The Songs of Us by Emma Cooper

Warning: do not, I repeat do not, attempt to read the last quarter of this book in public. For two reasons, 1) I’m pretty sure I cried the whole last 40 pages or so, 2) you will not be able to put it down. So yes, I finished reading this on an airplane on my way home from a wedding. Sobbing.

But you know what? It was so well done, I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.

If you hadn’t noticed, I tend to stick in the same categories. Fantasy, fiction, and I’m trying to branch out. A good writer reads, and good readers read diversely. Emma’s book started me on my path. A contemporary novel, set from the view point of a single mother struggling to make ends meet with children who have their own hardships. It is a refreshingly hard hitting novel, that beautifully details real life with a side heaping of humor along the way.

The characters are multi-dimensional, all seamlessly woven together and so vivid that it baffles me that this wasn’t a memoir. Because life—and being a part of a family—it isn’t easy, but it can be silly, and sad, and frustrating, but most of all it’s wrapped up in love. And this pours out of the pages of The Songs of Us. I laughed, rolled my eyes, snorted at antics, hummed along to the songs, and grinned through the shenanigans that were sprinkled in this novel detailing the lives of the King family.

I won’t give away the ending, I always promise to stay away from spoilers, but this book is emotionally challenging. I was completely taken from left field, and if anyone needs to talk afterwards. Please feel free to reach out. But I could not recommend this book, and it’s phenomenal writer more.

A final warning: you may also be reminded that magic isn’t just in fairy tales, but in the love that comes from the family and friends that surround us.

Thank you to Emma, NetGalley, Wendy, and Headline for receiving an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.