Thanks so much to NetGalley, Random House and Rachel Joyce for the opportunity to read and review this endearing book.
Set in London in the 1980s, this is a true ode to music. There is a dead-end street in a declining neighborhood where Frank sets up The Music Shop and lives above the shop. He was raised by a very unconventional mother who taught him to really listen to music. Frank now has the ability to know just what song a person needs to get them through a crisis in their lives. However, time is marching on and Frank is adamant about selling only vinyl - no new cassette tapes or CDs. Joined on his street are a cast of quirky characters - Kit, a worker in Frank's shop; Maud, a tattoo artist; Fr Anthony, a retired priest; brothers who own a funeral home; and neighbors. They are fighting to stay relevant while being pressured by developers to sell.
Arriving in the midst of this is Ilse, a German woman who faints in front of Frank's store. She eventually asks Frank to teacher her about music and causes Frank to have to confront his feelings about getting close to people. They both have baggage and secrets but form a special bond.
The journey Frank and Ilse take together and musically is a joy to be a part of. There's even a playlist created from all the titles in the book - you'll learn a lot about all different genres of music!
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