A guarded punk-rocker-turned-barista meets a big-hearted sound tech who charms his way into her life and helps her revisit her musical past in this truly charming, cozy romance. Perfect for fans of The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez, Wreck the Halls by Tessa Bailey, pumpkin spice and oversized scarves.

Allie felt her shoulders relax as she slid her favorite microphone into the stand and plugged its cord into her tiny soundboard. . . . Music wasn’t what had failed her. It was everything else that came with it . . .

Allie Andrews gave up on the music world ten years ago. No wild tours, no late nights, no career-ending inter-band blowouts. Just day after comfortable day of working in her aunt's café in Brooklyn and recording '80s cover songs in her tiny apartment. The last thing she wants, or expects, is to be recognized as former punk rocker Allie Jetski. But a last-minute coffee delivery lands her face to face with the big, charming, handsome (and quite possibly number one fan of the Jetskis) Ryan Abernathy.

Ryan isn't about to forget meeting the lead singer of one of his favorite bands. Undeterred by her prickly demeanor, he sets his mind to helping Allie find her way back to the Jetskis—so she can come to terms with what happened all those years ago. Allie finds Ryan hard to resist, and her quiet life is turned upside down as she is swept up in a whirlwind hunt for her old bandmates.

But when Aunt Mindy announces that she's decided to sell the café, Allie is faced with a life-altering choice: play it safe and take over the business, or risk opening herself up to a future in music . . . and maybe even love.

Jennifer Whiteford's profile page

JENNIFER WHITEFORD (she/her) lives in Ottawa, Ontario, with her partner, children, dog and record collection. She writes regularly for Razorcake, a long-standing punk publication. She was also a founding member of the "all girl, all rock" band Sophomore Level Psychology. With those rock 'n roll days behind her, she now mostly stays home and reads. Find her on Instagram at @jenniferwhitefordwrites.

“With pitch-perfect ‘80s music notes and laugh-out-loud moments, Make Me a Mixtape is a rewind-worthy read! I was cheering for Allie and Ryan on every page, and wanting to make a mixtape by the end of the book.” —Chantel Guertin, bestselling author of It Happened One Christmas

"Whiteford seamlessly blends an irresistible romance with tender-hearted nostalgia. With its cozy charm, Make Me a Mixtape serves as a heartfelt ode to rediscovery and embracing the unexpected." —Amy Lea, internationally bestselling author of The Catch
"Like a perfectly crafted mixtape, this book has it all—a bit of a mystery around what happened with the Jetskis after the band broke up; an adult coming-of-age story as Allie connects with a found family and figures out what she wants from life; and a slow, genuine friendship building between Allie and Ryan, filled with a shared love of music and inside jokes and obvious caring. I was so invested in them getting together and with such thoughtful, nuanced characterization, it's like I know them personally! Sometimes you have a comforting song you want to put on anytime you want to feel something, and that's Jennifer Whiteford's Make Me a Mixtape." —Alicia Thompson, USA Today bestselling author of With Love, from Cold World

"Make Me a Mixtape is packed full of witty banter, the best music references and an amazing, vibrant cast of characters. I loved complicated, talented and a little bit surly Allie, a former punk rocker struggling to come to terms with her past while figuring out what to do next with her life. Ryan is a complete cinnamon-roll who admires, supports and challenges Allie to be her best self. I was rooting for these two music-nerds from the first page! —Farah Heron, author of Jana Goes Wild and Accidentally Engaged
"An absolute delight! Whiteford's combination of a Black Cat girlfriend and Golden Retriever boyfriend with a witty and vivid voice create a charming romance. Make Me A Mixtape feels nostalgic and left me with that same warmth you get from putting on your favorite vinyl record.” —Ruby Barrett, author of The Friendship Study