August Lane

By: Regina Black

Narrated by: Bahni Turpin, William DeMerritt, January LaVoy, Stephanie Cannon

From the author of The Art of Scandal comes a small town romance about the visibility of Black women’s voices in country music, for readers of The Final Revival of Opal & Nev.

Every Thursday night, former country music heartthrob Luke Randall has to sing “Another Love Song.” God, he hates that song. But performing his lone hit at an interstate motel lounge is the only regular money he still has. Following another lackluster performance at the rock bottom of his career, Luke receives the opportunity of his dreams, opening for his childhood idol—90’s era Black country music star, JoJo Lane, who’s being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. But the concert is in Arcadia, Arkansas, the small hometown he swore he’d never see again. Going back means facing a painful past of abuse and neglect. It also means facing JoJo’s daughter, August Lane—the woman who wrote the lyrics he’s always claimed as his own.

August also hates that song. But she hates Luke Randall even more. When he shows up ten years too late to apologize for his betrayal, she isn’t interested in making amends. Instead, she threatens to expose his lies unless he co-writes a new song with her and performs it at the concert, something she hopes will launch her out of her mother's shadow and into a songwriting career of her own. Desperate to keep his secret, Luke agrees to put on the rogue performance, despite the risk of losing his shot at a new record deal.

When Luke’s guitar reunites with August’s soulful alto, neither can deny that the passionate bond they formed as teenagers is still there. As the concert nears, August will have to choose between an overdue public reckoning with the boy who betrayed her, or trusting the man he’s become to write a different love song.

Critic reviews

Praise for August Lane

“August Lane is taut, voicy, emotional, and propulsive. In a word: spectacular. Regina Black is hands-down one of romance’s must-read authors.”
—Christina Lauren, New York Times bestselling authors of The Unhoneymooners

“I need Regina Black’s words fresh when they drop, because I know I’m always about to have my mind blown and my heart cracked open in the best possible way. It’s a beautifully crafted story of yearning and angst, forgiveness and down-bad devotion worthy of any country song.”—Alicia Thompson, USA Today bestselling author of The Art of Catching Feelings

“Black’s emotionally resonant and swoon-worthy prose will keep you captivated and eager for more!”—Terah Shelton Harris, author of One Summer in Savannah

“August Lane is acoustic soul. August and Luke set the pages on fire with sultry chemistry as thick as any southern summer night. Whether you have guitar strings or heart strings, August expertly plucks them both. A love letter to the South and Black Southerners who stayed, August Lane cements Regina Black as the new vanguard of Black romance authors.”—Nikki Payne, author of Sex, Lies, and Sensibility

“August Lane, like a good country song it breaks your heart and mends it all at once. A deeply emotional second chance romance that honors the place of Black artists in country music and affirms that no matter the how far you’ve drifted from your dreams there is always a chance to make a comeback.”—Adriana Herrera, USA Today bestselling author of An Island Princess Starts a Scandal

“‘Obsessed’ doesn’t even begin to cover how I feel about Regina Black’s books. Impeccably written, exquisitely angsty, and populated with characters so raw and real I had to remind myself I couldn’t lose hours googling them, August Lane is easily a new all-time favorite.”—Ava Wilder, author of Will They or Won't They

“August and Luke are magnetic—raw, beautifully flawed, and palpable enough to jump off the page in perfect harmony. You’ll demand an encore.”—Taj McCoy, author of The Good Ones Are Taken

“Regina Black's sophomore novel August Lane showcases romance writing at its finest. On one hand, it's a story about two lonely people who initially connect through the power of music, but it also speaks to the vulnerabilities and fears we all feel when opening our hearts to falling in love and taking chances. August Lane is a true tour de force, and Regina Black is a singular talent. We are so lucky to have her work!”—Kristina Forest, USA Today bestselling author of The Love Lyric

Praise for The Art of Scandal

"As poignant as it is passionate, this marks Black as a writer to watch."—Publishers Weekly

This was everything I needed ngl 😭💕

Regina Black did her thing fr. After reading her debut a couple years ago and not being totally wow’ed by it, I was hesitant to pick this one up. But boy oh boy am I glad I was wrong.

This book gives all the second chance feels fr. August and Luke were soul tied the moment they met in that dark carnival ride as teens 🥰 And seeing them reconnect as adults was Chef’s kiss. I mean, linking back with your first love AFTER stealing the song she wrote for you is such a wild way to start, but I ate it uppppp lol. I also loved the dual timelines between 2009 and the present. You really get to see why those 2 were so messed up and how they were exactly what the other needed, then and now.

All in all, this was perfect and I honestly just wanted it to be longer. But Regina def gave me what I needed, so imma count a win as a win 😅🙃💕

This is not just another audiobook

Wow. I am one to listen to books on high speed to get through them. I slowed this one back down for the final third because I didn’t want it to end!

If you loved Opal & Nev this book is for you. Bahni Turpin, is a reader in both and she makes the characters come alive. If there are awards for readers, she should get one.

Bravo, Regina Black! This was a beautifully written story.

The perfect slow burn

This was definitely a slow burn. I loved it shed a light on a side of country that is often overlooked and downplayed. It was an amazing ride and captured my attention from the first chapter.

Love Wins

I did not want the story to end. I wanted to explore their lives more after the mention of marriage. Love will always win!!!!

it did not disappoint!

Rhis is a beautiful story about grief, self-discovery, family conflict and love. I loved how the writing style how we jumped from one timeline to another. The narrators did a wonderful job.