A review by slugwifereads
The Backtrack by Erin La Rosa

4.5

Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for gifting me an ARC of her book in exchange for an honest review!

I went into this book excepting more of the typical contemporary romance, like the previous two books from Erin La Rosa I had read, but I was pleasantly surprised!

I love when magical realism is woven into a romance, and the time traveling paired with early 00’s musical nostalgia was so fun to experience. Every song on the mixed tape was a revelation and really had me hooked and wondering what would happen next in the alternate reality that Sam and Damon were living.

Sam and Damon’s relationship, in both timelines, were really compelling, from dealing with family trouble, parental abandonment, their dreams, and wanting more. I really felt for them and their struggles, and I was routing for them to get together.

I didn’t expect this book to make me as introspective as it did, and I certainly didn’t think going in that the end would make me cry, but here we are!!

I recommend this read if you like:
✈️ Strong, pilot FMC
✈️ Childhood best friends to lovers
✈️ Magical realism
✈️ Time travel
✈️ Early 00’s nostalgia 
✈️ “What if?” come to life
✈️ Family trauma