Book Review: Love is a War Song by Danica Nava

Official Synopsis: 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?

I vibed with this book almost immediately, must faster than I did with 'The Truth According to Ember', though I still liked that book too. I really enjoyed the narrative, and the way cancel cultured played into the book, especially when you feel so disconnected with the culture you belong to.

Avery has been working hard forever and now is thrown into the unknown when she is told that 1) she is appropriating her own culture and 2) realizes she doesn't know that much about her culture. When she ends up in OK, with a grandmother she hasn't ever had a relationship with, she is shocked to see how different life in OK is. As she starts to argue with the grumpy farm hand, Lucas, she is confused on if her feelings for him are hatred or something more. It doesn't help that Lottie, her grandmother, has banded them from having any time of relationship.

As Lucas starts to teach her more about the life she missed, or didn't know she even had connection to, she starts to wonder if she wants to go back to LA at all. I really liked how the book was written, the debate on being 'enough' of a community and learning from your mistakes to do better for everyone. The journey Avery takes throughout the story is really great. She spends time learning about what she missed out on, while also actively working to help save it. Lottie is very close to losing the ranch, and Avery is determined to help her, even if Lottie insists she doesn't want Avery's money. While Avery and Lucas work on a plan to save the farm, we also see how Lucas' family treats him, as an outcast from a line of doctors and lawyers. Avery and Lucas find they have a lot more in common then they think.

One of my favorite parts of the book was the romance plotline between Avery and Lucas, how they seemingly hate each other but then start grower closer and closer. Lucas is worried when Avery joins a game of stickball and Avery is ready to stand up for Lucas when his day is being mean. Avery also reignites her love for music, after having producers and record labels determine what she plays. I really like stories where artists find their stride again.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and am excited to see what Danica Nava does next. I love how she writes and the characters she creates. This story had a lot to it, but still was a cozy romance in the end.

I rated this book 5 out of 5 stars.

Love is a War Song comes out July 22, 2025!

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