REVIEW: Love Is a War Song by Danica Nava

Love Is a War Song by Danica Nava: Avery was well on her way to becoming the biggest name in the music industry but all it took was for one bad magazine cover to send her spiralling into social pariah territory. With hate mail coming in by the bucket load and no one wanting to work with her, Avery decides to escape to her grandmothers ranch in Oklahoma. The last thing Avery expects to find at the ranch is Lucas Iron Eyes, all grumpy stares and strong principles. He’s not here to make friends or to rescue a spoiled pop princess from her own mistakes. But when the ranch’s future is threatened and Avery’s past refuses to stay buried, the two strike a reluctant deal; she will help save the ranch if he helps her learn what it really means to belong.

I have to say that I found myself rather enjoying Love Is A War Song, going in I had expected a cute, opposites attract romcom but gosh did we get something so much more deep and meaningful. Firstly, I loved the Native American representation and how Nava highlights the beauty to their traditions. While there were a few pacing hiccups for my liking, I found this to be such a beautiful read, that is filled with deep meaningful moments but also more than a few giggles to keep it a light read.

For all of her glitter and lip gloss, Avery was actually just trying to find a way to connect to her roots. There was just something so raw and real about her journey and what it means to reclaim your identity when people have already decide who they want you to be. What I loved most about her was that she doesn’t magically transform or get everything right, she stumbles and learns but she keeps showing up. Then we have our stoic hero Lucas Iron Eyes, gosh did I love getting to understand our hero and the reasons why he was so determined to keep Avery at arms length. The amount of pride and love for his culture that Lucas shows was just beautiful, I loved getting to see him slow Avery the beauty to a culture that she never truly got to embrace. This is as much his story about allowing someone in as it is Avery’s on finding her heritage.

This was most definitely a slow burn build up and it just worked so perfectly for Avery and Lucas. Both of them needed the time to open up, lower their guards to truly allow each other into their hearts. While there is some incredible banter and more than enough tension build up between these two, it really was the emotional connection in this book that stood out. I really liked that they build their relationship on the small quiet moments which made it feel just that much more meaningful. We get to see them appreciate each other for their true selves but at the same time not losing their individual identity to match each other.

While this book is far from perfect, it has good bones and I loved the overall feeling that I got from reading Love Is A War Song. If you are looking for a romcom that has heart to it then this is definitely a book to read.

Book Info:

Publication: July 22, 2025 | Berkley |

Pop singer Avery Fox has become a national joke after posing scantily clad on the cover of Rolling Stone in a feather warbonnet. What was meant to be a statement of her success as a Native American singer has turned her into a social pariah and dubbed her a fake. With threats coming from every direction and her career at a standstill, she escapes to her estranged grandmother Lottie’s ranch in Oklahoma. Living on the rez is new to Avery—not only does she have to work in the blazing summer heat to earn her keep, but the man who runs Lottie’s horse ranch despises her and wants her gone.

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. When he is tasked with picking up Lottie’s granddaughter at the bus station, the last person he expected to see is the Avery Fox. Lucas can’t stand what she represents, but when he’s forced to work with her on the ranch, he can’t get her out of his sight—or his head. He reminds himself to keep to his rules, especially after he finds out the ranch is under threat of being shut down.

It’s clear Avery doesn’t belong here, but they form a tentative truce and make a Avery will help raise funds to save the ranch, and in exchange, Lucas will show her what it really means to be an Indian. It’s purely transactional, absolutely no horsing around…but where’s the fun in that?