Just Leaving This Here

 Leah Branch’s story really pulled me in. She starts off by leaving her band and deciding she’s done with music for good. I could feel the weight of that choice—giving up the one thing she thought she was good at. But when she stops in Chance, Wyoming, things slowly change for her. The saloon, the warmth of the small town, and the spark she feels with the lead singer of the house band make her believe she’s found a new beginning.

What I liked is that the author didn’t make Leah’s journey smooth or perfect. Just when her life feels stable, one mistake tears everything apart—her relationship, her new comfort, even the future she thought she could build in Chance. Watching her gather the courage to get back on stage felt powerful, like she was rediscovering a part of herself she had tried to bury.

When the story shifts to Nashville, it shows a completely different side of the music world. Here, Leah is faced with big opportunities but also big sacrifices. The label wants to change everything about her—even her name—which makes her question whether success is worth losing her identity. Those chapters were frustrating in a good way, because I could feel Leah’s struggle so clearly.

The writing is very easy to follow. The scenes in the saloon feel warm and close-knit, while the Nashville parts are fast, sharp, and a little overwhelming—just like the industry itself. Leah as a character feels human: she makes mistakes, she doubts herself, but she keeps pushing forward.

For me, the book was about more than music. It was about second chances, finding your real voice, and deciding what kind of life you want to live. If you liked Daisy Jones & The Six or enjoy stories that mix love, heartbreak, and ambition, you’ll probably connect with this one too.

Buy Running From Herself here.