Publisher: Bantam Press
Release date: 23 January 2020
Back cover blurb: Daniel was the first boy to make Alison a mix tape. But that was years ago and Ali hasn’t thought about him in a very long time. Even if she had, she might not have called him ‘the one that got away’; she’d been the one to run away, after all. Then Dan’s name pops up on her phone, with a link to a song from their shared past. For two blissful minutes, Alison is no longer an adult in Adelaide with temperamental daughters; she is sixteen in Sheffield, dancing in her too-tight jeans. She cannot help but respond in kind. And so begins a new mix tape. Ali and Dan exchange songs – some new, some old – across oceans and time zones, across a lifetime of different experiences, until one of them breaks the rules and sends a message that will change everything… Because what if ‘what could have been’ is still to come?
Novels featuring music as a theme or focus, always feature fairly highly on my 'to be read' pile. Music is a huge part of my life, equally if not more than books and reading, so this novel really appealed to me.
Mix Tape is a beautifully written account of teenage love, heartbreak and the challenges of adult life.
Alison Cooper is a famous novelist, settled with her family in Adelaide, Australia, miles away from her teenage life and love Daniel Lawrence. The pair parted in their teens when Alison was convinced to leave her broken family, but couldn't tell Daniel the reasons why.
Daniel Lawrence is a successful music journalist living with his partner and Son in Scotland who learns of Alison Cooper's success when his Mother gifts his partner her best selling novel. Daniel hasn't thought about Alison in years, but suddenly seeing her name and author's photograph takes him on a journey back to 1970's Sheffield where the two were largely inseparable.
He has never quite gotten over her leaving and spontaneously contacts her with a link to a song via Twitter. She responds with a shared favourite of theirs and the two message back and forth until Daniel sends Alison a message that will change both of their lives forever.
Without giving too much away, and you can call me an old romantic if you must ... but I do believe that some things are meant to be, and Alison and Daniel's story isn't as unbelievable as some critics have said. I thoroughly enjoyed Mix Tape, and it kind of makes me want to go back to being a teenager and hoping that someone I fancy will make me a tape!
As a bit of a footnote, there is an official Mix Tape spotify playlist for anyone not familiar with the songs. Definitely recommended as a accompaniment!
Mix Tape is available via Amazon online and all good book shops.
Thank You to the publishers who approved my request via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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