This Song Is About Us

This Song is About Us is set over three music festivals and follows the highs and lows of young love faced with the complexities of fame. It highlighted the balance between creating a social media following while trying to maintain a private personal life.

I absolutely loved the main character Ruby, girlfriend of Drew Schafer, the lead singer of The Kerbs. The couple are given the option of keeping their relationship secret or being out in the open about it and enduring any press/fan intrusion that may come with life in the public eye. I found Ruby to be very grounded, and liked that she had respect for herself and her personal boundaries. It is a realistic relationship which portrays the characters' struggles and vulnerabilities. Ruby navigates "The Drew Schafer" who is not the "real Drew" and "her Drew", the one that she loves.

The struggles of a long-distance relationship and the pressure that fame and a hectic work/life balance bring is set against the backdrop of vibrant music festivals and a rock-and-roll lifestyle. I also really enjoyed the friendship between Stel and Ruby. This feels very authentic and it's good to see some strong female characters in a book.

The characters all show growth and resilience through their adversity and the message is ultimately a good one. Perfect for those who enjoy contemporary romance fiction and are looking for a summer read. I'd recommend it to fans of Holly Bourne. Content of Note: Strong Language, Substance Abuse, Sex

336 pages / Reviewed by Clair Bossons, school librarian

Suggested Reading Age 14+

As The Kerbs, a four piece band, are on the verge of success, lead singer, Drew, and his long term girlfriend, Ruby, have to decide whether to make their relationship public or to continue in secret. Wanting to maintain their privacy, it seems like an easy decision to make. However, fame comes at a price and Ruby is soon questioning this choice. As Drew - already vulnerable and troubled - faces the challenges of being in the public eye, it seems that their love might not stand the strain.

Told over the course of three music festivals, This Song is About Us is told through Ruby's eyes as Drew and The Kerbs rise to fame. Her relationship with Drew, which blossomed under the unlikely conditions of lockdown, is intense. Ruby sees the vulnerable side of Drew, who is naturally charming, presenting a carefree face to the world, which hides his troubled upbringing and his need to belong. Without Ruby,s grounding influence, Drew begins to struggle with the demands of life behind the scenes in the music business, leading to a crisis in their relationship, his friendships and in his mental health.

Each character is skilfully nuanced, allowing the reader to empathise with their situation and become invested in them. Moving in places, the story hits hard in others, raising questions about the power and cruelty of social media and the 'price' of fame amongst other things. The friendship between Ruby and Stel is a real joy. Girlfriend to another member of the group, Stel has a very different experience of the band's fame as she and Lex choose to go public with their relationship. As Ruby watches, she sometimes envies how differently their relationships are playing out, but is glad of Stel's affectionate company and loyalty throughout.

This Song is About Us certainly captures the spirit of summer with fun and festivals, but also the pressures of being young and in love. It is a compelling, thoroughly enjoyable read (I could not put it down!) which will leave everyone hoping for a happy ending!

336 pages / Reviewed by Sue Wilsher, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 14+