Fever (Songbird Novel)

by Melissa Pearl

[Nicole Lynn]

*I was given an ARC of the book, Fever, from Mark My Words Book Publicity in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not influenced by any outside things or persons.*

For the full review, please visit my blog: PopCrunchBoom!

*Rating is 4.5 stars and not just 4* (wish GoodReads had half stars!)

The Review

Fever by Melissa Pearl is a NA contemporary and the first of Pearl's Songbird series. Fever follows Ella, a lover of jazz who follows her high school boyfriend, David, to his college of choice. Self-conscious and anxious about the big move, Ella is torn between wanting to be with her boyfriend and facing the scariness of a new place that University of Chicago poses. Luckily one of her best friends is going to be her roommate and will have her back adjusting through this new phase in her life. Restlessly the first night there, Ella makes her way to the showers to ease her mind. With no one in sight, Ella belts out a jazz favorite and surprisingly hears a voice join in. This isn't an ordinary voice. This is the voice of downright sexiness and it makes Ella feel more than she ever has or should. Now she's stuck questioning her relationship and her life. Enter in her boyfriend's best friend, Cole. Cole's just trying to finish his final year at UChicago, so that he can finally move forward with his dreams to own his own pub. He's never been the commitment type and isn't looking for a relationship. So why is it that he can't stop thinking about Ella and is jealous of what his roommate/best friend has with her? As Ella and Cole battle through new emotions, relationships and life dreams will tested. What will win out in the end?


I loved the theme of Jazz throughout this novel. I'm not that familiar with the genre, but I did know some of the names and songs that were mentioned. I definitely felt the music/jazz vibe throughout the novel. This definitely lead to an awesome ending (the only semi-spoiler I'm going to give). I also loved how it felt like the novel had a soundtrack--like if I went back to read it again and listened to the songs mentioned, it would fit perfectly with the timing in the book. Pearl does give a soundtrack listing in the front of the book (or at least in the electronic copy I had) and I will definitely be going through it soon.

Aside from the music, let's talk characters. I have to admit that Ella did get on my nerves. She was way self-conscious or unaware. She seemed to only play on the safe-side. And while I understand this characterization for the story; most of the times she was like this I just wanted to shake her and be like "come on, Ella! You're soo much better than this!" So, sometimes it was a struggle moving forward in her mind. Luckily the novel was written in split perspectives and Cole was a much better character to read about. I loved his future planning and his ability to stay loyal to his friend. Mostly, I loved his interactions with Ella. These were the times I really enjoyed Ella because I got to see the person she could be/already was deep down. When Ella was with Cole or with her best friend, she was a great main character. I wasn't annoyed with her actions and I loved seeing this other side of her.

I think the biggest thing I loved about this book was that Cole and Ella both had to grow in this novel. It wasn't just the female main character that had to make changes. Cole had plans for the future, but he also had to grow into that future. He had to learn that he can't do everything alone and that love has a place in his life. On the other hand, Ella had to learn about herself. She had to figure out her own wants and dreams and come into her own.

Overall, Pearl did a wonderful job with her first contemporary romance. This was the first book I've read by her and I'll definitely be looking into her other works, including the rest of the Songbird series. If you're in the mood for a great romantic contemporary with a music flare then definitely pick up this gem!