All my novels have a soundtrack that evolves organically. The playlist comes together when I’m writing, while I imagine how scenes look, feel, and sound.
My latest novel, Always and Forever, takes place in contemporary New York City, but the characters’ current lives have been impacted by the past. The book’s playlist is therefore eclectic, containing music from various eras and genres.
Many songs were inspirational to me while writing, and some of them are mentioned in the story, including:
“Wild Horses” by The Sundays
The protagonist of Always and Forever, Suzanne Starek, craves more than friendship from Jay Darnell. She and Jay grew up together, and they’ve helped each other through tough times. During a scene in which they’re having a conversation inside his car, “Wild Horses” plays on the radio, and the song’s lyrics are symbolic of Suzanne and Jay’s dedication to each other.
“I’m Not in Love” by 10cc
This ethereal, romantic song from the 1970s appears in the story when Suzanne finds an old cassette tape belonging to her uncle, Grant Carlisle. She reads what one of Grant’s girlfriends wrote on the tape, and it provides insight into his young-adult existence.
“Rock the Boat” by The Hues Corporation
Another song from the 1970s, it plays on a jukebox at a diner during a pivotal scene. Suzanne recalls her mother, Cheryl, saying that she remembers when songs on oldies radio stations were new. In addition to representing the swift passage of time, the song relates to previous events that disrupted Suzanne’s life and altered her future.
“Beyond the Sea” by Bobby Darin
During a New Year’s Eve dinner at an upscale restaurant that overlooks Manhattan, Suzanne and Jay hear this iconic song from 1959. Its glitzy, big-band sound fits the scene’s festive mood and glamorous setting.
“Silver Bells” by Dean Martin
Christmastime in NYC is magical with its elaborately decorated store windows, the giant tree at Rockefeller Center, and the winter weather. Suzanne feels that magic while this classic song plays on a busy street filled with the excitement of the holidays.
“Ruler of My Heart” by Lisa Fischer
Although Suzanne has been in other relationships, she knows she could never truly be happy with anyone except Jay. She equates this song to her intense feelings for him.
ALWAYS AND FOREVER by Lorraine Zago Rosenthal
Three decades ago, a tragedy ignited a chain of events that devastated two New York City families and still haunts them today. Even their youngest members, Suzanne Starek and Jay Darnell, haven’t been left unscathed.
Suzanne is at the end of her twenties and has been plagued by misfortune, including her parents’ ill-fated union and the abrupt demise of her promising childhood career. Although she treasures her lifelong bond with Jay, being his best friend isn’t enough. She has spent years hiding her feelings for him and trying to understand her mother’s cryptic warning to keep him at a distance.
Suzanne wavers between staying safe and reaching for love while she helps Jay cope with his own mother, a glamorous and troubled widow. But when a clash between the families reveals shocking truths, Suzanne must decide how she will move forward from the heartbreaking past.
Women’s Fiction Contemporary [ Tribeca Press, On Sale: November 11, 2025, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9798990833180 / ]
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About Lorraine Zago Rosenthal
In addition to her latest novels, Always and Forever and Charmed, Lorraine Zago Rosenthal is the author of Other Words for Love, published by Random House (Delacorte Press), New Money, and Independently Wealthy, both published by Macmillan (St. Martin’s Press). Lorraine was born and raised in New York City, and she is a graduate of the University of South Florida. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s degrees in education and English. She currently lives near Cincinnati, Ohio, with her husband.
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