Playlist for a Broken Heart by Cathy Hopkins


Playlist for a Broken Heart
Written by Cathy Hopkins
Published May 2014
288 Pages
Thank you to Simon and Schuster Australia
When Paige finds an old mix CD in a local charity shop, she can't help but wonder about the boy who made it and the girl he was thinking of when he chose the songs. The tracks tell the story of a boy looking for his perfect girl, a girl to understand him, a story of being alone, being let down, misunderstood and not knowing where to turn.

Following the clues of the music, Paige sets out to find the mysterious boy, going from gig to gig and band to band, hoping to track him down. But will who she finds at the end of the trail, be the boy she's imagined?
After winning the role of Juliet alongside Alex, fifteen year old Paige Lord finally has an excuse to talk to the boy she has pined for all year. Not only does he know her name, but as the two finally share a moment, Paige's world comes crashing down. No, her parents aren't getting a divorce, they're moving from London to Bath, where Alex is originally from. The Lord family are on the verge of bankruptcy, their opulent home now put on the market, luxurious cars have been sold and they are now moving in with relatives Paige barely knows in a small house already containing six others. Life couldn't get any worse.

Paige is forced to share a bedroom with the antisocial Tasmin, her cousin who too has now lost her privacy. With most of her possessions in storage, Paige is finding it difficult to adjust. When her aunt and mother drag her into a second hand store, she finds a handmade mixed CD hidden beneath the shelves. Labelled only as Songs For Sarah, the cover gives little away to who created the CD, or who Sarah is. Listening to the handpicked tracks, Paige feels a sense of belonging, each song representing a part of how she's feeling. She can't help but feel a connection to the boy who created the disc and the intrigue drives her to find him. But where do you start?

Along with cousin Tasmin and friend Clover, the girls begin the search for the boy that seems to be as illusive as he is romantic, and Paige begins to release that her new circumstances may not be so bad after all. She has a new friend in FB, a boy who shares her love of art, a nemesis in Niall, who may be more than the womaniser he seems to be, and Alex, who returns to his former stomping ground. But with a new look and outlook on life, Paige isn't the same girl she was when she reluctantly left London. Her family now live in a small flat, have a plan to rise from financial ruin and a boy to find. But when more than one boy claims to have created the playlist that has mended her broken heart, how will she know which one is telling the truth?

My Thoughts


I absolutely adore lighthearted, fluffy adventure reads, and Playlist for a Broken Heart was just what I needed for a cold and dull weekend. The premise reminded me of Dash and Lily, where an inanimate object has the characters on an adventure to uncover who the person behind it is, but it was more about Paige and a coming of age story where she learns to let go and live a new life. Paige is a sweet character, he world had just been turned upside down, and although her parents refuse to provide her with what exactly happened, it's not long until she accepts that her life needs to change. I really felt for her, she's at the tender age of fifteen and finally shares a moment with the boy she believes could be The One, and leaves everything that makes her who she is behind. New house where she has no space, new school and trying to keep her chin up, it's no wonder the Songs For Sarah soon became an obsession. The CD represented all the feelings she needs to reign in for the sake of her parents, and feels alone in a house full of chaos. 

Through Paige's story, we see glimpses of the boy who was in love with Sarah and how the CD came about. Known only as Mystery Boy, the mix was created to show Sarah how he felt, but now Paige see's the thrift store find as a soundtrack to her feelings. I loved when she began searching for the Mystery Boy, but sadly the storyline seemed to lose it's way when her cousin and friend Tamsin and Clover became involved. Suddenly there were makeovers and busking in the street as the magic of the search started to dwindle. I was really enjoying it up until that point, but it felt like needless fill. 

But as the search finally comes to a head, Paige has narrowed it down through the music on the CD and Facebook searches, but Mystery Boy isn't the only one claiming the CD is his work. Paige had already decided who she wanted, so I was more than happy to see that she didn't settle for the romantic premise that Mystery Boy provided, all too aware throughout the book that she had fallen for an idea, not an actual person.

I really enjoyed it, it was a fun, quick read that early teens will love and young adult lovers will cherish. Junior Chick Lit at it's funnest. 

19 comments

  1. This sounds like a perfect summer read! Great review and I will put this book on my summer wish list!

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    1. It really is Lavender. I think you'll enjoy this one, it's really quite sweet.

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  2. I'm gravitating towards fluffy, contemporary reads of late so this one sounds perfect for that! I can see why certain aspects of the book lagged a bit, sometimes books like this don't need added aspects other than the main storyline, adding more would just feel like filler. Nevertheless, I'm glad you ended up enjoying this Kelly! I do like the premise and Paige sounds like a really likable character! Will def check thi out :)

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    1. It's really cute, and perfect for young teens. I love these fluffy ones, especially when you're sliding into a book funk. They're generally really fun and funny, and this one certainly fits that criteria.

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  3. Ngawww this sounds exactly like the type of book I need in my life right now :) I adore lighthearted and fluffy reads so hopefully I can get myself a copy soon! Lovely review, Kelly<3

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    1. Thanks Shirley. It's just fun. I'm going to try to squeeze more of these light contemporary reads in, they really are good for the soul.

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  4. "all too aware throughout the book that she had fallen for an idea, not an actual person." - I've had the same realization before. I thought I liked a boy, because he was well-read, he travels, and he writes well, but in the end, he was just an idea. :)

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    1. It's a hard one isn't it. Paige has this vision of the Mystery Boy being this romantic knight in shining armor, and he'll sweep her off her feet. She built up this image in her head. But even though she realised that this vision of the Mystery Boy wasn't real, she still didn't settle either.

      As long as your idea can be tweaked *winks in an inconspicuous manner*

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  5. This sounds absolutely adorable! I love an occasional light read once in a while, and this sounds like just the one. Definitely going to have to pick a copy of this up ASAP! Thanks for sharing Kelly, and, as always, BRILLIANT review! <3

    ~ Zoe @ The Infinite To-Read Shelf

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    1. Thanks Zoe. It's just so light and fluffy. It loses it's way a bit when it strays more to concentrate on the friendship between the girls, but still well worth the read.

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  6. Ohhh, this sounds exactly what I need at the moment! I'm currently going through a bad reading slump and this light fluffy read sounds just what I need! I'll make a note to bump it up my tbr pile for sure!
    765th GFC follower!! I feel special ;)

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    1. It must be the time of year for book funks Ella, quite a few bloggers around the globe are going through the same thing. This one is really fun, but for a book slump, I'd definitely recommend Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. Still fun, but thought provoking and really emotional.

      Thanks for following.

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  7. It sounds very summery and fluffy. It kinda creeps me out that she sets out a search to find this "mystery boy" but I think its a nice read if you want something light and easy. :D

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    1. It was probably the best part in the book Jules. I so wanted it to turn into a Dash and Lily type adventure, where she would follow the bands on the disc and discover who the creator was. It fell short, but still a nice, fun read.

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  8. You mentioning Dash and Lily reminds me that I need to re-read that one soonish :P

    This sounds so cute and fluffy though! :D It sounds like something I'd love when I am in the mood for cute contemporary reads! I have to say though... that cover ugh. .-. (Sorry I totally judge books by their covers.. DONT JUDGE ME FOR BEING JUDGEMENTAL)

    Fantastic review, Kelly and I am so glad you enjoyed this!! :)

    Rashika @ The Social Potato

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    1. I completely agree little Hooter, a makeover would put this book on so many more shelves. I'm the same, I love a pretty cover for contemporaries.

      I loved Dash and Lily, one of my favourites. Love that adventure type contemporaries, but there are so few around now sadly.

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  9. This book sounds adorable! Thanks for sharing! I'm not a fan of love triangles, but your review says she knows who she wants so I'm interested in finally reading a book with a heroine who uses her brain. I hope she doesn't get swayed into choosing something different. Fabulous review! :)

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    1. Thanks Monique. I really liked that she wasn't actually involved with any of them while she was weighing up her options either.

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  10. I have enjoyed books where music is the focus, such as Maybe Someday, This Song Will Save Your Life and some others and this one sounds like a cute one too. Thanks for sharing lovely!

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