The Sound of Us by Ashley Poston

The Sound of Us (Radio Hearts, #1) by Ashley Poston
Published: December 19, 2013 by Bloomsbury Spark
Source: Received from the publisher - thank you!

America's favorite pop band, Roman Holiday, is done, dead, and so totally last year. For eighteen-year-old rockoholic Junie Baltimore, this is music to her ears. But when she discovers their sexy ex-lead singer hiding out on the boardwalk, her summer vacation becomes the cover story of the year.

She's willing to keep him a secret, but when a sleazy paparazzo offers her the cash she needs to save the bar her father left behind, could she sell out for the chance to save her future? Who is she kidding? That's a no-brainer...but she never planned on falling head over heels for the lead singer. [goodreads]

Ever loathed a band/musician so much that's become so popular you hear them everywhere?? And all it makes you want to do is claw your ears off to make it stop??  Well, for Junie Baltimore that is her stance on the pop rock sensation Roman Holiday.  Her idea of great music belongs to classic rock legends, thanks to her late father who introduced her to music at such a young age.  But now she's an all grown up eighteen year old, and in charge of her father's crippling bar.  While her friends at school are preparing for college, she's managing her father's keepsake, attempting to keep it afloat.

Per tradition, Junie and her mother, along with her step father, spend a week in Myrtle Beach at their family condo.  She's reluctant on going, not a fan of her mother's choices in marriage and not wanting to revisit memories of what her family once was, but is no longer.  She pops in to the local grocery store and low and behold, comes face to face with Roman Holiday's front man, Roman himself.  But he's not the pop idol he once was.  Roman has been hiding out, on the run, trying to escape the paparazzi's cameras after the recent death of his best friend and band mate, Holly.  The media has been spinning all sorts of stories, blaming him for her death.  Even though Junie has no interest in his music, his story has caught her eye.  And now, this glorious, irresistible, charming musician has caught more than just her eye.. perhaps her heart too.

The moments Junie and Roman spend together, as just a young boy and girl getting to know one another, were my most favorite to read.  Take away all the lights and cameras and Roman is just your average guy.  But Junie sees something in him that's way more than average which makes it difficult to turn away.  Their passion for music is a common bond they share and another aspect of the story that really grabbed my attention.  Lots of name drops are mentioned through out, some very well known bands, and others I know of but may not be on the latest top 40 charts.  It was so much fun reading about the music that so effortlessly flowed through out this story.

Junie's adventure in meeting Roman turns into a whirlwind of craziness that was so much fun to read! Among the enjoyment also came softer, more deeper elements.  The writing was beautiful, causing me to stop and reflect on a few lines after I had read them.  Poston's nod to music, along with her fun, quirky characters tells a story that YA contemporary fans will enjoy.  I'll definitely be back to encounter more from this author in her books to come.