan nods and I felt like I was really immersed in the setting. Those little details were fun, and felt authentic, which I appreciated. But overall, the story itself just didn’t hit the way I hoped it would. Great idea, great city for this love story… but the rest didn’t come together for me.
Thank you to NetGalley, Lisa Peers, and Dial Press Trade Paperback for the eARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
You could tell Lisa Peers did a bunch of research for this book. The amount of music detail was astounding! I did feel like I was immersed into the world of a Detroit musical venue with local artists/bands who eventually moved on to more success.
The dual POV format where Jace's story was presented first, and then Paloma's, worked well for this book. It wasn't as confusing as I expected for the multiple timelines between current day and 20+ years ago; I feel like the author plotted this out so that no one would get confused.
As for the characters: I was not a fan of Jace at all (but maybe others will like her personality and attitude). I preferred Paloma's story, but I think this is because she had more hardships and relatable issues than Jace. Their chemistry was lacking for me, but I did appreciate how their interactions and mentality in their late 20s gave a basis for how they become reacquainted in their 50s.
In the end, this book was okay for me. I appreciated the diversity of the characters and the overall story, but couldn't connect with both of the main characters.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
The dual POV format where Jace's story was presented first, and then Paloma's, worked well for this book. It wasn't as confusing as I expected for the multiple timelines between current day and 20+ years ago; I feel like the author plotted this out so that no one would get confused.
As for the characters: I was not a fan of Jace at all (but maybe others will like her personality and attitude). I preferred Paloma's story, but I think this is because she had more hardships and relatable issues than Jace. Their chemistry was lacking for me, but I did appreciate how their interactions and mentality in their late 20s gave a basis for how they become reacquainted in their 50s.
In the end, this book was okay for me. I appreciated the diversity of the characters and the overall story, but couldn't connect with both of the main characters.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
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