Kari's Review of In The Lyrics by Nacole Stayton

Summary/Blurb:

Hensley Bradley is the definition of the girl-next-door. She’s kindhearted, beautiful, and talented. Bored with her mundane life, thoughts of fleeing her small town begin to consume her. With aspiring dreams to use her voice as a one-way ticket, she suddenly discovers that music might not be her only passion.

After a fallout back home, Colby Grant decides to leave his family’s farm, determined to show his father he’s more than just a wanna-be country singer. With his All-American good looks, it doesn’t take long for girls in his new town to focus their eyes on him. But things aren’t what they appear from the outside, and it isn’t long until Colby feels he doesn't fit into the perfect world that so quickly embraced him. 

A chance encounter places Hensley in Colby’s path, but it isn’t her natural beauty that first captures his attention – it’s her voice. 

When love and music mix, will the combination blossom into a beautiful melody or wither into a heart-wrenching tune?

What I loved:

This was my first Nacole Stayton book.  I must say I am ashamed that I didn’t know about her sooner.  The characters in this book were amazing. The name of the female lead, Hensley, was so originally.  I had never heard it before and am in love with it!!  The male lead, Colby, is such a sweetheart and his situation broke my heart and made me love him more!!  The author has a great writing style that easily envelops you in the story.  

Everyone has a connection to music in some way or another. The book is centered around music and I always love stories that have to do with musicians.  What i didn’t expect was the actual music interfering in a way.  I don’t want to say too much or give it away but the story took a twist for me that was unexpected.  It was a grand gesture and a complete explosion all wrapped up in one.  I am so looking forward to more from this author!!!

What i didn’t love:

For the most part, this story was perfect for me.  I do have one gripe.  That would be Hensley’s mom.  When parents try to force their beliefs, dreams, or live vicariously through their children, it makes me angry.  This was the case for her mom.  I am understanding if it means you want your child to have better then you, but this didn’t seem that way to me for most of the story and I think Hensley carried a burden that she should have never been given in the first place.  

Overall:

This was such a refreshing book.  It sends a message that it is easy to lose your way and its ok.  Sometimes we are forced to want things because we are told so much that its what is best, that we forget about compromise and logic.  The way this book played out, was a bit shocking but such a great change.  Usually the guy is the ass clown, but here we see that the girl can be just a big of an ass as the guy.  

Compromise, love, passion, and music.  In The Lyrics opened my eyes to country music that I normally wouldn’t listen to. There is a playlist associated with this book and I have to be honest.  At first, I was sad by this music.  But as I continued to read, it enhanced my experience and made me love country music again!!! Check out the playlist below!!!

Playlist (via Nacole Stayton on Spotify)

Phillip Phillips – Tell Me A Story

Julianne Hough – That Song In My Head

Love and Theft – If You Ever Get Lonely

Dustin Kensrue – Please Come Home

Chris Cagle – Miss Me Baby

Lenny Kravitz – I'll Be Waiting

Brooks & Dunn – Cowgirls Don't Cry - Featuring Reba McEntire

Tim McGraw – It's Your Love

Ellie Goulding – Your Song

Tim McGraw – Southern Girl

Ryan Bingham – Long Way From Georgia

Dustin Lynch – Cowboys and Angels

The Band Perry – Walk Me Down the Middle

Easton Corbin – Dance Real Slow

Scotty McCreery – I Love You This Big

Thomas Rhett – It Goes Like This

Martina McBride – Long Distance Lullaby

Sugarland – Baby Girl - 2nd Version/Remix/Album Version

3 Doors Down – Your Arms Feel Like home

Aaron Lewis – The Story Never Ends

Ryan Bingham – Country Roads

Blake Shelton – Austin

Luke Bryan – Country Girl (Shake It For Me)

Savage Garden – I Knew I Loved You

Randy Houser – How Country Feels

Eric Hutchinson – Breakdown More

Mario – Music For Love

Jana Kramer – Whiskey

Bruno Mars – It Will Rain

Rascal Flatts – These Days

Brantley Gilbert – Freshman Year

Easton Corbin – I Can't Love You Back

Christina Aguilera – Sing For Me

Jessie James – Blue Jeans

The Band Perry – Independence

Lady Antebellum – Goodbye Town

Easton Corbin – All Over The Road

Randy Houser – Runnin' Outta Moonlight

Tim McGraw – The Cowboy In Me