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Make Me a Mixtape
A guarded punk-rocker-turned-barista meets a big-hearted sound tech who charms his way into her life and helps her revisit her musical past in this truly charming, cozy fall romance.
Allie Andrews gave up on the music world ten years ago. No wild tours, no late nights, no career-ending inter-band blowouts. Just day after comfortable day of working in her aunt's café in Brooklyn and recording '80s cover songs in her tiny apartment. The last thing she wants, or expects, is to be recognized as former punk rocker Allie Jetski. But a last-minute coffee delivery lands her face to face with the big, charming, handsome (and quite possibly number one fan of the Jetskis) Ryan Abernathy.
Ryan isn't about to forget meeting the lead singer of one of his favorite bands. Undeterred by her prickly demeanor, he sets his mind to helping Allie find her way back to the Jetskis—so she can come to terms with what happened all those years ago. Allie finds Ryan hard to resist, and her quiet life is turned upside down as she is swept up in a whirlwind hunt for her old bandmates.
But when Aunt Mindy announces that she's decided to sell the café, Allie is faced with a life-altering choice: play it safe and take over the business, or risk opening herself up to a future in music . . . and maybe even love.
Allie Andrews gave up on the music world ten years ago. No wild tours, no late nights, no career-ending inter-band blowouts. Just day after comfortable day of working in her aunt's café in Brooklyn and recording '80s cover songs in her tiny apartment. The last thing she wants, or expects, is to be recognized as former punk rocker Allie Jetski. But a last-minute coffee delivery lands her face to face with the big, charming, handsome (and quite possibly number one fan of the Jetskis) Ryan Abernathy.
Ryan isn't about to forget meeting the lead singer of one of his favorite bands. Undeterred by her prickly demeanor, he sets his mind to helping Allie find her way back to the Jetskis—so she can come to terms with what happened all those years ago. Allie finds Ryan hard to resist, and her quiet life is turned upside down as she is swept up in a whirlwind hunt for her old bandmates.
But when Aunt Mindy announces that she's decided to sell the café, Allie is faced with a life-altering choice: play it safe and take over the business, or risk opening herself up to a future in music . . . and maybe even love.
280 pages, Paperback
Published October 8, 2024
35 people are currently reading
1938 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Whiteford
3 books71 followersJennifer Whiteford (she/her) lives in Ottawa, Ontario with her partner, children, dog, and record collection. Her monthly newsletter, Songs That Remind You of Feelings is free on Substack.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 252 reviews
May 10, 2024
Hello! I wrote this book. I worked really hard on it and I hope you love Allie and Ryan (and Ren and Anisha and Mindy and George…) as much as I do.
August 26, 2024
This book is an utterly charming, cozy romance that strikes all the right notes for music lovers and anyone seeking a heartfelt story about second chances. Allie Andrews, once the lead singer of a punk rock band, has spent the last decade hiding from her past, tucked away in her aunt’s café in Brooklyn. Life for Allie is safe, quiet, and comfortable until a chance encounter with Ryan Abernathy—her biggest fan—brings the past rushing back into her life. Ryan is determined to help Allie rediscover her passion for music, leading them on a journey to track down her former bandmates, reawakening the dreams she buried long ago.
What makes this novel so delightful is Whiteford’s ability to infuse a bustling metropolis like Brooklyn with a small-town, intimate vibe. The café becomes a warm haven for a colorful cast of characters who feel like family. The romance between Allie and Ryan is a slow burn, beginning with witty banter and growing into a sweet, genuine connection as they both help each other navigate the complexities of life, love, and unfulfilled dreams. While Allie’s prickly, avoidant nature keeps Ryan at arm’s length for much of the story, his big-heartedness and unwavering support eventually break down her walls.
The novel is laced with musical references that act as a soundtrack to the characters' lives, making the story even more vibrant. Whiteford beautifully explores themes of self-discovery, accountability, and embracing the messiness of relationships. Allie’s journey is not just about finding her way back to music but also about confronting the pain and trauma she has carried for so long, finding peace in herself, and learning to let others in. The secondary characters add depth and charm, making the story feel like a cozy escape into a tight-knit community.
With autumnal vibes, holiday parties, and tender moments that will tug at your heartstrings, "Make Me a Mixtape" is a perfect read for fans of feel-good romances with depth. Whether you’re a music lover or just someone who enjoys a story about finding yourself and creating new beginnings, this book hits all the right chords.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada | Doubleday Canada for sharing this heartfelt novel's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange of my honest thoughts. I really appreciate it!
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What makes this novel so delightful is Whiteford’s ability to infuse a bustling metropolis like Brooklyn with a small-town, intimate vibe. The café becomes a warm haven for a colorful cast of characters who feel like family. The romance between Allie and Ryan is a slow burn, beginning with witty banter and growing into a sweet, genuine connection as they both help each other navigate the complexities of life, love, and unfulfilled dreams. While Allie’s prickly, avoidant nature keeps Ryan at arm’s length for much of the story, his big-heartedness and unwavering support eventually break down her walls.
The novel is laced with musical references that act as a soundtrack to the characters' lives, making the story even more vibrant. Whiteford beautifully explores themes of self-discovery, accountability, and embracing the messiness of relationships. Allie’s journey is not just about finding her way back to music but also about confronting the pain and trauma she has carried for so long, finding peace in herself, and learning to let others in. The secondary characters add depth and charm, making the story feel like a cozy escape into a tight-knit community.
With autumnal vibes, holiday parties, and tender moments that will tug at your heartstrings, "Make Me a Mixtape" is a perfect read for fans of feel-good romances with depth. Whether you’re a music lover or just someone who enjoys a story about finding yourself and creating new beginnings, this book hits all the right chords.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada | Doubleday Canada for sharing this heartfelt novel's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange of my honest thoughts. I really appreciate it!
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
September 7, 2024
⋆˚⟡˖𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐞-𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰! ♡︎
𝟐 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬, 𝐃𝐍𝐅 𝐚𝐭 𝟐𝟒%
⋆˚⟡˖okay so i really wanted to finish this book and continue reading it but i just could not get into it. i started off really enjoying it; this book started out really cozy and autumn vibes and the premise sounded really interesting: 𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐞 𝐣𝐞𝐭𝐬𝐤𝐢, 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐝, 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐚 𝐩𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐲𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐝. i just didn’t like ryan from the beginning and he really turned me off to the whole book.
⋆˚⟡˖𝐰 𝐫 𝐢 𝐭 𝐢 𝐧 𝐠: this girl needs a better editor. i only made it 24% of the book and there were so many repeated words and phrases. idk it was just incredibly boring
⋆˚⟡˖𝐜 𝐡 𝐚 𝐫 𝐚 𝐜 𝐭 𝐞 𝐫 𝐬: every single character is incredibly flat and one-dimensional and boring and annoying i was sick of them :(
⋆˚⟡˖𝐬 𝐞 𝐭 𝐭 𝐢 𝐧 𝐠: i LOVE the setting of this book! it’s so cozyyyy i love the fall, new york coffee shop and neighborhood!
⋆˚⟡˖𝐨 𝐯 𝐞 𝐫 𝐚 𝐥 𝐥: unfortunately i can’t recommend this book i just didn’t enjoy it. i was really excited for it because its a cozy fall, musical book but it was falling incredibly flat.
——————
𝐩𝐫𝐞-𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰: dnf at 24% i just can’t get into it, rtc
𝐩𝐫𝐞-𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝: i got approved for another arc!
𝟐 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬, 𝐃𝐍𝐅 𝐚𝐭 𝟐𝟒%
⋆˚⟡˖okay so i really wanted to finish this book and continue reading it but i just could not get into it. i started off really enjoying it; this book started out really cozy and autumn vibes and the premise sounded really interesting: 𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐞 𝐣𝐞𝐭𝐬𝐤𝐢, 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐝, 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐚 𝐩𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐲𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐝. i just didn’t like ryan from the beginning and he really turned me off to the whole book.
⋆˚⟡˖𝐰 𝐫 𝐢 𝐭 𝐢 𝐧 𝐠: this girl needs a better editor. i only made it 24% of the book and there were so many repeated words and phrases. idk it was just incredibly boring
⋆˚⟡˖𝐜 𝐡 𝐚 𝐫 𝐚 𝐜 𝐭 𝐞 𝐫 𝐬: every single character is incredibly flat and one-dimensional and boring and annoying i was sick of them :(
⋆˚⟡˖𝐬 𝐞 𝐭 𝐭 𝐢 𝐧 𝐠: i LOVE the setting of this book! it’s so cozyyyy i love the fall, new york coffee shop and neighborhood!
⋆˚⟡˖𝐨 𝐯 𝐞 𝐫 𝐚 𝐥 𝐥: unfortunately i can’t recommend this book i just didn’t enjoy it. i was really excited for it because its a cozy fall, musical book but it was falling incredibly flat.
——————
𝐩𝐫𝐞-𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰: dnf at 24% i just can’t get into it, rtc
𝐩𝐫𝐞-𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝: i got approved for another arc!
October 27, 2024
2.5⭐️ | TikTok |
Tell the truth… Have you ever gone to a punk rock show in the basement of a church? Did you grow up with a boom box full of CDs you bought at said shows?
This book is full of nostalgia, set in Brooklyn, NY, dripping with found family and bursting with cozy fall charm.
This book has great vibes and nostalgia but missed the mark with the romance. I had a really hard time connecting with the romantic aspects of the novel and really didn’t care for the conflict.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House for sending this book (eARC) for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Tell the truth… Have you ever gone to a punk rock show in the basement of a church? Did you grow up with a boom box full of CDs you bought at said shows?
This book is full of nostalgia, set in Brooklyn, NY, dripping with found family and bursting with cozy fall charm.
This book has great vibes and nostalgia but missed the mark with the romance. I had a really hard time connecting with the romantic aspects of the novel and really didn’t care for the conflict.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House for sending this book (eARC) for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
October 25, 2025
Excuse me! I feel like this gem slipped right under the radar. A total spur-of-the-moment pick that immediately felt like a five star. I loved it so much! Strangers to friends to lovers is always my favourite way for a romance to unfold.
Quietly working in her aunt’s coffee shop, former punk musician Allie is snarky, self-protective, and still haunted by her old band days from a decade ago. Then enters Ryan—her number one fan—bringing the most delightful golden retriever energy. This man was pure sunshine! I loved the humorous way he practically forced Allie into friendship with his playfulness and optimism.
The cozy New York fall setting was so nice, and I especially loved how the story spans all the “-ber” months. From crisp October days to Christmas! You really get a mix of all the seasonal coziness and festivities. The secondary characters were also wonderful and genuinely relevant to the story; I seriously loved this friend group (and Allie’s aunt!).
There’s a lovely little adventure woven through the plot as Ryan helps Allie track down her former bandmate, leading her to confront her past, find reconciliation, and ultimately decide what she wants in life. I just completely connected with these characters, the writing, the dialogue — everything. This book deserves so much more attention!
(heat level: 2 open-door scenes, moderate details)
Quietly working in her aunt’s coffee shop, former punk musician Allie is snarky, self-protective, and still haunted by her old band days from a decade ago. Then enters Ryan—her number one fan—bringing the most delightful golden retriever energy. This man was pure sunshine! I loved the humorous way he practically forced Allie into friendship with his playfulness and optimism.
The cozy New York fall setting was so nice, and I especially loved how the story spans all the “-ber” months. From crisp October days to Christmas! You really get a mix of all the seasonal coziness and festivities. The secondary characters were also wonderful and genuinely relevant to the story; I seriously loved this friend group (and Allie’s aunt!).
There’s a lovely little adventure woven through the plot as Ryan helps Allie track down her former bandmate, leading her to confront her past, find reconciliation, and ultimately decide what she wants in life. I just completely connected with these characters, the writing, the dialogue — everything. This book deserves so much more attention!
(heat level: 2 open-door scenes, moderate details)
October 1, 2024
Please note that I received this via NetGalley. This did not affect my rating or review.
"Make Me a Mixtape" follows Allie Andrews. Ten years ago, Allie was part of a punk all girl band that dissolved when things were said and Allie was crushed. She ran back to her aunt Mindy and got a job working at her café in Brooklyn. When Allie goes to deliver a coffee order to an office that makes podcasts (why would these people have an office....anyway) she meets a man named Ryan Abernathy who recognizes Allie and is a fan of her music. Ryan drops by the café and starts to push Allie into making music and reaching out to her old band mates.
Allie was exhausting. She's in her 30s and kept acting like she was brand new to people and relationships. It did not work and her behavior throughout the book got on my nerves.
Ryan was not very developed. It took til the 43 percent mark we got any type of backstory on him. Allie falling for him immediately didn’t even make sense when you read about her prior romances. It just limped along. Also, honestly, Ryan bugged me. Him ignoring Allie's request to stop calling her something that she didn't like and he kept doing it bothered me. And his doing the love bombing (that's what it was) but then the I don't know if we can be more crap was too much.
The mess with Mindy made zero sense and I just gave up on it after a while. How much money do you supposedly have that you can live in France for several years? I just went...sure.
Ren was an okay character, but them and Anisha felt like they were in a whole other book at times.
The book dragged and at one point I reread Allie telling Ryan something she had told him several chapters earlier. And it was like that for most of the book it seemed. I would go, didn't they talk about this? Or they talking about it again? It just got so boring.
I will say one positive, Whiteford does a great job of making me feel like I am in Brooklyn during the fall and winter. The description of things hit me with a nostalgia feeling. But not enough to make me give this book more than 3 stars.
The ending just read super unrealistic. For a lot of the characters honestly. I was more interested in Ren and Anisha honestly (and even that didn’t feel realistic).
"Make Me a Mixtape" follows Allie Andrews. Ten years ago, Allie was part of a punk all girl band that dissolved when things were said and Allie was crushed. She ran back to her aunt Mindy and got a job working at her café in Brooklyn. When Allie goes to deliver a coffee order to an office that makes podcasts (why would these people have an office....anyway) she meets a man named Ryan Abernathy who recognizes Allie and is a fan of her music. Ryan drops by the café and starts to push Allie into making music and reaching out to her old band mates.
Allie was exhausting. She's in her 30s and kept acting like she was brand new to people and relationships. It did not work and her behavior throughout the book got on my nerves.
Ryan was not very developed. It took til the 43 percent mark we got any type of backstory on him. Allie falling for him immediately didn’t even make sense when you read about her prior romances. It just limped along. Also, honestly, Ryan bugged me. Him ignoring Allie's request to stop calling her something that she didn't like and he kept doing it bothered me. And his doing the love bombing (that's what it was) but then the I don't know if we can be more crap was too much.
The mess with Mindy made zero sense and I just gave up on it after a while. How much money do you supposedly have that you can live in France for several years? I just went...sure.
Ren was an okay character, but them and Anisha felt like they were in a whole other book at times.
The book dragged and at one point I reread Allie telling Ryan something she had told him several chapters earlier. And it was like that for most of the book it seemed. I would go, didn't they talk about this? Or they talking about it again? It just got so boring.
I will say one positive, Whiteford does a great job of making me feel like I am in Brooklyn during the fall and winter. The description of things hit me with a nostalgia feeling. But not enough to make me give this book more than 3 stars.
The ending just read super unrealistic. For a lot of the characters honestly. I was more interested in Ren and Anisha honestly (and even that didn’t feel realistic).
October 10, 2024
Make Me A Mixtape had me wanting to take a beautiful Fall walk to a cozy cafe so I could enjoy a scone and yummy beverage.
Mixtapes were my jam in the early 90's and I took my Walkman with me everywhere. The nostalgia in this book had me swooning!!
If you're looking for a heart-warming, feel good/warm hug of a book, this one's for you!
My thanks to Penguin Random House Canada and Doubleday Canada for this gifted copy.
Mixtapes were my jam in the early 90's and I took my Walkman with me everywhere. The nostalgia in this book had me swooning!!
If you're looking for a heart-warming, feel good/warm hug of a book, this one's for you!
My thanks to Penguin Random House Canada and Doubleday Canada for this gifted copy.
September 18, 2024
I sped through this book and am glad I did- it was a good enough plot/story but just fell kind of flat for me. Kind of charming but I just didn’t connect with or enjoy the story as I hoped I would.
August 5, 2025
2024 is truly the year of exceptional debuts and this latest from a new Canadian author is no exception!!
Set in a Brooklyn suburb and featuring Allie Andrews, a former hit band member of The Jetskis, who now works as a barista and is wanting to reconnect with her old bandmates.
She becomes friends with Ryan, who helps her track down Jessie, the one who Allie has the most regrets about fighting with.
This is also a love letter to 90s music, mixtapes and friends to lovers romance. Great on audio narrated by AJ Bridel and book to read as we transition from fall to holiday season themed books.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday Canada for an early digital copy and Libro.fm for an ALC in exchange for my honest review!
Set in a Brooklyn suburb and featuring Allie Andrews, a former hit band member of The Jetskis, who now works as a barista and is wanting to reconnect with her old bandmates.
She becomes friends with Ryan, who helps her track down Jessie, the one who Allie has the most regrets about fighting with.
This is also a love letter to 90s music, mixtapes and friends to lovers romance. Great on audio narrated by AJ Bridel and book to read as we transition from fall to holiday season themed books.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday Canada for an early digital copy and Libro.fm for an ALC in exchange for my honest review!
October 4, 2024
My thoughts on this book are a bit complicated... overall however, this wasn't for me.
To start with the positives: the vibes and nostalgia of this are so much fun. The New York/coffee shop setting felt so perfect for the start of my fall, cozy reads. The musical references made this feel so fun and nostalgic. It was also a very short/quick read and I blew through it so fast, which was especially pleasant to help me out of this slump I've been in.
Unfortunately, the characters in here were a bit flat for me. I didn't really ever feel attached to either main character, both due to the storyline, as well as the story length. I just didn't really care much about them on a personal level, which makes it really hard for me to root for a romance.
My main issue here however was the writing. It was very redundant and simplistic. This was already a super short book, and I feel like it could've been cut in half just from removing things we've already said. There were so many descriptors that were said 500000x as well that I was thinking man, could we not find any synonyms?? It made it a bit irritating to read and feel like I was going in circles with these characters.
Overall great concept and vibes, but sadly not my favorite. 2.5 stars rounded down.
Thank you so much to Penguin Random House Canada | Doubleday Canada and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
To start with the positives: the vibes and nostalgia of this are so much fun. The New York/coffee shop setting felt so perfect for the start of my fall, cozy reads. The musical references made this feel so fun and nostalgic. It was also a very short/quick read and I blew through it so fast, which was especially pleasant to help me out of this slump I've been in.
Unfortunately, the characters in here were a bit flat for me. I didn't really ever feel attached to either main character, both due to the storyline, as well as the story length. I just didn't really care much about them on a personal level, which makes it really hard for me to root for a romance.
My main issue here however was the writing. It was very redundant and simplistic. This was already a super short book, and I feel like it could've been cut in half just from removing things we've already said. There were so many descriptors that were said 500000x as well that I was thinking man, could we not find any synonyms?? It made it a bit irritating to read and feel like I was going in circles with these characters.
Overall great concept and vibes, but sadly not my favorite. 2.5 stars rounded down.
Thank you so much to Penguin Random House Canada | Doubleday Canada and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
May 19, 2025
This book was boring lol
August 30, 2024
”Music wasn’t what had failed her.”
⭑⭑’s
⤷ Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC! I really appreciate it. Everything below is my own, unbiased opinions.
⤷ I’m finally free omg… Though there were good aspects of this book, the bads heavily outweigh them. Once I hit the fiftyish percent mark, I was DYING to finish just so I could be done with it. This book follows Allie, a woman who was in a band in her high school years and now, ten years after the band broke up, is working in her Aunt’s cafe. While making a delivery, she meets Ryan, a guy who used to be a huge fan of her band, and instantly develops a crush on him (why? I still don’t know). After pestering her a little, Ryan convinces her to start a search for Jessi, her former bandmate and best friend, which takes them on many adventures which result in them getting closer… Though the overall vibes of this book were good, the characters and the romance were so purely awful it pained me to read.
⤷ The writing style:
I swear, some people need to discover what editors are. First off, if I took a shot for every time a character “got tears in his/her eyes”, “giggled”, or “locked eyes” with another character, I’d be dead from alcohol poisoning. There’s this thing, it’s called a THESAURUS. Second, literally all the characters in this book were either conflicting, one-dimensional, or just straight up annoying. Is it really that difficult for people to write tolerable characters?
⤷ The atmosphere/worldbuilding:
For better or worse, this was the best part of the book. The main setting of Make Me a Mixtape was a Brooklyn cafe in the fall and wintertime, which just set such a cute, cozy setting. I also loved the musical aspect of the book. Pretty much all of the songs mentioned in this book were songs my parents love, so I’ve listened to them plenty of times, and this enhanced my reading experience. However, unfortunately, by the middle part of the book, much of the musical aspect was swept under a rug, becoming more of a side plot to the (less than mediocre) romance.
⤷ The Characters:
❥ Allie: This woman. This FREAKING WOMAN. She was supposed to be in her early thirties in the book… SHE ACTED LIKE A TWELVE YEAR OLD??? I would have been able to look past it if it was just some of the time to progress the plot, but it was evident in every little thing that she did that she lacked maturity, and that made her absolutely intolerable. She also had a heavily conflicting personality. She was supposed to be this prickly introvert, but as soon as Ryan shows up, she’s all bubbly and social? What? On top of that, it mentioned MULTIPLE times in the beginning of the book that she hardly ever cried, and then throughout the story she proceeded to cry at least ten times. (Can you picture me banging my head against a wall right now?)
❥ Ryan: I’d like to start out by saying that it took me about half of the book to actually remember this guy’s name, because not only was he immature too, he also just wasn’t memorable. He was a failure of a “golden retriever with a dark past” boyfriend. The author would try to make him all sweet and sad, but really it just made for a really cringy MMC. While I’m on the topic of Ryan, I’d also like to add that I believe his whole “family backstory” was a load of crap, and honestly offensive to me as a Christian. He was all sad because his “Christian” family cut him off because he doesn’t believe in God. I would say that maybe five percent of Christian families would actually do that to their kids, but the author makes it seem like it’s a common and normal thing for Christian families to do. This honestly just pisses me off that this false stereotyping exists.
❥ Anisha and Ren: Hear me out. They both had the potential to be really good characters. But. BUT. The author gave them NO DEVELOPMENT. It seemed that they were just there to push a LGBTQ agenda, because all I can remember about Ren is that they’re a nonbinary heartbreaker with a shaved head, and Anisha is a queer lady who likes fashion. Oh, and they’re both horny and like to hook up in public places. Yay! :D I have no problem with LGBTQ characters, but when it feels like that’s all they’re there for and have no other personality, it drives me crazy.
⤷ The Romance:
This was by far the cringiest insta-crush I’ve ever read. Allie got butterflies the first time she met Ryan, but the whole time was like “now is not the time for me to be getting a crush on someone”. LITERALLY WHY? THERE WAS NOTHING MAJOR GOING ON IN HER LIFE BUT YET IT’S “not the right time” LIKE GIRL PLEASE. Had she just matured and told the guy she liked him sooner, I wouldn’t have had to waste so much time reading this garbage book. Adding onto the romance criticism, again, both mc’s act like twelve year olds, so when the sex parts came, I skipped over them, because no one wants to read about twelve year olds having sex :)
⤷ Overall:
Don’t waste your time on this. Please spare yourselves.
⤷ This book contains:
✔️Friends to lovers
✔️Third person single POV
✔️Lots of music references
✔️Cozy cafe vibes
⭑⭑’s
⤷ Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC! I really appreciate it. Everything below is my own, unbiased opinions.
⤷ I’m finally free omg… Though there were good aspects of this book, the bads heavily outweigh them. Once I hit the fiftyish percent mark, I was DYING to finish just so I could be done with it. This book follows Allie, a woman who was in a band in her high school years and now, ten years after the band broke up, is working in her Aunt’s cafe. While making a delivery, she meets Ryan, a guy who used to be a huge fan of her band, and instantly develops a crush on him (why? I still don’t know). After pestering her a little, Ryan convinces her to start a search for Jessi, her former bandmate and best friend, which takes them on many adventures which result in them getting closer… Though the overall vibes of this book were good, the characters and the romance were so purely awful it pained me to read.
⤷ The writing style:
I swear, some people need to discover what editors are. First off, if I took a shot for every time a character “got tears in his/her eyes”, “giggled”, or “locked eyes” with another character, I’d be dead from alcohol poisoning. There’s this thing, it’s called a THESAURUS. Second, literally all the characters in this book were either conflicting, one-dimensional, or just straight up annoying. Is it really that difficult for people to write tolerable characters?
⤷ The atmosphere/worldbuilding:
For better or worse, this was the best part of the book. The main setting of Make Me a Mixtape was a Brooklyn cafe in the fall and wintertime, which just set such a cute, cozy setting. I also loved the musical aspect of the book. Pretty much all of the songs mentioned in this book were songs my parents love, so I’ve listened to them plenty of times, and this enhanced my reading experience. However, unfortunately, by the middle part of the book, much of the musical aspect was swept under a rug, becoming more of a side plot to the (less than mediocre) romance.
⤷ The Characters:
❥ Allie: This woman. This FREAKING WOMAN. She was supposed to be in her early thirties in the book… SHE ACTED LIKE A TWELVE YEAR OLD??? I would have been able to look past it if it was just some of the time to progress the plot, but it was evident in every little thing that she did that she lacked maturity, and that made her absolutely intolerable. She also had a heavily conflicting personality. She was supposed to be this prickly introvert, but as soon as Ryan shows up, she’s all bubbly and social? What? On top of that, it mentioned MULTIPLE times in the beginning of the book that she hardly ever cried, and then throughout the story she proceeded to cry at least ten times. (Can you picture me banging my head against a wall right now?)
❥ Ryan: I’d like to start out by saying that it took me about half of the book to actually remember this guy’s name, because not only was he immature too, he also just wasn’t memorable. He was a failure of a “golden retriever with a dark past” boyfriend. The author would try to make him all sweet and sad, but really it just made for a really cringy MMC. While I’m on the topic of Ryan, I’d also like to add that I believe his whole “family backstory” was a load of crap, and honestly offensive to me as a Christian. He was all sad because his “Christian” family cut him off because he doesn’t believe in God. I would say that maybe five percent of Christian families would actually do that to their kids, but the author makes it seem like it’s a common and normal thing for Christian families to do. This honestly just pisses me off that this false stereotyping exists.
❥ Anisha and Ren: Hear me out. They both had the potential to be really good characters. But. BUT. The author gave them NO DEVELOPMENT. It seemed that they were just there to push a LGBTQ agenda, because all I can remember about Ren is that they’re a nonbinary heartbreaker with a shaved head, and Anisha is a queer lady who likes fashion. Oh, and they’re both horny and like to hook up in public places. Yay! :D I have no problem with LGBTQ characters, but when it feels like that’s all they’re there for and have no other personality, it drives me crazy.
⤷ The Romance:
This was by far the cringiest insta-crush I’ve ever read. Allie got butterflies the first time she met Ryan, but the whole time was like “now is not the time for me to be getting a crush on someone”. LITERALLY WHY? THERE WAS NOTHING MAJOR GOING ON IN HER LIFE BUT YET IT’S “not the right time” LIKE GIRL PLEASE. Had she just matured and told the guy she liked him sooner, I wouldn’t have had to waste so much time reading this garbage book. Adding onto the romance criticism, again, both mc’s act like twelve year olds, so when the sex parts came, I skipped over them, because no one wants to read about twelve year olds having sex :)
⤷ Overall:
Don’t waste your time on this. Please spare yourselves.
⤷ This book contains:
✔️Friends to lovers
✔️Third person single POV
✔️Lots of music references
✔️Cozy cafe vibes
April 30, 2025
a lovely and engrossing read!
October 22, 2024
I was having unnecessary decision fatigue about my next audiobook and absolutely 100% picked 𝐌𝐀𝐊𝐄 𝐌𝐄 𝐀 𝐌𝐈𝐗𝐓𝐀𝐏𝐄 based on the cover. Thank you @librofm for the free copy.
This debut novel from Canadian author Whiteford is a great book to segue from fall to holiday reads.
It's an utterly charming, cozy story with a bit of romance that strikes all the right notes for music lovers and anyone seeking a heartfelt story about second chances. Not too light. Not too heavy.
This debut novel from Canadian author Whiteford is a great book to segue from fall to holiday reads.
It's an utterly charming, cozy story with a bit of romance that strikes all the right notes for music lovers and anyone seeking a heartfelt story about second chances. Not too light. Not too heavy.
April 8, 2025
Should’ve DNF’d this book around the 30% mark.
Tell me why the only interesting thing in this book were the side characters romance. Wayyyyy better than the mains.
The mfc was just straight up annoying and the mmc was too unlikeable for me. Couldn’t like these characters at all and it made finishing this book difficult.
The setting was good and the best friends romance was the highlight….., other than that I wouldn’t recommend.
Tell me why the only interesting thing in this book were the side characters romance. Wayyyyy better than the mains.
The mfc was just straight up annoying and the mmc was too unlikeable for me. Couldn’t like these characters at all and it made finishing this book difficult.
The setting was good and the best friends romance was the highlight….., other than that I wouldn’t recommend.
August 25, 2024
Review: Make Me a Mixtape by Jennifer Whiteford
Make Me a Mixtape is an ode to music, dreams, and relationships and what it means to build your community.
Allie Andrews is an ex-punk rocker whose foray into the world of music with her band was successful until their break-up. Since then, she works at her aunt’s cafe in Brooklyn grieving and believing she breaks relationships. In a chance meeting, Allie meets Ryan Abernathy, who surprisingly recognizes her. Their connection is immediate and Allie begins to learn the importance of communication, community, and chasing your dreams.
Make Me a Mixtape is for music lovers as it’s filled with artist and song references and Allie’s palpable passion which jumps from the page. Despite being set in the metropolis of New York, Whiteford gives Brooklyn a small town feel through lovable characters and making the cafe a warm haven of community. I really enjoyed this story. My only caveat is a personal preference of closed door romance (there’s a couple spicy scenes). Otherwise, I still thoroughly enjoyed the story and characters.
This story is perfect for lovers of cozy fall and winter reads looking for a Gilmore Girl vibe of quirky, lovable characters and close-knit community.
Thank you to Penguin Canada and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All options are my own.
Make Me a Mixtape is an ode to music, dreams, and relationships and what it means to build your community.
Allie Andrews is an ex-punk rocker whose foray into the world of music with her band was successful until their break-up. Since then, she works at her aunt’s cafe in Brooklyn grieving and believing she breaks relationships. In a chance meeting, Allie meets Ryan Abernathy, who surprisingly recognizes her. Their connection is immediate and Allie begins to learn the importance of communication, community, and chasing your dreams.
Make Me a Mixtape is for music lovers as it’s filled with artist and song references and Allie’s palpable passion which jumps from the page. Despite being set in the metropolis of New York, Whiteford gives Brooklyn a small town feel through lovable characters and making the cafe a warm haven of community. I really enjoyed this story. My only caveat is a personal preference of closed door romance (there’s a couple spicy scenes). Otherwise, I still thoroughly enjoyed the story and characters.
This story is perfect for lovers of cozy fall and winter reads looking for a Gilmore Girl vibe of quirky, lovable characters and close-knit community.
Thank you to Penguin Canada and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All options are my own.
December 26, 2024
A lovely story with a great cast of characters, a bit of nostalgia and a nice setting
October 8, 2024
I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ARC provided by Doubleday Canada.
Allie Andrews gave up on the music world 10 years ago. No wild tours, no late nights, no career-ending inter-band blowouts. Just day after comfortable day of working in her aunt's cafe in Brooklyn and recording 80s cover songs in her tiny apartment. So, the last thing she wants, or expects, is to be recognized as former punk rocker Allie Jetski. But a last-minute coffee delivery lands her face to face with the big, charming, handsome (and quite possibly number one fan of The Jetskis) Ryan Abernathy.
Of course, Ryan is not about to forget meeting the lead singer of one of his favorite bands. Undeterred by her prickly demeanor, he sets his mind to helping Allie find her way back to The Jetskis—so she can come to terms with what happened all those years ago. Allie finds him hard to resist, and her quiet life is turned upside down as she is swept up in a whirlwind hunt for her old bandmates.
But when Aunt Mindy announces that she has decided to sell the cafe—Allie's home for the last decade—to travel the world, Allie is faced with a life-altering choice: play it safe and take over the cafe, or take the risk and open herself up to a future in music and maybe even love.
This was a cute book filled with a lot of nostalgia. This book had a lot of other things working for it with a pretty fun plot and great music references, but I had a really hard time engaging to the story. Many parts of this book felt drawn out to me and there were so many parts that I struggled to get through. The characters also felt flat and something was missing. And I was not invested in the romance at all. I wished Allie and Ryan had more tension and a romantic build up. However, I do think Whiteford's work has really great potential and I really liked the unique concept of this one. If you like books about music and punk rock clubs, this one will probably be for you. But I will still check out what other books Whiteford will publish in the future.
Allie Andrews gave up on the music world 10 years ago. No wild tours, no late nights, no career-ending inter-band blowouts. Just day after comfortable day of working in her aunt's cafe in Brooklyn and recording 80s cover songs in her tiny apartment. So, the last thing she wants, or expects, is to be recognized as former punk rocker Allie Jetski. But a last-minute coffee delivery lands her face to face with the big, charming, handsome (and quite possibly number one fan of The Jetskis) Ryan Abernathy.
Of course, Ryan is not about to forget meeting the lead singer of one of his favorite bands. Undeterred by her prickly demeanor, he sets his mind to helping Allie find her way back to The Jetskis—so she can come to terms with what happened all those years ago. Allie finds him hard to resist, and her quiet life is turned upside down as she is swept up in a whirlwind hunt for her old bandmates.
But when Aunt Mindy announces that she has decided to sell the cafe—Allie's home for the last decade—to travel the world, Allie is faced with a life-altering choice: play it safe and take over the cafe, or take the risk and open herself up to a future in music and maybe even love.
This was a cute book filled with a lot of nostalgia. This book had a lot of other things working for it with a pretty fun plot and great music references, but I had a really hard time engaging to the story. Many parts of this book felt drawn out to me and there were so many parts that I struggled to get through. The characters also felt flat and something was missing. And I was not invested in the romance at all. I wished Allie and Ryan had more tension and a romantic build up. However, I do think Whiteford's work has really great potential and I really liked the unique concept of this one. If you like books about music and punk rock clubs, this one will probably be for you. But I will still check out what other books Whiteford will publish in the future.
August 27, 2024
This was an overall lovely story, with a few hiccups along the way. Great plot.My favorite aspect of this book was its use of the “found family” trope. There were a few reunions that genuinely made me tear up, and I think that’s because the author did such a wonderful job conveying that sense of family and love. I absolutely LOVED the ending, especially the mixtape bomb at the end—very cute! The setting and the ambience were lovely. You can feel how cozy it’s supposed to be.
While I enjoyed this book and read it all in one go, there were some things that fell flat for me. I appreciated Ryan’s crush and the “Rockstar/Fan” aspect of their relationship, but the romance between the two characters felt almost non-existent. There were a few sweet moments between them, but no real mention of any serious feelings. The bedroom scene, in my opinion, was unnecessary and uninspiring. I honestly couldn’t read through most of it because of how cringe-worthy some of the writing was, something I’m noticing more and more as romance writers attempt to add full-on smut scenes to their books. I think if something else had replaced that scene as their way of “admitting” their feelings, then maybe I’d feel differently about their romance.
Regarding the characters, I enjoyed most of them, with the exception of Ryan. The way he behaved after the party was incredibly disappointing. For someone his age, who is aware of his issues and where they stem from, it seemed almost out of character that he wouldn’t see a specialist to tackle them head-on. The interactions between him and Allie from that point on felt awkward, even until the end.
Had this story been less about their romance and more about “platonic life partners” and their quest to find the JetSkis, it would’ve been perfect!
While I enjoyed this book and read it all in one go, there were some things that fell flat for me. I appreciated Ryan’s crush and the “Rockstar/Fan” aspect of their relationship, but the romance between the two characters felt almost non-existent. There were a few sweet moments between them, but no real mention of any serious feelings. The bedroom scene, in my opinion, was unnecessary and uninspiring. I honestly couldn’t read through most of it because of how cringe-worthy some of the writing was, something I’m noticing more and more as romance writers attempt to add full-on smut scenes to their books. I think if something else had replaced that scene as their way of “admitting” their feelings, then maybe I’d feel differently about their romance.
Regarding the characters, I enjoyed most of them, with the exception of Ryan. The way he behaved after the party was incredibly disappointing. For someone his age, who is aware of his issues and where they stem from, it seemed almost out of character that he wouldn’t see a specialist to tackle them head-on. The interactions between him and Allie from that point on felt awkward, even until the end.
Had this story been less about their romance and more about “platonic life partners” and their quest to find the JetSkis, it would’ve been perfect!
September 5, 2024
Thanks to Doubleday Canada for the ARC of this one! It was a fun little read and I truly enjoyed it! Allie is a former member of a punk rock band who has been living comfortably for the last 20 years helping her aunt run a cafe in Brooklyn. She seems content to just have a life of routine with no surprises. Her band met a father spectacular end and she has not made much room for friendship since then. While delivering coffee, she meets Ryan who works at the podcast studio nearby. They strike up a friendship that eventually develops and their love is very sweet and realistic. It was a fun journey reading about how they discover who they are as people both together and apart. I loved the writing style as well.
October 7, 2024
Unfortunately, I was not a fan of this book. Allie was pretty bland and her only character trait was being a musician. Ryan was basically a golden retriever, but not a good one. He was pretty annoying throughout the whole book, and during their first meeting, he called Allie by a name she didn't like, and when she told him not to, he went ahead and called her that a few more times, and she was pretty rude to him, and somehow they still became friends and then more?
The main couple was disappointing, but the side characters/couple weren't any better either. Ren and Anisha were also bland. Anisha asks Allie about Ren, to where Allie tells her that Ren is not the settling-down type and doesn't do relationships, and not to go for them, but Anisha does it anyway and somehow that ends with Ren telling Allie that Anisha is the one for them.
The main couple was disappointing, but the side characters/couple weren't any better either. Ren and Anisha were also bland. Anisha asks Allie about Ren, to where Allie tells her that Ren is not the settling-down type and doesn't do relationships, and not to go for them, but Anisha does it anyway and somehow that ends with Ren telling Allie that Anisha is the one for them.
October 8, 2024
This Reviewer Received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review. Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House.
Make Me a Mixtape was an adorable and entertaining novel. A little bit of Nick and Norah, a little bit of Music and Lyrics and a lot of fun. The author does a fantastic job of taking the modernized approach to the changing times and embraces everything that is to love about it. Every character from the main ones to the minor are so well written and lovable. Ryan and Allie are great characters. Both have come from such complex family backgrounds and are learning how to love despite it. The musical references are impactful and important. It was a very cute book.
Make Me a Mixtape was an adorable and entertaining novel. A little bit of Nick and Norah, a little bit of Music and Lyrics and a lot of fun. The author does a fantastic job of taking the modernized approach to the changing times and embraces everything that is to love about it. Every character from the main ones to the minor are so well written and lovable. Ryan and Allie are great characters. Both have come from such complex family backgrounds and are learning how to love despite it. The musical references are impactful and important. It was a very cute book.
October 20, 2024
A wonderfully charming story. Full of heart, humor and punk rock sensibility.
October 21, 2024
4.5 rounded up to 5
November 20, 2024
Loved this book. All of the characters felt super authentic and it had all the classic hallmarks of a great romcom PLUS great music.
July 16, 2025
I liked the premise but Ryan had such "little brother" energy, I had a hard time seeing him as a romantic lead.
October 13, 2024
Such a fun story that hits that 90s music nostalgia button! Great cozy, fall read!
July 17, 2025
This was such a cute book. I really liked it. It was an easy read. The characters were enjoyable and I was rooting for all of them! I loved how music was woven into the story. I was invested and wanted to find out what was going to happen with Allie.
Allie was in a punk band and singers broke up has lived a pretty quiet life. One day while delivering coffee to a guy named Ryan, he recognizes her from her punk days. The wheels are then set in motion.
I enjoyed this book and love the playlists that go with it!
Allie was in a punk band and singers broke up has lived a pretty quiet life. One day while delivering coffee to a guy named Ryan, he recognizes her from her punk days. The wheels are then set in motion.
I enjoyed this book and love the playlists that go with it!
September 13, 2024
This book is a heartwarming love story with found family, second chances mixed with nostalgia. Cozy with autumnal vibes, a good book to read under blankets with a hot beverage.
The story follows Allie, former singer in a punk band she has spent the last decade hiding from her past living in Brooklyn and working in her Aunt Mindy’s cafe. A safe, predictable bubble until Ryan steps into her life, a fan of Allie’s old band he pushes her out of her comfort zone, reigniting her passion for music and sets about helping Allie to reconcile with her past.
It’s a sweet, slow burn romance and even though it is set in the city the author creates a small town vibe that makes it feel warm and homely. The secondary character are vibrant and charming, adding depth and towards the feel of cozy community.
Make a mixtape hits all the right notes for a nostalgic, feel good cozy romance and was an enjoyable, warm hug of a read.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin for this ARC.
The story follows Allie, former singer in a punk band she has spent the last decade hiding from her past living in Brooklyn and working in her Aunt Mindy’s cafe. A safe, predictable bubble until Ryan steps into her life, a fan of Allie’s old band he pushes her out of her comfort zone, reigniting her passion for music and sets about helping Allie to reconcile with her past.
It’s a sweet, slow burn romance and even though it is set in the city the author creates a small town vibe that makes it feel warm and homely. The secondary character are vibrant and charming, adding depth and towards the feel of cozy community.
Make a mixtape hits all the right notes for a nostalgic, feel good cozy romance and was an enjoyable, warm hug of a read.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin for this ARC.
August 25, 2024
This book is such a quick and cozy read to get into the autumn spirit! I really liked the writing style of Whiteford - there was great dialogue, both inner dialogue and character banter, and it was surprisingly emotional. It dealt with some heavier topics, such as family trauma of religion and alcoholism, and i absolutely loved how it dealt with LGBTQ+ rep in such a matter of fact way that just made it so natural in the story. I loved the characters and the setting, and appreciated all the pop culture references. I know those kind of references aren't for everyone, but I felt like it was such a cool window into the character's heads and personalities.
Overall, would recommend if you like contemporary romance and cozy fall vibes! This book made me want to go to a café and listen to Cindi Lauper while watching leaves fall from the trees.
Overall, would recommend if you like contemporary romance and cozy fall vibes! This book made me want to go to a café and listen to Cindi Lauper while watching leaves fall from the trees.
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