The Mixtape by Brittainy C. Cherry Published by Montlake on July 1, 2021
Pages: 333
Genres: Contemporary, Women's Fiction, Romance
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Since the death of his twin brother, Oliver’s caught between pleasing his fans and finding himself. Emery finds him first.
Emery has never felt more alone. Raising her daughter is both her pleasure and her pain as she struggles to hold on to her job as a bartender and keep a roof over their heads. With no one to help them—no support system—any unexpected expense or late bill could turn their whole world upside down.
Reeling from the death of his twin brother and bandmate, rock star Oliver Smith is trying to drink his problems away. Apparently he isn’t very good at it; they follow him wherever he goes. Also in hot pursuit are the paparazzi, who catch Oliver at his lowest low.
He could have walked into any bar in California, but he walked into hers. Emery helps Oliver lose the crowd, and they find themselves alone: two people whose paths are marked with loss and pain. However, they hold an unshakable hope for healing. They find solace together, but can their love withstand the world?
The Mixtape tugged on every single one of my heartstrings.
I felt each ounce of Emery’s struggle as a single mom trying to keep it together—thread by thread—and support her daughter despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles. She loves with her whole heart. While others might be cruel or unfeeling, Emery extends infinite grace towards Oliver when he is at his absolute worst.
Even though he’s a famous singer, Oliver is an anxious introvert with a soul so tender it brought tears to my eyes. The destructive ways he tries to cope with his grief touched me deeply. Emery comes with her own painful baggage. Oliver’s life is made better by having Emery in it and vice versa. I liked the slow burn of their romance and seeing them gradually discover happiness.
Emery’s five-year-old daughter, Reese, is quite the sassy gem and a huge source of joy. She brings tons of smiles when things get a little too emotional. There are also a couple of surprises that make the story even more enjoyable.
The book handles the subject of depression with both compassion and a realistic brush. It doesn’t portray it as mere sadness that someone can snap out of if they just try hard enough, nor does it paint it as something that can be cured solely by the love of a good woman or man. The story delves into other difficult subject matters with equal care.
Through the ups and downs, my heart remained full.
Recommended for fans of:
Single parent romance
Playlists
Personal chefs
Comebacks
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