The Future Saints

 

“What if the thing that destroys you is also the thing that makes you unforgettable?”

That’s the emotional gut-punch at the heart of The Future Saints by Ashley Winstead  and it pulled me right in. 

This is a character-driven story centered on a talented but unraveling indie band in the aftermath of devastating loss. Hannah, a brilliant singer-songwriter, is spiraling after the death of her sister Ginny, who also happened to be the band’s manager. Enter Theo, a record executive tasked with salvaging one last album while carrying his own long-buried grief. What unfolds is messy, intimate, and devastating.

Yes, Hannah and Theo are both fascinating, well-drawn characters who pull you in fast. Hannah’s talent is undeniable, but so is her self-destruction. Theo comes in polished and professional, but beneath that is a man who built his entire career around unresolved childhood abandonment. Their slow-burn romance is earned and tender.

But the true driving force of this book is grief. Grief saturates everything: every relationship, every decision, every note of music. Hannah, Ripper, and Kevin are all grieving Ginny in different ways, and the story never rushes or sanitizes that pain. It lets grief be honest and consuming.

The full-cast narration by Ali Andre Ali, Brittany Pressley, Vikas Adam, and Tayla Collier is outstanding. Each voice adds texture and emotional depth, making the story feel raw and immersive. This is one of those audiobooks where the performances don’t just support the story. They enhance it. 

This is a beautifully written, emotionally rich novel about music, love, ambition, and the wreckage grief leaves behind. I loved it. Highly recommended.

Many thanks to Simon Audio for the early listen. The Future Saints drops Jan. 20. This is a book you want at the top of your tbr. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 

Qotd: Do you think grief ever really goes away? Or do we just learn how to live alongside it?

#thefuturesaints #ashleywinstead #audiobookreview #bookstagramreads #characterdrivennovels

About the Author

Ashley Winstead is an academic turned novelist with a PhD in contemporary American literature. She lives in Houston with her husband, three cats, and beloved wine fridge.