I enjoyed the writing of this book, but not so much the pacing.

Would still read another book by this author to see what else they come up with!

✨ The Vibes ✨
Tomorrow X3 for music lovers

📖 Read if…
✨ You have a song rec for any scenario
✨ You like lit fic with a touch of romance
✨ You enjoy books filled with early 2000s nostalgia

Lit fic is always a tricky genre for me, and more often then not, I end up feeling pretty ambivalent about the genre. But every so often there is a piece of lit fic that truly knocks me off my feet, and Deep Cuts is that book.

With the opening scene, this book grabs you and doesn’t let you go. Percy and Joe’s first encounter is so masterfully written, establishing their characters, the tension between them, and the importance of music with little preamble. From there, it’s a whirlwind, nostalgic journey through the early 2000s following their careers and personal relationship. Books that span years can be tricky, as determining what moments are worth detailing can make or break the pace, but Holly Brickley does an excellent job of including the perfect scenes that have maximum emotional impact (a feat even more impressive given that the book is less than 300 pages).

While they are very different books, parts of Deep Cuts reminded me a bit of Daisy Jones, specifically her relationship with Billy. Similar to Daisy and Billy, Percy and Joe go through a lot of ups and downs as they navigate their relationship as friends, collaborators, and eventually something more. It can be frustrating sometimes, seeing how they hurt each other (both intentionally and unintentionally), but they both grow throughout the novel, which makes the ending feel earned.

Deep Cuts is out now. Thanks to Crown and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

(2.25 stars)
I was looking forward to Deep Cuts but I found it disappointing. It was boring, for a start. I seriously considered DNFing it, but with most early reviews being positive, I figured it had to get better, so I persevered. But - for me - it didn’t. The main characters were mostly unlikeable, insufferable, unrelatable, and they spouted off endlessly about both familiar and obscure music of the “aughts.” Unfortunately for me, this was a snooze fest.

Thank you to Crown and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

Deep Cuts is an emotional, reflective, and gorgeously written debut that absolutely gutted me in the best way. Music lovers will especially fall for this story—particularly those of us who didn’t just love music, but tried to make it part of our identity, our careers, or our purpose. This is a book for the dreamers, the creatives, and those who once imagined a different version of adulthood than the one they’re living now.

Millennials and Gen X readers will find themselves completely immersed in the rich nostalgia of the early 2000s—the mixtapes, the band flyers, the city scenes. But Deep Cuts isn’t just about a time period. It’s about the ache of self-discovery, the complexities of friendship, the art we build our lives around, and the grief that lingers when we try to move on from who we used to be.

If you love music, if you love writing, if you love love, if you love friendship, if you love self-discovery, if you love feminism—this story is for you. Whether you’re from New York, Indiana, San Francisco, or somewhere in between, you’ll find pieces of yourself in these pages.

This novel felt so personal, like it had been written just for me. It reminded me of the Jessica Darling series I devoured in the aughts—but grown up, wiser, messier, and more honest. I’ve been looking for that feeling again for over 20 years, and Deep Cuts finally gave it to me.

My only complaint is that this is a debut—because I would give anything to dive into a backlist from Holly Brickley. Her voice is fresh, insightful, and emotionally razor-sharp. I can’t wait to see what she writes next.

This novel started strong for me, likely because I related to the timeframe in which it was set. I began my college life in 2000 and could identify with the protagonist in many ways. The unrealistic student loans for impractical majors, the struggle to be taken seriously as a young urban female professional, the misogynistic microaggressions from both friends and strangers, and the pervasive issue of sexual assault that went unaddressed for decades—these themes resonated deeply with my experience as an undergrad. I also connected with the importance of music in my life during that time, although my musical taste leaned more towards alternative genres.

Percy and Joe share one of those iconic meetings that feels predestined. Their sarcastic humor and mutual love for music click from the start. However, their story isn't one of immediate romance. As Percy and Joe continue to meet and clash over time, their interactions fluctuate between harmony and chaos. Both characters are emotionally navigating their identities in the new 21st century, and they will ultimately find their way back to each other through the music that initially brought them together.

The plot unfolds in a long, winding narrative that explores love and trust between Percy and Joe. At times, this approach felt tedious, and the constant emphasis on music became somewhat distracting. A lighter sprinkling of music references could have enhanced character development. By the end, while I understood the music they loved and shared, I still felt disconnected from the true essence of either main character. This lack of depth hindered my ability to fully appreciate or invest in their story.

The writing itself is good, and there's enough of a hook to keep me reading. I wished Percy to mature further as the novel progressed and hoped she would confront some of the misogynistic undertones that plagued her throughout the story. Unfortunately, she does not, and her stagnant growth bothered me. This may stem from incomplete character development and an excessive focus on music. Overall, while this was a good story, it didn't quite reach greatness. I wouldn't discourage anyone from reading it, especially if they enjoyed the other books it has been compared to.

I enjoyed Deep Cuts. I liked that each chapter has a song name. I thought that the writing was good but there were parts of it that just didn't speak to me. I didn't really feel connected to any of the characters. Not sure what my problem is. So many people loved it. You might too!

So far this year new releases have been disappointing, and while I enjoyed this one, it didn't live up to the hype for me. The comparison to Daisy Jones and the Six sets this one up for failure, IMO. Without that comp, it could have shined on its own. I'm also not a huge music connoisseur (I like music, a lot, but not to the level of the professionals in this story) which I'm sure impacted my enjoyment. The 2000s college setting and complicated friendships was much more my thing, so the latter half of the book didn't hold my attention as much as the first. I'm glad I read it and think there are plenty who will love it.

The relationship over time combined with the 2000s nostalgia reminded me of Tomorrow, Tomorrow and Tomorrow in some ways ( high praise since it was a favorite of the past decade!) I loved the music backdrop, interwoven music criticism, and the fated relationship. Thr pace slowed in some places but overall I enjoyed this!

DEEP CUTS follows Percy Marks, song lover and occasional song writer. At college, she meets Joe, aspiring indie pop star, who becomes a huge presence in her life. The book follows the ups and downs of their relationship, jobs, and all the while they're figuring out how to be their best selves together.

I loved the voice in this book. Percy was vulnerable and raw, but still likeable. Who amongst us hasn't been in a weird job that they're pretty good at but didn't love? The mistakes she made were relatable, and I loved her passion for all things pop music.

I also loved how it was about her relationship with Zoe, who is dating Joe when she meets him, and how that friendship blossoms over the years. I wonder if it was even more valuable to her and her growth.

If you like music books, you'll love DEEP CUTS.

This was a really interesting writing style outside of my normal comfort zone. When Percy meets Joe, she thinks she's met her soulmate. A platonic, music loving soulmate. As the book progresses, we see a Challengers style parallel between Percy's connection to music and her connection to Joe. This book was fascinating and weird, the pacing slow then super fast, written a bit like a pop song with it's ups and downs. I enjoyed the cadence of the story, but I didn't feel like I was connecting with the characters. This was a strong debut, and I'm interested to see what Holly Brickley writes next!

Ahh I loved this book so much! There were moments where I saw myself in Percy, with her love for music - and overanalyzing music. The dynamic between Percy and Joey was interesting. I can appreciate their love and passion for music and their respective craft.

This book left me speechless with lines that literally stole my breath and captured the raw vulnerability of being young. The characters, especially Percy, are messy yet relatable, and her overly honest thoughts make her actions feel true to her experience. The story of two people obsessively devoted to music is addicting, making you reflect on your own passions and what it means to love something deeply.

Deep Cuts is my favorite book of 2025 so far!

This story follows Percy Marks. In college, Percy meets Joe. The two begin to collaborate on Joe's music. Percy is jealous of Joe as she does not have much musical talent beyond knowing what sounds good and what doesn't. Deep Cuts follows Percy through the 2000s as she graduates and starts working as a recruiter of what we would now call influencers. Joe becomes a famous musician. Percy and Joe have a tumultuous relationship throughout this time. Are they friends, lovers, collaborators?

I am usually not one for books about "famous" characters, but I am glad I gave Deep Cuts a chance. As someone who has been obsessed with music from a young age, I relate so much to Percy and her relationship with music. I LOVED all the music references. Each time a song or album was discussed, I listened to it as I read which made for such a fun reading experience. I also loved the 2000s setting. This was such a unique and interesting read about music and the indie sleaze scene of the late 2000s. Percy and Joe's relationship was angsty. I love how you see them meet as college students and then get to see them change and grow throughout their 20s. Both characters are quite flawed and snobbish which is totally realistic to young people trying to figure out life and relationships.

If you love music, Sally Rooney and complex characters I would highly recommend this! This is such a unique and well written book. I cannot wait to see what Holly Brickley publishes next!

This book starts at UC Berkeley in 2000, when college student Percy meets fellow student Joe at a bar - she feels an instant connection with him because of their shared obsession with music, and she even starts helping him with his own music. She likes him but he has a girlfriend and they all become friends. The book then follows Percy over the next ten years or so as Joe floats in and out of her life, and she tries to figure herself out and what she wants from life.

Think Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow crossed with Daisy Jones, with writing that also reminds me of Curtis Sittenfeld and Rainbow Rowell, but with a fresh spin all her own. If you know me, you know what a compliment that is - and all the more so because this is a debut novel!

Also impressive is the way this book made me feel so immersed in the novel and feel so connected to Percy, even though this is not a book I could personally relate to other than living in NYC in the early 2000s when part of the book is set. A good book captures your attention, a great book you can see it all unfolding in your head, and a truly great book makes you feel almost as if it is all happening to you as you read it! Not to mention it was one of those where I cried at the end just because it was over.

And that’s why this is my first 5 star of the year! If you know me, you also know how rarely I give 5 stars, so you know how special this one is!

I recently read The Lightning Bottles by Marissa Stapley and it became an all time favorite for me. I was really expecting this one to give me all the same feelings as it has such a similar settting, plot, characterization. But it sadly didn't live up to my own hype for it. I still don't really understand the relationship dynamic between the two main characters. I also didn't find that it gave us any deeper commentary or themes discussions. It wasn't terrible, but I didn't love it.

Overall, I loved the atmosphere and the early 2000’s music scene vibes! The writing was also really beautiful and there were multiple lines that made me pause and reflect while reading.

The reason this isn’t a higher rating for me is because I wanted more exploration of both main characters as individuals during the times they weren’t together. We spend a lot of time getting to understand Percy, but we didn’t really get to know Joe outside of his relationship with Percy. I think having both of their perspectives as individuals would’ve made the moments of connection between them even stronger.

All in all, this was a really strong debut novel and I look forward to seeing what Holly Brickley writes next!

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced digital copy!*

Deep Cuts is a stunning debut that exceeded all expectations, with a nostalgic, heartbreaking story about Percy and Joe set against the backdrop of early 00s music. The immersive descriptions and the passionate soundtrack drive the novel, making it an unforgettable read that I’ll return to time and again.

Thank you to NetGalley, author Holly Brickley, and Crown Publishing for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

Thank you to NetGalley, author Holly Brickley, and Crown Publishing for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

Absolutely enthralling, heart-breaking, and stunning. What a debut!!!! I’m shocked that this is Brickley’s first novel because it reads with the voice of a well-established author. Deep Cuts had been on my radar for quite some time, but I put off reading it because I was scared that it wouldn’t live up to my high expectations. But with the buzz of the film adaptation and its casting (!!!), I knew it was time to pick up, and boy was I glad that I did. It exceeded any expectation I had and quickly became my top book of the year so far. Percy and Joe’s story is heartbreakingly beautiful, set to a soundtrack of nostalgia, passion, and coming of age. I felt transported to the early 00s, a time where I was just a kid, yet their world as young adults felt so familiar to me. Brickley’s settings leap off the page, and the descriptions are incredibly immersive. But at the heart of it all, and what drives this book, is the pounding soundtrack. I did not recognize a lot of the songs or artists, as I do stick to more pop music, but now I am curious to do a deep dive into these “deep cuts” (ha). The passion that both Percy and Joe have for music as both an art form and a craft is so earnest and tangible. While there were times I didn’t necessarily root for them together, I was always rooting for them and their music. It is a tricky book because both characters are extremely human, meaning I can see how readers will be frustrated reading about them individually and together. However, it totally worked for me, and I wish I could read 800 more pages about these characters. More than anything else, I loved Zoe as a character and the inclusion of her throughout. Her operating as a bridge worked so well to ground Percy and Joe as characters, and I found she leapt off the page for me. My one critique would be that I would have loved for this to be dual perspective to see more of Joe, especially in the middle of the book. However, I definitely see this as a book I return to and find even more tiny details to discover and obsess over, but for now, I’m just going to reflect on how absolutely stellar it was. Bravo Brickley!!

I LOVED the music aspect (bonus points because it starts off as a campus novel/college setting - my all-time favorite setting)! The playlist that was included was everythinggg. Percy and Joe are the perfect match, but they're not "together" together.

My favorite part was the focus on Percy instead of Joe. With Joe being the famous musician, it would have been easy for the author to make the story more about him, but she chose to keep the focus on Percy and thus provides a commentary on women in the music industry overall.

Also, the fact that this is a debut novel blew my mind! The author is so talented and I hope to read more from her one day.

There have been love stories that revolved around music before but this is one that straddles the line between partner and lover, obsession and critique. Percy and Joe seem like oil and water. He is the artist and Percy is the critic. Throughout their collaboration they dance between friends and lovers with their edgy obsession to the music and each other. Along with Joe's girlfriend/ex Zoe they form an unusual friendship triangle. Afraid to ruin the one great thing they have - making great music. Nostalgic, smart and deeply soulful this will appeal to DAISY JONES AND THE SIX FANS and will make you pull up every song that they analyze - great playlist. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.