A guarded punk-rocker-turned-barista meets a big-hearted sound tech who charms his way into her life and helps her revisit her musical past in this cozy, fall read. Perfect for fans of The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez, Wreck the Halls by Tessa Bailey, pumpkin spice and oversized scarves.

Allie felt her shoulders relax as she slid her favorite microphone into the stand and plugged its cord into her tiny soundboard . . . Music wasn’t what had failed her. It was everything else that came with it . . .

Allie Andrews gave up on the music world 10 years ago. No wild tours, no late nights, no career-ending inter-band blowouts. Just day after comfortable day of working in her aunt's cafe in Brooklyn and recording 80s cover songs in her tiny apartment. So, the last thing she wants, or expects, is to be recognized as former punk rocker Allie Jetski. But a last-minute coffee delivery lands her face to face with the big, charming, handsome (and quite possibly number one fan of The Jetskis) Ryan Abernathy.

Of course, Ryan isn't about to forget meeting the lead singer of one of his favorite bands. Undeterred by her prickly demeanor, he sets his mind to helping Allie find her way back to The Jetskis—so she can come to terms with what happened all those years ago. Allie finds him hard to resist, and her quiet life is turned upside down as she is swept up in a whirlwind hunt for her old bandmates.

But when Aunt Mindy announces that she's decided to sell the cafe—Allie's home for the last decade—to travel the world, Allie is faced with a life-altering choice: play it safe and take over the cafe, or take the risk and open herself up to a future in music . . . and maybe even love.

Jennifer Whiteford's profile page

JENNIFER WHITEFORD (she/her) lives in Ottawa, Ontario, with her partner, children, dog and record collection. She writes regularly for Razorcake, a long-standing punk publication. She was also a founding member of the "all girl, all rock" band Sophomore Level Psychology. With those rock 'n roll days behind her, she now mostly stays home and reads. Find her on Instagram at @jenniferwhitefordwrites.