Reviews

Throwback by Maurene Goo

darnfeinbookthoughts's review against another edition

adventurous funny inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

letsgetfreak's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

4.0

makeminemonsters's review against another edition

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I thought this was such a fun time-travel book, I loved Sam as a narrator, her voice sounded authentic and REALLY funny. I appreciated that Goo didn't spend a lot of time on the mechanics of time travel and let this shine as a piece focused on the characters.

shannanh's review against another edition

5.0

If you were a teenager in the 90's like I was, then this book will be right up your alley.  Gen Z meets Gen X in a nod to back to the future.  Time to take a trip back before cell phones and social media, a young second generation Asian american teenager is sent back to the past, and is tasked in helping her teenage mother become prom queen.  The story took me back to my senior year of high school, and was such a warm and emotional read.  It had some funny moments, and some surprising/plot twist moments, but was definitely had some tear jerker moments.  This has been one of the best YA books I've read this year, and I will be looking for more books from this author.

I received a copy of the book via the publisher and am voluntarily leaving an honest review of my own thoughts and opinions.

layton93's review against another edition

funny hopeful fast-paced

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

3.5

phua_jieying's review against another edition

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

4.75

Love this book that has both the long-running Asian-American immigrant family conflict (mother-daughter) and warmer family ties (grandmother-granddaughter), as well as the lead character's comparatively greater pride in her heritage compared to her mother who kept trying to fit in with the white kids.

One minor quibble that I took 0.25 stars off for: It's the 2023 calendar and not the 2025 one which has the same days of the week as the 1995 one, hope this gets fixed if there's going to be a revised edition.

Similar movie recommendations:

• 2007 Japanese movie Bubble Fiction: Boom or Bust (『バブルへGO!! タイムマシンはドラム式』) - Mum followed by daughter went back in time to prevent the bust of the bubble economy.
• 2021 mainland Chinese movie Hi, Mom (《你好，李焕英》) - Daughter grieving her mum's death in 2001 was sent back to 1981 and befriended her young mum as a "cousin". 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism and Bullying

Moderate: Death of parent

Minor: Dementia and Pandemic/Epidemic

rachel_the_managing_editor's review against another edition

This was really cute! I can *totally* see it being a Netflix movie, and I would watch it.

mikyng's review against another edition

emotional 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

4.0

ittywitty's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

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

4.25

leannj's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted sad fast-paced

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

5.0

I love stories where the premise makes it seem as if the it will be filled wacky hijinks but subvert that expectation and deliver a heartfelt and moving narrative that explores themes of coming of age, familial dynamics, inter-generational trauma, and how as we grow older we realize that while there are things about our parents we may never agree with, we can come to understand them more and love them for who they are, without letting their baggage become ours. Definitely Maurene Goo's best book yet.