Overall Grade: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Brittainy Cherry’s The Mixtape is a heart-rending, beautifully drawn story about two people who find each other during the hardest times of their lives. Cherry deftly uses the metaphor of a mixed tape to illustrate the ups and downs of life, each track representing a moment in our lives that is either the best or the worst of times.

Through her characters, Oliver and Emery, Cherry reminds readers that we construct the family we want; we aren’t born into it. Her story also focuses on overcoming loss. The book has a strong focus on mental health, namely through Oliver’s story, and the wisdom that Cherry pours over the page, through the voice of therapist Audrey, is important for anyone who engages in negative self-talk. Both Emery and Oliver struggle with life, but they learn quickly that acknowledging that bad things happen to everyone, that a new day dawns with the opportunity to be better, is an apt lesson from The Mixtape.

I’ll be honest with you. If you’re looking for a true romance with this story, you won’t find it in the context of Cherry’s other books. This is a story about overcoming, not necessarily falling in love, although that is one of the focuses of this story. I loved Cherry’s insistence on moving us through Oliver and Emery’s stories individually, providing her readers with both the past and present to underscore her different messages. The cherry on the sundae of this story is Oliver and Emery’s slow-burn love story.

I did receive an ARC of this story for an honest review, and they often have grammatical errors. If I have any criticism, it’s that. The writing was a bit messy as it was a draft, and, at times, it hindered the readability of the story.

However, the overall flow and tenderness between Oliver and Emery draw you into Cherry’s The Mixtape. The allusions, the sentiment, the journey of her characters hold you captive to it. If you love the journey of broken people and their eventual healing, then you should definitely read Brittainy Cherry’s The Mixtape.

„The oddest thing about life was how something could show up out of nowhere and change everything in a split second of time.”

As I am an emotional masochist, Brittainy Cherry is my go-to author when I am in need for that type of read. Her love stories, though ultimately wonderful, put the heart through the grinder, not sparing the pain and angst. The Mixtape is a book like that- you will suffer, but eventually you’ll be touched and grateful that you could read such a poignant story.

This book is about two lost people who help each other heal. It’s an example of how powerful love is and how it helps to come to terms with the past and start living anew. Oliver and Emery's love story, although hard to read at times, is uplifting and wonderful. The development of both their relationship and them separately was touching and marvelous to witness.

It's a sure thing that when you reach for a Brittainy Cherry's book, you're gonna experience an emotional journey. The Mixtape is exactly that- a road of two broken souls to their happily ever after. A beautifully written slow-burn romance that will give you all the feels!

The Mixtape brought out all the feelings for me. Emery is a single mom struggling to make ends meet. Oliver is a famous musician who just lost his twin brother and band mate in an accident. The two of them lead very different lives, but are there for each other when they needed someone the most. Both were very caring people who were going through the toughest times. Their story was a slow burn friends to lovers that I thoroughly enjoyed.

What a beautifully written story.
Brittainy brings us all the emotions with Mixtape.
I love music. I love what music can help a person express themselves. And this book brings that full circle.
Absolutely wonderful

What an awesome feel good story!
Oliver and Emery are two characters that each have a train load of baggage and potential struggles, but it was sweet to see them find each other at just the right time.

I appreciated how author Cherry gave us a solid glimpse of who Oliver, Emery, and the core secondary cast are as individuals before bringing them together as an ensemble.

With strong messages of healing and hope, The Mixtape was a fantastic example of how people can come into your life just when you need them and help in unexpected ways.

3.5 Stars

Brittainy C. Cherry sure knows how to kill me emotionally…

What I liked

— Oliver. Look, if I can identify with a character in any way, I will most probably like this character.
The quiet and awkward friend who, more often than not, doesn’t know what to say when socializing? Yeah, hiii that’s me 🙋‍♀️

Other than that, this poor poor soul reminded me so much of Landon from Landon & Shay. Both have an abusive ex in common, both suffer from depression. I just wanted to wrap myself around him like a comforting blanket to make him feel less lonely.

“I've been sad my whole life, Emery.”
“Why is that?”
He paused for a moment, in thought maybe.
“I think some people are just born sadder than others.”

— The loss of his twin. Man, this hit so hard. Not because I’ve experienced something like this too, thank goodness no, but I still cried like a baby. The scene where Oliver watched Alex’s interview? 😭😭

— The scene where the title made sense. I loved that part so much!

— Oh my god, I absolutely did not see that twist coming. I mean, I was wondering about the issue of what happened that made them fall apart but this? W T H? I definitely did not connect the dots.

What I didn’t like

— The romance was a bit underdeveloped. With the focus being so much on all the other stuff that went on, I guess the romance had to take a backseat.

— "All the other stuff". This book was heavier than I expected. There is much angst, which is not necessarily a bad thing, it’s just not something I actively seek out in romance so this comes back to personal preference.

— Another thing that others might find ridiculous but for me the heroine Emery was way too good to be true which made her kinda superficial? Sure she had her ups and downs in life and always came out a stronger person while never losing her inner soul/core. I mean, yes, in theory very commendable but what I felt towards her was more of a 〜meh.

— I really wanted some kind of revelation scene about Reese’s name. Unless I interpreted it completely wrong...?

— I honestly don’t know if healing works like that but the way it was told seemed a little sudden. We saw his first therapy session which was great but idk a week later we see a completely different Oliver, one who’s smiling and already a lot less tense, inquiring about Emery’s dating life and stuff. We know they’ve been talking on the phone but everything was too superficial. Then he talked about why he covers all the mirrors, Emery makes an observation and the next day all mirrors are uncovered. This might be the “healing comes in waves” that was talked about.

The Mixtape is the incredible new release from one of my all time favourite writers Brittainy C Cherry. I can always rely on Cherry to hit me with a book which hurts my heart. She writes pain, loss and suffering in a way in which it enables you to relate to her characters. But for all the pain, Cherry always offers that perfect element of healing, the type of romance which fills you with a deep rooted belief in happily ever afters.

Oliver is learning to overcome the loss of his twin brother. It is literally like he has lost a part of himself and he is struggling. His brother was everything, his music partner, family and friend.

Emery is a single mother attempting to survive and make it on her own. It's a struggle but she is determined to make I through. Her connection with Oliver runs deep, and it makes for a truly beautiful and believable romance.

This book was utter perfection with all the right feels. Everyone has a mixtape of songs that are pivotal to their life and specific moments, and Cherry always has very unique and original plots for her books which stick with you long after you are done reading.

A great romance which is perfect for those who love angsty hard-hitting romances, single parent romances and those who just enjoy the beauty of pure magic of love.

** Arc received in exchange for an honest review **
[...]

O encontro deles não poderia ser mais inesperado, Oliver após fugir de um show vai diretamente para o bar onde Emery trabalha, só que os paparazzi acabam encontrando ele, e nessa forma inesperada Emery ajuda ele a fugir e conhece Oliver em um dos seus piores momentos.

Emery é uma mulher sensacional e em muitos momentos me identifiquei com ela em relação a criação de uma criança e as dificuldades que nos rodeiam. Emery é uma mulher que transborda amor e mesmo quando a vida dela está na pior ela consegue achar o melhor em algo ou colocar os problemas dela no bolso para ajudar quem precisa.

Oliver também me tocou muito, ele com toda suas dores ainda conseguia pensar nas dores dos outros enquanto escondia as suas dores. Ler o sofrimento de Oliver foi algo intenso, ver ele lidando com sua depressão e a forma que ele estava se destruindo doeu, mas ver ele aos poucos se reerguendo torna esse livro ainda mais especial.

Reese é a parte alegre desse livro, essa garota conseguia fazer a gente rir a cada frase dela, e mesmo aos cinco anos ela era de uma inteligência maravilhosa e sem dúvidas era lindo de ver o relacionamento dela com Emery e também como aos poucos ela quebrava as barreiras do Oliver.
ㅤ
Tirei uma estrela do livro porque senti que a autora correu no final e alguns acontecimentos poderiam ter tido mais destaque, porém isso não tira a grandeza desse livro e a forma que ele me prendeu desde o primeiro capítulo.
ㅤ
The Mixtape é um livro que mexe com nossas feridas e faz enxergar as feridas dos outros, um livro que vai abordar amizade, respeito e amor e nos mostrar que ninguém é forte o tempo inteiro. Sem dúvidas mais um livro da autora que ganhou meu coração.


Resenha Completa no Blog

4.5 Stars!
Oliver Smith is one of the biggest musicians in Hollywood. He was thrust into the limelight and now had money, fame and success, but when he loses his twin brother his world feels like it's crashing down around him. His brother was his other half in their family and their careers. Now the once popular music duo is no more. While Oliver tries to pick up the pieces of his life, he feels empty and lost. He's drowning in pain and not sure if he can ever perform again. Music was always his lifeline, and the largest part of who he was. Just when he's not sure where to turn he meets a woman named Emery. She's exactly what he needs in that moment in time. She's a breath of fresh air he so desperately craves, and becomes his safe place in the storm.

Emery is single mom trying to make ends meet and doing everything alone. Her little girl is her world, but she's extremely overwhelmed with no support system and struggling to provide for her. While at work she meets her top celebrity crush at his lowest point, and tries to help him escape from the paparazzi. Oliver is a painfully handsome, quiet, shy introvert who often overthinks things. They are two people whose paths cross and begin to smile again. Will they find happiness together or will outside forces be too much for them to handle?

The Mixtape by Brittainy Cherry is an emotional friends to lovers, rock star, single parent, slow burn romance about friendship, heartbreak, healing, love, loss and hope. I loved this story and this man is truly something special. His beautiful heart and kind soul will capture your heart from the start.

Oliver and Alex were living the dream as professional musicians until one night changed everything. Now instead of it being Oliver and Alex it is just Oliver, and he not only lost the man who was his bandmate and his twin brother but a piece of himself. He finds himself trying to use alcohol to numb his pain even if it is only temporary and he is about to hit bottom when Emory comes into his life.

Emory is a bartender who has learnt the hard way that the only one she can depend on is herself. She is struggling financially as she tries to give her daughter the best life she can, but when her world collides with Oliver even though they get off to a rocky start she might just be the only person in his life who has his best interests at heart and can help him come out of the downward spiral he finds himself in.

Oliver and Emory take us on an emotional journey that is at times heartbreaking and at times inspiring. It is a story about loss, love and how people come into your life not only when you least expect it but when you need it the most.

The Mixtape by Brittainy C. Cherry is a story about two people who are struggling and a bit lost. Oliver has lost his twin brother and his grief is palpable. My heart hurt for him so much. He has no idea how to move forward and being part of a music duo without the other half does not help. Emery is a struggling single mom just trying to live day-by-day. One night in a bar, she helps him. This starts a slow burn story with so may feels. I loved the characters and their journey so much. It was heartbreaking and heartwarming.

Happy reading!

DNF @40% I just can't keep reading.

I had high hopes because I've seen a lot of love for Brittainy Cherry's books, but the writing, plot, and characters are a disappointment.

There are a lot of rave reviews of The Mixtape so maybe it's just me...

A copy was kindly provided by Montlake in exchange for an honest review.

I am 110% convinced that Brittainy Cherry will NEVER write a horrible book. And I stand by that. Every review that I write for her seems to sounds the same but that is because no matter the plot or the characters-- she writes a book that is emotionally charged each and every time.

“When love met pain, beauty could be created.”

Ugh. B Cherry always getting me all up in my feelz. Always. I will never not support or read her work. She's an extremely talented author who deserves the world and more.

si le départ est forcément un peu triste (je m'y attendais un peu...), j'ai adoré la bonne dose d'espoir que l'autrice distille ensuite dans cette aventure. Emery et Oliver sont deux personnages touchants et attachants, si au départ il est un peu effacé, survivant à peine et se laissant bouffer par les autres, Emery va lui permettre de sortir la tête de l'eau et de voir ce que son frère aurait aimé, qu'il continue d'avancer pour les gens qui sont toujours là et en son honneur. Les mots coulent facilement et j'ai adoré ce que j'ai découvert sur eux, j'avais deviné là où l'autrice allait nous entrainer et je ne m'étais pas trompée mais ça ne m'a pas empêchée d'adorer de la première à la dernière page !! Un moment fort qui nous fait vibrer avec nos héros et avoir un grand sourire aux lèvres malgré l'adversité de la vie !!

3.5 stars

I have always loved the stories and the way Cherry has of breaking you while you read it. I like her heroines and I liked Emery as well as Oliver, but although I loved the subject which for me is the most important thing in this book, the romance of these two main characters in the story was not. The truth is that I feel very sorry for what depression can do to people and I know from experience that many times we judge without knowing or trying to put ourselves in their shoes for a second. I’m learning and trying to be more understanding and find a way to help those in need, to be honest is hard and when you just can’t accomplish not even a little the feeling is not good, and let me tell you, it drown you, that I can say it.

I think the author treats this subject with a lot of respect and directing it in the right directions such as the professional help that is so necessary in these cases. Maybe it's just that most of the book depressed me because I got immersed in that life of Oliver and Sammy, with all that pain and guilt they carry when neither of them deserves it or is responsible, it was very sad to read, I definitely didn't enjoy those parts at all. What made the reading happy for me was reading Reese and also Emery, they are two characters that light up wherever they go and they have been the ones who have helped me to follow and finish the reading. With this I don't mean to say that the book is bad, on the contrary, I find it a very well narrated and well cared story, just that the romance part I never felt or believed it and after all the sadness I was looking for the romance to lift me and make me smile, but that just didn’t happen.

But this is just my opinion and I always invite you to read and form your own.

Big thanks to the author for providing me an ARC on exchange for my honest review.

Until the next one :)

J'ai eu la chance de lire ce roman et ce fut une fois de plus un excellent moment de lecture. Les émotions sont bien au rendez vous et nos personnages vont nous faire entrer de plein fouet dans leur vie. Cette dernière ne leur a pas fait de cadeau et ils auront du mal à se reconstruire mais quand deux êtres blessés se trouvent , une étincelle d'espoir pourrait jaillir.

Oliver Smith est un jeune homme de 27 ans qui vit pour la musique et que la musique a longtemps fait vivre et vibrer. La mort tragique de son frère jumeau pourrait signer la mort du groupe qu'il avait créé avec son Alex. Quand nous le rencontrons , nous ne pouvons que constater les dégâts que cette perte a occasionnés. Les médias ne sont pas tendres avec lui tout comme certains femmes et Cam Jones ne reste à ses côtés que pour utiliser son nom pour booster sa carrière. Je dirai même que cette dernière est très nocive car elle se sert de notre héros et ne cherchera jamais à lui soulever la tête de dessous de l'eau. Quand il va rencontrer par le plus grand hasard Emery, on se dit qu'une bonne étoile veille tout de même sur lui. Bien que cette dernière reconnaisse la star qu'il est , elle ne va pas chercher à user de cela mais elle s'intéressera plus à l'homme qu'à la figure publique. Oliver ne sourit plus depuis bien des années et pourtant elle va bousculer sa vie dans le bon sens. Même s'il peut compter sur Tyler et Kelly qui le suivent depuis des années, Emery apportera cette touche de magie dont il aura besoin. Avec elle , il peut parler à coeur ouvert et elle saura détecter sa détresse. Parviendra t-il à exorciser ce mal qui le ronge? Saura t-il retrouver l'amour de la musique?

Emery Taylor est une jeune femme que j'ai adoré découvrir. Elle vit une situation plus que délicate et pourtant , elle ne relâchera jamais ses efforts. Elle a dû mal à s'en sortir mais elle est prête à tous les sacrifices pour donner le meilleur à sa fille Reese. Cette dernière est adorable et met du baume au coeur en toute situation. Tout comme sa mère elle n'est que gentillesse et générosité. Dès qu'elle apparaît , elle illumine la scène et elle n'est jamais dans le caprice. Il est évident que la communication est très forte entre eux et c'est un duo qui fonctionne à merveille. Emery n'a plus de lien avec sa famille et nous en découvrirons la source au fil des pages. Nous connecterons les différents indices entre eux et nous allons être encore plus admirative de son parcours. Elle s'est construit seule et elle accepte les quelques mains tendues. Elle suscite l'admiration et la compassion des gens. Quand Oliver, un artiste qu'elle admire par dessous tout, entre dans sa vie , cela sera un choc mais elle saura ne pas être une groupie mais une réelle amie. Elle voit ses appels à l'aide et elle saura être une épaule sur qui s'épancher. Elle aimerait renouer le lien avec sa soeur Sammie car elle comprend ce que notre héros a perdu mais les choses ne seront pas aussi simples qu'elles n'y paraissent. On espère qu'elle parviendra à garder une belle place dans la vie de notre héros et qui sait, s'ouvrir à l'amour.

Bref, une fois de plus Brittainy C Cherry nous emporte dans son univers poétique où les sentiments seront exacerbés aux moments opportuns. Les thématiques sont fortes et que ce soit la perte, le jugement , la descente aux enfers et les liens fraternels , il est évident qu'on sera touchés tout au long de ce récit magnifique empli de compassion et d'espoir.

I received this ARC from the author for an honest review.

Brittainy C Cherry is one of my favorite authors and I love her books. The Mixtape is the story of Emery and Olivier, two beautiful people who knew loss and pain and they found each other at the moment when they needed it the most.

When I got out of the shower, I didn’t look in the mirror. Most of the mirrors in my house were covered with sheets. I hadn’t looked in mirrors in such a long time, because in every single one, Alex was staring back my way.”

Olivier lost his twin brother and his coworker and he feels that he lost half of himself and he didn’t know what to do with his life or with his career. Until he meets Emery who fights every day for her daughter and inspires him to move forward and to fight again for his life.

Emery just lost her job and she needs quickly another job to be able to take care of her daughter. For Emery, her daughter Reese is everything and she is the only reason she smiles. Olivier gave her a job as his personal chef in his home and they began to develop a relationship. They spent every day together and the brings them closer and they help each other to heal and open their hearts.

“I just get the feeling that someday you’re going to find it—your happy ending. This is just a temporary thing. Your sadness.”

It was beautiful to see the journey of Olivier, through healing, and how he found again his passion for music and he learned again to be happy and to love again. I love the relationship between Emery and Olivier. I loved Emery’s daughter Reese and how they formed a beautiful family. The Mixtape is a story about love, healing, and finding happiness again.

“Each day was worth living because it led to the better tomorrows, the brighter days, the happily ever after. This was our life. It had its ups and downs, but without question it was ours. This was our mixtape and I was damn proud of it.”

This emotional rockstar romance was one heck of a roller coaster ride!
Everly and Oliver’s story is really their journey as they each struggle with their own personal demons.
There were many drama driven unique twists thrown into the mix making this a heartfelt story of second chances in life and love.
I’m gonna remember this story for a king time to come!

As I wipe happy tears from my face, I am taken by what a beautiful story I just finished. I fell in love with every single character! The character development was on another level! I want to crawl back into Emery and Oliver's world and stay a while longer. My favorite read of 2021! I cannot recommend Mixtape highly enough!

Oh my me...the heart stamps! Yet again, Ms. Cherry has taken my heart and put it into a proverbial blender and set it on frappe.  Then this amazingly talented author slowly puts my heart back together again, looking at the world a little bit lighter, a little brighter and all the swoons!

This is the story of Oliver and Emery, and yet is, as all of Ms. Cherry's stories do, so much more!

This is a romance, sure, but it's also a bit of what I like to think is real-world issues coming into play. From upbringings to fame and fortune. Now I also want to applaud Ms. Cherry for creating Oliver and Emery, they are persons of color, but it's not the focal point of the story, it's just a cherry on top, her characters speak for themselves. I appreciate that.  You see all the colors in her stories. she can reach out and touch the heart of all her readers, no matter what.

This story is about family, those by blood and those you choose. This is the story of a love that is not judgemental, is unconditional, and is a love that everyone is entitled to.

As a long-time Ms. Cherry fan, I am always blown away by the feelings of intensity that drips off the pages. She has a way of commanding the reader to stay in the story she has created and won't let you go until she is ready.