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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Stunningly Beautiful. Courageous. Emotional.
About The Girl In The Love Song:
He was just a boy searching for love.
She was just a girl searching for an escape.
Together they found their better half.
They found the person that was meant to push each in the right direction.
They found their happily ever after.
But their happily ever after didn’t come easy and it didn’t come free of tears.
Violet has always dreamed of attending UCSC to become a surgeon. But the great thing about dreams, you have the ability to change the path and change your dream. One fateful night, Violet saw a boy walk through the woods and into her yard. He looked like he needed a friend. So she climbed down the trellis and offered him her friendship.
Miller had the perfect life, until his dad walked out on him and his mom. They were left with nothing, and now he finds himself living in their car in the middle of nowhere. The only solace he has comes in the form of a dark haired beauty with braces. He lives his life hiding his feelings for Violet, afraid that if his feelings were ever revealed she’d run for the hills. So instead, he focuses on their friendship and weaves his true feelings in the lines of his lyrics.
Life goes on, friendships end, and paths are drawn in high school. Violet and Miller are about to realize the hardest task at hand is learning to trust one another to the fullest. Trust is the key to a good friendship and a good relationship.
My Thoughts:
Before I fully dive into this review, I have to admit, in all my reading and bingeing of romance novels, I have never read a novel by Emma Scott. I’ve heard of her and I have several books by her currently on my tbr. But I never had the time to pick up all the books I’m dying to read by her. If I’m being one hundred percent truthful, this was a cover request. What can I say, I’m a sucker for a man with a guitar. With that being said, I’m happy I made the leap and requested a copy of The Girl In The Love Song. Violet and Miller’s story was a great way to start what is going to be an endless need to want to binge everything by this author.
There are many things I love about The Girl In The Love Song, and a few things I needed just a little bit more of.
For starters, I love the musician with a heart of gold trope. There are so many musicians in novels that are perceived as the bad boy of the industry. They have the tattoos, the piercings, and the attitude as the cherry on a very sexy cake, and while I love the hell out of these fictional bad boys, I find Miller to be a breath of fresh air. I loved the fact that this kind hearted gentle soul of a boy, and grew into an even better and stronger man. Given the way he grew up, homeless and living out of his mom’s car, this could have gone either way. I’m so happy he was the good boy of the lost boys clan. Emma Scott gave us a character that is hard to find within this trope.
Now for Violet, I wish we would have gotten more insight to her family life. For the first half of the novel I had a hard time getting inside of her head and figuring her character out. If we were given an insight to why her family had issues and for all the constant bickering between her folks, I feel like I would have connected more with her. I wanted and needed just a bit more from her. BUT…. the second half of the book when Violet was in college, now those moments, I easily understood her distress and I connected with her character fully.
I loved how Violet and Miller grew their relationship from the ground up. They were friends before they were lovers, they crossed their bridges, learned their youthful lessons, broke a few hearts and had their heart broken a few times before they fully gave themselves to one another. Morals and values were strong where these two are concerned. I loved watching them from start to finish. I loved watching Violet stand by her man and her friend through all the low points life had to throw their way. It made the high points of their lives even better.
I also loved the fact that this novel focused on one character’s diabetic illness. The struggles felt real throughout this novel. There were certain moments, it felt like my heart was suspended in mid air. Those moments definitely had me on the edge of my seat hoping for the best possible outcome while also expecting the worst from these situations.
Aside from Violet and Miller, this story incorporated a few more friendships I enjoyed. For starters, Ronan and Shiloh have me very curious. Their vibes have me very curious.
Overall, Violet and Miller’s story was a great way to start the Lost Boys series. Emma Scott definitely had me on the edge of my seat with this one and I can’t wait to see what she has up her sleeve for this series next! If you’re looking for a slightly emotional read with a rockstar twist, you definitely need to check this book out!!
I hope you all love Violet and Miller’s story just as much as I did!
~Alecia @ The Staircase Reader
What a beautiful read, heart-wrenchingly beautiful, intense.
The Girl in the Love Song is book one in Emma Scott’s new interconnected Lost Boys Series. Every book can easily be read as a stand-alone.
This is Miller and Violet’s story.
Miller is a young man who had a rough life. And to top it off karmastill isn’t finished with him.
Good he had a Violet by his side. She’s the light in his life.
I will not say too much here, only so much, The Girl in the Love Song did a number on me. I started reading and was in from chapter one. I read the book, cover to cover in one sitting, all I’m saying is unputdownable nailbiting pageturner that gave me all the feels.
A great read / masterpiece that stays with me.
*ARC provided in exchange for a honest review*
“In that instance— the length of a heartbeat— a lifetime passed between us. An understanding that he and I were inevitable. Fated.”
I’ve been beyond excited and not so patiently waiting for Emma Scott’s next release ever since I finished the masterpiece “Someday, Someday” was.
“The Girl in the Love Song” is friends to lovers, rockstar romance & the best release of 2020, hands down. Forget overrated works like The Hunter, this book is truly magnificently written and with a thought & love for the characters.
The story, the connection/chemistry the main leads have is absolutely beautiful and swoon-worthy. The writing, descriptions just suck you right into the action & the way everything is unfolding would keep you invested until the end.
TGITLS has not only amazing main hero & heroine, but would also win you over with its secondary characters. I can’t put into words how happy I got when I reached the announcement which Lost Boy would get his story told next, Holden already has my heart. I can’t wait to read his book.
If you’re looking for a wonderfully written book with great characters development & a couple that would stick with you, “The Girl in The Love Song” has you covered. It goes without saying, I highly recommend it!!
4.5 stars!
Emma Scott is a fairly newer to me author and have read a few of her books to-date and have loved every single one of them. In The Girl in the Love Song we get an emotional story of friendship, young love, hopes and dreams. A story of two kids, teenagers, who meet and form an unbreakable bond. Miller Stratton and Violet McNamara are from different worlds, but their connection is real and honest.
Their journey is not an easy one and at and will tug at your hearts. As they grow older, their paths seems to be taking them in different directions. Neither wants to lose what they have, but will deny what they truly want? The Girl in the Love Song by Emma Scott was heartbreaking and heartwarming story with characters I loved. I am so excited to see what comes next in the series!
Read and reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog.
Happy reading!
This has to be the best book I’ve read this year and I don’t think another will surpass it for quite sometime. Violet and Millers story was so heartbreakingly beautiful and was told in such a way that you can’t help but get entwined in every word. These two met at 13 and effortlessly fell into such a deep bond and love that you can’t imagine it can ever be severed and even though certain differences in them were vast there connection was undeniable. This book should not be one to pass up, especially if you want a true deep diving love story without all the fluff!
Holy freaking bookperfection!!! I’M IN LOOOOOVE, SO IN LOOOOOVE…..lalalalalaaaaaaaaaa!!!
Yes, I’m totally singing after crying for the last half an hour.
I think it’s probably the best book I’ve read this year so far. Emma Scott just did it again, she wrote a story that serves everything a little romance book lover needs. Drama, steam, a great love story, agony, misery and a lot positivity!
I loved how the story began, developed (most of the time) and the HEA was so, so perfect! Good thing I don’t have this habit of biting my nails anymore, or otherwise they’d still bleeding. I was constantly at the edge, couldn’t read fast enough.
Vi was sometimes, in the beginning and during her Highschool years, a little to naive, in my opinion, but she grew nicely. Her determination to be a doctor and working so hard for it…she’s got a big portion of respect from me.
And Miller….OMG, isn’t he a one of the best? What he endured. For this alone he deserved all the love he got. I was so glad he found Ronan and Holden. The three of them had such a strange but perfect friendship!
And damn did I ever felt with him during his episodes of his diabetic.
Than the thing with his parents, damn, he had a rough life. To give it back the he did as he became what he dreamed of – amazing. This showed Izzys spirit shining through and that was the thing that brought me to tears the most.
Here I have to make a teeny tiny detour: I was elated as Holden made his appearance! To connect TGITLS with SOMEDAY,SOMEDAY this way, I love it!!!
Anyway, I don’t want to spoil it for all the readers who hopefully will grab this wonderful book ASAP.
Just know, if you’ve read any book by Emma Scott and fell in love with her characters and way she writes, GET THIS BOOK. You can’t do wrong by investing a few bucks.
I want to say so much more, but I don’t have the words to gather all the emotions and thoughts that are swirling inside of me about this beautiful story.
To be able to write a book like this, while moving and missing the little angel in heaven and still pushing through…Emma Scott is a real life heroine for me and an inspiration.
Her personality is one of the reasons why I keep believing in the good in this world and why I’m not ashamed that for me nothing is as bad is it seems.
Thank you Emma, from the bottom of my heart!!!
Everything I have ever read from this author has been truly just plain
amazing. But this story went above and beyond my highest expectations. A true 6 star page turner.
I will not spoil this journey for the readers because it needs to experienced to it’s fullest. This is a journey that started when Violet and Miller were young kids. Through friendship, through adolescents and YA came out the best love of all times, soulmates. No matter what, they were destined to be together, how they get there that is the story you will read.
When I read a story, I need to make a strong connection with the characters. From the moment they were introduced I just fell in love with them. Flawed characters that are like everyday, living and breathing human beings. They latched themselves to heart, mind, body and soul.
The storyline was perfectly executed and flowed well. Beautifully written with words that made me swoon a time or two. Pure love at it’s rarest form. This author was able to make me escape, even if just a few hours, my life as a nurse. Through difficult times that we all know and live, I needed Emma Scott’s stories to breathe life into me. Bottomline this is a must read.
Standalone told in a dual POV with an amazing HEA. I strongly recommend this story. All of this author’s previously published stories are all worth the readers precious time and money.
I loved this story of two people who found one another and form a bond that made them feel safe, with someone who really cared about them. Violet is from the rich side of town. She has a nice house and money but lacks security and love. Miller lives with his mother, in difficult conditions. Violet and Miller are compelling characters, and I loved the way the author advanced their romance. Both are confused by the storm of emotions they feel for each other. I worried for them a few times but nothing can come between true love.
Emma Scott’s writing draws you into her characters and their lives and holds you there from beginning to end. This is the kind of story that you simply feel the characters becoming a part of each other lives and falling in love. It is written with emotional depth and the pace of their story is just right. It’s hard to say how charming I found Violet and Miller.
Violet is a great character. She is a no-nonsense type of girl, smart and selfless,truly a gem. She wants to be a doctor. In the meantime, she is keen to experience the human side of her future profession. Miller is deep, intense and unlike the other boys she knows. She likes that he is a bit of a mystery and enjoys getting to know him. He is the person she can’t live without and she would do anything to keep him safe. Miller has built strength out of helplessness and fear. He never complains and channels himself through his affection for Violet that translates in his music.
Engaging characters, a beautiful story that kept me turning the pages and flawless writing, this book has it all. I found it hard to put down, finding myself rushing through daily living requirements to continue reading!
5 inevitable stars!
One of the things I love most about this author is how powerful her books are. You don’t just read her stories, you live them. Your heart feels everything and you end up completely invested in her characters and their world. This is exactly how it was for me while reading The Girl in the Love Song. This emotional friends-to-lovers romance took me on a journey of heartache, self-discovery, and healing, and left me breathless, whole, and savoring this epic love story. It’s a mature young adult read with all the feels, and I loved it!
Miller and Violet meet at thirteen and immediately they have a connection. A gorgeous friendship forms and they become the best of friends despite coming from different backgrounds. Slowly, their feelings turn into so much more but they are scared to take a chance and risk losing the best thing they have ever had.
“The day I knew I loved Violet was also the day I let her go.”
I loved the way this story was written. From childhood to adulthood, Miller and Violet experince a true love that stands the test of time. Even during the difficult times, they never stopped loving each other. They go on a beautiful journey of mistakes and regret, growth and discovery, and healing, forgiveness and hope. It’s far from easy, but worth every heartache.
“In that instance—the length of a heartbeat—a lifetime passed between us. An understanding that he and I were inevitable. Fated.”
Miller and Violet are selfless, sweet, and unconditionally supportive of one another. They never give up on each other and are there for each other when they need it the most. There love story is a gorgeous romance that makes you believe in soulmates and gives you hope during the difficult times.
“Miller and I ebbed and flowed, but we always came back. Inevitable as the tide and beautiful in the end.”
Though it is very much a love story, there are so many other facets that make it an incredible read. Heavy themes add to the emotional parts of the story and I think they were well written. We also get secondary characters who are key players in Violet and Miller’s lives and they were well developed and intriguing.
Overall, The Girl in the Love Songs is a really special story and easily a 2020 favorite. It’s the first book in the Lost Boys series, and I can’t wait for more.
5 LOVE THIS BOOK STARS!! This book will be one of my favorite books in 2020. I have so much love for Miller and Violet, these two were there for each through there tough teenage years. Their story flooded me with feels from happy to tears in my eyes all the way through their story. Emma Scott touches my soul and heart with her words…..you must read this book.
4.1 stars
There is just something about this author that always makes me feel better when I read her words. Her books always ground me and keep me humble. There is a gentle almost serene grace about the spell that she puts me under as I fall into her stories and that is why I am a huge fan.
From the start of this book, Miller and Violet have a connection. It starts at a pretty precarious age for most kids (just hitting teenager0 and continues on as they grow older. My heart for Miller. I hated that he acted aloof or guarded, granted he had the right to be, but inwardly wanted to be so much more. Violet, such a wise soul for someone so young.
This tackles a couple of serious topics, one in regards to health and one in regards to a plight that is felt in this country. The author handled both those with such compassion and care. I really liked the overall premise of the story being a boy and the muse he loved.
Even with this author being a favorite of mine, I did struggle with a few areas such as Evelyn, and Violet’s parents but put it besides for the most part because this author is so poetic when she writes and speaks to my soul.
Do you remember what high school pressures felt like? First crush? First Love? Fitting in? Finding your crew? Making your parents happy? Figuring out who you are? The Girl In The Love song is the first book in The Lost Boys Series is LIVE and touches on all of their and so much more.
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“Change is hard in the beginning, messy in the middle, and beautiful at the end.”
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@emmascottwrites gives us a story about growing up, first crushes, young love and true love. It’s a story about friendships in all the different forms they take. It’s a beautiful reminder of what is is like to try to find yourself during the chaos of high school and the first few years after. I LOVED this book! Violet & Miller grabbed my heart in the very first chapter and squeezed it the entire book. I loved these two and that crazy cast of characters that they found as their friends. The struggles felt so real. The heart break and insecurities were so real. I often found myself thinking about my own high school experience because this book evoked such a visceral response to some of those scenes. I can’t wait to see what book comes next in this series. Definitely a must read!
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Sometimes I just want to get lost in a story and not worry about notes or thoughts or reviewing. I know. Selfish. Sometimes I think that is more a testament to how wonderful a story is rather than some words I can string together to put in a review. But string together I will so here it goes.
Emma Scott’s The Girl in the Love Song is heartfelt and full of hope and love. Miller Stratton and Violet McNamara don’t come from similar backgrounds but they have the same beautiful heart. They connect on deep level even at a young age and as they grow and mature and live through those angsty teen years that connection stays strong and steady. They are both open, loving and giving. Their romance is sweet and tender. They definitely have their trials but it’s the maturity and strength in which they handled those times that appealed to me most.
And while I’m still trying to string those words together I need to mention the friendships and family that have been created. Miller, Holden and Ronan may have been labeled misfits but together they were what each another needed. They had an undeniable bond and understanding. Their time spent together are some of the best scenes in the book. I can’t wait to further explore their stories.
Emma Scott…you did it again! This book has everything! Miller is the broody musician with a medical condition. Violet is the “dorky” girl who saves Miller’s life when they are 13 years old, forever connecting them in ways it takes them a few years to understand. I loved how Miller takes care of Violet and they both believe so much in each other from the beginning even when Miller doesn’t believe in himself. I got major goosebumps multiple times reading this book. It was emotional, yet also had some pretty funny moments, particularly when the other 2 “Lost Boys” were around. Speaking of them, I can’t wait to read about the other lost boys, Holden and Ronan. This book starts a new exciting series from Ms. Scott and not only does it have an amazing cover, the story inside cannot be missed!
~Alexis
At the rate that Emma Scott has been taking pieces of my heart with each book of hers that I read, I’m going to end up being…heartless. Something I’ve already been accused of on occasion, but that’s a whole ‘nother matter. This author knows how to write and she does it well. She gives us characters that we not only want to see get their happily-ever-afters but that we wouldn’t mind having in our lives if they were actual people. There’s a realness and authenticity to not just Miller and Violet but to their motley group of friends. Maybe the three who made up the “Lost Boys” were seen as misfits, but there’s a depth to them, each having a story that demands to be told, even though these boys seemingly aren’t ready to be found just yet…or maybe the one who’s supposed to find them is just as lost. I’m now very much obsessed with the cast of characters here, and with Violet and Miller leading the pack, I shed tears in sympathy, gasped in shock, laughed at antics, and embraced them both in solidarity because I saw parts of myself in these two. I’d dare say Scott couldn’t possibly outdo herself after this, but knowing her through her writing, she’ll prove me wrong again with her next book. Five-plus stars go to The Girl in the Love Song.
This story starts out like our standard fare. Childhood sweethearts and music that moves them. What sets this story apart from others is author Emma Scott’s ability to reach in and humanize her characters with real problems and true connections. Honestly, this is a GREAT book and perfect for taking the playlist and making it a truly complete experience. This beautiful friends-to-lovers/first love story is so emotional & heartfelt. Once again, Emma Scott tackles topics like peer status, homelessness, poverty, domestic abuse, and even juvenile diabetes (who does this? it’s amazing!). She sensitively portrays people from all walks of life and makes us truly feel for this community of friends and the heart-core or Miller & Violet.
I really felt for both of these people. Anyone who has been in the situation of boy/girl friendship from a young age understands the pressures that come with wanting to keep the status quo and yet not being able to fight the natural changes that come to that relationship. The sensitivity and honesty to Miller & Violets relationship will set them in your heart. Ignore all the terrible parents (that was infuriating) but relish in the wonderful friends & community of people that make this unique book so bold, funny, sweet, and sexy.
***ARC PROVIDED BY AUTHOR FOR HONEST REVIEW***
Emma Scott has written another beautiful story of heartbreak, hope, growth, and love.
We first meet Miller and Violet as 13 year olds. Neither has an easy life, but they find friendship and comfort in each other. The story follows them as they grow up and their lives and relationship change. Their connection was obvious from the beginning and I liked getting to follow them through the different stages of their lives.
The writing here, as in all of Emma’s books I have read, is wonderful. She has created characters to care about and I cannot wait to see what she has in store for the other Lost Boys.
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC for an honest review.
Emma Scott does it again. She managed to enrapture me in ways I didn’t know were possible. I went into this read somewhat blind, simply trusting my love for the author’s words. Blown away doesn’t even begin to describe my feelings for Miller and Violet’s love story.
This book had so much honesty and heart. So much tragedy. So many feelings and emotions. Young love is such a beautiful thing, especially when it sparks from pain like what happened between Miller and Vi. Their friendship started at 13 but that’s also when their love or one another bloomed too.
Miller Stratton had a gift that belonged out in the world, for others to see. But his past was holding him back in ways he didn’t even realize. Violet had the “perfect” life but hid so much of herself from those around her, everyone except Miller. Their friendship was incredibly sweet. You could feel their love for one another palpitating like a racing heart through the pages. I loved watching them grow as the story progressed, changing and evolving as individuals.
I’m glad the author put so much on the shoulders of these characters. While the book was written at a time in their lives when they were young and naive, they were anything but juvenile. Both characters were battling their own issues, but did so with grace and maturity. Life was not easy for either of them and that required them to lean on others outside of just each other. I loved the friendships that both the H and h built with others in their lives. Especially the unlikeliest of ones! I cannot wait for more of Ronan and Holden. Their characters were so complex and mysterious.
Sparks flew whenever Miller and Violet were in each other’s presence. From the beginning of the book to the end. Their love was apparent in every interaction, every choice they made, every sacrifice. They just needed to get out of their own way, as Violet mentioned numerous times in the story.
The epilogue had me in tears. Beautiful, happy, smiling tears. My heart was so full. This book was easily a 5 star read for me!
Wow!! I’ve been getting ready to go on a trip so the first day I started I wasn’t able to read much but yesterday I finished the last 70%! I was up u til 4 AM reading! I could not put it down!!
Miller and Violet were were brought up on two different sides of the tracks but that didn’t stop the instant friendship maybe even love that blossomed between them! But they had both been hurt in their past to think that anything other than friendship could be between them. And it seemed that anytime one would decide to give it a shot at times either something or someone was standing between them!
Gosh, I was so rooting for these two but it seemed they were never on the same track!! There were times that I wanted to throw my kindle!
There were characters I loved and others not so much (Evelyn!)
And can I just say how much I love Miller! He’s sweet, sexy and so swoony playing his guitar and writing his songs!
I absolutely loved how Miller and Violet’s story ended!! Absolutely perfect!
This book gave me all the feels and I’m so excited for Holden and Ronan’s stories!!
There is a reason why Emma Scott continues to be one of my unicorn authors…and it is her beautiful writing and prose, and her CHARACTERS!!! Not only did Miller & Violet steal my heart, but every other secondary character did as well, and I’m SO excited about this new series!
E Scott has once again written a story that delves beyond the usual YA angst, HS drama, and young love/lust. In this book (which takes place over a decade in time) Miller & Violet are faced with issues that are so prevalent today: homelessness, poverty, domestic abuse, and diabetes to name a few. This author not only has her young characters face these challenges, but she does it with having done her research and her conviction shines through in her writing.
When we first meet Miller, he is living in poverty and is horribly sick. He has been abandoned by his dad and is struggling to simply survive with his withdrawn mom. When Violet discovers him, her nurturing and compassionate nature comes out naturally and you can’t help but feel the immediate bond between the two. As much as Miller wants to push Violet away, she constantly is there for him building a friendship that becomes so much more. Over the years, even as they grow apart, the bond between them is ever-present and obvious to everyone. However they both struggle to take the risk of jeopardizing their friendship for more.
As soon as Miller & Violet give in to their true feelings, they are almost immediately ripped apart by different opportunities and circumstances for each of them, and it is heart-wrenching. There is so much love invested between them. It is deep, loyal and passionate. They went from adolescent best friends to experiencing their firsts together, and suddenly must learn to live without the other in their lives constantly. There are struggles, yet they both are given the opportunities to grow and reach their lifelong goals. However, as time goes on…they both realize that their goals are meaningless without the other.
This book is both heartbreaking and heartwarming at times. Miller will steal your heart and you’ll want to wrap him up and protect him, as well as the other Lost Boys who you will meet along the way. Violet has a heart of gold and you can’t help but cheer for her every step of the way. My heart was invested in their story from the very beginning to the very end. I cannot wait to read more of what’s to come in this series and these amazing characters! Well done once again E Scott!