Member Reviews
Eleanor Hayes ttook a temporary job at Austin’s music library to get her out of Chicago. She never thought she would run into Luke Wyatt a local music promoter. Together they end up trying to solve the mystry of who the woman is in a captivating photo of a mysterious young musician from 1993 that Eleanor found in the archives.
Thank you NetGalley and Lost Lust for an ARC, It was fun to read a book that was placed in my town.
This is rather lovely - as much it is a romance between Luke and Eleanor, as it is a love letter to Austin, Texas and the music scene there. Luke and Eleanor literally bump into each other in the street, and Luke manoeuvres to stay in touch with Eleanor as she investigates a photo she finds at work. She is new to Austin and looking for a space for herself. He’s a local, knows everyone and everything in the town and in the music scene. It’s tender as they fall for each other. The photo is a bit of a MacGuffin but it works to propel the plot forward, before other factors take over. Luke keeps a secret - silly boy - it’s bound to come back and bite him. And then one little lie leads to …
I loved getting to know Austin, the music, the clothes, all the characters they come across. It’s all feels a little other-worldly, even though it’s set in the present. It’s first person dual POV, so even with secrets, we get to know both Luke and Eleanor really well. There’s instalove, caretaking and steam 🌶️. A promising debut for Lolu Sinclair.
Thank you NetGalley, and Lolu Sinclair for the ARC. Opinions are my own.
Photojournalist, Eleanor Hayes, is determined to find the story behind a photo in the Austin music scene archives she is cataloging. When he literally bumps into a beautiful woman on 6th Street in Austin, Luke Wyatt is quickly smitten. He eagerly offers to help Eleanor solve her photo mystery. As a music promoter, he knows everyone in the business. In particular, he knows the woman in the old photo, and he has his own questions about her. But of course, he doesn't tell Eleanor. And this is where I had problems with this book. I hate the I-didn't-think-it-would-matter-if-I-lied-and-now-how-am-i-going-to-tell-the-truth trope.. That said, I liked the premise of solving a mystery. The plot is well organized, has some nice twists to it, and the story is told well. There is a very steamy scene and some good sexual tension leading up to it. There were just some inconsistencies in the story-telling that were irksome. It starts out all sweet, clean romance, then when the less sweet-clean stuff shows up it's a bit jarring. Overall, it's a an enjoyable read, if you are ok with the now-its-too-late-to-tell-the-truth bit.
First and foremost, thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC, in exchange for an honest review.
I really wanted to love this one, I really did. I loved Eleanor’s character and her quest to find the woman in the picture, but I wasn’t a big fan of Luke. He was okay-ish, I guess, just didn’t seem to work for me. It felt a bit insta-love the relationship between Luke and Eleanor and I’m not a huge fan of that trope. I also felt the book dragged a little bit, things could’ve been solved a little more smoothly. Overall, it was an okay read, so that’s why I’m rating it three stars.
This was a cute read but I didn’t feel like I wanted to continue reading this book, I feel like it sort of dragged on longer than it needed to and that I had to finish the book. However, I can see the idea and how it could have developed so hopefully in the future there may be something that captures my interest more.
Thankyou NetGalley for the arc
Archivist Eleanor Hayes thought her temporary job at Austin’s music library would be all about dusty files and faded images. However, when she finds a photo of a mysterious young female musician from 1993, she finds herself determined to uncover her story. Soon Eleanor finds herself enthralled by Austin’s vibrant music scene. When she meets Luke Wyatt, a music promoter she finds herself drawn into his world, as they both try to uncover more about the musician.
An interesting story with two quite engaging characters. Their dialogue is quite witty with plenty of banter. Eleanor’s inquisitiveness together with Luke’s trustworthy nature, made for an entertaining read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy.
This was a sweet, dual POV romance set amidst the Austin music scene. It was refreshing to see a romance set in a metro area outside of the usual New York and Los Angeles. Both Luke and Eleanor were likeable and made you want to root for them individually and as a couple.
I wanted to love it. The concept was great but it dragged for me. The writing style was just not for me.
The concept for the book is really cute but unfortunately the book dragged for me. The writing felt flat and I had to force myself to finish.
2.5/5 ⭐️
Yikes, this was rough. It had a cute premise and I loved that the FMC (Eleanor) worked at a music library doing archival work. It just did not work as a romance at all. The MMC (Luke) gave me the ick right from the start and it only got worse as the book progressed. It was red flag after red flag with him and by the end of the book I was hoping they wouldn't end up together so that Eleanor could live her best life without him.
The pacing was off as well, no tension or build up really for the mystery or the romance. Not one I would recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley, Lolu Sinclair and Lost Lust for my early access to this.
Eleanor and Luke were vibrant and interesting characters, but everything they did felt surface level. I wanted to ask Eleanor: Why come to Austin? Why become so attached to a woman in a photograph? Some of these questions were answered later in the novel, but the answers were too late and too disjointed to create an emotional attachment to the characters. Eleanor in particular lacked a meaningful and well integrated backstory that would give depth to her actions.
I also felt a lack of tension in the story. There was a time limit with Eleanor leaving Austin, and some secrets in the relationship that threatened to come to light, but these were made fairly obvious from the beginning. There was no messy, conflicted climax to provoke a strong reaction or draw in the readers.
Overall, an interesting plot and set up, but lacking strong characters to drive it forwards.
The synopsis of the story sounded so interesting to me and I was looking forward to a cozy mystery! The mystery wasn’t a big focus of the book and was solved 30% of the book. after that, I was wondering what the rest of the 70% of the book was about. I honestly don’t remember what went on in the middle of the story. The romance was insta-love and I couldn’t see any emotional connection between the two. Their romance was 100% physical attraction.
I liked Eleanor in the beginning but by the time i got 20% of the way through, I started to dislike her. She doesn’t really have any personality and is weirdly obsessed with the woman in the picture…she says she feels connected to her and knows her??? Girl what? Luke was okay, but also very flat as a character. He helps eleanor on her quest to find the woman in the picture simply because he finds her hot and wants to be with her. He also acted immaturely at times (both him and eleanor did and they’re in their 30’s…one would think they would be mature adults) and it was a big turn off for me.
The side characters didn’t have a lot of time in the book for the readers to connect with them, which was disappointing. therefore, I found the characters to be flat and very annoying (looking at you claire-) I did like the dog because who doesn’t like dogs in books?
This could have been better in several ways: the mystery lasting longer, the romance not be insta-lovey, and the main characters to be likeable (or have some personality…)
This book was amazing! The story was very unique and I really loved the banter and the plot. I would highly recommend this book!
I like a lot of things about this book, the writing most of all. I like the premise of the book. I hated the twist, but I can see why it’s important to the plot and how the characters could grow from that experience. I love how natural and realistic Eleanor and Luke's story evolved. I do wish the pacing was a bit more consistent because some parts of this book really dragged out. I don’t particularly like Luke ; he needs therapy. And I think Jolene gives shitty advices.. 😏
3.75
“Love might not be simple. But it doesn’t have to be hard.”
ARC PROVIDED BY NETGALLEY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW
this book has a really adorable story mixed with the vibrant musical city that's austin, a mystery that connects everything together and also some very hilarious and special side characters.
with eleanor we learn to be curious, believe in ourselves, find our place in the world and take a leap of faith in love and in life.
with luke we learn to follow our hearts, to trust in ourselves l, to share our love and favorite things with those around us and to be open.
it has love, it has music, it has places I now hope to visit one day and it's very truthful in the connection and serendipity of them and their love story.
It's just super cute and fun.
more of my favorite quotes below, so beware of possible spoilers
“We only have so much time on this earth. If there’s anything I’ve learned from losing my dad, it’s that. And Diane too. Being nervous, being scared is a waste of it.”
“I love you,”he says. “Everything I’ve done, as stupid as it has sometimes been, has come from loving you.”I cup his chin, unable to hide my smile. “What’s that look?”he asks. I take a deep inhale. His musk intermingles with the freshness of the air, a sweetness on the breeze. “I’m taking a picture, so I never forget this moment.”Luke moves in to kiss me, but he stops an inch away. “You’re going to have thousands of moments like this with me, Eleanor.”I close the space between us, indulging in his lips. Yep. I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.”
I can't say much about the book other than that I really enjoyed it. It captivated me immediately and I didn't want to put it down. The female protagonist's devotion to a picture and it's backstory was beautifully described.
The only thing that bothers me is that the description of the characters in the book doesn't match the cover. In the book the female protagonist has curly hair and glasses. On the cover, however, her hair is straight and no glasses are visible. The male protagonist also has straight hair on the cover and in the book he is described as having locks.
Loved this book! it's written in double POV which I absolutely love, the characters are described in a way that made me picture them immediately. It's a lovely romance between Eleanor, a new-in-town archivist at the Austin Music Library and Luke, a music promoter that knows the town like the back of his hand.
I love how the relationship is build up, they start off as strangers, become friends on their mission together until their chemistry becomes undeniable.
I must say this was almost a 5 star rating from me, but there were a few parts that I didn't like as much as the rest. That’s why this book gets 4 stars from me.
If you like cowboys, country music, banter, mystery and a meant to be kind of love story... This is the book for you!
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
This was a quick and easy read. I was really intrigued by the mystery of solving who the woman in the photo was. Luke and Eleanor had great chemistry with each other. Their relationship felt effortless from the beginning. My only issue was the conflict felt a little childish how Eleanor handled it. I feel like she didn't consider Luke's side at all.
I was so excited when I got an arc of this book, thanks to the publisher and NetGalley, but I was left disappointed.
The summary of the book sounds really interesting but unfortunately disappointed.
The main female protagonist Eleanor starts a new job as an archivist at Austin’s music library.One day she stumbles across a photo of a musician from 1993.Determined to find out who the woman in the photo is she accidentally meets the main love interest Luke.The main male protagonist is a music promoter and knows every little corner of 6th Street.Together they go on a little adventure to discover who that mysterious woman is.
First of all the book trope is insta love which I am not going to lie I don’t enjoy reading,but honestly I can let that slide if the other parts of the book are well made.Sadly that was not the case with this book.
Another problem with this book is how Eleanor and Luke’s relationship is built up on a lie.He knows who the woman is but lies to Eleanor.
I personally didn’t connect with the character and didn’t really felt the chemistry between them.
I didn’t enjoy the book but there’s definitely potential for future books by this author.
Lost Love on 6th Street by Lolu Sinclair
⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is the 2nd ARC I've finished in August courtesy of @netgalley . The premise behind this story and even the authors writing style were a win for me, but there were so many other aspects that distracted me from those and overall made it only okay.
Eleanor moves to Austin from Chicago to start a new life with a new (temporary) job as a museum archivist. On her first day, she finds a picture that speaks to her, but no one knows who the woman in the picture is or what her story is. Eleanor makes it her personal mission to learn all about her. That night, she bumps (literally) into Luke, a music promoter who has connections throughout the city and wants to help Eleanor on her search.
The search for the woman in the picture is interesting, but while it feels like it SHOULD be a major focus of the book, it gets pushed aside multiple times to focus on the budding feelings between Luke and Eleanor which SHOULD make sense except it's one of those stories where the MMC is lying from the beginning about something minor (actually it's kinda weird) and that leads to him feeling guilty as they fall in love and obviously leads to conflict later.
That element, along with the rushed and glossed over resolution at the end of the book, really took away from my enjoyment of it. The first 70ish percent was fantastic, and I devoured it. The last bit, though, made it hard to finish and ultimately left me unsatisfied. I believe this is the author's first published book, so I'd be interested in reading other books by her in the future as I really did like her writing style.