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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
3.5⭐
The scene kid in me loves the nostalgia in this book, but it wasn't enough to carry it that far for me.
It's just an okay book. It is real slow in bits.
I loved the magical realism elements, especially towards the end when he gets to listen too! That's when I felt it picked up, but it was almost at the end.
The scene kid in me loves the nostalgia in this book, but it wasn't enough to carry it that far for me.
It's just an okay book. It is real slow in bits.
I loved the magical realism elements, especially towards the end when he gets to listen too! That's when I felt it picked up, but it was almost at the end.
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-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
That was cute! This won’t be long ’cause I’m exhausted, but it felt like a sweet rom-com 🫶🏻
A magical CD player that takes you back to see what could’ve been if you’d made different decisions in your life, all in the span of a song?! I mean… I could use some of that 😂 just to know! 🤭
I’m not a fan of the what ifs in life because they mostly make me sad, but the what ifs in this story are so necessary to bring our main characters together in the present 🥲
I did like that the main lesson was to find yourself in the world before falling in love with someone you’re afraid might hold you back from becoming the best version of yourself—cookie points for that.
Now the ugly part of the review: there was pretty much no chemistry at all between the characters until maybe the very end? And even then, not much 😞 For like 50% of the book, there’s almost nothing going on (besides the visions), and then suddenly there’s SO much happening right as it ends—it all just got a little messy, and the happy ending felt very rushed ☹️
This was, I think, supposed to feel like Ashley’s books? But it wasn’t executed properly, in my opinion 🥺
A magical CD player that takes you back to see what could’ve been if you’d made different decisions in your life, all in the span of a song?! I mean… I could use some of that 😂 just to know! 🤭
I’m not a fan of the what ifs in life because they mostly make me sad, but the what ifs in this story are so necessary to bring our main characters together in the present 🥲
I did like that the main lesson was to find yourself in the world before falling in love with someone you’re afraid might hold you back from becoming the best version of yourself—cookie points for that.
Now the ugly part of the review: there was pretty much no chemistry at all between the characters until maybe the very end? And even then, not much 😞 For like 50% of the book, there’s almost nothing going on (besides the visions), and then suddenly there’s SO much happening right as it ends—it all just got a little messy, and the happy ending felt very rushed ☹️
This was, I think, supposed to feel like Ashley’s books? But it wasn’t executed properly, in my opinion 🥺
“The BackTrack” is the perfect homage to “13 Going on 30” with a little mix of “Julie and the Phantoms.” This was a thoughtful story about following your dreams while holding on to the people you love. I thought Erin La Rosa’s depiction of stuck in a small town angst and depression were relevant and relatable. I appreciated the fact that while the story was based on songs (which I normally hate.) The music wasn’t the basic Taylor Swift and TikTok inspired songs that so many authors cling to, to stay relevant. I know this was specifically a grunge/emo playlist but if I could wrap this book into a song it would definitely be “You’re Gonna Go Far” by Noah Kahan. Another great read from La Rosa! #netgalleyreads
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a fun idea, but the execution didn’t work for me.
Sam and Damon were high school best friends, until one night Damon tried to kiss her. Even though Sam had a crush on Damon, she pushed him away.
“She was getting out, even if that meant she had to leave Damon behind”.
Years later, Sam is working as a pilot but has to travel back to her hometown to help move her Grandma to a senior living facility. The past finds a way back to her and nostalgia helps her find the answer to some of her biggest “whys” and “what ifs”.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story. It was a quick read with a little spice, a lot of romance and just the right amount of nostalgia for this former scene kid. It was fun hearing the old looks the characters had, while being able to compare their character growth.
And it has me turning to spotify to recreate some of my own high school playlists.
“She was getting out, even if that meant she had to leave Damon behind”.
Years later, Sam is working as a pilot but has to travel back to her hometown to help move her Grandma to a senior living facility. The past finds a way back to her and nostalgia helps her find the answer to some of her biggest “whys” and “what ifs”.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story. It was a quick read with a little spice, a lot of romance and just the right amount of nostalgia for this former scene kid. It was fun hearing the old looks the characters had, while being able to compare their character growth.
And it has me turning to spotify to recreate some of my own high school playlists.
"'Sugar, We're Goin Down' reignted the genre."
JanSport backpacks are timeless.
I miss dunkaroos.
"He was the Romy to her Michele, minus the back brace."
If I'm being honest, Erin La Rosa had me at Fall Out Boy. LOL.
Ssm Leto is a pilot, and a damn good one. But she's about to face her biggest challenge yet - going home. She is a nervous wreck, she hasn't been home since flight school.
But, Sam's grandma is getting older, and wants to move into assisted living. Sam agrees to leave her home in Paris and come visit to help her pack up the family home. The biggest hurdle is seeing her old high school best friend, Damon.
After he tried to kiss her and their friendship fell apart, Sam left without a real goodbye and didn't keep in touch.
As she heads home, she knows she will have to face Damon, and their past together. After an awkward reunion, Sam starts listening to an old mixtape Damon gave to her about five seconds before everything changed.
Sam hits play, and immediately finds herself transported back to that EXACT moment, only with a different ending. Instead of falling apart, Sam sees herself lean into the kiss and everything changes. Track after (incredible) track, Sam sees what life could have been like if she'd stayed.
As the plot develops, we get to see whether or not Sam made the right choice all those years ago, and Sam gets one chance to fix her friendship without destroying herself in the process.
I laughed, I cried, I CRINGED at the fact that I related so hard to their high school days lol. Who DIDN'T though?!
I truly enjoyed reading this one, and highly recommend it. ALSO check out the playlist on Spotify!
JanSport backpacks are timeless.
I miss dunkaroos.
"He was the Romy to her Michele, minus the back brace."
If I'm being honest, Erin La Rosa had me at Fall Out Boy. LOL.
Ssm Leto is a pilot, and a damn good one. But she's about to face her biggest challenge yet - going home. She is a nervous wreck, she hasn't been home since flight school.
But, Sam's grandma is getting older, and wants to move into assisted living. Sam agrees to leave her home in Paris and come visit to help her pack up the family home. The biggest hurdle is seeing her old high school best friend, Damon.
After he tried to kiss her and their friendship fell apart, Sam left without a real goodbye and didn't keep in touch.
As she heads home, she knows she will have to face Damon, and their past together. After an awkward reunion, Sam starts listening to an old mixtape Damon gave to her about five seconds before everything changed.
Sam hits play, and immediately finds herself transported back to that EXACT moment, only with a different ending. Instead of falling apart, Sam sees herself lean into the kiss and everything changes. Track after (incredible) track, Sam sees what life could have been like if she'd stayed.
As the plot develops, we get to see whether or not Sam made the right choice all those years ago, and Sam gets one chance to fix her friendship without destroying herself in the process.
I laughed, I cried, I CRINGED at the fact that I related so hard to their high school days lol. Who DIDN'T though?!
I truly enjoyed reading this one, and highly recommend it. ALSO check out the playlist on Spotify!
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
The nostalgia was great, the set up and start of the story were excellent. Then it took a turn. I needed more when it came to Damon and Sam reconnecting. And the ending with the singing was not good. So out of character