The Beat of Barcelona

Unwritten Notes #1

by Joan Silverhill

Cori Elion never planned to fall in love in Barcelona. She came for the prestigious music program, determined to outrun the shadows of her past. Her plan? Keep her head down, and compose something that matters.

But Barcelona doesn’t play by her rules.

Enter Félix—a soulful guitarist with a crooked smile and a knack for reading her like sheet music.

And Jude Rhode—international pop star, walking distraction, and the promise of a no-strings-attached escape.

Caught between two men, two lives, and two versions of herself, Cori must decide: will she keep protecting her heart? Or finally risk letting it lead?

// Genre: friends-to-lovers, love triangle, MFM romance, travel romance

*Please check my official website for content warnings*

Genres: Friends To Lovers, Contemporary Romance, Found Family, He Falls First

350 pages, Paperback

Published September 25, 2025

About the author

Indie author, educator, and semi-professional overthinker. I enjoy tea, Netflix binge sessions, and suffocating my fur babies with cuddles. I live in Sweden with my gorgeous Viking husband, headstrong toddler, and a deep fear of being asked what my book is about at a party.

Reviews

[Winnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew I would love this book from the moment I got it.

The story sounded fresh and like a rom-com I couldn’t wait to dive into. Not to mention that the love triangle had me super excited to read it and see how it would go, too. I spent almost the first half the book going back and forth between the love interests, debating between the predictable and the plot twist, but soon enough, I picked my guy and didn’t let go.

Jude was, is, and forever will be, the best character in this book, and I will fight anyone on it. He was nice, generous, down to Earth, rich, patient, understanding, hot, compassionate, and an actual cinnamon roll. But I will get more into that later under the spoiler tag.

This was well-written and the characters realistic to a fault, which speaks highly of the author’s talent to portray fictional characters with their sets of flaws and virtues. I was also impressed by the way she made the city, and her descriptions of it, feel alive and like you were there, too.

Spoilers for the whole book:


ONE SIDE OF THE LOVE TRIANGLE: JUDE

#teamjude

I loved Jude with all my heart and then some. He was my baby, and the best part of this book for me. For more than half the book and until the very end, he was my absolute favorite character and I will protect him at all costs.

His scenes, far and in between and mostly with the MC, felt short, rushed and incomplete, but I will gladly take that over nothing. I wanted him to be happy and get everything he wanted, because he deserved it, but the more I read, the angrier I got on his behalf. As the story went on, he became the only character I was rooting for. He was nice, generous, down to Earth, rich, patient, understanding, hot, compassionate and an actual cinnamon roll.

He was there for the MC time and time again, either by literally being there to listen to her, help her, dine and wine her, bed her, make her laugh, swoon, feel desired, etc. or by doing things for her even when he didn’t have to (and most people wouldn’t).

Jude was supposed to be this stereotype of a famous rockstar living the celebrity life going from woman to woman, one hookup after the other. And that’s exactly what the MC wanted from him. A casual fling, something fun with no strings attached. He, on the other hand, was tired of that, and just wanted a minute to feel like any other person, to just be himself, his real self, not his rockstar persona. And my poor baby thought he had found that in MC.

Clearly things didn’t pan out for him. He gave MC everything she needed, in one way or another, and all he asked (though he didn’t actually ask) in return was for her to be there for him and support him, too. To be someone he could open up to and be vulnerable with. But nope. She was selfish and self-centered ´till the end. And the one time he actually did ask her to stop for a minute ´cause he needed someone to talk to, she rebuffed him and went on her merry way to chase after another guy, giving zero fucks about Jude, her actual lover. “Oh he’s a rockstar, he’s shallow, what could he possibly have or need to talk about? He can wait.”

And that was during a trip out of the country that HE had invited her and her friends to, all expenses paid, to celebrate her birthday. It was during that party that she couldn’t be bothered to give him 5 minutes of her time. To her own lover!! The one who threw that party for her in the first place!! He wasn’t even worth the smallest courtesy to her. And to think he was so happy for her and had hugged her with the biggest smile on his face after her performance on stage a couple of hours earlier!!

And then, when she broke up with him the next morning (after being about to cheat on him), he let her go with a sad smile, understanding that she didn’t want him, and even arranged for her to get a ride to the airport. And the poor guy even told her he would like it if they could still be friends!!

This woman didn’t deserve such a sweet man. A sweet man she and her friends had no problem taking monetary advantage of despite having spent a whole ass afternoon talking shit about him behind his back. One of the friends even had the audacity to pretend to be the MC and text Jude to make sure the tickets for the trip were first class. FIRST CLASS!!! When they had just been sitting there badmouthing him and calling him shallow and boring and I don’t know what else. The only good thing the MC had to say about him was that he was the god of sex. That’s it. As if that was all he amounted for to her. He wasn’t even a person to her, with his own set of wants and desires, hopes and fears. Nope. Sex. Just sex. As if that was the only thing he was worth talking to for. And as if that was the only thing he could possibly want and have on his mind 24/7.

And then, months after the break-up, HE was the one to reach out to her to congratulate her for whatever thing she had accomplished in her musical program. He called her and had the nice gesture of showing he was genuine when he said he wanted to be friends. He still thought fondly of her, whereas she had forgotten all about him and couldn’t care less. Ten years later, we hear from MC about the lives and whereabouts of everyone she knew back in the day, except for Jude. Not a single word about him. She never saw him as a person, much less a friend. MC didn’t keep in touch with the rockstar, and that’s why she didn’t even remember him when she was going down memory lane telling us what happened to everyone in the last 10 years.

The only thing keeping me sane was that Jude deserved better than this immature, selfish, self-centered, shallow, low self-esteemed woman who kept looking for approval and sexual validation in every man she crossed paths with, instead of going to therapy to work on herself and her issues. Anyone would do to her. It didn’t matter who it was. As long as they were male and couldn’t keep their eyes off of her, she was game. So yeah, Jude dodged a bullet there, which is the only thing I’m happy about. With the way she was, and the way she treated him and thought of him, it would have been devastating for them to end up together. She didn’t deserve him, and he deserved WAY more than her. So, good riddance, MC!! And all the best to you, Jude!!



THE MAIN CHARACTER: CORI

The first third of the book was exactly what I expected. Fresh, realistic, immersive in the city culture… And Cori, the MC, was pretty likeable and somewhat relatable. But then she took a turn for the absolute worst, showing sides of her I didn’t like one bit. Her red flags made me so mad, so, so mad, I have never in my life yelled at a character like that before. All of her actions, decisions, desires and mistakes came from her own self-esteem issues (I’m not even gonna get into her anxiety ones), which she should have been working on in therapy instead of going around looking for meaningless sex, sexual validation from men (any man), and eventually, true love.

The problem with her flawed persona was that she didn’t exist in a vacuum. She met people, she touched the lives (and hearts) of others, and had she been less immature, self-centered and shallow, it wouldn’t have been a problem. But it was, because she hurt literally everyone she knew during her time in Spain, aka, the three people she spent the most time with. And she did it without meaning to, just by being her flawed, toxic self!!

She hurt them by keeping to her guns and pushing them away, by going (or not going) for what she wanted, or by lying to them and to herself. And of course, the hurt from a break-up. She never, not once, put herself in someone else’s shoes. And when she finally did, she did it in order to stay in her comfort zone and do what she always did; pretend she didn’t want what she wanted, lying to herself that she couldn’t have it because someone else might want it more. Like wtf!!? This MC made my blood boil to the point I no longer rooted for her; in fact, I hated her guts SO much!! I didn’t even ship her with anyone anymore (except maybe a therapist).

All in all, I had fun reading this, and one thing’s for sure, I’m never gonna forget this book and all the things it made me feel, both the good and the bad. Which is why I'm gonna be first in line to read the next book in this series. I just can't wait!! #JUDEFTW

[Hannah :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️
I am honoured to have gotten to be an ARC reader for this book. This book was written so beautifully and it really felt like I was right there in Barcelona with Cori. I love how complex the characters are as they all felt so human. As a person with anxiety myself, Cori was a character I deeply related to on the overthinking front and the portrayal of panic attacks was done very tastefully.

Cori is a Canadian student who travels to Barcelona to study music but find herself torn between two guys. Her best friend, Felix, has been her rock since she arrived but there is also Jude, the super hot, famous musician. Cori has to undergo a process of finding herself and unpacking her childhood trauma and hesitations about love to finally allow herself to follow her heart. While going through this, Cori is chasing her dreams o becoming a composer and trying to find a way to make music that is real and is authentic to herself.

Though love triangles can often be frustrating in romance books, I think Joan did a great job with making us understand why Cori was having trouble choosing and we grew with her throughout the story so that when she made her choice, it made perfect sense.

Congratulations Joan on your first book, it was super amazing and I am grateful to have gotten to read it!

[Frida Hemborg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is filled with breathtaking scenery, exquisite music, intriguing characters and a journey of seldiscovery and growth. The Beat of Barcelona took me on a beautiful journey, where I got to follow Cori leaving her old life in Canada for a chance of spreading her wings and doing what she loves for a full year in the gorgeous city of Barcelona, Spain. Who at the start was a timid, unsure girl, who was afraid of love and dissapointing her family. And then towards the end, a woman who stands up for herself, goes after her dreams, and is finally ready to let love in. We also get two possible love interests, the popstar and the boy next door. Love triangles isn’t always my favourite, it needs to be done right, have some sort of purpose for our main character. And I really feel like the author delivered on that. Cori needed to experience both ends of the spectrum, to truly discover what she wants. And what a passionate experience it was 🔥 Friendship also plays a major part in this book, both new and old. Beautiful conversations, and beautiful relationships, that was a real treat to read.

This book also gives us a lot of soulsearching. Who am I, what do I want, and what do I need? A coming of age story but in adulthood. Which I find so important, because so many of us, don’t have everything together in our twenties. And you don’t have too. Just because you’re technically an adult, you’re still discovering new things about yourself, and what you want to do in life. I’m 31 and I’m still figuring things out. And that’s okay. Felt quite uplifted after reading this book, so thank you for that.

[Tracy Redden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. A delicious romance set in beautiful, vibrant Barcelona — what better place to dive into self-discovery and confront your insecurities.

Cori Elion leaves her small-town life in southern Ontario, Canada behind for a school year abroad, and what follows is a heartfelt journey of growth, love, and figuring out who she really is. She’s chasing her dreams, dealing with big decisions, and caught between two very different but equally compelling men.

“Felix and Jude were opposites, each carving their own corners in her heart. One was a quiet symphony, the other a blazing fire…” (I loved this line so much — totally sums up the dynamic.)

Having been to Barcelona and learned a bit about the Catalan culture myself, I really appreciated the setting even more. The author brings it to life in a way that feels real and meaningful.
I especially liked how each chapter started with a little paragraph from one of the two MMCs. It gave great insight into their personalities and made the love triangle even more engaging.

The spice? 🔥 Totally unexpected but woven in so naturally. It added to Cori’s journey in a way that felt empowering and authentic. She grows so much throughout the book — and not just her, but the side characters too, which I always appreciate.

And the epilogue? SO satisfying. Wrapped things up just the way I like it.

If you like a romance love triangle with strong character development, a dreamy European setting, and a good dose of heat, definitely give this one a read!

Thank you to the author Joan Silverhill for providing a copy of an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this debut romance novel which surprised me because I didn’t think I liked love triangles. I think it worked because the FMC Cori was so interesting and the way she was written made me want to know everything about her. It also didn’t hurt that both Jude and Felix had their own appealing attributes but I definitely hoped she’d end up with Felix from the start. I also loved the settings - the music conservatory, Cori’s apartment and the cities of Barcelona and Morocco - because they were so beautifully described. Thank you to author Joan Silverhill for reaching out and asking me to read this early. It truly was my pleasure.

[Reading_with_AAron · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an amazing story this debut Indie author told. Joan Silverhill painted Barcelona so clearly that I truly felt like I was transported there beside Cori, Felix, and the gang. I had the honor of being a beta reader for this book and I really enjoyed this vibrant experience.

Cori has left her home in Canada to travel to Barcelona to study music there where she meets Felix a fellow student. They are just friends for almost all the book because they are both fighting the attraction between them! Enter Jude, school alumni, hottest guy Cori has ever seen, and oh yeah, he is a legit rockstar! She gets swept in Jude's wake.

Cori has to learn let herself feel the music and stop suppressing her emotions. Can she let go or will her dreams of success fail at the conservatori?

I think this book would be great for young adults, it's not super spicy at all maybe 1 chili pepper, music lovers, and those that want more plot than smut!

[Christina ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Beat of Barcelona is such a great, fun read! It follows Cori who joins a music program in Barcelona. Determined to shed her old self, Cori puts herself out there more despite her crippling anxiety. And it pays off because she instantly hits it off with two other students in the program, Estel and Felix. She also catches the attention of international pop star Jude. As Cori grows closer to both Felix and Jude, she must confront her feelings for both of them while also confronting her own past after years of witnessing her parents’ resentment towards each other and not wanting to ever give into her feelings. This was such a great book that captures the beauty of Barcelona! It makes you feel like you are there. I also love the realistic portrayal of anxiety and panic attacks as well. I was definitely kicking my feet and blushing at a lot the scenes. Love the chemistry between Cori and one of the MMCs! I would say it was in 3rd person POV, which isn’t my favorite but wasn’t horrible. Thank you so much to the author Joan Silverhill for an arc copy 🫶

[Catrina Williamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great story about dealing with anxiety, imposter syndrome and navigating your own path. I loved the growth with our FMC and was cheering her on the whole way. It was a story that reminds us that life is never meant to be perfect.

Thank you for letting me be on the ARC team! I truly enjoyed this story ❤️

[Soph · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the words of Cori Oh my Bach.

As a first time ARC reader I was a bit apprehensive about starting this book. From the get go, you are able to imagine the scenery of Barcelona- alongside characters. With the introduction of each individual done slowly you are able to get a clear understanding of their looks and personality.

Joan has done an impeccable job in creating a novel that gives each person their own piece in the story.

If you want to read a book which captivates you from chapter one The Beat of Barcelona is the book for you.
Cori, as frustrating as she is with her beliefs about relationships, she is so admirably strong. With her battles against anxiety due to personal experiences growing up she did what she thought was right. To start off with.
Im glad this isn’t your typical love triangle, there was no cheating on one MMC for the other. Just the battle of a girl and her inner turmoil against relationships and why they will not work for her. However, as the story goes it shows, as in life, working through your own battles with help from friends (Estel and Daisy) and family- and also standing up for yourself- will help you regain clarity. Especially in times of chaos.
Growing in yourself, opens up wider fields in areas you may not have considered.
Daisy- Coris lifelong friend, was her constant. For many years in Canada and via Monthly letters to Barcelona. She gave Cori the feeling of stability, especially in times of unease. She is a straight and strong consistent in Coris story.
Estel- in the beginning of Coris transition from Canada to Barcelona, Estel helped turn the chaos into an organised mess. She became a constant source of confidence, a shoulder to lean on whenever times got tough and helped Cori learn more about the city she had moved to. All whilst attending the Conservatori Superior de Música. Without making Cori feel less alone as they had the stresses of schooling and relationships lingering around them. Like two peas in a pod.
Jude, oh Jude. You were just SO frustrating….. Frustratingly idyllic. Handsome, a world renowned musician, good at everything. you gave Cori the melody she needed in midst of chaos. Like when you’re on the phone and doodle on a sheet of paper. It’s like everything he was doing was a step in the right direction, but Coris views were so hazed.
Felix, oh Felix. There was so much miscommunication with your character. I LOVED you. But you were so frustrating. But with a little help from your friends you blossomed into something special. A few tweaks, and rough drafts later you became a song I became to love. You wear your heart on your sleeve and go above and beyond for others. Without wanting support for yourself. You are a gem Felix.

This book isn’t a closed door. There is spice but it isn’t 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️. There are a number of scenes varying in spice levels which allows things to be left to your imagination.

I’m really happy I got the chance to participate in this ARC read. I’m super greatful to Joan for allowing me to have this opportunity.

Congratulations on an epic story Joan! Hopefully there are many more to come❤️🥰

[Rachel Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!

Not only am I so honoured to have been selected to receive an ARC copy of this brilliant book, I am also writing this still deeply thinking about this book. I seriously enjoyed it. I don’t know much about Barcelona however, it is definitely on my list to travel too and hopefully very soon. I also don’t know much about the artist side of music, I am a passionate listener but it has made me want to learn more about music and composing.

Cori is such a relatable character, it was beyond empowering reading that Barca-Cori pushed through her anxieties and lived her life the way she wanted. Estel holds a special place in my heart.

Can I just say though….. I LOVE YOU FELIX!!! I enjoyed the love triangle aspect but I am Team Felix all the way from the first introduction.

Spice rating - 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ wowzaaaa

This book will be released to the public on 25/09/2025 and I cannot recommend to you enough to go out there and get this book. I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy.

I just want to thank Joan for giving me this amazing opportunity to read my first ever ARC copy, what a special one that was and it will forever be held in my heart!

The Beat of Barcelona - I love you.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was so fun reading this story and follow Cori through her dreams and relationships. Cori is a relatable character who struggles with overthinking and anxiety, but getting to read about her finding and following her dreams despite this was really inspiring. It was also fun to read about a love triangle and trying to figure out who would be the lucky guy for Cori!

Thank you so much Joan for allowing me to be an ARC reader for this book!

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Beat of Barcelona” by Joan Silverhill is a sweet and spicy contemporary romance set in the beautiful and rhythmic city of Barcelona. Canadian exchange student Cori Elion is studying at the prestigious music conservatory and gets a crash course in love, stability, and finding your place in the beat of the music. It is book one in “Unwritten Notes.” Depictions of anxiety, panic attacks, and family turmoil are present in the story, so review the trigger warnings page!

Tropes: Music Student FMC, Anxiety Rep, Love Triangles, FMC doesn’t believe in love, Will they/won’t they, slow burn, Best friends to ???, yearning

Heat Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️- Cori enjoys herself and isn’t shy about her pleasure in the least. Between love scenes and her imagination, “Beat of Barcelona” is as hot as a Spanish summer!

I understood Cori. Her anxieties, her desire to rebrand herself, and her fear of commitment all make sense. Even the love triangle she finds herself in is understandable. We see different sides of her from both of the men in her life. We see spontaneous Cori and peaceful Cori. We meet someone who appreciates Cori’s music and the peace she provides, and we meet someone who brings her peace and appreciates Cori’s spirit. I understood her wanting to appreciate the moment while also realizing the home she deserves is waiting for her. She just has to choose it.

The two love interests I spent the entire book rooting for in “A Beat of Barcelona” reminded me of two ships passing in the night. Between moments where the two ships pass, there is a period where they exist together before they go their separate ways from each other. In this book, all of the pieces line up and build to a perfect opportunity before it collapses. They just don’t line up…until they do. I wish I had more time with them, but we’d been watching them build and grow the entire time.

“The Beat of Barcelona” depicts Barcelona in a way that makes you feel as though you’re there. From the musicians in the street, mothers tending to their children, shops brimming with people, and the scents of coffee and pastries in the air, I was there to witness and bask in it all. Immersive and beautifully written, if you need to take a quick break, I recommend Silverhill’s Barcelona!

In the best of ways, “The Beat of Barcelona” is a Lifetime movie in novel form. We see a woman determined to find her place amongst the musical greats in a cultural center and navigate what she wants from love and life. Her friends, her love interests, and her growth make for a romantic coming-of-age spicy novel to bask in and celebrate a happy ending!

[afra · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️ The Beat of Barcelona by Joan Silverhill ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (No Spoilers)

If you enjoy:

✨ Love triangle trope

✨ Reading RomComs

✨ Heartfelt stories of self-discovery
Then this book is definitely for you!

I absolutely LOVED this debut romance novel - honestly, it might be my favorite read of the year so far. It’s such a fun, heartwarming story that I devoured from start to finish.

I don’t even know where to begin. First of all, the cover and title instantly caught my attention, and I could already tell I was about to dive into a special story. Even the little details - like the chapter openings with short quotes - make the reading experience more immersive. The author’s narrative voice feels polished and professional, perfectly suited to the story she’s telling.

The plot is fresh and engaging, blending rom-com energy with friends-to-lovers, love triangle, and self-discovery elements. As the title suggests, the main setting is Barcelona, and the story has a lovely travel romance vibe throughout. Joan Silverhill’s writing style is so vivid that you truly feel part of the story, especially when reading about Cori. At first, she’s a fragile, hesitant character, and as she grows, chases her dreams, and learns to value herself, you can’t help but feel proud of her. There are moments you’ll love her, moments you’ll get frustrated with her, and moments you’ll love her all over again - and that emotional rollercoaster is what makes this book so special. And then there’s Jude - everyone needs to meet with you jude. I won’t spoil anyone here, but when you read the book, please come back and update me, because we absolutely need to talk about it.

In short, I adored everything about this book: the setting, the characters, the tropes, the plot, and most of all, how deeply it made me feel despite being a rom-com.
I loved this book just as much at the end as I did on the very first page. It’s one of the best indie romance novels I’ve come across recently and it is available on Kindle Unlimited (DO NOT MISS IT!), and I’m already counting down the days until the sequel. I highly recommend giving it a chance - trust me, you won’t regret it. Don’t miss out on this one!

This is an ARC review. I appreciate receiving this copy from Joan Silverhill in return for an honest review.
#AD #SupportIndie #BookReview

[neeshreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️/5

Joan Silverhill is making her indie author debut with The Beat of Barcelona – a heartwarming third-person limited POV romance entwining music, friendship, and the courage to follow your dreams and your heart, even when it’s not the easiest path to travel.

🎶Friends to Lovers
💕Love Triangle
🎼Messy MCs
💕He Falls First
🎶Famous Love Interest
💕Strong Female Friendships
🎼Journey of Self-Discovery
💕Mental Health Representation (Anxiety)

Cori was used to taking the safe path, but now? She’s finally prioritizing herself and what she wants. With dreams of having a life that incorporates her love of music, Cori has landed her dream scholarship and is headed to Barcelona. Guitar in hand, Cori is determined to excel at her program and has zero plans to fall in love.

Enter:

Félix – a soulful guitarist with an enigmatic personality, crooked smile and an uncanny ability to read Cori like a piece of sheet music…but he’s just a friend…right?

Jude – an international pop star that is devastatingly handsome and a maddening distraction. But, Jude offers a no-strings attached escape, which is what Cori thinks she desperately needs because love is not in her future – her parents’ relationship is a testament that love isn’t a fairytale and a happily ever after isn’t attainable.

Cori is caught between two very different men, and two versions of herself. Will Cori run from the vulnerability or will she let go and compose her own happily ever after?

Silverhill creates beautiful and sometimes lyrical imagery, and you will be transported to Barcelona via sights, sounds, and smells. For those who are fans of flawed characters, Silverhill delivers characters who do not have everything figured out and are at transitional points in their lives. Cori’s inner turmoil of trying to find herself amidst having anxious thoughts and dealing with residual familial trauma from her parents’ tumultuous relationship is evident. Cori’s mental health struggles were relatable and I was invested in Cori’s growth, even at times when I felt frustrated with her choices. The road to a happily ever after was raw, real and messy, and those who enjoy love triangles and a coming of age story will enjoy this book!

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

📖 Romance

💓 Cori is determined to prove her worth as a musician but gets a little side-tracked along the way

💬 Cori’s grandfather always told her she was talented musician, but Cori is torn between following her passion and following her parents’ hopes and dreams. While in Spain at an elite conservatory, she meets two amazing guys- bad timing- she needs to focus on her studies if she wants a chance to truly succeed.

💓 Read if you like💓:
- Travel Romance
-Coming-of-Age
-Self Discovery
-Love Triangle
-Friends-to-Lovers
-Slow Burn

I’m super excited to tell you about this book by Joan Silverhill! I got to be a beta reader for her, which means I got to be one of the first people to read this- how cool is that?

I finished reading The Beat of Barcelona in a weekend. I was locked in and did not want to put it down!

Cori arrives in Barcelona and is nervous but feels thrilled to be able to dive in.

She makes friends right away-and connects very quickly with a guy and a girl. There is something about the guy, Félix, who attracts her right away. He is a local, who is also going to the conservatory, and he immediately enchants her with his genuine personality, his love for his city and culture, and his faith in her as a musician. Félix is a huge part of her personal journey, and on top of it, he’s a sweetheart- and a talented musician himself!

A guest speaker comes to present, and Cori is shocked when she sees it’s Jude Rhode from the most popular boy band- and her big celebrity crush. Her time spent with Jude is flashy and exciting and filled with passion and adventure- which is all well and good, but Cori has a job to do while in Spain and she finds herself feeing overwhelmed by it all.

Joan’s descriptions transported me and I felt like I was right there with Cori. Her writing style is beautiful. I loved the word choices she made throughout- they tickled my brain without making me feel totally confused. It was a pleasure to read The Beat of Barcelona, and I am looking forward to seeing it’s final product in September!

[Simone ❤️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to my love Joan for allowing me to ARC read this one, I was fully addicted from page one and I could not get enough of his beautifully chaotic story ❤️

Now we all know how much I love a good underline message in my reads and this one hit the nail on the head, the plot was perfectly complex yet so natural at the same time and I adored it, once it was added to Cori’s character development everything flowed perfectly. I related to Cori’s character so much especially as someone who has been diagnosed with anxiety I could related to so many of her thought patterns and triggers as well as her character flaws, from the people pleasing to wanting to avoid conflict even if it means scarifying her own happiness,I felt every single move that Cori made in my soul and nothing makes me happier than seeing her get the happy ending she deserved 🥹

I also adored how different our two love interests were; we got two funny, charming and sexy men with their own separate ways of winning Cori over and it was the best and that’s saying something as I’m not usually one to read the love triangle trope but I could not get enough of these two smoke shows and this addictive plot, the tension about who Cori would end up with along with the mystery of where she would end up in her music career had me hooked and when I say this book to over my brain I mean I literally struggled to think about ANYTHING else and I constantly had the urge to fire up my kindle app so that I could keep reading regardless of where I was 🤭

Overall, I adored this book; it was messy, chaotic and raw but real in the best way which I loved. I adored the connections between Cori and all of our characters both romantically and platonically along with all of the different plot points while still sticking to the same themes, it kept the book interesting while keeping everything paced perfectly which to me was perfect, I will miss Cori, Felix, Jude and the atmosphere of Barcelona but I cannot wait to see what else Joan has planned in the future and who our future main characters will be! 👀

[Migla M · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful love story full of the want to understand and find yourself, your path, growth, going head to head with your fears, insecurities and traumas. Loved it, 4.5/5 stars

I actually very related to the fmc - Cori - with her tendencies to be the perfect one, to overthink everything everywhere every time, to have some issues, that are still heavily impacting nowadays life. I think because it was so realistic and relatable I loved this book so much. It wasn't a beautiful fairytale, no it was a trial and error story, where people are real, full of good and bad sides, fears, weaknesses, insecurities and other things, that just stops them from being them, doing what they want and need. It also was inspiring to read about Cori, who with the help of her friends, her found family who were always there for her, started to open herself up, be true to herself and others, finding her voice.

Though I'm not really a love triangle girly, but here it worked, and though I was frustrated that my favourite people just would not take that one step to finally be together, I liked watching them to grow and understand what they're feeling, what they want or need to do. I especially adore Felix, who was so kind, sweet and understanding, and so so supportive, even if it hurt him, he would step aside and wait, because he respected Cori's wishes and needs. And just overall he was such a sweet soul, with his own scars, but such a beautiful and lovely character.

I also loved that the music was a big part of this story (I know, it was supposed to be that, because after all they all are musicians), but music itself is very emotional, that you can feel deep within your soul So the things that characters were going through perfectly resonated with musical storyline, it balanced and beautifully woven everything to one story.

It was a light, but beautiful and inspiring story, perfect for the ending of the summer - the story takes place in Barcelona by the way (if you still didn't know).

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I. LOVE. THIS. BOOK.

I can’t promise you’ll suddenly become a love-triangle fan, but what I can say is that this book handles it in such a refreshing and heartfelt way that it’s worth giving a chance.

Yes, it was torturingly slow-paced, but somehow it needed to be like that. It felt more like Cori’s journey of self-discovery than just a simple love story.

Honestly, I was a bit worried at first because Joan told me one of the tropes was a love triangle. I’ve never been a fan of love triangles, and usually avoid them. But The Beat of Barcelona hit differently. I understood why and how this happened to Cori, and it felt so real. Some aspects of her life even triggered me (not in a bad way—just in a way that reminded me of my own past). Maybe not in the exact same situation as Cori, but from a bigger-picture perspective. That’s why this book—and this review—feels a bit personal to me. Reading it was healing.

I also love how Joan wrote about Barcelona—it felt like I was traveling there myself, witnessing the beauty of the city through Cori’s eyes.

The story itself was steady—not a whirlwind of ups and downs—but the confusion in Cori’s feelings came across so genuinely. I love how Joan described every emotion Cori experienced: the doubts, the questions, the rawness of being torn between choices. Even though 3rd POV isn’t usually my favorite, I adjusted and ended up enjoying it a lot.

When it comes to the love interests, I actually loved both Félix and Jude for different reasons—just like Cori did. Félix had such soft, warm, understanding vibes; he’s a true sweetheart. Jude, on the other hand, had that sexy, irresistible energy and practically worshiped the ground Cori walked on (even though some of his actions did irritate me at times 😂).

The way it ended—the choice Cori made—felt just right. Even though it stung a little, it was exactly how it needed to be.

Thank you, Joan, for the eARC and for trusting me with Cori’s story. ❤️ I’m sorry it took me a while to finish, but I’m so glad I did. I’ll definitely be picking up the next book—Estel and Dex, hopefully? 😁

[Alex Winsor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, this book, is all of my early 2000’s rom com, nostalgic feelings, giggles and tears, yelling at the book to get their stuff together feelings kind of book and it’s all that I could have asked forI absolutely loved it.

The friendships and relationships in this book were amazing. I felt like I was sitting right there with them the whole time navigating the year in Barcelona between classes and everyday life.

Cori the FMC was a character I felt so connected to with how real and authentic she was. Navigating a new country in a place she barely speaks their language trying to get a fresh start for herself plus navigating some serious childhood issues and anxiety just made me click with her instantly. Throw in two beautiful men wanting her? Well might not connect with that part but was 100% for following that journey to the end 😂

I loved her journey and seeing her relationships with Felix and Jude was so good. I rarely do love triangles but the way this was written was perfect for me. I ate it up. By the end of the book I was about screaming at my kindle trying to get Cori to do what I wanted her to do.

I could not put this book down and ended up finishing it in one sitting. I could not recommend this book enough, this is an absolute must read as soon as release day gets here. Thank you so so so much for allowing me to be on you arc team @joansilverhillwrites and allowing me to have early access to this book. It is absolutely going to stick with me for a long time and i cannot wait to get a physical copy to annotate all of my favorite parts!

#arc #review #mustread #books #romance

[Megan Averill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Huge thanks to Joan Silverhill for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I flew through this book in just two days, and honestly, it could easily be devoured in one sitting. It's filled with breathtaking scenery, beautiful music, layered characters, and a heartfelt journey of self-discovery. It gave me early 2000s rom-com vibes in the best possible way!

Cori arrives in Barcelona, equal parts nervous and excited to begin a prestigious one-year music program. Almost immediately, she meets Félix, a soulful guitarist with a crooked smile and the uncanny ability to read her like sheet music. The two strike up a fast friendship. Then, during a lecture, a surprise guest speaker shows up: none other than Jude Rhode, international pop star and member of the boy band Neon Beat. He’s a walking distraction and the promise of a no-strings-attached escape.

I loved this love triangle, it was messy in the best way, full of chemistry, tension, and just the right amount of angst. It kept me fully invested and rooting for everyone at different points (even when I didn’t want to be!). The characters felt real, relatable, and fully fleshed out. And if you're a fan of slow-burn romance? You will absolutely eat this one up.

Beyond the romance, this book is also a beautiful story of self-reflection: Who am I? What do I want? What do I need? It’s a coming-of-age story set in adulthood, which felt so refreshing. Because let’s be honest, most of us don’t have it all figured out in our twenties, and that’s okay.

Highly recommend this one if you’re craving a heartfelt, romantic, and soul-searching read set against the dreamy backdrop of Barcelona!

[Enoki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended!

I had the honor of being a beta reader for this book, and oh-my, her story truly surprised me. The writing transported me to Barcelona in such a vivid and immersive way that I felt like I was living alongside the characters, this is how immersive her story was. Her attention to detail and her effort to capture the essence of the city with it’s vivid descriptions made it come alive on the page.

That same vividness extended to the characters, who were expressive and deeply engaging. The MC (easily my favorite BTW), stood out with her emotional depth. Her inner turmoil, doubts, and personal challenges that felt incredibly relatable, something many of us experience while trying to find our place in the world. And using music as a lens to portray that was a genius! The way each note was described, and how that reflected Corry’s character, kept me completely invested in her development.

The other characters were also well written and added charm and fun to the story through their interactions (I’m mainly talking about Estel and Felix).

Also, As someone mentioned in the reviews, the slow-burn romance was a bit frustrating at times, but strangely enough, it made me flip through the pages even faster to see how it would unfold. And the ending (without spoiling anything ofc) was satisfying and left me feeling nostalgic even though I had just finished the book. And this is how you know a story is really good, that bittersweet feeling only comes when you realize the story you just ended was genuinely striking and powerful.

[Keanah Carboni · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Beat of Barcelona is one of THE BEST romcoms I’ve read. It gives all the vibes of 90s and early 2000s romcoms, it made me laugh, cry and gave me a profound sense of belonging. I felt this book in my soul and truly think this has the potential of being the next booktok favourite.

One of my favourite things about TBOB is how it’s mostly from the FMC’s (Cori) POV but at the start of each chapter we see a little insight into the two MMC’s (Jude & Félix’s) POV. I really like that as a style of writing, it feels more fluid than swapping between characters POV.
I really appreciated how authentic the writing of multilingual characters is, they stumble, stutter and mix up their words, which those who speak more than one language can affirm experiencing (I know I have)!

I also love how multicultural it is, the Indian heritage, her moving from Canada, seeing her integrate into Spain and the culture there and then visiting Marrakesh and experiencing the culture there as well! It’s such a rich book in terms of culture and self identity/discovery.

Not only do we see Cori’s music and composition evolve but we see how the music and the culture changes her as well, and watch her grow into herself and own her imperfections.

Perhaps my favourite part though, was seeing her ten years later. Her achievements, her happiness, the family she always wanted, and living in the place where she learnt to be herself. It was such a beautiful and perfect full circle moment. A true, happily ever after.

[Jackie Ranson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Wow just wow! This book! Joan had me hooked from the dedication page to the end! I absolutely loved everything about this story! The love triangle, the city of Barcelona, the friendships and the music! It was beautiful! Really makes me want to take a trip to Spain!

Fèlix- tall, dark and mysterious man who when you listen to his guitar playing it makes you swoon and fall in love! Cori comes in just wanting to be friends and meets him.. can she just stay friends??

Jude- a superstar pop artist who can be a distraction for anyone. Handsome and talented and could sweep you off your feet by just smiling at you.. what do you have to lose? Especially if there are no strings attached to this beautiful soul.. exactly what Cori wants or so she thinks…

Cori caught up in a love triangle of two amazing men, trying to get through the music conservatory and proving to her parents that music is everything to her… can she really figure out her life in Barcelona?

Joan Silverhill a new and upcoming indie author debuts her first amazing story with The Beat of Barcelona! It will take you to places you wanna visit and never leave, fall in love with the music of the world and really make you think of what’s meant to become. This is definitely a book of finding yourself and making your dream into a reality.

❤️Friends to Lovers
🔺Love Triangle
🎶 He Falls First
❤️Messy MCs
🤩Famous Love Interest
💕Strong Female Friendships
😌Journey of Self-Discovery
💟Mental Health Representation (Anxiety)

[Gerard · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story overall was captivating, emotionally rich and beautifully written. The love triangle
was really compelling, the setting was vibrant, and the characters felt like real people. Minor
pacing tweaks (Like transitions in early chapters) could polish the story even more, but
overall, the emotional payoff was immaculate.

The ending was a MASTERPIECE, it was satisfying, warm and filled with love, for me, it was
a must-read romance novel for readers who crave depth, humor and unforgettable
chemistry between the characters, B-R-A-V-O!!

Positives:
1. Cori and Félix are beautifully developed, with relatable flaws, chemistry and
emotional depth.
2. Estel is a standout, she was hilarious, loyal and full of life throughout the story.
3. Depictions of the cities and places that the main characters went felt alive with
vivid, immersive details that made me feel that I was with them.
4. Throughout the story, emotions felt raw and believable.
5. Tension between the main characters throughout the novel was amazing, it was
passionate, full of tender moments and the payoff at the end was worth the wait.
6. Cori’s growth, from having self-doubt to confidence is amazingly written.
7. Sex scenes had so much detail that I was impressed, amazing writing skills,
congratulations!

Cons:
1. Minor adjustments on pacing needed in some chapters.
2. More filling in some chapters would be a nice addition.
Chapter Feedback
Chapter 1 – Someone who could keep up with his banter. Interesting.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ ┇ Bookstagram ┇ BookTok

I was gifted this arc months ago by the author and I’m embarrassed at how long it took me to finally read it. This was beautifully written, you really felt like you are in Barcelona.

The complex characters gave so much depth to this story. This is not just a lone story, it is about friendship & finding yourself. I loved watching Cori’s character growth.

I personally don’t mind love triangles, but I think if you aren’t a fan, you would still really enjoy this! I loved how one was a famous musician fun time & the other had more of a deep relationship. And the spice was perfect!

I loved the anxiety rep in this. As someone with anxiety, I truly connected with the FMC and her struggles with it.

‧₊˚✧𝓦𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽✧˚₊‧

➳❥ Friends to Lovers
➳❥ Love Triangle
➳❥ Exchange Student
➳❥ Strong Friendships
➳❥ Anxiety Rep
➳❥ He Falls First

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 𝓕𝓪𝓿 𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼

“𝙻𝚒𝚏𝚎'𝚜 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚖𝚞𝚜𝚒𝚌-𝚢𝚘𝚞'𝚛𝚎 𝚐𝚘𝚗𝚗𝚊 𝚑𝚒𝚝 𝚠𝚛𝚘𝚗𝚐 𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚎𝚜 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎𝚜, 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚍𝚘𝚎𝚜𝚗'𝚝 𝚛𝚞𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚘𝚕𝚎 𝚜𝚘𝚗𝚐.”

“𝙵𝚎𝚕𝚒𝚡 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙹𝚞𝚍𝚎 𝚠𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚘𝚙𝚙𝚘𝚜𝚒𝚝𝚎𝚜, 𝚎𝚊𝚌𝚑 𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚒𝚛 𝚘𝚠𝚗 𝚌𝚘𝚛𝚗𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚒𝚗 𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚝. 𝙾𝚗𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚊 𝚚𝚞𝚒𝚎𝚝 𝚜𝚢𝚖𝚙𝚑𝚘𝚗𝚢, 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚊 𝚋𝚕𝚊𝚣𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚏𝚒𝚛𝚎..”

“𝙵𝚘𝚛 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚒𝚝'𝚜 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚑, 𝙸 𝚗𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚜𝚊𝚠 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚜 𝚊 𝚍𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗.”

“𝚆𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚕𝚒𝚙𝚜 𝚝𝚘𝚞𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚍 𝚑𝚒𝚜, 𝚒𝚝 𝚏𝚎𝚕𝚝 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚕𝚍 𝚑𝚊𝚍 𝚝𝚒𝚕𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚘𝚗 𝚒𝚝𝚜 𝚊𝚡𝚒𝚜—𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚖𝚞𝚜𝚒𝚌 𝚑𝚊𝚍 𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚏𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍 𝚒𝚝𝚜 𝚖𝚒𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚎.”

“𝙳𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚖𝚎 𝚒𝚏 𝙸 𝚍𝚛𝚘𝚙 𝚝𝚘 𝚖𝚢 𝚔𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚙 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚐𝚘𝚍𝚍𝚎𝚜𝚜 𝚒𝚗 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚗𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚖𝚎.”

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for an ARC of this wonderful debut novel!

The Beat Of Barcelona follows Cori, a young aspiring music composer as she moves to Barcelona to complete a year of music study there. Throughout the book, we follow Cori as she discovers herself: through her music and the relationships she forms with others. This is a romance novel, containing a love triangle. Oddly enough, this book was less about the romance to me and more about Cori journey to become confident and secure in herself as a person.

I enjoyed the writing. It was easily consumed, engaging and kept me turning pages to see what was next. The descriptions were excellently done. I found it easy to slip into the Barcelona streets and wonder around with the characters. I won't say too much about the characters themselves because you need to judge them for yourself but, there are definitely ones I liked and ones I didn’t really care for. That being said: every character in the story is well fleshed out and reads as a whole person on page.

This story does contain explicit depictions of sequel encounters. In my opinion, this book would have been just as enjoyable without the open door scenes but they also didnt detract from the story either! They were written well and in a way that didnt pull me from the story.

Again, thank you to the author for allowing me the privilege of reading your debut novel 💜

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have received an advanced copy of The Beat of Barcelona from the author! 🫶

“Life’s like music - you’re going to hit wrong notes sometimes, but that doesn’t ruin the whole song.”

It’s time to give a standing ovation to The Beat of Barcelona is beautiful beyond words and I love this book to the moon and back! 🥹🩷 Joan Silverhill brings the magic of Barcelona and made me feel like I was in the city along with Cori experiencing it for the first time and it was magical and enchanting how detailed the imagery and descriptions are throughout! 🫶

Music is such a huge part of my life and has always been there for me through singing, writing songs, and playing the flute! 🎵 I love how this book shows the power of music and how it can evoke emotion and how it connects to others! 🫶 Cori is the main character and I relate to her on such a deep level because she deals with anxiety and reading her thoughts reminded me so much of myself so I felt for her throughout the story! 🥺💔

Do not even get me started with the two men in this book because they both got me giddy with excitement! 🤭🔥 I am beyond obsessed with this love triangle between Cori, Felix, and Jude which is saying a lot because I normally am not a person who loves love triangles but I loved this immensely! 😍 It was so amazing that I want to put this in the love triangle hall-of-fame! ❤️

[donutqueenie · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 60%.

Cori is in Barcelona for a music exchange program and finds more than she expected. (TW: panic attacks, mention of dementia, grief, infidelity)

“Maybe because he looked at her like she wasn’t broken.”

🇪🇸Spain
❤️ Friendship
🎹 Mental health rep
🇪🇸Third person POV
❤️Love triangle
🎹Music program
🇪🇸He falls first
❤️Lizzie McGuire movie vibes

DNF at 60% because of the spice content. When I was asked to beta read, I was told this book had no infidelity but it does. AND there’s a threesome. I would not have agreed to beta read if the author had been completely honest and transparent with me.

This book wasn’t for me but I did like the writing. The writing is breezy and funny with unexpected splashes of sarcasm. The pacing slowed down a bit in the middle for a few chapters but it wasn’t too distracting. From the half I did read, the characters had good depth and were starting to have some great development. The character of Cori was relatable and I liked the mental health representation.

Thank you to the author for the opportunity to beta read. Release 9/25/25. Best of luck on your release!

“Music is funny that way. It either makes you feel like you have a purpose or it leaves you questioning everything.”

[Allison Spillman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was truly SO good. I feel so lucky to have read it early, and inevitably be able to say "I knew Joan Silverhill when she was an indie author!" This was a debut, and you'd never know it. Funny, swoony, and heartfelt, it was fabulous from start to finish.

Cori was such a fun character - she was relatable, self-aware, and was able to grow from the start to the end of the book. I also loved that while she was a generally anxious character, she was still somehow self-assured enough to know when she needed to put herself first. One of the more well-rounded FMCs I have read in a contemporary romance book in some time.

And our love interests, Felix and Jude, were so different in the best ways. I definitely have my personal favorite (no spoilers found here), and anyone probably would while reading this book, but there is a genuine push and pull between them that is a fun dynamic. I loved the little snippets of their POVs that we would get at the beginning of each chapter.

Overall, if you love contemporary romance, music, and writing with wit, relatability, and surprising heart, you have got to read this book. Thank you to Joan for trusting me with reading this ARC and I can't wait to see what you do next!!

[Christie Bonny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc Review
The Beat of Barcelona by Joan Silverhill

This is Joan Silverhill's debut novel and with music vibes, an extremely talented FMC and 2 pretty Suave love interests, I was excited to get my hands on this for a fun time.

The book follows Cori a music student and anxiety rep with overbearing parents who don't agree with her life choices to travel across the world for an experience of a lifetime to join the exchange program at the Conservatory of Music in Barcelona with some of the most prestigious artists in their field.

This book was a fun read that had everything you would want in a girl abroad story. Majority of the story is over Cori's year long adventure alongside Felix, Jude and side character besties Daisy and Estell and other students. There is tension, travel, a little yearning, a little spice and I loved it all. The story is written in third person with limited POV which I found different to my usual reads and I enjoyed this quite a lot.

The Finale was perfectly done and I am looking forward to seeing where the little gold nugget tid bit Joan left us with takes us next. I'm hopeful.

Overall a great read and I am so grateful I got the opportunity to support a debut author.

"This isn't goodbye, it's hasta luego"

4.5 Stars
1 Chilli