Scan barcode
A review by thebookishapoth
The Mixtape by Brittainy C. Cherry
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The Mixtape is the second novel I've read by Brittainy C. Cherry, & this story was just as cute as The Holly Dates.
After reading some relatively darker stuff recently, Emery & Oliver's story was truly a breath of fresh air. The character development was pretty good, & the writing allowed the story to flow with ease, outside of the intimacy scenes towards the end that seem a little forced & out of place.
Cherry uses the word "SNICKERED" way too much. It can't be just me.
It didn't ruin the novel for me, but it is definitely a little jarring & pulls me out of the story sometimes.
I loved the music/mixtape element throughout the book. Some of my favorite musicians were featured, & that alone made me love the story even more.
In this novel, Cherry depicts the struggles with mental health many face today (depression, suicidal ideation, postpartum, family dynamics) while also weaving in musics ability to help us cope & connect with others around us. Listening to, sharing, & losing oneself in music can lead to such therapeutic healing.
Finding your family... the people out there that love you for you, are there for you even at your lowest, & care for you despite any perceived flaws... is necessary for survival in this world. More than survival, true growth & evolution of self. It's the difference between fitting in & actually being accepted.
I feel like that is one of the main messages the author wanted to express in this story.
While there were definitely elements that I didn't care for, this novel was fun & leaves you feeling hopeful. Overall, it was a good book.
"The worst feeling in the world was coming to the realization that your idols were merely human themselves."
"I wondered how many times a day humans lied to one another about being okay."
"...true love is unconditional. It doesn’t set guidelines for how you have to act in order to be loved."
"...you helped bring my son back to life after he was holding death’s hand."
"My parents’ love is loud when my own love for myself is quiet. That’s how you love Reese. You are her loudest love.”
"It’s a sad day when a person needs to use God to cover up their guilt for harsh choices in life"
"You should never have to beg for anyone to love you. You should never have to do as they say for them to deem you worthy of their love. That’s not how love works."
"I want to be here."
After reading some relatively darker stuff recently, Emery & Oliver's story was truly a breath of fresh air. The character development was pretty good, & the writing allowed the story to flow with ease, outside of the intimacy scenes towards the end that seem a little forced & out of place.
Cherry uses the word "SNICKERED" way too much. It can't be just me.
It didn't ruin the novel for me, but it is definitely a little jarring & pulls me out of the story sometimes.
I loved the music/mixtape element throughout the book. Some of my favorite musicians were featured, & that alone made me love the story even more.
In this novel, Cherry depicts the struggles with mental health many face today (depression, suicidal ideation, postpartum, family dynamics) while also weaving in musics ability to help us cope & connect with others around us. Listening to, sharing, & losing oneself in music can lead to such therapeutic healing.
Finding your family... the people out there that love you for you, are there for you even at your lowest, & care for you despite any perceived flaws... is necessary for survival in this world. More than survival, true growth & evolution of self. It's the difference between fitting in & actually being accepted.
I feel like that is one of the main messages the author wanted to express in this story.
While there were definitely elements that I didn't care for, this novel was fun & leaves you feeling hopeful. Overall, it was a good book.
"The worst feeling in the world was coming to the realization that your idols were merely human themselves."
"I wondered how many times a day humans lied to one another about being okay."
"...true love is unconditional. It doesn’t set guidelines for how you have to act in order to be loved."
"...you helped bring my son back to life after he was holding death’s hand."
"My parents’ love is loud when my own love for myself is quiet. That’s how you love Reese. You are her loudest love.”
"It’s a sad day when a person needs to use God to cover up their guilt for harsh choices in life"
"You should never have to beg for anyone to love you. You should never have to do as they say for them to deem you worthy of their love. That’s not how love works."
"I want to be here."