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What happens when love, music, and unfinished business collide—20 years later?

In this episode, I’m joined by novelist Lisa Peers to talk about Motor City Love Song, a sapphic second-chance romance set against Detroit’s indie music scene—then and now.

We dive into the late ’90s Detroit garage-rock era, the rise and fall of live music venues, and what it means to revisit the love and choices that shape who we become. If you love music-driven novels, queer romance with emotional depth, and stories about creative communities surviving change, this one’s for you.

Motor City Love Song by Lisa Peers — Queer Romance | Music Fiction

Life by Keith Richards — Memoir | Music History

Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby — Literary Fiction | Music Obsession

A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan — Literary Fiction | Music Industry

Girl in a Band by Kim Gordon — Memoir | Rock Music

[00:00] Meet Lisa Peers & the inspiration behind Motor City Love Song

[02:00] Detroit’s ’90s indie music scene explained

[06:30] Music, community, and surviving industry shifts

[09:00] Second-chance love & dual timelines

[14:00] Writing younger vs. older characters

[16:00] Music memoirs Lisa loves

[22:00] Final book recommendations for music lovers

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