🎶 All in all this was a charming rom com that was quick and easy to read. 10 years after her punk rock band broke up, FMC Allie decided to team up with her hunky crush, Ryan, to find her old band mates and attempt to make emends.

🎶 The MCs were just “okay” for me, I would have enjoyed a bit more tension between Allie and Ryan. My favorite part was the emphasis on music, and Allie’s passion for it. It was a good story, but it was far from blowing me away.

This was a cute rom-com that drew me in from the start! I really enjoyed that the focus was more on personal growth with the romance piece still present, but taking a back seat.

Definitely one to add to your TBR if you are a rom-com fan!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Jennifer Whiteford’s *Make Me a Mixtape* strikes the perfect chord with its delightful mix of romance, nostalgia, and the journey to rediscover lost dreams.

Whiteford’s writing shines as she paints the complexities of Allie’s internal struggle—torn between the safety of the café and the risky allure of music. Allie’s character is wonderfully relatable, as she navigates fear, regret, and the vulnerability of returning to a world that once broke her heart. Ryan, her unwitting (and enthusiastic) fan-turned-ally, is charming and persistent, bringing a warmth to the story that balances Allie’s more guarded nature. Their chemistry is undeniable, and watching their relationship unfold is as rewarding as the slow return of Allie’s confidence in herself and her music.

Readers who love stories about self-discovery, rekindling passion, and embracing the unknown will find *Make Me a Mixtape* an utterly charming and feel-good read. Whether you’re a music lover or just someone who enjoys a well-crafted romance, this book will have you cheering for Allie to take the stage again—and maybe even fall in love along the way.

I liked the characthers of Allie and Ryan - especially Ryan! Why don't men like him exist in real life!?!?! All the characters were likable (which is super important in all the books I read - it is difficult to get into a book when there are no likeable characters). I really liked the relationship with Allie and her Aunt.

Make Me a Mixtape is a heartwarming story that blends romance, music, and nostalgia.

The story follows Allie, a former punk rocker turned barista, whose quiet life is disrupted by the arrival of a charming sound tech named Ryan.

Ryan, a die-hard fan of Allie's old band, is determined to help her rediscover her musical passion. As they navigate the challenges of the past and the uncertainties of the future, Allie and Ryan find themselves falling for each other. Their connection is fueled by their shared love of music and their ability to see the best in each other.

Whiteford's writing is both lyrical and engaging, capturing the essence of Brooklyn's vibrant music scene. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and their chemistry is undeniable. The novel's nostalgic elements, including references to classic bands and '80s pop culture, will resonate with readers who appreciate a throwback vibe.

While the plot may be predictable at times, Make Me a Mixtape is a delightful and uplifting read. It's a perfect choice for fans of contemporary romance and those who enjoy stories that celebrate the power of music and love.

Thank you so much to the publisher for my ARC!

the way i bawled reading this🥹 first off this book got me, as a MUSIC LOVER then it hit me HARD with the lost relationships with her friends/bandmates. i completely understood the feelings that come with fighting with a loved one, then losing contact with them and all the stages of grief that follow. this hit close to home...and i really liked it. it gave the fall/holiday vibes. it even had some spice!! i do feel that the spice could have been written a little better but i was surprised that it had it which was a plus for me.

characters wise i do wish we got more of them, it felt very surface level to me.

also was this considered miscommunication trope? because it very much felt that way.

nonetheless i would recommend this read if you like music references, found family, fall/holiday feels, reconnecting with lost loved ones, finding yourself/purpose.

this was a cute read for fall✨

Make Me a Mixtape by Jennifer Whiteford is a charming, cozy fall romance.
This was a super sweet story.
A great concept, good writing and fantastic narration, Make Me a Mixtape turned out to be a winner for me.

Thank You NetGalley and Doubleday Canada for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Fun and cute with deep emotions and painfully cringe and yet witty banter. Makes me wish I was a teenager or younger ahian and life was like this

3.75 ⭐️s. Out today! Definitely a cute read. Found family and second chances with a lot of music references.

Allie’s punk-rock music career ended ten years ago. She’s completely lost touch with her band mates and is struggling to figure out if music is still her passion. Or, should she take over the cafe her aunt owns. Bumping in to an old fan, Ryan; Allie is confronted with her struggle to have friends. Ryan is persistent though. As their friendship grows, Allie and Ryan must fight their demons to not run but work for the relationships they have.

Thank you to @netgalley and @penguincanada for the advanced reader copy. #makemeamixedtape #netgalley

Make Me a Mixtape by Jennifer Whiteford is a sweet story about Allie Andrews, a former punk rocker whose band broke up and now is living a normal risk free life working in her aunt’s cafe and staying under the radar. When she delivers coffee to Ryan, he recognizes her and befriends her despite Allie’s prickly nature. They decide to work together to find her former bandmate Jessi to resolve the issues that broke up the band. As the investigation progresses, things heat up between the two. They decide to stay friends, but can they ignore their developing feelings?

I really enjoyed this story. I liked seeing Allie thaw and develop as a character as she started developing friendships and letting people in her life. However, I felt Ryan was underdeveloped. I would have liked to see more of his development. I thought the background characters were great in this story. I enjoyed the story of the band break up and Allie’s foray back into music more than the romance though.


Thank you to the publishers and to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

The mixtape; a love letter for an entire generation. Back in the day a mixtapes held so much more than just two sides and a couple dozen songs. They held milestones and memories, melancholy and magical moments. Just like your favourite mixtape Jennifer Whiteford manages to seamlessly blend the melancholy of teenage years into the memories of adulthood while giving us gentle and relatable characters. The perfect cozy fallrom com for anyone that still remembers their first mixtape. #thankyounetgalley #makemeamixtape #fallreads #romancebook

“A guarded punk-rocker-turned-barista meets a big-hearted sound tech who charms his way into her life and helps her revisit her musical past in this truly charming, cozy fall romance.”

If you love cozy fall vibes and a wealth of nostalgia, Make Me a Mixtape is definitely right up your alley. All I need is a trip to Brooklyn and a coffee in my hand and I would be good to go.

I love nostalgia in books, and that’s what led me to this one. I loved a good mixtape (still do) and this book had all the nostalgia feels which make for a great fall book. This book is all about the vibes for sure.

A special thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Random House Canada and the author for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

A cozy fall romance full of music and destiny and adventure. It’s perfect for this season and just get lost and relax.
Yes, I judged this book by its cover and I’m sure glad I did! These characters were fun and the setting on NYC in the fall was perfect for fans of classic romcoms.
The writing was good and the tone stayed consistent with all the characters and small town vibes!
I love books set in NY, add holidays to that, it’s just perfect !

Happy Pub Day! I really enjoyed Make Me a Mixtape and I was not sure after reading the reviews. It is a quick read but, I really loved the characters and their story! I remember making mixed tapes fondly and this novel brought it all back! I will definitely read other Jennifer Whiteford books!

Thank you Net Galley, Jennifer Whiteford and Penguin Random House for the opportunity to preview this book. The opinions shared are my own.

This novel is now available so pick it up and put it on your TBR.

This book had all the sweet cozy vibes. I enjoyed the plot. Unfortunately though, the characters fell a bit flat for me, I couldn't connect to them.

wow wow wow, this book hit me in all the feels and just wrapped me up in this world. the little found family that Allie created was so special to me. I loved that while romance was a big part of this story there were so many other types of loved showcased! Anisha and Ryan being platonic life partners is everything and I am a huge advocate of that being more normalized!! Loved Ren so so much as well, they brought such realness to this story, adored the scene when they showed Allie how to have healthy conflict (so important and such a real lesson for everyone to learn)!

This story felt like a little slice of life and I honestly didn’t want to leave this world. The growth seen in all the characters was super realistic and the slow burn was SO satisfying. The descriptions in the book were top tier I could visualize everything so clearly and was very much getting the warm and fuzzies from it. I’m very much feeling nostalgic for a place that doesn’t exist right now!! Brb while I go listen to my parents cassettes and sob about how much I loved Allie and Ryan and this whole crew!

This Reviewer Received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review. Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House.


Make Me a Mixtape was an adorable and entertaining novel. A little bit of Nick and Norah, a little bit of Music and Lyrics and a lot of fun. The author does a fantastic job of taking the modernized approach to the changing times and embraces everything that is to love about it. Every character from the main ones to the minor are so well written and lovable. Ryan and Allie are great characters. Both have come from such complex family backgrounds and are learning how to love despite it. The musical references are impactful and important. It was a very cute book.

Very fast, easy read for the perfect cozy weekend autmn read. Gave me slight gilmore girls vibes but a different setting.

This book was not 100% my speed but is a great read for someone who loves found family. A reader who loves some nostalgia- it’s about a no longer famous singer in her new life and navigating her love for music still. A reader who loves a cozy read with great communication exemplified. We have a plot that flows so well- our FMC is looking for closure with one of her old band mates before she can continue on her journey with life but also her love of music. Such a good cozy read that could be great for either a fall or winter read (the story spans both)

i thought that Make Me a Mixtape was a quick, fun fall time read. The fall vibes of the book were so fun and the cast of characters reminded me a little bit of Gilmore Girls and gave me a small town feel while the book was set in a big city. I loved the friendship that were made between the characters and enjoyed reading about Allie’s journey with music and her band. the music references throughout the book were fun touches. my main issue with the book was the miscommunication between Allie and Ryan. the romance was a lot of back and forth where you could tell they liked each other but neither of them wanted to be the one to say it or would find reasons for why the other party didn’t feel the same way. they had such a sweet relationship though and it was cute to see their friendship form first, i just wished they had communicated a little better. Overall, the book was an easy contemporary read and a fun one to pick up for the fall!