God. What a gorgeous novel. I inhaled it in one sitting, and immediately went back to re-read certain passages. I can't believe it's a debut, and I cannot wait to see what this author does next. (I also heard they're making it into a movie? With Saooirse Ronan? And Austin Butler? I need to be at an advanced screening like right now oh my god).

The best way I can describe Deep Cuts is as a perfect cross between the love of music and the harsh realities of musical ambition you get from Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid, with the messy relationships and emotional resonance of Conversations with Friends (or maybe even Normal People) by Sally Rooney. I just know the booktok girlies are going to eat this up and I cannot wait for the edits.

Set against the backdrop of Berkeley’s campus in the early 2000s, Deep Cuts is more than just a love story between two people; it’s a love story between characters and their craft, their ambitions, and themselves. Percy Marks, a music-obsessed twentysomething, has strong opinions about every song and genre under the sun but none of the natural musical talent to back it up. Enter Joe Morrow (Joey), an aspiring musician with enough raw talent and charisma to pull in any audience, but who has not yet tapped into his full potential. The two meet one night at a bar, where Joey's admiration for Percy's musical insight leads him to ask her for help moulding his lyrics into something better. What follows is a decades-long on-and-off partnership filled with that undeniable will-they-won’t-they tension. Can they work together to create the elusive perfect track? Can their artistic partnership evolve into something more? The emphasis on the intimacy of creative partnership in particular made sure that Percy and Joey were not a cliche, and I was in awe of it.

What I liked most: The characters! Oh my god the characters! Percy and Joey (and Zoe, you'll meet her eventually and she's my favourite) are self-centred and vibrant and insufferable and intense and so, so relateable. I adored them. Speaking from experience, everyone is a little annoying and little pretentious when they're in college, and this book captures that "i can totally do what you're doing but better" feeling everyone feels, even for a little bit. That feeling that you're a little bit smarter than everyone around you, even whe imposter syndrome is closing in. Every character felt exactly like someone you'd see around at your campus bar or library, and I saw pieces of people I know even in the background characters. I also loved the writing. Like I said, I really can't believe this is a debut. There were so many lines that took my breath away, and the dialogue felt natural and honest. I loved the prose so much I did something I almost never do: I bought a physical copy to annotate and put on my shelf, even though it has deckled edges. I hate deckled edges.

What surprised me: The immersiveness (is that a word? idk) and depth that the lyrics, significant cultural shifts (eg. the pre-digital to digital music industry), and pop-culture references brought to the story, even though I recognized almost none of them. I was not old enough to be tuned into any form of media or news in the 2000s - let alone the indie music scene - and still, I saw how the timeline of current events and musical trends didn't just serve as a backdrop to the romance - they actively and inextricably shaped the way Percy, Joey, and Zoe interacted with the world and with one another. The scenes surrounding 9/11 were especially evocative; while I was not lucid enough to experience 9/11 in real time (i was like 2), the scenes mirrored my own experiences witnessing more recent watershed moments, like Manchester Arena bombing, the Pulse nightclub mass shooting, or the California wildfires. The book is sectioned out into chapters that are titled after songs, and so you can put together a soundtrack for the novel as you read. All of the songs were new to me, so seeking them out was a fun and unique way of tracking the passage of time throughout the novel. Look up the playlist if you can! There were probably some references or plays on words I didn't pick up on, and that's okay.

The only thing that kept this from being a perfect 5 stars was the pacing in the back-half of the novel: a few scenes (especially surrounding Percy's trendsetting job) could have been tightened or cut altogether without losing any of the character depth, in my opinion. Those scenes lost my attention, just a little. A few emotional threads - relationships between certain characters, etc - are left unexplored and without resolution, and probably could have been cut too.

All in all, this was a beautiful little book and I'm really looking forward to whatever Holly Brickley does next.

Percy Marks has no talent for music, just lots of opinions about it, but can’t stop herself from overanalyzing a song playing on the jukebox. The guy beside her at the bar, fellow student Joe Morrow, is a songwriter and asks Percy for feedback on one of his songs.

I wish I had seen that this book was being compared to Daisy Jones and the Six before I grabbed it from Netgalley because I didn't like Daisy Jones very much at all. I actually liked Deep Cuts a bit better but a lot of it didn't mean much to me. I'm not a music geek, especially not of music from the early 2000s, but surprisingly I recognized quite a few of the songs and the names of some of the singers/songwriters but the narrative sometimes got too bogged down in what the song was actually about only to end up back at square one: "We are all just writing about ourselves." The blurb led me to believe that Joe and Percy formed a long-lasting partnership but I sure didn't see that. They collaborated a bit early on in the book but then they always seemed to be mad at each other and she eventually got credit as a co-writer many years later. To be honest, I didn't really like either of them and didn't care whether they got together or not. This book is supposedly less than 300 pages but it took me forever to read. Granted there's been a lot going on in my life to distract me from reading but still ... ! Lots of readers loved this so take my review with a grain of salt. I'd give this 2.5 Stars rounded up because the writing was good even though it didn't speak to me.

TW: Sexual assault at a music festival.

Thanks to Penguin Random House Canada via Netgalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this debut novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: February 25, 2025

✨ARC REVIEW✨

Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley (OUT NOW)

3.5⭐️

If I was going to attempt to describe this book in one word, it would be: cool. Deep Cuts is perfectly angsty and so effortlessly smart - I definitely enjoyed it!

The strength of this story really comes from the characters who all frankly, have their own shit to work through… and who doesn’t in their early 20’s??Their journeys stumbling through life as young, ambitious people was relatable at times but also extremely thought provoking. I found myself shaking my head a lot in the early parts of the book 😂 but I also spent a lot of time asking: what would I have done differently?

Hindsight is always 20/20.

Ultimately, the growth of the characters is what kept me invested here as I did find myself wishing for more conflict/action to keep things moving towards the middle of the book! I also needed a few more genuine moments between the two MC’s early on in their relationship to make their connection seem believable… it felt like more of an infatuation than anything substantial to me which quite honestly could have been the point but it didn’t fully work for me.

I’ve heard Deep Cuts being compared to Daisy Jones and while yes, it does have some similarities (toxic relationship, strong ties to music) I would argue that this book is much more focused on the characters themselves and how they are navigating their lives as 20 somethings in the early 2000’s and less on navigating the music industry itself.

A very strong debut that I would recommend to friends who enjoy slower paced books that are mainly character driven!

Thanks to @penguinrandomca @doubledayca and @netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review! DEEP CUTS is available NOW!

I adored this book: the writing feels sophisticated and comforting at the same time, perfect for telling this story. I liked how the music and the romance had equal stakes, as well: it gave the love story some substance. The pacing was also great. Thrilled to see this has been optioned.

This novel felt super nostalgic to me. I loved how music was used to represent the current moods of the characters. I liked that even though this was a literary novel (a genre I don't normally read) it was still easy to picture and imagine the events unfolding happening in real life. It is a coming of age story. It is a story about finding one's voice and learning how to grow into yourself, becoming strong and dependent. Enjoyed it.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for giving me an ARC copy to read and give my honest review.

A very promising debut and an author I look forward to reading more of her work in the future. In Deep Cuts, aspiring musician Percy Marks meets songwriter Joe Morrow at a bar, leading to a partnership that lasts for years. Their relationship, though passionate, also brings ego-crushing challenges, leaving Percy to wonder if Joe is worth holding onto. 4/5 stars

Deep Cuts
By Holly Brickley

As the description states, the main character, Percy, has lots of opinions about music and can’t stop herself from overanalyzing a song. She meets Joe Morrow, a songwriter, and he eventually asks her to listen to some of his stuff. They collaborate and Joe’s songs improve.

Their partnership will span years, ignite passions, and set Joe on a path to indie-rock stardom. But it also bruises Joe’s ego, and traps Percy in a role she resents. Moving from college to Brooklyn bars to San Francisco dance floors, Percy and Joe drift in and out of each others’ lives, grow, mature and try to find their path.

The story follows Percy’s development from immature, insecure college student to a more hardened magazine writer and “trend recruiter”. The book includes some of her articles and musings about various music and I really wish there were a soundtrack to go with the book! It would have been fascinating to follow along and hear the songs with Percy’s interpretation.

Percy is, like many college age girls, rather insecure, socially awkward and a bit shy, despite all her opinionated musings about music. She never has much luck, romantically, and even has a bad sexual experience that affects her for years. We can really feel the psychological impact and guilt that taints her future growth as a person.

I loved this book! It was fresh, young, hip, and cool. I identified with the theme of college explorations and parties, and trying to be cool while looking for a soulmate. The book had a satisfactory, is somewhat rushed ending. I would have liked to savour Percy’s discovery of peace and contentment for just a little longer, after having followed her soulless years, rooting for her all the while…. That being said, I highly recommend this book if you love coming of age stories, that are well-written, believable and fresh. If you’re a music aficionado, so much the better!

This was an excellent, music centred romance that was wonderfully nostalgic, fun and heartfelt. The characters grew and evolved together, making their friendships and relationships feel truly connected and genuine throughout the book and connected to each song chosen. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the digital arc! 4/5

When I saw Deep Cuts described as similar to Daisy Jones & The Six, I was immediately intrigued and went in expecting to absolutely love it. Unfortunately I found myself struggling to connect with the story and despising the main characters.

One of my biggest challenges was the sheer amount of music history. The book is full of references to artists and songs that it overpowered the actual story.

My other issue was with the main characters, Percy and Joe. Their relationship was toxic and co-dependent, spiraling in a way that made it hard to cheer for them. Percy, despite insisting she wasn’t a music snob, often came across as insufferable, while Joe’s ego made it hard to like him. I found myself indifferent to whether they ended up together—something that made it difficult to stay invested in their journey.

If you’re a music lover with knowledge of indie rock, you may find this book more enjoyable.

Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Random House Canada and Double Day for an eARC.

We follow Joe and Percy from college to adulthood as they navigate heart ache, career highs and lows and their friendship. I loved the references to songs from my youth and found myself pausing my reading to queue up a particular song. This one is definitely for the music lovers. Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC.

Deep Cuts had an intriguing premise and some really relatable moments about talent, music, and the complexities of creative partnerships. Percy and Joe's relationship was definitely compelling, though I did find Percy’s constant over-analysis a bit exhausting at times. Their dynamic was layered, with the tension between their artistic desires and personal struggles creating an interesting conflict. I enjoyed the music scene backdrop, especially the way it captured the indie-rock vibe. That said, the pacing felt a bit uneven in parts, and I wished there was a bit more development in some of the emotional arcs. Overall, it’s a solid read for anyone who loves stories about music, creativity, and self-discovery.

**Rounded up from 3.5 stars**

Thanks to the publisher, Holly Brickley and NetGalley for a free eARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

When this book was described as a When Harry Met Sally meets Daisy Jones and the Six, I couldn't click on it fast enough. However, while the writing was solid, I think I will be in the minority of the readers that didn't enjoy this novel. A large part of my disconnect with the novel was the constant rumination and talk by the MCs of music that I didn't grow up hearing or have heard of - so this may be a "me" problem.

This book and the writing definitely kept my attention through solid plot weaving. However, to be honest, I absolutely detested both main characters and didn't care what happened to them and whether or not they got together - a grown-up Zoe was the only character I liked. It was clear to me that both the main characters were in a toxic, co-dependent relationship that continually spiralled with each not really knowing what they want from the other. I'm not a music nerd but while Percy kept touting that she wasn't one and liked "popular" songs, both Percy and Joe just came across as obnoxious.

* Netgalley ARC *

Full of music references and early 2000’s nostalgia.
The romance was realistic; sometimes people go back and forth with the same relationship until they get it right.

Good character studies, flawed main characters. I think it would be really interesting to see the published physical copy with a variety of formatting (blog posts, emails, texts, etc.). I would actually read this again and play the songs mentioned at the same time.

I have seen other people on bookish social media reading and reviewing this book and I am confident that for every person there is a particular taste, and this book will find its way to those people with just the right taste, but for some reason, it wasn't exactly mine.
Even when a book doesn't grab me I want to focus on what is good, because there is a lot of good.
- I find the writing itself is very thought-provoking, and almost has a dream-like quality to it. I feel like I'm watching Lost in Translation again, or listening to music with the lights off. If you like reflective books with depth, this would be it.
- I think the book does a good job at commenting on human condition. I think it presents itself well at describing and showing readers an earnest look at growing up, being young, self-discovery, etc.
- For anyone who enjoys music, an audiophile, I think this book would be great. There are so many references to albums and songs that span generations given one character is a musician, the other is a lover of music who worked in a record store. It's sort of an unofficial playlist guiding you through the characters journeys.
I really wanted to love this book, but I found the pacing very slow and I just couldn't connect to the characters. It wasn't an eager page-pushing novel for me, which is when I know I love it. I see a lot of potential and know a couple readers who gave it 5 stars so I would still recommend it! It just didn't sign to me particularly. A lot of talent to be found in it regardless.

Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley is a messy, obsessive, utterly absorbing love letter to music, self-doubt, and the weird, winding road to figuring yourself out. Set in the early 2000s, it follows music-nerd Percy and aspiring songwriter Joe as they bond over deep-cut tracks and sharp critiques. Percy helps Joe refine his songs, but as his indie-rock star rises, she’s left questioning her own place in the world of music.

This book is perfect for anyone who loves music as much as they love a good slow-burn, will-they-won’t-they friendship. The writing is sharp, the nostalgia is real (you will make a playlist), and Percy’s intense, opinionated voice makes for a fun ride.

How is this a debut? Bravo Holly! I am all over the place with this book but let me try and get my thoughts out. Even if they sound like verbal diarrhea. 

Have you ever listened to the Garden State soundtrack? Reading this book felt the same as listening to that record. You feel a bit out of place but somehow there is a lot of clarity. That feeling of catching up with old friends or something like that. Musical comfort with a bit of weirdness. 

Deep Cuts is a melodic cornucopia of the thoughts of a musical jerk. I must say, musical jerk, is a perfect way to describe the main character, Percy. She's obsessed with all the elements of a song and can break it down perfectly even if it's fallacious to others. Her two best friends pull her this way and that throughout the early 2000s in the most crazy beautiful way. 

I, myself am part of a fandom of a band that loves analyzing every element of their songs and it becomes a bit of a game when trying to nail down the song's origin and "hidden meaning." It's fun, nostalgic and really gets your heart pumping and oxytocin flowing. 

The beginning is a bit of a build but the last 30% is a rollercoaster. I recommend this book for anyone that loves music, is interested in digging deeper or likes to sink into the kind of story that has a direction that's meant to be but takes its time to get there because it has a lot to show you.

• arc review: deep cuts by holly brickley •
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I was drawn to this book. The title and the eclectic cover made me feel like this was going to be a great read... and I might be able to predict the future because Deep Cuts rocked my socks off. I simply had a hard time putting this down while on my trip in Japan, devouring the words on the bullet train and in my Tokyo hotel room.
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If you love music, if you love a deeper and perhaps more complicated romance, this book is 100% for you. Told from the pov of Percy Marks, we experience the story of how her and Joe Morrow find themselves battling their early 20s through song writing, musical criticism, friendship, and love. Percy and Joe meet one night in a bar during college, and their quips about music struck up a friendship. Percy starts to help Joe with his songwriting and the rest of the novel unfolds.
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What I love about this book is that, yes there is a love story intertwined, but it's more about Percy finding herself and grappling with her insecurities that she isn't talented enough to have a place in music. The layering of deconstructing songs and seeing music from Percy's eyes is brilliant, in addition to how Joe (although a dumb guy in his 20s) respects and adores the feedback and intellect that Percy brings to the table. The friendship that flourishes between Zoe, Joe's girlfriend, and Percy is also a great part of this book.
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The writing is witty and smart. If you like the writing of Gabrielle Zevin (i.e. Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow) or Sally Rooney (i.e. Normal People) this book should be high up on your list. Available February 25, 2025. And for all my Canadian/BC girlies, Brickley is originally from Hope BC, which I thought was really cool!
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Page & Pour Rating: 5✨️
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Thank you to @penguinrandomca and @netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read share my thoughts about this book.

Oh, this one, friends, this one is one you're going to call your university roommate to talk about. One that's going to make you dig in your closet for an actual freaking mixtape someone made for you. One that's going to have you going for long walks with your favourite late 90's/early 2000's playlist on. It's going to be one of those that you tell everyone who lived through the stuff you lived through to read.

Holly Brickley's debut has a lot going on. Percy's a full-on music nerd, who finds her way into friendship with Joe, an aspiring songwriter, and Zoe, his longtime girlfriend, during their undergrad years. It's not a love triangle, really, but it also is. Joe becomes a successful singer-songwriter with Percy's writing help while Percy tries to find her own way with Zoe's help. That's a very, very small nutshell for a big book.
I'm 15 years older than the characters, and I now desperately want someone to write this book for my university years (and if you read this, and know that book is out there, please put up a big freaking bat signal for me). There is so much here - identity, navigating the absolutely awfulness of being neuroatypical and trying desperately to find your people, the way women have to navigate that very differently than men, trying to love people the best way you know how even when you don't really know how, what writing means to some of us, what writing about music means to some of us, what music means in our lives. So, so, so, much here.

I wanted to drown in this book. I wanted to go to the shows, be on the dance floors, whack some characters (including Percy) upside the head occasionally. This is about being young and messy and all the inevitable crap that goes with that. It's about going through awful stuff and coming out stronger and knowing yourself better on the other side. I loved it, can you tell?

Percy, Joe and Zoe are going to live in my head for a long time. Loved Opal and Nev? Read this. I was surprised at the end, genuinely - not where I thought it was going to go. That's the only thing that makes it a 4. 5 and not a 5 for me.
Thanks to NetGalley

I would love to do a book club of this with women my age, as well as with the women I teach, who are almost 40 years youngers than I am. I think we would all find things to relate to in the book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday Canada for the e-arc.

I just finished this book, thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy.
This book was a 3/5 for me. The story line was interesting enough but I found the transitions between timelines to be a bit confusing. The 2 main characters Percy and Joe were well developed, you could feel the connection between them throughout the book, I just felt that there was something missing. Some books grab you and keep you engaged the whole time, this one didn’t do that for me.

Honestly, I don’t feel I have the skill set to write the incredible review this book deserves. From the first few pages, I was completely immersed in the story and its characters.

There are so many aspects I loved about this book, but foremost, is the fact that it’s a love letter to music, particularly Indie music. The catalog of songs mentioned is extensive, and they are brilliantly broken down by the FMC, Percy. I loved her knowledge, and many opinions about music. One of the joys of this book was listening to the songs while reading.

While in college in the year 2000, Percy meets Joe, a musician. They become friends, and Percy helps Joe hone his musical skills and becomes his muse and critic. However, when feelings become involved, things get messy.

Deep Cuts takes us through the aughts, including 911, the blackout, the introduction of new technology, and the political and economic upheaval of those years. It felt a bit like sifting through a time capsule.

This book is about growing up, the struggle to find one’s voice in the world, talent, friendship, jealousy and love. Holly Brinkley perfectly captures the challenges and frustrations of becoming an adult, and the mistakes that are inevitable along the way.

Not only did this book take me on an immersive journey, I love that I know more about music than before I read it. I was shocked to find out that Deep Cuts is Holly’s first book, and I certainly look forward to reading any book she writes in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.