I have just finished reading Deep Cuts by Author Holly Brickley.

This book sounded very intriguing to me, being about the music scene, and starts off in the campus of Berkeley in the year 2000.

I must say that this really was not my kind of book. I started off open minded and looking forward to reading it.

However, I just could not get past the constant chatter and really could not get behind the characters at all.

I would not have finished it – which is rare for me, except I received a copy to read and review, so felt obligated.

I am sure it will find an audience but was not the case for me.

Thank You to NetGalley, Author Holly Brickley and Penguin Random House Canada for my advanced copy to read and review.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the ARC.

Deep Cuts is set in the early 00s and follows Percy Marks and Joe Morrow, who both endeavour to carve out a career in music (Percy with her writing, Joe as a musician). Percy acts as Joe's muse - helping him take his craft to heights he wouldn't be able to reach solo. They have an intense will-they-won't-they relationship that last years as they seek to establish their identity and career independent of one another, but they often circle back to each other.

The setting felt very nostalgic, and I found Percy to be a flawed, complex, and yet compelling character. Her love (and the author's love) for music came through in the writing, and I appreciated the way the author wove songs and their meanings into the narrative. However, I found this book never got off the ground plot-wise or romance-wise. It meandered too much so I was never fully invested in the story or in Percy and Joe's relationship. I wanted to be swept up in their love story, but I did not find their push-pull dynamic compelling enough - it just fell flat. Overall, this was a romance didn't grab me.

I think that for the right person, this would be a knockout. Unfortunately, I had a hard time connecting with Percy or Joe. They seemed like people I would have avoided in university, and I couldn’t bring myself to care about their relationship. I would still recommend this to music lovers and fans of a more unconventional romance!

I was excited to get an advanced copy of this book .… and I really really wanted to like it..
But I didn’t.
Lovers of the book referenced it to Daisy Jones and the Six and High Fidelity (both of which I liked). I don’t see the comparison.
I love music but even this was too much for me. Every time I turned the page there was a another diatribe on the structure and appeal of pop music through the last 30 years. At first it was cute; then it got annoying and pretentious. By the end, I was just not interested … in neither the music references nor the characters; all of who were wholly unlikeable, acerbic, and, at times, even mean.
No hearty endorsement from me.

Percy and Joe meet during an impromptu conversation about music in a campus bar. They immediately connect because Joe writes songs and Percy loves to analyze them. Then Joe asks for Percy’s feedback on one of his songs and thus begins their tumultuous partnership. Can their similarities overcome their insecurities? Will they have the courage to listen to each other to create their own harmony?

I really liked this novel. It is, at its heart, a love story. I connected with the characters and was compelled to finish it in one sitting. I found it easy to read—the author uses narration, blog posts and DMs between characters to tell Percy’s story. Some of Percy’s insights resonated strongly with me. I enjoyed the song analysis. I cheered, cringed and teared up at times. I thought both Percy and Joe gained insight into themselves and their actions as the story progressed. I was satisfied with the ending. I suspect this novel will appeal to readers who enjoy music and/or coming of age stories.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and authors for providing me with an ARC of this novel for an honest review. All of the opinions offered in this review are my own, so take ‘em or leave ‘em as you like.

Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley is a nostalgic novel that blends the energy of the 1990s and early 2000s music scene with a heartfelt second chance romance. The story follows two characters who reconnect after years apart, offering them a chance to mend old wounds and rediscover love. Brickley’s vivid descriptions bring to life the era’s live concerts, compact discs, and unique style, making the music an integral part of the narrative that stirs deep emotions and memories.

While the novel is rich with cultural references, its core is the personal journey of its characters. Their path to reconciliation is both relatable and touching, appealing to readers who appreciate romance with a nostalgic twist. Although at times the emphasis on the music scene may seem to overshadow deeper character insights, the overall narrative remains engaging and warm.

Deep Cuts is an ideal read for anyone who cherishes the magic of the 90s and early 2000s. It reminds us that love and music can have a transformative power, drawing us back to the moments and places that shaped who we are.

Thanks to @netgalley and @penguinrandomca for the advanced copy of “Deep Cuts”. As an elder millennial, who was also in university and trying to find myself when 9/11 happened and also as someone who has constantly been infatuated with music and lyrics- this book spoke directly to my teenage angst millennial soul. Essentially this is a novel about three people who meet at Berkeley- Percy, Zoe and Joe. Percy has a lot of opinions about music and loves to overanalyze every song and Joe. Well he’s a songwriter and he could listen to Percy talk forever. And Zoe is their best friend who is the glue that keeps them connected. This songwriting partnership spans years through restement, ego, and indie rock fame. If you were like me, and hung around musicians and fancied yourself a bit of a lyricist this story speaks to the very heart of you. It also speaks to anyone who worried about “being cool” and “fitting in” and understanding the great relief from belonging and finding people who get you. It has multilayered characters who are not bad and good, who just are, who are just trying to get through life. It almost gives Almost Famous vibes but in the early 2000s with a bad ass opinionated bitch at the helm who also criticizes the heck of out some of the more misogynistic songs of our collective past. Also PS- there is an awesome playlist on @spotify that goes with the book and I am loving it. This is out on February 25th!

Deep Cuts can refer to music (a song that is less popular than other songs by the same artist or on the same album) or love (a situation where a relationship slowly deteriorates over time due to a series of small, unresolved issues, hurts, or disappointments that accumulate) in this story we get both.

Let's start off with the music. I lost my hearing in the early noughts and loved that a lot of the music in this book is way before that time so I can remember the sound of it and could imagine it in my head. I also found it so cool that every chapter is named after a song title.

Now to the love part...A friends-to-lovers romance with a Daisy Jones and the Six-esque vibe. I was so into the chemistry, both personal and professional, between Percy and Joe. It was so electric and jumped off the pages. Add a dash of a love triangle with a jealous friend to the mix and we have an enthralling story I couldn't put down. The three of them, Joe, Percy and Zoe grow up and apart together. Each of them spreads their wings but also wants to be in each other's lives and are missing each other. They are like family, they are the type of friends we all wish we had.

This was such a nostalgic read for me, music-wise and history-wise. It definitely has a romantic novel feel to it, but it is also so much more. It's about working relationships, friendships, being true to ourselves, finding out what makes us happy, and making yourself heard. The characters have lots of depth and are multi-layered, plus it has a musical hook that even this deaf person enjoyed. What an incredible debut.

I kicked off this Sister Read with high hopes and our usual bookish ramblings, but our first impressions of this one took an unexpected turn. Shorty in I wondered, "What is this book even about?" Norma was right there with me, asking the same question, and without a clear answer, we knew things were off to a shaky start.

There's a bit of chatter about music while the characters bond over music. I have to admit, I'm not a fan of music. I know, shocking, right? But come on, if you're a book lover, you'd rather listen to a book am I right? Even though I enjoy a good rock star story, one that starts off revolving around music just wasn't my jam.

And then there are the characters. Honestly, the discussions between them felt pretty dull. When you're not interested in the story, it becomes a real challenge to stay focused, which only makes it harder to piece together the plot.

In the end, I just couldn't finish this one. You know what they say: one witch’s brew isn’t another’s cup of tea—or maybe that's just my take on it. Either way, this book didn't quite hit the mark for me.

This book had me from the beginning with all of the music woven through the story of a singer and a talented songwriter/influencer. Joe really made me mad but I think that was done on purpose. Percy deserved so much more from all aspects of her life. I look forward to reading more from Holly Bickley in the future as this is her debut novel. This book is well done and will appeal to readers of Daisy Jones and the Six and those that love music.

Thank you NetGalley, Holly Brickley and Penguin Random House Canada for the opportunity to preview this novel. The opinions shared are my own.

Deep Cuts is expected to be released on Feb. 25, 2025

Thank you Netgalley & Crown for the ARC!

I loved so much about this. I loved the story told through the songs, the feminist undertones and the subplot about the trendsetters (re: influencers). It was perfectly paced and had so much heart and humour! I would pick up another book from this author.

I really wanted to love Deep Cuts, but I realized it just wasn’t for me. The premise had so much potential—music, creative partnerships, that early 2000s setting—but I had a hard time connecting with it.

I like music well enough (mostly country, though), but the sheer number of music references in this book went way over my head. Percy is passionate about music, which I can respect, but her constant overanalyzing of songs made it hard for me to settle into the story. I remember my very first paycheque going toward a record album—pretty sure it was Voulez-Vous by ABBA—and that felt like a defining moment. But here, the love of music felt different, more like an intellectual exercise than something deeply felt.

I also struggled to connect with Percy and Joe’s dynamic. There’s an interesting push-and-pull in their collaboration, but I wasn’t invested enough to see where it was going. I kept waiting to feel that spark, that emotional pull, but it never quite happened.

I think I just wasn’t the right reader for this one, but I can see how it would resonate with those who love stories about creative partnerships and the indie music scene. I hope it finds the audience who will truly appreciate it.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy.

If you were a fan of Daisy Jones and the 6 - you will love this musical ride! While I can’t pretend to know ALL the music referenced in this well written and fabulously character filled book, I really appreciated that music and the creation of music was really its own character in the book. I am surprised that this is the first book for Holly Brickley and will definitely be on the lookout for furture offerings of this talented author who’ has a deep appreciation for nuanced relationships and the beauty therein. Big thanks to Penguin Random House Canada, Holly Brickley and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to the author, publisher and Netgalley for allowing me the privilege of being able to read this book!

I don't know how to put my thoughts into words (which this author does fantastically might I add), but this book was beautiful! It has been a very long time since I have not wanted to put a book down, I could not stop reading this!

I wasn't sure about this book at first the blurb makes it sound like every romance related book out there, and I wasn't fully sure by the first chapter if this would even be for me. But I was wrong, dead wrong. Well there is completely one hundred percent a romance attribute to this book it is so much more than that! This is a journey of life and self-discovery! It pulls you in and makes you feel like you're along for the ride. A ride through my past, to my present. I don't feel like I was in a fantasy world, I felt like I was reliving a part of my youth. As weird as it is to say I feel like I was finally met where I feel I am in life in this book!

Well it seems hinted at throughout the book it's mentioned that the main character should put their writing into a book because it would be so much more. I did do some hunting and I can't find anything to make my feelings a reality other than a few close knit factoids towards the book about the author, but this feels real. Almost like this was her life, because I swear if it wasn't than I've finally found a truly amazing new author who screams author to me. This felt so real, other than some bits of the format I would have felt this was autobiography of a sorts.

Ive seen this compared to other books and I have to say this is so much more! This is completely it's own thing to be forever remembered for! If this is not more than partially touched on the author's life, please can you write more! I would take anything from her, I want that feeling again of reality, and being seen and weirdly of being home.

Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for honestly giving me what I know is the best book I have read in years and will be the best book for me this year! P.s. also thank you for the deep cuts line in the beginning of this book, it was perfect!

4.75 Stars

Thank you to NetGalley, Holly Brickley, and Penguin Random House Canada (DoubleDay) for the opportunity to read Deep Cuts in exchange for an honest review.

First word that comes to mind is WOW. I cannot wait for pub day so that I can just talk to someone about this book. As someone who really truly connects deeply with music, I adored this book and everything it had to offer. As a debut, this book reads incredibly well. From the pacing to being engaging from start to finish - I really don't have many notes other than this was a fantastic book.

Definitely have Holly Brickley on my radar for any future books.

3.5 stars, rounded up.

This one is for the music lovers. Brickley's impressive debut novel revolves around the relationship between a musician and a music writer/songwriter as they enter adulthood at the turn of the century. Their relationship is messy and fraught with doubts and miscommunication.

Even though the characters can be frustrating, the music references are so deeply felt that you can't help but be swept up in the story, even when you, as the reader, might not know all of the - many - references.

I will definitely be curious as to what Brickley writes next. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.

This book is so well written it is hard to believe this is a debut for the author!! Big thanks to Netgalley and Crown for the advance read. My opinion - the main character is music. This book doesn’t exist without it. I think that’s why it’s not a full 5 stars - I loved the story, the characters, the settings (very nostalgic early 2000’s for this millennial) - but some of the music stuff was over my head. Definitely worth a read!

My favourite read of 2025 so far. The author has created flawed characters who are vulnerable and frustrating and so deeply relatable that you can’t help but root for and love them. This made me so nostalgic for that time in life as a young adult where friendships are so vital and relationships are complicated but in the most exciting way. I was so sad for it to end.

Deep Cuts was a musical ride through the indie 2000's. I was just 18 in 2000 and this would have been the type of music I was into and grew up listening too.
Life. Happiness. Relationships. Music. Indie music. Love. Heartbreak.
I loved the flow of the book, as the small chapters helped this be a quick read. Not my usual type of book.
4/5

Deep Cuts is a love letter to music, nostalgia, and the tangled mess of relationships that define most of our youths. Holly Brickley’s writing is often stunning, full of rich, atmospheric detail that makes you feel like you’re right there—on the porch, with a cigarette in hand, and the music is turned all the way up. The book shows a deep appreciation for music, which will either feel like an immersive experience or, at times, a bit too much, depending on how much you enjoy music criticism woven into your fictional reading.

At its heart, the novel follows Percy and Joe, whose relationship is as passionate as it is frustrating (it reminded me of the relationship in Normal People). Their will-they-won’t-they tension spans almost a decade, filled with miscommunication, self-sabotage, and bad timing. At times, their dynamic is compelling, but it can also feel exhausting. Percy, in particular, is sharp and opinionated (sometimes to her own detriment) while Joe embodies the classic “tortured artist” trope in a way that might not work for every reader (he felt a little woe is me). Zoe, the best friend, is a highlight, bringing much-needed warmth and perspective.

While the book captures the feeling of growing up in the 2000s beautifully, it can also be indulgent and may not connect with many younger readers (I was born in 98 and had a little trouble...). The references felt like a barrier for entry if you’re not well-versed in indie music history. The story itself meanders a bit, with some moments hitting hard emotionally while others drag. It’s a book that wants you to feel and when it succeeds (because it will), it’s gut-wrenching. But when it doesn’t, it can feel like it’s trying a little too hard.

Overall, Deep Cuts is imperfect but evocative. If you love music, angst, and messy relationships, you’ll probably find something to connect with. If you prefer a tighter, more focused narrative, this might not be for you. It’s an ambitious debut, but one that leaves an impression.