Reader Reviews / What People Are Saying

  • “just read 1st 3 pages of your book. Fantastic. Post-modern feminine/ist High Fidelity. LOVE that.” -Rosanne Cash (@rosannecash)
  • “If you believe music changes lives, read this.” -Joe Petruccio (@rocknrollartist)

  • “After reading @carynrose’s book #bsidesandbrokenhearts, had to buy 4 albums I didn’t have but needed to hear.” @hagenmark

  • “You can’t talk about this book and not talk about the music. I was of course familiar with most of the bands named in the book. However, I’m not well-versed in rock and roll so I didn’t feel the musical connection to the songs Lisa played. That didn’t detract from the point that music can heal, can be our best friend, can make us feel things nothing else on earth can ever make us feel. I know what’s it’s like to feel that way to other types of music. There will always be songs that take us back to that moment when we fell in love with the music, with the singer, with the band. There will be music that we soundtrack our lives to; the only difference between me and Lisa is that her soundtrack is a hell of lot cooler than mine! ” Amazon review

  • “Caryn Rose does a great job of creating characters that you can identify with and be curious about. The music references were great and she clearly knows this era (late 80s, early 90s) of both music and culture. I read this VERY quickly and didn’t want it to end. Highly recommended!” Amazon review

  • “It’s a fast read but good and satisfying. Time bounces around as does our hero Lisa and its the music that keeps her steady and connects her to the angels. So to speak. It’s easy to get caught up in the life of the 20 something Lisa. I’m sure this story will bang a gong to brothers back home with his Beatles and his Ramones [but I never got it off on that revolution stuff, what a drag] and yet for me, not knowing most of the music tagged, it could have been deadly but actually it resonates and vibrates even without the mental soundtrack. Lisa is directionless and yet affirmed and sparky enough that I wanted to stay with her trip. Caryn Rose’s passion for the music is steeped in the book and whe has made it utterly infectious.” Amazon review

  • “Given that (rock) music is such an intrinsic part of popular culture it is a shame that there have been so few good novels based around the impact music can have on our lives. This book does just that in an intelligent and at times profoundly moving way and is a brilliant exploration of how music can and does change lives. Caryn Rose’s knowledge and research is amazing and has had me searching Google and playlists since I finished her novel. On top of that it is a great story that had me page turning in the wee small hours to find out what happened next. Anyone will enjoy this book regardless of their knowledge of rock music. Those of you who understand the thrill of getting those tickets, going to the gig, meeting up with friends who ‘get it’ and being there as the stage darkens and a band you love are about to be in front of you will feel that at last someone has articulated it for you!” Amazon UK review