Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by foliageandfiction
The Backtrack by Erin La Rosa
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
4.25 stars, 1 spice
Thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for the e-arc!
<i>“Having nostalgia is romantic. It’s the ability to never forget something you love.” </i>
In a lot of ways I felt like this book was made for me. As a total emo/scene kid it was just full of nostalgia, as well as being someone who was alternative but also very academically driven I faced a lot of similar questions growing up, making the choice between what I thought was best for my goals vs teenage feelings. Also super random I actually picked this up as my beach reach while in Hilton Head which is literally the next island over from where this book takes place - Tybee Island!
In the Backtrack we follow Sam, an international Pilot, as she returns home to Tybee Island to help her grandma clean out her house. While there she finds a CD with a mixed taped her childhood friend/one who got away, Damon made for her.
This CD is full of 2000s pop/punk music, and as she listens she falls back into alternate memories which play out how her life would have been different if she had kissed Damon when he asked her when they were 15.
I would argue this book leans more towards adult/women’s fiction over romance, as it focuses more on reflecting on life choices. How one moment shapes us and how our fears may be a result of wrongs done to us by our own parents. These reflections and alternative memories take up more of the book than the present day relationship, though it does fit the criteria for a romance.
Because of this, I wish we had a bit more depth to Damon. We see so much focus on Sam finding herself and finding her happiness that I wanted a little bit more from his side.
However I love Sam, her emotions felt authentic and her relationship with her mother so raw. Her Grandma and her friends are hysterical.
<i>This day was meant to be pure fun, like crowd surfing or scoring tickets to the 2005 Warped Tour, which, in Sam’s opinion, had the best lineup—Fall Out Boy, My Chemical Romance and Relient K.</i>
I would recommend this to anyone who still plays 2000s pop punk playlists and understands the importance of individual growth and self discovery.
Thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for the e-arc!
<i>“Having nostalgia is romantic. It’s the ability to never forget something you love.” </i>
In a lot of ways I felt like this book was made for me. As a total emo/scene kid it was just full of nostalgia, as well as being someone who was alternative but also very academically driven I faced a lot of similar questions growing up, making the choice between what I thought was best for my goals vs teenage feelings. Also super random I actually picked this up as my beach reach while in Hilton Head which is literally the next island over from where this book takes place - Tybee Island!
In the Backtrack we follow Sam, an international Pilot, as she returns home to Tybee Island to help her grandma clean out her house. While there she finds a CD with a mixed taped her childhood friend/one who got away, Damon made for her.
This CD is full of 2000s pop/punk music, and as she listens she falls back into alternate memories which play out how her life would have been different if she had kissed Damon when he asked her when they were 15.
I would argue this book leans more towards adult/women’s fiction over romance, as it focuses more on reflecting on life choices. How one moment shapes us and how our fears may be a result of wrongs done to us by our own parents. These reflections and alternative memories take up more of the book than the present day relationship, though it does fit the criteria for a romance.
Because of this, I wish we had a bit more depth to Damon. We see so much focus on Sam finding herself and finding her happiness that I wanted a little bit more from his side.
However I love Sam, her emotions felt authentic and her relationship with her mother so raw. Her Grandma and her friends are hysterical.
<i>This day was meant to be pure fun, like crowd surfing or scoring tickets to the 2005 Warped Tour, which, in Sam’s opinion, had the best lineup—Fall Out Boy, My Chemical Romance and Relient K.</i>
I would recommend this to anyone who still plays 2000s pop punk playlists and understands the importance of individual growth and self discovery.