Well... this was a complete surprise, a real 'wow' of a book that I really wasn't expecting. I expected a quite light, funny book, with someone who couldn't help singing at inappropriate times, and it was that.... but so very much more emotional than I'd expected

Well... this was a complete surprise, a real 'wow' of a book that I really wasn't expecting. I expected a quite light, funny book, with someone who couldn't help singing at inappropriate times, and it was that.... but so very much more emotional than I'd expected. It was hysterically funny in parts but so sad in others. Make sure you have the time, and box of tissues, to read the last half hour on your own, my eyes didn't stop leaking, but I just couldn't put it down!

Melody is a single mother to her two teenage children, Flynn and Rose, after her husband, Dev, went out one day and didn't come back, this was 11 years ago. This was shortly after a car accident that her husband and children were in where Flynn ended up blinded in one eye and with a large scar across one side of his face. Dev was driving and blamed himself. Their relationship was very stressed straight after that, even though they'd been blissfully happy and complete soulmates before, and one day Dev just disappeared out of their lives.

Melody's life fell apart and she searched for Dev for ages, but never found him, and one day just decided that she couldn't keep searching and dragging her children through her grief and gave up, assuming he was dead. Then one day Melody slipped on ice and hit her head and after that she started singing songs when she got stressed that related to how she was feeling, with all the dance moves added in too, along with singing at night which often kept her children awake. This started off very funny, but soon we realise quite what an effect both Dev disappearing and Melody's singing have on her children, who are quite troubled in parts, but who are absolutely amazing considering all the hassle in their lives.

I really don't want to say too much more as it would ruin the story, but there is a missing person report that Rose finds and they all end up in Cornwall following up that lead, and the story progresses from there. Then probably about two-thirds through the book something happened that I really didn't see coming... I thought something else was about to happen and then there was this massive curveball which took the book on a totally different path.

This was such an amazing book, so funny in lots of place, but also so sad (bittersweet, sobbing sort of sad) but a complete page-turner and something just that bit different as it kind of mixed a bit of every emotion into one book, a complete rollercoaster. Definitely a keeper, one of those books that will stick in my mind, and one to go on my favourite books list. A must read.

Firstly a massive thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for a digital copy in exchange for a frank and honest review.
I am in awe of Emma Cooper who in her very first novel has created an absolute masterpiece!! "The Songs of Us" is the most original and life affirming book I have read in a very, very long time. It literally has everything; characters you both love and can relate to, the most original story; it is emotionally satisfying and simultaneously heart breaking. If you only read one book in 2018, this is the one!
I personally cannot wait to read anything that Emma Cooper wishes to write ever again, a literary star in the making!!

This book was an excellent read.could identify with the characters especially the son and daughters as I felt they were like my kids.you will need tissues for this ,as the ending will not be what you think it is,brilliant holiday read I give this book five stars

The Songs if Us by Emma Cooper

I’m an avid book reader for psychological thrillers but ventured into a different genre after many book club members had read and recommended The Songs of Us by Emma Cooper.

I’m not really sure where to start. Rendering me speechless, which is rare for me, I had to take a few days to process this amazingly wonderful and beautifully written debut novel by Emma Cooper.

It’s rare but just as equally wonderful when you discover such a beautifully written story of love, laughter and heartbreak in one novel that has you processing so many emotions throughout the book that you are not conscious of your surroundings while reading. I laughed out load as well as cried in public which to my embarrassment was captured by strangers.

I was fully emerged in the story which was executed perfectly with a balance of laughter and tears... which I rarely shed I may add! The story was so perfectly executed along with characters I wanted to get to know, they’re troubles became mine, their tears shed through me and the outcome even though sad was described with the perfect balance of heartache as well as a happy conclusion.

I’m not sure I can verbally describe how good this debut is but I urge anyone reading this review to go and read it for yourself. It’s a novel everyone should read.

Emma Cooper is a novelist to watch!

This was a great book. Slow to get into but from 20% I was hooked.
There are some very funny bits but also bits to make you cry and appreciate what you have in life.
It is quite draining at the end -be warned.
But would definitely recommend it. to my friends to read.

Melanie has a strange illness which means she breaks into song and dance when she is stressed, which is often since her husband Dev left her with two children. I loved the characters of all 3 especially the kids as they love their mum no matter what she does. I didn't like Dev as he was weak. A good story of family values.

The Songs of Us is a wonderful heart wrenching read. Melody, mother of a teenage son and daughter is a single mother after her husband mysteriously disappeared 10 years previously, after slipping on ice she has been left with a brain injury that causes her to start singing out loud when ever stressed or anxious, even dancing at times.
Her son who was blinded in one eye by a car accident when his father was driving is supportive, his sister more embarrassed.
As the story unfolds Melody discovers her husband is in fact alive, and here we start a gut wrenching emotional journey. A powerful story of love, mental illness and hope, uplifting and sad, all in all an amazing read, but be warned....get the tissues out.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for opportunity to review this book honestly.

A story that made my heart sing and ache at the same time. This is a story full of emotions, drama and songs (which you will get stuck in your head because I certainly did !)

The characters in this book were all so realistic especially when they were describing how they felt , the emotions were put into words so perfectly, it made it easy to relate to. I found it uncanny how Rose was called 'Goldfish' , I was picked on at school and called this because of my big eyes !! Another part I could relate to was when Melody is explaining about the five stages of grief and she said "if I can get this tissue in the bin from here, they'll find him", I do this a lot when I'm feeling indecisive ! I thought Melody and her children Flynn and Rose has such a lovely relationship and when they got Tom/Dev back it made their family even more perfect.

I did find it hard to read after Melody got diagnosed with cancer because my own mum has cancer herself and is suffering at the moment, I could relate to how Rose and Flynn felt seeing the sudden changes in their mum as a month ago you wouldn't have known my mum has cancer , well apart from the fact her eye bulges slightly but other than that she was fine. After her second dose of immunotherapy though she began to have falls due to her legs being weak. We have now been told that they have ruled out any further operations and it is down to immunotherapy to cure her ! So now you see why I found it hard to read and I nearly gave up but I carried on and I'm so glad I did. This story made me feel a little stronger.

Thanks to Headline Review and Netgalley for this arc. Songs of Us by Emma Cooperis available to purchase now and is a bargain price of 99p on kindle !

This is a brilliant read. I feel like I have just been on an emotional journey. I laughed and I cried. I got totally caught up in the lives of Melody, Flynn and Rose and their search for Dev. Melodys singing made me laugh so much. I cried at the ending. This is a brilliant, wonderful story that is told beautifully and I will remember it for a long time. I want to reread it and sing along a bit more the next time.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Wow....loved loved loved this book, I so did not want this to end. I have never read anything that draws you in so much and plays with all of your emotions. This truly is an amazing read. It had me laughing and in floods of tears, This is so well written and is such a thought proving story. It really is something special and I could not put this down. This is going to be one of those books that I will definitely have to read again and has become one of my all time favourite reads, This is a must read and I cannot recommend this enough.

Where to start? At the beginning the book was very funny and I found myself laughing out loud, about a third of the way through I struggled a little as the book took a more sombre direction, but by halfway although still serious I found it easy to read. I was not prepared for the ending though. I would definitely recommend this book.

I would give this book 6 stars but only 5 was the maximum option. I fell in !ove with each and every character. Sang, laughed and cried - quite uncontrollable - along. This is the book of the year for me. I'm heartbroken that I've finished it and no longer can settle in to Melody's loony tunes and play guess the song title, whilst enjoying the trials and tribulations of the King family's life, Outrageously funny, breathtakingly sad and full of love. I can't recommend this book enough.

This is another book I saw reviewed in a magazine and then actively sought an advance review copy on NetGalley.   And I was so pleased I did - this book is FAB-U-LOUS.  I think it's my favourite read since Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine - and that is saying something.

Here's the blurb:

"If Melody hadn't run out of de-icer that day, she would never have slipped and banged her head. She wouldn't be left with a condition that makes her sing when she's nervous. And she definitely wouldn't have belted out the Arctic Monkeys' 'I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor' in assembly at her son's school.
If Dev hadn't taken the kids to the zoo that day, then the accident wouldn't have happened. He wouldn't have left Flynn and Rose without a dad. Or shattered the love of his life's heart.
But if they hadn't seen the missing person report that day, they might never have taken the trip to Cornwall. And, in the last place they expected, discovered what it really means to be 'Us'."

Melody is a single Mum - trying to do the best for her 2 children - but with the added complication of a condition that makes her sing songs when she's nervous.  The eclectic mix of songs she chooses is just brilliant - and the fact she doesn't get the lyrics right all of the time is amusing and endearing. Both Flynn and Rose have 'complications' to deal with - linked too, or probably because of, their father's disappearance - but all wrapped up in your standard teenage angst.  I thought this particularly well observed and written (mostly because of having teenagers myself!).

I don't want to give too much of the plot away - and there is a HUGE plot change in the middle that takes the wind out of your sails - but it only adds to the amazing roller coaster the book takes you on.

Whilst the major plot lines revolve around the immediate family - the peripheral characters are also really important and fundamental to the story line in lots of ways.  It was good to see how their stories panned out too.  How people deal with a crisis can be so different - and whilst you can see that, for example, Melody's Mum has the best of intentions - she does like any crisis to be firmly centred on the impact on her rather than the main protagonist for that specific issue.

I really didn't want to put this down - even though the final 15% had me weeping LOADS - but it is great.  It's written well - but not in a 'I'm a really high brow novel' kind of way - but in a 'fun, clever, witty, emotional, entertaining, but still written with eloquence and care' kind of way.  I can also definitely see this being made into a film / TV series - the soundtrack would be immense!

I'd decided to slot this into my 2018 Reading Challenge as A Book About Mental Health - but is it???

The Songs of Us is published in September - but you can pre-order a copy now.  Thank you Netgalley for my copy.

The imagery Emma Cooper's writing evoked in the first few pages made me splutter and a chuckle and I knew I was going to enjoy this book.  The writing is strong and I instantly connected to the flawed characters of the King's dysfunctional but loving family unit.  Melody, Flynn, and Rose share their perspectives as they all cope with the consequences of Melody's neurological condition in their own way. I cringed and laughed with them as Melody's singing provided many unforgettable moments. The premise of singing when anxious sounded absurd but it quickly becomes believable.  Emma Cooper has a talent for blending humour with heartbreak to produce a unique, warm, funny, heartbreaking and memorable read. I have yet to start a new book days later because it refuses to let me go.

I wish I could see the sculptures and art created in the book; they are described in intricate detail and they sound stunning.

Music plays a huge role in the story so expect many earworms or involuntary singing along while reading.  The clever use of songs adds to the flow and pace of the novel. I was delighted to discover an accompanying playlist on Spotify.

Would I recommend?
This is one of my favourite books in this genre and once it is released will live on my forever shelf. It reminds me of Sophie Kinsella and Jojo Moyes at their best. You will need a box of tissues from the start to wipe the tears from laughter and sobbing.

I can not wait to read more from this novelist.

A fantastic book which touched me and made me laugh, cry and gasp throughout.

Not my usual type of read but I thoroughly enjoyed it, well done Emma on your debut novel.

The Songs of Us.

I'd forgotten the synopsis of this book when I came to read it, so went in a bit blind. Well, I loved it. I laughed, giggled, sighed and cried through the book. I can't remember the last time a book brought me to tears. Melody's character, and those of her family absorb you, they feel very real as you read. I started it a few days ago, and then read practically the whole book today. I just couldn't put it down. I'm so pleased I read it, but do make sure that you have tissues ready!

This book has all the hallmarks of a huge bestseller!
I loved...
the story line
the family unity, even in the most difficult of circumstances
the research that Emma has done is second to none
the way I laughed at all the daft things that Mel did, but I felt like I was laughing with her rather than at her.

Such a great book, I couldn't put it down.

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.

How does one review a book that touches your heart and tugs at your soul?

This is a story of Melody, who falls and hits her head, following which she develops a strange syndrome, which causes her to break out into songs whenever she’s anxious and stressed.
This is a story of her teenage children, Rose and Flynn. Flynn, who sustained a serious injury to his face, when he went flying out of the windshield of the car being driven by his father, Dev, has to deal with bullying from his peers not only because of his permanently scarred and disfigured face, but also due to his wacko mum.
Rose too faces similar embarrassment while having to deal her mum’s condition, but she never could let go of her father disappearing. She has clung on to the hope that he will be found somewhere.

Yes, Dev just went missing one day – and no amount of searching could help trace him. The family ultimately concluded that he was dead.
And so they were living, this dysfunctional family of three, dealing with their own problems, their intricacies, their issues and they were coping…

Till Rose comes across a man, who resembles their father. His name is Tom Simmonds. And so this family of three will make one trip to find out if this is the man who apparently abandoned them.

This is also a story of Tom – a man who you would relate to. A man whose world was about to turn topsy-turvy.

A book full of warmth, a beautiful and poignant novel. The story and the relationships amongst the protagonists are so heart-warming and real.
The essence of motherhood is captured oh-so-perfectly, the feelings, the sibling bonding, the hopes, the disappointments, the joy – this is a family saga.
A story of family, of loving, belonging, believing and never letting go.
The love story is what movies are made of – and it makes you want to believe in forever and happily ever after.

Please read it. You won't regret it. One bit.