The Backup Singer

by Michael Bronte

Giselle Silva is twenty-one years old and living with her disabled father in Jackson Heights Queens. Between his disability payments and what she makes working at the Simply Chic boutique, they can barely pay the mortgage on the house she’s been living in her entire life. She also works as a backup singer in a local band to help make ends meet. When her father dies, her world is turned upside down and she’s left with bills she can’t afford to pay. Suddenly, she owes thousands with no money coming in except what she makes singing backup with the band.

As desperation sets in, her life soon becomes a rollercoaster. It’s one catastrophe after the other. Her attempts to extricate herself from such dire circumstances lead her into dangerous and potentially deadly territory. She’s thrust into a world of deception, manipulation, and trickery. Shedding her naiveté, she determines that a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do if she’s going to survive. It’s a long way back to normalcy, and she barely makes it.

313 pages, Paperback

Published September 3, 2025

About the author

Michael Bronte is a graduate of Union College in Schenectady, New York, and George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and lives in Monroe, New Jersey. "All of the heroes in my novels are everyday people," says Bronte. "Any of them could be your next door neighbor. None of us really know what we're capable of until the time comes for us to reach beyond the boundaries of our everyday lives. Remarkable feats of courage are performed everyday, by everyday people. It's amazing."

​ As a young teenager I remember reading paperback mysteries under a huge oak tree outside my parents’ neighborhood grocery store in Dalton, Massachusetts, a small town located in the heart of the Berkshires. I can recall pulling a book from the rack and getting locked in to those novels as the fragrant summer breeze of Berkshire County tried to turn the page before I was done reading it. I don’t know why, but I was greatly affected by a book titled The Fan Club, by Irving Wallace. When I was done reading it, I can still recall thinking that someday I’d be able to write a book like that on my own; I knew I could do it.

Well, the idea stayed dormant for over thirty years while I did what I thought I should have been doing for a living (looking back, it all seems so trivial sometimes) until I rekindled my infatuation with writing novels. Now, many years after that, and many mistakes and many failures later, there are nine Michael Bronte novels available. They are: The Dealership, Presidential Risk, Porchball, The Tenth Caller, Lost Friday, The Brothers, Call Me Crash, and The Handyman, and Homicide: Party of Twelve

Reviews

[milly refrers · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Backup Singer is a powerful and emotional story about survival in a world that isn’t kind to dreamers. Giselle’s life feels painfully real, from financial pressure to family responsibility. The music industry backdrop adds grit and realism. I appreciated how the author explored manipulation and control without glamorizing it. This book stayed with me long after I finished it.

[jack ethan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Backup Singer is not a glamorous music story it’s a survival story. The emotional weight of caring for a sick parent while chasing stability is handled beautifully. I admired Giselle’s quiet strength throughout the book. The themes are heavy but meaningful. Highly recommended for mature readers.

[miaa mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel shines in its character development. Giselle is flawed but strong, vulnerable yet determined. The author does an excellent job portraying the darker side of chasing opportunity. The music scenes feel authentic and grounded. A gritty, modern drama that feels very real.

[nick jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book surprisingly intense. The slow buildup of pressure makes every decision feel important. Giselle’s world feels claustrophobic in a realistic way. The author clearly understands human vulnerability. This is a story about finding your voice when others try to silence it.

[nickolas mateo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book explores the cost of ambition in a very grounded way. Giselle’s life feels lived-in and authentic. The writing captures emotional exhaustion without becoming repetitive. I appreciated how nothing felt exaggerated. A thoughtful, well-written novel.

[milli joffers · Rating 5 out of 5]

The emotional realism in this book is impressive. Giselle’s struggles feel personal, not dramatic for the sake of drama. The story highlights how easily power can be abused. It’s uncomfortable at times, but that’s what makes it effective. A strong, meaningful read.

[Pattins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how the story balanced music with real-life hardship. Giselle’s passion never feels like fantasy it’s work, sacrifice, and survival. The author writes complex relationships very well. This book made me reflect on the unseen struggles behind performance. Worth reading.

[Cummins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel feels honest from start to finish. Giselle is trying to survive, not chase fame, and that makes her journey compelling. The writing is clear and emotionally grounded. The themes are heavy but handled with care. A strong contemporary fiction title.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

After watching the video trailer at Book Club UK, it’s clear that The Backup Singer’s by Michael Brontë has the potential to reach a wide and engaged audience. The trailer presents a compelling concept and emotional pull that should strongly attract its target readers.

[Karlin Danny · Rating 5 out of 5]

The video trailer we viewed through Book Club UK made a strong impression. The Backup Singer’s feels like a book that deserves broader attention, with themes and storytelling that are likely to resonate with active readers.

[Belletrist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on the trailer shown at Book Club UK, The Backup Singer’s by Michael Brontë appears well-positioned to capture the interest of its intended audience. The story promises depth, intrigue, and strong reader appeal.

[Natalie Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the video trailer alone, The Backup Singer’s shows real promise. As discussed in Book Club UK, it has the kind of narrative energy that can attract a wide readership and spark genuine curiosity.