I saw ‘Deep Cuts’ recommended as a debut novel of the year in Red Magazine – so was delighted to be granted an advance review copy by NetGalley. Here’s the blurb:

“The first time Joe plays Percy one of his songs in his college room in 2000, she instantly realises three things:
One, she is watching a star in the making.
Two, she can shape his music into something extraordinary.
Three, she will always be on the sidelines.
She swallows her jealousy and throws herself into collaboration, transforming Joe’s songs into indie hits with her blistering critiques.
But there’s an undercurrent to the music they’re making – something undeniably electric, hurtling towards love. And then, almost inevitably, towards heartbreak.
As Joe steps into the spotlight, can Percy bear to watch on in silence?
And can he exist there without her?
Deep Cuts is an irresistible novel about passion and obsession, love and longing and, above all, our need to be heard.“

The book starts with Percy and Joe at college. I wouldn’t say it’s immediately obvious when this is – until the musical references start (and 9/11 happens during the timeline of the book). I have to say it made me feel a bit uneducated about the late 90s early 2000s music scene – I knew some of the bands references – such a No Doubt – and whilst I could name you their commercially successful tracks like ‘Don’t Speak’ or ‘Just A Girl’ – the book focussed on more obscure tracks. This happened for many of the referenced artists – and perhaps someone a bit more nerdy about music than me, and maybe slightly younger, would have enjoyed that, I was spent wondering if they were real tracks or made up specifically for the book.

Each time you revisit Percy and Joe, or Percy and not Joe, you’re left wondering if they will get together. Both have other partners throughout the book too – but you always feel like they’re ‘the one that got away’ for each other.

You really feel Percy growing up over the course of the book – getting older, if not necessarily wiser – and the different US locations are well described, and fit well with Percy’s various circumstances.

I’d read a review that said Deep Cuts was ideal for fans of Daisy Jones and the Six – and I can see the reference point music wise, similar it’s been likened to ‘One Day’ – and with the main characters meeting up over a long timeline – I can also see that comparison (albeit Percy and Joe aren’t meeting on the same day each year).

Overall I enjoyed the book – but I wonder if I am slightly too old to LOVE it. I also wonder if I had super high expectations as it had been described as THE debut novel of 2025. A good read, particularly if you’re a music fan – and out tomorrow (13 March 2025) if you like the sound of it.

Many thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for my ARC.