At Santa Cruz Central High School, they called them the misfits, the outcasts, the weirdos. But most of us knew them as the Lost Boys…Miller Stratton is a survivor. After a harrowing childhood of poverty, he will do anything it takes to find security for himself and his mom. He’s putting all his hopes and dreams in the fragile frame of his guitar and the beauty he creates with its strings and … its strings and his soulful voice.
Until Violet.
No one expects to meet the love of their life at age thirteen. But the spunky rich girl steals Miller’s heart and refuses to give it back.
Violet McNamara’s life hasn’t been as simple as it looks. Her picture-perfect family is not so perfect after all. Her best friend Miller is her one constant and she is determined not to ruin their friendship with romantic complications.
But the heart wants what it wants. As Miller’s star begins to rise to stratospheric heights, what will it take for Violet to realize that she’s the girl in all of his love songs?
Lost Boys is a new series of interconnected, coming-of-age standalones from USA Today bestselling author Emma Scott, coming in 2020
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Well for my first Emma Scott book, this was so good! I loved this coming of age story. It was so beautiful, heart wrenching at times, but a fantastically written story about to people who love each other beyond what’s should be stopping them. The side characters are an amazing addition to the writing. I felt so apart of Miller and Violet’s world, sometimes I thought I was climbing up her trellis! Grab your tissues, there’s bound to be some crying but never fear it’s a beautiful Happy Ever After!
Oh my goodness, what a beautiful, emotional love story!!! This is one of the best coming of age novels I have had the pleasure to read.
Miller and Violet were soulmates. That much was evident from the first time the two met on her thirteenth birthday when she saw him outside her window. Although it took them a while to realize they belonged together, it was a wonderful journey to take with them.
“In that instance–the length of a heartbeat–a lifetime passed between us. An understanding that her and I were inevitable. Fated. The boy with diabetes and the girl who was going to be a doctor. The girl with the romantic heart and the boy who wrote love songs.”
Miller and Violet were worlds apart. He was the poor, homeless boy who had dreams to become famous to make a more secure future for himself and his mother. Violet was the rich girl who had dreams of becoming a doctor. Neither suspected the night they met would determine their destinies. A sweet friendship developed between them until they realized the feelings they had for one another ran so much deeper. This was the point of the book that the friction and push and pull between them began as well as complications and misunderstandings. However, they always made their way back to one another.
One thing that made the book so special were the characters themselves. Emma Scott created such complex and unique characters in Miller and Violet. Miller was not the usual hero. Several things made him different. He had such a painful past, and it did color how he looked at relationships…but, he was such a good guy and so sensitive and loyal. Others at school saw him as the homeless boy with no future, but Violet always saw him as so much more.. He never let his diabetes determine who he was either. His loyalty and love to Violet made me love him even more.
Violet was just as strong as Miller. Yes, she came from an entirely different background than him, but her family wasn’t perfect either. Her once loving parents spend so much time now yelling at one another. Miller is her solace and peace. Like Miller, she won’t let anything get in the way of her dreams of becoming a doctor. She is as loyal to Miller as he is to her.
The romance was full of angst and push and pull. However, it didn’t overwhelm the story, and there had to be a degree of angst to make the book as good as it was. For me, that made their love even stronger. I liked that they both were able to give us their own perspectives. One of my favorite things was reading her diary entries…they were so sweet.
I am so glad this is going to be a series. I loved the friendship between the lost boys….Miller, Ronan, and Holden. Each have their secrets, and I can’t wait to hear their stories.
On one last note, Scott touched on so many subjects…bullying, domestic violence, poverty, homelessness, and juvenile diabetes, yet she connected them all so seamlessly. On top of that, the lyrics she created for Miller were incredible. When you read her author’s note in the end, you will know her heart and soul were put into this book making it such an emotional and beautiful read!!!!
This was the first book of Emma Scott’s that I have read. I really enjoyed the book and it is very well written. I know not everyone is a fan of young adult, but I sometimes truly enjoy remembering what it is like going through all the emotions of growing up. While most of us don’t find out sole mate at 13 years old, Miller and Violet are the exception. This is an amazing story of growing up together, while building a love stronger than any foundation can be. While it takes years for each to admit to the other how deep their love was (considering each knew it but was unwillingly to admit it to the other), the years showed them how deep their love ran in each other’s veins. The only thing negative I can say, if you can call it negative, is once they admit their love, the story felt rushed and I wanted more. I can’t wait for the other books in this series. The author did an amazing job bringing light to a serious disease as juvenile diabetes as well.
The Girl in the Love Song by Emma Scott was a beautifully written love story filled with so much emotion and moments that completely captured my heart. There were so many different facets to this story from friendship to love to more serious issues involving homelessness and medical problems.
Miller and Violet had to overcome difficult obstacles in their paths to achieving their dreams. Miller was such a great, strong character especially in the beginning as a young boy dealing with several serious issues while trying to get through high school. I don’t know how he did it but I loved him that much more for all that he had to endure. Although they were from different social classes, the connection these two had was priceless; their bond unbreakable, even while everyone didn’t always understand it. When these two meet, its like fate. I knew these two were just destined to cross paths and belong with one another. The journey these two take, you will feel in your heart and soul; it is one filled with emotional and heartbreaking moments that might have tears running down your face.
I don’t know how Emma does it book after book, but her stories just capture me so deeply and stay in my heart for a good long while after I finish reading. Her writing is amazing and flawless and with each word, you just feel the emotions jumping off the page and grasping at your heart.
This book was amazing and had everything I love to see in a book! I loved all the characters and cannot wait for the other lost boys books!
Some books are destined to be a start of something great and long lasting. The Girl in the Love Song is such a book.
Introducing us to the world of the Lost Boys, this story is an absolut fantastic start to a new series by Emma Scott. It will touch every single nerve ending in you, it will rise every single little hair on your skin. You know the feeling you get seeing getting goosebumps in slow motion close-up? That’s the feeling you have reading this story.
Emma Scott outdid herself again: She delivered another book full of emotion, fantastic characters, giving you all the feels.
This love story is a slow burn that has you begging for more. The emotional tension in this book is almost tangible. The way this story is told leaves you wanting to live in it, to be friends with its characters, to grow with them the way they do.
When I read the last line and “closed” my kindle I felt a loss. Like I lost a loving and close friend. Not that I did, but I was so invested in the characters, that when I had to let them go, letting them live their HEA, I felt so sad I had to let them go. They grew on me in a way I never saw coming.
The Girl in the Love Song lets you live a little girls dream: Being loved this unconditionally by a rockstar who is your best friend and his love songs are all about you and loving this guy in return in the same measure. Even though the road is/was a bumpy one, Miller is a boy to dream about.
I fell so hard for Miller and Violet, I have a huge crush on them and I absolutely can’t wait to met them again and reading the stories of the other two Lost Boys!
This is my first book by Emma Scott that I’ve read, and now I’m wondering why it took me so long? This book was absolutely amazing! Emma did an amazing job with all the issues that came to light in this book. A rags to riches story, for sure. Violet is your typical nerd. She studies non stop, trying to get ahead of the game. She has one close friend and that’s it! But she’s a good girl. Never in trouble and always making sure everyone is taken care of. Then one night her life changes. Miller makes an appearance outside her bedroom window. And an instant friendship is formed. Night after night, Miller returns to Violets window. Until one night Violet can’t understand where he keeps coming from, so she follows him. What she finds, is devastating. While trying to fix what she found, another almost devastating thing happens. She almost looses Miller. Miller has had a tough go at it for awhile, so when Violet buys him a present. He starts to have hope again. Through the years these two grow closer and closer. There were some bumps along the way, but these two always had each other. Even if they didn’t realize it at the time. This book is about a love that never dies. A love so strong that if it your lucky to find it in your lifetime, it is the most amazing thing ever!
It’s An absolute delight to get to read an ES book. They’re flawlessly written, perfectly nuanced and soulful in narration. Emma explores the excruciating side of love expertly in all her books and they ALWAYS move me to tears. I know to keep a kleenex box handy when starting an Emma Scott book.
But this….THIS compelling tale of deep fated love between a boy who writes love songs and a girl with a romantic heart, is syrupy sweet enough to give Dia-be-titties while gouging your heart with a blunt spoon so it bleeds all over the pages. I was prepared but I wasn’t prepared enough. My tears and smiles just mingled together. Miller’s devotional ballads made me super jealous of Violet and super emotional too
“Change is hard in the beginning, messy in the middle, and beautiful at the end”
And so are your stories Emma!! #JustSaying
It’s a coming-of-age, Emotional powerhouse, beautiful in its brokenness and desperation. It tugged at all of my heartstrings and made me believe in the miracle of love.
Love soothes
Love saves
Love heals
Such incredibly powerful love is shared by Violet McNamara and Miller Stratton.
“It’s hopeless, is what it is. She’s perfect and rich, and I’m a poor bastard without a working pancreas.”
so completely opposite in social stature, yet so similar in spirit. They meet at 13 years of age but their souls lock forever, they just don’t realize it yet, being so young and all. Their journey through adolescence is chronicled via music they share and promises they make. Guitar strings making soulful music, professing eternal love, just had me teary eyed.
Their love is on a slow burner, simmering to perfection as they reach adulthood. My frustration grew at every denial, every twist, but I understood the naivete and indecision of youth.
The Lost Boys are a group of misplaced and misdirected young boys and girls who manage to find solace in a ramshackle cabin on the beach. It soon becomes a place to heal and strengthen, giving their love a safe haven to sprout and spread wings.
“An odd trio: a grungy musician, a tattooed bad boy, and a billionaire genius who dressed like he was walking the winter runways in Milan every day.”
This book is special to Emma, her loss and pain is hidden in the words. I felt it and embraced it.
She easily establishes the connections between the characters and readers till I could feel all they were going through like it was my story
Miller and Violet go through love pangs and a mental tussle, questioning their self worth and testing their bonds every day and it killed me to see them hurting individually and in agony apart.
description
“A person often meets her destiny on the road she takes to avoid it.”
Even though some situations seemed hopeless and overcast with ominous clouds, the story is full of hope and strength. Violet rises to the all challenges that seem to knock the legs out from under her. I loved her generosity, her capacity to love and loyally support Miller and bolster his courage time and time again. It’s as perfect as love can be and as perfect a couple can be.
This. Book. Is. A. MUST READ and NOT TO BE MISSED. I cannot wait to read the next book because the endearing couple coming up next is very intriguing..
5 stars for Outcasts around a Bonfire
I don’t often read YA, only a selected few authors do it for me. I adore Emma Scotts writing so I had to give this one a go and I’m so glad I did. Finishing the book gave me warm fuzzies!
How often is that a person find the love of their life at 13 ? Its uncommon but Miller Stratton and Violet McNamara met on her 13th birthday, become best friends and it is not sooner after they realise they are it for each other.
Obviously you can guess this fall under Friends to lovers trope, the thing is they both know they are in love but just haven’t told each other. All of which changes one night, which just makes everything more complicated in their life.
What do I say about Miller Stratton ? The man is just so GOOD, a good person, a good friend, partner and he would be a good father. Despite how bad his childhood had been, with his diabetes whether or not he thought he could ever achieve his dream or get the girl. He stayed true to himself, he does have a saviour complex along with the driving himself too hard gene but it makes him who he is. Also I loved how he loved Violet. She was it for him, no one else would do. I adored him!!!
I love her with every goddam piece of my soul. ~Miller
Violet was also such a wonderful character. Despite being rich, she isn’t a spoiled brat, she’s caring and her life long dream has ben to become a doctor. She’s just super strong, chasing her dream and getting it. Trying to keep a smile and retain happiness even as everything is falling apart at home. She’s trying to hold everything together by not trying to change everything because she’s afraid of losing people she loves. I really admired her drive. Plus she always believed in Miller. Everyone needs a friend who believes in them like Violet does.
And she always cried, saying over and over again how talented I was. Gifted. Destined for greatness.
I adored them together as friends and as boyfriend/girlfiend, they have a few false starts, can’t catch a break moments but when they finally get together, it’s hallelujah. They aren’t perfect, they make mistakes, but learn from them and I guess that what makes them perfect together. They are there for each other, even when can’t be physically be together. They are sweet, soft soul mates. They just want the best for each other! And it’s just beautiful. It’s pretty obvious that they belong together, its just everything keeps trying to tear them apart and we are in for a thrilling ride as they race towards their ending. Quite a few times, I was like noo please when things were going in the wrong direction. The book did play with my emotions, not gonna lie.
An understanding that he and I were inevitable. Fated. The boy with diabetes and the girl who was going to be a doctor. The girl with the romantic heart and the boy who wrote love songs.
The secondary cast of characters, along with the issues that the book deals with add a greater depth and complexity to the story. I really liked their friends and can’t wait for their stories.
Minor quibbles aside which I’mma ignore and not mention cause this was just good….
Also side note: I would like to mention I really liked the fact they didn’t comprise on what they wanted, with their careers. They both had a calling. often times I see protagonists given up their dreams for relationships, in special circumstances its understandable but its fiction I want the characters I come to adore get everything they want.
The Girl In The Love Song is just a very great blend of friendships, family, drama, humour, angst and eternal devotion. The epilogue was great as well, it seems like with age Miller and Violet will become even better people.
I was wondering of what had happened to Miller and Violets friends so I’m glad we’ll get to see more of them in the next book! The lost boys, a band of misfits had finally found a place to belong, with each other.
Overall, The Girl In The Love Song was a wonderful read, for anyone looking for a great, friends to lovers young adult book this one is for you.
Review on Blog
ARC was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Let me just start out by saying no amount of words I write will do this book justice. This story consumed me. Days later and I’m still thinking about it.
You know when a book is THAT good and you find it so hard to write a review? That’s how I feel with this one. It’s like…wow. Where do I even start?
It is outstanding in ALL THE WAYS.
It was an experience.
It was a journey.
This beautifully written coming of age story was everything, and more.
It’s a captivating tale of best friends, young love, crushes, heartbreak, a first kiss, first love, first…everything.
Emotional and heartbreaking moments left me breathless. Intense and pivotal moments made my heart race and had me feeling protective and rooting for the good guys.
The writing so eloquent and poetic, I never wanted to put it down. I wanted to stay inside the pages as long as I could.
Miller and Violet stole my heart from the very beginning. Their love for each other is what fairytales are made of. Both come from unhappy homes, each with their own set of problems. These troubles only seem to bring them closer, make their bond stronger.
So beautiful and heartwarming and full of so much love, I wanted to wrap them up in a warm hug and give them the love they needed and deserved.
The way these two love each other is so heart-squeezingly powerful. It’s enviable. It’s gorgeous.
Their loyalty was strong, unbreakable. They stayed true to each other, even when faced with so many any obstacles (or people) trying to get in their way.
I loved this story SO MUCH. I will recommend it to anyone and everyone who will listen. It was packed full of all the emotions and had my heart bursting at the seams with love and happiness and hope and pure satisfaction. See all those cute, little hearts floating around me? Yeah, those are from this story.
Emma Scott never ceases to amaze me with her stories. I was pulled in and easily captivated. I felt as if I were a part of this story.
And so beautifully and perfectly set up for the next books in the series. I immediately purchased book 2, because I needed it.
Give me ALL the books like this one!!!
All of them. I want to read them all
• • • • • • • •
I don’t even have the right words to try and explain how beautiful and fantastic this book is.
From the very beginning I fell in love with both Violet and Miller. Soo Cute to see them as children. Amazing to see them grow up, mature and fall in love. Soo sad to see their own personal struggles.
And it was absolutely wonderful to see all the friendships that were built. Gaaaah! The Lost Boys totally have my heart. This is book 1 in the series and I’m so excited to jump into the next ones. I have a really good feeling about their stories.
Quote ~ Endless well of love I had for that woman, as if I were born with it already inside me, in my marrow and cells
No one’s words get into my head and heart like Emma Scott’s can. This was a beautiful story of coming of age, first loves, and heartbreak. I both listened and read, and the narration for Violet and Miller was spot on and made the emotions hit even harder. You get just enough of the other lost boys to get sucked into their stories, and I can’t wait to read Holden and Ronan’s books.
Loved this sweet Rockstar Romance! Can I keep Miller? He’s awesome! Loved all the songs he wrote. Beautifully narrated by Desiree Ketchum & Nathan Everett.
OK, yes, second book by Emma Scott and she managed to make me cry again! This book has all the feelings!
Scott’s narrative is poetic and so deeply emotional it kicks me in the guts and tugs at my heartstrings!
Violet and Miller’s story is one for the yearbooks, they are so perfect and destined together that nothing can keep them apart, not school, not illness, not even themselves!
Oh my heart
This was my first Emma Scott book and it wont be my last. My good friend michelle told me I’d love her words and god do I. She writes in a way that’s so easy and flows so well I get swept up into the story. Miller and Vi’s love is beautiful and I’m such a sucker for childhood loves. I can’t wait to read more of this amazing author!!
I finished 50% of this book but I just couldn’t finish it. I don’t mind reading about high school kids a chapter or two but half the book and counting?! No thanks, it’s not for me. Miller was dirt poor, homeless and had diabetes and almost died one day. Violet was well off but had parents that hated each other more then I hate snow and ice. Then there’s the other kids Ronan who’s dad died in prison after killing his wife. There are a couple of other colorful characters, none of which held my interest. I was flicking kindle pages at the speed of light. I’m sure there was going to be a happy ending somewhere but I was just to bored to continue.
Really enjoyed this book. So glad I got to read Miller and Violet’s story after I met them in Book Two, When You Come Back to Me.
THE GIRL IN THE LOVE SONG is one of my favorite books this year.
Emma Scott is a new author to me and this story was my first by her but it will not be my last. She is amazing as an author and can capture your heart in every word she writes.
Miller conquered my heart in the beginning. He was such a beautiful kid and every year he was growing he transformed into an amazing man.
Violet was always thinking on fixing people. Amazing how she is so dedicated to her studies to be a surgeon.
This two characters are beautiful together and the way they fight for each other makes your heart full of hope. Hope that one day you will have a love like this one.
I can’t wait to read “When you come back to me”
I’m sitting here just having finished this book, feeling touched and honored that Emma Scott decided to share this book with us.
Miller Stratton and Violet McNamara are two pieces of one whole that moves back and forth in a pendulum, feeling that natural push and pull of two people in love. They meet at 13, the needy rich girl and the poor boy, with a heart of gold who dreams of making music.
This beautiful slow burn romance between two young kids who doesn’t realize the magnitude of their love for one another is inspiring. To see them come to terms with their feelings, their hopes and dreams while teenage life is happening just took my breath away.
I keep saying that Emma Scott has a way with words that leaves me in awe of her, and The Girl In The Love Song is another stunning example of this. The prose just flows so beautifully into your heart, and takes root there forever.
“In that instance – the length of a heartbeat – a lifetime passed between us. An understanding that he and I were inevitable. Fated. … The girl with the romantic heart and the boy who wrote love songs.”
I always manage to undermine the power of a great book. As I’m sitting here with tears streaming down my face while feeling all the love for Miller and his Vi, I’m thankful that books like these still exist and can grab hold of my heart, and make me believe that love, in its truest form, still exists somewhere. It is found in the pages of this book, which is why gets 5.5 stars from me, and certainly is a top contender for my favorite read of 2020
The Girl in the Love Song is a friends-to-lovers new adult story that is custom made for angst junkies like me.
Emma Scott certainly knows how to tug on the heartstrings, and boy did my heart bleed for Miller. The boy’s life is a living hell but his moral compass is strong. He is never less than decent or supportive. Violet is a lonely 13-year-old rich girl, and she meets Miller when he is at his loneliest and poorest. They forge an instant friendship that is destined to last a lifetime — as long as they don’t complicate things by becoming romantically involved.
I loved how deep their friendship is and its power to sustain them in their darkest times. The problem for me is that while Miller’s suffering feels real, I couldn’t really empathise with Violet’s troubles. Even so, I liked Violet’s determination and optimism and I rooted for them as a couple.
Violet’s dream is to become a doctor and health issues are featured heavily in the story. I’ve always been a fan of TV medical dramas so all the medical jargon put me in my happy place. I’m floored by the amount of research Emma Scott must have done.
The book could do with a bit more editing for logistics and some minor grammatical issues. There are several developments towards the very end that defy logic or probability and which left a sour taste in my mouth. However, I very much admired the characters and the enduring strength of their love.
The Girl in the Love Song kicks off the Lost Boys series quite nicely. I’m curious to learn more about Miller’s misfit friends.
I can’t believe I haven’t read this author sooner … totally fell in love with this authors writing style and ability to keep the reader hooked and invested. right from the beginning when homeless boy meets girl I just knew this book was going to take my emotions and heart captive and not let go until the very end. I wasn’t wrong either , Miller and Violets story was angsty and heartfelt.
Both characters had their own troubles to deal with and that just made them stronger. This is one of the books that you just wonder when the characters will get their timing right. A great story also has characters you want to hate in and this had a few.
Some great secondary characters too, the path is laid for their story and I really can’t wait to see how this series unfolds. I’ll definitely be reading other books by this author !