What do you think?
Rate this book
Song of Belonging: A Novel
For fans of Kate Morton, Amy Harmon, and Sally Page comes a multigenerational novel infused with touches of magical realism about a woman’s journey to find her place in an uncertain world as she unravels her family’s legacy.
In 1934, a child’s death tears open a family and shakes the small town of Richarme, Louisiana. Recalling her grandmother’s hidden gifts that had been shut down decades earlier, Grace Paschal begins writing to her deceased daughter as she navigates grief and guilt for Lily’s death, which will haunt their French community for generations.
In 2019, Alice, Grace’s great-granddaughter, awakens in her apartment in Berkeley and opens a jewelry box given to her decades earlier upon Grace’s death. When she explores its contents, the lines between past and present fade. As she works to meet the demands of her career, her life turns upside-down when new and frequent memories that aren’t her own rise to the surface—memories that cause her to question everything about the life she has chosen.
A haunting and magical story of a family with hidden gifts and secrets, Song of Belonging follows Alice as she embarks on a journey to discover the truth about her ancestors and find her place in a lineage of women healers who protect the waters that surround their Louisiana home.
In 1934, a child’s death tears open a family and shakes the small town of Richarme, Louisiana. Recalling her grandmother’s hidden gifts that had been shut down decades earlier, Grace Paschal begins writing to her deceased daughter as she navigates grief and guilt for Lily’s death, which will haunt their French community for generations.
In 2019, Alice, Grace’s great-granddaughter, awakens in her apartment in Berkeley and opens a jewelry box given to her decades earlier upon Grace’s death. When she explores its contents, the lines between past and present fade. As she works to meet the demands of her career, her life turns upside-down when new and frequent memories that aren’t her own rise to the surface—memories that cause her to question everything about the life she has chosen.
A haunting and magical story of a family with hidden gifts and secrets, Song of Belonging follows Alice as she embarks on a journey to discover the truth about her ancestors and find her place in a lineage of women healers who protect the waters that surround their Louisiana home.
320 pages, Paperback
Published April 21, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 2, 2026
I enjoyed spending time in Alice’s world, or worlds should I say. Alice experienced some rather unusual happenings in her life due to her inherited connections with her ancestors and other worlds.
Alice’s great grandmother left her a special jewelry box, filled with an assortment of unique items. In essence, Grandmere Grace left Alice some presents, a blessing and an assignment of sorts, along with guidance for her life. What a legacy!
Magical realism is represented so well in this book. Dreamlike sequences were woven together with very realistic settings in a very recognizable world.
I enjoyed the deep family ties between many of the characters. I loved the new friendships that formed in such natural and genuine ways. I was drawn to the connections between humans and animals. Concern for our oceans and waterways is a prominent theme in this well written novel. There is so much to love in this book!
This quote, from page 124, pretty much sums up my love for reading. “ I just love stories. I love stories about all of the people who’ve lived on the Earth. I love reading about other cultures and time periods, imagining myself in other worlds.”
So very well done! So very much enjoyed!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from She Writes Press. All thoughts expressed in this review are mine.
Alice’s great grandmother left her a special jewelry box, filled with an assortment of unique items. In essence, Grandmere Grace left Alice some presents, a blessing and an assignment of sorts, along with guidance for her life. What a legacy!
Magical realism is represented so well in this book. Dreamlike sequences were woven together with very realistic settings in a very recognizable world.
I enjoyed the deep family ties between many of the characters. I loved the new friendships that formed in such natural and genuine ways. I was drawn to the connections between humans and animals. Concern for our oceans and waterways is a prominent theme in this well written novel. There is so much to love in this book!
This quote, from page 124, pretty much sums up my love for reading. “ I just love stories. I love stories about all of the people who’ve lived on the Earth. I love reading about other cultures and time periods, imagining myself in other worlds.”
So very well done! So very much enjoyed!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from She Writes Press. All thoughts expressed in this review are mine.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Michelle St. Romain's debut novel is excellent! I loved each and every one of the characters (well, except one -- and you'll figure out who that is!).
This is one of those books I was sad to finish. I want to know more, hear more, feel more.
Song of Belonging enchanted me with it's poetic style, depth, and respect for the challenges of family secrets. Michelle St. Romain is gifted with the art of writing and understands the craft very well.
🤞🏼this is a series that continues!!
This is one of those books I was sad to finish. I want to know more, hear more, feel more.
Song of Belonging enchanted me with it's poetic style, depth, and respect for the challenges of family secrets. Michelle St. Romain is gifted with the art of writing and understands the craft very well.
🤞🏼this is a series that continues!!
Read
January 10, 2026Here is Alice, a modern woman, who embarks on a journey to herself when she makes a mystical connection to her family's past. Her discoveries lead her -and us--to understand what being and belonging really mean.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Michelle St. Romain’s first novel is a fascinating tale told through generations of a Louisiana family, touching on themes both personal and universal. St. Romain’s writing is lyrical, and she shares generously here from her Louisiana upbringing. This is a deeply satisfying read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Michelle St. Romain' beautiful and evocative first novel delves the depths of family, the natural world, and love itself. Her finely wrought characters are compelling and relatable. Their journeys and discoveries will resonate long after you finish reading.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A book filled with history, family, mysticism, and climate concern. It shows multiple generations of protagonist Alice’s family and how their stories are intertwined. Animals and our influence on them and their habitats play a role.
Review of advance copy received from Publishers Weekly
A beautifully written novel! The generational story of the maternal side of St. Romain's family line, the story is written with prose and poetry, interwoven throughout the women and their respective stories. Part romance, part nostalgia, cast in love.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The haunting and gripping opening chapter sets the themes for this novel that spans generations. Michelle St. Romain writes in an authoritative voice that carries the reader along. It's exciting that this is the first of three novels that feature strong women and the history they carry. St. Romain keeps her narrative eye on the past in the context of the present and the future. Quite enjoyable and an excellent debut for this accomplished poet.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews