A review by rebeccaelizabeth94
The Throwback List by Lily Anderson

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

5.0

This book was so amazing. I loved everything about this book from the hardback artwork under the dust jacket to the list and the self discovery of the characters. I loved watching Jo grow as a person and seeing her friendship with Autum and Bee grow and change. I liked how as they went through the throwback list Jo found herself and learned that her little hometown wasn’t so bad after all. I liked Autumn and her drive to build a theatre program in a tiny high school. I loved how Bee was dedicated to her family and preserving the legacy they designed into the skin of the community. I hated Wren and I guess she was designed that way but oh goodness was she a lot. I’m a teacher and Wren was giving the worst kind of administrator possible. She was so self righteous and pretentious about everything. She hated the tiny town and wanted the big city life yet she chose to come back to the high school she went to to teach because she could get ahead faster. The audacity is strong and irony was not lost. Jo was too good for her. Wren could let Jo take some time to grieve her loss and learn to find a new place instead of questioning her drive to succeed. It’s the digital age and social media is here to stay. I absolutely loved when Bee brought the door home as decoration for Lita. Watching her grow and accept help for Lita made me so happy. When Jo messed up I appreciated that she apologized and the other characters didn’t just automatically say it’s all good. They took the space they needed and then got back together. Flo was another great character and I was rooting for him to have a bigger love interest moment. I wanted to read this book at all times and then when I got to the last 20 pages I was upset it was almost over. Part of me hoped that Jo learned to stay and help build the social media for the town but I liked that she created a place to come back to when she needed and the family she was born into and the one she made for herself was there to support her. It ended perfectly though. I need to get more Lily Anderson books ASAP 💖