In Song of Belonging by Michelle St. Romain, Alice lost her great-grandmother Grace when she was only seven. Along with the grief came a precious keepsake, Grace’s jewelry box, and a note urging Alice to remember that she had special gifts meant to be shared with the world. Alice was sensitive and could see what others did not always see. It was not easy for Alice to live in the world when she could see and feel so much. Many years later, Alice opened the jewelry box again, and something compelled her to make the drive to the coast north of San Francisco. Alice wanted to honor Grace’s wish but had no idea how to do it. Alice hoped being near the water would help her get an idea. While relaxing on the beach, Alice met Ronan, who immediately interested her.

Song of Belonging by Michelle St. Romain was an intriguing read. The plot was easy to follow with more than enough time to process everything before the next event. The story alternates between the perspectives of Grace Paschal in 1934 and Alice Clairvaux in 2019, with their lives gradually interweaving as the story unfolds. It was easy to become part of Alice’s search for answers with the engaging writing style. Themes of family secrets and the grief of a mother were the central part of the plot that was handled with great care. The characters were realistic and relatable. Alice and Ronan were attracted to each other, and I could not wait to see where it would lead. I enjoyed reading this brilliantly written book that kept my attention throughout. Alice’s journey to expose the truth of her ancestors shows that memories and inherited gifts connect people across timelines.

Song of Belonging by Michelle St. Romain follows Alice Clairvaux, a young reporter who leaves Louisiana for Berkeley and soon realizes she hasn’t escaped her family’s deep past. When she receives a jewelry box passed down from her great-grandmother, Grace, old memories and strange visions suddenly begin to appear. The story moves back and forth between Alice’s present life and Grace’s experiences in 1930s Louisiana. It slowly reveals that the women in their family shared gifts tied to nature, water, and heartfelt memories. Little by little, Alice begins to discover letters, objects, and moments that make her question what is real and what belongs to the spiritual world. Will she be brave enough to face what her family carried before her?

Song of Belonging by Michelle St. Romain merges family storytelling with gentle supernatural elements, and I liked how perfectly those two sides fit together. The contrast between Alice’s new life in Berkeley and Grace’s older world in Louisiana gives the book a lovely rhythm, showing how different their lives were but how connected they remain. The themes of inheritance, grief, and the value of family history are depicted with emotional honesty. The characters are shaped by the choices they make and the stories passed down to them. As I read, the book took me back to stories about family roots and the hidden things we carry within our hearts without realizing it. Song of Belonging will appeal to readers who enjoy novels about ancestry and the mix of everyday life with something unseen. I wholeheartedly loved every moment of this book, and I think you will too.