This is my first story by author Rachael Herron, I must say that I was captivated by her unique writing style, she has the ability to make the reader feel apart of the story, her vivid descriptions and quirky characters are just the icing on the cake.

I must admit when I first started I was a little worried I'd be lost having not read the first book in the series, but no, I had no trouble what so ever. So yes, this can be read if you haven't read the first book. But after reading this one, like me, you'll want to go back and start at the beginning.

This story will bring out the feels, I shed a few tears, I laughed, I swooned and I just kept turning those pages till I'd devoured the whole thing. This is a sweet, heartwarming book that you'll fall in love with. All I can say is go grab yourself a copy and get started now, it may just be your next 2am book.
Darling Bay is the place to be! ^_^

I had such a good time re-entering this world and the lives of these characters. One of the things I like about Rachael's writing is that each book in a series builds on its predecessors while simultaneously being its own unique story. This book picks up where Book 1 left off and while those characters are present, the focus is on a new set of people in the community. Like real life, relationships are complicated, communication can be challenging, and characters work hard to define/redefine who they are, and how to relate to each other. I loved reading this and am only sorry that I read it so quickly!

This review was originally posted to Jen in Bookland

4.5 stars

The Songbird's Call was such a beautiful read. It has been a while since I read this author, but now I am thinking what took me so long to read the rest of her work? This story was simply fantastic and wrapped me up in the warm fuzzies that I love so much. It was almost Laura Florand like while reading. It is like the author spirited me off to a magical land where everything is so beautiful I can't help but be totally in awe of the story. That is not to say the characters and everything weren't real and have their ups and downs and everything, it just made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside (even when they did things I may not like). It was wonderful.

I should note that though this is the second book in a series I haven't read the first book yet (though I will be changing that soon). As such it was fine as a standalone, but really just made me want to read more and more and more. I didn't want the story to end so it is nice that I have another book still to read. Then I wasn't so sad to see this story come to a close.

Alright as for the story itself? Well this is the story of Molly and Colin. Molly of the famous Darling Songbirds. I am not sure what exactly happened to the three sisters who used to be so close, but this story is a few years later after they have all dispersed and haven't talked much since. Molly's sister was in the first book and the first to come back to Darling Bay and settle down. Now Molly is back for a bit for a surprise visit and she is not planning on sticking around. It is hard being back where everyone knows you and everything that happened. It is just not for Molly even though she loved the time she spent there as a kid. Molly was an interesting character. She has a bit of self esteem issues. I mean she was the larger sister, so everyone always commented on her weight. I can't imagine what that would be like when you are in the spotlight and are not stick thin. People can be very brutal, especially online where they feel anonymous, and Molly still struggles with self image issues. That and some poor choices she made after the band broke up make her think she is not doing so well. She needs to stop and recharge and get herself back before she can figure out what she wants to do with the rest of her life.

Colin is the sheriff in Darling Bay. He grew up there and hasn't had it easy. He is not used to wanting things or hoping for things as he never seems to get them, but he always liked Molly. She was the one he was drawn to, not her sisters. In his eyes she was perfect. But she would never go for him. Until she comes back to town and they start to get thrown together. Then for the first time he sees that maybe he could have something here. Something amazing. If they can both stop being afraid and face this together. They were so cute. I loved how they just kept getting in these ridiculous situations. I loved how Colin was bossy, but Molly wouldn't put up with that. I loved how long it took the two of them to see what was there between them. Really I just loved these characters.

Now I didn't always understand Molly or her reasons for doing things. She is one of those people that has to do everything herself. If she gets help then she didn't do it and it wouldn't be hers. I don't really understand that as everyone needs helps sometimes, but I know people like that. She also lets her insecurities get in the way sometimes and cause problems with her and Colin. Sometimes I felt so bad for him as she would be so hot and cold. He would think things were fine, then she would be cold and he would feel terrible that he did something to hurt her, when really it was just Molly and her issues. She also was always running and afraid of everything. Even at the end she is too afraid to try and fix some issues she has. Instead she would rather be miserable when it would have been easy to fix if she would put on her big girl pants and face her problems. She did get on my nerves at times, but the writing made it so I still loved her. Yes, I didn't always understand her, but she was still great to read. I may have yelled at her a bit at times, but that is okay. The author made me still care for her and want nothing but good things to happen.

Overall this was a wonderful read. Molly could be annoying at times, but the writing made me not care so much. Made me still love her when otherwise I might not have. That is the test of a really great author. Make me love a book and characters I otherwise wouldn't. And Colin? He was wonderful. Not perfect, but always trying to do right by those he cares about. This was such a sweet, wonderful, beautifully written story. I highly recommend it even if you haven't read this author before. Get wrapped up in the warm fuzzies. You won't regret it.

Note: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review

If you are a romance reader, you may have encountered this situation. You are reading a fairly good book and then the heroine becomes clingy or indecisive or allows their self-perception to be formed by everyone around them or wallows in self-pity and what had been a good read suddenly becomes interminable.

The Songbird’s Call is not that book.

read more: https://saschadarlington.wordpress.com/2016/08/30/review-of-the-songbirds-call/

This is an excellent read. I raced through it, and then was sad that I had finished it! It follows a fairly typical romance template, but the characters and town have a richness and depth. While the characters have some drama, it doesn't feel overly contrived Rachael Herron writes smoothly and with confidence and makes me really feel like part of the town.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, and I'm so glad I did. Not because I saved a couple of dollars, but because I got to read Molly's story early. I know that the promo material for this book says it can be read alone, but I highly recommend reading The Darling Songbirds first, so that you can have twice as much Darling Bay.

http://wordnerdy.blogspot.com/2017/04/2017-book-61.html

The second book in Herron's Darling Songbirds trilogy follows the same formula as the first in terms of story beats, but I found the characters in this one (the middle sister, the "chubby one," and the local sheriff) more compelling--like the first thing the couple does is rescue a kitten! I am here for this! Herron attempts to bring in real life issues like domestic violence to some good effect, which I appreciate. I am now off to read the third one, which I do hope varies slightly. B+.

I liked this one more than the first. This story had more depth than the first and I loved the characters a little more. I can't wait to hear Lana's story.

I was lucky enough to be chosen to be on Rachael Herron's review team. I have loved everything she has written. Cannot wait to read the Lana installment of the Songbirds of Darling Bay series.

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have a major problem with Rachael's books, I always end up at 2am fighting to keep my eyes open wanting desperately to know what is going to happen next whilst not wanting the book to end... Her characters are always realistic, they have issues and brains and they talk to each other, which is something that tends to be sorely lacking in a lot of romance books. You end up rooting for the people to do well, to feel better and not just to get together and have things all wrapped up in a pretty bow. At the same time it's great romance and smoking hot in places which isn't an easy thing to pull off and doesn't come that often in any kind of book.

There's also a sense of fun in these books (and all the Darling Bay books), they're not heavy heavy and depressing, they're uplifting, and although I wasn't a huge fan of the public way this particular story wrapped up I really enjoyed the book, even though it was far too short and over too quickly! Hurry up with the next one Rachael!

I loved the sisters and their interactions, but I'm afraid the hero ruined this book for me. Colin is a small town cop who's got a stick up his butt, a controlling nature, and a family history of abuse that leads him to treat the heroine in ways that end up being... not very okay. He repents at the end, but you'll have to forgive me for not taking it seriously when an abuser apologizes and promises to do better. I'll probably keep reading the series, but I hope Herron stays far away from cops in the future because I don't think she handled this one well at all.