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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
This is such a beautiful book to read. A must read. One to savour, not rush. Old flames. A connection through music and songs. Beautifully written. Perfection. I really enjoyed it.
The story is told through the two main characters Ali in Australia and Dan in the UK. It flicks from the present to their shared past but each are set out clearly so there is no confusion. I loved both their characters. They just click. They're definitely soul mates, made for each other but can they rekindle so many years apart? Change their lives for each other?
This will be going in my top twenty reads of 2020. A well deserved five stars from me. Highly recommend. Brilliant. Amazing. I cannot stop thinking about it.
The story is told through the two main characters Ali in Australia and Dan in the UK. It flicks from the present to their shared past but each are set out clearly so there is no confusion. I loved both their characters. They just click. They're definitely soul mates, made for each other but can they rekindle so many years apart? Change their lives for each other?
This will be going in my top twenty reads of 2020. A well deserved five stars from me. Highly recommend. Brilliant. Amazing. I cannot stop thinking about it.
Where to start… well maybe I will talk about the fantastic playlist of this book. I had to keep stopping the audiobook just to listen to the songs at that same moment. Whilst I didn’t like some of the songs the first time around, when I listened to them as part of the setlist, I fell in love with them and some completely resonated with me now. You can find the playlist here.
I loved the idea of the story, a love story told through music, I mean who doesn’t love how powerful music can be. It has been sat here thinking about songs I would send. Sometimes I do send songs to friends if they are ones that at the moment mean something to me. Songs really are powerful. For me, that was so emotive.
I found I could picture the 1970’s Sheffield and the houses Dan and Ali lived in, the football match they went to (a winner for me) and then in their present day. I have never been to Australia, but it is a place I would like to visit more so after the places that Ali visits, it just sounds amazing.
I was intrigued to see how these two people who were each other first loves would re-connect after all this time. Both grown-up, both with families and lives without each other. However, that moment that the first song was sent on Twitter, I didn’t see it panning out the way that it did. It was explosive, it started something that none of the characters was quite prepared for but it happened right when they both needed it.
I know looking some other reviews, some people struggled with the content of this book, and to an extend I agree. I don’t condone it but I thought that the way the story panned out, it felt quite real. It is the sort of thing that you would hear happening. The problem is when you know, you know. You forget everything else and you focus on what you want. Yes, it is selfish, but do you know what, you sometimes have to be selfish in life now and again. I loved that hear Dan and Ali’s thoughts going around in their mind, the way their focus was slowly panning out on what was going on what was in front of them, instead they were waiting for that next song to drop in their mailbox. It is all-consuming to them and us, I was waiting for the next song to drop, wondering what link it would be, what words would flow. It allowed us and them to be transported back into a time that was easier when they were together, but by no means easy. In fact, for Ali, it was so goddamn tough and she has it easier now!!
I bought the book and borrowed the audiobook from the library because I found this book was on my mind a lot and I was impatient. When I didn’t listen to the book, I was soaking up the past with the playlist on Spotify. I wanted to be transported back into a time where life is simpler. A life before moral dilemmas, family dramas and thousands of miles between them. It was bittersweet, but to me it was realistic and I loved how unapologetic this book was and so it should be.
I loved the idea of the story, a love story told through music, I mean who doesn’t love how powerful music can be. It has been sat here thinking about songs I would send. Sometimes I do send songs to friends if they are ones that at the moment mean something to me. Songs really are powerful. For me, that was so emotive.
I found I could picture the 1970’s Sheffield and the houses Dan and Ali lived in, the football match they went to (a winner for me) and then in their present day. I have never been to Australia, but it is a place I would like to visit more so after the places that Ali visits, it just sounds amazing.
I was intrigued to see how these two people who were each other first loves would re-connect after all this time. Both grown-up, both with families and lives without each other. However, that moment that the first song was sent on Twitter, I didn’t see it panning out the way that it did. It was explosive, it started something that none of the characters was quite prepared for but it happened right when they both needed it.
I know looking some other reviews, some people struggled with the content of this book, and to an extend I agree. I don’t condone it but I thought that the way the story panned out, it felt quite real. It is the sort of thing that you would hear happening. The problem is when you know, you know. You forget everything else and you focus on what you want. Yes, it is selfish, but do you know what, you sometimes have to be selfish in life now and again. I loved that hear Dan and Ali’s thoughts going around in their mind, the way their focus was slowly panning out on what was going on what was in front of them, instead they were waiting for that next song to drop in their mailbox. It is all-consuming to them and us, I was waiting for the next song to drop, wondering what link it would be, what words would flow. It allowed us and them to be transported back into a time that was easier when they were together, but by no means easy. In fact, for Ali, it was so goddamn tough and she has it easier now!!
I bought the book and borrowed the audiobook from the library because I found this book was on my mind a lot and I was impatient. When I didn’t listen to the book, I was soaking up the past with the playlist on Spotify. I wanted to be transported back into a time where life is simpler. A life before moral dilemmas, family dramas and thousands of miles between them. It was bittersweet, but to me it was realistic and I loved how unapologetic this book was and so it should be.
I really enjoyed this, but have some misgivings about it .
Spoiler
being a love story between two people who are married/committed to other people. Granted it tries to get around that by making Ali's husband Michael a bit of a dick who she was never suited to, but Rob's partner Katelin doesn't deserve it. Is her unhappiness worth Rob and Ali's happiness, even if she isn't a main character? Idk, I just don't find it easy to get behind a story that to some extent is idealising cheating, and I doubt much good usually comes of people looking up/rekindling contact with their long ago exes, unless both are single
Interesting take on a now & then story complete with curated playlist. Not that familiar with all of the music mentioned but I definitely think that music has a powerful emotional stimulus which can affect us in many ways.
A fun love story for boomers who were into music in the 70s, and with a nice connection to Australia and SA in particular
Couldn’t get into this book for some reason which was a shame as the idea was great.
Immediately I was drawn to this book because there was a music vibe with it, obviously in the title but who does not love a mix tape? I loved the way there was a real music nostalgia vibe through the book and I loved how these two characters then found their way back to each other after all that time. It did get a bit repetitive though and whilst I really did like the two main characters I found that I didn't really fall 'in love' with them. Some of my favourite characters were more the people along the way, especially the elderly neighbours, I could see this book being made into a film though, it's just got that vibe and the soundtrack would be awesome too. Great for those who love a bit of music mixed in with their romance stories.
It also really made me want to make a mix tape! I suppose the modern day version is a spotify playlist.
It also really made me want to make a mix tape! I suppose the modern day version is a spotify playlist.
The premise was good but this book could’ve done with being about 40% shorter. Soooo drawn out with not enough happening until near the end when suddenly the pace changed and everything was rushed through. Gave up and ended up skimming through to the end.
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes