Make Me a Mixtape has a really fun premise (and OMG I LOVE the cover), but falls a bit short in execution. It follows Allie Andrews, a former punk rocker now working in a Brooklyn café, as she reconnects with her past through Ryan, a bubbly podcaster who remembers her music days. The book blends themes of punk culture, mixtapes, and redemption with a sweet, if slightly underdeveloped, romance.

While nostalgic elements like mix tapes and 80s pop covers shine, the characters—especially Allie—can be hard to connect with. I really need that to love a romance. Ryan, her Southern love interest, feels somewhat stereotypical, and the romance lacks the tension and buildup needed for deeper emotional impact.

Despite its shortcomings, Whiteford’s writing has charm, and the café setting adds warmth. Make Me a Mixtape is a cute, heartwarming read that may resonate more with some readers than others.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Had to DNF within the first chapter. In general, I don’t like it when subjects from reality gets pushed in TV shows, so I really don’t like it when it’s in a book I’m reading. I read to get away from reality….

I think these came out of nowhere…
“… it wasn’t like I was misgendered by a racist or anything.”

“That would be a tall order, given that you’re white and girly.”

As a GenX I was so intrigued by this story. I love music and some 90s nostalgia but it fell so flat. It started off strong but I just could not connect to the characters and I was so disappointed.

Oh it’s the first week of autumn? You bet I picked this up! This was a cute, grumpy sunshine that was absolutely made for music lovers. The MMC was described a bit like my hubby, so I was immediately psyched. It may have not been the deepest dive into character development, but I liked it just the same. The fall vibes were as immaculate as sipping on a PSL while walking through crunchy leaves.

The setting for this was the best part. Fall vibes, NYC, cozy cafe, etc.

I found it a bit odd that Ryan was described as handsome, thick beard, and kind eyes....but then characters call him chubby and a gentle giant. Didn't really care for that. I couldn't imagine him really.

I'm all for a grumpy sunshine story, but there needs to be some depth to the characters too. I just struggled to connect with them.

HOWEVER, I think music fans and romance fans of second chances would like this.

DNF at 48%

The fall vibes are amazing in this book and there were flashes of brightness, but no matter how many times I picked this book back up, I couldn’t bring myself to care about the characters… They just felt one dimensional and I couldn’t see what connection they had. It just wasn’t for me.

I was really disappointed in the book. I was hoping a similar vibe to Better Then The Movies, but with a Musical Touch. I wanted that touch of 90's nostalgia, something Akin to High Fidelity and Even Some Ferris Buller ( yes i know this is 80's) but i really wanted something witty and almost self-aware. I was left wanting something more that this book did not give me unfortunately.

The story started off great.
But there's something missing in my opinion.
I didn't connect with any of the characters and truly don't see the chemistry between Allie and Ryan.
But the setting of the book is nice, the music background is actually interesting and the found family trope is well done.

I want to thank NetGalley, the publisher and Jennifer Whiteford for this ARC.

The premise sounded really good but I just couldn’t get into it. I skipped forward a bit for teasers and it still just kind of fell flat for me.

This was incredibly cute and charming, as I expected it to be. Without spoiling, I’m glad everyone wound up in pretty good spots that worked out for them. I enjoyed the anticipation of the mini detective side plot, I think it added a fun layer to the plot that kept me on my toes.

I enjoyed this book immensely. From the very start, it had me hooked. With the golden retriever MMC and the reverse grumpy-sunshine main characters who both love music, the story was fresh and interesting.

It's a fun friends to lovers romance with a lot of extra emphasis on friendship with secondary characters and figuring out what you want in life, who you want to be.

The FMC and MMC have character flaws, but they acknowledge them. One of these flaws is that they both suck at communicating. They make mistakes, but they love each other and figure things out in their own way.

I also loved that neither main character was necessarily wealthy with an unrealistic job. They're happy with what they do and make it work with their future.

There are two spicy scenes, but only one is really very descriptive, but thank you for not writing them as closed door scenes. All in all, it's a super cute romance.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Doubleday Canada for providing me with an e-ARC of this one!

This was such a quick and cozy romance! I binged it in a day

Thoughts:
- I loved the fall vibes at the beginning and the cute Brooklyn cafe setting
- The friendships and side characters were really cute
- The romance seemed a bit fast but was sweet
- This could kind of just be a me thing being both a southerner and a Christian lol — but Ryan’s background kind of irked me as it seemed like it was just based around southern/christian stereotypes and assumptions

Overall this was a cute fall read!

A romance for the spread of ‘ber months, Make Me A Mixtape captured me first with its incredibly cozy cover that begged for a read. Inside, the tropes fit the season as well as those leaves for me. Give me a reverse grumpy x sunshine, found-family filled story any day, and add a cafe backdrop to cause absolute atmospheric bliss.

Former punk-rock band member Allie is working in her aunt’s New York City cafe when she collides with Ryan, an absolute golden retriever of a sound tech who recognizes her from the Jetskis. When their budding friendship causes her to engage in her past in ways she’s been unwilling to for so long, her present, and she, begin to change as well.

The novel covers a stretch of time that moved a little too fast for me - I missed some of the smaller moments that often make a romance for me in the pacing, but thought the relationship at the core was engaging enough to navigate the time skips for. A small core cast of characters helps with my pacing issues as well - the side characters sing as much as the leads. Music adds a charming connection point, plot driver, and backdrop for the story. That being said, while I can’t say exactly why, I didn’t lose myself in this like I often look to when reading in the genre - which is primarily what makes this a 3 star rating for me. Worth checking out if any of the above tropes, settings, or vibes appeal to you.

A heartfelt exploration of love, nostalgia, and the powerful connections we forge through music. Set against the backdrop of a vibrant, music-infused landscape in New York, the book follows the journey of its FMC, whose life is intertwined with the mixtapes that have shaped her experiences and relationships. As a punk fan, this was such a fun book to read. I also adored the grungy concert venues, I have been to many of those to see some amazing bands. Thank you NetGalley for the e-arc!

This story started out slow but did get better about halfway through. Allie is a musician who delivers coffee to a recording student where she meets Ryan. There was a lot of back and forth miscommunications but ultimately this is a story about love and friendship. Thank you to the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review

As a teen of the 90s, I loved all of the mixtape references, having made and received quite a few “back in the day”. I also loved the friendships and found family in this book.

DNF at 22%...

The book started out sweet with the cute, cozy, autumn vibes and I love the idea of the book. A kind hearted sound tech trying to help a former musician-turned-barista heal from her past and potentially help her open up to love.

I was not the biggest fan of the characters as I found them slightly boring. The FMC irritated me a little bit with her woe-is-me attitude, rejecting help from anyone. The writing also just didn't grab my attention like I expected it to and the story line seems slightly predictable. I'd read the same paragraph over and over and just could not move on or find the energy to continue with the story, thus the DNF.

I just don't think this book was for me personally, but I could see how others would like it! I feel bad rating 1 star as it's my fault for not enjoying it, but I just did not have the care to finish it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for this advance copy!

So, so sweet! I really enjoyed reading this book. The non-romance plot was intriguing and had great pacing. I felt like the plot progressed in a really lovely way and allowed me to see the world that Allie and Ryan live in at the moment. This story isn't a cookie cutter romance with a extremely distinct trope, which was refreshing.

I felt as if I knew Allie (the FMC) inside and out. I was able to cheer her on and be sad with her too. I really appreciated how complex pieces of her life were, and I thought her challenges were worthwhile and helped develop her as a character.

However, I felt as if Ryan (MMC) didn't quite have the same depth. I felt like I knew elements of how he was raised, but I was left feeling that there were two distinct versions of Ryan - golden retriever, and something else I can't quite put a finger on. I wish we'd had at least a little storytelling from his perspective, but this felt like a minor wish of mine.

Chemistry-wise...the two main characters seemed to have magnetic chemistry when they clicked, which was great. The spice was nice for someone who is into romance, but isn't looking for hyper-detailed descriptions. There's some description, but it doesn't leave you having to think about if the characters are contortionists.

As for supporting characters, there was SO much development there for Ren and Anisha that it felt as if I got a bonus romance in the story!

Overall, I would definitely recommend this sweet, fun romance for everyone.

What a sweet yet thoughtful book. Loved the characters, and I didn’t want their story to end. This is a love story with depth to it. Great representation of LGBTQIA characters.

While I wouldn’t say this isn’t a “Christmas book”, I would love to read this on a snowy day with all of my holiday lights turned on.

Thank you NetGalley, Jennifer Whiteford and Penguin Randomhouse for the ARC!

Make me a Mixtape was such a nice and easy read for the fall! I absolutely loved all the these characters and the way they all interacted.

Allie’s search for her old bandmate was so fun to go along with. I really enjoyed seeing Allie grow and learn what she wanted. The found family aspect was so perfect in this book! I loved Ryan, Anisha and Ren so much. All of the characters and the setting were so cozy.

Going with 4 stars here because I loved the book, but didn’t feel like the romance was the greatest! Every other part of the plot was incredibly well done, I just didn’t feel much chemistry. I loved Make me a Mixtape as fiction but not as much for romance!