Sounds Like Love by Ashley Poston Summary: An Unforgettable Telepathic Romance
TL;DR: The Quick Version
After a kiss at a Los Angeles concert, burnt-out songwriter Joni Lark and former boy band star Sebastian Fell become telepathically linked.
Joni is also dealing with her mother’s early-onset dementia and the planned closing of her family music venue.
To break the link, the two attempt to finish the same unfinished melody they both hear.
Their collaboration turns romantic, and they eventually discover their mothers were once best friends.
The story ends with Joni saving the Revelry and building a life with Sebastian in Vienna Shores.
For more plots from the same author, visit other Ashley Poston book summaries on URSummary.
Characters in This Book
| Character | Role |
|---|---|
| Joni Lark | Hit songwriter in her thirties who is burnt out and returns to Vienna Shores for the summer. |
| Sebastian Fell | Former boy band member and son of rock star Roman Fell who shares a telepathic link with Joni. |
| Wynona Lark | Joni’s mother, a former backup singer who has early-onset dementia. |
| Hank Lark | Joni’s father and owner of the Revelry music venue. |
| Mitchell Lark | Joni’s older brother who manages the Revelry and is in a relationship with Gigi. |
| Gigi Simmons | Joni’s childhood best friend who runs a singing telegram business. |
| Van Erickson | Joni’s former partner who returns to town during her summer visit. |
| Uncle Rick | Family friend who owns a margarita barge and distributes Wynona’s mixtapes. |
| Rooney Tarr | Joni’s music manager in Los Angeles. |
| Willa Grey | Pop star who prompts the kiss-cam moment between Joni and Sebastian. |
| Ami McKellen | Sebastian’s late mother and Wynona’s former best friend. |
Sounds Like Love Summary: The Full Story
Spoiler warning: This section reveals the entire plot, including the ending.
The story opens at a Willa Grey concert in Los Angeles. Joni Lark, the songwriter behind Willa’s biggest hit, is hiding in a VIP balcony when she meets Sebastian Fell, a former member of the boy band Renegade and son of rock star Roman Fell.
Willa points a kiss cam at the balcony, and Joni and Sebastian share a desperate kiss.
The next morning, Joni flies home to Vienna Shores, North Carolina, for her annual summer visit.
Her best friend Gigi meets her and shares two pieces of news: Joni’s mother, Wynona, has early-onset dementia, and Joni’s parents plan to close the family venue, the Revelry, at the end of summer.
Joni is already struggling with creative burnout when she begins hearing a deep voice in her head. She soon realizes she is telepathically connected to Sebastian, who is hearing her thoughts as well.
Sebastian travels to Vienna Shores. They discover both are haunted by the same unfinished melody and believe finishing the song will break the mental link.
They collaborate, spending time on the beach and on Uncle Rick’s margarita barge. Sebastian reveals his resentment toward his father and grief over his mother, Ami. Joni confesses her fear of losing her mother and her emptiness as a creator.
Their partnership turns romantic. They sleep together and name the finished song “Sounds Like Love.” The telepathic link shatters immediately, leaving Joni feeling isolated and lonely.
A hurricane named Darcy hits the coast, and the community shelters inside the Revelry. Sebastian returns after failing to leave the flooded island.
Wynona plays the exact melody from Joni and Sebastian’s heads, revealing that their mothers were best friends and backup singers in Roman Fell’s band.
Joni decides to stay in Vienna Shores and buys the Revelry from her parents. Sebastian moves to town and becomes a music producer.
Two years after Wynona’s death, Joni hosts her first major show at the revitalized Revelry with Gigi as the headliner. Joni and Sebastian remain partners in music and life.
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Summary by Chapter
Spoiler warning: This section groups chapters and reveals key plot points.
The Telepathic Kiss and Hard Homecoming (Chapters 1–5)
After the kiss cam moment with Sebastian in Los Angeles, Joni returns to Vienna Shores for the summer. She learns her mother has early-onset dementia and the Revelry is closing. The town’s musical history and the shadow of loss are established.
The Mental Link and Old Wounds (Chapters 6–12)
Joni discovers she can hear Sebastian’s voice in her head and understands the kiss created a supernatural bond. At home, her parents avoid difficult conversations. Her ex-boyfriend Van returns to town.
Sasha Arrives and Collaboration Begins (Chapters 13–21)
Sebastian comes to Vienna Shores. The two agree to write a song together to break the link, though they initially clash over their creative approaches. Joni begins to see Sebastian’s vulnerability, and he notices her professional burnout.
Shared Melodies and Deepening Ties (Chapters 22–31)
They realize they share the same unfinished melody from childhood. Through beach walks and margarita barge visits, they bond over grief and learn their mothers were once in the same band. Joni shows Sebastian what she loves about music.
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Romance and the Broken Link (Chapters 32–36)
Joni gets closure with her ex and realizes her feelings now belong to Sebastian. They sleep together and finish the song. Once they title it “Sounds Like Love,” the telepathic connection vanishes.
Hurricane, Revelations, and the Revelry’s Future (Chapters 37–Epilogue)
A hurricane forces everyone into the Revelry, where the truth about their mothers’ friendship and unfinished song emerges. Joni chooses to leave Los Angeles and keep the venue.
The story ends with Wynona’s passing, a major show at the revitalized Revelry, and Joni and Sebastian staying together.
Similar Books to Sounds Like Love
The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston — same author; combines romance, grief, and supernatural elements.
The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston — a magical realism romance with time-shifting and emotional healing.
Beach Read by Emily Henry — features two writers with creative burnout and a beach town setting.
The Roughest Draft by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka — centers on co-writers whose professional collaboration becomes romantic.
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams — a second-chance romance between writers with a shared past, grief, and rekindled connection.
FAQ About Sounds Like Love
What is the ending of Sounds Like Love?
Sounds Like Love ends with Joni staying in Vienna Shores, buying the Revelry, and keeping it running. Sebastian moves there to be with her, and two years after Wynona’s death, the venue hosts its first major show with Gigi as the headliner.
Is Sounds Like Love a standalone novel?
Sounds Like Love is a standalone contemporary romance with magical realism elements. It is not part of a series.
What genre is Sounds Like Love?
Sounds Like Love is a contemporary romance with magical realism. The book combines a telepathic link, family drama, and music.
Who are the main characters in Sounds Like Love?
The main characters are Joni Lark, a burnt-out songwriter, and Sebastian Fell, a former boy band star. Supporting characters include Wynona Lark, Gigi Simmons, and Hank Lark.
Does Sounds Like Love have a happy ending?
The ending of Sounds Like Love is hopeful and romantic. Joni and Sebastian remain together as partners in music and life.
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