When I Picture You

Happy book birthday to Sasha Laurens‘s adult debut, When I Picture You! I’ve been eagerly reading every music-related romance that has come out this year, so when I heard about this one, I couldn’t wait to read it, too.

Lola Gray is a wildly successful pop star known for her songwriting. But after a breakup, a shelved album, and a bout of writer’s block, her next album is overdue. To get her back in the spotlight, her team wants a documentary about her to coincide with her next music release. Lola decides to hire Renee, her childhood neighbor (and former crush!). Renee has been struggling in her MFA program, and directing a documentary would make for the perfect thesis project. But can she and Lola get on the same page about the message of their film? And what should they do about their growing romantic interest in each other… is Lola finally ready to come out as bisexual, or is that secret going to remain under wraps?

What I Liked:

• Behind-the-scenes look at a singer/songwriter. I loved getting to know Lola the songwriter and musician. As a huge music fan, I’ve always loved not just the songs, but learning about all the work that goes into their craft. Renee is hired to show the “real” Lola, but she has to coax Lola out of her shell in order to tell her story right. I loved getting glimpses into how Lola would compose songs (songs about Renee, perhaps?!).
• Queer coming out. A major plot point here is Lola’s secret bisexuality. She’s out to her family and professional team, but to her millions of fans, she’s been passing as straight for years. She’d wanted to come out as bi with her music, but a breakup with her then-girlfriend caused a shelved album of love songs and canceled plans of coming out. Now Lola has the chance to come out with her new album and documentary… but is she wiling to stand up to her manager in order to do so? Is Lola ready to share this side of herself with the world?
• Narrative and telling your own story on your own terms. The previous two points lead right into this one. Renee is intent on showing the Lola she knows, the friend she grew up with, the woman who isn’t just the sweet Girl NextDoor writing virginal love songs. Who is Lola really, the person behind the songs, the person who has doubts and fears and so much heart? And what story is Renee telling in her directorial debut? On the flip side of Lola’s identity, I loved exploring Renee’s fears about her skill in directing and telling stories through film.
• Interstitials. Every so often we get a hint of the kinds of things Lola’s fans are discussing online. These sections capture the varied, supportive, and invasive nature of fans obsessed with their favorite singer. I’ve been reading these kinds of comments on Instagram, YouTube, music forums, and the like for decades. They’re so legit here… and so funny! They add a lot to the greater circumstances surrounding Lola as a celebrity, and specifically a singer who might be queer.
• Love story! Of course, I loved seeing Lola and Renee fall for each other over their months of working together in such close proximity. They both have their own baggage: Lola has a history of falling too hard and being too needy with previous partners. She’s also afraid for her relationship with a woman to be revealed before she can come out. Renee has never done commitment… but she can see a future with Lola. They are so cute together!

What Didn’t Work for Me:

• Lola, stop giving in to your controlling, insensitive manager!!

Audiobook:

Lauren Fortgang and Hillary Huber do an excellent job of narrating When I Picture You. They capture Renee and Lola’s personalities perfectly. My favorite part was actually the interstitials though; the fans’ different voices and excitement levels? So well done.

Final Thoughts

When I Picture You is such a perfect romance! I loved Lola and Renee, the themes about making meaningful art, and watching Lola’s complicated coming-out story. Getting to see the entertainment industry, specifically the music industry, is always a treat for me, but Lola and Renee really stole the show. This was a delightful read. Also, I really hope Nash gets his own romance! I look forward to reading more from Sasha Laurens soon.

Special thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager, HarperAudio Adult, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book!

Get the Book

You can buy When I Picture You here – it’s available as a paperback, ebook, and audiobook.

When I Picture You by Sasha Laurens
Audiobook Narrator	Lauren Fortgang and Hillary Huber
Audience	Adult
Genre	Contemporary Romance
Setting	California; Michigan
Number of Pages	368
Format I Read	Audiobook & Ebook (NetGalley ARCs)
Original Publication Date	October 28, 2025
Publisher	Avon

Official Summary

A big-hearted and sexy queer rom-com celebrating the kind of sweeping romance that inspires our favorite love songs. 

Renee Feldman is desperate for a fresh start. She’d hoped to rediscover her creative spark by taking time off from her MFA in documentary film. Instead, she’s stalled. Barista-ing doesn’t chip away at her debt, her thesis project is nonexistent, and if she doesn’t re-enroll next semester, she’ll be out of the program.

Pop star Lola Gray is supposed to be the songwriter of her generation—but she hardly feels like it anymore. It’s been a year since her secret relationship imploded, simultaneously breaking Lola’s heart, annihilating her plan to come out, and plummeting her into writer’s block.

But when Lola sees Renee at her sister’s wedding, all that stress comes to a grinding halt. Lola’s teenage crush on the fearless lesbian next door was so overwhelming, it secretly inspired her debut album. Lola and Renee haven’t crossed paths in a decade, but that night sparks fly.

Renee is still processing the hottest—and most unexpected—one-night stand of her life when Lola surprises her again. Her team is producing a documentary alongside her next album, but the director they hired is a creep. Lola needs Renee to replace him…and filming starts in a week. With her thesis deadline approaching, Renee knows this is her only ticket to graduation.

As Lola and Renee reconnect, there’s no denying the feelings they have for each other or the renewed creativity it inspires. But neither realizes how hard it will be to tell their love story in an industry that sets a narrative of its own.