Author: Dani Atkins
ISBN: 9781471153297
RRP: $29.99
Our Song is the third novel by Dani Atkins and the first I have read. It is a beautiful tale that is far from what I expected after reading the blurb; which means I am having trouble with how to write a spoiler free review.
The story is written from two separate perspectives, both in the first person, and spanning almost a decade. The timeline is fluid and we move through the years at the mercy of our heroine’s memories.
Atkins brings us a story of coincidences that mount up so far that it would be difficult to believe that there isn’t a force at work that brings us to the places we need to be in our lives. Maybe it’s fate, maybe it’s written in the stars but even with full freewill we still end up right where we need to be.
Charlotte and Ally have known one another since university, and Charlotte is now married to Ally’s first love. The two have not seen one another in years and it is far from a happy reunion when they find themselves face to face in an unlikely setting.
I found the flow of the story surprisingly easy to follow. I would have expected the jump from perspective to perspective coupled with the travel from past to present with very little warning to have interrupted the fluidity of the story, instead it served only to draw me deeper into the lives of the characters.
Our Song explores the depth of first love, the ease with which the past returns to haunt the present and the way in which friendships can grow out of the ashes of adversity, almost against the will of those involved.
There is a lot to be said for the old saying that everything happens for a reason, every decision in life sets you on the path to exactly where you are supposed to be. That is sometimes easier to deal with in theory than reality.
The last person either of these women expect to run into in the hospital on the night their life is turned upside down is each other. They were at university together when Charlotte moved in as the final room mate with a group of young men, one of them being Ally’s boyfriend David. Things weren’t left on the best of terms the last time they were together and the animosity is still very present, add the heightened emotions and stress of the situation they find themselves in and things are a little tense.
Atkins explores the emotions of both leading ladies with insight and empathy, and through their memories we learn a lot about the men that they love. The trips down memory lane are often sudden, though sparked by something in the present, and they paint a vivid picture of the characters; they draw us into their lives and the events that have brought them to this particular place and time. Nothing really explains why they ended up in the same place, except that sometimes you end up where you need to be.
The characters are all realistic and well drawn though their behaviour doesn’t always make them very likeable.
Our Song is a beautiful story that reminds us to hold our loved ones tight and never take anything for granted. It reminds us of the resilience of the human spirit and the beauty and wisdom that can be found in the young.
I loved this book, it was unique and engaging though I did find it became a little predictable. I could see the ending coming from about three quarters of the way through but that didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story.
Dani Atkins has a way with words that brings you into the drama with her characters and I will definitely be keeping an eye out for more of her work.
I was warned that I would need tissues for this one, and I did, but I think I would have needed more had I not been warned.
Thanks to Simon & Schuster 30 of our Beauty and Lace Club Members will be reading Our Song so please be aware there may be spoilers contained in the comments below.
Our Song is available February 1st through Simon & Schuster and where all good books are sold.
I devour books, vampires and supernatural creatures are my genre of choice but over the past couple of years, I have broadened my horizons considerably. In a nutshell – I love to write! I love interacting with a diverse range of artists to bring you interviews. Perhaps we were perfect before – I LOVE WORDS!
Tissues already bought then. Sounds like a lovely book to read.
Great review Michelle 🙂
I was lucky enough to read this book it is excellent and that is all I am going to say you have written a great review
This sounds a lovely book with lessons for us all. I must say I’m intrigued and now want to lay my hands on this. Thankyou for the review Michelle.
I received this book on Friday morning and with a quiet weekend at home I managed to read it over the weekend. What a great read!!
Our Song is a story of two women and their partners, who find themselves in the same hospital intensive care unit one night. Ally is married to Joe and he is in a hospital bed and Charlotte is married to David who is also in the hospital. It turns out that David was Ally’s first love and she has always felt that it was Charlotte fault they split. Over a period of 24 hours we learn about what happened to lead us to this point.
The relationship of the couples and of Ally and Charlotte makes for interesting and engaging reading. The story moves between the present and the past and the story evolves as the reader learns about what happened. I really enjoyed this book. It made we think about past loves, friendships and how they affect us. It is a really entertaining read…and I cried too.
A great story for a weekend read or an any time read!! I will be reading more books by Dani Atkins.
Our Song by Dani Atkins is the emotionally charged story of two couples whose fates are inextricably linked … for better and now … for worse. A love story, a story about family, about life and ultimately a story about loss and healing.
Our Song is a very intense and moving read. Indeed even though I could guess what the likely outcome(s) would be I could not put the book down until I’d finished it. It was so engrossing.( The book arrived yesterday and I finished it today. ) But be warned you will definitely need to keep the tissue box handy when you read the tragic circumstances that lead to Ally, Joe, Charlotte and David’s paths crossing again on this fateful night, after so many years apart.
The story is told from both Ally and Charlotte’s points of view, and has been very cleverly crafted. In other writer’s hands this style of writing can be quite confusing, but in this author, Dani Atkin’s hands, it has really ‘made’ the book and adds to our understanding of the characters and the dilemmas they face. Accordingly, the narrative slips seamlessly between Ally and Charlotte’s perspectives as well as between the past and the present, using anecdotes and flashbacks to reveal more and more about each of the characters, and the complicated history that has led to this point.
I am trying not to give too much of the plot away as this is a story that deserves to be read to be properly appreciated. I thoroughly recommend it. Thanks
I received my copy of Our Song in the mail on Wednesday and was unable to put it down until I had finished reading it less than 24 hours later. The hardest thing about reading this book was trying to see through the unbidden tears that constantly blurred my vision as I read! There should be a huge “Tissue Alert” on the front cover.
The book is beautifully written from the perspectives of the four main characters David, Joe, Charlotte and Ally. The author, Dani Atkins, slides seamlessly between not only the characters but the past and present as the characters become inextricably intertwined. Even as it becomes obvious which way the story is heading, it remains engrossing and continues to tug at the reader’s heartstrings.
The best summary of the book without risking spoilers is written on the book’s back cover:
“Four people.
Two marriages.
One night to decide their past, present and future.”
I loved this book and would recommend it as a read to anyone – but make sure those tissues are handy.
From the moment I started on the first page, the book, Our Song by Dani Atkins totally captured my attention. This is just a powerful, intense but captivating read that will definitely pull at your heart strings.
It follows the lives of 4 people David, Charlotte, Ally and Joe. There is not one character in this book that you dislike. You will endear to a little boy called Jake who is the son of Ally and Joe. I found myself laughing and crying at his antics.
I always know when I am reading a great book because as I read, I actually visualise people and places. It’s like I am reading and watching a movie at the same time.
From the first page, I was totally entranced with meeting the two main males and it’s not hard to really love their characters. There are a lot of times when my hand was on my heart. I could not put this book down so read it in one day.
I’ve not read anything from Dani Atkins before but she will definitely be on my list now. Dani is an amazing author that truly writes beautifully from the heart.
Our Song is my wow book from start to finish. Truly a beautiful love story with some twists and turns.
Highly recommend reading this book but be warned, tissues beside you throughout the book.
Thank you to Beauty and Lace and Simon & Schuster, Australia for introducing me to another author.
I received this book a week ago and have read it around the kids and work. I hated putting it down as I felt like I was a part of the feelings, emotions and unfolding story. How Ally’s and Charlotte’s lives are entangled through tragic events causing them to cross each other’s paths.
I loved reading the history of the two women and how they arrived at the point they are at in the current time in the book and how things unfolded in their past.
The story flows really well and the characters are so real and mostly likeable, except for maybe David’s mother, and was a really enjoyable book. I would happily recommend Our Song to all my friends, even if they don’t read this type of fiction. Well worth reading.
Our Song by Dani Atkins is a great read.
The story of the 4 main characters flow effortlessly backwards and forwards from the past to present, being narrated by each person.
The incidents that bring the characters together on the unforgettable night reveals the paths they took to get where they are today, the emotions, thoughts and overall outcome of the hardest decision someone must ever take.
The characters and the story are so believable, there are many subjects that Dani Atkins has explored and the depth of her research shines through.
There are some very emotional scenes and will definitely bring tears to the readers eyes. Even with this, I still enjoyed this book hugely and am looking forward to reading more by this author.
Thank you so much for giving me the chance to read and review this lovely book.
As a person who reads many, many books, I am so thrilled when I come across one that I know will change how I think about things – this book, Our Song, did that for me.
It has gone right up to the top ten (possibly 5) books I have ever read. I could write a one word review, and it would be simply ‘WOW’..
But the characters, and the author deserve a little more than that 🙂
This book grabbed me right from the first page; actually, the first paragraph.
I was so drawn to the characters. I found myself thinking of them when I wasn’t able to read, I stayed up a long time after I had told myself “just one more chapter.”
For me, Dani’s writing style is flawless. Though the ending was predictable from fairly early on in the story, in no way did it detract from the wonderous, emotional, believable storyline.
I can’t decide who my favourite character is from the book, as they all played great roles and were invaluable to the storyline. I did love Max, Jake, Alice the neighbour, and especially the four main charctaers – Ally, Charlotte, David, and Joe.
I will be telling everyone to read this book (I’ve actually already shared on instagram and fb!) because it really deserves the recognition and praise.
I won’t be forgetting this book in a hurry. My utmost appreciation to Beauty and Lace, as Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to review.