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The Girl In The Song : The NEW must read nostalgic and uplifting love story for fans of Mix Tape and Daisy Jones and the Six
The new nostalgic and uplifting debut of first love, second chances, and family secrets.
THE GIRL IN THE SONGEd’s Looking for the girl in the song...
Have you seen her?
Genie McNamara, a devoted wife and mother, hides a long-kept dark secret.
Ed 'Nasher' Nash, lead singer of The Mountaineers, is finally finding success with his love song "Used to Be," inspired by his first love Evie Del Rio, who vanished over 30 years ago.
The song's rise - boosted by a TV drama and a Netflix documentary - sparked the viral TikTok hashtag #thegirlinthesong.
Now with TikTok sleuth Amira Malik racing to find Evie before Ed does, will Ed and Evie get a second chance, or is this first love best left in the past?
Perfect for fans of The Mix Tape, Daisy Jones and the Six, and Eva Rice.
THE GIRL IN THE SONGEd’s Looking for the girl in the song...
Have you seen her?
Genie McNamara, a devoted wife and mother, hides a long-kept dark secret.
Ed 'Nasher' Nash, lead singer of The Mountaineers, is finally finding success with his love song "Used to Be," inspired by his first love Evie Del Rio, who vanished over 30 years ago.
The song's rise - boosted by a TV drama and a Netflix documentary - sparked the viral TikTok hashtag #thegirlinthesong.
Now with TikTok sleuth Amira Malik racing to find Evie before Ed does, will Ed and Evie get a second chance, or is this first love best left in the past?
Perfect for fans of The Mix Tape, Daisy Jones and the Six, and Eva Rice.
294 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 9, 2025
1 person is currently reading
20 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 15, 2025
Nice family drama with lovely short chapters to steam through. I found myself saying just one more chapter each morning.
Was hoping the ending would be different but enjoyed it.
Was hoping the ending would be different but enjoyed it.
October 7, 2025
Evie is a teenager with big ideas and a mom who quashes them! What’s a girl to do? Rebel, of course!
I wanted to give Evie a hug from the very first page, and all the way into her adult life as we follow her rise to unsolicited fame. But her husband, Gray, is the unsung hero here as they navigate her unsought exposure on TikTok.
When Ed Nash keeps searching for #thegirlinthesong things come to a head for Evie who now goes by the name Genie in hopes of maintaining her privacy.
This was a page-turner for me, and my favourite quote was: That’s the beauty of a long lasting and happy marriage; compromise and not holding a grudge for too long.
I wanted to give Evie a hug from the very first page, and all the way into her adult life as we follow her rise to unsolicited fame. But her husband, Gray, is the unsung hero here as they navigate her unsought exposure on TikTok.
When Ed Nash keeps searching for #thegirlinthesong things come to a head for Evie who now goes by the name Genie in hopes of maintaining her privacy.
This was a page-turner for me, and my favourite quote was: That’s the beauty of a long lasting and happy marriage; compromise and not holding a grudge for too long.
November 5, 2025
Daisy Jones style love story this is a strong debut filled with multiple layers of intruige.
The Girl In The Song follows multiple perspectives of but in the end, its a game of cat and mouse - will Evie stay truly hidden, or will the Ed and the general public manage to locate her?
I had the pleasure of reading this novel before publication for an honest review and I was inclined to think that this was a usual romance story but boy was I wrong! Turned out to be quite a gripping story about unforgotten love and a quest to seek answers.
Daisy Jones & The Six is one of my favourites by TJR and the story really evoked those feelings for me, anything to do with music I am sold! I loved the different variations of storytelling involved such as interview techniques etc.
What I most enjoyed about this book is the social commentary of social media and how a "witchhunt" can be entertaining but detrimental to the well being of the "witch" per se. Again, anything social commentary has me hooked so I couldn't have asked for a more me book. The characters felt fleshed out, their reasons justifiable.
The Girl In The Song follows multiple perspectives of but in the end, its a game of cat and mouse - will Evie stay truly hidden, or will the Ed and the general public manage to locate her?
I had the pleasure of reading this novel before publication for an honest review and I was inclined to think that this was a usual romance story but boy was I wrong! Turned out to be quite a gripping story about unforgotten love and a quest to seek answers.
Daisy Jones & The Six is one of my favourites by TJR and the story really evoked those feelings for me, anything to do with music I am sold! I loved the different variations of storytelling involved such as interview techniques etc.
What I most enjoyed about this book is the social commentary of social media and how a "witchhunt" can be entertaining but detrimental to the well being of the "witch" per se. Again, anything social commentary has me hooked so I couldn't have asked for a more me book. The characters felt fleshed out, their reasons justifiable.
September 22, 2025
The story in emojis: 🎸🎶👫🏼
3 things about this book:
•Dual Timeline
•Multiple POV
•Long lost love
ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Girl in the Song tells the story of Evie and Ed in a dual timeline with multiple perspectives (which differ significantly!)
I really felt so sorry for “Evie” because her young adult life was so heartbreaking, then when she seems to have got her life together Ed is able to really turn her life upside down! To some extent he turn her life upside both then and now and with the pressure that was out upon her for being the muse to the music, he put a lot of pressure on her.
I took an instant dislike to the character of Uncle Paul - the story very cleverly insinuated there was more to him than was on the page and it made me suspect quite a lot from him.
This was a really nice read and has been compared with Daisy Jones and the Six. I look forward to reading more from Sarah Watts.
October 12, 2025
The Girl in the Song is a debut novel that definitely packs an emotional punch, and it is a credit to the author’s storytelling.
From the initial chapters, I was drawn into the nostalgia of life in the 80s as a teenager and I enjoyed experiencing what this would’ve been like through the eyes of lovestruck teenagers Evie and Ed and felt my heart break a little when they were pulled apart.
I really enjoyed the alternating chapters between the past and present as this added a richness to the plot. It was interesting to see how Evie’s story unfolded and what led her to reinvent herself as Genie. I found Ed to be a complicated character and at times would’ve liked to give him some advice, but could also understand his need for closure.
The use of social media in this novel works really well. TikTok sleuthing is prevalent and in celebrity culture there are no bounds. My heart went out to Genie and her family, who were all of a sudden caught up in a social media storm.
Gray, Genie’s husband, is the unsung hero of this story and Feliticy Del Rio, Genie’s mother, is horrific. Both characters will stay with me for very different reasons.
From the initial chapters, I was drawn into the nostalgia of life in the 80s as a teenager and I enjoyed experiencing what this would’ve been like through the eyes of lovestruck teenagers Evie and Ed and felt my heart break a little when they were pulled apart.
I really enjoyed the alternating chapters between the past and present as this added a richness to the plot. It was interesting to see how Evie’s story unfolded and what led her to reinvent herself as Genie. I found Ed to be a complicated character and at times would’ve liked to give him some advice, but could also understand his need for closure.
The use of social media in this novel works really well. TikTok sleuthing is prevalent and in celebrity culture there are no bounds. My heart went out to Genie and her family, who were all of a sudden caught up in a social media storm.
Gray, Genie’s husband, is the unsung hero of this story and Feliticy Del Rio, Genie’s mother, is horrific. Both characters will stay with me for very different reasons.
October 6, 2025
I really enjoyed the premise of the story and I definitely would say I enjoyed the book. I didn’t like the different characters repeating what happened in the POV before, it’s something I don’t enjoy in any book. I also wasn’t a massive of fan of the main characters choices. I found Ed annoying exploiting a teenage relationship for fame; and I found Genie annoying with the secret keeping. But in my opinion if you dislike the main characters and still manage to enjoy the book then that shows good storytelling.
October 12, 2025
My final rating for this is a 4.5 stars possibly a 4.75 star I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Check out my post on insta- Booksnink.
Will post more thought here shortly. Also I am holding a giveaway so definitely check it out
Will post more thought here shortly. Also I am holding a giveaway so definitely check it out
October 2, 2025
Ed and Evie and Evie had a teenage romance before she suddenly disappeared… Many years later Ed is still searching for #thegirlinthesong in this brilliant page turner about coming to terms with the past and embracing the future.
Topics include teenage pregnancy, friendship, drink and drug use, love, social media, regret and family. Although some of the subjects raised are quite heavy this never loses the feel good vibe that the author skilfully weaves throughout.
Told in multiple points of view with a past and present timeline this has a great bunch of relatable, likeable characters and a well paced and intriguing plot, this is a real ‘just one more chapter’ book - I couldn’t put it down!
Oh - and I absolutely loved the ending!
Topics include teenage pregnancy, friendship, drink and drug use, love, social media, regret and family. Although some of the subjects raised are quite heavy this never loses the feel good vibe that the author skilfully weaves throughout.
Told in multiple points of view with a past and present timeline this has a great bunch of relatable, likeable characters and a well paced and intriguing plot, this is a real ‘just one more chapter’ book - I couldn’t put it down!
Oh - and I absolutely loved the ending!
October 5, 2025
Ed is making his big comeback with his band but their biggest hit, Used to be, leaves people asking who is the girl in the song. With a TikTok investigator on the case will they find out who inspired his song and what happened to her. Told from dual povs and timelines the story of how Ed and Evie fell in love and then they were torn apart. This will definitely warm your heart. Thank you to the author for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review
September 23, 2025
The Girl In The Song
I had the pleasure to read Sarah Watts debut novel and it did not disappoint.
The story is told over dual point of view with dual time lines- Ed and Evie’s/Genie’s teenage years and present day.
My heart breaks for them both and I think how stuff like this happened in real life makes it that much more heartbreaking.
I do not want to give too much away, however I do not like Evie’s mum - what a cruel character. Her dad seems spineless as well. Oh and Ed’s Uncle Paul is a douche canoe - with a lot of darkness inside.
Ed fronts an indie band that has had some success over the years especially with the song ‘The girl in the song”. Which is about his first love Evie del rio. Who disappeared without a goodbye and he has wondered ever since what happened.
A Netflix doc shines a new spotlight on the meaning behind the song and a tik tok search begins of people trying to find the girl who vanished.
If you want to know more have a read, it is out in October.
Thanks to Sarah Watts for the early reader copy.
Congratulations it is amazing.
I had the pleasure to read Sarah Watts debut novel and it did not disappoint.
The story is told over dual point of view with dual time lines- Ed and Evie’s/Genie’s teenage years and present day.
My heart breaks for them both and I think how stuff like this happened in real life makes it that much more heartbreaking.
I do not want to give too much away, however I do not like Evie’s mum - what a cruel character. Her dad seems spineless as well. Oh and Ed’s Uncle Paul is a douche canoe - with a lot of darkness inside.
Ed fronts an indie band that has had some success over the years especially with the song ‘The girl in the song”. Which is about his first love Evie del rio. Who disappeared without a goodbye and he has wondered ever since what happened.
A Netflix doc shines a new spotlight on the meaning behind the song and a tik tok search begins of people trying to find the girl who vanished.
If you want to know more have a read, it is out in October.
Thanks to Sarah Watts for the early reader copy.
Congratulations it is amazing.
November 3, 2025
I really enjoyed this one it certainly drew me in from the start with the parts about the Netflix documentary and Ed’s search for Evie.
Told in POV’s from both Evie and Ed and in dual timeline. I really enjoyed the past timeline from when Evie and Ed were teenagers in the 80’s it was so nostalgic. I really felt for Evie back then, I didn’t like her mother at all.
The use of social media was so relevant to today and I really enjoyed seeing it develop throughout the story. The effect it had on Genie and her family just goes to show how quickly the use of social media can turn the lives of people around.
I really hope there’s more to come from these characters.
Told in POV’s from both Evie and Ed and in dual timeline. I really enjoyed the past timeline from when Evie and Ed were teenagers in the 80’s it was so nostalgic. I really felt for Evie back then, I didn’t like her mother at all.
The use of social media was so relevant to today and I really enjoyed seeing it develop throughout the story. The effect it had on Genie and her family just goes to show how quickly the use of social media can turn the lives of people around.
I really hope there’s more to come from these characters.
September 14, 2025
An easy 5 stars for me.
Well written, I was itching to see what would happen next.
A great concept, and like how TikTok and Netflix added to the plot too.
I wanted to give Genie a hug, shake Grays hand, and listen to Ed's bands music. A wonderful concoction of characters that I was rooting for the whole way.
Itching for a book 2, to see where this goes next. Superb.
Well written, I was itching to see what would happen next.
A great concept, and like how TikTok and Netflix added to the plot too.
I wanted to give Genie a hug, shake Grays hand, and listen to Ed's bands music. A wonderful concoction of characters that I was rooting for the whole way.
Itching for a book 2, to see where this goes next. Superb.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews