Loud is How I Love You by Mercy Brown

I first read this book in 2016, and I was only a few pages in when I thought: this author was in a band. The texture of her writing was so well-steeped in 90s rock culture that I just knew her research was experiential. (I was right! Her bio confirmed it.)

The writing is top notch and every single one of EmmyLou’s observations feels fresh and vivid. Travis is a super sexy hero even from chapter one, when he’s only eating a feta omelet in a diner.

Some reviewers didn’t like the heroine’s reluctance to go all in for him, but I bought every line of it. Her passion for the band and the music are hard fought, and I was there for it!