claire_melanie 's review for:

Backtrack by Kent Holland

5.0

adventurous emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

---

This is my favourite Kent Holland book so far and a wonderful conclusion to the Wanderlust series. As with the first two instalments, Holland has built a compelling narrative with well-developed side characters and a deep contemplation of the issues the characters face both in terms of their romantic lives and beyond. At the most basic level Backtrack is the story of a group of former college friends who reunite to hike a section of the Camino de Santiago. Elliot and Jamie, however, are hiding their months-old breakup from their friends and as the walk progresses, it becomes apparent that each member of their chosen family have also been concealing struggles of their own. 

 

In many ways, this book is exactly what a reader would expect – a sweet and empowering romance about queer love, joy, and community, and found family – but what I particularly loved about it was all the ways it was also deeply unexpected. Without giving anything away, I think the author made some bold choices that perhaps not everyone will love but I adored. I think Holland brings such an authenticity and queer sensibility to his books that I really appreciate. It is clear from each of the introductions to the books in this series, this is a something the author is committed to doing through drawing on his lived experience and his desire to tell stories likes his. 

 

The book is multiple POV and contains flashbacks which accompany the walkers’ journey. Through this structure, Holland is able to explore a multitude of big questions that will resonate with many readers, especially members of the queer community. These include meditations on sexual identity, shame, insecurity, religious trauma, the importance of community, coming out, the impacts of heteronormativity, and the underfunded education system. Like many of us, Holland’s characters struggle to find a meaningful way to survive in institutions and systems that don’t seem to be working for anyone. 

 

This is a really special trilogy. I don’t often re-read, but I know I will with the three Wanderlust books because alongside the romance are the thought-provoking themes that mean I will discover new layers with each engagement. While I am sad to be saying goodbye to the series, I am excited to see what Holland publishes next. 

 

Thank you to the author for the advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.