Not to my taste.

The Mixtape

I Picked Up This Book Because: Not sure but it’s been on my TBR for a long time.

Media Type: Audiobook
Source: KindleUnlimited
Dates Read: 1/29/23 - 2/1/23
Stars: 4.5
Narrator(s): Jordan Cobb, James Shippy

The Characters:

Emery Taylor:
Oliver Smith:
Reese Taylor, Alex Smith, Kelly,

The Story:

I wasn’t sure what I was getting into with this book. As I mentioned above, I added this to my TBR a while ago and I can’t remember why but I’m so glad I picked it up while trying to clear my KindleUnlimited list. This story was so heartfelt. I fell in love with the characters immediately. I fell in hate with some other characters just as fast. I really enjoyed how Ms. Cherry could write heartache, love and humor all at once. I loved that the characters were open to correcting their own flaws before getting lost in each other and I loved how supportive they were of each other from day one…. okay maybe day two.

The Random Thoughts:

“Mr. Mith!” ( )

Emery has had a tough time making ends meet while caring for her daughter alone and holding down two jobs, until one night when a rock star, Oliver Smith gets drunk in the bar where she works. After he becomes overwhelmed by paparazzi and a group of fans who are angry when he failed to perform at his planned concert, Emery quickly closes the bar and sneaks Oliver back to her apartment. The next day her boss fires her, leaving her with bills to pay and no job. To make amends, Oliver hires Emery as his chef and seems to make all of her problems go away, but Oliver is dealing with his own demons after the death of his twin brother, and Emery has her work cut out for her if she is going to help him deal with his spiraling life.

The Mixtape is a poignant story that deals with depression, loss, and verbal abuse. Both Emery and Oliver deal with all three in the present and flashbacks into the past, making them a perfect couple, almost too much so. Many of the incidents in the book, while difficult, seem to have answers that are just too easily achieved. Emery is the poster girl for overcoming challenges, and her ability to help Oliver seems a bit too contrived. However, the story is a page turner that evokes happy and sad tears throughout. Overall, The Mixtape is an emotional roller coaster of a book that draws the reader in and doesn't let go until the very end. ( )

Title: The Mixtape

Author: Brittainy Cherry

Publisher: Montlake

Reviewed By: Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"The Mixtape" by Brittainy Cherry

My Opinion:

Wow, what a good read 'The Mixtape' was that featured Emery Taylor and Oliver Smith. The author covered the topics of 'rape, depression, physical and verbal abuse, single parenting, heartbreak, loss, friends to lovers, and romance' very well in this story. It was sad to see how many of the characters in the story were just that...sad. We find Emery having to endure a horrible childhood from some parents that were simply horrible to not only her but her sister Sammie. From that situation, we find Emery having to care for a daughter, Reese Marie. Oliver's twin brother Alexv[Rock Stars] had died from a car accident that Oliver had blamed himself, which caused him not to want to go on with his life, and there was someone who was hanging on to Oliver that meant no good. But an interaction will change Emery and Oliver's lives, and this is how this author gives the reader quite some read in 'The Mixtape.' The read did cause tears of sadness; however, there was a cry of tears of joy by the end and a HEA. Wow, this was an excellent read! ( )

This is a Amazon First Read and the premise sounded good so I grabbed it. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to its promise. The story was predictable and the writing formulaic. The characters, despite their traumas, seemed generic, especially the 'bad' ones who were just over the top in their mannerisms and speech. The daughter didn't sound like a 5-year-old. Not for me. ( )