This post contains affiliate links to Bookshop.org. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. Your support helps sustain independent bookstores and keeps this blog going.
Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid– Music & Mayhem
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 368
Rating: ★★★★★
Buy: Bookshop.org
This post contains spoilers.
Book Summary
They were the band everyone talked about and the breakup no one saw coming. Daisy Jones & The Six follows the meteoric rise—and sudden implosion—of a fictional 1970s rock group, told entirely through raw, unfiltered interviews with the people who lived it. At the center is Daisy: a fiercely independent singer with a gravel-voiced edge, drawn into the orbit of Billy Dunne, the band’s brooding frontman battling his own demons. Their chemistry is electric. Their story is chaos.
As egos clash, hearts break, and addictions take root, the line between art and destruction blurs. This isn’t just a backstage pass to fame—it’s a confession, a memory, and a love story wrapped in smoke and vinyl. Bold, nostalgic, and emotionally charged, Daisy Jones & The Six reads like the oral history of a band you swear really existed.
My Thoughts
Daisy Jones & The Six is written entirely in interview transcript format, which made the whole experience feel uncannily real, like I was reading a behind-the-scenes oral history of an actual iconic 1970s rock band. The structure pulls you in immediately. Each character has a distinct voice, and their perspectives often clash, overlap, or contradict each other in ways that make the story feel layered and alive. I found myself totally swept up in the drama and tension between them, not just the music and fame, but the personal dynamics, addictions, heartbreaks, and secrets.
Every character was complex, messy, and deeply human. I had to remind myself more than once that this wasn’t a real band. I kept wanting to Google old tour photos, dig up live footage, or find other interviews with Daisy, Billy, or Karen. That’s how immersive it was. You genuinely feel like this band existed, rose to fame, and suddenly disappeared.
This was the first Taylor Jenkins Reid book I’ve read, and I loved every minute of it. Her ability to write flawed, magnetic characters and make you care about each of them is seriously impressive.
Apparently there’s a TV series adaptation that came out in 2023, and I’m curious to see how it translates on screen. I’ll definitely be tracking that down next. I’m not sure anything could quite match how vividly it played out in my head while reading, but I’m excited to compare.
Final Thoughts
Daisy Jones & The Six reminded me why I love stories that blur the line between fiction and reality. It’s one of those rare books that makes you feel like you’ve lived another life by the time you turn the last page. I’ll be thinking about these characters (and their songs that don’t exist!) for a long time.
Overall, it was an addictive, emotional read that felt both raw and cinematic. It completely lived up to the hype for me, and I’m excited to see how the story translates on screen and to dive into more of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s work.
If you want to check out Daisy Jones & The Six, consider purchasing it through Bookshop.org. Supporting this link helps sustain independent bookstores and keeps this blog thriving.
Read Other Music-Themed Book Reviews:
Love what you’re reading here? Support the blog and fuel my next cozy reading session by buying me a coffee.
Notes from the Shelf 
Leave a comment