THE MIXTAPE

A musician and a single mother battle their inner demons.

Oliver Smith and his twin, Alex, were world-famous pop stars until six months ago, when Alex was killed in a car accident. Oliver self-medicates with alcohol and can't find solace in music because it reminds him of his brother. Nevertheless, he agrees to a solo performance after being pressured by his selfish girlfriend to resume his career. He flees the concert venue in a panic and ends up at a dive bar where single mother Emery Taylor works as a server. Emery is estranged from her conservative, religious parents and is struggling to make ends meet, having dropped out of culinary school after her daughter, Reese, was born five years ago. Emery is star-struck when she recognizes Oliver but is quickly disappointed by his rudeness and hard drinking. Oliver’s scuffle with the crowd in the bar is posted to social media, and the paparazzi arrive. Unable to leave her idol in such a condition, Emery decides to take him home since her daughter is safe overnight with a neighbor. Deeply intoxicated, Oliver vomits all over her car, pees in her houseplant, and passes out. When Oliver learns the incident caused Emery to lose her job, he’s ashamed and decides to hire her as his personal chef. After this rough beginning, the book meanders through Emery’s life as a single mother and the return of her domineering, unsupportive family. The romance is a barely-there afterthought, as the novel focuses instead on Oliver and Emery forgiving themselves for past mistakes and trying to heal. Although Cherry might have been aiming for an angst-y, emotional romance, weak characterization and plotting don't provide enough fuel to keep readers invested.

A blend of romance and the personal journey misses its mark.