Deep Cuts is the kind of story meant to be adapted to the screen, and I can already envisage a comfort watch coming our way. The book has all the soft parts of some recent favourite books: the musical landscape similar to Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Daisy Jones and the Six, the coming-of-age sentiment of Lily King’s Writers and Lovers, the second chance trope like Elissa Sussman’s Funny You Should Ask, the complicated dynamic of Sally Rooney’s Normal People, and Zoe’s existence in the trio reminiscent of Gabrielle Zevin’s Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow.

Deep Cuts is more than just a love letter to the early 2000s music scene. It’s about the songs and the production as much as it is about the subcultures spawned by that music, the obsessions and coming-of-age experiences of those who found solace in music while living through world-changing events, from 9/11 to the recession. The only constant? Music as a means of self-expression, an escape that envelopes you even as you stand at the edge of the world.

I listened to this audiobook out of curiosity, and overall, it was a good experience. The story has a calm pace and really captures that early 2000s atmosphere — the music references, the blogs, the messaging... it gave me a bit of nostalgia.

The relationship between Percy and Joe has chemistry, and there are some genuinely well-done moments between them, especially when they’re creating music together. I liked that dynamic and how emotions blend into the creative process.

That said, there were times when I felt the story lost its way a little or went in circles. It wasn’t the kind of book that had me hooked from start to finish, but I never felt like giving up on it either. Percy is an interesting character, though at times I felt a bit detached from her.

The narration helped a lot — it felt like listening to a real person, with all the contradictions and insecurities that come with life.

In the end, I’m glad I listened to it. It’s not a new favourite, but it gave me things to think about and had some lovely moments.

Brilliant! I loved this book.
The music references were so good, and I loved the way this author writes.
Really interested in what comes next from this author.

Thank you for my copy!

An excellent read. I found myself full invested in this story. The author has an incredible way with just getting the right words and having the correct impact. A must read.

A cross between Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow and a history of cool 2000s music. I loved Percy and this is my ideal type of romance - one with another strong topic running through. ❤️

A great story of two characters in a ‘will-they-won’t-they’ storyline. I loved the music references which is what made the story unique. Thanks for the early read.

Very enjoyable, Daisy Jones esuqe, I gave my review based on the audio version which was really enjoyable

A tormenting “Will they, won’t they” which reminded me of David Nicholls, with a clear love of music which reminded me of “Daisy Jones and the Six”. Unfortunately, I found the main characters of Joe and Percy unlikeable and grating, as well as the marginal characters. I did enjoy the descriptions of the creative process of songwriting though, as well as the setting descriptions and the chance to review and play the many musical references within the novel.

Deep Cuts is a novel that makes you nostalgic for the here and now.

I absolutely loved this book. It felt like a road trip novel where you are able to go along with Joe and Percy as they navigate the world and their emotions. It is the kind of book that you will throw across the room in that will-they-won’t-they beautiful frustration.

Beating at the heart of this book is a love of music. It is so hard to capture that feeling but Holly Brickley does it masterfully.

I loved it!

Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley is available now.

Deep Cuts was one of my most anticipated reads of early 2025, with comparisons made to Sally Rooney's writing style and stories like TJR's Daisy Jones and The Six and Gabrielle Zevin's Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow. And it absolutely lives up to all these comparisons, but Holly Brickley has a voice all of her own.

If I had to categorise Deep Cuts, I guess it would be a kind of slow-burn coming-of-age romance drama. But at the heart of the book is a deep-rooted love of music, so much so that this almost supersedes the characters' love for each other. Music is a major factor in the narrative, to the point where it shapes the story. These characters are obsessed, so this one will definitely appeal to music lovers.

"I think songs gave me a window into a magical life. Something bigger, or whatever waiting out there. And I felt like the only way to get there was through the songs. Like the songs, if I listened hard enough, would show me how to get it right."

The story is about Percy and Joey, who meet at a bar in the early 2000s during their time studying at Berkley. Percy is an English major, Joey an aspiring musician, but they immediately bond over their love of music. A casual conversation leads to a collaboration which spans years, as Joey gradual builds his career as the front-man of a band, and Percy supports him from the side lines as his biggest critic, lyricist, friend and sometimes lover.

"How many different ways is it even possible for the same two people to break each other's hearts?"

As well as telling the story of their relationship, this book is also a story of personal growth. Percy is the focus of the narrative, and she's a sharp, intelligent and complicated woman who is finding her own place in the world at a formative time in her life.

As the two fade in and out of each other's lives, the backdrop of music and the era is a constant character in the story. It's a deeply nostalgic rendering of the early 2000s, and if you grew up or lived in this era too, you're likely to relate. Each chapter is named after a song title, and, as Percy becomes a music writer, there's numerous deep dives into music from this era and popular culture references.

While I enjoyed some music references, I have to admit some went a little over my head. I tried to keep looking up songs with an interesting story behind them, but there was so many that at times this detracted a little from the story. There were also times that I couldn't really relate to Percy, but she does feel flawed and real and at times her small nuggets of insight and reflection hit perfectly.

"Maybe Joe saw me clearly, the way some people can look at an abstract painting and instantly discern the figure."

Overall, this is an intelligent and though-provoking story and it's hard to believe this is a debut. With confident, evocative and moving writing, Brickley effortlessly captures a moment in time and a relationship which feels real.

I thought this sounded brilliant but sadly just couldn’t get into it. It didn’t help that I wasn’t familiar with a lot of the music referenced, so perhaps other readers will take more from it. Not a terrible read - just not one for me.

Almost Famous meets Daisy Jones & The Six meets Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow. Deep Cuts is fuelled by a deep-rooted passion for music and its power to move us, inform us, and change us. A lover of the 90s and 00s music era, this element of the book was so much fun. However, I’d say if you have no interest in the music at all, you might find it hard to really get invested in this story.

As for the characters, I never truly felt like I understood them or connected with them, so it was hard for me to invest in Percy and Joe’s rollercoaster relationship. Truthfully, I can’t even visualise them in my head. I’m sure if I was given more time with the characters, I could grow to love them.

Overall, Deep Cuts is a short and snappy read, dripping with yearning, angst and good music.

I had no idea what to expect from this book, but friends had told me I’d love it and it would make me feel painfully nostalgic for early noughties music. And they were right. But it made me feel painfully nostalgic for so much more. For a life I never had, but wish I did.

I love the way Brickley writes about music and listening to the playlist alongside was one of the best reading experiences I’ve had for a long time.

I didn’t want this book to end, but I couldn’t read it fast enough. It’s smart, sexy, romantic, funny, sad, and it made my heart sing.

This one gave me Normal People, if Connell and Marianne were music heads so it frustrated and intrigued me in the same way. The protagonists are complex and their relationship, at once magnetic and almost toxic kept me on my toes. Though the dynamic between them felt borderline unhealthy, it was still deeply compelling, particularly with Brickley’s beautiful prose and the raw, relatable themes of growing up, grief, ambition, and love.

Set in the vibrant world of music, Deep Cuts immerses you in a world of playlists and behind-the-scenes drama, which I thoroughly enjoyed. It’s not always smooth sailing, and I did feel some parts of the story slipping at times, but the characters and their journey were so intriguing that I couldn’t put it down.

I liked the music setting and the story between Joe and Percy kept me interested. It took me a little while to get into the book, but once I did, the characters felt vivid and real. It’s a sad, emotional book with some powerful moments. Not an easy read, but it stayed with me.

There are some very clever things going on with this book. My absolutely favourite is the vocabulary of music; most of the time I had no idea what the characters were talking about musically but the passion and joy really shone through! From each chapter being named after a song, to musical critique and analysis across nearly every genre…Joe and Percy’s love of music was prolific and contagious. The ‘Will they, Won’t they’ storyline felt somewhat fresh because of the contemporary barriers and events. This felt new.
I’m giving it four stars because it was a great holiday read but I spent most of the book hating Percy and Joe and then realised too late how invested I was!

Thanks to NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Never a fan of comparison but it does feel almost impossible not to think of Daisy Jones when reading this one. As someone who actually wasn't a fan of that book, I found this one was also hit and miss. It landed at times but I truly couldn't stand our lead characters which makes it tough. These two are messy and complicated and often set out to hurt each other. Maybe not appealing but it does feel real. The storytelling was solid with excellent pacing. It has a lot to say about making music - the process, the inspiration, the industry.

I found it quite funny that the SECOND I finished this book, my immediate first thought was 'fuck me this needs to be some kind of film or TV show', only to find out moments later that it had already been picked up for an adaptation. Make me a producer now, please and thanks.
I really enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would. I thought it would be pretentious and a little shallow and, although I'm still not convinced that that isn't totally true, it still worked really well. The pacing and storytelling were wonderfully effective and honestly, all it really needed was the music and the sounds it kept referencing. I think an audio-visual version of it can only be better.
Not necessarily the biggest fan of the way it ends, fast, in an unjustified but perfectly wrapped up little bow, but it doesn't matter. In my mind, this book had everything going against it - cheesy cliches, pretentious characters, frustrating back and forths, and, despite it all, it was a really really enjoyable read.

First of all, Deep Cuts is a brilliant book title for this bittersweet and music-inspired love story.

A testament to the power of lyrics and melody, Deep Cuts felt at times more like a cultural commentary on the ever evolving music industry and the rise of influencers on the scene. I would have added a playlist which would have added a dimension to the experience of reading this novel.

At times, I felt my attention wandering, and at one point I did almost DNF Deep Cuts. But I'm glad I didn't. The will they, won't they relationship between Joe and Percy was the thread that kept me going. Connected by their passion for music, it is also this passion that fuels their discord.

As they move closer, then distance themselves again, Joe and Percy undoubtedly hurt one another. Love is not always, or even often, a simple path to navigate. But even during times of estrangement, there's a connection that is never completely severed.

This isn't a sweet and simple love story. It's a messy and complex unfolding. But it is this that makes it a more interesting and at times, challenging read.

Deep Cuts is the story of the relationship between Joe & Percy who become friends at university largely through their mutual love of music. Joe is the singer/songwriter where as Percy is more the critical friend/inspiration in their relationship. The book follows the ups and downs of their relationship coupled with Joe trying to make it in the music industry. The backdrop is the music of the late 1990s and early 2000s - a time when I was at university myself so quite a lot of the musical references were familiar. There was a lot that was quite a bit over my head but I’m sure there are many pop culture and musical Easter eggs that I missed that people would love.
I had high hopes for this book as I’d heard it was a bit One Day meets Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Daisy Jones & The Six thrown in. I see some of the similarities but for me the characters didn’t grab me and affect me in the same way Gabrielle Zevin’s characters did and that was based in a world I have very little knowledge of.
I found Deep Cuts a slow burner - it was the last quarter that I found I enjoyed the most. It is, however, a book that would go down well with a lot of people and I’m a little sad I didn’t love it more than I did because it’s a worthy debut novel. Having said that it probably warrants a re-read at some point.