The Mixtape to my Life - Jake Martinez

Date of Reading: 12/06/2020

Author: Jake Martinez

Publisher: Deep Hearts YA

Publication Date: March 27, 2020

Source: YA Bound Book Tours

Rating: 4/5

About the book:

Justin Ortega might as well be starring in his very own coming-of-age 80s movie. If only he could find his dream boy to pull up in front of his house in a red convertible and sweep him off his feet, already! At seventeen years young, he isn’t quite Mexican enough for his South Texas town; isn’t manly enough for his father; can sometimes be too much of a smart mouth for his mother, and as for the other kids at school—let’s just say he’d be cast as the quiet nerd with a heart of gold…and an ear for music.

The one solace Justin has is his love of 80s hair metal bands, which he listens to on his beloved Sony Walkman. The songs, lyrics, and melody keep him just sane enough to escape the pressures of school and help navigate the hurdles life brings. Especially with the doozy this year is shaping up to be. Not only does he have to try out for a captain position which is rightfully his, but his best friend has found a new girlfriend, leaving Justin to fend for himself in a school where he’s mostly known as simply Coconut.

Enter Dominic Mendoza. Sweet, funny, and a blast from his past, the hunky football player has moved in next door. Justin could never forget how Dominic protected him in the eighth grade, nor the way Dominic made him feel, then…and now.

Except, this isn’t a movie. Confusion, friendship, and love won’t guarantee a happy ending unless Justin can learn to accept himself for who he truly is. Hairbands and all.

Review:

     I do love coming-of-age stories. The unpredictable future, pressure from peers and the desire for recognition . . . teenage years are the worst. Sigh! But you are going to be a hard nut to crack once you successfully manage to thwart the crisis. Quite predictably reading these stories never fail to produce in me the satisfying smirk of a veteran. 

     This is the story of Justin Ortega, who as per his teacher's opinion cannot even pronounce his name correctly. In other words, he is called a coconut. His only comfort is his music, at least no taunts can be heard if you play it loud enough. Being gay and not manly enough for his father is just another nail to the coffin. Yup! Pretty much everything sucks for him until his dream guy makes a reappearance.

       Set in 1994, we are exposed to a society that is not tolerant of gays. But there is no outdated feeling either since the situation is still the same in many parts of the world. I would have loved their stories to be expanded a bit more but the 190 pages novel still gives you a glimpse of the struggles the couple goes through. Their rebellious acts can be termed immature, but considering the circumstances, that is predictable. 

       I really enjoyed this quick read and the 80's songs that permeate throughout the story was a real bonus. A teenage boy standing up for himself is always a pleasure to watch. Happy reading!

Meet the author:

Jacob Martinez is a former South Texas resident who has found a new home in Chicago. He has been writing all his life but has only recently sought to be published. His debut novel, The Mixtape to My Life, reflects on life as a gay teen growing up in South Texas. Martinez holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Texas – RGV, and also loves to write plays and screenplays. A Learning Designer by day, you also can find him hanging out at home with his husband, their newborn son, and an eclectic group of fur babies.