Ghosts of the Canyon by Michelle Mankin

Standalone “historical” angsty romance.

“Together, we are the music, every hushed silence, each crashing crescendo, every single note of a perfect song.”

I was born at the wrong time. All the music I listen to is from the ‘60s and ‘70s and most people will say I’m a hippie because I am a bit of a Deadhead (I go out twice a week to see my local Grateful Dead band play and my son is a musician who tours with a Grateful Dead tribute band). So when I saw just the cover of Ghosts of the Canyon I knew I wanted to read it. When I saw it was about musicians in 1969, I clicked so fast!

Though I was 2 in 1969, I can tell you, that Ghosts of the Canyon seemed to capture the time and the vibes just right. The story was very angsty and emotional and not like my regular light and fluffy reads, but that’s OK, when I go out of my comfort zone is usually when I find the best books.

Ghosts of the Canyon starts in 1973 with “I can’t believe he’s dead.” And then flashes back to tell the whole story. We don’t know who is dead until way later in the book. The flashback begins with Katelyn, three years after losing her baby and she is still a shell of the woman she once was. Once a promising musician, she hasn’t been able to create music since she lost the baby.

“I will never play my guitar again or write lyrics or songs. Music involves accessing my feelings, and that’s not something I’ll ever be able to do again.”

Liam is her live-in boyfriend and dad to the baby she lost. He is also one of the biggest rock stars in the country and is currently out on tour. He worries about Katelyn at home, but he works out that worry and his grief with booze and random groupies.

Katelyn’s best friend Maureen owns Love Street, a venue that showcases up-and-coming talent, and when she sees Ryan on stage, something comes alive again in Katelyn. Ryan, freshly back from fighting in Vietnam, is just on the verge of stardom with lines of women wanting to meet him, but once he lays eyes on his “Katy” he has eyes for nobody else.

“Katelyn is my every fantasy, my every need fulfilled.”

Because Katelyn is taken, she and Ryan form a very close friendship that is always on the verge of more. Until Liam gets home from his tour. She lives in his house and he is all the family she has. He loves her but sees her as more of a possession than a partner. Ryan is her comfort and has become her best friend. She feels alive again (in all ways) when she is with him. Ryan is a bit obsessed with her, and though she is taken, he can’t give her up.

“She is my safe place. My muse. The music of my heart. I will do whatever it takes to make her mine.”

I so wish I was able to hear some of the songs in this book! I was tempted to send my son the lyrics in Ghosts of the Canyon to see what he’d come up with. It was so nice to read a truly unique book in a sea of similarities. To me, it’s funny that it’s considered “historical” because it happened in my lifetime, but honestly, this story is timeless.

“Following my ears, I’m led to my heart.”

Likes:

Completely unique.
A timeless story told against the backdrop of California in the ‘60s, Vietnam, and Woodstock.
The pacing was done so well, it never felt rushed or too slow, but the story took its time to unfurl.
Soooo angsty and emotional!
Liam and Ryan’s relationship.
I loved Maureen and Love Street.

Dislikes:

Katy was a little too depressing. Though everyone grieves differently, 3 years is a long time to be a shell.

The Down & Dirty:

I know this was a long review, but I left out lots of important details so I wouldn’t spoil the story. Ghosts of the Canyon was unique, emotional, and angsty. The backdrop of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s was perfect for this story, but it could have taken place at any time. It was patiently told, never rushing, and it was steamy and swoony at times. If you are a fan of Tracey Garvis Graves and her books Daisy Jones and the Six, Malibu Rising, and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, I think you’ll truly love Ghosts of the Canyon by Michelle Mankin. I wish there was a special edition of this book without a person on the cover because there could be a gorgeous ’60s-inspired cover that I’d really love for my shelf.