Love is a War Song by Danica Nava ~ a Review

by MK French

Avery Fox had posed on the cover of Rolling Stone to celebrate her Native heritage, but it was seen as a stunt, and she was called a fake. Retreating from the threats, she returns to her estranged grandmother's home in the Oklahoma reservation. Red Fox Ranch has been home to Lucas Iron Eyes since he was sixteen years old. He has lived by three rules to keep himself out of trouble: 1) preserve the culture, 2) respect the horses, and 3) stick to himself. He hates what Avery seems to represent, but the two strike up a deal. Avery will help raise funds for her grandmother's ranch, and Lucas will teach her Native traditions. What could possibly go wrong?

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July 2025; Berkley; 978-0593642627
audio, ebook, print (336 pages); romance

Avery was micromanaged by a mother determined to see her succeed in Hollywood. She was never truly involved with her Native heritage growing up, so wearing a warbonnet in a photo spread when it's usually reserved for chiefs of high honor. Now canceled by the internet and at risk of losing her pop star career before it starts, she goes to the grandmother her mother had cut them off from. Her mother is basically the stereotypical Hollywood mom, and offers little sympathy for a situation she had a hand in creating, instead blaming her for it and complaining about the extra work she has to do. Avery is then thrown at her grandmother's horse ranch with zero knowledge and the expectation of working as hard as the experienced hands. The very premise immediately has us sympathizing with Avery and hoping she could get a career again by the end of the book. 

Family issues don't get solved easily here, but there are steps toward improvement. Avery gets a lot of questions answered regarding the past, the broken connections within her family, and the rest of the tribe. Reconnecting with her ancestry helps her feel less untethered, and of course, there's the dramatic grand gesture for the finale of the book. While I wasn't fond of Lucas at the start, he eventually warmed up. I really enjoyed seeing Avery get to that side of him and find a relationship that worked for her.

Buy Love is a War Song at Amazon

Born and raised in New York City, M.K. French started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and a golden retriever.

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