AD* | The Kerbs are a four-piece pop-rock band on the verge of breaking big the moment that frontman, Drew, turns 18. But Drew and his long-term girlfriend Ruby have a decision to make: go public right from the start or keep their relationship private, away from the intrusive lens of the tabloids and the scrutiny of the Kerbs’ fanbase. The choice seems easy. Ruby wants her life to remain her own – she's seen how fame can devour the lives of those who stand in the periphery.
But staying secret comes with a price. As Drew's star rises and rumours begin to stir, Ruby starts to wonder if love is strong enough to keep them together when Drew's fame seems destined to drive them apart.
This Song Is About Us is a thoughtful and emotionally resonant story. The novel explores the complexities of love, fame, identity, and the quiet strength it takes to grow up in someone else’s spotlight. While the romance element is undeniably present, this is Ruby’s story above all - a tender portrait of a teenage girl finding her footing as her world quietly and irrevocably shifts.
The Kerbs are on the cusp of stardom, and Drew, the band’s frontman, stands poised to become the next big name in pop-rock. Ruby, his long-term girlfriend, is thrust into the shadows of this impending fame and must grapple with whether she’s content to remain there. From the outset, Ruby makes a conscious decision to protect her privacy and maintain a semblance of a normal life, resisting the pull of tabloid drama and online speculation. Yet as Drew’s fame surges and the world begins to speculate about his private life, Ruby is forced to ask herself whether love can really survive in the face of such intense public scrutiny.
Told from Ruby’s point of view, the narrative is deeply introspective, charting her thoughts and emotions as she navigates her relationship and her independence. What sets the book apart is its inventive structure: the story unfolds over three acts, each set during a different music festival. These moments serve as snapshots in time, offering both literal and metaphorical stages for Ruby’s journey. With each festival, we witness a shift in her understanding - not just of her relationship, but of who Ruby is and what she wants from life.
In addition to the central romance, the book touches on heavier themes, such as alcoholism and drug abuse. These are handled with appropriate sensitivity, providing a more grounded, realistic layer to the narrative. They never overshadow the story, but instead add depth and grit, reminding readers that fame isn’t just glitz and glamour. The ending is left open, but there is a note of hope in that ambiguity, a sense that whatever happens next, Ruby will face it on her own terms.
In all, This Song Is About Us is a poignant, character-driven novel. It’s a coming-of-age story wrapped in the complications of fame, first love, and the quiet power of choosing your own path.
Rating: 4 stars
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* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
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