Book Review - Somewhere in the Crowd by Katrina Logan

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Title: Somewhere in the Crowd

Author: Katrina Logan

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton 

Publication Date: 20th April 2023

Rating: 5 Stars

Four friends. Twelve years. One Eurovision . . .

Eurovision is always the highlight of Millie's year. So when she and her best friend James get the chance to see the final live in Oslo, it's a dream come true - until they get swept up the excitement and try to break backstage, along with carefree German singer Ingrid and charismatic Australian backpacker, Noah.

Getting thrown out of the stadium wasn't exactly the plan, but it might just spark the friendship - and the pact - of a lifetime. The four of them are going to reunite for every final, every year, every Eurovision.

Over the years, the unlikely four celebrate iconic Eurovision moments all across Europe - and, most importantly, are there for each other during all their highs and lows, heartaches and triumphs. But real life takes them down increasingly different paths, their promise becomes harder and harder to keep. Can the magic of Eurovision bring them together one last time...?

A joyous and uplifting novel inspired by the iconic song contest, about friendship, love and finding where you belong

I'm a massive Eurovision fan, so when this book came onto my radar, I knew I would have to read it. And wow, I couldn't get enough of it.

Set to the backdrop of over 10 years of song contests, we get snapshots into the lives of our four main characters, and what they are up to now, as well as enjoying the vibe of each city. 

All the Eurovision acts, host countries, winners etc... that are mentioned are all real, which makes a lovely change from books that do fictionalised versions of these sorts of things. 

From the prologue of Millie's grandparents meeting at the Brighton Eurovision, the year Abba won, to then moving to 2010, Oslo, where we meet Millie and James who are best friends, and then they have chance encounters with Noah and Ingrid. From which a pact is formed that the four will meet up at Eurovision every year going forward. 

I absolutely adored all of these characters, and seeing how their lives changed over the span of the story, and in fact each time we meet up with them.  They are in and out of relationships and their careers take various turns. 

I'm incredibly envious of everything that both James and Ingrid end up doing with their lives.  

And then there are romances, many unsuitable partners, after all how on earth could I diehard Eurovision fan, really envisage a long term relationship with someone who clearly doesn't get the contest at all. 

Oh and the descriptions of the costumes, and how other fans were looking and what they were wearing, it just adds so much to the atmosphere of the book. 

I just loved every single second of this story, and couldn't get enough of it.  Pure escapist fun. 

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.