The Songbook of Benny Lament: A Novel by Amy HarmonSynopsis: “From the bestselling author of What the Wind Knows and From Sand and Ash comes a powerful love story about a musical duo who put everything on the line to be together. New York, 1960: For Benny Lament, music is his entire life. With his father’s deep ties to the mob, the Bronx piano man has learned that love and family can get you in trouble. So he keeps to himself, writing songs for other musicians, avoiding the spotlight…until the night his father brings him to see Esther Mine sing. Esther is a petite powerhouse with a gorgeous voice. And when Benny writes a hit song and performs it with her, their collaboration thrusts the duo onto the national stage…and stirs up old issues and new scrutiny that the mob–and Benny–would rather avoid. It would be easier to walk away. But the music and the woman are too hard for the piano man to resist. Benny’s songs and Esther’s vocals are an explosive combination, a sound that fans can’t get enough of. But though America might love the music they make together, some people aren’t ready for Benny Lament and Esther Mine on–or off–the stage.”

My Review

This was a wonderful audiobook. I enjoyed every minute of it and got caught up in the story right from the beginning.

The writing transported me back to New York in the 1960s as Benny Lament told his story to Barry Gray, a radio talk show host. I loved hearing about how Benny met Esther and her brothers, and their band Minefield.

It’s a very similar story to Daisy Jones & the Six, in that it’s about a fictional band writing and performing fictional songs, but it worked so well. I felt like I was listening to a real songwriter talking about his songs and performances.

It’s not only a historical romance but also features the Civil Rights Movement and organised crime. Benny Lament is a white man with a mob boss uncle, and Esther is a mixed race woman and her brothers are African Americans. It was hard at times to hear how they were treated by some people, but it was done sensitively and not gratuitously.

The narration by Rob Shapiro, was superb. He really brought all the characters to life for me with his fantastic voice talents. I wouldn’t hesitate in listening to another audiobook performed by him.

Highly recommended if you enjoy historical romance on audio.