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!
I like most of the reviewers haven’t read any books by Dani Atkins, and like most the reviewers she is now on my favorite authors list.
What a tear jerker this book is, you need tissues by the box full. I tend to get lost in romance novels and this one was now exception. I totally immersed myself (which was easy to do) in the story of the four main characters, Charlotte, David, Ally and Joe, and of course the gorgeous Jake.
The story takes us through a journey of lost love, found love, old friends who reconnect, and it is so cleverly written jumping from the present back into the past. Losing your first love, so totally heartbreaking, and coming across him again in a hospital, where you are with your heart in your hands about your husband. A really clever plot and one of the most beautiful stories I have read.
What a really nice (but teary) movie this book would make.
My thanks to Beauty and Lace, and Simon & Schuster for giving me the chance to enjoy such a great read.
“Our Song” is a complex love story which flits back and forth between past and present, relating the intertwining fates of the main characters, before culminating in a tear-jerking final destiny. At first the jumping between past and present is a little disconcerting but it makes more and more sense the further you read on.
The two main heroines of the book are estranged friends, who are thrown together when tragedy strikes their loved ones. The past rears its ugly head and they are forced to confront sleeping relationship demons. Both of these characters are likeable and relatable, which makes it difficult to ‘pick a side’ (I cannot elaborate more without giving the plot away). The male leads of the book are equally likable, though we don’t get as much of their perspective in the storytelling as we do the ladies. All characters share a very complicated relationship to say the least!
Though the ending of the book is easy to determine early on, it is still an emotional reading journey in which you find yourself hoping for an alternate one!
The love theme of this book is shadowed with an underlying sense of tragedy which makes it a riveting read. To me this book illustrates the cruelty of fate; even if you are a good person life is rarely fair and there is certainly no guarantee of a happy ending.
I would highly recommend “Our Song” (along with a box of tissues!)
Thank you so much for the opportunity to review our song.
This book was amazing and so easy to read.
This story of 2 couples and their journeys with their fates intertwined makes for an emotional read.
I love how the stories were told by each of the 4 characters and went effortlessly from one to the other. Each character is likeable and goes through their own unique journey while also being linked all due to one night where their paths crossed.
So many different subjects were explored within the book and it is clear to see that Dani Atkins did her research while writing the novel.
I was very impressed and will definitely be recommending this book to my friends.
Thank you once again.
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 would be I could not put the book down until I’d finished it. It was so engrossing.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.
This book Our song is an extremely easy book to read and I would definitely recommend it to everyone who loves a good read.
Thank you for the opportunity to review this book it was an amazing read, I loved it!
What a wonderful book that had me captivated from beginning to end. The story revolves around two women – Charlotte and Ally. When they first meet they became friends but unfortunately fall out over Ally’s boyfriend David. They lose touch until 1 day fate brings them back together through the most heart wrenching of situations. I found I got a little confused at the beginning if who was who and who was dating whom but quickly the story unfolded and I quite enjoyed the flick backs to past events which helped give depth to the story and made me empathise with both women. I found I predicted the ending about 3/4 of the way through however, it didn’t make me want to put the book down. I also started crying about this stage as well and didn’t stop till the last page! A beautiful story that stays with you and makes you think about life and how unexpected and unpredictable it truly is. Thank you Dani Atkins for a fabulous book. I look forward to reading more from her now!
Dani Atkins may not be the world’s most famous author but her third novel, Our Song, looks poised to change that. This emotional, family drama is a slow-burning and nuanced tale that looks at fate, friendship, love and other dilemmas. It’s a poignant tale that will give you cause to sit back and reflect and this will happen long after you’ve finished the book’s final words.
The story is about two women and former friends who are suddenly hit by individual tragedies. Ally is the mother of a gorgeous, seven year old boy named Jake and wife to the kind-hearted and sweet, Joe. The latter finds himself in a sticky situation early on. Joe discovered a young boy in distress who had fallen into a frozen lake while attempting to save the family pet. Joe is an admirable man and he saves the kid and the dog but he also falls into the frozen water himself and is rushed off to intensive care.
David is Ally’s old flame and a jet-setting, rich man who is now married to the equally ambitious, Charlotte. The former is about to surprise his wife with a surprise trip to New York but he is struck down with a mysterious illness in a department store. David winds up at the same hospital as Joe and the doctors soon discover that David has a very serious heart condition.
Our Song has a great premise- it throws two strong women in the same waiting room as their husbands are in intensive care, lying in limbo with different ailments. Atkins has done an excellent job with the characterisation and telling of the story. She expertly weaves together flashbacks and scenes in the present day, which cover Ally and David’s courtship and break-up as well as when David and Charlotte get together and when Ally meets and falls for Joe. The story is a little simplistic at times but it is not lacking in sentiment or feeling. There are also a lot of rich details offered in the prose so the reader gets a good sense of the different individuals, especially when the same scene is retold from the other person’s perspective.
This novel is a well-told, beautiful and moving one but it does have some minor flaws. Part of the plot is predictable (but thankfully there are enough twists thrown into the mix to keep things interesting). The other issue is that sometimes the level of coincidence will require a major suspension of disbelief, which is a shame as the characters themselves feel rather authentic. But despite these small quibbles, the story is a veritable rollercoaster that is jam-packed with different emotions and lots of drama and tension. In sum, it will ultimately tug at your heartstrings and make you stop and realise how important your own loved ones are in the grander scheme of things.
Our Song by Dani Atkins tells the story of love, family, regrets, the choices we make and how the past has a way of always being there when we least expect it.
The reader is introduced to the novels four characters Ally, Joe, Charlotte and David through a tragic set of circumstances where both David and Joe are simultaneously fighting for their lives in hospital. Although the events were entirely unrelated, the situation sees Ally and Charlotte, who used to be a part of each other’s lives, bought back together to handle the uncertainty of the impact of their husbands accidents in the same hospital.
Atkins slowly reveals the past relationships and consequent break down of relations between Ally, David and Charlotte. She intertwines flashbacks to the characters university days when they first met. The flashbacks work to answer questions about the past that were left unanswered all those years ago, yet are still lingering today and even more so while everyone is in the same hospital together.
Ally, as a passionate music student in her early 20’s was stubborn, hot headed and strong willed. These characteristics spilled into her fiery, but passionate relationship with David. However, Charlotte, having unexpectedly bonded with David years earlier in a snow accident, also harboured strong desires for Ally’s man. Ally’s stubbornness eventually leaded David into Chatlotte’s arms. Soon Ally had cut herself off without a trace and their relationship had ended. Ally found new love in Joe. However a part of David lived on and Ally’s son was David’s.
The depth of devastation and the possibility of love and life ending opens up old wounds and secret boxes that are still there today. We learn the real reason of why Ally and David ended and learn why Ally had to hide away and never introduced her son to his father. Charlotte reveals her yearning for a child and the heartbreak of not being able to give her husband the baby she so desires. The ending is heartbreaking and goes to question so many aspects of life when Ally has to chose and honour her husbands wish to be an organ donor. And ultimately decide if she can also her late husband’s heart to live on in her university loves body.
Our Song opens as chick lit novel full of fun stories And good humour. The reader soon realises that Atkins has carefully interwoven a story that tests the depth of love we have for a person and how ones past can disrupt a solid future when least expected. I laughed and cried at this ultimately heart breaking story. Beautiful written and a page turner, I look forward to Atkins next novel. Overall, a fantastic read that was gripping, suspenseful and engaging.
What a truly captivating and wonderful book to read. I believe this book would be even better as a movie!
What an in depth but captivating story of how lives can intertwine in such a manner. Random acts of bad luck and misfortune can set off a series of events that see two old friends/foes in the same hospital both praying for husbands to live. It also questions that age old question ” do you forget your first love?” and this is relevant for both Ally and Charlotte with the same man who they had first loves so many years apart. I found it interesting that while initially you think Ally is the first girlfriend that as the story unfolds Charlotte also had a history with David years earlier…… as they say what a twisted story we weave.
A few good twists in the plot with many tears along the way. Such an epic tale of love, desire and intrigue and ultimate sacrifice and leaves you wondering how you would deal with any or all the different situations.
Definitely a book worthy of a few long nights reading and worth loosing sleep for, I just loved it and would recommend this book and author.
P.S Cant wait for the movie!
Thank you Beauty and Lace for letting me read this book.
I’m not giving away any spoilers as this book needs to be read and enjoyed on your own terms.
I don’t think I’ve cried this much reading a book before. I had to stop reading a couple of times and just cry as I couldn’t see the page through tears.
This book is really about 4 people Ally, Joe, David and Charlotte. I feel it is more Ally’s story as you journey along with her the most.
I did get a little confused at first as to which girl was with which boy but there comes a point where it just falls into place.
The characters are easy to get to know and some comments from the characters had me laughing out loud.
Be prepared for a ride full of love, lust, romance broken hearts, fun, family.
This book has so much in it that you can’t help but be drawn into this amazing world.
There is a point about 2 thirds of the way in where you just know how it will end but the ending is so powerful yet done with so much care that you can’t help but forgive her for letting you know that little bit of information.
Dani Atkins is such an amazing author that you feel everything the characters feel. She uses so much depth and warmth to her stories that you just never want it to end. She wraps you up and takes you on a wonderful journey and then you arrive at the end and feel like something is missing.
I have never read anything by Dani Atkins before but I will be looking out for her books from now on. I might have to go to the bookstore and find her previous books.
Definitely a book worth reading and shouting to all about.
What a brilliant book. A real departure from the light hearted books I have been reading lately. It made me cry like an absolute baby.
It also made me think long and hard about the issues raised in this book. What would I do if I was in this situation? Hard to know.
An absolutely emotion filled book. Beautifully and sensitively written and I would absolutely recommend this book.
I wont outline the plot as I fear too much would be given away… Just go and read it!