You Won't Forget Me

by Mazey Eddings

You Won't Forget Me by Mazey Eddings is a forthcoming title from St. Martin's Press.

Genres: Romance, LGBT, Lesbian, Adult, Contemporary, Queer, Contemporary Romance

336 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication June 9, 2026

About the author

Mazey Eddings is a bestselling author, dentist, and (most importantly) stage mom to her cats, Yaya and Zadie. She can most often be found reading romance novels under her weighted blanket and asking her husband to bring her snacks. She's made it her personal mission in life to destigmatize mental health issues and write love stories for every brain. With roots in Ohio and Philadelphia, she now calls North Carolina home.

Reviews

[Jessica Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

a banger, but what else would we expect from Miss Mazey

[Lina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 / 5 Stars
This is the second book I’ve read by Mazey Eddings and I really enjoyed it! It centers on Cubby, a 23 year old musician whose ex just abandoned their group. Even worse, his first single is about how horrible their relationship was (as if he wasn’t the one who made it toxic). Luckily, she has her best friends Darcy and Harry to lean on. Within all of the chaos, Darcy and Cubby hook-up which is not confusing at all (it is) and they definitely do not pretend it didn’t happen the morning after (they do pretend). But pretending doesn’t mean the feelings just go away, which would be a lot already except that fans think Cubby and Harry are the ones who are dating. Trying to capitalize on the media attention, the band goes on a tour filled with fake dating between Cubby and Harry and so much angst and who knows what with Darcy and Cubby all while being scrutinized online. It’s a story about art, identity, and who we are in relationships.

You will probably like this book if you like:
🎸 Sapphic romance about bandmantes
🎸 Best friends to lovers
🎸 Queer awakening
🎸 Fake dating with the wrong person
🎸 Oops, there’s only one bed
🎸 Mental health rep (depression)
🎸 Discussion of society’s and media’s unfair treatment of women

I think Mazey Eddings is an exceptionally skilled writer. She is able to strike the perfect balance between humor (the book is really funny) and deep emotions. I highlighted so much of the book because she has this ability to perfectly sum up a situation or feeling with words that you wouldn’t have thought of but that are a perfect description. For example, in an attempt to feel like she has some control over all of the hate she is receiving online, Cubby gets addicted to checking her social media apps and Mazey says this: “The notifications have a barbed lasso around my brain, my neurons shriveling up like dehydrated fruit, howling in desperation for another dopamine hit.” The imagery of the barbed lasso is just so perfect and unexpected and interesting.

Because of her skills, I think Mazey does an amazing job of tackling complex themes and feelings in a way that doesn’t feel overwritten. Cubby is a complicated character – she has been made to feel like she is unloveable from her relationship with her ex, she is receiving so much hate online, she is not sure how to navigate her relationship with Harry and Darcy, she is filled with rage at the injustice of how her ex is being treated versus how she is being treated – she has a lot going on and yet all of her feelings and motivations make perfect sense. If there are miscommunications, they are totally justified. If she feels sad, mad, depressed, confused, happy, it is all perfectly crafted. I felt everything that she felt, related to her a lot, and was rooting for her the whole time.

I also love that the theme of how society, specifically how media, treats men (specifically heterosexual, cis, white men) differently from women and queer folks continued from Mazey’s previous book, “Well, Actually.” There is an exploration of that and how social media can impact mental health without feeling preachy and I liked how much anger Cubby felt about the situation (love to see female rage in a book).

Even though the plot synopsis feels like there will be a ton of things going on (the road trip, the fake dating, the love triangle, rock stars!), this book leans more on the side of talking, thinking, processing as opposed to action. It felt like folks moving to a new location, talking (or not talking) about their feelings, Cubby processing or internalizing it, and then moving to the next location. Sometimes that meant that the pacing just felt a little slow and while I usually prefer a little more external conflict, I was okay with most of the conflict being Cubby’s internal conflict because of the quality of the writing.

Overall, I am so excited for this to come out in June and in the meantime, I think I need to read more of Mazey’s back catalogue!

I highly recommend checking out Kelsey’s review (we buddy read together) because she has some really valid critiques!

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing this eARC! All opinions are my own.
Publication Date: June 9, 2026
_____________
Pre-Read Thoughts: Loved Mazey Eddings last book! Excited to buddy read this one with the incomparable Kelsey ❤️

[Kelsey S · Rating 3 out of 5]

▹TL;DR Review: Mazey’s writing style left me giggling and contemplative, but the pacing and focus left me frustrated.

▹My ⭐ Rating: ★★★ out of 5
▹Format: 📱 eReader

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy of this book and exchange for my honest review.

BLESS LINA, YALL. This is what I love about buddy reads with Lina. She allows us to celebrate our differences of opinion and as a safe space to discuss frustrations. Full transparency, Lina liked this book more than I did and has some very thoughtful points that hit home for her. I highly recommend you check out her review as well.

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○★○ What to Expect from This Book: ○★○

– About: After Connor—Cubby’s ex bandmate and ex boyfriend—steals one of her songs, Cubby and her band need her rally together for an upcoming US tour amidst a media frenzy that makes Cubby look like a backstabbing hussy. The good news for Cubby is that her childhood best friend Darcy is by her side. The not so good news is that new feelings form and add complication to what is arguably a very difficult time for Cubby.
– FMC: Cubby. A 23-year-old band leader, musician, lyricist who recently had a bad public breakup with ex-band mate Connor. Self-aware and articulate, but a bit lost.
– FMC 2: Darcy. A 23-year-old musician who was kicked out of her family for pursuing music. A bit closed off, but also a fun time.
– Location: All over (Iceland, the UK and the US)
– POV: Single first-person (Cubby)
– Spice: 2 open-door explicit spicy scenes
– Tropes: musicians, friends to lovers, queer awakening, healing after public breakup (there is also fake dating in this, but it is not between the main character and the other love interest)
– Triggers: cheating ex (mentioned, off-page), media frenzy around female celebs in romantic relationships, depression, social media addiction
– Representation: LGBTQ+ main characters and minor characters, women in music, mental health rep

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↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺ 1:00 ──ㅇ────── 4:12

Now Playing: Man from the Magazine by HAIM

╰┈➤ ❝Man from the magazine, what did you say? Do you make the same faces in bed? Hey, man, what kind of question is that? What did you really want me to say back?❞

─────────────────────────

★○ If You Like the Following, You Might Like This Book ○★

➼ Books where the main protagonist is in their head a lot vs. an emphasis on external communication
➼ Deep characters at a turning point in their lives that are thoughtfully written, much like the style of Cara Bastone

─────────────────────────

⍟»This or That«⍟

Character Driven——✧—————————Plot Driven
Insta Love/Lust————————✧———Slow Burn
Sweet——————✧—————Spicy
Light/Fluffy——————✧————Heavy/Emotional

─────────────────────────

🎯 My Thoughts:

“What rhymes with meaningless?“
“Penis puss”
😂

While I can appreciate both the story and the quality of the writing, this was ultimately a three-star read for me. Mazey’s prose is lovely and so funny—she reminds me in some ways of Cara Bastone—and her characters are written with real depth and care.

I ended up loving Cubby, but I felt more conflicted about Darcy. She isn’t unlikable, but she felt largely silent for the first 70% of the book, and her eventual shift—while understandable—felt underdeveloped. My biggest issue overall was pacing and focus. I adored the prologue and opening chapters, but the middle (roughly 15–65%) struggled to hold my attention. Much of the first half centers on Cubby’s relationships with Connor and Harry. I appreciated the commentary on the impossible standards placed on female celebrities, especially musicians, but this emphasis often made the Darcy/Cubby relationship feel secondary.

One of my favorite scenes was Darcy and Cubby discussing Cubby’s addiction to validation through social media and how that impacted Darcy’s hesitation—that moment felt honest and beautifully done. However, I was disappointed that a deeply explored mental health thread ultimately felt too closely tied to the romantic arc.

All said and done, this was a beautiful read that fans of Mazey’s will enjoy.

Bonus: Fans of her books Tilly in Technicolor and Well, Actually will love the little Easter eggs.


———-
Another buddy read with my best pal Lina.

[Larareads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"I would erase every song in the world if it meant bringing you back to me."

"I know her lips better than my own, their every smile, every frown. I know the corner she bites when she's upset and the spot in the center when she's holding back a laugh. I know how she purses them when she's frustrated and how they get cracked in the winter."

"She's my muse and my torment and my best friend and the love of my life."

This book was a masterpice and I'm literally lost for words. Finished it in about 3-4 hours and than I spend most of that day staring at a wall and thinking about Cubby and Darcy and Harry and Kale and Skull. I love all of them sooo much, but I adore Cubby and Darcy. The friends to lovers romance was fucking incredible and I'm a person who hates this trope with all my heart... but Cubby and Darcy, their friendship, their soft moments and everything in their relationship was just perfection. I didn't think I would love a rock band romance but I definitely did.
The book touches on some thought topics like depression and grief and alcoholism and I loved how Mazey Eddings wrote about these.

What seemed like it was missing for me personally was how small the book was. I mean, it's 350 pages, but I would have definitely read another 150-200. I wanted more of Cubby and Darcy together in the end, I wanted to see Darcy confronting her family and I wanted more with the band.

I really really hope Mazey will write more about these characters, because I'm definitely not ready to leave them behind.

[Anvita (anvitascorner) · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love them with everything in me (pls give me a book on harry squared!!!!!!)

[Andrea (looselfeftlesbian) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

As I get older, I find it harder to relate to characters in their early 20s, so when I began the novel and saw that the MCS would be in their early 20s (around 23) I was apprehensive that I would be able to relate and not have the thought of them being immature. In this instance, it’s honestly the members of Cubby’s band that piss me off. They are labeling her as dramatic for having valid feelings about being called a slut and a whore for literally existing. It infuriated me to see ALL of them dismiss her feelings. Even Darcy does, which also brings me to the fact of them hooking up. If my best friend said they barely remembered the night before( doesn’t matter that she’s lying) I would be freaking out.. because if you can’t remember, then that’s a consent issue. But Darcy doesn’t seem bothered at all.

With that being said, the writing is amazing and I didn’t expect anything else from the author. I was able to read it quickly because it flowed so well. Mazey is amazing at writing and keeping the reader engaged.

Thank god for Oliver, Cubby’s twin brother for being the voice of reason and seeing how. much all the sexist hate she is getting is affecting her. Once again, her bandmates piss me off by their lack of empathy.

The characters are definitely flawed. I felt myself screaming at Cubby for some of the choices she made. But I do feel like that is a testament to the writing. Is angst my preference? Not really, but I don’t think the story could’ve worked without it.

I loved the representation of autism and Cubby having two moms. I don’t think I’ve ever read a novel where one of the MCs had two same sex parents.


Overall, I enjoyed the book. I still think Cubby deserved better in terms of friends and bandmates. like I said earlier, I read this pretty fast and I attribute that to how well the author writes.

[Riley Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my god I don’t even know where to start with this book. If you’re queer and have ever kissed one of your friends to “practice” this book is for you. If you’ve ever been scared to come out because of your parents this book is for you. If you ever thought of risking the friendship… READ THIS BOOK!

The book starts out with the main character, Cubby, and her best friend Darcy kissing so Cubby can practice for a date with her bandmate. The bandmate she later on ends up dating on and off for five years. Fast forward to after their breakup Conners musical career takes off leaving Cubby and the rest of the band behind to pick up the broken pieces. Stuck in a rut, overstimulated by the internet, and obviously frustrated at her exes slights towards her in his new single Cubby and the band end up writing a song and then going to a bar and celebrating. Cubby and Darcy get drunk and hook up. A magical moment they both feel so deep inside of them, that they proceed to never talk about again. While on tour. While Cubby is supposed to fake a romantic relationship with Harry their pianist who also happens to be her exes closest friend. Surprise surprise they run from their feelings and end up hurting each other.

Cubby love was such a trip in this book. She’s feisty, she’s outspoken, she’s fucking awesome. She’s also a really good representation of someone who’s depressed. Not only that but a lot of her depression revolves around social media. In an addictive relationship with instagram, news outlets, and Snapchat Cubby finds herself in a constant cycle checking to see what the next hateful person has to say about her and her screwed up love life. All the while she’s pining for Darcy and trying to come to terms with her sexuality. Unknowingly Darcy is doing the same thing. A pretty relatable thing for most people my age. I think most people are in a toxic relationship with social media, I deleted all of mine a few years back and only resurface every so often to let my friends back home know I’m still alive. It took Darcy throwing Cubby’s phone into the ocean for her to stop the compulsion.

It’s kind of funny reading a plot line that feels like it’s picked right from your own life. While I related to Darcy a lot due to her taste in books and adventurous spirit, Cubby was a constant reminder that I too have been in her shoes before. Nothing like a good romance that hits home. The only difference? They fell in love.

At the beginning I found myself feeling angry toward Darcy for constantly shoving Cubby off when she wanted to talk about what happened or her feelings. It can be challenging as someone who’s never had a queer experience to rationalize what’s going on in their head, especially when it’s your best friend nonetheless. This is true for both girls. However, towards the end of the book Darcy finally opens up about her fears because of the way she was raised. The full circle moment made me love her even more. Angsty twenty something year olds trying to process emotions is funny to read about when you experience it every day lol.

True to the amazing story line, Darcy comes out on social media as pan and declares her love for Cubby. It ends with a kiss in front of a crowd at a pride parade and then radio silence from the entire band on all platforms. When I tell you I could not stop crying, I mean I sobbed in bed for a while after I was done. This book really touched a place in my heart I haven’t revisited in a while. A younger version of me would have thrown this at a wall and screamed that it’s unfair that they got what I couldn’t have. A healed version of me cried over how beautiful love can be and the hope that has returned to my heart. This will be a book I come back to often keeping it tucked safely away in my heart.

I think Mazey Eddings did a wonderful job at touching on subjects like gay panic, depression, compulsion/obsession, and the process of creating music. I felt fully immersed the entire time I was reading this. Not wanting to put it down for even a second. The plot delivered nothing but laughs, tension, and longing. The characters were lovable and relatable. The banter was so good, even when the band was fighting. Everything about this was perfect for me! So grateful for the opportunity to have read it before it was released! Also this was my first NetGalley book eeeeek!!!!!

Fingers crossed we get Harry & Kale’s story next!!!!!!

ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review.

[Angie Miale · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rock-n-roll romance with a lot of ambition and a lot of heart. Cubby is the leader of a band in Iceland, they are about the make it big when their lead guitarist and her recent ex goes out on his own, steals her lyrics, and hits it big with a song about her. She is understandably furious at him. Thank God she has her best friend Darcy, the bassist, and her other friends in the band. Soon a post by Harry, Connor's best friend, suggests that she and Harry are an item. So they, naturally, start fake dating, the Trope of 2026.

This is a bit of a twist on fake dating, because Cubby is in love with Darcy, not Harry. She has a twin brother, Oliver. Oliver and his girlfriend Tilly are my favorite part of this book, I only wish they were on page more often. Oliver is autistic and he and Cubby have two moms. Despite this, Cubby is still ingrained in heteronormativity and is confused by her sexuality. There is a dee sadness and depression to her, and Connor treated her as if she were hard to love. This is hardest and most awful thing to hear as someone with depression.

Stories about straight passing women dealing with wondering if they are queer are not for everyone. But that is this book, and while it is done very respectfully this is hard for some to read.

This one grew on me over time with some of the storylines and other storylines I felt were unnecessary. But I am glad to see that Mazey Eddings finally used her dentist skills for a storyline- no spoilers. Did you know Mazey Eddings is a dentist? #random

3.5/5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the ARC. Book to be published June 9, 2026.

SMPEarlyReaders

[SuzieQuzie7973 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Thank you Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Mazey Eddings for sharing this ARC with me, in exchange for my honest review.

You Won't Forget Me, how do I love thee, let me count the ways. This book is a masterpiece, amazing friends-to-lovers and rock band Romance. Darcy and Cubby are a couple that I fell in love with. I just love everything about this book. Ms. Mazey touches on some tough topics like depression, grief and alcoholism. The world building is top notch.

I wholeheartedly recommend that y'all get y'alls hands on this book, y'all won't regret it, trust me.

[hannah!]

cubby was the best in tilly in technicolour so i hope this is also great!

[Rikki Ziegelman · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were so many things I loved about this book and a handful of things I didn’t love. But the one thing I really think this book does wrong is the title and the cover. The romance between Cubby and Darcy, in my opinion, took a backseat to the story with the band. Sure they’re intertwined, but this book really was about Cubby and her dynamic with the band members and fame and how she navigated that. I know for marketing ethics this imagery sells better, but isn’t what the entire book advises against? Authenticity and not pleasing your audience?

But please be rest assured, I really did love the book! I loved “Late Bloomer” so when I saw Eddings had a new sapphic book coming out and that it was available on NetGalley, I snatched it up and it certainly did not disappoint. I loved Cubby and Darcy’s dynamic and it was a lovely take on the best friends to lovers trope. I also really enjoyed all of the quirky characters and how morally gray everyone was. Cubby was a little insufferable and immature at times, but I think that really made her human. So I’m giving this a 4 stars, but really I would say it’s a 4.5!

Thanks to NetGalley & the publishers for the ARC!

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an auto-read author for me. And so when her next was available from NetGalley, I snatched it up and started it immediately. Sadly, this book was not for me. The books in her first trilogy are among my favorites - great mental-health rom coms - but this was just too… immature.

Two lifelong friends in a band together grow into something more. While one of them has to fake-date another band member.

Oh good god, is there a lot about this band. Is that a thing now? Because I recently read STILL INTO YOU and there was also a lot about a band in that… is this some kind of fanfic thing I don’t understand?

Anyway. I felt nothing from these people. I don’t care to read articles about a fake band and songwriting sessions and lyrics. It felt extremely YA. And by Young Adult, I mean a 13-year-old girl who dreams of being 22, British, in a band, and in love with her best friend. The themes of discovering your sexuality and the toxicity of social media are probably great for that girl. It could very well be a 5-star read for that girl. But for me, it just read as too immature. Sorry.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew! The angst in this story. I just wanted to jump in the story and hold Cubby tight and just shower her with support and safety! Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for granting my request for an advance review copy for free, I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Getting to know Cubby was as wonderful as it was heartbreaking. I adored Daisy, most of the time, and understand and empathize with her motivations. She also deserves the world. Together, these two are a force. Unfortunately outside forces and internal conflict cause their lights and bond to dim.

Highly recommend. So many feels. Wonderful representation of mental health, depression, anxiety and identity just to name a few. Lots of lyrics and music and travel. Some of the accommodations are a hoot. Grab a stress ball and some tissues and snuggle up for Cubby and Daisy’s story!

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank you netgalley and mazey eddings for the ARC !!

soooo i finished this in one sitting 🫣

cubby is very stubborn and outspoken and also a people pleaser who is pretty on par with her brain development as a 23 yr old lol

the messy band dynamics in tabloids were fun to read but had me on edge. would love to know what happened with the harry’s after the epilogue

connor reminded me of an ex i personally had in my early 20s and i wanted to punch him in the face tbh

some parts of the book felt a little disjointed and i wanted more of the gooey romance towards the end. i think i would likely classify this as a slow burn, grumpy x sunshine

the book does handle some topics like depression and compulsive behaviors as well as sexism and homophobia

[Beth Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another delightful and yet raw romance by Mazey Eddings. Lucky that I was able to read an advance copy from NetGalley. Cubby, Darcy, Harry, Kale and Skull go from a literal band of misfit characters to a true family and band. I also love the depth and challenges Mazey gives her characters in all of her books.

[Audra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love love. Give me 15 of them rn. This books comes out this june 9th 2026 so check it out!

[Kylie]

read 50% and just could not get into it. the characters are not interesting me

[Sylvie {Semi-Hiatus}]

*Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an arc in exchange for an honest review!*

Covers like these are my weakness.

[Stephanie ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for an advanced reading copy of this book!

I would like to think of this book as Daisy Jones and the Six but instead of Daisy and Billy, it's Daisy and Karen having the whirlwind affair.

First, my overall rating is going to be 4.5, 4 for GoodReads. I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed this. Overall, it was a really exhilarating and moving story about love, acceptance, music and what it means to be an artist while trying to navigate the world around you.

I'll start off with what I didn't like, which are small, inconsequential things in the grand scheme of everything else within the story. First, the character of Connor. He was, to me, cartoonishly evil. It was easy to despise him because everything he did and his character traits all came down to screwing over Cubby and the band and having absolutely no remorse or redeeming qualities. It would have been okay if he was irredeemable, but maybe have more to him than just being the Big Bad Ex. I also didn't like Cubby's name. Very small and inconsequential like I said, but it would take me out of the story a little when someone was addressing her. The saving grace was Darcy calling her "Cubby love." It got to me and my little queer heart.

What I did like, and what is lasting with me as I type this, is Cubby's depression and how her compulsions manifest in her routine and often self-destructive nature. Her inability to stop checking social media and attempting to receive serotonin through what a plethora of strangers are saying about her felt like a near call-out. She moves through her newfound fame and celebrity by what the consensus is about her online, often at the detriment of her own mental health and well-being. The scene when Cubby calls her moms after a particularly nasty fight with the band really resonated with me. Cubby cries to her moms about what's been happening and how bad she's feeling, stating that she feels like she doesn't even have a reason to be sad or claim depression overall. It hit me right in the face because while my life overall is good, I still feel like Cubby, that I can't claim depression or have a reason to be sad. It was so impactful and relatable, and I need to know when and how Eddings got into my brain and pulled this out.

I found myself rooting for everyone in this story, sans Connor. I was sad when Cubby was sad, I felt the exhilaration when they would perform and like DJatS, I wanted so desperately to hear all these songs. I was angry and frustrated and felt scrappy when they would hit setbacks. They all felt real and palpable and eclectic. I want more. I want to live with these people and watch them succeed and fall in love and thrive. I am very grateful for the opportunity to read this and experience this world and feel seen. It's a rare and magical thing and I can't wait for the rest of the world to share in it once this is officially published.

[SJARR ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars! My first Mazey Eddings book! I have had some stuff by this author on my TBR for a while, so I was really excited to get to read this one early.
The verdict is: good story, enjoyable plot, some unfortunate toxicity but decent resolutions.

My feelings about Cubby and Darcy as a couple are undecided.
I’m here for a friends-to-lovers romance, always. But baby in this case, I was at times skeptical on if they should have been friends or not.
Darcy is just kind of toxic.

Justice for Cubby, honestly. The recurring thought that kept popping into my head throughout this entire story.
The quickness with which all of her bandmates/“friends” (including Darcy) offered up her pride, public image and emotional wellbeing for a chance at fame. Crazy.
AND, the way they all turned on her in 0.2 seconds when they thought she did something they didn’t like.
Someone get my girl Cubby out of there. ASAP.

I do like the whole band dynamic/plot that this story has though.
I wish they all would have been better to each other, because it would have been nice to see a group of friends acting as a strong support system. but, oh well.

It should be said though, that closer to the end of the story things pick up emotionally.
I think everyone matured a bit, and overcame some of the forces that were driving their behavior.
I came to like some of the characters a lot more by that point, and I could actually somewhat see Cubby and Darcy as a cute and loving couple.

Cubby’s realization that she doesn’t understand her own sexuality and her self-exploration were endearing.
I like it when adult characters are written in a way that they still don’t have everything figured out, because that is so real. (granted, she is still young, but my point remains).
Sometimes it’s just nice to read about someone discovering huge things about themselves, and learning how to handle it during a time where it seems like everyone else has already done it.

I think this was worth the read, and I enjoyed parts of it. but it does come with some elements that were less-than appealing to me, which impacted my rating.
I do think that if you enjoy celebrity romances/band themes in books- you would probably like this one.

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press | St. Martin’s Griffin and author Mazey Eddings, for providing me with the eARC of “You Won’t Forget Me”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: June 09, 2026

[Lindsay Ottens · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A masterpiece that cracked my chest wide open

Thank you, NetGalley, for this ARC!!! I’m two days post-read and still thinking about this book. Honestly? I don’t even know how to move on. You Won’t Forget Me is one of those heartbreakingly beautiful stories that settles into your bones and refuses to leave.

From page one, Mazey Eddings delivers writing so raw and intimate it almost hurt to keep reading—but I couldn’t stop. Cubby’s life is spiraling, her sense of self fracturing in real time, and it is absolutely devastating to witness. Her voice, her pain, her longing… it felt real. Like I was holding someone’s heart in my hands.

And the quotes?? I’m gonna be thinking about these forever:

“I would erase every song in the world if it meant bringing you back to me.” —Darcy

“She’s my muse and my torment and my best friend and the love of my life.” —Cubby

Tell me HOW I’m supposed to function after reading lines like that.

The whole band—Darcy, Harry, Kale, Skull—felt like a messy, fierce, found-family hug. But Cubby and Darcy? Ohhh my GOD. Their friends-to-lovers arc was absolute perfection. And listen, I normally hate this trope with my whole chest… but not here. Their softness, the history humming between them, the slow unraveling of something they were both too scared to name—it was flawless. And the rock-band setting? I didn’t think I’d care, but I ended up obsessed.

Eddings doesn’t shy away from the heavy stuff either. Depression, grief, alcoholism, shame, the brutal ache of trying to figure out who you are when the world has already labeled you—she handles it all with honesty and compassion. Cubby’s fixation on her public persona, the internet spiral, the desperate grip on a “narrative” she could never control… it hit way too close.

At times this book felt like the literary equivalent of that one song you listen to alone at night because it understands you better than you understand yourself. It took me back to my early twenties —to when I felt confused, angry, guilty, when I was trying so hard to make sense of myself but finding solace in music and art because nothing else felt safe.

By the end, I was a complete mess of emotions in the best possible way. You Won’t Forget Me is a reminder that healing isn’t linear, that identity is complicated, and that even in the darkest seasons, love and connection still find their way in.

A masterpiece I’ll be thinking about them for a long, long time.

[dharabooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this ARC through NetGalley on a whim — friends have recommended Mazey Eddings before, cute cover, interesting synopsis — because I figured it would be a good time.


I did not expect to get completely sucked in & totally unable to focus on anything else all evening. Holy shit. I love Cubby as a narrator — her voice absolutely captures what it’s like to be 23 & figuring yourself out (messily) while pursuing your vocational passion (also messily) and dealing with your love life (even more messily). You feel everything so intensely, and you’re an adult but still very new at it, so you have all the responsibilities but none of the experience / judgment, and there’s so much pressure to get it all right and know what to do… yeah. Eddings absolutely nailed that feeling.


I also love that Cubby’s voice is so unflinching in her anger as a young woman dealing with the rampant misogyny of her industry as well as society at large. She’s so fucking pissed off, and I loved that at times her anger helped save her from her own depressive spiral. Yes, anger can be destructive and unhealthy, but sometimes anger is an important part of our survival instinct. Cubby struggles with depression, and the aftermath of an emotionally abusive boyfriend who reinforced all of her self-doubt (and taught her to hate herself / question her basic worth) — all of which is portrayed in a very realistic way — but I found it very relatable that despite the despair, she was still ANGRY. I loved that, in spite of everything, she knew that she deserved better and she was furious. And, on the other side of it, I also loved that the genuine love & friendship of her bandmates and her family helped ground her & helped her find a way through the entire mess.


I won’t repeat the book synopsis here — suffice to say, I think Eddings did a fantastic job delivering on the entire premise. I love that we got some of the fake dating trope and some love triangle business without ever approaching trite Which Boy Wins territory; I love that Cubby and Harry were able to navigate a (sometimes) romantically-tinged friendship with grace; I love, love, loooove the best friends to lovers journey for Cubby and Darcy.


On the whole, a very fun read with fantastic romance and fantastic friendships, which also handled sensitive topics with grace.

[jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I think about you," I blurt out, voice rough. "I think about you all the time. It's always you."

Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.75, rounded up!
Spice: 🌶️

After her ex splits, Cubby is left picking up both the pieces of her heart and the band he left behind. And as the band goes on tour, and their uprising fame brings down social media in both the best and worst way - putting them under scrutiny, enough to where Cubby agrees to "fake date" the keyboardist, Harry. But even as their fake romance gains popularity, she can't keep from thinking about her best friend Darcy, the person who's been by her side throughout everything.

The emotions in this! Cubby was such a complex character, she holds so much in and is forced to bear so much for the sake of the band. Her emotions and depression are explored in this in such a raw and real way. You feel how much it bothers her that everyone sees Connor as such a heartthrob, and how she feels so deeply about her actions being so scrutinized, this story never shies away from those big feelings. I also loved the love everyone shares - bickering like siblings and platonic soulmates. The faking dating story was such an interesting twist, I haven't seen it done this way but I thought it worked SO well! And Harry was such a great character to explore that dynamic with.

There were a couple moments that I felt didn't quite work, but my absolute favorite parts were in the last quarter - all the moments where Cubby was trying to figure out her feelings (which was a moment I truly connected with) and finally getting to voice them, they were done so well and had such a great emotional impact. My heart was aching for her and Darcy at the end, and some tears were definitely shed.

If you love celebrity/band romances that are beautifully messy and have an angst you can feel in your chest, you're going to love this! I definitely would love to read more about the characters in this, they were all so fun.

Tropes & Tags:
🎸 band romance
🍨 sapphic romance
💖 angst
🎸 faking dating (the wrong person)
🍨 only one bed
💖 road trip
🎸 friends to lovers
🍨 found family

[I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, thank you so much Mazey Eddings, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley! 📖]

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cubby Clark's life is a hot mess. When her ex-boyfriend leaves their band, taking credit for her work and hitting it big with a song about what a terrible lover she is, Cubby starts spiraling. Becoming obsessed with social media and public opinion of her, she nevertheless works to build up her band and get their music out into the world.

Throw in a messy hook-up with her bandmate and childhood best friend Darcy, a fake dating plot with her other bandmate Harry, and a lot of comphet-based angst, and she's got a lot to work through. And she does. The book covers a lot of issues, including compulsary heterosexuality, social media addiction, the unequal treatment of women vs. men in the court of public opinion, and of course, gay longing for your best friend.

While some might see Cubby as annoyingly naive and largely the architect of her own misfortunes, I see a realistic depiction of someone uncomfortably in the closet trying desperately to figure themselves out. As a late bloomer who developed a really bad case of people pleasing, I relate to where she's coming from. Her bandmates all push her into an arrangement she is not at all comfortable with, and she's not able to say no even though it's basically killing her mental health.

Another issue the story deals with is compulsary heterosexuality (comphet), and it does it fairly well. It's understandable that Darcy, whose parents are homophobic bigots who disapprove of how she makes a living already, would be working hard to be heterosexual. Cubby's parents are lesbians, so you'd think that it would be less of an issue for her, but again this is fairly realistic. Even gay people with supportive parents can buy into the cultural narratives that make being anything but the default heterosexual seem like a big deal to someone still firmly in the closet.

I really enjoyed the story, even if sometimes I wanted to scream at the characters for making terrible decisions. This book is a good look at someone navigating a lot of complicated issues and despite making a hash out of it for much of the story, coming out in a much better place. This was an enjoyable read.

Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Mazey Eddings for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[K.G. Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

You Won’t Forget Me is a messy, dramatic, sexy sapphic romance that you won’t be able to put down! I read this in one sitting and I cannot believe how gooooood it was!!

You Won’t Forget Me follows Cubby Clark, a musician trying to rebuild her life after her ex turns their private heartbreak into celebrity drama and leaves her band in ruins. As the spotlight closes in and her tour gets messy, she and her best friend Darcy discover their feelings aren’t as simple as they’ve tried to pretend.

The absolute YEARNING in this book had me holding my breath in so many scenes. This slow burn had me on edge waiting for the next painful moment lol it was delectable when they finally admitted how they felt because I was dyyyyying.

Cubby struggles very sharply with depression and anxiety and that is very very evident in her inner monologue. It was very painful to read at times and depicts a very real struggle with mental health. She pushes herself too hard and avoids her own feelings. It was tough to read but the ending made it all worth it!

All of the side characters were so fleshed out and formed. It was easy to connect to each of them.

But the romance really kept me turning pages, it was spicy, it was sweet, and it was everything I’m always looking for in a sapphic romance.

5 ⭐️

Here are some of my fav quotes!

⭐️ Our bodies vibrate together as we continue to laugh, every nerve ending in me lighting up, the stale sadness temporarily lifting from the room.

🎸 Because I have Darcy with me and I’m not sure what else a person needs in life.

❤️ “Is it normal to feel this much? This much want?” I nod, my nose dragging against hers. “I think so.”


It pains me to tell you this book comes out in June!! IM SO SORRY. But I will remind you over and over when it does, I PROMISE!

Thank you to NetGalley (go grab it if you can!!!) and the publisher for an advanced copy of this.

[Jamie P-Kretzschmar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This advanced reading copy of Mazey Eddings' You Won't Forget Me presents a rare and ambitious synthesis of literary styles. It manages to integrate elements of wit and emotional grit, possessinwg the distinctive capacity to portray difficult, even unpleasant, subject matter with a kind of profound, moving beauty. This is not a work conducive to passive consumption; it demands a visceral engagement that resonates deeply with the reader.

The fundamental power of this novel resides squarely in Eddings' truly exceptional command of character. She demonstrates a notable, perhaps singular, talent for creating figures who are not merely complex but fully three-dimensional, compelling precisely because of their deeply rooted, beautiful imperfections. The text does more than describe; it facilitates an immersion into the messy, authentic textures of these lives. This level of intimacy elevates the narrative beyond simple storytelling.

Beyond the intensely intimate character studies, You Won't Forget Me navigates a broader, often uncomfortable, territory: an unflinching examination of "herd opinions" and the collective social forces that shape, and frequently distort, public perception and individual reality.
It feels inadequate to treat this book as a simple object of review; it functions more as an unvarnished mirror reflecting the social mechanisms that govern our public and private lives. As such, the work serves as a genuine challenge to the reader and a significant conversation starter, ensuring its themes and narrative structure persist in the mind well after its conclusion.

For its successful blend of emotional depth, a distinctive and confident narrative voice, and its unflinching commitment to examining both the internal, personal struggle and the external, societal pressures, You Won't Forget Me is an essential and memorable read.

Rating: 4.2 out of 5 Stars

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

You Won’t Forget Me by Mazey Eddings

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I didn’t realize this when I started the book but this story is follow up to Tilly in Technicolor and while it’s a separate story and you do not have to read it first, Oliver and Tilly do make a brief appearance in this book.

Oh my goodness friends. I just finished this book and I’m just sitting here in all my feelings. You Won’t Forget Me hit me in a way I wasn’t expecting. I felt myself reading this book the same way I listen to a song that understands me better than I understand myself. Mazey Eddings writes with a kind of emotional rhythm that feels honest, raw, and deeply resonant.

We meet Cubby Clark and her dysfunctional band Tea Time Tantrum. They are trying to recover from their frontman and Cubby’s ex boyfriend Connor’s betrayal and departure from the band to further his solo career. Along the way Cubby’s fear and insecurity start to spiral as she becomes obsessed with her public persona and addicted to reading about herself on the internet as a heartbreaking attempt to control the narrative and avoid her confusion about her true identity.

While reading, I found myself pulled back into my teenage years, a time when I was trying to make sense of who I was while quietly carrying feelings of shame, guilt and anger that I didn’t know how to express. During this dark time I turned to music for comfort and solace. The way Eddings explores those tangled, vulnerable emotions and talked about the power of music felt incredibly familiar. The characters’ journeys—their uncertainty, their misdirected attempts to heal, their small steps toward understanding themselves and each other-felt real to me.

I was pretty emotional by the end of this book. It reminded me that the healing process is always ongoing , we are constantly evolving and that even in pain and uncertainty, there can still be love and connection to be found.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, Mazey Eddings DELIVERS with a swoon-worthy romance that packs both depth and undeniable chemistry into one brilliant package.

Cubby and Darcy are long-time best friends and band mates, with complicated feelings for each other that they refuse to acknowledge for most of the book - because wanting to kiss your best friend is totally normal and shouldn't ever be addressed apparently?. However, the tension and the deep emotional responses to all that life throws at them is what had me on my knees begging for them to finally fully embrace who they are.
When Cubby and bandmate Harry are essentially peer-pressured into faking a potential relationship for the public image of their band, tensions are even higher and our messy lead Cubby becomes... even messier? Cubby wants desperately to be seen and heard, to be in control of her life. And all of the forces at play are against her.

This book is a fantastic dive into the heartache, emotional rollercoaster, and relational tensions that come with sexual self-discovery. Understanding what you want, who you want, and being willing and able to voice those things - these are the core struggles of our characters here and it translated so well. This is a deeply internalized emotional venture into the mind and heart all at once.

Another one of the greatest elements of this book is the found friendships within the band. The trio of Cubby x Darcy x Harry is genuinely one of the most special, authentic friendships and I love that they remain front and center.
Just in general, I loved getting to see the roadmap of band success for this little ragtag group of musicians. To be on tour with them and witness the breakdowns, the victories, and the endless supply of drama - it all blended so well with the core romance we all were waiting for.

Thank you to St. Martin's Griffin via NetGalley for the advance digital ARC of this title.

[jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 ⭐️ i love love love mazey eddings’s writing—there’s such a natural flow to it that always keeps me engaged. unfortunately, this one fell a bit flat for me. there’s a significant emotional and physical distance between cubby and darcy for most of the story, which made it difficult for me to feel deeply connected to their relationship. further complicated by how much of that time was spent exploring cubby’s connection with harry—with whom she had genuine chemistry, even though that chemistry ultimately remained platonic rather than romantic. but, those scenes did play an important role in cubby’s sexual self-discovery, which i appreciated.

without darcy’s pov, flashbacks, more insight into their shared history, or even just more communication between the two, their romance didn’t fully resonate with me (even though i understood what it was meant to be). as a result, the pacing felt off, and the ending came across as rushed and unsatisfying because the emotional buildup between cubby and darcy didn’t have the impact i was hoping for.

however, i really loved the moments between cubby and her twin brother oliver (& his gf, tilly), who validated her feelings when no one else did, as well as cubby’s conversations with her moms. the warmth and affirmation cubby received from those relationships were very much needed to help balance out the other relational dynamics in the story. i especially appreciated the exploration of cubby and darcy’s confusion around their sexuality, and how—despite having very different upbringings—they were still grappling with the same doubts and uncertainties. as well as the exploration of social media toxicity.

overall, i enjoyed the writing and the characters, but i personally needed to see more romance and emotional intimacy between cubby and darcy on the page (bc i know it was there, and i just wanted more space to experience it).

also, i absolutely adored harry and really hope we get his story or get to see more of him in a future book!

thank you so much to netgalley and st. martin’s press for providing me with this arc!

[Cass · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book early.

You Won’t Forget Me follows Cubby, a musician whose band is reeling from the loss of one of their members going solo while she is forced into a PR relationship with one of her band mates to drum up publicity for their tour while falling for her childhood best friend who is also in the band.

I really enjoyed the relationship between Cubby and her other band members. Their connection was strong, as a band and as friends. I particularly loved when they figure out a new song together near the start of the book and thought that really solidified their connection. The individual dynamics were also really fun and I enjoyed reading about their shows.

I did feel like the characters felt a lot younger than their ages, probably even high school, which felt annoying as if they’d all just talked to each other once, a lot of their arguments could’ve been avoided. I also struggled to see why Darcy was so loved by Cubby, except in that first scene. I was very interested in her character so I would’ve loved to see a little more of her and maybe even more of the past between her and Cubby as that prologue was such a tease and made me very excited for the rest of the book.

But despite the minor issues I had, it was an enjoyable read!

Thank you again to St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the chance to read this early.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars.