Deep Cuts is an incredibly beautifully crafted book. It touches on creativity,, authenticity, innovation, passion, love, collaboration and obsession. Written is with such honesty, electricity and intensity it is an irresistible read. The reading hours passed and the time was not noticeable, What stands out is how timeless this story is and how relevant it is today.. This debut novel is a masterpiece. Joe is a star. Percy can bring out the very best in him and shape his music into something very special. How will they work with the tensions and dilemmas in their relationship?

You don't have to be a music geek to love this book (although it probably helps). The characters, the interactions, theprose - this book just works on so many levels.

Firstly, I’d like to extend my gratitude to HarperCollins UK and HarperFiction for granting me access to this ARC. The writing itself was exceptional, showcasing a talented author. However, I struggled to connect with the characters, which hindered my overall experience. The premise of young love intertwined with music, presenting an almost perfect romance with a soulmate and a satisfying ending, is undoubtedly appealing and could be exactly what many readers are searching for. Despite this, I found the pacing a bit too slow for my taste. This is simply my personal opinion and doesn’t imply that others wouldn’t enjoy it. I rated it a 4 because the writing was truly remarkable, and the storytelling was well-crafted. Yet, I felt the characters fell short of being the strongest aspect of the book.

Absolutely brilliant, loved it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me an advance copy, I will definitely be recommending.

Let me start by saying I went from 4* to 5* and then back to 4*. The only reason it jumped to four stars is because the ending was perfect – by that I mean it ended exactly the way I wanted it to. Although that’s a wonderful thing, the novel on a whole had something that made it slightly miss the mark. Therefore, I’m settling on 4/ 4.5 stars.

I love a college almost-romance. The sexual tension, the will-they-won’t-they?, the easy repartee between two people who are meant to be together but don’t know how to be. This had all of that alongside all the craziness that comes with someone that has too much book intelligence and not enough emotional intelligence. I suppose this comes with the Ivy league stereotype. Or just the stereotype of teenagers trying to find themselves. Either way, I found the main character a little bit frustrating at times. That’s just part of her characterisation.

Music was a huge part of this novel and it was fab that the feelings/ emotions were able to be explored through this music. I felt glad that I at least knew some of the references otherwise I can imagine this might have been quite alienating for a reader. Overall, a good friendship/ love story sustained through an easy and transparent writing style by Holly Brickley which felt easily nostalgic for a time we all wish we could have done slightly differently in the moment but ends up being exactly the way it’s meant to be in the end.

Really enjoyed the journey with the characters and I look forward to reading other stories by Brickley in the future.

I did love this initially when I started reading it, especially the main three characters but eventually the huge sections of the book that go off on a tangent into music just really started to bore me!

Deep Cuts is an interesting literally fiction book. It follows main characters Percy and Joe as they work together on his music at college and their ongoing relationship over the years. There is a heavy influence of music throughout this book and as someone who does not have a huge knowledge/interest in music I did initially find this a bit off-putting. I'm sure there will be readers who love this aspect but unfortunately this was not for me and I found myself skimming the longer sections of music content. That said I'm glad I stuck with it as although I found the first third of the book a bit slow I really connected with the characters and their development in the second half of the book. I did find myself rooting for the characters and getting immersed in their story. The book is a well written character driven novel with realistic characters who were sometimes unlikeable and a bit infuriating but ultimately made for great development and an addictive read.

I have such mixed feelings about this book in the best way - I was so frustrated by the characters but in love with the writing and storytelling!

Percy and Joe have this invisible string relationship (if you could even call it that) set on the backdrop of a passion for listening, creating and critiquing music. Following their journey over the years since they meet at college transitioning into the real world of 00's America.

It felt nostalgic to have their story set to the music of the time but it did feel like at some point the music was the main character of the story (this might be your thing). At first, Percy felt like a sort of Rory Gilmore style character with her music passion filtering into her life but there was a nice departure from this archetype into someone who want to see the world through music. I wasn't sure on Joe's character but found that he the person that life happens to - they're in the right place at the right time for the adventure. The interactions between the the FMC and MMC are interesting and I only wish we got to see more of that - especially at the tail end of the story. But the star of the book for me was Zoe! I really loved her development and her character's path. I would loved to have seen more of her.

Overall, a really lovely read with a good hook and would be a warming read to anyone with a interest of the music of the time!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

'Deep Cuts' by Holly Brickley is a novel set in, and heavily influenced by, the music of the early 2000's. Percy is a girl who connects deeply with the music she listens to, but struggles to make connections with other people; while Joe has an easy charm and charisma, but events in his childhood continue to impact on him. The two find each other in a bar in Berkley, and bond over their shared musical tastes, but the friendship they develop over the following years is tumultuous.

Brickley clearly knows her music. At times I found Percy's 'essays' on the subject, which pepper the novel, a confusing interruption to the narrative. However, as the book carried on they really helped me as a reader to understand her, and as a result the story had a deeper emotional impact on me. I also enjoyed finding the playlist from the novel. I was at university at the same this novel is set and, whilst that was in the UK, I could relate to some of the neuroses of the time, alongside the music. I have to say it was a bit confronting to see this novel described as 'historical fiction'. Overall I really enjoyed it, and would recommend it.

very steamy and freaky reads from various authors! need to reread again so I can understand some of the positions again.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.

I read the blurb and really liked the premise of this book, and popped it straight onto my TBR list.

Unfortunately I did find the ‘niche’ (used incredibly loosely. Although I imagine the author would see it that way) music references endless, irritating, and patronising. The same could be said when discussing the protagonist quite frankly.

I was expecting a story based around the love/shared love of music. This doesn’t seem to be the case, instead we received a fairly in depth knowledge about how much the author knows about music.

I didn’t hate it, I certainly wouldn’t recommend it, and I’m upset I moved other books down the list to make way for this one.

Deep Cuts has stayed with me for a while after finishing it. I can see why it's been compared to Tomorrow x3 and High Fidelity but at the same time it isn't quite like either book.

At times, while reading, I wasn't sure if I liked either of the main characters because they frustrated me. This is a sure sign that I am invested in the characters if I begin to react emotionally to their actions.

I am not a music geek by any stretch of the imagination but I didn't feel excluded from any of the references to bands and tracks in the book. I'm certain that someone more knowledgeable will get even more enjoyment from it.

I do remember the Twin Towers coming down and that period of time was well written.

I enjoyed it a great deal and recommend it to others.

If you’re a fan of One Day and love stories told through time, Deep Cuts will be for you.

If you’re also a fan of Daisy Jones and the Six - not only the music, but the tension between Daisy and Billy, then you’ll love this story even more.

Told through an impressive playlist of music spanning several decades, Deep Cuts is a tale of collaboration, jealousy, friendship and love.

Percy and Joe have quite the meet-cute and begin to collaborate on Joe’s music. But, outside factors like Joe’s ever-growing career and Percy’s struggle to find her place in the world, drive them apart.

You could quite easily make Deep Cuts an immersive experience by listening to the songs as they are mentioned - everything from The Smiths to OutKast.

The lyricism and musical knowledge is really impressive and well researched.

The setting feels nostalgic and warm as we follow Percy and Joe from being students at Berkeley, to New York, and back to California again.

This is a beautiful story and a remarkable debut. I could easily imagine it being picked up for a film or series.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book which I didn’t expect as I started reading because I’m not as obsessed with music as Percy is. I’m not sure I like Percy as a main character but I was invested in her story of growth and the almost relationship with Joe. If you’re a huge music fan you’ll definitely like this as it is littered with music and song references throughout (I’ll be buying it for my bf just for this fact alone, I know he’ll be obsessed). (Side note Holly can we get a deep cuts playlist pls). I really enjoyed Percy and Zoe’s relationship as well, maybe even more than the actual romantic relationship. I think this book being compared to daisy jones and the six is kinda accurate but maybe throwing one day in the mix as well for the will they, won’t they aspect? It’s not a straightforward romance but I think that’s why I liked it. Thank you to NetGalley for this arc!

A story about friendship and love, centered around music.
Intense attraction whilst discussing music, songs, styles and meanings. Not straight forward but intense.
You will fall in love with the characters and their development as they leave college and find careers.
A must for music lovers.

Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley is a heartbreakingly nostalgic novel, full of great songs and interesting characters.

Joey and Percy meet at college in the year 2000, bonding over a love of music. Together they start writing songs; Joey the performer and Percy the songwriter. With Joey’s passion and Percy’s knowledge of what makes a good song, they create a winning team. Unsurprisingly Joey becomes a star and Percy is left on the sidelines.

Deep Cuts is a character driven novel that follows a complicated relationship over the years. We see the protagonist, Percy grow over this time and realise her own self worth. It is a wonderful love story to music, which captured the music scene of the time.

I loved this book and I would recommend it to those who enjoyed Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, Daisy Jones and the Six and I Love You, I love you, I love you. Thank-you NetGalley and The Borough Press for providing me with this ARC.

Absolutely obsessed with this book, I practically read it in a day! The fact that I actually allowed myself so much space and time to read shows how engrossed I was in this world.

When Percy an English major at Berkley, meets Joey an aspiring musician in a bar in the 2000's and they start to discuss music, it leads to Percy collaborating with Joey on his music, being his critic and ultimately part of his relationship with his girlfriend Zoe, when they form a misfit trio, with lots of tension and passion.

The brilliant use of song titles as chapter headings, the grabbing my phone every time a song and artist was mentioned to play alongside my reading as the soundtrack to the book, listening to songs with a new perspective, through someone else's experience, to being transported back to the early 2000's and all that had to offer (so many similarities between what was described in the book and my lived experience in the UK), the bands, the era, the coming of age in that time, it all feels so perfectly captured.

It's within the romance genre, but it's more than a romance book about a girl falling for the musician, it's about said girl learning to love herself and others along the way too.

Being a fan of music and having grown up with it in every part of my life, from a lot of different influences I really loved the deep dive into the songs and geeking out.

For me this was a wonderful nod to a life and era I can relate to and I hope that translates to other age groups.

If you enjoyed Daisy and the Six then I think you'll enjoy this rollercoaster of a love letter to music, whilst also being a book about personal growth.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.

‘Deep Cuts’ from Holly Brickley is an exceptional debut novel that perfectly captures the intersection of music, love, and the messy, complicated journey of self-discovery.

Set against the backdrop of Berkeley in the late '90s and early 2000s, the story centres on Percy, an English major who's spent most of her life struggling with relationships and searching for a sense of belonging. She meets Joe, an aspiring musician, and his politically driven, punk girlfriend Zoe, and together they form a unique trio that explores not only the dynamics of their bond but also the music that shapes their lives.

What sets ‘Deep Cuts’ apart is Brickley's remarkable ability to infuse the narrative with the visceral power of music. Though Percy claims she has no musical talent, her connection to the craft lies in her ability to offer sharp, thoughtful criticism — an intuitive knack that she uses to help Joe shape his music. Even for readers unfamiliar with some of the specific musical references, the emotional resonance of music in the novel is undeniable. Music isn't just a backdrop here; it is woven into the fabric of the characters' lives, their growth, and their struggles. Percy's reflections on how she uses music to process her emotions lend the novel a unique depth, making the story feel both intensely personal and universal.

The relationships in ‘Deep Cuts’ are portrayed with a raw, authentic energy. The slow-burning, will-they-won’t-they romance between Percy and Joe is fraught with tension, as both are equally passionate about music and each other but struggle to reconcile their desires with their personal ambitions. As Percy navigates the MFA program and Joe commits more fully to his music, their relationship ebbs and flows in a way that feels entirely true to life — messy, imperfect, and full of growth. Zoe’s role as the political activist offers another layer to the dynamic, and her presence in their lives leads to both personal growth and painful emotional reckonings.

While some might find themselves lost in the deeper cuts of the music references, the heart of the story is accessible to anyone who has ever felt adrift in the search for identity, purpose, or connection. ‘Deep Cuts’ explores the ache of unfulfilled dreams, the bittersweet nature of youth, and the complicated beauty of relationships. It’s a book that doesn’t neatly tie up every loose end, but that’s part of its charm — life doesn’t come with all the answers, and neither does this story. The ending is open, leaving readers to reflect on what happens next for Percy and her friends as they continue to carry their emotional baggage and navigate the next chapters of their lives.

For fans of ‘Daisy Jones & the Six’, ‘Deep Cuts’ will likely strike a chord, though the use of music and its relationship to the characters feels distinctly different. If you enjoy novels that blend personal growth with a deep love for music, this book is a must-read. Prepare for an emotional rollercoaster and, perhaps, a few tears along the way.

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc.

I read this book avidly and as someone who spent her informative years around bands/gigs and music journalists I enjoyed the geekiness of the setting. I sadly never warmed to Percy as a main character and spent most of it willing her to be a kinder human being but then again, flawed and unpleasant main characters are in many ways more interesting than 'nice' ones! An enjoyable read which led to me spending a fair amount of time on Spotify playing bands that I hadn't heard of before as my Indie music scene was the British one. Loved the passages about Pulp!

I liked the premise of this book and enjoyed probably 70% of it,

That said, I found the endless ‘niche’ musical references were overdone and patronising- so much so, I skimmed through entire paragraphs. I felt we’ve all had that one friend who was a total music bore - and this was the main protagonist in a nutshell.

I felt overall it needed more story and less showing off about ‘how much I know about music’.

The ending was also a bit flimsy and not particularly satisfying.

In summary, it was an ok read but I doubt I’d recommend it to friends.