Reviews

The Backtrack by Erin La Rosa

daniallreads's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

mv_reads's review against another edition

4.5

"The Backtrack" by Erin LaRosa impressed me with its unique twist on a familiar concept, using timeline hops through a playlist to allow Sam to reflect on past events and "what ifs" while staying in the present. I particularly enjoyed how Sam was able to involve [name redacted] in her experiences, helping them understand what she was seeing. However, the book skimmed over some heavy familial issues and resolved them too easily, which detracted slightly from the overall impact, earning it a half-star deduction.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing me this ARC in exchange for my honest review. 

jess_bythebook's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Time travel, second chance romance, and a wonderful feminist twist. We’ve all had those “what if” moments and this book dives straight into the deep end of that rabbit hole. It starts slow, but man did it end strong! 

 

Sam needs to get out of her small town and she’ll do anything to achieve her goal - including turning down her high school crush. But years later when she has to return to her small hometown, she starts to wonder if maybe she made a mistake. What would have happened if she took that leap? What would have happened if she stayed?

This one hit home in so many ways. I loved the magic of seeing the past in a different perspective as well as the fantastic supporting characters. Like 13 Going on 30 (but in reverse), this book is a love letter to our younger selves. 

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

laurenabayne's review against another edition

medium-paced

3.25

Solid premise, but the characters left this book with much to be desired.

A magical CD player that shows a life that could have been with the one that got away? One that shows a life that isn't entirely perfect, where dreams fall through and relationships are tried, but you still have a person you love? Phenomenal. The addition of early 2000s emo music? Even better. Add in a dash of "it's always been you," and you've got a perfect recipe.

Alas, the characters were just...not it. They both fell flat to me. Maybe I've just been lucky to read so many romances with FANTASTIC character development, but it was frustrating to see such one-dimensional characters. Like, of COURSE she had to live in Paris, right? And that she was the Best Female Pilot and he was the Best Male Brewer in the Whole Wide World. They were the Only Quirky Kids to ever exist. I don't know, maybe it's because I'm not a millennial? But the side characters weren't any better, so maybe characters just aren't this author's thing.

C'est la vie. The plot device was still great. I think this would make a great movie. 

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest review. And if you excuse me, I'm going to go blast some Death Cab. 

bythebookwithshady's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

This book brought me so much joy! Where as 13 going on 30 was a welcome respite for the earlier generations loving Michael Jackson (rightfully so), The Backtrack was that for those of us who went through a hot-pink-skinny-pants wearing, sweeping bangs across the forehead, listening to Paramore on the back of the bus types. It was the perfect amount of romance with imagination! I loved it so so much! 

vankay's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

meganh10's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

coveredbychristine's review against another edition

5.0

I LOVED THIS STORY!!! I read it in one sitting and I regret NOTHING! The backtrack delivered ALL THE FEELS! It is by far my favorite book of Erin La Rosa. If you grew up in the 2000’s and want to bring back the Bath & Body roll on glitter nostalgic era ✨ then get this book. The story was so unique and well done! I loved how we got to experience Sam’s transformation as a character by going back in time one song at a time through her magical walkman. It had so many of my favorite Rom-Com vibes, like 13 going on 30, and a bit of the Notebook with that one outdoor kiss with Sam and Damon “it wasn’t over. It still isn’t over…” Ugh, guts me everytime!

thehogwartshoney's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Sam goes back to her hometown to find her old cd player still works.  Inside is her best friends from high school mix cd. Upon listening to the first track she is transported to a vision of an alternative reality, a reality where she kissed Damon.

While this book hits lots of nostalgia points for those in high school in the earlier 2000s I wish it would have been more in-depth with the past visions. The pace felt a bit off.  Overall I did enjoy this book. 3.5 stars.  

Thank you to netgalley for providing me with a copy to review

rebecca939's review against another edition

4.0

This was an adorable, fun story full of nostalgic references and emo heart!
Sam comes home after years away and plays a mix tape her old best friend/could've been boyfriend made her in high school.
As she listens, each sing whisks her to their high school past, only in this past her and Damon ARE together!
Damon and Sam are so cute and loveable as teens and adults...they kept alot of their personality quirks and stayed true to who they were.
I enjoyed reading them together in both eras!
I also enjoyed the side characters and plots! Overall a fun book I'd recommend!