Throwback

I was not entirely pulled in by the premise, and let me tell you how I absolutely adored this book. The time travel device is one that made me think this was going to be a “freaky friday” re-make, and it ended up being so much more. I couldn't put it down. Sam is a FANTASTIC character. She's relatable, she's flawed, she's brave, she's angry, she's hilarious, she's willing to stand up for what's right. The novel addresses several important themes without ever feeling heavy-handed. The pressures immigrant parents put on their children, the ever complicated mother-daughter relationship, the reality of being a high school student and needing to figure things out within certain social constructs. I thought the resolution was very neat (but not too neat) and so satisfying. This book felt so authentic, despite the time travel. I also think it will seriously resonate with Gen Z teens, and I'm excited to rec this and hear their thoughts.

Also. JAMIE. I think I could read a whole other book from Jamie's side of things.